Outerbanks Imagine

Nightmare - Drew Starkey

It was late in the night when you felt your heart start to race, sweat beading on your forehead. You had been asleep for hours, wrapped in Drew's arms, but the nightmare was relentless, taking hold of you like a vice. It was always the same.

You could hear the distant echo of Drew's voice, calling your name, but it felt so far away, like he was drowning in a sea of darkness. You reached for him, but he was gone. Everything was gone. The world was a blur of darkness, and no matter how hard you tried to scream, nothing came out. No one could hear you. No one could save you.

The fear gripped you so tightly that when you finally gasped awake, you couldn't tell if you were still in the nightmare or if it was the real world. You sat up quickly, chest heaving, heart pounding in your ears, your body trembling as if you'd just run a marathon. You could still hear the faint echo of Drew's voice in your head, but it wasn't the same.

Tears welled up in your eyes as the adrenaline left your body, only for the tears to rush down your cheeks. You tried to steady your breathing, but it was impossible. Your hands were shaking, and your mind was still trapped in the horrors of the dream.

You didn't notice Drew stir next to you, his arm reaching out in his sleep to pull you closer to him, but then his eyes snapped open when he heard your choked sob.

"Y/N?" His voice was groggy at first, thick with sleep, but when he saw the panic in your eyes, his entire demeanor shifted. He shot up, immediately cupping your face in his warm hands, his thumb gently brushing the tears away.

"Hey, hey, it's okay. You're safe. You're here with me." His voice was steady, calm, and you clung to it like it was a lifeline.

You couldn't get the words out. The nightmare felt too real, too close. Every breath you took felt heavy, like you couldn't get enough air into your lungs. Your mind was still spiraling, the images from the dream fresh and vivid in your mind.

"I—" you started, but the words caught in your throat as you shook your head, your hands still trembling. You could feel the anxiety wrapping around you again, trying to drag you back under. You needed to get away from the fear, but you couldn't seem to shake it off.

Drew's brow furrowed with concern as he moved closer, wrapping his arms around you, pulling you into his chest. "Hey, listen to me," he said, his voice low and soothing. "It was just a nightmare, Y/N. You're not alone. I'm right here. Nothing can hurt you when I'm here."

His arms were like a shield around you, and you closed your eyes, letting the warmth of his embrace slowly calm the pounding of your heart. Drew's hand ran up and down your back in slow, comforting motions, and you could feel his steady breath against the top of your head.

"You're okay," he whispered, pressing a soft kiss to your hair. "You're safe with me. You don't ever have to be scared."

You took a shuddering breath, trying to steady yourself. His words, his touch—everything about him made you feel like you were finally starting to come back to reality. Slowly, your mind started to clear, and the vividness of the nightmare began to fade. You could feel your pulse returning to a normal rhythm, your body no longer trembling from the terror that had gripped you just moments ago.

"I'm sorry," you whispered, your voice still thick with emotion. "I didn't mean to wake you."

Drew pulled back just enough to look at you, his eyes soft and understanding. "Baby, don't apologize. You never have to apologize for feeling scared. I'm here. I'll always be here."

He kissed the top of your head before wrapping you up in his arms once more, holding you tight. "Close your eyes, Y/N. I've got you. You can rest now."

With his heartbeat against your ear and the soft rhythm of his breathing, you slowly let go of the lingering fear. You let Drew's warmth lull you back into a sense of safety.

You knew that no matter what nightmares came your way, Drew would always be there to chase the darkness away.

And with that thought, you finally let your eyes close again, the weight of the night's terror beginning to lift. His presence was all you needed. In his arms, you knew you were safe.

And as sleep gently took over again, you allowed yourself to believe in the comfort of his words: *"You're safe with me."*