this is Salem, a land filled with magic and maladies. It is a place where witches and their elemental familiars gather, a home to legend and
lore that predates time itself. Yet of all the wicked and wonderful stories the past can tell us of, the most magical are the ones yet to happen.
This is Salem - this is the start of your very own journey. Welcome to starfall
Starfall is an animaga witch roleplay set in mostly modern times. Members play as witches in a world plagued by monsters, where the only safe spots are walled cities. Starfall strives to be a character-driven roleplay with expansive lore and a highly interactive plotline. We want to allow members to
create and look back on a magical journey, and mold the site and its plot as their characters grow.
“My fault?!” Aiden blurted out, eyes dipping back to Charani’s as he looked back down visibly embarrassed at the description. He didn’t quite believe his fit that description. Even on his best days he was still pretty skinny, and he had yet to hit that late growth spurt, fingers crossed there was one soon before he matured completely. Aiden! Now was not the time to focus on that- He spared a glance at the people once more, not quite sure why they were all staring at them, unmoving. He felt the hair on his neck begin to stand but as Charani spoke that some soothing warmth passed over him. It didn’t completely do the job though, considering how he was now aware even if he was doing his best to rationalize it away.
No, he had to focus. But on what? How about the fact that Charani was speaking to him? Green eyes widened once more at the mere idea of getting freaky everywhere in their apartment. He almost felt like his boyfriend had said that too loud. Loud enough to aggravate the empty husks staring back at them. No, no. Focus. This was, in the end, very good because, well, reasons. He swallowed a lump in his throat, half fear, half sexual tension. “I- I don’t think the table. That might be too cold this late in the year.” Then again that might be the point. Who really knew at this point. Aiden wasn’t incredibly knowledgeable in this kind of thing, but goddamn did he love following Charani along. He knew him well enough after all. So, it never ended badly.
As much as he felt the need to indulge Charani’s advances, he couldn’t stop from focusing on his peripherals, the cold ice trailing down his shoulders and spine so dissonant to the human warmth so close to him. He wasn’t to, but that insistent voice starts screaming and banging inside his skull and he knows what it is. Its survival instincts. Fake it, focus, focus. Pretend nothing is wrong. Things are tense within him and not from what his boyfriend was probably hoping for. He fakes a smarmy grin, a very hard feat as Aiden is neither smarmy nor any other kind of seductive trait you could find in the thesaurus, and cups Charani’s face once again with the intention of kissing him. His lips hover however as he stares hard into Charani’s eyes searching for that emptiness, that sign that this was something he should snuff out right now. There a scary moment of quiet before he pecks the brunette. “I think our food’s ready. Let’s hurry home I’m starving.” He stated his voice louder now as he sighed dramatically. He’s completely lucid he knows this. He’s lucidly dreaming, isn’t he? He needed to snap back into that passive dream state from before and things would get better. He’d be less panicked, less aggressive if he went back to that pacified calmness from before. He wanted that.
Charani gave him a chaste kiss when he tried to look away from being embarrassed. There was a small ringing of a bell. Their food was ready. It honestly wouldnt be long before they could make their way home. Charani had purposefully forgotten or at least ignored their idea of ice cream from earlier. Right now he wasnt even that hungry. He just wanted to crawl into Aidens lap at home and do some very non PG things while there.
"Fair point. And with how we can get sometimes Id be afraid of breaking it. You can be kind of rough sometimes." You get me. You get it. Lets move on with our story shall we?
The teenager wouldnt see that same empty stare in Charanis eyes as there was in the people around them. There was a kind of sadness hidden deep within those pools but it was overshadowed and overpowered by genuine infatuation and a lot of lust. Like a lot as he could probably guess.
"Yeah lets go home." he would say as Aiden went to grab the food. The scene before them went back to a normal dining scene. The emptiness seemed to vanish into thin air. Or at least it was hidden very well.
He would grip on very tightly to Aiden as they got their pizza and walked out of the place headed home. There was a dinging of the little bell as the door shut. It sounded normal at least. There was nobody else around save a lone couple walking behind them. They gave off a strange vibe... similar to the one earlier. As the two walked it seemed like they were being followed. Charani was however very much enamored with Aiden. "Im so excited for pizza right now I can literally taste it. You feeling okay babe?" At least he was feeling less sexual right now. Something did seem off about Aiden though. He wasnt sure what but something just seemed different. Maybe it was just his imagination.
