That is the way of the people of Heart. From a young age Raya knew of her role in her family’s history. It had been beaten into her brain since before she knew how to walk. Her Father instilling the traditions in her that she would one day pass onto her own children.
She trained, day and night, to fulfill the role he set for her. Harder than anyone before her. Raya exceeding her Father’s expectations again and again.
When at last her Father told her that she was ready, washing the water of the Sisudatu over her head, Raya felt a newfound strength burst inside of her. Knowing she had arrived, her loyalty to Heart and to the Dragon gem cemented then into her mind.
Her Father invited guests from across the land. A way to “come together”, a promise that threatened to undo them all if they stepped a single toe out of line. The air was tense, mistrust clear from everyone’s face. Her Father’s hand came upon her shoulder, encouraging her as she skimmed the crowd. Finding someone she could relate to, who would connect with her on these experiences. Raya then saw a girl belonging to Fang, whom she went to specifically. Inviting her into their home with a smile and a kind touch of her hand.
Her name was Namaari, the sight of their newfound friendship sent a wave of relief through the people of the other lands. Easing them, opening them up to the idea of creating bonds with one another. Raya even received a gift from this girl, a dragon necklace of Sisudatu herself. The act touching Raya so deeply that she nearly felt bad for what was to happen next.
Nearly.
She offered to take the girl to Sisu’s gem, looking back only once as they excitedly left to get an approving nod from her Father. His own mission near completion as Raya set about finishing her own.
They came across the sacred grounds, depositing their shoes at the door. Namaari was so entranced by the gem that she did not see the way Raya hung back behind her. Nor did she catch the glint of the knife that was hidden away inside Raya’s clothes until it was too late.
A cry pierced the air and the waters ran red. At the end of it, Raya stood watching her work. Hands shaken, chest heaving, feeling sick until her Father placed a hand on her shoulders.
“Well done, dew drop.” He said with pride, “now..comes my favorite part.”
On cue, Namaari’s blood lurched and instead of drawing away from the Dragon gem, it now flowed towards it. The Gem consumed it, rippling a sickly reddish blue color until it was completely red all over. Namaari’s body began to quake and in a single flash of light, it was gone.
Another sacrifice to the Dragon Gem, keeping it alive and thriving.
This time by the hands of Raya.
“You’ve made Sisudatu proud.” Her Father spoke, “and with the additional prisoners we’ve collected..we will have many sacrifices to offer her, giving Heart the prosperity it needs.”
Raya nodded firmly, a wicked smile on her lips as she stepped completely into her role. Her mission, to Heart and the Sisudatu, complete at last.
Benja catches Raya with a mysterious person on multiple occasions
Warnings: None
3rd perspective: Focused on Benja
A03
Benja sighed tiredly as he quietly walked through the darkness of the Heart. He had just returned from an important meeting in Spine and was looking forward to getting some well-deserved sleep. What he didn't expect was to catch Raya sneaking someone out for the first time.
He entered the Heart palace, making his way to his bedroom, but was distracted by clatter, following it.
Once he turned a corner, he spotted Raya kneeling in front of an open window, with a hooded person sitting on the ledge of it. Wanting to stay hidden, he quickly hid behind a pillar, peaking from the side of it.
The only source of light being the torches that hung on the walls.
Benja narrowed his eyes, recognizing his daughter as her back was perfectly illuminated; however, the unknown individual was engulfed within Raya's shadow.
He watched as Raya leaned forward, locking her lips with the other person, leaving him utterly confused as she had never talked about liking anyone. Yet, he was witnessing her making out with someone in the darkness of the night.
As the smacking of their lips reached his ears, he became quite uncomfortable, turning away; wanting to grant his daughter privacy, only peaking once the sound of lips smashing together stopped altogether.
"Time for you to leave before I get caught! I love you, idiot," Raya spoke, not in a whisper, but low enough that Benja barely heard her.
He watched as Raya lovely readjusted the hood over her secret lover before aggressively shoving them in the chest, resulting in the person tumbling backward. The sound of them hitting the ground, making a big bang. Luckily for the secret individual, they were pushed off the second floor.
Benja then watched as Raya peaked out the window, giggling as she waved goodbye. Also, noticing how she stood there watching them disappear into the night.
Benja knew his daughter would see him once she turned, so he made his presence known, walking loudly down the hall, Raya quickly turning around and smiling at him.
"BA! You're back!!" She exclaimed, running over and engulfing him in a hug.
"Dewdrop! Why are you still awake" He smiled as she hugged her tightly, waiting for either the truth or a cover story.
"I couldn't sleep, so I came out here to look at the stars" He chuckled as he pulled away; of course, she chose the cover story.
"Ohhh, aren't the stars more visible through your bedroom window? On the fifth-floor?" He asked with a smirk on his lips, her face turning red, caught in her lie. Yet, she didn't budge, only shrugging her shoulders.
"Felt like a change of perspective was best."
---
That was the first of many times Benja watched someone sneak into his palace late at night, sometimes staying for only a few hours. Other times the individual remained till the early hours of the morning, sneaking out when they believed everyone was sleeping. Benja even caught Raya sneaking in and out, disappearing for hours on end, having no clue where she would disappear too.
