Graeling dreamed of serpents.
In his dream, a great snake coiled around him, squeezing his chest and head. He had no breath to scream – not enough oxygen to feel even fear. It swallowed him whole. From its stomach he could see the universe spread before him, twinkling stars and hurtling comets and slowly turning planets – he could hear them move, as if through a great wind, and each one had a different voice. Soon all the elements of the cosmos were singing together in harmony, drowning out the rush of wind, drowning out the pounding footsteps and the shouts and the digestive fluids eating their way through his skin.
This doesn’t make any sense.
He became aware of himself long before he opened his eyes. He was laying on something soft and warm, and there was something wrapped tightly around his head (and ears, he noticed – it appeared he was going to have to get used to not hearing anything) and something was numbing all his senses, making him feel drunk. He lifted a hand and put it on his face, and grunted.
“Am I in hell.” the selkie mumbled through his fingers, slowly opening one eye. Though it was not surprising that Amber was there, an arm’s length away, the realization still filled him with a warm feeling. “Or Reyna’s stomach? Did you know, her stomach is filled with stars.” His hand slid off his face awkwardly, fell limply beside him. He squinted. “Sorry. That was meant to be a joke, but I don’t think it’s funny unless you were in my head while I was dreaming. Were you?” he asked, suddenly remembering. His eyes were searching, but held no accusation. “In my head?”
Before she could answer, he closed his eyes, and forcefully pinched the bridge of his nose. “Ugh. You must think I’m so weird.” His free hand fumbled around beside him, seeking hers – when he brushed it, his hand closed around her wrist, moved to interlace with her fingers. In the silence imposed by the bandages, all Graeling could hear were faint words, as if from a long way off, and his own sleepy heartbeat. He sighed.
“Thank you. Again. For everything. As usual.”
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