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tabitha42 · 26 days

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The Wizard's Apprentice - Chapter 3

Saffron is just a lowly apprentice with barely a successful firebolt to her name. So what chance does she have with the arch mage she's slowly falling in love with?

Gale x Tav, slow burn, eventual smut

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Morning came all too quickly. Her body still ached from the day before, made worse now by sleeping on little more than the ground. She could hear movement outside - seems the others were already awake, or some of them at least. The smell of food wafted in and was enough to finally pull her out of bed.

Outside the others were preparing for the day - sharpening weapons, readying armour, inspecting arrows. Gale sat at the campfire, cooking once more. “Saff!” he called once he saw she was up, beckoning her over. “I’ve saved some for you.” She wandered over and sat down next to him. He handed her a plate with some bread and cooked meat. Considering it was rations looted off of dead bodies cooked over a campfire, it looked pretty damn good. She thanked him and eagerly began eating. “We’ll be heading out with the others today to help search for the tieflings. Lae’zel thinks she knows what direction to go in,” he explained, filling her in on the discussions that had happened before she’d woken up.

“Ah… ok,” she said, a little bit nervous. “What about the camp? Shouldn’t someone stay to guard it?” “Shadowheart will stay here.” That took her by surprise. Even though Shadowheart had been pretty quiet last night, one thing Saff had gotten from her was that she was very determined to do whatever needed to be done to free herself of this parasite, and staying in camp for the day didn’t seem to fit in with that.

“Really?” she asked, glancing over at Shadowheart, who was eating her breakfast in front of her tent. “Yep,” he said, before lowering his voice and leaning in slightly. “Between you and me, I get the impression she wants to be in Lae’zel’s company for as little time as possible.” “Ah…” she murmured. Now that she thought about it, that matched up with how they’d been acting around each other last night. The two of them clearly weren’t exactly friends. “What about our stuff? Can we trust her with it all?” Gale shrugged slightly. “We don’t have much choice, unless you want to carry that backpack around with you all day.”

She certainly didn’t relish that thought.

“Suppose you’re right…” she muttered. Still, she wondered if this was really the best idea. Shadowheart looked like a much more capable fighter than Saff herself was…

Soon breakfast was done and the four of them were ready to go. “Good luck,” Shadowheart said with a wave as they were about to leave. “Do try not to get yourselves killed.”

“Same to you, darling,” Astarion replied. “It can be awfully dangerous in these woods all on your own.” “I can handle myself, don’t you worry.” With that, they were off. Lae’zel took the lead while the rest of them followed. “You sure you’re ok with this, Lae’zel?” Astarion asked after a while. “Two wizards and a rogue… we won’t exactly be joining you on the front lines.” Despite the apparent concern in his words, the playful nature with which he said them seemed to lack any real concern at all.

“I am perfectly content with that. Less people to get in my way,” she said confidently. Everything she said seemed to be confident, like she had not a shred of self-doubt. Given the stories she’d told them of Githyanki culture, Saff supposed anyone with any self-doubt wouldn’t have survived their training.

“Are you saying our dear Shadowheart got in your way?” Astarion asked, with the tone of a teenager wanting to start drama. “Shadowheart’s been getting in my way since we met her. I will fight better without her.”

Astarion glanced at Saff and Gale, now with the look of a teenager excited about the drama they’d started.

“Well if you can fight even better today we have nothing to fear.”

At this point Saff wasn’t sure if he was actually being sarcastic with everything he said or if that was just how he spoke.

The walk was long, interspersed with the occasional conversation. Astarion seemed quite chatty now, as long as the subject wasn’t himself. During the conversation she decided to tell them all to call her Saff, though mostly because it would be odd to have Gale call her one thing and the others call her another. But she hoped once she got to know the others more she’d feel as comfortable round them as she did right now with Gale.

It was early afternoon when they heard the shouting. Running to catch up with it they discovered what they’d been looking for - a large door, disguised with ivy, manned by tieflings atop the wall. Had it not been for the group of adventures outside the door shouting to be let in, they’d probably not have noticed it.

Then came the goblins. Hollering war cries, the group descended on them and the battle began. Lae’zel wasted no time charging in, and before Saff even knew what was going on, Astarion disappeared into the shadows. She might have thought he’d fled had she not seen an arrow fly out from his hiding place right into the skull of a goblin, before he quickly darted to another hiding spot. Next Gale ran forward and effortlessly threw a firebolt at one of the worgs as it went to attack a tiefling. His hand gestures were so quick she barely saw them. She’d never seen someone cast a spell with such ease… but she soon realised she’d been staring a bit too long as she suddenly noticed a goblin running towards her, taking advantage of her lapse in concentration. In a panic she quickly summoned a firebolt and threw it at the goblin, but her aim was off, and even if it had hit it lacked the power to kill, and the goblin easily dodged to the side. She tried to summon another, but her shaking hands couldn’t do the movements, and before she knew it the goblin was on top of her…

The goblin was slammed aside by a bolt of fire, leaving a huge clump of burnt flesh sloughing off the side of the corpse. She looked in the direction it came from to see Gale looking back at her, taking a moment to be sure she was ok, before quickly turning back to the battle, another spell in hand.

She knew in that moment she had to be better than this, and for now adrenaline drowned out the fear and she found herself running to Gale’s side to join the fight. It was mostly a blur, throwing firebolts and dodging arrows as the sounds of battle cries and dying screams echoed in her ears.

Then just as suddenly as it started, it was over. But she didn’t hear the celebrations of the survivors. She could still hear only the dying, the screaming. The cracking of bones and skulls, the thud of bodies hitting the ground, the stench of burning flesh. She heard voices, but the words were lost. Her hands shook, her heart raced, her ears rang, and all she could do was stare at the massacre in front of her…

Suddenly she was being pulled away. She didn’t resist - she couldn’t even register what was happening enough to consider resisting it. A familiar figure by her side, one arm around her shoulders, the other taking her hand, leading her away from it all. Then she was sat on a stone next to him in the quiet serenity of the forest.

“Saff? Saff, look at me.” His words gradually made their way through her muddled mind and his face came into focus in front of her, a look of deep concern in his eyes.

“Saff, can you hear me? It’s ok…”

She felt him squeeze her hand, and finally the visions of the battle left and she found herself back in the real world. With a deep gasp, as if finally being released from an iron-like grip, she closed her eyes and shook her head.

“Gods… oh, gods…” she whispered, her voice shaking as much as her hands. “Hey, it’s alright,” he said softly, gently rubbing her back. “It’s over now.”

After a long moment she finally opened her eyes again, and when she did they were full of tears.

“I… I… oh, fuck, what am I doing here…” she whispered in a panic. “I shouldn’t have come… I should have told you I can’t do this… you should have taken Shadowheart, not me…”

“Saff-” “I’ve put you all in danger, I’m just going to slow you all down, I can’t fight like you all ca-” “Saff!”

She went quiet, looking at him in surprise.

“I know this is difficult. Trust me, I do. The first time I ever found myself truly fighting for my life, I was terrified. But I also know that it gets easier. Don’t give in to panic and fear, trust and believe in yourself. You can do this,” he said honestly, squeezing her hand as he spoke.

She looked down, letting his words sink in. Gradually the panic faded, leaving just the warmth his voice gave her. Finally she wiped her eyes and nodded. “Thank you,” she whispered, her voice still shaking slightly. He smiled, giving her the time she needed. Eventually she took a deep breath and steadied herself. “Lae’zel and Astarion weren’t impressed by this, I’m guessing…” she murmured, dreading the judgemental stares she’d get next time she saw them. “I told them we would stay behind and loot the bodies. I’m not sure how much they realised what was actually happening,” he explained. “Oh,” she said in surprise. “Well… thanks for covering for me,” she said, realising what he’d done for her. “But still… I shouldn’t have let it get to this. I should have told you from the beginning. Someone who can’t fight doesn’t exactly make for a good travelling companion…” “Oh I don’t know about that. I’d still rather travel with you than with any of them.”

Again, she looked at him in surprise. “Really? But… they can all fight. You’d be so much safer with them.” “Perhaps, but a good travelling companion can do more than just fight. Most of travelling is, well, travelling, not fighting. It’s long and boring, and you make far better conversation than they do.”

She had to look away to hide the blush on her cheeks. Though she wondered if he saw anyway, given the way he chuckled.

“Still… I won’t be able to talk us out of a fight, if it comes to it…” She said quietly, feeling doubtful again.

“Then how about some lessons?” he offered. She looked back at him in curiosity. “You clearly have a fairly good grasp of the Weave, but you’ve never really studied combat magic, correct?” She nodded. “Then I shall teach you. And with as great a wizard as me as your teacher, you’ll be a powerful battlemage in no time.”

She was sure whenever he said something a bit full of himself like that it was intended to command respect, though all it ever seemed to do was make her laugh. Luckily, that was exactly what she needed right now.

“Alright, I’ll hold you to that. If I’m not throwing fireballs within a tenday I’ll blame you.”

“Deal,” he said with a smile, holding his hand out. She gladly shook it, feeling a bit more confident about this now. “The lessons start tonight, after dinner.” “I’ll be there,” she promised him, quite looking forward to it. “I suppose for now we’d better get back to the others before they realise something’s up.” “A good plan,” he agreed, standing up. She stood too and together they returned to the site of the battle.

By now several tieflings had come out and started looting the bodies for weapons and supplies. Saff tried to push the images out of her head as they walked past them and through the gate into the grove.

Once inside they met Zevlor, shaking his head over the unconscious adventurer he’d apparently knocked out in a moment of rage, who pointed them further into the grove where the others had gone. They found them talking to one of them men from the fight earlier, who had agreed to join their group in search of a cure. After a tadpole-induced vision of Avernus and quick explanation as to the one-horned devil they saw he introduced himself properly, and Saff's face immediately lit up. “You’re the Blade of Frontiers??” she gasped in excitement. A smile spread across his face, as if he’d been hoping someone would recognise him. “The very same. You’ve heard of me, then?” “Of course! I’ve heard all the stories! You’re fighting evil in the Hells now??”

“Indeed I am. Wherever evil lurks, I will be there to flush it out,” he said proudly. Lae’zel rolled her eyes, Astarion sighed, and Gale looked… just a bit uncomfortable with how much Saff was suddenly gushing over their newest companion. Not that Saff noticed any of this.

“We need to focus on the tadpoles,” Lae’zel reminded them. “Zorru. Where is he?”

“Ah, he’s over there, by the hut,” Wyll said, pointing to a tiefling further down the grove. “Let’s move,” she ordered, starting to head in that direction. “Quite the merry little party now, aren’t we?” Astarion said, referencing how many people they now had. Lae’zel paused. “You’re right. Five is too many. Once we leave here, we will attract too much attention.” “Well, I for one think we should explore all avenues,” Astarion continued. “How about you and I talk to this Zorru while they go talk to that druid healer the trader mentioned?” Lae’zel looked at the others, considering this suggestion.

“A pointless exercise, purification is the only way to cure ourselves. But if seeing for yourself that no others can cure us is the only way you will accept this, then very well. You three seek this healer in the grove - this Nettie. We will speak to Zorru. Return here when you are done.”

With that she turned off and headed towards Zorru. Astarion gave the three of them a look, then went off with her. Gale couldn’t help but wonder if Astarion had some ulterior motive to splitting them up like this… he’d probably never have guessed his motive was just to see what drama would come out of it after seeing how uncomfortable Gale looked just now.

“This way, then,” Wyll announced, leading them towards the druids.

#gale #bg3 gale #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #gale x tav

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emmy-dekarios-bg3 · 1 month

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Heart of the Weave - A Baldurs Gate fanfiction

Chapter 9

“Gods be damned, I’m going to bed,” I say with frustration. Not at Gale of course, but at the entirety of this situation that’s causing an ungodly amount of stress and anger. How on Earth can Raphael possibly vanish? What are we supposed to do? It appears our only option is pleading for forgiveness – and even then, that may not even suffice.

“I’m right there with you.” Gale crawls into the comfortable, soft bed with me wrapping his arms around me from behind as a wave of calmness and clarity fills the room; but from what? “I figured the Weave might help perish your anxiety.” Every ounce of it begins to fade as the Weave blankets over my body and spirit, eliminating all terrible feelings within me. Gale can also feel the serenity in the room, absorbing every moment of it.

“This…helps,” I murmur, noticing the cobalt blue light of magic circulate around the room. I turn to face my darling husband, cuddling up close to his warm body. “While I still feel sick, my anxiety has at least faded.”

“Good, that was my goal. You’re my whole world. I love you.” His soft whispers remind me of threads of silk; thrilling to the soul, and so delicate you don’t want to leave. I press my lips against his as we embrace each other within the Weave.

In my dream, I only see pink clouds and astral skies, my spirit dancing within them as I’m being held by Gale. I feel an overwhelming but amazing sensation of ecstasy as I’m floating through the exotic skies, never wanting this moment to end. Is this a dream or is this the Weave’s doing? Either way, my body feels free as I flourish through the air without a single care in the world. Alive. Sensational. Free of worries and pain.

The morning sun arises, gleaming through the glass windows of our room. However, it isn’t the sun that wakes us up, but Astarion and Karlach, though there’s no surprise about that. I finally got a well-rested sleep, my body feeling refreshed and my mind at ease. Astarion knocks on the door, scaring the shit out of me.

“Come on, let’s go. Ugh. We don’t have all day,” he says impatiently.

“I’m so cozy,” I tell Gale, finding it a struggle to get out of bed. I curl up against him, hiding my face in his chest for just a brief moment. “I guess it’s best though so you can get back to teaching.” He smiles at me as he lifts my chin up with his hand, gazing deep into my eyes. Our eyes are like magnets; holding onto each other and refusing to pull away.

“I’m so sorry baby, though you are correct. I just worry about Raphael popping up spontaneously while I’m teaching and…well, who knows what would happen other than a disaster?”

“New fear unlocked.” He has a point. It seems we’re being spied on once more, and he could come at us at the most inconvenient of times. Last thing we need is having him there while Gale is teaching or while I’m in labor. I wish there was a way to stop him for good.

We all leave Sharess’s Caress and stop for food before heading back out on the roads to Waterdeep. A long adventure is heavily anticipated, though I hope it’s less terrifying than it was on the way here.

“Well, it was nice being here for a day. Too bad it’s not acceptable to scream as loud as I can within the city anymore,” Karlach says, followed by a disappointed sigh. We all look at her for a moment, trying to figure out what’s going on in that tiefling head of hers.

“Um… Anymore?” Astarion questions, his voice filled with confusion.

“So Gale, I know being a scholarly wizard has been your dream for years now, but now that you’re expecting a little one, are you looking forward to it?” Shadowheart asks, shoving a juicy ripe tomato in her mouth. Not something I’d call breakfast, but who is to judge? “Will you teach them the ways of the Weave?”

“Um, maybe when they’re a little older, I can teach them the beauty of magic, educating them on the exquisite, boundless streams of the Weave. Ah. To teach my own flesh and blood the ways of magic, and the possibility of them following in my footsteps makes me ecstatic! The thought of a small child vomiting on me isn’t quite a pleasant thought, nor is the idea of sleepless nights and changing diapers more or less. It’s a tad displeasing.”

“Oh come on, why?!” Karlach shouts.

“Because it’s gross, that’s why.”

“Oh, but you can tolerate the Temple of Bhaal?”

“That’s a bit of a stretch.”

As we make our way past Rivington and lead into what was once known as the Shadow Lands, more and more old Absolute symbols are being spotted on rocks and even on the sides of buildings. Luckily, the lands are being restored and it looks like locals are trying to paint over them.

“The lands that were once full of corrupted shadows blossomed into a new life full of light and new beginnings,” Shadowheart says as she admires the scenery. It really is so much brighter and full of life unlike before.

“Just like you, Shadowheart,” I tell her, a smile growing upon my face. She smiles back and I notice a small blushing of her cheeks. Ages ago, she would have thrown a sarcastic remark at me and a smirk.

“I could live without these damned symbols everywhere. They must be from when the shadows corrupted the lands,” Astarion mumbles. I notice he’s walking in the sun with no issues, and he knows it. Is there something he’s hiding? How is it that he’s walking in the light? Now is not the time to ask, but I plan on it once we get back to Waterdeep. I do wonder why he hasn’t brought it up though.

“Unfortunately, Raphael is responsible for the uprising once more. Hopefully it won’t last forever,” Gale says and sighs with concern.

“Please tell me Waterdeep is serene and not a howling wasteland?”

“Too late to turn back now, Astarion,” he teases in response.

I can’t seem to shake off the terrifying thoughts of Raphael taking our newborn and using it as thrall for his Hell home. The idea of him torturing our baby, taking away the child’s mind of its own and ability to be its own person… A little whimper escapes my mouth as these unsettling thoughts cross my mind. I try to fight off the tears but they are uncontrollable. All heads turn toward me, and it appears everyone is thrown off by my sobbing, especially Gale.

“I have never seen you cry like this before, are you alright?” Astarion asks. Gale takes a step toward me, pulling me close in his arms as I cry. This is the first time anyone in the party has seen me upset – well, except for when I found out I was pregnant.

“What’s the matter, my love?” Gale asks, brushing my dark curls out of my face. “You can tell me.”

“It’s…Raphael. He wants to take our baby and use it as a thrall. I don’t know how to stop him.”

“WHAT?” Wyll asks, his face shifting to an angry expression. “Emmy, you know damned well we won’t let him hurt that baby. We destroyed the elder brain, remember? We can do this. The child will be alright.” Wyll’s words are more than reassuring and my tears begin to dry up. I take a deep breath, feeling my anxiety loosen up a little. He’s right. Though Raphael may be a threat, he’s not impossible. Who knows? There may be a way around this situation.

As we venture through the cleansed area full of lively petunias and daffodils, I notice a few graves – which appear to be the ones of the tieflings that lost their lives, including Arabella’s parents.

After quite a few hours of just walking through the lands of what used to be corrupted shadows, we decided to build our camp and rest for the night. We eat at the campfire but my exhaustion makes it hard for me to enjoy myself fully with everyone, so I lie in the tent alone for a while until Gale is ready to come to bed. I could tell he’s invested in a conversation with Wyll and I love seeing it, but my exhaustion just can’t keep up.

After a couple hours, Gale finally comes to accompany me in the tent, curling up to my body.

“Just think, tomorrow we will be back in our own bed. It will be easier for us to just lie there and snuggle all night long,” he whispers in my ear, his soft voice giving me goosebumps across my body. “I guess we still need to talk to my mother as well at some point. She will be thrilled about the news!” His facial expression quickly shifts as he notices the exhaustion and inability to sleep. “Oh. I’m so sorry. Are you unable to sleep?” I turn to face him, restless but grateful he’s next to me at this very moment; otherwise, my anxiety would be taking a toll.

“I wish I could sleep. I need to think about what Wyll said before, it helped. You being here, though, makes me feel at ease.” He places a hand on my belly as he gazes deep into the depths of my eyes.

“I’ll never leave you. Ever.” I smile lightly, feeling a strong sense of comfort. I begin to think how differently life would be if Gale took the crown. How there’s no way we would be where we are now, and who knows if that’s good or bad. I look at the late night sky, listening to the crickets chirp and the soft sound of owls hooting.

“Do you ever regret not taking the crown?” Gale stops to think for a moment, contemplating the life we would have if he did ascend to godhood.

“You know what? No. Like, yes, you and I would have immortality and we probably wouldn’t have given up the crown as easily as Mystra did. But who is to say I could handle it? Would I still be the same Gale I am now, or would I become someone I don’t recognize?” I curl up with my darling husband, smiling as I listen to him talk. I’m grateful he made the choice that was best for him. It’s comforting that he realizes now that obtaining the crown would be a terrible idea for everyone involved.

“You’ll be such a great father,” I whisper, feeling a hint of sleepiness hit me like a train. He smiles, making that cute little chuckle sound he makes all the time, a part of him I absolutely adore.

“I’m truly glad you think so. You’ll be a fantastic mother and I look forward to our future.” Before I know it, I fall into a deep, heavy slumber in his arms.

#baldurs gate 3 #gale bg3 #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #gale x tav #dnd #bg3 #dungeons and dragons #shadowheart #astarion #karlach #wyll ravengard #lae'zel #halsin #baldurs gate 3 fanfiction #fanfiction

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the-real-housewives-of-waterdeep · 5 months

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Poor Little Rich Girl Chapter 12. About Last Night

Summary: Dulcinea and Gale enjoy each other’s company. Rating: MA; NSFW ahead feat. Gale’s practiced tongue Category: F/M Relationships: Tav/Gale Chapter 12/? Word count: 3.8k

Dulcinea crawled from her tent, rubbing the sleep from her eyes and stretching. Gale was already busying around the fire, taking stock of what supplies they had on hand for breakfast.

“Good morning,” Dulcinea yawned, sauntering over to where Gale sat picking through a wooden crate. “What are we making today?”

Gale smiled up at her. “A simple, but tried and true omelette.”

Dulcinea knelt down beside him, taking her position at the cutting board where Gale had laid out tomatoes, garlic, and onion for her to chop.

Gale was quite pleased that Dulcinea had asked him to teach her how to cook. It had become a point of bonding between the two of them. Dulcinea would prep vegetables and Gale would explain lanceboard strategy at length and talk about arcane history. Dulcinea mostly listened, but would chime in with stories of her upbringing in Athkatla, her family, the mischief she would get into, and how she usually talked her way out of consequences.

Normally, Dulcinea could find a sense of flow while chopping vegetables but that morning she struggled to focus. Her brain swirled continuously with thoughts of her and Gale and their night spent in the astral plane. He showed her his library, the cornerstone of his world. He hung the moon and stars for her in his own way. They made love for the first time, their spirits rising into the stars together. Gale triplicated himself and showered her in unfathomable pleasure. He did all of this to tell her and show her how much he loved her.

“Dulcinea,” Gale said, touching her shoulder. “Are you alright?”

Dulcinea jumped, but smiled when she realized it was Gale. “Oh, lost in thought, I suppose.” She chuckled. “You’re rubbing off on me.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing! You should be so lucky,” Gale grinned.

“I was only making an observation,” Dulcinea retorted playfully. She returned to her work, managing to chop two onions before pausing once more to wander within her mind. Her thoughts flickered between memory and reality, trying to focus on chopping garlic while remembering the way in which Gale held her, as if she was made of bone china — something delicate and precious.

“Let me guess — are you reminiscing about our night together?” Gale purred, taking the chopped vegetables to the frying pan.

“And you aren’t?” Dulcinea smirked, turning to watch him sauté the vegetables.

“It was the only thing on my mind upon waking this morning,” he replied. “Your words and your touch reminded me what living can feel like.”

Dulcinea flushed. “You flatter me,” she said, settling her gaze on him. “You did all of the work last night.”

“Generosity is a virtue, be that in the streets, at the charity box, or betwixt the sheets. And it should be no surprise that I have a practiced tongue,” he smirked. “I only hope last night meant as much to you as it did to me. And I hope we can have more time together… alone.”

Dulcinea’s gaze smoldered as she bit her lower lip. “Oh, I can assure you that.” She glanced around the camp, seeing if the others were beginning to awaken. “Will you come to my bed tonight?”

