ladyjoftheendless

[ladyjoftheendless]

Queen of the Barrel

pairing: kaz brekker x fem!wife!reader

genre: fluff with hints of hurt comfort

requested? yes

el's thoughts: i feel like this is so ooc... and it's kinda bothering me, but once i finished it i couldn't figure out how to write it differently... so i hope it's enjoyable either way haha

kaz brekker masterlist

The news came quietly.

No fanfare. No planning. Just a missed period, a hidden test in their private quarters, and Y/N sitting on the edge of the clawfoot tub in the dim bathroom of the Slat, staring at the result as her hands trembled.

Tears pooled in her eyes—not out of fear, but out of sheer disbelief and awe. She’d never thought she'd have this with him. With Kaz. Not just the king of the Barrel, but the boy she'd known since childhood, the boy who’d built walls taller than any in Ketterdam—and slowly, painfully, let her through them.

Pregnant.

She was pregnant. With Kaz Brekker’s child.

He’d never touched anyone skin-to-skin. Not without pain. But he touched her. Her face, her arms, her hips. He held her at night with bare hands like he’d trained himself just for her. And now—

He was going to be a father.

She didn’t plan to cry, but when she stepped out of the bathroom, clutching the test, Kaz immediately looked up from his desk like he felt her shift in energy.

Kaz stared down at it, expression unreadable for a beat too long.

His brow furrowed. “Y/N?”

She didn’t speak. Just walked over, slowly, and handed him the test.

Then—softly, surprisingly gently—he looked up. “...You’re sure?”

She nodded, lip trembling. “I didn’t mean for it to happen this way, Kaz. I just—”

Before she could finish, his gloved hand reached out to grip hers, and the other—bare—found her cheek.

He didn’t speak right away. Just looked at her. The ghost of something rare tugged at the corners of his mouth. “We keep it between us. For now,” he said, voice low. “Ketterdam doesn’t get this part of you. Of us. Not yet.”

She nodded, and he pressed his forehead to hers.

It was the only part of the Barrel where he ever felt safe.

~

A month later, her baby bump was still hidden beneath her fitted waistcoat and silk blouse, but Kaz’s eyes always found her figure in a crowd. Watching. Calculating. Guarding.

Y/N had been laughing at the Crow Club bar with Jesper and Inej, a rare easy moment in a world that never stopped spinning. Wylan was somewhere sketching, Nina was dancing with her drink, and for once, she felt like she could just breathe.

Until he came stumbling in.

Drunk. Loud. New to the city, judging by the way he looked at her like she was anyone but Kaz Brekker’s wife.

Jesper noticed it first. His shoulders stiffened. Inej’s hand inched toward a dagger.

The man swayed forward with a grin. “Heard about you,” he slurred, eyes raking over Y/N in a way that made her stomach churn. “The Queen of the Barrel, huh? Gotta say, not what I expected. You’re…softer.”

Y/N’s smile dropped. “Walk away. Now.”

But the man didn’t listen. Instead, he reached forward, slow and unsteady—his hand moving toward her stomach.

The entire room froze.

Because the sound of Kaz Brekker’s cane striking the floor echoed like a thunderclap.

Click. Tap. Click. Tap.

The crowd parted instantly, tension slicing through the club like a knife through silk.

Kaz moved with terrifying calm, his face unreadable, gloved hand tight around his cane. But the hand not holding it?

Bare.

Y/N swallowed as he reached her, that hand slipping around her waist, then possessively over her stomach. The drunk man paled.

Kaz’s voice was low, venomous. “You must be new.”

The drunk man stumbled back. “I—I didn’t know she was with you, I didn’t know—”

“You knew who she was,” Kaz said sharply. “You knew enough.”

With a sharp gesture of his cane, the Dregs guards were on the man in seconds. He was dragged out by his collar, yelling, screaming, until a punch to the gut shut him up for good. The sounds of his beating were muffled by the music restarting—but no one in the Crow Club dared look at Y/N the same after that.

Kaz kept his hand on her stomach. He didn’t speak to anyone. Just guided her to the booth in the corner like she was the only thing in the world that mattered.

~

Y/N was asleep when Kaz left the room.

He stood at the door for a moment longer than usual, watching the steady rise and fall of her breathing. One of her hands rested over the soft swell of her stomach, and Kaz felt something stir in his chest he still didn’t quite have words for.

He stepped out quietly, closing the door with care, and made his way downstairs to the Slat’s common room. It was late, but the Crows kept odd hours—Jesper and Wylan were curled on the couch, Inej was at the table polishing her knives, and Nina was half-asleep in the chair near the fire.

The warmth in the room contrasted the cool weight of the words Kaz had come to share.

Jesper noticed him first. “You’re up. Everything alright?”

Kaz nodded once, slowly. He stepped into the center of the room, gloved hands relaxed at his sides. There was no cane slam, no dramatics. Just him, standing in the quiet.

“I need to tell you something,” he said, and every head in the room turned toward him.

He met their eyes one by one. “Y/N is pregnant.”

Jesper blinked. “Wait—what?”

Kaz didn’t waver. “She’s pregnant. We found out about a month ago. We decided to keep it between us for a while.”

Nina sat up straighter, her expression softening. “How is she?”

“Tired,” Kaz said. “A little overwhelmed. But… good.” His voice gentled even further. “She’s happy.”

Wylan smiled, warm and genuine. “And you?”

Kaz paused. Then, almost imperceptibly, he nodded. “I didn’t think I’d have something like this. Not with the way I am. But she’s changed what I thought I knew about myself. And now, she’s carrying something we never imagined we’d get to have.”

Inej looked at him with something close to quiet awe. “You trust her that deeply.”

