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lunam00na · 3 years

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An Unlikely Affair: Chapter 2 - Down the rabbit hole..

Amélie spent the few hours she had left sorting out what little belongings she had and distributing them amongst some of the other peasants she had become familiar with from her years of working various temp jobs. The peasants were thankful, but curious as to why she was giving away all of her things. Her response was that she was going to stay in another nearby city, where some long lost family lived. Though she felt a little guilty for lying, she knew from the odd context of the letter that it was best that nobody knew where she was truly going. Not to mention the fact that the instructions stated she was to wait under some bridge in the darkness of night to catch a ride to the palace.

Her gut quivered at the thought of being alone on these dangerous streets at night.. “Lets hope I survive long enough to actually get to the damn place..” she thought wryly. With her belongings gone, and nothing left for her to do but wait, Amélie gave a final goodbye to her small home. Coarse, wet wood brushed against her fingertips, as she placed the palm of her right hand against the shack’s door. With a sigh, she muttered under her breath, “Goodbye, you. You’ll make someone else a small refuge now.” She lingered like that for a moment, recalling a handful of good times she had spent here in the city of Grimshores.

Her wild blonde hair was dampened from the rain; it waved back and forth in the wet breeze. She wore a brown overcoat, littered with holes that she had patched herself with whatever bits of fabric she could find. Underneath was a simple white day dress, which was more of a tan color now from the dirt and mud, than white. The clothing clung closer to her skin the longer she stood in the rain; she was skinny as a rail.

“Okay, it’s time to go,” she rasped, her nerves getting the best of her for a second. Her head finally managed to convince her legs, and so she set off for the bridge east of town. It would take her nearly an hour to reach the bridge by foot; judging by the position of the moon in the sky, she guessed it was already past midnight. The walk gave her mind time to wander; she couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to the words Genny had written, than just a job opportunity. The thought crossed her mind that this was some sort of trick, perhaps she was going to meet some clever fiend under that bridge, and she would be mugged, raped and killed.. Or forced to become a prostitute for the benefit of some sick and twisted man..

“No. Don’t think of that,” Amélie corrected herself sternly, quickening her pace. She walked briskly down the dimly lit sidewalk. Now she was out of the slums, almost at the edge of town. The streets were all but dead, aside from the occasional homeless person sleeping on whatever dry spot they could find. Still, she found herself slipping her hand into her coat pocket, clutching a crudely fashioned knife. The letter had instructed her to bring no belongings, but she simply could not travel this far in the dark without some type of protection. She knew that if she were attacked, there was little she could do despite having this shoddy knife; but she would not go down without a fight. That was for damn sure.

Her mind turned to the Prince.. The King. Would she meet them? Surely the King would take no interest in meeting a lowly servant such as herself. But the Prince? Maybe. Genny did mention he had come to her himself in search of help. Her cousin must have made a grand impression on the Royals. It shouldn't surprise Amélie, her cousin was quite bodacious for someone of their social standing, and she was a damn good cook. A smile played upon the corner of her lips; reminded of the trouble the two of them had gotten into during their childhood. "Hard to believe we will be together again," Amélie shook her head and snickered.

Finally after what felt like an eternity, she made it to the bridge where she was supposed to be picked up. There was nobody here yet, or at least that she could see in this darkness. She drew closer to the bridge, inspecting the surrounding area before rounding the side and ducking underneath the wooden structure. There was nothing around but trees, and some other vegetation. A small creek ran beneath the bridge, and she was careful not to fall in, lest she wanted to catch a cold. She gripped a wooden beam with her hands, steadying herself there. The constant trickling of water made it difficult to hear if someone was approaching. By her estimate it was almost time for her ride to arrive. She waited, her eyes searching amongst the darkness for any flicker of movement.

A few minutes passed, and suddenly the sound of hooves pounding the earth reached her ears. Amélie swallowed hard, her heart flickered anxiously beneath her breast; she felt like it was trying to break free. She put her hand over her mouth, trying to mask her heavy breaths. The rider grew closer, and finally stopped on top of the bridge above her. A moment passed, then the rider dismounted; the thud of their feet against the wooden bridge sounded loudly in her ears. Amélie cringed and grabbed hold of the knife inside her overcoat, just in case.

Her heart thumped so loudly in her chest she was afraid the rider could hear it.. She stood slowly, inhaling and exhaling a deep breath, and prepared herself for what could happen next. The water was still flowing somewhat loudly under the bridge, but the rider was so close, Amélie could hear their feet brushing against the grass. Her hand clenched tighter around the handle of the knife; finally the rider appeared in front of her.

He held a small lantern in one hand, the faint glow illuminated his features. Their eyes met, and for reasons unknown to her, Amélie's heart skipped a beat.

"Are you Amelie Waters?" The stranger asked, his voice low and husky. She followed the movement of his lips with her eyes, she had heard him speak but was too distracted to answer. His eyes were the loveliest shade of hazel she'd ever seen, and they held such warmth behind them. She almost immediately felt at ease with this man; which gave her a sense of comfort yet concerned her at the same time. How was this stranger able to dazzle her within seconds of their first meeting? She felt like some silly teenager with a crush; her face heated in embarrassment.

His hair was dark and curly with a messy short style. His face was handsome and he had a strong angular jawline to match. He was quite tall, having to duck under the bridge, and he would surely loom over her in his normal posture.

"Ma'am? Are you Miss Amélie Waters? If so, we really should be going." The man repeated in his low, hushed voice. Amélie blinked once, twice, and then straightened herself. She felt utterly ridiculous that the man had to repeat himself because she was too busy oogling him. She shook her head once, breaking their gaze before speaking, "Y-yes, I am Amélie Waters. I'm sorry for not answering you sooner.. Anyway, uh right.. We should be going now." Oh God. He must think I'm an imbecile. She groaned internally, mentally giving herself a facepalm.

The man smirked for a moment and then composed himself once more. "We can make more formal introductions later, but for now we should get going. People will be getting up for work soon and I'd rather we not be seen." He said firmly and motioned for her to come with him. "Of course," Amélie replied, following his lead up the creek bank and onto the wooden bridge. His horse was waiting there, it's coat was as black as the night itself.

He took the reins in one hand and hoisted himself upon the beast with the other.

"Need a hand?" He asked politely, outstretching his right arm to her. She took the offered hand silently, thinking it best not to say anything lest she make more of a fool of herself. With his help she sat in the saddle behind him, her torso pressing against his back. She felt her face flush again; hotness rushing to her cheeks, and she tried not to think about their close proximity.

"You have to hold onto me like this," he instructed, reaching behind him and gently grasping her hands then placing them on his sides. Her heart started racing again, but she did as he said and held onto his sides tightly. The last thing she wanted was to fly from this horse. At this rate it wouldn't surprise me.

"Okay, let's go!” Her chauffeur commanded, and his horse began a gallop toward the castle.

Amélie stifled a shriek as the horse tore off down the winding dirt road. Oh my god he’s trying to kill me. Her fingers dug into his sides and she buried her head between his shoulder blades. She couldn’t help but notice his scent; he smelled of musk and sandalwood. It pleased her that he smelled so good, because most of the peasants she had lived around didn’t have access to soaps and perfumes. It was a rare occasion that a man walked past her and she found his scent attractive. So far it seems everything about this man is attractive.. She mused, and then scolded herself for being such a tart. Am I so sex depraved that I fling myself at the first decent looking man who doesn’s smell like horse manure? She questioned herself internally with a chuckle.

True, she had been quite some time without intimacy. It was at least 4 years since she last had sex.. There wasn’t much time to think about her next boot knocking when she was fighting to survive on the streets.

“You hanging on alright back there, Miss Waters?” The man asked abruptly, shaking her mind from the gutter. She blushed furiously, even though she knew he couldn’t read her thoughts; thankfully. “I’m fine,” she muttered into his back, “I’ll be even better once my feet are back on the bloody ground!” He chuckled at her response; he had one of those laughs that made you want to smile. The man replied, “I’m sorry, Tuck doesn’t go slow!” Amélie scoffed, “No shit! You don’t say?” That earned her another laugh, she could feel the vibrations from his laughter in her hands. It gave her a warm feeling. She hadn’t felt so light in such a long time.

The rest of their ride was uneventful and silent. At last they came to a slow trot in front of the castle gates. She had never actually seen the place in person; it was a sight to behold, even in the dark. They rode past the gates which automatically swung open as they approached. “Strange,” she thought, “you’d think there would be more of a security protocol in place for entering the palace grounds.” She summed it up to the guards recognizing who her chauffeur was.

They came to a stop at a side entrance to what she guessed was the main part of the castle. The stranger dismounted his horse and offered her a hand down. “There you are, safely escorted with your feet back on the ground.” He said with a smug look on his face; his lips hinted at a smile. She smirked and couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him. “I never caught your name, by the way?”

“Apologies, Miss. My name is Roman. Roman Octavius Reynolds. I am the Prince of Albanon and heir next in line to the throne.”

Her heart stopped.

#writing

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quarantineddreamer · 4 years

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@zutaraweek 2020 Day 4: Celestial

While I am here reblogging all the amazing content I’m seeing for Day 4 I wanted to repost an old one-shot of mine which contains plenty of Celestial imagery. It made my heart happy just to write it and I hope it makes yours happy to read it!

Also posted on my AO3

Rating: G

Title: Of Lanterns and Turtle Ducks

Summary: Zuko is preparing to propose to Katara in the garden his mom cared for so lovingly, and where he and Katara first kissed 4 years ago...

He carefully cupped his hand close to the waxed paper of the final lantern and released a small, gentle flame into its center. He stared at it a moment longer, feeling its soft warmth on his cheeks as he brought it closer for inspection. He shut his eyes and everything was orange and red. He began a silent prayer to the spirits, and in particular, to the soul he hoped still visited the pond he had staged so carefully on this night, the anniversary of the first night. A small smile tugged at his lips. I think you’d really, really like her Mom. I hope you’re here tonight..I think you are. He could feel her now, as he often did in this spot, an aura that wrapped itself around him like a blanket, whispering comfort, security, encouragement, love.

He opened his eyes and it was as though he were looking at the stars themselves. The lanterns danced in lazy circles as the light breeze propelled them across the still surface of the water. Their reflections rippled and sparkled. Fire and water united performed this most beautiful scene.

“Wow it looks amazing!” the voice of a friend called, and he turned to see two grinning faces peering out from behind a nearby tree. Suki and Sokka -their expressions made him blush.

“It really does!” another said in his ear, and Zuko jumped, very nearly tumbling into the pond as Aang landed quietly beside him with a whoosh, Toph climbing down from the monk’s shoulders, cackling at his response to her whisper.

The Avatar reached up to the taller man and slapped a hearty hand onto his back. “She’s going to love it!”

Zuko smiled at this, but didn’t reply, his stomach had begun to do flips again. “I hope so,” he mumbled. He looked again at his work. An hour or so of subtle firebending to illuminate the pond, the lotuses plucked and lining the small dock formed a pathway leading to the galaxy, and of course, the longest part had been carefully leading the turtle ducks to a temporary shelter for the night -filled with little treats and soft surfaces to snuggle in.

The group had all drawn towards him to stand beside him by the water. They created a small circle around him and their excitement was like static in the air. They all stared expectantly, even Toph’s sightless eyes landing on him.

“I wasn’t feeling so nervous until you all showed up,” Zuko said gruffly.

“Psh well you should be nervous, you’re going to have Sokka for a brother.” Toph elbowed him playfully.

“If she says yes…” Zuko corrected.

Sokka and Suki rolled their eyes in unison, a habit they had developed over the years. The former wrapped his arm around his wife. “She’s going to say yes. It’s a long time coming.”

Zuko supposed it was… Just two years before they had all been celebrating on a frigid night in the South Pole the union of the Kyoshi warrior and the young Water Tribe leader. He remembered how happy Katara had looked then, so giddy at the sight of her brother, all grown up, and twirling his bride about on the dance floor -stealing kisses.

Two years before that… four years to the day, was the night Zuko had nearly died, the night Katara had saved him.

Azula had been carried away to a secure location at Zuko’s command. He had struggled to rise, trying to find strength to command the Fire Nation soldiers that had come forward following his sister’s defeat, but Katara would have none of it. “Can you please sit still?! For spirits’ sake you just took a bolt of lightning to the chest.” He lay back down when he saw that she was close to tears again.

After she gave him as much healing as she could, and he swore, repeatedly that he really was alright to move, he went about his new duties, organizing troops, setting precedent, establishing himself as their new Fire Lord. Katara sent a message to the rest of their group via hawk, and they received word back within a few hours that Ozai was defeated and in custody, everyone was okay, they had won.

When that message had been received he and Katara had been standing in the palace. They looked at each other, almost in disbelief, and laughed, tension floating away in deep, hysterical chuckles. When that had passed, she had thrown her arms around him and buried her head into his shoulder. He had winced at the pain of her impact on his wound, but hadn’t made a sound, only encircled her in his arms and squeezed, breathed in the scent of her hair -a bit burnt from its near misses with blue fire.

When they separated, he had wordlessly led her away from everyone, through the maze of hallways that were such a part of his childhood, to the one place he knew they would not be bothered. His mother’s garden had looked neglected compared to how it was now, but still pretty, and quiet, peaceful . The sun was nearly rising, the night having flown from them in all the activity of post-war - post-war, could it be true? they both thought.

The sky was a pale blue, the faint light of dawn beginning to grace its depths, and he walked her to the shores of the pond (absent of turtle ducks in that moment) and together they sat, exhausted, and dipped bare feet in the cool liquid. She had her arms out behind her and was looking at the sky, shaking her head as though to ensure she wasn’t dreaming it all, and he thought how absolutely beautiful she was, how brave, how kind…

“Katara…” he reached for her hand and she turned her eyes upon him. Those eyes… And then, more unbelievable to him than the war finally ending, she had leaned towards him and pressed her lips to his, placed a gentle hand across his scar, and curled strong fingers in his hair.

“Zukooooo,” Aang laughed, snapping him back to the present with a wave of his hand across the Fire Lord’s eyes. “You there, buddy?”

Zuko cleared his throat, “Uh, yes, yes, hello, Zuko, here!” His cheeks turned a magnificent scarlet shade, visible even in the dim light.

They all took turns giving him a hug. “She’ll be here soon,” Sokka said, and gave his friend a knowing smile. “Don’t forget to breathe!” And with that they all departed.

Zuko was more concerned his heart would forget to beat, such was the eraticism of its rhythm. He paced the dock. Soon, Suki would be approaching Katara (who was probably in her study finishing up important diplomat work) and coming up with an excuse to guide her to the garden.

He looked out again upon the floating lanterns, then up at the moon and the true stars above him, studying them and their steadfastness for strength. A hand landed like a bird upon his shoulder, tugging him around.

“Zuko?” she asked in wonderment. Those eyes, those sapphire orbs... they could melt greater than any firebender he had ever met.

He took her hand and had her stand beside him, then took her other hand, and… Struggled to speak, a lump lodged in his throat.

The questioning on her face was replaced with affection for his awkwardness. She squeezed his palms gently, supportively, then looked out at his work. “It’s so beautiful,” she whispered, “what fire and water can do together…”

Shadows played on her face, she glowed a soft amber. Zuko felt a small tug at the bottom of his robes, and glanced down to see a stray turtle duck’s little eyes upon him. How did it?... he wondered, but saw that with it was its mother, and the mother…Was he crazy? Had the oil he used on the lanterns gone to his head? The mother duck seemed to bow its head, encouraging, a signal. Truly I am oxygen deprived...Breathe, breathe...

Katara was studying him now, unaware of the discrete audience behind him, but she was patient, knowing that Zuko would speak when he was ready, savoring the joy building in her chest as she began to suspect what this was all for.

Words were not yet ready to befriend him again. Instead he took one hand away from her own, and reached into his pocket feeling the cool touch of stone at his fingertips, the lick of the silk he had carefully selected.

Slowly he knelt, bowing his head, drawing a final breath, before looking back to her. “Katara, four years ago, the world changed... but I never would’ve known peace without you. You are a current that guides me. You remind me every day of the good that exists, of its power, and of its endurance. You gave me a second chance even when I wasn’t sure I deserved one…and you helped me heal wounds in myself I wasn’t sure I could even face. You have made me a better person, the person I was fighting to find again for most my life -the one I always wanted to be.”

"Zuko…” she laughed softly, but waited for him to continue. Her eyes glimmered with tears and lantern light, but there was a smile on her lips.

“Katara, I promise that every day I’m going to continue to prove to you that I can be worthy of the life you gave me. I will support you in your ambitions to rebuild a better world and assist in every way I can. I will comfort you no matter what may come our way. I will stand beside you, Katara,” his voice broke, but he kept going, almost there… “Katara, I love you, now and always. Will you, uh… Will you marry me?” He held out a shaky hand. Balanced along his fingers was a silvery stone carved with a combined symbol of the sun and moon, clasped carefully to a line of inky silk. And despite Sokka’s advice, he was certain that he was holding his breath, his heart galloping in his chest.

She grabbed the necklace from him and dropped to her knees beside him, placing her elbows on his shoulders and her hands on both his flushed cheeks. “Yes, Fire Lord Zuko,” she laughed. “I will marry you. Of course, I will!”

His nerves evaporated and a smile, so big it hurt his cheeks, flashed onto his face. He kissed her deeply at first, drinking her in, then repeatedly, until she scrunched her nose and began to giggle at his teasing.

“YAY!” came a hoot from up on the roof. Katara and Zuko followed the sound to see the short figure of Aang standing atop the palace, arms triumphantly stretched to the night sky.

The couple laughed as one by one the sheepish faces of their friends appeared. Suki and Sokka both shrugged, and Toph clapped, none-too-guilty at being caught spying. One by one Aang bent them down from their hiding place. They all raced to Zuko and Katara, talking over each other in their “Congratulations” and “Finally!”s.

When finally a lapse in the chatter had come, Sokka frowned. “Wait...Did you say yes?” he asked his sister, pointing an accusing finger at her neck, which still had their mother’s jewelry upon it.

Katara gave the blue carving a fond squeeze one last time, then slowly unknotted it and moved it to her right wrist, her brother assisting her in securing it firmly in its new spot. Then she handed the bethorthal piece back to Zuko and turned her back to him, pulling her hair over her shoulder as she did so, leaving her neck exposed. He gave the exposed skin a small kiss before reaching round to tie the new pendant to her. When he was finished, she turned and gave him a goofy grin and another cheerful kiss. They parted, but he refused to let her stray too far, holding her back against him, arms draped over her shoulders, as she swayed happily and started talking wedding plans with their friends.

Eventually, even the exhilaration of the engagement was not enough to keep the gang awake. They all began to drift off to their beds. Katara and Zuko trailed behind everyone else, Zuko holding her hand and allowing his arm to stretch as he slowed to take one last look at the garden. The lanterns were still a tapestry of light against the black of the pond, a mirror to another world. Thank you, he thought quietly to the presence that he felt always guiding him whenever he stood in that magical place, and then together he and his bride-to-be, bumping playfully against each other, laughter echoing in the quiet of late-night, made their way to their bed.

The little turtle duck waddled back to the sanctuary the Fire Lord had built for them, and the mother… Emitting a faint blue light she shifted into the elegant form of a woman dressed in magnificent robes, gazing fondly at the retreating figures of her son and his love, before fading away, following the path the lanterns made to the spirit world...

#zutara #zutara week 2020 #zuko #katara #celestial #zuko x katara #zutara fanfic #zutara week #zutara proposal #ao3 fic #b writes #zukos-calming-tea

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elizabethemerald · 4 years

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Morgana and Guinevere

Guinevere was the one who dragged Morgana out into the woods the night she died. Why? What did she have to show her?

AO3

"Gwen, where are you taking me?" Morgana asked, a laugh in her voice.

"Into the forest! Arthur's too much of a stick in the mud to follow us here." Guinevere smiled broadly as she spoke. She hadn't released Morgana’s hand since she had woken her up in her bed chambers.

"Yes, he always was afraid of these woods." Morgana couldn't help but match Gwen's smile. "But that doesn't explain why you are dragging me into the woods in the middle of the night!"

"I want to show you something, now come on! We have to hurry."

Morgana laughed again, and picked up her pace to match Gwen's. Even when she was no longer being dragged along, instead walking alongside her, Gwen still did not release her hand.

The two of them walked quickly through the woods, over fallen logs and around majestic bushes. Morgana couldn't help but look at Gwen's hand in her own as they walked.

"Here we are!" Gwen practically sang the words.

Morgana looked around. They were deep in the woods, not far from the Killahead Bridge. They stood on the cliffs far above a distant pond, the only sound the thunder of the waterfall that fed the pond. Morgana put one hand on her hip.

"Gwen. We've seen the Silver Falls before. During the day time. When we didn't have to sneak out of the castle to see it!"

"Trust me! This will be worth it!" Gwen sat down on the cliff's edge. Since she was still holding Morgana’s hand she had no choice but to sit as well.

They sat for a moment just watching the falls. Morgana stiffened as Gwen leaned gently against her shoulder, but she didn't move away. She felt like her heart was doing flips like a jester in her chest.

Morgana took a breath to speak again when Gwen stiffened at her side. She tightened her grip on Morgana’s hand, her other hand rising to pat at her arm and point.

"Its starting its starting!"

The moon shifted on its nightly journey and as it did a beam of moonlight skid down the cliff. The moonbeam caught the spray off the waterfall reflecting and redirecting the light again and again until the entire fall gleamed with a pale light, like molten silver.

"Isn't it beautiful, Morgana?" Gwen whispered, her voice hushed with awe.

Morgana turned, taking in the gentle light playing across Gwen's face. It had been a long time since she had last seen such joy on her friend's face. Her own smile pulled at her lips and she turned her attention back to the falls.

"Yes it is."

After a few minutes of silver light illuminating the area, the moonbeam moved on from the ideal spot of the falls and the light slowly faded until they were sitting in the dark again.

"Thank you for showing me that, Gwen."

"Thanks for sharing it with me." Gwen's head had returned to Morgana’s shoulder now that the light show was done. "It was magical."

Gwen sighed softly, making no movement to return to the castle. Morgana, unsure what to do for a moment, lifted her hand, a golden spark dancing at her finger tips. The spark expanded, petals opening as a flower of golden light formed. When it was complete she handed it to Gwen.

"Beautiful." Gwen said.

Morgana could feel that Gwen wasn't looking at the flower. Her chin still sat on her shoulder, and she was looking at her face. She could feel Gwen's breath on her cheek. She knew if she turned to face her they would be basically nose to nose. So she kept her own face forward.

However Gwen wasn't going to be ignored. She gently grabbed her chin and turned her so they were facing each other. Morgana couldn't resist her eyes flicking to Gwen's lips, and she noticed Gwen did the same with her own.

Gwen's eyes slipped shut, her head tilting to the side. Morgana wanted nothing more than to match her, press their lips together, stay here in the woods all night in each other’s arms. Instead she jumped to her feet, pulling away from Gwen's grasp.

"Guinevere you are betrothed to my brother!"

"Yes, and we are not married yet.” Gwen had a mischievous smile on her face. "Besides why can't I have both of the Pendragons? There's nothing quite like a matched set."

"Gwen please. We can't do this. Arthur loves you."

"And I love him dearly. As a friend."

Morgana turned away. "But your marriage…"

"Arthur and I will marry. I know our union will benefit the people of Camelot. Our marriage will not be loveless, but it doesn't have to be exclusive either."

"Have you actually talked to Arthur about this?"

"Not in specifics. But I've noticed the way he looks at Lance during their sparing. Just as I've noticed the way you look at me."

Morgana turned back to her, tears pricking the corners of her eyes.

"I thought I was better at hiding how I felt." She whispered.

Gwen stood and put her arms around Morgana’s shoulders.

"Maybe to others. But you and I, we grew up together. I know you better than anyone else alive. And I love you more than anyone else alive as well."

"Guinevere, I… We need to get back to the castle." Morgana turned away again, resolutely looking for the distant lights of Camelot. She heard Gwen sigh behind her.

Morgana did her best to ignore her and continue walking back to the castle. She could hear Gwen's steps just behind her.

"How long are we going to keep ignoring and dancing around our feelings?" Gwen asked, exasperation growing in her voice. "I can see you feel the same way about me!"

Gwen caught up and tried to take Morgana’s hand again, when she snatched it away Gwen huffed and stomped ahead of her, pushing roughly through the underbrush.

"Morgana, you can pretend all you want that you don't love me, but I'll always know better." Gwen snapped as she marched ahead, quickly out pacing her. "We could be happy, the three of us togeth- Aaagh!"

Morgana leapt forward as Gwen's words were cut off by her scream. She shoved passed the last bush and almost fell right off the edge of a cliff. Coils of magic steadied her on the cliff's edge. She could clearly see where a bit of the cliff had broken away.

"Gwen! Gwen!" Morgana screamed leaning as far as she dared over the edge of the cliff.

"I'm alive Morgana. I think my leg is broken." Gwen's voice was tight with pain.

Morgana almost wept with relief. She could see Gwen down at the base of the cliff, her leg sitting at a decidingly unnatural angle. She reached for her staff, but her hand came up empty. She remembered belatedly that she had left it behind when Gwen had hurried her out the door.

"Hold on Gwen! I'll find some way to get you out of there." Morgana called.

She focused, her hands pressed together for a moment, then thrust one skyward. A golden rocket, trailing sparks shot out of her hand into the sky. It exploded in the air and lingered there. A clear distress flair, hopefully someone on the walls of Camelot would see it and send help.

Gwen groaned softly down below. Morgana leaned forward again to look at her. She had managed to straighten her leg. She now sat with her back against the cliff face.

"You're not going to leave me are you, Morgana?" Gwen's voice sounded very small and the fear there tore at Morgana’s heart.

"No. I'll stay by your side until Arthur gets here. I promise."

"Thank you my love." Gwen replied. Morgana couldn't even bring herself to reprimand her. "Can I have some light down here?"

"Of course, Gwen. Anything you need."

Morgana clapped her hands together and then threw another handful of golden sparks into the air. These floated above the chasm casting a warm light on them both.

Under the light of her magic Morgana looked closely at the walls of the pit. Maybe there would be some way for her to climb down. At least then Gwen wouldn't be alone.

"Morgana!"

"I'm here, Gwen. I-"

"MORGANA!!"

