Markus slept okay for an hour or so, which was pretty good for him. He did wake up from time to time, but never long enough that he was really aware of it. It did make getting rest harder though.
His sleep turned more troublesome, and he curled up more tightly, breaths wheezing slightly as he didn’t get enough air into himself.
Markus woke up a moment after Oliver stood up, his speaking to him having helped to wake him.
He could barely breathe, still afraid, reaching out to where Oliver was supposed to be laying. He could feel him, only the bit of warmth that still lingered. “O-oli-ver?..”, his voice wavered, afraid, unsure. He was terrified of Oliver not being here.
Oliver moved back to where he was supposed to be, beside Markus. He was glad that he had been woken up from his nightmare. He gently placed his hand over Markus’s to let him know that he was there.
“I’m sorry. I couldn’t sleep.”, he murmured, resting his head back on the pillow while still holding onto Markus’s hand.
Markus clutched Oliver’s hand tightly, as tears were quick to gather and run down his cheeks.
“It’s- o-okay..”, he replied quietly, afraid to seek more comfort and closeness from Oliver than the hand he was provided. Even if that meant having to hold onto it as if his life depended on it.
He was trying to stay calm, to breathe, but it was hard. He wished he could see Oliver, but at least he could hear him, and hold his hand.
emptynarration 