Once Upon a Dream

[syckophant]

Who: Sleepy Idols
Where: In Your Dreams
When: Night 332

[Did you just get some fun/terrible memories??? Let's dream about it!]

[[NSFW Dreams Here]]

Comments

[selfpreservationist]

[touches vergil's cheek gently, so he can look him in the eyes, searching]

...

[auguryofinnocence]

[Well, it's still difficult to admit. He hardly looks like he believes his own words with the way it makes him clam up, especially being stared at like that. But that's just a Vergil face.]

...What?

[selfpreservationist]

... thank you.

[lets go and settles back with how he was situated before, head on vergil's shoulder]

[auguryofinnocence]

...Sure.

[Well now he mostly feels awkward about it, not sure what to say to that! So he just falls silent and goes back to looking out along the skyline.]

[selfpreservationist]

[raven does the same, quiet for a bit before speaking again]

... it's been a while since I've dreamt of you. The last few times were nightmares, but they were so long ago, now... it's... nice.

[auguryofinnocence]

...Does that happen often?

[selfpreservationist]

They used to. For a time, all I'd dream of when I fell asleep were your hands around my neck... but it's faded, now. Lily helped with that.

But still, having a dream like this one... it's rare.

[auguryofinnocence]

After that game, I suppose?

[selfpreservationist]

[nods]

It's... part of the reason why I wanted to rest with you. So that I could put those memories behind me for good.

[auguryofinnocence]

...I see. I suppose I can't begrudge you that, then. I do still regret all that.

[selfpreservationist]

... do you want to know a secret? Part of me... wants to cherish that memory.

[auguryofinnocence]

What? Why?

[selfpreservationist]

Because... despite everything else--the pain, the despair--there was something... tender, about the way you held me. And in that moment... that was all I wanted. I yearned for it.

[auguryofinnocence]

[Even he has to blush a bit for that. Not that he actually has any concept of the depth of the meaning, but that is awfully intimate.]

...Well the story Taisho had was more or less making us kill those we care for, because we care for them.

[selfpreservationist]

[blush... cute. ///]

... ah. That... makes sense. Zrael's ghost was... angry, and hurting, and mistrusting everyone because they were afraid of being betrayed and hurt again. I remember thinking... "you should have known he'd do this, you fool," when it happened. And it was... difficult to pull myself away from that kind of thinking, even after the ghost was gone. But I don't... want to think like that again. Not about you.

... I trust you, now.

[auguryofinnocence]

[Congrats Raven, mostly only the old man squad gets to see blush...

He nods, voice soft.]

Good. It...was particularly poor timing, having only just told you I would try to protect you. ...I am always conscious of what I would put first in dire circumstances, putting what I care about in an unfair hierarchy. What I said had some truth, you are not first or second on that list.

But you are...still in the top percentage.

[selfpreservationist]

... I... I believe you.

[sounds a little choked up maybe? IGNORE THE FEELINGS]

Sometimes I... doubt why you'd feel anything but contempt towards me, but I'd be lying if I said I... didn't want your protection, regardless. No, more than that...

[he seems like he's going to continue that thought, and then decides not to]

[auguryofinnocence]

[More than that like, being friends and stuff right??]

...I can hardly pretend there's no resentment or jealousy. I'm sure having me here is much the same for you. I hated that Dante and Nero so preferred you over me.

- It is...complicated. But who would not have some sympathy or possessiveness for someone created from their own soul. Particularly when we share memories.

...And you were...kind to me, at first.

[selfpreservationist]

[YUP, EXACTLY]

... it's true, it's hard not to have... complicated emotions, when it comes to you. And while I can't speak for Dante, I don't think it's true that Nero prefers me over you. At least, not anymore. You've really... embraced being his father. It's... admirable, honestly. How you keep trying despite setbacks, and... it's working. Anyone can see you've had a positive effect on Nero. Out of everything, that's... what I'm most jealous of, I think.

[auguryofinnocence]

[oh

blush intensifies]

Had the circumstances been different, if I knew more about myself at the time he told me, I doubt that would have been the case.

[selfpreservationist]

Does it matter? You still took the time and effort to get to know your son... and it's paid off. Would you rather give that up and go back to not caring?

[auguryofinnocence]

No, of course not. I am...proud to be his father. And backtracking now would be all the more painful.

[Hard to stop having feelings now that that floodgate's been opened....]

[selfpreservationist]

Good. ... I'm glad to hear that.

[auguryofinnocence]

You know as well as I he deserves the best I can give him. ...And that anyone should be honoured to be close to him.

[selfpreservationist]

Of course. He's the best of all of us.