...And freeze!

ep 15: Nightmare

13th of July, evening

Sam went to bed and fell asleep almost instantly, she never had trouble finding sleep. No, it was quite easy for her, but keeping it was another challenge. Since her kidnapping by Hydra a few months ago, she had a lot of nightmares, and it wasn't getting better. In fact, it was worse and worse since she came back to the compound, reminding her of how disappointing some of the Avengers were thinking she was, how inexperienced she was compared to them. Reminding her how bad it ended the last few times she was here. So no, Sam didn't have trouble falling asleep, but to stay asleep without any nightmare about Zemo and the basement was a real mission, and that's why she usually came to bed the latest possible, because she was scared of what she could see during the night.

That's how, around 2AM, she woke up with this feeling that this nightmare wouldn't be the last one if she stayed in her bedroom. Even before Hydra she had nightmares, and the only thing that really helped her was to sleep with Wanda. Or at least in Wanda's bedroom, since she wasn't here.

That's how, around 2AM, Sam took her stuffed bunny and her plaid and went to Wanda's bed. She always thoughts the witch's smell had something comforting, she was the first to welcome her nicely at the compound, and she even slept a few night with her, the time for the agents to clean what actually was her bedroom, but was used to put all the stuff the Avengers didn't know where else to put before she moved in.

But apparently, sleeping in the witch's bed wasn't enough, because Sam woke up at 4AM, having both a panic attack and a nightmare.

~~~

Natasha Romanoff had nightmares and panic attacks during years after escaping from the Red Room.

That's why, around 4AM, she knew how to calm down Sam who woke her up, screaming in the same bed as she was sleeping. Wanda's bed.

First, Sam started to move a bit. Then faster. Second, she started to breathe faster. Then she panted. Third, she started to talk a bit, whiming. Then louder. Then screaming.

Sam: No. No. NO. I won't tell you ANYTHING. Go to HELL, YOU CAN HIT ME AS HARD AS YOU WANT, I WON'T TELL YOU ANYTHING. I WOULD RATHER DIE THAN HELP YOU.

She was now moving really fast and weirdly, like if someone was actually hitting her. Yelling and screaming in pain, like if someone was actually hurting her.

Natasha turned on the light, and started to shake her by her shoulders, to wake her up.

The french was now with both her hands on her neck, as if someone was trying to strangle her.

Sam finally opened her eyes, without stopping to scream and struggle. Nat caught her shoulders harder to stop her from moving, it wasn't really efficient at first, because Sam was freaking out and tried to escape from her arms. The light wasn't bright enough to let Sam see her clearly.

Nat, trying to comfort her: Sam. Sam! It's over now, it was just a nightmare, it wasn't real, you're at the compound, you're safe, I'm here, and I won't let anyone hurt you, strangle you or hit you, no matter that you're asleep or awake, I'm here and I won't let anyone hurts you, okay? Do you recognize me? It's me, it's-

Sam, weakly and softly: Nat?

She stopped the spy in the middle of her sentence with a scared but relieved voice. Scared because of the nightmare, but relieved someone was here. Relieved Nat was her. Suddenly, she wasn't mad at her anymore. Suddenly, she wasn't moving and screaming anymore.

Natasha smiled. Hearing the young woman calling her like that had something that warmed her heart. For the first time in months, Romanoff was feeling great. Crazy the impact a name could have on someone.