Hope stroked his hair, thinking this was the first time she'd ever seen him truly peaceful, and she was… happy.

Finally he sighed and opened his eyes, a blaze of unearthly blue in his now flushed face, as intense as the heart of midnight. The stars in them now shimmering softly in the afterglow of passion.

She couldn't help but laugh at seeing the foreign bright patches on his face. Morpheus propped himself up on one elbow and only then she noticed that the backdrop of the galaxy had given way to a huge bed of the blackest ebony, nothing elaborate, quite simple in fact. White silk sheets were twisted round his hips while she was half on top and half underneath them.

His private chambers, she presumed.

"What?"

Just that one word, uttered in that voice, deep with a tantalising huskiness, as if he had just roused from deep slumber.

"I think this is the first time I've seen some colour in your face," she said. "And your hair. It's even wilder than usual. It's… every which way."

He only gave her his custom half smile.

She looked up at him with something akin to awe-filled caution. Because for a very long time sex had been nothing but a private moment or two with herself and a good vibrating sex toy. Never toys that went inside.

The truth of what had just transpired was only now beginning to sink in. In a way, she'd come to Morpheus as a virgin. Yes, her virginity had crudely been taken from her, and yes, she'd had sexual relations before. And all of them had left her retreated so far into her own mind she had no real recollection of the deed. In the moments when it counted, when it mattered, her body had been nothing more but an empty vessel.

Whatever else would happen between them, no matter what came before or would come after, at least she had this: Morpheus had given her body back to her, at least this one time.

Realising they both had been silently staring at each other, Hope became a bit flustered. "I think I, eh, left you… on your own, a few times," she blurted. "I'm sorry, it's a bit of a reflex and–"

She clamped her mouth shut in absolute horror. Of all the things she could have said, like: 'Thank you, for this mind-blowing experience,' or 'That was amazing. You were amazing!' and she had to remind him of that?

"I believe I am the one to apologise. Here in the Dreaming I am the one who controls people's dreams, the vistas they escape to in their dreams. I am the entire collective unconsciousness of the universe and as such I should have paid closer attention. My only defence is that I was too impatient, too drunk with the need to be… to be one with you. I will not be so inattentive next time."

"Next time?" she asked him carefully, hopefully, her heart thumping like a crazy thing. She reached for him, placing her hand over his heart, or whatever it was that thudded underneath her palm. She didn't have a great understanding of his physiology, how his anthropomorphic manifestation worked, exactly. Clearly he was capable of sex. Great sex! The thought had heat rushing to her face. But, he breathed, she'd seen him gasp, his lips and tongue were moist when they kissed and… there were so many other details that were so human! And yet he wasn't. She wasn't even sure he could really be considered an entity as he was basically a concept, a construct.

Though be it one with an ornery disposition and the tendency to brood and not at all well-adjusted and…

She gave him a shy smile. "I'm sorry. It's still a bit much. Just the thought there will even be a next time. That we are…"

"We are," he simply said, then seemed to think for a moment before a smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, "I want there to be as many next times as there are stars in the heavens, or grains of sand on Earth."

Hope didn't need to be able to see her own face, to know she was now blushing profusely. Close to spontaneous combustion, if the heat that was spreading all the way to her ears and the roots of her hair was anything to go by.

"I don't think we could achieve such a lofty goal, Morpheus, even if we did… this… continuously, for the remainder of my life!"

"Maybe not, but I'm sure the attempt in itself would be quite enjoyable."

"And there is that lethal dry wit," Hope murmured.

They smiled at each other, until his slowly faded and he became serious once again.

"May I petition for a favour, Hope?" Morpheus asked.

He could be so hilarious in his formality. She fought back a wicked grin as she plied her face in serious planes, and pouted her lips just so, while giving him the hint of a frown. "You may," she said, trying her very best to sound aloof and magnanimous. "Verily, I doth requireth that thou submit thy request in writing, no less than twenty-four hours hence. Should that not be to thy liking… then please, just ask me the damn favour."

A smile broke over his face like a sunrise. Not one of those barely there benevolent ones, but a real, fully bloomed, big smile. "Very well," he said, leaning forward a bit. The sound of his husky timbre seemed to gather at the top of her spine where it slowly trickled downward like heated honey.

"I would like to ask you… to call me Dream."

"If that's what you want, I will," she said slowly, not understanding his reasoning.