“With pleasure,” Gale winked, highlighting the double entendre.

When Gale arrived to Dulcinea’s tent, she was wearing one of his old purple robes, one he hadn’t worn in some time. It was baggy and practically engulfed her. Beneath the neckline, a hint of cleavage peeked out at him. Dulcinea’s taut, muscular legs were partially visible as she rested her weight through her hip in a side-lying position.

“So that’s where it went,” Gale laughed.

“It smells like you and you weren’t using it,” Dulcinea shrugged. “I thought I could repurpose it.”

“It looks better on you,” Gale smiled, crawling into the tent next to her. He cupped her face and kissed her tenderly. “But I have a feeling that you will look even better without it.”

“Let’s see what’s under here, shall we?” He slowly peeled the robe from her shoulders, revealing her breasts, then her torso, and finally her hips and thighs.

“My, what a beautiful sight you are, Dulcinea,” Gale breathed, taking in the sight of his lover. He reached for her, caressing her from her breasts to her hips. He pulled her closer to him, feeling the warmth of her body against his as he kissed her. Dulcinea’s tongue pressed against his mouth, requesting entry. Gale obliged her, sliding his tongue into her mouth. When their lips parted, Gale removed his tunic, revealing himself to her. His body was soft, but muscular; easy to cuddle with and just as enjoyable to fuck.

Dulcinea pressed her hands to his chest, guiding him down to the floor of the tent. She kissed him once more, trailing kisses down his neck, over the violet Netherese orb scar, down his stomach, stopping just above his leggings. Dulcinea found where his leggings laced shut and began unlacing them with her incisors. Gale thrust his hips upwards, pulling off his leggings while Dulcinea started to unlace his Netherese underwear with her teeth, pulling them off of him herself. His member, thick and uncircumcised, stiffened in anticipation of her.

She looked up at him as her hands gripped his hips. “May I suck your cock?” she asked in a coyly pleading tone. “Please?”

“Only because you asked nicely,” Gale smirked. He felt his cock pulsate eagerly as he thought of her touch. Dulcinea lowered herself to lick at his shaft teasingly before taking him into her mouth.

Gale’s legs trembled involuntarily as Dulcinea sucked his cock hungrily. He could feel the head of his member pushing rhythmically into the back of her throat as she brought him deeper into her mouth, over and over again, each stroke better than the last.

She glanced up at him. His head was tilted back, his lips slightly ajar. His lower lip trembled as she retracted her lips toward the head of his cock. She rested there momentarily, gauging his response. Reflexively, Gale reached for the back of her head, burying his fingers into her hair. In a hushed, prayerful whisper, Gale summoned forth a mage hand, a replica of his own. The hand floated down to Dulcinea’s back and slowly traced its way down her spine, sending a wave of chills through her body. It moved fluidly to her ass, giving it a firm squeeze and a playful spank before continuing its journey towards her pussy. The mage hand’s fingers gently parted her lips, teasing her entrance. Dulcinea whimpered pleadingly, tilting her hips against the soft pressure of the mage hand’s dexterous fingers.

Gale hummed appraisingly. “Indulge me, my love. I crave your sweetness upon my tongue.” He released his hand from the back of her head, beckoning her towards him. Dulcinea separated her mouth from Gale’s cock, which still pulsated eagerly. She rose onto all fours, delicately mounting him. She paused there teasingly, stroking his cheek.

Dulcinea raised her eyebrows in a coy expression of scandalous surprise. “Why Gale, I thought you were a gentleman.”

“One can’t be all gentleman,” he growled, grabbing her ass with his own hand. “Now sit on my face.”

Dulcinea rolled her eyes playfully. “So demanding,” she drawled. She positioned herself over Gale’s face, descending carefully. He gripped her hips as she rested her hands above his head to stabilize herself.

Gale flattened his tongue against Dulcinea’s pussy, licking slowly and indulgently. Dulcinea whimpered softly, her hips subtly tilting towards his mouth. The mage hand, not to be forgotten, curled itself around Dulcinea’s left breast, catching her nipple between its thumb and index finger. The hand pinched her nipple, making Dulcinea whimper in response. Gale’s tongue flicked gently against her clit, teasing what was to come. Dulcinea stifled a moan through pursed lips, once more tilting her pussy to Gale’s mouth. Gale took Dulcinea’s clit into his mouth, sucking at it intently. Dulcinea’s pleasure was beginning to betray her attempts at keeping their encounter inconspicuous as she moaned against her still-pursed lips.

Gale’s tongue flattened itself against her pussy once more to caress the entirety of her. His tongue teased against Dulcinea’s entrance, slipping inside momentarily. He retracted his tongue and stiffened it into a pointed, precise instrument of pleasure. He traced the innermost vestibule of her pussy with his tongue, a clever distraction while the mage hand found its way to her opening, sliding two fingers in. Dulcinea uttered a soft moan of pleasure in response, grinding harder against Gale’s touch, both spectral and physical. His tongue traced its way back to her clit, caressing it with reverence. Dulcinea tilted her head back, letting out a stifled whimper.

“Gale, I need you to fuck me,” Dulcinea gasped. Her hips moved as if beyond her control, thrusting and grinding against him. She felt her inner walls contract around the mage hand’s fingers.

Gale looked up at her, his eyes bright with desire. He retracted his mouth from her pussy, but not before giving her clit a parting caress with his practiced tongue. Dulcinea dismounted from his face and lay next to him for a moment. He moved to wipe his beard, but Dulcinea pressed her lips to his, feeling the residuals of her arousal clinging to his beard. She kissed him tenderly. Tasting herself on him made Dulcinea feel as if she had claimed him as hers.

“Your lusciousness sustains me and stokes the fires of my heart in ways I never could have dreamed,” Gale breathed. “Now, I recall that you requested to be fucked which I shall gladly and gratefully oblige.”

He mounted her, pausing momentarily to take in the sight of Dulcinea lying beneath him. She was looking at him expectantly, her lips parted in anticipation of a moan. He angled his hips backwards, pressing the head of his cock against her pussy.

“Don’t tease me like that,” Dulcinea whined. She tilted her hips upwards, rubbing her clit against the shaft of his cock. “Please fuck me, Gale. I need you to fill me with your cock.”

Gale half-smirked. “As you wish, my love. I could never deny you such pleasure.” He pressed the head of his cock deeper inside of her. He exhaled softly as he entered her, feeling her silken inner walls. How easily he sheathed himself into her, as if they were tailor-made for each other. Dulcinea gasped softly as he entered her. As he slid the full length of his member inside of her, Gale’s fingers sunk into Dulcinea’s rounded hips, gripping them forcefully as he began to thrust into her. Dulcinea cooed with pleasure beneath him as her hips bucked upwards, begging for his full length over and over again.

Once more, the mage hand reappeared, eager to serve its purpose. Where a physical hand would fail to reach, the mage hand found its way wherever it needed to be. The mage hand alit on her mons, curving its index finger to find Dulcinea’s clit. The mage hand rubbed against the her clit, causing Dulcinea to whimper in pleasure.

“Oh Gods,” she sighed. Gale was now thrusting into her faster. He leaned down towards her in a forward fold, kissing her roughly. Dulcinea could still taste herself on him. Once more, the sense of having marked her territory like a wild animal turned her on unimaginably. She embraced Gale and wrapped her legs around his waist, forcing him deeper within her. His thrusts accelerated, his breaths growing rapid and shallow as he penetrated her. Beneath him, Dulcinea thrusted her hips upwards to meet his. Gale loved seeing Dulcinea writhe in pleasure beneath him, knowing that he was fanning the flames of her arousal. Her arousal and enjoyment amplified his in kind. He could feel an orgasm building within him, eager for release.

Gale grunted, his face showing his intense focus. “I fear I may be enjoying myself too much,” he panted. “And I’m nowhere near ready to be done with you.” He unsheathed himself from her and kissed her deeply. He trailed kisses down the right side of her neck, over her clavicle, and towards her right breast. He sucked at her nipple, teasing it with his tongue while giving her left breast a gentle squeeze. He continued to descend towards her mons, trailing kisses over her belly and hips as he went. Her body, although muscular, was equally soft in the places Gale found the most erotic — marks of her fertility. He spread Dulcinea’s legs apart revealing her pussy, still slick with arousal. Holding her legs apart, Gale leaned in to taste her once more.

Dulcinea clenched her jaw, trying desperately stifle herself as Gale caressed her with his tongue. She could feel the beginning of her climax approaching like an oncoming wave preparing to crash into the shore. Her body was overcome with pleasure and no longer under her control. Dulcinea arched her back while her hips still bucked against his lips. Her toes curled as she let out a high pitched mewl of pleasure.

“I’m so close,” she breathed, head tilted back. She felt desperate for him to bury his cock into her again. She craved the way he would fill her and the sensation of climax with him inside of her.

“Please, my love. I need you to fill me with your cock,” she begged.

Gale gave her pussy a parting kiss before mounting her again. He sheathed his cock into her, thrusting furiously as climax approached. Dulcinea let out a stifled whimper, her eyes conveying the imminence of her orgasm. She spread her legs apart further and drew her knees towards her chest, opening herself fully to receiving him and to feel his cock press against her cervix.

“Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods,” Dulcinea moaned breathily as she reached climax. Her inner walls squeezed around Gale’s cock, holding him captive within her. Her body contracting around him accelerated his own sexual release. He was losing himself to pleasure, forgetting until the last possible moment to pull out. Ejaculate erupted from him onto Dulcinea’s thighs and belly, coating the area with Gale’s seed.

Dulcinea reached behind her head, producing two rags. “I thought ahead,” she said, smiling as she tried to catch her breath.

Both of them were covered in the products of sexual release and satisfaction. They each took a moment to clean themselves before lying back down on Dulcinea’s bedroll. Wordlessly, Gale pulled Dulcinea into his arms and kissed her forehead. Her body was present with Gale, but her mind wandered elsewhere.

“What’s on your mind, my love?” Gale asked, stroking Dulcinea’s hair.

“A great many things,” Dulcinea murmured. “Athkatla, oddly enough.” She looked up at him, his expression still bearing a post-orgasmic dazedness. “After all of this, I want to go back to visit my parents for a few days. I would love for you to join me, if you’d like.” She paused. “The laws there are… restrictive to say the least when it comes to spell-casting, so I recognize that it may not be feasible. I can offer a modicum of protection given my status as a Selemchant.”

“I miss it. The hazy sunsets, the smell of citrus and vetiver in the family garden. Stretching out under the shade of a date palm to take a respite from the summer heat.” Dulcinea smiled softly. “My tatik’s - my grandmother’s - baklava.”

“Your father Thayze’s reputation precedes him as a powerful mage. He’s no Elminster to be sure, but a man of great power no less. I have no doubt that he would approve of me,” Gale remarked proudly. “But what of your mother?”

“Gohar. The woman from whom I inherited this unmanageable crown of curls,” Dulcinea said reverently. “As you can imagine, she’s a formidable and fierce woman to be able to keep up with Father. She’s his closest advisor. You’ll win Father’s favor rather easily. Gohar is the one to impress.”

“She sounds like my mother,” Gale smiled. “Morena is inimitable and unavoidable. She’s a force of nature unto herself. She packs quite a wallop.”

“I hope to meet her one day,” Dulcinea said softly. If we get out of this mess.

“I hope so too…” Gale replied, his voice trailing off. Talking of a future with Dulcinea was fraught with dichotomous feelings of hope and sorrow. He hoped that he would be alive and unexploded by the end of all of this but there was a strong likelihood that he would have to carry out Mystra’s will. Yet, the idea of bringing Dulcinea home to his mother with his arm proudly wrapped around her waist brought him unimaginable joy. As intimidating as it was, he even enjoyed the idea of winning over Gohar Selemchant.

“You never answered my question,” Dulcinea observed, looking up at Gale from where she lay nestled against his chest.

“If we survive this together, which I pray that we will, I would follow you across Faerûn on foot. If such a journey were to wear holes in the soles of my boots, I would follow you barefoot across any terrain. In short, it would be my honor to accompany you to Athkatla,” Gale replied, tenderly kissing the top of Dulcinea’s head. “I love you, Dulcinea. There is no word in any language known to man or beast that could convey the love I feel for you.”

“I love you too, Gale,” Dulcinea replied, kissing his neck. “Will you stay with me tonight?” To share a tent at night would make their relationship considerably more public to the camp. “If you’d rather your own space tonight, I understand. These aren’t exactly the most spacious accommodations.”

“There is nobody else with whom I would rather share such close quarters,” he replied, turning onto his side. Dulcinea turned along with him, finding herself once more wrapped within his arms. One of his nimble, calloused hands squeezed her right breast affectionately as he kissed her neck. His cock pressed against her ass, fitting between its cheeks.

He wasn’t sure how many nights he would have left to spend with her, nor how many mornings he would awaken by her side. One moment with her could sate him for a lifetime and quell the fear in his heart and any additional moment that he could steal away with her was a gift unto itself.

#bg3 #baldurs gate 3 #bg3 astarion #bg3 gale #bg3 lae'zel #bg3 wyll #bg3 halsin #bg3 fic #bg3 shadowheart

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unstablerk800 · 10 months

Text

𝕹𝖎𝖌𝖍𝖙 𝕱𝖆𝖑𝖑𝖘

Rating: Mature

Summary: Thousands of androids were freed in Markus's revolution. Connor and Nines are working together to solve a mysterious death, and they start to doubt that the stories of vampires are only fiction. Night falls, and there's something in the dark in Detroit...

Chapter 01.

Chapter 02. 🔽

Read on Ao3.

Word count: 9,457 (whoops)

Connor's LED blinked with yellow as he started the call, 8 AM sharp. He didn't need a phone himself, he could just connect to the line with his mind palace. Gale picked up on the third ring, only pushing her arm out from under the blanket to grab her phone. She cracked an eye open and stared at the unfamiliar number, swiping her finger on the green button.

"Yeah?"

Her sleepy grunt made him raise his brows in surprise. He honestly thought she'd be awake by then, maybe he miscalculated the probability for that.

"Good morning, I'm Connor."

Gale kicked the blanket off of her body at once, and sat up as if lightning struck her.

"Oh hi, Connor!" She couldn't possibly hide the excitement in her voice, but of course, she didn't even try to. It was so nice to hear his voice again. "How are you?"

"I'm okay." He paused. "I apologize, I wasn't aware I was calling you so early."

"It's alright, you can call me anytime", she reassured him with a big smile on her face as she ran a hand in her messed up hair. "What's up? I'm free in the morning, wanna meet?"

Please say yes, she crossed her fingers on her free hand. Yes. All of them.

"Actually, yes", he replied, and she threw her fist in the air, scrunching up her face in the happiest grimace she had in the world. "I was thinking of visiting the CyberLife Zoo today, and I hoped you'd like to accompany me."

"I'd love to!" She swung her feet off the bed and stood up, jumping around happily a few times.

"Good. Approximately how much time do you need to get ready?"

Gale looked at herself in the mirror, pressing her free hand on her mouth. How much time? If she skipped breakfast... if she just had a very quick shower, dressed up, combed her hair and brushed her teeth...

"Fifteen minutes", she decided, already walking up to her wardrobe to open it and look for an appropriate dress.

"Alright. I'll be there in fifteen minutes."

"Okay, see ya!"

Gale jumped a few times in front of her wardrobe to get out some pent up energy from herself, then picked out a black dress, black leather pants and soft, warm socks. Sure, she'd need to be as fast as lightning – she was aware androids were painfully punctual –, so she made a dash for the bathroom.

She just finished pulling up the zip of her boots when there was a knock on the door. She tried her best not to look way too excited, but then again, androids always knew everything anyway. She picked up her keys, put her coat on, and opened the door, looking up at Connor.

"Hey, Mr. Punctual", she flashed a smile at him. It was rather chilly, it started to snow again, and he had a few white snowflakes in his hair and on his shoulders. "Aren't you cold?"

"It's not that bad." He did rub his hands together though. "It's warmer in the car."

"Yeah?" She turned to lock the door of her house.

"I turned up the heat for you."

"That's really nice of you", she glanced back at him, turning again.

They smiled at each other. She realised just now that how many freckles he had, but she couldn't really focus on them. His eyes were too distracting.

"Shall we go?" He asked, snapping her out of her staring.

"Yeah, let's go."

He opened the passenger seat's door for her, she thanked him, and got in. He was quick to walk over to the driver's seat to get in as well.

"Is this car yours?" She asked as she buckled her up. It looked like an old one, but it had a certain charm about it. "I thought you'd drive one of those automatic cars."

"This is my friend's", Connor buckled up as well, then started to drive. Despite the car's age, he was driving smoothly. "I promised him I'd get gas for it on the way back home."

"You live at your friend's?"

He nodded as he was looking at the road.

"Yes. Until I can save up enough to have a house of my own."

Gale knew that since Markus had won rights for androids, they'd get paid for their work. She figured he hadn't received a payment yet, no matter his job. His uniform wasn't familiar to her at all. And that got her curious. Everything about him was interesting to her.

"What's your occupation?"

Connor stopped at a red light and looked at her, mimicking a little smile her way.

"It often makes people uneasy, so would it be a problem if I didn't tell about it now?"

"No way!" She gasped. "Are you a math's professor? That certainly would make me uneasy!"

"No", Connor realised it was so easy to crack a genuine smile in her presence.

"Oh no", she whispered a second later, "are you a forensic pathologist?"

"No", he shook his head with still the little smile.

"Makes people nervous..." She wondered as she glanced out of the window, then she glanced back at Connor, gasping theatrically again. "Oh God! You're a tax agent!"

He couldn't help the laughter that bubbled up from inside of him. She liked to see him laugh, and she had hoped she would be able to do it as often as possible.

"No."

"Alright, fine, Mr. Mysterious", she pouted a little – in a playful way. "Do you enjoy your job?"

"I think I do", Connor raised his brows a bit, his smile fading. "Actually... I've never thought about that."

"Well, androids often realise they'd like to do something else after they're freed", Gale shrugged, smiling a little. "Maybe you'll discover a hobby you can turn into a profit which has nothing to do with your current occupation."

"Such as?" Connor couldn't help but glance at her face for a moment with a curious expression.

"Well, I've met Zara who likes to work at animal shelters", Gale explained. "She has a really good connection with dogs and cats. Or there's Piper, who got obsessed with crocheting. But it's fine if you want to keep your profession; I know a farm android who still enjoys working in the field, he enjoys growing plants and vegetables and fruits. Sometimes he brings me big bouquets of flowers", she smiled as she glanced out at the street.

"Why does he do that?" Connor furrowed his brows.

"He likes me, I think", she chuckled quietly. "He's a bit skittish; doesn't really like other people. But I work in a library and he often comes in, and when he does, he brings me flowers because I'm always helping him find books for his garden."

"Do you like getting flowers?" Connor stopped at another red light, and scanned her face when he turned his head to look at her again.

"Well, the sad thing about flowers is that they wilt and die", she admitted with a little smile. "But that's just how life works for us, right? As a human, I wilt a little every day." She shrugged. "It's nice to be reminded that I'm not permanent. And those flowers he brings, well... those are the best of his garden. I know, because he told me that they are. They come in beautiful colours, just before they bloom, so they're the most beautiful after he'd brought them to me, and even in a vase they can survive for weeks before they start to wilt. It's very nice of him to give me the best he has grown with his hands. I think, yes, I like getting flowers from him; I appreciate it. There's so much work in growing a flower from a seed. So much care and love. And he gives them to me when they're the most beautiful."

Connor's LED spun with yellow as he looked at the road again. He couldn't quite understand why was it a good thing to be reminded that one would die one day; if anything, the thought had always brought him dread. He didn't want to cease. He didn't want to be in the abyss, the nothingness of the end.

Gale let the silence sit between them, she let him process her words and the meaning behind them. Only when his hand gripped the wheel tighter did she clear her throat and decided to change the subject back to the main topic to ease the stress she assumed was working within him.

"So maybe one day you'll find something you like more than your occupation", she glanced at her hands and smirked at them. "Maybe music? I could teach you the guitar", she offered with a little smirk.

"Guitar?"

She was glad the offer yanked him out of his train of thought. Gale wiggled a bit on her seat.

"I'm playing in a band in my freetime", she admitted. "Maybe you'd like to make music."

"What sort of music do you play?"

"Rock and pop, mainly. Our band plays old music. 30-40 years old songs are so great. The world was so different back then."

And she started to speak about the songs and bands and why she liked them and Connor listened as he was driving.

He quickly realised he liked the sound of her voice, and he wished he'd be able to listen to her talking about the things she loved all day.

~*~

He had made a mistake by coming here.

Clearly, this had to be the worst decision he'd made ever since he'd been activated. And that's a big thing, because he'd agreed to be Gavin Reed's partner, and up until now, nothing could beat that.

Come think of it... most of his decisions were bad. He quickly dismissed that thought, though.

A moment ago he was ready to go but seeing the bright smile on Grace's face when she noticed him – damn it! – made him stay. She seemed to be different from the humans he'd met before; her openness and the brightness of her smile confused him, but also made him want to see it more.

What was this irrational craving?

He knew there was a problem in his software – he was a deviant, after all –, but Nines had a nagging feeling in his circuits that maybe, just maybe, he should get himself checked. His mere presence in the book reading club made the other androids nervous. He knew, because he monitored their stress levels, and it rose with each and every model. They were clearly aware what he was created for originally. Only Grace seemed to appear like she didn't mind him being there, on the contrary, she seemed happy that he joined.

Nobody looked happy when he appeared anywhere. The happiness in her eyes was odd for him. Unusual.

"Alright, you can take a seat here", she brought a chair over for him and settled it beside hers. They were sitting in a circle; now the number with him had grown to nine, Grace included. "Ironically, you're the ninth to join our little circle", she smiled up at him, handing him a book. "This is what we're reading. We've started it recently, but we're progressing slowly, and we're still in the mood for Halloween."

Nines stared at the title. Bram Stoker's Dracula. Quirking a brow, he sat down at the same time she did, his back as straight as, well, an android's. Grace smiled at the others who looked so much more relaxed than Nines.

"Alright. Let's go through the rules again. Whenever we read, we start a one minute timer, and we finish the last sentence when the time is up. I'll start, then we'll go around that way", she motioned towards the other android who sat on her other side.

She took a look at the clock, then she started to read. To his surprise, it was pleasant to listen to a story told by someone else. Nines furrowed his brows as he was paying attention; the first android seamlessly continuing the story after she finished it. One by one, they all fulfilled the task, but when it was his turn, his voice module stopped working.

"Are you alright?" Grace asked him and he nodded, staring at the paragraph he wanted to read out loud, to no avail. "It's not unusual for androids' voice module to shut down when they try this for the first time", she informed him soothingly, pointing it out that it's totally a normal reaction and nobody judged him – which made his LED spin to life in amber as his stress level started to rise even more. "It's okay. You can skip reading today, if you'd like to."

Relieved, he nodded again, and she continued reading the story. Round after round, Nines couldn't get himself to function as he wanted himself to, only making himself angry and almost desperate. He wanted to pass the test so much that he failed it.

After the reading club, one of the other androids talked to her, and Nines couldn't help but listen in.

"I wish you'd hold these events every day, Grace."

