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jiliansky-blog · 1 year ago

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Witche's love. Final chapter. You won't be alone.

Pairing: Morpheus x FemaleReader

Rating: PG

Words: 1450

When you entered the throne room, you saw three ladies. They looked at you and asked a question. And you looked at them.

“We came to Dream of the Endless to kill his son”, one woman said.

“I won’t let them take you”, you replied. “He is innocent. He is already torturing himself. Don’t punish him”.

“It’s not your decision to make”, the second woman said. “He spilled his own blood. Now he needs to pay”.

“Y\N, don’t”, Of course he followed you.

“Dream of the Endless”, the third woman said. “You will be punished. We destroy your kingdom brick by brick until you are destroyed as well”.

“No”, you said. “You won’t come closer to him. Or you need to kill me first. You can punish him another way”.

“We can kill you”, they said. “You can’t fight us”.

“You may listen to him at least”, you suggested. “And hear him out before you make a decision”.

“We can”, they said after the silence.

Morpheus looked at you with questions, and so do Fates. You sighed.

“Morpheus, tell us about your son’s death”, you say softly.

You read pain in his eyes. He doesn’t want to talk about it, but he has no choice.

“I need to find my brother, Destruction”, he said quietly. “And my son, or rather, my son’s head, was the only one who could give the answer”.

You took his hand, trying to convey your sympathy and to support him. He squeezed your hand a little bit, showing that he recognized and appreciated the gesture.

“And?” the one woman asked.

“And he asked me a favor for the answer”, he sighed. “He wanted me to end his life. And I didn’t want to do this. But I can’t say “no”. I failed him so many times. I can’t fail him this time, either. Even if it breaks my heart”.

Furies were silent. Maybe, they were thinking about his confession. You squeezed his hand tightly. You are not going to let him go.

“We think that Dream of the Endless doesn’t deserve punishment by death”, said the first woman.

And you sighed with relief. Is it all over?

“But”, continued the second woman. “He won’t be the Dream of the Endless anymore”.

“What?” you asked, surprised.

“He still broke the rule, little witch”, the third said. “But we won’t kill him and destroy his world if he stops being the Endless”.

“How can that be?” you asked Morpheus.

“I can give my power to Lyta’s Hall child”, he replied. “If Corinthian finds him and then...”

“Then what?” You asked. “Don’t tell me you gave up”.

"I'm tired of carrying the world on my shoulders”, he said.

“You can...” Then the idea hit you. “You can become a human”.

“What?” He didn’t expect that.

“Can he?” You asked Furies.

“There are no rules against it”, said the woman.

“You can be an immortal human”, you whispered. “Just like your friend. I am sure your sister will make you this gift”.

You saw that he wanted to argue, but then he signed and looked at Furies.

“I accept this punishment”, he said.

“Then you have one evening to finish your affairs in the Dreaming”, they said. “If not, you know what is going to wait you”.

“We understand”, you replied, and they disappeared for now.

“I can’t live as a human”, Morpheus said immediately.

“Yes, you can”, you replied. “You will have me and Hob Gadling”.

“You?” he asked.

“Me”, you said. “Or do you think I will leave after all of this?" Especially, after my suggestion to be a human”.

“Do you…still want to know me?” he said, and you heard the hesitance in his voice.

“I thought we figured this out”, you sighed.

“I found him”, suddenly the blonde man in glasses appeared.

“Very well”, Morpheus said, looking at the man. A man was holding a little dark-haired baby. “Where was he?”

“Loki killed him and took him”, the man replied.

“Loki?” you asked. “As a northern god?”

“Yes”, Morpheus replied.

“Is this Lyta’s Hall son?” You asked. “So you did look for him”.

“He is not a normal child”, Morpheus explained. “He was made in the Dreaming. He can go through the Dreaming. And now he is not alive”.

“Lyta is not going to like it”, you sighed.

“I am going to pass the Dreaming for him”, he said. "And I hope he will be a better ruler than I was”.

“No one will be a better ruler than you”, you admitted. “I know that you cared for your domain, your people and humanity as well”.

“Thank you for your kind words”, he said, smiling a little. “Now, I need to strip up and give away my attributes”.

“Should I leave the room?” you asked.

“Only if you wanted”, he said.

“So you don’t want to be my brother anymore”, the young woman appeared. She has dark hair and kind eyes. It was Death's sister.

“I don’t want to be the Endless”, Morpheus replied.

“Hello, Y\N”, Death smiled softly to me. “I hope he made the right decision and returned to you. He just needs a push”.

“I’m still here”, Morpheus admitted, adorably pouting his lips.

“But I’m glad that you don’t want to die anymore”, she said, looking at him.

“Can you make him immortal human?” you asked with hope.

She looked at you and smiled, like she knew what you were trying to say. That you don’t want to lose him again. That you love him.

“I can”, If you promise to take a good care of him”, she said finally.

“I will”, you smiled.

“I’m not a child”, he pouted even more. “I don’t need someone to watch me”.

“You will be powerless like a child when you become a human”, Death smiled. “You never live; I mean live and not be captive among them. Besides, Y\N is going to do this not because she feels sorry for you”.

“We can talk about it later”, you said. “We need to finish this before it’s too late”.

“You’re right”, Morpheus agreed. “Let’s start”.

And then Morpheus became naked. His eyes don’t shine like stars anymore. And the baby becomes something like him. But with white hair and white clothes.

“We should go”, Morpheus said, tired.

“Yes”, you said. “And him?”

“He will survive”, Morpheus replied.

“Alright, lovebirds”, Death smiled. “Now take my hands, and I will bring you home”.

“I don’t have a home anymore”, he said.

“To my home”, you admitted, and you took Death’s hand. And so is Morpheus.

And in a second, you were home. Everything is untouched. Even candles and a sign. Death smiled at both of you.

“I need you to sort the things”, she said. “You can call me if you truly need something. But If I am too busy, I won’t be able to see you. See you later, brother”.

And she disappeared. Only the silence remains between you now.

“Morpheus”, you said.

“You don’t need to look after me”, he said without any emotion.

"Oh, my god, sometimes you are such a fool”, you said angrily. “I’m fucking loving you! Which of these words do you not understand?”

He was startled, like he didn’t expect this outburst from you. He looked so vulnerable when he was surprised. You took a step closer to him.

“I didn’t take you with me because I feel sorry for you”, I said. “But because I love you. And I loved you all this time. And I wanted to save you. And actually, you can take your chance at fixing our broken relationship”.

“You are truly something”, he sighed. And smiled a little bit.

“I missed it”, you mentioned.

“What?” he asked. “Shouting at me? I can’t recall you doing it”.

“No, silly, your smile”, You gently touched his cheek. This was warmer than before, since he is a human. “You can smile freely now. Nothing will burden you anymore”.

“I don’t want to be a burden for you”, he said.

“You are not a burden”, you admitted. “It was my idea, remember?”

“Now I will own you”, he said.

“No”, you sighed.

And then you saw him smirking. That bastard can make jokes. You cupped his face and kissed him. You missed that so much too.

“You can live with me, and we can rewrite our history together”, you whispered into his lips.

“Do you think I can?” Morpheus asked. “Be human, I mean”.

“Of course you can”, you said, hugging him. “You are better than more humans. Even if you don’t understand something, I’m here to help”.

“Alright then,” he said as he put his head on your shoulder. “Guide me”.

You smiled and embraced this thin and fragile man, who was a powerful being and now a human. And felt a happiness and relief all at once.

@shadowqueen1318 @mypsychoticlove @justathirstyhoe @ladymoztaza

#morpheus x reader #dream x reader #sandman x reader #sandman fanfiction #the sandman

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rainbowmoonstonestories · 6 months ago

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Let Your Dreams Be Your Wings | Chapter 19

Chapters: 19/? Fandom: The Sandman (Netflix 2022, minor content from the Comics) Rating: Explicit Relationships Dream of the Endless/Morpheus x F!Reader Characters: Dream of the Endless/Morpheus, Lucienne, Matthew the Raven, Mervyn Pumpkinhead, Hob Gadling, Death, Rose Walker, The Corinthian, other minor Sandman characters, Original Characters. Warnings: 18+ content (minors DNI), explicit sexual content, POV switching, very long chapters to read. Summary: You always dreamed of becoming a successful Fashion Designer, sharing your creations with the world and making your father proud. But with him being very ill and so many costs solely weighting on your shoulders, things didn’t go as planned and you had to take a different path instead. An interesting offer led you to the elder Alex Burgess and you were hired as a new housemaid for a very good pay. However, your kindness and outstanding empathy convinced the man to give you an additional task for a doubled compensation; gaining the trust of Dream Of the Endless, held captive into the basement for over a century. Despite the shock of finding such an ethereal entity stripped of all his clothes and contained into a confined space, you had to accept for the sake of your father. But the more you got to speak to the mysterious anthropomorphic personification who didn’t utter a single word, the more you were lost into his eyes that, conversely, seemed to contain the entire universe. A deep connection formed between the two of you, separated only by a thick layer of glass.

