can you please please please make a Cinder x female reader AND ANGSTY 😭😭😭 I'm begging you please I love youuuu
"Once loved, Now Lost."
☀️Now playing - One Last Time - Ariana Grande
☀️Synopsis - You loved Cinder before the merge. He was your everything and you were his. Now that you've found him, you're not sure he's yours anymore. Cinder x f!reader
W/c - 2.2k
Note - Welp it's angst - reader does NOT end up with Cinder btw sorry - Takes place in the actual events of the show - Also Ash is Cinders uncle in this I don't know if that's cannon but apparently they are related in some way so 🤫 - Slight kai x reader if you squint - The timeline might be a bit messed up and im sorry about that its been a bit since I watched dragons rising in its entirety
A/n - Yay I did another one! I'm sorry again for being so late I hope you like this one! :D
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The incense burning had a faint scent of wood to it. You blew on the stick gently, setting it on its stand. You weren't picky among the ones given to you inside the monastery. Yet you found yourself burning through the sandalwood weekly, much to Mr. Frohicky’s confusion.
The scent comforted you. It reminded you of him. A man you loved and lost.
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Before the merge, Cinder and you were close. Living in a small village just outside the city, you two grew up inseparable. You remember it clearly, how he would dream of becoming an elemental master one day.
“You’ll see! I’m gonna be unstoppable!” He’d say that all the time as kids. You weren't an elemental master or related to one so you had your sights set on other things. It didn't stop you from listening to Cinder’s dreams though.
“That's so cool! Has your uncle given you his power yet?”
“No! Not yet! That's besides the point!”
As you grew into your teens, he had been passed down the mantle of elemental Master of Smoke from his uncle Ash. You found out in the middle of the night when he appeared outside your window through a gust of smoke. He’s lucky his reflexes were fast or else he would've gotten whacked by your bat.
He began his training with his uncle Ash soon after. On your free days, you would come over to watch as he trained. Cinder loved seeing you during his training, something his uncle noticed quickly.
“Careful, Cinder. I see you're more distracted when {Name} is around.”
“Am not! I’m just making sure she's watching!”
It was cute seeing Cinder’s face turn bright red whenever his uncle teased him. Ash was fond of you as well and would let you come watch Cinder for his training. He never failed to make you feel involved as you were an important person for Cinder, as much as he denied it.
Eventually as you grew into young adults, he officially became a master of his element. It was during this time he finally found the guts to confess to you, with helpful guidance from his uncle.
“You’ll lose her if you keep her waiting any longer. Who knows, another knight and shining armor might swoop in because you were too slow.” He’d whack Cinder across his head to make sure his point got across his nephew's head. Thankfully once was enough.
He led you to a clearing of flowers one evening, the sight was so breathtaking for you. The small village you both grew up in could be seen clearly in the distance. Cinder took both your hands in his, everything about his expression screamed “nervous” as he held your gaze.
“I want you by my side, {N/n}. If you’ll have me, please.”
“You already do, Cinder.”
You remember that's where you shared your first kiss. He was so happy you didn't outright reject him his first instinct was to cup your cheek and lean in. In the middle of it, he used his element to manifest behind you. With his arms around your waist he lifted you in the air as you laughed, marking the moment you two began a new chapter in your life.
A shame it ended shortly after that.
The merge came as quickly as it ended. He had tried to find you, his family was gone and the only person he could think of to save was you. When he used his smoke to maneuver through the town he landed by the same clearing he had confessed just months prior. You were relieved to see him, running as fast as you could to reach him before the merge sucked you in.
Tragically, the force of the merge pulled you before you reached him. The only thing you remember from that day was his distant cry.
“I’ll come find you!”
Still waiting, Cinder.
You landed in what you knew now as The Land of Monsters. Like the name suggestive, the place was crawling with monsters waiting to eat you. All you could do was hide and run as you tried desperately to find an exit.
One monster had cornered you in a cave with no way out. Thinking it was the end, you shut your eyes and sank to the floor. Fortunately, a red ninja came to your rescue by scaring off the beast with his fire.
“You okay? That was a close one, wasn't it?” He asks with a lighthearted chuckle offering you a hand up. How can he be so calm in a place like this?!
You took his hand and nodded. “Yeah, no kidding. I’m {Name}.” As he lifted you up he gave you a look over.
“Name’s Kai. Before you ask, no I don't know how to get out of here and yes I am the master of fire!.” He then proceeded to light up a flame from his free hand. You laughed and agreed to his help, you’d definitely need it.
“Mind if I stick with you then? I’d rather not get eaten by a monster before finding out what this place is.”
“Yeah, same here. Don't worry, I’ll protect you. Think of me as your knight in shining armor…Or, ninja armor.” His words made you laugh, despite the danger you were in. From that point on, Kai really did become your savior.
For the sake of survival, you stuck to his side to avoid getting eaten by beasts at every turn. It took a few months of repeating the same formula of running and fighting when you found a gigantic ship that he recognized.
“Destiny's Bounty! Oh we’re saved!” You laughed at his enthusiasm as he flopped onto the floor.
You remained at his side after that, eventually meeting his friends and family along the way.
“{Name}?”
Your daydreaming was interrupted as you turned around to see Nya by the door.
She noticed the incense you were burning and gave you a sympathetic smile. She was the only one you had confided to about Cinder so she knew what he meant to you.
“We’ve got another mission from the source dragon. Long story short, we need to enter this competition to uncover who’s been attacking the dragons. You think you’ll be fine staying here?”
