Teddy bears and pacifiers (age regression)

Embrace Comfort

Chapter 7

(I have only two things to say before this chapter. 1: Announcement after obnoxiously long A.N. 2: You are all beautiful people!!! Enjoy)

Theodore woke up snuggled in Rowan's embrace. Rubbing his eyes tiredly he lifted his head. Rowan's arm was wrapped around his middle, tucking Theodore close to his side. For a moment his heart stuttered, his breath caught in his throat as their closeness registered in his mind. With big eyes he watched the man sleep peacefully for a few moments before relaxing again.

Tentatively he lay his head down on the man's shoulder again, blinking the dryness in his eyes away. His lids felt heavy and his cheeks felt sticky from dried tears. The heat of the body underneath him was warm and comforting, Theodore could hear the steady beating of the man's heart.

Everything was quiet, save the faint drizzling of rain outside. Theodore could not stop thinking about the night before. The thunder had him scared out of his mind, every boom pushing his nightmares to the surface. No, not nightmares. Memories.

Boom. Murick's loud yelling.

Boom. Bottles shattering on the wall.

Boom. The crack of a belt.

Boom. Fists and boots flying.

Boom. Cold water everywhere.

Boom. Rats scurrying across the cement floor.

Theodore had been sinking, the memories and the pain they brought, suffocating him. And then suddenly, someone called his name. Rowan standing over him, worry etched on his face. Never before had the boy felt so relieved to see another person. He could suddenly breathe again. Without hesitation he threw his arms up, his heart warming as two strong arms wrapped around him. Rowan had come for him.

Things were blurry after that, he remembered crying. A lot. Scared his savior would disappear. Then he was laying on top of Rowan, wrapped by the warm comforter. Theodore remembered feeling the man's big hand on his back, slowly rubbing circles. Rowan had been talking, but not. The action had the boy confused, Rowan's voice weaving together, sometimes with words but mostly without. Theodore was transfixed at the comforting sounds. After that, nothing.. He must have fallen asleep.

Theodore lay there, marveling at how drastically different he felt compared to a short while ago. He'd gone from feeling scared and alone, afraid of every noise and movement around him. Pushing himself through beatings and work, at the constant mercy of someone who hated him.

He'd once been afraid of what was outside that crumbling thing he'd called home, so sure nothing good could truly await him, yet he'd craved it like air. No one would care about him, no one would want him around. He'd come to terms with his own death, convinced it was all he deserved.

Yet now... He felt safe. A feeling so unfamiliar it jarred him sometimes, scared him even. He was fed as much as he could eat, foods he'd never seen before, more delicious than his dreams could ever have conjured up. Every day he was warm, dressed in clothes that fit his small frame. He'd been given a room of his own. A home of his own. Nestled in soft blankets every night.

But more than that, it was Rowan himself that had given Theodore the biggest gift. Not things one could touch, but emotions and actions. Every day the boy was showered with.... dare he say, love? Now he had someone who didn't hurt him, but embraced him. Someone who smiled, simply because Theodore was there. Someone who seemed to genuinely care for his well being.

Every day he'd feel that fear that'd been nagging at him, telling him it was all a lie and a dream of which he'd wake up from soon, chip away little by little. He kept hoping, praying, that this was real. He finally felt safe, it was a fragile thing he cradled in his heart. He knew better, but it was so tempting to give in. To believe. It was such a scary thing, to put your hope so completely in someone else's hands. Theodore wasn't sure he dared. Because what if?