DC Headcanon's 6: Sparkle Sparkle!

Midnight Passing

Based off what me and analogical-trash came up with

DC shot up in bed, panting hard and looking around the room.

Another night, another bad dream.

The fed groaned and flopped back on his back staring at the ceiling and trying to keep his tears from spilling. He at least made it through half the night, the clock next to him blinking 12:00 but he still couldn't shake the nightmares that plagued his head.

DC glanced over at his sleeping boyfriend, Florida all tangled up in the sheets and hugging his alligator plush. He was thankful it was his night with Florida; if it was any of his other boyfriends they'd immediately be awake and questioning him but Florida was dead to the world and unaware of his boyfriend's distress.

DC ran a hand down his face and kicked the covers off of himself, letting his feet hit the floor and walking out of his room. He was met with cool night air as he opened the door, stepping out into the hallway and making his way to the living room. He didn't have any desire to work, which was surprising, and just wanted to watch some bad late night TV and try to fall back asleep. As he approached the living room, he became aware of someone sitting on the couch, staring at a blank TV. DC slowed his steps, trying to make heads and tales of the state who was staring right in front of him.

"Arizona?" DC whispered. Arizona whipped around, not expecting anyone to find him.

"The hell?" Arizona asked. "What are you doing up?"

"I could ask the same for you!" DC pointed out. Arizona rolled his eyes.

"You go first." Arizona ordered.

"Just had some....night terrors like I'm five. Nothing I'm not used to." DC said with a shrug sitting on the couch. "What about you?"

"Night terrors too-wait, you have night terrors?" Arizona asked surprised.

"Oh no, they've just come on recently, nothing to be worried about." DC explained quickly. Arizona raised an eyebrow but didn't push the issue, sitting in silence with the fed just staring at the blank TV. After a few minutes, DC spoke again.

"What was yours? If you feel comfortable, that is." DC asked. Arizona sighed and leaned against the back of the couch.

"You know how many people in my state die of heat exhaustion every year?" Arizona asked. DC shook his head. "250. 250 people die on my land every year because of the heat! And I can do nothing to stop it!"

"It's not your fault." DC pointed out. "You can't stop the people who live in your state from dying."

"Yeah but I could at least be doing more to prevent it! Talk to Mother Nature, bug my politicians for more aid, anything!" Arizona yelled. He settled down and ran a hand through his hair. "So what's yours?" DC swallowed hard and let his eyes fall to the floor. Arizona instantly panicked.

"You don't have to say anything!" Arizona said quickly.

"The sixth." DC whispered and Arizona went quiet.

"Of January?" DC nodded. "Oh...oh DC...."

"I know. It's been months." DC whispered. "But I can't....I can't get it out of my head. The yelling, the shooting....those mad men in one of our buildings....I was so scared that I couldn't even be called. I....I didn't even have...."

"Have you told your boyfriends about this? Or your parents?" Arizona asked quietly. DC shook his head.

"C'mon Arizona, they have more problems than me. My partners have faced real trauma, dad and papa have real PTSD. This is....childish." DC pointed out.

"You should really talk to them!" Arizona argued.

"Have you talked to yours?" DC asked and that shut Arizona up. The two went back to looking at the blank TV in front of them, unsure what to do or say next. Eventually Arizona grabbed the remote from where Colorado put it earlier and pointed it at DC.

"You going to fall asleep again tonight?"

"Nah. I think I'm up." DC muttered.

"Me too. Let's find some shitty TV program and at least have fun." Arizona suggested snapping on the TV. DC grinned then settled back into the couch cushions.

"Now you're speaking my language."

Arizona woke up as the first rays of light hit his face, feeling sore from the uncomfortable position he found himself in after he fell asleep after hour three of Robot Chicken. He yawned and stretched and glanced over at DC, who was also sleeping, curled up in one of Texas's decorative blankets and slightly snoring. The western state sighed and willed himself to get up, trying to stretch his joints before making his way out of the living room....only to run into Florida.

"ZONIE, have you seen Dee? He's not supposed to wake up early anymore to work!" Florida asked. Arizona dimly registered how DC's therapist had the fed on a strict schedule now and one of the allotted times was to wake up at eight to get ready for work instead of his usual four. He shook his head.

"He's on the couch, he...he couldn't sleep." Arizona suggested.

"Couldn't sleep? But he seemed fine when we went to bed." Florida pointed out rushing past Arizona to the living room where DC was sleeping, Arizona following.

"Florida, I need to tell you something." Arizona began. Florida turned to look at Arizona, his early morning eyes conveying worry.

"What? Is something wrong with Dee?" Florida asked and Arizona swallowed hard.

"He...he just couldn't sleep is all." Arizona lied. Florida narrowed his eyes at the western state, and for a while Arizona feared he wouldn't believe it, until he turned back to his boyfriend.

"Okay Dee, let's get you back to bed." Florida whispered hoisting DC up. DC made tiny noises of protest, but didn't wake up as the chaos state led him back towards his bedroom. Arizona secretly knew the peninsula was going to diable his alarm so DC would sleep more, but didn't have the heart to stop him. The western state yawned again and began trudging back to one of his three boyfriend's rooms, knowing he was bound to run into DC again in one of his many midnight travels.

And if DC wanted to keep his secret, and if he could keep Arizona's, it was all fine to him.