Chapter Text
She had been horribly shocked and afraid when Hob wasn’t in his home when she returned from Greece. Their apartment hadn’t seemed to be torn apart but there had been something unsettled about it. She couldn’t figure out exactly what was wrong because everything appeared to be in order. Except for one thing, Hob was still missing.
Murray had been stressed and worried as well. The human had been the first one to figure out that Hob was missing. A month ago, exactly the day after her departing, the barman had come upstairs looking for his boss and had found all the lights on and dirty dishes in the sink. Not sights of the optimist man. The barman hadn’t alerted the human authorities since he suspects of the supernatural nature of Hob’s but he had alerted all his friends, the ones who seemed to be not humans, in an attempt of help him. A part of Calliope got jealous over the fact that Hob had others friends that weren’t human, she felt possessive over him, but she let it slide as it wasn’t the more important thing to be worried about at the moment.
They had decided to keep the Inn opened as it was so important for their missing friend. Murray stepped up and become its manager. His Loyalty to Hob was notorious. So, Calliope, using the access Hob had given her of his bank accounts, gave him the free will to do it as he pleased. All with the hopeful thinking that Hob would have a place to come back if he had gone by his own will as they didn’t have proof of the contrary.
Calliope immediately started to look for her friend. She feared the worst, that someone had noticed his inability to age and had discover his immortality. Humanity had proved to be a monstrous thing and she could only imagine what would be of Hob if he had been captured. He would be used as experiment and submitted to any kind of torture. Nevertheless, a decade after, she still hadn’t found him. Could it be something supernatural?
…
So, here she is, in his, their, flat above the Inn. Murray hasn’t touch anything as he is afraid that he could mess with something important, he had just shaken off the dust. Calliope is thankful for that as she wouldn’t be able to discover Hob’s biggest secret by any other way. There, in his office, are multiples drawings of her former husband alongside a journal in which was written Hob’s travels trying to find Oneiros who is missing too.
One part of her has to process the fact that Hob’s Stranger, the one he had told her so fondly is her former husband. The man that Hob seems to be in love, even if he hasn’t said it, is Oneiros. She isn’t mad…in fact, she is happy that her Hob and Her Oneiros have each other as it is funny that the two men that have (Yes, she still loves her husband, just in a different way) a place in her heart are connected.
She has to admit that she is intrigued by the relationship between these two men. Oneiros and Hob cannot be more different but, as she had read, they seem to have a strong relationship. Hob doesn’t know it, as he believes that his Stranger doesn’t feel the same than him, but her former husband wouldn’t give him attention in he isn’t interested in the immortal human. It doesn’t matter that he hasn’t said it or noticed it.
The muse can only guess that Oneiros is the reason of Hob’s immortality. The reason behind it escapes her as it isn’t Oneiros’s gift to give but it is possible that Destiny or Death are involved in this too, even Father Time. A friend is how Hob refers at Oneiros but he also calls him his Stranger, possessively, and she could bet that Hob was Oneiros’ human…Well, not anymore as he now is her human too, her former husband will have to learn how to share. Maybe, the immortal could be the bridge they need to heal their emotional wounds after their separation.
Calliope is glad of Hob’s immortality as it meant that he will be by her side for a long time, so she had to be thankful of Oneiros’s indirect gift to her; a true friend. She has to admit that she doesn’t have the best relationship with her former sister-in-law. As Goddess, she has to accept the fact that everything has their end but, as herself, she couldn’t deal with the pain of it. Not after Orpheus, her beautiful son, because which mother will be alright with letting her son walked toward the Sunless lands before herself. Not after being in the brick of extinction caused by the mortals’ abandonment; she has seen so many Gods and Goddess disappeared as they got forgotten.
She also acknowledges that it isn’t Death fault. Not really, she is just doing what she is supposed to do. However, irrationally, she still feels betrayed by her as the Muse feels that she has been robbed of her son. As any mother would do.
Hob is her safe port, a place that she could call home. That doesn’t mean that she has stopped loving her sisters but she has changed and she has found a place she belonged. In a way, he inspired her, a Muse, to endure and hope for the best.
