#elongated canines for the win

[cassianandfenrysaremyboyos]

Honestly so sexy of the Throne of Glass fae to have fangs

#elongated canines for the win #tog #throne of glass #hofas #house of flame and shadow #rowan whitethorn #fenrys #gavriel #crescent city

[jacqcrisis]

Listen. I go bananas over a character with sharp teeth. Elongated canines? Tusks? Fangs? Dragonfish type situation? A whole set of serrated knives in their gums? Love it. You know this. I know this. We all know this.

But if every goddamn character design has shark teeth, it's not fun anymore. One guy with sharp ass teeth? I go nuts. A few guys with long canines? I'm still happy. A species with tusks in tandem with others who do not have them? Sign me the fuck up.

Every fucking character sporting chompers that'd make a great white jealous for no reason whatsoever? I sleep. Shark tooth fatigue. Go put some normal teeth in there for context and maybe you'll win me over again.

#yes this is about a certain cartoons character design #give two or three people fucked up teeth #not the whole cast #i have not watch said cartoon or related cartoons becuase the design ethos makes my brain get tired #theres too many details #every character seems over designed to be interesting to me #i just dont have much interest along with that anyways

[jasperwatchinga]

          [...]  𝐇𝐎𝐖  𝐓𝐑𝐔𝐄  𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓  𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐒𝐄  𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓  𝐃𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒  𝐇𝐀𝐕𝐄  𝐕𝐈𝐎𝐋𝐄𝐍𝐓  𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒.  somewhere  in  jasper’s  unbeating  heart,  he  must  have  known  it  would  end  this  way  eventually,  rue  flavored  blood  smeared  across  glacial  skin  and  another  body  at  his  feet,  though  he  had  sworn  himself  to  abstinence  the  moment  he  first  smelled  this  human  in  particular.  he  dutifully  stayed  upwind  of  the  scent   and  managed  to  behave  himself  through  two  blissful  weeks  of  watching  and  marveling  as  this  person  went  about  his  dusks  and  nights,  true  to  his  word  of  only  watching.  a  fascinating,  happy  human  this  boy  was  !  and  the  friends  that  came  along  with  him,  the  places  he  went  !  such  a  needed  injection  of  sunshine  into  an  otherwise  dull  and  dim  colored  life. 

      for  all  his  idolizing  and  fawning  over  this  silly  slice  of  life  venture,  he  had  been  mistaken  to  hold  himself  to  such  a  lofty  standard.  not  practiced  enough,  not  human  enough  to  follow  the  man  for  simple  entertainment  as  he  once  did  in  another  life.  jasper  knew  this  from  trial  and  error,  and  yet,  he  could  scarcely  help  himself  when  the  opportunity  to  indulge  his  former  humanity  had  come  calling.  curiosity  and  delight  had  begotten  the  silent  hunt,  but  hunger  had  been  too  close  behind,  no matter  how  recently  he  had  fed.  a  bottomless  pit,  jasper  had  become  in  every  way  now,  at  all  times  yearning  and  thirsting.  

      this  bad  caricature  of  humanity  he  so  often  plays  at  had  been  nothing  next  to  the  powerful  demands  of  the  predator  he  truly  is,  and  so,  he  struck  as  soon  as  the  opportunity  presented  itself.  the  boy  had  been  a  fighter  when  his  life  was  on  the  line ,  but  round  for  round,  the  supernatural  will  win  out  against  the  beautiful  delicacy  and  fragility  of  humans  each  and  every  time. 

      but  even  a  monster  is  occasionally  moved  by  that  loveliness,  and  in  what  is  left  of  who  he  had  once  been,  jasper  feels  the  enormity  of  the  loss  of  what  he  had,  in  his  own  way,  considered  a  friend.   he  had  grown  so  fond  of  his  watching  excursions,  of  the  jovial  life  this  human  had  seemed  to  live, and  it  is  for  this  reason  that  the  story  doesn’t  end  with  the  body  getting  rolled  into  the  river,  but  begins  anew  with  jasper’s  least  practical  and  most  ludicrous  decision,  thus  far.

      he  kneels  now  in  the  leaves  and  bracken  underfoot,  watching  the  last  hurrah  of  the  human’s  pulse  beneath  the  bloodied and tattooed  skin  of  his  neck.  if  he  thinks  too  carefully  about  his  impulses  now,  he  won’t  go  through  with  it,  but  he  doesn’t  want  to  be  alone  again,  and  so  he  does  very little  thinking  at  all.  instead,  he  moves  quickly  now,  brings  his  own  wrist  up  to  allow  elongated  canines  to  pierce  the  ivory  flesh  there  and  draw  to  the  surface  a  flow  of  ichor  and  abomination  that  he  presses  to  the  stranger’s  slack  mouth.  it  doesn’t end like this.

@cfvoid​    /    jax​

#cfvoid #dear god i wrote a novel #but it's the first vamp!jas moment #and i was vibing

[themculibrary]

Dark!Bucky Masterlist

Anything (and Everything) (ao3) - Penned bucky/tony T, 4k

Summary: The Soldier will do anything to make Tony happy, with or without his explicit consent.

Bucky Snaps (ao3) - romanrogers steve/bucky E, 14k

Summary: Bucky's spine rippled underneath his skin, elongating, with an orchestra of cracking bones singing in the dim light, acting as Steve's only anchor to reality. He watches in paralytic horror as Bucky groans and pounds his fist on the floor again, shattering the blood slick tile.

The faint, flickering lights overhead cast long shadows across the room, making everything that much more eerie. Steve's legs were numb with shock, not responding to his attempts to move.

From his place on the floor, Steve could see Bucky's sharp, lengthened canines glinting with every pained curl of his upper lip. Foreboding, an unintentional warning. An innate, primal instinct from within him screamed to run. Make yourself small and run. The guy in front of you is a predator.

Steve never was one to walk away from something that was in his best interest. Even though he most definitely should.

Carnivore (ao3) - leomundstinyhut steve/bucky E, 5k

Summary: "He can almost hear him licking his chops, tongue gliding over his canines and growl rumbling deep in his chest. Sometimes, Steve will be alone in his apartment and then he will hear a creak, a normal settling of the house, but he will freeze his eyes on the paper of the book he’s reading and swear he can feel the soldier’s breath on the back of his neck. Heat, unfurling over the hairs at the base of his head, and his fingers will tremble as he struggles to turn the page. Sometimes it’s entire minutes before he can bring himself to reach back and rub his neck, just to get rid of the feeling.

He doesn’t know why Bucky is watching, but he is, and it’s unnerving."

PWP that turned into porn with plot. Kinda.

Feral Alpha Hunter (ao3) - roe87 steve/bucky E, 13k

Summary: Steve is an undocumented alpha, living on the run in the big city.

Bucky is a sniper who hunts down feral alphas.

When Steve is captured, his choices become very limited. Bucky offers Steve a job as his new attack dog. Steve takes it, because his choices are either work with Bucky or remain imprisoned.

All Steve needs to do is to bide his time and win the omega's trust, then he plans to break free and escape.

(A very dark and dubious Neon Noir style au!)

I could love you with my eyes closed (kiss you with a blindfold) (ao3) - pandafish steve/bucky E, 123k

Summary: Nothing really matters to Bucky, after he comes back from his last tour in a pointless war. When another veteran, Billy Russo, offers him a work that turns out not to be as legal as one might think, Bucky doesn’t care. There’s only one single thing that he does care about these days – and that is the fact that ever since he saw Steve Rogers across a crowded room, everything changed. And Steve might not know who he is, but Bucky still stalks him with the passion of a man in love and he knows that one day, that tiny little blond will be his.

OR: Bucky is a stalker and Steve just wants to be loved right

Impulse Buy (ao3) - Crematosis steve/bucky, bucky/tony E, 4k

Summary: When Steve is away on a mission, Bucky goes shopping for a sex slave.

I Wanna B Urs (ao3) - spelling_error bucky/tony E, 40k

Summary: In which Tony Stark really is as evil as everyone says he is, the Winter Soldier is a millennial who listens to the Arctic Monkeys, and why anyone decided to put the guy with 70 years worth of assassinations listed on his resume on non-lethal missions is beyond either of them.

Either way though, Winter’s getting a promotion.

love the way you falter (ao3) - snarkymuch steve/bucky, E, 3k

Summary: Steve is constipated and asks Bucky for help, something Bucky is more than happy to give.

Making Him Mine (ao3) - Crematosis bucky/steve/tony E, 10k

Summary: Tony thought Steve would rescue him when Bucky goes into rut and is determined to make him his mate.

Unfortunately, nobody's there to rescue him from Steve.

Murder Mystery (ao3) - Buckybeardreams, Stuckonylover (Buckybeardreams) bucky/steve/tony

Summary: James Buchanan Barnes is a man just like any other, with a loving husband, a nice house, a brand new car, and a fucked up past. Except his fucked up past made him a killer and now he can't get enough of it.

Steve seems oblivious to his husbands hobby of hunting people, but when a private detective comes to town to investigate recent disappearances from the surrounding area Bucky realizes that he may be a complication.

Reckless (ao3) - The_Winter_Writer bucky/tony N/R, 3k

Summary: Tony had always been warned about recklessly running towards danger. He just figured that danger was a lab explosion, an ill-advised experiment or doing something that embarrassed Howard in public. This had not even made his top fifty possible situations.

Terms & Conditions (ao3) - Penned bucky/tony M, 4k

Summary: Tony Stark is desperate and trusts too easily. Bucky Barnes takes advantage of that.

A mob AU with no powers, featuring a very dark, very off-kilter Bucky.

The Queens Killer and his Writer (ao3) - ItsMe_Basil bucky/peter E, 42k

Summary: Bucky gulps the last bit of whiskey from the glass in his hand and sets it down on the counter. He watches the boy for a while longer, watching as he lifts his head from his notebook any time someone passes by him.

He's skittish, Bucky thinks, smirking to himself. He's always liked them timid -liked watching them shake and cry.

Finally, Bucky pushes off the counter and makes his way across the bar, putting on his best friendly smile and stopping at the table, sliding into the booth across from him.

the way you keep your hands so still (ao3) - saveourtiredhearts steve/bucky M, 1k

Summary: Bucky brings the gun into the bedroom on a warm Saturday afternoon. Steve doesn't say a word.

#themculibrary #mcu #marvel #bucky barnes #dark!bucky #dark!bucky masterlist #masterlists

[franticbindings]

The Volkovs

(Illustration for the Fairy Tale of Ivan Tsarevich, the Firebird, and the Gray Wolf, 1902, Ivan Yakovlevich Bilibin)

There is a traditional tale about a prince who sought a firebird for his father, and the shapeshifting wolf who helped him in his task. The version I am familiar with ends after the prince is wed to a princess and his wicked brothers are punished for their crimes. The Volkov family tells a similar story, and the story of what happened after; the wolf took a man’s shape to stay by the prince’s side when he became king, used his magic to help him rule, and in time began a family of his own with a courtier. They say that when the king died and it seemed the people would turn against the wolf and his children, he led his family across the water to settle in Town, where they would not be considered so strange.

I don’t know if they’re descended from the wolf from the story I know, but the Volkovs bear the marks of a similar heritage in their features and their magic. Most of them only have a touch of the wolf in their appearance - something like yellow eyes, sharp teeth, elongated ears or fur on some of their body; occasionally one has all of those and more, or is even born as a wolf and needs magic to take a human shape. Unlike the Tenko, many people find their features fearsome or intimidating rather than cute or aesthetic. They’ve got their admirer’s though! 

You can find them out in the Walking Fields where there’s room to run, and you can hear them howling on clear nights. If you meet them you might be intimidated at first - they’re big, a little wild, and standoffish around strangers; but they’re the kind to offer more help than you’d expect, especially if you’ve a noble heart or a fool’s nature. If you have both of those, don’t be surprised if you end up with a Volkov as a close friend or romantic partner! Many of them are proficient with the shape changing magic of their ancestor, and can be seen roaming in groups on two legs or four. More rarely, some of them have an uncanny sense of timing and the knack of foreseeing danger; if a Volkov gives you advice or a warning, you should probably listen! Their word is gospel when it comes to when to plant and when to harvest; since they came to Town, the Walking Fields has almost never lost a crop that could have been saved by planting later or harvesting earlier. They keep records about what they’ve divined about the future - not so much a list of prophecies as a catalog of opportunities; perfect moments for a task that one of them thought was worth doing.

They’ve taken it upon themselves to oppose the Riders who come to hunt and kill in the Walking Fields, whenever they can. Their magic means that they’ve got a knack for only getting involved when they’ve got a chance at winning, so they do better than you might think against such terrible foes. If you find yourself running from the Great Hunt and you see a wolf - follow it! 

(Superior) Wolfkin

The Volkov’s connection to their wolven heritage extends to the flesh and blood of them, and this skill covers the ways they are like wolves.

Wolfkin 0: You are not even a little wolflike. 

Wolfkin 1: You are touched by your heritage in subtle but noticeable ways. You have a wolf-like physical feature such as yellow eyes, sharper teeth, pointed ears, the ability to make canine vocalization or fur on some of your body. Your hearing and sense of smell are sharper than a human’s. 

Wolfkin 2: The mark of the wolf is blatant upon you. You likely have most of the features described in Wolfkin 1 and might even have a tail, blunt claws instead of fingernails or a posture that can run on all fours without discomfort. You’re enough stronger and faster than a human that this skill is worth 1 edge when that matters. Your hearing range extends high enough that you can listen to Fortitude Rats talk secretly amongst themselves and sensitive enough you can hear things a mile away. Your sense of smell is 25 times stronger than a human’s.

Wolfkin 3: You have the body and senses of a wolf. Your hearing range extends even higher and further, out to 6 miles in a forest or further without obstructions. Your sense of smell is 100 times stronger than a human’s, enough to track something across a forest, or smell something miles away when the wind is in your favor. You’re not capable of human speech, and have paws instead of hands. 

I’m not sure what Wolfkin 4 or 5 looks like!

This skill also serves as a mundane skill for doing wolflike things like running, hunting, smelling and listening. It can sometimes grant part of its edge when doing things in concert with other people with this skill; Wolfkin working together to hunt something probably get their full edge; playing a team sport probably tops out at 1.

Hunter's Magic

Almost all of the Volkovs I know have a little bit of their magic, and being more proficient isn’t uncommon. They’re usually more skilled in one of the two different branches; the more common one is the ability to take on other shapes, most typically that of a wolf (or a human, if they’re normally a wolf) but they can take other shapes as well. Some of them are more proficient with their gift for foresight, which doesn’t tell them what will happen but when to try something and what to watch out for. 

Non-Magical Techniques [Obstacle 0] Understand canine body language. [Obstacle 0+] Communicate without words.  [Obstacle 1] Recognize nobility.

Transformation Magic [Obstacle 1] Make yourself more intimidating, impressive or commanding. [Obstacle 1] Sharpen your senses. [Obstacle 1] Speak with a human voice while in a form that normally can’t. [Obstacle 2] Take the shape of a wolf or change back to your human shape. [Obstacle 3] Take other human or animal shapes.

Planning Magic [Obstacle 1] Learn if it is an auspicious hour for a specific task. [Obstacle 1] Learn if there is some unknown danger facing a specific task. [Obstacle 2] Learn in a general sense when the next good time for a specific task is. [Obstacle 2] Gain a useful hint about an unknown danger that faces a specific task. [Obstacle 3] Learn the best time for a specific task, and why.

Bonds

If I’ve wronged you, I’ll move heaven and earth to make it right. I’m drawn to the foolish and the noble. My senses are sharp.* I’m stronger than you.* I’m faster than you.* Sometimes I forget what shape I’m in. I wear as little clothing as I can get away with. I avoid speaking if at all possible. My dinner has to include something I caught myself. I put off doing things until the perfect moment. I can’t use my magic to learn about things I’m going to do myself. I worry excessively about the future. I like to give piggy back rides.

Afflictions

I give really good advice. I don’t make empty threats. I turn into a wolf at night. I turn into a wolf if I get too scared or angry. I heal very quickly.* My fur protects me from the power of the outside.

Credit to Jenna Moran for the starred bonds/afflictions, which I borrowed from the Vampire writeup in the Fortitude book.

#cmwge #fairy tales #I was going to play a character whose story was connected to this fairy tale in a werwolf kinda way but the game never happened #I'm finally running my own Chuubo's game and my players' characters (upon learning that Vampires are real - they're new) asked about #werewolves #I've always wondered how the wolf in the story knew when Ivan should try to sneak in #and what dangers he should avoid #and why the wolf was so dedicated to helping Ivan even when he kept messing up despite his warnings #and decided that the answers were magic and love - respectively #wolf stuff #long post

[canon-suika]

Sunlight Filtered Through Ruins

happy birthday to my very favorite character in all of Naruto, Root agent Shin. last year I wrote my first fanfic in a long time dedicated to them that was posted on 9/6/21. this year I have another offering, quite different this time.

Ship: OC/Shin (OC is my main man Kouta)

Rating: 18+ for sexual content

Summary: in an au where Kouta is the Jinchuuriki to a different Six Tails and still living in Takigakure and Shin is a top Root agent still in service to Danzo, the two meet up sometimes to throw hands and squabble back and forth. Kouta thinks he has the upper hand for once as he has Shin pinned after a lengthy chase and struggle. but they're prepared for anything he comes at them with and manages to take the victory. then they propose and immediate round two, this time with a different set of rules.

Disclaimer: both of these characters are transgender, Kouta goes by he/him and is a trans man while Shin goes by they/them and is agender. I myself am a bisexual transmasc individual that uses it/he.

He looks down intensely at them, electric orange eyes taking in every little detail of the elite Root agent he has pinned beneath him. Kouta straddles their midsection, no space between the two of them to be found, and has his bent knees placed on either side of their body so as to keep them right where he wants them. Dark eyes look back up at him without an ounce of fear or nervousness. It's as if they do not regard the Jinchuuriki with the physical upper hand to actually be of any real threat to their being. That only serves to drive the Six Tails host wilder, his lips curling into an even more menacing snarl, elongated canines flashing in the sunlight pouring into the cabin from the holes made in the roof by the Fuuma Shuriken earlier.

"I'm surprised you even knew where this place was." Shin drawls, not at all bothered by the physical closeness between the two of them.  They cock one eyebrow up closer to their hairline, no longer hidden by lengthy bangs, curious as to how he could have located this old structure without a map. "Though I'm not sure what you gain by bringing us here."

"Distracting me with off topic conversation isn't going to work this time, you nuisance." Kouta growls from deep in his chest. He slams one palm down on the wooden floor just inches from the right side of their head, chakra cloak crackling with electricity, and brings his face down close to theirs. "I'm going to win this one. Mark my words."

The fact of the matter is that Kouta is so set on besting Shin for once that he's shut out the possibility of losing and that meant he wasn't being thorough with his restraining tactics. This is a fact that Shin, who is trained to deal with Shinobi three times as dangerous as him, was all too aware of from the get go and could very easily capitalize on. They looked him over top to bottom, analyzing his posture and what he could use in his arsenal to try to hurt them should they struggle too much. Neither of them would allow a lethal blow to be dealt because this was still just a mostly "friendly" spar despite how serious it looked at the moment. But that didn't mean they had to go easy on each other either if it meant certain victory for one side. This was especially true for Kouta because he was still hyped up on Bijuu chakra, the stage one cloak swallowing every inch of his person, his present pair of tails lashing behind him all the while he was pinning his opponent.

"Wouldn't be so sure of that. You're not being intensive enough in your methods to subdue me." There's a smirk that creeps up onto their face as they speak. It earns them another growl issued just inches from their face, his hot breath being felt all too well over their features. However it did not shake them at all and they made no move to appear affected.

