Work Text:
Hob woke up with a start, he didn't dare to open his eyes as his heart was beating very fast and his breathing was jerky. He tried to calm down but couldn't until he felt a hand gently touch his arm and slide to his hand, entwining his fingers with his own, gently caressing the back of his hand with his thumb.
He forced himself to slow down his breathing and felt his heartbeat gradually return to normal.
Dream said softly in his ear, "There you go. Hob, tell me where and when you are."
"I... I am at home..." Hob paused and Dream hummed to encourage him to continue, "In… year 2021... and you, Dream, you're here with me."
He finally started to calm down, taking in the reality as he said it out loud.
Dream barely touched him, just holding Hob's hand in his, continuing to stroke its back with his thumb. He asked him softly, "Are you okay?"
Hob turned without letting go of Dream's hand and nodded slowly before whispering, "I... I think so."
Dream inquired gently, " May I hold you?"
Hob breathed, "Y... Yeah, please..."
Dream pressed a slow kiss to his forehead then gently wrapped his arms around Hob, pressing him close.
Dream breathed in his hair, "You want to talk about it?"
Hob shook his head against Dream's chest and replied, "No."
It was nothing new, his nightmares were often of the same kind and he didn't want to tell the story of another nightmare reminding him of the battlefields.
Dream hummed and pressed another kiss on the top of his head.
Of all his relationships, Dream was the first to understand him and give him what he really needed in those moments.
He never forced Hob to talk to him, he just provided what he needed, a healing and comforting touch, offered and not forced.
He snuggled up a little more against Dream, who caressed his back lightly, as if he were cradling him.
Hob was exhausted and wanted nothing better than to go back to sleep, but the memory of the nightmare was still vividly present in his mind which refused to let go. As soon as he closed his eyes, he saw the same horrific images again and could almost smell the blood and hear the noises.
He forced himself to breathe slowly in an attempt to fall asleep, but Dream, noticing his restlessness, let go of him a little and taking his face in his hands, asked carefully, "What's wrong?"
Hob shyly admitted, " I am scared to go back to sleep, when... when I close my eyes it's like I'm there again."
Dream kissed him tenderly and replied, a slight smile on his lips, "How fortunate that you have the Lord of Dreams as your lover."
He pressed Hob against him again and whispered against his hair as he hypnotically stroked his back, "Let Go, Hob, I have you. Close your eyes. Don't be afraid. I'll be here all the way."
Hob exhaled slowly before closing his eyes and being lulled to sleep by Dream's voice repeating words of encouragement over and over, coaxing him to sleep.
When he finally surrendered, it was as if he had entered another world.
Everything was warmth and light. The nature around him was green and bright with a thousand colors.
He realized that someone was standing next to him and he turned to face Dream who was smiling at him sweetly.
He took a few steps and, turning to Hob, he held out his hand, "I told you I would be here all the way, Hob. Come with me."
Hob took the outstretched hand and the moment Hob's fingers intertwined with his, he knew he didn't need to be afraid anymore.
The nightmare had become a dream.