A/N:
So I watched "Murderous Intent" (aka "Like Minds" in the USA) and it turned out to be another masterpiece. Foetus Tom nailed his character and bloody hell, he looked smoking hot (sorry, that was my inner voice😅).
Don't forget to vote and comment!

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Ravenna, lost in her thoughts, watches her feet as she walks, and that’s how she bumps into something solid—a wall or a person. She stumbles back, almost falling, but a warm hand catches her waist, pulling her upright.

She snaps her head up to find Dream standing there, his face a mask of irritation.

Her cheeks flush faintly as she clears her throat. "Sorry."

Without a word, Dream turns sharply and strides towards the castle. Ravenna has to quicken her pace to keep up with him.

She mocks him softly, her voice mimicking an exaggerated affection. "I forgive you, my love. It’s not so hard to say, you know. Maybe drop that scowl and try it sometime."

"Go home, Ravenna," Dream snaps, his tone icy.

"I accidentally broke the ring with some tool I found in Mervyn’s toolkit," she says, a smirk playing on her lips. "Looks like I’m stuck here. Forever."

"My raven will guide you back to the waking world," Dream says, his voice clipped.

"Desire tricked me. This isn’t fair!" she exclaims, frustration creeping in.

"Life isn’t fair," Dream retorts, his voice devoid of sympathy.

"I’m not leaving, Morpheus," she insists.

"I’m marrying Calliope," Dream says, a cold edge to his voice.

Ravenna grabs his arm, forcing him to stop and face her. "You don’t love her. Not anymore."

Dream pulls his arm away, his gaze hard. "Love is no part of the Dreaming. It belongs to Desire, and Desire is always cruel."

"Holding a grudge is childish," she counters, her eyes blazing.

"Funny," Dream says, his voice dripping with dry sarcasm. "You’re the expert in grudges, aren’t you?"

"Is that what you want? For me to beg on my knees? Fine." She drops to her knees, her eyes locked on his with fierce determination. "I won’t move until you accept me back. Not a single muscle."

"Do as you wish. I don’t care," Dream says dismissively, turning away.

Ravenna ignores the pleas of Lucienne, Mervyn, and Matthew. Even the other dreams and nightmares beg her to reconsider, but she remains steadfast, determined to stay.

Time stretches on—seconds turn to minutes, minutes to hours, and hours to the dawn of a new day. She shivers uncontrollably, her body on the brink of collapse from the cold and exhaustion. Her constant sickness is the only thing that keeps her moving and when she is done, she returns to her spot and waits. 

A dark shadow suddenly envelops the castle grounds, drawing Ravenna’s gaze upwards. The sun is obscured by a heavy cloud, foreboding rain that mirrors the heaviness in her heart.

"Dream lord requested me to escort you back into the castle," Lucienne’s voice breaks through the cold. Her eyes are filled with sadness.

Ravenna shakes her head, her resolve unshaken. "Tell him to do it himself."

Lucienne retreats inside, finding Dream in his throne room, engrossed in a book. She approaches him, her voice tinged with desperation. "Sir, Lady Ravenna is refusing to move without your presence. It’s raining, and she’ll fall ill if-"

Dream cuts her off, his voice cold. "She will give up eventually."

"Will she?" Lucienne challenges, her concern evident. "Lady Ravenna is stubborn. You know her better than anyone."

"Do not bring any matter regarding Ravenna to me again, Lucienne," Dream says sharply, though his rigid posture and clenched hands betray his inner turmoil.

"Yes, my Lord." Lucienne bows in respect and walks out, hoping either one of the stubborn lovers will give up soon before it's too late. But again, hope is a dangerous word.

Outside, in the torrential rain, Ravenna wraps her arms around herself, trying to fend off the cold. Her clothes are soaked, sticking to her body. She curls up on the cold stone floor, her body wracked with pain. The sharp twinge in her lower belly intensifies into a burning agony, making her writhe helplessly. Her screams pierce the air as her vision blurs, Lucienne’s frantic voice the last thing she hears before everything fades to black.

Meanwhile, Dream is standing in his Gallery, welcoming his sister with a warm smile. "What do I owe the pleasure, my sister?" 

