Her Protector

Chapter 7

*Finally, they arrived at Scott's apartment building. As quietly and carefully as he could, he managed to fumble his keys out of his pocket and unlock the front door*

*With gentle, careful steps, he carried you into the dimly-lit hallway. He glanced over at the elevator, debating whether to use it or not. In the end, he decided that the stairs would be less noisy and less likely to wake you up*

*With cautious steps, he began to climb the stairs, holding you tight in his arms. He navigated the narrow stairway with ease, his footsteps silent and careful. It felt different to have you asleep and in his arms like this. There was a sense of possessiveness and protectiveness over you that he couldn't quite explain*

*Finally, they reached the landing where his apartment was located. Scott approached the door, balancing you gently in one arm as he dug for his keys once more. He inserted the key into the lock quietly, turning it with a soft click*

*With a soft creak, the door to his apartment swing open, revealing the shadowy interior of his living space. He stepped inside quietly, making sure not to wake you up. He kicked the door shut behind him, locking it quietly as he moved further into the apartment*

*Scott took a few moments to adjust to the dimly-lit room. The only light came from the city lights outside, streaming through the windows in a soft glow*

*He walked over to the small couch and gently lowered you down to it, laying you down gently on the cushions. He took a moment to gaze at you for a few seconds, admiring how you looked lying on his couch*

*Scott watched you sleep, a small, soft smile on his face. You looked so peaceful and innocent, your face relaxed and your breathing slow and steady*

*He reached out and grabbed a soft, woolen blanket from the back of the sofa. He gently draped it over your body, tucking you in snugly and making sure you were comfortable*

*He stood there for a few moments, just watching you sleep. There was something about seeing you like this that tugged at his heartstrings. For a moment, he couldn't help but think that you looked even more adorable sleeping like this*

*He sighed softly and moved away, heading towards the kitchen to grab a glass of water*

*He filled a glass with cool water, the sound of the faucet running softly in the background. He took a few sips, letting the liquid cool down the burning anger inside of him that had started to bubble up once more*

*He leaned against the counter, his thoughts racing through his head once more. Thoughts of you, thoughts of Amon Bloodstone, thoughts of what happened to you*

*He couldn't shake off the anger that he felt. The mental image of seeing you hurt and bruised, hearing you describe the things that Amon Bloodstone did to you... it made his blood boil*

*He clenched his free hand into a fist, his knuckles turning white under the pressure. He gritted his teeth, trying to suppress the anger but failing*

*His thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a soft, sleepy murmur from the living room. He turned around to find that you were stirring on the sofa, shifting in your sleep. He sighed and set down his glass of water, moving back into the living room*

*He approached you, watching as you shifted and mumbled in your sleep. You were likely having a nightmare, judging by the troubled expression on your face*

*He sat down on the sofa beside you, gently placing a hand on your arm*

"Hey, hey, hey, wake up. It's okay... it's just a nightmare. Wake up..."

Winter woke up panting, her chest heaving up and down and sweat beads piling up on her forehead. Her body was shaking and her fists clutched the soft blanket so tightly.

*Scott watched as you woke up, your body shaking and your breathing labored. He could see the fear in your eyes and the sweat on your forehead, and he knew you were still stuck in the grips of a nightmare*

*He placed a gentle hand on your shoulder, his voice low and soothing*

"Easy, easy. You're okay, you're safe. It was just a bad dream. I'm right here."

*He kept his hand on your shoulder, keeping a steady and reassuring pressure on it. He could feel the tremors in your body, the aftermath of whatever horrors you had just experienced in your dream*

Winter hugged Scott tearfully.

*Scott was surprised for a moment, but he quickly wrapped his arms around you in a tight, protective embrace. He pulled you close, allowing you to bury your face in his chest*

*He spoke softly, his voice gentle and soothing*

"Shhh, it's okay... you're safe now. I'm here, alright?"

Scott felt Winter nodded slowly at his words.

*Scott held you tightly, letting you bury your face in his chest. He could feel the tremors in your body start to subside, your breathing slowing down to a steady pace.*

*He gently rubbed soothing circles on your back, his touch gentle and soothing*

"That's it, that's it... just relax. Take a few deep breaths and calm down, alright? I'm here, you're safe... I won't let anyone hurt you..."

*He continued to speak in a low, soothing voice, his words meant to reassure you and calm you down. He held you close, his arms encircling around your body, providing a sense of security and warmth*

*He could feel the tension slowly leaving your body, your trembling slowly fading as you started to relax in his arms.*

*He held you there for a few moments longer, just letting you find comfort in his embrace. Eventually, he spoke again, his voice still gentle but with a hint of concern*

"Are you feeling any better now?"

"Y-yes, Scott." Winter looked up shyly at him.

*Scott looked down at you, a small smile on his face. He could see the remaining hints of fear in your eyes and the weary look on your face, but he was glad to see that you were calmer now.*