Waking up to fear, waking up to warmth.
Reed wakes up to a kick to the stomach.
It’s not a hard enough kick that it winds him but’s it’s one that hurt just the same. He yelps when it happens though his groans of pain are soon suddenly overrun by concerned questions as he see you, his wife, scramble to the floor in such panic that tears already stream down your face, your hands clutch at the air as your try to quickly stand up only to topple over again.
As you thud to the ground Reed springs into action. In any other given situation he would have stretch his arms over to you and picked you back up but he’s never seen you like this, he’s never been so afraid before in his life, so all common sense exits his mind as he too scrambles off the bed over to you.
Short sobs of pain (from where you’ve awkwardly landed on your ankle) are over run by quickened breathing and jumbled up words more akin to overwhelmed wails, your hands immediately grabbing onto Reed’s arms as you clutch your eyes shut. You head hurts like someone’s been routing around in it, sharp black nails scraping at every dark corner and nook in your memories. You can’t say anything coherent not one word; the only thing clearly communicated is you frantic need to feel safe.
Your gargled cries grown somewhat silent as Reed wraps his whole body around yours in a familiar warmth that permeates through your bones and weaves itself to your fast beating heart. He mutters words that don’t quite get to your ears, the fabric of his borrowed nightwear muffling his sweet coos as you bury your head into his strong chest.
A flash of red blares in your vision.
Reed leans down and kisses your hair as you nestle more into his hold.
A charming voice, insincere despite her kind words, asking about an old friend.
His scar scattered hands draw patterns on your skin, incoherent shapes that make you feel less numb.
A keep sake, bunch of apple blossoms to be exact, lying softly in your hands.
Strained eyes open to check if the flowers are still there but all there is Reed and only Reed.
An unbearable sweat covers your shaking body, anything that isn’t Reed’s carful touch feels irritating you like the bark of a tree scraping your skin until it bleeds, even the well-worn pyjamas you both wear itches and aggravates.
Reed kisses your head once more, his warm hands anchor you to reality, and for a moment it seems there was no nightmare to be scared of.