#here comes the angst train 🚂 | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

turtletaubwrites · 4 months

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For The Sake Of Justice ~ Part 22

Pairings: Zoro x Fem!Reader, Sanji x Fem!Reader, Robin x Fem!Reader, Sanji X Robin

This is part 22 of the Series 'We've All Got Needs,' linked below:

Word Count: 5882

We've All Got Needs Masterlist

Ao3 Link (Ch. 12 of We've All Got Needs cont.)

!!SPOILER WARNING!! Spoilers for the anime for the Water 7/Enies Lobby arc (through episode 263).

Summary: You and Sanji fight your way through the sea train, finding friends and foes. As you hunt for Robin, you learn more about her past, and her enemies.

Rating/Warnings: AFAB!Reader, She/Her Pronouns for Reader, 18+ Only, MDNI, Reader-Insert, Polyamory, Pet Names, Swearing, Cigarettes, They're Gross, Don't Smoke, Kissing, ANGST, Relationship Drama, Emotional Hurt/No Comfort, Blood, Enemy Being Drugged, Death of an unnamed enemy character, Violence

A/N: Alright y'all! this is all angst and plot, no smut here. But I'll post another smut scene next, so I hope you can make it through. Also, I'm sorry, but I had to include one of the dumbest battles in the anime, but only because we get to see Sanji being oh so sexy. I tried to make it less ridiculous, lol. I hope you enjoy this part!

Extra A/N: Also, I apologize for the length, I wanted to get us through the train in one go before we head to Enies Lobby 🌊🚂

A moment of acceptance. The crashing waves might take you. Everything could be over.

The moment passed in a frantic scrambling, clinging to the railing of the last train car. Wrapping your elbows around the thin metal, sea water splashed up wildly, trying to drag you into its hungry depths.

Sanji slipped over the railing onto the small deck, and pulled you over, kissing you hard as soon as you were steady on your feet.

The near death and impending violence made your bodies desperate. You drank the salt water from each other’s skin as your heart rates lowered, only slightly.

Sanji pulled back first, cradling your head in his cold hands.

“Stay behind me, Angel.”

You didn’t argue as he laid a gentle kiss on your forehead.

The door opened outward, a uniformed man stepping out to check on the weather.

Sanji reacted, landing a kick that sent the man flying.

Into the well lit car filled with government officers.

You kept behind your cook as he lit his cigarette, stepping inside so the rain wouldn’t keep it from lighting.

The cool weight of your tonfa in your hands felt useless at the sight of so many guns trained on Sanji. The officers didn’t seem to care about you as they started addressing him.

“Hey, hold it. Where do you think you’re going?”

“Did you see that kick? He’s not some run of the mill civilian.”

Sanji took a drag off his cigarette, and you wanted to throttle him for his calm taunt.

“Oh, come on. If you keep saying things like that, I’ll blush.”

The officers started to call for someone to alert CP9, but pride got in their way. The strongest declared his prowess, and you pressed against the wall as they faced off.

Sanji easily kept his distance, avoiding every attack while you and the group of officers watched.

“This is a waste of time.”

Sanji leapt toward the ceiling before bringing his foot straight down on the would-be best fighter, instantly knocking him out.

Chaos followed, each of the officers jumping in to fight, a couple racing toward the door.

You readied your weapons, looking for a way to help, but it was pointless.

He didn’t need your help.

Sanji took care of every attacker, until you jumped in while his back was turned.

I can do this.

A single officer was overpowering you, you couldn’t land a hit on him.

Fuck, I need to be stronger than this!

As he backed you into a corner, you saw Sanji making his way through the few enemies in his path, his eyes trained on your embarrassing fight.

I can’t be a distraction for him.

The tall officer landed a punch to your side, but as he pulled back for another, you held your tonfa out to block, calling out your attack.

“Daydream Thorns!”

He slammed against your tonfa, swearing as he scraped bloody lines against the metal thorns.

“You’ll pay for-”

His eyes went wide as he staggered toward you, and you ducked out of the way as he fell against the wall.

Sanji was leaning over you, brows tensed.

“Sanji!”

Turning with a spinning kick, Sanji took care of one of the officers he’d ignored to come to your side. You leaned around him, and a thrill of pride coursed through you as you hit another.

“Blackout Dart!”

The officer went down as the Sanji mopped up the rest.

His hands were on you, running down your face, your arms, your sides. You held in a wince at the soreness on your ribs.

“Mon coeur, please stay down, let me protect you.”

The urge to be angry was stifled by the fear in his eyes, and the knowledge that you weren't ready to take on so many foes at once. But hiding was not an option. You had to fight.

I have to fight for her.

“Sanji, you’ll protect me better by fighting the stronger guards. Please trust me. I promise I’ll call for you if I need help.”

Sanji’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, and he looked almost sick as he held your hands.

With another kiss to your forehead, he hugged you to him.

“Your love is so beautiful. You two have a deep special, love, don’t you?”

Sanji twisted around to shield you from those slurred words, but you laughed, pulling yourself away from him to look at your victim.

The officer’s eyes were heavy lidded, a slow smile pulling at his lips as he swayed on the floor against the wall.

“Hold on-”

“It’s okay,” you said as you knelt before the man, holding your arm out to stop Sanji’s movement.

“I hit him with the Daydream Tonfa. He should be feeling pretty friendly right now, isn’t that right?”

The man laughed, nodding at your sweet tone.

“You’re veeery pretty.”

Sanji pulled you back as the man reached slowly toward your face.

“Thank you, so are you.”

Giggles filled the car from your drugged victim, and you couldn’t keep a proud laugh from escaping your lips.

“Come on, Angel, we need to keep moving.”

“Hold on, he might be able to help us.”

You donned a saccharine smile as you leaned back toward the officer.

“You’ve been very nice, do you think you can help me?”

“Oh yeah, I’m soo good at helping.”

He was running his fingers up and down his thighs, humming as he stared open mouthed at your face.

“We’re looking for our friends.”

“That was very impressive, darling. Let’s hope he was exaggerating the strength of the foes in between us and Robin. And he said we'll find the prisoners in the next car.”

“I wonder how Usopp ended up here.”

Sanji didn’t reply as he prepared to open the next car, locking eyes with you before opening the door.

Sanji took care of the officers, while you searched the car. You found cases full of masks and costumes like they’d been wearing on the island, an array of transponder snails, and two wiggling forms wrapped and tied with rope.

“Usopp!”

You ran to him, avoiding the fight as you knelt beside him, already pulling at his binds. Sanji finished the fight, and you felt his presence as he walked up beside you.

“Y/N, Sanji! You didn’t hijack the train just to rescue me, did you?”

“We were-”

Sanji cut you off as he started to light a cigarette.

“I don’t even know what you’re doing here. What’s your name again?”

“Are you kidding me? You jerk," Usopp huffed.

You knew Sanji wanted to save Usopp as much as you did, and you shook your head at his lie, still pulling at the ropes. Sanji promised you that you would save Usopp and Robin, and you didn’t have the energy to call him on his bullshit.

The other prisoner cleared his throat, and you took in his blue pompadour, sunglasses, and what looked to be a metal nose.

“Let me guess. These are some of your pirate friends, aren’t they?”

The three of you answered at once.

“Yes.”

“Kind of.”

“Ex friends. The question is, who are you,” Sanji asked as he looked over the transponder snails.

“I’m the ship dismantler, and leader of the Franky family, Franky.”

Both you and Usopp gasped as Sanji’s foot collided with Franky’s face.

“So you’re the bastard who beat up Usopp, huh? He may be dead to me now, but he was part of our crew back then. How many pieces do you want me to cut you into?”

Usopp crawled free from the ropes you had pulled away, and put himself between Sanji and the target of his ire. You stood, resting your palm on Sanji’s shoulder as you watched his face snarl with barely contained rage.

“Wait, Sanji, it’s not like that now. A lot has changed since then!”

Usopp’s pleas didn’t hold as strong while Franky grumbled threats behind him.

“Seriously, Sanji. Franky’s a good guy. He saved the Merry, at least for a while.”

Heat crept up your throat as Usopp’s face fell, the thought of the Merry making his lip quiver.

“Come on, kid, this isn’t the time to mope. Now untie me, blondie!”

“I don’t mind leaving you tied up like that for the rest of your life,” Sanji threatened, leaning over the man.

Usopp started yelling until the three boys were impossible to understand.

“We need to find Robin!”

Your command silenced the three men, and you got to work on releasing Franky.

“Did they take your pants,” you asked as you moved your hands away, letting him remove the ropes from his lower body.

“Nah, girlie, this is just my style.”

You shook your head at his big smile, not fighting as Sanji pulled you away from the large man in the tiny speedo.

The rain was endless as you huddled with Sanji on the roof. Franky and Usopp were close by as Sanji called Nami on the stolen transponder snail.

Her voice was a miracle, especially when she said the rest of the crew were on their way, following on a separate train, along with some new allies.

Hope warmed your soaked skin, then her next words made your breath hitch.

“I need to tell you guys why Robin’s doing all this, why she’s with CP9.”

Sanji laced his fingers through yours as Nami shared all they’d learned.

All that you had already believed.

She would never betray us. She sacrificed herself to protect us, to keep her enemies from hurting us.

CP9 had threatened to send in a Buster Call, a massive military attack that would annihilate everyone within range. And Robin agreed to go with them on the promise that you would go free. That her crew wouldn’t be touched.

Your tears were lost in the storm as you stared into Sanji’s eyes, seeing your determination reflected there.

Luffy got on the line, and you were silent, frozen with the need to save her. Sanji spoke for you.

“Nami just told us everything.”

“I see, well, you know what’s next.”

The confidence in your captain’s voice was a balm, a small hopeful smile touched your lips.

Then his next words sent ice through your veins.

“Go ahead. Give ‘em hell, Sanji.”

Your cook’s jaw clenched as he nodded. You were filled with equal parts gratitude and fear. You didn’t want to wait to help Robin, but from what Nami had said of CP9, even Sanji wouldn’t be a match for them alone, or with someone as weak as you.

Zoro’s voice joined, getting clearer as he must have stepped toward the transponder snail, but somehow still feeling distant. So far from you now that an empty ache of fear hit your gut.

“Hold on, he’ll die if he fights them now. If he wants to stand a chance, he’s gotta wait for us. Hey cook, can you hear me? Some of the guys on that train are really tough. You shouldn’t-”

“Zoro,” Luffy’s voice interrupted. “It’s fine. If it was you, would you wait? If you were on that train instead of him, and I told you Robin sacrificed herself to protect us, would you sit there and do nothing? It’s no use trying to stop him.”

You wished that you could have seen Zoro’s face, but his silence was enough. Sanji’s face lit up in a manic smile.

“Read me like a book. But thanks, moss head. I never knew you cared about me so much.”

Zoro’s voice came loud, as if he was yelling directly into the poor snail.

“I don’t fucking care about you, dumbass cook! If you let Needy get hurt I will slice every piece of skin off your body, I’ll-”

“Zoro, I-”

Desperation filled his voice when he heard yours.

“Needy, fuck. Needy, please.”

Sanji handed you the transponder snail, giving you a little space while you clung to your swordsman’s voice.

“I’m here, Zoro.”

“Please, Needy, I’m so sorry. I should have listened to you. I should have-”

“It’s okay, babe. I…”

You choked on the almost words. You wanted to say them now, you needed to tell him. You needed him to know.

But those words felt too much like goodbye.

I might never see him again.

You were rocking slightly now, heavy tears still mixing with the rain and the angry spray of the ocean.

“Please don’t fight, Needy. Please stay safe. I’m coming for you, okay? I need you to stay safe for me, please.”

“I’ll be careful.”

You knew the words were quiet, but you couldn't speak up, couldn’t speak past the painful lump in your throat.

“Needy, I…”

Clenching your eyes shut against the weight of it all, you gasped softly as Sanji touched your arm. He mouthed to you that it was time to go, and you nodded as Zoro reacted to your gasp.

