citylogs | [ catch-all log for January ]

[ Now that things have calmed down a little after the New Year and Hob is doing much better, it seems like the right time to focus some attention on Loki and what he needs. Hob feels bad that his injury may have delayed some things, especially when it comes to helping Loki with his sleeping problems.

Since both Loki and Dream agreed it would be good to have him there, on the decided night, Hob escorts Dream to Loki’s apartment. Once there, Hob knocks, but then takes a key out of his pocket and unlocks the door, letting them both in. ]

Loki? We’re here.

[Ever since he checked out the exhibit with Johanna, Loki’s sleeping has gotten worse. Now he doesn’t just dream of his death before arriving here, but his death in the photo as well. He still hasn’t given Hob the details, hating to think about it at all, but as he waits for him and Dream to arrive, he sees the folly in his plan.

Though he is expecting them, he jumps slightly at the knock and opening of the door. Loki jumps up from his couch where he’s been sitting and fretting and greets them with a strained smile. He’s dressed casually in simple black slacks and a light green sweater.]

Hi, yes hello. Welcome! [Ah yes, that didn’t sound nervous at all. He walks over to meet them properly, he nods politely at Dream and leans in to kiss Hob on the cheek.] Thank you both for coming.

[ Dream doesn't respond aloud to the greeting, giving a single nod in return, but then his eyes narrow as he takes in Loki, watching him with a very unsubtle stare as he and Hob exchange greetings. he lets Hob step in before him, gaze still caught on Loki, but finally speaks up once they're all inside and the door closed behind them once again. ]

Something else has occurred to you.

[ Hob understands if Loki is nervous about this, but he tries to reassure Loki with a warm look. The affectionate greeting gets a little blush out of Hob, who touches Loki's side with a brush of his fingers.

Dream's remark then earns a curious, ]

Hm? What's that?

[Oh Dream, straight to the point as always.

Loki only doesn’t break out in a nervous sweat because Hob’s presence is a calming one.]

Is it that obvious?

[He shoots Hob an apologetic look.] I did mean to say, but it never felt like the right time. My sleeping issue has gotten worse since I went to the exhibit with Johanna.

[ look, if it's about his area of expertise, he's going to be straight-forward about it. there's a very subtle rising of his eyebrows at the mention of Constantine though.]

What exhibit is this?

[ Hob raises his brow at the news. Given how this city likes to torment them, he can only guess what might have happened. There's also a frown that follows, since Hob hadn't realized something was bothering Loki, but Dream noticed right away. Probably because of Loki's lack of sleep, but still, he frowns.

Not wishing to interrupt the explanation, Hob just looks from Dream to Loki, expectantly. ]

Edited 2024-01-18 05:41 (UTC)

[Once the door is closed, Loki offers to take their jackets (or cloaks) before moving them into the living room area.]

You haven’t heard about the exhibit? In the museum that opened in District 4 there is an exhibit on all the other iterations of this place. In it there is a photo of each one displaying a rather intense disaster scene with a button below the display.

[As he explains, his voice displays the discomfort he’s feeling about the memory and he reaches out for Hob’s hand, needing to touch him.]

After the messy business with Ethan and his alternate form, I made Johanna promise me she would call me if she were about to try something possibly dangerous. And much to my surprise, she did.

[ his eyebrows visibly rise higher. ]

That certainly is surprising of her.

[ Hob slips off his coat and hands it over to Loki, though he doubts Dream will remove his own. He also follows Loki further into the apartment as they speak.

Hearing that Johanna actually did as Hob hoped she would does make him smile a little. He doesn't want Loki to be in danger, but he'd still rather she ask for help and have someone reliable like Loki watching her back.

The touch of Loki's hand is responded to with a squeeze, holding his hand securely. ]

I'm guessing she pushed a button.

[Loki nods in response to Dream.] Yes, I was rather surprised myself. And honestly relieved. If she is going to do something dangerous, I would rather be there to try and help.

[Though neither of them had been much help to each other at the time. He is still glad she trusted him enough to call.

He turns to Hob and smiles a bit sadly.] We actually pressed it together. I am sorry I did not tell you sooner, but at the moment I felt I needed to get to her as quickly as possible or she would’ve done it alone. And after… well I do not like thinking about what happened.

Then What you saw is causing new nightmares.

[ Hob shakes his head a little and smiles softly to Loki. ]

It's okay. You did the right thing, going with her, but I'm sorry what you saw upset you.

[ Enough that he's losing sleep over it. ]

Even if you don't want to, you are still thinking about it, if it's causing you nightmares, so maybe we can help.

[ Hob looks hopefully over to Dream. ]

[There's a slight pause before Loki answers Dream as he attempts to keep his composure.]

Yes, or at least it triggered some of my more commonly themed nightmares. They just have a new theme every now and then.

[Loki squeezes Hob's hand and gives him a small smile, thanking him without words. His presence is really helping him here, more than he realized it would.] I hope so. I was coping, or at least I thought I was. Now I am not so sure.

[ he gives a slow nod, taking all of that in. ]

I would ask the manner of changes, but I shall see them soon enough.

[ he briefly,glances down at Hob's and Loki's hand, entwined between them, gaze lingering a bit before looking back up. ]

For now, take those actions you would to prepare for sleep. I would see them occur as they come to you naturally so I will not encourage any sleep through my own powers. You and Hob may lie together, and I would only approach once your dreams began.

