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Audrey hated how tormented Emma was by her trauma. Not because she found it burdensome or anything along those lines, but because she hated seeing the girl she loved so much be so upset.
She knew it wasn't fair to compare traumas, but one could easily make an argument for why Emma had gotten it the worst out of everyone in the friend group, even after everything they all endured. After all, she'd been the only one who needed to go to serious psychiatric care.
Emma shot awake in the night, panting heavily and feeling as though her heart was seconds away from exploding. Audrey had never been a heavy sleeper, so the motion woke her up.
Another nightmare, she thought, looking at the trembling girl. She wanted nothing more than to hug her, but she also knew from experience that touch wasn't always the best idea after a nightmare, depending on what the content of the nightmare had been.
"Can I hug you?" she asked, getting a small nod in response. Audrey gently wrapped her arms around the other girl and took steady, even breaths for Emma to copy. "It's okay. You're safe"
"I don't feel safe" Emma replied through gasps. "I don't know if I'll ever truly feel safe again" she lamented. "Every day, I just keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. For another killer, or-"
"Hey" Audrey cut her off, tightening her hold ever so slightly. "Even if that happens, which I highly doubt, I got you, okay?" she assured. "I won't let anything bad happen to you"
"You can't promise that"
"Then I guess you'll just have to take it on faith" Audrey hummed. "Do you want water?"
"I don't want you to leave"
"Okay" Audrey agreed. Water could wait. Everything could wait. Hell, the world could end and Audrey would still stay put until Emma felt secure enough to be alone. "I won't leave"
"Thank you" Emma breathed. "...Love you"
"Love you too, Emma"