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pellucid-constellations · 4 days

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If It All Fell (7)

Pairing: Azriel x Reader

Summary: If it all fell apart—if you forgot who you were—would you love him again? Would the bond guide you back? Azriel doesn't know if that uncertainty is one he can bear.

Word count: 3k

Warnings: Angst, PINING, Azriel's POV and he is incredibly sad

a/n: Yay here's more <3 I promise it gets happy and there's a little teaser of what that'll look like in this part. Let me know what you think pleaseee :)

Series Masterlist (all parts ♡)

Azriel

Azriel’s heart came to a thudding halt.

“What was that?” he asked softly, trying to play it off. Trying to pretend as if you hadn’t just asked him the one question he had hoped would never come. Because you were supposed to get better before it came to this.

He had begged the Mother for any kind of reprieve.

She hadn’t listened, as Azriel had expected.

“Mates,” you slurred, your head bobbing on his shoulder. The High Lords had exhausted you. “Helion said you… he said something about a mate. I can’t remember exactly… but no one’s told me what that is.”

Pure adoration tore at Azriel’s chest. Your words blurred together as you sunk deeper into his arms, and Gods, did he love you. He let himself imagine that you were drunk—just for a moment. You were drunk and still his and he was carrying you home after a night at Rita’s.

“Azriel?”

The moment ended and panic replaced the temporary comfort that had consumed him.

“Yes, my love?” It had slipped, a mistake fueled by his clouded mind. Azriel counted his footsteps and held his breath, but you only hummed in response, too drained to notice the endearment that had fallen with such desperation from his lips.

“You were telling m’about mates,” you reminded him. Your arm slipped from his neck and landed in your lap. Azriel held you closer, feeling your body begin to lose its grip.

“Of course,” he dutifully replied. “A mate is… it is a gift from the cauldron. An equal to share a bond with.”

“Like a lover?”

Azriel could hardly piece your words together with the way they tumbled out.

That, and his stomach was twisting, reminding him of the very bond that was crying out within him. This was wrong. It was all so terribly wrong. He didn’t have to have this conversation with you last time; it had hurt you too much to even hint at the topic.

Back then, Azriel had been so deep in anguish he couldn't keep food down, so desperate to just speak to you that his body rejected all else.

This was somehow worse.

“Much stronger,” he whispered, pressing his nose to your temple in an act of weakness. You didn’t notice. “Our souls are linked—mates I mean. A mating bond doesn’t always lead to the pair being lovers, but if they choose to do so, it’s enhanced. It’s unexplainable, truly, having someone connected to you that you love so deeply.”

“That sounds nice,” you mused, a melodic flow of syllables starkly contrasting the effort with which Azriel was trying to string his sentences together.

“It is.” He gave in to his urges and looked down at you in his arms, your hair flushed against his leathers, your face soft and drowsy. “It is wonderful.”

You cracked an eye open. Azriel had stopped walking. “Do you have one?”

“What?” he choked out.

“You speak as if you know the feeling well. Do you have a mate, Azriel?”

“I—” There were no thoughts in his head, nothing but the sound of your voice and your question repeating itself like a bell tolling in a vicious pattern. “Yes,” he sputtered out. “I do, yes.”

You smiled softly, but it was paired with a furrowed brow and a light sigh. “Good,” you nodded to yourself. “You deserve a mate.”

Too much talking, too much thinking; your head lulled into his arm, face against his chest, and you were asleep.

Yes, this was much worse than the last time.

Azriel adjusted his grip and carried you back to the room you didn’t know belonged to the both of you.

The pounding in your head was your first indication that you were awake. You moved your hand to your hairline before opening your eyes, applying pressure in an attempt to relieve some of the pressure there.

Useless.

A small groan made its way up your throat. The night before, or whenever it was—you had no idea how long you’d been sleeping—was a jumbled mess in your mind. You remembered meeting Helion, being told you were in love with him, being told that you actually weren’t in love with him, and then he and Rhysand had entered your mind and left you as nothing more than a vegetable.

There were other pieces too, like Azriel carrying you back to your room and talking about… mates? Yes, that sounded right—the larger-than-life, effervescent partners bestowed upon fae by the cauldron.

And he had told you that he had one.

That was good. Great, even. Something stirred within you, an uncomfortable feeling, but you ignored it in favor of the pain radiating across your head. Gods, why did it hurt so much?

Helion and Rhysand had been in your mind. They were going to discuss things with you.

You shot up far too quickly, the motion sending shooting pains up your neck.

“What?” you heard a voice panic. “What is it? Are you hurt?”

Another jarring look to the side and you just about passed out from the pain. You caught a glimpse of Azriel before you squeezed your eyes shut to try and manage it, his large form folded into a chair by the door that was certainly not made to accommodate wings. You lowered your head into your hands and heard the chair screech against the floor.

“What is it, y/n?” Azriel asked, voice closer now.

You let out a shaky sigh. “Sorry, just—it’s my head, give me a moment.”

He didn’t speak, but the room became dark. That seemed like an impossible feat, with the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the walls and letting in the rays of the day court sun. But the pounding in your head receded a fraction, and you could tell it was dimmer even from behind your eyelids.

“Does that help?” he asked, so low you could barely hear him.

You felt his breath at your arm.

“Yes,” you whispered back, and when you opened your eyes, Azriel was there. His wings had circled you, encasing you in a darkness that blocked out the world, his knees at the side of your bed.

“You got up too quickly,” Azriel offered.

“I know, but I wanted to hear what the High Lords had to say about the witch and my memories and what I need to do to fix everything. Have you heard anything?”

“Very little. I’ve been here.”

“For how long?”

“You slept for a day and a half.”

“And you stayed the entire time?”

“You requested I stay by your side. You’ve been here.”

You bit into your lip, the heavy weight of guilt loading onto your chest. Azriel flinched as if he felt it himself. “I wanted to stay,” he comforted. “It puts me at ease to… see you while we’re in this court. To know exactly where you are and who’s around you.”

“Because of last time,” you stated, but it was a question that hung in the air.

Azriel’s eyes tracked along the planes of your face. His hand twitched. “Yes, because of last time.”

He looked so serious, bordering on forlorn. Despite the pain in your head and the conflicting emotions rising within you, you attempted to lessen some of the load that seemed to bogg the shadowsinger down.

“You could have taken shifts with Cassian, you know. Or even, I don’t know, laid on the bed that’s the size of a small apartment. I was out cold the entire time—didn’t wake up once. I wouldn’t have noticed if you did,” you offered with a hint of a smirk playing at your lips.

Azriel’s gaze dropped to your mouth, his own expression lightening. “Cassian would fall asleep immediately. And, just to let you know, you did wake up. Several times.”

You gave him a doubtful look. “I think I would remember that.”

The shadowsinger bit back a smile and something within you shone at the playful look in his eye. “Right, so you don’t remember waking up and practically ripping that from my body?”

His eyes shot down to your chest, an action which you followed to find a large, unfamiliar sweater swathing your body in warmth. You looked further down at your hands, only to find the sleeves of the garment covering your palms and fingers as well.

An incredulous laugh bubbled in your chest. “I wouldn’t—I didn’t actually rip this off of you, did I?”

Azriel shifted his knees into a kneeling position beside you, his wings shuffling and creating a sound you had begun to find comfort in. “Well, you didn’t exactly ask politely.”

You groaned and shoved your face back into your hands. “Gods, that’s embarrassing. It’s because I was delirious, I swear. Those damn High Lords scrambled my brain.”

“Y/n, you have a penchant for demanding things in your sleep. Food, water, clothing, more blankets. Once you woke up to ask me for an entire roast duck and in the morning you had no recollection. You were quite aggravated that night.”

“No, stop, I can’t take this. I am melting into a puddle of mortification and you are making it worse.”

Azriel chuckled. “It’s alright. I’ve grown used to it over the years. It’s almost charming, really.”

You peeked through your sweater-clad fingers. “You can’t mean that.”

“I mean it very sincerely. When you are sick or unwell, you sleep through the entire night. When you wake up and grab the neck of my sweater like you’re robbing me, I know things are okay.”

You groaned again, this time tilting your head back and immediately regretting the action when a pulse of pain permeated along your temples. But it wasn’t so bad anymore; Azriel and his wings made it better.

You took a moment to gaze upon his face in the proximity. He was smiling slightly, some humor still shining in his hazel eyes. The occasional shadow made a pass along his cheeks and by his ear, whispering secrets you weren’t privy to and then coming to wind around your body as well. His hair was mused and untamed, landing in soft patterns across his forehead.

Azriel was so beautiful it hurt.

“Does your mate ever get upset that we are so close?” you asked, the question not even fully formed in your head before it entered the space.

The smile slipped from Azriel’s lips and you regretted your impulsivity almost instantly.

“No,” he answered, a slight shake of his head. “I wouldn’t worry about that.”

“Has something happened? Between the two of you?”

“Y/n, please don’t worry yourself over—”

“It’s just—Azriel, I know how hard all of this has been on you. When you spoke of your mate it was the first time I saw you look at peace. That’s why I’m asking.”

“You remember what I said?”

“All of it,” you smiled, but Azriel only looked grave. “Az—"

The shadowsinger jutted back as the familiarity left your lips. He sent his shadows out, their configuring forms covering the windows and the cracks in the doors until it was dark enough for him to remove his wings from around you. With him went the comfort of night-kissed air and warmth and all of the things that made sense in this life you had been dropped into.

“Rhys has requested that we meet in the study to discuss findings,” Azriel relayed, clearing his throat and standing from his place on the bed. “I laid out some of your things and a servant ran a bath when you started to stir. Do you need help—”

“I’ve got it,” you interrupted, eyes downcast, feeling as though you’d ruined something that was already painfully delicate.

“I’ll be here if you need me. Just outside the door.”

You believed him—you did—but something was missing. Something you couldn’t keep up with. Perhaps it was the knowledge that he was in love with someone. Mor, maybe? Or one of the sisters Cassian talked about on occasion?

The thought of him with his mate made you nauseous.

You shouldn’t have asked.

“A replication?” you asked, running a hand along the side of your head in an attempt to look casual about the throbbing taking place there. “So… it is like last time?”

“Partially, but because the witch’s powers aren’t pure, she was unable to mimic what a full daemati can do. So, same outcome, fewer side effects,” Rhys offered, a calming presence across the table. “Witches often find sources to draw from because they don’t have access to their natural abilities any longer. Your source was—”

“An opening in her mind,” Azriel concluded, expression guarded as he sat stiffly beside you. “There were remaining injuries in her mind. The witch found her weak points and used them against her.”

Helion nodded, rounding one of the more ornate chairs and basking in the light streaming through the window. “Very astute. We thought there were no remnants of—”

“Don’t say his name,” Azriel warned.

“—of the attack,” Helion quickly corrected, obviously not in the mind to start an argument with the keyed-up spymaster. “But they must have been miniscule. We think she must have been an old witch, very practiced.”

“So what do we do now?” Cassian gruffly asked, arms crossed as he leaned against the windowsill. You turned to look at him, but the sunlight casting his shadow sent your head ablaze. You quickly righted your gaze and squeezed your eyes shut to compensate.

You felt shadows stalk beneath your feet and across the floor until they consumed the light of the window. If anyone had any comments on the shadowsinger’s act, they didn’t voice them.

“Now,” Helion breathed out, dropping into a chair and interlacing his fingers atop the oak table. “We wait. Just like the last time, this kind of power is not something we can simply undo. We need a witch, and witches are incredibly elusive.”

Trepidation gripped your heart, sending your lungs into a fiery descent. You were just supposed to wait? Wait and hope that maybe, possibly, they would find a witch and fix this before your life moved on without you in it?

Your breath came out in quick, uneven puffs, exacerbating the ache in your head.

Azriel sat up in his seat, high alert and on the defensive.

But Rhysand was quicker than his spymaster’s anger. “There is the possibility that this wears off on its own.”

Your eyes snapped up. “Was that a possibility last time?”

“No,” Cassian remarked, brows shot up to his hairline. “That’s why you were missing for so long and in so much pain after. You both made it clear that there was no moving whatever the daemati put in her head.”

Helion and Rhysand shared a look, but your High Lord was the one to speak. “It was weaker this time, more permeable. We think, with time, the wall the witch attempted to replicate will break down and you’ll have everything back. She did only do this to you to flee from attack. It wasn't personal.”

“How much time?” Azriel strained.

Helion replied this time. “There is no way to know, shadowsinger.”

“What about the pain? You said fewer side effects but I couldn’t even have light in my room this morning.”

Rhysand looked sheepish, eyes darting over to the window still opaque with shadows. “Yes, well—we may have pushed you a bit too far during our assessment.”

Cassian let out a disbelieving huff from the corner of the room. Azriel gripped the arms of his chair until they groaned.

“So it’ll go away?” you asked, desperation trickling into your tone.

The wood beneath Azriel’s hands splintered.

“Yes, very soon. We can give you some tonics before you leave as well. They will help speed up the process,” Helion promised, eyeing his chair being slowly destroyed.

In a motion that felt almost second nature, you covered the spymaster’s hand with your own, shadows wrapping around the press of your skin. It was then that you noticed the ring. Silver and unassuming, it took up residence on the ring finger of his left hand and looked like it belonged no place else.

Our souls are linked, he had said, talking about his mate with such passion.

You removed your hand from his.

Azriel flexed his fingers upon your departure.

“We were thinking,” Rhysand began after a pregnant pause that seemed to blanket the room. “With your pain, we might want to stay a few more days. Winnowing can add extra pressure to the body and flying would—”

“No,” you were quick to dispute. “No, I want to go home. It’s lovely here, Helion, and I thank you for all you’ve done and are doing, but I want to go back to the Night Court. I want to try and live the life I’ve made for myself, even if I have no idea what I’m doing.” Another pause. “If that’s okay.”

“Of course that’s okay,” Azriel spoke from beside you. His words sounded dull, his fingers remaining outstretched on the chair.

“We will continue looking for the witch on our side,” Helion nodded, pushing out of his chair. He came before you then, meeting your gaze. “I cannot apologize enough for what your time in my court has cost you. I only hope that all will return to you. I have missed you, y/n.”

And then the High Lord of Day was gone, and you had no recollection as to why he would miss you in the first place. Everyone was saying they missed you, even as you stood before them unharmed and intact.

A harsh reality slammed into you with the departure of the High Lord.

If you didn’t get your memories back—if there were no witches or deteriorating walls in your mind—they would continue to miss you. You would forever be a husk of your former self, never understanding the full picture of who you were.

But that wasn’t okay with you—not at all.

