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"Barack are you okay?"
Obama snaps back to attention, he must've gotten lost in thought. Too easy to do so when he's relaxed. Too many things to think about in the first place. The light breeze of Earth C rustling the grass and moving along the clouds, their shapes influenced by John - unbeknownst to the residents. There isn't any sign of civilization nearby, only empty grassland. He looks up at the bright sky, knowing the cold emptiness that lies beyond it's blue. The very blue itself hiding the vastness of space behind clouds being gently pushed along as a distraction. It feels as if this planets very purpose is to be an attempt at giving its Gods an idyllic life. A gentle hug - like one from a proud father - after a long and arduous journey.
No one here but them. Lying on the soft grass. A moment in time where he wishes he had power over Time instead. Perhaps then this perfect moment could last forever.
"I'm fine Dirk, just uh, thinking."
Dirk clearly does not believe him, "It's usually the other way around. Since when did you become so introspective?"
"Perhaps you've had uh, too much an influence on me." He replies with a light chuckle.
"That can't be good. What would Dave think? His idol delving into melodramatic rants Dirk Strider style." Dirk says with a small smirk.
"I don't think so. You've taught me a lot in our short time together. Combat, philosophy, life…" He trails off, embarrassed at where the thought led, clearing his throat before continuing. "Whenever I meet Dave, I'll make sure to let him know that." Barack says knowing full well how Dirk feels on the matter. Needing a distraction from feelings he's too much a coward to verbalize.
Dirk groans, "Jegus no."
"Are you uh, embarrassed of me Dirk?" Barack lightly teases.
"No, it's just… No one would believe me if I told them, especially Dave. So I just… Don't… I mean I do care about you, I would love to make us public. Don't get me wrong- it's just with your mission-"
"I'm pulling your leg," Obama interrupts.
"I'd rather you pull my head off." Dirk mumbles with a slight pout.
Obama lets out an amused huff, "I'm not going to do that." He turns on his side to properly look at Dirk, "I prefer your brilliant mind attached to your handsome body."
Dirk mumbles something under his breath about Barack "Being a sap" but he doesn't dignify it with a response. Lying back down on his back to look up at the clouds again. The two of them falling into a comfortable silence. Barack left thinking once again. About Dirk, about himself, their roles in the universe, his mission…
Then something catches his eye.
"Hold on," he sits up pointing towards a cloud, "doesn't that look like a gear?"
"Huh. Yeah. What's your point?"
He chews the inside of his cheek for a moment, debating on wether he should vocalize these thoughts. "Time. Earlier, I was thinking about the Time - or lack thereof - we have together. No, uh. Lack thereof you have with me."
Dirk stays quiet, moments pass. The silence between them growing larger. Barack keeps his eyes to the sky, afraid to see the stoic mask Dirk's surely put up. The guilt from his mission is starting to catch up to him. He needs to talk about it, at least once. One Dirk needs to know. Perhaps then, all of them will.
"I don't want to leave. Every time I meet you. Again and again I find myself hurting, knowing what I'm doing to you by sticking to my mission. Forcing you do go years or lifetimes across universes and timelines. By never leaving you alone, that is until I'm called to leave."
Dirk turns his head away, Obama looks at him. "You told me about your mission when I first met you. I know that's gonna happen eventually…"
Barack clenches his fist in the delicate grass, pulling out a couple blades in the process. "I've seen how it affects you. I know you Dirk. I know it hurts worse than any physical pain could compare when I inevitably abandon you. You're important to me, more than you may realize but… Tell me to never speak to any new you I meet and I will."
Dirk swiftly sits up, "Why would you ask me that? In what universe could I possibly want that? I-" The words die in his throat. Dirk takes a deep breath, taking off his signature shades and simply… Looking at them. Then looking back at Obama, his very gaze piercing into the very depths of Barack's soul. It's unnerving, those Prince of Heart abilities of his. Or at least, that's how Barack rationalizes it.
"I'll remember you, and so long as you keep meeting me…" Dirk pauses, fiddling with the shades in his hands, "I'll keep loving you too."
"I-" For once, Obama is the one left speechless.
"You don't have to… Say anything. Just for now. Don't leave." Dirks voice slightly cracks.
Barack intertwines his hand with Dirk, it's accompanied with the grounding feeling of what is here, what is real. No matter what edge of space or end of time Obama finds himself in. He'll continue to seek out the one most important to him. A new form of the relationship taken, as unique as snowflakes. Though in the end it all becomes snow. One day, maybe. Dirk will see the snowflakes too.
"I'll fall in love with every you I meet." He finally ends up responding, it not needing to be said in anything above a whisper.
Dirk isn't one for clear expressions, but for once Barack can read him clearly. Relief.
The couple return their gazes to the vast sky, content in the comfortable silence they built. One never knowing one true version, and the other only ever knowing him once. A silent prayer from both that the esoteric desires of paradox space would fate them to meet again.