Bad Dreams | Hurt/Comfort | {BYOA}

[healsforjustice]

It was all so clear. Despite everything around her being dark, blending into the night, the scene before her was vivid, almost as if surrounded by an unearthly glow to highlight it in the blackness. Yes it was right in front of her, and yet she could do nothing but stare; the scream of panic, a body falling to the floor, the glint of a blade as it

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Have someone with a similar problem <^o^>

[bigredz]

Zero paced down the hallway stiffly, his shoulders tense to stop that infernal shaking that lingered after he had woken up from his own nightmare. It was recurring: He'd wake up in a capsule in a familiar-yet-unfamiliar place, and the silhouette of an old man in a white labcoat would be there to greet him. He gave orders to destroy his "nemesis", whoever that was, and like so many times before he'd demand to know who that old man was before excrutiating pain erupted in his forehead. He'd see flashes of some of his oldest memories, feelings of bloodlust, and blood on his hands. Sometimes, he could hear the old man's mad cackling laughter spurring him on in the background. Masterpiece, indeed

Aww, mutual comforting~

[healsforjustice]

Naturally, Amelis did not expect anyone to be wandering around at such a late hour, so had settled for drifting off into her own world, thinking about the images replaying in head, while at the time trying desperately to forget them. Sadly, this was not working, leaving her shaking a little in frustration and uncertainty. Perhaps it was fortunate then, that the sound of someone calling out disrupted her thoughts, making the girl lift her head to see where the voice had come from.

"Oh...yes, I'm fine." she replied, rubbing her eyes a little, which were already starting to show telltale signs of dark circles under them. "Don't worry, I just couldn't sleep, that's all." she shrugged, attempting to shrug off the lingering worries. She had to wonder if the stranger before her had the same problem, but didn't want to be rude in prying about it.

best kind there is: "I know that feel"

[bigredz]

Zero looked her over while she replied, noting the dark circles beginning to form. Like hell she was "fine", but he knew that some just didn't want to indulge such personal thoughts and feelings to a complete stranger. Or, like X, they didn't want others to worry and just kept all the worrying for themselves.

It was that thought that made him stay rather than walk onward. It was more likely she was more like X, even in just looking at her.

Zero hesitated a moment, then walked across the hall and occupied the wallspace beside Amelia and said, "You're hardly 'fine'. Did you need to talk about anything?"

[healsforjustice]

Truth be told, it was a little of both that was keeping her from simply admitting anything. However, Amelia was also hopeless when it came to lying, so when confronted, she couldn't really deny anything. She glanced up at him as he moved closer, eyes flickering back and forth between Zero and floor, uncertain of what to do.

Eventually, she did lift her head wearily, biting on her lip. "It was just a bad dream, that's all. I'm probably just overreacting, I'm sorry for disturbing you." she replied, running her fingers through her hair.

[bigredz]

Zero waited patiently while she decided whether or not to answer. It was fine with him if she refused; sometimes, just having some company did the trick.

When she finally did reveal what was bothering her, he frowned. Wow, what were the chances they'd be out for the same reason? It brought back the disturbing images he had tried to get out of the forefront of his mind, but he ignored that so he could respond to her.

"You didn't disturb me, my own nightmare did." He glanced down at her and almost said something, but he bit his tongue and looked ahead again. No, she wouldn't want to know what he dreamt about, what he kept dreaming about for as long as he could remember. How did that thing always manage to stay fresh?

[healsforjustice]

Admittedly, her nerves did settle the longer he stood there. It did feel a bit better to simply admit to it, easing the weight in her chest that came from trying to cover it up. Still, on hearing his own admittance, there might be more that was needed.

While lessened, the ache was still there, and from the looks of things, whatever Zero had dreamt of had left him feeling disheartened as well. Again, it wasn't her business what he had woken from, but at the very least, they could relate to one another on the matter. That alone meant something.

"I'm sorry. I suppose we can at least understand one another in that regard, how hard it can be to cope with." she murmured, willing herself to not look away. If he made the effort for her, it was only right she do the same.

[bigredz]

Zero smiled and reached up, patting her head before running his hand down the back of it. She had a point, and that alone provided some comfort. He always had to deal with his nightmares on his own before, and he didn't want to burden anyone else with his troubles.

"It's all right, it's mine to deal with." He paused, glancing aside, then met her eyes again and added, "So ... will you be all right? If you want, I can help you get back to sleep. If not, that's fine too."

[healsforjustice]

She could feel her face heating up a little at the petting, she nodded, not wishing to pry too much as he spoke. Instead, she focused on the pleasant feelings brought on by the contact, before bringing herself to answer him.

