Warning/AN: Finally!!! we're here, a little heads up I'll only be posting a few chapters here on Tumbler. All 31 prompts will be poster on Ao3, I'll just be posting the one I really like here. The link is below I wasn't sure how to make the link smaller... Oh well... Anyways I explained everything on my first chapter on Ao3 so let's just get right into the story.
Tagged: @damimapsclub @andrehm22
https://archiveofourown.org/works/27815542
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
It was so cold, dark, and empty. She's sinking slowly into the endless void; as if she were drowning. Was she drowning? Or was she dying? Is this what it felt like to die? Well, she didn't know, and she didn't care. Her body refuses to move, to see, to breathe, to swim. Her soul must have been at sea for far too long; as if it's forgotten the feeling of solid ground. Yet, her heart aches for someone, anyone, to save her from plunging any deeper into the abyss.
No... she can't just give up, no one was going to save her. She needs to save herself before it was too late. But how was she supposed to do that when her body refuses to budge? Nevertheless, that wasn't going to stop her from trying. She began to peg away, starting small would be sensible, best to start with her hands then. She began stretching out her fingers one by one until she felt strong enough to arch one of them. Luckily, she was able to wriggle her pinky, then her middle, then her thumb with a bit more effort she was able to move all ten fingers. Maybe if she tried hard enough she'd be able to sway more than just her digits, like her hands.
With some effort, she began her attempt at driving her hands up and down, but it was to no avail, she was only able to move her fingers. She tried again and again, but unfortunately... she couldn't pull through. It felt like ages until she finally gave in, she was paralyzed to do anything more than wiggle her small fingers. She didn't have the strength to go on anymore and stopped moving altogether. A dull fear weighed heavy in her heart as she felt herself sink deeper and deeper into despair, her body felt frozen as ice.
Her soul felt battered and drained.
Was this it? Was this all she could offer? She didn't want to die, not like this. Tears flowed through her closed eye sockets, droplets drifting out around her like diamonds. Tearful and quivering like a leaf, she released her anguish through small whimpers and moans. Her tears scattered ubiquitously like stars in her deep dark void, hopeless in her struggles to move once more, she finally gave in to her fate. Her soul throbbed painfully in her chest, painfully burning a hole through her. It was trying to escape. Her soul fiercely quivered grueling and rapid, until it was fluttering over her lifeless body.
Her lifeless eyes flew open, as she opened her mouth for a breath, but she could not gasp for air, her body was limp floating in a sea of her tears. Her gaze fell onto what she could only assume was her soul; her life. It was abnormally bright, white as snow, and in the shape of a heart. It was a sort of brightness that ignited something beautiful within, it was quite breathtaking to look at truly, but sadly she could not reach for it.
The little figure began swishing around back and forth, up and down, side to side in a hurried manner. It seemed like it was looking for something? The woman soon noticed her body was descending headlong down into her deep and inky black hole. Slipping farther away from her soul, despite how far she's sunk, she can still feel the warmth radiating from the small presence.
Yet, her whole body still chilled to her very bones.
This was it, it's over now she deemed. She slowly closed her eyes giving into the emptiness surrounding her, it was all she could do at this point. There's no one here to save her, she felt absolutely nothing. No pain, no sorrow, no strength... just hollowed. This was fine. This was fine she repeated over and over again attempting to convince herself. This was- abruptly the woman felt warmth grip her entire body for dear life. Immediately, she was engulfed in what felt like the sun itself, her eyes hazed and blurred from her tears when she suddenly caught a glimpse of a golden being. His grip tightened like a vice, soon her whole world grew brighter and more brilliant by the second. Her body didn't feel so cold anymore, she knew life was once again beating throughout her body.
She wanted to test out her theory and started moving her fingers and surprisingly she was able to do so? Not only was she capable to move her finger but she was also able to double-clutch her hands, she then shook her arms, wiggle her feet, and legs, and twist her head. She could even breathe again? What was going on? How was this happening? Her body began floating upwards now and her tears now molded into clear crystals.
