Tiger of The Moon

"... I would rather have sleep paralysis than live being a puppeted tool again though..."

Akutagawa didn't seem to mind being held right then, especially since it meant he wasn't dealing with this alone. Hell, this was better than how he usually felt when he recovered from sleep paralysis. Sometimes he would have his sister there to help him as well when she noticed something was wrong but that rare. Once he moved away from being held he tried to ignore how there was a light dusting of pink on his cheeks at what Atsushi says. It was so strange for them to be this gentle to each other and he didn't know how to feel about it.

"Good instincts. You don't want to forcibly try to free someone from sleep paralysis as it will just lead to more anxiety. It's best to just keep their focus as they work on snapping themselves out of it."

There's a light shrug as he says this before turning his attention to the window. Hopefully their target hadn't slipped away during this time. He stared down at the building and tried to smell or hear him. It was so very subtle but he could sense a human still in that building.

It's more muttered, because it's not something he likes to think on for too long. It had certainly been more difficult to snap Akutagawa out of that. And god was it a horrible way to find out the other was actually alive, just to be used. Everything about all of that was so horrible, almost losing everything... Including Akutagawa. Again.

He distracts himself by listening to the mafioso as he finally moves away, and his head tilts a little, his tail swaying about. He made sure to store the information away in his head, just in case this happened again. If...it happened again.

"Right... I'll keep that in mind."

Even if he's...quite sure this would probably be a one time thing with them. Unless the two of them were forced on another stakeout and Akutagawa decided to be an idiot like this again, but he'd really hope not. It's not like they'd ever sleep together otherwise. He can't even imagine that. He's pretty sure he can't. He averts his attention to follow the other's gaze out the window with a soft hum, his eyes gleaming a light yellow.

Being held so close would normally upset him but right then he just soaked in the feeling of security it brought. Atsushi wouldn't allow any harm come to him so he just accepted it, idly noting the tail's state as it wrapped around him. So he had worried the other. His suspicion of this being the first time the other man had encountered sleep paralysis was confirmed by what he says.

"It wouldn't have been good for our mission though...." Akutagawa sighs and tries to calm his shaking down further, "... that's what it was. My mind awoke before my body and was hallucinating is all. I'll be fine in a few moments."

Akutagawa just took deep breaths to force himself to a calmer state of being. This was routine for him after all though it had gotten worse since the Decay of Angels bullshit. After all, he would almost always have a terrible nightmare from that time or his childhood now when he slept when he could at least get some decent sleep before. Now he was scarred further mentally and it had been his own decision to ensure the weretiger had survived.

"No wonder... That sounds awful."

Nightmares were bad enough, but that just sounded like another kind of hell he wouldn't know how to deal with if it was him. He probably wouldn't want to sleep either. Bizarre as it may be, for both of them, he doesn't let go of Akutagawa until the other is ready to pull away, gently rubbing his shoulder while he breathes. Atsushi had to take a minute to calm himself too, that had gotten his heart going a little too fast... He paused when the mafioso spoke again, but he just smiled softly. Getting gratitude from this guy was pretty damn rare.

"It was the best I could think of doing, I'm just glad it helped. And I'm glad you're okay."

It was when he perceived movement to his side that his trembling grew worse until he heard Atsushi's voice. His gaze focuses upon the man next to him, doing his utmost best to ignore the black-grey forms closing in around him. Right.... This was normal for him... he knew what to do now. With this realization that he was trapped in sleep paralysis he could now focus on trying to break it. He began to try and force his fingers to move, little twitches barely there began to turn into larger movements.

It felt like ages to him, seconds turning into long minutes but he was steadily freeing himself. Around the time that Atsushi touched his cheek was when he finally began to feel things again. Almost immediately the mafioso sagged in relief against the other, Rashomon settling down at the same time. It takes him a few seconds to find his voice again and it's as shaky as the rest of him.

"... I-I'm fine... I'm used to this...." Ha, as if that made it any easier to deal with. It still was fucking terrifying each time. Despite being against such a thing normally, Akutagawa leaned into that hold Atsushi has on him.

"It's just me, it's okay... You're safe."

Even if he didn't quite know what was happening, it must be scary to get Akutagawa of all people like this. He could feel how bad the other was shaking against him, and that encouraged him to just keep speaking gentle comfort. Never thought he'd be doing anything like that with his bloodthirsty rival. He could see the subtle movements, and he thought that maybe it was starting to get better? Whatever the problem may be.

