Dreaming a dream as someone who hates dreams but needs sleep

Very odd that the cold wouldnt bother him. She could imagine that it would. Just because he did seem to be almost as warm as her. He stopped them on the bridge and the ducks on the pond was rather cute; though it was obvious that they would be gone soon enough. She felt the hand on her waist, leaning towards him with a small smile on her lips. And yet that faded once a familiar voice called out.
She turned her head and saw no other than Harper! Just the last person she wanted to see ever. “Hi Harper.” She said with a grin that almost hurt from how she was forcing it. But luckily smiling came natural to her, so she could even look genuine if she was feeling sad. She had practiced a lot.
Brunch? Mari didnt quite know what to say, because it felt so out of the blue. Was it because of Aiastes? When Harper asked for something, it usually was a command more than a request, in almost all cases. It also came natural to Mari to just do it, like a sort of get it over with thing. But she wasnt comfortable. Not that Harper could seemingly notice or maybe care at all.
She hadnt expected Aiastes to downright decline, but she felt a little grateful that he did. She looked at him with soft eyes, but Harper’s arguement worried her. Would he give in? He didnt, as he didnt budge at all. When he spoke to her, a soft happy grin spread on her lips. Wasnt she quite lucky to have him already?
The way he just rubbed salt in the wound and didnt care of whatever wrath Harper could unleash, it was exactly what she needed. “You’re right.” She hummed, before sending Harper a smile. “Thank you for the offer. But we’ll go now.”
They went off and she clutched on a little tighter to him. Was she falling in love? Most probably. She didnt quite think of it in the moment. “She does… it’s um… a very long story.” She had to admit, looking down at the ground. It wasnt a good story either, but after everything had Mari still chosen to be friends with her. His addition made her scoff. “We were best friends. Even after she slept with my boyfriend and made him break up with me.” She admitted. “She also mostly used me as a laughing stock, than a real friend.” She added before she let out a long sigh. “But I never wanted trouble. So I kept staying friends with her. Even when school was over. But she only ever called whenever she needed something. Or just someone who would listen and not talk.” She explained. It was deeper than that too but a walk wouldnt be enough to dive into it.
“Are we really going to my parents now?” She asked. It was a little early, wasnt it?

His answer made her eyes light up as she looked at him. A good excuse to get away. She appreciated it quite a lot and wasnt really afraid to show it. The assurance was nice and she nodded thankfully. Though this was pretty new to her. If he knew how much good he was doing for her already. And how down bad she got by the waking hour.
“I know just the place.” She chuckled to agree. It would be rather fitting seeing as it had been how they met in her dream too. The lean and question made her shift between the silver eyes, nodding softly. “Yeah it is.” She nodded. Chuckling a little she felt too giddy. And as they walked towards the coffee place was she already pulling up the menu in her head. “Do you want some recommendations?” She asked. If he agreed then she already had an assortment, fitting all tastes. If he wanted something sweet, there was always flavour to add, she said cinnamon syrup to fit the current season. There was always regular coffee, but also milk, with different milks that made it taste differnently. She had worked long enough to know what milk enhanced the taste and which made it milder. “If you’re really brave, then do a custom order. Though they might not always get it rifht. I at least dont.” She had to admit with a chuckle.

Coffee shops were pretty much on the list of places that made Mari feel at ease. Coffee shops and the sea. That was a simple list right? His whisper made her chuckle softly and she nodded. Since it didnt really sound like he had had coffee before, a sweet one would be a good introduction. She went and ordered that, and a caffeine free for herself. When she joined him with their drinks, did she look around as she sat down. “It’s perfect.”
She waited a bit with drinking, not wanting to scald her tongue on coffee. “It is a good job. The pay is alright. But I really like the contact with customers.” She shrugged. She was rather simple like that. Once it was tongue safe, she took a small sip, noticing how he was doing the same. It made her smile softly. He was rather cute, especially with his comment.
The mention of the trip made her look a little curious before his question made her look a little surprised. A trip somewhere? The other option made her narrow her eyes with a smile. She leaned a little closer. “I would like to hear more about it.” She remarked with a teethy smile.

She hummed softly at the mention of the beach, nodding. It made sense. But they would have to go somewhere warmer. Not that she wouldnt swim in the sea. She probably would all year. But was it baby safe too? She caught herself thinking about it so it was probably worth reading up on. 
The suggestion made her nod and hum. “Sounds good to me.” She agreed. “I think it has been a while since I’ve gone as well.” She pondered out loud before taking a sip off her coffee. She was thinking about it when he asked if she wanted the suggestion. “And what if I wanted to go to your realm and spend time with you, because that was what you were suggesting right?” She lowered her voice for the last part, being genuinely interested in what he was thinking about that.

