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English
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Part 19 of Scraps, Cuttings, and Snippets
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Published:
2026-01-17
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382
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1/1
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17
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To Hope Against Hope

Summary:

In Asmodean's dreams Rand always triumphs.

(Rand/Asmodean - Dream)

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Work Text:

In Asmodean's dreams Rand always triumphs.

He dreams of the slopes of Shayol Ghul in fresh growth for the first time in more then an Age. He dreams of the young raw skinned boy bleeding and covered in soot but alive, laughing with care free abandon. He dreams of combing out ash and char from his curls with the tips of his fingers and then Rand rising and offering his hand to Asmodean and lifting him up. He dreams of walking hand in hand to the edge of a cliff and gazing down at the stained and battered remains of humanity on the war-blasted field, wounded but victorious, all raising their weapons to cheer Rand's name, to cheer the Dragon, to cheer salvation.

He dreams of using his gossamer thin knowledge to help stitch back together some facsimile of the world of his youth, of rebuilding the Hall of the Servants, and cities of glass and steel and sho-wings that can crest the heavens. He dreams of walking up to Rand at the edge of a balcony and finding him dressed in shimmering black bio-silk that has never needed to be worked by rough calloused hands, all shot through with veins of gold like portoro marble (had Lews Therin ever worn a coat like that? Almost certainly) and watching him smile carefree (the way Lews had in their childhood, before things had gone so terribly awry) and reach out to take Asmodean's (still Asmodean? Not Joar? Not Jasin? Still carrying around the name Lews Therin gave him in the hope of redemption?) hand and-

And then he feels a pair of sharp finger nails digging into his neck, drawing blood, and a cold contemptuous voice that none the less can not hide it's jealously-

You never learn do you? He has never truly wanted you. Not in any life.

The dream goes pop and Asmodean awakens in staring up at the cloth ceiling of his tent, eyes crusted and mouth sour with the shitty wine of this Age. But Lanfear's voice is still running through his head.

Why would he? There has never been anything about you worth wanting.

Asmodean turns over onto his side then, meaning to sleep again, and wishes not to dream of hopeless things.

But he does anyways.

Notes:

My favorite character detail from the books, turned into just a little short snippet of angst. I hope you enjoy!

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