The first rays of dawn filtered through the dense canopy above, casting slivers of light across the stone floor of the abandoned hut. Vyren, still curled under the blanket, tried to ignore the chill in the air as he lay there, his mind tangled in thoughts far more complicated than anything he'd ever faced in the real world.
Chandrel was still sleeping, the steady rise and fall of his chest visible even in the half-light. Vyren found himself watching him, his eyes tracing the lines of Chandrel's face, memorizing the details of someone who, in this strange world, had become more important to him than he'd ever expected. He hadn't meant to let himself get attached, not in a place like this, not with the stakes so high, but here they were.
The dream world was dangerous, no matter how many times he'd reminded himself of that.
His thoughts drifted to the last few days, the conversations they'd shared, the moments where Chandrel had looked at him with something in his gaze that wasn't just cold detachment. There had been kindness there soft, unexpected kindness. Chandrel didn't have to be kind to him. He didn't owe Vyren anything. But still, he had been. And for some reason, that simple act had pierced Vyren's carefully guarded walls.
It made Vyren feel... things. Things that had no place in this world, no place when he had a life, a job, and responsibilities back home. The real world—his world—was so far away. He could almost hear the hum of his hospital's machines, feel the weight of his stethoscope against his chest.
But none of that felt real anymore. Not when he was here. Not when Chandrel was just a breath away, his presence both grounding and completely unnerving.
Vyren exhaled slowly, pushing the thoughts away. He had to return. He couldn't let himself forget that. This was just a dream, a glitch in reality. It wasn't supposed to mean anything.
But when Chandrel stirred, rolling over to face him with sleepy eyes, Vyren froze. Chandrel blinked at him, his hair messy and falling into his face, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the weariness.
"Good morning," Chandrel's voice was rough, still thick with sleep, but there was a softness to it that Vyren hadn't expected.
Vyren blinked back, swallowing. "Morning."
The awkward silence stretched between them for a moment before Chandrel sat up, rubbing his eyes. He looked out the small window, the forest outside still shrouded in early mist.
"We have to leave soon," Vyren said, his voice betraying the anxiety he'd been feeling ever since he realized how close he was becoming to this strange, blind man.
Chandrel nodded but didn't move right away. Instead, his fingers traced the edges of the blanket they had shared the night before, as if weighing something in his mind.
"Vyren," he said, his voice quieter, as though he wasn't sure how to start. "I want you to come back tomorrow. To visit me."
Vyren blinked, startled. "What?"
"We're friends now, right?" Chandrel's lips quirked up in a smile, one that seemed unfamiliar but sincere. "You said so yesterday."
Vyren froze. His heart beat faster, a strange warmth spreading through his chest. "I... I didn't mean—" He didn't know what to say. Friends? What was happening?
Chandrel's gaze softened, and for the first time, there was something vulnerable in the way he looked at Vyren. "I want to see you again. I know you have your world to go back to, but we're friends, and I think... I think I want to spend more time with you." His smile was hesitant, almost shy, and Vyren's stomach did a flip.
"You... want me to visit you?" Vyren asked, his voice trailing off. It felt so... personal, the way Chandrel said it. Like there was meaning behind the words, meaning that Vyren wasn't sure he was ready to face.
Chandrel nodded slowly, his expression serious now. "Yes. I know it might be strange, but I don't want you to just leave after everything. You've become someone I trust. Maybe, for once, I don't want to be alone."
Vyren couldn't breathe. The simple honesty of Chandrel's words hit him harder than he'd ever expected. Trust? Alone? Chandrel was blind, yes, but he wasn't a fool. He could see how much Vyren had begun to matter to him.
But Vyren wasn't sure he could do this. He wasn't sure how to feel about it. What were they? What did it mean to be friends in a place like this, where nothing made sense, where everything was a dream?
"I... I'll come," Vyren said, the words slipping out before he could stop them. The promise sounded too heavy in his mouth, too real.
Chandrel's face lit up with a smile, and Vyren's heart skipped a beat. "I'll see you tomorrow then."
Vyren nodded, the promise hanging between them like a delicate thread. He didn't know how he'd feel about it tomorrow. He didn't know if he was ready for whatever this was—whatever they were becoming. But one thing was clear. Chandrel had a way of getting under his skin in a way no one else had.
And as Vyren looked into Chandrel's eyes, he realized that maybe, just maybe, it wasn't just the dream world that was pulling him in. Maybe there was something more to this than he'd allowed himself to believe.
But for now, he had to leave. He had to return to his world, even if it felt like he was walking away from something real for the first time in his life.
