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dearly-dreaming · 2 years ago

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•𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍•

Title: The Sun, The Stars And The Moon.

Pairing: Dream of the Endless x fem!reader x Hob Gadling.

Word count:5103

Warnings: Fear of reaction, illusion to death, Desire, mentions of other Endless (very small spoiler?) Dream and Hob being idiots and lots of fluff.

Summary: Morpheus and Hob attend a historical costume party and reminisce the past (print by the wonderful @dilf-of-the-endless but with my own twist)

Author’s note: Sorry this tool so long but it’s finally out! I hope you all enjoy :)

•𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍, 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐎𝐍•

You delighted in the energy that hummed around you.

It hummed in your veins as the lights gleamed above you, grinning fondly as they watched the stage be set for the fateful story of tonight that would begin. Or, begin again.

You let out a breath, your dress flowing around your body smoothly. Its fabric was as silver as the moon, adorned by jewels, embroidery, and flaring sleeves that wisped around your body like the gentle breeze of the wind.

You smiled to yourself in the mirror and placed your mask on your face. A daring white was so pure even gods would weep at the sight of the sliver swirls that twisted along it like dancers.

Oh, how you loved masquerades.

And you knew how much they liked masquerades too.

Rolling your shoulders back, you strode into the ballroom where angels giggled in the paintings from the ceiling above. Crowds of people in marvellous dresses and enticing suits swarmed the room - chatter almost as loud sd the enchanting music that flooded your ears, a sweet symphony.

As you walked further into the ballroom, you gained the eyes of many from behind their masks, though none were the eyes you wanted on you. No, you wanted the same two pairs of eyes that had been on you long ago.

The lights gleamed bright as you looked around and saw various faces behind masks, it seemed that both the unholy and holy creatures could serenade together. You grinned, of course, that was entirely true.

Humans partook in dances, unaware of the beings that danced with them, very inhuman. So far you had seen vampires, werewolves, faeries and even fellow witches.

It reminded you so very much of the first night you'd met.

1789.

You remembered only some, some figments were seen through thick mists, sly and mischievous, just waiting for you to meet those that plagued your mind like the fondest dream. You enjoyed your time with them before the tragedy struck and you were most ready to be with them again.

And tonight you would finally see them again.

A person swept to next to your side and you saw golden eyes glint teasingly, "Hello, my pretty dove."

"Dove?" You laugh lightly, "I'm much more of a crow."

"And yet it is usually the ravens that catch my brother's attention, such a special crow you are," Hummed desire as they stood in front of you, golden eyes shimmering like cursed jewels, tempting and treacherous.

"Of course I'm special, I'm one of a kind," You respond, shrugging your shoulders, perfectly used to Desire and their ways.

Desire smiled a Cheshire smile, "Oh, I know, my Dove. I only wish I had gotten to you before my brother and his mercurial immortal."

"Why? So you could entrance me with your golden eyes? Sweep me away to paradise? And once you had done that, dump me like a burnt-out candle," You hummed and while your tone was sweet, both of you knew your words were aimed like daggers, sharp and desperate for blood.

Desire laughed and it sounded like the chiming of distant bells, "My dove, we both know you're not a candle. You're a wildfire."

You pressed your gloved hand to your chest in a mock swoon, "Oh, keep saying such sweet things to me and I may think Destiny has planned this out all along!"

A keening sound came from the physical embodiment that seemed far too much like a cat as their eyes glinted, "If only he had, Dove. But all know how he and my big sister favour my dear, arrogant big brother. And how they favour you, my sweet, bastard of a woman."

You rose a brow, Desire always seemed uncaring but you knew just how much Dream got under their skin, "Speaking of sisters, how are dear Despair and Delerium?"

Desire clicked their tongue, "Despair's still moping and Delierum's off causing chaos wherever she goes. If only you were with her, then Death would follow you around, cleaning all of your messes."

You smiled, "Delightful."

Desire's eyes glinted with something of amusement and anger. They wanted to anger you but you were not so quick to fall into their trap, you were certainly willing to play the game.

The two of you stared at each other for a moment.

"Aren't you a sweet thing with a sharp tongue?" Hissed Desire playfully, their eyes glazed with a haze of soft malice.

You smirked, grabbing a glass of red wine from one of the waiters and hummed, "Well, your brother seems to like my tongue quite a lot. As does, as you so lovingly put it, his mercurial immortal."

A laugh shot from Desire's mouth.

And suddenly, their attention was stolen away by something, or rather, someone, or in this case, some people. A grin spread across their lips as their golden eyes seemed to melt with amusement, "Iy appears the two we speak of have arrived."

Abruptly, your heart stuttered in your chest elated and frightened al at the same time.

Desire smirked, placing a sensual hand on your arm, "I'll leave you to your charade but if you need some assistance, I will do anything you desire."

And with those parting words, the Endless waltzed away, predatory eyes searching for someone with enough desire to distract them for the night.

You let out a soft sigh and slowly turned.

All your breath was stolen away in an instant.

They stood together like an art piece no one could bare to take their eyes off. That dangerous and alluring immortal with soft brown hair and enchanting hazel eyes so warm they felt like home. That distant and astonishing king with hair the colour of a raven's wings and blue eyes so electric it was like those eyes were in every dream you could ever have.

You were staring at them in all their splendour, a sort of disbelief coursing through your body, it had been so long since you last laid eyes on them.

And you quickly realised that they were staring at you as well.

Hob delight in the bright colours, the avid chatter and enchanting music.

He sincerely enjoyed parties, not for the fact they showed off wealth or power but because they were fun. Hob couldn't count the number of friends and memories he had gotten at the parties over the years. The festivals in his village, the feasts and progresses of Queen Elizabeth I's court, the balls, the roaring twenties, the clubs that were always deafeningly loud.

He loved parties in his very soul and desperately needed to get his friend to join him at one.

He, of course, knew that Dream would hate clubs or any kind of modern party so Hob scoured every place he could, searching for a costume party that slotted into the regency era. It was just like that Hob mentioned it to a friend and said friend grinned, fangs glinting as he told Hob about a masquerade party.

He told Morpheus about and it turned out to be the perfect idea as Dream of the Endless had a certain love for masquerades. Hob shared that love and he remembered another person who did as well.

A sigh slipped through Hob's lips as he glanced at the man that stood beside him. And, God, was he ethereal. He looked almost exactly as he did that year of 1789, and image of royalty and power. Hob was entranced he could not deny, he would not deny.

As his eyes gazed around the eccentric party, his attention snapped to a figure that somehow managed to take his breath away. First, he saw the dress, like the moon had crafted it and enchanted it with all the wonder it possessed. Then, he saw the mask that swirled and wisped, drawing him closer and tempting him to stay there. But neither was as beautiful as the one wearing them.

And that person was you.

"Hob?" Morpheus' light voice called, sounding like a murmur from a distantly fond memory.

"Yes?" He responded after a moment, struggling to tear his eyes away.

"Are you well? You seem distracted," Hummed the Endlessly, curious eyes quick and observant.

"Yes, um..." Hob's eyes flickered back to your figure, "It's just, someone's caught my attention."

"Who?" Questioned the king, shimmering eyes darting around.

"Her," Hob motioned discreetly over to you.

Morpheus tilted his head, his berry-pink lips curling into some semblance of a smile, "I can certainly see why."

"Mhm," Hob hummed, brown eyes glimmering as he watched you speak to someone he couldn't quite see. He saw the way your shoulders shook with laughter and found himself wondering what such a laugh sounded like.

"It seems she knows my sibling," Morphues observed softly, tiling his chin upwards, eyes glittering with curiosity. After all, ti wasn't often that someone spoke so comfortably with an Endless. Especially not with Desire.

Hob's brow rose in surprise, "She knows one of your siblings? She must be knowledgeable then, "He paused, a smile coming upon his lips, "Or a part of a bet."

A huff of amusement left Morpheus, "Perhaps. Though I doubt she is as unpredictable as you."

Hob laughed gently, eyes moving back to you.

Suddenly his heart stilled in his chest.

You were staring straight at them.

And all Hob could think about was the colour of your eyes. He was desperate to see them and be entranced by their depth.

"I...I'm...she's looking at us," Hob couldn't but stutter, feeling your piercing gaze upon him.

Morpheus rose a brow, "Then perhaps you should dance with her."

Hob stared in surprise, "But-but what about you?"

Morpheus smiled that sweet, small smile Hob had come to love, "I shall go speak with my sibling and find out what they wanted with that beautiful stranger."

"Are you sure?" Hob questioned lightly, his interest in you growing more and more by the second.

Morpheus nodded, silver eyes glinting with the echos of stars. And perhaps that was why he was so enchanting to Hob. Humans had always found solace in the stars and the unfathomable beauty that drew them in with sweet songs and delightful deals.

"All right, then," Hob hummed, "I shall see you soon, my friend."

"Indeed, and do try to not become completely bewitched before I have the chance to dance with the lady and you," Morphues mused, eyes glinting with something faintly teasing and serious.

He laughed smoothly, despite the way his heart thundered in his chest, "I'd never miss the chance to dance with you."

"Good," Spoke the Dream King with a brief smile as he swept away into the dancing crowds, like a dream slipping through your fingers.

Hob let out a breath and turned to face you again as he strode through the crowds, never once breaking eye contact. The closer he got to you, the greater his heartbeat. He could see your features more clearly now, the shimmering shade of your eyes, the hue of your lips, the glow of your skin.

It was almost as if he had burst out of a forest and onto the shores of a vast, breathtaking sea once he came to a stop before all of your astounding glory. Words seemed to fail him at that moment, he never was a poet.

Luckily for him, you had waited for this moment for so long that you'd practised the words you wanted to say a thousand times in your mind. But even then, the words were difficult to get out, you were blown away by his sheer beauty.

Hob wore colours of gold, his mask twisting around his face like sunlight. He looked wonderous, greater than any painting or song. You were as entranced as you were the first time you'd met him and he who he called his stranger.

You smiled, "I know you are breathless but please do not faint before we've had the chance to converse properly."

Hob breathed in, eyes glinting in amusement, "Of course, my lady."

You couldn't keep the grin off of your face, "And might I know your name?"

"Only if I can know yours," Hob hummed softly.

"Y/n," You responded quickly, watching intently for his reaction.

You saw a flicker of shock and his body went rigid for just a moment,. Recognition glittered in his eyes like newfound hope before dimming. Hob had lived a very long time and had heard many names repeated. But still, he felt his heart flutter for just a second, hearing your name fall from your lips like a divine symphony he hadn't heard in so long.

Finally, Hob managed to find his words and spoke, "My name is Hob, Hob Gadling and might I say your name is beautiful."

You laughed lightly, delighting in the sound of his name, "Why, thank you, Hod Gadling. Now, could I treat you to a dance?"

"I'd love that," Hob smiled and extended his hand for you to take, "Come, my lady, and let everyone see that stunning dress and beautiful face."

You raised an amused brow and placed your hand in Hob's, "I'm wearing a mask."

"And from the parts of your face, I can see, you look magnificent, " Hummed the man, his dark hair spilling around his face in loose curls that you so desperately wanted to run your fingers through.

Quickly, Hob guided you to the dancefloor and with a breath, you two were swirling around the crowds of people. Finding your feet was a practice you were well used to and it seemed that even though ballroom dancing had gone out of fashion, so was Hob. His hand intertwined with yours as his other came to cup your waist tenderly. Your hand gently placed itself on his shoulder and he pulled you closer to him, you could practically feel his breath fanning your face now.

You were in a room full of people, yet you had not felt such intimacy for a long time.

Hob smiled and you saw those soft, enchanting brown eyes gleam. They were just how you remembered, even better. Like swirls of dark whisky, Hob's eyes twirled with age and memories, making him seem more alive than any person in the room. You smiled brightly, heart swelling with the knowledge that after all this time, Hob was still so happy and alive.

Suddenly, Hob twirled you and a joyously bubbled laugh fell from your lips. His hand clenched your waist tightly yet his grasp was gentle. A gaint cradling a bird with the greatest care, as if it was the most precious thing in the world.

You smiled easily, it was natural to be with Hob, to be in his embrace and have his eyes on you. And now that everything was happing again you understood just how much you had missed him and his long-lasting love.

"The light you bring into his world is astounding," You spoke to him, almost without realising it. Hob Gadlign was the sun, all-embracing with his warmth and kindness, everyone was attracted to him but they could never get too close lest they get burnt.

But you would welcome the searing burns of Hob's love without any hesitation. Because to be loved by the sun is to be loved by all of the light in the universe and no pain could compare to that love.

You could see no blush on his cheeks but you did see the tips of his ears go a sunset pink as he stuttered for a moment. A look that reminded you of a warm summer's breeze appeared in his eyes and he spoke in a gentle voice, "And your light drives the darkness away."

"Does it?" You laughed, ignoring the heat rising to your cheeks.

"Yes," He hummed, pulling you into another spin, "You remind me of the moon, even in the darkness of night, your light will shine and guide someone home."

You tried to shake off the sudden bashfulness that had overcome you but to no prevail, "No one has ever spoken about me in such a way."

"And in what way did I speak about you?" Hob questioned lightly, somehow managing to twirl you through the bustling crowds of dancers who were momentarily drawn to the pair of you. A pair so seemingly oblivious to the rest of the world.

Your eyes met Hob's and you swore you saw home, "So earnestly. I am a witch, Hob Gadling, most people who meet me are in search of something and think flattering me will make it easier to obtain. You, however, are not in search of anything. Your words are not sweet lies but the gentlest of truths. The words you speak are truly how you see me and nothing else."

Hob stared at you for a moment before a short laugh fell from his lips and you just barely noticed the hint of grief that ran through him as if he was suddenly alone after spending time with one he loved.

"Do I amuse you?" You questioned gently.

Shaking his head, Hob swallowed, stunning eyes shimmering with mourning so carefully hidden it was like a flower.

Maybe he forced the smile onto his face when he spoke or maybe he didn't but it was there, "No, you just...remind me of someone I used to know a long time ago. All people ever did was ask her for favours. The first time we'd met the only reason she was there was because someone she thought was her friend asked her to."

Lady Johanna Constantine.

You remembered her well and much preferred her namesake, at least she had no desperate lust for the ichor of immortality.

"I see," You hummed, the truth about to spill from your lips.

Hob, however, interrupted you, "I do hate to make this conversation come to a halt but my friend wishes to dance with you."

"What?" You questioned.

Hob didn't answer, merely raising one of your hands to press a kiss there before he spun away from him.

And you collided into another pair of arms.

Suddenly your eyes met another pair that had enough depth in them to encase entire universes. They shimmered like gems beneath a luscious sea and drew you in with the sweetest of symphonies upon the flutter of a butterfly's wings.

Your breath was stolen away in an instant.

Dream.

Hob's beauty was like coming home after a long day and Morpheus' beauty was that of an adventure that never ended.

Your eyes darted across his face. His skin was so pale it was like the light of stars cupped it. The contours of his face were sculpted by the hands of creation to perfection. Usually untamed, his hair so dark it was like a raven's feather was twisted into a small plat, reminiscent of what it had been like in 1789.

Temptation had never looked so enticing.

"Good evening, miss," Morphues hummed, his voice as rich as red wine.

"Good evening, your majesty. It's wonderful to have you back," You responded lightly, knowing now it was only a matter of time before your identity was revealed, you can't hide anything from dreams, after all.

You saw a flicker of surprise appear in Morpheus' starry eyes and the humbleness in his voice as he lightly inquired, "You know who I am?"

You smiled, dipping your head slightly in a nod, "I am a witch, it is my business to know how this universe works and all the people who play integral parts within it."

A thoughtful hum came from Morpheus and almost like a dream that wisped and whirled, the two of you were dancing among the crowds. His eyes glittered as he stared down at you, asking another question, "Is that how you know my sibling?"

"Siblings," You corrected lightly, you did, after all, know more than one Endless.

Morphues could not hide his surprise this time and yet you found yourself disappointed that his minute expressions were hidden by his mask. And what a glorious mask it was. It looked as if it had been blessed by stars, shimmering with silvers and gold and blacks and purples, it looked like entire galaxies had been painted on it.

It was almost as magnificent as the man wearing it.

"You've met multiple of my siblings?" Inquired Morpheus, his curiosity growing tenfold as natural for he was the Prince of Stories.

You nodded, lips curving into a soft smile, "Well, you can't meet Desire without Despair and a witch always ends up crossing paths with Destiny and making deals with Death. And, of course, one can't attempt millennia-old spells without stepping into the realms of Delirium and Destruction."

Morpheus very nearly came to a halt then, his body going rigid for just a moment as his berry-pink lips parted. You smiled at the innocence of the sight before you, so gentle and free.

The King of Dreams found himself unable to speak for a few seconds, most unnatural to him of all creatures as stories were what he was made of. Then, he managed to speak in a soft, almost whispered voice, "You have met Destruction?"

You hummed.

Of course, the Prodigal had abandoned his duties quite some time ago.

You smiled gently, a far-away look in your eyes, "Yes, a very, very long time ago."

"But- He..." Morphues furrowed his brows and realised you were much more of a riddle than he thought.

You tilted your head, the mischievousness within you giggling in delight, "I am much older than I look, my lord. Much, much older."

"How much older?" Questioned the Endless hurridly, almost desperate for answers.

A laugh came from your lips, your eyes glittering in amusement as you faked an offended gasp, "Oh, my! Don't you know it's rude to ask a woman her age, your majesty?"

Morpheus let out a chuckle as his soft, delicate hands that could have only belonged to an artist ever so slightly tightened against you as he spun you into a twirl. The lights shimmered above you and for a moment Morpheus seemed to have a hale of wonder and enamour around him.

His lips curved like the bow of cupid, and his voice was as soft as the patter of rainfall as he spoke, "Of course, forgive me, my lady. You are like the moon to me and my curiosity compels me to grow closer to you."

You rose a brow, an echo of Hob in your mind as you mused, "I am like the moon? You and Hob are certainly of the same mind."

"How couldn't we be?" Breathed Morpheus softly, rushed, his words enough to make your heart flutter in its joy, "Your eyes are magnetic, astounding, like the light of the lady moon. It's ethereal, it's comforting, it's peaceful. You make people wish for you to be the muse behind all their great inspirations. When people first began to understand the beauty of the moon, they saw you in their dreams."

The blush on your cheeks was heavy, burning against your skin. Tantalising.

Hob was brash with his words but his actions were strong enough that words weren't needed for him to show how he felt. Morpheus' actions were reserved and hidden but his words flowed like the most wondrous stories.

A smile made its way onto your lips, "And when people first began to understand the beauty of the stars, it was you they saw when they dreamt of them."

"Is that so?" Chimed Morpheus, an almost coy look on his face.

Oh, he did like it when people flirted with him.

You hummed, "Certainly. You're beautiful. Your eyes have this far-away look that makes people want to stare at them and never look away. They want to listen to your stories and poems and always hold them to their hearts."

Now it was Morpheus' turn to flush.

You giggled, "Have I made the King of Dreams flustered?"

A playful scoff came from the man made out of starlight, "You remind me of..."

He trailed off, eyes focused intently on you but on you. And you knew exactly what had happened.

Morpheus had finally realised who you were.

His lips parted as he stared at you. The sheer disbelief in his eyes was so strong it was enough to make mountains quiver. Fear built within you, you didn't think your heart could take Morpheus turning away from you. You knew it couldn't. Just like it couldn't take Hob turning away either.

"I-" Morpheus breathed, shimmering eyes laced with tears, "How? This should not be possible and yet I see it within you, your memories of us, your dreams. You look entirely different and yet you are Hb and I's Y/n. But that cannot be, I remember your death."