These secret make-out sessions occurring once a week for roughly five months, and he still had no idea who this mystery person was.
This mystery person was cautious, always wearing a hood and covering most of their face with a scarf. Benja would have certainly thought they were a thief he hadn't watched and heard his daughter exchange salvia with them on several occasions.
Catching the corporate wasn't working, so he asked his daughter on several occasions whether she was seeing anyone, to which she always responded, "You'll know when I want you to know."
After a while, he stopped lingering in the shadows and stopped asking questions. Even so, he remained frustrated and confused on why Raya's mystery lover had to stay top secret.
---
The answer to this mystery came about a month after he stopped trying to solve it. He was walking through the heart gardens when he spotted Namaari; confused about her presence in Heart, hiding behind a tree, he got closer, noticing how she lovely ran her right hand against Raya's cheek.
Benja then understood that his daughter didn't want their high professional relationship to be watched and judged by others, so they kept in the shadows. He knew it was only a matter of time before they announced it publicly, and he was more than delighted.
Knowing they hadn't seen him, he turned around with a smile on his face. He had finally solved the mystery and was happy with his findings.
Raya admitting she wants to be comfortable with her feelings for Namaari.
Warnings: Brief mention of nudity.
Timeline: Resuming from where the movie ended (Like a few hours after)
A03
(1st) In Raya's perpective
I watched as Namaari walked into the room, as our eyes connecting, as a massive smile erupted onto my face, Maari mimicking the gesture.
Our eyes staying fixated on each other as she approached me.
Waiting for her arrival, I took the time to study the softness of her face.
Over the six years I accidentally ran into her; I had never noticed the tenderness of her smile. Or the way her chocolate eyes sparkled like stars. I also noticed a difference within me; my heart beating so fast, I feared it would pop out of my chest.
I've always known I felt something different for Namaari, a feeling I could never name: Making it was easier to ignore it and listen to the feelings that had names, such as anger and frustration. But now that the druune were gone...those feelings had also vanished, replaced by the feeling I couldn't quite name.
The feeling that makes your hands sweat, your cheeks flush, your voice break, and erupts fireworks in your abdomen.
All those sensations were always there, yet this was the first time I acknowledged them and let them magnificate within me.
"Raya," Namaari snickered as she stopped in front of me.
I pressed my lips together before chuckling, "Princes Undercut."
I watched as the joy left her face, "Thank you for trusting me...even when I gave you every reason not to."
"Trusting you with the gem was easier than you think..." I admitted rolling my eyes, watching eyebrows go up as curiosity overtook her eyes. I said too much. She wasn't supposed to know that.
"What do you mean?" She asked.
I bit my bottom lip, trying to calm my nerves. "I used to claim you broke the world, but that's not the truth. The gem shattering was a consequence resulting from our division as lands."
"I don't understand."
"You didn't break the world, but you did break my heart..." I whispered as I looked down at the floor. "I wasn't comfortable saying that before," I grunted. "I don't even know what that means for us, or me! I just know that's how I felt!"
"Raya?" Namaari questioned with such tenderness, "Do you still feel that way?"
I stayed frozen, trying to piece together precisely how I felt, yet to no avail. So I explained what I did know, "When I gave you that gem a few hours ago, I also gave you my heart. When you fixed the broken gem, you also fixed what you broke within me...That's all I'm certain of right now."
"Can you look at me?"
My gaze left the floor and met Namaari's brown eyes, noticing the tears pooling in her eyes. "I want to feel comfortable about how I feel about you, but I'm scared," I admitted.
Namaari smiled at me, and she shook her head to the sides, "I'm scared too because it feels like I don't deserve this."
I reached my hands out, intertwining our hands together, rubbing my thumbs along the top of her hands. "Everyone deserves to have something that makes them happy!" She narrowed her eyes at me, so I huffed. "I want you to grow comfortable with the fact that I want to explore whatever these feelings are with you...If you'd like to, that is!" Namaari glared relaxed as she nodded yes.
"I'll like that!"
"Time to get comfortable!" I squeaked.
A grin appearing on Namaari's lips "how comfortable per se? Like naked comfortable."
I scrunched my nose at her. "All in time."
---
I am officially going AWOL for the next few days; midterms are due on Sunday and I’m freaking out as I have 5 classes and work...
Timeline: Doesn't matter
Warnings: Profanity, foreplay, and minimal SMUT (18+)
Somewhat an AU because of its modern aspects
A03
Both princesses were sitting on the floor of Namaari's bedroom, pillows underneath them as a customized Jenga game sat between them.
Raya had spent days customizing this board game, wanting to surprise her girlfriend with a fun and steamy date night.
Roughly half of the Jenga pieces had written prompts, while the other half remained blank. Raya strategically left some blank so, with each new game, she could assign a specific action to them. "Rules are simple; you remove a Jenga piece one at a time trying to keep the structure from falling," She snickered, "You then have to do what's written on the Jenga piece placing back onto the structure!"
Namaari grinned as Raya clasped her hands together in her eagerness to begin, "Sounds easy enough."
