In which Beldaruit is tasked with caring for his apprentice, who's having a hard time.
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⋮ ♯; ⤷ Relationships .ᐟ Beldaruit x apprentice!reader – platonic
⋮ ♯; ⤷ Content warnings .ᐟ none, but he refers to himself as your "papa"
⋮ ♯; ⤷ Word count .ᐟ 2,419
⋮ ♯; ⤷Author's note .ᐟ a self-indulgent piece for Beldaruit. ive struggled a lot before, so thought i would make this. this is for me and those five people who need Beldaruit in fatherly way ♡
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When one was underwater, it was hard to tell what the sky was up to. It didn't matter if it was storming or if there wasn't a cloud in the sky. When you were in the Great Hall, you hadn't a clue of it.
So far down, at the bottom of the sea, everyone was far too isolated from the free clouds above.
In the stone maze that the Great Hall was, the coldness of the water seeped into the walls. It clawed it's way deeper, even if most of the witches didn't notice.
Many of your books mentioned the weather. How it acts, how it changes, how it feels. Even how it affects the people living. Could it affect the witches here too? Could the rain above form the sadness in people's minds here?
Could it be raining now? Could it be that's why you're sad?
This perpetual sadness seemed to settle deep into your bones. It became an inseparable part of you. As if it was crawling through your veins, nestled in the pores of your spongy bone tissue.
It felt as if you were melting into your bed, laying there for so long. You thought of doing something. Your spells, work, reading... something. But you couldn't. Physically you could, but not mentally. Something was keeping you tied to your bed.
"Sweetling!" Beldaruit's joyful voice comes from behind your door, "Your dear master is here!"
You didn't even have to get up, the old man's sand illusion let itself in, opening the door and jumping inside.
"I was wondering if you want to come with me to the plaza. Master Bel would buy you some sweets in the cafeteria too!" he beams as his goat horned chair carries him closer.
Beldaruit often wanted to bring you out of your room. Lately, you wished he'd just leave you alone. What were you supposed to do at the plaza? Eat some sweets? You didn't want a cake.
"No... I... you can go without me," you mumble, bring your blankets closer to yourself.
"...hm. You don't want to go? But, sweetling, it will be fun!" the old man tries again, reaching his hand out to you. With his touch, he tries to soothe you and bring you out of your cocoon.
"No, I'm tired," you huff sharply, burying yourself deeper into the blankets. Of course, since your face was pushed into your pillow, you couldn't see the way Beldaruit's face fell. But you could hear the soft sigh he let out.
"...very well, my dear. If you're tired, get some rest. Please. You will feel better afterwards," that joyful voice of his came back, with a little quiver to it, "Master Bel will still buy you something, don't you worry!"
When you didn't reply, his illusion took a step towards your door.
"Sleep well, little one," he whispered as he left, the door closing after him.
Guilt swirled in your heart, annoyance in your mind. Your master sounded so upset. But why should you feel guilty? You just didn't want to go out today. How is that bad?
The grip on your blanket tightened. It's not fair. You were just tired. It's fine if you don't want to go to a stupid plaza!
It was almost pitch black when you opened your eyes, safe for the soft outlines of your bed. Right. You must've fallen asleep.
A creak forms as you sit up. Dehydration pulled at your senses. Overcome with dizziness, you whine softly.
What time is it?
No matter.
Hunger twisted your stomach, but even in your near starved state, you didn't feel like getting up. Sitting like this was exhausting already.
And thus, you lifelessly flop down into the mattress again.
This felt miserable. Why were you like this?
Your stomach hurt so bad.
Pushing your face into your pillow didn't help. It didn't ease the ache in your stomach nor the mess in your head.
What was up with you?
Why were you like this?
Why did it have to be you?
"Sweetling...?" a soft voice appears in the room, sending you into a jolt. You almost instantly sit up and look behind you. A soft glow from the opened door seeps into your room. A silhouette of a certain man on a goat chair before you.
"...my dear... ah, I...," Beldaruit's voice hitched. It was probably the first time you heard it do such a thing. Sometimes it lowered, halted, but it never was so heartbroken.
"I- Master- You're back...," you let out the first thing that comes to tongue, trying to ease the awkwardness.
"Not soon enough it seems...," he said almost imperceptibly, "Here, my little love, I brought you dinner. You didn't come down when the kitchen called you."
The old man came closer, the chair's hooves clicking against the floor before he stopped in front of your bed. He reaches out to your bedside table, turning on the magical lamp, letting in a source of low light.
"Eat, sweetling. You must be starving," the voice still comes so softly as Beldaruit hands you the plate. He doesn't wait for you to protest, to give him the plate back. His chair turns and comes back to the door, not to leave, but to close them.
Your gaze falls down onto the dinner. It was one of your favourites. You could manage this, no? So, you take the fork and try to eat, try to ease your master's mind.
Beldaruit came back to you, watching you eat. It soothed his senses some, but his heart was still full of worry. As he watched you, he felt it spread more and more. How could he let this happen?
