Daddy™

They didn’t seem to vary much as far as what they were about… He didn’t tend to divulge into a lot of the details and that was okay. Just seeing Octavio in any kind of distress was more than enough to twist your heart in your chest.

This time you were already up when the nightmare started, scrolling rather mindlessly through your holo-feed in an attempt to lull yourself to sleep. Your eyes skimmed the feeds of the commentary from the battle of the previous day. Lifeline and Gibraltar pull through to an unexpected win during a Trios match!

It was a shame that your team hadn’t gotten even close to being able to face them in the final ring. Hopefully, you’d get the chance at being Champions next time.

While you were scrolling, Octavio rolled over, bumping into your side. You thought nothing of it, reaching a free hand over to lightly tousle his hair as you watched match highlights. He gave a sleepy grunt in response and rolled over the other direction, jerking his arm as he moved.

You paused the highlight you were watching to shift the screen to face the other beside you, casting him in a light glow. You could see it in his face. His lips twisted into a grimace and his brows scrunched up. Some sort of nasty nightmare was plaguing him.

“Octavio--” You spoke in a loud yet gentle voice as you set your holo-feed aside, shifting to face the man beside you. Your hand smoothed over his arm before grabbing it to ensure that the other didn’t suddenly swing unbeknownst to himself. “Tavi, wake up.”

Octavio’s body jerked and his arm attempted to lift, but you pushed it back down. Your free hand smoothed through his hair again, repeating his name as your thumb traced it’s way down to his brow. It was never a good idea to try to shake him awake.

After a few heartbreaking moments, Octavio’s eyes shot open with a sharp inhale. His whole body went rigid under your touch before he clamored to quickly sit up. He was sleep-dazed as he looked around and your grip slackened on his arm to rub it reassuringly.

“You’re okay, Tavi. It was just a nightmare… You’re okay.” You murmured softly as you shifted closer to him, pressing a few reassuring kisses to his sweaty brow. “You’re safe in your room with me… Breathe.”

Octavio looked around the dark room, soaking up your words as his short breaths attempted to even out. You waited as patiently as ever, soothingly rubbing his arm until you saw his tense shoulders drop as realization washed over him. Recognition revealed the safe space around him and you could finally move closer to wrap the other in your arms.

“...Did I wake you?” Octavio’s voice was still husky with sleep as you pulled him to your chest and nestled your face into his dyed hair. You took slow and careful breaths to guide his own shakier inhales.

“No, I was already up.” You murmured into the top of his head, pressing a gentle trail of kisses down to his sweaty brow. One of his arms lifted to wrap loosely around you and filled you with relief. “Better?”

“Yeah.” He answered as his free hand moved over his thigh that was still covered by the sheets, massaging his knee where his leg would have been had it still been there.

“Was it about losing your legs again?” You were almost hesitant to ask, but you hated to see Octavio in any kind of discomfort. That nightmare always brought on phantom pains.

“...Yeah.” Octavio’s answer was a bit more hesitant this time, hand squeezing his knee.

“I can go get the ice pack.” You offered as you slowly pulled away, knowing it helped even though the injury had long since healed. It had been healed ages before you two had even met.

“Not yet.” Octavio’s arm tightened around you, pulling you back in just as you moved to get up. You stopped almost immediately as his face pressed against your collarbone. “...Stay a little bit?”

Your arms immediately wrapped back around him as you held him close to your chest. You returned to pressing kisses across the top of his head, not caring how hot and sweaty he felt. “Of course… If it starts to really hurt, though, let me know…”