Nightmare
That night Jack was of course first to bed. Valarie stepped in to put him to bed with a bedtime story like she'd used to in the rare few good nights she'd had with his father when he was Jack's age. Jack smiled though a little upset his dad couldn't do it for the moment. Aaron smiled so glad to see how his son and father were already.
Before he went up to his temporary bedroom with his grandpa he went over to his father and hugged him. "Night dad, I'm so glad you're out of the hospital now. Everything will slowly get better and you'll be able to walk again," he said.
"Night buddy, me too and I know. You'll all be here to help me along the way," he smiled hugging him back.
"Love you, dad."
"Love you too, buddy."
He smiled then turned and said goodnight to both Spencer and Dave who in turn bade him sweet dreams. They smiled as they watched him go off with his granddad for a bedtime story while Aaron snuggled a bit more into Spencer. He just felt so comforted snuggling into him while he was still vulnerable and it didn't seem he minded.
Some time later she came down and joined all three men again. They carried on watching television for a while until he noticed Valarie's eyes were beginning to droop. He kissed her hair and indicated with his head upstairs. They got up and looked to the other potential couple.
"We're heading up to bed. I've already set up your bed, Aaron," Dave said.
"Thanks Dave. I really appreciate it," he smiled back at him then added, "Night dad. Night Dave."
Valarie kissed him on the top of his head, "Night son. I'm so glad you're out of the hospital."
"Me too, dad, me too," he yawned.
"Don't be up too long after us."
"I'll make sure he isn't," Spencer smiled while Aaron rolled his eyes.
She nodded and they headed upstairs.
About ten minutes later they both decided it was time they turned in. Aaron was losing his battle against sleep and Spencer didn't really want to stay up on his own. He also wanted silence so that he could be within earshot if anything happened to Aaron.
He helped Aaron into the next room and waited while he changed out of his clothes leaving just his boxers on gingerly. He would have helped him change but he knew and respected Aaron still wanted some independence. He'd have probably fought him on it anyway.
Feeling a little awkward watching Aaron swing his legs under the bed after leaving his clothes all neatly folded on the floor he cleared his throat. "Um..." he said making Aaron's beautiful, brown eyes look up at him. "I'm just going to go to bed myself. I'll be just next door if you need anything."
"Thanks Spencer, I really appreciate it," he smiled back.
"I love you," he whispered then walked out leaving Aaron wondering if he'd really heard that. He couldn't know after all the hell he'd been through how much that lifted his heart.
Unfortunately when Aaron finally drifted off that's when the nightmares started. The dogs were back but with a vengeance. They attacked at his legs again and started ripping bits of flesh off so he could see bits of bones. It was worse than any dream he'd ever had before.
He woke up with a fright only to see a big dog staring back at him on his bed which made him cling to his sheets even more frightened. He looked at the dog shaking like a leaf and told it to shoo go away trying not to show his fear.
Spencer came in having heard him tossing and turning and what he believed to be talking in his sleep. He switched on the light to see Mudge on his bed and Aaron staring at him petrified clutching the sheet.
He gently got Mudge off the bed and out the door into the lounge noticing how it slightly relieved Aaron. He then came back and sat on the bed seeing that he'd let the sheet go but was still shaking like a leaf.
He wrapped his arms around him and kissed his temple. "Aaron, you're safe. It's alright. It was only Mudge, Dave's dog. He wouldn't hurt a fly..."
He nodded looking down feeling a little foolish. He knew Mudge wouldn't hurt him but he couldn't help it. Mudge was a dog and the last time he'd come into contact with dogs they'd tried to rip him to pieces.
Spencer saw a tear trickle down his cheek and hugged him close to him. "Aaron, it's alright, we understand. I've put Mudge outside and I'll keep him outside if you need him to be..." Aaron nodded. He knew it would relieve him if he stayed out there but even with him being out there still unnerved him a bit. "You can go back to sleep now."
"Please stay with me just in case it happens again," he answered vulnerably.
"Oh Aaron, I will if you need me to. I love you," Spencer replied stroking the hair off his face and wiping the tear away with his finger.
"I love you, too," Aaron answered kissing him on the lips.
Spencer climbed in beside him and spooned against his body as Aaron lay back down again. He wrapped his arms around Aaron's chest and Aaron placed his hands on his arms holding them close to him.