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Dream thinks about Hob after the events of the vortex. He’s set on becoming a better king for his realm, and maybe a better friend as well. It was his idea to meet every 100 years, but he wanted to see Hob sooner than that. After all, friends see each other more often than 100 years, right?
Hob had said that he teaches at a university, so he could visit him there. He doubts Hob would oppose the visit, since they were official friends now.
Setting his plan to stone, Dream makes his way to the university. Although, now he realizes he’s not sure how he's supposed to find Hob. It certainly isn’t as large as The Dreaming, but he isn’t familiar with the university like he is with his own realm. So he sets out to wander until he finds Hob. He has all the time in the world, and so does Hob. He could take his time.
It takes a while, but as he walks he finally spots Hob and stops in his tracks. Dark eyes brightening, a reflection of an alluring cosmos, but Hob isn’t the only one he sees. There seems to be another teacher beside Hob, indulging in conversation.
Which is all fine until Dream notices how close they are to each other. Dream doesn’t understand why, but it bothers him badly . And that feeling only continues to grow as he notices Hob’s hand on her arm. All Dream does is stand and stare. They’ve known each other for 600 years, and yet they haven’t even shared a single touch. Why haven’t they ever touched? Dream wishes it was him being touched by Hob instead. He believes he would appreciate the touch way more.
Imprisoned in a glass globe for 100 years left Dream starving for touch. But he cannot understand why he especially craves it from Hob. Dream wonders how those rough, calloused hands would feel against his skin. Hob’s palm on his cheek. Hand running through his mess of hair. He wants Hob to touch him, to be held close in an embrace.
“Dream?”
Dream’s thoughts disappear as he hears Hob call his name. How he wishes to hear his name spoken by Hob again. A loving whisper in his ear.
Dream realizes he’s zoning out again and forces himself to snap out of it. What was he thinking?
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” Dream says just as quickly as he turns to walk away, feeling a little embarrassed. He can hear Hob calling after him, but he has already turned the corner and disappeared, sand scattering on the floor.
Dream couldn’t explain why he felt the way he did, but he thought a certain golden-eyed sibling might know. Seeing as Desire always made it in their best interest to interfere with Dream’s life. Whether it be something small or whatnot. Either way, Dream was tired of their meddling.
-
“Desire. I stand in my gallery, and I hold your sigil. Talk to me.”
Desire speaks up, “Oh? Why, what a surprise this is, sweet brother.”
“I’m coming through.”
“Well, of course . You know you’re always welcome in my chambers.” They say with red painting their smile, lounging in that smooth red chair as always.
“Tell me, what is it you desire ?”
Dream’s mind instantly drifts to an image of Hob. He quickly discards the thought, just another ploy from Desire.
“I desire nothing from you.” He grits his teeth. “I know you’re meddling again. Leave Hob out of it.”
Desire’s eyes widen for a second before turning into devious slits, smiling still.
“My… is that what this is about?” Desire laughs, “You desire him, I know .”
Dream’s face darkens, “What?”
Desire stands up from their chair, no longer lounging. Stepping towards Dream and closing the distance between them, “Goodness, are you that repressed that you think it’s my doing? That’s so on brand for you, honestly, I'm hardly surprised, dear brother.” They laugh.
The smile on Desire’s face falls though, “Not only are you annoying, you can be so stupid, too.”
Dream’s eyebrows narrow at the statement, face twisting in irritation. He opens his mouth to retort back, but Desire doesn’t give him the chance.
“Listen, I didn’t do anything to you or Hob. Death made it very clear that I don’t interfere with this relationship you have with that human.” Desire smiles again, “And just as I can dream, you can desire too.” Their chuckle reverberates throughout the chambers.
Dream is speechless. This couldn't have been what that was. Desire can see exactly what’s going on in his head, and he hates it.
“Just go for it. Enjoy something for once. You can’t be brooding for the rest of eternity, because frankly, it is really annoying. And I hate it when you’re annoying. Which is all the time.” They blurt - it really would be nice for Dream to stop sulking for a change.
-
Sitting at the bottom of the stairs in his throne room, arms resting on his legs as he slouches, Dream thinks.
