Sweeter than the First Time [Open to All]

[applesaucemod]

Hello, dreamers of Manhattan. The Rift knows that things have been kind of rough, lately. The last dream didn't go as well as it had hoped. Consider this an apology of sorts, and a hearkening back to the good times you've shared.

It's a grand old (and potentially familiar) cabin house that the dreamers will find themselves wandering. The furniture is plentiful and comfortable, the floors are strewn with cushions and blankets, and there are cheerful fires burning in the grates. It seems a little odd that the house still manages to be on the chilly side despite looking so warm, yet it is.

Oh, well. You'll just have to find another dreamer or two and spoon up and fall asleep like little baby cats get cozy. It shouldn't be difficult; most of the dreamers (excepting those with strong telepathic defenses or deeply ingrained cuddle-averse personalities) will find themselves feeling friendlier than usual, along with an almost overwhelming desire to snuggle up to someone. How convenient that the house seems designed for that very purpose!

And if some of the cushions are Hello Kitty themed, well, that's just coincidence.


[OOC: Standard dream party rules apply. Characters will be affected by the dream-whammy to whatever degree makes the most sense for them, and will remember or forget the events of the dream at the player's discretion. Backtag into infinity.]

Comments

[peacefulexplorer]

Yes, well, and that's the core of it, isn't it? Seth doesn't want to be helpless, he doesn't want to be dependent on others, even if that means becoming dependent on substance rather than the company he keeps.

"I know," Daniel echoes quietly, eyes dropping again. He's seen the interior of Seth's mind and the ripples of his remembered trauma, the hollow kind of despair of being kept in walls dull and gray for months on end. "And that'll never happen. You wouldn't let it, and neither would we."

Fierce reassurances can only take one so far in hypothetical circumstance. Daniel's tone softens as he goes on, "It just - this doesn't have to be your life. You can't spend it existing in a constant state of fear that they'll find you again. That's just not tenable and, and what's more is - it won't happen."

[powerdealer]

Seth remains quiet in the face of Daniel's reassurances. He knows he can't really argue against it. But that doesn't change the way he feels. It doesn't make it all that easier. Tenable or not, it's difficult for him to envision anything different. That all his decisions won't be informed by the possibility. That it won't stop him from becoming complacent, or content, or optimistic. It might be part of the reason he can't bring himself to do anything about his feelings for Daniel. He shoulders draw up further as he chews on his lip.

"D'you know, uh," he starts, staring at the floor. "Just last week, the amount of time I've been free finally surpassed the time I spent working for the rebels..." He's counting his voluntary involvement in that as well, but that's how long they benefitted from his power. He doubts they've forgotten about him in that time.

"It just... It hasn't even been half a year since I got out." Which may seem like a long time, but he feels like he's spent a lot of it just becoming functional. Which, really, he still isn't reliably. He doesn't feel ready to give up his crutch. People spend that much time getting over a singular traumatic event. He needs to get over several months worth of traumatic events and conditioning.

[peacefulexplorer]

Worked for is a very specific form of phrase that in Daniel's mind really only applies to the time before Seth was held against his will. It's said without enthusiasm or pride or relief or anything, just empty words and a meaningless date.

"But it's been longer since you have," Daniel reminds him. "Most people wouldn't even have the strength to put themselves back together after going through that, but you did." It's the praise that people who have been damaged seldom recognize, but that doesn't mean Daniel won't still point it out, as long and as often as he needs to for Seth to start believing it. "Do you understand how brave that is?"

[powerdealer]

Seth shakes his head a little. Whether it's him disgreeing or just answering is up for interpretation. He doesn't feel particularly brave, and he doesn't feel particularly put-together. He might take some pride in managing to have gotten one over them, or rather having gotten out from under them, but brave? He's not sure about that.

He realises suddenly he's been slowly ripping apart a post-it note, and stills his hands. The desire for physical contact is slowly becoming overwhelming. He knows it's because of the dream, but the conversation isn't exactly helping. They're still sitting shoulder-to-shoulder but somehow that's not really enough.

"Maybe," he answers finally, though it's in response to an earlier question, so he clarifies. "Maybe I'll find some other way to deal with it. Just... not yet, okay?"

He's just gone through about half a withdrawal, he has no desire to go through a full one anytime soon. And not without first making assurances and backup plans. And, well. He'd have to tell Gabriel. It's that or lie to say he's given his powers away, because if Gabe's gonna help protect him, he surely needs to know about Seth being defenseless. And he doesn't want to lie to Gabriel any more than he has, and it would just bring up a load of questions about why.

[peacefulexplorer]

The post-it note Seth's been steadily shredding gets a brief look but Daniel says nothing. Maybe is hardly a set-in-stone guarantee, but it's also still rather soon since Seth's withdrawal scare. Putting some distance between himself and that unpleasant affair might be the first step to accepting that he doesn't need to be dependent.

"Not hopeless," he says with another, slightly more successful smile that he hopes comes off as supportive. "It might not feel like you're brave to have gone through what you did but that's the truth of it." He lays his hand on Seth's shoulder in a motion that can't seem to decide if it wants to be comforting or a display of manly camaraderie, so it simply rests there in confused indecision for a minute. "And I'll keep saying it until you to believe it."

[powerdealer]

When Daniel puts his hand on Seth's shoulder, he releases a breath he didn't realise he'd been holding, and he relaxes fractionally. He gives Daniel a brief but grateful smile. "Thanks," he answers. After a moment he adds, "for, for everything."

He's pretty sure Daniel has a higher opinion of Seth than he actually deserves, but he appreciaties the support nonetheless. The unwavering support and comfort. Especially lately.

[peacefulexplorer]

The smile resolves into something a little more complete and he gives Seth's shoulder a little squeeze before relaxing back into the armchair, their moment of conversational intensity having elapsed. This dream is pleasant and inviting, and Daniel intends to enjoy it with Seth for as long as it lasts.