#I think reynie may have been having nightmares and wasn’t able to sleep for the past few days

[lemondropletters]

It may not be a curtain vision, but here’s a little snippet of a dream I had with Reynie. There’s very limited context but I hope you enjoy regardless!

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Reynie hovered by the dining room entrance, his stomach twisted in knots. He took a hesitant step forward, and then another. Mr. Benedict sat at the table, a book in hand, while Number Two bustled about the kitchen, preparing breakfast.

"Where is everyone?" Reynie's voice barely rose above a whisper. Mr. Benedict looked up in slight surprise before smiling, his glasses balanced delicately on the bridge of his nose.

"Ah, good morning, Reynie," he greeted warmly, setting aside his book and removing his glasses. "I believe Milligan and the others took the children out to run errands."

“Oh,” Reynie murmured, swallowing hard. ‘Of course after everything they probably don’t want to see me…’ His thoughts trailed off as he lingered in the doorway.

Mr. Benedict waved him in. “Sit down, sit down! Number Two is almost done with breakfast.”

Reynie hesitated before taking the seat opposite Mr. Benedict. The only sound was the gentle crackling of food on the stove.

“How are you feeling?” Mr. Benedict's voice broke the silence. Reynie glanced down, fidgeting with his hands.

"Fine," he replied quietly.

The room fell silent once more. Mr. Benedict regarded him with an indefinable expression. It wasn’t negative really, but Reynie felt terrible from it all the same.

"Reyn—" Mr. Benedict started, interrupted by the arrival of a plate.

"Oh, lovely! Thank you, Number Two," he said gratefully before turning back to Reynie, ready to continue their conversation.

"Toast?" Number Two interjected, addressing Mr. Benedict.

Mr. Benedict blinked in surprise. "Yes- sorry- Toast?”

“I wasn’t sure which bread you wanted? We have whole wheat, whole grain, sourdough…”

“Well, Yes I’m sure they’re all good Number Two.” Mr Benedict began. Number two cut him off.

“…pumpernickel, rye bread, a baguette, white bread, brown bread-” She continues listing of bread.

“Yes, Number Two, that’s all fine—“ Mr. Benedict quickly looked up at her, bewildered. “Do we really have that much bread?”

Reynie glances between them.

“Any bread will do Number Two. Or no bread… Actually I’m rather fine without toast.”

“..No bread?” Number Two mumbled, a look of disbelief on her face.

Reynie slowly gets up from his chair as to not draw attention to himself. Maybe this conversation will last long enough for him to slip away and avoid talking about last night. Once he’s a good distance from the table he turns asround, preparing to make a quick exit up the stairs.

"Reynie?" Mr. Benedict's voice stopped him in his tracks. He turned, meeting Mr. Benedict's gentle smile, which was enough for him to sit back down at his seat.

“Sorry.”

"No need to apologize, my dear boy," Mr. Benedict reassured him.

Reynie lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding.

“Now, first things first, are you hungry?”

Reynie looks at him and then at Number Two. He pauses, then smiles. “Actually, is it alright if I have some toast?”

Mr. Benedict laughs for a moment, before promptly passing out.