In the past, when she had more power, she would have offered him a place along Gods and Goddess. A place for a demigod as he wasn’t like the other humans, even if he said so. However, something told her that he would have refused. Hob enjoys the simply thing of life and he sees beauty in the slow passing of the years…He could teach her to do the same as he has welcomed him in his life as long as I want to be at his side, might be forever…
Calliope cannot breathe as her eyes fill with tears as she read Hob’s entries, the devotion and love in them is such intense and beautiful that takes her breathe away, until she couldn’t do it anymore…Oneiros…Hob…They need her…Both of them are missing and probably in peril. She knows her former husband good enough to know that He won’t leave the Dreaming by his free will so, someone have to be behind his disappearance. Someone as powerful as Him. And, looking at the evidence, it is possible that Hob is sharing his luck just for trying to find Oneiros.
SHE HAS TO FIND HOB FIRST AND, THEN, THEY WOULD SEARCH FOR ONEIROS. SHE WOULD BRING THEM HOME.
…
Visiting the Dreaming is possible if you are a guest of its King or if you are married to him. Oneiros didn’t dissolve the bond between them after her departure and he kept an open door to her to visit his realm whenever she wanted. Calliope isn’t still sure about the reason behind those decisions, she had believed that her former husband could be cruel when he felt betrayed, but she is thankful for it since she has the ability to enter the Dreaming without issues.
However, she isn´t prepared to see the current state of it. The once beautiful realm is on process of disappearing. What once was one of the most beautiful planes in all the Universes, now were a dying and hostile desert. All the hard work of Oneiros has been destroyed. She still could remember when this place was her and Orpheus’ home and it’s hurtful her seeing it like this.
The Dreaming is decaying in his King’s absence and Calliope is angry at this. Angry at herself for not noticing before and angry at her former sibling-in-law for not doing anything. Yes, she knows about the Old Laws that bind the Endless and she actually knows that she hadn’t been freed enough time to be responsible of this crime against Oneiros but she’s still mad with herself and them.
“Lady Calliope”. A voice calls her and Calliope recognizes her voice immediately. The Librarian of the Dreaming has always been someone special to the Muse, even if they had broken contact after Oneiros and her separation, as she is so dedicated and loyal to the ones she chose to follow. In addition, she reminds fondly that the dream had loved her son unconditionally as if it had been her own.
“Lucienne”, she says as she turns around to face Oneiros’ subject. “Where is everyone?”, she has to ask.
“Some left looking of Lord Morpheus and other just abandoned this realm when it started to decayed…” She explains, “Do you have news of Lord Morpheus, my lady?”, she asks hopefully.
“I am afraid no”, the Goddess answers sincere and she can see how her answer hurts the dream. “I hadn’t even noticed Oneiros disappearing until recently…” She notices that her words break something inside the librarian. “Not because I don’t care about him but because I was myself retained by mortals for a long time…”
“I’m sorry to hear that, my lady”, Lucienne says politely as she has always been. “What is the reason behind your presence in the Dreaming, my lady?”
“I want to find Oneiros” She replies sincerely and a spark of hope rises in Lucienne again. “But first I have to find someone else…the one who has been looking for Oneiros for years and has disappeared for it”.
“Who, my lady?” Lucienne questions her.
“Hob Gadling”, she responds and a fond smile grows in the dream face.
“Robert Gadling…” The librarian repeats with some fondness. “Of Course, if someone would be looking for Lord Morpheus is Him” Then, noticing she is saying this in front of her lord’s former spouse. “I mean…”
“I know that they are friends, Lucienne, don’t worry”, Calliope ensures him, “And I also know the feelings they have for each other even if, I imagine, they don’t know”. She gives her a sincere smile. “Hob is the one who freed me and he is my friend too…”
“But, my lady, what make you believe that Mr. Gadling’s disappearing is connected with Lord Morpheus’…” The dream asks.
“Because Hob seemed to be getting close to find Him, after 20 years of searching, when some took him for his Waking World in body and mind” Calliope answers. “Someone so powerful that didn’t leave any clue behind them…I can only thing of few beings that could be involved in this: Lucifer Morningstar or…”
“An Endless” Lucienne completes horrified.
“I need to speak with Lady Death”, Calliope resolves quickly. “Bring me to Oneiros’ gallery”, she asks to Lucienne firmly.
