Chapter 2: Nightmare

Nora snapped awake. Shaken up by her nightmare. She looked around the dorm, adjusting to her surroundings. The dorm room was cold. The window was open, letting in the cold air from the night. She was shivering. Not only because of the cold wind, but also by the nightmare. She finally sat up, grabbed her pillow, and walked over to Ren's bed.

"Ren?..." She said quietly squeezing her pillow.

Ren didn't budge. A look of concern came across Nora's face.

"Ren?" She said nudging him awake.

"Huh? Wha?" Ren said groggily looking up at Nora.

"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?" She said still squeezing her pillow tightly.

Ren Yawned. "What happened?"

She sat down on Ren's bed. "I had a nightmare. We were in the forest, and then there was a Nevermore, and then it grabbed you and flew away." Her speech was quickening. "Then I found it beside a cliff, then I shot it, and then it threw you over the edge." Her voice started trembling as her eyes started watering up. Her speech still getting quicker and quicker. "And then an Ursa attacked me and then it swung at me and…" Ren put a finger over her lips, tears rolling down her face.

"Shhh. It's alright." Ren said. "You're safe with me. You don't have to worry about anything getting you. Okay?" Nora Shifted and lowered herself to lay down on the bed. She put her head on Ren's lap, still clutching her pillow and tears rolling down her face. Ren supported her head with one hand, the other stroking her thick orange hair. This usually calmed Nora down, but it tonight it wasn't working entirely. She was still shaking.

"I'm scared Ren. What if that happens to you? What if a Nevermore gets you. Or even a King Taijitu. I don't want you to die." Nora said still crying in Ren's lap.

"Don't worry Nora. It won't happen. I guarantee it." Ren said reassuring Nora.

"Don't leave me Ren." Nora said voice still trembling. "I can't live without you. I don't want you live without you."

"I'm not going to leave you." Red said reassuringly. "I promise."

"You promise?" Nora said worriedly looking up at Ren

"I promise." Ren said with a smile on his face.

Nora rest her head back down. Being with Ren calmed her down substantially. She wasn't shivering anymore, but she was still crying a little bit. Ren tried thinking of what would calm her down. He didn't know any fairy tales that she liked, and He couldn't read one her books because it would take too long. Then he had an idea. Still stroking her hair, he sang one of her favourite songs;

[Boop by Jeff Williams and Casey Lee Williams]

"Never knew a time, when you weren't by my side…"

Nora recognizing the song, smiled and started to relax.

"The one thing I could always count on, Always there for me. You've been my family, even when all other hope was gone."

Nora closed her eyes.

"But for a while things have seemed so different, like it's the same but so brand new. I can't Believe it, when did I start to fall for you?"

Nora had fallen asleep in Ren's lap. Ren let out a small sigh of relief. He picked Nora up, still sleeping in his arms, and carried her over to her bed. He gently put her down in the bed, trying not to wake her up. He slipped a pillow underneath her head, and pulled a blanked over her. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead.

"Goodnight Nora." He said smiling.

Ren started walking back to his bed until he was interrupted by a very faint voice.

"Ren?" Nora said still half asleep.

"Yes Nora?" Ren responded.

"Can you sleep in my bed tonight?"

Ren let out a small smirk. "Alright Nora. But just this once."

Nora smiled. Ren grabbed his pillow before heading back to Nora's bed.

Ren lay down on Nora's bed. Nora put both arms around Ren, hugging him tightly.

"I love you Ren. You're the best friend anyone could ask for."

"I love you too Nora." Ren said hugging her back. He kissed her on the forehead once more.

"Will we be having pancakes for breakfast tomorrow?" Nora said eagerly.

Ren smiled. "I'll see what I can do. But for now, let's just get some sleep it's going to be a busy day tomorrow."

"Okay." Nora Yawned and rolled over. "Goodnight Ren."

"Goodnight Nora. See you in the morn-"

Before he could even finish his sentence, he was cut off by Nora's loud snore. He let out a sigh of relief. Before closing his eyes and nodding off.

[Disclaimer: I do not own the song nor did I create the song in this story. All credit goes to the original creators.]