[Grey wants to sigh, feeling Manabu burrowing bit by bit into his arms. He resumes rubbing Manabu's back, but he wants to do more as well. He wants to pet Manabu's hair, rub his scalp and ears, press kisses to his forehead. It's a peculiar feeling- Grey's not aroused right now, but he still has this sense of need, the feeling that he has to touch Manabu. As if the nightmares have left this unpleasant patina upon Manabu that Grey has to clean off with his own hands.

The touching does actually seem to be helping, particularly if Manabu's admission is to be believed, but Grey's sure Manabu needs more than that.

Manabu's description of the dreams makes it sound like some of the problem is just that his body forgets he's not there, not in danger...]

Perhaps that's why proximity is helpful. If you were sleeping alone in the lab, then being able to feel my presence unconsciously grounds you in the present.

[Grey doesn't think Manabu will be eager to bunk with other people for the rest of his life, however, so he asks more questions in as gentle a tone as possible.]

Can you tell me more about the lab? What it was like?