{"id":7315,"date":"2018-06-25T09:00:09","date_gmt":"2018-06-25T13:00:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/?p=7315"},"modified":"2018-06-24T23:35:18","modified_gmt":"2018-06-25T03:35:18","slug":"a-realm-unexplored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/a-realm-unexplored\/","title":{"rendered":"A Realm Unexplored"},"content":{"rendered":"

by\u00a0Okamoto Shin (\u5ca1\u672c\u8f9b)
\nillustrated by beili<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cAre you even paying attention back there or are you just daydreaming?\u201d the man snapped to the skinny and scruffy-looking barista standing behind the counter. \u201cAre you all idiots here or is it just you?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison stepped forward, his hands moving in an abortive gesture towards the counter and then he stopped, uncertain. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, sir,\u201d the barista said smoothly, turning a smile on the customer. \u201cWhat appears to be the problem?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI asked for a large cappuccino; this is a latte,\u201d the man said. He turned out his cup in one angry gesture so that Jamie could see it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Back off<\/span><\/i>, Harrison wanted to say, but his mouth stayed closed, even as he tentatively moved closer to the pair. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ll get that fixed for you right away,\u201d the barista said, taking the cup. Within a few minutes the man and his cappuccino walked out of the caf\u00e9 and the barista turned back to his other drinks. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHarrison, Americano,\u201d the barista said. Harrison awkwardly waved a hand and then scooted up to the counter. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s me. Thanks, Jamie,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie favored him with a bright smile. \u201cSorry about the wait, sir,\u201d Jamie said. \u201cThanks for being so patient.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison steeled himself for the brief but best part of his morning\u2014the moment where Jamie\u2019s fingers touched his, sending little sparks up and down Harrison\u2019s skin. Just like every other time, it left Harrison faintly breathless, like his lungs had forgotten how to work.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a problem,\u201d Harrison said when his mouth could move again, but Jamie had already moved onto the next drink, his broad back turned towards Harrison. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Harrison said quietly to Jamie\u2019s back and then headed out, neatly side-stepping a group of women hurrying in for a cup before work started. <\/span><\/p>\n

When Harrison got outside, he took a deep breathing, closing his eyes. \u201cStupid,\u201d he told himself. He allowed himself a little day dream\u2014maybe tomorrow he would have the perfect witty thing to say to Jamie, making Jamie laugh. <\/span><\/p>\n

Maybe then Jamie would remember his name. Maybe he\u2019d start up a conversation with Harrison next time. Maybe? Maybe. <\/span><\/p>\n

All just a pipe dream. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison sighed and forced himself to move. Any more delaying and he\u2019d be late for work anyways. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work was a mess\u2014the latest software update had been buggy, which meant that Harrison spent most of his day listening to people at the office complain at him that it was his fault that their documents and spreadsheets kept crashing. Harrison nodded and smiled politely at all of them and did his best to recover their work. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison\u2019s boss was also in a bad mood, snapping at Harrison as if Harrison had personally downloaded malware onto each of Zygatech\u2019s computers. But Harrison put on his best smile, gritted his teeth and nodded along to each of his boss\u2019s inane requests. By afternoon, it was even worse, his fellow colleagues irritable and everyone seeming to be constantly making underhanded remarks. If bad moods could catch, this one had caught fire and was currently setting a state record. In every office that Harrison went to, each person seemed to view the computer bugs as Harrison\u2019s personal attack on their productively. <\/span><\/p>\n

Frankly, it was exhausting\u2014each interaction seeming to sap away at Harrison\u2019s strength. Only as it got close to quitting time did Harrison realize he\u2019d been feeling cold all day\u2014as soon as he thought it, he brought his hand up to his forehead and almost groaned in annoyance when he realized that it was more than just a little warm. On top of everything, he was getting sick. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

By the time that Harrison made his way home to his small apartment, the dull sense of exhaustion had deepened to a wave of fatigue. His entire body felt faintly tender, as if after a hard workout. He headed to his room, a small affair with a nice view of the nearby park, but Harrison could only focus on moving one foot in front of the other. When he could barely keep his eyes open, he abandoned all thoughts of making dinner, took off his shoes and sat on the bed. <\/span><\/p>\n

He really shouldn\u2019t sleep before dinner, he reminded himself. But just a small nap couldn\u2019t hurt, right? His sheets were so comfortable and soft. They practically called his name. And that logic seemed sound, so decision made, he lay back on the bed, asleep almost as soon as he touched the covers. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Harrison woke up to a loud explosion, the air ringing as distant air raid sirens went off. Under attack\u2014they must be under attack. There wasn\u2019t even time to question it\u2014it must have been a city-wide bombardment. He looked down\u2014he wore hiking boots and had on his backpack slung around one shoulder. Good. He should get out of the city, right? One was supposed to evacuate when someone was bombing the city, right? Or should he stay? Was it safer to stay where he was and ride out the attack?<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison hesitated, unsure of which direction to take, when a shock of light briefly flooded the room before another explosion went off, this one closer and even louder, causing the floor to shudder beneath Harrison\u2019s feet. <\/span><\/p>\n

Leave. He definitely needed to leave. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison ran down the stairs of his building and even before he reached the front doors, he could see the throngs of people running in the street before him. Outside, bursts of screams and noise (<\/span>shells<\/span><\/i>, his brain helpfully supplied) filled the air, and Harrison could only watch in shock as a mass of people ran down the street, away from the loudest of the noises, towards what\u2014safety? Just away? <\/span><\/p>\n

And then a terrible scream came up\u2014people screaming together\u2014and the crowd began to thin until it was almost gone completely, just a few stragglers sprinting down the street, their heads turning back to check behind them. Harrison turned to look as well, a heavy dull feeling in his stomach. But Harrison realized that there was no use trying to brush the horror away as down the street, a few blocks away, a thing turned the cover and came fully into Harrison\u2019s vision. <\/span><\/p>\n

The thing moved\u2014no, galloped\u2014down the street, as its bottom half was undoubtedly formed like a horse with four legs stretching at least ten feet tall and dark brown hoofs capable of crushing a person without even pausing. The top half was monstrous\u2014a giant of a thing with a human-esque torso, but a face dominated by long brown and blue mottled snout and gnashing white teeth that dripped blood down the sides of the snout, red seeping lines that ran down the creature\u2019s neck. Its arms were covered with thick, dark hair, and its hands ended in grasping sharp claws where its fingers should have been that shone like honed metal. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison shrank against the side of the building. His mind filled with white, blank terror. It only increased when the creature opened its snout fully, letting forth a roiling dark cloud of fire that obscured his vision. Harrison felt like he was inside of an oven, despite the distance between them. <\/span><\/p>\n

He barely kept himself upright as the creature kept galloping, coming closer and closer. Suddenly, it passed him by, grunting and snarling, and then it was gone just as it had come, leaving only silence and the rush of blood in his ears. <\/span><\/p>\n

He had to run\u2014he needed to get out of here before that thing came back. Or another one like it. That directive was the only one that Harrison knew with certainty. So, he took off, heading in the opposite direction that the creature had went. He easily marked the path of the creature by the charred bits of building where he could see that the flames had left dark, ugly marks and shattered windows.<\/span><\/p>\n

The streets were wholly deserted now and Harrison tried not to let that thought panic him (although a little voice in the back of his head couldn\u2019t help but speculate if that meant that everyone else was dead). When he finally saw a man crouching down after several blocks of running, Harrison couldn\u2019t help but slow down in partial relief even as Harrison wondered why the man wasn\u2019t running for his life like every other person that Harrison had seen since he\u2019d first come out of his apartment. <\/span><\/p>\n