"Why don't you be quiet. I don't want to hear that from you and that ugly haircut of yours." It sounds a little petty in the moment, but he means that last statement genuinely. It's not a good look for them and it's also one less bit of leverage He has one them. He fumes a little internally just thinking about it at not having as much hair to grab a fistful of as he gets in their face to intimidate them. Instead, he keeps his other hand flush up against their chest now that that pesky Anbu vest had been torn up by his last attack. The feeling of their heartbeat beneath his palm makes him feel powerful, like he could reach his hand into their chest cavity and rip the organ out if the two had actually been enemies.

"An insult like that is pretty pathetic, you know. We both know you can do better than that." The faux reprimand is spoken with such a lax tone that Shin doesn't even move much as they speak it. What it will take to get to them, Kouta may never know. "Though if you actually put in more effort you might get even more careless in keeping me pinned down that I can get free without breaking a sweat. This doesn't look good for you either way."

That is a breaking point for Kouta and he immediately moves both hands to grab at their bodysuit, yanking their head up off the floor, pressing their noses together as his chest rumbles with vicious growls. "You're too fucking smug for your own good and I'm tired of it. After I beat your ass this time, I'm never letting you get ahead of me again. You got that?"

This is exactly the window of broken focus fueled by momentary upset that Shin had been looking for from the Jinchuuriki currently manhandling them. With a fraction of their strength, they bring their arms up and clasp their palms together behind his head, channeling a hefty amount of chakra through their system and focusing intently. The second they open their mouth to speak, it dawns on Kouta that he's made a grave mistake. And it's too late to fix it. "Suiton: Drown."

Manifesting out of seemingly thin air, a large mass of water begins to swirl above their heads, getting larger with each passing second, providing a feeling of menace that he has rarely experienced before. There's no time to move out of the way. It's going to come down on them both and he's going to regret ever being so careless. This may not kill him but it IS going to shred his dignity into little pieces. At the last second he lets go of his grip on Shin's clothing to let his hands limply rest on their chest as the torrent cascades down and drenches the two worse that a rat being flushed into a sewer by an automatic toilet. The impact of the cold water decimates his Bijuu chakra cloak and it vanishes from sight without a second thought. Never before has his greatest weapon been subdued in such an embarrassing way. Both of them take the waterfall for several seconds and when it's over he's the one doing most of the coughing to clear out anything he's inhaled into his lungs.

"I told you." They cough a few times too, but not nearly as much. Probably because they're all too used to having fluid in their lungs that it takes less effort to clear them now. "To be more thorough."

"How dare you!" And then he hacks a few times, the fluid from his lungs coming up in spurts and dribbling down his chin, as he digs what's left of his claws into the tender flesh beneath their thin bodysuit. Shin is then acutely aware that some sharp pain is to come in just a moment. It'll be over soon, but it's going to burn like hell for a few seconds.

And true to form, Kouta drags his somehow still unusually sharp claws upwards and tears open two rifts in their skin over their collarbones and across both sides of their neck. Blood seeps from the wounds and mingles with the lingering puddles of water they have pooled on the floorboards where they dip low enough to hold a little liquid. These might need stitches when they manage to get back home. Even just applying wound cleaner was going to hurt like a bitch and they certainly aren't looking forward to such an endeavor. However, it's not fatal or particularly debilitating, they'll live to spar with him another day, and that's what counts most. The scars will also make interesting trophies from the encounter. He meanwhile is looking down at them again with eyes white-hot like a flash of lightning as if he's reveling in finally getting a really solid, effective hit in on them.

"Explain THAT to that vermin you call a master. Sure he won't be too happy to have one of his favorite dogs all marked up." He knows he shouldn't, but Kouta can't help but flaunt his maneuver just a little in front of his "victim". The thought of that shady bastard Danzo getting enraged over this brings him more than a little joy. It's nothing personal against Root or Konoha how he had scarred up Shin, but it was a side effect he'd happily take anyway.

"Lord Danzo has no say in the way I conduct myself in what little free time I have." Shin says, simply. They seem to have a comeback for everything. "And I'll have these taken care of when I get back to the village so they won't impede my work. There's nothing to worry about. Besides, I have coworkers with much worse scars than these will become."

"Smug pest, you always have some sort of retort. Like you enjoy getting the last word in." The Six Tails host reaches with one hand to swipe at one of the gashes he left on Shin, some of the blood coating one of his digits, and then brings the hand up to eye level and inspects it. This has certainly been ample payback for that Water Style cheap shot from earlier even if they're not particularly upset about it. Without another thought, he puts the finger in his mouth and sucks the little bit of blood off of it before bringing the hand down to press against their chest once more. The action may have been frivolous but at least the taste on iron on his tongue allows him to focus on the task at hand properly again. His entire self being soaking wet was unpleasant. But both of them were in the same boat there, and he could easily dry his outfit later so it was really a non-issue. "This is a draw even though I wish that wasn't the case. But next time will be different."

"I wouldn't call it a draw just yet." They pipe up the second he's done speaking. "We can go another round, if you'd like."

"Not like this I'm not gonna. To hell with that. I need to get out of these wet clothes and hole up in my apartment for a couple days to restore my dignity." He huffs, lost dignity very clearly present, keeping a little warning snarl on his face the whole time so that they don't get the wrong idea.

"Oh, I don't mean combat round two." Shin lowers their voice a bit with the next statement. "Unless you'd rather go home and be a hermit like always. Up to you."

The sudden red flush that creeps onto his cheeks the moment their words register in his ears could put the color of the fresh blood from their wounds to absolute shame. Did this Foundation bastard really propose that sort of thing before they even had their injuries closed and bandaged? In this dirty and now wet old cabin? What were they, insane? Must be. Only a crazy person would offer up such an idea without a second thought. Still...he hadn't outright said no just yet. Both were soaked to the bone and Shin was bloody. But the temptation of their proposal hadn't sounded like the worst idea in the world right then and there. Kouta warred with himself internally but could not seem to find the desire to say no to his favorite chewtoy the more he thought it over. Maybe, just maybe, he could salvage the win with this different sort of bout.

"You are the worst human being alive, I hope you know that right now." Kouta sighs, a bit dramatic, but the anger is just not there anymore, having dissolved the moment he realized this was his chance to steal a victory away from Shin. "And you drive a hard bargain. But I'm not gonna go home with my tail between my legs when you make an offer like that. You're on. Troublesome freak."

They make to laugh, though it's a little garbled at the moment from remnants of water that was still in their respiratory system trying to come up, and snipe back at him. "And you're the worst weasel alive. Now would you might getting off me for a moment? I need to stretch my back since you've had me pinned for the past ten minutes with no breaks."

Though he's a little reluctant to do as the ask because it might cost him his edge, Kouta begrudgingly complies. He slides off of Shin and they finally manage to properly sit up with some effort. He can hear them groan first thing, no doubt feeling the stiffness in their whole body from being stuck in the prone position on a hard wood floor for too long, followed closely by the sound of some deep chest coughing to clear more of what's left in their lungs. They then manage to roll their shoulders first and then move to stretch both arms over their head. In the process, he watches them wince several times as they no doubt aggravate the gashes he had so thoroughly carved into their flesh, wrecking their clothing all the while. Kouta nods his head and scoffs just a little at the fact that those are gonna take a while to heal. Sucks to be Shin. Oh well, they'd live to be beaten by him another day.

After that he moves his orange gaze to the remains of the Anbu vest he had violently torn off of them with a little Bijuu chakra enhanced claws just before he pinned them fully down. It was a garment they would have to replace when they went back to the Leaf Village, no big deal. Those things were easy to come by. And there was no doubt in his mind that they would have to get a new bodysuit too because his claws had shredded enough of the one they wore to forego just sewing it back up. No matter what came of round two, at least he could leave here today knowing he had ruffled them enough and given them the pain in the ass task of getting a whole new uniform before they could go out on a single new mission. Small victories were better than utter defeat. And they wouldn't even hold any of it against him because something like this didn't seem to actually bother them.

"Do you need a minute more or are you ready to go?" Shin speaks up, breaking Kouta out of his train of thought. They're much more direct about it that he expected. Well, better that than dragging anything out unnecessarily and having to trek back home in the dark.

His head turns back to face them so he can speak plainly and directly to them. Both of them are still seated on the floor across from each other, with Shin kneeling and Kouta sitting on his backside. "Uhh, I think I'm fine. I don't need time like you do."

"Sure you don't." They chuckle, unmoved. "Keep telling yourself that, haughty ferret. You sure are full of yourself."

"Hey. Don't be rude. I didn't ask for your opinion." His lip curls up again in a minor threat display.

But Shin is already past that petty exchange and crawls on their hands and knees over to him. Suddenly he's the one having his personal space invaded by them, turning the tables from earlier, and the surprise of it has him accidentally fall back halfway. Before he can really process the fact that he's not in fact the one calling the shots, Shin is kneeling between his legs, holding one up in a half bend with one hand while the other hand is placed on his chest. He's right where they want him without them having to do much to get him there. Somehow they managed to get the lead right out of the gate without Kouta even making an attempt to take that role first. The smoothness of such actions had his brain paused in awe, and it would be a few moments before he came back to himself enough to protest halfheartedly.

"How the fuck did you manage to do that?" He barks, indignant but not opposed to what's going on. He's too focused on how close they are to protest much more.

"Do what?" They feign ignorance. "You mean put you in your place?"

"My place is not this, you smartass. It's not my fault that you're trying to control this whole scene."

"Are you saying you don't want to be shown a good time?"

Kouta shakes his head. It's not that at all. This is just supposed to be round two of their bout, after all, so it should not have been so easy or so quick for them to get him into submission like this. "Don't assume things. Just, I would have at least liked to get you on your back again first. Make you work for it to come out on top."

"Tell you what, sore loser. I won't chalk this up to our scoreboard if you don't want. Consider it a temporary olive branch instead of another shot at your pride." Their offer was given fairly sincerely, and he wished he had any desire to refute it. But if this was their way of making it up to him more for that Suiton...maybe it was fine. Appealing to his sense of competitiveness by way of letting his loss off the hook was just too golden of a strategy.

"You're a bitch." He sighs, but there's no actual bite to the words. In fact he hardly focused on the spoken statement at all. Instead, from his position, he does his best to try and undo the fastener on his pants to try and help this show get on the road. Maybe he's looking forward to this more than he realizes.

Watching him try pitifully, Shin swats his hand away in a simple motion and just undoes the button on their own. It's way easier from where they're positioned though they did have to take their hand back from its spot pressing on his chest in order to effectively perform the task. No matter, Kouta wasn't gonna move so they thought nothing of it. Now that it was undone all they had to do was slide the dark colored cargo pants slowly down lower on his legs for access to him. For this, they didn't see the need to take off their own pants in turn, this wouldn't be about their own pleasure. They'd quickly made up their mind about that fact the minute they had him on his back. It was time they showed the Waterfall weasel how they did it in the Foundation, a little freebie just for him. Kouta himself seemed not to care either way when he suddenly found the back of his head press against the floor gently and Shin hovering over him, dark eyes focused on nothing else but him.

He reaches up, not thinking about his earlier insult to their choice of style, and runs a hand through their now cut short hair. It's not as short as he's seen on a lot of Jounin from the Leaf but at this length he can see half of both of their ears and all of their face at least without having to brush bangs aside. The strands are still wet, just like his are, but it still feels good against his fingers. They seem to revel in the touch for the moment and make no move to stop or deter him. In fact, that specific sort of gesture had always been a favorite of theirs, and they wanted to show him a little gratitude for it. So when he gently pulled his hand back the moment he felt them crane their head down, he was a little surprised when their lips met his. The Jinchuuriki only took a moment to relax into the gesture before returning the affection and leaning right into the liplock.

Meanwhile, one of their knees finds its way firmly between his legs and is pressed up against his still clothed crotch. He registers *that* feeling pretty well and is grateful when there is pressure applied as they continue to direct the two in their make out. It stokes arousal in him and the sensation of his T enhanced clit rubbing against his boxers has him wishing for real friction. Before long, because he's becoming more needy, he's halfway grinding down on that knee and lowly moaning against their lips, unraveling quicker than he would ever admit when faced with the know how of the Root nin. Eventually the two have to break the kiss to catch their breaths and he immediately finds himself missing the contact as Shin also backs their leg up from where it had been up against him. His lustful whining at having the knee drawn back got just audible enough to elicit a snicker from them then.

"What'sa matter, weasel? I thought you wanted to show me who's boss. But here you are melting for me at the barest of minimums." Shin taunts him, knowing exactly how to work him up.

"You jackass. Get back here. I'm not done with you yet." He sputters, reaching up with one arm to grab at one of their wrists, but is unable to properly drag them back to their previous position. Kouta hates to look desperate but that's exactly what he is.

"Give me just a minute." They waggle one finger on their free hand at him. "Lemme just adjust something first then you can have your pleasure back."

He spends a moment wondering what the hell they could be thinking of doing when he feels their fingers curl slowly around the top of his gunmetal gray boxers, snaking down inch by inch into them and eliciting a yelp of surprise from him. Holy shit they were very forward today. The ego boost of half drowning him suddenly, coupled with how easy it was to get him on his back, must have spurred their confidence on to new heights. Either way, he wasn't complaining like most would expect him to. In fact it was just the opposite. Kouta could feel those now-warm fingers very lightly tease his core with the faintest ghosting of touches. This tactic was going to drive him insane before too long and he wasn't sure if he could stand waiting. Shin knew just how to get to him in any situation and he hated owning up to that fact. Right now he must have looked like a needy little beast and he was so glad no one else was around to see this. None of this was going on record.

"Now, I want to hear you howl for me. Don't try and muffle it. Make sure you're nice and loud. Got that? This is what you wanted so I need to be able to hear your gratitude for getting it." Their tone shifted to a more directive one and to match that he could feel one of their fingers find his clit. The slight pressure applied just then almost made him squeak. Shin in charge did something to his brain but it would have to be addressed later. Later when his senses were all in order.

"I thought you were the loyal dog that followed orders here, not me." Kouta takes a deep breath, trying not to come too undone yet with just one touch. "But fine. Just this once, for you."

"That's a good boy. Don't muzzle yourself. Show me how you really feel."

"Piss off." His claws dig into the wood under them then, though, as he can feel them press circles into his prominent clit in order to quiet his words and switch on the needy whimpering.

Words between the two cease in that moment as Shin focuses on their ministrations to his most sensitive spot and Kouta makes just the right noises in response. It only gets more heated when they switch up their approach and carefully slip one digit inside of him, opting to use the pad of their thumb to keep rubbing at him. Fuck. A yip slips from his trembling lips and he feels like a fool for a hot second. Stupid Foundation weirdo and their weirdly impressive skills. Wherever they picked all of this up had certainly made sure to teach them well. The sensations pick up the pace nicely to a steady speed, alternating now and then between focus on his clit and focus on his cunt, and a small galaxy of stars father behind his eyelids. It'll be a supernova burst before too long. A little howl vibrates through his throat and fills the cabin space with song. Kouta was wet before this because he had gotten a torrent of water dumped on him, but now he has gotten even wetter in response to the attention he was receiving from his opposite. The extra ego boost for Shin was probably quite high. Only they had this power over him today.

It will not take him much more touching and pleasing to be sent over the edge so in order to brace himself, he claws a little at their chest and ends up getting a little more of the earlier blood from one of their wounds on his hand. Immediately he pulls the hand back and licks at the red liquid, savoring the taste, trying hard to focus on the feeling of it on his tongue so he doesn't come too early. Fact of the matter was that Shin knew exactly how to touch him and he's insanely impressed at the way they're going about all of it. The iron taste on his tongue can only distract him so long, however, before he feels the coiling heat in his gut like a spring wound too tight, needing release. The supernova is just around the corner. So they focus the last dash to the finish on stroking his clit with more eagerness and gusto, running skilled fingers along the extra length of it, making him well and truly chorus feral noises of enjoyment all the while. A couple more long dedicated strokes, a couple more circles, just the right pressure. And all of that tightness in his core comes completely undone. He sings a howl loudly and unfettered that pleases Shin more than they can express with words alone in that moment. And after a few moments of him riding out the orgasm, they slowly bring their hand out of his boxers, allowing him time to catch his breath properly. The deed had done with an unexpected haste.

Kouta is breathing heavily, still clearing the stars from his vision, before he even dares to speak up. "I can't... believe you..."

Shin bows their head in a hammy little gesture, equally smug smile hidden from view of Kouta's electric hued eyes. "Can't believe what, that you enjoyed that so much? That you are capable of listening when you want to?"

"Stupid." He sighs, almost back to his full senses, thankful he can snap back to his default with some grace. "Thank you for that."

"I just regret that I don't have anything else to give you. Would love to make it three round encounter. Picked up something new recently just for that purpose, actually."

He waves it off to the best of his ability but makes a mental note to ask them later what that last statement meant and then offers the same hand to them. Shin, like anyone with decency, takes it and gently pulls him to a sitting position. "Next time. After I kick your ass to get you back for today."

Now that he's properly got his wits about him again for the most part, Kouta remembers how sopping wet his clothes still are. And the fact that Shin is still in need of medical attention, most likely including stitches. They should also report back to Lord Bitch and he has to think about going home to Lord Shibuki too. Thank the gods their two nations were allies and would not throw a fit if it was found out the two had been up to mischief together. Each of them has a life to get back to and he really wishes that weren't the case just yet. Sitting here in this dingy old cabin, with the two ceiling holes made by Shin's favorite weapon, he can't help but wonder what it used to be like when they actually lived here. His eyes search for their discarded tanto that had been tossed away in the struggle earlier as his mind contemplates their old life. It reflects a beam of sunlight off the blade and almost glows from where it rests on the ground. Following his gaze, they look for the blade as well, though without the same train of thought going through their head. It would be collected when they were ready to leave. All they were minding now is the current moment. The past was the past and wasn't important to the here and now.

"Hey. Shin." His voice is kept low, but his tone is serious. Their Obsidian colored eyes drift over to look at him curiously.

"Yeah? What's up?" They keep it just slightly more casual as black meets orange.

"Sorry about dragging us out here for this. Also sorry for wrecking the place."

Once again they wave him off, keeping a friendly expression on their face to communicate to him how content they were. "Don't be. This place was halfway ruined before we got here. Fire Country weather can be nasty sometimes and so can passing nin using this as a temporary hideout. It's abandoned for a reason, after all. This wasn't a bust of a day and I have no attachment to this building so I got nothing bad to say."

"If you say so." He runs a hand through his still wet hair, and when they watch him do it they find themself wishing it was them that they were doing that to again. "Thank you for not holding this against me. For the record, I mean."

"You'll get me next time, that's what you wanna say. Let's see how you hold up to your vow."

"Trust me, I'm already planning what I'm gonna do."

The two of them sit across from each other, taking in the little bit of daylight that is present in the cabin and regarding each other with a level of respect that wasn't present earlier. Kouta has ultimately lost the spar but stakes their next encounter on a victory for himself. Shin doesn't really care who comes out on top because it's just fun to throw hands with their weird musteline companion, especially if it ends like this one had. Tomorrow it's back to work killing for Lord Danzo for them. No doubt Kouta will come back around when he's good and ready, and they will oblige his company no matter what is going on around them at that point. After today there's no reason to pass up such a chance unless something extremely crops up between now and then. Shin gives their friend a cheeky grin, which he half assed growls at in response, but it's just his way of acknowledging the back and forth between them. Tomorrow he too will be doing more work for Lord Shibuki, most likely rummaging through the archives or meeting with some visitors from a different nation for their upcoming exchange program. And looking forward to seeing his Root nin match the next time. A next time that would surely see him as the victor of a spar that didn't end in getting drenched like a wet beast. Kouta pulls up his pants carefully, buttons them securely, and wonders what Shin's scars will look like when they next meet. Shin, of course, is just happy that there will be a next time.