Maari confidently reached over, pulling out a piece, the structure remaining sturdy. She knotted her eyebrows as she looked at the blank Jenga piece, "It's blank?"
"Strip!" Raya squeaked, "Every time you pull a blank Jenga piece...STRIP."
Namaari nods as she places the Jenga piece back on the structure before simply sliding off her wrist glove, "Okay, timeout! Is there more to this game Raya?"
Raya ignores Maari's request and reaches over, grabbing a Jenga piece showing it to Namaari. Starring contest . "On the count of 3! One...Two...Three" Their eyes lock harmoniously, "Rules are simple, strip if you get a blank Jenga piece, and strip if you fail the prompt." Without breaking eye contact with the other, she brought her hands up, messily pulling her hair into a ponytail, making a few grunts as she did.
Raya watched as Namaari struggled to keep their eye contact as she placed her hair in a ponytail. Pulling on her hair with her right hand as the left slowly caressed down her neck. "Ohhh, and whoever wins gets to do whatever they want to the other..."
Namaari let her eyes travel down to the other's neck, wanting to suckle and bite at the tender skin, "You cheated!" She protested with a pout; Raya only grinned as she mouthed 'strip".
Maari huffed as she began to slide her jewelry off, including her bicep cuffs. Only after she was free of all her accessories did she lean over to pull another Jenga piece.
"Lick whipped cream off your partner," Namaari read out loud as Raya tossed her a bag that was conveniently on her lap. Once Maari had the bag in her grasp, she opened it, finding; liquor, strawberries, salt, lemon, body oil, and whipped cream. Her eyes widened, trying to imagine the possibilities with these 'random' supplies.
Raya patiently waited for Namaari to grab the whipped cream, chuckling at Maari's blank share as if she wondered how to proceed.
Raya licked her lips as she moved her ponytail to the right, giving Namaari access to her left collar bone and neck.
Namaari didn't hesitate after seeing the partner's neck presented to her; she sped over, excitedly placing a thin strip of whipped cream on Raya's neck. She then hungry licked her lips before grasping the other's jaw, holding her in place. Maari then used broad tongue licks to eat the cream resting on Raya's neck.
Raya moaned as Namaari finished licking her neck, placing kisses on the moist skin before pulling away.
The game got steamier after that.
Raya pulling a blank Jenga, stripping herself of her hat.
Namaari also pulling a blank, stripping herself of socks.
Another blank for Raya, tossing her red coat aside.
Suddenly, Namaari pulled a Jenga piece that prompted her to be makeout with the other for a minute. Which she eagerly did—colliding their lips within seconds, skipping through formalities, as she pushed herself into Raya's mouth, resulting in passionate tango where both princesses fought for dominance.
The kiss was untamed while also being very passionate; even so, both princesses pulled apart, wanting to continue their game, both of them enjoying themselves.
Raya pulled another blank, removing all her jewelry.
Namaari also pulled a black, removing her shirt; leaving her in her chestbins. The only noise escaping her lips were disappointed grunts each time she lost another layer of clothes, while Raya shared back at her hungrily.
Raya grinned as she showed the other her Jenga piece. Take a Body shot .
The next thing Namaari knew, she was laying on her back, liquor poured into her belly button, and salt sprinkled on her happy trail. Raya straddling her as her left hand explored the crevices of her muscles, her right holding a lemon slice which she made Maaari cut before submissiving to her.
Raya locked her eyes with Namaari as she brought her head down towards her abdomen; with a wide tongue, she licked up the salt before moving her lips towards the other's belly button, sucking the tequila into her mouth. She could only hum as she watched Namaari's eyes roll back, Raya lifting her head, allowing the liquor to naturally glid down her throat before sucking on the lemon slice.
After that, the game's sensual allure seemed to amplify.
Namaari placed a strawberry between her teeth, allowing enough space for the other to bite down. Both of them giggling as they began making out while simultaneously chowing down on their berry; Only pulling away when both had finished chewing.
Another blank for Raya, her mustard vest coming off.
Lucky for Namaari, she pulled a Jenga piece that allowed her to remove any article of clothing off her partner with her teeth—choosing to remove Raya's shirt. This process was quick and slick, as it wasn't the first time Namaari had ripped clothing off her girlfriend with her teeth.
Yet another blank, and instead of removing her socks, Raya opted to remove her pants, leaving her in only her thin underwear, chestbins, and socks.
Namaari pulling a Jenga piece that now had Raya lying face down on the floor. Their positions switched from previously as Namaari was straddling Raya, but instead of taking a body shot, she was giving Raya a five-minute-long full body massage . Her hands tenderly massaging oil onto Raya's shoulders and back while those same hands aggressively cupped and slapped her ass. The massage ending with both of Raya's ass cheeks painted with Namaari's handmarks.
The game should finish at any time as the Jenga structure was unstable. And with each piece pulled and the structure remained, both princesses became even more sexually frustrated, wanting to finally release the sexual tension they've built up.
Raya had been prompted to give Namaari a 3-minute long lapdance. Maari only huffing and grunting as she continuously grinded her ass onto her lap.
The sensations causing Raya to moan: Namaari was wearing pants, but she could feel Namaari's arousal against her ass each time she made contact with her core.
