Dreaming a dream as someone who hates dreams but needs sleep

She was silent through it all, and perhaps that was one of the reasons as to why it had felt like it was something they both wanted. And now getting off he was starting to doubt his own intentions. Sure, she had been the one to pull him onto the bed, but she had not consented to his touch. At least not verbally. And yet he had taken it, been selfish and wanting to taste the forbidden fruit. Now that he was outside her bedroom he felt the conflict within him as he went to get properly dressed for the occasion; a simple button down with the cuffs rolled slightly up for a more relaxed look. Or that was at least how much he had gathered with fashion through the years. He went to the entrance, putting on his shoes before he got up at the sound of the bedroom door clicking open.
Waiting for her, he would look at her with soft eyes as she appeared. So filled with life. So beautiful and wonderful. And he hated himself for noticing all of this, but he couldn't help himself in readying her shoes and helping her with getting her jacket off. He looked at her briefly before they were about to leave, and he took the chance. Moving closer, he leaned down to kiss her forehead, pressing his nose into her hair, allowing himself to steal her scent for his own enjoyment. "I do care," he spoke in almost a whisper before he had to lean away, opening the door for her. Once outside he as always offered his arm to her. It was almost second nature at this point, wasn't it? They walked down the street that was now thankfully dry once more. The aftermath of the rain could still be seen on the windows of the shops and the pavement on the streets. "I much prefer the weather after the rain," he then said, looking ahead with his stoic expression, "the air is clean and fresh, and the sun slowly starts to creep forward once more." The small puddled beneath their feet along with the cars passing by created such strange yet lively noises, and perhaps that was what Aiastes liked so much about the waking world; the authenticity.
They weren't walking for too long, but it might prove difficult as time progressed with her swollen belly. Reaching the front door, he looked to her, adjusting a stray hair, his eyes tender for a single moment before hardening up and turning to knock at the door. Of course the door was answered by none other than Mari's father, whom narrowed his eyes, clearly surprised to see both of them, even if it had been agreed that they'd come here. Perhaps he had thought that his daughter had just hired this man. "After you, darling," Aiastes spoke in a gentle voice as the father stepped aside, moving into the house where her mother was sitting ready with tea for them. She had even made small sandwiches and garnished with finely cut fruits. "I suppose make yourself at home," though it was clear the father cared little for manners in this case. He sat down in his usual large chair as Aiastes moved ahead to sit in the couch with Mari.
"So .. has she given you any troubles? Come to drop her back off, hmm?" He mused with his rough voice and even rougher eyes. The years hadn't been kind to Mr. Godfrey, that was for sure. Aiastes hummed, moving his hand down to take Mari's. "On the contrary, it is of my belief that we are starting to find common ground between us," he said which seemed to not amuse the old man. Aiastes turned to look at Mari, his strained smile back, "and your health has improved a lot; you are truly glowing now, dear."

Mr. Godfrey just made a small scowling sound, tilting his head from side to side as his wife asked him a question. He only sought to straighten out this crinkle in his otherwise picture perfect private life. Being a man like him meant that other people's opinions meant something, at least those from outside of the family. He wanted respect and acknowledgement for his achievements no matter the cost. Sipping from his tea he almost choked as Mari declared they hadn't decided on keeping it yet. And while he was still croaking like a frog, Aiastes took the opportunity to help out Mari in this situation, giving her hand a careful squeeze. "Mari is good at doubting herself and the role as a mother is a very tough one - you must know that, Mrs. Godfrey," he said rather elegantly, turning his head to look at the human by his side. It was so clear that he cared for her, at least if you looked in his eyes. Everything else about him was rather stiff. "We've weighed the options, and with my job being so sporadic, it might put more stress on her to raise the child with an absent father," he spoke very concrete facts. That seemed to appease these vultures that Mari was unfortunate enough to call her parents.
"A child cannot grow up properly without its biological parents; that has always been a core value of mine," the old man barked as if it was orders, but the cold gaze that Aiastes sent him made the fool be weary of his next words for the first time in his life. "I would be in favor of you keeping my grandchild," he said as if he was almost civil, "then we might make some good out of your mistakes." Alright, the old fool couldn't quite shut up. But Aiastes hummed and nodded. "But I suppose in this world mistakes are not always the cause of a problem .. a farmer does not blame his crops for not growing properly, rather he assesses his own wrongs, and try to do better." It was clear that Mr. Godfrey did not like even the insinuation that he was a bad father, puffing up his chest as if he had been an angry bird. "Though I suppose some mistakes can turn to happy accidents," he said, looking to Mari once more, "and I intend on supporting you no matter what the decision you might choose is." That was important for him to say.
Mr. Godfrey scowled almost silently, clearly brewing with anger inside, but he had met his match with this Aiastes guy. By the gods he hoped that this man could teach his insolent daughter to be a good member of society as she had clearly failed that from his point of view. "I would expect you name the child one of our family names," he said as if he would ever have a say in it. He looked to his wife, "we took great care in naming you Mari, so you should pick one from the books as well."

