#namaari might not be from Heart

[moon-spirit-yue]

Fought for Me

Chapter 7: A Promise, a Late Night Rendezvous 

(TW WARNING! There will be intense injury in this chapter due to the fact that Sisu got shot. It won’t be too gruesome but I wanted to give everyone a heads up! Enjoy!)

Rage quickly filled Raya’s body at seeing the arrow pointed at her heart. After everything, and Raya really means everything, that’s happened between them? Namaari was seriously going to screw her over like this? Oh Raya could actually kill her right now! And she definitely would have, if Namaari was the one with the arrow.

Though it took Raya a couple of seconds to process what was happening, her brain finally caught up when Namaari moved in front of her to block the arrow. As it would turn out, the voice that claimed to be taking the gem pieces was from a man. 

Raya was rather embarrassed to find that with Namaari’s body moving right in front of her her, she couldn’t see what was happening. She decided to poke her head above Namaari’s shoulder to get a better view. Along with the man that just spoke, there were about fifteen or so Fang warriors with weapons.

Now that’s what Raya calls a problem.

“Stand down, Wahn. That is an order,” Namaari stated in an eerily calm voice.

Damn, that voice made Raya want to stand down and Namaari’s not even taking to her. 

“I am operating under direct orders from Chief Virana,” the guy who’s apparently named Wahn stated.

“It is so like my mother to try and ruin my life,” Namaari mumbled to herself.

Raya frowned, thinking that maybe Namaari might have set this up. That there was some elaborate and devious plot to dupe Raya into thinking the Fang princess is innocent before utterly destroying her.

But Namaari’s not wearing scent blockers. She smells confused, distressed, and even a little betrayed. Probably due to the fact that her own mother has very different ideas handling whatever this situation is. 

Point of the matter is that scent doesn’t lie. That means Namaari was truly only here to do what’s right. She had no intention of betraying Raya. And stupid Wahn is ruining it. Toi, what kind of name even is Wahn anyways? It’s the kind of name for losers. 

“Step aside, Princess Namaari. There’s no reason for you to injury yourself for the likes of her,” Wahn stated, gesturing to Raya in disgust.

Rude as hell.

“Speak of her in such a manner again and see what happens,” Namaari growled before Raya could even respond. 

Though she absolutely loathed to admit it, hearing the taller woman sound so protective over her made Raya a little too pleased. Her omega too. Why can’t Raya ever actually focus when she needs to?

“You know, I think we can all just, take a step back for a moment and reflect on our actions,” Sisu awkwardly interjected, likely trying to diffuse the situation.

Seeing the dragon begin to move closer, Wahn decides to aim the arrow at Sisu’s chest. 

“I swear to all that is good in this world Wahn, if you pull that trigger I will personally see to it that you never touch a mere kitchen knife again,” Namaari warned. 

“I have been given my orders and I will not go against them,” Wahn declared. “All of you either come with me willingly or we will have no choice but to take you by force.”

“I really hope you didn’t trust me enough to not bring a weapon because I do not have one,” Namaari whispered.

Suddenly Raya regrets insisting on a peaceful, no weapons meeting.

“I brought my father’s sword but I’m not too sure what that’s gonna do against a tiny army!” Raya fearfully whispered back.

“Give me the sword, I’ll do what I can to hold them off while you gather the others to safety,” Namaari mumbled while the Fang soldiers appeared to be getting more trigger happy by the second. 

“Are you kidding me? You’ll look like a pin cushion if you go through with this! Your plan is awful. Seriously, why can’t I associate with someone who doesn’t think of garbage plans?” Raya scowled. 

“Raya, for once in my life I’m actually doing the right thing, so stop-” Namaari had begun to say. 

This is where it all went wrong. Raya’s not sure who did, but someone stepped on a twig. That was enough for everything to go to hell. 

The sudden noise had to have startled the Wahn guy because even he looked surprised when he pulled the trigger. Normally, Raya had the sense to move and avoid a weapon being flung right at her, but she honestly couldn’t. Princess Raya of Heart is still as statue. 

Her lack of action ultimately didn’t matter because Namaari took the liberty of throwing Raya to the ground, effectively getting the Heart princess  out of the way of any arrows that may pierce through her. Both Namaari and Sisu were not as fortunate. 

When stupid Wahn pulled the trigger, it unleashed a wave of arrows from the rest of the Fang army. The rest of Raya’s human companions were far away enough to be out of the danger, but in Namaari’s efforts of keep the omega from the crossfire, she ended up getting pierced by an arrow in the process. 

The arrow got stuck in Namaari’s left leg, causing her to scream in pain and collapse on the ground. 

“Oh my gods!” Raya shrieked as she fell to her knees and git a closer look at the injury. 

Raya’s panic mixed with Namaari’s pain was nothing compared to what they both felt after they saw one of the many arrows stab Sisu straight through the heart. The dragon didn’t scream, it all happened much too quickly for her to react. Instead, her eyes rolled into the back of her head as her body gave out. Raya could do nothing but scream as Sisu fall off the side of the cliff hit the ground. 

Naturally, things went from bad to worse. Raya, still close to Namaari’s heavily injured body, leaned over the edge of the cliff to see what was at the bottom. What she saw would give her nightmares for years. 

All the water had seemingly evaporated the moment Sisu was shot. The protection that Fang once held was gone. Everyone’s protection is gone. Raya’s mind jumped to Charanya and Aulia. They had nowhere to go. Her baby would turn to stone and there’s absolutely nothing she can do about it.

Tears began streaming down her face without Raya even realizing it. At this point, she just felt defeated. Not only did she lose the only thing that could have brought her father back, but she also lost one of the best friends she’d ever had.

Namaari’s groan of snapped her out of her thoughts and she quickly wiped her eyes to try and asses the damage. 

“I’m so sorry. You’re a pin cushion because of me,” Raya sniffled, trying really hard to fight back sobs. 

“Oh please, this isn’t your fault. I totally had this coming. I’ve been known to be an undercut binturi,” Namaari weakly smiled.

Namaari’s awful joke honestly just made Raya want to cry even more. The Fang woman was shot and yet she was still trying to make Raya feel better.

“If anyone’s sorry here, it’s me. I can’t believe I didn’t notice that I was being followed. You lost your friend because of me. I really am sorry,” Namaari chocked out mournfully.

“Oh don’t be stupid, this wasn’t your fault. That guy was way too trigger happy. I’m sure he would have found a way to get to us either way,” Raya sniffled. 

Raya never thought she would be comforting Namaari. And she certainly never thought she would actually mean the words she said. It really does take one instance to change everything.

“That arrow needs to stay in until a proper healer can get their hands on,” Tong stated, causing both Raya and Namaari to jump. 

Neither girl had noticed his arrival. Nor did they notice Boun and Noi right beside them. Damn, Raya needs to put a bell on those three. 

“Let’s not worry about that now. My people, they need to get out of here,” Namaari said in a strained voice.

Raya’s honestly not too sure where they’re going to go considering the fact that with the water gone, there’s really nowhere to hide. 

But, well, it’s better than doing nothing. 

“Tong, you go ahead. We need to get everyone that’s not an adult or can’t stand on Tuk Tuk,” Raya said. 

Despite Tong’s insistence on staying, Raya reminded him that someone had to help the other Fang citizens. Though he didn’t like it, the Spine man rushed off with a gem piece to try saving as many people as possible from the Druun.

Putting Boun and Noi on Tuk Tuk was no issue. Even the ongis got on without a hitch. The real issue was trying to get Namaari on without accidentally agitating her very prominent injury.

“Seriously, just leave me so that you and your friends can get out here. My people need help much more than I do,” Namaari sighed as yet another attempt to get on Tuk Tuk’s back failed. 

Part of it was the fact that it was nearly impossible to get the alpha on the pillbug without digging the arrow deeper in her limb. The other part was the fact that Tuk Tuk is kind of a jackass and scoots away whenever Namaari comes near him. 

“Someone’s self sacrificial today. Take it from me, it’s not a good look for you,” Raya frowned.

“Liar, I always look good.”

“You got shot in the damn leg! You look the opposite of good!”

“I look fantastic.”

“HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO REITERATE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN SHOT! WITH AN ARROW! TOI HOW STUPID ARE YOU?!”

“There’s no need to yell at the injure-”

“FOCUS PEOPLE! THERE IS A CRISIS!” Boun yelled, effectively breaking up their argument. 

Raya sighed and gently guided Namaari on the floor. She knelt in front of Tuk Tuk and crossed her arms. 

“Listen, buddy, you gotta let Namaari on your back,” Raya insisted.

The pillbug did not budge. 

“Okay, it was kinda funny the first time, but now I just want to get a move on! I get the fact that you’re still upset over being kicked and all but she was literally shot in the leg! I think that’s an acceptable form of retribution! Please Tuk!” the Heart omega begged. 

Tuk Tuk, despite the grumbling, lowered himself so that Namaari had a better shot of climbing onto the shell. 

With the power of love, friendship, and a lot of painful movements from Namaari, the injured woman was finally on Tuk Tuk.

“Finally! Okay, you two find Namaari a medic and help when you can, I’m going to go straight for finding Tong. I’m sure he needs backup,” Raya told them.

Boun nodded and steered Tuk Tuk off to find people to help and medics to save Namaari. Hopefully they could find help before said medic turned to stone themselves. 

******************************

Raya didn’t even feel like she was her own person as she used her gem piece to help guide the Fang citizens back to safety. Her mind jumps from Sisu’s death to Namaari’s injury to how her baby is probably a statue right to how utterly powerless Raya felt right now. 

At some point in the fray, she accidentally dropped her gem piece while the Druun was gunning straight for Raya. She absolutely would have become stone if it weren’t for the help of...Namaari?!

There the princess was, in all her alpha Fang glory. Though now she had a thick bandage tightly wrapped around the area it was stuck in. Namaari was leaning on a wooden crutch and seemed to be in a significantly less amount of pain than before, which is great!

The fact that she walking around a battlefield totally pisses Raya off though.

“What the hell are you doing up right now? There’s no way an actual medic cleared you to start hobbling around!” the Heart woman snapped.

“Of course they didn’t,” Namaari simply replied.

“What is your problem?! You are a cripple!” Raya hissed. 

“Careful dep la, I might start thinking you care about my well being,” Namaari smirked.

A horrible realization came across Raya, because honestly, she is worried about Nmaaari’s well being. She’s gonna turn to stone before admitting that though. And hey, with the way things are going right now, the chance of that is pretty high.

“Shut up and stay close to me,” was all Raya managed to say.

To Namaari’s credit, she did just that. For someone that only had one leg that actually worked, she managed to be fast and was a great guide to safety. Her expansive knowledge of Fang certainly played a big part in that. 

Somehow, they were able to evacuate just about everyone in the town. Tong, Boun, and Noi raced up to her as Tuk Tuk was evacuating the last of the civilians.

“Alright, that looked like everyone,” Boun confirmed when he joined the group. 

“Wonderful. Now let’s-” Raya started, before the ground quite literally gave out beneath her. 

Panic engulfed her before she realized that she didn’t even hit the ground that hard. Then she discovered that she was laying on top of Namaari.

“Damn, are you okay?! I didn’t hurt your leg too badly, did I?” the Heart woman asked worriedly while scrambling to her feet.

“No, I’m alright. Toi, look out!” Namaari exclaimed as she pointed behind her. 

On instinct, Raya shoved the gem piece in the direction Namaari was pointing to. The horrible creature screeched and split off. The omega quickly helped her companion to her feet so that they could both participate in the efforts of keeping the Druun at bay. 

“This isn’t working! There’s too many of them!” Tong exclaimed.

Dread filled at the pit of Raya’s stomach. She knew he was right. They wouldn’t be able to survive much longer like this. To top it all off, the glow of the gems was getting dimmer and dimmer. 

Noi had begun whimpering and was giving her best effort to hide her face in Tong’s shoulder. Not once had she seen the baby look so terrified. It was starting to break Raya’s heart.

“What do we do? We can’t stop them anymore!” Boun yelled. 

What to do is right. Honestly, Raya had no fucking clue what she was supposed to do. This feels like her fault entirely. If she hadn’t gone searching for dragons, they wouldn’t be in this mess. Sisu wouldn’t be dead, just asleep and hope for other generations wouldn’t have been destroyed. 

As Raya was continuing her internal spiral of despair, a golden glint caught her eye. The dragon pendent. 

She can’t say for certain why she kept the thing after all this time. It would have given her a nice chunk of jade, which she desperately needed during the past six years. And with such negative memories behind how she got the pendant, its sentimental value wasn’t all that great.

But maybe this is why she needed it. To remind her of what Sisu said. 

“Everybody! Give me your gem pieces! We can still put it back together!” Raya told them. 

“Sisu’s gone! We don’t have her magic anymore!” Boun oh so kindly reminded her. 

“It’s not about the magic, it’s about the trust we have in each other!” Raya yelled, barely being able to hear herself over the Druun’s screeching.

“WHAT?!” Namaari screamed.

Raya’s not sure if Namaari was yelling like that because she genuinely couldn’t hear or because she thought Raya was insane. Either way, it’s a bit hard to give everyone a full play by play.

“I don’t have time to explain everything, people! All you guys need to know is that the reason why the gem worked the first time is because Sisu’s siblings trusted her with their lives! We need to trust each other like Sisu wanted us to, even if her plans were garbage!” Raya told them.

“How can you be sure this will work?” Tong asked while simultaneously evading another attack from the Druun.

“I don’t, but it’s the only chance we have! C’mon, circle of trust people, let’s do it!” Raya exclaimed. 

Boun, Tong and Noi were shooting glances at each other. Then they’d look at Namaari, then at Raya, then back at each other. They’re not sure what to make of Namaari, since it’s obvious she had meant to stop this madness before being followed. Even so, they’re hesitant. Since everyone layered up on scent blockers earlier that morning, she can’t exactly smell what they’re feeling, but she doesn’t need to. It’s written all over their faces. Raya knows what she has to do. 