[casspurrjoybell-28]

The Alpha's Addiction - Chapter 23

*Warning Adult Content*

The Harvest Moon - Part 2

Koa

I'm having way too much fun.

Anything I show an even remote interest in or look at something, Cyrus gets for me.

I've already collected various desserts, pieces of jewelry and even a wreath of yellow daisies I now wear on my head.

I've told him that he doesn't need to but he won't listen. 

Oliver is having the time of his life.

We haven't found Flora for him yet but Cyrus leads us around, playing games with him at different booths.

I watch as he lets my boy win for the umpteenth time, not able to help the smile that comes to my face. 

"Cyrus. You gotta work on your aim. Your ball missed the basket every time," Oliver exclaims in glee, jumping up and down when the booth handler hands him a small whittled wolf sculpture as his prize. 

"Wow, Oli. Guess you're more skilled than the big bad Pack Leader," I giggle, clapping for him as he shows off his new acquisition. 

"Do I not get a reward for my brave attempt against the great Oliver?" Cyrus looms over me with his giant frame, close enough to feel his body heat but not enough to make contact.

And oh, how badly I want to close the distance between us. 

So I do.

"Like what?"

I look up at him through my lashes, laying a hand on his arm.

I feel him tense beneath my touch, sucking in a sharp breath.

He doesn't reply, only keeping his eyes locked on me. 

"Hmm, Alphas that don't tell me what they want don't get a reward."

Then I let go, leading Oliver to the next attraction but not before I flash Cyrus a tantalizing smirk.

I can sense his heated gaze on my backside although I've turned away and I make sure to sway my hips just the right amount to show off my ass in these pants while still maintaining natural movement.

If you're wondering what's made me so bold, I blame it on the full, harvest moon.

Cyrus

My mate is drunk. 

I left for only half an hour to escort Oliver and Morgan back to the Packhouse because the pup was growing tired and Morgan offered to babysit him for the night and came back to my lovely Koa dancing around the bonfire without a care in the world.

He's a dangerous sight for me, I'll admit.

He is always beautiful but tonight he is bewitching, with his gold-dusted skin and the clothes that flaunt his lithe frame and delicate curves.

I tasked Xavier with looking after him and I growl as I approach the Alpha who's sitting on one of the log benches, bored, staring into the flames. 

"I told you to watch him," I snap under my breath.

"I did. He's an adult, Cyrus. He can have his fun."

"I don't mind the dancing. But he is intoxicated. Who gave him liquor?"

Xavier sighs in disinterest and I clench my fists.

Moon Goddess forbid I be protective of my mate after what happened with Rex. 

"You can blame Rafael for that," he replies. 

I turn my attention to said Alpha, just in time to catch him snatching Koa from where he skips and twirls to pull him into his lap.

My mate is completely out of it, stumbling into Rafael's grasp with a giggle.

Rafael wastes no time bringing him in close, hands skimming up Koa's thighs and whispering something in his ear. 

I see red, something dark and wrathful stirring me at the sight of another laying hands on my omega.

My wolf immediately threatens to boil to the surface and no sooner has Rafael made his move before I'm marching over, ripping his hands off Koa and taking him into my arms. 

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" I seethe, canines elongating by instinct.

Rafael's face pales as he flinches away from me, pathetically scrambling to his feet from the bench.

"C-Cyrus, I..." he stutters. 

I snarl, silencing him as I hold Koa to my chest, feeling his soft curls brushing against my collarbone.

"It is Alpha to you," I erase any semblance of friendliness that may have existed between us before this. 

"Right. M-My apologies, Alpha," he cowers but his sleazy survey of my mate doesn't cease, his drunken state revealing that he's not sorry at all with the way his eyes are locked in on Koa's ass as the Omega braces himself against me, dazed and confused. 

'That's it.' 

I let go of Koa, rushing at Rafael and pinning him down against the log he previously sat on, wrapping a hand around his neck as I slam his head into the wood.

"Shall I cut your eyes from your head? Is that what it will take for you to keep your dirty hands off what is mine?"

"Cyrus... Alpha..." he chokes out, struggling beneath me.

"Please, I didn't mean..."

A gentle touch on my arm brings me back down to earth.

I look to see the freckled face of my mate, half shadow and half lit by the glow of the firelight, his features drawn into an expression of distress.

"Cyrus, you're scaring people," he says softly, glancing around at a few of the other revelers who have stopped to watch on, faces troubled.

"Don't do this for my sake."

'I would do anything for your sake', is what I wish to reply.

But my wolf urges me to heed my mate's request.

I don't want to ruin this night for him.

He has been so happy, practically radiating joy.

He's opening up, trusting me more and more, despite me being one of the Alphas that he fears so much.

I will not spoil this. 

I let go of Rafael, focusing all of my attention on my mate's loveliness instead.

It's like bathing in a warm bath, soothing all of my nerves and releasing the tension from my muscles.

He gives me a small smile, allowing me to take his hand.

I promptly lead us away from the bonfire and his face falls.

"I didn't say I wanted to leave."

I watch as he grovels blindly in the dark, tripping over his own feet and falling into me.

"You can barely walk."

He grasps my shoulders for purchase, pouting up at me.

"I can still dance."

"Oh?" I muse at his drunk antics.

"Show me, then."

He huffs, pulling away before attempting a staggering twirl that ends with him on his hands and knees in the dirt.

"Oh, Moon Goddess, I'm gonna be sick," he announces, holding his stomach. 

"You need water. Let's get you back to the Packhouse."

He groans.

"Don't wanna go unless you carry me."

I require no convincing at his request.

I scoop my tiny mate into my arms and he squeaks, kicking out his legs in surprise.

This reminds me of the first time I did this, when he was too weak to make the trek back to my Pack after I rescued him and Oliver in the woods.

I'm glad that it's only alcohol making him like this, now and not the near-fatal condition I first found him in. 

The thought rouses my protectiveness of him and I clutch him closer, taking in his mouthwatering scent.

'Perfect. Mine. Addicting,' my wolf adds, in his usual horny frenzy that comes with thinking of or being near our mate.

I can't deny that I share his desires.

But thinking of what any lowly alpha or beta like Rafael could do to him in this vulnerable state restores my anger from earlier.

I brush the curls from his face as he looks up at me in wide-eyed wonder.

"What is it?"

"I'm going to keep you safe, always." 

He tilts his head at me thoughtfully blinking slowly.

"I know." 

"Good." 

"You know, when you put Oliver up on your shoulders to see that shooting star earlier?" he asks. 

I nod, smiling at the memory.

I'll cherish it, certainly.

"I thought, imagine if this had been his life," Koa closes his eyes, letting his head sag against me.

"If you had been his father. If we'd lived here. There'd be no more nightmares of blood and death and pain. Oli wouldn't have had to see... how they hurt me. That horrible man would've never... never done that..."  he trails off, having fallen asleep, leaving me with an aching pain in my chest.

What is he speaking of?

What terrible things happened in my mate's past to hurt him like this?

To make even the pup so anxious and fearful?

And, who did it to them?

[hobeemin]

thorns of beauty

🌹 summary: a Gothic romance based on the timeless tale of sleeping beauty. what happens when the princess aurora awakes almost a 110 years into the future? a tale where the supernatural creatures meet to win the heart of the princess.

🌹 genre(s)/au: fantasy, supernatural, f2l, s2l, royalty au, romance, smut, angst

🌹 pairing: fae!park jimin x oc x vamp!kim seokjin

🌹 rating: 18+

🌹 warning(s): swearing, mentions of blood, biting, jealousy, blood, pregnancy, mild violence, dirty talk, thigh riding, first time description, oral (f receiving), marking

🌹 word count: 10.1k

🌹 a/n: for the bangtan grimm event! I'm really excited to see what all these talented creators come up with! hope you enjoy reading them all 💜💜 also a humongous thank you to @jessikahathaway for betaing this fic for me. it was a lot to get through and I appreciate the hard work!!!

banner resources found here: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

“Aurora.”

She could see the gardens filled with countless flora and fauna. Her skirts were flowing behind her as she chased the butterflies. The solid floral notes invaded her nostrils as she ran happily through the maze of rose-colored hedges. It felt magical.

Feet bare as the dew skimmed her feet, she felt free.

“Aurora.”

She paused, looking around. The haunting melody pierced her ears. Her bright hazel eyes became unfocused as she followed the music through the winding maze. She could hear nothing but the piece. It seemed as if all other sounds drowned it out. She made her way to the center of the maze to see the angel statue in the center of the water fountain. Her steps stopped as she gazed upon the stranger leaning against the statue. He lifted his head and placed the flute down. Adjusting his tailcoat, he sat up and held his hand out for her to take.

“I’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

She reached for his hand, slightly jumping at the coolness. He smirked, pulling her closer to him, his hand encircling her waist.

“There’s no need to be afraid.”

She hadn’t realized she had been trembling until he spoke. She nodded as he leaned in close.

“AURORA!”

She turned towards the sound as he frowned, cupping her chin in his large palm.

“Pay no attention, my rose. You belong here with me.”

“I-”

He placed his finger on her lip, silencing her as he grinned widened. She noticed his canines elongate. She gasped as she tried to remove herself from his grasp.

“It’s too late for that, my dear,” he chuckled as she struggled.

Just as she began to scream, his fangs pierced her throat, silencing her.

---

Her eyelids fluttered open slowly. Her vision was blurry at first but gradually cleared as the minutes passed. She looked around at the surroundings of the bedroom—the only light source coming from the skylights. Besides s the basic bedroom furniture, it was bare except for a large bouquet of roses on the dresser. The sound of the horns from outside the window spooked her, making her cover her ears from the sound. She rubbed her arms, feeling the chill in the room. Her feet touched the floor, making her get back under the covers. Why was it so cold? She felt alone, terrified.

Where was she?

The sound of an instrument made her freeze.

Where had she heard it before?

She sighed and slipped out the bed, noticing the robe hanging off the hook, and wrapped it around her body. They stopped playing once they sensed her movement and turned around. She almost didn’t see the balcony doors open, and a figure was standing out there observing the view. She jumped in surprise upon seeing his face. He bent down on his knee, head bowed.

“Princess Aurora, you’ve been asleep for some time. Welcome to the year 2021.”

---

The kingdom had much to celebrate. It was Princess Aurora’s first birthday. People and magical creatures traveled far and wide to bestow gifts on this beautiful child the king and queen prayed to have. The entire kingdom and the surrounding area were invited to join the festivities.

Queen Leah held their daughter as guests came to their appreciation. The Moors’ neighboring kingdom bought the king of the Fae, his queen, and their eldest son along. King Stefan stood as the royalty of Moors approached. The two men embraced like old friends. Chuckling, Stefan stood back and bowed.

“A pleasure for you, come King Onyx and Queen Solara,” King Stefan said as he knelt to look at their son. “Jimin, you’ve gotten bigger since the last time I saw you.”

Jimin hid behind his mother, the shyness overcoming him. Queen Solara chuckled. “He’ll grow out of that soon enough.”

Onyx nodded in agreement. “Yes, especially when there’s talk of uniting our kingdoms in the future.”

Queen Leah raised her brow. “Stefan? Why is this the first time I hear this?”

Stefan adverted his gaze from his wife. “Oh? I thought we spoke of this before.”

“No, dear. We had not. But it’s a discussion best for when we are alone,” she smiled at their guests. “For now, let’s continue to celebrate.”

And what a feast it was. Nothing but joy and laughter filled the air. Jimin moved away from his mother and walked over to the bassinet Aurora was lying in. He peered in curiously, watching the infant. He pulled a silver necklace from his pocket and held it up for her. Aurora cooed, trying to reach for it making the boy giggle. He dropped it just as Aurora gripped the chain. The silvery pendant bore the arms of the Fae court. Queen Leah walked over to Jimin, patting him on the shoulder.

“Is that your gift to Aurora?”

He nodded, looking down. Queen Leah knelt in front of him and lifted his chin. “You have a very kind soul Jimin. I hope you and Aurora will be great friends as you grow older. She’ll need someone like you by her side. Promise me you’ll do that.”

“Okay. I promise,” he answered quietly.

---

Her eyes fluttered open as she rolled over to her side. She had fallen asleep in a meadow near the moors. Yawning, the Princess sat up, looking around. A smile on her face as the butterflies and pixies flew around her. She giggled as they began to play with her hair, braiding vines and rosebuds into her hair.

“There you are.”

She looked up as a man walked towards her.

“I was wondering when you’d find me, Jimin.”

The young man gave her his famous crescent moon smile as he joined her on the grass. The Fae Prince had grown up to be a pretty handsome being, brushing his ash brown hair off his face. While there were many choices of potential brides throughout the land for him to choose from, he only wanted one woman: Aurora.

Just being in her presence made his heart flutter. She was breathtaking, almost identical to the late Queen Leah. Her complexion a sandy brown, hair a dark curly brown, and eyes the color of hazel.

No matter how many times he laid his eyes on her, Jimin was smitten by his childhood sweetheart. They’d been inseparable since the first time they met; Aurora visited him in the Moors each chance she got or Jimin meeting her in the palace gardens to talk about their day.

“You’re late,” she said matter of fact, examining a leaf.

Jimin’s face was covered in a scarlet hue, making his eyes gray eyes stand out even more. “I tried to get away earlier, but my lesson went over longer than usual.”

“Hmm,” she crossed her arms over her chest. “You promised to meet me here at half-past noon.”

“Aurora,” Jimin pouted as he scooted closer to her. She turned away, trying to hide her expression. Jimin knew precisely how to make her laugh. They knew she wasn’t cross with him. She wanted to give him a hard time about it.

He continued to pout, resting his head on her shoulder. “You can’t stay mad at me, Rose.”

Aurora turned as he puffed his cheeks out, making her giggle. She gave him a playful shove making him fall backward but bringing her down on top of him. Aurora let out a soft squeal as she glanced down at him and smiled, lingering on his lips. She flushed at the nickname he gave her so long ago.

“Of course, I can’t stay mad at you, Jimin.”

He brushed his fingers on her cheek, giving her a loving gaze. “Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”

“Almost every day,” she answered airily.

Jimin adjusted his position so that Aurora was sitting in his lap, and they were leaning against one of the willow trees. If anyone happened to walk by, their presence would be hidden. He stroked her back with fingers staring at the bubbling brook. It was peaceful. These stolen moments together were growing shorter and shorter. Aurora felt content in his arms. Any worries she had were expelled.

“Are you excited about tonight?”

She shrugged as she rested her cheek and his chest, content with the beating for his heart. “What’s to be excited for? It’s like any other day.”

Jimin tutted, giving her a poke. It earned him a brow raise from her. “I think a birthday celebration is loads to be delighted about.”

“Not when it’s for your father to show off his child like a prized possession,” she mumbled.

Jimin frowned, still holding her. “You think he only cares about his status?”

“Yes.”

“Rose,” Jimin lifted her chin to stare into her eyes. “All that matters is us.”

“But Jimin–”

“Do you love me?”

“I–”

“What does your heart say?”

Aurora bit down her lip. She knew how much he meant to her. They were inseparable; there was no question about it.

“Yes. Yes, I love you.”

A smile across his face as he cupped her cheek. “Then that’s all that is important.”

She nuzzled against. “You’re right. I don’t want to spend another day without you, Jimin.”

Jimin’s heart swelled, and as pulled her into an embrace. The smell of her perfume evaded his nostrils, and he wanted to remember this memory for as long as he lived.

“Jimin?”

“Yes, Rose?”

“Kiss me, please.”

“For you, anything.”

His lips quickly found hers, brushing them against her. It was chaste, innocent. Aurora felt secure in his arms as he peppered her with soft kisses, making his devotion known to her and only her. She pressed herself against him as the kiss deepened. With sounds they didn’t think they were capable of erupting from their throats, Jimin gripped her hips, planting her there, not wanting her to move from him, afraid she’d float away if he let go. His tongue swiped her lower lip, earning a soft purr. His body trembled, craving to hear more sounds. Something feral seemed to ignite in Jimin as he growled softly, switching their positions to where she laid under him in the grass. Eyes half-lidded, Aurora gazed up at him with equal attraction and lust.

He bit down on his lip, studying her expression. He never wanted anyone as much as he wanted her at that very moment.

“J-Jimin,” her voice breathless and full of want.

He hissed, knowing he was already aroused. His body was on fire, craving to take her right there.

“Aurora! Aurora!”

Jimin cursed to himself as Aurora opened her eyes. She sat up, giving him a look of apology.

“Y-Yes?! On my way!”

She placed a quick kiss on his lips.

“I’ll see you tonight. Save me a dance?”

Jimin smirked, twirling a tendril of hair around his finger. “They’re going to be jealous when I keep you all to myself tonight.”

The trumpets blared, signaling the entrance of the royal family. King Stefan escorted his daughter down the staircase into the hall as the guests looked. Each was raising their glasses to the Princess. Jimin and his family met them at the foot of the stairs. The Fae prince bowed to the king.

“King Stefan, may I, Prince Jimin, take your daughter’s hand?”

“You may, of course, Aurora can speak for herself,” the king winked at his daughter. She smiled as she placed her hand in Jimin’s.

King Onyx cleared this throat. “I think tonight is the perfect night to announce the news, Stefan.”

“I couldn’t agree more,” he said as a hint of sadness filled his voice. “I wish Leah was here to bear witness.”

Queen Solara patted his arm warmly. “She’s with you and Aurora always.”

Stefan nodded as he stepped forward. “Attention! It is with great pleasure that myself, King Onyx, and Queen Solara of the Moors have united our kingdoms under the love of our children. The wedding will be held next midsummer’s eve. Please join us in the celebration as we not only rejoice in Aurora’s birthday but her engagement to Prince Jimin.”

The roar of the crowd filled the castle as Jimin leaned in to kiss her cheek and wrap her in a hug.

“I love you so much,” he whispered.

“I love you too.”

He pulled her at arm’s length as his eyes steeled. “I promise to protect you. I give my word and swear my life.”

Aurora bit her lip as she shook her head. “Jimin, you need to say that.”

“But I do. I promised your mother,” he explained, “You mean the world to me. A life without you is pointless.”

She felt the heat in her cheeks as she glanced at the floor. “Jimin–”

He chuckled, bending down to kiss her knuckles. “Alright, I’ll stop...at least until our wedding day.”

Stefan clapped his head and gestured to the entertainers. “Let the festivities commence.”

The royal families took their seats in the designated thrones. Soon a crowd of jugglers, magicians, and contortionists entered the hall. Their talents enraptured the group as they showed off their skills. Aurora watched in amazement as a man swallowed a sword while balancing on a board. She gripped Jimin’s arm in excitement, pointing to all the performers, and he watched her fondly.

Just as the cake was about to be brought out, the double doors burst open, making the gust of wind blow the banner hanging in the rafters and a chill sweep through the room. A lone person walked into the room, parting the crowd. Decked in a long black cloak obscuring his face, nothing was visible but his hands. He carried a thin, medium case. The guards seemed on alert, watching the stranger as they waited for the king to give any sort of indication to attack.

The stranger stopped a few feet from the thrones, dropping to their knee.

“Greetings, King Stefan. I’ve come to join in the festivities and grace you all with the music of my lands.”

Aurora was quite shocked to hear the voice. It was of a man’s, young and clear—full of confidence and maybe a hint of arrogance.

Stefan glanced at his guards signaling for them to stand down. “Welcome, stranger. Please share your music with us.”

He bowed and opened the case to reveal a dark wooden flute. Keeping his hood on, he brought the mouthpiece to his lips and began to play. The room went completely silent as the first haunting notes floated throughout the room. Aurora lost her hold on Jimin’s hand as she stepped forward. Jimin tried to hold his displeasure, frowning at the man.

Something didn’t sit well with him. The stranger walked into the room, playing to the crowd until he laid his eyes on the princess. He walked towards her changing the melody as if to only play to her. Aurora felt a pull of the music.

