#oh gee if only there was a kind of submission that was about letting yourself get taken care of

[grandwretch]

oh God another day another violent urge to scream "what kind of kink you like is not a beholden to a certain personality type" while whacking people with an empty plastic bottle

#oh u don't think that character would want to give up agency #oh gee if only there was a kind of submission that was about letting yourself get taken care of #if only service doms were a thing #Oh WAIT #tired of this 'oh they don't experience kink the same way I do so it must not be in character' shit #also u don't think a character who never had a parental presence wouldn't enjoy having clear and defined rules from someone they trust ? #you think they wouldn't appreciate not having to make decisions for once? #I can promise you the venn diagram of ppl who were parentified kids and ppl who are subs is very nearly a circle

[justthehiddleswrites]

Follow My Lead | Tom Hiddleston x OFC | Chapter 12 | He calls his girlfriend ‘ma’am’! That’s not normal.

A/N: This will update every Thursday.  There are 13 chapters.  There are all sorts of kinds of D/s relationships.  This is the one I choose to write this time.  Just one more chapter, peeps!!

MASTERLIST HERE

Pairing: Tom Hiddleston x OFC (Vivian Swann)

Summary: Tom and Vivian have both been unlucky in love, searching for something outside of the bounds of a typical relationship.  When the two of them connect via a dating app, Tom is introduced to the idea of being submissive to Vivian.  Which is the one thing he never knew he needed.  Under the firm hand of Vivian, Tom learns what it means to submit and Vivian learns what it means to be in a loving dominant relationship.  But not everyone seems to understand what they have and the best intentions can destroy the strongest relationship.

This Chapter: Benedict confronts Tom and Vivian about their relationship and it does not go as planned.  

Warnings for story: Dominant/submissive relationship (sub!Tom), lots of smut including but not limited to: vaginal sex, oral sex (male and female receiving), edging, denial, teasing, use of restraints, spanking, multiple orgasm, anal play, use of toys.

Tag Lists Are Open!  Let me know if you want to be added.  Thank you for reading!

--

Vivian headed over a bit early to Ben and Sophie’s rented house. Sophie poured her a glass of wine.

“It’s not like you’re driving home. Live a little.” Vivian took the glass and sipped at it.

“Did Ben say anything to you?

“Not a peep. Which is disconcerting. I don’t like it.”

“Perhaps you need a shorter leash for him.” Vivian quipped.

“Can I borrow one?” Sophie held out her hand and Vivian laughed.

Their heads turned as the front door opened.

“You have been acting weird all day, Benedict, can you just tell what the hell you are up to?” Tom groused as the two of them walked through the front door.

“Darling.” Tom hurried over to Vivian and kissed her cheek. She scratched his neck. “How was your day? I missed you.”

Benedict wandered over to Sophie. “THIS! This is what I am up to!”

Vivian narrowed his eyes. “I thought you handled this.” Her hand slid down Tom’s back, stopping on the small of his back, possessively.

“I thought I had too.” Tom whispered into her ear.

“I got this.” Vivian kissed his cheek. “Sophie…”

Sophie roughly grabbed Benedict’s ear and walked him to a chair, tossing him down.

“OW! Not in front of the guests.” Ben hissed.

“Explain yourself, darling.” Sophie leaned down and hissed in his ear.

“He calls his girlfriend ‘ma’am’! That’s not normal.”

“How did you—” Tom started.

Vivian stepped in front of Tom. “You came into the trailer yesterday.”

Ben’s cheeks blushed. “You were preoccupied. And now the ring. Tom, you barely know her! It’s only been four months! You can’t marry her!”

Tom’s nostrils flared for a moment until he burst into laughter, followed by Vivian and then Sophie.

“Why is everyone laughing?” Ben’s eyes darted around the room at all the people laughing at him.

Sophie smacked the back of his head. “Should I tell him or you, Vivian?”

Vivian glanced back at Tom, “Me or you, darling?”

Tom gestured towards Ben. “You, since he clearly doesn’t listen to me.”

Vivian sighed and walked towards Benedict and Sophie, signaling for Tom to sit next to her. She grabbed Tom’s hand and showed Benedict the ring. “It’s a day collar.”

