Nightmares in Shatter

[will_scarlett]

He woke biting his lip to keep from screaming and shivered in bed for a while.

Marley still slept so he stood up, pulling the blanket around him as his scars felt like they were on fire and somehow got out to the hallway.

The world is dark and close and he shivers and trembles and tries not to fall to pieces.

Comments

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

There was a muffled cry from a room down the hall. And then Kate emerged as well, slowly sliding to the ground for a moment. Breathing heavily and focusing on calming down while she rubbed her arms for extra warmth.

She then noticed Will down the hall and got up to slowly approach.

"...Will?"

[will_scarlett]

He startles at her voice, his eyes terrified and then he stands up and enfolds her in his arms and the blanket.

He's still trembling and everything hurts and his bottom lip is bleeding,

"Ye're 'ere."

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"I'm here," She quietly agreed and hugged him back.

She then noticed his lip, "You're bleeding. Should take care of that."

[will_scarlett]

He's not wearing a shirt just the blanket pulled around him and hugs back tightly,

"Tisna that bad, just bit it was all. What can I do for ye?"

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

She shook her head, "Another nightmare, not that important. How are you?" Slight nuzzling against him with her nose against his neck.

[will_scarlett]

"Course tis 'mportant, made ye scared."

He trembles at her touch, trying not to cry or break.

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"I can't afford to be scared right now," she softly replied, and her hand moved to stroke his hair.

"Shhh... I'm right here."

[will_scarlett]

"Aye, ye can, I'll 'old ye safe."

His voice trembles but his hand moves up and down her back, keeping her safe and warm in the blanket.

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"Will, you're trembling. I'll be fine for the time being. Otherwise, who will hold you?" She nuzzled him some more, and continued to stroke his hair. Though Will's hand against her back helped her to relax a little as well.

[will_scarlett]

"Nightmare was all, woke to the feel o'the water on me an the w..whip. Forgive me, dinna mean to be so weak."

He hides his face in her hair, trying to will himself to stop trembling but its not working.

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"You're not weak. You've been through major trauma, it's going to take time to deal with it. I know. Had to get help after what happened to me. Can't let it control you, or defeat you though." She started to rock him gently, still stroking his hair. Hugging him closer.

[will_scarlett]

He nods and a few tears fall from his eyes,

"'ow do I do that?"

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"Just talk about it, and realize that your memories can only destroy you if you let them. They haven't destroy you yet. You're stronger than them."

[will_scarlett]

"Still scares me to think o''em though, na sure 'ow to e'en start speakin' o''em."

His hand just keeps moving and down her back, a way to remind himself that she's here and cares for him.

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"I know. It's going to be scary, especially at first. But you have to face what you're afraid of. So you can move on from it."

Obviously she wasn't entirely practicing what she preached since the recent problems with the road trip still bothered her. Along with matters of the war.

[will_scarlett]

"But ye'll listen an na leave?"

If she's there, he thinks he may be able to manage it.

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"I'll stay. My room or yours? Want some place more private right?"

[will_scarlett]

"Marley's in there, dinna wish to disturb 'im. Yers if ye wish, can try at least."

He's still trembling but less since he's been holding her.

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"Who's Marley? And sure, that's fine. It's just me." She lead him back to her room. There was her bow, a bed and a light, and little else. Xander had been helping people get chests to hold clothing.

"Here, can just sit on the bed." Still holding him close.

[will_scarlett]

"Irish fellow I met when I 'rrived 'ere, been sharin' a room."

He leans against her as they sit down, still trembling and kisses her cheek,

"Thank ye."

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

She hugged him close, and rocked him again. "You're welcome. It'll be all right, Will."

[will_scarlett]

"Just still 'urts so, close my eyes an can feel the whip 'gain. Ne'er broke, ne'er."

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"So don't let them break you now. They can't hurt you now. They're far away in another world."

[will_scarlett]

Another small nod as he hugs her and his trembling starts to still,

"Canna 'urt me."

[nothawkingbird.livejournal.com]

"They wanted to break you down, and you didn't let them. You won, Will, you were stronger." More gentle nuzzling and a kiss to his neck and under his chin.