Work Text:
“Are you sure you’re okay?”
Karan looked at the man in his arms, Achi, who had just screamed while asleep. His temple was flooded by sweat and his eyebrows twitched as Achi opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was the worried eyes of his lover. It was not a surprise for both of them that Achi screamed because of his nightmare (again).
“It’s been months since the nightmares came. I’m fine.”
Achi did not look fine. The dark circles around Achi’s eyes were getting darker each day. If anyone at work was asked to say one thing about Achi in the last few months, everyone would say, “Achi need some rest."
Karan cup Achi's face and place his lips on the other man's. It was so soft that Achi thought he was kissing the clouds. Achi was definitely not okay and Karan couldn’t do anything about it. Because Achi refused his help. Over and over.
“No, you are not fine. Does it really have nothing to do with your power?”
Achi blinked slowly at Karan, “I… don’t know. Actually, I don’t want to know.”
Achi rested his head on Karan's chest, "I'm tired, Karan."
Karan stroked Achi’s head, making the man in his arms snuggled closer and took stable breaths. “You know, we can get rid of your power if we do ‘that’.”
“Karan,” Achi said in a warning tone.
“Okay, okay. Let’s get you back to sleep.”
Karan hummed a song. A familiar hum Achi always fallen asleep to.
As Achi drifted back to his dreams, Karan hugged Achi tighter.
“Sweet dreams, my love.”
---
A man in suit stood in front of Achi. “Karan?”
The man turned his head and smiled, “Achi. You can read minds, right? Can you do it for me later? I have a very important client today.”
Achi shook his head and took a step back.
This was not Karan.
Not his Karan.
Achi knew by heart.
His Karan would not use him like this.
His Karan would not looked at him with those wicked eyes.
His Karan would never.
Not his Karan.
“No. Go away. Go. Away.”
The unfamiliar Karan grabbed Achi’s arms, “Achi--”
Achi flinched, “DO NOT come near me!”
Next to 'Karan', Achi's co-workers slowly appeared. Everyone said similar things. They all wanted to use him--to use his power for their own gain.
Achi was scared. He was surrounded. Everyone grabbed him; the people were multiplying. There were thousands of them, pulling him like a trophy. Soon, Achi felt buried by them.
He felt like his head would explode anytime soon. He could hear every thoughts they had.
"Karan, help me," Achi whispered to himself.
His heart would not slow down.
His head was pounding.
His palms were sweaty.
His eyes and ears could not focus on anyone or anything.
His arms were weak.
His feet was surrendering.
He felt like he was losing a grip on his consciousness.
“My Karan… save me, please…. My love,” he pleaded in his mind.
Just when Achi thought he was dying, a soft hum was heard in the air. A familiar hum Achi could not put his finger on at the time. The sound warmth his chest and suddenly he was not in his nightmare anymore. Everything stopped. Everything shifted. Everything was gone. Achi was enveloped in a soft white cloth and all he saw was clouds.
His Karan had come to save him.
---
“Karan.”
“Hm?”
“I want to do it.”
Karan turned off the stove faster than light. He turned around and saw his lover sat on their dining table. Achi was fidgeting his fingers and starring at the table, what kind of tree was chopped to make this table?
“Is something wrong?” Karan stepped closer and sat on the other side of the table.
Achi shook his head, “I’ve been thinking about this. I want it.”
Karan held Achi’s hands, “We don’t have to if you’re not ready,” he replied.
Achi’s eyes snapped to Karan. Two loving eyes starred worryingly into his own.
“I– I’m ready.”
“Are you sure?”
Achi nodded.
“One hundred percent sure?”
Achi hesitated and sighed. He buried his head in his arms. “I don’t know. I’m tired.”
Karan walked around the table and sat beside Achi. He put his left arm around Achi’s shoulder.
“Do you want to bathe now? I’ll prepare the water.”
Achi straighten his back and looked at Karan. “Do you know why I don’t want to do it yet?”
Karan thought for a second, “Hmm, not really. But, I’m willing to wait. Even though I would love to do it soon so you won’t get those nightmares again.”
“That is exactly why.”
Karan knitted his eyebrows in confusion, “What?”
“I–,” Achi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He stared at the dining table again as he said, “I don’t want you to think that I’m only doing that because I want to get rid of my nightmares. Intimacy is supposed to be based on love, not nightmares. I don’t want you to think I’m only using you. I fear to be used, yet I’m about to use you for my own good. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t cry,” Karan held Achi's cheeks and stroked the tears away from there. Achi didn’t even realized the tears were already falling from his eyes.
“I’m sorry. I'm so sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? I would love to be used by you. Yes, pun intended, Achi."
Achi huffed a laugh between his tears. His hand went up to hit Karan's chest, but he was to weak. Karan only felt a soft 'tuk' on his left chest. "Not funny."
Karan smiled, "I'll prepare the bath tub for you. Maybe you can think it over the bath. I don't want you to be forced to do it."
Achi nodded softly, "Okay."
Karan looked like he wanted to say something and Achi could very much hear what Karan wanted to say. Knowing that, Karan said his thought out loud, "Do you want me to join you in the bath?"
"Karan."
"Haha, I'm joking."
Karan stood up and walked over to the bathroom, "Well, not really joking. If you want me to--"
"Karan Wongkarun!"