Her eyes opened wide in wonder and color.
The woman took a deep breath in what felt like forever. The golden being floated away from her giving her space as she hovered up-right, she began taking in larger gulps of air catching her breath. The golden being stayed close, arms outstretched on either side of her as if it was afraid she'd fall again. Once she eventually caught her breath she glanced around twirling her body around as she goes, she was finally free.
Despite her overwhelming emotions flooding through her, she was still surrounded by shadows. Yet, the golden being who now rises before her is shining and illuminates in the dark, exquisitely. She felt... surprisingly safe. The woman watched her soul circle around the golden being joyfully swishing back and forth, it lightly flutters towards it, nuzzling itself onto its face. The golden being patted her soul gently and watched it glow livelier jumping around playfully. The girl began to chuckle at the display, she reached out her hand towards her soul ushering it to come towards her, it happily did so plopped itself into her hand as its beat slowed down to a lull.
The woman kissed it gently placing it atop her chest. Putting her soul back where it belonged.
Her body glowed vividly covering her from head to toe in pure white, feeling her soul throb in her chest once again filled her with everlasting comfort. She smiled towards herself patting her chest comfortingly making sure what she felt was real. Suddenly the light from the golden being dimed a bit giving him a very distinguished outlook. It formed into what looked like a boy? He was quite built and lean, tall as well. He eagerly placed his golden hands on her cheeks benevolently cupping her face. He leaned in closer to her face rubbing its forehead upon hers whispering something she couldn't really understand. Its voice echoed all around them, she couldn't comprehend what he was saying but knew he was trying to communicate.
She rustled back asking him to repeat himself.
Only to get more incoherent whispering. She shook her head trying to indicate that she couldn't understand him. He took the hint and stopped talking, the two hovered unsure on how to interact with one another. Although the young maiden felt that was unnecessary, there was a sort of heartfelt bond between the two already. Something she's felt before, but unsure where?
His presence does seem familiar in an unusual unearthly way? She thought to herself. She gazed at the pure being for a moment more before she reached her hands out cupping his face as well, the golden being didn't seem to mind as he nestled rightfully so into her palms. His hands that were still cupsful of her cheeks, began rubbing her cheekbones with his thumb brushing her radiant hair behind her ear lovingly. She was radiating with excitement and affection, yes this felt natural, correct even.
Where these things lovers would normally do? The woman wasn't sure what this being meant to her... but she knew it was something out of this world. Her lover encircled his arms around her in a moment and she let her head rest upon his chest. All her thoughts stopped in that instant as if her heart took over from her head. He clutches her close as if he needed to confirm that she was really there with him, and real... and she was, body, mind, and soul.
If she could, she would wrap herself up in his arms and dream soundly than a baby. He was the sweetest sight in her eyes. She supposes that's what attraction felt like, but it couldn't be, this feels so deep... as if this were the start of a song that plays on and on, something so soothing; so comforting to her soul. Oh, she begs on every spectrum, on every velvet of clouds and acres of blue, that this being right here, right now, is her better-half she's dreamed of for so very long.
Unaware of the two, their lights began to shine gloriously.
Dispersing the dark from around them completely, the void was now swirling encompassing them exceedingly fast.
The two intertwined their hands as their bodies result into tearing apart piece by piece. Her vision became unclear as the void created a massive gap, she heard voices coming from it? The golden being let loose of his hold on her and gradually slip his hand away from hers. The woman quickly snatched his ripped up arm hoping to hold onto him just a bit longer, she didn't want to lose him, she didn't even know his name.
The golden being placed a gentle kiss on her ear whispering his final message before releasing her completely. She let out a cry before she was sucked into the giant hole watching as what little was left of him vanish into the swirling void. Then without warning, it was dark again, just like her void. But something was different this time she heard distant voices. "It's a miracle she's alive." Someone shouted staggeringly.
