Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Matthew felt like he was going to throw up.

He hadn't meant to be eavesdropping. Really, he hadn't. And anyway, if the Boss wanted privacy, he shouldn't be discussing such personal matters in the library, where staff members could wander in at any time.

Like he was doing now.

He had been making his way to Lucienne's desk when he heard voices raised in agitation. Deducing that it wouldn't be wise to interrupt, Matthew changed direction and landed on the back of a nearby armchair. He would just wait here for his turn to make his report.

The voices became louder. Matthew could make out a few words here and there.

“My Lord….can't just leave…”

“...already in motion…”

“...death sentence!...”

Alarmed, Matthew hopped to the ground and quietly walked toward the voices, straining to hear more.

“My Lord. Please.” Lucienne sounded tear-choked and on the verge of sobbing. “We can't lose you again. The Dreaming..”

“Will be fine. Arrangements have been made. I've been preparing for this for…a long time.”

“But - “

“Family blood has been spilled, Lucienne. There are rules, and there are consequences for breaking them.”

“My Lord, the Kindly Ones can do nothing as long as you remain here. There's no reason-”

“The course is set. There is no turning back now.”

“But you have changed, so much. Especially after reconnecting with Hob Gadling. Have you told him? About any of this?”

Dream closed his eyes, clearly pained. “No. I bid him farewell last night, while he was in the Dreaming. He does not know it was a farewell, and I would like to keep it that way.”

Lucienne made a strangled noise. “You can't do that to him! You've both been so happy these past few months. You can't just end it, not like this.”

Dream spread his arms. “What choice do I have? I put all this in motion before Hob and I - before. Even before Burgess captured me. It is written in my brother’s book, and cannot be undone.”

Matthew couldn't stand it anymore.

He launched into the air, eventually landing on Dream's head, and none too gently.

He squawked loudly and dug his talons into his boss's hair. Dream flinched.

“I don't care about the Kindly Ones, they can fuck right off. I also don't care what your brother says, whoever he is. Dreams don't fucking die, not if you believe in them. And there are a lot of people - and one raven - who believe in you.”

Matthew hopped down to Dream's shoulder. His Boss's eyes were suspiciously bright.

“Matthew,” he said sadly. “My brother is Destiny. His book is never wrong.”

“Well, if he's the anthropomorphic personification of Destiny, then he can change it. Right?”

Dream shook his head. “That is a common misconception. He does not determine anyone's destiny. He can only read about it in his book. He knows things, but he cannot change them.”

“Well, how do you know what's written in it? Maybe you're wrong about your destiny.”

“I know because he told me.”

Matthew squawked in surprise.

“He told you your future? I thought that was against the rules?”

“He did not specify the details. He just told me that I must change, or die. And since the Endless never change…well.”

“But, if I may, my lord,” Lucienne cut in, “You have changed. Not just since your escape from Roderick Burgess. I would say that process began - if I may be so bold - shortly after you met Hob Gadling.”

“Yeah!” Matthew agreed. “Good old Hob, I knew there was a reason I like him so much.”

Dream shook his head. “That may very well be. Unfortunately, it is a case of too little, too late. They are coming for me, and soon.”

Matthew was starting to panic. He had to do something, and he had to do it now. There was no time to waste.

“Tell you what,” he announced with false bravado. “I'm gonna go see this brother of yours, and I'm gonna give him what for. His name is Destiny, so there's gotta be a loophole somewhere. He must have some control over events, otherwise what is even the point of him?”

“I assure you,” Dream said tiredly, “he does not.”

“Well, I have to at least try. Otherwise, what is the point of me? Actually, I have an idea. Now, tell me how I can get to this guy's realm.”

A small smile teased at Dream's lips.

“My loyal raven. You do realize that this will most likely accomplish nothing?”

“It will definitely accomplish nothing if we do nothing.” Matthew gestured with his wing. “Come on, let's go.”

TBC...

Chapter Text

Destiny stood before them, milky eyes scanning them. With eyes like that, Matthew was pretty sure he was blind. He didn't know how he could be scanning anything. But who really knew, with the Endless.

Matthew gulped. All of his bravado seemed to have suddenly vanished.

“I've been expecting you,” the hooded and cloaked figure before them intoned. His voice wasn't as deep as Dream's, but his words felt more…weighted. As if all of the world’s sorrows rested on his shoulders. 

