A/N:
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When Ravenna steps outside the house, the morning chill bites at her skin, raising goosebumps. She pulls her arms tighter around herself for warmth, only to spot Morpheus leaning casually against her car, arms crossed. He’s waiting. For her.

It’s almost unfair how striking he is. His dark hair, sensual lips, chiseled cheekbones, and that sharp jawline could make anyone’s heart skip a beat. And his eyes—steel blue, deep and captivating—are a lethal combination. It's like he's the embodiment of every dream she’s ever had, and it’s proving dangerously irresistible.

Her thoughts flicker back to the dreams he’s crafted in her mind over the past few days. Particularly the vivid one from the restaurant last night. It sends a shiver through her lower belly. She’s in deep trouble here.

“Demons aren’t allowed in my car,” she says, trying to keep her voice steady as she approaches him.

He uncrosses his arms and smiles. “Good thing I’m no demon.”

“Still a no.” Her tone is firm as she digs through her pockets. “I forgot the keys.”

“Ah, these, I presume?” He jingles the keys in front of her, and she snatches them from his hand with a huff.

“Do you even know how to drive?” she asks, her curiosity piqued. As he opens his mouth to answer, she cuts him off. “Don’t bother. Just get in.”

Ravenna slides into the driver’s seat, and Morpheus settles next to her in the passenger seat. She curses under her breath, gathering wrappers and an old coffee cup into a small grocery bag. “Sorry about the mess. Work yesterday, dinner out of nowhere. No time to clean.”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” Morpheus replies with a shrug, settling comfortably into his seat.

“Put on your seatbelt, Mr. Sandman. I trust my worst enemy more than I trust moving vehicles,” she says, her voice laced with dry humor.

His lazy smile stretches into something more genuine. “You might have to help me. I’m utterly confused by human technology.”

“Technology doesn’t have anything to do with it, your majesty,” she retorts, leaning into him to grab his seatbelt. The proximity is electric. His breath, his scent—everything about him makes her head spin. She feels the soft flutter of butterfly wings against her heart. Stop it. Stay focused.

“Breathe, my love,” he murmurs, gently stroking her cheek with his thumb.

Ravenna blinks, trying to regain her composure. She sinks back into her seat, gripping the steering wheel and filling her lungs with the fresh, cool air. In. Out. In. Out.

When she finally feels somewhat grounded, she starts the engine and drives off. “What on the earth is that?” she asks.

"I was merely testing a theory. My brother Destiny intervened. The curse is broken. You are no longer bound to me." Morpheus lifts his sleeve to show her the rune, fading just like hers. "Anything else is on you." 

"Anything else is on you." Ravenna mimics under her breath. She’s annoyed by how easily he gets under her skin. His dark, mysterious attire contrasts sharply with her colorful, fashionable preferences. It’s infuriating how much she’s drawn to him.

His smile is all lazy charm and confidence whilst he slowly puts on his seat belt with a click with no struggle at all. Son of a bit-

“The name is Morpheus,” he says suddenly.

“Huh?” Ravenna glances at him, puzzled, before refocusing on the road.

“Morpheus,” he repeats, his gaze steady and intense. “Put on your seatbelt, Ravenna. You were the one who said you don’t trust moving vehicles.”

She rolls her eyes but buckles her seatbelt. “Where do you want me to drop you?”

He turns his gaze back to her, the heat of his stare nearly palpable. “You might have questions. I’m here to answer them.”

Ravenna stops at a red light, her thoughts swirling. “I do. Not many—just like ten thousand.”

The light turns green, and the engine’s roar nearly drowns out his response. “Go on, then.”

She takes a deep breath. “From what I gathered, that maniac half-brother of the Princess and his coven were possessed, right?”

“Desire, my younger sibling, was behind it. They influenced your people and Oliver Duncan.”

“Sibling issues, huh? Good thing I didn’t get any this time,” she says, attempting to lighten the mood. Then she recalls her Chinese friend. “Oh, wait. I got one, and he’s going to pay when I see him again.”

Morpheus’s smile is lazy and amused, a stray lock of dark hair falling over his eye, almost begging for her to brush it back.

The taste of blood fills her mouth from how hard she bites her tongue. “There’s more about the bond, isn’t there?”

“Over the last few centuries, I was forced to watch you die. Again and again, I might add. Natural deaths. Accident deaths. You even once committed suicide right before I was captured by Roderick Burgess. You thought I left you. And..." Morpheus pursues his lips, turning his head downwards as he speaks. "...I felt it. I felt you taking your own life and I was helpless, once again."

“That sucks,” Ravenna says softly, placing a tentative hand on his knee, wishing she were better at comforting him.

Morpheus’s gaze lingers on her hand resting against his denim jeans, his throat working hard to swallow. “Anything else?”

“Why is it always me who ends up dead instead of you?”

“I cannot be killed, nor can any of my siblings.”

“Dully noted.” She sneaks a glance at him, her curiosity piqued. “What I don’t get is why I always ended up dead if I could have fallen for someone else.”

“The bond kept you from forming emotions for anyone but me.” He curls his hand over hers, and to his surprise, she lets him.

The car ride continues in a contemplative silence, the air thick with a thousand unspoken questions until Ravenna pulls into the familiar driveway.