#dantedmc

The shop was quiet. The static sound of air hummed over the two figures sleeping soundly on the dark cotton sheets.

Their breaths are deep and even. The exhale tumbling over their lips like the waves gently touching the shore.

He draped over her like a weighted blanket. Their skin clung to each other in the summer heat, but neither member of the two person sleep session seemed to mind.

The only real moment of peace Dante had ever been able to feel in the past few years was in the arms of a girl he went to hell and back for. He didnt even mean to fall asleep.

He had full intention to head downstairs and pass out on the couch. He had a plan. He had to. He always had to. Yet- he found his calloused fingers tracing the risen scar on her collarbone. He found her steady breathing comforting and her heart beat reassuring. The way Beryl's red curls flowed over his pillow case and down her shoulder. Rivers and rivers of red- that for once werent blood.

Winding and swirling scarlet locks that distracted his loud and busy mind into lulling to rest.

That was until the nightmares arose like they usually did.

The red in his mind went from the warm clay- to blood and orange flames.

The closet - the heat of the fire - beginning to rise.

The smoke was making his throat burn and suffocate. He waited and waited...

Waited for his mother to return with his brother-

Waited for safety-

Waiting and waiting-

"Mommy.... Mommy- Mommy! Mo-"

"Dante..."

The voice cut through his dream and his eyes flashed open. He looked up-

There she was - Beryl - the woman with rivers of red hair and careful eyes.

He was slowly rising - his heartbeat not matching his motions. The sweat on his body from the summer heat was now cold on his skin.

Beryl rose with him. She sat up watching the man with starlight for hair and eyes of the sea in the early afternoon. Her mouth felt dry with sleep as she tried to focus on him in a half awake stupor.

Her dreams were blurring with the world around her- the flashes of beasts clambering around the walls and her parents scrambling to keep her out of the way.

Her father's rough hands blocking a bite from her face.

Her mother trying to keep her attention- "Just look at Mommy- it'll be okay- get yourself out- Listen to Mommy- Listen to -"

"M'sorry..."

His voice cut through her thoughts as she refocused.

The man with silver hair- a tear rolling down his cheek, "It's pretty lame huh? Calling for my Mommy as a grown man," he gave a forced chuckle

Berly watched him through heavy lidded eyes- sleep begging her body to rest again.

But she reached for the man- the man who's eyes wouldnt meet hers. Those eyes of his were best friends with the wall- ceiling and floor. Anywhere but her. Her thumb gently wiped away the drop of sorrow that escaped the afternoon sea.

"Its okay-" her voice thick with sleep, "-I miss mine too..." she whispered

It was only as far as she trusted her voice

And it was more than enough.

Dante didnt dare ask her to repeat. Even if he imagined the whole thing. Even if it was just another dream.

It was a better dream than hes had in a while.

So instead- he draped over her again. His ear to her chest, listening to her heartbeat again- his eyes tracing the rivers of red.

The rivers of red that weren't blood for once.