Morgana’s head snapped up at the fear in Gwen's voice. Now her magic revealed what had been hidden there. Piles of bones scattered across the floor of the pit. Some were from animals, but some were from humans as well.

And there, at the mouth of a cave neither had seen, attracted by their shouting, then angered by the light, a stalkling. It's eyes glowed red and Morgana could see its mouth open and ready to strike the immobile Guinevere.

Distantly she could hear the sound of galloping horses. It must be Arthur and the knights! But they wouldn't arrive in time.

Morgana cursed herself for leaving her staff behind. Without it there was nothing she could do for her.

"Morgana, I love you, I love you so much." Gwen sobbed. "I love you more than I'll ever be able to say."

"Gwen I'm so sorry! Gwen please, I'm sorry." Morgana turned and screamed into the woods, another flare firing off her body into the sky. "Arthur! Hurry! Arthur!"

She turned back to the pit, tears pouring down her face. Gwen continued to shout her love as the Stalkling crept closer. It wasn't often its meals delivered themselves right to its nest, much less already incapable of fighting back. It was going to savour this.

Morgana felt like her entire body was straining like a bow string. She loved Gwen more than life itself and there was nothing she could do other than watch her die. She loved her. She actually loved her.

Just like that Morgana felt the tension in her body snap. A scream tore out of her throat as the Stalkling prepared to pounce. She screamed and her shadow, split into a dozen copies by the light of her magic, grew more solid. Each shadow shimmered with a gold border, then as her scream wavered and died they separated from her body. The shadow copies of herself jumped from the cliff’s edge pouncing on the stalkling and driving it away from Gwen.

She could feel a splintering running along her hands and radiating out from her eyes. Her skin cracked and broke as she poured more and more of whatever this strange magic was into protecting Gwen. She had to get her away from the stalkling.

A whirling black hole opened up underneath Gwen and she fell in with a cut off cry. Morgana screamed again. She couldn’t get this close only to let Gwen get taken by some dark portal. She was distantly aware that the horses she had heard were suddenly much closer. Someone was calling her name, but she couldn’t focus on them. She had to save Gwen. Without another thought, she jumped from the cliff diving into the portal that had claimed Guinevere.

#guinevere toa #morgana toa #toa wizards #wizards spoilers #writing emerald

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camillemontespan · 4 years

Text

finding athenais [m!kayden x mc] [part five: tug of war in the heart]

Warnings: Violence. Blood. Angst. Severe angst.

Part Four if you want to catch up

@jovialyouthmusic @ibldw-main @burnsoslow @dcbbw @fromthedeskofpaisleybleakmore @moonlightgem7 @pug-bitch @saivilo @gardeningourmet @mskaneko @walkerswhiskeygirl @dailydoseofchoices @of-course-i-went-to-hartfeld @msjr0119 @chaotichuman0090 @jamesashtonisbae @krishu213 @katedrakeohd @emichelle @emceesynonymroll @notoriouscs @rainbowsinthestorm

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

I dig my heels into the horse’s sides, urging him to gallop at break neck speed. I keep Enzo close to my chest and he holds onto the reins too as he shouts ‘We’re free!’

We’re not free. Far from it. But I can’t bear to tell my son that. This is the most hope he has felt ever since we were taken and I’ll be damned if I take it away from him.

We need to get back to the capital. Kayden, if he is alive, will be searching for us. I keep thinking that if I manage to get my son home, we can wait there for his father and all will be alright again. We’ll be safe.

Except I have no idea where we are. We are riding fast down a dusty road, surrounded by mountains. The vibrant heart of the city is nowhere near this place.

I look around at the mountains and the road ahead. Kayden has instilled in me the need to be aware of all surroundings. Logically, houses are placed near rivers because the water is a source. All I need to find is a river and a house, perhaps the owners could help us or even just tell us where we are.

I have to keep a level head for this. My son and unborn child are counting on me.

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

Kayden woke to the sound of whimpering. Frowning, he sat up on the tree branch slowly and looked around himself.

Percival was whimpering.

'Percival?’ Kayden asked. 'What’s wrong?’

Percival pointed down to the ground. In the dawn light, Kayden squinted to see.

A wolf was lying on the ground below their trees, waiting.

'Perfect,’ Kayden groaned.

'Really? That’s all you have to say?’ Percival hissed.

'Relax..’ Frisk yawned, waking up to join in the conversation. 'It’s only a wolf.’

Percival’s eyes bulged. 'Only a… oh god, please tell me we have a plan?’

Kayden and Frisk exchanged knowing looks.

'We kill it,’ Kayden said bluntly. 'It’s not going to let us live, not with the way it’s lying in wait. These woods are limited in prey for the wolves-’

'I can’t believe you willingly entered this place with that knowledge!’ Percival cried.

'I entered these woods because I need to save my family!’ Kayden shot back. 'Now, relax and shut up. I’ll deal with it.’

Carefully, he began to climb down from the tree. 'Frisk, look for a quick exit,’ he instructed as he climbed down the trunk.

'On it, Captain,’ Frisk replied, his eyes scanning the wooded area.

Kayden kept his eyes on the wolf. Brown eyes fixed on yellow eyes.

He didn’t particularly want to kill this animal. He thought wolves were noble creatures but judging from this wolf’s stance, clearly it saw Kayden and his companions as its next meal.

Kayden always said, before meeting Athenais, that he would die protecting his country. An honourable death, a noble death.

But after he married his wife, he made a promise to her that he would die an old man in his bed, warm and safe beside her.

He wasn’t going to let an animal take that away from him.

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

The moonlight filtered through the window of Kayden and Athenais’ bedroom. Athenais was giggling as she watched her husband gently kiss her little baby bump, challenging himself to make it up to 500 kisses. He was currently on 100.

The silver light of the moon shone down on them, casting Athenais’ olive skin with an ethereal glow. Kayden looked up to give her a soft smile.

'You are beautiful,’ he whispered. His hands ran along her hips, holding her close. 'How did I get so lucky? What did I do in a past life?’

Athenais blushed. 'I can say the same to you, my love.’

Kayden grinned. Athenais felt her body turn warm with happiness - she loved seeing him like this. With her, alone in their bedroom, Kayden was open. He was gentle and caring, a far cry from his reputation as the Crown Shield.

'I’m so excited to meet our baby,’ Kayden murmured, looking back down at her stomach.

'Do you think it’ll be a boy like the Oracle predicted?’ Athenais asked eagerly.

Kayden rolled his eyes. 'You know I don’t believe in any of that.. But if it is a boy, then I just hope he is happy and healthy.’

Athenais smiled and gently ran her fingers along his arm, bringing him out in goosebumps. 'We will shower him with love,’ she said. 'Our little boy.’

Kayden smiled but a haunted expression passed over his face, alarming his wife.

'What’s wrong?’ she asked.

Kayden bit his lip. 'I.. I just hope I will be around to see him grow into a man,’ he told her quietly. 'With my job.. There’s always the possibility I will die protecting the crown.’

Athenais sat up instantly. 'No, Kayden,’ she said fiercely. She reached out to grab both his hands and stared at him, straight in the eyes. 'Promise me you will die an old man, warm and safe in your bed.’

'Athenais I can’t -’

'Promise me,’ she interrupted, her voice becoming more urgent. 'Please.’

This was yet another moment when Kayden considered quitting his job. Give it up so he could live a peaceful life and be with his family. It was a constant tug of war within his heart.

But she was looking at him with those beautiful brown eyes and she was carrying his child. She was the love of his life.

'I promise,’ he whispered, squeezing her hand. 'I promise, Athenais.’

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

The wolf lay dead at Kayden’s feet. Kayden’s arms were shredded with cuts and blood dripped down his skin. Kayden barely noticed the damage. Blood was part of the job. In his hand was his bloody sword.

Percival was white as a sheet, clutching the tree branch he was still sitting on. He was breathing rapidly.

'Inhale and exhale, Percival,’ Kayden said, his voice far away. His eyes remained fixed on the body of the wolf.

'Captain, you should tend to your wounds,’ Frisk told him. 'They’ll get infected.’

Kayden tore off a section of his shirt and wrapped it around his arm, tying it tightly. He did this without comment or emotion.

To the others, Kayden appeared calm and cut off from the brutal task he had just committed. Frisk was used to it - Kayden was always business as usual. Percival noted with horror that Kayden didn’t appear to care.

But in his mind, Kayden could only think that he was a monster. He had spilled the blood of an innocent animal, an animal that was doing all it needed to survive - much like Kayden was doing.

Who was he to kill the animal when he understood exactly how it felt?

His job forced Kayden to view everything he did with a detached feeling. Don’t be emotional, don’t doubt yourself, just get on with the task at hand.

But his job had also made him public enemy No 1 to assassins and rebels. If he died in service, it meant the crown was open for destruction. Yet by protecting the kingdom, Kayden had set a target on his family’s backs. Cut off from Athenais and Enzo, Kayden couldn’t help but wish that none of this had happened.

He wished he wasn’t the Captain of the Royal Guard.

He wished he had a normal job under the radar.

He wished he could guarantee that he would come home safe after a day of protecting the King.

He wished his family would always be safe and happy.

Kayden was pushing down the emotions that were swirling in his stomach now. He had to. He couldn’t show Frisk and Percival that he was doubting himself.

But as he looked down at the wolf with an air of indifference, he could only see himself reflected in the wolf’s unblinking eyes.

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

Enzo is trying to think of a name for our newly acquired horse.

'Hmmm… Zeus!’ he cries. He bites his lip. 'No, he’s not a Zeus…’

We are sat down by the side of the road, giving the horse time to rest. We have been galloping for the past two hours with no stop. I have been that determined to try and find some civilisation.

So far, nothing.

Enzo stands up to walk in a circle, studying the black horse who is chewing some grass.

'Hmmm.. Archimedes?’ he suggests. 'No.. Ooh, I know! Algernon! We can call him Algie for short!’

I smile, grateful that Enzo always manages to pull me from inside my head. 'That’s a good name,’ I say. 'Very intelligent.’

Enzo grins. 'Of course, he’s not as good as Atlas!’

The horse stops chewing the grass to fix Enzo with an unamused expression. Enzo giggles and reaches out to stroke its mane. The horse wickers softly.

'Definitely an Algernon,’ Enzo decides, his voice serious. 'You’re going to help us get back home, aren’t you boy?’

Enzo loves animals. He is the most gentle child, so kind and caring.

'Right, let’s go,’ I say, standing up. 'Do you want to hold Algernon’s reins while we ride?’

Enzo nods eagerly and clambers onto the horse’s back. He waits patiently as I slowly climb on behind him, careful for my baby bump.

'Is Aria kicking yet?’ Enzo asks hopefully.

I smile. 'Not yet,’ I tell him. 'She’s not big enough. But as soon as she does, you’ll be the first to know.’

We don’t mention his father. Kayden should be the first person to feel his unborn child kicking but Kayden is not here.

I swallow, willing myself to keep strong. Enzo takes the reins and I pull him against me, wrapping my arms around him so he is stable on the animal’s back.

We begin to ride again.

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

Enzo sees the house before I do. 'Look, a house! The chimney’s on! People are there!’ he squeals.

Encouraged, I kick my heels into Algernon’s sides and he canters quickly down the road towards the little stone house with thatch roof. We stop and Enzo jumps down eagerly.

He turns to hold out his hand so I can get down too. I don’t need his help but I appreciate the sentiment - I just hope Enzo doesn’t have to keep looking after me as time goes on. That’s my job to do that and Kayden’s.

I take his hand and knock on the front door. We wait for what feels like an eternity until it opens to reveal a young woman.

'Yes?’ she asks.

'Hello, sorry to trouble you,’ I say. 'I was hoping you could help us? We’re far from home and would like a place to rest for the night? Or if you can’t, perhaps even just tell us where we are?’

The woman looks at me warily before she looks down at Enzo, who is smiling up at her, with vibrant hope in his eyes. Her expression softens.

'Come in,’ she says, beckoning us to follow her inside.

It’s a small house. Dark. But there is a fire roaring and I see a little girl around Enzo’s age playing with her dog on the floor.

Enzo is over to her in an instant, crouching down to stroke the dog, asking her what it’s name is.

The woman gestures for me to sit down. 'What’s your name?’ she asks me. Enzo looks up to listen - I can tell he is thinking the same as I am.

Don’t trust anybody.

'Maria,’ I answer. 'My son is Luca.’

Enzo doesn’t blink at the change of his name. Kayden has taught him well.

The woman smiles. 'I’m Charlotte. My daughter is called Sarah.’

Sarah smiles softly and Enzo shoots her a happy grin.

'My husband is at work right now,’ Charlotte tells me. 'He’ll be happy to provide shelter for you.’

'Where are we?’ I ask her.

'Just outside of Valtoria,’ she replies. 'Not far from the capital.’

Hope bursts in my heart. I know I shouldn’t hope, I should be logical and not be ruled by my heart, but we are so close to home. Only twenty miles by horse. So close.

'I appreciate you helping us,’ I say. 'I promise we will leave first thing. I just want somewhere for my son to rest his head.’

Charlotte smiles. 'I understand completely.’

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

Kayden, Frisk and Percival continued to ride through the woods. The sun was filtering through the tree branches now, melting the snow covered ground. There were no more tracks, as Kayden expected.

He just had to remember the route out of the woods. They journeyed for another hour or so until the woods exit reared up.

‘Oh thank god!’ Percival cried. ‘Freedom!’

‘Do you not trust us to look after you, Percy?’ Frisk teased.

‘My name is Percival,’ Percival replied haughtily. ‘Not Percy.’

‘Of course, Percy.’

‘Percival!’

‘Percy.’

And so they rode on, Frisk annoying Percival as Kayden listened in amusement. The conversation soon turned to women, a common topic on the road.

'I have a girl back home..’ Frisk piped up, his voice wistful. 'Well, she’s not exactly mine… She has a husband.. But she’s the love of my life!’

Kayden chuckled, appreciating Frisk’s idea to keep the mood light.

'I’m sure she’ll leave her husband for you, Frisk,’ Kayden said.

'That’s what I’m hoping!’ Frisk replied cheerfully.

Percival shook his head. 'Marriage is a sacred bond between a man and a woman! It should be respected!’

'Ahh, yes,’ Frisk said, giving Percival a wink. 'But what’s the fun in that?’

‘Marriage is about commitment,’ Percival replied grandly. ‘I would hate for my wife to cheat on me.’

Frisk frowned. ‘Cheat? Who said anything about cheating?’

‘But you said-’

‘She doesn’t even know my name!’ Frisk sighed dramatically. ‘I live in hope..’

‘How is she the love of your life then?’ Percivial asked, confused.

‘Because she just is,’ Frisk said simply. ‘I know it.’

Kayden smiled. Frisk was always finding ‘the love of his life.’ Next week, it would be someone else.

‘I fell in love as soon as I laid eyes on her!’ Frisk continued. ‘It was like time stood still.. Just us in the moment, eyes locked.. Until she turned away to eat an olive, but still!’

As Percival and Frisk continued their animated conversation, Kayden’s mind wandered as it always did to thoughts of Athenais. He could remember the moment when he first saw her.

It had been at the masquerade ball. Kayden wore a mask shaped like a half moon. He hadn’t wanted to attend but he had to keep an eye on Hunter somehow.. And then he saw her. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen in his life.

Athenais wore a gold dress. Her hair was pinned up with loose curled tendrils framing her cheekbones and a gold necklace was wrapped around her throat. She glowed. Kayden had stopped in his tracks and couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

He had to have her name. He had to know who she was.

They had danced together and for five minutes, Kayden forgot his responsibility to the king and his duty for that night; for this moment, he was a normal man, seeing love and happiness for the first time.

Now, nine years later, they were married with a son and another child on the way.

Kayden swallowed hard. Keep pushing it down, keep focused, stop getting distracted. Think of finding your wife and son. Don’t lose track of what you’re doing -

‘Captain!’

Kayden turned to see Frisk halting his horse. Frisk jumped down and crouched to the ground, his fingers running over the earth. He picked up something shiny.

‘Look!’

Kayden took the shiny object. His breath caught.

‘It’s my son’s,’ he whispered. ‘Enzo’s ring.’

‘We must be close!’ Percival said, his eyes wide.

Kayden’s fist closed around his son’s ring. Carefully, he placed it in his pocket that held Athenais’ necklace, close to his heart.

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

Enzo and I sleep in a makeshift bed in the storeroom, his little body wrapped around mine. He refuses to sleep in Sarah’s bedroom with her; he wants to be near me and he won’t let me out of his sight. We are bone tired from the escape and journey we have just had; as soon as our heads are down, we fall into a deep sleep, grateful to close our eyes.

I still keep Enzo’s dagger under the pillow; I have Kayden’s voice in my head at all times. Don’t trust anyone. Be prepared for anything.

We wake to the sound of knocking on the front door. I hold Enzo tightly, like a lioness ready to protect her cub. Enzo’s eyes dart open and we listen to Charlotte pad through from her bedroom to the front door.

It’s a male voice. My heart leaps, thinking it could be Kayden, but then I realise I’m being stupid and of course, it’s not my husband. Things don’t work that way.

‘Apologies for waking you so early, but I just wanted to ask if you have seen a woman and her son around these parts?’

I’m on my feet in an instant. Enzo follows, quickly sliding on his boots.

‘No..’ Charlotte lies. ‘I have not.’

‘Really? Because we saw a familiar horse round at the back of your horse… looks like it belonged to my colleague..’

‘All horses look the same,’ Charlotte says casually. ‘I wouldn’t put too much stock in it.’

‘True, but I recognise this horse. Can I come in?’

I grab Enzo’s dagger and shove it into my pocket. ‘Quickly,’ I whisper, taking Enzo by the hand. Urgently, we rush to the door that leads outside.

‘Where’s the key?!’ Enzo hisses. ‘Mama, where’s the key?’

I run my hands through my hair, trying to think. Be calm, be calm.

‘Please, miss, let me in,’ the man says.

‘You’re not invited,’ she replies bluntly.

I hear footsteps. Gripping the dagger, I quickly whip around to come face to face with the little girl, Sarah. Her eyes are darting from me to Enzo, trying to understand. She looks back towards the hallway where her mother is engaging in an argument with the visitor.

‘Sarah, do you have a key for us to get out?’ I whisper. ‘Please.’

She looks at me with huge eyes.

‘Please,’ Enzo joins in. ‘You have to help us.’

Her eyes flick to a little cabinet in the corner, well hidden in the shadows. ‘We keep the key in there,’ she whispers.

Enzo rushes to the cabinet and opens its doors; inside, there is an assortment of keys, all different sizes and shapes, all for doors that we don’t know.

‘Which one is it?’ Enzo hisses. ‘For this door!’

Sarah joins him to locate the right key while I stand at the door, keeping my eyes fixed on the hallway. If the man gets into the house, I will be ready. I will protect my son with his dagger. Together, Enzo and Sarah’s fingers pick at each key and quickly insert them into the locked door. It’s agonising.

‘Miss, if you don’t let me in, I will have to arrest you,’ the man says. ‘I am here for the Crown Shield.’

Enzo drops the key in his hand, shocked at hearing his father’s moniker. The sound is shrill against the stone floor, making my heart drop.

‘Is someone else awake?’ the man asks, clearly having heard the key fall to the floor. ‘Someone who might be more willing to let me inside? Sounds like it.’

‘I’m the only one awake,’ Charlotte says quickly.

‘I am here for the Crown Shield, let me inside.’

His tone is more clipped now. Impatient.

I know he is lying. Whoever this man is, he is lying to Charlotte. Nobody would be here on behalf of my husband; Kayden would be at the door himself.

This man knows who I am, who my husband is, and he wants me in his keeping. I don’t know why. All I know is that he can’t be trusted.

Sarah picks up the key and slots it into the lock; it turns and clicks.

She opens the door carefully before stepping back. Enzo gives her a quick hug and darts outside, waiting for me to follow. I take Sarah’s hand, whisper ‘thank you,’ and run outside with my son’s hand in mine. We run towards Algernon and I hoist Enzo up onto his back, before clambering on behind him.

I kick his sides sharply, needing to get us away. Algernon bursts into action, galloping away from the house and the family who kept us safe.

If I worry about Charlotte and Sarah, it’s only for a moment. I have other things to think about now; for one thing, we are twenty miles away from the city. We can make it.

‘Mama!’ Enzo shouts, pulling at Algernon’s reins. ‘Mama, stop!’

In the distance, I see a masked man on a horse waiting for us. At first, I think it’s Kayden. It must be; perhaps I was wrong and the man at the house was here on behalf of my husband. Maybe he was going to take us outside and surprise us with the sight of him. The man sits tall on his black horse, regal, powerful. Just like my husband.

But as my vision adjusts, I see it is not my husband. I was wrong to hope. Clearly, the man at the house had a companion, this one who lies in wait in case we made a run for it. They have thought this out.

‘Enzo,’ I whisper. ‘Hold on tight, alright?’

Enzo grips onto the reins. With all the strength I can muster, I grab Algernon’s reins and haul him back, so he wheels around.

‘Onward!’ I shout, my heels slamming against his sides hard. We ride in the opposite direction from the man and the house. The man gallops behind us, not close, but not far either. Tears fill my eyes as I realise that yet again, we are racing for our lives from men in cloaks and masks. It is like a masquerade, except there is no romance or chivalry behind it.

Just darkness, danger and the possibility of death.

#kayden vescovi #trm kayden #trm fanfic #Kayden x mc #the royal masquerade #play choices

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the-magic-lava-lamp · 4 years

Text

Enjoy Yourself (It’s Later Than You Think)

Summary: (Title based on THIS song) ! Val looked into the rear-view mirror and saw that the sky was nearly drained of all brightness. It had surely been an exhausting day. She was surprised Jane hadn’t faded off during the drive to their next motel, not even once and they’d done a lot of running around--

The sound of Jane slipping in her sleep and falling onto the car door ledge thumped in Val’s ear.

(Sequel to ‘Too Busy Thinking About My Baby’!)

Ships: ValJane

Word Count: 5,783

Valkyrie laid back on the front car seats as Jane hovered above her, sitting on the edge of the car door.

Val closed one of his eyes so the sun was behind Jane’s head instead of shining down to worsen her vision. She rolled her toothpick to the other side of her mouth and whistled past the small gap.

They had about ten minutes to kill before they'd have to move to keep the trip on schedule. A small shiver seemed to pass through Jane as she pulled at her shirt. Val lifted the toothpick from her lips and put her elbow next to her on the seat, hand put through his steering wheel. She squinted one open eye and read the patch sewn into her t-shirt. Just above her heart read 'The answers are out there!' .

"Val, take that out of your mouth before you swallow it." Came Jane’s voice, followed by a soft kick to the bottom of Val’s shoe that was only half on. She rolled her eyes and sat up so that he was between Jane’s legs, arm resting on her thigh.

Jane’s eyebrow lifted but gladly accepted the curious little kiss Val offered when she removed the stick. Decidedly, Jane pecked her girl’s cheek when she glanced off towards the rest area. “Baby, believe me-” She spoke softly and planted a few more kisses “This trip is going to be perfect.” That time she just nuzzled her nose against her neck.

Jane pulled up to allow Val a look at her. The sudden movement made the sunglasses, which had been resting on her head, fall over her eyes and slip down the slope of her nose.

Val glowed and pushed them up for her with an easy-going bliss. “Go pee. I’ll drive the car up to the sidewalk and meet you on the way out.” She chuckled, patting Jane’s knee before the girl hopped off the car.

: : : : : Jane was just passing the cute little bushes outside of the building when the familiar honk of Val's car pulled her out of her thoughts.

Val had one outstretched arm lounging on the wheel, that toothpick hung from her sideways smile again. "You goin' my way doll?" She smirked as some kind of vaguely vintage voice fell from her lips.

Jane strolled over, gripping a nearby sign pole and twirling around it. Hues of the rising sun tinted her cheeks. "Is there any other way to go, darling?" She giggled and galloped over. Flinging her purse inside first than herself, jumping over the door.

Reaching into her bag, Jane grabbed the long thin summer scarf Val had bought her. It was intended to help her live-out some strange fantasy she’d had as a young teen, involving up-and-leaving home & traveling in a convertible car with it blowing in the wind...Man, Val adored her.

Val tilted her chin down and allowed her suns-glasses to fall, pursing her lips. “Let’s roll, baby.”

Jane pointed her finger towards the open road and laughed madly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Valkyrie had planned a small road-trip back to New Mexico for the couples one-year anniversary. Which, was a very big deal in Val’s opinion.

The two of them had basically been stuck together since they’d begun dating but funny enough, they never really took themselves too seriously. It was more because of Val’s hesitation of commitment, if anything. But Jane was happy to take things slowly too. They were girlfriends. They were 100% exclusive. But they pretty much kept away from serious talks. Val felt a little guilty but at the same time...proud her feelings were a part of a true relationship.

Jane was curled up against the door wearing Val’s hoodie as the orange sky faded to deep purples. The sleeves were pulled over her hands & she kept drifting in-and-out of sleep.

“Wake up, sprite.” Val gently reached over and shook her knee, listening once again to the soft sighs which escaped her girlfriend’s lips when she woke up. “Don’t leave me on my own.”

Jane sat up and grinned. “Sorry.” She rubbed her eyes and moved to take her cell which was hooked up to the radio. “I had a dream that I was psychic. I kinda wanted to know where it was going.” She stretched and made herself comfortable again.

Val smirked. “Oh yeah? What did dream Jane see in her visions?”

The girl shrugged and took a sip of Val’s coffee. She opened her mouth like she was about to answer but blinked up towards the sky. “Was that lightning or did I just rub my eyes too hard?” She scrunched her nose.

Val turned and caught a quick glimpse of another bolt. Her answer was to roll up the roof and close all the windows. Just in time.

The violet sky thundered above them poured down hard drops of rain which pounded against the car. Jane giggled as the air conditioning blew her hair back with that stale breeze.

She pulled herself up in her seat to get a better view from Val’s window. Another bolt crashed and seemed to crackle in the shine of Jane’s watchful eyes when it reflected in the brown.

“Y’know, I wanted to be a storm-chaser when I was little.” Val stole a quick glance at the woman and gripped tightly on the wheel.

“Me too.” Jane fell back into a relaxed position and grinned like she was in the presence of something truly magical. “It probably started with weather; I was fascinated by the natural elements we lived our lives around-”

Val smirked. “But it wasn’t enough. Sky wasn’t the limit for you, baby.”

