ᴛᴏᴍ ʀɪᴅᴅʟᴇ ᴏɴᴇsʜᴏᴛs

nightmare

Author: citrusdarling7 (on ao3)

a bit OC buttt 💗

___________________

They happen all the time. At least once a week, often more. This time it was terrible. I woke up in a cold sweat,shaking and crying. I tried to push the disturbing scenarios I had just witnessed out of my head, but I couldn't. I grabbed my bathroom and pulled it over my thin nightgown before slipping out of my dormitory and heading down the stairs.

I wasn't expecting anyone to be in the common room, since it was nearly 2 am. The fireplace was crackling and I could see a dark figure sitting at a table, head in a book. Unfortunately for me, the figure was a certain-someone I did not want to see me crying. The sound of my footsteps made him turn his head in my direction. Even in the dim lighting, he could see the tears streaming down my face. Tom quickly got out of his chair and started in my direction.

"Who did this to you?" he asked angrily. I maneuvered myself away from him and shook my head.

"It's nothing Riddle. I'm fine." He rolled his eyes and grabbed my wrist, pulling me towards him.

"I'm not stupid. Give me their name, I'll kill them," he demanded. I shook him off of me and started to yell.

"Merlin Tom, no one did anything! I just had a nightmare, alright?"

He didn't say anything as I slumped down onto one of the velvet couches. He stood in silence for a few seconds, although I could feel his gaze one me.

"Oh. If that's all it is, why are you so upset?" he asked calmly. Truthfully, I had no idea. Like I said, night-terrors were a common occurrence for me. I wasn't exactly sure why this specific one had triggered me.

"I don't know. Why are you even awake?" Tom moved back to where he had been seated before and flipped open the large book.

"I don't sleep much. I'm much more productive when I'm awake," he said as he pushed a dark curl off of his forehead. I rolled my eyes and bit back a smile.

"Anyways, you're welcome to stay here if you'd like. Just don't be too loud," he said before diving back into the book. I shook my head and started to stand up.

"Thanks Tom, but I think I'm just gonna go to Abraxas' room," I told him. I saw his calm demeanor drop.

"No. Why would you need to see him?" he snarled.

"I don't want to sleep alone. He won't mind," I said in a whisper. And that was the truth, Abraxas wouldn't mind. He would comfort me softly and make me feel safe. But part of me wished I could confide in someone else. Tom let out a sigh and stood up.

"I was planning on going to bed anyways. You can stay in my room," he demanded.

"I'm alright. I don't really want to have to sleep on the floor."

"You can sleep in my bed, with me," he said hesitantly. I smiled and shrugged, walking over to the stairs leading to the boys dormitory. Tom followed closely behind me.

"I still think that you're overreacting. I'd just rather you be in my bed than Malfoy's," he assured me. I rolled my eyes and continued up the stairs. I had been to Tom's room before, so I knew which one it was, even in the dark. He dug around in his pockets for a few seconds before pulling out his key and letting us inside. He lit the lamp on his nightstand using his wand as he locked the door behind us.

"I'm going to take a shower. Don't touch any of my things."
He grabbed a neat pile of clothing on his dresser before disappearing into his bathroom. I tossed my robe onto the floor before crawling into his bed. The sheets were incredibly silky, made of a dark black material. I pulled the blankets over my body and settled in, taking in the scent of Tom's cologne and a hint of cigarette smoke. I could feel myself drifting off when I felt another body's presence in the bed with me.

"Are you alright now, darling?" Tom asked me in a whisper. I nodded as I felt his arms wrap around my waist. Although his hands were a bit cold, the rest of his body was warm and comforting.

"Good. Wake me up if you need anything,okay?" he said as he stroked my hair. I nodded again and interlocked one of my legs with him, secretly smiling to myself.