#azriel x reader #azriel x you #azriel x y/n #azriel x female!reader #azriel fanfic #azriel shadowsinger #azriel acotar #azriel spymaster #acotar #acotar fanfiction #azriel angst

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messiahzzz · 6 months

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i’d briefly like to talk about the “it was fine” dialogue option that happens the morning after gale’s Last Night Alive scene in act ii and about the fandom's general reaction to it.

gale is a character who evidently enjoys the occasional teasing. taking the piss out of your partner every once in a while can certainly be a way of showing affection. however, it is important to consider the context of the situation: what is at stake for him and his current emotional state, as well as what exactly had transpired between the two of them prior to said conversation.

gale: forgive me. these were already trying times before elminster delivered his missive. now, for me at least, they are potentially end times.

after he and tav had spent the night together and confessed their love to each other, gale is once again showing himself utterly vulnerable and is carefully asking them for reassurance.

gale: [..] i hope that night meant as much to you as it did to me.

gale: but you - you led me away from the edge.

gale: without your words, your touch... i fear i would have sought purpose and solace in that void. you reminded me what living can feel like.

he wants to check in with them, after both of them have shared something tender and very intimate, something he might even consider life-altering.

gale: we didn't just make love. we bonded, body and soul. i got lost in you.

it’s not even about gale “not being able to read social cues” and “not recognizing the fact that it was meant in jest.” in fact, i’d argue it is a rather tone-deaf, inconsiderate response and just genuinely a REALLY BAD TIME to joke at your partner's expense when they are actively baring their feelings to you and are asking you for reassurance.

i have seen people write off his reaction as “unwarranted” or “overtly dramatic” but in my humble opinion, it is pretty understandable given the nature of their conversation and what he is asking of them. it's also sad how there seems to be a general pattern of gale's emotions and boundaries getting played off as a joke, while other companions get shown the courtesy of thorough analysis/understanding. he is proud of his skill as a lover and the fact that he was able to bring them pleasure, yet his inquiry is less about him wanting tav to stroke his ego and more about him, once again, asking if you indeed share the same feelings for each other… after the emotional high has now passed.

gale has an ever-present need for clarity in his relationships, very likely due to the fact that this was something he couldn’t request of mystra. he might appear more sensitive in that regard compared to the other companions. he doesn’t want to take himself too seriously, but this still often clashes with his general feeling of inadequacy. where he is able to take criticism as long as it isn’t related to his performance, overall prowess and usefulness.

yes, his response is passive-aggressive and yes, he IS obviously hurt by what tav said. yet merely repeating “it was fine” in response to a heartfelt, genuine question could’ve as well been interpreted in that manner. if tav does clarify that they have only been joking, he apologizes to them instead. otherwise his dialogue remains the same, albeit said in a more embarrassed & awkward tone.

gale is a character who is dealing with deep-rooted self-worth issues and yet that doesn’t mean that he wants to be handled with kid gloves, far from it. he craves a relationship in which his emotional needs are recognized, respected and cared for, where he can be unabashedly open and vulnerable without facing ridicule nor pity for it. and he is more than willing to give the same in return.

also y’know — there is a time and a place.

#“briefly” they said (sorry can't shut up once i've started. you'll have to bear with me)#this has been bothering me for a while now #by all means roast your wizard to your hearts content #but maybe opt for his shortcomings that aren’t genuinely hurtful/rooted in his self-hatred #that only serve to further reinforce his belief that he is not worthy enough #when he is still very much dealing with the inevitability of his own untimely death and sacrifice #today’s lesson in empathy lmao #aka me once again getting emotionally invested in tragic pixel men #baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #bg3 meta #bg3 spoilers #datamined dialogue

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bandgie · 5 months

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Helloooo, do you think you could do smut of overprotective bf Seungmin who gets jealous over little things. Sorry if that doesn’t make much sense, sorry 😅. Love your work btw 💚

a/n: hi yes thank you! I can defo try, I've never written something like this!

warnings: MDNI 18+, PIV, creampie, no protection, edging (m!&f!), degrading (f!rec), that's pretty much it

1k words

Seungmin doesn't like to think he's possessive. No no, he's just worried. Worried about how your day's going, if people are being nice to you at your job, if you've eaten. He needs to know what you're doing. You're a huge part of his life, he can't go a day without asking how you are.

He loves showing people that you're his, and he's yours. PDA may not be frequent, but he gifted you a necklace with his first initial on it. Seungmin took a lot of time choosing it. He made sure it was dainty, nothing obnoxiously noticeable. He wants to make sure it's a style you can wear all day, every day. A reminder to you, and everyone else, that your heart and soul belong to another.

So why do you let customers talk to you when they're obviously interested? Can't you just tell them that you're working? That you have coffee to make and desserts to bag? Seungmin can't erase the memory of how the persistent customer lingered near you. He hates it, he can feel his blood boiling and how his face has hardened.

You're under him, hands gripping his shoulders as he ruthlessly fucks into you. You already told him that you were just doing your job, that you were talking. That's not enough for Seungmin, no. He needs to see that you mean it, to feel it. How desperately your pussy squeezes him like you never want him to pull out. The way you keep having to sob and beg him to slow down. His love is too much for you, but that doesn't mean he can't be cruel.

Just when you're about to cum, he'll pull out. It leaves you whining, hands smacking his chest in frustration. "Please." You beg. "I already said I was sorry! Just let me cum."

Seungmin shakes his head. He slaps your pussy harshly as punishment. How dare you even think about finishing when you've been nothing but bad? You don't deserve to cum, not anytime soon at least.

He smacks your pussy again. Your hips lift off the bed and you cry out. You're shaking so much, legs trembling that Seungmin thinks you might cum from his abuse.

"Fucking whore," he mumbles.

Then he's shoving his cock back inside, moving back to his hands can press the back of your thighs back. Your hands move to the mattress below you, nails digging into the sheet. All you do is watch as your boyfriend uses you as he pleases. His cock drags against your soft walls with precision, hitting the spot that makes your eyes welt with tears.

This isn't a rare occurrence. Seungmin does get rather jealous over insignificant things. When you talk to one of his friends for too long, the time you forgot to put on the necklace he gave you after a shower. For him to fuck you though, like this, he must have been beyond pissed.

There was a time you were talking to Felix about his baking, asking for recipes. An innocent conversation that had Seungmin whispering lowly in your ear, "I'll make you suck me off in front of him."

So yes, it's safe to say Seungmin is a tad overprotective of you. Even if he's fucking you into the mattress like he hates you, he's absolutely infatuated with you.

His eyes never leave your body. Watching how your breasts bounce, how you squeeze your tits, how your eyes look up at his so lovingly, so aroused. Seungmin wants to savor every part of you, and he isn't willing to share any bit.

Without meaning to, he starts fucking you how you like it. Rolling his hips into your pelvis to hit deep inside you. Your hips naturally follow his movements, raising them to feel how the tip of his cock nudges your cervix.

You're smart enough to not announce how close you are. Instead, you leave your mouth open in a silent moan and look up at your lover with wide eyes. Seungmin knows that look, he's seen it hundreds of times. He really wants to make you suffer and force you to withhold your impending orgasm.

By making you edge, however, he makes himself edge. He's already hit the breaking point many times, and he knows that this is the final straw for him. Seungmin reaches a hand down to play with your folds, feeling how your cunt immediately reacts and clenches down him.

"Fuck," he groans. "Gonna make me cum in your stupid little pussy."

His words make your eyes roll back, a whine leaving your lips. "Please! Oh fuck please cum inside me Seung. I need it so bad, please please please." You're on the verge of tears. With how perfectly he's thrusting into you and how hard he's rubbing your clit, there's no way you can hold out any longer.

Seungmin can't argue with your begging, you look rather cute doing so. His fingers rub around your bundle of nerves and then move up and down, the flawless way to make you come undone around him. It takes less than a minute to bring you over the edge.

You spasm and cream around his cock, chills traveling throughout your body from its intensity. You don't bother trying to keep quiet during your orgasm as you pant and cry out his name.

Your lover isn't too far behind you. Feeling your warm walls gush and convulse around him has his balls tightening. Seungmin shoves himself deep inside you just before he cums. It's nearly painful from how far he's forced his cock inside you. It makes you squirm and whine, but he steadies his hands behind your thighs to keep you in position.

His cum is so warm. You can feel it pumping inside of you and how his dick twitches. Seungmin can't help himself fuck but a few more times into your pussy, hearing you wail just to pull out completely. His eyes catch the dripping white release. It travels down your ass onto the sheets. He tsks.

"Come on babe. You should know to keep it inside."

It takes you a few seconds before you can answer as you catch your breath. "I'm sorry. I can't help it."

Your answer only makes him shake his head, a devious smile on his lips. "Then I guess we should keep going until you learn how to, no?"

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cool-fancier · 4 months

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Bound By Desire

Synopsis: Bada surrenders to your desires as you explore her body, igniting a passionate encounter between you both.

A/n:uses nickname of ‘princess’ fluff to smut .The characters and especially Bada and events in this story are entirely fictional. Any resemblance to real-life individuals or situations is purely coincidental.A bit rushed

Word count:1.9K

It was on a crisp autumn day, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of fallen leaves. You found yourself in a quaint café, seeking solace in the comforting embrace of a warm cup of coffee. Lost in your thoughts, you sipped your drink, observing the world around you.

As you glanced up, your eyes met Bada's, who stood near the counter, studying the menu. There was an immediate connection, an unspoken understanding that passed between you two. Intrigued by her presence, you gestured towards the empty seat across from you.

"Would you like to join me?" You asked, a gentle smile gracing your lips.

Bada's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she accepted the offer, settling into the chair. You both exchanged pleasantries, engaging in light conversation that gradually deepened. You discovered shared interests, passions, and an appreciation for art, music, and dance.

As the hours flew by, your connection grew stronger. You shared stories, dreams, and fears, gradually peeling back the layers of our souls. It was a slow dance of getting to know one another, each conversation revealing more about your hopes and desires.

Days turned into weeks, and your encounters became more frequent. You embarked on adventures together, exploring the city's hidden gems, visiting art galleries, and immersing ourselves in the beauty of nature. These shared experiences deepened your bond, allowing you to see different facets of each other.

One evening, as you strolled through the park, the setting sun casting a golden glow over everything, Bada turned to you, her eyes filled with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.

"Y/N, I have to confess something," she began, her voice soft yet determined. "I've been feeling a strong connection with you, a connection that I can't ignore. I find myself thinking about you constantly, and I'm drawn to your presence. It's as if we were meant to cross paths."

Her words resonated deep within you, validating the feelings that had been blossoming in your own heart. You reached out, gently taking her hand in yours , your touch conveying a sense of comfort and reassurance.

"Bada," you replied, your voice filled with warmth. "I feel it too. This connection we share is something special, something I've never experienced before. I want to explore it, to see where it leads us. If you're willing, I'd be honored to be your girlfriend."

A smile bloomed on Bada's face, her eyes shining with joy. "Yes, Y/N," she said, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and vulnerability. "I would love for us to be more than just friends.”

From that moment on, your relationship blossomed with a gentle and deliberate pace. You took the time to truly know each other, nurturing an emotional connection as you discovered the intricacies of your thoughts and aspirations. Your physical intimacy, too, grew naturally over time, as you both explored the depths of passion and desire.

Each day brought you closer, deepening your understanding and love for one another. You cherished the simple joys, the laughter, and the shared moments of vulnerability. Your relationship became a tapestry woven with trust, respect, and a genuine appreciation for the unique individuals you were.

As the seasons changed, your love continued to evolve, adapting to the challenges that life presented. You both faced hardships and celebrated triumphs together, providing unwavering support and encouragement. The connection remained steadfast, an anchor in the stormy seas of life.

Looking back, you are grateful for the gradual development of your relationship. It allowed you to build a solid foundation, one rooted in trust, emotional intimacy, and a profound understanding of one another. Your love story continues to unfold, each chapter filled with depth, passion, and a profound appreciation for the journey you embarked upon that fateful autumn day.

— — — — —

You had been away for what felt like an eternity, consumed by the demands of work and the chaos of life. The distance between Bada and you grew, and the ache of longing for her touch intensified with each passing day. But finally, the day had arrived. You stood outside her door, your heart pounding with anticipation.

As you knocked, your mind raced with memories of our passionate encounters, the way her body molded against yours, the taste of her lips, the feel of her skin beneath your fingertips. The door swung open, and there she stood, a vision of beauty and desire, clad in her sweatpants and baggy T-shirt.

Her eyes widened in surprise, a mix of excitement and relief washing over her face. "Y/N," she breathed, her voice filled with longing. "You're finally here."

You couldn't hold back any longer. You surged forward, your lips crashing against hers in a searing, passionate kiss. Your bodies pressed together, and you could feel the heat radiating between the two of you. The taste of her, the familiar scent of her skin, it all flooded your senses, igniting a fire within you that had been dormant for far too long.

As your lips danced, your hands roamed freely, tracing every curve and dip of each other's bodies. The hunger and need for one another were palpable, almost suffocating. You broke the kiss, gasping for air, your eyes locked with hers.

Her lips lingered on your, ascending each step, lost in the fervor of her kiss, guiding you to your shared room.

"Not yet, princess," you whispered against her lips, your voice filled with a mixture of desire and restraint. "I want to savor you."

Bada's lips parted, a soft moan escaping her as she threw her head back against the pillows. The sight of her surrendering to the pleasure you could provide sent a jolt of electricity through you. You trailed kisses along her jawline, nipping at her sensitive skin, before making your way down to the curve of her neck.

Your hands moved with purpose, exploring every inch of her body. You revealed in the softness of her skin, the way it yielded beneath your touch. You could feel her heartbeat quicken against your fingertips, matching the rhythm of your own racing pulse.

Her breathing grew ragged as you made your way lower, your lips and tongue leaving a trail of fire along her collarbone, her chest, her stomach. You dipped your fingers beneath the delicate fabric, feeling her heat radiating against your skin.

Bada's plea was barely a whisper, but it reverberated through the room, fueling the fire that consumed you both. "Y/N, I need you."

You couldn't deny her any longer. You ran a finger through her folds, just to tease her, reveling in the way she arched against your touch. "Oh, princess, I can feel how much you need me," you murmured, your voice filled with a mix of satisfaction and longing.

She begged again, her pouty pink lips forming the most enticing plea. "Please," she whimpered, her voice laced with need.

A wicked smile curled on your lips as you leaned in, your breath warm against her ear. "You look so pretty when you pout, princess," you whispered, your voice a low, seductive murmur. "But I have something better in mind."

With that, you trailed your fingers through her folds again, feeling her growing wetter and wetter in anticipation. Her hips instinctively bucked against your hand, seeking more contact, more friction.

Your own desire burned brightly within you, but you wanted to draw out this moment, to build the tension until it was almost unbearable. You withdrew my hand, leaving Bada panting and needy, her eyes pleading for release.

"Not yet," you said firmly, your voice laced with a hint of dominance. "I want to play with you a little longer."

The frustration and longing danced in her eyes, but she nodded, a mix of anticipation and resignation written across her face. She trusted you completely, knowing that you would lead her to the heights of pleasure.

You continued to tease her, your fingers tracing patterns on her inner thighs, skimming just past where she craved your touch the most. You reveled in the control, in the power you held over her pleasure. Bada's gasps fill the room as you continue to pleasure her, your fingers moving with deliberate precision. Her body arches against your touch, aching for more. You lean in, capturing her lips in a searing kiss, your tongue dancing with hers as you intensify your movements.

A surge of possessiveness courses through you, fueling your desire to claim her completely. You quicken the pace of your fingers, feeling her walls tighten around them. Each stroke brings her closer to the edge, and you can sense her unraveling beneath you.

"You're mine, princess," you growl, your voice dripping with dominance. "No one else can make you feel like this."

Bada's eyes flutter open, the intensity in her gaze mirroring the passion that courses through your veins. "Yes, Y/N," she breathes, her voice laced with submission. "I'm yours, body and soul."

With those words, you feel a surge of power rush through me, emboldening you to push her further. You add a third finger, stretching her, and her moans turn into a symphony of pleasure. Her hips buck against your hand, seeking more friction, more release.

You can feel her approaching the precipice, teetering on the edge of ecstasy. You lean down, capturing one of her pert nipples in your mouth, swirling your tongue around it, while your fingers continue their relentless assault.

"Y/N!" she cries out, her voice filled with a mix of pleasure and desperation. "I'm going to come!"

You pull away, denying her release. "Not yet, princess," you whisper, your breath warm against her ear. "I want to taste you first."

Her eyes widen with anticipation as you position myself between her thighs. The scent of her arousal fills the air, intoxicating you. You lower your head, your tongue flicking against her swollen clit, eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Bada.

You tease her, alternating between slow, languid licks and intense, focused sucking. Her hands grip the sheets, her body writhing beneath you as you bring her to the edge of ecstasy over and over again, denying her release until she's begging for it.

"Please, Y/N," she pleads, her voice desperate. "I can't take it anymore. I need to come."

You smile against her sensitive flesh, savoring the taste of her arousal on your lips. "Beg for it, princess," you command, your voice dripping with dominance.

Her eyes lock with yours, her desperation shining through. "Please, Y/N," she pleads, her voice filled with raw need. "Let me come. I'm yours. Only yours."

The sight of her surrendering to you, her vulnerability laid bare, sends a surge of possessiveness through you. You gave her what she craves, your tongue working tirelessly against her clit as you plunge two fingers back inside her, matching the rhythm of your movements with the intensity of your sucking.

