A/N

DeniiXloveZelda Thank you much for taking the time to review this story! I can't tell you how much it means! Also, hi neighbour! I think I can say that as I'm actually Dutch!

And, ehm, yeah this chapter contains a curveball. All I can really say is, all will be revealed in the end XD

Walking through the palace halls at this time in the Dreaming was a thing of pure marvel. Evening did not only slowly set in outside of the palace, but somehow inside as well. The lights were dimmed a little, casting a softer glow that was easier on the eyes. A calm, peaceful atmosphere seemed to spread through the palace like a fog, enveloping everything in its gentle embrace. Things quieted down, from the rustle of the tapestries to the very echoes of their footsteps, as if the palace itself was preparing for a tranquil retirement for the evening.

It was a silly notion, of course, but the serenity was undeniable.

Except for one thing. Or rather, someone.

"Loosh! Hey Loosh!"

Hope and Lucienne exchanged a meaningful glance before turning around to see Merv scurrying over to them.

"Do you know what's up with the boss?"

"Up with him?" Lucienne furrowed her brow in confusion.. "What do you mean, Mervyn?"

"He asked me to get you two. Guess what he's been doing these past coupla hours?"

Mervyn's expectant look piqued their curiosity. Hope and Lucienne both leaned in, waiting for the revelation. "He's been building!"

"Building? In here? In the palace?" Lucienne's eyes widened with surprise.

Mervyn nodded vigorously. "Yup."

"Well, that is quite peculiar! And he requested our presence?"

"He did. He's in the area where, uh, Hope's old room used to be. He closed the door before I could take a peek. You don't think he created a dungeon, do you?""

Hope let out an exasperated sigh, and Lucienne rolled her eyes. "Don't be ridiculous, Mervyn! Lord Morpheus doesn't create dungeons for his guests. Especially not after he went through the trouble of creating a new bedroom for Hope, knowing fully well that she wouldn't need it while she's here, just to make her feel welcome! So, none of that nonsense, if you please!"

They turned right back around and headed in the direction where her old room used to be. Hope couldn't help but feel a mixture of excitement and curiosity bubbling within her. The palace had always held surprises, and now there was a new one waiting for them.

They soon reached the designated area and they found Morpheus already there, waiting for them. His hands were lightly clasped in front of him, his posture straight as ever, and his face maintained its customary inscrutability. Their eyes briefly met, but Hope quickly averted her gaze, feeling a sudden unease washing over her.

"Thank you for joining me so swiftly," he said in his usual formal manner. There was something different in his voice, a subtle shift that she couldn't quite pinpoint.

"I realize I may have been too hasty in having your previous room removed."

Hope knew he was looking at her, perhaps seeking eye contact, but she found herself unable to meet his gaze directly, her eyes shifting uneasily to the side.

"As was my decision to deny you access to this part of my realm."

Right, as if she would have had that access now if she didn't need it. She shot him a sceptical glare, hoping to convey her lack of conviction in his sincerity.

"I hope your new room is to your liking, and I offer this area as recompense for my earlier... lapse in judgment."

The hint of an apology lingered in his words, but it fell short of a full apology, leaving her somewhat perplexed.

"And since you expressed a wish to share this with my sister, if you will excuse me, I shall call for her and see if she has the time to join you. Yet again."

Hope tasted something in that 'yet again'. Tasted a bit like disapproval.

No, that was not it.

Disgust? No, that wasn't it either. Hope searched through a plethora of negative emotions. Her eyes then widened. It sounded like… envy!

Oh, could he be displeased with her spending so much time with his sister? It could potentially pose a problem because she had no intention of curtailing that particular bond, not in the slightest.

Without another word, Morpheus withdrew from wherever he had come, probably to wallow a bit more in his misfortune in having to put up with her. Indefinitely.

Hope smiled at the thought with maybe a hint of malicious glee.

What could she say? He was a prick!

However, her amusement quickly faded when Lucienne pushed open the massive double doors, revealing a sight that left them both astounded. Hope's jaw dropped, and she instinctively reached out to grab Lucienne's arm, afraid that this breathtaking scene would vanish if she blinked.

