Entwined Destinies - Morpheus/Sandman Part 1

14/ Bridging Worlds

Selena returned to the Dreaming, accompanied by Morpheus. They walked through the ethereal landscape, where the sky shimmered with hues of twilight, and the ground was carpeted with flowers that glowed softly in the dim light. The air was thick with the scent of night-blooming flowers, and the gentle rustling of leaves created a soothing melody that accompanied their steps. The King of Dreams led her along a path that twisted and turned, the scenery shifting with each step they took, as if the very landscape was alive, responding to their presence.

Selena's mind was still reeling from the kiss they had shared. She could feel the warmth of Morpheus's hand gently holding hers, a silent promise of the bond they were beginning to forge. The memory of their lips meeting played over and over in her mind, a mix of disbelief and exhilaration filling her. Dream, usually so composed and distant, now seemed more present, more attuned to her. He would glance at her from time to time, his eyes softening as they met hers, a not-so-rare-anymore smile touching his lips. The change in him was subtle but profound, and Selena couldn't help but wonder what it all meant.

As they reached the heart of the palace, where the walls seemed to pulse with the dreams of countless beings, Morpheus paused and turned to her. "I must attend to something. I will return shortly," he said, his voice carrying a note of reluctance.

"Alright... see you later," Selena replied, a hint of hesitation in her voice. Her mind was a swirl of thoughts and emotions, and she found herself wishing he wouldn't leave so soon.

Morpheus paused, then leaned in, placing another tender kiss on her hand. The simple gesture sent a warmth coursing through her, grounding her in the reality of their connection. "Until later... my love," he murmured before vanishing into the mist, leaving Selena standing alone, the echoes of his words lingering in the air.

As soon as Morpheus vanished, leaving Selena standing alone in the vast expanse of the Dreaming, Matthew, Lucienne, and Mervyn appeared, their expressions a blend of concern, curiosity, and skepticism. The weight of the moment was heavy in the air, and yet, as always, Matthew tried to break the tension with his lighthearted presence. He fluttered down to perch on Selena's shoulder, his dark feathers ruffling in the gentle breeze that seemed to carry the very essence of the Dreaming itself.

"Sooo... what happened?" Matthew asked cautiously, his usual teasing tone softened by the seriousness of the situation.

Selena felt her cheeks flush, the memory of Morpheus's touch lingering like a ghost on her skin. She shifted slightly, unsure of how to explain what had just transpired. "Well... I'm not sure," she admitted, her voice wavering with uncertainty.

Mervyn let out a loud, impatient huff, his pumpkin-like face contorting with exaggerated disbelief. "What d'ya mean, 'you're not sure'? How can you not be? Even a blind man could see what's goin' on!" His gravelly voice was filled with impatience, though there was a hint of his usual sarcastic humor beneath it.

Lucienne, ever the voice of reason, shot Mervyn a reproachful glance. "Don't pressure her, Mervyn. If she is not ready to share, we have no right to meddle." she said by offering Selena a small, empathetic smile.

Selena nodded, grateful for Lucienne's understanding. "It's not that I don't want to tell you," she continued, searching for the right words. "It's just... I don't know. I'm still trying to figure it all out, and I don't want to get ahead of myself."

Matthew bobbed his head in agreement, his beady eyes glinting with humor. "Yeah, you've got enough on your plate without havin' to explain yourself to ol' pumpkinhead over there."

Mervyn crossed his arms and scoffed, tilting his head in Matthew's direction. "Oh, and I suppose it's normal for a human to have a raven speak for her now?"