The man didn\u2019t even look up at Harrison\u2019s approach\u2014instead he was focused on a large blue backpack next to him and a flat, black disk on the ground that he poked at haphazardly. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison debated interrupting the stranger or just letting him be, when he caught a glimpse of the man\u2019s face and came to an abrupt stop. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie?\u201d Harrison asked. Jamie didn\u2019t look up, but now that Harrison was close, he could see that it was definitely him. \u201cEx-Excuse me, Jamie?\u201d Harrison said. His voice was too quiet and Harrison sternly told himself that he did not have time to waste. \u201cJamie,\u201d Harrison said more firmly and then raised his voice one more time. \u201cJamie! I don\u2019t know what\u2019s going on, but you\u2019ve got to get out of here now. It is not safe at all\u2014I just saw this horrible thing. Monster. I don\u2019t even know.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie finally looked up at that and his brows furrowed as he looked at Harrison, then down to his own body and back to Harrison. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou can see me?\u201d he said. His voice had changed somehow, deepening ever so slightly with a hint of a burr to it that Harrison couldn\u2019t place.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes? Um, Jamie, you remember me, right? From the caf\u00e9?\u201d Harrison said. Was that too forward? Jamie must have had tons of customers that came in on a regular basis. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh,\u201d Jamie said. \u201cI see. What is your name?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHarrison,\u201d Harrison said. He tried to ignore the streak of hurt that flashed through him. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHarrison,\u201d Jamie said, as if he was testing out the weight of it and the burr was there again, even stronger. \u201cWell, Harrison\u2014sorry, excuse me one moment.\u201d He looked back down to the ground and pressed a button on black disk that made a brief light flare up, then turned the disk a bright shade of red. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie, we\u2019ve got to get out of here,\u201d Harrison said a little more desperately. \u201cYou don\u2019t understand about the monster back there, a giant horse, thing\u2014I don\u2019t know\u2014but we need to move.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie stopped what he was doing and looked back at Harrison, cocking his head slightly. \u201cWould you say that it resembled a large centaur?\u201d He pressed another button that made the disk turn purple this time, then stood up.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnly in my worst dreams,\u201d Harrison said, his feet itching to move. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie grabbed the bag. \u201cCentaurs? So soon?\u201d He didn\u2019t seem to want an answer to his question because he immediately asked another one. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWould you mind walking this way with me? Excellent,\u201d he said as he propelled Harrison across the street and Harrison let himself be led, feeling more than a little off-kilter and numb. Jamie then proceeded to pull another black disk out of the backpack that he lay on the ground and pressed buttons. This one turned purple briefly and then flared out yellow on both sides. Harrison watched as one side of the yellow light reached back to the other disk and then spread out again from it, flaring when that presumably reached another of the disks in the distance. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2014\u201d Harrison started and then went white because he could see not just one or two, but five of the same horse beasts from earlier galloping towards them. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get out of here now\u2014Jamie, are you listening, I saw one of those earlier\u2014we need to leave!\u201d He knew that he was babbling, but Jamie looked so calm and unaffected that Harrison reached out for one of his arms and started to pull him. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, no, it\u2019ll be fine,\u201d Jamie insisted even as Harrison tried to point out that it wouldn\u2019t be. Those creatures were coming closer. There would be no hiding and Harrison and Jamie would absolutely be burned to a crisp or trampled. <\/span><\/p>\n

Just when Harrison knew that they were done for, the creatures about to converge upon them, the disks all flared up as each of the horse beasts hit an invisible wall and fell back. Angry, each of them opened its mouth and Harrison ducked down, only to watch as once the smoke hit the invisible shield that the disks made, the smoke immediately turned into sparkles that rained down on them. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat the fuck is going on,\u201d Harrison said slowly. He rarely swore, but this situation most definitely called for it. Jamie\u2019s attention snapped back to him, a slightly sheepish expression on his face. \u201cThis can\u2019t be real.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m afraid not,\u201d Jamie said. \u201cOr maybe I\u2019m afraid that it\u2019s not real. I\u2019m not really sure which is the correct answer here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie,\u201d Harrison tried. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFirst things first,\u201d Jamie said. \u201cI\u2019m not your friend Jamie. This is just a dream. Your mind has just gifted his appearance to me temporarily.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison stared. \u201cThis can\u2019t be a dream. I know what a dream feels like,\u201d he said eventually. \u201cThis is too real. No dream has ever been this vivid.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Not-Jamie pursed his lips. \u201cRight now, we\u2019re in False Awakening, which is why it feels like that.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFalse Awakening?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s that space between a normal dream and when you get up\u2014generally an inconsequential amount of time when you think that you\u2019ve woken up and started your day, when really, you\u2019ve just been dreaming,\u201d Not-Jamie said. \u201cI could explain more, but I\u2019m a bit busy today, unfortunately, so\u2014\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Not-Jamie would have continued but at that moment, a large and glowing rhinoceros\u2014<\/span>of course!<\/span><\/i>\u2014had appeared from beyond the disk-shield line and was charging at it. Not-Jamie began rummaging about in his backpack, his hands moving quickly as he looked for something. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison watched the rhinoceros warily, expecting that it would be turned back by the shield as well, only to see the tip of its horn noisily tear what must have been an opening right through the shield and he watched as horror as the rhinoceros pushed its way through and picked up speed as it approached them. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome on,\u201d Not-Jamie said to his backpack. \u201cWhere are you? I know that you\u2019ve got to be in here.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The rhinoceros was almost on them. Harrison brought up his arms instinctively to\u2014what, protect him? ward the rhino off? But then, just as all seemed lost, he watched with shock as light burst out of his hands. It zipped towards the rhinoceros and knocked it back, slamming the the rhinoceros flat on the ground. Harrison stood in shock, but the rhinoceros didn\u2019t get up. Instead, it began shimmering and then disappeared. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison looked at his hands in faint horror. Eventually, when he glanced up, Not-Jamie was holding a small lighter looking device in his hands. Before either of them could say anything, another two rhinoceroses appeared in the distance, rapidly heading towards the breached area. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHoly shit,\u201d Harrison breathed out. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to get out of here.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo time,\u201d Not-Jamie said. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to distract them.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?\u201d Harrison could have laughed at the absurdity of it. \u201cMe? You\u2019ve got the magical device down there.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

But Not-Jamie had already turned away and so Harrison could only watch as the two impossibly large animals got closer and closer until the first one was barely half a block away and coming in hot. Harrison took a deep, shaky breath, flung his hands up, panic coursing through him and hoped for the best. Nothing. He pushed against the air again. Nothing. The crunching and squawking of metal was getting much closer, but Harrison\u2019s hands refused to be anything more than simple hands. The panic was definitely back. Even if Harrison had miraculously performed magic, of course it made sense that he did so immediately before dying. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImagine it!\u201d Not-Jamie called from behind Harrison. \u201cImagine what you want to happen!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison pictured pure energy stretching out from his hands, crackling through the air until it reached the rhinoceros where it would knock it out in one fell burst. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not half a second later, Harrison gaped as a bolt of electricity ran through him\u2014pure adrenaline\u2014and shot out. The white power streaked out to the rhinoceros, hitting it hard and bursting loudly in the air as the rhinoceros stumbled, its legs going down suddenly and then it reared back wildly, hitting the side of a building, glass shattering everywhere. <\/span><\/p>\n

A bolt of lightning flung itself from Harrison\u2019s hands to the rhinoceros, knocking its head back and slamming it to the ground where it didn\u2019t move. <\/span><\/p>\n

Not-Jamie looked impressed. \u201cKeep that up! I\u2019ve got to set the shield\u2014you take the creatures.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Harrison said. Instantly, all triumph was gone. \u201cIs that a good idea\u2014whoa!\u201d The second rhinoceros had picked up speed, its eyes glinting dangerously and focused entirely on Harrison. As if to underscore its point, this rhinoceros trampled over several city trash cans, flattening them like soda cans. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey Jamie, Jamie!\u201d Harrison said. Not-Jamie didn\u2019t even look up from his series of devices, so Harrison squared his shoulders and brought his hands up and pushed. And then, somehow, for some reason, it actually happened, just like Harrison had imagined that it would. \u201cYes!\u201d Harrison said triumphantly. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cGot it,\u201d Not-Jamie said. Then he pressed down on the disk on the ground twice, and there was a zipping sound which Harrison somehow imagined to be the disk shield repairing itself. Not-Jamie did something to it with the lighter thing and the disk beeped loudly. Suddenly there was a faint purple shimmer surrounding them in the air where the shield would have been. \u201cThat should hold, at least for a little bit, and keep them out,\u201d Not-Jamie said. \u201cCome on.\u201d And then he grabbed Harrison\u2019s hand, made a little motion and pulled the two of them through thin air. <\/span><\/p>\n

Everything whooshed past them, one big blur of light and color that Harrison\u2019s stomach intensely disliked. When everything finally stopped, Harrison\u2019s stomach rebelled, trying to force its way out. And of course, much to Harrison\u2019s embarrassment, he began to tip over as well, his legs giving out of their own volition, until something stopped him. A warm weight pressed against Harrison and directed him to breathe in and out, which Harrison complied with until the fog in his brain began to clear. <\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, Harrison then immediately realized that the press of firm muscle and faint smell of sweat and espresso against him was in fact Not-Jamie. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWoah,\u201d Harrison said. He tried to push himself up and away. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHold on there,\u201d Not-Jamie said. His voice came next to Harrison\u2019s ear, slow and a bit amused, and unsurprisingly, the slight accent combined with the warmth of Not-Jamie pressed up against him made certain parts of Harrison leap to attention. <\/span><\/p>\n

