It was all just a D R E A M (Tinner)

[ROSE MERCER]

OUTFIT OF SADNESS AND GRIEF

Rose Mercer had been sitting in the parking lot of her Apartment Complex for forty five minutes at this point. She wasn't crying, no. She didn't think her body could produce anymore tears, though her make up did give away that she had in fact been crying. Today had been the funeral of the Matriarch of the Mercer family, the only tie that Rose had to her surname that wasn't riddled with bad memories and pain. Her Nana Grace, the pistol seventy something year old, had passed in her sleep last week. Rose had been assured that it had been quite the peaceful way to go, laying in her bed, holding a picture of Rose's late Grandfather, wearing one of her long ball gowns. Rose's family had watched her carefully, wondering if she would make a scene like she had at her Father's funeral. But no, she stayed quiet, she wept, she mourned.

When it came time to read the will, Rose left, despite having been asked to attend by the lawyer. She couldn't. No, she couldn't watch her Aunts try and pick apart Nana's estate like a flock of vultures on a corpse. It was all too disgusting to bare, and Rose's stomach had been so sensitive lately.

So now came the question of what she would do now. Go to her empty apartment? Be surrounded by her things, and fall into her own pit of loneliness, self loathing, and self pity? No, she couldn't be alone, not right now. Getting out of the car, Rose went to the fire escape, looking up at Guillermo's window. They were friends, right? He would want to be there for her. And besides, he had liked Nana. He'd want to know that she passed. Despite wearing her lace boot pumps, and the simple black dress, and holding her clutch in her gloved hands she started to descend up the fire escape. Why? She had no clue. It would have been much safer just to take the stairs. But then her door would be right there, and Rose would probably chicken out, and opt for the loneliness and self loathing and self pity option. Holding her coat close to her in the chill wind, Rose reached Guillermo's window, and saw him sitting on the couch.

It was almost harder than being at work with him, watching him in his own habitat. No formality was needed here, no Uncle making sure that they weren't slipping off for hanky panky, no Hiro and Stefano to use as a awkwardness buffer. Still, Rose found herself needing comfort, needing Guillermo. And she was far too drained to even be mad that she needed someone. Tapping on the window, Rose waved a little when she felt his brown eyes fine her. Teeth chattering slightly, she pushed up on the window, opening it. "C-can I come in?" Her voice sounded raw from crying, weak from exhaustion; her eyes looked up at him with the gentle plea.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

There was no doubt about it.
Guillermo was bored.
He hadn't been bored in a very long time and he found himself extremely irritated by it.
Seth was gone at his parent's house, because his mom was having another one of her episodes. Jenyfer was nowhere to be found, so she was probably shopping, or out with friends.
He was considering calling Naomi, but he instead sat on the couch and stared at the wall, thinking.
About Rose. Obviously.
This just was wrong in his minds eye. They weren't together, but at the same time, they couldn't be apart. If you would say if frustrated him, you would have a serious understatement on your hands.
But what could he do about it? There wasn't an "easy" button like on Staples commercials. So he'd have to deal.
There was a tapping sound and he looked up, shocked to find Rose standing on the fire escape outside his window.
She was wearing a black dress and heels.
Really, Rose? The window?
She opened it a little.
"C-can I come in?"
He nodded, getting up and helping her in. Looking into her face, he noticed that her makeup was running. She had been crying?
"Rose? Are you okay? What happened?"

[ROSE MERCER]

He nodded, and she instantly entered, feeling Guillermo approach to assist her. She gave him a weak smile and closed the window, as he asked her the question she had been expecting. "Rose? Are you okay? What happened?" Hugging herself, Rose gave a slight nod, not really sure if it was true. Pushing her hair out of her eyes, she noticed the lace gloves were still on her hands. They had seemed like a good idea this morning, a way to pay homage to the ever delicate tastes of Grace Mercer.

