The Fae and the Forest: Requests Open

Seedlings: Nym - Fem! Dryad x Male Reader

Part 1: Requested by a user to remain anonymous

Warnings: Not any for this part, however the next will contain heavy NSFW content.

The wind whispered into your ears as the sun danced over the forest. Autumn was in it's brightest colours, creating a show just for you.

You snapped yet another picture of the bright forest. Your professor wasn't the easiest to impress and he expected nothing less than perfection from each and every photograph in your portfolio. Yet another chilling breeze ran over your shoulders and caused your nose to freeze up.

You decided it was time to pack up for the day; it was getting a bit late after all. Every time you visited the forest, you felt the urge to stay there and every time you left, you felt a weight settle deep in your chest.

The path back to your small home ran over a river. The bridge that crossed was worn and looking well past its glory days. Perhaps, once upon a time, it had been some person's pride and joy, swept and taken good care of. Now, whoever had built it was long gone and wasn't looking back. It always creeped you out a bit when it creaked under your shoes, but you had grown quite familiar with the noise and you hesitated less frequently.

This comfort you had formed with the rickety structure, of course, led to your inevitable demise.

You were about halfway over the rushing river when the planks below you snapped. Your arms flailed in the air, desperate to grab onto something, anything. A gasp rushed out of your mouth as you managed to cling to an unbroken section of the bridge and caught a splinter deep in your hand. You attempted to lift yourself up, but your muscles simply weren't having it and were ready to give out on you when she appeared.

Her green hands grasped yours and pulled you up onto the bridge before dragging you off further into the trail to your home. You thoughts were still scrambling to process what had happened when you looked up to thank your saviour.

Your brow wrinkled in confusion.

Looking left and right, up and down, you couldn't see anybody. It was if she had vanished into thin air. You remembered her face so vividly, there's no way you could have imagined her. The way her scarlet locks framed her gentle face and her daring, but kind eyes were so focused on yours was just too real.

You stood and wiped the dirt from your knees. The camera was luckily strapped around your neck and hung safely against your chest. It would have cost an absolute fortune to replace.

Easily enough, you managed to make your way back home. It was just outside the forest, a convenient location considering you loved everything about nature, at least when it came to looking at nature. You still dreaded mosquitoes and sticky, sweaty summers.

As the sun went down, your thoughts continued to swirl around your head and late into the night, you just couldn't bare it anymore. You had to know who she was and why she disappeared. You slid on your shoes and a coat and headed out into the crisp autumn night.

The leaves crunched under your feet as you approached the bridge. Your heart skipped a beat.

The boards that had been previously destroyed were now fully repaired and the rest of the planks entangled in vines. You had heard stories of dryads living in the forest, among other things, but now you wondered if they were ever just stories at all.

You cautiously crossed the bridge and practically jumped to the other side. The familiar pull of the forest surrounded you and guided you onward. The path ended not far inwards, but you knew you wouldn't be able to rest until you received some sort of answer. She had saved your life after all. It would be rude not to thank her in some way.

Deep into the forest, you knew it would be hard to find your way back out and an angry creature could easily eat you up. You were absolutely defenseless against any of the terrors the forest may have hid. You were also beginning to have second thoughts.

How could you have been so idiotic, so rash? It was beyond words what awful thoughts ran through your mind and, in your self loathing, you managed to trip over a branch.

"Fuck!" You yelled. You'd had enough today: falling through bridges, dryad ladies popping out of nowhere, unable to sleep, lost in the forest, and now you'd managed to eat a little dirt too.

"I'd watch my language if I were you. There are children about," said a small voice.

You turned, startled and met by the same blue eyes as before.

"You!"

"Me?" She said.

You laughed, out of hysteria or pure joy, you were still unsure.

She held out her hand.

"Nym, it's nice to finally speak with you. Now, what exactly are you doing out here at this ungodly hour? I've already saved your life once today, young sir."

"I, I uhm," you stuttered, "I couldn't sleep and... I wanted to thank you."

"You really are a precious one," she laughed, "Come darling, you won't be returning home tonight. I wouldn't want something ghastly to get ahold of you."

You hummed in response. Her voiced was sweet, like nectar. You had known her mere minutes and already you were drunk off of her words.

Her home was the last thing you were expecting. It was just a cottage, simple and plain. Nothing about it screamed out of the ordinary. Then again, a giant leaf house would draw way too much attention from explorers.

You stepped inside and a rush of heat and sweet aromas filled the air. A cat lounged on the mantle of a nearby window and the walls were dressed floor to ceiling in various plants.

"Tea?" She asked.

"No thanks. I don't mean to be rude, I mean I did come here to thank you and I don't want to impose, but I'm a bit tired."

"Oh, of course you are! Silly me! Humans need so much sleep, sometimes it's hard to keep track. Here, let me lead you to my room. You can stay there tonight and I'll help you home in the morning."

She whisked you away down the small hallway and waved you good night. Her soft smile as she closed the door behind her stayed in your memory until you woke up the next morning.