In Search of Home

Chapter 47

Until it wasn't. 

He jerked awake, heart thudding rapidly in his ribcage. Viktor could scarcely breathe, hearing the wheezing gasps of his body desperately trying to suck in air. His surroundings were dark and unfamiliar, and his eyes flitted back and forth, trying to find some semblance of familiarity. He found none. 

Feeling the panic beginning to squeeze his throat more than it already was at the sight, Viktor swiftly got to his hands and knees, struggling to twist his way out of his blankets' grasp. He nearly brained himself on the floor when his arm fell out beneath him, only just managing to catch himself on his elbows. 

He finally broke free, sprawling out into the open living room. Feeble moonlight trickled in from the windows, and Viktor waited for his eyes to adjust, breathing in and out evenly if a little shakily. 

Vok'Rul was sleeping on the couch, back facing Viktor. He was so still that Viktor briefly thought him dead before he saw his sides rising and falling. He listened to his soft breathing, barely able to hear it over his own harsh panting. 

His eyes ached, and his hair was still slightly damp. He couldn't have been asleep for more than an hour. 

He huffed silently to himself, pressing his trembling hands to his eyes. He couldn't even remember the dream he had. 

After a long few minutes, he got to his feet. He quickly retreated to the office, splashing his face with lukewarm water. He took a few sips, but his stomach protested. Viktor didn't want to throw up, either, so he put down the dish. 

He stood up, feeling a little lost. 

"Kohgrash?" Vok'Rul's sleepy murmur came from the living room. Sick relief started pooling in his stomach, warring with his anxiety and fear. Viktor quickly went back into the living room, finding Vok'Rul sat up. His eyes were half shut, clothes a little rumpled. A blanket was starting to fall off his legs. Viktor quickly walked over, pushing it back onto the bed. 

"Tas tih, cho'k?" the alien mumbled, brushing Viktor's slightly damp hair back. His hand was slightly heavier than normal, slow with sleep. 

He didn't know what the alien was asking him, so he stayed silent. He didn't want to talk much, anyway. 

Vok'Rul hummed, mumbling something else before he patted the space beside him, saying "Pora," before lying back down. Viktor, unwilling to choose between going back into the blanket fort or interrupting even more of Vok'Rul's sleeping schedule by dragging his bed back into the closet, easily made the decision to scramble onto the couch. 

He was pulled in close by Vok'Rul's arm, who didn't seem to mind that he was getting water all over him. Viktor settled his head on the alien's chest, scrunching in as close to the large heat source as he possibly could. He stayed awake for a while longer, feeling and hearing the alien drop back into sleep. 

His claws, which had been gently stroking up and down his spine, kept slowing until they stopped. His breathing evened and slowed down. Hell, Viktor could hear his triple heartbeat slow down as well. The embrace, coupled with the soothing sounds of Vok'Rul's breathing, quickly relaxed Viktor. He could feel the tension drain out of his shoulders. 

Eventually, after his mind had turned off, he, too, fell asleep. 

*** 

They were both rudely awakened when something fell heavily on them. 

Nohkka's foot connected right with his chest, and he jerked out of sleep with a croaking gasp. He rolled onto his side and fell right off the side of the bed. He landed on the floor with a thump. Vok'Rul groaned much louder than he did, as he took most of Nohkka's sudden weight on his chest.