The two following them seemed to be getting closer. Their presence darker. It was almost like a killing intent. If Aiden looked back he could see a knife in one of their hands. The girl. She was trying to hide it but not very well.
Aiden totally pretended to forget about the ice cream, more so trying to focus on getting home, getting to a safe environment, and tricking himself back into an unconscious dream state. Being conscious in a half pleasant, half terrifying dream was not the best. He wished he would wake up and having that thought was definitely not proactive to dropping his lucidity. Fuck. Never mind the implications of what he was currently experienced ABOUT HIS BEST FRIEND, which yeah, that was starting to register fully too. He just wanted to wake up. Wake up. Wakeupwakeup wake-
Oh my god what was Charani even saying to him. AND SO LOUDLY? And yet once again, despite the difficulties of slipping back down, he knew what Charani was talking about. That same shared memory. It was- Oh gods. If he blushed anymore he worried his head would explode in a rain of blood. He wanted to hide his face so badly, specifically in Charani’s chest, but even that was embarrassing wasn’t it. But that’s what couples did right? They were practically married here. Here. Focus Aiden. Charanin’s eyes didn’t seem to change as they left the place, and as he felt a familiar squeeze on his body he would also sense that familiar, uncomfortable staring and he’d refuse to look back. Instead he’d put an arm protectively over the brunette’s shoulder keeping him as close as possible and lengthening his stride. They weren’t on a wholesome stroll out to dinner anymore. They were going with purpose. To bang- NO- No- TO STAY SAFE. Aiden blinked a couple of times feeling a slight dissonance in his head as he tried to keep up with the dream while also staying lucid.
Then again, the quickest way to get out was to die right? The thought chilled him. Even in a dream- he couldn’t. Not after what he’d seen Charani go through. He couldn’t do that in a dream. He’d felt it once, lived it. No thank you. He wished he could drop back into that lovestruck mentality once again. While he felt the edges of it linger in the dream every time Charani looked at him, the overwhelming unease was making it difficult to follow up too strongly. As awkward as it would be when he woke up, he’d rather be snuggled up and possibly sleeping with his best friend, than wandering out of pizza places with demon customers. He flinched at the question. Was he fine? He was totally fine! “Uh- yeah, I’m alright. I’m practically drooling really…” he trailed off doing his best to dream fake being ok. “Do you…uh do you want to pick out a movie when we get home? We have some we haven’t seen in a box right?” he asked attempting to keep himself in the conversation, maybe it would rip him back to right where he needed to be.
Aiden glanced at passing storefront distracted by their forms, walking so closely together. He didn’t notice anything strange about himself or Charani, furthering his thoughts that the boy was at least Safe. He was not a threat. Not yet, hopefully not ever. That would’ve just been cruel. As they continue on he catches a glimpse of the couple in the mirror and while he’d been trying to avoid it, he noticed a glimmer in the girl’s hands. Fear strikes him, overcome with a defensive rage. That bitch. They were closing the distance. He didn’t have anything on hand. He dug his nails into Charani’s coat, now gripping his shoulder as tightly as he could and tensing as he prepared to run. He lifted his other hand, cracking his thumb and remembering Concussion Wave. He had that split second of acknowledging and attempting to attack the couple before he’d book it, with or without it working. Fuck this. He would try to pull Charani along with him before explaining himself simply with, “Fucking muggers!”
Aiden was hovering over the other boy protectively as they walked home. It was kind of nice. It felt very nice actually even though he was by all means arguably stronger than his boyfriend. It helped that as the witch who formed the dream he had much more knowledge on how magic worked in this false world.
"Okay. You just seem a little tense... you know you can tell me anything right? If it was anything I did... I didnt mean to make you uncomfortable or anything...." He looked up towards his lover looking genuinely sorry. Maybe he pushed to far for being in public. Sure Aiden had seemed to grow way more comfortable with public affection since they started dating but he still wasnt totally sure where the line was.
It wouldnt be long before he was being pulled and dragged a bit by Aiden saying something about muggers. Well that didnt sound good. His eyes would finally turn back to see what looked to be normal people with knives. Except something felt off about them. One look in the window showed their true visage... demons. Black and smokey with a void where their soul should be.