Hope did know one thing though… She was an absolute cow!

The room was a true vintage gem. evoking a sense of nostalgia for an era captured in old films and photographs. It exuded a nostalgic charm, reminding her of an era she had only seen in old films and photographs. The walls were draped in rich, moss green velvet, giving the space a touch of opulence and sophistication.

Soft, warm lighting bathed the space, casting a cosy and inviting ambiance. The air carried a faint scent of aged leather, mingling with the delightful aroma of popcorn…

Bloody hell! Popcorn!

Hope hurried over and smacked her hands against the glass, pressing her nose close to be able to see better and perhaps catch a whiff of the delicious goodies. Salt, sweet and caramel, from the looks of it. Bit basic but… Popcorn!

There were three seats in the room, meticulously upholstered in deep brown leather, their polished wooden armrests showcasing the patina of time. Brass-trimmed side tables accompanied each seat, offering a convenient place for drinks and snacks... Popcorn!

And then there was the immense screen at the front, commanding attention with its sheer size.

It dawned on Hope, slowly but surely, that Morpheus had created a cinema room for her—to have a Dreaming-style movie night. Her excitement mounted when she noticed the sleeping bags and fluffy pillows arranged on the carpeted floor, transforming the space into a cosy haven for sleepovers.

Sleepovers!

As she took in the beauty and charm of the cinema room, she couldn't help but feel a deep appreciation for Morpheus' thoughtfulness. It was perfect.

Then her eyes landed on three portraits that hung on the far end wall of the room, and for a moment she forgot how to breathe, and a burning pressure built behind her eyes. For the second time that day she bit down on her lower lip to keep from crying. But she was perilously close and so, by the time her vision dangerously spangled in front of her due to lack of air, she drew in a shuddering breath.

"You've got to hand it to my little brother, he's definitely got a sense of style!"

Oh, God… Now it was Dee who started to show up at the most inopportune times!

She took a step back, ready to bolt from the room because it became physically painful to be here. Before she could make a single move, however, a warm hand landed on her shoulder.

"Oh no you don't! You don't get to weasel away and find a spot to silently cry. If you need to, you can do it right here. No one here's going to judge you."

Fuck!

But it was too late. She was already crying.

The sobs came from the cracks of some shockingly deep abyss somewhere inside of her. And they tore right through her, one after the other, until she thought she was going to choke. Her face became a swollen, feverish mess and her nose was running profusely.

She wasn't even surprised when Lucienne quietly held out a pristine white handkerchief for her.

Hope blew her nose and let the handkerchief take all of her tears until it was hot and soaked.

"May I enquire after the symbolism of the portraits? They are vaguely familiar but… Of course, I do recognise your sigil, my lady, the ankh. And the heart… Oh!"

"Yeah," Death said softly. "What can I say? My brother is a sentimental fool. But never say that to his face because he'll likely implode. Either in anger or shame. Might be worth to give it a try one day. That should cheer you up, Hope."

Hope laughed through her tears. He'd probably meant it a little tongue in cheek, the change from a cross to an ankh, so now the portraits read: Death, Hope, Love instead of Faith, Hope, Love.

And it hit her like a sledgehammer.

In that moment, the weight of her feelings shifted, and she realised she needed to reevaluate her perception of Dream of the Endless.

"Fine, I'll admit it, okay? He's not completely hopeless!"

Hope's breathing became softer, slower, deeper, lulling the atmosphere in the new, freshly created cinema room into a serene stillness. When she sighed a little and turned on her side, a small smile of contentment on her lips, Death recognised the unmistakable signs of slumber. She struggled upright from the floor, at the exact same time Lucienne did.

They both glanced affectionately at their sleeping friend, their grins reflecting a mix of camaraderie and concern.

"Well," Lucienne conveyed in a hushed whisper that barely broke the tranquil air, "that was… a new experience."

Death's shoulders quivered with a subdued laughter, her amusement palpable yet tinged with a touch of melancholy. "For me? Not so much."

