Dark. Cold. Quiet.
Dozens of hands grip freckled skin, pinning the frightened man down.
Fear. Pain. Unraveled.
Screams filled the quiet room, startling Jean from his slumber. Shooting up he turned to the writhing man beside him, tears running down dark skinned cheeks. Jean's hands grip Marco's sleeping shoulders, shaking him slightly.
"Marco! Marco wake up!"
The raven haired man's eyes flew open, terror filling his expression as he came to reality. Chest heaving, breath erratic Marco's shaking hands grip the shorter man's arms, his nail digging into pale skin.
"J….. Jean…"
His lip trembled as he spoke, his body shaking from the nightmare still fresh in his mind. Jean pulled his lover up into his arms, stroking his dark hair. The freckled man buried his face into his boyfriend's chest, sobbing as his hands grip black fabric.
"shhhhhh….. it's ok…. it's ok Marco… it was just a nightmare…."
Marco's sobbing only grew more persistent at the younger man's words. Jean pulled back, cupping Marco's face, forcing the freckled man to look him in the eye.
"It's ok… I'm here! you're ok, you're safe now. it was only a nightmare. its over now."
Marco slightly nodded through his tears, trying to even out his breathing and forcing himself to calm down but the tears still fell from his almond eyes. Jean kissed his cheeks lightly, wiping away the salting liquid.
"It's ok…. it's ok…"
Jean whispered sweetly as he held Marco close again, gently rocking him back and forth as he rubbed the freckled man's back. Marco let Jean's swaying body move him, resting his cheek against his boyfriend's chest laying all his attention on the shorter man's heart beat and sweet words whispered into his ear. slowly but surely Marco's breathing became calm as his tears began to dry, his hands loosening their grip on the younger man's shirt. Although Marco had visibly calmed down Jean was still hesitant to let him go, worried the freckled man would break again.
"...Marco…?"
"hmm….?"
Dark brown eyes looked up into golden ones. Marco's eyes were red and puffy and as Jean thought of how tired his freckled face looked he realized just how much these nightmares are taking a toll on Marco.
"why don't we try and sleep again? I think you need it."
Marco's expression suddenly grew worried. Jean's hand came up to stroke his lovers freckled cheek reassuringly.
"It's ok, I'm here."
Jean gently prompted Marco to lay down, pulling the blankets over the two of them. snuggling close Jean pulled his boyfriend into his arms.
"I'll protect you from the nightmares."
He gently kissed Marco's forehead, causing the freckled man to laugh a little.
"alright… I know you'll keep me safe."
Marco cuddled into Jean's embrace, closing his tired eyes as his body felt as if it were made of lead.
"Of course I will. always."
Jean gently stroked raven hair, looking down lovingly at the dark skinned man in his arms.
"so sleep now…. and dream on of happy things."
Jean closed his eyes soon after drifting off to join his love in dreams.