It was around two in the morning, and the apartment was bathed in the quiet of the late hour. You sat on the couch, the soft glow from your laptop screen the only light in the room as you tried to focus on the work in front of you. The stillness was almost comforting, but it didn’t last for long.

Suddenly, Leon’s voice broke the silence—a shout filled with panic. You immediately froze, your heart pounding as you recognized it for what it was: another nightmare. You hesitated for a moment, fingers hovering over your keyboard, wondering if you should give him some space or go check on him.

Before you could decide, Leon appeared in the doorway of the living room. He looked disoriented, his eyes wide with fear, his breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. Without a word, he moved quickly toward you, practically collapsing into the space next to you on the couch.

Before you could ask if he was okay, he pulled you close, gathering you in his arms and pulling you onto his lap. His grip was tight, desperate, as though he needed to ground himself. His face buried into your chest, his breathing shaky as he clung to you.