𝕮𝖔𝖇𝖎𝖊 𝕾𝖒𝖚𝖑𝖉𝖊𝖗𝖘 𝕴𝖒𝖆𝖌𝖎𝖓𝖊𝖘

Insomnia | M.H.

[Angst/Fluff]
Inspired by Kamelot's 'Insomnia'

The clock ticked on, its monotonous rhythm a cruel mockery of the stillness surrounding you. Your body lay still in the dark, yet your mind was anything but. The shadows on the walls seemed alive, growing taller and twisting into ominous shapes, feeding your insomnia with whispers you couldn't quite decipher. They weren't real—you knew that—but their presence gnawed at the edges of your sanity like a fly on the wall you couldn't swat away.

Maria's breathing was steady beside you, her strong presence a reminder of what tethered you to the present. But tonight, even her warmth couldn't keep the nightmares at bay. You felt caught in a void, trapped between reality and the chapters of a dream that wouldn't end. Something intangible was reaching out, clawing at your resolve, whispering that your world was crumbling.

You turned your head, finding Maria's silhouette in the dim light. Her face was relaxed, peaceful, as if she were immune to the chaos inside you. The sight should have comforted you, but it only magnified the loneliness of your sleepless struggle. Your breath hitched, and the sound broke the stillness, rousing her.

"Hey," her voice was husky with sleep, but her concern was immediate as she rolled onto her side to face you. Her brows knit together, her hand brushing against your cheek. "You're still awake."

You nodded, biting back the words that clawed at your throat. How could you explain this—this endless spiral of thoughts, this feeling that you were both chosen for something greater and yet lost in the shadows? "I didn't mean to wake you," you murmured instead.

Maria's gaze softened, though a flicker of pain crossed her features. "Don't apologize," she said firmly, her thumb tracing slow circles against your cheek. "You don't have to go through this alone."

The words hit you hard, and you closed your eyes, willing the tears not to fall. But the darkness behind your eyelids only amplified the whispers—the thousand voices calling out, chasing your sanity like shadows growing tall.

Maria shifted closer, pulling you into her arms with a tenderness that unraveled the tight coil in your chest. "Talk to me," she urged, her voice a low murmur against your temple.

You hesitated, the weight of your thoughts too heavy to voice. But her steady presence coaxed the truth from you. "I feel... trapped," you admitted finally, your voice cracking. "Like I'm caught between being awake and dreaming. Everything feels so loud, and I can't escape it. It's like..."

"Like a fly on the wall," she finished softly, her understanding cutting through the haze in your mind.

You nodded, the relief of being seen threatening to overwhelm you. Maria's arms tightened around you, and she pressed a kiss to your forehead, her lips warm and grounding. "You're not alone in this," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Whatever this is, whatever's haunting you—I'm here. I'll always be here."

Her unwavering commitment made your chest ache, and for a moment, the shadows seemed to retreat, their whispers silenced by the strength of her love. "I hate this," you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. "I hate feeling like this."

Maria pulled back just enough to look into your eyes. Her gaze was steady, but you could see the hurt there—the pain of seeing you suffer. "You're stronger than this," she said firmly, her hand cupping your cheek. "I know it doesn't feel like it right now, but you are. And if you can't believe in yourself, then believe in me. I'll carry you through this if I have to."

Her words broke something inside you, and the tears came freely now, silent and hot against your cheeks. Maria didn't shy away; she held you tightly, her fingers stroking your back in soothing circles.

As the minutes passed, the weight of her presence began to quiet the storm in your mind. Her touch, her voice, her unwavering belief in you—it all worked together to pull you from the brink. You clung to her, letting her warmth chase away the cold that had settled in your chest.

Eventually, she shifted, guiding you onto your side so she could face you fully. Her hand brushed through your hair, her touch as soft as her voice. "Try to breathe with me," she whispered. "In through your nose, out through your mouth. That's it. You're safe here."

You followed her lead, the rhythm of her breath grounding you in the present. The shadows on the walls grew still, their whispers fading into the background. For the first time in what felt like forever, the ache of sleeplessness began to ebb.

Maria's lips curved into a soft smile as she saw the tension leave your body. "There you go," she murmured, her thumb brushing away the remnants of your tears. "I'm so proud of you."

Her words settled deep in your heart, their warmth chasing away the lingering cold. "Thank you," you whispered, your voice raw but steady.

Maria leaned in, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to your lips. "Always," she promised. "Now close your eyes. I'll be right here when you wake up."

Her arms wrapped around you once more, her presence a barrier against the darkness that had threatened to consume you. And as sleep finally claimed you, the last thing you heard was her steady heartbeat, a reminder that you were never truly alone.

<3