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For everything Nox went through, it was surprising he didn’t have nightmares that often. They were rare, and often occurred when he was under some sort of stress.
Chase used his wish for the keys to become human a week ago, and now all of the keys were real people, and were adapting their way back into society. Mrs.G was generous enough to take in all of the keys as her own, offering them a safe place to stay during the transition.
The whole week had been stressful, but today in particular was really stressful for Nox. All of the keys were taking their turns going to the doctors for a well visit, and today was Nox’s turn. Chase drove Nox to the doctor’s office, and was able to stay with Nox for the whole appointment. But the appointment still sucked. Being a key turned human, he was missing all of his vaccinations, and with being unknown in the healthcare system, the doctor ordered bloodwork as well.
Nox received as many of the vaccinations as he could, and had his blood drawn. He would have to come back in a few weeks to receive his remaining vaccines, and for the bloodwork results. Chase held Nox’s hand throughout the entire appointment, and treated him to ice cream after.
So yeah, it had been a stressful day for Nox.
That night Nox decided to stay the night at Chase’s house. They were laying in Chase’s bed, Chase laying on top of Nox’s chest, scrolling through his phone and showing Nox the hilarious animal videos he was finding. Nox watched with a smile, running his fingers through Chase’s soft hair.
At some point in the night, Nox fell asleep.
~~
And he was running.
He ran down a dimly lit hallway, adrenaline coursing through his veins as he panted. He had to get out before they…
“Nox…” a voice echoed, sounding old and aged.
Nox continued to run, almost tripping over himself as he held his chest. Eventually, he reached the end of the hallway. There was a door that stood in front of him, and it was locked.
No, No, No…
“Nox… I just want to talk.”
Footsteps could be heard, getting closer and closer…
Nox let out a screech of fear as he messed with the lock, trying to somehow jam it open. He looked around frantically, letting go of the lock and starting to bang on the door.
“Someone! Anyone! Help me!” he pleaded, yanking at the door handle. It was futile. A shadow gradually overtook him as the footsteps stopped.
He did not want to turn around.
“Nox.”
He still didn’t turn around, his hands lowering to his sides as he began to shake.
“Turn around when I speak to you.”
He held his breath, closing his eyes as he anticipated what was going to happen next.
He let out a yelp as a hand grabbed his head, turning him around and slamming him up against the door. His vision blurred as his head began to throb. For being an old man, this man somehow had a lot of strength.
Tears welled up in his eyes from the pain as he looked down at the old man, not daring to meet his gaze. One of his arms was holding him up, while the other was behind his back. Why was his other arm behind his back?
“You failed at another story today… do you realize how much narratonin we lost out on?” the old man snarled, his grip tightening on Nox’s head.
Nox let out a cry as his gaze shifted up. The old man’s eyes showed nothing but anger and disappointment.
“I-I… I tried! It-It wouldn’t let me go in t-the book!” Nox stammered out, hissing in pain as the old man’s grip only grew tighter. He slammed Nox into the door again before lowering him to the ground, moving his hand to his chin and gripping it very tightly.
“Well… if you’re claiming it would not let you into the book, I thought we could give this a try,” the old man said as he revealed what was behind his back. Nox’s eyes widened in horror as he saw a syringe.
“Maybe this will help you focus a little bit more.”
No, No, No!
Nox began to kick and fight against the old man, but he wasn’t strong enough. The old man moved the hand from Nox’s chin and used it to grab Nox’s wrist and pin them against his head. As quick as that happened, the old man injected Nox’s shoulder with the mysterious liquid.
Nox screamed as pain quickly overtook his entire body, the struggle releasing from his body and being replaced with wanting to hug himself and make the pain go away. The tears finally shed down his cheeks as he let out cries of agony.
The old man let go of Nox’s wrists and he crumbled to the floor, hugging himself into a fetal position as his whole body felt like it had been set on fire.
“You wanted to go in this room so badly?... well I don’t see why not.” The old man pulled out some keys and unlocked the door, which revealed a very small, gray room with nothing inside of it. It looked like it was made for a prisoner. He picked up Nox by the head once again, and threw him in the room.
Nox tumbled onto the floor, and stayed there, gripping his arms as he curled in on himself. The pain was so strong and so loud!
“Maybe a few days here will teach you not to mess with me… you work for me, Nox.” The door was shut, and was quickly locked. Darkness overtook the small room, but Nox’s cries were still echoing throughout it.
Nox wailed as the pain only grew worse and angrier. Panic overtook him as the walls seemed to get closer, and the fire in his veins only got hotter.
“Let me out!!”
~~
Nox’s eyes shot open as he quickly sat up, his breathing out of rhythm as he quickly looked around and took in his surroundings. It was dark, and he could not see anything! Adrenaline took over as he jumped out of the bed and ran forward. He somehow found the door, and ripped it open as he ran out of the room.
