it's only a bad dream

[fourhearts]

wake up, wake up, it's only a bad dream meme

bad dreams are ordeals, sometimes seemingly endless. when you wake up, your heart pounds, your head hurts, and you end up drenched in sweat. even if you know none of it was real, it takes a while to orient yourself. it is pretty nice to have someone there to wake you up or to soothe you out of it and remind you that... it's only a dream. ••• the usual rules apply. post with your character and preferences and then tag around, have your characters comfort others.

Comments

[gayspacedaddy]

[Torment. The aftermath of Operation Kerberos had left its mark on Shiro. He tried to stay strong for those he cared for, determined on the missions ahead. However, it was the realm of sleep that returned him to that traumatic time.

Strapped to a cold table, under the hands of unforgiving Galra technicians.

That pain and stress always came to him as he slept.

He tossed and turned, glistening with sweat, as the nightmarish visions once more robbed him of a peaceful rest. Sounds of stress spilled from his lips, growing in intensity with every frantic movement.]

shiro :c

[yousayvoltron]

[In their shared room, Keith was sleeping fairly comfortably when his Shiro sense tingled he heard the sounds of distressed, followed by the mattress's creaks as Shiro thrashed. He's awake in an instant, tumbling not-so-gracefully out of his bed as he rushed to the man's side. Gently, knowing it wasn't good to yank someone out of a nightmare, he nudged Shiro's shoulder, his other hand stroking his sweaty face.]

Shiro...hey, Shiro, it's okay, you're safe. You're not back there, you're here, with us.

Because Keith totally has a Shiro sense.

[gayspacedaddy]

[Shiro's nightmare escalated into a crescendo of terror, becoming all too real, before his wakened form finally shot upright in bed, a panicked cry leaving him. He was about to abandon the covers and flee into the night until his startled mind processed there was someone next to him.

That alone caused another surge of panic, connecting him to the cruelty of those technicians who experimented on him, until the familiarity of that voice and those soft eyes grounded him.

Though Shiro was still swarming with stress, he was slowly coming to the realisation that it had been a nightmare, even if the events had been all too real. His hands fisted the sheets around him, and his breathing was still laboured. Nevertheless, he managed to address the other man.]

...Keith... why... you here? [Shiro panted, barely able to form full sentences at this point.] You... saved me again?

[yousayvoltron]

[Keith helped him sit up, so he could rub his back and loosely embrace him. Shiro's heart was going a mile a minute, and he was soaked with sweat; Keith ached for him as he could only imagine what the other man had to be dreaming of.]

It's okay, Shiro...breathe, just breathe, you're safe. Everything's fine...deep breaths, now. [offers a gentle smile] I did, yes. I'll always save you.

Is that this hurt/comfort thing the muns were talking about? :p

[gayspacedaddy]

[Without hesitation, Shiro collapsed against the safety of familiarity, still reeling from the all too real nightmares that plagued him without fail. Every breath felt too short and his heart hammered in his chest.

He just wanted the nightmares to stop.

His fists covered his ears, as if trying to block out sounds that only he could hear, the most overpowering one being the sound of his own trauma.

He clenched his teeth, trying to pay heed to the other man's words among the irregularity of his own senses.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

Shiro still sounded lost, but at least his breathing was slowly getting under control.]

...Sorry... Didn't mean to disturb you...

oh yeah. welcome to the rabbit hole, shiro

[yousayvoltron]

Don't apologize, it's all right. [He tightened his arms around Shiro, one hand rubbing gentle circles on his back and the other carding through his hair] You're safe now. [He's used to this, but it still breaks his heart every time, seeing Shiro like this.

A few minutes pass, and he speaks up again]

Same dream as last time, huh.

[gayspacedaddy]

[His voice still sounded shaky, but Keith's comforting hands relaxed him a little more.] Y-Yeah. Same as always.

[Not wanting to burden his friend further, Shiro managed a weak smile that never quite reached his eyes as he sat upright.] It's alright. I'm... fine now. Thanks to you. You're always there for me.

[yousayvoltron]

It's okay if you wanna talk about it...or if you don't. [the hand in Shiro's hair moves to caress his face, then to squeeze his hand...he's still trembling] And you know I will be. After all you've done for me, I can't do less.

Want me to get you some water, or make some tea? [they don't have a great variety of tea flavors here, but they should have something decent]

[gayspacedaddy]

[Shiro leaned into the tender touch, wondering what he had done in this life or the last to deserve Keith. He always seemed to calm the storm inside him.

His gaze softened.] You know what? Tea sounds good.

[You're a lucky guy, Shiro.]

[yousayvoltron]

[Being an amazing person, really. Keith's not the only one whose life you've made better, Shiro. Keith smiles, giving Shiro a quick hug and sneaking a brush of lips to his temple before he gets up.]

