A/N: Sorry this took so long! I just signed myself up for a Sherlock bigbang, and I think I'm doing Script Frenzy this April. Obviously, I'm trying to kill myself this spring. Castle needs a bigbang. I'd totally do that. But business: N is for nightmare, and Ryan is doing all he can. r&r and why is there no Castle tonight? Yours 'till the wheels fall off ;)
night·mare/ˈnītˌme(ə)r/
Noun: A frightening or unpleasant dream
Kevin heard the screaming in his sleep. When he opened his eyes and it continued, he bolted out of bed and sprinted to Marco's room. Sure enough, the six year old was sitting bolt upright in his bed, blanket wrapped around him like a cocoon. Clicking on the light, Ryan dropped onto the bed and embraced him.
"Marco, it's okay. Calm down," he murmured, stroking the boy's spilled ink curls, "It was just a nightmare." Marco pawed at his eyes and trembled, curling himself into Kevin's chest.
"Was scary," Marco sobbed. Ryan rubbed his back.
"I know, buddy, but it's okay now." Soon enough, his cries quieted.
"Uncle Ryan?"
"Yeah?" The little boy waited a few moments before he spoke again.
"Where's daddy?" The innocence in Marco's voice broke Ryan's heart. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath.
"Your daddy...he's with the angels." Marco picked up his teddy bear and hugged it.
"That's what mami said. She went on a trip. When is mami coming back?" Kevin knew that Marco didn't really understand that his father wasn't coming back. Lanie had flown out to make preparations with Javier's family.
"Soon, I think. Do you want to see a picture of your daddy?" He fished the photograph out of his wallet, dimly noting that he'd fallen asleep in his clothes. Marco took it and smiled.
"Daddy's a soldier." Kevin looked away as the pain washed over him. Tears burned at his eyes. Javier had been killed in action after returning to the army, and Ryan would never see him again. A sob escaped him, and he kissed Marco's head.
"Yep. Your daddy was a hero," he took a shuddering breath and added in a whisper, "And he was my best friend."