#taniel x reader

You met at his aunt Rose’s shop. As a self-proclaimed thriftaholic, it felt fitting that the first place you visited after moving to Derry was an antique store.

It was spring, 1951. The air was warm, and you’d arrived during the only time of year the town looked halfway decent. Kids played football around the square, snot running down their noses as they yelled profanities. Couples strolled with their arms intertwined, whispering pet names and giggling. Somewhere in the air lingered the faint smell of smoke mixed with something sweet and floral.

You and your parents had moved to Derry for work—something you didn’t quite understand, considering it was a one-horse town, but nonetheless.

Curious to explore, you wandered into the shop, fidgeting with the red ribbon tied around your curly hair. You’d braided it yourself, and it showed. You browsed through dressers and nightstands until your eyes landed on a boy sitting behind the counter.

Taniel.

He looked about your age, maybe a year older—though that might’ve just been his serious expression. He hadn’t noticed you at all, completely absorbed in a comic book.

It wasn’t until Rose greeted you and casually mentioned that the serious-looking boy was her nephew—and that you’d likely be in the same grade—that he finally lifted his head.

He stared. —he’d never seen you there before—

It startled you a little. His eyes were curious, something bright flickering across his face before settling back into his usual somber look. He stood up quickly, and that’s when you realized he was surprisingly tall. Without hesitation, he met your gaze and blurted out, “I’m Taniel, and you’re pretty—”

He froze, suddenly aware of what he’d said.

“—but you don’t know how to braid your hair.”

The words sank in. Your face puckered into a pout.

Only then did he realize how rude he sounded. Panic set in as he glanced toward his aunt for help—though she was barely holding back laughter. Turning away so he wouldn’t have to look you in the eye, he stumbled with his words, “I could help you learn how to braid… if you want.”

If you’d seen his face, you would’ve noticed how flushed he was. But all you saw was his back, and you assumed he was just trying to apologize.

You walked closer and tapped his shoulder.

He nearly jumped out of his skin.

When he turned around, he noticed how close you were. How sweet your eyes looked up close. He shyly reintroduced himself, his serious façade melting into a small, bashful smile. You laughed, charmed by the sudden change.

You told him your name—and then said something that made his ears burn.

“I think you’re really pretty too,” you said brightly. “I’ve never seen a boy with such long hair. It looks really soft.”

From that day on, you were inseparable.

Years later, you both still laughed whenever Rose retold the story of how you met. It never got old—especially since Taniel still grew jittery and embarrassed whenever she mentioned why he had to turn around.

You spent most of your free time at Taniel’s place. Sometimes you read while he fixed his guitar. Sometimes he played your favorite songs while you hummed along. He listened patiently as you gossiped about your ignorant classmates. You went to the lake in the summer to bask in the sun. And on colder nights—when it was too late to go home, even though he could’ve driven you—he insisted you stay.

You slow-danced in the quiet hours of the night to your Joe Stafford vinyl, a gift he’d gotten for your eighteenth birthday. Later, you’d fall asleep cuddled together on the couch. According to Taniel, he slept better with you near him.

You never questioned any of it. It all fit so easily into your life.

You didn’t notice that you were one of the only people he let hug him. Or how he always found an excuse to keep you close, even for a moment. Or how irritated he became whenever you mentioned another boy asking you out—especially when you giggled about how everyone assumed you were dating Taniel.

It all seemed unconnected to you.

Until the night you tried to paint your nails.

You sat at his desk, hands trembling as you attempted to use the inconveniently small brush. That’s when he spoke.

“Do you need some assistance, princess?”

His voice was soft, as it always was with you. It caught you off guard.

Why would he know anything about nail polish? You’d never seen him wear it. Frustration bubbled over.

“Are you telling me you know something about nail polish?” you snapped, not realizing how harsh you sounded. “I’ve never even seen you use it—not once!”

You were ready to keep going, until you saw his expression.

That one.

The one he only wore when it was just the two of you. Like a kicked puppy. Your chest tightened.

“Oh gosh, I’m so, so sorry, sweetheart,” you blurted, the pet name slipping out. “I didn’t mean to be mean. I’m just frustrated.”

You closed the bottle and stepped closer. “Can you… really help me?”

You held your hand out to him.

He melted at the gesture, eyes closing briefly. He gently took your hand and lifted it to eye level.

“I practiced on my aunt’s hands,” he admitted quietly. “A lot, actually.”

He thought back to the night he’d finally asked Rose to teach him. She’d questioned him at first—until he mentioned your name. Then it all made sense. They’d practiced for hours until he could do it without making a mess.

He guided you back to the desk, pulling up a chair to sit across from you.

“It’s no big deal,” he murmured. “I know how shaky you get with small things.”

When he finished your right hand, something shifted. Years of shared glances and quiet moments gave him the courage he’d been searching for.

“I…” He closed the bottle. “I wanted to tell you something.”

The silence stretched.

“Do you remember the first thing I said to you when we met?”

You smiled. “Of course. Am I not pretty anymore?”

You teased

He smiled softly. “Of course you are. It’s just… now I know that pretty falls short.”

Your heart raced.

“I think the right word is ethereal.”

Your face burned.

“I’ve been in love with you since the moment I met you,” he continued, voice shaking. “And I know you might not feel the same, but—”

You stood abruptly.

His heart sank. “Do you want me to drive you home?  I will if you want to leave”

Instead, you cupped his face and kissed him.

It was shy at first. Exploratory. Then he melted into it, heart pounding like it might burst. When you pulled away, he felt breathless.