Jane gently pinched her arm. “I’m who I am today because as a child...I just decided science was what interested me most.” She paused and stared out the windshield. “I just liked space and now...” She shrugged. “Isn’t that crazy?”

“Crazy, yes.” Val nodded, turning the car into the small parking lot of a gas station. “But believable.” She smirked and turned the car off. “You get where you’re going when you work hard for it, Jane.”

Jane shrugged. “You’d know.” She said with earnest pride and brushed a curl away from Val’s eyes before planting a small kiss on her cheek. She admired her girlfriends work with an organization which helped to match people with possible career options, internships etc. Val really enjoyed working with people & guiding them in their search for jobs they were actually passionate about.

Plus, Val was one hell of a fighter in her spare time too. She consistently trained at the gym and was the swiftest, smoothest...warrior (that was the best word for it) Jane had ever seen.

Val parked the car and slowly climbed out, watching Jane hop out to look up into the storm. Heavy raindrops fell down upon them & soaked through the comfy outfits they’d been wearing but neither cared.

“Buy me a crappy gas station hot-dog?” Val made a puppy dog face even though Jane was sure to agree.

She nodded & made a ‘come here’ gesture before swirling on her heels.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“A toast!” Val raised her body, legs now curled under her thighs. Behind her, the wind blew her curls around and annoyingly through the large-ish earrings she loved so much.

The old fashioned lawn flamingo shapes were covered by her hair & missing great opportunities to catch the light. The florescent plastic pieces were always a hit.

She raised her delicate paper cup filled with the tea they were splitting. They’d picked it up a couple stops ago when they were too lazy to go back for their forgotten credit cards. So they’d paid outta pocket which afforded just one can.

Jane whistled and raised her own tiny cup from the holder as she turned into their desired motel. ‘The Pink Moon’

“To...?”

“To us!” Val tapped the cups as they pulled into the parking spot. When it came to a stop, she wiggled around until she was successfully unbuckled and sitting criss-cross. She pushed some hair away from her eye and swallowed. “Happy first anniversary, Jane.”

Her girlfriend grinned, downing the small drink with her. “Happy first anniversary, honey.” She swallowed and pushed forward for a kiss which would be on both of their minds for a long time after.

Val blushed and rolled her shoulders back to stretch out a little when he feet hit the pavement. The sun light trailed down Val’s skin and comforted her.

The sidewalk was cracked and the dirt bled through with small dead flowers pressed down like veins, quietly Jane was muttering the lyrics of a song that would be plugged into both of their brains when they tried to sleep that night.

She wondered if ‘The Pink Moon’ had comfortable beds. She grabbed her bag and pulled it over her shoulder. As Val squinted in front of herself, looking through the rose tinted filter of Jane’s sunglasses, her hands dampened.

Naturally, both girls stopped to take in the location before collecting their key. Just searching for little things to look at. The round sunglasses dipped to the tip of Val’s nose as a tall dusted orange bus plowed down the street.

Jane whistled again, turning her chin to Val with a sly smile. “You got a smile so bright, You know you could have been a candle...” She raised the volume of her previous singing.

Val pursed her lips. “Is that supposed to be good?” She teased but swept Jane’s hand up in her’s for the girl to twist under. She spun Jane to her chest and they bobbled in their spot before finally breaking & walking to the office.

: : : : : : : : : : Jane watched her girl prepare little drinks for their enjoyment which was actually quite interesting. Val moved with such rhythm and...joy. The girl was just so full of life. She was fresh from the shower and wearing perhaps the comfiest looking robe in the world.

When she was finished, Val launched herself strategically on the bed (not spilling a drop of their drinks) and held one under Jane’s nose.

Val’s dark hair dripped water down in a slinky path against her dewy skin, tired droplets paused and waited as flybys sped down to collide against them. Cold air breezed from Jane’s mouth and settled into the air as she admired her.

Val took a deep breath, eyes fluttering closed with satisfaction as the heat in her chest returned. She brought her knees up as her back curved, making her body a true reflection of her current state. Tiny pins and needles poked from under the bottoms of her feet, she wiggled her toes. But after a few seconds, she let them be. Sometimes it was a little euphoric to feel that little vibration of sleeping limbs.

She turned to her girlfriend, confused at the large amount of attention she was giving her. She chuckled. “What’s up, sprite?”

“I wanna eat the eat the mixed nuts we bought and watch dumb TV with you. Right now.” She surprised herself with a tiny giggle and pulled the remote towards her.

Val pulled the bag over and dropped the can into her lap, pulling the lid open and offering Jane the first grab.

: : : : : : : : : :

The drips of coal black mascara (that had not so long ago dripped down her cheeks) was tightening against Jane’s skin. The dark river was now drying on the canvas of her face with astoundingly beautiful blue reflections from the cut of her fake crystal ring. As she held the thing just over her face to admire her own handy kaleidoscope, Jane felt her body tingle from the afterglow of their night spent together.

Val reached over with her thumbs and rubbed at Jane’s runny makeup.

“It’s gross. I sweat way too much.” Jane helplessly giggled and tried to rub it off herself...with Val’s sleeve. But she broke off to enjoy the nice feeling coming over her.

Starting from her curled toes, the tickling pleasure traveled her body through electrifying shivers. She let her head fall back to sigh towards the ceiling before she attempted to calm the natural reaction down. Val obviously took amusement from the sight. She crawled to the side of the bed, the silky sheets pooled at her hips while a smile instinctively came across her face.

“Tired?” She asked, lazily resting her chin on her palm.

Jane nodded, squishing down on her pillow. “But pass the can first?” She made a grabby gesture towards the mixed nuts on the night stand behind Val.

Val cuddled up next to her as she crunched down a pistachio, absolutely melting Jane’s heart.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“What’s there to do in Indianapolis?” Val scrunched up her nose and threw her arm around Jane, who was trying to read one of the pamphlets she’d swiped. Their hair blew in the wind and smacked against them in uncomfortable swirls.

“Ummm-” Jane bit into her cheek. “Watch competitive driving?” She nodded, rolling her eyes. Val hummed and sat her chin onto her girlfriend’s shoulder.

“You want to see some driving, don’t you?” Jane giggled and flipped the pamphlet, tucking it back into her back pocket. “There’s fifteen dollar admission today to see some practicing on the track.” She squinted towards the sun, already a master of information.

“You wanna spend the day in the sun, listening to loud cars?” Val grinned, eager just from saying the words. Jane winked and took her hand.

“Sure thing, baby!” She swung their grip between them, feeling their palms slide from slick sweat.

: : : : : : : : : :

The sun was forgiving to them that afternoon. Glittering yellow and orange hued beams bled down from the sky & dusted their sun-burnt shoulders.

Jane’s slender fingers traced thin lines up and down Val’s legs. Rubbing the pads of her fingers over the budding stubble. It was mostly a subconscious act, her mind was focused on the track in front of them. Her hair fell into her face as the speeding car went round the corner another time.

The grassy hill was the perfect spot for them. They cuddled together at one of the least populated spots to mindlessly enjoy the practiced speeding & enjoy the warm summer day outdoors. Crawling across their spread of a new blanket, Val gripped her girlfriend’s non-dominant hand & took the cup of soda. She sipped at it every now and then just to get the feeling of a sour bite at her lips.

With that moment’s satisfaction, she decided to tune back into full life where Jane was taking down some notes about one of her many projects in a spare notebook she kept on hand. The pad was balanced atop Val’s legs where it occasionally wobbled.

Jane was under the shade of a new hat with the number of a driver they’d randomly chosen to be their favorite. She peeked a look to her side to admire the lovely company she was sharing.

Another car zoomed past as Val blew a whistle of relief from her lips. The sunlight was bouncing off the crevices of her skin, naturally she leaned her neck back so it could dust across her cheeks. When the music playing suddenly blasted louder, she was mouthing the words slowly and drawing them out thoughtfully. The moment was unspoiled and sweet, the wind was blowing in a few small bursts that curled her baby hairs to her temple.

“I love you.” Dropping her pen, Jane spoke without really thinking while it rolled down the paper and onto the blanket.

Val snapped her head over and looked at her with an...unreadable expression. Not bad but...not exactly perfect either.

“Mmmm.” Jane pursed her lips and shook her head. “I’m sorry. I just made this day weird.” Her hair whipped around as she shuffled to get her stuff into her purse.

“No.”

Both girls paused when Val sat up to grab Jane’s wrist. They stared down at the grip just so they wouldn’t have to make eye contact. “Jane...I’m sorry. I’m just not very good at this.” She frowned.

Ever the impressive, Jane playfully twisted out of the grasp flawlessly and shrugged without a care in the world. Though she cared very, very deeply. “You don’t have to say it back if you’re not ready.”

Val leaned forward and pressed their lips together, gently but with enough passion to draw Jane’s hands to caress her cheeks. After a few seconds, they pulled apart and Val looked about ready to pop with anxiety. Her eyes, wide & adoring.

“That’s good with me, baby.” Jane nodded and happily snuggled under her girlfriend’s arm.

“Are you sure?” Val let some of her walls come down, feeling vulnerable and guilty. Jane didn’t like her feeling that way when there was absolutely no need for it.

She grabbed her cheeks again. “One-Hundred percent. I know how you feel.” They smiled at each other for a few minutes before Jane rubbed their noses together and fell back onto the blanket.

: : : : : : : : : :

The end of the day was creeping up on Val as she turned the car down another street. The sun was setting, burning the rest of the afternoon oil out and she had sweat sticking to her forehead.

Val looked into the rear-view mirror and saw that the sky was nearly drained of all brightness. It had surely been an exhausting day. She was surprised Jane hadn’t faded off during the drive to their next motel, not even once and they’d done a lot of running around--

The sound of Jane slipping in her sleep and falling onto the car door ledge thumped in Val’s ear.

She laughed and picked up the pace just a touch while the sun fell perfectly align with the curve of their windshield. She squinted and used a spare hand to playfully rub the side of her girl’s head. Ruffling her hair, she turned the wheel onto the next street after what felt like an eternity.

‘The Jewel Cowboy’ stood at the end of the empty street with a friendly looking neon moon towering above it. Inside lived the outline of a neighborly cowboy who’s lasso buzzed towards the entrance.

“C’mon sprite.” Val slowly came to a park and gently unbuckled herself and then her girlfriend who was now pretending to still be asleep.

Her eagerness to get inside to relax was pulling some speed out of her quick fingers. Jane’s lovely eyes fluttered open as sweat dripped down her temple. The ache to just sit down to eat was immense. So when her girl finally hopped out to follow her, Val breathed in and out slowly to really enjoy the relief of rest.

After collecting their key, the girls headed straight for their room.

The motel carpet beneath her cradled her aching feet and soothed any pain. It had been non-stop walking and running all day and she was dead tired. Cracking her neck gently, in a way Jane had advised her against many times, she sat down on the bed.

“The sun is sinking in the west,The cattle go down to the stream. The redwing settles in the nest. It's time for a cowboy to dream--”

Jane strolled around their fun little room, admiring the framed photos of cowboys & sprinting horses. She sang to herself in that soft voice which Val had come to adore. “I love this Motel, by the way.” She giggled and flung herself onto the bed.

“I know. It’s incredible.” Val shifted so that Jane could climb into her lap. They admired each other with the same glow in their eyes, starlight breaking in through the window. Val gently ran a hand through the satin of Jane’s hair and laid it to rest on the back of her neck.

Jane hummed and reached out to tap Val’s nose with her finger. “What time do we have to wake-up, again?”

“Five a.m.” Val scrunched up her nose with an apologetic expression. “It’s eleven hours to Oklahoma City, our next stop.” A tremble passed through her when Jane sleepily leaned forward and put her head on her shoulder.

She hugged her close and found that it was easier to allow her emotions to take over when Jane wasn’t looking directly at her.

She thought...maybe she could say it now...

Her mouth opened but closed once she realized...she wanted to say it while admiring Jane’s beautifully curious face. If she wasn’t ready to admit her love to her girlfriend’s face, than saying it over her shoulder was not going to happen just because it was easier.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

All around them small-town businesses stretched out until the view fell over the edge of the horizon. The road looked as if it would do the same if they just kept driving.

“Sandman.” Val squinted and mumbled to herself, noticing Jane’s confused look instantly after. She carefully pointed to the sign they were about to pass.

Jane blinked towards it.

‘Sandman Music Fest. Tonight & Tomorrow. Been here all along. Bring your friends!’

She smiled and rubbed her palms down her jean-clad thighs. “Oklahoma city is going to have to wait.”

Val whistled and raised her right hand, pumping it into the open, dusty air.

: : : : : : : : : :

Jane had heard herself described as ‘fatally-focused’ from an ex...far too set on her career in a way which pushed people away. Quite the jewel of a comment made her feel dull and dim. She supposed that may have been true for a while. But she wouldn’t have called it ‘fatal’. Maybe just ‘successfully focused’.

She smiled to herself as music poured from the stage in front of her.

It propelled her into her dream career & brought her to a meeting a girl with equal determination and a bright personality. Val took everything in stride, somehow finding beauty in everything.

Her childlike eyes would brighten at the simple chance to just speak. And there she stood, under the low hanging sun with grass stains painted all down her legs, talking. Any energy she’d had, had up and left Jane a little over an hour and a half ago.

But something about her girlfriend just made everything something you wouldn’t dare to miss.

The sky was a fading orange color & rain was just beginning to fall. Jane was yawning more than she was talking. But a simple look to Val with that fire in her eyes mysteriously left her thirsty for more home-town music.

Some band was playing a song about a rambler finally coming home to the place where they belong & Jane swept herself under Val’s arm. They didn’t know the words to the local songs but both girls sang along anyway. Swaying to each tune and laughing the words out with an odd passion.

The hoops Val wore, which were shaped like suns, bounced as she tried to guide her girlfriend in one of the few dances she knew. In a flurry mixture of soft and bright colors, Val and Jane were quite literally frolicking through the grassy field of the Fest.

The insides of their shoes were beginning to slosh around with puddles of water which only lead them to the decision to kick them off. Jane was mid-spin when she nearly fell over. Droplets of rain flung from each strand of her light hair and pelted against Val’s hot skin. It only urged her on. Never in her life had Jane been so carelessly into having fun.

But in the year she’d grown extremely close to Val, things within her were changing.

Val heaved her heavy-weighted shoes off and felt the earth between her toes. Mud squished just under her heels. She tilted her chin to the sky and smiled with nuanced disgust before taking off (shoes now in her hands) after her girl who was now running towards the tables.

Their laughter carried through the air with distinct pleasure. Jane glided across the huge lawn with a smile anyone could easily become obsessed with. Val partly envied the grace in which Jane moved with. It came naturally to her whereas that was something she had never mastered.

The calm surrender it took to move so fluidly was a trait lost on herself. But maybe today was different because her heart was beating in time with Jane’s.

“What happened to your shoes?” Jane chuckled as Val came to a stop in front of her, sitting on one of the benches.

Val held them up, the bottom of the right was torn up due to the cheapness and the left just gave her blisters. She plopped them down on the wood table and sat across Jane. Stretching her legs to rest on the bench next to Jane and wiggling her toes.

“Are you having a good time?” She asked, a little mischievously.

Jane glanced over from the stage where her eyes had previously rested and tilted her head. Amusement was clear in her expression. “The best time.” She shrugged with a tiny bashful grin. “I’m gonna call Bruce to see if he’s had any problems apartment sitting for me.”

She pulled out her phone as a young woman on stage began her own rendition of Selena’s ‘La Carcacha’.

Val tuned out of the phone conversation, just fine with watching Jane’s expressions and movements. Her eyes were wide and bobbing up & down as she nodded along to whatever it was Bruce was saying. And then she simply smiled, pushing hair behind her ear.

: : : : : : : : : :

Val cuddled up inside Jane’s flannel shirt and watched her girlfriend do the same in the sweatshirt she’d borrowed from her. The girls were standing under the shade of a slanted road-sign with their comically large map clenched in each of their fists.

After around 18 + hours, they’d made it to New Mexico and made it their mission to explore all the hot-spots the state had to offer.

“I’m hungry. Are you hungry?”

Val pursed her lips. “Yeah, we should probably eat. But do you want something like breakfast or lunch cause it’s that weird in-between time-?”

Both girls paused as an older gentleman passed by, not paying them any mind. He walked between them without even looking up but what made the girls smile was the music pouring loudly from his large headphones...

"I ain't gonna act politically correct. I only want to have a good time. The best thing about being a woman is the prerogative to have a little fun-”

Jane watched him walk off, not a care in his world, with the happiest grin. Val chuckled and held out her palm which was clasped in mere seconds.

They walked off in a random direction in search of some kind of diner.

: : : : :

The one they ended up inside was charming and indeed tiny.

The television in the corner was running some old episodes of ‘The Golden Girls’ and Jane was lazily sipping her coffee while occasionally explaining why certain lines were funny. Val, who’d never seen the show in her life, kept herself busy by pressing soft kisses to her warm cheek.

“Sweetheart?” Jane mumbled into her drink and wiggled happily as Val hummed in her ear. “Try my coffee, it’s the best cup I have ever had in my life.”

Val allowed her to hold it to her lips and swallowed a nice steamy gulp as their fellow customers loudly enjoyed their conversations. Jane watched her drink and felt a tug in her chest as she let her chin rest on her shoulder. “You’re my greatest discovery.” She mumbled into the fabric of Val’s shirt as the girl set down the mug.

Val raised her brows with amusement and smirked.

“I’ve dedicated my life to my research and discovered some amazing things, Val-”

“Show-off.” Val teased and Jane pinched her arm. “Just keeping you humble, Honey.”

Jane kissed her briefly on the cheek. “All I’m saying is...meeting you was the greatest discovery of my life.” She leaned against Val as her arm laid across her shoulders.

Val tried to collect her thoughts on that beautiful sentiment and found it to be rather difficult. The words for a response were somehow not enough...so she wrapped both arms around Jane and squeezed, nuzzling her head into her shoulder. “More than words, Jane. More than fucking words, you know?” She mumbled.

Jane hummed. “Yeah baby, I know.” She giggled.

: : : : : : : : : :

Two days later, Jane was relaxing on the balcony area of their next motel suite as Val sat atop the railing. Her legs swayed back and forth without a care in the world while she enjoyed the sights and sounds of harmonious joy from the other guests in the pool.

The light was golden with a dusting on pink as it laid over them & warmed their skin. There were moments where the woman felt like she may never be given something so peaceful as this scene again but...looking back at Jane (subconsciously making faces at her open novel) she smiled.

The neighboring door flying open almost made Val fall forward.

“Hey. Anyone up for a round of volleyball? I’m so bored that I accidentally zoned out for like an hour. So I need to get outta my room.” Came a cheerful woman as she stuck her head out of her room with the sport-ball in her hand.

Jane looked up and smiled.

“Yes please!” Val turned and hoped off the railing and glided over towards Jane. “My girlfriend would love to watch me play volleyball.” She ruffled Jane’s hair as she teased her.

The woman chuckled, shutting her door behind her. “You two are cute.” She stuck her hand out. “I’m Sif, by the way.” Both Jane & Val shook her hand and introduced themselves.

And Val ended up being right....

When the girls went downstairs to the court just outside, Jane pulled up a deck chair to the edge of the sand to watch her girlfriend serve & flawlessly dive for the ball. Her book completely forgotten in her lap.

: : : : : : : : : :

Elephant Butte Reservoir.

A place for great swimming, water-skiing, boating, with plenty of soft sand to stretch out on.

Val had planned on visiting the not so secret beach from the beginning of their New Mexico trip. Considering Jane had expressed interest in the spot but never had the chance to go on her own when she lived in the state.

The whole State Park was just about the most gorgeous way to spend a sunny summer day. The girls walked the path down to the beach and felt the sand between their toes.

From across Jane was the young face of her lovely companion in the sun and nothing could be better. Val waved her hand around her face to feel just a little bit of a teasing cool breeze. She sighed pleasantly, audibly relaxed with how the day was going which was no grand surprise. It had been perfect so far.

Val began to adjust and re-adjust their towel in the nicest way to avoid too much of an annoying glare from the sun. But Jane guessed it was no use because the girl just continued to gradually grow more and more annoyed while the towel blew in the wind.

She was no stranger to huffing and puffing about minor issues herself, however, her girl just seemed plain tired of it like a woman who’d been on the road for days stressing over making the perfect trip. The sunlight coated her face with a sharp orange stripe that went across her cheeks. Jane just knew it had to be undoubtedly warm and she envied the feeling of a sun fever.

After a few moments of what Jane assumed was either contemplation or disassociation, Val handed the towel over to Jane to lay over the sand instead. Which took a few more minutes.

The waves collided with the sand and washed up to the tips of their toes. Val reflected on the landscape while creeping her hand over to Jane’s. Cupping them together eased her into complete peace. It’s rare for something to feel so right but...they did.

The words finally came naturally to the tip of Val’s tongue with no hesitation. Why waste anymore time holding back her feelings? Time sure as hell goes by...

The waves spilled over her feet once more & as quick as a wink, they retreated back.

“Hey sprite?”

Jane turned and let her sunglasses slip down to the tip of her nose, the summer color scheme looking unbelievably good on her. “Hey Val?” She grinned.

“I love you.” Val couldn’t believe how gentle & nervous she sounded. Which was ridiculous considering Jane had already voiced her love.

Jane was overcome with a blushed grin which was as vibrant as the sunset they’d watch last night. She attempted to hide behind her hands as she happy giggled. “I know.” She reached over to tenderly rub down Val’s thigh. “And I love you too.”

Val smashed their lips together.

: : : : : : : : : : After the New Mexico Road-Trip, home seemed so boring to Val. But she did enjoy following Jane into her apartment. The girl was checking her mail and mumbling ‘Please Mr. Postman’ under her breath.

They hopped up the stairs for the first time in a long time and opened her door to see...Thor, Bruce, Darcy & Loki all in various seats watching ‘Jurassic Park’.

Jane set aside her suitcase and smirked. “You people don’t live here.” She ruffled Loki’s hair as she past him just to annoy the shit outta him.

Val did the same to Bruce but more as a ‘Hello’ to her little buddy than an annoyance.

“Neither does she.” Loki pursed his lips and pointed his hand towards Val with elegant grace. Darcy chuckled and threw a handful of popcorn into her mouth.

“That reminds me, Jane. Want to change that?”

Childishly, Darcy and Thor erupted in ‘ooooh’s of interest while Jane nearly tripped over the leg of a side-table. Val could see a curious look coming from Bruce who always seemed to understand her in the oddest ways. She shot a smile back to him. It was to reassure that she was ready for the kind of commitment that Bruce also feared sometimes in his own relationship.

Jane fumbled for words for a solid few seconds. “Hell yeah!” She chuckled and threw her arms around her girlfriend’s neck.

The happy couple was rewarded with happy shouts from Thor & Bruce, disinterested clapping from Loki & Darcy’s handful of popcorn being whipped at them like it was confetti or something.

Jane never felt more lucky in her life. She couldn’t believe someone as beautiful, strong & downright cool as Val was in love with her.

Val was also sure she was the luckiest girl in the world as she squeezed Jane to her body.

#a sequel!#my fanfiction #valjane #valkyrie #jane foster #thor love and thunder #thor ragnorak #Thor Odinson #bruce banner #lady sif #Loki Laufeyson #loki odinson #MCU #Marvel Comics #marvel #marvel cinematic universe #tessa thompson #natalie portman #taika waititi

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serpent-craft · 4 years

Text

Secrets

A ribbon of smoke wound its way through the holes of an antique Quel’dorei incense burner. Sandalwood and citrus cleansed the old house of its musty smell that lingered from years of neglect. A month in, and the process of refurbishing the Goldenheart estate was slowly coming together like pieces of a puzzle; riddled with memories of sordid and pleasant experiences coiled into one. Rhythmic music filled the small gaps of silence that the pair of Sin’dorei had between them as they continued to bring the house back to life . It wasn’t an artist that the two recognized, but the record player proved to be an interesting find at the festival in the Jade Forest.

Aendonys reclined into a pile of ornate pillows and blankets, more goods acquired from the markets to serve as a makeshift bed. He caught a few last rays of sun before it fell below the horizon, reflecting off the polished tiles on the balcony. It was a domestic deed he did himself, taking a cloth and solvent to the grime until the surfaces felt smooth to the touch. The demon hunter was quite proud of himself for this, and for that he decided to take a break while Micael finished unboxing the decorations and momentos.

“Hm...retiring early?” A golden light neared close, speaking in a baritone voice. The details of Micael’s face were visible in the demon hunter’s vision, like a sketch or a watercolor painting that grew in detail the more he focused. He was a broad shouldered, muscular framed Sin’dorei with soft androgynous facial features that suited him well. Even compared to Aendonys, Micael easily showed far more physical strength. “Well, I suppose you did a decent job.”

“I did a damn good job.” Aendonys quipped, running his claws over the pristine grout and tile. The paladin gave a throaty laugh, the light in his chest grew like a tiny sun.

“You did well above my expectations, Aendonys.”

The two exchanged prideful smirks, intertwining fingers as the hanging crystals projected dancing lights from the sunset. In the distance the spires of Silvermoon created a black backdrop against the purple and orange sky. It was a welcome sight as the world withdrew into an hour of peace. For however long it would last--one could not discern, but for this moment the defeat of an old god and the pause of war could serve as a brief respite. It was a good time for them to settle into a relaxed life, or at least make a nest to come back to when they were off on another adventure.

The paladin’s hand gently slipped away as Aendonys heard the clatter of Micael’s armor being slipped off the manikin. A subtle expression of concern was painted upon the demon hunter’s face, he reached over to remove the needle from the record.

“I’ll get my glaives.”

Micael cut him off before the other sat up. Placing a metal hand firmly upon Aendony’s shoulder. He was becoming accustomed to the prosthetic.

“I am just preparing for the night watch. I’d rather you stay here to keep the place guarded.” There was a sense of assurance in the tone of his voice, a stubborn self-reliance that Aendonys grew fond of in this man. He huffed in a mildly annoyed retort, sticking his tongue out far enough that the gold piercing glinted in the light.

“Suit yourself, Goldilocks.”

-------

The galloping hooves of holy knights took off into the night, clearing whatever undead still lurked in Tranquillien. To this day, the Ghostlands still remain a threat, but the undead have thinned out in numbers. The borders of Eversong grew as patches of verdant grass returned, and the wildlife no longer feared the remnants of the Dead Scar. Perhaps one day it would only serve as a memory and nothing more. The Goldenheart estate was a starting point, at least.

