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#*clive pass out*
sparkchemy · 10 months
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Soft spot for strays
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moonilit · 8 months
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Aww the side story of the barbie (not date) but from Shouta’s POV, this is the cutest by @cyanoscarlet
Alliance in Pink - Side Stories, First art
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ehehehe ok so hear me out.... Penpals AU featuring Concerned Parental Figure™ Clive and Luke "I'm 11 and have watched my friend die in front of my eyes" Triton ( drawn in-game on the memo-pad for extra ✨flair✨)
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(captions:)
Luke writing a letter: Dear Clive, Idk who you are but here's something cool!
Clive reacting to the letter: ?? Why did I get this
((pictured: recap of curious village events and diabolical box feat. Luke screaming in the background))
Luke writing: But it's fine since he (Anton) ended up turning into a Grandpa
((pictured: Anton and Katia hugging with caption "FAM HUG!" above))
So it all ended up alright in the end!
The best, your friend Luke.
Clive reacting to the letter: Jesus, kid.... Be careful
At least he's ok..
(end)
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Narrator: “And then he was not.”
#izombie#fandom#I actually checked and yeah he stayed about a week longer than he said he would#the episode ends with Saturday morning and Blaine 'not having his memory back' (clown face emoji)#and then Peyton and him are completely absent from the following episode#now it's not entirely clear what day it is at the beginning of Spank A Zombie/how much time has passed since the ending of the last one#but Ravi does point out that they couldn't yet inform Major that the memory system didn't work on Blaine because he's abroad#but it's very likely NOT Saturday because we got another section at the end of 3.3 of Clive and Liv investigating the gun range.#in 3.5 it's evening at the 14 minute mark. then daylight again in the next scene. night again at the 19 minute mark.#Then it's day again and the episode ends with the next evening with Major in bed.#next episode starts with Liv going home from Ravi's and Major's place and Blaine is STILL there and having breakfast with Peyton.#Liv goes off the solve the case during the day. It's night again at the 8 minute mark.#Liv goes off the solve the case during the day. It's night again at the 8 minute mark. Then Clive and Liv go to investigate an (empty) club#and when she returns to check on Major it's dark outside AGAIN.#then next morning Liv is back home and Blaine and Peyton having breakfast together AGAIN#so not accounting for the unclear number of days that passed been 3.4 and 3.5 that's at least 6 days he overstayed his welcome#and he only leaves because Peyton breaks up with him#I am a proud doer of the maths
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famousblueraincoatmp3 · 10 months
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when people are like "cozy gothic horror!" ok so its not gothic horror then got it
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tenth-sentence · 10 months
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His body surrendered, and he fell as though he'd been shot, while the dust in his head whipped him away, into the void.
"Weaveworld" - Clive Barker
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bitterkarella · 4 months
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Midnight Pals: 2 Fisted Tales
Stephen King: hey patricia is it true you used to write comics? Patricia Highsmith: [long cigarette drag] Highsmith: who told you that
King: well, i just heard- Highsmith: was it stan lee? Highsmith: musta been stan lee Highsmith: never met a cat who talked so much Highsmith: might as well be a dame with all the yap yap yappin
Dean Koontz: wowwwww did you really meet stan lee, patricia? Highsmith: yeah Koontz: wowwww! what was that like? [flashback] Stan Lee: hey there comics fans its me, stan lee Lee: how bout a date? Highsmith: no dice
Poe: steve King: i just thought she'd like to tell us about her Poe: steve Poe: just no Poe: no King: ok fine Barker: i'm gonna hear the comic story Poe: CLIVE NO
King: ah but patricia i think we'd all like to hear a comics story Patricia Highsmith: i ain't gonna tell no comic story King: well maybe I can't convince you King: but I bet I know someone who can! Alan Moore: [appearing in a flash] who dares summon the arch magus? King: the arch magus! Poe: the arch magus! Koontz: the arch magus!
Moore: speak! what boon ask ye of the arch magus? King: hey alan you've worked in comics King: how about you tell patricia that comics aren't stupid Moore: Moore: i cannot tell her that
Moore: comics are the bane of my existence! a curse upon them! Highsmith: now this guy, this guy i like Highsmith: he's got a real noodle in his noggin Moore: the arch magus would do well to hear your counsel, mortal Highsmith: sure, we could jaw a bit
Highsmith: how you feel about snails, archmagus? Moore: be these your familiars? Highsmith: "familiars" Highsmith: listen to this cat
Highsmith: ok fine you mooks wanna hear about my comics Highsmith: i'll tell ya Highsmith: but only cuz i'm here among bros Highsmith: long as its just dudes Highsmith: cuz these stories Highsmith: they get a little rough Highsmith: and you know how dames are
Highsmith: so this story's just for us dudes Highsmith: so franz Franz Kafka: what? Highsmith: you gotta go Kafka: huh? what? Kafka: why? Highsmith: you just gotta go Kafka: i don't understand Barker: oh my god franz get a clue Poe: clive
Highsmith: submitted for the approval of the midnight pals Highsmith: i call this the tale of the crime puncher Highsmith: it's about this real swole square headed guy who punches criminals Highsmith: pow! punch! bam! Highsmith: that's what comics are all about
Highsmith: so there're these 2 palookas who fight crime Highsmith: named steve and ploopie Barker: i'm sorry what Highsmith: steve and ploopie Barker: steve and WHAT Highsmith: what, you got cabbage in your ears? ploopie Barker: Barker: i'm sorry WHAT
Highsmith: anyway steve and ploopie gotta do some punching Barker: there's a lot of punching in these stories Highsmith: that's what kids want in comics Barker: huh sure yeah Barker: Barker: i'm sorry steve and WHAT Poe: let it go, clive
Highsmith: so this world war i playing ace crashes into a polish swamp Highsmith: when he dies, it creates a big mud monster Highsmith: who goes to america to harass some kid for his model air plane Barker: i'm starting to see why you didn't want to tell these stories Poe: CLIVE
Highsmith: i didn't just do action comics tho Highsmith: i wrote educational ones too Highsmith: like the two-fisted tales of oliver cromwell Highsmith: or don't mess with galileo Highsmith: or catherine the great takes out the trash
King: why didn't you stick with comics, patricia? Patricia Highsmith: eh you know how the comics biz is King: but I've heard its actually a growth industry Highsmith: is that so King: yeah they tell me that there's lots of opportunities in comics for girls Highsmith: ugh pass
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becomingvecna · 8 months
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❝ Be my victim, ❞ he said.
❝ No, ❞ she murmured.
❝ I won’t force it upon you, ❞ he replied, the perfect gentleman. ❝ I won’t oblige you to die, but think, think; I kill you here – if I unhook you, ❞ he traced the path of the promised wound with his hook, it ran from groin to neck.
❝ Think how they would mark this place with their talk, point it out as they passed by and say: ‘She died there; the woman with the green eyes.’ Your death would be a parable to frighten children with. ❞
— Clive Barker, Books of Blood
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cryptictongues · 4 months
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To Kiss is to Hunger
pairing: Joshua Rosfield x Fem!Reader rating: Mature word count: 5.0K summary: You are terrified to kiss Joshua. Joshua has an idea to remedy that.
warnings: practice kissing, grinding, touching, intimacy, mutual pining, insecurities and self-doubt, just straight up romance
Author’s Notes: Ngl I know I said it would be a little frisky, but just so happens I made it just a little bit friskier because Joshua is just a touch starved man. Just a heads up, please read my pinned post before following me! Minors and ageless blogs will be blocked as this blog’s content is NSFW.
[AO3 link]
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You couldn’t fathom why you are in the Shelves this late into the night. ‘It’s silly.” You think, walking around, trying to find anything to help you with your little dilemma. You tried to put your brain to rest, to calm its ravenous thoughts of anxiety, but the efforts were futile. And it is all because a teasing strawberry blond tried to kiss you.
You and the young Lord got quite close after his arrival to the Hideaway. You help out as a barmaid for Molly in the Ale House, and the first night of Joshua being out of the infirmary after the fall of Drake’s Tail had been all the talk. You would overhear conversations about how charming he was, how he was very knowledgeable about the lands of Valisthea, and how he is the brother of the leader of the Hideaway. He piqued your curiosity, as most newcomers do, but you didn’t think anything to come of it.
There was one night, however, where service wasn’t off its rig, and you had decided to take that time to practice your reading. Reading and writing are forbidden practices for Branded, and you were only able to learn reading due to old, scribbled writings thrown into the trash bins. You would rummage through for every written scrap in the dead of night and return it before your enslavers came to. To you, it was a piece to the puzzle of your freedom. But only a piece. 
You were reading an old children’s fairytale: a prince in search of the long-lost princess who searched day and night to find her. You were immersed, so much so you hadn’t noticed the presence in front of you, seemingly still but present all the same. 
“Ah, I read that story many times as a child. A true classic.”
Your head had snapped so far back you thought you would’ve fallen backwards. Your eyes jumped until they landed on the man before you, and you remember how wonderstruck you felt. He was the most beautiful man you had ever seen, and the way he was looking at you had your stomach producing butterflies. You felt a sense of embarrassment, however, as the book you were reading was adapted for children. You knew those born with a silver spoon were highly educated, so to have someone as handsome and surely intelligent as he watching you read made you nervous to be a laughing stock. 
“Yeah, but it’s more of a watered down version of it. I’m sure I’ll get to read the original someday.” You had awkwardly explained, waiting for him to make a joke of your lack of ability to read at a level that matched your maturity. That joke, however, never came. He stayed and asked you questions, such as who your favorite character was, what your favorite part of the story was, and so on. That conversation led beyond the book, and it is a fond memory of the golden boy.
It wasn’t long after that he offered to tutor you and made an extraordinary effort to give you books about topics you liked. Hell, he would even bring books back from long expeditions that him, Clive, and Jill would go on. “I found this story about sea fairies that I thought you would like.” “I saw a merchant selling a copy of this book I think you’ll enjoy.” “This book made me think of you.”
After many nights and days passing, it had become apparent that your heart had let him in, and you were relieved to know that his heart blazed for you also. However, unlike you, he is very evident about how he shows his feelings for you. He initiated the first hand holding, the first embrace, every tender moment you both have shared has been started by him. It makes you nervous, he makes you nervous, but in a conflicting way because you want everything he has to offer, yet your life of being treated less than for so long has put in the fear of not being enough. You fear you will misstep, embarrass yourself, he will realize he can have someone better, and let you down gently. He is a gentleman, after all.
All of the insecurities and doubts you hold have led you to the shelves due to this past evening's events.
-
A gathering of many members of the Hideaway was taking place, enjoying each other’s company, exchanging stories from the road, and eating and drinking so good that spirits were at an all time high. About halfway through the evening, Joshua and Clive had returned from their mission that had kept them away for well over a week, and joined everyone in the festivities. You could feel Joshua’s eyes on you constantly as you worked, soft gazes in your direction as you brought over more ale. You hadn’t seen each other since he had left, and you could see from the look in his eyes that he wanted you close, longing for your time. 
And you weren’t the only one to sense it.
“Go on.” You heard Molly speak as you polished the cups.
“Hmmm?” You turned to see her smirking at you, nudging her head in the direction of the young Rosfield. 
“You are free of your duties. You spend some time with everyone, especially you know who.” 
You shook your head, your cheeks flushed. “I appreciate it, but Molly there is a lot to clean up. I can’t ask you to do this all by yourself.”
“Nonsense.” She scoffed, walking to you, taking the scrub and cup out of your hands, only to set them aside to grab your own. “We all deserve a little down time. Please, I insist.”
You hesitated, and her eyes softened. “In these troubling times, every moment counts; for anything can happen at any time. We must be selfish with our time.” 
That alone had set you into motion. You had walked over to sit beside him, hip to hip, his arm draped around your side with his head leaning slightly against your own as Clive shared his and his brother’s adventures. 
You could tell Joshua was more touchy than normal, not that you minded. You would feel him squeeze you from time to time. If you shifted slightly, he would adjust so you were still close to him. You would feel him turn his head to bury his face into your hair, gentle caresses of his lips against your scalp. No words were spoken between the two of you, just enjoying the night together with everyone. But even nights like these had to end. 
You called it a night, telling everyone that you were going to head to the bed chambers, but not before Joshua insisted on walking you there. The two of you had bid goodnight to the others, and with your hand in Joshua’s grasp, the two of you walked to the bed chambers, small talk between the two of you as you both headed there slowly.  
“I can’t believe you let Clive do that.” You giggled, Joshua’s story about his older brother shoving a carrot into his mouth to make him sick. 
“He had reason, for we were in an unfortunate situation. We needed a reason to slip away.” Joshua grimaced, vaguely remembering the taste of the raw carrot. “Besides, I have always had a soft spot for my brother. I’d do anything for him.”
“I know having him back in your life has been a gift.” You smiled, waving his arm back and forth as you both approached the bed chambers. He pulled your arm back gently, causing you to turn into his arms. The way he was looking at you left you speechless; a thousand words being spoken through one look. 
“Why yes, it has truly been a gift by the Founder to be reunited with my brother.” He brings your hand up to his chest, right above his heart; the thumping gingerly warming up your palm. “It has also been a gift to have the honor of being allowed your time, my lady.”
You shook your head, but before you could’ve said anything, Joshua had spoken once more. “On the topic of gifts, I have something for you.” 
He slipped his free hand into the large pouch of his belt and pulled out what you can see is a book. He placed the book in both of your hands, grazing them before allowing you to inspect it. You recognized the artistry of the book: hardbound leather, intricate gold lining, and a sturdy weight in your hand. You looked at the title and you found yourself releasing a shaky breath. 
“I thought you said there were no more copies.” You whispered, in disbelief as to what you were seeing. Enchanting thy Fair Maiden. It was a copy of a book Joshua has praised over. He would recite lines to you from what he memorized as a child, and you would ask him to retell them to you over and over again, never tiring from hearing his smooth voice telling you a tale.