Mr. Godfrey was clearly extremely surprised to hear his daughter reply angrily to his demands. He was not used to that and for a second he was even speechless. Looking at Aiastes with contempt he was certain that this man was not wise for his daughter, not when he clearly couldn't control her. Aiastes just looked to Mari, not really showing whether or not he was surprised by the revelation of the sex of the child, but he was proud of her in this moment. She was standing up for herself. She was taking charge. And it made him feel that same feeling he had had for her when she had pulled him down on the bed. He felt entangled in her being in the best way possible, and yet that was rather selfish of him.
However the revelation that Mrs. Godfrey had gone behind her husband's back and known morals was a shocker to all. Mr. Godfrey's chest puffed up like an angry canary, his eyes wild with his temperamental fury. "I think it best you leave us," he said, not even acknowledging what Mari had spoken beyond that point. He would have to have a very harsh conversation with his wife. Aiastes got up, helping the human as well before they headed for the exit. The living room was immensely quiet, and if Mari tried to protest he would just tell her that her mother would be fine, and that was a promise. Aiastes knew that Mrs. Godfrey were tougher than she looked, and if her husband stepped out of line, she could handle that too. That fire that Mari possessed she didn't get from strangers, that was a fact.
They pretty much walked in silence back to the apartment. And once up the stairs he got out of his jacket and shoes before helping her as well. The silence was almost deafening and not as comforting as it had been before. He moved into the living room, looking at the couch as he tried to think of something to say. But for once it seemed like the King of Dreams was actually speechless.

He let her have some space, mostly because he needed some time to think as well. What were the options truly? He knew that Mari would make a wonderful mother, it was just a gut instinct, but maybe that was better suited for down the line? In reality it wasn't really up to him to know what was right or wrong in this situation, so after calming down and opening a few buttons on his shirt he went to go check on her. He found her laying in her bed, and he could see how tired she was. Then he did something that he never in a thousand eons would've done; he crawled into bed with her. Pulling her into his arms, giving her the comfort and closeness that it seemed both of them craved at this point time. "I am in awe of your strength," he admitted in a soft and, dared he even say, loving voice. One arm held her close, the other used his hand to caress her up and down her side and back. He just held her for a time, wondering if she was going to fall asleep in his arms just yet. If she didn't then he would have to help her along, "I invite you gladly to my realm, my dear Mari, come and join me," he whispered in her ear. His voice soothing and hopefully lulling her right into sleep.
Inside her dreams she would find herself at the ocean at first, sunset in the distance coloring the sky a beautiful orange. Aiastes came walking to her, barefoot through the sand. His eyes kind as he reached his hand for her. "I made you a promise .. come see my home," he said in a gentle tone, though the hint of the deep voice was there. If she took his hand the sand around them would whirl upwards and around them, changing the scenery. They were now at a hilltop overlooking a large field of grass, flowers and even a lake running through it. And in the middle was a giant and fantastical castle, some of the towers floating in the air next to it with no visible anchoring to the main building. He sent her a strained smile, a few ravens flying above them towards the castle. Holding out his arm for her to take they made it through the fields of grass and flowers. It was truly like a fairytale, but in a gritty way. As if it was beautiful and yet terrifying at the same time.
It didn't take them long before they reached the main gate that swung open for them, recognizing its master in an instant. Inside was a vast hall, chandeliers in different shapes and sizes hanging from the ceiling and lighting up the floor below. It looked almost alive as they stepped over it, and Aiastes showed her to one of the rooms that was most special to him; his throne room. As the doors were opened it was clear that this was a place of both nightmares as well as dreams. In the middle with strange stairs leading up to it was the throne. It was dark and blackened, as if it was made of tar, yet raw and unrefined as if it would feel gritty to the touch. Behind was a beautiful glass mural that seemed to come alive, a moving scenery playing out. On each side up to the throne was large pillars decorated with ancient writings and carvings; languages long forgotten or lost. He looked to her, wondering what she would say.