“Does that make it clear how I feel about you?” you asked.

He nodded, unable to speak.

He hugged you tightly, lifting you off the ground and spinning you until you laughed. You both tumbled onto his bed, still giggling.

Looking at him now, you couldn’t believe you hadn’t noticed before.

“I feel so silly,” you admitted softly. “For not seeing this.”

You kissed him again—slower this time. Comfortable. Real. His hands settled at your waist, a smile pressing into your lips.

When you pulled back, he was grinning, the kind of smile that could light up a room.

“So…” you asked shyly, “does this mean we’re boyfriend and girlfriend?”

He laughed softly. “I wanted to ask you properly. But who am I to say no to such a pretty lady?”

“You look nice.”

“Thank you, I reckon you came up here to fetch me."

Taniel smiles at this statement. “Your presence is imperative, Your Highness."

You let out a small giggle at his joke. You had let him borrow one of your favorite storybooks—a small tale of a knight and a princess. Taniel holds the bedroom door open. You both head downstairs. He places his hand on your lower back, guiding you to the living room.

Walking into the living room, your mother peers her eyes toward Taniel’s lower hand on your back. She coughs, and the two pull apart. Your cheeks burn as the two women look at each other, knowing expressions on their faces. You turn your attention to the van parked outside.

“More furniture?” you ask your mother. Charlotte squints at you, seeing right through your attempt to distract her. Rose turns to Taniel, who has been avoiding her gaze as well. "You wouldn’t mind helping her move the furniture upstairs."

Taniel nods, grabs the keys to the van, letting you lead the two of you to the van to get the furnishings. You attempt to grab a small lamp before he stops you. "Taniel, you already have something in your hands; let me help,” you emphasize. He glances at you, then flicks your nose. He leans down, grabs the lamp, and carries it inside with the other furniture.

“Got any place I can put this stuff, Ms. Charlotte?"

“Up in her room, you already know where it is.”

Taniel follows you up the stairs, where you are holding the door open for him.

He sets the items on your soft bedroom floor. His eyes catch your moving figure as you sift through the small bookshelf above your desk. The way the light from the room reflected on you, Taniel couldn’t keep his eyes off you.

“Taniel?” 

He snaps back to you, hearing your voice call out for him. "Yes?"

“Later tonight, would you like to come by? I got a new book at the shop today."

“I’d love to.”

—

The muffled sounds of your parents arguing downstairs made you roll your eyes. It was the same routine every day, especially after moving to Derry. You focused on removing your makeup, but the noise distracted you. Soon, tears rolled down your face, leaving marks on your white nightgown. You wiped your palms on your face, but then you heard Taniel tapping on your window.

Taniel’s smile drops at the sight of your tears as you walk towards the window to let him in. “Now might not be the best time, Taniel.” You said not to look into his eyes. He reaches out, tilting your chin to face him. Taniel wipes the remaining tears off your face before embracing you. You sob into his chest, allowing his warmth to comfort you.

You pull away from him, taking a deep breath. “I’m sorry you had to see me like this."

He frowns at your words. “Don’t apologize.” He takes your hand into his and leads you to the bed. You sit on your bed, with a frown painted on your expression. Taniel grabs the book you had earlier this afternoon.

“How about I read you something to take your mind off things?"

“I’d like that a lot."

Taniel walks over to you, propping himself up on your bed, you tucked into his side, head resting on his chest. His smooth voice flows with the words on the pages, one hand holding the book and the other caressing your side.

Taniel continues to read, pausing once he hears your soft snores. He adjusts your duvet, pulling it over you, making you cuddle closer. Stretching his arm over to your small nightstand, he puts the book down to take you into his arms. He places a small kiss on your forehead.

“I’ll always be here,”

—

The next day, you hadn't come out of your room since Taniel left that morning. You could hear them talking about you downstairs.

It's because of the move. Be gentle with her.

That's foolish! How long has it been, Charlotte?

You turn in your bed and see the book Taniel read to you on your nightstand. You open it to find something falling out of it.

You shouldn't have to carry that weight. Keep your window unlocked. There's something I want to tell you, Taniel.

Later that evening, as promised in his letter, Taniel showed up at your window. You wave at him, letting him know that it is open. He takes his boots off, leaving them by the window, standing in the middle of the room. Your eyes drink in his every movement as he continues his path to you. He pauses in front of you, face close to yours, so that your breaths are mingling.

“So, what did you want to tell me?”

Taniel cups your face in his hand before placing his soft lips against yours. It feels as if the world goes quiet. His warm lips meet yours, and all the longing surges forth. He kisses you like it is a promise—one to protect you and adore all you are. You pull apart, heads pressed together. Your fingers tangle in his hair, grounding yourself to him as you move your lips against him with vigor.

Taniel pulls away first, moving his hand from your face to your waist. You place your arms around his neck, looking into his eyes. “You sure made your point clear,” you say, catching your breath. Taniel smiles at you before spinning you around in your room, making you squeal. He sets you down, arms still embracing you. “I have something for you," he says, reaching into his jacket; it is the heart-shaped necklace that caught your attention during your first visit to your aunt's store.

—

“Welcome in!” says Rose, greeting you and your mother as the two of you walk into her shop.

Taniel looks up after hearing his auntie’s voice. He hadn't seen anyone as pretty as you before, especially not in Derry. You left your mother to check out the selections. You found a stunning heart-shaped necklace. There was something on it you couldn’t quite understand, but it didn’t take away from its beauty.

the piece.

“It means I love you."

You jump at hearing the voice behind you. “What?”