"Oh my god! honey come see this, Maps is breathing again." Shouted a woman cheerfully.
Maps? Oh right, that was her name.
"Maps my baby... t-this is a miracle, Kyle looks at this, your sister is alive!" Maps heard a deeper voice call for another as rapid footsteps were approaching her.
Oh, how she wanted to open her eyes, so desperately.
"H-how is this possible she was..." Maps heard sobbing ensue and a collective amount of weeping, the softer voice wrapped his arms around her pulling her into a deep hug. He smelled like pin trees and musk, Maps wrinkled her nose at the scent.
"I'll go get the doctor, you two stay here in case anything changes." Maps heard a woman say as her heels clicked hurriedly away. Maps felt a heavy hand gently rouse her bangs to the side only for it to slip right back into place. "Don't worry, mom is going to get some help you just rest up alright." Whispered the heavier voice, he must be her dad then?
Maps finally opened her eyes, raw and blinded by the intense light in the room, as a warmth weighed dens on her chest, her lungs buttery soft. "Father?" she was astounded at how soft and meaningless her voice seemed now. But now that she could see, she lazily took in her surrounding. She was surrounded by four white walls and pale blue curtains, she looked towards her dad and brother and then down at herself. She was dressed in thin white clothing, wrapped in a thick white blanket, this was a hospital. "Yes, I'm right here, oh my god, you really did come back." Her dad said still seeming unconvinced.
Come back? From what? Wait, I think I remember...
She somewhat recalls falling down something, and her body felt limp and cold. But to be absolutely sure that's what really happened she needed to ask. "W-what happened?" Maps whispered coarsely and brokenly. Kyle lifted up his head and stared down at her, startled, he shared a look with his dad before sighing out loud. "You tripped down a flight of stairs and had a pretty nasty head injury. We rushed you to the hospital but, you lost a lot of blood along the way." Kyle said pitifully but continued nonetheless.
"You were in surgery for hours, after they were done operating on you they came back announcing that you were... dead." Kyle paused, frowning. When his dad placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "But then unexpectedly you started breathing again, out of nowhere." Maps saw tears run down her father's meek face as he picks up her hand, caressing it on his wet cheek. "Thank God, we thought we lost you." He whispered exhaustingly.
Maps were at a loss for words, so much was happening, she couldn't wrap her head around all of it. In her dream, she does remember vaguely dying... if she could even call that dying? But you can't just come back from the dead, right? All she remembers was everything being very cold and dark, then she suddenly woke up.
Well... there was something else there too but-
"Please step aside sir, let me see her." A tall old man dressed in a long white coat, with a name tag on his collar, swiftly walked in followed by her mom. This must be the doctor that claimed she was dead? He gently placed his two fingers on her pauls and bore on a shocked but serious face. "This can't be possible?" He checked her heart monitor to see stable vitals. "Mr. and Mrs. Mizgouchi if you and your son would kindly exit the room, I'd like to run some tests on her." The doctor reached to press the call button, "Nures Emily, please come help assist me in room 202." The doctor turned to the worried family ushering them out. "Please this will only take a second." He said earnestly.
The family hesitantly walked through the doors but not without Maps declaring, "Don't worry I'll be fine." Maps smiled reassuring them, shutting the door behind him, the doctor stayed true to his word as the check-up was rather short. Since there was nothing wrong with her. Although, the likelihood of her leaving anytime soon wasn't. Maps didn't want to go into detail on the process of her discharge and what happened with her so-called "death", but in short, they let her go home seeing as there was nothing wrong with her, finding it a miracle that she was even alive. No one knew exactly why or how this phenomenon transpired but everyone was just grateful that she was alive.
Once she was discharged, everything went back to... well she'd like to say normal. But that wasn't the case, a few weeks have passed and not only does she have this narely scar across her forehead. Which in her opinion makes her look totally badass, but everything just seems so insignificant... like a part of her was missing, something super important. Maps haven't noticed this before but... has the world always been this colorless? She honestly can't remember a time when there were colors, no it's just bland and empty.