"Good to see you, Dream. But I'm here to do my job." 

"In my realm?" Dream questions with confusion before panic rises in his eyes with realisation. There is no curse to bring her back to life this time. If he loses her this time, there is no backing up. He loses her forever.

In his chambers, Dream finds chaos. His royal staff scurries around, attending to Ravenna’s unconscious form. His heart, an endless well of torment, twists in agony as he sees her—pale, weak, and so vulnerable.

"Please," he pleads, his voice breaking. His pleading is not to be taken into consideration by Death as she moves to the bed, closing the distance between her and the mortal with a confused look. 

"It isn't her," Death places her hands on the mortal's belly and her whole body freezes with shock at the realisation. 

"What is it?" Morpheus asks, his voice waving with nervousness. He can sense it. Something unpleasant waiting to be unmasked.

"Sir, it isn’t just a fever. Lady Ravenna was with child." The physician confirms, both sympathetically and respectively. 

"No," Dream stumbles on his feet as they go weak at the news. He looks at his sister, eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Tell me, my sister. It is not true, is it?" 

Death frowns and engulfs her brother into a tight embrace, rubbing his back rhythmically, cradling him. "Please relax." 

"All I wanted was to protect her from harm," He chokes, gulping the lump in his throat. He wants to be strong but it seems impossible at the moment. "From me." 

"I know," She mumbles trying to calm him down but instead, his shoulders shakes while his body begins to tremble, finally, his tears starting falling on her bare neck. 

When the royal household is finished tending to the mortal, Dream gathers himself together to hear her progress. 

"Her body was exposed to severe cold for too long. It made it worse with her suffering from an early stage of depression which, I suppose led to the miscarriage." The physician briefly explains. "We need all the heat we can gather." 

"I will arrange the fireplace," Death volunteers before already moving her way to light the fireplace and starting to arrange the wood. 

"Body warmth will help Lady Ravenna the better, my Lord." The physician informs the Lord of Dreams and Nightmares. 

Morpheus nods and the physician leaves just as the royal household before bowing his head slightly in respect. He then moves to the bed. He gently caresses her cold cheek before slowly pushing back a stray hair. He takes off his upper body clothing before crawling into the bed next to her and scooting her closer to him, an arm resting over her body to let his body warmth flood into hers. 

"I gifted her immortality. Her body will be completely healed in no time. But she needs to rest," Death says, watching the blazing flames now dancing in the fireplace and immediately spreading warmth to every corner of the room. "You no longer have to worry about her downfall." 

He blows out a breath in utter relief at the news. "I thank you, my sister." 

"That is the least I can do, little brother." Death turns to him with a smile. "I have to go now. I do have to guide her spirit to the afterlife." 

"Her?" He raises an eyebrow with both interest and sadness. "May I speak to my daughter?" 

"I don't think it is the wisest idea, Dream." Death softly says, not wanting to upset her brother even further. 

Dream nods. "I understand." 

"Perhaps I can pass a message if you want me to?" Death offers.

"Tell her that it was my fault and I am sorry. And-and she will be missed." Dream says, his voice trembling.

"Do you have a name for her?" Death asks softly.

"Hyacinth. That is what Ravenna preferred to name our first child." Dream replies, his voice filled with sorrow.

"It’s a lovely name," Death agrees. "I wish the best for you, little brother." The second eldest Endless smiles before disappearing to the air when a knock echoes from the door. 

"Come in." Morpheus speaks and the librarian sneaks through the double doors. 

"Is she well?" Lucienne asks.

"She will be." Dream replies, his voice steely.

"Lady Ravenna will be devastated." Lucienne says with sadness lingering her voice.

"Only if she finds out." Dream says, his eyes darkening with resolve.

Lucienne gives him a look of disbelief. "Sir, it is not fair to her-" 

"I did not ask for your opinion, Lucienne. Prepare the necessary for the funeral of my daughter." Dream orders and looks down to see colour reappearing in Ravenna's cheeks as her body is slowly healing. "And none of this shall reach Ravenna's ears or the consequences will go unforgiven." 

He will not lose her again. Not this time.