Once he was in the hallway, he saw stairs. He ran down them fast, skipping a few, still thinking he was stuck in the nightmare. He made it to the bottom floor, and finally saw light. The nightlight in the kitchen offered a soft green glow to the room. Then a realization hit him.
He was not in his nightmare.
A light flickered on at the top of the stairs, and Nox jumped out of fear as he saw it. He scrambled away from the stairs, going into the kitchen and hiding behind the table.
Was he back to get him? To take him away from his new home? To put him back in that room?
Soft almost timid footsteps made their way down the stairs, and Nox crouched behind the table more, shutting his eyes as he anticipated the worst.
“Nox? Are you down here?” A soft voice called out, and with a soft flick of a light switch, the kitchen lights were turned on.
Nox opened his eyes at the sound of that voice, and he dared a glance over at the stairs. He swears he sees an angel.
Chase.
Nox comes out of hiding, and almost runs to Chase. He collapses into his arms, and Chase immediately holds him close, his eyes widening at how much his boyfriend is shaking. Chase moves a hand up to Nox’s head, running his fingers through his hair as the other hand rubs soft circles into his back.
What happened?
“Hey Buds, you’re okay, you’re safe,” Chase soothes, holding Nox close as he practically grips his shirt. Nox continues to shake in his arms, closing his eyes as he tries to take in Chase’s warmth. Chase breathes deep and slow, and Nox tries to match it.
“We’re okay Nox, we’re in my house, in the kitchen, the kitchen that kind of smells bad because Deacon tried to make dinner and failed miserably." Chase moves so he is able to see Nox’s face, and his heart breaks. Nox’s eyes look like they have seen something horrific. His face looks terrified, and unsure.
Chase measures his movements slowly as he carefully places a hand on Nox’s check, stroking it softly as the other hand is still around his back. He stares into Nox’s eyes, offering a soft smile and gaze.
“I’m here, Nox. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Tears well up in Nox’s eyes as he buries his face in Chase’s shoulder, letting all of the fear and agony out of his system. Chase lowers them both to the ground, pulling Nox into his lap and almost cradling him. Nox lays his head on Chase’s chest, sobs racking through his body as he lets the horror of his nightmare out. Chase holds him close, whispering reassurances into his ear as he gently rocks him.
Eventually, the sobs die down and what is left is a sniffling Nox. It could have been a few minutes, or a few hours. Nox grows the courage to finally look up at Chase, whose eyes are closed and is humming a soft tune. It’s as though Chase could sense Nox’s gaze, as he opened his eyes slowly and a smile grew across his lips.
“Hey Buddy.”
“I-I’m… I’m sorry about all of that,” Nox whispered, reaching a hand to take Chase’s. He interlocked their fingers, and Chase offered a reassuring squeeze.
“There is absolutely nothing to be sorry about!” Chase shook his head, leaning down to kiss Nox on the forehead. Nox closed his eyes at the softness, letting out a soft noise as he frowned.
“I woke you up, and you had to comfort-” Nox was cut off by a soft finger being put on his lips.
“And I would do it again a million times because I love you,” Chase started. “I never want to hear you apologize for something like this again or I’ll… I’ll take away your chocolate!” Chase playfully threatened, moving the finger that was on Nox’s lips to his cheek, gently wiping the tears off his cheek.
Nox sat up a bit more so he and Chase were eye level. He leaned his forehead against Chase’s, closing his eyes.
“I love you too, thank you,” Nox gently whispered, and Chase let out a hum as he squeezed Nox’s hand. They rubbed their noses together, and a soft peck on the lips was exchanged.
“Anytime, Buds.” Chase opened his eyes, and took Nox in. He looked calmer.
“Did you want to talk about it?” Chase asked, and Nox opened his eyes. His eyes seemed to go back to his nightmare for a second, but quickly came back to reality.
“Yes… But maybe tomorrow? I think I need a little time,” Nox offered, moving a hand to the back of Chase’s head to play with the hair that was at the nape of his neck.
“That is totally okay!” Chase let out a yawn.
“Did you want to go back to bed?”
“I mean I am tired, but if you’re not up to go to bed then I’ll stay up with you! For as long as you need me!”
“Maybe… Maybe we can go lay in bed, with a light on? And put on a movie,” Nox suggested, and Chase nodded and smiled.
“Sounds like a plan,” Chase agreed, and they both stood up.
They held hands as they made their way up the stairs, and into Chase’s room. Chase found three different night lights to plug in, and kept his lamp on. He grabbed his laptop and made his way into bed. Nox laid on top of him, resting his head on top of Chase’s chest, listening to his heartbeat.
Chase kissed Nox’s head softly, brushing the black curls off his cheek.
“I love you, Nox.”
Nox smiled, closing his eyes as he clinged to Chase a little bit more.
His safe place.
“I love you too, Chase.”
Chase ended up choosing Matilda, but they were both asleep before she made her pancakes.