Unconditional Love

92. Healing in Your Arms

Virat woke up sometime around 2 a.m., his mind hazy with sleep but alert enough to know something felt off.

His arms were still wrapped securely around Rohit, their bodies tangled in the warmth of their bed. But something was wrong. Rohit's body was tense, his breaths coming in quick, uneven gasps.

Virat's brows furrowed as he felt Rohit shifting, struggling slightly in his hold, his face twisted in distress.

A nightmare.

Virat's heart clenched. He tightened his grip just a little, his hand coming up to gently caress Rohit's forehead, his fingers brushing through his hair in soft, soothing strokes.

"Baby... wake up," he murmured, his voice gentle, coaxing. "It's just a dream."

But then—

"Please... please..."

The whisper was painful, so broken that it sent a shiver down Virat's spine.

His chest tightened. Whatever Rohit was dreaming about—it wasn't just a bad dream. It was something that hurt.

Virat tried again, softer this time.

He cupped Rohit's cheek, his thumb brushing slow, reassuring circles against his skin.

Leaning in, he pressed a gentle, lingering kiss to his forehead, hoping to ease whatever darkness had taken hold of him.

"Baby, it's okay... I'm right here," he whispered against his skin, his voice full of warmth, of love.

But Rohit didn't wake up immediately.

Minutes passed—long, heavy minutes where Virat just held him, murmuring soft reassurances, running his fingers through his hair, placing the lightest kisses against his temple.

And then—

A sharp, gasping breath.

Rohit jolted awake, his chest rising and falling in harsh, uneven breaths.

His eyes were wide, unfocused, fear still clinging to his features as if the nightmare hadn't fully let him go yet.

Virat's heart ached at the sight.

"Hey, hey... it's me, Ro. You're safe. Breathe," he soothed, his hands steady on Rohit, grounding him, anchoring him back to now.

Virat quickly reached for the water bottle on the nightstand, unscrewing the cap before gently bringing it to Rohit's lips.

"Here, Ro. Just a sip," he coaxed softly.

Rohit took a few shaky gulps, his breathing still uneven, but the cool water seemed to ground him a little.

He blinked a few times, fully awake now, and the moment his eyes landed on Virat—real, warm, safe—he didn't hesitate.

He just moved, wrapping his arms tightly around Virat, burying his face in his chest, holding onto him like he was the only thing keeping him from falling apart.

"It felt so real... so real," Rohit mumbled against his skin, his voice small, shaken.

Virat's arms came around him immediately, one hand cradling the back of his head while the other rubbed slow, comforting circles on his back.

"Shh, baby... it wasn't real. Just a dream," he murmured, his lips pressing soft, reassuring kisses to Rohit's hair.

"You're here with me. Safe. Right here in my arms," Virat soothed, even though he had no idea what had shaken Rohit so badly.