"I-uh... just got back from a funeral." She explained, removing the gloves and putting them in her jacket pocket. Her eyes stung, as she prepared to tell Guillermo, but no tears came out. "Nana died, over the weekend." She nodded, her throat feeling tight and constricting. "And- um, I know we're... whatever. But I was hoping I could stay here for a little while." God, she sounded like shit. Looking around, she was a little pleased that the apartment was empty. She couldn't take Jeny's you're-destroying-my-brother glances, or Seth's impatient just-get-back-together stares. It's was like a weight lifting off from her almost.

She was sick of carrying shit.

Rose felt her eyes well up again, though she wiped them quickly. Her sob hoarse voice quivered as she looked at Guillermo, vulnerable and tired. "I just really don't want to be alone right now." She felt the constraints of her own rule of where they were at binding her. All she wanted to do was rush into his arms, and let him kiss her pain away. And while she was certain hugging would happen, they were friends after all and that was what friends did in times of need, other intimacy would only lead to more tension between the two. Besides, it wasn't like she was here for sex. Rose was here for comfort, because she knew there was no one in the world who could comfort her like Guillermo.

He was her rock.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"I-uh... just got back from a funeral." She explained, removing the gloves and putting them in her jacket pocket.
He frowned.
"Nana died, over the weekend. And- um, I know we're... whatever. But I was hoping I could stay here for a little while."
Nana Grace? He had liked her, a lot.
Guillermo's face softened.
"Oh, Rosie.." He moved towards her, hesitating for a moment, then he held her tightly, deciding that he didn't care what walls she put up. She needed him right now.
"I'm sorry, Rose. I know she meant a lot to you."
What does one say when something like this happens? God forbid he use a cliche.
Guillermo had never been to a funeral before. He didn't know how to handle a loss like this.
Her voice was tired and cracked a little from crying. She wiped her blue eyes.
"I just really don't want to be alone right now."
He tightened his arms around her, his face buried in her hair.
"You don't have to be. I won't let you be alone."
He pulled away for a moment, smiling weakly at her.
"Well if one things for sure, it's that Nana Grace is up in heaven, demanding to wear pink and yellow pumps and telling God how to do his job."

[ROSE MERCER]

He wrapped his arms around her, and she didn't fight. Rose literally had no fight in her, at the moment. And he was always so warm and comforting. She nestled her face into his chest, as more tears trickled out of her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rose. I know she meant a lot to you." Pitifully, she nodded into his chest, confirming this. Though it hadn't needed confirming. She had been Nana's Roz, after all, and not once had she ever been called a little shit like the other cousins. She had been a refuge, a savior from Rose's Father.

And now she was gone.

"You don't have to be. I won't let you be alone." Rose let out a heavy sigh, greatly relieved, and her shoulders slumped a little. He pulled away from her, and for a split second Rose thought he was honoring the 'just friends' thing they had going. Instead, he was giving her a weak smile, his voice soft. "Well if one things for sure, it's that Nana Grace is up in heaven, demanding to wear pink and yellow pumps and telling God how to do his job."

Rose let out a tearful laugh, taking off her jacket, nodding a little. "Bright, hot, pink, sequenced wings." Her laugh trailed off to a sob, though she reeled it in, wiping her face quickly. "Thank you." Her tears under control, Rose removed her coat and shoes, setting them carefully on the couch. Her eyes drooped sleepily, the rings under her eyes more pronounced than usual.

Sleep had been uneasy for her, lately. Once upon a time Rose couldn't sleep well with someone in her bed, and now it seemed quite the opposite. She had gotten use to Guillermo's presence, his warmth, the gentle snore that came from him, the way he'd wrap around her if she stole the blanket. And now that it was absent, Rose's nights had been restless. "Could I borrow a big shirt? Or something..." Yes, comfort. She wanted to be comfortable, out of this dress of mourning, snuggled up close to Guillermo, just the two of them...

