"Hey, it's okay," Ernie said, moving to Theodore's side again and lowering down onto his knees. He reached out with his free hand to touch Theodore's, trying to reach through the inner demons to let him know he was back and right next to him. "You don't have to lay in the bed if you don't want to. You can sleep on the sofa, or on the floor even. I can make you a nest with some pillows and blankets."
He took the vial of Dreamless Sleep and slid it between Theodore's fingers, leaving the cork in as if to show that it hadn't been tampered with. "Just drink. I'll be here the whole time, and we'll wake up together in the morning."