The dream does as she asked. The two of them walk through the rotting and abandoned realm. Calliope is not surprised that Lucienne has been one of the few that had keep loyal to her former husband. The librarian has been always the loyalist subject of the Dreaming and she cares sincerely over her King.
The librarian retells her all the things that had happened before and after Oneiros’ disappearance. Calliope only could imagine the horror of being captured, because the Goddess is sure of that is Oneiros’ circumstance without doubt, for more of a century. She is also certain now that only other Endless could behind this.
“No one who is not an Endless has used the Gallery before…I don’t know if I it would work for you, my lady”, Lucienne warns her when they are in front of the symbols of Oneiros’ siblings.
“It wont hurt to try”, she replies and moves closer to Death’s but, then, stops. A flare of doubt invades her since she hadn’t been kind with Death the last time, they had seen each other. Would her help me after everything I said to her?
“It’s not necessary…” The plain voice of Despair interrupts her train of though. Lucienne and she turn to see the other Endless who seems to be, as always, in pain. “I know were Hob Gadling is…”
“And Lord Morpheus?” Lucienne asks immediately, surprised about the sudden intervention of the other Endless and a little wary of it too. They are suspecting of another Endless involvement behind her Lord’s disappearance and, only then, Despair appears…Suspicious.
“I can only tell you about the human…You two know the Old Laws we are bound to”, Despairs replies firmly.
“You wouldn’t help Oneiros even if you could do it, Would you?” Calliope accuses her bitterly. “You and your twin don’t have any love for him…” Then the Goddess realizes the truth. “It is Desire…isn’t them?!” She questions angrily.
“I can help you get Gadling out of my twin’s realm and bring him back to the mortal world”, Despairs says instead of answering her question but Calliope doesn’t need it. It is a truth not said.
“Why? Why should I trust you?” The Goddess asks. “How I don’t know that isn’t one of your and Desire’s games?”
“I care about Hob Gadling too” Despair replies sincerely. “His despair has been a lot, more than the majority of the beings tolerates, and he still embraces it” The Endless looks at her hands, almost shyly. “He said that my function makes life more beautiful…He is kind and he seems to really enjoy my company”, She raises her eyes, “He tolerates my touch and even welcomes it”, she adds.
“Lord Morpheus has always kept Mr. Gadling off limits,” Lucienne replies outraged in her King’s place. “How dare you…”
“Dream is not here to say otherwise”, Despair reminds Lucienne, shutting her down.
“Then…why hasn’t you helped him?” Calliope questions her. “If Desire has had him all these years, you could have saved him…”
“I cannot do that to my twin”, Despair answers quickly. “Its their fun…but I cannot tolerate Hob’s suffering anymore…”
“So, what?” The muse inquires. “You expect me to do what you don’t dare…”
“Yes,” Despair replies sincerely and plain. “I will lead you to where Hob is and I will make sure they don’t intervene…” She stops for a second, meditating, before adding, “In exchange, you cannot tell my other sisters about Desire’s actions, not against my brother nor Hob Gadling”.
“I thought Hob was your friend”, Calliope reclaims to her, “Only the Maker would know what torture he had been submit under your siblings’ hands and you’re still protecting them…”
“They are my twin”, Despair says.
“Okay, I accept”, Calliope accepts after considerate it for a moment.
“My lady…” Lucienne starts to say.
“We have to trust her”, Calliope tells to the dream, “It’s the only way to find HIM”, she adds and Lucienne immediately knows that she isn’t talking about Hob. Or, at least, not only him.
“Good Luck, my lady”, it’s the only thing Lucienne says before Despair and Calliope are gone from the Dreaming.
…
Calliope doesn´t have to see too much of Desire’s realm as Despair kept her promise and lead her to Hob’s prison. However, the muse finds it lacking of something. It is beautiful but plain…at least, for Calliope’s current perception. Not that it matters as she has come for her friend, no to judge her former sibling-in-law aesthetics. But, maybe, it would have been better for her mental health to focus in that instead that on her friend’s circumstances because, being witness of it, makes her want to kill Desire or snitching them to their older siblings.