And it's put her in such a dreary mode as of late, and everyone could tell. It's not like she was hiding it or anything, but she did try shaking off her irateness but found it futile in doing so. Which lead her here, in Isla MacPherson's office sipping on hot tea, relaying her confusing existence. "Oh dearie, it seems like you're in quite the pickle?" Isla said pouring Maps another cup of camomile tea, Maps slouched on the red leather couch cradling the tiny teacup, and sighed.
"It just doesn't make any sense, when I think back to what happened that day all I remember are bits and pieces of it. I-I just can't seem to put the parts together to understand what happened.
Was it all just a dream? Was my life always this grey? Or was I saved by an angel?" Maps took a slow sip of her drink before setting it down on the coffee table in front of her.
"I was hoping to talk to someone about this, but no one has been helpful." Maps frowned, Isla hummed into consideration, placing her finger on her chin. "You know, I think I've read something like this before in a story my father used to read to me." Isla stood up and walked towards her towering bookshelf, scanning a few books before her index finger landed on a thin red cover. She pulled it out heading back to her seat, she opened the book with care not to tear the pages.
"I remember a line somewhere that sounds similar to how you described that angel of yours." Isla flipped a few pages until she landed on one, she scanned it for a quick second and then smiled.
"There it is, a being pure of light that only appears in your dreams also known as a Dream Lover." Isla passed the book to Maps for her to look over.
"I think what you experienced wasn't an angel, but your soulmate." Maps looked up at her teacher with confusion. "What's a soulmate?" Maps asked curiously. Isla chuckled at her curiosity, "Well, a soulmate is... well someone you carry with you forever. A person who's flaws and imperfections are visible to you and you alone. And no matter what happens you'll always love and cherish them, nothing could ever change that." Isla pointed towards the little book in Maps' hand and smiled.
"I'm sure you'll find what you need to know in that book. You can keep it if you want, I have an extra spare of my own." Isla winked at Maps before giving her a thumbs up. Maps smiled and thanked her teacher for the gift, she quickly ran to her dorm flopping down on her bed kicking her feet in the air before opening the book to its first page.
A Soulmate, the thing about a soul mate meeting, is that the cosmos has to bring it. And the universe must achieve many good things from the receivers, in doing so this action will bring good fortune all season long and will beat the dark forces.
"Dark forces?" Maps asked out loud, did it mean that dark void she felt trapped in?
And so, when you see your mate, you are as the greatest of lovers and the greatest of champions, for you must vow to fight for love for the rest of your days or until love has won. Your mate will love you, live and even die for you, their death will be yours too... for once the bond is made, it is eternal... and that is the greatest prize, the most this universe will ever offer... time with someone who loves you is either a paradise to live in or one where the right to fight for it is one's own choice.
"Whoa! cool." Maps exclaimed, "So we're like partners in crime?" She asked excitedly, flipping to the next page.
Atlas this connection will only happen within one's dream through wishful thinking. Dream Lovers are a body-soul-brain connection, it is all three at once in quantities that overwhelm in the most beautiful of ways... thusly only a pure connection will be made... as sort of a test... for that is the only way the universe will deem you worthy of its gift.
Maps sat up from her bed and frowned. "What? That doesn't make any sense."
To tell if one or the other has passed the test, they will be rewarded with identification of their one and only... the selfhood will bring light, love, and color as bright as the star.
Maps quickly flipped the page to find it blank, she flipped it back and forth repeatedly hoping the information would appear like magic, but sadly found none. She reread that last sentence again and hummed. "Does this mean I'll meet him soon if I passed my test? But what test?" Maps groaned and tossed the book to the side throwing her hands up in frustration, flopping back onto her bed sighing out her annoyance.
"This is way too complicated to understand, but the only way I'll know if it's him or not is through a bond of love, light, and color? Will I feel it or-" a knock echoed through her empty room stopping her mid-sentence, she sat up and walked towards the door begrudgingly and opened it.
