Work Text:
Matthias was dreaming again.
A nightmare in fact;
a cold rainy night
a shout of his name
a gunshot rung out
the lead sinks into his gut
like a balloon of regret.
He could feel the cold spray of rain on his face
the warmth of blood on his hands
the desperation in his veins
pushed him onwards.
Not here
he couldn’t die here
not without seeing her
one last time.
He needed to see her again
hold her hand again
feel her warmth
taste her lips
say goodbye.
He found her near the canal
kissed her lips
wiped the tears from her eyes
and prayed.
They talked of home and the future
as the cold set in
and he heard the wolves cry out to him.
_
He woke in a cold sweat
legs trapped in blankets
heart racing in his chest.
Light steaming in
noise from the kitchen
put his mind at ease;
the laughter of his wife and children
echoed down the hall
as he remembered where he was
and what was real.
He took some deep breaths
as the despair from his dream
leeched away from him.
A clatter of pans rings out
followed by shrieks
and the pounding of little feet
down a narrow hallway,
he ran a hand down his face
over his beard and steeled himself
for the oncoming assault.
As if on cue
the door swung open
and little feet became little hands
as they climbed the bed,
giggles rang out
as they jumped on top of him;
one snuggling in close
as the other tried to wrestle him.
His whole world
wrapped in his arms
safe and sound.
‘Papa!’
his new favourite word.
His wife appears in the doorway
hands on her hips
batter on her chin
smile on her face
as she comes to join them.
If this was a dream
then let him sleep forever.