Artificial Horizon - A César Fernando Basa x Reader story

XXIII: Rule of Thumb

Easily remembered, useful guide to a more complex principle. Examples of these rules-of-thumb every pilot should know are the calculation of glide slope descent rates, course corrections, the 50/70 rule to abort a takeoff, windshears, civil twilight, and when flying through gusty approaches or for crosswind landings.

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I didn't panic by the time I open my eyes back to the dreamscape. Perhaps, I am already used to with the idea that every time I fall asleep at night, I end up in the same world. Though not in a continuous manner that there had been weeks of difference between one another, it somehow remains free-flowing that I didn't find myself in the past then back or whatsoever from the previous. However, this is the first time, since the past few dreams ago, that I wake up exactly at the moment I, somehow, dreadfully and embarrassingly hope not to.

Unless, this is another time... Pero, tangina, hinay-hinay lang!

The room is still quite dark as no light had been lighted from what I remember of, and the capiz windows remain closed; but the glow of the moonlight, about to be replaced by the sun in the next few more hours, filters in a soft light. Surprisingly, it isn't that warm or cold, though I can feel the lingering sweat across my skin and the comforting heat that radiates from his naked body pressing closely against mine underneath the blankets. My entire body feels heavy and sore that I flush at the memory of this dream itself.

I slightly shift, turning closer to where César remains asleep. Apparently, I've made used of his arm as a pillow that will certainly be numb by the time he wakes up, and definitely he didn't mind as it presses me closer to him. But he remains asleep and gives me such a fortunate moment to have a glimpse of him this way, trailing then my fingers across his features.

He seems so vulnerable, and much younger as he sleeps. Though I always find him evidently happy, with only few moments that I'll be graced by a frown from him, this time, he appears completely at peace as I tentatively brush away the few strands of his hair away from his forehead and then trail the strong set of his eyebrows. His beautiful dark eyes underneath closed eyelids, and the long and elegant lashes that kisses his lightly sun-kissed skin. His straight nose, and the sharp contours of his cheekbones and jawline. And his slightly parted lips... How can a beautiful man love this dream version of me at all?

Even my brain and heart, which definitely conceptualizes this dream... it is strange that it can make such a world as this feel so real that makes me long to be here and forget the other plane.

I would welcome any kind of life as long as I am on the same plane as César, I ponder. I'll definitely do.

Suddenly, César's lips curl to a smile, causing me to freeze that before I can even pull my hand away, he catches my wrist and presses my fingertips against his lips to kiss each of them. "Would you prefer me to continue sleeping so that you can continue your exploration, my love?"

"'Wag mo sabihin na kanina ka pa gising?" I inquire, feeling my cheeks reddening and my lips drawing a smile, too.

He opens his eyes halfway, looking at me. "Good morning, (Y/N). Or..." He lifts his left arm to check the time on his wristwatch. "Right. Masyado pang maaga, kaya pala madilim pa. And yes, I woke up roughly ten minutes ago. Hindi ko lang inisip na pagnanasahan mo talaga ako kahit natutulog ako."

I slap him against his shoulder before burying my face against my hand on his shoulder. "Baliw ka talaga. Kung anu-ano ang pinagsasabi mo."

"Ano namang masama doon sa sinabi ko? Anong masama na pagnasahan mo ang magiging asawa mo?"

"Kahit na..."

"Hey. Anong reaksyon 'yan? Come on. I want to see the beautiful face of my future wife first thing upon waking up."