ROUGH NIGHT
AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER
This is based on the miniseries rather than the books and takes place after the movie. Concept belongs to Thomas Sniegoski and ABC Family. This is just a one-shot and won't be expanded on. Gabriel's speak is in bold.
Rain poured down and Aaron watched it through the window with clouded eyes. He wasn't that big of a fan of storms. Not since he was a little boy.
Aaron, are you okay? Gabriel queried.
"I'm fine," Aaron responded. "I'm going to bed," he said and then went to the bed that Ariel had made for him. Then he settled himself on the bed and closed his eyes. Aaron was lying in bed when the door opened. Tensing, Aaron sat up.
"Please...not tonight," he implored.
"You know it doesn't work that way, boy," a man's voice said. Aaron's eyes clouded as the man came into view and he sat on the bed. He then pulled the covers back and-with a gasp, Aaron jerked awake, seeing Gabriel and Ariel looking at him.
Aaron? Gabriel queried, looking at him in concern.
"I'm okay. I'm safe. I'm safe," he sighed, laying his head back on the pillow.
The dream again? Gabriel asked, placing a paw on his shoulder.
"Yeah. Just the same old dream," the boy confirmed. Gabriel whimpered and laid himself on his friend, licking him on the face. Aaron smiled and pulled the dog closer. He remembered when he'd do the same thing after he first came to Tom and Lori's.
"Aaron, you okay?" Ariel asked.
"Yeah. I'm-I'm fine," he replied, trying not to flinch as she sat next to him. "I just never sleep well when it storms," he continued, sitting up. And that was certainly the truth.
It's been this way ever since he came to Tom and Lori's, Gabriel added, positioning himself so that he was in between the two, causing Ariel's visage to become confused and somewhat hurt. Why was Gabriel acting this way? She'd never hurt Aaron and he knew that!
"Don't be offended. It's more for me than you," Aaron explained, seeing her expression. "I'm not usually real good with people after the dream," he continued.
"It's a dream you've had before?" she asked.
"Yeah. No big deal," he answered and the angel raised an eyebrow at him. No big deal? Was he serious? He had moaning, tossing, and turning. How could it not be a big deal?
"Are you sure?" she checked.
"Yes. Thank you," he responded.
"Aaron, I'm not trying to pry, but I am willing to listen if you need to talk," she told him.
"I know. Thanks," he answered, giving her a small smile. It meant a lot to him that she was willing to be there for him, but he didn't need to talk about it. He just needed to calm himself down and remind himself that he was safe. If he could remind himself of that, he'd be just fine. Usually, it didn't hit him so hard, but he had had a rough couple of weeks and his emotions were all over the place. All in all, it was a rough night…