It was a little startling when Sky flung himself into James. But the man instinctively put an arm around him, gently rubbing his back. He’s been a father long enough that he recognized the aftermath of a nightmare when he saw one. Sky still felt feverish and definitely needed more rest. That will come after James had a chance to calm him down.

“You’re alright,” he promised again in a quiet, sympathetic voice. “You’re safe here. There’s no one else here. You’re okay.”

Whatever scared Sky so terribly wasn’t his business. There wasn’t any reason for James to believe he was haunted by memories and not merely some frightening fever dream. He shushed Sky like he would a smaller child and rocked him very slightly while the young man clung. It went on for a few minutes before James tried to pull back just enough to look Sky in the eyes.

Reaching up with his free hand, James brushed Sky’s sweat-damp hair back and offered his most reassuring smile.

“You still feel warm,” he pointed out. “You should have something to drink and a little food before more medicine. Are you hungry?”