You took a deep breath, sweat running down your face. You look to the left and right, noticing you lost him.

"K-Kazu-kun...? Where are you?"

Your [Eye Color] eyes filled with tears as you realized you were alone.

"Your boyfriend is gone, [Last and First Name]," the cruel man, your attacker, says, cackling.

You shake your head, and turned towards him. You gasped when you saw Takao. The man dragged him by his hair, although he felt nothing. He was bloody, bruised, and dead.

You woke up with a start, gasping for air. Tears travelled down your porcelain cheeks.

"Was it the nightmare again, [Nickname]-chan?" Takao asked with worry.

You nodded. "You... you died, Kazu-kun!" You sobbed.

"Deep breaths, babe. Deep breaths."

You take a deep breath, trying to calm yourself down. Your eyes wondered around your dark room until it found Takao's eyes that were filled with concern.

You've been having the same nightmare for weeks, and you barely got any sleep. Purple bags startred to form under your eyes, and you started grow pale.

Takao didn't know what to do at this point. He tried all that he could, but to no avail. He tried comforting you, but it didn't work.

"You're okay, [Nickname]-chan. I'm okay."

You nodded even though his words didn't make you feel any better.

"I'm just... scared, Kazu-kun," you whispered sadly, making Takao's heart feeling like it bursted into a thousand pieces.

"It's not real. I'm alive. You're alive. It's all right now."

***

You were unable to fall back asleep, so Takao stayed up with you. You both had an extra large [Caffeinated Drink] to keep you going, but by the end of the next night, you two were drained.

You snuggled into Takao's chest, your hands clenching the comforter. "What if I get that nightmare again, Kazu-kun?"

You sounded so innocent; and you were. Why should you be cursed with such negative images your mind creates?

He kissed the top of your head. "I'll be here if it happens, [Nickname]-chan."

You listened to his heartbeat. The steady rhythm calmed you down as your eyelids got heavier. Soon, they were fully shut.

Takao listened to your soft, even breaths. He tightened his hold on you, trying to keep you safe from your very own thoughts and memories that turn into those vile dreams.

He watched you, waiting for your face to show any sign of distress. He watched for secret tears that would trail down your cheeks. He watched for sweat that would form on your forehead.

Takao didn't sleep at all that night.

***

You opened your eyes slowly, only to meet the eyes of Takao. "Kazu-kun?"

"Any nightmares?" he asked tiredly.

You shook your head. "No, but... Did you get any sleep?"

"Nope."

"Wha- but why?"

He gave you a small smile. "I had to make sure you were okay."

***

Overdue prize for DemonicPotatoChip. Nine more parts to go. I hope you like it.

-Caity mention a user