Aiden's spell would fail. It would do nothing. He would feel like his mana was trapped in his arm with no results. It was like he was missing something. Like he was missing a piece of the puzzle. Like the spell was incomplete.
"Oh fuck" he would say as Aiden and he started to run forward. It would never be fast enough though. Within seconds the female demon would appear in front of them brandishing her knife.
Charani would try to drag his lover to their right into an alley nearby. The demon behind them seemed to be staying at his leisurely pace and the female demon besides teleporting made no move quick movements she simply walked slowly. It was almost like they were toying with them. They needed to regroup for a second. Catch their breath and think of a plan. And also not die. "Fucking wraiths."
Fuck even in a dream, Charani was just as nice as in reality. And even in a dream he was just as useless. His arm felt like dead weight but at least he was good at running, always had been even in his dreams. Running from trouble, his issues, demons carrying knives etc. Running was a constant he knew a lot about. As Charani cursed Aiden would let out through breaths. “To answer. The Question. This makes me uncomfortable. Not You.” Feet slap concrete and he nearly shrieks when the woman appears with a knife. What the actual hell, brain? He really needed to work out some things if this was what his dreams were succumbing too.
He tried not to stumble as Charani made a hard turn into an alleyway and Aiden panted before bringing up his coat sleeve up to his mouth and biting it to keep himself from making noise. Not that it helped much. They were still in their sights. Still being chased. But why? He had bad dreams but…that’d been ages ago. Why suddenly something so lucid, so vivid. Was this punishment for something? He thought back to the dead weight in his arm. The feeling had disappeared once he stopped trying to use his magic. “What do you mean, fucking wraiths?” he asked looking at his companion before putting his eyes on the demon things. He wanted to see them coming. They could come and take him; he’d put up enough of a fight. And then maybe he’d wake up and become an insomniac. Yeah. That sounded like a good plan.
This wasn’t a dead end, right? Was this a horror movie plot synopsis? Maybe they had to go somewhere to find something? The library maybe? “Listen, unless u have a knife up your sleeve I think we need to keep running. Maybe not- not the apartment but a library? I dunno.” Maybe it was one of those ‘outlast them till dawn' kind of things. How the hell did they beat Wraiths? He racked his brain for options. He’d never actually seen a wraith, much less that the privilege of fighting one. What was he supposed to do? “I’ll be honest, if you got anything better I’m willing to try it. Especially when that cunt can teleport what seems indefinitely.” He added, snarling despite his very disadvantageous position.
The alleyway was not a dead end thankfully it just lead to another street. Aiden seemed to be very worked up about the wraith creatures which to be fair was a rational thing to feel. In this world wraiths were rare in the cities. Especially ones strong enough to mask themselves as witches. Simple magic probably wouldnt work on them... or at least would be much less effective.
The two would try to catch their breath for a moment as the two wraiths made their way towards them slowly. They were enjoying this. Feeding off the fear. The panic like it was a delicacy. That was just how they were.
"You saw it too right? Their reflections in the windows before we started running? I mean I knew strong ones could disguise themselves but I never thought theyd be in the city..." He looked up towards his lover looking genuinely shocked at seeing those things inching towards them.
He had to think. What could they do. Since they were together they could at least pool their magic together. It was honestly the only way they stood a chance against two of them. If they were strong enough to hide themselves they couldnt be pushovers.
"We could try a teleportation spell. They cant follow us if they dont know where we are going. Besides our building has protection wards to ward against wraiths so we should be safe if we can get home..." Charani would grab his boyfriends hand and squeeze it tight. He wasnt very good with accuracy in teleporting magic so hed need Aidens mana to help boost the accuracy of where they would teleport.
The wraith creature was closing in. The female looking wraith used her ability to teleport behind them to effectively close them off at this point. There really wasnt any place to run.
"Okay well fuck. Grab my hands and just repeat after me okay. We are getting the fuck home." The adrenaline was pumping wildy in his veins.He was pretty much forcing Aiden into gripping his hands. The witch would close his eyes and concentrate on their apartment. "Nos redducet in domum suam."
