Title: Nightmares
Fandom: FFX-2
Rating: PG-13 (for mentions of violence)
Wordcount: 100
Pairings: Paine/Nooj
Spoilers: For Nooj's story
Notes: Written for the Alphabet fic meme (which is still almost wide open), to lassarina's prompt, which was "S: Solid, Paine/Nooj". The first true drabble I've written in a long time. I always forget what a satisfying challenge it can be to write to a strict word count. Also the first P/N story I've finished in awhile. It's always nice to get back to them.


Sometimes Nooj startles himself awake, unable to remember which nightmare became his reality. Is he a Crusader, futilely wielding his sword against Sin? A leader, inciting a frenzy about to explode into civil war? A prisoner, helplessly watching as Shuyin pulls the trigger and laughs?

Or perhaps it's only his mind refusing to accept a body severed in half and a beach soaked in blood.

But then he feels the weight of Paine in the bed, her breathing an anchor to life. Clasping her close, he shuts his eyes and wills the nightmare to pass so the dream can begin.