#comfortm

You buried your hands deep into his curls, pulling his head against your chest; pressing your lips to the top of his head as he hid his face. His breathing was light and warm against the skin of your breast, your fingers tangling in his ebony curls, and massaging his scalp. You could hold him like this forever, shifting slightly, threading your legs with his and turning to allow him to rest against you. Aidan’s arms snaked around your waist, hugging you tight against him. You stroked his hair, the side of his bearded face, tracing the rim of his ear with the pad of your thumb. 

The pair of you melted together, borrowing deeper into the mattress and blankets. You hummed, rubbing your cheek against his hair, surrounding yourself in his scent; the sandalwood shampoo, natural musk and scent of his skin, the lingering smell of his Santal 33 cologne and deodorant. Aidan whimpered against your skin, drawing you out of your dreaming. You rubbed the back of his head, your other hand cradling the side of his face, soothing away the sweaty locks. You dragged yourself fully out of your tip-toe between the plane of waking and dreams, giving your full conscious focus to Aidan; frowning at him.

“I’m right here, Aidan.” you whispered into his hair, nosing it lightly. “It’s just a nightmare, nothing more.” you reassured him.

It been a few weeks since the last time, Aidan had one of his nightmares. You didn’t know why he had them, or even what they were about, all you knew is he had them. Sometimes you’d wake in the silence of the night, not hearing him snoring beside you, to find him laying on his side, eyes the size of serving plates and hardly breathing. You’d learned, quickly, what to and what not to do in those moments. If he was awake, touching him was easy, a gentle hand on his side or arm, with a light squeeze, an anchor. If he was asleep, touching him wasn’t the way to go; the first time you’d touched him while he was still asleep and having a nightmare, he’d nearly took your head off. Suddenly coming to life, gasping for air and swinging. Calling his name, would suffice, then after him calming, you could touch him.

Touching Aidan during his nightmares and their aftermath, was the anchor he needed to ground himself back into reality.

You moved your hand from the side of his face and glided the tips of your fingers over his side, feeling the skin and muscle contract and relax as you moved over ticklish spots, feeling the corner of his mouth turn up against breast. You felt the tense cords of muscles relax under your hands. Aidan rubbed his cheek against your shoulder. Giggling, you pushed Aidan up long enough to remove your bra and shirt. Aidan looked at you, dropping his head down, eyes never leaving yours, as he pressed his lips between your breast.

“Better?” you asked as he rested his head back onto your chest, burrowing against you. “Good.” you smiled, feeling Aidan settle and relax, knowing you touching him and the feel of your bare skin was enough to ease his mind back to sleep.