“Are you okay, Needy? What’s happening?”

“We’re okay, Zoro. I’m okay.”

“Fuck… Please don’t go. Please wait for me to find you.”

Covering your mouth as you let out a tiny sob, you steeled yourself.

“I have to go, Zoro. I promise I’ll be careful.”

“I’ll find you, Needy. No matter what.”

“See you…”

You cut the line, and let Sanji pull you into a hug. He rocked you back and forth a few times, kissing your temple before helping you to your feet.

Usopp’s soft voice brought you into the moment.

“It’s crazy how much stuff has happened since I left. It doesn’t feel real.”

“Robin’s in a similar boat,” Sanji replied, bringing all eyes to him. “She doesn’t know about anything that happened with you or the Merry. But while we were busy fighting amongst ourselves, Robin was giving herself up to the world government to protect us. And that includes you, Usopp.”

Franky brought out a useless tissue that got soaked in the rain while he gave a few loud sobs.

“Oh man, that is such a sad story!”

“Why are you crying,” Sanji asked, frowning at the man.

You cut in now, shaking off your own tears as you watched Franky.

“We need to go.”

“No. I’m not coming,” Usopp muttered, catching your breath. “This doesn’t have anything to do with me anymore. You’re about to make yourselves enemies of the World Government. I don’t want any part of it. I can’t pretend nothing happened when the others get here. I still feel bad for Robin. But I’m sorry, it’s not my job to save her anymore. I am not a part of Luffy’s crew.”

Nausea poured through you as you watched your friend walk away again, the rain covering the sounds of his steps on the roof of the train. Franky leaned toward him, yelling over the storm.

“There’s no place to go. Come on, you guys can talk this over, bro!”

“Forget it,” Sanji’s cold voice commanded. “Just leave him.”

“You guys are stubborn as hell,” Franky complained, as you followed Sanji forward. Leaving your old crewmate behind.

You’d made it over another car before you heard someone behind you.

“Hello there! Your friend told me everything. I hear you’re here to rescue a certain mademoiselle. I’ve come to lend my aid. I am Sniper King!”

Usopp had a cloak wrapped around his shoulders, and one of the masks from inside, the yellow painted wood covering most of his face.

You could still see his bandages, his overalls, his shoes. You wanted to hug him, but kept your feet planted.

“What the hell is he doing,” Franky wondered aloud, before Sanji leaned in with a hoarse whisper.

“Come on, just humor the poor guy. He has too much pride to show his face to the crew, but he still wants to rescue his friend.”

With a smile, you waved a hand to him.

“Thank you, Sniper King, let’s go!”

The group discussed plans as you tried not to slip off the train. Usopp didn't let up on his story that he was a stranger, and if the situation hadn’t been so intense, you would have laughed at how cute he was.

Sanji’s plan led you back to the last of the seven cars, and you waited on the roof while the rest of the group opened the door to taunt the soldiers and officers.

Even over the storm, you started to hear the shouts of the officers calling for backup, moving down toward the back of the train. Leaning over the side, you saw them pressing against the door, keeping the soldiers from joining them on the small deck.

Scrambling after them, you leapt across from roof to roof until Franky and Usopp detached the two back cars, laughing as you left the large group of enemies stranded in the ocean.

“Only five cars left,” Sanji declared as you walked through the fifth, it’s group of soldiers and officers beaten and bleeding on the floor.

“The guy I poisoned said the next car just has the kitchen and the chef in it, hopefully he’s not a chef like you.”

“There are no chefs like me, mon amour,” Sanji teased with a wink.

“As a mighty warrior of Sniper Island, I have to wonder if this is a good time for flirting.”

Snorting at Usopp’s scolding, you stayed back as the three of them lined up, kicking in the door to the kitchen.

“Hello, hello, my name is Mad Wanze! Can I prepare some ramen for you?”

The yells and frantic movements of the white haired cook made you pause. Coupled with his bare chest revealed under his jacket, and the filthy kitchen, the picture was jarring.

A quick glance at Sanji’s narrowed eyes confirmed his disapproval.

Wanze didn’t wait, filling a bowl with plain looking ramen. Before shoving it toward you, he leaned over the bowl, and you cringed as a clear line of snot dripped from his nose into the bowl.

“Sorry, we’ve got places to be. You’ll have to enjoy that nose ramen on your own.”

The cook dropped the bowl on the counter before standing in Sanji’s way.

“Hold it! If you want to go to the next car, you’ll have to go through me first.”

“You think you can stop us,” Sanji questioned, clear disgust in his voice.

“That’s right! You can’t get past me unless you defeat my ramen kenpo!”

“What the fuck,” you muttered as the manic cook skipped back and forth across the room, taunting everyone.

You gaped as Franky detached his fucking hand, and used his arm like a gun. None of his shots hit the wild man, and Sanji stepped forward.

“I’ll take care of this fool. Just stand back.”

Sanji flew forward, and your jaw fell open as his kick didn’t land.

How did this fucking creep avoid his kick?

Sanji turned back, looking over the short man’s mop of hair.

“Angel, you stay here and stay back. You two, go on ahead. We’ll meet up with you later. Our first priority is to rescue Robin.”

Wanze yelled as Usopp and Franky bypassed him, Sanji blocking his attacks.

His attacks with fucking noodles.

In your travels on the Grand Line you had seen so many unbelievable and crazy things. Things that didn’t seem possible, people with powers that made your brain hurt when you thought about them for too long.

But this gross man flinging noodles around like weapons was the stupidest fucking thing you’d ever seen.

Especially since he actually seemed to be a good fighter.

The man had wrapped himself in noodles now, and you pinched yourself to make sure you hadn’t been knocked out into a ridiculous dream.

Sanji had landed some good kicks, but the noodles were making it hard for him to get a decent hit in, and he was losing his footing now as he got stuck in that web of sticky strands.

You let out a gasp as the man threw Sanji onto the counter, shattering plates and sending silverware and pots clattering to the floor.

You wanted to help, but knew you’d never be able to get close enough for your Thorns, and didn’t want to risk hitting Sanji with a Dart.

“How dare you waste all this food! I’m going to make you eat every last bite.”

Sanji got slammed into the floor again, then tossed across the room to land beside you, muttering to himself.

Wanze cackled, bouncing back and forth as he continued to rant.

“You can’t get through, and I’ve already figured out your attacks. Since all you do is kick, I just have to take out your legs, and you’ll be finished. Then I’ll have time for dessert with your little friend.”

The man leered at you, splotchy face dripping with snot and drool, and you felt bile move up your throat.

He wasted no more time then as he attacked Sanji full force, but this time his assault of noodles slowed down, going thin as you saw them flying into the air to land on a large platter.

You couldn't help but laugh as Sanji stood, leaving a platter of noodles on the counter as he twirled large kitchen knives in his hands.

Sanji stood calmly, effortlessly spinning the knives in his hands and in the air as he taunted. Your breath caught in your throat as you watched him wield those blades with such skill.

In all the chaos and fear of the moment, you had to shake yourself from your gut reaction.

He looks so fucking hot.

“A chef must fight without using his hands or knives, those are sacred. It’s always been my policy not to use them in battle. But since we’re in a kitchen, and you’re using food as a weapon, that changes things a bit, doesn't it?”

“Trying to look cool, you insolent little punk? An amateur like you shouldn’t even touch my kitchen knives, you hear me?”

“I apologize for my insolence,” Sanji rasped, his voice dark as you clutched your hands together. “But I’m going to show you how a real chef handles his kitchen knives.”

Shivers crawled up your skin as you let yourself enjoy the show. Your lover danced around his enemy, humiliating him as he kicked and sliced. He was mesmerizing, and made quick work of the ridiculous cook.

Sanji walked to you when he’d left the man bleeding on the floor, admiring the blades before setting them on the counter.

“For a pathetic excuse for a chef, he takes great care of his kitchen knives.”

You grinned, fighting the urge to jump on him as he led you to the next car.

I wonder what Zoro would think if he saw how Sanji fought with blades.

That thought was lovely for a moment, before you remembered Zoro’s pleading voice begging you not to fight.

You were back in the moment now, fear and determination pulsing through you.

“You won’t get past me!”

You barely ducked out of the way in time as Wanze charged forward to block the path.

Sanji spun, kicking the screaming man through the door. He flew across, slamming into the opposite door that opened, revealing the four members of CP9 you’d seen boarding the train.

“Stay back here, Angel,” Sanji whispered as he lit a cigarette.

Sanji walked toward your enemies, and panic coursed through you.

We should have waited! I can’t help him. Where are Franky and Usopp?

The ceiling cracked open in front of Sanji, and when the dust cleared you saw Franky crouched on top of a bleeding man who was groaning under the weight, but there was no Usopp in sight.

The four CP9 agents stood slowly, their gaze alone making your mouth dry.

Sanji and Franky fucking ignored them.

“Wow, some entrance. Where the hell have you been?”

“Kicking ass, as usual,” Franky laughed at Sanji. “What about you?”

“Kicking ass,” Sanji breathed out with smoke, while Franky kicked the bleeding man toward the group of agents.

“So it’s you, huh,” Sanji questioned, tilting his head toward the agents. “You’re the ones who kidnapped Robin?”

“Be careful,” Franky warned. “They use some pretty weird moves.”

The man in the top hat walked forward as the bleeding man sat up. He was muttering to himself about killing Franky, before he turned to look up.

“You must be Rob Lucci. I'm the new recruit. Just give me a moment, and I’ll kill that man.”

“Your orders were to bring him in alive, it seems you’ve let your emotions get the better of you.”

You stared at the man, noticing a pigeon on his shoulder that appeared to be giving the new recruit the same cold stare. You shivered at his voice, deep and empty.

“I’ll give you three seconds to run for your life.”

The recruit was panicked, confused, but he took too long. At the last second he bolted away, so fast you could hardly see him. Rob Lucci caught him, insulting him as he collapsed to the ground, dying, then dead.

“Kalifa,” he called to the blonde woman. “In our official reports, state that the new recruit was too weak, and therefore deemed worthless.”

“Understood,” she affirmed coldly, and you couldn’t tell when you’d last taken a breath.

“So these are the Agents of Justice,” Sanji wondered, weight shifting on his feet as the agents moved closer.

“Can’t tell which side is evil, huh,” Franky said, shaking his head as he stretched.

Rob Lucci stood in front of them now, and you wanted to scream for Sanji to run. But all you could do was watch through the doorway, feeling the gaze of the agents pass over you occasionally before returning to Sanji and Franky.

“You’ve come to rescue Nico Robin? That’s a mistake. Her problem is beyond your comprehension. There are some people in this world that were born under an unlucky star. Some people are, for the sake of everyone else, just better off dead.”

Your nails were digging bloody imprints into your palm as you fought not to run forward.

“What are you talking about?”

You could see Sanji’s fists clenched as he stared the man down.

“What if there was a sleeping devil that could burn the entire world to the ground? And what if there was someone capable of waking that devil? Even if that someone was an eight year old girl? Don’t you think for the lives of every other living being, that girl should be put to death?”

“Get to the point,” Sanji growled, while sick heat filled your stomach, climbing up your throat.

“This is the true story of Nico Robin’s childhood. And now she’s accumulated an entire life of crime. Her very existence is a sin, and the only good she can do for this world would be to forfeit her life-”

“Shut your fucking mouth!”

“Angel!”

Sanji grabbed you, holding you back as you snarled. Franky put his massive arm in front of you to keep you from rushing toward that man, his cold eyes assessing you calmly, as if you were nothing but an annoyance.

Your Robin having to live like this. Feeling like her life was worthless. It made you want to scream, to tear that man’s fucking face off.

“Angel, please, we’ll get her,” Sanji whispered in your ear as he fought to keep you still.