He doesn't know how long it took before Akutagawa finally spoke to him, and he felt a sense of relief. Geez, he was getting ready to abandon the mission to take this bastard to the hospital or something... He breathed a sigh and by no means did he mind that the other leaned into him. He held him close, his tail moving just to gently curl around Akutagawa, still fluffed up a little from his fluttering anxiety.

"Man, you scared me..."

At least it...seemed to be over. His gaze flickered out the window for just a few seconds, before focusing back on Akutagawa when he spoke again. Sleep paralysis... It sounded familiar, but he only knew it by name. He managed just a small laugh, trying to make things at least a little lighter. If he could.

It's quite a while that Akutagawa seems to sleep peacefully thankfully. He remains curled up against Atsushi the whole time, twitching every so often as he dreamed. Inevitably the poor man's breathing begins to speed up as does his random twitching. Sadly before the weretiger could wake him up his eyes snap open and he just seems to look about frantically without moving. His body trembles slightly and it doesn't seem like Akutagawa is perceiving Atsushi. Instead Rashomon is beginning to crackle and move but even that seems a bit off, like it couldn't fully form.

At some point, he's not sure how long it's been, Atsushi noticed the change in the sleeping mafioso and he frowned. A nightmare? Should he wake him up? Before he could decide on that, Akutagawa seemed to snap awake himself, except...something wasn't right. Why wasn't he moving?

"Akutagawa..? What's wrong?"

He...was awake, wasn't he? Was he not? But his eyes are open. Why wasn't he moving? He jerked and the fur of his tail puffs up when he felt Rashomon reacting, but he didn't understand why. Now this was really worrying him, the more the other seemed to panic. But why? If he had nightmare, he should be okay now, right? He was awake, but why wasn't he moving? Atsushi didn't...know what to do. This was scaring him a bit.

"H-hey, Akutagawa, it's okay. I'm here, it's just me here. What's wrong?"

However, the more pressing matter was how he was actively starting to fall asleep despite his desire to stay awake. God he was just so fucking tired. He didn't want to sleep now, he needed to stay awake to finish this mission and to keep from having nightmares again. Akutagawa could barely process that Atsushi had a hold on him to keep him from faceplanting into the ground. The part of him that was aware was quietly grateful for that.

".... Don't... want to sleep... I need... to stay awake... Don't want to... see them..."

Of course he was stubbornly trying, and failing, to stay awake still but this new position along with his mental fatigue was winning. Besides that and despite his current company, Akutagawa actually felt somewhat safe. Deep down he knew that Atsushi wouldn't let anything harm him while he was so vulnerable and would wake him up when the target began to move. It was solely the nightmares that were worrying him... that and the condition he hated more than anything now that happened sometimes when he woke up.

"It's okay... I'll be here."

He speaks quietly, gently, uncharacteristically all things considered. What the other says just makes him worry more. 'See them'? His nightmares must really scare him... Atsushi can hardly blame him. His own nightmares were pretty bad too. All he did was sit himself next to Akutagawa with a small sigh, watching carefully until the other's body finally gave out against his side. Well, guess he'll be on his own for a while. He was okay with that, the mafioso really needed the rest...

It's amazingly due to Atsushi's sincerity that he manages to calm down enough to reign everything back in. Okay that was new and he didn't like it. As he returned to normal he swayed for a second as it felt like the world vanished from under him. Perhaps he should lay down but he stubbornly forced himself to stay standing. For now.

".... I will trust you jinko.... but if she gets hurt for any reason by the ADA, I'll make sure you all pay."

The mafioso listened to what Atsushi had to say and he found it unbelievable. How could he believe it? No one save Gin cared for him. Dazai had made it a point to beat that into every fiber of his being. Only when he was strong would he be worth caring about was the lesson he'd learned from the former executive. And yet... Here was the very person he'd maimed on numerous occasions saying he cared. It was all too confusing considering he could tell just how sincere he was.

It was too much for his exhausted mind to process and finally his body caved and he began to slump against the wall, "I don't... I don't understand... Why care... I'm not worth it... Dazai-san said so..."

"I promise. I won't let anything happen to her."

