Slash September: Justin

Prompt of the Day: "No murder."/"But-"/"No. Murder."

365: hurt/comfort

Insane House Challenge: praying

Back to School: learning

Disney, Trust In Me: "Just trust me."

Book Club, Linus: boyfriend, smiling, beer

Showtime, Phantom of the Opera: singing

Arcade, E-123 Omega: dark, "I will protect you.", walking

Word Count: 416


Justin hates this. It feels like it's been a century since he's been able to sleep through the night. The hands on the clock tell him that it's three in the morning, and he's walking around the kitchen, wide awake. A half-finished bottle of beer is on the table, condensation dotting the brown glass.

Alcohol doesn't seem to help anymore. In the first few days following the final battle, he had found salvation through drunken oblivion. Now, however, the once comforting drink tastes too bitter and makes him want to puke.

And he is still awake.

Justin drops to his knees. He thinks of his mother and the way she would always cling to her rosary. Though he can't remember the last time he's attended Mass, he recalls the motions and crosses himself. His lips move in silent prayer.

"What are you doing?"

He looks up to see Ernie standing in the doorway, smiling gently.

With a sigh, Justin stands, the prayer unfinished. "Trying to find comfort," he says, pushing hand through his tawny curls.

"Still have nightmares?"

Justin shudders. Just the mention of nightmares is enough to bring the memories back. It's a miracle he's still alive. How many times had Snatchers come close to catching him?

Before Justin can even answer, Ernie crosses the kitchen and wraps his sturdy arms around Justin. "I will protect you."

Justin sighs deeply, shaking his head. It's a talk they've had countless times, and he still hasn't convinced Ernie that revenge isn't the answer. "No murder."

"But—"

"No. Murder." Justin kisses his cheek. "Just trust me. It isn't worth it."

"Tell me how to make things better."

Justin bites the inside of cheek until he can taste the faint metallic hint of blood on his tongue. He's still learning how to balance his dark thoughts and move on. Every day seems to be a new lesson in healing, and he still doesn't know what he's doing most of the time.

But he's still trying. Somehow, he is still carrying on.

"Sing me a lullaby," he says, resting his head on his boyfriend's chest. "That will make things better."

"It'll make your ears bleed," Ernie snorts, but he begins to sing, keeping his arms around Justin and guiding him back to bed.

It isn't a beautiful lullaby. Ernie's voice is loud and off-key. But it makes Justin feel like maybe there's hope for him, that it doesn't matter that he is haunted because the world can still be beautiful.