Dream steps directly into his chamber next to the chaise and realizes that Hob's goblet is still in his hand. He stares into the contents for a moment before taking another sip.
He... may never see Hob again.
And if that is true, then Hob will never know...
Dream is going to Hell to right a grievous wrong. But what good does it do him to leave another wrong in his wake? One he might never be able to right? Is he just trading righting one wronged love for creating another, less of a wrong though this is?
He feels Hob at the blurred boundary of his realm and pulls him back into his dream with force.
Hob lands on his feet in the same cavernous room with the old computer and the massive fireplace but he's been yanked so suddenly he is wearing what are no doubt his pajamas and his current haircut. The rougher facial hair makes something inside Dream flare brighter and he is standing next to Hob faster than he could walk there.
Confused brown eyes look to him. "The bottle... was it on my nightstand? Did I really wake up at all? If so, why am I back here, wearing this now? And you came back?"
"Hob Gadling," he says as he steps even closer, making those warm, welcoming eyes widen as Hob gasps. "I would not leave to right a wrong and yet create another wrong in my wake."
The confusion deepens. "What are y-"
Dream puts his hand on Hob's chest and takes up his lips in a kiss, very effectively silencing him. He lingers only a moment, barely more than a human heartbeat.
He meets Hob's stunned-yet-hopeful gaze and smiles. "My name is Dream of the Endless. I am the unconscious of all things, the maker and master of dreams and nightmares alike. The wine is real because dreams define reality and I am dreams. This," he presses his hand firmly to Hob's chest as he says it and Hob's own hand pops up to hold it there, "is real. And if it is within my power I will come back to you."
Dream takes Hob's hand from atop his own and brings the knuckles to his lips. "But in case I cannot, I am sorry that I have only now found the courage to tell you how much you mean to me."
Hob's eyes gleam with unshed tears. "And how much is that?" He croaks.
He wants to stay strong, but the sweet, honeyed hope that seeps into Hob's voice and expression cleave into him and Dream dashes in to kiss his friend again. He tries to convey all that he feels in the slide of their lips and tongues, in how tightly he still grips Hob's hand.
Dream pulls away reluctantly. "More than you know," he whispers as he steps back. Hob's startled, happy sob lances through him as a joyous pain. It makes Dream smile, wider this time, and bring his hand up to kiss it again as he bows to Hob. "I will take this moment with me, dear Hob. Know that it will provide comfort on the long journey I have ahead."
Hob opens his mouth to speak, but Dream fears that anything his friend might say in this moment would make his resolve crumble. So he smiles at Hob again and whispers, "This dream is over."
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