Something Sweet

Chapter 9

Author's note:  Welcome back everyone. 

Ended up having another long chapter for you guys. Took me a while, but I finished finals last week and picked this up the moment they were over with.

But anyway, we make it to 6K+ views. Good news there and I've noticed you guys commenting and adding my story to your lists. That's also motivating. Good job.

Thanks, everyone. Appreciate the likes and follows. 

So I won't keep you guys.

Enjoy and again, it's a long chapter (So take your time...)

_________________________________________

The lulling sound of the rain hitting the windowsills kept the pair very much asleep throughout the night and into the morning.

With morning pressing onto the later part of the day, Jean was first to stir awake.

She would have slept longer if not for the sudden movements that became more frequent next to her.

She stubbornly tried to retain her sleep, but the disturbance didn't stop.

Jean gradually began to recognize the sounds next to her. Not sure of what it was she was listening to, her eyes heavily opened to notice the sight of the scarlet-haired man struggling in his sleep.

While taking in Diluc's sleeping profile next to her, Jean began to register the sniffling sounds coming from him. More signs continued to alert her, catching a glimpse of his tears rolling down the corners of his eyes.

With the repeated clenching of his jaw muscles flexing for her to see, Jean recognized all the signs as she immediately moved to wake him.

"Diluc?" She slightly climbed over him to notice his pained expression, "Can you hear me? Wake up. Y—you need to wake up..." Jean grew mortified. Tapping her hand to the side of his profile, she hoped it would help draw his attention, "Wake up. You have to wake up."

She repeated the action a few more times as she noticed his eyes beginning to move behind closed eyelids.

Jean knew she was on the right path, but she wasn't sure what else to do as she impatiently waited for him to react.

It took a few more seconds of repeatedly touching him and calling out his name for his eyes to suddenly fly open and witness the pain-stricken fear in his crimson orbs.

"D—Diluc?" Jean's voice trembled.

The haunting images entirely fresh in his mind kept him from reacting to her. He wasn't ready to say anything as he quickly moved his hands and covered his mouth, silencing the cries that threatened to escape him.

Resisting more of his tears from swelling up, his eyes pressed shut, trying to suppress the lingering traces of his dream.

"You were having a nightmare..." Jean's voice worriedly spoke with the calming touch of her hand brushing his hair back. "Shhh... It's over now. It's okay..."

The soothing attempt to calm him slowly began to have its effect. Feeling the light pressure of Jean's forehead reassuringly leaning against his, he felt his tension beginning to ease.

"...Sorry," His voice slightly quaked as he uncovered his mouth. "Thank you."

"Are you okay?" Jean felt a strong sense of relief as the stinging pain of her tears threatened to come out. "You scared me."

Seeing her mortified expression beginning to tear up, Diluc comfortingly moved her face to his, placing a warm kiss on her lips. "I know. I'm sorry."

Jean slightly shook her head, "Don't be sorry. It's not your fault." She paused to remove a few of her tears landing on his cheeks. "Y—you just scared me. I don't know why- but I just knew I had to wake you--"