Rafe stirred in his bed, carefully shifting his arm out from underneath you, trying not to wake you up. He watched as you curled closer to him in your sleep, your breathing deep and even. You had a small smile on your face, and he hoped to God that you were having a good dream. Your soft expression was a far cry from how defeated and afraid you’d looked when you’d slipped into his room in the middle of the night.

He’d just drifted off to sleep himself when he’d heard the click of his door opening and closing. Your voice had shaken when you’d quietly asked if you could sleep in his bed. He hadn’t even thought twice before he’d lifted up the covers and scooted over, making room for you. He could tell by your face and the way your body trembled that you’d had one of your nightmares. He had wrapped his arms around you, and whispered soothing words, until you’d finally drifted back to sleep. He knew in the morning he’d have to deal with Sarah wondering where you’d disappeared to, but he didn’t care.

His door swings open, and he immediately looks down at you, praying you stay sleeping. Then he glances up at the door, sighing when he sees Sarah standing there with her arms crossed, clearly annoyed that her best friend had disappeared during the night.

“Hey asshole, have you seen-“ She trails off, her eyes narrowing when she sees your blonde hair peeking out from underneath Rafe’s blanket.

“I swear to God Sarah, if you wake her, I will murder you” he growls, glaring right back at her. Sarah sighs, and backs out of the room, flashing Rafe the finger as she closes the door.

He lets out a sigh of relief once she’s gone. He absentmindedly strokes your hair, breathing in the scent of your coconut shampoo. Right now he doesn’t give a shit that you two are exes, he’s too focused on ensuring that you feel safe. He knows why you get the nightmares, and he’d do anything to shield you from it all.

You stir beside him, and he eyes you warily, not ready to lose this quiet moment with you. Your green eyes blink open, and you look around the room in confusion, rubbing the sleep from your eyes.

“Rafe?” You whisper, tilting your head to look up at him, running a hand through your sleep tousled hair. “How did I end up here?”

“You had a nightmare, baby. You came in here from Sarah’s room”