Stop that<\/span><\/i>, Harrison told himself. This time he managed to force his legs into compliance. He stood up even as his ears burned with embarrassment. Once they were separate, Harrison couldn\u2019t even make eye contact with Not-Jamie. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Harrison asked finally, directing his question to Not-Jamie\u2019s right shoulder. His beautifully sculpted shoulder. Harrison traced the line of Not-Jamie\u2019s collarbone right to the hollow of Not-Jamie\u2019s neck and it wasn\u2019t fair at all. He finally had Jamie\u2019s attention except it wasn\u2019t Jamie at all\u2014Jamie had never been like this, ever. Of course, the only place that Jamie was likely to pay attention to him was in a dream. Harrison guessed that was one point to Not-Jamie\u2019s theory.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI know that this will come as a surprise, but I\u2019m not your friend,\u201d Not-Jamie said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe accent kind of gave you away,\u201d Harrison pointed out. Not-Jamie smiled at that, and Harrison couldn\u2019t help but be charmed by the fact that he had made Jamie smile\u2014even if it wasn\u2019t really Jamie. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, this tends to follow me around, no matter what my form,\u201d Not-Jamie said. Then he paused. \u201cUnless I try really hard.\u201d He said the last part in Jamie\u2019s exact voice and it sounded so much unlike his previous voice and so much like the real Jamie\u2019s that Harrison couldn\u2019t help take a step back. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSorry,\u201d Not-Jamie said softly, correctly reading Harrison\u2019s distress. \u201cI won\u2019t do that again.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you?\u201d Harrison said more insistently, his good humor from earlier gone. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are in a dream,\u201d Not-Jamie said. \u201cIf you\u2019ve got that, then the only thing that you really need to know about me is that I\u2019m essentially a guardian.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA guardian of what?\u201d Harrison asked slowly. \u201cMagic? How did I do what I did back there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou imagined it,\u201d Not-Jamie said, smiling. \u201cIn fact, I would say you impressively imagined it\u2014it took me ages to imagine even the simplest dream tools.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cReally?\u201d Harrison said. He couldn\u2019t help but smile back, feeling flattered despite the absurdity of it. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, really,\u201d Not-Jamie said. They both smiled at each other until Harrison cleared his throat and looked at the ground. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what do you guard?\u201d he asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDream,\u201d Not-Jamie said confidently. At Harrison\u2019s confused look, he continued. \u201cWe are in the realms of Dream now, and my job is to protect her. Most of the time, I make sure it\u2019s running smoothly. That all of her realms are in relative accordance. I solve small disputes when they come up. Reinforce infrastructure where needed. Occasionally, when there are big issues\u2014like the attack on False Awakening by Fantastical\u2014I normally work to stop the battle before it becomes too large or out of control.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat didn\u2019t exactly look like it was in control back there,\u201d Harrison said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo, it really didn\u2019t,\u201d Not-Jamie said. Both he and Harrison burst out laughing. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad that I\u2019m not the only one to think so,\u201d Harrison said when they had both settled down. \u201cSo, if you\u2019re a ranger and meant to stop what was going on back there, what happened?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Not-Jamie made a frustrated sound. \u201cEvents got out of our control. It happens every so often, but normally I know about it\u2014know to expect it and can act to prevent it. How to explain it?\u201d He paused and thought. \u201cEssentially, there are two modes of living\u2014dreaming and waking. Much like your waking world is divided into countries, so is the dream world. We have a series of realms and for the most part, these get along as people such as yourself make their usual nocturnal visit. Lately, we\u2019ve had some\u2026discord, to put it mildly. There are those among us who do not feel satisfied with what they currently possess. Realms that wish to expand, not just through dream land, but onto wakening.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs that possible?\u201d Harrison asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cPossible?\u201d Not-Jamie said. \u201cPerhaps. It has been attempted before, with predictably disastrous results. Have you ever heard about the crying madness of Chalcis? The deafness of \u00c7atalh\u00f6y\u00fck? The dancing plague of Strasbourg? The laughter epidemic of Tanganyika? Make no mistake, interests within Dream have breached Waking, but each of those cases were not intended to be permanent. More of a jaunty joyride. That\u2019s what we assumed this was.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut\u2026\u201d Harrison said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBut we were wrong. At least two rulers of Dream, the queens of Fantastical and Nostalgia, are looking to cross over permanently. Even if they manage to be successful, there will be chaos and insanity. At least for a significant portion of the population.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEncouraging,\u201d Harrison said. At that, Not-Jamie smiled and Harrison tried to not feel proud of himself. \u201cI take it that was an attack by the Fantastical realm back there?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean that you don\u2019t often feel nostalgic for unrealistically large animals trampling your city?\u201d Mete teased.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not as much,\u201d Harrison said. \u201cSo, they attack and what do you do? Can you even stop it? It didn\u2019t look great for the home team back there.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not-Jamie smiled broadly. \u201cAbsolutely not good for the home team\u2014and that is why we are here.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

For the first time, Harrison really looked around. They stood on the front lawn of what appeared to be a summer camp\u2014a large wooden lodge across the way and in the distance, cabins, volleyball nets, archery targets, kayaks and canoes. Harrison looked around again, trying to see what he\u2019d missed. Unless a full army of magic creatures was about to burst out of the lodge, things didn\u2019t look much better than when they\u2019d left False Awakening. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cJamie,\u201d Harrison started, about to ask <\/span>where<\/span><\/i> exactly they were and <\/span>how<\/span><\/i> exactly this place would help when he saw Not-Jamie wince at the name. \u00a0\u201cIs there something else that I can call you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Not-Jamie thought for a second. \u201cMeta\u2014you can call me Meta.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison tried to pronounce it and must have mangled it horribly, because Not-Jamie laughed and said it again. \u201cIt\u2019s spelled M-E-T-E, if that helps.\u201d Surprisingly, it did and when Harrison said it again, Not-Jamie nodded approvingly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMete, nice to meet you,\u201d Harrison said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Now Not-Jamie\u2014no, Mete\u2014looked serious and he took a step back and quirked his head, looking at Harrison. As if this was an evaluation, Mete took his time with it, not hurried, and Harrison found that he enjoyed being the sole focus of Mete\u2019s attention. It was a heady thing and even though Harrison felt the coils of arousal circle in his center that he would almost certainly regret later, Harrison didn\u2019t want to look away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you as well, Harrison,\u201d Mete said eventually, and then held out his hand. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison took it and they shook for a long time. Harrison didn\u2019t particularly want to let go. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, is i<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMete!\u201d someone shouted, and Harrison sprang back, and then glanced around, trying to figure out where it had come from. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cChildhood,\u201d Mete said loudly, his voice directed to the large wooden lodge in front of them. \u201cChildhood, there you are!\u201d he said as a young woman walked out of the lodge, dressed in standard summer camp attire\u2014a white polo shirt and brown, high-waisted shorts\u2014although she wore her shirt and shorts as elegantly as one might have worn a three-piece suit. On either side of the woman, two other counselors flanked her, each gripping giant bows with arrows slung across their back. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow is False Awakening?\u201d the woman asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBreached by Fantastical. I\u2019ve put up a containment from now, but my friend here saw at least one centaur in its confines and there were three rhinoceroses that charged the shield before we could get it up. I\u2019m not sure how long the containment will hold.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDamn,\u201d the girl said. \u201cHave you heard from her?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s doing everything that she can, but it\u2019s triage. She\u2019ll stay until the last, but she\u2019ll be overrun at some point.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh!\u201d the girl said perking up. \u201cWho is this?\u201d She held out her hand to Harrison, which Harrison took, and tried not to be surprised that her handshake was so firm despite her youthful experience. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse my bad manners,\u201d Mete said. \u201cThis is Harrison. He saved me back in False Awakening. Harrison, this is the Queen of Childhood, of whose realm we\u2019re currently in.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUh, nice to meet you,\u201d Harrison said. The Queen of Childhood reached out a hand to Harrison and shook his firmly. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNice to meet you as well. Welcome to Childhood\u2014I\u2019m sorry that you arrived at such an inconvenient time. Hopefully, we\u2019ll have this resolved before you wake up.\u201d At this both Mete and Childhood chuckled, Childhood giggling in a way that made her seem her age for the first time yet. \u201cSorry, just a Dream joke. Ignore me. On a more serious note, we\u2019ve sent some troops onto the border of False Awakening\u2014hopefully they\u2019ll be able to slow the forces down, but I\u2019m sure it\u2019s just a matter of time. The more urgent issue is Nostalgia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mete swore softly under his breath. \u201cSo, she\u2019s committed?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Childhood nodded. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am yours to command,\u201d Mete said, his voice serious. <\/span><\/p>\n

