Sleep Paralysis - Josh Franchesci, You Me At Six AU (COMPLETED)

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R O S E ' S  P O V

I woke up with tears staining my cheeks and a sticky body from all the sweat caused by his thirty-second visit. Just over a month. I shuddered at the thought of him, stepping out of bed and making my way to the bathroom.

I scrubbed harshly at my arms, attempting to get rid of his touch. I sighed in frustration at the sight of my red arms, still feeling dirty and contaminated. I dropped the sponge, turning off the tap. No matter how much I cleaned, disinfected, scrubbed, whatever the method may be, I couldn't get his presence out of my apartment.

I sipped my coffee, my hands slightly trembling. I took a deep breath, reminding myself that he's just a hallucination and he can't do anything to me. But a feeling of doubt rippled through me, making me drop my coffee. I gasped, my eyes widening at the sight of the smashed mug. The cursive writing that once said 'A cup of happiness to start the day' was now smashed across my tiles, black coffee surrounding the pieces.

After cleaning up the mess, I sat at my dining room table, avoiding the couch. I refused to sleep during the day due to him. His taunting comments and ice cold touch terrified me so much that I feared to fear the day. The warm sun that covered my arms was the only thing that gave me comfort anymore.

My doorbell rang, causing me to jump. I stood up, my legs trembling in anxiety. I walked over to my door, looking into the peep hole. I sighed in relief at the sight of Dan. I unlocked my door, opening it quickly.

"Shit, Rose. You look horrible," Dan sighed, entering my flat. I nodded as I let out a small yawn, closing the door and following Dan. He plopped himself onto the couch, making me freeze. He looked at me in confusion.

"Aren't you going to sit down?" he asked, patting the empty space next to him. I bit my lip in dilemma. "What's wrong? You look petrified," Dan pointed out, sitting up. Tears began rolling down my cheeks, breaking into sobs. He leaped up, embracing me softly. He rubbed my back, mumbling small comments of comfort and support as I melted into his embrace. I lifted my head up, now sniffling quietly. "Aw, Rose... it's okay," he murmured, caressing my cheek tenderly. He sat down again, pulling me onto the couch with him.

"What happened?" he cooed softly, pushing back loose hairs. I sat up, facing him.

"For about a month now, I've been experiencing sleep paralysis every single night," I whispered. I went on to vaguely explain who Josh was, but left out the disturbing details of what I witnessed and endured during the nights. Dan listened to me closely, nodding every so often and never took his attention off me.

"Rose I'm so sorry you're going through this," he told me, gazing into my eyes. I shook my head, wiping away the snot and tears from my face.

"It's not like I can control it, don't apologise," I weakly laughed, sniffling quietly. A big smile popped onto his face, making me furrow my eyebrows.

"How about I chuck a movie on and you get some sleep? As soon as I notice anything weird, I'll wake you up." I felt safer with Dan around, thinking that he might not appear with Dan in the room, so I accepted his invitation.

He put on Se7en, and within fifteen minutes I had fallen into a relaxed slumber, and I never felt more refreshed in my life.

'Tsk, tsk - you know I don't like Dan, my little angel.' The sound of his raspy voice immediately snapped me out of my peaceful state, as if he'd dragged me out himself. We locked a gaze as he approached the couch, the room becoming more colourless with each step. 'Rose, no matter who's with you, I can always visit you whenever I please. A small perk, I guess. But I gotta say, that small little smile you had when you fell asleep made my heart flutter,' he mentioned, his ice cold hand caressing my cheekbones.

Please, just let me sleep. I felt the tears running down my cheeks, rolling onto his hands.

'Don't worry, I'll let you have some sleep tonight, despite how much I enjoy our nightly encounters,' he joked, biting his lip. He looked over to Dan, who was focus was on the film. He studied him intently, bringing his hand close to his face.

'He's fucking pathetic - I don't know why you hang out with him,' he sneered, his eyes returning to me. 'Also, that little plan of yours? Won't ever work - you look like you're sleeping peacefully,' he menacingly grinned as he straddled me, ghosting his hand along my body. His hand slid underneath my shirt, up towards my bra. He rested his hand upon my breast, exactly where my heart should have been.

'Don't forget that this is mine and only mine.' At first I thought he was referring to my body, but as soon as I heard my heartbeat pounding in my ears, I knew he was talking about my heart.

What does that even mean? He held my face in his hands, studying my face. He slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out a switchblade, thrusting me into major terror.

'How about we cut up Danny and compare?!' he cackled, climbing off me. He raised the blade high, ready to plunge into Dan's chest. I screamed loudly, Dan averting all attention to me.

"Fuck, Rose. Hey, it's okay, it's okay - I'm here," Dan comforted me, rubbing circles on my back. I leant into his embrace, my entire body shaking.

"I-I'm sorry, Dan," I mumbled, feeling embarrassed. He shook his head, kissing my temple.

"Don't apologise, it's not your fault," he replied, continuing to comfort and hold me. I silently thanked God for giving me a friend like Dan, having no idea where I would've been then if it weren't for him.

"What did Josh do?" he questioned with caution, obviously not wanting to trigger any emotions.

"I-I don't want to talk about it," I answered, snuggling into Dan. He nodded in understanding, wrapping his arm around me protectively before continuing the movie, a tingling sensation running through my body.

Throughout the rest of the day, we watched various movies, ate and tried different techniques to distract myself from Josh. Dan never left my side for almost the entire day, and whenever I asked him to go home, he'd refuse. Although he smiled and made jokes, I could tell he was upset - he's always hated seeing me in pain. But I wouldn't be able to bring it up, because he cares more about me than himself.

"Thanks for today, Dan," I smiled softly as I washed the dinner plates, looking at him.

"No worries, I'm just so glad you're feeling better. If I'm going to be honest, this is the best you've looked in weeks," he joked, drying his hands. He turned away but I grabbed him by the shirt, making him turn back.

"Please stay the night. I-I know I've already b-been enough of a burden, but I'd feel so much more comfortable if you were with me tonight," I asked, rambling. Dan interrupted me by placing his finger on my lips, and I looked up.

"Of course will stay," he complied, caressing my cheek softly. I hugged him tightly.

"Thank you - I don't know what I'd do without you," I whispered into his chest.

After cleaning all up the kitchen, we made our way to the bedroom. I was already in pyjamas, and he had been wearing sweatpants and a shirt all day, so there weren't any inconveniences. We brushed our teeth and climbed into bed. He wrapped his arms around me protectively, and placed his head in the crook of my shoulder, something he knows I love. He quietly sang a song into my hair as he traced shapes on my neck, lulling me into a drowsy state. My eyes closed softly as I fell limp in his embrace.