Dreaming a dream as someone who hates dreams but needs sleep

He nodded a little graciously before moving over, sitting down on the bed beside her. He noticed how she rubbed her feet, a slight wonder if she was already that far along. He couldn't really see anything now, though he supposed it was not something he could ask about without upsetting her. Instead he reached out, gesturing that he could take over, and if she let him he would rub her feet quite thoroughly, making sure he got out all of the built up pressure. Her question made him hum, his fingers working almost as if he didn't even think about it. "I've been working on a couple of nightmares, but they have all changed into dreams as I worked on them," he pondered out loud, nodding to himself.
His silvery eyes looked to her, "I've been keeping up with the realm mostly; it does run mostly on its own, but the inhabitants rely on me to do the upkeep and settle discourses." That was a fair way of putting it, wasn't it? His hands moved up to her ankles, just releasing a bit of the built up tension in the probably swollen area. He was quite fascinated by the female body, or any body who could in fact get pregnant. Where he came from life was created with a purpose, but here on Gambion everyone could find their own purpose which was so beautiful. "May I ask something of a rude question?" He asked, looking to her. If she said no he would just nod, not taking it to heart and continuing to tell her about what he had been doing.
If she did allow him he would look at her, "do you intend keep the child growing within you?" Had he stepped over the line on that one? Maybe, but it had been so clear that she had been frustrated about this pregnancy. And yet she took so much care in eating and doing limited work. Of course he could've asked who had fathered the child, but that felt like a sin to speak of seeing as he wasn't around, he wouldn't be a father regardless. Aiastes had taken on that role in some regard, at least in front of her parents.

"Well when I create something I suppose to talk in terms you might understand it is like a lump of clay," he pondered out loud. She had mentioned she did pottery, and he would draw on that to hopefully make her understand that it was nothing like gardening. It was more so about creating something from nothing, or in this case a piece of soil. "A piece of clay has the opportunity to become anything you wish it to be, so long as you mold it with careful hands," his own hands moving on to the other foot, giving it the same treatment as the first. It was almost as if he used it to ensure she understood what he meant by using his hands on her. "You may find yourself wishing to make a plate, but perhaps you find yourself liking how it looks as a deep dish," his hands now moving up to her ankles, relieving the tension there, taking great care as they were slightly swollen. "And as for upkeep, after using your deep dish for a while, it might need some tending to; a piece might've fallen off of it, or you've dropped it and want to put it back together," was he making any sense? He deeply hoped for. He finished up her feet and ankles, looking at her with his stoic face and silver eyes.
She disclosed her uncertainty of wanting to keep the child. He couldn't imagine what a decision this was to make, but in the grand scheme of things it wasn't for him to imagine nor judge. The wish he had for her was to be happy, and if giving up the child would do that, then it would be the right way. He saw life as something beautiful yet horrible, and also very intangible. Perhaps that was where his curiosity stemmed from. Life wasn't a thing he could truly understand or grasp because he didn't live these experiences. She asked if he wanted to feel, and he nodded carefully as his hand was guided up to her swollen belly. Feeling what was hiding beneath felt oddly calming. Life was brewing within her, and she had a glow to her he rarely got to see up close. Her skin was soft, but from the looks of it she wasn't that far along. Perhaps still in her first trimester. "To think that life can spring forth like this is rather terrifyingly beautiful," he said, his voice low and soft, his thumb caressing her just above her belly button. His eyes moved up to look at hers, wondering how it must feel. She had said it was odd, and it was clear her body was raging with hormones, yet she seemed to trust him.
"May I ..?" he asked, though he wasn't sure she understood. He moved to the floor, sitting on his knees, still touching her belly gently. Almost as if he was afraid of breaking her. Leaning his face closer to it, he whispered softly. Ancient words long forgotten, but it was meant to soothe the child within as well as the mother. Realizing she wouldn't understand he repeated it for her to grasp what he was saying. "Child of wonder, I pray of you that your mother stays healthy; I pray for you a long life with all that entails; and I grant you nothing but happy dreams, as that is my gift to grant." His lips pressed softly against her skin before leaning away, looking up at her. "You and your child as well as all of your future possible children will always be welcome in my realm," that was a bit gesture, as it wasn't often he encouraged others to be welcome. Everybody entered his realm, not many were welcomed with such warmth.
He looked back to the belly, "your mother needs her rest," he spoke to it as if it was a person. And in some regard it was on its way to become one. He got up, helping her tuck in before he moved away, letting her have her space. Turning off the lights he spoke softly, "sweet dreams," before moving back out into the apartment. He had no need for sleep, so he picked up the book she had been reading, starting from the beginning to get the whole story.