Did he really think of Hob in that kind of way? When did that kind of feeling even develop? He does not know. He can only continue to sit in disbelief.
Dream only felt worse remembering Hob with that teacher. His hand on her arm. Dream can’t help but feel bitter at the fact that Hob seemed to look closer to her than him, and they’ve known each other 600 years. He couldn’t believe this at all. Desire was right, and he hates to admit it.
As he continues to sit sulking, Dream doesn’t notice when Lucienne walks in.
“My lord?”
“Yes, Lucienne?” Dream raises his head to look at her.
“Well, the residents have been complaining about the non-stop pouring of rain,” Lucienne states matter-of-factly.
“There. It stopped now.”
Lucienne pushes, “Is something troubling you?”
“Nothing you must concern yourself with, Lucienne.”
“Wouldn't it be nice if you opened up a little, my lord? Respectfully, I thought you were working on becoming better?”
Dream knows Lucienne means nothing bad by it, but it doesn't stop the pout forming on his lips.
He knows he’s not getting out of this now, so he steels himself and sighs before begrudgingly answering. “I may have… acquired a romantic interest.” He doesn’t enjoy saying it out loud.
“Why not pursue it?”
“Nothing good ever comes out of my relationships, Lucienne. It only ever ends with hurt for both. I shall not risk that again.” The rain returns and is heavier now than before.
“Well, that was before, and things do change, Lord Morpheus. I thought we already learned this?”
Lucienne has a point.
“And you know, relationships take effort from both partners. It’s not healthy to shoulder all the responsibility, you should know that.” Dream is thankful for having such a loyal subject. Although sometimes he doesn’t like it, he knows Lucienne is doing it in his best interest.
“Either way, he’s not interested… There is no point in bothering.”
“And you know that for certain? At least just try, my lord. Sitting and sulking about it won’t help anything. I think it would hurt more, not knowing for sure. Please, just try. For the sake of The Dreaming.” Lucienne pushes a little at the end, and it makes it more tempting if he has a reason. An excuse. It makes Dream feel better about it. Although he doesn’t like Lucienne using The Dreaming against him, she knows how much he cares. And Dream did promise Lucienne he would try to listen to others more often. So he will… try.
“… I shall try then, if The Dreaming depends on it.”
-
Doubt floods Dream’s mind as he stands outside Hob’s flat. Why is it so hard? He is Dream of the Endless, and he couldn’t do something so simple. If Death knew about this, he would never hear the end of it.
After finally gaining some courage, he presses 3 solid knocks on the door. Not even a second passes until Dream is already regretting everything. He thinks about just leaving and forgetting it all, but before he could act on that thought, the door opens. And there he is, the man who has somehow managed to capture his heart, Hob Gadling.
“Oh. Oh! Dream? What are you doing here?” Hob asks, surprised to see his friend so unexpectedly.
Dream’s mind blanks. What is he supposed to say? God, why is he here again?
A moment passes of Dream just blankly staring at Hob, head scrambling trying to find the right words to say.
“So… Would you like to come in or..?”
“Yes.” Dream says all a little too quickly. He didn’t know such a simple interaction would make him feel this embarrassed. Hob steps aside for Dream to enter and he stiffly walks inside the flat. He really should’ve thought this through. Pursue nothing without a solid plan. Dream will know better next time.
“Alright, so, now you're here, is there a particular reason you came?” Hob asks, leading them to his living room. Hob sits down on the large sofa, encouraging Dream to do the same. And he does, but keeping a small distance between them, of course.
“I… Just wanted to see you. Friends see each other. That’s all there is to it. Nothing else.” Dream is facing toward Hob, but makes sure not to make direct eye contact. Otherwise, he might not be able to look away.
“Right, well, see, that is quite interesting. I saw you quite some time ago, but then you suddenly ran off. Care to share what that was all about?” Hob says in a skeptical tone. He wasn’t mad, though. Just teasing. But it reminds Dream of when he ran off in 1889, he still feels guilty about it. Dream’s mouth opens and closes, trying to find the right words. How is he supposed to explain this to Hob? Yet Hob sits in silence, patiently waiting. God, the effect that he has on Dream drives him insane. Of course, he would always wait for Dream and that makes his heart twinge. Why would he ever think otherwise? He waited for him for 33 years after all. He’s in really deep, isn't he?