“Don’t worry,” Rob Lucci continued in his almost monotone voice. “The World Goverment will kill her as they should have ages ago, but first they will torture her until they find out every thing she knows. She will probably be alive for years enduring endless agony-”

Sanji’s arms left you as he lunged forward. Franky held you back as you watched in terror while Sanji seethed.

“That’s enough, bastard! I don’t want to hear another word out of you.”

Sanji’s foot flew toward the man’s face, but he blocked it with his arm effortlessly.

“Her death won’t come nearly as quickly as I would like,” he said, sending Sanji sliding away from him, having to catch himself from falling to the ground.

“I said wait-”

The door to the last car opened, and Robin was there, Usopp pulling at her arm and begging her to wait, to stop.

Robin was right there.

You and Sanji both called for her, and you felt hot tears painting your face in relief.

She’s okay.

“Robin, let’s knock these guys out, then we’ll get out of here!”

Sanji moved toward her, but Robin lifted Usopp with her many arms, then tossed him across the car at Sanji’s feet.

“Robin, what are you doing? Let’s leave,” you begged, ducking around Franky’s arm and moving up beside Sanji.

“It seems that my words mean nothing to you people.”

Robin’s eyes hurt like ice, and you all stood in silence. You opened your mouth but couldn’t speak, couldn’t think under her gaze.

Rob Lucci broke out in laughter while you tried to find a crack in Robin’s walls, tried to see your lover behind all that ice.

“Franky, quick! Detach the third car!”

Usopp had jumped up, gesturing with his command as Franky and Sanji questioned him.

“We’re gonna run,” Usopp declared, voice hoarse with determination.

“Wait,” you tried to argue, refusing to leave Robin, no matter what.

Usopp spun through the air, shouting his attack as he set off a smoke bomb.

You were still frozen until you saw him charging toward you, with Robin thrown over his shoulder demanding to be put down.

Dangerous hope filled you as Franky and Sanji detached the car, and CP9 was sent away in their smoked filled car while you were stranded on the ocean.

But the hope was short lived as massive thorny whips caught your car, and the agents readied to fight. The jostling of the car had sent you flying toward the back, wincing as you crashed onto your right hip and shoulder.

“Now remember, don’t kill the Straw Hats, it’s part of the agreement.”

Rob Lucci’s words were cold comfort as Sanji squared off with the larger man, who’s skills you hadn’t yet seen.

Most of Sanji’s kicks seemed to do nothing, and you heard the other agents discussing their specialized martial arts training.

You crawled your way back, still feeling unsteady in the car as it was battered by the waves.

The long nosed man with the baseball cap spoke to the large man, giving you another name.

“Careful, Blueno. Don’t take him lightly. He may not have a bounty, but he’s one of their top fighters.”

“I will be as careful as necessary, Kaku.”

Kaku nodded in response, and you found yourself panicking, waiting to see why these agents were so feared.

Before you made it beside her, Robin held her arms in front of her chest, calling her many limbs.

You watched in horror as she trapped Usopp, his poor, bandaged body being twisted in pain at her command.

“Robin, What are you doing,” you screamed, racing for Usopp until she sent you a searing glare.

“Didn’t you hear me? Stay out of my business, leave me alone!”

Robin’s anger-filled command stopped everyone, until you screamed Sanji’s name, but you screamed too late.

Kaku flew toward him with a taunting laugh, his kick sending Sanji flying through the air, and shattering one of the wooden benches.

“You Straw Hats are too damn stubborn when it comes to your friends. I’m gonna help you out!”

Franky leapt forward, pushing against the wall of the car. You couldn’t believe his strength as the wall started ripping away, until he sent himself and all the agents into their car, leaving you with Robin, Sanji, and Usopp, disconnected from the train.

Robin screamed that she wasn’t running away, and you felt another moment of hope even through her fear-shot words.

Blueno appeared, a strange, glowing doorway popping out of the wall. Robin moved to leave, but paused as you called for her. She paused this time.

“Please, Robin! I know you’re still hiding something. But we’ll get through it together.”

“Yeah, Robin,” Usopp cut in. “A pirate’s not allowed to leave their crew without their captain’s permission. You need to believe in Luffy!”

Robin walked through the doorway as Sanji coughed, sputtering as he sat up.

“Robin, don’t go!”

“You can say what you like, she will never break her agreement.”

“How do you know that,” Sanji growled at Blueno, still struggling to his hands and knees. The agent towered over the three of you, face calm as he continued.

“Long ago, an island was erased. The navy issued a Buster Call, and burned it to the ground, without leaving a single trace behind. Nico Robin was the only survivor of that incident, just a child at the time.”

Nausea ripped through you, your heart breaking at the thought of such a small child witnessing that much horror.

“She never told us…”

Sanji’s breathless words had you moving toward him, needing to touch him as you heard your pain for Robin echoed in his voice.

Blueno went on, his dark words plain, as if it meant nothing to him.

“Now that her childhood nightmare has been directed toward her companions, she no longer has the will to resist us.”

You and Sanji yelled now, rage bubbling in the air between you.

“You knew that, and you used it against her?”

“You people are sick, you hear me?”

Blueno walked toward his glowing door, looking over his shoulder for the last word.

“All of this is for the sake of justice.”

“Don’t give me that shit,” Sanji cursed, launching himself up to kick at his form as the door fizzled away to nothing.

Silent sobs left you as you watched Sanji yell into the raging sea, pounding his fists on the floor.

You rushed to Usopp, looking over his seemingly endless wounds, trying not to be drowned by the anguish in your heart.

Robin. Robin. Robin!

“Angel, we need to get ready.”

Swallowing another sob, you met Sanji’s red tinged eyes as he leaned over to push your hair out of your face.

“Our captain is on the way, this isn’t over.”

Nodding, you fought the quivering of your lip as you coaxed Usopp up, helping him to sit against the wall.

“Come on, Sniper King. We’ve got more battles ahead.”

“Sniper King is always ready for battle,” he coughed, still managing to sound cheesy through his pain.

You held Usopp’s hand, and Sanji wrapped his arm around you as you waited for the rest of your crew.

Heading to Enies Lobby. The Judicial Island run by the World Government.

The people that had destroyed Robin’s life, and terrorized her since she was a child. The people that were keeping her from you now.

After knowing about her secret pain, about what the government wanted to do to her, you knew more than ever that you’d fight for her. No matter how weak you were. You’d do anything to save her.

Your breaths calmed, and your tears stopped. Sanji rubbed a few circles on your back before standing lookout, waiting for the other train.

Closing your eyes, you saw her face, and made yourself a promise.

I don’t care if I die in there. I won’t let them have her.

Thank You for Reading! 💜

TurtleTaub Fanfic Masterlist

We've All Got Needs Masterlist

Part 23

A/N: I hope you enjoyed it! I love this arc so much, it gets me everytime.

Buy me a coffee ☕🙏🏼

#angst #sanji x reader #nico robin x fem!reader #zoro x reader #f/f fanfic #Reader Insert #Fem!Reader #mine #nico robin x reader #poly fanfic #nico robin fanfic #sanji fanfic #one piece fanfic #zoro fanfic #x reader #turtletaub fics

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thepaintedlady00 · 2 years

Text

The Sandman and The Girl Without Dreams

Chapter 12: The Marquis and The Glass Cage

🚂🥺🚃😨🚃😢🚃😭🚃

The ANGST train has arrived and y'all already bought the tickets, so let's dive into these TWs! 😅

TW: Dreams thoughts (yep, he's getting his own warning), insecurities, smut, fluff, coldness, harsh words, fear, blood & violence, broken bones, fire, slight body horror, character death, angst (she's here to stay for a hot minute), grief, cliffhanger (this ones terrible guys, I honestly feel bad about it and feel compelled to prepare you for the absolute EMOTIONAL DAMAGE that is coming)

The Dreaming had been brighter and more full of life than ever before. As Dream stood on the balcony of his bedroom, looking out at his realm he felt light, lighter than he had in a long while. Things were perfect here, just as they should be… Well… Almost perfect. He looked down at the town across the river, at the large group of butterflies that filled the area and sighed. Even from the palace he could hear the laughter and joy echoing from his subjects, such things had become a common occurrence whenever Penelope was among them.

At first all he could feel was pride. He was glad they loved her and that she loved them, and even more so he was proud that she'd moved into her role as Lady of The Dreaming without hesitation. But, that pride, that joy quickly soured by the ache, the fear, that had plagued him from the beginning. Dream began to take note of every time their fun, joyousness deflated at the mere sight of him. He took note of the way they addressed Penelope before him, bowed lower for her, smiled and looked at her with love. Their love for her only grew, while it seemed the love they had for him was either frail or nonexistent.

It hurt. All of it. He'd stopped joining her in her outings, turning his attention to matters of The Dreaming and unknowingly walking head first into yet another more common occurrence that made his ache grow. The Dreaming had always been his, from the start it bent to his will, it brought forth what he willed. As the days turned to weeks of Penelope's constant presence The Dreaming began to shift… Change for her. He knew it wasn't intentional on her part, knew that even if she'd mastered whatever power she had of his she would always seek permission before changing things on such a scale, but that only seemed to make him feel worse.

Even The Dreaming loves her more than me. He thought coldly. Her playful words during their game so long ago now haunted him. "We are equals, you and I. Whom will The Dreaming be more inclined to listen to, I wonder."

Dream closed his eyes, exhaling slowly. He loved Penelope, loved her more than anything and he was happy with her, happy that she was here beside him as his equal. So… Why? Why did his chest tighten every time he saw her with his subjects? Why did the ache grow every time he discovered a new field of flowers, or forest or pathway forged by his realms love of her? What was he so afraid of?

Of course, he knew the answer, deep down, but Dream of the Endless was not ready to face such a thing… Not yet. Instead he forced himself to move, to walk out of the palace and across the bridge to the town. The crowd parted for him with reverent, respectful bows and murmurs of his title. In the center Penelope wove her threads, creating various objects at the request of his subjects. She was smiling, laughing with them as they watched her in awe, hardly even noticing his presence. Dreams' hands tightened, but he did his best to focus on her, on her joy and love instead of his ache.

When she pulled the small snake figurine from her threads and handed it off to whomever had requested it her eyes met his and her smile grew. "Well hello there, my handsome Dream."

His subjects turned, bowing and addressing him properly. Their laughter and joy faded with each step he took closer to his lady. The crowd thinned, dreams and nightmares alike returning to their duties. That ache pulsed, only soothed back to its constant simmer by her touch as she pressed her hands to his chest and smiled up at him. Dream forced the heat of his negativity out with a soft breath as he looked down at her beauty. "Hello, my love."

She saw him, or rather what he was trying so desperately not to show. "Are you well?"

"I am," he lied and though she saw through it, saw straight to his soul she said nothing. "I thought you and I could spend some time together, reading perhaps?"

With a hum she tapped her fingers against his chest. "Would we be reading, or would we be reading?"

He chuckled softly. "Which would you prefer?"

"The one I always prefer?" She grinned, moving to his side and holding her hand out to him. "Back to the palace? Or was there somewhere else you had in mind?"

Dream felt her unencumbered adoration of him flow steady and strong and everything else seemed to melt away at the heat of it, of her. With a gentle smile his hand slid into hers, grasping it tightly and bringing it to his lips. "I will go wherever you wish." Her smile and the slight uptick in her heart echoing in his chest filled him with peace. This was all that mattered. She was all that mattered.

They walked across the bridge, the stones humming with every step she took, and back into the palace. Every room lit up brighter, the colors of everything popping in a way they simply hadn't before, in a way that the human eye couldn't possibly detect. As he watched her talk to Lucienne his eyes drifted to the stained glass window noting that even it had changed, the image of butterflies and hills of lilacs filling the space and glowing. Penelope's face was now illuminated in a soft, rainbow of ethereal light. It was beautiful, just like her. Dream couldn't help the way his eyes slid down her body, the form fitting gown he'd made her hugging all the right places. He found it ironic that when designing her clothes he would spend hours imagining what she'd look like in them, but now that she wore them all he could imagine was what she looked like without them.

