DREAMCATCHER || QIMIR

XVII: His Nightmare

I couldn't sleep.

I've already tossed and turned several times in my bed for an hour, but instead of sleep coming to me, it was the thoughts of everything that happened this day.

I didn't think I have even fully processed everything. The Jedi and Sith holocrons, my powers, the light side and the dark side..... It all felt like a big joke. Out of all the millions of creatures in the galaxy, why did it have to be me? Why did I have to be the one involved in this intergalactic mess? Last time I checked, I was just a mere thief quietly trying to survive.

And all of a sudden, I pissed of the hutts, the Jedi and the Sith in just one day.

Fuck me, right?

Sighing, I decided to abandon the idea of sleep altogether and sat up. I glanced at the couch and saw Qimir's feet hanging at the edge, so I assumed that he was already asleep. I tiptoed towards him just to make sure, and I almost had to stifle my laughter as I saw how big he looked in contrast to the couch.

He was actually a bit too tall for it, with which I felt sorry because this was still his home, and I felt like he didn't deserve to be sleeping in such an uncomfortable spot. I did try to insist that I sleep on the couch instead, but being a stubborn one himself, of course he refused.

I took my time staring at him, because it was not everyday I get the chance to stare without him noticing. Plus, just to get back at all the staring he has done to me for the past days.

He looked rather calm and peaceful when asleep, very contrast to his constant stoic expression during his waking hours. Some of his hair was strewn across his face, but strangely, it looked good on him.

If I were to be completely honest, Qimir was handsome. Hooded eyes, chiseled jaws, a tall nose and full lips... It was like he was chiseled by the gods themselves. He was rough on the edges, yes, but that was also part of his charm. It also didn't help that he had a tendency to be sultry and seductive every now and then, and suddenly gentle and tender when I was in my worst moments.

He was so complicated.

And yet, I still found myself being charmed by him.

Shaking my head, I finally let him be and went to the cliff to get some fresh air to clear my head. But then I was confused to see a newly built rope fence across the entire length of the cliff. I recognized the wooden stakes as the ones Qimir was making while we were at the field. When did he have the time to build this?

"I'd rather have you not fall down this cliff."

I could only imagine Qimir saying casually. I felt a smile creep up my lips. I found the act rather... sweet.

I leaned on the fence and closed my eyes, feeling the cool wind against my face. Now that Qimir has made me aware of the force, it was almost like I could feel it in the air as well. I felt more aware of my surroundings. More connected.

A small stone just a few feet away from me suddenly caught my eye. Out of curiosity, I looked at it intently. I pointed my right hand towards it, my head tilting to one side as I put all my focus on it. Then, I quickly flicked my fingers towards the edge of the cliff.

I gasped as the stone actually flung away, dropping several meters from the cliff until it splashed on the water below. I almost jumped in excitement. I didn't know I would actually be able to do it.

A bright smile formed on my face as I tried to look for another stone to try again. But then, my smile quickly faltered when I heard Qimir groan softly from inside the cave.

I hurried to his side and saw that he was still sleeping, but his brows were then furrowed so deep as if he was in pain.

A nightmare.

"Qimir, wake up." I tapped his cheek, but nothing happened.

"Don't..." He groaned, his jaw tightly clenching. His head twitched side to side, his entire body starting to tense up.

"It's just a dream. You need to wake up." I continued to tap his cheek in worry, but to no avail.

"El...." he breathed out, his chest starting to heave up and down as if he was catching his breath. "Elysia...."

"Qimir!" I said more loudly as I shook him, but all of a sudden I was pushed back by an invisible force, causing me to fall backwards on my ass. The I felt the force start to constrict my neck, stopping me from breathing.

My eyes widened in panic as I tried to reach out to the still unconscious Qimir, but I couldn't move closer to him. His arm muscles had started to twitch, and I saw that his hand was in a claw, as if he was gripping something invisible.

Was he the one choking me?

"Qi...mir....." I struggled to say, my airway feeling like it was only getting tighter and tighter. I clawed on my neck in an attempt to free myself from something, anything, but to no avail.

My vision was starting to blur from the lack of air, but I knew I still had to wake him up somehow. As a last resort, I closed my eyes and tried to reach out to his mind, just like he had done to mine.

"Wake up, Qimir."

I whispered in my mind, even though I didn't know if it worked. But it was probably too late as I felt my body hit the ground as numbness overtook my body.

Just as I was about to lose consciousness, the force on my neck released, and I desperately gasped for air. The darkness that started to envelope my eyes quickly dissipated, and I managed to see Qimir's blurred figure practically jump out of the couch to crouch down next to me. He cradled my head against his chest.

"I'm sorry...." he frantically whispered as he stroked my hair and my back soothingly. "I didn't know it was you. I thought...."

"It's ok," I breathed out. I was gripping the hem of his clothes as I tried to catch up with my breath. "You were just dreaming..."

He gave me a few moments to recover, continuing to stroke my hair gently. Despite having been close to death, I felt a calmness envelope me as I got intoxicated by Qimir's scent because of how tightly he was embracing me. It helped pull me back to my senses.

"I could've killed you." His voice shook as he pulled away to look into my eyes. I just gave him a reassuring smile.

"Sucks for you, I'm not that easy to kill."

His expression softened, appreciating my attempt to lighten the mood with my untimely humor.

"Next time, don't try to wake me up."

"No."

"Eli..."

"No." I repeated stubbornly. Even if he ends up choking me again, I can't in my good conscience, let him suffer from his nightmares alone under my watch.

"You and your stubbornness." He sighed in defeat, but the ghost of a smile formed on his lips anyway. "You'll be the death of me."

****

[A/N]:

Oh to be force choked by Qimir. *sighs*