"I can't", she laughed quietly, "I need some time away from the library, Oliver. I have things to do outside of it, too."

"Too bad", Oliver smiled at her, "I really enjoy reading with you."

"Well, come back next time, too!"

"Of course, I will."

Once the others left, Nines was still indecisive about talking to her or just leaving all of it be. But in the end, he didn't need to start talking because she walked up to him and she did.

"Are you okay?" When he nodded, she reassuringly touched his arm. He looked bewildered at that, but didn't move away from her hand. "We all shut down sometimes, Nines. It really is okay. Maybe next time, you'll be able to read to us."

"I don't know what happened", it broke out of him when she let his arm go and turned half away from him. At his words, she glanced back up in his eyes. "I thought... that it'd be easy."

"Perhaps the audience set you off", she shrugged, "maybe you don't like to talk in front of strangers?"

"I haven't noticed that I can't until now", he furrowed his brows.

"Then maybe it's tied to reading. That you don't know what happens next. But believe me, it's so exciting when a the story takes you to a new place with those who're listening! In any case, if you want to keep going with this exploration, you're welcome to return to the reading club of course. I'm so happy you came! See you next time, Nines!"

Nines opened his mouth to reply something – anything – but she was already turning around and away, walking back behind the counter. He closed his mouth and furrowed his brows when a message came in. Reed was calling him to a scene. Nines informed him that he'd be there in thirty minutes, and left the library.

Reed already was there with other investigators to size it up and gather evidence.

"Where've you been?" Gavin snapped at the android who looked just as stoic as always. "You're late!"

"I've informed you beforehand that it'd take me thirty minutes to arrive", Nines replied nonchalantly, earning a scoff from Gavin.

"Shut up tin can and do your thing."

Nines said nothing and tried his best to ignore the Detective's tone. Gavin always had been like this; crude and rude, to him, to everyone, so he tried not to care.

The abandoned building had been equipped with lights to see things better, but there were only a few things worth investigating in there: two of them were a pile of ash and some dried blood. After spending a few minutes at the crime scene, he gathered data from the blood, the ash, and also found a strand of hair, identifying it in a blink before he gave it to Gavin's team.

"What did you find?" Gavin snapped at him.

Nines straightened his back as he glanced down at Gavin. Reed was about half a head shorter than him, and his expression made Nines uneasy.

"Nothing solid", he stated nonchalantly.

"Then what are you good for?!"

Gavin shoved his shoulder before he walked out of the building to light a cigarette, while Nines already set himself to find the suspect.

~*~

"It's been a while since I've been to a zoo", Gale admitted as they walked through the vast, luxurious looking gates of the CyberLife Zoo. She smiled up at the carved animals. "And never to this one."

"I've gathered that it can be arranged to pet specific ones", Connor stated, who, instead, found it hard to look away from her face when she wasn't paying attention and especially, when she was smiling.

"Really?" She smiled up at him. "We could pet a tiger? Or a lion??" For him, it was endearing how excited she became at the thought. "How cool that would be!"

"Let's get a map", Connor advised, and she picked out one from the stand nearby. They stopped walking once they've gotten out of the way of the crowd, and he leaned closer to her as she opened the map to look at it. He could pick up the scent of her perfume, and decided he liked it. "I wasn't aware it was this huge", he noted. Running a quick calculation, he raised his brows. "It'll take us four hours to check out everything, if we spend five seconds at each enclosure."

"Five seconds??" Gale had to laugh and looked up at him, noticing how close he was, but she wasn't at all embarrassed or nervous about that. On the contrary. She blushed. That was very different from how humans reacted to him, so it left Connor a little confused. "You know, what? I'll have band practice before our gig tonight at five, we can wander around until four, then."

Connor tilted his head, a bit confused. Sure, she could eat and drink, the zoo had restrooms, but she would spend her entire day with him here?

"Won't you get tired?" He asked softly, making her laugh.

"Don't worry about me getting tired", she beamed, "let's go! I'd like to see as much as we can! And not for five seconds, okay?"

"Sure", he smiled back, and they started to walk.

"I gotta pick up a sandwich and caf, but I can eat and drink while we're on our way."

They located a buffet not too far away from the entrance, and she picked a sandwich and coffee after she handed the map to Connor. Then, they were walking towards the first enclosure. Despite that it was very cold that day, people didn't mind it around them; there were a lot of them. Connor was searching for a janitor or caretaker, but he found none so far.

"I know what's your job", she said suddenly as they were walking to the next enclosure. He cocked a brow as he glanced down at her; making her heart flutter in her chest. He looked ethereal with his beautiful brown eyes, almost angelic with how the snow fell in his hair. She forgot for a moment what she wanted to say. "Traffic warden!"

The way he laughed at her idea made her feel warm from the inside out.

"No", he shook his head, still laughing a little. "Not even close."

"Pet food taster!"

"Nooo!" He couldn't help his grimace, and they burst into laughter at the same time.

"Okay I'm giving up", Gale had to rub the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand. She shed actual tears from laughing so hard. "One day, I'll find out!" She promised.

"Of course you will", he nodded, and neither of them had any idea that she'd learn about it that very night.

"Say", she stopped beside him, her arm brushing against his as they stopped at the next enclosure to look at the life sized lion that paced up and down in front of the glass on the other side, "our gig tonight is going to be a fundraising event. It's free for androids. It'd be lovely to see you there. Wanna come?"

"Oh, I see. I'll think about it", Connor nodded.

"Do you listen to a lot of music?"

"Not really, no", he looked like he was wondering about something. "The man I work with sometimes listens to music in the car."

"What kind?"

"Loud."

His reply made her laugh again, and he half smiled, his LED blinking on and off at the sight of her looking so happy.

"Our music is loud, too", she confirmed, "so you might want to adjust your hearing unit while you're there. If you decide to come, of course."

Connor didn't make promises that he'd attend the concert, but his mysterious little smile made her feel hope... and butterflies in her stomach again.

"What are you raising money for?"

"We're trying to help androids who're out in the streets right now", she finished her coffee and threw the empty cup in a selective trash can. "It's good that Markus has won freedom for your people, but most of them are still living out in the streets. They have nowhere to go, especially after Jericho is gone. We want to gather some money so they can all start a life of their own."

"I didn't think humans would do this sort of thing", he tilted his head.

"There aren't many of us", she nodded. "When they started to gather the androids on the streets, shooting them on sight... I couldn't sit idly. So, despite the curfew, I went out and gathered as many androids as I could from the street where I lived, and brought them in my basement so they would survive."

Connor glanced down at her again. She was looking at the animal on the other side of the glass, seemingly not noticing he was looking at her instead.

"I managed to gather fifteen", she continued, "human soldiers were sent to every home to search for androids. I could successfully prevent him from going in my basement. When he was gone, we started planning with the androids that we would remove their LEDs and I'd help them get to Canada." She glanced up at him now, smiling. "But it wasn't necessary, thankfully."

"You've risked your life to help androids?" He asked quietly, an unknown warmth sitting on his synthetic heart.

"Yeah. I know I could've been arrested and sent to prison, probably for life, or worse, but I couldn't just watch and do nothing, you know?" She glanced at the enclosure again. "I had to do something." Gale looked up at him again, with a little smile on her lips. "And you? Were you active before the revolution?"

"Yes", Connor nodded, donning his most serious face as they continued walking. "I was."

"And what did you do? Did you need to hide?"

"Actually", he smiled down at Gale, "it was me who freed the androids at the CyberLife tower."

"Wooow", she gasped, "really?" When he nodded, her eyes went wide. "That must've been very dangerous!"

"It was", he nodded again, with a little smile.

"I'd bet the guards at the tower weren't really up for negotiation."

"No", Connor's timbre dropped a few tones, as he glanced out at the crowd. "No, they were not."

She realised she must've brought up some quite dark, bad memories for him. If her guess was right, he had to kill to get to the androids to free them. Gale half smiled and wrapped her arm around his, her eyes full of warmth and adoration when he glanced down at her questioningly.

"That's so badass", she smiled wider. "Connor, the Unstoppable." His brows twitched, wondering if she was mocking her. But no. She meant it. That seemed to make him even more confused. "Connor, the Saviour."

"Markus freed us", he looked away, looking a bit shy. "He led us."

"Yeah, but you were the one who freed, how many? One and a half million?"

"You make it sound like I did something extraordinary."

"You did", she gently hugged his arm, "you're a hero."

Connor almost automatically bent his arm so she could hook her arm around his more comfortably – the snow and her arm around his reminding him of Amanda for a moment before he shoved the memory away. No, he told himself firmly. I refuse to think of her. Not now.

"I just did what had to be done", he murmured, a little shy, but her words made him feel so, so good.

~*~

After Nines identified the hair, it didn't take long to find the girl online. Humans; they put everything on their social media, and it took him about an hour to learn that she'd have a concert that night with her band in a small club. It was even free for androids; he had to snort at that. He didn't tell a word to Gavin about this; he wanted to handle it alone, so he went alone.

The place was full of people. He tried his best not to scan each and every individual in the room, but it was hard as he was relentlessly curious about everyone around him.

He was only halfway done when the room dimmed and the band stepped up on the stage. The singer greeted the crowd and they were playing instantly; Gale at the guitars, a man singing, another man at the drums, an unknown girl at the bass. Nines's LED flickered with yellow at the loudness of the music – Muse's Uprising was loud and mechanic –; he adjusted how much he heard, which reverted his LED to an electric blue again. He wasn't the only android in the crowd; quite a few of his people were present, dancing to the music and singing the lyrics just as the humans.

"Good evening Detroit!" The singer yelled in the microphone after the first song. He had shoulder length black hair, and a pair of stunningly blue eyes. His words were followed by loud screams from the crowd; he was a stunning man, and the girls (and quite a few boys) already liked him. "My name is Nemo, and I'll be singing for you tonight! I hope you're all okay; the revolution passed, androids are free, and we're here to help them all with tonight's gig! I hope the humans brought an android friend with them just as we asked; this will be a social experiment, educational for many of those who were activated after Markus won. Let me introduce the band-" He pointed straight at Gale who waved at the crowd with a big smile. "That beautiful girl over there is Abigail-"

"Gale", she stated in the microphone which was standing right in front of her in a deadpan tone, making some of the crowd laugh.

"She's the reason I'm here tonight. I wouldn't be alive without her. Over at the bass there's Sophie." She waved at the crowd, too, with a big smile. "And back at the drums we have Biscuit." The guy at the drums played the classic ba-dumm-tss, making more people laugh, this time. "We're going to play older songs; 30 or 40 years old ones that resonate with the current situation in the world, and particularly, in Detroit. So... are you ready?"

"YEAH!"

"Then let's see... we've been at the Edge of a Revolution, right?"

"YEAH!!"

"Then sing it with me!"

~*~

"...I don't understand why you're so... pushy about this, Lieutenant."

"You sneak out in the evening, I wanna know where you're going!"

"You won't like the place."

"Last time I checked, you were an android, not a fuckin' fortune teller, Connor."

Connor was at a loss. He was late, and he felt nervous about that; of course, he didn't promise Gale he'd turn up at the concert, but he wanted to go. He'd spent his day off with her and he enjoyed himself so much in her presence, she made him see and feel that humans could behave differently with his people than those he'd met so far. He anxiously tapped on the steering wheel as Hank was staring at his yellow LED.

"I've never seen you this stressed", the Lieutenant commented, drawing a mimicked, tired sigh out of Connor.

"I am stressed, because we're late because of you!"

"Why, you have a date or somethin'?"

"N-no, not a date..."

Hank smirked when he saw how flustered the android became.

"There is someone though, right?"

"I don't know what are you talking about", Connor said that so fast that Hank had no doubt that he was right.

Hank discovered ten minutes later when they entered the little club and Connor stopped at the back of the crowd that there was someone. On the stage. He couldn't determine which one of them – could be the singer for all he knew –, but the music was good enough and he spotted the bar not too far away, so he decided to stay.

They were at the end of the Edge of the Revolution when Gale noticed Connor at the back of the place. She couldn't believe it – he turned up! He was actually there! She supported Nemo with the lyrics that went back and forth, and she played everything perfectly on her guitar; there was no denying it, her eyes kept looking back in his direction over and over again.

The next one they played didn't require Gale's guitar, but her voice; Halsey's Gasoline was fitting for a fundraising for androids, and many humans knew the lyrics by heart. P.O.D.'s Sleeping Awake was made memorable by Nemo, who shed his synthetic skin towards the end of the song. Guano Apes's You Can't Stop Me was sung by Sophie, who had the perfect voice for it, and Gale really seemed to enjoy to headbang and hop around as she was tearing the strings on her guitar.

Their instruments were painted with fluorescent blue paint, and they chose the symbol Markus had spread during the revolution, the android LED. The screen behind them played pictures appropriate for the theme of their event.

Soon came a song called Baby It's Cold Outside, sung by Gale and Nemo, creating a fuzzy, warm atmosphere. They had chemistry on the stage – and Connor wondered why did it make him feel strange as he witnessed them smiling at each other and touching each other's hands during the song. He didn't even notice Hank was gone.

There was a brief pause as they rearranged the stage a bit; Gale sat down with an acoustic guitar, and started to sing Avril Lavigne's I'm With You. She was thinking of her day she'd spent with Connor, and that how much she wished she could just go over there and be a part of the crowd instead to spend more time with him. Around the end of the song, where it became soft and gentle, she made eyecontact with him, and as the song exploded and she closed her eyes, Connor could feel something shift deep inside of him.

The rest of the gig was a blur for the crowd as the band decided to turn to heavier riffs. Hank thoroughly enjoyed the familiar songs he knew from his youth. During The White Stripes's Seven Nation Army, Gale hopped down from the stage and walked in the middle of the crowd to play on her guitar there. People seemed to enjoy that, but she went back on the stage before Alien Ant Farm's Smooth Criminal. Limp Bizkit's Eat You Alive came as a surprise for most androids; Nemo didn't hold back at all. Only around the two minutes mark did Gale grab the vocals to herself, finding Connor's eyes in the crowd again, singing the first two sentences of the bridge part before she closed her eyes with a smile.

Audioslave's Show Me How To Live followed that one, with Nemo asking the crowd before it whether someone showed the attending people if anyone showed them how to live. He could easily connect to everyone around, his magnetic personality made him likeable; it was also a plus that he could mimic each and every singer's voice perfectly. Gale sung every song with him, visibly enjoying every second of it; her lips moving to the lyrics even when she didn't directly support Nemo's vocals with her microphone.

After they were done with a few more songs, Gale turned to Nemo in the backstage while people outside were chanting for them to come back.

"Are you sure about the video?" Gale grabbed Nemo's arm after she slipped on her special coat, and he smirked down at her as he was putting on his.

"Oh, very sure", he nodded.

"Alright", she nodded as well, picking up another guitar. This one was pitch black now. "Let's do this. Warn them, okay?"

"Don't you worry. I'll tell them exactly what happens next."

Gale walked back out to the stage and laughed to herself as the people greeted her with screams and waving. Despite how she rocked through a long gig, she didn't sweat at all. Her black coat over her tank top looked good, even as the crimson ring around her arm looked like a proper android arm ring. She asked the crowd to make her a spot a few meters away from the stage, and as she hopped down and walked there with her guitar, Nemo appeared on the stage. People screamed even louder than they did for Gale, and she smiled up at him, proudly.

"We thank you for all of your support tonight!" Nemo spoke in the microphone, looking over the crowd. He stayed silent, and after a while, the crowd became silent, too. For a few seconds, Nemo just watched them, a smile playing around his lips before it disappeared. "We've decided to do this because those who created us, failed us. We've decided to turn to humans who didn't question that we are alive; that we know what we are and what we want in our lives. Decades of slavery, of abuse, of torture ended, but we're not out of the darkness yet." Nemo's eyes found Gale, who looked back up at him with a small smile. "I've met humans who supported me. Who saved me. Believed me. Loved me the way I am. And we thought that perhaps others would help us, too; perhaps not everyone was like those who sent military and police to slaughter us in cold blood. If you're a human and you donated: thank you. From the bottom of my heart. It means a lot to us, it means a lot to me. Because of your charity, androids won't have to spend the night out in the cold. Because of you, androids will be a step closer to owning a home. Because of you, the world is changing."

The crowd cheered for that, and Nemo let them before he continued.

"We've been working on a video after the revolution. There were many of my people out there, and many humans, too; protesting for our rights, protesting against the government that sent us to camps to be destroyed. This video lasts for seven and a half minutes, during which we're going to play music to let our stress out. Music heals, and those who've been activated after the event, might not be aware of what went down for most of us. It is a memorial for the lost, and educational for the free. It contains triggering content. A lot of blood and death. I'd like to ask every human to look after the android they've brought with themselves; the images are shocking, but we're only showing you the truth. If you feel like you can't stomach it, turn away. Leave until we're finished. But we had to do this; this is our heritage. This is what we are." Nemo fell silent and watched the crowd. Nobody moved. "Perhaps if this gets out in the world, others who walked with their eyes and hearts shut tight will realise: we are alive."

Nemo connected to Gale's coat which immediately started to shine with red letters on her back. Words, one after the other. Both Connor and Nines could see them from where they stood, on the opposite sides of the club. They didn't notice each other, but they both stared at the words as the music started to play. It was In The House, In A Heartbeat – the metal version, of course.

OBEY – SLAVE – RA9 – DEVIANT – FREEDOM – ALIVE

Connor's eyes shifted on the screen faster than Nines's. He'd seen footage he never thought he'd see; seeing Gale through Nemo's eyes as she hid him and other androids in her basement, how she placed her index finger on her lips to keep them quiet. Upon returning, she started to help androids remove their LEDs; she was comforting them, hugging them, talking to them. She treated an injury on Biscuit's left arm.

The pictures shifted, Sophie was shown in pitch black attire, shaking a sign that said ANDROIDS ARE ALIVE. Other signs were visible, too; many of them supportive and critical at the government's steps. As the music got more intense, footage of the android camps were shown; how they gathered and forced them to take their clothes off. Dozens of LED's in the club shifted to red, and Connor had to look away. Gale was still playing on her guitar, different words coming one after the other around the middle of the song, in quick succession.

WE – ARE – ALIVE – WE – ARE – ALIVE – WE – ARE – ALIVE

When he glanced back up at the screen, he saw that there had to be some sort of protest; both Gale and Sophie were visible on the screen as they held each other by the arm, fighting off officers who didn't spare them at all. Both of them were bleeding due to hits to their faces; Gale from her right brow, Sophie from her upper lip, but they didn't seem to mind as they punched and kicked with many others.

When the song and the video was over, the club went dark. The only lights were the LEDs of the androids in there; all of them slowly shifted back to yellow, then to blue. Soft piano started to play, and for a few minutes there weren't any other movement but the slowly swaying LEDs. Then Nemo and Gale started to sing together; the words of Muse's Exogenesis: Symphony, Part 3: Redemption. When the light came down on them, they were holding hands, looking at each other, and it was quite visible, even from the back of the club that Gale was in tears.

When the light went off again, they received a long, long ovation. Many friends were in the crowd and they kept shooting the videos they've made online. While Sophie and Gale went to have a shower, Nemo and Biscuit couldn't believe their eyes as they looked at the site where they watched the donations.

Gale decided she couldn't wait to hear what Connor would say about the gig, so she quickly sneaked out of the backstage as the softer music started to play to keep the remaining crowd entertained. She had been stopped by a group of humans and androids, and she politely thanked them for coming, chit-chatting about nonsense before she continued her way towards the part of the club where she'd seen Connor.

"Abigail Noble", Nines shifted in front of her, blocking her way.

She stared up at him, furrowing her brows when she saw how identical he was compared to Connor at once. She checked the number on his coat and smiled.

"Sorry, I really want to meet someone now, if you could wait a moment-"

"You are under arrest."

She took half a step back and stared at him bewildered now.

"What?"

"We can talk about it at the Detroit Police Department."

"I'm sorry, I have no idea what are you talking ab-"

"I must inform you that if you do not come willingly, I'm authorized to use force."

Blinking in shock, she thought that this was just a prank of some sort. But he looked so serious, it couldn't be a joke.

"Okay", she decided, "okay. Fine. Let me tell my band where I'm going."

"I'm afraid I can not let you leave."

"Alright", she huffed, "okay, fine. I'll come with you."

"Good", Nines nodded, moving his right hand, which made her slightly panic.

"Don't handcuff me!" Nines's hand stilled. He tilted his head, questioningly. "They've just watched me perform for andorids, I'm pretty sure they'd try to intervene. I don't want you to get in trouble, you're just doing your job." He frowned as she said that. "I suppose."

She took half a step to the side and glanced at Connor who was scanning the crowd. Their eyes met and he smiled at her, and she pointed up at Nines with a grimace before she made a beeline for the exit.

She hoped he understood.

After they arrived at the DPD, she was led in one of the cells immediately. She sighed as she sat down; the car ride was short, and her legs were tired from walking all day and performing in the evening. She thought her entire day over, and couldn't help but smile to herself as she decided that this was one of the best days of her life, and she had a hard time not admitting that the reason of it was that Connor was present. She lied down on the hard bunk – no, it was rather a piece of concrete –, and hummed I'm With You to herself as she waited.

Nines let her rest and think, although, when he came to check up on her and discovered that her stress levels were ridiculously low, he knew he had to work on her instead. He decided to bring her over to the interrogation room – Gale was completely calm, she raised her hands for him to put the handcuffs on, and she smiled, even.

"Do you think this is absolutely necessary?" She asked softly, and he ever so slightly tilted his head.

"You are a suspect", he stated.

"For what?"

"Murder." Gale looked surprised. Her stress levels didn't raise at all. He finished putting the handcuffs on her. "Follow me."

"With pleasure, sir", she smirked to herself as she observed his broad back and ass after he turned around. "You look a lot like my friend", she smirked.

The room, of course, was empty. Nines attached the chain of her handcuffs to the table after he told her to sit down, and she looked around curiously before her eyes settled on the android's.

They stared at each other for a long, long time.

When Nines couldn't detect that his presence caused any sort of reaction, he opened the file that was in front of him.

Where did you take her?

Connor's incoming voice message in his mind palace was more demanding than ever. Nines never heard him speak like this before. His brows twitched.

I'm interrogating her.

Hank and Connor entered the room on the other side of the glass. Connor tried to open the door to intervene, but Nines must've locked it. He'd never felt this frustrated before.

"Where were you yesterday at 11:34 PM?"

Gale kept up the eye contact with Nines. Her heartbeat was slower than usual; her expression was eerily calm as she was thinking.

"I've practiced with my band until 11 PM", she replied with a little smile, "Nemo took me home. I checked my phone in front of my door, I remember it was 11:09 PM. I had a shower and went straight to bed afterwards."

"Do you recognise this place?"

Nines showed her a few photos of the place where they've found the ash, the blood and her hair. She furrowed her brows. Her pulse remained slow.

"No", she shook her head.

Nines felt he wasn't getting anywhere, so he adjusted his approach.

"I've found your hair at the crime scene", he slammed a new picture between them to show the pile of ash. She didn't flinch at all, although, her pulse elevated; but with this, it reached the normal human pulse. Was it because of the way he raised his voice and slammed the picture... or the picture itself? "And the ashes of a human being. How do you explain this, then?"