Undoing her necklace, she tossed it on the coffee table, a little surprised the living room was still all fuchsia. She frumped her copper hair, yawning a little. God, she hated being so tired.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Rose let out a tearful laugh, taking off her jacket, nodding a little.
"Bright, hot, pink, sequenced wings."
He smiled a little at her.
"Thank you."
"No problem, Rose."
She looked tired. Like, I-haven't-slept-for-days tired.
"Could I borrow a big shirt? Or something..."
"Sure, of course."
He disappeared into his room for a moment, grabbing a clean shirt from the drawers. He actually knew where things were, now that Seth had straightened him out.
Guillermo brought it out to her and sat on the couch, watching her stare around tiredly.

[ROSE MERCER]

"No problem, Rose." How was it never a problem to him? He was loyal to a fault, truth be told. Bless him. He was one of the few Rose could count on still. those numbers seemed to be dwindling lately... "Sure, of course." As she watched him vanish into the back of the house, she felt like a stranger in once familiar territory. Of course, she had never really gotten use to the living room being fuchsia. Sitting down, she tried to relax in the eclectic surroundings. It was almost over stimulating, to be honest. Luckily she was so exhausted, an uneasy snooze fell upon her, until Guillermo returned with the shirt. Rose's eyes fluttered awake, as she willed herself to go back to change.

Nodding a thanks to him, she ventured back, her feet feeling like lead. Instead of going to the bathroom, she went back to Guillermo's room, which still appeared to be kidnapped by Jeny. Her cloths scattered the floor, and a few glittery pillows sat on the bed. But everything else was... tidy. Smiling gently, she knew who was to blame for that.

Slipping out of the tasteful black dress, Rose let it fall to the floor for a moment, inhaling at the sudden comfort of its removal. But she couldn't just stand in his room, in her bra and panties. That wouldn't be very platonic at all. Pulling the tee shirt over her head, it's hem hovered over her upper thighs. It wasn't like she wasn't wearing underwear, and it wasn't like she was sporting a thong or anything. And it also wasn't like he had never seen her naked before. But again... platonic... Sighing she went to the dresser and pulled out a clean pair of boxers, sliding them up her legs.

Man... she was tired. And the bed looked so inviting... Perhaps she should just lay down for a second. And then she could go into the living room. Yes, just for a second. She wouldn't even wrap up in blankets or anything, and get comfortable. Just a second to lie down, it had been such a long day.

Rose snuggled into one of the pillows that weren't covered in glitter, her legs pulling up to her torso, her arms wrapping around them. This pillow smelled like Guillermo... he must bring it out to the living room at night. It would certainly explain the lack of glitz... Yawning into it, she felt her eyelids droop a little, before Rose felt herself hovering between being awake and sleeping.

She heard the door open- had he knocked? She wasn't sure. Still, through one half opened eye, she could see him. Guillermo. She loved him. Her legs stretched out, and she reached her hand out for him, her current state not giving a damn about platonic sensibilities. "Come lay with me? Like we use too?" Her voice was so quiet, he could have very well not heard her at all. Rose didn't know, but it didn't matter, as sleep took her to dream world.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

Rose took the shirt and awkwardly left the room to change. After a while, she still hadn't come back.
He walked to the door and knocked lightly.
"Rose?"
There was no answer.
Guillermo opened the door to his room cautiously and smiled softly at the sight before him.
Rose was wrapped around one of his pillows, her hair strewn across the bed, her eyes closed. Her face was finally relaxed a little.
Her eyes opened a little bit and she reached out to him blindly.
He held his breath as she tried to speak.
"Come lay with me? Like we use too?"
Her voice was quiet and sleepy.
Memories flew rapidly through his mind, creating a instantaneous montage of moments that he had with Rose.
He knew this could be overstepping the weak boundaries Rose set up. But she really was hurting. And she needed someone now.
Guillermo laid down next to her, putting his arm around her waist and pulling her close. It was all so familiar and comfortable.
He closed his eyes, comforted by the feeling of her head on his chest.

[ROSE MERCER]

OUTFIT OF HAPPY PLACE!

Rose's sleeping form instantly snuggled into Guillermo, as he pulled her close, her head nuzzling into the space just below his neck and shoulder. And in her mind, she found herself in a moment of sweet vapidness. It was like she was floating in water, but she wasn't getting wet. And around her was complete darkness, only she wasn't scared. It was like floating in space, minus the stars. But that was okay. It was... peaceful. And warm, and it smelled like citrus.

