Coniferous | dreamnotnap

18. Borderline Burn

Hours had passed since Sapnaps second outburst. Dreams hand had been tended to by George and was wrapped in sterile white gauze. He was informed that it would take weeks to heal fully. Sapnap only felt the slightest amount of guilt upon hearing that.

Apart from that, a tense energy lingered throughout as Sapnap would not talk to Dream or George, despite their attempts. He was too busy formulating a plan in his head. A plan to leave. He didn't want to stay there anymore, didn't like anything that was happening and just wanted it all to stop. He'd gathered enough trauma in the past... week? Or days? He couldn't even remember exactly how long he'd been there, but it was too long. He needed out. Dreams nightly urge to terrorize mixed with the confusing emotions he felt for both Clay and George, now with his own bullshit sprinkled on top; he couldn't handle it all. Home sounded like heaven for his overworked senses.

Sapnap was outside, sitting by the river, when Clay made another attempt to talk to him. He sat down beside him, with a good 3 feet of space between them.

"The water is very pretty," Clay commented.

Sapnap stood up and walked away. No more bullshit.

———

Nighttime was coming around once again and with it, Clay became Dream and George became wary. The night sky was clear and full of stars; Sapnap knew because he was outside.

It wasn't smart. Not even the slightest bit, with a Dream walking around. Nonetheless, he wanted to see what would happen. Not because he had a death wish, but because he'd learned from first hand experience that Dream didn't want to kill him. Hurt him a little, maybe, but not kill. He was merely testing the limits of that.

He was only a short walk away from the cabin and he would run if he had to. Actually, that was another limit to test. How fast was Sapnap, and how fast was Dream?

Sapnap stood in the dark, leaning against a tree as he waited.

Would he be scared? Would his new powers be activated? Would he fight, or run? Would he have to do either? Would Dream even show up? Would Dream overpower him easily or could Sapnap win? What would 'winning' even mean? So many questions swirled around in Sapnaps brain. Thankfully, or maybe not so thankfully, a crunching sound reverberated through the woods, snapping him out of his bustling head.

Bravely, he called out to him. To Dream. His voice was steady.

Similar to the last time he'd done it, he was answered by complete silence. Even the frogs stopped singing to wait for a reply. Last time, more little sounds followed; little taps on the window, he believed. This time, nothing. Maybe it was truly an animal, like he'd tried to rationalize with himself before.

Sapnap found himself wondering how to draw him out. What was different from the last times he'd had an encounter? He thought back on those experiences, and swiftly drew up a conclusion.

He was laying down, sleeping. Or at least trying to. He was tired and vulnerable, both times. Is that what it would take?

Sapnap decided to try it out. He sat down in the grass and leaned back against the tree, letting his eyes fall shut. Damn, he was more tired than he thought he was. He found himself dozing off with ease, even with how greatly exposed he was to everything nature had to offer. He hoped he wouldn't actually fall asleep there.

As he felt himself slipping a little too deep under, he forced himself awake. Prying his eyes open, he jumped with surprise.

Dream was sitting in front of him, staring at him.

The monster had his legs crossed under him and his head tilted to the side like a puppy, rather than the seductive murderer he was used to. He didn't know how he made the distinction, though, because he looked exactly the same as usual. Maybe it was the childish way he was sitting, or the way his black eyes were wide with something like curiosity. He didn't look as menacing.

"You're... outside?" The Dream rasped.

Sapnap had already answered a few of his own questions. He wasn't scared. He didn't have to run, or fight (yet). Dream showed up. He mentally checked them off.

"Guess so." Sapnap answered, yawning afterward.

Dream seemed to lean forward, but the very dim starlight made it hard to tell.

"Does..." Dream started quietly, "does George... know?"

Sapnap shook his head. He wanted to know if he could leave undetected. Turns out, he could.

Dream whispered in response. "All mine, then."

Sapnap could barely get out the first half of a "what?" before Dream had him caged in, pushed flush up against the thick tree trunk he was leaning on. Sapnap gasped, shrinking under the now intense gaze from above. Dreams lips curled into a dazzling smile of malicious intent, and didn't bother playing with his food before digging it.

Sapnap thought it was the end for him; all the things he thought about Dream before were out the window, dead and gone, like he would be. Dream wanted to kill him, he was sure of it.

Yet, Sapnap had a brief thought that maybe, somehow, Dream had other ideas in mind.

He was surprised when he was right.

Dream was a baiter, of course.

Those damned cracked lips devoured his own with vigour and Sapnap didn't even care. He wasn't dead, so all was well in his book. He'd re-written that book a few times.

Dream placed a hand behind Sapnaps head to go in deeper, and Sapnap took the opportunity of his mouth being broken into to wet those lips with his tongue once again. If he was going to be kissed, he at least wanted to be comfortable. Dream curled his bony fingers into Sapnaps hair and strangely, Sapnap found himself leaning into it.

When Dream decided to place his other hand, the bandaged one, on Sapnaps thigh is when hell decided to have a party inside of him.

He felt the burn, now familiar, building under his skin. In an instant, he was confused. He wasn't angry, so why was he about to combust into flames? He forced a hand between Dream and his lips, willing himself to cool off.

Dream chuckled as he realized what was happening.

"You're burning up for me."

Sapnaps eyes nearly popped out of their sockets with how wide they became. A different heat coiled around his gut, all serpent-like, at the implication. He bit his lip, not sure how to answer that when it was true.

Dream rubbed his long thumb in circles on Sapnaps clothed thigh, slow and gentle. Just when the magma began to cool, the furnace was relit and it turned his veins to pure lava. They glowed under his skin, visible on his hands and his face. Although, nothing else happened. There was no push over the edge. He was being edged, it seemed. Sapnap didn't get it, how Dream just seemed to know how his power worked when Clay had no idea. He took the time to admire the glow, as he'd never had the time to, before.

Dream moved in closer, suddenly, looking like he was about to kiss Sapnap again. The latter subconsciously tilted his head up to meet his lips. The heat built up even more.

"Now, now," Dream muttered, so close that their lips brushed, "don't burn me, again, Sapnap."

Sapnap nodded faintly, eyebrows furrowing a bit. He breathed out, "you sound like-"

"Shh." Dream put a finger over his lips. "Don't mind that. Focus on not combusting."

Sapnap nodded, feeling the heat turn stagnant, not fading nor growing. He felt like he'd break a sweat, soon.

"Good. Now hold it."

Dream placed a soft kiss on his lips. The glow under his skin flashed brighter for a second before dimming again, but the heat of his gut was a different matter entirely. He was unmistakably hard down there and Sapnap wasn't sure what to do about it. Would it be a good idea to...? No, probably not.

Dream only chuckled when he noticed it.

"You're so... hot." Dream joked, voice extra raspy.