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Thomas wasn’t a scaredy cat. Or at least, not often. There were a few things that scared him deeply. The chances of a car crash, or getting robbed were a couple that could happen that he had no control over. Another was losing his friends or family. He could keep them close, but ultimately anything could happen at any time, all up to chance. That’s why when he had nightmares, often it wasn’t the monsters chasing him that got him, but the real life scenarios involving his friends, or himself.
Tonight was a particularly bad one. He gasped to wakefulness, breath coming uneven. He swallowed hard, as eyes scanned the room, back and forth. It was so real. So real that he almost wanted to be silent, and pretend to sleep. He’d had a sort of sleep paralysis dream. There was someone waiting in his closet to kill him. If he let them know he was awake, they’d strike. He hadn’t seen them, or heard them. He just knew they were there, something demented, something evil.
With a single thought, like tugging on a long string, he alerted exactly who he wanted. He could feel it pulling back, like a fishing line with a bite. The bond they held reeled in, thinking of the one who could protect him the best. He blinked, and without a single sound, a sleepy Roman was beside him under the covers.
Roman blinked in the dark, taking a deep breath and gaining his bearings. He didn’t seem to know what was different at first, as his sleeping mind tried to comprehend the change. It was almost funny to watch as his eyebrows furrowed and his gaze went from the walls, not red, to the window, not covered by a fancy red and gold curtain, to finally turn to Thomas, doing a double take.
“A little slow…”
“Mhm…”
“I’m in… your bed?”
“Yes.” Thomas nodded, a grin tugging at his lips. Roman dipped his head, his mouth opening and closing, and his hand moving under the covers.
“You’ve summoned me shirtless… but with my sword. That’s an odd choice.”
“I didn’t go for shirtless. I just grabbed you. You sleep shirtless?” Thomas asked.
“Yes, I’m a warm sleeper. You don’t?”
“No. I’m a cold sleeper.” Thomas said quietly. Roman gave him a “fair enough” shrug and turned on his side to face him.
“So, why am I here?” He asked.
“Nightmares.”
“Ahh. The dreaded enemy. Maybe Remus is awake and working.” Roman said, giving him a soft smile.
“I don’t think so. I mean, maybe. It was kind of playing on my intrusive thoughts, so that would make sense.” Thomas trailed off, turning to lay on his side to face the Prince. Roman moved his hand to his arm, a gentle touch to support him.
“It’s weird touching. We used to not be able to. I still don’t know what that means. I’m kind of questioning everything.”
“I know you are. So is Logan. None of us really know for sure what it means. Our bonds have strengthened over time. I don’t think we would have known we could touch you honestly, if it hadn’t been for catching you.” Roman said quietly. Thomas nodded, thinking back on the incident. It really had been a complete accident. He was heading towards the kitchen, Roman towards the living room, and he just tripped over his own feet. And Roman, ever the smooth prince, caught him. And everyone had gone silent. No one knew that was possible.
“So, what can I do to help? Check the closet for monsters?” Roman offered, his voice gentle despite the tease. Thomas nodded, scrubbing hands across his face.
“More like humans.” Thomas muttered. Roman winced, rubbing his hand along Thomas’ arm comfortingly.
“One of those dreams.”
“Yeah… And the bathroom, if you could check. And the bed. And the downstairs.” Thomas muttered. Roman huffed a laugh, rubbing up and down his arm.
“It’s alright, fear not. Stay here.” Roman said gently.
Thomas watched him sit up, praying he slept with pants on, unlike the shirt. It wouldn’t be abhorrent to see his own image, but it wasn’t something he was prepared for at four in the morning. Thankfully, Roman did. He watched the prince go to the closet first, flipping the light switch and opening the white wooden doors, checking each side before securing everything back in place. Next he bent to check under the bed, giving him a thumbs up, before heading to the bathroom. With that clear, he shut the door, heading back over to the bed.
“I’ll only be a moment.” Roman promised. Thomas nodded, watching him go like he didn’t have a fear in world.
It was odd, how some people could go bravely check a house for intruders but scream at the sight of a spider. He watched the hallway light flicker on, and listened as the hall closet opened and shut, then to the footfalls heading down the stairs until they got too faint to follow. For one brief moment he was alone again, fear creeping back in, until Roman entered the room again. He shut the door and locked the knob, and Thomas relaxed against the pillows.
“Clear?”
“Completely.”
“Are you sure? Even the downstairs closet?” Thomas asked.
“And the bathroom, and the front and back locks, and the back yard.” Roman soothed. He blew out a long breath, trying to count to eight like he’d been taught. That should be enough. Roman checked the house. Roman, who could touch now, and interact with the real world, had checked the locks and every place a human could fit. And yet, the thought of turning his back on the darkness made him tense. Roman sighed, setting down his sword by the edge of the bed and taking a seat.
“What’s wrong?” He asked gently.
“Sorry. You’ve done enough already. It’s just still bothering me, the dream is. Even though I know nothing is there.” Thomas waved a hand.
“There’s no need to apologize. Is there anything else that might help?” Roman asked. He went quiet for a moment.
“Maybe?”
“You don’t sound certain.”
“It’s- it’s just kind of weird for you, maybe?”
“Well there’s no telling for sure unless you tell me what it is.” Roman pointed out.
“God, yeah ok. Just blurt it out I guess. Could you, or, could we, I mean-” Thomas paused, gathering his words.
“Since we can touch now, could you lay down next to me, and…” Thomas gestured vaguely, and Roman rolled his eyes, that same light hearted smile still on his face.
“You don’t even know how to talk to a man from your own head. So sad.” Roman interrupted, making Thomas scoff in surprise.
“I do so!”
“I highly disagree. Roll over.” Roman instructed. He turned over, facing away from Roman, and felt him shift to lay down next to him. Just like his hand had been, his whole body was warm and alive, as he pulled Thomas in, wrapping an arm around him protectively. The fear and tension in him slowly drained away, leaving him slack.
“Better?”
“Better.” Thomas sighed.
It didn’t take long for his mind to lull, not with someone else there. Usually it was a fight to sleep, even with a partner, but he guessed the companion in question tonight having a sword must help his mind. Maybe he could get all his partners to bring a sword to bed. As he neared sleep, and his mind conjuring pictures of sword fights, a last thought floated through and he tried to drag it out.
“What’f someone does get in?”
“Then I’ll wake you. And I’ll handle it.”
“Can you handle it? Can y’touch other people? C’n other people see y’now?” Thomas slurred.
“We can find out tomorrow.” Roman soothed. That sounded good. Tomorrow, after sleep.
“G’Night Rom’n…” Thomas mumbled. He couldn’t quite make his lips move. Roman didn’t seem to mind. He squeezed him tighter, and pressed his face close to Thomas’ own short hair.
“Goodnight Thomas. Sleep well. I’ll be right here.”