“It took some bartering, but it was worth it if it means I could grant you a copy.” 
Snapping from your mind, you looked to him, shaking your head in disbelief. “Joshua, I can’t accept this. This is one of your favorite stories. You should keep it.” 
You tried pushing the book back into Joshua’s, but not before him grasping both of your hands and gently pushing it back into your vicinity. “My lady.” He begged. “I can reassure you that nothing would please me more than you accepting this gift.”
You stayed silent for a moment, a brief pause in the timeline aside from you and him, before smiling shyly, looking away from him in a flush. “I will cherish this for all days, Joshua. Maybe you can read it to me properly sometime.”
“Anything for you, dearest.” 
Your gaze stayed down, not knowing how to bid farewell for the night, before you felt Joshua’s hand lightly touch your cheek, lifting your face for him to look upon. You sensed a certain hesitancy, his eyes seeking for something on your face before landing back on your own. 
“May I try something?” 
Everything started to go slow and fast at the same time, your mind racing and hyper focusing on every detail. You focused on how much closer Joshua had gotten to you, how his body heat had your body melting tenfold, how his face leaned down to yours, his hand stroking your cheek. You realized what he was asking to do: he was asking to kiss you.
Sudden flashes of self-doubt came crashing down onto you, Joshua’s hand on your branded cheek making you feel self-conscious. What is he doing? How can he want to kiss me? Oh, Greagor be with me, I have never kissed anyone. I am going to make a fool of myself!
Out of reflex and fear, you stepped back and away from Joshua’s reach. He looked startled, not expecting your reaction, and all you could do was stare at him as you calmed your heart down. You felt embarrassment shudder down your spine, but you knew that it would have been worse if you had attempted to kiss him. 
You tried to shrug it off, chuckling awkwardly as if that would erase the last few seconds of shame you felt. “It is late. I’m afraid I must turn in. Goodnight, Joshua.” 
You flung the chamber door open and closed it just as fast without a glance in Joshua’s direction, your back hitting the wood as you worked your anxieties down.
Now you’ve really done it stupid stupid STUPID!
-
So here you are, looking for a kissing manual that doesn’t exist.
“I can’t believe it has come to this.” You moan, shaking your head at how pathetic you currently feel. You want to kiss him; of course you want to kiss him! But the thought of kissing him and making a complete fool out of yourself has strung itself high in your head. You will do anything to ease your anxieties, and if finding literature that will help you is the way, then so be it. 
You keep searching the shelves, and finally you see something that catches your attention. You see a book with a deep red spine, and immediately you become curious. Red means romance which maybe means kissing, right? you think and go to reach for it, your tippy toes giving you an extra inch that helps you grab the old spine of the book. Once the book is grasped, you give it a once over and what you see is nothing at all. The book has no title, no author, no nothing. Just hardbound leather that looks as if it had been dyed with blood. 
You move to sit at a table, the kissing debacle hiding in the back of your skull as a new curiosity peeks. You stare at the book intently, like it was going to open up for you to tell you all of its secrets. A book with no visible identity, no mark.
The curiosity killed the cat as you finally flipped it open, the crackle of the pages singing, showing its age. The first few pages are barren with no offering until you reach the first official page. You read, smiling because you can read everything on the page in comprehension, but also because it’s a love poem. You never have had the chance to read poetry thus far, so this was a treat for you. Just the thing I need to ease my mind.
You continue reading the poems, most being about love, companionship, and things in the realm of romance. As you read them, you picture Joshua and yourself, like the two of you were living in the reality of this book full of lovely prose. In a way, it makes you recognize that maybe what Joshua sees in you is what you are imagining right now: a lover, a partner for life. You feel a sense of confidence swell in you, so you read on, addicted to the words written out.
Until you get to the next page.
What you read next halts your breathing, slowing it down to stop fire from growing in your chest. This poem is about the same things previously stated, love, romance, companionship, but in a much more intimate form. The words strung together formed the most erotic sentences, words of longing for the senses. They make you blush hotly; they make you antsy in your chair while locked in, but most especially they make your mind run wild with fantasies of you and him. 
Oh, you and him.
You mind wanders as you read, zoning out into a reality where you exude the confidence to give into Joshua’s desires and more. The words dig into your skin, warming you up that your thin nightgown felt like plenty of layers on this cool night. You are so immersed that you don’t hear the large doors open, and the calling of your name feels like a figment of your imagination. It’s not until you feel the warmth on your shoulders that you are brought back, feeling like a bucket of cold water has been dropped over your head from the cold sweat.
You slam the book shut, turning so quickly that the room starts to spin before the warmth on your shoulders grows firm, steadying you in your seat. You look to see Joshua staring at you, worry showing on his face seemingly from your reaction. “I deeply apologize, my lady. I didn’t mean to frighten you.”
You breathe a chuckle, seeing him here at a time like this would be your luck. You cross your arms, becoming extremely aware of your lack of clothing under his gaze. “What are you doing here?”
“I could ask the same of you.” He retorts and pulls out a chair to sit facing you. “Truthfully, I couldn’t sleep much. I came here to see if doing more research would tire me, but it seems fate has chosen a more direct route to my restlessness.”
You see why he can’t sleep, and sigh because this is from your doing. “Joshua, you have nothing to fret over. You did nothing wrong.”
“But I’m afraid you are wrong, my lady. I shouldn’t have been so forward, and to know I put you in an uncomfortable position upsets me greatly. I would never dream of making you uneasy, and for my mishaps I must apologize to you. I cannot bear the thought of you keeping your distance because of my foolishness.” 
You watch him as he apologizes for his directness, which internally makes you laugh because that isn’t the issue. You love his directness, just as he is being direct with you right now. It’s you. It’s your cowardice for wanting something more and not having the courage to pursue because of the what ifs, the buts, the howevers. It’s your fear of rejection because of your lived experiences. It’s you, not him. 
“Joshua.” You state, moving to grab his hands within your own. “You did nothing wrong.”
“My lady, please I-” 
“Shhh,” you hush. “Let me speak.”
“You have nothing to be sorry for, and I apologize for making you feel you need to.” You exhale, preparing to open yourself up for display. “It’s all me. I’m inexperienced, and I’ve been viewed as nothing for so long that I’m fearful that one misstep will set you away; that you can have someone who knows what they are doing and have the confidence to show for it.”
“Is that really what this is about?” Joshua asks.
You nod, looking down at the two of your intertwined hands. You see Joshua’s hands pull away from yours and your breath shakes. This is it. He is going to leave. That’s until you feel the heat that only the Phoenix could exude on your cheeks, your head being brought up to see him smiling. “My dearest,” Joshua whispers, as if talking any louder would damn him. “You are my everything, for you have captured me: mind, body, and soul. Also, your inexperience mirrors mine, I can assure you.”
Your eyes widen. “There is no way that can be true. You are a Lord.”
He’s laughing now, shaking his head as his hands go back to you, grasping them with care. “I was only a child then. Besides, the Undying were very protective of me under their care. There was no time nor place for such things. Even then, the only person that was always allowed in my vicinity was Jote, and we have never viewed each other romantically.”
“So, there really has been no one?” You whisper, your mind stuck between disbelief and credence.
“No. Not until now.” He squeezes your hands. “My heart belongs to you, and you alone. There is no one else I’d rather give myself to.”
You shiver, the idea of experiencing forms of intimacy together for the first time spreads a raging fire in your stomach. “You sure have a way with words, Joshua Rosfield.”
“You can thank all of the romance novels I read in my youth.” He chuckles. “Speaking of books, what were you reading?”
“What?” You ask, forgetting about the erotica sitting inches away from you. 
“The book you were reading. I don’t believe I have read that one yet. May I take a look?” 
You are panicking, knowing the contents of the book and who is asking to take a peek. You go to grab it, reacting as fast as you could, but alas you reacted too late. Joshua now has the book, opening the page you had left off on, and starts to read. You see his eyes go wide, his pupils dilating, his fingers fidgeting against the page he is holding. You freak out, going to reach for the book before he reads further. “Okay Joshua, that’s enough.” A smile creeps up slowly on his face, humming as he moves to stand up before your fingertips touch the book, backing away slowly as he continues. You stand up, walking up to him to get that god forsaken book away from him. 
“Oh Joshua, please give me back the book!” You panic. 
“By the Founder, what possessed you to read this smut?” Joshua smirks, seamlessly avoiding your grabby hands as he reads the pages. “Especially in the middle of the night?”
He wasn’t meant to see this! He wasn’t meant to see you reading the abhorrent words you were consuming. He wasn’t meant to see you like this in your flimsy gown. Damn me! Why did I not cover up more?!
“To taste the lips is to be fulfilled, for the instinct of man is to claim, conquer, and revel in the midst of her flesh. To kiss is to hunger, to feast among the softest of petals that call to him, beckoning for his return to get both of their fills.”
You are internally screaming now. You can’t believe he is tormenting you like this. You are still reaching for the book, desperate for this nightmare to end, before you hear an “oomph” as Joshua’s back collides into one of the shelves. You snatch the book from him, running back to put it back where it came from. “Okay, enough please!”
“Forgive me.” Joshua says, although it is said with a devilish grin. “I just didn’t know you had such… exquisite taste.”
“I didn’t even know what was in the book when I pulled it.” You say defensively, hands waving manically in front of you like they would make you more convincing. “I was just trying to find something that would help give me the courage.”
As if that isn’t as embarrassing, or even more so.
“What if we do something that helps us both gain courage? A practice session if you will.” Joshua says from the other side of the room, keeping his distance to see what tone you will take.
“What do you have in mind?” You draw out nervously, twiddling your thumbs in anticipation.
Joshua walks back over to where you both had sat, moving the chair so it was facing you before sitting down. He rubs his thighs a little as if he needed to warm them up, before patting his lap. “Come take a seat.”
Instinct has you taking a step forward before a hitch finds itself in your feet, stopping them all together. 
“Do you trust me?” He asks sincerely.
“Of course, I do.” You quickly blurt out, as if answering a second later would draw doubt. 
He smiles, his hand reaching out to invite you over. “Then please, my dearest, come to me.”
You take a deep breath and walk over till you stand before him. You grasp his hand, tingles running up your arm as he pulls you to him and guides you onto his lap. Your hands move to steady yourself on his shoulders, while he places his hands on your lower back to support you. Your legs dangle on either side of the chair, your gown riding up your thighs which you are all too aware of. However, you note that Joshua is only looking at you, gauging to see where your head is. “Is this okay, my lady?”
“Mhmm.” You hum, trying to calm your rapid heart. This is so intimate, too intimate, but you want it. You want him. You want to create every kind of intimacy with him, and this is a start. You knew that it is time to take that leap, especially since he will take that leap with you. 
“Joshua,” you murmur, eyes still on his. “Will you kiss me?”
“As you wish, my love.” 
You close your eyes, leaning in slightly to show that you aren’t backing out. You feel one of Joshua’s hands move to your left cheek, your branded cheek, tracing it with his thumb gently. Soon you feel him move forward, his forehead sitting against yours, his breath hitting your lips in puffs. The anticipation was killing you, your hands squeezing his shoulders to urge him on, and before you know it his lips are against your own. The kiss is light, a sweet peck before pulling away slightly, only to go back to give one more. You both are testing the waters, giving into each other slowly until the two of you start to grow peckish.
The kiss is gradual, pecks graduating to long lip locks and more movement. Your hands have found homage in Joshua’s hair, gripping not too hard but enough to show him how much you are enjoying him. His hands found their way to the crease of your hips, gripping the flesh to keep you in place. You can feel yourself growing restless, needing more of him within your senses. 
It’s like he can read your mind as his hands bring your body closer. A gasp leaves your lips as his groin settles against your heat, leaving your head spinning. His kisses become feverish, his hands roaming up and down your thighs, your nightgown receding higher in the process. You sense satiability is nowhere in sight, the movements of his body proving to you that the absence of intimate touch has turned him into a depraved man. Because even though Joshua Rosfield is a gentleman with a heart of selflessness, he is still a man with selfish desires and needs.
Your hands go back to grip at his shoulders, trying to calm yourself from his ministrations. A wetness hits your lips, and your mouth opens willingly, needing to taste him further. Your tongues melt together, creating a unique taste between the two of you that’s so addicting you don’t know how either of you will stop. You lean more into him, your hands going back to his hair to control his movements, causing him to groan in the most sinful way. You pull away, giggling knowing you got him to make such pretty sounds. The confidence from it goes straight to your head, going right back in for his lips to have him make more delicious sounds. 
A deep feral groan is released from Joshua’s throat, causing him to pull away in heavy breaths. He looks at you with hazy eyes, smiling deliriously. “You will be the death of me, my love.”
Your hands are now trailing from his hair to his chest, your hands running up and down the fabric of his tunic, feeling the toned body beneath it all. Your head leans back against his forehead, both of your breaths heavy on each other’s lips. “Then shall death keep us together, never parted.”
Joshua leans up back to your lips, kissing you hungrily, your declaration causing him to hunger for more. You still had the high ground, you being on top giving you more opportunity to take the lead. You knew this could be too soon, a little risky, but your sureness that Joshua feels the same hunger as you do is enough to convince you. You start to grind down slowly on top of him, your undergarments and his matching tunic pants the only barriers. 
“Fuck,” Joshua draws out breathless, his arms coming up to wrap around you to ground himself. 
“Does that feel good, my Lord?” You smile, feeling over the moon that you are making him act this way. 
“You have no idea.” Joshua gasps. “You have turned me into a new man.”
You giggle as you continue your movements. “Is that so?”
“By the Founder, yes!” He groans loudly at a particular movement of your hips. “How about I show you.”
