READY OR NOT - Landoscar

23 - I'm Not The One You Think

The atmosphere in Lando's living room was thick with an energy that buzzed just beneath the surface, a palpable tension that neither of them could ignore. The glow from the streetlights outside flickered through the windows, casting shadows that danced along the walls, creating a sanctuary of twilight where reality and dreams blurred together. Lando sat on the edge of the couch, his heart racing with anticipation as he turned to face Oscar, who had settled beside him, a serene presence amid the whirlwind of emotions swirling in the air.

"Can we talk about the dreams?" Lando finally asked, his voice steady yet laced with a vulnerability that made the words feel heavier than he intended. He searched Oscar's eyes, wanting to delve deeper into the enigma that had captivated his thoughts for weeks. There was something electric in their connection, a tether that pulled at him, urging him to unravel the mysteries that lay hidden in the shadows of their shared experience.

Oscar remained silent for a moment, his gaze drifting to the window, as if he were peering into another realm. The moonlight illuminated his features, creating an ethereal glow that accentuated the sharp angles of his face. It was a beautiful, haunting sight that sent a shiver down Lando's spine. In the soft light, he looked almost otherworldly, a being caught between two worlds—one of flesh and blood, and another that was woven from dreams and stories.

"I remember the first time you appeared in my dreams," Lando continued, his voice barely above a whisper, the weight of the moment pressing in on him. "You were so vivid, so real. It felt like I was looking into the eyes of someone I already knew, like you were a part of me somehow."

Oscar turned to face him, a flicker of something—recognition, perhaps—passing through his expressive eyes. "Dreams are strange," he finally replied, his voice soft and melodic, as if he were carefully choosing each word. "They can reveal truths that are buried deep within us, sometimes even the parts we're afraid to confront. When I come to you in your dreams, it's more than just a connection; it's an awakening of something that has long been dormant."

Lando leaned closer, captivated by the sincerity in Oscar's voice. "But why me? Why do you keep coming back? It feels like there's something you're trying to tell me, something important." He searched Oscar's face for answers, for clarity in the murky depths of his thoughts.

Oscar took a deep breath, his expression shifting to one of contemplation. "In your dreams, you see me as I was—before I became a shadow of my former self. You've felt the echoes of my past, and in doing so, you've opened the door to a connection that goes beyond mere memories. I'm drawn to you because you remind me of who I once was. I see the light in you that was once in me, a spark of hope that flickered even when darkness surrounded me."

The weight of Oscar's words wrapped around Lando, filling him with an aching sense of longing. "But what does it all mean? Are you trapped in your own dreams? In your own past?"

Oscar nodded slowly, his gaze unwavering. "In a way, yes. I exist in the memories of those who've heard my story, but those memories have become twisted, tainted by fear and misunderstanding. I'm not the monster they think I am; I'm just a boy who was trying to survive in a world that refused to understand him." He paused, and for a moment, Lando could see the flicker of pain that lingered in Oscar's eyes, a vulnerability that spoke volumes.

"Every time you dream of me, you're peeling back the layers of that misunderstanding. But it's not just about me—it's about you, too. You're beginning to confront your own fears, your own truths. You're not just dreaming; you're exploring the depths of your own soul."

Lando's heart raced at the implications of Oscar's words. "So, by being connected to you, I'm also facing my own fears? But that doesn't explain why I feel so drawn to you. It's like you're a part of me, like I've been waiting for you to find me." The weight of his admission hung between them, a fragile truth that felt both exhilarating and terrifying.