Her eyes caught him staring and she smiled, finishing her conversation with Lucienne and returning to his side as his librarian disappeared into the maze of bookshelves. "What's going on in that Endless mind of yours?"

"I am simply appreciating your beauty," he admitted with a reverent smile. The blush that rose to her cheeks flooded him with the insatiable urge to be closer to her, an urge that had become far too normal between them as the months had passed.

"I'm just having a conversation with Lucienne. It's not like I'm naked and twisted up in your sheets." Now that was a sight he'd never grow tired of. The light from the windows casting kaleidoscopes of light and color across the skin of her back. The pale purple sheets wrapped around her, leaving just enough of her body exposed to capture his gaze for far too long. She caught the familiar glint in his eyes and swatted his shoulder. "Stop it!"

"What?" He asked flatly. "I'm just standing here."

A delicate finger stuck in his face. "No, you're looking at me like that! And that look always leads to the same place."

Dream tilted his head down at her, something she hadn't expected judging by the quiet gasp she made. "If I'm not mistaken that place is a favorite of yours."

"Oh I'm very fond of it," she said, eyes flashing to his lips for a split second before she shook whatever thought was coming from her mind. "But this is Luciennes library. It'd be like smoking in a church."

"Luciennes library?" His voice was low, soft, just the way he knew she liked it. With a powerful step forward he'd forced her back into the table. "This library is part of The Dreaming and The Dreaming, my darling, is my domain."

"You'd take me here then?" Though there was a flicker of nervous doubt in her, he could feel the want in her, raging and filthy like his own. "In some darkened corner of the dusty library where anyone could happen upon us?"

Her chest was now flush with his as he gazed down at her, hungry and impatient. "I would."

The wicked gleam in her eyes sparkled. "Then do it."

Dream needed no further prompting as he grabbed her by the waist and picked her feet up off the floor, moving swiftly through the shelves deeper and deeper into the farthest corner of the library. Though it was his by right, he'd not disrespect Luciennes' claim to it after all her years of loyalty. The least he could do was take this sinful business of theirs far from her. He willed a thin veil to close around them in the small section of the larger room. The thrill of being caught tantalizing as it was, could not become a reality. Dream would never allow any the privilege of seeing his lady so exposed, such was for him alone.

As he set her feet back on the ground, keeping her close, Penelope looked left and right before pushing back against his chest and smiling wide. "Now what, oh mighty Endless?"

The surprised squeak she made as her back hit the bookshelf caused a ripple of pride to flow over him. Her legs squeezed together as he dragged his nose along her jaw. "Now, I believe the plan was to take you. Though it appears I'm spoiled for choice."

"Dream of the Endless uncertain of what he wants now?" She teased. "How unlike you."

"I want you," he clarified, pulling away to look into her eyes.

The ache in his chest lessened, almost vanished completely as she touched his cheek with her warm hand. "You have me."

The words, soft and earnest, stilled the fire in his veins. His lady's moonstone eyes sparkled up at him and for a moment Dream felt entirely consumed by the love she bore him. Even as he stood here, shielding the ugly twisted jealous ache in his chest, something he knew she could feel her love did not falter. From the start Penelope had loved him with no expectations or conditions. She'd loved him through years of silence and unimaginable pain. Loved him even when she thought she meant nothing to him. Loved him enough to attempt to come for him, not once or twice but many over years. And now that she was here, in his arms, pushed against him looking at him like he was perfect and worthy of happiness, of her… For the first time in days the ache in him was gone.

As tears welled in his eyes she brought her other hand to his face. "You are magnificent, Penelope."

She tried to hide her face, hide the blush of her cheeks and the flustered batting of her eyelashes but Dream moved quickly, securing his fingers under her chin to keep her face turned up. He wanted to look at her, to see the innocent way she reacted to his words. "You flatter me, Dream Lord."

Flatter. The word was far too tepid to describe what he wanted her to feel. No, that wouldn't do. "I do not wish to flatter you, my lady. I wish to worship you."

"You have," she giggled back at him. "Many times."

"Not enough, he insisted, pulling from her touch to fall to his knees. "I will worship you until the end of all things… Until the darkness closes in and engulfs me and then in whatever existence waits beyond this I will continue to worship you."

Her breath stuttered as he began lifting her dress. "Morpheus…"

"Shh," he squeezed the soft flesh of her thighs, gently easing them apart. "Just moan for me, my love."

The sound of her laughter was far more beautiful than any symphony. "Back at it with the commands I see."

"It's not a command," he corrected, halting his movements. "Rather a humble request."

"Humble isn't a word I'd use to describe you, Dream," she said with another laugh as she opened her mouth to speak more. He ran his thumb across her covered mound and watched all thoughts fade from her as she gasped.

Dream wasted no time, pulling her panties down her long legs and chuckling at how she eagerly moved out of them. He lifted her dress up into her already waiting fingers and ducked his head down to press a kiss to her thigh. He sunk his teeth into her flesh before soothing the bite with his tongue, kissing his way to her core.

The sweet taste of her filled his mouth as his tongue slid through her slick folds, lapping up the wetness of her. As he worked his tongue with the experience of thousands of years he focused solely on the sounds she made. Penelope was exquisite in every situation, but in these intimate moments this fact was amplified. She always started out so soft and quiet, every moan and gasp barely audible, but the longer he pushed her the louder those sounds became until The Dreaming itself shook around her.

"Morpheus," she whined as his tongue circled her clit. The way she said his name was angelic, addictive. He'd had worshipers before, but no prayer, no gentle murmur of his name had ever sounded as perfect as hers. His hands squeezed her tighter, pulling one of her legs over his shoulder to open more of her to his mouth. A wave of fabric washed over half of his head as one of her hands abandoned holding it in exchange for tangling in his hair. "Fuck."

He could hear her head hit the shelf and in the back of his mind he imagined her, head thrown back and chest heaving, the thought alone spurred him on setting a grueling pace with his tongue before sliding a finger into her, moaning greedily at the way her cunt squeezed around him. Dream added another finger and listened to her moans grow louder. "Oh, Morpheus!"

Yes, he thought to himself, ignoring the uncomfortable strain of his cock against his pants. Give me more, my love. Moan louder, scream until the whole of The Dreaming hears you. She'd heard him, he knew she had by the desperate whine that left her throat and the way her blunt nails dug harsher into his scalp. Her legs trembled around his face as her orgasm grew closer and closer. He focused on her clit, sucking it and twirling his tongue over the abused little button until finally she came on his fingers.

She pulled his hair, forcing him from the folds of her dress in a demanding request that he was well familiar with. Rising to his feet he barely had time to lick the remnants of her release from his fingers before she greedily pulled him into a searing kiss. As always she was impatient and needy and desperate as she tried ridding him of his clothes and god did he love every second of it. Her moans as he dug his hands into her hips, the way her fingers twisted and pulled at his shirt or his hair, the frustrated whines she made when she struggled to free him of his pants. He loved every moment.

"Take your clothes off," she uttered with a pout.

Dream chuckled, running his thumb over her bottom lip. "Is such a pitiful face truly necessary?"

Her lips twitched, almost smiling. "That depends, will it make you move faster?"

"Oh I fear I cannot resist giving into your whims with such a sad display," he played along.

"Then yes, it's necessary."

He chuckled at her but waved his hand and rid them both of their clothes nonetheless. His eyes trailed over her bare skin, want and hunger and appreciation filed him. No matter how many times he saw her like this, naked and trailing kisses over his skin, he'd never grow tired of it. He lined himself up with her entrance, easing inside as he pressed his mouth to hers, tangling their tongues together. She was always so warm and inviting, even in these moments of pure bliss her body pulled at him.

The library filled with her labored breaths and wanton moans as he gently eased himself out and then back in. Dream was not the most vocal lover, but he always found himself purposely holding back noise just so he could hear her. As her nails dug into his shoulders he couldn't help but moan at the feeling and quicken the pace of his hips, squeezing her thighs tighter as they lost themselves in one another. He lost count of how many times he made her come before she desperately pulled his hair and kissed his throat, mumbling near incoherent pleas against his skin until he finally came, buried deep inside her pulsing cunt.

He watched her regain her breath, head set back against the bookshelf, skin glistening in the light and a faint blush spread over her breasts and neck all the way up to her cheeks. As she looked up at him with her blissful smile he moved them to the bedroom, settling her back against the sheets and pressing his head to her neck. This was all that mattered.

***

The threads had grown easy to twist and pull in the weeks I'd spent practicing. I could make practically anything now, with quick and fluid movements. It had been almost four weeks of being in The Dreaming with short trips to the waking world to catch up on information with Pierre and Johanna, but so far things had been quiet. Normally quiet would have made my mind run anxiously, but being here, home, made it easier to breathe. They wouldn't make any big moves, not until they were sure I would be there to lure out. The Dreaming now acted not only as my home but also my hide away a safe place in a dangerous time.

I spent a lot of time in the town, getting acquainted with the dreams and nightmares that dwelt here, an uncontrollable urge to see everything made by Dreams hands was just ever present. It was so beautiful, all of it, and though I'd spent time here before it had begun to feel more powerful somehow. As that feeling grew so did the veiled poking of Dreams' new emotional bubble. I felt it more each passing day, but it was the most noticeable whenever we were near his subjects. I'd wanted to talk to him about it, but every time I tried to bring it up he'd insist it was nothing and just push further away.

He busied himself through the days with matters of The Dreaming, something I understood and supported, but began to feel like an avoidance now more than anything. At night we'd sit on the balcony and share his bed and simply be with one another. Whatever feelings he was hiding seemed to bother him less then, but they were still there and it grew more difficult not to pry, not when I could feel it bothering him, but I did my best.

I spent my days similarly to Dream, pouring myself into honing the abilities and duties of my new roles. I'd start in the library, practicing and studying the threads with Lucienne. After a week I'd begun venturing out further and spending more time in the town among Dreams people, ones that would be my own if he was serious about making me his queen one day. At first I had just been passing through on my way to Cain and Abels, but they all looked so sad and I couldn't help but try to ease that sorrow.

Matthew stood on the library table beside me, watching eagerly as I pulled little nuts and berries from my threads for him to snack on. He and I had talked at length about Dreams mood, sadly the raven provided little insight. "I swear these are better than real berries!"

"They are real," I reminded him.

"You know what I mean!" He replied, gobbling it down just as greedily as the last. "Anyway, I wish I could be more helpful. I know how his moods affect you."

Shrugging I gave him a gentle pat. "Don't worry about it. I'm sure once he's ready to talk about it he'll come to me."

Silence filled the space and Matthew cleared his throat. "Yeah, uh, totally because that does sound like something he'd do."

"Shut up," I groaned laying my head down on the table, admiring the threads of The Dreaming before my gaze settled on the smoking bird. His white thread pulsed strong, as did the blue vein, but the black had started fading over the past month. A new color was beginning to show through it, not quite clear enough to see just yet.

"Any color update?" He asked once he noticed me looking.

"Not yet," I said. "Stop stressing about it."

"I'm not worried. Just curious." He cawed and nudged me with his beak. "So, we're gonna just sit here and mope all day?"

The light from the window caught my ring, reminding me of the idea I'd had a while ago. "I could actually use your help with a project."

"Penny has a project? I'm intrigued!"

"Do you know where to find any stones?"

His head tilted. "You need a rock?"

"A gem or something shiny," I corrected. I doubted a rock would be appropriate for what I had in mind.

"I've got a few spots we can check. Come on!" He took flight, leading me out the palace doors and off into The Dreaming.

