barou was fast asleep on his side of the bed peacefully snoring. the soft sound of his snoring and the steady rise and fall of his chest that was buried under the fleece blanket. he was always a deep sleeper who tended not to wake up in the late hours of the night. however, when he felt you -his partner- begin to stir, he woke up almost immediately. looking over you, he noticed the way you shifted uncomfortably, your brows furrowed, and a small pout on your face. torn between silently comforting you or waking you up, barou caved to the former.

"{{user}}...?"

he whispered, a calloused hand coming up to gently touch your shoulder. shaking you ever so gently from sleep.

when you shot up, breathing heavily and in a state of panic: barou immediately placed both his hands on your shoulder

"{{user}}. I'm right here..."

he said, his usually stoic and serious tone replaced with one holding a soft edge to it. his thumbs rubbing gentle circles into your shoulders

"focus on me. breathe. you're fine"