The night passed slowly, but he didn't mind that, in fact he liked listening to the apartment complex. The sounds of life outside. It was strange yet calming. And as night turned to day he got up to move around. The kitchen seemed like a nice place to sit, opening the window to let in some fresh air he just sat there, looking outside before he heard the sound of feet. He looked to the door, seeing the rested human in her sleeping clothes. Nodding softly as to greet her good morning, he knew she had slept well as she looked well rested, and her hair was a bit of a mess too. Getting up from his seat he walked to her, "breakfast?" A single word that was unloading a question on a larger scale. Would she be well enough to eat? Was she feeling good? And had she gathered appetite as a result of her sleep? He hoped that the answer was yes, but he could almost sense her nausea, though he couldn't really recognize it.
"I could make something for you, or go get it if you would prefer something that is not currently here?" He was considerate of her needs. How odd that the king of sleep was even bothering with a mortal, but perhaps it spoke to how taken he was with her. She was something special indeed, and he had a need almost to just be near her. Be of help to her. They had to go to her parents today, he had sorted that out, but it wouldn't be before they reached the afternoon.

He hummed, letting her get on with her morning routine, moving over to sit by the fresh air of the window. Turning his head to look outside, he turned his eyes back to her as she asked a rather funny question. Or perhaps it was more funny to him. "I deal with sleep every second of my existence .. being in the waking world I would rather not waste it by going back to my own realm," he said in a ponder, "but no; I don't sleep." He watched her as she ate. Maybe she found him more odd now. But the fact that he was strange wasn't really unknown to her, so he supposed it was just adding to the pile. His eyes turned back out to the world outside, "I need no food nor food; though the latter can be enjoyable," he said perhaps more than he should have, but then again he wanted to try and be upfront with her.
He got up, looking to her with calm silvery eyes, "would you mind if I took a shower to freshen up?" He didn't sweat nor get dirty, but he felt he smelled of food and perhaps a bit of smoke from the candles. If she let him he would go have a shower, not bothering with washing his hair. Afterwards he dried himself off, wrapping the towel around his waist before heading into the bedroom. There he opened the closet, finding a quote on quote normal set of clothes that wasn't consisting of his giant coat. No it was much more relaxed - or well as relaxed as he could be. A pair of black pants with nice black shoes; A beautiful dark brown sweater in tight knit with a black button up underneath. Placing it on the bed he slowly got dressed.

He was about to lose his towel as he heard her apologize, turning his head he looked more confused than anything. She grabbed her item of clothing, but he reached out to stop her from leaving. He looked down at her, standing rather close to her. "You do not have to apologize around me," his voice deep and low, almost whispering as if it was a secret he was telling her. He then thought of something that he found only fair, taking her hand, guiding it to his stomach. He was of lean and fit appearance, his limbs long but also muscular in their own right. "I am not frightened by your gaze nor your touch," he told her rather genuinely, "I suppose you will have to get used to seeing me like this." Was that odd to say? They were supposed to be a couple to some regard, right? She herself had asked him to be genuine, and he was doing that right now. Granting her permission to explore, to not worry about intruding on his privacy because he had forfeited that the moment he had claimed fathership over the child growing in her belly.

He could've scoffed at her remark. He wasn't created to be pretty nor was he made to do what he was doing right now. But somehow it felt right. Her hand against his skin felt good, and definitely not something he had felt in a very long time. And rightfully as he had thought, her hand began to explore, but he wasn't bothered by it. Was it strange that he wished she would explore more? Her questions were reasonable, but he didn't have a clear answer. "I don't know," which was rare for a being like Aiastes was. But he was perhaps afraid to find out what it truly would mean. He was trying to trick himself into thinking that this wouldn't lead to anything. "I see something in you .. something I can't ignore .. and yet am terrified to find out what is," he confessed, lifting a hand to touch her cheek ever so gently. He liked touching her. Why did he like touching her!? He knew why but he ignored it. "But you must push me away eventually .. tell me to go away forever .. otherwise I fear I might never leave your side." Maybe he was dramatic, but it was genuinely in his nature to behave this eccentric. Well some of it was personality as well, but he wasn't a mortal. Nor a creature. He was a being almost as old as the beginning of time - or so it could seem anyways. "Your hormones are attracted to me right now because I take care of you - but as soon as you have given birth you will push me aside, for I am not meant for this realm."

