My body jolted awake, and I heard a loud thud on the floor next to my bed. I screamed when I saw the dark shadow figure move to stand up, still frantic from my nightmare.

“Owen, calm down, it’s me!” Manny shouted over my scream, “You trying to wake the whole fucking apartment complex?! Jesus Christ.” He was mad at me.

I clicked on the light next to my bed, and saw Manny rubbing his cheek.

“I’m sorry.” My voice was shaking, and my cheeks were damp form tears.

“What the hell was that? You scared the shit out of me.” Manny, for the first time since I’ve known him, was showing actual, genuine concern for my well-being.

“Just a bad dream.” My voice was still shaking.

“Just a bad dream?! Are you fucking kidding me right now, Owen? That was more than ‘just a bad dream.’ I thought we had an intruder and you were being assaulted or something.” He shouted at me. My body shrunk away from him, as I recalled the shitty nightmare I’d just been through. It wasn’t just a bad dream. It was a bad memory. I started crying more.

“Shit, I’m sorry Owen. I didn’t mean to shout at you. I was just really scared. Are you okay? Can I get you anything?”

“Um…” I thought for a moment, but the only thing I wanted right in this moment was to be held and told I was safe. So with tear fill eyes, I looked at him, “Can you just hug me right now?”

“Of course.” He gave me a pitiful smile and crawled into my bed. He pulled me into his arms and rocked me gently.

“I don’t know what that was all about, but just know that you’re safe here, okay?” He told me in a calming voice. It was like he knew that’s just what I needed to hear. “We may not be the closest roommates in the world, but I’d never let anyone hurt you in our home. So just take a deep breath, and relax.” He continued. I’d never been more grateful for him.

I took a few deep breaths, and my body eventually stopped shaking. His hand gently rubbed my back, which was also helping calm me down.

“Should I call someone over for you?” He asked. But, while I was extremely grateful he was being so kind to me right now, I still didn’t want him to meet my friends because I was afraid he might try to pull something on them, and I’d never forgive him for that.

“No, this is okay for now.” I answered, relaxing more into his hug, “would it be weird if I asked you to stay in here tonight?” I asked. I knew it was risky, but I was terrified to be alone right now.

“No, I don’t mind staying here for you. I promise I won’t try anything with you, especially given your current state. I’m not that heartless.” He tried to joke, but it fell flat. We both fell to our sides, with our heads landing on my pillow. He held me in a tight hug, and continued gently rubbing my back and reminding me I was safe here.

Manny POV

I had no idea what Owen had been through in his past that made his nightmare so violent. I was sincerely scared for his safety when I heard him screaming. I’d busted into his room so fast I nearly broke his door off the hinges. When I’d seen he was screaming in his sleep, I tried to wake him. I didn’t want him to keep having whatever scary dream he was having.

I knew Owen didn’t particularly like me because I have questionable morals, but I had nothing against Owen. I knew I was doing shitty things, and I knew Owen worried about his friends and boyfriend being near me. It was pretty obvious when he never invited anyone over. It did hurt my feelings a bit, but I couldn’t really blame him.

When Owen had finally woken up and I saw pure terror in his eyes, I knew he really needed someone he could count on, and I wanted to be that someone. Because as far as roommates go, Owen was by far my favorite, and I didn’t want to do something to make him hate me. So when he asked me to comfort him, I was happy he felt safe enough around me to feel comfort from me. When he’d finally dozed back off into sleep, I sneakily went through his phone, typed the number of his most recently texted contact into my phone and snuck out of the room to call them.

“Hello? It’s the middle of the night, who is this?” The voice was annoyed and groggy.

“Hey, this is Manny, Owen’s roommate – please don’t hang up!” I rushed out.

“Where’s Owen? Is he okay?” The voice turned frantic.

“What’s going on?” I heard a deeper, equally groggy sounding voice in the background.

“Owen’s roommate is on the phone.” First voice told the other person.

“Owen’s right here. I just called the last number he texted… so I hope you’re the right person to call. I’d say he’s fine, but I’m actually really worried about him. He came home last night looking like he’d seen a ghost, then went straight to bed. He was having a pretty terrifying nightmare, screaming things like ‘don’t touch me, get off me’ and stuff like that. Look. I know Owen doesn’t really trust me to be near his friends, but can you please come here and comfort him? I calmed him down and got him back to sleep… but I’m really worried about him, and I don’t think I’m the right person for him in this situation.” I told the person.

“I’ll be right there.” The voice told me, before hanging up.

