LOU

I awoke to Will's voice, raw and hoarse, breaking the stillness of the night. At first, I thought I was dreaming, but then I heard it again—louder, more desperate, a guttural scream that sent a chill down my spine.

I threw back the duvet and bolted out of bed, my heart racing as I dashed down the hall. Will's door was ajar. I rushed inside. Will lay there, his face contorted in agony, sweat beading on his forehead. His body was still, motionless as ever, but his chest heaved with uneven breaths, and his hand—the one with limited movement—twitched involuntarily.

"Will!" I whispered urgently, my voice trembling as I slid beside him. His face was locked in an expression of pure pain, his eyes screwed shut, trapped in whatever nightmare had him in its grip.

I reached for his arm, the only part of his upper body I could touch without startling him. "Will, wake up! It's okay. You're safe. I'm here."

His breathing came out in shallow gasps, the harsh sound of his ragged breath filling the room. I gently wiped the sweat from his brow with my sleeve, murmuring soft reassurances. "It's just a dream, Will. You're safe now. I've got you."

His brow furrowed deeper, his head jerking slightly, and then finally, slowly, his breathing began to steady. His eyes fluttered open, disoriented at first, blinking rapidly as the nightmare receded.

His gaze locked on mine, confusion giving way to something else—something like shame, maybe frustration. He hated being seen like this, hated the vulnerability that came with his condition.

"Lou?" His voice was thick, his throat raspy from the screaming.

"I'm here," I whispered, keeping my voice low and steady, though my heart still pounded from the rush of fear. "It's okay. You were just dreaming. You're safe now."

He exhaled shakily, turning his head away slightly, his expression tightening. "I didn't mean to... wake you."

"You didn't," I said softly, reaching for his hand. I gave it a gentle squeeze, even though I knew he couldn't feel it. "And even if you did, it's okay. I'm right here by your side." I gave him a wobbly smile.

His jaw clenched, his gaze still fixed on the ceiling. "It was just a nightmare."

I nodded, though I knew there was more to it than that. Nathan had mentioned it once, offhandedly, that Will sometimes screamed in his sleep. But this was the first time I'd witnessed it myself. The first time, I'd heard the pain in his voice like this.

Gently, I brushed a few damp strands of hair off his forehead, my fingers lingering for a moment. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He didn't answer right away; his breathing was still uneven. After a long pause, he moved his head just enough to meet my eyes. "It's the same one."

I frowned, leaning in closer. "The same nightmare?"

He nodded, swallowing hard before continuing. "I'm... back there. The accident. Over and over again. Sometimes it's different. Sometimes I can move—sometimes I can't." His voice cracked slightly as though reliving it had worn him down. "But then... it always ends the same way. I can never stop it. Other times, I'm… out diving off cliffs into the sea. And then I wake up… trapped in this body. And I realize this is my reality."

My skin prickled as I listened, my hand still resting on his. I couldn't imagine what it was like, reliving that moment in his mind, feeling that helplessness again. The man Will had been before the accident had control over everything, and this—this lack of control over his own body—was a living nightmare in itself.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "I wish I could take that away from you."

He closed his eyes, his expression softening as if the idea of someone sharing this burden was too much to bear. "You can't."

"I know," I admitted, my throat tight. "But I'm here. Through it all. I promise."

There was a long stretch of silence between us, the quiet hum of the night filling the space around us. I watched him, saw how his chest rose and fell, his breathing finally returning to something normal. He didn't push me away, and for that, I was grateful.

After a while, his eyes opened again, and when he looked at me, there was a hint of something softer in his gaze—gratitude, maybe. Or relief. I wasn't sure. But it felt like a step, however small.

"You should go back to sleep," he said quietly, his voice steadier now. "You've got to be exhausted."

I shook my head, refusing to move. "I'll stay with you until you do. I'm not leaving you alone."

His lips twitched slightly as though he wanted to argue, but then he gave up, sighing. "Alright, Clark. You win."

I smiled softly, settling beside him on the bed, my fingers brushing through his hair as I leaned closer. "I usually do," I said before kissing his lips. I sighed when he kissed me back, soft and promising. I settled under the blanket beside him and rested my face against his chest.