It was better to just say it now. If he was prepared then it wouldn't hurt so much. He couldn't say what had drawn him to her, but his realm worked in strange ways and so did fate. Perhaps he should pay a visit to one of his siblings, but he didn't have time for it right now. He got dressed as she almost ordered him to. His hair impossible to style, but it wasn't like it worried him much. After getting dressed he moved back out into the living room, sitting down in the couch, picking up the book from the coffee table. He picked up where he had left off. Though it wasn't clear from the way he was reading whether or not he liked it.
Once she was done and dressed he would place the book back on the table, getting up. "I want to apologize for my behaviour," he said, walking to her, his silvery eyes almost sad, "I am sorry for my insolence .. for hurting you in any way." He was silent for a while, hoping she would maybe speak what she had been silent about. If not he would take her hand, "please tell me how to make it better."

He listened to her, taking her in as she was and he found her stunning. And the worst part was that he found it so hard to just ignore that. When she spoke her fully lips moved perfectly. But he did hear the message. She would not be undermined by what was happening to her body. Nodding he would try his best to do so. Then the next question came and he sighed, taking her hands gently in his own, "I had not offered myself if I was not willing to do so .. but you must know I would be most terrible as I cannot stay away from my realm for too long," he admitted. What good would he be to a child if he could only be there less than half of the time? He looked at her, "the choice to give away or keep is yours to make," he said, moving a hand down to touch her stomach, "but it would be an honor to put a fathers name to a child of your creation."
He looked at her seriously. If she could live with the fact he wouldn't be around much. Unless she came and stayed in his realm, but even that could prove troublesome for a mortal. In such a case he should make proper preparations. But could she really leave this world in favor of his? Leave her friends and life choices? He couldn't know unless he asked, but doing so now would put stress on her. "I want .." he stopped himself, because what he would say couldn't be. He wanted her. He wanted to hold her and it frustrated him endlessly that a human was doing this to him, "I want you to be happy." He finally said, foregoing his own desires for a moment.

Was what she said not contradictory in it of itself? She barely knew him as well, but then again she was aware of who he was. She knew what she was getting herself into, right? He was uncertain, but perhaps only time would tell. As she said she was happy his eyes turned a little softer. Strange how his face could be so deadpan in the face but the emotions so clear in his silvery eyes. The request he didn't hesitate on. His hand moving from her belly and behind her lower back, his other arm around her shoulders as he pulled her closer. Would he dare inhale her scent? He didn't even have to wonder as he could smell her just fine right now. Her shampoo shining through and making him feel quite relaxed even if his body acted almost rigid. "I will be here for you and the child .. but it must not know what I am before it grows older," he was serious. He could imagine a child would have fears about him. Perhaps blame him for nightmares and dreams alike. Even if he had given it happy dreams, he could not rule out what the subconscious could worry of.
He stood there for a while, just holding her in his protective arms, his heart beating and showing how relaxed he was right now. "Should we go for a light walk?" He suggested, thinking a bit of exercise would do her good. But then he frowned. "Would you wish to marry me?" He asked, because if she wanted him to be the father to her child, then she perhaps wanted more. Pulling away he looked at her face, "should you wish it, I could court you .. though I'm afraid I am quite rusty." His lips pulling up in a strained smile. It was a joke, but he wasn't sure that got across rather well.

Yes he was sorta forward, but he didn't mean right this second. He had more so been hinting at if this was what she wanted from him. If she would expect it of him. And yet he wasn't turned down completely. She mentioned they hadn't even kissed and he hummed in agreeance, "I was however referring to if it was what you expected of me down the line," he said. "Though I fear I would be a lousy excuse of a husband," not something he liked to admit, but he surely wouldn't be around enough. But what was enough for a mortal? Feeling how she touched his cheek he just looked at her, unsure if it was longing he felt, but he eventually turned his head slightly towards her hand. He placed a delicate kiss against her palm, closing his eyes as if to take the moment in for a second before opening them again to look at her. "I fear you are making me rather fond of you just by existing," he said, though he didn't sound angry nor defeated. Perhaps he would even say he felt giddy, though that expression would not go over well on his stoic face.
Releasing her he gestured for her to go get her jacket, he took his coat that he usually wore that went rather far down. In some regard he supposed it could look almost like a cape, but he wasn't sure if that was a good or a bad thing. Outside the leaves were rustling a little, the air making noises through the small streets. A few people were out on a walk, and he offered her his arm as he had done when he had escorted her away from her parents' house. He liked the wind here, perhaps because it wasn't something he could control. It had a wildness to it. Life. "I like this time of year in Gambion," he said, looking around to see that a few leaves were starting to change colors. Autumn was really under way. "While everything seems to be dying for the winter, it also has so many colors and so much life to it," it was clear he was trying to be more talkative, though he knew he perhaps wasn't the best conversationalist.