Though Raya was shaking like a leaf, she put her gem piece in Namaari’s hand. She tried stepping back to let the Druun, uh, consume her? Is that what they do? But the Fang woman was faster, and got a vice like grip on Raya’s wrist.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Namaari hissed.

“I’m taking the first step,” Raya said as if it was obvious. 

“Look who’s trying to be the self sacrificing one now? You’re so hypocritical,” Namaari snapped.

“Maybe I just wanted to be more like you, Namaari,” Raya stated.

“I feel like you should know that self sacrifice isn’t a good look on you either,” Namaari declared. 

“I bet I wear it better than you,” Raya smirked.

“You wish, dep la,” Namaari whispered. 

Raya tried to take a step back, but the other woman’s grip around her wrist was something fierce. Okay, now Raya’s a bit annoyed. The only way for this to work is to prove that Raya trusts Namaari. How the hell is Raya supposed to prove anything if Namaari is keeping her hostage?

“Let me go, Namaari. I know what I’m doing,” Raya said softly, trying soothe her.

“I’m not sure why you’re being so risky. You have a kid, so I should be the one giving you my gem piece,” Namaari tried arguing.

Hah! If that’s the case, then Namaari shouldn’t give up her piece either. Not like Raya can make that argument, though. 

“Do you trust me?” Raya asked.

Namaari nodded. The omega woman could smell the utter terror her companion had.

“Then let me do this. It will work,” Raya insisted with all the conviction she could muster.

Reluctantly, Namaari loosened her grip on Raya’s wrist. Despite the many survival instincts screaming at her not to, Raya stepped into the fray of the Druun with no protection. All she could do was imagine her family as the life left her very being.

******************************

Raya felt a droplet of water plop on her head. Then another. Before she knew it, she could move her face. Then the hands that were originally cupping water flopped to her sides. Namaari had done it. 

She turned her head to see Namaari gasping for air. The Fang princess’s hand was already resting on Raya’s shoulder, a comforting warmth exuding from it. Namaari automatically turned to her left to see Raya looking right at her. 

Namaari smiled in utter relief and squeezed Raya’s shoulder with her hand. Choked up by the dozens of emotions the Heart woman felt, she just mustered a smile right back and brought her left hand up to squeeze Namaari’s.

Raya and Namaari were snapped out of the little trance they were in when they heard Boun yelp and face plant on the ground. Raya resisted the urge to laugh at the fall and helped him up after he finished wiggling his legs. Tong and Noi were quite literally jumping for joy after feeling the rain hit.

“Oh toi, Tuk Tuk! He must have been so scared! C’mon, let’s get up there!” Raya yelled while pointing to the exit.

“That’s your big concern right now?” Namaari asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Hey, my father and baby are totally fine right now because Charanya’s got them. Oh toi, my father’s not stone anymore!” Raya exclaimed, barely allowing herself time to process the truth in that statement. 

“That’s right, and it’s all thanks to you, dep la,” Namaari smiled.

“Well, I suppose I can’t take all the credit. You’re no slouch yourself, binturi,” Raya giggled.

******************************

“They do know we are right here, right?” Boun asked.

“Let them have this. Something tells me this is going to get very complicated very quickly,” Tong sighed. Noi nods in agreement. 

“Let’s just get out of here.”

******************************

Raya almost ate shit like three times trying to climb out of that stupid cave like structure. It was hard enough trying to balance herself, but then she was also yanking on Namaari’s arm so that she can at least try to stay upright.

The group of five plus three ongis finally broke though to the surface. Raya began eagerly looking around for Tuk Tuk the second she was on solid ground. Only a couple second later was Raya blessed with Tuk Tuk’s adorable face barreling right to her. 

“Oh, my baby! I love you so much, bud,” the Heart woman cooed as she began affectionately scratching his perfect little head. 

“No way! Look up!” Boun yelled.

Confused, Raya did just that. Honestly, she’s never seen anything more magnificent in her entire life.

There in the sky was dragons. Hundreds of them, all varying shades of all different colors zipping through the sky. Raya laughed from pure awe at seeing these legendary creatures in the flesh. 

“I can’t even believe this,” Raya whispered.

“Me neither. The dragon nerd in me is kind of freaking out right now,” Namaari mumbled in awe. 

Raya could smell the fascination all over Namaari. Her scent had become much sweeter with a surprisingly strong hint of citrus. (Now’s really not a good time to remember the fact that Raya loves anything with citrus.) There’s nothing that can truly describe how she feels in this very moment. 

“I just wish Sisu could be here to see this. It wouldn’t be possible without her,” Raya sighed mournfully.

As if the dragons all somehow heard her, they began rapidly flying in the air. It almost looked as though they were preforming some kind of choreographed dance in the sky. A blob of water appeared in the middle of the action and it morphed into none other than Sisudatu. 

“AYE SISU! GET OVER HERE!” Raya yelled happily. 

At the speed of light, the water dragon nose dived straight to where the little group was huddled up. 

“I gotta say, saving the world has left me positively starved,” Sisu grinned.

“I’ve got some spare jackfruit jerky if you’d like,” the omega giggled.

“Raya, I love you so much, but I will never be that hungry,” Sisu bluntly stated.

The Heart woman merely laughed and lunged at Sisu to get a hug. Sisu swiftly returned it and squeezed her tightly. 

“Awww, get in here everybody! And yes, I’m talking to you too Namaari!” Sisu declared as she scooped up the five humans in a tight hug. 

“Ah, it is good to breathe in your glorious dragon stench once more,” Tong exclaimed.

“I choose to take that as a compliment!” Sisu said as she squeezed everyone tighter. 

“Okay, now it’s getting hard to breathe,” Raya wheezed out before everyone was released.

“There’s a fifty percent chance that the Shrimporium was demolished, but if it wasn’t, you guys want to hitch a ride?” Boun asked once the joyous reunion was over.

“I’d love a ride, Captain Boun. Provided that there is a boat to ride,” Raya nodded.

“I too wish to venture back home on the boat that brought us here! If it’s an option,” Tong agreed.

Noi babbled something and she was smiling, so Raya assumed that meant she was cool with tagging along.

“What about you, Princess Namaari? You gonna ride along with us?” the young boy asked.

“If you’ll have me, then of course. I do need to discuss things with my mother before going anywhere, though,” Namaari told the group.

“Good luck with that,” Raya smirked.

“Yeah, I’ll need it. Raya, before we leave, I was hoping I’d be able to talk to you,” Namaari whispered to avoid the others listening in.

That may be a problem. Raya’s not entirely sure what they’re going to talk about, but she can almost guarantee that the Heart woman is going to hate whatever topic they come across.

But hell, the dragons were back. Sisu is alive and her father is no longer stone. Charanya’s family is also no longer stone and she can’t run the risk of being stone either. Aulia never has to see the Druun for as long as she lives. Raya can deal with an uncomfortable conversation. 

“Sure, let’s talk down at the docks. We need to see if Boun’s poor boat is salvageable anyways,” the Heart princess nodded. 

Once Raya let everyone know of their plas, she marched on to their destination with Tuk Tuk in tow. Namaari had no complaints and followed after her. The Fang alpha was clearly having a difficult time keeping with Raya’s anxious speed walking pace, so she had to force herself to slow down. 

In what felt like absolutely no time and all the time in the world, they arrived at the docks. The good news is the fact that the Shrimporium is intact. Got to look on the bright side, after all.

“Why don’t we sit on the pier? I wouldn’t want to strain a cripple,” Raya smirked.

“Toi, consider this the last time I save your life. Your mockery is the only thanks I get,” Namaari scowled with no real bite in her voice.

The Fang woman eased herself on a bench and Raya sat right beside her. Raya almost instantly regretted that decision as the smell of soil and citrus surrounded her, making it hard for Raya to focus. Namaari really needs to get a move on with this chat. 

“So, what’s up?” Raya questioned. Namaari took in a long, shaky breath before speaking. 

“I just wanted to apologize. For everything, really. I never should have betrayed you back when we were kids. Even then, I knew it was wrong and I shouldn’t have done it. And I realize that what happened on the hill wasn’t entirely on me, but I still should have done something to stop it. I am so sorry, and I don’t expect you to forgive me. I wanted to let you know I’m sincerely remorseful for everything I’ve done and I have every intention of making it up to you, however I can. If you let me, of course,” Namaari finished off very bashfully.

“I forgive you,” Raya simply said. And she meant it.

“Wait what?” Namaari asked, clearly dumfounded.

“I said I forgive you. I forgave you the moment you decided to do the right thing to save everyone. Granted, everything isn’t perfect. It’s going to take some time before we can really trust each other again but I’d like to try if you would,” Raya explained with a rapidly beating heart.

“I’d like that,” Namaari said with an ear splitting grin.

That smile alone could have brought Raya back from stone over how magical it is. Who knew the Fang princess had such a wonderful smile?

“I’m glad,” was the best Raya could come up with.

“Good. Also, about the time where we, uh, spent your heat together-” Namaari began as her face turned bright red. 

Ah, see, now it feels like someone dumped a bucket of cold water over her. Raya’s not ready for this. Her mind has been very positive, and she really can not handle hearing how Namaari thought the whole thing was this huge mistake that should have never happened. It didn’t mean anything, so Raya shouldn’t be as scared of this topic as she was. May as well end the conversation before it even starts. 

“Yeah, don’t even worry about that!” Raya nearly screamed, effectively cutting Namaari off. “I get it, instincts were crazy, life happens, no worries!”

“No.....worries?” Namaari asked, clearly very puzzled.

“Yeah, no worries! I mean, it’s not like you forced me into doing anything I didn’t feel comfortable with! No harm, no foul,” Raya said while waving her off. 

“Right,” Namaari mumbled.

Yikes. Not the reaction Raya was hoping for. Honestly, she’s not even sure what reaction she wanted from Namaari. But now the Fang alpha just sounds weirdly dejected. Then a horrible thought overtook Raya’s mind. 

“Shit, I didn’t force you into anything, did I? The memories are kind of hazy,” the Heart woman frantically asked.

To Raya’s relief and annoyance, the other woman laughed.

“Please! You’ve seen your muscles compared to mine, right? There’s no way you were forcing me into anything I wasn’t okay with,” Namaari snorted.

“I’ll have you know, binturi, that I’m crazy strong,” Raya grinned while nudging her.

“Oh yeah? Prove it,” Namaari said in a provoking manner.

Just when Raya was totally going to prove it, the rest of their companions caught up to them. 

“CANNONBALL!” the water dragon yelled as she proceeded to throw herself into the large body of water. 

On instinct, Raya jumped up from her seat and hid behind Namaari. Boun and Noi had the same idea with Tong. In a couple seconds both alphas were drenched with water as the other three remained fairly dry. 

“Did you actually just use me, the cripple that saved your life, as a human shield from water?” Namaari spat at the Heart princess.

“Maybe,” Raya admitted guiltily. 

“When I’m fully healed, you’re going to have to watch your back,” Namaari glared.

“Fair enough,” Raya shrugged.

“How cruel it is to learn that my own companions have betrayed me so,” Tong scowled while looking down at Boun and Noi.

“Sorry,” Boun laughed awkwardly. 

Noi, on the other hand, didn’t even look a little sorry.  

“Okay, why don’t we talk about things that make us smile, mainly because I’m scared Namaari is going to try stabbing my eye out with her crutch. I know I’m super excited to my family again! Especially my daughter. She’s super cute, and young, Namaari please stop trying to kill me with your eyes,” Raya whispered in fear. 

“By the dragons, I nearly forgot due to all the commotion! Tell me, how old is your precious child?” Tong asked happily.

Out of the corner of Raya’s eye, she could see the Fang princess stiffen. Shit. Namaari may be a major binturi, but she’s not an idiot. Basic math would totally give away Aulia’s parentage. 

That is, if Raya was honest about her child’s age. 

“She’s about a year old now,” Raya lied. 

Though she still refuses to look directly at Namaari, Raya can see the other woman’s body visibly relax. Raya tried to ignore the hurt she felt over the obvious relief Namaari experienced when thinking Aulia isn’t hers. Of course the Fang woman doesn’t want a kid, she’s eighteen for heaven’s sake. 

This is so coming back to bite Raya. She knows it. But that day did not have to be today.

“Ah, what a wonderful age!” Tong beamed, oblivious to Raya’s inner turmoil.

“Aww, she sounds so cute! Hey, who’s her other parent? I don’t think you ever told us,” Boun asked out of pure childlike curiosity.

Wow, so apparently everyone just loves talking about the subjects Raya is desperately trying to avoid. It honestly feels a little bit targeted. She officially regrets bringing up her child. 

The Heart woman began laughing rather nervously when she noticed that Namaari had, once again, seemed very intent on hearing Raya’s answer to these questions about Aulia.

“Haha! Boy oh boy, that is definitely a question! Thanks for that! I’m just so thrilled that the youth today have such inquiring minds! On that note, I’m just going to go make sure Sisu’s not drowning!” Raya exclaimed, avoiding the question like an absolute pro. 

And on that note, Raya dived right into the water, despite the confusion from her dearest friends. 

Looks like hiding behind Namaari to stay dry was a futile attempt. The cold water was honestly a relief against Raya’s warm skin. It felt like she was on fire up there. 

Sisu then noticed Raya swimming around and waved excitedly at her. Raya smiled and waved right back at her. It’s a nice time to be swimming. 

The Heart woman then remembered the fact that she is not a water dragon and can not hold her breath for that long. Her lungs began to burn and she had no choice but to resurface. 

Raya popped her head out of the water and was greeted with four utterly confused faces. Eight if you count Tuk Tuk and the ongis.

She might as well give them an update on the water dragon’s condition.

“Don’t worry! Sisu’s all good!” Raya smiled.

Silence.

