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last_pleasureentry #05, Dream Catcher by Dorothy Parker
synopsis: Much as Shou tries to ignore the hecklers, they take their toll on him.
ratings/warnings: PG/none
entered in: categories 1, 2 & 3
this entry uses prompt 4: nightmares, snowglobe, hands
concrit: 3
dartboard: yes
*****************
"It's not enough and you know it..."
"But they try so hard!"
Darkness.
"Look! The crowds love them.''
Doubt.
"Try acting your age for once, Shou! Think about other people's needs before your own."
"I'm doing the best I can..."
Fear.
"But sometimes it's not enough, will never be enough..."
All-consuming guilt.
"What on earth were you thinking?! Have you finally lost your senses?"
It takes hold of you...
"They expect too much of me. I'm not that easy of a person."
...and never lets go...
"Bands come and go every day. We'll just have to see about this one."
... until everything is broken and left to rot.
*****************
Shou bolted upright in bed, heart racing, lungs straining to take in a gulp of air. Beads of sweat cooled on his brow and chest, sending shivers through his naked body as his eyes, wide and wild, searched the dark room around him. But he could see nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that should instill such fear in his heart. He carefully uncurled aching fingers from their death grip around the tangled sheets and threw his feet over the edge of the bed. With a backward glance at the still-sleeping figure at his side, he grabbed his robe and stumbled out of the bedroom.
The last vestiges of his chaotic dream drifted through his groggy mind as he padded barefoot through the tiny living room, flopping into the armchair and draping himself over the back, head resting on his arms, pale legs folded underneath. He turned his eyes toward the window, bright stars peeking through the calm night sky, bathing his troubled face in a cool blue glow. Something caught his attention.
A small snowglobe, only about the size of his hand, sat perched on the windowsill, its wintry scene trapped in the cold stillness of time. Flashes of his nightmare filtered through his mind and his hand paused centimeters from the globe's unmarred surface.
"Maybe you should just... give up..."
He suddenly felt very cold and trapped, as if all the air had left the room.
"...too much strain on your voice. It will never get better..."
He took a deep, noisy breath and lurched forward, picking up the trinket and turning it in his hands. A flurry of fake sparkly snow erupted inside, temporarily obscuring the serene winter scene. He stared at it until the white flakes settled once more to the bottom, then returned the curious object to its resting place.
Two hands lighted on his shoulders, the touch gentle but unexpected, and Shou jumped, startled. He turned in his chair to see the intruder. By the dark-painted nails and long, elegant fingers it could only be one person and he relaxed, those familar hands slowly massaging his stiff shoulders. With a tired sigh, Shou leaned back into the comforting touch, eyes drifting closed.
"Did I wake you?"
Tora shrugged, his thumbs kneading away the knots just under Shou's skin.
"You cried out more than once," he said, voice soft. "That must have been some dream."
Shou sighed, his mind fighting to remember images and feelings he'd rather not relive. "I'd just as soon forget it," he murmured, head rolling forward until his forehead rested on the back of the recliner.
Tora eased Shou's bathrobe off his shoulders, letting it pool around his narrow waist, then moved his hands down Shou's bare back, following his probing fingers with soft kisses.
"Don't let the stress get to you," he murmured against the vocalist's skin, licking a trail along his spine. "It's not like you to worry so much. Maybe that's why you keep having these nightmares." He straightened up, nuzzling Shou's neck. "Leave the worrying to Nao, he likes it."
Shou said nothing, only enjoyed the feel of Tora's strong, gentle hands on him, easing the tension from his body until he was completely relaxed, slumped against the chair. Just as he was about to fall completely asleep, he felt strong arms nudge him sideways as Tora crawled into the chair with him, pulling Shou into his lap. He let himself be cradled in his lover's arms, head resting just below Tora's chin, lean arms encircling his waist in a loose, comfortable embrace.
