Maul x Nightsister!reader: Nightmares Of Old
Okay, I did this super fast. Didn’t even check the word count and I know it’s not edited properly. So I apologize in advance for the typos or grammatical errors.
Warnings: Power imbalances, lil bit toxic in the relationship department. They’re both red flags. (Lemme know if I missed anything.)
Rating: Teen+
Screams ricocheted across the thick forest. Pain blurred every fiery sense that kept you going. Your hearts beating fiercely in your ears, chest heaving in smoke-filled air. For a fraction of a moment you could almost believe it was the end.
The sound of several lightsabers igniting at once caught what was left of your frayed attention, angry dying embers seared into your core. Grievous… Around him were bodies of your sisters, what was left of their brave attempts to fight for their home. It was left to you now.
“Come little witch, face your death like the brave warrior I’ve heard so much about..” Grievous’s ragged voice hurtled from his scorched and twisted throat, screeching out over the clearing.
You back peddled a step, attempting a valiant effort of a fighting stance. Your hands—once steady with confidence—shook around the length of your spear. Your breath sagged in your ears, easing itself into your center. Mother Talzin’s words echoed through your mind,
“You mustn’t let the fear control you, you control the fear. Remember who you fight for. Who you sacrifice for. Strike-“
A scream—distant within your psyche—tore itself from your lungs as you lunged your body forward, spear aimed with deadly precision.
Grievous’s hoarse laughs overlapped themselves, his lightsabers twirling into dangerously colorful blurs and then…..
Nothing.
————————————————————
The sensation of sweat was the first thing that collided with your consciousness, your body jolting up in a sporadic attempt to escape. The same scream from your dream raged out of your throat, cracking with the bubbling tears that slid down your cheeks.
A hand at your shoulder had you whirling your head around, a sharp gasp left your lips. “NO!”
Bedsheets flung from your legs, twisting over your body and tugging you to the floor in a resounding thunk against the cool tiles. “Leave me alone—please!” Pathetic in sound, your voice left you in tattered increments. A vulnerability you would’ve cursed yourself for had you not been in such a delirious state.
Silence overtook the small room, your harsh breathing the only sound that broke it. When the courage to open your eyes finally reached you, you did so hesitantly. A crack of an eye in the direction of the bed. A shadow loomed over you, two gentle glowing golden eyes stared back at you. Far too patient.
Maul…
Another wave of fear found itself coiled in your chest, your breath wavering a half second. “My lord…I apologize.” As quickly as your weightless limbs could carry you, you found position hunched over your knee. “I let myself slip into a slumber instead of keeping guard. I’ll make up for it I prom-“
“What was it that plagued your rest?” Maul’s voice smoothly cut through your fear fueled ramble.
Fretting you heard wrong, you responded cautiously. “My lord?”
A sigh fell from Maul’s lips, spiking another wave of dread. Perhaps he is finally done with my mishaps…The thought wrapped itself tightly around your mind.
“You need not fear me, nor the nonexistent consequences of your perceived failures. I do not wish to harm you.” Despite the undercurrent of reassurance, it helped little to curve over the well of negative emotions pooling through your body.
“Look at me.” Instantly, your eyes were on him. A command not missed. His hand was outstretched, a silent offer.
Temptation shuddered through you, a wave of ease you so desperately needed. His words surely rang true enough, and the look he gave you had to mean something.
So, with creeping wariness, you placed a hand in his. He lulled you back up into bed. His gaze never leaving your own. “The short comings of my past haunt my sleeping hours as well.” It was so minute you almost missed it, the sliver of vulnerability that cracked forth from his words.
A beat of silence passed, not entirely comfortable, but not nearly as tense as before. You awkwardly took the liberty of shuffling closer, clearing your throat. “Mother Talzin conditioned me to be the strongest warrior…I had to be worthy of—“ the words falter on your tongue when you catch his eye again. “I couldn’t take down a simple droid with lightsabers. Not quickly enough.” It comes out sharper than you mean, and you wait tersely to see Maul’s reaction.
A quiet hum protrudes from his thinned lips, a discernible expression flickers over his features. “That was then. You have my aid now, you need only ask and I shall teach you what I know. What I am certain you are capable of learning.”
Such words hit like a fist filled with electricity. Shock curling over every muscle. “But my Lord, I’m supposed to protect you.”
“Perhaps that was true before the fall of our home-world. Now we protect each other, it is how we will survive the rise of this new empire.” Maul gave a squeeze of consolation to the hand still encapsulated in his own, his gaze far too gentle in contrast to the stories you were told about him.
“Thank you, my Lord…” You dip your head in a show of gratitude, a swell of some warm unbidden emotion churned forth in your chest.
“In the comfort of our private quarters, Maul will do.” His voice comes with a certain ease you once had.
Catching his gaze for a final time, you whisper, “Thank you, Maul.”
