SEVENTEEN | SICKFICS - HURTFICS

JeongCheol | Nightmare

Jeonghan had always embraced the night with a sense of wonder, finding solace in the darkness that enveloped him. Yet tonight was different. The darkness felt like an impenetrable void, an unending abyss that seemed to swallow everything whole. The air was thick with a stifling sense of dread, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't escape the shadows that twisted around him.

His nightmare began with an unearthly silence, an emptiness that was both vast and oppressive. He wandered through the void, his footsteps echoing in the stillness, but no matter where he went, the darkness seemed to close in around him. He tried to call out for help, but his voice was swallowed by the void, muffled and distorted. The shadows took on grotesque forms, their shapes shifting and writhing in ways that defied logic and reason. Jeonghan's heart pounded in his chest, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he desperately tried to wake himself from the tormenting nightmare.

In the real world, Seungcheol was lying beside Jeonghan, his body relaxed but his mind alert. He had been working late into the night, and the stress of his studies was beginning to take its toll. As he shifted to find a more comfortable position, he felt a subtle change in the atmosphere. Jeonghan's usual steady breathing was interrupted by shallow, rapid breaths, and there was a faint tremor in his body. Seungcheol's eyes snapped open, and he immediately sensed that something was wrong.

"Jeonghan?" Seungcheol murmured, gently shaking his boyfriend's shoulder. "Are you okay?"

Jeonghan didn't respond, his face contorted in a grimace of fear. Seungcheol's concern deepened as he saw Jeonghan's body tense and his eyes remain tightly shut. The nightmare was consuming him, and Seungcheol knew that he needed to act quickly to help pull him back to reality.

"Jeonghan, it's just a dream," Seungcheol said softly, his voice filled with a soothing urgency. "You're safe. I'm here with you."

He moved closer, pressing his forehead against Jeonghan's. The warmth of his skin was a stark contrast to the cold emptiness of the nightmare. Seungcheol's heart ached as he saw the fear in Jeonghan's closed eyes. He took Jeonghan's hand in his own, squeezing it gently. "You're not alone. I'm right here with you. Just focus on my voice."

Jeonghan's breathing was still erratic, and he began to mumble incoherently. The nightmare's grip seemed to tighten, the shadows and whispers growing more intense. Seungcheol's voice was a lifeline, a beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. He continued to speak softly, recounting comforting memories that he hoped would break through the nightmare's hold.

"Remember when we went camping last summer?" Seungcheol said, trying to draw Jeonghan's mind to a happier place. "We spent the whole day hiking and then sat by the campfire, roasting marshmallows and talking about our dreams. Do you remember how the stars looked that night? You were so excited to see the meteor shower."

Jeonghan's grip on Seungcheol's hand tightened slightly, and his breathing began to slow. Seungcheol felt a glimmer of hope, but he knew that he needed to keep Jeonghan focused. He continued to speak, his voice steady and calm.

"Think about our favorite café," Seungcheol said, his tone warm. "The one with the big windows where we sit by the sunlight and talk about everything and nothing. The smell of fresh coffee, the sound of the barista's laughter. You always loved that place."

Jeonghan's face relaxed just a fraction, and his breathing became less ragged. Seungcheol could feel the tension in Jeonghan's body begin to ease. He continued to recount other comforting memories, each one a thread pulling Jeonghan closer to reality. He spoke of their favorite movies, the silly inside jokes they shared, and the small, everyday moments that brought them joy.

Gradually, the oppressive darkness of the nightmare began to recede. The twisting shadows and haunting whispers faded, replaced by the soft glow of the moonlight filtering through the curtains. Jeonghan's eyes fluttered open, and he stared at the room, his vision slowly adjusting to the dim light.