Saturday // Peterick Oneshots

86. Thunderbolt and Lightening

Fluff. TTTYG era.

Patrick doesn't mind a good rain shower. He loves them, actually: they make a pretty good songwriting atmosphere. What he doesn't like is storms. He doesn't like when thunder gets so loud it shakes the apartment, when it's so dark he can't see outside his window, when the wind is so strong it makes the power go out. He's a little ashamed to admit it, but when he still lived at home, he would sleep in his mom's room whenever it stormed.

He can't do that now that he lives with Pete and Joe. So when a summer rainstorm hits for the first time that year, Patrick panics a little.

It's not so bad at first. It rains heavily in the afternoon, but Patrick can still see up and down the street when he looks out the window. By nightfall, however, Patrick can barely see the streetlights in front of their building. His stomach lurches with thunder rings throughout the apartment.

"Fuck," he whimpers. He really wants to not be alone right now. He really wants to be wrapped up somewhere safe and warm.

Joe is still at work, as far as Patrick knows, but Pete is in his bedroom. He wasn't feeling his best today, so he's probably curled up in bed, trying and failing to sleep. Patrick stands at his window and debates whether or not he should try to crawl under the covers with Pete under the guise of comforting him or if that would be in bad taste.

Another clap of thunder makes Patrick jolt.

Fuck it. Patrick leaves his room and knocks on Pete's door. He hears a muffled "Come in," and opens the door.

Pete's desk lamp is on in the corner, casting a warm glow over the room. Pete lays in his bed, on his back with the covers pulled up to his waist. The hood of his hoodie has been pulled over his head. He opens one eye and looks in the direction of the door. He sees Patrick and smiles. "Hey Trick," he says in a rough voice.

Patrick's heart twists, and he thinks maybe it's not so bad using Pete for comfort if he really does want to comfort Pete, too. "Hey. Want some company?"

"If it's you? Always." Pete shifts over in the bed, making room for Patrick. Patrick closes the bedroom door behind him and lays down next to Pete, pulling the blanket over himself. Pete shifts closer, lays his head on Patrick's shoulder, and hums in content. Patrick wraps his arms around Pete and pulls him to his chest.

It's peaceful, for a little while. Patrick can hear the rain outside, but he can't see how dark it is since Pete's blinds are closed. Pete's breathing gives him something to focus on as he hums. Pete's hand rests on his side, fingers twitching every once in a while, causing Patrick to shiver. It's quiet and domestic, and Patrick might be able to fall asleep if Pete keeps being this warm.

A clap of thunder makes the window rattle, and Patrick flinches, hiding his face in the top of Pete's head and whimpering.

Pete stills. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," Patrick grits out, forcing himself to relax.

Pete lifts his head. He examines Patrick closely and asks, "Are you scared of thunderstorms?"

Patrick forces a laugh. "What? No."

Lightening lights up the apartment, and the power goes out.

Patrick yelps, clinging to Pete for dear life.

"Hey, hey, it's okay," Pete coos. He pulls himself out of Patrick's hold, only to pull Patrick to him instead. He wraps Patrick up tight, winding arms and legs around him and shielding him from the storm. "Keep singing, focus on the song," Pete instructs.

Patrick nods, clenching his fists in Pete's hoodie. He's shaking, he can feel it.

"Shhh, it's okay, I'm right here," Pete says, running a hand through Patrick's hair.

Patrick burrows into Pete further. He sings quietly, voice breaking every time there's a clap of thunder, but Pete just holds him tighter and keeps comforting him.

The storm dies down. The rain continues, but the thunder and lightening cease. Patrick keeps his face buried in Pete's chest.

"Sleep here?" Pete asks. Patrick nods against him. Pete lets out a happy hum and winds himself around Patrick tighter. "Yay."

Patrick wants to thank Pete, but he's asleep before he can, completely free of the fear that had plagued him just hours ago.