“BINTURI WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU-”

#raya and the last dragon #ratld #rayaari #namaari #raya x namaari #namaari x raya #raya and namaari #ratld namaari #raya disney #ratld raya #omegaverse #alpha #omega #alpha namaari #omega raya

[muttween]

The rambling returns

Hey, i know i've been dead for a couple of months and i'm slowly coming back (i do have scripts in need of some honing here and there so please bare with me).

So, after seeing that Raya and the gang are included in Once Upon a Studio (as far as the photo shows) after pretty much thinking the ratld was once and done, my babbling theories returned once again, so here goes nothing.

Imagine if we're actually getting a sequel, except this specific sequel will be darker than what we expected, like slightly The Black Cauldron-ish but without awfully suggestive demonic black magic stuff and it will focus on the growth of Kumandra in general, except it will also focus on Namaari's past.

Think it through, as far as we know Raya was merely an once-to-become Dragon Gem Guardian, like her father and many others of her past family, like Benja mentioned.

Namaari on the other hand, we don't know anything about her actually, only that she's the daughter of the Chief (like Raya), a dragon nerd (like Raya) and a warrior princess with a furry sidekick (Like. Raya.) and that the dragon pendant might have some personal significance to her, that is, totally unrelated to Raya.

Thing is, what if the center of sequel is more focused about Namaari's growth a future chief of Fang in the middle of a new world, the world Virana wasn't aware of. You see i had this theory for a while now and i'm not sure if i ever mentioned before, but what if Fang was actually going through some messed stuff underneath all that shiny golden palace of power and mighty?

Hear me out, technically speaking Namaari never actually lied to Raya during their first meeting (she is dragon nerd, and a warrior princess, c'mon that was pretty clear in Spine) and i've definitely noted a shade of sadness in Namaari's expressions during the rice or stew debate before she shook her head and returned to their question game, there was something she was hiding in, but because Raya and Namaari just met, how could Namaari trust Raya with something as personal as the state of your hometown, as if it was entrusting us the audience instead to read between the lines of things that were never spoken to, like their entire dynamic.

The theory is, what if Heart had a hand in whatever happened during those 500 years of discord, think about it, the only land that is prospering in all of Kumandra, is also the ONLY land that has been possessing the gem for 500 years! That can't be a coincidence.

Like what if instead of Benja being that one plot twist villain of another story character, it was Raya's grandfather who was a complete monster, who had something to do about what was happening in Fang (in my theory, a curse and a war), we know this is a fantastical land of magic and joy but what if Heart's hoarding of gem has caused some significant rift between the lands, like you've never questioned why Spine (a forest tundra) is right next to Tail (a scalding desert) and that said hoarding might have caused some environmental/climatic unbalance, though it's possible Pengu's departure itself was sealing point for Kumandra.

What if the Heart family secret was riddled in dark rugs and Raya's grandfather was a man of closed-minded ambitions, who believed the mixing with other lands would later be the fall of their own kingdom, in this case Fang (like King Runeard) and that the growing development of this particular land would pose a threat to them, so he would do what must be done: solve the problem by the taking off the roots. I might be getting a bit too cliche here, but remember that one scene where Virana is telling the Fang children about the "how the mighty Fang rose from the ashes and defeated all the monsters that tried to annihilate them?" very well. (Yes i know that maybe she was mentioning the Druun and how Fang managed to separate themselves in their island following the attack, but there's a catch, when Raya introduce the Fang lands to us, that tower was already built, so maybe she was telling the children about a much more older tale. Also, as foggy as it seems, those silhouettes looked anything but Druun actually).

If that were ever the case, not only would it explain a lot but it would change everything we thought we knew about the movie because we would notice that trust issues also run deep in Namaari just like they did in Raya. What for Raya was betrayal, for Namaari it was retribution, as in "your family took everything from me, it's only fair your lands lost a bit too" and the cycle begins anew.

Coming back to the potential villain, this is where the darker path takes place, because it would showcase all the crimes Raya's grandfather and the council would do to Fang in name of their own "cultural preservation" (crimes these that would include mass genocide, attempted regicide and overwall prosecution, like that scene in Mulan about the village burnt by huns) and that's why Namaari's growth would be more significant, she wouldn't only be seeking Raya's forgiveness, she would seek the willpower to forgive herself by forgiving the land that has caused her and her home so much damage and sorrow, sealing old wounds between the oldest of rival tribes, restart and forgiveness. Hence why it was easier to betray Raya, specially if you got a good motive to do so.

With those aside, i like to imagine Namaari had a big family, some siblings like little brothers and/or sisters, maybe a long lost brother and of course a living father that was once the thread that connected Namaari and Virana, and her father was just like Benja, if not a little more down-to-earth but with him gone their relationship sort of deteriorated since. One night, let's say, he has the idea to welcome Heart to delegate potential long-term partnerships and peace treaties...until Heart decided to strike them, right in front of little Namaari's eyes. Not only it would explain why Fang runs through a whole logical pragmatism system and isolate themselves from the rest of the world, but it would also open doors to potential arcs, such as Namaari and Benja reaffirming bonds once torn by pride and showcase Namaari's internal struggle, of not being able to forgive because in this sense to her, forgiving is forgetting and she can't never forget. Fang's isolation and self-imposed autonomy might be a consequential metaphor of fear, paranoia and hatred. With everything going on, Namaari not only invalidated her own feelings to protect herself, but also restricted herself from grieving in the first place.

Needless to say, war erupts and Fang goes through a bloody crusading against Heart, a battle that would lead Heart away from Fang's territory and into their own rock island. Now, wouldn't Raya be aware of all of that? Not yet. You see i also like to imagine that Benja is secretly a guilt-ridden character and knowing how much Raya would be devastated to hear all of this, the path she was once so dedicated to achieve would be meaningless because there would be no longer honor to fight for, so for her sake Benja kept it busy with her training which was also the same time his wife was close to leave for good so yeah imagine the stress. Maybe the gem did have powers after all, but Benja didn't knew since he was busy with Raya, and because everything that had transpired between them and Fang, which i'm pretty sure Virana, now a widow, would kill him where he stood should he ever set foot in Fang again, wasn't aware of how big the damage has been done at the time. Not just distrust, but miscommunication would also play a role on the sequel.

And Benja, utterly disgusted at what his father and followers did, decided to not only shield Raya from the truth and allow her to grow in a better place, but to fix his old mistakes (again it might just sheer politeness, but don't you think it's a little too strange that out of all chiefs Benja would talk to, Virana was the first he went to?).

But anyway, maybe the main focus between movie would be the turbulent relationship between Namaari and Virana, tradition and change, whereas one side (Virana) out of fear or anger decides that the best way to survive is maintain and preserve certain habits, and the other one (Namaari) believes that in order to survive, one must accept change and let go of said habits when it's due, to move on to better future days or perish in the past. Noticing Namaari is likely going to be Fang's Chief in a newfound Kumandra it makes embracing change more necessary than ever, and that sometimes, is the only way forward.

Anyway sorry for this long rambling, but we're near the 100th anniversary, let's outta celebrate somehow.

#ratld #raya and the last dragon #ramblings #what ifs #Real long post #Ya'll i know i'm fucking screaming at the picture too JUST. LOOK. AT. THEM. LOOK AT NAMAARI SMILING OH JESUS FUCK #And she's right next to Raya! Oh c'mon they're fucking gay #zero surprises

[animalgirl225]

My next Raya x Namaari piece! Themes of illness, comfort, concern, etc. Fluff. G-rated. Enjoy!

______________________________

A fever was tearing through Kumandra.

Much like the sleeping sickness plague that had claimed the lives of Raya's mother and Namaari's father, this fever was fast moving and lethal. Nobody knew where it came from. The young Spine boy suspected to have contracted the first case had died before he could relate his story, and his family could not find anything unusual in his routine. The virus was confusing and erratic in who it infected; whole families might fall sick, or only one or two people in a house. So far, deaths had been limited to the young and old, unlike the sleeping plague that had claimed people of all ages. Sap from the waterweed blossom helped lower the fever and reduce pain, but repeated doses caused severe hallucinations. It was a price doctors deemed necessary. Hallucinations were temporary. But if the fever remained too high for too long, the victim would die.

The symptoms started mild, so nobody suspected a thing in the beginning. Trade had continued, diplomatic visits were held, and warriors mingled on their scouting missions. Soon, the fever had spread to all the tribes. Raya and Namaari had met a Spine perimeter patrol on their own joint patrol. The two groups had swapped stories and shared an evening meal together. One Spine warrior had been complaining of a headache, and everyone had teased him for enjoying too much drink.

The girls had returned to Fang shortly after. Raya was supposed to spend the night as a guest before departing for Heart the following day. But word of the fever had reached Fang while the girls were out. Chief Virana had insisted Raya stay in Fang until it could be seen whether the two had contracted the illness. She wouldn't risk sending Raya to Heart if she was infected. Having lost her husband to a plague, Virana took illness very seriously. Raya knew her father would understand for the same reason.

Namaari had fallen ill first. When she heard, Raya was anxious to visit her, but Chief Virana had not allowed it. Even she wasn't allowed in her daughter's room; just standing in the doorway was pushing the doctors' patience. The doctors were frightened of the violent illness and would not allow their Chief to risk contracting it too.

Raya had been desperate to see Namaari, her fevered cries of fear and pain sending knives through her heart. So she had snuck back late that night, after the palace had gone to bed. After all, she was the Princess of Heart. She didn't answer to Virana. The two had become fond of each other and had a good rapport, but in this matter, Raya was willing to risk defying her. Besides, they had spent the whole scouting trip together; if Namaari had it, so did she.

She'd found her friend lying in bed, sweating and shaking from fever. Raya had almost received a bloody nose crawling up to join her. Namaari had been startled, likely in the midst of a waterweed hallucination, and had struck her. Luckily, it was a glancing blow, weakened by illness, and Raya's nose remained in one piece. Raya had quickly grabbed Namaari's hands to prevent another near miss, talking soothingly to her friend to calm her down. She'd settled down next to her, frightened by how hot her touch was. Her presence had calmed Namaari. Raya stayed there all night, drifting in and out of sleep with Namaari, waking when she did to whisper calming words as she fought invisible demons.

Virana had been furious when she found the two the next morning. Standing in the doorway, she'd scolded and fought Raya in the quietest argument Raya had ever had. But there was nothing she could do now that it had happened. A few days passed, and Namaari slept longer and required fewer doses of waterweed sap. Raya began staying in her own room again, anxious to make up with Virana. Then, just as Namaari was well enough to leave her room, Raya had woken up with a headache and sweats.

Now it was her turn.

___________________

Someone had lit Raya on fire. At least, that's what it felt like. She threw off the blanket once more, knowing that she'd inevitably pull it up again in a few minutes. She cried out in frustration, trying to figure out if she was too hot or too cold. She was shaking uncontrollably. Her whole body ached, every joint throbbing and pulsing with pain. Her dreams were disjointed and confusing. A strange sensation surrounded her spine and hips, one she could only describe as 'fuzzy.' And there were the shadows.

She didn't know how else to describe them. The creatures were pitch black and seemed to have no substance, but they had glowing red eyes, fangs that rivaled a serlot's, and twisted, oozing spines that protruded haphazardly from their bodies. They terrified Raya beyond anything she'd ever seen.

The creatures had stayed away earlier, lurking at the edges of her vision and hiding in the corners of her room. But then, Raya had been given another dose of waterweed, and the creatures had grown bold. They now circled her bed, occasionally snapping at her arms and legs and sending spikes of pain through her body. She couldn't understand how the doctors moved so freely among them. How could they not see them? Or were they the demons? Raya couldn't tell.

Suddenly, one larger demon crawled onto the bed next to her. Terrified, she swatted clumsily at it, but it quickly caught her wrist in its claws. Wait no, not claws. Hands, soft and warm. "Nice try, Raya, but right now, you couldn't hit a toot and boom if it was perched on your nose," she heard a familiar voice say. Namaari. Raya had no idea what she was doing here, but she was relieved to hear her voice.

"I thought you were one of them," Raya whimpered as her friend lay down behind her. "One of what, dep la?" Namaari asked as she gently slid her arm under Raya's head and wrapped the other around her side, pulling her close. "The shadows. They have sharp teeth and glowing eyes, and spines all over," Raya replied. "They're everywhere, how do you not see them?"

"Maybe I'm just not looking hard enough," Namaari conceded. "Or maybe you're looking too hard. You should close your eyes, then you wouldn't see them. I won't them get you," she promised, tucking Raya's sweat-dampened hair back out of her face.

Raya flinched and uttered a small cry as another shadow bit at her arm. She heard Namaari's soft voice in her ear. "Easy, dep la. Close your eyes. Deep breaths. Focus on what's real. Feel me."

Raya obeyed. She closed her eyes to the spiny creatures lurking along her bedside and focused on Namaari's presence. She breathed deeply of her friend's lavender perfume. She felt Namaari's solid warmth against her back, one arm under her head, the other wrapped tightly around her waist. She heard her breath whisper in her ear and felt it ruffle her hair.

Raya calmed. Soothed by Namaari's presence, her breathing slowed and her mind cleared. Namaari's warmth on her back comfortably balanced the cool air on her front. She drifted off, finally relaxed enough to succumb to sleep. Time passed, though Raya couldn't tell how much. She felt Namaari's presence leave a few times, and each time the terrible images came back. She would call desperately for her friend, and Namaari always returned quickly, snuggling back up behind her and holding her close. She stayed with her as Raya slept for longer periods of time, and the shadow demons faded. Then, suddenly, it was over.

Raya woke with a start. It was nighttime, and candles flickered gently on the walls. She sat up. Her head felt amazingly clear, and her body, though tired, was calm and cool. Raya felt Namaari stir next to her, and she turned to look at her. "Welcome back," Namaari said quietly. "That was awful," Raya whispered. Namaari shifted and reached out to rub Raya's back. "I know. I couldn't let you go through it alone, not knowing what it was like." Namaari said.

