Dreampost continues

[oi_theoi]

[Continuations/new threads for the Dream post go here]

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[overclocking]

[......... He doesn't even remember sitting up.

There is not enough NOPE in the world]

[hyanaimne]

[faintly, faintly, you can hear Tempest talking in the other room, but muffled, like she's mumbling something into her hands]

[overclocking]

[That feeling where you want to claw your way out of your own skin...

He gets up, shakily, trying not to disturb Ptou or Maria--but not to go find her. In fact he seems keen on just getting the fuck away from everyone.]

[hyanaimne]

[. . . well when you open the door she's standing there, hand outstretch since she was going to open it herself.

Even hiding under the hood, it's not hard to tell her face was wet]

—ah.

[overclocking]

[YOU'VE PROBABLY NEVER SEEN HIM LOOK THIS HORRIFIED

Backing away]

[hyanaimne]

[SURE HAVEN"T. but that hand that was reaching for the door is darting out to grab you by whatever she can manage to catch hold of]

Wait.

[overclocking]

[Nopenopenopenopenope

Stiffens under her hold but doesn't try to force his way out of her grip. In fact he seems to be avoiding as much contact as possible]

Let go...

[hyanaimne]

[NOPE YOURSELF.

Just. Just dropping to her knees and pulling him into a tight hug]

[overclocking]

[He shudders against her, hands braced on her shoulders, anything to push or pull away-- THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE WORST THING YOU COULD BE DOING]

Tempest--

[hyanaimne]

[nope, sorry, I'm pretty intent on hugging you]

[overclocking]

[And I'm pretty intent on not touching you for the foreseeable future. Why would you even want to touch me right now]

Dammit, let me go!

[hyanaimne]

[. . . oh. Oh, you had the same dream didn't you.

Getting up, but . . . not letting go. No, in fact, she's physically dragging you to the couch]

[overclocking]

[He grabs her wrist in his hand, and that strength that snapped a man's neck like a twig-- it's definitely there.

His voice, though, is pleading]

Stop.

[hyanaimne]

[well, if he's holding it that tightly, he'll be able to tell her hand's shaking, just a little. Her tone is near the same]

Please.

[overclocking]

[... He lets her guide him to the couch, but he doesn't join her on it. He just stands before her silently, posture stiff, eyes shadowed]

[hyanaimne]

[. . . reaches up to cup his face with both hands, still shaking a little, and draws him down into another hug]

I am so sorry.

[overclocking]

[His voice grates out like every word is painful, but he doesn't pull away]

Why the hell are you apologizing to me.

[hyanaimne]

[that only makes her hug you tighter. Her voice quiets a bit]

For . . . the same reason you most likely want to run.

[overclocking]

[Can't can't can't

He just trembles against her, saying nothing]

[hyanaimne]

[she sounds a bit unsettled despite her words]

It - it was just a dream. That is all, Chrono. Nothing more.

[overclocking]

[Just laughs a bit, low and bitter and humorless. Because he would have done the exact same thing in a real situation, probably to similar results.]

[hyanaimne]

[ . . . shifts to tug him onto the couch with her '-']

[overclocking]

[The laughter drops off as quickly as it came. This time he does resist]

Tempest... why do you even want me around if you remember the same thing?

[hyanaimne]

. . . why would I not? I told you, it was just a dream.

[overclocking]

The emotions weren't.