“I always have,” Kaz said. “Even before I understood that’s what it was.”

Jesper looked between them all, then gave a soft laugh. “You’re going to be a dad.”

There was something different about hearing it said out loud. But Kaz didn’t flinch or brush it off. He let the words hang in the air.

“I am,” he said. “We both are. And it means everything to me.”

Silence lingered again—not out of shock, but out of the rare, beautiful quiet that only came when something sacred was being shared.

Wylan tilted his head. “Why now? Why tell us tonight?”

Kaz glanced toward the stairs. “Someone touched her today. Someone who didn’t know better—or didn’t care to. And for a moment, it reminded me that this city may respect her, but it doesn’t always protect her. I wanted you to know what she’s carrying. I know you already look out for her. But now…”

He trailed off, not needing to finish.

Nina stood and crossed the room, placing a gentle hand on his arm. “We’ll be there for her. For both of you.”

Jesper grinned. “I’m already picking out tiny suits. No one can stop me.”

Kaz finally—finally—let a faint smile ghost across his face.

“I don’t expect anything from you,” he said. “Just… be who you already are. That’s more than enough.”

Inej’s voice was soft. “You’re going to be a good father, Kaz.”

He didn’t respond right away. But he looked toward the hallway, toward the place where she was resting, and said, more to himself than to them:

“I’ll try.”

And with that, he turned and walked back upstairs—quieter now, lighter in step.

Back to her.

Back to home.

[ladyjoftheendless]

Just read a comment that said: “I always find it interesting his hair is always like a bedhead style... corresponding with his province of power.”

And they’re absolutely right. I hadn’t seen it that way, but now it’s all I see.

[ladyjoftheendless]

in a alternate universe Delirium and the mad Hatter were best friends and threw the best tea party's ever can't tell me otherwise

[ladyjoftheendless]

Hii! I just saw you had your requests open so I was wondering if I can ask for a Sandman scenario (I actually have a million ideas, but I’m trying to choose which one to ask 😅).

I have two main ideas in mind, you can choose one of them if you want!

1- Morpheus x reader scenario where he has a crush on her (but she doesn’t know that) and he sees her kissing another guy at a party (she secretly likes him too but thinks its not reciprocated).

2- Morpheus x reader, where he meets a reader with maladaptive daydreaming and he tries to understand her and help her maybe? (not sure if you’re okay with that but u don’t need to write if u don’t want to). Can be a scenario or oneshot, what’s best for you!

Also sorry for the long text lol

A/N: I chose option 1 because I've seen lots of fics where Morpheus tries to help a reader with maladaptive daydreaming.

LOVE YOU NOT?

Morpheus didn’t love you.

Why would he? You, a human. Why would he love a human? He was so godlike, otherworldly, shimmering with power, and you… were you. Normal. Boring. Definitely not fit to ever become his Queen.

It was a wonder he even looked at you, cared about you. That you had become friends. That he valued you enough to spend time with you while you explored The Dreaming. He was always so stoic, felt cold sometimes. You admitted you had tested the waters but he didn’t seem to react so you took it as a sign that he wasn’t interested in you like that.

So, you tried to move on. Your amazing friend group noticed you had heartbreak problems, so they invited you to attend a beach party to get thoughts elsewhere.

And that’s when you saw him. A boy you had had the biggest crush on in high school. And he definitely hadn’t changed. If anything, he had only become more charming than before, even if he had matured with his ways of flirting.

You ended up chatting with him. For hours, and your thoughts about the Dream Lord faded into the background.

And when the party neared its end, he leaned in… and your lips met. Careful, testing, before he pulled back to see if you wanted it.

And you hesitated, which made him scoot away from you.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have… I should have asked,” he mumbled and stood up before you could say another word, disappearing into the crowd. You stood up, intending to go after him, to tell him you wanted it, you just were surprised and froze because you didn’t think he likes you back… but then stopped after just one step, and decided to turn and walk from the door instead.

Because you didn’t want to lie. You didn’t want him. You wanted the impossible and wasn’t ready to let go of that, even if you knew it was stupid.

The brisk night air hit your face and you breathed out steam, glancing back at the house, where lights were already being turned off. You didn’t want to see your friends, to have them ask questions about that guy, gush about him to you, or anything like that.

You just needed to get away.

As soon as you opened your apartment door and shut it behind you, you felt a presence inside your apartment and sighed. You knew who it was even before you turned around. “What do you want?”

Morpheus was quiet for a moment. “I saw you.”

You shrugged the coat off. “Saw me?”

“Yes. You seemed to be very close with him.”

You fell silent, just staring at him, mouth slightly agape.

The silence stretched for a moment longer, before you sputtered out, “You… were stalking me?”

He let out a long breath through his nose. “I merely wanted to see you are safe. That house had intoxicated humans and I know how human men can be while intoxicated.”

You blinked and then snorted. “Since when have you been concerned for my safety like that?”

He was quiet again for a moment, before he finally mumbled, “Since I cannot bear to see you in the arms of other.”

That made you freeze. Your heart felt like it stopped, along with your breath. You just stared at him, before your mouth started opening and closing, as if you were a fish gasping for air.

He turned his eyes away from you and turned away, but you forced yourself to snap yourself out of it and basically jumped to him, tugging him closer to you before your lips met with his.

He didn’t kiss you back, which made you pull away and breathe heavily. “I kissed him because I thought you… that you don’t love me back. You told me the story about Nada and… I thought it just wouldn’t be possible.”

He swallowed, staring into your eyes for a moment before he cupped your cheek. “You will never be impossible for me.”

You let out a teary laugh and let yourself to be held by him, in your dark apartment — and Dream hoped the world would forgive him for loving you.