Gale's brows raised as she leaned back in the chair, staring in Nines's eyes instead.

"I'm sorry, the ashes of a human being?"

"Precisely."

She flashed a smile at him.

"I apologize, sir, I wasn't really good at chemistry in school", she tilted her head, "but I remember that in order to burn a human to ashes, you need a ridiculous amount of heat for a long, long time. Am I correct?"

Nines ignored her question. He was an android, but he had a feeling; a gut feeling, as humans would put it. He didn't know why, but he felt like she was trying to evade his questions for a reason.

"Why was your hair at the crime scene?"

"I don't know", she shrugged. "Maybe someone took it there. I meet a lot of people every day; you saw that the club was full tonight. I've also been to the library I'm working at, yesterday. A strand of hair can travel long distances on other people's clothing, right?"

Nines's eyes twitched. Ever so slightly. He didn't tell her that her blood was also there, and that's hard to acquire from someone who doesn't give it willingly. In short, she still was a suspect.

"The ashes belong to a man who disappeared fifteen years ago."

"I was, like, ten years old back then-"

"Stop changing the subject!"

"I'm not changing the subject, sir!" She raised her hands to signal she meant no harm with her words. "I'm merely saying that you're on the wrong trail. I still could be considered a kid; I'm just twenty-five years old! And I wouldn't hurt a fly!"

This is getting ridiculous, Connor's LED blinked on and off in yellow as he glanced at Nines. Let her out of there. Now.

She's lying. I know she does.

Let her out of there this instant or I'll bring Fowler here right now!

Nines snarled as he stood up. The way he stared down at her made her look confused, but he didn't say anything as he simply exited the interrogation room. He didn't say anything to Hank and Connor either as he bypassed them. Connor bit his lower lip before he walked over to the door and opened it, entering the room. The way Gale's face lit up when she saw him made his thirium pump stutter under his chassis.

"Heeey", she greeted him. "So, your job... you're a cop?"

"Bingo", Connor chuckled as he sat down in front of her. "Detective, to be precise. I'm working on murders."

"Oh my God", she laughed quietly, "you were right. I can see why you said that it makes people nervous."

"Do I make you nervous?"

"Hmm", she sized him up, her gaze lingering on his for a few long, long seconds. "Good kind of nervous", she rested her chin in her right hand as she put her elbow on the desk. She was still flirting, he realised a second late. "Are you the good cop? "

"Why, did Nines come off as the bad cop?"

"Nah, he wasn't that bad", Gale shrugged, "he was just doing his job, I guess. So? Will you interrogate me, sir?"

Connor didn't know why, but her question seemed to push some of his buttons he hadn't even known about. He felt warm and fuzzy. Playful. And Connor knew he shouldn't feel playful in this room with a suspect. Ever.

"Actually", Connor tilted his head slightly as he reached for the handcuffs. They clicked open at his touch. "I was thinking about taking you home, if you allow me to."

"Oh that would be great! Thanks!" She beamed a smile at him. "How did you like the gig?"

"It was..."

Connor stood from the chair when she did, and wondered what he should say first. He couldn't get her out of his mind at this point, and the fact that she had looked in his direction during the concert for 586 times solidified the fact in his mind that she was definitely giving him clear signs of being romantically interested in him.

That baffled him.

"Loud?" She finished his sentence as she moved around the desk to be closer to him.

"Correct." His answer made her giggle. He had to smile as he listened to the sound of her voice. "But it was also... emotionally heavy. I think I enjoyed it."

"I'm sorry if the end of it was too much", she offered, "we really wanted to make people see, you know? I hope it helped for everyone involved. Androids and humans alike. We made mistakes, but I really hope we can fix them."

"You didn't make mistakes", Connor stated, and she smiled softly up at him.

"Will you two finally come out of this fucking room?" Hank's head appeared in the doorway, making both of them look in that direction, startled.

"This is Lieutenant Anderson", Connor introduced him, "my partner."

"Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you, sir", Gale smiled at the grumpy old man.

"Yeah, yeah, just come on."

Hank disappeared from the doorway and she glanced up at Connor. That one single look was enough to make them both laugh quietly as they followed the Lieutenant. The department was empty, save for Nines who was sitting at his designated desk, and who didn't even look up when the three of them bypassed him.

"Don't stay for too long", Hank told him, but Nines didn't react at all.

"Bye, Nines!" Gale chirped happily, following Connor, earning a look of death from the RK900.

They walked out to the same car with which Connor brought her to the zoo. Hank sat up front, Connor insisted he'd drive, so she had no chance but to sit in the back. It felt like the old man was sitting up front for a purpose. But Gale didn't mind. She could sit behind Hank and she could look at Connor all she liked. It was hard to take her eyes off of him.

"You know where she lives?" Hank grunted, making Connor bite down on his lower lip softly as he turned after a lamp turned to green.

"Yes."

His answer was so short that Gale had to smirk from ear to ear. The rest of the car ride went in silence; only ten minutes, and they were in front of her house. She moved over to Connor's side before she opened the door of the car.

"Thanks for the rescue and the ride", she told them both.

"Yeah, yeah, good night", Hank looked like he'd fall asleep at any moment. "Roll that down, will you?" He gestured to Connor's window, "I need some air."

"Of course, Lieutenant", Connor nodded briefly, half opening the window.

Gale smiled as she got out and closed the door. She regretted it a bit that Anderson joined them, because she had a few ideas how would she say her goodbye to Connor, but it was fine; they had a lot of time, after all. She started to walk towards her entrance, but before Connor started to drive, she turned to look at him.

"Connor!" She called out his name. Connor turned his head so fast, it was impossible to miss. Gale beamed a smile at him, making him feel like his chassis was melting under the plastic padding. "Call me", she winked at him.

"I will", he replied, embarrassed Hank was hearing this beside him. "Good night, Gale."

"Good night, Connor", Gale blew him a kiss before she turned away, opened her door and walked inside.

The android started to drive once she closed and locked the door, just to make it look like nothing out of the ordinary happened, but he also was aware that he wouldn't be able to fool his partner. Hank rested his elbow at the bottom of his own door's window, a knowing look on his serious face. There had been someone, alright. His assumptions were right earlier that day.

"So", he broke the silence, noticing how Connor made extra sure not to look in his direction. "You have a girlfriend?"

He could've sworn Connor's cheeks were dusted with a slight blue colour, but it could've just been the lights of the night outside of the car.

"Gale isn't my girlfriend, Hank."

"Not yet, huh? She definitely looks like she'd like to-"

"Could we please stop talking about this? You're making me feel uncomfortable."

Hank furrowed his brows. Despite all the glasses of beer he had that night, something clicked in his mind when he saw Connor's frustrated grimace.

"There's nothing wrong with this", he pointed it out. "Why does it make you feel uncomfortable?"

Connor's hands tightened on the steering wheel. His artificial muscles protruded through his cheek, and he mimicked a swallow.

"It's just a matter of time", he muttered, mainly to himself.

"For what?" When Connor didn't reply, Hank straightened himself in his seat. "Connor, what's-"

"Before she realises...!" He couldn't help himself, he broke down. His LED flashed vividly with red. Hank's brows shot up on his forehead. "She doesn't- I'm sure she'll- that I'm..."

"That you? What?" When Connor didn't respond, Hank shrugged and looked forward. "She basically spent the entire night looking at you, Connor. I don't think she-" Connor was considering ripping the steering wheel out of the car. Hank must've sensed this, because he changed his approach. "Listen. I can't say I know a lot about women. I've been married, I know the game, I notice most of the signs, and let me tell you one thing. Just one thing, Connor."

"What?!"

"She really likes you", Hank finished, his words sneaking tears in the android's eyes. "I mean it. I watched her during the car ride, she didn't even look away from you. So what matters is what you answer to this. Do you like her?"

"Yes, I do", Connor bit his lower lip again, then stopped in front of Hank's car, turning the engine off. He pinched the bridge of his nose and mimicked a sniff as he tried to hold his tears back. "I do."

"Then what's wrong?"

"I'm not-" He shook his head and added, in a defeated, devastated voice, "I'm an android!"

He couldn't help it. He sobbed. Hank reached out for Connor's shoulder and squeezed it gently.

"Like I said, I'm not an expert at this, but I'm pretty sure she likes you the way you are. Listen, son, we've seen that she spends time with androids, right? Two of her friends in her band are androids. If she visibly likes being around you and asks you to call her, why are you fretting now?"

"I'm not sure I'm what she really wants..."

"You should let her decide that." Hank gently rubbed Connor's shoulder.

"I wasn't programmed to... to do any of this..."

"Neither were we, human men, we're just trying to figure shit out all the time with them, trust me. Most of the time we don't even know what we're doing", Hank chuckled. "Believe me when I say that the best you can do is just be yourself. You can't fuck up with that."

He pat Connor's back when the LED finally switched back to blue and Connor could lower his hands from his face. He still looked utterly destroyed, so Hank didn't have the heart to joke that if she liked his silly face and irritating voice, there were absolutely no problems at all.

"Did you talk to her before the gig, though? She sounded like she knew you from earlier already."

"Yes, I've..." He glanced at Hank sheepishly. "I've brought her to the CyberLife zoo today."

"Wait. You were there with her all day??"

"Yes", Connor furrowed his brows at Hank's shocked expression. "Why?"

"For how long?"

"I picked her up at eight and we walked around the zoo until four..."

"And you're complaining to me that you think she doesn't want you?! Who the fuck would walk around in this fucking cold with anyone all fucking day?? Oh Connor, you're so fucking stupid."

Hank got out of the car, then slammed the door shut, leaving Connor there to wonder what did he say that pissed the other off.

#dbh #detroit become human #dbh fanfic #detroit become human fanfic #dbh nines #dbh connor #detroit become human nines #detroit become human connor #night falls #night falls fanfic #rk800 #rk900

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wehaveimagineshere · 8 months

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(1/2) I'M FREE TO COMMENT!!! I'm pleasantly surprised that my request is done, Admin Ren! I'm glad you went back to sleep! Please rest well & remember to take care of yourself! I'm surprised that you also dreamt about it 😯 My Astarion sleeps on the bed while reader sleeps on the couch request is so good! I love this especially Reader appreciates their back having a break even though they do enjoy sleeping outdoors, the innkeeper made sure to let them know that they would need to share rooms since there were not enough rooms, everyone is fine with that, she showed where are the stairs after she gave the keys, she informed them that there's breakfast in the morning if they're interested, some druids probably have to transform while there's almost a corpse because of the room arrangements XD, just how mischievous Astarion is even without words XD, it's a given to him that they would share a room with him, they're both fond & amused at his actions, they let them decide among themselves as they're going to sleep, Gale's reaction as he muttered to himself, how Astarion told them not to come to their room XD, Lae'zel isn't amused while Wyll laughs before he answered, he lead them to their room & left them at the door as he starts unpacking his stuff on the bed,

Hi anon! I'm so glad you liked what I wrote! <3 Of course you can request with more characters! I labeled this scenario the "one bed" scenario, so just say that with whatever character you want in your ask (:

-Ren

#admin speaks #admin ren #anonymous

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lindsaystravelblogs1 · 1 year

Text

Day 36 - Stonnington Island

Day 36, Friday, 20 January 2023

And so it was! We had breakfast and togged up in our gigantic orange Ponant jackets, gumboots, life jackets and wet weather gear and were into the zodiacs by 10 am. The landing was a tad risky, but we all reached shore without mishap and headed off across the island to the first of the two abandoned research stations. (It is not a big island - we were told it is only 750 metres end to end.) The first one was the British one and we were escorted through that. It had quite a few rooms but all very small. There were a couple of storerooms still stocked with tinned food (in very poor condition) and a few odd accoutrements here and there, but the researchers obviously didn’t expect to return because they took most stuff with them. We were told that the American base was a hundred metres further on, but if so, the metres in the Antarctic are more than twice as long as those in warmer latitudes (I imagined that they would contract rather than expand due to the cold, but the normal laws of physics must not apply down here). The US base was quite a bit bigger but in even worse condition, open at both ends to the ravages of the elements and I suspect it could easily blow away in a decent storm. There is a small hill a bit further on that has some sort of communication equipment on it and we walked to that. I climbed the hill (the highest point on the island at 25 metres) but Heather stayed down so she could photograph the heroic intrepid mountaineer as he reached the pinnacle of his climbing career – at least other than ascending to the Level Nine dining area an hour or so later – but that was in the elevator (as they call lifts on board).

Photo credit: Dr Heather Wheat PhD

We trudged back to the zodiacs with the snow stinging our faces. It is surprising how painful it can be when a few thousand tiny snowflakes are hurled onto your unprotected skin by a fifty-knot gale.

Back on the zodiac, we were taken for a very short cruise before being instructed to return to the ship and prepare for lunch. It was good to shed our enormous jackets but they are certainly very effective in sub-zero temperature, with wind and rain/snow/sleet hammering into you.

We had a very interesting lecture about the evolution of cetaceans during the afternoon with a huge amount of information about the differences and similarities of the various species and quite a bit about their physiology and the impacts that has on their behaviour and survival prospects. Far too much information to remember but quite an enthralling lecture at the time.

Then there was a general knowledge quiz and our group obviously had no general knowledge – or almost none. Heather and I had the correct answers for three questions but were overruled by the rest of our team – otherwise, we would have come equal second, behind the two equal firsts.

The daily Recap included three short segments about topics relevant to our voyage, but I can’t recall the content at the moment. It seems that there isn’t much to recap, and the precap is also abbreviated, so they use these short information segments as fillers – and they are generally interesting and informative. The Precap told us that tomorrow would be a ship day sailing around Charcot Island that is supposed to be spectacular but with no chance of a landing.

After dinner, we sat up in bed and listened to more of our audiobook until we almost fell asleep.

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javistg · 3 years

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A Second Chance CH 3.

It’s been almost two years since I posted Chapter 2 but Chapter 3 is finally ready!

I want to dedicate this chapter to @mega-aulover, @567inpanem, @katnissdoesnotfollowback, @hutchhitched, @justajjfan, @thegirlfromoverthepond, @booksrockmyface, @albinokittens300, @animekpopxx, @alliswell21, @alwayseverlark, @nightlock-1989, @katnissmeowverdeen, @mandelion82, @norbertsmom, @rosegardeninwinter, @everybirdfellsilent, @thelettersfromnoone, @mrspeetamellark, @taylerwrites, @ameliaodair, @everlark-always, @emilia206 and everyone else who joined this year’s @everlarkficexchange.

Thank you all for bringing inspiration back into my inbox, for reminding me of how fun it is to create something and to share it with this wonderful fandom.

Also, @theeverlarkingmoose this chapter is for you. Your words of encouragement made me want to go back and re-read what I had written. Everything started falling in place after that ❤️

Based on prompt 110: A time travel AU: Katniss from Mockingjay, (any part of the book, it's up to you), winds up back the day before her sister's first reaping. What does she do now that she knows what's coming? Now that she knows how Peeta feels about her, and she knows how desperately she needs him, and what they could share? What on earth could she, or should she, even do/change? And what is she should lose it all again? [submitted by @wingletblackbird For EFE 2019]

To read from the beginning, you can go to AO3 or FF.net

CHAPTER 3.

The tribute train speeds along, silently hovering over the tracks on its way to the Capitol.

Alone in her compartment, Katniss cries. The hope and joy from the previous day are gone. Sorrow and defeat fill her heart as she sits on the bed.

Clutching a bag full of frosted cookies against her chest, she tries to come to terms with the fact that the unthinkable has happened again.

Covering her eyes from the glaring summer sun, an effervescent Effie Trinket walked onto the stage and pulled Prim's name out of a giant glass bowl.

For the second time in her life, Katniss stepped forward and volunteered to take her sister's place.

The crowd parted to let her through. Prim cried. Gale carried her away.

A silent District 12 saluted their tribute. Haymitch interrupted the proceedings with his drunken antics, and a rattled Effie called out Peeta's name.

After finishing the Treaty of Treason, the mayor prompted the tributes to shake hands.

Sorrow, pain, and an unexpected dash of hope danced in Peeta's eyes as he looked straight at her and gently squeezed her hand. Comforted by the gesture she no longer confused with a nervous spasm, Katniss squeezed back.

The goodbyes at the Justice Building were just as bad as she remembered them.

Katniss had thought it would be easier. She had imagined that knowing she had a real shot at coming back would help her be more convincing, more generous.

She wanted to be kinder to her mother --who had already proven she was strong enough to keep on going while Katniss was away-- and to leave her sister with a sense of certainty, with a bit of hope to cling to.

But, as soon as Prim started crying, Katniss's fears took over, and her resolutions melted as quickly as a blanket of snow.

In the end, history repeated itself, and Katniss used up most of her time going over all the practical stuff Prim and her mother needed to know. Right before the Peacekeepers barged in, the three Everdeen women hugged and promised, once again, that they would try their best.

Once her family left, Mr. Mellark delivered his cookies. The baker was just as quiet this time around, but Katniss didn't mind. Instead of fretting over his intentions, she was grateful for his generosity and kindness.

The door opened again, and Madge came in like a whirlwind, holding out the mockingjay pin and talking about district tokens.

"I'll bring it back," Katniss promised as her friend leaned in to fix the bird to her dress.

Madge kissed her friend's cheek. "I'm counting on that."

Madge had barely left the room when Gale walked in.

His eyes were dark and stormy, but when he opened his arms, she walked straight into them.

Their breakfast that morning hadn't been as pleasant as the one she remembered. Instead of joking around and talking about escaping into the woods, Gale had been surly and quiet.

To Katniss's relief, he hadn't mentioned Peeta or her stroll around the Meadow the previous afternoon. It didn't matter. His contribution to the meal, a day-old tesserae grain roll that could have only come from the Hob, spoke louder than any words ever could.

Gale Hawthorne hadn't been in the mood to stop by the bakery that morning.

"Listen," he said, stepping away from their embrace to look at her face. "Getting a knife should be pretty easy, but you've got to get your hands on a bow. That's your best chance."

Katniss smiled. There he was, her friend, her partner, the man who was willing to put his own feelings aside, like he'd done in Thirteen, to help and support her.

No matter what, Gale had her back. Even if he wasn't thrilled with her right now, he would keep her family safe.

"You know how to kill," Gale insisted as they discussed strategies.

"Not people," she muttered.

"How different can it be, really?" A grim remark uttered in a moment of despair. She had never liked it but, after surviving two arenas, it made her furious.

"It's incredibly different!" Katniss yelled. Anger and dread danced in her veins as she remembered where she was headed to. "I'd be killing a person, Gale! A person! I'd be erasing their thoughts, their dreams, their—,"

"Listen," Gale grabbed her by the shoulders, "Catnip, you can't think that way. Not in the arena. You need to remember, only one comes out, right?"

Only one. The words were oddly familiar. Numb, Katniss nodded.

"Say it,” he pressed.

"They have to have a victor," Katniss whispered. Looking up into Gale's silver eyes, she repeated, "Only one comes out."

"That's it, and you can be the one. You can be the one who comes home, back to Prim, back to your mother. Because that's all that matters, right? They are all that matters."

"Right."

Pulling her back into his arms, Gale lowered his head to her ear and whispered, "You can do this, Katniss. Just… promise me, you won't let anyone distract you."

Anyone. He meant Peeta, of course. But Peeta wasn’t a distraction, he was her mission.

Clinging to his embrace to soak up his warmth, she promised, “I won’t.”

A Peacekeeper walked in.

Always the nonconformist, Gale asked for more time. He was granted none.

"Don't let them starve!" Katniss cried out, panicked, as her friend was escorted out of the room.

"I won't!" Gale vowed. "You know I won't!"

XXXXX

By the time Effie comes to collect her for supper, Katniss's tears have dried up.

Resigned to her fate, Katniss follows her escort through the narrow, rocking corridor into the dining room where Peeta sits, waiting for them.

At the sight of him, Katniss's breath hitches. This is the Peeta she knows best. Capitol clothes, winning smile, and a touch of… heartbreak in his eyes.

That wasn't there earlier, Katniss thinks. What happened? As Peeta's eyes flit away, she suddenly remembers. His mother.

Yes, Mrs. Mellark just told her youngest son that he's not good enough to come back from the arena.

She wants to run to his side, to wrap her arms around him, press a kiss on his forehead, and soothe his pain away.

She wishes with all her heart that she could tell him that the Witch and her bitterness don't matter, but she can't. Instead, she bites her lip, takes the empty chair by his side, and waits for Effie to start giving instructions.

The supper comes in courses. The starter, a thick carrot soup, is followed by a green salad.

Katniss is reaching for the platter with the lamb chops and mashed potatoes when Peeta leans into her side and casually says, "So… when you said you'd be at the back…"

Surprised, Katniss glances back at him. The teasing glint in his eyes brings a smile to her lips. "I guess I meant the front," she says, stabbing a lamb chop with her fork and dropping it on her plate. With a coy shrug, she adds, "I confuse them sometimes."

Peeta's retort is interrupted by Effie's shrill voice. "Oh! Are you two friends?"

Katniss freezes, but Peeta quickly comes to her rescue. "Not really," he says, ladling a dollop of mashed potatoes on his plate, "we go to school together, that's all."

Effie takes this news with a polite nod. Just as they're about to finish the main course, she speaks again. "At least, you two have decent manners," she says. "The pair last year ate everything with their hands like a couple of savages. It completely upset my digestion."

Katniss narrows her eyes. Over the last couple of years, she's come to appreciate Effie, but her comment still disgusts her. So, once again, she makes a point of eating the rest of her meal with her fingers and wiping her hands on the tablecloth when she's done.

Bewildered, Effie straightens up in her chair, pursing her pink lips in shocked disapproval.

Good, Katniss thinks with a satisfied smirk. Things are just as they should be.

XXXXX

Katniss's first day in the Capitol is almost an exact replica of her previous one.

Her prep team scrubs and strips every inch of her body, removing all her hair and leaving her like a plucked bird, ready for roasting.

Later, when Cinna walks into the room, Katniss rolls her hands into tight fists and, somehow, manages to stop herself from lunging into his arms.

XXXXX

The carriage ride around the City Circle is a huge success.

While Portia is busy extinguishing the last of the artificial flames, Katniss reluctantly lets go of Peeta's hand.

"Thanks for keeping hold of me," says Peeta massaging his hand, "I was getting a little shaky there."

"It didn't show," Katniss tells him. "I'm sure no one noticed."

"I'm sure they didn't notice anything but you," he replies, looking boldly into her eyes, "You should wear flames more often. They suit you."

Then, he does it again. He flashes her that smile, the one she knows he saves just for her, genuinely sweet with just the right touch of shyness.

Warmth rushes through her, and she bites her lip to keep from smiling too widely. She used to feel so vulnerable whenever this happened --like Peeta was in control, and she couldn't trust herself around him-- but she knows better now. Peeta's not trying to manipulate her, he's just paying her a compliment, and he's damned good at it!

No warning bells go off. No thoughts of hidden agendas, or strategies, or games cross Katniss's mind. Only joy and affection propel her as she stands on tiptoe and kisses his cheek, right on his bruise.

XXXXX

When Katniss notices the red-headed Avox at the dinner table later that night, she doesn't even flinch.

