"No, I don't want it. No, please," Spencer pled desperately as he watched Tobias inject him with the drugs.
Spencer twisted in his bed sheets, trying to twist away from the fear that haunted him. He was struggling against the haunting memories from his terrible ordeal, but he wasn’t finding any solitude in his sleep.
"No!" Spencer screamed as he sat up in bed.
"Spencer…" Aaron raced to Spencer's side and touched his shoulder, "Spencer, it was just a dream."
"No, it wasn't just a dream," Spencer cried as he wrested away from Aaron and stumbled out of bed. He barely made his way into the bathroom before falling over the toilet and retching.
Aaron followed Spencer to the bathroom and watched the young man lose his stomach contents. He soaked a washcloth with cold water and pressed it to the base of Spencer's neck.
Spencer sighed back into the coldness, finding a temporary haven from his trauma.
"It's over, Spencer. You're safe now," Aaron spoke in a soft tone, hoping to find some way for Spencer to let him in. Spencer had been so withdrawn since they'd found him. It was almost as if by not talking about the experience he could deny that it had ever happened.
Spencer turned to Aaron with tears in his eyes before he dove into his arms. He held onto Aaron as if letting go would cause him to drown. He squeezed Aaron tightly as hysterical sobs racked his body.
"It's okay, Spencer. It's okay. I'm here, and I'm not going to let anyone hurt you."
"I know," Spencer managed to squeak out as he continued to hold onto Aaron, "Promise me it's really over."
"I promise. It's all over. You're safe now," Aaron slowly escorted the young man back to bed, brushing the now warm cloth over Spencer's forehead as he lay back on the bed.
Spencer looked to Aaron sheepishly, "I'm sorry to be such a bother."
"It's no bother at all," Aaron dabbed Spencer's temples with the cloth before laying it on the bedside table, "I love you, Spencer, and all I want to do is make sure you heal and keep you safe. I’m not leaving your side until I'm sure you're okay."
"It may be a while," Spencer warned as he turned on his side and curled into a fetal position.
Aaron lay on the bed beside Spencer and wrapped his arms around him, lightly smoothing the younger man's hair from his face, "I have all the time in the world for you," He assured him as he kissed the crown of Spencer's head, sealing his vow that he wouldn't leave Spencer in his time of need.