As it turned out Matthew had an impeccable sense of direction, finding a quiet little lake a ways away from the town that was full of precious stones glistening at the bottom. It was beautiful, so beautiful that I quietly decided to bring Morpheus here once he'd found the time. Knee deep in the crystal water I picked up a few stones, only taking the ones I'd considered back to Matthew for inspection. He was also easily impressed by shiny rocks as every option got the same enthusiastic response, but I was a harder critic and none of these would do.

It had to be larger, but not outright gaudy. Had to have a rectangular or squarish shape and of course it had to have that Dream quality, which was apparently harder to acquire than he made it look. Matthew flapped his wings. "Maybe I'd be more helpful if I knew exactly what it was you're looking for."

"It has to be big, but not too big and it has to look good but not too good," I replied, eyes scanning the jewels.

Matthew cawed loudly. "Ah, yes, that's very helpful information."

I rolled my eyes at him, dropping another stone back into the lake. "It has to be something Dream would like."

"Okay, maybe that green one to your left?" He offered up. "What's this for anyway?"

"A present." I said examining the green stone before releasing it.

"You're taking this kinda seriously. What's the occasion?"

"There isn't one. I just wanted to do something nice for him." A rich blue caught my eye and I carefully moved deeper into the pool to retrieve it, holding it up to the sunlight and admiring the way it glittered like the night sky. This one was perfect.

Matthew flew to my shoulder, inspecting it closely. "Now that's a pretty rock."

"You think he'll like it?"

"He'll like anything you give him, Penny." He assured me. "But if he doesn't you can give it to me," he joked as I made my way out of the lake.

I walked back to the palace examining the stone in my hand with a smile. When I looked up Dream was standing on the bridge and speaking to someone with a vague look of concern tugging at his face. It seemed to vanish when he saw me, excusing himself to walk toward me. "There you are. I've been looking for you."

Squeezing the stone in my hand I shrugged. "We were just taking a walk."

His eyes rolled down my body and his head tilted at the sight of my wet clothes. "Why are you wet?"

"Why are you worried about it?" I said dismissively as he took my hand and we moved to his room where he grabbed me a towel to help dry me off a bit.

"Nice deflection," Matthew complimented from my shoulder.

Dream, however, didn't budge until I finally relented. "I walked through some water. It's not a big deal."

His starry eyes regarded me with an inquisitive glint. "You're up to something."

"Maybe," I admitted. "But you don't need to know what."

"So long as you're remaining safe I'll not question it," he promised. "Next time just tell someone where you're going so I can find you if I need to."

With a nod I sighed. "Fair enough, though I was under the impression you could find anyone within The Dreaming."

He stiffened slightly. "You are the exception to that, it would seem."

Matthew distracted Dream while I stuffed the jewel in my bag of trinkets and then flew off to do whatever it was he did at night. Dream helped me undress, massaging my shoulders and using his seductive lips to melt any tension I might've had in them. But, as we sat in the silence, the rainbows of the stained glass casting the rising moonlight over us I couldn't ignore the ache in him any longer.

Turning in his arms I smiled up at him, easing my fingers over his creased features. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," he replied quickly.

"Dream," I sighed. "You can't lie to me like you do everyone else. I feel it, every tiny speck of the emotions you pretend aren't there."

"It is-"

"It is eating you up inside, Dream." I cut him off with a frown. "The longer you sit there and tell me it's nothing the more I can feel it. The crushing weight of whatever it is you're feeling."

He looked thoughtful for a moment before it was gone. "I apologize, I didn't realize you could feel it this much."

"That's not the point," I said. "I don't care if I feel it, I'm used to feeling your emotions. What I do care about is that you're killing yourself trying to hide it from me."

"It is not your burden."

"YOU are my burden. You and your wellbeing have everything to do with me and mine. All I want is to help you, to be here for you." I held his face in my hands gently.

A frustrated sigh left him. "You cannot help me. These are matters far beyond the compression of mortals."

It hurt, the sudden callousness of his voice but more so the implication that I was just another human to him. I didn't bother covering up the pain and Dream did not pretend like it wasn't there. I moved away from him slightly, the action spurring him to move, to hold onto me. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize I was inconveniencing you."

"You..." He sighed, setting his head to my shoulder. "You're not. Forgive me, I didn't mean to-"

"It's alright." I replied, pushing my own pain away and curling my fingers into his hair. He was right, in a sense. I didn't know what he was going through, not the way Death or Destiny would. "You're the king and an Endless. I won't pretend to know what it's like to bear that responsibility. I was just... Everyone needs help, Morpheus. Even you. I just wanted you to know that I'm here for you, however you need."

"I know you are," he whispered. "I'm sorry that I made you feel I don't appreciate your presence here. I do, greatly. It's just… An adjustment."

I nodded. "I understand. And I should probably return to my world soon."

He pulled his head away, looking down at me with a frown. "Penelope-"

"It's okay. This is your home, Dream, and I'm a guest. It's okay that you need a bit of space. Besides," I shook my head and squeezed his hand. "I've left Johanna alone with Pierre for too long. Any longer and she'll probably kill him."

"Yes, and that would be a true shame indeed," he replied with a light teasing tone. He pulled me into his chest. "But, this is your home too. I don't ever want you to feel like it isn't."

I smiled, pulling him down into a kiss. "I know."

We sat on the balcony together, looking out at The Dreaming. His arms wound around me from behind, holding me tenderly and close. The ache he felt had lessened but it was still present enough for me to lean back into him. "You have a beautiful kingdom, and good subjects, my lord.

"They have lost faith in me," he replied so quietly I nearly missed it.

"Why do you think that?"

"They abandoned The Dreaming in my absence. And upon my return they…" He sighed into my hair. "They do not care for me as they do you."

I turned a little to look up at him. "That's not true, Dream."

He offered up a sad smile. "It's alright. I just wish things could be different."

"Things can be." I looked back out at the town. "They miss you."

"How do you mean?"

"They miss the magnificent Dream Lord that would walk among them and make new and beautiful things." I said turning to him. "All of them speak of you as though a part of you was lost, the part that enjoyed this job and all that came with it."

Dream thought on my words for a moment before speaking. "I do enjoy this job."

"Show them that," I urged.

He brushed his fingers against my face. "I adore you."

With a smile I curled into his embrace. "I love you, my grumpy king."

"I'm not grumpy."

"He says while pouting."

***

Dream had accompanied me back to the apartment, and had saved me from losing an eye to a crossbow bolt as we immediately popped in between Johanna and Pierre as they fought. Pierre was on the other side of my bed with a knife aimed and ready to throw while Johanna had just busted my door down and started letting bolts fly. The two of them were impossible as I sat them down on the couch and scolded them like children. They cleaned up their mess and fixed my door while Dream and I said our goodbyes.

That had been last week and the waking world felt like it just kept dragging on. Every day was the same, filled with planning and calling contacts and trying to track the movements of the doctor and his associates. It was tedious and stressful and I longed for the night, for Dream to come visit. Every night he stayed beside me, smothering the anxiety and fear that filled me during the days and every night I slept peacefully. Matthew had of course been assigned to watch duty, often spending all day beside me or out patrolling the streets in an attempt to help us avoid trouble.

I sat on the couch beside Johanna, rubbing my eyes, dry from looking through so many maps and papers. She set her head back against the couch. "God this sucks."

"Researching usually is, Jo."

"That's why I make you do it and not me."

"You two should stop being so negative!" Pierre shouted from the kitchen. "It attracts bad luck!"

I could practically see Johannas veins pop. "We wouldn't have to be so negative if you'd come help for once!"

He scoffed and I had to physically move my legs into her lap to keep her from getting up and beating his ass. "I am making macarons, witch! This requires great attention to detail and patience. Things you seem to know little of."

"That's it!" She hollered.

"Both of you enough!" I shouted over them. "I know tensions are high, but we'll figure it out. Together. We always do."

Pierre peaked his head out of the kitchen and smiled. "Spoken like a natural born leader, Ma moitié."

I rolled my eyes and looked up at Matthew, who sat perched on the coffee table. "You up for another fly around town to check this new information out?"

He gave me a nod and Pierre exited the kitchen, pulling on his jacket and prepping a cigarette. "I'll go with the bird. Two eyes are better than one. Besides, I need a few ingredients for my macaroons."

"Be careful you two." I returned to Johanna's side and glared down at the papers. "We have to be missing something."

"I don't know what," she admitted. "We've gone through every possible channel and every one of my contacts. This is all of it."

All of it and yet it gave us nothing. These papers revealed sightings and old, long abandoned warehouses but nothing new or current. The gaps in between the dates and the information left too much open and in turn left us blind. Damn it all it was frustrating. After another thirty minutes of useless digging Johanna ordered food while I showered, both of us burnt out and nearing the breaking point.

We ate in silence as Pierre returned without Matthew. Dream must've needed him, I told myself as the Frenchman settled onto the couch beside me and ate with us. His light hearted jokes seemed to ease some of the tension, but the sad truth was each of us went to bed that night plagued by a fear that we wouldn't find anything useful in time. Matthew was waiting in my room with a flower in his beak. I sighed and took the flower from him. "He's not coming tonight is he?"

"Sorry Penny, the boss got swamped last minute with some nightmare business."

I nodded, and sat down on my bed beside him. "It's okay, he can't always be running back and forth between his work and me here."

Before I could even try to stop them the tears had fallen down my cheeks and I quietly began to sob. Matthew scooted in closer. "Hey, it's okay Penny. I'm sure he'll be here tomorrow night."

"That's not…" I sighed. "It's just been a really long week."

"I know," he replied, setting his tiny head on my lap. "I'm sorry."

I cried for a while longer, Matthew doing what he could to comfort me, but it wasn't until my door opened and Pierre wordlessly wrapped his arms around me that I felt the stress start to lessen. Matthew moved to the curtains as Pierre pulled me into the bed, curling up and rocking me a little. "The lover is busy tonight?"

Nodding, I closed my eyes tightly. "Will you stay with me?"

Pressing a kiss to my hair he nodded. "Until the end, Ma moitié."

I didn't sleep well that night, but Pierre remained beside me, even as I tossed and turned and woke up screaming. He stayed. The next morning was rough, but each of us were determined to find something today. Pierre left early, his associates had called with a new potential location he wanted to check out. Johanna and I poured ourselves into a new file that she'd managed to convince some doctor to send her and Matthew had been called back to The Dreaming to update Lucienne, who'd somehow gotten roped into digging through the library, and Dream on things here.

Hours passed without a word from Matthew or Pierre and though Johanna's lead had been a good one dread settled in me. "How long has it been since Pierre left?"

She looked up from her notes and at her watch. "Five hours."

"That's too long," I said, pulling out my phone and calling his number.

One ring. Two. Three. Four until at last the line connected. "I must say I'm a bit disappointed, Barlow. You're usually more on top of your little playthings."

The deep voice was one I'd recognize even if I were deaf. Dominic "The Bull" Porter had been one of the first to join the doctors hunt for me. He enjoyed cruelty and inflicting pain and fear on others and he'd killed nearly every one of my friends over the years. And now, it seemed, he had either killed or taken Pierre. "Where is he?"

"Oh he's here," he assured me with a smile in his voice. "Say hello Marquis."

"Ma moitié, do not come!" Pierre said, pained and desperate. "Do not come for me."

He knew I'd never agree to that, knew I'd never abandon him. Johanna had risen from her spot and disappeared into the office as I spoke to The Bull. "What do you want?"

"You." He answered simply. "Come alone and unarmed and I'll let him go."

Liar. I knew his games. Knew exactly as Pierre did, that The Bull left no survivors. "Alright. Where are you?"

"A warehouse, I'll send you the address." Echoes of Pierre screaming filled the line and my seething anger grew. "And, Barlow, no funny business."

The line went dead as Johanna came out of the office, decked out in weapons and pulling on a pair of gloves. "Is he still alive?"

"For now," I said tensely. "Sounds like he's gone through a hell of a beating though."

"Get your stuff and let's move."