Ben’s brows furrowed. Sophie squeezed his neck. “You know how we sometimes ‘play’ with me being in control?”

Benedict nodded while Tom’s eyes widened and Vivian smirked. “Yeah.”

“Vivian and Tom do that 24 hours a day, seven days a week.” Sophie added.

“The ring is a symbol of ownership that he is my submissive.” Vivian squeezed Tom’s thigh. “That he is mine.”

“She is mine.” Tom leaned against her. “So I appreciated you backing the fuck off of me. With the comments and what not.”

Sophie smacked Benedict again. “You are so getting punished later for that. This is the happiest Tom has ever been. Why would you tease him about it?”

Benedict mumbled something, Sophie elbowed him. Benedict raised his voice. “I’m sorry, Tom.”

“I’m not the one you need to apologize to.” Tom squeezed Vivian’s hand.

Ben sheepishly faced Vivian. “I’m sorry for questioning your relationship. And for making fun of Tom.”

Vivian chewed on her lip for a moment. “You’re forgiven. On the condition, Sophie punishes you.”

“With pleasure.” Sophie piped up.

Vivian pressed his hands against the table. “Now that we settled things, let’s eat. I’m sure the two of you are famished. All those jumping to conclusions.” Vivian raised a knowing eyebrow at Ben.

“I’m never living this down am I?”

“Not a chance.” Sophie offered. “Vivian, let’s get the food. Can we trust the two of you to not end civilization in the meantime?”

“Yes ma’am.” Both Tom and Benedict answered in unison.

Once Vivian and Sophie disappeared from view, Benedict leaned over the table.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Ben hissed, rubbing his temple. “Now we are both in trouble.”

“Gee, Ben, I don’t know why I didn’t tell something so deep and personal like I am submissive in my relationship. Because you were so understanding and supportive.”

“Touche.” Ben conceded. “I have been rather abominable. I only wanted the best for you. You’ve been hurt so many times before.”

“Your heart was in the right place, I will give you that. Vivian is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Trust me.”

“You do seem at ease.”

“I am. So no more worrying about me. That is what Vivian is for.”

They both laughed. Vivian and Sophie came back with the food.

“Oh good, the two of you have made amends.” Vivian quipped.

“It’s hard to stay mad at that face.” Tom gestured across the table with a smile.

“Indeed.” Sophie rubbed Ben’s shoulder. “So Vivian and I were talking about your punishments.”

Tom and Ben paled.

-

The rest of dinner went well. Ben asked several questions with Sophie joining in. Tom and Vivian did their best to answer. Tom asked Ben and Sophie questions in turn.

“How long have you—”

“—Played?” Sophie interjected. “What, three years?”

Ben nodded. “Almost three years.”

“Wow.” Tom leaned back. “I had no idea.”

Benedict blushed. “Well outside being sore the next day, you wouldn’t?”

Tom’s eyes narrowed. “Is that why you were so distracted the other day?”

Ben shrugged his shoulders. “Guilty.”

“You think you know a person…” Vivian giggled against her wineglass.

After finishing dinner, the couples said their goodbyes. Sophie was leaving in a few days while Vivian still had another week of vacation. Tom smiled and bopped along to the radio as the Uber took them home. Tom turned to Vivian.

“I’m glad that is all sorted.”

“Hm..” Vivian hummed.

“You never mentioned my punishment?” Tom fiddled with his hands.

“I didn’t, did I?” Vivian raised an eyebrow. She closed her eyes and leaned against Tom. Her lips teased into a smile. Tom gulped but said nothing.

They entered the dark house and Vivian shot Tom a raised eyebrow. He proceeded to the bedroom. By the time she reached there, Tom was naked and standing in the middle of the room. Vivian grabbed the collar and latched it around his neck.

“I realized I have been going soft on you, sunshine.” She circled him. Her nail trailed down his arm.

“Yes, ma’am.” Tom shifted his feet. He wasn’t sure what to expect.

“Remember our training from when I moved in?” Vivian growled into Tom’s ear. Tom nodded. She swatted his ass. “Use your words.”

“Yes, ma’am.” His eyes followed her around the room. Edging is not Tom’s favorite.