You smiled, voice so soft it was akin to the beating of a hummingbird's wings, "I did tell you witches sealed with Death, didn't I?"

Morpheus said nothing and you certainly expected him to turn away from you, stride into the night and run away into his realm. You thought he would wrench his arm away from you, refusing to believe you were the same woman he had fallen for.

He came to a halt.

Your heart hammered erratically in your chest.

This was it. He was going to turn away.

Instead, his frantic hands clutched your face as he kissed you.

It was desperate, his hands holding tightly onto your face as if he feared you would disappear. His lips collided with yours with enough force to make rivers gasp and clouds blush. Passion flooded through your veins as his gentle body melted against yours. There was barely enough time to breathe, the brilliance of Morphues against your body was a splendour like no other.

Your lips moulded against his, the softness of them like the pattering of rain, the gentlest of symphonies and the greatest of arts. And Morpheus was an art piece, wondrous and enchanting.

A small sound escaped Morpheus's lips as your hands found his face, gentle and relieved. You had missed the feeling of his smooth, cold skin that had been kissed by the light of stars.

You shuddered against Morpheus as he finally parted his lips from yours, you were reminded of the warmth that came with gazing at clouds.

He rested his forehead against yours. Chest heaving.

"My lord-" You began only for Morphues to cut you off.

His voice was so quiet, barely a whisper upon your skin, "Please. I have not heard my name spill from your lips in so long. Please do not deny me that any longer. Please."

"Morpheus," You breathed gently, fascinated by the wonder of the man before you. So inhuman yet so very human.

"Perfect," He murmured, his eyes glittering with all the love in the universe.

His hand gently moved to clasp yours and suddenly he was pulling you, moving across the ballroom swiftly.

You helped in surprise, "Morpheus!"

Morphues looked at you from over his shoulder, "It would be terribly cruel of me if I stole you away without telling Hob that you've returned to us. Would it not be, sweet crow?"

"Very true, my star," You chirped fondly, easily slipping into hat love you held so close to your heart.

The two of you easily weaved between the crowds easily spotting Hob as his beauty outshined all others. Hob smiled at the pair of you as soon as you met eyes and he never once looked away.

He tilted his head, an almost teasing gleam in his eyes as he chirped, "You two look like you're from a romance movie," His lips curved into a grin, "I never thought you'd be taken so quickly, Dream."

Morpheus lifted a brow, "It is only natural to be taken with Y/n, I remember you being enamoured with her the first time we met."

Hob's smile faltered for a moment, "This is the first time we've met Y/n."

"This is our first time meeting her in this body," Corrected Morpheus lightly, excitement glimmering in his starry eyes.

Hob swallowed, whisky eyes darting between Morpheus and you, "What- What are you saying?"

Morpheus let out a breath, "Her body may be different but her soul is the very same one from all those years ago. She is undoubtedly our Y/n."

You smiled, "Hello, Hob."

"I- Hob choked, "Prove it, please, prove it."

You nodded your head gently, "The first time we met I was only there because Johanna wanted me to render the both of you unconscious if you resisted her but I couldn't do it. You never got angry with me, only smiled and said it was a lovely night for a walk. And so we walked and as the sun began to rise I invited you two to a masquerade much like this one."

Hob's eyes widened.

And just like his counterpart, kissed you with enough desperation to inspire leagues of art.

Firm hands gripped your waist as Hob pulled you closer to him. Soft lips caressed yours like the softest of spring petals. Singing love spun you around like the dearest of symphonies. Hob didn't need to say anything to you because his actions always told you everything. His embrace was like the fondest summer winds.

Your hand came to lay on his thundering heart and you were reminded of just how alive Hob Gadling was. He was like hope, relentless and unchallengeable. He was entrancing in the most comforting of ways.

A low sound came from Hob's mouth, like the crackle of a cosy fireplace. You adored it, consumed by him and his love.

Slowly, Hob parted from you, lips blushing and red as he gasped, "It seems fate has rewarded me in the most brilliant of ways."

You laughed, a gentle thing, as you spoke, "Indeed it has," Then you looked between your two men and rose a brow, "Now tell me, do you two still pretend you haven't danced your way over the line of friendship or have you finally admitted your love for each other?"

The pair stared at each other for a moment before they looked back at you, awkward expressions on their faces. You snorted, hand going over your lips to try and hide your smirk but to no avail.

Oh, your men. Ancient creatures with knowledge long forgotten to the world but they still can't admit their feelings.

You smiled gently, "Don't worry gentlemen, we can sort everything out later, but for now, I do believe you two need a dance together."

Morpheus dipped his head, "Indeed we do."

Hob extended his callous hand, "Dream?"

The King slowly placed his hand upon the immortal's, curling his pale fingers around the rich skin of Hob's. And with cherished smiles, the pair glided towards the dance floor, a complete vision of perfection.

Then, the universe smiled because the sun, the stars and the moon were finally back reunited.

Tags: @fate-huntress @layla2-49 @asianfrustration13 @true-queen-of-mischief @mxtokko @notabotiswear @marion7s-blog @winxchesters @beautifulbows924 @sidneysdreamland @boofy1998 @thecrazytealady @kisses4kitty @we-love-our-bandz @kittycatcait219 @crimsonabbath @violet-19999 @dreaming-about-fanfictions @silverhart13 @dilf-of-the-endless @tea-effect @bakerstreethound @popcornceilings69 @blu3what @angelphishy @ultimateissuessimp @aliisa-jones

#dream of the endless #morpheus x reader #the sandman #morpheus x y/n #fanfic #imagine #fanfiction #fluff #the sandman fanfic #hob x reader #hob gadling #hob x morpheus #hob x dream

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cuckoo-on-a-string · 2 years ago

Text

A Year and a Day

My second piece for the Winter Solstice event!

Sandman fandom, Hob x fem!reader x Morpheus (implied future)

Warnings: language, brief violence, injury

*While you can enjoy this on its own - there's gonna be more. It's gonna be a drabble series in all likelihood.This is becoming my de-stress fic. Mostly fluff, and lots of shenanigans, so let me know what you think. <3

A Year and a Day (the first part of many)

The frigid evening wind cuts through the alley, and Morpheus feels it. He feels the cold, the broken asphalt scraping his palm, the blood cooling on his chin.

A year and a day of mortality.

He wonders if he’ll survive the first night.

As the curse had taken effect, and he’d hurtled into the waking world, he’d done all he could to aim for London. With his power bleeding away and his body closing tight around his severed awareness of the Dreaming, a single name flashed at the forefront of his thoughts: Hob Gadling. His friend. Although several mortals know enough of his nature as an Endless to be of some assistance, Hob is the only one he trusts to actually offer it.

If he does not escape this alley, however, he’ll never put that assumption to the test.

A kick lifts him away from the pavement for a moment, and he collapses on his side, coughing. The men above him loom like tall shadows, backlit by anemic streetlights. Two pounce, rifling through his pockets as he struggles to catch his breath, and he once again thanks John Dee for crushing the Dream Stone. It can never be stolen again. Never be abused. Though, apparently, he can still be parted from his power.

Once they determined he has nothing to give them, one of the searchers swears and kicks him again, this time in the back, and Morpheus arches, teeth gritted in a fresh wave of pain.

“Nothing. Man’s got nothing. No wallet. No cash. No phone.”

The third man, ostensibly the leader, stands closest to the street, pointing a knife to warn their victim against screaming in case Morpheus should recover the wind they’ve kicked from his lungs. He shakes his head. “Dressed like that? Whatever. Coat’s worth something at least. Looks nice. Check again. Rich assholes have hidden pockets – hollow shoes, you know, like on tv.”

The hands return. Rougher. Grabbing and pushing as they try to work his arms out of his coat without letting him up from the pavement. Still breathless, he bares his teeth, reaching for abilities stripped from his grasp. He can’t even sense them. His mind is mortal, too, at least as much as it can be, and he’s left to his assailants’ mercy as he fights to regain his equilibrium.

But he has a long memory, and he will remember their faces. They may not pay for their insult tonight, but they will in due course. He promises them silently. He promises himself.

A flash of light illuminates the alley. Two more. Three more bursts of sun. Like lightning without thunder, without rain or clouds.

All three men turn to look at the source just as a clear, feminine voice calls from the opposite end of the alleyway, “I just sent pictures with all your faces to my friend.”

The one with the knife manages three long strides before the voice stops him.

“If anything happens, my friend will show them to the police. Oh, and I just dialed 999, so I suggest you scarper.”

A suggestion. Through his pain, Morpheus smirks.

Highway robbery is an often romanticized but a less than rewarding career. It has always been thus, but desperation and idiocy lead men down familiar paths, from one eon to the next. These robbers freeze like deer when the woman flicks on her phone’s flashlight, giving the scene a more permanent illumination. More prey than predator. Aggressive when they had the upper hand, certainly, when it was three against one. But they hadn’t planned on an interruption, and now a third party they can’t threaten with their knives and knuckles has their faces. Their true colors leak through.

The quiet one who’s been searching him twists away from the light and runs.

“Fuck this.”

That’s the second.

The ringleader stands his ground long enough to make a weak pass at intimidation.

“Bitch.”

The woman behind the light shrugs, the tell-tale light lifting with her shoulders. “Twat.”

For a moment, Morpheus thinks the man will charge her. He angles his head down and spreads his feet, like he’ll take his chances and sprint over to stick his knife in her throat.

This time, Morpheus hears the phone’s camera app click, and the last attacker bolts after his friends. Too much evidence, not enough loot to justify the risk. An old tale often repeated.

The immediate danger has passed.

He has a destination in mind, but he finds himself struggling to rise. Every ache and burn lingers as he leverages his hands under his chest, pushing himself up to his knees and groaning from the effort.

Light steps approach. Not running. Not hesitant, either. Purposeful.

A hand with short, black nails appears before his eyes. He looks up, blinking away the runny watercolor blur from his eyes to find his savior of the hour, a small woman in a flower-print sundress – thick leggings below and a heavy sweater above to ward off the cool breath of autumn. A strange knight errant, but he is hardly in a position to choose.

Still, he does not take her hand.

Pulling himself upright inch by agonizing inch, he cradles his bruised ribs and offers a brief nod to express his gratitude. Though he is short on options, he is shorter on trust. Mortals are treacherous, often without meaning to be, and he is painfully aware of his vulnerability.

“I dialed but didn’t connect to 999,” she confesses, looking directly into his eyes, ignoring the wounds on his face or his ginger stance. “Do you need me to call an ambulance? Family? What do you need?”

He needs Hob Gadling. And possibly medical attention. In that order. How far can he depend on this little stranger to aid him?

“Thank you.” He scrutinizes her, frowning, and she bears it unflinchingly, waiting for him to choose his course. Her squared shoulders and tilted chin suggested she’ll help him down whichever path he chooses. His pride rages against the idea, but his very mortal body feels like it may collapse if the breeze pushes any harder.

He cannot call to mind everything he would know about this tiny hero if he were fully himself, but a whisper of an impression lingers. An extra sense. The three men jumped him before he could pick up anything from them, and all he’d gathered during the assault was the anxiety and anger fueling their rage. But now – now he has a moment, and she has a core of moonstone. A fixed, determined thing all but glowing with dreams and hope.

Decided, he speaks quietly, wary of the new hurts along his abdomen, careful not to aggravate them further. “I am trying to reach the New Inn. My friend, Robert Gadling still owns it, I believe.”

Her eyes light up, and she presses half a step closer. He nearly flinches away, startled by the spark of enthusiasm.

“Hob?” She lifts her phone.

She has Robert Gadling’s name in her phone as “Hob Goblin” and something sparks in his chest that isn’t jealousy.

As she waits for the call to go through, phone pressed to ear, she says, “I was actually on my way there. We’re just a couple blocks away. I’ll help you, but I should give Hob a head’s – Hey! Hob, I – No, I’m fine. There’s – Yes, I’m sure. I just ran into – Hon, I love you, but shut the fuck up. Sorry. Yeah. Bumped into a friend of yours, and he’s a little roughed up. Asked for you, so I thought I’d bring him to the New Inn. Wanted to give you advance warning… Okay. See you in a minute.”

The endearments course naturally through the dialogue, and he wonders what he has missed in Hob Gadling’s past year. But when she hangs up and stashes the phone away in her messenger bag, she gives Morpheus a brilliant smile, like all is well and they’re simply on their way to visit a mutual friend.

“Alright. Let’s get you to the Inn. Would you mind leaning on me?”

The nature of the question makes it easy to agree. He lets her pull his arm over her shoulders, and one little hand settles on his back, like she has the strength to support them both if he stumbles.

They work their way down the quiet street, and she doesn’t fight the silence. Their steps and breath mingle with the hoots of nightbirds, distant arguments, and the occasional passing car. She does not ask him why he is on his way to the New Inn, though she clearly had plans of her own with the owner. She does not demand he waste his breath assuring her he is well when he clearly is not. They walk together, and she makes sure he does not trip and fall on the way.

It is appreciated.

When they reach the New Inn, Hob meets them at the door, eyes wide but unsurprised when Morpheus manifests out of the gloom with his small, colorful crutch.

“It is you.” He rushes out to assume the savior’s burden and helps Morpheus into the empty bar. It’s well past closing, he assumes. “I thought it might be, but I wasn’t – what happened?”

Morpheus glances sidelong at the young woman lingering near the door, and she catches the look, quickly straightening with a fresh smile for Hob and excuse to disappear on her lips.

“I’ll head up now. You two must have… a lot… to – let me know if you need anything.”

She moves to the back of the establishment and slips through a door marked “Private.”

Morpheus turns his look on Hob as the man pulls a first aid kit from behind the counter. His son died in a pub brawl, he recalls. The kit is extensive, and while Morpheus is glad to know he does not need a defibrillator or some of the other supplies contained within, a newly-familiar warmth blooms as he considers his friend.

His injuries, though painful, are not serious enough for a hospital. Hob assures him no ribs are broken after a careful series of pressing touches over his chest, back, and sides. The former soldier finds no evidence of internal bleeding, either.

“I’d suggest we go anyway,” he says, apologetic as he sorts through his collection of salves and bandages, “but I don’t think you have an ID or, you know, the kinds of things they’d ask about. In a hospital. And I doubt you want the police involved.”

“No.”

“Right. Okay. Right.” He flounders, clearly unsure of himself as he tries to care for the entity he still knows so little about. “Well, this should be good enough. We can sort something out down the line if…”

The silence pulls taught over the rustle of Hob’s work, and the whole man’s face is bent in concentration. Morpheus can see the thoughts ticking over his open face. Wondering if he can ask. Wondering what to ask.

“What happened?”

What indeed. There is another story, a long one, one he will not share at this time. He does not feel he has earned this punishment, and he will not give another room to comment.

“A curse.”

“What?”

“I am mortal, Hob Gadling. For a year and a day.”

“That’s…” Hob has to stop and think before new words will grow on his tongue, and Morpheus takes the initiative to press ahead.

“I had thought I may ask for your assistance during this time,” he explains. His eyes turn towards the ceiling. “But…”

Hob snaps back to himself, shaking his head and overflowing with reassurances. “You’re more than welcome to stay! I have a guest room in my flat. She doesn’t live with me. Not really. She’s in the smaller flat, and – uh – yes, you are more than welcome to stay. Please.”

So Hob has not taken another wife. It would be a strange arrangement for a courting couple as well, and he fixes on the topic as a distraction from the way his heart beats in his bruises. “Who is she?”

Hob murmurs her name with a smile, flicks his eyes to meet Morpheus’s, and clears his throat. “Well, she’s a friend. We met online, playing games during the pandemic, and she was on the other side of the Atlantic, so I started staying up all hours just to make sure I caught her.”

Adjusting his position in his chair, he leans in, full of a story, and despite the terrible evening he’s had, Morpheus finds himself falling back into old habits. Here they sit in a tavern, the Endless listening to the immortal man’s continuing life story.

“It was just so easy with her. Talking. Playing. Just enjoying ourselves. And then, about three months ago, she told me she was coming to England for work. Asked if I’d like to meet. And I had the empty flat, and I thought… why not? So here she is. Here we are. And,” he chuckles to himself, a smile pulling his face into its sweetest shape, “I don’t really know what to do with myself.”

Morpheus doubts that very much as he holds the man in a steady gaze.

It is strange.

He cannot know her as he would usually know a mortal, but she treats him with the ease of a friend, and as soft creaking above reveals her as she goes about her business, he feels the lines of a story twisting into new forms, as they had many hundreds of years ago when a foolish mortal declared in the presence of Death herself that he wouldn’t die.

Well. He has a year and a day to understand.

#winter solstice writing event #longest night stories #morpheus x reader #hob gadling x reader #dream of the endless x reader #morpheus x hob gadling x reader #ace!reader

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spider-bren · 1 year ago

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MASTERLIST

I think it's about time I created a masterlist.

SPIDER-BREN MASTERLIST:

🕷 - nsfw/18+ content

[Under Construction]

Requests: CLOSED (for now) (who I write for)

Boyd Boys:

Klaber

untitled - prompt (gn) (klaber washes your hair)

choose me like you choose him (fem)

im taken (male)

Clement Mansell

black and blue, bloody red - part one (oc - ryan) 🕷

black and blue, bloody red - part two (oc - ryan) 🕷

shot in the mouth (male) 🕷

the feminization of clement mansell - part one (oc - ryan) 🕷

the feminization of clement mansell - part two (oc - ryan) 🕷

dangerous desires - part one (fem) 🕷

dangerous desires - part two (fem) 🕷

clement mansell character study

let me use you darlin' (gn) 🕷

good boy (ftm) 🕷

Ty Shaw

ride like a cowboy (ftm) 🕷

John McBride

my body is craving, so feed the hungry (oc - oliver) 🕷

Quinn Mckenna

two sinners can't atone from a lone prayer (x billy russo) 🕷

The Corinthian

Hobrinthian analysis (x hob gadling) 🕷

Hanninthian (x hannibal lecter)

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Vlaber/Vollber - Klaber x Voller

klaber headcanons

vlaber headcanons

indiana jones 5 ending headcanons

take it from me, what you want, what you need 🕷

space with no words

let me take care of you

untitled - anon prompt (sick klaber)

untitled - anon prompt (voller has burn out)

untitled - anon prompt (klaber whump)

untitled - prompt ask (sub klaber) 🕷

do you need help? 🕷

i'm here

Voller x Reader

voller headcanons

meant to kill me (fem)

Vlaber | Vollber Series (w/ @blueeyedcitadel) 🕷

Flew Too Close To The Sun (His Wings Did Melt)

Part One: Though I Burn (How Do I Fall?)

Part Two: Lean Your Weight On Me

The Bikeriders (2023)

Johnny x Cal

glimpse of us 🕷

Shadow & Bone

Perfection - Matthias x Alina (Helstar) 🕷

Marvel

Matt Murdock

holy hands will they make me a sinner 🕷

~•~•~•~

#spider-bren #spider-bren writes #masterlist #boyd holbrook #my fics #my writing

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kitkatpadywaks · 2 years ago

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In Another Universe

Mini-Series: Part 3/?

The Meeting.

Pairing: Morpheus x Fem!Reader

Story: Dancing With The Devil (Alternate path from the end of part 2 of the story onwards)

Warnings: Third Person. Will Mostly Be Referred To As She (Called Y/N When Her Nickname Is Being Used And Will Occasionally Be Called By Her 'Angel' Name). She Has Kids. Daddy Issues. Some Angst. Tension (She's Keeping Secrets and Morpheus Knows It).