"The basis of it took me no longer than a few hours, but it has morphed and changed with every day, week and month since I laid the first stone down," he admitted. The castle was almost a living and breathing entity, and that was especially clear once they got inside. He didn't mind that she let go, watching her take in what he had gotten pretty much used to. But he supposed this was his work space, it was something he saw all the time. Sure, it took time to watch it all, but most of all he was curious to see her reaction to all of this. Was she afraid? Or was it too much for her to handle? He wasn't sure, but her words said so much. His strained smile came back on his lips, but he seemed to have gotten a little better at it at least.
"Yes," he replied, walking over to her, guiding her to one of the pillars, letting her touch them. They wouldn't corrode away or break with ease that was for sure. "They tell the story of this realm and the connection to yours," he said, leaning down to her ear as he was standing behind her, "if you would let me, I would like to add our story to them one day." Much more genuine it couldn't get with Aiastes. He was a man of few words and so when he spoke of his wants and wishes he was sure to be heard. Breathing softly against her hair, he moved a hand down, touching her hip and pulling her back towards him. He just wanted her close whether it was in the waking or sleeping realm. "I sometimes wonder .. if loneliness is the only solution for me." He was being vague, but it was clear he was considering something. But not something he was sure he could say in fear of scaring her away.

It would be done and he nodded graciously for her consent. He saw the tears, knowing that they would perhaps feel odd to her, but he caught a few, touching the droplets between his fingers before flicking them upwards to the ceiling that looked as if it was a clear night sky with stars. Her tears added among them as stars. Her question as well as her touch was perhaps more than he had hoped to share, but he had spoken it aloud himself. Lifting one hand he placed it over hers, pressing it against his cheek. Despite this being a dream, he felt rather tangible to her. "I suppose I was without really realizing it .. my siblings have long urged me to take a wife to be queen of my realm, but things have never worked out in my favor," he admitted with a soft sigh. And in regard to her statement about her making him feel lonely was sternly denied. "You make me feel quite the opposite of lonely," he looked to her, his eyes soft. He wanted to say more, wanted to kiss her, but it wouldn't be fair that their first kiss should be in a dream.
"Come," he said, removing her hand gently to just take it, guiding her up the strange and almost moving steps towards the throne. It was clear he knew the way and he guided her effortlessly. Once at the throne it looked almost as if it was glistening like rocks filled with minerals and crystals. However it wasn't the throne he wanted to show her. No, from up here you could see the floor of the throne room, see how it moved and behaved as if it was truly alive. "Some days these halls are filled to the brim with my subjects .. requesting audiences, needing my attention and tending to .. and some days it is empty and vast as if left behind and forgotten," he spoke, letting her take in the view from up here. He moved over, sitting down in his throne, placing his hand on one of the arm rests and it made the whole room change color and mood depending on what he wanted to show her. It was ever changing. Nothing staying the same but a clear display of a small amount of his powers within his own realm.

