First time I read a fic where Chloe experiences sleep paralysis rewired my brain and I never looked back so I fully agree with your headcanons about Chloe having nightmares & Beca having insomnia and I need 500 fics about them improving each others sleep experiences stat
The ceiling still wasn’t interesting, but Beca kept staring at it. Maybe it would get interesting soon.
Really, she’d be better served plugging in her headphones. Better yet, getting out of bed, making a mix, reading a book, anything.
But that felt like giving up. Surely, it was much more effective to lie there knowing she’d be doing this for another hour at least. The urge to check her phone itched at her: this at least she resisted.
It was then that she heard a yell from the other room. Almost like a scream. Then the thump of someone getting out of bed.
‘Chloe?’ She was thinking, even as she got out of bed, tied up her pyjama pants and brushed her hair out her eyes, left her room and gently knocked on Chloe’s.
“Sorry,” Chloe whispered, when Beca walked in. She looked apologetic - guilty. Beca didn’t know why. “That was dumb.”
“Don’t know why you’re sorry, Chlo’”, and oh dear, Beca thought, that almost sounded like a pet name.
“Night terrors.”
“Ah. Not fun.”
“No… they feel so real. And then I worry about waking up the house, and I clearly woke up you, and-“
Beca had hesitated, but at that, she sat gently on the bed, next to where Chloe was sat up, back against the headboard, duvet pooled at her waist. Light blue pyjamas against purple blanket. “Hey, no, I was already awake. And even if I wasn’t, I don’t mind checking on you.” She hesitated again, but it wasn’t a time for her own hang ups.
She reached her hand out, gently stroked the back of Chloe’s head with her fingertips. She knew Chloe loved physical touch, Beca being the recipient of many a half cuddle on movie nights, and Beca hoped this would help.
And wouldn’t be seen as a gross breach of their friendship.
Chloe leant into Beca’s fingertips. Finally seemed to relax. Beca moved to lie next to her, on top of the covers.
It was just easier, rather than stretching her arm, she thought.
“It just feels silly. Like I’m some kid again.”
“Can’t control your mind, Chloe. I know all about that.”
Really, it’s why Beca’s awake.
“This helps. Thank you.”
“I’ll stay as long as you need. Try not to kick me in the night?”
“Bitch,” and it’s the fondest way Beca has ever heard that word.
“You too,” she murmurs back, and ignores what she wants to say, suddenly and for the thousandth time.
——
Beca can’t remember when she fell asleep. Her arm feels numb - did she sleep on it again? But no, her cheek is half against a pillow, and-
Oh. That’s Chloe’s head. Chloe’s arm wrapped around Beca’s torso.
Beca is blushing, a little, panicking, a little more, but mostly?
Realising it’s the best sleep she’s had in weeks, and she feels so very safe.