She reached out, her hand settling gently on Hope's back, positioned perfectly between her shoulder blades. She focused on that rise and fall of Hope's rib cage beneath her touch, simply enjoying that rhythmic cadence of slumber.

In that quiet moment, Death grappled with a pivotal decision. Whether or not to let Lucienne in on the heavy burden she'd carried silently for eighteen years. It was a painful burden to bear though, and she wasn't at all sure it was the right thing to do, or even fair, to drag Lucienne into this. Uncertainty loomed, but Death really wanted to grasp the opportunity, to take a chance and not let it go to waste, even if it presented as a long shot at best.

For Death knew that, theoretically, it could work.

And if she did want to try this, she needed help. She needed Lucienne.

The colossal screen before them continued to display the rolling credits of Avatar, an otherworldly tableau accompanied by the ethereal soundtrack and vivid imagery of Pandora.

"You know, before Hope, I knew very little of friendship," Death quietly admitted. "I thought I did, but I didn't. In a way, it was my own decision. Mortals and the Endless generally don't mix well, especially in my case. I never allowed myself to become close to anyone because I knew the inevitable pain of goodbyes that would come. Or perhaps I was afraid that once people knew who I really am, they would expect unwarranted favours."

The words hung in the air, blending with the fading echoes of the film's soundtrack.

Death had not done this very often, allowing someone to see a glimpse into the complex interplay that was her existence, and the choices she had made.

"For that precise reason, I refused to let myself grow too close to Hope. I visited her only once a year, just as I was... instructed, by Destiny."

Lucienne's startled expression spoke volumes. "What?" That single word conveying her surprise and curiosity.

"It was Destiny who told me I should visit Hope. He never revealed why, and he still refuses to. The thing is, despite witnessing the hardship of her struggles, her intense loneliness, I couldn't bring myself to bridge the distance. It took years before I was ready to accept the offered friendship. I had no idea of the true extent of how bad it had gotten for her, until Hope revealed it recently. And–"

her voice faltered. Oh, how she wished she could turn back the hands of Time! Knowing that Hope had considered her a beacon of light during the darkest period of her life, the one thing that may very well have prevented them from meeting in a more official capacity, it filled Death with a sense or remorse. Because back then, when their friendship had clearly meant so much to Hope, Death had been too busy keeping her at arm's length to really notice what was going on.

She knew such wishes as turning back Time were futile of course, for dear old Dad held his own immutable laws. For good reason. But still…

"Knowing what I know now, I wish I had been there for her more, instead of wasting so much time keeping her at arm's length. Because, the little time she has left is slipping away, and I wish—I wish I had fully embraced the time we were given."

There, it was out in the open now. Finally.

Death could feel a hot dampness in her eyes. With a delicate touch, she brushed a finger against the corner of her eye, discovering the presence of a solitary droplet clinging to her fingertip. A self-deprecating chuckle escaped her, mingling with a mumbled admission, "Another new experience. Haven't done this in a long time."

"What exactly are you saying, Lady Death?" Lucienne's eyes flickered towards Hope, an unspoken plea for reassurance. "Is Hope… going to die?"

Death responded with a blend of fundamental truth and matter-of-fact inevitability. "Everyone is going to die at some point, Lucienne, even me. As I once told my little brother, when the last living thing dies, I'll put the chairs on the table, turn off the lights and lock the universe behind me when I leave. But, yes, Hope is going to die. Soon."

Lucienne suddenly found the large screen vastly fascinating to look at. Even though Death could see her rapidly blinking her eyes to fight the building moisture.

The Avatar credits still playing, their mesmerizing spectacle suddenly serving as a backdrop to the emotional revelation that was now unfolding in the dimly lit room. It wasn't how Death had intended to end this joyful evening, but she needed help!

Hope's peaceful slumber, thank goodness, remained undisturbed, a blissful state shielded by Dream's watchful guidance. Or so she hoped.

"How soon?" Lucienne finally managed to ask, with a voice just shy of squeaky.

"A few months."

A shiver passed through her, and when she posed her next question her voice was a mere tremor; her eyes searching for answers. "But... how? I mean, isn't she immortal now?"