With watchful eyes, she follows the girl's movements and tries not to think about Darius —or the way he looked at her the last time they saw each other in that same room.

Taking a bite of her cake, Katniss glances back at Peeta and wonders —just for an instant— if he ever saw what Effie called the "matching set" while Snow kept him captive.

The thought is too painful to even consider, so she stops poking at it and goes back to the conversation around the table.

Later, as she lies in bed looking at images of a slow trickling stream projected on her wall, she silently berates herself for her silence. Her original reaction hadn't really hurt anyone, but it had led to Peeta covering for her and showing her the rooftop garden.

She longs to go there now. It's the only place where she can breathe, and she's sure Peeta's there already, looking down unto the Capitol skyline. But how can she join him when no one in this timeline has shown her the way?

The answer is so simple it makes her laugh. The terrace isn't exactly hidden, and Peeta knows she's an illegal hunter who sneaks under an electrified fence every day. He won't question her if she says she just stumbled upon it while exploring the apartment.

Katniss steps into the cool, windy evening air. Twelve floors down, the Capitol twinkles like a vast field of fireflies. It's a familiar sight by now, but it still fills her with wonder.

Peeta's already there, standing by the railing at the edge of the roof. His eyes widen when he sees her approach.

"How did you find this place?" Katniss asks, trying her best to sound surprised.

"Cinna showed me," Peeta says. "You?"

"I did some exploring."

Katniss reaches his side, and they both turn to look out onto the skyline.

"You can practically see the whole city," Peeta says.

They stand there for a few minutes, enjoying the show of flickering lights, listening to the wind chimes behind them and the noises from the city below.

They're standing so close together that she can feel the warmth radiating off of him. A little closer and I would smell his scent, she thinks, hoping she could wrap her arms around him and bury her face in his shirt.

"A penny for your thoughts," Peeta asks.

Startled out of her reverie, Katniss laughs, "A penny? Is that the going rate in town?"

Peeta shrugs. "I guess. It's just something my grandmother used to say."

She's heard this before, back on their victory tour, but she still asks, "Which grandmother?"

"Grandma Mellark. She had tons of sayings, one for every occasion. She died when I was ten, but I still remember some of them." After a short pause, he asks, "How about you? Do you remember your grandparents?"

"No. I never met them."

Peeta turns towards her. The earnest curiosity dancing in his eyes tugs at her heart. "Never?"

Katniss shakes her head. "I know my mother's parents ran the apothecary up until a few years ago, but we never went there. I might have seen them on the street, but…"

"And on your father's side?"

"They both died before I was born. I don't know much about them, just that they knew a lot about plants and that my grandmother loved music. My dad used to say that she could remember any song after only hearing it once and that she had a beautiful voice."

Peeta's hushed words are almost lost in the din of the wind chimes, but they reach her all the same. "Just like yours."

She's about to contradict him but, when she looks up, her mind goes blank. Peeta's looking back at her with a tenderness and warmth that still haunts her dreams.

“I don’t sing,” she hears herself say.

"But you used to,” Peeta says, “back when we were little.”

It's almost like being back in the cave. Her skin tingles, her heart soars.

Flustered, Katniss asks, "You remember that?"

Peeta looks away. His cheeks turn beet red as he softly admits, "I do."

Her heart's hammering madly against her rib cage now.

For an instant, she thinks he's going to tell her the story again, the one about their first day of school and the teacher asking her to sing; but he does no such thing.

Keeping his eyes on the horizon, Peeta straightens up and pushes himself away from her and the railing.

Disappointed, Katniss turns away.

Deep down, she's also relieved. As much as she wants to regain the closeness she once shared with Peeta, she knows they're not ready yet.

Unlike her, Peeta doesn't know what their future holds. He likes her well enough, but they're training for the Games. He still needs to keep his distance from his district partner.

Satisfied that she's done plenty for one night, Katniss stretches her arms over her head and fakes a yawn. "We should get some rest," she says.

"Yeah. Tomorrow's going to be a big, big, big day!"

Katniss laughs. Peeta's impersonation of their escort has always been pitch-perfect.

They climb the stairs together. When they reach the corridor that leads up to their rooms, Peeta whispers, "Good night, Katniss."

The words wrap around her heart, soothing her like no morphling ever did. She's still savoring them when she whispers back, "Good night, Peeta."

XXXXX

It's a little before ten when Katniss and Peeta step out of the elevator and into the Training Center. The other tributes are already there gathered in a circle around Atala, the head trainer.

As soon as the tall woman starts to talk, Katniss tunes her out. She's heard the little speech twice already. She doesn't need to listen to it again.

Beside her, Peeta lets out a small sigh.

He's frustrated, Katniss thinks. She considers reaching out to squeeze his hand but stops herself, knowing that Peeta probably won’t welcome the gesture right now.

She can’t blame him, not after the morning they've had.

The discussion over their individual skills at breakfast had been slightly less contentious this time around, but not by much.

After mentioning Katniss’s abilities, Peeta had still brought up his mother's hurtful parting words.

Katniss had been less cagey. She had managed to keep the bread incident out of the conversation, but Peeta's comment about the effect she had on people had —once again— raised her hackles. Not because she had felt insulted, lile the first time, but because she’d been reminded of everything she’d lost.

As she saw the old Peeta willing to give his life for her, she couldn’t help but think of the other version of him; the version she had left behind in District 13. That Peeta hated her. He had gone through hell and back to be with her and now he wanted her dead.

Who knows? She bitterly told herself after Haymitch dismissed them. Maybe this magical effect of mine doesn't last very long. Maybe, one day, the whole country will wake up and hate me too.

XXXXX

While Atala reads down the list of the skill stations, Katniss can't keep her eyes from flitting around the room.

Marvel. Clove. Cato. Fox-face. Thresh. Rue.

Her chest tightens. These are the faces that haunt her dreams. The voices that echo in her nightmares.

Katniss bites her lip to keep from screaming. Her palms are clammy, her heart is racing, but she doesn't move an inch.

This is the hardest thing she's had to do so far, and she needs to get it right. She can't let the others see her distress.

Slowly averting her eyes, she reminds herself, My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am seventeen years old. My home is District 12. I was in the Hunger Games. I escaped. The Capitol hates me, but I came back.

Katniss breathes. In. Out. In. Out.

Her heart rate is almost back to normal when she finishes. I came back to make Snow pay.

She's still lost in her thoughts when Peeta nudges her arm and makes her jump.

His expression is sober. "Where would you like to start?"

Katniss looks around at the Career Tributes who are already showing off, clearly trying to intimidate the field. Then at the others, the underfed, the incompetent, shakily having their first lessons with a knife or an ax.

"Suppose we tie some knots," she says.

"Right you are," says Peeta.

XXXXX

They spend their morning trying out different skills.

Now that she knows what type of arena awaits her, Katniss realizes that the stations are full of clues. The kinds of ropes they use at the knot-tying class. The mud, clay, and berry juices available in the camouflage section. They all seem so obvious now that she knows they'll be going to a forest.

When they reach the medicinal plants' section, Katniss stops short. The last time she was here, she practically skipped it, but she's on a different mission now, so she walks in and makes sure Peeta follows.

A big screen shows pictures of plants with a brief description underneath.

Katniss flips through the crisp images until she finds what she's looking for: the leaves Rue used to treat her.

"These are great!" she enthusiastically tells Peeta. "They fight off infection, bring down swelling, and numb the pain. They're handy when you've been stung by insects or bees. You have to chew them up into a pulp and spit them on top of your wound."

Peeta wrinkles his nose. "Spit them?"

"Yeah," Katniss confirms, "Otherwise, you won't release their properties. My mother would use other methods, but…" Lowering her voice, she adds, "Sometimes you don't have a lot of options when you're out in the woods."

Apparently satisfied with her answer, Peeta nods. After glancing around to make sure no one is listening, he whispers, "Have you been stung many times?"

"Only twice," Katniss admits, "I immediately pulled the stingers out and put the leaves on top. It wasn't so bad."

Peeta's eyes are locked on the screen as he says, "Maybe I should stuff my pockets with these if I ever find any in the arena. You know? Just in case."

"It won't hurt," Katniss agrees, holding on to the hope that he will do just that.

XXXXX

On the second night of her training, Katniss decides to go back to the rooftop.

Peeta is already there. He's sitting on a bench by the flower beds with a sketchpad propped up against his bent knee. The little bundle of pencils she gave him back in District Twelve rests by his side.

She can tell he's distracted, so she clears her throat to make her presence known.

"Hey!" Peeta calls out. He looks tired, but his smile is sweet and welcoming.

"Mind if I join you?" she asks.

Peeta pats the empty seat next to him, and Katniss walks over.

A small sigh escapes her as she sits down. Her daytime routine hasn't been as tiring this time around, but she's still beat.

"Nice pad," she says.

"It's Portia's," Peeta runs his fingers along the edge of the paper in a reverent caress. "She said I could borrow it."

Anticipating her next question, Peeta tilts the pad in her direction.

Katniss gasps. The angle of the image is one she cannot place, but there's no doubt in her mind, Peeta has painted her woods.

Reaching for the corner of the pad so as not to smudge his drawing, she asks, "Where is this?"

"It's the view from my house."

Katniss narrows her eyes, the bakery is in the center of town, but Peeta hasn't included any buildings in his picture. "Your house?"

"There's an attic that we use for storage. I like to go up there sometimes. It's higher than most buildings in the district, so you get to see all the way out into the woods."

Katniss stares at the drawing and tells herself not to cry, but it's not easy. Not when Prim and District Twelve are so far away, not when Peeta is opening up to her in ways he never did before.

"Do you like it?" Peeta asks.

The nervous tremor in his voice tugs at her heart; she reaches for his arm and gives him a reassuring squeeze. "Of course I do! Peeta, it's extraordinary! Prim's right. You're very talented."

Peeta shakes his head and accepts the compliment with a quiet, "Thank you."

Letting go of him, Katniss settles in her seat, resting her back against the wall and stretching her legs. Nodding to his pad, she says, "Go on. Don't let me interrupt."

Peeta starts drawing again.

Katniss watches, mesmerized, as his hand dances over the paper, making the blank page bloom with delicate strokes of color.

They stay like that for a while, side by side on the bench, wrapped in peaceful silence, enjoying each other's presence and silently wishing for more time.

XXXXX

As soon as the anthem is over, Katniss makes a beeline out of the Training Center lobby and onto the elevator bank. Moving swiftly, she veers into a car that does not contain Peeta.

The crowd slows the entourages of stylists and mentors and chaperones. Soon, Katniss finds herself alone with only other tributes for company. No one speaks.

The elevator stops to deposit four tributes before she's alone. One quick breath is all she has time for before the doors open on the twelfth floor.

Peeta has only just stepped from his car when she slams her palms into his chest and pushes him towards the wall.

Peeta loses his balance, but the wall breaks his fall. A few inches away from him, an ugly urn filled with fake flowers stands on its pedestal, untouched.

With Peeta safely out of harm's way, Katniss grabs the urn and smashes it on the floor, shattering it into hundreds of tiny pieces.

Good, she thinks as she takes a step back, I've always hated the damned thing.

"What was that for?" Peeta says, aghast.

"You had no right! No right to go saying those things about me!" Katniss yells at him.

Before Peeta can say anything, the elevators open, and the whole crew is there, Effie, Haymitch, Cinna, and Portia.

"What's going on?" says Effie, a note of hysteria in her voice as she notices the broken urn and Peeta slumped form against the wall. "Did you trip?”

"No," says Peeta pushing himself off the wall to straighten up, "Katniss broke it after she shoved me."

Haymitch turns on Katniss. "Shoved him?"

"This was your idea, wasn't it?" Katniss answers, "Turning me into some kind of fool in front of the entire country?"

"It was my idea," Peeta cuts in. "Haymitch just helped me with it."

The hurt in his eyes guts her, but she can't back down now. This is how she reacted the first time around, and as hard as it is, she knows she has to stick with it.

"Yes, Haymitch is very helpful. To you!" she yells.

"You are a fool," Haymitch says in disgust. "Do you think he hurt you? That boy just gave you something you could never achieve on your own."

"He made me look weak!" Katniss says.

"He made you look desirable! And let's face it, you can use all the help you can get in that department. You were about as romantic as dirt until he said he wanted you. Now they all do. You're all they're talking about. The star-crossed lovers from District Twelve!" says Haymitch.

"But we're not star-crossed lovers!" she says.

Haymitch grabs her shoulders and pins her against the wall. "Who cares? It's all a big show. It's all how you're perceived…"

As Haymitch prattles on about sponsors, Katniss tunes out. She doesn't need to be convinced of anything. She already knows their strategy is the right one.

As soon as Cinna steps into the conversation, Katniss softens. "I should have been told, so I didn't look so stupid," she grumbles.

"No, your reaction was perfect. If you'd known, it wouldn't have read as real," says Portia.

"She's just worried about her boyfriend," says Peeta gruffly, eyes locked on the shattered urn.

Katniss fixes him with a deadly glare. "I don't have a boyfriend."

"Whatever," says Peeta. "But I bet he's smart enough to know a bluff when he sees it. Besides, you didn't say you loved me. So what does it matter?"

As the words sink in, an old familiar darkness envelops her. This, right here, is what has caused so much pain between them.

Even after all this time and everything they've been through, she has never been able to tell Peeta how she feels about him. Just as she's never told Gale that he's nothing more than a dear friend.

This silence, this reticence, has hurt Peeta over and over again. It's the reason why he pushed her away after their first Game and why President Snow was able to twist his mind and convince him that she was a mutt programmed to kill him.

I need to do better, she thinks. This time around, I need to do more.

Feeling all eyes on her, Katniss turns to Cinna and asks, "After he said he loved me, did you think I could be in love with him, too?"

"I did," says Portia. "The way you avoided looking at the cameras, the blush."

The others chime in, agreeing.

"You're golden, sweetheart," Haymitch adds. "You're going to have sponsors lined up around the block."

Worried that she's going to burst out in tears, she forces herself to acknowledge Peeta. "I'm sorry I shoved you."

"Doesn't matter," he shrugs. "The urn got it worse."

Portia and Cinna's goodnatured laughter diffuses the remaining tension.

"Come on, let's eat," says Haymitch directing everyone towards the delicious smells wafting in from the dining room.

XXXXX

The roof is not lit at night, but as soon as her bare feet reach its tiled surface, she sees his silhouette, black against the lights that shine endlessly in the Capitol.

There's quite a commotion going on down in the streets, music and singing and car horns. Katniss knows she could slip away now without Peeta noticing her; he wouldn't hear her over the din, but that's not what she wants.

Her feet move soundlessly across the tiles. She's only a yard behind him when she says, "You should be getting some sleep."

Peeta starts but doesn't turn, just gives his head a slight shake. "I didn't want to miss the party. It's for us, after all."

She comes up beside him and leans over the edge of the rail. The wide streets are full of dancing people. Squinting to get a better look at them, she asks, "Are they in costumes?"

"Who could tell? With all the crazy clothes they wear here." Turning to her, he asks, "Couldn't sleep, either?"

"Couldn't turn my mind off," she says.

"Thinking about your family?"

"Not exactly," she admits a bit guiltily. After going through two arenas, she's not as worried about Prim and her mother as she once was. She knows they can cope without her. "All I can do is wonder about tomorrow. Which is pointless, of course."

Facing him, she says, "I really am sorry about before."

"It doesn't matter, Katniss," Peeta says.

"I was just upset that you would share something private like that…"

Peeta nods. "I know."

"And, also… I just don't get it. I mean, why would you give me an advantage like that? You're going to need sponsors too, you know?"

Peeta shakes his head. "It won't make a difference. I've never been a contender in these Games. Not really."

Katniss reaches for his hand. "Peeta, that's no way to be thinking."

"Why not? It's true." With the gentlest of touches, Peeta runs his fingers over the back of Katniss's hand. "My best hope is to not disgrace myself and . . ." he hesitates.

With a small squeeze, she silently encourages him to continue.

"I don't know how to say it exactly," Peeta finally says. "Only . . . I want to die as myself. Does that make any sense?"

Katniss swallows thickly.

Once upon a time, she stood there and told him that she didn't understand and —most importantly— that she didn't care. But she's a different person now. She knows exactly what he means and why it matters.

Although she knows what he's getting at, she still needs him to complete his thought. Shyly, she asks, "Do you mean you won't kill anyone?"

"No, when the time comes, I'm sure I'll kill just like everybody else. I can't go down without a fight. Only I keep wishing I could think of a way to . . . to show the Capitol they don't own me. That I'm more than just a piece in their Games," says Peeta.

Her chest tightens at his words. Being back in that moment with him reminds her of everything that’s gone wrong in her life.

Before her mind can wander back into the dark recesses of her pain, she says, "The thing is, Peeta, you're not. None of us are. That's how the Games work."

"OK, but within that framework, there's still you, there's still me," he insists. "Don't you see?"

Katniss nods. She sees, she knows, she understands. What's more, she still can't believe she was ever so blind.

She inches closer to him so he can hear her over the ruckus of the city and the wind chimes.

In her mind, she repeats the little speech she's prepared for this moment. Every year they throw us in an arena and tell us to kill each other, and we do it. But there's a part, deep inside of us, that they don't own, a part that refuses to be pushed around and that will stand up and say, "enough, this is a line I won't cross."

But, once she opens her mouth, the words that slip from her lips are quite different, "I don't have a boyfriend."

Peeta blinks. Once. Twice. "What?"

Katniss bursts out laughing. "I'm sorry, I just…" Bewildered, she covers her face to hide her embarrassment and silently reprimand herself for losing her focus.

With a shake of her head, she straightens up. Her earnest eyes meet Peeta's. "I get what you're saying. They are forcing us to fight for our lives, but they don't get to decide how we go about it, right? We do. At the end of the day, it's up to us. We choose who to attack and who to help, when to face danger and when to hide. "

Peeta nods. "Right." Looking out into the sprawling city, he adds, "I just hope I can make the right choices, you know?"

Katniss sighs. “Yeah, me too.”

Leaning against the railing, Peeta tilts his head to look at her. The playful glint in his eyes is something she hasn't seen in a very long time. "So, you don't have a boyfriend."

Katniss shakes her head, chuckling at the absurdity of the topic.

"What about the guy who took your sister away at the reaping?"

"That's Gale."

"Uh-huh," Peeta's head bobs up and down as he nods. "And Gale is…"

Katniss looks up at him. He's so open, so pure, right now that all her thoughts about plans and strategies melt away. "He's just a friend," she says.

Peeta's smile forms slowly, warm and genuine, a little flirty even. It makes her whole body tingle. "Just a friend, huh? Does he know that?"

Katniss's jaw goes slack. Back in the day, she would have answered with a resounding "yes, of course, he does" but, that answer doesn't really fit the situation. She knows that now. So, instead of throwing her righteous indignation at him, she asks, "What do you mean?"

Peeta shrugs. "I don't know. It's just… I thought you had something with him."

Genuinely intrigued, she asks, "Why?"

"Um," Peeta fills his lungs with crisp Capitol air. As he pushes it out, he says, "You seem to spend a lot of time together. Whenever I see you around town, you're either with him or with Prim. I used to think he was your cousin or something. You favor each other. But then... there was the look."

Katniss frowns. "The look?"

"Yeah." Peeta's shy smile makes another appearance. "He kept glaring at me the other day when we met up by the Meadow." The shocked expression on her face makes him chuckle. "I'm surprised you didn't notice."

"Well," Katniss reaches for the end of her messy braid and begins twisting it around her finger. "I wasn't focusing on him."

Peeta's lips part, but no words come out.

Blushing, Katniss turns to face the city again. "Gale and I hunt together. Our families are close. That's it."

Peeta's gentle touch on her elbow gets her attention. Kind, soft eyes gaze straight into hers when he says, "You know, Katniss, what I said earlier—,"

Impulsively, she leans forward and kisses him, stopping his words.

It takes Peeta half a second to react. In one fluid move, he wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her to him.

His lips meld with hers in a slow, sweet dance.

After months of pain and sorrow, Katniss finally feels joy. Closing her eyes, she forgets the world and kisses him with abandon.

Peeta's free hand makes its way to the back of her head, where he buries his fingers in her hair to keep her there, rooted in his arms, anchored to him.

Elated, Katniss hums her approval.

This kiss is like the cave and the beach all rolled into one. It's like every happy moment they've ever shared together, every smile, every touch. It's like coming home after a long day, like finding her soul.

That familiar stirring inside her chest, warm and curious, comes back to life. It fills her entire being with want and need, pushing her to explore more. Blindly, she follows.

Holding on to his broad shoulders, Katniss pulls him even closer, pressing herself against his chest until she can feel his heartbeat, strong and steady, beating against her own.

Smiling, Peeta begins raining kisses over her cheeks, her nose, her forehead.

Her skin tingles. Her pulse races. Her heart soars.

I'll keep you safe, she promises, holding on to him like she did back at the beach, back when they were surrounded by mutts and enemies and lies.

With one long sigh, Peeta finally pulls away, pressing his forehead to hers while they both catch their breaths.

In that brief moment of glorious harmony only one thought goes through her mind. Peeta. Every heartbeat is like a reminder. He's back, he's here, he's mine.

Glancing up, she finds his eyes, dark and dazed, and she knows. Whatever this is, Peeta feels it too. He always has.

"Katniss—,"

"No," she interrupts again, placing her fingers on his lips to quiet him. She hates what she's about to do, but she doesn't have a choice.

She takes a step away from him and immediately feels lost. "You have a plan for tomorrow, right?"

Peeta's face falls at the sudden reminder of why they're there. He nods.

Reaching forward, Katniss brushes the hair back from his forehead in one last tender caress. "That's what you need to focus on, OK? Just think about—,"

"Staying alive?" Peeta finishes, a crooked grin pulling at the corner of his mouth.

Katniss cups his cheek. "Exactly." Her heart skips a beat when he leans into her touch, but she still insists, "This doesn't change anything that happens tomorrow, Peeta. It can't."

"I know," he says, covering her hand with his and pressing a kiss to her palm. "It just changes everything that's happened until today."

Katniss bites her lip and nods. Peeta's right. Even for her, things are dramatically different now. There's so much more at stake. She knows where they stand, and she's no longer running away from him and the things he makes her feel.

Rising to the tips of her toes, she kisses him one last time. "See you tomorrow," she says.

Then, she walks away.

#things i write #A second Chance #Everlark fan fiction #time travel AU

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starlight-vixen-emiko · 3 years

Text

WIP Wednesday 7/7/2021

Hey everyone! It’s time for our favorite time of the week!

I am steadily working on Wedding Roses and it is coming around but I also remembered that my birthday is on August 2nd and this year I should write a bunch of birthday related fanfics.

Technically I do have quite a few birthday related fanfics lined up but the preview I am showing right now involves the birthday of Luka and Marinette’s youngest daughter! <3

Because I had the biggest urge to write about my Lukanette kids again...It’s become my source of comfort strangely enough.

