Chapter Text
It was 4am when Noah woke up. It was already automatic, he couldn't remember a time when he didn't do it. At first he was startled, his mother's screams echoing throughout the apartment. Later he would wake up and he could still hear Olivia's uneasy breathing.
More than once for as long as he could remember he had to wake her from those horrible nightmares. Sometimes she would just scream, sometimes she would beg, and, what hurt the most to hear were the screams towards someone named Elliot asking him to save her.
He had learned a few months ago who Elliot was and, while he could be angry, sad, or furious for the times he wasn't there when his mother asked for help in her dreams, he just figured he would be now.
It wasn't a bad guess, since meeting Elliot his mother had seemed calmer. He hadn't had to wake her up and that had been an improvement. He liked Elliot, and he liked that he was around.
Tonight was a sign of that, he was sleeping at Elliot's house, along with him mother (who made him call her Grandma B) and him young son Eli (he still didn't know how anyone could have five children). His mother had been at work and his babysitter was sick, so his mother took him to his old partner.
So here he was, it was 4am and Noah had woken up. He tried to get up and go get a glass of water, which used to make him go back to sleep. However, as he got out of bed he realized it was too dark and he couldn't see anything.
At home that didn't happen, his mother always kept a small light on in the middle of the hallway, as if she couldn't stand total darkness. He remembers when he was little and afraid of the dark. He remembers when he stopped being afraid of it and asked his mother if it was time to turn off the light. He remembers how his mother had said that maybe they could leave it, in case they needed to get up to the bathroom and then they wouldn't hit anything. He remembers how her voice was lower than normal and now wonders if it was because she was afraid of the dark.
He picks up the cell phone, which he had kept by his side at all times, and turns on the flashlight. He doesn't realize the mistake he's making until he hears Eli's grunt. he had woken him up.
- Sorry - he whispers and tries to cover the light so as not to blind Eli and still be able to see something.
- What time is it? - he asks sleepily
- 4am - he answers without checking his phone. It's always the same time.
- What are you doing awake? - he asks now sitting up - Is everything all right?
- Yes, I... - whispered, not really knowing what to say - I wanted a glass of water.
- It's okay, do you want me to help you?
Noah considers it, it wasn't his house and his mother always told him he had to ask permission to do anything. Besides, he had no idea where they kept the glasses and maybe he'd end up with her help sooner. After making her decision, he nods.
- Okay, let's go to the kitchen," Eli replies, getting up and turning on the light. Noah turns off the flashlight.
- I'm sorry I woke you up - he whispers once more.
- Don't apologize, I'm a light sleeper - he smiles sideways and looks at him - Do you always wake up for water? We could have left some on the bedside table.
- Yes, no... I... - falls silent, not knowing what to answer.
- Did you have a nightmare? - he tries to guess
- I haven't - he answers too quickly and Eli's look of confusion makes him keep talking - Mom always has nightmares. I wake up at this time and see if she needs me to wake her up - he confesses.
- Oh - he barely knows what to say - you shouldn't do that, you're just a kid.
- Mom says the same - he nods - but for as long as I can remember it has happened, sometimes I was woken up by screaming - he shrugs - I've gotten used to waking up and going back to sleep now
- I'm really sorry, little man - says Eli sincerely
- It's okay, I think she's better now. I haven't had to wake her up for a long time, she calms down by herself, and that rarely happens - he smiles.
- I'm so glad - there's a few seconds of silence while he fills his glass of water - Do you know what nightmares are about? - he asks, carefully
- From something very bad that happened to her when i wasn't born yet - he says what him mother answered when he asked her - that's why she has scars and nightmares - he shrugs - Sometimes she called Elliot screaming
- Really? - he asks and that makes Eli tense and stand still, not knowing what to say.
- Yes, she was asking him to come, to save her - he drinks some of the water - I think that when it happened to her you weren't here, that you had already left
- I'm sorry - he whispers
- It's not your fault - he shrugs and finishes his glass of water - I like that you're here, Elliot is good for mom
- Olivia is good for my father too - he replies
- Yes? - he smiles - My mother is good for everyone but herself - he tells her, calm - You know what she saved me?
- She saved you? - he asks, surprised
- Yes - he nods with a smile - she found me in a drawer and I had no family, so she stayed with me. She says it was me who saved her, but I don't think it was like that.
- Are you adopted? - he asked, still taking in all this new information he was receiving.
- Yes - he smiled - it's just me and mom. Like... Always - he remains thoughtful and then continues - well, I had some time with grandma Sheila, but she wasn't good. She... I think she kidnapped me
- How?
- Yeah, well, I think so. I was very little, and I have fuzzy memories, but since I'm older now.... I think that's what it was, that she kidnapped me and that's why we can't see her anymore.
- That's... A lot
- I know, but it's okay. Mom and I are happy. We're team Benson forever - he gives him back his glass when he finishes it and they go back to the room.
- Your mother saved me too, you know?
- My mom's good at it," Noah nods proudly, "Maybe now that Elliot's here again they can be partners and it won't have to be just her.
- Yes... - he says after a few seconds - I think it would be a good idea - he smiles.
- Goodnight Eli, I'm sorry I woke you up - he says getting back on the bed.
- Goodnight Noah, I'm glad you're here and I was able to meet you - replies Eli and quickly they both fall asleep again.