Lila

"Hunter!" My eyes pop open into utter darkness as my brain registers my heavy breathing. My legs are twisted into my blankets and I run a hand down my face, feeling wetness down my cheeks as I realize that I've had another nightmare. The same nightmare I've had for five years. I'm half awake and barely register the sound of footsteps on the other side of my door before it opens, a muscular frame filling the space as a deep voice says my name anxiously.

"Lila?"

I bring my hands up to my face, unable to stop the tears from falling as my bed dips and a pair of strong hands reaches for me. Hunter pulls me into his chest, his fingers brushing through my loose hair as he murmurs unintelligible but comforting words to me. I can only curl up tighter into him and cry, half ashamed and half grateful that he's the one to find me in such a vulnerable circumstance.

Finally, my sobs slow and I pull away, only to wipe my cheeks and give him an attempt of a smile.

"I'm sorry I woke you." I say quietly. Hunter stays in his spot on the bed, as he looks down at me.

"I was awake." He responds.

"I hope the kids-"

"Sound asleep." Hunter reassures me, "Tag and Raina as well."

"Right," I give a small laugh, trying to brush a piece of my hair from where it sticks to where my tears have tracked down my throat. "I almost forget about your enhanced senses."

Hunter is still looking at me with concern in his eyes, his features dimly lit from where the moon shines from my small window. I realize he's not wearing a shirt and still sitting very close, almost looming over me as he studies me.

"How long have you been having those nightmares?" He asks.

"Sometimes it feels like forever." I say evasively and Hunter's charcoal eyes narrow. He shifts, leaning over me and placing his arms on either side of my waist as he repeats,

"How long, Lila?"

"Five years." I half whisper and Hunter sighs, understanding,

"You're having nightmares about me, aren't you?"

I don't have it in me to lie to him so I nod, continuing quietly as he listens,

"In my dream, every time I reach you, you get further and further away from me." I explain, "Sometimes I get close enough to see your eyes, your smile before you're gone again."

"Hey," Hunter tilts my head up with his hand, his eyes intent on my face, "I'm here now. You don't have to worry about losing me anymore."

I can only nod, reaching blindly for him and he wastes no time in gathering me into his arms, his hands moving my legs to wrap around his waist as he rocks me gently.

"I'm sorry." I whisper, resting my cheek against his bare shoulder, "I've just been protecting myself for so long that I… I didn't know how to let you back in."

"You don't have to apologize to me." Hunter holds me tightly against his chest, "You don't ever have to apologize to me."

After what feels like a long time, I finally pull free from Hunter's tight grip far enough to look at his face. His lips tilt upwards,

"What is it?"

"I want something from you." I whisper. Hunter's hands slide down my arms, leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake.

"Tell me." He says immediately, unreservedly, "It's yours."

"Can you kiss me?" I ask, half knowing his answer but hoping he doesn't say no after all. Hunter rolls his eyes, leaning towards me as he grumbles,

"I thought you'd never ask."

He kisses me hard, his hand angling the back of my head so that the gesture is deep, meaningful as his other hand slides down to my waist. I let him maneuver me so that he's hovering on top of me, gravity working in his favor as he pours his heart out into the kiss. When Hunter finally comes up for air, I laugh at him, reaching up to move his dark hair out of the way as my fingers trace his jaw,

"Careful," I joke, "If you passed out on top of me, I think you'd crush me."

He shakes his head at me, kissing my lips again before pressing his nose against mine.

"You have no idea how hard it was for me to keep away from you all week." He murmurs. We lay there for a minute or two before he rolls off of me, making me sit up and watch in disbelief as he places his feet on the floor.

"Where in the hell do you think you're going?" I hiss, grabbing his arm and yanking him backwards, making him grunt as I throw him off balance.

"I didn't want to presume-"

"Get back here."

Hunter chuckles, pushing me to my side as he slips under the covers beside me, draping his arm around my waist and pressing me close to his front. He rests his face into the hollow between my shoulder and neck, his breath warm behind me as he holds me tight.

"I love you." I whisper when I think he's asleep. Hunter somehow gets even closer to me and he answers gruffly, his voice rough from exhaustion,

"I love you back."