Asriel Nightmare Comfort Requested by Anon

Your mind raced white hot as you shot awake drenched in a cold sweat. Your mind not even awake enough to choke down the scream tearing it's way from your already soar throat. You went to move your hands in some way, any way, to defend yourself from your nonexistent assailants and realized you couldn't move them. Another bolt of panic shot through your mind just as you began to finally wake up.

Asriel was holding your wrists. Keeping your arms bent close to your chest so you couldn't hurt yourself.

Firm yet gentle; you could barely see his face in the dim light filtering through the curtains from the warm orange street lamps outside. You went limp falling back into your spot on the bed. Yet again you couldn't stop yourself from letting out a low and long shaky breath once your gaze met his. Even in the dim light you could see the tears beading in his eyes. It hurt him to see you like this and be completely powerless to stop it. Letting go, he scooped his arm behind your back and pulled you closer to his side of the bed. Wrapping his arms around your back like one might a stuffed animal. Your mind was still reeling in shock but slowly, as you came back to, a sob slipped your lips. Then another. And another after that. You pressed into his shoulder, no doubt covering his pajama shirt in sweat and tears. Asriel ran his hand down the length of your back; slowly but surely helping to bring you back to reality.

It took time for the tears to stop.

Your eyes raw and red. Patiently he waited, holding you close as both of you choked back a swirl of emotions. You just sniffled and kept your arms clamped around his chest, your head still firmly planted in the crook of his neck. Your breathing shaky and irratic, but slow and calmer than before.

	"The same one?" He spoke softly, almost a whisper.

You just nodded.

	"I'm sorry, Anon..." He paused. You didn't want to look at him right now. You couldn't stop them but you knew it hurt him when the nightmares were this bad. You fumbled your words as you tried to tell him it wasn't his fault but he stopped you with a firm squeeze and a hush.

	"I know it's not my fault silly... I just wish I knew how to help you..."

Then with a huff, he rolled over; pulling you with him thanks to just how much bigger he was. The tangle of blankets you had been caught in finally freeing your legs and letting the cool air hit your skin. He pulled you close to his chest, both of you facing the same direction. Your back pressed firmly into him as he pulled the blankets back over the both of you.

	"How about this" he started his point by draping an arm over your chest. "if they come again I'll be right here to protect you. Maybe then you'll be able to get some real sleep, hm?"

There was an almost childlike innocence to his tone that helped make it sound to simple, so easy. You couldn't help the dumb smile now stretching across your face, of course it was so easy if only you had thought of it sooner. You agree with him. Maybe now you could finally get some sleep.