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You were running. You were moving so fast you thought you’d trip, trees blurring past you and branches snagging at your torn kefta. You didn’t dare look back, keeping your eyes ahead. There had to be a way out of here.
Your leg caught on something and you tripped, sprawling onto the forest floor. You tried to get up, desperately scrabbling at the ground, attempting to push yourself up, but before you could, a darkness spread from behind you.
He had caught up.
You struggled even harder now, but the shadows had you in their grasp, and it was only mere seconds before the darkness engulfed you. You could hear him now, his smooth, cold voice caressing your ear, whispering your name-
You shot up in bed, your gasp echoing throughout the room. You were breathing heavily, your heart thundering. You dimly noticed that your face was wet; you must’ve been crying. Your eyes drifted to the clock on your nightstand. It was just after three bells, and it was still dark outside.
You sighed. Just your luck; you wouldn’t be able to sleep after this. You shuddered at the thought of the Darkling’s voice brushing your ear. Dreams like this had plagued you ever since you’d escaped from him. You saw shadows and frightening figures in every corner of your room on nights like this. You had to get out of there. You couldn’t be alone with your thoughts right now, or you’d drive yourself to the brink of insanity.
You rose to your feet unsteadily, slipping on your boots and kefta. You quietly left your room and navigated the corridors of the Grand Palace. You paused in front of the white double doors. No matter how many times he’d told you you were welcome, you always hesitated. You raised your hand and knocked softly on the door.
You heard shuffling around behind the door before it opened. Nikolai stood before you, his hair dishevelled and a robe hastily thrown on, his toned muscles on display.
“Trouble sleeping?” he asked softly.
You nodded, wrapping your arms around yourself self-consciously. Nikolai stepped aside and opened the door wider without a word. You walked in, taking in the mess of documents and half-written letters that were on his desk.
Nikolai shut the door behind him, coming closer to you. “Do you want to talk about it?”
You shook your head, turning away from him, tears already coming to your eyes. You shouldn’t even be here - Nikolai had told you countless times that his door would always be open to you if you ever needed to seek comfort or company after a nightmare, but that didn’t stop you feeling as though he had more important things to do than look after someone who couldn’t handle a few night terrors.
“Hey, hey, come here,” Nikolai shushed, wrapping his arms around you and holding you to him. He whispered your name softly, putting his hand under your chin and tilting your face up to look at him. You took in his ruffled blonde hair and shining hazel eyes.
“You don’t have to talk about it - I won’t ever ask you to talk about it if you don’t want to - but I will always be here for you if you need me. You can always come to me, ok? I will drop everything I’m doing to come help you, and you will get through this, I know you will, because that’s the kind of incredibly strong person you are.”
Your breath hitched at his words. “I- it’s ok. I don’t want to talk. It’s enough that you’re here. You’re enough.”
You wrapped your arms around Nikolai, grounding yourself with the feeling of his solid form against you and the familiar scent of him. Eventually, he pulled away slightly. “You can stay here tonight.” You opened your mouth to protest but he gave you a look that said it wasn’t up for discussion.
He led you to his bed. A wave of exhaustion washed over you as you slumped into Nikolai’s messy bed sheets. He pulled the blanket up over you carefully, placing a lit candle on his bedside table to chase the darkness away. You were already drifting to sleep when Nikolai brushed your hair out of your face and pressed his lips to your head gently, the soft whisper of his voice saying your name carrying you to sleep.