Word Count: 2k

A/N: Major Spoilers for the Story (Klaus Mikaelson fic), like this existing spoils the mystery of who my character is as well as her character arc.

This will also be posted to my Wattpad.

Previous | Masterlist | Next

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Y/N spends the next few weeks waiting. Waiting for the inevitable moment when she's face-to-face with him again. She waits for the Kindly Ones to tell them how to get into his realm, Dream's realm.

His name makes her shiver as she paces around the apartment. Like she had been doing since she got back from meeting Raphael's history professor friend who isn't a friend, Hob Gadling. Who she could tell was hiding something. Which she hopes is something painfully human as she knows her brother likes him, if his constant blush was anything to go by.

Oh fuck, I hope I don't look like that when I'm around Dream. She pauses her pacing when she hears the door open and close, looking at her brother in confusion when he appears in the kitchen where she stopped her pacing. "I thought you where staying with Hob for a bit longer?"

Raphael stares at his sister not knowing what to tell her, before deciding it's best to just tell her the truth, "I was, but an old friend of his turned up and I wanted to let them catch up."

She eyes her brother knowing there's more to the story, "But?"

"It was him..." He watches the confusion cross her face, then the understanding "Yeah, it was an awkward and long conversation. Cause it turns out, Hob is immortal and they've known each other for over six hundred years!"

She barely processes the information before Raphael is speaking again.

"And the Kindly Ones said to follow your instincts and they'll lead us to Dream's realm."

"Okay..." she stops him from walking away, "what happened with Hob? Did..."

"I kind of just went, 'Huh' and walked away. Then I ran into the Fates and came back here."

"You need to talk to him." She holds her hand up to stop him from interrupting her, "But for tonight, we'll eat, watch some films and then you're going to bed. Okay?"

Raphael nods, "But what am I going to tell him? 'Yeah. Hi. I'm your soulmate but get this. I'm from another universe so our relationship is doomed.'" He throws his hands into the air, groanng.

She snorts, ignoring the sting of their reality as her eyes tear up. "Maybe not that." She grabs his arm, dragging him into the living room. "Choose what we're going to watch, I'll grab the snacks."

She walks back into the kitchen and leans against the fridge as she tries to stop the tears from flowing down her face. After taking some deep breaths, she composes herself and grabs the bags of snacks she picked up from the shop on the way back from the pub. She walks back into the living room, determined to forget their inevitably doomed relationships.

The siblings decide to wait a few days before attempting the journey to Dream's realm, mostly based on Raphael wanting to be in a better mood and therefore more polite. Y/N gives him that as she knows it will be needed and she will be her usual self no matter how much time she may take to try and be otherwise.

She waits in the alleyway near their apartment for her brother, kicking around a can as she had been doing for the last five minutes, tensing up when she hears footsteps coming down the alleyway and relaxing when she sees her brother.

"Ready?"

She raises an eyebrow at him to which he just shrugs, releasing his grey wings from his back. She does the same, putting up a hand for him to wait as she takes a deep breath, trying to allow her instincts to take over. She stretches her wings briefly before taking off into the sky, Raphael following close behind her as she just flies, not thinking as she lets her wings and instincts lead the way. She closes her eyes, enjoying the feeling of the wind flowing through her feathers and her braided hair. Her eyes flutter open as she feels herself going through something. The feeling is not unlike when she goes through the rifts she makes to travel through universes, but softer, almost.

"Woah."

Her brother's quiet voice reaches her ears as she takes in the same thing he's seeing. The vast colourful land and the endless black beach, separated by gates that look giant even high in the sky. Raphael gestures towards an area of the beach that sits in the middle of the two different gates. She glides down onto the black sand, her powerful wings making it fly around her as she lands.

"Which one do we take?" Her brother asks as he lands behind her.

Their wings recede into their backs as she leads them to one of the gates. It opens as they draw near, revealing a woman with dark skin peering at them over round spectacles.

"Welcome to The Dreaming." She greets them with a polite smile.

They walk the long distance to the palace with the woman who introduced herself as Lucienne. The siblings walk along the path, greeting and being introduced to The Dreaming's residents they come across. Lucienne tells them about The Dreaming as they go, including what the function of the two gates is. The pointy-eared woman lets them know that the gate they went through, the gates of Horn, tells Lord Morpheus that they mean no harm to the realm and its resident. Which would have told him the opposite if they went through the other gates, the gates of Ivory.

She exchanges a look with Raphael, both finding it amusing that she had implemented something similar in Hell nearly twenty years ago so she could weed out who would be a threat to her daughter, Evie, who she was forced to raise in Hell, away from her little sister and her father.

They walk under the front gates of the palace, the siblings looking up at the living stone guards, the Gryphon, the Wyvern, similar looking to the one that watched over and protected her daughter in her universe, and the Hippogryph all watch the siblings walk into the home of their sovereign.

Lucienne leads them through the palace, through all the corridors until they stand in front of a set of doors, which open on their own when Lucienne knocks. They enter a large room, Raphael taking in the structure as Y/N stares at the man standing on the stairs leading up to a throne. They stop in front of the stairs, the siblings bowing simultaneously, feeling his inquisitive gaze. She locks eyes with the man she now knows as Dream or Morpheus, searching his expressive blue eyes while his face remains emotionless, much like her own. She is only distantly aware of Lucienne introducing him, coming back to the present when his gaze drifts over to her brother, her head turning to look at Raphael.

"It's an honour to be welcomed into your realm, Lord Morpheus. I am Raphael and this is my sister..." he hesitates

"Lucy. We've met." His eyes flicker to her and then back to her brother.

"Right." Raphael chuckles, Morpheus's intense gaze making him shift on the spot.

"Why have you sought an audience with me."

She looks up at Morpheus, "The Kindly Ones told us you may be able to help us."

He looks at her, a shiver going down his spine from hearing her voice for the first time. "And how might I do that?"

"We're looking for our father." Raphael buts in, "He's been rather difficult to pin down."

"Your father?" He questions, "Why?" Morpheus narrows his eyes at her, taking in her caution, and her pain. The pain he's felt since he first laid eyes on her, that he didn't realise was hers until that very moment. He could feel how cruel life had been to her.

She takes a deep breath as she looks at her brother. He returns the look, letting her decide what to tell him. She lets her instincts take over, glad that they don't seem to be marred by Morpheus. "Well, the short version is, he's dangerous and powerful. And he will do anything to keep that power, he has and he will threaten people and he'll kill them if he even thinks they're a threat. He won't stop, not unless we find him and bring him to justice. For everyone's sake. For every universe's sake."

"Every universe's sake?" Lucienne speaks from her position next to the stairs.

She looks at Lucienne, "We're from another universe. And we've been chasing our father across... I don't even know how many, universes. What I do know is, we have to be careful. If he knows we're in the same universe as him, he will move on and we'll have to start all over again."

The silence that follows makes her nervous, even more so when there's a tug in the back of her mind. She blocks it, glaring at Morpheus as his eyes momentarily flash silver, telling her that he knows she's holding something back.

"What do you need from me?" He asks hesitantly, letting her keep her secrets. For now.

Raphael opens and closes his mouth as he tries to think, frowning at his sister when he comes up with nothing. The Angels had no idea why the Kindly Ones had sent them to The Dreaming.

"What do you do? What are your powers?" She asks, figuring it was a good place to start.

"I hold the collective unconscious of every living being capable of dreaming. Controlling their dreams. Watching over them as they sleep. Though I'm not sure that includes your father, if he's anything like you described."

The sibling raise their eyebrows at him, as neither of them expected that answer.

Y/N's mind whirs around with thoughts, "It shouldn't need to." She ponders out loud, turning her head to look at her brother to see if he's on the same line of thought she is. He isn't, judging from the confusion on his face. "Our father can't resist boosting his own ego."

Raphael's face lights up with understanding.

"Miracles." The siblings say simultaneously.

She looks at Morpheus once again, "Has anyone been dreaming of, friends or family's miraculous recoveries from illnesses or someone saving them from certain death. Stuff like that."

There's a beat of silence, "I can't recall anything you have described."

She purses her lips, Morpheus's eyes flickering down to look at them. "Is there a way I can search through the dreams? I may be able to spot his influence where you can't."

He looks at her incredulously, "And what makes you think I would allow you to enter the minds of the dreamers?"

Her pride bristles at the question, before her common sense kicks in and she deflates. He has no reason to trust her, whether she passed the test at the gates or not, he knows she's hiding something, something big. She knows he can sense it, thanks to their bond, even if it has yet to be completely fulfilled.

"Because of what you feel..." Raphael blurs out, hoping his sister is right about them being soulmates, even if he doesn't believe it as he remembers when Klaus died. How much pain his death caused her, how much she went through to see him one last time, physically and mentally.

Morpheus's head snaps towards Raphael, his face darkening.

"The way every nerve lights up when you're in the same realm, the way you can't stop thinking about him... her!" Raphael's face flushes slightly making his sister smirk at him, "You know she doesn't mean any harm to your realm or the mortals. We're just here for our father and then we'll leave and you don't have to see or hear from us ever again."

The silence that follows weighs heavily on everyone in the room, even Lucienne starts shifting in place. Y/N examines Morpheus's face as he continues to stare her brother down, feeling as he tugs on their connection, as he confirms what he refuses to admit to himself, what he knows to be true.

"I will consider it. For now, you may search for your father in the library." Morpheus doesn't voice his displeasure at the thought of her leaving, of never seeing her again. His heart constricts as he thinks about how he can extend her stay, if he even should.

The siblings don't voice the question on the tips of their tongues, instead, they bow in respect and follow Lucienne as she leads them through a side door in the throne room, Morpheus's burning gaze following them until they're out of sight.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thanks for reading!

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the-darklings · 2 years ago

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today i bury you in me ╱ part ix preview.

*ੈ✩‧₊˚ series masterlist

A lull settles between you. You’ve grown to appreciate silence, too. Or rather, how rare it is to sit with someone and not feel compelled to saturate the air with words. How precious the ability to rest beside someone and simply breathe is.

Hob is the first to speak; his inquisitiveness never subdued for long. “You knew me when we met. How?”

“Dream.”

Confusion mars his face. “He made no mention of you.”

Despite his audible disappointment at this fact, your gaze drops to the table. “No. I suppose he won’t have.”

A restless beat, then: “We have to find him.”

You lower the cup back onto the table. Slowly, your limbs disentangle from your comfortable, slumped position. Whatever Hob reads in your body language makes him sit up. Your elbows dig into the wooden structure beneath you, your spine straight and jaw set with unyielding firmness as you regard him.

“Why?” you demand.

Immediate response, no uncertainty. “Because he’s my friend, and he’s a bloody idiot.” Hob’s features soften. “But this world needs him.”

“I’ve been trying to find him for the last century. No luck. Every force in the universe has been opposing me and punishing me for trying.”

Hob’s earnest stare doesn’t waver at the tart insinuation. You lean across the creaky table in a small kitchen half a world away where the world is only as big as your hands can stretch on either side of your body.

“Would you like to help me, Hob Gadling?”

Sheer relief lines Hob’s face. “God, yes.”

#the sandman #the sandman x reader #dream x reader #morpheus x reader #dream of the endless #sandman fic #sandman x reader #netflix the sandman #dream x fem!reader #morpheus x fem!reader #the sandman fanfic #hob gadling #fic update #fic: today i bury you in me #hmm. the way it's 4.9k and not even half done. hm.#also prepare for immortal trouble and make it double heh.

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ohraicodoll · 2 years ago

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“You love him, don’t you?”

(gif credit to issylra) Dream of the Endless/Fem!Reader/Hob Gadling Tags: Established Relationship, Reader is unnamed in this story but is OFC: Dahlia from my Fragments series, (would take place after the last chapter of Interwoven), no name used for Reader, 1st POV, Fluff, Standalone, One-Shot

Summary: He looked at them both like he was witnessing a miracle.

“You love him, don’t you?” I asked, leaning against the living room wall and staring at Hob as he shrugged off his jacket. He paused in the action, one arm still caught and loose white linen shirt bunched up. I couldn’t read him when he wasn’t facing me, couldn’t see if he was frozen from disbelief, fear, or incredulousness. But his body was tense as if one small move would cause the floor to shatter beneath him.

“Why do you say that?” he asks and though his voice was light it was so, so careful. I wish he would turn and face me.

I leaned my head back, letting it rest against the wall, and softly smiled, “You get that look in your eye. It’s the same look I see in my own when I look in the mirror around him. Like seeing how it must have been to witness the sun set for the very first time or a star being born. Utter and absolute devastation. He could ruin me and I’d ask for it because it’s worth it to taste that kind of magic, to have his focus on me for just a second.” Hob slowly, so slowly, pulled his arm free from his coat and dropped it to the floor, turning to face me like he was in slow motion. He was trying to keep his face blank but like Morpheus, I’d come to learn the small nuances of emotion in his face. The slight furrowing of his brow and the way one side of his mouth stayed straight but the other tilted down, betraying his worry. “I see it every time you think he’s not looking,” I smiled and whispered softly, “Every time we all have sex, I can see you holding back and focusing more on me so he doesn’t know.” Morpheus and I had been together for over a year and since introducing me to Hob and me becoming good friends with him, we’d all had sex together a few times. It was never anything more than sex, fun between friends, a sign that he trusted both of us enough to do so and I trusted them. But I always felt that connection between them. It was an excuse, and not even a well veiled one, for them to indulge in each other without complication or further examination of their feelings. Except Hob loved Morpheus and I think being so close hurt him sometimes. A taste of what he wanted but nothing more. His lips pressed together and there was a slight flick of his gaze to stare at his feet, long hair falling forward into his eyes as he asked, “Does that upset you?” I wanted to go to him, press my hands to his cheek and tilt his head up because seeing him timid, unsure, didn’t suit him. But I stayed against the wall, feigning ease as I shook my head, “No, I get it. How do you say no to gravity?” He huffs out a dry laugh then, lips tilting into a deprecating smirk as he finally looked up. Those dark brown eyes met mine and that look was there, all magic and wonder and miracles, as he smiled. “And what if he’s not the only one I get that look for? Hm?” the immortal asks with narrowed eyes and a tilt of his lips. His hands were shoved into his pockets but I could see the urge to fiddle with them, to mess with something and keep his hands occupied. It was the only sign he was anxious. The nonchalance of my stance slipped a bit and I chewed my lip as my heart beat sounded through my head, “Well then you’d be an idiot then.” He laughed at that, the noise bursting from his lips unexpectedly and smiling a bit wider before I continued, “Why have an ant when you can have a star?” It was an old conversation we’d had. We were small little bugs compared to the vastness that was Dream and the Endless. Me more so because in comparison to Hob, I wasn’t immortal. I was normal. Plain. Able to walk through dreams, yes. That’s what had attracted Morpheus to me, but I couldn’t do anything beyond that. It was like being average in everything but the school spelling bee. It didn’t make you much more interesting outside of one circumstance. His love for Morpheus made sense. Six hundred plus years, how could he not love the dreamlord? He’d had years to learn and wonder and develop a relationship, no matter if the Endless had put distance between them. But me? I didn’t get it. The look in Hob’s eyes softened and he stepped forward finally, one then two then three until he was only a few feet away, “Nah, I see it a little different. I don’t see an ant, not even close. I see a girl with a big heart. She goes out of her way to make sure everyone’s happy and feels safe and is never alone, even when no one has ever done that for her. I see a girl who even when she was being hurt and was terrified, she still tried to save someone else from that same fate.” I swallowed, remembering that attack in the alley and trying to keep Calliope from being hurt. Remember paying for that. But I also remember Hob and Dream both taking care of me, cleaning my wounds and then staying by my side as I dealt with the trauma. They never left me. “I see someone who has dealt with nightmares and dreams and fae and gods and Endless and immortals and has never backed down,” he continued with a laugh, “and if that idiot ever wakes up and makes you Queen, I feel sorry for anyone who tries to stand against you.” I could feel tears in the back of my eyes stinging, a hard lump in my throat. Now I was the one ducking my head to avoid his gaze. He took another step and out of the corner of my eye I could see his smile widening, eyes crinkling, “If looking at Dream is like witnessing a sunset, seeing you is like looking at the sunrise. You’re both breathtaking.” Hob laughs a little, hesitant, and whispers, “Is that okay? To want the sunset and sunrise? To love both of you?” I took a shaky breath and looked up, unable to help the tear that slid down my cheek as I didn’t look at him, but Morpheus standing in the bedroom doorway behind him. I’d felt him appear a bit before, the slight warm tingling of his power coasting over my skin as he entered the room, and knew he’d heard. Dream wasn’t completely solid, the main clue-in that he was feeling something strong. Coat more shadows than substance and whispers of what would be flame at the bottom of his jacket like in the Dreaming. Stars swam in the blue depths of his eyes, hinting at the twin stars that usually blazed in the blackness when he was back home. Though his face was mostly blank, his eyes were fully on Hob, hands tightened at his side and brow furrowed. Hob could feel him then and looked over his shoulder at the Lord of Dreams, hands tensing. I could almost taste his apprehension, his fear that Dream heard his confession for not only him but for me as well and was displeased. He loved us both. Would Dream reject him, loathe him for the affection he had for me? Would he rage and walk out as he did years and years before at the mere utterance they may be friends? Dream walked forward, regal and very much an ethereal being not meant to walk on this earth, much less the living room of a small upper floor flat. His blue eyes could dissect us, break us apart and see all the pieces that made up who we were and put us back together with a single blink. His eyes turned and found mine and even with the tension, even with Hob’s uncertainty radiating off of him, I could see that same love that blazed from my own. I could only smile at him, my dreamlord. Then his hands were on Hob’s cheeks and he was drawing him in, kissing him like a starving man. I could see the immortal freeze for just a second because relaxing and returning it with the same fervor. Pale skin on warm brown, a black shadow wrapping around the bright light of the other. Pulling back a bit, Morpheus pressed his forehead to Hob’s, those twin stars blazing in the shadow of the other, “While I do not have as eloquent words as you both to proclaim my feelings, I would give you myself to keep, Hob Gadling, if you would have me?” The room lightened as if a thunderstorm had cleared away and gave way to bright sunlight. While still hinting at shadows and flame, Morpheus’ coat solidified around him as Hob’s fingers tightened in the fabric. Hob laughed, loud and free, and pulled him into another kiss while replying against his lips, “Of course I would have you. How could I say no?” I could see Dream’s fingers dig into the man’s back, clinging to him, as if he couldn’t believe he was there of his own free will. That he had found not one loves but two that he trusted wholly. After a bit, they pulled away, both beaming though Morpheus’ was gentle versus Hob’s wide unrestrained grin. Dream’s eyes found mine again and I chewed on my lip, only able to smile back. He deserved all the love he could get, deserved to feel safe and comforted and have support, no matter how powerful or old he was. I’d seen hints of their attraction early, when the idea of all three of us having sex was first brought up. He could have gotten jealous, said no, gotten angry, but he’d been just as eager as I had. I could see it in the way they touched each other, the way their eyes found each other constantly as if making sure the other was still there, fear that they would disappear. I would never deny them of each other. Hob turned and looked at me, untangling slightly from Dream’s arms but hands still clasped in the other’s. And I could see that look in his eyes again, the one from before. Fathomless, like staring at a miracle. But he was looking at me this time, not Morpheus. Both of them, darkness and light, with a hand stretched towards me waiting to see if I would take it. With a small hitch in my breath, I laughed softly, “So greedy, to want both the sunrise and sunset.” And I pushed off the wall, forcing my feet to carry me forward to them. The dreamlord’s hand found mine like always, like two magnets drawn to each other, and I squeezed it while looking up into Hob’s eyes. He raised a brow, playful with light dancing in the brown of his irises and grinned, “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

The human, the immortal, and the King of Dreams. What an odd group. And with that, I stood on my toes and kissed him, feeling the warmth of his skin and the texture of his stubble against me. His mouth was soft and sweet, pressing against mine with a sigh while his free hand tangled in my long hair. This kiss was different from all the others before. Not sexual or desperate or pushing for more. He kissed me like he was savoring my taste, committing the feel of it to memory. Morpheus’ hand tightened in mine, his other clasped in Hob’s still. My fingers traced the edge of the immortal’s chin, savoring the feel of the coarse hair against them, breathing him in. He tasted of coffee and cinnamon and I’d never get enough. He tasted of home. Breaking to take a breath, he stayed pressed against me and gave me a big grin, thumb tracing my cheek with the hand still in my hair. He kissed my forehead and brow and nose before giving me another sweet kiss on my lips. I laughed. I smiled up at him and caught Morpheus’ eye, his gaze soft and full of stars as he looked at us both. “The three of us are going to be such a disaster,” I laughed, pressing my head to Hob’s chin, “But you two are my disasters.” And it was true. I never thought I would love both of them, have room enough in my heart for two people, but somehow this worked. So we stood there, hands in each other’s, sharing smiles and kisses and love.

