Somethings jerks, something races. My body. My heart. I'm awake.
It's 3:47 AM.
Vivid images flare briefly, then the dream slips through the pillow and down under the bed to lurk until I drop off again. I'm left uneasy without knowing why.
And I'm damn cold. There must be a reason. Think, Daniel.
It creeps up on me, slower than the gooseflesh. I have no blankets.
There's barely any light but I don't need to see to know that Walter's rolled over and taken the covers with him. I look anyway.
All cats are grey in the dark and all men too. But he's beautiful in greyscale -- a pencil sketch, all graphite and shadow in the hollows of his face. One arm thrown above his head, a stern look on his brow, even in sleep he seems coiled, poised, full of potential energy. He's mine. I still can't believe it.
I'm shivering, though, so I tease at the blanket until I have almost enough to cover me. Walter moves a little but he doesn't resist.
All cats are warm in the dark and I snuggle in, my cheek against his shoulder, my arm over his chest. It's restful, calming, and I begin to match my breaths to his, thinking if I can just get the exact rhythm, maybe I can get into his dreams as well.
His body heat seeps into me and I feel sleep tug me down, down, down...
Something jerks, something races. My body. My heart. Something kisses me. My man.
I take him in my arms. He runs his hand through my hair.
We're awake til dawn.
FINIS