WARNING: This story is about readers with 'Night Terrors', Nightmares and things of the like. I don't want this to be triggering for those of you whom suffer from these. I won't use to much detail, but I felt a warning was necessary. Also being that J-Fred is a very religious man, please be respectful of how I added that into the story and to other reader's beliefs. We're all friends here lovelies! Thank you and enjoy. Comments & votes are welcome! XOXO

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Night Terrors:
'feelings of great fear experienced on suddenly waking in the night.'

J-Fred's POV
Y/N is the best friend anyone could ask for. We've known each other for years. When I moved away, it created some gaps in our friendship. I knew most everything about her and vice versa, but being so far apart meant that not all things had to be shared. For one, that the real reason why my previous relationship ended. Despite everything, I was ok with that, because I had my heart set out for another.

About a week ago, I arrived back in my hometown. It was perfect, just as the day I left it. Y/N practically tackled me to the ground, in my parents driveway. We spent the entire day with my family and her. Siblings, Nieces, parents, grandparents, and friends but it all came down to a single word-family.

I didn't want to bother telling my parents that the landlord of the property I would soon be renting from, messed some things up and I was going to be staying in a hotel for a while. My parents had enough on the hands already, they didn't need there loud overgrown man-boy living in the spare bedroom for a week or so, therefore hotel it was. Well that was until Y/N found out. Then I had no choice as she nearly dragged me into her cute little apartment. And knocking me head on the apartment entry doorframe.

It was cozy. A little small, but cozy. Her one bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment had a nice living area attached to the kitchen. Since she only had one bedroom and she offered to sleep on the couch, but I insisted. She was a great hostess and I felt right at home in no time. Despite constantly knocking my head on the apartment entryway, everytime I went through it.

Honestly in the few days I've been here, she's made me feel as though I never left my hometown.

She has let me know certain odds and ends about the little place. Like how if you don't turn the faucet at a certain angle, it makes an annoying hum. Or how if you didn't shut the bathroom door properly, it'll open on it's own. Which reminds me, I said I'd fix that for her.

Amongst the things with the house, she also confessed some things about herself. Like how she would sometimes sneak out to the kitchen at night for a drink or midnight snack. Or more serious things, like the fact that she had really bad nightmares. She apologized in advance for the case that she may wake me up, though I'm sure she won't. I'm a pretty heavy sleeper.

I was curious to what these nightmares were and she carefully explained. Y/N said that they weren't just nightmares, she calls them night terrors. They sound the same at first, but upon explaining, I had a better understanding.

Still, with the way I sleep, I really don't think that anything should happen. I have been here for almost a week and she's never seemed so much as to stir in her sleep.

I couldn't have been more wrong.

****
The sudden screams from Y/N's room had me bolt up in a flash. My first thought was an intruder. I quickly sprang to my feet, rushed passed the kitchen and burst threw her bedroom door. As soon as the door opened, Y/N came flying into my arms. She was screaming and going on about 'they're going to get her' and 'don't let them take her'. My arms quickly brought her closer to me.

It's now I realized I was defenseless and trying to protect her. Why didn't I grab a knife when I ran through the kitchen? Tucking her behind me as much as she'd let me, my eyes quickly scanned the room. Nothing. Then I looked over her, thankful to see no wounds.

"Y/N?! Y/N? Who is it? Did they hurt you? Where are they? You're OK, Y/N. I'm here. Where'd they go?" I whirled around with her in my arms, looking left and right for the cause of her sudden fright. She had a vice-like grip on me, and as much as it hurt, I could care less. My one priority was protecting her. I checked her entire room with her clinging to my side, a sobbing & frightened wreck.

I made my way to her attached bathroom, despite it being open, I made sure no one was hiding there. I also checked her closet. I noticed there wasn't a thing out of place and windows were intact. I knew that if someone had been in the room, the only other escape would've been the hall I entered from. Which checked that off the list.

That's when it clicked. There wasn't anyone here; there never was. This was one of her nightmares, or night terrors rather.

She kept saying how they were coming for her. I reached down and pulled the hair away from her tear stained face. I started for the bed and she instantly freaked out more, pushing away from me to distance herself from the bed.

"No...no they're under there! They'll get me! Don't let them hurt me please?!..." I stepped closer to her and then looked back towards the bed.

"Y/N? Y/N, listen. Shh...I'm here. I won't let them hurt you. There's nothing there now. I'll check ok? Just stay right here." She begged me not to, but I eventually coaxed her into letting me check.

Once she saw that there was nothing getting me, she calmed down some. I sat on the corner of the bed and then pushed myself back further, sitting cross-legged. I patted the bed and beckoned her over. She cautiously made her way to me. Once she clambered into bed, I pulled her tightly in my embrace, placing her on my lap.

She settled sideways on me and buried her face in my chest. I just held her; whispering sweet nothings, reassuring her that she safe, and that I wasn't going anywhere. She buried her face deeper into my chest, breathing in my cologne. Strangely enough it seemed to be calming her.

My legs were growing numb, being compressed beneath her small frame. I tried wriggling them out from beneath her, but I quickly stilled. The slightest movement I made and she would start whimpering and crying again. "Don't leave me, please? They'll get me. They're going to get me! Please don't let them." I wasn't about to make myself more comfortable at the expense of sending her into another round of panic, so instead I stayed still, held her tightly, and let the prickly sensations in my numbing legs grow.