Lips dragging on her skin on a bed of rose petals.

Her face reddened at the thought. The man seemed to smirk under his hood, still playing. Suddenly he let out a sustaining note, and with his free hand, a deep red rose appeared in his hand. He held it up for Aurora to take. As she reached out for it, one of the thorns pierced her skin, making her drop the rose.

She winced in pain as droplets of blood beaded to the floor. Jimin ran forward, grabbing a handkerchief to stop the bleeding. A deep scowl on his face.

“He did that on purpose.”

The man bowed profoundly, eyeing the rose with the blood wetting the leaves. “I can assure you that wasn’t my intention, your majesty.”

Aurora gave Jimin a reassuring smile. “It’s just a cut, Jimin. See? It’s stopped bleeding.”

He didn’t look convinced as he looked over at King Stefan. The King stood waving to the guards. “Jimin, please take Aurora to clean her wound. I think we’ve had enough excitement for one night. Kind sir, we wish you well in your journey back to your homeland.”

He snatched the rose, pocketed it, and bowed. “I’m positive we’ll see each other once more.” He eyed the Princesses’ retreating form and exited the room, taking the chill with him.

Jimin led Aurora to a bench on the balcony near her bedroom. Once they sat down, a maid came out with some bandages and ointment. Jimin thanked them and started to assess Aurora’s hand.

“Jimin, it’s only a cut.”

“And the cut can get infected,” he admonished while cleaning the wound.

Aurora looked out over the edge staring into the dark of the night. The stars and moon were twinkling. She could almost hear that song as clear as day.

“Aurora–”

She blinked, turning to look at Jimin. “Y-Yes?”

His lips turned down as he stared at her. He brought his hand up to her forehead. “You’re not coming down with a fever, are you?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine. I promise.”

He didn’t seem convinced. “Something about that stranger didn’t sit right with me. He focused too much attention on you. He was too eager to give you that rose.”

Aurora sighed. “Sure, he was unusual, but minus me being clumsy, I’m fine.”

Jimin nibbled on his lip as he began to wipe the blood away. “I want to tell you a story.”

“Right now?”

“Right now.”

Aurora focused her attention on him as he placed some ointment on the cloth and dabbed it on the cut. She hissed at the sting, making Jimin stop. She chuckled. “I’m okay, Jimin. I’m not a child.”

He tutted and began to wrap the covering around her hand. “There was an ancient race of creatures. They lived on the edge of the Moors but far away enough that they weren’t under our jurisdiction. We called them the Sanguine, or drinkers of blood.”

“What happened to them all?”

Jimin shrugged. “It was before my time. Probably around when my great parents ruled; some say they died out. Others say a few survived and hid in the shadows or roamed the world, drinking blood for unsuspecting travelers.”

Aurora laughed incredulously. “I have a feeling this was a tale to scare the Fae children.”

Jimin blushed as he tied the bandage up. “Guilty, but I still want you to be cautious when you’re outside the palace. Too many things lurk in the dark.”

On the outskirts of the palace, the stranger walked into the woods finding a place concealed from prying eyes. He removed his hood and propped down against a lowing hanging branch. He placed the flute case on the ground next before revealing the rose from under his cloak. He felt giddy with anticipation as the blood still stained the leaves and thorns. His eye color altered from dark brown to red as a pair of fangs extended. He licked his lips, bringing the leaves closer, and took a few tentative licks.

A hungry moan escaped his lips as the red liquid touched his tongue. He closed his eyes in ecstasy.

“She’s the one.”

---

As the sun rays crept through the curtains, the two figures barely stirred in the bed. The male rolled over and snaked his arm, the woman’s middle pulling her close to him. The comforter fell off her shoulder as his lips found their way onto her skin. They traveled from her shoulder and up the curvature of her neck. Her senses awakened, and she squirmed against him, trying to hold in her moans. A smirk played on his face as he continued kissing the spot behind her ears, using his free hand to lift the tank top she wore. His hand slid up her stomach, caressing her skin. He loved how she arched into his touch as he reached a firm breast plucking at the pert nipple. He grunted, feeling himself get hazy. The heat was rising in his cheeks as he craved her. And from the way she was responding, she wanted him as well.

“Jin,” she let out a hungry plea.

That was all he needed. He tugged her bottoms off and slipped her panties to the side, not wanting to waste any time. He practically ripped his pajama pants off and lined himself at her entrance.

“Already slick for me,” his tone hushed; the warm breath tickled her neck.

She let out a whimper trying to push back against him. Jin chuckled darkly. “Needy as well? Can’t wait for me to fill you up, huh?”

“J-Jin, please,” she begged, gripping the pillow in front of her.

“As you wish, Princess,” he cooed.

He slipped past her folds, gasping with content. She felt so warm, clenched around his length, throbbing, almost erupting right then and there. Jin rested his forehead on her back. She lifted her leg for a better angle as he started to thrust slowly, dragging out each one for her to feel. The sounds of skin slapping, grunts, and moans filled the room.

It was euphoric; each time with her felt like the first. He couldn’t get enough of her. When he felt her leg cramp, he adjusted their position to sit on top, but her back faced him. He ran his finger down her spine, watching her body shiver and keen into his touch.

“Make yourself feel good, Princess.”

She nodded as she sank on his cock, purring at the return of his cock in her cunt. He bit back a moan as his hands gripped her sides, making her ride him at once.

“Fuck, Princess, you’re so tight...so warm,” he stuttered.

“Ah...Jin...you feel so good,” she cried out.

He sat up to grope at her breasts, helping her by moving his hips. She turned her head as their lips found each other in a heated and languid kiss. His tongue probed her mouth, craving permission, and she gladly obliged. Sucking on her bottom lip, he didn’t want this to end. Fangs slid into view as they grazed her pulse points, elevating her heart rate. He let it prick her skin, drawing blood, and lapped at the trail, letting out a wanton moan.

She felt the knot in her abdomen come undone as she knew her release was coming. Jin thought it, too; the quivering of her walls around his shaft made his hips start to stutter.

“Princess, we’re coming together, you hear me,” he squeezed her sides, so many marks began to form. He bit and nipped at her neck and shoulders as their hips snapped harder against each other. She paused mid-stroke as an electric current ran through her body. Her head flew back as her lips parted, making a desperate filthy cry. In awe of her orgasm, Jin rode hers out and kept her in place as he followed soon after, coating her wall white as he emptied his seed into her womb.

Drained, they both fell back on the bed, sweat dripping from their forms. He reached over, bringing her to his chest, and kissed the top of her head.

“I love you, Aurora.”

---

Aurora let the water cascade down over her head as she began to wash. Humming to herself, she poured shower gel on a loofah and began to cover her body in suds. She turned just to see Jin at the shower doors, ready to knock. Hair still wet from his shower; he hung his towel back on the hook.

“Almost done?”

“Mhmm,” she said, grabbing the nozzle to rinse.

“Good. The car should be within the hour. I left your medicine on the sink,” he replied, taking the opportunity to kiss her forehead before walking out the ensuite.

Aurora’s cheeks flushed as she finished her shower and stepped out. Wrapping herself in the towel and picked up the small bottle on the sink counter. She twisted the cap off gulped the dark liquid down. Aurora shuddered as the color came back to her cheeks as she looked more vital in the mirror. With a final nod to her reflection, she walked out to get dressed. Jin was waiting for her at the door with her duffle bag. She couldn’t help but be smitten by how he looked today. Hair swept back, glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. He wore a black leather jacket, white shirt, black jeans, and boots.

As she reached for her bag and Jin pulled away with a smirk. “C’mon.”

“You don’t have to do that, Jin,” she said while following him to the elevator.

“I want to,” he answered. “It’s no problem.”

They got inside the elevator, and Jin pressed the lobby button. He glanced over at Aurora and reached for her hand, squeezing it.

“Tired?”

She shook her head. “I’m fine.”

“I feel guilty for waking you up earlier.”

Aurora stood up on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “No, it was just what I needed.”

“Nervous about today?”

“Not really,” she replied before looking up at him, “Why? Should I be?”

Jin pretended to zip his lips. “Trade secret.”

She scoffed, squeezing it, rolling her eyes. “Just ‘cause you’re the creative director doesn’t mean you can use your position for evil.”

He laughed just as the doors opened. “Just ‘cause you’re the prima ballerina doesn’t mean you get to know about the show.”

---

“Attention!”

The room of dancers fell silent as they turned to the five people standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirrors. Jin stood in the middle with a smile.

“Welcome again to another wonderful start to the season here at HYBE Dance Company. For those of you new to the company, I am Kim Seokjin, the company’s creative director. I was impressed with each and everyone one of you who auditioned to be in the dance corp. To open the season, we will be doing Swan Lake.”

“On the right is our music director, Min Yoongi.” A solemn face man with dark hair dressed in all black nodded to the crowd.

“Our costume designer, Kim Jisoo,” the woman to the left gave everyone a tiny wave and smile.

“The last two are our talented choreographers Ten Lee and Mina Myio.”

The pair gave polite smiles to the dancers.

The dancers clapped politely as Jin paused. He motioned to the right, and Aurora stepped up. “Our prima ballerina, Aurora, will play the parts of Odette/Odile.”

Jin glanced around the room as a frown formed. “It seems my Prince Siegfried isn’t here. We’ve brought in a guest dancer for the male lead for our sister company in Australia. Well, no matter, to continue with the casting–”

The door to the studio swung open, and everyone’s eyes went in that direction. The man walked in, swinging a bag over his shoulder. Fingers combing through dark blue locks that fell over his head. His eyes were a bright, piercing gray with multiple silver earrings dangled from his ears. Dressed in a white shirt, dark pants, and combat boots, he looked like sin personified. The females and even a few males eyed him with interest. The air felt tense as Jin stared at the man. Realization covered his face momentarily before he hid it with a scowl.

“Tardiness is not tolerated,” he hissed.

The man chuckled softly, giving a mock bow. “Apologies. Traffic from the airport was brutal. I’m–”

“Park Jimin,” Jin interrupted. “Yes, we’ve been expecting your arrival. Welcome to HYBE DC.”

He was introduced to the corps, and everyone surrounded him to greet him. Jin beckoned Aurora over near the doors. He ran his thumb along her arm gently.

“I have some meetings to attend, but I’ll come to pick you up later on.”

She hummed in understanding, turning her head to Jimin. “He seems popular.”

Jin snorted with an eye roll. “I’ll admit he’s quite talented. You’ll have a great partner for the ballet; however, he’s been rumored to be a bit of a playboy.”

Aurora smirked, giving Jin a poke in the side. “Getting jealous?”

“Hardly,” Jin whispered before stealing a quick kiss on the lips, winked, and slipped out the room.

Aurora sighed, walking back into the dance studio. Everyone had already dispersed from the new dancer, having gone off to do their stretches. She went over to where Jimin placed his bag as he changed into his slippers. He paused, seeing a shadow fall over him. Once he saw her standing there, he straightened his posture.

“Hello.”

“Hi, I’m–”

“Aurora. Yes, I’ve seen your work. You’re extremely talented,” Jimin complimented. His voice sounded like wind chimes. So delicate, but something else lingered. Her face tinted bright red as she stared at the ground.

“That’s very kind of you to say.”

He grinned as he zipped up his bag. “I don’t give compliments so easily. I mean what I say, and I look forward to dancing with you.”

Her eyes caught the silver dangling around his neck as it swayed. Jimin raised his brow as he followed her gaze to the necklace. “Like it?”

“It’s...unusual. I’ve never seen anything like it,” she bent down to examine it further. “What is the symbol on the front?”

“A crest of a very old family,” he answered casually. Jimin removed the necklace from around his neck and held it out for her without a second thought. “Here, you can have it.”

She stepped back in disbelief. “That’s inappropriate. I can’t accept that from you.”

“You can,” he stated. “Think of it as a gift, a friendly gesture to new friends. You should wear it. I think it suits you.”

She nibbled on her bottom. “Are you sure?”

“Positive.”

Aurora’s hands stretched out to take the necklace, and as soon as her fingers brushed across the silver, she felt a jolt and her eyes glazed over as images ran through her mind.

A ball with twinkling lights. The crowds parting for a long couple to take the center.

A garden with countless roses in bloom…

A kiss...

Two people enraptured in one another’s arms.

A promise made with love…

Aurora gasped, dropping the necklace on the floor. Jimin bent down to pick it up, holding out once more. Concern crossed his face studying her face.

“Are you alright? Your face is a bit clammy.”

Her breathing was shallow; she removed the hair off her face and gave Jimin a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m fine. Thank you again for the gift.”

She took the necklace with some hesitation and placed it in her bag. She shook her head and walked off deep in her thoughts. She changed into her pointe shoes, ready to start their class. Ten walked to the middle of the studio and clapped his hands.

“Please line up and begin your exercises.”

Everyone found their place on the barres, ready to start. Mina nodded to Yoongi, and he began to play the piano.

---

The door opened, and the dancers piled out chattering about where to eat. Aurora waved to them all, packing her bag. Jimin waited a moment to walk over, shoving his hands deep in his pockets.

“Hey.”

She jumped slightly, giving him a nod. “Hi.”

“Are you going out to eat with everyone?”

“No, I’m probably gonna head home,” she replied as she put on her jacket.

“Oh,” he scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. “Well, if you’re free, I’d like to take you out for coffee or a smoothie.”

Aurora gave him a sympathetic smile. “That’s a very nice offer, but I don’t date my dance partners.”

Jimin chuckled, shaking his head. “Don’t get the wrong idea. I wasn’t asking you on a date. I wanted to pick your brain for a bit about dance.”

Now she felt embarrassed. Aurora bit her lip. “Sorry. Sure. We can hang out one day after practice.”

A knock came at the door as Jin stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. She gathered her things quickly and began walking over to Jin.

“I’ll talk to you later, Jimin.”

Jimin waved to her and gave a nod of acknowledgment to Jin. He watched them walk away as his expression turned gloomy.

Do you not remember Rose?

---

Jin glanced at Aurora as they got into their town car. He put on his seatbelt before turning his attention to the driver.

“You can take us home,” he instructed while taking Aurora’s hand into his.

“Dance practice go well?”

“Mhmm,” she answered, her mind elsewhere.

“You’re gonna do amazing as Odette and Odile,” he gushed. “It was a no-brainer to cast you as both.”

“It will be fun to try something new.”

The tension grew as Jin brought up the elephant in the room. “What did Jimin say to you after practice?”

Here we go.

“Does it matter what he said?”

Jin had to delve into this line of questioning very carefully. He couldn’t let on that he was jealous or even the fact that he knew who Jimin was.

I never thought I’d see him again.

A smile stretched across his lips, and he leaned over and kissed her cheek. “I can be a concerned boyfriend.”

“Nothing for you to worry about.” her brow quirked as she stared at him for a moment. Blinking, she turned to look out the tinted window.

This is what I hate about him, she thought.

“If you say so, I’ll back off. You know I care about you Princess. Your career is the most important thing–”

“I know, Jin,” she sighed before rubbing her temples, “Can we talk about this tomorrow? I just want to rest when we get home.”

He kissed her hand and each knuckle. “Of course. Love you.”

“Yeah. You too,” she mumbled.

Once they arrived home, Jin went into his office to work on some paperwork for the dance company. Aurora took a shower and walked into their bedroom. Dressed in a tank top and shorts, she went over to empty her bag placing the clothes in the hamper. The glint of silver caught her eye, and she grabbed the necklace out of the bag. Studying the crest, it felt so familiar. She plopped down on the edge of the bed with an intense stare. Her thumb grazed the symbol lightly.

“Rose.”

Aurora looked around the room wildly. Where had she heard that name before? She trembled, placing it on the nightstand next to her. It made her uneasy, but she didn’t want to tell Jin about it for some reason. She hid it under her pillow and laid down staring at the ceiling. All she could see were those piercing gray eyes.

Who was this Jimin, and why did he haunt her thoughts?

---

The weeks went by as the dance troupe rehearsed for Swan Lake. Aurora pushed herself to the limit, dancing like she never had before. Partially due to Jimin being her partner. His dancing enamored everyone; his movements were so fluid. It was hypnotizing. Being her partner Jimin was gentle but firm, guiding her as she discovered new things to do. It was refreshing for the young woman.

She barely saw Jin throughout the rehearsal process. He kept himself busy with meetings and preparing for the ballet performance. The only time they saw each other was at home. That suited Aurora just fine. She continued to hide the necklace from him, still unsure what to do with it, but she would keep it close to her at all times. Something about having it close made her feel safe.

One evening after a late dance rehearsal, one of the dancers came up to Aurora.

“Hey, we’re all going out for pizza. Wanna come with?”

Why not give it a chance?

She grinned with a slight nod. “I’d love to come.”

The dancer smiled. “Great! We’re all going to walk there together.”

She ran back over to the group just as Jimin sauntered over. He swung his bag over his shoulder. “Heard you were going out with the group.”

“Yeah. Are you going too?”

“Mhmm. I’ll walk out with you if you like.”

“You know where the place is?”

“Yeah. We all go there on Fridays,” he explained.

“Ah, I see.”

Jimin looked over at the group and waved. “We’ll meet you there!” He turned to Aurora picking her bag off the floor. “Let’s head over.”

Autumn had come to the city, making the nights longer and colder. Aurora tugged on her scarf as they stepped onto the sidewalk. Jimin peeked at her as they started walking. “Cold?”

“A little,” she admitted. Jimin paused, taking his jacket off. He wrapped it around her shoulders with a beam. “There.”

Instantly, she felt comfortable. The heat radiated around her as they walked down the block. “Thank you.”

Luckily the pizza place was at the end of the street. Jimin opened the door for her and smiled at the people behind the counter.

“Hey Jimin! The usual group coming in?”

“Yep. I’ll grab our table.”

He guided her to a large table in the back, pulling out a chair for her. Aurora sat down and inspected the pizza place. It was a small place with a mom-and-pop vibe. Cozy, but not too cluttered. The smells of the dough engulfed her nostrils, and her stomach growled softly. She patted it gently. Dancing always worked up her appetite. The server brought over a pitcher of water and filled their glasses.

Jimin handed her the menu, already knowing what to order. “Two cheese, one veggie, and one pepperoni, please.”

“I’ll put that right in.”

Aurora’s watch alarm went off, and she grabbed her bag, sifting through her things until she found a small bottle. She unscrewed the cap and swallowed the contents. Jimin watched her with interest as she threw the bottle back in her bag.

“What’s that?”

“Oh,” she coughed softly and took a sip of her water. “Medicine.”

“Medicine. Oh, okay,” he mused, settling into his seat.

An awkward silence fell between them as they waited on the rest of the group. Jimin wanted to talk to her and tell her everything on his mind but knew it wouldn’t end well. She didn’t remember him. His heart ached as he watched her. He had found her, yet it wasn’t the same.

*She’s not my Rose.*

“What made you want to come to the US and dance?”

Curiosity crossed Aurora’s face as she watched his expression. He shrugged with a tiny smirk. “Wanted a change of scenery, but if I’m honest, it was you.”

“Me?” She frowned, placing her glass of water down. “You’re not one of those crazy stalker guys, are you?”

Jimin tilted his head back and laughed. It sounded similar to wind chimes or rain on a spring day. “Not. Like I said before, I saw you dance, and it was incredible. Why not be with the best.”

She hummed, sitting back in her chair. “I suppose it makes sense. But you’re just as talented, Jimin. I’ve never seen someone so delicate as you.”

His smile spread as his cheeks covered his eyes. He was beyond flustered.

“Thank you,” he mumbled as he drank his water.

“Oi!”

The pair looked up as the rest of the group walked into the pizza place. The noise level went up as they all took seats, greeting the others. Aurora wished they hadn’t shown up right at that moment. Jimin looked adorable when his eyes became half-moons.

