Tanaka screams. He screams when they cut off his limbs. He screams when they burned him alive. He screams when they let flesh eating insects devour him. Even after his vocal cords are eaten away, he keeps on screaming.

'Tanaka!'

Tanaka gasps and sits bolt upright in bed. He can't breathe. there isn't enough air. Are they suffocating him again?

"Tanaka-kun, calm down. Take deep breaths and try to relax.'

He knows that voice. When he looks around, he spots Satou standing in the doorway. He tries to do what he says, but it doesn't work. His gasps give way to uncontrollable sobbing. He hates himself for it. he should be stronger than this. if he can't follow one simple command, Satou will think he is weak.

In an attempt to stop the tears, he squeezes his eyes shut and tries his best to curl into a ball. He wants to die, even though he knows that death will never be an escape for him.

He is surprised when Satou sits down next to him and pulls him into a hug. It's been years since he's been touched by anyone who didn't want to cause him pain. For a moment, he isn't sure what to do, but eventually he turns towards Satou and returns the hug. The tears haven't stopped completely, but at least he's finally gotten his breathing under control.

"It's alright." Satou says.

"you're not there anymore. They'll never hurt you again."

Satou's voice calms him and he relaxes against his chest.

Satou looks down at the pitiful creature in his arms and smiles. Out of everyone in his squad, Tanaka is his favorite. They're all loyal to him, but Tanaka practically worships him. He knows he can ask him to do anything and Tanaka would literally kill himself to please him.

"You know I'm always here for you, right?"

"Yes, Satou-san."

"Good. Now, just relax."

Satou helps him lye back down and pushes the covers over him. As he stands up, they lock eyes with one another. Tanaka stares transfixed as Satou leans down and kisses him.

Tanaka is so surprised that his mouth drops open in astonishment. Satou takes advantage of this and deepens the kiss.

Tanaka is both terrified and excited. It's been years since he's kissed anyone and he's never kissed another man before.

Too soon, Satou is pulling back and he feels things he hasn't felt in years. Confusion, longing, but mostly disappointment. He doesn't want this to stop.

"Feeling better?" Satou asks.

Tanaka isn't sure how to answer him. The terror of the nightmare is gone, but it's been replaced with a whole slew of other emotions he has no idea how to process. Instead of saying anything, he simply nods.

"Good. Now, try and get some sleep. We have a big day tomorrow."

Tanaka watches Satou as he leaves and closes the door behind him. At first, he's sure he'll have a hard time getting back to sleep. After a while though, he feels himself start to relax. He doesn't know what to make of the kiss, but he can worry about that tomorrow.