I know Owen told me no to calling someone over, but I also knew he needed the people he trusted the most right now… not a roommate who he’s just settling with for comfort. I cared about Owen, and I wanted him to be okay. I just hoped he wouldn’t hate me for doing this behind his back…

‘I swear I won’t make a move on the guy that comes to help Owen’, I had to keep repeating that to myself. Owen needed his friends right now. And I wanted him to know he could trust me in times of need. I really just wanted to be a good roommate for him in this moment.

A very fast few minutes lately there was a rapid knocking on the front door, and I ran to answer it. There was a young looking Asian guy there.

“Were you the guy I called for Owen?” I question curiously.

“Yes. I’m Vincent. Where’s Owen?” he demanded. He exuded dominance, and it oddly suited him, even though he looked more like the guy who wanted to be dominated.

“This way.” I walked toward Owen’s room.

When we got to Owen room, Owen was tossing and turning, and his breathing was more like gasping. I rushed back to his side and pulled him back into my arms and whispered the same calming things I’d told him earlier to help calm him down. I wasn’t sure if he could hear me, but I wanted whoever was haunting this sweet guys dreams to know he’d never be able to hurt Owen as long as I’m around.

“You know, for as much as Owen doesn’t trust you near me or Roy or Markus, you’re oddly very good with him.” Vincent stated.

“Who are those other two?” I whispered.

“Roy is my fiancé, and Markus is Owen’s boyfriend.” He told me.

“Ah. I guess I understand then. Yeah I’ve made quite the reputation for myself… I don’t blame Owen for not wanting me anywhere near you guys. But I’d never do anything to hurt Owen. I like him. Strictly platonically, of course. He’s not my type, but as a person, he’s a really amazing guy. I’ve known for a long time that he doesn’t trust me, but he’s never been mean about my habits, or hateful. He’s never looked at me with any sort of disgust…” I was being far too chatty with this stranger, but I couldn’t help it, he felt easy to talk to.

“Yeah. I get it. He’s quite incredible for someone so young, not that I’m that much older than him.” Vincent said fondly. “I know a lot of people whose lives he’s touched, who would do anything to see him smile.”

“And I am one of them. I couldn’t imagine ever hurting someone as big hearted as him. I want to be someone he can count on too. I’d rather him feel safe in his own home. And if that means not bringing home my trashy habits, then I’d do that for him.” I told Vincent.

“That’s comforting to hear. I’m glad he can have a safe place to come home to. So why did you call me here if you’ve got this covered?” Vincent asked me.

“Because he doesn’t open up to me. I’m not sure if you were the right person to call, but I’m really hoping you’re someone he feels safe enough with to open up about whatever this,” I gestured to his violently shaking body, “is about. This is scary for me, and I know he won’t talk to me…”

“I hope I’m the right person too… I like to think we’re close…” Vincent had a sad, longing look in his eyes. But on the surface, he gave a week smile.

He walked over to the bed, and kneeled beside Owen on the floor. He pushed Owen’s hair back and pressed their foreheads together in a move that seem far too intimate for someone who’s engaged… not that I have any room to judge. I silently watched from my spot on the bed. It was clear to me that Vincent had some more than just friendship feelings here.

“Owen, sweety, I’m here for you okay? Vinny’s here.” Vincent whispered. Owen’s body stopped shaking. It was like relief washed over his body when he heard Vincent.

“I’ll leave him to you then.” I said, climbing back out of the bed, giving room for Vincent to take over. I wish I had a friend like Vincent in my life…

A little while later there was a terrifyingly loud pounding on the front door. I ran to answer it before the person took down our door… or angered the neighbors. When I answered the door, there was an old guy there looking like a complete mess. He was surprisingly really sexy, though older guys weren’t really my type either. I put on my best flirty eyes, and adjusted my body’s stance to be more flirty.

“Can I help you sir?” I asked, laying on the flirty tone really thick.

“Where is Owen?!” He asked in a panic.

“Markus?!” Vincent called out from Owen’s room, “Did Roy call you?”

“Can I come in?” This guy, Markus, asked. Then I remembered Vincent had told me Owen’s boyfriend’s name was Markus. That sucks… how did Owen land himself a hot guy like this? He has to have daddy issues if he’s into older men like this guy.

“Yeah, just go that way.” I directed him.

I felt my lack of morals slipping out as I watched Markus’s ass as he headed toward Owen's room. Honestly, as much as I’d prefer to get along with a great guy like Owen, there’s no way he knows how to handle a real man like that… but I sure as hell do.