"I'm so sorry you had to fight that by yourself in the beginning," Raya told her. "I should have come to you sooner, but your mother wouldn't let me."

"Don't think too harshly of her, dep la. She was only trying to keep you safe," Namaari replied. "She's grown very fond of you."

Raya sighed. "I know. She was furious when I disobeyed her, though."

"Of course she was, she was frightened for both of us." Namaari said. "I'm sure she'll understand. We'll talk to her tomorrow. She'll be relieved to see you up, she's been very worried. As have I," she added quietly at the end.

Raya took Namaari's hand from her back and kissed it. "I was so scared for you when you were sick. I've never felt anyone's fever so high," she said softly. "I thought we were going to lose you. That I was going to lose you." Raya settled back down next to Namaari, and Namaari pulled the blanket over them both.

"Let's not dwell on it. It's over now, and we both need some sleep." Namaari said. She turned onto her side, resting her head on Raya's shoulder, and hugged her close. Lying on her back, Raya twined her legs through Namaari's. She rested one hand on Namaari's side and laid her other hand over Namaari's on her stomach. "Sleep well, dep la," she whispered. "We've earned it."

-------------

#raya and the last dragon #raya x namaari #disney raya #namaari #raya and namaari #raya of heart #namaari of fang #ratld namaari #rayamaari #lgbtqa #ratld fanfic #fanfic #ratld raya #disney ratld #ratldedit #raymaari #chief virana

[aplacetosharemyfics]

Are We Still Enemies : Chapter 6

There wasn’t anywhere in Fang where the princess couldn’t go. But there were areas where she was advised to stay away. Including the old weapons storage which was now full of food from the previous harvest for the long winters. Because at the back of the large warehouse was a small door with a large padlock. This was the entrance to the dungeons.

Namaari gripped the knife that hung at her hip, prepared to force her way down there. But a simple lie: “Chief Virana thought I could make her break,” worked just as well, though the guards followed her down the narrow corridor.

The lighting was dim, barely enough to see the ground at your feet. When the path split, Namaari had to step back and let the guards lead her. They walked in silence but there was still noise around them. It sounded like someone crying in the distance. Shivers went up Namaari’s spine as she wondered how many people her mother had hidden down here. She didn’t even want to consider the other secrets her mother might have hidden.

Raya’s belongings hung outside her jail cell, just out of reach from inside, like they were tempting her. Her bag had been emptied completely onto a table, the contents rifled through like Raya had hidden the last piece under a pile of jackfruit jerky.

Namaari had been taught about the ways of Heart, to learn how to overpower and control them. Out of curiosity, not because she wanted to know more about Raya or anything, she’d continue to study them, going further into the records. It was there she found an old notebook from before the five tribes had been formed. It described a desolate land, a desperate search for food and water. And included instructions on how to survive in such a world. Including the last possible option: jackfruit jerky.

Namaari had snuck the little book out of the records to continue to read - this was back when she was young enough to dream about running away and going on exciting adventures. She was quickly taught otherwise.

It was only when she first talked to Raya, at the banquet where everything went wrong, that she was reminded of the dream. Her mother had instructed her to do anything to gain Raya’s trust, and sharing a dream seemed a perfect approach. So she shared what she remembered from the little notebook, including the jackfruit jerky.

Finally, Namaari looked from the jackfruit jerky into the cell. She was sure what to expect, she’d never even known her mother had a dungeon let alone attended an interrogation. But this was so much worse.

Thick cuffs dangled from the ceiling on chains, cutting into the skin of her wrist where they held her. Crusted blood ran down her arms. Her posture was slumped forwards, not enough energy to keep her to her feet, and her head hung limply from her neck. Namaari looked into the cell with a blank face. Welts ran along Raya’s tanned skin, tearing through the cotton shirt, leaving a line of red blood welling to the surface. Namaari swallowed. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the whip.

One of the guards slammed their hand on the bars, jolting Raya awake with the sudden noise. She raised her head with, what looked like, a lot of effort. Namaari had seen her eyes often. Admittedly, she’d focused a little too much on the eyes, but they were … always so full of life. Raya’s eyes, now, were dead. They were dead as they slowly ran across the three faces. What had they done to her in those few hours?

Thankfully, when they landed on Namaari’s face, there was a glimmer of emotion. Unfortunately, that emotion was anger.

“You backstabbing binturi!”

She thrust herself forwards, straining at the chains, baring her teeth in a display of anger larger than Namaari had ever seen before. Because she’d never really seen Raya’s anger.

“You come to gloat?”

She was almost frothing at the mouth.

The guard slammed their hand on the bars again making Raya flinch back.

“How dare you use such language towards the Princess.”

The other guard had taken the whip off the wall, twisting the thick leather in their hands. Raya immediately quietened down, pressing against the wall, tucking her head into her shoulder to protect her face because that was the only thing she could do to prevent injury.

“That’s better.”

Namaari hated the way these guards were too used to threatening people. And she hated the way she couldn’t do anything about it.

“Now,” the guard said, crouching down to get within Raya’s line of sight. “You’re going to have a nice long chat with the Princess about where you put that last piece of the Dragon Gem.”

Raya’s eyes widened and raised her head to stare straight at Namaari. The guards could have taken it as fear, but Namaari recognised the shock and gratitude.

“Here,” the guard passed the whip to Namaari, laughing as Raya whimpered at the sight of it.

“Have fun.”

And they left.

Namaari quickly dropped the whip, kicking it away from the cell before searching through the various items on the wall. Because it was a standard cliche that they would leave the key on a hook on the wall. Indeed, beneath Raya’s cloak was a small hook on which hung a large key.

It wasn’t until Namaari had opened the door and removed the cuffs, letting Raya collapse into her arms, that Raya finally relaxed. She sunk into Namaari’s arms, laughing at the absurdity of it all.

“Thank you.”

#Are We Still Enemies #raya #ratld #raya and the last dragon #namaari #chief virana #virana #tw abuse #tw torture

[thedragonnerd]

Rayaari headcanon - let's keep Disney magic with The Lion King AU

(inspired by this lovely anon)

To the people of Heart, Benja is their King, an admired ruler who is fair to his citizens and listens to their troubles. To Raya though, he is simply her father Ba, and one of her best friends.

Her mother passed away when Raya was young, but she has an uncle who lives at the palace. Raya can't actually remember his real name - his nickname has been 'Druun' for as long as she can remember.

The role of being a ruler does not particularly appeal to Raya at her young age. She much prefers to spend her time having adventures around Heart, much to the annoyance of her bodyguards.

Namaari is the Princess of Fang, Heart's neighbouring land and close ally. Raya has known her since they were babies, with Benja and Virana often holding diplomatic meetings. While these discussions are going on, Raya finds ways to drag Namaari into whatever important adventures she may find.

After one particularly chaotic visit to Fang, where Raya and Namaari had tried to climb out of the window in Namaari's room and ended up being caught on the roof instead, Benja wakes Raya early. He is determined to instill a sense of responsibility in her, and so he leads her up the great mountain in the darkness of the early morning. They arrive at the temple just as dawn is breaking, and together they watch the sun rise slowly across their lands.

'Over there is Fang,' he points to his right, and Raya peers into the distance. 'Everywhere the light touches is our land, Raya...our people of Heart. One day, the sun will set on my time here as leader, and rise with you as Queen instead. And you must be ready for it.'

Raya sweeps her gaze across the land of Heart, before it finally alights on a dark and shadowy speck on the horizon. 'What about that shadowy place?' she asks, intrigued. Benja grasps her shoulder tightly. 'That's beyond our borders, Raya, and into Spine territory. You must never go there.' The adventurous side of Raya can't help but be intrigued.

On her way back to the palace, Raya runs into her uncle, and can't help but mention this to him - interested to know if he'll share more information with her. 'Ah yes, the forests of Spine,' Druun mentions with a sneer. 'But your father is absolutely right! You must never go there, Raya. It's a beautiful land, covered with snow for much of the year, but only the most hardened of warriors can go there. It's far too dangerous for a little girl like you.'

Raya is both annoyed by the implication that she cannot face down a Spine warrior, and fascinated by the idea of the land's magical forests, which Heart children know only from stories.

Namaari and her mother are visiting Heart the following day, and Raya doesn't hesitate to grab her friend by the hand and drag her away from the adults. 'I have a really cool place to show you,' she whispers to Namaari.

They manage to evade their royal guards, and steal away after the midday meal, riding Namaari's serlot out to the borderland. When they slip across the boundary into a land of cold snow, tall trees, and a buzzing sense of magic in the air, Raya is entranced. She's so busy exploring her new surroundings that she doesn't notice the danger from three Spine warriors until Namaari tugs on her sleeve, an urgent 'Raya' hissed in her ear.

The Spine warriors are delighted to discover the children of their enemies standing right within their territory, and they attack before Raya and Namaari even have a chance to run. The two girls try to fight them off, but they don't have the skill to face down an entire group of adult warriors.

Suddenly, Benja and Virana arrive, alerted by an eagle-eyed scout, and fight back the Spine men with ease, dragging their daughters away. Once they are safely back in Heart territory, Benja turns his disappointment on Raya.

Virana takes Naamari back to Fang that very day, also angry at her own daughter. Raya feels terrible when she realizes Namaari could have gotten hurt or worse during their adventure, and can barely wave goodbye. Years later, she wishes she had hugged Namaari instead, not realizing it would be the last time she'd see her for a very long time.

A week later, Raya happens to cross paths with Druun, when he reaches out to stop her, sharp fingers digging into her shoulder. 'Your father's looking for you,' he says shortly. 'Something about wanting to train you to fight properly, after that Spine fiasco.' Raya is slightly hurt by the idea that she is a poor fighter, but she goes down to the empty training grounds to wait for her Ba.

Instead of Ba, she is set upon by an even larger group of Spine warriors, who have clearly entered Heart with deadly intent. She sprints back towards the palace, hearing their heavy breaths close behind her as she flees.

Benja flies past her in the other direction, sword already raised to meet them in combat. 'Raya, run!' he yells, and the fear in his voice makes her listen.

She turns back when she thinks she is at a safer distance, just in time to see Ba be kicked to the ground. One of the Spine warriors brings his blade swinging down, and she screams at the sight.

The invaders leave as soon as the deed is done, Benja lying prone on the ground. Raya stumbles over to him as fast as she can, ignoring the retreating backs of Spine for a moment. 'Ba?' she whispers, kneeling in the bloodied dirt beside him and grasping one of his hands. 'Ba? Please wake up.'

'Raya, what have you done?' Drunn says, appearing from behind her. 'Your little excursion into Spine must have brought them here for revenge. What will your people think...What will Fang think? You've just caused your father to be killed, and started a war.'

'I didn't mean to,' Raya sobs, dropping her forehead to rest on Benja's chest, with her fingers clenching at his clothes. 'What do I do?'

'Run,' Druun says. 'And never return.' Raya runs, still covered in her father's blood.

She can't bring herself to go to Fang; instead, she flees through Spine, narrowly avoiding their hunting parties, and then through Talon. It's only when she arrives in Tail, the farthest land she can be from Heart, that she can breathe properly. The heartbreak threatens to overwhelm her.

She's found in the midst of the Tail desert by Sisu, a loud but kind-hearted individual who immediately introduces Raya to the rest of her family, an eclectic group of outcasts in their own rights.

Years pass, and Raya makes herself a new home in Tail, alongside Sisu and the rest of her family. It's a simple life, and she does everything possible to forget her past, choosing to live always in the present instead.

During rare times where she does allow herself to reminisce, she can't help but miss Namaari fiercely as well as her Ba. She knows she will never see her friend again, but wishes they could have talked at least once more in life.

One day, Raya is out on a hunting trip, stalking her prey for a long time to find the perfect shot, when an arrow shoots out from behind her. Spinning around, she sees a beautiful young woman, carrying a crossbow.

'That was my dinner,' Raya says in annoyance, but the other woman just snorts. 'No way, binturi...this is all mine.'

The voice is so familiar, so Raya squints at her opponent for a second, before recognition suddenly springs to mind. '...'Maari?' she whispers, and she can see the moment Namaari recognizes her in return. She rushes to Namaari, who picks her up and spins her around before settling into an embrace, both of them talking excitedly over each other. 'I thought you were dead,' Namaari says, arms tight around Raya's waist.

Later, when they have calmed down, Namaari tells her she is on a mission to find food...and help. Heart is apparently in disarray, with Druun allowing Spine to bring in their own forces and use up many of the natural resources. Fang has held out against their desire for further expansion for now, but war between Heart/Spine and Fang is imminent.

'I will not let our people kill each other for the whims of a mad king,' Namaari tells her passionately. 'They are starving and desperate, and we need to find a way to remove Spine's influence from Heart. But Raya, this is perfect. You can return and challenge your uncle...Take your place as rightful leader of Heart.'

Raya feels sick to her stomach at the idea of returning to Heart, wanting more than anything to avoid facing her past and the blame that lies at her feet. But Namaari is a shining beacon in front of her, burning with a righteous passion about saving everyone. Raya never could say no to Namaari.

Raya and Namaari return together, riding side by side into the desolate wasteland that has befallen Heart, with Sisu and her siblings following not far behind. It hurts to be back home, especially seeing it in this state, and as Raya marches up the stairs to the palace, she draws strength from her anger.

'Raya, what a surprise to see you...alive,' Druun says, when she bursts into the throne room. His eyes glance towards the Spine warriors at his side.

'Uncle, stop whatever madness that has you waging wars against our allies, whilst our enemies now take from our lands as they choose,' Raya says, trying to appear strong, but Druun merely gestures his hand in order to amass his Spine fighters around him.

'I should have killed you and Benja with my own hands, rather leaving it to these imbeciles to do it for me,' Druun snaps, and then he is upon her with his sword. Raya fights back with everything she has, white-hot rage fueling her as she realizes what he means by those words.

