Chapter Eighteen – Comfort
"John…" Lin said softly as he returned to find the human whimpering and breathing heavily. He was still dreaming, turning his head and twitching against the mattress. The Asian man climbed onto the bed slowly, his ebony locks dripping from his recent shower. "Wake up, you're dreaming." The android soothed, catching John against his chest as the human shot up, a tight cry strangled in his throat. He was trembling.
"L-Lin?" He murmured eventually, the terror fading from his blue eyes as he gradually settled in the strong embrace. He shifted closer, desperate for the larger man's comfort. He didn't notice that he was still naked, or that Lin's body was warm and damp from the shower. He just wanted, needed, the close contact. Lin hushed him quietly, wondering what the teen had been dreaming about. He calculated his chances of successfully getting John to tell him, but concluded it was unlikely. Maybe later…He thought as he stretched out and pulled the human down with him. "What are you…" John trailed off as Lin eased John's head against his chest, pressing his ear against his power core.
"Shh…Just listen." Lin murmured, feeling John slowly relax as he listened to the measured thud of Lin's thirium pump. It was similar to a human heartbeat, but he could hear something else. The gentle hum of the power core. Lin's chest was firm but giving beneath him, and his synthetic skin was warm. He felt Lin press gentle kisses to his head as he held him close in a warm embrace. It made the teen feel safe and warm, but he didn't want to go to sleep. He didn't want to see it again.
He remembered the sound of rushing feet, uniformed officers bursting in and dragging Donald away from him. John had screamed and cried, grabbing the inactive unit tightly until he was torn away. He'd seen his sister's small body, red splattered across the wooden floor from a dark chasm on the back of her head. Her doll's face had smashed, the dress still clutched in her curled fingers. He'd screamed and clutched Donald, refusing to move until his father was there, lifting him up with gentle assurances. Lin's grip tightened.
"I'm here." He murmured, the thought somewhat comforting as John felt sleep claiming him once more. Lin remained attentive all night, monitoring John's vitals. Whatever he'd dreamed of before, it didn't bother him again. Lin closed his eyes and focused on everything. John's warmth washed through him, the beating of his heart soon matching that of his thirium pump. Lin matched their breathing, enjoying the sensation of their chests rising and falling in tandem. He didn't keep track of his chronometer, but it didn't feel like that long before John was stirring in his arms once more.
"Good morning." He greeted shyly, the pair rising together to start their day.