Aiden would probably be able to feel mana pulsing through him. It was soft, warm and kind of loving. Charanis mana to be totally accurate. As long nothing went wrong he would feel a flash of magic power and then find the world around him fall away until his apartment came into focus. Adrenaline still rushing through them.
He’s at a loss for words having had a very specific mental image of wraiths in his head. He hadn’t bee authorized to fight any just yet, even if he was an up and coming purifier. Maybe after he managed to get good enough to acquire a lamp, maybe then he’d head out and fight one too. “I- Yeah I think? I mainly saw the knife and ran.” Aiden said. Though, if it was wraiths that definitely explained the weird stares in the pizza place. But if that was the case…that meant there were so many more than he’d expected. If that was also the case was that why no one normal was out? No, you idiot, it was the dream. He blinked trying to stay on task despite a surge in panic. “Oh good, they can blend in.” For the most part. When they started snapping their necks and standing still they took on a more eerie quality that totally gave them away. At least, now he knew.
“You know one?” he blurted out as Charani put forward a plan. He was already on board. Wards? The apartment. Hell, they still have the pizza and a pair of very fizzy sodas. If they could make it there they’d be set until he woke up. They could still do the cuddling thing, albeit way less comfortably now that, he was lucid. And lucidity was ripping away all these things that the dream had preplanned for him. Emotions, thoughts, everything. Even being next to Charani, was on its last ends of soothing him like a balm. Well, that happened naturally regardless, but not to the extent it had been working before. Fuck it, he needed to be alert anyway if he wanted to help Charani and him survive until morning. He floundered for a moment before squeezing Charani’s hands tightly. Not like when he was trying to keep him close because of some muggers tight, but tight enough to just be there. Encouragingly. All he could really do was try his best to offer moral support.
He flinched as his eyes darted at the motion. The female wraith was so close No- Stay focused!! “Gods, please escort me home safely, Charani!” he returned as he closed his eyes and willed himself to share mana, as weird as that sounded. He didn’t exactly know any spells that would let him do that. “N-Nos redducet in domum suam!!” He had no idea what the hell that meant. Weaving didn’t take that many spoken incantations and purification was something you dealt with in a more tactile way, most of the time. He didn’t even know what language that was. Couldn’t register it- And amongst these turbulent thoughts he shuts his eyes as a familiar feeling washed over him. It wasn’t as intense as prior, but it was grounding and despite his heart knocking out 90 miles per hour, and his hair standing on end as a predator was just inches from them he felt a moment of not only clarity but trust, and calmness. He only hoped Charani could feel the same once he truly focused on this feeling. A feeling carried by the mana of trust, loyalty, and deep fondness. They were NOT dream dying tonight.
The world was out of balance and for a moment he wondered if he was so lucid he was conscious during a deep sleep, where one didn’t dream. The dream answered his question quickly enough as gravity returned and Aiden fells on his ass, landing on the floor and slapping onto the ground. The pain was secondary to Aiden who spent a few seconds on the ground before sitting up while holding his head. “Charani?!” he asked out loud eyes darting around while while reaching for the nearest improvised weapon he could get his hands on. “It worked? It worked right?!” he added mostly to himself, not really trusting they were safe just yet.
He felt his body smack the back of the couch. Ow. Okay so he wasnt that good at you know...landing. Well at least they were home. With the apartment buildings wards up that should deter those things from following them. Plus wraiths cant use magic so they couldnt follow them despite their strange magic like powers.
"Okay landing is something I definitely need to work on." He looked up towards his lover on the floor near him. Well at least they both landed somewhat safely. Or at least werent injured to much by the teleportation spell.
He made to right himself on the couch so he could get up. He would make his way to Aiden and offer up a hand to help raise the boy to his feet.
"Are you okay?" Charani would more than likely grab him into a hug with a sense of worry going all through his body. As long as this went about that way Aiden could probably feel him shivering with worry as the smaller male held him as tightly as he could. He wait try to stay like this for as long as he could. As long as Aiden would let him.
"Im just glad youre okay babe" He said moving his face to stare directly at the redhead. The adrenaline was still pumping wildy in his veins. Right now he wanted nothing more than to push Aiden onto the couch and grind against his lap while making out. At least to start off. That however was momentarily taken over by genuine concern about how he was doing... or feeling. One look at his face and even a blind lady could see how in love this boy was. Poor Aiden.