But Druun is a seasoned warrior, with strong backup, and soon Raya finds herself surrounded.

'FOR HEART!' a yell sounds, and then Heart soldiers are streaming into the palace, accompanied by hundreds of Fang warriors, led by Namaari.

Spine soldiers are pushed back towards their own borders, although Raya pays little attention when she has Druun at the end of her blade. 'I should execute you for what you did to my father,' she snarls, but relaxes when she feels Namaari gently touch her shoulder. She watches instead as he is dragged away to prison, to await proper justice.

Heart is almost in ruins, her people hungry, desperate and lost, but Raya feels as if she can breathe again properly for the first time in years, just by being back.

There is a warmth by her side, and then Namaari is there, smiling down at her. 'Welcome home, dep la,' she says, and Raya reaches out to hold her hand.

#rayaari #raya and the last dragon #ratld #raya and namaari #raya #namaari #raya x namaari #namaari might not be from Heart #but they are her allies #so she will be damned if Fang and Heart start to kill each other #Lion King AU #back to the headcanoooons

[textuallee]

How Does a Kitten Become a Tiger?

Let’s talk about how Namaari grows up.

“Young Namaari is a kitten who acts like a tiger.” — Ami Thomson, Art Director of Characters (from The Art of Raya and the Last Dragon)

“[Tigers] ambush their prey as most other cats do, overpowering them from any angle, using their body size and strength to knock the prey off balance.” (from Wikipedia)

As it turns out, Namaari didn’t have the body size and strength yet to overpower Raya, so she had to call for help. But she did succeed in infiltrating the temple and gaining access to the gem.

Who else in the movie do we see doing this? Raya, when she passed the test to become a Guardian of the Dragon Gem. (They even make the same remark—“the spirit of Sisu”—when they’ve won access to the gem and pay respects to it.)

Remember how Raya told “Chief Benja” that he won’t stop her, with the cockiness of a child posing as an adult.

Also remember how proud Benja was that Raya passed the test, even by one toe. And compare it to how Virana later looks at the gem piece on her staff and smiles before praising Namaari for growing into the leader she was raised to be.

What the movie’s telling us is that the betrayal in Heart’s temple functions as a rite of passage for Namaari, much like Raya’s introductory scene was a rite of passage that took place there. That’s why the test for becoming a guardian of the gem requires the test taker to infiltrate the temple, rather than guard it.

Knowing this, we can better appreciate what giving up the Sisu necklace means to Namaari. And why she leaves the dragon scroll behind when Raya pulls her away from the party to show her the gem.

They represent what Princess Namaari of Fang must let go in order to grow up —her love of dragons, her belief in a better world, and her wish to be friends with Raya.

That’s why the golden necklace doesn’t match Namaari’s silver and white outfit, with its stark, geometric designs that characterize Fang.

“I aimed to add some kind of insignia on her clothes that symbolize the Fang lands. If you look closely, you might see the same insignia pop up elsewhere!”—Ami Thompson, Art Director of Characters (from The Art of Raya and the Last Dragon)

After parting with childish things and completing her rite of passage, we next meet Namaari as a young adult—a full-grown tiger who laughs at the idea of really looking for Sisu as something only twelve-year-olds would do.

But beneath the laughter lies a deep grief that Namaari can’t let herself express. We see this later when she passes a field of dragons turned to stone on her way back to Fang.

James Newton Howard’s haunting score for this scene is called “Dragon Graveyard”. When Namaari raises her hands here, she’s not just honoring the dragons who fought the Druun and fell. She’s mourning what is lost and cannot be recovered. A world with dragons where things would be so much better. A different world where Raya and she could have been friends.

Of course, what Namaari hasn’t realized yet is that she’s already met the dragon who will revive her childhood dreams.

#raya and the last dragon #ratld #disney raya #visual storytelling #james newton howard #raya #namaari #raya and namaari #virana #chief virana #namaari of fang #is a sad tiger but #sisu #'s got her and so has raya so it's gonna be okay

[shy-peacock]

Namaari being surprisingly affectionate after the Druun and Raya is just like “oh this is really nice but why haven’t you left my side in three days” I think it’d be cute

Very short

Much fluff

Rated T??? I guess??? for kisses??? (Have I done this before?? maybe! but here's a no proof-read fluff)

"Is this okay?"

"You sure...you don't want me to leave?"

"I don't want to make you uncomfortable.."

"Namaari!" Raya yells, laughing, making a mental note the moment her voice hits the air and Namaari flinches. Naturally drawing back only for Raya to tug her back and put those hesitant hands of hers back around her body, back into the hug they were sharing, in the bed they had been laying in for over an hour now.

"I already told you, I want you here." she said, softer now, heart blooming when she saw that insecure look of Namaari's turn to joy. A quiet joy, but joy nonetheless, her movements slow and steady as she comes closer to Raya now and allows herself to rest easily against her body. Hugging her softly, cuddling close enough that she can feel her heart beating inside her chest and her breathing come out easy.

Months ago, Raya would have never expected this to happen. Here in bed, with her so-called enemy, cuddling close while they took a break like the new lovers that they were.

I mean-...lovers might be a bit extreme.

Dating?

Girlfriends?

Happy???

Well-...whatever it was, Raya certainly wouldn't have expected this to come out the way it had a few months back when the Druuns were officially defeated and sent back to whatever hell they came from. Raya and Namaari had talked out all the negatives of their past, forgiven and had become friends even with a promise to continue their newfound bond not only for the good of Kumandra but for one another. The two remembering the swiftness of their friendship as children, the realness of it that surpassed the awful events that came to be at the end of that day. Acknowledging the mistakes that were made as children, choosing to be better as adults.

After that, Namaari rarely left Raya's side. Putting her words into actions, making good on her promise to right the wrongs of the past. An affectionate side of her rising as the weeks passed, showing Raya a side of her that she had never seen before. Even Raya herself had behaved in a way that she never knew she could before. Mimicking-..no- displaying just as much affection as Namaari did her. The feelings just bursting forth, unable to contain it now that it was out.

At least Raya couldn't help it, being the more forward of the two.

Namaari still struggled at times, especially when they were close like this. Her head dipping, resting in the crook of Raya's neck as she held her close. Breathing her in, enjoying the silence until-

"Can I-.." Namaari began, breaking the silence only to fill it once again with nothing.

"Can...you?" Raya asked, amused.

"Can..I kiss you.."

Well-...so much for Raya being the forward one. The Princess of Heart feeling her face burn hot at the question, worsening when Namaari lifted to look into her eyes. Feeling embarrassed. Not by the idea of kissing Namaari-..but by the fact she...

"Why did you ask!?" Raya blurted out, covering her face then, knowing her face was as red as a tomato. Hiding her smile,

"Ah-...I-..uh..." Namaari fumbled, pressing her lips together tightly while her face mimicked Raya's in both color and awkward amusement, "I was worried you'd be upset with me.."

Raya brought her hands down, giving Namaari quite a look. Wanting to playfully scold her and tell her that of COURSE she could kiss her and she wouldn't be upset. Thrilled maybe? But never upset! However, she chose to sit up, taking her hand then to tuck Namaari's hair back behind her ear, and press a soft kiss onto her lips.

It was light.

It was playful.

Yet Raya couldn't deny the electric spark that shot through them both at the action. For no sooner had she shifted back, Namaari moved forward and returned her kiss back to her. Startling them both it seemed, that Namaari had done so, both hesitating before diving back in. Again...and again...and again, until Raya's heart felt like it was going to leap right out of her chest. Namaari drawing back, watching Raya as she took a steady breath in and out. Mind spinning, her body warming like she had never felt before.

Namaari tucked her lower lip, biting it as she looked at Raya, trying to gauge her reaction.

"Was that okay?"

Raya nodded, this time her voice being the one sounding so small. Excitement reducing her voice to this mere whisper. Her question, bringing a smile to both their lips.

"Can you do it again?"

#ratld #raya and the last dragon #ratld canon verse #rayamaari #rayaari #raymaari #raya x namaari #namaari x raya #princess namaari #princess raya

[neworleansspecial]

There is pain after the fact.

Raya can’t talk to her father about it, because he was frozen much longer than her, and all her friends lived through much of the same that she did. None of them have nightmares, or flashbacks, or this inability to carry on without feeling like the world is going to end at any given opportunity.

She stays in the river most of the day, where she knows she’s safe from the Druuns. They’re gone now, everyone says, and the dragons are here to protect them. Sisu wouldn’t let anything happen to them, least of all Raya, but she still lives in fear. She remembers too heavily the face of her Ba in stone. The faces of so many. She didn’t get the chance to process any of it at the time, but now it seems to overcome her. She isn’t grieving, she doesn’t think, but she is suffering. Something in her has broken, something she cannot fix. 

Namaari comes and sits beside her, feet dangling in the river instead of placing her entire body in its swift current, and does not speak. At least, she does not right away. Instead they remain still in their silence until finally, Namaari places a hand on Raya’s shoulder and she flinches.

“The war is over,” Namaari says. “It’s all over. No more Druuns, no more five nations. We are safe now. We are at peace.”

“I don’t feel peaceful.”

Slowly, Namaari lowers herself into the river beside Raya. “Don’t worry. I don’t either.”

In the shallows, they both sit with their knees drawn to their chests and their eyes on the dragons frolicking about the river. There are always some near what used to be Heart. Sisu is playing with her siblings today, as well as some others, none paying any mind to the two small humans lingering at the bank of the river. 

“Sometimes I feel so heavy it’s as if I’m still made of stone.”

“I sometimes feel as if I might be floating away,” Namaari counters. “But you anchor me. Let me lift you in return.”

She takes Raya’s hand and holds it tight. Raya leans her head against Namaari’s shoulder and wonders if she can share this burden with someone who will help her carry it. If anyone will do such a thing, it is Namaari. 

#raya and the last dragon #raya of heart #namaari of fang #rayaari #raya and namaari #raya #namaari #emwrite

[toastywarmhappyhats]

I’m just gonna keep expanding on this concept until someone physically stops me, and by physically I mean you will have to put me six feet underground, but here goes another addition to my slightly feral/chaotic Raya head cannon. 

So Namaari and Raya are on a mission together after the events of the movie, and they’re trying to break up a small group of criminals that have been terrorizing Fang for the past few months. The enemies are a group of anti-fang terrorists who blame the tribe for the return of the Druun and have been stealing from Fang’s already limited food supply, vandalizing their buildings, and attacking civilians. 

They finally have a location for their base. The difficult part: They’re stationed inside a cavern up a mountain, meaning one entryway and highground advantage should they see them climbing the only pathway into the cave. With the sentry the criminals have posted in front watching the steep incline, it’s impossible for them not to notice. 

Namaari and the other Fang generals are trying to work out how they’re going to get in and Raya is just thinking strangely quietly, until she just smiles and says “I’ll get them out.” Everyone else gets chills at the sharklike grin on her face and the predatory glint in her eyes. Namaari at this point trusts in her skills, so when she says she can do it, the Fang princess just nods. 

The fact that she agreed doesn’t change the fact that her heart crawls into her throat when Raya starts to scale the side of the mountain with nothing but her sword. The other Fang soldiers are nowhere near as used to Raya’s crazy as she is, and simply watch in astonishment as she climbs nearly 200ft in a matter of minutes. 

When she gets to the top, she manages to get behind the posted guard, and the only warning they have about what she’s about to do is when she yells, “Catch!” and then proceeds to punt the guy.... down... the mountainside. Namaari scrambles to get on her Serlot and manages to get him safely on the ground before the rest of the soldiers have him pinned. He’s not even putting up a fight though, just sobbing in fear. 

When Raya lights a smokebomb and throws it into the cave, and then follows it immediately with a string of firecrackers, Namaari figures out what her plan is. She screams for the rest of the Fang soldiers to get ready and as soon as the words are out of her mouth, the criminals they have been hunting come running out of the cave. 

And Raya just... she just keeps kicking them down. Body after body falls from this mountain and the Fang soldiers are all just scrambling to catch them before they hit the ground. Namaari thinks she might be imagining it, but she thinks Raya’s laughing too. 

When they’re all captured, (thankfully no casualties) and Raya climbs back down, Namaari stops her. 

“What if I had missed?” 

Raya just grins, “I knew you wouldn’t.” 

#raya x namaari #raya and the last dragon #raya #raya and namaari #ratld #rayaari #namaya #rayamaari #Namaari #raya/namaari #Namaari is a little terrified #It's ok though #they'll just have to have another conversation about acceptable risks #the fang soldiers are qu a ki ng #Raya doesn't see the problem #high risk high reward baby #what would have taken hours took half that time #which gives her more time to cuddle with her girlfriend #chaotic raya #feral raya #Namaari loves her feral wife #she's still a little scared though #still #that's coming from the girl who was willing to burn Spine to the ground to flush Raya out #so there's really not a lot of room to judge #what are you gonna do #gays will be gays

[blingismything]

This originally was longer but the second half is just pure sin so I split it into two. If people like this, I might post the second half???

Slip of the Tongue

Raya wouldn’t say she was going soft on Namaari whenever they sparred, but every hit packed less of a punch than the week before. Bruises get fainter and her knuckles are no longer sore the next day from repeated blows.

Their weapons often neglected in favour of hand-to-hand combat despite them both preferring the former option. If you ask Raya, she’ll tell you it is because they need to improve their skills in hand-to-hand in case they lose their weapons in an actual fight.

But when she’s alone in her room, she’ll stand on her balcony and think about how she could feel Namaari’s breath on her neck as she blocks a punch or how her eyes so naturally fall to the Fang Princess’ lips when she’s panting from exhaustion.

She’s addicted to the feeling of being so close to Namaari she can see the beads of sweat trickle down her neck antagonisingly slow until it dissipates below her shirt, making Raya ache to be able to follow it all the way.

