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Team startled himself awake, shooting bolt upright in his bed. He was covered in small beads of sweat that were trickling down his forehead and back. His heart was pounding so hard, he thought it might rip right out of his chest.
It’s just another nightmare, he repeated to himself, gripping the blankets so hard that his knuckles turned white. It’s just another nightmare.
Unable to collect himself, he felt the panic bubbling up inside of him. It crawled up his chest and throat until it was bursting from his eyes in the form of tears. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t hold back the gut-wrenching sobs.
He couldn’t breathe. He was bawling so hard that he was choking on his sobs.
A thought suddenly occurred to him. Hia. Call Hia. Call Hia.
He blindly fumbled for his phone on the bedside table, knocking over a few things while doing so. Once he felt the phone underneath his fingertips, he grabbed it and brought it over.
Call Hia. Call Hia.
His eyesight was so blurred that he could hardly read what was on the screen.
Call Hia. Hia. Hia.
Through his tears, he saw the faint outline of Win’s contact, and he tapped on it desperately. It was ringing.
Please. Please. Pick up.
He did. From the other end of the call, a groggy Win groaned, “Hmm.”
The second that Team heard Win’s voice, a choking sound erupted from his throat. He immediately heard frantic rustling as Win hurriedly said, “I’m on my way. Don’t hang up, I’m on my way.”
In just under a minute, the door to his room swung open and Win entered, concern written across his face. He was wearing boxers and no shirt, hair tousled, but he was here.
“Team?” he asked urgently. “Team. I’m here. I’m here… Can I touch you?”
“Hia,” Team croaked as he looked up at Win with pleading eyes. That was all that he could manage, but it was enough.
Win sat down on the bed next to Team and wrapped his arms around him. Gently stroking his back, Win whispered, “Breathe. Keep breathing. Remember what we practiced.”
As he took a shaky inhale, Team dug his nails into the skin on Win’s shoulders. He just wanted this to stop.
“There you go,” Win encouraged, rubbing circles on Team’s back in time with his breathing. “Can you do that again?”
When he attempted to take another deep breath, a broke sob fell from his lips and he collapsed against Win’s body.
“Hey, I’ve got you,” Win comforted, fully supporting Team’s weight. “I’ve got you.”
After many more deep breaths and even more shed tears, Team could feel his chest begin to loosen, and it became easier to breath. He couldn’t feel his heart thumping in his ears anymore, and he had stopped sweating. He remained pressed up against Win’s chest, gripping his shoulders tightly. As his muscles relaxed, his forehead slowly dropped to Win’s shoulder. Being here with Win, being held like this… it was grounding. It was secure.
“Hey,” Win whispered, reaching up to pet his hair. “How are you feeling?”
“Better,” Team puffed. He felt out of breath, and positively drained.
Noticing his weariness, Win gently laid the both of them down on the bed. They held each other so closely that their chests were pressed together. Win watched Team, who’s eyes were closed as he continued to collect himself, and stroked his hair gently.
“Nightmare?” Win quietly asked, nosing Team on the cheek.
“I barely even remember it…” Team uttered, trying to picture the scene in his mind. The images had come and gone, but the feelings still remained. “I was just… terrified.”
Win nodded, softly drawing circles on Team’s back with his thumb. “Can I do anything?”
“Could you stay?” Team whispered, looking up at him shyly.
With a small smile growing on his face, Win said, “Of course.” He leaned in closer to Team so that their noses were touching. “Do you want to go back to sleep?”
Team aggressively shook his head. No, no, no, no. He really did not want to go back to sleep. And risk having another nightmare? Absolutely not. As soon as he shook his head, he felt a twinge of guilt in his gut. It’s the middle of the night… I woke Hia up, made him come over here, and now I’m making him stay awake for the rest of the night… He’s probably exhausted…
Contrary to his worries, Win’s eyes shown with understanding. “Okay. How about I keep hugging you? Or we can talk?”
“I’m really sorry,” Team sputtered, “I don’t mean to…” He let out an exasperated sigh. “Hia, I-”
A short, breathy laugh fell from Win’s lips, eyes sparkling with fondness. “Team,” he said warmheartedly, rubbing his shoulder tenderly. “I don’t mind staying awake with you.”
“But you’ll be tired,” Team retorted.
“So, I’ll sleep tomorrow night,” he said simply. “But you need me right now, so I’ll be here.”
Wearing a remorseful expression, Team replied, “… I really do feel bad…”
“Then buy me coffee in the morning,” Win said with a cheesy grin. “You know my order now, after all.”
Not saying a word, Team looked him in the eyes, seeing the legitimacy and genuineness pouring from them, tugging at his heartstrings. It made his heart soar.
“That sounds pretty fair, right?” Win continued with a smirk growing on his face. “Staying awake with you for the rest of the night in exchange for free coffee? Actually… that’s more a win-win situation for me, soooo-”
Team cut him off, wrapping his arms around Win’s shoulders in the warmest embrace, and earnestly whispered, “Thank you.”
“Ahhh, it’s nothing,” Win said with a smirk, eyes gleaming. He nuzzled his chin into the crook of Team’s neck, still grinning.
“Please don’t let go,” Team whispered, clutching the back of Win’s shirt.
“I won’t,” Win whispered, sliding his hands up and giving his shoulders a soft squeeze. “I’m not going anywhere.”