The 100 Imagines & Preferences

Dream |John Murphy

Requested by ifthis

Prompt #5: "Please, just look at me."
Prompt #12: "Come back to bed."

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Light mumbles pulled you from your sleep, the whispers coming right beside of your ear. Next, you felt arms tighten around you, but not dangerously tight. That's when it finally dawned on you, exactly where you were. The voice slowly grew louder, Murphy's hands gripping helplessly at the blankets, at your arms, at anything that would save him in this dream world.

"John." Your voice was barely above a whisper, fingers running along his cheek bones. But the boy still lay asleep beside of you, face twitching as the nightmare played on. Thumb running over the contours of his cheeks, you repeated his name in a low voice. "It's a dream baby. It's all just a dream."

Finally waking up, eyes blown wide, he was terrified. He quickly sat up, bare chest heaving and sweaty. Nightmares came often to the boy, the ground having made them much worse. Your rose beside of him, running a hand along his back and placing a light kiss to his shoulder.

"Murphy. Please, just look at me." You begged, gently stroking your thumb across his cheek. His eyes squeezed shut, lips pursed.

"It wasn't just a dream. You weren't there. You didnt have to- to watch him gun them all down." Murphy pushed from your side, sliding from under the blankets. He ran his fingers through his hair, head dropping back. "I didn't do anything to stop him; to stop him from shooting the old man; to stop him from shooting the kid. To stop him-"

"John, you wouldn't have been able to. He's not right in the head. I'm just glad you're, oka- alive." You sighed, scooting to the end of the bed and wrapping your arms tight around his waist.

Murphy ran his fingers through your hair, feeling your warm breath against his skin. He stepped closer to you, trying to calm him self. But the images still gnawed at the back of his mind. Tearing away from you, Murphy searched the tent. He quickly found a shirt, along with his knife. He roughly pulled his boots on, mind frantic.

"Come on, come back to bed."

"No, no. I-i need to get out of here. I need to clear my head. I need to do something." His chest heaved as he tugged his boots on, fingers fumbling with the laces. With a defeated sigh, you crouched in front of him, gently taking his hands. Placing a kiss along each knuckle, Murphy still never looked at you. Moving his hands away, you laced up his boots for him, before pulling on your own.

"What are you doing?"

"I won't be able to sleep, knowing you're out there like this. So, I want to show you something." You shrugged, standing from the ground.

"You don't have to do this." Murphy muttered, but you offered him your hand. He slowly took it, eyes finally meeting yours.

"I want to."