A Dissenter's Promise COTL x Reader)

Chapter 7

"(Y/n)... (Y/n), my dear, are you hungry?" The Lamb looks at you with a soft smile, standing in front of you with what seemed to be a bowl of caramelized berries. You felt your stomach twist making you wince before hearing the familiar growl it made whenever it called out for food. You flatten your ears out of embarrassment, the urge to lick yourself clean growing stronger as you hear The Lamb give out a soft chuckle before handing out the bowl to you. It still felt odd that they now were friendly to you, even after what had happened before. Even after you had threatened them and their village. You quietly take the bowl filled with the caramelized berries before popping a couple of them in your mouth. The taste of sweet and sour coating your tongue before you swallow. Of course you take your time with the berries considering they were known to cause someone to defecate right after consumption. Not that you minded anyways.

You finish your meal, setting the bowl aside before looking at The Lamb who only nods in response. They stand before you, hand extended out to you as they look down at you expecting you to take their hand. You were hesitant, furrowing your eyebrows while frowning as you looked back and forth between their hand and them. The Lamb only gives you another chuckle.

"It's time to come home now, you've been in this place for a few days now since you've been out of that pillory." They tilt their head to the side as they hold their hand out still for you to grab it.

They were right about you being in this little hut that's been closed off to the rest of the village. Though The Lamb had been saying it was to let you rest after the whole thing that had just happened. You rested there for a few days, them taking care of you before you had gotten yourself adjusted. Though they did keep a promise themselves. That promise of not taking or distorting your memory of your loved ones. You appreciate them heavily. It was a piece of your family that wished not to lose.

A long exhale had exited through your nose before you looked back at The Lamb's hand, your own stretching out and taking theirs. They help you up by pulling you up onto your feet before leading back to the village. The walk there was quiet other than the sound of the birds that were in the trees chirping along with the sound of the gravel crunching underneath your feet. You stare at the ground, eyes avoiding looking at The Lamb as they pull you by the hand. Thankfully, the walk wasn't too long. You look up and see the familiar temple that stood out from the rest of the village along with the statue of The Lamb themselves. You were nervous, lips curling into a frown as you neared the village site.

You swallowed the spit that pooled in your mouth, your hand that was intertwined with The Lamb's tightening before looking down at the ground like it was the most interesting thing there was in the entire village. The Lamb must've taken notice considering they had stopped walking to check on you. They look at you with their lips pulled thin while looking at you with worry.

"(Y/n)? Are you alright?" You don't answer right away, trying to find the answer only for your mind to be blank. The Lamb lets out a soft hum. "Your mind must still be fuzzy... Don't worry about it too much. You're still recovering after everything..." Their voice was soft, making your unease fade slowly.

You look up at them, mouth opening to speak only to be interrupted by the villagers who have noticed you two. The both of you look over at the villagers' direction. They looked happy to see their leader back again, asking them all sorts of questions and favors to which The Lamb happily accepted and answered. You stay quiet, letting them all talk before looking around the village , hoping to see both Xaru and Levaire. And maybe Agatha considering she was the one who makes you feel safe out of everyone inside the village. Your ears perk up as you spot them  talking with one another under a tree they were currently cutting down.

A smile slowly makes its way onto your chapped lips as you watch Levaire take notice of you first, lightly tapping Xaru who in return looks in your direction and waves. You appreciated both the red panda and hound as they smiled happily at you along with a mix of relief. You go to take a step to them only to realize that your hand was still intertwined with The Lamb's making your cheeks redden under your fur with embarrassment. Never would you have thought to have your hands laced with their's. You softly clear your throat to catch their attention. They stop their conversation with the other followers to look at you. You say nothing, but glance at your hand.

"Oh! My apologies!" The Lamb was quick to catch on and lets go of your hand while giving you an embarrassed chuckle. "You must want to go see your friends. Go ahead, I'm sure they want to see you as well."

"I-... Thank you, glorious leader." With a quick spin on your heel, you were quick to leave everyone before going off in the direction of where you saw both Levaire and Xaru. The Lamb watches your fading form before turning their attention back to the group only to see they now all had their eyes on you before looking back at their leader.

"Great leader, it seems you have tamed the feral beast into an obedient house cat." One of the followers of The Lamb spoke out. The Lamb looks back at the follower and notes that it was one of the previous ex-prophets who they had converted into their cult. Amdusias was his name. A rather snooty one he was, just like another one of his fellow ex-prophets, Valefar. Although at least she was not vocal about her beliefs.

The Lamb could feel their lips twitch into a frown as they listened to the green worm's rambling. Of course, he did not know the struggles of a common rank. Amdusias used to be a prophet after all.

Used too....

The Lamb lets out an exasperated sigh before they begin to talk.

"Amdusias, it'd be wise not to say a comment like that while in my vicinity." They look at him with a friendly smile. But the look in their eyes said something else. "Let alone while in my fellowship. It's rude after all."

Amdusias opened his mouth to say something only to close it right after. He didn't want to anger his god more than what he has already. He bows his head, apologizing after swallowing his own pride.

"I—... You're right, my benevolent leader. It was foolish of me to say something so insulting to our nearest member." Amdusias felt the humiliation wash through his body as the other followers of the cult watched the interaction between the two of them. All because he couldn't just bite his tongue and not comment about you.

The Lamb says nothing but gives Amdusias a satisfied smile before reaching down a hand to pet his head. Their touch was soft and gentle, almost making Amdusias melt at their touch. "Thank you, please don't say something like that ever again..."

The Lamb retracts their hand before going back to what they were previously doing.

"Now, what were you all asking before everything?"