"My sweetling, I... I know you... you do not fancy talking about your feelings, to put it simply. But... you see, my little love, I cannot let this go on," his soft voice stammers, "You see, I am your master. And hence, I must take care of you. I am here for you. I am here, for your ails of any kind. Be it bruises, or heartache. Let your master treat your hurts."
Your throat tightened and your jaw tensed. Your mind went blank as your eyes promptly locked onto the plate. You could hear the loud beating of your heart.
A tender touch lands onto your upper back. Beldaruit's hand rubs small circles into you.
"My dear," a painful sigh leaves him, "I know... I know you do not like it, but please... please, talk to me. Even the smallest crumb."
Perhaps your hold on the fork tightened, but not for long, as Beldaruit reached out with his free hand and eased the utensil out of your hand. He waits for a moment, seeing if you look at him.
"Breathe, sweetling. Just breathe. In and out," your master hums as he continues his rubbing, "It's fine. I'm not trying to attack you. You're safe. In your bed. You needn't talk right this second. Let's take it slowly, alright? Hm? My little love?"
Naturally, at the loss of your grip on the fork, your eyes followed it to Beldaruit's hand. And from there, they jump up onto Beldaruit's face. Just for a second. But it was enough to see his kind, and a really concerned, face.
"Please, eat some more. I was only worried you were shutting down, sweetling. Here," his palm opens up again, "Could you try to finish your dinner? Please, for this old man?"
Something in his sweet voice made your head cave a bit, nodding to his request. The fork was put back into your hand. As you began to eat again, you slowly eased into the moment.
Silence fills the room. Beldaruit doesn't urge you on nor does he ask you anything. He lets you be for the moment, just making sure you actually fill your stomach.
"I am sorry, my little love, I didn't bring you any tea. Ah, seems your old man is getting forgetful. Will you forgive him?" he gently jokes while you put the empty plate onto your bedside table.
"...'s fine."
"...are you fine, sweetling?
"... yeah..."
Beldaruit's sigh echoes in the room.
"I am sorry. I... I see that I have made a lapse in my judgement. I mustn't allow you to deflect this. Because," he takes a deep breath,"my little love, you aren't fine at all."
The world came crashing down. There was oppressive pressure on your heart, making it pound so wildly. No. No.
Why must he do this? Why can't he leave it be. Why.
"But that's okay. You cannot simply be fine all the time. Sometimes, you cannot be fine for a long time...," Beldaruit lowers his voice, "It must feel so lonely, right? So wrong. But, please know, your papa is here. And he-... I would never turn you away at this time."
His hands slowly loop around your waist, delicately tugging you closer. Despite his small coaxes into his lap, your heartbeat doesn't slow.
"Please. Let me be the support you need, sweetling. No more running away, okay? My poor heart can't take it anymore," his words turn into a whisper once he manages to settle you down into his lap.
His slender arms encircle you. The hold is tight and firm, but not suffocating.
You couldn't resist anymore. Your face went straight into the crook of his neck. And, without even knowing really when, tears roll down your cheeks, pooling against Beldaruit's neck.
"Oh, my little love... do not hold it in anymore. Cry. Cry as much as you need. I'm right here," he sweetly shushes you, "Oh... my little baby. Your papa is right here."
"I- I-...," you try, but a sob rips out of you.
"...yes? Do not worry, sweetling. I'm listening. There's no judgement here."
"I just- I don't know, M-... It- I-," you choke on your own sniffles, your breath hitching like crazy, "I- I am just- so... so tired and- and just... not- not good..."
Your words were jumbled, shaky and very simple. But that's all Beldaruit needed. He understood.
He understood just how much this must've been affecting you. Being so lost in your own feelings that you couldn't even properly identify. You must've been so lonely. Isolated, even from him.
"Ah, shh, shh. Breathe," he softly says, caressing your head, "I know. It's so tiring, isn't it? But, listen to me, my little love, it'll be okay. You know why? Because now, I am here. Your dear master. And I will never let you fall so far from me ever again."
The cries and sniffles made your body weak. You couldn't even hold onto him properly as your body rocked at the force of your sobs. Your breath often faltered. It was shallow and many times disrupted by you choking on your own saliva.
Beldaruit kept on holding you close. Impossibly close. His hold didn't ease, not even a fraction. The caress to your head never ceased either. It was a rhythmic reminder of his care.
"Shh, shh... breathe, sweetling. Breathe. Deep breaths. We can't have you passing out now," he murmured, pushing your head just a tad to the side, yet still delivering a little peck to your temple.
Thankfully, your breathing managed to even out somewhat. It was a slow transition from the hysterical and shallow hitches into deeper breaths. Still quite affected by your cries nonetheless.
"Hmm... it's okay. It'll be okay. I'll make sure of it. And, to start off! We must get you some warm tea and into a soft bed. Preferably, my bed. I can't leave such a little sweet thing like you all alone tonight, can I? That would be cruel," Beldaruit whispers, trying to bring you out of your sobs, "Shh, shh. Papa will make it better."
The chair suddenly moves, carrying your master and you out of the room. It trudges through the hallways straight to Beldaruit's quarters. The chair doesn't rush.
A lullaby follows you both as Beldaruit hums you a low tune. His hand is everlasting on your head, still caressing you.