"Hey Maps," There stood her best friend Olive. Maps beamed as she leaned in to give her companion a hug pulling her through her door. "Hey Olive, didn't you have a study date with Kyle or something?" Maps asked as Olive walked in closing the door behind her.
Olive nodded, "Yeah but tennis practice is running long again so I decided to wait here until he's done." Olive hopped onto Maps bed lightly bouncing and smiled up at her best friend.
"What were you doing here by yourself?" Olive asked. Maps picked up the little red book handing it to Olive, "Some light reading." Olive started reading the little book for the next three minutes then frowned.
"You really believe in this crap?" Olive asked waving the book around, Maps snatched the book from her setting it down back on her nightstand. "Of course I do, if you experienced what I did you'd believe it too." Maps huffed folding her arms across her chest. Olive chuckled holding her hands up in surrender, "Sorry, to each their own. Well seeing as we both have nothing better to do why don't we go to the assembly then." Olive suggested getting up from the bed dusting her skirt down.
Maps tilted her head in puzzlement, "Assembly?"
Olive scoffed and rolled her eyes playfully, "Of course you wouldn't know, they were announcing a new addition to our school today. Everyone says he's pretty important, so they're holding a gathering in his family's honor or something. He's probably just going to give us some boring speech on how proud he is to be apart of the school and random bullshit." Olive rolled her eyes, Maps giggled.
"Then why go at all if you think it's going to be boring?" Maps said as she began putting on her shoes. Olive shrugged her shoulders already walking out the door with Maps hopping on her trail. "Beats just standing around," Olive stated walking rigorously down the empty hall.
The two girls chatted among themselves till they eventually made it to the gym, the second-largest building to the cafeteria of course, on campus. They haven't even entered the building yet and Maps could already tell that the whole school was presumably stacked high in there. There was no chance of them getting a good seat or even one at all.
"By any chance did you get the name of the guy? He must be pretty popular to get the attention of the whole school." Maps said pushing through the twin doors to a roar of people.
Olive pushed past a few people who were trying to get a peek at the new guy. "No, but this is ridiculous no one person can be this ah- popular." Olive turned around shoving back a guy who grabbed her by her butt and glared daggers at him, he quickly backed off and scurried away out of sight. Olive huffed and turned to find that her best friend had disappeared into the sea of adolescents.
"Just great," Olive said in dismay.
Maps she was currently finding it more difficult to maneuver her way past everyone by the second; getting shoved left and right by people. "O-olive where did you go," Maps yelled in the sea of bodies getting no reply back, more shoving ensued finally shoving her down on her butt. She whined rubbing her sore bottom, she looked around to find that nobody had even noticed her, how rude.
Maps stood up shoving her way further into the gymnasium ultimately stopping at the front of the stage, how'd she end up here?
"Ladies and gentlemen, we present you, Damian Wayne." The crowd roared with cheers and whistles as everyone attempted to get a closer look at the boy named Damian Wayne. Pushing Maps further into the stage, practically climbing over her, she noticed to her right a few security guards but seemed unfazed by all of this. Any more pushing and she'll end up face first on the platform. This Damian Wayne guy wasn't worth the discomfort, she needed to find a way to get out of here and quick before even more pushing occurs.
"Hello, it is... so nice to be here today." Maps heard a clear small bell ringed inside her head, stilling her for a moment. She unknowingly held her breath as her heart began beating uncontrollably quickly, filling her with delight and gleam? She clutched at her chest trying to calm her rapidly beating heart down, her body suddenly felt light as a feather.
"I am here today to announce my late arrival to..." He uncaringly looked down at his note-cards, he wasn't even trying to hide them and took a deep sigh saying. "this prestigious school." Despite his monotone voice echoing throughout the gym, it sounded like the most exquisite music she's ever heard. Maps eyes glossed over with white light staring up at the man before her, stars shined brilliantly through her eyes, feeling her body float. She wanted to get closer, she wanted to touch him, feel his skin against hers, feel his lips against her own. She craved it so deeply it ached in her very bones... this was so surreal, she didn't even realize she had climbed up onto the stage.