She was sobbing heavily and I held her against me, slightly rocking us back and forth. "Shhh...it's ok Y/N. I'm right here. Don't think of them, be with me..." I held her tightly and stroked her hair; repeating the process with each new episode. "Y/N, I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere ok. I'm right here. I won't leave you; I'll never leave you. I won't let them hurt you, be with me gorgeous." I cooed gently into her hair and kissing the top of her head.

****
I have been setting in the position for about an hour and she seems to have calmed down. In the time of waiting for her to succumb to sleep and calming her down from each little episode after, I had time to think. To think how much I enjoyed holding her. About being the man that did, and could, chase her demons away. About knowing what it could be like to hold my best friend and longtime crush as more than a friend. About what it would be like for her to truly be with me...?

And every single one of those thoughts I'd like to do and know someday.

I looked down at her sleeping in my arms and smiled. I have always loved her, but I can't help but feel it grow deeper with her here sleeping peacefully in my arms. I smiled more and gently stroked her cheeks. Sleeping peacefully because of me.

My legs felt like jello...no they felt like bricks. They were numb from my lack of movement, but I could care less. When I knew that she was indeed asleep and hopefully her night terrors had passed, I decided it'd be best to get some rest of my own.

With her in my arms, I slowly leaned back. She mumbled some incoherent words, but settled right back down on me. I turned to my side and pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her. She nuzzled into my chest making me smile. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. I wouldn't let her demons chase her sleep away any longer tonight...and maybe any other? With a gentle kiss to her forehead and a small prayer, I succumbed to my own sleep.

****
"Joey?! J-Fred?! Joey please, wake up!" Y/N spoke quickly, almost in an awestruck panic.

"Hmm..." I groggily hummed. Stretching my arms and then wrapping them firmly around the soft, warm and breathing pillow...breathing pillow? I slowly opened one eye and saw a confused Y/N looking back.

"Joey! Wake up!" She squealed. Slapping my arm lightly.

"I'm up, gorgeous." I yawned and then looked back at her to see her cheeks fully flushed. I didn't understand why, I had always called her gorgeous. Though...Oh...well I'm usually not telling her that in bed. "Ohh..Y/N! This...This isn't what it looks like! I..I..You remember those things you told me about, the night terrors? Yeah. You had..." she didn't let me finish before a look of mortification came over her face and she started speaking.

"No..! Please tell me I didn't! But..but I don't remember. I..I'm sorry Joey! I didn't mean to wake you up or scare you or anything! Wait, how bad was I?!" She rambled on. By this point, she had set up and buried her face in her hands.

"Y/N/N? Y/N...Hey, look here." I reached up my hand and gently tugged her hands away from her face. She looked down at me sadly, almost disappointed...probably towards herself. I didn't like that. I gently spoke. "Hey. You don't need to apologize. You were fine, gorgeous. Once I got you to sit down with me, it didn't take long for you to fall asleep. I will say you scared me and you do have a death grip when you get scared, but nothing I couldn't handle!" I chuckled and saw her beautiful smile form.

"Ok...I just...I never wanted you to see me like that. I mean I probably seemed crazy, right?! That's what my ex said." She was frowning again and her gaze shifted to the bed.

Now was my turn to sit up. I find it funny that even with me sitting on her bed, I still towered over her.

I wrapped arm around her and pulled her against me. She went rigid for a moment, but quickly relaxed against my side. Rubbing my thumb against her arm I spoke. "Y/N, don't let him degrade you. You didn't seem crazy to me, you were scared." I brought my free hand under her chin and guided her to look up at me. She hesitantly obliged. By God's strength, I somehow managed to say something that I never usually had the courage to say. "You were scared and he didn't know how to react. If he would've just held and comforted you, you would have been fine. I say he's the crazy one, he missed out on holding you." I smiled down at her wide eyes and reddening cheeks. Her eyes darted across my features in search for any sign of me joking, but I wasn't.

Personally I was shocked at my own admittance, but I couldn't have been more glad that I did. Something overcame me and I leaned forward, stopping merely an inch before our lips could meet. Her breath stuttered and I could tell her heart rate picked up. I looked straight into her beautiful, e/c eyes. There I saw wonder, fear, pain, hope, and love... so much love. Keeping my eyes trained on hers, I spoke. "Can I kiss you?"

Her eyes widened slightly, but she granted my wish with a simple nod. I smiled more. Leaning down further, I did the one thing I've wanted to do for so long-kiss her lips.

They were soft and sweet. They met with mine in perfect sync; almost like they were meant for each other. I glided my hands to her cheek and savored the last few seconds of this moment, then we pulled away.

She wore a shy smile and beautifully flushed cheeks. I smiled and leaned my forehead against hers. "You don't know how long I've waited to do that." I chucked, letting me eyes shut.

I opened my eyes and gave her a rather shocked expression at her next words. "What took you so long?" She chuckled, wearing a beautiful smile as she palmed my cheek. I shook my head and chuckled, this was another reason why I loved this woman. Her humor.

Smiling, I kissed her forehead and learned back. "It's all in the Lord's timing. I guess now is our time? I've always loved you and always will. And I want nothing more than to hold you tightly at night and see your beautiful smile in the morning. I said I'm not leaving, I intend I'm keeping my promise." I smirked and she rolled her eyes whilst laughing. "So tell me gorgeous, will you be with me...?"

She smiled wider, leaned back against me, and looked up at me. "I wouldn't want anything less Joey. I love you too."

And that's where we sat. Happy and content in each others arms. I loved her; she loved me. Together we would conquer our demon's and create our destined path. All part of the Lord's great plan.

I was just thankful he shared this angel with me. My angel; my Y/N. I love her and now she will forever be with me.

The End!