Aiden let out a loud laugh at the seer. “You got it done, that’s all that matters right now.” There he was, safe and sound. Nothing had followed them. There was this apartment, conveniently warded against a city of wraiths. Though, he’d probably still go around carefully looking over the exits and windows and turning off the lights. They weren’t home. Lights out. They could eat in candlelight, if they had any. Hell, he’d be fine with a tea candle. He muttered a ‘thanks’ as he popped up to his feet before letting out a soft grunt as Charani immediately embraced him. He couldn’t stop himself from just as quickly returning the affection, squeezing tightly. He hadn’t realized it, but the autumnal chill had followed him in and he was shaking. They were both shaking. He didn’t have the heart to let go. He honestly doubted he could if he tried, too terrified of detaching himself from what he could assume was the only person on his side in this psychotic dreamscape he’d concocted for himself. Was this some sort of sick manifestation of insecurity? His relationship with Charani- His lack of magical ability- His paranoia- Was that it?
He’d have to talk with someone about this before it started affection his progress in the waking world. If he would even remember this in the waking world. He forgot most dreams, too tired to even have dreams most of the time. Though, it’d be kind of sad he’d forget this part. Hugging tightly his best friend as they processed escaping certain death. “I’m…better now.” He uttered resting his chin in the crook of Charani’s neck as he tried to calm himself. He closed his eyes for a few moments, focusing on his breathing. The faster he got better, the sooner he could focus on his friend. He opened his eyes to see Charani’s face and managed a smile. “I’m alright, love. Just…rattled I guess.”
Aiden stared back feeling almost as embarrassed as he was overwhelmed. Charani’s eyes were so big, so deep and he was on the receiving end of all that emotion. It almost made him forget they’d just encountered not one, but two powerful wraiths and barely escaped after magic stopped working. Still it felt powerful, genuine even ad he didn’t know how to respond. With the dream losing so much grip on him he struggled for words, barely feeling the edges of that shared memory form before. He supposed humbled was a good start. Even if dream him was still as shit as he was, it was humbling to have so much love directed at him. “Hey. I’m happy you’re ok.” He said placing a gentle kiss on the other boy’s temple before letting go, as much as he didn’t want to. “I- I don’t know what you meant by wards but…shouldn’t we check them? Pull the curtains, turn off the lights.” In any other circumstance, this would’ve been almost suggestive, but his concerned frown betrayed any carnal desire he may or may not have shown beforehand. At any other moment, he probably would've meant it that way. That much he could gather.
"Good. Im glad. I love you." He looked so happy that the other boy was not hurt. Aiden seemed to be worrying about the wards to their complex. That was a fair thought though. If they were in the city maybe something or someone had gotten through the wards.
"Well their in the basement of the building? I think thats a bad idea to go down there. That's like horror movie cliche number one. I think I have some warding crystals though under the bed we could setup around the apartment."
Charani would pull his boyfriend towards the bedroom. Of course less suggestive than previously as he fished for a box under their shared bed. There was a large trunk he got out and opened to reveal clear crystals. He would grab a handful of them and hand a couple to Aiden as well.
"Just infuse a little mana into them and place them around the perimeter. This should mask us from intruders and give a nasty shock to anyway that manages to enter the place." He said moving to the windows and placing two crystals now glowing with mana on the window area.
The two would go around and just wraith proof the house. "We should be okay with the lights and stuff on thanks to these. Then we should probably get to that pizza before it gets cold." After setting up the crystal wards they could start on that pizza. He would bring out some plates and force Aiden to sit on the couch while he grabbed slices and napkins for them. He would curl up with the boy and plant a big kiss on his lips before they started eating. Well at least it was quiet for now.
“I know.” He smiled gently. At least his response was convincing, he didn’t want to worry Charani anymore than he already had. He imagined he’d stay paranoid for a long time after. Goddamn wraiths. Hopefully next time, he’d actually be able to access his mana. He shuddered at the word basement, vetoing the idea immediately. “Nope. I refuse to leave this apartment until morning.” Or until he had figured out how to Dream Survive. Maybe if they both went to sleep he’d finally wake up. He let out a shaky sigh I relief. “Perfect.” That would do it for him. If he felt like he was actively doing something to protect himself, he’d be able to calm down his trembling hands.
