This one is hard to finesse into something not romantic, but this lyric always reminds me of another Taylor Swift lyric: "I hang on every word you say." So I kind of worked with those two in tandem. Even with that though, I didn't have enough steam for anything long. That being said, I think it works out okay, since this sort of prequel snapshot fits well with Mattie's age at the time.
Or at least, that's what I'm telling myself (:
There's a scream inside Mattie's chest that wants to get out.
Be good, mon cher.
There are claws in his hands that want to scratch him free.
Be good, mon amour.
There are tears in his eyes that threaten to spill over.
Don't cry, mon amour.
There's a sob in his throat that chokes him every time he breathes.
Don't cry, mon cher.
And there's also the imprint of a kiss on his cheek that grows as cold as the comfort it gives.
I love you, Mathieu. I'm sorry.
That's all he has to hang on to.