Keep Me Warm

1

 His body was the first thing I felt when I awoke, sweating, my heart cold with fear. I bolted upright, my eyes wide and my heart beating so fast I could hear it. In the dark I couldn't see if he was awake, but he didn't seem to have moved so I quieted myself, my hands trembling. I pulled my knees up to my chest and buried my face in my cold hands, the recollections of the dream coming back. I couldn't remember the events so much as just the feeling of panic, and it lingered with me even as I awoke.

I was crying. I don't know why, it just happened. My body shuddered with each and every sob that I tried desperately to stifle, but instead choked on it. I could hear him groan beside me, turning onto his other side to face me. I wiped my tears and took several deep breaths. I felt a gentle hand touch my thigh, and I looked down at him through the darkness. Now that my eyes had adjusted, I could see him looking up at me in some kind of sleepy concern. He mumbled, "Are you okay?"

I put my hand over his, hyper aware of how much I was shaking. He must have sensed this because he immediately sat up and pulled me into his warm, bare chest. He combed his hands through my hair, his lips brushing my forehead. I curled up against him, focusing on slowing my breathing.

"Did you have another dream?" he whispered, his voice still groggy with sleep. I nodded into him and he squeezed me a little tighter.

I had been getting nightmares like this on and off for a month. Each time was no less frightening than the last; I could never remember what happened, but each time I woke up crying, my stomach a pool of dread and panic. I had even woken up screaming one time and he had jumped up from the bed and turned on the light thinking somebody had broken in, only to find me there on the bed.

I pulled away from him and stood up, walking into the bathroom. I shook my limbs out, and splashed my face with cold water. Behind me, he wrapped his arms around my torso and rested his chin on my shoulder. He kissed it softly, pulling me into the curve of his body.

"You're okay," he whispered against my skin. I nodded, "I know."

He spun me around, looking me up and down, his eyes warm and comforting. He smiled light heartedly, and then knelt down, nuzzling his nose into my tummy. I giggled as he kissed the sensitive skin on my stomach, and he smiled and stood back up, grazing his hands across my arms. "Come on," he murmured. I followed as he led me back into the dark bedroom. He laid down in bed, inviting me to take my place next to him, and then he wrapped his arms around me protectively, pulling me into him. I nuzzled into him, grateful for his warmth. I closed my eyes and listened to his heartbeat slow as he fell back asleep, and soon I did the same.