Aendonys drifted into a brief sleep--a couple hour nap that the night owl had before midnight. He had yet to light the sconces as the burning embers of incense glowed inside copper chambers. He wouldn’t need light to see anyways, but it was courteous to Micael for when he came home. They still had so much unbuilt furniture and decor strewn about the room like booby traps in the dark--and speaking of, Aendonys’ ears twitched at the sound of footsteps in the house. A hard clacking like that of an armored foot...was he back already? The demon hunter blinked sleepily, a pair of violet glowing eyes piercing the darkness.

“Micael? Is that yo-”

A hand clasped over the demon hunter’s mouth, claws digging into his skin as slender fingers wrapped around his neck. He failed to react in time as a paralysis took over his body.

“Hmm. just like old times, Aendy.” The sinister voice of a woman filled his mind. It was harrowingly familiar. He saw her silhouette clear as day, the curvaceous demoness with her upright horns and outstretched wings that seemingly dripped with shadow magic.

“I’d bite you if you weren’t into that, Bryketh.” He snapped a muffled reply. The succubus removed the hand over his mouth to dig her stiletto claws into Aendony’s shoulder as she straddled him.

“Oh, we know each other so...so well.” She hummed. “It’s sad to see you so...hm--domesticated. That’s what paladin’s do after all, they take our gifts from the void and stomp on them with their big, obnoxiously shiny boots.”

Aendonys sneered, struggling against her magic to reach for the dagger he buried into his pillow. The hilt brushed against his fingertips.

“Heh…maybe I’m into that. Not like you’d know since you're a heartless bitch.” He paid the price for that quip, feeling her claws dig through his demonic skin. Blood was certainly being drawn, but her spell was slipping.

“Did you tell him what you did to me, Aendonys? How you made me love you for your own gain?” She whispered in an aggressive trill. “Does he know what kind of treachery you are capable of--my dearest demon-hearted bastard?”

He reached for the blade, he fingers wrapped around the hilt. He waited for Bryketh to slip up enough that he would slit her throat--but suddenly he felt a pressure on his hand. The succubus disappeared in a plume of smoke as Aendony’s eyes snapped open with a burst of violet flames.

“It’s just me.” The voice was similar to Micael’s but in a monotone drone. Aendonys saw a man with outstretched feathered wings and long stark white hair. His foot was over the dagger that he reached for. Red curtains ominously flowed over the open balcony that he entered through as a cool breeze entered the room.

“Gabe?” The leaves outside rustled as the twin brother’s wing’s disintegrated from sight revealing the full moon behind him. He could feel the gaze of the other’s spectral sight piercing him. Gabriel was best described as an icy dagger compared to Micael’s warmth.

“I wanted to see if it was true. That you and my brother are going to live here now.”

Aendonys was quiet for a moment. He still hadn’t recovered from that nightmare, but this was certainly reality now. He ran a hand across his shoulder as if expecting to feel blood there, but it was dry.

“Yeah. We’re going to at least try.”

It wasn’t uncommon for a moment of silence to linger between them. Aendonys knew Gabriel far longer than he had known Micael. They both witnessed each other’s sacrifices and betrayals as Illidari, in a way he always saw him as a brother like Asmodan. A cold and distant--soon to be step-brother--who cared far more than he ever wanted anyone to see. Even his spectral vision worked differently than others. He would see the emotions Aendonys was feeling like they were painted on his face in clear view. The discomfort and fear he always masked.

“He proposed the idea, didn’t he?” Gabriel spoke.

Aendonys smiled a bit more genuinely than he usually did. “He did. It’s because we are getting marr--”

“I know.”

Gabriel strode over to the closest sconce on the wall and lit it, illuminating the two in a arcand light. He sensed where each one was by memory. This was once his home too.

“Goldilocks can’t keep his mouth shut, huh?” Aendonys kicked the covers off and rolled onto a cross-legged sit. He chuckled a bit at that before his smile faded, watching the white-haired man select and open a book from a nearby shelf. It wasn’t as if he could read it but the texture of the pages was pleasing, perhaps. This suddenly didn’t feel right. “So...which one of these rooms was yours?”

The white haired illidari pointed to the ground where Aendonys was sleeping.

“This one.”

Aendonys pursed his lips awkwardly. Straightening up a pillow like it didn’t even belong to him now. He wasn’t entirely sure why he was acting like this. “Oh, I see. Well it’s now your guest room for whenever you stay here. Unless you wanna move in with us.”

“I don’t.” He replied in an eerily calm manner. Shutting the book he inspected.

Aendonys sighed and adjusted his posture having nothing to say to that. He might have understood why Micael didn’t speak with his brother about this, but it wasn’t done so out of ill will.

Gabriel wandered into the other rooms for a moment, reminiscing quietly as he somberly lit the hallway for Micael’s return. Aendonys quietly followed after as if expecting the brother to speak about his past here like Micael did. He did not.

“Have you told him about Bryketh?” Gabriel suddenly questioned. Aendonys slapped a hand over his face in a disgruntled display.

“For fels sake, Gabe. Not you too.”

The white haired Sin’dorei suddenly snapped his gaze towards the other interrogatively.

Aendony’s waved his hands dismissively with a sigh. “--nevermind that. No. I have not. Why should I? I wouldn’t ever treat Mike like that anyways so it doesn’t matter. I know I’ve done some people dirty in the past to survive, but I’m especially not going to sit in a confessional booth over betraying a demon.”

Gabriel turned himself to face Aendonys. His bangs fell over the wraps that covered his eyes but a dim white glow shone through. “I told him my secret. Now you tell Micael yours. It doesn’t matter that you wouldn’t do the same to him. He should still know for your sake.”

Aendonys scratched at the stubble that began to grow in on the sides of his scalp. He would ask Micael to shave it for him soon, maybe that would be a good time to talk about his both figurative and literal demon. It wouldn’t be like his fiance would turn the blade on him in that moment...or at least he hoped not. Gabriel did have a point however, keeping this from Micael would only give whatever was left of Bryketh ammunition to torment him. It took him a while to fully admit that, but somehow Gabriel’s bluntness was something he needed at this moment.

“Alright. Bet.” He replied. “...but also I wanted to say that we didn't a day for the ceremony yet. When we do though, you should come. Micael really wants to see more of you, ya know?”

Another moment of silence lingered between them. Gabriel didn’t answer that as the sound of hooves thundered close. He instead walked back to the balcony and rematerialized feathers. The moment another cool breeze passed by, the estranged brother beat his wings. Ribbons of smoke danced and the parchment rattled as he took off like a shadow in the night. Aendonys didn’t even bother to offer a farewell, he knew Gabriel well enough.

The front door opened as Aendonys spied Micael’s golden light. The paladin’s helm gently clinked onto the floor as he sauntered in; the image of pomp and glory himself had arrived with his job done.

“Oho, you’re certainly feeling better lately.” The demon hunter leaned against the hallway with a sultry grin.

“.--and you’re awake early for your late evening nap. A shame...I wanted to surprise you.” Micael passed by Aendonys, swiping his armored fingertips across his chest. He hung his sword upon the wall.

“Yeah, well maybe I couldn’t wait for you to get back?” Aendonys followed after as the paladin unfastened his armor piece by piece.

“Hoh? Do you care about me that much? How endearing.” For a man who wielded holy power Miceal sported a devilish grin. The other Sin’dorei took a seat next to him, he couldn’t witness his partner undressing with his lack of eyesight but he could hear the armor falling unceremoniously to the floor. The spring air brought another brisk breeze through the room as Aendonys ruminated on the dream and Gabriel showing up. He could sense Miceal’s attention being drawn to the corner of the room with the bookshelf. The curtains swaying as they did earlier.

“Aendonys, one of the books is gone from the shelf. The one Gabriel always liked to read.”

The demon hunter turned towards the paladin, he took in a deep breath.

“Micael. I have something to tell you.”

#my writing #aendonys #micael #gabirel #bryketh

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shymaidxn · 4 years

Note

[ embrace ] !

soft interactions // accepting!

[ EMBRACE ] for your muse to pull my muse into a tight embrace .

She had been out for way too long. She knew that, and yet still continued on with her own personal mission, even with the moon straight above her in the sky. This was the island where a legendary moonflower bloomed, said to have been planted by the astrals as a secret medicinal herb that could even bring someone back from the brink of death. Once the war started, though, almost all the flowers were burned…But, ever hundred years or so, the small glow of a flower could be seen in a full moon, and any one who picked it would be blessed. A fantastical local story that got Diantha’s mind working, and when all these villages had so many similarities and points of proof…

She had to at least see it, or at least try to see it, on this cloudless, full moon night.

Though she had been out since sundown, somehow convincing Gran and the others to not accompany her (though Jamil had followed, for a bit, before he was promptly shooed away). She didn’t want anyone else up so late for such a silly venture that probably wasn’t even worthwhile; yet now she’s realized just one girl couldn’t find something so mystical on her own. Dirty, sweaty, and feeling fatigued, a trip on a tree root that had her landing flat on her face told her that enough was enough. The childish wish of a storybook fantasy to become reality was diminished, getting to her knees and chiding herself for being so caught up in it this long. Everyone would comfort her at the inn, or chastise her, or both. And she could feel the spirit she felt hours ago leaving her as she thought of each individual response, tears welling up in her eyes as she looked around her —

A faint glow made her blink the tears away. On the other edge of the meadow, just a glint of something waving slightly in the wind. It was enough to make her heart skip a beat, one last reserve of resolve filling her chest as she made a mad dash for it, galloping towards it until she almost stepped on its beautiful petals. It looked so delicate and so beautiful, glowing as if it was absorbing the moon’s reflected light. Maybe that’s how it got it’s power in the first place…It doesn’t matter, nor does the brief thought that maybe this was a much different flower, because she’s already getting out the jar she brought in her bag and digging the flower from the earth. Placed gently inside the jar with an extra bit of soil, top poked with holes before screwing it back on, she had to take a moment to look at the precious thing. A legend come to life. Her own mission, complete.

She’d bet her scream of joy woke up every monster and villager within miles of her, but she doesn’t care. All Diantha cared about was holding the jar as close to her chest as possible, and running like the wind. Tears of joy blocked her vision as fast as she could blink them away, but in her adrenaline rush she didn’t mind bumping into trees and getting a twig or two caught in her hair. She just cared about showing her achievement to everyone in the crew, starting with the one who mattered most —

Who was about at the edge of the village by the time she saw them. “Gran!” She exclaimed with such joy, her happiness rising even higher as she spotted them, holding the jar above her head so they could have a better look. “I found it! It was really real and I found it!” Such a proud tone that she never thought she’d carry, she raced towards Gran and didn’t notice his speed matching her own. “We have to ask around and see how we can prep this; we could save so many lives — Ack!”

The jar almost tumbled from her hands as Gran practically slammed into her, Diantha making incoherent noises as she kept fumbling before finally it was safely caught again. A sigh of relief escaped her, starting to ask Gran what that was all about —

Reality set in when she felt them shaking in their embrace and saw the look on their face. Ah, of course…

Her bag is opened and the jar is placed inside as fast but as gently as she could, the flower’s glow peaking out of the dark space. And then she’s quick to wrap her own arms around Gran, though not in the vice-like grip he had on her. She wondered, briefly, if all the other crew members were looking for her too, probably worried sick after hours of waiting. But no one was probably as worried as Gran…A knot of guilt formed in her chest, but her happiness had never been higher than right now. Such a strange mixture when knowing she was so loved and worried over.

“Oh…Oh, I’m so sorry I worried you, Gran.” She started, breath so shaky as the adrenaline started to drain from her, putting her ear against his chest. Goodness, their heartbeat was so fast…The flower was almost forgotten about as she rubbed circles into their back, hoping to help them relax a little. “I didn’t realize how much time would pass until I found it, which is of course why I asked you all not to come with me. But I…Oh, Gran.” In her mind, she should’ve known how worried they would get. If it was anyone from the crew being out so late like this, not just her, the captain would of course have a search party sweeping the whole island for them. The regret of remembering that fact too late is evident in her voice, but so is the joy of remembering such love, and also the reassurance that wanted to dissuade any of his fears. “I’m so sorry…But I’m here now, and the mission was a great success. And I promise that next time I’ll come home much sooner, or I’ll bring you along with me, okay?”

#;ask #;long post #( PLEASE IGNORE THE LENGTH IF YOU WANNA REPLY TO THIS #I WAS JUST REALLY ROLLING WITH THIS IDEA I HAD #I MEAN DIANTHA DOING A MISSION ALL ON HER OWN!!!! GRAN WORRYING!!!!! SOFT REASSURING EMBRACE!!!!!!#SO MUCH LOVE FOR THIS; GOOD JOB MY BRAIN FGXFJFGCGHK )#toestalucia #v: Don't judge a book by its cover

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otonymous · 5 years

Text

Promises (SLBP Kansuke)

Description: Kansuke finally makes good on his promise to you…in unexpected ways. Warnings: ***Spoilers for SLBP Shingen’s MS - PLEASE DON’T READ IF YOU HAVEN’T DONE HIS MS YET!!*** unless you want to ruin the surprise, angst/dark All characters & SLBP owned by Voltage Inc. Word Count: 1434 (approx. a 7-minute read, according to Bear Pro)

AO3: Read here

Author’s Notes: This is my first fanfic ever written! The writing was done months ago, but I have only found the courage to post it now, after being inspired by @dangodaifuku’s gorgeous pinky-swearing Kansuke art.

Also tagging @all-my-cuffs-have-buttons because your masterlists were my proverbial rabbit hole into the wonderland of SLBP fan fiction!

The lantern in your bedchamber suddenly extinguishes, eliciting a surprised gasp from your lips as you are plunged into a gentle darkness, lit only by the soft glow of the moon peeking out occasionally from behind the clouds. Had you not been so preoccupied with grinding the herbs in your mortar to the right consistency, it would’ve occurred to you that the air in the room had been particularly still that night, the shoji doors having been drawn tightly shut to keep out the chill in the fall air.

You heave a defeated sigh, taking it as a sign to crawl into the inviting embrace of your futon and cease working on Lord Shingen’s medicine. Rubbing the strain from your weary eyes, you start returning ingredients to the physiker’s chest he entrusted you with before he left for battle.

Kansuke.

Lately, the days have melded together into an interminable cycle of busy work: cooking in the kitchens during the day and preparing Shingen’s pills by night, your hands flying in a desperate bid to keep themselves occupied lest your mind wander to the darker corners of your heart. Despite your tireless efforts, the medicine you make just barely meets his needs, your Lord having returned from the battlefield much worse for wear. Of course, this wouldn’t even be an issue if Kansuke were here, as skilled at compounding remedies as he was.

If only he were here.

After the last bottle has been returned to its rightful place within the lacquered chest, you delicately lower the lid to hear it shut with a soft thud. That sound, whilst practically imperceptible, seems to carry with it the raw emotions of a howling wind, stirring up the beginnings of a dreadful panic within your chest like the funnelling of dead leaves towards the eye of a storm. It sounds like…

The sealing of a lid on a wooden coffin.

The soldiers of the Takeda clan who survived the battle to fight another day had long since returned to Tsutsujigasaki. Lord Kansuke was not among them. He hadn’t ridden up to the castle gates alongside Shingen, ebony hair disheveled and olive skin flushed with exertion and fatigue. Hadn’t silently glared at his Lord when he tried to brush off the severity of his worsened health. Hadn’t returned to give you the chance to tell him that the man you love has always been him.

Yes, unbeknownst to even yourself, Kansuke’s gentle yet steadfast demeanour had planted a seed deep within your heart, silently growing with every subdued display of his kindness and consideration. By the time you realized the truth and extent of your feelings for him, it was already too late. Shingen was a jealous man after all, and Kansuke much too loyal to even think about touching his Lord’s woman. Besides, you were never really sure he felt the same towards you, his stoic face refusing to give anything away. And so you resigned yourself to wholehearted devotion to the Tiger of Kai, willing your feelings for his omnipresent shadow to wither and die.

You glance at your reflection in the extravagant dressing mirror standing in the corner, one of Lord Shingen’s many beautiful gifts. The eyes of the woman in sleeping robes staring back at you are coldly accusatory in the moonlight, recounting your crimes. You couldn’t ignore the fact that you could still feel the searing heat of Kansuke’s pinky finger wrapped around your own, his amethyst eyes intense as he intoned with utmost solemnity “a thousand needles if you lie, drink them well and you shall die.” Couldn’t deny that even with Shingen by your side, your gaze still lingered on Kansuke’s face during meals when you thought no one else was looking. But perhaps worst of all, you couldn’t forget that your wanton heart had sought out Kansuke before your Lord when the men returned home from war so many weeks ago.

“I doubt he’ll be coming home anytime soon, little lady,” Saizo had murmured then in response to your frazzled question regarding Kansuke’s whereabouts. And yet, you let yourself cling to whatever small shred of blind hope was present in his words: anytime soon doesn’t mean never. So, with that tiny ember in your heart to keep the frost at bay, you refocused all your attention on caring for Shingen, as you had promised Kansuke to do. After all, he too had made a promise to return home to you. And promises made with the pinky are absolute.

“Kansuke!”

Suddenly unable to bear the silence, his name leaves your lips as surely as the tears from your eyes, your desperate whisper reverberating about the room in a chorus clamouring for total honesty. There, spurred on by the coaxing sincerity that darkness brings, you finally come to terms with the deadly beast threatening to devour your heart:

He’s not coming back.

All of a sudden, you feel it: another presence in the room. Someone is watching you intently from the shadows, their gaze infinitely tender in its affection. You smell him before you see him: bitter herbs and wind-blown hair. The coppery tang of spilt blood. Making to rise, your eyes widen as if searching for some clue that would tell you if the vision before you is a dream or reality.

“Lord Kansuke, is…is that really you?” You venture timidly as the shadow glides closer and closer. Outside, the clouds part to allow moonlight to stream in at the exact moment he stills, quiet as a ghost and close enough to kiss: raven wisps of hair falling over beautiful amaranthine eyes, turbulently searching your own in a rare show of unveiled emotion. Taking a deep breath to steel yourself, you grasp your courage by the reins and will your deepest, darkest secret to unravel in your eyes: that your heart has only ever had room for him.

Unspoken understanding plays across his face. Kansuke has found you out and finally, the ever hopeful bud in your heart is allowed to bloom. His hands slowly come up to cup your cheeks, calloused thumbs delicately wiping away tears you forgot had fallen. Your heart has never felt so full as when you feel the gentle press of his forehead to your own, his nose nuzzling yours as he whispers before taking your lips in a kiss that steals your breath away:

“I’m home, as promised. And we’ll never be apart again.”

At this moment, you are so happy you could die.

It is almost sunset the next day by the time Shingen finally finds her, body rigid and dressed only in sleeping robes, lying next to Kansuke’s armour-clad corpse beneath a bare cherry tree high up on the mountains bordering Kai. Even in death, the smile on her face takes his breath away. And somewhere in the back of his mind, Shingen recognizes that he was madly in love with a woman whose heart never fully belonged to him. With her delicate, pale hand entwined so tightly with Kansuke’s that you can barely tell he’s lost a finger, she looks peaceful, content…found. For the life of him however, Shingen cannot figure out how she managed to find Kansuke’s body — now in the advanced stages of decay after being exposed to the elements for so many weeks — so far from the castle. Nor can he fathom the reasons why she would be dressed only in her sleeping robes.

Despite his near crushing sense of loss, Shingen still finds the strength to gently smile through his tears at the tragic sight of the two most important people in his life. He recites a short prayer, deciding to allow the pair another night together before sending his retainers to retrieve and bury the bodies. He turns his magnificent black steed back towards the castle at a gallop in a bid to outrun the pain seizing the very core of his being. Behind him, the sun slowly sets on the lovers, their marital bed a blazing pyre of orange and red light.

Thanks for reading! More stories available here! 💕

#slbp #samurai love ballad party #slbp kansuke #slbp shingen #yamamoto kansuke #takeda shingen #sfw #angst #fanfic #slbp fic #slbp kansuke fic

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monstersandmaw · 6 years

Text

Dullahan Choose Your Own Adventure - Part One

Edit which I’m including in all my works after plagiarism and theft has taken place: I do not give my consent for my works to be used, copied, published, or posted anywhere. They are copyrighted and belong to me.

So, here we go! We are about to embark on my celebratory ‘3000 follower thank you’ adventure, in which you will have the chance to decide how the story plays out between a male dullahan and a female reader (as voted by you). There are a few nsfw scenes plotted in, but they’ll be tagged as such later down the line.

Voting will take place over on my patreon (link to the poll at the end), but the first one will be open to everyone, not just patrons, so you do not need to be subscribed to choose the next part.

___

It was definitely too late to be out, and yet your stocks of ‘demon claw’ mushrooms were running too low for you to finish Morwenna’s tincture. Three of the miners had returned from work with a brutal, hacking cough and a terrible fever, and you’d been run off your feet taking care of them for the past few days, only feeling able to leave their sides for long enough to brew more inhalations and chest rubs to ease their pain and help their breathing. Goblins were usually resilient to dust and underground spores, but whatever ailed them had hit them hard.

And so it was that you were out hunting mushrooms like a truffle pig, mere minutes before dusk, your boots crunching through the coppery fallen leaves which littered the forest floor between the beeches, larch, and oak in the woods surrounding the small town. It was nice to be out of the sick room and among the trees again, and you took your time as you headed up the hill away from the buildings and into the trees. An eerie white mist coiled around the trunks like a lazy housecat twisting around the feet of a beloved owner, and you breathed in the quiet, late autumn smells of the forest. You knew these woods like the back of your hand, and turned off the road to wind your way with long familiarity through the ancient trees, searching out the strange, shiny black mushrooms which were shaped, as the name suggested, like large, tapering, curved talons. Your search took you across the path which led up to the silver mines in the rocky shoulders of the mountains, and as you paused to look back at the path behind you, you caught sight of the short figure of a goblin coming down the track.

He was clearly returning from a day of work in the mines, and, recognising him instantly despite the distance between you, your face split into a wide smile. Barely three and a half feet tall, with skin the colour of the approaching twilight, you knew Kravik, your life-long best friend at even the briefest glance. You’d been born a day apart, and had spent almost every spare moment with him as you’d grown up. He worked in the mines with his father, and was usually jovial and outgoing. Now, however, he was walking along, cradling something in his palms which glowed with a soft, blue light, staring at it with an intensity that shut out everything around him. He didn’t even seem to hear you when you called out to him, but eventually he did, squinting through the darkness and slipping whatever was in his hand out of sight with the efficient rapidity of a pickpocket.

Kravik waved vaguely and continued on his way towards town, leaving you puzzled, but you had other things to focus on. Perhaps he’d simply had a long day. Heavens knew, toiling in the mine was hard work, even for someone with his hard, wiry muscles.

With your basket half full of ‘demon claw’ mushrooms, you decided to call it a night. As you turned to head back to your small, wooden alchemist’s hut on the very edge of the town, your eye was caught by the rarest of sights - the glittering top of a pyrite truffle. These unique truffles could fetch an incredible price at market, with the way they glittered when sliced through, and you began to dig carefully around it so as not to damage it. It was right at the base of a massive oak, nestled in the crook of its root system, and you dirtied your hands clearing away the earth from a wide radius in order to lift it free without damaging it. As you pried the little treasure free, your fingertips scraped on something hard and flat just beneath it.

“Buried treasure underneath buried treasure?” you breathed, wondering if you had perhaps stumbled on a long-forgotten highwayman’s cache or something. Using a stick now to help you dig it out, you had the rest of the earth cleared away in no time and were able to haul the box free. Once you’d dragged it out of the hole, you took a moment to stare at it. It was unadorned, and made of some ancient-looking hardwood, about a foot long, and surprisingly heavy. The latch was rusted, but the hinges on the back were so corroded you were able to pry them off with your gleaner’s knife and open the box that way, the latch pinging off altogether as you lifted the lid.

Expecting to find perhaps an ingot of precious metal, or some other treasure, you began to lift back the layers of shrouded material that lined the old chest. The moment your fingers touched the decaying fabric, you heard the distant scream of a horse and the thunder of galloping hooves on the road through the woods. It was late to be travelling the countryside, but messengers from the royal messenger corps occasionally rode through town, so you thought little of it and returned your attention to the unusual box.

Trying to shake the strange, and growing, sense of unease which billowed around you in the air and which seemed to settle into your muscles and bones like a sudden chill, you drew back the last fold of black, rotting cloth, and screamed in shock. Inside, a severed human head lay perfectly preserved, nestled among the dark wrappings. Long, black hair was braided back off the face in several neat strands to reveal high cheekbones and dark brows, but what fixed you to the spot with terror was the fact that its eyes were wide open, and they were staring straight at you with a look of such hatred that you thought your heart might just stop.

The head might have appeared human, but the skin was a dark, cloudy grey, and, spreading across the sharp plains and contours of his face like glowing roots, was a network of bright, gently-pulsing, greenish veins. The sclera of each eye was black as the night sky, while the irises, by contrast, were shimmering, pearlescent white. In the depths of the pupils, a strange, greenish light seemed to be glowing, the same colour as the branching, twisting, scar-like lines across his face, and a similar glow emanated from the severed neck.

And then those awful, unnatural eyes blinked.

Your heartbeat thudded in your ears, your breath came in short, sharp pants, and as you toppled backwards in horror, you heard an awful, rasping voice coming from the head, its face contorted with fury. With a sound like scraping granite blocks, it said, “You dare disturb the head of a dullahan?”

“Oh gods,” you whispered, fixed in a of terror. The creature’s mouth had fangs like a vampire, and its dark grey lips pulled back into a hideous grin that turned your blood to cold slush in your veins.

Before you had time to process anything else, a black horse thundered into the clearing, rearing up with a scream, her hooves flashing with a strange light, and her eyes glowing with the same unearthly glow that was now familiar to you from the head. But the mare didn’t hold your attention for long.

It was patently obvious that the rider was the owner of the head.

His coat was black and had a vaguely military cut, with a high collar that covered an empty neck. Greenish-white mist swirled upwards in roiling twists from the opening at the neck of his coat, reminding you of slow-dancing flames. His bare hands which held the reins with ease as the horse reared and plunged and snorted, were a dark, storm grey, and they were clawed like a beast’s, or even a demon’s. A pale whip dangled from his belt, and with a jolt of horror you saw that it was made from the vertebrae of a human spine. His black boots gleamed in the dying light, and now that the moon began to rise through the trees, you felt utterly in this creature’s power.

