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Allura considered herself rather lucky.
Sure, she had her hardships, who didn’t? The sequence of her life let her fall down and then supported her to get back up. Honestly, majoring in politics might be the hardest thing she’d done, but it’s also her dream, so it was far from a disparity.
She grew up with wealthy, but loving and generous parents; her father was fair and kind while her mother was loving and present. Sure, they go busy, but then her beloved uncle Coran would babysit her.
If there was arguing, they all sat and talked it out.
If she forgot her lunch for school, her dad would drive it over.
If she was scared, she would cuddle her mom.
Regardless, she knew she was safe and cared for.
Honestly, she had the privilege of thinking that’s how most people’s families were...
But after dating Keith, she realized that wasn’t the case for everyone.
-
Soothingly, she ran a hand through Keith’s hair, whispering in her boyfriend’s ear, “I know, darling, I know...” She rubbed his back up and down, keeping him close to her chest and hopefully feeling at least a little better.
He nodded and mumbled into her chest, “I’m sorry... I.. I don’t want to keep you up... I just really can’t sleep, Allura...” His voice was wobbly, and guilt leaked out like a faucet on every word.
She let out a light sighed and replied with, “Keith, you’re fine. I already told you. You don’t need to apologize.” His insomnia wasn’t exactly a secret, and it only took a certain amount of time before she witnessed so many nightmares.
After a few sleepovers and finding that Keith got paranoid sleeping next to someone, they found a few ways that help him fall asleep. Like playing with his hair or cuddling face to face rather than spooning. Now, he seemed to want to sleepover more but felt guilty that him falling asleep took so long sometimes.
His eyes flickered away. They had this conversation semi-often, but it always found himself feeling insecure again. “I’m still sorry...” He whispered.
Was it normal for girlfriends to comfort their boyfriends to sleep?
Her lips jutted out and she kissed the top of his head. “I care about you... you really don’t need to apologize...” Seriously, she didn’t mind. She actually really liked helping him fall asleep.
All of her past relationships were with either pretentious law majors or jocks who wanted to show off. This was her first time dating someone who was awkward and quiet, yet still kind of badass. Now that she’s experienced it, she wouldn’t trade it for the world. She wished her past boyfriends didn’t have the whole fragile masculinity mindset and would let her do this.
But he just gave a little shrug and murmured, “Okay...” As she ran her hands through his soft, messy hair. The hair thing was nice to him; it was grounding and not too much, but not too little. It was like a little wispy reminder of ‘I’m here.’
She smiled and kissed the top of his hair; it was fuzzy and soft from his shower from his shower earlier. “Very good...” She whispered. Her own sleepiness was starting to ebb away at her and having her boyfriend here wasn’t helping. She quite liked cuddling, especially with Keith. He tucked his right arm in when he was held, and she found it positively adorable.
It wasn’t long before his body started to go limper and she almost held her breathe—he was finally falling asleep. His breathing was soft against her night shirt and one of his arms was around her waist loosely. She rested her cheek on his head and let out a quiet, happy sigh.
Eventually, his breathing evened out and he was asleep.
It might be a bit silly, but she always felt prideful when he fell asleep on her. It wasn’t like Keith trusted or felt easy, as sad as that is, so moments like these really made her feel like she was doing something right.
Carefully, she pressed a few more kisses to the side of his head and brushed a lock of hair behind his ear and whispered, “Goodnight, darling... I’ll be here when you wake up...” Before tugging her purple duvet over them, the texture warm and silky, almost weighted.
A tiny hum was heard from him, and she stilled, worrying she woke him up, but then he just cuddled closer. Honestly, she had to hold in a small squeal—it was so cute! It felt special that he was so reserved and quiet with everyone else, but she got this cuter side of him all to herself.
Hmm...
Maybe she was a tad bit spoiled.
But let her have this—she earned it, okay? She doesn’t need to justify liking a cuddly boyfriend when all her past ones were trolls.
She held a hand to her mouth as it parted with a yawn, tears in the corner of her eyes and she hummed. Keith ran warm and that was insanely comforting.
With one last little kiss, she fully let herself nestle into the sheets, and Keith, before letting a peaceful darkness cloud her vision. Her body went lax, and her own breathing slowed down, following in unison with his.
Perhaps she was odd, but she didn’t think there was anything wrong with helping Keith fall asleep...