Work Text:
With one arm across his forehead, Hob stared up at the bedroom ceiling and sighed. He didn't know what was keeping him awake tonight. He hadn't had any nightmares, but he just couldn't sleep. He felt like he needed something, but he didn't know what.
The sheets moved beside him, drawing his gaze to the sleeping form just inches from him.
"What's wrong, Hob?"
Dream's face emerged from under the sheets, a worried expression on his face as he straightened to get a better look at him.
His lover insisted, "Was it a nightmare?"
Hob shook his head as Dream brushed aside a strand of hair that fell across his face before resting his hand on Hob's cheek.
As he instinctively leaned into Dream's caressing hand,
Hob realized what he'd been missing.
Touch.
Dream's touch.
He'd come home when Dream was already asleep, and not wanting to wake him, he'd stayed on his side of the bed.
It was the first time in many nights that he hadn't fallen asleep with his arms around Dream or Dream's arms around him, and his body missed it. It was as if his whole being was crying out for its due.
Dream wanted to pull back his hand, but Hob grabbed it quickly and held it tight. Then he saw Dream's confused look and let go immediately.
"Hey, love, tell me what's wrong," Dream said softly.
Hob hesitated.
What if Dream thought he was making a fool of himself?
He felt ridiculous himself for being so demanding.
Then he thought of all the times he'd told Dream not to hesitate to express what he needed. Couldn't he apply his own advice to himself? He looked at Dream's face, smiling, worried, welcoming, warm, all these emotions directed at him, so he gave in.
Still embarrassed, he asked shyly, "Would you take me in your arms?"
He barely had time to finish his sentence before he found himself pressed against Dream's warm body as his lover whispered into his hair, "You don't even have to ask.”
Hob let out a small sigh of relief. It was as if a switch had been flipped. His body immediately relaxed as he became aware of all the places where Dream's body touched his own, and gradually the emptiness he'd felt since waking up filled up again.
"Feeling better?" Dream asked quietly, taking his face in his hands to look at him.
Hob hummed.
Dream gave him a soft, lingering kiss and slid his hands down his back, pressing him even closer.
Then Dream's lips left his and, as if sensing Hob's need, he gently touched every part of his face, his eyes, his cheeks, his chin, his jaw.
Every little touch spread its warmth over Hob's skin.
When Dream brought his lips to his again, his hands took over, running gently, without pressure, down his back, to his shoulders, then down his arms, running along his fingers.
Their fingers intertwined, and Dream brought their joined hands to his mouth, gently kissing every knuckle, every nook, finishing with the palm.
His lips came back to Hob's and he murmured softly against Hob's mouth: "Are you okay?"
Hob nodded and replied, "Better than okay," before running his tongue over Dream's lips, silently begging for the entrance he was immediately granted.
Though the passion was undoubtedly there, they chose to ignore it like a background noise, concentrating only on the contact of their bodies, the touch of their tongues, the moisture of their mouths.
Hob put his hands on Dream's shoulders, wanting to pull him closer until Dream rested more completely on him. They continued kissing like this, again and again, Dream's hands moving over Hob's body, spreading his warmth further.
They paused to catch their breath, forehead to forehead.
Dream's lips returned to Hob's neck, then to his ear, where he whispered, "Hob, my love, tell me what you need. Anything you need, even if you think it's ridiculous or ugly. I want it all."
"Yes, I will." was all Hob could murmur, too overwhelmed to answer coherently. Dream knew how to read him so well.
So he chose the only answer he was capable of at that moment. He kissed him, to convey his joy and gratitude at being understood so well by the one he loved, and they kissed again and again for many long minutes, Dream's hands continuing to give him what he needed.
Gradually the kisses became lazier, Dream's movements slower, and they felt the call of sleep. Then Dream rolled onto his side and wrapped his arms around Hob, his legs intertwined with his own. He planted a last kiss on his forehead and Hob snuggled against him, also wrapping his arms around Dream's waist.
This time, with the feeling of Dream all around him, Hob didn't even feel sleep taking him away.