“It will only be for the week while I’m here to start. Lie on the bed.” Tom crawled onto the bed, fighting off a grumble.

“Are you complaining?” She tilted her head to spy at him. “Because I can make this more difficult. Perhaps introduce you to a cage.”

“As you wish, ma’am.” Tom hissed out.

“That’s my good boy.” She leaned over him. Vivian scratched his thigh. “Let’s get you prepared.”

Vivian untied the scarf from the bedframe and pulled Tom’s hands above his head before tying them together.

“That should hold you. No cumming. You tell me when you are close.” Her hand moved closer and her fingers trailed up and down his cock.

Tom shuddered at the soft touch. “Yes, ma’am.”

Vivian kissed his lips softly, barely touching them before turning and walking away. She made her way to the dresser at the other end of the room. Tom’s eyes followed her the entire way. She shucked off her shirt, revealing a lacy bra. Tom’s cock appreciated the view.

Vivian turned in place and shimmied out her jeans, taking her time to place them in the hamper. She made a show of bending over to pick up her clothes. Tom wiggled on the bed, scooting around with his legs. Vivian spun around and Tom froze, mid-scoot.

“Last warning, stay still or you will be punished.”

Tom slumped. “Yes, ma’am.”

She grabbed a bottle of lube. Vivian climbed onto the bed next to him. She dripped a generous amount of lube on Tom’s already half-hard cock. “Look at you, darling.” Her fingers light as feathers against his thigh. “You are so responsive, baby.” His cock twitched.

Vivian pressed against his side, one hand trailing up his legs and the other scratching his chest. “You are my baby, sunshine.” Vivian’s lips ghosted across Tom’s ear. “My precious boy.” Her hand curled around his shaft, squeezing with a firm grip. “And this is mine, my cock, for my pleasure.” She jerked him and continued to tug with a firm grip.

Tom let loose a ragged breath and flattened his feet against the mattress.

“Yes, ma’am.” He let a loud groan from his lips. “Please.”

Vivian kissed along Tom’s chin and neck while continuing to jerk and tug him. Her hand slipping over smoothly because of the lube.

“I… I’m…” Tom gasped. Vivian removed her hand and leaned away.

“Good boy.” Vivian praised, rubbing Tom’s arm. “Good job telling me.”

Tom steadied his breath and Vivian lightly touched him again. When she was ready, Vivian gripped him again and tugged. This continued for about three or four more times, stopping each time before Tom came. Vivian stopped and kissed Tom’s cheek. “You are such a good boy for me, sunshine. You did so well.” She untied his hands and rubbed his wrists.

Sweat beaded on Tom’s brow. “Thank you, ma’am.”

“I’ll go get a flannel to clean you up and then let’s go to bed.”

Vivian returned with a warm wet flannel and had Tom clean himself up under her watchful eye before taking it back to the bathroom and changing into pajamas. Tom rose to get dressed.

“What do you think you are doing, sunshine?” Vivian stopped in the doorway between the bedroom and bathroom.

“Getting pajamas, ma’am.” Tom raised his eyebrows.

“Not anymore. From now on, you only sleep in the nude.”

Tom’s hand dropped to his side, and he returned to the bed. “Yes, ma’am.” he whispered.

“Goodnight, Tom. I love you.”

Tom leaned over to kiss her. “I love you too.” He snuggled into her embrace and drifted off to sleep.

-

Tom woke the next morning to Vivian’s hand on his cock.

“That is some wake up call, ma’am.”

You remember, sunshine. Quick session in the morning, longer one in evening and a really long one on the weekend.”

He was already close and gripped the sheets.

“I…” Vivian stopped and smirked, pleased at how quickly Tom reached his edge. He exhaled sharply. “I… remember.”

“Good boy.” Vivian sucked on his neck. “Because you are going to have to do this to yourself and report back to me once I leave when I tell you to.”

Tom’s eyes widened. “Wha…” He cut himself off with a groan as Vivian stroked him again. “Ah! Yes! Please!” Tom whimpered through gritted teeth.

Vivian released him two more times until Tom was panting.

“You are the best boy for me, sunshine. Let’s go shower together and you can take care of me.”

