００３ 。 DREAM

[selfmotivations]

Warnings: MORE FIRE. MORE DEATH.
Effects: Some genuine happiness, but mostly confusion and disorientation.

Comments

[action]

[fiveminutefail]

[He'd hoped that the nightmares would stop after revealing the future so openly to Barnaby, but that now seems to have been too much to hope for. Seeing Jake Martinez's face there in place of what was once a grotesque, phantom apparition coated in flames... it boils his blood, makes him tightly coil his fists

[action]

[selfmotivations]

[He sits up at the door opening, breath catching in his throat with a high, strained sound as he tries to drag himself to alertness all at once. The dream has left a residual unease pacing through his nerves and his shoulders are drawn taut, his hands balled into fists, and he looks ready to spring forward, to leap away.

But his eyes fall on Kotetsu's silhouette and he swallows, suddenly calmer. Seeing his partner sit down, he's struck by a sudden urge to go to him, to sit with him - but he stays put where he is, hanging his head in the knowledge that Kotetsu has seen that whole thing. He finds himself almost ashamed. The nightmares have never been a mark of shame before - they've been a reminder, part of his driving force. But now, knowing people can see them... He wonders, briefly and with a nauseating twist in his gut, what Maverick would say, if he found out about these dreams being broadcast to so many people

[action]

[fiveminutefail]

[He feels the dip in the bed as Barnaby shifts, sees him running his hands through his hair through the corner of his eye, as if the disheveled appearance of his hair is important right now. Kotetsu can't even see it in this light, and he laughs a quiet, non-mocking laugh at the action.

He shakes his head just a little, as he's still not sure how to approach the situation. Approaching it like the last time was easy, smooth and cool he likes to think. He seems to handle things like this well when feigned ignorance is his method, and he seems to at least manage with heads on.

But this time it leaves him speechless. It normally doesn't, and he finds himself wringing his hands as he responds.]

Do you want to talk about it?

[Despite everything, though, his voice is a calm and strong reminder that he's here and willing to help, even if all he can do this time is lend an ear.]

[action]

[selfmotivations]

What is there to talk about? [There's nothing particularly aggressive or resentful in Barnaby's voice - instead, he simply sounds resigned. He lapses into silence again, a weighty hush that hangs around him like a shroud, as though it could hide him from sight.

Shaking his head, however, he speaks again.] I had thought I might stop dreaming of it, when I found out the truth. [He wrings his hands before continuing, and his voice brightens up a bit - like he's trying to brush it off and sound optimistic.] Maybe when I see it for myself.