Bada's body tenses, her back arching off the bed as a wave of pleasure crashes over her. She cries out your name, her voice a mix of ecstasy and surrender, as her orgasm ripples through her.

You continue to lavish attention on her sensitive core, prolonging her pleasure as she rides the waves of her release. Finally, when she's spent, you ease off, your lips trailing kisses along her inner thighs.

Bada's chest rises and falls rapidly as she tries to catch her breath. She looks at me with a mixture of awe and adoration, her eyes shining with unspoken emotions.

"Y/N," she whispers, her voice filled with love and gratitude. "That was... incredible."

You crawl up the bed, wrapping your arms around her and pulling her close. "You're incredible, princess," you murmur, nuzzling against her neck. "But… I'm just getting started."

#bada lee x reader #swf2 #swf2 x reader #bada lee #street woman fighter 2 #bebe #bada lee fanfic #bada lee x oc #bada lee x y/n #bada lee smut #bada #bada lee imagines #lee bada #bada fanfic

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runningmunson · 1 year

Note

I would love to make a request for Aemond going on a rainy day walk with Reader and then they find shelter from the storm ☔🖤🥰 If you're taking requests! 💖

Dance With Me

Pairing: Aemond Targaryen x Female!Reader Word Count: 1k Warning: swearing, lots of fluff, Aemond soft for reader

Masterlist

“Please, Aemond. You promised me,” you looked at your husband with pleading eyes.

He sighed but didn’t look up from his book, “Did I now?”

“Yes. Yes, you did. You told me days ago we could go for a walk,” you knew you were whining but couldn’t help yourself. You had barely spent time with him in the past week and wanted to get out of the castle.

“I do not think I meant for us to take one when it looks as if it will rain at any moment,” he glanced up at you before returning to his book. He was right on that; it was a dreary day. The usually blue sky was covered by a thick blanket of gray clouds.

You let out a huff, eyebrows now cocked, and folded your arms over your chest. Knowing just what to say to push his buttons, you opened your mouth to speak, “I didn’t take you for a man who broke promises.”

Aemond snapped his head up to glare at you. The book in his hands slammed shut and was placed to the side. He stood up, and with three short strides was in front of you. “When you decide to stop being a pain in the ass, I will gladly take you for a walk.”

“That settles it. Let’s go now,” you smiled at him brightly, celebrating your victory. He rolled his eyes but still complied as he offered you his arm. He may act annoyed at your antics, but he would do anything for you.

He led you outside the Red Keep and to the gardens. They were long abandoned for the day in favor of a spot near a warm fireplace. You let out a shiver as the cool air hit you.

“Are you cold? You know we can still turn back and have just as much fun in our chambers,” he smirked.

“I am fine, thank you very much. I wanted a walk, and that is what we shall do,” you wrapped the thin shawl closer to your body. You took a deep breath and relished in the earthy smell of impending rain.

“As you so wish,” he chuckled. You could be incredibly stubborn when it came to getting your way and proving someone wrong. That determination of yours was something he loved, knowing he enjoyed a challenge.

The conversation between you two ranged from the books you read, to the gossip around the court, to simply telling stories from when you were young. It seemed you were never out of topics; talking to each other flowed easily.

As you were admiring one of the flowers, you felt a shift in the air. You heard the rain first. It started as a soft patter on the leaves of the trees above you. You looked up toward the sky, and a small, cold droplet hit your face. Your attempt to wipe it away was pointless because the second you looked at Aemond, it was as if the skies opened up and the rain swallowed you whole.

Aemond grabbed your hand to direct you toward shelter, but the next covered courtyard was minutes away. By the time you reached safety from the storm, you were drenched. Your clothes clung tightly to your freezing body.

Instead of following him under the awning, you made a last-minute decision. You pulled away from his grasp. He turned around confused.

“What are you doing? You’re going to make yourself sick,” he said as he watched you.

There you stood in the pouring rain, your head pointed toward the sky, arms stretched above your head, and spun around. Aemond leaned his shoulder against the wall and couldn’t help but smile as he took in your childlike state. He loved seeing you act as wild and free as your soul.

“What does it look like I’m doing? I’m enjoying the rain, of course! Come join me!” you ran up to him and grabbed his arm, trying to pull him into the rain with you. He reluctantly followed. “Can’t you just feel the rain washing away all your worries?”

“I can’t say I do, but I do not believe I share the same affinity for rain as you do. Now can we go inside and dry off please?” He asked, not enjoying the feeling of his clothes and hair wet on his skin.

You shook your head, “Dance with me.”

Aemond groaned, “Dance with you? In the rain with no music? Must your sole purpose in life be to drive me insane?”

“Your life would be terribly boring without me, dear husband,” you joked.

“Unfortunately, I cannot say you’re wrong in that,” he said, but once more complied with your request. He placed one arm around your waist as yours found its place around his neck. You laced your free hands together. Aemond led the way, and your feet carried you gracefully around the open area of the garden, having done this dance at least a hundred times throughout your life. He would never admit it, but he was a great dancer.

“I have a feeling I look like a wet dog right about now,” you looked down at your ruined dress and stringy hair as you stepped away from him before being pulled back into his chest.

“You are the most breathtaking wet dog I have ever seen if you think you look like one,” he tried to force back a smile but failed as you both burst out into laughter. You settled into a comfortable silence as you swayed back and forth, eliminating any space between the other.

“You want to know something?” You spoke up.

“Hmm?” He looked at you, awaiting your response.

“I’ve always wanted to kiss someone in the rain?” You sheepishly grinned.

“Is that so? Well, I certainly mustn’t leave my fair lady waiting any longer,” his lips crashed into yours. The rain continued to pour down on you, but at that moment, you couldn’t care less as you continued to dance.

---

taglist: @cullenswife , @wrendermeuseless , @darylandbethfanforever9

#aemond targaryen x reader #aemond targaryen imagine #hotd #house of the dragon x reader #aemond targaryen #aemond targaryen fluff #aemond x reader #hotd imagine

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lovelyiida · 1 year

Note

hii!! i just found ur blog (rlly cute theme btw) and I wanted to submit a fluff or smut (or both idk) letter w bakugo please

hope u have a good day or night and remember to rest ☺️

@esloao requests: could you do both letters involving bakugo when he miss reader while they're separated?

YOU WON'T EVEN BELIEVE THIS BECAUSE I DON'T EVEN BELIEVE THIS but this is the first smut that I’ve ever written LMAO.

INCLUDES: PRO-HERO BAKUGO X fem CIVILIAN READER

WARNINGS: vulgar language, implied fem reader, smut, fluff

FLUFF! WHEN PRO-HERO BAKUGO AND YOU ARE SEPARATED it feels as if all odds are against you. The days pass, each one longer than the other. You felt as if another part of you was missing from your soul, and the rest of you was functioning on autopilot— no one told you how hard it is to date a pro-hero…

Let alone that pro-hero being the #2 ranked hero in the country.

Depending on the urgency of the mission, Bakugo would regularly call you. Around two-three times a day. One in the morning, one at work, and one at night.

Your co-workers would see how you beamed at your phone when the call log showed your boyfriend's name. A light squeal would slip from your mouth as your scurry away from your post to answer the phone call.

Most of the phone conversations would consist of your boyfriend asking you if you slept/ate well. And if you haven’t done any of those things he’ll cuss you out immediately.

Or when you’d tell him how your day was, telling him how stressful work was. He’d tell you you get some rest…knowing you won’t but it’s the thought that counts.

Sometimes, most of the phone calls are of you just being nosy— you regularly ask your boyfriend what he’s doing for his mission, regardless of how “top secret” the mission was supposed to be.

“What? So you go to the area to find no hostages and it was all a false call?” You say, confused and irritated at the news your partner tells you.

“Can’t fuckin’ believe the top agency, left my girl all alone at home for a week! Just for this bullshit,” your boyfriend snarled. You become warm at his sweet undertone of words.

“I mean- this is a high school level scenario, I swear we must be getting punked–“

“Does this mean you’re coming home early?” You coo. This makes Bakugo chuckle on the other line.

“Yes baby, hold your horses I’ll be there later.”

SMUT! WHEN PRO-HERO BAKUGO AND YOU ARE SEPARATED things can get carried away when you finally see each other again.

You sit on the couch, waiting impatiently, staring— burning holes into the front door of your shared home. You missed him so much, you needed him so bad.

Not to get sentimental, but every day you spend with him feels like your last. Dating a pro-hero takes mental strength. Knowing that the person you wake up next to might not make it to kiss you goodnight is heartbreaking to think about.

It was a harsh ideology to accept, and you still haven’t accepted it.

So every time you hear those keys jingle, and every time you watch that door open to see your loving boyfriends' amber eyes shoot around the room to be met with yours. You immediately jump at him, holding onto him like if you looked away for one mere second he’d disappear.

And every. single. time. your boyfriend comes home, this leads to the best sex you’ve ever had.

Legs hitched behind your head as your loving boyfriend pounds into you, each thrust burning so lustfully.

Sweat dripping from his forehead and onto yours, your loud breathy moans, and his heavy grunts filled the room like a thick fog.

There was no time for words, only action.

His eyes looked into yours, staring into your tear-glazed eyes and through to your soul. His hands clawed onto the back of your thighs, deep moans with each thrust.

Your arms shakily wrapped around his neck, nails digging deep into his scalp as you loudly moan, sloppily thrusting your hips forward for more pleasure.

“Y’missed me, baby?” He growled the loud slaps of your skin against his acting as beats of silence, which only makes you shiver.

“Y-yes,” you whimpered, licking your dry lips you try your best you look at him, but your eyes roll back and shut as you let out another wanton moan.

“You missed taking my dick didn’t ya?” Bakugo leans down, applying more pressure to your legs. Now his hard thrusts slow into his pelvis slowly rolling into your wetness.

Your eyes shoot open, you squeal as your boyfriend hits those bundles of nerves he knew he needed to hit. Letting out a gasp, your arms shoot from his neck and start to crawl at his back.

“Mhm!” You shake your head rapidly, as all you hear is the heavy breathing between the two of you.

“Mm thought so” Bakugo growls in your ear. Your boyfriend continues to roll his hips, hitting your g-spot repeatedly.

“Y-y’know, every fuckin time I leave here…all I think about is you and my pussy” He says.

My?

The simple word that left his mouth makes you clench so hard— it makes the both of you breathless, you hear your boyfriend let out a loud moan.

“Shit, you like that? You like your pussy only belonging to me, honey?” He moans, you couldn’t even speak anymore.

“You like knowing that this is my pussy and only mines? You love how I make my pussy feel s’good?” He growls in your ear, he stops his grinding only to reposition himself. Growling, he slowly pulls out—soon slamming his length back in.

This makes you scream out.

“Katsuki!” Tears stream down your face, the makeup you put on today melting off with ease.

Now, every thrust was rough with no intention of stopping.

“Fuck, Y/n!” He whimpers, head touching yours as he sloppily peppers kisses all over your face.

“Katsuki I’m gonna f’kin…cum,” eyes rolling back as your head slams onto the soft pillow.

“Yeah? Your gonna cum using your dick?” He whispers, eyes rolling back as he nears his end as well.

“Yes, I’m gonna cum using my dick” you moan out. Bakugo lets out a half-chuckle, reaching down to caress your face with his warm hands. He places a warm, soft kiss on your lips.

Looking at his face, you notice that he was teary-eyed as well. The eyeliner he used for his hero work smears as tears trickle down his cheeks.

“I love y-you,” Bakugo breathes out. This makes your breath hitch.

Bakugo is the type to rarely say those three words. He doesn’t take these words lightly. So you knew that when he meant it, he meant it.

“I love you too, Katsuki” you whimper giving him a quick kiss on the cheek. Soon taking a hand from his back to caress his face.

You knew that you saying his first name was his weak spot. As you could tell by the way his hips stuttered and his eyes slowly roll back in ecstasy.

“I’m cummin, fuck!”

Bakugo soon thrusts at a lethal pace, the only sound in the room was the slapping of your skin. As the both of you reach climax, orgasming hard and silent.

Time goes by as Bakugo collapses on top of you, bodies rising and falling as the only sounds are the pace of your slow breaths. You hold on tight to Bakugo, tears still streaming down your face as you revel in the moment.

You missed Katsuki, and he missed you too.

RRAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!! FIRST SMUT EVER LETS GO

I hope you liked this, I’m sorry if it’s cringey but I thought I did good, please let me know how I did or this will loom over my existence for the rest of my life :)

— lovelyiida ❤︎︎

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thefallennightmare · 2 months

Text

Mercy-Four

*gif created by me. feel free to use, simply give credit*

Pairings: Noah Sebastian x Fallen Angel!OC

Warnings: swearing, angst, fluff, smut, mythological talk, violence.

Summary: "Blinded by a fear of feeling, these are the kings we chose. Lost and looking for the meaning, I've been searching high and low" It came crashing down on him. This is the story of the highest banished angel from where she came only to find home in the arms of a mortal man. This mortal realizing he'd face Lucifer himself to keep her.

Lethia: Archangelus Oneironaut also known as Archangel of Dream Walking. Across worlds and dimensions, she walks within. Uncovering dangerous secrets, leaving her cast out, isolated- that is until she begins to learn what it means to feel.

Authors Notes: So I pulled a lot of ideas from my favorite fallen angel romance series, Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick! I hope you all enjoy!

Tags[OPEN]: @thescarlettvvitch @blackveilomens @crimson-calligraphyx @cookiesupplier @lyschko666 @shilohrosechicken @thebadchic @iknownothingpeople @sammyjoeee @malice-ov-mercy @collapsedglasshouses @klutzy-kay24 @iamamatus @lma1986 @bngurngheart @happi-goth

LETHIA

I sat in the middle of Noah’s bed with my knees pulled to my chest and rested my chin on top of them. My mind continued to replay the conversation with Maraxa and her parting words had been etched deep within my soul. I feared that maybe I brought darkness and death to not only Noah but all of his friends' lives. They were innocent bystanders in the battle for my alliance. Stay on this Earth with mortals or fall into the depths of Hell with the light bringer.

Lucifer. He wanted me alongside him to lead his army of darkness. Against what? I wasn’t sure. But the love we shared wasn’t what it used to be and my heart didn't covet for him any longer. Not when there was someone else who seemed to have filtered into this newfound life without warning.

Those almond eyes captivated me from the moment I had Noah pinned against the door. His scent was different from most mortals and for the longest time, I couldn’t figure out why. The way we always seemed to run into each other or that anytime I dream walked, it was his dream.

Why was it Noah’s face I saw moments before my fall?

Why did we have the same tattoo? His on his neck, mine on my ribs?

None of this made any sense and it only angered me more as to why I was stuck here.

As I was staring at the length of my black nails, there was a gentle knock on the door of the bedroom; me humming in response to it. When it opened slightly, Noah poked his head in, the long strands of his hair falling into his face.

“Hey,” his voice was gentle. “I’m just checking to see if you’re settling in fine.”

“Yes,” I nodded. “I’m sorry for having Maraxa show up here. I assure you, it won’t happen again.”

You don’t know that.

Noah leaned against the wall next to the door, crossing his arms over his chest. “It’s alright. Is she an old friend?”

I scoffed while laying my legs straight on the bed to lean my back against the wall.

“She is far from a friend. More like an acquaintance that always wanted my position.”

If he could hear the venom in my voice, Noah said nothing and simply nodded.

“Are you hungry?” He asked instead.

“I’m fine, thank you,” I ran a hand over the black comforter. “I must say, I do feel terrible making you sleep on the couch when your bed is quite comfortable.”

“Seriously?” Noah chuckled while walking farther into the room to sit on the bed next to me. “I’ve had this mattress for years and it's anything but comfortable.”

An eerie silence fell between us, something that made me shift in my spot next to him when the warmth from him radiated around me in flames. I could feel his essence all over my skin while not feeling his actual touch. Bumps rose at the back of my neck when I felt his gaze linger there, lighting me a blaze.