"Morpheus is a name that was given to me in ancient times and I have many more names and titles. The Sandman, King of Dreams, Lord of the Dreaming, Prince of Stories, Oneiros, the Oneiromancer… Kai'ckul…" his voice caught a bit on the last name. "I never minded them. I came to appreciate them even. I know not why, but, I believed they gave me a sense of identity, other than a name that's synonymous to my function. Of my past loves…" He closed his eyes and a mournful look briefly darkened his features. "Of my past loves, only two called me Dream. One of them was my first love and she betrayed me. Desire's idea of a joke, one that hurt me most cruelly. The other I could not fully trust, as she was gifted to me by Desire. After that I was Kai'ckul to someone, and then I was Oneiros to another. And my subjects tend to call me Morpheus. I would very much like you to call me Dream. It is… my most intimate identity."

She understood what he was actually trying to say and it moved her beyond measure.

"You always were Dream to me," she told him softly. "I never even knew you had another name until I first woke up in the Dreaming and Lucienne called you Morpheus."

"Why did you stop?" he asked her in such an aching voice, she realised that, even though he was an Endless, he too wanted to connect with someone, just like everyone else.

"Primarily, because I met you, I suppose."

He gave a bemused laugh that seemed to escape him. She realised she'd not heard him laugh before and she decided she quite liked the sound of it.

"How do you feel?" he asked her softly, his eyes searching hers. "Did I… hurt you?"

Just a little sore from the newness of it all and maybe from tightly locking my legs around your naked back, otherwise I'm… peachy keen.

Of course she didn't say that.

"No, you didn't hurt me," she said, her voice even softer than his. More hesitant too. "I never knew it could be… like that. And for you? Was it…?" Heat stormed her face and her lips stopped moving as if in horror of her audacity what she'd been about to ask.

All trace of amusement left his face. The softness gone, only sharp angles and austere planes remained. His eyes became intent when he purposefully allowed a hand to glide along her throat, then the blade of a shoulder, following her curves… the nip of her waist, the flare of her hip. Then he gently pushed her back and moved over her. Though he said nothing, his eyes spoke volumes, filled with a silent command that was not to be ignored.

She trembled when she could feel him enter her again. Her mind pulled, wanting to rebel against the sensation, but the Lord of Dreams was in full control. And–holy fuck!–the sound he made when he slid in. She decided that was the best sound of all.

And his eyes! Hope felt a brief moment of triumph watching them go dark again. Then pleasure banked and rational thought ceased, only feeling and sensation remained. And wonder when she soon felt another release building.

This time there was no gentle seduction, no finesse. Just a ferocious need. His lips not an inch away, his ragged breaths gusted between her teeth. Need had its claws in them. She held on to his shoulders, then dug her hands into his back, until desperation to feel more made her slip them down to his bare hips, his buttocks… and gripped him tightly, arching to urge him on, to take him deeply.

Before long he drove them both to the brink, then right over the edge into a fracturing kind of bliss that blacked her vision and had her back teeth clamp down to hold back a scream. Only a pent up sob managed to escape.

He held himself still, deep inside of her, and he quietly buried his own groan of release against her throat. In silence, they clung to each other while their bodies quaked, bliss still rippling through her. She wasn't entirely sure she hadn't died because it seemed to take forever before her senses reconnected with her body. When they finally did, she found herself half draped over his chest, her cheek rising and falling with his every breath. She could even feel his heart thump against her skin and she wondered if he liked this sensation. Then she thought that, what she felt now, was not dissimilar to waking up, with this somewhat disoriented feeling, right before all the things of the world sifted back in. No other sound could be heard than their breathing. Her breathing actually, because he'd suddenly stopped his own. Perhaps he allowed himself a brief moment of not having to take anything into consideration at all, including all those bodily functions he had no need for?

But then he suddenly swallowed and gave a barely audible gasp, as if he'd just been flung back into his own body. Gently, a little bit hesitant, Hope laid her hand against his cheek and lifted her head so she could look at him. Their gaze met and she couldn't help but marvel at the tender glow that emanated from his eyes.

Dream turned his head and pressed a warm, lingering kiss against her palm, then closed his eyes and simply breathed her in, before he threaded his fingers through hers. She rested her head against his shoulder and for a long time, that was how they remained.

Hope knew, if Dream were to offer her a boon this time, she would not reject it again.

She also knew what she would ask of him, for she had but one wish… That he would love her forever.

Her last appointment that day should have been a quick one. The two sisters had opted for end-of life counselling by a certified death doula to assist their brother in his final days. They meant no disrespect, blah di blah… and really, it was fine! Hope tried to tell them that, but for some reason the youngest one, Tracy, felt compelled to keep apologising over and over.

Hope smiled in understanding and nodded, her eyes near squinting to be able to see anything in the dimly lit room. Though the afternoon was drawing to a close, the heavy drapes that were drawn over the windows, looked as though they were never moved. She could only guess at the delight of being trapped in this room in the middle of the day with those drapes blocking out most of the sun.