*Wait. What are you saying?*

She shook her head free of those thoughts. What was she thinking?

*Focus girl.*

The pizzas came out simultaneously, and the table went silent as everyone dug into the food. Jimin observed Aurora from the rim of his glass. Another tug from his heartstrings. He recalled her smile, the way she tugged on her earlobe when she spoke about something important to her. He sighed wistfully. He missed her terribly.

Once the food had been polished and the bill paid, one of the male dancers jumped up with a grin. “Let’s go dancing!”

Groans filled the table. He pouted, crossing his arms. “C’mon! We haven’t gone out in ages. And a new dance club just opened!”

Jimin nodded in agreement. “I’m down. It’s still pretty early.”

Murmurs rang out through the crowd. Aurora shook her head. “I should be getting home.”

“Oh, you of all people should come, Aurora. All you do is go to the studio and home. Have some fun!”

“But–” she glanced at her phone.

One of the female dancers grabbed her phone and turned it off. She tossed it to Jimin with a giggle. “No excuses. We’re going.”

Jimin gave her a sympathetic look. “I promise to give your phone back when we leave.”

Aurora groaned and rolled her eyes. “Fine.”

They cheered, grabbing their bags, and went to get taxis. Jimin took her hand in his. “We’re gonna have fun. I promise.”

Luckily, one of the dancers knew the bouncer, and they were all let in without waiting in the long line that wrapped around the club. Aurora looked around curiously at the club. Strobes lights lit the room as neon lights flashed around. Jimin took her hand, motioning towards the bar. She nodded, following after him. They reached the bar, and Jimin quickly got the bartender’s attention. He leaned in, breath tickling her neck.

“What would you like? My treat.”

Aurora blushed profusely. “Oh! Um, a glass of red wine, please.”

“Coming right up,” he turned to the bartender with a polite smile. “One rum and coke and a glass of merlot.”

He slipped his card to them, instructing to keep his tab open, and waited for the drinks. They were made in quick precision, and Jimin thanked them before handing Aurora her glass. She nodded in thanks and took a sip. The tartness of the wine lingered on her tongue as she felt the warm tingle throughout her body. It was rare that she drank, but tonight was a night for relaxing. She jumped in her seat as her coat pocket vibrated. Sighing, she glanced at the phone screen to see Jin’s face. Jimin looked with interest.

“Need to take that?”

She slid her thumb to the ignore button and turned her phone off. “No, it’s not important.”

Jimin raised his glass to her and sipped his drink. Everyone else was on the dance floor as the DJ spun the latest hits. He noticed her bobbing her head to the beat. He tapped her on the arm gently.

“Wanna dance?”

Aurora shook her head, turning away from the dance floor. “No, it’s fine. I’m going to sit here and drink.”

Jimin snorted as he drained his glass. “Not happening. We’re gonna dance. Finish your drink. We’re going out there.”

Aurora hastily finished her wine, coughing as the rush of alcohol went to her cheeks. She set the glass down, and Jimin held out his hand for her to take. They found an empty spot, and Jimin began to dance, urging Aurora to join him. Giving in, she began to dance, not realizing how much fun she was having. A drunken patron bumped into Aurora, knocking her off her feet. She stumbled forward, and with quick reflexes, Jimin caught her quickly. His arms wrapped around her waist, bringing her close to him.

“I got you, Rose,” he assured her in a hushed tone.

Their eyes met at that moment, and Aurora saw herself in a ballroom surrounded by people in the arms of...Jimin?

“Rose.”

“Rose.”

Aurora blinked as she looked into the vanity mirror. One of her handmaidens wove flowers into her hair as another got the veil ready. Jimin stood in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear.

“Jimin,” she stood up from her seat, the handmaidens bowed as they stepped away. Aurora ran over to hide behind a screen divider. “You’re not supposed to be in here!”

“When have I ever cared about the rules?”

Aurora sighed behind the screen, fiddling with the lace on her dress. “You act like you’re not going to see me in a few hours.”

“Any time away from you feels like an eternity,” he confessed. He closed the space between standing by the screen. He placed his hand on it as his expression softened. “It feels surreal.”

She knew he couldn’t see her, but she nodded in agreement. “It does. But it’s happening.”

Jimin chuckled softly. “Yes. Before the day is done, we will be man and wife.”

Soft music began to play as the guests stood facing the entrance of the garden. Jimin stood next to his father, visibly nervous, but King Onyx rested his hand on his son’s shoulder. Aurora entered the room with her father escorting her down the aisle. Jimin felt his eyes mist over, watching her come towards him. She was a vision in white. He was falling in love with her all over again. Once they reached the awning, King Stefan gave her away, bringing Jimin and Aurora’s hands together. He sniffed silently as he placed a kiss on her forehead.

“Who gives this woman away?”

“I do,” King Stefan proclaimed.

Jimin and Aurora turned to the chaplain as he beamed at the couple.

“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the joining of two individuals...”

The couple entered the hall as the crowd cheered for them. Jimin gazed at hew bride, entirely and utterly enamored with her. Aurora was all smiles thanking everyone for their good wishes. Jimin led her to her dance floor just as the music began. She tripped over her train as Jimin caught her from falling.

“I got you, Rose,” he purred.

Aurora held onto him as they started to dance. They twirled around the dance floor, clearing only having eyes for each other.

“Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”

“Any chance we get,” she answered bashfully.

His eyes darted over to the doors leading out into the garden. Aurora followed his gaze.

“Wanna get out of here?”

She bobbed her head, and Jimin wasted no time running towards the doors. She lifted the corner of her dress as they ran out, leaving everyone confused. Stefan chuckled to himself as he poured ale for himself and King Onyx.

“Oh, to be young and in love.”

Instead of going towards the royal gardens, Jimin took her to the Moors.

“I thought we were going to the gardens, Jimin,” she wondered.

They walked on until they made to their meadow under the willow trees. Jimin stopped walking and turned to face her. Cupping her chin in his hand, he tilted her face up to look at him.

“I want to make love to you in a place familiar to us.”

A shiver of anticipation ran through her body. They sank to the ground staring into each other’s eyes. He rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles soothingly.

“You’re shaking,” he observed.

“I...I’m nervous.”

“Don’t be,” Jimin crooned. “Remember what I said before? All that matters is us.”

His voice dropped lower as his heart raced. “Right now, I want to do nothing more than kiss you.”

“Then kiss me,” she whispered.

He inched closer, his lips barely touching hers, pausing right before they met, breathing in each other’s air. His tongue dipped, swiping at her lower lip, earning a needy moan from her. Suddenly their lips crashed in a searing kiss. One that left her breathless. Frantic Jimin’s hands roamed her body, caressing any and every part he could reach. Aurora felt intoxicated by him. She never wanted the kiss to end. He felt their lungs struggling for air and dragged himself away. Fresh air filled her lungs as she gazed up at him. He stared hungrily at her. Cheeks flushed, lips swollen, eyes burning with a dark lust. His frame hovered over hers. Without breaking eye contact, his hand hiked up her skirts, anchoring her leg around his waist. The bulk of his crotch pressed onto her mound. He groaned heavily, placing his thigh close to her clothes mound.

“Aurora,” he stuttered, “M-Move yourself against my thigh.”

She arched her back, raking his nails down his back as she writhed against him. The friction of his muscles grazing on her clit sent her into a frenzy. His lips crashed onto hers, tongue delving into her mouth to entwine with hers. Aurora trembled in his arms, every sensation jolting through her body. She didn’t want this night to end. All she wanted was Jimin. They parted from their kiss, exhaling. Aurora stroked his cheek as he leaned into her touch. Jimin’s hands were placed on the hem of her dress.

“May I?”

“Y-Yes,” she pleaded.

Jimin’s fingers went to work unbuttoning her dress. The small buttons were a challenge, but the Fae Prince quickly undid them all. He tugged her dress off her body, casting it aside as he kissed her exposed skin. Aurora covered her chest as Jimin smiled affectionately at her unfolding her arms.

“Don’t hide from me. You’re a vision and all mine.”

At that, he began to undress. Aurora was in a trance, watching him reveal himself to her, bare. The sinewy limbs seemed to glow under the moonlight. She sat up, getting to her knees, and traced her fingers over the lines of his body. Jimin watched her in fascination as she studied his body, a tender smile on his face. Once she reached his face, he brought her hands to his lips, kissing each finger. He helped her lay on her back. Just seeing her there splayed out among the flowers in nature bare for him made the fae prince tremble. Aurora vibrated underneath him, and Jimin helped her to relax. He started his journey, kissing her lips, each cheek, and her forehead. Sliding down, he concentrated on her jawline, neck, and collarbone. Her skin lit up at each kiss as she squirmed.

“So sensitive,” he murmured, a smile on his lips.

She whimpered, watching him as he worshipped her body under the stars. He came to her breasts, cupping one in his hand as his teeth tugged and grazed the hued nipple on the free one. He gave them each the attention they observed, leaving dark marks in its wake. Lips traveled further down, his tongue delving into her belly button. Aurora’s nails raked through his scalp, simple words of praise on her lips. Jimin got to the junction of her thighs, already aroused by the scent permeating from her. He licked his lips hungrily.

“Rose,” he rasped. “Please.”

She parted her legs for him, and he nearly dived in. Her outer lips were dripping with sweet nectar. Her clit was swollen from neglect. What a feast to behold. Jimin kissed up her legs, nipping at her soft skin. Sure he wanted her now, but this was all about his new bride. Finally, he reached his goal. Eyes darkened with passion; his tongue found her clit with ease flicking it gently.

Aurora bucked her hips as an electrical current running through her body. Her cries rang as Jimin lapped at the juices, moaning from the sounds of pleasure she created. Jimin slipped a finger past her folds, curling it to added more stimulation. Aurora rutted against his finger, shuddering mess. She felt alive for the time. An unusual sensation grew as if springe were coiling to release.

“J-Jimin...I’m....I’m–”

Her hips rose off the ground as her mouth shaped into an ‘o’ just as her body jerked. Jimin ceased his movements, watching as she orgasmed for the first time. She could only collapse as her breathing became haggard. He moved up to kiss her lips, stroking her hair.

“You did so well,” he praised. She nuzzled against him as her breathing went back to normal. He kissed her forehead. “How do you feel, Rose?”

“Good. Nothing like I ever felt before,” she answered quietly.

“Would you like to continue?”

“Yes, I would, Jimin.”

He settled in between her legs. Aurora’s eyes cast down to look at him. Her cheeks warmed, seeing his erection. His size worried her for a moment. The head was already dribbling with precum as Jimin fisted his shaft and pumped slowly. The veins throbbed, making him hiss.

“I-I need you, Rose.”

Lining himself at her entrance, he inched himself past her folds slowly. Her nails dug into his biceps as he guided himself inside her. He almost cried out at how tight she gripped him. Seeing her face contrast, he paused his movements.

“Am I hurting you?”

“N-No, j-just feel f-full,” she gasped. “K-Keep going.”

Jimin nodded as he continued, making sure she was comfortable, rubbing her sides soothingly. Once their hips were flushed, each let out a satisfied groan. The hazy feeling came over them, and Jimin began to thrust, grunting each time their hips met. Aurora gripped his back, watching through wet lashes as he made love to her. The sounds lingered in the air as the couple joined. Jimin hooked her legs up over his shoulders, thrusting from a different angle. Aurora’s eyes rolled back as her breath hitched. All she could do was keen at his touches. Jimin only had eyes for Aurora, bending down to swallow her moans in a passionate kiss, sucking her tongue sensually. He pulled away to look at her.

“I want to fill you with my seed. Make you fall apart as we cum together.”

This side of Jimin was one she’d never seen before, but she loved it, craved for his attention. For the second time of the night, the knot in her belly constricted. Her walls clenched his cock, making him move faster, his thrusts sloppy as he sought his pleasure and hers. Her hips met his as the sounds of skin slapping grew louder.

“J-Jimin!”

Her back arched, and her head fell back. One look at her Jimin and fell apart on top of her. With a strangled grunt, he released his seed into her cunt, filling her womb. Their lovemaking is only for the moon and stars to witness. As both crumbled, Jimin’s head fell between her breasts as they both laid their spent. She ran her nails lazily through his damp hair, humming to herself. They felt light and heavy at the same time. With the last bit of strength he possessed, he inched up and kissed her lips.

“I love you.”

“–You.”

Aurora jumped back from Jimin. Her face filled with confusion as she looked at her surroundings. They were still in the club. She pointed to Jimin, her bottom lip quivering.

“J-Jimin?”

His eyes softened as he took a step forward. “Aurora–”

“Aurora!”

She blinked rapidly as Jin came running towards her. His eyes went wild as he grabbed her arm, jerking her towards him.

“Where have you been?! I’ve been trying to call you all night!”

“Jin, stop. You’re hurting me,” she whispered, retching her arm away from him. Jimin’s eyes hardened, looking at the taller man.

“Is there a problem?”

Jin rounded on him with a snarl. “Stay out of this Park. This doesn’t involve you.” His eyes cut to Aurora. “We’re going home. Now.”

“But Jin, I need my things–”

“Right now, I don’t want to hear you speak.”

His grip on her arm tightened as they walked out of the dance club. Aurora got one last look at Jimin before exiting out the door.

Jin slammed the door behind him as Aurora turned to him angrily. “What the hell is your problem?! How dare you embarrass me.”

“Embarrass you? Embarrass you?! You’re the one making me worry because you didn’t answer my call!”

She scoffed, spinning from him. “I don’t see what the issue is about. I was out with the other dancers.”

“No, you were out with Park,” he spat.

“You’re jealous,” she admonished. “I thought we were past this, Jin.”

Jin felt his fangs tense as his temper rose, eyes flashing red. “No one can have you. You’re mine!”

“I was never yours,” she murmured.

Jin hissed as he went to grab her. Aurora’s expression changed. “I remember everything Jin.”

An electrical current ran through him, and he dropped his hands. “What?”

“I remember everything. You took my happiness away from me.” She felt the tightness in her throat as tears welled in her eyes.

Jin tried to grab her hand, and she snatched it from him. “My wedding night, that was you in the garden….”

His shoulder slumped as a grim expression covered his face. “It was.”

“You took everything from me, Jin. I didn’t want this life—this endless spiral of blood and loneliness. I could have been happy. I *was* happy.”

“We’ve been through so much, Aurora. I love you. That should be enough.”

“It isn’t. I was happy. I was in love with the man of dreams. I just...I can’t.”

She clutched her chest, and she pushed past him. “I-I need to get out of here.”

“Aurora–” he wrapped his arms around her waist, burying his nose in her hair. “Please. Please don’t go.”

She squeezed her eyes close and exhaled. “I need to leave Jin. Please grant me that. Release me.”

Hot tears rolled down his cheeks as he sobbed into her hair. “You were perfect in every way to me. I release you.”

It felt as if a weight had lifted off her chest. Without another word, she walked out of the apartment. Jin sank to his knees as the door slammed behind her. Aurora walked down the street, trying to wrap her mind around what had conspired. At that moment, her phone rang, making her jump. She looked at the caller id, not recognizing the number. She pressed the button, putting the phone to her ear.

“Hello?”

“Oh, Aurora. Thank goodness! It’s Jimin. I got your number from Ten. Are you okay?”

“Yeah. I’m fine. Just taking a walk,” she answered.

“Can we meet? I have your bag and...I think we need to talk.”

“Yes, I think we do.”

Less than half an hour later, Aurora was sitting in a late-night coffee shop. She sipped her green tea, letting the drink calm her nerves. Jimin walked in, spotted her in the corner, and went over to the table. Still looking as good as the day she met him, he sat down, placing her bag next to her.

“I got over here as quickly as I could. Were you waiting long?”

“No, it wasn’t a long wait.”

He reached over the table and placed his hands over hers. “You remember it all?”

Aurora nodded. “I...I don’t know what happened, but I do. I mean, it’s surreal.” She locked eyes with Jimin as she tried to keep her voice even. “Jimin, where have you been?”

He gulped softly, looking down at a spot at the table. “After you disappeared the night of our wedding, I didn’t stop looking for you. It seemed like you vanished, and everyone went into this despair. Your father, I watched him waste away.”

She felt the tears drip down as she thought about her family. Life wasn’t fair. “How did you find me?”

“Rose,” he said with a gentle smile. “I always know where to find you.” He brought her fingers up to his lips and kissed each one. “I promise to be with you always.”

Aurora trembled as she thought over his words. “I...I don’t know what I want, Jimin.”

His eyes widened in surprise. “What do you mean?”

“I...I don’t even know how to say this...for the longest time; I was happy, unaware of who I used to be. At the time, all I cared about was Jin. He...he may have done the wrong thing, but I learned to care for him. He taught me how to survive in this world.”

“You love him?”

She shook her head vigorously. “I’m not saying that, but that night changed me, and I couldn’t hurt you, Jimin. I need to figure out what I want now, and that means letting you both go.”

His heart thumped loudly in his chest. He sniffed, trying to hide whatever tears threatened to spill. “I-I understand. You need time.”

She gave him a tearful smile. “Who knows where I’ll end up. Maybe I’ll come to find you in the future.”

Jimin chuckled softly. “I’ll always be waiting.” He stood up, and she mimicked getting up to wrap him in her arms. He sighed deeply, kissing her cheek. “Just when I found, I’ve lost you again.”

She shook her. “Remember what you always told me: you can always find me.”

With one last tearful goodbye, Aurora gathered her things and walked out of the coffee, a look of determination on her face. Once outside, she closed her eyes and placed her hand on her tummy.

“We’ll be alright. Trust me.”

#beegrimm #bangtaninn #bangtanarmynet #networkbangtan #clubzerooclock #52hertz #btsgoldnet #heartsforbts #bangtansorciere #95line.net #kwritersworldnet #kim seokjin #jin #park jimin #jimin #bts #bangtan #jin x reader #jin x you #jin x yn #jin x oc #jimin x reader #jimin x you #jimin x yn #jimin x oc #bts x you #bts x reader #bts x yn #bts x oc #jimin smut

[bluebellhairpin]

No Feelin’

Fantasy AU!Levi Ackerman X Fem!Reader

Part Two - No More

A/N: I’m so glad to be a part of this. I had a lot of fun, and I have always liked the ‘Enemies to Lovers’ dynamic. I just hope this doesn’t got out of the rules - I didn’t actually read them - so if it does .... ‘oopsie?’ - Nemo

Summary: Service to the king became tiring. Someone rose up and became an enemy to the crown - stealing a cured sword, that gives untamable power to the wielder. The Kings Captain finds himself positioned between her and what she wants. 

Warnings: Violence. Smexual tension. Blood. Alludes to Dom!Reader. 

Listening to: ‘VILLAIN’ by K/DA (slowed) - ‘Am I really that bad if l love to make you mad?’

Discord Event Masterlist

Masterlist 

“Take it off. Slowly.” 

“What, this little thing?” You took out the long blade, it’s sheath still hanging at your side. It reflected a matching bright red glow into your eyes, a shine he could see from across the room. “I didn’t think it’d worry you that much, Captain of the Guard.” 

Levi could tell you were just playing with him. Your voice was smooth like honey, and richer than the king’s gold hoard. It sent a shiver down his spine - or maybe that was just the cold in the room? - but your voice paired with your eyes told him that it was not the cold. 

You never used to be like that.

“It doesn’t belong to you.” he said, raising his voice as if that would make you do as he says, “So I’ll say it again - take it off, and give it to me. I may be lenient if you comply -”

“- Blah, blah blah. Comply, do as I say.” You cut him off, twirling the sword around your fingers before the hilt fell back into your palm again. “Doesn’t that ever bore you? It sure as hell bored me.” 

He stiffened as you started walking across the room, passing the columns and getting closer and closer. Leaving the doorway behind and cornering him at the throne. The red sword dragged behind you, metal scraping against stone, and he grit his teeth at the sound. 