All right. I know what you like and don't like, this shouldn't take long.

[gayspacedaddy]

[Shiro felt his heart flutter. Seriously, you make him a lovey dovey mess, Keith.]

You know me too well. [He stood up, stretching his stiff muscles.] I'll be right back. I'm just gonna...

[He gestured towards the bathroom. He still had a little composure to regain, but he is feeling better.]

headcanon incoming

[yousayvoltron]

[You do the same to him, Shiro. He heads to the small kitchen area and puts water on to boil, finding a box of tea bags...chamomile, that's good. That's a real stress reliever, and Shiro's made it for him when he was sick in the past.

He stands beside the kettle in a pair of rumpled sweatpants and an old shirt of Shiro's, one he basically wore every night after Shiro left for Kerberos. It's still a little big on him, too.]

Headcanon Approved

[gayspacedaddy]

[Splashing his glistening face with cold water, Shiro stared deeply into the bathroom mirror, willing himself to embrace the here and now. Shiro was here. Keith was by his side. Everything was alright.

He was safe.

Clutching onto the edges of the cool sink, Shiro took one last deep breath before suppressing the terrorising memories - and the surge of emotions that came with them - and leaving the bathroom.

Be strong.

Don't falter.

Shiro sought out Keith, smiling at the sight of the other man in his clothes, brewing him a cup of tea.]

Suits you.

Re: Headcanon Approved

[yousayvoltron]

Thanks for letting me keep it. I think it's the most comfortable thing I've ever worn. [the fact that it smelled like Shiro also helped while Shiro was away...especially after that whole "pilot error" thing] Water's almost boiling. I'll turn it off before the kettle starts whistling, no sense in waking up the whole place.

[It's not as noisy as other tea kettles, but he can't imagine Shiro appreciating such a sound right now.]

[gayspacedaddy]

[Wanting to be of some use, Shiro retrieved two cups as well as a jar of honey. Something he learned from his time at the garrison? Honey makes for an excellent sweetener in tea.]

You... want to sit awhile, or take these back to the room?

[yousayvoltron]

Whatever you're comfortable with. [Definitely. Keith can't stand plain sugar in anything, with tea it's got to be honey and with coffee, if it's going to be sweet it has to be vanilla flavoring.] But maybe we should sit here, it's nice and warm. [He turns off the stove, just before the whistling even begins, takes the cups from Shiro, and prepares their drinks]

[gayspacedaddy]

[Sitting down, Shiro rubbed his thumb against his index finger, anxiously waiting for Keith to join him at the table. Once the other man offered him tea and then sat with him, the Black Paladin finally offered a smile.

He took a sip, savouring the sweetness that accompanied the brew.]

Perfect. You didn't need to go to the trouble, but I appreciate it, Keith.

[yousayvoltron]

[He sits down, accepting the cup and smiling before taking a slow sip. Shiro seems calmer now, and he's relieved.]

You're never trouble, Shiro. After all you've done for me, I can't do any less for you.

[gayspacedaddy]

And I appreciate it greatly. It's just... [He sighs.] Sometimes, I underestimate it. You know, back then.

[Shiro takes a sip, still taking the time to give a grateful smile for the tea.] There's so much to do that I don't want to hold anyone back.

[yousayvoltron]

It meant the world to me. I know I wasn't that good at showing it, but...I'd be a lot worse off if not for you.

[He nods, his face full of concern as well as relief]

You're not holding us back, Shiro. Everyone cares about you, and they'll understand if you need to talk about it or rest now and then.

[gayspacedaddy]

[Smiles] You're too good to me, Keith. It's no exaggeration when I say you are my hero.

[And you mean the world to him.]

[yousayvoltron]

It's still weird to be called someone's hero, but I'm glad I can be yours.

[He sips his tea slowly, trying to keep an eye on Shiro without making him feel too closely observed...he's sure that nightmare involved some form of creepy observation.]

[gayspacedaddy]

[Shiro enjoyed the rest of his tea, slowly bringing his heart rate back down. Once he gained some semblance of normality in his heart and mind, at least to engage in conversation, he spoke.]

Keith? This is going to sound strange, so forgive me. [Pause.] Would you... be comfortable keeping me company tonight?

[yousayvoltron]

You know I'm fine with that. How many times did you let me crawl into your bed when I couldn't sleep, after all? [He's almost done with his own drink, and he smiles]

[gayspacedaddy]

Thanks, Keith. It's a bit embarrassing. [The truth was Shiro was still apprehensive about heading back to sleep, knowing that darkness still reigned in the realm of his unconscious.]

I wouldn't normally impose on you like this.

[And Shiro still remembers. After all, Keith also suffered nightmares...]