After four millenias of marriage, most would think that the love that was once there would have dimmed long ago — but that wasn't the case between you and Morpheus.

It had been 4,000 years since Morpheus had told the stars to forge a ring that he'd place on your finger, 4,000 years since he vowed his pledge, his loyalty, his love to you in front of his Kingdom. 4,000 years since he made you his wife, the Queen of the Dreaming.

You had planned out your anniversary for some time now. You both being immortal didn't really make yearly anniversaries meaningful, so you decided to spend it every century and the grander, bigger events, massive banquets, on every millenia to celebrate your love and how you thrived in the Dreaming.

Morpheus had left early in the morning, supposedly to take care of some urgent business, but you expected him to be back by the evening.

But he didn't. It took days of him being gone, and you had no idea where he was. The whole week of your anniversary went by without a word from your husband.

So one day, you decided to risk it and went to the library to see Lucienne, who was working on her usual task with the ledger. She smiled upon seeing you, but her smile faltered as soon as she saw your expression.

"My lady, may I ask if there is something wrong?" she asked, and you sighed before nodding.

"I reckon you know where my husband is?"

The librarian lowered her quill on the table. "He did not inform me of his exact destination, my lady. Only that he had pressing matters in the Waking World."

You laid your hand on her table before glancing around yourself. "He didn't say when he'd return?"

Lucienne hesitated, and you could tell she was slightly uncomfortable. She was loyal to Dream above all else, but she was also loyal to you, his queen. But after a moment, she shook her head. "I am sorry, my lady. He gave no indication of how long he would be occupied."

You sighed, rubbing your face, but then looked up to Lucienne again. "Thank you, Lucienne," you murmured, withdrawing your hand from her desk. "If he sends word, please let me know immediately."

She nodded, picking up her quill again. "Of course, my lady."

—

Two days later, you finally felt his presence at the palace, and you hurried down the corridors, eager to see your husband, slightly concerned about what happened to him. He had already been imprisoned for a hundred years once, maybe it was something where he was trapped and had no way out. Surely he wouldn't skip your anniversary by choice.

But then you heard two fairies talking around the corner, and you caught up a name.

Calliope.

"It must have been a relief to see Lord Morpheus," the other fairy whispered. "He's loyal to her after all this time."

The other fairy sighed. "Well, she's the mother of his child, of course he's loyal. If she needs him, he will go."

"Such a shame that it hit right on the Queen's and his anniversary. Her Majesty worked so hard on that day, and then he just stood her up."

You felt blood rushing up to your face as your heart started beating faster.

He had been with Calliope doing... you didn't even want to know.

So in the next moment, you were storming towards the throne room, basically slamming the doors open to hear a surprised caw caw from Matthew, and he flew right past your face.

"Whoa, whoa, my lady! What's the matter?"

You spinned around to face the crow after seeing the empty throne. "Where is he?"

Matthew folded his wings and bowed his head. "I, uh, we haven't–"

You let out a bitter laugh. "Don't lie, I know you know."

"Oh, uh, he's... well, uh... probably still in the Waking World, dealing with some loose ends from–"

"Calliope. I know he's out there dancing around Calliope."

"Oh boy. Look, it's not my place to–"

"Matthew," you warned, taking a step towards him, which sent him flying a little farther away.

"Okay, okay! Yes, he's been helping Calliope. She's, uh, been through a lot, you know? And he felt–"

You interrupted him again, your anger too strong to let the poor crow finish. "What can possibly be more important than our anniversary he absolutely must take care of for a week, without even reporting back?"

Matthew let out a squawk again. "Look, my lady, I get it, okay? You're upset, and you've got every right to be. But Dream... he's not great at juggling things, you know? He's in the gallery. Please don't tell him I told you."

"The gallery?" you repeated, crossing your arms.

"Yes, the gallery," Matthew repeated, glancing around him. "I swear, he's been wrapped up in this Calliope thing, but... well, you're his Queen. You should talk to him."

So with a huff, you turned away and stormed down the stairs, towards the gallery. You heard Matthew mutter something, you guessed it was a prayer for Morpheus to survive from your fury, and frankly, you understood perfectly why it may be necessary.

Soon, you pushed the gallery doors open to find your husband standing in front one of the paintings, his head bowed down.

"Morpheus."

His head lifted slightly before he turned to face you, and a small smile appeared on his face. "My love. I've missed you."

"Don't 'my love' me," you snapped, making his smile disappear. "Do you have any idea how long I've been waiting for you? A week, Morpheus. A whole week. On our 4,000th anniversary."

He opened his mouth to speak, but you cut him off, the words spilling out before you could stop them. "I understand that Calliope was in distress. I even understand you had to help her. What I don't understand is why you couldn't send a single word. Not to me, not to Lucienne. You could have sent Matthew. But you chose to be silent, I knew nothing. Do you have any idea how that felt, how I was scared for you?"

"You are not being fair," Morpheus told you, and you scoffed, turning away from him.

"Not fair? And you were fair to me?"

He was quiet for a moment, and you saw his shadow nearing you, and knew he stood right behind you. "Calliope was imprisoned," he said, his hands lowering themselves on your biceps. "For decades, she was held captive, forced to endure unspeakable cruelty. When I learned of it, I could not... I would not delay. It was not just a duty to her but an obligation to myself — to the part of me that still feels guilt for how our relationship ended. She deserved my help, my immediate intervention."

You closed your eyes, but didn't pull away. "If you sent a word, I would have understood. I would have been glad you chose to help her. I understand you share a bond forever with her because of... your son, even when he's gone. But leaving me in the dark, I was terrified you've been captured again, and then I learned you were out there with your ex-wife."

He was quiet again for a moment, before his hands slid down your arms. "You're right. I should have sent a word. I should have thought about how you'd feel when you don't know where I am on such an important date."

You nodded, finally turning in his arms. "Swear to me you will never do anything like that again."

He nodded. "I swear."

You smirked. "Good. Because if you do, Morpheus, I might just take a vacation to the Waking World and see how you like being left in the dark."

He chuckled. "I would not survive such a punishment," he said, leaning down to press his forehead against yours. "You are the Dreaming's heart, and you are mine."

Before you could respond, his lips captured yours in a kiss, his lips moving against yours slowly as his hands encircled you.

You pulled away from the kiss after a moment, but stayed close enough for your lips to still touch. "You're going to make this up to me, Dream of the Endless. Our 4,000th anniversary only comes once, and you owe me a celebration worthy of it."

"Then come," he said, tugging on your hand. "Allow me to make amends properly. I have a few things in mind."

You couldn't help but smile at that, and followed him upstairs. You might have a great late anniversary party after all.