Dumas hesitated when Mari offered to make him some food.  He was supposed to be the strong one, the one looking after her when she needed him.  He’d never felt comfortable receiving help from other people -- as if a single accepted favor would doom him to a lifetime of dependency.  Never be vulnerable, never be weak.  Dumas had learned those lessons long before the military drilled them even deeper into his head.<br/><br/>But before Dumas could decline, his stomach rumbled loudly, announcing the truth of the matter.  He did feel hungry.  And tired.  Embarrassed, Dumas glanced at Mari.  Then a sheepish smile spread across his lips.  It was a little silly, wasn’t it?  This battle of wills between two caretakers, each stubbornly determined to look after the other.  Why should he assume that Mari felt any more comfortable receiving help than he did?  Maybe the best thing he could do for Mari was to surrender and let her do what she enjoyed doing.  There were very few people in the world that Dumas would allow to ‘spoil’ him -- but for Mari, he would attempt to get past his pride and his fear.<br/><br/>“Yeah,” he admitted.  “A sandwich or something would be great.  I’m starving.”<br/><br/>Crossing over to the bed, Dumas offered Mari his hand, incase she needed help getting back on her feet.  And he remembered another issue regarding their sleeping arrangements.  “I probably should have mentioned this before you agreed to let me stay with you.  Sometimes I have dreams...nightmares, really.  I might thrash around or make noise.  I hope I won’t disturb you.  But if you notice me doing any of that, keep your distance.  I could hurt you without realizing what I’m doing.”<br/><br/>Dumas had never told anyone about the nightmares, and he didn’t want to tell anyone now.  But he couldn’t risk the chance of Mari trying to wake him and finding herself in a chokehold -- or worse.  Dreading what he might see, Dumas watched Mari’s face as he made his confession.  Would she be afraid?  Would she ask him to leave?  Maybe he should just call Chester and ask the magician to take his place.