Nightmares

He bolts upright when he hears the sound of her shrieking. The animalistic cry ringing in his ears as his feet hit the cold, worn wood of the floor as he races towards her room. Anguish. Fear. Rage. All emotions mixed into one melt into the sounds of her wails, bloodcurdling as they resonate throughout the household like an echo in a cave.

Hands gripping the doorframe of her room, eyes wide and alert as he looks for any immediate danger. Her new bedsheets lay in tatters, strewn across the room as if a cyclone had passed through. It's then his gaze lands on the small frame writhing in the bed. Laura.

"Hey, hey," he says, trying to gently shake her awake.

Two claws slice against his face, a hot white pain momentarily overcoming his previous actions as he stumbles back slightly, gripping his face and groaning as the cuts slowly, but surely heal. He sees her, body twisting and turning violently on the mattress, features scrunched up tight. Her face is wet and he isn't sure if it's tears or sweat. Maybe both.

"Laura," he says a little louder, finally venturing back over to her side. "Laura, you gotta wake up. You're having a nightmare! You gotta-"

She sits up so abruptly that Logan is surprised his reflects are still quick when her claws once again find themselves mere centimeters from his face. The young mutant's chest rises and falls rapidly, a defensive look in her eyes as if she is bound to attack.

"Hey," he soothes. "It's okay, it's okay."

It aches more than he thought possible when he sees the fear and anger slip away from her face, washed away by the sorrow that falls in its place. She looks to him, tears welling in her eyes, body trembling as she reaches for him. Without a second's thought, he pulls her close, the sobs that rack her figure leaving tears and mucus on his nightshirt.

"Daddy," the name comes out choked. "Daddy!"

"It's okay," he murmurs, pressing his face against her hair. "You're okay. Everything's okay."

As he holds her tight, he looks once more to the damage in her room. Yet another pair of sheets ruined, the wall beside her bed slashed right where he had finished plastering over the previous holes. He's sure the mattress has some injury, hopefully not severe enough that he has to replace it again.

"Shh," he whispers, her crying becoming less intense as the adrenaline rush slips away, exhaustion crawling in its place. "I'm not going anywhere, I promise."

He closes his own eyes momentarily, inhaling deeply. It was going to be another long night, something he was unfortunately growing accustomed to. It wasn't going to get any better, he knew that. She knew that. The nightmares would come and the terrors that followed would be merciless.

But despite the hell that had been cursed upon them, there was one aspect that he would never allow to be taken away. No matter what. No matter when. No matter where. He would be there for her. When her dreams tore through her mind, leaving horrifying memories. Fears of what's to come. The thick blanket of darkness. He would be there. Always.

"I'm right here," he whispered, rocking her gently. "I'm gonna be right with you always."

Always.