Work Text:
“Nick! - Nick!! - NICK!!”
“Argh!!”
Charlie tried desperately to avoid his husband’s wildly waving arms. “Wake up, love, you’re having a nightmare!”
Nick’s eyes flew open. He was staring wide-eyed at Charlie, still in the clasp of his dream. “Char?” he nearly sobbed.
“Shhh, it’s okay, I’m here, you’re safe!” Charlie soothed.
“Oh god, it was so awful! You tried to touch me and I was absolutely repulsed by you!”
“Erm - what?” Charlie asked, alarmed and startled.
“I know!”
“But - but - what exactly repulsed you about me?” Charlie pressed on, sounding petulant.
Nick took a deep breath and looked at Charlie wildly. “Your curls!”
“But you love my curls! You are obsessed with them!”
“I know! But I couldn’t help it. It was almost as if I was afraid of them or something!”
A lightbulb went on in Charlie’s mind. He patted his husband's hand, trying hard to suppress his knowing grin.
Nick didn’t notice. He was still breathing heavily, looking at Charlie apologetically. “It was so real,” he whispered, voice breaking. A tear rolled down his cheek.
Charlie pulled him into his arms and stroked his sweaty hair gently. “Poor baby! That poodle attacking you really scared you, didn’t it?”