[ Klaus has practice with grounding Ben after a nightmare, and he clearly still remembers what works. Telling him he's safe, not asking questions or showing distress or concern. Just providing a reassuring steady stream of sound and touch as Ben's body slowly realizes he isn't in mortal danger. Nonetheless, even if logically he knows he is safe now, it takes a while for the physical effects to subside. As far as he'd been concerned in the dream, he had been seconds away from being dismembered. Panic like that has an extended half life. He's shaking so badly it is almost like shivering by the time he can speak, choking out: ]
It was the same. The same dream... the same place I used to have those nightmares about. God, I'd forgotten-
[ All his gentle joking when Klaus talked in his sleep, all the times he'd lovingly bullied him to get more rest... Ben hadn't meant to, but he'd let all those years of being dead dull his memories of just how wretched it could be, to be alive, and full of fear. He should have known better. Been more patient. Taken it more seriously.
He sucks in a breath that is half sob, exhausted, head aching. Had the dreams always been this vivid? Now, again, he is terrified that if he falls back to sleep, he will be there again. The old fear - that it is not just a dream, but something real, a vision, that he could really be in danger - rears its head again.
At least Klaus is here, bony elbowed and too warm and infuriating and unquestionably the best thing in Ben's life. Ben turns, hides his face half in the pillow and half against Klaus's shoulder. If only hiding were a permanent solution. But it is nice, even if it can't last more than a few moments. ]
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It was the same. The same dream... the same place I used to have those nightmares about. God, I'd forgotten-
[ All his gentle joking when Klaus talked in his sleep, all the times he'd lovingly bullied him to get more rest... Ben hadn't meant to, but he'd let all those years of being dead dull his memories of just how wretched it could be, to be alive, and full of fear. He should have known better. Been more patient. Taken it more seriously.
He sucks in a breath that is half sob, exhausted, head aching. Had the dreams always been this vivid? Now, again, he is terrified that if he falls back to sleep, he will be there again. The old fear - that it is not just a dream, but something real, a vision, that he could really be in danger - rears its head again.
At least Klaus is here, bony elbowed and too warm and infuriating and unquestionably the best thing in Ben's life. Ben turns, hides his face half in the pillow and half against Klaus's shoulder. If only hiding were a permanent solution. But it is nice, even if it can't last more than a few moments. ]