Frail Acceptance

Chapter 17

Aldric's POV

I had fallen asleep after sitting beside Noah, waiting for him to wake up, but to no avail.

I woke up to some light sounds coming from beside me.

When I looked around, I realized Noah must have been having a nightmare, as he was panting and sweating profusely.

I reached out and gently shook his shoulder, trying to wake him up, but he did not wake up, so I hugged him tightly and started stroking his hair.

"Baby, baby, hey, it's okay. It's me, Aldric; I am here. You are safe with me. Wake up and look at me." I said softly.

I realized he had woken up, and he clutched at my shirt, tears streaming down his face.

"It's okay; I am here with you. Calm down." I said

He clung onto me as if his life depended on it, and I was glad to hold him and assure him that it was fine.

Once his breathing had relaxed, I looked down to find him sleeping again, so I put him down on the bed and pulled the comforter over our bodies as I snuggled him up to me.

I sat beside Noah for the whole day without leaving my sight of him, as he had been in and out of sleep all day but always woke up hyperventilating.

I had a talk with Josh about Noah's condition and also asked him if he had talked to his husband, but he said he hadn't had the chance yet.

His husband was away for some important meetings, so he would only be able to visit tomorrow when he returns.

I must have fallen asleep shortly after that, because the next thing I knew, it was morning. I woke up to the sound of birds chirping outside my window. I slowly got out of bed, carefully so as to wake Noah up, and headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

After being done with my morning rituals, I took the quickest shower of my life because I did not want to leave Noah alone for even a second. I especially wanted to be with him if he woke up.

I came out of the bathroom completely dressed and rushed to the bed as I heard Noah wailing and hyperventilating again.

I held him tight in my arms, whispering comforting words, until he finally calmed down. And, to my surprise, he calmed down really quickly.

I held onto him for god knows how long, and when he had completely fallen lax on me, I slightly turned him so that I could see his face, and that is when I saw his eyes open.

He wasn't fully awake yet, but his eyes were open, and they were back to their normal color.

I immediately mind linked Josh to let him know that Noah was awake and so that he could come here to check up on him.

I'll be there with my husband in half an hour is what Josh replied.

After a while, Noah started to wake up, and he looked around the room to make himself acquainted with his surroundings. Finally, his eyes laid on me, and he flinched a little and started to struggle, so I placed him in a sitting position by the bed rest.

I carefully stretched out my hand to hold his in mine, and when he did not refuse, I gently held his hand.

I softly asked, "How are you feeling, love?"

"Fine, I guess," his voice croaked.

"Do you want some water?" I asked, and he nodded his head in response.

I picked up the bottle of water I had kept near the bed and brought it up to his lips.

He drank the water and sat back silently, but his eyes held numerous questions.