But like all good things, it ended far sooner than she was ready for it too. Her eyes fluttered open (at least her dream-self's eyes opened), to a familiar place. A beach, Rose had never seen in real life. But as a child, her Uncle had a picture of it on a post card, and had told her it was a secret place he had taken her Aunt Mariella in Colombia. And when her Father would yell, or her Mother would cry, or the kids at school would tease her about her cloths being worn, and her family being poor, this was where Rose would go. Her safe place. Her happy place.

Looking down, she noticed she was no longer wearing Guillermo's clothing, but a very simple white dress. And she noticed that the brightness was dimmed by a pair of glasses, which sat on the bridge of her nose, and a hat which acted as a canopy. Her copper brown hair fell down her back, free from product, and her face was bare, but with a healthy glow, sprinkled with freckles. Rising from the rock she found herself on, Rose let out a happy sigh, and ventured off from it. There were no problems here, not in her happy place.

She walked down the beach, the waves washing over her bare feet. The burn Rose had recently began to associate with water was not present. The wind blew gently, the smell of wood burning and citrus and sea salt carrying with it. All her favorite smells! The yellow sand was warm, and the water was cool, offering a nice contrast.

But it wasn't right.

What was missing?

She had it all here... the sun, the water, the peace and quiet. The freedom of worry, the alone time. She stopped, staring off in the horizon to ponder why she felt a piece was missing. But... perhaps it was because she was alone. Rose had lost cherishing that, months ago.

And as if by magic, the situation remedied itself. Down the beach a bit, she saw Guillermo. Her Guillermo! He had found her happy place. While this would stun, and perhaps irritate Rose under different circumstances, she found herself completely over joyed with this! Already it felt as though she had found a lost puzzle piece, one that she had searched for for a long time, though it was only moments ago that she felt anything missing. Running down the beach, Rose smiled at him, silently praying he wouldn't just vanish.

And he didn't.

Tackling him into the water, Rose laughed a little, before pressing her lips into his passionately. Her hat blew away, and her glasses fell off her face, but Rose didn't care. Guillermo was here! Her Guillermo. His Rose. It was one in the same. Smiling, positively more happy than she had felt in forever, Rose spoke gently to Guillermo, certain that this was all part of the dream. "Te extrañé, mi Guillermo."

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

His eyes opened as he smelled the spray of the sea. The bright sun was shining in a wide blue sky, about as blue as he remembered it from Mexico. Teal water splashed against the pale sand under his bare feet. He looked down at himself, finding that his clothes had somehow changed into shorts and a t-shirt.
Feeling extremely confused, he looked around for another clue to where exactly he was.
A figure in a white dress rushed to him and he smiled as he recognized Rose. She had a look of pure elation on her face and she jumped into his arms, tackling him into the cool water.
Guillermo's surprise and happiness increased as she kissed him. Who was this Rose? He hadn't seen this happiness for such a long time, he feared it had disappeared forever.
"Te extrañé, mi Guillermo."
Mi Guillermo.
Hers. He was hers.
It clicked.
He was sleeping. Dreaming. And somehow, he was somewhere beautiful with Rose. The one thing he wanted more than anything else in the world. And apparently the only way he would get it, was by dreaming it.
Rose seemed extremely comfortable here.
He couldn't help the huge smile on his face.
"¿Dónde estamos, Rose?"
Mi Rose. Mi Rosaline. Mi Rosa. Mi Rosie.

[ROSE MERCER]

Rose's smile was not as wide as Guillermo's, but more mischievous, like a child who was in on a secret. "¿Dónde estamos, Rose?" He didn't know? Of course not... he was just a dream. Rose rubbed her nose against his, her grin widening across her freckled face.