"And I'd like to-" Damian stopped mid-speech to stare at the awe-struck girl that was walking slowly towards him, he rolled his eyes raising his hand to wave over the pathetic excuse for security to escort the fangirl, but before he could call for security he felt a wave of... lightness?
Damian slowly lowered his hand equally staring at the woman before him, it grew intensely silent. The two walked closer towards each other standing only a few inches from one another, they stared at each other for a minute or two maybe three, they weren't sure. Damian slowly, shakily, reached down for Maps hand intertwining it with his bringing it towards his lips, pressing a feather-like kiss on her digits. His eyes never losing contact with hers, Maps breath hitched as her heart soared to new levels, his lips felt chapped but his breath was hot as the sun. And just like magic, their whole world was painted in vibrant colors, bursting everywhere like a tide.
Maps gasped eyes widen, possibly even wider now as she's now getting a first-hand look at her soulmate now standing before her just as awestruck as she is. He leaned close tenderly pecking her lips, then her cheek, then her ear, and whispered. "I have never lived a moment of my life, before meeting you. My beloved; My everything." Maps suddenly felt the tears befalling and couldn't stop them, she's finally found him her soulmate.
Overjoyed, Maps jumped straight into his arms laughing merrily, he tightly wrapped his arms around her waist and smiled into her neck. Maps slinked back gazing into his stunning emerald eyes bearing his soul for her and her alone, showing her that she had the key to his heart, not able to hold back anymore. Maps excitedly jumped into him once more and kissed him. It was a full-on, open-mouthed, essentially passionate kiss. It was sloppy but meant the world to her, Damian reproach picking her up by her hips, swinging her around placing his hand and behind her head deepening their kiss. The crowd that was mostly silent through the whole interaction grew loud once again.
Most with cries of despair and others cheering them on. Maps honestly didn't care, she just couldn't get enough of him. During their little make-out session, one of the security guards looked up from his phone to scan the crowd than to his employer and started coughing at the scene playing out in front of him, shocked at the public display. He quickly shoved his phone into his pocket and marched towards the two, Damian and Maps separated to catch their breaths, smiling lovingly at each other.
Only for Maps to be yanked brutally out of Damian's arms by her collar, she yelped as she was being dragged away from her other half. "You're not supposed to be up here young lady, I'm going to have to write you up-" But before the guy could finish his threat he shortly discovered his face was planted hard on the ground. He groaned, rubbing his head he looked up and to his horror lay his eyes upon an angry child displaying his teeth like an animal baring its fangs, a look of pure ferocity in his eyes. He grabbed Maps by her waist crushing her into his side, Damian glared down at the wretched human below him and snarled.
"Touch my woman again peasant, I will amputate your arms and legs." Damian spit at him in a low threatening growl, the security guard had got the message and scrambled to his feet laughing nervously and meekly apologized before returning back to his post. Damian huffed in annoyance, plotting the man's execution; maybe he should be merciful and have merely a simple hanging, yes that will suffice.
Maps giggled and poked Damian in the cheek, he turned his head and looked down at his mate and smiled. "Are you alright Habibi?" Maps nodded fixing her collar, then she whistled. "What did you just call me?" Maps asked as Damian took her hand once more, and taking his other gingerly wrapping it around her neck, rubbing small circles on her delicate skin.
"Habibi? It means my love or beloved." He replied.
"Ooh I like that, say it again." Maps swooned.
Damian chuckled and leaned in real close whispering, "Habibi," Maps blushed and smiled feeling her heart was literally beat a mile a minute. She gazed up at him adoringly, he looked like the sun itself standing there... warm and real. She had no doubt in her heart that this was her one true love, her best friend, her partner, her everything, her soulmate.