"Honestly, I'm a little nervous about going back to sleep." she admitted, shifting uncomfortably, self conscious of sounding childish. Still, even she knew she couldn't stand around in the hallway all night, despite feeling weary about going back into her room, at least alone. But she couldn't ask such a thing surely, even if there were currently no implications in it. It was far too forward, particulary since they hadn't so much as exchanged names.

[bigredz]

Zero said nothing about her nervous shifting, and didn't even think she sounded childish for admitting she was scared to go back to sleep. He knew the feeling of not wanting to go back to sleep for fear those images would return just as fresh as the last time. He supposed it was a symptom everyone that had a nightmare suffered, at least for a while. He wondered what could work to alleviate that feeling. All he had done was deal with it all by himself, he never talked to anyone about his nightmares and their meanings at all, not even with X.

"Maybe I can help with that feeling," he finally offered. Then, as usual, his manners arrived fashionably late to the party and he added, "I'm Zero, by the way."

[healsforjustice]

While her dreams were not frequent, Amelia also hesistated to really discuss them with anyone else. It wasn't a lack of trust, but rather not wishing to burden someone else with her woes, especially as she knew there wasn't much to be done, at least she thought so.

She would have asked how exactly he intended to help, but what distracted by the sudden introductions. Managing a smile in return, she nodded in recognition. "Amelia, it's nice to meet you." she replied. There was more to her words than mere politeness though; having someone there who did seem to grasp what she was going through, even without great details being revealed, was a blessing at the moment.

"I suppose we could help each other, since we're having the same problem." she said softly, still rather unsure. However, thinking on the matter together was certainly better than being alone with their thoughts right?

[bigredz]

Hn, that was an elegant name for such a petite young lady. It was nice, though, he liked the sound of it.

At her suggestion, however, he hesitated. He was hesitant to reveal his nightmare to anyone because of how they would take it. He always assumed the worst because of his origin. If it was revealed, people wouldn't trust him anymore, they'd brand him a killer, maybe even a Maverick without even hearing him out, despite all that he had done in working as a Hunter.

Still, he could at least help her out. He could decide whether or not he finally wanted to tell somebody later on. He wanted to see what kind of person Amelia was first.

"Sounds like a good idea to me," he replied. It wouldn't be such a good idea to do so out in the hallway, however. "We'd better do this inside, though."

[healsforjustice]

Naturally, she couldn't and wouldn't blame him for his reluctance, since she felt something similar. However, if they couldn't talk about it with someone dealing with the same problems, who was left? As hesistant as she felt, Amelia did want to get rid of the weight she had to bear, and hopefully allow Zero to do the same if he so wished.

Nodding silently at the suggestion, she pushed herself off the wall and went back to the door leading to her room. Once inside she held it open for him to follow, waiting before closing it behind them. After moving further in, she settled down on a small, but comfortable sofa in the corner of the room, leaving space for him to sit down. She didn't want to leave any forceful implications, so thought it best to avoid the bed.

"I suppose...I should explain myself then, hmm?" she asked.

[bigredz]

As Zero followed Amelia inside, he hoped to god the Hotel didn't get any funny ideas. This was not the right time at all for its usual shenanigans. He was mildly grateful that even Amelia herself stayed away from the bed, and took a seat on the other side of the sofa.

"I guess..." he began, "As long as you don't mind. What was your nightmare about?" This was her last chance to refuse to go first. If she wanted him to explain his own nightmare instead, he would. He could only hope it went over well.

[healsforjustice]

Curling her legs up underneath her, she took note of the lack of aphrodisiac for the moment, and was thankful. Hopefully, things would stay that way. With her emotions so mixed, she doubted simply jumping into bed with someone she barely knew was a wise idea.

She paused a moment, still reluctant, but reminded herself that Zero was taking the time to help her, having gone along with her whim. It was only fair she open up first, as a sign of trust.

"It's strange, I never saw it happen, know so little about it, and yet it's all so clear." she whispered, fingers toying with the material of her clothes, gaze locked on her lap as she inhales, willing herself to finish what she started. "I see my mother dying."

[bigredz]

Zero couldn't stop his eyes from widening in shock. He had essentially brushed Amelia's nightmare off as a small worry, which he immediately felt guilty about. He couldn't think of anything to say; couldn't even think, he was so blown away.

He let it sink in as he tried to recompose himself, but in the end all he could think to do was lay a white gloved hand over her own.

"I'm sorry..."

[healsforjustice]

Feeling the touch on her hand made her look up at Zero, eyes a little glassy, though she was fairly sure there wouldn't be full tears. Breathing deeply in order to steady herself, she adjusted her fingers in order to grip his hand slightly in reassurance.

"It's alright, it was a long time ago. I was too young to really remember much anyway." she replied, shaking her head. "It's probably just due to the anniversary coming up, and my being stuck here that's caused these bad dreams."