Rainy Season - Morpheus x Reader

[Spoilers for Brief Lives I guess?]

[MASTERLIST] | [Sandman-inspired playlist]

SUMMARY: Fed up with Dream's stubborn and at times childish attitude, you leave Dreaming. But when Morpheus's sorrow makes itself known, Matthew has to fetch you before the kingdom completely floods.

WORDCOUNT: ~ 1.7k

It’s a tumultuous morning in the Dreaming. Even if none of the dreams and nightmares are privy to the ongoing feud, they know something is wrong. It’s as though the air in the kingdom, the marrow of their bones, turned bitter last night. Their skin is crawling but the sun is shining as it did yesterday. They birds chirp the same song they had throughout centuries. And yet, against their better judgment, something is terribly out of place.

To be honest, you don’t even remember how all of this started but the damage is already done.

A frustrated scream ripples through your chest, "The world doesn't revolve around you!" You're fuming. There's only so much patience one person can hold and recently, Morpheus had proven himself exceptional at trying to reach its limit until he, unfortunately, succeeded today. "For someone who's supposed to know every thought ever entertained, you sure can not look past the tip of your own nose."

[2K Followers 'Clue' Special]

You can only guess what Morpheus had in mind when he said he had something to show you because he sure is silent during the hike through the forest, walking a few meters ahead of you. Despite two silver moons hanging high in the sky, it's hard to see the crowns of the pine trees making up the forest. Their black needles simply merge with the starry sky, yearning to become one with the pink and green faraway nebula.

The only reason you were yet to trip over your own feet was the strange species of flowers that grew as a ground cover. They resembled foxglove but at the same time nothing like the flowers you had seen back home. First and foremost, the flora of this queer forest was glowing. The tiny purple 'lanterns' lit the way between the pine trees.

Looking at Morpheus's back, you can't help but get the impression that he's looking for something. What exactly he's after, you can't even begin to guess. Moreover, it's not like he had given you even the smallest of hints before making you hike through this strange woodland realm.

Suddenly, he stops walking. Leaning down, he seems to be plucking something from inside of the bell-shaped violet flowers. You crane your neck to see what got him so interested but the solution to this mystery is soon presented to you:

Morpheus turns around. There's a round, glowing crystal in his hands. It reminds you of a garnet. At first, he doesn't say anything. He reaches for your palm, putting the gem in your hand and closing your fingers around it. The crystal feels pleasantly toasty to the touch.

His dark eyes bore into yours. The purple reflections of the glowing flowers dance across his irises and for a moment you wonder whether he has ever looked more wondrous than now. "Whatever darkness dares to look at you, may you always tread in light, my love," Morpheus says in a firm tone.

Gently pulling your hands towards his face, he places a warm kiss across your knuckles.

You can't quite put a finger on it but you have a feeling it's more of an oath rather than a wish.