Nightmares - naegami

Chapter 23

TW: death, blood

It was dark. Very dark. Completely black, even. Byakuya couldn't see his own hands in front of his face, he couldn't see anything. It was quiet. He could hear his own heartbeat. It was loud. And it began to quicken. He felt himself slipping into a state of panic and took a deep breath, trying to calm himself.

He nervously rubbed his hands together. They didn't feel right, weird and... wet. Slick. Like they were coated in liquid, thicker than water but still slippery. And then he could smell it. Metallic, tangy... oh god. Oh god. It was... blood. Oh god. Byakuya stumbled backwards as he gagged and could feel himself start to go limp and faint. He could hear the blood dripping. He heard someone crying, and only when he felt the tears running down his face did he realise, it was himself who was crying.

It was lighter now, light enough to see shapes and shadows, including the shaped slumped on the ground in front of him. Byakuya reached out to touch the shape and felt firm flesh. It was a person. They were cold. They were dead. Byakuya collapsed to his knees and heard them clunk against the ground. He'd seen a dead person before, many of them, but feeling the blood on his hands and knowing... it must be him. He'd killed this person.

It was slowly growing lighter. He could see the pink splash of the blood beginning to grow more prominent in the light. It was coating his hands and even some of his clothing. He looked down at the body again and froze. He knew who it was. His mouth was open in a silent scream, and he pulled the body into his arms, dropping the knife. Knife. He'd been holding a knife. He'd killed him. He couldn't take this. He clutched the body to his chest rocking back and forwards. He'd killed him. Stabbed him to death. He'd killed Makoto Naegi.

Byakuya gasped as he sat up in bed, shaking from the anxiety of the dream.

"Why can't I have a moment of fucking peace," he said quietly, feeling the tears flowing down his face. He needed him. He needed to make sure Makoto was ok. He shoved on his glasses, flicked on the bedside lamp, and hastily texted his boyfriend.

Byakuya: Come to my room if you're ok.

Read 3:56 am

Byakuya curled himself up with his duvet, waiting. Shaking. Silently sobbing. It seemed like hours before he heard someone knock on his door. He pulled himself out of the sheets and wobbled over, opening the door to reveal Makoto Naegi standing outside, a look of pure worry covering his face.

"Are you ok?" He said with concern. Byakuya just looked at him, unable to explain. "Nightmares?" Makoto asked. Byakuya nodded slowly. "Do you want me to stay with you tonight?" Byakuya nodded again. "Ok," Makoto decided softly.

He hugged Byakuya and Byakuya responded by leaning down a little to bury his face in his boyfriend's fluffy brown hair. He pulled him inside a little and shut the door so they could keep hugging without fear of someone walking past.

No one was meant to be outside at night, but everyone now knew from the last two trials that very few people adhered to those rules. After a few minuets, Makoto pulled away and looked up at the tall, blond boy.

"Are you ok?" He asked. He knew he wasn't, but it didn't hurt to ask.

"I feel better now you're here," Byakuya responded. He rubbed his face with his hands. "I hate this, a lot."

"C'mon, let's sit down and we can talk," Makoto suggested. Byakuya nodded and they went to sit down on the bed.

"I hate not getting sleep, I'm so fucking tired," Byakuya started. "I just want to sleep."

Makoto wriggled so he was leaning into the taller boy's side. If it was anyone else, Byakuya would've pushed them away or found it annoying, but Makoto's presence calmed him. He kissed the small boy on the head. "Thank you for coming to help me," he murmured, ruffling Makoto's fluffy hair.

"I'll always try to be here," Makoto responded comfortingly.

"I'm so fucking tired..." Byakuya repeated, quieter this time.

"We should sleep then," Makoto's muffled voice came.

"Before we do, let me check something," Byakuya grabbed Makoto by the shoulders and pushed him to an arm's length away. Makoto looked at him in surprise. Byakuya examined him for a moment before he seemed satisfied. "Good, you're not wearing your binder. We can sleep," Byakuya smiled. Makoto laughed.

"I thought you'd forgotten I was trans for a bit, honestly," he giggled.

"Not forgotten, just no reason to bring it up," Byakuya explained as if it was obvious.

"Oh, uh, yeah I guess," Makoto grinned at him. Byakuya suddenly remembered why he'd invited Makoto here in the first place. How Makoto made him feel so safe he didn't think he'd ever know, he'd momentarily forgotten about his nightmare. Byakuya wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and let himself fall backwards onto the bed, pulling Makoto with him. Makoto squeaked quietly in surprise, but didn't protest. They lay there for a while, just holding each other in silence. Byakuya sighed with pleasure. He felt peaceful, for the first time in days. The steadiness of Makoto's breathing calmed him, the slight slow rise and fall of the small boy's body against his. He stroked and fiddled with Makoto's hair. He never wanted it to end. Byakuya didn't know how long they lay like that for. Eventually he felt Makoto's breathing slow a little more. He'd fallen asleep.

"Hey... Makoto..." Byakuya murmured, gently rubbing the boy's head with his fingertips, trying to wake him up a little.

"... mmm...?" His muffled voice responded. Byakuya slowly rolled Makoto over so he was lying next to him rather than on him, then pulled the small boy back towards him. Makoto wriggled a little, making himself comfortable again.

Byakuya took a deep breath. He felt safe, and warm. Soon, the drowsiness overcame him and he joined Makoto in a peaceful sleep, still holding his boyfriend comfortably against his body, concentrating on his every breath. By morning, they were still sleeping, tangled in each other's limbs. Both wished it wouldn't have to end.

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Excuse me

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Sorry for having a lot of angst and then just fluff, I'm feeling anxious and touch starved if you couldn't tell

I'm Makoto, anyone wanna be Byakuya and cuddle with me? Platonically or romantically, you decide

Also no one responded to the music thing last chapter, which means no one wants it, but no one doesn't want it, so I'm gonna do it anyway

Music recommendation based off chapter: It's Alright by Mother Mother