Childhood nodded. \u201cGood.\u201d Before she could say anything else, a preteen ran out of the lodge, her hair braided into tight French braids and eye blacks underneath her eyes. She went straight to Childhood and whispered something in her ear. <\/span><\/p>\n

Childhood\u2019s face went tight. \u201cOld friends have been spotted near the border, not a good sign. I have to go. Can you help with Nightmare?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou always send me to do the dirty work,\u201d Mete said. \u201cBut, absolutely. Let\u2019s just hope that she\u2019s in a more reasonable mood.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou may as well as ask pigs to stay on the ground, attached to their feet, in her realm,\u201d Childhood said. \u201cGood luck.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

She then turned and for the briefest second, she looked uncertain and exactly the age her body would have said she was. But then she drew a deep breath and it brought resolve and fortitude to her face. \u201cTeam Sasquatch!\u201d Childhood said. Then she brought her fingers up to her mouth and whistled loudly enough that Harrison instinctively covered his ears. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Mete said. He pulled Harrison to the side, leaving Harrison wonderfully aware of where Mete\u2019s hand rested against Harrison\u2019s shoulder. \u201cYou don\u2019t have to come with me to Nightmare. In fact, I would argue that you probably <\/span>shouldn\u2019t <\/span><\/i>come with me to Nightmare. You\u2019ve helped me out already and you\u2019ll be safe here in Childhood. No one should go to that place who doesn\u2019t have to.\u201d \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It was tempting\u2014this felt like the safest places of his own childhood. Summer camp up in Wisconsin, long stretches of times where the most pressing concern had been who was pranking who and if he\u2019d applied enough bug spray to keep the mosquitos away. Why would he want to leave this place?<\/span><\/p>\n

Mete was focused on Harrison, his eyes tracking Harrison as he tried to sift through his thoughts. On the complete other hand, Harrison had never deliberately tried to get a nightmare. Or get into Nightmare, to be accurate. Either way, it sounded the opposite of what Harrison should want. But, even if this was all a dream, Harrison wanted to go where Mete went and see what happened. Harrison didn\u2019t have much opportunity for courage in his regular life. If this was the only place that he could exhibit it, Mete made it worth doing. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Harrison said quietly. \u201cIf I can help, I\u2019d like to. Or at least try to.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete gently squeezed Harrison\u2019s shoulder in gratitude. \u201cThank you.\u201d He opened his mouth to say something else but was interrupted by the arrived of a huge ragtag group of teens, faces painted in absurd colors, who burst forth from the lodge yelling loudly only to stop and fall silent as soon as they saw Childhood. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAssemble!\u201d Childhood yelled. The group quickly moved out onto the lawn, placing themselves in orderly columns. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTeam Sasquatch!\u201d the group shouted. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI can barely hear you,\u201d she yelled. \u201cWho are you?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTeam Sasquatch!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho who who?\u201d Childhood screamed. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSasquatch! Sasquatch! Sasquatch!\u201d the group screamed back, cheering loudly. <\/span><\/p>\n

Childhood reached out and clasped Mete on the shoulder\u2014a gesture that looked odd due to their ages\u2014and then she and the other counselors began marching towards the forest, their group of campers following behind and whistling a song that Harrison could faintly remember from the movie <\/span>Bridge on the River Kwai<\/span><\/i>. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you ready?\u201d Mete asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cProbably not,\u201d Harrison said. \u201cBut I\u2019m not sure anyone should be ready to go visit nightmares.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete smiled at Harrison\u2019s joke but hesitated with his hand in his backpack. \u201cAre you absolutely certain?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely certain,\u201d Harrison said. Mete pulled the lighter from his backpack and pressed something on it and the air around them flared and them warped. <\/span><\/p>\n

Too late, Harrison remembered what it had been like the last time that he had travelled this way, but when space stopped moving around them, his stomach only seemed unsettled but not overly angry about the trip. An improvement then. <\/span><\/p>\n

The world popped abruptly into existence around him. Harrison took a few deep breaths to steady himself as he tried to get his bearings. It didn\u2019t take him long to realize that his efforts were pointless\u2014he was surrounded in nothing but perfect darkness. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMete?\u201d Harrison said softly into the darkness. A horrifying thought leapt to the front of his mind\u2014what if Mete wasn\u2019t there? What if they had become separated\u2014how would Harrison find Mete again? Maybe this wasn\u2019t just Nightmare, but an actual nightmare, and Harrison was stuck in it forever?<\/span><\/p>\n

He was panicking\u2014definitely panicking. He just needed something\u2014some light\u2014something to feel a little better about the situation. Harrison would have given his apartment for one of those magic lights that wizards always had in fantasy books. And as soon as he thought of it, he felt something warm coming from his hand. He opened his hand slowly, curiosity winning over fear, and found a small ball of light. He gave a quiet whoop of joy and looked up to see Mete right next to him putting the lighter away. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison had never been so happy to see anyone else before. \u201cMete!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHarrison!\u201d Mete said. \u201cAlso, great idea.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d Harrison said. By now the fear and panic had been replaced by enough of curiosity for Harrison to cautiously lift his hand up and direct the light around him to see where they were. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt looks like we\u2019re in\u2014\u201d Mete started.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cA cave,\u201d Harrison said. That wasn\u2019t that scary. Except as Harrison kept turning, the light started to catch on something in the air\u2014some large somethings in the air\u2014shimmering and throwing the light back. It was almost like\u2014\u201cHoly shit,\u201d Harrison said. He stumbled back a step, straight into Mete\u2019s chest, and felt himself begin to shiver. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s ok,\u201d Mete said soothingly. He ran his hand down Harrison\u2019s arm as if he was trying to quiet a horse, and Harrison\u2019s body, embarrassingly enough, deigned to stop trembling. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow big is the spider that is on that web?\u201d Harrison asked. \u201cBecause that is right out of the Hobbit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be fine, trust me,\u201d Mete said, his voice reassuring. He reached out and grabbed Harrison\u2019s unused hand. His hand was warm against Harrison\u2019s and even though Mete\u2019s touch was casual, it sent off little sparks that Harrison wanted to lean into. Harrison wrapped his hand around Mete\u2019s and all of his thoughts about the dark, the unknown and Nightmare quieted and faded away. They remained like that for a few seconds in companionable silence until Harrison heard some skittering like the sounds of bugs moving against the wall. Mete squeezed Harrison\u2019s hand and Harrison squeezed Mete\u2019s hand so hard, it was a wonder that no bones broke.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI would speak with the queen,\u201d Mete said loudly into the cave. <\/span><\/p>\n

There was skittering again, but closer and so Harrison lifted his hand up and imagined the ball of light much brighter. The light flared reaching farther down the cave. Harrison desperately wished that he had kept the lighting low because it illuminated a host of human-sized spiders, their eyes and shells gleaming black in the light, and they were moving closer now, crawling on all sides of the cave towards Harrison and Mete, who were absolutely going to die a horrible and painful death. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho are you and what business do you have with our queen?\u201d It was a terrible collection of voices, dark and insidious like a monster underneath the bed or crazed murderer standing outside a bedroom window, about to come inside and kill his prey. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI am Mete,\u201d Mete said. \u201cAnd we come bearing information that your queen will want to know.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The giant spiders chittered amongst themselves. Finally, they said, \u201cYou will follow us.\u201d They swarmed around the pair, urging them forward. Harrison clutched desperately Mete\u2019s hand as they allowed themselves to be led deeper into the cave. <\/span><\/p>\n

They passed underneath some of the webs. Harrison could see bits of skeletons stuck in the webs, so h ordered the light to go low and only looked forward. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely a welcoming place,\u201d Harrison said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete tilted his head. \u201cNightmare is an inviting place and many visit her realm. But, probably not a welcoming one.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison couldn\u2019t help but huff out a laugh at that. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s largely all for effect,\u201d Mete said. \u201cWhat you\u2019re seeing isn\u2019t really Nightmare\u2019s true form, just a glimpse at what are your nightmares.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure that\u2019s entirely reassuring,\u201d Harrison. \u201cI\u2019ve had some bad nightmares over the years.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete frowned. \u201cAre you sure\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes, definitely,\u201d Harrison said. \u201cDidn\u2019t you hear\u2014I\u2019ve got impressive super powers now.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cImpressive imagination powers,\u201d Mete said. \u201cAlthough you make them super.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison laughed again and just like that, he was a little less scared. Mete made sure to keep him occupied as they walked, and even though Harrison should have been terrified out of his mind\u2014surrounded by a cave with no entrance, giant spiders and dead humans\u2014he found himself almost enjoying himself, especially when there was enough distance between the spiders and themselves for Harrison to tell himself that they were gone. <\/span><\/p>\n

