I didnʼt want to sleep.
not with all the strangers
in the next room,
not when my heart
was still racing.
You didnʼt ask why.
you just said,
"Itʼs okay,
iʼll stay awake
until morning."
I smiled,
a little guilty,
a little grateful̶
and drifted
into sleep.
and when morning broke
soft through the window,
i found you,
still there.
Sitting cross-legged
in front of the TV,
watching
some stupid
boring old movie.
Your eyes red.
Your body slouched.
Your breath
barely holding on.
You looked
so tired.
And when you saw me
finally wake up,
you smiled.
And then,
only then,
you slept.
Like keeping me safe
was the only thing
keeping you awake.