It would be reasonable that she knew where he lived, seeing that they were leading her parents on to be partners; at least while they were building up to eventually and actually be just that. Though of she thought about that now, she would blush and probably be embarrassed if he noticed. The mention of places piqued her interest but she then realized that he mentioned a castle. One that he had made on his own? “I mean, I would be your guest, so I’d see what you want me to see?” She smiled. 
He spoke of her need to dream to be there and she sighed softly at it. “I guess that makes sense.” She nodded. She didnt know how it worked. And it wasnt like she only had to worry about herself. “Would you be there when I wake up?” She asked, taking a small sip of her coffee. Was it odd that she would want him to be there?

If he could, then he would. That was good enough a promise for her. Even if it wasnt ensured. She could at least look forward to it. Once their coffees were done and they got outside, she did notice as well that the clouds were getting darker. She liked the rain though. Probably was a given seeing that she loved the sea too. She grabbed onto his arm and hummed to answer his suggestion. “But if it does rain, then it’s not the end of the world. I find rain quite romantic.” She scoffed.
His remark made her look at him with a soft look in her eyes. “That’s sweet of you to say.” She replied, shifting between the silvery eyes. “We are in no rush. So you are free to plan it how you want.” She assured him. She wasnt really in a hurry as of how her life was now. Maybe in a few years. The droplets began to fall slowly, but she felt it on her cheek. “Do you mind getting wet?” She asked. She didnt really. Not as long as she knew she could dry off. But if he didnt like it, then she at least wanted to hurry for his sake.

So he didnt worry! Then there was no problem with a stroll in the rain, was there? His addition said otherwise and she frowned lightly. “A light cold wouldnt kill me.” She chuckled. Not if she at least had good memories going around it. Like having a good time in the rain. Though it seemed that he had seen right through her and the question made her cheeks flare up a little as she looked a bit away with a soft chuckle. “With something like that, it shouldnt be asked of someone. It should be happening naturally because it’s something both really want to.” She argued. Did it make sense? Obviously she wanted to but having to ask for it felt like it was taking away the magic! Mari was quite a romantic by heart but it almost also had to be perfect. Like was it from one of the books she read. “Also rain is romantic because it calls for cuddles, either from having been in the rain or just watching it.” She added. It wasnt only about kisses in the rain.

“Of course. If it feels right for both of us, I’d want it.” She assured him. She wouldnt just let her greed get to her. He had to want it too. The rain began falling but she really didnt mind as they walked. It would have been different if she wasnt completely enjoying his company as it was right now. “What if I promise not to get sick?” She asked with a chuckle, though she could make no promises such as that. She just wanted to soothe his mind.
They werent far from the apartment and once they were inside, she was shivering a little bit from the wet and cold. It seemed that he noticed and she let him help her out of her jakcet. “I’m only cold because I’m pregnant. It makes my core temperature warmer.” She muttered, her lower lip trembling a bit. It didnt mean she would get sick, right? She was just so used to being warm. His suggestion made her nod. “Okay.” She agreed. A bath could be good. But she rather wanted to stay and feel his hand hold her face, just for a little longer. His smile, even if it was quite obviously strained was good enough for her. It made her feel happy.
He went to draw the bath and she went to the bedroom to find some dry clothes. She found a robe and decided to dress down into her underwear, before putting on the robe. She tied her hair up as well, seeing that it was a bath. Her hair would curl from the rain so it was better to tie it up so she could straighten it before they went; her mother had never liked curls, so Mari was quite used to get rid of them, especially if she was seeing her parents.
She brought the wet clothes with her to the bathroom, dropping them on the floor to handle afterwards as she smiled a little softly at him. “It smells really nice in here.” She said, walking over to softly touch his face. “Will you join me?”

“I dont know. But wouldnt it be fair seeing that you’ve told my parents already that you’re the father of my child?” She asked, liking the feeling of how he was touching the belt. He warned her but she just shifted between his silver eyes, not really scared off by it. She was thinking of what to say, though one thing was crystal clear to her. “I know that you mean that as a threat, but I would want nothing less.” She smiled before she cupped his face. “I dont choose who I fall in love with. But if I could, know that I would choose you.” She said, rather serious as she looked at him. She sniled sweetly before leaning in to kiss his cheek.

