Chapter Text
In your dreams, it was first a little push. A gentle, little push against your back that knocked you down and made you slip off of the cliff you were on. Panic floods you, then you feel arms? Something caught you in the air as the dreamworld twists and warps with little rays of sunshine coming in. Whatever captures you squeezes you tight, but it’s holding you in a way that’s familiar, almost protective. You feel the nose of a fox brush against your neck and its whiskers tickle you, then-
You jerk awake, much to the surprise of Frederick who was spooning you from behind. His grip on you releases for a few moments and he moves back an inch as he waits for you to speak first. He was frozen, his hand hovering over you. You then rub your eyes with your wrists and cut the awkward tension.
“I was having a nightmare. I was pushed off a cliff, but then I was captured by.. Something. It doesn’t matter.” You finish with a soft giggle, your throat a little dry this morning.
Frederick hums and shifts to press his body right against yours again, his arm coming back around to hold you by your waist, “Hmm.. Are you anxious over something? Your brain conjures dreams to process events or feelings that aren’t being addressed quite often.”
You shrug, “I don’t think anything is really that important... Maybe it’s my current work schedule that got rearranged on short notice.”
“That would make sense. Well, you’ll get through it. You always do.” Frederick says, sighing when he tugs you against him to leave no space left.
You nod and rest your head back on the pillow. Frederick takes the chance to nuzzle his nose into your neck, brushing against your loose and untamed bedhead hair. His stubble tickles your skin and there’s a light stinging sensation, like gentle scratching, when he leans over to give your neck a soft kiss. You smile and free one of your arms from under his grasp to instead hold his hand.
You then glance at the foot of the bed to see Margaret perfectly loafed and her eyes staring back at you. You giggle and greet her, then try to turn to look for Sylvia. Despite the fact that both of them were Frederick’s cats, you’ve grown very fond of them over time with all the overnight stays. When you can’t see any sign of her and her grey fur, Frederick informs you that she’s behind him with a chuckle. The both of you stay in this comfortable embrace for 15 or 20 more minutes, it’s hard to tell with how you’re dozing off, then Frederick breaks it.
“Even though it’s the weekend, I should begin my day. Are you staying for dinner tonight?” Frederick says as he lets go, sitting up.
“Are you asking me to?”
“I would never say no to it.” Frederick replies back with a smaller smirk, sliding off the bed and stretching briefly.
You get up too, although far slower to give Margaret a few pets, “Then, I’ll stay for dinner tonight, Freddy.”