Chapter Text
Gentle fields enveloped it, and it found itself trudging through purple and yellowed grass that reached his shoulders. The sky above shone a peculiar mix of black to white, gold and blue stars adorning its vast expanse.
Its robes were heavy and long, same as its demeanor, which was odd for the warm environment, yet didn't affect it. The gold flecked fabric dragged in dirt, but it payed no mind. It had a destination in mind and was committed to arriving.
A malleable dreamscape. It didn't actually need to sleep, so it was a choice to come. It rarely ventured to this place out of spite and fear of vulnerability, but it truly needed the comfort of the sense of security and knowing what was ahead. It adjusted its cone-shaped hat atop its head, continuing on.
The trek seemed endless, but peaceful. Not a single hint of fatigue plagued it by the time a low hanging tree came into view, a lone shadow against the sky.
A figure, of course, stood below it. The other's presence was warranted. It was what it was looking for. The rhythm of its staff leveraging it slowed as it approached, meeting gaze with the one before it.
The two of them were starkly different, the brighter bearing a proper and lithe shape as well as such a gregarious personality, whilst the latter remaining withdrawn and dark.
The Sun smiled.
The Moon regarded the brilliant rays that he seemed to emit, an amused grin tugging at his lips despite his best efforts.
"No reason for you to act uptight, you missed me." A hand reached to close the distance, pulling the Moon closer. He couldn't focus the other's features into reality nor feel the warmth of his skin, hence the consequences of only meeting in a dream.
Two halves of a whole, unable to come into true contact. Poetic, isn't it?
"I am exhausted." The Moon stated matter-of-factly, removing the remaining space between them by clinging onto the Sun's obnoxiously pristine sleeves, face tucked in the crook of his neck.
The Moon was still afraid of opening up, acting vulnerable before another. He was about as approachable as a feral cat when the two had first met. It took years to reach this kind of domestic relationship. He doesn't regret it.
The Sun hummed in thought, gently raking his fingers through his counterpart's hair. "I imagine so, you're here oddly late. In time of hour, that is."
He wrapped his arms around the other in turn, falling limp against him. He released a heavy sigh, fingers curling tighter. "I can't stay for long. There's... something I need to attend to."
The Sun tensed for a moment, likely saddened, though adjusted his grip and relaxed. "I'm glad you came."
It went silent from there, both savoring the moment.
He felt so treasured, for something so broken. He had believed he was too shattered for connection. The process wasn't so pleasant, but the Sun's obnoxious pushiness to bond paid off in the end.
The Moon wasn't sure how long they had stood there, but it was enough for sensation to return to his body. "I fear I'm about to leave..." He was barely given a chance to speak before-
Vincent never remembers his dreams, and yet he feels like he was in someone else's body--As in a separate world, he's already in the wrong body. Wherever he was, it sure did seem familiar, oddly enough. There's a word for that, isn't there?
Strange.
He drifted in the momentary silence where nothing concerned him, the apathy neither a curse or a blessing.
Inevitably, Vincent woke from blissful ignorance, a concept he wished he could always hold tight and render all else irrelevant.
Which of course meant memories from last night hit him like a freight train, the image of gold scattered on tile accompanied by uncertainty and fear. Yet it was soothed by something unmistakably tender.
Morning light filtered through the windows, bathing the scene in a golden glow. Whilst it was serene and calming, the brightness hurt his eyes.
Vincent struggled upright, head falling back on the headboard as he let his eyes fall shut once more.
It was only when he opened his eyes once more did he notice the glaringly obvious "11:38" on the analog clock beside him.
He had slept twelve hours!?
Inconsistently, Vincent still felt tired as hell.
He swallowed a yawn and let himself collapse back onto the sheets with a burnt out sound escaping him.
Only now does he notice Salem browsing away on his laptop at the desk parallel to the bed. Vincent squinted at the sight quizzically.
"...Sal?" Vincent cringed at the croak in his voice, though continued. "Whaaat are you doing."
He could see Salem instantly straighten his posture, swiveling in his chair to turn his attention to his boyfriend. "Reading. Did you sleep well?"
Vincent cocked his head, shuffling forward to get a glimpse of the screen. It appeared to be some sort of blog by the structure. The thing that caught his curiosity was an image that was clearly a blue and pink striped flag, accompanied by a block of text beside it.
It was not at all difficult to piece together that Mr. Autistic was reading about how to support him.
Vincent felt a surge of endearment at the sight, but he couldn't help but feel a laugh bubble in his throat. It was just so... Salem of him. Getting out of bed just to begin studying a new topic.
Specifically to affirm Vincent, and assist his transition.
Oh man.
Ohhhh, god... he would have to deal with coming out to quite literally everyone he knows.
"Vincent?" A clear voice rang like a bell, and he was dragged back to the present.
"Good... slept like a rock." He responded just a little too fast, propping up his head on his arms.
Salem glanced at the laptop for a moment before returning his focus, tilting his head. "Quick question, do you want me to call you Vincent everywhere, or are you not ready for that yet?"
Vincent would not be surprised if Salem would light a candle every night to read that blog like the Bible.
"Err," he rubbed his eyes, pausing to hum in thought. He wanted to get past this part of his life as soon as possible and just be a guy. Stupid social life, getting in the way of his hobbies. "Call me Vincent everywhere." He settled.
"Alright, 'cause I called Susan to come help later. Figured most places would be booked." Salem shut the laptop, rising from his seat to instead perch on the side of the mattress, the surface dipping under his weight. Vincent was drawn to him like a magnet, shifting to lay with his side against his partner.
Vincent heaved a sigh, peering up at the other through his lashes. He remembered Susan, one of Salem's closer friends, sweet as sugar and fond of taking it slow, which was pretty much exsctly what he needed. "Sounds good."
He was anxious. He wasn't sure if this could be a phase, and he was changing his whole identity on a whim.
Eh, everyone has phases. He's in the phase of transitioning, not just "being trans" and then moving on.
Things would get better.
Vincent could feel a pair of eyes on him, coaxing him back to reality, a hand making its way to his head. "You ready to eat something?"
He was made aware of the subtle cramping of his stomach, wincing. "...Yeah." The pressure of the hand in his hair was just enough to encourage him fully awake. With a bit of rocking for momentum, Vincent sat upright and sat at the edge of the mattress.
He rest his forearms on his thighs, hands brushing against the purple fabric of his pants. Purple. Vincent's nose scrunched. Purple grass. Why would grass be purple? "What's the word for knowing a place you've never seen?"
"Place you've never seen?" Salem echoed. Vincent didn't even need to turn to know the other was lost in thought, head tilted with the characteristic furrowed brow he often had. Jesus, he was down bad.
"Started with an a.... anemoia?" His boyfriend suggested. "You sure you're feeling okay?"
Anemoia didn't sound quite right, but he supposed it worked. "Yes, I was just curious." Vincent shrugged, pushing himself to stand. "What's for breakfast, then?"