“The necklace, the engraving. Its meaning is I love you,” he says, pointing at the small words you inquired about earlier. Your lips form the shape of an 'o.' You both share a small laugh. Then, you ask the mysterious boy more questions about the necklace. On the other side of the store, the scene happening in front of your mother takes her aback.

"Is that your girl?” Rose asks.

“Yeah, is that your son?"

“No, he’s my nephew, but I haven’t seen him like this when talking to someone.”

“She’s never this talkative, especially when it comes to new people.”

Your time with Taniel ended when your mother finished her business with Rose. He steps behind the counter, grabs a small business card, and flips it to the blank side. Then, he writes something on it and hands it to you. Your mother calls out your name standing by the door, “Well, I can't be here all day."

“Coming! Until next time then,” you say to him, waving before letting the door close behind you.

For the first time, Taniel had something to look forward to in this town.

—

You look at the necklace, then at him. “Oh, Taniel, you didn’t have to."

“But I wanted to.” You turn your back on him for him to put the necklace on you. Taniel lifts your hair, placing a slight kiss on your neck that makes your breath hitch. He clips it on, and you look down at the charm of the necklace and rub the small engraving.

kisâkihin

It was a saying in his language, the only one he ever taught you.

“I love you too, Taniel.”

You and your mother weren’t big on eachother. Her and your father were just a fling in the past, which ended up with you. Your mother – unlike your father – is a business woman, had no time for a child, so you were your dad’s own. They hardly spoke, she probably didn’t even know how old you are…still, you’re sitting in front of her house like you’ve known her before you were even formed in her womb.

But it’s not like you had anything better to do – as the busy woman she was – she forgot you arrived today, so logically, you had nowhere to sleep or hang out in other than the couch. But hey! She gave you a cat plushie to compensate the lack of bed, after the hours and hours that you’ve spent cramped in your dad’s fucked up truck – which he had the audacity to name.

While you made up a plan in your had to escape this shithole, you stayed put, smoking a cigarette, sat on the small set of stairs that lead to the house, which was fancier and better looking than you’ve had been expecting. You feel a sudden headache, probably stress, and lower your head, hiding your eyes in your palms. You hear a loud and obnoxious sound of an old car parking and your head whipped up so fast it almost made you dizzy.

When you heard that noise, you genuinely believed it was your dad, who decided that this had been a crazy idea now was going to take you back home.

However, as your eyes regain focus, all you see is a woman, and someone who you assumed was her son, leaving a van. A few seconds later you heard the porch’s door swing open, you quickly put out your cigarette while your mother dodges you to walk down the stairs, waiting for the other woman to come greet her. You see your mum holding a cigarette herself, you mutter a curse at your stupidity.

Finally, the women began to speak. While you stared at the grass, pretending to ignore the conversation, you caught the stranger’s name – Rose – and you learned that the boy with her was not her son, but her nephew. Whatever. What you hear and see next is much more of your interest. A bed. You see that boy carrying parts of a bed out of that van and your heart almost sang with joy, until you heard your mother ask the rando to take your new bed and mattress to her attic. FUCK. Your head starts to pound with irritation, so much you hardly acknowledge Rose greeting you. You just wave at her like an asshole, hardly lifting your head.

The second they go up the staircase and into the house, you take another cigarette from your packet and pull out your lighter, just for you to realize it’s not working. You close your eyes and take a deep breath, deciding to stare up at some doves that were resting on a tree in your garden so you can keep yourself from clawing at your own throat.

You’ve been watching that boy, whoever he was, go up and down the stairs, carrying stuff, and from the amount of time he spent inside your house, you presumed he had helped arrange your things into your mother’s excuse of a bedroom. Finally, he descended the staircase and stopped in front of it, not moving a single inch towards that van – he was sweaty and visibly a bit tired, leaning against your porch with his arms crossed, he fanned himself with his shirt a bit.

You felt your mouth open on it’s own and words began to slip out of it against your better judgement.

“Thought you were moving in too.” You taunted, and his head turned towards the sound of your voice

“Hey... Sorry if I took too long…had to move lots of stuff.” He answered quietly, and it bored you deeply how he wouldn’t even amuse you.

In the middle of a subtle eye roll, you catch him moving towards you. He extends his hand, but you don’t take it.

"…I’m Taniel” he introduces himself, a bit awkward. Eventually he puts his hand down.

You don’t give him your name in return

“How much do you get for moving stuff around like that?” You ask. Taniel furrows his eyebrows in confusion, crossing his arms again

“…Uh..nothing, I guess.” He answered, awkward still.

You just stared at him like he was an alien. A scoff left your mouth and you could feel your body doing its own thing again, suddenly you had fifteen dollars in your hand, extending it towards him.

He looked at the money in confusion, then his eyes flicked up to meet yours before he spoke: “Im just helping my aunt, I don’t want money.” Taniel explained, making you look stupid – at least, that’s how you felt. Your jaw clenched, and you couldn’t bear the embarrassment, knowing he didn’t even mean to cause it.

“You think I’m rich?” You began, your blank tone curdling into annoyance. “I’m not paying you to carry a few things that I didn’t even want to bring here. I want you to install me a phone in the attic.”

Taniel hummed. "Okay, I'll help. Come too, so you can make sure your bed's okay." He added, extending his hand to you again, this time to help you get up. You sigh, and this time you take it.

Suddenly, Derry is the best place in the entire world. You're very sure of it now.

Before, you were actually invested in making sure your bed had been decently put together. But who cares. Your new bed isn't nearly as comfortable as the one you have back home anyway. But you've never had a view like that.