Requests are open! FANDOM LIST | PROMPT LIST(S) | RULES (READ!!!)

[ladyjoftheendless]

Make-up and hair department really ATE this season

[ladyjoftheendless]

DADDY ISSUES - KAZ BREKKER

Pairing: established Kaz x Reader // Word Count: 2,989

Summary (request): Hello… I hope you are doing well… I wonder if there could be any chance I can request Kaz Brekker x wife reader, where reader comes from really shitty background (her mom hanged herself, her father is abusive) and she never talked about it much and always helped Kaz build himself back before her, but now it kinda turns around… maybe make it a little angst, like they get in fight about it and the reader just breaks down thinking Kaz will left like everyone else did… hope it’s not to complicated… thank you <3 // couple slight tweaks (forgot it was a wife!request tbh). hope you enjoy! and the title was simply for the vibes, idk

Life in the Barrel was its own hellscape. You never denied or argued that point. Instead, you tried to find your own little bright spots.

You had friends, a crew that’d go to war for you. And lucky you, that crew turned out to be the most feared and respected in Ketterdam.

Not that you knew that when you joined. In the beginning, it was just a way to find a new life. You weren’t even looking for safer or better, just new. Your mother, Saints rest her soul, had been through the ringer. Your father, may he rot in Hell, was as vile as they came. He lost money on gambling, spent nights upon nights upon nights at the Pleasure Houses, drank himself stupid, all to come home and beat down you and your mother. The night your mother tried to fight back and protect you both, your father made a scene. He played innocent, ran into the streets calling for Stadwatch and that your mother was hysterical. The next night, your mother found herself on a short path to the end of a rope.

Your father called it a warning. You called it a threat.

That was when you ran. You packed whatever fit in your bag and ran. You ended up meeting another runaway, a criminally smart boy named Wylan. He didn’t speak much at first, but you two roomed together for a little while during your stint at the dye factory. He was called upon by the Crows first.

You lingered around the Club after that, wondering if they’d take you in too. One of them must’ve took pity on you because when you went back to your musty little lodging, the Wraith was waiting with an offer.

Your life seemed to turn around after that. You turned out to be quite the strategist. Within a few months, you had worked your way to being Kaz’s go-to for when he was mentally stuck. You saw things differently than he did and it made for good conversations and optimal plans for jobs. Whenever you two put your heads together, you were unstoppable.

Naturally, you two drew close and ended up together. You also learned the hard way that Kaz was his own brand of crazy. It took digging and prying and more patience than you thought you had, but he eventually told you everything. It was so much more than you expected and explained a lot of why Kaz was the way he was. But with some not-so-gentle coaxing, you managed to get him to agree to baby steps which grew to strides which grew to leaps and bounds.

With careful feints and evasions, you managed to keep the details of your childhood away from everyone. Even Kaz. When they asked about your parents, you simply said Mom was dead and Dad was long gone. Where were you from? Here, there, wherever the wind blows in from.

By some miracle, you could touch Kaz in practically any sense and he would hardly react. He could touch you willingly, and he did often. Loosely hooking his fingers through yours, a lazy arm around your waist, his chin atop your head when you leaned against him in your booth at the Club.

Inej said he smiled more after you arrived. Nina said she’d never heard an honest laugh until you. Even Jesper said you softened Kaz’s rough edges, not all but enough to notice.

Admittedly, it was nice to be needed. To be wanted. It was so blessedly refreshing.

Until one night, you were suddenly a little kid again, cowering in your mother’s skirts.

You recognized his voice before you saw him. His deep, angry voice rumbled through the Crow Club and you immediately tensed in the booth. You believed he was dead. You used to pray for it. It seemed the Saints didn’t offer you that mercy after all.

Miraculously, Kaz was too enthralled in his debate with Jesper to notice.

Your eyes frantically scanned the crowd, looking at every table for the culprit. When you had checked everywhere, you thought you had imagined it. Someone else with a similar timbre had to be there instead. You sucked in a deep breath, counting off numbers in your head as a distraction, until he practically fell onto the table.

You flinched hard and it instantly drew Kaz’s attention. You stayed frozen, as if your father wouldn’t notice you if you didn’t move. You saw Jesper draw a pistol on reflex and Wylan shot you a worried look.

Wylan was the only one who knew the extent of your childhood trauma, and that was only because he came back to your shared room to you sobbing on your mother’s birthday one night. You spilled your secrets and he hesitantly shared his.

“I can’t be here.” You squeaked, trying to scoot out the booth. Your chest was growing uncomfortably tight and your blood was rushing in your ears.

“I’ll walk with you.” Wylan stood.

“No.” Kaz said firmly. You didn’t need to see his face to know he was giving the back of your head that calculating, suspicious look. “I’ll go. Jesper, get rid of him.”

“Yes, Boss.” Jesper answered.

You tried to make yourself scarce as you heard Jesper telling your father to move. A small clatter later and a large hand, too large to be Kaz’s, locked around your upper arm and yanked you back. You stumbled over your own feet and were pushed against the table’s edge. You closed your eyes tightly, your head dropping immediately. All you wanted was to be as small as possible.

“All this time…” Your father sneered. You could smell the liquor on his breath. “You’ve been here?”

You didn’t answer. You couldn’t. You had no voice. All you could think about were the tears burning behind your closed lids. You simply shook your head, but it wasn’t good enough.

“You’re a coward then, hmm? What happened to all the giggles and flirts these men got, huh? Just like your tramp of a mother.”

Your father shook you and you let out a panicked whimper. You tried to pry his fingers loose but it was useless.

“I suggest you let her go.” Jesper said firmly and you heard the hammer of his pistol. “Before this gets ugly.”

“This doesn’t concern you.” Your father spat. “It’s between me and my daughter.”

