Nightmares | Sethos x Fem!Reader [DISCONTINUED!]

Chapter 31

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Somewhen at night, I feel something on my shoulder which causes me to jolt awake, screaming. My heart is pounding, and for a moment, I'm certain that I had a nightmare again, though the details slip away the second I open my eyes. I look around frantically, trying to gain my orientation back. My vision is blurry, and my breath comes in ragged, uneven gasps.

"Hey, [Name]. It's just me..."

The voice is soft, warm, and familiar. My brain takes far longer than it should to process the words, still foggy from sleep and lingering panic. Slowly, I turn my head, and as my vision clears, I'm met with those tired but still sparkling chartreuse eyes.

Sethos.

I blink rapidly, trying to make sure he's really there—solid and real. The weight on my shoulder is his hand, gently resting there, grounding me.

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes before I can stop them. Relief washes over me so quickly that it nearly takes my breath away. "Sethos...?" I croak out, my voice barely a whisper.

He gives me a small, tired smile, his face illuminated by the soft light coming from the hallway. "Yeah, it's me. I'm sorry I didn't—"

Before he can finish his sentence, I throw myself into his arms, nearly knocking him over as I bury my face in his chest. The tears I had been holding back all night finally spill over, and I cling to him like a lifeline, my body shaking from the release of all the pent-up worry and fear.

"You're here," I whisper, my voice thick with emotion. "I was so worried, Sethos. Where were you?"

He wraps his arms around me, his hand stroking my hair in soothing circles. "I know, I'm sorry," he murmurs into my hair. "I didn't mean to scare you. I... fell asleep while studying with a guy from my history class. We have our last exam next week, and we lost track of time."

I pull back slightly, my hands gripping the front of his shirt as I look up at him. "But your phone... it went straight to voicemail. I thought something happened to you."

Sethos grimaces, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "Yeah, about that... I forgot to charge my phone. It died while we were studying, and I didn't even realize it until I woke up."

The frustration that had been bubbling up inside me all night suddenly surges forward, mingling with the relief. "You forgot to charge your phone?" My voice cracks with a mix of disbelief and exasperation. "I've been worrying myself sick, and you were... asleep?"

Sethos winces at the accusation, though I can see the genuine regret in his eyes. "I'm sorry," he repeats softly. "I should've been more careful. I just didn't think."

I let out a shaky breath, the tension in my chest slowly unraveling now that he's here, safe. "I thought... I thought something happened to you, Seth. You're always there when I need you, and when you weren't... I didn't know what to do."

He tightens his hold on me, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of my head. "I know. And I'm sorry I wasn't there this time. But I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere."

We sit in silence for a moment, the weight of everything that's happened settling between us. I lean into his embrace, feeling his warmth seep into me, calming the storm that's been raging inside me for hours.

Eventually, Sethos pulls back slightly, his fingers gently lifting my chin so I'm looking at him again. His gaze is soft but serious. "Come on," he says softly, standing up and tugging me with him. "Let's go to bed. You've had a rough day."

After we both change into something more comfortable, I let him guide me to the bedroom, my body too exhausted to argue. As we lie down, Sethos pulls me close, his arms wrapping around me protectively. I nestle into him, the steady rise and fall of his chest soothing me into a calm I hadn't felt all day.