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[inklongdry]

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"Arthur Inkwell here.
I've no earthly idea how this thing is supposed to work, but leave me a message if you're so inclined. I'll retrieve it at some point or another!"

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[velluminous]

[ sneezes in his face on her way out.

she hits the ground like a pile of bricks for, like, the third time today. ]

[dreamlord]

[Good riddance. :)

But of course the first thing he does, as she collapses onto the ground, is quickly move over to where Arthur is, checking on him with his brow knitted tightly.]

Arthur. Are you all right?

[You date an Endless and then this is what fate has in store. Even this thought, amid all of his concern, still someone burrows in deep. Does he need help getting to his feet?]

[inklongdry]

[ As Dream had somehow moved him out of harm's way, Arthur had dimly thought to himself that this must be what it feels like to be on the other end of a Rescue. After that, he'd jerked to a stop, swayed in place a bit, and fallen abruptly to his hands and knees.

He only sort of vaguely registers Sprezzatura's body crumpling to the floor, and then Dream is at his side. He inhales a shaky breath, coughing up a bit more blood for his efforts. Ah, seems he hadn't healed himself as well as he'd hoped. ]

I have... been better...

[ Standing feels like so much effort. What if he took a nap on the floor instead... ]

[dreamlord]

[They will have to worry about Sprezzatura later. Right now, he isn't entirely certain if they woke her up, her oni still wouldn't be the one behind the figurative wheel. At least his sand guarantees that she will be sleeping for quite a while.

Dream crouches down, his dark coat pooling around him. He puts an arm around Arthur, as though to keep him steady. In reality, this will also aid with-]

I will take us to my room. You may recover there, or we might find a healer for you.

[Up close, he really looks worse for wear. He feels his chest constrict at the sight of it.]

[inklongdry]

[ His heart aches to have to leave Sprezzatura behind. He doesn't know how much of her awareness she retains when the oni is in control, but even just a little is surely too much. Gods, has she been silently screaming this whole time, a prisoner in the back of her own mind?

He looks past Dream for a moment, to her crumpled form on the floor. He can't be certain who will be in control when she wakes, either. He swallows thickly, and nods. ]

Let's go.

[dreamlord]

[Dream feels the guilt of leaving her there, too. Sprawled out like so much of the mess created in the pool hall. But there's little to do for it now. No doubt they will both follow up with her later, and hopefully there will be far less oni to worry about then.

So he nods, and in a similar fashion to how he arrived--whorling darkness, sand and raven's wings--they are both enveloped by the sensation of night.

But it's dark for only a few seconds. Soon, that darkness recedes, leaving them in the same position, only at the floor of Dream's room in Basilisk. Now, he eases Arthur up to his feet... Slowly, slowly, over to his bed.]

Sit.

[inklongdry]

[ Arthur has used teleportation magicks before, but they have never felt like that. Soon enough the world reasserts itself, and every ache and pain in his body makes itself known.

Getting to the bed is a chore, to say the least. ]

Ah... seven hells. I feel like I've gone toe to toe with the Lord of Levin himself.

[dreamlord]

[Dream may be an Endless, affording him a very useful array of powers, but healing is not one of them — and it makes him feel useless, how very obviously Arthur needs it right now. For now, he stands, stiff with concern, mouth in a thin frown.]

I wish for you to tell me precisely what happened. But first, we must find a way to heal you properly.

[He doubts the man has the energy to heal himself, but perhaps another healer, or a coin spent on the card in the shop—

(For some reason, he feels awful for this having happened at all.)]

You should have called on me sooner.

[inklongdry]

I would have liked to. There simply wasn't the time. The shift from Sprezzatura to her possession was... abrupt.

[ Right. Healing first. He starts digging through is pockets for his phone again. ]

I've the coins for a card. I tried to heal myself, and it wasn't enough.

[ Thanks power nerfs. ]

[dreamlord]

[He's silent, because this realization is hitting him all at once: he never told Arthur about how simple it is to summon him if needed. The thought had not crossed his mind, which was foolish of him. This prison, in which they are thrown into a danger without a moment's notice--]

Arthur... [His voice is low, heavy.] You need only call for me. Say my name, or scrawl it upon parchment. And I will be there, especially for you.

[It is too late now, isn't it? Dream shuffles to his own bedside and sits next to Arthur. Awful feelings intensified.]

I should have said as much earlier.

[inklongdry]

Oh...

[ He's quiet for a moment, phone held loosely in his hand. It's almost absurd to realize it could have been that easy. It would have saved him a lot of hurt. And Clover... oh, poor Clover.

His ears fold back, but in the end, he leans his weight against Dream's side. ]

What's done is done. Rest assured that your name shall be the first upon my lips should I find myself in danger again.

[dreamlord]

[Arthur's warm against him, and it does bring a mote of comfort -- a reminder that he's here now, and not in that blasted pool hall, fending for his own life without anyone to aid him. But the guilt claws deeply. That quiet "oh" of a realization stings, in knowing that he could have saved him so much pain.