"Rest now," Tora whispered, placing a kiss on Shou's soft head. "I'll keep the nightmares away."
synopsis: Much as Shou tries to ignore the hecklers, they take their toll on him.
ratings/warnings: PG/none
entered in: categories 1, 2 & 3
this entry uses prompt 4: nightmares, snowglobe, hands
concrit: 3
dartboard: yes
"It's not enough and you know it..."
"But they try so hard!"
Darkness.
"Look! The crowds love them.''
Doubt.
"Try acting your age for once, Shou! Think about other people's needs before your own."
"I'm doing the best I can..."
Fear.
"But sometimes it's not enough, will never be enough..."
All-consuming guilt.
"What on earth were you thinking?! Have you finally lost your senses?"
It takes hold of you...
"They expect too much of me. I'm not that easy of a person."
...and never lets go...
"Bands come and go every day. We'll just have to see about this one."
... until everything is broken and left to rot.
Shou bolted upright in bed, heart racing, lungs straining to take in a gulp of air. Beads of sweat cooled on his brow and chest, sending shivers through his naked body as his eyes, wide and wild, searched the dark room around him. But he could see nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that should instill such fear in his heart. He carefully uncurled aching fingers from their death grip around the tangled sheets and threw his feet over the edge of the bed. With a backward glance at the still-sleeping figure at his side, he grabbed his robe and stumbled out of the bedroom.
The last vestiges of his chaotic dream drifted through his groggy mind as he padded barefoot through the tiny living room, flopping into the armchair and draping himself over the back, head resting on his arms, pale legs folded underneath. He turned his eyes toward the window, bright stars peeking through the calm night sky, bathing his troubled face in a cool blue glow. Something caught his attention.
A small snowglobe, only about the size of his hand, sat perched on the windowsill, its wintry scene trapped in the cold stillness of time. Flashes of his nightmare filtered through his mind and his hand paused centimeters from the globe's unmarred surface.
"Maybe you should just... give up..."
He suddenly felt very cold and trapped, as if all the air had left the room.
"...too much strain on your voice. It will never get better..."
He took a deep, noisy breath and lurched forward, picking up the trinket and turning it in his hands. A flurry of fake sparkly snow erupted inside, temporarily obscuring the serene winter scene. He stared at it until the white flakes settled once more to the bottom, then returned the curious object to its resting place.
Two hands lighted on his shoulders, the touch gentle but unexpected, and Shou jumped, startled. He turned in his chair to see the intruder. By the dark-painted nails and long, elegant fingers it could only be one person and he relaxed, those familar hands slowly massaging his stiff shoulders. With a tired sigh, Shou leaned back into the comforting touch, eyes drifting closed.
"Did I wake you?"
Tora shrugged, his thumbs kneading away the knots just under Shou's skin.
"You cried out more than once," he said, voice soft. "That must have been some dream."
Shou sighed, his mind fighting to remember images and feelings he'd rather not relive. "I'd just as soon forget it," he murmured, head rolling forward until his forehead rested on the back of the recliner.
Tora eased Shou's bathrobe off his shoulders, letting it pool around his narrow waist, then moved his hands down Shou's bare back, following his probing fingers with soft kisses.
"Don't let the stress get to you," he murmured against the vocalist's skin, licking a trail along his spine. "It's not like you to worry so much. Maybe that's why you keep having these nightmares." He straightened up, nuzzling Shou's neck. "Leave the worrying to Nao, he likes it."
Shou said nothing, only enjoyed the feel of Tora's strong, gentle hands on him, easing the tension from his body until he was completely relaxed, slumped against the chair. Just as he was about to fall completely asleep, he felt strong arms nudge him sideways as Tora crawled into the chair with him, pulling Shou into his lap. He let himself be cradled in his lover's arms, head resting just below Tora's chin, lean arms encircling his waist in a loose, comfortable embrace.
"Rest now," Tora whispered, placing a kiss on Shou's soft head. "I'll keep the nightmares away."
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