The game became even more difficult to continue as they were having a hard time pulling apart. Somehow, they did separate, staring at each other with lidded eyes full of lust.
Namaari pulled a blank, removing her pants, leaving her in underwear and chestbins.
Raya's hands trembled as she reached for the unstable structure. A part of her wants to lose, but the other wants to win the game she created. "You're going to lose," She heard Namaari snicker as she pulled a Jenga piece from the structure. Her heart almost coming to a halt as she watched it sway from side to side, yet it didn't come crashing down. "Cheater!" The other protested.
Raya looked at her Jenga piece, do your best sexy crawl . She smirked as she accepted her defeat, unwilling to wait any longer! Tossing the Jenga piece to her partner.
Namaari swiftly caught the Jenga piece Raya had thrown to her, full of confusion until she watched Raya sensually crawl towards her, purposely tossing the structure down.
"You win; take your price." Raya purred
Namaari didn't hesitate; instead of waiting for Raya to reach her, she threw herself forward, connecting their lips as her needly hands explored her girlfriend's body.
Raya placed herself onto Namaari's lap, bitting on Maari's bottom lip. Moans and whimpers echoing in the room as Namaari's greedy right hand pulled on the hem of her underwear, asking for consent. "Ohh god, just fuck me already, Namaari."
Namaari's hand slipped past the other's underwear, where she was greeted by warmth and wetness, her two fingers easily entering the other.
Raya gasped, separating their lips. Namaari taking her newfound liberty to kiss a trail down her jaw. Her fingers curling and hitting Raya's G-spot each and every time. "God, you're so fucking wet..." Maari moaned into the other's neck, sending an electrifying shiver down Raya's spine.
Namaari easily added a third finger as Raya began to grind her hips into her fingers, only watching as Raya's head fell back as sweet music left her lips.
It didn't take long for Raya's thrusts to slow as her legs trembled, feeling her vaginal walls compressing around Maari's fingers. Namaari slowed down her pace as she gently expanded Raya's inner walls, her left hand continuing to thrust Raya's hips down onto her fingers.
In minutes Raya's eyes rolled back; her chest pushed forward as she slowed her breathing. Eventually, exhaling deeply as her muscle spams eased, and the ecstasy of her orgasm settled.
---
I will eventually write all the prompts I missed but my schedule is crap right now... My midterms really messed up my school and work schedule and I’m still trying to correct it. Anyways I’m not dead!! Very much miserable and alive!
AU where Atitaya is about a year older than Namaari: Atitaya loving Namaari; Namaari loving Raya
Warnings: Angst, injury, and profanity.
In Atitaya’s perspective
A03
The moment Namaari got off her serlot, picking up Raya's hair cuff, recognizing it, I felt something in the pit of my stomach. I tried to ignore it, keeping my face neutral, trying to not relieve the inner torment in my heart.
This scouting mission was unnecessary, as well as dangerous. I was dragged into this mission being the general and her 'best friend.' It was pretty evident from the start she only insisted on capturing Raya because she cared for her.
I hate that phrase.
Best friend.
It's like I'm so close yet so fucking far.
How does she not understand how I feel?
The way I get lost in her eyes.
The way I smile anytime she acknowledges me.
I practically melt each time she calls me "Ati."
Yet she still has no fucking clue.
"General Atitaya, focus," Namaari ordered as she turned to look at me as our serlots followed Raya's scent after having found the cuff.
Ati.
I'm your Ati.
"Of course, princess." I steady my serlot, motioning for him to speed up. "My apologies." I manage to sigh back.
Namaari looks over at me for a second, acknowledging something is wrong, yet I watch as she pushes the thought away. Her head facing the front. I continue to watch her trying to catch the moment she realizes I'm everything she'll ever need.
Yet that moment never comes. Instead, she looks down at her right hand, clenching the hair cuff, and for the slightest second, a smile appears on her lips.
What's the point?
Loving her?
Her loving Raya?
There is no lifetime where I'll ever be good enough for her.
That's what hurts the most.
---
We found Raya in Tail...
The moment the serlots navigated us through the cave, Raya's voice echoed through our surroundings.
"Yea, well, this one was easy, but the rest are being held by a bunch of no-good binturis."
My eyes landed on Namaari. She fought her smile, but her eyes twinkled for a brief second before she spoke. "Binturi?" She stated, "That's not a very nice way to describe an old friend." I would have rolled my eyes to the back of my head if I wasn't trying to keep my face emotion-free.
Namaari kept guiding her serlot closer to Raya, so I stayed near her side. My gaze finally falling onto Raya.
She's so beautiful.
"Namaari," Raya responded with a bite in her voice. I battled innerly, keeping my chuckle from escaping my lips, somewhat satisfied with her response.
I'm not even half as pretty...
"What's drippin', Dep La," Namaari responded with an unhidden flirtation.
My nose scrunched from irritation of hearing Namaari use that phrase with Raya. For the first time since we entered the cave, Namaari's eyes shifted to notice the other figure standing next to Raya; before going right back to Raya. "Oh, I see you've finally made a friend--" Raya glared at her, seeming annoyed of Namaari's presence, "And here I was worried you were gonna end up becoming a cat lady--" I exhaled as Namaari got off her serlot to pet her, smiling briefly at Raya "like me."