"Here we are. Ah, no, no. Don't cry anymore, sweetling. Here... Let me clean up your cute little face," your master takes a napkin once he reaches his bed, leaning backwards to check your face. He brings the napkin to your face, soothing your crying even more as he wipes your tears.
"There... all better, hm? Did your heart lift? Even if just a little bit?"
"Mhmm..."
"Ah, yes? Ah... my sweetling...," Beldaruit is almost breathless, hearing your voice once again, outside of your sobs felt like a victory. It relieved his worries immensely.
"Good! That's how it ought to be. Now, go. Into my bed. You know this part very well. Get cozy, my little love," he ushers you off his lap, "Master will make you some nice lemon balm tea!"
Obediently following his commands, you crawl off his lap and lay on the bed, worming your body underneath Beldaruit's cover. You turn your head and watch as he pulls out his tea set and within seconds brews you a cup of tea.
As if on cue, you pull the cover back, allowing your master to shift himself out of his chair and onto the bed. After a few adjustments, mainly straightening out his legs on the bed, he leans his back into the horde of pillows. You promptly cover him.
"Oh! Aren't you just the sweetest? Thank you, taking care of me when you should be relaxing," he plants a kiss to your head before he hands you the cup of tea.
The soft "thank you", that you give him, makes him beam even more. His smile was widening more and more as you calm down.
"That's better. All better now. See? Master Bel would never turn you away. Never," he hums and kisses your head again. He can't help himself.
The lullaby comes back. Your master hums you the tune while you drink your tea.
Gosh, your eyes were so heavy.
Beldaruit felt the mounting pressure to his side. He knew you were losing your consciousness. But he waited a few moments more.
And when he saw the cup tilting, he took it and put it away. His arm brought you closer.
"Sleep now, my little love. Your papa is here. And he isn't leaving," the words echo in your head as you fall asleep. A tender kiss to your forehead is the last thing you feel.
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⋮ ♯; ⤷ Thank you for reading!! Hope you enjoyed. .ᐟ
Prompt: You get nightmares so you asks if you can sleep in Diluc's bed
Word Count: 629
Warning: Killer chasing you at the beginning
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You were running as fast you could. Your lungs slowly running out of oxygen. All you could see are trees and bushes.
Your eyes we jumping from one side to other, trying to find a place to hide in. But you couldn't find anything, not even a tree that was thick enough to hide you.
You could hear a load maniacal laugh, sounds of heavy boots running following the voice.
You could feel your heart going even faster. You need to run faster. You just wanted to be away from the person chasing you.
You could hear the footsteps getting near you. "No no no.." was all you could say, repeating it over and over.
Suddenly, hand grabbed your wrist, tugging you back. You were able to turn your head, seeing the person swinging their axe at you.
You shot up from your sleep. You weren't able to catch your breath for few seconds. Cold sweet dripping from your body.
You felt sick. Moving your hand onto your chest, you could feel your heart still beating fast.
Turning your head, you looked around your room. You could see pretty clearly, moonlight shining through your window, lighting up the room.
Still feeling uneasy, you got up from your bed. You decided that, maybe drinking some water would help.
You quietly walked downstairs, heading to the kitchen. On your trip to the kitchen, you didn't forget to look around you, observing even the smallest cracks in the floor of the Ragnvindr mansion.
You felt goosebumps appear on your skin. You didn't like that you were walking around in the dark throughout this big mansion.
Finally, arriving to the kitchen, you were able to get some cold water into you. You drank two glasses of cold water, discovering that you were actually really thirsty after one sip of water.
You put the glass into a sink, turning around on your heal and walking out of the kitchen.
You still didn't feel safe in the mansion, all alone. You felt like someone is going to attack you at any second.
You quickly, yet still silently, ran up the stairs. You looked at doors at the end of the hallway. Your dad's bedroom.
Maybe, you can ask him if you could sleep next to him? He surely wouldn't mind, right? Yeah..
Bitting into your cheek, you started walking towards the door. You didn't want to wake him up, but you were scared.
You slowly opened the door, walking in. You could see your dad, Diluc Ragnvindr, sleeping. The moonlight made his red hair look like a fire.
You closed the wooden doors. You moved next to the bed Diluc was sleeping on. You were staring at him before poking his shoulder.
"Dad?" you ask as an attempt to wake him up. The attempt was successful as Diluc moved before slowly opening his eyes.
"Y/n..?" he let out, his voice being raspy and sleepy. You felt little bad for waking him up.
"Um, I had a nightmare.. could I sleep in your bed?" you asked, shifting you gaze from him to your feet.
"Oh.. yeah, sure. Come here." he said, shifting back, lifting the duvet he was covered with. You quickly lay down.
You hugged him, putting your forehead against his chest. Diluc put the duvet on top of you two, his arms hugging you.
"It's okay, no need to be scared.." he whispered, moving his hand to your head and started playing with your hair.
You felt way more safer now. Your eyes getting heavier by the second. Letting yourself relax, you could feel like you were going to pass out any second.
Diluc kissed your forehead with words, "Goodnight, Y/n".
