coexistent | ic contact;

[ I'm not interested...

... in a world without my friends.

It's her voice, soft but unyielding, an undeniable truth even as she throws back her head and screams, and the snakes respond to her call, the stranger's eyes going wide when she turns to him, brimming with terrible anger--

But there's a voice, calling her name, and before it all goes black, he murmurs

"And now you have more to lose, don't you, my queen?"

She jerks awake with a gasp then, eyes wide and tear-filled, and for a few seconds, she can't even speak, can't recognize the face in front of her as she tries to piece together the immediate reality. ]

[whoa. okay, seeing her like this is... really alarming, and roxas isn't really sure what to do. he pulls his hand back a bit, dropping it to rest on the couch cushion (maybe holding himself up a bit, since crouching this way is a bit awkward).]

Mary...

[he's alarmed and he's worried, naturally. he doesn't want her to cry or be scared—but both of these things are happening and he feels powerless to do much about it right now.]

It's okay, it was just a dream. [what about, he... doesn't really know. so maybe it's not okay, but she's awake and she's safe from whatever what hurting her then, right?]

...

[ She's quiet, still, except for her shallow, ragged breathing and she can hear her heart pounding in her ears. Her eyes burn. She's been torn from something terrifying, and for just a second, she almost feels cornered.

But gradually, she takes a deeper breath, trying desperately to calm herself down. ]

It was... [ just a dream, she means to agree with him, but there's a dreaded familiarity about it. This isn't the first time she's woken up in a teary panic, after all, even if it's the first time Roxas has seen it for himself. ]

... It was really scary. [ And Mary says this in a hoarse whisper, squeezing her eyes shut and shaking her head. ]

It's okay.

[she can be scared, he can't—and wouldn't—try to stop that. but roxas stays where he is, with brows knit and eyes filled with concern/]

It was scary but... you're awake now. Whatever happened in your dream, it's over, isn't it? So... it'll be okay, Mary.

[he gives her a small nod, but he doesn't rush her or tell her to calm down. he knows... it's not easy to shake those kinds of feelings.] We can go for a walk and get some air... or get ice cream... in a little bit, if it'll help.

[roxas: clearly never knows how to fix problems unless it's "ice cream? :D"]

Yeah... [ After another minute. Her breathing's evened out, but she's still pale, the occasional tremor running through her. She can't even remember what she jerked awake from... just that she's had that dream before, so many times. ]

... Air sounds good. S-sorry, Roxas.

[ For... making him worry, apparently. ]

It's okay.

[there's nothing she needs to be sorry for, he thinks. but still, he just remains crouched next to the sofa.]

Take your time... we can go when you feel ready.

It's okay, [ she echoes, with another shake of her head. ]

We can go now.

[ Some fresh(ish) air may do her some good. ]

If you're sure...

[then roxas will push himself to his feet, holding a hand out to help mary up. because that's what friends do!!!]

[ Mary nods-- and maybe she's turned pink lately, every time their hands or shoulders so much as brush, but this time, she takes his hand immediately and rises to her feet.

Just when she thinks she's finally over that nightmare, without fail... ]

We'll walk slow. It's a pretty nice day out... maybe it'll help.

[he's trying really hard here, but he's not really sure how else he can help. cheer up, friend...]

... You don't have to come with me, you know... didn't you just get home?

[ SORRY, ROXAS... she'll cheer up eventually! ]

Maybe I don't have to but... I want to.

[why wouldn't he?]

[ A pause. Then, in a smaller voice: ]

Thanks.

Hey... we're friends, right? So it's fine.

[they should be there for each other when they need it. at least, that's how roxas sees it.]

Yeah... of course we are. [ That much, definitely a given. ]

I just don't like making you worry...

It's not like you did it on purpose. I don't think you can control things like bad dreams.

[it's fine!! he'll worry if he wants to, because she's his friend and he wouldn't feel right if he didn't worry about stuff like that.]

I wish I could... I keep having the same dream, though...

I think.

[ IF SHE COULD REMEMBER. ]

You... think?

[he tilts his head... what does that mean?]

I... can't remember all of what happens in it. Just sometimes... I remember a voice. And I remember being so alone.

[ And hating it. ]

Oh...

[he frowns a little.]

It sounds scary... not being able to remember them like that. [he usually remembers his, even when they're bad.] But at least... you're not alone when you wake up, right?

Not completely... but when I wake up at night, and no one's there because everyone's asleep, um...

[ She temporarily panics. ]

[he scrunches is nose a little at that.]

I'm in the next room. You can always knock on the door... I don't mind. [he doesn't like the idea of her being alone and scared, okay.]

I can't-- [ Yeah, nope, she's quickly shaking her head. ]

I don't wanna wake you up, Roxas! Even if you don't mind, it's tough to get back to sleep like that!

But you don't want to be scared by yourself, do you?

[this is why he worries about her.] We can just sit on the couch and watch TV until you feel ready to sleep again or something. It's... not a big deal.

...

You're really sure you won't have a hard time with it?

[ She knows how hard it is to fall back asleep when someone pulls you out of it. ]

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