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roguelov · 2 years ago

Text

Cat’s Cradle

Summary: You were crafted by him, crafted to serve the Dreaming and dreamers of all kinds. You were granted the ability to alter your appearance, to the feline variety, to hide in dreams. You, however, never imagined falling in love with him. But, when he left to take care of a rogue nightmare, only to never return, your heart broke. So, you ran to the Waking and soon met someone new. But, when Dream returns, how will he react to find you missing?

Word Count: ~5.2k

Reader: Fem

Warnings: Some angst (abandonment and heartbreak), fluff, pining

Requested by the magnificent @chainsawsangel

Part 2

A curious question to ponder: do animals dream? And if so, what do they dream of? Do dogs dream of chasing squirrels? Do cats dream of hunting in a jungle? Do snakes dream of being ginormous and slithering about?

And the answer to all of these: yes, yes they do.

Far before humanity was where it was today, animals were the first to flock to the Dreaming. They were the first dreamers. Although their dreams may be plain, or simpler, compared to humans; they were still dreams. They were still precious, still hopeful.

But, as humanity evolved and grew, the Dreaming started to accommodate for humanity more. The Lord of Dreams and Nightmares had to turn his attention to those with far more complex dreams, to those impacting the Waking world with each breath and decision. In order to do so, he created his dreams and nightmares.

He created you.

You were one of the first dreams, and dare say the oldest. However, you were unique compared to the others. Your purpose was to oversee all dreams, and more specifically the dreams of the vast amount of creatures. When Dream could not lend his attention to the dreams, you were there.

In disguise, of course.

Dream not only created you for this single purpose, he also granted you the ability to alter your form. You could change into any feline creature from an average house cat to a vicious cougar.

And so it was for years, centuries. Your days were spent doing your duties and whatever you pleased. It was simpler in those earlier days, easy to seperate yourself from Dream. Creator and creation. However, as years passed those strict lines, those boundaries drawn, shifted.

Under the shade of a tree, in Fiddler’s Green beautiful picturesque forest, Dream lounged in the foliage’s shade. Books, taken from the library for his various researches, surrounded him. He needed a change of space and air to think.

You, on the other hand, were slinked away in the nearby bushes, quietly stalking him.

“Hello, my dream.” Dream’s eyes flickered up, catching yours.

But, Dream always spotted you, always knew when you were around. You walked out on paws while your silted, seemingly glowing amber, eyes stayed locked on to his dazzling oceanic blue. Reaching the edge of the tree’s shade, you calmly sat down in front of him, with your tail curled around you.

“And what can I do for you, (Y/N)?” Dream asked.

It started with your body, it stretched and elongated. Next was the fur, its cotton like texture retracted, leaving only soft skin. Then there were the fine details, from the tail vanishing with a flick, to your ears once pointed rounded out, to fingers growing as claws became dull nails, to your eyes more natural color for a human. It was intriguing to watch how quickly you changed. In a blink of an eye, you stood tall before Dream on two feet. You bowed your head slightly, “Apologies, my lord, for interrupting.”

Dream brushed off your formalities. “There is no need to apologize. Speak, what is it that you need?”

“Only to give my daily report, sir.”

Ah, yes, how could he forget. “Proceed.”

Reports were a necessity to ensure prosperity in the Dreaming. Any one wrong detail, any confusion, would mean possible devastation for a world crafted on such complexities. Luckily, you recounted all the dreams you saw and nothing out of the ordinary, for dreams that is. Dreams were chaos, but the Dreaming controlled such chaos.

“Thank you,” Dream said with a nod of his head.

“Of course.”

Normally, you would leave. But, this time your feet were rooted in place. Your eyes darted around to his stacks of books, then to the empty forest surrounding him. The quiet, hushed breeze blew past your ears, and it carried no other voices. It was Dream and Dream alone. And in this moment for some reason, your heart broke. A tiny fissure, truly, but a fissure which in time would grow.

He is always alone.

“Is there something else?”

Your attention snapped over. Dream’s eyes, typical pale blue, were nearly black for a fleeting moment, blending into the shadows. A midnight sky that twinkled with endless stars and universes. Cold, lonely.

You were not sure how to word it. You appear lonely, my lord. Do you wish to have company?

His pride was a fickle thing. One word could offend him. You, thankfully, knew how to navigate it fairly easily.

“May I stay?” You asked.

If I can help it, I don’t want you to be alone.

Dream cocked his head, curious by your question. He paused, considering it then spoke. “If you wish.”

With a single nod, you leapt into the air, changing back into a small house cat. You swiftly and easily climbed up the tree and splayed across a branch directly above Dream. Your eyes dropped down, catching Dream peering up at you. He quickly looked away and returned to his studies.

That.

That was when the boundaries shifted and soon you became friends. Eons, you grew closer and closer. But, the line was pushed further in the recent centuries.

To be fair, it was never your intention to fall for Dream. You knew of his previous relationships, you knew of the pain that somehow inevitably followed - such devastating heartbreak.

But, you did.

You fell.

No, not a dramatic fall such as one falling from grace. No, not all at once. It wasn’t as poets described as a burning flame that blazed into an uncontrollable, all-consuming fire.

No.

It was unknowing, it was subtle. It was like walking down stairs, just one step at a time. It wasn’t until you reached the bottom and was face to face with him, and reality, that it finally dawned on you what had happened.

His plain pale eyes were now the morning sky guiding you from the chilly night, bringing you hope and awe. With a simple glance, your heart now skipped relentlessly in your chest, sending you into a dizzying state of infatuation. His messy unruly hair now tempted you to run your fingers through it, to have his head on your chest and whisper poetry of your love and playful secrets into his hair. His lips - the prettiest pink like fresh spring flowers - now beckoned you forth to taste, to hear his velvet voice sing your name.

Your heart was completely given over.

You only hoped he would care for it.

“My dear (Y/N), my sweet dream, there you are.”

You, in feline form, laid sprawled in the sun, tucked - hidden from all except him - in the palace’s garden. It was your place of solitude, your place of peace, your place to untangle your thoughts.

A place Lord Morpheus showed you, and his presence rippled throughout here.

You saw his twinkling eyes in the blue sunny sky, or in the dark starry night. You heard his voice on the wind, whispering through the branches and bushes. You smelled him in the flowers, and morning dew. You felt him in the warmth of the sunlight, constant and never changing. He was always with you. You would ever escape him. Your mind could never untangle him from your thoughts. But, like a fool in love, you locked yourself in this beautiful gilded cage, happily tossing away the key.

You peered up at him from your patch. Your heart soared. His eyes, however, flickered with minor confusion. “Where have you been? I have not seen you for days.”

A twinge of guilt rose up.

Your features shifted and grew. Instantly, you were on two feet again, standing before your lord, your friend, and your infatuation. “Apologies,” you dropped your head, “I didn’t mean to cause you any worry.”

He gently, with his thumb and forefinger, tilted your head back up. A small frown tugged on the corners of his lips. “I only worry for you. Please, tell me, what has troubled you?”

A heat flushed over your chest. Eons spent together. You had always been close with him, but now since this startling revelation nothing had been the same. Steeling your emotions, you snipped the wings of those pesky butterflies fluttering inside your chest. You smiled easily. “Nothing to worry you, my lord.”

Please, I told you to forgo such formalities, he thought.

His frown stayed. He searched your eyes for any tells. Seeing none, he sighed, dropping his hand from you. You desperately fought back from chasing after his delicate, comforting touch. “If you say so,” he muttered. “You just seem distracted lately; and dare I say avoiding me.”

You swallowed down your nerves. “Never, my lord.”

“Are you unwell? Perhaps, displeased?”

“Displeased?”

His frown deepened. “With your duties? Your life?”

“What? No, no, never.”

“Then why do I not know what you are thinking of anymore? I prided myself in always knowing what thoughts were behind your clever eyes. But, now? I feel as if I am looking at a stranger.”

You were a stranger.

You were a different person now. You had to hide your truest self. You always spoke freely with Dream. One of the few who did not fear his wraith; the others being Lucienne, Merv, and Jessamy.

You stepped back, pulling away from him.

“Lucienne, I - I don’t know what to do with myself.”

You snuck into the royal library, pulling Lucienne aside to speak with her. You needed to tell her what you had been feeling lately - confide in her. Hopefully, she can shed some light on this developing situation. She was your oldest friend, you trusted her and hid nothing from her.

Lucienne smiled to herself, shaking her head. She peered over the rim of her glasses and cocked her brow. This certainly was amusing for her - as if she didn’t already didn’t deduce your feelings for the king. “I believe you know exactly what you must do.”

I can’t, you vehemently thought. “But what if -“

“I never thought there would be a day you would fear him.”

You huffed. “Fear him? I do not fear -“

“I am only teasing you,” she said, sensing your displaced hostility.

You grumbled, but with Lucienne you could never stay mad at her. Your lips already twitched upward, showing her your anger was more for show and dramatics.

She gently took your hands. “Tell him. You know it is the right thing to do.”

She knew your feelings of Dream before your own realization. She knew you the best. You were always the closest to him, but she noted all the subtle changes in your demeanor. And so, she only waited for this day to happen, for you to come to her with your own revelations. Of course, she would never admit it to you, but her and Mervyn may or may not have placed bets on you.

You glanced down at your hands in hers. “I … I don’t want to lose him.”

“You won’t.”

You wanted to scoff. Dream’s past lovers did not end happily. Heartbreak and ruin seemed to follow him like a leech sucking on any joy he may have.

“It’s not easy, but to say nothing would be worse.” Lucienne squeezed your hands, giving you a douse of courage to act. “Would you truly be happy saying nothing?”

You paused. Would you? You sighed heavily, “No, I don’t think I would.”

“Then tell him.”

You agreed, almost hesitantly. “I will.”

Now, Lucienne’s words tossed around your head, that simple question which cut directly to your core: would you truly be happy saying nothing?

You looked to Dream, meeting his gaze once again. Just as easy as he could read you, you could read him. Confusion and worry plainly written in his dazzling eyes. Taking a deep breath, you started to unveil the truth, “I am truly sorry for making you worry, it was never my intention.”

“And what was your intention?”

You thought about it for a moment, considering the correct word then said, “Self-preservation.”

Dream’s eyebrows knitted together. “How so?”

You took a tentative step forward back towards him. “In a way, you were right that I am a stranger. I have discovered something about myself recently.”

Dream stayed quiet, letting you speak without interruptions - letting you come to him.

“It was scary, and I never expected it would happen, yet here I am.” You stepped closer. Your heart raced frantically in your chest. “I hope you do not hate me for what I am about to say and allow me to stay here in the Dreaming.”

Dream tilted his head. “I have never found myself hating you for any reason, nor do I think such a thing would happen. And I would never banish you from the Dreaming for it is your home, but you do have me slightly more worried now.”

You reached out. You hooked your index finger around his pinkie, slowly drawing him to you. “Centuries, eons, spent together and I have adored every second. I love my life, I love everyone here, and - and … I’ve always loved you, a platonic love. However, it has changed recently.”

Dream’s eyes fell to your finger hooked around his. Slowly, unsure if was hearing you correctly, his hand turned and his fingers threaded in between yours. You didn’t move, you didn’t run.

You let out a shaky breath, relieved but absolutely frightened.

“If I am wrong, tell me.” Dream said as he met your eyes again. “Although I have said you have become a stranger, that was not quite true. It was I who had also changed. But -“

Your heart constricted.

“But, I feel as if I should warn you.” He grabbed both of your hands, ensuring you listened fully to him. “You know of my past for you were always part of it. You know of my relationships and the inevitability which always seems to follow. I am telling you this to ask you now: is this what you want?”

You gazed into his sky blue eyes. Trepidation evident in his eyes. Tears prickled in the corner of his eyes, tears of fear and potential heartache. He tried desperately to hide it, but nothing could be hidden from you. You reached up, cupping his face and carefully brushed away the tears. “If you will have me, then yes.”

“You will always have an out, the door will always be open for you to leave.” He said it, but he did not wish it to be true. He wanted you here, he wanted you by his side for eternity.

“I’m not afraid.”

“You should be.”

“Possibly.” You brought his face closer to yours. “But, would I be happy if I left now without trying? No, I don’t think I would be.”

You kissed him. His lips were like petals, soft and warm; like a fresh spring flower after a terribly rough winter. You exhaled as your heart swelled up in your chest. However, his lips moved slowly, methodically.

Measured and unsure.

Scared.

But, quickly, his restraint melted. He grabbed your waist, flushing your bodies against his. He was feverous. He tilted his head, and parted his mouth. His tongue slipped inside. Oh, all the years he wished to taste you. And now he has. So sweet, so delectable.

You hummed.

Oh, he loved that noise.

He pulled away, and pressed his forehead against yours. Hearing your breathlessness, his heart fluttered. He did this. It was his doing. And now, only he could conjure it, only he could steal your breath. And in turn, so can you. You could steal his attention, take his breath as your own, draw out desires and sinful sounds.

You were his.

And he yours.

Initially, you thought yourself a fool, locking yourself in the gilded cage of blind love.

No.

Morpheus, finding your key to your gilded cage, unlocked it. He guided you out, meeting you halfway. You would not be trapped, confined, to him, but his equal - his partner. And if you still saw yourself bound to a cage, he would step inside locking said door behind. The two of you locked together, either until the universe collapsed or maybe - and unlikely in either of yours’ eyes - until one of you moved on. But, until then, it would be beautiful. Each of you would lead with your heart, each of you would bare your soul, each of you would love each other wholeheartedly.

So, you thought this was it.

You and Dream. And the Dreaming.

Your combined love was limitless. He was the world: the sky with its assortment of colors, the sturdy ground providing its nurture and care, the bottomless oceans with its secrets, and the rising mountains reaching unknown heavens. While you were the important details: the intricate woven web of animals and balance, the imperfections from nature adding to individuality, the innate curiosity and creativity of people and their arts and inventions, and the unbelievable hidden wonders in an expanding world.

You gave life - purpose - to his world.

However, as you each predicted, it did not last. Trouble stirred off in the distance. Your world would soon shatter. A nightmare, one you knew fondly, escaped to the Waking, and Dream must retrieve him before the damage becomes too much. When Dream told you he was going to the Waking, a horrible feeling sunk to the pit of your stomach. You wanted to grab him and hold him close, forbidding him from leaving. You wanted to beg and tell him to forget about the Corinthian. You wanted to lock him away. But, there was nothing you could do. You couldn’t stop him, even if you fell to your knees pleading with tears in your eyes. Although you loved him and all his imperfections, his senses of responsibility and pride knew no bounds. He had to do this. So, you wordlessly watched as he walked away - walked out of your life.

Days passed.

Slowly, painstakingly slow.

You mostly kept busy with your duties, much like all the dreams and nightmares during this period. You all worked as if nothing has changed: overseeing dreams, ensuring order in the chaos, and documenting anything unusual.

Weeks then crawled by.

The first whisper of doubt started: Dream would not return, Dream had abandoned his duties. Yet, as quickly as those whispers started, they were silenced. Dream will come back. Everyone believed he would, and so did you.

How naive.

Months became years.

Fiddler’s Green vanished. He took his greenery - all those lush fields and extravagant flowers - and left to go to the Waking. And not knowing, he also took all your precious memories of Dream with him. Moments under the shade of a tree side by side, moments of strolling along a worn down path, moments of soft unspoken love ripped away like a weed.

“I wish to see the Waking for myself,” Fiddler told you before he left. “I do not know if Dream has abandoned us or not, all I know is I wish to see other worlds, to hear others’ stories. If he does return, then maybe one day I will too.”

You smiled, despite the heartbreak. “And I wish you the best, Fiddler.”

He returned the sorrow filled smile, and kissed your forehead. “Do find me when he comes back. I will miss your presence amongst my trees.”

The next to leave was Gault. She slipped away, like a shadow slinking back into the darkness. She was one to always keep to herself. She didn’t speak to anyone about her leave; she simply left, taking her nightmares with her.

As years passed - decades - the Dreaming started to crumble piece by piece and most left seeking refuge elsewhere or looking for new purpose. Dreams and nightmares gone. While the poor dreamers could not pass into the Dreaming anymore, the doors shut until its lord returned.

If, he returned.

“Our lord will return,” Lucienne said to you.

You were both in the library. You sat on top of a long barren table - one which used to hold multiple dreamers who would read side by side or possibly write out their own stories - while Lucienne stood on the end scanning through her own notes and hand drawn maps. Books were disappearing and she was trying to make note of it all from what books, in what section, and so forth. Even now parts of the library were beginning to be blocked off. She needed to write everything down, she needed to do her duties for the library - for the sake of the Dreaming.

“I’m not so sure,” you muttered. Your gaze was ahead directed on a stained glass window, one of the many in the library. The beautiful mosaic had a notable crack running through the middle and splintered out. A strong wind could blow through, sending shards everywhere.

Lucienne peered up from her work. This was the first time you had ever spoken your doubts out loud. But, she knew you had lost your faith long ago. A frown had permanently etched into your face since Dream left. Your eyes once bright were now awfully dull.

“I believe it.” You lazily looked over, meeting Lucienne’s determined eyes. She continued, “Lord Morpheus will return. He would not abandon us.”

“I fear you are the only one who believes that.”

“Do you truly think Morpheus has left? Do you believe he has left the Dreaming, all his responsibilities- you? You are the closest to him, surely you would have known something if he were to leave indefinitely?”

You dropped your head. “I have known Morpheus for eons, but that does not mean I understand him completely. He withholds many things from me. If it may cause me any distress he will not say, and although I appreciate the concern and sentiment in the end he only closes himself off. The distress unfortunately always comes from him, from his duties, from holding the collective unconsciousness. His pride does not allow him to burden others -“ you sighed -“ no matter how much I used to tell him otherwise.”

Lucienne frowned. “So, you truly don’t know where he may be?”

She assumed you must know something. But, she was terribly wrong.

“No, I do not.” You leaned back on your hands, staring back at the cracked window. “And in a strange way, I hope he doesn’t return.”

Lucienne blinked, stunned. “What? Why?”

“He deserves to rest, Lucienne. If the Dreaming stayed, and if other realms were not affected, then yes I would wish for him to venture off to other worlds, to run from all of this.” You hopped off the table. “I wish I could take away all his responsibilities, all his worries. He always carried so much.”

Lucienne was unsure how to respond, but a question did strike her. “Do you not wish for him to come back? To not come back to you?”

