Years Later [Thiam/Morey]

Chapter Two

MASON'S POV

I stared down the door to mine and Corey's shared apartment. My hands were full and I needed an open hand to be able to unlock the door. I attempted to grab the key from my pocket, but almost dropped my coffee in the process.

I swore and started kicking at the door to try and get Corey's attention, but he was most likely still sleeping. After about three minutes of standing next to the door, Corey finally came to his senses and opened the door for me.

I let out a sigh of relief and walked into our apartment. I set our drinks and breakfast down on the table and turned around to Corey.

"Thank you, but you couldn't have opened the door any sooner?" I laughed.

"I was sleeping!" He whined.

"Corey, it's noon." I deadpanned. 

He didn't have a reply to that, he just smiled and ran his hand through his hair.

Corey walked over to me and put his head on my shoulder.

"What are you doing?" I smiled.

"Sleeping."

"Seriously, Corey?"

He nodded and smiled.

"I got donuts," I whispered.

I saw his face perk up and he ran to the counter and opened the box of donuts, carefully evaluating each and every one of the donuts to see which was the best.

He finally picked one with pink frosting and rainbow sprinkles. With the donut in his hand he jumped up onto the counter and started to eat it.

"So, when did you wake up, Mr. Early Bird?" Corey taunted.

I hesitated, and that led Corey to the answer.

"You didn't sleep at all, did you?"

I stared down at my feet and shook my head, "No, I didn't."

"Why aren't you sleeping?"

Corey had set his donut down by now, and had stood face to face with me. Although, I was looking down. I didn't want to make eye contact with him. Not right now.

"I-I don't know," I lied.

"I know you're lying, Mason."

I knew I was going to have to tell him soon. I was having nightmares again. Nightmares about what I did as The Beast. All the people I hurt and killed, they were haunting me.

It had gotten to the point where I couldn't sleep anymore. Last night, I laid there for hours trying to get to sleep. I knew something was wrong when even focusing on Corey's heartbeat and breathing pattern didn't put me to sleep.

Corey lightly pushed my head up to where we could make eye contact, and he saw I was crying. He wiped the tears out of my eyes and kissed my forehead.

"Mason, I'm not going to force you to talk about what's happening, but I know you're not okay. Trust me when I say that you can talk to me about anything, no matter what it's about."

"Thank you for not pushing me, and for caring," I smiled.

"Anything for you."

"God, I want to marry you someday," I said.

"You do?" Corey grinned.

"Mhm," I murmured, starting to doze off in Corey's arms.

"You need to sleep, Mason."

"Hm?"

He laughed and picked me up bridal style and carried me into our bed.

"Close your eyes, Mas. I'm right here. Focus on my heartbeat and fall asleep. I'm not going to leave you."

"But what about the coffee? It'll get cold," I worried as I tried to get out of sleeping.

"We've got a microwave."

"Your donut?"

"I can eat it later," he smiled.

"But-" I started.

"Mason. Close your eyes. Someone as smart as you should know that not sleeping isn't healthy."

"But Corey, I-"

"Nope. You're going to sleep and I'm going to lay next to you while you do."

"Fine, but no promises it's going to work."

Corey smiled and he wrapped his body around mine. I closed my eyes and for the first time wasn't immediately met with images of The Beast. Instead there was just images of Corey.

With that, for the first time in four days, I fell asleep.