Perhaps they did.

“Welcome, Brother.” He looked down at Matthew. “Hello, little avian Dream. I rarely have visitors who are not my siblings. And what might your name be?”

“M - Matthew, my Lord. Your Majesty. Your highness. Mr Destiny?” 

Matthew lowered his head in embarrassment. 

“Matthew,” Dream chided.

“Greetings, Matthew.” Destiny turned towards his brother. “I know why you are here.”

Dream crossed his arms, his expression petulant.

“This was not my idea.” He glared at Matthew. “I did not want to come.”

Destiny arched an eyebrow. “Did you not? Little brother, are you telling me that this dream, one of your subjects, has the power to force you to do something you do not want to do?”

Dream scowled. “Of course not - “

“If you are here, it is because you want to be. There is something that you desire. Truly, have we not already discussed this? ”

Matthew cleared his throat. “E - excuse me, my Lord? May I speak?”

A look of faint amusement flitted across Destiny's face. There and gone again.

“Of course, little dream. Please speak.”

Matthew squawked. He recognized when he was being humored. Irritation pressed into his chest. He was by nature an impulsive creature, so he mostly spoke without thinking.

“Hey! A little respect? I'm not just a ‘little dream’. I'm the King of Dreams's raven. I'm here on his behalf, because he deserves happiness. He deserves to live.”

Destiny shrugged, face expressionless. “Many creatures deserve to live, and yet they die. Many deserve to die, and yet they live. I do not choose their fates. They are already written.” He clasped his book tighter to his chest. “I cannot help you.”

“I told you,” Dream intoned.

Matthew cocked his head, eyes bright. He brought his wing up to the side of his head, as if an idea had just occurred.

“Say, Mr Destiny,” Matthew began.

Dream made a strangled noise. Which Matthew ignored.

“Have there ever been instances, during all of existence, when destinies were rewritten?”

Destiny frowned. “A few, yes.”

“What happened?”

“What do you mean?”

“What made the changes happen?”

“That is something I cannot tell you. I only watch, and know.”

“Okay. So who are some of those people?”

Destiny flipped through his book, scanning the pages with his blind eyes.

“The playwright, William Shaxberd.”

Dream's jaw dropped. 

Matthew shrugged. “Don't know him. Is he someone famous?”

“He's better-known as William Shakespeare. I met him during one of my meet-ups with Hob, before he was famous. I may have - encouraged some of his ideas.”

Matthew guffawed. “Why doesn't that surprise me in the least? “ He turned back to Destiny. “Who else?”

Destiny continued flipping pages.

“Lady Johanna Constantine.”

Matthew squawked. He turned to Dream.

“Our Constantine?”

Dream shook his head, dumbfounded. “An ancestor of hers. She is also someone I crossed paths with whilst Hob and I were meeting.”

Matthew cocked his head. “That's a bit of a coincidence, dontcha think?”

“...Perhaps.”

Matthew turned back to Destiny. “Who else?”

Destiny cocked an eyebrow. “Your raven is a bit impertinent, brother.”

Matthew bowed his head and took a few steps back. “Sorry, my Lord. Please?”

Destiny furrowed his brow. “What was his name? Ah, yes.” His finger marked a spot on the current page. “A Mister Robert Gadling.”

Dream gasped. “Hob?”

Matthew squawked. “Hob?”

Destiny squinted at the both of them. “Is that what he is called now? Is this Robert Gadling your Hob?”

Matthew frowned. “Okay, I am very confused. Aren't you supposed to be all knowing?”

“Not - precisely. There are a few things - a very few things - that are beyond my sight. Our dear sister taught us that.” Destiny side eyed Dream.

Matthew glanced at Dream. “Your sister? You mean, Death?”

Dream shook head, expression thoughtful. “He is referring to our youngest sister. She used to be known as - Delight. Something happened to her, a long time ago, that caused her to become Delirium. Nobody but she knows what happened, not even Destiny.”

Matthew peered up at Destiny. “So there are some things that you can't see.”

Destiny rolled his eyes. “I believe that is what I just said.”

Ah. There was the resemblance to his boss. The huffy arrogance.

“Okay. Here is my question, then. How long has it been since you checked Dream's - watchtacallit? His lifeline? His destiny? Whatever?”

Destiny rubbed his chin. “It's been several centuries.”

