A/N:
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The Garden of Forking Ways isn’t what Ravenna expected. She’s wandered into a realm of endless paths, a maze that seems to defy the laws of logic. Destiny’s domain is a labyrinth of wonder, with each turn revealing new marvels that stretch the limits of her imagination. Giant statues of the Endless loom over her, shifting their forms to reflect their current states. It’s as if the garden itself breathes and lives, ever-changing with the whims of its inhabitants.

“This way.” Morpheus leads her through the serpentine paths, his voice calm and assured. To where? She has no idea. Every turn seems to lead them deeper into a maze of enigmas.

“This place is something else,” she mutters, her eyes scanning the garden’s peculiar features. Her gaze flickers over the shifting statues of the Endless, their forms altering subtly as they move.

“Nervous?” Morpheus’s question cuts through the quiet, his perceptiveness always a little unnerving.

She swallows hard, the lump in her throat making her voice shaky. “A little.” Actually, it’s more than a little, but admitting it to him isn’t an option.

They reach Destiny’s residence, a vast, shadowy hall lined with painted portraits of the Endless. Each portrait is a masterpiece in its own right, capturing the essence of its subject with haunting beauty. Morpheus explains how each Endless governs their realm with absolute authority, and how they use symbols, sigils, and portraits to communicate with one another.

Ravenna’s eyes linger on Morpheus’s portrait, the intensity of his gaze captured in the painting. Before she can dwell further on it, a tall figure appears at the end of the hallway. His presence is commanding: a muscular, red-haired man with a beard that seems to have a life of its own. His eyes glint with recognition when he spots Morpheus.

“There you are. Have you been starving yourself, Dream? You look like a skinny wraith.” The man strides toward them, his ponytail swaying rhythmically with each step. When he stops in front of them, he takes a moment to assess Ravenna, raising an eyebrow in curiosity. “Hold on. Is she her...?”

Ravenna crosses her arms and tilts her head, meeting his gaze with a mix of curiosity and defiance. “Asks who?”

“Let me introduce you. This is Destruction, my younger brother.” Morpheus makes the introduction to his lover, only to see her blinking with bewilderment, looking between the two brothers who looks nothing alike. "You look shocked."

Ravenna chuckles softly. “I just didn’t expect your brother to be so... well, handsome.”

Destruction’s eyes narrow in amused surprise. “Well, well. It seems we’re all full of surprises.  I never expected my brother to follow around a mortal like a love sick puppy, as he does. But I'm definitely beginning to see why.”

"Morpheus, your brother got all the charm in the family." Ravenna says in a sultry voice, twirling a strand of hair. Her ultimate goal is not to flirt with Destruction but in spite of annoying the big brother.

Morpheus’s jaw tightens, his expression darkening with a hint of jealousy. Ravenna relishes the slight twitch of irritation on his face. “Enough of that,” he says, stepping in front of her to block Destruction’s view. “It’s unsettling seeing you two get along.”

Destruction smirks, waving his hand dismissively. “Nonsense. You should bring her to my home for dinner sometime. It’ll be a pleasure.”

“Perhaps not—”

“That’s absolutely lovely. We’ll be there…” Ravenna interrupts, her tone smooth and teasing.

He steps around Dream, so deliberately it is almost like he is taunting him, and holds out his hand. "Please call me Olethros."

“Ravenna.” She offers her hand, expecting a handshake. Instead, Destruction raises her hand to his lips, brushing his mouth across her knuckles. The gesture is old-fashioned and charming, and despite herself, Ravenna feels a blush creeping up her cheeks. Maybe it’s the accent; she has a soft spot for men with a thick accent.

Destruction winks at her before turning to his brother. “Oh, about Destiny. Be careful with your words. The grumpy old man is in a mood.”

“When isn’t he?” Morpheus grumbles, clearly not in the mood for Destruction’s levity.

“I should be head off now,” Destruction says, casting a final, lingering smile at Ravenna. “Fare you well, Lady Ravenna.”

“Farewell, Olethros.” Ravenna watches as Destruction steps back into his portrait, vanishing from view. “I like him,” she adds, turning to Morpheus with a grin.

“Sure, you do, my love,” Morpheus replies smoothly, though his eyes betray his irritation.

“How many of you are there?” Ravenna asks as they walk further down the hall. “You mentioned three before.”

“Seven. Destiny, Death, Destruction. The twins, Desire and Despair. And the youngest, Delirium. I’m the third eldest.”

“Sounds like a lot of drama.”

“After you.” Morpheus holds open a door for her. As she steps through, he follows, and they find themselves in a dimly lit room.

A figure stands in the shadows, and Ravenna immediately assumes it’s Destiny. The man before them is ancient, blind, and draped in long, flowing robes of a deep, muted brown. Chained to his wrist is a book that seems to pulse with an inner light, the story of everything that ever was or ever will be.

“My brother,” Destiny’s voice is measured and unyielding, as is his demeanor. “Lovely to see you.”

Morpheus grumbles something under his breath, but Ravenna boldly elbows him lightly in the ribs. His reaction is a mix of annoyance and reluctant amusement.

Destiny turns his head toward Ravenna, his blindness not diminishing his perceptive presence. “How are you doing, Ravenna Rosè Edwards?”

