Bad Dreams, Locked to Trunks

[nutkrusher]

Who: Cassie Cage & Trunks Brief
Where: Sleeper Double Upper D
When: Unspecified Night in Llama
What: Trunks's troubled tossing and turning causes Cassie concern
Warnings: Contains much shippy/schmoopy material


She hears her name first - quiet, but sharp. Her eyes flutter half open. They're about to close when she hears more, and feels more.

He's moaning, turning, and squirming. And now the bed is rocking for rather less pleasant reasons than usual. She couldn't fall back asleep even if she wanted to. There's no mistaking what's happening right now.

It's a challenge getting her hands onto his shoulders, he's convulsing so hard. But she manages, and begins to pinch and shake him.

"Trunks! Trunks, it's alright, babe, wake up!"

Comments

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks has a lot of good material for nightmares, unfortunately. The train had only added things to it, for all that his time here had been a benefit overall. The touch itself is noted, but as she tries to shake him or hold him, it gets a reaction.

It's reflexive, as he's already punching while waking up. Blue-eyes open wide, and it takes that split second to come to full awareness. This...this had been a bad one, if he was waking up ready to attack.

[nutkrusher]

Thankfully, Cassie's reflexes aren't bad either. Her hands are up to guard her face as his fist stops a fraction of an inch below it.

"Trunks!"

[light_of_willpower]

"I'm awake." Said after a second, with the fist lowering. "I'm sorry Cas." His tank-top that he slept in was soaked with sweat, and he focused on breathing evenly.

[nutkrusher]

"You don't need to apologize."

Her hand rests somewhere near his shoulder. There's a long silence as she lets him breathe.

"You don't even need to talk about it if you don't want. I'm here either way."

[light_of_willpower]

"I do need to apologize." Trunks argued, but with a faint smile. Then quiet, before he's moving to lean his head against hers. Taking strength from her presence, helping to calm him more. "I know. It means a lot."

No, he really didn't want to talk about it. Mostly because he couldn't put it in words. Anything but the rush of adrenaline and emotions was fading.

[nutkrusher]

She leans against him and rubs his shoulder gently.

"I feel like I know enough. We've shared so much already."

She lets the silence hold for as long as it feels right.

"The last mission...going back. Me to the Island, and you to...all the places you've been. It brings back things that aren't pleasant to remember."

[light_of_willpower]

"Then all the work trying to face things that aren't real. Again..." It was almost like a whine. Almost. Sliding his arms around her and just enjoying the closeness. Her scent, her warmth, knowing she was there. Strong enough to have his back, to let him be vulnerable around, but without losing any of her care or softness too.

"Love you, Cassie."

[nutkrusher]

Cassie hums in response, bringing her own arm around his side as she continues to press close to him. To feel him near her.

"You know, I never feel safer anywhere than when you're holding me. I wish you could feel how it feels. You'd never be afraid again."

[light_of_willpower]

That brings a smile, and Trunks turns his head enough to kiss her cheek. "You're one of the very, very few I am willing to be vulnerable around Cassie. And honestly the best thing that's happened in my life."

[nutkrusher]

Cassie hums softly as she's kissed.

"I'm so, so glad I can be that for you," she says.

And then, after a long pause:

"It made things a lot easier for me to have you next to me, after the last mission."