A soft hum and a painful groan were heard in the quiet bedroom. Maxim's eyes flattered open and his heart raced. He looked around expecting to see the monster who killed Lily. he dreamed of that night a lot recently. 

As he recognized the luxurious bedroom he breathed a sigh and his muscles relaxed a bit.

The Goran rose again and the man who was sitting on the floor looked back to the bed he was leaning on. He saw a pale figure clinching the sheets in pain and agony.

The master … is dreaming again..

Since the duke came back to the estate the master never had a night of sleep. He always had nightmares.

Maxim felt a hand squeezing his heart. He may be a noble but this man was really like him. Hunted by a nightmare and under another’s thumb. 

Maxim hesitated but then he stood up approaching the other man. The soft light illuminated his pale face. 

Brows frowning, teeth grinding, and sweat beads cover the forehead. 

The servant, because that was what he was, didn’t know what to do.

He was just a servant, a slave .. was he even allowed to touch his master without permission?

All these nights he wanted to wake the suffering man, to shake his shoulder, to wipe away the sweat but he never dared...

While Maxim was in a dilemma on what to do, a hand suddenly reached out and grabbed his. He jumped out of his skin in surprise! He stared at the light green eyes wide open staring right back at him.

< maxim?> 

He nodded like a fool. 

The hand that was squeezing his so hard it almost broke the bones relaxed but didn’t let go. 

< did he come back?> The man who just woke up looked around and asked.

Who? The duke? The guest?

Maxim just shook his head in answer and waited. He waited for the accusation and the question of why was he so close to his master when he should be on the floor.

The other man's eyes settled back on his. And they slowly blinked.

The master finally let go of his hand and covered his own as he groaned loudly < egnnn… was I dreaming ?> 

Silence. 

Maxim nodded but the master didn’t look at him. 

He didn’t know what to do but when these soft eyes settled on him again he nodded vigorously like his head would snap.

< pfff…. > A chuckle came from the master as he slowly leaned back on the bed frame < you’re going to snap your neck > he said smiling. 

Maxim stopped nodding and blushed.

“Not fair..” Maxim thought to himself “Looking at him with these  sleepy eyes  and smiling like that all relaxed and charming and cozy was not fair!!!!!”