“Daughter?”

“What? Can’t see the resemblance?” Your father’s hand tightly gripped your cheeks but you jerked your face away.

“You can’t grab on her like that!” Wylan argued and slammed his fist against the table.

Bless his heart, you thought. Saints, don’t let my father hurt them.

“My friends are right.” Kaz spoke calmly. “Seeing as this is my Club and that is my Crow you’re harassing, I’d very much say this concerns me. If you don’t want to lose that hand, remove it. Now.”

You forced your eyes open but couldn’t bring yourself to meet his gaze. Instead, you focused on his cane. His shoes. You itched to reach out for him, to fold yourself into the safety of his embrace. An embrace that only you had the privilege of experiencing. But your father’s bulky frame was firmly in the way.

Had he gotten fatter? You had half a mind to say so and laugh, but you knew that was a quick way to a broken nose. You’d never forget the crack of your mother’s when she made an off-hand comment about his waistline one night.

“Mind your own, boy.” Your father spat at Kaz’s feet.

You gasped slightly and Kaz simply chuckled. That delightfully ominous sound was your saving grace. Most men would have apologized, begged forgiveness and swore some sort of penance, but not your father. No, he was stupid and stubborn. He was going to get what was coming to him, albeit less than he deserved in your opinion.

“Oh no..” Wylan said quietly.

You struggled in his grip again. You hoped it was enough of a distraction, but you were wrong. A familiar strike hit your cheek and the force threw you to the side. A pair of arms caught you but you couldn’t focus on anything beside the pain in your cheek.

That trademark back-handed slap, seemingly reserved for you and your mother. The slap that had split your cheek wide open when he had used his ring hand before. The slap that made you feel eight years old again. You had the thought to hide under the table but shook it quickly.

You weren’t a child anymore. Your mother couldn’t help you. You focused back to the current moment, the pulsing sting in your face and the tears in your eyes. You opened your mouth, unsure what you intended to say, but no sound came out. Instead, Kaz swung his cane with enough force to make your father sway on his feet - you thought you saw a tooth go flying - and Jesper was eagerly climbing over the table to join in.

You had half a mind to laugh as they landed strategic blows against your father.

‘Serves you right!’ you wanted to yell but your voice was still missing.

But Wylan was already leading you out of the Crow Club. You didn’t protest the escape. Wylan didn’t say anything until getting to your room at the Slat. You sat on your bed after kicking off your shoes and pulled your knees to your chest.

For what felt like the first time that night, you took a real breath. The adrenaline had faded, leaving your body tired and heavy.

“Do you want to talk?” Wylan gently tried, sitting at the edge of the bed.

You simply shook your head.

“Okay… Do you want something cold for that?” He gestured to his own cheek.

Gingerly, you prodded the tender area. You winced but felt no cut or blood. You shook your head again.

“I’d like to go to bed, I think.” You spoke. Your voice was so small, so far away. That couldn’t be what you sounded like… Was it?

“Of course.” Wylan nodded. He stood and patted your head, making you laugh weakly.

It was the same gesture he did the first time he saw you crying when he didn’t know how to help. Since that first night, it was just what you two did.

“Thank you for sticking up for me.” You offered a grateful smile. “You got the other guys going, too.”

“We’re always gonna be there for you, Y/N/N. And hey, if it helps any, I’m sure Kaz beat the hell out of him.” Wylan offered.

“I’m not convinced anything’ll help anymore, Wy.” You shrugged before laying down.

Not until he’s dead, but you didn’t dare say that part out loud.

You waved goodbye to Wylan before you took your pillow and put it over your face. You held it there and screamed as loud as you could. You screamed until you were out of air, then sucked in a deep breath just to do it all over again. Once the screams were gone, you cried. They were ugly, likely snot-filled and red faced cries, but who the hell cared?

You cried until your throat was raw, your breaths were shaky, and your eyes were dry. You had nothing left in you except childhood pain, so you did the only thing you could. You let sleep take you.

It wasn’t long until the door creaked open and you shot up. You blinked the sleep out of your eyes quickly, reaching in a panic for the small blade on your nightstand.

“It’s alright, Dear.” Kaz spoke calmly. “It’s just me.”

“Oh…” You sighed in relief, pushing your hands through your hair. “Just a bit jumpy, I guess.” You tried to laugh it off.

“That man in the Club...”

“Kaz, I don’t want to-“

“You never mentioned your parents.” He kept on going.

You groaned to yourself, understanding that Kaz was going to be stubborn about the topic. With a sigh, you ran a sleeve across your face. You folded your legs and Kaz sat in the now open space of your bed. He kept his eyes on his cane, tapping it as he spoke.

“Those things he said about your mother, what he did to you…”

“Yes, my father is an ass.” You conceded. “Is that what you want to hear? Is that what you want me to say, Kaz? My family was broken. Hardly a family at all, nothing more to it.”

“Seems like there’s much more to it.” He countered.

“Oh, for Saint’s sake.” You ran a hand down your face. “What do you want me to say?”

“You completely shut down, Y/N.” He said firmly. There was concern in his voice, but it seemed smothered by the anger still looming. You blamed your father for that, too. Was there anything that man couldn’t ruin? “He put hands on you and you did nothing.”

“I’m well aware.” You bit out. You placed your hand over where your father’s had been and it was as if the skin was burned by his touch. You shivered slightly but said nothing else.

“I’ve never seen that happen to you.”

“Let it go, Kaz. I’m begging you.”

“Convenient, isn’t it?” He scoffed slightly. “When you wanted to know of all my pain and torment, I had to lay it all bare for you to scrutinize and study. Yet when it comes to facing your past, you don’t have words?”