Death shook her head. "'Fraid not. She's only half immortal. Fatal accidents can still claim her life—drowning, fires, car crashes... the strike of an errant vehicle."

"Is that…?" Though Lucienne didn't finish the question, Death knew what she was asking.

Death completed the unfinished question, her voice carrying the weight of sombre acknowledgement. "Yeah."

Silence draped the room, punctuated only by Hope's gentle stirrings.

Lucienne's voice emerged, filled with an urgency she struggled to contain."But, no offence, my lady… You are Death! Can't you refuse to take her, like Hob Gadling?"

"I could, but I won't. Not without her consent." Death solemnly shook her head. "Hob Gadling made it abundantly clear he doesn't wish to die. Hope, on the other hand, never expressed such desires. And I will not force immortality upon her without her informed consent."

"Then get her consent!" Lucienne hissed through clenched teeth, her eyes flaring like fiery embers in the dimmed cinema room.

"I have already tried, Lucienne! Twice! Defying my own rules in the process! Because, I vowed never to offer immortality for personal gain. It's too slippery a slope. I even took away my nephew's beloved wife, despite knowing how deeply they loved!"

Lucienne held up her hands in surrender and fiercely nodded in Hope's direction.

Oh, crap…

Hope shifted slightly, her sleep, thankfully, undisturbed by the gravity of the conversation surrounding her.

"What happened when you offered her immor...tali...ty…" Lucienne's voice trailed further off after each syllable. Then the faithful librarian and good friend, wearily rubbed at her eyes with a hand.

"Now you're getting it," Death softly said. "And, please, don't blame Dream for this. I waited too long with the offering. If I had done so last time we met, if she had no knowledge at all of boons, rewards" – she suddenly started to laugh and she shook her head – "No, she would not have accepted, even then. Hope would simply have reminded me that, as I have told her many times, every person gets one lifetime. For some it's long, for some it's unjustly short, but one lifetime is all every one gets. She would have told me I have a job to do and I should just do it."

"Not even if you told her she'd not live long otherwise?"

"Especially not then. Perhaps, had we not been friends…"

Lucienne shook her head and scoffed. "Of all the humans you could have befriended, you had to find one with morals."

Death offered a rueful nod of agreement. "Dubious morals though. And blame Destiny for this friendship, not me. Did you know that Hope once pushed a woman down a flight of stairs just to secure her position as a live-in nurse for Burgess?"

The shock on Lucienne's face morphed into a comical mixture of horror and amusement, eliciting a rare laugh from Death. "Her moral compass has its glitches, to say the least."

"I'll say!" Lucienne's gaze turned serious again, saturated with empathy and a desperate desire to find a solution. "Lady Death, is there nothing we can do? If we know the date, perhaps we can persuade Hope to visit the Dreaming, to wait it out, so to speak."

Death gave a sad little shake of her head. "Preordained deaths don't work that way, Lucienne. Even if we manage to prevent the accident, the universe will simply collude and make her meet her end in another awful way some other point after her… due date. It would still come back to me agreeing never to take her."

Lucienne heaved a deep, troubled sigh and hugged her knees to her chest. "There's nothing then? Nothing at all that can be–"

To Death's immense annoyance, Dream chose that moment to abruptly materialise beside them in the room. His presence pulsed with the aura of his authority, as though he'd just used considerate power in his function and he was still reeling himself in. Though he was master in this realm, she did not appreciate him disrupting the conversation she was having with Lucienne.

"Dream! Do you mind? I'm trying to have a private conversation here! Ever heard of knocking?"

In his own realm, that was ridiculous of course. Also, she didn't want to do anything to risk bringing about one of his moods as that would seriously endanger her plan.

"I'm sorry. I apologise, brother. I take it you merely came by to return Hope to the waking world?"

Was it her conscience, or were his eyes particularly searching when he looked at her? "Yes. I felt her slip into a dream a while ago. I did not mean to disturb you. Can I…?"

His eyes flicked towards Hope's slumbering form on the floor.

