Just a Soldier

Chapter 6 - The Yankees

Y/n's POV:

It was currently 5:30am and I was trying to get changed into my running gear without waking Scarlett up. I had another nightmare last night and I felt too antsy to get back to sleep or even just lay holding my girlfriend. So, I decided to get up and go for a run and get rid of this pent-up negative energy. Hopefully I'll be back before she wakes up and even notices I'm gone.

The nightmares had gotten a lot better. I barely have them anymore but they're unpredictable now. So, when I do have them, I actually find them harder as my body isn't used to it. I think that's why this morning I'm struggling to settle back down. I find a bit of paper and leave a quick note for Scarlett just in case she wakes up before I get back.

When I was dressed, I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and set up my phone to play my running playlist. I wasn't entirely sure where I would run, but Scar had talked about a park nearby, so I quickly found where it was on Google Maps and headed out.

The air was still cool, and the sun was slowly starting to rise. As soon as my feet started to hit the pavement, my body instantly started to relax. I have found that if I work through the accident in my head and see it through to the point of me surviving, it helps to stop my brain from over thinking and being stuck on that moment. In my nightmares, it's on constant repeat and it's exhausting. But this method has really helped me to ground myself when I need it.

I found a good rhythm and started to feel all this weight start to drop off of me. I made it to the park and did a couple of laps and noticed as it gets progressively busier with runners. After 5 miles, I took a quick break on a bench and enjoyed the peace. I checked my watch and I know I've got another 3 miles to get back to Scar so I decided to head back so I can get in some cuddles with her now I'm feeling back to myself.

Feeling like I've got a new amount of energy, I picked up the pace and made it back in quick time. I unlocked the door and let myself in. I quickly made my way towards the stairs hoping to get a quick shower before heading back to bed. "I missed my morning snuggles." The voice scares the life out of me as I nearly jump out of my skin. "Jesus Scar! Give a woman a warning!" I said, my hand clenching at my heart.

She stood up from the sofa and made her way over to me. "You're all sweaty." She said with a scrunched-up face as she went into hug me. "Sorry angel. I'll go shower and join you back in bed and make up for missing out on our cuddles." I offer, giving her a quick kiss. "Fine." She replied with a pout still on her face. "But you better hurry up!" She ordered. I smiled and sprinted up the stairs and showered as quickly as I could so I could rejoin her.

When I made it out of the shower, I quickly dried off and slipped back into my shorts and tank top. I went back into the bedroom and Scarlett was sat up in the bed waiting for me. She patted the spot beside her, and I jumped on the bed, like a child, making her laugh. I joined her under the quilt and her body naturally gravitated towards me. But instead of snuggling into me, she gently pulled my head onto her chest.

"You had a nightmare, didn't you?" She asked, already knowing the answer. I simply nodded and she placed a kiss on my head. "Why didn't you wake me?" She asked and I looked up at her to see a slight sadness in her eyes. "I knew that I wouldn't be able to settle, and I didn't want to disturb you." I explained and she sighed. "Y/n, I want to know when this happens. I won't pressurise or suffocate you. I know you have your processes to deal with it. But I want to be able to support you however I can. I don't like the idea that whilst I'm comfortably sleeping, you're out running trying to get your head straight." Her voice was laced with concern, and I knew she was right.

I held her closer and placed a kiss on her neck. "I'm sorry. It just seems silly to have both of us awake and I'm not used to someone else being there. But I promise I'll do better." I explain. "Well, you better get used to it as I'm not planning on going anywhere! Are you having them frequently?" I couldn't help but smile at her words, I loved the little comments of reassurance she is constantly giving me. "No, I'm not. I've not had one for a while. They're pretty random and nowhere near as bad. I just couldn't settle back today. Normally just having you next to me is enough to ground me." I shared and she smiled down at me.