After ensuring Will slept peacefully, I quietly slipped out of his room and padded down the hall to the spare bedroom, the tension from earlier still weighing heavily on my chest. I closed the door softly behind me, the faint sound of the wind outside the only thing breaking the silence.

I let out a shaky breath and sat on the edge of the bed, my mind still reeling from everything that had just happened. Will's nightmares were more intense than I could have imagined, and seeing him in that state had shaken me more than I wanted to admit. But despite the exhaustion that tugged at my limbs, I felt an overwhelming sense of love for him—a deep, fierce determination to help him through this, no matter how hard it got.

I needed to talk to someone. I wanted to share what had happened and get some reassurance that I wasn't alone in this. I reached for my laptop and logged into the quad support chat group, the one place where I knew I could find comfort and understanding—for the most part.

It wasn't long before I saw the familiar usernames pop up: Ritchie, Maggie, and a few others were online. My fingers hovered over the keyboard for a moment before I began typing.

Busy Bee:I know it's been a while, but I have some news.

I typed as fast as I could, recounting almost everything that happened since that last day in the chatroom when I told them about Will's decision to go to Switzerland. Immediately, the responses came in, expressing surprise and saying words of encouragement. After a bit of catching up, I told them about tonight.

Busy Bee

Will had a rough night. Nightmare again. I managed to calm him down, but it was hard. I hate seeing him like that.

Little notification bubbles lit up as my friends began to reply.

RitchieThat sounds so tough, Bee. But you're doing great. Seriously. Will's lucky to have you there.

MaggieMayYou're amazing, Bee. Just keep being there for him. That's what he needs most right now.

I smiled faintly, feeling a warmth spread through me as I read their words. These people—this group—had been with me through everything, through the highs and lows of the last few months. They understood how much this journey with Will meant to me, and they were always there to lift me up when I needed it most.

Busy BeeThanks, guys. I just wish there was more I could do. Any more ideas for fun things Will and I could do together? Something light? We saw a silent movie together a few days ago, and it seemed to distract him. I think more things like that would be good for him.

The chat buzzed to life again, suggestions pouring in from all sides.

RitchieWhat about a board game night? Something low-key but fun.

MaggieMay:How about cooking together? You could make a meal from scratch. Might be a nice change of pace.

Then, another suggestion popped up, and I couldn't help but laugh.

SingItSam:How about karaoke? It's light, it's fun, and no one can take it too seriously. And you don't need legs or hands.

Karaoke? I pictured Will's face at the very idea, the way his eyebrow would arch in disbelief, and the exasperated expression that would follow. But beneath the surface, I knew he might secretly enjoy it, even if only for the chance to tease me.

I grinned at the thought, already imagining the banter that would ensue.

Busy Bee:Karaoke? Oh, he'd hate it. But maybe... that's what we need. Something silly.

RitchieExactly! It's about letting loose and having a laugh. Could be just what the doctor ordered.

The more I thought about it, the more the idea grew on me. Will and I could use a break from the heaviness that seemed to follow us around sometimes. Maybe a little fun—something lighthearted like karaoke—was exactly what we needed to ease the tension and remind us that life didn't have to be all about the struggle. In the past, I planned all these grand adventures, but maybe we didn't need adventures. Maybe we needed normal? I could build us up to the grand plans I made before.

Busy Bee:Alright, I'll pitch it to him. I'm sure his response will be... interesting.

As the chat continued, I felt a sense of calm settle over me. I wasn't alone in this. And with Will by my side—and my friends cheering me on—I knew we'd find our way through whatever challenges lay ahead.

Before signing off for the night, I sent one last message.

Busy BeeThanks, guys. Really. I needed this.

RitchieAlways here for you, Bee. You've got this.

With a smile, I set my laptop aside and settled back into bed, my mind already turning to tomorrow. Karaoke night... I could only imagine the look on Will's face.

But deep down, I knew it might be exactly what we both needed.