Vyren took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. He had made his decision. He was going to leave, return to his world, and he couldn't let himself get too attached to this strange dream world or the people in it, no matter how much he'd come to care about Chandrel.
But as he stood up and looked at the blind man, there was something different in the air. Maybe it was just Vyren's nerves or maybe it was the way Chandrel had looked at him earlier, but there was a hint of something in his expression that made Vyren feel... strange.
And then, out of nowhere, Vyren's mind went into overdrive.
Chandrel was quiet for too long, staring off into the distance. Vyren could almost hear his heart beat in his ears, the tension building. He was leaving, and Chandrel wasn't saying much. Maybe it was just... too much for him. Maybe Chandrel didn't want him to leave, either. Maybe he was too shy to say it.
Vyren's stomach did an awkward flip.
Before he could stop himself, he was already taking a step toward Chandrel, his arms half-open. "Hey, uh—Chandrel," he stammered. "It's... it's okay. I know this might be hard, but we'll be friends, right? And... I guess... you know, I'm sorry for all the trouble, but—"
Vyren wrapped his arms around him, giving the hug as awkward as it was heartfelt, but the moment he embraced Chandrel, he felt the cold, firm pressure of Chandrel's hands on his shoulders.
The blind man shoved him away with an almost angry force. "What are you doing?" he demanded, his voice harsh.
Vyren stumbled back, his heart thudding in confusion. "What? I thought you... I thought you were emotional or something! I was just trying to—"
Chandrel rubbed his eyes dramatically, muttering something under his breath as he swiped his hand across his face. Vyren blinked in confusion.
"What?" Vyren asked, clearly frustrated now. "What's wrong with you?"
Chandrel looked back at him, deadpan. "Aji ghanta sad. My eye's been watering the whole time, you idiot. A damn fly got stuck in it. And, since I'm blind, it hurts more, okay? So don't get all... emotional on me."
Vyren froze, blinking in disbelief. "Wait, what?"
"Yes, Vyren," Chandrel groaned, finally dropping his hand. "You're hugging me because you thought I was... what? Feeling sad? Are you trying to be dramatic? I just had a damn fly in my eye."
Vyren could feel his face turning crimson. "Uh... well... I thought—" He cleared his throat. "I thought you were, like, feeling emotional or something. You've been so kind, and... I don't know, I thought it was a moment."
Chandrel snorted, clearly holding back a laugh. "Moment? You idiot. The only moment I had was when I was trying to figure out why my damn eye felt like it was on fire." He shook his head in disbelief.
Vyren, now completely embarrassed, raised his hands in defense. "Okay, okay, I get it. No hugs, no emotional goodbye. I won't—"
But Chandrel's voice cut through his nervous rambling. "Wait. You know what? I'm glad you tried. But you're lucky I didn't leave you out there for the tiger."
Vyren's face blanched for a second. "What? Did you just—?"
Chandrel shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe I should have. At least then, I wouldn't be stuck with this chaotic mess of a blind guy. You, trying to hug me like we're in some dramatic movie." He looked away, but there was a faint glimmer in his eyes. "Honestly, Vyren... next time, maybe try hugging the tree behind me. You know, the one that saved you when the tiger was chasing you."
Vyren blinked, the absurdity of it all finally dawning on him. "Wait, the tree saved me?" he said incredulously.
"Yeah," Chandrel said, a teasing smile finally creeping up on his lips. "That tree was the real hero. Saved your ass from the tiger."
Vyren, now completely flustered and laughing at the ridiculousness of it all, muttered to himself, "Unbelievable."
But before he could say anything more, he heard the soft whisper of Chandrel's voice. "Next time, Vyren... maybe I should've just left you for the tiger."
Vyren raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You sure? I thought you liked me."
Chandrel smirked. "Who said I liked you?"
Vyren laughed awkwardly, his face going red again. "Yeah, well... what can I say? You're not the easiest guy to understand."
"You'll figure me out eventually," Chandrel said with a smirk, turning his back to Vyren as he walked toward the doorway. "Maybe. If you can stop trying to hug me long enough."
Vyren shook his head, unable to hide his grin. "I swear, if I didn't need you so much, I'd just leave you here."
Chandrel's voice floated back over his shoulder. "Yeah, well, good luck with that. Who else is going to save you from a tiger next time?"
Vyren didn't reply. Instead, he just followed Chandrel out of the hut, both of them silent as the morning sun began to break through the trees.
But as they walked side by side, Vyren couldn't help but wonder. This weird, frustrating, heart-stopping mess of a relationship they were going to figure it out eventually, weren't they?
One way or another.