Suddenly you are being lifted up, your butt settled onto a hard surface, legs spread apart by Joshua’s hips, and warm lips ravishing your own. Your nightgown is definitely way past your legs now, bunched up at your hips with Joshua’s hands right under the fabric. This new side of Joshua has you addicted, the push and pull the both of you are playing at exciting you more. You release his lips and lean up to his neck, nipping at the skin at the juncture of his neck and jaw. His breath hitches, leaning into you as you nip and kiss his neck. It’s as if he is hypnotized by your love bites, casting a spell on him. Your legs wrap around his waist, pulling him closer to you, but in an instant everything stops.
You open your eyes to see Joshua breathing hard, his hands gripping the table. Your hands go to his face, worry etching into your brain. “Darling, did I do something wrong?”
Joshua laughs, his eyes opening to look right back at you. “Absolutely not.” His hands go to yours on his face, holding onto each one as he brings them down. “I just don’t want to accomplish everything in one night, especially here in the Shelves.”
He pulls you up to your feet, your hands still in his as he looks at you with the brightest smile on his face. “I want to have time to savor you when the time is right.”
Even after all of that, he is still ever the gentleman. 
“I agree. I’m sorry if I went too far.” You chuckle, a tinge of embarrassment in your tone. 
Joshua embraces you, his head tucked into your neck. “You have nothing to apologize for. I hope you don’t think I had ulterior motives.”
“Never,” you say quickly, squeezing him to you.
“We should head back to our respective beds before people notice we’ve disappeared.” Joshua hums.
You hum in agreement and pull back, so you are now under Joshua’s arm. Both of you head out the doors of the Shelves into the cool night air. You shiver, and Joshua brings you in closer to shield you from the cold. He walks you back to the bed chambers, and before he departs, he places a light kiss on your lips, causing your eyes to flutter close at the bliss you feel in the moment. 
“Goodnight, my dearest. I shall see you in the morning.” Joshua says after he pulls away.
“Goodnight, Joshua. But before you go, may I request something?” 
“Anything for you, my dearest.” 
“Can we practice some more later? You are my tutor after all.” And my lover, my partner for life.
Joshua beams at you. “I would love nothing more.”
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drabblesandimagines · 8 months
Text
Lessons
Joshua Rosfield x female reader Big ol' FF16 spoilers (though not endgame)
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“My apologies for disturbing your meal, but would you entertain my company a moment?” You’d been too distracted at picking through today’s soup to hear Clive approach.  
Or at least you thought it was soup, maybe it was stew. Is there a proper difference? You just asked for whatever’s hot. The novelty of warm food in your stomach never seems to wear off.
“Of course – I’m pretty much finished anyway.” You reply, placing the spoon back in the bowl and gesture to the seat opposite. “How can I help?”
The Fire Dominant sits and smiles sheepishly, lacing his fingers together as he places his hands on the table.
“It has been brought to my attention that you are interested in learning your letters.”
“Oh…” You’re embarrassed that, somehow, it’s landed under Clive’s remit. You’d only confided in a handful of your fellow Cursebreakers - it had been necessary when you obviously couldn’t read reports that had come in, or send updates in return, and discussed the possibility of learning with Dorys on a handful of occasions but it had never seemed a good time. You’d arrived at the Hideaway a few months before Clive had, spending a brief period getting accustomed to a free life before you fell in with the Cursebreakers, wanting to assist fellow Bearers in having the same second chance you had been given. Your former master had been a traveling merchant and it had been either you defend him from fiends and bandits on the road, or he’d have no qualms leaving you as bait to gain him passage. After going under Tarja’s steady hand, your Brand had been removed and you’d been sent out with a blade. The past five years had been filled with re-establishing the new Hideaway and Cursebreaker responsibilities.
“I didn’t mean for it to be brought to you, Clive. It was just a passing comment…”
“I wish you had. You’ve toiled with the Cursebreakers for years for those to live on their own terms, and that should include learning letters, if they so wish.” He hesitates a moment, looking a little bashful. “I am afraid I have come with a somewhat selfish notion in my proposition.”
“What do you mean?” If he needed a Cursebreaker who could read, there were plenty on hand…
“I heard from Dorys that you didn’t seem particularly keen on sitting in with the children in Miss Shirleigh’s lessons, and I know that Harpocrates is often kept busy with research on other matters. However, I am aware of someone who is a fine scholar and suddenly finds themselves at a loss of what to do with their time.”
“Who?” You frown, trying to think of who else in the Hideaway would befit a title. One of Mid’s Engineers, perhaps?
“My brother – Joshua. He’s been prescribed a moon’s cycle of rest by Tarja and it is going to be difficult to get him to comply. I thought if he had something to focus on in his period of convalescence, it might at least keep him within the Hideaway, and help you fulfil your goal.”
“But if your brother is meant to be resting, he surely shouldn’t be attempting to tutor me.”
“Resting from anything physical – I assure you his mind remains at full health. Please, at least think about it. He is getting through the contents of our shelves at a fair pace, I think he’d enjoy acting the tutor.”
You hesitate. “Have you broached this idea with him?”
“Not yet. I thought it best to speak with you first.”
“I am not sure. It doesn’t feel the best time. I mean, with the growing number of aetherfloods and akashic…”
“You’ve done so much for the Hideaway over the years – please, allow yourself to be selfish. And, if you still struggle to do so, please do it as a favour to me. I would be in your debt.”
“All right. But see how your brother feels first. If he doesn’t want to, please don’t push it.”
 Clive grins.
--
You were nervous ahead of your first meeting with Joshua. Clive had offered his chambers as a makeshift classroom – Founder knows he was hardly in it – and he thought the two of you would appreciate the solitude it provided.
You knocked hesitantly on the doors before they were swiftly opened by a smiling Clive.
“Come in.”
The Phoenix is already sat at the solar’s desk – a bit more colour in his cheeks than there had been when you’d seen him limp past the mess, on his way up to the infirmary after their return from Kanver. The map that’s usually found spread across Clive’s desk is carefully folded away and instead blank parchments, ink pots and quills fill their place, and another chair has been sourced, sat the opposite side of the blonde.
Joshua gets to his feet with a charming smile, approaching you. He kneels swiftly, taking your hand and kissing the back of it in greeting. “My lady.”
“Joshua, did you not learn your lesson from Mid?” Clive laughs, noting your shocked expression as the blonde gets back to his feet and lets go of your hand.
“I cannot help it, Clive.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you.” You nod, trying to regain your composure. “And thank you, my lord, for agreeing to help me.”
“Not at all. And, please, call me Joshua.” He gestures for you to take the seat in front of the desk before looking to his brother. “Clive, if you’d be so kind…”
“Of course.” The outlaw nods, heading towards the door. “Enjoy your studies.”
The next few hours were spent with Joshua establishing how much you did know. Some letters were familiar, but your grasp on the full alphabet was patchy. Your penmanship needed attention – non-existent before this morning, truthfully - as he kindly helped position the quill between your fingers after enquiring as to your sword hand.
At noon, when your head had started to swim and your fingers cramped from copying out letters, there had been a hesitant knock at the door before Jote, the Phoenix’s attendant, entered, carrying a tray bearing a vial of medicine and some food.
“Your grace, forgive the interruption but it is time for your medicine,” she nods at the tray in her hands. “I also bid you do not overtire yourself with your tutoring.”
“Thank you, Jote. I assure you I am fine, but…” He pauses, watching you scribble out a poor attempt at the letter Q once more. “..I do believe that is probably enough for us to cover today, my student?”
“If that would be acceptable, m… Joshua.” You correct. “I do not wish to appear work shy.”
“Not at all. We have covered a fair amount this morning. Here,” he slides over some blank pieces of parchment, alongside your list of letters and another one with a single word on it. “Good tutors assign their students exercises. Practice your letters when you can, and try to say them aloud too. We can meet again tomorrow, if you’re available.”
You nod, “I can check in with Dorys and send word. Thank you.” You take up the papers in your hand, before pausing and pointing at the one with the single word upon it. “What’s this one?”
“That,” the Phoenix grins, charmingly, “is your name.”
--
More lessons pass, a little longer in nature as your hand adjusts, though a little spread out due to your Cursebreaker responsibilities. You’d been away two nights and word had been sent to Joshua for a lesson on your return.
You bid the blonde good morning before sitting down and retrieving a pile of papers from your pack with your other hand. “My apologies, I did complete the exercises whilst away, but we got caught in a storm and the parchment got a bit… soggy.” You slide the pitiful bundle of paper across the desk. It’s dried out now at least, but there’s patches of smudged ink on a few lines.
“I intended to re-do them before our lesson but, well…” You place your writing hand on the desk, revealing it to be bandaged up. “I can’t quite hold the quill. Tarja said it might be a few weeks before I could – sword hilt included, I must add. But I do hope this won’t hamper our lessons too badly.”
Joshua’s eyes widen and he takes your hand in gentle, inquisitive fingers. “What happened?”
“It was foolish of me. We were intercepting some Black Shields in Rosaria. I’d dropped my blade and one of theirs was aiming true for a Bearer. I panicked, I supposed, grabbed his blade with my hand and kicked him back.”
He winces at your tale. “May I take a look?”
“Erm, of course.” You watch as he deftly unwraps the bandage Tarja had re-wrapped this morning. Maybe he thought you were trying to get out of penmanship practice? He reaches your palm – black stitches hold the palm together, the cut thankfully clean rather than jagged.
“It looks painful.”
“I’ve had worse.” You reply, lightly. It’s true.
“I don’t know how much you have heard of the blessings the Phoenix provides.” He conjures a flame in his other hand, playing with it between his fingers. “One is the ability to heal, if you would permit me.”
“Oh, no.” You want to tug your hand back from his but slim fingers keep it firmly in place. “I would never ask that-”
“You haven’t, I have. May I? I would so like my favourite student to keep up her penmanship lessons.”
“Not if it causes you to suffer.”
“It won’t. Here.” He presses the flame into your palm and you brace yourself for a burn. A warm sensation envelopes your palm, like when you’ve warmed a blanket on the hearth in the ale hall, before an odd sort of feeling tickles over your palm. He removes his palm to reveal the line of thread Tarja had painstakingly sewed last night is free and not a mark remains on your palm.
“How does it feel?”
“Fine. But, Joshua, you’re meant to be resting, you shouldn’t have-“
“Do not fuss, please. It is my pleasure. I will, of course, let Tarja know of your miraculous recovery. Now,” he lets go of your hand at last, allowing you to pull it back and flex the fingers tenderly, and turns his attention back to the exercises you’d presented a few moments before. “You took these out with you?”
“Mm.” You nod, placing your hand back down in your lap before a thought crosses your mind. “I’m so sorry, I should’ve asked before I took them out of the Hideaway-”
“No, not at all.” The blonde chuckles. “They are yours to do with what you see fit. I am just surprised at the dedication to your studies.”
“I do not mean to waste your time. I know it’s not my finest work, but I didn’t want to show up empty-handed. I could re-do them now, I mean…”
“Relax. I can decipher these just fine, which means you can start on these, if your hand feels up to it. Try reading aloud as you copy, hm?” He slides over a new piece of parchment, filled with new words for the day.
You nod, eagerly, and pick up the quill.  
--
“We are not going to read all of those today, are we?” The pile is nearly up to Joshua’s shoulder on the desk.
“No,” he smiles. “It is my fault – I was in the shelves earlier looking for some practice material and some wanted to share their favourite literature with you. This one is Clive’s suggestion.”
He lifts up a couple and picks up the book in question, placing it down in front of you.
“The Saint And The Sec… Sectary…?”
“Very good.” Joshua’s praise always makes your head feel warm. “It’s a play, so be wary that if Clive sees you reading this, he’ll probably make you run lines with him. He always plays Sir Crandell.”
“Oh, and what role did you perform?”
“I never made the cut, sadly. I could never remember my lines well enough and Clive would not let you keep a script in hand.” He smiles at the memory. “This, however, was my favourite.”
He takes a book off the top of the pile and holds it out in front of him for you to read.
“The Merry Moogle And Other Tales.” You frown, the title ringing a bell. “They read this to the children for bedtime stories.”
“Are you mocking my tastes?”
“No!” You look alarmed. “I-“
“I jest – forgive me. It truly is one of my favourites and is, in fact, the first book I read by myself. It is a selfish pick, really, I am looking forward to going through it again, if you’d be so kind?”
“I can try.” He pushes the book in your direction before getting to his feet and lifting his chair, walking around the desk and placing it besides you.
“I hope you don’t mind – reading upside down is something I have yet to master.”
“Oh, no. It’s fine.” You feel flushed, is it possible the Phoenix just emits heat wherever he goes? He leans in, flipping open the book.
“Excellent. Begin, when you’re ready.”
You nod, swallowing.
“There… once was a very merry… moogle…”
--
More lessons pass, growing longer in their duration. Dorys appears to have you on duties within the Hideaway rather than out, but you don’t complain. Clive has even had to chase the two out of his chambers twice to hold discussions, though he had immediately clocked the copy of The Saint And The Sectary on the desk the first time, regaling how he made a fine Sir Crandell in his youth. Joshua had rolled his eyes at that point, causing you to laugh and Clive looking a little bemused before he’d waved the two of you out.
Far too soon, though, Joshua’s convalescence is nearly at an end, alongside word that the Enterprise is mostly repaired and ready its return journey to Ash and the Mothercrystal that resides there. You’re nervous for all who will be boarding, but especially your dear tutor.
You’re sat side by side in Clive’s chambers once more, trying to ignore the fact that Joshua’s thigh is pressing up against your own, and you’ve just finished reading a passage from The History of Valisthea. Joshua admitted it was perhaps a little dry, but he wanted you to experience all sorts of genres in his lessons.
“I can’t help but notice that your confidence has increased tenfold in reading aloud and I do not think it is solely down to having me as your captive audience. Care to share your secret?”
