Chapter Text
-Boss! – Matthew the Raven flew from the sky right to Dream’s feet
-What is it Matthew? – Morpheus asked flatly. Lately he’s been bored, not being able to find himself anything interesting to do.
-I got a favor to ask of you.
-A favor?– Dream moves slighty on his throne, eyebrows raised in confusion – And what may that be?
-You know, before I become a raven a was a human…..
-I’m well aware of that. Skip to the point if you may.
-I had a daughter. I mean – I have a daughter. I guess – if Matthew had hands he would scratch his head awkwardly – the tenses are tricky here.
Morpheus glances at the Raven urging him to word his request.
-I would like to visit her in the Waking World, boss.
-You what now? – Dream repeats in disbelief
-I would like to …..
-I heard you the first time.
-So… will you…..?
-No – he says coldly
-No?
-No.
-Why not?
-I can’t even comprehend where did you get that idea from. The Waking and Dreaming shall not interfere with each other’s affairs. Except when humans are sleeping. Those are the rules. No one, even me, can tamper with them
-But…
-No buts.
-You know you can be a hypocrite, boss.
-You might want to watch your words Matthew – Dream warns his servant – you are my subject after all.
-I am, and with all due respect, you had no inhibitions to contact humans when you were searching for your tools.
-That was something entirely different.
-Was it? – Matthew flies up to sit on the armrest of the throne - Please, boss. She’s my daughter after all. I just want to check if she’s ok.
-I can watch her in her dreams if that’s so important to you.
-NO! – Matthew caws angrily but quickly composes himself. – I don’t want you to scare her. You can be quite intimidating in your all-black attire.
-And how do you think she’ll react seeing her father in raven form?
-She’s an open-minded person.
-If I grant you this favor will this conversation stop?
-Sure will! – Matthew caws
-Than you shall go. Just do not engage with the girl. You may see her. Do I make myself clear?
-Crystal, boss. Thank you.
-Remember, I can see everything you do – Morpheus warns again waving his hand dismissively.
***
In the Waking
As Matthew arrives in the Waking he instantly search for his girl in her favorite places – her apartment, café she going to, her work ( she’s an academic lecturer), but she is nowhere to be found. A bit disappointed he turns to the park hoping she might be passing through.
Suddenly, a familiar figure is spotted in the distance. A tall, blonde girl in short jacket, carrying big backpack heading toward the …. Graveyard?
-Oh shit! – raven thinks to himself and immediately follows the girl.
Y/n walks ahead not disturbed by the fact that a bird is close on her feet. Normally this would seem suspicious but she’s focused on her purpose so hard that the surrounding may not even exist. She only stops when she reaches a very particular tombstone, quickly and with relief throwing her heavy backpack on the ground and stretching her back.
-Hi, dad – she says quietly kneeling in front of it and Matthew’s heart drops – you would not believe the day I had. Seems like everyone relies on me with all their problems and I can’t deal with the constant pressure- she sighs. – I really miss you, you know, your pieces of advice whenever I needed them. Anyway, I got something for you – she reaches inside her baggage and retrieve some flowers. – Chrysanthemum. Your favorite – y/n hesitates – what am I even doing? –she mutters to herself – talking to the headstone…. You can’t even hear me….
-Y/n – Matthews caws quietly from behind the tree trying to get the girl’s attention. She spins around frowning in confusion but doesn’t notice him. – y/n – the Raven speaks again a bit louder and she finally realizes who’s calling. Her eyes widen with the mix of shock, disbelief and a bit of fright.
-Whaaa…..? – she stutters not able to believe that the actual freaking raven is talking to her – So it’s official. I am crazy – y/n rub her forehead blinking rapidly – this is just a dream, wake up girl, wake up now – she’s clearly becoming more and more nervous with every second.
-y/n/n it’s me – Matthew uses his daughter nickname to help her realize who he is.
-DAD?! – she yells taking a step back and tripping over her own feet – Aw! – now as she’s laying on the ground facing the sky she tries to wrap her head around what is happening.
-Are you ok? – Matthew worriedly asks jumping right next to her.
-No. No I’m not. What the hell?!
-Calm down, y/n.
-How in the world do you expect me to calm down?! My father… my dead father… talking to me…. as a raven – she laughs hysterically.
At this moment Matthew himself starts to freak out. Maybe Morpheus was right about this not being a good idea.
-I can explain it you. Just please, please, try to breathe. – if he had hands he would just hug his daughter but for obvious reasons he couldn’t so he just jumps around helplessly. – Remember how we used do to this? Inhale. Exhale – he refers to the time when y/n was suffering from anxiety and he was helping her overcome it–. The sun, the sky, the clouds …. – he starts chanting. There was a special technique they used which was based on grounding during the anxiety attack and relied on naming surrounding things in the reality.
-The trees, the grass, the …. – she stops – birds. - she looks at the raven again this time more calmly.
-Hi y/n – Matthew says smiling internally.
-Hi …. – she squints hesitantly – dad.
-You ready to listen to a crazy story?