“What do you mean by opening that box?” he demanded. “You dare risk the wrath of a headless horseman?”

“Please,” you whimpered, “Please, I didn’t know…” Scrambling desperately, still sitting awkwardly on the forest floor where you’d staggered back in shock at your discovery, you grabbed the basket of mushrooms and the single pyrite truffle and held it aloft like an offering. “Please, I had no idea. I was only out gathering when I found… um… I wasn’t trying to harm you, I swear!”

“Please,” he scoffed, adjusting his seat in the saddle. “As if you could harm me.”

It was so bizarre to be looking at the body of the headless rider on the horse and hearing his voice coming from the head in the crate beside you. As you turned from the rider to gaze at the head, a flicker of worry crossed the dullahan’s expression, and you reached for the box again, hoping he couldn’t see the way your fingers trembled.

He was bluffing.

You felt the weight of your options in that moment, hanging over you like a headsman’s axe. You knew from the stories that holding the head of a dullahan would put them completely in your power. You had no gold to ward him off, and your options were terrifyingly limited. Dullahan were agents of death and justice: unstoppable, and almost un-killable.

The wise thing to do might be to cover the head back up again, close the lid, and hope he believed you when you told him, yet again, that you really had had no idea that it was there, and that you really were just gathering supplies.

Or…

You could pick up the head and demand that he obey you, that he leave you in peace to live out a long and healthy life, but you would have to guard that head with obsessive care. If he ever laid hands on it again, he would come straight for you, eyes blazing with righteous and terrible anger. You shuddered.

The horse’s hooves shifted uneasily as the dullahan waited to see what you would do.

With a shaking hand, you acted...

Cover the head and hope he believes you

Pick up the head and wield power over him

(click here to cast your vote in the public poll. Feel free to send me inbox asks to cast your vote too)

Edit: Part Two will go up next Friday (21st September) as I’m travelling on Saturday and wont’ be able to post. Votes will close on Wednesday 19th.

Edit Edit: VOTES CLOSED.

PART TWO HERE

___________________________

#cyoa #choose your own adventure #dullahan #I'M SO NERVOUS ABOUT THIS FOR SOME REASON #OMG #male monster #female reader #headless horseman

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i-need-you-fictions · 5 years

Text

Cold Hands, Warm Heart

Disney Series (Role Reversal) : 3 of 7

“Psst.”

“Hey.”

“______.” You felt a light shove as your ten year-old self blinked away the sleep.

“Yoongi?” you rubbed your eyes finally sitting up in your small bed. “What are you doing here?” The moon coming in from your window cast a soft glow on his features, his gummy smile illuminating.

“Let’s go play!” he cheered quietly. You didn’t need to be told twice as you tossed your blanket off of your small body and ran after Yoongi.

Yoongi was giddy as he raced you to the ballroom in his giant castle. When you two arrived Yoongi didn’t wait. You watched in awe, like every time he used his powers. He began creating snow around the two of you before creating ice along the floor. You laughed loudly as you ran and jumped into a pile of snow, Yoongi following you.

“Lets make snow angels!” his gummy smile took over his features once again. You nodded enthusiastically as you stood next to him, practically jumping in your shoes both from the cold around you and the excitement. You watched as the ice came out from his hands before turning into snow on the floor. You both fell backwards as you started to make the snow angels.

You stood to admire yours and Yoongi’s creation.

“Hey Yoongi!” you turned excitedly.

“Yeah?”

“Can you build me a snowman?!” you cheered excitedly. He sent you a dashing smile before nodding, making a snowman appear before you.

“Yoongi, you’re so cool!” you cheered, kneeling in front of the snowman.

“I know!” the boy replied confidently, puffing his small chest.

“Hey do that thing you did for me last time!” you cheered standing up. He smiled at you.

“Okay, pick up your feet.” You picked up one foot as he placed ice on the bottom of it creating a skate, before repeating the action for your other shoe.

“Put me on a tall ramp this time!” you cheered. You watched as Yoongi hesitated before nodding. You kept your balance as he began to have a beam of ice lift you into the air.

“Ready?” he called. You gave him a thumbs up and watched as he created the ramp.

“I’m going!” you shouted before pushing off and free falling down the ramp. Yoongi kept placing beams in front of you as you pushed off the last one to go into the next one, but your speed was too fast.

“Wait, _______, your’re going to fast!” you heard Yoongi call, but you couldn’t stop. Yoongi tried his best to keep placing beams and ramps in front of you as you descended quickly but he missed as his powers struck you.

He watched your limp body fall to the ground.

“______?” he called. Panic set in as he rushed over to your small body. “______?!” he screamed, shaking your small body as tears poured down his face.

“Help! Someone help!” he cried louder. The loud screaming woke your mother.

“Prince Yoongi?” she questioned coming into the large ballroom.

“I’m sorry!” he cried as he looked down at your paling body, your hair turning white.

“______? Oh my God!” Yoongi was pushed aside as your mother took you in her arms. You were cold to the touch, lips turning blue, skin paling as your hair turned white.

“What did you do?!” your mother screamed at a frightened Yoongi. The loud ruckus seemed to wake the whole castle as Yoongi’s parents, the King and Queen rushed in.

“Yoongi what happened?” his mother knelt before him as his father approached your weeping mother.

“She was going to fast, I couldn’t keep up with her. My ice-” he let out a choked sob.

“Let me take her, I know someone who can save her.” Yoongi’s father spoke calmly as he ushered your mother to hand you over.

“No! I knew it was wrong to let her be around your son, but she was so happy to be with him. The prince and my daughter being the only children in the castle. But he’s a monster! I will no longer serve you!” your mother hissed, picking up your small body as she rushed out of the castle, she knew exactly where to take you to save you.

- 10 years later -

Your breath puffed in front of your face as you leaned back on your small stool, admiring your work. Your fingers were a deep red from carving the ice sculpture.

“How’s it looking, ________.” your aunt called as she poked her head into your small workshop.

“I’m pretty much done.” you shrugged, running your numb fingers through your white hair.

“Wow, look at you.” she touched the sculpture with her mitten as she admired your craftsmanship. “You’re an artist of ice now!” she cheered, thumping you on the back. You laughed, nearly choking on your saliva.

“Thanks Auntie.”

“Your mother would be proud of you.” she murmured after a small silence. You sent her a sad smile as you stood to stretch.

You exited the small shed as you were met with snow falling from the sky.

“It’s been snowing heavily for the past few days.” you murmured looking up at the sky. A young Yoongi flashed into your mind as you felt the air grow colder around you.

“Ms. _______?” you watched as a man on horseback approached you.

“Yes?” you asked back.

“An ice sculpture of the future King is required of you.” You took the parcel from his hands as you untied the ribbon.

“Future King?” you asked, unrolling the scroll.

“Yes, Prince Yoongi’s Coronation will be held next week.” Your heart dropped to your stomach at the picture presented in front of you was of a current Yoongi. He was stiff in the sketch, standing at attention. He had grown taller, baby fat gone leaving only strong features. His eyes were cold as the sketch seemed to stare back at you.

“What happened to the King and Queen?” you asked looking back up at the man. He shifted on his horse uncomfortably.

“I do suppose living all the way out in the country you didn’t hear the news.” he cleared his throat. “The King and Queen have passed, their ship never arriving at the neighboring Kingdom.”

“Oh, Yoongi.” you whispered, clutching the parcel closer to your chest.

“Do you accept the crowns request?” the man asked you. You nodded looking up at him but your Aunts voice broke through.

“No, we do not.” You turned to her as she was glaring at the man.

“I accept.” you turned back to the man, nodding in confirmation. His look was one of pure confusion.

“_______.” your aunt hissed.

“You will be paid upon arrival of delivery of the package.” with that said the man galloped away.

You hummed ignoring your aunt as you went to the stable. One week to make a full body ice sculpture. No pressure.

“_______, we need to discuss this.” your aunt trailed behind you as you gathered the reins and pulling gear for your reindeer, Sven.

“There’s nothing to discuss, I accepted.” your loyal reindeer allowed you to place the reins over his head and mouth as you grabbed the pulling reins to bring the large ice block back from the lake where they were cut from.

“Your mother wouldn’t want you to see this boy after what he did to you!” your Aunt was becoming hysterical now, gripping the pulling reins in your hands to keep you from going.

“It was an accident.” you quipped.

“He almost killed you!” She grabbed your hair in her hands, shoving the white strands in your face.

“He needs me right now.” you whispered. “All he had was his parents. He has no one.” you could feel the wetness begin to collect at the corner of your eyes. You heard her sigh.

“Just, please, be careful.” she whispered. A grin overtook your features as you pulled her into a hug.

“I will!”

~*~

There were so many people in the capital. You had finished the ice sculpture within 5 days, working day and night. Today was the day of the coronation. Apparently the whole town would be invited into the capital, something that hadn’t happened since the last time you saw Yoongi. You breathed in a deep breath as you made your way up the royal road towards the castle.

“Who are you?” the guards stopped you as you approached the first gateway.

“I’m _____, the ice sculptor.” you walked around Sven and pulled back the blanket, showing the full sculpture of Yoongi. The guard nodded at the creation.

“You’ll walk up until you reach the courtyard and then take the left path to the freezers in the back.” You weren’t expecting that. Would you even be able to see Yoongi?

“Oh okay, thank you.” you went back to leading Sven as you followed the guards directions. Knocking on the large metal door, a burly man emerged.

“What do you want?” he growled. The weather outside was cold, like always, but the freezer seemed colder than the weather.

“I’m here to deliver the ice sculpture.” He nodded before walking towards the back of your cart and lifting the sculpture with ease. He disappeared back into the freezer before coming back out, his breath coming out in smoky puffs.

“Leave your ride here and go to the main ballroom to await your payment.” with that said he slammed the metal door shut.

“Okay.” you saw a small post next to the freezer as you tied up Sven, unhooking the cart so he could move more freely.

“I’ll be back Sven.” you pecked his face before starting your way back towards the castle.

~*~

So many memories flooded your mind as you walked towards the ballroom. A small smile grazed your lips as you saw a small you and Yoongi running through the hallways with small wooden knight figurines.

“He doesn’t want to see anyone.” you heard a maid speak to another.

“Has he eaten at least?” the other asked.

“Barely.” the first one responded. They continued to walk by you, discussing what they could do to help the young Prince. You looked around to make sure no one was around before darting up the large staircase. If you remembered correctly Yoongi’s room was on the second floor last door on the right. You all but ran there to make sure no guard or castle servant saw you.

Here you were, standing in front of Yoongi’s room. Of course you could be completely wrong and he could have moved rooms. Should you knock? You didn’t have time to decide as you heard voices approaching down the hall.

Pushing open the large oak door you were greeted with cold air, colder than the weather outside. You closed the door gently as you took in the appearance of the room. Ice decorated the walls, the floor, the ceiling, everything except the large bed at the end of the room and the small fireplace.

“I said not to bother me.” That voice. It was him.

“Yoongi?” you called, stepping further into the room. The room was dark except for the small light being emitted from the fire.

“I said go away!” his voice was deep, husky, sad. You approached slowly, seeing his lean body slouched in the large ice made chair. His head was hanging low as his bangs fell into his eyes. But you saw it, the silent tears rolling down his cheeks.

You kneeled before him as your hands came up on their own to wipe the tears from his pale skin. Yoongi pulled harshly away from you, eyes holding anger as he was about to spit an insult. But then recognition clouded his eyes.

“______?” he asked. You nodded, trying your best to smile at him when all you wanted was to take him in your arms and cry.

“I thought you were dead.” he whispered before lunging at you, his arms wrapping around your frame as he crushed you to him, face burying in your neck. “I thought I killed you.” he sobbed quietly.

Your hands came up to stroke him, one in his hair the other rubbing his back soothingly.

“I’m alive.” you chuckled. His grip only tightened as he held you close.

“I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too, Yoongs.” He pulled away at the mention of his old nickname and he finally took in your appearance.

“Your hair...” he trailed off, thumbing a strand between his thumb and forefinger.

“Now we’re like twins.” you smiled jokingly, running your hands through his white-blond hair. He released the strand of hair he was holding as he pulled your hand away from him. You two sat in silence as you waited for Yoongi to speak.

“You shouldn’t be here.” he spoke after some time, standing. That was when you noticed the black gloves covering his hands.

“Why not?” you stood after him.

“It’s not safe to be around me.” he started pacing back and forth. “Just look at what I did to you!”

“Yoongi, I’m fine.” you tried to reason with him, grabbing his arm to stop his pacing.

“No!” he screamed. You felt the prick of something cold on your hand as ice covered your palm and fingers. You pulled back, placing your hand behind your back.

“Yoongi, I wanted to be here for you. After-” you stopped not sure how to tread.

“Everyone I love dies.” he chuckled with no humor. “I’m cursed, this power is a curse.”

“Your powers didn’t kill your parents Yoongi and they didn’t kill me either.”

“They almost did, ______.” he fell back into his chair of ice as he sighed heavily. “I still remember the way your mother looked at me. She was right, I’m a monster.”

“Shut up!” you yelled, clutching your hands into fists. The ice had began to melt away from your palm. “She was just scared. She didn’t mean it.”

“She was right to be scared.” Yoongi glared at you. “You should learn from her and stay away from me.”

You had enough. You punched him in the shoulder. “I’ve never been scared of you, idiot.” You punched him again. “I was always amazed by you, I wanted to be like you.” Punch. “I understand you’re hurting, but that doesn’t mean you can push me away like this!” You went to punch him again but he cupped your small fist in his large hand.

“Why not?” he questioned. “You wait all this time to show up now? You let me believe you were dead for ten years!” he stood, grabbing your arms as he shook you, as if trying to shake an answer from you.

“I-I-”

“Oh nothing to say now?” he snickered. “You’re just as bad if not worse than me.”

“Yoongi...”

“You couldn’t even write me? Let me know you were okay, that I didn’t murder my best friend? You were the only other person I loved besides my parents and you let me go on believing you were dead! That I, The Ice Monster Yoongi, killed you!” You could see the tears collecting at the corner of his eyes.

“My mother forbid me to contact you.” you whispered.

“Then why are you here?” he quipped. His grip was tight on your arms but you wouldn’t complain. You needed Yoongi to know that you thought about him all the time, wanted him to know you still loved him. You didn’t blame him for anything.

“She died a year ago.” you whispered. “After getting over the initial grief of it all, I swore I’d come back to you. That I’d tell you how much I’ve missed you, that I’ve thought about you all the time.” the tears were pouring down your face. “You’re my best friend Yoongi.” you sobbed uncontrollably.

“_______.” Yoongi released his grip on your arms to wipe the tears on your cheeks. “Don’t cry, fuck. I’m so sorry.”

You looked up to see tears running down Yoongi’s cheeks. The pads of your fingers came up to gently wipe them away.

“You’re my best friend too.” he murmured pulling you into a warm embrace. “You always have been.” You seemed to cry harder at his words. There you two stood, crying and holding one another as if making up for all the lost time.

A loud knock is what had you both jumping back from one another.

“Prince Yoongi?” the voice called.

Yoongi cleared his throat before answering. “Yes?”

Hushed whispers were heard but you couldn’t make out the words.

“Yes?” he called, slightly annoyed. You smacked him lightly on the chest, giving him a hard look. He shrugged, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“Um, well, the tailor is here to do any last minute alterations.”

“Did he bring any ball gowns by chance?” you looked up curiously at Yoongi. What an odd question.

“Um yes, he did. Why do you ask Prince?” Yoongi clapped his gloved hands together.

“Excellent! Tell him to bring them as well. A long lost friend of mine has shown up and she needs a gown for my coronation.”

“Yoongi!” you hissed-whispered. He sent you a gummy smile, your gummy smile and you felt your knees go weak.

“Uh, yes Prince Yoongi. Right away!” and with that it was just the two of you again.

“Yoongi, I can’t accept that.” He shrugged, slipping his hand into yours as he pulled you towards the doors.

“Too bad. You’re going to have to suffer this coronation with me.” he chuckled darkly. You laughed along with him as you allowed him to tug you along.

~*~

You tugged at the the silk material covering your body. It was form fitting, long sleeved, hanging slightly off the shoulders as it flowed at the bottom delicately. It was a beautiful gown, the ice blue color making your white hair pop all the more.

“You look beautiful Ms.______.” one of the maids complimented.

“Thank you, I’m not used to wearing gowns though.” you tugged again at the material. “Is Yoongi done?” you questioned.

“Yes, he told me to escort you to his chambers after you were ready.” You nodded as you followed her, trying not to trip in the small heels.

You entered the room as Yoongi was leaning an arm above the fireplace, staring into the fire intently. You noticed the ice was no longer covering the room.

“Yoongi?” you questioned, closing the door behind you.

Yoongi’s gaze turned to you and a gummy smile overtook his features.

“You clean up nice.” he chuckled. You twirled around, nearly tripping before striking a pose.

“It’s all thanks to my best friend.” you winked. He chuckled softly as he approached you.

“Are you ready?” he questioned. You shook your head.

“Not really.” your hands wringing together. “Are you ready?”

He shook his head. “Not at all.” he sighed heavily. “After tonight I’m no longer a prince but a king. Every decision I make will affect the country.” You could see his eyebrows crease in worry, his face solemn. You took his gloved hand in yours, squeezing reassuringly.

“I’ll be here with you Yoongi. I can’t guide you or give you advice about running a country but I’ll be here so you can tell me your worries, your fears. I’ll be the shoulder you can lean on when the weight of the world seems too much.” Yoongi met your gaze once again. His face telling of something he wished to say but no words escaped his mouth as he merely pulled you into a strong embrace.

~*~

The ballroom was crowded, fellow princesses and princes sent on behalf of their respective countries. Yoongi had been crowned and you felt out of place as diplomats approached him to discuss trade, work and other things you knew nothing about. But Yoongi was a king now, his job took priority. So you left his side to let him discuss with his advisers and the other advisers of the foreign countries. You stared into your wine glass as you began to feel out of place. The people of the town were invited but they were situated outside the castle in the courtyard. You thought about making your way out there and being surrounded by people of your same status instead of in here with people who were wealthy, titled, everything you were not.

“Your hair is beautiful.” you turned to the voice as a charmingly handsome young man was standing next to you. “I’ve never seen a color like that before, other than on Yoongi.” he snorted. “Are you two related? I never knew Yoongi had a younger sister.”

“No, we are not related.” you laughed. “I’m his best friend, ________.” you held out your hand to him.

The unknown man nearly spit out his drink as his eyes widened in surprise. “______? I know you! It’s me, Hoseok!” He placed his glass down as he embraced you tightly.

“Hoseok?” you questioned. He released you as he huge smile overtook his features. “Oh my, look at you! You’re so handsome!” you cheered. Hoseok was another one of Yoongi’s friends, living in the neighboring country he came over more frequently than any other royalty when you were kids.

You watched as Hoseoks’ chest puffed out slightly with your compliment.

“I know, I grew out of my ugly duckling phase.” he sent you a wicked smile. You laughed, slapping him gently on the arm.

“You were never ugly, Hoseok.” you reassured with a warm smile.

He quirked a brow your way. “I just couldn’t compare to Yoongi huh?” he sent you a devilish smile. This time it was you that almost choked on your wine.

“What?” you questioned after your coughing fit.

“C’mon ________, it was obvious I liked you when we were kids, but you could only ever see Yoongi.” he shrugged nonchalantly.

“I-I-, you liked me?” you blurted out. He nodded taking a sip of wine as his gaze scanned the crowd.

“Yeah, you were awesome. You were the only girl that could keep up with Yoongi and myself. I think my crush started when you beat me in sword playing.” he turned his attention back to you, a small smile on his lips at recalling the memory. It fell quiet between the two of you as you processed his words, recalling the same childhood memories.

“I understand the color of your hair now.” he spoke after you had remained lost in your own memories. Your hand went instinctively to the white locks. “Yoongi was devastated when he thought he-” Hoseok cut himself off, clearing his throat.

“So was I. I hated him for a long time after that but I realized our memories of you could live on through the both of us. Yoongi was never the same though.” Hoseok swirled his wine. You listened intently wanting to know everything. “I’m glad you’re alive.” his gaze met yours again. “Very, very glad.” he sent you a warm smile.

“I’m sorry. I never thought of all the people that must have been hurt by the decision my mother made for me.” You fidgeted with your hands as you cast your gaze to the floor. A large warm hand came into your field of vision as it was placed on yours.

“Doesn’t matter. What matters now is you’re here.” Hoseoks’ words had small tears springing in the corner of your eyes. Hoseok was always so caring, so funny, so happy. You didn’t even realize all the people you hurt. It wasn’t only Yoongi, it was all the others that were a part of your childhood.

“Ya, are you making my best friend cry?” the deep voice had you looking up, blinking the tears away instantly as his arm found its way around your shoulders.

“I wasn’t crying.” you hissed stubbornly, turning to look at Hoseok who sent a knowing smile.

“You heard her, she wasn’t crying.” Hoseok laughed.

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.” Yoongi spoke. “It all happened so fast, and then the coronation and the guests and-” Hoseok held up a hand to stop him.

“There’s no explanation needed Yoongi. I’m just glad she’s here with us again.” You watched the two men smile gently at each other, an understanding in their eyes that you couldn’t begin to understand.

“So a King needs a Queen.” Hoseok started, sending you a cheeky smile. You felt your cheeks heat up as you all but stared dumbstruck.

“Please, not you too.” Yoongi sighed heavily. He removed his arm around your shoulders to wipe at his face in frustration.

“I’m just saying she could be here, tonight, right now, standing here in a blue- Ow!” You stomped on Hoseok’s foot to keep him from finishing his sentence.

Yoongi sent you two a questioning look before brushing it off. “Believe me my advisers have been telling me about every princess here and how they could benefit my country in one shape or form.” he sighed heavily.

You felt your heart sink to the pit of your stomach. Maybe you should have let Hoseok finish his sentence. You nearly smacked yourself at the thought.

Yoongi was your best friend, only your best friend. You loved him but did you love him the way a husband and wife loved each other? Maybe? Yes? You shook your head, shaking the thoughts from your mind.

“King Yoongi.” you turned to the angelic voice, a beautiful woman standing in a royal purple gown, hair tied back elegantly. You shifted uncomfortably at her beauty.

“I’m sorry, I’m afraid I don’t know who you are.” you internally jumped for joy as you continued to watch the scene unfold.

“Oh, I’m Vanessa, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” she bowed gracefully as her and Yoongi began to have a full blown discussion right before you and Hoseok. It’s like he completely forgot you existed.

A warm, gentle hand squeezing yours was pulling you out of your trance. You hadn’t realized you were actually staring at the two of them.

“Let’s get some air.” Hoseok suggested, pulling you along behind him and away from the laughing Yoongi and Vanessa. Your heart felt empty and you couldn’t understand why.

When the cold air nipped at your face, you sighed heavily.

Hoseok was beside you, leaning on the marble railing as he looked at the party below.

“I don’t know who she is.” Hoseok murmured after some time. You turned your attention towards him as you joined him as you rested your arms on the marble.

“So what does that mean?” you questioned.

Hoseok turned to you, his breath coming out in smoky puffs. “I don’t know yet. Let me find out more while I’m here.”

“Is it weird that you don’t know her?” you questioned. Hoseok nodded.

“As royalty, we know all royalty. So her presence is curious to me.” You nodded solemnly as you looked down below to the towns people drinking and dancing.

“Let’s get out of here.” you suggested, grabbing Hoseok’s hand in yours as you pulled him back into the ballroom.

“Where are we going?” he laughed as he allowed you to pull him along.

“Where the real fun is!” you cheered. You didn’t see Yoongi as you glanced around before leaving the castle and practically running to the square where the festivities were being held.

You pulled him onto the makeshift dance floor as you began to dance to the song along with the other couples. Hoseok followed easily, picking up on the moves as he watched you laughing. Linking arms and twirling around each other you laughed as you placed your palms against his, circling each other.

“You’re pretty good at this.” you laughed, clapping your hands before placing your palms back against his and circling the opposite way.

“I’m a quick learner. Plus, I love to dance.” the song came to an end as you pulled Hoseok into a warm embrace. Your cheeks were cold, as were your fingers but this was the most fun you’d had in a long time. You continued to dance the night away with Hoseok. He even taught you how to ballroom dance.

The two of you returned to the castle, laughing.

“I was worried about you!” was the first thing you heard as you entered the ballroom. All the guests were gone, only the maids and butlers left to clean up.

You looked towards Yoongi as you noticed he was still dressed in his coronation attire.

“Sorry, we were dancing.” you replied bashfully.

“Yeah we lost track of time.” Hoseok added cheerfully.

You felt Yoongi’s harsh gaze. “And you couldn’t inform me?” the question was directed at you, that much was obvious. You felt a lick of burning anger ignite in your veins.

“Sorry, I didn’t think you would notice my absence.” you replied sarcastically.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” he retorted, coming closer to you, mere inches from your face.

“Woah, let’s calm down.” you heard Hoseok’s voice, but it sounded so far away. You could only see Yoongi. Yoongi’s stupid frown, his stupid eyes staring at you with such a burning intensity.

“Well you were preoccupied, totally forgot I existed actually.” He scoffed in your face as he ran a gloved hand through his hair.

“Are you seriously acting like a jealous girlfriend?” he snipped. Your mouth fell open in shock.

“Woah, Yoongi, calm down.” Hoseok placed a calming hand on the older’s shoulder, only to have Yoongi shrug it off.

“I’m not acting like anything!” you hissed, voice rising in volume. “I’m sorry that I wanted to spend time with you after not seeing you for so long!”

“And whose fault is that?” he snickered. Ouch. That was a low blow. You felt tears prick the corner of your eyes as you saw Hoseok come into your field of vision. His back was facing you as he spoke to Yoongi.

“Seriously Yoongi?! That was uncalled for.” he grabbed Yoongi by his collar as he lowered his face close to his.

“Yoongi?” A new voice was added to the equation as you turned to it. There she was, standing in a baby blue long nightgown, with a sheer robe over it. Even in that, you couldn’t compete with her. She was too beautiful. You could never be on her level.

“What the fuck is she doing here?” hissed Hoseok, it was whispered to Yoongi but you heard him.

