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Nightmares. They were nothing new to you, always tormenting, taunting, mocking. The late nights of waking up in cold sweats, trembling hands, and shaky hands that grasp for any source of comfort. Whether that was yourself, a blanket, or a damp pillow. Tonight had been no different, your body shaking and growing restless as you tackled the nightmare in your sleep.
Dorian, oh him, he had seen this display plenty of times. He felt useless in knowing he couldn't reach out and hold you near and dear, but now? He believed he could finally. It simply just took you putting those dateviators on and seeing him, asking him. Dorian would be at your side in less than a heartbeat. He loved you dearly after all, but never pushed the notion of your nightmares. He knew how much they troubled you, the agony associated with them. If only Dorian could be there in your nightmares to protect you from the threats that tormented your mind.
The paced breaths, stifled sobs, and murmured words to yourself had alerted him to your distressed state. God, how he could reach out and touch you but you couldn't see the physical personification of him. Not one bit. You curled up in bed, chest and mind aching with the aftereffects of the nightmare still fresh in the visions of your waking thoughts. One of your hands grabbed at the nightstand in the dark room, dragging the glasses along the wood and toward yourself. With a trembling hand, you put them on in an askew manner.
Your throat tightened as you simply said one word. “Dorian,” came out a choked sob.
It wasn't a second later until Dorian left his post and the bed dipped with his weight. He pulled you close, as much as he could, and turned you over so that your face was in his chest. His hands caressed your broad, masculine frame, going to your back to hold the back of your neck and head.
“It's okay,” Dorian whispered. “I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, love.”
The large frame of Dorian's body helped with covering your own, broad, warm muscles soothing you. He didn't care that you were drenched in a cold sweat, he needed to keep you close and warm as you sobbed into his chest. They wracked your body and sounded beyond pained, something that twisted and tore Dorian's heart. He hummed lowly to soothe you the best he could, but he wasn't discounting your agony as he let you continue to let everything wash over you. Dorian was there. When he meant that he'd hold you tighter than anyone in this house, he swore it like an oath.
Dorian would always be there for you.
Your lover and protector.