Tom groaned and nodded and slowly followed her to the bathroom.

Tom fingered Vivian to orgasm in the shower, sucking on her nipples while she leaned against the tile. She finished up with taking care to wash Tom’s body. She wrapped herself into a robe while Tom dressed for the day.

“Break a leg, sunshine.” She kissed him before he left for the set.

-

This routine continued for the next several days. Tom ached for release but wasn’t ready yet to beg for it. Once again, he was soiling the sheets as he leaked. Tom came home later that evening to find Vivian cooking in the kitchen. Seeing her in the apron brought a smile to Tom’s face. He snuck up behind her to kiss her neck.

“Smells delicious.” Tom muttered against her neck.

“Go take a seat and I’ll bring it out to you.” Vivian reached back and caressed his cheek.

“Thank you, ma’am.” He left to sit at the table.

Vivian finished up dinner and served up two portions before heading into the dining area. Tom licked his lips when she set the plate down. He tucked in. Vivian just gazed over at him.

“I love how much you love food, sunshine.” She smiled.

Tom wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I love your food.” He added.

“You’re too kind, sunshine.” She started eating her own plate.

Tom ended up getting seconds and then clearing the dishes. They settled onto the couch watching a movie. Vivian teased Tom throughout the movie, not wanting to rile him up too much before bedtime. Tom whimpered and moaned but complied with Vivian’s instructions. But it was no simple task.

“You don’t want to beg, sunshine? I’m leaving on Monday.” Vivian teased as they slipped between the covers.

“Not yet.” Tom smirked.

“Challenge accepted.”

Tom regretted his words as tomorrow was Saturday. No hiding behind work.

-

Tom woke late on Saturday morning to find Vivian’s side of the bed empty. He ducked his head into the bathroom and then the living room to find her in the kitchen, finishing up her coffee.

“Oh good, you’re up.” She set her coffee cup in the sink. “I made you breakfast, eat up and then meet me in the living room.”

Tom moved to grab the plate of food on the counter. Vivian dragged her fingertips across his hips. “Don’t keep me waiting too long, sunshine.”

Tom gulped and watched her walk away. He ate even faster than usual, certain he would have a stomach ache later. Which was preferable to any punishment Vivian would dole out. When he stepped into the room, he stopped in his tracks to find Vivian sprawled naked on the couch, playing with herself. Her fingers dipped between her legs while her other hand squeezed one of her breasts.

“I got bored.” She commented lazily. “Sit.” Vivian stopped what she was doing and gestured to a chair.

Tom nodded and sat, the fabric rough on his bare skin. His pajamas becoming a memory at this point.

“Make yourself hard.” Vivian ordered, sitting up to watch.

“I beg your—”

“I was going to let you cum today, but if you can’t follow a simple instruction—”

“No!” Tom waved his hands at her. “I can be good! Please! Please! I can do it. Please let me cum! Please, I need to cum.” He pleaded, his eyes wide in panic.

Vivian grabbed his play collar and snapped it around his neck. “That’s my sunshine boy. I knew you would beg. Now.. make yourself hard.” She returned to her spot on the couch. Tom noticed a bottle of lube among some other items on the table. He opened it up and squirted some into his hand. He stroked himself with a firm grip.

“Ah…” Tom moaned as he grew hard in his hand.

“That’s it, baby, make my cock nice and hard.”

Tom’s head lolled back as he could sense his release coming closer and closer. It wouldn’t take much.

“Stop!” Vivian called out. Tom’s eyes snapped open. His hand slowed and then stopped. “I said make yourself hard. Did I say you could cum yet?”

“No ma’am.” Tom realized his mistake.

Vivian walked towards him and straddle his hips. She tugged his head by the collar. “You will sit still. You will not cum until I tell you to.”

Tom nodded quickly, his collar jingling as he did. “Yes, ma’am.”

She sunk slowly on his cock. Tom moaned as she inched down. Vivian held his shoulders for balance.

“Hand that to me.” She pointed to a vibrator on the same table where Tom found the lube. Tom handed it to her with a furrowed brow. “You didn’t think I was going to let you cum inside me, did you?” She traced the sharp line of his chin and pecked his lip. “Silly boy.”