“I don’t have words.” You rolled your eyes. “If you believe that’s the case, then just leave me be.”

“I’m not leaving you.” He sounded near offended that you’d suggest such a thing. “Not until you talk to me.”

“What difference will it make?” You nearly screamed. “You’ve seen the truth. You know that I’m a fraud and I’m weak and pathetic. Feel free, Kaz, to cut your losses and go. I don’t expect you to stay after that fiasco.”

“You think so little of me?” He didn’t bother hiding how your words hurt him.

“I think the world of you.” You corrected quickly. “But I also know you. That whole thing made a mockery of who everyone knows me to be, and that reflects on you and your choice. My father has the infernal talent of breaking me down as if I’m nothing. He had always been able to break me and he enjoyed it. I’m sure he looked very high and mighty doing it again, didn’t he?”

Kaz didn’t answer.

“So now you know. Now you know that I’m not at all what I pretend to be around here, and I won’t blame you if you walk right out that door and never acknowledge me again.”

“Is that what you want, my dear?” He asked quietly.

His gloves were abandoned on your nightstand, you hadn’t even seen him take them off, and he gently took hold of your hand. With minimal force, he removed your hand from your arm and slipped his fingers between yours.

“Do you want me to go?” He asked. His voice was quiet, so uncertain. You had never heard such a tone from him.

“No…” You confessed. “But I know-“

“Then tell me.” His eyes met yours and in the dim moonlight from your window, you could’ve sworn you saw…

Tears? 

Well that couldn't be right. You didn’t even remember him crying when he told you the story of his brother. Why would he be crying now?

You reached your other hand for his cheek, smiling to yourself as he leaned into your touch.

“This isn’t your burden to carry, my love.” You answered softly. He sighed slightly but had no argument yet. “You wear so many hats, balance so many titles and jobs. You bear the weight of so much pain as it is… I can’t ask you to bear mine.”

“You’re not asking. I’m offering.” He corrected, gently taking your hand off his cheek. “Y/N, you are the only thing in this world worth having. Every breath I take is because of you. Every day I wake it is because you are beside me. To know that this has haunted you, to know that man exists in the same city- same country- same universe that you is a crime that I will personally make him answer for. He threw away the privilege of your love and your protection the first time he dared to put his hands on you.”

“Am I protecting him?”

The question wasn’t meant to come out. The look he gave you was so close to pity you felt your cheeks burn with embarrassment.

“You offered to carry my pain as if it were yours so long ago.” He spoke gently, so gentle that it made your heart ache. “You carry everyone’s pains and gripes without a word… Let me do the same for you.”

“He’s the reason I lost everything…” You nearly whispered. “He’s the reason I had nothing. What if he’s the reason I lose you?”

“It’s going to take more than that to scare me off, Darling.” He gave you a small smile. “I swear to you, Y/N, he will never hurt you again.”

You sniffled and threw your arms around him. He was quick to return your embrace.

“I love you.” You mumbled against his shoulder.

You managed a better sleep with Kaz beside you. The next day, you two stayed cooped up in your room and you answered every question you could manage.

Admitting to the extent of your father’s abuse was more difficult than you expected. Several times during your conversation, you found yourself shutting down and trying to change the topic to whatever you saw out your window.

Yet Kaz was ever so patient.

You knew then, beyond any sort of doubt, that you and Kaz would be together for a very long time.

[ladyjoftheendless]

Hiiiiii Could I request truth or dare kiss from the kiss list with Morpheus please?? 💖

Prompt: F8. Truth or dare kiss

TIME FOR DARE

Morpheus couldn’t believe he agreed into this. Sitting in a circle with Lucienne, Matthew, Mervyn, Abel, Cain and you, a mortal he had befriended and who had a rare permission to visit his palace during asleep, a bottle in the middle while you excitedly explained the rules to the bunch. Everyone else looked amused while he was scowling, he really didn’t have time for a silly game like this.

But still, he stayed, sitting there as you wrapped your fingers around the bottle. “Okay, is everyone ready?”

Morpheus let out a grunt as others nodded, and you spun the bottle. It landed on Abel.

“All right Abby, truth or dare?” you asked, smirking.

He eyed you for a moment. “Uh, truth.”

You pursed your lips. “You’re boring. But well, who you’d switch bodies with for one day, 24 hours, if you’d have to choose one of us?”

He eyed at Cain nervously before muttering, “I’d like to feel like not being killed all the time so… I’m sorry, but you. You’re only here at night.”

Cain huffed and Abel flinched, knowing he had made a mistake again and insulted his brother — which probably meant that a fight might burst out once they'd get home. You raised your eyebrows. “Well, that’s unfortunate for me, then. Spin the bottle.”

The bottle spun for a while, landing on everyone one by one, and finally, it landed on the person everyone secretly had been hoping throughout the whole game so far.

“Finally. Boss, truth or dare?” Matthew croaked and Morpheus scowled at everyone staring at him.

After a moment he huffed. “This is a silly game and serves no purpose. I shall leave.”

You whined and rolled your eyes. “Come on Dream, just one. You can go to do whatever after that.��

He lifted his eyes at you for a moment, why it was so hard to say no to you? And finally, he sighed. “Fine. Dare.”

Matthew’s eyes lit up. “Hm, I didn’t think you’d choose that but this is going to be delicious.”

Morpheus glared at him, and you could almost see Matthew smirking at him, even though he wasn’t physically able to do expressions.

“I dare you to kiss our dear mortal visitor.”

Snorts were heard around the circle, and you felt all blood rushing into your face.

“Absolutely not,” Morpheus growled, and you nodded along, trying to ignore the light dust of pink on his cheeks.

“Isn’t that… creepy?” you mumbled as you glanced at Matthew.

