Thanks to TsarinaTorment for the read-through.
It was a common nightmare.
Trapped on Five, all systems failing. No help coming because how can it? They are all here. His father, his brothers, all of them are here with him. They are all going to die because of him.
Blood floated in neat little globules around them. It reminded him of the purple blood in that Star Trek movie. Only, this blood was his. And his brother's. Scott had been injured in the second blast.
This time they were going to die.
He'd sat up with a gasp, chest heaving and tears flowing, his brother's name on his lips. Had fumbled for the glass of water inevitably by his bedside. Held it tight with trembling hands and almost choked on it before dropping it on the floor where it smashed.
It had alerted Scott, who came barrelling in, stopping just short of the bed. He watched with concern as John struggled to get himself under control but didn't move closer. Not yet. Once the heaving breaths calmed to almost normal, Scott perched on the bed, one hand on John's shoulder, and John gratefully smiled at him.
'The nightmare,' was all he needed to say for Scott to understand. 'Can feel the cold in my bones, clawing at me again.' Scott reached over and held his hands tightly.
'You're fine. I'm fine. Feel the warmth?' John nodded. Scott pulled him from his bed. There was only one real cure for this. His brother led him over to his telescope where John could look up at Five and his beloved stars and ground himself for real.
Five was there, just as she always was, aligned with Tracy Island. John sagged with relief.
They padded quietly to the kitchen, where Scott rustled up hot chocolate for them both, and they sat there, shoulder to shoulder in quiet reflecting on the past.
When the Hood blew Five and John up, and his father and brothers had rushed up to help him, they had all honestly thought they were going to die and leave Alan alone. That fear, of leaving their baby brother to not only face the Hood, but the possibility that he would survive and they would not, had given them all nightmares for months.
Yeah, Five had been rebuilt and the nightmares had faded. But some nights the fear returned.
John sighed. He was due to return to Five in the morning, this morning actually. He loved his brothers dearly, but too much time on Earth and he began to get itchy. He needed his solitude to function, and while Scott didn't like being so far apart, he understood John's need.
It was one of the reasons Scott never went to bed without a chat. John may choose a life that was mainly alone, but his brother was determined that he would never be lonely.
'Do you want to delay returning to Five until later?' John shot a glance at Scott. Was his brother going to suggest not going at all? 'I mean, I know you can't wait to get back, that Five and the stars are calling you, but you've hardly slept.'
'I know. But I need to get back.' Scott nodded. It was the response he knew he'd get. Still, he was going to make the most of the last few hours together with his space brother. He stood, gesturing to the patio.
'How about we step out, breathe the night air and watch the sun rise before you go.' John smiled. He loved to watch the sun rise, the reflection on the ocean. It was one of the few things he missed being in space. Sure, he saw plenty of sunrises up there on Five, but they weren't the same.
They lay back on the lounges, watching as the sky lightened and the stars disappeared as the sun rose to greet them. Neither spoke, both comfortable in the presence of the other.