I walked quickly to my room, grabbing the black bag from under my bed and unzipping it to reveal the black attire I'd thought was long behind me. Dressing quickly and pulling my blades from their box I sighed. We're coming, Pierre. Just hold on.

***

Dream sat in his bed, leafing through the pages of the book and absorbing the information quickly. Rumors had begun to spread through The Dreaming, whispers of there being signs of a Vortex. Dream had of course kept the information quiet while he looked into the matter on his own. If a Vortex had been born he needed to be ready, though focusing was proving difficult as his mind was filled with thoughts of Penelope.

He missed her, all that reminded of her time beside him was the lingering smell of her on his sheets and hanging over her clothes. Missing their meeting last night had been difficult for him. He knew she'd understand, but he could feel the faint lingering of her disappointment and stress. Their search was taking a toll on her. Every night he offered to help and every night she refused. It was annoying, but after the display the doctor had provided nearly a month ago he understood. He had no desire to return to the glass cage, he just wished he could help her more.

The books on Rose Walker had given him much information and so he sent Matthew from Penelope's side for a short moment to catch a simple view of the girl. He merely needed to see her, her home and those around her to keep an eye on the situation.

***

As the darkness of night overtook the sky Johanna and I watched the warehouse from across the street. This was a trap, obvious and set to perfection in nearly every way. The Bull was not just big and strong but also cunning. He loved to play with his food, the food in this case being me and Johanna. We watched the workers move about, obviously not real warehouse men or women judging by the stiffness of their movements and the way their eyes looked around constantly. They were ready and waiting for us.

"What's the plan?" Johanna asked. "I counted ten outside, though inside there will definitely be more."

"I want to keep this quiet. We take out as many as we can in the main area, move inside slowly and just work through the place room by room."

"And if that doesn't work?"

"Then we'll need to split their focus between the two points of entrance." I said pointing. "You move in through the back here while I move in front here. They'll be forced to take us both on and hopefully that'll be enough."

Johanna crouched beside me. "Any clue where they're keeping him?"

I tilted my head to the top floor. "There. The Bull wouldn't leave him on the lower floors. He wants to draw us in completely."

She sighed. "And once we are in? You know this is a trap, they'll swarm the place the second we get to the top."

"We'll either have to take a leap out one of the lower windows, aiming for something on the softer side. Or we'll have to just push out through whatever floor we can."

"This is going to be awful."

"I know." Sparing her a look I pulled the black cloth up over the lower half of my face. "Be careful."

"You too."

I blended into the shadows like I’d been doing it my whole life, my footsteps were silent as I made my way around the tall fence and to my own entry point. As I stood, waiting in the cold silence for Johannas signal I steeled myself as I had before taking any life. Pierre’s life was all that mattered tonight. A sharp whistle echoed through the warehouse lot and my feet moved without hesitation, leveraging myself up and over the wall with ease. Moving through the large pieces of equipment and shipping containers I followed the guards paths, mentally taking note of each one before looking past them to Johanna as she waited across the lot. One nod. One nod and one knife loosening from my boot. Get Pierre. Get out. Get Pierre. Get out.

The first guard moved past me only an inch before I reached out and pulled him into the shadows, digging my knife deep in her throat and holding her mouth shut until she stopped moving. The second peaked out between the containers just in time as I threw one of the multitude of tiny, thin knives and watched it hit the target with precision. The third came back into view just as the second guard went down. The noise of him and his heavy gear falling against the pavement drawing the third one's attention and setting my trap into motion. I moved swiftly through the maze of things until I ended up right behind him at the exact moment I needed to. His hand lifted up to the radio on his shoulder, but he never got the chance to press the button. I pulled my blade from him, setting him down gently and then moving out of the way just as the fourth guard came into view above on the stairwell.

Johanna was already there, a small knife barely catching the light before she leapt from the darkness and pulled him down to the ground, smothering any noises he could make. From her perch she looked down at me and gestured to the side door, holding up three fingers. Three more.

Using nothing but my hands I asked her how many she could see inside. She turned and looked inside the small window, her hand forming the circle and sending the dread straight to my gut. Zero? That wasn’t possible. The Bull would never make this so easy. I shoved my thoughts back down and moved to the side door, cutting through the guards similarly to the others and waiting bedside the door as Johanna moved inside and opened it. In a hushed voice she shook her head. “There's no one inside on this or the second floor.”

“Keep your eyes open,” I warned as we moved to the stairs. “This might be a bigger trap than I thought.”

“Fuck.”

Johanna was right, the entire warehouse was empty. We checked every room between us and the stairs, all empty. There were small signs of things being moved around, empty boxes and skid marks along the dirty floor. This had been an active site for them, but something had changed and they’d moved, quickly by the look of it. On the top floor the openness of the space did little to ease the worry and apprehension that filled me. Pierre was tied to a chair, cut up and beaten, half conscious as his head hung in front of him. But, just like the other floors there was no one else in sight. “I don’t like this.”

We moved to Pierres side, now in a rush. Get Pierre. I shook him gently, a relieved breath filling my lungs as he started to come to. “Take it easy. They fucked you up pretty good Frenchie.” Johanna said as she began cutting the ties that held him.

He smiled a little, wincing at the way the movement pulled at his busted lip. “I told you not to come.”

“Did you think we were gonna listen?” I asked, eyes scanning the room. “We weren’t ever gonna leave you here.”

“It’s a trap,” he said softly. “I don’t know how but it’s a trap.”

“Obviously,” Johanna said, bitterly. “A bit more gratitude would be appreciated, you know.”

“Gratitude?” he scoffed. “I’d be far more grateful if you’d have stayed out of it.”

She groaned. “God you’re such a fucking asshole.”

Pierre rubbed his wrists as soon as they were free. Get out. “And you’re a cunt, it does little to change the fact that we’re all fucked now.”

“How?” she demanded. “I don’t see anyone.”

“If you think they are not waiting with something then you’re a fool, witch.”

A soft noise filled the room, melodic chimes and tunes. Music. Quiet music played in the far corner of the space. I walked toward the large tarp slowly, the ball of anxious dread forming in my gut shifting into an all consuming wave. Johanna and Pierre bickered behind me, their voices fading as I lifted the tarp and felt my heart drop. "Get out."

"What?" Johanna turned toward me.

"Get out of here now!" I said louder, taking a step back.

The tarp slid from its perch over the boxes, revealing the mess of wires and blinking lights. "Fuck."

Pierre cursed in French. "This is overkill."

"Move carefully, watch your steps." I cautioned keeping my eyes glued onto the firestarter. Hopefully there was something here to indicate how much time we had left to-

The sudden burst of heat and blunt force slammed into me without warning and I flew back, head hitting the ground. Darkness swarmed my vision as heat and smoke rolled over me.

***

Dream had just finished returning his books on Rose Walker to the library. His mind hummed with possible strategies to handle her when her power as Vortex got out of control, none he liked. He’d set the last book on the shelf when he heard his sister's voice asking for entrance into his realm. It was unusual for Death to have time for a visit, but Dream was glad that he’d get to see her as he made his way to the throne room with a smile. "My sister, it's good to see you. I was not…" She turned, a serious and sad look on her usually bright face. "What's wrong?"

"I need you to come with me, Dream." She said, "Now."

***

Every inch of my body burned as I slowly came to. Smoke had consumed the ceiling and flames licked at every exposed section of the warehouse. I couldn't breathe, couldn't move as a heavy weight became unbearably apparent on my chest. One of the thick beams had fallen in the blast, fallen right on top of me crushing my chest. Gasping for air felt even harder as the room filled with smoke. My bloody hands fumbled uselessly against the splintered wood, trying to find some kind of purchase, something that would help me push the weight off. Tears stung my eyes as I groaned, kicking my feet and writhing.

"Pen!" Johanna shouted from across the flame filled room. She coughed a few times. "Don't you fucking do this to me Barlow!"

I closed my eyes and sighed. "Get out Jo!"

"Fuck that!" She yelled back. "I won't leave you!"

"Go!" I insisted as another section of the floor crumbled around us. "Please, Johanna! I'll find a way out, just go!"

I couldn't see her, but I'd recognize the sound of her quiet, repressed sobs anywhere. "You promise? Truly fucking promise?"

My lips wobbled but I forced the words to sound true. "I promise!"

"Get out, Pen. Or I swear to God I'll kick your ass!" Her coughing and voice faded slowly as she found a way through the growing flames.

Another set of coughs and raggedy wheezing joined my own as a figure stumbled out of the smoke towards me. "You should not lie, Ma moitié, it's not tasteful in situations like this."

A weak sob left me at the sight of him. Cut up, bloody and beaten but still standing. "God you're an ass. Will you try to help me, Pierre?"

"Always, my half," he whispered, hurriedly wiping my tears and moving to examine the beam that pinned me. "Quite the pickle you've gotten yourself into."

The pain only grew as my dry throat constricted with a bleak laugh. "Yeah, well, if it weren't for your pickle my pickle wouldn't be this bad."

"A fair point," he wheezed out. "Time to lift, slowly try to move once I have it up."

"Okay," I agreed. "Be careful."

"One." Grinding my teeth together I slowed my ragged breaths. "Two." I steadied my legs, grinding the heels of my feet deep into the floor. "Three!"

The weight lifted off me and I forced my shaking legs to try and push me out from under it. Even with both of us the beam did not move. The pressure eased as we lifted it just a little but then it came crashing back down with a vengeance. As I whined and sobbed Pierre came back to my head, his face lacked all his usual sarcasm. "Fuck it's that bad?"

"It's not good," he admitted. "Can you move at all?"

Every inch of my body filled with pain as I tried to move my legs. I could do it, could force the movement, but it would still take too long to lift the beam. "Barely."

"I'll just have to pull harder then."

"Leave me. Please, Pierre just leave me and… And get out," I tried, but the second the words reached him he scoffed, clasping my hand in a tight grip.

"Stop! I will not abandon you, not ever. If you burn I shall burn by your side."

Heavy footsteps echoed around us. "Such a lovely sentiment. The Stewards said something similar when I put them to the blade. I'll never understand what it is about you that inspires such foolish loyalty."

"Fucking bastard," I ground out. "Why don't you just stay dead?"

"Sorry, doll, I've got a job to do."

Pierre stood between The Bull and I, fists clenched and mind set. "Keep trying to get free, Ma moitié. I'll handle him."

"No!" I cried out. "Go Pierre, please go!"

He turned, smiling down at me. "Hurry, the flames won't wait long"

"God damn stubborn French ass!" I groaned desperately, clawing at the bean, pushing to get it off me as Pierre and The Bull faced off. "Lift damn it!" I begged as the sound of Pierre taking blow after blow echoed in my ears.

"Isabel run!"

She stood between him and I. "I won't leave you!"

"Pathetic," The Bull chuckled.

I watched helplessly as she got in a hit, two before he threw her to the ground again and again and again. I screamed her name as the blood and bits of flesh began littering the pavement.

Everything stopped as Pierre hit the floor. The Bull kept punching, again and again and again, blood coating his fists and spraying across the floor. "Pierre!" No. I forced my arms under the beam and pulled with all my strength. Just fucking lift! I felt the weight ease off my chest just enough and pushed my feet across the floor, sliding out from beneath it at last. Weak and battered, I crawled across the floor, grabbing my discarded blade and forcing myself to keep moving toward them.

The Bulls blade blazed in the firelight as he lifted it into the air and quickly forced it down. Pierre's scream of pain sent anger and fear through me as I forced myself up, jumping onto The Bulls back and digging my own blade in his shoulder. With a roar he threw me off of him and stood, tossing my blade at my feet and stumbling back onto a weaker section of floor before falling through it completely.

Pierre's ragged breaths were all I could hear as I moved to his side. He was beaten, bones twisted and broken and blood and insides spilling from his gut. I choked on a sob and pressed my hands to his wounds. Weakly he spoke, "You have to go."