He tilted his head. “Cheek kiss will do too. You don’t have to make out, I just want to see if Boss follows his heart, all of Dreaming knows by now he’s absolutely smitten over you.”

“Is this why you tried to insist on inviting Desire to play?” the Dream Lord growled and the room’s energy shifted slightly, making everyone nervous.

Matthew bowed his head and muttered, “I mean… you don’t have to, Boss.”

You swore you had never seen Morpheus as red as he was now. You didn’t even now he could blush. You swallowed, unable to tear your face away from him.

You wanted him to accept the challenge. You wanted him to walk over and kiss you. Cheek, mouth, on top of your head, anything. You wanted to know if it’s true, if he’s actually in love with you, if your dream about Dream would turn out to be true.

And after a long moment of staring each other, you shyly gave a small nod of consent, and he closed his eyes before grunting and making his way up to you.

And then, he leaned down and kissed you. Not on the lips, it would probably have been too bold, but still. His lips met your skin and you heard your heart pounding in your ears for that.

And when he pulled away, everyone was silent, staring at him.

“You’re… a little red, Boss,” Mervyn mumbled and everyone stifled a chuckle. Morpheus grunted at it and circled back to his spot. You all sat in silence for a moment longer before you nodded towards the bottle.

“Your turn to spin the bottle, Dream.”

And the night continued, with two hearts in the room starting to entangle along each other…

Requests are open! FANDOM LIST | PROMPT LIST(S) | RULES (READ!!!)

[ladyjoftheendless]

POV : Dream giving you a balloon for your birthday because he knows you enjoy the simple things in life

[ladyjoftheendless]

I made some wallpapers. Should I make some for the others? 👀

Feel free to use!!

[ladyjoftheendless]

Kaz Brekker

taglist

{series}

the phoenix and the crow (on going)

back to where it started // back to where it started (2)

he lost his girl // he hadn't lost his girl after all // he found his girl

renegade // he had time (2)

{blurbs}

one last time

stars don't burn forever

silent understanding

all i would've asked

water

dancing

you're cute

apple pie

sunshine to his storm

is that a... dog?

magic girl

a new type of beautiful

the bastard and his crow (male!reader)

vigilante shit

"that's my wife."

{one shots}

the three times she rested on him and the one time he rested on her

the difference (sister!reader)

his whole heart

no harm done

she kept him human

enchanted

back to december

innocent

fingers intertwined

your's in every name

you promised you'd come back

[ladyjoftheendless]

Kaz my love your unhinged is showing

[ladyjoftheendless]

Inej the badass that she is that's it that's the caption

[ladyjoftheendless]

Excuse me while I just stare at these

[ladyjoftheendless]

I would have come for you. And If I couldn't walk I'd crawl to you, and no matter how brocken we were, we would fight our way out together-knives drawn. Because thats what we do, we never stop fighting.

[ladyjoftheendless]

ROLL FOR REDEMPTION - E.M. (series)

SUMMARY: in which Eddie cuts you of his life, under his girlfriend’s influence, discarding mementos of your friendship. As you withdraw, becoming a shadow of yourself, Eddie feels trapped, clinging to a small reminder of you. PAIRING: Eddie Munson x Female best friend previous part - next part

EIGHT : TEARS IN THE QUARRY

The quarry sprawls under a bruised November sky, its jagged edges softened by the fading light, the water below a mirror of inky black. The air bites at your exposed hands, carrying the sharp scent of pine and damp gravel, as you sit on the hood of your car, your hoodie pulled tight against the wind. Your Walkman lies beside you, its batteries dead, leaving you alone with the ache that’s settled in your chest—Eddie Munson’s absence, the months of silence, the way Tara’s jealousy turned your best friend into a stranger. Your sprained ankle throbs faintly, a lingering echo of that night on Route 9 when he drove you home, his guilt a flicker you couldn’t trust. You’re here to escape, to let the hurt settle into the cold earth, but the rumble of his van shatters the quiet, headlights slicing through the dusk like a warning.

You don’t move, your hands clenched in your lap, your breath fogging in the chill. Eddie steps out, his boots crunching gravel, his leather jacket zipped tight against the wind, his hair a wild cascade catching the moonlight. “Hey,” he says, his voice soft, hesitant, like he’s approaching something fragile. He stops a few feet away, hands shoved in his pockets, his brown eyes searching yours in the dim light. The sight of him—those eyes, the faint whiff of Old Spice and weed—rips open wounds you’ve barely stitched shut, and your chest tightens, a sob threatening to break free.

“What are you doing here?” you ask, your voice low, rough from disuse, your gaze fixed on the water to avoid his face. Your ankle twinges as you shift, a physical reminder of the pain he’s caused, the nights you limped through life without him.

“I needed to see you,” he says, stepping closer, his voice cracking with urgency. “Away from Tara, from everyone. I need to… I need to make this right.” His words tremble, raw with a desperation that stirs something in you, but your anger, your hurt, keeps you anchored, unyielding.

You scoff, the sound sharp and bitter, your eyes still on the water. “Make it right?” you say, your voice rising despite your effort to stay calm. “You think you can just show up and fix it, Eddie? You left me. You chose her. You threw away everything we had—our friendship, our campaigns, our secrets.” Tears burn behind your eyes, and you blink them back, your jaw clenched, refusing to let him see you break. The memory of him walking away, Tara’s arm looped through his, her smug smile as she called you nothing, fuels your words, each one a blade.

He flinches, his shoulders hunching as if your accusations are physical blows, and when you glance at him, you see his eyes glistening, tears catching the moonlight. “I know,” he says, his voice breaking, a raw, jagged sound that mirrors the quarry’s edge. “I fucked up. I fucked up so bad, and I hate myself for it. Tara… she made me think I had to choose, that our friendship was too much, that it threatened her. I was stupid, scared of losing her, but I lost you instead, and it’s killing me every day.”