"Of course. And, Dream? Thank you for organising this. It really made her very happy."

"I am glad," was all he said. It made her want to yell at him that this was not the time to remain aloof and distant. Instead, she had another request for him.

"If you don't mind, I would like to stay here with Lucienne for a bit. There are things I have to discuss with her. Things that concern Hope."

"Anything I should know?" His voice betrayed just a hint of strain, but it was too early to determine if it bode well or not.

"No, not considering the private nature of the topic. Since you are not quite on the same footing with Hope as Lucienne, I do not feel comfortable discussing this with you. I hope you can understand, Dream."

Death could see in her brother the temptation to insist upon the matter. The battle within him was reflected in his eyes, though his features betrayed nothing. Death could tell that, now she'd said she couldn't tell him, he desperately wanted to know what Lucienne was about to hear. Yet he knew, he had to know, he could not persuade her. With all of his powers to change and re-arrange reality within the Dreaming itself, he could not order her reality to be anything other than what it was.

Her brother inclined his head, ever so slightly. "As you wish. I shall intrude upon your privacy no longer." With that he procured his bag of sand from the depths of his cloak and he sprinkled a liberate amount of its contents around Hope. It might have looked just like your regular old sand, were it not for the tell-tale shimmer that betrayed it was anything but. He stooped to gently lift her friend's body in his arms, with an effortless grace as if he did nothing more but pick up a light, fluffy pillow.

Just as the sand started to swirl around them, Hope flung out an arm around him and snuggled her face into the crook of his neck with the same trust of a slumbering child. She inhaled deeply, and whatever her brain registered, it did not alarm her. Instead she mumbled, "Here, have a lemon."

Dream froze and, right before they disappeared, Death noted a look of wonder with a hint of alarm on his face.

With the coast now clear, both Death and Lucienne erupted in a nervous fit of giggles.

"Let's take a walk to the library, shall we?" Death suggested, indicating the room they were standing in, the large screen now darkened. Their movie-night was now truly over and she still had things to discuss.

Leaving the cinema room behind them, the two of them made their way through the palace, Lucienne finding her way through the maze-like layout without faltering or erring even once until they finally reached the huge stained glass doors leading to the library. This was Lucienne's domain within the domain of her brother. Here, not Dream ruled, but a kind, strict, sometimes prickly Head Librarian. Here there was privacy to be had.

"Lady Death, may I enquire as to why you did not inform Lord Morpheus about… about the fact that's Hope's visits here may not be of the permanent nature we first came to expect?" Though she tried to sound formal, there was also a hint of sorrow buried in both her words and her tone.

"I did not inform my brother, because I have no intention at all to have Hope's visits be anything but permanent in nature," she replied, her voice grave.

"But, I thought you said…?"

"I know what I said, Lucienne, but–" Death lowered her voice and, noticing the large wooden reading table and the comfortable dark brown leather chairs surrounding it, she walked over to it and sat herself down. Lucienne followed her example across from her and, at nearly the exact same time, they both leaned over the table, closer to each other.

"For years I've been walking around with this terrible burden. I've looked at it from all angles and the only conclusion I was ever able to reach, was that I would very soon have to let her go and say good bye. And then she did the one thing I never would have guessed or even imagined… she broke out my brother and set him free."

Lucienne did not respond immediately. Death could see how hard she was trying to connect the dots, but failed. "I'm afraid I do not see the relevance, my lady."

"That's okay, Lucienne, neither did I. Not at first." She gave a self-deprecating shake of her head. "I was so happy when Dream told me he'd accidentally made Hope half immortal. Until I realised half immortal is not the same as fully mortal."

She then heartily clapped her hands together. "So, the problem in a nutshell… Hope's death-day is fast approaching and she would, quite literally, rather die than accept my reward of immortality. Because, thanks to Dream, she goes into anaphylactic shock when she so much as even hears the word boon. You with me so far?"

"Yes."

"The solution, as it turns out, is deceptively easy, and, I'm afraid, just as impossible to bring about. We have to make her want it desperately. So much in fact, that she will gladly accept it when it's offered again."

