???? | Kinich x Reader

Soon after my father met his bitter end, Elder Leik moved in with me, living among the mountains and forests with me. He was one of the only people to know the truth behind my family situation, and the truth behind what happened with y/n and her saurian. He's understanding, I think. He knows that I didn't mean to mess up, he knows how much she meant to me. Or at least, he's able to put on that facade of sympathy.

I don't believe in forgiveness without a cost, and the way the elder believed in everything I said and supported me as a person, all the way until I received my ancient name, was always suspicious to me. For all my childhood years, he's seen me at my best and my worst.

And my worst was when...

Upon returning from a long trip supposedly to "clear his mind" and "gain insight about Natlan", I could understand his surprise when he saw me in a mess the moment he returned.

He didn't judge though, just bent down to sit next to me, one of his stiff joints letting out a soft crack as he descended, and sat quietly with me until I could talk. For the first minutes, I was just losing myself in a spiral of nonsensical thoughts, ranting on and on about how I don't deserve to be alive and how I ruined everything and how I should just mutilate myself the way I did to the saurian, until eventually the different pieces of information joined together in the Elder's mind.

I tend not to ask the opinion of others. I dictate my own life, and suffocate in the control of others. So when I heard my own voice pleading for instruction, for guidance on what to do next, I was just as shocked as Elder Leik. He pulls my hand closer to him, his large, wrinkled fingers grasping around mine, making me feel unbearably tiny and even fragile.

"Oh, Kinich. People return when you least expect it, and only when you least expect it. If events have truly unfolded the way you've said, it means that this story is not over. Do not lose hope. She will return to you one day." His face crinkles and scrunches into a smile, as he pulls me up to my feet. "In the meantime, you'd better get off the dirty floor and get changed."

...Why must I always remember these despicable memories?

y/n and Ajaw are now both sound asleep, leaving me alone to listen to the empty silence echoing through the house. My injuries still ache occasionally, but it's gotten better. I've mostly gone numb now, and I can't feel nor move the arm I was shot in, but at least I don't feel like passing out every time it throbs.

I moved over to the crate beside y/n's bed, and just as expected, her saurian companion lay right next to her, the expression on both their faces at peace, at last.

...When will I have that same peace for myself?

At least everyone is safe now. I couldn't care less about Ajaw, but y/n's unharmed, and Kuniku should be alright, so I could be expecting some calm days ahead of us, at least for now. I probably need it the most, honestly. If I have to fend off another two dozen fit and healthy mercenaries, the chances I have of making it out alive is thinner than Ajaw from a side view.

Despite not living together anymore, it's probably best I update the Elder on the current circumstances. I tear my eyes off y/n, and shuffle over to her study desk with as little noise as manageable. I'm not sure about y/n, but Ajaw is a very light sleeper, and I'd rather be venturing into the night kingdom solo than to have his loudspeaker, microphone, boombox mouth beside me right now.

I spin the pen between my fingers, before ink following my stream of thought spill onto a blank piece of parchment.

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Dear Elder Leik,

I hope this message finds you well. My apologies for not staying in contact: I have had several very eventful days, but the turmoil is over now. At least, I do hope it is.

You were right - The story between y/n and I never did come to a close. She's sleeping in our shared room together, her face beautiful even in slumber. I never would have guessed that out of nowhere, she'd pop right back into my life like a white poppy in an abandoned corner, here to grace me with her presence once again.

I am alive and well for now. At least, as well off as one can be with an injured arm and multiple cuts across the body. But if it was a tradeoff between y/n's friendship and my physical health, I'd say I got the better end of the deal. As long as she is beside me and she is safe and happy, I am as well as I can be.

I do hope Mualani's tribe is treating you well. I've been to their hot springs before, and whilst I am not much of a fan when it comes to searing hot water, you would probably see it as a perfect retirement location. You were always rather fond of water, and I've remembered that for years.

I'd like to hear about all your travel experiences whenever you find the time to revisit the Scions of the Canopy, and I'm sure y/n would love to meet you properly for the first time. She's grown to become a very strong-willed girl, quite a contrast to who she used to be. I think I quite like the new her.

It is getting late, and I should sleep before my roommates wake up from the racket this pen is making. Safe travels, take care of yourself.

Kinich.

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