Safe and Sound
Matthew has a nightmare.
May 1920
He was back in France, in the trenches. They were in position, ready to climb up to face the enemy. He looked to the man next to him-it was William.
This isn't real.
He was nearly trampled as the order was called for them to charge. Matthew climbed up out of the trench to find the vast expanse of a field. Through the mass of men, he saw a woman dressed in white. She had fair skin and dark hair, her eyes filled with fear. He recognized her instantly.
Mary. What was she doing here?
Right, this isn't real.
She was some distance away from him, on the other side of the field. He called her name as he ran towards her. He had to get her out of here. He had to keep her safe.
No matter how far he ran, Matthew couldn't reach her. She kept getting farther away with every step he took. He heard Mary calling his name over the gunfire. Then William, standing next to him, yelled something he couldn't make out. A loud explosion followed, then darkness...
"Matthew!"
She called his name again, closer this time. Matthew opened his eyes. He was back at Downton, in his bed, covered in sweat. Another nightmare. He thought they were gone. He hadn't had one since…
Oh, God. Mary. She didn't know about the nightmares. She hadn't ever seen him like this.
Matthew quickly looked to the other side of the bed. Mary was there, sitting right next to him. She was safe.
It wasn't real.
"What was that?" she asked, her voice shaking.
"A nightmare," he answered. "I was back in France. I couldn't get to you. I-"
Matthew paused, taking a breath. "They didn't used to be this bad. They even went away for awhile. But I've been having the same one for some time now-since our engagement, really. You're always in it. You're standing in no man's land, in the middle of all the fighting. I can never get to you. I can never keep you safe. I always lose you, and I can't bear even dreaming of that."
Matthew turned to look at Mary. She quickly wiped her eyes, stains trailing down her cheeks still left as evidence of her tears. "Oh Matthew, why didn't you ever tell me?"
"I always had to deal with them on my own," he said. "And when we married, I hadn't had one in awhile and I thought they were gone. I didn't want to worry you with something that might not happen."
"But if you'd told me, I could have helped you. I could have done something," Mary said, looking away from him. He could sense her guilt.
"Darling, you did help me," he said, pulling her into his arms. "Waking up to find you next to me, safe and sound, is the most comforting thing after a nightmare."
A/N: Here's the first addition to my collection of M/M moments! If you guys have any ideas for future chapters, please share! Thanks for reading :)
-NMB