Aiastes wasn't sure he wanted to delve into all of his heartache right this moment. Perhaps that was better suited for later, so he didn't reply. She seemed to take it as a sign to apologize but he simply shook his head as for her to not worry about it. He wasn't angry, nor was he upset. It just wasn't the right time. Moving up and away from where they had been seemed to be his best solution. From up here you could really get a grasp of the scale. Though of course the whole space could mold and fit to however many creatures were in here. He sat on the throne and as she sat down by his feet he was quite surprised. Her mutter made him reach his hand down, caressing her cheek, feeling up her soft features. "I am not one to adore," he just stated, though it was clear from his eyes that he wasn't rejecting her. Rather they were saying the opposite. Pleading with her."Come," he urged her to get up from the floor, pulling her into his lap. It was quite out of character for anyone to ever sit on him like this, let alone in his throne room on his actual throne. "It's about time that you woke up," he said, touching her face gently, looking at it, taking her in as she looked in his realm. Could he be selfish and claim her? Mortals had been made to adapt to other realms. It had been done before.
As she woke up he would be in the bed with her, still holding her, but a fair few hours had indeed passed. What had felt like a few minutes in his world was much longer in this. "Did you have a good dream?" He whispered against the side of her head, his arms securely around her as if he was trying to protect her.

She was cute like this, still waking up and trying to recollect what had happened within his realm of dreams. Her whisper made him smile, the touch welcome as he seemed to have grown accustomed to it as of late. He seemingly would let her do just what she wanted to him, and maybe it was a weakness he was now having to deal with. The mutter made him scoff, even if he had tried to chuckle it perhaps didn't come off as such. It just wasn't something that came natural to him. Not anymore at least. The years had made him a little cynical, but Mari had made him want to find his own self a bit. As she hid her face he just pulled her closer, "I'll have to strive to make your waking hours just as good then." Was that a promise? Most certainly so, but it was only because he held her in such high regard.
He just laid there, holding her, letting her return to reality in his arms before he broke the silence between them. "I wanted to steal a kiss from you when you sat on my lap," he admitted. It was maybe a bit too late to say that now, but he wanted to make it known. "However, I thought it wouldn't be fair to have our first kiss within my realm where you do not possess your own body fully," he explained his reasoning. Sure, the feelings would be the same, but would she feel it was real enough? He didn't linger on it too long, instead diverting the conversation, "what did you think of the parts of my realm you saw?"

Had it been the wrong decision to admit to his wants? That was yet to be known, but it was clear that she was slowly drifting off again. He wouldn't stop her, but then she seemed to realize what he had said and she sat up half way. He remained laying down, looking up at her, his eyes calm as he looked at her. "I wanted to .. but I wasn't going to," he said perhaps in a cryptic way. He really did want to kiss her, but the trouble for him was that he wanted the kiss to be special. And yet would there ever come a time when it would be worthy enough of her? Aiastes remained undecided on that point. He reached his hand out, caressing her arm gently, his fingers barely gracing her skin in some places. "Kissing you in my realm wouldn't have been the same as in this .. at least not when you aren't there physically," he explained. He hoped she could understand.
He sat up, moving so he could sit with his back against the headboard. "Do you truly think that I do not find you appealing?" He asked, tilting his head, taking her hand gently. He was much more attentive it seemed. And part of him knew why. He had realized that he couldn't run away from how she made him feel. She had awakened something within him that he thought he had long lost. "Come sit on me as you did in my throne room," he said, pulling lightly at her hand. He wanted her near, and he wanted her to feel what he had felt.