My eyes caught sight of something hanging from above his window so I pointed to it.

“Are you religious? The rosary?”

Noah peered up at the wooden necklace hanging from his curtain rod. “Oh, that. It’s kind of a long story.”

Crossing my legs, I rested my elbow on my thigh to rest my chin in my hand. “And I have time. I’d love to know your view on it.”

With a tender laugh, he nodded before turning toward me so we sat facing each other. “Well, I was raised in a very Christian Baptist household with my grandparents; when I wasn’t staying with my mom. That's another story but it’s not important.”

Immediately I picked up on the way his eyes cast down at his hands at the mention of his mother but made no effort to acknowledge it. Instead, I urged him to continue with a nod.

“I’d go to service with my grandparents and help out in the church any way I could. Painting, setting up for service, things like that. I was exposed to a lot of religion growing even though when I was younger I didn’t buy into it as much. Despite having a lot of questions and doubts about it now, I still think there’s a lot to learn about it through religion, spirituality, and faith. Which is why I write about it metaphorically.”

He ran a hand over his chin for a moment. “I never try to push my own beliefs or agendas on people. I want people to think and believe in things on their own, without having my choice influence them in any way.”

“I think that’s marvelous,” I hummed.

Noah smiled. “The whole lore and stories in religion really interest me. I’m currently reading a book about The Fall.”

My mouth ran dry when my body went rigid. “Th-the Fall?”

“Yeah, fallen angels. It’s actually quite interesting.”

I ran my hands over my thigh and cleared my throat. “Do you believe in them?”

“Angels?” Noah asked with furrowed brows.

All I could do was nod, afraid that my voice would give way to how nervous I was for his answer.

He ran a hand over his mouth, almost deep in thought. “It’s hard to give a definitive answer because I haven’t seen proof of angels. I thought that angels didn’t exist at first but something changed my view on it. My grandma told me a story about fallen angels when I was younger. What about you? Do you believe it?”

“You wouldn’t believe the things I’ve seen,” the tone of my voice dropped drastically as my fingers brushed along the softness of the comforter beneath me.

Flash images of what I’d done under the King’s command plagued me. Death by my sword was ordered to anyone who disobeyed him. Which rarely happened but when it did, I was the one that dealt with the end of the traitor's life. The familiar feeling of ripping out their wings weighed heavy on my hands as I stared down at them with sheer disgust.

How could the creator who was supposed to love all of us equally order me to do such vile, horrendous, things to his creations?

“Lethia,” the softness of his large hands rested on my shoulder, fresh off a kill. “You’ve done well my child. Your allegiance is greatly thought of.”

My jaw clenched at how foolish I’d been. Following a King who cared so little for us in the end. The amount of wings I ripped out was too much to count. The amount of angels I dragged my blade into cut deep into my gut, causing me to revolt in disgust.

At myself.

Since I fell weeks ago, I questioned so deeply why my appearance changed and I always thought it was because of my love for Lucifer. But it could be to pay for all of my heinous crimes up in the Kingdom. Crimes ordered by Him.

“Hey,” Noah’s tattooed knuckle lifted my chin. “Are you alright?”

I nearly sobbed when yet again I couldn’t feel his touch; another repercussion.

“No,” I choked out. “I did horrible things back home and how could I ever be allowed back? Why would he want me back?”

The screams of my victims were loud in my mind, their bloody wings lying at my feet, and I squeezed my eyes shut at the vision.

“You don’t have to go back there. You can stay here with me. Whatever you did can’t be that terrible,” his voice cooed in the silence of his bedroom.

The words died on my tongue, it not being worth it to explain myself to him because Noah wouldn’t understand.

My heart's racing faltered for the briefest of moments, only for it to double in pace when Noah’s eyes studied me, assessing every inch of my face. I tracked every movement of his tongue when it darted out to wet his pink lips.

“Lethia.”

My name was all but a hushed whisper that hung on his bottom lip and when our eyes met, some kind of light danced behind his. I raised my fingers to his mouth to drag the nail of my pointer finger along that bottom lip. Noah’s breath hitched in his throat but remained still as I glanced up at him, dying to know what it would feel like. Facial hair peppered his chin and above his mouth, and I couldn’t help but smile at how good he looked.

There was no way he wasn't like me. Noah was too eternal, the aura that radiated around him shone bright and pulled me in every time he was around.

The long locks of his hair fell into his face when he tilted his head towards me, closing the distance slightly. The divine scent of him filled my senses and I let my eyes flutter shut to pick apart each of the different smells. Noah smelled woodsy with a hint of Bergamot and Nutmeg. It smelled like his bedroom. It smelled like him.

“Noah,” I breathed, now dragging my nails over the tattoo on his neck.

I couldn't feel his touch but I did notice my hair being brushed away from my face.

“I can’t explain it,” Noah swallowed. “But I feel this strong connection to you.”

All of my actions were unknown to me, along with this feeling in my chest that burned with such a good ache. Noah silenced all of the voices in my mind, easing away the guilt and hurt that weighed heavily on my heart for my actions in the Kingdom. I was resistant at first with him but I think it was only because this feeling deep inside of me scared me to the ends of the earth.

“Me as well,” I admitted quietly.

My hands rested in my lap now, shaking with nerves, wondering what Noah was going to do. We were so close now, with almost no space between our lips, and before my brain could catch up on what was happening a sudden surge of warmth exploded inside of me before seeping into my veins. My skin pricked with electricity when Noah’s hand glided through my hair and it was then that I noticed his eyes were closed but his lips were on mine.

He was kissing me?

Fuck.

I nearly cried and cursed the King for bestowing me with this curse of not being able to feel human touch. All I wanted was to feel Noah’s lips on mine, taste him, devour him. Although I couldn’t feel him, the feeling that was coming alive inside of me was almost too much to handle and I let a quiet moan be swallowed by Noah, who hummed in delight.

It felt like fireworks being shot off inside of me. It felt like that first flight I took when I realized my wings kept me upright. It felt like the wind blew through my hair and the softness of the clouds encased me just as Noah’s arm did.

Something spread my lips apart and now all I could feel was the sudden wetness in my mouth and between my legs. I clenched them together while grasping at Noah’s shirt, trying to feel anything.

He pulled away to glance down at me, briefly searching my eyes for any emotion I couldn’t give off in the kiss we just shared.

“I mean this with genuine curiosity but have you never been kissed before?” Noah wondered while his hand cupped my cheek.

I shifted on his bed and kept my gaze cast down on my lap. While I lay with other angels up in the Kingdom, we’d never kissed; Noah was my first kiss, ever.

“Lethia?”

“I-,” my shoulders slumped. “No. Was I that bad?”

Now while I couldn’t feel his touch, that didn’t stop me from meeting his kiss with the same amount of gentle caress that he led with.

A low noise rumbled in Noah’s chest. “Not at all. I’d actually like to kiss you again if that’s alright?”

Unbridled heat expanded deep within me as I nodded quickly and then his lips were on mine again. I let the passion in my heart guide my lips, doing my best to mimic Noah’s actions, and he let out a moan when I climbed into his lap to run my hands through the waves of his tawny hair. Even if I couldn’t feel any part of this physically, I could feel it in my heart, and to me, that’s all that mattered.

“Lethia,” Noah groaned when I pressed my hips into his.

Something in my heart told me that he was brushing his tongue along the side of my neck before his teeth grazed over in its path. That same feeling told me that Noah’s hands were sprawled over my lower back before slipping underneath my shirt to claw at my skin, digging his nails in.

My spine tingled with fire, starting from the base and shooting straight up into my neck before spreading through my entire angel essence. My head fell back as my jaw went slack when the familiar feeling of ecstasy crept its way into me.

Only this wasn’t the kind of ecstasy brought on by a man's kiss or touch.

No.

The skin on my shoulder blades began to peel away an opening for my wings to protrude from and with a gasp of fear, I scrambled away from Noah and nearly stumbled over my feet as I stood in front of him. He lay back on his elbows, hair a mess from my fingers running through it, and lips were swollen from our kiss. The rise and fall of his chest was uneven as he tried to catch his breath. I dared a glance lower and sucked in a breath when I noticed how hard his cock was in his gray sweats.

“Hey, are you alright? Did I do something?” Noah asked while rising to his feet and taking a step towards me.

I took a step back. “No, you didn’t do anything. I-I can’t explain it but-.”

How could I explain it?

Oh hey, Noah. I was getting so turned on by our kiss that my wings almost came out.

Yeah right.

I dragged my hands through my hair and let out an aggravated groan to which Noah gently grasped my wrists and held them against his chest. My gaze bounced back and forth between his eyes, my erratic heartbeat calming.

“If I went too far, I apologize,” he said.

“No,” I hastily shook my head. “You didn’t do anything. I just needed a moment to clear my head, that's all.”

He hummed. “I know the perfect thing to help with that.”

Before dropping my hands, he left a gentle kiss on them, and I couldn’t stop the smile that spread to my lips as I watched him gather the extra clothes on his desk and towels.

“A shower always helps me clear my head,” Noah said while leading me out of his bedroom.

“A shower?” I asked, slowly treading behind him.

“Yeah,” he nodded as we stepped inside the bathroom. “Hot Water. Soap. Shampoo.”

“Naked. I know the drill,” I crossed my arms over my chest with a raised brow. “Are you trying to get me naked, Noah?”

Nervously he rubbed the back of his neck and a red tint painted over his cheeks. “N-no. I just want to help you.”

I took the things in his hands with a nod of thanks. “You’ve already done enough for me. Giving me a place to stay.”

The space between us was small in his bathroom due to his tall stature and he gazed down at me with a slight up curl of his lips as he stuffed his hands in his pocket.

“I help the people I care about.”

I cocked my head at him. “You care about me?”

This word, care, was foreign to me; unheard of in the Kingdom. So to hear Noah utter it made a weird feeling stir inside of me.

“I wouldn’t have kissed you if I didn’t,” Noah’s voice was low as he took a small step towards me.

However, when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror, I nearly dropped the clothes and towels. I always tried to avoid looking at myself because of how evil I looked. My red eyes matched the red lights from under Noah’s bed and my short onyx hair barely reached my shoulders. Thankfully my jacket and jeans covered the tattoos that were drawn on my skin; etched in deep with my transgressions.

I despised how I looked now. Revolted in the darkness that I become.

“I never used to look like this,” I admitted with a long sigh, letting the things in my hands fall to the bathroom counter.

Noah stepped behind me to stare at my reflection in the mirror. “Really?”

“This look?” I pointed to my reflection. “It’s a telling of everything wrong I’ve done. I can’t even look at myself without disgust.”

His face fell at my words and he rested his hands on my shoulders. “Lethia, that’s the farthest thing from the truth. You look beautiful.”

That was another word I hadn’t heard before.

“Beautiful?” I raised a brow, staring at his reflection still.

Noah rested his chin on top of my head and I couldn’t help but giggle at the size difference between us. I wasn’t exactly short but with Noah’s length, he easily towered over me so to rest his chin on my head he had to bend down a bit, encasing his arms on either side of me to grip the bathroom counter.

My eyes raked over the tattoos that covered the entirety of his arms, various designs and colors.

“Well for starters, the length of your hair suits your face structure and the color compliments your olive skin tone,” he left a kiss on the side of my head.

“I used to have long, almost white hair,” I said.

“Oh,” his face scrunched up.

“You don’t like it?” I teased with a chuckle.

Noah shrugged. “You look beautiful either way but like I said this look suits you better.”

His hands grabbed the collar of my jacket to slowly pull it down my arms, letting it fall to the floor at our feet. I now stood in front of him in my jeans and white shirt, arms exposed to show the darkness of the tattoos that covered them.

“Your tattoos are made for you,” he breathed in my ear, fingers trailing up the skin of my arms.

Our eyes locked in the mirror, the deep crimson of mine paled in contrast to his bright almond ones; however this time when I looked into them, they weren’t cold and vacant. Not like I’d see in my dreams.

“Your eyes,” Noah breathed. “I think your eyes are one of my favorite things about you.”

He brushed away the hair from my neck so he could press kisses along the skin there. I watched in the mirror as his teeth grazed over the shell of my ear before sinking deep into the crook of my neck. Straight heat shot through me again and I let myself fall into his embrace with a sigh that sounded more like a moan.

“I’m afraid,” my bottom lip trembled as I cast my eyes down from his.

Noah turned me in his arms so I had no choice but to look up at him. His eyes were filled with worry as they searched every inch of my face. I grasped at the front of his shirt, fingers trying desperately to feel the material.

“Afraid of what? This?” He pointed between us.

“No,” I shook my head and then let out a shaky breath. “I am terrified by this dark thing that sleeps in me.”

Noah’s hands were on both sides of my face because he held me firm. Then when the light sparked inside of me, I knew that he crashed his lips on mine, tongue slipping inside of my mouth. Although I couldn’t feel his touch, the feeling I had deep inside of me was telling me everything he was doing.

One hand cupped my cheek while the other slipped inside my shirt, grasping at the skin of my lower back. His lips and tongue explored every inch of my mouth, dragging his teeth along my jawline and neck as he went back to leaving small marks along my collarbone.

His name came out just below a whisper when he lifted me onto the bathroom counter, digging his nails into the thick material of my jeans to spread my legs open for him. Noah stepped between them as I brought our lips together again in another fiery kiss, needing to bring Noah even closer to me by any means.

“Lethia,” he murmured against my mouth. “I need-.”

Just as the skin on my shoulders began peeling away, someone walked into the bathroom, causing Noah to jump away from me slightly. Glancing at the now open door, I noticed his roommate Jesse’s eyes bouncing between Noah and me.

“Shit, I should have knocked,” he muttered while rubbing his face. “I just saw the door was cracked open and didn’t think.”

I wiped away the saliva from my lips and turned my head away from the two men, feeling this unusual burn on my cheeks.

“It’s alright,” Noah ran a hand through his hair, still keeping a wide distance between us. “I was just letting Lethia take a shower.”

Jesse nodded. “Yeah sure, no problem. I’ll just use the bathroom downstairs.”

When it was just Noah and me yet again, I peered over to him who was leaning against the wall with a wicked smirk.

“What?” I asked with a slight up curl on my lips.

He said nothing, only adjusting himself. I dared a glance downward and sucked in a breath when I noticed his cock pressing hard against the front of his sweats. All the warmth in my body shot down to my core and I squeezed my thighs together, hoping it would curb the itch.

How did this mortal seem to set all of my senses ablaze like this?

“I’ll give you some privacy,” Noah motioned to the shower.

As he began walking out of the bathroom, I dared a glance at the shower but tilted my head in confusion.

“Wait,” I spoke while reaching for his wrist, my black nails grazing his skin.

Both of us reacted with such a shock, nearly making me rear back in surprise. Noah’s eyes bounced from my hold on him to my face; a spark of something behind them.

“How do I turn it on?”

“The shower?” His brows creased.

All I did was nod, some things on this planet still confused me but I didn’t want to tell him that.

With a chuckle, Noah walked over to the shower, sliding the door open then turned the dial left.

“Left is hot. The right is cold. Adjust how you need to. There’s already some shampoo and body wash in there for you,” he said when he stepped in front of me.

Steam began to fill the bathroom, dancing above our heads like the clouds in the Kingdom. Reaching up on the tips of my toes, I laid a soft kiss on the corner of his mouth.

“Thank you, Noah.”

NOAH

I stifled a yawn behind my hand as I poured myself yet another cup of coffee, stirring the dark liquid as I leaned against the kitchen island. Craning my neck far to the left, I groaned when it popped in a few different places. Sleeping on the couch did a number on my back and neck but I didn’t want to verbalize my discomfort knowing that Lethia was comfortable upstairs in bed.

Possibly naked, lying in my sheets.

Shaking the thoughts from my head, I took a large gulp of my coffee, it slightly burning on the way down, when Jesse walked into the kitchen. His eyes raked over my disheveled hair and skewed clothes with a smirk.

“Rough night?”

I grumbled in response.

