Fortune Favors The Brave

Justin shifted slightly after a while, mumbling something in his sleep.

Kiara looked up at the noise, watching him carefully.

Justin curled up more, whimpering quietly.

Kiara got up and knelt down next to the couch. "Justin?"

Justin whimpered again, sounding as if he were about to cry. "Moenie my pa..." He mumbled in his sleep. ('Don't leave me father')

Kiara reached out and shook Justin's shoulder gently. "Justin, sugar, wake up."

Justin jumped at the touch, quickly waking up. "What...?" He asked slowly, not facing her.

"Are you alright?" Kiara asked. "You sounded like you were have a bad dream or somethin...."

"I...I'm fine..." Justin said quickly, trying not to sound upset.

"Sugar....." said Kiara. "Don't lie to me."

Justin stayed quiet for a few seconds before slowly rolling over to look at Kiara, tears in his eyes.

Kiara wrapped her arms around him. "Sugar, talk to me."

"I-it's nothing..." Justin said, accidentally letting out a sob.

"Justin, please," Kiara said softly. "It's upsetting you, and I don't like seeing you like this..."

"I...just occasionally have dreams..." Justin said quietly. "A-About when my father..." He trailed off, moving to cover his face with his hands as he let out another sob.

Kiara moved to sit next to Justin and pulled him close.

Justin buried his face against Kiara's shoulder and curled up.

Kiara ran a hand through Justin's hair.

Justin let out another sob and curled up tighter.

"Shhhhhh shhhhh," Kiara soothed gently.

Justin shifted slightly, wrapping his arms tight around Kiara.

"I've got you," Kiara said gently. "I'm right here."

Justin didn't say anything, though he occasionally let out a sob, coughing after a few minutes.

"Breathe sugar," Kiara said gently. "Take it easy now."

Justin gave a small nod and leaned his head on Kiara's shoulder as he calmed down.