She switched the vibrator on and placed it on her clit. Vivian’s pussy clenched against Tom, who groaned. “Ma’am…”

“You are going to sit there as I come on your cock, Thomas. You will not thrust, buck, or rut into me. Is that understood?”

“Yes, ma’am, but I…”

“What?” Vivian snapped. Her first orgasm was already close.

“But I need to cum.” Tom whined. “Please, ma’am.”

Vivian pressed the vibrator harder against her and she came screaming. She clenched around Tom, who was sweating in an effort to not come.

“Who decides if you come, sunshine?” Vivian panted, removing the vibrator for a moment to calm down.

“You do, ma’am.”

“And whose cum is it?”

“Yours, ma’am.”

She placed the vibrator back against her clit. “Beg for it.”

Tom panicked as he struggled to maintain his composure as Vivian made life even harder by rocking ever so slightly upon his cock. “Please. I want to… I need to cu.. cum. I will be so good if you let me cum, ma’am. I will be the best boy ever. Just please… let me…”

Vivian lifted off of him as she noticed him clenching underneath her thighs, Tom’s balls tightened. She gently pressed her fingertip against the tip of his cock, aiming his ejaculation onto his stomach and chest. Tom slumped into the chair in exhaustion and embarrassment. Vivian lowered back down, her wet lips rubbing along his deflating cock. She swirled her finger along Tom’s stomach and popped it into her finger.

“Aw, baby, look at the mess you made. And you didn’t have permission. You just couldn’t help yourself, could you sunshine?” She stroked his chin and rubbed his neck. Tom’s body was covered in cum and sweat, his face tear stained and red. Tom whimpered. Vivian kissed his lips and cheek.

“It’s okay, baby.” Vivian soothed him, petting his hair. “You can’t help it. It’s okay, I will teach you. You want to go take a bath and clean up?”

Tom nodded his head. Vivian stood up and took his hand. “Come on, sunshine. I’ll go run you a bath and clean you up nice, put on some boxers and eat some food. Does that sound good?”

Tom nodded. “Yes, ma’am. I would like that.” he whispered.

“And then some movies and snuggles?”

“Yes, please.”

Vivian wiped away some of the tear trails and kissed him again. “Okay, sunshine. We’ll do that. Who’s my good boy?”

“I am.”

“Yes you are. Come on.” Vivian grabbed the water bottle off the table and led Tom to the bathroom where she drew a hot bath for him, lowering herself in first before beckoning Tom to join her. She made sure he drank the water once he settled.

“I can’t have you passing out.”

She took great care at lathering up Tom’s torso and legs and rinsing it off before moving to wash Tom’s hair. He sighed and leaned against her. Tom slowly dragged himself to standing and stepped out of the tub, and Vivian toweled him off before grabbing a pair of underwear for Tom to put on. She gently tugged his head down to her by the collar to kiss him.

“Lie down on the couch and I will get some snacks.” Tom quietly shuffled off to the living room. “Pick out some movies!” She called after him, heading to the kitchen.

Vivian was not surprised when Tom dozed off through the movies, sleeping through lunch. She didn’t want to disturb him. One because he needed the rest and two because he looked so peaceful and adorable when he slept. She nudged him awake late that afternoon.

“Thomas, you need to get up. You need to eat, sunshine.”

“Yes, ma’am.” he murmured, eyes still closed.

“Let’s go to eat. You need to get up, sweetie.”

Tom groaned and stretched, blinking to adjust his eyes. “How long have I been sleeping?”

“Several hours.” Vivian responded, rubbing his leg.

Tom shot up. “I wasted the whole day!”

“You did nothing of the sort, sunshine. You needed rest because you work hard. I’m not going anywhere.”

Tom pouted. “But you leave on Monday for home.”

Vivian comforted. “And I can come back and visit again. Now let’s go eat. You must be starving, you missed lunch. I know how much you love to eat.”

Tom’s stomach growled on cue and he blushed. “I guess I could eat.”

Vivian smiled and left to fix her hair and fetch her shoes. She picked a cozy bistro and the two of them snuggled into a small booth in the corner. Vivian was particularly affectionate, kissing and nuzzling Tom’s neck. He kissed back too.