You bite your lip in a smile. “I’ve been… I’ve been reading to Torgal.”
“Oh?” Joshua smiles adoringly at you, prompting you to continue.
“I was a little self-conscious of practicing in the bunks, but there’s a bit of decking that overhangs the lake that I’d taken to. He started to join me – I think to nap away from the children. He usually sleeps through it, but I see his ears twitch, sometimes a tail wag… Apologies, that sounds foolish now I’ve actually said it aloud.”
“Not at all. We’ve always thought Torgal a fine hound, and he proves it more every day.”
Joshua then leans over and reaches for a bit of parchment over the other side of the desk.
“Now, the true test is whether you can read my everyday handwriting,” Joshua teases, handing it over to you.
“You have fine penmanship.” The words he notes down for exercises are always clear and easy to read.
“That is just for our exercises together. I’m afraid I fell into bad habits on the road. Scrawls, more than anything.” He nods at the parchment. “Aloud, if you may.”
You wet your lips with your tongue, squinting a little at first at Joshua’s cursive.
“Forgive me for putting you to the test with my hand, but I am confident that you will meet this challenge as you have throughout our studies thus far. I must confess I have enjoyed our time together, and I am disappointed to see it come to an end.”
You look up from the parchment, wondering if this is the last time you’d ever be within each other’s company. “I’ll miss our lessons too, Joshua.”
“There’s a little more, on the back.”
“Oh.” You turn the parchment over and continue. “However, now we are no longer tutor and student, I would like to ask one thing that I will simply regret if I do not. May I… kiss you?”
You stare at the word again a moment, before looking up at him. “Did I read that right?”
“Do not doubt yourself now.” He says, softly, maintaining eye contact.
“Then my answer is yes, you may.”
He places a hand on your scarred cheek as he leans forward, his other arm slipping around your waist to bring you in closer before your lips meet. It’s clumsy, you know it’s clumsy – you’ve never kissed anyone before – but prove yourself a quick learner again, your tongue finding entrance into his mouth and deepening the kiss.
The two of you pull away after a moment and Joshua leans his forehead against yours, keeping you pulled in close.
“I am afraid I have failed as your tutor on this occasion, my darling.”
“How so?” You ask, quietly.
“I am unable to come up with a word to aptly describe the feeling in my heart at finally having you in my arms.”
--
Masterlist . Requests welcome . Ko-fi
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whathebeep · 3 months
Text
How BG3 partners would help with migraines (cause as a migraine haver I love imagining this)
✨Astarion✨
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Astarion would be such a god send- not because he's familiar with caring for such ailments, no- but because he's so cold to the touch. Astarion would cuddle up to you, a fair trade off- he could enjoy your warmth and you could appreciate the cold touches against your forehead. He'd give you a shoulder rub, focusing on your neck and providing relief there. He'd also, as a courtesy, avoid drinking your blood for the next day or so, just so it wouldn't potentially make things worse.
🐻Halsin🌿
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Halsin would know just what to do. He'd know all the natural remedies- would know that mint rubbed against your temples would help, to bring you some ice water that'll soothe any pains. With druid magic he could easily summon some chunks of ice to either put in a cup for water, or to wrap in a clothe and put against your head. He'd make sure his tent got nice and dark so you wouldn't be bothered by the sunlight outside. He'd make sure you were nice and comfortable, and would come cuddle up with you once you had everything you needed.
🗡️Wyll💖
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Wyll would make you soup, and offer medicine he often took when dealing with such things. I imagine Wyll gets bad stress migraines sometimes so he has some remedies of his own that he can provide you with. He brings you a soup seasoned with a special blend he keeps on hand, key ingredient being cayenne pepper to help with blood flow. He'd keep you in his lap and gently spoon feed you before ushering you to lay down for a nap. He'd bring you a cold wet clothe to cover your eyes and forehead, and would stay by your side.
☀️ Shadowheart🌙
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She'd have some spells to help with such a thing. Keeping the tent nice and cool, she'd also keep it quite dark- either using magic to keep the light out or knowing how to seal the tent proper for it. She'd keep your head in your lap and have a night mask to make sure the light didn't potentially cause you pain. She'd keep your head in her lap and gently stroke your hair, soothing you and ushering you to sleep.
🪬Gale📜
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Gale would know some magic spells to help put you to sleep so you could heal and not be in pain. He'd even fill his tent with fog cloud to make the temperature nice and cool for you. I imagine he'd also have a nice few teas that could help you sleep it off, as well as keep you hydrated- and when you'd wake he'd bring you a nice meal, some bread to help with any nausea.
🔥Karlach🗡️
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Karlach would make sure you were nice and comfy. She'd focus on what you wanted and not how she knew how to manage pain- asking gently what you'd like for her to get for you. She'd probably bring some health potions and water to keep by your side, and keep you nice and cozy comfy in her tent. She'd even bring you Clive to cuddle with so you could sleep it off. I'd imagine she'd stay out of the tent to avoid making it a sauna, but I think she'd sit outside and tell you stories, maybe some she remembered from being a kid.
⚔️Lae'zel🛡️
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Lae'zel would show you meditation techniques used by her people to clear their minds ahead of battle. While she was no monk, it was a monk gith technique passed down to drive past the pain and be ready for the fight ahead. She'd bring you water and make sure you were comfortable, but aside from that she'd insist you focus on meditating the pain away. While potentially not effective the first time, eventually she does help you master the technique.
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pinkkittysaw · 2 months
Text
CHAPTER II
- MAY I HAVE THIS DANCE?
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← chapter one
series master-list can be found here!
summary: the night of your brother’s annual birthday ball takes an unexpected turn
paring: knight! clive rosfield x princess! reader
word count: 9,613
content: NSFW (minors + ageless blogs DNI! you will be BLOCKED!) heavy plot, oral (f! receiving), fingering (f! receiving) handjob, power imbalance, dirty talk, spit, slight humiliation kink, parental loss.
disclaimer(s): although this series is inspired by the medieval and regency time periods, they are not 1:1 representations. although i will always do my best to represent both as accurately as possible, there may be some minor changes.
some of the plot points in the original game story have been altered or taken out to fit this au better. there are no eikons
a/n: i want to dedicate this chapter to my AMAZING friend, and fellow writer, jordy (@cryptictongues) who not only let me bounce ideas off her constantly, but also beta read some of this chapter as well. thank you for everything!!!!!! 🫶🏻🫶🏻
dividers by @/saradika-graphics and art is by edmund blair leighton
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A month or so passed since your last tryst with Clive, leaving the relationship between the two of you to be strained with pent-up tension. In light of the momentary heat of passion, you both agreed that such conduct would be better kept private, in places where no wandering eyes could intrude, so as to not arouse any more suspicion. There were to be absolutely no dubious behaviors in public, which proved to be undoubtedly difficult.
With every promenade you'd take around the castle grounds, you'd see him training, all sweaty and flush in his fit form, and all you'd be able to think about was mounting him then and there, riding him until you were both run ragged.
Your confidants and lady's maid have caught your prolonged glances during your strolls in the sunshine, but you've always met their accusations with a dismissive flap of your hand fan, stating that you were "simply curious about the training regiment that the knights were conducting," even if your eyes always lingered on one knight in particular. Baddies
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There was talk around the palace for a while about the sudden disappearance of a certain scullery maid, but seeing as the crown had more pressing matters to deal with than the loss of a single maid, one who could easily be replaced, any investigation resulted in the conclusion that she had simply "fleed her duties," and it was left at that.
In reality, though, you had visited her late in the night after your passionate affair with Clive many moons ago, offering to pay off her debts and then some if she swore to secrecy that nothing she saw that night would make its way into the ears of the public.
The amount of gil being offered was unlike anything she could have ever imagined. Seeing as your father amassed insurmountable fortunes during his reign, idle gossip wasn't worth the consequences if she were to be found out as the source of the rumor, so she took the small fortune and fled the palace walls that very same night.
Now you find yourself sitting in another store room, one that's presumed to be in less use than the previous one, perched upon an old barrel.
A royal ball was in attendance, and all nobility within the realm were invited. The occasion? Your younger brother and future heir to the throne's birthday. He reached the tender age of one and twenty, which just so happens to be the legal age of marriage in your country, so, of course, your father invited all the reputable debutantes in the realm in hopes that your brother would secure a future queen, though he'd never admit to such schemes out loud.
You were hoping that tonight would be another secret rendezvous with your lover, but you haven't so much as gotten a single word with him all evening.
All you had thought about during the preparation was how you were going to tease him throughout the night. The gown you had selected to wear was chosen with him in mind. The silhouette hugged your figure to perfection, and your cleavage was heavily accentuated in the lavender muslin. The hem was detailed with a layer of tulle tulips, and crystals of various sizes decorated the bustline. Put simply, you looked ravishing—the epitome of the most elegantly cut diamond.
Your father would spare no expense when it came to his son's birthday ball, so you were in luck to some degree, but the only man whose eyes you wanted on you was nowhere to be found.
The ball was supposed to provide perfect cover. All the orderly staff would be at your father's beck and call all evening, and he'd be too busy showing off your brother like a prized chocobo to notice your disappearance, leaving you to your own devices after a certain amount of time.
You and Clive would be able to sneak off without a trace or care in the world, but for some reason, every man of nobility just happened to be extremely insistent upon getting in at least one dance with you, all whilst having meaningless conversations regarding topics you couldn't bother yourself with caring about.
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The ball started off well enough. You knew you couldn't immediately disappear into the shadows; you owed both your father and brother a dance to start the evening, as was tradition for the royal balls in your country.
The three of you walked out into the ballroom together. Your father went first, then you and your brother in succession.
The room was lavish, as it often was whenever such events were hosted in your kingdom. Multiple chandeliers holding long wax candles filled the ceiling, and the light reflecting off the gems on your gown made you shine beautifully. A golden hue encapsulates the entire room, casting wispy shadows and twinkling shapes on the hardwood floor. Your family emblem was painted in stark white chalk at the center of it. Various flowers from the royal gardens hung in sconces around the perimeter of the room, with vines filling out the empty space in between. Fine fabric in your kingdom's colors was draped over the windows in high arch shapes.
Scanning the room, you look for where to make your grand escape. After a few dances and perhaps some intermingling at the refreshments table, you'd be skittering along the ballroom walls, hiding in the shadows, before making your exit.
There was still a short amount of time before the guests started to file in, so after the final touches were made to the decorations, you took your place on the dais next to your family, with your father in the center and your brother to your right.
The royal knights line up in front of the small stage, and though Clive is always the pinnacle of orderliness while on duty—excellent posture and great form—you swear that you catch his eye as he files inside the room. He's not so careless as to let his emotions wear on his face while in the presence of others, especially your father and the Lord Commander, but you're certain that the slightest tinge of pink floods his cheeks at the sight of you.
As the knights continue to get into position, your gaze falls upon Clive's shaggy hair, reminiscing about how the thick yet soft tendrils felt between the length of your fingers as he made his presence known between your legs moons prior.
Your father's voice reels you back from your fantasies as you clear your throat slightly and hope that the bright lights of the chandelier won't give way to your previous thoughts.
Nobles from all across the realm begin to file in and make their greetings, some familiar and some new. A part of you is surprised that all these people traveled from their home countries just to visit your brother, but you supposed that none of the nations wanted bad blood between your kingdom and theirs.
After all the introductions were made, your father began his long-winded speech about your brother, the future of the country, and how proud he is of how far his children have come. The smile plastered on your face feels stiff, and your thighs feel as though they're about to collapse from the amount of curtsying you've been forced to do.
Finally, after what felt like hours, you're granted some relief from the spotlight while the band sets up on the stage where you and your family previously resided.
You make your way over to the refreshment table, nodding and curtseying to the fellow noble ladies as you make your way over to procure yourself a glass of iced lemonade.
It was not even three seconds later that your father was introducing you to some nobleman.
"Dearest daughter," he starts. You take a deep breath and settle your princessly smile on your face once more before turning around.
"I'd be pleased to introduce you to the Archduke of Rosaria and his mother." You gaze upon the both of them; this is the first meeting you've had with the current Archduke of Rosaria. You met the previous archduke, Elwin, when you were still of tender age, before your brother was born. You scantly recall the details of the meeting, only that he gifted both you and your mother bouquets of Rosarian wildflowers and that he had a penchant for making you laugh (as later on confirmed by your mother).
It's clear, though, that the man standing before you bears no resemblance to his father, sharing the same icy eyes and pale hair as his mother.
"His Imperial and Royal Highness, Joshua, the Archduke of Rosaria, and her Imperial and Royal Highness, Annabella, the Dowager Archduchess of Rosaria," your father continues, giving you room to make your formal introductions.
"It is an honor, your Highness," you state, giving a swift curtsey to the both of them, and although Annabella merely nods to you in acknowledgment, her son gives a full bow in return.
"Come now, Joshua. There's no need for that," she chastises, as if her son were still a child and not a grown man.
"But mother, how could I not marvel at the beauty bestowed upon me?" He responds in full. At your astonishment at his bold declaration, he takes your gloved hand into his own and presses a delicate kiss to the back of your knuckles.
"Might I say that your gown looks exquisite tonight, my lady? You shine bright like a diamond." Both you and the Dowager Archduchess share a similar look of shock on your faces, and even though you can't see your father's expression from behind you, you're sure that he mirrors both of yours.
Heat floods your face as your eyes meet Joshua's, then his mother's, and although their eyes bear the same shade of cerulean, her gaze pierces through you like daggers of ice, whereas the strawberry blonde beside her carries a lot more warmth.
Time stands still, and you wonder if such flirtations were a product of his father, seeing as his mother held very little kindness or regard in her heart.
You feel your father's hands on your shoulders and realize you've spent the last minute or so gawking at Joshua and his display.