Little did you know, what started like a simple housemaid job was about to change your life forever.

Credits: The moon dividers were made by firefly-graphics

Tagging: @number-0-iz, @emarich7, @jaziona92, @bridkesby If anyone else wants to be tagged in the next updates, let me know.

You can also read this on AO3 if you feel more comfortable!

Important notice: I am aware of the current allegations against Neil Gaiman and made a statement here.

As the chaos in the Dreaming continued to escalate, you felt compelled to trust your instincts once again and embark on a solo journey to Georgia. If only you had known that you were on the verge of stepping into a living nightmare.

Immovable, you were tethered to the couch for a lengthy span of fifteen minutes, rhythmically shifting your leg in anxiety while your hand served as a shield for your mouth.

The Dream Beach was gone. The truth was difficult to accept, but you were certain that the imagery from your dream was not merely a subconscious invention. You noticed the fractures, experienced the desolation, and witnessed the unfolding destruction of the land. It was authentic, as tangible as the dreams you inhabited could possibly be.

The thought of you, or any other human, being cut off from the Dreaming because of the Vortex rupturing the barriers between your dimensions, was an absolute trauma for you. Morpheus radiated a sense of certainty that everything was well-managed. He staunchly believed that the circumstances involving Rose would stay steady and she posed no danger to his kingdom or the Waking World. Yet, the current truth stood in glaring opposition to that belief.

In light of the perilously rapid degradation occurring within the Dreaming, one couldn’t help but question if he could even remain unscathed.

So engrossed were you in your private bubble, that you barely registered Hal's approach towards the couch. "Hey, Sleeping Beauty! You're awake.”

The instant you turned to face him, your paleness immediately swept away his smile. "Oh God, are you okay?”

You swallowed, attempting to shrug off your worries with a laugh. "Yes, sorry. I just had a bad dream.”

Hal appeared to ease up, settling down next to you. "You wouldn't believe how strange my dreams have been lately. Did you ever stare at your own self taking the skin off their face?”

You arched an eyebrow. "That sounds like a scene straight out of a horror movie.”

"It certainly was. I don't ever want to look like that.”

You released a calming sigh. “That will never happen considering how cute you are.”

Taken aback by your unexpected compliment, Hal's eyes widened with surprise. His countenance immediately lit up, and he subtly adjusted his position, tilting sideways to prop his elbow on the back of the couch, cradling his face. "I am, right?”

With a chuckle, you replied, "Oh yeah. Don’t ever doubt that.”

Despite the pleasure you derived from his company and the comfort of his beautifully inviting home, your mind remained restless. You really coveted the blissful ignorance he seemed to possess, oblivious of the unseen perils lurking in the shadows.

Or rather, in his dreams.

"Hey, uhm, Is Rose still here?" you asked promptly.

"No, she left with Gilbert little less than an hour ago.”

Intriguing, you mused, that of all people, it was Gilbert who had chosen to accompany her.

“Someone called, they found Jed Walker.”

You gasped in surprise. "They did??”

"Yeah! Rose was ecstatic.”

Amidst the surrounding tragedies and perils, that was the best thing that could possibly happen. Why did you feel so nervous then, as if an impending disaster was on the horizon because of it?

"Do you have any idea where they went?”

Hal furrowed his brow in thought. "If I'm not mistaken, I believe Rose mentioned the Royal Empire Hotel in Georgia. I heard there's a convention happening there.”

How on earth did Jed manage to get that far from Cape Kennedy?

"What could he possibly be doing in Georgia? I find it hard to believe that he traveled there alone.”

Hal shrugged. "I have no idea. But in the end, does it really matter?”

You offered a smile. "I suppose not, as long as he's safe and sound.”

However, you found it hard to truly believe that.

As he got up from the couch, rolling up his sleeves to attend to more chores around the building, an internal voice was compelling you to leave. Even without understanding the reasons, you found yourself needing to locate Rose.

"Hal.. is there a bus route I could use to get there?”

"Why? Are you considering a trip to Georgia?”

For a fleeting moment, you thought about dismissing such an absurd idea Yet, an inexplicable intuition was insisting that you had to go.

And by that point, you knew all too well that your gut never led you astray.

"Well, I'm off work today. I might as well take any chance that comes my way to visit this Country.”

Hal appeared noticeably confused, but he didn't probe any further. In the end, he supplied a simple map outlining the bus route you needed to follow, indicating the precise stop where you should alight, along with a short walking path afterwards.

"Are you certain you want to go there alone? It will take you more than two hours. I’d come with you if I could, but…”

"No worries, I'll handle it.”

He nodded, albeit with concern, and pulled out what appeared to be a personal business card from a drawer. "You have the B&B's number, but this one is my personal line. Don't hesitate to call me if you need anything.”

Aw.

"Thanks, Hal. You're truly kind.”

He smiled, wishing you a safe trip to Georgia, before exiting the room to resume his duties. You remained there, scrutinizing the elaborate, business-like card, before tucking it securely into your wallet. You collected your bag from the hanger at the entrance, and with a few quick strides, you embarked on your journey down the deserted road towards the first bus stop that Hal had marked.

You must have been insane, setting off on such a reckless adventure in a foreign land, guided merely by a peculiar feeling gnawing at your gut. But as you tried to reconsider your decision, slackening your stride and turning around several times, it seemed as though an invisible force was propelling you onwards.

And so you waited, nervously pacing to and fro, until the bus finally arrived. It was already filled with passengers, each bound for their individual destinations, be they solo adventurers, couples, or families.

And thus began your voyage, heading directly to Georgia, in pursuit of something about which you had no real understanding.

More than an hour had elapsed, and as you gazed at the serene, green landscape through the window, you could sense your impatience intertwining with escalating concern. A child was singing and bouncing in his seat, despite his parents' futile attempts to calm him down. Others were engrossed in their private phone conversations, while the bus driver solely focused on the road ahead, barely blinking an eye.

You passed the time by scrolling through your emails, exchanging messages with Ella about the current project, and even succeeded in catching up with Hob, your father, as well as a few other colleagues who were intrigued about your experience in Florida. None of them seemed to be impacted by the happenings in the Dreaming, which could potentially be seen as a positive sign.

Unfortunately, the internal turmoil you were wrestling with told a completely different story.

Plugging in your earphones again, you selected your primary playlist and set it to shuffle. The first song that played was "Sweet Dreams" by Eurythmics, an ironic choice that made you chuckle to yourself.

Your head gently knocked against the window, as your eyes traced the rapidly passing scenery outside.

Sweet dreams are made of this

Who am I to disagree?

I've traveled the world and the seven seas

Everybody's lookin' for something

You observed the trees, the bushes, and the occasional bird soaring up into the sky. Your thoughts drifted to Rose, to the innate power she had held since birth, but which had only started to manifest recently. Such a formidable power, one that even the King of Dreams couldn't obstruct, unless it implied terminating the girl's life. A power that was currently devastating a significant portion of Morpheus' realm, a process you had seen unravel in merely three days.

Hold your head up

Keep your head up, movin' on

Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up, movin' on

Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up, movin' on

Hold your head up, movin' on

Keep your head up

Months of strenuous labor, of constant rebuilding and re-creation. Months of effort to mend what a century of human greed and selfishness had torn asunder.

The lyrics of the song playing in your ears receded, transforming into a distant echo, as your eyelids grew heavy due to the gentle jostling of the vehicle on the road.

To state that Morpheus was livid would be an understatement. Watching Rose Walker and Lyta Hall casually saunter towards the house that the woman's husband audaciously constructed in his realm, all while circumventing the space assigned to him, sparked not just a feeling of defiance but also a deep self-reproach.

How had he overlooked the presence of a specter within the Dreaming? How had he permitted a mortal to be in his realm as though she were conscious? The mere fact that Lyta was now expecting a child, conceived in his domain and far from a typical human being, was more than enough to stop the chaos instigated by the Vortex. The extensive crevice that had formed and was expanding unbeknownst to them, was something he could not permit to grow further.

He ought to have heeded Lucienne's advice. Your negative premonitions deserved more of his attention too.

“So, what do you think?” Matthew inquired.

Morpheus responded without any hesitation. “Tell Lucienne she was right about the source of the tremors. And that I am taking care of it.”

Matthew emitted a caw before unfurling his wings and soaring towards the castle of the Endless. Simultaneously, Morpheus set off for the house, making certain he reached there before the girls could.

He reprimanded the deceased, demanding his immediate departure to restore the equilibrium of his realm. The ghost wept, begged, and implored for another opportunity, but it was something Morpheus simply could not grant.

In the presence of Rose and his wife, he banished Hector Hall from the Dreaming, before any further harm could be inflicted to both of your dimensions.