It left a glowing red streak in its wake. 

“Surely you know the power this holds,” You smiled as you looked up at where he stood, one of your feet resting casually on the first step up to the throne. “That's why you want it back.” 

“It’ll corrupt you.” He hissed, pulling out his own sword in counter. “‘Blood to bone, and bone to stone; The price of the throne, it will leave you alone’, that’s what the sword says. You’ll never come back from where it’s taking you, and you’ll have no pity from anyone.” 

You raised the blade, studying the foreign language, before tapping your elongated fingernails - to him they looked more like metal talons - along each letter with a laugh. Then your eyes flicked up to his, the crimson color only brighter now that you were closer. 

“That’s what everyone thinks it says, yes.” you said, waving the sword around as you gestured, “But that’s just petty human insight. This was carved by gods, made to be wielded by only the strongest of the worthy. No human would understand what that means.” 

Levi looked down at the weapon, eyeing the words.

“Dare I ask what it does it say?” His words made your grin widen, lips pulling back to reveal sharp canines.

“So curious.” You said, walking up a step with each syllable. “So adorable.” 

You raised your sword to him, and he quickly moved his own to block it - otherwise it would’ve been uncomfortably close to his neck. You stepped forward again, pressing closer and adding more pressure. 

If his own sword didn’t have magic in it, he was sure it would’ve been turned to ash. He could feel the heat from your blade already. 

“So tell me Little Captain, which tunnel did your king use to run away?” He sucked in a sharp breath. Only the royals and their most trusted knew about the passages. And yet you did too. “Ohhh, you are just so cute trying to think on your feet.” You laughed. 

“I’ll die first.” he said, pushing you off with a grate of metal against metal and making you stumble back down a few steps. “You want nothing but power. Just like any storybook villain. And storybook villains always lose.” 

You settled yourself again, tutted at him. 

“And yet I’m the one to draw first blood.” you said, mocking eyes catching his as you watched a slither of dull red drip down from the tip of your sword, “All bark and no bite.” 

He rose a hand, touching his cheek. It erupted in pain at the contact, blinding his right eye. He felt it burning, the heat running through his veins to settle a dull ache in his chest. 

“You’re lucky it wasn’t deep,” you said, speaking as if consoling a child with a scuffed knee, “Deeper than that and you could be out of commission.” 

His own sword lit up, the engraving glowing white as it helped to counter the tainted cells you gave him. The sight in his eye returned first, and he lunged down at you. 

“You talk too much.” he grunted, swinging a large arch at you, pushing you further from the throne and back towards the exit.

“What, you want me to put my mouth to better use?” you countered, catching his legs with your foot and held your sword to his throat. He fell on this back, winded, and his own sword was just out of reach. 

As your sword dug into the stonework, and left a dull warmth at his neck, you stood over him, lowering to kneel on one knee above his torso. 

“For you that would be an honor.” You practically purred out the words, eyes lazy, and any half-minded person would be weak at their knees for such an opportunity. But you weren’t exactly the healthy kind of alluring. Not right now, anyway. 

“You’re a temptress.” He said, hand slowly reaching out for his castaway sword. 

“The best kind.” You leaned forward, head level with his, and only inches apart. 

“I’ll kill you.” He only needed to reach a little further then he’d -

“Ah ah,” your hand shot out, voice soft and hushed like you were telling a secret, and grabbed his wrist, pinning it down, “Nobody can kill me.” 

He reared up, kneeing you in the stomach, and used your moment of surprise to grab his sword, roll you both over, and pin you down in turn. He held your arms down, pinning them under his knees, and held his sword at your throat. You smiled.

“A fire? Very nice -”

“Shut up.” his eyes narrowed, and his sword pressed into your skin, “I could kill you right now. Spill your blood all over the stone pavers. I’ll do it. Slit your throat so damn clean that they wouldn’t even see the cut once they’ve got the blood cleaned up!” 

Your smile faltered, but your eyes darkened. 

“So kill me.” You said, challenging him. “Kill me, and don’t regret it.” 

He looked down at you, jaw clenching, his knuckles whitened as he held the blade tighter. But he hesitated too long. Why was he waiting? Was he showing you mercy?

You jolted your legs up behind him, linking your ankles and hooking them around his neck. Then you slammed down - cracking his head back against the stone - and rocked yourself up between his legs to then wrap your hand around his throat, fingers splayed up onto his chin.

“You should know better than to wait that long, Little Captain.” You brushed your nose with his, looking down at him though lidded eyes. He looked delirious. Like he was only half awake. With a knock to the head like that he should be dead.

You looked over to his hands, finding his sword lit up like the night sky, the energy making the veins in his fingers and arm glow. You wondered how interesting that was - his sword could heal, while yours corrupted. The irony.

“You’re crazy.” he slurred, somehow managing to look right at you despite the fog in his eyes, “You’ll never win.”

You turned back to him, almost laughing into his mouth.

“I already have,” you said, “I have you right where I want you.” 

“Tell me what it says.” he said. 

“The sword?” you mused. Lifting the sword up to rest between you, Levi was lost in a daze between the red metal and the blood of your eyes, both reflecting off the other and making him dizzy. Was he seeing double? 

“‘From chaos to healing, is where to gain the sealing; Where they be kneeling, you’ll have no feeling.’ I have an advantage, Levi Ackerman.” You said, and for a sweet moment he had clarity, but like a dream after you wake it was gone. “Find your advantage.” 

You then stood, letting him go as you trailed your sword down his front before just walking away.

“Then find me,” you turned back to him, “If you’re brave enough.”

#surprise server collab #levi ackerman x reader #attack on titan x reader #shinjeki no kyojin x reader #levi ackerman one shot #attack on titan one shot #shingeki no kyojin one shot #fantasy au

[task-of-the-burdened-one]

June 2020 Patreon Snippet: Orion

Below...

The Council had promised them… work with them, help them win this war, and Orion’s curse… they could rid the curse from Orion’s blood.

Orion regrets taking that hand. Now, especially, when the change of transformation fires through their body, painful, hot, bones cracking, tearing, flesh shifting, teeth burning—

Sanity, loose and fraying, curdling at the edges. It is always the same. The transformation takes hold, and Orion loses their mind to it.

It is only that person’s magic that shocks them back to themselves.

Electricity, sharp, painful, searing, explodes in Orion’s vision, lighting up their soul and mind back to the present. Blood seeps through their talons, fingers mutilated and grown from the violent transformation their body has taken. They clutch the wound, whimpering, as they come back to their senses.

There is screaming, people running, someone is crying underneath them…

Horror. Orion feels it. Always. Especially after a transformation takes hold, but now, when they are somehow sane but not, in a form they have never wanted, hate vehemently. The curse on their body and mind, it calls even now, as Orion scrambles off the person they had held down with claws and teeth.

They fling themselves into the dirt away, running, bleeding but alive, thank whatever gods might exist, alive.

Orion clutches their wound even more tightly. They do not want to take this form, but the Council had urged them to. Use it. They had said. For the war. They had pleaded. And we will rid you of your curse.

In time. When Orion asks them about their research. When the war has ended. When we have won. They remind.

Orion can’t take this anymore.

Then, a figure approaches. Magic sizzling in their palms. Electricity, the magic that had woken Orion from the hold their curse had gripped their mind.

Their hair is long, black and staticky from the electricity. Orion shies away from their approach, just a little bit, clasping their wounded stomach with both hands. Their fingers ache, their teeth hurt from the transformation. They know they must look a fright, the monster they try so desperately to not be.

Whoever they are, this person does not shy away from their appearance. They hold out a hand, beseeching, utterly unconcerned.

Orion speaks then, through rows of elongated teeth. “You’re not… afraid of me?”

The briefest uptick of the corner of their mouth. Amusement? It’s surprising, on a face that is not one that Orion has grown up with—not a member of the Lucan Tribe. “No.” They say, simply. “Are you afraid of me?”

Orion feels incredulous. How could they be afraid of something like them? They are afraid of so many things, but humans, no… they have always wanted to be like everyone else. They revere that normalcy.

“How could I be?” They whisper, sharp canines poking into a slackened, blackened cheek. The transformation makes them feel ill. Their limbs feel distorted, their hands heavy. “You’re human.”

There is certainly amusement, now, in the face that greets them. Pale, black hair, shifting eyes. Electricity still leaps off their shoulders. “I was, once.” They say, in response, then tilt their head curiously. “Do you think you are a monster?”

Orion flinches at the moniker. “Yes.” They say, without hesitating. The swooping despair feels familiar in their belly. “I’m a monster.”

Touch. Orion flinches away, horrified, when they feel the faintest bit of pressure on one of their horns. They rear back, clutching more tightly to their wound, creating space. The person watches them with interest as Orion violently puts distance between them. “Don’t touch me! I’m—!”

“You’re not.” They say, and it makes Orion bite their tongue. “A monster wouldn’t have stopped themselves from tearing into those people. A monster would have liked it.” They stand. They are shorter than Orion, but seem so much larger.

“Your magic…” Orion tells them, catching their attention again. “Your magic saved me. I couldn’t—my mind wasn’t my own. My curse it…”

“I’ve researched it.” They interrupt, eyeing Orion calmly. “The Lucan Tribe’s curse, the transformation that changes your shape and destroys your mind.” They look down at their hand, then, as magical energy fizzles in the palm. “I too will one day lose my sanity.” They admit, and Orion nods.

Orion knows the plight of a Roerhn mage. Insanity. Not unlike the curse Orion will fall to, one day… is falling to, even in this very moment.

They look at Orion then, mouth pursed, resolute. They extend the hand not crackling with magic to Orion once more. “I know they conscripted you on the terms of ridding you of that curse.” They reveal. Orion looks away and down at blood-soaked talons. “I can help you. Our goals are aligned. I can protect you from the Council making you use your curse, in return, you can help me.” Their eyes flash, just a bit, and Orion can see the emotion in their eyes.

Orion rises, still holding themselves together, barely. They wince at the awkward way they must hold themselves. The transformation, the curse, is still flowing through them. It will be some time before they can return to normal. “Can you really help me?” They ask, cautious.  

The Roerhn mage nods. “You won’t have to fall to your curse for their benefit again.”

Relief. Orion feels it. The curse will always be there, a forced transformation under the moonlight, not within their control, but never again will they be forced to turn by the word of a higher power. The Council wants the war to end, Orion knows this, but even so, they regret that promise they had made.

How many people have they hurt? Had they killed? How many more would have been hurt by them?

Orion can’t take it anymore.

The transformation still holds them, but Orion nods. “Thank you.” They whisper, their voice scratchy and low, from the throat of a horrendous creature, a monster, the monster that they are.

The Roerhn mage does not shy away. Instead, they smile, just a bit, looking, almost, Orion believes, relieved too.  

#orion #drabble #patreon asks

[xx-thedarklord-xx]

Scarlet Blood

Scarlet, Mystery, and Soulmates for @scarlet47​ I hope you like it!

Draco looked at the article, trying to withhold a smirk. The Daily Prophet would somehow make the situation about Harry. As they always did. It wasn’t a surprise that the Aurors had nothing, but it was nice to hear.

The sound of approaching footsteps had Draco looking up as he crumpled the newspaper and dropped it on the ground. The glare of the sun made it hard to see the man well, but Draco knew it was Wizengamot member Dirk Creek.

As Dirk came closer, the smile that was barely visible thinned before turning into a frown when he caught sight of Draco.

“You’re not Billy.”

“No,” Draco drawled, smirk finally coming forward. “I’m not.”

“Did he send you? He’s not usually absent for our exchanges.”

Draco waved his hand, playing it off as a noncommittal gesture when it really was placing an invisible wall behind Dirk.

“And remind me what your weekly exchanges are about?” Draco feigned ignorance as he took a step closer, his magic swirling inside him, changing his appearance. His nails elongated, canines poking through the smirk, iris’ left silver to become purple as the pupil and sclera went black.

Dirk tried to step back but he made contact with Draco’s magic and froze in place.

“W—who are you? Where’s Billy?”

“Oh, don’t you worry about Billy,” Draco said, head tilted and smirk widening showcasing his fangs completely. “He’s here with you.”

A glance over Draco’s shoulder showed a body lying on the ground covered in a thin layer of blood, mouth frozen in a silent scream and eyes wide open.

Dirk let out several whimpers at the sight before closing his eyes. “You’re that killer, aren’t you?”

“Killer is a harsh word,” Draco pursed his lips. “I like to see it as karma myself.”

When nothing was said, Draco tsked before placing a sharp nail along Dirk’s cheek, nicking the skin.

“You’re not going to ask? Plead for your life? Lie and claim innocence?”

Dirk remained silent, head shaking and hands trembling.

“What a pity,” whispered Draco. “That makes it so boring for me.”

His nail went deeper, blood running down his hand. The sight always left him feeling enraptured.

“I suppose it just means you’re self-aware,” Draco hummed, eyes narrowing. “I stumbled across Billy a few weeks ago and thought he was just a shady back-alley dealer. That is until you showed up.”

Another whimper had him rolling his eyes. The good stuff hadn’t even started yet, and Dirk was already getting scared.

“Imagine my surprise to find out that a member of the Wizengamot was funding an illegal potion ring targeted at minors.”

“It’s not—”

Draco’s nails raked deep as they slid, leaving a deep gash of scratches behind as Dirk let out a scream.

“Don’t lie to me,” Draco warned, voice barely above a growl. “I thought to myself, ‘why would anyone want to fund that?’ but then I remembered this year is an election year. And just wouldn’t you know it, you’re up for the Chief Warlock position on the Wizengamot.”

Dirk tried to push Draco away, but the attempt was weak against his advanced strength.

“What’s the main selling point of your campaign again?” Draco drummed his free hand against his face. “Oh! That’s right, it’s to lower the crime rate of the youth.”

A shiver went through dirk as he opened his eyes and took in Draco’s face.

“How cunning of you,” Draco reluctantly admitted. “You fund an illegal potion ring, and should you win the election, you de-fund it and the crime rate decreases.”

Dirk opened his mouth to speak but a glare from Draco was enough to silence him.

“I would be impressed if it weren’t for the lives of the minors you put at risk. You wanted to win by any means necessary and deemed their lives a mere casualty.”

“I didn’t think—”

“Oh, I doubt that,” Draco said. “You knew exactly what you were doing and who it would hurt. You just didn’t give a damn.”

“That’s not—”

“I don’t care what you have to say.” Draco leaned closer, licking a stripe of blood off of Dirk’s face. It certainly wasn’t up to his taste; the blood was just as foul as Dirk.

“You called me a killer earlier,” Draco continued with a frown. “You will die, so the statement isn’t a lie.”

A loud whimper had Draco snorting. “I may kill for the fun of it, but I choose those who deserve it.”

“By whose standards?”

Draco parted his lips and let his fangs nick his lips, blood dripping from the tips of his teeth.

“Mine.”

Morally, if Draco had been someone else the crimes wouldn’t equal death, but he had no morals and didn’t care. The papers tended to say he was a vigilante but that wasn’t exactly true. Most vigilantes wanted justice, to see someone pay, to see them in jail.

That wasn’t enough for Draco.

He waited until Dirk opened his mouth before he sank his teeth into Dirk’s neck and drank. The thud of the body hitting the ground was almost as satisfying as the kill itself.

After placing the bodies how he wanted, Draco added the finishing touches so it would be recognized as his work and took one last look around the alley.

All that remained was silence and scarlet.

The perfect scenery.

——————

Harry had just placed the newspaper on the table when the chime of the Floo went off. He didn’t have to look to know who it was. No one else ever came to his flat unannounced.

Arms wrapped around his stomach where his soulmate mark was, the buzz of the magic that came with their combined presence shook the table and rattled the dishes.

“Thought you were going to the store,” Harry said, a hint of a smile in his voice as he gestured toward the Daily Prophet, the headline blinking obnoxiously.

Scarlet Killer Strikes Double

“I did,” Draco murmured, mouth pressed against Harry’s neck. “Had an errand to run beforehand.”

“An errand huh?” Harry turned around in Draco’s hold until they were face to face. He rubbed his thumb against the fangs that were barely peeking through Draco’s lips.

The sting of his finger being punctured had him sucking in a sharp breath, eyes going hazy when Draco sucked on his thumb.

“It’s unfair how good you taste,” Draco said, eyes looking up, purple bleeding back to silver. “It’s my favourite. You’re my favourite.”

Harry grinned at the whiny tone. “You going to suck me dry like your victims?”

“Yeah,” Draco said as he pressed a kiss to Harry’s thumb. “Just not of your blood.”

Harry rolled his eyes before smacking Draco’s shoulder. “You’re not as funny as you think you are.”

He could tell that Draco wanted to argue, but Harry leaned forward and kissed him softly.

“Just answer me this,” Harry began, pecking him after each word. “Did they deserve it?”

The wicked smirk on Draco’s face should have been revolting, but it wasn’t. It should have disgusted him but all it did was make him shiver with want.

“Always.”

Harry leaned forward and placed open-mouthed kisses along Draco’s neck before stopping at the mark that changed his life.

A soulmate mark in the shape of a snitch sat on Draco’s collarbone, matching the one on Harry’s stomach, linking them together—Scarlet Killer and all.

Forever.

#Drarry #Draco Malfoy #Harry Potter #Soulmates #Vampire Draco #Killer Draco #Blood #TW Blood #CGT Writing Meme

[imaginedhaven]

Rules of Engagement: Chapter Fourteen

Link to Masterpost

Another day, another chapter! These words have been fighting to get onto the page for so long they’re just flying by now that it’s their time. I hope you enjoy.

~*~*~

“So, let me get this straight,” Aedion drawled as he watched Whitethorn pace around the room.

He had to fight a grin as the warrior growled. “What could possibly be so difficult for you to comprehend?”

“Well, let’s start with the fact that you visited my cousin in the night, knowing full well she had already promised herself to someone else.” He knew, of course, that Aelin had ended things with Dorian weeks ago, but watching the color leave Whitethorn’s face was well worth the lie of omission. Before the warrior could say anything in his defense, Aedion carried on. “You have some sort of interaction with her you won’t discuss further. You leave in a hurry, but return to her room later, and she and her belongings have mysteriously vanished.”

“Yes,” Whitethorn snarled.

Aedion bit back a laugh as he watched Whitethorn resume his pacing. “And what, precisely, do you intend for me to do about it? Sounds to me like you’ve created this situation yourself.”

“You’re being too hard on him,” Lysandra called from the next room.

“Am I? He’s admitted to having some sort of late night encounter with my dear cousin, and botching it to the point that she runs away. I don’t think I’m being too hard at all.”

Whitethorn growled at him, exposing elongated canines before opening his mouth to speak, but Aedion simply lifted a hand to demand his silence. “Luckily for you,” he continued, “I have information that you don’t.”

He finally laughed as he watched the warrior freeze. “What information?”

“It doesn’t feel nearly as good to be the one without all the details, does it?” Aedion grinned.

“Play nicely!” called Lysandra.

Aedion sighed and shook his head. “First of all,” he revealed, “I know that Aelin ended things with Dorian almost three weeks ago now. The prince is due to make it public today.”

Whitethorn’s eyes widened. “She did?”

“She did. I’m not certain why she didn’t see fit to tell you, other than the fact that she’s been complaining to my mate about you avoiding her.” A pointed accusation to be sure, but Aedion had to admit he wasn’t feeling especially generous. They had bonded to an extent, certainly, but the male in front of him had just admitted to hurting his beloved cousin. He wasn’t going to make it easy for him to win back her affections.

The guilt that crossed Whitethorn’s face brought him some satisfaction in that regard. “I had orders, though that isn’t much of an excuse.”

“The second thing I know,” Aedion said instead of directly addressing the remark, “is that Aelin never intended to marry Dorian in the first place, nor he her.”