That, he would swear. Should anything happen to Gin, he'd let Akutagawa tear him to shreds without a fight. He's certain that it wouldn't come to that though. The ADA wouldn't dare hurt his sister. At least...not unprovoked. He wou--

"Shit, Akutagawa--"

The second that the mafioso began to collapse, Atsushi was there to get a hold on him before he could fall or anything. Dammit, he knew Akutagawa was too exhausted for this. Stubborn ass. Those weak mutterings just made him sound all the more pitiful, and Atsushi refrained from sighing. He just carefully brought the other to sit down, keeping an arm secured around him as he stared in worry. He'll never get used to just how light he was... Ugh, everything about this guy was so worrying. How long has it been since he actually slept?

"... Who else knows about her? And you better answer honestly, jinko, I'll know if you don't. There's one of you I don't want to know about her."

At least the good thing about being a vampire is he was much more keen on blood now and could tell the differing heartbeats of a person now. He dreaded to know if a certain blond man knew of Gin too because that was the one member that hated him above all others.

Akutagawa had thankfully calmed back down fully by the time Atsushi continued on his little soapbox speech. It honestly surprised him that the weretiger cared this much for him in any capacity. More so that he didn't see him as a monster anymore. But why not? All he'd done since meeting the other hate, attack, maim, and try to kill the other.

What really struck home however, was when Atsushi admitted to how his sacrifice for the other to live made him feel. It really had hurt him? Had his death truly impacted the silver haired man? The mafioso just couldn't understand it and it actually made him tremble a bit. It didn't help his mind was far too tired to try and untangle all this new information.

"... I figured you would rejoice for my death after all I did to you. You're right, it does sound ridiculous... To others I suppose. While what I did was the logical best option for either of us to escape I must admit to some relief that it worked... I don't care that I died, I was going to soon regardless from that illness but at least I didn't fail again... Neither you or to Dazai-san... My only regret was I did fail Gin... At least I have a second chance to keep her safe."

"...Kunikida does, but we've told no one else. We promised to keep her identity a secret. I swear to you, I won't let anyone hurt her. It's the least I can do, for both of you."

Just...trust him. That's all he wanted. Bringing up Gin may have been a poor choice, but he wanted so badly for Akutagawa to believe at least something he's saying. He only prayed he looked sincere enough. His bright eyes remain fixed on the other, and it didn't escape him how he'd started to tremble. His brow furrowed in concern, but he didn't know whether to draw attention to it or not. It almost made him hesitant to keep going.

"Well, I didn't. I was fucking devastated. I didn't want you to die. I know that it might've been our only choice, but... It still hurt. And I don't want it to happen again."

Akutagawa noted the other's open surprise from his continued speaking. It was probably the first time he's ever mentioned those children since he was brought into the mafia actually. After all, Dazai had already known and had gotten the men that killed his friends before he could have gotten revenge for them. It not only felt good to bring up their memory but it ate at the gaping hole in his chest where guilt had eaten away over the years.

Despite how he wasn't looking to Atsushi, gaze fixated across the street in case their target walked out, he was keenly listening in. A pained look did flash across his face because part of him knew it was likely true. His friends likely wouldn't want him blaming himself like he does but how could he not? He was meant to protect them, he was their guard dog because of his age and ability, but he'd failed. Though at the mention of his sister he does snap to look over in surprise. How'd he learn about Gin? Rashomon even crackles a bit in reaction to his emotion before he decided that it was fine and calms down. It should have been expected given the other was a fucking detective. A forced out sigh escapes him as he returns to looking out the window to listen to the rest.

"... It doesn't matter what they would think now, they're long dead. I don't know how you found out about her either, but not even Gin can change how I feel. I was emotionless before and the first things I ever felt was rage and hatred at their deaths, that can't be changed now. Besides, I doubt society would view me as good when even as a child my first instinct was to attack and maim threats. It hardly feels right to call me human when monster has always better suited me."

"How we met is kind of, uh...a long story. But I run into Gin every now and then outside of work when I'm running errands and we talk sometimes, that's all."

It was honestly a shock when he and Kunikida did meet her in those...very strange circumstances. She seemed really sweet and soft-spoken, at least outside of work. It was a surprise to him these two were siblings, but the more him and Akutagawa talk...he's starting to see it more.