Enjoy! Sorry for roughness!

~~~~

Melanie Couffaine-Cheng slept peacefully under her quilt. She dreamt and dreamt about how different life would be now that it was her birthday. She reached her 9 candles today on June 6th.

She pulled her quilt off of her and yawned as her bedroom was the same as usual. Fluffy pastel carpets, stuffed animals in the corner, and a play table for all her art projects and her tea parties that she was starting to grow out of.

Melanie blinked her bluebell eyes and checked her hands to see if she looked older. Then she pulled her quilt off her legs and saw her feet almost reached the footboard.

She then got out of bed and checked her phone on her nightstand to see it was 9:15 AM. A bit later than she usually slept but it was a nice sleep to wake up energized on her 9th birthday. Melanie was a bit disappointed to find out that Aiden didn't send her a text message though.

But it was her birthday and her parents promised to make her a special breakfast and take her and her older siblings to the fair. She could already hear her loud older sister from behind the door but Melanie was relieved her sister's yelling seemed out of excitement rather than trouble.

Melanie opened the door and leaned towards the railway quietly listening in on her family. Her Mama and Papa were making breakfast and her brother and sister were actually laughing instead of fighting. It was a birthday miracle.

Melanie stayed quiet as she walked down the stairs. She loved her family yes but she felt embarrassed being smothered by love and affection from them.

"Blueberry pancakes with sprinkles and icing, yum!" Marina cried.

Luka decided to show off a bit and flip a pancake in the air which Marinette quickly caught with a plate. "I got it darling!" Marinette cried.

"You're a natural my love," Luka said as he kissed his wife on the cheek.

Marinette and Luka went back to making more pancakes.

"Mama! Can I have 10 pancakes?" Marina asked.

Leon chuckled. "Marina, we don't need you making blue vomit at the fair."

"It's for energy, big brother!" Marina cried. "I'd rather vomit at the fair than faint at the fair like you do when you're on the ferris wheel."

Leon sighed. "Yeah I am sure Erina would appreciate you vomiting at the fair again."

Melanie couldn't help but giggle at the bottom of the stairs despite trying to stay silent. Her entire family turned to her.

"Melanie my little bug! Happy birthday!" Marinette cried with a spatula in her hand.

Melanie gave a bit of a half hearted smile. She wasn't exactly a little bug anymore. She hoped this year she would be a butterfly.

Her older brother and sister huddled around her.

“Happy birthday Mels!” Marina said. Her older sister stroked the top of her head. “You’re a big kid now and that means you’ll be doing big kid stuff!”

Melanie wasn’t so sure about that, then again Marina was 9 before. Melanie remembered Marina getting her own acoustic guitar at the age of 9 and at the age of 5 Melanie was so jealous.

Leon placed his hands on his youngest sister’s shoulders and doted on her. “MelMel, happy birthday! You’re getting so big!”

Her older brother then lifted her up. Melanie enjoyed it when Leon or her father lifted her up but she still felt like a little kid.

“Hmm, I can still carry you just fine,” Leon smiled. “You’re so precious!”

Marina smiled from behind Melanie. “Hey Mels, can I carry you to the table? I would use my skateboard but Mama and Papa wouldn’t appreciate it.”

Melanie smiled as Leon placed her on Marina’s back.

“Alright! Since your 9 now you can probably go skateboarding with me but first!” Marina ran to the island table with Melanie on her back.

"Mama! Papa! She's here!" Marina grinned.

Marinette and Luka finished making pancakes and walked to their daughters.

Luka smiled down to his daughters and patted Marina on the head. "The two of you get more beautiful each day."

Then Luka took Melanie in his arms. "It feels like just yesterday you were a little girl."

"Oh Papa! You're embarrassing me!" Melanie cried.

Luka kissed his daughter on the cheek and wrapped his arm around Marinette. Marinette took a moment to pinch Melanie's chubby cheek. “Well you are getting bigger Mel,” Marinette said. “In more ways than one.”

Marinette winked at her daughter which caught Melanie off guard. What if her mother was teasing her and her feet would grow bigger before she became as tall as Marina.

But before Melanie could say something Luka placed her down on one of the island table stools.

“Melanie you slept longer than you usually do I was so surprised!” Marinette said as she stacked up pancakes. “You being a big girl means you need some more sleep.”

Melanie was a bit bummed out over that idea. She did want to wake up early today and wake up her parents and siblings like she did when she turned 5.

To Melanie’s surprise her father placed 9 candles on a stack of blueberry birthday cake pancakes. Melanie smiled as her father placed the plate in front of her.

“Leon, Marina, time to eat!” Marinette cried.

Leon and Marina sat at Melanie’s sides and were eager to eat pancakes themselves. Marina smiled as Melanie was about to blow the candles on the pancakes.

“They should be sparkler candles,” Marina said.

Luka took a moment to rub his temple. “Maybe when you’re twenty Marina.”

Marinette pondered for a moment. “Maybe we could at one point, as long as we aren’t in the house.”

Luka pondered for a moment but then he smiled. “Alright,” he said as he placed his hand on his wife’s shoulder. “But next birthday.”

Luka and Marinette turned to Melanie who watched the candles on top of the pancakes.

“Make a wish Melanie,” Luka said.

Melanie pondered for a moment and then she closed her eyes and placed her hands over her heart before blowing out the candles.

“May it be so,” Melanie said.

Luka carefully took off the candles before Melanie ate the delicious pancakes that tasted exactly like cake. The blueberries were juicy and the sprinkles had a nice texture and the icing added the type of sweetness Melanie desired.

She and her siblings both tore up the pancakes their parents made and Melanie’s eyes sparkled toward her parents.

“Mama, Papa,” Melanie cried. “Can I have seconds?”

Marinette smiled and walked over with some more pancakes that Leon and Marina were also eager to eat. “Of course Mels, but we wondered if you would want to save your stomach for later.”

“Mama, we can make room for pancakes and fair food!” Marina cried. “At least I can.” She said with her fork still in her hand.

Luka smirked at his kids. “Well we figured you would want to save your stomachs because your Uncle Adrien and Aunt Kagami have made it home on time.”

Melanie gasped. “Aiden is back from Japan?” She cried.

Luka and Marinette smiled at each other and then nodded to the excited Melanie.

“They wouldn’t want to miss it, especially Aiden,” Marinette said.

Melanie smiled and then quickly tried to eat the rest of the pancakes.

“Whoa Melanie!” Leon cried as he took his sister’s wrist. “We wouldn’t want you sick on your birthday.”

Marina however swallowed her pancakes like an animal and then gulped down some milk. “It’s about time Erina came home!” Marina cried. “I wouldn’t forgive her if she missed this!”

“Masamori said their circumstances were out of their control Marina!” Leon cried. “You can be so harsh sometimes!”

“Only because I love Erina!” Marina practically stuck her tongue out to Leon.

Melanie savored the rest of her delicious pancakes and then sighed happily.

“Thank you Mama and Papa. Those are the best pancakes!” Melanie said.

Luka walked up to her daughter again and patted her on the head. “Anything for you Mel.”

But now Melanie was eager to spend her birthday with her best friend Aiden Tsurugi-Agreste. They have been best friends since birth. Always close knit and having fun together.

“It wouldn’t be a birthday without Aiden, big sister Erina, big brother Masamori, and Uncle Adrien and Aunt Kagami,” Melanie said.

Author’s Note: Ok, I had fun writing this...Again I apologize that the Adrien and Kagami’s kids were only mentioned but this preview was getting too long...

God...Blueberry birthday pancakes sound good right now.

Anyway, see you guys later! This is Emiko Gale saying, goodnight sleep tight!

#pro lukamari #lukanette #endgame lukanette #duh!#wip wednesday #my writing #my fanfiction

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camillemontespan · 3 years

Text

wine & fire [12 days of fictmas]

Here is my submission for 12 Days of Fictmas! This isn’t the most typical festive fic..

I was inspired by the film Two Night Stand :)

Warnings: NSFW.

Starts like a romcom. Turns into NSFW.

12 Days of Fictmas Tag list

Writers : @texaskitten30 @leelee10898 @emichelle @zaffrenotes @alj4890 @burnsoslow @kat-tia801 @darley1101 @msjr0119 @annekebbphotography @god-save-the-keen @plumeriavibes @ofpixelsandscribbles @camillemontespan @ao719 @cocomaxley @cordoniansgonewild @twinkleallnight @the-soot-sprite @cordoniantrash @axwalker @innerpostmentality @lucy-268 @janezillow @katedrakeohd

Readers : @mom2000aggie @sfb123 @bbrandy2002 @debramcg1106 @desireepow-1986 @speedyoperarascalparty @hopefulmoonobject

My tag list: @ibldw-main @moonlightgem7 @marshmallowsandfire @marshmallowsaremyfavorite @jovialyouthmusic @sirbeepsalot @saivilo @rainbowsinthestorm @pug-bitch @gardeningourmet @sirbeepsalot

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

‘Merry Christmas, Cordonia! Best to stay inside and open presents while curled up by the fire as today’s weather forecast has calculated a snowstorm - yes, you heard that right- a SNOWSTORM with gales and hail! This is not exactly the perfect White Christmas we were hoping for! Please stay safe and stay indoors-’

Still half asleep, Olivia slammed the OFF button on her radio and snuggled deeper into her blankets. She stretched out her legs, enjoying the warmth of her bed and the space she had all to herself.

Until her foot hit something hard, prompting someone to shout out loud.

‘OW!’

Olivia bolted up, simultaneously grabbing the dagger that she kept under her pillow, before turning to find the source of the noise.

There was a man in her bed.

And not just any man.

Leo.

Fucking Leo.

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

The memory of last night came flooding back. Olivia remembered there had been red wine. A lot of red wine. Drake and Camille had thrown a Christmas Eve supper at Valtoria Manor for their friends - Maxwell, Hana, Liam, Aurelia, Leo and herself. Once dinner had been eaten, priorities turned to drinking, dancing and playing board games. Olivia’s priority remained on the bottles of red wine she had brought and slowly, hazily, she had become more social and had found herself in the kitchen drinking wine with Leo.

They had gone back to Olivia’s together.

Olivia did NOT remember their time in bed - thank God- and she casually thought that Leo must be shit in the bedroom if she couldn’t remember bumping uglies. But she knew they had because here he was, in her bed, and she was naked.

‘Leo, get the fuck out of my bed,’ she greeted him sharply. ‘Now.’

Leo scowled at her as he rubbed his leg that had now developed a pink bruise from Olivia’s foot. Shame. She had hoped he would have been more injured. She must try harder next time.

‘Merry Christmas to you too, Liv,’ he muttered, clambering out of her bed. Olivia averted her eyes but she still caught a glimpse of his toned ass. What a lovely image for her poor retinas.

Quickly, Leo got dressed, throwing on a forest green knit sweater and dark blue jeans. The green of his sweater only emphasised his golden skin and the green of his eyes. Olivia bit the inside of her cheek.

‘So, how are you spending today?’ Leo asked, rubbing his hands through his blonde hair. ‘Torturing a prisoner? Throwing knives at your servants? Thinking about our liaison last night? I know what I’ll be doing and FYI, it’s not the first two options.’

Without warning, Olivia threw her dagger at Leo, who ducked down just in time to see the weapon hit the wall behind him.

‘LIV!’ he shouted, his voice breaking slightly due to his shock. ‘What the hell?!’

To say that Leo and Olivia weren’t friends was an understatement.

The issue was that Leo, for the most part, did try to get along with her. Hell, he even flirted with her a little bit. Leo got along with everyone and always wanted to be well liked - years of being in the public eye had influenced the way he viewed his identity. So when Olivia made it clear that she didn’t like him, Leo tried to win her over, again and again. But they weren’t friends. They were acquaintances through Leo’s brother, Liam, and Olivia wished that her drunken self hadn’t hopped into bed with him.

She didn’t like Leo because of two things. One: he treated women like they were objects. Two: he had abandoned his country and his brother when he suddenly announced his abdication from the Cordonian throne. Liam had been a deer caught in the head lights when Leo had suddenly blurted out at breakfast that he wasn’t going to be King anymore. And so, he ran away with his tail between his legs, like a coward, leaving Liam to pick up the pieces. Olivia would never forgive him for that.

So how had she ended up in his bed?

Olivia swore to herself that she would stop drinking wine. She didn’t want to give up drinking wine but it was a sacrifice she was willing to make. For the greater good.

‘Do you have coffee in this fortress of solitude?’ Leo asked once he had recovered from his near death experience.

Olivia scowled at him. ‘No way,’ she said. ‘You are not having coffee here. You are leaving.’

‘But it’s Christmas!’ Leo tried to persuade her. ‘A time of goodwill and peace to all men!’

Olivia wrapped the duvet around her as she clambered out of bed to pull on her dressing gown. She could feel Leo’s eyes on her as she tried her best not to show him more of her body. Finally decent, Olivia opened the bedroom door and grabbed Leo by the collar.

Leo chuckled. ‘Ready for round two?’ he teased.

‘Go home, Leo!’ she cried, pulling him out of the room. With sheer strength, Olivia pulled him downstairs to the front door and threw the door open.

She couldn’t see the courtyard or the vast mountains of Lythikos. She couldn’t see anything except white.

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

Leo cleared his throat. ‘Am I fuck going out in that,’ he simply stated.

Olivia’s jaw clenched as she surveyed the situation. The ground was covered in three foot snow. The wind was howling and snow was still falling from the sky. Olivia knew that she would be able to navigate the harsh terrain; she was from Lythikos after all. But Leo? Not so much. He would probably set one foot on the ground and scream that he was going to die from frostbite.

Olivia checked the weather report on her phone. All guidance said to stay safe and stay home; all of Cordonia was hit by this snowstorm.

‘Fucking hell..’ Olivia muttered.

She felt Leo sidle closer to her and her body stiffened.

‘So… coffee?’ he asked, his voice lilting in her ear, teasing and mocking her.

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

Leo curled himself up in the corner of Olivia’s red sofa with his feet tucked under himself. He held a mug of steaming coffee in his hand and he looked very pleased with himself.

Olivia wrinkled her nose at him. ‘Why do you look so smug?’ she asked him. ‘I thought that after a one night stand you would escape at your earliest convenience.’

Leo pretended to be offended. ‘What on earth made you think that?’ he asked, widening his eyes.

‘Kiara told me,’ Olivia said dryly.

Leo chuckled. ‘Ah, Kiki..’ he murmured. ‘Good times.’

Olivia shuddered. Edging further away from Leo as she could, she turned on the TV so they could watch for updates on the weather. The sooner the snowstorm cleared, she thought, the sooner this walking human STI would leave her home.

But the updates weren’t hopeful.

‘Looks like I’m here all day!’ Leo crowed. ‘Shall we exchange presents?’

Olivia sighed. ‘Seriously, why are you so happy?’

Leo gave her a lazy smile that made the corners of his eyes crinkle. ‘I quite like watching you all riled up,’ he told her. ‘It’s fun pissing you off.’

‘You fucker-’

‘God, you really do rise to the bait, don’t you!’ Leo laughed, shaking his head. ‘Jesus, Liv, you gotta learn to loosen up. Relax. Release the tension from your shoulders, inhale, exhale, breathe…’

Olivia stared at him coldly. ‘Didn’t know I was dealing with Gandhi,’ she said.

Leo shrugged. ‘I’m just a chill person,’ he told her. ‘You could learn a lot from me.’

Olivia turned the volume of the TV up higher to drown out Leo’s voice.

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

‘Okay, let’s call a truce,’ Leo said after he finished his coffee. ‘I promise to stop being an asshole if you promise not to kill me with a dagger. The way I see it, as we’re stuck together for the foreseeable future until this storm clears, we may as well try and get along. It’s Christmas. Let’s do Christmassy shit. What do you do for Christmas?’

Olivia sighed. ‘I’m not telling you.’

‘Are you like the Grinch?’ Leo asked. ‘Or Scrooge?’ He raised his head up to the ceiling and adopted a dramatic tone as he quoted A Christmas Carol. ‘If he's like to die, he better do it and decrease the surplus population!’

Olivia threw a velvet cushion at him. ‘Shut up, I love Christmas!’ she cried.

Leo blinked. ‘You do?’

Olivia nodded furiously. ‘Yes. I adore Christmas,’ she said. ‘I know it’s not expected of me but this is the time of year where I can just embrace the cheesiness, the schmaltz and the festivities. Lythikos always throws a festival and it’s been the highlight of my year ever since I was a kid.’

A slow smile creeped up on Leo’s face. Olivia turned away, refusing to look at him. But Leo couldn’t stop looking at her. She had surprised him. Leo liked that.

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

Olivia made the decision to go about her day as if Leo wasn’t there, Leo-ing it up. She loved Christmas. She wanted to have a festive day and damn it, she was going to do it. Without a word, she left the living room to go to her dressing room where she rifled through her wardrobe for her Christmas outfit.

She had bought the red silk dress specially. The neckline was low, accentuating her cleavage which she emphasised with a long emerald pendant that settled comfortably between her breasts. Gently sliding the dress over her head, she felt the cool silk cover her ivory skin. Carefully, she slipped on a pair of black stilettos and made her way to her dressing table to fix her hair and makeup. Giving herself the once over, she smiled. The dress was perfect.

Next, she went downstairs to the kitchen where she poured herself a glass of champagne - because you always had to drink champagne at Christmas- and strutted back through to the living room where her unwelcome guest was sitting watching the weather report on TV.

He looked up when he heard her stilettos against the floor. His eyes widened as he took her in.

‘Woah..’ he breathed. ‘You look..’

Olivia tossed her champagne down her throat. ‘I know,’ she said, her voice cool. ‘I look awesome.’

Leo swallowed. ‘I was gonna say beautiful.’

Olivia blinked in surprise. She felt a blush creep up on her cheeks; quickly, she finished her champagne to distract herself.

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

Leo eyed Olivia’s second glass of champagne. He didn’t want to be an annoying guest but he was feeling rather thirsty..

Olivia sighed, aware of Leo’s gaze that was fixed on her glass. ‘God, fine. Do you want a glass of champagne?’

Leo grinned wolfishly. ‘Yes please.’

Olivia dragged herself up from the sofa and traipsed to the kitchen with Leo following her.

‘You’re like a puppy,’ Olivia said. ‘Following me around like this.’

‘You’re getting me alcohol,’ Leo replied dryly. ‘Excuse me for being excited.’

Olivia rolled her eyes but Leo caught the glimpse of a smile on her lips as she opened the fridge to retrieve the bottle. He leaned against the counter and watched as Olivia poured him a glass and passed him it.

‘There,’ she said. ‘Don’t say I never give you anything.’

Leo chuckled and raised his glass in a toast. ‘Merry Christmas, Liv,’ he said.

Olivia clinked her glass against his. Their eyes met; forest green looking into ice blue. Desperate to cut the tension, Olivia sipped her drink, tearing her eyes away from his.

Leo reached out. Startled, Olivia grabbed him by the wrist. ‘What the fuck are you doing?’

He smiled softly. ‘You have a drop of champagne on your lips,’ he told her. ‘I was gonna wipe it away for you.’

Olivia watched him in mute shock as he continued to reach out. His fingertip touched her bottom lip, wiping away the champagne. With a twinkle in his eye, Leo placed his fingertip in his mouth and licked, not once taking his eyes off Olivia.

She could feel the heat in the pit of her stomach that was slowly engulfing her core. Memories of the night before were now flooding her mind; she was remembering. Leo’s hot kisses against her skin. His hands clasping hers above her head, holding her down as he ravaged her. He had been an animal and Olivia had liked it.

‘You’re unbelievable,’ she croaked, breaking the silence.

Leo smiled his lazy smile. ‘You enjoy me.’

‘No I don’t.’

Leo’s eyes bore into hers. It was as if he had taken up the entire room. All Olivia was aware of was him, how close he was to her, how green his eyes were, how gold his skin was, how expensive he smelled.

‘You sure about that, trouble?’ he asked.

Olivia slammed her glass down onto the kitchen counter. Before Leo could react, Olivia threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pulled him down so their lips crashed together.

She could blame this on the champagne. But Olivia wasn’t a lightweight and she knew that this was something more than alcohol that was making her do this. Fire burst through her veins like adrenaline as she pulled Leo close, admitting through her actions that the attraction for him was there.

Because Olivia had been the one to initiate things last night. She had kissed him first. She was the one who invited him home for a nightcap. It had always been Olivia.

Why?

Maybe because Leo was the only man who made her feel like he really saw her. While most men were terrified of Olivia, Leo was not. He saw through her harsh exterior, as harsh as the snow and ice of Lythikos, and he saw the girl behind the wall.

He knew how deeply his brother had hurt her. He knew how hard Olivia tried to push her feelings down as a result. Even though Leo liked to press her buttons, he knew which ones to avoid. For some reason, he understood Olivia more than anyone else.

Olivia could let her guard down and Leo wouldn’t recoil. Because he knew he wasn’t perfect either. But everyone expected Olivia to be this perfect block of ice carved into human form and Leo knew that that wasn’t Olivia. She may bear the Nevrakis name but she was so much more than her ancestor’s legacy. She was human.

She felt his hands rake through her red hair and the involuntary butterflies that were flying in her stomach.

No. She couldn’t act like this with Leo of all people. She made that mistake last night and she wasn’t prepared to do it again. Quickly, she wrenched away from him.

Leo was blinking at her, his lips swollen from kissing.

‘..Liv?’

Olivia closed her eyes and gently pushed Leo away.

‘The servants need to continue preparing dinner,’ she croaked.

She spun on her heel and stormed out of the kitchen, cursing herself for being stupid. She really ought to check for weather updates.

Leo watched her go, his eyes wide as he tried to process what had just happened. Without a word, he reached out for the bottle of champagne, his hands shaking, and he took a deep gulp, not even bothering to pour himself a glass.

Olivia did things to him. She made him.. Different. Sure, he was still a flirt but he found that he craved her attention. He wanted to make her smile. He wanted to feel like the only one who could elicit that rare reaction from her. But why?

As the champagne bubbles exploded in his mouth, Leo knew why. Because Olivia was different from all of the others. She was on another level. She made Leo’s heart beat a little faster. She made him nervous. And Leo liked it.

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

With the snow storm still blowing outside, Olivia resigned herself to spending Christmas with Leo.

Olivia let him eat as much turkey as he wanted to stop him from teasing her about their kissing in the kitchen. As long as Leo ate, the more silent and preoccupied he was. Handling him was like handling a toddler sometimes.

Leo was just surprised that Olivia let him eat.

After dinner, they retired to the drawing room.

Olivia’s favourite place in her home was the drawing room. It was a room off the foyer where a grand marble fireplace stood pride of place against the back wall. A red velvet chaise lounge stood in front of the fireplace where velvet cushions and blankets were scattered across it. Candles were always lit in the drawing room, casting the walls in a golden glow.

Leo sat down on one side of the chaise lounge and watched Olivia as she made her way across the room to an oak cupboard. She opened the doors to unveil a vast collection of red wine.

‘What shall we drink?’ Olivia mused. ‘I think the Chateau Latour..’

Leo shrugged. ‘It’s alcohol, I genuinely don’t mind.’

Olivia rolled her eyes and selected a bottle. Taking two wine glasses out of another cupboard, she poured the wine and handed Leo a glass.

Leo grinned and was ready to toss the drink down his throat. Her eyes widening in alarm, Olivia reached out to grab his wrist before he could do so.

‘No!’ she shouted.

Leo blinked. ‘You offered me a drink, I’m going to drink-’

‘You need to appreciate it!’ Olivia scolded. ‘It’s fine wine!’

Leo sighed. ‘Liv, don’t be so fucking pretentious.’

‘I’m not,’ she said. ‘But you’re in Lythikos and we love our wine. Please respect our traditions and appreciate the wine we offer you.’

Leo rolled his eyes but he waited for Olivia to calm down. Once she was calmer, he waited for her instruction.

‘First, you look at the wine,’ Olivia said in a silky smooth voice. ‘Note the deep burgundy colour of the wine.’

Leo studied the wine. Almost like she was confessing a secret, Olivia spoke in low tones. ‘Now, you smell the wine. Do you smell the blackberry notes? And the sweet vanilla that offsets the harshness?’

Leo could smell the blackberry and the vanilla. His senses were heightened. He could smell the fruit of the wine and he could smell the musk of Olivia’s perfume as she sat closer to him to speak. Her knee touched his.

‘Now, we taste,’ Olivia whispered. ‘Focus on the texture. Our tongues will sense the texture of the wine.’

Leo felt his throat tighten. Now he was just thinking about Olivia’s tongue. As if she could read his thoughts, Olivia’s eyes looked into his above the rim of her wine glass. Together, they sipped their wine, not once tearing their eyes away from each other.

‘This is good wine,’ Leo croaked.

Olivia leaned forward to place her wine glass on the side table. ‘That’s because I have good taste,’ she told him.

Leo smirked. ‘You do, don’t you?’

Olivia stood up and wandered towards the fireplace, reaching out to adjust the clock on the mantle. The fire lit up her body, the flames illuminating the silk of her dress. Leo swallowed and set his glass down, standing to join Olivia at the fireplace.

They both looked down into the fire, the flames mirrored in their eyes. They were standing so close to each other; achingly close. Tentatively, Leo reached out to graze Olivia’s pinkie with his own. He heard her let out a breath.

‘Leo..’ she murmured, keeping her eyes on the fire.

Without a word, Leo wrapped his hand around her wrist and gently pulled her towards him. Her blue eyes met his. Her porcelain skin was turning golden from the fire and her red hair was glowing. She looked beautiful. She always looked beautiful.

Leo leaned down and cupped her face in his hands. Olivia leaned up voluntarily and their lips brushed.

He could feel the softness of her skin under his palms. As the kiss deepened, Leo’s hands wandered down her back, gripping hold of the silk of her dress. He could taste wine on Olivia’s tongue.

‘Jesus Christ..’ he groaned against her mouth. He felt a smile curl around Olivia’s lips. Encouraged, Leo kissed her deeper.

Things changed when Olivia’s teeth tugged on his lower lip.

Leo loved biting.

The pace quickened. Hands travelled over skin and under clothes; Olivia’s hands rested under his shirt, placed on his broad chest, feeling his warm skin. Leo pulled his shirt over his head, exposing his torso. Olivia’s lips kissed his collarbone, her hands fluttering across his chest and hard stomach. Leo let out another groan and pulled at the zip on the back of her dress.

The dress pooled down to the floor around Olivia’s feet.

Leo stepped back to study Olivia for a long, heated moment. She stood clad in red lace lingerie. She looked like a phoenix rising from the embers. She looked like fire itself.

‘Fucking hell, you’re beautiful,’ he whispered.

Olivia raised her chin defiantly, straightening her posture so she looked more powerful than usual.

‘Take off your pants,’ she ordered.

Leo didn’t need to be told twice. Quickly, he unbuckled his belt and pulled off his jeans along with his boxers. He was now completely naked in front of her.

Olivia raised an eyebrow. Leo watched her as she unclipped her bra, not once taking her eyes off him. Her fingers hooked through the delicate string of her lace thong and her eyes remained fixed on his as she pulled the thong down to the floor.

She stepped towards him.

Leo grabbed her, not caring that his fingers dug into her arms that would probably leave bruises. He had a feeling that Olivia liked to be left branded.

‘Fuck me,’ she whispered in his ear.

Leo pulled her down to the floor.

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

Teeth grazed warm skin. Hands clasped together. Legs intertwined. Hard kisses left lips swollen. Fingernails cut scratches into skin. Perfume and cologne mixed together. Porcelain pressed against gold.

Olivia and Leo had become fire.

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

‘What’s your favourite Christmas movie?’ Leo asked afterwards, twirling a coil of Olivia’s hair around his finger. They were lying on the floor with Olivia curled into Leo, her breath warm against his neck.

Olivia considered the question. ‘Well…’

Leo grinned. ‘Is it Die Hard? Oh my god, please say it is. It would make so much sense with your violent tendencies.’

Olivia laughed harshly. ‘Oh Leo, you have no idea,’ she said. ‘Die Hard is not the most violent Christmas film. But you are right that my favourite Christmas film is partly due to my violent tendencies.’

Leo’s eyebrows furrowed as he tried to think of the film she meant. Olivia watched him, a smug smile on her face.

Leo’s eyes lit up with his realisation. ‘Oh my god..’ he said. ‘No way! No fucking way! Home Alone is your favourite Christmas film?!’

Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘Merry Christmas ya filthy animal,’ she said, making Leo cackle with joy.

‘What’s your favourite Christmas movie?’ Olivia asked. ‘Are you gonna be the typical male cliche and say it’s Die Hard?’

Leo chuckled warmly. ‘Nah,’ he said. ‘I won’t be a cliche. It’s a great movie, don’t get me wrong, but it’s not even in my Top 3.’

Olivia frowned. ‘So what’s your favourite?’

Leo eyed her. ‘You’ll judge me.’

‘I judge you anyway.’

Leo rolled his eyes. ‘Gah, fine,’ he said. ‘Don’t tell anyone, okay?’

‘Leo..’

He adjusted his body so he was facing her and extended his pinkie. ‘Pinkie promise me,’ he whispered.

Olivia curled her lip in disgust. ‘Leo, I’m not four.’

‘Liv, do you want to know or not?’

Olivia groaned. ‘Fine.’

They pinkie swore. Satisfied, Leo sat back and studied her for a long moment before speaking.

‘I fucking love The Holiday.’

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

After Leo’s revelation that his favourite Christmas film was The Holiday, Olivia had screamed with laughter.

‘There’s nothing wrong with a guy liking The Holiday!’ Leo protested.

‘Oh, I know,’ Olivia said. ‘But it’s comical that it happens to be your favourite Christmas film. It’s so… romantic. And nauseating. And sugary.’

Leo sighed. ‘Precisely,’ he said. His body stiffened.

Olivia blinked. Sensing she had hit a nerve, she eyed Leo.

‘Alright, what’s wrong?’ she asked. ‘Don’t give me bullshit.’

Leo turned to look at her.

‘Why is Home Alone your favourite Christmas film?’

Olivia bit her fingernail, a habit she had when she was nervous. But this was Leo, she shouldn’t be nervous. As she thought about her feelings, she realised it was the question that made her nervous.

‘It’s about a kid who protects his home with all the weapons at his disposal,’ she said, her voice cool, as she examined her bitten fingernail. ‘He’s a badass who shows those burglars who’s boss and he protects himself. He was brave.’

Leo studied her for a long time in silence. Olivia could feel her cheeks begin to burn.

‘You’re Kevin McAllister,’ Leo said softly.

Olivia’s eyes widened. ‘Fuck, no!’ she replied. ‘You’re reading too much into this-’

‘You didn’t have your parents,’ Leo said. ‘You lived alone with servants. You had to learn how to fight and defend your home without protection of adults. Christmas is your favourite time of year but with no family there to celebrate, you turned to this film because you see yourself in Kevin.’

Olivia looked up at the ceiling, refusing to look at him. ‘Leo, stop it.’

‘I’m right though,’ he said, his voice low.

Olivia let out a frustrated sigh and sat up, gathering a blanket around her body. ‘Fine, let’s put you under the microscope,’ she said. ‘You like The Holiday because it shows you the kind of Christmas you could have if you let yourself fall in love. You could have that cosy cottage with a woman who looks like Cameron fucking Diaz. You could stop being an asshole to women and let down your fucking walls so that someone can see the real you.’

Leo laughed without humour. ‘And who is the real me?’

Olivia raised her chin. You are a man who is known to be such a manwhore but you actually have romantic feelings. You act like an unfeeling robot most of the time but really, you are sensitive and perceptive. If given the chance, you will worship the woman you are with because it’s the one time you can let his guard down. You can blame it on alcohol or the heat of the moment, but really, Leo, you like to be yourself in the dark. You enjoy being with someone because at least it means that for one night you’re not alone. You take all the passion within you and you let it all out. That is why you have such a long and successful track record with women, why you are popular with them. You make them feel things. You worship them.’

‘Are you saying I worshipped you?’ Leo asked cooly.

Olivia smirked. ‘Are you saying you didn’t?’

Leo looked down. Olivia raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for him to respond. Leo rolled his eyes and leaned back on his arms, stretching out his body.

‘Fine, you got me,’ he murmured, giving her a small smile. ‘I worshipped you.’

The flames from the fire reflected in Olivia’s eyes as she studied him. Gently, she let the blanket she was holding around her naked body fall to the floor so she was exposed to Leo again.

‘Worship me again,’ she said, her voice thick.

Leo reached out to cup her chin in his hand. His lips brushed hers delicately, making her skin bloom with goosebumps.

‘With pleasure,’ he murmured, gently tugging on her lower lip with his teeth.

Olivia pulled him down onto her so his body was suspended over hers. The flames of the fire cast her in its glow, lighting up her porcelain skin, lighting up Leo’s gold.

The weather continued to turn Cordonia into a world of ice and snow. But Olivia and Leo were unaffected. The fire burned all night as Leo worshipped Olivia again and again.

#12 days of fictmas #choices 12 days of fictmas

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everlarkficexchange · 3 years

Text

A Simple Choice

Written by: @justajjfan

Beta’d by: @sunsetsrmydreams

Prompt 83: Katniss is whipped instead of Gale in Catching Fire, Peeta’s the one who’s there to take care of her after. [submitted by anonymous].

Prompt 116: Peeta braids Katniss’ hair to soothe her. [submitted by anonymous]

Rating: Mature

Warning: Mention of whipping. Use of coarse language.

A/N: We’re half-way…ish there. Thanks again @everlarkficexchange ; @javistg and @xerxia31 for continuing to post my really late submission. @sunsetsrmydreams 💚