"Please forgive my daughter; she isn't used to such blatant declarations of affection from esteemed gentlemen." It's at your father's statement that your brain kicks back into gear. Your hand is withdrawn, and an immediate curtsey follows in its place.
"My sincerest apologies, Your Highness." As you raise your head, your eyes meet Clive's just across the way from behind Joshua, but he's quick to refocus and march forward in front of him.
"No apology is necessary," the Archduke smiles, "though if you truly wish to win my forgiveness, you'll allow me your hand in a dance."
Before you even get the chance to respond, Annabella interrupts, "Joshua, you mustn't. Think of your health."
"Mother," a domineering smile plasters itself on Joshua's face, "certainly I have enough energy to last me at least one dance with the most elegant princess in all of Valisthea."
Annabella sends another harsh glance toward her son before muttering, "Of course," and  taking her leave elsewhere.
Joshua heaves a heavy sigh before extending his hand, silently asking for your dance card. You raise your wrist and allow him to pencil himself in before he gives one final bow, and retreats toward his inconsolable mother.
Your father exhales the breath you were unaware he was holding when the band gets in position for their first song. Both you and your father take place in the center of the ballroom as the first dance of the evening.
You couldn't help but notice as you scanned the faces in the surrounding audience that someone was missing. As the starting notes boomed from the instruments, you whisper to your father, "Papa, where's Dion?"
Prince Dion, next in line to be the Emperor of Sanbreque, had grown to be one of your close friends—well, as close of a friend as a princess could have when confined to castle walls for most of her life. You were close in age, and given that there weren't as many young heirs throughout the realm at the time of your childhood, it was only natural that the two of you would become fast friends.
Rumors quickly spread that you and Dion would become betrothed when you were older, securing an indisputable alliance between both nations, but as the years trickled on and both of you came of age, no such proposals were made. After he became leader of the dragoons, it was apparent that one such proposal would never come, but you weren't deterred; if anything, you were relieved.
You held love for Dion in your heart; you'd known each other since you were children, but the love you held wasn't the type of love fostered between two individuals who were passionate about each other romantically.
Your father's face held a quick grimace before lowering his voice as the two of you prepared to take your first steps in tune together. "Dion is busy preparing for a war effort; he sends his regards."
"What?" You mutter, trying to keep the look of shock from developing on your face.
Though you and Dion couldn't frequently meet in person, the two of you penned missives back and forth. In none of your most recent correspondence with each other, had he mentioned anything in regards to an oncoming war.
Your father wasn't a gossip, but being the ruler of an entire kingdom, one must be well knowledgeable about the state of other nations.
He lowers his voice even further: "It seems that the King of Waloed is insistent on reclaiming his territory from Sanbreque."
"Dion never mentioned anything of the sort in his letters."
Your father gives you a lopsided smile in an attempt to reassure you: "He probably didn't want to worry you unnecessarily, especially with the ball coming up."
Your father was more than likely correct in his assumptions, but you couldn't shake the sinking feeling in your stomach.
"I'm sure Dion will be alright," he adds, brushing his thumb over your hand after noticing the newfound stiffness in your movements.
You nod. Dion was and is strong; he turned the tides for Sanbreque in battle many a time before. This was a fact, but something about him having to go against Waloed's army shakes you to your core.
Your father and the king of Waloed, Barnabas Tharmr, were amiable allies for the most part, but you've heard stories, many in particular when he visited your kingdom after the death of your mother. You were still young then, so you couldn't quite grasp the weight and meaning of the whispers your handmaidens had shared in secrecy upon his arrival.
He visited annually for some years after his initial visit before they died down altogether, though you could never ascertain what the meetings were for besides the first one.
Barnabas was kind enough, as one of his nature could be on his trip, but you could never help the feeling that something more sinister lingered beneath the surface when your young eyes met his.
You did your best to quell the unease in your heart and continued to dance with your father. Although he had gotten up there in years, he still moved swiftly across the ballroom floor, even if you had to slow your steps a bit.
It seemed that just as soon as the dance with your father began, it was over, and you were anxiously anticipating the next dance with your brother. You go hand in hand with him while the band begins to play.
"So, Crown Prince," you begin, filling the air in an attempt to quell your nerves. "Future heir to the throne, how does it feel to be Papa's favorite?" You smile, albeit teasingly.
"Surely you jest, dear sister. For without you, I'd be hopeless."
"Now who's jesting?" Your grin graces your face once more as the two of you glide across the ballroom before a somber expression soon replaces your previous jubilant one. "It pains me to think that this ball may be the last time we see each other like this."
"Whatever do you mean?"
"Look at all the people here," you whisper to him, "surely you don't think Father is just merely celebrating your birthday. You're twenty-one years of age now, dear brother; officially legal to be wed."
"You don't truly think he'd see to it that I'd be married right away, do you?
You both twirl around, and your father comes into view, standing next to the royal guard.
"Maybe not right away, but you know how he is. Ever since Mama died, all he's wanted is to see our futures secured, and in your case, our bloodline. If that means marrying us off early, then so be it, I suppose. At least you have the luxury of choices in who you'll marry."
"Then how come you weren't married off as soon as you came of age?"
"Because you still needed me. You had no mother to set an example, so I needed to be in your life to show you how proper noble ladies should act," you snirk as he rolls his eyes. "If I'm speaking honestly, I feel the answer is more sentimental than logical. I don't think Father wanted to lose another member of our family before we were both of breeding age."
"I suppose you're right. It's more than what most fathers would do. Now that I'm able to be wed, do you suppose that'll hasten his plans for your marriage?"
You sigh, the thought has lingered in the back of your mind since your brother grew out of being a child. "I'm not sure, but who knows?"
"Don't look so down," he smirks. "If you reach spinsterdom, you'll always have a place here with me."
You smile kindly. "Thank you."
As the instruments die down, signaling the dance coming to a close, you once again find yourself on the outskirts of the ballroom. You snag a look at your dance card to check where Joshua has penciled himself in. A waltz, of course. He'd undoubtedly use this opportunity of close quarters to flirt with you some more.
His name was listed far enough down the line that you could make a break for the storeroom now, and...
"Your Royal Highness!"
The next hour and a half was filled with nothing but dancing, with only a few minutes of rest provided in between.
You had been skirting along the edges of the ballroom when you just so happened to catch the eyes of an old presiding duke who resides in your kingdom, and it was all downhill from there.
What was supposed to have been a "romantic" evening was turning into a disaster. At every turn, you were swept into the arms of yet another elderly gentleman looking for a younger and more agreeable wife.
As you twirled and spun around the hardwood flooring, you were afforded only mere glances at your lover from afar. Every time you laid your eyes on him, he always appeared to be preoccupied with something else. Not that any of your concurrent dance partners would've noticed your wandering eye, as theirs were doing much of the same.
If there was one thing that all these men had in common, it was the ogling. Some of them "tried" to be more polite about it than others, going for glances at your cleavage in between the minimal required time they had to actually look you in the eye instead of blatantly staring at your chest the whole time.
It was clear, though, that all of them were oblivious to just how obvious they were being with their gaping looks, not realizing that you could tell when people were talking to your chest instead of your face.
Though you're certain that a drink limit was set for this ball, it was becoming quite clear that a majority of the "gentlemen" had imbibed to their pleasure, the smell of port lingering on their breath whenever they'd lean in close. 
After a while, you had managed to escape all your suitors and camouflage yourself in a nearby group of gossiping noble ladies, the majority of them being mothers, who were well-equipped with an onslaught of questions about your brother and the future of the kingdom.
After quelling their curiosity, you nestled yourself in a corner, facing the wall of the ballroom, and let out an exasperated sigh, taking a few moments to collect yourself.
You were beyond frustrated, both sexually and mentally. All you desired was to climb between the sheets with your lover and have him pleasure your body until your thoughts were reduced to a mindless fog. To say you were having intense urges was an understatement.
It'd be easier to deal with if Clive wasn't a member of staff that you saw often, like a cook or a coachman, but being your sworn shield, he was in your presence a majority of the time. So close, yet so far.
His touch was often the source of your fantasies at night. Your mind wanders, flitting between thoughts of his scruff against your neck, his breath on your skin, and how his strong hands would grip your body.
You were never able to help but wonder what your first time together would be like. What does he look like when he comes? What does he sound like? Does he moan, grunt, or whimper? Would he be gentle with you? Similar to how he grasps your hand when helping you step down from a carriage, slow, languid thrusts into your heat as he whispers sweet nothings in your ear, both of your bodies clinging onto each other for purchase. Or would he be rough? Similar to how he fights: powerful, unrelenting thrusts into your cunt, overwhelming as he batters into you, stealing the breath from your lungs. You were often unable to decide which scenario you liked better as you reached your climax, whispering his name as you came down.
You know you shouldn't have such intense lust for someone who's working in your service, but knowing that just excites you more.
"Princess!"
You release another deep exhale as you turn around. You're really starting to get irritated at the word "princess."
"Your Highness!" you exclaim with a half gasp. Apparently, Joshua was set on keeping his promise of a dance.
"My sincerest apologies," you curtsey.
He gives a dismissive wave of his hand before extending it toward you. "You owe me no such things, my lady. Are you still willing to accept my dance proposal?"
"Of course, Your Highness," you place your gloved hand in his as he walks you to the dance floor, and you can't help the smile that rises on your face as you take your place together.
"I know it's against propriety for you to deny me a dance, but I'm not so cruel to force a lady when she doesn't want to."
"It's a pleasure, Your Highness. I assure you. You're perhaps the most polite man I've danced with thus far, besides my father and brother, of course."
His hand makes its way to the small of your back as more couples fall in toe behind you and the Archduke. Your conversation lulls until the music picks up, your hand delicately resting on his shoulder.
"Although I am most disappointed to hear that these gentlemen would treat a beautiful woman such as yourself with little regard, I can't deny that I'm pleased to be the only one who's seemed to win your affections."
This man.
As much as you try not to fawn over the attention, his words are like silk in your ears, as if they're the most natural sound you've ever heard.
It doesn't register that you're smiling so brightly until he comments on it: "You have one of the most radiant smiles, my lady."
You shake your head from side to side as if trying to regain your composure. Despite all the time you shared with Clive over a month ago, you weren't used to such blatant flirtations in front of so many people at once. Even if they couldn't hear your conversation, the smiles on both your faces single you out from the other couples on the floor. It leaves you feeling exposed, as if a bright light has been shone on both of you.
"Forgive me if I speak out of line, Your Highness," you inhale, "but where on Valisthea did you learn to become so charming?"
He offers a chuckle and a swoop of his strawberry-blonde hair. "I'm quite a fan of the written word. It was often one of the few escapes I truly had as a child, so I may have picked up a few techniques after reading a romance or two."
"Perhaps you could lend your novels to some of the other gentlemen here so they can learn how to properly woo a lady."
"And risk losing being the sole recipient of your affections?"
"Feeling insecure over your abilities?" You cock your head to the side, a small smirk appearing on your lips.
Joshua ponders the question for a moment, putting on a good face of deep thought as if he's truly rolling the question around in his head before responding, "More so like...I don't want to give the poor blokes false hope when I'm sure to come out on top anyway."
"It seems that you're very confident indeed."
The two of you chuckle as he twirls you around, only to be met with the scorn of Annabella's icy gaze after locking eyes with her from the other side of the ballroom. The joy in your expression quickly dies off, and the figurative noose tightens itself around your neck, suffocating the life from your lungs.
With your newfound stillness, Joshua has to guide you back into his arms. He looks off in the direction of your eye line and sighs before speaking once more, "I apologize on behalf of my mother."
"You needn't do so for my sake," you're quick to respond, attempting to reassure him that you were unaffected by Annabella's glare.
"Do you think I can't sense the dread in your eyes?" He smirks, and you offer a strained half-laugh in response while waiting for him to continue.
"I was frequently ill as a child, thus it was very rare to step foot outside the archduchy," he clears his throat, "after my father had passed, it seems that her protective nature only grew."
"I'm sorry about the loss of your father. I've only met him a handful of times, but he was always very kind. My mother once told me that I frequently laughed in his presence." You understood Joshua's pain well, having lost your mother during the birth of your brother years before the former Archduke passed. 
A solemn look graces his features before he relaxes once more. "He was a good man, from what I can recall from my memories of him," he pauses, "I can only hope that I can be half the man he was when it comes to ruling the archduchy."
You take a moment to mull over your words before voicing them. "It seems like you've managed to capture his kind and generous spirit. I'm sure you're already well on your way to living up to his name."
"You're very kind," he nods, and a genuine smile fixes itself on his face, unlike the charming one he's graced you with before.
The music slows to a stop, indicating the end of the waltz, and Joshua walks you back to the fray of the ballroom as slowly as possible. "Perhaps this is inappropriate to say given the present company, but I'd love to call upon you some time."
A part of you is surprised, not expecting a courting proposal from someone you could actually tolerate. Being thoroughly charmed, you agree.
"There's a jousting tournament within the next fortnight. It's always an invigorating time. You should attend if you're able."
He takes your gloved hand in his, raising it until your knuckles graze his lips. "I'd be most delighted to attend. Until then, my lady." He releases your hand and turns off in the direction of his mother, who looks all too unhappy with him, and you, by extension.
You sigh, ready to be completely done with the evening. You move toward your father, ready to meander around where he sits near the dais, hoping that any lingering suitors would see him situated nearby and turn the other direction.
Once you've raised your head and made your way toward your father, Clive comes into view. He's moving toward you at a fast pace, and before you can stop yourself, your feet turn to guide you in his direction instead. Momentarily forgetting your place, you call out his name, though it's difficult to hear over the chatter of the ballroom.
At the same time, two overlapping voices call out to you. One is Clive's; the sound of his voice is more familiar to you, but there's another that cuts through the air.