She won’t say the words that bounce around her heart, not even to herself. Raya knows she needs to get a grip and pull herself together, they’ve worked so hard on becoming friends. She cannot ruin it now by wanting more. Besides, If Namaari has noticed her lingering stares and hesistant blows, she hasn’t said anything. She can totally be close to Namaari without wanting to leave bite marks instead of bruises (that’s what she tells herself anyway)

 

“Focus dep la, it’s no fun beating you if you aren’t trying.”

 

Namaari’s almost impatient tone fills the training room as Raya shakes herself out of her head.

They circle each other like prey, neither one landing more than a few punches and kicks. Namaari grabs Raya’s leg mid-kick and throws her a few steps backwards, Raya crashing her fist into Namaari’s jaw on the way, bringing them both down to the floor. Namaari almost pauses when she realises she’s on top of Raya, their bodies completely flush with only her arms lifting her head up. Raya can feel her heartbeat banging against her chest, entirely sure Namaari can feel it too. Her entire skin burns at the close contact until she cannot take being so close anymore, rolling to the side pushing Namaari off as they both climb to their feet.

“Can’t pin me down that easily, Princess Undercut”

Raya has to focus, she can’t let herself get that close again. Her will power to not kiss the Fang Warrior almost faltered, she cannot ruin it now. They throw punches once more but Raya is beginning to pant, too focused on blocking any attack to give out her own. Unfortunately, Namaari notices. Conscious that they have less than an hour before they’re expected elsewhere, she works out a plan unable to help the smug grin forming. She aims a punch at Raya’s hip, preparing to launch as she watches the smaller girl bend her body down to block the lower punch. She walked right into the trap.

Before the Heart Princess even had time to realise what she’d done, Namaari moves her hand upwards and grabs Raya’s neck, putting pressure slightly on either side with her fingers . She forces Raya’s head up to face her, shock evident in her eyes as she looks up at Namaari.

 

“Looks like I win, Dep la”

 

Namaari says in a whisper, her breath brushing against Raya’s ear as she pushes her into the wall less than a foot behind them and pins her there by the hips with her own. She’s too busy waiting for the Heart Princess to make a snarky comment or attempt an escape, she doesn’t notice the way Raya’s eyes flutter shut or how her head tilts ever so slightly back. The snarky comment never came. In fact, what she did instead took Namaari completely by surprise…

 

Raya moaned.

 

Namaari dropped her hand in shock, moving back to look at the girl in front of her. Raya’s lips were parted slightly and her lower lip was between her teeth. Had she heard what she thought she had? Her thoughts answered however as less than a second later Raya’s brain seemingly caught up with what happened as her eyes snapped open and her hand slapped against her mouth. Their eyes were locked together, mirroring each others shock. Raya had moaned. Because of her.

Namaari couldn’t use her voice. She wanted so desperately to say something, anything, hell even ask her to do it again but when she finally managed to open her mouth, Raya beat her to it.

 

“I am so sorry Namaari I - fuck”

 

Before Namaari could respond, the girl had already ran out the room, leaving her frozen in place, wondering what just happened, and why she so desperately wanted to hear it again.

#namaari of fang #ramaari #ratld fanart #ratld namaari #ratld raya #raya and namaari #raya namaari #raya of heart #rayaari fanart #raymaari #raya x namaari #namaari x raya #rayaari #disney raya and the last dragon #raya and the last dragon #sisu #tong #noi #ongis #boun #sin

[smxmuffinpeddling]

The first time Benja officially met the infamous Princess Namaari (infamous through his daughter’s repeated grumblings about said princess of Fang), she placed a blade in front of him with her head bowed. Her face is somber and her strong shoulders weighed down by an invisible force.

Chief Benja had sensed this sort of presence before from old warriors or generals that have overseen countless battles. More recently he has caught this presence on his daughter in moments where she thinks he isn’t observing the woman she has become. It made him sad to see these haunting expressions on people so young. The princess of Fang appeared to be burdening herself with more ghosts than most.

“And what would you have me do with this, Princess Namaari,” Benja asked in his most patient tone as he eyed the blade placed on the ground before him. He had a sneaking suspicion based on rumors and Raya’s own stilted recaps of what transpired before and after he was turned to stone. There was a lot to process, but Benja could only make judgments based on what he could see before him.

“As the Chief of Heart, you have the power to punish war criminals,” Namaari responded, eyes still on the ground. Chief Benja sighed from deep within his bones and set aside the tea he brought to share when the princess requested a private meeting with him. She continued, “The talks of peace would go much smoother if the people of Heart received justice for the wrongdoings committed against them by Fang. It would mean the most coming from you.”

“And you think the best way to do this is to offer yourself up for persecution?”

“Healing can't begin if the other tribes feel Fang hasn't paid the price," Namaari reasoned, almost casually. As if she wasn’t offering her young life to him on a platter. "If it helps the people of Fang… of Kumandra,” Namaari corrected herself, resigned to the fate she envisioned for herself. “Then yes.”

“Does Raya know you are here?” Benja inquired out of curiosity. Namaari’s gaze snapped to his for the first time. They held gazes for a moment, guilt creeping up in Namaari’s expression as she looked away.

“No, she doesn’t.”

Chief Benja hummed to himself, stroking his beard in thought. "What you say is not without merit." He busied his hands by setting out the cups for tea. It would be a waste to let it grow cold after all. "I admit, I have been approached by some of my people regarding this very topic.”

Namaari nodded, unsurprised. “Would you prefer to do it publicly then?” Her shoulders seemed to slump even more at the thought.

Benja couldn’t help chuckling morbidly as he poured tea into two cups. “Now you’re just laying it on thick.”

Her brows knit together and her mouth twisted, ignoring the cup he offered her. “I’m serious about this, Chief Benja.”

He responded with a look conveying that he was taking her gravely seriously. “Drink. I made it myself.”

The princess seemed to notice the offering for the first time and accepted it hesitantly. He politely took a sip first and she followed. He allowed his Fang guest to breathe for a moment. “What do you think?”

“I think I should pay for the hurt I’ve caused,” Namaari was quick to answer.

“About the tea, Princess Namaari,” he corrected with a hint of a smile on his lips.

“Oh.” If the princess deflated anymore in front of him, she’ll blow off on the breeze before their meeting concluded. “It’s excellent.”

The smile on his face grew warmer. “Glad to hear it.” They continued to sip until he poured them a second cup.

“Raya told me that you came together to save Kumandra.”

“I did not make it easy for her,” Namaari said, the tea turning bitter on her tongue.

"You were only a child."

"Not the second time," Namaari confessed with a pained expression. The tightness of her knuckles threatened to shatter the cup in her grasp.

He reached for the sword and she straightened at the gesture. The sword matched the one on her other hip. Beautifully balanced, and a lot lighter than what he was accustomed to, he held it respectfully in both of his palms.

“To hate and blame is the easy path. The hardest thing is change and forgiveness.” Namaari’s eyes widened in surprise when he handed the sword back to her. She took it instinctively, a frown pulling the corners of her mouth down.

“Princess Namaari, the punishment you seek will not be carried out by me.”

“I don’t understand,” Namaari protested.

“You know what I see when I look at you?” Benja’s gentle expression crinkled his eyes. The look on her face made it clear she expected insults and then some. “Someone who understands better than most the consequences of their actions. Of how important it is to our people that we come together or we’d fall apart. When I look at you I see hope.”

“Hope?” Namaari tilted her head as if the concept eluded her.

“Hope that the future of Kumandra will be safe in the hands of someone who changed, and grew. Kumandra was a dream of mine, one I realized might have been a naive one that night,” he admitted. “The real work comes now, and we need examples like you to inspire hope in others and lead.”

Namaari opened her mouth to say something but she merely looked down into her reflection on the sword instead, eyes growing wetter. He could see her cheek jump from her gritting teeth and he reached out to lightly grasp her shoulder.

“That is what dragons do,” he made sure to look into her eyes reassuringly. “They inspire light in humans to be better, and in turn, that light spreads to others. I will not extinguish the light growing in you, Princess.”

At that moment, the Fang warrior simply looked like a little girl again, barely holding in her overwhelming emotions. “But how will I atone for my mistakes?” Namaari whispered, lost.

Benja squeezed her burdened shoulder before leaning back, finding his tea grew cold. “My daughter has already passed judgment on you, and I trust her.” His pleasant smile turned into a sly grin. “And something tells me she would not be too happy if she found out you came to me for your punishment.”

At that, Princess Namaari finally made a sound of amusement and her gaze grew a little warmer at the thought. “I suspect not.” The sword was fastened back to her hip and her shoulders did not look as heavy as they did when she approached him. Hands forming a circle, she bowed towards the Chief of Heart and muttered a shy thanks.

The second time Chief Benja met Princess Namaari, her hand rested on her blade’s hilt as they stared each other down.

“I think you have some explaining to do, Princess Namaari.” His grin was sharp, particularly enjoying this. She did not look as amused as he did.

“I’m sorry, Chief Benja,” Namaari’s grip grew white-knuckled but her resolve flashed in her eyes. “But... I’m in love with your daughter,” she said it like it was her greatest sin to date. A sin she looked ready to die for.

Earlier that day as Benja was taking a stroll through Heart’s gardens in a rare moment to himself, he stumbled across quite the sight. He spotted his daughter in an intimate embrace with the princess of Fang. He was surprised but managed to not make a noise, slowly backing up to allow them privacy. However, before he could slip away, he locked eyes with Namaari over Raya’s shoulder. He might’ve laughed at the size her eyes grew in panic, but he was already gone. He felt glad that his daughter was letting others into her heart, even as he tried to push the image from his mind.

The princess evidently did not forget, charging up towards his sanctum with determined steps.

“I know you’ll want my head for daring to overstep my welcome in your home. But I’m serious about her and I don’t care if you doubt my intentions. I won’t ever back down again when it comes to her!” she declared fiercely.

Benja finally broke character when a laugh escaped him and he gave into it. Namaari was visibly confused that Raya’s father wasn’t trying to strangle her right now as he doubled over laughing. It took a few seconds for him to calm down, facing the young woman while wiping a tear from his eye.

“Have you told Raya that you love her?” he asked with genuine curiosity. Namaari’s demeanor quickly changed, from ready for a fight, to flushed and stammering.

“I- no. Not yet.”

A few stray chuckles were still escaping him as he moved towards his weapons chest. “You should. And all that other stuff you just said.”

“You’re… not angry with me?” the other woman sounded surprised. He perused through his collection in an unhurried fashion.

“I’ve told you before that I trust my daughter’s judgment.” He selected one of his new swords made for him after his daughter inherited his last one. “Though there was always one thing that bothered me.”

Namaari brought her guard up again at those words, taking a fighting stance once Benja made a few test swings with his new sword. “What would that be?”

“Raya once told me you were the most skilled fighter she’s ever faced.” His shoulders popped as he rolled them, loosening his muscles. “It’s been a while since I’ve had a proper challenge besides my daughter, and I’d like to remind her who the fiercest warrior in her life is,” he said with a confident grin.

Namaari visibly gulped but she squared up, drawing her dual-wielded swords to face him. And he felt proud of the fire he saw in her, glad that his daughter chose someone who was not only willing to die for her but to live for her.

The next time Chief Benja and Princess Namaari met in secret, thankfully there were no blades involved. They were sipping tea together in companionable silence, though the Heart Chief could tell the woman was nervous about something.

It wasn’t often she was nervous anymore. Over the years she’s grown to be a capable and charismatic leader, accepting the love that was given to her and giving love in return. Intricate Visayan tattoos spread over her arms and shoulders highlighting the assured way she carried her burdens. Her hair, once asymmetrical, was evenly shorn on both sides of her head, with the hair on top braided down the center. (Raya had told him in her smuggest tone that Namaari mimicked women she admired, even while Raya stared at her beloved from across the room with her dopiest grin. They were so in love Benja had to laugh at their expense.)

“Jade for your thoughts,” he nudged before she lost herself in her thoughts.

She put her cup down and cleared her throat. “Chief Benja,” she started before he waved at her formalness.

“That's Benja to you,” he reminded her not for the first time.

“Chief Benja,” she stubbornly asserted with a smirk. He smirked back. “You’ve always been kind to me. More than I deserved at times, and I have nothing but respect for you.” She took a deep breath, maintaining eye contact with him. “It would be the greatest honor of my life if you extended another kindness and allowed me your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Benja regarded her, feeling misty-eyed and bursting with sentiments. His little girls have grown up so fast.

Namaari continued, growing nervous at his silence once more. “In return, I can offer fifty serlot kittens, copies of Fang’s most sacred dragon scrolls, and as much gold and metal every cart in Fang can hold, as well as-” Benja cut her off with a deep laugh and a hand on her shoulder.

“Does Raya know you’re here?” he inquired with a raised brow. This time, she matched his smile.

“She does, actually,” Namaari tilted her head knowingly towards the door, where they promptly heard a muted curse and feet hurriedly walking away at being caught. They shared a chuckle at Raya’s antics.

“Namaari,” Benja’s voice dripped with pride. “There is no one else in Kumandra I trust more with my daughter’s heart.” Namaari’s eyes widened at his words. Even after all these years of fighting for approval, she was still surprised when it was imparted to her. “You have my blessing.” He raised his glass in a toast to them. “I’m only surprised it took you so long to ask!”

Namaari was as relieved and light as he’s ever seen her, glowing from the inside out. “For a long time, I didn’t feel worthy of her. I still don’t sometimes, but…” She placed a hand over her heart. “She still wants me, and I think that’s finally enough.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Benja approved warmly. He rubbed his beard suddenly as a thought occurred to him. “Oh, because I suspect you’ve been dying to hear me say this,” Benja’s expression went from overjoyed to deadly serious in the span of a breath. “If you hurt my daughter I’ll kill you.”

Namaari was surprised for a moment before she smiled gratefully. “Thank you. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” They clinked their cups together in agreement.