“Um…” Dream isn’t one to fumble with his words like this. He always constructs his speech so elegantly and flawlessly. Yet, right now, at this moment, he finds himself utterly speechless.
He steals a glance at Hob, and he has such a comforting smile on his face, exactly what Dream was afraid of. He feels his face flush, and he looks away.
“That woman you were with… Is she your lover?” Hob sputters at this, completely taken aback.
“Is she my what? ” Dream is ready to get up and leave from embarrassment, but then Hob laughs. Not a mocking laughter, his laugh is fond and full of warmth. “God, Dream, no , she’s already a married woman, plus a lesbian, too.”
Dream notices how Hob leans in just a little closer. He can feel the warmth radiating off of him. He swears he doesn’t remember Hob being this soothing before. When did it become like this?
“Oh.” is all Dream could say. He doesn’t know how much more embarrassment he could take tonight. He truly feels like an idiot, and he wants to run away again . Hob sees right through him, though. He always does, and it ruins him. Dream felt Hob’s warm hand on his own, he tenses at the feeling. Not because he hates it, he loves it so much . Spending 100 years in a glass prison without physical contact left Dream craving it more than he ever thought he would before. He feels like he might just burst right now.
“You know, after 600 years of knowing each other, you’re not as hard to read as you once were.”
This time, Dream finally meets his eyes, and he instantly wishes he hadn’t. The look on Hob’s face is so tender that Dream doesn’t know what to do with himself. Then words spill out of Dream’s mouth, like he couldn’t hold it in anymore.
“I love you.”
He had sounded so vulnerable saying it out loud. He hates that. He doesn’t want to seem weak, not in front of Hob.
“Could you say that again? I don’t think I heard you correctly.” Hob says with a smile.
Dream immediately feels regret, and he’s guessing it must show on his face from the way Hob bursts into laughter. Dream feels ready to run away, once again, but Hob gives his hand a little reassuring squeeze, as he places his other hand on the back of Dream’s neck and leans in. Bumping foreheads together; no more running away, he can’t.
“Oh, I was just joking, dove. I love you too, my sweet Dream, and I would do anything to prove it to you.”
Dream backs away from Hob, foreheads no longer touching.
“You would do anything for me?”
“ God yes, Dream, for you I'd do anything.”
“And you are certain?”
“ Yes, Dream, anything for you.”
“Then, could you hold on to me, and never let go?”
“Yes, a thousand times. You are the concept in my mind that I could never let go. Not before, and not now. You are Dream of the Endless. Endless for me to pour my infinite love.”
Dream wants to melt. Such eternal devotion. It drives him insane. He thinks about how long before he messes it all up, but Hob he… He never gave up on Dream, not before, and he won’t now. If Dream running out on Hob the first time didn’t wreck anything, then it might be okay this time. Dream would try again, if it’s with Hob.
“Could you… hold me right now?”
“Yes, dove.”
Hob places his hands on Dream’s chest and pushes him down onto the cushions, laying right on top of him. He moves one hand to palm his cheek, rubbing soothing circles with his thumb. The other running through his messy hair, lightly scratching at his scalp. The pressure of Hob’s weight is comforting to Dream, and he reaches out his hands to rest on Hob’s back. Running up and down his spine in smooth caresses.
“Thank you, Hob Gadling.”
“No need, dove. I should thank you. Thank you for seeing me tonight. Thank you for talking to me. You are my everything. My love. My endless love.”
Dream relaxes even further under Hob’s weight and smiles softly. He breathes in Hob’s scent and it brings him warmth. Feeling completely safe in Hob’s arms. Feeling secure that this man would do anything for him. He loves Hob, and Hob loves him back just as hard.
“My sweet, sweet Dream.” A loving whisper in his ear.
For the first time in a while, Dream feels truly comfortable. He is held, and he is loved.