Flutter

Flutter: Trieze (3/3)

Nora woke with a start. She trembled slightly, swiping at the sweat that beaded her forehead. Nora looked around her room, bewildered. Upon seeing her door, Nora jumped out of the bed and ran, flinging herself against it. Nora's fingers scrambled around the knob, locking it. Tugging at the door, she made sure it wouldn't budge. With the door firmly shut, Nora lay her head against it, slowly sliding down on her knees, breathless. She palmed the cool, wood grain, tracing the patterns with her fingertips. Listening intently, she could hear no great danger prowling behind the door. The night was silent and still.

Nora yelped at the sound of the bed creaking, her head veering. Quinton rolling out of bed and came to stand at the foot of the bed. Rubbing at his eyes, Quinton let out a yawn.

 "I don't like to be awakened." He said flatly, crossing his hands over his chest.

Nora was kneeling on the ground, staring up at Quinton's imposing figure. Quinton seemed to fit right in with the darkness.

 "Well?" He spoke again. "Care to explain why you're crouching there?"

Nora opened her mouth to speak but couldn't manage to get the words out, not sure what it was she wanted to say. Nora hugged herself, tightly. A look of irritation glanced over Quinton's face, but it was quickly replaced with pity as he took in her body curled up against the door. As much as he wanted to lecture her, he couldn't possibly - not when she was practically trembling. Quinton had been witness to a number of Nora's emotions, however this was one that he hadn't before come across: fright.

He let out a sigh, dragging his hand over his face, before cautiously approaching her.

"Come."

Quinton held out his arms to her and she eyed him warily, unaccustomed to such a considerate gesture. "Please, come." He implored. Nora nodded, reaching up and grabbing his wrist. Effortlessly, he pulled her up off the floor, catching her off guard. Nora stumbled, falling flush against him. Nora mumbled an apology, trying to disengage her body from his. Quinton stilled her flustering, placing his hands on her arms, forcing a calm.

"Are you ok?" He asked, grabbing her chin and making her look at him, square in the eye. Nora gave a little nod. Quinton gave a grunt in return, dissatisfied with her response. Next thing Nora knew, her feet left the ground. Giving a small squeak she found herself being whisked into the air, balanced in two arms.

 "What in the world?" She shouted, flailing.

 "She speaks."  Quinton mocked, looking down at his startled mate.

"Put me down, now." She growled.

"I am going to place you down onto your bed. You are reacting a bit slow for my taste, and I don't particularly like having to urge one to do simple movements."

Nora made no comment as he brought her over to her side of the bed and gently laid her down. Quinton returned to his own side. Sitting up, he watched Nora precariously.

"You don't need to treat me like a child." Nora muttered.

"Then don't act like one." He remarked.

"My gosh." Nora huffed, turning on her side, determined to ignore him.

"Not so fast." He placed a hand on her side. "Care to tell me what you were doing on the ground at this time of night?"

"Not necessarily."

"Well, you're not going back to sleep until you do find it necessary."

Nora sat up then and turned to face Quinton on the bed.

 "You'll laugh at me."

"I don't know if you've noticed, but I do not find many a thing humorous."

Nora kept her lips shut tight.

"Hey...we're trying to talk more together, right? This is me trying."

Nora pondered for a moment and then inwardly shrugged.

"I...I had a nightmare." Nora said, picking at the fabric of her night gown.

"Okay." Quinton responded after some time and Nora could hear the uncertainty in his voice.

"I knew you wouldn't understand." She huffed.

He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I said one word, Nora. How about you give a chance before writing me off? What did you dream of exactly?"

"I-I'm not sure. I was here, on this bed and then there was someone - something - at the door. There was this horrible banging, and shrieking sound which woke me up -"

"Sounds like you're still reeling from the kidnapping." Quinton interjected.

"But here's the thing! I got up from the bed and then the door burst open - but it wasn't a person...it was some form of entity. I couldn't make it out. It didn't have a form."

Nora trembled slightly as she recounted the tale, causing Quinton to drape an arm around her.

"It came towards me, filling every inch of the room. Whatever it was, it was angry and powerful, and it closed in on me. I was suffocating..."

"And then..." Quinton urged.

"And then I woke up...just as it began to consume me...I woke up." Nora looked Quinton in the eyes, daring him to mock her.

"It was just a nightmare. You're absolutely fine." He reassured.

"I've had nightmares before. I've had bad dreams. This...was so much more than that. I can still feel the ferocity of that... whatever it was."

"Nora, it is normal for the effects of a nightmare to linger, long after it's been had. You need not worry though, for it's all in your head." Quinton explained, running his hands up and down her back, soothingly. 

"I know. I'm probably just overreacting."

"I used to have nightmares in my youth. Particularly...when my mother passed. You'll be well." 

Nora gave a small smile. Quinton moved to lay down, tugging Nora along with him. They fell back against the bedding, Nora tucked against his side. Nora relished his radiating heat before coming to her senses. Quinton groaned, feeling Nora straighten, as stiff as a board.

"I'm trying to comfort you here." 

"Thanks, but no thanks." Nora commented, trying to shrug off his arm.

"Why must you always create a fuss? Isn't this what you want? Comfort and care."

Nora sat up immediately, turning towards him.

"Don't for a second think I'm some love starved orphan. Yes, I would like comfort and care but don't think you're obligated to provide for me, think again. Spare me the pity." Nora vehemently stated. Quinton rose his hands in surrender.

"I didn't mean anything by it. I apologize if I offended you. Please, just lay down. It's early, and we have a long day yet. If you're still uneasy, just allow me to calm you. There's no shame in that. No need to be so proud."

Quinton placed a hand on her arm. That simple touch undid her and Nora found herself floating back down to bed, her resolve shattered. Nora curled up next to him, in the crook of his arm, a hand placed on the side of his abdomen.

"Whatever lies beyond today is a little later on." Quinton whispered, echoing her own words back at her. He turned to cocoon Nora against his body. Nora inched closer and she splayed herself against the heat of his being. A part of her felt contrite, knowing that she shouldn't allow herself to such a guilty pleasure - that this was not helping to keep her distant from Quinton. Nora didn't want to give him the impression that she liked his bouts of affection. However, the beating of his heart had a lulling effect and Nora found it all too much. her defenses collapsed under the weight. Nora was soon asleep and found the rest of her sleep to be nightmare free.

Finally! The three parter is done!  :) Thanks to all my readers and people who take the time out to comment. Hope this chapter is liked. Tata