Warning: disturbing imagery, angst

Disclaimer: Chapter title is from "Blue On Black" by Kenny Wayne Shepherd

Notes: 2nd POV - Harvey

Notes2: Harvey's night after ch6 of MUNCHKN

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Chapter 5: Tears on a river, push on a shove, whisper on a scream

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You woke with a choked scream, with bile in your throat and the tears falling as you fought against invisible metals, asphalt, glass.

Mike is screaming your name and it's his voice that jerks you from the nightmare.

You're gasping and you shake the echoing sirens and screaming. God – it had been Wes screaming.

"What happened?" Mike is there and he's holding your face with both hands. "Harvey, what is it?"

That's when Wes and Travis, guns drawn and aimed burst into the room – sweeping and assessing.

"Clear," Wes says, sharing a look with Travis who just nods. He turns to you and you see the realization. "Dad?"

You look him in the eyes and you see him holding Travis (brokenbleedingdead), you see him covered in blood that not his (screamingcryingandcursingGod).

"Nightmare," you say, turning to Mike. "The thing I told you about earlier."

"I thought it was over," Mike is barely holding it together – he knows exactly what you were talking about, part of this nightmare had bled into your conscious earlier that afternoon.

"What you called about at the station?" Wes asks, almost demands.

You only nod and you feel your stomach twist and turn when you look at the floor and see blood spatter and broken glass.

"It is over," you say reassuringly. "It's just residual – that's all."

"What's going on?" Travis asks quietly.

You glance at Wes, Wes dips his head ((Can I tell him?)) and you nod ((Only if you really trust him)). Wes gently guides Travis out of the room.

"G'night, dad," he says as he leaves the room. "Try to get some rest?"

You don't say anything just turn onto your side, turn into Mike and let him wrap his arms around you.

"Is it really over?" he asks.

With everything that you are you want to say: Yes, yes, love, it's over – we don't have to worry about the boys. It's over. It's over.

But you could never lie to Mike.

"I don't know," you whisper into his neck. "I don't know, Mike."

And you can't even close your eyes because all you see is how broken everything wouldcouldmay be.

"It's okay," Mike says against your lips, "it's gonna be okay."

And it's why you've never left him – this right here, how he lies to you and kisses away the nightmares and takes your pain and makes it his own.

You don't get any more sleep that night.

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End.