Even though such an act was bound to lead to inevitable heartbreak.

You hadn't anticipated the lingering exhaustion from jet lag, even after surpassing 48 hours. But considering the restless night you had experienced earlier, the present need for your body to recover wasn't entirely surprising.

For a brief moment, you slept devoid of any dreams. Or more precisely, the only image you beheld was the boundless expanse of darkness, with a fog gradually enveloping you. The sounds from the bus, melding with the ongoing song, resonated in your mind until they faded into silence.

Then, the scene transitioned, akin to a cinematic sequence where the vignette slowly dissolves. You were standing in lush surroundings, serene and soothing, yet tainted by an eerie presence lurking nearby. You struggled to articulate it; nothing appeared amiss or displaced, but an unshakeable conviction told you something wasn't right. You ventured forth, surveying the unknown location with each step, until a large, white structure materialized in the distance.

What stood before you resembled a contemporary house, marked by perfect geometry and long rows of windows that would afford any dweller a magnificent view, while also revealing the interior to outside eyes. Though it may have appeared sterile, the minimalist design conveyed a sense of careful planning and construction. Encircling the house was a circular pond, brimming with crystal clear water.

It was a sight to behold, mirroring the picturesque scenery one might find on a postcard… were it not marred by the hideous fissure before you, threatening to cleave the ground in two.

Then it occurred once more, that dreadful earth tremor that caused the entire place to shudder violently, much like a blender, knocking you off balance and bringing you down to your knees. Your hands grazed the short grass, and the moment they did, you were gripped by an intense emotional pain that constricted your heart, hindering its normal rhythm.

As inconceivable as it may be, you could feel it; the Dreaming was suffering. It seemed as though it was actually crying.

As the earthquake subsided, you stood up and observed the house, which appeared impeccably untouched from your vantage point.

The urge to approach and inspect it was compelling. Yet, before you could take another step, a familiar voice halted you.

"I wouldn't go there if I were you.”

The deer from your previous dreams suddenly arrived at your side, as majestic and beautiful as ever, tracing your line of sight.

You smiled. "It's you again. How do you always manage to find me?”

"You're dreaming, Y/N. Does my presence bother you?”

Your eyes softened. "No, that's not what I was implying.”

"Good. Because right now, you might truly need my assistance.”

In all your encounters with the Dreaming, you had never met this articulate creature before. Could it be possible that Morpheus had purposefully dispatched it to you, to offer guidance in his absence during that particularly trying period?

"Why do you suggest I shouldn't approach that house? This is my dream, after all.”

The deer regarded you with what could be interpreted as a raised eyebrow. "Uhh… actually, it's not.”

“What…?”

He sighed. "That is the house that Lyta Hall's husband created, for the two of them.”

You blinked in confusion. "Wait, Lyta? Rose's friend?”

The deer nodded.

"But, if this is her dream, how have I ended up here?”

"The Vortex has diminished the barriers between dreams. Consequently, you can access regions of the Dreaming that would typically remain hidden from you.”

You narrowed your eyes, attempting to discern any presence within the house. From what you could observe, it was completely vacant.

"I presume she's awake now.”

"She is, as Lord Morpheus has taken measures to ensure her return to this place would not occur. Or at least, not to this house with that cheating ghost.”

You scratched your forehead. "Wait a minute. What is this all about? A ghost? Why is she prohibited from dreaming this?”

"Right, I should clarify.”

“Please do.”

“As you already know, when mortals die, they are escorted to the Sunless Lands. However, in this instance, Mr. Hall became ensnared in the Dreaming due to the influence of the Vortex.”

You listened intently, trying to assemble all the information together. "So, Lyta's husband didn't fully pass away, but rather remained in this realm?”

“Correct. The Vortex has empowered him to locate his wife, and as a result, to conceive a child with her.”

Your eyes widened in astonishment. "A child?! You mean… her dream actually made her pregnant?”

"Yes. That's why this place is currently in peril.”

Then it dawned on you. The fact that Lyta had been claiming to feel ill, even declining to open the door for others to see her.

"Is that possible?”

"It is not a common occurrence and typically involves special circumstances or intervention by powerful beings. So now, the child this woman carries? It's certainly not going to be an ordinary mortal.”

Your head was spinning, but whether it was due to your confusion or the dream's haziness, you couldn't really tell. "Because it was conceived within the Dreaming.”

"Yes. It will forever be tied to this place, regardless of her feelings on the matter.”

You positioned your hands on your hips, peering at the structure. "What about her husband?”

The deer stirred, ambling ahead of you. "Gone. Permanently. Lord Morpheus saw to it.”

The tragedy of such a situation could only be imagined - reuniting with a loved one in your dreams, only to endure the pain of their loss once again.

"Y/N, I know what you’re thinking. Trust me when I say that he really didn't have a choice. Lyta Hall was forsaking her life in the Waking World, believing she could reside here forever, with a man who was supposed to be gone a long time ago.”

You looked into the animal's glassy, dark eyes.

"Do you see the damage they've inflicted? The Dreaming is not a sanctuary for the dead to hide, nor a haven for mortals to escape their grief.”

You squatted down, bringing your face level with his. Your fingers tenderly cupped the deer’s face, caressing his short fur down his neck. "If you think that I'll harbor resentment towards Morpheus because of this, then don't.”

“You… you won’t…?”

"I don't question his actions or motives, because I understand. this place has been literally split in half, and my own Dream Land has completely vanished. If that is the fate all mortals will have to confront, if we must all lose our dreams due to the Vortex, then.... can I truly blame him for doing what was necessary?”

The deer stayed silent, assessing your expression and gently cocking his head to one side. It was quite amusing to see.

"…Oh.”

You gave his nose a light, affectionate tap. "I genuinely feel sorry for Lyta, don’t get me wrong. But even I understand that the notion of spending the rest of our lives in dreams is irrational.”

"I see why he is so fond of you," the deer stated. "You are certainly unique.”

You were on the verge of expressing your gratitude, but as soon as you parted your lips, another earthquake rippled through the Dreaming, broadening the chasm and sending you sprawling once more.

The roar was genuinely horrifying, sounding as if the entire realm was teetering on the edge of annihilation. Thankfully, calm was reinstated almost immediatly, and as you righted yourself, your heart hammered so violently you could sense it in your throat.

“Seems like these tremors will continue for a little while longer.”

"Morpheus....”

"He's fine. Well, as fine as one can be in a situation like this.”

"I need to see him. Where is he?”

The deer executed a gesture that any human would interpret as a shrug. "In the castle, of course. Attending to... well, matters.”

"How do I even get to the palace from here?"

"You're dreaming, remember? You can go anywhere you want.”

You examined your surroundings, studying the area from top to bottom, but despite your best efforts, you came to the realization that your skills were not as finely tuned as you had previously believed.

"Uhhh....”

He rolled his eyes. "Ugh. Why do I have to do everything around here?”

The deer retreated, assuming what resembled a hostile stance, positioning his antlers in a way that was far from comforting.

"Wait, what are you-”

He charged forward, and as you raised your hands in an attempt to halt him, panicking at the thought of being struck, he collided directly with your form.

The impact propelled you backward, and the scenery around you transformed entirely, substituted by the opulent castle bathed in the glow of candlelight, the soft blaze of torches, and the colorful stained glass windows. You let out a sigh of relief, examining yourself, but found no signs of injury or pain.

"Well, I suppose that worked," you muttered to yourself. "Though, a warning would have been appreciated.”

Leaving your current spot to weave your way through the maze of library shelves, you spotted numerous volumes scattered on the floor, and some of the windows displaying prominent cracks. Everything appeared as if it had been hit by a tornado, and as you advanced, you frequently had to scramble over shattered wooden fragments and debris.

You scrutinized every corner, hearing Lucienne's voice echoing from afar. But then you caught sight of the towering figure of the King of Dreams, of Lord Morpheus, of your wonderful, extraordinary boyfriend, diligently collecting some of the fallen items. He restored them to their rightful places, moving with the attitude of someone feeling overwhelmed by their task. You noted it in his lethargic movements, in his sluggish steps, and in the taut muscles of his neck.

And it totally devastated you. Observing him in such a condition - so solitary, so melancholic, after all that he had suffered and accomplished to return his castle to its former glory - provoked an urge to cry and yell with all your might.

Because it wasn't fair.

And so, you stepped out from the shadows, reaching out your arms and calling his name. “Morpheus!”

He scarcely had time to pivot before you collided with him, wrapping his shoulders in a firm hug while suppressing the tears that threatened to dampen his coat.

"My love," he murmured gently, his voice vibrating in his chest.

You drew back just enough to claim a kiss from him, one laden with desperation and longing. His hands found your back, humming in surprise against your lips, but slowly returning your gesture.

You loved him. You loved him far too much. At times, the depth of your feelings terrified you, but you couldn't envision a life devoid of them.

And you detested knowing he was in danger, feeling utterly powerless to assist him.

