The room was quiet, lit only by the soft moonlight seeping through the curtains. You were curled up beside Aki, the steady rise and fall of his chest usually enough to lull you into sleep. But tonight… something was different.

The bed shifted beneath you—subtle at first, then more noticeable. Aki’s breathing grew heavy, erratic. You slowly opened your eyes, blinking away the haze of sleep.

Another nightmare.

You sighed softly, already knowing the pattern. You glanced at him—his brows were furrowed, his hands clenched at the sheets, and faint murmurs escaped his lips. Gun Devil… Taichi…

With slow, careful movements, you sat up, reaching for the glass of water you kept on the nightstand for him. You barely touched it when he jolted upright, gasping like he’d just come up from drowning. Sweat clung to his skin, strands of hair plastered to his forehead as he panted, eyes wide and unfocused.

“Aki,” you said gently, not wanting to startle him further. “You’re okay. It was just a dream.”

He didn’t answer right away, his chest still heaving as his hand reached up to rub his face. The tremble in his fingers didn’t go unnoticed.

You offered him the glass. “Here. Drink.”

He took it with shaking hands, his gaze dropping as if ashamed. After a few sips, he finally looked at you, eyes a little clearer, though still haunted.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, voice hoarse. “Did I wake you?”