Interning on the Aronnax

Falling, Falling Down...

A/N: I'm starting a new thing called #hugfinn2020. To be honest, I'll probably forget it in a week, but Finn could use the love.

Couple notes. Finn wears his diving gloves constantly after the squid incident. Finn does use Kaiko and Will's first name, as pirates aren't much on last names. I do skip entire scenes where nothing changes, because this thing is already 4,500 words!

------------------------------

"Finn!"

Fontaine pulled herself into the hideout, landing in a roll. She dropped the backpack, then went to Finn.

He wasn't in bed, but sitting upright in a corner. Fontaine briefly wondered if he'd woken earlier and was waiting, but it was so strange for Finn to fall asleep so late in the morning. She wasn't even sure he was asleep, really.

"Finn?" Fontaine said, reaching out. "Finn, are you awake?"

"Mater," Finn whispered. "Mater."

Hand inches from Finn's shoulder, Fontaine froze. She couldn't move as a tear squeezed out of one of Finn's clenched eyes and streaked down his cheek.

This was... this was very bad. Finn was crying, apparently asleep, and obviously dreaming. What was she supposed to do? Would she startle him by waking him up? She knew it was a bad idea to wake sleepwalkers, but did that apply to nightmares?

"Mater..."

Fontaine shook her head. She couldn't leave Finn in his nightmare. She'd just have to wake him up, and deal with whatever his reaction might be.

"Finn," Fontaine said firmly. "Come on, wake up."

Finn jumped slightly when Fontaine touched his shoulder, but didn't wake up. When he continued to whimper and another tear ran down his cheek, Fontaine gave him a light shake.

Finn's eyes shot open. He jerked forward while reaching out. Fontaine twisted mostly out of the way, only her and Finn's shoulders hitting.

"Mater, non est me! Niteo!" Finn cried as he fell on his hands and knees. "Mater, commodo, don't... I can't..."

Fontaine watched cautiously as Finn's voice trailed off. He blinked his eyes into focus, then startled and looked around.

"What- where-" Finn touched his wet cheek, then grimaced. "Sorry."

Fontaine didn't realize Finn was talking to her until he glanced sideways at her.

"Don't apologize," Fontaine hurriedly said. "That must have been some dream, though."

Finn grimaced. "Not a dream..."

"A..." Fontaine hesitated. "A memory?"

Finn nodded. His face scrunched up like he was going to cry again, but then he rubbed his face dry and took a deep breath.

"I'll be fine," Finn murmured. "I just need to wake up."

"Finn... What's the matter?"

"It was a nightmare. I have it every year on this day," Finn said.

Fontaine didn't want to press, but Finn had been crying. She tried for a neutral question.

"Was that Latin again?"

Finn's face scrunched. "What did I say?"

"Mater and niko?"

"Mater and Niteo," Finn recited. "Mater is 'Mother'. And mea Niteo, 'my shine,' was my mom's pet name for me when I was little."