For a short while, the tunnel narrowed before the edges began to take on a more refined look, smoother and well chiseled. When the walls began to open up, Harrison noticed that there were torches placed alongside the cave walls. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI take it that we\u2019re almost there?\u201d Harrison asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYep,\u201d Mete said. \u201cWe\u2019re about to see Nightmare herself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAny words of wisdom?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cTry not to be alarmed,\u201d Mete said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cToo late,\u201d Harrison said. He meant it to come out as a joke, but there must have been a thread of fear in it. Mete rubbed his thumb reassuringly over Harrison\u2019s hand. It gave Harrison a boost of courage that crazily made him think of facing this ten times over just to see what Mete would do then. <\/span><\/p>\n

They stepped out into a large cavernous space, the ceiling studded with stalactites that Harrison glanced up at and then regretted. At the far end, there stood a giant stone throne, but it was too far for Harrison to make out the features of the person sitting on it.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou will bow before our queen,\u201d the legion of spiders said. Mete led Harrison and himself in a graceful bow. <\/span><\/p>\n

When they stood back up, a gentle and calm voice, almost as light and deceptive as a spring breeze, called to them. \u201cYou may approach.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison and Mete walked forward. As they did, the queen of Nightmare began to take form before him. Harrison stumbled, only kept upright by Mete. <\/span><\/p>\n

Nightmare\u2019s skin, if it could be called that, was stretched tightly over her bones and had a faint blueish cast to it, as if it had begun rotting some time ago. Her white hair was only attached to her skull in clumps and her eyes had been sewn shut with bright red string. When she opened her mouth, her teeth were honed into fine points, and she moved in a jerky manner, as if her body had not been meant to fit within this skin<\/span><\/p>\n

She was a nightmare and this was her realm. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLord Mete, this is an unexpected surprise,\u201d Nightmare said. She smiled, giving Harrison goosebumps. \u201cAnd who is your…friend?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is Harrison, he is my guest,\u201d Mete said. The way that he said it seemed almost territorial or possessive, as if he was laying a claim, which sent a different type of shiver down Harrison\u2019s back. <\/span><\/p>\n

Nightmare focused on Harrison for a second. \u201cInteresting,\u201d she said. \u201cVery interesting. And just where are you from, Lord Mete\u2019s guest?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete cleared his throat. \u201cWe have more important business here today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Nightmare laughed, and it was a bloody, scraping gurgle, like a freshly cut throat. \u201cWhy, Lord Mete, have you come here today. It is unusual for a visit to be so unannounced. Perhaps you bring me a gift?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete frowned. \u201cSurely you can\u2019t be ignorant of what is going on in the other realms.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou refer, of course, to the wayward Nostalgia and Fantastical? What they do is none of my business,\u201d Nightmare said. She raised one decrepit hand in a clearly dismissive gesture.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThey have far surpassed any leniency of wayward, I\u2019m afraid,\u201d Mete said. \u201cThey have launched a full-scale invasion into Waking.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Nightmare frowned at that. \u201cThen they are bigger fools than I previously thought. I still fail to see how that is my or my subjects\u2019 concern.\u201d At their mention, the spiders began chittering from the sides of the hall, and Harrison moved in closer to Mete. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are all affected if they succeed. Or even if they fail, but do significant damage before we reign them in,\u201d Mete said. \u201cNeed I remind you of previous mass crossings? And those were done with far less bad intent.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Nightmare didn\u2019t respond immediately, her closed eyes watching Mete. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if I agreed to give my assistance but under one condition?\u201d Nightmare said finally. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt would depend on the condition,\u201d Mete said. \u201cWhat is your condition?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat he stays.\u201d Nightmare lifted a finger and pointed it directly at Harrison. <\/span><\/p>\n

A white-hot panic flashed over Harrison at the thought of being left here\u2014left among a rotting ruler and her nightmare subjects. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not,\u201d Mete said firmly. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou would give up the assistance of the strongest realm of Dream for him?\u201d Nightmare asked and her voice was all harshness and winter. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIf you claim that as your only condition and you think he means so little, then by the same token, you should be willing regardless,\u201d Mete said. \u201cIf you understand that he means a great deal more than that, you should know why I can\u2019t agree.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

They both stared at each for a while longer and Harrison wondered what each of them were thinking. He didn\u2019t believe that Mete would leave him behind\u2014but what if the queen didn\u2019t let them leave? <\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, Mete nodded his head forward. \u201cTime is short, but thank you for the audience that you\u2019ve given us today.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The queen laughed. \u201cUntil we meet again, Lord Mete.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUntil we meet again.\u201d And then with no warning at all, they were hurtling through space and back to Childhood, the sturdy lodge a more than welcome sight. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre you okay?\u201d Mete asked, and Harrison took a deep, gulping breath as he tried to shake off the feeling of Nightmare. Each itch on Harrison\u2019s skin felt like a spiderweb, and Harrison resisted the urge to brush himself off. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Harrison said. It didn\u2019t come out as strongly as he would have hoped. But at least it was still there. \u201cBesides, she wasn\u2019t really all that scary.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely not,\u201d Mete agreed. \u201cMerely of average horror.\u201d Harrison found himself leaning in, closer to Mete. Mete moved closer, and Harrison caught the faint smell of soap and sweat, driving any flippant response from his lips. For one wild moment, Harrison could almost feel Mete\u2019s lips on his own, the pressure just barely there. But of course, someone called Mete\u2019s name. <\/span><\/p>\n

A camper came hurrying towards them. \u201cLord Mete,\u201d he said. \u201cQueen Childhood has sent a message for you: She said that they have fought back Nostalgia and breached her capital.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDid they capture her?\u201d Mete asked.<\/span><\/p>\n

The camper shook his head. \u201cShe escaped to Fantastical\u2019s protection. She and Fantastical are on the border of Lucid as we speak.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFalse Awakening?\u201d Mete asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFull breached,\u201d the camper said. \u201cAnd they are just barely keeping them out of Lucid. \u00a0Childhood has gone directly even as she left forces to hold Nostalgia.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mete nodded, his face grim. \u201cSo, it\u2019s come to that,\u201d he said. The camper nodded. \u201cTell Childhood that we\u2019re on our way.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They arrived in the middle of a scene of battle carnage that Harrison had barely been able to fathom prior to this. The battle front extended on both sides farther than Harrison could see and the sounds of fighting and screaming filled the air. <\/span><\/p>\n

Far off in the distance, a large gryphon screeched and from its talons dropped flaming objects that ignited when they struck the ground, sending fire spreading. On the other side of the battlefield, a group of people wielded heavy-duty artillery, bombarding the battlements protecting what was likely the encampments of Fantastical and Nostalgia. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison didn\u2019t even need to ask to know that this was the last stand\u2014the last place to stop Fantastical and Nostalgia\u2014and that each member of the realms united to prevent it was laying down their life in its defense just as Fantastical and Nostalgia\u2019s realms appeared to do the same.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do we need to do?\u201d Harrison asked. \u201cJust tell me what to do and I will do it.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not so easy,\u201d Mete said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got to find Nostalgia and Fantastical. That\u2019s the only way to stop them.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThen that\u2019s what we\u2019ll do,\u201d Harrison said, with more conviction than he, personally, felt.<\/span><\/p>\n

Someone must have noticed them, because before Mete could say anything, Childhood was there, some of her junior campers flanking her. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow did it go?\u201d she asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete gave a wry smile. \u201cAbout as well as expected.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Childhood shrugged. \u201cNightmare always does things her own way, I\u2019m not sure that I expected it to be any different this time. But we\u2019ll be fine without her.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe need someone to lead the final charge,\u201d a woman in her thirties said. She wore a plain business suit, no frills. Harrison could have sworn that he\u2019d met her before, and he tried to surreptitiously flip through his mental list of people he knew. Did she work in his building? That wasn\u2019t it. \u201cNostalgia and Fantastical are running out of time. They\u2019re going to make a push, but if we don\u2019t get them now, we\u2019ll be doing this again tomorrow. And the day after that.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLucid,\u201d Mete said. Lucid nodded at Mete in acknowledgement. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCan you lead a force in?\u201d she asked. \u201cWe will lead the defense.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mete nodded and let Lucid draw him away towards a group intermingled with soldiers, campers and regular people like Harrison. Harrison wasn\u2019t sure he could have imagined a more dissimilar coalition fighting together in battle. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison wondered what the extent of his powers were\u2014after all, he\u2019d summoned up the light as well as the electricity bolts earlier and that had just been his initial response. He imagined a sword\u2014just a quick image of one that he\u2019d seen while playing some video game or another. One second, there was nothing but air in his hand, but the next, a firm, leathery grip lay in it, and Harrison almost tipped over trying to balance against the sudden, heavy weight. <\/span><\/p>\n

