LOG: Manuel, Nocturnal Interlude - It's Not Always Bad

[x-empath.livejournal.com]

Set after his successful attempt to act as an empathic shield for Dani.



Manuel stumbled into his room, yawning enough to crack his jaws. All he wanted right now was sleep, and a whole lot of it. He shed his clothes without a thought and tumbled into bed gracefully. He'd done it! He had shielded her! He took a great deal of personal comfort from that thought, and he drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face.

He slept, and he Dreamed. Inside of his dream, he sat on the dock of the lake, Danielle at his side. They didn't say a word, all he did was bask in her acceptance. She knew him, down to the very bedrock of his being. She had seen him at his absolute best and his utter worst. Just as he had seen her at her very best, and at her absolute worst. She was his student, and he her teacher. Yet it wasn't quite like that, either, as they were both struggling with their unique burdens together. Oddly, he didn't desire her much, in his dream - his dream-self could still feel his bond to Amanda, and the hot desire that that entailed, but he could just be certain that somebody just Got It.

He couldn't remember a time that felt more peaceful, more _right_.