[ Hob keeps holding on to Loki's hand so it's warm and secure. If it does anything to make Loki feel safer, Hob will continue doing it.

At Dream's instructions, Hob nods, though he blushes a bit at the thought of being seen sleeping together with Loki. He knew that was part of the plan when he came along, though. ]

Right. Let's get ready for bed.

[ Hob will pass a glance over to Dream, which appears grateful for Dream's assistance, then follows Loki to the bedroom. ]

[It does not go unnoticed that Dream has zeroed in on their hand holding, but Loki doesn’t comment, only squeezes Hob’s hand a little tighter.

He nods at the instructions, but doesn’t move right away. He’s also feeling a little odd about Dream watching them sleep together. Even when simply sleeping, he finds it comforting to have Hob all to himself and this feels a bit like an invasion on something he holds dear. Loki knows that is ridiculous though. He needs this, needs both of them really. Hob helps him sleep and Dream will hopefully make that something which is actually restful.

Smiling at Hob, though he doubts it covers up his nervousness, he walks them to the bedroom. He moves to the dresser and pulls out some sleeping clothes before turning back to see if Dream followed. He’s not got much shame, but isn’t sure he actually needs to change his clothing in front of him.]

[ Dream has actually stayed in the main living area of the apartment, letting Hob and Loki step into the bedroom together without him. from the bedroom door, he'll see that Dream has actually moved over to the patio to look out the windows there. he'll take a seat on the couch after a while, but for now, Hob and Loki are by themselves, free to talk and prep for bed without the God of Dreams playing a looming witness to their actions. Dream did say that he would only approach them once his dreams began, after all. ]

[ Hob follows after Loki and as he sees Dream make himself comfortable to wait, Hob closes the bedroom door enough to hide them from view but leaves it open a crack. ]

I'm not sure I'll actually be able to sleep.

[ He admits to Loki with a weak smile. ]

Can I borrow something to wear?

[ He should've thought to pack a bag. ]

[Loki is relieved to find Dream stayed in the living room. He is aware of what he had said, but he’s having problems concentrating. He’s taken to not even bothering to try and sleep any night he’s alone. Those nights he is glad for that balcony, allowing him to sit out amongst the stars without having to leave his home.]

I am sorry, if this is too much for you… [he stops and takes a deep breath before continuing.] I am glad you are here, but if you would prefer not to be here, I would understand.

[With that he turns and retrieves a t-shirt and pair of jogging pants from the dresser. As he’s retrieving the clothing, and without turning around he speaks again.] You could consider leaving some things of yours here, if you are so inclined.

[ Too much for him? Hob shakes his head. ]

I wanted to help. I'm sorry I didn't realize sooner what a hard time you were having.

[ Loki is very good at masking things. When Loki suggests Hob might leave some things here, Hob smiles. ]

That's probably a good idea.

[When Loki turns back around, there’s a soft look on his face. He’s honestly relieved that Hob has agreed to keep some things here.]

I will clear some space for you then. And… [He trails off slightly, looking away for a moment before handing Hob the clothes he’s retrieved for him.] I am sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. That it has been worse and about what Johanna and I did. I am just not good at talking about these things. I do know I can come to you, and I will try to get better at this. It is just second nature for me to hold it in and try to ignore it.

[Thing was, Loki knows how badly that has turned out for him in the past and he is actively trying to get better about all of this.]

[ Hob steps forward to accept the clothing with both hands. ]

I know it's not easy, but I am here for you.

[ Loki already knows that. It'll just take some time for him to open up, that's all. He waited hundreds of years for Dream to just acknowledge their friendship, so Hob can be patient, and he's sure it's not going to take Loki that long to get comfortable with talking to him.

A smile and he turns to the bed to set the things down and busies himself with removing his shirt so he can put on the bedtime clothes. ]

I know. And I truly appreciate that. I really am glad to have you here. Not just now, for this, but always.

[He truly means that. He doesn’t know what he’d do if he hadn’t met Hob here. He’s done so much to help him in more ways than he thinks Hob knows. One day, he’ll even tell him.

His eyes follow Hob as he removes his shirt. He’s in no way in that kind of mood currently, but that doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate the sight. He’s always ready to appreciate his handsome partner. He only looks for a moment though before smiling a bit to himself and beginning to change his own clothing.]

I would like to warn you, before we retire, that when I have slept recently my dreams have been rather… violent. I think it would be best if you slept on the outside of the bed, so you can escape quickly if I suddenly lash out. [His voice is rather quiet as he admits this. He’s uncertain if he has actually lashed out in such a fashion, only knowing that he’s woken up wound in his sheets in a cold sweat, but he would never be able to forgive himself if he didn’t warn Hob and something happened.]

[ Hob changes into the comfortable t-shirt, this one with longer sleeves to keep warm and a v-neck for comfort. A pair of loose pants to top it off and he'll sleep comfortably enough.

A concerned look is passed to Loki, but Hob nods, not wishing to worry Loki any further. ]

Alright.

[ Hob goes to the bed and makes himself comfortable on his side, lying on top of the covers and facing where Loki will sleep. Once Loki's in bed, Hob reaches for his hand to hold on to it. A little smile, and Hob closes his eyes, doing his damnedest to fall asleep, until he finally does. ]

[ catch-all log for January ]

Loki, Hob, and Dream

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

i figure dream is just lurk--i mean, waiting

Definitely lurking…

no subject

no subject

no subject