He pushed a lock of hair back from Andraeon’s face and went back to his pacing, looking out the window each time he passed it. It was already growing dark again and the full moon was rising in the east, casting its pale silver glow over the children playing outside in the cool air. He watched them for a few moments, missing Emily, until their parents finally convinced them to come back inside. The last of the light gradually disappeared from the sky and he was left looking at his own pale, drawn face. He rubbed a hand against the stubble along his jaw, producing a low rasp, and turned back into the room.
Shiki was sitting up, rubbing at his temples, his mouth twisted down in pain. Jones went over and touched his shoulder, making him jump, and for just an instant Jones felt a sense of immense power held tightly under control. He took a step back without even thinking about it, then it was just Shiki, giving him a tired smile.
“Drae will wake up in a sec. Can you do me a favour and grab me a glass of water?” He winced and touched his temple. “And the bottle of aspirin in the medicine cabinet.”
Jones looked towards Andraeon, who still looked peacefully asleep, then nodded and left the room. He fetched the aspirin bottle from the bathroom first, then filled up two big glasses of water and took them back to the living room. He handed one glass and the aspirin to Shiki, then went to Andraeon, who was just beginning to stir. Sitting on the arm of the chair, he helped Andraeon sit up and gave him the second glass of water, supporting him as he drank.
“So?” Jones asked once Shiki had taken the aspirin and drained his glass. “What did you find?”
“A lot. Too much. I still don’t know what Drae is—no offense, Drae—but it’s similar to me, just… on a much bigger scale.”
“So what the hell are you?”
“I’m a dreamwalker. There’s a number of us, from all different worlds. We can walk into and through dreams—obviously—and move between worlds like you would go from here to the kitchen. And we can do magic, though that’s putting it in extremely simple terms.”
“Like throwing people across rooms without touching them.”
“Yeah, like that.”
“That’s what Shasta is too?”
“Not quite. He’s complicated. His parents were both dreamwalkers but he isn’t. But he has a major affinity for the between worlds and some of the same abilities.” Shiki shrugged. “Shasta is just Shasta.”
“But I’m not like you?” Andraeon asked.
“Similar, but you’re not a dreamwalker. I’ve never seen anything like you, to be honest.” Shiki gave them a smile. “But don’t look so worried. I still think I can help you. I’ve trained a couple of dreamwalkers and I can probably do the same for you.”
“In exchange for what?” Jones asked.
“Nothing. I like helping.”
Jones studied him but nothing about Shiki was throwing up any red flags; he seemed completely sincere. He glanced down at Andraeon, giving him a silent questioning look. Curled up in the curve of his arm, Andraeon looked thoughtful, if pale and tired; the shadows under his eyes had deepened, giving him an unwell look.
“I think… I need to give it a try,” Andraeon said slowly. “Because I don’t know what I am either. And I don’t want to hurt Jones.”
“Tomorrow morning then. You both look like you could use a good night’s sleep.” Shiki pushed himself up. “I’ll walk you out.”
Taking the hint, Jones got to his feet and helped Andraeon up, steadying him when he stumbled a little. He kept an arm around him as they said goodnight to Shiki and left for the short walk over to their own borrowed cabin. Andraeon leaned against him as they walked, shivering a little though Jones didn’t think the temperature was that much cooler. He still shivered when they got into the warmth of the cabin, until Jones convinced him to crawl straight into bed.
“You’re coming to bed too, right?” Andraeon asked.
“In a bit. Get some sleep.” Jones stroked his hair and started to get up from his seat on the side of the bed.
“Wait.” Andraeon grabbed his wrist. “You’re not going to get all awkward, are you?”
“Drae, I’m just going to get something to eat.” Jones pulled away, though gently. “Go to sleep.”
Andraeon studied him for a moment and Jones saw uncertainty and a certain suspicion in his eyes. It stung, though he knew he deserved it. Keeping his expression neutral, he kissed Andraeon’s forehead and left the room to make himself a sandwich. He ate it at the kitchen table, trying to ignore the tiny but insistent voice telling him to see if he could find a beer. The craving had faded while he was with Lea but never completely gone away; and the stress and worry about Andraeon was only making it stronger.
He finished the last bite of his sandwich and took the plate to the sink, smacking it down on the counter with more force than he meant to. A crack appeared through the middle and the plate broke apart, shedding a few chips of ceramic. He cursed and tossed the pieces in the garbage, then turned and left the cabin, slamming the door behind him. He took a deep breath and started walking, hoping the exercise would help ease the frustration running through him.
