♡𝙸𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚀𝚞𝚒𝚎𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙽𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝♡

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The room was steeped in silence, the kind of stillness that could only exist in the dead of night. The moonlight filtered through the sheer curtains, painting soft silver streaks across the walls and floor. It was peaceful, yet the tranquility of the room couldn't penetrate the shadows curling around Jeongin as he slept.

At first, it was subtle. Jeongin shifted in his sleep, his hand twitching where it rested near the edge of the blanket. His breathing was uneven, shallow. The kind of breathing that hinted at unrest. His fingers curled tighter into the fabric as if anchoring himself. A faint whimper slipped from his lips, barely audible over the hum of the heater.

On the other side of the bed, Seungmin stirred, his body attuned to the faintest disruption. He blinked once, twice, his eyes adjusting to the dim light. It wasn't unusual for Jeongin to toss and turn—he had always been a restless sleeper—but something felt different tonight. Seungmin propped himself on his elbow, watching Jeongin's face for a moment.

Jeongin's brow was furrowed, his head shifting from side to side. He mumbled something incoherent, and then his body tensed. Seungmin's chest tightened as he watched the scene unfold. Jeongin's breaths grew harsher, rapid and shallow, almost like he was running. His legs twitched under the blanket, his fists tightening.

"Jeongin," Seungmin called softly, his voice low and soothing. He reached out, brushing a hand against Jeongin's arm. The younger didn't wake, his trembling worsening as he let out a soft cry.

The cry wasn't loud, but it was enough to crack something in Seungmin. He shifted closer, leaning over to get a better look at Jeongin. His heart ached as he saw the younger's face, twisted in anguish, a tear slipping free from his closed eyes.

"Jeongin, wake up," Seungmin murmured again, his hand moving to cup Jeongin's cheek. His thumb brushed against the damp trail of the tear, and he gently shook the other boy.

Jeongin jolted awake with a gasp, his chest heaving. His eyes were wide, unfocused, darting around the room as though he couldn't quite place where he was. His hands trembled as he pushed himself up slightly, the blanket pooling around his waist.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Seungmin whispered, his voice steady and calm. He placed a hand on Jeongin's shoulder, grounding him. "You're safe. It's just me."

Jeongin's gaze finally locked onto Seungmin's, the panic in his eyes softening just slightly. His lips parted as if to speak, but no sound came out. Instead, his breath hitched, and he crumpled forward, his hands clutching at Seungmin's shirt like a lifeline.

Seungmin wrapped his arms around Jeongin without hesitation, pulling him close. He let Jeongin bury his face in his chest, his hands gently rubbing soothing circles on Jeongin's back.

"It's okay," Seungmin murmured, his cheek resting against the top of Jeongin's head. "Whatever it was, it's over. You're here with me now."

Jeongin's breathing was still ragged, and his body shook as he clung to Seungmin. For a while, neither of them spoke. Seungmin simply held him, his hands never ceasing their comforting motion. He whispered soft reassurances, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of Jeongin's emotions.

"It was—" Jeongin's voice cracked, barely above a whisper. "It was so real."

Seungmin pulled back just enough to look at Jeongin's face. His heart broke at the sight of the tear-streaked cheeks, the fear still lingering in his dark eyes. He reached up, gently tucking a strand of hair behind Jeongin's ear.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Seungmin said softly. "But I'm here. Whatever it was, you're safe now."

Jeongin nodded weakly, his hands still clutching Seungmin's shirt. His breathing was beginning to slow, the tension in his body ebbing away bit by bit under Seungmin's touch.

"I hate this," Jeongin whispered. "I hate waking up like this. I can't... I can't shake it."

Seungmin's grip tightened, his arms wrapping protectively around Jeongin. "You don't have to go through it alone. I've got you."

For a while, they stayed like that, the silence between them warm and comforting. Seungmin gently guided Jeongin to lie back down, his arms never leaving him. He pulled the blanket over both of them, keeping Jeongin close to his chest.

"Try to rest," Seungmin whispered. "I'll be right here."

Jeongin hesitated, his hands still gripping Seungmin's shirt. "Don't let go," he mumbled.

"Never," Seungmin replied without missing a beat. He rested his chin on Jeongin's head, his fingers threading through the younger's hair in slow, rhythmic motions.

Jeongin's breathing evened out as Seungmin continued his quiet reassurances. Though the echoes of his nightmare still lingered, they seemed less overwhelming with Seungmin's warmth surrounding him. It wasn't long before Jeongin's eyes fluttered shut, his body finally relaxing into Seungmin's embrace.

Seungmin stayed awake, his arms wrapped securely around Jeongin. He watched the younger boy's face, his features now peaceful in sleep. He pressed a soft kiss to Jeongin's temple, his own eyes growing heavy as the night stretched on.

"Sweet dreams," Seungmin whispered, holding Jeongin closer.

And for the rest of the night, the room was silent again—not the kind of stillness born from emptiness, but the kind woven from comfort and love.

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