#i actually did some writing today #raya and the last dragon #ratld #rayaari #namaari #i forget what my writing tag is lol #fic rec

[muttween]

Namaari headcanons pt.1

Since i'm taking a break from ao3 and i had this draft quite in my head lately, I've decided to use some of my spare time to write some hcs that i will definitely explore in the future during my college break:

There is this one peculiar orphanage/daycare in all of kumandra (built around a few months after the events of the movie), the only one that accepts and looks after children with mixed origins (half-spine,half-fang, etc..) as well as the mentally/physically disabled little ones. Sadly but as expected, they are often the target of supremacists groups and bigoted people who not only seek to chase the “dirty offspring” but to exterminate every single one of them for the sake of ”keeping the nations purified”. Namaari, being the ‘friend of all children’ we know she is, takes it as her duty to defend those kids as well as scare those binturis away, helping the settlement with the jade from her own pockets, providing toys, games, medication and other resources. She makes sure all kids have returned to their homes safe and sound. Just imagine this big softie running and playing with the little ones. (Tong goes with Namaari as well, they always try to win him with the tug of war).

I hold it in my heart that Namaari is secretly an aunt with at least one surviving big brother/sister and an adorable nephew.

Namaari’s father, the fallen chief of Fang, unfortunately passed away when Namaari was only 8 due to the pestilence that plagued Fang, wiping down one third of it’s population, including a big part of Namaari’s family members, relatives and other loved ones.

Noi and her ongis share a very sweet and strong friendship with Namaari, so strong Noi obeys and listens to either Tong or Namaari only, both are often seen playing catch with Noi easily fooling Namaari. Often times, she’s seen bouncing between Namaari’s head and Tong’s shoulders

Sisu takes Namaari to the hot springs of Heart as one of their favorite things to do together, as well as skydiving along with her brothers and sisters, which absolute makes Namaari’s day a lot better.

Namaari has a small room just around the corner of her own bedroom that is full of her most precious belongings, from the fang children’s drawings to the tapestries full of dragons and scrolls full of dragon myths and fables.

Tong has carved wooden figurines of his friends, though Namaari has at least 5 or 6 of her. Why so many you ask? Tong never gets her undercut right, he always forget that her undercut is on the right side, not on the left.

Let’s all agree that Namaari is the type of woman who looks like she spends most of her time in the Fang library and the training grounds.

Initial distrust now gone, Tong and Namaari are partners-in-arms, drinking-buddies (not really, Tong chugs lots of rice wine while Namaari sticks to a fine grape wine), close like family, she also becomes his son’s godmother under Tong and his wife’s request at some point.

When Tong finds out that Namaari lost her father for good, he slowly starts to act more fatherly and attentive towards her, at first she’s terrified and immediately scurries away due to years of having to hold the fate of Fang in her shoulders alongside her mother, but slowly accepts his paternal embrace.

Namaari learned the basics of sewing and woodcarving with Tong by the way.

If guilt and trust-issues weren’t as bad enough, Namaari suffers with abandonment-issues and a big amount of unresolved grief. Those barely visible ”wrinkles” under her eyes we’ve seen in the movie might have been caused by the countless nights without sleep, possibly filled with tears as well. Out of concern for her daughter’s well-being, Virana “orders” Namaari to visit the healer’s hut for therapy at least twice a week.

The reason Boun likes Namaari the most, which i also agree, is that she doesn’t treat him like a kid, but an equal.

When Boun returns to school in Tail, he starts to get harassed by older and larger classmates, at first the harassment was only verbal but it did took a small toll on his mental health and the bullying became so frequent it started to get physical.

Both Namaari and Boun started to practice various styles of martial arts and physical exercise, from grappling and striking to sword-fighting and advanced weapon techniques. To train his coordination and focus, Namaari also started teaching Boun archery.  

Namaari and Boun also enjoy cooking and baking together, as well as singing and dancing while at it. Namaari gave Boun a secret recipe book of dishes and appetizers that was a gift from her maternal grandfather to her.

Raya and Namaari have grown close surprisingly fast, both apologizing for the bad things they’ve done to one another, eagerly and relieved to finally put the past behind them, which was something Raya wanted more than anything since the beginning.

Both girls go camping after diplomatic travels.

Raya is ALWAYS the one initiating physical touch with Namaari, even before they start dating.

When Raya and Namaari finally get together, Raya gets even more physically intimate with Namaari, such as kissing her shoulder blades, threading her fingers on Namaari’s scalp all the way to her undercut, nuzzling her neck in broad daylight. Raya is definitely the type to kiss Namaari out of nowhere and absolutely adores brushing their noses together every time she does it.

Everyone, specially Tong and Raya, playfully ruffle Namaari’s undercut, much to her annoyance.

#rayaari #raya and the last dragon #ratld #raya #sisu #namaari #boun #tong #noi #ongis #headcanon

[animalgirl225]

Raya x Namaari story time again! It's another long one; it combines several ideas I had, so it took a bit to mesh them all together into a coherent story lol. Because of the length, this one deserves a title. Enjoy!

Includes mild fluff, deep conversation, and themes of anger, guilt, forgiveness, and comfort.

Partially inspired by this art (specifically the first pic) by @teabeeart that I love so much and think is too cute

and also this art by @5hio

Ao3 link!

Finding Forgiveness ___________________

Intent to escape the bustle of the day, Raya led Namaari down the now-familiar path to one of her favorite spots outside the main center of Heart. The forested trail was lightly used; as far as Raya knew, she was the only one aware of this hidden overlook. The trail opened up, and the girls stepped into the small clearing above a steep cliff. The rock arch of Heart loomed on the horizon, lit brightly by the early afternoon sun. Noise from the city drifted farther and more loudly over the rolling hills than usual. It was the second anniversary of the defeat of the Druun, and Heart was hosting the celebration this year. People from all the tribes had flooded the city, and a cheery buzz filled the air at all times save for the deepest hours of the night. But despite all the of camps that had sprung up in the fields and hills around Heart, this small clearing remained a secret.

Namaari settled down against the trunk of a large dragonberry tree and spread her knees apart to make room for Raya to join her. Raya settled into the space between her legs and leaned back against her, placing her arms over Namaari's legs and resting her wrists loosely on Namaari's knees. Namaari wrapped her arms around Raya's shoulders and gently pressed her chin into her hair. Sitting companionably together, the two spoke little as they savored the warm afternoon breeze. Raya loved these quiet moments with Namaari. She cherished every chance to get to know her fellow young warrior a little better, and sometimes the best understanding came from the fewest words. She closed her eyes and breathed in the sweet scent of the berries that filled the rustling branches above them.

A stick snapped somewhere off to their left, and Raya felt Namaari jump and tense against her. Despite her doubt it was a threat, she felt a small thrill knowing that Namaari was always so ready to protect her. But it also made Raya somewhat sad that her friend struggled to truly calm down during the day, and was always ready for a fight. That's why she liked to bring Namaari out here, away from the bustle of the city and the stresses that came with being the heirs to their tribes. It seemed to be one of the few places her friend could truly relax and be herself, not the warrior princess she had to be in front of her people.

"Relax, dep la; nothing out here will hurt us anymore. It might even be a dragon," Raya said, leaning her head back against Namaari's chest and rubbing her leg soothingly. After their return, the dragons had spread all across Kumandra, but Sisu and her siblings had chosen to live in the forests around Heart. Both girls looked to their left as a large purple dragon joined them in the clearing.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite dynamic duo," Pranee said in her surprisingly deep, musical voice. "I wondered who else knew about this lovely spot."

"Hello, Praneedatu" Namaari said. Raya was amused by her friend's formal use of the honorific suffix, even after two years of knowing the dragon.

"How many times have I asked, please just call me Pranee," the dragon said with a smile. She walked over to sit on her haunches beside the girls, reaching up into the tree to snag a bundle of berries. "Taking a break from the festivities?" Pranee asked genially as she popped a few berries off their stem and tossed them into her mouth.

"It's so nice to see everyone, but it does get a bit overwhelming," Raya said as a swell of distant laughter echoed from the city. Pranee chuckled. With her ability to shift into human form, Pranee seemed to understand better than most dragons how exhausting interacting with people could be. She was very down to earth and often provided a listening ear for the girls. Raya knew she'd been a confidant of Namaari's in the past, helping the young woman with her struggle to come to terms with the accident two years ago and the guilt she'd carried ever since. Raya suspected she may have even gotten advice on their relationship from the kindly dragon. Whatever advice she'd been given, it had been spot on, Raya thought as Namaari played absent-mindedly with Raya's braids.

The girls were chatting amicably with Pranee when a light fog entered the clearing despite the warm day, and another violet dragon joined them on the overlook. Now it was Raya's turn to become tense. Jagan had proven more difficult to get along with than the rest of Sisu's siblings. The five dragons had held a council a few days after their return, and with Sisu's support, the two young women had recounted the events of that fateful day and explained why the dragons had needed to heal their sister. The dragons had listened carefully to the story and asked several difficult questions. In the end, they had decided it was a tragic accident caused by miscommunication and had forgiven the girls. But Jagan was stubborn. He adored his older sister, and was taking longer than the other dragons to understand and forgive the events that had led to Sisu's death. Raya placed her hands protectively on Namaari's knees.

"Hello Jagan," she said lightly. "Greetings, everyone." Jagan replied as he surveyed the small group. "Preparing for tonight's events?" He asked. "Soon enough," Raya answered. "We're just taking a break from all the crowds." Namaari continued. Jagan looked sideways at the girls. "Yes, as tribe heirs, it must be hard to escape sometimes. Especially from an event reminding you of your transgressions from the past," he said with a hint of poorly veiled spite.

Behind her, Raya felt Namaari's head dip in shame. She had never argued Jagan's accusations, still plagued by guilt over the accident in Fang. But Raya was angry. The sly comment was uncalled for. She felt Namaari had long since made up for that day, and none of the other dragons still harbored animosity towards her. Raya had also admitted her part in the tragedy, but Jagan had been nothing but civil towards her. Namaari's difficulty in overcoming her guilt certainly was not helped by continuing to be reminded so harshly of that day, especially by a revered dragon. Raya's hands tightened on Namaari's knees and a retort formed on her lips.

"Peace, Jagan. That's enough." Pranee chided. "Perhaps you should go get ready for the ceremony tonight. You smell like river mud and fish." Grumbling in the ancient language of the dragons, Jagan turned away and stalked off through the trees. The female dragon watched as her younger brother's tail disappeared into his cloud of fog.

"I apologize for my brother," Pranee said with a sigh. "He has always been very fond of Sisu, and is still young in our years. He's enjoyed causing trouble ever since he was a pup. He's finding the circumstances of our return a little more difficult to forgive then the rest of us."

"I don't blame him," Namaari said softly, her words heavy with sadness. Raya's heart ached for her friend's struggle and she leaned her head back against her chest, hugging Namaari's arms tighter around her shoulders.

"Namaari, we've been through this," Pranee replied gently and with an air of unshakable patience. "All the rest of the dragons have forgiven you for what happened. We understand it was an accident, a mistake born from desperation and misunderstanding. It's high time for you to forgive yourself. If you continue to hold this shame in your heart, it'll poison happier memories and drive you to despair."

Raya rubbed her friend's arm, agreeing wholeheartedly with the dragon's wise words. "Now, I'll leave you two in your peace." Pranee said, stretching and giving her indigo mane a shake before rising to leave. "I also have some preparation to do for tonight."

"Thank you, Pranee." Raya said for the both of them. "We'll see you in a little bit." Pranee dipped her head, lightly brushing Namaari's hair with her snout. "I'll see you soon, my friends." The girls watched as Pranee left the clearing. "She's right, you know." Raya said quietly. "You've got to let it go. I hate to see you beat yourself up like this, so long after it's happened and been forgiven."

Namaari sighed. "It was just so terrible. I still have nightmares. Seeing her fall like that, her glow going dark, knowing that I was the one responsible for killing our last hope. If only I hadn't- " Namaari's voice broke. "Hey." Raya sat up and turned to face her friend. "Look at me, dep la." Namaari hesitated, then their brown eyes met. Raya gently took Namaari's chin in her hands and wiped away a tear with her thumb. "I know now that you would never have fired if I didn't hit your hand. What happened wasn't only on you. Besides, it wasn't our last hope. Everything worked out in the end, and that's what we have to hold on to. We'll ruin ourselves if we keep living in the past, turning our mistakes over and over until we're lost in them."

Raya leaned forward and pulled her friend into a long, tight hug. Namaari heaved a shuddering sigh that seemed to come from her toes. Raya wished she could hold her longer, but the shadows were growing long. "Come on, let's get back." Raya stood up and offered Namaari her hand. Pulling her to her feet, Raya put her arm through Namaari's as they walked back into the forest. It was a long process, but Raya hoped that with help from herself and the dragons, Namaari would soon forgive herself as everyone else had.

#disney raya #namaari #namaria #raya and namaari #raya and the last dragon #raya of heart #rayamaari #namaari of fang #dragon #sisu the dragon #raya dragons #pranee #jagan #raltd #ratld namaari #ratld raya #ratld fanfic #lgbtqa #raya fanart #disney ratld #raya x namaari #fanfic

[everyonesfavoritelesbowrites]

Big fan of your writing here. I've been looking for some fluff where Namaari is on the receiving end. Just some hurt/comfort to distract myself from life. Do you have any favorites you could recommend? If not, would you consider writing something like that?

Thank you! God, I never thought I would have fans... There are so many hurt/comfort fics out there that I recommend but I'm lazy so here is something short. (check out @shy-peacock and @melpomene22 though, they have amazing fics)

Misunderstanding

Rayamaari - RATLD

Canon world + storyline

Rating: T

TW: Hurt/Comfort, fluff

Summary: Raya and Namaari have an argument over an misunderstanding fueled by insecurities

Ao3

"Marriage?" 