Not a single bit of effort was being put into making you look uninterested as you watched Taniel do whatever it was that included installing a phone while you sat on your bed. He had taken that orange jacket off and now just had a shirt and a tank top on, his sleeves rolled to the top – you couldn't even care about what he might look like under the other two, your eyes were mindlessly fixed on his arms.

You only come back to earth when Taniel stands up and puts the new addition to the test. It worked perfectly, thank god.

He doesn't say anything about his work, just asks: "Anything else I can help with?" To which you shake your head. You roll onto your stomach, resting your face in one hand while you kept the other hand extended, holding out the fifteen dollars from earlier.

Taniel huffed. "I don't want it. Please I'm really just helping."

"Stop trying to seem nicer than you are." You sneer. "It's fifteen dollars, not a lung."

He stares at you, then sighs, reaching for the money. You pull away and he stops. You extend it back and you repeat the action when he tries to get it again. You do the same stupid joke until Taniel takes your wrist with one hand and the money with the other, smiling like a little kid.

"Since you're my employer, tell me your name, yeah?" You give in and tell him.

You accompany him to the door, finding his aunt looking confused about him taking so long. They exchange a quick hug, before Taniel lets go of her to wave you goodbye and get back in the van. Now that your head wasn't pounding with irritation, you could make up what was written on it.

Next thing you know, a week or so later, you find yourself entering a shop with the same name that was written on the van. It's hard to tell if you were actually looking for it when you decided to roam around town – in a way or another, you were reminded this place fucking sucks.

You swing the door open and a bell above it rings, making Taniel take his eyes off the girl talking to him. You furrowed your eyebrows and he looks back at the person who's talking nonstop in front of him.

Clearly, Taniel wasn't interested in her in the slightest. He looked at that girl in the eye in a way that made it clear he was only concerned about business, unlike her, who wasn't paying much attention to the small paper bag containing things that she had bought yourself.

You try not to laugh at him and shift your attention to the trinkets and other bullshit this place sold, or at least tried to.

Suddenly you hear the girl scolding him and you lift your head. Taniel looked a bit confused and surprised as the girl complained over how he couldn't even pretend to care about what she had been saying. She stormed out the store with her bag in hand.

It's silent for a moment

"Pfft-"

"No. Come on. She can be nice." Taniel scolds you calmly.

"Your attempts to be morally superior drive me crazy." You mock him, he huffs in response, walking away from behind the counter and towards you.

"Did you want anything?" He offers.

"A lighter." You answer, Taniel nods.

"We have a box full of them." He says, gently placing a hand on your back to motion for you to follow him.

He's kneeling now, in front of a few small boxes, until he finds one containing multiple lighters from different models and decades. He holds it for you as you pick.

"How much is this one?" You ask as soon as your hand pulled up from the pile, enveloping the design that caught your attention. You turned it into your hand to find the little thing cost FORTY dollars. "Jesus-"

"It's free." He quips

"No, no." You begin to correct him like you're the one who owns the shop "It says 40$ here."

"Take it for free, it's not worth all that." Taniel insists "Some people pay a lot for it because it's from the 20s, but trust me, you can have it."

"Vintage?" You almost purr in delight, your tone and amused face make Taniel smile a bit. "So you're good for something other than being stared at."

"She wasn't doing that, you know." He counters, smile still on his face.

For some reason you get a little jealous of how his thoughts immediately went back to her. You feel the need to get his mind far away from that.

"Want to hang out sometime?" You ask out of the blue

"Sure." Taniel replies, not even amusing you by looking an itty bit surprised. "I could show you around town, there-"

You cut him off – "My mom works all day on Saturdays from what I know. You could visit me so we can play cards, watch a nice movie.." You trail off, waiting for an idea of his own.

"I have a couple of tapes, sure I can find something cool.." Taniel begins, and it still unnerves you how he doesn't seem to have to think before answering "Can I come by 5pm?" He asks, you quickly agree.

"Have my number. You call me when you get the chance to check out what movies you have, we can pick something together." You offer. Now he expresses a subtle surprise, smiling a little more. He takes you to the counter with him, so you can spell out your number as he writes it down.

After getting his number, you and Taniel would talk pretty often. Often as in daily.

He was very nice to speak to, both in person and trough the phone. You’ve seen him twice this week, delivering stuff for a family that lived near you and then meeting by coincidence in a diner. But you’d speak to eachother every night, and surprisingly, he’d be more talkative – usually, you don’t like when men take control of conversations – Taniel, however, did it in a way that felt considerate, like he’s trying to lure you into speaking more, every few of his words would be followed by some silence, awaiting a comment or a change in subject coming from you.

You were lying in bed with the telephone in your hand, presuming he was doing the same from the other side of the call as he went on and on about the symbolism of elk and other animals of the region, speaking in a low tone since his aunt was asleep - man was on his twenties and still had bedtime.

You sighed and he stopped.

“Wish I had a pen to write down the stuff you say. You’re so cool” You lament. For a while there’s no response.

“I’ll get you one.” Taniel finally says “A notebook too.” He adds. “Is good to track your thinking, I do it when I can.” He fumbled a little

“It’s fine, I’ll find a store and buy it myself.” You reply

He completely ignored you “I can stop by a stationary and grab what you want on saturday. I’ll hand it over when I see you.”

“…” you said nothing for a bit, if you said it wasn’t necessary, you knew the entire conversation would become a cycle of disagreement. “You know what, sure. So you’re coming saturday?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t miss it for the world. We settled on To Kill a Mockingbird, yeah?” He asks and you agree, humming. “Great..listen- oh fuck.”

