#averstal

Deep breaths. Deep breaths. He had to remember how to breathe if he wanted to calm back down.

Avery stood outside his room, shaking from a nightmare he’d had dozens of times. Knowing the outcome did nothing to curb the terror he felt. How could it, if the result was always death?

He put a trembling paw to his head, breath catching in his throat. He could feel sweat matting his fur. For once, he was glad it was night. Nobody would be around to see him like this. That is… unless he woke francis or krystal up. Going outside might be a better idea than just standing there in the hall. They couldn’t hear him out there.

But I just need to calm down enough to go back to bed, he thought desperately. Why is this so hard? It’s not real. It never was.

A vision of blood, bone, and torn petals flashed across his mind. His paw slipped down to his mouth. What he’d seen might not have been real, but it sure looked close enough. He wanted to throw up.

The goat-lion hybrid was about ready to break curfew and go outside when he heard his door creak open behind him.

“Avery…? What’re ya doin awake…?” a tired voice yawned. He quickly turned to face the speaker.

Krystal stood in his doorway. The soft light from inside the room wreathed her with a comforting glow. Her purple fur was ruffled from sleeping, and she was rubbing one of her fuschia eyes with a paw. He felt the knot in his chest squeeze just a little tighter. She looked so peaceful right now. So different from the turbulent scenes his mind had presented.

“I-I was just- y-you didn’t need to- I’m-” he stammered. He tried to take a breath, to tell her to just go back to bed, but all he could get out were fragments. Krystal paused, slowly looking him over. He took a step back in response, shivering. He hated looking like this in front of her. She didn’t deserve to see him like this. He watched her brows furrow in concern.

“… Hey… are ya alright?” Krystal asked. “Ya don’t… look too hot…”

“I-I…” Avery trailed off, searching for the right words. He found another vision instead. Grimacing, he turned away from her, trying to block out the image of scarlet splatters marring her fur.

“… h-had a n-nightmare…” he choked out.

There was a short silence between them. The only sound in the hallway was his labored breathing. He couldn’t bring himself to face her. He just couldn’t.

Luckily… he didn’t have to.

Avery felt Krystal’s arms wrap around him gently. Felt her set her head against his shoulder. Felt her fleecy fur brush against his own coarse coat. He paused for a moment, then quickly hugged her back. Though he knew the thought was absurd, he felt as if she might suddenly disappear if he let go. As though the nightmare might slip into reality. He wouldn’t have that. He held her tightly. Krystal reached up to gently stroke his fur.

“Hey, ah’ve got ya…” she whispered softly, “it’s okay… Ah’m not goin anywhere…”

“… good…” he sighed. He shut his eyes. Krystal’s presence was doing more than any walk outside could.

The two stood there in the hall, hugging one another, for what felt like an eternity. Only krystal’s gentle voice, saying they should head back to bed, brought Avery back to reality. He nodded sleepily. There would be training in the morning. Staying up later wouldn’t do him any favors.

They walked back into the room with their paws clasped. Krystal led Avery over to his bed, and he flopped back down on it. He rolled around a minute to get comfortable. To his surprise, the bunny settled in next to him once he stopped moving.

“… Kry…?” he inquired softly, turning to look at her.

“Ahm not leavin yer side, avery,” she responded firmly. She snuggled up to him, lying her head on his chest. Avery stared at her for a moment. Blinking, a small smile appeared on his face.

“Thanks, kry…” he mumbled.