He left the circle of cabins behind him and found himself on a broad path running through the jungle. Assuming that if he kept on the path he would be able to find his way back, he kept walking, until the only light was the silver of the moon high above. From somewhere ahead he heard the sound of running water and followed it until he found himself at the edge of a swiftly running river. He could hear a waterfall somewhere but a bend in the river hid it from view.
Shasta was sitting on one of the big boulders that had been scattered along the banks of the river as though thrown by a giant’s hand. The moonlight silvered his hair and all his attention seemed to be on watching the river rush past belong him. Jones hesitated then called out to him, picking his way through the rocks until he reached the boulder Shasta was sitting on.
“Hey.” Shasta gave him half a crooked smile. “What brings you out here in the dead of night? Where’s Drae?”
“Sleeping.” Jones pulled himself up onto the boulder and sat. “What are you doing out here?”
“Just thinking. What’d Shiki say?”
“He doesn’t know what Drae is but he’s going to teach him to control this… whatever he has.”
“Oh good, my own best friend can teach him to kill me outright.” Shasta caught the expression on his face. “Sorry. I’m kinda in a mood.”
“You and me both,” Jones muttered.
“You wanna go for a swim?”
“In this?” Jones asked sceptically, nodding at the rushing river.
“No, there’s a pool further downstream. There’s fish there too.” Shasta grinned. “Not flesh-eating ones, I promise.”
“I don’t really swim.”
“Come on, Jonesy, live a little.” Shasta slid down the side of the boulder. “I’m going. Come or don’t.”
Jones watched him walk away, then thought of being alone with his thoughts and decided even swimming with Shasta was a better option than that. He climbed down from the top of the boulder and jogged to catch up. They walked in silence down to the pool, where Shasta stripped out of his clothes without hesitation and jumped into the dark water. He came up for air and shook his wet hair out of his eyes, giving Jones a grin.
“Get in, the water’s fine. You won’t melt.”
“You don’t know that,” Jones said, but he stripped down and waded into the water. It was colder than he’d expected and he shivered until his body adjusted, watching Shasta swim like a fish across the pool.
“See, you’re still whole.” Shasta turned over onto his back to float. “It makes you feel better, right?”
“It makes me feel numb.”
“Good enough. Numb isn’t angry.”
“Who says I’m angry?”
“Weren’t you the one who said you hate banter? Anyway, I didn’t bring you here to bug you. Just relax and enjoy the water. You are capable of relaxing, right?”
“About as capable as you are of not being an asshole.”
Shasta laughed. “Point taken.” He floated in silence for a while. “Hey Jones?”
“What?” Jones asked, startled out of his contemplation of the moon reflected on the water.
“I’m sorry for all the trouble I caused you. Trying to kill you and everything.”
Jones waved a hand at him, not in the mood to deal with apologies. He checked his shoulder then found a handy shelf of rock to sit on, letting the water swirl around him. Leaning back, he closed his eyes and felt himself gradually begin to relax. Without quite realizing it he dozed off, and only woke when Shasta patted his cheek with a cold, wet hand.
“Rise and shine, Jonesy. You’re turning into a prune and I don’t want you drowning. It’d pollute the water.”
“You sound like Elle,” Jones muttered. “Stop calling me that.” He pushed himself up and got out of the water, dragging his clothes on over his wet skin.
“Tell me your real name then.” Shasta followed him and pulled on his own clothes.
“Jones is my real name.”
“What does your mother call you?”
“She doesn’t.” Jones headed up the path towards what he hoped was the cabins.
“What’s your first name, Jones?” Shasta asked, jogging to catch up.
“Jones.”
“Your name is Jones Jones? Really?”
They were reaching the clearing now and Jones headed for his cabin, turning as he opened the door. “Night, Shasta.”
“I’m going to find it out.” Shasta rocked back on his heels, grinning. “One way or another.”
“Knock yourself out.” Jones went into the cabin and shut the door behind him, much more quietly this time. He toed his shoes off and went into the bedroom, stripping off his damp clothes and draping them over a chair to dry before he carefully climbed into bed beside Andraeon.
“You’re cold,” Andraeon muttered, snuggling up to his side and draping an arm across his stomach. “Goosebumps.”
“I’ll warm up.” Jones couldn’t help a slight smile at the muffled noise Andraeon made in response, obviously already falling asleep again. He relaxed back, listening to Andraeon breathe, and after a while he slept.
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