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Tim had gone off to bed with only the regular amount of argument, getting under the covers next to Martin with Squeak the dragon and his stuffed Baymax. Jon had given him a hug, patted his hair, and slipped out. That had been hours ago and now even Jon was sleeping peacefully; however, down the hall, Tim’s night was anything but restful. He’d flung his Baymax to the floor and buried his head in his pillow. Distorted images flashed through his mind like a carousel until they stopped and the nightmare crumbled around him. His eyes snapped open and he jolted up, pressing a hand to his mouth to suppress the scream that threatened to burst from him. Turning over he sat up completely and looked around the room, the sight of the little nightlight by the closet reminding him of his surroundings. He tried to stay quiet and regulate his breathing but was not lucky as Martin turned over and rubbed his eyes sleepily.
“Tim? Wassa matter?” he mumbled.
“Nothin', go back to sleep,” Tim said in a hoarse whisper.
“Did you have a bad dream?”
Tim nodded jerkily, “But I’m okay, go to sleep.” Martin shouldn’t worry about him, it was his job to worry about Martin. Martin did not seem to share these sentiments as he sat up and reached out to give Tim a hug.
“No touching!” Tim cried, harsher than he meant to, and batted Martin away, he curled into himself as Martin’s eyes filled with concern in the dim room. Martin watched him for a moment before an idea came to him. Searching the bed he pulled Squeak from between the pillows and headboard where she’d been squashed during Tim’s tossing and turning. He held the plushie out and rubbed it against Tim’s arm lightly. Tim jerked but graciously accepted his friend. Martin thought his work was done until he heard a sniffle and saw a few tears slip down Tim’s face.
Oh, this was serious.
He grabbed Tootsie the bunny and climbed out of bed. On the other side, he patted the mattress next to Tim, Tim looked at him through watery eyes.
“Come on.” Martin gestured for him to follow and headed for the door. Realizing that Martin was going to leave him there alone Tim scrambled off the bed. He held on to the back of Martin’s pajama shirt as Martin checked the hall for monsters and quickly made the short trip to Jon’s room.
Jon woke easy enough, “M’rt’n? Tim? Wha’s wrong?”
“Tim had a bad dream,” Martin explained. Jon leaned over and clicked on the small bedside lamp, the room was filled with light and Jon’s look of confusion at being woken melted when he laid eyes on Tim with Squeak clutched to his chest and tears still snaking down his face.
“Oh darling.” he reached toward Tim but Martin blocked him and twisted to stage whisper over his shoulder.
“Is touching okay now?” he didn’t move until Tim nodded and made a noise of affirmation. He let Tim climb in on the side by the lamp and went around to the other side. Jon was effectively boxed in by the two as Tim quickly snuggled into his chest and Martin had his arm over his stomach to rub Tim’s shoulder.
“Do you want to talk about your dream?”
Tim shook his head quickly, “Too scary.”
Jon hummed, “Alright then just take some deep breaths, you’re safe and nothing’s going to get you.”
“You’re okay Tim, we got you.” Martin parroted. Tim smiled a bit, tension in his chest loosening and tears eventually stopping.
“Can we sleep here tonight?” he asked in a small voice.
“Yes, you’ll have to let go a moment so I can turn off the lamp though.” The boys released Jon and he quickly shut off the light and settled back into place. When the room was dark again Tim felt his breath hitch.
“Papa sing?” Martin whispered.
“Hmm sing what sweet boy?”
Martin shrugged and yawned, “Something good.”
Jon chuckled a bit, “Alright let me think.” There was silence and Tim almost thought he’d fallen asleep until he heard a soft melody begin.
“Stay awake don’t rest your head. Don’t lie down upon your bed.” Jon’s voice was gentle and Tim let himself be lulled back to sleep by it.
“Stay awake. Don’t nod and dream.” The last line was interrupted by a yawn as Jon himself succumbed to sleep. A peaceful silence settled, broken only by the slight snores of three people in one bed.