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When Dream appeared in the hallway at the entrance to Hob's apartment, he was surprised to hear music coming from the kitchen. Then he smiled when he heard Hob's surprisingly melodious voice singing over the singer's voice.
He halted for a moment to listen to it.
Like a song of love that clings to me
How the thought of you does things to me
Never before has someone been more unforgettable
Dream wondered what Hob was thinking about while singing this song and allowed himself a little insight into his mind.
He gasped at the vision that his lover's ever so surprising mind was showing him.
He and Hob were on a beach illuminated only by a few lanterns placed here and there. In the middle, barefoot and dressed in white, they were embracing and dancing, swaying slowly to the rhythm of the same song Hob was singing right now in his kitchen. The landscape, the atmosphere were heavenly and Dream marveled at the beauty that Hob's mind could create.
Moreover, he was overwhelmed by the idea of being part of it.
Unforgettable
In every way
And forever more
That's how you'll stay
That's why, darling, it's incredible
Dream left Hob's mind and while Hob continued to sing, he went to the kitchen and leaned against the doorframe to watch his lover without him being aware of it.
Hob had his back to him and was swaying to the music while washing the dishes. Dream looked at him fondly, delighted to see him in such a joyful mood and of course secretly happy about what the music was inspiring in his lover's mind. Delighted to be in some way the reason for his smile.
But Dream wanted more. He didn't just want to witness this joy, he wanted to be a part of it entirely. He stepped forward unbeknownst to Hob, who continued to sing while drying his hands.
That's why, darling
It's incredible
That someone so unforgettable
Thinks that I am
Unforgettable, too.
With a quick, smooth motion, Dream took Hob's wrist, spun him around and wrapped his arms around his neck. He smiled at the startled look on his lover's face, holding him close as he began to sway to the music.
Hob instinctively wrapped his arms around Dream's waist and, raising his head to look at him, he asked, puzzled, "Dream, what are you doing?"
Dream looked at him with a smile and said softly, "It seems to me that I am dancing with my beloved."
Suddenly Hob raised one of his hands and pinched his own cheek, "Ouch!"
Dream laughed softly, "I assure you, you are not dreaming."
Hob tied his arms around Dream's waist again and replied, "I had to check it out, it seems to be something straight out of my mind."
Dream murmured, "I know."
Hob, not fooled, gave him a knowing look before resting his head on his shoulder, "I forgive you this incursion into my head, since my dream is coming true."
Dream, his chin on Hob's head, tightened his arms around his shoulders and they continued a few moments to sway on the song.
Then Hob lifted his head from Dream's shoulder, brought his face to his, and sang softly against his lips, "Unforgettable, in every way, and forever more that's how you'll stay."
He closed the distance between them and kissed him tenderly. When he pulled back, it was Dream who chased his lips and now their lips were pressing against each other with soft caresses, separating to melt again immediately. They continued to kiss like this until they were forced to separate to catch their breath.
Dream, thinking of the lyrics that Hob had whispered before kissing him, asked, "Am I the unforgettable one?"
With a cheeky glint in his eye, Hob replied, "Well, since June 7th of the year of our Lord 1389, I have not been able to forget this mysterious and handsome stranger who challenged me to meet him again a hundred years later."
Dream retorted in the same tone, "Well, I couldn't forget that Hob Gadling either, who proclaimed loudly that death was stupid and that he wouldn't die. And who smiled at me in such a seductive way."
They looked at each other in silence before they both started laughing, then Hob snuggled up to Dream and closed his eyes as they continued to sway to the song that was unfortunately coming to its end.
Dream whispered into Hob's hair, "Open your eyes."
Hob obeyed and could do nothing but gasp. They were no longer in his kitchen, but on the beach of his imagination, dressed in white, and barefoot. He marveled at the warm sand beneath his feet. Hob looked around and saw that not a detail was missing. From the starry sky to the lanterns, from the palm trees lightly stirred by the warm breeze Hob could feel on his skin to the soft sounds of the sea just behind them. And that is when the music started and he could recognize the song he was singing in his kitchen just before.
Hob was amazed by this strange feeling of being in a waking dream. Then Dream wrapped his arms around him once again and they resumed the dance started in the kitchen. They danced slowly under the stars during the whole song and even when it ended, they didn't let go of each other.
They continued to sway to the ghost of a melody that belonged only to them.
It was just perfect and neither of them wanted this moment to end.
Hob whispered into Dream's neck, "I wish we could stay like this forever."
Dream smiled and gave him a lingering kiss on the forehead before resting his chin on Hob's head as he replied, "We may not be able to stay here forever, but this place is ours alone and we can come back whenever we want. All you have to do is ask."
Hob snuggled closer to Dream and whispered, "You are extraordinary you know. Thank you for making my dream a reality."
He felt Dream smile against his hair as he replied, "That's what you've been doing for me all along and you didn't need any power for that."
Hob laughed softly against Dream's chest and stated, "I told you before, we are the perfect match."
Dream hummed in acknowledgement and they stayed like that for a long time, dancing in silence, enjoying the magic of the moment.
After all, they didn't need any other music than their hearts beating in unison.