Atsushi breathes a sigh, but he fully expected Akutagawa was going to be stubborn as a mule. He hardly blamed him... It was so, so hard to believe you deserve anything good, so hard to stop feeling like things are your fault when you couldn't prevent them... He gets it. He just... He wishes he could shake Akutagawa and make him realize he deserves better than this. But it's not that simple.

Still, he's willing to keep trying, no matter how long it takes. He just had to be patient.

"I...I know. I know what's happened can't be changed. I know I probably can't change your mind. And I know that my opinion means nothing to you, but... I just... I don't believe you're as bad as you think you are. Maybe I did once, but I don't see a monster when I look at you now."

Another sigh. He knows the mafioso won't believe him. He never will. Why would he? Akutagawa hated him. That was something that wouldn't change. And it...hurt. He glances over, seeing that yawn, and he just frowns. What were the chances the other would let himself rest?

Akutagawa remains quiet as he listens to the other speak and looks away. That's true... He had died to save Atsushi and was still keeping his promise to not kill despite the difficulty to do in the mafia. Hell, he thinks he can recall not killing while being a puppet as well. It certainly made him think creatively to finish his jobs and missions still to satisfaction.

"Hmph, you never did no. However I will not hold that against you given we were far too busy before defending ourselves and the world."

At least he can't recall if Atsushi had while being controlled. He can vaguely recall that last fight before he was released that the weretiger had been trying to get through to him. It hadn't worked fully and he had felt like a prisoner in his own body but he does recall being able to process things for the first time since his death... Everything else was a blur.

The mafioso also looks out the window towards the target building to ensure they wouldn't miss their mark by talking right then. Besides that he didn't want to give any kind of emotion away right then. These were things he's never heard before, outside of his sister of course, and he wasn't sure how to take it from Atsushi of all people.

It's not something he likes to think about, how rough it all had been. And what a weird emotional roller coaster. Seeing Akutagawa die, only to later find him as a vampire? It had made him feel both terrified and relieved in a way. he lifted a hand to idly rub at the junction of his neck and shoulder, where he'd once felt fangs sink into.

He expected that to be the end of it when Akutagawa didn't immediately respond and that was...fine. As much as he wanted to convince the other that he was sincere, he wouldn't push if Akutagawa wanted to drop it. This was all a pretty sensitive topic after all... So it's his turn to look surprised when the mafioso did continue. He glances over and he frowns, a spike of pain jabbing him in the chest. So he was right then. If he didn't feel bad before, he really does now.

"I'm really sorry you went through all that... But... I do think you're wrong. I mean... I'm sure your friends wouldn't think you deserve it, and I know your sister doesn't think so either. You wanted to protect them, that just proves to me you really are a good person, Akutagawa. And I know that it hurts, when you can't save someone you care about. It sticks with you, and you can't stop thinking it's your fault, but... The best you can do is just keep going for them, because they'd want that for you."

Geez, he may as well carve his chest open and spill his heart out, huh? It can't be helped. He had a lot of feelings about this. A lot of feelings about Akutagawa, that he's still trying to untangle. Knowing these new bits of information was helping that. He felt awful for the other...yet so relieved. Akutagawa really wasn't just a killing machine. He was just hurting, so badly.

Akutagawa then gave a small hum of understanding at what the other says. It made sense that the weretiger struggled with nightmares as well actually... Ever since he'd been made aware of the other's existence he knew the other man had been through hell and back as well... A good majority of it due to himself actually. There was a flicker of some kind of negative feeling there but he couldn't identify it. It was kind of calming that they were alike in this manner actually. At least Atsushi wouldn't mock him for his reasons of being unable to sleep.

However what he was more interested in was what would be the other's answer to his question. After all, he was nothing more than a living weapon for the mafia - a hellish rabid dog that took down any target presented to him. The vampire's gaze stays on Atsushi as he leans against the wall near him, glad that his space is being respected.

There was no way to keep the surprise off his face at the other's answer. Sure, the first part he expected. After all, Atsushi knew that Dazai was from the mafia and of course he'd taken Kyouka to the light as well. It proved that not everyone in the mafia was truly hellish but Akutagawa himself? He naturally glares at being called dense since he felt himself to be fairly creative and smart. However he merely listens to the whole answer and couldn't quite understand. Who he was changing in to?

More so, Atsushi felt he deserved better? He couldn't understand why he of all people felt that though. He's maimed the other man on numerous occasions so why...? At least this woke him up a bit more than before.

