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Squirrelflight was laying in bed, belly facing the mattress and blanket haphazardly sprawled over her body. She was entranced with her phone, reading an intense book detailing the epic romance of two rival pilots who’d ended up in space along with three other people and they all had to work together to save the galaxy from an evil race of aliens using a giant robot mech, the rivals learning to put aside their differences and begin to grow closer after a bonding moment and okay it was a Klance fic. She was on a Voltron kick, could you blame her?
Brambleclaw snored and shifted beside her, sometimes mumbling incoherent words in his sleep. She periodically glanced over at him as she scrolled, thinking he was adorable when he was asleep but generally wanting to make sure he was okay. For as long as she’d known him (which was her whole life), Brambleclaw had struggled with nightmares and occasional terrors, so while she was still awake she liked to keep an eye on him so she could intervene in case he started to get distressed. She especially wanted to keep a careful watch over him now as lately he’d been in a bit of a depression, his trauma having decided to make itself relevant again this week.
And whenever that happened, he was very prone to nightmares.
But he seemed okay right now—just snoring the night away, and his expression held no ounce of anguish. So as he began to drool on the pillow, Squirrelflight smiled and went back to her “book.”
Time ticked away unnoticed as Squirrelflight read deeper into her story, nearing the part where Lance and Keith were finally going to kiss, and she couldn’t take her eyes off the screen, leaning in a bit closer to not miss a single word.
And Brambleclaw accidentally slipped her mind.
Brambleclaw started to shift again, but with the movement also came a discomforted groan, and the pained whispers of, “No. No.” His brows scrunched, and he rolled over, a whine following him.
He seemed to settle back down after that, but the calm lasted only a minute, and quickly Brambleclaw was flung into a thrash, beginning to flail back and forth as he whimpered more “no’s.”
That’s when Squirrelflight was startled out of her reading, and her eyes flashed to Brambleclaw, wide with panic. She immediately lunged to his side.
“Brambleclaw, honey, it’s okay.” She consoled, her hands hovering over him. “You’re just having a nightmare.” She tried to set them down, but they couldn’t stay put on his twisting body.
“Brambly, wake up. Everything’s alright.”
“No. Stop! Don’t hurt her!” Brambleclaw cried out, tears starting to fall. “I can’t!”
“Brambleclaw, you’re okay. You’re just dreaming. Please wake up.”
Brambleclaw writhed in the bed with agonized wails, Squirrelflight’s tender words unable to pull him out of his terror.
“STOP IT!” He screamed, and he burst out a sob. “Leave her alone!”
Squirrelflight had to dodge a flying leg—he was going into a full panic now, kicking and rolling and clawing at his hair and face all while he choked on tears. She needed to put an end to this before he hurt himself.
She grabbed his wrists and tried to lean towards his ear, thinking speaking to him more closely would maybe allow the soothing to get through to him. “Brambleclaw, listen to me: you’re having a dream. Whatever you’re seeing isn’t real. You are okay.”
Brambleclaw shuddered out another wail, and he curled in on himself. “I’m sorry… I didn’t mean to.” He collapsed into his cries.
Squirrelflight let go of his arms and pivoted to shaking him awake, trying to be heard over his sobbing. “Brambly, wake up. I’m right here. You need to wake up.” She started to be a little more forceful with the shaking, desperate to release her love from his nightmarish prison.
Brambleclaw wiggled around a bit more, and then he shot straight up with a spine-chilling shriek. Squirrelflight jumped back, but she instantly snapped out of her fright at the trembling of his body and the horror that was carved into his face as he stared past her.
His chest spasmed as he sputtered for air, and he was soaked in a cold sweat that dribbled down his face. Then his lips began to quiver, and water welled in his eyes. He started to cry again, beginning to rock and cover his ears, his jagged breaths now on the verge of hyperventilating.
Squirrelflight reached out to him before he was lost in another breakdown. “Brambleclaw, it’s okay. Shhh.” She held his face gently in her hands, moving his head down so their gazes could meet, but it didn’t alleviate his panic, his breaths only growing more spastic.
“Brambly, calm down. You’re alright. Just take deep breaths, okay?” She placed her hands on his heaving chest, feeling the thundering of his heart, and he slapped a hand over her’s, giving them a squeeze as he gasped for air, the breaths going from short to long until he gave a final, shuddering exhale, his body relaxing and heart starting to slow.
Squirrelflight sat back on her legs, her own heart returning to its normal cadence. She gave a little smile. “See? It’s all okay, now.” She loosened a hand from Brambleclaw’s still white-knuckle grasp and brought it to softly brush along his face, wiping off some tears. He sniffled, and the tears replaced themselves, more numerous now as he returned to crying.
Squirrelflight pulled out her other hand and cupped it to the other side of his face, Brambleclaw bringing up his hand to hold it.
She pouted at the sight of him. “I know. That was really scary, wasn’t it?”
“Uh-huh.” He sobbed, pressing her hand closer.
“Yeah… But none of it was real… and I’m here. Okay?” She thumbed away more tears. “You’re not alone.”
Brambleclaw swallowed and drew in a sniffle. “But it felt so real.” He whimpered, tightening his hold on her.