His tears spill over, trailing down his cheeks, and the sight cracks your resolve, a fissure in the fortress you’ve built. Your own tears escape, hot and unstoppable, sliding down your face as you stand, your ankle protesting, your hands balled into fists. “You don’t get it, do you?” you say, your voice trembling, raw with months of pent-up pain. “You didn’t just lose me, Eddie. You broke me. I was there for you—through your dad’s bullshit, your uncle’s late nights, every Hellfire campaign. And you let her erase me. You threw out everything. You didn’t even fight for me.”

He steps closer, his hands twitching like he wants to reach for you, but he doesn’t, his tears falling faster, glinting like stars on his jacket. “I’m so sorry,” he says, his voice a whisper, choked with regret. “I was weak, and I let her control me. But I kept something.” He fumbles in his pocket, pulling out the black-and-silver dice, the ones you saved for months to buy for his birthday, the ones Dustin handed him as your secret gift. They glint in his palm, a piece of you he couldn’t let go. “I knew they were from you the second I saw them. I remembered that day in Indianapolis, you eyeing them in the shop, your smile like you were hiding something big. Tara told me to get rid of them, but I couldn’t. They’re all I have left of you.”

The dice hit you like a wave, a flood of memories—scrimping every paycheck, the joy of knowing he’d love them, the hope you poured into that gift. Your tears stream harder, your chest heaving, and you wrap your arms around yourself, trying to hold together the pieces he shattered. “You don’t get to do this,” you say, your voice shaking, stepping back from him, your ankle twinging. “You don’t get to show up with those and expect me to forgive you. You hurt me, Eddie. You left me alone when I needed you most—when my mom was in the hospital again, when I was falling apart. A few tears and some dice aren’t enough.”

His face crumples, more tears spilling, and he wipes at them with the back of his hand, his rings catching the light. “I know,” he says, his voice barely holding together. “I don’t expect you to forgive me, not now, maybe not ever. But I’m done with Tara. I told her it’s over, that I can’t live in her cage anymore, not when it means losing you. I see what I did to you—how you’re limping, how you’re quieter, how you’re fading—and it’s my fault. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Your sobs break free, loud and wrenching, echoing in the quarry’s vast emptiness, and you slide off the hood, landing unsteadily, your ankle buckling slightly. He moves toward you, instinct driving him, but you hold up a hand, stopping him cold. “Don’t,” you say, your voice raw, your tears soaking your hoodie. “You can’t just say sorry and make it okay. You chose her over me, over us, and I can’t trust you not to do it again. I don’t know if I ever will.”

He nods, his tears falling onto the gravel, his hands clenched at his sides to keep from reaching out. “I know,” he says, his voice small, broken, but resolute. “I don’t deserve your trust, not yet. But I’ll earn it back, I swear. I’ll do anything—whatever it takes, however long it takes. Just… please, don’t shut me out completely.”

You stare at him, your tears blurring his face, and see the boy you loved—the rogue to your cleric, the one who’d fight dragons with you, who’d share mixtapes and secrets in his trailer. But you also see the boy who walked away, who let Tara’s jealousy tear you apart, who stood silent as you crumbled. “I don’t know if you can earn it,” you say, your voice cold despite the sobs, a wall you’re not ready to lower. “I need time, Eddie. I need you to prove it, not just with words, but with everything you are. I’m not promising anything.”

He nods again, swallowing hard, his eyes red and glistening in the moonlight. “Okay,” he says, his voice steady despite the tears. “I’ll prove it. Every day, every way I can, I’ll show you I’m not that guy anymore. I’m not giving up on you, on us, no matter how long it takes.”

You wipe your eyes, your hands trembling, and turn toward your car, the keys heavy in your pocket, the cold metal grounding you. “Don’t follow me,” you say, your voice barely above a whisper, a final boundary drawn in the gravel. He doesn’t move, standing frozen as you climb into your car, the engine roaring to life, its rumble drowning out the echo of your sobs.

You drive away, tears streaming, the quarry shrinking in your rearview mirror, its darkness swallowing Eddie’s silhouette. He stays there, alone, the dice clutched in his hand, their silver numbers a faint glow in the night. His tears fall silently, a vow sealed in the cold air—he’ll fight for you, no matter how hard you push him away, no matter how long the road to redemption stretches.

Back in Hawkins, your friends are unaware of this confrontation, their plan to reunite you still forming. Dustin and Steve, plotting at the video store, have rallied Hellfire Club and Corroded Coffin, determined to bridge the gap. Robin, your confidante, senses your withdrawal at school, while Max notices your limping gait, their concern a quiet undercurrent. They don’t know Eddie’s taken the first step, his heart laid bare, the dice his anchor in a sea of guilt.

At home, you collapse on your bed, sobs wracking your body, the Polaroid of you and Eddie at the arcade staring from your corkboard—a frozen moment of laughter, now a reminder of what was lost. You’re angry, hurt, but his words echo, his tears a mirror to your own, the dice a flicker of the bond you thought unbreakable. You don’t believe him yet, not after the betrayal, the silence that left you hollow. But his desperation, his promise, plants a seed, small and fragile, in the cracks of your armor.

Across town, Eddie sits in his trailer, the dice on his nightstand, his hands shaking as he replays your words, your tears. He lights a cigarette, the smoke curling in the dim light, and vows to himself—every note, every gesture, every moment will be for you, a proof of love he’ll build brick by brick. The quarry’s silence lingers, a challenge he’s ready to face, the dice rolling toward a redemption he’ll earn, one painful step at a time.