"... You are too strange for me to understand. I've attempted to kill you numerous times and actively despise you yet you think I deserve better?"

His two coloured gaze drifted back to the mafioso, and the surprise was about what he expected. It almost hurt, what the other says, but it's something he already knew. It's not something that's going to change. At least, he doesn't expect it to, and it didn't really matter. He just shrugs, his tail lightly curling around himself. Did Akutagawa really think so little of himself?

"I know that. But you did save my life too. I don't think you would've done that before. You didn't have to stick to your promise either, but you did, and you still are. I don't think I ever expressed how much I appreciate all that, by the way..."

He offers a slight smile, before he looks away to stare out the window instead. He doesn't have to tell Akutagawa all this, but he wants to. He doesn't know why, but...he really wants to convince the other that he does care.

It idly occurred to him that Atsushi was taking great care to guard his back as he went forward into the building. Of course despite his exhaustion Akutagawa was ensuring that nothing was ahead of them waiting to jump out at them. It was much easier with his heightened senses to tell that this was a well and truly abandoned building. Amazing considering how many squatters would probably like this as shelter.

It surprised him to hear Atsushi admit to being mean and he did his best to cover his surprise by looking away. "So long as you understand." Stupid jinko trying to push his buttons before. Hmph. At least he agreed to stop which would make it easier for him to be civil back. Though he couldn't guarantee that the peace would last should the teen irritate him.

Akutagawa started to stare off into space in the direction of the building across the way. God he just wanted their target to make a move so they could apprehend them and move on. In fact he felt the exhaustion beginning to fog his mind and making his eyes droop slightly a few times before Atsushi asked his question. It took an embarrassingly long time before he replied., "I take you are you can't sleep as well... How strange to have something in common."

He made an effort to not make it too obvious he was watching Akutagawa, his hand absent-mindedly playing with the fuzzy ears on his head, before huffing and willing them to vanish entirely. The same couldn't be said for the tail flicking behind him. The other really did look tired...

"Yeah... Haven't slept too well for a while now."

Sure, he had nightmares before. Plenty of them. But they were so bad nowadays. It was hard to want to go back to sleep after them... He blinked when the question was posed though and looked at Akutagawa fully, before looking away entirely with a hum. Why did he bother to care? That's a hard one to answer... He contemplated for a minute, leaning back against the wall next to Akutagawa, but being mindful to give him enough space.

"Well... I know it doesn't go for everyone, but just because someone is in the Port Mafia doesn't mean they're all bad. That's my experience, at least. Even you're not. You're a pain in the ass and kinda dense, but... You've changed a lot since we first met. I guess I like who you're turning into, and...I don't know... You've been through a lot. I think you deserve better."

Akutagawa gave a little scoff, a soft hiss coming through thanks to his fangs. It was hard for him to believe that Atsushi was truly worried over him. He had nearly killed this fool on multiple occasions after all. So why lie about this... but some part of him held on to the belief that it was real. Besides, why worry over a thing like him?

"... Don't lie about that jinko, it's unbecoming."

It bothers him that the other was acting this way. Why pretend to care so much about him outside of a fight? It made sense to him while they were fighting since if he failed Atsushi then the other could die but now? There was no immediate threats in the area so it made no sense to him. It all made his head hurt given his exhausted state of mind. God he just wanted to sleep right then, nightmares be damned, and get away from this confusing situation.

The mafioso was so lost in thought he didn't even notice how close the weretiger was to him. Normally he would force the other to respect his boundaries but right then he was just too tired to care. He was far more focused on the confusing thoughts and forcing his body to stop trembling. Akutagawa finally snapped back into focus at what Atsushi says and his glare hardens.

"Continue to act that way and it won't be long."

He didn't bother arguing. He wouldn't get anywhere with Akutagawa. Annoying as it was, he could hardly blame the other for thinking he's lying. What reason did either of them have to care? None. And yet... He couldn't deny he did feel something. He didn't know how or why, but... He cared. Something must be wrong with him. It's not like Akutagawa cared. At least...not very much.

Maybe it's because he's used to being on missions with Dazai or Kyouka, he'd always remain close behind to keep their backs covered. He had the best senses out of them. Sure, Akutagawa was perfectly capable, but maybe he's just a little paranoid. Even when he knows he shouldn't be. Especially when the other just seemed...more tired than usual. He looked over to meet Akutagawa's glare with a blank stare at first, before he couldn't help but smile and laugh quietly.

