Shadows of War (reader x Sapnap)

𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝟦

I stepped back and felt Sapnap's hand on my shoulder to steady me. I looked between Dream, Punz, and George, who were all staring at me.

"What are you talking about?" I asked promptly.

Punz stopped flipping through the book and motioned for me to come over to him. I glanced at Sapnap, and he gave a small nod. I hesitantly walked towards Punz as he waited patiently. Once I was close enough, he moved the book so that I could see the page.

"Could I see your bracelet?" He asked, holding out his hand.

I hesitantly looked between him and his hand before slowly unclasping the bracelet and setting it in his palm. Punz moved it next to the book and compared it to a photo.

"What's this?" I asked him as he continued to compare them.

"It's a log of all the heirlooms for the families in the Dream SMP... and your bracelet is in here."

I felt a wave of nausea rush over me and had to sit down. Why would Wilbur lie to me? I looked back to Dream, who patiently looked at me as I started to rethink everything I knew.

"What were their names?" I asked just loud enough for Punz and Dream to hear.

"Your parents were James and Emily. Your father was part of the royal guard and was one of the best fighters in this land. It was such a shame when they died, from what I've heard. No one ever knew what happened to their daughter; that's you," Dream said as he looked at me.

"Your name was even written here as the person who held the heirloom," Punz said as he handed me back my bracelet and the book to show me the log.

My head felt like it was spinning at this point.

"We know this is a lot to take in, y/n, and as much as I would love to give you time to think about it, we could really use your help."

I was silent and stared at the book. Then I saw Sapnap begin to move from the door and move to sit next to me.

"Why would Wilbur lie to me?" I asked aloud.

"He is not as good as he seems," George responded.

I was overwhelmed with emotions as I processed everything. Grief for my parents. Betrayal and hurt from Wilbur. Confusion from the lies I'd been told by everyone growing up. I couldn't think any longer about this.

"Tell me what you need me to do," I told Dream, meeting his eye contact.

"We have a plan to try and get through the defenses, but we have yet to learn about them all. I was hoping you could help us map out the best way to get through their walls," Dream paused, and I gave a slight nod. "Great, we have a map of the walls, and I just need you to mark where your defenses are weak."

Dream handed me the map of L'Manberg, and I grabbed a quill from the table. I began to mark weak spots in the wall as I told the group about guard changes, where they all stood, and the best route to approach so they wouldn't be seen. When I was done, I looked to Sapnap, who gave me a smile and a thumbs up. I smiled back and then stood.

"Could one of you give me a ride back to L'Manberg? Maybe drop me off a little bit from it so that I can get back?" The four looked at me, confused. "I can't stay here, but I can help you from the inside. I'll send a letter with a meeting spot for one of you to meet me every night to discuss what is going on there and for someone to fill me in on what's happening here. I can't trust Wilbur anymore, not after he lied to me."

Sapnap stepped forward, "I'll take you."

"Y/n, that means you can't tell anyone you're on our side," Punz said, stating the obvious.

"You guys thought I was a traveler from some distant land last night. I'll be okay. Plus, I know how to play Wilbur. I grew up with him, after all."

Punz nodded, then looked to Sapnap, "better get going."

Sapnap nodded and looked at me before moving towards the door. I followed, and we walked in silence through corridors until we reached the door to the outside. I followed him through town and to the stables. We approached a pen with an all-black horse. Outside the pen, there was a name plaque that read "Sapphire." I smiled, and Sapnap must have seen.

"Like the name? I picked it myself."

"Of course you did, it's cute."

"So are you," I heard Sapnap mumble, barely audible. He now had his horse out of the pen and mounted it, then reached down his hand. I grabbed ahold of him, and he pulled me up so we could sit how we had the night prior, with me in front of him. He snapped the reins, and we were on our way. We rode in silence for a while until I spoke up.

"Why would Wilbur lie to me about something so important?"

"Well, princess-"

I felt butterflies at the nickname, "princess?"

"Shh, he probably didn't want you to know because then you'd be dealing with the situation you're in now where you completely switched sides. Though I wish he did tell you because having a girl around will be nice."

I felt myself blush, grateful that Sapnap couldn't see my face.

"Trust me, if I could stick around longer, I would. Though maybe I can request that you be the one who meets me at night so that you can see my beautiful face."

"I would not complain about that," I hear Sapnap say with a chuckle.

I smiled and settled in, lying into Sapnap as I had the previous night. I felt his arm wrap around me, and he started talking again: " Don't fall asleep again. Plus, we're almost there, and I will not hesitate to leave you."

"I won't; you're just comfortable. When I get back, I will send out a spot for us to meet at night, and we will start meeting there in four days."

I felt Sapnap nod as he pulled on the reins to stop.

"Here is where I let you off," he said, holding me while I jumped off Sapphire. "I'll see you in four days."

I smiled at him, then pet Sapphire, "See you in four days."

I began to walk off when Sapnap called out, "Wait just a second." He jumped off his horse and came walking over to me. He reached up and pulled off his bandana. " Take this. I can't have you forget about me," he said with a wink.

I grabbed the bandana and hugged him, "thanks Sapnap."

We let go, and I waved. Then I turned and took off, jogging towards L'Manberg. When I came into view of the walls, I heard guards shouting from the tops, and the main gate opened. I saw what looked like Wilbur, Tommy, and Jack come running out.

"Y/n! Are you alright?" I heard Wilbur ask as the three grew closer. I stopped to talk to them once the four of us had closed the distance.

"Yeah, I'm alright."

"We were worried sick when Star returned, and you weren't with her. I'm so glad you're okay," Wilbur said as he walked to me and embraced me.

"Yeah, she took off while I was scouting the camp. I went back, and she was gone, so I decided to return to the camp and talk to the men there. Dream, Sapnap, and George were there. They said something about scouting the land they owned, which didn't belong to us. After they thought I left, they got spooked and packed up. I followed them back to a base of some sort; I don't think it was the Dream SMP, though."

"That's all good information, I'm glad you're okay. Let's let you clean up, and then I will call a meeting to discuss our next moves."

The four of us walked back to the main gate and into L'Manberg. The gate closed behind us, and I left the group to head home. I needed a bath and to pick a spot where Sapnap and I could meet. I entered my house and locked the door behind me, then headed into my office to look at my maps of L'Manberg.

After inspecting a few maps, I chose a spot near the lake where Dream had an initial run-in with Tommy and Tubbo. I wrote a letter to Sapnap detailing the spot, then included the map. I had a carrier bird that would be faster. In that letter, I informed Sapnap that we were meeting to discuss the next steps and that we should meet tonight. I sent the bird away, walked into the bathroom, and started the bath. Once the tub was full, I undressed and sat in the water, letting the past 12 hours before forgotten as I relaxed into the water.