The morning sun streamed through the window, casting a soft glow across the room. Will was already awake, his head resting against the pillows, his sharp eyes following my every movement as I entered with Nathan trailing behind me.

"Good morning," I said brightly, walking to his bedside. "Ready for another exciting day, Traynor?"

Will rolled his eyes, though there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips. "Depends on what you consider exciting, Clark."

I studied his face. In the light of day, the night terror seemed like a distant memory. Still, I don't think I will ever forget the sound of his screams. My spine still tingled every time I thought about it.

Nathan gave me a knowing look as he set down the supplies on the table. "You're in for a real treat today, mate. Lou's in charge."

I grinned, stepping closer to Will's head. "Well, then. Let's start with that hair of yours. I mean, you're looking a bit scruffy these days." I ran my fingers through his dark hair, tousling it playfully before picking up a comb.

Will raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips. "Scruffy? I thought this was the rugged look. Thought women liked that."

I snorted. "Maybe in a different context. But you—" I continued finger combing his hair. "—need a proper cut."

Will chuckled, leaning his head back to let me work. "I've heard worse insults."

"Don't worry," I said, mock-serious, "I'll make sure you look as dashing as ever before we go anywhere. But seriously, you do need a trim." I combed his hair back, thinking about how natural it felt to care for him like this—little gestures that connected us.

Nathan smirked, finishing up adjusting the equipment at Will's side. "She's right, you know. You're overdue for a cut. Might get mistaken for a rebel or something."

Will shot Nathan a mock glare. "Fine."

I laughed as I finished smoothing out his hair. "There we go. All handsome again."

"Always," Will quipped.

Together, Nathan and I worked together to get Will ready for the day. I helped him into his power chair, and Nathan followed Will to the bathroom. I trailed behind them but stopped at the door, unsure if he wanted me in that intimate space with him. Things were still fresh between us as we navigated this new phase of our relationship. I know Will was self-conscious about his body, and it pained him for me to see him when he was his most vulnerable. I hoped one day that, he would be comfortable enough with me to allow me into every corner of his life. I wanted to be his partner in every way.

Once we finished getting Will settled, Nathan and I headed to the kitchen, our usual morning routine clicking into place. I grabbed the kettle, filling it with water for tea while Nathan busied himself with breakfast.

"Hey, Nathan," I began, my voice casual as I leaned against the counter. "I was thinking… maybe we could do something fun this weekend."

Nathan glanced up, his eyebrow raised. "Like what?"

I bit my lip, trying to keep my excitement in check. "Well, you know how Will and I spend most of our time cooped up in the annex. I thought maybe we could get him out of the house more. Something light-hearted and fun."

Nathan gave me a curious look. "Alright, Lou What's the plan?"

"Karaoke," I blurted out, unable to hide the grin that spread across my face.

Nathan blinked, a slow smile spreading as he leaned back against the counter. "Karaoke? Really?"

"Yes! Think about it—he needs a break from the seriousness of everything. And what better way to have fun than belting out some terrible songs at a pub?"

Nathan laughed, shaking his head. "You're mad, you know that?"

"Maybe," I admitted with a shrug. "But I think Will could use a bit of madness right now. And, you know, we could invite my sister Treena too. She's home from uni this weekend, and I bet she'd love to join."

Nathan looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "It's not a bad idea. But I don't know… Will might feel self-conscious about it. All those people."

Right people. I wanted Will to start getting used to the idea of being seen out in public doing normal things like eating, shopping, and having a beer at a pub with friends. But I didn't want to make him uncomfortable. I didn't want to do anything to hurt him or make him feel less than. I wanted Will to see that he could have a full life. No, he might not be able to dive off cliffs into the sea anymore, but we could still have fun.

My lips turned down. "You're right. I hadn't thought about that."

"But he might like going to a pub. If we call ahead, maybe we can get them to reserve a table somewhere less visible."

"That could work."

"And he doesn't have to sing. All he has to do is watch us make fools of ourselves."

"I laughed. He might actually enjoy that."

Nathan grinned. "I think you're onto something, Lou."

"Now, all we have to do is convince him to go."