"Captain's got your back."

Now and always. Kyle closed his eyes. He didn't have any more nightmares-- and even woke up to a fresh cup of coffee and a kiss. And practically moved into Price's room the week following.

Just like that. No shaming. No awkwardness or embarrassment. No poor attempts at comforting him. Just the promise of someone to hold him and chase the worst of it away.

Kyle whispered a thank you and buried as close as he could. Price pulled him closer-- kissed the top of his head.

own and Price wasted no time trapping him under the covers too. The Captain shuffled closer so they were touching, wrapping a large arm around Kyle's back and tugging him to his chest.

"... nightmares?" Price mumbled. Gaz nodded. "Mm. Go to sleep, Kyle."

He must have woken up the second Kyle had put the key in the door. He lifted one side of his blanket, free hand patting the empty side of the bed. Price was /inviting/ him?

"Hurry up, you're letting the heat out."

Kyle didn't need any more prompting. He climbed into the bed like it was his

Like blood. Blood dripping from his nose, his eyes, his ears, so much blood--

Price had stopped snoring.

"I know it's you, Gaz." Price's voice startled Kyle-- low and muddled with sleep. Blue eyes cracked open and Price groaned, stretching his legs out beneath the covers.

One arm was tucked underneath his pillow, the other resting comfortably on top of the duvet. Price looked younger like this. Like the years of fighting and leading and suffering just melted away. He looked so... peaceful.

Even with the red casted shadows over his face.

Now was not the time for that. Kyle didn't even know what the hell he was trying to accomplish here. Speed run on how to get onto your Captain's bad side?
He stopped at the side of the bed, taking Price in.

The other soldier was on his side, knees pulled up so he was half curled up.

wasn't much different from his own.

With bated breath, Kyle let his eyesight adjust to the darkness. He could barely see, the only light source coming from the light of Price's alarm clock. Red like crimson, casting bloodied shadows on the floor and walls.

So much blood.

Kyle shook his head.

a soft click. The handle was just as quiet, thank god, and he was inside.

It wasn't the first time he'd been in Price's room. He was intimately familiar with it if he was being honest. Knew it well enough he could navigate it in the dark. Most of the room were identical though, and Price's

He should knock. Better yet, he should /leave/. But the thought of returning to his own bedroom to fight the demons alone...

Kyle didn't knock. He slid the key through the door, holding tightly onto the handle as he twisted the lock-- exhaling quietly when it didn't make a sound other than

What they had stayed nameless-- no pressure or expectations. They liked it like that. But this? With Kyle balancing the key to Price's room-- his personal sanctuary? Seemed like there was a label to be slapped on that.

Kyle could hear Price snoring through the door.

Like it was going to rip itself from his very chest and escape down the corridor. Price's reminder echoed in his ears.

'Just in case you ever need anything.'

They were close, of course. More than colleagues, more than teammates-- much more than friends. Labels weren't their thing, though.

Definitely woke himself up though-- blanket tangled between his legs, sweat soaked shirt sticking uncomfortably to his skin and a hoarse cry ripping from his throat.
Half an hour passed before he felt his heartbeat return to normal-- where it no longer felt like it was rabbiting in his ribcage.

Today had been the only time it had come out. Nightmares had made it difficult to sleep any longer than a small handful of hours for the past week and frankly Kyle was at the end of his rope. Tonight was the worst though. It was a surprise he hadn't woken anybody up with his thrashing and yelling.