“Oh, neat.” He murmured as he watched his boyfriend activate the crystals ad wondered when he’d gotten a hold of these. He wanted these. Maybe he could stack them with Dreamcatchers and banish all Bad Vibes from his mind. He’d already been picking at the one in his possession. Hopefully he’d be able to replicate the stitching for himself. Not knowing exactly how the procedure went, Aiden would rub the crystals in his grasp giving them a little warmth as he focused on infusing them with a bit of his mana before they crystal would spark to life. Even if the lights were on, he’d drawn closed all the curtains before setting the wards carefully on window sills.
He would steal glances at Charani while looking for potential spots to set things up. Inevitably once the windows were taken care of he set some up at the front door. He didn’t like the idea of keeping the lights on, not wanting to give off the fact that there were people living in their apartment, but he trusted Charani enough not to question it at least. He didn’t realize how much he was counting on the brunette’s input until he releases a sigh once the seer decides it should be an all clear now. The redhead nodded at the mention of pizza. Might as well right? He would go to the bedroom to snatch up an oversized, woven blanket before wrapping a half of it loosely over his shoulders and tossing the other half onto Charani’s once he sat down. He smiled kissing back Charani with ease despite the lingering internal conflict of ‘this dream is possibly reflective of some selfish crap’. They ate in silence and he was too tired to try to break it. He left the sodas on the coffee table. They might burst if they didn’t let it sit for a while, unfortunately. Still, the pizza was ok at least.
“It’s decent…but I don’t think I’m going back ever again.” He said as he wiped the grease off his hands once he finished his second slice. Aiden managed a harsh laugh. He wanted to ask why the wraiths were in the city, and why there were so many of them, but he also didn’t care to know. They were safe, and he would indulge in that safety. “How are you feeling after that teleportation spell by the way?” he added, eyeing the other boy for signs of tiredness of dozing off.
"Good. I was hoping you would say that. Basement is not a great place to be at night." They placed the protection crystals all around the place before eating in a nice kind of silence. The blanket was large and warm as well being wrapped up on the couch. It smelled like Aiden. He smelled nice. Charani would finish eating kind of quickly. He wasnt super hungry at the moment or at least not anymore. He kind of just wanted some affection. Lots of affection and then probably bed. The boy would place his plate on the coffee table in front of them and kind of push his way into Aidens lap as best he could. He was trying to face the other boy in this process pretty much trying to straddle his hips.
"Im fine. I just kind of feel restless honestly. I didnt use much mana today so I had plenty to spare with that spell.." He placed his arms around the other boys shoulder, trying to go in for another kiss. He would probably taste of pizza to be honest. He was also kind of grinding against certain... areas of Aiden purposefully. Obviously. Thats what lovers did... do. You get me.
The brunette was obviously trying to initiate something. "You are the best boyfriend a guy could ask for ya know that." How all of this played out depended solely on Aiden. Charani was purposefully trying to rile him up like earlier at the pizza shop before that hot mess express happened. He seemed to really want it. To need it. To want him. To need him.
Post by aiden emerson on Nov 21, 2018 23:24:42 GMT
[attr="class","wonwoo"]
As he cleaned up, mulling over the wraiths and Charani the boy began to force his way into his space. He didn’t help since the guy wouldn’t need any. Aiden didn’t recoil, already used to this kind of behavior and when he finally seated himself proper the redhead leaned back in the couch. He put his arms around Charani’s waist pulling him close in case he wanted to rest on him. Unfortunately, he hadn’t realized resting was the last thing he wanted to do right now with him. “Oh ok… I wasn’t sure if teleportation would knock you out.” Frankly he’d been worried they would end up elsewhere and Charani would be out cold from the exertion. That’d be bad. Especially when in this dream he couldn’t quite access his own magic.
He was fine with just this. Kissing and talking, even if the kissing part had a weird second undertone to it. He wished he could honestly forget reality right now and just indulge in this. As weir,d and probably selfish as this was. He couldn’t keep suppressing the awkwardness of the situation and he definitely did not want to have that conversation right now. He almost jolts right up, Charani’s weight the only thing keeping him on the couch. Eyes widened like sauces and face immediately on fire. OH fuck. He’d forgotten all about that from earlier. In the kitchen and at the pizza place. Oh- Oh no. He tried to adjust himself except he only awkwardly returned the favor instead. Nope, that felt weird. He was too conscious for this. Dream him- Dream him had experience by now. He had those memories that life- This was lucid Aiden taking over and he did not want to take over right now.