“I’m sorry about interrupting you and Lethia last night,” Jesse apologized while reaching for a cup in the far right cupboard.

“It’s alright,” I set my cup on the counter next to me.

It seemed as if there was something on the tip of his tongue so I urged him to ask his question with a nod.

“Are you sure you aren’t moving fast with her?” Jesse was hesitant to ask. “You don’t know a lot about Lethia?”

Even though I was growing tired of the same conversation with my friends, I took a deep breath to ease away the annoyance. I knew they were only coming from a place of love.

“It’s hard to explain,” I rubbed a hand up and down my arm. “We feel this strong connection between us and no matter how hard I tried to stay away, it seemed as if something kept pulling us together.”

Jesse nodded with a faint smile. “She seems like a great girl, Noah. We just don’t want you to fall too deep and end up getting hurt.”

I reassured him with a pat on his shoulder just as Jolly, Michael, and Orie came bounding into the kitchen, all of them going about to start their typical morning routine. It was a rare Saturday that we all had off so earlier in the week we talked about going for a hike today.

“Still on for today?” Orie wondered.

“Yeah,” I answered.

Jolly took a sip of his coffee. “Did you ask if Lethia wanted to come?”

My lips parted to speak but there was this tingle at the back of my neck, making the hairs there stand to attention, and when I turned slightly, my heart shuddered in my chest.

Lethia stood in the middle of the kitchen, rubbing a hand on her elbow. Her hair was a mess from a night of sleep and I could make out the faintest of a few purple marks across her neck. My cock twitched in my sweats when I remembered our kisses from last night. But that’s not what made my heart stop. It was what she was wearing.

My blue and white star shorts and my Jesus playing basketball with the devil t-shirt. It drowned on her, barely covering the shorts. Not only were her arms covered in tattoos but so were both of her legs, the black designs standing out amongst the sunlight that brushed in through the patio door next to her. Lethia looked absolutely breathtaking.

Like an angel.

“Hilarious,” she pulled at the picture of the shirt.

I smiled. “Did you sleep alright?”

“You guys were going to ask me something?”

She averted my question with one of her own and Orie spoke up.

“We were going for a hike today. Would you like to join?”

“A hike,” Lethia repeated the words slowly.

Michael rolled his eyes. “You know, walking up a mountain. Fresh air. Scenery. Exercise.”

Crimson eyes sliced into him. “I know what a hike is.”

“Cool, so are you coming with or not?” He crossed his arms.

“I’m touched you want me to tag along, Michael. I knew you secretly had feelings for me,” Lethia teased with a playful smirk.

Peering over to Michael, I noticed a red tint covering his cheeks before he hid his face in the fridge, rummaging around for something.

“So,” I began while closing the distance between Lethia and me. “Do you want to come with us?”

She peered up at me through dark lashes. “You want to spend time with me?”

“I think after last night that it’s pretty clear,” I said while taming her sleep-tousled hair.

Lethia leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering shut with a peaceful sigh.

“Okay,” she agreed after a beat of silence. “Give me a few minutes to get dressed.”

“Take all the time you need,” I said, trailing my fingers down the side of her neck.

Lethia slipped away from me and trotted back upstairs to get ready and when I turned around, I ignored the looks from Michael, Orie, and Jolly. Instead, I walked into the living room while hearing Jesse fill them in on what happened last night.

“You kissed her?” Michael asked as he followed me into the living room.

Slipping my black jacket over my hoodie, I shrugged. “It sort of happened. We were in my room talking and I asked if I could.”

He hesitated and I knew, like Jesse, he had some reservations.

“Look, I appreciate you guys looking out for me, I do. But if I didn’t trust Lethia, she wouldn’t be here. So can we please make her feel welcome?”

I directed the question towards Michael, who raised his hands. “I didn’t start it.”

“I think the reason why you two seem to butt heads is because she doesn't take your shit,” Jolly chuckled while tying up his hair.

Michael grumbled under his breath as Lethia came bounding down the steps, yet again taking my breath away. She was dressed in biker shorts, showcasing her long and toned legs, and a black fitted crop top. Her white tennis shoes stood out as she came to a stop when all eyes fell on her.

“Do I have something stuck to me or something?” She asked, doing a full 360 turn, and I briefly saw a tattoo peaking on her shoulder through the straps of her shirt.

Some kind of bird. A crow?

“No, you look great,” I smiled. “Ready?”

“Shit, my jacket. Let me-.”

Before she could run back upstairs, I handed her an extra sweater of mine I grabbed from the front closet.

“Your leather jacket is looking a bit worn so here, you can have my sweater for the day,” I said.

She hesitantly took it, fingering the material of my yellow sweater. “Thank you, Noah.”

The drive to our usual hiking spot seemed to go by faster than normal as we all piled in Orie’s SUV; he and his dog, Harper, up front; something Michael gave him shit for when he tried to call shotgun.

Jolly and Michael were in the middle.

Me, Lethia, and Jesse were in the back seat.

My knees were brushing with hers, heat spreading throughout my nerve endings and I suddenly wanted to feel all of her all over me. Memories of our kiss last night flashed in my mind when I found myself staring at her lips while she talked with Jesse.

I remembered how they tasted; like every dark thought I’d ever had. There was something about her that kept calling to me, to a side that I forever repressed. I needed to know more about her and to know who she was running from so I could protect her from them.

Once we all stumbled out of the car, Lethia bent low to Harper so the dog could sniff her fingers. With a faint smile, she scratched Harper being the ears, something the dog appreciated with a wag of her tail.

“You’re a beautiful creature,” Lethia mused before rising to her feet.

With Orie taking the lead, we all followed up the usual path, Lethia slowly trailing behind. I let her take her time alone, figured something was bothering her, but when we made it about halfway up the trail, I finally turned to face her. Her hand was moving in an orbit as she studied the long black nails; sharp as a blade.

“Come on slowpoke!” I called out to her with a smile after pulling my hood up.

Her eyes barely lifted to mine, something still clouding her mind.

“What’s going on?” I asked, coming to a stop.

“Hm?”

When Lethia finally looked up at me, it was a few seconds too late as she crashed into me, not realizing I stopped walking. My arms wrapped around her to keep us upright while her hands sprawled over my chest. I was still so nervous to have her this close to me that I knew she would be able to tell when she’d feel my heart beating rapidly in my chest.

“What’s going on in here?” I asked again, tapping her forehead.

She didn’t even flinch.

“Nothing,” Lethia said.

I knew she couldn’t see the look I was giving her through my sunglasses so instead, I squeezed her hips; once again not reacting to my touch.

“I’m fine, Noah,” she reassured me with a gentle caress to my face. “We should move along before the others wonder where we drifted off to.”

I glanced over my shoulder, noticing that Jolly was at the top of the hill about ten feet ahead of us; stopped and waiting.

“The first one to Jolly wins,” I said.

This made her raise a brow. “A race?”

“Yeah,” I dropped my hands from her waist. “If I win, I get to sleep in my bed with you. The couch isn’t the best place to sleep on my back. If it makes you feel better, we can put a wall of pillows between us.”

“What do I get when I win?” Her hands replaced mine on her hips.

I snorted. “Someone’s confident.”

It was her turn to snort. “There’s no way you can beat me. Now, what do I get when I win?”

“Whatever you want,” I shrugged.

She tapped a finger to her lip as if she was really thinking about her decision.

“If I win, I’d like for you to kiss me again.”

My cock twitched in my joggers while my heart hammered loudly in my ears.

“Lethia,” my voice dropped. “You don’t have to make a bet for me to kiss you again.”

Cocking her head to the side, she stood taller to close the distance. I felt the warm breath fan over my bottom lip and I almost captured her tongue with mine when it darted out to wet her lips.

Suddenly, her laughter erupted through the trees as she took off in a sprint toward Jolly. Chuckling under my breath, I whipped around to begin running after her, amazed at how fast she’d already closed the distance to Jolly. She was less than five feet from him as he watched the two of us with a smile.

Suddenly, her steps faltered briefly, just enough for me to pass her in such haste that I didn’t see that she stopped running completely. When I reached Jolly, I tapped his shoulder before raising my hands.

“I win!”

Lethia slowly caught up to us with a smile painting the features of her face, not even working hard to catch her breath from the race. It was as if she wasn’t even winded.

“You did, fair and square,” she agreed while tying half of her hair up into a bun.

Jolly looked from me to Lethia, a knowing look on his face. “Really?”

My shoulders fell when I saw the look the two of them shared.

“Wait,” I pointed to her. “Did you let me win?”

“No,” Lethia dragged out the word and shrugged. “Why would I do that?”

When she slipped between Jolly and me, she patted my chest and winked. “You better not be a blanket hog, Noah.”

I watched her walk up to Jesse, the two of them picking up the conversation they had in the car.

“You know Lethia let you win, right?”

Jolly’s voice made me snap my gaze over to him. “No, she didn’t.”

Now it was me that gave that knowing look and I shifted on my feet.

“Why would she let me win?” I asked.

“She wanted you to share your bed with her,” Jolly said as if it was obvious.

I stood there for a long moment after he left to catch up with everyone else, letting his words settle within me. Lethia let me win because she wanted to share my bed. A fire burned in my gut with that knowledge as excitement filled my veins with the thought of going to sleep tonight.

When I reached the group, they all were standing on a cliff edge staring down at the city of Los Angeles. This was one of my favorite spots because you could see everything up here but hear nothing of the hustle and bustle of the city, only your thoughts.

I took note of Lethia who was a few feet away from all of us, in her own little bubble, letting the wind blow through her hair and my sweater that was tied around her waist. Her eyes were closed, a look of peaceful bliss on her face almost as if she belonged in the breeze. Her arms were outstretched as she tilted her head back. “Lethia.”

One eye cracked open as she looked at me when I snapped a quick picture of her with a smile.

“I’m glad you invited me with you guys,” she breathed while dropping her arms.

“Yeah, you’ve been alright company,” Michael admitted with a grumble.

She came over and ruffled his hair. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Hooking an arm around her back, I pulled her into my chest, breathing my question over her lips. “You let me win the race?”

“Now why would I do that?” Lethia hummed, playing with the strings of my hoodie.

“That would mean I secretly want to sleep in the same bed with you.”

Something mischievous sparkled in her crimson eyes as I lowered my head to her, capturing her lips in a soft kiss. Her body relaxed in my embrace, lips molding against my own, while my hands roamed up her back.

Pulling away, Lethia dragged a finger over my bottom lip.

“Looks like we both won in the end,” she respired.

“How sweet.”

Lethia’s body went stiff in my embrace when she peered over my shoulder toward the unfamiliar voice. Following her gaze, my brows creased when I noticed a man standing a few feet away from our group, hands stuffed deep into the pockets of his dark Levis. The top two buttons of his white shirt were undone, showcasing a golden chain. For someone walking outside on a dirt-filled mountain, he looked clean; pristine. Not a single strand of his blonde hair was out of place on top of his head.

“Uriel,” Lethia forced out through gritted teeth.

“Do you know him?” I asked when I looked back at her.

“Unfortunately,” her jaw ticked, never removing her eyes from the stranger. “He’s an old friend. Give me a few minutes?”

I swallowed the jealousy burning deep in my gut at the way she said old friend but nodded, letting her slip from my embrace. With the guys flanking in a line a few feet behind her, we watched with careful eyes as she moved out of earshot from us.

LETHIA

“How did you find me?” I questioned, the soles of my shoes scraping along the rocks beneath my feet.

Uriel smiled with his lips but not his eyes. “I must admit, your scent was a bit harder to find now that you mingle among these mortals.”

“What do you want, Uriel?” My hands shook at my side so I rolled them into fists.

Bright gold eyes flicked over my shoulder towards the guys before they fell on me.

“I come with a message from the King.”

I swallowed thickly, nearly faltering my stone face at the mention of the King, but remained calm.

“I’m surprised he let you leave his side; you were always the one to be up his ass any chance you could get.”

Uriel’s eyes sliced into me. “The vulgarity of your speech, Lethia. A few weeks here and you’ve changed; in more ways than one.”

“What’s this message?” I asked with a sigh, ready to end this surprise meeting.

“The King is welcoming you back into the Kingdom.”

My heart stopped in my chest as my jaw dropped. I couldn’t ignore the way relief flooded me for the briefest of moments.

A way back home? I was allowed to go back home.

“That seems too good to be true. How can I believe your word?” I asked while crossing my arms over my chest.

Uriel held out his hands. “I am an archangel, Lethia. We’re known for our word.”

“When the fuck has your word ever been good enough? I sneered, countless memories of how wrong his word had been in the Kingdom.

“Do you want to be granted a way back or not?” Uriel clicked his tongue against his teeth.

“Surely the King has a catch,” I reminded him. “He always did.”

Uriel pointed to Noah. “Erase that mortal’s memory of you, renounce him and everything you’ve done together. Never look his way again and you have your way back home.”

My heart fell to the depths of my stomach at this demand. Even though there was a tiny sliver of hope of being granted access back into my home, there was no way I could erase Noah’s memory of me. These feelings we shared were still unknown to me but that didn’t mean I didn’t understand that we were important to each other; the feelings were real.

“I’m not interested,” I spat while spinning on my heels, ready to walk back over to Noah.

“He will allow you time to think about it, but not for long,” Uriel spoke. “I suggest you accept because the stench of humans is beginning to rub off on you; especially that mortal.”

Both of us glanced over at Noah who was watching us intently while talking with Jesse. They were still a good distance from us so I knew none of them could hear mine and Uriel's conversation.

“Hm, he fancies you, Lethia. Tell me, how often do you walk in his dream? Quite often I suppose since he has those vulgar thoughts of you,” Uriel breathed against the back of my neck, fingers grazing over mine.

My head snapped up to Uriel, creating distance between us by snatching my hand away from him. It was clear that I still was able to feel the touch of fellow angels, just not mortals.

“You don’t know anything! He’s a good man offering me a place to stay away from Maraxa and Lucifer,” I seethed.

His eyes darkened, almost as black as my wings. “You must not heed to their demands. If you even think about joining Lucifer's army, any chance of you getting back into the Kingdom will be long forgotten. The King is only allowing you one chance. Erase that mortal mind or stay on this putrid planet and walk among these disgusting creatures.”

“Trust me, I have zero intention of joining Lucifer. It’s because of him I fell into what I am now. But the thought of joining a Kingdom that banished me also isn’t quite appealing,” I scoffed and walked a few steps away from him when his next words gave me great pause.

“What if I sweeten the deal?”

Turning slowly on my feet, I held out a hand. “I doubt it but go ahead.”

Uriel pursed his lips before running a hand through his already perfect long, golden hair. “It is known that Lucifer is looking to revolt and he’s trying to find other fallen to join his army; for example, you.”

I shook my head. “I already told you, I have no interest in joining him.”

“The King can be quite lax with this upcoming war. He thinks he has enough soldiers for it but if I’m being frank, without Oblivion, we have no chance.”

Every part of my body chilled to the bone as all the breath was snatched from my lungs at hearing that name; I hadn’t heard it in so long.

“I’m not that person anymore,” I stated. “I haven’t been for a very long time.”

“If you come back to the Kingdom, you can bring him with you. But still would need to erase his memories of you.” Uriel nodded behind me.

To Noah.

“What?” I stood tall. “How would that work? He’s mortal, he wouldn’t survive in the Kingdom. Not to mention, the King would never allow it.”

That’s when something sparkled in Uriel’s eyes.

“You two will dethrone the King.”

I laughed out loud at his words. “Dethrone the King? Show up to the pearly gates so we can spit in his face?”

“Think about it,” Uriel stepped closer to me, running a hand through my short locks.

“If you accept to dethrone the King, lead the army in victory against Lucifer, you can bring the mortal with you and rule the Kingdom. However, he would have to be a mere peasant there. He cannot remember who you are. Think of him as a mere pawn for you to play with.”

I stood frozen under his touch as he twirled a strand of hair around his finger. “I’ll even return you to your old physical state. Which you should be thankful for because this one doesn’t suit you.”