A gruff "princess" is all you're afforded in terms of a greeting.
Both you and Clive come to a halt and turn in the direction of the unknown voice.
The man has a familiar face, though you can't exactly place from where you know him. He's around your father's age, with wrinkles lining his eyes and forehead as well as dashes of grey in his facial hair, so you conclude that your father must be how you've made his acquaintance before.
The man is decently handsome, more so than the other creeps you've had the displeasure of dancing with. He has stark eyes, almost crystalline in nature, which are a sharp contrast to his raven-colored hair.
These traits prove to be startlingly similar to those of your current lover, but you decide it's best to dissect that later.
Clive is the one who breaks the silence. "My sincerest apologies, Your Majesty."
Your majesty?
You offer the man a curtsey in apology while Clive bows, but the stranger pays you no mind, choosing to focus on the knight instead. 
"Is something the matter?" Though it's merely a question, his voice carries a wealth of command behind it.
"Nothing that can't wait," Clive begins, his eyes flitting between you and the unknown—at least unknown to you. "Please pardon my intrusion." He bows to the both of you before stalking off toward your father.
You suppose you'll be informed later if it's truly so important.
The silence fills between you and the man again before he asks, "May I have this dance?" His mouth quirks up in a smirk.
“It's only a country dance; nothing too intimate,” you think to yourself.
If you were being honest, the last thing you wanted to do was begrudgingly endure a dance with this gentleman after having more than your fair share of imbeciles indulge themselves in your assets, but propriety comes first. So instead of telling this man to kindly fuck off, you put on your best princessly smile and place your hand in his.
"Of course," you reply, and he leads you toward the floor.
You stand next to each other in between other couples before the band begins to pick up once again. The melody starts slow enough, so you take this time to ask the man exactly who he is, keeping your tone light and polite.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty; it seems that I remember the face but not the name.”
He must've made his entrance later on in the evening after the formal introductions, because you certainly would've remembered him during the greetings.
He offers a light chuckle before muttering, "Barnabas, King of Waloed."
King of Waloed. The very same king who's planning to go toe to toe with one of your closest confidants. He's aged quite a bit in the fifteen-odd years it's been since you've seen him last; it's no wonder you didn't recognize him. 
Your body language gives you away despite your best efforts, and his laugh pierces through you. "It seems my reputation proceeds me."
The disdain is thinly veiled in your voice. "Don't you have a battle to prepare for?" you grit, and he laughs again as if the prospect were beneath him.
"I'm not worried," is all he offers in response. His presence must've been what Clive was trying to warn you about.
You take a deep breath, seeing it best not to stir anything up in the public eye.
You get a better look at him when the succession of people in the line with you turns around. He certainly doesn't dress like a king—definitely not one like your father. There are no bells and whistles to his outfit, no ornate capes lined with exotic furs, or gilded crowns.
If anything, it seemed like he'd dressed down for this event, and you can't tell what pisses you off more: his pompous attitude toward heading into battle that may surely send Dion to an all too early grave or his nonchalance in showing up to a royal ball in only a blue tunic and black leathers. It felt like a jab. Though his pompousness in battle may be deserved, this blatant display of disrespect was not.
He gave the impression of a venomous snake, intriguing to look at but ultimately best viewed from a faraway distance.
It takes everything in you not to grind your teeth together and overemphasize the stiffness in your movements.
As if sensing your irritation with him, Barnabas probes, "Are you enjoying yourself?"
No, you're quite simply NOT!
"I've gotten to the age where these sorts of gatherings lose their luster."
It wasn't exactly the truth, but it wasn't a lie either. As you got older and balls became more about finding matches, you started to dread them. You were hoping that it being your brother's birthday would be enough to spare you from marriage prospects, but alas, you were clearly wrong.
"A shame," he mutters, his words lacking enthusiasm.
The group moves along to the beat of the tune when Clive comes into your view, talking to your father.
"Who's that brooding fellow you're staring at?" Barnabas asks, trying to cut off whatever is taking your attention away from him.
The two of you move in succession toward the back of the group when it registers just how much you've been gawking at Clive in Barnabas' presence.
"Him? He's my first shield," you answer nonchalantly, letting no indication of fondness slip into your voice.
Barnabas snickers, "I had no idea noble ladies were so heavily invested in the lives of their shields."
"I know naught of what you mean," you scoff, acting like the princess you are.
His voice rises in volume as he declares, "Why don't you let a real man take care of you?"
Heat floods your body at his words, and you do little to hide your disgust.
"Excuse me?"
"He's nothing but filth," he continues to say, and the rage inside you reaches a boiling point.
"You speak of him as if he's nothing but a lowly street rat."
"He might as well be, compared to us. You could have an entire kingdom of knights protecting you as well as one of the most powerful men in the realm, instead of just one lowly feeble knight."
"Are you always so incorrigible toward those who are beneath you? It's a miracle that your kingdom still stands."
He laughs out loud, beside himself. You were sure he'd have your head. Instead, his volume just gets louder, so those dancing alongside you can hear.
"I've heard rumors that your precious first shield is actually a royal bastard, but from whom he's a descendant, I've no idea. A man of his standing is simply not fit to be in the position of protecting a princess. I'm just looking out for you."
If you were feeling rage before, now you're furious. As much as the people in your dance group tried to be respectful, heads couldn't help but turn at Barnabas' accusations.
Whether Clive being a bastard was true or not didn't matter; you refused for someone who valiantly defended your life to be made a mockery of over such trivial matters in your eyes.
"I was the one who held the sword that knighted Clive!" You start off loud, similar to him, but your voice gets lower as you draw near.
"My father gave him a title under his tutelage. Clive's been protecting me since I was the tender age of twelve years old and is the only man I'd trust with my life outside of my father and brother."
There's a pause before you continue.
"If you wish to win my favor, it'd be wise to watch what you say in regards to him," you grit.
You're not sure when the rest of the group stopped dancing alongside you, but by the time you realize it, all their eyes are on you. Though the people outside of the circle couldn't hear your conversation, the crowd caused those on the fray of the ballroom to turn their attention toward you.
Barnabas only snirks, scanning your face plainly when you turn back to face him. Your glare is prominent as he escorts you back off the dance floor once  the music dies down.
He speaks in a low voice, right in your ear, "You're a feisty one, but don't worry, I enjoy a challenge." He smiles menacingly before releasing you.
All the wandering heads seem to return to their original activities upon the group's dispersal. You don't want to cause any more disturbance, something you're sure you'll get a lecture for later on, so you give a curtsey to Barnabas, lowering your head.
"I shall bid you adieu, Your Majesty." The words are choked out, and not a moment later you're turning on your heels and making your exit out of the ballroom.
Which is how you ended up in an old store room, with nothing but your various frustrations and the ebbs n flows of silence to keep you company.
You're not sure how long you've been sitting there, but by the time you hear the door open, you're convinced that it was a servant sent to escort you back to the ballroom, but instead, it's Clive.
There's no hesitation in his movements as he steps toward you, catching your face in his gloved hands as he reads your expression.
"Are you alright?" He asks. Even if there's no threat of physical danger, that doesn't mean emotional scars weren't left after your interaction with the king.
"I tried to warn you...I tried to-"
You cut him off, "I'm okay, Clive. A little embarrassed, but it's nothing I couldn't handle." You smiled softly at him, which he returned in full.
"What were you two talking about?"
Warmth flows throughout your body once more, and you don't want to admit that the cause of the outburst you had was because of him, so you act nonchalant.
"Nothing of importance."
He raises his eyebrows like he doesn't believe what you're saying at all, but he doesn't press you on it, not now at least, and you won't give him the chance to when you ask, "Jealous?"
He smirks, shaking his head back and forth slightly. "Do you enjoy tormenting me, my lady?"
"I beg your pardon."
"Do you enjoy watching my torment? Does it give you pleasure?"
"I'm afraid I know naught of what you mean. Have you perhaps forgotten your place, knight?" You put extra emphasis on the word as you toss a smirk his way.
He backs up from where you're sitting on the barrel. "All those men, dancing with you, ogling you. All the while, I'm forced to stand by and watch them all make a pass at you."
You offer a faux pout. "Aw, come on. They're not all bad."
"Enough of them are."
"Are you truly so jealous of those who're above your peerage?" You can't help but snirk in amusement. This was the first time you'd seen him act like this.
"Yes, no!" He takes a deep breath to collect his thoughts: "The Archduke and that bastard king."
Your eyebrows rise at his declaration. "You hate them so much that you've forgone proper titles?"
He rolls his eyes at your statement, and you're unable to hold back your giggles. You hop off the barrel and take his face into your hands.
"There is absolutely no affection for that king in my heart, I assure you. As for the Archduke, though he is roguishly charming, I happen to prefer meaner mugs to delicate pretty features like his," you move to press a kiss to his cheek.
His head hangs low in shame. "I cannot deny that jealousy and resentment burn in my heart at the thought of you with another."
"Believe me," you say, stroking his cheek, "I'd much rather spend my time with you than with stiff men who smell of port. I've been looking for an escape practically all evening.“
"They don’t deserve you at all, my lady. Those men don’t deserve to know the softness of your skin,” he lowers his mouth to place delicate kisses on your neck, then moves toward the exposed flesh of your bosom above your gown.
"Clive," you gasp, tangling your fingers in his thick locks.
“They don't deserve to know the sweetness in your voice when you cry out in pleasure," he whispers, pulling away from your skin to trace his thumb along the frame of your face.
“I’ve missed you," he states.
“I’ve missed you too.”
He pulls you into him for a kiss, one full of hunger and desperation, eager to taste each other once more. The kiss is sticky; the clear gloss painted on your lips transfers onto his. He’s licking into your mouth as your lips brush against each other, tongues wrestling each other for dominance.
You're moved backward until you're pressed against the storeroom wall. Clive reaches down, grazing your bum with his palms over the fabric of your skirts before lifting your legs in the air. The back wall holds you steady as he wraps your legs around his waist.
Desperate to get close to him once more, not even wanting to separate for a second, you pull him back into you and kiss him fervently, not wanting to be parted from each other. He angles his hips toward you, teasingly grinding himself into your heat, causing you to whine into the kiss.
“Looks like you did miss me, hm?” He separates from your lips, moving to kiss down your neck once more.
“Let me make it up to you for being so neglectful of your needs.” He continues kissing down your neck, moving over to your décolleté, and then finally down the swell of your breasts.
“Founder, how I wish I could mark these tits,” he murmurs, dropping your legs back down onto the floor so that he can skim your torso and squeeze at your chest through the fabric of your gown.
“You have an intense infatuation with my breasts, don't you?” You giggle, laughing at his awestruck countenance while he continues to knead the fat in his hands.
“You've no idea." He smirks at you, then suddenly kneels before you.
“What are you doing?” You pet his hair softly as he looks up at you.
“I’m just being a good knight, my lady. On my knees for you, like I should be.”
"Oh, really now?"
"Mhm," he mumbles, taking your gloved hand in his. “I truly did miss you, and I plan on showing you just how much.” He reaches towards the hem of your gown, bunching it up over your navel.
"If you'd be so kind as to help hold up your skirts, my lady."
"I suppose I should be so kind." You lift the hem of your dress over your hips as Clive places your leg over his shoulder.
“Now this is how I shall swear fealty to you,” he leans towards your bare mound, planting a few kisses upon your mons before blowing cool air onto your cunt.
“I’ve missed your taste. I dreamt about it for so many nights." His thumbs trace slow circles into the skin near your pelvis as he continues teasing. He trails his tongue where your thigh meets the stark white stocking covering the majority of your leg.
"Fuck." He leans his face into your pussy once more, inhaling the rich scent before finally dipping his tongue into your wetness. He groans into your cunt.
Holding up the skirts of your gown the best you can in one hand, you snake the other into his shaggy locks, taking hold of his roots. Your chest heaves in anticipation.
“Please, please, Clive, don’t tease me," you whine, "it’s been too long.”
“Aw, did my sweet princess miss me?” He goads, sticking his tongue in your entrance and greedily sucking up your arousal on his wet muscle.
“Did her princess pussy miss how good I made her feel?” He kisses up the seam of your cunt until he reaches your clit.
"Did she miss how I made love to her with my mouth?” He spits on your pussy, the glob of saliva sticking to the hairs that cover your mound, some of it dripping to the ground.
He's quick to remove his gloves, tossing them aside before he takes his thumbs and spreads your folds apart, watching as your quivering hole twitches in anticipation.
“She must have missed me, with how much she’s leaking just for me."
All you're able to do is bite your lip and nod, feeling embarrassed as his words generate heat in both your cheeks and core.
He plugs your warm hole with his tongue, not wanting a single morsel of your essence to be wasted.
“It’s alright, princess; I’m right here.” He speaks directly into your cunt, looking at you with a deeply enamored gaze.
"I’ve missed her too, you know," he says, sliding his tongue all around your sopping pussy.
“I’ve missed her wetness, her sweetness, and her warmth. I missed how she clenched around me as I gave her pleasure," he groans.
Making his way to your clit, he gives it sweet kisses and drags the length of his tongue along the entirety of the bundle of nerves before pulling it into his mouth. His teeth graze the nub, causing your hips to jump forward, pressing more of yourself into his face.
Your fingers curl into his shaggy locks, struggling to keep your dress in your hold as you lose yourself in the feeling of pleasure, his pretty face proving to be useful for more than just gazing upon.
His teeth nip at your inner thigh, “getting greedy now, aren’t we princess?” He traces the divots of your thighs with his fingers, enjoying the feeling of your skin.
You don’t say anything, choosing to instead respond with an angry huff and pull his face back into your cunt by his hair.
“Point taken,” he smirks against you before pulling your clit back into his mouth again.
He moves his hand from your thigh and down to your pussy, sliding his middle finger back and forth between your folds, coating it in your slick. He slips to your entrance, circling the quivering hole and waiting, drawing out a whine from you.
