gaius (ex_gaius583) wrote in snark_n_bark, @ 2008-07-09 19:13:00 |
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Entry tags: | complete, gaius, regulus |
Frights in the Night
Characters: Regulus, Anubis
Summary: When dreams go bad, furry friends can make everything better
He was surrounded by darkness, and he stumbled as he ran blindly, his arms outstretched. He could hear her mad laughter behind him, growing closer. She was gaining on him, and he knew he would feel the impact of a curse at any moment, but he couldn't seem to run fast enough to escape her.
Vines sprouted out of the ground and tangled around his legs, and he toppled and fell; his breath came in labored pants as he struggled to kick free, but the vines tightened, binding him even more, spreading up his body. Panic washed over him as he looked up and saw her approaching, her pale skin glowing in the darkness, her eyes luminous and utterly mad.
"I've come back for you, little cousin," she crooned. "And this time, your brother can't interfere with our games."
"No... no..."
"NO!"
Regulus surged upright, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, and his skin drenched in sweat. He looked around, wild-eyed, but the room was empty, and he could see thanks to the small night-light he always burned; it had only taken one time of waking up in a panic to realize waking up in a dark room would aggravate his dream-induced fear. Having a light on helped him return to reality much more quickly.
He felt a brief surge of alarm when he realized he couldn't move his legs, but a glance down showed he'd got tangled up in the sheets, nothing more, and he breathed out a shaky sigh of relief.
Regulus' sudden, violent outburst woke Anubis, and he sprang upright on the pillow, fur bristling as he immediately looked around for danger, ready to attack with teeth and claws. After a wild glance around the room he realized that Regulus must have had a nightmare, and his fear became immediate concern. He could hear Regulus' rapid breathing, smell the fear emanating from him. For a brief moment he considered returning to human form, to hold Regulus and reassure him that everything was all right, but then he dismissed that idea; no doubt having a full grown man in his bed, rather than a cat, would be more frightening than comforting.
Fortunately cats were also good at offering comfort, and so he moved, purring so loudly his body shook with it as he stepped into Regulus' lap and pressed his head into Regulus' stomach, nuzzling him and letting him know that he wasn't alone. Maybe not as effective as a hug would have been, but it was the best he could offer in the circumstances.
The press of Anubis' little body and the feel of Anubis' purring vibrating against his skin brought Regulus back to reality completely, and he reached out to stroke Anubis despite the lingering tremor in his fingers. It was good - helpful - to have something to focus on and bring him out of the nightmare, sweeping the nasty cobwebs away for good.
"I'm sorry I woke you," he murmured, finding solace in the rhythm of caressing Anubis from ears to tail. "I had a nightmare. It happens sometimes. Not as often as it used to, but often enough." He breathed out another slow sigh, feeling himself grow calm at last. "It's always the same. Bellatrix is after me, and she catches me." He kicked off the sheets with a shudder and freed his legs, moving them back and forth to assure himself that he could. "I can't bear being pinned or confined. It reminds me of being chained in her dungeon again. It's a shame," he said with a shaky laugh. "I used to enjoy bondage games. Not anymore."
Anubis had Gaius' memories of the horrors Bellatrix had visited upon Regulus, and he felt an ache of sympathy for all that his friend had suffered. It seemed that Regulus was still suffering from that experience, and having had an encounter of his own with the madwoman, he could fully understand why Regulus was sometimes haunted by his memories.
"Mrrrooooooooow," he said, still purring as he continued to cuddle Regulus, wanting to take Regulus' mind off his worries. He arched under Regulus' stroking hand, then rose up onto his back legs, rubbing his head against Regulus' throat.
Gathering Anubis up in his arms, Regulus held Anubis, cradling him against his chest, and he nuzzled his cheek against Anubis' soft fur, drawing comfort from the warmth of another living being. The terror induced by the nightmare had receded, leaving him drained and shaky, and he wanted nothing more than to cuddle and cling to Anubis until he had settled enough to go back to sleep.
"I'm glad you're here," he murmured, holding Anubis tight. "It's so much better not waking up alone."
Anubis could definitely agree with that sentiment; it had been difficult for him after Sirius' death, reaching out for someone who would never be there again. Being here with Regulus was as beneficial for him as it was for Regulus, and he was more than happy to give all the support and reassurance he possibly could to ease Regulus' loneliness and fear.
Cuddling was good, but he thought he could distract Regulus even more. When Regulus' arms loosened a bit, Anubis rolled over on his back in Regulus' arms, staring up at him with bright blue eyes as he batted lightly at Regulus' long hair, playing with it like a toy.
Chuckling, Regulus bent his head and shook it, making his curly hair bob enticingly. It was, he supposed, evidence of how far gone he was that he was willing to let his hair be used as a cat toy, but he didn't mind, and the distraction of watching Anubis' antics was definitely helping.
Anubis kept his claws sheathed, not wanting to tangle and pull out Regulus' hair, but he growled with great ferocity as he continued the game. Regulus' soft chuckle told him that his plan was working, and when Regulus' face came closer he batted gently at Regulus' nose, then gave a victorious "Mroooaw!"
That made Regulus laugh outright, the last of the shadows dissipating at last. With a last careful cuddle and squeeze, he released Anubis and reached for his wand to clean up himself and the sweat-wet sheets; once the bed was clean and comfortable again, he drew up the top sheet and reclined against his pillow again, holding out his arms in an invitation for Anubis to come close again.
"Shall we try this again?" he asked, smiling. "Perhaps this time, I won't disturb your rest."
Anubis watched Regulus' efforts with interest, then stalked the sheet as Regulus pulled it up his body. But the invitation to cuddle was far more interesting than the little game, and he bounced up eagerly into Regulus' arms, purring happily as he settled in. He was glad that his presence was making Regulus feel better, and he was more than willing to settle down and go back to sleep. Like any true hedonist - and cats by nature were all hedonists - he disliked waking up earlier than absolutely necessary.
Regulus closed his eyes, the sound and feel of Anubis' purring comforting him and offering a reminder that he was safe, and the nightmare had been nothing more than a rehashed memory. He stroked Anubis' back, the movement of his hand growing slower as he drifted off, and finally, he went still, finding solace in sleep once more. This time, he didn't dream.