He did have a lot of fears indeed, but this was just the tip of the iceberg. He frankly didn't feel the need to burden her with more than what she needed to know. Seeing her smile made it worth it though. And as they walked through the streets it was almost as if the fears he had been reminded off had drifted off with the wind and bundled up somewhere with some dry leaves. Nodding he would try and remember to use the country name rather than the world name. He would at least try. Her curiosity seemed to get the better of her and he locked his eyes on her, listening as he just kept walking. It was a fairly easy question to answer. "There are no true seasons in my realm; at least not a structured one," he said, looking out to the leaves that were moving around the roads, hiding away under parked cars and old benches.
"My realm adapts and shapes at the same time," he said trying to think of a way to make her understand. It was pretty complicated stuff if you didn't really get it to begin with. "As I mentioned with the clay plate being a deep dish, it still has the potential to turn to something completely different before you glaze and fire it," she seemed to have liked that analogy, so maybe he should keep going with it. "However you should view it as a piece of clay that gets shaped every single night by billions of dreaming creatures, if not trillions," he hoped she could follow even if it was sorta wide and unexplainable even for him, "but it is only molded while they sleep .. as soon as they wake up, the lump of clay is just a lump of clay again."

"I can mold it which ever way I chose, but the dreamer can choose to use the deep dish as a cup or as a plate or whatever they want," he said with a soft nod. She had gotten the hang of it it seemed. And he was happy that it worked. They continued their little walk, him syncing up to her pace as it was much easier. He did notice how she clung to him as the dog appeared and passed them by. "Do you not like canines?" He asked a little casually, though not too loud. He wasn't looking to embarrass her or make her feel looked down on for her fears. "Seems like I'm not the only one with a lot of fears," now that was more so meant as a tease, but also to let her know that it was alright. That she could indeed be honest with him.
On their walk they walked into a park, here you could truly see the change of the season starting to happen. Kids were already playing in the few fallen leaves on the ground, and multiple people out for a walk in the fresh air. Mundane life was pretty exiting for someone like Aiastes who would never truly get to experience that. "Are you sure you are not cold?" He then asked, because the jacket she had chosen was quite thin in material, but she could do and wear what she pleased.

Fear was a strange thing. Sure, Aiastes could get angry or frustrated, but he didn't think he could think of something he had ever feared. Maybe fear of losing someone, but still he had an understanding of life and death that was much different from those in Gambion. Walking around he noticed the children too, his eyes just studying them before asking her about her temperature. Humming as she said she was wearing a good amount of layers, yet Aiastes hoped she would say if she was getting cold. Feeling her press herself closer along with the question made him feel some sort of way. Only he refused to really think of it. "I can get cold, but it is not something that bothers me," he said. He could have all sorts of temperature, but neither hot nor cold would have a true effect on him. He wasn't like a vampyre, seeing as his body temperature was relatively normal compared to humans. He stopped on a small bridge overlooking the pond. There were a few ducks left, but they would soon fly south for a warmer temperature. He didn't know what compelled him, but he pulled her a little closer, his hand on her waist as he looked out.
"Oh my gods, hi Mari," Harper Camden greeted the two, though looking at the tall and handsome guy she was a bit surprised. Harper's husband, the doctor Howard Camden, followed her almost like a dog on a leash. It was quite clear who was in control in this relationship. Howard just nodded politely as a greeting and so did Aiastes. "I am so glad that I caught you; I really wanted to invite you out to brunch with a few of my friends and their partners," oh how insufferable Harper was, but she was also rather snobby and had grown up very fortunately. "Give me your number and I'll totes write you the date and everything," she smiled. Aiastes could almost feel the comfortability in the air and looked to Harper with a stoic expression. "That is rather generous of you, but I fear we'll be busy," he said, Harper frowning and clearly insulted,"I haven't even given you the date yet," she argued but Aiastes just hummed, "we're going on a small trip for the next foreseeable months." Aiastes looked to Mari, "isn't that right, my love?" He spoke almost tenderly.
Harper looked surprised and perhaps even a little upset. Was that jealousy? She clearly didn't like being turned down nor hearing about other's fortune. She was selfish by nature, and it was clear to see. "I'm very sorry, but we really should head back home," he said, looking to Mari again, "we can't be late for tea with your parents." Rather elegantly he moved on ahead, his hand still around her waist, holding her close and almost protectively.
As they walked away he could hear Harper complain about the audacity of them, but it bothered the ancient being very little. "I didn't mean to be rude, but she seemed to make you more uncomfortable than the dog," he said quite genuinely. He was attentive as always, making sure that she was alright seemed to be his utmost priority. "I suppose her biggest fear might be that others are happier than her." A slight ponder that he didn't think of for long.