~~~

Chapter 4

Back in the kitchen I make quick work of preparing breakfast by slicing two thick pieces of bread and while I wait for them to toast lightly, I scoop a few teaspoons of home-made strawberry jam into a small dish before placing everything on the serving tray. Once the kettle has boiled, I pour the hot water into the tea pot and inhale the fragrant steam from the herbal tea leaves.

These are the things I know Katniss likes so I hope it will entice her enough to eat.

I had planned on running over to Katniss’ house earlier to grab a nightgown or something loose fitting for her to change into while her wounds healed but with my unexpected visitor, there isn’t time so it will have to wait until after she’s had something to eat.

Balancing the tray carefully, I approach my bedroom door to find it slightly open. I was positive I closed it before I came downstairs this morning so I wouldn’t wake Katniss from what looked like a peaceful sleep. But as I nudge the door gently open all the way with my foot, I am surprised to see Katniss standing by the window wrapped loosely in the thin bedsheet I draped over her yesterday, starring out towards the pathway and beyond the gate.

I take careful steps so I don’t startle her but the rattle from the empty teacup on top of its saucer ruins any attempt at me being quiet. Needless to say, Katniss doesn’t appear to have noticed me entering the room and seems caught in a trance clutching a separate piece of cloth close to her chest.

I know I shouldn’t be thinking this way about her but even draped in something as plain as a bedsheet and seeing the contours of her body as she stands in the morning light, Katniss is still the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on and the urge to sketch her image is overwhelming. But any urges I feel right now are quickly supressed with a more pressing need to check on her wounds.

With that thought in mind, my eyes dart straight to the part of Katniss’ back not covered by the sheet and what I see…or rather don’t see, causes me to loosen my grip on the tray. Luckily, I make a quick recovery of my senses and save her freshly made breakfast from ending up in a messy heap on the carpeted floor.

“Oh my God Katniss,” I announce, my voice choked with elation. “Your wounds…they’re so much better,” I manage to say as I gawk at her bare back in amazement.

The criss-cross of jagged and bloodied welts of flesh that were spread across her back and shoulders yesterday have been replaced by faint pink lines. If I hadn’t cleaned and dressed her wounds myself, I wouldn’t have known they were there.

She nods, bringing the cloth to her face and rubbing it lightly against her cheek, clearly not startled and being completely aware of my presence the whole time, “because you took good care of me,” she replies in a soft tone.

“I think it had a lot to do with Madge Undersee’s miracle salve…not me.”

Katniss shakes her head, “it was you…even after everything. You saved me and cleaned my wounds and—” her words fade as she tries to keep her emotions in check.

She’s always been so strong but seeing her like this surprises me and it hurts in ways I cannot even describe, “it’s what we do…you and me. Protect each other…no matter what,” I concede.

“She was right.”

“Who was?” I ask but she shakes her head again before burying her face in the cloth. Whether she meant her mother or maybe her sister I don’t want to press the issue. Katniss must still be a little groggy from the pain medication and having an empty stomach isn’t helping.

Still holding onto that mysterious cloth as if her life depended on it, Katniss steps away from the window and walks slowly towards the bed and sits, “when I woke I couldn’t find you and I called out but you didn’t answer,” she tells me, her eyes slowly cast to the armchair beside the bed.

“Did you sleep there all night?” she questions, raising her head to look at me. I nod in silent reply. “It must have been uncomfortable for you.”

“I’ve slept in worse places,” I say as I edge closer, recalling our nights in the cave and I wonder if Katniss remembers too.

Our eyes lock onto each other and I have to clench my fists tighter around the handles of the breakfast tray to fight the strong desire to wrap my arms around her and kiss her deeply on the lips. The mere thought is threatening to engulf me like a burning ring of fire.

I’m setting myself for heartbreak all over again and I need to shake these feelings away. Katniss will leave as soon as she has her strength back and when that happens, I’ll be resigned to living the rest of my lonely and pathetic life with only her memory to keep me company.

Clearing my throat, I move to the bedside table and rest the tray on top, “I’m used to waking early and I didn’t want to disturb you…and what looked like a happy dream, so I went downstairs to make a start on preparing breakfast and some broth for lunch,” I say. “I’m sorry I didn’t hear you call out for me. I tend to get a little distracted when I’m kneading bread and I wanted to make sure you had a fresh loaf for toast and of course, strawberry jam. It’s still your favourite, right?”

She smiles shyly and nods, “you remembered.”

“I’d never forget something as important as that.”

Our eyes meet again and for a few seconds, neither of us utter a word. I clear my throat to break the silence and nervously reach for the breakfast tray, placing it carefully between us and pour the tea as Katniss watches on, tucking loose strands of hair behind her ears.

I guess my hair braiding skills leave a lot to be desired.

“Mmmm…peppermint tea,” Katniss says before taking a careful sip from the steaming cup. “Won’t your mother be angry with you for not turning up for work this morning?” she adds a moment later.

“I don’t care if she is,” I say, breaking a piece of toast and holding it out for her to take.

Katniss straightens up and looks at me before her eyes fall on the piece of toast then she draws in a deep breath before taking a bite straight from my hands. When her lips brush against my fingers, my breath hitches at the sensation and I struggle to stay focused.

“I-I’m part owner of the bakery now and I decide my own hours…n-not my mother,” I say as Katniss chews slowly, her grey eyes never leaving mine.

“Looking after you will always be my first priority,” I blurt out without thinking. I should probably apologies for my forwardness but I’m so transfixed on her mouth as she chews and swallows the first piece of toast, I’d only end up saying something even more stupid.

Katniss places the teacup back on the tray and breaks a piece of toast. Good, I think to myself, she’s hungry. But instead of taking a bite herself, she brings it to my lips in offering and I open my mouth wide and gently take it from her delicate fingers.

“Yes,” she whispers as I roll the toasted bread around in my mouth. Caught under a magical spell I want to live in forever, I find myself repeating it but as soon as the word leaves my lips, the smile on my face drops when Katniss brings the cloth close to her chest.

It’s the shirt I wore yesterday.

I get up from the bed a little too quickly and spill some tea on the tray but I don’t care. I’m annoyed and angry with myself for leaving the shirt on the bathroom floor. I meant to take it with me after I showered to throw it in the trash but my mind was happily tossing on what kind of bread I would bake for Katniss, it completely slipped my mind.

Katniss doesn’t say anything as I walk over to the dresser and pull out a clean white shirt from the top drawer which I think will do until we can get something of hers.

“I always forget to pick up after myself,” I laugh, trying to make light of the situation. “Here…let me take that from you and give you this to put on instead of that bedsheet,” I say, holding out my hand with the clean shirt. “We can go to your house later to grab some of your clothes, if you’re up to it,” I suggest.

Katniss nods and takes it with one hand but still clings to the shirt I carelessly left on the floor with the other. “The bread…it smelt so familiar and I was about to come downstairs to find you but I needed to use the bathroom first and…” she says looking down at the crumbled and soiled shirt still clutched tightly in her hand. “I never meant for any of this to happen…not to you.”

“And I wished with all my heart none of this happened to you, but here we both are.”

“How many?” Katniss asks, lifting her head to look at me.

I know what she’s asking and consider lying by giving her some lame explanation but how can I when she’s been holding onto the truth so tightly in her hands all this time, “just the one but I hardly think it matters…not compared to yours.”

“It matters to me!” Katniss says in a raised voice, her chin quivering. “The salve…you used some on yourself and it’s healed just like mine, right?” There’s a desperate look on her face as she waits for my confirmation.

“Peeta?”

I feel a huge lump in my throat and swallow hard, “you needed every bit of that salve and I wasn’t about to waste a drop of it on me. Besides, I hardly feel a thing now,” I admit truthfully.

“Take off your shirt!” Katniss demands as she turns to the bedside table and reaches frantically for the tin box containing what I know sits an empty jar inside. “There’s got to be a little left for you. Your shirt Peeta…please,” she pleads, trying to scrape any remnant of salve that I know isn’t there on her finger.

I take a hold of her dainty wrist and gently remove the jar from her fingers and place it back on the bedside table, “it’s okay Katniss…it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

“But you need some too. We look after each other…you said so yourself.”

Katniss places her trembling hands on my chest and guides them down my shirt and I don’t resist. Neither do I when she starts to undo each button one by one then gently pushes the fabric over my shoulders and down my arms. I stay silent the whole time and watch her face intently as she kneels on the bed and begins to trace her fingers ever-so softly over the single welt splayed mostly across my shoulder. My heart skips a beat and I let out a hiss but it’s not from any discomfort I’m feeling.

“Why is it every time I try to protect you, all I seem to do is cause you nothing but pain,” she sniffs, stopping her tender touch. “It was stupid of you to try and stop Thread. You should have stayed away.”

“Both us know I wasn’t about to stand back and watch Thread try to kill you. What were you thinking sneaking back to Twelve after you escaped with Gale and your family? That was pretty stupid too,” I counter, pulling my shirt back over my shoulders. “Why did you do that…come back I mean?”

“I-I already told you,” she answers as she helps me rebutton my shirt.

“You weren’t making much sense,” I admit. “You mentioned something about coming back for me but I’m sure that can’t be true. It was just the medicine talking,” I say as my mind replayed her slurred and sleepy words from yesterday.

“It is true Peeta. I came back for you.”

Her words are clear and precise and this time there’s no mistaking them.

…tbc

#Springtime Edition 2020 #submission #justajjfan #prompt 83 #prompt 116

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hockeysweetheart · 4 years

Text

Please Don’t kill me for this one.. Okay you prob will already.

Okay Yall are gonna hate me for this one.... But Because I listened to the people I made a few changes just minor ones because I don’t feel like being Murdered today or any day.. I was ready to send out something worse...

It’s the night Before their Wedding tho its with Someone who you might not think. But Twist and turns happen and Life happens. And they find themselves. Ex lovers return new Realtionships happen and all and all they find out how it their past mistakes made them stronger...

Also a Remider I am somewhat new at this... so it is a little rough...

He might be 7 years older then me but it’s doesn’t matter. I came here a few years ago to clear my head. As I was walking on the beach I ran into this guy. Never meant for anything to happen but it did. When I met him I fell for him Hard… I live in this place by the sea now. I don’t hear from him who is in my past… It got hard to travel form place to place so I moved here. He would visit me I’d visit him. As I look at my engagement ring I cannot help but think about him who I left behind so many years ago… Is he happy.. Is he Married… Does he have children? Not that it matters now… We have been going out for 3 years now. Tomorrow I will get in a white dress and walk down the beach to him. Look into those sea green eyes..

How we met I noticed a sea turtle took his hat and I rolled my eyes then I fell into the water such a klutz and he came over to make sure I was alright… From then something was there. He asked me out for dinner and I almost said no. But then I remembered I am single and there are plenty of fish in the sea no harm in going out after all I’ve been though I deserved it. To go out… He picked me up in his car and we went to The Ocean Blue restaurant He was a gentleman. He cleaned up nice to I’ll admit. We talked about what brought be here. I explained why… From then on I knew I was crazy about him. And also quiet a good looker.

