#ajaxds

Once awakened he trembles, heart palpitations ringingeardrums, adrenaline threatening to suffocate; tears stinging his eyes. Palmspressing against dampened eyelids and he’s whimpering, voice hoarse as itreaches and begs for solace. He moves, frantic and fearful because he had to confirmthat the nightmare was just a nightmare – that his best friend was soundlysleeping away, peaceful and safe.

Surprise is evident in his being when his gaze is alreadymet with the other’s.

“Sorry, I just…” The chuckle that spills is dry – shaken. Heneed not hide from his roommate, the one that’d become a necessity to his life,yet he hesitates. Should he speak may the darkness return, mercilessly tearingaway his picture of peace, swallowing all he held dear whole, assuring that asimple nightmare become real.

“Didn’t mean to wake you, I–”

“You can hold my hand if you need to.”

Breath stills, a minute passes… And he concedes. Legs shifting away from blankets and soon he’s pacing across their room, stopping just beforethe other male’s bed; kneeling beside his covers and carefully cradling hishand. AJ wasn’t fragile, not an illusion, though the blond continues totremble; the night terror permanently seared into memory.

His head finds refuge upon his friends leg, still kneelingbeside his mattress; still clutching his hand.