-I don’t think I can ever be ready to listen to a story narrated by a talking raven, but whatever – she shrugs, now completely calm – just, maybe not here – someone may see us. Meet me at my apartment? You remember….?
-How can I forget? You want to check who’s going to be faster?
-Really, dad? You’ve got wings, that’s not fair!
-The last one there is the loser! – he caws taking off.
-That. Is. Not. Fair – she runs after him not caring who’s watching.
Obviously, Matthew was first at the destination. When y/n arrives at her place, he was sitting calmly on the window sill.
-Cheater – she pants getting her key and letting him inside – suit yourself, normally I would offer you a snack, but I’m not sure if….
-I’m fine y/n. Can we just talk now?
-Even in this form you are a chatterbox. Good to see at least one thing hasn’t changed. I need a minute to refresh myself though. Someone – she looks at him accusingly – made me run through the city.
As she changes her clothes Matthew takes a look around her apartment. Y/n was always a creative person and her flat mirrors that. The thigs than can be spotted first are books everywhere. They cover many subject, mythology and ancient stories included. Suddenly, Matthew knows the perfect way to explain to his daughter what happened to him.
-Ok, I’m ready – y/n comes out of her bedroom, looking different than she did before. She changed her university outfit into comfortable legging, oversized T-shirt and letting her hair down. With no make-up she looks so young and innocent. Matthew definitely missed his beautiful daughter.
-I missed you y/n.
-I missed you too, dad. And all things considered I’m really happy to see you. Even so, talk to me, how is this even real?
-Fine. I just need you to look at this book – Matthew jumps on the nearby stock of stories pointing at very particular one.
-The Greek myths?
-Yes. There’s one particular god that is involved in this story – the raven uses his claw to find the right page – oh, here he is. He wouldn’t be glad of how they portrayed him – he laughs.
-Morpheus? The god of Dreams? – y/n tils her head slightly – wait… Don’t tell me that…
-Don’t tell you what y/n? You know, no matter what you think, I can’t read your mind.
-Shame. I though you got some superpowers in bonus – y/n rolls her eyes in a funny way. – What I meant was are those stories about ravens being the souls of the deceased true?
-Yes.
-Ok, I can comprehend that. But… aren’t they a Death omen? Why do you bring Morphe….
-Matthew! – before y/n can finish the sentence both the girl and the raven jump at the sound of some dark, yet soft voice – I specifically ordered you not to interfere with the human.
-Shit! – Matthew caws rising in attempt to protect his daughter. – Sorry, boss, but…..
-Quiet – Dream speaks coldly – I shall not tolerate ….
-Ok, can everyone just shut up!? – y/n suddenly snaps not able to deal with all the bullshit – The only person that shall not tolerate anything is me! Both of you just think you can show up out of the blue and mess up with my life. No offence, dad, I really am glad to see you, but still. And you, mister, who do you think you are? Did you not learn to knock before entering?!
-I am Dream of the Endless and I … - Morpheus starts, clearly shocked by the girl’s outburst.
-So the King of Dreams?
-Yes. And since then you will….. – he tries to speak again but she stops him.
-I will do shit! Or wait, I might actually do something. Like force you out of my apartment. You just violated all of the rules. And I don’t care what are your prerogatives in your Realm, since you are here you shall stick to humanity principles. You majesty – she adds mockingly.
Matthew just watches this confrontation without a sound. Knowing Morpheus, at first he fears for his daughter safety but as he watches Dream’s face he becomes sure she won’t be hurt. The Dream Lord is definitely surprised, maybe a bit annoyed, but there’s also some glint of amusement in his eyes. How can there be not? When y/n is angered she looks so beautiful. She’s flushed in the most cute way there is, her eyes are glowing, her lips red and her hair waved. Clearly Dream Lord thinks the same.
-Apologies – he mutters not breaking eye contact. Neither does she.
-Accepted – she nods – thank you. Now, can I finally get the full story of how my father became a raven and the Dream Lord himself showed up in my apartment? And does someone care for a drink? I surely could use one.
**********************
Back in the Dreaming
To tell the truth, Matthew was pretty scared of what kind of punishment Dream might impose on him for breaking the rule of no interfering. However, Morpheus seemed to be so deep in his own mind that he did not said a word when they arrived back in the Dreaming.
-Um… boss? Is there anything you need me for?
-No. – the answer was as simple and cold as possible
-Ok, so I’m gonna go to Merv and Lucienne. See if they want some help.
-Matthew?
-Yes, boss?
-Do not disobey me again. I will not be so understanding next time.
-But I can still visit her now that she knows everything?
-I can understand why you want it so bad - Dream mutters, memory of y/n beautiful angered figure clear in his mind
-Is that a yes? – the raven tilts his head
-Just go, Matthew. I’d like to be alone now. No one shall disturb me.
-You got it, boss. We all need some alone time from time to time, so.....
Morpheus eyes his Raven, a silent warning, so the bird just takes off. The thing is, The Dream Lord seems quite intrigued by Matthew’s daughter and he wants to think what to do with that feeling he did not experience for some time.