Chapter Text
“Will you stay with me, please?” America asked, her voice still shaky.
Strange nodded and sat down at the foot of her bed. It was late at night, or early depending on the point of view, but either way, it was a time when people should be sleeping.
But alas, when he had heard America’s cries from his room that was next to hers, he had leaped up out of bed fearing the worst only to find her in the grips of yet another nightmare.
He should’ve expected this. After all, the kid had been through a lot in her lifetime, and being chased by a relentless, reality-warping witch certainly added to the mountain of traumas.
Doing what he did most nights, he’d coaxed her awake and then held her in his arms as she cried into his robe. He would run his scarred hands through her hair until she calmed down, but this night was different.
Normally, she’d ask him to leave or tell him she was alright and he would abide by her wishes. He assumed it was to save herself from what she presumed to be weakness or embarrassment, even though he was never bothered by the late nights or disturbed sleep. He was no stranger to nightmares himself.
But tonight, tonight was different. Maybe the memory had been particularly disturbing to her or maybe it was for some other reason he would never be privy to, but she asked him to stay.
Of course, he’d readily accepted since he would do anything if it meant she would feel happy and safe, but he was still surprised nonetheless.
“I’ll stay, I promise,” he'd whispered, his voice husky with sleep. “Now go to sleep.”
Her eyelids were already fluttering as she fought sleep, so they shut easily at his words and he heard her breathing slow and even out.
“Thanks,” he heard one final murmur come from her lips right as she drifted off.
“Anything for you, kid,” he’d replied, even though he doubted she’d heard him. “Anything for you.”