That particular fact wasn’t especially relevant to the current situation, but Aedion had to admit he was reveling in seeing such shock on Whitethorn’s face. It wasn’t every day that someone got to surprise a centuries-old blood-sworn fighter of Queen Maeve’s, after all.

Whitethorn’s shock faded to a contemplative frown, and Aedion knew the warrior would be piecing together any evidence he happened to have witnessed. Before he could get too far, though, Aedion had one final piece of information to reveal. “The final piece of information I have and you don’t is Aelin’s current location.”

Green eyes turned to him in a fierce glare. “You’ve known where she was this entire time,” he growled.

“Yes,” he admitted. “And my task was to stall you long enough that you couldn’t stop her, which I’ve done splendidly.”

“Stop her from what, exactly?” A part of Aedion noted Whitethorn’s obvious anger with a thrill of fear; the male was a highly capable warrior, after all, and with his magic as well Aedion wasn’t confident he could actually win a serious fight between them.

That being said, another part of him was delighted that he currently held power in the form of information, and that he had the ability to rile someone so famed for his foul but consistent disposition. With that in mind, Aedion launched one final barb. “I’m certain you could figure it out, if you took your time. Unless, of course, there’s more than one thing you know she could do that you would feel… compelled… to stop her from doing.”

The word was a hint that was far from subtle, and Rowan Whitethorn was no fool. As Aedion watched, he sat down hard in a nearby chair, eyes wide. “She’s going to Maeve.”

It wasn’t a question, but he responded regardless. “She is. Lysandra is to go back to Orynth in her place, disguising herself as Aelin until she reaches the border. I’ve sent letters ahead of us to Terrasen, to let the regent know of Aelin’s side trip. I am to follow behind her, now that it won’t raise suspicion and now that we’re unlikely to catch her before she reaches Doranelle.”

“And you let her?” Whitethorn demanded, incredulous. “Are you insane? Nothing good can come of the two of them meeting.”

“Yes to your first question, the second is debatable. And Aelin seems to think something good can come of it.” Aedion finally relented, letting his own expression soften. “But she can’t do it alone. I’m to follow her on the next ship to Wendlyn. Are you coming with me?”

“Of course I’m coming with you,” Whitethorn replied, no hesitation in his voice. “But before we do this, there’s something you should know. I don’t want your surprise to be a hindrance should a certain situation arise.”

“What is it that you think I should know?”

Aedion frowned as he caught a glimmer of regret in Whitethorn’s eyes. “I know who your father is, and we may come across him on our way to Maeve.”

Aedion’s world came to a grinding halt.

~*~*~

Aelin slipped off of the ship and into Wendlyn with a sigh of relief. She hadn’t been overly seasick on the journey, which she supposed was a relief, but she had kept to her cabin regardless out of a desire to remain as anonymous as possible. After all, Aelin Galathynius, Crown Princess of Terrasen, would attract undue attention.

Celaena Sardothien, the eccentric assassin, however, was someone from whom everyone kept their distance.

It was just as well, really. Aelin didn’t particularly want to talk to anyone on the voyage anyway. She had to maintain her focus on her plan. Instead, she had focused on the physical fitness drills Aedion had taught her so long ago and on sharpening the knives she had brought. If the other passengers thought her distant and cold, well, that was so much the better. The wildfire running through her veins was not intended for them.

Varese was several days’ travel from the port at which she’d landed, but some quick negotiations bought her a horse and food enough for the journey. She kept the hood of her cloak up for the entirety of the trip, both to maintain relative anonymity and to keep the hot rays of the sun away from her face.

She had heard that this land, the land of her mother’s family, was far warmer than the mountains to which she was accustomed. She had presumed it would be roughly equivalent to the summer days of Rifthold, if she gave the matter any thought at all. She had been terribly mistaken; the heat and humidity threatened to overwhelm her at the height of each day, forcing her to veer away from the road and seek shade and water for herself and for her mount.

It might have been easier to simply turn south and ride for Doranelle directly. It certainly would have taken less time. However, she had a favor to ask and a message to ensure the royal family of Wendlyn received, and so to Varese she went.

As she neared the city walls, she took a deep breath to steel her nerves. My name is Aelin Ashryver Galathynius, she reminded herself, and I will not be afraid.

She reminded herself of this again as guards surrounded her at the city gate.

For all her nerves, though, the Ashryver line was well-loved in their own capital city. One look at her face and at her eyes, the turquoise-and-gold shared across most of her maternal line, and she was quickly ushered into a side room. “You’ve been expected,” a guard told her as she was left in a room with wine and some sort of flatbread.

Several minutes later, the door opened, and Aelin turned her attention to the room’s newest entrant.

But for their eyes, it would have been nearly impossible to tell that Galan Ashryver was of any relation to her. His dark hair and olive skin were far better suited to the climate of his homeland, whereas her pale complexion and golden hair fit her mountain home. But the Ashryver line produced turquoise eyes ringed with gold in most of its heirs, and when her gaze met his she saw the shared heritage.

Aelin stood and bowed slightly, wishing she had thought to bring finer clothes than her riding leathers. “Cousin, it is a great pleasure to meet at long last.”

Rather than stand on formalities, Galan pulled her into an embrace. “Well met, cousin, though I wish you had better news to bring me.”

Aelin smiled thinly. “There is hope yet,” she said. “I bring the proof I mentioned, along with confirmation that the Havilliards stand behind my actions thus far as well as those yet to come. I did not have time to hear from the Queen of the Wastes or the royal family of Eyllwe before my journey to you began, though I am certain that if you were to converse with Prince Dorian Havilliard he will have confirmation soon.”

As she watched, Galan skimmed through the papers she produced, brow furrowed in thought. “This certainly does seem compelling,” he murmured. “Though it concerns me that this was forgotten so long ago, if it is indeed true.”

“My greatest wish is that I am proven incorrect about the worst of my suspicions, though there is certainly much that needs to be answered regardless. I ride south to speak to our dear aunt, as quickly as possible.”

“You plan to ask her directly?”

“I do. If she can answer to my satisfaction, there need not be further action. And if our worst fears are realized…” She called one of her flames to appear in her hand, twining around her wrist like a bracelet before disappearing. She grinned up at her cousin. “I can take care of myself.”

Galan’s eyes widened. “So the reports of you inheriting Brannon’s power are true,” he remarked, “though your control is far better than reported.”

“I’ve spent a great deal of the past months improving my control,” she replied. “I’ve ignored my heritage for far too long, it would seem.”

Her cousin sighed and set the papers aside. “As you certainly know, I cannot give you the full approval of the crown of Wendlyn. That honor resides with my father still.”

Aelin nodded; she had suspected as much.

“However,” he continued, “I have full command of Wendlyn’s armies. I hope they will not be needed in this situation, but if the need arises I will aid you however I can.”

She smiled and stood. “Then you have my thanks, my dear cousin.”

“Will you need rooms here, to rest before carrying on with your journey?”

“You’re too kind,” she replied. “But no, I’m afraid I cannot delay. One of her blood-sworn warriors follows me, and I have already lingered too long.”

“The one you mentioned in your letter? I believed you to be friendly, from the way you spoke of him.”

“A blood oath does not recognize friendship beyond that of the sworn to his keeper. If she commands him to prevent me from arriving, he will be unable to do anything but comply. I wish to avoid placing him into such a situation if at all possible.”

“I understand,” Galan replied. “Do you wish me to attempt to detain him?”

“You will not be able to, though I appreciate your offer. No, it is best if Wendlyn remain neutral until it is absolutely necessary. Though with all luck, we may yet be able to avoid an incident we would all come to regret.”

“I certainly hope so. Go, then, cousin. Go with our blessing, and with our hopes for as peaceful an end as may be achieved.”

Aelin smiled and embraced him once more before they went their separate ways, him to report to his parents and her to continue her journey.

~*~*~

Aelin rode for Doranelle as quickly as she could, and soon she was once more within a forest. It was both hotter and more humid than those she called home, but it was still at least somewhat familiar.

Slightly less familiar and more unnerving was the continuous sensation that she was being watched. Obstacles she had spied along the path seemed to clear themselves before she could reach them, and occasionally she could swear she saw eyes peeking out from behind branches.

It wasn’t until the night before she reached her aunt’s borders that she finally faced some of the creatures that had been watching her, and she wasn’t certain whether to find it relieving or unnerving to discover that it had been the Little Folk watching her all along.

She had encountered their kindred in Terrasen, living quietly in the Oakwald Forest and preferring to remain largely unseen. If she lingered in the forest they had a tendency to leave small gifts along her path, little trinkets or particularly beautiful flowers.

These faeries had done more than leave an individual flower, though, for as she watched several of them placed a crown of beautiful red blossoms on a stone before her.

She could not name the flowers they had chosen. They appeared to be similar to the kingsflame that graced Terrasen during times of peace, but the blossoms were slightly larger and a different shade. Still, it was a crown that was all too appropriate for the Heir of Fire, and it both warmed her heart and made her nervous to realize that these faeries recognized her heritage just as readily as those who lived in the land she called home.

Deciding that politeness was the best way to proceed, she lifted the crown with a smile. “You have my thanks,” she murmured to the few who lingered. “This is a beautiful gift indeed, and I will treasure it as long as it lasts.”

The remaining Little Folk fled; either because of some noise in the forest she had not heard, or because she had called attention to them, she couldn’t be certain. She placed the crown of flowers atop her head regardless; it would be rude to thank them for their gift and then proceed to cast it aside.

The sun finally rose enough for her to see the path once more, and Aelin continued onward, wishing for the hundredth time that her secondary form was something more useful than a human shape. If she had been a bird like Rowan, she could have already completed her journey.

Aelin frowned. Perhaps it was best not to think of Rowan. Not now, when she was so close to her aunt’s territory and she needed to keep her wits about her. It was difficult to avoid thinking of him, however. How much had Aedion revealed to him by now? Had he followed at all? If he had, was it to fulfill his blood oath to her aunt and stop her, or was he going to attempt to help her however he could?

With a sigh, she realized that she had far too little information to speculate on his future actions. The only thing she could be reasonably certain of was that he would not directly harm her unless he was specifically ordered by Maeve to do so.

Depending on when exactly he caught up to her, the likelihood of her giving such an order was relatively high. Her aunt was known for many things, but her kindness and forgiving nature were not among them.

Perhaps it was for the best if he didn’t follow. She would have to alter significant portions of her plan, but he would be kept safe. Even as she thought it, though, she knew he would never be content to remain safe while others endangered themselves. No, he would come, to whatever end. All she could do was hope that she could make that a happier end than it would’ve otherwise become.

Resolve strengthened, she carried on along her path, and soon she was met by the calling of wolves.

These wolves, she knew, would be no ordinary creatures. No, these were sentinels for Maeve herself, loyal only to her. If her aunt wished it, these wolves would turn her away. If she pressed onward regardless, they would tear her apart if Maeve gave the order. No one outside of Doranelle was certain of the exact means of her control over these creatures, or even if they truly were wolves. Aelin supposed it didn’t truly matter. All that mattered was that they allow her to pass.

As two of the wolves approached her, she dismounted from her horse and walked out to meet them. It wouldn’t do to spook her mount unnecessarily, and it seemed wise to be as respectful as she could manage. “Greetings,” she called, and the wolves inclined their heads toward her.

She allowed some of her fire to manifest in the palm of her hand, twisting it around her fingers and wrist as she had done for Galan several days prior. “I am Aelin Ashryver Galathynius,” she said, “Princess of Terrasen. Heir of Brannon and of Mala Fire-bringer. You may know me as Aelin Fireheart, or perhaps Aelin of the Wildfire. I have come to meet with my aunt, Queen Maeve of the Fae of Doranelle.”

As the wolves looked on, she allowed her eyes to glow with the wildfire of her determination. She would not be stopped. She would see her aunt, and make her answer for all Aelin had learned.

Finally, the wolves moved to either side of the path, bowing their heads. Aelin simply walked back to her horse and swung herself into the saddle once more. She would be allowed to pass, and the wolves knew it.

Aelin smirked as she rode on, knowing the wolves were following her every movement now that she was truly within Maeve’s territory. It wouldn’t be long now. She would have her answers, and Rowan’s freedom, and perhaps even her own happiness.

All she had to do was fight for it with every ounce of strength she had within her.

~*~*~

“We’re less than a day behind her,” Rowan relayed to Aedion after meeting with the wolves that guarded the edge of Maeve’s territory.

The other warrior only nodded in reply. He had been remarkably quiet throughout the journey, and Rowan wasn’t certain whether it was the absence of his mate or the revelation of his heritage that had given him so much to think about. Perhaps it was both.

The male was taking it remarkably well, all things considered. He had occasionally asked quiet questions about what Gavriel was like, and Rowan had volunteered stories of his mentor and friend well into the night. He had been avoiding one question in particular, though, and it was this question that came forward as they began to move again. “Does he even know I exist?”

Rowan sighed. “I’m not certain. If he knows, he hasn’t told any of us. And that is certainly the correct decision if he does know; none of us would have been able to hide your existence if asked.”

“Because of the blood oath you all swore.”

It wasn’t a question, but Rowan nodded regardless. “She would use you against him at the slightest opportunity, as she uses anyone and everyone one of her blood-sworn holds dear.”

He had known, of course, what manner of female Maeve had been when he had sworn himself into her service. He’d known that she could be cruel, and merciless, and vindictive. He hadn’t cared, then; he’d welcomed it, even. Some part of him, the part that cried out for a mate that was no longer there, had relished it. It was, after all, no worse than what he deserved.

Doubt had begun to enter his mind when she had recruited Connall and then Fenrys, the Black Wolf and White Wolf. The way she had gone about it, and the way Fenrys in particular struggled against the oath constantly thereafter, were further indications of Maeve’s unique cruelty for anyone who cared to look. Rowan hadn’t, then, still convinced it was what he deserved. They had made their choice as much as he had; perhaps they’d had their reasons as well.

His doubts hadn’t truly manifested until he had explained his story to Aelin, and felt nothing but relief as she accepted all of him. He still believed that he deserved his fate; however, she deserved far better than to be entangled with such a dark court. If all had gone according to Maeve’s plan, he would have reported everything to her and Aelin would never have been safe again.

Rowan shook his head. It was pointless to think about; if there was a way to break a blood oath that didn’t result in death, he wasn’t aware of it. This was to be his fate, and he only hoped that Aelin could win her freedom from this life.

If she managed to free him as well, somehow, he would savor every moment of it and follow her to whatever end.

A ray of warm sunlight pierced through the clouds and he felt a strange sense of comfort, as though the goddess that had so blessed Aelin with her gift of fire had heard his thoughts and deigned to answer. Almost involuntarily, his eyes slid closed as he enjoyed the moment of warmth and peace. Too soon, however, the ray of sunlight passed on, and Rowan was left with only his divided thoughts once more.

Aedion was evidently only too happy to add to those doubts. “Did you know, when you swore to her, that she was like this? Did he?”

“We all did,” he said wearily. “We all had our own reasons for swearing the oath. What Gavriel’s were, I do not know. But we were under no illusions, if that’s what you ask. Every one of us knows what Maeve is capable of doing to those who cross her, as well as the rewards she bestows on those she grants her favor.” Both, of course, were twisted in their own way, but he wasn’t attempting to draw this conversation out any longer than he had to. If Aedion wanted answers to the questions he was actually asking, he would need to confront his father. “We should keep moving,” he said to cut off yet another question. “We don’t have long, if Aelin’s plan is truly for us to catch up to her as Maeve welcomes her.”

The journey into Doranelle was thankfully swift and free of obstacles, and soon they stood before the stone walls of the city that he called home but that felt like a cage. A tugging sensation near his heart, one that had been present since he had learned of Aelin’s departure, strengthened as they passed through the gates. It seemed that, though she had given no further explicit instructions, the blood oath demanded that Rowan act regardless.

Perhaps it had been a mistake to come.

It was too late to turn back now, though, and so instead he quietly led Aedion through the streets of the city, drawing ever closer to a palace made of stone at the center of the city built on the rivers. With each step, he thought another silent plea to whatever god or goddess may have cared to listen. For Aelin. For himself. For the warrior beside him. For the father who had never known his son. For the twins who had ensnared each other in Maeve’s grasp. If he was going to entertain desperate prayers that were unlikely to be realized, he might as well include Vaughan and Lorcan as well, though if Lorcan was somehow set free he was as likely to curse his liberator as he was to thank them.

He slipped them through a side door into the palace, down familiar halls and up familiar staircases. All the while, he was trying to mentally prepare himself for what they would face when they reached the room Maeve preferred for audiences. He realized quickly that it was futile, however; he couldn’t predict what Aelin would do, or how Maeve would react to an unknown force.

He especially couldn’t predict the words that froze him where he stood as they reached the door to Maeve’s audience chamber.

“So tell me,” Aelin was drawling, “how long have you known that you held the mate of the future Queen of Terrasen in a blood oath?”

~*~*~

Tagging:

@ireallyshouldsleeprn @queen-of-glass @fangirlprincess09 @sassys-world @morganofthewildfire @superspiritfestival @perseusannabeth @sis-it-dont-add-up @jlinez @julemmaes @emilyoftheshadows @thegoddessofyou

#haven writes #rules of engagement #rowaelin

[eligos-venator]

Layers of a Devil

LAYER ONE: THE OUTSIDE

Name: “Eligos Venator.”

Eye Color: “Yellow.”

Hair Style/Color: “Long hair. Very long. Slight curl to it, but not really styled as much as I keep the bangs cut short enough to stay mostly out of my eyes. And the color would be black.”

Height: “Average for a hyur, short for what I am. Five fulm, eight ilm. Nearly nine ilm, but not quite.”

Clothing Style: “Business formal. I wear either equipment for the job at hand, my suit, or my suit. While I’ll wear less at home, you’ll never see me in anything less than a fitted suit unless something requires me to give that up for a time.”

Best Physical Feature: “My fangs.” With this, the man grinned, revealing a sharp set of elongated canines, slightly longer and thinner than the typical keeper miqo’te’s. “Inherited from a distant ancestor. I’ve yet to receive a complaint for how I use them when so inclined.”

LAYER TWO: THE INSIDE

Your Fears: “Starvation, namely. My efforts are devoted to staving it off as much as I possibly can. Beyond that, being discovered and those in Garlemald who knew me being potentially put to the sword for my defection.”

Your Guilty Pleasure: “Can’t say I have one. Not out of a lack of things that please me, but out of a lack of guilt or shame. Have you seen me? I’ve absolutely nothing to be ashamed about.”

Your Biggest Pet Peeve: “There’s a few, but one of the biggest are people who refuse to accept the advancement of technology and how it might improve their lives. Some people just want to be miserable and let their quality of life suffer, as if that suffering is a badge of honor. It’s not. It is pure idiocy and unfortunately lends credence to Garlemald’s claims of other nations being uncivilized savages, unable to advance with time unless forced.”

Your Ambition for the Future: “Can’t answer that. I really don’t have any ambitions. No hopes, dreams, or the like. Mine all burnt up in that fire in Garlemald, and I’m still picking out the pieces and trying to forge a proper life from the broken parts.”

LAYER THREE: THOUGHTS

Your First Thoughts Waking Up: “Dammit.”

What You Think About the Most: “With how varied my jobs are? The one consistent thought that repeats would be consideration of what I’ll be cooking later, and how to best prepare and present what I’ve chosen as the dish for that day.”

What You Think About Before Bed: “Usually? Whomever’s in my arms.”

You Think Your Best Quality Is: “My intellect.”

LAYER FOUR: WHAT’S BETTER?

Single or Group Dates: “Single, for a group may be fun, but it doesn’t allow one to build a proper connection. Individuals meeting privately allows for more in-depth discussion, which forms a stronger bond.”