“So when I get back to your—”

“—our home.” Tom corrected her.

Vivian nodded. “Right.”

Tom cupped her cheek. “To quote a wise woman, why are you afraid to take up space in my life?” He kissed as their dessert, well Tom’s dessert, was dropped off.

Vivian chuckled. “I am pretty wise, aren’t I? Remember that home improvement list?”

Tom nodded. “Yes, darling?” His eyes widened. “Would you like to get started on it?”

Vivian smiled. “I am thinking about getting started on updating the kitchen.”

Tom hugged him and kissed her again, oblivious of how his newly acquired ring caught the light in the restaurant or the fact one of the other diners pulled out their phone.

“I think that is a delightful idea, darling. Let me know what you need from me.”

Vivian nodded. “Thank you, darling.”

By the time they finished dessert and got back to Tom’s rented home, both of their phones buzzed with a text from Luke:

Did the two of you get secretly marry behind my back?

Attached was a picture from the restaurant that night posted to social media. Tom’s day collar clearly visible as he kissed Vivian.

“You explain it to him this time, darling.” Vivian ordered.

Tom smiled. “I will, eventually. But right now I would like to show ‘my wife’ how much well I can please her.” Tom wiggled his eyebrows.

Vivian pursed her lips in mock contemplation. “Well I don’t think you are dressed for the occasion, sunshine.”

Tom took off out of the room and returned naked, holding not only his collar but the leash as well.

“Who is my best boy?” Vivian asked, latching the collar around his neck.

“I am, ma’am.” He sighed as she latched the leash onto the o ring in front.

“You are mine.” Vivian purred as she tugged on the leash.

“And you are mine.” Tom repeated.

“Yes I am. Now follow me like a good boy.”

#tom hiddleston #tom hiddleston fanfiction #tom hiddleston fanfic #tom hiddleston x ofc #tom hiddleston imagine #tom hiddleston fluff #tom hiddleston smut #follow my lead

[medeafive]

The BW movie has made me get back into a few old writing projects and one of them is an early medieval AU (talked about it here) set on the border between Christian and pagan territories. It’s nowhere near done but I wanted to share some of it, so here’s the beginning! Enjoy :)

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

He's still not sure whether he drew the short straw or the long straw in this whole thing. She's pretty, that's for sure, red hair and fair skin, small and somehow very round. He hasn't spoken a word with her, however, since she doesn't know their language. All communication with her, her father and her tribe has flown through a blonde woman named Sharon, who has learned their language from a missionary (who was largely unsuccessful but at least not sacrificed to the pagan gods like some before him were rumored to have been).

It's very clear that this is a matter of utmost urgency to them, if the tribal leader is willing to marry off his only daughter and give up their ancestral stele to demonstrate their conversion to Christianity. Of course, it is very unfortunate to be a pagan tribe just at the border to the Christian territories. And then the hordes of soldiers traveling to reclaim the Holy Land and to spread Christianity. Must cause an existential nervousness about whether you are next. Which they eventually would be, no doubt. Better to surrender now mostly on their terms than to be annexed and forced into submission later.

And these are their terms: the daughter of their leader marries the brother of the king (which, fine, whatever Sam wants), they give up their idols and collectively convert to Christianity, and in return nobody comes and invades them. Seems fair. Their offspring will thus rule the eastern tribe while Sam's eventual offspring will succeed the throne. That's the plan at least.

The blonde woman, Sharon, keeps whispering in his bride's ear, probably explaining and translating what the minstrels are singing. Sam, walking next to him, looks very serious. Radomil, the father of the bride, is hard to read, as always, but seems kind of sad, or solemn at least, at selling their ancestral religion for their survival. The bride to be, honestly, he has no idea. She seems fine. A little shy, smiling politely and never ever saying a word. Well, he can't look over his shoulder for too long.

The priest is already waiting in front of the closed doors of the church with the usual questions. If there's one thing they're definitely not, it's related. Sam gives him a stern look, as if that would make him answer more directly. The dowry is read aloud by Sharon, consisting of some land, a substantial amount of silver and the heretic stele which will be destroyed the following day in another symbolic ceremony. He hands the bride a small bag of gold which she will distribute among the needy as soon as Sharon whispers in her ear to do so. The priest steps forward and baptizes her to the name of Natalia, referring to the birth of Christ. They then say their vows, Sharon for Natalia who merely nods. He places the ring on Natalia's right hand and she starts distributing the symbolic coins. Then the church doors finally open.

