Can cook but can't sleep - OTA (nudge to Fred)

[hunt_the_devil]

*Retreating to the one place John knew he could get on and do something practical, he now stood in the mess hall prepping several chickens ready for the team to eat. A large mug of coffee was within easy grasp as John yawned, pausing in his work

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[un_move_able]

Fred jolted awake, his heart pounding and his bed covers clinging to him from the sweat. Waking up in the dark from a nightmare was never a comforting experience, and after the recent move, he was not yet used to awaking in his new room. Sometimes he would believe for a brief moment that the team had been captured or abducted

[hunt_the_devil]

John was still working away in the kitchen, he was tempted to sleep in the Rec room but no doubt Stryker would kick up a fuss and it would cause more trouble for Fred and that wasn't what a decent friend did.

He was distracted as he mashed up the potatoes and dished things so that they could be stored for tomorrow. Barely concealing a yawn John leant against the counter tempted to make another cup of coffee.

[un_move_able]

Wraith looked like someone had tossed hims around like a ragdoll. Fred hated to think of the obvious reason by his friend appeared so exhausted.

"Hey," he greeted him tentatively.

[hunt_the_devil]

John looked up, mid yawn and gestured at his friend a hello.

"Hey. You sleep alright buddy?"

Covering the large tray of mash John lifted it and slotted it into the huge fridge.

"You want a cookie? I made some using up some of that porridge mix that Stryker bulk ordered. Can't promise they'll taste any good mind you."

[un_move_able]

Fred managed a sad smile. Obviously neither of them had a good time sleeping tonight. if Wraith was angry with Fred, he was doing a damn good job of not showing it. Damn, he spoiled Dukes rotten.

"Sure," he took a cookie and nibbled on it, lost in thought. Otherwise he would have wolfed the thing down.

Hell, just come out and say it.

"You awake because of me?"

[hunt_the_devil]

The yawn probably confirmed what Fred was thinking but John half shrugged and muttered some answer about uncomfortable beds and several reasons really as he took a large mouthful of coffee.

He had hoped Fred would buy his half baked answer but the incredulous look he was getting from his friend said it all.

"Well... you know... you hollerin' away in hte middle of the night might 'ave woken me a couple times. I mean it's probably good that I got some practice in just incase we got attacked but still. Bit of a shock when you wake up out in the snow. You unsettled 'cause of the move?"

[un_move_able]

Wraith's half-assed excuses were clear as day despite the muffling of sleep, both in John's voice and Fred's hearing.

"C'mon..."

After finally receiving the true explanation, Fred felt pretty guilty at the thought of waking Wraith up however many times within one night. However, one could not exactly control what dreams were going to make you cry out in your sleep. Feeling uneasy, he shoved the rest of the cookie into his mouth, chewed quickly and swallowed.

"If that's a good excuse t'give to the team, then yeah. Don' need Stryker makin' a pile of piss about me bawlin' in my sleep or nothin'."

This sort of situation had only happened one other time, and that was years ago, back when Dukes and Wraith were first lodging together. At the time, Fred woke up screaming, but refused to talk about what had caused him such fear in his sleep. Fred did not want to think about the possibility that this might happen again.

[hunt_the_devil]

Watching Fred it was easy to see the tell tale signs in his friend, the way he crammed the cookie in at speed and seemed eager to accept any excuse that John came up with. Sighing he was pretty sure that this had happened a while back, when the team had first been forced to lodge together and then had to move suddenly when they came under attack.

"You know... you don't think it could be..."

This wasn't as easy as John hoped but they were grown men and he knew they both needed an answer so that they could get a good nights sleep.

"You ain't dreamin' again are you buddy?"

[un_move_able]

With his tired visage, it was difficult to tell whether Fred was more ashamed or frustrated. He rubbed at his brow, a poor attempt to disguise his true feelings by feigning a headache. He knew what dreams John was referring to.

"Yeah," he replied, his voice low a quiet. He would have preferred that he not talk about the reasons why he was having such nightmares, but he was well aware of Wraith's need to have Fred talk about what was bothering him.

[hunt_the_devil]

"Look buddy I think we need to have a talk at some point but right now I'm too tired an' you need some time to get your head together. I'm gonna sleep in the rec room for now but we need a couple beers an' a chat later on today. Sound good to you?"

This talk wasn't going to be easy but John was going to have to make Fred do this if they didn't want to end up beating each other senseless just to have a good nights sleep!

[un_move_able]

Looking down, Fred avoided John's gaze. It was embarrassing enough that the nightmares had come back in full swing, but even more so with those dreams causing unrest to his teammates.

"I could sleep in the rec room, no problem..." by the time the words left him, Fred realized he could not fit on the sofa if he wanted to.

"Or not."