How black art thou transformed with sin,
How strange a guilt gnaws me within.
"Connor! Connor! Wake up!"
"Wh-what?"
"Don't scare me like that."
"Sorry."
"Come here, what's wrong?" Kevin leaned over the bed and lay a protective arm across Connor's chest who was on his back staring up at the ceiling. "Hell dream?"
Connor nodded slowly. Kevin sighed heavily and flipped Connor onto his side so he could look at him.
"Again?"
"It's been the first for a few weeks." Kevin noticed that Connor's voice was so quiet, he had to lean in close to hear it from those lips barely moving.
"Was it the same as before?"
"Better than Uganda."
"Well that's something."
There was a silence while Kevin soothed Connor, stroking his thumb over the back of his hand.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
Connor shook his head and drew his knees up to his chest allowing Kevin to embrace him. Kevin kissed Connor on the forehead and stayed awake until he felt the breaths come steady and was sure that Connor was asleep. Then he snuggled up closer and allowed his own eyes to drift close, wishing sweet dreams to both of them.