Gabriel awoke with a start then glanced down at Nathalie, pulling her closer to his chest "it's alright love, your safe. Nothing's going to hurt you, I promise." He whispered in her ear while rubbing her back in comfort. He cupped her cheek and brushed his lips against hers "my love, you are safe."
She breathed heavily into his mouth and trembled from her visions. His touch was calming, and soon her body relaxed and her breathing slowed.
He kissed her again and stroked her hair"you get these often don't you," he asked quietly
She blushed hotly. "Yes…"
he nodded in acknowledgment "do you know from what?"
"A lot of different things," she replied, trying to keep her breathing controlled. In and out. In and out. Just like she'd been taught. A memory suddenly filled her vision clear as day, almost as if she was there again.
"In and out, Nathalie," a man said gently.
Nathalie tried, but she couldn't. Her lungs were stuck and it made her chest hurt so bad.
"Nathalie, look at me," the man said. He took her shoulders and helped her to sit up.
"I can't, it hurts!" she cried.
"Shh, shh… yes you can. Now take deep breaths darling. In and out. In and out."
Slowly, she began to calm down.
"That's better," he praised with a smile.
"My chest hurts, Papa," she moaned quietly.
"Shh, don't move. I'll get Maman, d'accord?"
She nodded slowly.
He kissed her forehead gently. "I'll be right back."
Nathalie blinked, and it was gone. She was laying on the bed with Gabriel again. Gabriel, she thought and curled into him. He cares.
He glanced down at her and buried his face in her hair "I won't let anything hurt you love." he promised, pulling her tighter against him. "I'm sorry…" he whispered
She sighed into his chest. "Why are you sorry?"
"For pulling you into this mess, with Demitri and the reporters and in general, everything." he muttered into her hair
"I wouldn't trade it for anything," she assured him quietly.
"hm," he sighed "I could've done without the public announcement," he smiled and turned on the tv
A quiet laugh escaped her lips. She blushed furiously, partially hoping that he hadn't heard.
he smiled at her and kissed her head "I promised a night out today, what do you want to do?"
"I'm not sure what there even is to do. I don't go out very often."
"in general or on dates?" he asked half-jokingly he thought for a moment "how about the Night Market? they're starting set up for the festival." he suggested
(completely making it up, I don't actually know if this is a thing)
(Yeah, get the disclaimer out of the way, lol. Just make it up. Have it be like an adult carnival or something.)
"I-I've never been there," she admitted. "It sounds fun."
(ok)
"Neither have I, I alway's thought it was something for young kids," he shrugged "THough it would make no sense if it were at night."
"I'd love to go with you," she said softly.
He nodded and kissed her head "then it's settled,"
"Alright," she replied, relaxing against him happily.
"Now will you sleep?" he asked "It's only 5 in the morning,"
The thought of two nightmares in one night made her blood run cold. "I'm actually feeling fine."
He glanced down at her "Nothing's going to happen to you Nathalie, I'll make sure of it love." he kissed her head "at least relax a bit,"
She sighed. "Why do you never believe me?" she asked, only half joking.
he shrugged "probably because you get yourself into trouble so much," he said with a smile