like atonement for a bygone sin - Dream/Hob
Chapter 4/? | Teen and Up | No Warnings Apply | 26.8k
Naturally, Hob disproved that theory quickly with a sheepish tug on his ear and a smile that spoke too much. “Well,” he said. He avoided Dream’s gaze, eyes trained on the table between them. “Been here since 1989, actually.”
The only response he could come up with to that was, well, not much of a response at all. He stared unblinking at Hob, whose eyes flicked to his and then back down quickly. Thirty three years. Hob—Hob waited thirty three years for him.
For Dream, who forsook him years ago. For Dream, who Hob dared to call ‘friend’ once despite knowing nothing substantial about him. For Dream, who treated him cruelly out of nothing but fear. Who, ultimately, did not deserve such faith, such loyalty, and certainly not from Hob.
Dream of the Endless learns how long Hob Gadling waited for him to return. With some outside help, he comes to a conclusion: he owes Hob a debt, and will repay it with meetings. Thirty five meetings, for every year he failed to turn up, for 1989, and for ruining 1889.
Hob Gadling is just happy his Stranger wants to see him more often, and has no idea about this apparent debt.
Tags: Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Post-Episode: s01e06 The Sound of Her Wings (The Sandman TV), aftermath of imprisonment, Guilt, Dream of the Endless | Morpheus is Bad at Feelings, POV Alternating, Good Friend Hob Gadling, Dream of the Endless | Morpheus has Depression, Depression, Dream of the Endless | Morpheus has PTSD, Slow Burn, Developing Friendships, Hob Gadling Has Abandonment Issues, Forgiveness, Self-Worth Issues, Other Additional Tags to Be Added, Pining, Names as a symbol of trust, Professor Hob Gadling, Hob Gadling Loves Dream of the Endless | Morpheus, Hurt/Comfort, Post-Episode: s01e10 Lost Hearts (Sandman), Dream of the Endless | Morpheus Needs A Hug, Mild Blood, Minor Injuries, Additional Warnings In Author's Note, Picnics
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