Upon breaking away from him, you instantly searched for his eyes. “Are you okay?”

His eyebrows knitted together. "I am.”

"I've seen so much destruction around here, I... I was concerned.”

He gazed at you tenderly, trailing his cool fingertips along the nape of your neck. "Your intuition was well founded, my love. I required Rose to guide me to my subjects, but in doing so, I failed to recognize there was something else. Something the Vortex had created.”

"Yes, I've been informed," you reassured him. "I know what happened with Lyta and her husband. And once again, allow me to stress that you couldn't have handled the situation any differently.”

He was momentarily at a loss for words, yet concurrently, the faint smile that emerged on his lips suggested that he anticipated that and much more from you.

"I only have one question.”

He nodded his head. “Go on.”

"What will become of their baby?”

His eyes darkened, and he grappled with finding the words to articulate the complex answer he needed to deliver.

"The child is bound to this realm," he explained as straightforwardly as he could. "It belongs here.”

You mulled over it, absorbing his words. "So, does that imply she can't keep the child?”

“She can, for now.”

She hadn't just lost her husband twice, but now even her baby, the only vestige of him and their love, was something she couldn't assert as entirely hers. How cruel could fate be?

"This is so messed up," you voiced. "Why is everyone suffering? Rose, Lyta, you?”

“Y/N…”

"I understand that no one is to blame. But believe me when I say that I wish someone was. So I could... I don't know, vent my frustration at them. At something.”

Seeing your indignation on his behalf, and for those humans you barely knew, yet still cherished and respected, caused Morpheus to let out a soft snicker through his nose.

But it was fleeting. Because when you turned, collecting a few books from the floor, he heard your sniffles and the expulsion of a shaky breath.

"My love.”

"Let me help you. Since I'm already here, it's the least I could do.��

You gathered a substantial stack, heavy, but barely acknowledging the weight, and positioned it on a nearby table cluttered with various volumes and scattered papers.

"Y/N, listen to me.”

"Where do these ones go?”

You sensed the rustling of his coat as he moved, positioning himself right behind you, his chest against your back. His hands slid along your arms, descending to your wrists, and finally to your palms.

"Leave them," he murmured in your ear. "Tell me what's troubling you.”

Your fingers slackened their hold on the books, falling weakly as Morpheus took them into his possession. You leaned into him, savoring the feeling of the side of his face touching yours.

"I just... I can't bear it. Rose has been searching for her brother for so many years, lost her mother not long ago, and now that she's finally found him, her own life hangs in the balance because of her Vortex abilities.”

He breathed in and out at a soothing pace, not daring to interrupt you.

"Those same abilities that are tearing this place apart. That enabled Lyta to find her lost love, conceive a child, only to relinquish everything. Right after you labored so relentlessly to fix this place, to give back our dreams to us humans.”

Dreams that were now disintegrating once more.

"I'm sorry. I realize I'm not being very helpful.”

His hold on you weakened, but only to enable you to swivel in his arms, so that he could gaze at you.

"No, my love. Your compassion is the most notable quality that I have always admired in you.”

"Really…? Doesn't that render me weak?”

"Y/N, you are the exact antithesis of weak.”

His thumb tenderly stroked your cheekbone, and your smile finally resurfaced. Old habits die hard, and at times, being overly self-critical was something you couldn't evade.

However, the actuality of the situation couldn't be altered.

"Morpheus, the beach has been entirely erased.”

His expression changed, twisting into one of shock, anger, and disappointment. “Is it gone?”

“You didn’t know?”

His tone became grave, dropping lower. “I do now.”

It was fascinating to see how he shifted from being the one offering solace to the one requiring it. Even though that plot of land held more significance to you than it did to him, he comprehended your attachment to it, as it mirrored a segment of your subconscious. Beyond that, it was the spot where the two of you had finally connected outside of that dreadful glass prison for the first time, a critical experience that shaped your unbreakable bond.

You gently caught a few strands of hair that were falling on his forehead between your fingers, tenderly sweeping them aside, before caressing his face with your knuckles. "What are you going to do?”

"I promise to return it to you," he assured.

"Morpheus, as much as I’d love that, your primary responsibility now is to look after yourself and your realm," you expressed earnestly.

"Your dream is a component of my realm."

"Yes, but it's not an immediate necessity. After all, my greatest concern is you," you clarified. "Once everything settles down, regardless of how it ends, we can consider it. Right now, being here in the Dreaming, with you, is all that truly matters to me."

He was about to speak, but before he could articulate a response, another tremor sent the entire castle into a state of vibrations and shakes. Morpheus instinctively wrapped you in his arms, holding you securely against his body in a protective stance. You nestled into him, your hands tightly clutching the back of his coat.

Additional debris rained down from the ceiling, causing more books to crash onto the floor. The unsettling sound of cracking glass and shelves being torn from their spots filled the air.

You held your breath, anticipating the end of the earthquake. Once it finally ceased, it took a moment for you to disengage from Morpheus' hold.

"Why is this continuing?" you questioned. "Wasn’t Lyta’s dream causing it?”

"These are merely the aftershocks. They will eventually subside.”

Now, more than ever, you were profoundly aware of the delicate and fragile balance that the universe precariously upheld. Constructing things in alignment with it demanded colossal effort, yet it was remarkably easy for humans to disrupt it, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

And now that you were contemplating and discussing the creation of things, another, distinct question began to take shape in your mind.

"Morpheus, do you have any knowledge about a certain chatterbox deer? Or is it simply a figment of my imagination?”

A hint of a smile played at the corner of his lips. “It is not. I crafted it for you.”

“For me…?”

"To serve as your guide during times when I cannot stand beside you.”

Your assumption wasn't that far off in the end. His gestures never ceased to amaze you.

“You gifted me a familiar?”

"Do you not wish to keep it?"

"Are you kidding?” You blurted out with a radiant smile. “I love it already!”

"In that case, perhaps you would like to give it a name.”

Among all the gifts you had ever received, a talking deer was certainly the last thing you would have expected. It was magical, spiritual, and incredibly fulfilling.

Another reason to treasure the Dreaming, with all of its contained wonders.

“Can I?”

"It is yours, after all.”

You looped your arms around his neck, reclining against the table. "Then, how about another kiss as a form of compensation?”

There was no need for you to reiterate, because Morpheus was already bringing his lips to yours. As you kissed again, you infused all your love into it, discharging the pent-up frustration and fear you had harbored for three days. Your heart pounded in your chest as his touch sparked the customary fire in you, his lips dancing with yours in a rhythm that pulsed with passion and yearning. His hands naturally found their way to your waist, pulling you closer as if seeking to merge your bodies into one. The sheer intensity of the moment was overpowering, leaving you with no option but to surrender to the tumult of emotions coursing through your veins.

He craved that connection just as deeply as you did.

The world around you blurred into insignificance as you lost yourself in the depth of his eyes, feeling a sense of belonging previously unknown to you. His touch, his taste, his scent, everything about him was intoxicating, pulling you into a world where only the two of you existed.

Although it was a dream, it was undeniably one of the most vivid you'd ever received.

Until it was all over and you returned to your own reality.

The bus jostled on the road, its wheels bouncing, abruptly wrenching you away from the Lord of dreams. Your eyes snapped open, feeling dry, and you had to shake your head a few times to completely emerge from the drowsiness.

You could still savor him on your lips, his fragrance seemed to cling to you, making it feel as though he was still nearby.

A quick glance around revealed that most of the passengers had left, the vehicle gradually emptying with each stop it made. You sighed, gazing out the window once more, aware of a dull ache in your backside from the slightly uncomfortable seat.

The drive to the hotel in Georgia took another forty minutes. Only four individuals remained onboard - three men and a woman, all possessing an uncanny vibe that you couldn't exactly define.

With your shoulder bag securely in place, you disembarked the bus, noticing the descending sun outside. The hotel was situated at the far end of the road, and in just over ten minutes, you stood before its grand entrance.

Upon arrival, you saw the large sign, "Royal Empire Hotel", followed by a sizeable banner proclaiming "Welcome! Cereal Convention". Hal had mentioned some event taking place, but you never anticipated it to be a convention about that.

Given Jed's tender age, it made sense that whoever found him opted to take him there. While it didn't entirely justify the need to traverse such a considerable distance, it offered a plausible explanation for bringing him to Georgia.

Still, there was an underlying sense of disquiet, a feeling of something being tremendously off, which had had brought you to that same place.

And naturally, you should have anticipated that things wouldn't get any simpler. The moment you stepped into the hotel, you discovered that only convention attendees were granted access inside. Worse still, without a specific invitation, you couldn't even pay and check-in. Those stringent rules seemed oddly excessive for what was supposed to be a convention aimed at youngsters.

But as you delved deeper into observing the main hall, you noticed with a start that there were no children in sight. It was solely populated by adults dressed impeccably in elegant suits, save for a handful of people who preferred a more relaxed, everyday attire.

