Chapter 51

The apartment was wrapped in silence, the kind of deep quiet that only comes in the middle of the night. The faint hum of the heater filled the room, the occasional creak of the building settling. Dani lay beside you, her arm draped lazily across your waist, her breathing slow and steady.

But your sleep wasn’t peaceful. Your body shifted restlessly, sheets twisting around your legs. A frown creased your forehead, your lips mumbling incoherent fragments. You tossed and turned, caught in the grip of a dream that felt too real.

In the nightmare, shadows pressed in, voices whispered, and no matter how fast you ran, you wouldn’t escape. The fear tightened in your chest, your breath quickening even in sleep. You called out, but no one answered. You searched desperately for Dani, but she was nowhere to be found.

Beside you, Dani stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim glow of her bedside lamp. She noticed your restless movements, the way your face twisted in distress.

“Y/N?” she whispered softly, brushing hair from your forehead.

You mumbled again, your body jerking slightly. Dani sat up, concern etched across her face. She placed a gentle hand on your shoulder, shaking you gently.

“Baby, wake up,” she murmured. “It’s just a dream. Come back to me.”

Your eyes shot open, gasping as you bolted upright. The room spun for a moment, your chest heaving, sweat dampening your skin.

“Hey, hey,” Dani soothed instantly, her arms wrapping around you. “It’s okay. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

You buried your face against her shoulder, trembling. “It felt so real,” you whispered, voice shaky.

Dani rubbed slow circles on your back, her voice calm. “Tell me. What happened?”

You swallowed, trying to steady your breath. “I was… running. Something was chasing me. I couldn’t get away. Every time I thought I was safe, it was there again. And I couldn’t find you. I kept calling for you, but you weren’t there.”

Her arms tightened around you, her voice firm but gentle. “I’m here now. I’ll always be here. “Nothing’s going to hurt you.”

You sighed, leaning into her warmth. “It felt so real. I woke up thinking it was still happening.”

Dani kissed your temple. “Nightmares can feel that way. But they’re not real. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”

She guided you back down to the bed, pulling the blanket over both of you. Her arms wrapped around you tightly, her body pressed against yours.

“Lie down with me,” she whispered. “Let me hold you.”

You curled into her chest, listening to the steady rhythm of her heartbeat. Dani stroked your hair, her touch soothing, her voice a soft murmur.

“Breathe with me,” she said gently. “In… and out. Nice and slow.”

You followed her rhythm, your breath gradually evening out. The panic faded, replaced by the comfort of her warmth.

“I hate nightmares,” you muttered, voice muffled against her chest.

“I know,” Dani whispered. “But I’ll chase them away for you. Always.”

You smiled faintly. “You’re ridiculous.”

“And you love it,” she teased, kissing your forehead.

Silence settled again, her arms never loosening. She hummed softly, a tune you didn’t recognise, but it calmed you all the same.

“Better?” she asked quietly.

You nodded. “Mhm.”

“Good,” she whispered. “Now sleep. I’ll be right here.”

The room was quiet again, but this time, the silence felt safe. Dani’s warmth wrapped around you, her heartbeat steady, her breathing slow.

Your eyes grew heavy, comforted by her presence. The nightmare faded into memory, replaced by the certainty of her arms around you.

As you drifted off, the last thing you felt was Dani’s lips brushing your hair, her voice soft.

“I love you. Sweet dreams, baby.”

And with her promise lingering in the air, you fell back asleep, safe in her embrace.

———-

How have I written 50 chapters of this already lmao

Hope you’re enjoying them so far, bc lowkey I LOVE writing them 😉