Prompt: Lee has a bad dream about his past and Carley is there to comfort him. Lee seems very afraid of his past and can't cope without her help.
XX
Lee woke up, his body drenched in sweat. He swiped his hand over his shiny forehead, taking deep breaths. The nightmares were back again. He knew that the past was in the past and that he should just forget about it, but his nightmares weren't letting him do that.
He was sure he needed therapy. Every night, he'd have the exact same dream. It was a play by play memory of the murder he'd committed. It was like it would never get away from him. It was like it was happening over and over again. He could smell the blood in the air, he could hear the Senator's screams. It was pure horror for him.
After he'd have the dreams, he wouldn't go back to sleep. He couldn't, plus he knew that he'd have the same dream again. So instead he would just sit up and try to think of happy things, like Clementine and Carley.
He breathed a few more ragged breaths before putting his head down and attempting to collect his thoughts.
"Lee?" He heard Carley ask, but she seemed so distant and far away. He had almost forgotten that she was lying right there beside him. Whenever he had the nightmares, he forgot about everything.
She reached over and took his hand, knowing just what had happened. She was used to him having nightmares, and she felt extremely bad for him. She knew they hexes trying like hell to forget about his past, but it kept coming back to haunt him.
"I... Had the nightmare again." He whispered quietly.
"I know. Just try to forget and go back to sleep." She tried to convince him, but he couldn't.
"I can't. Every time I close my eyes... It's just there." He said.
She cuddled up close to him, and wiped some of the sweat from his forehead. She kissed the back of his head. "I know it's hard... But you're running yourself ragged. You need sleep."
"I know, but I just can't."
"Try. Plus, I'm right here if you have another nightmare."
"What if you're gone when I wake up? Like what if you go to the bathroom? I don't want to sound like a wimp, but I really don't think I can manage waking up alone after a nightmare."
It was hard for Carley to see Lee like this. These nightmares were making him a different person, and that wasn't a good thing. She didn't like to see him hurting, she wanted him to get better, she wanted him to not be so afraid of his past. She wanted him to forget. She knew it would be hell for him, but she wanted him to know they she would be there all through it.
"Lee, I could never leave you. Whenever you wake up, I'll be right here by your side." She assured him.
"I love you Carley. Thanks for putting up with my shit."
"Shit? You just have normal problems. It's okay. I love you too."
Her sweet words were enough to lull him back to sleep. And for once, it was peaceful. Tomorrow might be another story, but as long as Carley was there, he'd be alright. He knew that for sure.
