The MC wakes up from a terrible nightmare, sweating and crying. They turn to look at the RO laying next to them and calm down, saying "You're still here...". Turns out their nightmare was the RO abandoning them. How would the ROs react/handle this?
The nightmare is sudden and you’re heaving when you wake. Gentle hands grasp your shoulders and you nearly sob.
"You're still here..." You breathe out, voice cracking and shaky.
Luci, who was hovering above you having woken you just seconds before, flinches back at the words as if you’d struck them. They immediately lean back in, pulling you into a tight hug.
They can't say they'd never leave you. That's not true, because they did, and it hurts them worse than anything knowing the repercussions it's had.
"I'm here," They say instead because it's all they can say. They hope you hear the promise in the words anyways.
She’s hovering close when you wake and the instant your eyes open, you’re in her arms.
"You're still here..." You whisper into her neck, clinging to her shoulders.
She grips you tightly, careful of her sharp nails against the bare skin of your arms, "Always. You won't get rid of me so easily."
"Thank you." You whisper into the darkness.
"Hush, love. Get some more rest."
Her voice is melodic, soothing, the lilt of her accent making it easy for you to sink back into sleep. She's definitely using her song to achieve it, but you can't be anything but grateful right now.
She cradles you in her arms for the rest of the night.
"You're still here..." You say, hoarse, staring at them from where they're tangled in your sheets, looking concerned.
Their eyebrows draw together before their face falls. They look so upset you almost apologize, but they gather you in their arms before you can even attempt it.
"I am. I always will be." They swallow thickly, "I love you."
Your fingers twist in their t-shirt, the soft fabric grounding, the floral scent of their shampoo filling your senses. When you pull back, they bring a hand up to stroke your cheek, still wet from tears.
"Are you okay to go back to sleep?" They ask softly.
"Yeah." You answer, laying beside them and practically curling into their body.
You don't have any more nightmares.
You're in his arms before you're even fully awake. He strikes a thumb across the curve of your cheekbone and you shudder in relief.
“You’re still here…” You sigh, your eyes slipping shut at his touch.
“That’s never up for debate,” He says wryly, and you open your eyes to see a faint smile on his lips.
You shift in his arms, curling closer, “I…it was a nightmare.”
“I know,” Viktor leans down, pressing a kiss to your forehead, “It’s okay, though. I’ll always be here to wake you up.”
You fall asleep pressed against his chest, his body a warm and comforting weight. He tosses an arm around you, tugging you as close as possible, and plays with the hair along the nape of your neck until you drift off under the soothing touches.
You think you might be crying, you’re not honestly sure. You sit up sharply, and hands are stroking up and down your arms in a comforting motion.
“Hey,” Theo whispers, raising a hand to tilt your chin up, “Where’s my sunshine, huh?”
You heave a shuddering sigh, leaning forward into their arms, “You’re still here…”
They freeze for a moment, as if not comprehending the words, and then their arms wrap you in a hug.
“Yeah, babe, I’m still here.” Theo rests their chin on your shoulder, “Don’t have any plans on letting you go, either.”
You both lay back down, curled into one another, entwined completely. Theo’s tail ends up wrapped around your waist, as if to pull you closer, and they press their lips to yours in a brief kiss before you go back to sleep.
You wake to gentle hands carding through your hair. You breathe deep, trying to shake off the terror of the nightmare, looking up to see Amri’s worried face.
Your head has somehow ended up in their lap, their wings coming to circle around the both of you protectively.
Amri tilts their head, their hair brushing their bare shoulder, “What’s the matter, hm?”
“You’re still here…” You say, eyes flush with tears.
They blink, eyes widening, before a hand brushes across your cheek and reaches down to cup your jaw. They press a firm kiss to your lips, before leaning back to look you in the eyes.
“I’m lucky,” They say, clear and concise, “To have you. Anyone would be. Whoever doesn’t realize that is an idiot and it’s not your fault.”
They wrap you in a hug, their breath warm on your skin as you slowly begin to doze off once more.
You jerk upward, your pulse racing from your nightmare. Charlie follows suit, gasping awake as they’re startled by your sudden movements.
“Wha-?” They blink, looking at you in concern, “Cariño, I love you, but you just took a year off my life.”
“You’re still here…” You sigh, slumping back against the headboard.
They pause before reaching an arm over to pull you in and tuck you into their side. Turning their head, they press one kiss into the crown of your head. It’s followed by another, and then another, then they’re kissing your forehead and the tip of your nose.
They finally press a kiss to your lips, pulling back to smile gentle, “I’ll always be here.”
Typically, you’re not the one being shaken awake from nightmares, but it seems the roles are reversed tonight.
You gasp, nearly choking on air as you wake, and are met with Harlow’s pale face staring back. They reach out a shaking hand, gripping your own tightly.
“You’re…still here.” You say, your chest sore with panic and harsh breathing.
“I am,” Harlow says quietly.
They’re never one for grand declarations, but they squeeze your hand three times. It’s a comfortable silence, one you could float in forever as you lean back against your pillows once more.
Harlow lays beside you, breaking their grasp on your hand in favor of resting their head in the crook of your shoulder. It’s a timid touch, something shy, but you’re used to it. You understand.
“Goodnight,” You whisper.
“Night,” They say in response, their breath ghosting across your skin.
It’s obvious Avery is quite familiar with panic attacks, and they soothe you quite effectively until the weight isn’t so heavy on your chest.
You bury yourself in their arms, curling close. They’re soft; softer than you ever thought they’d be, before you actually knew them.
“You’re still here,” Your breath catches as you try and speak.
They bury their face in your neck, hungry for any kind of touch. Pressing a kiss along your pulse point, they wrap an arm around you and pull you close. Their hand settles on the small or your back, warm and comforting.
“I’m here, and I’ll remain here.” They say, “You shouldn’t have let me stay so long. I’m…you’re very easy to need.”
“Says you,” You tease back, pressing closer.
You can hardly tell who is laying on who by the time you fall asleep again, limbs entwined in a perfect tangle.
Their touch feels like a breeze on your skin as you wake, and you nearly choke on a sob.
“You’re…still here…” You reach out, borderline desperate.
They’re like an apparition until they slowly solidify, their incorporeality fading as you touch them.
“I am,” They say, voice sad, “I wish-“
They don’t finish. They wish a lot of things. You do, too.