Raya is taken back at what Namaari said, she had just come back from a diplomatic meeting and was telling her about it as they unpacked her things into the guest room—not that she actually stayed in there, sneaking off to Namaari's room every time she visits. Their relationship was a secret, exploring this unknown territory after having only been dating for a few months. 

Meaning their relationship is still strange and new, so when she heard Namaari mention that the Fang elders wanted her to get married, she felt anxious and maybe even a little scared—especially since she recently had a very similar conversation with the elders of Heart.

"They want you to get married?"

Namaari nods, "they want me to start considering it." 

"And are you?" 

Namaari doesn't reply at first, a blush rising to her face. Tension slowly rises between them. "I mean, yeah-." 

Raya's grip tightens on the clothes she was holding, no longer concerned with putting it away. "You are?" 

"Yeah…?" 

Raya scoffs, "you can't be serious." 

"What-?" 

"You seriously can't actually be considering marrying someone just cause your elders told you to?!" Raya's voice rises, anxiety and the feeling of betrayal building the more she even thinks about it. 

"Of course not." Namaari's tone sounds offended but her volume doesn't increase like Raya's. 

Raya, a bit forcefully, places the clothing down. "You said you were considering it. What? Are you just going to marry whoever they tell you too?" 

"No, I won't marry just anyone, Raya."

"No, just someone your elders want you to?" 

Namaari's brows furrow, rubbing the fabric of the clothes she's holding between her fingers. "Raya, it's not like that-." 

"Then what is it like?" Raya huffs, "cause it seems like you just want do whatever the elders want you to do, whatever is best for Fang." 

Raya sees Namaari tense even more. "It's not about that, maybe partly but it's not the main reason," she pauses for a second, inhaling sharply, "why are you so worked up over this?" 

"Did you really think I wouldn't be upset?!" 

"Honestly, no." Namaari's voice becomes more irritable. "I thought you might have been hesitant but I didn't think you would hate the idea so much!" 

"Hesitant?" Raya huffs, shaking her head. "You think you just go and get married right after we are a couple?" 

"Of course not!" 

"Then you'll wait a few months?" Raya's tone rises, her anxiety and anger and fear rising. "A few years? Lead me on?"

"Lead you-? Raya, what are you even talking about?" 

Raya tenses her jaw, crossing her arms as she looks at Namaari. "You know what I'm talking about, Namaari. Do you think this is just a game? Was this your plan from the start? Why would you only bring this up now?!"

"It's not a game, Raya!" Namaari's tone is sharp, looking at Raya exasperated and disappointed; she wasn't yelling but her voice was loud, echoing. "You won't give me a chance to explain! You're just assuming things without letting me explain! Just trust me and listen!"  

"Why?" Raya throws her arms in exasperation, speaking without thinking, "so you can stab me in the fucking back again!?"  

The room falls silent, the two of them staring at each other, breathing heavily—Raya with furrowed brows and Namaari with wide eyes. She looks at Raya in surprise before her expression slowly falls into a hurt one. 

Raya's eyes slowly widen when she realizes what she says, chest clenching with guilt. "Namaari, I didn't-." 

"No." Namaari shakes her head, her voice low, quiet. "It's my mistake... for thinking you trusted me, that you forgave me." She turns her face away from Raya, "or that you would want to marry me." 

Raya barely hears the last part, Namaari's voice cracking with the words as she walks away. Not sparing a glance to Raya as she leaves the room, shutting the door behind her. 

She is frozen in her spot, still processing what she said. 

It takes her a long moment before she puts everything together, slowly realizing what was actually happening, what Namaari was trying to say, what the misunderstanding was. 

"Oh, toi…" 

Raya turns around sharply, hurrying to the door to open it. She doesn't bother to close it as she breaks into a run, heading towards Namaari's room—where the princess would most likely be headed, if not already there. 

"Namaari!"

Raya calls out when she sees her after turning a sharp corner. Namaari stops and slowly turns, only to get knocked back by the impact of Raya running straight into her. Luckily Namaari is able to keep her footing, holding Raya up in her strong arms. 

Raya looks up at Namaari, seeing streaks of tears falling down her face and wrapping her arms around her neck before crashing their lips together. 

Namaari is shocked and Raya can tell Namaari is hesitant to fall into the kiss and she doesn't blame her. She can only imagine how heartbroken the woman would be after that—well, she does knows how she feels… 

Raya pulls away, bringing her hands up to cup Namaari's face in her hands. "You were talking about wanting to marry me, weren't you?" 

Blinking away tears, Namaari's brows furrow in confusion. "Yeah… What- what did you think I was talking about?" 

"Leaving me to go with an arranged marriage." 

The surprised look Namaari gives her is honestly adorable. "Why would I ever-?" 

Raya kisses her again, "you wouldn't. I don't know why that was my first thought… that's a lie, I do. I'm… worried that you don't actually love me or that you think you love me but you don't."

"I do love you, Raya." 

Raya tries her best to fight back the smile that threatens to appear but fails, feeling euphoric at Namaari's words although she's already heard them hundreds of times by now. 

"I love you too. That's why I'm scared. I don't want to lose you." Raya admits, taking a steady breath as she brushes her fingertips against the shaven part of Namaari's head. "My elders suggested an arranged marriage too. My ba refused it but I guess it was still in my head when you brought it up."

Namaari brings her hand up to cup Raya's face. "I was nervous to bring it up, we only just started dating and no one even knows that we are together—we aren't even courting, but I wanted to know how you felt about it. So I can tell the elders no when we are out." 

Raya hums. "Yeah. That… makes more sense. I'm sorry for jumping to conclusions. I shouldn't have done that." 

"I was really hurt there for a moment but I forgive you." Namaari says, making Raya smile. 

Raya leans in to press another kiss to Namaari's lips, this time longer and sweeter, chaste. 

And when they pull away, Namaari speaks again. "So… you aren't mad that I want to marry you?" 

Raya stares at Namaari for a moment, uncertain if she's serious or not but when she figures out that she is, she laughs and smiles. "No, I'm not mad, dep la. I would love to marry you when the time is right." 

Namaari smiles with a faint blush, Raya finding it absolutely beautiful. She wonders if she can can fall any more in love with this woman than she has already. 

"I still want a real proposal, though." Raya tells Namaari after a moment, making the latter laugh. 

"Only if you propose to me too."

#ratld #rayamaari #raya #namaari #asks #ask #mine #fanfic #fanfiction #ratld fic #ratld fanfic #rayamaari fanfic

[moon-spirit-yue]

Au where the Druun didn’t appear and Rayaari got to be wholesome baby gays:

Raya, 15 and struggling with paperwork: ughhhhhh I might actually denounce myself from the throne if I have to do this for the rest of my life

Namaari, also 15 and struggling: yeah, maybe Atitaya can step in for me. Who would you dub as Chief if you just bail out?

Raya, genuinely considering the question: oh that’s a tough decision. Probably you, though

Namaari, blushing: really? You’d make me Chief of Heart? I’m not even from Heart

Raya, shrugging: I know. But I also know you’d do what’s best so it makes sense to me

Namaari, elbowing Raya aggressively so that she won’t see her blush: well I just ran away from being Fang’s Chief so you can’t choose me! Pick someone else!

Raya, giggling: okay okay! If it’s not you then I’d say that girl in the kitchen that makes the most delicious congee. She’s never messed up our food once, Maari. Not even once. I’d actually trust her with my life

Namaari, rolling her eyes: of course it’s the food that sways you

Raya, scowling and blushing: now what the hell is that supposed to mean?

Namaari, smirking: oh don’t worry about it binturi

Raya, tackling Namaari: IM NOT THE BINTURI YOU ARE

Namaari, now wrestling with Raya: NO YOU

Raya, sitting Namaari’s stomach after a couple minutes of fighting: HAH! IM SUPERIOR! BOW BEFORE ME PEASANT!

Namaari, staring deadpanned at her: how am I supposed to do that when you’re literally sitting on me?

Raya, shrugging: that sounds like a personal problem to me

Namaari, scoffing: whatever. Now get up I have to actually finish my work or else my Ma might actually send me to the next life

Raya, sighing and getting off her: alright, alright. Can we at least wrap this up in the gardens? It’s much prettier out there

Namaari, nodding: sure, let’s go

*twenty minutes later*

Raya, turning to Namaari to ask a question: hey dep la what-

Namaari: *snoring softly on the paper*

Raya, blushing and tentatively brushing Namaari’s hair behind her ear: listen bestie I’m gonna need you to wake up soon so that I can pretend my feelings for you don’t exist-

Taglist: @faithfulwarrior-og @isitbussinjanelle @tigerlillyruiz @ratld-sideblog @anywhere-but-here-plz

#raya and the last dragon #namaari #raya x namaari #rayaari #namaari x raya #ratld #raya and namaari #ratld namaari #ratld raya #raya disney #raymaari #rayamaari #namaari of fang #disney raya #raya of heart #raya namaari #raya incorrect quotes #ratld incorrect quotes

[thedragonnerd]

Rayaari headcanon - let us be sad with some angst and hurt/comfort

(inspired by a lovely anon)

With the rebirth of Kumandra and the return of their lost loved ones, everyone tries to sweep away the last six years, in a desperate attempt to move on with their lives and not waste any more time dwelling on the past.

But the scars, both physical and mental, still remain, and trauma endured cannot simply be washed away. There is a disconnect between people now - especially between those who had to endure the threat of Druuns hanging over their heads for years, and those who have awoken to a new world and changed people.

The most heart-wrenching discovery for Raya is that she doesn't always know what to say to her own Ba. It's been so long since they spent a lot of time together, and she is a very different person now compared to the 12-year-old little girl he threw into the water. Sometimes, she's worried he won't like the person she has become.

She also has more arguments with him than before, especially whenever he treats her more like a small child than the young woman she is today, who has survived hardship he never wanted her to experience. They don't always see eye-to-eye with each other regarding trade, politics and what is best for Heart, with his optimism and her realism clashing. If they don't resolve their disagreement quickly, Namaari will find Raya crying softly in their bedroom; she hates fighting with her Ba.

Raya sometimes sees children from her past, who were turned to stone in the original Druun attack and been frozen in time until now. It feels a lifetime ago that she was the right age to play with them, and when she sees them laughing and playing games, she wonders was I ever really that young?

She carries a weapon on her at all times, unable to shake off the feeling that something might go wrong. She learnt this the hard way when she was thirteen: a market deal in Talon had gone wrong, and she was attacked by two large men when she was only a child and without a weapon or knowledge how to fight back. Her ability to run fast had saved her that day. Since then, she has vowed never to be caught weaponless again.

One morning when Namaari tries to wake her, she accidentally pulls a knife, holding it up to Namaari's neck. Raya is almost sick with the idea that she could have seriously injured Namaari just through instinct, but Namaari just holds her hands until she calms down, rubbing her thumb back and forth. 'I trust you with my life,' she tells Raya.

Raya also still has moments where waves of anger wash over her, striking her unawares and in an uncontrollable manner. One time, Namaari makes an innocuous comment about Benja that sets Raya off, words of anger and blame falling from her lips with malicious intent. She feels awful after having done it - she never meant for Namaari to become the target of her bad emotions that day, and she can see how far it sets back their fledgling relationship. Namaari spirals into several days of guilt before they reconcile again.

For Namaari sees the trauma Raya carries, and can't help but feel responsible. She adds this to the weight of the guilt she has already carried for the past six years, and then bottles it up inside, with the opinion that she doesn't deserve Raya's sympathy, or indeed sympathy from anyone.

She has been raised to place the safety of her people before herself, growing to accept and embrace the risk to her own life every time she had to go out on a mission beyond the Fang borders and into Druun territory. It is something she has always been willing to do if it means keeping the rest of Fang safe, and in this new, safer world it is difficult to shake off these feelings of self-sacrifice being a worthy endeavour.

Indeed, she sometimes thinks that it would have been nobler to have turned to stone herself at some point over the years, but she is also too pragmatic to believe that would absolve her of her sins.

Her way of trying to atone therefore is to help as many people as possible now. Her self-sacrificing thoughts are channeled into working herself to exhaustion, as she tries to juggle fixing Fang's city and palace, expanding her citizen's homes back out into their previously Druun-infested lands, and offering up her services to any of the other lands who need extra support in rebuilding.

All of this responsibility and guilt weighs her down enough that she sometimes gets hit with extreme panic attacks. She manages to get herself to a private location the first few times it happens, but then it strikes in the middle of a sparring session with Raya, and she just sinks to the floor and covers her face with her hands.

She can faintly hear Raya asking 'what's wrong?' and feels a hand being placed on her trembling shoulder. She opens her mouth to tell Raya to go away, but instead chokes out 'Please stay?' It is the first time she has managed to ask for help.

Both of them have scars scattered across their bodies, each with a different story to tell, and some even caused by the other person. Raya is concerned at first that Namaari will find hers ugly, but Namaari soon puts those fears to rest by peppering them with tiny kisses. A couple of Namaari's old injuries give her trouble still, so Raya returns the favour by giving her massages when the pain behind those scars grows too much.

Trauma and loss is not a new concept to either of them, even before the arrival of the Druuns. At night, sometimes Raya sings a song that she can remember her mother using as a lullaby. Namaari doesn't like to discuss her father, but occasionally, safe in the dark, she will mention a story about an adventure they had together.

Over a long period of time, they are both able to release themselves of some of their fears and traumas; others, they learn to live with, or learn how to help the other cope. The most important thing, they find, is being together through it all.

#rayaari #raya and the last dragon #raya and namaari #raya #namaari #ratld #more h/c will be on the way since i had a sick/injury prompt! #so was aiming more for just angsty vibes with this one #although I couldn't let our girls *just* be angsty #had to have some comfort at the end #lots more angst stuff to come #but gotta balance that with the fluffff #all the headcanons #can't stop won't stop