Cool, but not necessary helpful without knowledge of how to use it, so Harrison imagined it disappearing and then tried to think what would be most useful in a battle setting. He cycled through a host of ideas (rocket launcher, hand grenade, laser gun, proton pack) that seemed likely to do more damage to Harrison that anyone else. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Finally, Harrison settled on something to hide himself. He wasn\u2019t likely to be especially useful in a fight, but at least this would allow him to stay with the group and out of everyone\u2019s path.<\/span><\/p>\n

When Mete returned, his face was grave. \u201cI think that you should stay here,\u201d he said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait\u2014\u201d Harrison started, but Mete shook his head. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHear me out,\u201d Mete said quietly. \u201cWe have only one objective here\u2014to get to Fantastical and Nostalgia and destroy them. Our lives don\u2019t matter. For us here in Dream, we\u2019ll come back in one form or another. You though, you may not. And I don\u2019t want anything to happen to you.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison couldn\u2019t look away from Mete, his gaze intense and intoxicating. Only when someone cleared their throat behind Mete did he blink and look away from Harrison. A young man, dressed in casual sleepwear stood there. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, give us a minute,\u201d Mete said. The man nodded and then turned back towards the group waiting. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThank you for saving me,\u201d Mete said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison moved to brush it off, but Mete\u2019s serious tone stopped him. \u201cYou\u2019re welcome,\u201d Harrison said finally, slowly. \u201cThank you for taking me on the best adventure of my life.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is only the beginning of the adventure,\u201d Mete said. Before Harrison could parse out his meaning, Mete leaned forward and gently kissed Harrison. Harrison stood shocked for a moment, taking it all in, the dizzyingly alluring smell of Mete so close, the way that Mete\u2019s hands rested against Harrison\u2019s shoulders, the electrifying press of Mete\u2019s lips against Harrison\u2019s. This was it\u2014this was the moment of now or never. And Harrison wanted more than now, he wanted Mete to be there tomorrow, when he woke up, whenever that was. He wanted the day after that and the next day. So Harrison kissed back, hoping that his lips could say what his heart meant. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

They separated a small eternity later when the same man from earlier made a series of increasingly loud noises before Mete and Harrison reluctantly moved apart. Harrison was immediately aware of everyone who was studiously not looking at the two of them, and Harrison awkwardly tucked his shirt back into his pants where it had slipped out. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete, on the other hand, seemed entirely unconcerned with their audience. He smiled broadly at Harrison and then back to the group. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cUntil we see each other again,\u201d Mete said. Harrison nodded dumbly as Mete turned to the group. When Mete\u2019s back was turned, Harrison pulled his creation off the ground. It was as slip-sliding as it had been when it first appeared in his palms. With slightly trembling hands, Harrison pulled it around his shoulders and over his head. Just in time, because Mete turned back to look at Harrison\u2014or where Harrison had been previously. Mete frowned slightly at Harrison\u2019s absence. Before he could call attention to it, his group began assembling themselves into a loose formation. Mete sighed, but turned back around and began rummaging in his pack. <\/span><\/p>\n

Darting over, careful to avoid contact with anyone, Harrison settled himself in the back of the group. This may have been the stupidest thing that Harrison had ever done and he was probably going to live to regret it, but for the moment, the only thing that pulsed through Harrison\u2019s veins was determination. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete located his magic lighter, and the group seemed to collectively hold its breath. One second, they were in the busy camps on Lucid\u2019s border, removed from the action, the next they were in a screaming and visceral mess as creatures and people fought all around them on the plains around them. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison watched as a dragon appeared next to them, its scales brilliant red and white, and when it opened its mouth, white hot flames leaped out leaving a wake of devastation in its wake. The dragon turned to the assembled group and opened its mouth\u2014Harrison preemptively cringed\u2014and then one member of the group shot his hands up and a barrier formed between the dragon and the group, causing the flames to bounce harmlessly against it. Another of the group pulled out what looked to be a huge modified rocket launcher that sent forth three rockets simultaneously at the dragon. <\/span><\/p>\n

They hit the dragon and the dragon dropped in the air, howling in rage as it threw flames on them again. Two members of the group were now working with the rocket launched and Mete began yelling to the group, \u201cGo, go, go! You have your orders. They\u2019ve got this covered.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The group instantly disbursed. Harrison ran to keep up with Mete. Mete took out a large sword (one that he wielded quite well, Harrison couldn\u2019t help thinking) and began to fight his way through the group in front of him, each fellow member of his coalition doing the same. <\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually Mete and his group made their way outside of a stone wall that had barely managed to withstand repeated attacks. Behind the wall, a large castle rose up\u2014its turrets and towers rising up wildly, as if their architect had drawn up the blueprints while on acid. The skyline looked equal parts ominous and impossible. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe wall,\u201d Mete said to two campers. One of the girl handed the other what looked like a large purple water gun, but when the girl aimed it out the wall, a purple charge attacked the wall, electricity zipping through the stones and making large crackling noises as the stones all disintegrated into sand in one quick motion. <\/span><\/p>\n

Beyond the wall, a series of archers and artillery lay, which Mete\u2019s group had failed to anticipate. Harrison watched as no small number of the group took casualties before they managed to get a shield up to protect themselves. <\/span><\/p>\n

The ones who had taken non-fatal injuries patched themselves up, their movements efficient. The ones who had taken worse injuries\u2014 Harrison couldn\u2019t look away. He wanted to bandage them up, stop the bleeding, but there was too much and it was everywhere. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to go!\u201d Mete yelled and the group surged forward, their counter attack now up and ready as they shelled their attackers and Harrison took a deep breath and followed, hoping that he was doing the right thing.<\/span><\/p>\n

When the group made it past the wall\u2019s defense, everything had devolved into chaos. Here, everything seemed to be crazy, weird colors and shapes everywhere Harrison looked, until his eyes almost hurt with the strangeness of it. Mete\u2019s group was unphased, fighting their way through whatever it was without thinking twice. <\/span><\/p>\n

A small group, including Mete, spun off from the main team, and Harrison had to hurry as they quickly moved through the courtyard. Once they were in the castle, it was a mad dash though the hallways, the floors and walls colors like bright orange or green, making it feel like a visit to Wonderland. <\/span><\/p>\n

When the group approached what likely appeared to be the main hall, two people flung flash bombs into the room. Harrison didn\u2019t manage to look away before the bombs went off, temporarily blinding him. By the time that he could see again, the group had moved on without him, and he carefully made his way into the hall to a scene of hand-to-hand fighting. <\/span><\/p>\n

Up on a dais, two women stood, each shouting orders. It was easy to identify who was who. Nostalgia stood next to a gilded delicate chair. She was clad in a shimmering beaded dress, with kitten heels. A diamond-studded headpiece rested over her wavy black hair, giving her a regal air. Harrison heard her giving commands, her voice low and angry, and when she threw up her hands, buzzing electricity burst forth, sparking throughout the hall. <\/span><\/p>\n

Fantastical had large blue fairy wings sprouting from her back, her skin pale green, and her hair seemed to be studded with sparkling lights. She wore a dress of purple and yellow rags, but she, like Nostalgia, was stunningly beautiful. As she uttered things under her breath, various creatures seemed to come into being, each one of them focused on the group that was attacking their queen. <\/span><\/p>\n

It was clear to Harrison, if no one else, that whatever advantage Mete may have had outside the room, it had been lost. Many of the members of his group were just barely hanging off after wave and wave of attack. <\/span><\/p>\n

If there was ever a time to fight, this was it, so Harrison took a deep breath and bent down, like he\u2019d envisioned many times over since he\u2019d come up with this plan. He imagined the floor to be like a sheet and he reached through the floor and grabbed it hard. He made a flicking motion with his hands and the floor shook, soldiers stumbling everywhere before falling off towards the sides of the room. Harrison did the same motion again, stronger this time, as if he was flicking off the sand for a towel after a long day on the beach. <\/span><\/p>\n

The room became pure confusion, but Mete\u2019s group reacted faster than Nostalgia\u2019s and Fantastical\u2019s, Mete throwing several grenades and then using his sword to fight through in order to get closer to the dais where Nostalgia and Fantastical\u2019s screaming had taken a fever pitch. <\/span><\/p>\n

They must have realized that the situation was looking grim, because they both paused and looked at each other. As if with one mind, they both began shimmering, their bodies going translucent. They were going to get away!<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMete!\u201d Harrison screamed as if there was any chance in hell of Mete hearing him in the chaos. \u201cThey\u2019re leaving!\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

