Chris woke up with a yell. For a few minutes he just sat there panting and sweating like he'd run a marathon. He sighed. This was happening way too often. Most of the time he could barely remember the dreams but the flashes that did come to him were not pleasant.
Wearily he got up and wandered into P3. He longed to smell his mother's milk and cookies – the master of all comfort foods – but for now he'd just have to stick to tapwater. Chris knew from experience that tonight was going to be a long night. He headed back to bed for another sleepless night.
He was awoken the following morning by Piper's yells. He instantly orbed to her, acting on instinct.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"I need you to babysit Wyatt." Piper announced, shoving the blonde child into Chris' arms. For once, Chris didn't complain. He didn't have the energy. Paige and Phoebe exchanged curious glances but Piper was simply relieved. "Great!" she sighed.
"Chris honey – " began Phoebe. "- what are you wearing?"
He glanced down at himself.
"My pyjamas."
"It's almost midday." Paige pointed out.
"I've been having trouble sleeping." he admitted.
Chris sat down on the sofa, still cradling Wyatt.
"Well I'm going to be late." said Piper. "See you guys later."
"I should probably get going too." Paige realised. "You coming Phoebe?"
"I'm working from home today. I just need to type up a few things. You two have fun."
And with that the sisters left.
Phoebe returned to her laptop but the sound of orbing promptly distracted her. She glanced over at the sofa and was amused o find that Wyatt had given Chris his teddy. The young whitelighter was barely awake. A smile ghosted across his features and his eyes closed.
After a few minutes of silence Chris loudly jolted awake, startling both Wyatt and Phoebe.
"Kwis?"
He looked down.
"Hey buddy." Then after a beat, "Thank god you're not grown up yet."
Phoebe frowned.
"Play!"
A pair of toy cars abruptly appeared in a shimmering of orbs.
"Okay, red car or blue car?"
"Pink!"
Chris laughed.
"I should've known."
Phoebe found Chris' interaction with Wyatt even more distracting. It was weird to consider that Chris was human. It was so difficult to tell from his relentless nagging over demon vanquishes.
"Can you two keep it down please?" she groaned.
Chris glanced at her apologetically.
"I think we should play upstairs Wy, your aunt Phoebe is trying to work." he said turning to face the child.
"Okay."
Chris held out his hand. For a few minutes Wyatt eyed it reluctantly.
"Don't tell me you don't trust me either!" Chris muttered.
He withdrew his hand and headed towards the stairs but Wyatt orbed over to his side. Chris gave the child a tired smile as Wyatt gave him his hand. Together they made their way up.
Chris sighed, but it was moments like these that gave him strength. He had to preserve this version of his brother. For everyone's sake.