Alex thrashed against the sheets, his chest rising and falling as though he was running through a storm. His breath came in sharp gasps, sweat beading on his forehead. A strangled sound tore from his throat—half cry, half growl—and Avery bolted upright beside him.
"Alex?" she whispered, panic clutching her heart. She reached for his shoulder, but he jerked away violently, as if fighting some invisible enemy.
"No… stop—don't leave me!" His voice cracked, raw and broken, so unlike the calm, controlled man she knew.
Her stomach tightened. Avery had seen him angry, stubborn, even reckless—but never like this. His face twisted in pain, his fists clutching the sheets.
"Alex, wake up. It's me," she said firmly, leaning closer. She shook his arm gently.
He flinched, his eyes screwed shut. "Mom… Dad… please!" The words splintered into a sob.
Avery's throat burned. She shook him harder now, refusing to let him drown in the nightmare. "Alex! It's Avery. You're dreaming, you're safe. Look at me."
Finally, his eyes snapped open, wild and unfocused. For a moment, he didn't see her—only the terror that clung to him from the dream. Then recognition broke through.
"Avery?" His voice was hoarse, his chest heaving.
"Yes. It's me." She cupped his face with trembling hands, forcing him to meet her gaze. "You're safe. It's not real. You're here with me."
He stared at her, eyes shining with unshed tears. His whole body shook as though the nightmare had ripped open wounds he never let anyone touch. Slowly, almost helplessly, he leaned forward, his forehead pressing against her shoulder.
Avery wrapped her arms around him without hesitation, pulling him tight against her chest. She could feel his heart racing, pounding in sync with hers.
"I saw them again," he whispered, voice breaking. "The fire, the screams… I couldn't save them. I just stood there and—"
"Shh." She stroked the back of his head, her lips brushing his temple. "You were a child, Alex. It wasn't your fault. It will never be your fault."
His arms tightened around her as if she were the only thing keeping him tethered. Avery held him, rocking gently, letting her warmth chase away the shadows.
"We're here, now," she murmured, pressing a soft kiss to his damp hair. "You're not alone. Not anymore."
For the first time, his breathing began to slow, the weight of his grief melting into her embrace. And Avery vowed, silently but fiercely, that she would never let him fight those nightmares again.