I own nothing.
Peter shot up in bed, tears streaming down his pale face, lightning illuminating his terrified blue eyes. He breathed heavily, trying to calm down from the nightmare he had be previously having. A soft knock at the door shocked him from his reverie.
The door slowly opened, revealing his mama, Tino. Tino sat gently on his son's bed, the old bed springs creaking slightly. Peter furiously wiped at his eyes, not wanting his mama to see him crying. Tino smiled slightly and grabbed the boy's hand, stroking it as he brought it back to Peter's lap.
"Don't be afraid, Peter. Even though it sounds scary, there's really nothing to fear." Tino said, gently wiping his son's eyes.
"I'm not afraid!" Peter huffs indignantly, crossing his slightly shaking arms against his chest. A loud crash of thunder echoes around the small room. Peter yelps and buries his head into Tino's chest.
Tino shakes his head. "I'm here tonight." he says softly. "And someday you'll know that this rain will make the beautiful world outside the way it is." Peter looks out the window at the harsh rain that was pounding against the glass in unforgiving sheets.
"Really?" Peter asks, and Tino nods.
"And even though those dark rain clouds cover up the moon, they will eventually fade." The wind howled outside the house, causing a tree branch to scrape against the window pane.
Peter jumps, but is quickly soothed by his mama, who hugs him gently. "And even though the wind makes creatures out of our trees, I'll always be here for you." Tino is silent for a moment. "For, you know, once I was a little child. And I was afraid." Peter looks up at his mama with wide eyes.
"You were?" and Tino nods.
"But, a gentle someone always came and chased my fears away. And he dried all my tears. And he sent me to bed with a goodnight kiss." Tino gently pushed the small boy back onto the bed, pulling the covers up around him and placing a soft kiss to his son's forehead.
"But now I am grown and I know that rain is a part of life. But it's dark and late, so I will sit here and hold you until your frightened eyes close once more."
And Tino sits with his son, stroking his sweaty hair until Peter's breaths are deep and even, and his eyes are shut for the rest if the night.
Tino stands up and looks back at the open doorway in which a tall, intimidating man Is standing. Tino smiles at Berwald and walks over to grab His husband's hand, nestlings his head into the crook of the taller man's neck.
Berwald smiles slightly, pulling the shorter male closer to him, walking out of the room and shutting the door softly behind the two.