“Of course, I do.” You spun around, facing her. For the first time, Lucienne finally noted your watery eyes. “Of course, I want him back. I miss him dearly, and my heart breaks constantly. But, if he is happy elsewhere, then why am I to deny that for him?”

“You would compromise your own happiness?”

“I would do so much more for him.”

“And what of you? Who looks after you?” Who looks after your happiness, she thought.

“… myself.”

“(Y/N) -“

“I think I will leave to go to the Waking.”

She closed her mouth. Her concerns and questions were now redirected: you were leaving. “The Waking?”

“Yeah,” you crossed your arms over your chest, “and I think you should come with me.”

“Go with you?”

“Yes.”

“But, the Dreaming?”

“I cannot stay here anymore, Lucienne. Like I said, my heart breaks constantly. I cannot stay in our bed any longer, I cannot escape this vast bitter coldness. I have to leave.”

Lucienne frowned. “I understand.”

You walked towards her and grabbed her hands. “Please, you should come with me.”

Lucienne smiled, a beautifully regrettable smile. “I’m sorry, but I can’t.”

You nodded, trying to hide your pain. You swallowed down the swell of emotions. “I figured.”

Lucienne gently squeezed your hands, reassuring and loving. “Go,” she whispered, as she battled her own emotions.

‘Don’t worry about me’ was the underlying message.

Tears welled up in your eyes. “I will not forget you, Lucienne.”

She laughed, despite tears springing from her own eyes. “I would hope not.”

You smiled as tears slid down your cheeks. You yanked her forward, throwing your arms around her. “Please, I hope you are not angry with me.”

“Never,” she whispered.

“If you ever need me, find me - call for me. I will do whatever you want.”

“I know.”

She didn’t say ‘I will’. She didn’t wish to call upon you, to drag you back here to your misery. She wished for you to prosper, to smile joyfully again.

You needed to live for yourself. No longer were you an ethereal dream aiding the Dreaming, no longer were a loving partner to Morpheus, no longer were you a kind and endearing friend, you were now on your own. You were on a journey of self discovery.

You tightened your arms around her once more, before reluctantly releasing her. Your eyes shone with tears and smiled through the heartache. “I love you, Lucienne, one day we will see each other again for that I am certain.”

“I will await here to see you both return. And I wish you the best, (Y/N).”

Your heart broke. “Goodbye, Lucienne. Please tell those left I wish them the best.”

“I will. Goodbye, (Y/N).”

You left rather quickly, briskly walking away and not daring to look back. You didn’t wish to see Lucienne’s tears, see the now dusty library with cracks in the foundation; you wanted to preserve all the memories, cheerful and happy.

Standing outside the gates of the Dreaming, you stared off across the vast, empty grey beach. You had nothing on you, for there was nothing you could carry. In the distance, a call hummed - a tug of the universe ready to open to other realms. You tentatively glanced over your shoulder. The grandiose gates of the Dreaming were closed, locked behind you. You sighed. Memories of all your life spent in the Dreaming rushed by: memories of your friends, memories of Morpheus. So bittersweet. “May we meet again … hopefully.”

You leapt into the air.

When you landed in the soft sand, you landed on four paws and with a tail that swished back and forth. Without looking back again - knowing you may never leave if you did - you calmly strolled forward, letting the sand swirl around you. It completely clouded your vision. Yet, you kept walking, drifting away from your home to an unknown world. The soft uneven sand under your feet became rigid and sturdy. The dark cloud of sand faded, revealing a bright sunny afternoon filled with countless faces and colorful structures. The once deafening silence, and chill, of the Dreaming replaced by a chorus of chatter and buzz of life. As the last drop of sand vanished, you found yourself in an alleyway in a bustling vibrant city. People passed by, living their lives. While you, an unsuspected dream, was now amongst their population.

Or in their eyes, a simple house cat.

For the first time in years, you were thrilled with the uncertainty and possibilities to come. You had a glimmer of hope fluttering in your empty chest, you had a joyful twinkle slowly returning in your hardened eyes.

It was a fresh start.

But, you were woefully unprepared for what the fates would send your way.

It had been years since your arrival to the Waking. You traveled, walking among the humans as one. You tasted exciting new dishes, learned different languages, visited amazing places, and met interesting people. However, you met people, you did not let them in. No friends, no relationships of any kind. Your heart could not bear it. So, you only watched humans and life from a safe distance, skirting its edges to save your heart from any trouble.

He, on the other hand, disregarded any and all barriers you put up.

“Well, hello, look at you.”

You - in feline form this late morning - perked up from your spot, sunbathing in front of a cafe. The owner, a sweet elderly lady, was always pleased to see you and left treats out occasionally. However, it wasn’t the owner who greeted you, it was a man. A man wore a tweed jacket, black turtleneck, and glasses perched on his nose. He had a kind, gentle face - one found in stories of princes and heroism. His eyes held worldly knowledge and strangely bountiful hope.

The man crouched down in front of you, extending his hand out as a greeting. You wanted to turn your nose away, but something told you not to. Curiosity? Possibly. To ease your burning new curiosity, you accepted his hand and sniffed it: dried ink, old papers, coffee, old cologne, mixed with potential and nostalgia.

He certainly was a strange one.

The man smiled excitedly, elated to see you have accepted him. He slowly scratched the top of your head and soon behind your ears. You unconsciously pushed your head into his hands. So kind, so comforting. A part of you ached deeply over his simple touch.

“Do you have a family? A home, little one?” He asked out loud.

“No, she doesn’t.” The man perked up, looking at the cafe owner. She smiled at the man and you. “She just appeared one day. She comes and goes as she pleases, but she always comes back.”

The man turned his gaze back onto you. A frown tugged on his lips. “So, no home?”

“No home.” The owner confirmed.

The man continued to scratch at your ears. An idea slowly pieced together in his head. “Do … do you think I could take her?”

You flinched, surprised by his offer.

“Well, that’s up to her now, isn't it?” The owner chucked. “You can try, but if she runs off then do not run back here to me to complain.”

The man wasn’t sure why he wished to take this random cat. Possibly to fill a void, fill a space in his vacant apartment. There was a draw he couldn’t quite place or understand. He glanced back down at you, while you stared up with wide eyes. “Would you like that? A home?” He asked with that lovely smile.

Home.

Oh, how you ached for the Dreaming, for Dream. Your wondrous Morpheus.

You had no where, and being free meant no home. And deep down, you craved it. You craved a home, but your only home you ever had was one you could go back to. At least, not now or maybe ever. You needed a new home. And maybe this insane encounter with this stranger could be that. Not permanently, but for just a few years. A few sweet years. You purred. The man smiled bright and wide, taking it as a ‘yes’. With a helping hand - and a warmth you haven’t felt in ages - he delicately scooped you up.

“Let’s get you home,” he whispered.

#the sandman #morpheus #dream of the endless #dream #morpheus x reader #dream x reader #dream of the endless x reader #morpheus x fem!reader #dream x fem!reader #hob gadling #hob gadling x reader #fem!reader

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thenightmistress · 2 years ago

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“Love is Irrelevant to people like Us.” ~ Part 1

Paring: Dream of the endless/Morpheus x Vampire/hybrid OC Fem!Reader, Hob Gadling x reader

18+ You have been warned! Proceed with caution!

A/N: I have unfortunately have not read the comics so it will be based off the show and mythology that surrounds the characters.

Warnings: Blood, violence, make-out scene, dead person, alcohol, consumption of blood, mentions of other TV show characters like in Good Omens, TVD, and Tom Ellis’s Lucifer along with the Sandmans Lucifer, Morpheus cause he is his own warning, eventual smut, slow burn, Hob being the best wingman, Matthew cause why not, Not really enemies to lovers but not friends to lovers, idk.

Summary: Life is a strange thing, so fragile, yet gives us the courage to keep going. It’s what makes us human, after all. Ultimately, we all end up in the same place in the loving embrace of death, helping us move on to the next life, but what happens to those who come back? What happens to the undead? The ones who escaped the clutches of death yet are quite alive? Life is a strange thing; so much to learn, so much to love, and so many dreams to explore, but there is always a price to life, even immortal ones. Mother Nature will always claim what is rightfully hers, and no one, not even the Endless, can say no.

Word count: 1,566

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Not my GIF

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It was a harsh winter nothing grew; the people were starving, but the brothels were filled to brim with people of all classes. Noble mixing with commoners, lords playing with whores, and men musing about fantasies and dreams far beyond their mortal minds can comprehend. As you sat at the table, men would stare at you not only because you looked to be of Nobel birth but because you were a woman in a brothel in men's clothing. Such a scandal would ruin any woman of any station good thing no one knew your name, only your good friend which you met centuries ago, Hob.

The year was 1589; you had come from France back home to England. The night was unbelievably cold; a regular mortal would catch their death out here, but for you, it was like a windy day in autumn. Spending days on end on a ship with nothing but men and their whores, a breeding ground for disease, it was a long and tiresome trip but being back where it all began brings comfort.

You were walking the cold streets of England when you stumbled upon a brothel, one you had seen many times but could never enter, so you hid in the darkened ally for any poor sod to walk past, and the night would claim its next victim. You could hear the overlapping voice of the men inside, drinking and telling tales from lands far away, but your mind was yelling at you. To hurry, to feed, drink, till your heart desire, so like an animal on the hunt, you would take the next man to exit the brothel.

A few minutes passed when you heard the door open and close. You listed three heartbeats; they spoke of nonsense, the perfect pry. Two of the men walked in the direction of the illuminated street whilst the other headed in your direction.

The hunt has begun. The man was walking in your direction when you stumbled out of your hiding place, pretending to be drunk and bumping into him. “Ooo I–I ssorry how silly of me,” you said, looking so out of it. The man took one look at you and helped you off of him. “It’s quite alright, dear; what is a pretty thing like you doing here all on her lonesome,” he said while caressing your face. You tried to hide the discussed look on your face when he did that. If your veins didn’t feel like sandpaper against you: you would have ripped his arm right off, but beggars can’t be choosers, not in this case.

So you looked up at the man through your lashes with the biggest doe eye you could conquer and said, “Maybe I didn't want to be on my lonesome anymore.” With this, the man looked hungrily at your lips before kissing you. He kissed you passionately; his tongue wanted access to your mouth, so you granted it to him. Unknowingly to him, you were slowly pushing him into the dark ally away from any prying eyes.

As you were kissing him, his hands began to wander. They went up your shirt, and you let the man do this and bit down on his bottom lip as to where it drew blood. Blood filled your mouth, and you pushed back. The man looked at you, so you said, “Oh dear me, I am terribly sorry, I I didn’t mean to.” They responded with, “it’s ok; it’s only blood” “your right. It’s only blood.”

You kissed him once more before landing the killing blow. Your eyes went dark and red where the white is supposed to be, veins popping out from under your eyes, teeth as sharp as daggers ready to eat. You looked into the man's eyes, and before he could scream in horror or do anything, you told him to keep calm, don’t scream, don’t run, just stay still and quiet. With this, you went to the man's neck and sunk your teeth in. You didn’t know if it was the alcohol or the fact that you hadn’t fed in months, but his blood was magnificent, almost euphoric almost, you continued to feed on the man until his heart stopped beating, and you let go.

His lifeless body dropped to the ground, and you took a moment to catch your breath while staring into the sky. You cleaned up your face and turned around to see a man standing there in shock. Shit is all you could think. How much had he seen? Were you so caught up in feeding that you didn’t hear anyone come down this way? You made direct eye contact with the man. His heart was beating out of his chest. Maybe he didn’t see as much as you think. The man backed away slowly and bolted out of there.

SHIT, SHit shit! For a mortal, he can sure run fast, but you're faster, so when he turned the corner thinking he lost you, there you were right behind him.

The man was trying to catch his breath and make a run for it, but you grabbed onto his wrist with such force he had only felt once before. You dragged him into a nearby ally, and he asked, “What are you?” there was much fear in the man's eyes but no surprise. “What I am is none of your concern; better yet, who are you, and why were you watching me?” The man introduced himself as Hob Gadling. “Well, Hob Gadling, why were you watching me?” “Sorry for staring. It’s just I saw your long coat and, um tall menacing figure, so I thought you were my friend I was waiting for.” The look on your face was strained, and he noticed it too. “But I saw you hunched over the man. At first, I thought it was him, then the body fell, and there was blood on your face, and I saw my mistake.” “You think I’m a fool; you think so little of me to tell me such a lie,” you said, backing him into the wall behind him. He wasn’t wrong; you are menacing; nothing is stopping you from killing him, but who did he think you were? Long coat, tall menacing, could it be Elijah, Klaus, Crowley, or maybe Lucifer?

You looked back at the man in the eyes and asked, “Who do you think I am, and be honest; your life may depend upon it.” “I I told you I thought you were my friend; I do not know his name, but we met in that brothel every 100 years for the past 200 years, and he will be there any second, and if I’m not there, he’ll probably kill us both.”

Huh? It couldn’t be any of the originals last I heard; Klaus has three of his siblings daggered in a coffin and Elijah by his side, his voice of reason; not only that, but they're in Bulgaria looking for the Petrova doppelganger. The man was telling the truth; you compelled it out of him. He saw the confusion in your eyes, and he spoke up. “You don’t know who I speak of, do you?”

“Not a chance, I’ll let you go, but first I’ll make you forget this encounter” “What? No” “NO!?” “Want me to say it in Spanish, no!” Who does he think he is? “What makes you think I’ll let you leave with your life?” “I think you and I will be close friends” “Why?” “I’ll tell you in 100 years.” “Huh, 100 years then,” you said with a smug smile, and you walked Hob to the brothel, and before you left, you yelled, “Maybe next time you can buy me a drink or invite me in!” He yelled back. “Very well then.” You smiled and disappeared into the shadows.

You thought this man was mad, or is he telling the truth? I guess will find out in 100 years.

Hob, on the other hand, got there just on time with a few minutes to spare; he sat at the table with a feast when his dreamy friend walked in.

A/N: It's my first time writing anything; sorry if it's not the best, but I'll try to improve my writing with each story. Guessing by the title of the story, there will be a part two for Morpheus has yet to meet our lovely character, and I'll be using the rules from TVD (The vampire diaries) and The Originals to explain the characters' vampirism. Characters from those shows will be mentioned but will not be in the story.

#lord morpheus #the sandman #dream of the endless #netflix the sandman #morpheus x reader #hob gadling #tom sturridge #morpheus x fem!reader #the endless #lord of dreams #the sandman x reader #death of the endless #tvdu #lucifer netflix #lucifer morningstar #ineffable husbands #crowly x aziraphale #neil gaiman

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unabashednightmarepizza · 2 years ago

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𝐻𝑜𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑜 𝑌𝑜𝑢 | Morpheus( Dream) x Goddess!Reader

A/N: Please listen to In My Room by Chance Peña, Family Line by Conan Gray and Snowfall by Øneheart x reidenshi... This whole chapter was written while this sad teen listened to this... And this episode includes slight Hob x Reader, and also for future chapters as well...

Series masterlist

It is cold.

That was the first thing that came to your mind, your consciousness floating at the plane of existence where all souls were brought to their bodies. It was a place you often found yourself in, being the Goddess who watched them and listened to them when they became one with their bodies. It wasn't necessarily a cold place as much as you remembered but...

In your absence, everything became duller. The universe lost its warmth and light, the Well of Life dried fully and the creation stopped until you returned...

Another drawback is, you were in a deep sleep. A sleep your father had been, right after Loki learning the truth about his heritage.

The Sleep was something that helped the ruler of 9 realms with their powers. Being the ruler of it all, and the main source of balance and order, the one who was on the throne shared a great deal of their power with all the realms and in return, a peace would fall on those who lived in them.

In exchange of draining your soul.

You were already in a weak state when Desire and Corinthian, who you saw as a child rather than Morpheus' creation, thought that you should be captured so that Corinthian and other dreams and nightmares would finally be free as if you didn't already give them that when Morpheus would treat them harshly, as if you didn't welcome them in your home. Your heart shattered at the betrayal of someone who you considered to be your son, when all you did was to care for him.

Corinthian was one of the first to be created by your husband's hand, the one who has been with you for the longest time. At first he saw you as his Queen, someone who needed to be feared. Only to later realize that you were just as lonely as he was. Being a nightmare when there were so many dreams took a toll on him, who wanted to inspire rather than scare, he was saddened to see the humans be so... scared.

But you once came to him and asked him to accompany you with your visit to the human world and that was when he realized that you were drowning in the same pit of self-doubt as he did.

He watched how humanity treated you, turned their backs on you when you did nothing to deserve this. Even when your youngest brother was the one who did the most harm, you were the one who took all the punches...

"My Queen... May I ask a question?" He remembers asking hesitantly when you two took your usual visit and you forced him to drink a coffee with yourself while watching people passingby. When you heard his question, you lifted your brows in surprise while bringing the cup to your lips, not expecting him to talk since he never did-except scowling- you nodded your head. To see that Corinthian was curious about something... was something you didn't see every day.

"Of course you can, you don't need to ask permission..."

"But... You are the Queen..."

"And as the Queen, I want you to treat me as a normal person. So, go on," you said, thanking the waitress who came to ask if you wanted anything else.

"Well, you care about humanity a lot... Even when they treat you bad. How are you able to do that?"

Pondering on an answer while Corinthian waited, you realized that you didn't have an exact answer to that. All your life, loving and protecting humanity has been your top priority, it was all your father said whenever the topic was your job as the Goddess of Creation and Life.

Protect the lives you watched being created, and guide them until their last breath.

"Well, I don't know? Maybe it's because it's what I'm supposed to do, or that it has been engraved in my mind ever since I was a kid... But to be honest, I've seen their soul being forged and entering their bodies, watched them open their eyes into this dark world, hoping to find even one simple happy thing to be hopeful of the future... Seeing them slowly find them, or try to is the best part of my day," you said breathlessly, not realizing that the fondness you felt made you talk in one breath.

They way your lips had a soft curve, a smile that was reserved only for those you cared, Corinthian hummed questioningly which made you chuckle. "What? Don't believe me?"

"No, my lady but... I believe that it's something to do with your father and how he treated you. You are talking as if it's a mission you have to do, rather than choosing it. As if you hate protecting them..."

Your eyes that held the Nine Realms inside them shook slightly at the recognition of the meaning behind his words, his words setting the fire of memories aflame... And all the words you father and every other god uttered.

How you were only useful as a woman who needed to give birth, and had no right on the throne.

Seeing how your hands shook in anxiety and how you gulped the drink hard, Corinthian widened his eyes behind his glasses. "My Queen, I'm sorry if I brought pain on you-"

"You're right, Corinthian... My family, except my mother, hasn't been kind to me. To them, I was just a cow to be bred but I decided to change it, I went against everything they stood for and at first, I hated humanity but... In time, I found happiness in them therefore yes, I wanted nothing more than destroy them but in the end, I shall protect them until the end of time..."

"Ahh, what a bitch... Does everyone really need to betray me? And this sleeping state is not helping me either..."

You weren't sure if your siblings were able to bring your body back to Asgard, but knowing that you were in this state, it was surely the case. Having to restore your powers was taking a lot longer than you wanted, and the fact that the universe was about to end because Desire thought that messing up with the human you were supposed to protect in order for the new Vortex to be born, who would have Endless blood in them so that Morpheus' end would come sooner was the greatest idea ever while you were bound to watch it all unfold...

You would make sure that no harm would come to her or Unity's great-granddaughter from now on, even though it would mean standing against your husband...

