Restless


Sirius couldn't immediately pinpoint what had woken him - the house seemed to be as close to silent as it ever got - but something was making his skin prickle, and he felt too restless to go back to sleep, no matter how tired he was.

Suddenly, as he was looking around the room, he caught a muffled, upset sound behind him, and cursed himself for ten kinds of fool as he turned over, running a hand down Remus' heaving side, trying to soothe his lover.

Remus gasped sharply at the touch, then relaxed, just slightly, and turned into Sirius' arms, pressing himself close. Sirius carefully arranged himself against the headboard, offering support as Remus curled up, clinging to his waist as if it was his only anchor.

Sirius forced himself to breathe calmly and steadily, even as he grit his teeth, angry that he could do no more than this to protect Remus from the terrors that still - as ever - lurked in his mind, waiting to pounce upon him in his sleep.

"Hush, love, I've got you." Sirius soothed, stroking Remus' shoulder and down his back, as far as he could reach. He yawned, then shoved a hand through his hair, refusing to go back to sleep whilst Remus was still trapped in his nightmare.

Remus sighed at the light, affectionate touch, arching into the offered security of the familiar hand. "I wish I could bloody wake you from these, lover." Sirius sighed, almost melancholy at the thought. "Or simply take them away; take them myself."

He felt himself relaxing slightly as Remus slipped from nightmare into restful sleep - and perhaps more pleasant dreams. "I will never let anything hurt you if it is within my power to stop it, Remus." Sirius murmured softly, feeling himself beginning to drift once more.

~Fin~


Final of three updates for my birthday and it is a nice, smooth, fluffy one, nightmares and all! Yay for at least one of them being nice for me. (Also yay for allowing me to fight past the slow weirdness of the login area to get these all up on time.)