Hounded

29. Hold him Tightly

That night had been rough. Tyler woke up every hour or so in a panic and had to be eased back to sleep. Everyone was tired the next morning as they sat at the breakfast table. Tyler leaned agaisnt Josh's shoulder, holding his hand under the table.

He couldnt put it into words how relieved he was when he woke up still in Josh's bed and not to a bullet being lodged in his brain. He had rolled over and buried his face in Josh's neck letting out a relieved sigh. Josh woke up and hugged him. "You okay?" He had asked. Tyler had nodded and whispered. "I'm still home." In response.

Momma Dun made Tyler's favorite breakfast. Bacon, eggs, pancakes and chocolate milk. Tyler smiled softly at her when she placed his plate down in front of him and kissed the top of his head. He and Josh had went to Josh's house after lunch. After a few days of Tyler being too scared to sleep again, him having not slept since the first night home, Josh took him to see a psychologist.

He was prescribed a sleeping medication but it was to only be used when he was panicking too much to sleep on his own. Josh worked with him every day to try to make him more comfortable with the idea of sleeping and being left alone while Josh was at work.

With each night it became easier and easier for Tyler to sleep. He had been home two weeks now, but tonight was a bad night. Tyler didnt voice his worries as Josh was in the bathroom brushing his teeth. He sat on the edge of the bed trying to breathe until Josh entered the room again.

Tyler got up and hugged him and Josh just knew it was going to be a rough night. "What can I do?" Josh asked softly. "Hold me.. d-dont let go." Tyler replied shakily. Josh hugged him tightly. The two stood there in each others arms for a while before Josh spoke.

"Why dont we lay down and try to sleep?" He asked. Tyler shook his head. He knew if they laid down hed start to fall asleep. He didnt want to sleep. "What do you want to do then?" Josh asked. Tyler pressed himself impossibly closer to Josh and tightened his arms. Josh sighed softly and hugged Tyler tighter, gently swaying back and forth.

"Are you scared?" Josh asked. Tyler nodded. "What's scaring you tonight?" Josh asked. Tyler only sniffled. "Are you scared of where you're gonna wake up again?" Josh asked. Tyler shook his head. "Okay what is it? Tell me." Josh said softly. ".... I dont know just dont stop holding me please." Tyler pleaded.

"I'll keep holding you but were gonna lay down okay?" Josh asked. "No." Tyler said quickly, starting to shake when Josh carefully picked him up and laid him down. "-no-Josh!" He yelled, trying to push the blankets away as Josh tucked him him.

"Shh shh it's okay." Josh said as he climbed in on his side of the bed and pulled Tyler against him. Tyler continued to shake and sniffle as they laid. "Tell me why you're scared to sleep." Josh said. "Dont wanna have nightmares... I'm gonna have nightmares I dont wanna have nightmares." Tyler said.

Josh sighed. Tyler had nightmares frequently and theres no way to prevent them other than him not sleeping. "Just try to sleep. Im right here if you have one wake me up." Josh said. Tyler nodded and only because he was really tired. "Keep holding me though." He whispered. "Of course." Josh replied.

Tyler took a shaky breath and shut his eyes, cuddling closer to Josh. He did have a nightmare. More then one actually but each time Josh was there to hold him and calm him down. Most of his nightmares had a theme of dr. Hassen showing up at Josh's house and taking him back to war or back to the hospital for experiments.

These type of nightmares continued over the next few days. He was in the middle of one where dr. Hassen was dragging him out of Josh's hous by his foot. Tyler was growling at him and trying to get away. He woke with a painfilled growl when dr. Hassen shot him in his shoulder in his dream.

It was light outside and Josh wasnt in the room. He sat up and set his hand on his injured shoulder, panting harshly. He sat for a moment reminding himself it was a dream and that he hadnt been shot again.

"Josh!" He yelled finally. "Josh!!" He yelled again when he didnt get a response right away. "Josh!!!" He continued to tell until Josh was busting through the bedroom door in a panic, worried Tyler was having a flashback or something. "What? What's wrong?" Jisha asked.

"Hold me" Tyler said. Josh did so without question. It's become a common thing that tylrr asks for. A way for him to feel grounded and safe. "Did you hurt your shoulder again?" Josh asked noticing how Tyler was still holding it and knowing sometimes it bothered him even though it was healed now. Tyler only shook his head. "Okay." Josh whispered kissing Tyler's forehead.