The first thing he does is ask if you’re alright, his voice notably quivering. If you’re not able to respond, he’ll keep talking to you to get your attention on him, and not whatever put you in this state. Once he can get a response from you, he’ll get you to focus on your breathing, taking deep breaths with you to both guide you and his own panicked heart. Gentle hands trace up and down your spine as your breathing slows down. “Are you alright, my love?” he asks in a soft, gentle voice, not wanting to cause you any more panic. His eyes never leave yours as he asks you.

“Are you alright, my love?” he asks in a soft, gentle voice, not wanting to cause you any more panic. His eyes never leave yours as he asks you.

“I’m better now. Thanks Keiji.” as you speak barely above a whisper, you can see akaashi’s glare falter, seeming heartbroken at how weak your voice sounded.

“I just had a bad dream is all, you don’t have to worry.” you do your best to reassure him, but his gaze does not weaken, instead, he looks more determined. You could reassure akaashi for hours, but after seeing you so filled with fear, he can’t possibly go back to sleep without doing all he can to help. Akaashi knows your limits, and he knows your boundaries. Not certain if you’d want to talk about your dream, his first question is if you’d like to go back to sleep.

If you truly don’t want to talk about it, and staying awake with the memory of your dream is too much for right now, he’ll pull you close to him, his grip on you strong, but gentle, almost as if to promise that even in your dreams, he won’t let anyone, or anything hurt you in any way. He’ll face you towards him as he places soft kisses to your forehead, whispering sweet nothings into your ear as you drift back into a sleep of peaceful warmth.

However, if you don’t wish to go to sleep, or find it too difficult to, akaashi will stay awake with you for as long as you need. His next question will be whether or not you’re able to, or want to talk about your dream.

If your answer is yes, he’ll hold you close and listen quietly as you recap your dream. Although not very noticeable, you can feel his grip on you tighten when you get to the bad or scary parts. You truly love how protective he is over you. He wants to keep you safe, and knowing that he can’t do so in your dreams is what drives him to try harder in your waking moments.

If you don’t feel you’re able to, or don’t want to talk about you’re dream, akaashi wont push or prod, he’ll simply nod his head, bringing his lips to your forehead and kissing you softly. He’ll take your hand and guide you to the kitchen where he makes your favorite tea and offers to do an activity to get your mind off it. Be it watching a movie, playing a board game, baking, or simply going back to bed to enjoy each other's company, akaashi is willing to do anything it takes to make sure then next time you drift off, you’re drifting into his familiar warmth.