To be Loved or Respected: “Respect me. I don’t care if you hate me so long as you treat me with respect. I’ll extend the same favor in kind. Hatred doesn’t mean one should cease being polite, after all.”

Beauty or Brains: “In myself? I have both, thank you. But in others, I’ll pick brains. Beauty is quite fetching but it only truly shines when the mind behind it is able to polish it and bring out the best one has.”

Dogs or Cats: “Part miqo’te, here. Do you really have to ask? Of course I’ll pick myself first, and so we’ll go with cats.”

LAYER FIVE: DO YOU?

Lie: “Absolutely, and absolutely not. I tell no lies, yet I’ll let you believe what you wish, and lead you astray. It’s both part of the game and a way in which I keep myself safe.”

Believe in Yourself: “Of course I do. One of my first proper life lessons was to believe in myself and care for myself, because nobody else will. And if you haven’t learned that lesson yet, best to take notes and keep it in mind for when fortune decides to give up on you.”

Believe in Love: “Sure. Some people love others. I may not feel those emotions written in a book the way others do, but I’ve seen enough in my life to believe it exists in some form or another for other people. For me, it’s far more vague and I can’t say I’ve felt the same thing written in novels. I might be capable of it, or I may not be. Who’s to say?”

Want Someone: “I’d be lying if I said greed didn’t have a hold of me in many aspects, as I always desire more. More wealth, more technology, more power, and more company. But it doesn’t necessarily always translate in the way you might assume. I’m quite content merely learning about others and playing the role of tolerated observer.”

LAYER SIX: EVER?

Been on Stage: “Yep. Both as a performer once upon a time for a job, and as a janitor after hours, cleaning up after performances.”

Done Drugs:  “Also a ‘yes’ answer. I’ve dabbled in the past.”

Changed Who You Were to Fit In: “Oh, constantly. This is my life we’re talking about now. I may try to retain a certain sense of self and not compromise some aspects, but I keep most of myself concealed and act according to any contract I may be under. Too many mistake me for a soulless professional because I bury that part of me that isn’t focused on business when working, and so assume all there is to me is a hired devil carrying out their dirty deeds.”

LAYER SEVEN: FAVORITES

Favorite Color:  “Black for me. Not because I like the color, necessarily, but it’s normal for business suits and considered classy. Showing up in a pale blue suit doesn’t have half the impact a fitted black suit brings.”

Favorite Food: “None. I still refuse to repeat dishes if I can help it. My list of recipes to try has not shrunk by much in comparison to how it has grown with recent travels.”

Favorite Game: “Poker, five card draw. I’ll fail the first three hands, depending on who I’m dealing with, but after that? There’s always a chance of failure, but I can win from there on out, typically. It just takes time to burn a few hands to get a read on what cards are left in the deck still, and which ones are safe to swap out or hold for later.”

LAYER EIGHT: AGE

Day Your Next Birthday Will Be:  “Don’t remember, quite honestly. I never celebrated it as a child. I just count up when the year counts up for convenience’s sake.”

How Old Will You Be:  “Twenty eight. Twenty nine. Somewhere in that range.”

Age You Lost Your Virginity: “None of your business. Let’s say I was a lot more wild in my days at the Academy.”

Does Age Matter: “I prefer to deal with those around my age range or elder, especially when it comes to business deals. No offense to those who inherited money young and want me to aid them, but.. not interested unless the terms are mine. I learned the hard way back in Othard that no matter how good the paycheck is, it isn’t worth it if I have to spend all of my time thwarting my own client’s self-destructive impulses that come about from being young, reckless, and never having experienced failure in their life prior.”

LAYER NINE: IN A BOY OR GIRL

Best Personality: “In a word? Confidence. A lack of can ruin any mood and any evening, no matter how nice it may have gone before. Total self-confidence is hardly a must, but a certain level of it is required in order to ensure an evening goes well and doesn’t become awkward at any stage. Perhaps this is a tad too vague, but it’s hard to judge a personality without comparing it to another, and as each individual is unique, that’s an impossible task.”

Best Eye Color: “No preference. The body may be a reflection of the mind in some ways, but for traits one cannot help, they should not be held responsible for or find themselves excluded because of.”

Best Hair Color: “No preference. See previous answer.”

Best thing to do with a Partner: “Do you really need to ask? I leave it to your imagination.”

LAYER TEN: FINISH THE SENTENCE

I love: “Absolutely nothing that I’d tell an interviewer. You’re not getting a hit list off me. Not that you’d be able to find my bird anyways.” I feel: “Unfulfilled, and yet unable to progress due to my circumstances.” I hide: “Everything about me beyond my equipment.” I miss: “Not being surrounded by people who have never heard of basic quality of life conveniences.” I wish: “That I was immortal. What, did you expect some ‘pity me’ sentimental thought? First immortality, then the riches, and then I’ll consider.”

Tagged by: @vshesrexiv! Thank you for the tag!

Tagging: @mischiefandmystics @ffxiv-sunderedsouls @miqojak @zinniane @casualcatte @spellsandtales @thepyriteprince @placesyoucallhome @kich-rp​ @deadtail-ffxiv​ @desimirffxiv​ @thefreelanceangel​ @roguestly​ @maiden-born-in-snow​ @thegildedgun​ @wondereverlasting​ @ofswordsandseductions-ffxiv​ @bolt-from-the-dark​ @meepsthemiqo​ @yokasaris​ @yafaemi​ @lavender-hemlock​ @windup-dragoon​ @handofcards​ @va1kyn​ @neekaxiv​ and anyone I didn’t get with this that wants to do it!

#asks and memes #thank you for the tag! #big wall of tags

[shiverrinqs]

𝙸𝙽𝚃 .   𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙱𝙾𝚁𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙾𝙽𝙴𝚂 𝙾𝙵𝙵𝙸𝙲𝙴    , 𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙴 𝙽𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃

status  ,   closed   —   featuring  Jakoris Davenport .  @cavernovs​

Jakoris Davenport. Also known as Jack Davenport or The Ripper, if her notes were anything to go on. Claude did have to hand it to her now-departed former self. She was a meticulous note-taker. The boring ones she skipped, not caring about the needs of others. How could she when her attention was on her own desires. Which brought up a lingering question; what to do with the practice Claudette Jones built here in Calamity. The fool,  considering herself so superior as to alter the nature of this place. A supercilious notion, even if she had been a vampire to start with.

Now knowing what she knew about her life, had Claude going through the files of the boring one again but with a keener eye.  Stumbling upon  his file. Not on the computer, but in file drawer V, code: 2826. The Ripper was a suitable name, a serial killer to human eyes. From the looks of it-- i back in his heyday--  this man knew a good time that could be had. Which made her curious: what was Jakoris Davenport? A psychopath that got off with killing and dismembering people? Or a vampire who didn't give a damn what happened to a body once finished with it? Nothing in the files revealed his species, and Claude was not the kind of woman to let sleeping dogs lie.

The sound of muffled cries pulled cerulean eyes away from her folder towards the two individuals. Bound and gagged to chairs in front of her desk. Two clients of Claudette's. One Human, one Fae, both mouthwatering. Her bottom lip poked out as she threw it on the desk. Bounding towards  the other side. The pad of her thumb wiping up the tears from one woman's cheek before she popped the digit in her mouth sucking it clean—the salty fluid had her salivating.

"Don't worry, sweetheart, Just a little while longer." taking hold of her cheeks, she gave a squeeze which had the woman whimpering. And the other, a male Fae struggling in his iron chains. She chuckled. "Oh, do you want to go first then? "her canines elongating as she released the other. Speaking behind the man, Claude took a fist full of his hair, yanking his head back. Her hunger winning out as she ravaged his neck. The Vampire greedily gulping down the fae blood that pooled into her mouth, down the corners of her lips and chin. She slurped and gulped, Only stopping when she heard the door open behind her. Finally! Extracting herself from his neck she side happily."I tried to be patient, but... I'm learning that isn't my forte." she began. Fingers wiping the blood from her chin only to smear it into her pale skin. Releasing the male's head that swung forward, he was still alive barely, but she could make out the faint beating of his heart.

Claude turned to face her guest, licking her fingers as she hopped up on the edge of her desk. "I was feeling peckish; forgive my manners. I did try to wait. Would you like something to drink?" motioning toward the two, "Feel free to pick your poison. He's a little stale, though."

#°◦—in a gilded cage :: #claudette & jack #// and like magic it reappears lmaoo

[booknerdproblems]

Immortals Chapter 9

Guess who's back! It's me, surprise!!!! Anyways, thank you guys so much because we are almost at 2000 hits!! Thanks to all of you who kudos, comment, or just read! All of you are amazing! Here is chapter 9, which starts off right where we left it, with Aelin and Rowan having just found Goldryn. The plot is starting to weave in here, but I'm a little rusty at this so forgive me if I make some inconsistencies or errors! From here on out we shall also start building on some major Rowaelin, so here we go!

This chapter is pretty short, and I’m not that happy with it, but I’ve got more on the way shortly!

Here is the link to my masterlist, where you can also find the previous chapters!

“

“Still think the story isn’t real, buzzard?”

Rowan just grumbled and cast a furtive look toward the lake, the water flat and undisturbed, then back at the gleaming golden sword in Aelin’s hands.

“Come on, Princess, lets go. Wouldn’t want to anger the supposed rabid lake monster. Though perhaps you’d enjoy carving out its other eye.”

Aelin threw him a wicked grin, before looking at Goldryn thoughtfully and buckling it onto her belt.

-x-

They arrived back at Mistward under the cover of darkness, slipping quietly through the kitchen door. The fortress’s residents were all gathered by the roaring fire in the hearth, and Emrys was telling a tale to the demi-face about a past ruler of Wendlyn.

Rowan headed over to the worktop, where huge vats of potatoes and meat and vegetables were being kept warm.

He filled up his plate, Aelin doing the same beside him. He retreated to the back steps to eat, listening as Emrys finished up his story.

Aelin had balanced her piled plate on her knees, but was examining Goldryn’s scabbard. As Rowan watched, she seemed to find something hidden deep in the scabbard. A look of shock overcame her features, before smoothing over hastily.

Looking his way, she met his eyes and her eyes narrowed for a heartbeat, before returning to her food, shovelling it down quickly. Rowan studied her for a couple of heartbeats, then returning to his own food.

-x-

The next morning, Rowan flew up to the battlements to check on the guards. He shifted, landing mid-step, and the watch stood a little straighter, the slight tang of fear coating his senses. It bothered him more than it had in the past.

Malakai had done a good job of organising the fortress defences, so Rowan only asked a couple of questions before looking out into the forest.

The forest seemed endless, stretching over the distant mountains that dominated the horizon. Rowan had spent long hours gazing at those mountains. He sometimes wondered what he’d been thinking, taking the blood oath to Maeve. He’d been so lost in grief and guilt. But still, he’d never stopped wondering, even after taking the oath, just what was over that mountain, what was beyond that horizon. He couldn’t forgive the male whose story was tattooed over his side, but he could forgive the male who’d been so lost in loss that a blood oath had been the best option. Rowan was a warrior, at heart. He could adapt, adjust. He would. For Lyria. Even if he’d been damn trying to adapt for centuries.

A flicker of light caught his eye, and he turned, blinking himself out of his reverie. There, just beyond the boundary of the ward-stones, was Aelin. Training, by the looks of it. She sent walls of flame at the barrier that deflected back to her before she shielded, holding her ground. Arrows and daggers and swords of pure blue flame flew everywhere, and she managed to dodge. Every . Single. One. She fought like she had something burning inside of her, something that was just begging to be unleashed. Maybe she did.

Rowan didn’t know what to make of it. She was a Queen. But yet she still made an effort to train and fight with all she could. Aelin had so much fight in her he often wondered how she didn’t raze Orynth to the ground anytime she was royally pissed off. She could, he knew. If she wanted to. She could burn the world to ashes, if she wished it. She could start the world over. The thought didn’t scare him as much as it should have.

Aelin had been trained from a young age, if she could move with such surety, likely by the Fae that resided in Terrasen.

Even from her birth, whispers and rumours had reached across the sea. A weapon of war, they’d whispered. Aelin Fireheart. The young girl with the heart of wildfire. Unpredictable, raging, fierce. Beautiful, but dangerous.

Aelin was young, yes, but she felt old. Her power felt vast and ancient, yes, but in her soul. Her eyes seemed to peer into his very soul, and they often seemed endlessly sad. She played the game well. Too well, for someone who hadn’t had centuries to hone the craft. She was a major player in the game of realms.

Rowan shifted, soaring into flight. As he approached Aelin, she made no indication she’d noticed him. He shifted, landing behind her and drawing his sword in one motion.

He brought his sword down, and she whirled.

Their blades met with a clash that echoed into his bones. She grinned a wicked smirk, and her eyes were alight with the challenge. She relinquished the hold, ducking as his sword sailed over her head. She swiped at his feet, and he stepped back. They ducked and twirled around each other, flipping and swiping as they went. He almost had her pinned when she gave a surge of energy, beating him back. He met her blow for blow, going on the defensive. Aelin’s power surged, and she sent plumes of flame at him, and he sent gust of ice-kissed wind right back. With a powerful kick, she sent him stumbling back, and he used his own power to fill his lungs. She tackled him, pinning Rowan’s rib cage to the ground with her thighs, and his feet and hands were restrained with bands of golden flame. Aelin’s braid fell over one shoulder as she leaned over him, elongated canines exposed in a snarl. They were both panting heavily, and Rowan was almost ready to give her the win when he moved. Bringing his hands down, he flipped them so she was under him, his gamble paying off. The flame had no real heat, it was just light. They were training, it wasn’t a real fight to the death. Her wrists were restrained with bands of ice, and she struggled for a minute before giving up and staring into his face. She was panting heavily, and so was he, his chest heaving as he calmed.

Aelin’s eyes narrowed.

In a fair fight, I’d’ve won that. She seemed to say.

That’s not much incentive for me to fight fair. He grinned.

She just reached up and flicked his nose.

“How’d you just get out of that handcuff?” He said, clambering off her.

“Little trick called dislocating your thumbs.”

“You could have just melted it.”

“And risk melting my own hand off?”

Rowan rolled his eyes, hauling himself to his feet. Aelin came up beside him as he strode toward the fortress.

“I won that.”

“Sure you did, Princess. Sure.”

Her complaints continued all the way back to the kitchens.

Tags: @brandyovereager​ @bookworm232020​ @kendallambrosio​ @alyx801​ @faerie-queen-fireheart​

Let me know if you want to be added/removed from the tag list!

#rowan whitethorn #rowaelin #aelin galathynius #immortals #fanfiction #fanfic #throne of glass #sjm #sarah j maas #chapter 9 #aelin and rowan #rowan x aelin #multichapter

[halothenthehorns]

The Full Moon

Maybe it was how stressed he'd been over the past few days, maybe it was the new environment that Moony had never been in, but whatever the reason, when his transformation was complete he hardly seemed to recognize his companions like usual.

It started off like normal, and clearly as painful as ever. Dark gray fur began sprouting all over, as his normally dark green eyes took on an amber glow, all the life of Remus Lupin draining out to be replaced by a senseless animal. His arms elongated, his jaw began tearing out of his face and even before the fangs sprouted a ferocious howl began ripping out of his throat.

Prongs and Padfoot were long since waiting, but they weren't prepared for his roaming eyes to land on them and lung right for Prongs' throat. It was like their first meeting all over again, his desire to bite winning out and those long powerful arms tried their best to latch onto the larger body, hot breath snapping towards a jugular, but Prongs tossed his head back and managed to drag himself out of the way just fast enough he only received a few deep scratches into his ribs while Padfoot collided with Moony the rest of the way knocking him off course. The two canines tossed around for a bit, Moony winning out the fight but the scuffle enough to make him pause and reassess. He released another guttural howl, now eyeing the bed and instead lunging onto that, ripping off one leg with a flick of ease and snapping it in between his teeth like a carrot, his claws digging into the carpet below like he was trying to burrow himself right out of the room.

Padfoot let out a little whimper, edging closer and sniffing gently, and when Moony's nose twitched back in his direction, dropping the block of wood and a snarl already turning his lips back, Padfoot dropped onto his belly and wagged his tail in a friendly gesture, his back legs still prepared to pounce away at a moment's notice.

Moony's nose was still twitching furiously, his ears falling back as if asking 'where are we' but at least they'd moved away from his more violent question of 'who are you?'

Prongs came prodding back forward, letting an antler drop down and edging his side in a rebuff for attacking him, before giving him an even firmer buff and now asking as if to play. Moony was in no mood, using a back leg to kick him away and nearly taking the others snout clean off as he began pacing the length of the room, growling horribly at the door now, a clear question 'why can't I stretch?'

The two of them still tried to rope him in and keep his better attention, jumping forward and acting as if still looking for a game, but Moony was in no mood, swiping and biting at either of them if they got too close. When he didn't hit fur, he began turning on himself and letting his own claws scratch against his own hide in frustration, but neither of the others would let that last long before they came forward and began the game again. It was a small room, so they each received far more injury than they had since their first night they'd pulled this off, the one and only difference being there wasn't a rat scampering in between all of their feet as a further distraction to all.

So the pattern continued long into the night, until the waning began. By this time Moony had absolutely destroyed the room, deep claw marks leaving great chunks in the wall Prongs could have stuck his head through if not for the magic keeping everything pinned in this room, and the bed was no better. It was just a scrap of material, so Remus came back into himself and landed on a mangled frame. Sirius was at his side in an instant, pulling his wand out and muttering some spells on instinct, coupling in a few he only knew because he'd looked them up, Madam Pomfrey had stopped questioning long ago why Remus' injuries had subsided after his fifth year but his friends had learned them anyways.

James double checked both of his friends, recognizing how terrible they both looked with Sirius sporting his own amount of injuries and realizing he probably didn't look much better, but not willing to leave the others in suspense a moment longer then he had to. It took quite a few minutes to undo all the charms they'd barricaded themselves inside with, and then he had to repeat the process to get inside his infant's room, but when he did get the door open he feared he'd have to duck another amount of spells he startled the two so bad.

"Bloody hell James," Lily moaned, darting to his side in seconds, her hands ghosting over a particular spot on his face which he'd technically deserved letting his antlers get caught from a swinging claw while the other had gone for his eyes. It had only been a glancing blow at the time, clearly it had developed into more. "You've never come back looking this bad."

Harry was hovering behind his mother, looking pearly white as he gave his father several once overs and stuttering out, "are, are you bleeding?"

"I'm going to live, I promise," he got out, pushing Lily's hands away when they went to pull up his robes and look at the wound. "He had a bad night, he's used to getting out more, it's nothing we can't handle, or haven't before. We know plenty of spells to heal the worst of it, we'll sleep off the rest."

Neither of them looked pleased, but James pressed on loudly, "did you two get any sleep?"

"No, of course not," his wife scoffed like she thought he was going mad. "We might not have been able to hear anything but that doesn't mean we couldn't stop thinking about it." Lily really couldn't help it though, she may have known James went and did this once a month, but never before down the hall from her where she couldn't do anything to help. Even if she did trust James and Sirius to handle him as well, she never could take her eyes off her baby, just in case something had gone wrong, just in case she'd needed to defend him from jaws with no man's mind behind them.

James gave a deep sigh, pulling them both into a tight hug and ignoring how hard that pulled at his side as he promised, "we're all fine. We're going to get Remus fixed up and then we're all going to get some sleep."

Lily looked like that was the last thing on her mind as she got out of his grip, grabbing hold of his hand and pushing him into the chair in the corner, pulling out her wand and beginning to cast her own healing charms.

#Harry Potter #Fanfiction #Moony #Padfoot #Prongs #Marauders #Reading the books #PoA #James Potter #Sirius Black #Remus Lupin #Lily Potter #Jilly