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I think it's meaningless. Nightmares aren't always a message. I've made enemies, their ill will might be directed at you with this.

You think someone sent them to me on purpose?

It's a possibility I'm not discounting.

Maybe... They're full of things and places I've never seen. So it's possible they're created by someone who has seen them-- But then, to see those things, that person must be...

[Really horrible. Whoever came up with what he's seeing has to be absolutely depraved.]

There are bad people in the world Ariel.

[He reaches over to cup his brother's cheek, if Ariel will let him.]

I want more than anything to keep you safe with me.

[He lets him this time, leans into the touch, and when he looks up it isn't with fear. The same trust and love and devotion he's shown all this time -- that Tristan programmed into this version of him -- is right there, and he smiles.]

I know. I couldn't ask for a better brother than you.

[It's so twisted and wrong and it's a relief. Tris leans over and kisses Ariel's forehead, fond and gentle. Stroking his cheek perhaps more like a lover than a brother but really, it's more or less how he always has.]

If it's too much I can erase them--I know you want to figure it out but I think all they'll do is trouble and hurt you. But I'll wait for you to ask me.

Just stay with me and I'll keep you safe.

[He doesn't have the experience to know that's not how brothers touch. It's how Tristan's always touched him, and no one's ever told him otherwise. So he just nuzzles against his hand, sweetness not at all feigned in this rearranged replica.]

You know I won't ever leave you, Tristan. We belong together, don't we?

[Maybe he should have questioned why him, above and apart from all their other siblings, but he hasn't. He hasn't been encouraged to, and Tristan's never given him a reason. So he just hasn't. This is how it is and should be... right?]

[This is how it should be, this is his. Ariel as he always wanted him, an Ariel that's innocent and sweet and not a monster and somehow it feels empty at times. He loves this Ariel, he really really does, he's a good boy. He's the same Ariel with a new personality that's all. And Tris will never get over the twisted sense of triumph and sick feeling when he thinks about it.]

[Which is more lately, with Ariel growing up and looking more like Tris' memories of him, day by day filling out, face maturing, and Tris doesn't have to wonder how his body is developing and he knows it's terrible that he doesn't, and he shouldn't think about it.]

[He trails his fingers down Ariel's jaw and tilts his head up to meet his eyes.]

That's right, we belong together.

And we are together. So everything will be alright. It's just dreams.

[Even if they're terrifying, traumatic dreams. He's sure he can handle it. It's better than being caught unaware every time, or missing a clue that might lead to something acting against Tristan. He'll just have to be brave for the sake of his beloved big brother.]

[Tristen lifts his other hand, cupping Ariel's face between them. This is his, his his his his his his his his, he won't let memories interfere. He kisses each of Ariel's eyelids tenderly, and then brushes his lips over his little brother's in the gentlest of light kisses.]

They're only dreams, so try to forget them and tell me what you want to do while we're stormed in.

[Tristan's done a good job of sheltering him from reality. He doesn't know that it's odd for his big brother to kiss him, or that Tris's "eccentricity" in that department is a frequent topic of gossip. It doesn't occur to him to be scandalized, or indeed to do anything but throw his arms around Tristan's neck and wriggle his way into his lap. He's just being shown affection, and as always he soaks that up like a sponge.]

We should spend the time together, of course.

Edited 2014-08-22 21:45 (UTC)

[That's fine, Ariel doesn't need to know better. Ariel knows exactly as much as Ariel has ever needed to know, and Tris will wrap his arms around his brother, much more at ease with this familiarity than Ariel's wariness of him. He runs his fingers through his brother's hair (no one would know they were related looking at this scene from outside, but it's how he's always treated him).]

Jupiter wants to play in the snow but it's too stormy for that. He said he'd make cocoa though. So how do you want to pass the time?

However you want to. You should take a break and do what you like.

[Tristan doesn't get a lot of breaks, after all. But he's going to have to dislodge Ariel to do anything but sit, since he's snuggling close and tucking his head against his shoulder. This is just a natural place for him, warm and safe. Tris said he wouldn't do anything without Ariel's permission, and so he believes him. Of course. There's no need to question him.]

[Why would he dislodge Ariel though this is perfectly acceptable. In fact, he can't think of a better way to pass the time than gently petting the teenager nestled in his lap, as if Ariel were himself one of his many cats.]

Maybe I want to just sit here and spend time with you and Jupiter. I'm afraid I have very boring interests.

It's true, you're getting dull.

[ Guess who is here with cocoa now!! He raises a slight eyebrow at Tris and Ariel, but says nothing, used to it by now. ]

He needs to have fun more often.

[Not that Ariel minds being petted. He practically melts into it, and doesn't move at all when he notices Jupiter. He's warm and comfy and this isn't weird at all, so why should he?]

Some of us work hard and like to relax when we have the time. I don't have your energy you know.

[Stop talking like you're thirty Tris you're only twenty. But he doesn't move either, completely at east with Ariel in his lap and not bothered by Jupiter here to witness it.]

You say that like you're an old man.

[ Jupiter places the mugs of cocoa on the closest table, and leans against the window now himself, separate. ]

Tristan's going to be a wizened elder by the time he's fourty, you know.

[He laughs, eyeing the cocoa and considering whether sugar is worth getting up for.]

Now you're both picking on me.

[He complains, without really seeming to mind at all.]

There's room for you too Jupiter.

You want me to sit on your lap?

It's comfortable. You should.

[He has no idea why he wouldn't. Do you want to be responsible for telling Ariel sitting there is weird, Jupiter?]

Why not?

[Are you going to tell Ariel why not are you]

[ Gives Tris a baleful look, but he won't. So instead he puts his mug down and climbs onto Tris's lap, cheeks red, long limbs awkward. ]