Deep regret washed over you for not securing Rose's phone number earlier. Had you possessed it, arranging a meeting outside the hotel would have been a simple task. As things stood, your only course of action was to linger hopefully at the entrance, straining your eyes to identify either her or Gilbert amid the attendees.

But really, what was the purpose of your presence if all you could do was to stand idle, only to depart without achieving anything?

No, your journey couldn't be in vain. Moreover, there was something unsettlingly sinister about that hotel, something that stirred your curiosity and convinced you to investigate. You knew it was foolhardy on your part, but the more you tried to rationalize it in your head, the stronger your intuition urged you to act.

For that reason, you probably made the most unwise decision of your life.

A woman paused before the reception desk, smoothing out her jacket as she chatted with a friend about topics that could effortlessly be construed as a TV show plot. Nevertheless, their efforts to obscure specific words while emphasizing others did not slip past your keen observation.

As she walked away, her badge detached from her jacket and dropped to the floor, going completely unnoticed. You stared at it for a solid minute, and with no one else around, you took advantage of the prevailing silence and distraction. You stooped down, masquerading the act as an adjustment to your boot, ensuring to adequately conceal the badge. Then, you casually grabbed it and slid it into your sleeve, rising back up and turning around while discreetly attaching it to your shirt.

You strolled past the momentarily unattended check-in table to make your way into the corridor, capitalizing on the perfect moment as the receptionist appeared engrossed, her gaze firmly attached to the monitor before her.

It might have been a thrilling adventure, had you known the complexity of the situation you were immersing yourself in.

You wandered aimlessly for half an hour, attempting to blend in. The conversations you unintentionally overheard served as further evidence that the event drastically differed from its advertisement. Initially, you tried to reassure yourself that the attendees were merely discussing fictitious plots, but the moment someone vividly described the disfigurement of their victim, any residual doubt evaporated.

The realization was slowly setting in that you might have inadvertently stumbled into a congregation of serial killers, confirming your earlier suspicions. The so-called 'cereal' convention was actually a cleverly disguised ruse. Cereal = Serial. It was anything but amusing.

Although you theoretically possessed some form of protection, it did little to alleviate your anxiety. Matters turned grimmer when a man in his forties approached you at the bar, trying to pique your interest by boasting about his gruesome murder cases in a misguided bid at flirting.

When he noticed the name on your badge, "The Midnight Sculptor," he naturally inquired about its significance and your particular expertise. Using all your improvisational skills, you spun a tale of being a woman who relished hunting men in the darkness and using their bodies as personal home decorations. The very thought of it made you want to retch on the spot, but somehow, you managed to keep your composure, which seemed to intrigue him to a certain extent.

Extricating yourself from that situation necessitated some cleverness and further fabrications, but eventually, the man permitted you to leave without any form of insistence.

Despite your thorough exploration, there was no sign of Rose and the others in the hotel. There was only one section you had not examined - the upper floor with all the reserved rooms. It was just a conjecture, but perhaps, after such a long journey, they had chosen to book one for themselves to recuperate and continue their travel back to Cape Kennedy the following day.

Regrettably, pinpointing the right rooms among the numerous ones wasn't going to be a straightforward endeavor. You couldn't seek assistance at the reception due to the pilfered ID and the potential risk of being caught at the check-in counter. This left you with no choice but to depend on chance and hope to bump into them accidentally.

You ascended the stairs at a lethargic pace, briefly contemplating the idea of turning back and heading home. What did you even expect to find there, besides the risks associated with such a large assembly of murderers?

Furthermore, you didn't have much time to spare considering there was only one bus available for you to catch for the day.

You paced back and forth, scrutinizing the various doors, looking for any hint that Rose or Gilbert might be there. But you were at a dead end, unable to conjure up a viable solution.

Just when you were about to surrender, ready to throw in the towel and abandon that dreadful place for good, a voice you recognized came straight from the main corridor.

And it made your blood turn icy, caused your knees to buckle, and your heart to pound erratically.

“Uh, how did it go with Philip Sitz?”

Just then, in that distinct hotel, you caught sight of none other than the Corinthian himself.

“It went well,” a woman responded. "You were missed.”

You remained a few steps back, being careful not to attract attention, as hidden as possible from their eyes.

“Did you find the boy?” She asked.

“I did. We talked.”

The boy...? Why did that evoke a sense of connection with Jed Walker…?

“He saw some grown-up things downstairs that he didn’t understand, but I explained it to him.”

Your heart continued thumping so hard that it almost left you winded.

“He won’t be a problem?”

“Nothing I can’t handle. I’ll see you downstairs.”

You heard the sound of footsteps and a door opening, only for him to just disappear behind it as the woman left. You could hear him conversing with someone inside the room, but from your location, his voice was barely audible and muffled.

You stood frozen, attentive, meticulously listening. When the door opened and closed once more, your hands clenched into fists at your sides.

Morpheus had directed you to alert him if there were any further incidents. You knew you had to do it, to call him. The timing couldn't have been more perfect, with the woman disappearing for whatever function they had planned on the ground floor, and the Corinthian walking past you with his disconcerting demeanor. He was solitary, with no other people around.

However, something caused you to halt in your tracks.

You were at a safe distance, he hadn't even noticed you. There was no need for you to add fuel to the fire. So why, oh why couldn't you just stay put? Why did you let your fury get the better of you, practically propelling you in his direction?

You couldn't pinpoint the answer, and in that moment, you didn't even care. All you were focused on was stopping him before he could vanish, go down the stairs, and get swarmed by those maniacs.

You closed in on him, quickening your steps until you were within arm's reach. Mustering all the strength you could, you grabbed his wrist and flung him against the wall. The impact drew a soft grunt from him, but you knew that was insignificant for a Nightmare of his caliber.

Subconsciously, you even persuaded yourself that he was merely acting, fully aware of your presence all along.

Nevertheless, you had him right where you wanted, gripping his collar and glaring at his face like a provoked animal. Except, the real monster was the one standing right in front of you.

The Corinthian's lips curled into a smirk, a laugh rumbling from his chest. He looked down at you with a mixture of amusement and satisfaction. "Fancy meeting you again, ’Midnight Sculptor’,” he drawled, his voice dripping with mockery as he read the name printed on your badge.

"What have you done to Rose and her brother? Where are they?" you demanded, your voice steady despite the chaos in your mind.

The Corinthian tilted his head, the evil grin never leaving his face. "Why so concerned? They were never your responsibility.”

Your eyes blazed with fury. "Tell me where they are, or I swear I'll—”

"You'll what?" he interrupted, leaning closer, his breath hot against your ear. "You think you can stop me?" He chuckled, the sound sending shivers down your spine. "I must say, I do appreciate your spirit.”

you fought to maintain your composure, refusing to back down. "I told you, didn’t I? I won't let you hurt any of them.”

The Corinthian gave a theatrical sigh, ultimately pushing you back with ease. And just a moment later, you were the one cornered against the wall. It occurred so rapidly that you didn't have time to process what he was doing, and contrary to your action, the Nightmare was intentionally exerting pressure, as if aiming to inflict pain.

His lips were now perilously close to yours, his nose inhaling your scent, and his left hand tightly clutching your jaw. "Very well, I'll tell you.”

The pendant had not yet activated, but you could see a subtle glow beginning to emanate from your collarbones.

"They're safe... for now. But if you interfere with my plans, that could change very quickly.”

Your eyes narrowed. "You and I both know that you need Rose to be alive.”

"Perhaps I do. But her brother isn't necessary in the grand scheme.”

You swallowed hard, immobilized, watching as he reached into the inner pocket of his jacket. All the alarm bells in your head rang out as he pulled out a knife, its length and sharpness enough to make your heart stop.

“Rremember this: you're in my world now. Play by my rules, or don't play at all.”

You turned your face to the side, as far as his grip would allow. "I hate to rain on your parade, asshole, but this world will never belong to you. You’re a Nightmare, you should only ever exist in our dreams.”

His grip tightened even more, his smile fading as your sentence evidently struck a nerve. "Bold words for someone so helpless," he hissed, his voice laced with menace.

Summoning every ounce of courage, you locked eyes with him. That is, assuming he actually had them, considering he was donning those thick glasses even indoors. "And yet, here I am, standing up to you.”

"Who’s playing a dangerous game now?" he rectified, his voice dropping to a deadly whisper.

"Better to play than to cower in fear," you rebutted, feeling the pendant's energy coursing through you.

His expression became solemn, but the threatening grin soon returned. You felt the chill of the knife grazing your cheek, its tip lightly pricking the skin just beneath your left eye.

“Oh, it would be such a pleasure to collect these beautiful eyes of yours. To have a taste of your humanity, of all the little secrets they contain.”

You were filled with terror, paralyzed with fear for your life. Yet once again, you couldn't hold your tongue. “Then I'm sure you're in for a severe case of indigestion.”

