GRISHAVERSE X READERS

[MAL ORETSEV - FAR AWAY]

Based on Far Away by Nickelback

Word count: 505

This time, this place / Misused, mistakes / Too long, too late / Who was I to make you wait?

Mal had to admit he was slightly anxious. He had been on the road for weeks in search of Alina, making you wait back with the First Army. He knew you understood, and Alina was as close as a sister to you, after all - so he knew you were grateful he went after her. But leaving in the middle of the night, not waking you up, not saying anything about him being sent to meet with General Kirigan - because he knew you would want to come with him, and he didn't want to risk your life too. But he knew there was a chance you were pissed at him for abandoning you.

Just one chance, just one breath / Just in case there's just one left / 'Cause you know, you know, you know

He had sent out a word to you that he and Alina would be found in Ketterdam, hiding from the world, that they had found some allies from people living there. Now he sat there on the boat with Alina sitting beside him, Mal continuously glancing at the direction of the plank leading to the ship. Alina smiled weakly.

"Do you think Y/N will make it?" she asked, still looking forward toward the dock. "They're coming, right?"

"Of course," he assured her. "It'll be fine." His voice sounded more confident than he felt.

You'd know he never wanted to hurt you. You knew he wouldn't be inviting you to join them on the run if he didn't care.

That I love you / I have loved you all along / And I miss you / Been far away, for far too long

Then he saw you, carrying a sack on your shoulder, giving some coins to a crew member before boarding. Mal stood up, and you caught sight of him immediately. Your eyes widened, and then you started walking over, barely containing yourself from running. He watched as you got closer, his heart beating faster. When you finally were in front of him, you stared at each other for a moment, before you threw yourself into his arms. He wrapped you tight in his embrace, pressing you against himself as tightly as he could manage without crushing you too much. It had been too long since he held you like this. It had been far too long you had seen each other, he had kept you waiting for far too long.

I keep dreaming you'll be with me / And you'll never go / Stop breathing if I don't see you anymore

"I love you," he muttered against your shoulder. "I kept dreaming of this moment every night."

"I missed you too," you whispered back, resting your head on his chest and letting out a little laugh that was tinged with tears.

I'd give it all; I'd give for us / Give anything, but I won't give up / 'Cause you know, you know, you know

"You know I'd give it all for us, I wouldn't have left you there if I didn't have to—" Mal started to say, but you lifted your fingers on his lips.

"You didn't leave me there, Mal." You pulled away from him enough to look him directly in the eye, tracing the lines of his face. "You protected me. I was pissed at first, but I know now you did it only to protect me."

He smiled at you and kissed you softly on your forehead. "I love you," he repeated, and you smiled contently, pressing your cheek against his shoulder.

"I love you too."

That I love you / I have loved you all along / And I miss you / Been far away, for far too long