Peace Town

Growing Together

Chapter 9

The next morning Atlas is woke up by the sound of hyperventaling. It only takes a moment for him to register something is wrong with Paxton. He has tears streaming down his cheeks while holding onto Shadow. Atlas notices Morgan and Duane are still in bed, not disturbed by the boy in distress. He hates how Paxton is shaking so he reaches over and grabs the crying boy's hand.

Atlas asks as softly as he can, "Hey Pax, what's wrong?"

Paxton being too caught up in the fear of having his nightmare come true hadn't noticed Atlas wake up. He shuffles to wipe at the tears on his face while trying to catch his breath, "Nothing's wrong Attie. You can go back to bed."

"Something is obviously wrong, If you don't want to talk about it we can just sit here while you calm down." Atlas is worried but won't push Pax to talk about something that has him so tore up. Paxton nods scooting closer to Atlas, then patting his lap for Shadow to follow.

After a few minutes of sitting there listening to the quiet of the morning Paxton ask, "Can we go sit on porch? Shadow might need to go out." Shadow perks his head up at the mention of 'out' and stands up.

"Yeah, lets take him out."Atlas stands up, holding out a hand for Paxton incase he needs help, which he does. They don't bother with Shadow's leash, deciding to just let him run around. The boys make their way to the steps where they had sat at previously, Pax gripping onto his side in pain. "Are your ribs bothering you? Want me to get something for them?" Atlas doesn't give Pax a chance to answer before quietly walking back into the house. Not a few moments later he walks back out with a pill bottle and two waters.

"Thank you Attie."

Atlas gives a grin and hands him what he needs before sitting down and opening his own water.

They sit in silence until Pax lets out a shaky breath and states, "I had another nightmare. I know its childish and i'm sorry for waking you."

Atlas turns toward Paxton, "I want to help you. I don't like seeing you tore up like that, so if you think talking about it will help you then i'm here to listen. Or if you don't we can talk about something else."

"Can I tell you about it?" is whispered out so low Atlas barely hears it but nods in response. He would never deny Paxton of something he wanted. "I dreamt that my dad woke up as a walker. I couldn't put him down and you left me. You walked away as a walker was ripping into me." A sob makes its way up his throat. Paxton turns to grab a hold of Atlas and cries into his shirt, "Please don't leave me."
 
Paxton knew he shouldn't be this attached to a person he'd only known for a few weeks but he didn't care. Atlas brought him comfort.

Atlas feels like he died a little inside but manages to wrap Pax in a hug, "I won't leave you baby. I promise you, I won't leave you. You're stuck with me now, remember when I told you that?"

"I remember but what if-"

"No what ifs. I'm not gonna leave you Paxton." Paxton nods when he sees the firm look on Atlas's face and the truth shinning in his eyes.

"I think talking about it helped. Thank you."

"You are certainly welcome my kind sir." Paxton ca't help but chuckle at the terrible posh accent. "Oh? You're laughing at me?"

"I can't help it. That has to be the worst accent I have ever heard."

Atlas smirks, "Like you could do better?"

"I didn't say that...." Paxton draws out forgetting about the bad dreams and enjoying the playful tone in the air, "but if that was your best then probably." Paxton laughs at the mock offense look thrown his way. The next hour is spent with the boys laughing and talking on the back porch steps.