You wrapped your fingers around his wrist, attempting to extricate yourself from the makeshift cage he had formed with his body. He was as sturdy and strong as the wall pressing into your back, and as you continued to struggle, the Moonstone's glow intensified. The Corinthian didn't move, but you could see his skin suddenly darkening, with markings akin to decaying veins appearing on his hand and extending to his neck.

He did his best to resist, but with Morpheus' power emanating from the Dreamstone, the Corinthian had no choice but to release you, retreating a significant step back, panting, as he rapidly returned to his normal hue.

Oh, the sense of gratification was tremendous. The victorious smile you bestowed upon him was beyond description.

The annoyance was visible on his face, but it didn't last. Shortly after, he put the knife away, smiling at you with a mysterious air. "Yeah, such a great pleasure.”

That was a promise, a pledge for something he was eager to resume at a later date.

He was anticipating the defeat of Morpheus, the total eradication of his essence. Not even the smallest trace of him in your pendant was meant to be spared.

The light from the Moonstone began to dim, and the crystal reverted to its original white color and natural shimmer.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a crowd waiting for my speech.”

You gritted your teeth. "Savor it while it lasts.”

Your retort only amplified his amusement, and as he walked off, you knew that was far from over.

What would have transpired had you not had the Dreamstone with you? Would he have gouged your eyes out, as he had implied? Upon reflection, you recalled reading in the news about a specific killer who liked extracting the eyes of their victims. You never really enjoyed dwelling on such articles for too long, as you didn't want to saturate your mind with horrifying images and spark paranoia every time you left your house.

But now, speculation was inevitable as to whether he was the one perpetrating those atrocious deeds. Given the duration he had spent in your world, it was a distinct possibility.

At least for the moment, you were granted a temporary respite, coupled with a rekindled determination to locate Rose, Jed, and also Gilbert. Pursuing him would be futile, as you alone would not be able to obtain anything useful from him or the psychopaths downstairs.

With any luck, the Corinthian's reign of terror would soon come to an end. There was no need for you to persistently challenge your security measures and gamble with your well-being.

You let out a sigh and instinctively touched your face to check for any visible damage, While there was none, the throbbing in your jaw was a stark reminder of the Nightmare's force.

Before you could pry yourself from the wall, a thunderous voice echoed in the corridor. It was bleak, gloomy, and positively disconcerting. The instant it addressed you, you knew you were in for a stern reprimend.

"Y/N.”

You saw the Endless standing a few steps away, clad in his usual modern, black, short coat - his preferred attire for the Waking World. His eyes were deep, as sharp as the Corinthian's dagger. He was clearly angry, unmistakably so, with his irritation perceivable in the air.

But in that instance, you dared say it was entirely warranted, seeing as you had indeed gone and done it.

Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 (currently reading) Go to Chapter 20 ->

#the sandman #dream of the endless x reader #morpheus x reader #the sandman fanfic

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writers-blogck · 2 years ago

Text

A Favor Called ( Dream of the Endless/Morpheus x Reader )

Warning(s): This will go into religion and the ideas of Christianity. Some information may be incorrect as I myself am not a practicing Christian. This should be expected when it comes to the Sandman, or really most Niel Gaiman pieces. Disrespect is not meant but here is a warning for those who may be sensitive to that topic. This will also use the information given in the comics. No big spoilers save for including all of the Endless. There will also be original characters, including the Lower Seven Endless. They will show up later in the story. Reader is Female. Song: Enter Sandman by Metallica

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Title: A Favor Called Description: A century goes by but Morpheus gets out. What is waiting for him on the outside? Pairing: Dream of the Endless [ Morpheus ] x Reader Fandom: The Sandman ( Comics and Netflix Series ) Word Count: 5,358

Previous Chapter: None. Next Chapter: The Pouch Opened Story Index

Dream was locked in a glass orb, laid out like a marble statue. His eyes were narrowed as his arm laid to cover the lower half of his face. To the guards, the man didn't breathe or blink. He didn't eat, he didn't need to do anything. Roderick said he wasn't Death but then...What was he? A devil? Demon? He kept the truth from the basic guards, they needn't know. They instead were left to wonder.

"He's right scary, he is." The rat-like guard spoke, long and thin nose wrinkling up as if he smelled something rotten. Dream never remembered their names. He just identified them based on their appearance. They never stood out. All the same deep in their core. Terrible. Rotten.

"How does he stay so fit when he's trapped in there all the time?" This one was tubbier and more stout in appearance. His nose was upturned and had fat covering his cheeks; he looked like a pig. Dream could only imagine what he would do to the two guards if he got loose. Those thoughts were a comfort on the harder days. Even though he was an immortal being, it didn't make it any easier to deal with the passing days.

"How does he survive without needing to eat? Or needing to use the loo? This man isn't normal, mate. He's a right demon, fuckin' monster. Sleep Paralysis Demon or somethin'. It's why we gotta drink the bean juice and take the pills. So he doesn't possess one of us when we go to sleep." The Rat swirled the black coffee in his mug before taking a swig.

"I think he's a Dracula. He's pale enough to be one. Ain't never tried to put him in sunlight before."

Dream pushed the duo's words out of his mind as he retreated into his thoughts. He knew he had been in here for over twenty years, at the very least. Keeping track of time when you were stuck in the same place day after day was nearly impossible. Rumors of a Second Great War filled the air and for a moment, he thought he might be able to use that to his advantage. But, no, Roderick still took every precaution when dealing with Dream.

Even though Dream wondered if his siblings would come for him, deep within him he knew that he would be ashamed if they did. He never needed their help. He was solitary. He was alone. He didn't need anyone. Yet, here he was, trapped. He just had to remind himself that he could play the long game. Humans die. He would not. If he just waited...

All he had to do was get through these years, which was easier said than done. His mind always would run back to his kingdom and his faithful servants. He would think of the Virtue of Hope who spent more time in his realm than her own. What was happening to them, to his kingdom? He had never been parted from his duties for this long since he was created. He just had to remind himself that he left it in good hands. Lucienne knew what she was doing and Hope was there to help. She had observed his duties so much, she would know what to do.

His thoughts often drifted back to the Virtue of Hope...When all you can do is think, it is hard not to regret past decisions, especially when you were Dream. She would come to his realm to hide and he always pushed her away. She never did anything but be kind to him and Dream would return said kindness with his usual bitterness.

The real question was, where did Hope hide now?

London, 2020

John Constantine owed the Devil a favor. That really was just as bad as it sounded. He had no idea what Lucifer would call him to do but he had been in such a desperate situation to save his sister that he had no other choice than to accept the fallen angel's help. Why did he always get himself in those situations? The ends that always were the last resort? It felt as though that was all he got recently. Nothing liked to go his way and it was quite tiring, to say the least.

Lucifer had gained some honor recently and that had John hoping that whatever the task was, it wouldn't go against his morals too severely. No murdering babies or robbing the elderly. Eh, Lucifer didn't do that type of thing anyway. That was just the Christians creating a monster to scare children. No, the real Devil was much more clever and even had his own rules he would abide by. Demons on the other hand...They had no qualms about hurting children. John tried to push the screaming girl from his mind but no matter what he did, he could never quiet her. A constant reminder of his failures.

He didn't have a clue about what he may be called to do, but he definitely wasn't expecting to see the charismatic man standing there with a young girl, who had to be no older than her early twenties, when he was eventually called. There was a look in her eyes, one of distance and foggy visions. Was she being controlled? His hands clenched in his pockets, mind racing at what he may have gotten himself into. Could he refuse Lucifer and walk out of here alive? He doubted that. Even still, he had boundaries that he didn't like to cross. He hoped that whatever the favor was, it had nothing to do with harming the girl.

The girl wasn't wearing a lot of clothing. Only a silk dress, which John assumed to be a slip, graced her form. Other than that small piece of fabric, her soft skin was on full display. Now John Constantine liked to think of himself as a gentleman in many aspects but even he couldn't help but take in the beauty of the woman standing before him. This was no natural beauty. He had been around enough nonhumans to sense when something was off.

"Hello, Constanteene."

"Constantine."

"Whatever, Constanteene, Constantine, Potato, Potaato- Just listen up, Conman. I need to call upon that favor I'm owed and this is a very important task. It would be to your benefit to do everything correctly from here on out. If you mess this up, I will not hesitate to create a personal hell for you that your worst nightmares couldn't possibly begin to dream up. Do you understand?"

"I have a feeling you'll create my own personal Hell no matter what I do when I end up kickin' that bucket."

"Jonathan, do you understand?"

"Right, I've just got here, mate. I've no bloody idea what's going on." Flicking open his lighter, he placed one of his cigarettes between his lips. He had a feeling that he was going to need one. He turned out to be right.

"What's going on, is that I require your services in becoming a sort of protector, guard, whatever you would like to call it. Either way, I'm calling in my favor, now."