“Please,” you exhale, your head rolling back against the wall, desperate to have him deep inside you. Though you’d much prefer squeezing down on his cock, that’d have to wait for another day.
He chuckles, the vibration from his voice moving through you, causing you to keel over slightly. Clive breeches your warm hole, slowly, letting you enjoy the feeling of his thick finger stretching you out.
“Fuck yes,” you whimper.
“That’s it, princess; you’re so wound up. Just take what you need," he coos, murmuring against you, his breath hot on your skin.
He curls his finger into you, the pad of his digit hitting the spongey spot along your walls.
“Looking for another audience? Was the poor maid not enough the first time?” He’s smirking against you now as he begins to pump his finger in and out of your cunt.
“What if your father were to catch you with me, hm? How do you think he’d react to his little girl stuffing her cunt in the face of someone he deigned worthy enough to protect her?"
Your breath is ragged, unable to form words due to the sound of his voice, deep and gravelly as he spews more filth at you.
“Keep moaning like that, and we’ll soon know the answer yet.”
He moves to your clit once more, slurping and sucking at your swollen pussy, desperate to push you over the edge. He fucks his finger into you at a rapid pace now, and his tongue is quick to catch whatever dribbles out onto his fingers, dining on your essence like it’s the finest ambrosia known to man, and to him, it might as well be.
Your head is lulled back against the wall as heat creeps onto your face and into your core. You don’t dare look down at Clive, who's nestling his face further in the hair that covers your cunt, knowing that you’ll surely come undone at the sight.
After the night you’ve had, you more than deserve this a thousand times over, and if it were up to him, he would happily oblige in all your desires.
The tips of your fingers cinch into his scalp, tugging him impossibly closer to your core, your orgasm building rapidly.
Clive pulls no punches, suctioning his lips around your clit and sucking it like a piece of hard candy. His index finger has joined the middle digit, fucking in and out of your cunt.
With practiced strokes, he contorts his fingers until your climax is upon you. Your lips part with a silent scream as your eyes roll into the back of your skull.
Your thighs shake as they try to close around his head, and his steady palms hold them apart as he removes his fingers from your pussy. Every drop of arousal that leaks from your womanhood is lapped up by his tongue til your hands are pushing his face away.
Clive gets the hint, removing your thigh from his shoulder and setting it back down on the floor. You attempt to move away from the wall, but he holds you in position until the jitter in your leg ceases.
He wipes the remnants of your spend from his face onto your inner thighs, and the roughness of his facial hair sends a shiver up your spine.
Once you've settled, he moves to help with fixing the skirts of your gown.
"Do you like it?" You smile brightly. "I wore it with you in mind."
You twirl slowly, your dress billowing slightly, wanting to show off all the detailing. His face warms at the gesture, and he presses a soft kiss on your forehead.
"I think lavender may be my new favorite color."
You allow yourself a moment to indulge in the blissful feeling before Clive speaks up once more.
"We should get moving. The break for supper will be happening soon, and we don't want any whispers of our whereabouts if we're not in attendance."
He moves to make a break for the storeroom door when you grab his forearm.
"Surely you're not going to go out there with your... predisposition," you flit your eyes down to the front of his trousers, where a prominent erection has made itself known.
"I'll take care of it myself, later."
"Let me help you..." There wasn't much time for you to return the favor with your mouth, and any other activities would leave you disheveled in a way that everyone would know of what happened between the two of you, but you could provide relief with your hand.
Despite the time restraint, you wanted to tease Clive a little, putting the tips of your silk gloves into your mouth and pulling them off of each hand slowly with your teeth before setting them aside nearby, so as to not be sullied with bodily fluids.
You wanted to get a good look at what you'd be working with, so you sink to your knees and pull his trousers down to his thighs. You give him a wide-eyed expression as the appendage bobs free, hitting his stomach gently.
His cock looked a lot different than those pictured in the medical texts that you've snuck from the royal library. He had extra skin and hair and garnered a much bigger girth as well.  
As tempted as you are to swallow the whole of him into your mouth, you settle for a simple kiss right on the tip, and his cock twitches back at you cutely in appreciation.
You rise to your feet once more with his aid and grasp him in your hand. His fingers are quick to cover your own, the size of them dwarfing yours.
"Are you positive that you want to go through with this? I truly don't mind taking care of myself," he asks.
"And not return the favor?" You chuckle. "I promise, I am doing this out of my own desire." You move to the column of his throat, placing soft and delicate kisses on the skin before moving toward the junction of his jaw.
"Now just relax," you coo, running your fingers delicately up and down his shaft.
He's so pent-up that it won't take long for him to climax, but you do your best to be as teasing as possible. His head lulls back as muffled sounds are delivered from his throat, and you can't help but admire how pretty he looks like this.
Not only does he have an impressive amount of girth, but his length is nothing to scoff at either, with a protruding vein running along the underside of him. The sheer size of him fills up your entire palm as you continue to pump slowly, the softness of your skin akin to silk upon his cock.
"So tell me, Clive, how many nights have you been fucking your fist to the thought of me?" You whisper in his ear, and his eyes shoot wide open as he takes in a gulp of air.
His hips buck lightly against you in response, giving you all the permission you need to continue your questioning.
"Come on, tell me. It can't be that bad." Your kisses continue on his neck as his hips continue to rock.
He takes in another gulp of air before answering.
"E-every night.”
"Every night? How cute," you tease, speeding up your movements on his cock. He bites his lip in an attempt to hide his noises while the rhythm of his hips meets your hand every time.
"I touch myself thinking of you too. Except my fingers are nowhere near as filling as yours," you chuckle to yourself as he groans out.
"Founder, above."
His cock is fully slick now, and at any moment, he looks like he's ready to burst, taking to wrapping his fist around yours and creating a vice-like grip with your fingers. All his movements are hurried and rushed as he chases his release.
For the final blow, you mutter to him, "Fuck my fist like you would fuck my pussy."
Clive full body shudders, tightening his grip once more before thrusting wildly. It's only a few short moments later that he's removing your hand from himself and laying his seed on the floor below, groaning your name in the process.
Afterward, the two of you take a few moments to collect yourselves and tidy your appearance. Old rags were used to wipe off the remnants of Clive from the floor, and you were just about to make your exit when the melody from one of your favorite songs played through the door.
"Clive, may I have this dance?" You extend your hand toward him, giggling to yourself.
From looking at your dance card earlier, this song was the second-to-last song to be played before the break for supper.
"And don't give me the excuse of not having enough time. We'll make it back to the ballroom before everyone's filed out for the evening."
"Even if that is true, my lady, I assure you that I know nothing of ballroom dancing."
"Did I ask you if you knew how?"
There's a momentary pause, one that he fills with a shake of his head. You nod in return.
"No, I did not. I simply asked you to dance with me. I'd still wish to so even if you had two left feet."
There's another pause as you extend your hand toward him again.
"I even saved you a spot on my dance card," you smile, shaking the parchment in front of his face, where the line for this dance is indeed left blank.
In his indecisiveness, you take his hand in your own and press yourselves close together.
"It's just you and me," you whisper, resting your head against his frame, the sound of the music filling the silence. His opposite hand moves to the small of your back, and the two of you end the evening in each other's arms, swaying to the sound of muffled music. 
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ghastlytofu · 7 months
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BG3 blunt rotation gooooo!
Karlach lights the blunt with her lips (charming), pretends to pass it to Clive before catching herself because HE IS BABY, WHAT WAS SHE THINKING-! Apologizes profusely to her stuffed bear (who has never done anything wrong in his life) and passes the blunt mournfully to Gale.
Gale, who is on thin fucking ice. He keeps chiefing the blunt (relaying a memory of utmost relevance, he's getting to it-) and waving it dangerously close to people's eyeballs with every exaggerated hand gesture. Whips it too close to Lae'zel's face one too many times and she snatches it out of his fingers in irritation.
Lae'zel is horny and hungry and HANGRY. She's only sitting next to Gale because he's responsible for the food (and because he segued into asking very clinical questions about oviparity which is kind of doing it for her tbh). Puff puff pass and then she's elbowing people (painfully) out of the way for dinner.
Shadowheart is lost in the sauce. She took two hits and is staring at her hands, giggling absently. Every now and then she pulls a face at nothing. Someone draped a blanket over her shoulders and she's counting the individual threads. Astarion nicks the blunt after she's been sitting on it for a solid minute (she doesn't notice).
Astarion doesn't need to use his lungs but he can. Figures the whole process would be more enjoyable were he to drink from the tap, so to speak, of one of his absolutely zooted companions (and is seriously considering asking). Makes a drawling joke about having red eyes that only lands with 50% of his audience which he takes as a victory.
Wyll is pleasantly baked out of his mind. His body's so loose he's melted into the nearest felled tree, laughs too loudly at jokes that are NOT funny, listens earnestly after asking thoughtful questions about your childhood. Falls asleep with his mouth open and one boot toed-off and proceeds to sleep for ten hours.
Minthara: Paranoid little freak. Convinced there's something wrong with the bud (there isn't). No appetite, twitchy AND armed. Gets up every three minutes to stalk the perimeter and sniff Gale's hair suspiciously.
Halsin. He's the plug, this is all his fault. They don't call it the Circle of the Moon for nothing.
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cherrirui-official · 4 months
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Friendlocke Violet Gijinkas (Part 3/7)
PART 3 RAAAAGH!!! SO SORRY THIS ONE TOOK SO LONG AAAH!!!! But it's here now, yippee!!! And just in time for Christmas too, wowie!
I plan on posting them in order by groups of three, so there's gonna be seven parts in total, all of which I'll be linking here when done vvv
(Part One) (Part Two) (Part Four) (Part Five) (Part Six) (Part Seven)
!! These will contain personal headcanons I have for the cast, little fun facts, and also spoilers for Friendlocke Violet (for both the edited vids and the streams) !!
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@saltydkart-reblogs
Designs under the cut!
GRACE:
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The light scars/ cracks on her body were injuries formed while she was accidentally sent through Turo's time machine. Unlike the paradox pokemon/ miraidon, GrAce's body isn't made of iron or metal, so her body wasn't able to withstand the large amount of tera energy used to power the machine as easily as the paradox pokemon were.
Luckily, she was just barely able to hold out against the time machine's energy until she made it to Turo's lab in the present day. Unfortunately, she can't be sent back because she would literally die if she went through the time machine again. Sooooo she's stuck in the modern era.
Very familiar with Area Zero and the various pokemon that reside down there, but moved out in order to continue producing music as well as familiarize herself with current-day Paldea.
She only vaguely know Clavell back when he was a rebellious teenager, though she didn't know his name. Clavell, on the other hand, was one of her biggest fans back in the 50s-60s.
Funny enough, when she sees "Clive" for the first time, she recognizes him! But not as Director Clavell, she just barely recognizes him as the random teenage fan that would occasionally ask her to sign various GrAce posters he had bought. She is also under the belief that he too, was sent from the past into the present, unaware that he simply just grew up.
Likes doing random poses for absolutely no reason whatsoever.
BRAIDY:
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Believes that everything can be solved without violence, but can and will throw hands if need be.
Everyone in Braidy's family greet each other by playfully ramming into one another. So when Peppy and his team were getting chased down by Braidy's family during their journey, they weren't trying to attack them, they just wanted to say hi!
Braidy is really good with kids due to his experience with being the eldest sibling, as he'd often have to take care of his younger siblings.
Mykyie and Braidy shop at the same clothing store.
Speaking of Mykyie, the lighter parts of Braidy's fur appeared only after Mykyie passed...
As of now, he's still an apprentice, but he has great potential to become an all powerful wizard... someday.
CHRISTENE'S:
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Artist's note: I couldn't fit their children in the bio sorry girls and gays. I'll probably draw them out later on after I'm finished with everyone else.
Their stomachs are basically voids, so every time they eat the food just disappears, which is why they're ALWAYS hungry.
HIGHLY flammable.
It is speculated that they're poppets, but you don't have any proof of that, do you?
If you listen closely, you can hear soft bell noises every time they walk. It is unknown why this happens, but I believe it is best not to ask.
Aaaaand that's it! I plan on taking a short break from these bc I wanna draw some other stuff. Dw, I'll continue to work on these very soon!
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gay-dorito-dust · 10 months
Note
Headcanons for Clive Rosfield with gn s/o reassuring him that he's a good man who does his best to help people despite everything he has gone through, they're proud of him, and they love him so much? With hugs and kisses too!
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Clive Rosfield had to be one of, if not the most strongest man you’ve ever met in your life.
Yet you’ve found that the stronger the man, the more broken they seemed to be in due to certain circumstances that happened within their past.
A past that could still be felt to this very day as it clung onto your beloved’s soul, it’s claws digging in deep into him that you worried that you’d deal him more damage if you were to pull them out raw.
You wanted nothing more then to help your exhausted lover and thankfully a time did come where Clive needed your comfort and sweet words and even sweeter reminders the most in the aftermath of a nightmare;
‘What if I’m an omen of death, destined to leave a trail of dead bodies, friends and foes alike in my wake?’ Clive admitted to you under starry skies. Yet despite how ethereal the sight above was…the topic at hand was anything but. ‘What if by the end of this I wouldn’t have had you gravely harmed, whether it’d be by my hand or others because of me.’ He adds sombrely, clutching your hand when he felt it involuntarily twitch.
‘I don’t want to have to watch that day come to pass.’ Clive was whispering now as though if he raised his voice any louder then something awful would take place, and it wouldn’t even matter whether the inherent danger were to take place five minutes from your conversation or even going as far as five weeks.
For as long as Clive could sense danger, he would always on a subconscious have himself somehow incorporated into it one way or another. He truly felt the one to blame for every wrongdoing that was committed no matter the scale of it, he just felt as though all bad things tie back to him in even the most minuscule ways.