The call’s cut off by Rose entering his room, you could listen to the conversation, barely , but you could. She complained about him talking to you all night for the entirety of this weak. Taniel pleaded to say goodbye, but feeling like she’d been too soft, you could tell she yanked the phone off his hand before ending the call.

You process what happened, before flopping your arm down on the bed, sighing in disappointment. Taniel was going to see you tomorrow, there was no reason for you to find this to be so upsetting.

Thinking of Taniel, you didnt have the best night's sleep, and although this is selfish, you hoped he hadn’t slept much better, thinking of you. It was 6pm now and you’ve spent your whole day doing absolutely nothing, reading some magazine on architecture you mother owned while eating frozen strawberries as the only sweet snack you could eat, or otherwise, the ones you bought to share with Taniel would’ve been already mauled.

While you stared at the tv like a soulless statue, there was a knock on the door. You rushed up, grabbing all the mess from the couch and shoving where you could, trying to make it seem as if you hadn’t been sitting on your couch like a raccoon sat on leftovers.

There was another issue. You were wearing just panties and a big ass shirt. You rushed upstairs, missing a step and hitting your head on the railing. After a while, you stood up, groaning, deciding to let Taniel wait just for a little while in order to not hurt yourself further.

Eventually you made your way to the front door, wearing something more decent to look at and holding a packet of ice on your head.

Your open the door and your eyes widened when they met Taniel. He looked too good for a hangout, you never thought you’d ever see a guy dressed better than you. He was wearing a somewhat tight brown button shirt and black jeans. It wasn’t the greatest outfit you’ve ever seen, but he didn’t look like he was going to rot in a couch with you.

"What happened to you?" He asked, noticeably concerned.

"What happened to YOU?" You countered "Why do you look so proper?"

"Your mum's all fancy, I had to look proper. Honestly, Im surprised you're not wearing one of those long nighdresses with their own little matching silk cloaks...whatever, here." Taniel finally shuts up, handing you a nicely wrapped gift that you haven't even noticed– the things he got to you at the stationary.

You couldn't keep yourself from smiling. "You're so silly. Why wrap it when I already know what's inside?"

He just shrugged, his hands in his pockets.

Taniel watched your hands, expecting you to open his gift, his eyes flickering up nervously to yours, waiting for your reaction. But you just stared at it. Then you took his hand to lead him aside, quickly enough so he couldn't pay much attention to the rest of the mess your mother leaves when going and returning from work.

You sit him on your couch, placing the packet right next to him, he gives it a glare, wondering if you disliked it. While he worried, you were in the kitchen looking for all the shit you had bought from the store. You come back from the kitchen to find Taniel a bit pouty, 'reading' the synopsis written on the back of the tape he brought to watch.

"What's with that face, hm?" You ask with a smug smile, trying to hide your own concern as you sit next to him.

He looks up at you with his shiny brown eyes, reminding you of a puppy, then he looks at the sweets you had in hand. "Just making sure I got the right one."

A hum of understanding leaves your throat, letting him gently take the packet of cherry lips from your hand. He placed them next to his gift, expecting you to remember it, before he reached to put on the movie to play. He glances behind to see you finally taking the packet in hand while keeping a bag of liquorice wands open in your lap. He almost sighs in relief, coming back to his spot on the couch.

He looks at you expectantly, then he nods at his gift, gesturing for you to open it. You smile like a fool, looking down at it while you undo the bow, avoiding ripping anything.

You melt when you catch a climpse of the journal, lovely shade and lovely design plastered on its cover. Your smile widens more and Taniel's doesnt look any more subtle. You're not even finished with opening the gift and you're already turning towards him for a hug, but he giggles like a kid, blushing, gently pushing you away so you can open the rest of it. You scoff playfully at his refusal for affection, doing as he asked you to, trying not to pay attention to his huge crooked smile and his little chubby cheeks.

When opened further, you find a pack full of stickers for planners and another with bug stickers.

"Oh shut up!" You chuckled, picking up the cutest pen you've ever seen. Its beige, adorned with lovely displayed dragonflies. You cup Taniel's chin in your hand. "God, you're-" you dont finish your sentence, pressing a loud and hard kiss to his cheek, to which he groans and finds himself being pushed back, laughing. When you pull away, he flops onto his back, covering his face with his forearm while you two laugh. You pull him up against his will, until he's sat next to you again.

None of you can pay attention to the movie now, but both of you were pretending to. You were laying on your back, with your bag of sweets sitting on top of your chest, Taniel, on the other hand, laid right next to you, resting his head on your hip and part of your tummy, his bag of sweets right next to his head, also on top of you. Both of you used the excuse that the couch was too small and that you two were cold so you could cuddle without possibly feeling weird. (the couch was extendable and it was summer.)

You lift your head slightly to peek at him, finding him asleep. Your hand slowly descends, fingers entwining in his hair, his soft strands sending you into a trance while you caress his scalp, this alone could make you fall asleep.

Your thoughts are interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and closing. Your mother walked to the couch and grabbed the remote control from the coffee table next to it to turn the TV off. She didn't acknowledge you and Taniel at first. It was when she moved to drop the controller that she saw you two. She sneered, straightening her posture, in a way that reminded of your own self.

"Is he sleeping here?" She asks, clearly not happy with the thought of it

You stay silent. Until, for some reason, you lie.

"Yeah." You falsely confirm, and she goes quiet too.

"Make sure to not get pregnant." She hissed, leaving the room in infuriatingly calm steps, like she didnt ruin the mood.