"Subtle," I whisper as anger starts to pool in my lower abdomen. My stare suddenly locked onto Raya, whose own glare was focused towards Namaari.
"Something tells me you're not besties." The blue-colored pom-pom blurts out loud. Easily ignored by everyone.
"Stealing Dragon Gem pieces, are we? Why?" Namaari asks with a bit of force in her voice. Yet her hostility is all a mirage; the truth is she's relieved to see Raya alive and well. Which is infuriating for me!
I don't hate her per se.
I hate that she's the reason Namaari has and will never want me.
My anger is so raw, burning as hot and as powerful as a furnace. And even for just a second, I find myself wishing Raya was dead--or turned to stone.
Raya flips her hair, brushing off the change of tone in Namaari. From the corner of my eyes, I watch Namaari gulp before erasing all forms of amusement and care from her gaze. "What can I say? Bling is my thing." Raya smiles as she answers before her lips fall into a more neutral pose. Her right eyebrow going up in a teasing and cocky way.
Raya is downright flirting with Namaari...
My gaze turned back to Namaari. I could see the mechanics working in her brain, trying to piece together what those words and movements meant. Being unsure, she huffed.
"I gotta admit, Raya, until a few months ago, I thought you were stone--"She smirked, continuing her thought, "But then, someone stole Fang's dragon scroll."
My heart ached as it was breaking into hundreds of pieces.
I wish I didn't love Namaari, yet I do.
So this is the price I'm paying for loving someone whose openly in love with another.
Namaari's smirk fell into a smile. A smile she wasn't trying to hide, one that she was proud to be wearing on her face.
My eyes shifted toward Raya, who was equally or 10 times more comfortable in her smile. "Oh, is that why you're chasing me?" Raya says as she tosses the scroll across the canyon, Namaari catching it in a swift movement.
If I wasn't so sad-mad, then I would have indeed died seeing her biceps flex catching the scroll. Namaari's smile growing wider as her eyes also smiled. Her face no longer showing any fake hostility.
"And here I thought it was because you missed me," Raya says with a smirk; an eyebrow rose as she leaned into one shoulder. The staple pose for any confident lesbian, and it worked because Namaari's face fell in confusion.
Why am I still here?
Clearly, these two are utterly oblivious to the others in the cave.
Flustered, Namaari opened the scroll, a scowl on her face. "Are you really looking for Sisu?" She takes a moment to laugh. "What are you, 12?" I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
Who the fuck does Namaari think she's fooling?
"Yeah, I actually was looking for Sisu," Raya declares while bringing a finger up to her chin in a thinking motion before proceeding to starch it. All an act of her pretending to think but genuinely being a mock for Namaari. "Oh, and guess what? I found her." Even I find myself chuckling when Raya's eyes widen, pulling the blue pom pom towards her. Raya fully jabbing Namaari, who in return looks irritated. "Say hi, Sisu," Raya chirps, looking at the girl, who in return looks a bit confused but does as she's asked without question.
"Hi!" The 'Sisu' girl exclaims, smiling widely, Raya sporting a smile on her face as she looks back at Namaari. Namaari quickly motioned for us to step off our serlots which we obeyed, standing behind her, ready for her orders. "It's very nice to meet you," Raya nods, grinning with a raised eyebrow. I cannot deny that it had my heart skipping a beat. "and I love your hair and your cat's hair." Raya's eyes traveled up and down Namaari body for a brief second.
I just wanted to disappear.
Namaari quickly became irritated when blue pom-pom started speaking, so it wasn't a surprise when she ordered us to retrieve them.
My face portrayed a scoff, while internally, I was battling with my emotions. I felt mad Namaari acknowledged my feelings and ignored them. I'm angry at Raya for letting herself get caught. Yet I'm also sad that now that Namaari's has found Raya; alive, my chance is completely gone. And overall, I'm actually saddened to see Raya missed Namaari as much as the ladder.
Yet, I wasn't allowing myself to be overwhelmed by my feelings. I'll have time later to scream, cry, or even punch something to free all these emotions. But for now. My orders are to capture Raya and 'Sisu,' and I plan to do precisely that.
But one thing is clear. I'm doing this order as the general, not Ati; Maari's best friend. I'm finally separating my personal life from my work life, which should have been something I did ages ago.
In seconds Raya flung her sword with the cockest grin on her face. The blade hitting a stick, suddenly, I was being covered by sand. The feeling was intense.
No sooner had the sand hit my skin had my body tumbled down to the floor, the air being pushed out of my lungs. My spear flying forward.
I took a massive deep breath as the sand consumed my body. All my ligaments felt enormous pressure, the feeling of the sand compressing my body being extremely excruciating.
My brain went blank, overwhelmed by all the pain, resulting in me staying still. Yet something clicked; if I didn't start moving, I would be suffocated and die! So first, I moved my hands, trying to feel around, for the absence of sand, finding my spear.
My lungs kept feeling more pressure every second under the sand, so I had to keep moving.