Easy to fall into gloom thanks to this thought alone. But Dream reminds himself that Arthur is the one in need of aid right now, that his self-pitying can be saved for later, and he lifts a heavy arm to (gently) wrap around Arthur's middle.]

And I will be there. Swiftly. You have my word.

But for now... what can I do for you?

[inklongdry]

[ Please be mindful of the charred skin on one side. He took a glancing blow from a lightning bolt. (He's going to have to ask Da Vinci for help fixing his clothes, he thinks.)

If he knew what Dream was thinking, he would be quick to try and assuage that feeling of guilt. It wasn't his fault that this happened, and certainly not more than a simple mistake that Arthur didn't know he could call for him. But he doesn't know what Dream is thinking, so instead he just kind of sheepishly holds up his phone. ]

Help me work the blasted prison shop? I'm afraid I don't know how.

[dreamlord]

[Oh, don't worry. Something will slip eventually; it always does with this one.

But for now, he nods, gingerly removing his arm from around Arthur and taking his phone. He may be an Endless, but he is not technologically inept as one might suspect. He has fiddled enough with his own phone that he can manage to exchange a token for a healing card in Arthur's stead without too much difficulty.

And there it is, a little tarot card appearing on cue, spinning gently mid-air, ready to be taken.]

There. I am only sorry you are having to use one of these so soon.

[?? so soon from what]

[inklongdry]

[ Arthur does watch, so he can see how to do it. Once the card appears, he reaches out to take it. ]

On the contrary. 'Tis the first time I've needed one since my arrival.

[ Clearly he's misunderstood whatever Dream meant.

The card vanishes in a burst of light, and Arthur breathes a sigh of relief as his injuries are fully healed. Broken ribs mend, bruises and burn marks vanish. It does nothing for his clothes or for the bone-deep weariness that's settled on him since the adrenaline wore off.

He leans against Dream a bit more. ]

Mm. May I stay for a while?

[dreamlord]

[No, it's not what he means. He means that something bad might have happened to Arthur so soon after being involved with an Endless; as he said, fate is ever unkind when mortals are involved.

But he lets that thought go unspoken, too. Instead, he allows to borrow some of Arthur's relief when the healing takes place, removing pain and injuries alike.

Dream angles and lowers his head, his jawline gently nestled in Arthur's hair.]

As long as you like. Would you like to sleep here? I do not require use of the bed, and you still look so very worn.

[inklongdry]

[ Ah. This is nice. After such a harrowing experience, it's nice to be comforted. To feel safe. He loops his arms around Dream's middle. ]

Ah, I suppose someone like you doesn't sleep, do you?

[ He leans away a little, turns his eyes up at Dream. ]

Still, I would like it if you stayed with me. Here. While I rest.

[dreamlord]

[He catches his gaze, and that look in Arthur's eyes stills his breathing for a moment. What a strange feeling, to still feel guilt but to have it entwined with warmth. Fondness. (Oh gods, it really is happening again.)]

Rest, and sleep. And I will grant you pleasant dreams. You deserve them, after all you have just been through.

[And yes, of course that means he will remain here with him.]

I may still lie here with you, if you wish.

[inklongdry]

[ While Arthur might not have any idea about again, it certainly is happening to the both of them. He catches Dream's gaze in turn, and... oh. He reaches up and rests his hand on the side of Dream's face. ]

You've stars in your eyes.

[ How had he never noticed that before? ]

[dreamlord]

[Instinctively, he leans into that touch, looking down at him with those same, starry-laden eyes. It is, strangely, like looking into a night sky.]

A family trait. [One that only he was given out of his entire retinue of siblings, but it's suited for an Endless called Dream.] Is it distracting?

[inklongdry]

[ It does seem fitting for him. ]

No. I think it's lovely.

[ And distracting, insofar as it's derailed the previous conversation. What if... he leans over for a kiss? ]

[dreamlord]

[If he does? It's clear that any of Dream's hesitations that he harbored beneath the mistletoe are null and void -- even those that were flitting about in his head just a second ago are always swept aside for a moment of affection, of closeness.

So of course he's leaning in to meet it, the mattress shifting a little beneath their weight. This would be more... dangerous of a gesture on the bed, if not for the fact that Dream knows letting Arthur rest is the most important thing right now.

But he can indulge, can't he? The kiss is warm and lingering.]

[inklongdry]

[ He needs this too, just as much as rest. A soft, quiet moment of warmth. Something to soothe away the sharp bite of fear and desperation that had come just moments before.

Arthur is indulging in this just as much as, if not more than, Dream is. And though he eventually pulls away, he doesn't go far. ]

Thank you. For saving me.

[dreamlord]

[He is a little flushed when he pulls away, and he reaches up to brush a bit of hair from Arthur's face.]

You needn't thank me. I am only sorry I came too late.

[Very sorry for it, actually. This man is due very pleasant dreams for a very long time.]

[inklongdry]

[ Let's not talk about Arthur's hair. It's a mess, and definitely in his face. He's going to need a new hair tie. ]

You came right when I needed you.