To piss off your mom further, you actually convinced Taniel to stay. You two called Rose, asking for permission. After letting Taniel talk to her by himself trough the phone, she reluctantly let him. You gave him some jorts that you thought would fit him, and thankfully, they did. You weren't opposed to the thought of having him just in underwear next to you, but god knows you could never handle it. You decided to go with a classic shirt and shorts pair.

As you encouraged him to get on your bed, Taniel noticed that you looked unwell. You laid close, but not cuddling like before, and none of you seemed happy with that. Eventually, he inched closer, and you let him, until he gathered courage to wrap his arms around your waist and tug you in, making you turn to lay on your side and spoon him as he nuzzled his face in your collarbone

"You ok?" Taniel mumbles against your skin, lips briefly grazing it

You hum in response.

"You sure?" He asks, looking for reassurance.

"I'm sure." You speak up, sounding gruff from irritation.

In this corner of the world, it may seem unlikely for different kinds of spirits, ghosts, or cosmic entities to exist in abundance on or around this modest, forested land. You don’t remember coming specifically to this spot, you had no destination in mind, just that you arrived here one day. You, yourself, are a cosmic entity; a minor deity in the past, worshipped by people long gone from this Earth.

Your energy remains dormant, barely there. You stay around Derry, but never enter the town. Hovering nearby always.

In an open field, the local soldiers cordon off swaths of land and begin a mysterious digging project. Holes dot the fields like hundreds of open graves. You sense another power amongst the soldiers, guiding them towards what they seek. This is a horrifyingly strong power, slicing through the veil between the living and the dead, and it caused the user great anguish. This one didn’t need your help, although you would, only they would ask.

To the tree line, up the hill, there was another power. A young man clothed in an orange jacket and blue jeans, observing the soldiers through binoculars. Taniel didn’t attempt to hide himself as he stood imposingly over the working soldiers. He wanted them to know he was watching. You close your eyes, extend your might and root around the waves and particles of the universe encircling him. A name. A story. A destiny.

-

The desire to worm your way through the impenetrable barrier of Derry was constant. The pull of something unexplainable drives you to repeatedly attempt a crossing. Each attempt, you are violently rebuffed and require several moons to regain your strength. In your true form, you have no corporeal presence. And yet you feel a powerful hand pushing you backwards, keeping you from sating your curiosity.

You could smell the volcanic rock and ash of the obsidian earthenware buried underground. This is what kept you from being able to enter Derry. At the same time, it also kept certain things from leaving. Under the surface of the idyllic area, there lies a great evil, biding its time and feasting on the town’s youngest. Generations ago, a band of inhabitants were able to capture this evil and bind it in a cage of sorts to stop it from destroying them. You gleaned that Taniel is a descendant of these people.

Working furiously like ants in pursuit of a power they cannot and must not have, the army grunts continue to dig away at the earth. If they are aware of the great danger they are putting themselves in unnecessarily, they make no show of it. You can only watch. After all, you couldn't touch the obsidian if you wanted to, even if it was to protect it and keep it from being disturbed. Belief and intention are powerful vehicles for wielding the universe’s expanding and contracting forces.

–

Another day. The sturdy young man is at the tree line again. His steely gaze pierces through the air, obscured by the heavy Maine winds, lifting and heaving his midnight black hair to and fro. His power calls to you, attracts you like a doomed moth to the flame. His bright orange jacket dulls in comparison to the beams of iridescent light that radiate from all sides of his body. He simply shines.

The man is a watcher. And so Taniel does.

Ebbing and flowing in differing levels of intensity, his radiating power oscillates between flickering to blindingly bright. Beautiful dazzling light that captivates you, stuns you into appreciative silence. Like the beginning of a star in its early stages of death, the ever-growing clouds of cosmic gases and star dust twisting and forming matter into endless shapes and sizes, you implode.

—

Occasionally, you disguise yourself as a young woman when you want to physically interact with the inhabitants of this world. Over your countless years of exploring and watching the people, sometimes you are overcome with the need to protect vulnerable souls and, why, yes, there are plenty of souls that need saving in Derry. It’s why it’s so intriguing to find two in particular; two souls working against the other in a scheme of improbable circumstances.

You follow him. To keep watch of this watcher, Taniel. In the forest.

(In the underground.

On the ice.)

He is aware of your presence, faintly, but senses no malicious intent, and, so, abides. Solitary, away from the young men who follow him, he strolls a familiar pathway inside the forest. He intends to make an offering of tobacco. Taniel makes this offering with intention, seeking guidance or knowledge that can aid him in what he must do. With what he was up against, he would need all the help he could get. Unbeknownst to him, you had already elected to help and watch over him.

The cloth surrounding the loose tobacco is white with red and yellow designs expertly embroidered in the fabric. A green strip of yarn holds it together. He places it at the base of a black willow tree.

You watch from the eyes of a crow, perched atop a creaky branch, at the figure of the young man bending towards the ground. It is easy to take this form of the crow, a well-worn costume you wore. And flying was always such a delightful experience. He stood up abruptly, stiff.

“Why do you follow me?” He asks aloud, tilting his head up, eyes squinted in the sunlight breaking through the treetops. This bird had become his shadow. The crow with uncanny human-like-but-not-quite eyes. Taniel couldn’t see the bird directly, but could sense where it wasn’t.

Why was it now that he had elected to acknowledge your presence? Perhaps, in other contexts he didn’t mind, but in this one, he wanted privacy, valued the peace of solitude.