"Do you… have anything in mind?" Lucienne asked her carefully.

"I do. But, I have to be honest with you. It's a long shot. A Hail Mary. And, there might not be enough time to pull it off."

"Can you please… just… tell me, this is my friend too we're–!" She stopped talking abruptly. Yanking herself back like a dog on a lead. Death couldn't help but smile at the feisty librarian whose words had acquired a fascinating whiff of impatience and had begun to escalate in volume.

"You know, my brother can be very ornery in his ways. Tell him to go left and he'll insist on going right. Though he's a stickler for protocol and rules, there is one rule he can't seem to abide. A rule that, should he dare to break it again, will not go unpunished."

Lucienne's eyes grew large and her dark skin paled just a little. "Are you suggesting what I think you are suggesting?"

"Love between a mortal and an Endless is forbidden. Dream knows there will be consequences should he break that rule again. If they do fall in love, and Hope finds out there is no way to be with him as long as she's still mortal…"

"She might want to renege on your offer, or maybe even ask for immortality herself? Do you think she will? She's so adamant in that particular regard."

"We already know her moral compass can be swayed. And the biggest reason she won't accept a boon now, is because she doesn't trust Dream to not turn it against her. If they fall in love, that becomes a moot point. But, even then, I don't think she will ever ask for it herself. She's as stubborn as a GPS that insists on recalculating, even when you're already at your destination. She really has that particular trait in common with Dream."

"I have no idea what to make of any of that, but if you mean she's stubborn as all hell, then you are absolutely right!"

Lucienne then became very quiet, hand pressed to her lips as if deep in thought. And, as Death waited for Lucienne to reveal her thoughts on this, she knew a relief that moved her beyond measure. It felt so good to finally be able to confide in someone!

"It won't be easy." Lucienne hiked a brow. "Perhaps your sibling, the Honourable Desire, might want to help us out?"

Death snorted at the honorific. There was nothing honourable about Desire, even though it pained her to admit this because she did love them. Of course, one could hardly refer to them as lord or lady. They'd come up with honourable instead.

"No," she said, once she got past that ridiculous title, "it's the surest way to make certain our plan falls apart. Whenever Desire is involved, especially in Dream's love life, only heartbreak and ruin will follow."

Lucienne leaned back in her chair. "How else can we bring this about? Love is firmly within Desire's purview."

"That's what they like to make everyone believe. The opposite is true. Though, yes, love can fall within Desire's function, it's mostly a wild card for them. And they hate it!"

Now the librarian crossed her arms and Death could cry with relief. Because, her entire posture, the questions she was asking, the suggestions she came up with… it proved, without a doubt, she was fully on board. All that was really missing was a nice cup of tea to cement their common goal.

"I'm not sure I understand."

"The true nature of love, true love, as it was ordained by the Creator, has been long established in scripture." Death then proceeded to quote it, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails… Does any of that even remotely reflects Desire?"

"Wow!" Lucienne appeared properly impressed. "No, that does not sound like Desire at all."

"And that's why we have to keep them out of this. We're not after their kind of love, we're after the true, abiding, ever-lasting kind." Suddenly she directed a beaming smile at Lucienne. "And wouldn't it be wonderful if we managed to pull this off? It's the one thing Dream ever truly yearned for, and I think, if Hope would allow herself to even consider the possibility, it's what she wants too. More than anything."

"I have to confess, I don't want to see him suffer alone as he has before. If you really think this could work, you can count me in! But, if we can't ask Desire for help… How do we pull this off? They don't even like each other!"

"That's where you are wrong, my friend. They may not like each other but they are most definitely interested! Hope even by her own admission. Remember what she said about first meeting my little brother? How it sent her straight back into her Hades slash Persephone obsession? She's had a major crush on that particular deity for about as long as I've known her! Dream reminds her of Hades. She's attracted to him, whether she wants to admit to or not."

Lucienne stifled a laugh at the mere mention of Hades. "If only she knew the real Hades is really not that hot."

