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Your relationship with the King of Dreams was never meant to be traditional. You weren’t in love, but sought warmth and affection from each other outside of a relationship. Some humans had relationships like that and even when you first thought it was weird, you soon found yourself in a relationship much like it, and with the Lord of Dreams no less.
It wasn’t love at any point, you weren’t attracted to each other. Or at least, you weren’t supposed to be attracted to each other.
But still, he felt his feelings for you growing, despite trying to stop himself. The more he touched you, more he kissed you, more he had you — every time deepened his feelings toward you.
And after it going on for centuries, he couldn’t keep it in anymore as you laid beside him, in a bedroom he made for the two of you. To be closer, to love you better. Maybe he tried to warm you up for what he was about to say.
“Become my Queen.”
You laughed at first, rolling your eyes. “Weird joke.”
He didn’t laugh, which quickly killed your own smile, and you lifted yourself up from the bed slightly. “Are you… proposing?”
He swallowed, before a ring appeared on his palm. “I want you to rule The Dreaming by my side, as my equal. As my Queen.”
You stared at him, then at the ring before you sighed. “Dream…”
He cut you off. “I will treat you with anything you want if you accept. I… I am in love with you.”
You took in a shaky breath and closed your eyes. “I… I cannot. I cannot commit to something that grand. You know that.”
He stared at you, his eyes darkening slightly as you pulled away from him, straightening your dress before you swung your legs over the edge of the bed and stared down.
“So… you will turn my offer down?” he murmured, his voice low, echoing through the bedroom walls.
You pursed your lips together. “I… I would say yes in a heartbeat if I would be able to commit to something as big what you ask of me. I do not know if you even realise how grand your proposal is. You would give the whole world and its weight on the palm of my hand, I have responsibilities too but not that kind, not in that scale. I love you too, but I… just cannot take that kind of responsibility.”
You heard the sheets shift as he came closer to you, and you felt his breath on your bare shoulder. “I would support your hand. You would learn to hold it on your own.”
You huffed. “I said no. Please just drop it.”
He was quiet when you said that, and you felt the energy shifting. He was frustrated, maybe even angry.
“You dare to turn me down?” he growled, and your head snapped to look at him.
“I am allowed to say no, for your information,” you scoffed. “You do not own me or my feelings just because we have had this relationship.”
He sat retreated from you. “You have given me every reason to believe we could be something more one day. And now… you are taking it all away from me.”
Before you could reply, you heard steps coming towards the bedroom and shut your mouth.
“My Lord? Can I have a moment? I have news about The Corinthian’s whereabouts.”
He laid one last glare at you, before he turned his head toward the door. “Yes, Lucienne. I will be with you shortly.”
And then he, without another word, left your shared bed and marched out of the room, leaving you alone, watching the moonlight illuminate your form.
And… he didn’t come back.
One hundred years had passed.
One hundred years, and the sky rumbled, welcoming someone home. Someone who had been away for a long time, someone The Dreaming had crumbled without.
You couldn’t help but rush to meet him halfway the bridge, cradling his face into your own as soon as you reached him, staring at him into his eyes before pulling back and hitting his chest hard.
“Where were you?!” you screamed, tears welling up. “I thought you would never come back! To abandon The Dreaming over me… not marrying you?”
He cocked his head and scoffed. “Do you truly think I would abandon The Dreaming, my duty, over the heartbreak you caused me?”
You blinked, surprised by his answer before you composed yourself. “Then what was so important you abandoned us for one hundred…”
He cut you off. “I was taken prisoner by mortals who wished to have my powers. Eternal youth, health and prosperity. I was able to escape only because my captors finally made a mistake.”
You frowned at his words, unable to speak for a moment. “…Who would even know how to capture you?”
He sighed. “They were trying to capture my sister, using ancient magic. Death. But something went wrong and they got me instead. But this is enough talking. I need to go after my artefacts that were stolen from me.”
He stepped away from you and quickly walked through his palace’s crumbling doorway. You stood there for a moment, before you ran after him. “Dream, wait.”
He stopped after a few more steps, bowing his head but not turning to look at you. “What is it?”
You swallowed, taking a few careful, slow steps toward him. “I… I had a lot of time to think about your proposal,” you mumbled. “And I admit, I am still not ready for marriage or taking the role of a Queen of The Dreaming, but… if we take our relationship slow, let it deepen… put more effort on it… maybe in the future I’d be willing to accept your proposal. And gradually take responsibility as a future Queen. But it would take a long time, and I can’t promise it will happen. But if you promise to be patient with me, I promise to try.”
He stood still for a moment longer, before slowly turning towards you. His eyes had softened from the hard stare he had just a moment ago. “I have had a lot of time to think about our last meeting too. And… I apologise for what I said. I should not have tried to make you feel guilt for your feelings or pressure you into marriage. I now realise it was too much to ask from me.”
You nodded at him. “Yes. You should not have said that, but I am glad you saw the error in your words.”
After another moment, you offered him another smile. “We can continue as before. And in time, we will see if it becomes more.”
He nodded, offering you a smile too. “Yes. That would be the best.”
On that day, your hearts were finally together again.