I didn't realize that I started crying as I pushed myself onto my knees, every movement feeling the pressure build on my body. Yet with the last of the air in my lungs, I forced myself onto my feet, breaking through the sand.
My first instinct was to gasp for air, my lungs retrieving their once-deprived air back.
I started serching for Namaari "Princeess Namaari..." No answer "Namaari?" I started walking through the sand towards the exit, reaching my arm's into the sand, trying to find her. The heads of the other soldiers popping up like daisies expect her's "MAARI." I screamed as my panic amplified.
"UGHH," Namaari grunted from the other side of the entrance. I quickly made my way through the sand to the sound of her voice, the other warriors close behind. When we got onto the other side of the payment, all our slerlots were out safely looking at us with fear in their eyes. Sand on their fur and colorful booms occurring behind them.
Namaari held both her arms over her face trying to walk through them as her serlot followed close behind. I exhaled again, realizing she was fine, before following her through all the Toot-and-Booms. Each boom causing a slight sting but nothing that compared to the compression of the sand.
RAYA COULD HAVE KILLED US.
I was furious!
But mainly at Namaari.
Raya was clearly forced to escalate things because Namaari can't outright tell her she loves her.
And instead of staying behind and making sure her best friend and her warriors were safe, she went after Raya.
I can handle never being Namaari's first choice, but I cannot begin to comprehend the betrayal.
The scroll was worthless, and the gem piece wasn't ours. We had no reason to track or even attempt to imprison Raya.
My hands began to shake as we exited the cave jumping onto our serlots beginning the chase after Raya.
----
Authors note: No more Rayamaari from this point forward.
----
Once we arrived at Fang, after Raya escaped on a boat, Namaari fled to her room, probably to mope.
Something I wanted to do for different reasons but didn't have the chance to, as I needed to talk to chief Virana about expanding our borders.
Which went terribly wrong!
Virana hating the idea and Namaari interpreting only to impose her yearning for the Heart princess.
Seeing Namaari, even just hearing her voice, was so aggravating now.
I know my love for her still resides in my heart, yet it's overpowered by disappointment and betrayal.
And maybe that's why when Virana left Namaari's side, I marched right up to her. "You were a terrible friend back there," I screamed at her face. Thuan, the other warrior by my side, fleeing after Virana, wanting no part in my alteration with our princess.
Namaari looking back at me, utterly dumbfounded. "I don't--understand."
I rolled my eyes. "You claim to be fighting for the people of Fang, but what you did in that cave," I chuckled, throwing my head back, "That was all for your gain." Namaari knitting her eyebrows at me, opening her mouth to speak, "You left me! You left the other warriors under that sand which could have easily killed any or ALL of us!!"
"Ati..."
"It's general Atitaya to you!!" I scoffed as I crossed my arms over my chest. Namaari's face turning pale, utterly distraught. "The Maari I thought was my best friend wouldn't have betrayed me or their army for a fucking girl who DOESNT WANT THEM!"
I lied.
Raya wants Namaari, but I'm hurting and wanted to hurt Namaari twice as hard.
"I wasn't thinking!!" Namaari pleded.
"Ohhh, you were, just not with your head," I rolled my tongue along my cheeks. "I'm just unsure if you were thinking with your heart or the heat happening in-between your thighs."
I went too far.
Yet it was too late, so no turning back.
Namaari gasped before her face wore a snarl. "This is only a problem because you let yourself fall in love with me!"
I was taken aback for a moment until it all made sense.
"You've been pretending..." I laugh as tears start to pool in my eyes. "You're truly an awful person Namaari."
I watched as she fell apart hearing those words.
"I thought it was better if I just let your little crush pass."
I stepped back. "So you didn't just betray me today, but months ago too..." I nodded as the tears found their way down my cheeks. "Maybe next time, don't sleep with the person you know has a crush on you; if you don't reciprocate their feelings! That hurts less than waking up the next morning and hearing the women you love claim they have NO IDEA what happened the night prior." I threw my hands up in the air, "Fuck you, Maari."
I shook my head to the side, starting to walk away, "I'll be ready to infiltrate Spine in a few minutes, Princess Namaari." I said, turning to look at her, my head held high.
My job is separate from my personal life.
"Ati, please..." Namaari begged as she grabbed hold of my right wrist
"I will only answer to General Atitaya, and only if it involves my position. Other than that. I'm done! We're done!" I said, pulling my wrist away from her grasp, walking to a more sacculated area.
And when I felt sure Namaari wasn't following me and that I wouldn't be found. I leaned against a wall and started balling.
Namaari had betrayed me!
Not only once...But twice!
She chose Raya over me both professionally and romantically.
Namaari had betrayed me...
---
The prompt “Learn a new thing,” is posted on my AO3. I just didn’t post it here as it’s not centered around Rayamaari but their daughter (my OC).
Raya randomly appears at Namaari's potential suitor’s party, where she is receives dance lessons AND a lot more.
Warnings: Use of alcohol
Timeline: In the 6-year gap.
A03
SORRY in advance if there are any spelling errors.
