“You’ve gone all tense.”
Romeo shook his head.“It doesn’t matter.”
Chad yawned.“This sofa is too comfy.”
“I can’t remember the last time we slept on it.”
“I can.”
“You ...can?”
Chad nodded.“We stayed up all night killing zombies.You were annoyed my score was higher.”
“I wasn’t annoyed.”
Chad smiled, rolling onto his back.Romeo had to grip onto him harder to ensure he didn’t fall off the edge.
“You were definitely annoyed.”Chad smirked.
Romeo shook his head.“You know what I can’t remember...”
“What?”
“The last time you woke up with a smile on your face.”He lifted his head to check.“One that reaches your eyes.”
Chad opened his mouth to retort, but he had no words.He frowned as he pressed his lips together.
“Why have the nightmares stopped?”Romeo whispered.
“I don’t know.You said about the meds—”
“You were having nightmares long before we went away, but now ...you haven’t had any.What’s changed?”
“A lot has changed.”
“No,” Romeo gripped the back of the sofa to haul himself up.“What has changed from the weekbeforeyou didn’t come home to this one?You’re...”Romeo shot an accusing look at Chad.“More...”
“More what?”
“At ease.”He reached for Chad’s face, cupping his cheek he dragged his thumb beneath his eye.There were no deep, dark circles, not anymore.
Chad’s gaze was bright and focused.
“Romeo?”
“What’s changed?”Romeo repeated.“Something must have.You haven’t ...you haven’t been to the station...Was it the job?Was it always thinking you were never going to be good enough?Did letting go of that responsibility finally let you sleep?”
“I don’t know, but I’m kind of happy I’m not having nightmares anymore.”
“Can you remember when you did?”
“No.”
“You can’t remember any of your old dreams?”
“No, and I’m glad about that.They way you talk about them, they must’ve been bad.”
“They were.”
