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There's nothing on the other side of the bed. Which, normally, wouldn't be surprising or startling. Freya hasn't slept soundly in many moons. But even still, in her half-asleep daze and panic, Emma is wild-eyed with terror.[break][break]

It only comes to a crashing halt, like water over flames, as Freya's arms wrap around her, her hand held fast in the iron grip of her fingers. She squeezes tightly, desperate to ground herself, to wake up, to remember where she is and what's happening.[break][break]

Her chest heaves as quiet sobs wreak her body. Slowly, eventually, she comes to her senses and rests her face in the hollow of Freya's neck. Her familiar smell helps.[break][break]

"Oh gods, Freya, what a fucking nightmare."[break][break]

Her eyes squeeze shut, but she asserts herself and she feels that unsettling stress, like something's missing.[break][break]

It doesn't take long for a Lycanroc to burst through the door, breathing heavily. Without warning, the beast draws near to her bedside, forcing his face hard under her arm, pressing his warmth against her ribs. She doesn't deny it either, she instead buries her fingers fast into his fur, holding him tight.[break][break]

"You're safe.. we're safe."

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Emma melts into her arms, allowing herself this one moment of weakness. She's in distress, her heart is racing and she can't see, can't focus. The only thing she's worried about now is the feeling of Hades' fur under her hand and Freya's arms around her body. [break][break]

Hades growls continuously, a nervous noise that doesn't seem to have an end. He's trembling, as if reliving some sort of horrible nightmare. [break][break]

Freya's question breaks her concentration the here and now and Emma pulls back out of her hold, blinking away disbelief.[break][break]

"I do, I need to talk about it."[break][break]

She takes a steady breath just as Moxie coils around her neck to comfort her. The weight is a welcome one, and Emma reaches for Freya's hand to squeeze it.[break][break]

"I died, Freya. I died and it was so real and strange and horrifying. There was several other people with me. We fought past hordes of zombies and locked doors and choices between killing entire elevators full of people. It didn't seem real, but it felt real. It was.. it was horrible."

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[break]


Emma focuses, shutting her eyes tight to quell the storm in her belly, the wildness of her heart, the sickness that threatens to make her toss everything.[break][break]

Her skin still feels like it's on fire despite being clear of any damage, and she still clutches her chest as if closing a gaping wound that doesn't exist anymore. Because it hadn't been real, none of it. It was just a horrible dream, right?[break][break]

Hades whines, but reclines off of the bed. He's overstepped, surely, and Emma isn't reciprocating his concern the same way anymore - she was past it.[break][break]

Emma gasps as Freya's lips press against her forehead, and suddenly, the pain is gone. The fear melts away, the confusion. She's safe, she's with Freya. It was as if a shadow that encroached on her, had sat so heavily on her shoulders, was gone. It disappears in the blink of an eye and Emma watches Freya's face with wide-eyed relief.[break][break]

"Okay.. okay."[break][break]

She whispers as she places one hand in Freya's, her fingers desperate for warmth, for comfort.

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[break]


Emma slows her breathing, zoning in on the feeling of Freya's lips pressed against her forehead. She feels cold, colder than she used to, but it's a comfort she's hungry for.[break][break]

Her eyes are pressed closed as her heart rate stills, as the world stops spinning behind her eyelids, as she finally relaxes.[break][break]

But sleep would surely evade her for the rest of the night. In fact, it's unlikely the woman will find peace at night for some time. The imaginary heat still sears her flesh and gives her an uncomfortable feeling of dread.[break][break]

She had died.[break][break]

Emma's eyes open to gaze upon her face as their fingers find each other and intertwine. [break][break]

Freya's voice breaks the silence that seems to swallow the air between them and the suggestion is a welcome one.[break][break]

"Please."[break][break]

And then she slips off of the bed and feels a shudder leave her as her feet tingle as they touch the ground.[break][break]

She had died.[break][break]

"Hades."[break][break]

The werewolf has remain somber and silent until she calls for him. It still surprises him when she calls him by the name she'd chosen. It was still fresh, to be given a name other than the one of his species. [break][break]

He doesn't need a command and Emma doesn't give it, but the thought is there. He would remain by her side because that's what she wanted from him.