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'm being mean. I'll behave."

Now wasn't the time to be pushing his luck anyway. Geez, Dazai must be rubbing off on him. Either way, he'll behave himself. As long as Akutagawa does too. Otherwise they were going to have a very difficult night. He did one short scan around the floor, before following the mafioso up the stairs. Maybe he's too careful, but it was instinct to be. He paused again to listen, tiger ears perking up, before heading over, giving one glance out the window and then breathed a short sigh as he let the tension in his body relax. His eyes fixed themselves on his unfortunate partner instead and he did do his best to keep the concern out of his gaze, before turning it away.

Akutagawa's coat crackled at the insult thrown his way, Rashomon reacting instantly to his anger. However he did manage to keep from lashing out with it amazingly and it calms back down into his usual coat once more.

"Hmph. It's nothing I can't handle and there's nothing you can do to help it regardless so there's no reason to mention it. It won't change the outcome of our mission."

There, he tried to cooperate, if only barely. It really was nothing that Atsushi could help with he was certain so he didn't feel it necessary to dwell upon. The mafioso was just glad that wasn't that hungry on top of being completely exhausted right then cause then that would be more than he could handle. He's worked exhausted before after all so this was something he could manage. He's certain of that.

Surprisingly enough, any sort of stabbing never came and he hummed quietly. Impressive restraint. There's a little voice in his head that wants to see how much he can push that, but that would be a bit too mean. And that wasn't why they were here right now.

"Excuse me for worrying then."

It was easy to see any trust was still minimal. Only in a fight did they really trust each other. He was surprised they even got that far. Akutagawa was such a pain. And yet, Atsushi still worried. Why? He didn't know. He knew the other was very capable. He wasn't weak by any means. But...it only sunk in that day that Akutagawa was still human. He could still die. And that was...upsetting for reasons he's not certain of yet.

He only nods as he hops in through the window to follow Akutagawa, maybe staying a little closer than he normally would as his ears flick and twitch about. It's...hard to help. He's protective, even to someone like this idiot. Especially this idiot. He couldn't hear anything, couldn't smell anything other than dust and dirt.

"Hmph, my state of being is none of your concern. I'm fine and perfectly capable of doing this mission."

His ears perked when he heard that irritated growl and he had to resist the urge to smirk. Two could be annoying tonight.

"Uh, it kinda is my concern right now. We're working together, remember? Honestly, you're braindead."

Geez, no wonder Dazai is fed up with this idiot. Such a stubborn ass.

...Okay, maybe that was too mean, but still. Intrusive thoughts. He breathed out a sigh, kept his voice low, calm, even though his tail was swishing behind him as he took his attention away from Akutagawa to eye their target.

"Jinko."

Akutagawa looked back towards the building they were hiding behind. It wasn't quite their target but it was abandoned and across the street from the real target. The mafioso sighs and pulled his coat slightly more closed around him as he sighed. Time to get this over with. He takes a breath and looks over more fully.

"Let's get this over with."

His gaze shifted back over to the mafioso, eyes looking him over and he leaned in with a tilt of his head.

"Not as though it matters, but are you gonna be good? You seem a bit more terrible than normal."

Akutagawa couldn't understand it... Why were they both forced to do this stakeout mission together? It was pointless. He could take care of this himself! The target had wronged both the Port Mafia and the Armed Detective Agency sure but still... They should know that the pair couldn't stand each other at the best of times! Besides that... He was just plain exhausted these days and didn't have near the amount of patience or tolerance for the weretiger he knew he would need. He hadn't been really sleeping since that event... his death... Or the time in which he was a damned puppet. Sure it was a blur and he could really only recall fuzzy moments it was enough.

He's blaming Dazai. That bastard loved shoving them together.

Arriving silent as a cat, an irritated tail flicks behind Atsushi as he steps up to the mafioso's side, his eyes gleaming and he already looked annoyed to just be looking at the other. It's not like he hated Akutagawa. He couldn't bring himself to anymore. Something's been...different, ever since that day he watched the idiot get killed so Atsushi could live... He just didn't quite know what that something was. Aside from the nightmares. Regardless, the guy was still an ass.