Star-Crossed (Golden Guard x Reader)

Chapter 23- Drink and Discover

TW: alcohol

Large dark rings circled your eyes, and your eyes themselves were paler in colour.

You had discovered a hidden area of the library with Heather's help, and had further locked yourself in it.

The ancient tombs within contained dark, forbidden, evil spells and enchantments, and the dark flooring was covered with itchy golden carpets, embroidered with the emperor's logo.

You had scoured every book, tested every spell you could.

You wanted to know your limits, and the extent of who you are.

You had no clue what Hunter would be doing, and although you should care, you found you just couldn't. 

It seemed like there was a lot more to discover, and it was more of a priority than checking your boyfriend was ok.

So Hunter would wait.

You sat in a small fort of books, reading another pointless volume on covens.

But you read it just to be sure there was nothing hidden within.

Paranoia was the culprit.

You read on for hours and hours, your eyes becoming duller and your breathing slower, until you were no more than a robot.

Open, read, close, set aside. Open, close, read, set aside.

This continued for nearly a day, a day of solitude.

Until, Heather.

She had finally been able to blast down the bookcase door, fuming.

Then she saw you, pale and barely alive, sitting amongst piles of books.

She rushed to you, arms outstretched with worry.

"What are you doing to yourself dear?" she said, crouching down next to you and pulling a book from your grip.

Tears welled in your eyes, and you bit your lip.

Heather pulled you into a side hug. "You need to tell me what's going on."

You snivelled and looked up at her kind eyes. You could trust her.

She sat you down on your green chair, situating herself directly opposite.

"Now, from the beginning." she said firmly, taking a sip of her tea.

Whether or not you had wanted it to, all the tragic events of the past days spilled out in a cascade of sorrowful paragraphs, intervened by a violent slurp of cocoa. 

When you were done, you held up the empty mug and remarked. "Got anything stronger?"

Heather stared at you for a moment, catching up on what she had heard.

Then she snapped out of her thoughts, and nodded unsurely.

A pint of frothy beer appeared on the table next to you.

"Now, this is solely because I believe you've had so much trauma that alcohol may be your best escape for the time being. That and I believe you can handle it," she said.

You nodded gratefully and took a large swig of the drink, relishing as you felt your muscles loosen. 

Heather rubbed her chin and frowned, deep in thought.

"I always thought something was up..." she muttered. "Maybe you're part of the equation...?" 

You looked up from the golden drink. "Equation?"