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It was hard to tell what happened first, the bright light, or the sudden cool air against his skin that paralleled the bed he was just in. But Garcia was suddenly wide awake standing in front of a stone sigil in front of a blue sky. A dream that seemed too real was the first thought that raced through his mind. But more and more of his senses told him that he was really here, where that is.
Marble was coating everything, with fancy designs that lead down to an impressive castle, something even more impressive than the castle of Renais back in his soldier days. He drew his attention away from the area around him to the robed figure in front of him, holding an object that was pointed at where he appeared.
Once again Garcia thought that all of this around him was a work of fiction in his mind. He did drink a mug or two with Gilliam before bed, but those dreams are much more fun. He looked down and saw himself shirtless with a pair of purple swimwear, and flowers wrapped around his arms and neck.
“Ah, hello there. Name’s Garcia, from Ide. Any idea why I’m dressed like I was about to jump in the ocean?”
The robed figure nodded and motioned towards Garcia to follow them down into the castle. And without even saying anything, the word “Summoner” was connected to that individual. As Garcia was escorted into the castle, he saw many a people. And the sights were something he never expected to see.
Princess Eirika, and Prince Ephraim were running by chasing three young girls on a pegasus. It was them but… he looked back once more. Only to see them much, much smaller than when Garcia last saw them. Hell, they looked like how he remembered seeing them before he left his line of work over a decade or so ago. Only a few feet tall, and childish in action and looks.
What is going on in this dream, or world?
Onwards into the castle he saw some more familiar faces from the war. Dozla, a good friend of Garcia, waved to him as he continued following the Summoner. “Aye, looking good for the beachside I see! Enjoy your time here.” Garcia was confused but smiled and waved back to him, with a chuckle. Why would he greet him like he just arrived at a party, nonetheless a party he is attending half naked? Yet the bigger question is where was Dozla’s armor and why did he have bolts screwed into his head with a pumpkin under his arm?
The summoner saw Garcia looking around with anxiety and daze. They smiled, and brought them into a room. The Summoner asked for him to sit down, and said simply that they will explain where he ended up, and what is happening.
A hero is something Garcia was called many times. Fitting enough sure, but normally they’d just get commended by their liege. In this world being a hero can have you being summoned by a complete stranger to fight, in varying cloths apparently too. Some heroes appear dressed as brides and grooms, or monsters, and as Garcia apparently was, in swimwear.
And even then that isn’t the extent of the insanity. Time, and events can coexist at once, and multiple versions of one person could be here at the same time. It made Garcia’s head pound from processing everything.
Thankfully, each individual gets their own room. So he was able to lay down in bed and try to relax. It was strangely homey, like it was made just for Garcia and him alone.
Alone.
Gods if he is really here, where is Gilliam? Were they separated? Is Gilliam going to wake up alone in an empty bed? How does this all work?
Garcia’s stomach dropped. Gilliam is a strong, strong man. But one of the biggest weaknesses he has is being separated from his husband. He becomes a completely different person, like their entire body just shutdowns, rigid, and quiet.
He shot up and started to leave, realizing that he should likely wear different clothes and not just be in a swimsuit that was honestly a little tight around the jewels. But the room didn’t have anything to wear, nor did he come with anything to this world except for the clothes on his backside.
A knock then arrived at the door, almost flustered. He sat on his bed and covered himself up a bit before a voice announced itself. “This is the Summoner, may we come in?” A noise that sounded enough like a yes escaped from his mouth. But did they say we? Who else could surprise him at a moment like this.
The door swung open, and a large man was next to the Summoner in similar attire for the beach. Green and brown trunks and similar flowers to what Garcia came with.
It was Gilliam.
Garcia felt the wind knock right out of his lungs and shot up from the bed once again, Gilliam himself seemed shocked and looked like he was finally able to breathe air once again, he was pale and his eyes were sunken in.
“I just summoned him, seems a bit too nervous to show around but kept asking about you. I’ll let you two be and gather your bearings.” announced the Summoner, shutting the door behind themself.
Garcia darted into Gilliam with a hug. “Gilly, are you okay?” Garcia held Gilliam’s head and stroked his hair. He smelled of a salty breeze and driftwood, like he was carving wood by the beach. “Better, now. I… I don’t know anything about what is going on but I’m with you. Can we…” He looked at the bed and Garcia nodded.
Gilliam laid down first, and then Garcia against him. Very rarely does Garcia spoon Gilliam, but he prefers it after Garcia isn’t with him for a while. They felt their body heat against one another and it calmed them both down, their hands interlocked, and their rings both visible on their hands. It was a new world, but they were together still.
They laid there a while longer, Gilliam’s heart was racing up until now, and they both were calm, just like how they were every night together.
“So… did you get told what this pla-” Gilliam began, wanting his questions to be answered to quell the ball of uncertainty in his chest. But was cut off by Garcia, who pressed his finger against Gilliam’s lips to stop him from talking. “It's fine, just close your eyes, listen to your heart beat, listen to mine. We’ll be fine, Gilly. We’re together here.”