‘Clive,’ you gripped his hand tightly, ‘not everything bad is inherently your fault.’ You told him but you weren’t finished yet. ‘You’re a good man, regardless of what the past speaks of your character. You’ve done a whole lot of good since those dark times and done a whole lot of good for the people who felt as though they had no hope to hold onto, Who felt like they too were deserving of the wrongdoings that have happened in their pasts because they felt as though they didn’t deserve better.’ You raised his hand and pressed a dozen kisses against the skin there as you decided to hold his hand close to your chest.
‘You’re a good man Clive Rosfield and I will not stand in hearing you slander yourself on the pretences of lies and falsehoods.’ You said as you tug him closer so you could bring your arms to hold him against you as you began to speak your words against his ebony locks. ‘For the Clive Rosfield I know is a brave, strong man of many talents, and he’s a beautiful man with a gentle, kind and caring heart.’ You felt Clive relax further into you, as though attempting to drown himself in your warmth and your scent with how he noses it’s way from against your collar bone, and upwards until his head is firmly flushed against your neck where he would then find comfort in your pulse point as his eyes began to drift off at the sound of your soothing voice.
A voice Clive would rather die then to never hear again, whispering sweet enchantments that you call encouragement into his ear.
‘And I am proud, so very proud of my Clive that neither words nor any form of expression can begin to accurately convey of the magnitude of how proud I am of him.’ You whispered sweetly, pressed kisses now and then again his hair or any form of exposed warm skin that was within your lips reach to douse in a plethora of kisses, leaving not a spec untouched by your lips, and even as you pulled away, you could feel Clive’s body writhe as it began to desperately miss your lips; considering how determined your beloved seemed to press himself further up against you, you’d think that he was trying to imprint himself onto you in some form of way.
‘His demons may want him to claim otherwise but I wish for him to remember that he isn’t what they say he is, Clive Rosfield isn’t a monster, nor a death omen, but I know my Clive Rosfield and my Clive Rosefield is anything and everything but those words. He’s generous, brave, bold, and yes I do have to admit, a little stubborn and hardheaded.’ You admitted, chuckling as Clive removed his head from your neck to give you a look. ‘But, even though he may often claim that he’s putting me in danger just for loving him.’
You pressed your forehead against his, nudging your nose against his, smiling when he wordlessly reciprocated the action. ‘I’ve never felt more safer then I ever have then within his arms.’ You muttered against his lips before closing the gap and kissing every ounce of love and affection you held for Clive into that kiss in hopes it’d make its way to his soul. Humming in delight as you felt him practically bruise your lips with the force of his kiss that burned with a fierce passion that at some points you felt as though you couldn’t keep up with him.
You knew Clive had a whole lot of love to give to the point where it became overwhelming and consumed every action he did, from the way he protected others, to the way he was currently holding onto you as though you were the last flicker of light in his life; which you might as well be. His grip was firm and strong but while also being gentle and cautious as not to bring you bodily harm, because god knows Clive would never forgive himself if he was the main reason you were hurt, as proven multiple times where you had gotten hurt saving his ass and you’d awaken up with Clive at bedside, holding your hand within his larger and warmer ones; it felt as though your hand was trapped within the depths of a campfire. Comforting and warm.
‘What have I done to deserve you, my love?’ Clive whispered against your lips upon pulling away but consciously choosing to stay within proximity of you in hopes that your words and love would continue to rub off on him like they have for as long as you both been lovers. You smiled, bringing your hands up to his scruffy jaw, enjoying the prickly sensation that kissed the pads of your fingertips deliciously. ‘You were just yourself my star, I was just merely captivated by your beauty and the way you treated others as equals and fell deeply in love ever since.’
‘What about now?’ Clive asked you.
You pecked his lips, ‘I’m still falling my star, I’m still falling.’
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jinwoosungs · 4 months
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{ 116 }
the hardest to love.
clive rosfield x fem.reader
warnings: unedited; soft depictions of physical intimacy - minors don't interact.
by choosing to interact with this 18+ content, you have consented to viewing something n-fw despite the warnings.
{ but i've been the hardest to love, and yet i can't believe that you still want me. }
you were the first to awaken when a sudden coldness was felt coursing through your veins, alerting you to how your once shared bed only held your form above its mattress with your lover all but present.
willing for this to be nothing but a bad dream, you keep your eyes shut and slowly reach out to the opposite side of the bed, only to feel the cold sheets against the palm of your hands. such a cold sensation was enough to force you to open your eyes, feeling them sting with the sensation of unshed tears.
you sit up in bed and look towards the dying embers settled within the fireplace, its warmth all but lukewarm as you could feel the night air paint goosebumps against your skin.
clive's sudden absence made your heart ache, hurting you deeply as you could feel the pinpricks of your slumber drifting away from you as you wondered where he had gone. lately, his distance has become difficult for you to accept, and you weren't sure if you could survive if clive ever told you he stopped loving you.
there was a strange anxiety felt settling within the pit of your stomach, and you felt nauseous at the thought of clive leaving you.
you, who had loved him throughout everything-
you, who had never once thought about leaving him or abandoning him-
even if he were to ever stop loving you; even if he were the first to abandon you, you knew that deep down that you would never ever stop loving the man simply known as clive rosfield.
ignoring the cold that was felt permeating into the cabin walls, you allow your bare feet to swing over the bed, touching at the wooden floors while making your trek towards the living room. looking out at the open window, you saw that clive's ax was gone and was immediately filled with relief, knowing that he had gone out to collect wood for the fire.
not wishing for your beloved to feel alone, you decide to wait against the settee that was settled in the living space, keeping warm by blowing puffs of air into your hands to help with staving off the cold felt in your extremities.
you hadn't the slightest clue how much time had passed, and you were close to dosing off had it not been for the sounds of the door unlocking and opening, revealing clive. he has his arms full with wood and appeared taken aback by the sight of you. he frowns a bit, setting some of the freshly cut wood to the side while calling out your name. "why are you still awake? it's late, my love."
your heart begins to turn inexplicably warm at the sound of his usual term of endearment for you, making your heart begin to race as you got up to help him.
the heartache you once felt at the thought of clive's distance all but dissipates as you eagerly take a hold of some of the logs he had brought, not heeding his warning about the splinters.
only when you felt a sharp prickling pain at your fingertips did you gasp and move away, dropping the log as your eyebrows became furrowed with concern. without wasting a second, clive discards the rest of the logs.
"i told you to not be so rash, now come closer, so that i can see the splinter beneath the moonlight."
clive chastises you, but you knew that his words were said completely due to the love and concern he held for you. as he turns your hand around, he sees the splinter and carefully extracts it from your fingertips. you wince in response to the slight pain, letting out a laugh as you decided to hide your discomfort with a joke.
"my, had i known that all it would take for you to notice me once more was a mere splinter, than i would have gladly given myself a million of them all at once."
clive frowns at your words, with a hurtful expression crossing his features for the briefest of moments. he meets your gaze and sees how utterly defeated you looked. you hear him say your name while caressing your cheek with the back of his hand.
"whatever do you mean by this, love?"
"clive, i'm not stupid, nor will i ever be a woman you could hide things from. i know how distance you have become. i cannot count the times i have woken up in bed, cold and alone without you near."
clive lets out a soft string of curses, "by the founder..."
he mumbles a few other words that you couldn't quite catch, sitting on the spot next to you while running a hand through his onyx hair. you kept your gaze on his, yet, it was clear that the rosfield knight was not brave enough to maintain eye contact with you.
"this is no excuse, i-i know that, but... i always felt so undeserving of love. i always saw myself as an irredeemable monster who was incapable of receiving love. hell, even my own mother scorned me since the moment i was born."
you could hear the way his voice broke each time he spoke, yet still, you remained tight lipped and quiet, forcing yourself to remain quiet.
"i grew up with feelings of self-loathing, and that has never stopped, even to this day. i always thought that i would be alone, but that all blew up into flames the moment you stepped into my life."
clive finally meets your gaze, and you felt your heart ache even further upon seeing the sheen of unshed tears settled against his true blue eyes. "you, who painted my entire world in a rose colored lens, making valisthea appear so much more beautiful than it truly was. you brought so much light into my life-"
"but then, those damn thoughts would always resurface. i would think about how...how you were much to beautiful for me to keep. that i was a selfish bastard for wanting to keep you to myself. t-that, if i were to ever tell you of these thoughts, that you would leave me. that i've been the hardest to love because... i never knew how to love you properly; that you were never mine."
a silence was settled between the two of you, and you could see clive looking away from you, curling into himself as he hid his face beneath the palm of his hands. "so... i figured since you would leave me anyways, then i had no reason to remain by your side, pushing you away because i-i never deserved you."
unable to stand being away from him, you softly call out to him, climbing on top of his lap as you settled yourself even closer to him. with your arms wrapped around him, you allow your lips to brush against his deep onyx locks, ready to comfort him and shower him with all the love you had to offer.
"you've never been the hardest to love, clive." you whisper to him, taking a hold of both of his hands so that he could reveal himself to you. he was still silently crying when you brushed your lips against his damp cheeks, the touch as soft as a butterfly's wings as you could taste the saltiness of his tears.
you hear him ready to let out a protest, yet you simply shushed him in response, not allowing your beloved to interrupt you. "loving you has never been difficult, clive. in fact, loving you has become as natural as breathing to me..."
"but, if you still do not believe my words, then please, allow me to show you."
taking a hold of his hand, you get off of his lap, feeling pleased that clive was already following you into your shared room. with your bed in sight, you gently shove your beloved against the mattress. you hear his gruff voice calling out your name, further fueling your desire for him as you carefully stepped out of your nightgown, allowing the gossamer material to pool against your feet.
you crawl on top of the bed, relishing in clive's labored gasps of your name. you allow your hands to explore the fabric of his tunic, lifting it up as his gorgeously crafted body was revealed to you. his name falls from your parted lips in a reverent whisper, and you spend the next moments worshipping his form.
your lips latch on to his skin, pressing butterfly kisses down his chest. each time you felt his sweat rolling down his skin, you would eagerly lick the bitter substance away, basking in his groans. you felt clive delve his hands into your hair, pulling at them gently each time your lips eagerly met with his heated skin. little did you know that your touch was enough to send clive's heart into flames, leaving him a mess of grunts as groans as he begged for you.
the feelings of desire coupled along with the intensity of love you felt for him was enough to make you pull down his leather pants, revealing his painful erection to you as you slowly began to stroke him. you could feel the moisture collecting between your legs, your swollen sex aching almost with a desperation to finally have him inside of you.
"let me show you how much i love you- how much i need you... how i will always need you." your voice comes out as whiny and breathless, still stroking him into full hardness before placing your slickness over his pulsating cock, moving back and forth while creating an almost maddening friction between you and him.
when the need for him became too much was when you gently lifted yourself off of him, allowing his tip to collect some more droplets of your arousal before fully sinking down on him. this makes clive cry out to you, the feeling of your warm and wet walls feeling so maddeningly addictive and sinful. he buries his head against the plush pillows, letting out a string of curses.
"fuck, you feel so fucking good. i can't take it 'nymore...!"
you weren't faring any better yourself, bracing yourself against his broad chest as you eagerly bounced yourself up and down his shaft. you could feel each and every inch of him massaging at your walls, making you cry out in response. "founder... it has been far too long, clive...! you fill me so well."
clive could reach parts of you that you didn't know existed, and when you adjusted your movements, you could feel the tip of him hit a part deep inside you that had you seeing stars. with a gasp of his name, you continue riding him, losing all sense of direction as your movements became sloppier.
but clive didn't seem to mind, seeming to urge you on as he places his hands on your waist, helping you bounce up and down his cock as he speeds up your movement. you were getting close, becoming breathless as your lovemaking began to make loud squeaking noises against your shared mattress.
with one final push against his hips, you began to see light blinding your vision, your core convulsing around clive's cock as it takes on a tighter grip the moment you felt your release.
"FUCK!" clive lets out a hiss, sitting up from his position to capture your lips in a searing kiss. as you were caught in the throes of passion, clive continues to thrust his hips upwards, allowing you to ride out your orgasm before stilling his hips completely.
you let out another, drawn out moan, feeling thick streams of his seed going into you as you were certain he had painted the entirety of your wall white. you could feel the mixture of your releases escape out of your soaked core and down clive's now flaccid cock.
in the aftermath of your intense lovemaking, you were as content as a cat who's had her fill of cream, letting out a purr as you rested your head against clive's broad shoulders. with the lust completely gone, you basked in the love you had for him, pressing lingering kisses against his shoulder as clive leans in to kiss at your damp hair.
"by the founder, it's too damn hot." you let out a soft gasp when clive places a hand on your hips, still wishing to remain connected to you as he rips his tunic away from his body. when his chest was completely bare for you, clive lays back down, taking you with him as you giggled in response.
"so do you believe in my love for you, now?" you brush your lips against his jawline, waiting for his answer as you could feel his laughter, the vibrations sending tiny pinpricks of pleasure coursing through you.
"hmm..." clive considers his answer for a few moments before he lifts your chin, forcing you to meet his gaze as a wolfish grin decorates his handsome features. "i would not mind another demonstration, if you are still up for it?"
you gasp when you feel him suddenly growing inside of you, with him thrusting his hips once more as the red hot pleasure returns in full force, making you giggle as you eagerly lay back in bed with clive settled between your legs and hovering over you, ready to spend the next several hours loving you further as he showed no signs of stopping.
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a.n. - it has been far too long since i wrote anything substantial for clive rosfield and posted it here. this story is to just show how truly attractive and irresistible this man is 🤭 this is unedited, but i hope you readers enjoy 🌌
all stories are written by rei; reposts, translations, and plagiarism are not allowed.
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