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The sun burns hot against bone, but the connection between the two is somehow hotter. Swap had to force himself to breathe deep and briefly close his eyes, trying to calm his nerves and the flaming blue building on his cheeks. Currently, Dream's arms are wrapped around Swap's strong frame, breath ghosting the back of his neck as he guides Swap's hands on the bow.
Swap can feel Dreams' breath lingering against his neck like a cold that refuses to leave him in peace. All Swap wants at the moment is to put this arrow in his skull with the horrible thoughts about his best friend- His boss! Well not really boss- but Dream is the leader, and technically Swap is still getting paid to be here… but that's beside the point! He shouldn't be feeling this way about his best-friend-boss.
But no amount of denial can fight the fact that Dream's body is warm against his own, like really warm. It's like cuddling with the sun when Dream is just in the room, but now that they are standing against one another, Swap worries more about getting a sunburn. It's really nice.. Warm, gentle sunburn. Not really a burn- more like sitting by a fireplace that's a little too hot.
“You seem tense,” Dream remarks patiently, his deep gentle voice ringing in Swap's mind like a bell. Yeah no crap! Swap wants to speak up but he doesn't, it's not like he's uncomfortable- dream is just teaching him how to do archery, nothing more! And even if he wasn't, it wouldn't be anything weird, just two best-friend-bosses hangin’ out, like buds.
“It's nothing D, just nerves,” Swap replies coolly, making his eyes face toward the target in front of them, rather than looking back at Dream. Dream doesn't seem to be convinced of the ‘nerves’ excuse, it doesn't take being a literal magical empath to see straight through Swap's deception- but it certainly helps. Subtly, Dream pulls Swap closer, pressing his chest against the warrior's back and letting his chin rest on Swap’s shoulder.
“Are you sure?” Dream hums carefully, now helping swap draw the bow properly, adjusting his position in little areas of weakness. His voice is gentle, caring and Swap could swear he's melting, soul pounding in his chest cavity and head spinning as he tries to aim.
“Whats bothering you?” Dream continues, his voice almost pleading for the shorter man to give him an answer so he can fix it, so he can make Swap happy.
“I said I’m fine, Dream. Please just drop it?” Swap huffs, drawing the bow tighter before Dream sighed and tapped his hand, giving him the signal to release the arrow, so he did. Because telling Dream to ‘drop it’ surely isn't suspicious! The arrow cut through the air like a knife, eventually landing on the furthest red ring from the center of the target. Darn it.
Dream gives a small huff, almost disappointment, but not quite- Dream could never quite be disappointed in anyone, especially not Swap. Instead, he takes a step back, his strong arms slipping away from Swap and leaving an intense arctic cold where his warmth had been. Stars, it's so cold.
“Perhaps we should not practice anymore today?” Dream suggests, taking the bow from Swap's hands with a polite smile and preparing to pack everything away, precise and neat as always. Swap just watches, fiddling with the blue fabric of his gloves. Now he feels bad! Does Dream think he doesn't want to be here?? Does Dream think that he's uncomfortable??? Swap's head spins uncontrollably and his cheeks heat in embarrassment. Or does he just think I’m hopeless?
In a moment, Dream cracks his neck to look at Swap, the sudden disturbance in the energy suddenly becoming worlds more apparent. Dream raises a brow knowingly, looking more like a concerned mother than a guardian. “What is it?” He huffs, now trudging closer, demanding to know what was upsetting Swap. “Did I make you uncomfortable? Was I too close?” He's almost whining, pouting as he begs Swap to give him something, anything to work with.
Swap shudders as Dream approaches again, his cheeks lit up in royal blue as Dream crowds him, standing just a few inches taller. He parts his lips briefly but the words refuse to escape.
“Swap? Please tell me if I upset you, I know something is wrong” Dream takes Swap's gloved hands in his own, looking into his totally platonic best-friend-employees eyes. “You can tell me anything,” he assures, his voice so soft and smooth, warmth spreading through Swap’s body just from the sound in his ears. Yeah sure! I’ll just tell you that my soul is fluttering because you got too close to me. But platonically. Who am I kidding?!
“Dream.. Please stop,” Swap bites the inside of his cheek and tries to pull away from Dream's grip, but the other is unfortunately just as strong as he looks. Dreams hand reaches up to cup Swap's cheek, directing him to look back at Dreams pouty face. It makes his soul melt in his chest and his cheeks grow warmer and warmer.
“Swaaap, I’m not letting you go until you tell me what is going on.” Dream's voice is authoritative, talking to him like Swap is some kind of defiant toddler. It's times like this where Swap wishes Dream would consider being a little less nice. Maybe a bit less caring? Or at least that he couldn't sense and see every little emotion radiating from Swap.
At this point, Swap is confused that Dream doesn't realise his flustered feelings- they must be obvious right? Doesn't Dream see like auras and shit?? Or are these feelings somehow extra difficult for this powerful god to decipher? Doubt it. Surely Dream is just playing with him now. But damn if Swap didn't want to believe those puppy dog eyes.
“D..” Swap bites his lip and his eyes drift away, trying to avoid Dreams at all costs. His hands are shaking uncontrollably and his soul feels just about to shatter.
But Swap steels his resolve. Taking a heavy breath and clenching his gloved fists, the royal blue fabric scrunching between tiny joints. Stars- he's a royal guard this can't possibly be so hard! Just… look up at your boss and best friend and tell him that he is the only reason you get up in the mornings to protect this surely doomed multiverse in the first place. Yeah, that’ll work.
Dream is looking all around swap now, probably trying to take in his ‘aura’. But he looks confused, mouth pursed and squinting his eyes as he gazes into the polite multi-coloured flames that only he can see. It's mostly purple, the colour most often associated with anxiety, but the very tips, so faintly, are coloured a pale pink. Pink, associated with love and care- why is that present now?? Who could Swap possibly feeling affection for at this time??
Wait..
Before Dream could even register the possibility in his mind, Swap leans forward valiantly and kisses him without a second thought. Any more hesitation and it would never happen- Dream would surely forgive him if this was the wrong decision, he could never hate Swap... right??
When the two of them finally separate, Dream's face is covered in a dusting of dandelion yellow and his eyes are wide open, eyelights blown wide and glowing bright, boring straight into Swap's own bright blue face and trembling smile. His soul sputters in uneven beats, is this what a heart attack feels like?
“Oh- Oh my,” Dream stutters and takes a step back, adjusting his crown and looking away briefly. “Well that was quite unexpected… but pleasant,” he nods and gives a small embarrassed smile, quite surprised he hadn't picked up on this much earlier.
They stand in silence for a moment, awkwardly. Before Dream clears his throat again and a large smile is back on his mouth.
“So, shall we continue your training..?” He suggests, a tad more enthusiastic than he maybe should be after all that has occurred. He's just happy that Swap isn't mad at him!