Water to The Fire - Pandava x Reader - A Mahabharata Fanfiction

Part 2 - Who are you?

The day finally arrived when Bhishma deemed Y/N well enough to explore beyond the gardens. Nervous excitement bubbled within her as he guided her through the grand hallways of the palace. They eventually stopped outside an open courtyard.

In the courtyard, a regal woman sat, her arms lovingly wrapped around five young boys. "Kunti, I bring someone for you to meet," Bhishma announced, his voice carrying a note of pride.

Kunti looked up, her gentle smile widening as she rose, the princes following her lead. "My Lords, this is Y/N. She has been recovering under Bhishma's care for the past few months."

Y/N bowed shyly, her gaze fixed on the ground. But a soft touch on her chin made her look up, meeting the curious eyes of the five princes.

"Greetings, Sister," Yudhishthira said warmly, his smile reassuring. "You are most welcome here."

"Yeah! And we hope you'll join our games!" Bhima added with a gleeful grin.

Nakula and Sahadeva stepped forward eagerly, clearly excited to include her. But one prince stood back, observing her intently. Arjuna crossed his arms, his expression thoughtful.

"She seems too frail for such activities, Brother," he remarked, his tone straightforward. Y/N's cheeks reddened at his honest assessment.

To her surprise, Kunti gently chided Arjuna. "Looks can be deceiving, my son. Perhaps Y/N will surprise you yet with her spirit."

In that moment, a spark of mischief flickered in Y/N's eyes. Without a second thought, she lunged forward, tackling Arjuna to the ground in one swift motion. The courtyard erupted in laughter as a stunned Arjuna found himself staring up at her triumphant grin.

"I guess I was wrong," he admitted, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his lips.

As the other brothers helped Arjuna to his feet, still laughing heartily, Y/N avoided his gaze, embarrassed by her boldness. But when she finally glanced up, she was met with an unexpected softness in his expression.

"It seems you are full of surprises, Y/N," Arjuna said, his tone devoid of malice. A small smile played on his lips as he continued, "Alright then, you can join our games—if you think you can keep up?"

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And so began Y/N's afternoons with the brothers, each day filled with the sounds of laughter and shouts as they engaged in every imaginable sport and contest. The courtyard became a lively arena where they challenged each other in various games, from wrestling matches to archery contests and tests of wit. Initially tentative, Y/N gradually found herself drawn into their spirited camaraderie, her initial shyness melting away amidst the boisterous banter and playful rivalries.

Though all the princes welcomed her with open arms, a unique bond began to form between Y/N and Arjuna. Their interactions were often marked by a fierce competitiveness, whether they were wrestling in the dirt or competing in archery. Their lighthearted rivalry became a defining feature of their relationship, revealing both their strengths and weaknesses. It was in these moments of intense competition that their mutual respect and affection for each other became most apparent.

One afternoon, as they grappled in the dirt once more, Y/N's voice rang out with playful challenge. "You fight like a cornered boar, Brother!" she teased, her laughter punctuating each word as they struggled for dominance. Arjuna, with a determined grin, managed to flip their positions, pinning her with a look of triumphant satisfaction.

"And you squirm worse than an eel, Sister! Do you yield?" His face was flushed from exertion, and his eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and concentration. They were so close that Y/N could see the flecks of gold within his deep brown irises, a detail that caught her breath unexpectedly.

"N-never!" she declared with a defiant growl, wriggling free with renewed vigor. She sprang to her feet, ready to continue their match. Yet, as they resumed their playful struggle, an unfamiliar flutter in her chest lingered, growing more persistent with each passing day. It was a feeling she struggled to ignore, one that grew increasingly difficult to dismiss as the moons passed.

What had started as friendship was slowly evolving into something deeper, though neither Y/N nor Arjuna dared to address the shifting dynamics between them. Their rivalry had taken on a new dimension, one fraught with potential consequences if left unchecked. For now, however, they remained focused on the joy of each other's company, savoring the playful competition and the bond that had developed between them.