Troy felt himself being pulled from his sleep by a sound, as was usually the thing to wake him at night, concluding he was an extremely light sleeper.
Whimpers. The lounge room light had been turned off, so light from the entryway was streaming in, enabling Troy to see, but still impairing his vision at the moment. He groggily looked over to the side as he noticed Vee. He was about to continue looking about for the source of the noise, until another whimper sounded from her. Concerned, he sat up straight, then leaned over a little, squinting at her to see in the semi-darkness. She was tense all over, and some liquid sat on her face, obviously tears, though they were few. It reminded him of so many years ago, back when he was a teen, his little sister would constantly have nightmares, and he'd always get up and comfort her. He could do the same for Vee, but wasn't his sister. He couldn't just... do that, could he?
"Heyheyhey," He whispered loudly and quickly as he got off of the couch, and stood on his knees in front of the love seat to be eye level with Vee if and when she awoke. He moved his arm to her her shoulder, but tensed, as they were still only acquaintances. Slowly, he put his hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly, as he'd done for his sister many years ago. He gently shook her, but barely at all, so lightly as though he almost weren't doing so.
"It's just a bad dream." He whispered soothingly to her, trying to ease her up a bit. "Nothing to fear, love. It's all fake. Just a bloody night terror." He continued.