Disclaimer: No money made, Fruits Basket is Takaya Natsuki's.
Chapter 7 – Monsters in the dark
She didn't realize she was screaming and she didn't realize that what she was seeing was not real.
Only when she feels his hands on her, when she hears his voice calling her name, does she come awake.
"Haru…", she whispers into the darkness. A small and pitiful cry for comfort and she hates herself for the despair and tremor in her voice.
Still he answers her call by wrapping his arms around her. His voice in her ear is soothing, the warmth of his body comforting, as it washes away the tenseness in her muscles.
"Did you have a nightmare again, love?", he asks softly and she nods in answer. She doesn't trust her voice.
Instead she presses herself against him, and he holds her tighter.
"I'm fine", she finally says. "I'm fine… Because you're here." He strokes her hair and kisses her temple.
"You didn't have a nightmare for some time…" His voice sounds insecure. She kisses his throat.
"I always sleep better with you by my side", she says and buries her face against his shoulder.
"Just not tonight…"
"Just not tonight", she echoes and let herself sink back into the pillow.
"Can you go back to sleep?", he asks and she nods again.
"You chase the monsters away."
"I try", he says and lays down beside her, wrapping her in his arms again.
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The End
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