Maybe she didnt know what it really was that he was warning her about, but on the other hand, would she really want to be without him now? She could feel how he grasped at the belt and if he had just pulled at it, she would most probably have kissed him again, this time on the lips. It however seemed that it wouldnt be so as he spoke of leaving her to her bath. Was it odd that she wanted to stop him? But how desperate did she want to seem? A lot of thoughts circulated her mind and as he went, she was left with the bath. Exhaling deeply she stood for a but before undressing to then get in the bath. It was very warm and nice.
She however didnt stay for long, mostly because it was making her a little tired. She had to get up and get a light snack or something. She pulled the plug and grabbed a towel to dry herself and wrap around her body before she went to the bedroom to put on some underwear. She then sat on the bed, looking at her stomach that was protruding, even more when she sat down. She put in the straightener for it to warm up before grabbing her phone to look at fetus sizes, just to get an idea of whether it was normal or not.

“Yeah, it’s alright!” She answered, still reading something on the screen before she put her phone down. Seeing him with food, she smiled. “You take good care of me.” She sighed. She felt lucky. The question about her curls however made her frown just a little bit. “No I really like them, but my mother doesnt.” She admitted. It wasnt really a matter of what she wanted when it came to her parents. He would realize if he hadnt already eventually. 
She looked at him as he came closer. She hadnt clicked away from the baby facts nor hidden her phone away; she didnt really see a reason to. The kiss along with his words, caught her a little off guard. “Am I?” She asked in a lowered tone. She could feel his hands quite alright, and it wasnt like her body wasnt reacting. Especially at the finger that dragged around on her skin. The mutter sent soft chills down her spine, but she just remained as she sat. His hand moved down, making her smile a little. 
She would eat what he had brought her and though it was risky, would she leave her hair too. But there was something else on her mind too, making her gulp before she grabbed gently around his wrist. “What was that? Before. You.. havent spoken to me like that before?” She asked, though she wasnt stupid. Shy for one, but not stupid.

His question made her frown lightly. Of course she wanted him to keep speaking to her like that. But if she said that, then she would be red as a tomato in a manner of seconds. His other questions however did make her blush and feel maybe a little flustered. He moved his free hand up and she looked at him, feeling his thumb on her lower lip. Her mouth fell open just a slight bit before she laid down and pulled him along by his wrist.
Her eyes were tender as she looked at him. “You keep warning me about falling in love with you. But is it not already you who has fallen first?” She asked, though she couldnt deny her feelings towards him too. She let go of his wrist and let out a trembling exhale, but if he thought she would let him go now, her hand would reach back up and grab him by his shirt. Her eyes were a little vulnerable.

It probably was too obvious. Why else would she ask him? To be cruel? To rub it in? No, she wasnt one to be mean. She probably just needed to hear it. To really hear him say it. And while he denied, it was also so obvious in the words that he spoke and the hand that touched her face, that this wasnt just nothing to him. It meant something. She felt his touch move, smiling faintly as she recognized the intention. 
He leaned down and she closed her eyes, her breath trembling as it mixed with his. But their moment wasnt then and it seemed like a sign from the raven that knocked on the window. The human felt flustered by all the emotions that flowed inside of her and yet would she not as easily forget how he had swayed her with ease. 
He leaned away and she opened her eyes, humming and nodding at his words, though she wasnt sure what she felt now. A little awkward? For practically having pulled him over her and then just being in her underwear? She would really do it for just anyone who’d give her that slither of attention she wanted? She however played it off nicely. He told her it wasnt a rejection but it was like her mind didnt really believe that. But then again, he couldnt know how many times she had heard something like that. No, I really do like you, but I dont think I’m ready for that kind of commitment. You’d wait for me, right? Yeah, she would wait. And feel dumb when she eventually realized she had been played.
Getting up, she found something simple to wear, not wanting pants to annoy her so she wore a long skirt with some cream coloured stocking underneath. A plain button up shirt with puffy sleeves. She looked herself in the mirror. No, it didnt look too obvious yet, especially not with the skirt as the band sat right over her belly button.
She checked her hair, frowning lightly at the curls. Her mother would not be happy. She decided to do a half bun with some hair coming off the sides of her face. Yeah, that hid them a bit, while keeping them visible. She looked for a bit at herself in the mirror before she finally left the bedroom to find the ancient.