"Juntos." She replied, giggling. Rose rolled off from him, her back falling into the shallow water, her blue eyes looking up at the sun. It didn't burn though... Rose didn't care or dwell on it, she had Guillermo. Instead, she just looked over at him, her fingers lacing around his, her face sore from smiling so much. "¿No es perfecto?" Breathing in deeply, she sat up, pulling him with her. The cotton dress clung to her, becoming a bit see through as white would do when it became wet. As she pulled him along the beach, the wind and sun fixing the translucency of her dress, she turned to walk backwards, holding his hands and explaining what was going on. "Cuando yo era niña, mi mente se vienen a este lugar. Cuando yo estaba triste o enojado. Nunca soñé con otras personas que aquí sin embargo." It was so great to share this with him. A part of her mind that wasn't out to- NO! This was a happy place! None of that.

She stopped short, her body pressing against his, his nose grazing his chin gently. Leaning forward, Rose whispered into his neck, letting her lips graze his skin as she spoke. "Me alegro de que son los primeros, incluso si usted es un sueño. Te echo de menos terriblemente." For a moment, sadness touched her. But no, she must treasure this. Nothing could hurt them here, not even Bruja. "Pero no importa." There was a firmness to her voice, that came as suddenly as it went, her lips trekking up his neck and chin, finding his lips. Another passionate, perfect kiss, in her perfect paradise. "Te tengo ahora."

She pulled away, feeling her natural wiliness kick in. Giggling a coquettish giggle, Rose's eyes fluttered before she started running down the beach. She felt so FREE! And part of this freeness was the loss of the need to protect Guillermo from anything, whether it be herself or Bruja. He wasn't real, just a dream. Nothing could hurt him here. She stopped, breathless, needing another direction. Flashing Guillermo a smile, she darted into the ocean, diving under and swimming out a ways, before floating to the surface on her back.

Everything was perfect right now, in her dreams. "Dame un beso para siempre?"

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"Juntos." She replied, giggling.
He smiled at the simplicity of the answer. He liked it. A lot.
Rose rolled off from him, and he watched her carefully, afraid that this Rose would fade and the sad, angry Rose would take her place. Instead, she just looked over at him, her fingers lacing around his.
"¿No es perfecto?"
She got up, pulling him along. His male ways caused him to realized the opacity of her dress and he bit his lip to avoid a sly grin. She turned to look at him, smiling.
"Cuando yo era niña, mi mente se vienen a este lugar. Cuando yo estaba triste o enojado. Nunca soñé con otras personas que aquí sin embargo."
She would come here? This was what Rose dreamed? Was it even possible that he would dream the same as her? He supposed it could be. After all, who said it couldn't be done?
So this was what Rose was dreaming of.
She stopped short, her body pressing against his, her nose grazing his chin gently. Leaning forward, Rose whispered into his neck, letting her lips graze his skin as she spoke.
"Me alegro de que son los primeros, incluso si usted es un sueño. Te echo de menos terriblemente."
Guillermo's breath caught. She was dreaming about him?
Rose was dreaming about him.
"Pero no importa." She looked a little sad for a moment, then she kissed him again.
"Te tengo ahora."
"Sí. Tu tienes me ahora."
She pulled away, giggling coquettishly and fluttering her blue eyes. He raised an eyebrow at this giddy Rose, but she took off running down the beach. He followed her, half to be with her and half because he was afraid she would run and disappear. She halted suddenly, glancing at him and grinned. She darted into the ocean, diving under and swimming out a ways, before floating to the surface on her back.
He removed his shirt, more out of habit than anything. Guillermo splashed into the water, swimming up beside her.
"Dame un beso para siempre?"
He smiled at her, and touched her face gently, holding her in his arms.
She was dreaming, so he didn't have to hold back.
"Cualquier cosa que quieras. Soy tuyo para siempre."
He kissed her carefully and sweetly. No holding back. Guillermo kissed her more urgently, afraid of the moment she would wake and never kiss him again.

[ROSE MERCER]

She couldn't hear him, falling into his touch, pressing his hand closer to his cheek with her own. His lips touched her gingerly at first, like he was testing to see if she would poof away. But no, there was no poofing. It was weird, she should be worried about him poofing away. He was the dream here, after all, not her. He seemed to come to the same realization, his lips pressing against hers more urgently.

