Claire didn't remember what woke her up, but that it was Owen. And even half asleep, she could tell that he wasn't okay. (When were they okay lately? If one didn't have nightmares, the other did. Very scarcely did the nights go uninterrupted.)
( But never did the nights go by alone. )
Her light tone was ladened with sleep that she couldn't shake off, but at least it wasn't as tense as she could tell his body was, even in the dark. Frowning, the redhead moved closer, pressing a hand against his shoulder, squeezing gently and ignoring the way he jumped. He should know better than to try to hide them from her by now.
But silence was her only answer, and she shook her head with a heavy sigh. Well, fine. She'd make him relax anyway. They both needed to sleep with a day filled with business men who would blame her for the park's failure. Who would hound the expert on why the raptors obeyed Indominus. They would both be attacked, ripped apart and left to put themselves back together with frail string and shaking hands. She knew it, and so did he.
"If you think silence is going to deter me from trying to find out if you're okay, you are greatly mistaken, Mr. Grady," she said softly, shifting to make sure he was facing her, even if his gaze was elsewhere.
Gingerly picking up his hand, she laced her fingers with his and smiled a little when he squeezed her hand in response. Pulling their hands upwards, she pressed a small kiss to the back of his hand.
A kiss against his wrist and another against his forearm, and then she let go to effectively straddle his hips, but only to get him to look at her. To focus on her and not what was in his head.
Not Jurassic World. Not the Indominus Rex. Not the raptors. Her. It may sound selfish, but too long in one's head could be bad. Guilt and depression lingered there, and she wouldn't let him fall without her to hold onto.
Leaning forward, Claire pressed her hands against his face, gentle but firm. A kiss found its way onto the skin of his throat, the line of his jaw, and trailed upwards across his cheek to finally land on his lips. The latter lasted for a good few seconds before she pulled away only to whisper, "You're not allowed to leave me for la-la land, Mr. Grady."
"Yes ma'am," was his quick response and her laugh was consumed when his lips crashed into her's again. And, just for a little while, the nightmares of what was and what was to come were forgotten.
