Eighth Spark! [Dream]

[empyreanistic]

It starts with a scream. Not a normal scream, of course. It’s the scream of a nation, billions of voices crying out in horror and it’s not clear how it sounds, just how it feels. The screen is locked in a freefall of fire and explosions, slowly fading into rain

Comments

[Video] couldn't resist tagging America with Captain America

[bucky_cap]

[He's not sure why, exactly, but this particular dream has Bucky shaken - shaken enough to comment on it, his voice hoarse with lack of sleep and distant from old memories. The war dreams always get to him. Every time, without fail. He knows he shouldn't comment, because dreams are private, but...]

Which... Which war was that?

[video] I am absolutely wholeheartedly okay with this /HUGS FOREVER EE

[empyreanistic]

[Alfred is awake, of course, because after dreams like that... well. He's always awake after dreams like that, eyes wide in the light of his room. It's too early for this shit.

It's also too early for him to comprehend not answering in a soft, dull voice] Revolutionary. And 1812. Both.

[video] CLEARLY THEY HAD TO MEET EVENTUALLY

[bucky_cap]

[Bucky knows what that's like. He can never sleep after dreaming about his own war. So he doesn't even consider that he's waking the other person up, just regards him with distant brown eyes, frowning slightly.]

That far back? And I thought I was old.

[video] AND ONCE THE EMO STOPS ALFRED WILL FANBOY

[empyreanistic]

[Alfred only looks about 19, granted, but there's something so much older in his voice, in his eyes] That far back. You don't really forget 'em, though. 'S weird.

[in person]

[maplelight]

[Canada jumps awake in his own bunk and, after initially hitting his head on the ceiling at sitting up so fast, peers over the edge - yawning]

America? Are you okay?

[in person] 1 / ?

[empyreanistic]

M--

[in person] 2 / ?

[empyreanistic]

Mattie?! [And Alfred is bolting upright too, smashing his own head in the bottom bunk with a loud crack but he doesn't care, he's too busy scrambling out of bed in his boxers to clamor up the ladder]

[in person] 3 / ?

[empyreanistic]

[The second he sees Canada, really there, though it may take him a moment, his eyes fill with something like relief and happiness and shock and sadness all at once, and he all but launches himself onto the other nation]

[Video]

[notasidedick]

Alfred...?

[He's quite worried about you.]

That was...[He's not stupid. He's read plenty of history books that he can't count. But he isn't going to ask him. It seems insensitive and an invasion of privacy.] Are you okay?

[Video]

[empyreanistic]

Hey. [The amount of weakness and tearing guilt in that word is astounding. But then Alfred grins a sunshine-grin that doesn't quite reach his eyes, because he can do nothing if not pretend he's okay when bits are cracking away] I'm fine. It's a dream, man. Not real. Already happened. .....

....you?

Re: [Video]

[notasidedick]

[Dick gives him a look.] You make it too easy to read Alfred. As a friend, I want nothing more to see you smile.

But as a friend, I don't want you to pretend things are okay. I do the same exact thing. Just because it's a dream, doesn't make it any easier sometimes.

This week is terrible for me, but that's besides the point.

[Video]

[empyreanistic]

...it was 400 years ago. [Which part isn't clear, but America is looking away, not meeting Dick's eyes] Shouldn't bug me anymore. It totally-- doesn't, even.

(video)

[likesmustard]

Are you okay? Wars are terrible things.

(video)

[empyreanistic]

Yeah, sweetheart, I'm okay. [Alfred offers her a weak smile from the dim light of his room] Those wars are pretty freaking old.

(video)

[likesmustard]

I have also been in battle. It never leaves who you are.

(video)

[empyreanistic]

....nah. But, seriously, don't worry. [Another attempt at a smile. He can do nothing if not pretend nothing's wrong]