Chapter 5 #2
He grabs the remote, walks over to the TV, and flips it on. Within seconds, he’s scrolling through the streaming service, finds Criminal Minds, and presses play. The familiar intro music fills the room, and Jeb immediately perks up, bobbing his head like he’s about to start reciting the script.
Orion turns to me with a mock flourish. “Ta-da. Ask and you shall receive.”
“Jeb eat popcorn.”
Orion stares at the bird like he’s nuts. “Seriously?”
“It’s a good snack. I’ll just pop some in the microwave for him. You won’t even notice we’re here,” I say, rushing into the kitchen to look for the popcorn I bought for Jeb.
Jeb squawks from the living room and I smile at Orion who’s followed me into the kitchen.
“That bird’s got you wrapped around his little claw,” he says, and I blush.
“Yeah well…” I can’t help but laugh, feeling a warm flutter in my chest. “Thank you for making us feel at home here,” I say, meaning it. For all Orion’s gruffness, he’s going out of his way to make me—and my feathered drama queen—comfortable.
Orion stuffs his hands into his pockets, his earlier annoyance replaced with something more relaxed. “Sure, no problem.” He gestures vaguely toward the hallway. “I’m going to get a little work done in my office down the hall. Let me know if you need anything.”
I give him a playful salute—again, for reasons I still can’t explain. It’s like every time I’m around this man, I lose the ability to act normal. “Sure thing, boss.”
He chuckles, shaking his head as he walks away, and I place the bag of popcorn into the microwave, my heart doing that stupid little flutter it’s been doing ever since Orion came into my life.
I glance at Jeb, who’s still staring intently at the screen, like he’s fully invested in catching the unsub.
“Don’t get too comfortable, buddy,” I mutter under my breath. But honestly, I’m not sure if I’m talking to Jeb or myself.
“Briar,” a voice calls, distant but familiar, pulling me from the depths of a nightmare. “Briar, are you awake?” It sounds like Jason. My heart pounds in my chest, the panic rising as I’m pulled into a tunnel of darkness. Everything feels heavy, like I’m trying to swim through thick tar.
I try to scream, but nothing comes out. My mouth opens, but the sound is trapped inside me. I run, but Jason’s right behind me, getting closer with every step. My legs feel like lead, and I trip, falling again and again, the ground swallowing me whole.
“Briar, wake up!” The voice cuts through the chaos, but I can’t reach it.
I tumble deeper into the nightmare, Jason’s footsteps pounding in my ears.
Desperation builds until, finally, a scream erupts from deep within me.
It’s raw and loud, splitting the silence.
My throat burns as I cry out again and again.
Suddenly, strong arms wrap around me, holding me steady. “Briar, you’re safe. It’s me, Orion. I’ve got you.”
His voice is like a lifeline, pulling me back to reality.
The falling stops, and my eyes snap open.
I blink, disoriented, the room slowly coming into focus.
I’m on Orion’s couch, his arms still around me, the soft glow of the TV casting shadows across the room.
Jeb is perched nearby, watching with a curious tilt of his head.
Breathless, I take in my surroundings, my heart still racing. “What... what time is it?” I ask, my voice shaky.
Orion gently lets go, his eyes full of concern as he kneels beside me. “It’s late, just past nine,” he says softly. “You fell asleep during the show.”
I glance at the TV, where Criminal Minds continues to play, the characters investigating some dark, twisted case. “I had a nightmare,” I murmur, my voice still shaky. I wipe the sweat from my forehead, feeling the remnants of fear still lingering.
Orion doesn’t move, his presence grounding me. “It’s okay,” he says, his voice low and soothing. “You’re safe now.”
I nod, trying to shake off the lingering dread. “Thanks... for waking me up. I felt like I was stuck.”
He gives me a small, reassuring smile, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I’ll always wake you up if you need me to.”
His words make my chest tighten, and for a moment, I can’t find the right thing to say. I glance down at my hands, feeling the warmth of his touch still lingering.
Jeb squawks from his perch, breaking the tension. “Jeb is watching!”
Orion chuckles softly, standing up and giving me space to breathe. “Even Jeb’s got your back,” he jokes, trying to lighten the mood.
“Aww, you used his name.” I smile weakly, grateful for the distraction, but as I settle back into the couch, I can’t help but feel a sense of comfort in knowing that Orion’s right here.
“Come on, I made you macaroni and cheese with chicken nuggets,” Orion says, a teasing smile tugging at his lips. He holds out a plate like it's a prized offering, and honestly, it is.
I can’t help but grin wide. “My favorite!”
He laughs, the sound rich and warm, filling the cozy kitchen. “You really do eat like a child, you know that?”
I grin even bigger, feeling like a kid on Christmas morning. “I love it,” I say, plopping down into the chair at the little dinette set by the kitchen, the smell of cheesy goodness wafting up to meet me.
Orion shakes his head, amused, as he sits down across from me. “You’re something else.” He pauses for a moment, his smile fading just a little as his eyes soften. “What are your nightmares about?”
His question catches me off guard, and I glance down at my plate, my fork suddenly feeling heavy in my hand.
The playful atmosphere shifts slightly, the air growing thick with unspoken tension.
I try to shrug it off, though my chest tightens a little.
“I don’t really know,” I lie, twirling the fork in the cheesy noodles, avoiding his gaze.
He doesn’t buy it. I can tell by the way his eyes stay fixed on me, his expression turning more serious. “Did you have the nightmares before you started dating Jason?”
The question lands hard, and I feel my stomach twist, the comfort of the food in front of me suddenly distant.
I shake my head, already knowing where he’s going with this.
He’s right, and we both know it. “No,” I admit quietly, my voice barely a whisper.
“The nightmares started after I began dating Jason.”
The words hang in the air between us, a heavy truth that neither of us wants to acknowledge but can’t ignore.
I keep my eyes on my plate, avoiding his gaze.
It feels like admitting that out loud makes everything even more real, like my subconscious was trying to warn me long before I realized it myself.
Orion doesn’t push, but I can feel the concern rolling off him.
He leans back in his chair, watching me carefully, giving me space to breathe.
“It makes sense, you know,” he says after a beat, his voice gentle.
“Going through what you did with him... it leaves a mark. In your mind. Even when you think you’re past it. ”
I nod, my throat tight. “I guess,” I manage to say, though the weight of it all feels like so much more than that. There’s no easy way to explain the kind of fear Jason instilled in me—the way it lingers, even now, creeping into my dreams.
Orion reaches across the table, his hand hovering for a moment before gently touching mine. The warmth of his fingers calms the nerves racing beneath my skin, grounding me. “You’re safe here, Briar,” he says, his voice steady. “You don’t have to go through this alone.”
I glance up, meeting his eyes for the first time since we started this conversation. There’s something in his gaze—something strong and unwavering that makes me believe him. It’s not just empty words. He means it.
I manage a small, grateful smile, my heart swelling just a bit. “Thanks,” I whisper, my fingers curling slightly around his, holding on to that tiny thread of reassurance he’s offering. For now, it’s enough.
Orion squeezes my hand before pulling away, giving me space again. “Now eat your nuggies before they get cold,” he says, his teasing tone back in place, trying to lighten the mood.
I let out a small laugh, grateful for the shift. “Yes, sir,” I reply, picking up a chicken nugget and taking a big bite. It’s a silly moment, but I welcome it—anything to keep the darkness at bay for just a little longer.