The Dragon Prince - Soren x reader (f)

- The Sea Of The Castout -

A lot of people required a short nap after... that.

I open my eyes to feel Soren stroking my hair. He's smiling at me when I sit up. My attempt to return the gesture results in something closer to a frown. When Soren realises what I'm looking for across the deck, he tucks a stray strand of hair behind my ear. "Ezran had his body wrapped in a fine linen they found downstairs," he tells me gingerly. "Rayla believes there is the ghost of a grin on his lips."

My breathing turns uneasy at the comment. "I'm sorry you have see me like this," I stress, not usually embarassed to be vulnerable but this is a new level. Soren soothes me and I take a deep breath. "We have a Startouch Elf to kill."  

"(Y/n)," Soren plants a kiss on my temple, "don't ever let yourself believe that feeling like this is a weakness." Overwhelmed emotions well up in my eyes. "Pity those who don't feel anything at all."

For once, he makes complete and utter sense. "When did your haiku's turn into ancient scripture wisdom?" Soren's focus never leaves my face, but I don't diminish under his gaze. I feel seen.

"The term Mastermind encompasses much more than just my haiku abilities," he explains. I feel Soren's contagious warmth blossom in my chest.

"Hey, you two," Rayla's voice is attentive as she comes into view. Stella is on her shoulder but in her hands there is a a blue and yellow Glowtad.

Soren releases a teenage girlish sort of gasp. "Hat!" He doesn't move for the small creature so Rayla puts him down into Soren's freed hand. "Say hello to your saviour," he coos, lifting Hat up to my face. The Glowtad murmurs a playful sort of sound. It's hard to not smile at the sight.

"I have good news," Rayla continues and it's a well needed distraction. Over her shoulder I spot the winged woman that was with them before. "Nyx is kind of... a bitch," my friend says. "Albeit a smart elf. Basically, we are at The Sea of the Castout."

"What?" I get to my feet, making sure to watch out for Soren's legs. "What are we waiting for?" I urge. My eyes flick to the lack of bloodstain in the wood before Callum walks into view.

"You don't have to come, (Y/n)," he says wholeheartedly but it hits like an insult. "We understand if you want to take the afternoon slowly. You were closest to River."

My shortened temper rises, but thankfully Rayla speaks on my behalf. "She wants to come," my friend confirms allowing herself a quick glance at myself just to be certain. "It'll help take her mind off things." She couldn't be more right.

"Well," Callum stammers slightly, "that's absolutely great too." Then before I can give Soren a hand to his feet, Callum embraces me. We have this weird understanding with each other when it comes to death.

"I've got the boat ready!" Ezran announces from across the ship.

"So it's settled," Rayla says. "Let's do this."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm surprised that Soren, Callum, Rayla, Ezran, Zym, Bait, Stella, all the Glowtads AND myself fit into this little row boat.

Soren took the oars, for obvious reasons in his opinion. Hopes are beyond high underneath the heat of the midday sun. The water is calm. "We're finally here," Rayla comments breathlessly. It's only now that I notice the massive statues in the near distance. They're huge creations - where one elf is on her knees and the other stands tall. Beautiful.

Sitting against the edge of the small boat, the little mint green Glowtad, Sneezles, sits in my lap. One hand relaxes protectively over the creature, whilst my other arm dangles over the edge of watercraft, fingertips skimming the water surface.