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The lampshade wasn’t quite the thing, but Hob was happy about the extra cordless mics he’d purchased for karaoke night at the New Inn. He had his, so he could make announcements between songs, and the third went to whoever was up next, so there was less fumbling between performers. Just now, Hob saw that it was Dream who held it in his lap as he waited for his turn. It had taken some work to persuade him to come to karaoke night, but once he was there it only took the right song and a well-phrased dare to get him to agree to sing something. Hob was looking forward to hearing his deep, smooth voice in song. Dream seemed involved in the current performance; Hob was glad he didn’t look bothered by nerves. Clearing his throat, Hob turned away from Dream’s lap to focus on the current performer, who was just entering the song’s bridge.
“Hob,” Dream suddenly murmured from beside him.
“Yes?” he asked quickly, turning toward him.
Dream cleared his throat a bit and Hob watched in wonder as a blush slowly rose on his neck.
“Would you mind. Not holding your mic. Like that?”
Hob glanced at the mic in his lap. Oh. Apparently Dream was having the same problem he was. This was worth some ribbing!
“Bit of a dirty mind, have you?” he prodded, placing his mic on the table instead and grinning as the flush overtook Dream’s whole face.
“Dirty mind?” Dream questioned, seeming a bit confused. Oh yes, he still sometimes struggled with current idiom.
“You know, seeing certain body parts in all objects of a certain shape and size?” Hob explained.
“Oh,” Dream ducked his head, then looked up at Hob through his lashes.
“No, Hob. It’s just you.”
Hob’s breath caught and he blushed furiously, just as the previous performer finished singing. He grappled wildly to get himself under control, took a deep breath, and somehow managed to make it to the end of the room where the karaoke machine was, thank the singer and take their mic, and … then it was time to introduce Dream’s song. Dream had followed him up, and, facing away from the audience, he felt free to let his smug smirk show to Hob. Even more flustered now, Hob barely managed to introduce him and his song.
“This is Dream, singing Jolene by Dolly Parton.”
“This song is in honor of my sister,” Dream began in his low, silky voice.
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
I'm begging of you please don't take my man
Jolene, Jolene, Jolene, Jolene
Please don't take him just because you can
Dream maintained eye contact with Hob, who had passed on the extra mic and taken his seat again. At the intense look in his eyes, Hob suddenly realized the words could indeed apply to himself and Dream’s sister, Death. Dream continued with the verse, still gazing intently into Hob’s eyes. When Hob realized he’d changed the words, he almost fell off his stool.
His beauty is beyond compare
With flaming locks of auburn hair
With ivory skin and eyes of umber sheen
His smile is like a breath of spring
HIs voice is soft like summer rain
And I cannot compete with you
Jolene
Hob smiled gently back at Dream as the rest of the pub began to fade away into the background. As far as they were concerned, it was only the two of them when Dream sang:
You could have your choice of men
But I could never love again
He's the only one for me
Jolene
When the song was over, Hob somehow managed to thank Dream automatically and introduce the next singer before grabbing Dream by the hand, dropping the mics off with his assistant manager with a quick “You’re up now, mate, I gotta go,” and dragging Dream up the stairs to his flat. As soon as the door was closed behind them, he crowded into Dream’s space with a quirked eyebrow and a soft, “What was that, Dream?”
Dream reached up to brush a lock of hair from his forehead, letting his hand linger on Hob’s cheek.
“I think you know, Hob.”
Hob cupped Dream’s face in his hands, and later they could never agree on who leaned in first for a kiss. Things progressed from there, as they are wont to do, and later that night Dream, recalling the lyrics again, smiled in satisfied repletion as Hob called out his name.
He talks about you in his sleep
And there's nothing I can do to keep
From crying when he calls your name
Jolene