“Woah, hey.” Emily said sleepily, sitting up on her elbow as you sat bolt upright in bed, knocking the lamp off the bedside table with flailing hands.

The hotel room is dark, still, and quiet. She can hear you hyperventilating, and as her eyes adjust to the darkness, she can see you gripping the sheets in your hands hard enough to rip them. The little town in Oklahoma might be sleeping, but you aren’t.

“Hey, hey, s’okay.” She murmured, sitting up fully and flicking her light on. You’re crying, little silent sobs slipping from your mouth. Emily’s heart twists in her chest, and she slips out of bed, stepping over the lamp on the floor, and nudges you over a little bit so she can crawl into bed with you.

Maybe, if she was more awake, she would be able to think about this being weird or crossing a boundary, but she knows how nightmares feel. The world is ending, crumbling, and all you can do is squeeze your eyes shut and tell yourself that it was just a dream.

She’s done that a lot, in her life. It’s always so much easier when someone’s there to hold the pieces together.

“I’ve got you.” She whispered, lightly guiding you to lay back down as she leaned over and turned her light back out. The lamp on the floor can stay forgotten. You need her right now. “It was just a nightmare.”

She doesn’t know a lot about you- always guarded, always hiding something just below the surface. But you’re sweet, and kind, and the way you handle the cases that she’s seen… you deserve that same kindness. She wants to give it to you.

Her hand smooths up and down your back as she settles under the covers, soft comforter pulled up around your shoulders. This feels right.

“I’ve got you, no one’s gonna hurt you.” She whispers, curling you in her arms protectively. “‘M not going anywhere, I promise. Try to get some sleep.”

You’re trembling something awful, and she frowns slightly. You’re so strong all the time- this is a peek behind a curtain that she never wanted to see behind, but she can’t make herself feel anything but affection.