It was the dead of night, the room bathed in shadows that danced across the walls. You were lost in a nightmarish landscape, feeling trapped in your own mind, unable to escape the terror that gripped you. The visions were overwhelming, filled with fears and insecurities that played like a broken record. You could feel the weight of anxiety pressing down on you, suffocating.
Suddenly, a loud gasp escaped your lips as you jolted awake, heart racing, your body drenched in sweat. The familiar surroundings of your room were still dark, but the fear from your dream lingered, pulling at your chest like an iron weight.
Rafe stirred beside you, his eyes fluttering open. Instinctively, he sensed your distress. "Hey, hey, what's wrong?" His voice was low and soothing, like honey melting away your fears.
You could hardly find the words, your breath still shaky. "I... I had a nightmare," you stammered, the remnants of the dream clouding your thoughts.
Without hesitation, Rafe shifted closer, concern etched on his features. He wrapped his arms around you, pulling you against his chest, providing the warmth and safety you desperately needed. "It's okay. I'm here. You're safe," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of your head.
As you nestled into him, his heartbeat thrummed beneath your ear, grounding you in the present. You could feel the tension slowly dissipating from your body as he continued to shush you softly, his voice a calming rhythm. "Just breathe, babe. In and out. I've got you."
You closed your eyes, letting the sound of his voice wash over you. Rafe's fingers ran through your hair, the soothing motion pulling you further away from the nightmare and back into reality. "It was just a dream, sweetheart. Nothing can hurt you here."
His embrace felt like a shield against all the darkness that had seeped into your mind. With each breath you took, you felt a little more at ease, a little less haunted by what had just occurred. Rafe continued to murmur sweet nothings, ensuring you felt his presence beside you.
"I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere," he promised, and you believed him.
Slowly, the nightmares faded into the background as the warmth of his body wrapped around you, allowing you to drift back into a peaceful sleep, safe in the knowledge that Rafe was always there to protect you from the darkness.