Yoongi grabbed Hoseoks’ fists as he removed his hold from his collar. “She’s my guest. I asked her to stay.”

That was it, the last piece that shattered your heart.

“You barely even know her!” now Hoseok didn’t care if the mysterious woman heard or not.

You watched as Yoongi’s face turned ice cold. “Watch it Prince Hoseok. You wouldn’t want to lose trade with my kingdom would you?” Your mouth fell open in horror at Yoongi’s words. This wasn’t like him. What was wrong with him?

You were pulled out of your shock by Hoseok’s dark chuckle. “Wow.” You approached Hoseok, looping your arm through his to pull him slightly away from Yoongi, afraid of an altercation. That was when you noticed the woman, Vanessa, doing the same to Yoongi. Her face was one of innocence, you wanted to scoff.

“Twenty years of friendship and you’re throwing it away for some girl you just met?” Hoseok chuckled darkly, bending over as the laughter erupted from his throat. You had never seen him like this before, it was intimidating, scary.

“Okay, that’s fine. _______ and I will take our leave.” he slipped his hand into yours as he pulled you back towards the entrance of the castle. You casted a gaze backwards at Yoongi, his face was torn between wanting to call out to the two of you but it quickly changed as you saw Vanessa whisper something in his ear. His expression became dark once again before he whirled around, taking her hand in his and proceeding out of the ballroom towards the stairs.

When you met the cold air again, you snuggled closer to Hoseok. You could see he was still fuming, but he didn’t say anything. Not until you two arrived at an Inn and he walked you to your room.

“That wasn’t Yoongi!” he burst as soon as you two were behind closed doors.

“Yeah.” you agreed.

“He was acting so strange!” he continued, running his hands through his hair in frustration.

“Yeah.” you responded. You began to feel the tears threaten to spill again. Hoseok continued his rambling until he heard you sniffle.

“______?” he asked. He knelt in front of you, wiping the tears from your cheeks.

“He was so cruel, Hoseok.” you hiccuped as you tried to speak.

“I know, I know.” he rubbed soothing circles into your cheeks, wiping away the tears that continued to fall as well.

“I’ll get to the bottom of it, I promise.” You opened your teary eyes to see a smiling Hoseok.

“Okay.” you whispered.

“I’ll be in the next room if you need me.” He stood, as he wiped the last remains of wetness on your cheeks.

“Can you stay, until I fall asleep?” you questioned quietly. Hoseok nodded as you crawled under the sheets. He laid next to you, petting your hair softly.

“I promise, _______, I’ll figure out what’s up with Yoongi.” you nodded before being lolled to sleep by Hoseok’s gentle caress through your hair.

~*~

You awoke to a frantic Hoseok. “______, get up!” He ripped the sheets away from your body as you felt the chill air meet your skin.

“Hoseok, what’s the matter?” you rubbed the sleepiness from your eyes.

“The crown has an announcement.” You shot out of bed. “I have a bad feeling about this.” Hoseok murmured.

~*~

You were amongst the crowd as you looked towards the large balcony. All the royal guests from last nights coronation were here. You stayed close to Hoseok’s side.

“The King of Arendale.” Announced a guard. You looked to the balcony as you saw Yoongi emerge. He was dressed in a blood red suit, his gold crown hanging around his white-blonde hair. Your mouth pulled into a grimace as you noticed her standing next to him, she was all smiles.

“I have an announcement to make.” Yoongi announced after the hushed whispers had died down. “I have found love.” you watched in horror as he turned to Vanessa. She smiled at him as he raised his gloved hand to touch her cheek.

“We will be getting married!” he cheered as he turned back to the crowd. The crowd around you burst into applause as you watched him lean toward her and place a gentle kiss to her lips.

“______?” Hoseoks’ voice pulled you out of your trance. “Are you ok? You look pale.” You nodded as you felt numb. Your feet moved on their own, taking you to where you needed to go. Soon you were before him as he and his future wife were receiving congratulations on their marriage.

“Yoongi.” you whispered. He turned to the call of his name. His eyes were solemn before they changed, glaring slightly at you.

“Yes?” his voice was hard as he stared at you. You sighed as you watched Vanessa snake her hand into his.

“Can I talk to you?” you looked at him expectantly. “Alone.” you cast a sideways glance at the beauty next to him. Yoongi nodded before removing his hand from hers, turning to place a chaste kiss to her cheek. He whispered something to her as she pouted before allowing him to go with you. You looked back as you followed Yoongi out of the ballroom to see Hoseok talking to her.

You followed Yoongi all the way back up to his room where he waited for you to speak. His eyes held no emotion as his face was cold.

“Well?” he questioned when you didn’t say anything.

“I-um-”

He scoffed. “To think I thought you would be happy for me. Or at the least congratulate our marriage.”

“Why would I congratulate you?! You just met her!” you proceeded towards him, closing the distance between the two of you. “You don’t know her, she doesn’t know you!” You grabbed his gloved hand in yours. “Yoongi, please.” Yoongi ripped his hand from yours with such force that his glove came off. You held onto the fabric as you watched him. His eyes were angry now.

“Can’t you just be happy for me?!” he yelled. You watched as a small blizzard began to whirl around him, but it grew larger and larger, more fierce as Yoongi’s emotions took over. “I finally find someone who accepts me for me and my best friend has to go and ruin everything!” he was practically screaming now as you covered your face with your arms trying to keep the wind and snow from stinging your face.

“Yoongi!” you called as you tried to approach him, but the winds of the blizzard swirling the room was keeping you from moving very far.

He turned to look at you. “You aren’t acting like yourself!” you yelled over the storm. “What has she done to you?” You watched as Yoongi gripped his hair in frustration.

“Nothing!” he screamed as the storm seemed to soak into his chest before bursting out of him. You felt a pain strike through your heart as you fell to the floor clutching your chest.

“______?” you looked up to see small snowflakes falling around the two of you. “Are you okay?” he asked, he didn’t approach you. He was holding his un-gloved hand close to his chest.

“Yeah I’m fine.” You winced as you felt a pain strike through your chest as you stood. “I’m sorry Yoongi.” you breathed softly. “You’re right.” you sent him a sad smile. “I’m happy for you. I wish you two great fortune and love.” You approached him as you handed him his glove. He took it as he watched you carefully. You turned your back to him as you walked towards his door.

“She wasn’t the first to accept you Yoongi.” you called quietly before opening the door and leaving.

You were immediately greeted by Hoseok as you emerged back into the ballroom.

“Hey, how’d it go?” he asked. You smiled up at him.

“He seems happy so I wished their marriage well.” Hoseok gawked at you.

“_______, seriously?” You nodded as you started towards the exit of the castle.

“Where are you going?” Hoseok followed you.

“Home.” was your only response. Hoseok tugged on your arm to turn you back to face him.

“_______, you’re cold.” his hand moved from your arm to your face cupping your cheek.

You saw worry crease his face. You pulled his hands away.

“We may have had a little argument before I wished him well. There was a mini blizzard in the room, it’s nothing.” you shrugged.

“Are you sure?” he questioned, not thoroughly convinced. You smiled at him as you nodded.

“Okay, but you can’t go home.” he pulled you to a secluded corner as he looked around before whispering to you. “I was talking to her when you went to go talk to Yoongi, I get a bad feeling from her.” You laughed before clutching your chest as a pain struck through you again.

“_______ are you sure you’re okay?” Hoseok asked.

“Yeah, fine.” you smiled. “Anyways just because we don’t like her doesn't mean she’s a bad person.” you tried to persuade him.

“No, you don’t get it.” Hoseok pinched the bridge of his nose. “My father took in a man once when I was boy. Somehow this man was the only survivor of a ship wreck from a far away kingdom. He claimed he was a knight but as his King no longer was alive he had no reason to go on.” you watched him and listened carefully. “This man was a good looking guy, charming even, but something didn’t sit right with me. I always had this bad feeling when I was around him. My father ended up changing, he relied on this man so much, entrusted so much to him though he barely knew him. I ended up mentioning these feelings of doom to my alchemy teacher, he promised to look into it for me. Turns out the guy was a warlock, a dark warlock. He was trying to infiltrate my father’s kingdom to get close to my father and take over his mind with witchcraft. My alchemy teacher ended up finding out by throwing silver powder on him and his true from emerged.”

“Okay...” you questioned.

Hoseok sighed heavily, “_______, that feeling I had, I’m getting the same feeling from her.”

“It’s probably just a coincidence Hoseok.” you reassured, laying a calming hand on his shoulder. Hoseok looked at you sternly.

“No, _______, it’s not. My alchemy teacher trained me, helped me harness my power. It’s not anything cool like Yoongi’s, mine is more spiritual. I can sense a person’s true nature, their true intentions.” Your mouth dropped open in shock.

“You have a power too?” you questioned. Hoseok nodded as he turned to gaze at the woman next to Yoongi’s side. “Hoseok, that’s so cool!” you cheered. Hoseok turned to you flabbergasted before smiling wildly.

“Thanks, but back to the situation at hand. We need to get into the armory and melt down some silver so I can grind into powder.” You nodded. If Hoseok believed something was wrong you would do everything in your power to help him, to help Yoongi.

~*~

You kept a lookout as you heard Hoseok rummaging around inside the armory.

“You almost done?” you whispered, was it cold down here? You wrapped your arms around yourself, trying to stay warm.

“Yeah, almost.” Hoseok’s voice called from inside.

You turned to peak in, Hoseok was pouring the silver powder into a small bag.

“Hey!” You jumped, turning around in shock as you saw two guards running towards you. “What are you doing down here?”

“I-uh-” You felt a comforting hand on your shoulder as Hoseok emerged from the armory.

“Apologies gentlemen, I was inspecting some of the blades. My blacksmith asked me to inspect them and tell him how they looked in detail.” Hoseok lied smoothly.

“Prince Hoseok, I’m sorry we still must report this to the King.” Hoseok nodded as you watched him discreetly hide the small pouch in the back of his pants.

“Of course, lead the way.” Hoseok placed his hand on the small of your back, trying to reassure you.

Soon enough you were before Yoongi and his future bride. She was dressed in a beautiful wedding gown as the same tailor was placing pins where the gown hung loosely on her. Yoongi turned his attention away from Vanessa and over to the two of you.

“King Yoongi.” they bowed.

“What’s this about?” he eyed the two of you.

“Prince Hoseok was in the armory, claimed he was inspecting the blades to report to his blacksmith.” One of the guards spoke up. Yoongi nodded.

“Did you check to see if anything was missing?” he asked. Both of the guards looked at each other.

“No sir.” Yoongi sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“Go check then, report back to me if anything is missing.” Both guards nodded before scurrying away.

Yoongi eyed both of you. “What were you really doing in the armory Hoseok?”

“It’s like they said.” Hoseok laughed, but you could tell it was nervous laughter.

“_______.” Yoongi turned to you. “What’s the truth?” You went to open your mouth to respond before you felt a wave of dizziness hit you. You fell to the floor as your vision blurred. You felt so cold.

“_______!” both Yoongi and Hoseok rushed to your side.

“You’re freezing.” Hoseok took off his coat as he placed it around you.

“She’s obviously lying.” All of you turned to the voice, Vanessa was approaching you, arms crossed defiantly. “She’s trying to get your attention because she’s upset we’re getting married.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about!” Hoseok stood, taking your defense.

“It’s obvious she’s in love with you Yoongi.” The woman ignored Hoseok as she placed a hand on his shoulder. “But you love me right?” she whispered seductively to him.

Yoongi nodded as he stood. “I never knew you’d crave attention this much, ______.” You could see the disappointment in his eyes.

“Yoongi-” your breath came out in a soft puff of white air. Your fingers felt numb, the way they felt after sculpting your ice. You looked down to see the tips a dark blue as a light blue began to climb up your fingers.

“_______!” Hoseok seemed to notice as well as he took your hands in his, breathing his hot breath onto your frozen fingers. The heat burned as you cried out pulling away from him. Hoseok’s eyes turned angry. “You struck her, didn’t you?!” he grabbed Yoongi by the collar.

“I didn’t!” Yoongi defended himself.

“Look at her!” Hoseok grabbed Yoongi’s chin between his fingers as he forced him to look at your paling skin.

“______-” Yoongi took a small step towards you. “Did I-” you could see the tears collecting in his eyes. “Did I do that to you?” You were stuck between telling him the truth and lying to keep him sane.

“Yoongi-” you whispered.

“Enough! Yoongi dear, your power is a gift.” Vanessa took his face in her hands. “If she was meant to die by your hands, it was meant to be.” Said woman took his gloved hands in hers, removing the fabric.

“Shut your mouth witch.” The woman turned to Hoseok, a sadistic smile on her lips.

“Witch?” she hissed. Hoseok pulled the silver powder from his back pocket untying the small rope. She approached him like a predator would its prey.

“Hoseok.” you whispered. He didn’t hear you as he all but threw the powder on her approaching figure. She screamed in pain as she grabbed her face. Yoongi seemed to snap out of the trance he was in as he looked at you. The frost had began to climb up your neck and he felt a wave of shame and despair rush into him. It all happened so fast, Vanessa changing into a giant bat like creature, a menacing blizzard beginning to wrap around the room, ice coating the walls and floors.

“______!” you heard Hoseoks’ voice, it sounded so far away.

“I saved you when you were a child, my only request was the boy when he became King.” you could hear her voice loud and clear as if it was in your thoughts. “Your mother promised I could take him and his power.”

You looked to where Yoongi last was, he was on the floor, clutching his head in his hands.

“Yoongi-” you whispered, reaching out your now dark blue hand. Your muscles felt stiff as it hurt to move but you somehow managed to make yourself crawl towards Yoongi.

“I won’t let you have him!” you couldn’t speak very loudly but the echoing laughter you heard indicated the witch had heard you.

“______!” Hoseok called somewhere through the raging storm.

“You weren’t supposed to be here. This was supposed to be easy for me. I guess I’ll just kill him and take his power.” the voice echoed all around you. You were so close to Yoongi, you could reach out and touch him.

“Only true love could save you, your mother gave her life to me to save you. Now you’ll die and her effort will be wasted.” You felt the tears sliding down your face, icing over and clinging to your cheeks. That was when you saw the movement, a large dark figure right behind Yoongi.

“Yoongi!” Said boy looked up at you, tears were pouring down his cheeks as his eyes held remorse.

“______, I’m so sorry!” He reached out for you and that was when you noticed the large tail, sharp as a spear, pointed at Yoongi’s back. You pulled Yoongi towards you and with the last bit of strength you had maneuvered around him to take the impact.

“I love you.” you whispered before everything turned black.

~*~

Yoongi felt something stiff around him as he turned to look at you. Your body was ice, a shimmering blue-silver. You were huddled over him, protecting him. That was when he noticed the tail of the witch hit you square in the back where your heart would be, but you had turned to ice right before she could impact you.

“_______?” Yoongi called, placing his hand against your cheek. The blizzard stopped as snow began to fall. “Hey!” he shook you gently, you didn’t move.

“_______!” he cried, wrapping his arms around you, crying into your frozen shoulder. “Please don’t leave me.” He sobbed louder and louder. “I love you, please!”

“Hmm?” the witch pulled back, turning back into her human form. “That was unexpected.” she tapped her finger against her chin. Yoongi stood, releasing your ice form.

“You did this to her!” he screamed. She tsked.

“Correction, you’re the one that froze her heart, again.” She approached him, smiling vindictively.

When she was right before him, she caressed his cheek. “Now you can be mine.”

Yoongi placed his hand over her heart. “Yours.” he smirked. “I won’t let you poison me again.” Yoongi shot his power straight into her chest. The witch stumbled back as she clutched her chest.

“Ho-how dare you!” she went to charge at Yoongi but stopped as her feet turned to ice. “No, no, no!” she screamed as the ice began to climb rapidly up her body.

“You poisoned me.” Yoongi sighed. “You made me lose control and I hurt my best friend. I hurt the one person I love.” The witch screamed but soon it was silent as she turned to ice.

Yoongi’s anger burned away as it was replaced with sorrow once again. His shoulder shook as he began to cry.

“Yoongi.” he turned to your voice calling him.

“______?!” he rushed over to you taking you in his arms. “How?”

“An act of true love.” Hoseok spoke as he wiped the tears flowing down his cheeks. “When ______ saved you, that was an act of true love.”

You and Yoongi pulled back from each other’s embrace as you avoided his gaze. You almost lost him not once, but twice. You took your courage in your hands as you grabbed his face placing a sweet kiss to his lips.

“I love you Yoongi.” you felt your cheeks blush after you spoke the words.

Yoongi stared at you, taken aback by your sudden confidence before collecting himself, his gummy smile coming through.

“I love you _______.” he smiled before sweeping you up and twirling you around, placing soft kisses to your face. You laughed clinging onto him.

“Aw, I love you guys!” A third body joined your embrace, wrapping his arms around you and Yoongi.

“We love you too, Hoseok.” you and Yoongi replied in uni soon.

“Thanks Hoseok.” Yoongi spoke after you all had pulled away from each other.

“You can thank me by doing something for me.” Yoongi arched a brow as Hoseok leaned in to whisper in his ear. You watched as Yoongi’s gummy smile took over, the tips of his ears turning red.

“I was already going to do that.” he laughed. You sent them a quizzical look. Yoongi locked eyes with you as he went down on one knee.

“Yoongi-” He held out his hand to you.

You placed yours shyly in his as he looked up at you. “______, will you marry me? I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I want to wake up to you, I want to fall asleep next you. I’ve lost you too many times and I refuse to lose you ever again.” You couldn’t help the tears that collected in your eyes as you nodded enthusiastically, nearly tackling him over as you repeated yes over and over again.

#bts scenarios #bts suga #kpop scenarios

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ecstaticasusual · 6 years

Text

Temari

Overwatch // Genyatta // 824 words

Daintily her fingers moved like they had life of their own. Needle shuttled back and forth on the thread orb with precision. Green lines intertwined, drawing delicate geometric patterns.

He loved that colour. He also loved the sound the Temari made when it rotated on his mother’s hands. Inside the ball was a tiny box containing bells and beads that rung this rich and melodious sound. He was sure she put in a little note with a goodwill wish too, which the message remained a secret.

“If you were a girl, we would be making Temari balls together,” she said.

“I will make them with you, Mother, if it makes you happy,” he said.

“Aha. Such a sweet child.”

She handed him the Temari. He extended his arms to it and touched a blade. The blade cut him. The blade impaled him. The blade screamed on its way out of his chest.

“You did not live like a Shimada. Now die like one,” his brother said.

Cherry blossoms hurried down and greedily drank his blood to feed their magnificent bloom. The full moon was up high, watching silently. When life was draining from his body, he could only see the Temari in the distance.

An angel in a blue gown knelt down to him. Did angels wear berets? He did not know. He did not ask. Gently she touched his chin, yet he could not feel no warmth because of her glove, or because his skin was metal.

“All patched up. Now get out there.”

She said. And he did.

The body was not his but it ached anyway. The arms were not his but he wielded the sword anyway. The sword was not his but his dragon danced around it anyway.

He charged. His eyes firmly locked on the Temari in the distance.

Familiar faces appeared. They were his blood. They policed his life. They sealed his fate. He struck them down. A weak voice whispered beside him.

“See? You ain't faster than a bullet.”

He eyed the man in a silly cloak. Red roamed across his chest, making his black shirt even darker.

He saw the pilot glitching. He saw the scientist raging. He saw the angel weeping. He saw the commander yelling. He saw his brother grieving. White smoke of the incense offerings climbed and consumed the scenes. Then he saw nothing.

There was no one. There was nothing.

His surroundings changed but he paid them no mind. He chased the Temari in the distance.

He wandered the sterile land in the Middle East where humans and animals and vegetation competed for survival. Men surrendered to nature's force but their heart grew as wide as the horizon. When the night fell on the serene dessert, the whir of his systems drowned out the beating of his heart.

He chased the Temari in the distance.

He walked the busy streets of Numbani, a city so young and hopeful not to be defeated by any conflicts or misfortune. The proud metropolis stood on the African plain where nature generously embraced. Organic and robotic beings lived in peace while he tiptoeing in the middle.

He chased the Temari in the distance.

He climbed the frozen soil of the Himalayas. The clear sky accentuated the solemn white mountains in solitude. He left tracks on the snow and the snow covered his tracks. All breathing creatures were driven off by the biting cold but not him.

He chased the Temari in the distance.

“Swiftly a horse came galloping down the road, carrying its rider to somewhere seemingly important. When being asked where he was going, the rider replied, ‘I don’t know! Ask the horse!’”

Said a tender voice from behind, like a morning bell waking him up from his nightmare.

“Where are you going, hauled by your unbridled habit energy, hasty rider? Your aimless pursuit of empty comfort does nothing but stirs the disquiet within you.”

He slowed down. The Temari seemed closer.

“Cease your steps and set at ease the disturbed heart of yours, my friend. Let it not control you, for a disciplined mind is your most dependable ally. Allow me to guide you through your journey to achieve it.”

For the first time, he reached it.

He felt it in his palm, firmly and surely. The orb was nothing like in his memory. It was metal with delicate marks skillfully carved on. An unearthly gold it glowed, resembling the Sun but not quite as blinding. His mind, tamed by the calming tune it hummed, allowed itself to unwind for once.

He took a moment to catch his breath. The up and down movement of his chest synchronized with his gear’s operating cycle. He released the orb but it stayed, hovering next to him.

His body felt the warmth. His arms embraced the harmony. His dragon swirled contentedly around the lithe metal figure.

Focused, he sat cross-legged and closed his eyes.

He was at peace.

#overwatch #genyatta #genji shimada #fanfic #my shit #violence tw #please go easy on me #its my first fic since forever and my first English one #also it took me three weeks to finally summon the courage to post it

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struckbilovestruck · 6 years

Text

Promises of the Unexpected (Part 8)

Pairing: Iseul x MC

Game: Love & Legends

Warnings: Pretty fluffy. A little angst because some people are asshats. Mild swearing. But then fluff! And lots of it!

*This is going to be a series because I can’t write short things*

*Also this is a looonger chapter*

Word Count: 4, 580

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5 Part 6 Part 7

Moonlight is streaming in through the window when I wake up with a gurgling stomach. I turn my head to see Iseul sleeping soundly next to me. I lean over to kiss his forehead causing him to smile in his sleep. Silently, I slip out of bed and head towards the kitchen. Since the discovery of my pregnancy, Solaire has lifted the my ban from the kitchen and has even helped me make the comfort foods from home that I’ve been craving. We even got Altea to put a freezing spell on a trunk to make a fantasy version of a mini fridge. Which is where I’ve got a stash of some tasty homemade ice cream. It’s cold and creamy, just what the baby and I ordered. I close my eyes and take another bite of my ice cream, just as I feel a warm pair of arms wrap around me.

“I thought I would find you down here.” Iseul breathes into my ear, resting his hands on my stomach.

“Oh did she?” he asks with, I’m assuming, a smirk. He takes the bite of ice cream, humming in appreciation, “I do have to admit, this ‘ice cream’ is delicious.”

“It’s the best!” I exclaim, snuggling into his arms. Iseul laughs, resting his chin on my shoulder, his hands gently rubbing my stomach. I take a few more bites of my ice cream before setting it back in the trunk. Then I turn and bury my face into Iseul’s neck. He holds me close, rubbing my back.

“Are you ready to go back to bed, my love?” he asks, kissing the top of my head. I nod, pulling back slightly.

“I am, but I need something… spicy.” I say, looking around the kitchen. My eyes land on a potted pepper plant. I pluck one off of at the stem and pop it into my mouth. “Mmm, much better.” I sigh.

Iseul chuckles, “Sweet and spicy?” he asks, taking my hand.

“The best combination!” I grin, leading us back to our room.

“Just like you.”

I stop walking and loop my arms around his neck, “I love you.”

“I love you as well, my lady.” Iseul says, kissing me, before slipping his arms under my knees and carrying me to bed. We slip under the covers and snuggle. He leans down to kiss the baby before coming up to lay a lingering kiss on my lips. “We had better get some rest, love. We are leaving very early tomorrow.” I sleepily nod and snuggle closer to Iseul. Within moments we’re sleeping soundly, tangled in each other’s arms.

We rise early the next morning, riding to the Elven Domain, chasing the sunrise. It’s going to be one hell of a ride. First of all, the council has some documents drafted up that Iseul and I need to sign before we can get married. On top of that, they are also throwing an engagement party for us. Which, if you ask me, is because Ishara suggested (cough-told-cough) them to do it. In addition, the council is also going to recognize our child as an Idreis, meaning that she will have all of the rights that go along with the name. Technically speaking, she would only have those rights is she was born when we’re married, but the council has chosen to acknowledge her as an Idreis nonetheless. Chosen may be too nice of a word, I feel like volun-told fits it better, because they don’t want to cross Ishara. So yeah, there’s a lot going on.

All of the Retainers are joining us for this journey. Reiner has left our home in capable hands, and we’re only going to be gone for a few days. Also, in the two months since we defeated the Witch Queen, nothing terrible has happened. I mean, yeah, there’s like petty crime happening, but that’s everywhere. At least now we can live out our lives without worrying that some homicidal, Elsa rip-off is going to come in and freeze us all in our sleep.

“Do you need help getting onto your horse, little sister?” Imohn asks as Iseul and I approach them.

“I want to give it a shot first.” I say, as I put my foot in the stirrup and grab onto the saddle horn. Taking a deep breath, I count to three, before jumping off of the ground and pulling myself into the saddle. Iseul and Imohn share an appreciative glance.

“Well done, my lady.” Imohn says, smiling up at me.

I shrug, “It’s not big deal.”

“It was not but all that long ago when you could hardly mount a horse, much less ride one. You’ve gotten quite good at mounting and riding though.” Iseul smirks up at me, a naughty gleam in his eyes.

“What can I say, I’ve had a good teacher.” I say with a wink. Iseul grins at me, that gleam still present in his eyes.

“For the love of all that is good in this realm, will you two STOP SUBJECTING ME TO YOUR VERBAL FOREPLAY!” August shouts as he goes to mount his horse.

“But the foreplay is half the fun.” I joke.

“And it is more of an invitation than anything else.” Iseul chimes in, twirling a strand of hair around his finger. August turns a deep shade of crimson and gallops away on his horse, Wyndsor.

Imohn shakes their head at us, “Will you two ever be nice to that poor boy?”

