“What are you doing?” Benjamin murmurs, half asleep.
Alexander freezes. He closes his eyes and holds his breath. Just go back to sleep.
But Benjamin props himself up on his elbow.
“Hey. What’s up?”
Alexander reluctantly opens his eyes and looks at him.
“It’s nothing. Silly. Let it go.”
“Alex?”
“I love you, you’re the centre of the universe for me, and the idea of losing you scares the shit out of me.”
Benjamin kisses him gently.
“What is it? Where’s that coming from all of a sudden?”
“I dreamed. You—I lost you. Came to the hospital too late and you—”
Benjamin sighs quietly and pulls him close.
“Come here. I’m here, I’m fine. Everything is all right. I’m here.”
When Alexander is one hundred percent sure Benjamin is asleep he carefully reaches out. I can’t protect him. But you can. And this time he manages to draw the sign of the cross on Benjamin’s forehead without him waking up.