Squirrelflight frowned. “I know, baby, but I promise it wasn’t.” She leaned forward and planted a light kiss to his forehead. “Now how about we go downstairs and I make you some hot chocolate? Would you like that?” Brambleclaw nodded ever so slightly.
Squirrelflight gave him another smile, then took his hands in her’s and led him down to the living room.
Squirrelflight picked up the hot mug in a purple cozy, blowing off some of the steam, then grabbed her own cup and walked over to Brambleclaw; he was sitting tightly together on the living room carpet, wrapped up in a blanket. He stared at the floor, rocking a little in his way to keep himself calm. She had asked him if he wanted to watch his favorite cartoon, but he had declined, which as silly as it sounded, caused worry to worm in her belly—he was really shaken up if he didn’t even want to watch his comfort show.
“Here you go, honey.” Squirrelflight handed him the drink, and he took it without looking at her. She settled beside him, holding her pink-cozied mug near her lap, but she didn’t take a sip—she was waiting for him to take his first.
Brambleclaw put the cup to his lips and indulged in a taste. He remained silent when he was finished.
Squirrelflight watched him for a second, giving him the chance to talk if he was going to, but when he didn’t she spoke instead. “Brambleclaw… do you remember what you were dreaming about?” She knew full well she was poking a touchy subject, but she was too curious for her own good, and overall she wanted to talk him through it if she could—if his screams were anything to go off of, his dream had been a real horror. “I think you were having a terror rather than a nightmare, and I know you don’t really remember those…”
Brambleclaw stayed quiet for another moment before he answered. “I think I do remember a little bit.” He said in a low voice.
Squirrelflight set her mug aside. “Do you… want to talk about it…?” Brambleclaw furrowed his brows but didn’t respond.
“…You were screaming things like ‘don’t hurt her’ and ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean it…’ I just want to make sure you’re okay…”
Brambleclaw sniffed, and his lips trembled again, moisture gleaming in his eyes, the cocoa shaking in his grasp.
“Brambly-?”
“It was you, a-and me, a-and I-I was…” He paused as his breath hitched and he struggled to breathe for a second. “I don’t remember why, but… I… I… I-I attacked you… And I just kept attacking, and I tried to make myself stop, but…” He fell into another crying fit.
Squirrelflight stared wide-eyed at him. “Brambleclaw… Come here.” She held out her arms; Brambleclaw leaned towards her as he bawled, Squirrelflight gently taking his cup and placing it on the floor so he could wrap his arms around her, snuggling his head into her shoulder.
She stroked through his hair and down his back. “Shhh. I know, Brambly, I know. But it’s okay now.” She pressed a kiss to his head.
“I was a monster!” He wailed out, burying himself deeper in her embrace.
Squirrelflight felt a little prickle in her own eyes at the horrible word he used for himself—she couldn’t bear to hear his distress any longer.
She lifted his head out from her shoulder and stared into his watery amber moons. “Brambleclaw, you didn’t do that stuff, and you never will. You are nothing like that.” Her expression tendered with a loving smile.
Brambleclaw looked away from her, sorrowfully unconvinced. “How do you know?”
“Because, I know you.” She wiped off his tears again, and he turned his gaze back to her. “And who you are is not that… And when I look at you, you know what I see?”
Brambleclaw blinked at her. “What?”
She smirked. “I see… a goofball!” She smushed Brambleclaw’s face between her hands, making him chuckle. “Who’s sweet and caring, and has the biggest heart in the whole world.” She placed her hands on her lap. “He’s always ready to protect those he loves. He’s also a little dumb sometimes, but charming nonetheless.” She winked at him.
Brambleclaw turned a bit red. “Well, ya know, it’s a gift.” He raised his brows flirtatiously.
Squirrelflight giggled. “And, most importantly,” she cupped his face in her hands again, “he’s nothing like the man he sees when he looks in the mirror.” Brambleclaw’s eyes widened, and he looked down sadly.
Squirrelflight went on. “Cause that man can’t hurt him anymore… And he’ll always be loved.” Her affectionate smile returned. Brambleclaw looked back at her, his eyes damply sparkling.
Then he hugged her, full force; Squirrelflight rested her head atop of his.
“Thanks, Squirlf. You always know how to make me feel better.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a gift.” He laughed.
“…I’m sorry you have to deal with me.”
“Oh hush.” She lightly scolded. “I don’t mind.”
Brambleclaw was quiet for a second, then pulled his head out and straightened up to where they were at eye level. “Ya know, I’m really glad you’re here… I honestly don’t really know what I’d do without you to help me through this stuff. Even just looking at you instantly makes me feel a lot better… You’re like, my comfort person.”
Squirrelflight grinned at him. “You’re very welcome, baby. You’re always there for me, so anytime you need me, I’ll always be here for you. You’re my comfort person, too.” She put her hand on his.
He blushed again. “Hey, uh, speaking of comfort… ya wanna watch My Little Pony?” He smiled sheepishly.
Squirrelflight couldn’t contain her laugh. “Of course!” She reached for the remote, and the two of them got settled for their show with their hot chocolates, blankets, and pillows.
20 minutes later, Brambleclaw was fast asleep, cocoa demolished with remnants lining his mouth that was pressed into his pillow, and snoring with a content little smile.
Squirrelflight watched him adoringly, then leaned in to give him a kiss. “Good night, Brambly.” She turned off the tv, and went to sleep.