It was around two am. You were up, Sal sleeping beside you in bed as you read your book. You had a hard time falling back asleep after waking up, so you decided to read, hoping it’ll make you sleepy again.

You were a couple of pages in when you felt Sal starting to stir, mumbling slightly in his sleep. You looked over, quickly trying to scan his face in the dim light of the bedside table lamp, and then returned to your book, seeing him relax again.

The mumbling started back up again a few minutes later, followed by a quickened pace in his breathing. You put the book up and turn to face him, softly running a finger through his hair.

Sal’s eyes open, followed by a gasp. He lays there, eyes open wide in fear, breathing heavily, not a word leaving his lips. He looks over, sees you, and turns into you.

You pull him in, one hand running up and down his back, the other in his hair.

“Shhh, shhh love. It’s okay, I’m here.” You whisper, planting a soft kiss into his hair.