The sound of his breathing in the quiet room was soothing, it made her want of give herself over to unconsciousness. But the images that flashed through her mind every time she closed her eyes stopped that. She'd been having nightmares for awhile now. They never made sense. Always a jumbled mess of sounds and images, but enough to scare her. Enough to keep her up at night. She turned in the large, plush bed until she was lying face to face with Tyler.
A smile fixed itself on Elena's lips as she took in his peaceful expression. So beautiful. So tragic. His life had been tough on him, and though he tried to mask it, there was moments when it all shone through. When he became as innocent and fragile as she looked in his sleep. Her hand reached forward, ghosting over his cheek before moving to tangle in his hair. Her eyes followed her hands movements for a few moments before moving back down to settle on his face.
Surprise flitted across her features when she noticed a pair of bleary brown eyes staring at her. "You're awake." Even though her voice was no more than a whisper, it felt far too loud in the quiet room. Tyler just blinked at her before looping an arm around her waist, and pulling her closer to his bare chest. Elena welcomed the heat he gave off, moulding her body to his. Perfectly content to let her body seep into his. "Sleep, no monsters. Promise."
His voice was still clogged with sleep but it sent reassurance through her every pore. She'd be safe in his arms. She always had been. She let her eyes flutter shut, the horrific images flashing through her mind replaced with a wonderful nothing. Just a black space that promised a peaceful sleep. She felt his lips whisper the words against her shoulder.
I love you.