His mouth is dry and it’s hard to speak. “I-I am?” he asked trying to keep the conversation going. They’d put this to words before why couldn’t he do it again? How would he explain himself though? The boy would ask probably. He’d worry. He didn’t want him to worry. Then again, the alternative would also probably make him worry. Either way whatever he said he was about to get some concern thrown his way. No, he better just stop this now before they got into bed and he realized he had no idea what he was doing. He needed to speak up- the more he debated it the worse the situation bellow got, and that was something he refused to pay attention to even in a dream. “C-Charani- I- I’m scared. I just…don’t feel comfortable tonight…after the wraiths and…stuff.” He finally piped up eyes averted to a minor snag on the blanket, laying forgotten in the corner.
"Normally youd probably be right but... well... its a secret." Cant exactly just say this is a dream and you arent real. I mean to be fair he doesnt know the boy is actually real this time so there is that. You know... weirdness.
"Youre acting kinda weird tonight. Like this isnt normally how this all progresses." Maybe he had been messing with the fabric of the dream to much this time. Or maybe a vision had wormed its way into his magic. It would explain why Aiden was acting so strange instead of the parameters that normally this followed.
"Um... I mean okay. I understand. We can maybe just cuddle and put on something quiet?" He didnt move from the other boys lap but he had in fact stopped with the kissing and grinding on the poor other boy. Well that was a plus for Aiden at least. The young man would stare deeply into his eyes. Well they just needed to kill some time until the wards were breached. They were always breached in every dream he had. Then they would just have to survive the rest of the night. A quick look at the clock. Ten at night. They had two hours before the wraiths would come for them. This time... he was sure this time he could win.
The time would slowly start to march on. Hopefully things would work out this time. Or would Aiden start to catch on that something wasnt quite right. He already seemed to be catching on after all. Two hours to midnight. Tick tock. Tick tock.
He was ok with having a couple of secrets. He was kind of harboring one by accident even if in this dream he had probably shared everything he could about himself. Whatever. He’s glad Charani’s ok. In all realities, he would be happy if the guy was safe. One less thing to stress over at least. Aiden tries not to squirm at his companion’s observation, heartbeat rising steadily as the brunette started to catch on. “I-… I’m not being weird.” He blinked, catching something weird. “What do you mean…how it progresses? How is it supposed to progress?” he asked in spite of himself, panic further setting in. First of all, this was something that happened before which was distressing, and second of all he wasn’t acting how he was meant to act which meant he was throwing off his own dreams??? Did he have this dream and just…not process it? Was that it?
Shit, if that was the case no wonder Teddy fucking hated him. He couldn’t blame the dog when every night he was having crazy sex dreams and imagining a married life with his witch. At least he’d stopped it then. Also, cuddling was something he was practiced at. He could cuddle in his sleep. He’d ever DONE that a couple of times. ( He didn’t realize he was cuddling Charani in his own bed but details. ) So the notion of doing just that and trying to settle back down after a wraith attack was frankly comforting. He was alright with that. “Yeah…I’m fine with that…” Considering the night they just had, they could both do with a good cuddle.
Aiden did his best to avoid Charani’s gaze, instead pretending to be busy with, well he had nosy to be busy with the boy still sitting in his lap. He couldn’t exactly run away and hide in the bathroom for a few minutes. He’d never been good at keeping his emotions close to his chest either. He didn’t need this Charani worrying over him either. As guilty and shameful as he felt. He felt more nervous too. Even if the grinding had stopped, Charani wasn’t as quick to plant kisses on him. Which ok, hadn’t been ideal either but he’d gotten enough pecks on the cheek from the guy that one on the mouth wasn’t really anything to scoff at. Well, it was, being so close to the cheek area but still. Here and now…nothing too terrible. Better than getting naked and doing the no pants dance, that’s for sure. “New movie or one we’ve already seen before?” he asked, his voice a little bit softer than he’d meant it to be. He was starting to lose his nerve.
