✦ memories forgotten ✦
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Synopsis: Rafayel has been having strange dreams, the seal on his chest isn't making his restless nights any better.
pairing. rafayel qi x non-mc (oc)
content. rafayel's pov, oc x canon, past lives, mc mention, obsessive behavior (if you squint super hard)
They say dreams are bridges between our past and our potential future.
Fragments of moments that you haven’t experienced yet.
My dreams always bring me back to Lemuria.
At times it would be me, other times it would be me and her.
One night, someone new appeared.
A girl, by herself on a rock, her tail gently swaying with the current.
“I see you finally remembered to meet me at our spot.” Her voice sounded hurt.
I tried to speak but when I opened my mouth, only bubbles would come out. She slowly rose from the rock and started to swim away. I followed her, as we kept swimming it seemed like she was getting further and further away from me. It was to the point I was rapidly swimming towards her, trying to catch up.
I was so close, her tail just a few inches ahead of me, I reached out to grab it–
I never finished that dream, the strong pain in my chest threw me out of it.
My seal glowed bright red, almost like it was giving me a warning.
This never happened before.
The seal…
The reminder of my bond… with her.
This bond that was created in a different life.
A bond that felt empty.
I can only blame our past selves for bringing us to this situation, why we cling so hard to the idea that we can work out. That our bond means something.
We tried to explore our romantic relationship– nothing.
We tried to be intimate – no sparks.
Don’t get me wrong, she’s an amazing person. I enjoy our chats, our banter, her company, but that’s it. She’s a really good friend, and bodyguard.
Failing bond aside, I was caught off guard that a new person invaded my dream, and that I was in excruciating pain because of it. I hoped that it was a fluke and that I’ll go back to my regular dreams.
Unfortunately, I was wrong.
The cycle continued. That same girl kept appearing.
However, these next batch of dreams, I got to actually interact with her.
We laughed, swam, and explored Lemuria.
Despite her being in all my dreams, I could never capture her face. Whenever I was about to see her face I would wake up. Waking up to that same pain in my chest.
Pushing past my pain, I would go to my canvas. I painted what I could remember from the dream, almost like a mad man, making sure I captured the memory.
These paintings culminated into a new series in my art portfolio. Thomas thought it would be a good idea to hold another exhibit. She thought it was a good idea too.
“You never know, the girl you’re drawing might show up.” She suggested.
It was odd, I never confided in her about my dreams. I can only assume she can sense that the paintings don’t resemble her like they did before.
Nevertheless, she was right.
At my exhibit, she appeared.
Unbeknownst to her, the moment she entered the building, I felt something in me shift.
I left Thomas’s side and calmly searched for the woman causing me my internal disturbance.
I came across a woman, she had very long hair and wore what I can only assume was her work clothes.
From the sides I watched as she walked through the exhibit, taking her time, looking at each painting. She seemed stuck on one painting– she stayed in front of it for about 10 minutes. I took this as an opportunity to approach her.
It was awkward, at first.
It was mainly her who was awkward… Honestly it made me question if she ever talked to people before. It was cute though, she always made a pensive face before speaking. Almost like she’s making sure she says the right thing.
After our many pauses in the conversation, I got the pleasure of learning her name.
Jewel.
Our hands touched.
I felt a pulse flow through my body.
I took note of that.
The conversation picked up after that, leading us to aimlessly walk around the exhibit. I would ask her her opinions on the painting, while she picked my brain about how the paintings came to be. She speaks so eloquently about my paintings, even saying she feels a deep connection to them.
The connection carried even outside of the paintings, when we talked, it was like I already knew her. For once, my soul felt whole.
I think Jewel is the woman from my dreams.
Another lemurian, potentially.
More importantly… my true muse.
Jewel certainly isn’t leaving my mind any time soon. Such a shame we didn’t exchange numbers, but it’s okay, I know we’ll cross paths again. If fate takes too long, I’ll find her.
That night, I couldn’t sleep.
My chest was on fire, I couldn’t breathe. The seal shined bright, each pulse made me kneel over in pain. This felt like I was being punished.
I was being punished for talking to Jewel.
Is my bond making me reject Jewel?
Clutching my chest, I rose from my bed. The loud boom of thunder drowned my heavy breathing. I clumsily made my way towards the window to see lightning strikes in the distance, the violent ocean waves accompanying it.
The ocean could sense my pain. My restlessness… my uncertainty.
And this is all because of Jewel.
Her face flashing through my mind.
‘I can finish my painting.’ I thought to myself.
I stumbled into my art room, piles of canvases scattered across the floor, and I grabbed an unfinished one. It was another painting of a woman with a blank face. I slammed it onto an easel, there was already paint ready on a palette, it was still fresh.