She allowed herself an internal sigh of impatience. After all, she was meeting Hob at The New Inn in about, oh, half an hour… No time for a change and make up then.

Again, her eyes drifted to the kitschy antique clock on the mantelpiece. The piece of junk had to be broken. Even though its hollow ticking filled the room, the bloody hands refused to move! It was either that or she was trapped in some time dilation field where time didn't go forward at all, or at least at a much slower pace than the rest of the world.

Suppressing a wince, she finished her tepid tea, its taste bitter and as uninviting as Beatrice, the elder sister, who sat with her arms crossed and her expression tight. Her greying hair was pulled back tightly into a bun, her face etched with lines of worry and tension that were mirrored on her younger sister's face.

Since Tracy, who managed to apologise after every three sentences, was the more pleasing one to deal with, Hope shifted her attention to her, ignoring the way the woman nervously plucked at the fraying lace of her slightly wrinkled dress.

"There really is no right or wrong choice in this," Hope said, her voice kind but firm. "All you can do, is make this final phase as comfortable as you can for James. And if you feel that either he or you will benefit more from a licensed councillor, then obviously that is the right choice for you to make."

To announce her impending departure, Hope gathered her information leaflets and after offering final sympathies and encouraging words, she practically ran from the house.

A black bird nearly flew right into her and she started screaming, then spent a horrifying few seconds of flailing her hands, briefcase and all, to protect her face… a full year shaved from her life.

"Hope! Stop hitting– Ah! Can you stop, for one moment?"

The familiar whine and a loud caw caught her attention.

"Matthew?" She breathed unevenly. "What the bloody hell?"

"I was going to try and take a peek. See what was taking you so long. How was I supposed to know you were just about to head out?"

With a great show for the dramatic, Hope pressed a hand over her heart. "Please, don't ever do that again? I'm only half immor–"

Oh, wait…

"Never mind. What are you doing here, Matthew?" She then rolled her eyes when a sudden thought hit her. "Don't tell me Morpheus has gone full alpha male on me all of a sudden? He didn't ask you to, eh, check on me, by any chance?"

Matthew perched on her shoulder and ruffled his wings. "No, he didn't. It was Lucienne. She wanted to make sure you were all right."

"Lucienne? She never asked you to take tabs on me before."

Hope started to walk in the direction of the New Inn. If she took a brisk walk she might not be that late. "Wait, or did she?" She ducked her head and lowered her voice when other people walked past her.

"If she ever did, you'll never know."

"Wow."

"Sorry."

A brief check on her watch told her she was making good time. Ugh, it would mean she'd be dead on her feet upon arrival though. Not the greatest way to spend an evening with a friend in a pub.

"So, with you and the boss now… I mean… I guess we'll see more of you in the Dreaming now? And with that I mean the boss will see more of you in the Drea– That did not come out the way I intended."

It was impossible to hold back a snort of laughter and it was too good a moment to pass up on. "The boss already has seen more of me in the Dreaming, Matthew. A lot more."

"You had to say that."

She gave her feathered friend a bright chuckle. "You deserved it!"

"Can I help it when Lucienne gives me orders? You know I can't disobey her. She's so strict!"

"Lucienne would never have you spy on me without me knowing."

"That you know of," Matthew muttered.

Hope stopped dead in her tracks and turned her head so she could look at her small friend.

He stared right back at her.

The strange staring contest garnered them a few strange looks from passers-by. Finally Hope gave a light shrug, making Matthew flap his wings a little to keep his balance.

"Fine," she said and she continued walking again. "Be that way."

"Mervyn is not happy about you and the boss by the way. He's already stocking up on buckets."

"Wow, remind me to thank him for the vote of confidence."

"He's just worried, and I have to admit… so am I. I mean, I like the boss and all, but I like you too and he ain't exactly got the best track record when it comes to relationships. Are you sure you know what you're doing?"

"No, Matthew, I actually have no idea, but I do enjoy it." Hope flicked her tongue against her lower lip. "I love Dee, I do! But, looking back on my life, it feels like I've always lived it in black-and-white. And now, I'm seeing things in colour for the first time."

"Hey, no need to convince me. Just, take care of yourself. Oh, and, eh, Lucienne said to be extra careful. No drinks from strangers, don't walk home alone, don't drink too much, look both ways… those sort of things."

"God, she can be such a mum!" Hope mumbled, glad to see the New Inn loom into view. "You can tell Lucienne I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. And, tell her I'm sorry I won't be able to meet up tonight. Because, well, after this…"

Oh, this will definitely take some getting used to!

"Meeting up with the boss again?" Matthew asked her dryly.