Namaari had run into Raya several times over the years. The first few encounters were very emotion-driven and ended with Namaari having her ass beat by Raya.
So, of course, Namaari trained between their encounters, making herself stronger, more skillful.
Yet as time went on, their fighting lost its aggression and became a form of banter. Until, having a winner and loser wasn't the end goal: Their constant fighting being a way of showing each other how much they missed the other, yet neither of them ever vocalized this.
But that was a long time ago.
Namaari hadn’t seen Raya in over a year...
For months, the Fang princess had looked for the other princess, only giving because it hurt her every time she found zeros indications of the other's survival.
Fearing the worst, Namaari grieved Raya; so intensely that the only way out of the hole was to look towards the future.
"Princess Namaari." Said another potential.
Namaari had lost track of how many men had introduced themselves to her. Yet this man stood out to her as he was handsome, but the thought of anything further than something platonic made her want to gag.
The fang princess smiled at the man, unsure of how to respond. She was in an awkward position. Her mother was supposed to throw a simple celebration for her 16th birthday, but to her surprise, she arrived at a party containing potential suitors.
Namaari hated every second of it.
"You look radiating today," the suiter purred with an irritating grin.
The princess awkwardly gritting her teeth, keeping the words she wanted to say inside. When suddenly--
There was a laugh.
Followed by a giggle.
The voice resulting in Namaaris pulse alleviating as she scanned her surroundings, looking for the source of the medley.
"I'll love to dance, but I have two left feet."
It's was Raya's voice!
Namaari turned her head, and low and behold, Raya was there.
She looked different but all the same in the ways that mattered. Her hair was up in a loose bun; she wore an elegant white gown with several silver accessors.
Raya had crashed Namaari's suitor party and had helped herself to Maari's closet before attending.
Namaari frowned as she watched some random man pull Raya onto the dance floor with him. His eyes full of lust as Raya looked at him bewildered.
The fang princess was furious; yet, she didn't understand why! She didn't know this man, so she wasn't pining for him. Simultaneously, Raya is her greatest enemy, so she's surely not pinning for her! Right?
Namaari walked away from her suitor, a drink in hand, the same drink gifted to her when she arrived at the party.
The fang princess found no joy in the bitterness of drinking: she hated the way it burned going down her throat, how her common sense seemed to disappear, and worst of all, she hated that its effects lasted for hours, sometimes days. Drinking wasn't worth it for her if there wasn't a purpose.
Seeing Raya smile at some random man as he showed her how to dance, well, that purpose enough for Namaari to start sipping on her drink.
Namaari navigated through the room; She wanted Raya in her sights for the remainder of the event but wanted to stay out of sight. Eventually, she settled on a spot near the bar where she could easily blend in if the other noticed her.
The fang princess had a great viewing point of Raya dancing in the crowd, Or at least her attempting to. The man was trying his hardest to teach her, but she kept making silly errors. Errors that caused the princess to smile and grin each time. Only to replace her amusement with a scowl as she watched the man enjoy being up and personal with the princess of heart.
---
It was now night.
Raya had been on and off the dance floor with the same man, who never left her side. All while Namaari watched everything unfold from afar. Leaning up against a wall as her suitors approached her. Yet all those suitors seemed to notice the princess's uninterest and made themselves scarce as they handed her another drink.
Eventually, everyone at the party stopped interacting with her; not that Namaari minded!
The fang princess was drunk; she had drowned more than five drinks. Maybe she would have been fine if she hadn't mixed liquors, but she had; Her brain was now fussy, her legs weak, her cheeks hot, while abdomen was tingly.
Namaari knew the tingly feeling wasn't the alcohol but watching Raya dance: After much trial and error, she was finally dancing better, throwing her hands up in the hair, swaying her hips to the rhythm of the music.
Raya's movements had Namaari practically drooling.
Suddenly the upbeat music slowed down—the man taking Raya in his arms no later than the music shifted.
Namaari was at her limit.
She was fed up.
The fang princess chugged what was left of her drink, tossing the cup aside.
She had no care in the world.
Namaari wasn't a princess right now.
She was just a girl who didn't want to see her worst enemy's hands thrown over some random man's shoulders.
Namaari marched right up to Raya and the man. "May I have a dance?" She asked in a slurred voice. Raya's arms quickly falling off the man's shoulders as she turned to look at Namaari, a grin on her face.
"Of course, princess," the man stated, extending a hand out to Namaari. Who looked down at it with a glare before shushing him away. He was perplexed but followed his princess's order only after asking Raya if he could see her again. To which Raya responded with a smile and a "Never. But thanks for the dance lessons!"
Namaari aggressively shoved the man away as she replaced him in Raya's embrace, a snicker escaping her lips as he glared at her before stomping away. Yet, she didn't let this bother her as she had won. Her hands were now resting on Raya's waist as the other grasp her shoulders warmly.
As nervous as Namaari was, she swayed Raya, with no pattern, assuming the other didn't know how to slow dance. Raya grunted as she pulled back briefly, looking up at her bobbing an eyebrow. "You're the lead! I'll follow you," she chuckled.
The fang princess rolled her eyes. She was going easy on the heart princess but not anymore! She mover her right hand up to Raya's lower back as she pulled her left hand away.