Iseul and I exchange a look, “Probably not.” we say in unison. Imohn rolls their eyes at us and walks away as Iseul deftly climbs on his stead.

“Race you to the campsite?” he asks, arching a well manicured eyebrow at me.

“You’re on babe.” I declare, spurring my horse forward. Together, we race down the path. The others cheer us on, all taking bets as to who they think will win. I laugh as we race, glancing over at Iseul. The sun is shining on him and making him glow. His hair flows elegantly behind him as the wind plays with each silken strand. Joy floods my heart and I feel contentedness wash over me.

“Love, are you alright?” Iseul asks me after I’ve slowed down to a trot.

I wince, “I may have overdone it a bit. Will you help me get down?” Iseul nods, leaping off of his horse. He opens up his arms to me and I carefully slip down. With my feet on the ground, I put my head on Iseul’s shoulder and take a solidifying breath. “I don’t think the baby liked being bounced around like that.” I say, rubbing my stomach.

“Perhaps we should walk the rest of the way?” he suggests, rubbing my back. I nod and we begin to slowly walk together. A few moments pass before the rest of the Retainers approach us.

“Is everything alright?” Ishara asks, frowning down at us.

I smile, “Everything’s great! I just wanted to stretch my legs a bit.”

“If you say so, my daughter.”she smiles, though it doesn’t reach her eyes. She shares a look with Imohn, who gives us a small smile before they both trot away.

“Okay, when they look at each other like that, it makes me nervous.” I joke, trying to ease the tension.

Iseul latches onto my hand, “They worry about you. We all do.”

“Hey, everything’s gonna be okay. I mean, the baby’s part elf right? So like, she’ll have your long lifespan and durability, I assume anyway. Our little one will be alright. She’ll be tough, just like us.” I assure him, leaning over to kiss his cheek. Iseul gives me a small smile.

“Her lifespan is not the one I am worried about, my love.” he quietly admits. Then it’s all out in the open; the one subject that we haven’t discussed in months, my mortality. To be fair the last few months have been a blur of getting pregnant, engaged, trying to prepare for the baby, and plan a wedding all at the same time. The whole, “Hey honey, my mortality is staring us in the face” conversation has kinda fallen by the wayside.

“We’ll figure it out.” I promise, squeezing his hand, “I’m not giving up that easily.”

Iseul leans over to kiss me, “Neither shall I, love.” We walk the rest of the way to the campsite just chatting about this and that. When we’re only five feet away, I drop Iseul’s hand and run to go touch an already set up tent.

“I win! I got here first!” I cheer, sticking out my tongue. Iseul gives me an incredulous look.

“Ha! You owe me a drink, August!” Saerys calls out, winking at me. “I told you, my lady, I will always be on your side.” I give him a high five as I go over to help Altea with her tent. For the remainder of the afternoon, we all work on setting up camp and making dinner. Once the sun has set, we’re all gathered around the campfire, eating and enjoying each other’s company. Slowly, we all start to drift off to bed, until it’s just Iseul and I.

“Can we stay up a little late?” I ask, leaning my head on his shoulder, “I’m not sleepy yet.”

Iseul laughs, “Yes we can, darling. Do you want to go into the woods? To go look at the stars?” I smile and nod, letting him lead me into the night

We walk off into woods, finding a comfortable spot to lay down, and I put my head on Iseul’s chest. One on his hands is resting on my hip, the other is tucked under his head. For a while, we lie there, calmly looking at the stars. That is, until I feel a kick. I bolt upright, hands flying to my stomach. Iseul gets up as well, turning towards me.

“Darling? What is wrong?” he asks, face pale. I can’t put anything into words, so I grab his hands and place them on my stomach. The baby doesn’t disappoint- she lands two seperate kicks at each of Iseul’s hands.

He looks up at me, “Was that… did she?”

I nod enthusiastically, “That was her, love, that was our baby! She kicked!” Tears prick at Iseul’s eyes as he pulls me in for a breathless kiss.

“My sun.” he murmurs, before kissing me again. “My moon.” Kiss. “And all my stars.” kiss. He pulls me back down into the grass, leaving lingering kisses on my lips and breasts. “My water, my earth, and all my flowers.” he whispers to our baby, kissing just above my navel.

“I think it’s her way of telling us that everything’s gonna be okay.” I tell him when his eyes reach mine.

“I do believe you are correct, love. And we shall make it so.” he vows, kissing me once more.

We must have fallen asleep there, because I don’t remember walking to our tent, which is where I wake up the next morning. Locked in Iseul’s warm embrace no less. His hands are on my stomach still, waiting to feel another kick. Which happens moments after I wake up.

Iseul giggles, “Amazing.” he breathes into my hair.

“It is.” I agree. We allow ourselves to enjoy the moment, before going to eat breakfast and pack up camp. Soon, we are mounted on our horses and back on the road. The trip is uneventful and we soon reach the Elven Domain. Once we reach the castle, we are ushered in to unpack out things and get ready for the engagement party. When we reach our room, Iseul and I find that a warm bath has already been drawn for us.

“Let’s get naked.” I whisper, kissing Iseul’s nose.

“Everything is always so sexual with you.” he teases, unlacing my shirt.

I turn to glare at him, “Hi kettle, meet pot.”

“I do not know what that phrase means.”

“Yeah, you do. Your mother has said it to you multiple times. Just in prettier language.” I retort, crossing my arms.

Iseul smirks at me, “You act like I listen to her.”

“I’ll be sure to pass along that information to her.”

“Please do not.” he pleads. I roll my eyes and crawl into the bathtub.

“Get in here and I’ll consider it.” Iseul grins at me and hops in. We lazily wash each other, enjoying the feeling of being so close. Our time is interrupted when we hear a knock at the door.

“We’d better go get that.” I sigh.

“To be continued?” Iseul asks, nuzzling my shoulder.

I nod, “I look forward to it.” Together we get out of the tub, put on the robes that were left by the bathtub, and go to answer the door. Surprisingly enough, Altea and Ishara step through the door. Ishara is in an emerald, long sleeve ball gown, with a plunge neckline. Altea’s wearing an adorable, off-the-shoulder, pink gown that flows to just above her ankles. It has pickups that the waist that make the dress extra poofy and little floral designs on the bodice.

“You two look beautiful!” I say, hugging them. “But, what brought you our way?”

Ishara kisses my cheek, “I brought the papers for you both to sign for the council. Might as well have the business settled before pleasure.” I nod and quickly sign the documents. Iseul does too.

“Excellent. Now, Iseul, I do believe that August and Saerys are waiting for you downstairs.” Altea says, pushing him out the door.

“What? Why?” he protests.

“To help you get ready! We will talk good care of Lady MC. Now, go!” she shouts, giving one last push.

I laugh, “Girl’s party?” Ishara and Altea nod, each smiling.

“We wanted to give you a little extra attention tonight, dear. After all, this is your big debut into Elven society, since the wedding will take place back in the Human Domain.” Ishara explains, taking off my robe.

“And we want to make sure that all of their eyes are on you.” Altea adds, helping me step into my dress.

“You two are the best.” I say, feeling my heart fill with immense joy.

After an hour, we’re finally ready to go. Ishara somehow managed to get my hair into curls. Magic? Probably. Once my hair is done, Altea puts a crown of golden flowers on my head, which really make my green gown pop. The dress Ishara and Altea put me in was the most simple, yet elegant, thing I have ever worn. There’s no fancy embroidery or beadwork on it; it’s honestly just a green silk dress. The fabric clings to my curves, perfectly showing off my body, including my growing baby bump. The sleeves are long and flow off from my shoulders. It’s so simple, yet I feel so beautiful in it; almost powerful. “You look amazing, my dear.” Ishara says, kissing my forehead as she escorts me downstairs. “I do not think Iseul will be able to take his eyes off of you. Or his hands for that matter.” Altea jokes, bumping her shoulder into mine. I laugh, “No, if anyone is going to steal the show, it’ll be you two lovely ladies.” I say, squeezing their arms. “I believe that it we will leave all of the party goers speechless as soon as all three of us enter the ballroom.” Ishara says admiring us both. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Altea turn as pink as her dress.

As soon as we approach the staircase that leads to the ballroom, I see Iseul, who is looking as handsome as ever. He’s wearing tight black pants that are tucked into elegant black boots. Iseul is also wearing a green tunic, embroidered with small golden flowers, like the ones in my hair. He looks so good. Hot damn. Anyway, as we approach, our footsteps catch his attention and he turns towards us. When Iseul meets my eyes, I feel like I’ve been struck by lightning. His eyes are so full of adoration that, if I hadn’t had Ishara and Altea on my arms, I may have forgotten how to walk. Or breathe. Or function in general. “You look stunning.” Iseul says to me, taking my arm as soon as Ishara and Altea step back. Altea gives me an “I told you so” look.

“Thank you. You look amazing too.” I respond, blushing.

“Come August and Saerys. Let us go find some lovely dance partners.” she says, taking their arms and leading them down the staircase.

“Queen Ishara, would you allow me to escort you to the ball?” Reiner asks, offering his arm. Ishara accepts it with a dazzling smile.

“We shall see you both soon.” she promises, walking away. Suddenly, it’s just the two of us. Well, okay, the three of us. “While that dress does look phenomenal on you.” Iseul sighs in my ear, pulling me close, “It would look even better on our bedroom floor.” he purrs, nibbling my ear. I lace my fingers into his hair and pull him in for a deep kiss. “If you promise to be an adult and fulfill this obligation with me, I promise to make it worth your while.” I breathe. Iseul grins, “Suddenly, I am surged with the urge to do what is asked of me.” “Good.” I grin, taking his arm, and letting him lead me to the ballroom.

Upon entering the said ballroom, we are greeted by tons of smiling people. All congratulating us and showering their blessings upon our family. Very nice, a little extra, but still nice. We wade our way through the crowd of well wishers and, finally, make it to our table. Everyone enjoys the meal that has been prepared and the room is filled with chatter. I hold Iseul’s hand under the table as we eat. There are so many people around us, but he keeps me grounded. As soon as everyone is done eating, the plates are cleared away, and a band starts playing. I pull Iseul to his feet and run onto the dancefloor. We glide around with ease, dancing like we’ve been doing it for years. Eventually, other couples trickle onto the floor and, before we know it, the party is in full blast.

After a few songs, Iseul and I go to take a break. We go sit down at the table and try to catch our breaths.

“Would you like a glass of water, my love?” he asks, tucking my hair behind my ear.

I smile, “Please?”

“Of course. I will be right back.” he promises, kissing me. Reluctantly, he pulls away and goes to get us some drinks while I sit and people watch. My hand roams over my stomach, enjoying the calmness, when my view of the ball is blocked by a burly man. I recognize him to be one of the members of the council.

“Hello, counselor! Are you enjoying the party?” I ask, smiling cheerfully at him.

He narrows his eyes at me, “You do not fool me.”

“I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean?” I ask, nervousness sinking in.

“You really are a clever girl, I will give you that. Finding the weakest link in a royal family. Seducing him. Becoming pregnant with his child, making him have to marry you. All a very clever plot to get into a very affluent family.” he spits.

“I- I don’t understand where any of this is coming from!”

“Do not lie to me, girl! Not when I can see it with my own eyes. You had nothing when you first came here, if the stories are true, and now you are well on you way to having a title and all of the privileges that go along with it. All because you found the one princeling who was stupid enough not to see your game.”

“Fuck you actually, you pretentious asshat!” I yell, pushing back my chair. Anger bubbles up inside of me and I go to walk out of the ballroom. That anger slowly boils down into sadness and then I having to fight back tears. I start to go up the staircase when I soft hand takes my wrist.

“Little sister?” they ask, concern welling in their beautiful eyes. At this point, I lose it and break down into a puddle of tears. Imohn pulls me in for a hug, letting me cry as I attempt to tell them what happened.

“There are not many people in this world with whom I have issues with,” Imohn starts, “But that man is one of them. I am sorry for what he said, dear one. He is wrong, however, and we all know that. What you and my brother have is real. Just because it was unexpected and not necessarily conventional does not negate from that fact.” they say soothingly, smoothing my hair. I just nod, not trusting my voice.

“Imohn? Lady MC? What has happened?” Ishara asks as she approaches us. Imohn fills her in and a look of rage flashes across her beautiful face.

“How dare he? Who does he think he-” she stops, looking at me. Immediately her face contorts into a look of sadness.

“Oh my sweet girl, come here.” she says, opening her arms to me. I pull away from Imohn, offering a small smile.

“Thanks.” I whisper. They kiss my forehead.

“I love you, little sister.”

“I love you, too.” I say, before going into Ishara’s arms. She holds me close, running her hands down my back.

“Imohn, my darling child, please go and tell your brother about what has happened. He will want to hear of this at once. I am going to take MC to their bedroom.” she explains, still holding me.

“Yes mother, I shall do that. I will tell Iseul where you two are as well.”

“Thank you, darling.” she replies, leading me back to my room.

Ishara helps me undress and change into my night clothes, before running a brush through my hair.

“No one else shares his thoughts, my dear.” she says, coming to face me.

“Are you sure?”

She cups my face, “I am. The council, and the domain if I am being honest, are all smitten with you. I have talked to many people about you and they all are enamoured with you. The people also talk and, my daughter, you have been quite the topic of conversation. They all truly think the world of you.”

I hug Ishara, “Thanks for being here for me, mother.” I whisper the last word, still trying to get used to it. Ishara squeezes me tight.

“I would do anything for you, dearest.” she says, pulling away from me. “I should go check on Imohn, though, to see if they found Iseul.”

“Wait!” I cry, reaching for Ishara’s hands. I know the perfect way to thank her.

Alarmed, she comes back to me, “What is it?” she asks. I place her hands on my stomach just as the baby kicks. Ishara lights up.

“Your granddaughter just wanted to say hi before you left.” I say, smiling. Tears slip down Ishara’s cheeks and she pulls me in for another hug.

“Granddaughter!” she exclaims happily. We hold on to each other for a while, before the door flings open and Iseul runs over to us.

“Mother, Lady MC. I am so sorry I was not here earlier. Are you alright, my love?” he asks, kneeling before me.

I nod, “I’m okay. Our mother and sibling have been taking good care of me.”

“I will forever be grateful for you two. Thank you, mother.” Iseul gushes, wrapping his arms around her. Ishara looks surprised, but holds her son close.

“It is what family does, my son. Nonetheless, I am glad I was able to help. I love you and Lady MC more than words could ever say. Did you take care of the counselor?

Isuel nods, “He has been relieved of his position. The council had an unofficial meeting at the party and the decision was unanimous. They are all quite fond of Lady MC.” he finishes, grinning at me.

“See? What did I tell you?” Ishara says, “They are all completely smitten with you.”

“Which I cannot fault them for. You are incredible.” Iseul states, eyes gleaming.

“I cannot either.” Ishara says, kissing us both, “It is late, my darlings, and there are more things to do tomorrow. Let us rest.” Iseul and I both nod in agreement. When Ishara leaves, Iseul changes out of his clothes and crawls into bed with me.

“Love, are you sure you are alright?” he asks, propping himself on his elbow.

“For the most part. I’m a bit hurt. But mainly, I’m worried about you. I don’t want you to have to deal with this bullshit. I mean, you’ve already got enough to deal with and now there’s this. What if other people think what he thinks? I just feel like I’ve gotten you into a mess and you deserve so much better than this…” I ramble, fresh tears pricking at my eyes. Iseul sits up, pulling me with him.

“Please listen to me, my darling. None of this is a mess and you did not pull me into it. The moment I fell in love with you, I leaped head first into whatever fate decided to throw our way. We are partners and we support each other even, and especially, during the hard times. I am with you, forever and for always. We will face things, just like this, together. I will not let you stand and bare it alone.” he pauses, taking my hands, “Our path has not been an easy one, nor do I think it ever will be, but I am here with you. And I always will be.” Iseul pauses again, kissing my hands, “I doubt others share his thoughts. Even if they did, I would ignore them. I know you heart, just like you know mine. We are meant to be together. We prove it to each other every day. If anyone dare say any different, they have no place in our live.” Well, I don’t know how to top that.

“I do know your heart, because it’s my home.” I sigh, snuggling Iseul, pulling him down to bed. He hold me close, playing with my hair until I’m fast asleep.

The next few days pass by in a blur. The counselor is let go, but a young person steps up to take his place. They are wonderful and both Iseul and I love them to pieces. We finish up all of the legal paperwork and make the baby and I official Idreis’. Well, on paper. Someone still has to, ya know, be born and whatnot. And I still need to actually marry Iseul. But still! It’s progress! We’re getting there! On the third day, we start making our way back home. We’ve got about five months left to get the castle baby ready, and there’s still a lot that we need to get done. But with Iseul by my side and the Retainers backing us up, I have no fear for the future. We’ve still got a lot to figure out, but as long as we have each other, I know that we’re going to be just fine.

#iseul x mc #iseul idreis #the love of my life #my husband the prince #altea bellerose #reiner wolfson #August Falke #saerys #imohn idreis #ishara idreis #queen Ishara #love and legends #lovestruck #voltage games #lovestruck fic #promises of the unexpected

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devsash · 6 years

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Draecember Day 24 - ‘You Should Have Listened to Me’

Icecrown Glacier near Aldur’thar, Northrend

Toranos stumbled blindly over the ice, Neshein’s letter still clutched in his hands. The words were seared into his mind.

Married. How? Why?

How long had it been since he died? And yet, she had already opened her heart to someone else within that short span. Did she even mourn him? Or did he not matter enough to her for that?

He gasped, doubling over in sudden pain. Hunger gnawed at him, demanding to be sated by the blood of the living. It was a stark reminder of the monster he had become. He grimaced, glancing around. He had been out here too long. He had to get back to the Shadow Vault, to the Ebon Blade before it was too late.

The sound of whickering made him hesitate, squinting in its direction.

It was a lone figure astride a horse, apparently wandering aimlessly through the frozen wastes. A night elf, by the looks of his long pointed ears. He was garbed in the vestments of a priest, his cloak drawn tightly around him against the cold.

Toranos growled at another stab of agony, the hunger rising again at the sight of this living being.

No. No, he would not give in!

Gritting his teeth, he reached for the Light. It answered at once, burning into him with the fury of a thousand suns. The torment brought him to his knees with a strangled sob, but he clung stubbornly to it as the air around him began to glow.

Better this pain than attacking some random innocent.

The night elf had halted and was peering in his direction, his horse snorting nervously. He called out, but the words were lost through the blistering heat of the Light engulfing the death knight.

It was all Toranos could to to just keep holding on.

The breeze shifted abruptly, bringing the scent of fresh blood to his nose.

The Light vanished at once. Hunger surged up in its place, all powerful, all consuming.

The last thing he remembered was leaping to his hooves, drawing his runeblades and running at the figure with a roar. Then nothing.

Reianas Starmane was having a horrible day.

He knew it had probably been a bad idea to ride Dapple out into Icecrown by himself, but the hostile stares at the Argent Vanguard camp were not something he wanted to put up with longer than he had to.

He had not counted on getting hopelessly lost. Or stumbling upon a pack of ghouls while trying to find his way back. Dapple had managed to outrun them, but Anas’s arm was bleeding from a scrape against one of the many sharp projections that seemed to serve as decoration in this place.

Anas did not quite dare try to heal it. Ever since the events at the Wrathgate, it seemed impossible to reach out to Elune’s grace, let alone channel it for healing. Instead, he had bandaged the wound as tightly as he could and continued trying to retrace his steps.

“Some priest I’d make, eh, girl? Can’t even heal myself,” he said absently, peering up at the ominous walls. “This way? No, I think we’ve been here before.”

The mare’s ear flicked towards him. She whickered softly, tossing her head nervously.

Anas frowned at her. “What’s wrong, girl? See someth–?”

The words died on his lips as he caught sight of what Dapple was staring at.

It was a huge draenei death knight, crouched on the icy ground in apparent pain. What shocked Anas was that this death knight was somehow wreathed in the holy Light.

“Impossible,” the priest murmured, stunned.

A soft, pained sound came from the draenei’s fanged lips. His face was twisted in suffering at the power he was impossibly wielding.

Anas’s heart went out to him at once. No creature deserved such pain, not even the undead. “Ho there!” he called in concern. “Are you okay?”

The dark-haired death knight glanced up, the blue flame in his eyes blazing with sudden furious hunger. The Light blessed glow around his person winked out abruptly. He was on his hooves in an instant, unsheathing a pair of deadly-looking runeblades.

“Whoa, I don’t want any trouble–” Anas began, but the undead draenei let out a bloodcurdling roar and charged at him.

“By Elune’s Light,” the Kaldorei cursed. He tugged sharply on the reins, whirling Dapple around in the opposite direction and spurring her into a gallop.

The mare sprang forward at once. She had only gotten a few paces before chains of ice erupted from the ground. They snapped around her, locking her into place. Anas went flying over her head, Dapple’s terrified neigh echoing in his ears.

He landed on his back with a hard thump and groaned at the pain, the wound in his arm stinging.

The death knight bared his unnaturally long fangs. The runes on his swords burned with the same blue flame in his eyes, his heavy hoofsteps clopping loudly on the ice as he advanced on the priest.

The dreaded susurrus of whispering was starting up in Anas’s head as he tried weakly to scramble back. Dapple was still shrieking in terror, struggling to break free of her icy prison.

The undead knight loomed over him. He raised his swords.

A dark shape dropped from the sky, landing in front of the priest. There was a flash of metal followed by a loud clang.

Anas blinked.

Another draenei was standing with his back towards the priest. This one was slightly taller than the first, his long light-coloured hair contrasting sharply with the other knight’s brunette. His runed axes were braced firmly against the twin swords.

“Stay behind me,” the newcomer said calmly in the characteristically echoing voice death knights had.

Anas groaned. “Mother Moon, two of you? Just my luck–”

“Toranos!” the death knight said urgently. “ Ma-no icta! Fight it, soran!” He said something else in Draenei, but it was as if his friend could not hear him.

The maddened knight growled deep in his throat. He drew back and struck swiftly with his blades.

The newcomer muttered something that sounded like a curse as he dodged the swords, catching them once more on his axes. They began battling each other, the light-haired knight keeping his friend at bay from Anas.

All the while, the whispering in Anas’s head was growing louder. “No,” he pleaded. “Stop!”

The light-haired draenei shot him a concerned look before glancing at Dapple, still trapped in the ice. “I’m sorry about your horse,” he said contritely.

“Wait–!” Anas shouted, but the death knight was already moving. Coils of darkness sprang from his fingers, yanking Dapple close enough for his axe to scour a deep cut in her flank.

The mare trumpeted as blood spilled from the wound, dripping onto the ice.

The hostile draenei stopped at once, his nostrils flaring. His head turned towards this new scent. Without hesitating, he leaped at the horse, driving his runeblades into her chest.

Dapple screamed again as the death knight threw back his head, an anguished howl tearing from his own throat. Drawing the swords back out, he began hacking and slashing frenziedly at the dying horse, snarling gutturally.

“By the light of the Moon!” Anas leaped to his feet, but the light-haired draenei caught his injured arm, making him wince.

“Epolani! Fool!” the undead knight hissed angrily. “You want him to kill you instead?” He blinked suddenly, glancing down at the stain spreading over Anas’s bandage. “No wonder he came after you,” he muttered, releasing the priest. “You’re an anchorite, yes? Heal yourself.”

“I can’t.” Anas pressed a hand over the wound. “Else I’d have already done it.” The whispering in his head was dying down, thankfully. He grimaced, turning away from the sight of the death knight mutilating the helpless mare.

The draenei cursed again. “Let’s hope this will sate him enough then,” he said, glancing once more at his friend.

The blood-splattered death knight finally stilled as Dapple’s final breath rattled from her lungs. The tension in his form eased and he blinked, his gaze sharpening as though emerging from a stupor. He gazed down at the carnage he had wrought with a stricken look.

“Och,” he whispered, his harsh voice pained as he fell to his knees before the dead horse. “Thuma.” He stretched out a bloodied, trembling hand to gently touch the mare’s nose.

“Toranos?” The light-haired draenei stepped forward. “You okay, soran?”

The death knight blinked, glancing at him. His eyes widened in recognition. “Zath,” he said softly. His gaze slid to Anas. Guilt and shame crossed his face as he glanced away.

Anas frowned, but did not move as Zath stepped towards the death knight, resheathing his axes.

“Why were you out here all alone? You should’ve listened to me, soran.” He continued on in their language, but stopped when Toranos replied briefly, his gravelly voice carefully neutral.

The death knight rose to his hooves, scrubbing a hand across his face, which only served to smear the blood all over his cheeks. He turned to Anas. “Did I hurt you?” he asked in Common.

“Not really.” Anas shivered, staring at the undead draenei’s fangs. “Can’t say the same for poor Dapple.”

Toranos lowered his head, his unevenly long chin tendrils coiling around each other lopsidedly. “I’m sorry,” he said softly, looking for all the world as though he wanted to vanish into thin air.

“The Shadow Vault isn’t far from here.” Zath placed a gauntleted hand on Toranos’s shoulder. “We’ll escort you there. The Ebon Blade will provide you a flight to wherever it was you were heading to,” he offered to Anas.

“The Ebon Blade?” Anas blanched. “More death knights?”

Zath shrugged. “Either that or make your way alone on foot through the hordes of undead.”

The priest glanced apprehensively between the knights. “You won’t attack me?”

“My friend here is fine now and I’m not hungry.” Zath squeezed Toranos’s shoulder as the latter glanced miserably at the dead horse. “Can’t say the same for the other undead though. The smell of blood is quite strong.”

Anas weighed his choices. “Okay then,” he agreed reluctantly.

“Kaso,” Zath exclaimed. “Let’s go.” He led Toranos in the direction of the gate, the two draenei murmuring once more in their language.

Anas hurried to keep up. “Excuse me… Toranos, was it?”

The death knight looked up at the sound of his name and Anas had to make a conscious effort not to stare at the entwined chin tendrils, especially not the half severed one.

“I saw you wielding the Light. How did you do that?”

Zath glanced sharply at Toranos.

The bloodied draenei did not seem to notice his friend’s look. He peered at Anas out of the corner of his eye, as though weighing his words before speaking. “I was a Vindicator once,” he rasped before picking up his pace, moving ahead of them and leaving Anas with more questions than ever.

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imagineclaireandjamie · 7 years

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Flood my Mornings: Climbing

Anon said: This is a prompt for Bonnie & FMM: since BabyBree is becoming quite the strong minded little lady, can we see her get into some antics at the worst possible time?

