Heaven Sent (Loki/Asgard Fanfiction - Aislinn's Story)

Chapter Fifty-Three

Rain pattered softly against the window, the low staccato slowly bringing Aislinn out of her murky, restless sleep filled with vaguely frightening imagery. She opened her eyes, wincing at the pounding of the dull headache through her temples. She, who'd never had trouble sleeping, dreaded nightfall ever since she came home from the hospital. Her brain wouldn't leave her in peace. She dreamed about Jenna, seeing the flash of the gun going off, the chaos of the ER, the confusion of the doctors.

The sound of Steve's voice as he slipped his hand into hers and whispered, "Hey, baby."

Night after night, she jolted awake, terrified and soaking wet, struggling both to catch her breath and to not wake Steve even as she cuddled closer to him. She woke up freezing cold--a cold that even with her Jötunn heritage, she couldn't tolerate. And night after night, as she snuggled against his body, into his warmth, he would tighten his hold on her, as if sensing her fear, sensing her need for that security.

She sighed softly, rubbing one eye. Gingerly, she rolled onto her left side to reassure herself that Steve was right there. And of course he was. He was still asleep, on his back beside her, one arm flung over his head, the other across his chest.

The tremble crept over her, the chill of terror biting into her skin, her bones, and as she tugged the comforter up to her chin, she couldn't stop shivering. Tears clouded her eyes and she rolled onto her stomach to bury her face in her pillow.

She stiffened as Steve rolled over and his arm slid about her. "Shhh..." he whispered, his voice thick with sleep. "It's all right, baby... I'm right here and you're okay."

He pulled her against him, murmuring, "It's okay, Ash... Just a dream, baby. Dreams can't hurt you."

Of course, she knew that, but it didn't matter. Those dreams--those nightmares--were far too real to simply brush off. She wasn't sure she could ever explain them to Steve without leaving him wondering about her sanity, but at the same time, she didn't think she needed to explain. He seemed to understand.

"Shhh... baby girl," he whispered, easing his free arm about her as well to cradle her against him. "Don't cry, honey. Nothing can touch you here. I promise you, you're safe with me."

"No, you don't under-understand," she whispered back, her voice cracking even as she rolled toward him and tucked her head against his chest. "It's no-not me..."

"Junior and I are fine, too," came his murmured reply, one hand coming up to press against the back of her head. "Open your eyes, Ash, and see for yourself."

She slid her arm about his waist. "I hate sleeping."

The hand on her head skimmed along her hair. "They won't last forever, honey. Tell me what you dreamed. Everyone knows if you talk about a dream, you never have it again."

"I don't think that'll happen for me."

"Try it."

She shook her head. "I--I can't, Steve. I don't want to talk about it. I just want to forget it."

"Aislinn, you're going to make yourself sick."

"I know, but..."

His arms tightened about her. "Everything's okay, baby. I'm right here, remember? And I'm not going to let anything happen to either one of you. I promise."

She opened her eyes and gazed up at him. His eyes were still closed, his dark hair poked up in odd directions--except for where it feathered across his forehead. "Steve, you can't promise that. It's impossible to keep."

Now his eyes opened, heavy-lidded and sleepy, but direct. "Fair enough. But you still can't avoid sleeping, Ash. Not for very long, anyway. And the last thing I want to see is you making yourself sick."