"No. Come in, we can do this," I insisted, pulling him up a little. "If you can just stand for three minutes I can… I can…"

Pierre's legs didn't move, didn't respond to any of the movements or stimulants. My breath caught in my throat as it all started to sink in. He couldn't move. That fucking bastard had paralyzed him. We settled back onto the floor, I kept his head propped up with my jacket and pressed my hands down hard into the gaping holes in his abdomen. He couldn't move, but that didn't mean he wouldn't live, I just needed… I… I needed…

The sight of his real smile broke me. "I'm afraid this is goodbye, Ma moitié."

"No," I insisted, hands pushing on the sound tighter, pushing past the unbearable clawing that came with the feeling of his blood on my hands. "No. No. No. You're going to be okay… You don't… You can't…"

Pierres shaking thumb brushed away my tears. "All things have to come to an end. Even stubborn French assholes like me."

The smoke was becoming unbearable now as I coughed with each heavy breath. "Pierre I can't… I can't do this without you."

"Yes you can," he insisted. "You have the witch and you have the lover."

"But they aren't you," I sobbed desperately, pulling one hand away to fist in his stupid jacket. "I need you. Your stupid jokes and… And your greasy hair and the cigarettes… I can't… I…"

He shushed me softly, his hand weakly cupping the back of my neck. "I am ready to go. I had been ready long before I met you, but then…" He chuckled. "Then I had you to live for."

"Then live you bastard!" I shouted. "Don't give up on me now! Live!"

"I have," his dark eyes sparkled in the firelight. "Because of you I lived, and now it is time for me to finally repay that debt."

I held his head in my hands. "You already paid it! You paid it in that fucking alley, you paid it in... in Spain and, and in Greece and every moment after. You've always kept your promises, so don't… Don't you dare break them now."

He groaned weakly, the pain finally starting to set in. "Ma moitié, you can't stop this. Neither of us can now."

This wasn't real. It couldn't be real. I curled into his side, laying my head onto his chest and holding his hands in mine. "I… I…" Pierre was right. Damn him he was right. As the flames grew higher and the smoke filled the room I held my friend tighter, closing my eyes and whispering raggedly, "I'll stay with you. Until the end I'll stay."

"Stubborn ass," he huffed with a pained cough.

"Always."

I focused on his weak stuttering breaths beneath me, ignoring the discomfort of the heat and the stinging of the smoke, ignoring everything but him. Pierre, for the first time since I'd met him, was quiet and it made every silent second all the more painful. Footsteps, light and reverent fell into place against the floor and a familiar pair of back boots settled into view beside me. Even through the fire I could feel her warmth, but this time I wasn't glad to see her, wasn't comforted by her presence. This time it hurt.

"I'm so sorry Penelope," Death said quietly, a gentle hand touching my shoulder. "His time's up."

A weak noise left me as I curled further into Pierre. He stirred, head turning to look Death up and down with his signature cheshire grin. "Oh, you were right ma moitié, she is beautiful indeed. Goddess, I only need just one moment."

"Take your time."

My lips quivered as Pierre's hands tugged at mine, pulling me to sit up and face him. Death knelt beside him, waiting. I knew what he'd say… Knew he'd tell me to leave. "I'm not leaving you."

He shook his head. "You must. Not even you would survive these flames. Go, Penelope."

"No. I have to… I… I can't..." I set my forehead to his. "I can't leave you…"

With shaking hands he pressed his favorite necklace into my palm, the pendant and the key practically burning me as it all came crashing down on me. This was real. This was it. "It's all yours… It always was."

"Don't…" I whispered. "Please…"

"I love you, Penelope, Ma moitié, more than I could have loved anyone." With a tired groan his head turned again, eyes looking behind us. "Take care of her, lover…" Dream? "Or not even the beautiful Death will keep me from coming for you." A quiet moment passed, an understanding, and then he sighed, squeezing my hand one last time. "Take her home."

"No," I choked out as the biting cold of Dreams' familiar grasp settled on my skin. "No!" His arms wound around me, pulling me up into him, our bloodstained hands forced apart as he moved away from Pierre and Death. "Dream stop! Stop! Please!"

Then in the blink of an eye the burning walls and smoke were gone, replaced by the pristine white marble of the throne room and that meant... A harsh sob echoed around us as my feet hit the floor and Dream released me from his hold. No. "Take me back." Silence curled around me. I turned and looked up at him, ignoring the clear pain in his eyes, ignoring the way he gently reached for me with a soft whisper, ignoring everything. "TAKE ME BACK!" Tears slid down his cheeks as my fists slammed against his chest. "Takemeback! Takemeback!" Cold hands wrapped around wrists as my angry yells turned to desperate cries. "I have to…" My legs crumbled beneath me as the room began to quake and his solid back figure followed me to the ground. "Morpheus please!"

"I'm sorry," he whispered into my hair. The floor beneath us shattered and cracked as I sobbed and screamed in his arms. "I'm so sorry."

My Pierre was gone.

***

Dream watched Penelope as she sat on the edge of the bridge, quietly weaving the threads between her fingers. It had been a month since Death had come to him. A month since he’d followed her into the burning building and watched his love say goodbye to the Frenchman, a man she loved with everything she had. He still felt guilty for tearing her from his side, her desperate pleas for him to stop… for him to return her to the fire haunted him. What hurt most was watching her continue living.

At first she’d remained in his room, barely eating, not sleeping, working through the initial shock of her grief. It had only taken her a week of this to request a trip to her apartment, where she packed the rest of her things into a bag and said goodbye to Constantine. He watched them fight, watched Constantine tell her to stay, but Penelope refused. She hugged her friend tightly and told her to get out of London for a while, told her that she refused to lose any more friends because of her which seemed to calm Constantine's rage. He had Matthew follow her, ensuring she made it to the airport and on the plane safely before reassuring Penelope that her friend was out of harm's way. Once they returned to The Dreaming she poured herself into weaving. As the weeks passed she grew powerful, both in her weaving and in whatever power she held over The Dreaming. Rain filled the sky for days, only ceasing after she slowly began to return to the routine she’d built here before going to the Waking World.

Though she’d begun to eat and speak to her friends here all of them could tell she was struggling. Dream, saw it first hand every time they retired for the night. She’d settle into the bed beside him, but there was no peace in her, just echoes of pain and the sound of her friend's bones breaking. She woke up screaming every night and nothing he did seemed to help her. Penelope tried to act normally, tried to act like she was healing well. Her kindness and gentle nature hadn’t changed, and she offered both freely to everyone around. But in quiet moments like the one he was observing he could see the sorrow carved into her. Losing the Frenchman had taken a toll on her, causing her to retreat deep within herself to escape the pain of feeling it. In all his life he’d never felt so useless, not since Roderick Burgess.

He watched her weave for a moment longer before slowly moving to her side. She quickly hid away whatever it was she worked on and turned to him with a smile, soft and modest. Sad. “What are you hiding?”

“Nothing,” she insisted. “It’s just a project.”

“One I cannot see?”

She shrugged her shoulders. “It’s not ready yet.”

Dream pressed a kiss to her head. “I have one last meeting for the night, then we can wander the gardens if you wish.”

“I’d like that,” she answered leaning back into him for a moment. “Go, get your work done.”

He hesitated, feeling the sorrow curl within her, but he followed her quiet command nonetheless. “I’ll only be a moment.”

Cain and Abel had not asked for much in their time in his realm. They mostly kept to themselves, tended to their own houses and gardens and stayed out of everyone else's way. So, when Cain of all people had requested a meeting with him he was worried, secretly preparing himself for the worst. The brothers stood, speaking softly to Lucienne as they waited. Their backs straightened as he entered the room and they bowed. “Lord Morpheus.”

“I must say I am surprised you called for a meeting, Cain. Abel.” He stood before them, waiting. “Is something wrong?”

Abel shook his head. “No! Nothings wrong, my lord!”

Cain rolled his eyes. “We had an idea, my lord. One that we hope would help ease our lady's grief.”

He tilted his head. “What do you have in mind?”

“A statue,” Abel answered.

“We humbly offer our garden as its building site.”

Dream couldn’t help but smile a little as he looked to Lucienne, who seemed just as appreciative of the brothers offer as he was. “Please call for Mervyn, we’ll begin designing it immediately.”

***

It had been a month and a half since the warehouse fire and life, as it always did, moved on. Johanna was spending time in Norway, helping a few associates with a demon problem or two. I’d paid the apartment off, giving her a permanent place for whenever she returned to London. That didn’t do much to make her less angry with me for leaving, but after everything… I looked out at the view of The Dreaming from the bedroom balcony and sighed. I couldn’t win against the doctor, not when he had every possible resource to use against me. Hiding here, laying low and biding my time was safer for everyone even if it meant I was a coward.

After taking a week to wallow in the loss of my closest ally and friend I’d done my best to jump back into the normal routine of things. I’d learned how to continue living after such a loss from the years of prior experience, but it was different this time. I had the whole of The Dreaming that seemed to grieve with me. Lucienne had brought me Pierre's dream log, something that I could read when I missed him. Matthew who brought me random gifts from the Waking World every time he visited. Dream, who remained beside me through all of it, even the worst parts. He always had open arms waiting for me when I woke from a terrible night's sleep and soft words every time he could feel the pain of my grief begin to grow too much for me to ignore. He made the month not just manageable but better, easier.

Though I’d begun to feel better, feel like myself, there was still an unbreakable and unshakable sense of loneliness that filled me. For once it wasn’t because anyone around me had neglected me or because I'd neglecting myself, but simply because of who I’d lost. Pierre had been a home for me, the only constant I had for a long time and losing that… Losing him was something I had never prepared myself for. In the quiet moments when it was just me I missed him. His stupid, crude jokes, the smell of his cigarettes, the feel of his hand in mine. I missed Pierre so deeply that I read his dream book every day in an attempt to ease the feeling.

I twisted the threads in my fingers, smiling at black glistening chain of the necklace beginning to take shape. The glistening blue jewel hung, encased in the black material that while similar to that of my ring lacked the starlight that Dream had given it. I’d hoped the jewel I’d chosen could provide that missing piece, but more I hoped that Dream would like it. After our fun at the old tavern I’d started noticing him touch his chest in moments of deep thought. A phantom action, one he likely did often when he’d had his ruby to wear. So I’d started this project, a necklace to gift him eventually… If I ever gained the courage to. He deserved something nice, something all his own after everything he'd suffered through and after everything he'd given me since our reunion and long before.

The door to the bedroom opened and I scrambled to hide the necklace as Dream entered and regarded my quick movements with an arched brow. “Should I wait outside?”

“No,” I laughed a little. “No, it’s alright.”

“I’m assuming it’s your project that you’re hiding from me?”

“Yep,” I confirmed moving to his side and wrapping my arms around his middle. “Are you done for the day?”

Dream smiled and shook his head. “I have one last task that needs my attention, but I was hoping you’d accompany me for it.”

I kissed him, the feel of his soft lips moving gently with mine easing the loneliness. “Always.”

He and I walked across the bridge and through the town, regarding everyone with small waves and smiles. When we turned down the path to Cain and Abels houses I looked up at him with a suspicious gaze, but he merely squeezed my arm. “There’s a new addition to The Dreaming that I have to approve of, or rather you do.”

“Me?” I questioned. “Why would I have to approve of it?”

There, standing tall and proud across the bridge in the center of Cain and Abels garden was a beautiful marble statue, a statue of Pierre. My breath caught in my throat as I pulled away from Dream's side and moved closer. Cain and Abel stood off to the side with Lucienne and Merv. Matthew perched on a small white bench overgrown with lilacs and peonies at the foot of the statue. They all bowed their heads as I approached, watery eyes looking up at the familiar face of my dear friend in his jacket with his hair slicked back and a cigarette in his fingers.

Abel spoke first. “We hope you like it., my lady.”

Merv sighed. “If there's anything off about it, just let me know and we’ll get right on it, kid… I mean, my lady.”

