Sometimes

Sometimes, in the dead of the night, Jason would awake from dreams of isolation and death. He'd be reminded of his coffin, and the fear that coursed through his veins. He could almost feel the wooden splinters in his skin, phantoms of his dreams, and he had to run his hands along himself to make sure they weren't there.

Sometimes, in the dead of night, Jason felt like he was trapped all over again.

But turning to his side, to see someone sleeping next to him, content and at peace, alive and warm, breathing and simply being there… It contented him. So when the nightmares came too strong, or the memories too vivid, he would shift closer to her in the bed, wrap a single arm around her, and remind himself that he wasn't alone.

Make it so her presence kept him afloat, and made what would have been unbearable something so easy to handle.

Jason sighed deeply, ruffling a few stray strands of her hair, then breathed in her scent. A steady heartbeat, a peaceful expression, companionship. Jason closed his eyes, arms still wrapped around her, and relaxed.