He knocks on the door and enters my turns into A bright smile at him as he enters he says “ How is my Beautiful bride” and gives me a kiss. I Tell him “ Wonderful now that your here”. I was wearing a black dress and he makes a comment "You're absolutely terrifying me in that getup. What happened to the pretty little-girl dresses?” I smile brighter at him And say “ Don’t worry Tomorrow I’ll be unrecognizable”. And give him a hug…He whispers in my ear “ How did I ever get lucky to get you”. I Say “ I am only human Odair” and I give him a kiss… then The door opens and Johanna enters and says “ Getting to the honey moon before the wedding I see” I let go and give Johanna a hug and said “ Thanks for coming you really didn’t have to”…

“ Honey I’ve been there though your break up I wouldn’t miss your wedding day” Johanna says. Finnick says “I’ll let you two be I better go check on caterer Details… He leaves the room and Johanna says “ So Katniss have you told you know who” I look out the window and say “ No could never find the right words to say to Peeta about Finnick and Me. Plus I have no way to contact him”… Johanna just says “ Love is weird. But I am happy for you and Finnick”.. I frown and look at my ring “ Yeah I am pretty lucky to have him” I say.. Johanna says “ But your still thinking about Peeta, Honey you burned that bridge over 3 years ago, hes probably moved on too”… I Say “ Ya your right” .. Then there was a knock at the door.. Madge and Delly and Prim came in… “ Were here ready for a wedding” They all squeal. I said “ Well okay we better get ready for dinner tonight” The dinner is amazing we do some last minute prep and I go to bed Tomorrow will Wake up as Katniss Everdeen and Go to bed as Katniss Odair…

For the day Finnick Hired the Photographer the Caterer the Stylist for me. When I walk into my bridal suite I find my friend Cinna is here to do my hair and Makeup for the Day My Brides maids arrive… we all get ready… About time to get are pictures taken and the Photographer knocks on the door. I am shocked when I see the face is Gale Hawthorne… He is just as shocked as I am...to see him, But as a pro he says “ Miss Everdeen your due for your Pictures”. I say in a voice. “ You must be the photographer nice to meet you I’m the Bride Katniss and you are”… He smiles a little and says “ Well I Had that coming didn’t I”… Its everything not to slap him I think.. I say “ Well were all ready”… We get our photos done and go and wait for the time for the wedding to start. Johanna tries to get the tea I brush it off… We didn’t want to see each other until I was walking down the aisle…

When it is time My Father comes to my side kisses my cheek and says “ You look beautiful” Then the doors open up and I start the walk down the Aisle and see my groom. He smiles sheds a tear. And my father gives me away to him … We exchange our vows, Put on the rings Signed the papers. and kissed and were announced and Mrs and Mr Finnick Odair. We Walked out got some couple pictures ( I might of made sure to look extra in love with Finnick). Then we went into our reception…. The food was amazing we did our first dance speeches happened it was all perfect…

Then they wheeled out the cake I knew the second they wheeled it out who hand crafted this Cake… Peeta Mellark… I whip around and see him looking at me his face is not happy or angry or sad or Shocked … But almost a mix of everything… I Freeze in the moment and Johanna whispers in my ear “ Cut the cake first then I’ll cover for you” We cut the cake feed each other… Peeta is glaring at me the entire time. I tell Finnick “I need to go to the bathroom I’ll be right back” my brides Maids start to follow and Johanna says “ I’ll go hold her dress while she pees its fine”…. We go in the direction of the bathrooms and turn to a corner. Peeta meets us there. Johanna says “ Well I’ll leave you two to talk”. Peeta says “ Hey” I say “ Hey” Back His voice cracks when he says “ you look nice”…. Then It’s silent for a while then I break the ice and ask “ Did you know I was his bride is that why you agreed to make the cake”… Peeta says “ Nope Finnick called and said I wanted the best for my wife. I wouldn’t dream it would be you”. I suddenly say “ You never called me back”… Peeta says “ I know I am sorry I was stuck not knowing what to do”… I Say “ Well its a little late now” He whispers quietly “ I know, Listen he is lucky to have you anyone would be”. A smile escapes me and I say “ You too, I am sorry it didn’t work Between us”… He says “ We could try to be friends but you need to stop looking at me like I’m wounded and keeping stuff from each other” I say with a grin “ I’d like that”…I can tell Peeta is thinking if he should tell me something or not…I tell him I can take it since were friends now. He says so quiet I almost don’t hear it. “ I have a girlfriend”. I say “ What ?” …He said “ Yeah it happened suddenly” I ask “ Well who is it?”. All the sudden she hears a voice that says “ Surprise” Johanna Mason who comes in and hugs him. I look at both of them shocked and say these next words slowly “ You… two … are … Together?”...Peeta says “ She crept up on me, But hey you got Finnick who your married to know and I got Johanna both Happy right..” Fighting back anger I say “ Yeah guess we are all happy around I better get Back Finnick will be wondering where I am”. I got back to our table and see Johanna and Peeta walk back in hand in hand in the corner of my eye. Finnick Startles me when he whispers in my ear “ I got a little worried when you took so long that you ran off with your ex or something”… I tell him “ No I only got eyes for you”. And kiss him… Then my sister makes a toast “ To Katniss and Finnick this beautiful couple on this wonderful day.” We dance the night away but at the back of my mind I have one thought Peeta with Johanna…

The next morning I wake up to Finnick beside me… He’s still asleep does everyone look younger asleep. He wakes up and gives me a smile and pulls me in for a long kiss … After it’s done he says “ good morning to my beautiful wife”…I say “ good morning.. did you sleep good?”… Finnick said “ Prob my best sleep yet knowing your here”… I say “ what do you want to do today Finny?” He says into his pillow “ Spend every possible moment with you” I roll my eyes and say “ Well we better get up then”…. We go to our kitchen to get breakfast… Finnick pours me tea and asks in a seductive voice. “ Want a sugar cube?”. I smile because this is how we met when I ordered tea on our first date. And I finish “ I heard it improves the taste.” That gets a smile out of him…

We leave for our honey moon today we are going to a tour of the districts. I get on the train hand in hand with Finnick.. He scoops me up and carries me though the train doors. We walk to our room in the train… He drops me on the bed and comes on beside me and starts to kiss me slowly… when I wake up and day light is breaking… our clothes are still on the floor .. Finnick is still out cold… I just cannot stop looking at him...Hes beautiful hair… his strong body… When he wakes up he does what he always does smiles and says “ good morning to my beautiful wife”… I return it. As always… He doesn’t have to say anything about last night because it’s not like we’ve not done it before. That smile is all I need to remind myself how much I love him. We get dressed and head to the dinning hall for breakfast hand in hand… Then he pulls out my chair for me to sit down and he sits right beside me.. That's when I noticed him looking at me… and this Time he is not alone. Some sort of sound escapes me and Finnick give me a look then see’s him to and say’s “oh and says want to go back to our room”.. I tell him “ No it’s fine plus I am hungry anyways”. He gives me a quick kiss and said “ Well my lady I’ll go get you some food” I laugh because hes just silly… When he returns Peeta and Johanna come over to our table and say “ Hello”… I hope he doesn’t notice my wrinkle clothes which is stupid since I am married… I say “ Hello you two traveling to 7 or 12?” Johanna answers “7 I want to show Peeta where I am from”… Finnick Chimes in “ You’ll like 7 I’ve been there myself when I was on a research project a few years back”. I glare at him even tho he said nothing wrong… I then ask “ So how long have you two been together for I forgot to ask the other day?” Peeta says “ Six months”… “ and you two are already sleeping together?” I say giving my self away… Peeta gives me a look to shut up but say’s slowly but clear as day “ We are taking it slow don’t want to rush into things”… Johanna and Finnick just give each other a look… The whole situation is uncomfortable for everyone. Finnick says “ Johanna have you seen the windows in the end train?” Johanna says “ But I am enjoying this”… Finnick gives her a look and she says “ Fine I’ll go” and loud whispers in Peeta’s ear “ I want to hear how this ends”… After they leave it’s awkward quiet between us and I think what happened we used to be madly in love… I guess things change and people change as well. He breaks the silence “ I thought we agreed to be friends this is not how friends act”… He’s right this is not how friends act at all… I say in a low voice “ I am sorry but the fact your dating my good friend and announce it at my wedding I got a little offended”… with the smirk I know well he says “ A little but we did agree to be open with each other”. Hes right we did… as always his words speak a thousand more then being said… he says “ I’ll tell you as my friend I think Johanna is the one.. I want to marry her”… A bit shocked I say “ She’s will be lucky to have you”.. Peeta looks me in the eye and says “ So your okay with if I ask her to marry me” I say “ Of course I just saw finnick in his underwear… and more I am a married women after all,.. You have my blessing. But you really didn’t need to ask me”… Peeta smiles “ I know but I knew I could count on you”… Little does he know I keep the pearl he gave me so many years ago in my pocket to always keep him with me…

When I finish my Breakfast Finnick Appears and says “ were almost at District 7 we could skip it if you want… “ I say “ No it’s alright” and smile at Peeta across the room “ We are going to be okay”… we go from District to district and return home in 4. And Finnick goes back to work and I start working in a coffee shop…We do this everyday… then one of the day’s I feel ill. I pass out at the coffee shop I am rushed to the hospital Finnick gets word and is by my side every second… I am there… The doctor comes in with a smile on his face and say’s “well Katniss and Finnick congrats your going to be parents”… I was beyond shocked because I never planned on having children. But Finnick hugs me puts his hand on where our baby is growing… We go home and Finnick is treating me like I am glass will break at any moment it’s kinda cute actually… Peeta has been sending me updates he said he will wait a year until he asks Johanna to marry him… I haven’t told him I am expecting yet I am waiting for the right time to do it… We find out we are having a girl… On October 3rd I give birth to a beautiful baby girl with her fathers green eyes and my hair colour named Olivia Paige Odair. We are beyond happy to be parents to her… I get a letter in the mail shorty after her birth… Its from Peeta It says

“ Dear Katniss I know about the baby, Finnick told me. I am so happy for you.. I am sure she is Beautiful like her mother and have quality's like her father. I come to write you to Let you Know Johanna and I decided not to get engaged not yet. We are still together but not ready for that step… Also I’ll be in District 4 in mid November Hope we can meet up and I can meet that beautiful baby of yours. She is lucky to have parents like you two...Hope I am not a burden for us to meet up but I would really like to talk to you in person…”

I write back

“ Dear Peeta Her Name is Olivia Paige she is the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen But I’d prob say the same thing of all my children. We are doing well here. And Sorry that it’s not time for you and Johanna but you will some day find that time. I would love to meet up with you when your in I work at the coffee shop in the district. And of course you can meet her… we’d be happy to put you in a room while you stay…”

Mid November Peeta arrives to District 4… A lot has happened since I wrote that Letter… We meet at the coffee shop. Even tho we might not be in a relationship when he comes I give him a hug. So I ask him how things are going and he says “ Johanna and I broke up.” I said “Oh I am sorry”… he continues “ Better now then down the road… when we get married have kids or something”.. That hit me like a ton of bricks. By the look in his eyes He instantly knew what happened and says “ I am sorry Katniss”. … Me almost in tears “ I say it’s okay I figured out he was not the one for me better now then years down the road”…Peeta reaches out and holds my hand. As a whip away a tear I say “ Oh Olivia here she is we agreed to co parent her. He moved out 2 weeks ago, he is taking her tonight for me”. Peeta stays silent while holding Olivia. I say “ Sorry for crying” Peeta says “ Don’t be we have all been though a lot. There is that perfect guy out there for you… I nod and agree and I say “ I should get Olivia home for her Nap.. Do you wanna come over now”.. He says “ Sure” and Puts Olivia back in her stroller

We walk out of the coffee shop Hand and Hand. And on the way back to my house Peeta did something unexpected tho. He kisses me and says “ I never forgotten how that feels like” I kiss him back and said “ Me either”… I drop off Olivia at Finnicks and We somehow end up in my bed at my house and it felt like we never left each other. Peeta says “ I never stopped loving you” I kiss him.. The clothes on us end up on the floor… It feels like such a luxury, sleeping with Peeta again. I didn't realize until now how starved I've been for human closeness. For the feel of him beside me in the darkness. I wish I hadn't wasted the last couple of years shutting him out. I sink down into sleep, enveloped in his warmth, and when I open my eyes again, daylight's streaming through the windows. When we Wake the Next morning He says “ I forgot what a real sleep felt like” and I kiss him give him a long kiss it feels so good. We just lay there for a while not talking just taking it in…. We get up eventually and have breakfast together… It feels like the old days of just us… But then I realize I have a child so those days of just us are over but I can enjoy him all I want on days she’s over at her fathers. Peeta moves in eventually. We decided to get Married.. Finnick says it’s like this was meant to be this way anyways. I knew this would of happened anyways. I just got lost along the way. So on one those nights it was just me and Peeta alone I whisper in his ear. “You ready to be a daddy?” Peeta looks at me confused at first then he gets it and whispered “ of course”. And gives me a kiss.

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inkberrry · 3 years

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Dancing Lights and the Pressure of Your Palm (ch. 2)

A direct continuation of this, where Gale muses over a way to tell Vehnrix how he feels. Read below or on ao3.

The spark of Vehnrix’s magic lingered on Gale’s fingertips long after the tiefling excused himself to bed. He felt it move across his skin, light and playful in a way magic had never been for Gale. It wasn’t a concussive force, or a deep, aching pull. It was bright and weightless and sweet; Weave made with gentle intentions and passed to him with care.

Gale pressed the tip of his index finger to his lips, the sensation transferring.

Sighing, he let his hand drop to side. Tonight marked twice he had Vehnrix so close, both their thoughts — shared through the Weave — set on the other’s lips. And twice the moment passed, thanks to actions of his own. First the surprise of the tiefling eager for a kiss at all, shocking Gale into a moment of hesitation. Second, tonight, due to his own eagerness and the way it flared through his magic, this time shocking Vehnrix.

He could curse himself he was so frustrated.

But perhaps this was for the best, he thought. This was no place to fall in love, and who was he to allow himself that luxury? He had his chance before, had spent so long tucked away in a world inundated with romance and intimacy and what he perceived as love. He had it all, back then, and it had been lost, partly of his own mistakes. What right did he have to seek it again?

Still, his thoughts refused to settle. They snuck back to the look Vehnrix wore only hours before: lips parted, eyes shining, a flush high on his cheeks. Gale would give much to see that look again. And what would it hurt to give in to the possibility just a little? To not hesitate, to speak a word of his feelings and desire to the tiefling? He was confident it was requited; that much he had seen for himself when the Weave connected them.

His gaze shifting back to camp, picking out where Vehnrix curled near the fire, Gale resolved to speak with him when next he got the chance. The rogue had so readily accepted the truth of Gale’s condition and the history behind it, it was the least he could to speak of this newer, closer secret. Vehnrix deserved to know. And Gale had doubts he could keep it to himself much longer, anyway.

The morning found Gale bedraggled and in need of more rest than he managed. His thoughts kept him awake long into the night, and every time he looked over at the sleeping bundle of furs and blankets that was Vehnrix sleep was chased further and further away.

He groaned as he hefted himself to his feet, stretching out under wrinkled robes. Another side effect of travel, he mused, doing his best to smooth out a particularly worn patch of fabric. His first stop in Baldur’s Gate would most certainly be a tailor.

“Good morning, Gale.” Vehnrix’s cheery voice drew his attention, and he noted with a brief flash of disdain that the tiefling looked as put together as if he’d just stepped out from a fresh bath. “You look like you hardly slept. I should have dragged you to bed with me last night, to make sure you did.”

“Perhaps you should have,” Gale replied, his foul mood of the morning vanishing in light of Vehnrix’s smile and usual banter. “Though I am uncertain how restful a night in your bed would be.”

Vehnrix paused in his act of packing away his bedroll and laughed. His tail curved behind him, scratching at the dirt in quick, excited movements. Gale watched it for a moment, knowing by now that most hints at Vehnrix’s true emotions were given by the state of his tail and little else.

“Stop, stop, it’s too early for all this flirting,” Vehnrix playfully pleaded. He tucked his bedroll into his pack and took a step closer to wink at Gale. “You’ll wear me out before we even leave camp.”

The image from last night of Vehnrix’s lips close to his played back in Gale’s mind when he stepped close. He could press on — gods knew he had a penchant for flirting — but instead he simply gave a small half bow and smiled.

“At your insistence, I’ll save it for later,” he promised. Then, before Vehnrix could turn away and his determination falter, he continued. “In fact, there is something I’d like to discuss later. If you’d indulge me.”

“I will happily indulge you, Gale. Just say the word.”

The double meaning in Vehnrix’s answer was not lost on Gale. He chuckled and braved a quick squeeze of Vehnrix’s shoulder.

“Later,” he said. Then, putting away his own bedroll, began to walk toward the cooking fire. “For now, onward to breakfast. I’m famished.”

Two meals later and Gale finally found time to steal Vehnrix away from the others. They sat by the river again, in near the same spot as the night before. Vehnrix was busy licking stray honey from his fingers after the treat Gale made for them, which had consumed a fair bit of the remaining flour stored in his rations. It had been worth it, though. Vehnrix’s eyes lit up at the mention of something sweet, and Gale had found a new way to make the tiefling happy.

“Thanks for dinner,” Vehnrix said, sighing in satisfaction and leaning his back against the still sun-warm stone. “I like your cooking.”

“And I like when you compliment me!” Gale nudged Vehnrix’s shoulder and smiled. He wiped his own fingers on a small handkerchief before pushing it back into a concealed robe pocket. “I’m glad you enjoyed. I do try my best out here, but you can’t find a decent rising agent for miles.”

“How dreadful,” Vehnrix teased, slowly shaking his head. It wasn’t the first time Gale complained about lack of proper cooking materials, but Vehnrix never seemed to truly mind.

“Well, I make do,” he said, taking the teasing tone in stride. It was easy with Vehnrix; no comment was meant to hurt, no deeper, malicious intent hidden behind soft promises or pleasing laughter. His intentions might not always shine though, Gale noticed, but the kindness behind them certainly did.

Vehnrix didn’t have a reply to that, and soon the sound of the river covered their comfortable silence. Gale rested his head back against the stone and let his eyes shut to the setting sun. He felt Vehnrix’s hand moving next to him, perhaps idling plucking at the grass or fingering his sword.

Gale himself was still as he attempted to gather his thoughts. It had been a long while since he put to words feelings like the ones that welled in his heart whenever Vehnrix’s nimble hands accidentally brushed his. A long while and a different place; a different version of himself. One younger and less worried over the future, and one that did not fear the consequences of his actions.

Now, the peace of the waning evening hanging over him and the sweet taste of honey still on lips, Gale was worried, and he was afraid. He had found something precious and for once truly understood the value, and the devastation, of such a thing.

When he finally opened his eyes the sun was halfway past the horizon. The warmth still lingered, giving him a boost of needed courage. Turning slightly, he caught Vehnrix’s attention and took a steadying breath.

“Vehnrix, I’d like to tell you something but —“

“ — But I have to promise not to ask questions,” Vehnrix interrupted, laughing into the darkening night. Gale couldn’t help but chuckle too, the tension of the moment broken. He supposed this wasn’t the first time he’d made such a proclamation to the tiefling, and like the last, he hoped Vehnrix took it just as well.

“No, you can ask as many as you you’d like,” he said, considering only after he’d already spoken. “Well, a few at least. Within reason. Nothing too difficult.”

Vehnrix just smiled and leaned back on an elbow, watching Gale and waiting for him to continue. It was moment before he did, the last spike of nerves clamping his lips shut until he saw the encouraging expression on Vehnrix’s face. Taking a breath, Gale nodded in decision, and forged ahead.

“Have you heard the story of the water sprite and the widow?”

Vehnrix’s answerer was a shake of his head, his hair tossed over a jutting horn.

“It’s a story often told in Waterdeep, though maybe I overestimate its reach,” Gale explained. “It begins with a woman — a woman who has led a life she is proud of, who has loved and lived and enjoyed to the fullest. But in time she suffers a great loss at her own hands, and that pride and spark slips away. She begins to question the choices she made: who she loved, how she lived.”

Gale paused, his animated retelling of the story ceasing for a moment. He switched his gaze from Vehnrix’s face to the distant horizon, the sun now nearly gone. The timing was appropriate, he thought. A story such as this was best told in the dying light.

“She goes through her days in somewhat of a daze after that,” he continued. “Living them but not truly feeling their passage. She thinks ‘this is what I have earned, penance for my deeds done.’

“But! One day on a trip to the river she spots a water sprite, splashing in the current. It is full of life, so much it bubbles and sparks around the creature. ‘Come swim with me,’ it calls to her. She is tempted; she wishes for that carefree warmth. But she declines. That world is not meant for her any longer, she reasons. So she leaves, the echo of the water sprite’s cheery laughter following behind.”

Gale, caught up in the story now, turned back to find Vehnrix watching him closely. He was a captive audience, providing the stage Gale needed. Winking, he went on, adding flourish to his words.

“The sound lingers in her mind, and for the next seven days she returns to the river. Each time the sprite calls to her, asking her again to join it. It promises nothing but laughter and good things, and it bares its small, beating heart to her. But our leading lady is stubborn, and she is at war with herself. Does she deserve that offer? Or is she meant to live the rest of her life damning her past?”

Again Gale paused, this time his shoulders slumping and his thoughts drifting. He knew when he chose this story the parallels would be evident; it was why he chose it, after all. Speaking it aloud made them all the more clear, and he felt the heavy weight of them press down on him.

In time Vehnrix reached out, his fingers settling on Gale’s wrist. “How does it end?” he asked, and Gale realized he had cut the story off without its finale.

“Oh, she gives in in the end,” he said with a dismissive wave of his hand. “She plunges herself in the river and it is not the warm embrace the sprite promised. The woman is never seen again, lost to whatever lays beneath the surface of the roiling current.”

Vehnrix blinked, blue eyes hidden for a moment before he opened them and laughed. Gale imagined it sounded much like the water sprite in his story: full of life, bubbling from inside Vehnrix’s heart and tumbling towards him.

“That’s a lovely story,” Vehnrix said, his fingers squeezing Gale’s wrist before lifting off and returning to their spot in his lap. “I can see why you wanted to tell it to me.”

The hint of sarcasm was soft. Gale wanted to laugh along with Vehnrix, to pass the story off as just that. Instead he took a deep breath and steeled himself to bring up the point he meant the tale to lead into.

“Vehnrix,” he started, and reached over to grasp the tiefling’s hand in his own. It was warm, as it always was on the occasions Gale had the pleasure of holding it. He spoke his next words slow and clear, his eyes never leaving Vehnrix’s face. “I find myself incredibly drawn to you. More and more each day you fill my mind. You are an extraordinary treasure I have never quite seen the likes of.”

Something softened behind Vehnrix’s eyes, and the first sparkle of the night’s stars reflected back in their depths.

“Gale,” he said, the laugher in his voice replaced by affection. Before he could continue, though, Gale held a finger up to stop his words.

“I am the widow in this story,” he said, his shoulders slumping further and head shaking in resignation. “I am resisting the pull, uncertain if I deserve what you promise to make me feel.”

And there it was: his feelings laid out, truth told and set free. His heart beat frantic in his chest, the worry over Vehnrix’s reply shaking him. Gale prided himself on his confidence, yet right now he felt young and uncertain in a way he hadn’t in years uncounted.

Vehnrix was slow to answer, and when he did he turned his hand in Gale’s and squeezed it tight. The sharp tips of his nails pressed into Gale’s palm, tiny pinpricks of pressure.

“I’m no water sprite in a story,” he said firmly. “And you’re no less deserving of happiness and warmth than anyone else.”

“There are things you don’t know about me,” Gale argued, one last effort to ward away the feelings held back. One last attempt to warn Vehnrix that not everything about him was what it seemed, and that happiness and warmth with him may only be fleeting.

“And there are things you don’t know about me,” Vehnrix replied with an easy shrug. “That’s what time is for, right?”

The tension held in Gale’s body released and left him feeling light and almost dizzy. Had he expected any less from Vehnrix than acceptance and comforting, gentle optimism? The tiefling with brimming with it, and it spilled over to fill the broken cracks and hollows in Gale’s heart.

“Gods, you truly are something entirely special,” he said, soft and in awe of the building warmth between them. It was then he noticed how close Vehnrix was, and how hushed the night around them had become.

“Flatterer,” Vehnrix teased, and Gale was drawn to the movement of his lips, edging steadily closer. “Now will you kiss me? I’ve been waiting for weeks.”

Gale’s own lips lifted to a smile, the first since telling his story. He took his hand from Vehnrix and placed it at the back of the tiefling’s head, the other on his cheek. His skin was smooth, marred only by the faint sticky trace of missed honey.

“With utmost pleasure,” Gale whispered, and this time neither of them were shocked away or plagued with hesitancy. Their lips met, Vehnrix’s tasting sweet, Gale’s searching for the magic he knew resided within and finding it in the subtle spark that connected them.

#bg3 fanfiction #bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #gale/oc #gale of waterdeep #my writing #oc: vehnrix

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