"Guard her? And she is? Don't tell me she's gonna be a future sacrifice or somethin'."

"Listen well. She has many names, but from what I hear, she goes by (Y/N) as the primary title during this current time period. Some have called her Elpis. Others have called her Guan-Yin. Some even like to call her Pandora, though that isn't correct. She may have dealt with the woman but they are not one and the same." Lucifer slowly walked a circle around the still woman. If it wasn't for the slight rise and fall of her chest, John might have believed she was a very realistic statue. It was amazing and terrifying at the same time.

"Excuse me? Mate, that didn't clear a thing up."

"If you would let me finish," The taller man's eyes flashed red before they softened back to their dusty blue as he looked at the girl, "She is a citizen of the Silver City. She is a Virtue, which is the opposite of a Sin. She is Hope."

Hope? Now John had heard a lot of strange things in his life but this was nearing the top. As he blew out a ring of smoke, he did admit to himself that she did seem like a holy being. He had met angels before. Some gave off a sense of fierce loyalty while others had the gracefulness of a swan, but all had an unparalleled beauty. This woman fit into that category just like the rest. Yet, John couldn't feel the same aura that came with Heavenly beings.

"So, an angel?"

"No, well yes, in a way, but high in the ranking. Angels are a rank of Celestial, the same as Archangels or Virtues. You, humans, like to call everything an Angel. Virtues are the highest in power as they can not be replaced. There are only seven in existence and each is just as unique as the other. Father didn't like making creations like that. He always allowed the opportunity for replacement but with the very nature of Virtues, due to them being created from their element, they can not be replaced."

"Right..."

The Devil shook his head, pushing his annoyance to the side. He was just being reminded of why he didn't work with John Constantine that much. He preferred John's twin sister, Johanna, but even he would admit that John was a better choice for this. Not only did he have a favor owed but the man was kinder than his elder sibling. He likes to play it up that he was doom and gloom all the time but Lucifer could easily see past that. Most could if they spent any time with him.

"Think of it like this. All holy beings aren't under the classification angels, though you humans seemed to use the term as a catch-all. Instead, angels are their own type. I, myself, was not an angel but an Archangel before I fell." He grimaced like there was a sour taste in his mouth, "Cherubs, Seraphim, the Powers. All different types of Celestial Beings. But yes, she is an angel if you have to consider it like that."

"Like a square is a rectangle but a rectangle isn't a square."

"What?"

"Nevermind. So, I just have to watch over her? She in danger or somethin'? I don't know how I could do anything more than she could."

"She has lost her powers. They were taken from her."

"Why did-"

"Demons, those that are loyal to me in any way, will offer her no danger. I've informed them that she is off-limits. But there are many things that would love to rid the world of a Virtue, especially Hope. With her loss of power, they may be successful in their attempts. I can not keep her safe without trapping her in my realm which I do not wish to do." Lucifer ran a gentle hand down the side of the girl's face, a look of soft care gracing his features, "She would not do well in Hell, even though I miss her dearly."

"Is she a past bird, then?"

"Oh, no. Nothing like that. No, Hope, she is my baby sister. I was her guardian, after all, Raphael could never truly replace me. Our bond is as strong as before, though I may not remember my time as Samael; what I do remember is the feelings I had for her, the sense of protection. I will not allow our family to ruin her as they did me. She does not deserve that."

"Wait, wait- You said she lost her powers? That means she's human?"

"Not human. Not fully anyway." Lucifer sighed, shaking his head. Constantine tried to ask another question but was interrupted by the other man before he could.

"Do you know this is the first time her feet have ever touched the ground?" This time, the Devil snapped his fingers, and a trench coat, golden in color, that was a near match to Constantine's, appeared in his arms. He draped it gently over his sister's shoulders with a sigh. Every move was filled with a gentleness that John had never seen from Lucifer before.

"Really?" Did that matter?

"Holy beings and the beliefs of purity. You know how it is...But, it is clear to me that she will not do well on Earth by herself. Not only from unnatural forces but from humans as well. I don't know how she will adapt. She will need your protection."

"And can I ask why she's going to Earth?"

"The same reason we all end up on Earth, punishment."

Lucifer stared at the girl with a look of pity in his eyes. It was easy to see that he truly cared for her. Had he gone soft? He hadn't been in her life for so long, why did he have to feel this way? The bond should have split as he fell, just as his wings burned away. It would have been much easier but then, who would you have in your corner when it came to family? It worried him, the times he saw just how alike the two of your situations were. Did your Father set you up just for failure? You didn't have the ego that Lucifer did, no armor against the world.

"So, I have to watch her for, what, a week? Three?"

"Until I say otherwise."

"Shite, how long until that then, mate?"

"Unknown. But what I do know is that this will not be easy. For you or for her."

Lucifer stood in front of the girl and buttoned up the jacket in both an attempt to keep the warmth in and the skin hidden. This was how a brother was supposed to treat his little sister, not what Michael had done. He wanted to rage against Heaven, knowing how they have turned their backs on her. She always did her job! Even the other Virtues allowed this to happen? He was beginning to wonder if he didn't have the entire story. He was picking up everything from second-hand sources.

Pushing the sleeve up on her right arm, Lucifer ran his hand over his sister's wrist. On the pulse point on the inner wrist, he began to burn a symbol. A feather with Angelic script underneath reading Redemption. It seemed like a tattoo but actually, upon closer inspection, was a scar. John winced in sympathy but if the girl felt the pain, she didn't show it.

"Neither of you will remember this encounter. When you awake, you will be traveling partners and no questions will be asked. It will be as if you have been with one another for months. When the time comes, as it surely will, when she will start her penance, this symbol will be vital. It will hold a memory, a strong one that will trigger her acceptance. Just like a bite from the forbidden fruit."

"Wait, wot?! What if I have some questions now about everything-"

"There is no time for that. All that matters is this: Do not disappoint me, John Constantine."

The Dreaming, 415 BCE

"Come on, Morpheus, you can't be serious with this." You lay on your back, staring at the strange creation in front of you. You had seen quite a lot of things in your time of existence but you would never get used to the dreams and nightmares that Morpheus would create. He had a big imagination, that's for sure. Even looking at it from your upside-down point of view, you could see Dream's touch. Anything your Father came up with never could compare.

"You can't keep making your nightmares handsome, okay? You're gonna give people a complex. Like that man Desire cursed, Oedipus?"

"He has teeth instead of eyes. How is he handsome?" His eyes narrowed as he looked at the blonde creation. Sometimes he could be so dense, "And Oedipus had sexual relations with his own mother. I don't see how that's relevant to what we're dealing with in the present moment."

Using your wings to push yourself off the rock you claimed as a chair, you ended up doing a strange backflip before getting back to your feet. The fog dispersed around you as you landed with ease, revealing the dark gray rock that made up this strange area of the Dreaming. You called it Dream's Workshop, though he insisted it had a proper name. Morpheus let you watch him at work while you worked on your own duties, knowing how you preferred to be with someone rather than alone. It took a lot of effort for you to carve a place in his dark heart but you had time. If you had anything, it was time.

Each step you took seemed to only glance over the ground as if you were floating above the rocks naturally; you looked weightless. With a simple wave of your hand over the creature's "eyes", a dark piece of cloth covered the one obvious indicator that the creature was a nightmare. Now he looked like a normal human would, though admittedly more attractive. His face still was all sharp edges and harsh curves, his smile with teeth like a military graveyard. Was Morpheus so blind that he couldn't see when he made something attractive?

"See? Might as well just call him Adonis."

"It doesn't matter what he looks like," Morpheus clasped his hands behind his back, stopping to look at the nightmare's new profile. He didn't want to admit it but he did enjoy the look of the blindfold. It hid what was frightening and would allow it to be a surprise for whoever this nightmare would haunt. Some nightmares were more monster based while others were closer to humanoid shapes. The younger children were mostly scared of monsters under their beds, but their nightmares became more abstract as they grew older. Failure, loneliness- Dream had to be more creative with his creations when the humans got older. With this nightmare, he intended to use it for adults who have fears of not having control as well as the unknown. So many couldn't handle the feeling of being helpless...Perhaps he should send this nightmare to those that made others helpless, allowing them to feel what they wrought for a change. He did like karmic revenge.

"I don't know. You don't want your dreamer to be scared and attracted at the same moment." You teased, crossing your arms over your chest, "That will be very confusing~. But, he looks good. Teeth for eyes, he could bite you in three different places at the same time! I guess they all would be near each other since, obviously, they still are just on the face. I bet his nightmare would be the ones where you lose your teeth."

"Hmph."

"What will you call him?"

"The Corinthian."

"After the town?"

"Yes, the one where crime runs rampant."

