you woke up to the sound of his fast, shallow breathing.
“sylus,” you whispered, already reaching for him.
he flinched under your touch. eyes still shut tight, brow creased and jaw clenched. his back was slick with sweat, fists twisted in the sheets. he was somewhere else.
“sylus,” you said again, softer this time, your hand cupping his cheek. “it’s okay. you’re home. you’re safe.”
he woke with a jolt. his shoulders were tense, eyes wide and wild. for a moment, he looked straight through you. then slowly, slowly, he blinked and came back.
he didn’t say anything. his throat worked hard around a word that never came. you didn’t ask. you didn’t need to. you just opened your arms and after a moment, he collapsed into them.
he buried his face against your neck like it was the only thing tethering him to reality. his arms wrapped around your waist too tight, like he was scared you might disappear too.
you ran your fingers through his hair, slow and steady, grounding him. his breath hitched again.
“i didn’t mean to wake you,” he murmured finally. his voice was hoarse and unusual small.
he gave a broken little laugh into your skin. “liar.”
you pulled him closer. “you don’t have to apologize for having nightmares, sylus.”
“i hate that you see me like this.”
“i love seeing you like this.”
he froze. you didn’t stop touching him. your fingers combed gently through his hair, your other hand tracing lazy circles on his back.
“i love seeing the real you,” you said quietly. “even when you’re hurting. especially then.”
he didn’t speak and pressed closer, like he wanted to crawl inside your ribcage and stay there. you kissed the crown of his head.
“you’re safe here,” you whispered. “you don’t have to fight when you’re with me.”
his arms tightened. you felt his breath shudder once, then again. his whole body trembled like he was trying not to fall apart.
“you’re safe,” you said firmer now. “i’ve got you. i’m not letting go.”
“…you promise?” it came out so quiet you barely heard it.
“i promise,” you whispered. “as long as you want me, i’ll stay.”
he didn’t say anything. just held you like the words had cracked something open inside him. eventually, his breathing slowed. his grip softened. and for the first time in what felt like forever, sylus fell asleep in your arms without a weapon under his pillow.
because you were there and he was safe.
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