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Will woke up with a sharp gasp. He felt hot tears welling in his eyes and he couldn't breathe. He clawed at his neck and chest, heaving, desperate for air.
"Will?" Mike asked beside him. He was sleepy but immediately woke the fuck up when he realized Will was panicking. "Will can you hear me?" He spoke soft yet firm, making sure Will could hear him without startling him.
He reached over to their nightstand and turned on the lamp. A warm glow filled the room.
Will was hyperventilating, tears spilling down his cheeks. He was shaking, nails digging sharply into his own arms. Mike placed a gentle hand on his shoulder and Will flinched, but didn't turn around to face him, sobbing and still struggling to breathe.
"Hey..." Mike spoke softly crawling across the bed to sit in front of Will. Will stared straight ahead. "Will." he said, gently removing his arms from where they were clawing eachother so that he wouldn't end up hurting himself. He held one of his hands and placed the other on his own heart. "I'm right here. It's me, It's Mike. You're safe, I'm safe, everyone's safe. We're at home in our bed. You had a nightmare, but you're safe. I'm here." Will's breathing slowed and he finally looked at Mike.
"S-sorry," Will spoke. His voice was shaky.
"Hey, you don't have to apologize for this. Ever."
Will sobbed and lunged forward, pulling Mike desperately into a tight hug. He clung to him, as if trying to make sure he was real, trying to make sure he wasn't going anywhere.
"It's okay," Mike said softly.
His heart ached seeing Will like this. Over the years moments like this had become less frequent. They usually only happened around November, October, July, and sometimes around his birthday.
"Is something stressing you out?" Mike asked, his voice shaking a bit. He hated seeing Will like this. It physically hurt him.
Will tried to talk but his voice caught in his throat. He shook into Mike's shoulder.
"You know you can talk to me about it. If there is something stressing you out I mean."
Will tapped his fingers into Mike's thigh. Morse code.
-.-. .- -. -....- .. -....- .... .- ...- . -....- ... --- -- . -....- .-- .- - . .-.
"Can I have some water?"
Will needed water.
"Yes of course baby. Just give me a minute okay? I won't be gone long I promise." Will nodded.
Mike padded out of the bedroom and into the kitchen, leaving the door open so Will could see him. He grabbed a glass from the cabinet and filled it up at the sink before turning around and heading back.
Will was more relaxed now, shoulders less tense and breathing at a normal pace. Mike handed him the glass and pulled the blanket over his shoulders giving him a soft smile. Will smiled back weakly. He sipped from the glass a couple times before setting it down on the nightstand.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Mike asked. It was different every time. Sometimes when Will had nightmares he needed to talk about it immediately. He needed to say everything that happened as if spilling the hurt straight out of him. Other times he would wait until morning. Sometimes he didn't want to talk at all.
"You-" he said quietly. He was struggling to speak. This happened to him sometimes. He just wouldn't talk. He couldn't talk. Sometimes it was for a couple hours. Sometimes it took days or even weeks for him to be able to talk normally again. During these episodes sometimes he would talk a bit, but his conversations would feel awkward and anxious and he would blurt out everything on his mind before going silent for a while again. Sometimes he could only say a few words at a time without getting overwhelmed.
"You were hurt," was all he could manage. His eyes began watering again as recalled the dream. Vecna had Mike. He was floating and Will tried to call out for him but he couldn't speak. He couldn't breathe. And then he watched as Mike was killed.
"Well, I'm not hurt. I'm right here alright? I'm not going anywhere. I'm safe. You're safe." Mike cupped Will's cheek gently. Will pressed against the warmth of Mike's palm smiling sadly.
"Do you want to go back to sleep? Or do you want to stay up?" Mike glanced over at the clock. 2:07am. "We could watch a movie? Or read a comic?"
"Sleep." Will whispered.
Mike smiled, nodding. "Sleep."
Will slid backwards onto the pillow and Mike turned off the lamp before curling around him. Mike made sure Will had enough blanket so he wouldn't get cold. Their fingers interlocked and Mike kissed him softly.
"I love you. I love you so much Will," he whispered into his hair. "Nothing's gonna hurt you. I promise."
"I love you too." Will replied. He basked in the warmth of Mike's embrace and smiled softly to himself.
Mike was okay. He was okay. He was in love. He was safe. His family was safe.
He wasn't alone.
-----
The sun spilled through the blinds and across the bedroom. It painted Will's easel, Mike's desk, their bed, everything in a golden glow. Will shifted sleepily, yawning before slowly blinking his eyes open.
Mike snored softly beside him. He smiled as he cuddled up to him.
He was warm. After Mike had brought him back last night he slept peacefully.
Mike stirred next to him letting out a soft noise. Will pressed a gentle kiss to his nose.
Mike looked so beautiful like this. The morning sun cascading across his features, his pale skin, his freckles, his dark curls.
Mike squinted sleepily. The light from the window was shining right against his eyes. He groaned, throwing an arm over his face. Will giggled.
"Will?" he said softly.
"Mhm?"
He removed the arm from his face and looked at Will. He was smiling sweetly, his hazel eyes sparkling with the sunlight.
Mike smiled, kissing Will on the forehead. "Good morning," he said softly.
Will nuzzled into mike, pulling him impossibly closer.
"You feeling okay?" Mike asked, pressing their foreheads together.
"Mhm."
"I'm so glad. I love you," he whispered, smiling, eyes locked with Will's.
"I love you too."