It was like every other night. Gaara would slip into bed a little after midnight, when the nightmares would first start. He didn't know anything about them until after we got married. They started to get worse and worse over the years.

When Gaara came home tonight, or rather early morning, I was still awake. Too afraid to close my eyes. A soft "I love you" left Gaara's lips as he pulled the blanket up to his chin. Guess he thought I was asleep. He tends to give me space while we're sleeping, even though I know he hates it. Temari told me, back when we were dating, that Gaara is always the big spoon.

"I think he had this stuffed bear or something when we were kids," Temari told me, "he would never let it go. Since he was so young, I asked him why he never wanted to sleep without it. Do you know what he said?"

"How could I know? He's never told me anything like this before." I replied, "I swear if you don't finish the story...."

She held her hands up in defense, "I'm going to finish it. I know how much you hate cliffhangers." She laughs and then smiles at me. "He told me, 'so I can protect him. He matters a lot to me.' His exact words."

"It's kind of creepy that you know his exact words." I chuckled.

"Yeah it was creepy, I asked him that same question about thirty times. His answer was the same. If anything, you should let him hold you at least once." She suggested, "I know I'm his older sister, and it's weird that I'm saying this, but he loves you. Please make him feel loved. Gaara needs love now more than ever."

I put a hand Temari's shoulder, "don't worry I will make sure her feels all the love and support I can muster. I got to go, see you later!" I waved, walking in the opposite direction she was going.

"See you!" She waved back.

How was I supposed to come right out and ask Gaara such an awkward thing? Do people ask their lover to hold them? Can you even do that? Every time Gaara has tried to comfort me I've pushed him away. Why do I keep doing that? Why did Gaara even marry me?

I pushed back all those thoughts as best I could, finally falling asleep. Sadly, sleeping never lasted very long. Nightmares about the night my village was destroyed entered my mind caused me to fight in my dreams.

Sometimes I wonder if I kick and scream in my sleep. If I did, then I might wake Gaara up. He has enough on his plate already, I don't want to add more to it. Keeping this part of my life was best for both of us. That's what I keep telling myself.

The nightmare raged on, yelling and screaming felt too really. It was like my home village was set on fire all over again. My mother dragged me away from our village yelling "we have to go" and "don't look back". In the end I lost her and my village on the same night. The nightmares will never let me forget that.

It seemed a lot worse tonight, guess this nightmare felt more real than the last ones. I was awaken but a hand shaking my shoulder. In panic, I shoved the hand off of me and fell off the bed. "Stay back!" I shouted into the pitch black room.

"(Y/n), it's me, Gaara." My husband said in a calm voice. Shaking my head, even though he couldn't see me, I slide back from the bed until I hit a wall.

"Don't come any closer." I warned, "how do I know it's really you? You could have just mimicked my husbands voice."

"(Y/n), why are you acting like this? Did something happen on a mission?" He asked once again, getting closer to me. "I won't hurt you, I promise."

I let out a sob, pulling my knees to my chest. "Please just stay away!"

"No, you're hurting and you need me." He said, gentle placing his hands on top of mine.

"I don't need you! I don't need anyone!" I sobbed but Gaara saw right trough me.

"You can't admit it now but you will later. I'm going to help you through this. This is caused by a nightmare, right? Can you tell me what happened?"

I shook my head and tried to say words but everything came out as a sobs.

Gaara moved closer to me, now sitting next to me with one around my shoulder. "I'm here, nothing will hurt you. I promise."

Shaking my head once again, I tired to calm down. "Please... just go away."

"That's not going to happen." He said in a firm voice, "I want to protect you (Y/n). I am your husband, you got to let me comfort you when you're sad."

Those words got me thinking about what Temari said. Maybe he does want to protect me. My grip loosened and I found his hand. "I'm sorry," I sobbed, "I'm so so sorry."

Gaara pulled me into his embrace, "there's no need to be sorry. I love you (Y/n) and I will be here for you no matter what happens." He then picks me up and lays me back down on out bed.

Gaara then moves to lay down on his side of the bed, trying to find me again. He touched my hand, and made our fingers intertwine. "I love you." He said, kissing my hand. "Let me protect you and hold you close when you need it the most."

He then wrapped his arms around me, hold me close to his chest. "Let me keep you safe."

"Thank you." I mumbled, "I love you too Gaara."

"Please let me comfort you whenever you need me to or please come talk to me. Let me hold you at night and keep the nightmares away." He whispered, kissing the top of my head. "I love you so much it scares me sometimes. But when I look at you all of that fear goes away. You're the light in my world, (Y/n). Let me hold you tight and be your light."