Chapter 42: Chapter 42: A Strange Dream (2)

"So, what was that bad dream about?" he asked between bites.

"You looked pretty shaken up earlier. You know, if something’s really bothering you, you can talk to me. Even if it’s just a weird dream, sometimes saying it out loud helps."

Jake blinked at his father words, snapping out of his thoughts.

He forced a small smile and picked up his spoon again.

"I... honestly don’t remember most of it anymore," he replied, poking at his rice. "It was just really intense and I think... I was protecting someone."

His father chuckled and continued eating.

"You know, son... even if it was just a dream, the fact that it shook you up this much probably means something. Dreams can be the mind’s way of working through things we don’t face when we’re awake."

Jake stayed silent.

The vague warmth in his chest kept growing stronger, refusing to be ignored.

But then suddenly,

His father set his spoon down and looked at him seriously, his powerful frame relaxed but his eyes full of quiet pride.

"I’m proud of you, Jake... really proud. You’ve been working hard on improving yourself, chasing something most people are too scared to even try. It takes guts to pour your heart into something like that every single day.

"Whether you succeed big or not, the fact that you keep going... that’s what matters."

"So whatever that dream was about... if it showed you something worth fighting for, then remember it. Don’t let it slip away completely."

Those strange sudden words hit Jake harder than expected.

And something inside his chest cracked open.

Golden eyes... soft warmth... fighting desperately to protect her... Grace... 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

The memories flooded back all at once... the underground shelter, the blood, the golden light, the feeling of her body pressed against him, her desperate cries as he fell.

His eyes widened.

"...It wasn’t a dream." he whispered, voice trembling.

At that exact moment, Jake slowly looked up and finally saw his father’s face clearly.

The same old weary yet handsome face... and his father was smiling at him... warm, proud, and strangely gentle.

There was a depth in his eyes that Jake had never noticed before, as if he already understood everything.

"Good." his father said softly. "You finally remembered."

Jake’s breath caught.

"Dad... I-I—"

"I know."

His father reached out and placed a strong, calloused hand on Jake’s shoulder, squeezing it firmly... the same grounding grip he had felt since childhood.

"You did well out there, son. You fought hard. You protected what mattered. I’m so proud of you..."

Jake’s eyes stung.

The empty feeling in his chest suddenly made sense.

"But... this mean—"

His father nodded gently, his smile never fading.

"This was only a brief rest, a place for your heart to breathe... But your real fight is still waiting for you."

He gave Jake’s shoulder one last, strong squeeze.

"Go back, Jake. She’s still waiting for you. Don’t let a woman cry alone any longer for you."

Jake felt tears well up in his eyes.

He opened his mouth, but the words caught in his throat.

His father’s figure began to fade into white mist, along with the kitchen, the house... everything around him.

"Goodbye for now, son. Keep fighting."

"And remember... no matter how dark it gets..."

"...you are never truly alone."

_

_

_

Jake’s eyes snapped open with a painful gasp.

"Dad!"

The first thing he felt was the cold stone beneath the makeshift bed of blankets and cloth.

The familiar carved rock ceiling greeted him, dimly lit by a soft glowing crystal embedded in the wall.

He was back inside the underground shelter.

Jake groaned in pain as he glanced down at his bandaged hands, chest, and head as a mix of herbal scents lingered in the air.

His body was a map of agony... broken ribs, deep gashes, bruised muscles, and a heavy exhaustion that made even breathing painful.

But he was alive.

Then he sensed a familiar, soothing fragrance beside him.

Jake slowly turned his head.

Grace was kneeling beside the low bed, having fallen asleep with her upper body resting on the edge.

Her head was pillowed on one arm, golden hair splayed messily across the blankets.

Her eyes were red and swollen from crying, tear tracks still visible on her cheeks, but her breathing had finally steadied.

Even in sleep, one of her hands gently clutched the edge of his shirt, as though afraid he would disappear if she let go.

Jake stared at her for a long moment.

The warmth in his chest surged, pushing back some of the pain.

He weakly lifted his bandaged hand and gently brushed a strand of golden hair away from her face.

"Grace..." he whispered hoarsely.

But then, the sound of his voice immediately woke her.

Her golden eyes fluttered open, and the moment they focused on him, fresh tears welled up.

"Jake...!"

She let out a choked sob and carefully climbed onto the bed, throwing herself over him as gently as possible.

Her soft, massive breasts pressed against his chest as she hugged him tightly, burying her face in the crook of his neck.

"Hic... Hic... You’re awake... You’re really awake..." she cried, her voice trembling with relief. "I was so scared... I thought you were going to die... You bled so much... I didn’t know what to do..."

Jake winced from the pressure but wrapped one arm around her back anyway, holding her close.

"I’m here," he rasped, stroking her golden hair. "I’m still here, Grace."

She cried harder, her tears wetting his neck as she clung to him like he was the only thing keeping her anchored.

"Don’t ever do that again... Please... I can’t lose you... You’re my Captain... my everything..."

Hearing her heartfelt words, Jake closed his eyes, letting her warmth soothe the pain in both his body and heart.

The memories of the brutal fight, the golden light, and his father’s words in that strange "dream" still lingered.

He wasn’t sure what was real and what wasn’t anymore.

But the crying woman in his arms... Grace was real.

And right now, that was enough.