Oneiric Tryst

10. Dunes

Hongjoong dreamt of Seonghwa.

In his dream, Seonghwa didn't recognise him. They visited San's flat again, Seonghwa's unexpected presence there a lasting reminder in Hongjoong's mind.

The dream was scary because this time; they were alone. Despite the horribly awkward fumbling, Hongjoong let his dream play out, not intervening. He could easily save this dream and turn it into something more fun since he held the reins to his own subconscious. Yet, he let it develop naturally. His curiosity about where it would take him was too big.

The association that Seonghwa had of Hongjoong and pirates followed even Hongjoong into his dreams. The second that dream-Seonghwa stepped through the door of San's flat that Hongjoong boldly claimed as his own that night, he chuckled.

"Ah, the pirate's lair. The captain's quarters, if I'm not mistaken?"

Hongjoong had received him from where he stood behind the kitchen aisle. It was the golden rule, at least one aisle of space between him and Seonghwa.

"Am I the captain?"

Ever so domestic, Seonghwa crossed the room to sit on the couch. His posture was straight and orderly. The type of posture that old ladies would admire their sons-in-law to have.

Hongjoong shook the thought off and got them something to drink. Inwardly, the watching version of himself had to scoff at his dream self's anxiousness. His hands trembled when he picked out a cup for Seonghwa. The one with the cuddling snow leopards on it.

He hadn't been that bad the day they met awake, right?

"I know no other pirate. That makes you the first and the captain," Seonghwa chuckled. He leaned back on the couch, his gaze wandering through the room. Neither the wall made of toast nor the pair of skiers that Hongjoong used to stir his hot chocolate were odd to him.

"That's a good deduction. But pirates are mean."

Hongjoong brought their mugs over, careful not to spill anything. Just as gingerly, Seonghwa took his mug from him with a whispered thanks.

"I only know nice pirates." Seonghwa sipped on his chocolate. His gentle eyes watched Hongjoong over the rim.

"I'm the only pirate you know, you just said that," Hongjoong grumbled into his own mug. That honeyed tone in Seonghwa's voice did things to his stomach. Things he would like to blame on the delicious drink.

Hot chocolates in dreams always tasted wonderful but Hongjoong never quite got it right when he tried to replicate the taste once he woke up.

Nodding at it, he set the cup down into his lap.

"Yeah, you're nice, Hongjoong."

Stunned by hearing his name again from those plush lips, Hongjoong blinked at him. A tender touch to his chin had him startle. His lashes fluttered as he regarded the delicate fingers that held him like an artwork made of glass.

"You got some foam on your lips," was all the explanation Seonghwa mumbled before he pulled Hongjoong in. When their lips met in a warm touch, Hongjoong's heart sprung out of his chest.

And he woke up.

"Goddamn it!"

Agitated, Hongjoong slapped his hand down on the covers next to him. In the dark, his anger felt entirely irrelevant, even so, he pouted at the void of his room. He had preferred to continue that dream.

After a few minutes of anger, he dropped into his sheets again huffing. His heart had yet to settle again, and his mind cruelly fed into it by telling him how nice it probably was to kiss Seonghwa. How he would smell of flowers and taste of hot chocolate.