Work Text:
"You are upset"
The comment nearly made you jump out of your seat. The half finished documents almost falling from the edge of the desk.
Is it that glaring?, you thought.
"We need to correct that"
Your back slumps forward, and a heavy sigh escapes from your lips. Rubbing your temples really doesn't seem to work with the headache you've pulled today, but you do it anyways.
"I can't rest now, there is still far too much work left"
Straightening your creaking back, you pick up your pen again. This paperwork will be done, even if you have to drag yourself to finish it.
"Absolutely not"
You want to write, but your hand refuses to move. Struggling a few times proves futile, your muscles are frozen in place. Defeated, you drop the pen, which rolls lazily over the unfinished documents.
Exhaustion forces your eyes shut. With no more energy for composure, you collapse back into the chair.
A pair of cold hands come to rest on your shoulders, their joints softly clacking.
With the few drops of energy you have left, you open your eyes.
"I've told you many times, such foolish behavior only endangers the system"
Even while scolding you, their face remains Absolutely serene. Not a single wrinkle from frown or pout being visible.
"A single string cannot carry the whole puppet, child"
Their crimson lips do not move, but their brass fingers gently squeeze your shoulders, slowly but surely draining the tension away.
"Yes I know, but-"
They open their eyes, the purple and the blue drill deep into your soul.
"Do not argue, child"
Sighing again, you resign yourself. Melting like jelly under their touch.
"Good"
Their hands knead your muscles. Even through the fabric, you can feel the cold of the metal fingers.
"Your strings are tense, we need to fix that"
A second later, you no longer feel the cushion of the office chair beneath you. Having been replaced by an expanse of cotton and linen.
Curious, you open your eyes once more.
Above, massive eyes danced around the great dome of the ceiling, bright like sunlight. Perfectly symmetrical pillars and arches carved from pristine white marble raise the hall upwards, and towards the heavens beyond. Neatly ordered into rows and lines, were puppets fashioned out of porcelain and glass. They held instruments you did not recognize, and together, they weaved a soothing melody.
A symphony, just for you.
"Be still, my child"
In here, their voice reverberated inside your very soul. No longer a mere soundwave, but more of a mighty shockwave of divinity.
Like countless times before, you went limp for them.
Soon, dozens of cold steel strings held you up, towards the heavens, towards them.
You could not move a thing, but then again, you did not want to.
It was cold, yes, but not in a bitting way.
"The tension will make them snap, we can't have that"
They took you in their hands. Hundreds of fingers grabbed every single part of your body, holding it tight.
"Let it go"
The pressure all over your body squashed away the accumulated stress. Diluting it down until only solace remained. The strings that held you now felt warmer.
"Good child"
They gently laid you down on the "bed", if you could call it that. Your body still felt limp and unresponsive, but you cared little.
What you did care about, were the hands that now cupped your cheeks.
They opened your eyes for you, and you see their smile.
"You were reckless, don't do it again"
Like countless times before, they caressed your face, taking in every inch of skin.
Your only response was a muffled hum.
Then, they laid besides you, their hands now wandering up to play with your hair.
"But I know you can do better"
With a click, they took off their cape and draped it over you. It wasn't even that cold, but that was besides the point.
"Keep this with you"
They lifted your head with their free hand slid in one of their necklaces. The red and white beads soflty clacking against each other.
"Now be a good child, and sleep, the cosmos knows you need it"
A moment before exhaustion took you into the realm of dreams, you felt a kiss on your forehead.
"I love you" said Ena.