He was hungry, she could feel it. It pulsated out of his every pour, came out of his every breath. She had deprived him. Rose kissed him back, almost apologetically. No need for words, no, they had body language. And one must never forget the importance of body language. Her arms wrapped around his neck, as they bobbed in the ocean, her hairs tangling in his dark hair. Rose, even when awake, had admitted at least once that Guillermo was what she wanted. True, it had been said in a bit of a panic, and had she not been panicking it probably would have been left unsaid. But that didn't make it less true. Here they were safe.

She pulled away from the kiss, pushing his wet hair out of his eyes, her face still forming a smile. But it was graver now. "I know it's hard-" Rose's current giddiness couldn't help but go into giggles for a moment. After all, they were quite close, and that kiss had been quite intense. But she needed to focus. "I mean difficult. I know it's difficult, and I know you're only a dream. But if you tell me that you'll never stop, then that must mean deep down I know that's true. So if you tell me, I'll believe you, Guillermo. Mi Guillermo." She kissed him again, though it was short as she saw graying clouds in the distance.

Nightmares.

Shit.

So soon?

But they were far off still, there was still time. She couldn't even hear thunder yet.

She gave him her full focus. "It doesn't matter." She decided, kissing him again, pulling him close. No, they had this. They needed this. Tugging on the waist of his pants, she pulled him closer, her eyes becoming devilish as she bite gently on his lower lip.

Oh yes.

There was little need to interpret her body language at the moment.

[GUILLERMO SALAS-ORTIZ]

"I know it's hard- I mean difficult. I know it's difficult, and I know you're only a dream. But if you tell me that you'll never stop, then that must mean deep down I know that's true. So if you tell me, I'll believe you, Guillermo. Mi Guillermo."
She kissed him and he sighed, overwhelmed by happiness and love, but she pulled away, her eyes far off in the horizon, a hollow, frightened look flashing briefly.
No. She couldn't change. Not yet.
As if she had heard his silent plea, Rose looked back at him.
"It doesn't matter."
She kissed him again and his shoulders slumped in relief. She suddenly tugged on the waist of his pants, pulling him closer. He looked down, then looked up at her, unable to hide the surprised look on his face. Rose's blue eyes shone impishly and he grinned as she kissed him, biting him gently on his lower lip.
He pulled her against him, tangling one hand in her wet hair.
"I love you, Rose. I always will."
She couldn't leave yet. Please, God. Don't let her leave me. I need her.

[ROSE MERCER]

"I love you, Rose. I always will." Rose believed him, though you could love someone until the end of time, care for them with every fiber of your being, and still give up on them. But Rose was not in the mood to pick apart his words, to play semantics. No, all that was on her mind was love. Loving. Loved. Love.

Even in the cool water, he felt so warm. In fact, she couldn't really even feel the coolness of the water, so much as she was aware that it was cold. If that made any sense, which it probably did not. She let her lips hover over his teasingly, her nose nuzzling him gently, her eyes falling shut. Her finger tips rested on his cheeks for a moment, before tracing down his neck, to his chest, and over his shoulders, down his arms. It was like discovering him for the first time. Finally her hands reached his, and automatically tangled into his, her lips resting on his throat.

The clouds grew closer, and the nerves jangled unpleasantly inside Rose's gut. They needed to hide, to prolong this. "Ven conmigo." She whispered, diving under the water. It was crystal clear, down there, the water such a pure blue. And one of the benefits of dreaming was they didn't have to hold their breath. She swam a ways, under the water, until she reached the mouth of an underwater cave. Her smile minxish, Rose beckoned him onward with a come-hither-finger, swimming into the mouth and then up. Her head broke the surface, and they were surrounded by a glittering cave. "Perfecto."

She went up to the flat rock, that sat above the water, lifting herself on to it's surface. Looking back at Guillermo, Rose's smile became devilish, as she slid the wet dress off from her shoulders and slipped it off her slender frame. Her dark hair fell down her back, wet and tangled, her blue eyes glittering. "Atención a unirse a mí?"