She sat in his lap and he wrapped his arms around her, just holding her close. Was it strange that he found it soothing? Having her near and knowing what he felt for her was just somehow making him relax. He could of course feel that she was still rather tired, so perhaps what he thought of was better saved for another occasion. "Would you like me to fetch you something to eat?" He asked against her temple, his nose pressed against her hairline as he took his time breathing her in. Somewhere deep within him her scent had started to be associated with relaxation and happiness. He wanted it to remain as such. Frankly he wouldn't mind if she fell asleep once more. As long as he could hold her, then he would be quite satisfied.
"I don't have long before I have to return to my realm for upkeep," he admitted. While to her his realm might've seemed like it was in perfect condition, he knew he had work to do. Sure, he could mostly do what he wanted, but he wanted his kingdom to prosper. But that also meant leaving her behind once more. It felt bad to do as such, but maybe it was for the better. He felt like he was slipping up more and more, and who knew what would happen if he stayed with her for too long. His realm was more of an excuse to put some distance between them, but it wasn't like he had realized that fact just yet.

She didn't want him to move and he certainly didn't want to either. He wanted to spend his remaining time as close to her as he could get. She asked when he was leving but started to apologise. He shook his head no. "We have about 12 hours .. so until you are asleep once more," was that of comfort to her? Of course he knew it would never be enough. When would they ever think it was enough? And besides that, he knew it would be a while before he got to come back and see her. Of course Lucienne would be there to watch over her, but it would never be the same. Not when he knew now what it felt to have her in his arms. "We can spend the day doing whatever you wish for," he said. He wanted their time together to be good and meaningful. Perhaps then it would be easier to let go? His hand moved up and down her back, just caressing her gently. Holding her close as they sat there. "But you do need to have some food in your belly," he hummed, looking at her with soft eyes. It was clear he was putting her above all else.

12 hours. She just hummed, drawing in a deep breath, but then she nodded. There was a time horizon. They had to use the time in a meaningful way. His assurance made her smile softly as she looked at him, reaching up to touch his face softly. "That goes both ways." she reminded him. It wasnt just about her. He had just as much of a say in what they could do. The soft strokes on her back kept her calm and she was sure she would miss it. Sitting like this, sleeping in his arms. The mention of food made her exhale through her nose but he was right. "Okay, breakfast then. Do you want some too?" she asked, because if he didnt then she would just quickly grab something, like a bowl of oats or something simple and easy.

It did go both ways, but he already felt like he had been selfish enough to show her so much in his realm. Now it was time to spend time in her realm on the things she wanted to spend time on. She asked if he wanted something to eat as well, though he politely shook his head no. He didn't need to eat, and frankly when it wasn't them going out to eat or having a dinner date, he had to admit he didn't find much interest in food in general. She got up and he moved with her, though let her have her peace with eating her breakfast as he aired out the apartment. It was raining outside once more. Almost like a second act to the rain yesterday, though a little bigger droplets were falling this time around. A perfect time to stay in and cozy up. Frankly he thought she might like that idea as much as he did.
Deciding to get up, he went and grabbed the duvet they had been sleeping under, putting it on the couch that he folded out, revealing it could be turned into a guest bed. It was quite practical. He cozied it up, thinking that this setup might be better suited for a day in than the bedroom. In here they had the TV as well, where they could watch a movie or whatever it was mortals did to pass time when it was raining.

He could've chuckled seeing how she turned in an instant to go get some tea. However he wasn't sure he could find it in him to do so. Instead he just waited and watched as she returned. He had crawled under the duvet, turning the TV on and flipping through some channels. There were a few where a movie would start soon, but he wasn't sure if anything was of interest to her. They cozied up, laying close as the movie on the screen played out. He wasn't sure he had ever seen a movie like this before, but it was quite different from what he had imagined. Sadly it felt like the day passed way too quickly. They had been chatting back and forth, getting to know one another even better. Aiastes was at least beginning to feel like he was starting to understand her and it felt really good.
Sadly as the evening rolled around he went to cook her dinner. Like a final way of showing how he appreciated her. But even that was soon enough over. Instead of heading to bed after the food, he pulled her with him to the still folded out bed. She could sleep just fine here. "I'm saddened that I won't be there when you awake," he admitted, wrapping his arms around her as she joined him, pulling her close into his embrace. She just really seemed to lighten his mood and make his day better. "I can however stay until you are asleep," he promised her in a soft whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead in a sweet gesture.