Takeo frowned, concerned. "He seems troubled."
Raizel merely nodded.
Takeo continued to watch as M21 trembled in his sleep. How tragic that he was unable to escape his nightmares with a simple nap in the morning. At the moment, M21 was curled up on the couch in a defensive position, his hands clenched into fists, his forehead furrowed in distress.
Takeo started forward with the intention of waking his companion up. He knew M21 was exhausted, but he would be getting no rest if he was haunted with nightmares in his sleep.
"Scratch him behind the ears," Raizel said suddenly.
Takeo blinked, glancing back at the Noblesse in confusion, but Raizel was only staring into his teacup, his expression hidden. "Muzaka loved that when he was stressed."
Takeo looked back at M21 before sitting down on the couch next to M21. He stretched out his hand, running his fingers through M21's hair before scratching him. He half-expected M21 to wake up at that moment, but the werewolf only grew still. The tension left his body as he relaxed, unconsciously leaning his head into Takeo's touch. With a sigh, M21 thumped his foot when Takeo scratched at a particular spot on his head.
Takeo chuckled. "He's like a puppy."
A whine emerged from M21, and Takeo quickly resumed his scratching. He could only wonder what M21 would think when he woke up to this. But Takeo wagered that M21 was no longer afflicted with harmful dreams, and that's all that mattered.