“I don’t even know where to begin,” she says, her words tumbling out in a rush. “Everything has been so... so stran- I mean, so bizarre...” She’s not one to ramble, but in the face of Destiny’s inscrutable presence, her usual composure falters. When Morpheus’s arm comes around her back, his thumb rubbing soothingly on her arm, her heart skips a beat. The warmth of his touch makes it hard to focus on anything but the swarm of butterflies fluttering in her stomach.

“I understand,” Destiny says, his tone sympathetic yet detached. “At Death’s request, I’ve decided to intervene and end your suffering, Ravenna Rosè Edwards.”

“Thank fucking god,” Ravenna mutters under her breath. She glances at Morpheus, who gives her a deadpan look. She responds with a sheepish smile. “Sorry.”

“You're no longer compelled to fall in love with my brother or forced to die. You will be just as free as you were before the curse. However I cannot let my brother perform the forbidden once again. You will have to be betrothed to my brother soon to avoid such circumstances. You will be gifted with immortality. You will be a part of the Endless—”

Ravenna cuts him off, stepping away from Morpheus’s comforting touch. “Hold on, sir. I’m not marrying someone I barely know.”

“In five months, you will have the opportunity to make your final decision. The time between now and then will be a trial period for Dream to change your mind.”

“I beg for differ. Her past life memories are contained. She despises me. She will never accept me.”

“He speaks the truth. I do despise him.” Ravenna turns her sarcastic gaze on Morpheus. “No pun intended. Maybe slightly intended.”

“You have five months—”

Ravenna interrupts again. “Three months.”

Morpheus steps closer, frustration etched on his face. His eyes, normally a calm steel blue, are now shimmering with a stormy intensity. “Four months.”

“Three.”

“Four.”

“Three.”

“Four.”

The exchange escalates, with Ravenna’s irritation boiling over. She’s reached her limit. “Three months or I’ll say no straight away!”

Morpheus’s jaw clenches, his body tensing as if he’s trying to control his anger. His lips thin into a tight line. His ego is bruised, and Ravenna feels a perverse satisfaction at having touched a nerve. Her anger turns into a dark amusement.

“Very well. We can always arrange the family reunion early,” Destiny says, his face an impassive mask.

“Family reunion?” Ravenna echoes, her confusion evident.

“It’s just dinner with all the Endless invited,” Morpheus explains for her.

“All of you in one place, eh? Sounds like a disaster.”

“You are dismissed, Ravenna Rosè Edwards.”

“I’ll be waiting outside, my love,” Ravenna says with mockery, deliberately bumping her shoulder against Morpheus’s as she walks out without a second thought.

“She is arrogant and stubborn in her way. There is no possible way for me to change her mind. Not at least from three months of time.” Dream explains to his elder brother, not bothering to care how he sounds like a petulant child throwing a temper tantrum. He is furious. He is alive with it, pulsing with it. “This is not giving hope. This is taking away all hope I have left.”

“You have committed the forbidden, Dream. She was taken from her life due to your actions. This is just.” Destiny’s voice remains emotionless as he continues reading through the pages of Ravenna’s past lives and possible futures.

Dream’s glare is fierce, the intensity in his eyes like a storm ready to break. “And I suffered enough for centuries! Do you believe it was easy for me? Going through the same cycle of misery. When I spend today with her surrounded by bliss. I find her lifeless corpse the next day in my arms. Reconsider your decision. At least give her memories back.”

“I cannot perform such things, Dream. She is mortal. The weight of her memories will be the death of her this time. It is better this way.”

“There must be something you can do.”

“If she chooses you, she will be yours. If not, let her go.”

“You are as bad as Desire. Worst I must say.” Dream’s voice is raw with frustration as he storms out of the room, his strides heavy with anger and pain.

“You’re being too harsh on him,” Death says softly, appearing in the empty room with a frown of concern.

“It is necessary,” Destiny replies, his gaze fixed on the pages of the book. “There is much for them to learn. I understand why Dream is drawn to her. She is pure but no saint. He enjoys the challenge she gives him. She will make a good queen for him one day if they pass through the gates of destiny. Together, I must add. Their path will be fraught with obstacles.”

Death sighs, not understanding a single thing about his younger brother's obsession over his mortal girl. “I have a feeling she’ll give him quite a hard time.”

“I fear she will,” Destiny agrees, closing the book with a resigned finality.

“My poor little brother.” Death shakes her head. “Do you believe he has the potential to awaken her inner feelings?"

“He may. He may not.” The eldest Endless responses, closing the book of destiny.

In the waking world, Dream and Ravenna return to her bedroom. The atmosphere between them is charged, the weight of their recent confrontation hanging in the air.

“What now?” Ravenna asks, rummaging through her wardrobe for her Iron Man-themed pajamas. Her movements are brisk, almost defiant.

“You must be exhausted,” Morpheus says, his tone soothing as he watches her clipping her hair into a messy bun. “You need rest.”

“I am not a child for you to manhandle me,” Ravenna snaps, grabbing her clothes and heading into the attached bathroom. Her voice carries the edge of her frustration.

Morpheus inhales deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. The tension between them is palpable, and he’s struggling to maintain his composure. The stubbornness of both their personalities makes their interactions like a battle of wills. Only if he survives her ways at the end of the next three months.