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Angela suffered from nightmares. It was a common enough affliction amongst the members of Overwatch. It used to be easier for her to hide, before she started to share a bed with Fareeha more often than not.
Tonight, Fareeha was struggling to sleep in any case, plagued by an insomnia that seemed to strike at random. She'd given up on trying to force it and was watching Angela sleep instead, the dim light turning her face pale grey. Her calm face began to twist, soft mumbling nonsense spilling from her lips as her limbs convulsed, twisting into a ball and then releasing. Fareeha recognised it clearly enough, but she was still at a loss as to how to help. It was difficult to protect someone from their own mind.
Angela woke with a start, her eyes opening suddenly and her gaze meeting Fareeha's. “Fa-Fareeha,” she said, her voice shaking. Tears were beginning to roll down her cheeks, seemingly unnoticed. “You're here, you- you're safe, you're okay.”
“I'm here,” Fareeha said, her tone soft and soothing. She reached across to stroke Angela's hair, her thumb brushing the tears on her cheek. “It's okay. It was a dream, just a dream.”
“Yeah,” Angela said, nodding and visibly trying to control her breathing, “Just a dream.”
“Come here,” she said, holding her arms open. Angela shuffled quickly into them, burying her damp face against Fareeha's shoulder. “It's okay.” She closed her arms around her, rubbing her back in what she hoped was a comforting manner. “Do you want to tell me about it?”
“It was the same,” Angela said, her voice muffled. She hiccuped occasionally, still not quite crying properly but unable to stop all the same. “It's always the same.” Her voice hitched, and she focused on breathing slowly for a moment, taking a deep breath in and releasing it. “I was too late, I'm always too late. I couldn't- I couldn't save-” She broke off, pulling back to angrily rub her eye with the heel of her hand as she tried to hold back the sobs.
“Hey, it's okay,” Fareeha said, using her sleeve to wipe her cheeks, “It's okay if you cry. You'll feel better.”
Angela laughed shakily. She returned her face to Fareeha's shoulder, sniffing as she tried to control her muffled sobbing.
“It's- I just,” she said, her words broken, “I love you. I love you.”
“I know,” Fareeha said, stroking her back again, “I love you.”
“I love you.”
She kept repeating it, more muttered than not, until finally she stopped shaking and her tears began to dry.
“Better?” Fareeha asked, cupping her cheek with one hand. Angela nodded, and she leaned in to kiss her salty cheek.
“I love you,” Angela said, settling back against her chest, far more peacefully this time. She fell asleep quickly, drifting easily into a peaceful slumber.
“I love you too,” Fareeha said. She fell asleep slowly, but it was easier now. Angela's steady breathing was soothing, and she drifted off easily, without even noticing it happen.