The husband who did nothing to help you, except rounding the corners of the universe when your soul was screaming for help, when you were weak, when your children were weak due to their mother loosing her will to live and their father not being around...

What nobody realized was also the fact that you gave birth but never were able to see your children for a second time, and that it only weakened your already fragile soul which you shared with your three beautiful yet weak babies.

A mother not having the chance of holding her babies was such a cruelty of the universe, even when you were the reason the balance was in order.

But you still loved him, even when he has been nothing but cruel, whether he did it knowingly or not. People say love is pure, painful, sweet, and dreadful — all at once. The truth is, love is a basic necessity in everyone’s life. Everyone needs to be loved to live a proper and healthy life. Love has various definitions. Ask someone and they will give you their own definition of love...

For you, loving Morpheus was both giving yourself a chance and to stop expecting the same kind of love and care.

You already made peace with the fact that Morpheus was just cold and mostly cared about his realm, therefore you also busied yourself with your kingdom...

Even when your mother died.

Even when your father died and your older sister tried to kill you and your two youngest brothers.

You stopped getting sad over any of it, or how Morpheus didn't do much to ease your pain. You were fine, or at least would try to act as one, with how he treated you...

Because you would part your ways with him when you woke up, and carve a new path for yourself.

But for now, you still had a task to complete.

As one of the Judges of The Dead, you had someone to talk to before your fellow friends; King Minos, Aeacus, Radamanthus alongside with Anubis would come. You might be sleeping, and your body wasn't able to function normally but your consciousness?

It was wide awake.

"What did you think you were doing, John? By destroying the Order and Balance we worked hard to maintain? Have you thought, maybe, that you were one of us? Or that you were more deserving of this power than us?"

When your voice boomed in the plane of existence where you were looking at the waves crushing and many stars above, with the souls who were waiting to get into their bodies, John looked around anxiously and scared after witnessing the power Morpheus held. He now knew that no matter how hard humanity would try, they would never beat any of you.

And by serene yet cold tone of your voice, he knew that you were aware of what happened.

He also knew who you were.

"Queen Y/N, youngest daughter of King Odin and Queen Frigga... The One who rules the 9 realms... Wife of-"

"Cut the titles, please. They aren't our worry now... Here, have a seat."

He widened his eyes when you slowly turned around and looked over at him from your shoulders and gestured to the table that appeared out of nowhere by your will. He didn't know what was waiting him at the end of this, but his whole being was filled with a different kind of warmth and... ease. As if he had found his way back home.

"Now, tell me... Why did you use my husband's ruby for such childish reasons?"

" To save the world from... lies."

"Lies? And what had you gained after doing it? Fame? Wealth? How did it end for you?"

"Misery..." he said defeated, with shoulders dropping in sadness and a cry of a little boy. "It ended with misery, blood and chaos..."

You smiled sadly at him, remembering how you used to be when you were young. Naive enough to believe that you could change everything, mature enough to know that it was impossible now.

"You didn't realize the way it was destroying both your world and all the others... Dreams are not lies, John. Everyone has a dream, that much my husband told you. Without dreams and hopes, humanity wouldn't survive a day. Those two are the main reasons life has meaning, humanity works to achieve their dreams every day. You don't know it but... I do... Even when I was captured, a piece of me was always with humanity, watching over them..."

You waved your hand around and the water beneath the cliff parted and a swirl of gold engulfed it, showing various humans and creatures laughing and enjoying themselves. John watched you smile at them softly, like a mother watching her children take their first steps. Their souls were bright with the light you would always put inside of them, the will to keep fighting, and you would always laugh in joy whenever they pushed past their limits and achieved what they have been fighting for...

How could this be anything bad? When dreams and hopes were the only things that helped humans and every living thing...

"Humanity, John, is what makes people people. The lies you said? It's only a part of their humanity, take them away and... Despair shall show up, and unfortunately, you exactly did that... My capture wasn't your fault, but you are the reason Life and Creation stopped. You could have easily let go of the necklace my son gave to you..."

You smiled sadly at him, looking into his eyes and getting up from your seat after gulping down the last bits of your tea. John felt like he was glued down to his own seat, finally taking a look at you and the beauty you held.

You were glowing, like the Sun, but never burning or hurting. Except hugging his fragile frame with a warmth he only saw in his mother. Opening your arms out for him to take, you patted his back softly while sighing in defeat. You wouldn't blame him for everything, unlike a certain person. You were aware that he was just a lost soul who had no one to stick up for him.

It was your son, Corinthian who used it for his own benefit.

"Corinthian, the man who helped you by giving you his jacket was the one who let this be your end... By the hands of my husband who would finally have all the power he needed..."

"How... How did he know about the day I'd die?! The ruby... The ruby was safe and he... he-!"

"I believe it has something to do with my... ex-wife warning him..." you said, smiling to yourself with butterflies erupting at how hard she worked to set you free.

With her usual sarcasm and biting.

Medusa watched Morpheus with gritted teeth, and if she really didn't care about you or knew that he was the best shot she had in saving you, Medusa would have strangled him to death. But now that he was already here, where his ruby was and where she thought of taking it before he reached it for it would drain him off of his powers, Medusa let out a growl at him and the stupid raven next to him.

She would have cursed more but when she saw his hands reaching for it, she widened her eyes and launched at him to stop him. "STOP! DON'T TOUCH IT!!"

"Who the... Holy shit, she's Medusa!" exclaimed Matthew who let out a huge caw and stumbled bavk on one of the shelf. Medusa got off of Morpheus who was growling at her with dark eyes, feeling anger course through his whole being at being touched by a woman other than his wife... Yet alone someone who prevented him from completing his task.

"Yeah, good to know that I have a raven as a fan... Anyways, I'm not here to chit-chat. Morpheus, I'll be honest. I couldn't care less about you life but you need to stay alive for Y/N's sake..."

"And who are you to my wife? Friend? Maiden?" At how he voiced his words, Medusa widened her eyes and let out a shivering growl at him. She couldn't believe what he was implying, or wasn't. Either way, she spammed him to one of the shelves behind him and got close to him while her snakes were hissing at him with shining eyes.

"Her fucking ex-wife, you dipshit. Don't tell me she never mentioned me- Anyways, here is what we're gonna do to stop John. And for once in your life, just listen to me so that I wouldn't have to save your ass twice."

"I like her, really. Seems like someone Her Majesty would have married..."

"Carefull with the words, raven. A jealous man is the last thing I need." She said teasingly after seeing the dead stare Morpheus gave to Matthew. Had she been anybody else, or the old Medusa, she would have shivered and ran for her life. But she stayed still and actually made an effort to save him, even though she always said she loathed his very being.

But she knew that you cared about him, at least enough to save him from his demise even when he clearly abandoned you. So, for that, she would make an exception and save him for your sake...

And she never realized it, not at that time at least, but she would save his life for a second time by manipulating John to break the ruby to let his powers out at their highest limit.

You were gratefull for her hardwork, also sad that she wouldn't know you were free now but you trusted your siblings to reach to her and at least tell them that you were as fine as you could be in that state.

But your thoughts were cut short when John fell on his hands and knees abruptly, making you flinch and hold his arms anxiously.

John was finally aware of everything. How that voice, Medusa, played with him and helped the Dream King defeat him easily. He now knew that, Fate, never really changed no matter what he did. There was only one way to start and one way to finish this journey called life, and everything else in the middle of it were choices that brought everyone to their certain death.

But he was confused about the part where you said you were captured and how life stopped because of it.

"But... How? You are the strongest and most powerful being... How were you able to be held against your will, and how did you do nothing to stop it?"

"It was because I trusted my... my son, and he betrayed me by cooperating with my husband's youngest sibling who loves messing with him. The reason why I did nothing is... because I knew, no matter what I did, that Corinthian, my son, would betray me..."

"So, that really is, huh? Even you, a Goddess don't have free will..." You smiled in understanding at him, being used to hearing the same sentence throughout every human.

"Not really. It was out of my choice, I simply had to be held captive, though I wished it wasn't that hard but... Every single significant thing is written down on the books... Even your death has been written down on the Book of Life and the Book of Destiny, John. Neither you nor I would have been able to change it..."

Turning your head to the portal opening before you, you watched John's face to get a feeling of what he was feeling, the scene before him scaring him beyondless since it was... just black.

No fires.

No screams.

No huge demons to torment him...

Just darkness.

Feeling his hesitance, you bent down and helped him got up to his feet and dusted him with thight lips. "Your soul is not as dark as it is like other souls in Hell but... I cannot find it in myself to torment you more. But for all the things you did, you need to be punished. You will spend some years in the Darkness and then, me and other Watchers shall discuss your situation once more... For now, John... Know that I wish everything was different, that you father never went mad about bringing his dead som back, he never slept with your mother and that I wasn't captured..."

Nodding with acceptance and gratitude for your kindess,he took a step to the portal to meet with his eternal end. Before he could have reached it, he turned to look at you once more.

You were smiling at him with kindness and conpassion, something he lacked in his life while he was still alive. Humanity had let him down many times, but to see that you still had sympathy for him even after all the things he had done, he delt hopefull that maybe everything would end up better.

After he stepped into it and the portal closed after him, you let out a sigh of relief, somehow feeling content that you at least eased the forment John would face. Even if you had so much to do, first waking up and then fucking killing Desire or at least talimg your revenge, you were happy enough that you were still helpfull to humanity.

"You really care a lot about humanity, my Queen..."

"Anubis... How nice to see you." you said after seeing the god before you, who sat down before you with a smirk that had most women melting.

You rolled your eyes at his usual behaviour and leaned over the table, faces so close to each other that you both felt your breaths. His eyes were filled with something you didn't see in a long time while yours were plagued with covered revenge and a blood thirst and anger enough to kill whoever came across you.

"I believe the dinner I've been trying to get out of the Queen of 9 Realms has finally come?"

Chuckling at his stubborness which resulted in him waiting for four thousands years, you smiled and sat down with crossed legs, enjoying some meal and a good talk.

Something you didn't have for thousands of years.

And you waited patiently while drinking some wine to help with your running thoughts, for Rose to come and save you from this damned realm and make you fight with the enemy.

Morpheus was set on the park thinking about everything that happened. The rebuilding had started already and he was the strongest he has ever been but still, everything was in chaos. His heart and soul was in a war with each other, a helplessness that almost made him weep like a baby.

For the burning feeling of missing you, and the truth about you that you were married before him but never told him.

Even the mention made him almost choke down in both anger and anguish. Since this made it even nore clear to him that he has been nothing kind of the good husband you deserved.

He failed to even listen to you even though you came to explain everything to him, to come clean at him before you started courting him.

Medusa tried to attack him many times, screaming at him how he could be so cruel to you that he didn't even listen to a word you were saying, even when it concerned your life...

Maybe Matthew was right, Medusa was a better choice for you. She was the one who has been trying to save you all by herself when he did nothing, in his eyes, but the thing that hurted him the most wasn't this.

It was the glint in her slit eyes that she still loved you, and he just knew that he didn't stand a chance.

For once in his life, Morpheus felt inferior. He always prided himself with being more powerful and stronger than any beings in the universe. He had all the collective cosmic awareness, there wasn't even a story or an idea going unnoticed by him yet, he failed to realize that the bond you two had was like a flower.

If not watered and cared for, it would wilt.

He grunted in anger at himself and his foolishness, at how he was blinded easily by the hatred he had for humans, his mind going back to the time where he had John Dee right between his fingers.

"Are you going to kill me?"

" I could. Perhaps I will... But the dream stone was not made for mortals. And it is no fault of yours for having it..." he couldn't, neither could he find it in himself to destroy what you cherished the most. Even when they had been nothing but cruel, Morpheus always looked into humans and always found a piece of you within them. If he was the old-fashioned Morpheus, cold and uncaring, he would have killed him right there but now, he was only a weak man who only wanted to find his wife and reunite with her and their three beautiful babies...

And with that he put John into eternal sleep and went outside, seeing all the damage caused by John. Matthew looked around anxiously, all the fire and blood making jim almost vomit in disgust. "Can you undo it all the damage ruby did?"

"The ruby didn't do this. John only used it to reveal wounds that were hidden away from the eye... The Rebuilding will begin tomorrow, though my wife..." he grunted in pain and held his heart thightly when her name lolled out of his mouth. A shooting pain that digged through every single corner of his existence, a pain enough to bring him to his knees.

"Boss-!"

"Easy there, birdie... He will be fine now. Can't have him gone again when humanity has the chance to sleep peacefully once again."

Medusa helped Morpheus who was sweating painfully and a throbbing feeling filled his very being... What terrified him was that he felt the bond, weak and fragile but still there, go almost tight enough to break it.

And when he turned to look at the woman that used to be married to his wife, she saw the solemn look on her face and only feared for the worst.

"We need to go to the Asgard... Y/N... Her siblings found her but her condition is not good. And I see that neither is yours, so rest a bit, regain some of your powers and use her tools to come to the Asgard."

And with that, she was gone again and Morpheus, even though he never wanted it and only seeked his love to redeem himself, obliged to what she said and retreated slowly... While a pair of yellow eyes were watching him slyly.

"That is no good... It is only time she would wake up and come after us. I'm watching you both, big brother..."

"What are you doing?"

Hearing his sister's voice so close to him, yet never finding it in himself to turn and look at her, Morpheus continued with what he was doing. "I'm feeding the pigeons..."

Smiling at him and how much of a sad cat he resembled at that time, Death only laughed more when a kid came crushing amongst the pigeons he was feeding, and how he looked at the little girl with pure rage.

"You know you have kids that are in her age..."

"You mean the ones you almost took with yourself..."

"Don't blame me, brother. They were so... weak and fragile. I didn't want to take them and Y/N didn't want to let go so she did what she did..."

At that, he didn't have anything else to say. He knew there were a lot of things to do, first of all, a promise to keep. A promise he did to his children. He already let them down, and doing it again was the last thing thing he wanted but... He felt empty.

He was supposed to be happy. After getting his tools back and bringing the peace again, he thought he would feel better. He took his revenge on those who wronged him, who wronged you, he kept a part of his promise after all. But it wasn't enough.

You still weren't there with him, tucked beneath his face, your lips lingering where his pulse would be with the ghost of a smile, confessing your love to him in your language while he would melt at you, finally accepting that showing his love wasn't a weakness.

All that he used to have but didn't now, came crashing on him and Death was only able to watch her brother's shoulders drop in sadness and defeat, with her heart breaking for him.

" I had everything before, a kingdom and a beautiful Queen... But I was so selfish, and never realized that all of it could have been taken from me... Which eventually happened and everything I held dear crumbled before my eyes. My tools were stolen long since, scattered... I went on a journey to find them, to use them to get my wife back but... now, I'm not even properly allowed back in her kingdom... I was late to realize that all of it, the kingdom, my tools... All of them had a meaning with my love next to me, her face being the first thing I saw and her bright words lightening my dark path... Now, I only feel... disappointed. Let down... Empty..."

At that, Death who has been listening to her brother carefully, widened her eyes at what Morpheus said and how... honest he seemed with his emotions. She knew that her brother wasn't the warmest person, or that he never showed his care and love as openly as you did and she warned him many times how that trait would sooner or later make you two drift apart but he didn't give much of a thought on her, knowing and believing that your love for each other would stand strong.

Unfortunately, his sister was right.

Sighing irritatedly at him even more after hearing him say that he didn't want to worry her, she scrambled on her feet and looked down at the man before her. All of his past actions came crushing on her and she seethed with irritation at what kind of a man he was being to you and how stupid he was.

"Let me tell you something, and I'm gonna say it only once so, you better pay attention... You, are utterly the stupidiest, most selfish, patheatic excuse of a anthropomorphic personification on this or any other plane! Feeling sorry because your little game ended and not having any balls to go and find a new one... And so what if Y/N's siblings don't let you see her? Had that stopped you before? She is your wife, mother of your children, the one you owe your existence to... Your soulmate who is the Life and you are jisy sitting here as if there wasn't anything you could do! Go to that place and be with her, help her back up again and fix your problems- and don't even say I don't deserve her, if she also thought that she would have broken the bond a long time ago and you know it."

Looking around, Death knew that her brother needed to finally see that humanity was a part of you therefore needed to experience it at the first hand to feel closer to you. She knew that you always watched him do his job amazed like a little kid but also knew that you wished him to share the same kind of excitement over yours.

What Dream never understood was, being married wasn't about bedding someone or showing each other as a couple. It was the little experiences a pair shared that would make them understand the other better.

And Death would make sure that he would.

"Look, I can't stay here long, I have work to do and... Ever since Life hasn't been here, everything is duller and empty but now that she is kinda back... I can already see the change and I want you to see it. When she was still here, you never looked into her creations... Now, it's time for you to realize just how important she is. Not only to you, but to the universe and why she loves them so much..."

In the end, for better of his judgement, he decided on doing exactly that, to understand you better before he had the courage to stand before you again. Not as the King he was but a man who seeked his lover in everything he did.

Meanwhile, he had the chance to talk to his sister about what happened when he was gone, learning that they had a family dinner and Desire being way happier than they normally were and how weird it seemed to Death.

Morpheus wasn't surprised, after all Desire loved to bicker with him and they always interfered with his plans. But Desire wasn't on his mind, you were.

Of how you have been or whether you woke up or not. Or if you would forgive him and gave a second chance at redeeming himself. Now that he started to look back in the memories you two had, he squeezed his eyes painfully at how much of an dismissive asshole he was to you.

He didn't even care at one time when you came to him, asking for help and comfort but he dismissed it as another shenanigan of yours...

Turns out, it was when your mother died and how everything started to go down. You only wanted to have someone beside you, understanding you and giving you to strength you needed.... Abd it was also the beginning of your failing marriage.

But now, he started to understand, see his mistakes and think of new ways to fix himself.

He understood why you would spend a lot of time beside your lake. You once said that souls wouldn't remember who you were when they were born and when you would be there to give them a simple peck on the forehead. He thought it was cruel, that they didn't remember who took care of them all that time but you would always laugh and twirl your ring playfully.

" Well, maybe it is but seeing them again after all that time... Seeing the recognation even if their souls left their bodies... It's both saddening and happy time for both me and them and Dream, my husband, it almost feels like meeting with an old friend..."

And he saw it with his eyes when the humans his sister helped to the afterlife asked about you as soon as the realization hit them. How is the Lady Life, they would ask and Death would solemnly answer that you were yet to be awake but functional enough to still perform your duties...

And now, they were heading to a place unknown, talking about humans.

"Does it not bother you when they fear you so much?"

"I used to think that I had the hardest job in the whole family, always scaring people and having them yell at me... I even resented Y/n since they loved her and life more than me, got agressive and meaner, always wondering what was different. Then later, I found her in a home where a woman was taking care of a baby all alone. I saw her sitting down on the ground right next to her, clapping her hands in rythm with her to urge the baby to walk and... She seemed trully like the goddess she was and I understood why people loved her. She was the reason why they fought hard for life, why they were upset when they die... Because through her, they had the best life they could get and they didn't want to leave that behind... Right then, I understood that all they needed was a friendly face and kind words but... Ever since she was gone, all the balance and fight for life ended..."

Watching her move to the crib in the room in front of them, Morpheus had flashbacks at what happened with Orpheus and how devastated you and Calliope looked. He never thought how you would feel like at sensing, feeling his life being taken away while trying to console a weeping mother and a father who was in rage.

He didn't think how much it must have hurted you, maybe even more than it hurted them both, with their cruel words cutting through you so mercilessly that they didn't realize what they had done.

"How would you know the pain of loosing a child? How would you let Death take him?! How can you call yourself Life, when you couldn't protect the one life you were supposed to protect!?"

