Chapter Text
-Who is it?
He asked out loud. Empty eyes following his maker as he walked towards the dreaming's gates.
Lucienne looked up from the book in her hands and frowned at the nightmare. Did he have nothing better to do but to watch their master? Well, she supposed, not everyone in the dreaming was as busy as she was! Of course she wouldn't say that to his face. For Corinthian was too proud and in her opinion very spoiled! Being Lord Morpheus's favorite according to the nightmare himself. His bruised ego would make him lash out! Not that she was afraid of him , no, she just didn't think it was worth the stress. Noticing she was taking too long to answer, she lowered the book in her hands with a silent sigh.
- Who's who?
No longer able to see his dark silhouette, Corinthian lazily yet elegantly leaned his shoulder against the glass window before turning his head towards the librarian.
- The one he goes out of his way to meet every century or so... today's the third time!
Lucienne raised a brow at him. So many words in one single motion that she didn't mouth. Was that any of his business? Most likely not! He was a mere nightmare! Not even close to their master when it came to power, yet he dared to question his master left and right! How was he still alive?
- I think your obsession with his majesty has gotten into your head and now you're making up scenarios that aren't true! He is most likely visiting one of his siblings! EVEN if he was meeting someone else, it's still none of your business, nightmare!
His lips curved upwards in a smile... or at least something akin to one.
- Why so sour, Lucienne? Did he tell you off once again, nosy thing? Reminded you of your place in the library?
Behind his black glasses, Lucienne was sure that his eyes were baring sharp teeth at her. Impudent and oh so full of himself, the nightmare was always successful in getting on her nerves! One of these days she'd smack him in the face with one of the heavier books from the library! Just you wait!
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When dream returned, everyone noticed his foul mood and acted on their best behavior to not upset the master any more than he already was. When he retreated to his chambers, everyone let out a breath they'd forgotten to exhale.
Whatever had happened must have been very upsetting! Had he been rejected by a lover, perhaps? Unlikely in Corinthian's opinion! Who in their right mind would reject dream of the endless? Who would dare? The nightmare was suddenly overwhelmed by the need to drive his dagger into something... or someone! From the moment he'd opened his eyes to this world, laid his eyes on the dark and quiet king of dreams, he'd felt a tug in his chest. Like something was trying to force its way out of his heart's soils. His maker... his king... HIS... but dream wasn't his ... not entirely! Not the way Corinthian was to his lord! If only he could be his and his alone... now the pressure in his chest was finding an opening. It grew... bloomed into something he couldn't recognize.
A flower?
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Hob Gadling had overstepped! How dare he assume a being such as him was lonely? Even worse... he'd assumed they were friends! Him? The king of dreams and a mere human? Outrageous!
He was sitting in his chair, brows furrowed, eyes closed and fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, trying to put the human out of his mind when he sensed a presence behind him. Even though he'd ordered his subjects to not disturb him? Who dared invite themselves into his private chambers without his permission?
His eyes opened slowly, resting on a pair of white, polished shoes.
Corinthian!
Of course! Among his subjects and creations, none were quite like this particular nightmare! Rebellious in nature and mostly doing as he pleased , Corinthian was somehow his most favorite! So flawed and perfectly imperfect! His little nightmare seemed to not understand the concept of "not disturbing" his master. Despite all that, dream couldn't really bring himself to punish him.
- My king!
He drawled his words as he kneeled before his master. Somehow just by looking at his coy smile, dream felt lighter than when he'd returned to the palace.
He allowed the nightmare to place slow kisses on the back of his hand. Watched him run his tongue in between his fingers.
- Hmm, you disobey my direct order and disturb my rest! What are you after, Corinthian? Are you trying to pry into my affairs, nosy little thing?
His words were meant to be scolding yet he wasn't successful in hiding the adoration in the last three words. The small upward curve of the nightmare's lips told him so. Was he spoiling him too much?
- I wouldn't dare!
They both knew he would!
- I merely wish to release you from the burden on your mind! Even if just a little!
With a small smile, both mocking and adoring, the sandman removed his nightmare's glasses, turning them to sand the moment Corinthian's eyes were revealed!
- Those were my favorites!
The nightmare groaned halfheartedly. Spoiled indeed! What other servant dared to say a word of complain about what their master did? Dream ran his thumbs over the blonde man's eyelids, closing them gently.
- I'll make you a new one!
He sealed the deal with a kiss. Corinthian responded eagerly. Raising to his knees to taste more of him.
Greedy thing!
Dream pushed his thumb into the nightmare's left eye. Feeling the teeth piercing his flesh, he pulled a fistful of soft blonde hair with his free hand, warning the man to not forget himself.
When his thumb was released, a trail of dark red appeared on the beautiful face of his creation. A single drop of blood which soon turned into sand and then disappeared.
- My master... my lord... allow me to please you... let me have you...my king...MY Dream...
- You're overstepping, Corinthian. I belong to no one!
The nightmare didn't have the chance to say anything, his whole being turned to sand in a blink of an eye.
The king of dream leaned forward, slowly picking the small skull off the floor, he whispered
- A little punishment, little nightmare! Next time, choose your words wisely!
And of course there would be a next time, for Corinthian was his perfectly flawed creation. His favorite and spoiled nightmare.
Pressing the skull to his lips with a gentleness reserved only for this particular nightmare, the king of dreams noticed his foul mood had already disappeared.
- You have my gratitude...my Corinthian!