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

Chapter Ninety-Three

The dream was horrifying, murky images Aislinn couldn't identify. Female voices, throaty and husky, taunted her about how easy it was to make Steve break his wedding vows, to make him betray her. Jenna was there, smug and triumphant, as Steve told Aislinn their marriage was over. Then she saw the flash of a gunshot. Felt the sting of a bullet. Gagged at the scent of her own blood.

She awoke with a start, icy cold despite the layer of sweat clinging to her. Her heart raced to the point where it threatened to explode from her chest. Her lungs struggled to fill, her gasps as hard as they'd be if she'd run a mile in a sprint.

The shiver was involuntary and no matter how tightly she wrapped her arms about herself, she couldn't stop them. Her lips quivered. Her teeth chattered. Her shoulders shook. She curled into a ball. All to no avail. She couldn't stop shaking.

Steve stirred, lifting his head. "Ash?"

"G-go back to s-sleep," she managed to grit, tightening her arms about her drawn up knees.

"Baby, what's wrong?" He eased his arm about her to pull her closer. His voice, thick with sleep at first, cleared as he murmured, "You're soaking wet, baby."

"I'm s-sorry I woke you."

"No, it's okay." He rolled away from her, and a moment later, light blinded her. She squeezed her eyes shut as he said, "Holy shit, honey, you're drenched."

"It was so real..." Her throat tightened, her eyes stinging. Tears leaked out beneath her lashes. "So... real..."

"What was?" He smoothed his hand over her hair. "Ash, honey, what was it?"

"You. And dancers. And Jenna. And—" She swiped at her eyes with one hand, then managed to open them to gaze up at him. "You told me it was over. Then... then you sh-shot me."

"It was just a nightmare, Ash." He drew her into his arms and rocked her. "That's all it was, honey. Just a nightmare."

She clung to him, squeezing her eyes shut once more. "It was just so real. I mean, at first, no. It was murky and cloudy, but then..." Her voice hitched and she sniffled. "Gods, it was so real."

"It's not real, though. See?" He held her away, smiling down at her, his eyes sleepy and his hair poking up at odd angles. "We're still in our hotel room in AC and there's no Jenna, no dancers, just you and me."

A shaky sigh bubbled to her lips and little by little, she relaxed against him. "I hate dreaming."

"I don't blame you. You have some serious nightmares, Ash."

"When I was little, I used to wake everyone up with my screaming. It began when my father faked his death and every time they thought I'd outgrown it, it would happen all over again." She shoved her hair away from her face, wincing at how wet it was. "Damn, I really sweated all over everything. Ugh. I have to shower."

"What?" He turned away. "It's like, four o'clock in the morning, Ash."

"I know." She winced again, pulling out of his arms. "But, I just... I have to. I feel sticky."

"So, just flick your fingers and make yourself un-sticky."

She shook her head as she slid from the bed. "I can't. I need shampoo and soap. I'll be right back." This time, she did flick her fingers and when she did, the sheets went from damp and wrinkled to clean and smooth. "Go back to sleep. I'll be back when I'm done."

"You sure?"

She nodded, leaning over to kiss him. "I'm positive. Go."

He sighed as he sank back against the pillows. "You're nuts, Ash. You know that?"