A groan was all she managed to get out. She could already imagine herself becoming so enraptured with love and being in love, that everything else might very well fade to the background somewhat. Something she did not want to happen. Meaning she would have to discuss things with…

She shuddered out a breath. Things would be fine!

"Will you tell Lucienne I will see her tomorrow? I was thinking…" Okay, something fun and cheesy. "Hudson Hawk. And don't let her forget to refill the popcorn!"

Oh, she could not wait to see either Lucienne's or Dee's face seeing that one!

Hob's eyes lit up when she flopped down across from him with a relieved sigh, setting her brown leather brief case on the floor. "Honestly, I love my job," she said, "but you wouldn't believe the last meeting I had today! It took them a whole hour to tell me they wouldn't be hiring me."

Hob's eyes crinkled when he smiled at her and Hope threw back her head with another loud sigh.

"You must be gagging for a drink then." He motioned a passing waitress and went to order her an Espresso Martini, but Hope quickly raised a hand. "Just a Gimlet for me, please."

"Not that the bartender will be complaining, luv, but, are you all right?"

All right was not exactly as she would put it.

She'd been a walking barrel of cliches the entire day: head in the clouds, smiling like a fool, gliding down the street. In fact, she'd walked about her stomping ground, glowing like a medieval saint with happiness! Not a good thing in her line of business. But, her heart had been so full the entire bloody day, it ached!

"Nothing a good night's sleep won't fix. Or better yet, a nice dream," Hope said, reluctantly sitting up straight again, wincing at a slight twinge in her back. She'd never even known she was capable of bending that way.

The crick in her neck and the memory of what Morph… Dream… had done to put it there made her grin and she aimed a smile radiantly, recklessly, across the table, right in Hob's face.

"Oh, bloody hell!" he exclaimed sounding aghast, his eyes wide open. "You look utterly, disgustingly in love! It's him, isn't it? No wonder you were immune to my attentions. Who can compete with tall, pale and handsome? Or in his case, tall, pale and brooding."

"No one," she then admitted. After all, she loved him, and she was impossibly, hopelessly in love with him. And, the most incredible thing of all, he loved her! A notion she simply could not yet comprehend. But, there it was.

Beneath the cold stares, the distant demeanour, the short fuse, she'd discovered a heart as wide as an ocean and as deep as the deepest trenches.

And, if loving him was an unforgivable sin, then she guessed she was doomed.

Hob's initial disappointment was short-lived and he was soon flirting with waitresses and female patrons alike. They talked music, drank from the cup of friendship and basked in the warmth of great company. With a laugh Hope declined when Hob was angling for a double date with her, Dream, him and Dee. All to soon it was time to go and, even though the double date would not be a thing, there was no doubt there would be many more wonderful meetings in the Dreaming. After all, last night had proved they now also had an audience of dreams who wanted to witness them create magic on their violins.

When they walked out of the pub, evening was already slowly setting in, changing the sky from shades of pink and orange to deep hues of wine purple and indigo blue. The street lights flickered on, one by one, casting a warm, cheery glow over the cobblestone streets.

They both stopped right outside the pub, breathing in deeply, taking in the sights and sounds of the city at night. The gently hum of traffic, the chatter of people walking by, and the distant sound of music coming from the pub all blended together.

"What a lovely evening," Hob said, looking up at the sky.

Hope nodded in agreement. "Yeah," she sighed.

"So," Hob said after some time, "last night when I had the most erotic dream I've ever had in six hundred years, of what I believed were Venus and Mars making sweet, sweet love between the stars, so vivid I could taste the sweat on her smooth as silk skin… that was because you and him were… getting it on?"

"Oh, for fuck's sake, Hob!" Hope cried out, heat flooding to her cheeks and neck. "We are so not discussing that! I'm… I'm… I should really go. Good night, Hob!" she called and started to walk away from him.

"Have a good night's rest, Hope. I mean it. Rest! No hanky panky in dreamland! I need you to bring your A-game when next time we bring the place down. Thunderstruck should liven up the place a bit!"

Hope barked out a laugh, turning back to flip him off as she crossed the street.

Then, without warning, without signal, without reason almost, Hob's smile faded from his face and slowly transformed into a look of panic.

Time slowed down and with it her own capacity of thinking, because her wonderment at what might have caused that look took forever to land.

The world became a blur of fast movements, yet in slow motion.

And she didn't know why, but at the exact same moment Hob's expression turned to one of sheer terror, Hope closed her eyes, her hand releasing the brief case. For a brief moment, it was as though all air was sucked out of the atmosphere, leaving her in a vacuum where everything was still and silent.

She only heard the sound of her heart beating in her ears.

The small gasp that escaped from her lips.

Her briefcase hitting the stone with a dull thud.

A car honking, screeching tires.

And then all went black.