A/N: This is going to be a series of one shots based around the Episode "Broken Home." Each one is going to be from a different character's perspective. This first one is Eric.
Disclaimer: Not mine.
Nightmares
"Unfortunately, a super abundance of dreams is paid for by a growing potential for nightmares."
- Sir Peter Ustinov-
The nightmares are the worst. I can't be alone at night because of them. They're horrible. They're the hardest part of all this. I could deal with relearning everything, with taking things slow, if it weren't for the nightmares.
They started a few weeks after I got home. I woke up in the middle of the night, and the nightmare kept going. I had o get out of bed and turn on the television and the radio to get rid of the images and sounds.
That's when Ryan woke up. I was sitting on the couch, my eyes glued to the T.V., when I heard the floor creak behind me. I didn't move, I thought the nightmare was back.
"Eric?" his voice was soft, and I felt him slip his hand onto my shoulder. I started to calm down as he sat down next to me on the couch.
"I'm all right," I said, but my voice wouldn't rise above a whisper. Ryan wrapped his arms around me and I leaned my head against his shoulder. We both spent the night sleeping for a little while and then jerking awake, and I couldn't help but feel that it was my fault.
Every time I fell asleep, I would jerk awake, waking Ryan up with me. We kept drifting off to sleep, only to wake up a little while later. And we missed our alarm. Ryan woke up first that morning, and his movements shook me awake.
"We're late," he said. I swept my eyes to the clock and sighed. We didn't have time to shower or eat a real breakfast, and I felt the guilt rise in me.
"I'm sorry," I said, turning to look at Ryan. He placed a hand on my cheek and kissed my forehead.
"It's not your fault," he said.