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Flashes. That's all he saw at first. Vague images that had lept from their true context, so that they became little more than abstract imaginations. Something that looked like a face, something that looked like it could be a person, or could have been a person. Something that looked bright red like fire, but moved more like the sea. A village submerged beneath the waves, perhaps.
Shoto sat upright in a split second, his heart pounding painfully against his ribcage and his hands clutching the sheets. There was sweat running down his brow and his mouth was still open, though the scream he'd let out had come to an abrupt end at the realisation that he'd been dreaming. He was panting now, and trying hard not to cry. For that purpose he brought up his hand, muffling the quiet sobs in his own palm.
"Shoto..."
Shoto's body fired another shot of adrenaline, before realising he wasn't in any real danger. But... he would've rather prevented Vox from knowing the true reason he often slept so badly.
A warm hand touched the small of his back, first gently, but then adding pressure when Shoto didn't shoot away at the touch. He shivered at the sensation; his damp T-shirt sticking to his chilly skin. But still... he liked the comfort.
"Can you tell me what that was about?" Vox asked.
Shoto's breath stumbled over a sob that had crawled up his throat without him realising it. Damn. Had he lost all self control? "No," he replied. He wasn't sure whether that's what had caused his sob. Was there a part of him that wanted to let Vox in, despite how obviously stupid and dangerous that was? "I can't tell you."
"Alright," Vox said, sounding like he always did. Sometimes Shoto wondered whether it would be easier if Vox would act a little less understanding. Like this it was too easy to keep his past to himself. Vox never pried when Shoto told him to stop. Maybe it would be good if he did, some time...
Shoto's arms trembled as he shifted on the bed, getting into a more comfortable position. Vox moved in besides him, arms snaking around Shoto's body and closing around him. Shoto finally managed to breath in a little deeper.
"Let's get you back to sleep, shall we?" Vox said, voice quiet. Shoto could feel Vox's breath in his hair. It caused his eyes to shut and his body to go limp in Vox's grip. He usually found it impossible to go back to sleep after a nightmare like that, but for some strange reason the images didn't linger as much tonight as they normally did. "I'll be right by your side. Nothing can hurt you here." Vox pressed a kiss to the top of Shoto's head, before he lied back down, pulling the smaller male down with him. Shoto landed perfectly in Vox's grip, his head resting on Vox's chest. If he listened carefully, he could hear the soft beating of Vox's heart deep beneath the surface. It was always so quiet, so slow and steady...