imagine catherine augustus andoha waking up from her cryosleep to find the love of her life married to a man
catherine augustus andohar (ptn) x fem!reader
for catherine it was just another exorbitant ball thrown by the most pompous and pretentious individuals of disscity when fate had led her back to you. it wasn't like she didn't try to find you until now, in fact you were one of her first thoughts after her long slumber and until now your shadows slipped from her grasps.
her beaming eyes softened a shade dimmer as it nails your figure, the years you've lived while she slept showed even from her afar but she'd never mistake you for anybody else. your skin was as radiant as the general had remembered, only now it doesn't cling to your bones as better. she tries to meet your eyes but her view was obstructed by a man.
before she could come over and greet, the man had taken a comfortable place by your side as if he'd done it countless times before while you allow his arm to caress your waist. it was then catherine had caught a shiny glint under the chandelier; a thin gold band around your ring finger.
the great outcast general could only laugh lightly. despite all her boasting, time never revolved around her and it certainly did not wait for her.
however, she had never needed time in the first place. it is finite, but she knows how to utilize limited resources. and she is patient, very. patience that lasted for a few moments until she strutted over your place, making her presence known to every attendee.
meanwhile, your face morphs to disbelief the moment you recognize her eternal face. she looked exactly the same from that day; the day you put her to sleep.
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"promise me," catherine whispers as she lay in her new bed. a few moments from now she'd be off to peace and quiet.
"i promise." you agree even though she hasn't made the promise clear yet. you take her hand in yours and dig your fingers to the back of her hand, it would take a lot more to hurt her but you hope your feeble strength is enough to carve your existence onto her. catherine laughs at your eagerness as she envelops your hand with both of her firm ones.
"live, my love." she had fought and faced death many times to carve her name into the stone of history but she's ready to do more to etch herself in your memory. catherine takes a long pause as if she's lining up her next words perfectly. or maybe she's afraid to say it. "don't wait for me."
"live every moment i can't and the years i don't have." catherine presses her forehead to yours. "i don't want to be your shackle. don't let my memory hold you back." even as the words come out her mouth she yearns to haunt your wake. she hopes you never forget her and think of her every second she's asleep and you're not. if she had truly made her name known, then let all the legends and stories of her not just accompany through your lone stride but remind you that you belong to her.
alas, your reply never came through words but as a small nod.
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"catherine," you breathe. you jump into her arms before your unshed tears fall.
catherine closes her arm around you by instinct as she looks for the right words, her first words to you. is 'i missed you' enough? should she say something about the ring? how does one greet their greatest love? the general finds herself speechless in front of you much to her fascination.
"all these years, in all of my long dreams, you were always there," catherine wraps her arms around you tightly, firmly; she had missed the reality of your touch. after a few moments, the general willed herself to pull away and grabbed your hands.
"may i have this dance?" her lips press a gentle kiss to your hand as she sends you a question with only one answer.
"you need not ask." and catherine leads you towards the center where the chandeliers are the brightest and the music is ambient.
the general basks in your radiance, her grip is soft but there is no distance between your bodies. she leans further to you, "would you hate me if i kissed you right now?"
"i'd never hate you, catherine. you know that." but even as the words leave your lips, the general feels your warmth slowly leave her body. "but-" you swallow in pity to yourself, you know she's already noticed but why can't you bring yourself to say it to her face: 'i have a husband now.'
"i know. you've kept your promise," catherine finishes for you and closes the distance you opened.
"but i'm here now and i swear on my long slumber that i will win my place back by your side. i will make you mine again, i promise," she presses her forehead to yours and puts your intertwined hands over her beating heart. no matter what it takes.