Death shrugged her shoulders. "Love, apparently, is also blind. Just like Destiny. Hey, they are happy together. Even more so now people no longer believe in them and Persephone no longer has to spend half year of each year topside. They only have their current residents to look after."

"Assuming Hope does have such feelings for… Lord Morpheus. What about him? If I have to be honest, I've not detected any kind of tender feelings in him for her."

"I have. You should have seen the look on his face when she walked away from him. And I know Dream, once he manages to get past his initial reservations, when he sees for himself how wonderful she is… We won't need to prod him at all. He'll fall smack dab in love with her all by himself."

"How do you suggest we approach this?" Lucienne asked, tapping a finger against her chin in thought.

"With Hope, the more similarities we can draw between the lonely, love-starved Hades and my little brother, the better. It's absurd how much they have in common! That was a joke, by the way. Though it wouldn't hurt, I suppose. But, all Hope really wants is to be seen. And what Dream did for her, creating that cinema room? I'd say that's a very good start. As for Dream, all he needs is to see the depths of her compassion and her ability to love. He'll be in love before you can even say Tartarus."

"Perhaps we should also subtly warn him not to go after Hope, by way of encouragement," Lucienne suggested. "Since the only way he ever does what he's supposed to do, is by telling him not to do it."

"Good thinking!"

"And I believe I have inadvertently given us a head-start with the drawing similarities between your brother and Hades. I may have given Hope a graphic novel depicting the rather, eh, steamy, love story between him and Persephone. It even futures a raven. And Hades is dressed all in black and is depicted as stoic as your brother."

Death gave Lucienne a beaming smile. "My brother really doesn't appreciate you enough, Lucienne. Well done! If we can keep nudging them along like this, we might succeed after all!"

In the meantime, Dream carefully laid Hope's slumbering form on her bed. His attention was momentarily drawn to the details of his surroundings. The room was only decorated with functional furniture, and it breathed a sense of simplicity and order. He looked back at Hope and hesitated briefly, then he gently grasped a booted foot, feeling the weight and texture of the black block heel ankle boot as it slipped off. With a deliberate and careful touch, he repeated the process with her other foot, divesting her of the second boot. Finally, he meticulously covered her with the folded counterpane, ensuring she was comfortably tucked in.

For a moment he stared down at her, then leaned in very close. His curiosity had him settle for a slight frown while he studied her face, now relaxed in slumber.

He could not deny she puzzled him, especially now he'd made the decision to no longer distrust her. Not as much, at least.

But, he did wonder about her.

Like: what could his sister possibly have to discuss with Lucienne about her? And why was he not to know? The force of his scrutiny should have enabled him to see right into her soul, but alas, all he could see was her face.

Though, admittedly, she had a very fine complexion, her face was quite ordinary. No man would swivel his head around to gawk at her before stumbling over their own feet, so to speak.

And yet, as he looked at each facet of her face, he found that in each detail there was something pleasing to look at. But it did not give him any answers to why she was so important to his sister.

How had this friendship begun? Why and when had it taken root?

She had rejected his generous offer to reward her with a boon, quite violently in fact. Would she have done the same had his sister wished to grant her immortality? According to her, she'd never offered it and her friend had never asked her for it either.

Which also puzzled him.

Mortals, generally, were not all that self-sacrificing. Though her actions belied an untrustworthy disposition, he could think of no other reason why a mortal would be willing to risk so much, accept such a fate, for someone they did not even know.

That was not even considering the corrosive, ugly suspicion about that particular moment he could taste on his tongue, a bit metallic, like blood.

Because, the more he thought back to it, the more he knew for certain that Hope had somehow orchestrated it all. She had not been a helpless victim in that dark basement, that much was for sure.

Could she really care that much for his sister?

A dangerous thought for him, because it inevitably made him wonder… what it must feel like to be the object of such affection, such devotion. To have someone who cared about him so profound, so deep.

To have. To hold. To…

With a harsh intake of air, Dream instantly pulled himself upright again and he took a big step backward. The violent up-and-down movement of his Adam's apple actually made him wince in discomfort.

After a last lingering look, Dream transported himself back to his own realm. Where it was much safer to be.