The promise of not only going back home in my old form but being able to bring Noah with me made something inside of me light with the life I’d been searching for since I fell. But it wouldn’t be easy to bring a mortal into the Kingdom; there was only one way to enter.

Being an eternal being.

“I’ll think about it,” I muttered under my breath.

Uriel smiled as he removed his hand from my hair. “I suggest you do because the longer you try to hide your true form, well I don’t need to remind you of what will happen.”

No, he didn’t.

My wings will deteriorate. My powers will weaken. Slowly over time, I will lose myself in my mind.

With a scowl, I turned my back to him and finally sauntered back over towards Noah, who met me halfway, quick to pull me into his embrace.

“Everything alright?” He brushed away some stray hairs from my face.

“I need to get far away from that man,” I begged, parts of me that I didn’t want to remember coming back with force.

“Did he hurt you?” Noah’s hands were on both sides of my face, almost mute against my skin. “Are you alright?

“Please,” I grasped at his arms, digging into the material of his jacket. “Can we leave? Seeing him brought up far too many memories I’d like to forget”.

Noah nodded while wrapping an arm around my shoulder to begin leading me back down the hill, Uriel’s voice calling after us.

“I’ll be seeing you soon, Lethia!”

JOLLY

“This place is called what?”

Noah chuckled at Lethia’s upturned head at him with furrowed brows. “In-N-Out. They’ve got great burgers here.”

“Burgers?” She said slowly.

I watched as Noah explained the menu to her, what’s good and what to stay away from. Revealing that she wasn’t particular to any kind of food, he took it upon himself to order her a cheeseburger, fries, and a large chocolate milkshake.

“Oh, that milkshake sounds delicious,” Lethia mused with a bright smile.

There was a faint smile on my face as I continued to watch the two of them, Noah sliding his hand on the lower back of Lethia as they waited for their food. She had slipped on his sweater on the way down from the mountain, the sudden change in the wind causing all of us to feel a frigid chill.

After Lethia spoke to that old friend of hers, something shifted with her. Noah could tell instantly because he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, not wanting to let her more than a few inches out of her sight.

“Something doesn’t feel right about this guy,” Noah muttered to me as we watched Lethia and her friend converse.

I held him back with a grip on his elbow when he nearly stomped over there seeing Uriel run his hands through Lethia’s hair.

“Jolly,” he warned through gritted teeth.

“Just give her some time alone, like she asked. If she’s uncomfortable, she’ll let you know,” I said.

I could practically see all the worry leave Lethia’s body when Noah’s arms wrapped around her not even a minute later.

I couldn’t explain it, and frankly, I don’t think Noah could explain either how Lethia entranced him since he found her in our driveway all those weeks ago. He claimed there was this undeniable pull between them and almost as if it was fate that they kept running into each other.

There’d been this light in Noah’s eyes every time he looked at Lethia, shining brighter now knowing and witnessing they kissed. He’d become transfixed ever since that first meeting even when she had her hand wrapped around his throat. We all should have been terrified of the strength she possessed when she tackled Folio to the floor or with how tight her grip was around Noah. But if he didn’t feel harm when he was around her, the least we could do was trust her.

“What do you think?” Noah asked.

She nodded with a mouth full of food then once she swallowed, Lethia took a large gulp of her milkshake. “Delicious.”

While I ate my food, I continued to carefully watch them as the others around me had their own conversations. I didn’t miss the way when Noah muttered something in her ear, Lethia’s cheeks turned a deep crimson, like her eyes.

She had her milkshake halfway to her lips when her body stilled, a painful grimace crossing her features. Those eyes scanned the entirety of the restaurant, almost looking for someone.

“Are you alright?” Jesse questioned.

“Uh,” Lethia winced, nearly doubling over in pain when she grasped at the ends of the table.

A small gust of wind bristled by our table, tickling the back of my neck, and as I rubbed there Lethia quickly rushed to her feet.

“I need a moment,” she grumbled before rushing out of the restaurant.

Noah wanted to go after her but decided against it, knowing she needed time to herself.

“Anyone else think she does that a lot?” Michael questioned.

Noah sighed while running a hand through the long strands of his hair. “Lethia has a lot going on right now. She needs help.”

“What do you mean?” I asked while tossing my garbage on the tray in front of me.

There was slight hesitation from Noah for a long moment until he eventually divulged to us that he believes Lethia is running from an ex who wanted her back, even though he kicked her out of their house.

“Oh, right. Lucifer,” Michael snorted. “Are we sure she doesn’t have this obsession with the occult or some shit? The only Lucifer I’d heard of is the supposed devil.

Orie smacked him upside the head. “Dude, Lethia is not dating the devil.”

“She’s not dating anyone,” Noah’s eyes sliced over to him but they softened when he realized his words. “Lethia’s not dating anyone.”

“Then what do you call what’s going on between the two of you?” Jesse wondered.

“I don’t know,” Noah shrugged. “I like her but I don’t want to rush her into anything she doesn’t want.”

“From what I’ve seen, you’re not. Whatever you’re giving her, she’s reciprocating it back. Lethia feels the same, Noah. You don’t have to worry about that,” I assured him.

All he did was nod as he kept his gaze on the door of the restaurant where Lethia stormed through minutes before.

LETHIA

“Come to me, Lethia. My queen. I need you by my side to rule.”

I clawed at my ears, digging out Lucifer's voice, and continued to run into the woods behind the restaurant. My body ached with the pain of my wings nearly forcing their way out of my back. It’s been a few days since I let them out and it was beginning to crush me.

“I miss you, Lethia. I need you again.”

“Stop!” I cried while falling to my knees in the leaves and dirt, hands covering my ears.

“I’ll never stop until I have you in my presence. You are mine, Lethia. Not his.”

All but ripping Noah’s sweater off of me, I tossed it to the side just as I let out a sheer groan of agony mixed with ecstasy when my large wings exploded from my back. The force of them caused the branches of the trees around me to falter, some falling to the ground around me like drops of rain.

My jaw was slack as I peered up to the gloomy grays of the sky, an upcoming storm about to ravage through the city. All the pain I felt inside the restaurant was long forgotten, replaced with the intoxication of my angelic being. My powers began to slowly fester low inside of me and with an open palm, I watched the bright light slowly begin to grow into a baseball-sized orb then with a flick of my wrist, I sent it to a tree far off into the distance, incinerating it completely.

My body vibrated with all of my senses. I could hear the chatter of people miles away, feeling the slight creep of chills against the skin of my back when my name came out from the chatter.

“Lethia.”

Before, it was Lucifer speaking in my mind. But now, that voice that uttered my name was the same that spoke when he was kissing me last night.

My left wing came around to the front of me, blocking me from anyone who dared to venture into the woods and a broken sob fell from my chattering lips. They were deteriorating at such a rapid pace. While they were still large, dark, and caused fear to any mortal who saw them, my wings were a pathetic excuse to any other angel. A few feathers drifted into the wind, the weakness from hiding who I was taunting me.

“There she is. I knew you couldn’t hide who you were. The darkness lies inside of you, begging to awaken.”

I sucked in a gulp of air when Maraxa’s voice crept into my mind now; the cold and monotone bringing a chill to my bones.

My eyes rolled to the back of my head when a vision slammed into me.

Noah and the guys sitting in the booth of the restaurant, smiling and laughing with a group of girls that sauntered up to the table. One of the girls was standing a bit too close to Noah, as he signed something for her. When he handed it back, their fingers grazed over the girl’s. His almond eyes snapped from her hand to her face, gazing at all of her features.

“No!” I screamed while rising to my feet. “Stop. I know what you’re doing!”

“Oh, sweet Oblivion. I’m doing nothing that your mind is already thinking.”

The way Maraxa uttered my other name made me whirl around, thinking she was here with me.

“I’m not Oblivion anymore. I haven’t been for a very long time,” I spat, eyes scanning my surroundings.

“You should see yourself. Looking like a mad angel who lost her mind.”

Uriel’s warnings were right. My wings were deteriorating and now, I was losing myself in my mind. Were these voices even in my head? Or had I been imagining them since my fall?

“Lethia?!”

My head snapped up to just outside the clearing of the woods, Noah’s faint outline slowly closing the distance.

“Oh, you’re thinking of letting him see you in your true form. Surely, he will think you’re even more of a freak than how you look. He wouldn’t understand.”

Meraxa.

The voices wouldn’t stop, no matter how hard I smacked my ears to drown them out.

“This mortal will never understand you. You’re mine, Lethia. Mine and no one else's. I will have you in my arms once again.”

Lucifer.

“Stop,” I cried while falling to my knees again, my wings wrapping around me in a protective barrier.

“Dethrone the King and all of his kingdom will be yours.”

Uriel.

“Lethia? Are you okay?”

Noah.

Snapping my eyes open, they landed on Noah who was now a few feet away from me. With a roll of my shoulders, I stood to my feet, appearing just as I had moments before leaving his presence.

NOAH

“Lethia, are you alright?” I questioned as she appeared through the clearing of the woods.

I felt Lethia brush past me as she walked back toward the car, not uttering a word at me. My heart sank slightly but I did my best not to dwell on it because of our moments together in my bedroom and the bathroom last night. The unbridled passion between us was burning over into undeniable attraction.

With a sigh, I tied my hair into a low bun, ready to go back home after this long day, but a flutter of movement at my feet caught my attention. It was a lone black feather, just like the one I'd found that first night Lethia appeared in my life.

Bending at the knees, I reached for the feather, and then with a gasp of breath, I felt my vision being yanked away from me at the edges, darkness encompassing every part of me. I felt my soul being dragged away into another dimension, tumbling into a brighter vision of pure peace and eternal life.

A woman with white golden hair stood in front of me, even brighter wings protruding from her back, as she held onto less fragile wings from the man who kneeled at her feet.

"Oblivion," he cried. "Don't fall into the true meaning of your name, please."

The woman; no angel cocked her head to the side with a slight wicked smile.

"The King bestowed this name to me for a reason," was all she said before the man's cries of death and pain erupted but were overshadowed by the sounds of his wings being ripped from his back.

With a gasp of breath, I was dragged back into the present, nearly stumbling onto my ass. Looking around my surroundings, I noticed I was back in Los Angeles, Jolly and Jesse slowly walking towards me.

"You alright?" Jolly wondered.

Ignoring him, I twirled the feather in my fingers and locked eyes with Lethia, who gave nothing away from her face except the slight flicker of light in her red eyes.

This vision didn’t feel like it was one of my own memories. It was as if I was dragged into someone else subconscious as I watched from the outside looking in. Something about watching the angel get his wings ripped away from him felt wrong, especially with the wicked smirk the female angel had on her face when she did it.

I couldn’t ignore the way my mind vibrated with the familiarity of her. I knew who she was but she didn’t look familiar. Her presence was the only familiar thing about her and with a flick of my gaze to Lethia, there was a small part of me that knew who it was.

With a sigh, I carefully pocketed the feather in my coat pocket and nodded over to Jesse who asked if I was ready to head back to the house. When I climbed into the car, I noticed that Michael and Jolly sat in the back with Lethia, so I retreated into the front seat of the car, while Jesse lounged in the middle with Harper.

“Everything alright?” Orie asked as he pulled the car out onto the main road.

Glancing over my shoulder, I watched Lethia for a few beats as she stared straight out of her window, not bothering to meet my gaze. I knew she could feel it burning into her but whatever happened to her outside in those woods rendered her speechless.

“I don’t know,” I answered truthfully before turning back to face forward with a sigh.

As soon as we arrived back at the house, Lethia nearly jumped out of the car to run inside once Jolly opened the door for her. She locked herself away in my bedroom for the rest of the afternoon well into the evening. Part of me wanted to check on her if she was alright but it was clear she wanted to be left alone. If she needed me, she would let me know.

Would she?

With a shake of my head at the thought, I bid a goodnight to Jesse and Michael as we watched a movie together in the living room and slowly retreated up the steps to my room. The door opened a crack but before I pushed my way through, I noticed Lethia standing in the middle of my room in front of my mirror. She was only wearing a pair of black panties and a matching bra. I knew I should have averted my gaze to anything else but I was mesmerized by her.

Lethia showed me her back, hands slinking up her spine towards the hook of her bra, the material falling to the floor at her feet. My breath caught in my throat when I noticed the large crow tattoo on her right shoulder blade. But it wasn’t just the sight of it that gave me great pause; it was the large upside-down V scar on her back. It wasn’t an old scar. It looked new; fresh.

“What the?” I muttered, slowly pushing away from the door to stand in the middle of the landing above the stairs.

With a glance over the landing, I noticed that Jesse and Michael were still sitting on the couch, and knowing Jolly and Orie retreated to bed earlier, the computer in the studio was free. As I came back downstairs to head into the studio that was off the den, Jesse raised a brow at me.

“I thought you went to bed?”

I motioned to the room in front of me. “Late-night inspiration.”

Shutting the door behind me, I dropped down into the chair in front of the computer with my fingers hovering over the keyboard. My mind was full of different words, I wasn’t sure where to start.

Black feathers.

Vivid dreams.

Crows in dreams.

Upside-down V scars on a person's back.

Angels.

Fallen Angels.

The last one made me freeze ever so still, a memory of my own past creeping into the front recesses of my mind.

“Noah, dear! Come on. It’s time for your bedtime story!”

Eight-year-old me ran down the long hallway of my grandparent's house into my bedroom there and hopped into my bed, where my grandma sat on the edge with a fond smile.

“Lord of the Rings?” I asked while climbing under the blankets.

She chuckled while tucking me in. “Now, what did I say about those books? Aren’t you a little too young for them?”

I rolled my eyes. “Ok grandma, what’s the story tonight?”

“Fallen angels.”

“Like from heaven?” I asked with furrowed brows.

“Now I won't bore you with all the details but there’s something special about them,” my grandma began while patting my thigh over the blanket. “When an angel falls from heaven, people think they’re automatically stripped of all their powers but sometimes that's not the case.”

She continued. “There’s this story of a great angel that fell, her feathers scattered all over the world. Whenever a human touched them, they would be sucked into memories of the angel.”

I gave my grandma a “you can’t be serious” look but she only cupped my cheek in response.

“No one believed that angels walked among us until someone saw the scars on the back of one.”

“Scars?” I said, sitting up straighter in bed.

“Large ones on their back. In an upside-down V.”

I choked on a breath nearly falling out of the computer chair but gripped the handrests to keep myself steady. When I was eight years old, I figured my grandma was blowing smoke out of her ass, telling another one of her many stories. But now, everything seemed to have a bit of truth.

Biting my bottom lip, I clicked on Google and quickly typed the words into the search bar before I doubted myself a second longer.

Fallen Angel.

I clicked on the first website.

“Fallen Angels are angels who have been exiled or banished from Heaven. Often such banishment is a punishment for disobeying or rebelling against their King,” I read the words out loud.

I scrolled down the page a bit farther, still muttering the words out loud as I read them.

“If a fallen angel is impaled or struck in the scars created when his or her wings were ripped out usually spanning from shoulder blades to kidney area, he or she will be temporarily immobilized. Some angels still have scars even if they haven’t lost their wings. It’s easier for the skin to peel away for the wings to slip from.”

I shivered at the phantom feeling but then froze when I read the next section.

“A fallen angel is unable to feel physical pain or sensations.”

Scrolling down a bit farther, it was then that I realized how right I’d been about this feeling festering within me; almost begging to be let out.

“A fallen angel's feather holds a lot of power. It holds the memories of the angel and whoever touches them can find themselves in those memories. A fallen angel's biggest weakness is one of their feathers. If a feather is burned, the original owner of the feather will be chained in Hell for eternity. Otherwise, fallen angels are nearly as indestructible as Angels and Archangels.”

I fell back into the chair and rubbed a hand over my mouth, letting everything I read process in my mind. Everything correlated to what I’ve noticed with Lethia especially the part of her not being able to feel anything.

There’d been a few times when it seemed like my touch meant nothing to her. But when we kissed, it seemed as if she could feel that.

The feathers.