You walked over to her, a small sigh escaping you. You know she’s been going through a lot after Kai was lost to time. It was a big blow to you as well. Your first friend after the merge, gone just like that.
“I’ll be fine here. I’m sure Mr. Frohicky won't mind the extra pair of hands helping him.” She nodded with a small tender smile, giving you a firm hug.
“When you find the time, visit the Cloud Kingdom. They could have information on Cinder.”
All you could really do was nod as you focused on the lingering scent of scandal wood in the air as you returned the water ninja’s hug.
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The Cloud Kingdom was under attack. It had been a few days since the ninja left for the tournament and the one day you had some free time to visit this place it gets attacked! Mr. Frohicky had you working nonstop at the monastery, you didn't mind the work but it meant less time trying to find any traces of Cinder.
You were in one of the Cloud Kingdom’s many libraries with a Cloud Monk when you heard the sound of unmistakable fighting from outside. You ran towards the sound, to do what exactly…you’d figure it out when you got there.
Running outside you were met with the ninja again. Surprisingly Kai was among them with the familiar red gi you grew fond of. How he was here was a mystery to you but you’d figure it out later! You're happy to see your friend again.
Your focus soon shifted towards the man he was fighting. He was avoiding Kai’s attack with…smoke?
“I heard there’s a new elemental Master of Smoke. You know I thrashed the last one, right?” Kai lit up a flame in his hand as he charged at his opponent who disappeared in a cloud of smoke, again?!
He reappeared again only for Kai to surprise him from behind. “Boo.”
It wasn't a mistake or a trick of the light. That was Cinder. Your Cinder. He was fighting your friends and by the looks of it wasn't stopping any time soon. He kept on fighting your friends as you watched in disbelief. You had to stop this!
Finding your voice again you screamed, “Cinder!”
His grey eyes found yours, and he froze. You're here. Should he feel happy? A part of him was relieved but he didn't know what the other lingering feeling was. Ras had told him to let go of his past to find power in the present. Any lingering feelings he had would only get in the way.
So that's what he did. He imagined the merge killed you when it first happened. It put him at ease knowing you were dead instead of living with the fact he broke his promise. Safe to say you weren't dead after all.
Taking advantage of his distraction, Kai surprised him with another fire ball. “{Name}! Get out of here!”
Oh. So it was like that, huh?
Cinder appeared behind you through a cloud of smoke, holding you hostage with a knife at your throat.
“Let her go!” Kai yelled, trying to fend off some other lackeys. Nya quickly supplied her support trying to get to you.
“Why? So you can have her?”
Cinder held you firmly as you struggled. He backed you away from the fight for a bit of privacy. Under different circumstances, he’d kiss you senseless now that he’s found you. These aren't those circumstances.
“Cinder it's me! {Name}! Your {N/n}, remember?! Those are my friends, please just stop-!” He turned you around to face him, cutting you off. He had a playful expression, way too playful in a situation like this for your liking.
“I said I’d find you didn't I? Too bad I’m stuck in this job to reconcile with you.” His humor was not appreciated in the slightest.
“You found me! So stop fighting my friends. I don't know what your grudge against them is but we can sort it out right?” You cupped his face in hopes of reminding him you were still with him.
It shocked him with how clueless you were to the gravity of his situation. He was different now, couldn't you see? He didn't welcome distractions on missions. Looking over at where Ras was watching him hold you, he knew what his master wanted as Ras’ words echoed in his mind. Let her go. She’s nothing to you now.
He glanced over your shoulder before meeting your gaze once again. “Forget about me, {N/n}. You chose your path by siding with the ninja.”
“What are you talking about?!” He wasn't making sense and you hated that. You hated what he was implying. Not again. Not after I finally found you.
“He’ll keep you safe. Stay away from Ras.”
Before you could ask what the hell he meant by that he pushed you forward for you to land in Kai’s arms. The fire ninja held you securely while glaring at Cinder. You looked back at your former lover as he returned it with an apologetic one of his own.
The rest of the fight was a blur, Kai didn't leave your side even as you all made your escape. His hand was on yours firmly, refusing to let you go again.
Cinder’s words replayed in your head as you left the Cloud Kingdom back to the monastery. Nya was the first to rush you in a hug.
“{Name}, I’m so sorry! I should've told you sooner who Cinder was! He was at the Tournament of Sources with Ras. You wouldn't believe it he-!” She was cut short by her brother.
“C’mon sis. Give her a break. Its better we discuss this later.” You were thankful for Kai’s intervention. Anymore news and you’d probably explode. Nya gave you one final squeeze before letting you go to let Kai accompany you back to your room.
His hand rested on your back as he guided you. On another day, you'd probably tease him about his protectiveness. Today you were too tired to register his intimate gesture.
You didn't even make it back to your room when you started to sob. Cinder had left you. He chose to work with the same villains who were hurting your friends. What happened to the Cinder who was excited to be his uncle's successor. It was all a distant memory now.
“Why would he leave me?”
“It's what happened to some people after the merge. They chose a different path from the rest of us.”
Kai held you in his arms for a long time after that, his warmth comforting as you broke down. He rubbed your back silently, knowing what you needed right now was a good cry.
As you cried in the empty hallway, your thoughts lingered on the fight. All you could recall was the faint scent of wood radiating off of the master of smoke. The same scent that you now associate with the man you once loved and now lost.
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Praying I didn't screw up the timeline of the show to bad lol. SORRY FOR BEING LATE AGAIN✌️
