Count The Shadows (Prequel to Test the Limits)

Take Me For What I Am

Anti was a fairly heavy sleeper, but as soon as he heard someone scream, he bolted awake with a startled groan mixed with a gasp that sounded like he was choking on air.

"Damnit Dark, I thought you didn't have nightmares anymore!" Infelix grumbled in irritation, placing his pillow over his head and rolling over so he wasn't facing Dark.

Dark made no witty reply like he usually would.

Now fully alert, Anti jumped out of bed and walked over to Dark's bed. He was curled up in a tight ball with his head in his hands, his body shaking wildly as if he had an earthquake happening inside of him.

"Dark, wake up." Anti pleaded, his heart breaking to see his friend so scared.

It must be a terrifying nightmare if he's like this, Anti mused.

"It's only a nightmare, I'm right here for you." Anti comforted Dark, sitting down on the edge of his bed and gently pulling Dark into his lap. Anti smoothed Dark's hair back and quietly sang a song he had heard his father play on the radio when he was home.

"Carry on my wayward son,
There'll be peace when you are done,
Lay your weary head to rest,
Don't you cry no more." Anti's voice was no louder than a whisper, but had enough calming power to get Dark to fall back asleep, his body no longer shaking.

"He has nightmares every night, although some nights are worse than others, like tonight." Infelix spoke up, his words muffled slightly by the pillow still over his head.

Anti started to move towards his own bed since Dark was asleep, but was prevented from doing so when Dark's hand clutched tightly onto Anti's arm like a teddy bear.

Anti smirked and rolled his eyes at Dark before sitting back down on the bed, falling back asleep with his head resting against his shoulder.

Whenever Anti woke up again, he found himself lying next to Dark, his face mere inches from his. Anti's arm was still held in Dark's grasp, although thankfully it wasn't as tight as before.

He looked so...peaceful, like everything was perfect.

Before Anti could try and carefully pry Dark's hand off, his black and red eyes fluttered open.

Only they weren't black and red.

His eyes were like pools of melted dark chocolate that looked almost black, the gleam in his eyes brighter since his contacts weren't covering his eyes.

"Sorry." Dark blushed, quickly releasing his hold on Anti and sitting up.

"I don't mind." Anti sat up as well.

"What's up? You're looking at me like I'm a completely different person." Dark frowned in mild confusion.

"I've never seen your real eye color before. I like it." Anti complimented, causing Dark's face to burn a brighter shade of red that was easily visible, even with the darkness encompassing them.

"What was your dream about? Do I need to beat someone or something up for you?" Anti joked.

"Yeah, it was a guy called Scary Terry, I need you to find him and beat him up." Dark snorted in amusement, rolling his eyes.

"What's up then?" Anti pressed, his curiosity burning.

"Wanna go on a walk?" Dark abruptly changed the subject.

"Sure." Anti nodded.

Together they got up and climbed the ladder that led up to the city above them so they could get away from Infelix's cameras, even if it would be for just a minute.