Even though I tried to deny what I’d seen when I picked up the feather today, I knew that it was true what I’d seen.

But how come I hadn’t seen anything when I picked up the first feather?

Hunching back over towards the computer screen, I read more into the section about fallen angel feathers.

“The more fallen angel feathers you touch, the stronger your connection to their memories is.”

With a purse of my lips, I rummaged around the desk looking for my lyric book where I had stashed the first feather, using it as a bookmark. The other feather was still in my pocket, weighing heavily with the fear of what I would see next. My heart was pounding so loud I could hear it in my ears and feel it in my throat. It was suffocating, this feeling clawing its way inside of me, threatening to pull me under.

Did I want to do this?

Was I ready for what I could potentially see?

Granted, I had to take everything I read online with a grain of salt because it could have been a bunch of made-up bullshit. But with it correlating to not only my grandma’s story but things I’ve noticed about Lethia, there had to be some truth to it all.

“Fuck it,” I muttered while grabbing the feather in my lyric notebook at the same time I grabbed the one in my pocket.

Darkness lingered at the corners of not only my vision but my mind as well. It dragged me under with no warning to the dark depths of what I could only assume was Lethia’s mind.

My body landed with a thud to the cool wetness of the grass below me and quickly scrambling to my knees, I took in the vast empty field that went on for miles. Brightly colored trees lined the edge of the field and it was so quiet here that I could hear my blood running through my veins.

“My love. I've been waiting for you.”

Whirling around on my heels, I took in the sight of a tall man with skinny but large white wings extended from his back. His black hair was a mess of curls in front of his eyes and the dark levis hung low on his hips. The sheer brightness of his green eyes was almost eerie and I felt as if he could see straight into my soul.

But he didn’t. It was as if he didn’t see me when he walked past me, over towards a lone figure lying in the grass a few meters away from me.

Long golden, almost white, strands of hair fell around her shoulders as she sat up, bright eyes staring back at the man who was slowly closing the distance. I swallowed thickly when I recognized that face.

It wasn’t the way I knew her but it was still her.

Lethia.

“Lucifer. You know you’re not supposed to be here,” she quickly rose to her feet, taking a step back from him.

He stood in front of her shirtless, the defining muscles of his chest and stomach tightening as he stuffed his hands deep into his pockets.

So her ex actually was Lucifer.

What the fuck did you just step into, Noah?

“I snuck away from the King for a moment. I needed to see you,” Lucifer tried to reach for her.

Lethia smacked his hands away before running a shaking one of hers through her long hair. I then noticed she also had her wings exposed; large and as white as her hair.

“We cannot be seen together! If the King finds out we’ve been together, he will banish us; or worse.”

Lucifer chuckled darkly then pulled Lethia into his arms; her going willingly.

I gritted my teeth at the jealousy that coursed through me, trying to tell myself that it was a very long time ago and it didn’t mean anything; not anymore.

“My sweet Oblivion. The King wouldn’t banish his number one soldier. If he lost you, who would tear out the wings of the ones who went against him?”

My blood ran cold at Lucifer's words. I knew that the first memory I saw had something to do with Lethia but I never put two and two together. She was the one who ripped out the angel's wings.

“I did horrible things back home and how could I ever be allowed back?

Her words from the last night made more sense now than they did when she first uttered them.

“I cannot,” Lethia tried to fight against his grasp but ultimately gave in.

“One more night. After tonight, I’ll let you be,” Lucifer’s fingers linked behind her neck, tilting her lips up towards him.

“We both know we cannot stay away from each other,” she uttered before pulling him down to the grass with him.

My eyes snapped open with a gulp of air and I gazed around the room of my studio, making sure that I was still alone. It took me some time to get my breath back to normal and my heart back to a steady pace.

I slammed both of the feathers in my lyric book and hid it in the far back of the closet in the room, hoping no one else would find it. Those feathers held too much power and if I lost them, the looming fear of what could happen taunted me.

“If an angel's feather is burned, they become changed to Hell for all eternity,” I reiterated the words I read earlier.

Whether or not that part was true, I couldn’t risk it.

Letting out a long breath, I shut down the computer and slowly slipped out of the studio, going upstairs to my bedroom unnoticed by Jesse and Michael who were still watching the movie. This time when I stopped in front of my room, I noticed the door was shut so I was quiet as I stepped inside, finding a sleeping Lethia cuddled under the mounds of blankets on my bed.

I stood there for a long moment, staring at her back as it faced me, wondering what the scars looked like again underneath her shirt.

My shirt.

I had offered her to wear anything of mine and it seemed like she took me up on that offer.

It was clear who she was running from. Lucifer. He wanted her back for reasons unknown to me but it was clear she didn’t want to go with him.

I moved around my room quietly to change into a pair of sweats, opting not to sleep in a shirt only because it got extremely hot in my room during these summer nights, even with the air conditioner on.

Softly, I got into bed behind Lethia as the faint breaths coming from her filled the air. For the first while, I laid on my back and stared up at my ceiling but when I noticed she didn’t move away, I turned to my side but still kept space between us. The heat from her body radiated around me, pulling me into her aura and I found myself never wanting to leave.

Even though I knew what she was now, I wouldn’t tell Lethia I knew. This was something she needed to tell me when she was ready.

Instead, I wrapped my arm around her midsection and pulled her into my chest. Although she might not be able to feel my touch, that didn’t stop me from running my nose along the crook of her neck, breathing in the scent of her. She must have showered because she smelled of peaches and a hint of something familiar.

Me.

I faintly smelled my shampoo in her skin and I hummed in pleasure.

“What happened to the wall of pillows?” Lethia’s tired voice broke through the silence.

I knew she was teasing when I heard her smile with her words.

“This is much better than a wall of pillows,” I mused while I caressed her neck with my lips.

Lethia relaxed in my arms as she gave herself over to me and linked my fingers that rested on her stomach with hers and I wrapped my leg over hers, locking her in place.

“Goodnight, Noah,” she murmured into the pillow.

“Sweet dreams, Lethia,” I pressed a kiss to her head, finally letting the long day falter away with the darkness that swallowed us whole.

#noah sebastian #bad omens #noah sebastian fanfiction #noah sebastian smut #noah sebastian angst #noah sebastian x fallenangel!oc #mercy noah sebastian

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equestriagirl16 · 2 years

Text

You reject Neige’s offer to transfer to RSA~🌹

“Please Y/N, you’d fit in so well at RSA!” Neige’s familair voice rang throughout the courtyard you were trotting through after another day of classes. Your friend from across the way once again, despite his best intentions, absolutely insisted that you transferred to RSA here and now. For what you figured to be the 100th time.

“Neige I already told you-”

“I know I know, but you don’t get it Y/N! NRC isn’t a place for someone like you. Your heart and soul are way too pure, you’d have so many friends and a warm welcome waiting for you at RSA. You just have to let me take you there!”

Unbeknownst to you both a few of your said NRC friends may or may not have been purposefully eavesdropping on your conversation ever since they caught wind that the little do-gooder stopped by. Secretly they feared your answer, they knew that they didn’t give you the easiest time here. Perhaps someone as kind as you would find a better place at RSA, and maybe they should try to accept that rather than fight it for your own benefit.

“No Neige! I’ve told you before and I’ll only tell you one more time. Night Raven College is my home! I don’t care how annoying or villainous anyone here may seem, they’re my friends and whether you recognize it or not they love me just as much as I love them. This is where I wound up, and I chose along time ago that this is where I belong. That’s the end of it!”

The dark haired boy was taken aback by your harshness, but stood still in an understanding silence.

“Look, you and everyone at RSA are my friends too but I already have a place right here. That doesn’t mean I can’t visit more of my favorite people in all the Wonderland from time to time though alright?”

“Ok Y/N you win no more pushing, but if you ever change your mind you know who to call.”

“Heh, don’t hold your breathe pretty boy.”

The two of you walked off and continued your random banter all the way to your dorm. How little did you know the impression you left on your friends hiding in plain sight after hearing your answer.

YELLING SCREAMING ROLLING ON THE GROUND KICKING THE AIR SWANGIN THEIR FEET GIGGLING LIKE A SCHOOL GIRL- Hell yeah that’s right!!!! Y/N isn’t going anywhere with that RSA nerd cause 🎶we are family~🎶 *cue celebratory breakdance*🕺🕺🕺. Very excited, very happy, goes and brags about it to everyone who wasn’t there and either revels in the shared joy or tries to rub in that “They stayed because of me obviously.”😎

- ACE & DUECE(they were totally spying on you together), Cater, KALIM, Ruggie, Floyd

Controlled chaos, like just vibrates in place and maybe does one fist bump in the air and a silent “YES” for good measure. Just very happy you want to stay with them by your own volition, they must be doing something right if you consider NRC your home! They would ensure you’ll continue to feel that way, and let the rest of their friends know too so hopefully they can keep up the great work as well. Mission accomplished.😌

- Trey, Jack, Ortho(the lil bestie), AZUL, RIDDLE, EPEL, Silver, Jade, Rook, Malleus, Lilia

*Casually throws aside large rock* Of course, he knew you’d choose them all along(was actually wildly insecure about your decision, and ready to MAIM-). It’s not like he was already mapping out an elaborate plan to send a search party after you and you drag you back to NRC cause he does not know how he’d live and/or function without your very presence hahaha that’s insane(*rapidly presses backspace in the group chat*). Just takes a much needed deep breath and relishes in your choice. If he felt like you still might be inclined to change your mind in the future he’d shape up his act, just a little, and only for you.

- LEONA, Jamil, VIL, JADE & FLOYD, Malleus, Lilia, Rook

WAAAAAHAHAHAHAHABA JSOSOSKAMKSLDOXOSIWGQUIAIAJAJA-oh, you’re staying? THANK THE SEVEN! Was so fucking upset we’re talking sad boi hours, depression mode on, preparing the emo music for the walk home. Had no confidence in the fact that you would deny the offer either because he knew he could do better, or you just DESERVED way better. But the fact that you were so adamant about staying literally just resurrected him from the sever cardiac arrest due to the sudden heart break. Such a drama queen, but only cause he cares about you so much!(maybe a lil too much, do I sniff a crutch?🤨)

IDIA, Sebek, MALLEUS, KALIM, Floyd

#twisted wonderland #yes malleus would indeed go through it #twisted wonderland x reader #twst x reader #twisted wonderland headcanons #twisted wonderland imagines #night raven college #royal sword academy #twst neige #heartslabyul #savanaclaw #scarabia #octavinelle #pomefiore #ignyhide #diasmonia #camiposts

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valkyrieeeee · 19 days

Text

Pretty Pretty Princess

ᑉ³pairing; Dad! Husband! Changbin x Reader

ᑉ³genre; Fluff

ᑉ³warnings; None I think!

ᑉ³Authors Note; Inspired by his loveable challenge hehehe. Unedited! Please let me know if there are any warnings I am missing!

In a quaint little house nestled among towering trees, you and your family reside in a haven of warmth and love. Your husband, Changbin, is the embodiment of tenderness and affection, showering your little family with his boundless love. His devotion to your daughter, Ha-ri, knows no bounds, evident in the sparkle of his eyes whenever she enters the room and the infectious laughter that fills the air whenever they engage in their favorite pastime: playing games.

Ha-ri, a bundle of boundless energy and imagination, adores her father with an unwavering devotion. She finds solace in his comforting presence and revels in the joyous moments they share together. From dawn till dusk, their laughter echoes through the halls of your home as they embark on countless adventures, fueled by the magic of their imaginations.

One bright morning, you awaken to the gentle glow of sunlight filtering through the curtains, your body still heavy with sleep. As you stretch and yawn, you become aware of a dull ache in your head and a weariness that seems to seep into your bones. Your body craves nothing more than the comfort of your bed, a respite from the demands of the day ahead.

But before you can surrender to the allure of sleep, your peaceful reverie is interrupted by the sound of rapid footsteps and excited chatter. With a soft creak, the door bursts open, and your daughter, a whirlwind of energy and enthusiasm, bounds into the room.

"Mommy, Mommy! Wake up! It's time to play!" she exclaims, her voice brimming with excitement as she tugs at your sleeve, her eyes sparkling with anticipation.

Despite the exhaustion that weighs heavily upon you, you can't help but smile at her infectious enthusiasm. Her joy is like a beacon in the darkness, illuminating the corners of your tired soul and filling your heart with warmth.

Though every fiber of your being yearns for rest, you know that her happiness is worth far more than a few extra hours of sleep. You get up and get dragged by her into the living room. She begins to harass you with questions.

"What do you want to do today? Should we play dress-up? Fashion show? Paint? Cook? Karaoke? Dance? How abo-"

"Woah, slow down, sweetheart," Binnie interjects as you collapse onto the couch, your head spinning. "Take a deep breath. It's still early, and you have all day to play."

Finally, Binnie glances at you, and realization dawns on him. You're not feeling well.

"But I want to play now!" your daughter protests.

As you sit there, torn between your desire for rest and your daughter's insistent pleas for playtime, a wave of gratitude washes over you as Binnie steps forward to take charge. His presence alone is a source of comfort, his steady gaze and reassuring smile grounding you in the midst of your conflicting emotions.

With a gentle kiss and a whispered promise to handle the situation, Binnie redirects your daughter's attention, his voice laced with warmth and patience as he engages her in conversation.

"Don't worry, Mommy needs some rest today, but how about you and I have some fun together?" Binnie suggests, his tone soft yet firm.

Your daughter's face lights up at the suggestion, her eyes shining with excitement. "Okay, Daddy! Let's paint!"

"Paint?" Binnie says hesitantly, nervous, as he does not want to make a mess and make his wife feel any worse than she already does.

"Yes, paint!" she responds, pulling him over to the dining room table. "Your nails, silly!"

Binnie's apprehension melts away at her innocent suggestion, replaced by a smile as he realizes the simple joy in spending time with his daughter, even if it means risking a few painted nails.

Your eyes begin to close as you hear the two begin their fun. Their laughter and excitement fill the room as they dive into the world of painting. You can't help but smile at the joy on their faces, despite the pounding in your head.

As they settle at the dining room table, you feel a pang of guilt mixed with gratitude for Binnie's willingness to step in and lighten your load, even when he's unsure of what lies ahead.

Your eyelids grow heavy as exhaustion tugs at your consciousness, yet you find solace in the sounds of their laughter and the warmth that fills the room. Despite the pounding in your head and the weariness in your bones, their happiness brings a sense of peace to your tired soul.

With a contented sigh, you allow yourself to drift into a light slumber, safe in the knowledge that your family is in good hands. And as you surrender to the embrace of sleep, you can't help but smile at the thought of the memories being created in the next room, each one a testament to the love and laughter that fills your home.

But the painting somehow turns into dress-up, and before you know it, Binnie is decked out in fairy wings and a tutu, playing make-believe with your daughter.

As you wake, you catch sight of Binnie in his whimsical attire, his laughter mingling with your daughter's as they lose themselves in their imaginary world. Despite the initial surprise, you can't help but smile at the sight.

As you continue to wake you hear snippets of conversation, the soft murmur of Binnie's voice blending with your daughter's excited chatter.

"Daddy, you make the best fairy!" your daughter exclaims, her laughter bubbling with delight.

Binnie chuckles, the sound warm and comforting. "Why, thank you, my pretty pretty princess! Now, where shall we fly to today?"

"To the enchanted forest!" she declares, her imagination taking flight.

"Daddy, can you teach me how to flutter like a real fairy?" your daughter asks, her eyes shining with wonder.

Binnie nods, his smile wide and infectious. "Of course, sweetheart! Just follow my lead."

You watch with a soft smile as they twirl and dance around the room, their laughter filling the air like music.

As their laughter reaches a crescendo, Binnie's eyes meet yours, and you can't help but notice the hint of embarrassment that colors his cheeks. Yet, beneath the blush, there's a spark of mischief in his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of the absurdity of the situation.

With a chuckle bubbling up from deep within, you shake your head in amusement, unable to contain your laughter at the sight of your husband, adorned in fairy wings and a tutu, dancing with your daughter.