But, even if it was late, it made him realize that humanity was trully a part of you, that wherever he went, he would see you there. It was the way they would fight with each other but drop everything when one needed help. It was how they would be one to defeat an enemy, whether another human or an obstacle...

It was how they would fight for the next day, to achieve their life goals and eventually meet with you.

He finally understood that you had nothing to do except helping Orpheus to his next, eternal life.

Before this, he never understood why humanity was scared of Death when Life and Death was natural things to happen, when the other couldn't exist without the other... He never thought that Life was an option given to the humans and it had a meaning if Death was there... Their life was short and the way to the afterlife was long and they would never be ready to walk that path alone, scared.

...If the meanings of their souls were to not help them in the way, a friend to company them, a family to help them...

"As you can see, without her, they are empty. Empty of what makes them human. But the thing is Life, Y/N, is such a brave one that her courage seeped into them. Did you know that she didn't cry or budge when I came for her mother? She basically died before her, protecting a human and I really thought it would be the time she would finally snap but she didn't. She knew that even she couldn't stop death... This is another thing you will have to talk about, brother! I believe that now, you understood that our purpose, humanity, is our function and that you shouldn't underestimate a woman!"

Chuckling at her enthusiasm and how giddy she seemed at the mention of you, he finally felt like he had found his path again, a new era to begin with you.

" You reminded me of what really is important to me, and for that, I thank you my sister but... Do you think she would wish to see me? After all the things I said, we said... After all I did and failed to-"

"Dream, you have always been the inspiration of her creations. If she didn't love you, she wouldn't have had your children and keep the bond... Now go before I kick your ass, get your woman back, talk to your friend and let me have some peace with my sister-in-law by bringing her to me so that we can have some girls-day!"

Smiling at her behind his shoulders, he nodded his head and looked down at the spear he had after she went to her way. Until this point, he never had to use it but now, even if they would try to banish him, he wouldn't back down without a fight.

He wouldn't let go of you ever again.

"Bifrost, allow your king to finally reunite with his queen!"

And Bifrost would only listen to those who was worthy of using it, and it was a good thing that Morpheus was one of them.

Here, in the Well of Life, you had plenty of time to reminisce about the past. Perhaps, the one you missed dearly was the friend you got through Morpheus.

Hob Gadling.

You didn't meet him when Morpheus first encountered him in 1389, busy with another realm and its complications. But he talked how interesting this human was, never fearing death and loving life beyond compare. It surely intruged you, how someone would cherish the life you had given them when most only wished to die sooner.

So, you decided on visiting him. After all, he made that deal of meeting in every 100 years with Morpheus, not you.

"Hi, Hob Gadling! May I sit here?"

Flinching at the cheery woman voice, Hob lifted his head and his mouth hang open at how beautiful and radiant you looked even in the inn lighting.

He almost felt like you were an angel by how you shone bright and how a warmth had found his very being, feeling quite content by how things have been.

Nodding his head at you after realizing that he didn't answer you, even when you were smiling down at him with the softest eyes he had ever seen, he finally had a chance to look at your face.

He didn't understand, but he could swear that he had seen you somewhere.

"Sorry but... what's your name? I feel like I know you... Have we met before?"

"Opps, sorry! I should have done that before I sat down... Sorry, I just got excited to see a human that exceptional! I'm Y/N Odinsdottir, princess of Asgard, Goddess of Life and Creation and also the wife of the man you encountered 100 years ago!"

Shocked at how you were really someone divine, the wife of the man who gave him immortality nonetheless, he straightened up and leaned over the table to to your face which made you lean back awkwardly.

"Oh gods, did I make a deal with the Devil? Or, or a wizard? Maybe another God?"

"Nope, certainly not... Lucifer doesn't like that kind of stuff!" you said, remembering what had happened when they tried to do that last time. But you failed to realize that the mention of Lucifer was something that brought fear to humankind.

"R-really?" he stuttered nervously, somehow feeling curious of the famous Devil, and how he wouldn't do something like this. But your next words were even more of a shocker to him.

"Yes, they would much prefer to crush the humanity themselves, and I'm not talking metaphorically hehe..." Hob would have said something ridiculous at you at how unfazed you seemed if it wasn't for the nervous glint and twitch of your eye that gave your true feelings away.

You were just as nervous to talk to him, a mere human who didn't understand a thing about the supernatural world outside.

"Wait, wait! Just who are you? What kind of a game are you playing with me? Who was the man I met?" feeling angry all of a sudden at what he was talking about when he was still alive after almost 100 years without any signs of aging, he demanded answers as any normal human being would.

With a raised brow at his sudden outburst, you leaned back on the chair and drank on the wine that was served to you.

"No games, Hob. I already told you who I am and unfortunately I can't say his name since he doesn't wish you to know it. But all I can say is that he is interested in your experiences as well as I am."

"In me?" Hob was shocked to say the least. It wasn't every day that he would get a compliment from someone divine after all. Chuckling at his wide, puppy eyes you nodded your head.

"Do I look like someone interested in that old geezer over the corner?" He chuckled at that, and not the nervous one he would, and leaned back on the chair as well. He liked the fact that you were a funny one, bot like the goth looking man he talked one hundred years ago. Looking around himself and seeing all of the men there, he shrugged his shoulders again, feeling like this was another great mystery of the world.

"Fair point... So you wonder?"

"Wondering what? Being a mortal? Darling, I'm not immortal. I was born, I live and I'll die... It just takes 50 thousand years if I'm lucky, that's it!" you exclaimed excitedly, not thinking it would terrify him even more. After all, he used to have a 40-50 years of life to live, suddenly got endless years and learnt about other supernatural things.

But this human only continued to intruge you more.

"Fucking brilliant... Just imagining the things you must have experienced excite me so much that I can climb over a mountain!"

"Why the heck couldn't I fall for you instead, Hob?"

Looking at the memory playing before you, you smiled sadly and lifted your hand up, hovering just above the smiling and excited faces of the two of you. You almost seemed like a child, even though you had just met him, he achieved bringing that side of you out, something you thought you buried deep inside. After years of holding a mask up your face, to hide the painful truth of what was your life, you were happy like any other woman who had someone to cherish what they offered.

And just like that, you made a friendship with the unique soul of Hod Gadling.

He was compassionate, and cute with that funny side of him. He was one of the few humans that proved to you that every single one of them had a unique trait.

You held your hand in the air, still hovering over the image and lowered it to settle over your lap. Examining it for a few seconds, you felt like you were some dirty woman by how your heart picked its rate at the mention of Hob. It was something you always denied or refused whenever someone pointed out the obvious fondness you had for the man.

That your heart craved his.

For centuries, you would try to bury all those feelings inside, feeling disgusted at yourself for thinking and feeling like that when you had a husband...

When you were better than your father.

"Seriously, Destiny has a weird way to connect two beings... I guess God wanted me to suffer for all the blood my sister and father shed, for all of the innocent lives they took..." with a deep sigh, you shook uour head and waved your hand through the golden sand.

Getting to another memory you two had, you saw that it was about the one where you shared some parts of your childhood with him when he saw you were sullen and sad while looking at the family before you when you were suuposed to be happy.

"Hey, smiley face... What's wrong? I thought today was your happy day, but here you are," he gestured around himself, in the middle of a meadow with drinks in your hands. "Sad, emotional and... empty..."

" I guess I'm in my sad moods today... Sorry for troubling you, Hob..." you tried to talk without your voice wobbling but the soft sniffle you let out made Hob realize how bad the situation was.

"Hey, hey... Just because you are a Goddess doesn't mean you can't be sad. Wanna talk about it? Is it someone that insulted you? Sure you can kick their asses better than I, but I can fight you know?" He gestured for you to talk softly, not wanting to sadden you more while easing your sadness by making a joke. He didn't understand why his heart made painful twists inside his ribcage, why he suddenly felt like he was being suffocated...

But he just knew that he had to stop you from crying.

Laughing softly to yourself at what he said, you wiped your tears and slid away on the trunk you were sitting, gesturing him to sit down. "It's a long story, my friend... One that I'm not sure if you would listen to..."

"You always listen to me, Y/N... Friendship is not something one-sided. When I need you, you are there and since you are the one in need of a shoulder... I shall give it to you."

Looking at his shoulders and back up at his face that was softly urging you to lay your head over it, you sighed and did so. He put his hand over your shoulder and brought you close to his side, not being able to help himself when you let out a relieved sigh at his body warmth.

For all you knew, you weren't sure where to begin with. Your father has been more strict than ever when today was the death anniversary of your still-born daughter Adelaine and you were already in a fragile state of mind, Medusa's screams still echoing inside while the feeling of your daughter's soul passing before it was able to reach her body.

And you needed someone to confide in.

"Do you remember of your childhood? Of what happened and how your parents were?"

When he heard your question, Hob couldn't help but thighten his hold over your shoulders and let out a shuddering breath. He inhaled deeply as if there was a weight over his chest that made him unable to breathe softly, and when you heard this, you immediately backed down, afraid that he would treat you badly for it.

But what he did next surprised you.

He started to rub your shoulder softly with the hand holding you to himself while the other took your hand in his rough and wide one, rubbing circles over the surface.

"I don't remember anything much about my childhood actually... All I remember that the Black Death destroyed half of my village and I had to be a soldier very young. But I take it that the cause of your sadness is about family issues?"

"Yes... Unfortunately, today is a very rough day for me. A reminder of my failure at protecting the ones I love..."

At his lost look, you lifted your head and looked into his soft and understanding eyes.

If only a certain man would look to toublike this...

With shaky eyes and wobbly lips, you muttered weakly. "Today was the day my daughter died before even being born..."

Widening his eyes at what you said, he let out a sad oh and watched you lower your eyes and shut them thightly as if you were in physical pain.

Which you were... The grief of a mother who lost her kid was a heavy burden over your heart.

He didn't know how to comfort someone who had such a pain in their heart, ease the pain of a grieving mother but he did what came to his mind.

He hugged you thightly to his chest, making you clutch at his chest with fists thight enough to break fhe fabric and cry for what seemed like hours. Meanwhile he only caressed your hair and hummed a song he heard a few years ago, hoping that the deep rumbles of his voice would bring comfort.

Which it did. You felt guilty how you were picturing Morpheus as the man that was comforting you as if he had known you for a long time, when your own husband failed to do so. Yet, your heart was still defending him, saying that you never told him about this.

I'm a married woman, dammit! I'm not even supposed to be this close to him yet... yet my heart is so at peace that I can't help but drown in him...

And Hob, for the better of his judgement, felt the sudden primal urge to protect you from any harm. Seeing you, a Goddess who was more powerful than anyone, so helpless and lost made him feel like he needed to wrap you in cotton and never leave you but... He also knew that the man he met was the one who was already doing it.

Trying not to sound so bitter about it, he asked if your husband had comforted you or whether you went to him or not. But the answer was a shock to him, which angered him quickly.

"He doesn't know... Or maybe he does but doesn't care, I don't know. I never told him anyways, thinking that he wouldn't care. I mean, what's he gonna do? Feel sympathy for me? Bring me something I like-"

"Yes, he is exactly supposed to do that! You need comfort and care from someone that cares for you, and in your case, who else is it gonna be except your husband!? Gosh, that immortal idiot trully doesn't know anything about pain, right?" giggling at his exasperated ramble and how his eyes widened with anger at Morpheus, even though he didn't completely know your story, it felt good to know that you had someone to turn to when things got bad.

"You know, I had a rough childhood apart from the fact that I lost my daughter... My father was and still is never kind or soft, and I had to be a sister, a friend and a dad to my siblings even though I'm the middle child... I always felt like I was the eldest one. And don't blame him, please... He also had his fair share of pain, comparing our grieves would be not of help..."

"I'm so sorry, for both the behaviour of your family, the loss of your child and how much of an idiot that husband of yours is..."

"Don't be... I made my peace with it. I was aware of the rules of being an older sister. You cannot cry because you would always smile, you cannot cry because you were and emotionless girl... You cannot cry because you are an older sister.... That's what my family would tell me, except my dear mother..."

Watching a deer stop and look at you two, you smiled at its way and sent a golden swirl of magic to it, making some food appear before it who took them happily and ran away.

Watching you perform your magic and still show kindness even amidst of your pain made Hob's heart swoon in happiness, excitement and... love, for you.

Someone he had known for 100 years, who was married to the man he would be meeting shortly after their meeting with each other....

Someone that has been there for him when nobody else was...

Gulping down at the realization and how his heart started to beat faster, he suddenly jerked away and took your hand between his, lowering his head to lay a kiss upon it. Even though he was rooting himself for not loosing his cool in front of you, he stood frozen with his lips over your knuckles, hoping that he didn't make you uncomfortable and possibly ruin your friendship.

But you were just a blushy mess as he was, not expecting him to be so romantic and carefull with you, almost feeling your pain as if it was his.

When he touched your hand like that, so softly and delicately as if you would break at the single hard touch, your heart couldn't help but beat faster and your stomach started to make weird rolls that made you feel like your heart started to beat inside your belly. You didn't understand how it was possible to love him, when your soul was bound to Morpheus'.

But loving Hob was easy, his love and care showing itself softly to those around him. He didn't question whenever you would disappear and reappear to your frequent meetings, only asking of your well being before he started to tell you about everything that happened to him in your absence.

And now, he was looking at you with the eyes of a man that was seeing the sun for the first time, star-stucked and hopelessly in love.

But that only scared you more.

Both of your feelings for each other was a dangerous one, with you being the daughter of Odin and wife of the Dream of the Endless, came a great responsibility. And besides, even though he was a pain in your ass... Morpheus didn't deserve this.

With an awkward cough and a smile at him, you patted his hand that still held yours and chuckled at his red cheeks. "Thank you for the comfort and joy you brought to me Hob, I already feel better thanks to you..."

"No need to thank me, my lady. I did what any man was supposed to do..." getting the hint behind his words, and seeing the anger flash through his irises, you took his hand between yours and brought it close to your chest. You had to make sure that he wouldn't tell anything to Morpheus, knowing that he was gonna meet him and how humans made sudden choices they later regretted.

"Hob, I want you to promise me something... Please don't say anything to him."

"But, Y/N... He deserves to know..." he uttered breathlessly, confused at how scared you looked. Nodding your head at him, you smiled softly and put a stray strand of his hair behind his ear which elicited another blush from the man.

"I know, my dear but... This is something sensitive for me and him who has a similar experience... I promise I'll tell him when I'm ready..."

"Fine, fine... So, are you gonna come with him at one point?"

"Hmm, maybe? He doesn't like to show me off that much since humans tried to capture me once but why not?"

And true to your words you came with Morpheus in 1589 to the inn they were meeting. At first he didn't want you to come, too worried that someone would harm you and seeing that soft side of him made you feel even more guilty for the closeness you and Hob got each other into.

But he knew he couldn't stop you entirely from following him, you being too stubborn to submit and him being too weak to resist you.

When he learnt that you also started to meet with him, he was angry at first. Since you didn't tell him when he was only trying to protect you from any harm, almost fuming with anger at himself for not realizing it sooner. You gave a soft smile at him and caressed his sharp yet soft features and looked deep into his starry eyes.

"It's okay, my Dream... Hob hasn't done anything except being my only friend from outside and besides, I wonder what he did with his life that he wanted to live to the fullest!"

"My friends! Come, please! Got some couple of good wine for us..."

"Hello, Hob. I see that life has been fair to you..."

"Oh, dear... It's been a long time since I heard that name..."

Looking up at Morpheus who had a tiny smile over his lips that was reserved for when he was in an especially good mood, you thanked him for helping you sit down. "Thank you, dear..."

"Nothing to worry about, my love... I'm merely doing my job," he said, after kissing the top of your head and settling beside you with a hand over your lap. You looked into his deep, ocean eyes with your own pair that held the 9 realms in it and you saw the pure adoration and love in them, the same look he gave you when you two first met.

The one that made you fall for him.

All of this were confusing to you, your heart yearning for both men sitting next to each other unknowingly of the utter chaos that was your feelings.

"A heart in chaos, is no good for a woman, my dear... Especially someone as special as you," your mother said, when you went to her for help. To learn if you were a disgrace or not, at which she shook her head sharply.

"You did nothing wrong my dear, but you are right... You feeling this way when you have a soulmate is weird... I'll look into it for you, meanwhile you can go and spend some time with Morpheus as husband and wife and try to see if your feelings changed..."

Your thoughts were cut short when Morpheus' hand over yours thightened and you looked at them, and then his face, only to see concern and worry for your wellbeing. He was aware that you dozed off more often and went deep into your mind, especially after talking with your mother, but you always eased him with soft and gentle touches...

And he believed them, until now.

"My love? If you don't feel well, we can leave any time... Just say the word."

"Y/N? Are you alright? Maybe this place is far more crowded than you are used to?"

Seeing both men turn to you with utmost care and concern over your wellbeing, you blushed slightly and shook your head no while taking a hold of the goblet. "No need to my friend, my husband... I'm simply thinking about the meeting I'll be having in Asgard with my father..."

At the mention of your father, both men had a scowl over their faces that could rival the other which elicited a simple laugh from you. Seeing them both despise him, even though Hob never saw him before made you feel happy but you couldn't dwell on what would happen next and rather chose to eat with Hob since Morpheus didn't meed to eat like you did.

You giggled when Hob took a bite of one of the foods and made a funny face which Morpheus responded with a straight one but changed immediately after hearing your cute voice and how everything around them started to glow and people feeling even more content.

Seeing the affect you had over everyone in the room, you shied away and shook your head in amusement. "Oh dear, I forgot that I sometimes have that affect on people..."

"You tell me, dear... I, for once, am grateful for the chance you gave me. There is enough food, and the wine is good... I have a family and life is so... rich... I wonder if you were in a good mood when you created my soul..." he chuckled at his joke and when he saw the slight pull of your lips, he knew that you would be in a very happy mood for a long time.

"No, my friend... I am the one who watches over them and protect them, the one who creates your souls is God. I'm just making sure that their handwork doesn't go in... waste..."

Knitting his brows at you and how your voice lowered, he looked to where you were looking and saw that Morpheus was looking at a man, Shakespeare, who was giving a speech in the middle of a burst of a passion. You would normally smile at this, but the look in Morpheus' eyes told you that he was intrigued by this new... toy.

The fact that his focus on you could change so quickly, and that he saw what you protect as mere toys to play with angered you and in return, you watched him walk to the man while you turned your chair in the opposite direction to not to see him literally seducing a human. Huffing out in anger and bouncing your leg up and down nonstop, you didn't stop neither that or chewing on your nails angrily.

Not until Hob put a comforting hand over you thigh.

"You are about to open a hole on the ground..."

"Good, maybe he can find the morals and his idiotic brain in that hole..."

"Is someone jealous?"

"Jealous!?" You whisper yelled at him who was taken aback from your outburst and tried to console you, but the fire inside your eyes made it clear that it was something you needed to do.

While he was trying to get you out of the room and calm you, after seeing that wou would burn the olace to the ground, he let you pour everything hidden inside your heart and mind.

"Just... Just who does he think he is? Fucking around with people? Seeing them as toys, when I spent my entire existence over them? Work hard for them to gain some kind of self control and a talent, and he has to go and ruin my day! I was so happy, happier than I ever was in a long time! I finally had him, a soft and attending husband, I had my friend who I haven't seen for a long time after his wedding and was actually having a good time even though I'll be facing that father of mine but... but HE HAD THE BALLS TO RUIN IT BY BEING AN ASSHOLE!?"

"Oh shit... How long have you been keeping all of these to yourself?"

"A long time! And you were wondering why I didn't come clean to him about my past! Look at him and tell me that he cares about me more than a few minutes!"

