I bolted upright, clutching my fists to my chest. Panting heavily, I sat in my bed, one hand clutched in a fist, pressed to my chest, the other resting on my knee, forehead pressed into it. I took deep breaths, trying to calm my breathing. I shivered, the cool air hitting my chest. The thin shirt I was wearing didn't help very much. As I calmed down, I stood up, my toes digging into the plush carpeting. I grabbed my leather jacket, wrapping it around my form. I glanced at the clock. Hunter would still be up, no doubt playing Fallout IV. I'd bought it for him, knowing how much he loved the older games. He was undoubtedly using the mod that turns nukes into babies that yell "JOHN CENA" when they explode. I walked to my door, glad PUA didn't have curfews. I then paused abruptly, my hand on the knob. Now that Ultimate was dead, who was to lead PUA? Knowing common social conduct, it would be the next-of-kin, otherwise known as me. I shook my head, trying to rid myself of the thought. I didn't need that thought right now.

I turned the knob, stepping out into the hallway. I padded to Hunter's room, swiftly typing in the code and stepping in, not bothering to knock. I was too distraught for that. Nonetheless, when I stepped in, Hunter looked to me, and I smiled softly. He got up, the menu screen up on his television. I walked to him, wrapping my arms around his waist and burying my face into his bare chest. He placed his hands on my shoulders, pushing me back a little.

"Rai, you've been crying," he stated, wiping his thumbs across my cheeks. I glanced at his moist thumbs before looking back up at him.

"I have, haven't I?" He smiled faintly, and I returned the gesture, before it quickly fell from my face. "Listen, I'm sorry for earlier. I was seeing red at his..." I groaned inwardly. "His defiance, daring to call me his fine flower or whatever, especially after he killed Ultimate." He nodded. "So you're not mad at me?" I asked. He shook his head.

"Not at all. I knew you just needed to calm down, so I allowed you to do that." He took in the shirt I was wearing under the jacket, which covered everything but was thin enough so I didn't overheat during the night. His eyes flicked back up to my face. "Looks like you calmed down pretty well, too," he said. I suppressed a smile.

"I fell asleep," I stated evenly. He nodded.

"Obviously." I shook my head, sticking my tongue out at him playfully. He smiled, wrapping his hands around my arms and pulling me closer, his right hand automatically going to rest behind my neck, pressing his lips to mine. I smiled into his lips, moving mine against his softly. After a couple moments, I felt his teeth graze my lips, causing me to shiver. I opened my mouth, meeting his tongue with his, only to break apart moments later.

"I-this is..." I stuttered, shaking my head. "I-I came in here to sleep. It's too late to make out without serious repercussions," I stated, looking up at Hunter. He nodded, gesturing towards his bed. I made my way over, and he let me lay down before sitting on the foot of the bed, picking up his controller again. He hit Start, and the game started again. I flipped onto my stomach, closing my eyes and falling asleep.

£--X--£

Shortly after Raiyne fell asleep, I got up and turned off the television screen, looking at her sleeping face. She was calm, and I went to my bathroom, picking up a pair of pajama pants from a chair. I walked into my bathroom, popping my jaw as I changed out of my jeans and peeled off my shirt.

Walking back into my bedroom, I hear Raiyne whimpering and saw her tossing and turning. I walked over to the bed, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Rai," I said softly, gently shaking her shoulder. She bolted upright, soaked in a cold sweat. She looked up at me before wrapping her arms around my waist and burying her face into my abdomen. I rubbed her back before kneeling down and hugging her tightly.

"I-I'm not going to get that image out of my head, Hunter. That m-memory. That's the second time tonight that I've dreamt of it," she muttered into the side of my neck. I rubbed her back.

"And I'm not expecting you to forget it soon, Rai. It's natural to be scared after seeing someone close to you die," I said, trying to comfort her. She nodded, and I let go of her, walking to my closet and pulling out one of my shirts. I tossed it to her, and she slipped it on over the shirt she had on. I walked over, wrapping an arm around her waist and lying down behind her. She squealed softly, and I smiled, burying my face into the back of her shoulder. She rolled onto her back, looking at me.

"So you don't hit me in the face," I muttered, closing my eyes.

I heard the smile in her voice as she murmured, "I wasn't complaining."