"Hm...It fits," Moving forward, you tossed your arms over Morpheus' shoulders to drape yourself lazily against him. You knew that his face would scrunch up, pretending he didn't like your touch. It had taken centuries for you to even get him to accept any touch and still, he would happily deny it to this day. Even still, you swore that you felt him lean into your touch a few times...He couldn't hate it all the time. But, you kept your mouth shut, knowing he would only lash out if you brought it up. He would give you the silent treatment for decades. You had already experienced that after you played around with his raven, Lucienne. Boy had he been upset when he found you. Though you hadn't done anything wrong, he was just a spoiled sport! Lucienne hadn't even minded...

"Do Nightmares ever dislike what they have to do?"

"I don't care enough to ask." With a hum, Morpheus fixed the blindfold that covered the Corinthian's eyes. He couldn't have his nightmare blindfolded with a cloth tied off with a bow. It didn't scream frightening. A basic knot would do, "They are necessary for humans to work through issues while still being able to wake up, safely. The nightmares have work to do, which, by the by, shouldn't you be working on your own duties instead of bothering me while I complete mine?"

With a small whine, you stretched out your wings and flew up a few feet forward to face Morpheus. With a flick of your wrist, you gestured to the collection of fireflies that was flying next to where you had been laying, "I am working, just so you know. Do you not see my own creations? These are the hopes of children if you must know. At least, some of them anyway."

While Dream could make whatever he wanted, you had to follow a few more rules. Working for the Big Man himself, your Father, he liked everything to be exactly how he wanted. Part of that was everyone doing their jobs and if you weren't, someone might take your place. Luckily, you were in one of the irreplaceable ones, being part of the Seven Virtues. You and your siblings weren't angels, per se, you were Virtues. You were your own type of being. You were all Celestials. It was true that Angels were the most populous and visited the humans the most, but that didn't mean you were all Angels

The seven of you, the Virtues, had your individual jobs and tasks assigned to you. One of your main personal jobs was creating the essence of Hope and finding different ways of spreading it throughout Earth. Sometimes you put it in animals, sometimes you put it in plants, and sometimes it was just a certain smell. Depending on the human, hope could be found in many different things. Some could pull essence simply from the air while others needed a bit more help.

Fireflies were your favorite. They had been your own creation, the one being on this Earth that you made. Your Father allowed all seven of the Virtues to make one animal when they were old enough and you ended up creating the firefly. You based it on one of your good memories of being a young fledgling. Samael would stand over your crib and entertain you by making lights with his fingers. That was a long time ago and Samael...He wasn't Samael anymore. He fell. But, you made the fireflies in honor of that memory. You think your Father knew that and gave the little bugs a short lifespan because of it. He had been your Father's favorite and when he left, your Father took it hard. You heard Samael went by a different name now but didn't know it...You didn't know if you would ever see him again. You had a feeling that no one told you his name in fear that you would try to find him.

Being a Virtue could be difficult. They were looked at highly by the other Celestials and were expected to do the best. The only group that had any sort of authority over the Virtues were the Seven Archangels as well as Metatron. All seven of you were created just before humans, being a strange unique creation of your Father. Only seven of you existed...You weren't part of the hierarchy of Angels or the main grouping. You weren't Angels after all. The Virtues were special, just like the Endless. The biggest difference was that you lived in The Silver City and your domain itself was past the gates. Truth be told, it could be suffocating when you knew your Father had someone watching you at all times. Seven Virtues, Seven Archangels. One was always spectating.

Perhaps that was one of the reasons you spent so much time in the Dreaming. You knew your Father couldn't send anyone into their realms, a deal he had originally made with Night and Time but had apparently been passed down to their children. The first time you ever ended up in the Dreaming, you had snuck in. Well, was it sneaking in if it was an accident? Either way, that was a chaotic story for another time. For now, with a lot of hard work and determination, you had convinced Morpheus to allow you to spend time in his realm as long as you promised not to mess with anything he was doing. The tale of how you met to where you had gotten to now was a very interesting one, you had to admit that. A Virtue and an Endless being friends? Unheard of. Well, Morpheus would say it still was unheard of but you insisted the two of you were friends. You had even grown close to his sister, Death.

"Bugs?"

"You know that they are so much more than that!" You huffed, crossing your arms over your chest in defiance at Morpheus' words, "I have done a good amount of work today."

"I have a feeling your siblings would care to argue otherwise."

"Well, then they can come and tell me that themselves but for now, I think that I deserve a good break."

"I swear John, if you ate all the chocolate flapjacks again!"

"I did not-!"

"John!"

"I swear, love!"

John knew what it was like to have an older sister. He would bet this was what it was like to have a younger one. Annoying, never listening to you, always bugging you for this or that. Yup, that seemed about right. He didn't get how you could already have this much energy this early in the morning. This was why he was so against you drinking coffee at any point during the day. You already were filled with enough energy for both of you. Adding any caffeine to that just made it ten times worse. He didn't need to learn that lesson more than once.

"You know I prefer a brew for breakfast." He walked into the kitchen to see you standing there, all legs and way too much optimism for the world. John could admit that you were an attractive lady and perhaps in other situations, a one-nighter might have been in the cards. But, with you under his protection and the bond forming between you two, it all changed. To be honest, Constantine couldn't remember what exactly he was protecting you from or why but knew you were in danger. You were his little buddy and he had to keep you safe. You were special to the mage, after all.

"That's a problem we'll talk about on another day." You hummed as you placed the frozen breakfast food in the toaster. He didn't understand why you liked sweets so much. He was more of a savory guy himself.

John lazily moved from where he was leaning to taking a seat at the small two-person table. Most mornings would start like this. He would drink his morning pint while you had whatever sweet treat you decided to ruin your body with that day. He would grumble whenever you tried to talk to him, spitting out some excuse of it being too early or how he had a hangover. You never listened.

"Whatever you say, darlin'."

Piling the flapjacks onto your plate once done, you made a stack of four of the sweet treats. Adding probably too much syrup than was good for you, you plopped yourself down in the seat across from John. The two of you were in a small flat in London, one that was provided to John by someone. Someone you didn't know. There was a question of whether John really knew who was paying the rent or not. At least, you were questioning it.

"Can you teach me some more today?"

"Teach you what? How to get a job and stop leeching off of me so you can go live on your own? That sounds like-"

"No! Magic, you Muppet!" Constantine couldn't help but chuckle at your pronunciation of the word. Most of the time, you sounded American, but for certain words you learned from him, well, you kept the British twang on those. It made an interesting accent and never failed to amuse John.

"Why should I? Hm?"

"Because...A demon might show up when you're asleep and I might need to defend myself." For some reason that John Constantine couldn't remember, that seemed more likely a threat than how you were saying it. It made a shiver run down his spine. It had been a nice morning until you reminded him of the danger you were in. He hated having the knowledge that for some reason, you were being hunted but by what and for what reason were still a mystery. He hated that unknowing. It made everything just that more dangerous.

"I don't know, mate. Is that a good enough reason to ruin my afternoon? I could be out at the pub, you know. Maybe finding a bird to bring back to the flat? Have a nice night with a nice lady."

"You wish!" Shoveling flapjacks in your mouth, you kicked the man under the table lightly in annoyance. A groan slipped past his lips and he set his beer on the table to keep from spilling it. He was such a drama queen at times!

"Whatever, we have to meet up with Johanna anyway." You continued, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk's, "So I bet I can just ask her to teach me a few more things. She'd be happy to."

"She'd be happy to have 'ye in her bed as well! I've told ya, you need to be careful around her! Bless my sister's heart but that woman can be like a dog with two dicks. She'll teach 'ye magic alright if she thinks it might getcha in her bed at the end of the day."

Since Johanna didn't spend as much time with you, she didn't develop the same type of feelings that John did. To her, you would never be like a sibling. You always would be open for some fun. Sometimes John thought she messed with you just to get to him. He couldn't help that he was protective of you...

"You do this just to annoy me, right?" You pointed an accusatory fork in his direction, "Johanna isn't that bad. We get along great."

"I didn't say you two didn't. What I am sayin' is that she likes to play a dangerous game and trust me when I say you have enough of that in your life already."

"But, 'yer right," He continued, "Jo will be expecting us."

"What does she need help with this time?"

"An exorcism. Must be a pretty bad one too if she needs two hands on the wheel to get the bugger out. Either way, you listen to me this time, alright? No makin' more problems when we are there to fix 'em. Don't need you being cheeky on me. Got it?"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I hear ya. No fun for me. Stay back and just watch, keep out of the way."

"Right on the money, love."

"...Wait, are we gonna be paid for this?!"

"Bloody Hell..."

"Can I bring my sand with us?!"

#the thing with feathers #the sandman #the sandman x reader #sandman x reader #dream x reader #dream of the endless x reader #Morpheus x You #lord morpheus x reader #dream of the endless #destiny of the endless #death of the endless #destruction of the endless #desire of the endless #despair of the endless #delirium of the endless #delight of the endless #john constantine #johanna constantine #the corinthian

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