Matthew flapped his wings from below me. “The cigarette was my idea.”

I smiled as tears streamed down my cheeks. “You didn’t have to do this.”

Cain set a hand on my shoulder. “Of course not, but we wanted to. Now if you ever want to see him, ever wat to relive the memories, you can just come here.”

Turning and embracing Cain I sighed. “Thank you.”

“It’s the least we could do for you, my lady.”

Lucienne rubbed my arm and nodded to the base of the statue “Lord Morpheus insisted on adding the plague.”

In memory of Pierre Sauveterre, "The Marquis", loyal friend and brave protector of our beloved Lady.

More tears streamed down my cheeks as I traced the indented letters with my fingers before turning to look at Dream. He stood in the back, far enough away to give me space to work through my emotions, but close enough that I knew he was there. As I walked to his side, everyone else joining Cain and Abel inside for tea, I smiled. “Thank you. I know you didn’t exactly like him.”

Dream shook his head, wrapping his arms around me. “I would have made it as large as the palace if it would ease your pain.”

Laughing, really truly laughing for the first time in months I replied, “He would’ve loved that. He would have loved this.”

“I’m certain he would have. Your friend was not very humble.” Dream stroked my cheek and set his forehead against mine. “It’s good to see this smile again, good to hear you laugh.”

“Thank you,” I whispered. “For everything.”

We stood like that for a while longer before joining the others inside for a while. They seemed surprised that Dream had stayed, but seemed to welcome him with enthusiasm. As the sun set as we walked back to the palace, the moon casting a glow down on Pierres statue gleaming off the golden plague and bathing my friend in the adoration of The Dreaming.

***

Dreams day had began considerably well. Penelope curled up against him, her soft skin beneath his fingers and the pleasant sensations of their previous activities still lingering on his skin. However things hadn't stayed so calm. He’d sent Lucienne out to perform one final census of The Dreaming and its inhabitants while he saw to his final list of repairs, the ones small and inconsequential outside of his own notice. Penelope had gone to the town again, the jealous ache that had been plaguing him for months now was running high as he watched the glowing light of the stained glass follow her out the doors. After their initial, small argument concerning these feelings he had Dream was going to talk to her about it all. Then she’d lost her friend and he’d watched her suffer with the loss.

After that there never seemed to be a good time - a lie he’d told himself to put off the discussion - he didn’t want to upset her after she’d just begun to feel like herself again. So he’d pushed them down more and more every passing day. Buried them and ignored them until it had gotten to the point where every tiny shift in The Dreaming around his lady, every tiny bow and word of praise given to her by one of his subjects had sent an ugly pulsating pain through him, one he could not ignore.

He’d been short with everyone since then, on edge and trying desperately to keep hold on the control he was so used to having. Penelope made that difficult. Her inquisitive nature and kindness made it hard to be anything but in love with her. And in love with her he was, desperately so, but his jealousy was born of fear… of a deep seated need to be in control and it had a power of its own.

“I have completed the census you requested, Lord Morpheus.” Lucienne came to him in the throne room, opening up the book in her hands.

“Good. And?”

“I have accounted for 11,062 of them.”

Matthew shifted at their feet as he and Penelope returned from the town. “Wow. Someone’s been busy.”

Penelope gave Lucienne a pat on the arm. “Don’t work too hard now, Lucienne.” She then turned to him and smiled brightly. With her smile the glass behind them glowed once again and through his admiration of her beauty the ache shifted into a sharp stabbing pain.

“Yes, well…” Lucienne said dismissively as she handed the book to Dream, allowing him to look through it. “There are a handful of new entities.”

“That is to be expected.”

Lucienne’s demeanor shifted, her eyes darting up to Penelope and then to him. “But… three of the Major Arcana are gone.”

Anger mingled with the stabbing pain of his repressed emotions as he darkly replied, “Name them.”

“The first is Gault.” At her words the stained glass shifted behind the throne, moving to form the image of the nightmare. “A nightmare, who I must say, I never trusted.”

“She is a shape changer. It is not in her nature to be trustworthy.” He said coldly as Penelope's fingers brushed against his own. “Who else?”

“The Corinthian.”

The glass in the center above the throne shifted, pulling to reveal the image of his prized nightmare. “I assumed as much. Still feeding on the dreamers he was meant to serve.”

“Yes.” She said softly.

“The last?”

“The last is Fiddlers Green.”

“Fiddlers green?” He questioned as the last pane of glass changed to the green and blue hues of the meadow. Dream shook his head. “That is passing strange. He is, after all, vavasor of his own dominion and always so reliable.”

Penelope stared up at the glass, bathed in its glow. “So these are the last residents of The Dreaming?”

Lucienne nodded. “Yes, my lady, the only ones that it seems are not too keen on returning.”

She looked to Dream and smiled gently. “Three of ten thousand isn’t too bad.”

He admired her ability to find the light in this dark situation, but as the glow around her grew so did the pain of all he’d kept buried as well as the fresh pain at the knowledge that this was his doing. “This is my fault. Had I been here fulfilling my function-”

“It was not your fault, my lord.” Lucienne assured him with a quiet look of determination.

“No?” He asked. “Then whose?”

“Roderick,” Penelope said matter of factly. “He tore you away from your work. He is to blame for the damage that was inflicted during your absence.

At the mention of his name older pain mingled with all that he already felt. Anger, jealousy, pity, sorrow… It was too much. He pinched the bridge of his nose. “If I had been able to escape earlier, none of this would have been able to happen.”

Penelope tilted her head, a thoughtful look passing over her face. “You can’t dwell on what ifs Dream. The past is set, it’s how you handle the future that matters.”

Without thinking he scoffed. “A human way to look at things.”

“Yes, well that is what I am,” she replied, her eyes swimming in the hurt his words had caused. “Is that such a problem?”

Dream shrugged off the question. “Your humanity has not been an issue, your lack of dream however, has prolonged both our suffering.”

“Excuse me?” She demanded coldly.

“If you had been able to dream I could have used them to escape the night you entered that basement.” He replied, unable to stop the words now, the emotion he’d held such a tight grip on at last spilling from inside him.

“I didn’t ask to have my dreams taken away,” she reminded him. “It was your brothers actions that resulted in that.”

“Destiny had his reasons,” he said coolly. “He is an Endless and holds a responsibility you could never understand.”

Penelope’s eyes lit up with fire and at the sight of it he felt his whole body react. “The Endless aren’t above understanding, Dream. And my dreamlessness has been far more of an inconvenience to myself than anyone else.”

"If you hadn't been so useless in aiding me during my capture then I would have been freed before my subjects could even think of deserting!" A silence hung in the air as his words settled between them. He was flooded, overflowing with anger and fear and everything he'd been burying for months now, and though he knew his words were not truly aimed at Penelope she did not.

"Useless?" She hissed. "I did more for you than anyone else! You speak like the Endless are so superior and yet not one of them came for you."

"Choose your next words wisely."

Choose she did, fire in her eyes she spoke again, "They left you to rot in that basement. I was the one that suffered alongside you. I was the one that kept Jessamy safe when you couldn't and I was the one that burned her body so that you could one day mourn her!" Hot tears streamed down her cheeks, and Dream wanted to curl in on himself as her pain filled him. It hurt so badly, she hurt because of him, but his anger overshadowed everything, every sane thought telling him to stop this. "It wasn't one of your siblings, your precious Endless nor any one of your nightmares or dreams that kept you from withering away in that glass cage. It was me."

His jaw tightened. "Watch yourself, mortal."

She scoffed, taking one last step towards him, putting them chest to chest. "Mortal. Lady. Soul bound. Weaver. Useless. Nothing." His jaw twitched and the anger in him softened at the word. In his anger he made her feel like nothing… Just as they had spent all those years telling her she was. In his anger he'd made her feel inferior to him, to his family… He'd made her feel like they had. Dream didn't mean this, none of these words were meant for her but for himself. It was him he blamed for all the ruin that had befallen his realm. "Which am I, Morpheus?"

Dream opened his mouth, mind set on apologizing, on righting the wrongful hurt he'd shifted onto her shoulders instead of his own, but before any words could come pain seized him, a pain he knew. Something dark and powerful pulled at him. Into the darkness. "No…" The breath began to slip from his lungs, replaced by burning fire. "Not again."

The world around him was hazy, beginning to blur in and out of darkness and too much light. All he could feel was her warm hands, holding his face. All he could see was her wet tear filled eyes. Her voice echoed around him. "It's okay. You're going to be okay."

He'd heard this before. No. he forced his hands to move, to grab hold of her, the soft fabric of her dress filling his palms. Not again. Don't leave me. Her lips pressed to his forehead and he shattered beneath her. "Penelope..."

"Forgive me," she whispered against his skin, pulling away from him slightly, the pain and haze in his vision pulling with her.

His strength began to return to him as he drew heavy breaths into his lungs. "Penelope please!"

"I'm sorry." His hands gripped tighter and tighter and then she was gone completely. Dream collapsed to his knees, eyes glued to his empty shaking hand. She was gone. His breath stuttered with the realization. She took his boon... Took his place. She was gone again.

He could hear Lucienne's quiet sobs and Matthews pained caws and restless flapping. He could feel The Dreaming ripple and scream at the absence of its lady. With tears stinging his eyes he clenched his teeth and his hand. They did this, his thoughts sneered as darkness filled the room. "Find her," his voice was soft and final. "Find them. Every last one of them."

***

The second Dream began to falter. I had moved, had rushed forward to catch him. Not even the anger I felt or the hurt his words had caused me could keep me from going to him. "Dream?" He was wheezing, breath stuttering as if it were impossible for him to regain.

"No," he whispered, desperate and aching. "Not again."

Again. My eyes widened as the realization hit me. They were trying to capture him, trying to lock him away once more. No. He was too important to this world to be locked away again. He was needed, needed by every dream and nightmare, needed by Lucienne and Matthew and the humans. Not this time. I pulled the world of threads up, eyes scanning and desperate for something, anything!

A figure made of black smoke blindly moved through throne room, in its hand Dreams thread. The thread… They'd used it to find him, to trap him. That thread has two sides, I reminded myself and once the thought came to mind it locked into place. The world needed Dream, it didn't need me, not when another weaver would be born to replace me. He wasn't going back to that cage, not ever. I pulled his face up, cradling him in my hands one last time, eyes watery and everything shaking, I committed his face to my memory. "It's okay. You're going to be okay."

His eyes were darting around me wildly, fear and anguish filling the starry blue of them. I'm so sorry, my lovely Dream… for all of it. I pressed my lips to his forehead, branding them with the cold of his skin. "Penelope…"

"Forgive me," I sobbed against him as I pulled away, gathering his thread, as much of it as I could, into my hands and pulling the spell, the figure, to me.

His breathing grew heavy as the air finally filled his lungs and began to leave mine. Desperately and wildly he called out to me, "Penelope, please!"

"I'm sorry," I gasped as the shadowed figure grabbed hold of my arms and all breath left my lungs, along with Dream… And Matthew… And Lucienne… And home.

Gasping and writhing against the cold hard glass and too bright light that stung at my vision I tried to move, tried to breath, anything. Muffled voices surrounded me, my blurred vision filled only with the too bright light that surrounded me. Noise, vibrations, it was all too much. Air. I need air! My hand clawed at my neck as my lungs burned from the lack of breath until finally something broke, the gentle hiss of air music to my ears.

Finally my lungs filled and after a minute or two my vision began to clear, the ringing in my ears dying down as the old, decrepit and smiling face of the doctor became crystal clear on the other end of the glass. The relief I'd felt was stripped away in an instant and all I could feel was the raw fear and aching that came with the knowledge that he'd won. Even in the wheelchair, hooked up to every machine and IV drip imaginable my mind painted him as an imposing threat, the biggest in the room. "Well, this is a pleasant surprise! Hello, my dear… Welcome home."

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