Notes from Mod Bonnie

This story takes place in an AU in which Jamie travels through the stones two years after Culloden and finds Claire and his child in 1950 Boston.

See all past installments via Bonnie’s Master List

Previous installment: Vermont (ii)

Fernacre, July, 1951

“JESUS, lass!” Jamie hissed as he lunged to snatch Bree mid-stride and prevent what would have been a flying leap off the picnic table. He forced himself to exhale before setting her onto her feet and asking, “Why in the name of all that is holy and right do ye turn demon the instant we go out in public?”

The demon giggled.

“Brianna, hear me, it’s no’ a game, this.” He dropped to a crouch before her, trying to keep his already-worn temper in check. “I mean it. NO climbing up upon things, d’ye hear?”

“Okayyyy!” she trilled, beaming with joy, already turning on her heel.

“Wait just there, we’re not—”

But she was already out of reach, scampering off to join a pack of other children headed toward the play-slides.

“Stay within the yard!” he called after her. “Heaven BLOODY help me,” he groaned under his breath in Gaelic, getting back to his feet and his conversation. “I’m terribly sorry for that wee hooligan, Tom.”

“It’s alright, bud,” Tom Harper laughed, handing him back his bottle of terrible American beer. “Kids will be kids, no harm done.”

“Perhaps it’s some great test of parenting, to see how well I cope wi’out Claire to hand....or how poorly, as the case might be.”

It was the annual Fernacre employee summer picnic, or as Bree saw it, a battlefield ripe for the carnage her impish soul apparently craved. Scarce an hour the two of them had been there, and she’d already knocked over a pitcher of Lemonade, bitten another child who had bumped into her, squirted tomato sauce all down her front, and managed to get a lollipop stuck in her hair. This was to say nothing of the tantrum on the car ride about not being able to see the clouds (it being a hot, blue day and there being no clouds), and several outbursts of language he was more than grateful Claire had not been present to overhear. Nine days out of ten, Bree’s heartbreaking sweetness outweighed the net destruction (though there was plenty of the latter in any given day, and no mistake); but there would be a full moon brewing in the sky this evening, certainly, for Brianna Fraser had come out IN FORCE.

“Really, though, she’ll grow out of it,” Tom said with a veteran’s confidence. “Our Rob was just the same at that age. It’s your first kiddo’s job to put you through the wringer. It’s in their contract and everything!” His wink went suddenly sideways as both brows furrowed over his Sunglasses. “Speaking of which, Claire’s okay, I hope?”

“Oh, aye, she’s well enough,” Jamie assured him, taking what restorative strength he could from the watery excuse for a draught. “The babe kept her up all through the night, and she didna think she could manage being out the heat, besides.”

“Don’t blame her one bit.” He wiped sweat from his forehead before adding significantly, “Not long, now, huh?”

“No,” he grinned back, “not long at all.”

Earlier that morning

“Will you absolutely hate me if I stay in bed today?”

“Of course not, mo nighean donn,” He tucked the covers more securely around her and then stood, looking around to see what he might bring her.

“Would it be pressing my good luck to beg you to take the monster with you?”

He kissed her, then Ian. “...Which one?”

“Oh, I'd happily give you BOTH, if I could!” She rubbed her now-still belly ruefully and winced a bit. “Jesus H. Roosevelt Christ, little one, you have got to give Mummy a BREAK when she’s trying to sleep. We can’t keep having these midnight drill parades!”

A whinnying horse galloped into the room and catapulted herself onto the bed next to Claire. “Mum-ma, you comin’?”

“No, lovey,” Claire said, pulling Bree close into a great, warm hug. “Mummy’s going to stay here and take a nap.”

“Nappin’ isna FUN!”

“Oh, it’s LOADS of fun for me! But you and Daddy will go and have a lovely time at the picnic, just the two of you.”

Bree grumbled for a minute, then brightened. “Can’see iffee’s ‘wake? If Beeyin’s ‘wake?”

Claire smiled that warm, sweet smile he loved so well. She pulled up the hem of her nightshirt from under the blankets, patiently letting Bree inspect the whole expanse of her with exuberant pats.

After a few moments, Bree glowered up and whispered in a confidential yell, “I dinna heer’im.”

“I don’t feel him ei—Oh! There he is!”

Bree shrieked in delight, dissolving into insane giggles as she poked the heaving mass back to and fro. At such a degree of intensity, it was rather like the game Jamie had seen the Fair where you clubbed the stuffed groundhog with a mallet only to have another pop up on the other side. ‘Clubbed’ indeed, for Claire was obliged to grab Bree’s hands and croon, “Gently, Bree, baby, *gently*...”

After a long, peaceful while, Claire happened to glance up and catch his expression. She was a canny one, his wife, and she gave him a gimlet eye at once. “And just what are you smirking at like a cat in the cream?”

In truth, he WAS grinning, so widely he must have looked positively deranged. “You. are. SO. BIG.”

“You ARSE,” she laughed, managing to land him a kick in the belly even through the blankets.

“Ye ARE! I mean, LOOK!” He came to sit on the edge of the bed and joined Bree in outlining just how massive she was. “Big as a—a—”

“A HOUSE!” Bree finished helpfully, “or A ‘POTTAMUS!”

“I do hope wee Ian comes out a fair shade more polite and complimentary than YOU lot,” Claire said, splitting a glare between the pair of them.

“And just think, you’ve *two weeks more,* forbye.”

“One and a half, thank you very much,” she corrected primly.

“But let’s just stop and consider.” He raised a significant brow. “Should wee Ian see fit to bide his time…”

“Don't EVEN suggest it.”

“....It could be THREE weeks more...” He was having trouble speaking normally through the bubbling laughter. “....or even FOUR, until—”

“You wish four more weeks upon me, Jamie Fraser, and I will make you wish otherwise.”

Bree turned her coat in a flash. “Don’ wisp that at Mum-ma, Da.”

“Oh, verra well, if ye say so,” he said, mock-abashed, with a wink at his wife. Glancing at his watch, he groaned and straightened with a yawn. Claire’s tossing and turning in the night from Ian’s acrobatics hadn’t done him any favors, either. “Alright, a leannan, let’s see to your clothes and get along to the picnic.”

“You really do delight in seeing me as huge as a beached whale, don't you?” Claire asked sardonically as Bree scurried from the room, cheering.

“Aye, I do,” he admitted freely, wrapping both his arms around her and nuzzling his nose against hers. “Truly one of the happiest sights I’ve ever seen.”

In the cave, he had many a time wondered—longingly—what Claire might look like at the time of her full term; and what he had imagined paled in comparison. She was full and lush in every single inch of her. Hair thick and glossy. Skin softly glowing like sunlight on a flower petal. Whisky eyes seeming to sparkle with the same light, heavy with a soft, sleepy happiness. Claire was absolutely exquisite in this height of her bearing, and he would happily spend all his days glorying in the memory of her, this way.

“I never imagined...” He bent and laid a kiss on her straining navel, reflecting that spending a fair number of those days in good fun and laughter would *also* be greatly rewarding. “...that anyone could get even bigger wi’ child than JENNY.”

“Bree!” Claire shouted, swatting him with a pillow as he lunged up to kiss her cheeks and neck ferociously, “tell your Da to take his imagination and shove it up his—”

A crash sounded from the other room, followed by a ‘whoops-eeee’, which, in retrospect, had not boded well for the rest of the day

“MISTER FRASER!!!”

His head whipped around so fast he heard his neck crack.

She was on the top rung of the fence separating the yard from the adjacent pasture, and he felt his heart stop as she fell from it headfirst.

The next moments as he sprinted toward her seemed to pass as slowly as in a dream. He could hear shouts and cries behind him, but he didn’t stop for an instant until he was vaulting over the fence and snatching her up off her back. He didn’t remember what words he may have uttered, or in what language, but a few moments later, he was exhaling in great gasps of relief seeing that she was conscious and not injured, just badly scared with the breath knocked out of her.

Dazed, she began to cry with great long wails that drove away the two mares that had come to investigate the visitor to their pasture. Thank the Lord she hadn’t chosen the next paddock over, where the true brawlers were kept.

“You’re alright?” he demanded once more as he got back to the right side of the fence, vaguely aware he was speaking in Gaelic. “You’re not hurt?”

She coughed and gasped for breath, considered, then showed him, lips trembling, a slightly-red patch on the fleshy part of her palm.

He laid a fervent kiss in her hand—silently praising heaven she hadn’t broken the wrist, for all that she was still crying like a banshee—and then could contain himself no longer.

“What did I say about climbing?” His teeth were gritted tight and his hands were shaking even as they strove to remain gentle. “AND about wandering off??”

“I din’knowww,” she wailed, hearing his tone and trying to hide her face in his chest.

“Ye DO know.” He pulled her up and made her look at him. “Brianna Ellen, ye must listen to what I say! Don’t ye understand ye could have gotten very badly hurt? Lass, look at me.”

She was sobbing, now, working herself up into hysterics. “C—can—na—”

“Why not?”

“Cause—mad—dit—m—meee—”

He went completely still at that. Closing his eyes, he took a deep, deep breath.

Help me, Da.

With gestures and apologetic looks, he shooed the well-meaning onlookers back to their picnic and made for the big oak tree in the opposite corner of the yard. It was well-shaded, and he sat down against the trunk, holding his daughter to his chest as she sobbed against his shoulder.

Thank God she wasn’t hurt. Thank GOD.

“Bree, cub?” The walk had calmed him, and he was glad to hear his voice was gentle and soft. “Look at me, aye?”

After a moment, she glanced timidly up (face red as an apple and covered in liquids of all description) and he smiled at her, stroking her cheek and her hair. “I’m here, a leannan. It’s just me...just Da... I love you.”

“Love—” she hiccuped through her tears, “—too.”

He kissed her and held her close for a minute before setting her on his legs facing him and saying gravely, “But ye made me verra afraid today, a chuisle. Ye disobeyed and could have hurt yourself.”

“I did’nint mean to,” she said, rubbing her eyes.

“Aye, I ken ye didna mean to get hurt,” he said, gently pulling her fists away from her face, “but ye meant to be climbing the fence, even after I told ye not.”

“...It was fun, though,” she offered with a shrug, voice tremulously defiant.

“Aye, well...”

Come on, Da.... How would ye have explained this to me?

A shrill whinny sounded in the distance, then another, and Jamie glanced around to see the two sorrel foals playing together in the south pasture, teasing and prancing about one another.

He smiled and felt peace whispering through the grasses. Until the day break, and the shadows flee away.

“Ye ken, when wee Ian is born, Bree, he’s going to grow up fast. Before long, he’ll be as big as you and running about on his own! And you’ll want your wee brother to be safe, aye?”

She straightened at that, no longer crying. Bairn safety was no small matter, in her book. She nodded.

“Say there were something like a great, nasty snake crawling about in the grass about to bite your brother on the foot.....Would ye just stand by and let him be hurt?”

Brianna looked up at him in absolute affront. “NO, I’d kill��dat snake!”

He very nearly choked, but managed to keep a moderately straight face. Call upon a Fraser, and a Fraser ye shall get, he supposed; but he cleared his throat and plunged on, determined to make his point. “But what if wee Ian didna understand the beast was dangerous? What if he went running to the snake because he thought it would be fun to play wi’ it?”

“Well...I jus’tell him not.”

“Aye, just so,” he said, “because we have to protect the people we love, d’ye see?”

“Uh-huh.” She was staring up at him, rapt but not quite understanding.

“So when I tell ye not to do things like climb the fence, mo chridhe, it’s only to keep ye safe, to keep ye getting hurt because I love you so. And when the bairn comes, it’ll be your job to keep him safe, too.”

She nodded emphatically. “I’ll do him safe, Da, promise.”

“But that means ye have to keep yourself safe, as well. Elder sisters have to be the best at obeying Mam and Da so the smaller bairns ken what’s the right way of things. Can ye do that?”

“Aye,” she said at once. “I’ll ‘bey.”

For precisely sixty seconds out of every hour, he predicted.

“Hear me, though, Bree: the next time ye disobey like ye did today, I shall have to strap ye. I dinna want to do it, not one bit, but it’s how you’ll learn. Are we understood?

“....What’s s-tuh-rap?”

“Getting smacked hard on the bottom wi’ a belt.”

“Hard?” she clarified, shocked.

“Aye, hard enough that it hurts.”

“But ye said—” She scrunched up her face and gestured with both hands. “NOT do things to KEEP me of getting hurted....”

A Dhia, Da, he laughed silently, how by all the saints did ye raise three—

“JAMIE!!”

His head snapped up and he saw Marian rushing down from the house, beckoning wildly, with a look of—

“Da—ddy—” Bree gasped out from where she bounced against his shoulder. “Why we runnin’?”

His heart was pounding.

“Because your brother has decided he’s going to arrive early.”

#;mod bonnie #Flood my mornings

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ceremoany · 7 years

Photo

Nesta has trouble with skin to skin contact after her previous relationship with Tomas Mandray. Cassian is letting her work through it in her own way.

I lean my forehead on his bare chest and exhale. He must be siphoning heat directly from the sun. I push through the shame and embarrassment to say what I cannot lie to myself about any longer.

“I want to touch you.” I whisper. “So badly.”

“Touch me, Nesta. Please.” He replies like he's been waiting to tell me these words since he came into this universe and he must say them now before I disappear. “But you can’t…” I shake my head a bit, forehead still touching his chest. I do not want to say it aloud again. “I know.” I lift my head and gaze at him through my lashes. He is so sure but I still ask again. “Really?” I whisper. I should be scared to push my limits and risk resurrecting the memories I bury daily. I should be, but excitement pricks at my veins like a nurse eager to move onto the next patient. “I’ll keep my hands to myself. I swear to you Nesta.” He looks me like I'm made of feathers and I want to show him I'm a Phoenix. “I want you to feel me.” His hands are shaking by his side and I want to hold them against the rose petals that his presence places on my cheeks. Instead I take advantage of this moment, so fragile and fleeting. I will my hands to be steady for him as I lift them to his neck. His heat greets me like I've just walked in from a cold winter night and I'm melting, melting, melting. I feel his pulse vibrating against my hands, so sure of itself, it's purpose. I slowly let my hands drift upwards, over the sharp edge of his jaw and onto the smooth cushion of his cheeks. My thumbs graze atop the apples of his cheeks and his eyes flutter shut, long black lashes now laying on my fingers. They feel like butterfly kisses. I run my hands up still, flitting past his cheekbones, my thumbs running against his temples until my hands are in his thick black hair. It swallows my pale flesh and I move against the softness of it. Cassian moans softly and I'm not breathing and all I want is to hear it again. My fingernails scratch his scalp gently and he lets out another soft moan. I'm already tucking his noises away into my mind to remember forever. I make a noise in surprise and he looks at me. His eyes are sleepy and content and in this moment he looks like a fallen angel. The sides of his lips quirk up at me and I feel like that might be his way of bestowing blessings. I wonder...

I grab a fist of hair and gently tug so his head falls back a little. His hands twitch at his side's but I fulfill what they seek and move closer to him. We're on our knees and our thighs are touching and every inch of his skin on me feels like it's singing my name like a Siren. Closer! Closer! Closer!

He swallows and I set my eyes on his pulse like a target. I can feel the heat before my lips met it. I feel it bashing itself against my lips and I open to greet it. My teeth graze his throat before I lick him like he did to me all those months ago. I hope he feels a fraction of what I did but I can tell by the way his chest is rising and falling that he does. I close my lips around his skin, sucking on it slightly. I earn another moan from him and greedily slip it into that pocket in my mind. “Oh gods.” I say against his throat. I press my stomach against his and I think my heart stops. There's a hard length pressing up against my stomach and I ignite. Whatever band of self control that I've weaved through my actions of this morning have snapped. I press my stomach against his hard cock with more pressure this time and my head falls down on his neck. I sink my teeth into the soft brown flesh before I lose anymore control and start writhing against him. “Fuck.” He groans. I let the skin of his neck lose and start lapping my tongue over the indentions I've left. "You're doing so well, Nesta.” My heart hums with his praise. My hand leave his hair and the left side of his neck and I don't know where they're going but anywhere on him is a good place to be. My hands falls under the hem of his shirt and I'm feeling his stomach, chest and never forgetting how close that band of his underwear is. I detach from his neck and look down at the contrast of our skin together. We compliment each other well. The golden brown of his skin making the soft pink of mine stand out. The moonlit colour I am making his tone all the warmer. We are dusk and midnight. My fingernails dig into his chest, leaving my mark of crescent moons on his horizon. My eyes gaze at his face and I'm surprised to see his cheeks are full of colour, as if he's stolen his rose petals back from me. Even his nose is tipped in pink. His lips are wet as if he can't stop picking them and I can't help myself. My lips meet his and it's unlike anything I've ever known. So different from that kiss he gave me on the battlefield. That kiss was layered with grief of what could have been. In this moment I am sure that this is the next life he promised me and this kiss is hope. He tastes like sugar and cream and the combination is driving me crazy. I want more. His full lips part as he draws in a gasp. I make quick work of this. I kiss his top lip and his bottom lip before he realizes what's happening and presses against me. My lips part for him and his tongue finds its way into my mouth and I feel like I'm drowning and I never want to come up to the surface. He's breathing like he's going crazy and I can't even imagine what I sound like but the noises that escape his lips take priority in my brain. He sucks my tongue into his mouth and I whimper as he lets go. I'm kissing him and my heart is beating so fast I can't tell if I'm imagining the black spots blooming behind my eyelids. He pulls back from me and I feel like I've been yanked up to the surface by the back of my neck. His eyes are lit up and he's smiling like a child in a candy shop. “No, no, more…” I whisper. There's force in my words and I know I'm being selfish but in this moment my body cannot let him go. “Nesta... Babe… You do realize where your hand is, right?” Embarrassment cracks through my desire and I am alert of my right hand in-between my thighs, my fingers dipped inside my folds like a honey pot. “Oh my god, I'm so sorry-“ He peppers my cheeks and lips and nose and forehead and jaw and eyelids with kisses before I can say anything more. “I want you to feel good.” He says in a low tone. There's something about it that vibrates my bones. “I…” He places another kiss on my lips and I'm still mortified. “Shhh. Keep your hand there. Do you like the way you’re making yourself feel?” “Yes..." “Keep moving your fingers, Nesta.” I slip my fingers back into my folds. My eyes flutter shut and my head dips down as I find that bundle of nerves at the apex of my thighs. I run a finger around it slowly. I cannot believe this happening. Cassian is watching me touch myself and every circle I make makes my breath come faster. “I can smell how wet you are. God's, Nesta, you smell so good. How do you taste?” My hand slows but does not stop as I look at him with wonder in my eyes. “I don't... I've never…” His gaze is deep and urgent, his cheeks riddled with more rose petals. “I bet you taste like magic.” My heart skips a beat as I get an idea. I grip onto his thick upper arm with my free hand and I move my fingers around my clit once more before I dip a finger into my hole. My lips part as a moan escapes me. My fingernails grip into his arm and I begin pumping my finger faster. It feels like heaven and I can see stars flying across the back of my eyelids. I dip another finger inside the deep wetness and curse against his chest. It hurts and I can feel myself throbbing against my fingers but I want him to know. I want to know. I slowly remove my fingers from myself and lift them carefully from my underwear and up to my face. They're soaked with a milky sheen of liquid and my heart is galloping as I open my mouth and suck on my fingers. Cassian's whole body twitches and his hand fly's to his hard length still pressed against me. I roll my tongue over them, keeping my lips partially open. It's sweet and salty and unlike anything I ever imagined. I close my lips around my fingers as I pull them from my mouth. “Why don't you find out?” “Cauldron be damned, woman.” His lips crash into mine with force and need and his tongue laps at the inside of my mouth. The sheer intimacy of what we're doing is making the heat in my belly burn hotter. He parts from me and presses his forehead against mine. His breathing is heavy and his lips are swollen like clouds. “You, Nesta Archeron, do not just taste like magic. You are magic.” My heart contracts and expands and I'm smiling at him like we're the only two left on the planet and I've finally found him. “What do you taste like, Cassian?” His brows lift before my smile becomes contagious. His teeth are so bright that they shine and I want to memorize the angle in which his lips lift when he smiles and the the way his tongue presses against the back of his teeth. He squeezes his length from outside of his underwear. My blood is screaming, Yes! He flips the band down and I can see the head of his cock. It's wet and shining in the morning glow coming in rays through my window. His stomach flexes gently and another bead of clear liquid escapes from his slit. He runs his finger over the drop and across his head before lifting his finger to his mouth which is already half open. He wipes his liquid on the pad of his tongue and I moan just watching him. I cannot believe what I'm seeing and I blink harshly to make sure this isn't just a fever dream. His liquid glistens on his tongue and I lean into him. I kiss the smooth surface with my lips. I lean back and look into his eyes before I lick the moisture from my lips. He's watching me so intently I'm sure that the world could be burning around us and his gaze would not falter. He tastes like water and something else I can't place, all I know is that I want more. I can't stop biting my lower lip. “Hm?” he ponders. “Have you done that before?” I ask too breathlessly to be flirty. “Everyone should know what they taste like. Did you like how you tasted, babe?” “Yes.” I nod. “And did you like the way I tasted?” “Yes!” I squeak out. More rose petals fall upon my cheeks. They keep falling and coat my collar bones and the tops of my breasts. His lips find mine once again and he's saying a million different things at once, combinations of “you're so beautiful” and “you are what I was made for” and I wish I could to recite him how I feel as well but my breath is nowhere to be found. My fingers are knotted his his hair and I can't pull his face close enough to me. I can feel him leaking onto my stomach through my shirt and it sends my body into the most wicked tailspin. I can't believe I'm responsible for making Cassian feel this way. This man, Commander of Armies, God in his own right, is reacting to my body this way, my taste. And his hands aren't even touching me. We are a mess of moans and whimpers and “oh, gods” and it sounds like church hymns in my ears.

“Do you want to touch yourself, Nesta?” He says to me and my hand clumsily untangles itself from his head of hair and I slide my fingers into my waistband. His laugh sounds like honey. “Do you want to touch yourself too, Cassian?” He looks down at the wet stain on my stomach and another bead of moisture drips from him. “If you're okay with it, and only then.” My eyes prickle with tears at his words. Nothing but honestly and love coat them and I want to wrap myself around him and spend the rest of my forever that way. “Please. I... I want to watch you. I've never seen…” I say. He kisses the bridge of my nose and my Cupid's bow. I mirror his kisses and he pulls his boxers down to his knees slowly, as if he's afraid I'm a deer and he'll startle me away. His hair falls in his face and he looks down at his hard length. He looks at me through the black tangles but my eyes won't budge. He lifts his siphon topped hand to his base and squeezes. His cock twitches upwards and he runs his fingers down it until he reaches the tip and rolls his arm back. I'm transfixed on his movements. The way his ragged breaths come in time with his strokes makes me knees give out. “I’m fine, I'm fine!” I can stay before he stops, my eyes still on his hand wrapped around himself. He huffs out a laugh. I’m kneeling and the backs of my thighs are on top of my calves. I don't even try to right myself. I'm eye level with his stomach and my hair brushes his arm as he pumps himself. He's groaning my name and I'm lost. The world is fuzzy. I push my fingers deeper into my underwear and warmness greets me. My underwear are soaked through and the skin around my cunt is slick with moisture. I slip a two fingers inside myself and cry out. I reach my other hand in my underwear and start brushing my index finger over my clit. I think Cassian says something to me but it's too hard to pay attention to anything. I lean my forehead into the side of his stomach and I feel him go taunt and loose at once. I know he wants to touch me. I want him to touch me but I have to be stronger for him, for myself, before I can let that happen. I want nothing more than for him to touch me like I'm touching myself. I give his side a kiss as I open my eyes and continue watching him. He reaches under his cock to cup his balls and gently squeezes them. I moan at the sight of him. He must be what sculptors aim for when they carve old Gods. I pump my fingers faster and rub my clit with more intensity. The heat set low in my stomach is almost unbearable now. I right myself on my knees and draw my fingers out of myself and wrap my arm around Cassian's neck to steady myself. My wet fingers make their way to his mouth and he sucks them completely clean, biting them when he's done. I press my face into his neck and move my fingers faster over that tiny bundle of nerves. I lick and suck and bite and I want to eat him alive. “Cassian,” I moan. “I feel…” I cannot describe what I feel. I'm building towards something every time I brush my clit. I'm shaking and my thighs are tightening and my breathing is labored from forgetting to inhale and exhale for periods of time.

He lifts his head up to me and stares at the roses he gave me. “So unbelievably beautiful.”

I wrap my free hand back into his hair and I tug his head back down to mine. I can feel the vibrations from him stroking himself. I can feel his gaze as my eyes flutter shut and I'm whispering his name between moans. He kisses the tops of cheeks and down towards his jawline until he finds the shape of my ear. He runs his tongue up the pointed length and whispers. “Release, love.” I do exactly as he says. A hot wave of pleasure rolls over me and my hips jerk towards my hand. This is everything. I feel like I'm living in a dream. A flare of black blooms behind my lids again and I have to steady myself by gripping Cassian with as much strength as I can give as my high rushes through my limbs. I don't even realizing I'm biting Cassian's neck until he nuzzles his face into where my neck meets my shoulder. My hair creates a barrier between his face and my skin. I can feel his hot pants through it. Ripples of my high are washing against me while I continue slowly rolling my hips towards my hand. Cassian's body goes ridged and I know this is his ending. The last of my orgasm feels like a warm fur blanket wrapping itself around my senses. I release his skin from between my teeth and whisper to him with my lips never leaving his wet neck. “My love.” He growls into my hair and it vibrates my entire being, sending a last wave of pleasure through me as I feel the hot come seep out of his cock and into my top. He's panting and shaking and moaning something.

Nesta, Nesta, Nesta.

He says it like it means ‘Amen.’ His voice is raw and I know in that moment that this is his most vulnerable.

He slumps against me after his body is spent and I free my hand from my underwear, release my other hand from his hair and wrap my arms under his and around his torso.

”Hold me.” I say. And he does.

#nessian #nesta archeron #cassian #smut #acotar #acomaf #acowar #a court of thorns and roses #a court of mist and fury #a court of wings and embers #a court of wings and ruin #wings and embers #SJM #sjmaas #sarah j maas #fanfic #fanfiction #fic #mine

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