L4d 1 & 2 oneshots ❤ (CLOSED)

Those dreams chasing me

Now that I'm on summer break, I have crap ton more time to write! This was requested by meika_mikowoto1234, hope you enjoy! (Your name was super hard to spell XD)

I added some heavy headcanon here, I hope you don't mind. Also, Ellis gets lowkey horny for Nick a few times but nothing serious.

Warnings: PTSD/CPTSD, childhood trauma, mentioned child death (Not graphic), physical assault (not sexual), bullying, abuse of power, police dogs, dog attacks, near death experience, cynophobia, improper medical practices (mentioned)

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Ellis could feel his heart pounding in his throat as he ran, stealing away precious gasps of air. The beasts chased after him, nipping at his bare heels with yellow, bloodied, fangs, infinitely black eyes boring holes in his soul. Their howls nagged his ears with taunts and threats of his inevitable demise at their jaws. Ellis couldn't run fast enough. His lungs were losing air, his feet bled, his body screamed for a break. Every time one of those things barked, he could only try to run faster.

Ellis sobbed, praying to god that those dogs- those fucking mangy, feral beasts wouldn't catch up to him. He didn't want to ever feel the pain of their teeth again- he didn't want to end up like Rodney Bronwick. Ellis shouted- for who, he didn't know. He tried to keep his breathing even, to push himself just a little farther- just a little farther, his mind told him, and then he'll be safe. But alas, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Ellis crumbled under his own weight, dehydrated and underfed body unable to take the continued strain. He collapsed forward, heaving for air, and the foul hounds descended upon him. Ellis got one look into their unholy eyes, filled with demented pleasure. Their twisted, hellish, smiles took up far too much space on their faces before they tore into his flesh.

Ellis screamed, memories of pain and torment filling his mind as he was eaten alive. His torso violently shook back and forth, a voice, bright and human, ringing and muffled in his ears. He was shaken harder and Ellis finally opened his eyes, springing up from the bed into his savior's embrace. Ellis cried into the pale shoulder, trembling and heaving as the feeling of teeth ghosted over an old bite wound. The other body rocked them both, murmuring something in his ear as they played with his curls. Ellis buried his face further into the crook of the other's neck, breathing in the sweet smelling cologne that clung to their collar. Cool rings traveled circles along his spine, Ellis relished the soothing sensation.

A few moments passed as Ellis calmed in the warmth of his savior. He finally parted from the sweet smelling shoulder when he stopped crying. Ellis looked around the room, confused as to why a lamp was on, remembering that he and the other survivors were camping out in the Whispering Oaks motel. Far off in the distance, a handful of dogs barked. Ellis barely held back a shudder. Fingers cradled his chin and gently encouraged him to turn his head. He met Nick's grey-green eyes, terrified and vulnerable in a way Ellis had never seen before, thick brows twisted up with concern.

"Jesus Christ, Overalls, you scared me half to death. I thought you were having a seizure for a minute," Nick said, his voice gentle and kind, as if afraid to further frighten Ellis.

Ellis shook his head, freeing his chin from Nick's touch, "I'm sorry..." he choked out, hoarse.

Nick took Ellis' face in his hands, "Hey, hey, hey, you didn't do anything wrong. You don't need to apologize..."

Ellis held back from leaning into the touch, not wanting to further embarrass himself or scare Nick's newfound kindness off, "Why'd you wake me? Ain't you supposed to be on watch?"

Nick caressed the peak of Ellis' cheekbone with his thumb, "I got a bad feeling. I checked everyone and found you thrashing in bed screaming and crying in your sleep."