Chapter Text
Knock knock knock.
What...? Nathaniel thought as he slowly lifted himself from his mattress. He picked up his phone to look at the time. It's the middle of the night... Who in the world is knocking at this ungodly hour?
Whatever.. It's probably better that he answers the door instead of his parents. Especially his mom. She becomes even more annoying when disturbed from her slumber. With a heavy breath, he managed to pull himself up from his bed and walk to the front door.
Whoever it was, they knocked again, seeming a little frantic. "Yea, yea, I'm coming.."
Nathaniel didn't really think to look through the peephole. He just came up, unlocked and opened it. Which, in any other case, would've been a horrible idea. But not in this case.
"Marc?" He immediately recognized the boy standing in his doorway. Seeing Marc, seemingly distressed, made him wide awake in an instant. "What's wrong? What happened..?"
"Hi, Nath.." He managed to mutter, his voice a little broken. He looked and sounded like he'd been crying. He's also shaking a bit.. It's cold out tonight, and Marc is still in just his pajamas.
Nathaniel wanted to know more about what happened, but pestering Marc with questions when he's so distressed already probably isn't a good idea. He doesn't like getting crowded or asked a lot of questions at once like that. It just overwhelms him more. Despite himself, Nathaniel took a breath and willed himself to wait and be patient.
Marc appreciated the silence and the dark. It felt like he could relax and be allowed to think for a moment. He took a deep breath and wiped his eyes, makeup staining his cheeks. "It's.. I..."
"Take your time.."
"Mm..." Marc sniffled and inhaled shakily, exhaling slowly. "I was gonna call you, but.. I just really needed to get outside and breathe some fresh air, and.. I ended up walking here."
Marc wrapped his arms around himself with a small shudder. The breeze outside isn't helping the cold... Nathaniel quickly, but gently, guided Marc inside and closed the door behind him. He was still confused by Marc's presence, but he wouldn't press him for answers, and he'd never push him away. Especially like this. Never.
The ravenette managed to take off his sneakers, though his movement was a little flimsy and shaken. He stood next to Nathaniel for a moment. He finally gave in and leaned his head onto the redhead's shoulder, trying to just.. breathe, for now.
"Do you.." Nathaniel began, then paused. He sheepishly wrapped an arm around Marc and pulled him a little closer, trying to make him comfortable. He could only hope that the boy felt secure in his arms. "Do you want to tell me what happened..? You know you can.. I'll listen."
"No.. No, you'll think it's stupid.." Marc wiped his eyes again, leaning comfortably against Nath. "You know I wouldn't.. I'd never."
There was a silent pause, and Nathaniel finally exhaled. He pulled back slightly, trying to get a better look at the distressed boy in his arms. "You don't have to tell me. It's okay.. Let's just go to my room for now. You're okay now.. I'm here for you.. Always." He gently ran his hand over Marc's cheek, and he received a little nod as a response.
Nathaniel took Marc by the hand and walked him over to his bedroom, gently guiding him, taking it slower than he did normally.
"Come on, we'll get you warmed up and comfy, okay?" He held Marc's hands in a gentle grasp while leading the boy over to his bed and sitting him down on it, letting him stay there while he rummaged through his closet to find a hoodie or a sweater for him.
Nathaniel quickly returned to him with a dark but comfy hoodie in his hands. He aided Marc in putting it on. This one is oversized, so it fits him well. Looks comfortable enough..
He climbed into bed beside Marc, grabbing a soft blanket and pulling it over them while they settled down together. Nathaniel didn't initiate anything else though, far too worried that he'd just make Marc more uncomfortable somehow.
So there he lay beside him, quiet and comfortable as it was. He really didn't mind it, he just hoped that it was making Marc feel better.
He was actually a little surprised when Marc eventually did scoot closer to him, nestling his head in his chest and wrapping an arm around him. Nathaniel didn't know what to do with himself for a moment, but he slowly brought his arms down and wrapped them snugly around the person he cares for most.
He gently carded his fingers through Marc's dark hair, hoping to bring him a sense of peace. The silence was comfortable. They didn't need to talk to just enjoy this as it is.
Marc, however, did speak up. Though his voice was a whisper. "I.. I had a nightmare.."
Nathaniel didn't comment or react, not yet, he opted for continuing to hold Marc instead. If a nightmare shook him this badly, it must've been really bad..
"I know it sounds silly, and.. yea, it is. But it.. I just.." He covered his face with his hand for a moment and tried to breathe, though his breaths are a bit shaky. "It was.. bad. And I had to do something other than think about it, to distract myself, so I went outside, just to walk..."
Guess he subconsciously walked himself right to Nathaniel's home. He was naturally drawn to the person he finds most comfort in.
"It's not silly.. not at all." Nathaniel gently squeezed the person in his arms and held him closer. "You were scared.. It's okay."
"You're okay now." He continued, keeping his voice low and soft. He brought up a hand and carefully moved Marc's out of the way so he could see the boy's face again. He brushed a few strands of his hair away from it. "You're safe here, I promise.. Try to get some rest, okay?"
"Okay, Nath.." Marc nodded his head with a heavy exhale, finally relaxing in Nathaniel's arms.
"...You really don't mind? You don't think it's stupid, and- I'm not bothering you, am I?" He couldn't help the thoughts that still plagued his mind, and he needed to know what Nathaniel really thought about everything.
"Of course I don't mind, Marc.." He gently held the ravenette's cheek in his hand. "It's not stupid at all, and you're never ever bothering me.. I promise you."
"..Okay." He felt better hearing it from Nathaniel himself. He finally relaxed again and closed his eyes this time.
Nathaniel never let go of Marc. Not once. The thought didn't even cross his mind. He was more than content with having Marc in his arms, and it felt nice to know that he was a source of comfort for him.
The silence between them stretched on, and Nathaniel waited patiently for Marc to fall asleep first, just to be sure. Only then did he close his eyes and join him.