TAGLIST:

@whisperingwillowxox @robinsbuckleys @iyskgd @hellhoundvv @hereforshmut @poshpinklace @nubedeoctubreval @kissmyacdc @milkymil-k @obsessed-midwest-princess @the-writer-from-the-void @dopekittydelusion @yeoldebytche @navs-bhat @fckyeahlames @problemastriviais @littlemissholy @bking4000 @kellsck @hellfirehopeless @sophiejayne-illustrations713 @harrysgothicbitch @bl0ssomanddie @married-to-the-music01 @darth-aragorn @sleepygirl0203 @kelsiegrin @witchy-boba @jessyballet @micheledawn1975 @rockmelikeahurricaneee @soidiotic @saystime @avobabe87 @kikilovesdankmemes @3xclusivemariii @msmimiandrew @aaliy89

[ladyjoftheendless]

Grishaverse Fic Recs

This is a list of incredible fanfics set in the Grishaverse (consisting of the books by Leigh Bardugo and the show Shadow and Bone) that I read a few years ago either on Tumblr or Ao3, the majority of which are character x reader/oc.

📝 Ongoing/Unfinished

Basically everything by @dearmantis but especially:

Back from the dead - The Darkling x f!reader (4k) Does he know that I'm falling - The Darkling x durast!reader (3.1k) Golden Crown of Sorrow - The Darkling x f!princess!reader (4k) There's no love like our love - The Darkling x wife!reader (6.6k) You've left me in the dark - The Darkling x f!reader (11.4k)

Basically everything by @kasagia but especially:

Bruises and scars - Kaz Brekker x fem! tidemaker! reader (7.4k) Devoted - The Darkling x shadow!summoner f!reader (6.7k) His mortal saviour - The Darkling x f!reader (6k) I'll be back for you Part 1 | Part 2 - Darkling, Kaz Brekker x reader (27k) My love will never die - The Darkling x moon!summoner f!reader (13k) Would've, Could've, Should've… - Darkling x f!Brekker!reader (11.6k)

Long Works (>25,000 words)

Draw your swords by @atlas-of-a-human-soul The Darkling x f!reader (102k)

𝑒𝑥𝑖𝑙𝑒 by @inknopewetrust The Darkling x f!reader (29.6k)

In Another Life by musings_of_fiction / @marvelmusing The Darkling x f!reader (60.5k)

📝Keep Your Judgement by @marvelmusing The Darkling x f!reader (45.5k)

📝MIZPAH by @padme-parker The Darkling x f!reader (29.8k)

Nine Long Years Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 by @ellewritesalright Nikolai Lantsov x Rietveld!reader (41.9k)

Medium Works (10,000-24,999 words)

📝An Era of Power by @marvelmusing The Darkling x f!reader (17.3k)

From Eden Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 by @shawty-writes-a-little Darkling x brekker!reader (13.2k)

Seafoam Series by @hottpinkpenguin The Darkling x f!reader (14.8k)

📝Strange Love by @mistiell The Darkling x f!reader (15.6k)

The Darkling’s Shadow by @cinebration The Darkling x f!reader (14.5k)

To Love Another & Be Loved by @maimingaffairs The Darkling x f!reader (11.9k)

Short Works (5,000-10,000 words)

A Kidnapped Soulmate by @wandawxdow The Darkling x f!reader (9.3k)

Are There Still Beautiful Things? by @maimingaffairs The Darkling x f!reader (8.2k)

Dressing for revenge by @violetrainbow412-blog Kaz Brekker x Reader (7k)

Forgotten Part 1 | Part 2 by @ashessonfire Kaz Brekker x Reader (established relationship) (5.5k)

If I Know You, I'll Know What You'll Do Part 1 | Part 2 by @darling-i-read-it The Darkling x f!reader (8.2k)

Kinfolk by @inknopewetrust The Darkling x Fem!Reader; Kaz Brekker x Sister!Reader (5.1k)

Price to Pay | Useful Skills by @amsgrey Kaz Brekker x shadow summoner!Fem!Reader (9.1k)

📝Reflection Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 by @happynowyo Kaz Brekker x Shadow Summoner!OC (7k)

Silent tears by @writing-havoc Kaz Brekker x fem!reader (5.4k)

Someday then Part 1 | Part 2 by @shawty-writes-a-little The Darkling x f!reader (8k)

“together?” “always.” by @happyyyandcrazyyy Kaz Brekker x reader (5.2k)

Used to be Part 1 | Part 2 by @shawty-writes-a-little The Darkling x royal!wife!reader (5k)

[ladyjoftheendless]

✨🍃 Somewhere in the golden woods of Lothlórien 🍃✨🧝‍♂️

Haldir, utterly done with his brothers’ nonsense: “If the two of you don’t stop meddling, I swear by Elbereth I will have you both reassigned to Mirkwood.”

Rúmil, without missing a beat: “With Thranduil? Honestly, we’ll pack now.”

Orophin, already rolling up his bedroll: “Does he need help polishing his crown? Or just someone to braid his hair and listen to him complain about spiders and Legolas’s skincare routine?”

Haldir, pinching the bridge of his nose: “Valar help me…”

Rúmil, cheerfully: “I heard Mirkwood elves are very open-minded. And dramatic. We’d fit right in.”

Orophin, grinning: “Do you think he’ll let us try on one of those fur-lined cloaks? I want to swish when I walk.”

Haldir: “You’re not being banished, I’m threatening you.”

Rúmil: “Right, right. Just making sure our travel packs are ready in case. You know. For emergencies.”

Orophin: “Should we bring wine? Or just offer ourselves as tribute?”

Haldir, muttering to himself: “I’m surrounded by idiots. Beautiful, ridiculous idiots.”