You chose many different forms, the crow being your favorite. This was the usual dynamic: you actively watching, him passively accepting your omnipresence, thus, there was no reason for this time to be different. Maybe this was an aspect of the power you sensed from him, emanating from him like weakening starlight in the wake of a star gone supernova.

“You’re no spirit.” He continued, hands casually shoved into the pockets of his leather jacket. “What are you?”

You flap your wings and dive down to a lower branch, one that is parallel to his eye level. He raises his eyebrows in interest, expecting a voice to come from the crow’s inky black beak. Your eyes have an oily quality to it. Like gasoline in water; shifting and churning within the pupil, all the colors of the rainbow come into existence when the light hits directly.

You cawed. Electing not to answer him, you lifted off, disappearing further into the dense forest, not looking back at Taniel. What you had in mind next, you’d need time for.

As it was always, it is a time-consuming process to create a human body. You didn’t always get it right. You had many patterns and personalities copied from the past available to draw from, however; for him, you wanted someone completely new. Today would be the day you were going to present yourself to him. In a way, as a gift to him.

—

Taniel watched in disbelief as the crow with the too-intelligent demeanor flew away, becoming a black dot the further it flew out of view. He sighs. Back to the van.

He walked back through the path he had walked on countless times. Mumbling about what the hell was that and what is it or why did it keep appearing so often. Taniel knew when this thing was around, even if it came in the body of a fox or a deer, because of how it felt for him when it showed up. There was a strange electric pulsing that traveled through the air, lifting the small hairs on the back of his neck, his skin shivering and his breath becoming shallow. That is what he was starting to feel again, that exact same sensation. Has it come back?

He stopped and looked around him. Nothing. Just the trilling of insects and leaves being tossed around in tiny cyclones.

You appeared in front of him. From his perspective, you had stepped out from behind a tree, appearing out of nowhere, materializing from nothing. That was more or less true.

Taniel was taken aback. His eyes widened and his face took on a faint red tint as he quickly turned his head to the side. “You’re, uh, naked, miss.”

Oh! You look down. You were covered in a mane of long jet black hair, parted on each side, reaching down beyond your shoulders. That mostly kept you a modest sight. But he was right. No clothing. Naked as the day you were born. And you were literally just born.

In your haste to catch him before he left the forest and the sacred space, you neglected to fabricate any kind of clothing. Before you could think hard and pull something from the void, he was clearing his throat, pulling off his jacket and offering you it. You turned your head to the side in curiosity. Does he mean for me to wear this?

“Take it,” his eyes momentarily dancing over your figure. Even as he tried his hardest to fight off the urge to stare at the shadow of breasts and the hint of pert nipples peaking out from underneath your hair, he successfully did not look down. Fuck, she is gorgeous. What the hell is she doing here?

You put your hand on the offered jacket, brushing your finger tips against his own, but did not move to take it from him.

He let the jacket go like a poisonous spider, bristling at the jolt of electricity that passed from you to him. That’s familiar. Then he looked closer at your face, a quiet and reserved expression and ah! Those unmistakable yellow eyes.

Your face was written with wry amusement as you understood that this form you had chosen was pleasing to him, just as you had hoped it would be.

Taniel moved cautiously, bending down to retrieve the crumpled jacket. Your eyes followed his movement as he moved behind you to gently place the jacket around your shoulders.

“There you go,” he said softly.

You grabbed the jacket by the zipper and hugged it around you. Turning around to face him, you nod your head and smile in lieu of speech, and he understands that is meant to convey your appreciation. Your eyes are frightening to him, up this close, but he swallows down his fear and nods back. Then, he shows you how to grab the cold handle and pull it up through the metal teeth to close the jacket up. How to avoid catching stray strands of hair in it. The sun-colored leather contrasts greatly with your brand new hair. Even longer than his, down past your hips. It’s heavy.

Taniel knows exactly who you are, even if he has no clue what you are. You stand there in a nonthreatening, almost naive way. Looking around at the scenery and swaying with the wind, it tastes so different to you now filtered through the nostrils of a human. He thinks that, were you a true human being, you should rightfully be wary of him being in such a vulnerable state, but you seem perfectly content. Okay, he’ll play along.

“Are you lost? Did you get separated from your group, or family?” Taniel barrels through the typical script he would follow if he had actually come across a lost person, never mind a nude young woman, in the forest. “Where are your clothes? Did something happen to you?”

You shook your head no to each question. In this guise of a young woman, Taniel’s power was less brilliant in your eyes, you couldn’t see much of it anymore. What a shame. You hold out your hand in invitation. He eyes it, but doesn't take it.

“Miss, why can’t you say anything?” He questions.

You inhale deeply and open your mouth. A squeak comes out. You force air into your lungs and try again, but nothing. This didn’t happen the last time you morphed into a human girl. I shouldn’t have rushed. I should have taken my time.

He smiles patiently. “That’s all right. Don’t worry about it. What are you doing out here?”

Ignoring the question you cannot answer, you put your hand out again, this time more insistent. You look pointedly at your hand, then at his face, then to his hand, then at your hand, and back to his face.

“You want me to go somewhere with you? Where? Why?”

You emphatically nod, reaching for his hand anyway if he won’t give it. His hand is much larger than yours and he doesn’t resist when you take it into your, both hands clasped over his warm, buttery brown skin. Your expression reads, come with me, and against his better judgement, he follows along when you turn and start towards the pathway, back into the forest. You pull him with surprising strength, silently urging him to keep up.