But somehow Mete did hear, or maybe he just could sense it, because he looked up towards the dais, his face set. Harrison expected to see Nostalgia and Fantastical gone, but after a minute of shimmering, they stopped, their bodies exactly where they had been previously. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat have you done?\u201d Fantastical yelled to Mete and she jumped off the dais and pushed her way through the crowd, soldiers and creatures scattering at her strength. Mete raised his sword to her but she parried it easily with her arms and knocked it away before she grabbed Mete and raised him by the neck. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou didn\u2019t think that we would leave this battle to fate,\u201d Mete said. \u201cDid you\u2014\u201d His voice went up at the end as Fantastical squeezed tighter. <\/span><\/p>\n

Before Harrison knew what he was doing, he ran towards the two of them, sending his electric charges at Fantastical and the surprise caused her to stumble, releasing Mete, who had picked up a gun and shot it at her. He missed anything vital, hitting her arm, but Fantastical hissed like a wounded cat and rushed Mete again. Harrison went to throw more charges, but a strong set of hands wrapped around his own and Harrison realized that the invisibility cloak had slipped off, leaving him exposed and vulnerable. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWho do we have here?\u201d a low voice asked. Harrison looked back to see Nostalgia behind him, cool and collected. \u201cYou should know that this is a very dangerous place for humans.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison gulped. In the background, he could hear Mete screaming, yelling for him, but there was nothing that either of them could do. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI wish I could say that this was such a shame, but I\u2019m afraid I can\u2019t,\u201d Nostalgia said. She brought up her hands to Harrison\u2019s face. Harrison knew before it was going to happen that Nostalgia would break his neck and that would be it. He flicked a look over to Mete, who was staring at Harrison with an agonized look on his face. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison closed his eyes and breathed in and then the most miraculous thing happened. The top of the room lifted up and a giant tarantula looked in, hissing, and everyone immediately stopped. Nightmare sat atop the tarantula\u2019s back. <\/span><\/p>\n

Nostalgia looked up in terror, her hands loosening on Harrison. Harrison closed his eyes and envisioned a small but deadly knife. When it appeared in his hand, he took a deep breath and then quickly thrust it into Nostalgia\u2019s side. Her scream was lost in a room of screams as vicious looking raptors began to run into the room, screeching loudly before the dinosaurs began to literally tear the varied creatures comprising Nostalgia and Fantastical\u2019s forces apart. <\/span><\/p>\n

Nostalgia began to push herself back up and Harrison was about to say goodbye for the second time, when a trio of Mete\u2019s group tackled Nostalgia back to the ground, quickly handcuffing her and subduing her. Across the room, a group of insects had overrun Fantastical, and Harrison watched in horror as the insects consumed her, leaving only behind her bones. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison was still standing there in shock when Mete appeared next to him. \u201cHarrison,\u201d he said. Harrison could only reach out and wrap his arms around Mete, letting his face settle against Mete\u2019s hair. They stood together for countless long minutes, until Harrison\u2019s heart was back under his control, long enough for Harrison to stop seeing Fantastical\u2019s body covered in insects and to start thinking about how close he was to Mete, how great Mete smelled, even in the thick of war, and how much Harrison wanted to turn his head slightly down and lick a stripe up Mete\u2019s neck. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m glad that you\u2019re okay,\u201d Harrison said when he pulled back. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete gave him a look of sheer disbelief. \u201cMe? I\u2019m glad that you\u2019re okay! What were you thinking? How did you even get in here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI made an invisibility cloak,\u201d he said, a little sheepishly. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAn invisibility cloak?\u201d Mete said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes?\u201d Harrison said. He started to explain himself before Mete cut him off. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s wonderful,\u201d Mete said. His voice was all hushed approval, and Harrison felt like he stood ten feet tall even as his face went embarrassingly warm. <\/span><\/p>\n

And then without any preamble, they were kissing again, Harrison brought his hand up and let his fingers run through Mete\u2019s hair, the short hairs in the back tickling his palm ever so slightly. Mete cupped Harrison\u2019s face and drew Harrison in until they were pressed up against each other and Harrison could feel just the strength and warmth of Mete\u2019s chest. <\/span><\/p>\n

Eventually, Mete drew back. \u201cIf only we weren\u2019t here,\u201d he said. His voice was low and husky and Harrison shuddered at the promise in them. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAnother time,\u201d Harrison said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s a promise,\u201d Mete said. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The remaining rulers of Dream assembled on the dais of Fantastical\u2019s hall once the rest of her army had been subdued. Nostalgia\u2019s forces had laid down their arms immediately after it had become clear that their ruler had been taken prisoner. <\/span><\/p>\n

Nostalgia looked mutinous, handcuffed and tightly tied to her throne. Lucid and Childhood looked exhausted, Childhood\u2019s eye blacks smudged slightly. Another woman who Harrison didn\u2019t recognize but Mete pointed out as Normal stood just off to the side of the group, running through a checklist with a camper and an old woman in sleepwear. Nightmare was apart from their group, her gaze out into the hall, but if she was thinking anything in particular, she didn\u2019t show it. <\/span><\/p>\n

Childhood cleared her throat. \u201cNormal has met with the Oracle. False Awakening\u2019s second who showed great planning and bravery shall become the new Queen. Nostalgia shall be joined with my kingdom until Nostalgia\u2019s punishment has been completed. As for Fantastical\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI do not want it,\u201d Nightmare said. \u201cI have no desire for it.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhich the oracle said,\u201d Childhood said. \u201cBut you must appoint a regent for it until a new queen can be found.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Nightmare sighed and pointed at one of the large spiders in the room. The spider began transforming, shrinking down until there was a young woman in its place with a bright pink mohawk and covered with variety of brightly colored tattoos that seemed to shift and move as she walked forward. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAre we all agreed?\u201d Childhood asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

Someone shrieked loudly, emphatically screaming \u201cNo!\u201d at the group. When Harrison turned towards the voice, he was surprised to see that where Nostalgia had once been, there was now a young girl wearing a party dress and gleaming Mary Janes. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to Nostalgia?\u201d Harrison asked. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s her,\u201d Mete said. He gave Harrison a rueful smile. \u201cShe\u2019ll be a subject of Childhood for quite some time as she grows up.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

The queens spoke for some time more, Mete interjecting upon occasion and Harrison began to feel his eyes droop. It had been a long day\u2014no, night\u2014and his body was starting to feel it. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey, Harrison,\u201d Mete said gently, shaking Harrison\u2019s shoulder. Harrison\u2019s eyes flew open. \u201cIt\u2019s time for you to go.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Harrison said. He wanted to ask what would happen once he woke up. Would he be able to come back? Would he see Mete again? But each word was so heavy in his mouth, it felt like lead, and the last thing he felt was Mete gently laying him down on some place soft and warm. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cRemember my promise,\u201d Mete said softly next to Harrison\u2019s ear. \u201cI will definitely see you again.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

And then, there was only the bliss of full sleep. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

When Harrison woke up, his first thought was to wonder where Mete was. His second was to wonder why everything felt so familiar. That\u2019s when Harrison shot up, back in his bed at home, surrounded by his usual pillows and sheets. When everything stayed as it should, no sign of any apocalypse except an alarm clock going off, Harrison let out a scream of frustration and punched his pillow a few times. <\/span><\/p>\n

Where was Mete? Had it all been a dream? It couldn\u2019t have been\u2014it had felt too real, too life-like to be just a usual dream. But it had to have been a dream\u2014how else could Harrison have ended back up here? <\/span><\/p>\n

Even though he knew what he would find, Harrison forced himself to the window, to look out. It was with a mixture of emotions that he saw the city park and street below his apartment unscathed, people milling about, chatting, as if nothing bad had ever happened there. Maybe it really hadn\u2019t. <\/span><\/p>\n

Before Harrison could stop himself, he grabbed around on his nightstand until he found a pen and he went for the first paper that he had, a half-completed sudoku book. <\/span><\/p>\n

He wrote everything down that he could remember\u2014the realms, the attacks, Childhood, Nightmare, fighting the final battle, and most importantly, Mete. But when his alarm went off for the third time, Harrison forced himself to get up. Maybe it had only been a dream, Harrison finally acknowledged. Something that his mind had cooked up. After all, wouldn\u2019t it be like his mind to give him the very thing that he wanted and couldn\u2019t ever possibly have? A dream. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison debated whether or not to go to the coffee shop to see Jamie\u2014what if Jamie knew about what Harrison had dreamed? What if he didn\u2019t? But after ten minutes of hanging outside the coffee shop, Harrison took a deep breath and went inside. After the cashier rang him up, Harrison headed over to where Jamie made the drinks. <\/span><\/p>\n