In that moment, surrounded by the echoes of their laughter and the warmth of their love, you realize just how fortunate you are to have Binnie by your side, willing to embrace the whimsy of fatherhood with such grace and humor.

As the last strains of laughter fade away, Binnie takes a step towards you, his eyes soft with affection. "I love you," he whispers, his words a tender melody that fills your heart with warmth.

Tears prick at the corners of your eyes as you return his gaze, overwhelmed by the depth of emotion that binds you together. "I love you too," you reply, your voice barely a whisper, but carrying the weight of a thousand promises.

In that moment, as the morning sun bathes the room in golden light, you knew you married the best man.

*·˚ᑉ³ M.LIST | Ko-Fi | Taglist | Thank you for your support | Consider leaving a comment, reblog or like. © Valkyrieeeee 2024

#stayville #bang chan #skz #lee felix #lee know #minho #changbin #jeongin #seungmin #hyunjin #stray kids #dad #idol #fairy #daughter

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adventuresofmelody · 28 days

Text

Ok. So I have decided to share with y’all, the first chapter of the novel I’m writing! I’ve been working on it for 5 years, and after an excessive editing process I’m fairly pleased with it. Let me know, if you happen to read it, what you think though please.

Without further ado, The Fallen’s Outcry, Chapter 1

One man that people should not test above most else is the devil. That’s something we’ve been taught for as long as the devil existed. However, there are a select few that could test the devil and live to tell the tale. One who held the man’s respect. One who held the man’s fear. Or one who held the man’s heart. Few held his respect. Fewer still held his fear. But there was only one, who held his heart. After multiple lifetimes without the love of his being, Lucifer was finally reunited with Morgana, the only woman who had ever wormed her way into his heart. He hadn’t admitted it in her absence, but he had missed her greatly, more so than he had originally thought. He missed her eyes, and they way they’d sparkle when she laughed. He missed her voice, the way it seemed to soothe every ache in his soul. He missed her touch, the way it seemed to immediately calm him and bring him joy. However, since her return from the realm of purgatory, that cold, dulled place where it felt worse than the fires of hell themselves in Lucifer’s humble opinion, she had changed. Gone was that sparkle in her eye, replaced with hard determination. Gone was the soothing cadence in her voice, replaced with an almost raw grit that panged him every time he heard it. And gone was her calming touch, replaced by an absence of which he was unfamiliar with. He called it an adjustment period. She just needed time. Time to get used to things like warmth, color, and actual food. She would return to him. She had to. She was home now.

Lucifer took pride in three things: One, his ability to remain calm. Two, his ability to keep a clean dwelling. And three, his ability to enjoy a good drink. After being awake for a total of one week, Morgana was testing his ability to do all three things. After a reunion that was worthy of being written in the stars, she delivered a swift kiss to his cheek and disappeared into his study, where she tore through his library with reckless abandon. She ripped books from shelves and tore pages out of tomes older than she was. She knocked down shelves, overturned tables. It was as though she was trying to find a sewing pin amongst the heaviest and thickest books in his collection. It took him three days to clean up that mess.

After that, she went into a rage, refusing to assist him in his work or even partake in pleasant conversation. She went on about the fact that her confinement wasn’t fair, that them being placed in hell wasn’t fair. Nothing was fair. She raged about how unjust the system was, and how rigged He had made things after the fall. How deities were given fates worse than death and how the demons in Lucifer’s realm were looked at as second class citizens, while angels could roam the cosmos, going wherever they pleased with nary a system for checking their whereabouts. Lucifer took it in stride, meeting all her complaints with a cool comment and a glass of wine. That is, until the day that she threw his favorite bottle of whiskey into the fireplace. That was the day he lost his cool.

“Alcohol does not grow on trees down here.” He seethed, glaring at the fireplace with an almost pouty scowl. Morgana immediately softened, recognizing that she had gone a step too far.

“I am just frustrated.” She answered, her voice softer than he had heard in a while. However, it still held that edge, that grit. And that kept his ire firmly in place.

“Yes.” He paced in front of the fire. “And your frustration is leaking over onto me.”

“My love, you cannot blame me.” She started, moving over to Lucifer’s expansive bar. He watched her as he paced and tried to calm himself. Deep breath in, deep breath out. She tinkered, pouring a bit of this and a bit of that into a glass, shaking it almost expertly before pouring it into a glass. Huh, a martini. He hadn’t had one of those in a while. He kept up his breathing, feeling a little more calm now. She brought it to him as he stopped pacing, his fingers brushing hers as he took the glass from her grasp. He smirked as a light blush covered her cheeks, pleased with himself that he could still cause a reaction from her other than anger after all this time. Morgana sighed, the sound seeming to deflate her frail body.

“There has to be something we can do.” She mused. He took a sip of the martini and fought not to make a face. It had been a long time since he had tasted a drink that was not in some form or fashion whiskey. But that jarring taste was enough for him to feel the remaining anger draining away from himself. Finally, he was calm again. He watched Morgana as her eyes darted sharply, as though she was hearing things he could not. Or listening to things he couldn’t hope to. Her eyes never lost that edge of determination though. He swore she slept with that look. He took another drink and gave her his best neutral expression, despite the sympathy he couldn’t help but let into his bright blue fire eyes.

“If there was anything that could be done, I would have already looked into it.” He answered her, watching her with that casual stare as she finally sat, folding herself gracefully onto a nearby chair. Lucifer didn’t move from his spot, just watched and waited.

“I heard a rumor while I was in purgatory.” She said carefully. He raised an eyebrow, but otherwise offered no reaction.

“I imagine you heard a great many of those. Especially given my feelings for you.”

“No, you don’t understand.” She took a breath. “I heard a rumor that, if proven true, could give us our lives back.” Now that was a dangerous line of thought. Lucifer wanted to immediately shut it down, to convince her to leave it lie. She didn’t understand, having been lost before the great battle. She didn’t know what His army had done, what the fallen angels had faced. The horrors that came about before the brief respite of peace that they now all seemed to live in. He wanted to tell her right then all the dangers, all the reasons why they could not think of these things. But he didn’t want to break her completely, and he thought being exposed to the horrors that He had unleashed in the name of peace would do just that. After a great pause, he continued their conversation, trying to shut her down gently.

“Morgana, we cannot think of these things.” Lucifer told her softly, a brief shake of his head.

“I heard Gabriel say He was no longer in power.” She argued. He raised his eyebrows. When had she spoken to his brother. She shrugged at the raise of his eyebrows. Ah. She wasn’t talking about it then. Lucifer gave one curt nod, deciding to ignore that aspect of the statement entirely.

“That’s true. But He won’t be out of power forever.” Morgana stood up, as though she had been filled with renewed vigor.

“Which is why we need to act.” Lucifer sat his glass to the side, panic beginning to set in. He tried his best not to show how nervous her statements made him, tried to deescalate the situation by checking her facts.

“What makes you think these rumors you heard are true, my dear?” he asked her. She grinned eagerly at him, thinking he was interested in her rumors, her theories, her plans.

“The man who told me of this, he mentioned the Olympians.” She said. Now Lucifer was intrigued. The Olympians believed themselves to be gods, and were even worshiped for a while as such. However, at the time of the fall, they too were cast out. Some were exterminated, of course. Made an example of. But no one remained in paradise with Him. No one was spared some form of punishment. At least, no one he knew of. But while they were cast out, they were not cast down to him. They must have been given their own punishment realms. Or perhaps…Perhaps they were in purgatory with Morgana. How cruel was that, to keep the people that could for sure set free the fallen so close, and yet none of the fallen truly knew. Well, that wasn’t entirely true, was it? One clearly did. One who was still in purgatory. One who told his Morgana about this in the first place. Feigning disinterest, Lucifer picked back up his glass, taking a drink of the martini. He almost choked, having forgot for a moment what he was drinking. He really did need more variety in his alcoholic beverages. Beside him, oblivious to his struggles, Morgana nodded.

“He mentioned one Olympian in particular. Which is why my attention was caught to begin with.” She said. Lucifer leaned forward.

“Which one?”

“Zeus.” She said his name with a tone that said she knew Lucifer’s attention would be caught with this knowledge. She wasn’t wrong. He was very much interested now. Lucifer knew the location of a couple of the banished ‘gods’. He knew the fate of a few others, ones that no longer existed after the fall. But the trio that he did not know were Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon. And knowledge to the location of the three of them, well. It could be powerful. He set the drink aside again, no longer interested in it.

“Who gave you this information?”

“I told you that already. A man in purgatory.”

“His name?” Lucifer could find him from here if she had his name. Names were something he was familiar with.

“No. I….I never asked. His cell was down the hall from mine.” She shifted, looking more than a little embarrassed. She no doubt knew that Lucifer dabbled in names, and that he could have easily found the man’s file had she been smart enough to take his name. Lucifer watched her, saying nothing. He couldn’t be angry at her for not asking the man’s name. She wasn’t sure she was ever getting out after all. And if that man was on the same floor as her, well. It was no wonder he never saw him. While Lucifer was granted permission to visit a few souls in purgatory, Morgana’s entire floor was off limits to him. He didn’t learn that until he was on his way to getting her back however. He shook his head, tuning himself back into the conversation as Morgana continued,

“He claimed he had been given information about the location of Poseidon by Zeus himself. Even described him to the letter.” Lucifer was definitely interested in that. More interested than he cared to admit. But he didn’t want to get Morgana excited for nothing. He looked at her, trying to study her face. Despite how much he was trying not to excite her, he could read the eagerness in her eyes.

“Can you remember the cell number you were placed in?” he asked her. She shook her head.

“The cell I was in was on a separate level. Down below. It was dark. I wasn’t…I’m still not sure….” The harsh glint in Morgana’s eyes wasn’t reflecting determination anymore, it was reflecting fear. Almost panic. Lucifer immediately felt guilty.

“That’s alright.” He answered, his tone surprisingly soft for the king of hell. He took to pacing again, not able to face her while she was in such a state, thinking a moment. He knew the area that she was speaking of, having been to purgatory many times. He wasn’t allowed to go in to that floor. He knew the barrier keeping him out was due to Morgana being in. But now that she was out…perhaps he could enter. He stopped pacing, thinking again. When had he last gone to purgatory? Had he gone since her recovery? No he hadn’t. He knew he should though. He knew he needed to go and check, needed to see for himself the state in which his love was kept for so many lifetimes worth of years. He moved over and kissed Morgana’s forehead.

“Stay here, my dearest.” He told her, walking out. Morgana moved as though she would follow him, but changed her mind, folding herself into the chair by the fire to wait. Lucifer was pleased she didn’t follow. It showed him that she trusted him to investigate. Lucifer walked down the stairs, deeper into the bowels of his domain. The heat barely phased him anymore, but he knew it was there. He could faintly hear screams from further down. He tended to ignore those. Taking a left at the base of the stairs he headed into his armory, and unsurprisingly, found his second in command down there. Raphael.

Raphael was tall, even compared to Lucifer. He had jet black hair cut fairly short on the sides, but a little longer on top. Just enough to brush his eyebrows. His eyes were deep green and almost glowed with an ethereal light that indicated he was not, nor had he ever been, human. The man wore a chain mail tank top and dark pants, the ends of which disappeared into thick black boots. He had a sleeve of tribal tattoos on his right arm, a swirling dance of ink that seemed to tell a beautiful story, even if no one but Raphael understood it. Lucifer nodded to the man, who gave a brief nod back.

“Boss.” Raphael greeted him, his voice deep and raspy from lack of use. Lucifer gave him a soft grin.

“You know as well as I do, you do not have to call me that.” He chastised him gently in response. Raphael gave a brief look before relaxing his stance a little.

“Yes, well. Old habits and all that.”

“Just because you are my younger brother, does not make you any less my brother. I don’t make the others call me by a title like boss.”

“Not even Gabriel?” Raphael flashed a teasing grin at this jab, not meaning any harm. Lucifer grinned right back, not at all bothered by the brotherly teasing.

“Gabriel, I might ask to call me boss. If I could get the stubborn man to agree to do so.” Lucifer answered. Raphael laughed, relaxing fully. He nodded in agreement. Lucifer decided to move to the armory, pulling out some basic blades and sheathes, setting them all aside. Raphael raised his eyebrows.

“Rare you decide to spar with the army.” Raphael said, not hiding his curiosity. Lucifer nodded.

“Indeed. But I am not doing that today either.”

“Those are sparing blades.” Raphael answered, stepping forward now. Lucifer almost growled aloud at his mistake. Was his mind truly that distracted? He looked at Raphael, who immediately took that step back. Lucifer sighed.

“Forgive my attitude.” He said, gesturing towards the cabinet of blades. “If you please?” It was rare Lucifer asked for help. Raphael came over and carefully removed the blades that Lucifer had picked from the table, putting them back slowly. Almost as if he were afraid of retaliation. Lucifer merely watched him work, uninterested in being hateful. His mind was too full to bother. Raphael could not keep this information to himself.

“You’re distracted.” He murmured.

“You point out the obvious often?”

“Only when needed.” Lucifer bristled a little.

“What are you saying?” he asked. Raphael pulled out the proper blades, setting them down next to the sheathes, which Lucifer noticed he did not put back. Well. At least he got that right. Raphael looked at him with almost sympathy as Lucifer began taking off his expensive jacket, hanging it temporarily on the back of a chair near the weapons closet.

“I am saying that you are dressing for battle and your mind does not appear to be ready for it. You are not joining us for sparring, so it’s a legitimate fight, isn’t it? Should we be prepared for an invasion?” Now Lucifer felt bad. Raphael, besides being his little brother, was his second in command. His military leader. Of course he’d be concerned to see Lucifer gathering weapons with no explanation. Lucifer took a breath and shook his head, trying to clear it. No more distractions. And no more causing unnecessary distress. At least not today.

“No, no. No need to worry.” He said, sounding much more like himself than he had previously. Raphael seemed to notice that too, and snapped back into a more military stance. “I am merely going to do a bit of….recon, shall we say. And I’m not sure how dangerous the situation may be.”

“So you’re bringing weapons just in case?” Raphael asked. Lucifer nodded, removing his button down shirt now as well, to slide the sheathes on. One at his hip, two more at his wrists. He would put the fourth at his calf on his right leg.

“Exactly.” He answered, struggling a little to put the wrist sheathe on the left side. Curse of being left handed he supposed. He struggled with it for a few minutes before he looked over at Raphael, who had not relaxed his military stance, but could not hide the amusement that danced through his eyes.

“Do you mind?” he snapped. Raphael grinned a little briefly, before composing himself and asking.

“Do you want me to help or give you privacy to struggle on your own?” he asked. Lucifer all but rolled his eyes. Little brothers.

“Just tie the damned thing.” He answered. Raphael murmured a ‘yes, sir’ and came over, tying the sheathe firmly in place. Lucifer didn’t say anything else, but studied his brother’s movements. When the sheathe had been tied into place, he began putting the blades in, testing them in his hands before hiding them on his body.

“Will you need backup?” Raphael asked. Lucifer thought about it. He truthfully didn’t know. He wasn’t sure what awaited him in purgatory. For all he knew he couldn’t enter where Morgana used to be. For all he knew, once he tried, an alarm would sound. Or his twin would be informed, and then he would be confined only to hell. Or worse, one of the beasts that were released to help Him defeat the fallen would be waiting for him. He shook his head, cleared his throat, and then answered Raphael.

“I do not know. I hope I will not, because I don’t intend to take any.” Lucifer got dressed again in silence, not giving his brother a chance to respond. Raphael resumed his stance to the side of the door, standing guard once again as Lucifer recomposed himself, hiding the blades perfectly underneath an expensive shirt and suit jacket. Without another word to his younger brother, he left the armory, heading back up the stairs from which he came. Wordlessly, he focused his energy, thinking of purgatory. With a slightly uncomfortable pull behind his navel, he was off.

Ok that was it, that’s the thing. Does it suck as much as I think it does?

#novel #writing #second draft #mythology and folklore #little bit of theology too I guess #hope you enjoy

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