The Break (An Eddie Munson Story)

Chapter 12: Laying Side By Side

A/N: In terms of updates. I was trying to upload daily installments but realistically, some chapters take longer to write. So, I think I'll always aim for daily updates or every alternate day, depending on which point of the narrative we have reached.

I don't think there's any content warnings needed but let me know if I need to add one!

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Though the hands moved minute by minute, hour by hour, sleep continued to evade your weary self, as you lay between the sheets, enclosed within the safety of the trailer once more, for a second night in a row. Soft snores emanated from the living room, as your generous housemate thankfully found solace within the much desired blissful unaware. You were glad that at least one of you was getting some well earnt rest. Though the day had been taking on your mind, your thoughts refused to quieten in the early morning hours. Each time your eyes closed, it would find a new topic, worry, fear, to fixate upon.

You glanced at the clock, that sat on the clutered nightstand. In the moonlight, you could just make out the time, four am, which meant, if you were lucky, you would get four- maybe five- hours sleep before Eddie would most definitely wake up up to kick-start your Saturday. It was unlikely that he would allow you to have your usual lie-in until the afternoon, as had become a part of your frequent routine. Depression did not allow for you to rise and slumber during regular hours.

With a frustrated huff, you sat up and swung your legs out of the bed, knowing that it was no good, you were not going to fall asleep sooner by just lying there, counting sheep. You debated whether or not it was a wise idea to go and join Eddie, especially with the current blurred lines of your relationship.

Following your panic attack, you were both aware of each other's feelings but as he had so plainly said, he was worried about causing you more stress and you, well, you did not want to hurt him any more than you already had. So you both had an unspoken agreement to just exist in this platonic but romantic state of being, until something more definable felt appropriate for you both.

Fed up, you pushed yourself into a standing position and made your way towards the living room, your hand skimming the walls and doorways, to help guide you in the low light.

As your eyes adjusted to the dark, you spied up Eddie's tranquil form, as he lay on his side, facing you. You paused momentarily to watch the steady rise and fall of his shoulders. His hair was spread out upon the pillow in a halo of curls.

You had knelt down to be level with him, as he lay peacefully on the sofa. With a gentle shake to his shoulders, you had attempted to wake him. "Eddie." you whispered, in hopes it would be enough to coax from his dreams.

"Hm?" he mumbled in response, seemingly come round.

"I can't sleep." you explained, your hand drifting away from his shoulder, as he sat up, wearily rubbing his eyes.

The brunet was still somewhat disoriented, and not fully aware of his surroundings yet. He could hear you talking but it all sounded like incoherent babbling to his sleep addled brain. "Y/N?" he murmured your name in confusion, wondering why you were still awake.

It was now or never to ask him, you thought. "Can I sleep here?" the question was met with silence, tge only indication that he had heard you was the dazed look he gave you, as he tried to comprehend your words. When he failed to give a response, you sighed, overtired and quickly running out of patience. "Eddie?"

The sound of you calling his name, brought the man out of his reverie. "Sorry, 'm awake." with a shake of his head, he cleared the last remnants of drowsiness away. "You okay?" he realised that it was still dark out and you were not sleeping soundly in his bed. Eddie felt a spike of worry run cold through his veins. Was something wrong? Were you hurt?

"Can I sleep next to you?"

When you repeated your query, he felt his momentary panic dissipate, as he nodded in agreement. "'Course, yeah." the brunet was quick to pull back the covers, to allow you to crawl in beside him. There was not much room and logically, you both could have moved into the bedroom but the sofa felt like neutral ground. The bed felt somewhat suggestive and given your circumstances, you wanted to keep the current boundaries upheld, as to not complicate things further between you both.

Once tucked in and cosily snuggled against his chest, you already found yourself being tugged into a dreamless state. Yeah, you had made the right decision waking him up, you decided, as you allowed your eyes to slip shut. "Thanks." you mumbled, ready to fall asleep there and then.

Looking down at you, you felt the vibration of his chuckle. "You comfy?" Eddie asked, rolling his eyes slightly at your placated state.

A solitary yamn escaped from between your lips. "Yeah, 'm good."

Settling into the cushions beneath you both, Eddie tried his best to find a comfortable angle to lie down in but he suddenly felt hyperaware of his limbs and unable to decide what to do with his arms. "Hey, erm, can I...?"

You cracked open an eyelid, to see what he was referencing to, when saw him indicate with a slight nod of his head, to his arm.

Realising what he was asking permission for, you hastily agreed, knowing you had invaded his space and wanting him to also be snug. "Oh, yeah, sure." you had to resist leaning into his embrace, when you felt his arm wrap securely around your waist, as it had done on many nights when you had found yourself in his bed. Back then, neither of you had questioned intimately holding one another, as you slept. An arm around your waist, your head against his chest- ordinary gestures that you had not thought twice about but now, every move, every touch had you second guessing yourselves.

You had assumed he had fallen asleep, since he was now in a better position to do so, so the softened rumble of his voice had surprised you. "Why you still up?"

The question had you pondering for a moment. You were not used to someone asking about your insomnia. Despite your parents frequently discovering you awake in the dead of night- your Father often crept into the kitchen to sneak some alcohol from his secret stash and your Mother, well, she was particularly fond of the cooking sherry- but neither had ever quizzed you unusual consciousness. "Overthinking." was the only reason able reply you could think to say.

Ever the caring type, you were unfazed when he asked, "Want to talk about it?"

However, you knew how long a day it had been and how much Eddie needed his rest. Unlike you, he had responsibilities and grades to focus on and although your friends had vowed to get you back on the straight and narrow, you refused to derail Eddie's life in the name of bettering your own. "We both need sleep."

Although he was exhausted, Eddie could not bring himself to slumber. The thought of you waring with your thoughts, while he ignorantly lay beside you, had him thinking about all those months you had been apart. How many lost nights had you sat through alone, when he could have been there to comfort you? "I can make coffee." he grumbled.

The sound of your chuckle, eased his concern somewhat. "You can barely keep your eyes open."

At the mention of his eyes, Eddie had to admit, they did feel pretty heavy and at risk of closing at a momens notice. "Mmm, true."

Tentatively, you had brought your hand to his hip and gave it a gentle but reassuring squeeze. "It's nothing urgent, Eds."

With a sigh he rested hisfirehead against yours. "Promise?" dark eyes stared back at you, imploring you to answer honestly.

"Promise." a shy smile was enough to convince him, that you were indeed in satisfactory state of mind. "Go back to sleep, I'm okay."

For the second time in twenty four hours, Eddie gave into temptation and allowed himself to place a chaste kiss to your temple. "Wake me if you need me."

Thank goodness it was dark, you thought to yourself, grateful that he could not see the dark blush upon your cheeks. "Night, Eddie."

"G'night." he said as a final reply, before he curled around you further, able to fall asleep in peace, knowing you were safe within his arms.