Sharon does not step with them under the canopy of cloth, because that would really be too much, and so Natalia does not understand a word of the mass and the prayers. She sort of moves her lips along, smiling at him nervously. She's really short, dressed in blue, symbolizing purity but also accentuating her burning red hair. It's probably going to be fine and they're not going to bother each other too much. It's not like they're going to talk a lot. And Sam gets the close relation to the eastern tribe as well as relief from the pressure of the church to spread the faith. In fact, christianizing a whole tribe will increase their standing among the Christian rulers. So they all do what they have to.

When that is all through, the priest gives him the kiss of peace and he turns to Natalia to kiss her rather awkwardly. She smiles at him encouragingly which makes it slightly less bad. The priest pronounces a blessing and then they're through.

Yeah. It's probably going to be fine.

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

It's a lavish feast, of course, becoming of their standing. Natalia, as is now her name, does not speak a word, other than whispering to Sharon to her left. Sharon is going to stay, at least, as lady-in-waiting. Bucky drinks too much, despite Sam's stern looks. There's food and drink and gifts, all broiling together. It takes forever, especially the awkward silence to his left, but then it's over and they leave for the bedchambers. Which is a whole other disaster just waiting to happen.

Somebody tries to snatch Natalia's garter on the way out, which startles her enormously, but he steers her away from that and gives that person a warning look. Sharon ushers her out before he can and the two retreat to the bedchamber, shutting the door more or less in his face, and he is left to wait while they take care of the clothing situation. God. He drinks more wine.

Sam shows up, rather quietly, and takes the glass from him. "No need to panic. Just, whatever you do, don't be yourself."

Bucky snorts. "Gee, thanks. What do you even know?"

"Nothing," Sam admits. Which is a whole other story. "The festivities are not going to end for a while, but I'll go down and write a little. Her father already left. Just don't ruin it, then everything will be fine."

"That seems like circular logic," Bucky argues back, brushing his fingers through his hair. "Yeah, whatever. Go downstairs, if you so desire."

"You do know the dressing and undressing part takes forever," Sam points out, sipping on the stolen wine. "Yes, I will leave you to it. Don't trip on your nerves."

Very helpful indeed. He really dreads this door opening. But also, he just wants to get it over with. Consummate the union or whatever. Be done with it and then figure out an arrangement acceptable to them both. Let Sam deal with the political questions of their relations to the newly christianized tribe. He's done his part. Or almost so.

It still takes an eternity until the door opens and Sharon emerges with some clothes thrown over her arm. She smiles at him politely, as she always does, and disappears without a word. He takes a deep breath and goes inside.

The newly baptized Natalia is sitting on the bed in a white nightgown, loosely fitting, her hair down and curling like crazy. She actually looks comfortable, more so than he feels, that's for sure. She smiles at him invitingly and he remembers she won't understand a word he says. He takes another deep breath and closes the door behind him.

Natalia skirts to the foot of the bed, waiting until he approaches, then pulling him in by his hand to sit on the bed, back to her. Her hands run over his shoulders down his sides, up his chest while she starts nosing his neck, breathing against his skin. He can't help but get goosebumps. She seems so much more sure of this than he does, like she just intuitively knows what to do. Or maybe Sharon told her as well. Who knows, really. He already left the coat outside so she unbuttons his vest with nimble fingers until he is merely in a simple shirt. He virtually can't move, or see her, for that matter. Her hands wander down to his belt. She kisses his neck and down to his shoulder, giving him goosebumps again. All right, maybe this will go better than just not ruining it. He groans when her hand slips into his breeches. Didn't even notice she had already opened his belt. Oh God, this feels good. Oh God. He's already warm all over. Her hand moves very calmly, getting all remaining clothing out of the way. Holy Christ. He must be burning.

