Jason likes to listen to Peter sleep. It's not like there is anything wrong with that. The slow, steady breathing is calming to him, as it would be to anyone. He'd probably feel the same way if he were listening to Ivy sleep. But he doesn't share a room with Ivy, so he doesn't have that chance.
By May, Jason knows the sounds well enough to realize that something is off. Tonight Peter's breaths are labored and much faster than usual. Jason doesn't know whether he should wake him up or let him be. All he knows is that this isn't what Peter's supposed to sound like.
After worrying for a little while, Jason finally hears Peter awakening. He's gasping for breath. Jason wants nothing more than to walk over to Peter and wrap his arms around him, making whatever hurt he's feeling go away. But instead he pretends to be asleep.
"Jason?" he hears Peter practically whimper. "Are you awake?"
He can't take it anymore. "Yeah, I'm awake. You okay, buddy?"
"No. I had a bad dream." Peter sounds like he's about five years old, but something about the way he says it is all too endearing to Jason. "Can...can I...."
"Can you what?" Whatever Peter wants, Jason is ready to give to him.
"Can I sleep with you tonight?" Jason's ears perk up. "I mean...I just don't want to sleep alone tonight."
"Uh...yeah. If you want to." Jason hears Peter getting up from off of his bed and move over to Jason's. He plops himself right next to Jason, and Jason wonders what it will be like to have Peter so close to him all night.
The bed is kind of small, but they fit. They are both making every effort not to actually touch. Jason figures it will be a little while before Peter actually drifts off to sleep, so he decides to ask what's on his mind. "So, what was your nightmare about?"
Jason can feel Peter shift uncomfortably. "Everyone was telling me that there was something wrong with me. Nobody, not even God, loved me anymore."
Jason nods. He has had similar nightmares, and daydreams. Hell, sometimes the voices in his head are loud enough that it feels like it's actually happening. "Well, I don't think there's anything wrong with you." Jason always wishes that he could have someone to tell him that. Peter probably needs it too.
"Thanks." Jason smiles and cautiously puts a hand on Peter's shoulder. In a moment, Peter's hand is covering his. Jason doesn't know if he should pull his hand away, but something deep inside tells him to keep it there.
"Good night, Peter," he whispers softly. Peter grabs the hand and drapes Jason's arm over him. At this point, the thought of removing it does not even enter Jason's mind. The two boys eventually fall into a deep slumber.