I vigorously painted Jewel’s face on the blank spot. Remembering her greyish brown eyes, the small freckles on her face, her gentle expression that she carried. I felt my scales growing on my skin and an increasing pain in my eyes. The painting looked like it was becoming brighter and brighter.
I did the final stroke on my painting, observing the completed work. Jewel decorated in traditional Lemurian clothing, pink scales on her cheeks, and a gentle smile on her face.
“Jewel…” I muttered before my world was white.
A young Rafayel found himself surrounded by tall bookshelves filled with several books of various topics. He was looking for someone, he checked different nooks in the library, yet he couldn’t find the person he was looking for.
He eventually reached a table with one person sitting at it.
“There you are Jewel~” He smiled as he approached the girl.
Jewel sighed, “You are too persistent, my prince…” She turned over her shoulder to see the smirk on Rafayel’s face.
“What are you learning today, my historian?”
Jewel closed her book to show the cover, “Tome of the Sea God?” Rafayel read.
“It’s filled with legends and prophecies. You’ll learn about it in due time, remember I will be the one to teach you everything you need to know.” Jewel said matter of factly. [?]
Rafayel rolled his eyes, gently swimming to the opposite end of the table. He placed his arms on the table and looked at Jewel. To him, she looked a bit upset, whatever she’s reading seemed to be upsetting her.
“Can you spare a moment of your reading time to explore a cave with me?” Rafayel asked politely, attempting to entice Jewel into taking a break.
This was their routine. Rafayel finds Jewel reading, Rafayel offers a break –
“Sure, maybe this cave can help me with my studies.”
– Jewel will accept his offer.
Jewel closed her book and placed it back on the book shelf. Rafayel, in excitement, swam over to her. “I knew you’d say yes, and you already have a perfect excuse for my parents if we get caught.”
Jewel shook her head, “Why do we keep using me as a way to sneak out…”
Rafayel started swimming towards the library exit, “Well it won’t be sneaking out if we get back before dinner! Hurry up!”
“Rafayel!” Jewel whined as she followed him, “Rafayel, slow down!”
“Rafayel!”
Thomas was hovering over me, “What did I tell you about sleeping on the floor?”
I sat up, holding my head that was still aching from last night.
That dream. No… that memory. It was the clearest memory I’ve had so far.
It was me as a child, and Jewel, she was a historian? But she seemed to also be very friendly with me.
She was a part of the Lemurian court?
“Do you hear me talking to you?” Thomas said, he sounded annoyed. Probably because I hadn’t listened to one word he said.
“No.” I replied.
“You’re lucky I’m in a good mood, Rafayel. I was saying that your exhibit was a hit! I’ve got people who want you to bring the works to their towns for their local art shows. I already booked one that’s happening next month.”
I hummed in response, my mind still occupied. “I trust you to handle everything, just let me know all the plans.”
Thomas rushed off, muttering something about calling the clients back. Meanwhile, I got myself off the floor and sat on my couch.
After a few seconds of peace, I heard a faint buzz. Looking around and feeling the couch, I pulled out my phone, which somehow got wedged in between the cushion.
I got a text.
Miss Bodyguard: Looks like the exhibit was a success. You looked like you had a good time. ⫘ Link: “Who is Rafayel’s new female friend? [Image]”
A tabloid of me and Jewel, the public is so quick with gossip. I sent the link to Thomas so he can figure out how to get the article down, then I skimmed the article. A bunch of assumptions about me, and how I was allegedly dating my bodyguard, and how Jewel is being labeled as some sort of mistress.
It made my blood boil.
Miss Bodyguard: Your mistress looks beautiful, make sure you tell her about us before you decide to keep pursuing her.
For once, I ignored her message.
My bodyguard, the one who I’m bonded to, makes light of the situation. While, I’m on the brink of spiraling. This bond is my crutch, a crutch that neither of us know how to get rid of.
I took a deep breath to recenter myself.
“Focus on the task at hand.” I told myself.
I need answers. Many answers.
I need to see Jewel. I need to learn her. Learn what she's like in this life, if she remembers the past, if she remembers Lemuria, anything! I can't lose the woman who makes me feel alive.
I can't let her know about my bond. Explaining my bond to her will complicate things, so I'll keep it a secret. In the meantime, I'll figure out how to sever the bond.
I will get my answers, no matter the cost.
I’ll learn everything about Jewel in this life, and relearn our past.
Just be patient with me, my muse.
a/n: This ending was such a train wreck, lowkey didn’t know how to end it, but we move forward. Anyway, I’m somewhat back! I did a lot of deconstructing and reconstructing the trajectory of this fic, so that was fun. Things are brewing! Get excited!
whether you like, reblog, comment or lurk, thank you for taking the time to read my work :)
