A/N:
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Life is harder. Ravenna never really figured it to be this harder until she finds herself with her temporary friend in the living room, discussing Dream's fabricated background story and the ground rules of their relationship, consuming the time left til Thea returns home. 

“First of all, you need to stop showing up from nowhere and trying to give me heart attacks. Ring the doorbell and wait for someone to let you in from the front door. It’s not that difficult, trust me,” Ravenna says, her frustration evident as she paces around the room. Dream lounges on the sofa with his usual lazy, enigmatic smile. “And second, my mum doesn't need to know a thing about the curse to our trial period. And I'm planning not to tell her a thing either.”

She stops right in front of him with arms crossed over her chest. "So keep your pretty mouth shut around her and stop with that crooked smile of yours." 

Morpheus's lazy smile stretches wider into an amused smirk, leaning his upper body down to her level. "In my defence... I cannot help the way I smile." 

"The most important part of this discussion is, we're friends, nothing more, nothing less. Got it?" Ravenna lays her palm on his chest to stop him from leaning even further. She gulps feeling the defined muscles underneath his clothes. Her mother is absolutely right. He is not unfit. A swarm of butterflies soares through her stomach and leaves a trail of tingles in their wake while her mind begins to fill with wild raging thoughts. 

Not noticing any of this, he pursues his lips together with a low hum, unsatisfied with her words. 

Ravenna shakes her head, dismissing the thoughts in her head when the front door opens which leads her to retreat her hand from his chest, her heart racing. “Oh no, she’s home.”

Thea walks in, her eyes scanning the room until they settle on Ravenna and Dream. “Honey, I’m home!” she calls out cheerfully, then pauses as she takes in the sight of Dream. “Who’s this?”

“Mum, this is Morpheus,” Ravenna says, her voice trembling slightly as she tries to stay composed. “My fri—”

“Her lover, obviously,” Dream interrupts smoothly, a real smile stretching across his face. It’s devilishly charming, the kind of smile that makes Ravenna’s heart skip a beat.

Thea’s eyes light up with genuine excitement. “Well, aren’t you a handsome man?” she says, her bubbly demeanor shifting abruptly to serious. “Listen carefully, young man. You’ve been blessed with a spot in my daughter’s heart. Hurt her, and I’ll come after you myself.”

Morpheus clasps his hands loosely together. Graceful, casual but alert, waiting to lure Thea into his bloody trap of charms. “I have no intention to hurt your daughter, Lady Edwards. I'd rather die than bring pain to her.”

Thea’s serious expression melts into a warm smile. “I like him,” she declares, stepping forward and pulling Dream into an unexpectedly warm hug. “Call me Thea, and welcome to the family.”

Dream returns the hug awkwardly but appreciatively. For a brief moment, he finds a strange comfort in the embrace, reminiscent of his own mother’s warmth.

“How was your day with the kids?” Ravenna asks, sitting beside her mother as Thea collapses onto the sofa with a sigh of exhaustion.

“It’s been a bloody long day,” Thea says, closing her eyes and resting her head against the cushion. She’s just returned from volunteering at an orphanage, where she spends her time with children to lift her spirits. “Morpheus, tell me more about yourself.”

As Dream opens his mouth to respond, Ravenna shoots him a sharp look. “Mum, he’s super shy. Don’t bombard him with your long list of questions.”

“That’s not fair. I deserve to know about your charming man,” Thea insists, her eyes still closed but her tone playful.

Ravenna sighs, her resolve crumbling a bit. “His parents were from Greece. Immigrants. He has six siblings, and he’s the third eldest.”

Thea’s eyes open, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. “Ah, that explains the Greek god looks. Even his name is quite the catch. Such a handy name to scream at circumstances. Good for you.”

Ravenna feels a flush creeping up her cheeks, mortified at her mother’s comment. The heat in her face is matched by a growing awareness of Dream’s presence nearby, his ego undoubtedly inflating with every word. “I can’t believe you just said that. You should really stop hanging out with Cedric.”

“Nonsense. Cedric’s a good kid,” Thea dismisses with a wave. “So, what does your man do for a living?”

“He’s, um, a painter. Freelance, though he’s currently out of work,” Ravenna stammers, trying to keep her lies straight.

Thea ponders this for a moment before offering a suggestion. “Why don’t you offer him a job at your art gallery? Take him to work with you tomorrow, if he’s up for it?”

“I’m sure he’s busy—”

“I’d love to,” Morpheus cuts in smoothly, his polite smile betraying a hint of satisfaction.

“Don’t tell Cedric, but I have a feeling you’re going to be my favorite son after all,” Thea says with a beaming smile, clearly approving. “Would you like to see Ravenna’s baby albums?”

Ravenna groans, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “Mum, no—”

But Thea is already moving toward a cabinet, eager to share her cherished memories. As she flips through the albums, Dream and Ravenna exchange glances. The air between them is thick with unspoken emotions—desire, frustration, and a strange, tender connection. Despite the chaos, there’s an undeniable sense of intimacy that lingers in the moments they share.

And as Thea chatters on about baby pictures and old family stories, Ravenna can’t help but feel a strange mix of annoyance and affection for Dream, whose presence now feels both comforting and exasperatingly complicated.