Calliope was tired. Inspiring the minds of men these days felt of more of a burden than ever. She did not remember it had ever been as such before, or perhaps… Perhaps her time was finally passing. Oh, but her time had been past for a long while, but now, maybe, it was coming to an end.

Or maybe she was just tired and needed some damned rest that's all.

She sat upon a bench by a small, dreary park. The mist was heavy around her and at this time of the night, there were no more people walking about.

Suddenly, there he was at the end of the street, in all his ethereal glory. Oniros, her once husband.

"Why come you to me, Oniros? I did not call you." She did not seem displeased about it though, for she said this with a small, bashful smile.

"You did not use your words when you called me, but call me you did." He replied with a subtle, almost imperceptible, amusement in his voice. Then he was there at her side and no longer paces away. It was a comfort. She was used to him like this, his true essence, that of transition and fluctuation.

Calliope stood from the bench. She looked into his darkening eyes, searching for the stars in them which she knew so well. Once she found them, hidden behind the façade of mortal blues, she tentatively leaned her head against his shoulder. She was ready to move away should he show himself unwanting of her closeness. He did not move. Her smile widened marginally.

When he lifted his hand to rest softly upon her arm though, Calliope flinched and stepped back.

"I… forgive me Oniros," she said heartfelt, she knew what a great offense she had just shown to the Shaper of Form. The Dream King had offered his presence, and she had accepted it and reached for touch. But she'd flinched away when he'd wanted to reciprocate. That was all but a slap in the face for one such as them. "I was merely startled, that is all," she tried excusing herself.

His eyes looked knowingly at her.

"You need not be forgiven. I was not insulted," he told her though something in his voice shifted as she smiled, grateful for his lightness. The depth of his tone seemed transiting, shifting.

When she gazed upon his blue eyes his face seemed slightly thinner, slightly softer. His eyes dropping. The slight shape of man he preferred seemed more androgynous than before. He did not look so like a man now, if she tilted her head, Calliope could see the woman in him.

Her eyes burned with tears at this sudden, unasked for, kindness.

"Oniros…" She whispered.

"Come, old love, you are weary," he opened his arms slightly, his chest was oh so faintly risen, one could almost miss it, but Calliope did not, she knew the shape of her once husband well.

She stepped into his hold, her hold, and his arms enveloped her softly.

"Wish you to stay in my realm for the night, my poetess?"

"If it pleases this ruler," she whispered against them, remembering old nights of sinking into him in all the ways that were possible to be sunken into a being grander than the night sky and more vast than reality.

"Then let us go, Calliope. Your dreams shall be sweet tonight. And if you wish it, I shall keep you company."

"I wish that very much, I thank you."

And Dream enveloped her in his cloak of night and it shimmered inside with the light of a billion distant stars. In his realm they laid together in a bed made just for the occasion, heavy clouds their place of rest. They were close enough to join but their touch remained chaste and pure.

In his feminine arms Calliope rested like she had not in a long time, only breathing in and out and in and out. And she felt safe and cared for. She knew her new fears would not assault her tonight, for with Dream of the Endless, Calliope would never worry about being taken advantage of or something equally nefarious.

For all his cold composure and proud bearing, Dream's love was pure and honorable though it could burn when scorned.

Calliope breathed in the scent of him, it was hope and words and music. And Calliope slept.

That night she dreamt of the best ages of ancient Greece. Goddesses walking the earth and beasts of wonder. She dreamt of natural beauty as such that the world would not ever see again. Of peace and happiness and tranquility.

Her old love guarding her dreams. It was perfect.

Abril: What Calliope needs is a good, platonic, cuddle and I will GIVE IT TO HER. It's what she deserves u.u

Thanks to fellow Sandman fanatic Picture_Yourself (Ao3) for being beta for this little thing. Kissies to you.