Akatsuki no Yona (Yona of the Dawn) Oneshot Collection

When You Have a Nightmare (Zeno's Version) Modern AU

Zeno was panicking but he was trying his darn hardest not to show it.

"Y/N, Y/N!!" He shouted gleefully, balancing two cups of hot chocolate in his hands. "Look!!"

You laughed through the tears as he handed you a cup carefully.

"It's hot." He warned seriously as you went to take a sip.

You nodded, pulling back and blowing on it gently. Then, you carefully sipped it and a smile spread across your face. "Thank you, Zeno."

He beamed at you, happy that he was able to cheer you up. The energetic, bouncing ball of sunshine moved to sit behind you, careful not to slosh either of your drinks. He sat up against the headboard and extended a hand out to you.

You blushed, slowly settling between his legs, back pressed up against his chest. Zeno leaned forward so that his chin was resting on your shoulder and you could feel his breath on your exposed neck.

When you shivered at the proximity, Zeno's brow furrowed.

"Y/N? Are you okay?"

You brought up your knees to your chest, curling into a ball. Zeno only grew more worried.

"Hey..." He called softly, turning you around and positioning you so that your face was now tucked in the crook of his neck. "What's the matter?"

"I just..." You choked back a sob. "I had a dream where I lost you. It was back in the war."

Zeno stiffened. 

The two of you served in the military for a year. You were prodigies, and somehow found each other in the midst of all the chaos. You were lucky to make it out alive, but all of the others weren't as fortunate. It had been only mere months since you both returned home, and the nightmares plagued him too. 

He knew exactly what you were talking about.

"Mission N.L?" He asked quietly, and you nodded shakily.

Zeno tightened his hold on you, rubbing your back comfortingly as you cried openly into his shoulder. 

"Y/N..." He hesitated, knowing you weren't going to be fond of what came out of his mouth next. "Maybe we should consider going to see a therapist."

You broke out of his arms, shuffling to the edge of the bed. Zeno sighed, he knew how you felt about it, but these terrors were out of control.

He didn't want you to struggle with this the rest of your life. 

He wanted to be all that you needed, but that wasn't right.

You needed more than what he could provide for you.

"Why would you suggest that?" Your tone was icy and Zeno just gazed at your back with empathy in his eyes. 

He understood your hatred, but seeking help didn't make you weak.

It never did.

"Y/N." His voice was uncharacteristically serious, causing you to turn around to face him. "Seeking help doesn't make you weak. We all need help sometimes." He finished gently.

Your body trembled. 

"I don't deserve it." You spat, the hatred coming clear through your voice. 

Zeno came up behind you, wrapping his arms tightly around your waist. You stiffened for a second, before hesitantly leaning back in his embrace. 

You had lost a comrade during the mission. He knew you blamed yourself for what happened, but in truth, no one could have seen it coming.

"It wasn't your fault, Y/N..." He murmured. 

Tears pricked at the back of your eyes.

How did he always know what you were thinking? It wasn't fair for him to read you so easily all the time.

Your brow creased in anguish, the guilt weighing heavily on your heart. 

"I could have stopped it, Zeno." You bowed your head in defeat. "He could still be alive today, if only I-"

"What?" He interrupted you. "If you what? That mentality will get you in trouble. You know that you cannot control everything, as hard as that is to accept."

He unwound his arms, placing them on your shoulders so that you could turn to look at him in the eye. 

"You're not responsible for his death."

You broke down, sobbing into his chest while he patted your head and rubbed your back comfortingly. 

Zeno closed his eyes, overwhelmed with the onslaught of emotion. 

Regret.

Pain.

Guilt. 

Self-loathing.

He felt all of it, too. 

Maybe it was time to take some of his own medicine. 

Zeno hesitated, clearly conflicted. "Y/N, I'll go with you."

You nearly jumped back, startled. He'd never offered that before. 

Your ball of joy of a boyfriend gave you a lopsided smile. 

"I need to go."

Your eyes widened. 

"I need help, too."

You were completely speechless. 

He was so strong, but he needed someone else? Something more? Something different?

Yes.

If he could do it, then you could, too.

"Okay." You said determinedly. "Tomorrow?"

Zeno shot you an encouraging smile. "Tomorrow."

So, no matter what the days would bring from here on out, you could face it.

Together.