it's a year later, and his eyes are no longer as bloodshot. it's a year later, and the most of the bags under his eyes are gone. it's a year later, and at least 5 out of 7 days of the week he's able to sleep through the night. 

it's a year later, and he's happy. it's a year later, and he's in a healthy relationship. it's a year later, and he loves his boyfriend with all of his heart. it's a year later, and he knows his boyfriend loves him just as much, which is something that is hard for awsten to do for himself. 

it's a year later, and the nightmares are still there, but they're not as often. it's a year later, and when the nightmares come, they're as bad as they used to be. it's a year later, and whenever he has them, they still feel like the world is ending.

it's a year later, and he finally feels safe again. it's a year later, and he finally feels safe enough to go back and see his family and not have to talk about his dad. 

it's a year later, and he feels like he's himself again.

he knows that the nightmares are still going to be there, and that they're not going to permanently go away forever, but when they do come, he knows that geoff's going to be there to hold him and talk him out of the panic attacks and help him feel safe again.

it's a year later, and awsten is no longer afraid of the dark.