Beyond The Event Horizon (Rafayel x Reader) - Love and Deepspace

Chapter 19: Anchor

Summary:

You are shocked to learn about Rafayel's past, and have a long conversation together about Lemuria, art, and Gravity Evol.

Chapter 19: Anchor

The visions come to a halt and you're brought back to your current reality. Blinking rapidly, you shake your head to focus on the present moment. Your forehead tingles from the pressure of his kiss earlier and your head begins to spin.

You witnessed many versions of Rafayel in his memories, but the last one sent a chill down your spine. This was the Rafayel consumed by vengeance and hate—cold, calculating, and merciless. You were struck by the aloofness of his expression, the condescension in his voice. It was the face of someone who did not flinch seeing a full grown man getting devoured by the Wanderers he lured into his home. He really was serious about eliminating those who did the Lemurians wrong. You knew that he had no mercy when he told you what he did to Raymond, but actually seeing it was a different story.

For a fleeting moment, you felt a tinge of fear for this side of Rafayel you had never seen. Yet, deep down, you understood that this was a persona born out of desperation to cope and survive.

Tears involuntarily spring to your ears, feeling the pain and suffering he went through. You had no idea his memories went that far back and that he remembered it all. What a heavy burden it must be.

"You remember your past life?" you ask unsteadily, still shaken after what you just experienced.

Rafayel nods, taking your trembling hands in his. An overwhelming urge to hug him takes over you, and you wrap your arms around him tightly. You're not sure whether you're comforting him or yourself, but a mix of anger and sadness swells within you at the betrayal and pain he went through. You understand now what he meant when he told you he was betrayed and put in a 'dangerous situation' because of that girl. You wish there was a way to make him forget about all that pain.

"Was that too much?" Rafayel asks worriedly. "Perhaps I should have just shown you little by little."

"No," you say. "Thank you for showing Lemuria and your past."

"Are you afraid of what you saw?" he asks, his low voice tinged with unease. You shake your head, pressing against him closer. "You can tell me if you are. I know I'm not the person you probably imagined," he murmurs. "What I did to Raymond—I've done to many others. Especially modern Lemurian Hunters."

"A little, maybe. Mostly because I was shocked by all the information I was receiving. I.. I just didn't know that you endured so much," you say, clutching to his shirt tightly, thoughts still scrambling. Such a dark past, and yet, he still manages to put on such a bright smile and a carefree personality. Behind those playful antics and dramatics, resides a grieving, traumatized shell of a Sea God from a civilization that no longer exists.

Rafayel caresses your head gently. "I'm sorry, I should've gone slower with the visions."

"And you.. you're the God of the Sea?" you ask, suddenly hesitating if you should be holding him this carelessly.

"Well, was," Rafayel shrugs, wiping away a stray tear from your cheek. "Hey, don't treat me any differently now that you know this."

"I'll try not to, but isn't being God of the Sea a big deal? How are you so casual about this?" you mutter in disbelief. "Also, how were you able to make me see your memories? Is that one of your Lemurian powers too?"

Rafayel muses at your barrage of questions. "Yes, Lemurians used to communicate telepathically. We sometimes use our vocal chords to speak and sing, but telepathy was much more convenient. Anyway, we can't communicate telepathically with humans since you guys don't have that ability, but I shared some of it earlier so that you could see my memories. It's temporary."