Hob, gorgeous and full of live, looks miserable and ill. He is naked and lost in his own mind. He is rambling and asking for mercy, one he hadn’t received. His body seems to be starving for ages and his face shows the absence of rest. Also, what makes her angrier, there are marks and old scars all over his body that appear to her to be of sexual origin.
She is repulsed and she has to contain her urgencies to throw up. She has always known that some beings look at humanity with a sense of superiority, she had been guilty of this too, but this is too much for her. Hob is her friend and Desire assaulted him.
“Hob!” She calls him without response as she takes him between her arms. “Hob, please!”, He stirs and groans in pain. “Hob!” She repeats with tears in her eyes.
“No more please”, He begs and tries to get away of her touch. She let him.
“Open your eyes, Hob, please,” She pleads softly, trying to bring him back to her.
“You came”. He says when he opens his eyes and looks at her. His eyes are full pain but it seems he doesn’t have any more tears to spare.
“Of course, I did,” She replies, “I’m sorry for take it too long, I’m not as strong as an Endless”, she apologised.
“Thank you,” he tells her before losing conscious again. However, this time, he seems to be calmer.
“It’s time to go”, Despair says and Calliope sends her a fiery look but before she can say anything, they find themselves in Hob’s flat.
Calliope, using her godly strength, carries the human to his room, ignoring Despair’s presence that follows them. She gently put him over his bed and has to contained her hurt when she saw him hissed in pain for the contact with the soft sheets.
“He has been overstimulated…anything could be painful for him right now”, Despair tells her and, even if she doesn’t mean it, ending with the muse’ patience.
“Out”, Calliope says, hitting her limits, “Out now”, she repeats firmly and she turns to face the Endless. “Get out! You don’t deserve to be here or call him your friend when you let him be…”
“I could help him…” Despair tries to offer.
“No!” Calliope interrupts her. “He doesn’t need anything else for you or your twin”, She tries to modulate her volume to not bother Hobs as well as her anger. “Get out before I break our deal and call your sister to tell her everything”, she threatens.
Soon, she is alone with Hob and she let herself grieve. Hob will need her strength so, for just a moment, she let herself be weak and cry. Cry for Hob. Cry for Oneiros.
…
She isn’t surprised by Death and Delirium’ visit. When they came back, Calliope had interrogated Murray about other “non-human” friends of the immortal and she had identified them for the barman’s retold. However, that doesn’t make it easy to face them.
“We are here to help Hob”, Death tells her as she sits in one of the chairs inside Hob’s small kitchen. Delirium had abandoned them and went directly into Hob’s room. The muse isn’t worry because, in her heart, she trusts the youngest of the Endless and her good intentions.
“A little to late”, she replies bitterly and Death has the decency to seem ashamed.
“I couldn’t find him”, Death says, “what happened to him? Why is he suffering so much?”
For a second, the muse considerate breaking her deal with Despair. Nevertheless, she decides against it. It could be dangerous the repercussion she and Hob could face for her anger and she doesn’t trust her former sister-in-law enough to believe she would protect them.
“How long have you been seeing Hob?” Calliope asks instead.
“I started to visit him a year after the failure of the century’ date between Dream and him as my brother could be there”, Death responds.
“You know that he is looking for your brother, don’t you?” She continues grilling her.
“I told him that it could be dangerous for him to do but he didn’t listen…” The Endless explains, “So, I kept an eye of him to ensure his safety”.
“Not always, it seems”, Calliope retorts. “You could have helped him to find Oneiros…”
“The Old Laws…” Death starts to say.
“To hell with the fucking Old Laws!” Calliope screams and hits the tablet with her closed fists. “Those laws kept me at the mercy of bastards! They kept your brother away from everything he cares about! And they allowed Hob to be torture!”
“I know you’re angry so, I would not take this personal”, Death says calmly, not coldly. “I’m sorry…It doesn’t change anything but…I am really sorry”, she adds.
“It doesn’t help”, Calliope simply says before returning to Hob, letting the personification of Death behind her.
I won’t abandoned Hob. I will stay by his side as long as he needs me or wants me to be. She swears as she watches Delirium does her magic from the door of Hob’s bedroom. I will be there for him as he had been for me. And…when he’s ready, because he will be recovered, we will find Oneiros.