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Vi is having a nightmare. A bad one.
Caitlyn sometimes sleeps through Vi’s nightmares, and only knows the next day when Vi is pale and quiet at breakfast. Sometimes Vi mumbles and moves in her sleep, and a hand on Vi’s side or back is enough to calm her. They come and go--weeks or (rarely) months can go by without one. Sometimes it's obvious why they're back. Sometimes it's a mystery.
And it's unusual for Vi to say anything coherent in her sleep. But tonight she's twitching and groaning out a “Noooo,” loudly enough to fully wake Caitlyn.
“Sh, it’s okay.” Caitlyn sits up and rests a hand on Vi’s back in an attempt to sooth her.
But Vi jerks away from her, thrashing out of the covers and thumping to the floor before jumping up to stand with fists at the ready, staring down a threat that isn’t in the room, her eyes wide and shining in the low light of the street lamps through their curtains.
“Vi. Hey. You’re having a nightmare. You’re alright.” She tries to keep her voice firm but kind.
Caitlyn can see the moment Vi actually wakes up--her expression moving from a snarl of anger and fear to blinking in confusion to sudden exhaustion, her body losing tension all at once. She stumbles towards the bed and drops to sit on it, facing away from Caitlyn with her back hunched over.
“Fuck.” Vi’s voice is thick with sleep and emotion.
Caitlyn slips out of bed and comes back with a glass of water and a damp facecloth. Vi is still sitting with her face in her hands, elbows resting on her knees. Caitlyn intentionally doesn't quiet the sound of the door or her steps as she crosses the room to hand Vi the glass of water. “Do you want to talk about it?”
Vi gulps the water down, then takes the cool cloth, pressing it against her face. “Not right now.” She wipes at her eyes and drops the cloth on the bedside table. “Besides, it wasn’t anything new.”
Caitlyn slips back into bed and lies on her side to face Vi, who lies down on her back with a groan, one arm over her face. “Sorry I woke you up.”
“It’s fine.” It isn’t fine. Caitlyn’s heart hurts for Vi--that she has to relive so much pain and fear and loss, over and over, even when she's asleep. There's nothing fine about that.
“Thank you anyway. It’s a little easier with you here. After I wake up, I mean.”
Caitlyn reaches out to rest a hand on Vi’s stomach. Vi covers Caitlyn’s hand with the one not on her face and gives it a squeeze.
Vi rolls over, facing away, and Caitlyn follows to curl up behind her, one arm around her waist. Vi sniffles and shakes, weeping as silently as she can.
Caitlyn kisses between Vi’s shoulders. “I’m right here. It’s okay.”
Vi just squeezes Caitlyn’s hand again. They wait out Vi’s tears together, and before long her breathing begins to even out and slow down. Only once Caitlyn's sure Vi is peacefully asleep, does she let herself drift away, too.