HEAT |OMEGAVERSE|

Kessler

ALEX'S POV

I sit anxiously next to Jasper, still shocked from his sudden awakening. I can only assume from his response that it was some sort of dreadful nightmare. I want to comfort him, to hold him, to make sure that he's okay. My hand falls short though, hovering above him as his chest rises and falls in a quickened pace.

I retract my arm to my side, and sit up in bed. I glance over at my phone on my nightstand, tapping at the screen, noting it's three in the morning.

Turning my body back towards Jasper, my face saddens as he curls into his side, hugging a pillow against his face.

I don't know what to do, what to say to make it better, but I do know I can't leave him alone right now. So I move closer, my hand instinctively reaching out, but I don't touch him immediately—just in case he's still too shaken, too raw from whatever he saw.

"Jasper... you're safe. It's just me." My voice is low, barely a whisper, but I need him to hear it. I need him to understand. He's shaking so hard. I want to pull him into my arms, but I wait, watching his face for any sign he's ready.

"Look at me—please," I say, much softer this time. His head turn on his shoulders and those dark eyes meet mine, wide with fear.

I move my hand slowly, carefully, and gently rest it on his shoulder. I don't pull him in, only giving him a small amount of contact, a gentle reminder that I'm here, that I'm not going anywhere.

"You're okay," I repeat, my thumb brushing over his shoulder. "You're okay, Jasper. You're safe."

I'm not sure if it's helping, but I keep saying it, repeating it like a broken record. He doesn't say anything—he doesn't have to. I can feel the tension in his body slowly begin to ease, just a little. I know he's still afraid, still shaken by whatever he's just gone through, but maybe I can help him through this.

I stay there, quiet, just offering my presence. He doesn't need a million prying words right now—just someone to sit with him, to share the silence. Finally his breathing starts to steady, and I can tell he's starting to relax again, even if it's not much.

"He hurt me so much...in so many ways." Jasper quietly cries, turning his head back to the pillow.

He's mentioned not having much relationship experience, so I can only think of one man that has the ability to plague his dreams like this.

"Shh—he isn't here, it's only me Jasper," I try and soothe, finally gathering the courage to wrap my arm around him.

As I pull Jas close, he turns over on his side facing me, burying his face into my chest. I can feel the dampness of his tears as he continues to cry, and hug him tighter.

"He can't hurt you anymore." I say in a gentle, yet also semi-firm tone, reassuring, no—confirming to him that I'd never let anything happen to him while I'm here.

"I want my mom," he sobs.

My heart breaks for this broken man before me, and my palm plants itself on the back of his head, my fingers gently gripping his hair.

"You will be able to see her soon." I reply to Jas, consoling the boy deep within him that just wants his mother.

Eventually his body softens against mine as I rub my other hand up and down his back, laying a soft kiss on top his head.

I'll kill that fucker if I ever see him.

Every fiber of my being hates that such a sweet and loving person can continuously be haunted by a man that was supposed to love him. A father that apparently never acted like one.