[Klaus doesn't wake up right away, because the way that Ben acts out his nightmares is different than the way Klaus does. Klaus whimpers and cries out and screams sometimes, but Ben is still and tense and silent, his back all cold sweat and breath coming fast and shallow. If Klaus weren't such a light sleeper, he might have missed it altogether.

But he is a light sleeper, he has been for most of his life, honed by years of sleeping in unsafe places, alleys and strangers' homes and homeless shelters. So when the way Ben rests against him changes, and he feels the front of his body wet with sweat from Ben's back, and hears the change in the way Ben breathes, it stirs him to consciousness. Slowly, he groans and blinks slowly, groggily. At first he can't remember where he is or who he's sharing a bed with, but after a few moments it clicks, and he pushes himself up on an elbow, lifting a hand to rub at his eyes and looking down at Ben.]

Ahhh, shiiit.

[It's soft, a little whimpery, because it's obvious Ben is having a nightmare. His breath is high and thin and reedy and full of terror, but his eyes are still closed even though his body is tense. Ben is freezing in his sleep, instead of fighting or fleeing, and Klaus' stomach does a heavy flop. Leaning down, he shakes Ben's shoulder lightly.]

Hey, hey Ben, come on man, wake up. You're okay, come on. Okay okay okay...come on man, wake up.

[His hands are gentle and careful because he doesn't want to startle Ben awake, doesn't want him to jerk out of a nightmare and feel threatened and afraid and disoriented and open the portal by accident.]

Ben, come on...it's okay, you're safe, just wake up, I got you man...

[Voice pitched careful and soft, he keeps talking in as reassuring a voice as possible until Ben wakes up.]