Valiant

Chapter Thirteen

"It's fine," He replied calmly, taking a hesitant step forwards as I crawled back under the covers, peering at him as my eyes adjusted more to the darkness and I could make out his features. "I heard your crying, that's why I woke up... what happened?" 

"Oh, j-just a nightmare. It's n-nothing, I'm fine." I told him meekly, looking down at my hands just in time to see a drop of water land on my skin from my tear filled eyes. 

David was silent for a moment before he approached the bed, sitting down on the side and watching me quietly for a second through the darkness, before he spoke softly. 

"Do you think you will be able to fall back asleep?" 

"I... I don't know..." I replied honestly, avoiding meeting his eyes, until I looked up in surprise as he climbed under the covers at my side. 

"Well then, how about I lay here with you and attempt to comfort you, at least until you fall asleep, then I promise I will leave." He suggested, and, I couldn't help but hesitate for a moment, before nodding my head, which he could somehow see through the darkness. 

"Okay, then, come here." He instructed gently, laying down, getting comfortable before holding his arms out to me. 

I hesitated once more before laying down, allowing him to take me into his arms and pull me against his chest, where I was tense for a minute before slowly and cautiously wrapping my arms around his waist. 

"You have nothing to fear, Colleen," David whispered, adjusting his hold on me and placing a hand against my hair in a comforting motion. "I'm here, and I'm not going to let anything hurt you, alright? I promise." 

I nodded against his chest and closed my eyes, attempting to fall asleep. 

After a moment, I realized it was no use, as, despite how tired I was, every time I closed my eyes, my mind was haunted by terrifying images, and I hated that, so, I had to keep them open. 

I think David knew I was still awake, not even attempting to sleep, as, I suppose he could feel my eyelashes brush against his chest every time I blinked. 

He sighed softly, before I heard his low voice begin to sound in a melodic tune. 

"Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur... happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr..." 

I couldn't help but smile as I listened to him sing, and somehow I was able to let my heavy eyelids fall shut, the images seemingly not as bad as they were, now that I was somewhat distracted. 

"Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur... happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr, purr, purr..." 

I was almost asleep when I felt David shifting, attempting to move my arm from his waist so he could return to the couch, obviously thinking I was asleep, but, part of me really didn’t want him to go, so, I wasn’t going to allow it. 

Tightening my grip on his waist, letting out a small murmur of disapproval, I felt David pause, before he let out a soft chuckle and settled back down, replacing his arms around me. 

"Fine, have it your way..." 

His voice was the last thing I heard as I fell into a calm, dreamless sleep. 

~*~*~*~ 

It didn't seem like very long until the thin ray of sunlight peeking through the curtains of the balcony doors, awoke me from my light sleep. 

I yawned softly before my eyes slowly fluttered open, and, immediately they landed on David's bare chest merely inches away from my face. 

Blinking, I looked up to find David's eyes closed, though, he wasn't asleep, as his eyes opened when he felt me move, and he greeted me with a smile, clearly having been fully awake for quite some time.