Jamie didn\u2019t look up once as he made Harrison\u2019s drink. And when he called out Harrison\u2019s name, Harrison knew it wasn\u2019t Mete just from the voice alone, Jamie\u2019s voice slightly higher and with no accent. Jamie gave him a quick smile but turned back to his drinks like he always did, and it was surprisingly easy for Harrison to swallow down his question if Jamie had also had weird dreams last night. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison could barely hide his disappointment as he turned away. So much for Mete\u2019s promise. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

—-<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Work was weird that day, everyone strangely subdued and quiet, and a couple people kept blinking owlishly at Harrison when he passed them, as if they were trying to reorient their eyes to the world again. <\/span><\/p>\n

When Harrison got home, he didn\u2019t quite feel like sitting up in his apartment, so he poured himself a thermos of iced tea and went to sit in the park. He\u2019d been trying all day to keep the disappointment at bay, but he let it wash over him now, let himself fully feel the sadness and melancholy. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cExcuse me,\u201d someone said, their shadow looming over Harrison. \u201cCan I sit here?\u201d And they had a deeper voice, with a hint of a burr that Harrison still couldn\u2019t trace.<\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison looked up, his brain working frantically. \u201cAre you\u2014are you Mete?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The man that stood in front of him looked nothing like how Harrison had last seen Mete. Where Jamie was skinny and scruffy, this man was broad and clean-shaved, including his hair which was cut short and neat. But when he smiled, it was all Mete, the playfulness coming through instantly. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you did remember,\u201d Mete said. He looked proud of that fact. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHow could I forget?\u201d Harrison asked. \u201cWhat are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cLooking for you,\u201d Mete said. \u201cUnless you think it\u2019s one of my hobbies to roam amongst Waking parks and accost strange men.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison felt like he was about to overfill with happiness. \u201cWould you like to come up to my apartment?\u201d Harrison said. \u201cI mean\u2014\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAbsolutely,\u201d Mete said. Harrison let himself drink Mete in as they made their way back to Harrison\u2019s apartment building. Harrison knew that he must have discussed something with Mete, but he couldn\u2019t have remembered a single word they spoke, because as soon as they made it to Harrison\u2019s door, they both fell upon each other. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison\u2019s shirt went first, then Mete\u2019s, and Harrison marveled at the sheer expanse of skin beneath him. Mete seemed pretty pleased with what he found as well, if the attention paid to Harrison\u2019s chest gave any indication. <\/span><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

By the time that they made it to Harrison\u2019s bedroom, their shoes had been kicked off, as well as their pants and socks, and they were both down to their boxers, which Harrison eagerly shed before laying back on the bed. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete lay over Harrison, resting his weight on his elbows until he and Harrison were barely a breath\u2019s apart. Harrison felt wild, like he was drunk or high, that there was one singular purpose to his life and it had been to find Mete.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Mete said, his voice hushed.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHey,\u201d Harrison said back and then he leaned up and kissed Mete. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete kissed back and only when Harrison began to feel light-headed did Mete pull back, the heat in Mete\u2019s eyes an echo of Harrison\u2019s. They kissed until Mete began to turn the kisses wild, bites here and there and Harrison couldn\u2019t help but groan when Mete bit and kissed his way down to Harrison\u2019s neck. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison let his hands wind themselves in Mete\u2019s hair\u2014undoing all of the styling that had gone into it, teasing the strands apart, until he yanked Mete up for another round of kissing. This time when they pulled apart, Mete moved down and settled himself in between Harrison\u2019s legs and looked down on Harrison\u2019s cock, curving up towards his stomach.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve been wanting to do this since almost the first that I met you,\u201d Mete said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison desperately wished for some witty repartee for his response. All that he managed was, \u201cYes, please.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I\u2019ll take it that you don\u2019t mind,\u201d Mete said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison could have laughed at how little he minded. He hadn\u2019t minded just about anything that Mete had done. And that included almost throwing Harrison to the wolves. Or rhinoceroses, in his case. But there wasn\u2019t any time to ruminate as all of the air went out of the room as Mete leaned down and took Harrison\u2019s cock into his mouth.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mete took his time with Harrison, pulling off every so often to run his tongue along the underside of Harrison\u2019s cock, and Harrison was fairly certain that the sounds coming out of his mouth had long since devolved into incoherence. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMete,\u201d Harrison said beseechingly at one point, desperate for release.<\/span><\/p>\n

Obligingly, Mete knelt back down and at that point, Harrison was so keyed up that it was over unsurprisingly quickly. Harrison lay flopped out on the bed as he tried to regain his breath. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOh my god,\u201d Harrison said faintly, when the powers of speech had returned to him. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mete smirked up at him and Harrison mustered up the energy to flip Mete over. \u201cWe\u2019ll see about that smirk,\u201d Harrison said. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison wanted to get to know this version of Mete, so he gave in to the urge to map out the planes of Mete\u2019s body, feeling where Mete\u2019s neck met his shoulders, leaning in to kiss there as his hands brushed through the coarse hair on Mete\u2019s chest. Mete\u2019s body jerked when Harrison\u2019s fingers found his nipples, so Harrison refocused his attention there, gently tugging on each one before following the trail of hair down with his mouth to the base of Mete\u2019s cock. Once he was there, he ran his right hand up Mete\u2019s leg, lingering just near Mete\u2019s groin before firmly gripping Mete\u2019s cock. Mete\u2019s body tensed up and Harrison didn\u2019t wait for further confirmation, taking Mete straight into his mouth. <\/span><\/p>\n

As Harrison moved his head up and down, Mete groaned appreciatingly loud, and Harrison let himself get lost in the indefinable smell of Mete, the feel of Mete\u2019s cock heavy on his tongue and the wild sounds that Mete made\u2014the way Mete said Harrison\u2019s name, as if it were the most precious thing in the world to him. <\/span><\/p>\n

When Mete started getting close, Harrison took him deeper and Mete made an incoherent noise of pleasure and came with a long, drawn out moan like something had been shattered and then he lay still, panting. <\/span><\/p>\n

Harrison lay back on the bed, curled towards Mete, and waited for Mete. \u201cWow,\u201d Mete said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Harrison said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIs it always like this?\u201d Mete asked and he curled towards Harrison as well, reaching out his hand until he could intertwine it with Harrison\u2019s. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Harrison said honestly. \u201cBut with you, I think it might be.\u201d Mete blushed at that which made Harrison blush in return.<\/span><\/p>\n

Neither of them spoke for a long minute. \u201cHow did you get here?\u201d Harrison asked. \u201cI mean\u2014you look\u2014different.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDifferent?\u201d Mete asked, lifting up an eyebrow. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cNot bad,\u201d Harrison hastily clarified. \u201cJust different than when we last met.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSince that was your imagination,\u201d Mete said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Harrison said. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Mete said smiling. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMete,\u201d Harrison said, unable to stop smiling either. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAh well, I suppose my secret is out,\u201d Mete said dramatically. \u201cI\u2019m a guardian of Dream, as you know. That also means that I\u2019m a guardian of Waking. My form when I am in Dream is more malleable, subject to outside interpretation. My Waking form is a bit more concrete.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYour Waking form?\u201d Harrison said. His heart started to speed up. \u201cSo, you\u2019re here\u2026for real?\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Mete said. \u201cIf you don\u2019t mind, I think I\u2019d like to stay a while here.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

If Harrison had been happy before, it was nothing to what he felt now\u2014the sense of a home run, win the lottery, get a dream job offer. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Harrison said. He moved across the bed so that he could look down at Mete. \u201cI mind that very much. Is there someone that I can file a complaint with?\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose that you will have to deliver your complaint to me,\u201d Mete said, but he was smiling just as widely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Leaning down, Harrison did his best to kiss Mete senseless and Mete did his best to comply. <\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Read this piece’s entry in the Shousetsu Bang*Bang wiki.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/i>Love1<\/span><\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by\u00a0Okamoto Shin (\u5ca1\u672c\u8f9b) illustrated by beili   \u201cAre you even paying attention back there or are you just daydreaming?\u201d the man snapped to the skinny and scruffy-looking barista standing behind the counter. \u201cAre you all idiots here or is it just you?\u201d Harrison stepped forward, his hands moving in an abortive gesture towards the counter […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[662,425],"tags":[19,551],"class_list":["post-7315","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bangbang-no-73","category-text","tag-beili","tag-okamoto-shin"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7315","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7315"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7315\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7332,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7315\/revisions\/7332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7315"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7315"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.shousetsubangbang.com\/mirror\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7315"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}