"Darling, not to intrude in your relationship but... If this marriage is no good for you, why don't you... end it?"

Really, why didn't you end everything already?

The answer was simple. The bond.

The bond would destroy whoever you got together with, it did once and it would do it again.

"I... It's not that simple Hob..."

"Yes, it is! Just go to him, say you wanna divorce and-"

"And what? So that he can send me to Hell for ruining his ego? Or put whoever I'll get together with in danger because of the soulmate bond that destroys whoever we get together with because we aren't together?"

After that, it was a long conversation of explaining the bond and how it was doomed for the people you two would get together with...

Also the reason behind your failed first marriage and the loss of your daughter.

In the end, Hob was too shocked to utter even a word. He held even more respect at you who had gone through all of this by yourself with no help.

But he couldn't help but ask one question he wanted to learn the answer of.

"Is there really not a way to break it? Y/N... it's destroying you, your mental health amd happiness..." he said helplessly, and for the first time over a century, you shed tears.

"I don't know... I know my worth and it's not this. I don't deserve to be treated like this, insulted because I didn't have a choice in protecting a life, because he didn't love me anymore or whatever the reason behind his behaviour... So, this is goodbye, my friend.'

"W-wait... What? Why..?" He said, suddenly scared of the possibilities, fearing that this was the last time you two would see each other.

"I'll be talking to my father about issues clouding Asgard and 9 realms and later try to find an answer to my problems... You will probably not hear from me for a long time but if you ever need something, call out to me and I shall come..."

Hugging you to himself thightly for what seemed like a final time, you let out a shuddering breath as if that was all you needed, and hugged him back just as thightly. In that moment, nothing seemed to be important.

Not Morpheus or his schemes.

Not your family.

Not who Hob was...

It was only him and you, the hugging form of you both, secretly inhaling each others' smell and imprinting what the other's touch felt like.

He didn't want to let go of you, but knew that you had to find your way in life again.

Parting your ways while holding onto his biceps, you looked deep into his eyes and your heart stopped for a second at how he held every single stars in them. "If I offended you in someway throughout our friendship..."

Knitting your brows together, you lightly smacked his chest in which he let out a obviously fake ouch and you smiled at him coyly. "I’m not offended, Hob, in fact I understand perfectly well. All I ask is for you to be... careful in the future."

"I will... And you promise you will take care of yourself and return?"

"I will, I swear it."

Obviously, you weren't able to keep your promise since only a few years later Morpheus was prisoned and you were left pregnant and later captured as well. Everything was calm after that day, you never mentioned what happened after when Morpheus left you with Hob and about the argument you two had but after that, Morpheus started to change.

He finally understood his wrongs and started to make amends with you, which started make everything better for you two but you know what people say...

Happy days were short-lived.

And so were they for Hob Gadling, the man you had fallen in love and shared yourself with.

After that night, he waited for you two to return back and you did, you saw each other three or more times. All of them were spent kissing each other and spending time which he never said something about, clearly being happy after a long time.

And you were no different, finally feeling free to be with someone that made you feel like a child, like a happy woman in love...

But then, all of it just... stopped.

It was around 1920, he supposed, when you stopped coming to him. He thought that it was something to do with your duties so he waited, thinking that you and 'his Stranger' would come to your meeting. Waiting with drinks for both of you while people talked with each other happily...

But you never showed up.

He wasn't stupid to think that you played with his trust and love like that, and then left for good. He knew that you weren't like other petty gods but a part of him feared that something was wrong, not that he could go and search for you.

And he also wasn't stupid to not to see the sympathetic eyes of the bartender.

"You waiting for someone?"

"I guess I am stood up..." giving a sad, small smile at the man, he drank from his glass and sat it down with a frown. Seeing the look on his face, the bartender kept his silence and let him speak.

"I wish I could say I was drunk but I was just stupid. We had a fight, three friends, and then he left and... God, I don't know why I'm telling this but I slept with my female best friend and actually got together after that, learning that she also loved me for a long time but... yeah, it all just came to an end I guess?"

"I have seen a lot people fight, and even more of them who laughed at the idiocy of the situation. I'm sure that they would be back, boy."

"In a hundred years time, maybe..." Hob chuckled humorlessly and the man before him sighed in sadness.

"Then you will have to find a new one because they will be destroying this one, for new apartments..."

And if Hob didn't feel like his world crashed, he certainly did then.

He didn't remember much after that, only that he opened a new bar for both of you to find him when you came back and... just that.

His life started to loose the meaning of it, and he couldn't find why...

Not knowing that it was because of your absence.

And when he felt like he had it again, after seeing you more than 100 years later, he was crushed even more when he was kidnapped by someone who looked like you, alongside with a girl he never saw before but would certainly meet again...

Apparently, the odds didn't think about leaving him alone to grieve and sigh in relief at escaping since one day, two men, one dressed in golden and green the other golden and red stood before him.

"We're coming from Asgard... Our Queen Y/N has been found and you, Hob Gadling, are needed in our kingdom immediately.

After all, you have always been Hob's weak point. How could he keep going with his life knowing that something was quite wrong with you?

"What the fuck..."

But he never expected to see the girl he was kidnapped with and his Stranger at the same place, looking down at a coffin life bed where ... you were laying almost lifelessly.

"Oh, Y/N... What happened to you?"

And to people's shock standing right next to you, a tear slipped through your left eye and touched the underside of your cheek.

"Who are these people, uncle Thor? And what are they doing in my mother's room?"

And when they turned to look at where an authoritative, strong female voice came from, both the girl and him couldn't help but curse at what was happening before them.

For the woman before them was a carbon copy of the man in black standing next to them, but had the stare of her mother, you.

"What the fuck is actually going on..?"

Bonus!

"I'm just a coping mechanism her mind created for us, so that we can withstand the torture Desire and Corinthian brought upon us... You see, here," you pointed to your head with your forefinger with a fake-innocent look. "Here, is hard to break. But when it does... It's unfixable. So, you really owe me dear. Because she would have been long dead after all the trauma you, Morpheus, Desire and Corinthian brought to her... Calliope..."

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#the sandman netflix #sandman imagines #sandman x reader #morpheus x reader #morpheus imagines #hob gadling x reader #hob gadling imagine #dreamling #dream x fem!reader #dream x reader #dream of the endless #sandman series

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tobitofunction · 2 years ago

Text

Dream Kids

If the Russo kids were Morpheus and y/n kids. I’m using the names of the kids from my previous Dream fic but it can be seen as a separate.

Mostly focus on Althea but has elements of Morpheus x reader in it.

“Concentrate Althea,” Lucienne said as she waited for the second oldest Dreamchild to turn a normal dove into a Jackalope,” It’s harder than it looks,” she said screwing her brows together,” Only if Lucienne gave us time to study for this *gasp* she did but someone was to busy throwing water balloons down at mortals with your mortal friends,” Atlas said making Althea gave him dirty look,” At least I have friends, mortal and immortal” you hissed, Lucienne sighed,” Althea concrete” Althea huffed and turned to the animal and in seconds it vanished but instead of a horned rabbit in its place was a stone,” Cute Jackalope,” she said quickly making noises in hopes that Lucienne will be fooled by this,” I gave you a week for this Althea,” Lucienne said as she sat back down between her brothers,” Well in case you forgot, I’m also going to a mortal school and I have to do some work there too and it’s hard to keep up with it all”,” Don’t you have like 11 missing assignment”,” 11? Hob said it was only 8″ Lucienne said,” Oh, that was status from a few weeks ago,” she said playing with her ring,” That’s why you aren't allowed to leave the Dreaming until you caught up with your assignments.” Lucienne said,” Orion, it’s your turn” the youngest of the three jumped and looked the bird straight in the eyes, quickly a Jackalope appeared making Althea roll her eyes at her youngest brother's success,” Well-”,” Hey what you all staring at? Never saw a rabbit with horns?” the Jackalope,” Ohh must have thought of Matthew will doing this” Orion rubbed the back of his head,” Don’t worry Orion at least it’s a Jackalope unlike the nice rock our sister produced” Atlas teased,” Rocks are very useful brother. I can show you how useful they are. I can use your doll collection as an example”,” They are action figures” Atlas hissed,” Doesn't matter what they are called, I want to see how my Rockalope will be against them” she jumped up and grabbed the rock and ran out of the library with her twin brother running after her.

“Get off me, I got this from Desire, they be pissed if it got wrinkly” Althea said ripping her arm from her brother's grasp,” Althea” their father's voice cut through the air making the younger twin sigh,” Yes, Daddy” she said in a sweat voice looking at him with big eyes,”Dad, don’t get distracted” Atlas said,”She’s is trying to avoid punishment” he said nudging Morpheus with his eyes elbow,” Hob college does these Halloween balls/party every year, this year is Hob’s turn” Morpheus said,” Ahh do they want to have Atlas ex-girlfriends to be part of it” Althea teased making her brother gasp,” They might have been monsters but they had kind hearts” he defended,” Go on Dad” he said with a low voice,” Anyway, his last ball went well enough but people said it wasn’t scary enough, and the Professor who did last year made it a great success and teasing Hob about his failure”,” I would love too but Lucienne told me to work on my assignments, so maybe just let Atlas do it, like mentioned before he has experience with the supernatural” she said getting up ready to walk away from the conversation,” I have talked to Lucienne and she was willing to give you a couple of days of for you to do this”,” So if I’m hearing correctly, during our break, Althea not only has to do school work but also unpaid labour” Atlas laughed folding his arms,” well little sister, can’t wait to see watch you will make, it better scares me” he said wrapping his arm around his sister,” I thought I should make it scary, as having you scared is just putting Merv in front of you” Altas smile dropped,” That was before” he defended,” You mean just before our lesson with Luciene”.

“You really gave our daughter such a task” you chuckled as Morpheus massaged your legs which were thrown over his lap,” She is quite creative” he mused while stroking your cheek with his other hand,” Also very rebellious, how do you know that she doesn’t over do it?” you lifted a brow, you loved your daughter with everything you half but you knew her more mischievous and laziness causes more chaos than Loki the god of mischief could cause, maybe that’s why Desire loves her so much.” That’s why I have tasked Matthew to watch over her,” he said,” This could go either really well or really bad, you know that” Morpheus hummed and pecked your lips,” I say it will go rather well”,” Well let’s put a bet on it, if you win, you continue being control but I win, you let have the control for a century?” you teased making Morpheus smirk,” My love, you have a deal. Be prepared to carry another one of my children soon” he whispered into your ear which made you shiver,” We see about that”.

“Althea, nice to see you” Hob created the young Endless with a high five,” So you want me to put some magic into your ball/party thing,” she said,” Yeah, I need to beat that English Professor so bad, doesn't matter how” a smile appeared on Althea’s face,” Just what I want to hear, don’t worry Hob, you be the winner soon. Also if I win, I can rub it in Atlas face, now I just need to find a way to pass all of the assignments Lucienne wants me to do”,” Maybe, by putting some actual work into it?”, Althea started at Hob for a while before bursting into laughter,” That was good Hob, let’s get start it”.

“I don’t know Althea,” Harper, Althea’s best friend said,” Hob wants to win, so we need some spooky stuff and I can't go into Hell because Lucifer will tear me apart but Hades basically own my family something as if it wasn't for him Orpheus wouldn't be just a head” Harper sighed,” Why do you need me for it?”,”Human sacrifice... just kidding, I need a moral compass”,” Aww you see me as your moral compass?”,”Yeah, but let’s go to Greece, I need to talk to Orpheus, he knows the gates of the Underworld”,” Underworld?” Matthew cawed making Althea turn to the raven,” Finally you showed yourself, I thought you be watching me from afar forever”,” Wait you knew?”, Althea hummed,” Now moral compass and babysitter, let’s go to Greece” before either Harper or Matthew could say something Althea snapped her fingers and they appeared in front of the Place the oldest of Morpheus children is being held,” I’ll wait here?” Harper said,” Why? Don’t you want to try your shot with my other brother” Althea said with a giggle at the end,” No, my heart will be with Atlas forever-” she giggled making Althea roll her eyes,” I just don't want to see a decapitated head” she continued,” there isn't anything creepy about it, think about it like he’s a Halloween decoration. Now come on, I want to be over with so I can get back to doing nothing”.

“Hey there Orpheus?”Althea said, Matthew was sitting on her shoulder and Harper was hiding behind her, with occasional peaks to the head of Orpheus,” Little sister, what brings me this honours”,” I just need to know something, the Underworld, where is it located?”,” No”,” No?”,”Well, what a shame, let’s go, Althea, I bet we can find some nice nightmares in the dreaming” Harper said grabbing her friend's arm and trying to drag her out but it was no use,” What a shame, I bet Dad be pissed off about it, you know, that constipated look he something gets” she shrugged and grabbed Harper's arm,” Let’s go to the dreaming for those nice nightmares”, Harper gave her a confused look,” Wait, I help, but you bring me with you to the Underworld and when father finds out” Althea turns,” Of course, Harper will carry you”,” Harper will do what?”,”Go on, I’m the brains of this situation” Althea shrugged,” And maybe when Atlas will see you with Orpheus might get jealous and possessive” with that the endless human friend grabbed the head and walked out of the building,” Very manipulative of you” Matthew said,” Hey that’s a skill, I’m not proud of” she said in a serious tone before bursting into a giggle,” Just kidding, it can very useful. Now let’s go”.

“Over there,” Orpheus said,” Althea, I’m getting scared,” Harper said,” Why? It’s just the underworld, he can’t keep us there, we haven't died yet. So calm down before you die of a heart attack and be stuck there”,” She has a point. However, whatever Hades wants just do as he says, I lost the love of my life and my body because of that”,” Well, we are doomed then,” Harper said matter of factly,” Why is that?” Althea asked,” Are you serious? Althea, you are the queen of not listening”,” Aww, you think I’m a queen?” Althea said batting her eyelashes,” Focus, I don’t want to be like this. No offence” she said to Orpheus,” None taken”. Althea sighed,” Okay, I will listen but that’s the only time I will be doing it, so better remember that,” she said before summoning a torch.

“Althea of the Endless, did you bring us a Human sacrifice so we can put Orpheus back together?” Hades teased making Althea laugh,” No, I need her, she’s my moral compass,” Althea said,” I’m here to ask for a couple of your creatures, just be borrowing them for a party,” Althea said,” Why, should I help you?” Hades asked,” Because, you are invited alongside the lovely Persephone. We do want to party until we die”,” I do love Parties, let’s give them a hand, we do want to enjoy the party” Persephone mused,” Anything for you,” Hades said making Orpheus and Althea roll their identical eyes,” How romantic” Harper sighed,” I thought Dad was a simp” Althea muttered making Orpheus giggle,” Fine, choose one creature”,” Only one?”,” Young Endless, these are dangerous creatures in the underworld holds, humans shouldn't see this until the day of their death” Hades explained,” Fine, we take the scariest- OW Harper” Althea said rubbing her ribs,” Didn’t you just hear what he said?”,” Fine, we take Fluffy from Harry Potter”.

“Next, stop the dreaming. Let’s see if Dad found out or little trip” Althea winked at her brother.

“It looks different from the last time I was here” Orpheus admitted,” It’s more beautiful,” Orpheus said as Harper placed him on a random rock.” Lucienne said it changed when Dad met Mom, even more, when we were born” Althea said,” But, that’s enough of being sentimental. We need some nightmares which will match our 3-headed dog” Althea whistled loudly,” NIGHTMARES ASSEMBLE”,” A little warning next time” Harper said rubbing her ears,” Sorry”.

“The New Corinthian, I say yes, what do you think Harper?”,” Are there any less brutal ones?” she asked looking at a nightmare whose instead of two normal arms has two chainsaws in their place, the same goes for their head,” Oooh Chainsawman, you are hired to, go beside the Corinthian”,” Do you want to give people heart attacks?”,” They do what I say, nothing can go wrong here, I promise” Althea said putting her hand on her friend's shoulder,” Now, for a couple more,” she gently pushed Harper aside to look at more Nightmares,”trypophobia, disgusting. Perfect, you know where to go. No, no, no-”,” ALTHEA”,” Christ” she mumbled,” You went to the Underworld without my or your mother knowledge, and Orpheus you encouraged her behaviour and Matthew, you had a task of making sure she doesn't do anything reckless” Morpheus scarily calm,” Just to be sure, I was always against it,” Harper said peaking from behind her friend,” We figured,” Atlas said crossing his arms,” Hades could have tricked you,” he said to his sister,” But nothing happened, I’m fine, Orpheus is fine and Harper is fine. But looking deeper into this Dad, it’s all your fault, you wanted me to help Hob and that’s what I am doing” Althea said,” Unlike Harper who wanted the scariest creature in the Underworld as I went with the cute 3 headed-dog” Atlas looked at his sister with wide eyes while Morpheus was stunned,” Now Father, let me finish my task, as I want to do you proud” she said fake tearing up. “Zombie nightmares, follow the rest of us to Waking World, we have a King to make proud,” she said before snapping her fingers making her chosen Nightmares, Orpheus, Harper, Matthew and her disappear in a cloud of sand,” I have to give it to her, that was smart,” Atlas said cupping his chin,” She be the death of me someday” Morpheus mumbled,” Guys, guys, guess what I heard, Althea went to the Underworld without Dad’s permission with Orpheus and Harper. She is so much trouble” Orion said randomly appearing beside his brother and father.

“Althea, this looks great, the nightmares are scary. The 3 headed dog, cute and Scary and Hades.... don’t know much to say about him but this rocks” Hob said happily watching his ball take off,” Gadling, you have impressed me, those actors, were did you find them? They are fantastic just-”,” as they have been ripped from peoples nightmares?” Harper finished for the Professor,” Yes, I’m impressed, even though it’s hard for me to say, you-”,” Let me do it, Hob you are the new Halloween ball/party king” Althea said,” And let me start for you Hob, Althea you are the best help someone could ask for” she said making Hob nod,” Yes thank you Althea and Harper”,” No problem, at least someone acknowledged me” she said staring at Althea who gave her a big smile,” Come to Harper let’s eat”.

“How do you find the party Orpheus?”,” Fun but not as fun as seeing Father being stunned at you before” he smiled,” Yeah, that was good, if only you put so much effort in your school work,” Harper said throwing a piece of popcorn in Orpheus mouth,” Althea?” you said gaining your middle Child's attention,” Mom, Dad, Lucienne, egg heads. How do find the party?”,” Impressive, let’s see if you put that effort into your assignments tomorrow” the librarian smiled,” Good luck with that” Harper said,” Is that Hades? I probably could take him in an arm wrestle, come on Orpheus, I need something to put my arm on” Orion said picking is brother's head and walking towards the god of the underworld,” Scared Atlas?” she teased her brother who was clearly avoiding the nightmares around the room,” I have a surprise for Atlas, a special guest”,” Really?” he said relaxing,” Yeah, turn around in 3, 2, 1″ when Atlas turned he was faced with Merv,” Heya kid” a screeched left Atlas mouth and he ran out of the room, Althea was clutching her stomach laughing,” Thanks Merv, I own you on” she said high fiving the pumpkin,” Any Day Princess, my Lord and Lady” he said to you and Morpheus before heading off to door so he could scare Atlas again once he enters,” We are very proud of you, even though you went to the underworld without permission, but you helped a friend and you did it well” you said happily,” You are becoming a good woman Althea, a good woman with a dark side but still good” Morpheus smiled knowing that he won the bet against you.

#the sandman morpheus #Morpheus of the Endless #morpheus x reader #morpheus x you #morpheus x fem!reader #hades #orpheus #hob gadling

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