“Why? Don't like the reminder of what's coming? Feeling guilty because you won”t do anything to stop it?”

Destiny's mouth tightened and his eyes became stormy.

Dream took a hesitant step towards Matthew, hand outstretched. “Matthew. Please. My brother, please forgive his impertinence. He is a young raven, and often speaks without thinking.”

“It is fine, brother. Your raven is very perceptive. I found myself becoming - uncomfortable - every time I was reminded of how your story ends. I didn't like that sensation, so I stopped.”

“Caw. Is that Endless speak for ‘I had feelings that I didn't want to feel, so…”

“Matthew,” Dream snapped. “Enough.”

“Okay. Whatever. What I'm getting at is…maybe you should check it now.”

Destiny looked confused. “What would be the point?”

Matthew slapped a wing over his eyes. “Endless. Honestly,” he muttered.

“To see if it has changed, obviously!”

“You are grasping at straws, Matthew,” Dream said. “Come, we have already wasted enough of my brother's time.”

“Wait, boss! After hearing what Destiny has told us, I have a sneaking suspicion about something.” He turned to Destiny.

“Please, humor me. Check Dream's destiny, and see what it says now. Please, my Lord.”

Destiny tilted his head, as if listening to something happening behind him.

“The hedges in my garden are rearranging themselves. A new path has appeared.” Curious, he turned a few pages of his book. And froze. He blinked in surprise.

He lifted his head and pinned Matthew with his blind gaze.

“There has been a change. Dream - has avoided the most recent threat."

All of a sudden the pages in Destiny's book started flipping of their own accord, hundreds of them turning before finally settling down. Destiny's eyes went wide with awe.

“It seems that several creatures’ stories have been altered. Fascinating.” Destiny managed to keep his expression mostly blank. Mostly. 

Matthew couldn't contain himself. He hopped around in circles, flapping his wings and clicking his beak.

“Caw! Caw! Boss, you did it! Don't you see? With the choices you made after meeting Hob… you changed things. Because you changed! You are the catalyst for it all!”

Dream's mind flew back to 1889.

I think it's you that's changed.

He had, slowly. But he couldn't afford to get his hopes up.

“You speak nonsense, Raven. Explain yourself. ” Dream trembled from head to toe. His eye color kept switching from his normal blue to galaxy-black. He held his arms rigidly at his sides, both fists clenched. The expression on his face was a combination of shock, bewilderment, and hope.

Unfazed by his boss's tone, Matthew excitedly launched into his explanation. Destiny stepped back, happy to let this garrulous creature have the spotlight. He did have the right of it, after all. 

“Okay, look,” Matthew began, as if he were an instructor lecturing students, “it all comes down to one thing: choice. I know, I know, Destiny, Fate, blah blah blah. But I've been doing a bit of reading lately - I mean, what else is there to do in the Dreaming when I'm off duty - and I stumbled across something in the Philosophy section that I found interesting. 

“Fate and Destiny are two different things! Boss, you and Hob meeting was fate. But Hob choosing to accept your terms and agreeing to your centennial meetings - that was destiny. That was when his path changed. And as your friendship developed, your path eventually changed as well.”

Matthew eagerly looked up at Destiny. “Am I right so far?”

Destiny inclined his head. “You are.”

Matthew preened. “I knew it.”

Tension slowly bled from Dream during Matthew's explanation. His fists unclenched, his shoulders relaxed, and his eyes settled on the color blue. They widened as a thought occurred. 

“If I had not been associated with Hob, had never met up with him every hundred years, I would never have crossed paths with either Shaxberd or Constantine. You got one thing wrong, Matthew. Hob is the catalyst, not me.”

Destiny's brow was furrowed as he scanned the page his book was opened to.

“It seems the most recent choice you made, brother, was the one that clinched the deal. The Kindly Ones will no longer pursue you.”

Dream pursed his lips. “What choice was that?”

Destiny smiled. ‘Swallowing your pride and accompanying your raven here to ask for help. Although you didn't need my help. Your choices are what saved you.”

“But - that makes no sense. I still spilled family blood, changed or not. The Kindly Ones will still want vengeance.”

“I know not what drives the Fates. Perhaps there will be consequences, somewhere down the line. But for now…you are safe.”

“Caw! Let's find Hob and tell him the good news, boss!”

TBC...