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After hanging up, he put her phone back in the holder then moved carefully over to the side of her cot-bed.
He couldn’t see her clearly as his phone crooned something soft and low.
“Can I switch on the lamp?” he asked in a low voice.
“Y-yes,” she replied.
When the light went on, his heart nearly stopped beating. His poor girl was a mess. Her hair had gone wild. She was taking shuddering breaths; her eyes were almost swollen shut.
“Oh baby,” he said, close to broken by the sight of her.
“I’m okay,” she told him.
“No lying,” he scolded lightly. She was far from okay. He wasn’t either, truth be told. He was nearly shaking. Big bad marine brought down by some night terrors.
“Night terrors,” she told him. “I get them sometimes when I’m anxious.”
He nodded. “Xavier told me.”
“Xavier? He’s here?”
“No, baby girl. I called him on your phone when I didn’t know what to do for you.”
“I’m sorry I scared you,” she told him in a small voice.
“I’m sorry I terrified you so much you hit your head. Is it okay?” he asked, noticing her rubbing it. She froze.
“Just stings a bit,” she admitted. She rubbed at her eyes, her hands trembling.
“Can I hug you?” he asked.
She stared up at him then nodded shakily.
“Thank fuck.” He bent over towards her slowly. “I’m going to lift you up.”
After waiting for her nod, he lifted her up into his arms. She wrapped her arms and legs around him.
“Baby girl, you should have told me you were feeling so anxious.”
“S-sorry.” He sat in the rocking chair and rubbed her back until the trembles eased.
“What do you need?” He thought about asking her if she wanted him to pull off his T-shirt, give her his skin like Xavier said.
But that felt like their thing. Was that weird? He didn’t know. It wasn’t a typical best friend thing, that was for sure. But then who gave a fuck about normal?
“To pee.”
“Okay, I can manage that.” He carried her into the bathroom, set her down by the toilet and then went to turn away.
“Don’t leave,” she begged.
He turned back to her. “I’ll be in the other room.”
“Please. I know it’s weird. Just don’t leave my eyesight. Please?”
“I’ll do anything you ask.”
“That could be dangerous.” She gave him a wobbly grin. “Cause I’m in the mood for a coffee ice cream sundae.”
