(no subject)

[twostandingby]

Running breath hitching side stabbing - stabbing red silver-white hair NO--

Tycho's eyes snap open. The room is lit only by the crack of light coming from the hallway and making its way under the door, but when he immediately looks to his side, it's impossible to miss Winter lying with her face turned toward him and eyes closed. She's fine. She's better than fine; she's here. Still, though, his breathing is taking its time returning to normal speed, as are his heartbeats. He sits up slowly, careful not to jostle Winter, and pushes the covers away. He rests on the edge of the bed, bare feet on the floor, his torso bare, and his forearms resting on his knees. Tycho scrubs an unsteady hand over his face and sits quietly in the dark.

Comments

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

Even in his gentle, trying not to jostle her, she still notices him getting up.

She notices everything.

She raises on one arm. "Hey," she whispers sleepily. "You alright?"

[twostandingby]

He doesn't turn. "Yeah, it's fine. Just a dream."

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

Winter scooches closer to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Don't lie to me Tycho..."

[twostandingby]

She can always see right through him. He looks back over his shoulder at her. "I haven't really been sleeping a lot here," he admits quietly.

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

"Bad dreams?" Winter's eyes search his. "About..." she drifts off. "Lusankya?"

[twostandingby]

"Among other things." He turns toward her and rests his back against the headboard.

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

Winter leans against his chest. "Oh, Tycho..." she shuts her eyes. "What can I do to help?"

[twostandingby]

"I don't know, just-- Just be here. And don't die. No dying." It's a rather feeble attempt at levity.

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

"I don't have plans to," Winter murmurs, kissing him softly. "I promise."

[twostandingby]

"I wouldn't expect you to plan to. It's one of those things that just happens," he says quietly

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

"I take every precaution with my job, Tycho." Winter says softly. "I'm very careful."

[twostandingby]

"I know you are. I didn't mean to imply otherwise. I just-- Nightmares aren't exactly rational." He runs a hand through his hair, glances down at his hand resting on his knee. "Sorry."

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

"No, I'm sorry." Winter murmurs, taking his head. "I'm here. And as long as we stay here, I'm not going anywhere."

[twostandingby]

He slips an arm around her, and his hand on her side--smooth warm not torn up by a blaster bolt not bloody and cold--should be mostly steady now. Mostly. And maybe he holds onto her a little tighter than he needs to, but he doesn't think she'll mind. "Thanks."

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

She doesn't mind at all, wrapping her arm around his chest, snuggling up to him. "I love you."

[twostandingby]

"I love you, too. So damn much." He leans down and kisses her.

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

She pulls him closer and kisses him back. "Now, you promise me something. If I'm trying not to die for you, then you better not die, for my sake."

[twostandingby]

He smiles--for the first time since waking up--down at her. "I promise. There'll be no vaping."

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

"Good." She says, against his lips, before kissing him again.

[twostandingby]

Tycho wraps his other arm around her, too, and concentrates on her (it's not hard) and on breathing in between slow kisses.

[alderaani-intel.livejournal.com]

Maybe if she keeps him occupied, and fills his mind with good things, he won't dream anymore. Just maybe.

She kisses him harder, sitting up to have more leverage.

[twostandingby]

He pulls her closer--if that's even really possible--and returns the kiss with rising heat. After another minute or two, he slides down in the bed and pulls her with him, with a smile against her lips.

Winter's presence will banish dreams better than any sleeping aid could. He knows it.