Rosaline walked into the house, looking around for her parents. She'd just been at the palace with Isabella and she wanted to tell her mother about the letter Escalus had sent her from Milan. The servants wouldn't look at her. She frowned. Something was wrong; the house seemed cold...empty. In fact it looked like it hadn't been lived in for a while. The paint on the walls lost its luster and cracked. Cobwebs stretched across doorways. She pushed them out of the way. She needed to find them. She needed to find her mother. She needed to find her father. She needed to not be alone.

The door to the living room opened and she fell to her knees. Her father was lying there, bleeding. She covered her mouth, trying not scream. She crawled to him, trying to wake him. He didn't move.

She looked around, desperately trying to find someone, anyone to help her...when she saw her. Her mother was sitting in a chair. Her figure wasted away; gaunt. Her eyes clouded and empty. Rosaline reached for her mother's hand when her eyes fell on another room. One that she'd thought was empty. There was a figure in there. She stood, knowing she shouldn't look, but feeling unable to stop herself.

Benvolio was lying there, unmoving. She was alone. She had no one. Rosaline shook and screamed. And screamed and screamed.

Benvolio was used to his sleep being interrupted. He'd suffered from nightmares his entire life and though they'd lessened after his marriage, they weren't unusual. this time was different. This time he woke up because Rosaline was thrashing next to him. It took him a second to realize what was happening before he tried to wake her. Then she began screaming.

"Rosaline." Benvolio said, pulling her to his chest. "Rosaline please." He kissed her forehead, running a hand over her hair. "Come back to me."

She shuddered and gasped, gulping air as she gripped his arm. Her eyes were wild as she looked around the room. When her gaze fell on him she collapsed, sobbing into his chest. He rocked her, holding her tight.

"It's over." He whispered. "You're safe."

'I thought." She said.

"Shhh." He kissed her forehead. Pressing his cheek against the top of her head.

"I thought you were dead." She sobbed. "I thought I was alone."

Benvolio's heart stopped. In his worst nightmares he'd never been able to fathom causing her this much pain. A tear rolled down his cheek. Rosaline's shaking slowed and her sobs turned to sniffles.

"I'm sorry." She whispered.

"You have nothing to apologize for." Benvolio whispered. "Nothing." He gave her a weak smile. "After all the times I have woken you from your sleep because of my nightmares."

"I..." She wiped her eyes. "I do not wish to be a burden."

Benvolio shook his head. His entire life he'd been treated like a burden by his uncle, his aunt, anyone with any affiliation with his house. He knew his wife had gone through a similar experience with her family; it was why she was apologizing to him. "Comforting my beloved is never a burden." Rosaline had made him understand what it felt like to be loved without any strings or demands. "Capulet." He whispered. "I promise, I am not foolish enough to leave you alone."

Rosaline let out a cough that was almost a laugh. He pressed on.

"If anyone ever tried to take me from you they would have to contend with your wrath. No one in Verona is that foolhardy."

She burrowed her face into his chest. Benvolio rubbed his hands over her back, watching over her as she fell asleep, honored that she'd let him in. That she trusted him to protect her heart. That she cared enough to cry about missing him. That she loved him.

"I love you." He whispered. "I will watch over you."