Raya didn't need any prompting. She lifted her left arm, settling it on Maari's right upper bicep, her right hand clasping Maari's left. A smirk appearing on her lips as Namaari started to move them in a cube pattern. Raya easily following her steps without needing to look down at her feet.
Namaari was puzzled as she watched how elegantly Raya followed her lead, the other picking up on her confusing "My Ba and I used to slow dance in the meadows of Heart…he taught me how to slow dance" Raya laughed "I can follow someone's lead, but I could never lead."
"I'm sorry," Namaari whispered as she squeezed Raya's hand. She didn't wait for an answer; instead, she made their steps wider, resulting in them gliding across the dance floor: No longer staying in place but having their feet lead them.
Raya hummed, feeling a mixture of emotions. She genuinely enjoyed being led by Namaari but hated that she could find so much joy in being in her enemy's embrace.
"I can't forgive you…not unless I get my Ba back," Raya whispered back as she watched Namaari's smile disappear. They both knew that there was no way Namaari could bring her Ba back. "Namaari--"
"I missed you," Maari admitted, regretting it when Raya's grinned.
"Are you drunk?" Raya questioned as Namaari gently led her hand up before releasing her grasp, prompting her to turn.
The heart princess licked her bottom lip as she walked herself in a clock wards circle before coming back to the other's embrace.
Their eyes locking on one another, none of them making an effort to resume their movements. Both the princesses lost in each other's eyes as several unspoken emotions ran through both their heads.
"Yes," Namaari admitted before she guided Raya's right hand to rest on her shoulder, nodding to indicate her next move.
Raya nodded at Namaari, who slowly brought her down in a dip; Usually, with her Ba, she lifted her left leg to the side of him...but with Namaari, she extended her left leg between her legs. Overall, it was a subtle change but made Raya's heart race.
"Why did you come?" Namaari questioned as she looked down at Raya's lips, keeping her dipped.
Raya sighed as their eyes noticed where Maari's rested. "I don't know…"
"I don't believe that." Namaari scoffed as she slowly brought Raya back onto both her feet.
Raya raised an eyebrow as both her feet touched the ground. She opened to say something deciding against it as she pulled her body away from Namaari. She looked at other for a second before turning around and heading for the exit.
Namaari was quick to follow her. Her walking faltered as her buzz took over. "Please don't leave again."
Raya's steps quickening. "I shouldn't have come," she responded with bitterness.
"I like girls," Namaari blurted anxiously. "That's a lie! I like a singular girl."
Raya's quickened pace coming to a halt right outside the throne room.
Both the princesses suddenly finding themselves alone, only surrounded by the noises of nature. "That one girl being you," Namaari stuttered.
Raya turned around, eyebrows frowned, anger displaced on her face. "YOU CAN'T SAY STUFF LIKE THAT" she stomped up to Namaari, poking her chest with her index finger. "STOP CONFUSING ME! I hate you…"
Namaari felt her heart sink once again, but she wasn't ready to give up. Maybe it was the liquor, or perhaps she realized this was her only chance.
The fang princess exhaled deeply as she brought her hand up to Raya's face. Raya flinching at first contact but allowed Namaar to press the back of her hand to her cheek. "I wouldn't be able to confuse you if you didn't have some repressed feelings."
Raya stayed silent, frozen in her denial, while Namaari ran her hand up and down her cheek. "I searched for you for months! I couldn't find you, so I assumed the worst..."
"I avoided you for months," Raya slapped Namaari's hand away, "for this exact reason!! I feel all warm and fuzzy around you" Raya frowned, grasping Namaari's collar pulling her closer "then I remember that I hate you," their eyes locked. No one daring to speak or even move.
Warm and fuzzy
Namaari eyes feel onto Raya's lips, watching her other lick them. This slight movement driving her insane, wanting to close the gap between them. Wanting to contain herself, she looked for the other's golden brown eyes.
Time seizing to exist as they stared into each other's eyes once again.
They knew this wasn't right.
Two enemies shouldn't feel this strongly for each other.
Yet here there are...
"Tell me I'm not crazy." Namaari whispered, slowly moving her face closer to Raya's, "Tell me you feel it too!"
Raya gulped, "You're crazy...but so am I."
The heart princess's grasp on the other's collar, tightening as she tugged Maari towards her, their lips entangling within seconds. The kiss messy and wet as neither of them had ever kissed anyone before. Yet the longer their lips stayed attached, the more in sync they became. When suddenly--
"Sorry to interpret...princess Namaari the chief, is asking for you," Atitaya stated as both girls pulled apart, panting.
Raya rapidly letting go of her grasp on the Namaari's collar as panic overwhelmed her, deciding its best to speed off into the night.
Namaari began to follow Raya, only to be held back by the general. "She'll be fine, but you won't if you don't meet your mother." Atitaya insisted as she smiled at the princess.
The fang princess grunting as she watched Raya's figure disappear into the night.
---
Bless my Drama theater in high school for teaching me how to slow dance XD
Prompt for day 10 is on my A03. It’s not aRamaari story: its focused on Raya, Sisu and Panee.
