Bad dreams

Dale laid down on his couch, his dog fed and walked for the night, and his blanket and pillow fresh from the wash. Mothman and Vanessa had just bought one of those fancy pull-out beds as a gift to him, and tonight they helped him get it all set up to sleep on. Dale would miss the comfort of the last one, but at the very least there was more room to roll around without the risk of falling.

It was deep in the night, and he had been half asleep, but Dale could still tell when someone was sharing his room. He sighed gruffly, and turned over.

“I know you’re there.” Dale mumbled into the darkness of the living room. “You know I get anxious, bugzy. Now make yourself known.”

After a small pause, a smaller voice mumbled from the hallway, and small pads tip-tapped over to the side of the bed.

“Sorry.” Aaron’s voice was quiet and dejected. He watched the floor, with his blanket wrapped around him. When he realized it was one of the kids, he sat up more fully. Dale rubbed his eye and sniffed as he got up.

“Oh. Aaron.” He said. He furrowed his brow when he noticed how down he seemed. “Hey, what’s wrong? Have a bad dream?”

Aaron furrowed his brow further, and held his blanket tighter against his body, like a cape.

“Maybe.”

Dale watched him a moment, and sighed. “Stay with me, then. We’ll put on a movie.” After a bit of hesitation, Aaron walked around to the other side of the bed and hopped in.

Dale sleepily fumbled for the remote on the coffee table and put on the incredibles for the two to watch.

“You wanna talk about it?” Dale mumbled, after a little while. He and Aaron had propped themselves up with as many pillows as they could to watch without hurting their necks. Aaron huffed out a sad sigh.

“I was all alone. I went looking for everybody and none of them were there to save me. I couldn’t find anyone.” Dale listened to him talk about his dream with a somber look. “I just.” Aaron said, glancing up at Dale and then quickly back down to his own hands. “I don’t wanna be alone right now.”

“I’m sorry, bud. I know how that feels.” He said. He put a hand on Aaron’s shoulder, and gave him a half hug. Aaron let himself be hugged limply. “Dreams can be based on feelings in real life. So... Sorry you’ve been feeling that way.” After a moment, Aaron hugged his second dad back. “I want you to know that you’ve always got me in your corner, Aaron. Me, and your parents, and your brother. We’ll be here for you. Okay?” Dale said, and glanced down to Aaron.

Aaron nodded. Dale squeezed him a little.

“No matter what you do, we’ll be there for you. Okay?”

Something about what Dale was saying comforted him, as well. Despite all the shit Dale did in the past, this ruckus of a family still loved him, and cared for him. They were both redeemable. He watched Aaron nod again.

“We won’t ever leave you behind.”

“Okay, dad.”

That caught Dale off-guard. He watched Aaron in surprise this time. Aaron, somehow, had nodded off. He was snoring softly, leaning on the tall man. Dale sighed, and tucked the kid into his own side of the bed. When Aaron was all tucked in, Dale turned over and tried to get some sleep, himself.

Dale felt more at peace, and was able to nod off quicker than last time. Maybe Dale didn’t want to be alone, either.