Mein Liebling

Untitled Part 14

Though you manage to sleep, you find yourself plagued again with dreams of the dark figure, his hands around your neck as you struggle to breathe, Edward's panicked voice calling out to you as everything fades out...

Waking with a start, you clutch at your throat, still feeling the throbbing pressure as you gasp for air.

A hand at your back causes you to jump again. "It's just me, liebling." Edward whispers, carefully moving to sit next to you, his arms wrapping around you as you lean into his embrace. "Bad dreams again?"

"I think I died." You mutter, your entire body still shaking as you rub at your throat. "I just don't understand..."

He runs a hand back through your hair, coaxing you to look him in the eyes. "I von't let anyzhing happen to you."

Grinning, you find the dream fading away to be replaced by a certain calmness in your present moment. "That's a big thing to promise Edward."

Returning your smile, he nods. "Ja, especially vhen zhe biggest threat is yourself."

Dropping your eyes, you pick at the dirt that had taken residence around your fingernails, wishing you had access to a hot shower again. "I've lost a lot of people... And if I think there's a chance to save someone I care about, then it's a chance I'm happy to take."

"Und vhat about zhe people zhat care about you, hm?" He caresses your jaw, lifting your face to meet his gaze again, his brows knitted slightly. " Vhat of zhose who can't bear to lose you?"

"I'm sorry..." You mumble, pulling him closer and burying your face in the crook of his neck.

He kisses the top of your head and takes a deep breath before glancing around, and somewhat hesitantly begins to speak, his voice a hushed whisper that only you can hear. The others continue their slumber, but he seems unwilling to risk their eavesdropping regardless. "I have vitnessed many zhings ... traveled many timelines, und possess zhe memories of many versions of meinshelf ... not all good, but... all seeking somezhing more, somezhing ... fulfilling und meaningful zhat vould cease zhe nagging loneliness zhat ve all seem to share." He presses another gentle kiss to the side of your head before continuing, his arms tightening around you. "I remember having to kill mein fazher figure, Maxis. I remember... I- I had to steal zhe soul of a truly innocent version of meinshelf ... before he vas even able to blossom und have any chance at a normal life... It may not have been zhis me, or maybe it vas, but I remember it; I remember how it made me feel, und the emptiness zhat has lived inshide me for... so long." With another shaky breath, he nuzzles his face alongside yours, pressing a lingering kiss to your temple before urging your face back enough to meet your eyes once more. "Und vhen I met you I vas shcared , because I never get vhat I vant ; I always... lose zhat vhich I hold dear, und attachments have alvays ended in heartache, but... I couldn't help meinshelf vizh you. Und vhen I zhought I'd lost you... Just like everyzhing else, I-"

You interrupt him with a slow but deep kiss, hoping to reassure his emotions as well as convey your own before pulling away. "I care about you too."

The room begins to brighten with the first hint of daylight, and he reluctantly begins to untangle himself from you, but not before pressing another kiss to your temple. "Promise me you'll be more careful, ja? I need you around. I'm not sure zhat ... zhat I could do zhis alone now."

The others begin to stir nearby, leaving you to give a curt nod in response and offer a smile as you part and begin packing up your things for the day.

" Mornin ' dollface ." Dempsey is quick to stand, stretching his hands far above his head as his back pops before giving you a slightly dazed glance over. "You healing up alright?"