Taniel had been so concerned about being respectful in his avoidance of seeing your naked body, he hadn’t even noticed you were completely barefoot. He had no shoes to lend you. Still, you continued on, like you couldn’t feel the sharp, fallen acorns and other detritus on the forest floor underneath your feet. The jacket pooled around you, stopping at mid-thigh, swishing against your skin with every step.

The wind didn’t seem to bother you. The fallen branches and twisted roots didn’t seem to have any effect on you. Taniel had half a mind to wonder if you were a witch intent on bringing him home for dinner that nothing like a little pain from stepping on a rock would stop you. Strangely, he knew that you had no such plans to cook him up. He could very clearly derive the feeling of safety and trust coming off you in waves.

You were so steadfast in your step, so forthright in your march, you almost walked past where you intended to go. It had been a long time since you had visited this particular cave. You let go of his hand and pointed toward the entrance. Taniel, a lifelong nature lover and forest explorer, did not recognize this formation at all. In fact, he hadn’t recognized anything for the last few minutes. The trees were strange, the sunlight had taken on a tint that was unfamiliar, and the chorus of the forest had tapered off into silence.

“Where are we? What is this?” He asks, fruitlessly. She hasn’t answered a single question, why would this time be any different?

You look at him for a moment, head tilted to the side, and then turn to surge forward to the entrance of the cave. When he doesn’t follow, you stop and turn back to him. You gesture for him to come, halfway in the entry with an expectant look.

Taniel tallies up everything in his head: a mute and naked girl leading him to an unknown place. No one knows where he is. He could very well die out here. Also, I myself am not sure where I am, and I have no idea what’s going to happen to me once I step inside. This is not a smart thing to do. She could be leading me into a bear’s den for all I know.

While he wrestled with his thoughts, you were triumphant. Ah, you had found it! The tiny pocket universe you coughed up eons ago. This specific cave is where you had stashed it and never before had you shared it with anyone, human or otherwise. This would be a fantastic setting for copulation.

—

Still not quite sure why he followed you inside, despite having such strong reservations and doubts against it, he walked in your path and upon entering, his eyes took a moment to adjust to the darkness.

The air felt different here. Lighter. He felt different here. Like he wasn’t himself anymore. Taniel couldn’t make out the mysterious figure he had followed in until you had moved your piercing gaze onto him, illuminating him as if a spotlight akin to the sun’s brilliance had spontaneously risen on his face. The room they now stood was an idea of a room, muddled shadows and unformed shapes, a suggestion of furniture. Slowly, the room filled with a soft, cozy light. It seemed to come from nowhere specifically, radiated from all around.

No, actually. It was coming from him. Taniel looked down in shock and awe at his palms, a sky full of stars winking back at him. Great bursts of light sloughed off his skin, moving like the tide, far out into the ocean and ardently racing back to the shore. He felt feverish as an erupting star, but he did not burn. He glowed.

“There,” you say, satisfied, “Now you can see yourself as I see you.”

He gasped at the sound of your voice, big as life and sudden as a heart attack. Taniel’s eyes snapped to attention, raking over your face in desperate need for an answer, an explanation for what the hell he’s seeing right now. He was downright thunderstruck from his own luminosity.

“You can talk.” He remarks instead.

You grin, showcasing the dips in the skin surrounding your mouth. “Yes. I can talk.”

You move closer to him, basking in the overwhelming heat his body was producing in excess. His visage a spectacular firework display, a dazzling demonstration of pyrotechnics. Your hand touches his hand, and you look up into his sparkling espresso eyes. A face full of starlight, you are caught off guard as he leans down and plants a searing kiss on your lips.

This was convenient that he initiated it, better than planned, considering you were just about to do that exact thing. Taniel couldn’t help himself. Didn’t even know your name or anything about you, but here he was kissing you, anyway. He wanted to bring up the troubling fact that you were not the human woman you presented yourself to be, but the impact of his molten lips moving on yours had wiped the thoughts clean away.

Human or not, the passion was keenly felt. He pulled you closer in his arms and pressed his sudden and overwhelming arousal against your lower stomach as he held your delicate head in his hands. Taniel groaned at the contact, golden sparks jumped off his skin and sizzled when they landed on you. Taniel somehow knew already why you had brought him here, and he was not one to argue with a beautiful woman.

You landed in a pile of furs, a crackling fireplace blinking into existence as Taniel followed you to the floor. Inexplicably you were naked once again and the jacket had returned to Taniel’s body. He immediately shrugged it off. Your hands were on him, on his neck, shoulders, his lower back, seeking the heat. He hadn’t felt this ravenous before—and, yes, that’s what this felt like, a ravenous insatiable craving. His hands gingerly stroked the sensitive skin of your inner thighs. Deft fingers disappeared inside, and let his fingers get swallowed up by the sodden grotto. Kissing and nipping at his tongue, his jaw, you helped him out of his clothes.

Taniel leaned into your supine body, one leg resting in between yours, his weight delightfully substantial on top of you, fingers working ceaselessly. He caressed your body hungrily, groaning in tandem with you, as his passion became firmer and much harder to ignore. He studied your face for something, recognition or permission.

Your flashing, honey eyes met his. Widening your legs to frame the outside of his hips, you guide him into you. The heat was unimaginably intense, his hips flush against yours, to the hilt. Sprawled in it, he felt like he had plunged into a hot spring, muscles tense and constricted. He didn't move for a few seconds. Your vivid eyes, once terrifying to him, lull him into a kind of reverie. Blood vessels widened and flowed. He began to swim.

—

His chest contentedly lifted and lowered, energy sated, sapped. A gratified sigh escaped his sleeping mouth.