Jeremy wasn't entirely sure what he'd dreamt about. Images faded too fast and he was left with mere impressions.
What he did know is that it was 4:30 in the morning, and he was crying.
He also felt the need to go to his dad's room and curl up on the bed beside him, just like he'd done as a young child. Nestled between his parents made him feel safe.
But he was 18 now, he was legally an adult. He can't curl up in his parents' bed anymore.
Just like he wasn't supposed to be scared of the dark, but he could've sworn he'd spotted him among the shadows so often, so he slept with the closet or hallway light on.
He slowly dragged himself out of bed, shuffling down the hall to his dad's room.
He gently knocked on the door, so soft that he was almost surprised when his father opened it a moment later.
"Jeremy?" he asked, concern etched into his face. "It's really early, are you okay?"
Jeremy started to reply but he just started crying again. He wasn't sure why.
His dad held him as he cried.
Once he'd sobered enough to speak, he just barely managed to ask, "Can I sleep in here with you tonight?"
His dad smiled softly, nodding. "Just like old times, eh, kiddo?"
He sat back down on the bed and Jeremy crawled up next to him, leaning against his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, Dad…" he mumbled after a moment. "Sorry for never appreciating all you do for me, and sorry for all that mess in junior year, and sorry for so many other reasons and-"
"Hey, Jeremy, it's okay." he wrapped an arm around his son who had broken down again, sobbing into his shoulder. "Everything's okay now. Your pa's here, you're here, everything will be alright."
Jeremy fell asleep like that; long, lanky body curled up next to his dad, leaning against his shoulder, an arm wrapped around him. He felt safe again, just like when he was 5 years old and he'd crawled into his parents' bed because they could protect him from the monsters.
And his dad fell asleep like that too; propped up on pillows, an arm wrapped around the one good thing he had in life, the only thing that even mattered, the only thing that even kept him going, his son.
And for a little while… Life seemed bearable for the both of them.