She makes a purring, guttural sound right next to his ear, giving him goose bumps again. Her hand keeps stroking his loins and beyond. He's never felt anything like this. Like he's going to boil over, to explode. She edges him on, very purposeful in her movements. He groans loudly, head dropping back, eyes falling closed. Surrendering. And that's when he feels something cold press into his inner thigh.

He jerks, automatically, held in place by her stubborn hand. "If you don't hold still," she hisses into his ear. "I'll cut you and you'll bleed to death."

He almost laughs, utterly delighted by this surreal turn of events. None of this makes any sense. Like a fever dream. "What the hell are you doing? You don't even know the language."

"Yeah, sure," she returns sarcastically, pressing a second knife to his throat. Oh, yeah, she's serious. "Now shut up and listen to me, unless you want to bleed out on the floor."

"What's this supposed to be?" he asks with amusement. Probably too drunk for any of this to be real. "A rebellion? A coup?"

The knife against his thigh presses in deeper and he remembers there's an artery there. Yeah, he'd bleed out fairly quickly. She knows what she's doing. None of which, unfortunately, turns him off. "Shut up. I'm going to get our balvan back, the balvan of my people that our ancestors have worshipped for generations, so that our ancestral god can return to his temple-"

"The stele?" he interrupts her. "Big wooden thingy? That's what you're talking about?"

She snorts. "You are not going to destroy the dwellings of our gods. I will not let that happen. My people will not lose their faith in the spirits of their land, the earth, the water, the stars, the-"

"So, what's your plan?" he asks. "I assume you thought this through at least somewhat."

"You will give me the balvan," she states. "Or I will kill you."

"Solid," he acknowledges. "But I don't have your stele."

She snorts again, knife pressing into his throat. "Then I will drag you to the one who has it. And if you get dumb ideas, I'll cut you."

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

They make it down the stairs rather awkwardly, considering also that he is halfway undressed and she is in a nightgown which is about the same as half-naked. She probably has more knives under that. Somewhere. There's not a single guard to be seen, all down at the feast. Excellent planning, really.

She makes him push open the door to Sam's study and he is either too drunk, too lovesick or too amused to do anything other than whatever she says. And so they stumble into the dimly lit room, in a state of undress, the knives clearly visible, and yeah, with his pants down. Sam looks utterly flabbergasted. "Hey," Bucky says like a total moron. "She wants the stele back."

"Or I'll cut him," Natalia adds, though he gets the feeling she probably wasn't serious about the name.

Sam blinks a few times in rapid succession, then rubs his eyes, clearly not believing them. "Look, I get it, I also feel like slitting his throat sometimes, but-"

"Thanks," Bucky interrupts sarcastically.

"You will give me the balvan," Natalia demands. "And you will let us leave. Or else."

"I thought you didn't even speak our language!" Sam complains, further rubbing his eyes.

She snorts. "Oh, sure. You think you can just come in and take our land and our gods and our families, and we're just going to stand by like sheep, no, you will give us back what is ours, you will not encroach on-"

"I think she has a bit of a temper," Bucky remarks.

"You idiot," Sam sighs, getting up slowly. "All right. I will give you the stele. The balvan."

The knives press in a bit more, probably smelling a rat. She has to peek around him to see anything. "And you will let us leave."

"Who is we?" Sam questions. "Fine. But don't think that makes your marriage void, you won't get rid of him that easily."

Another door opens and Sharon steps in with two bags. Sam snorts. "Oh, I see. Does your father know what you're doing?"

"None of your business," Natalia hisses. "Just give her the balvan."

Sam carefully takes an object from a counter, wrapped in cloth, about the length of an arm. "Give that to me," Sharon mutters, holding out her hands. "Yes."

"This is not going to work," Sam remarks. "You know that, right? You seem smart, you must know. This is not going to change anything."

Sharon carefully stuffs the stele into one of the bags, half of it sticking out on top. "Don't tell us what to do," Natalia returns. "Now let us go."

"Oh, come on," Sam sighs. "You're not going to drag him out into the court like that."

"I'll drag him wherever I need him," Natalia returns, pushing him forward. "We're taking the back exit."

Sharon watches her back. Sam rolls his eyes as Bucky is pushed down the halls into the court. The festivities are still ongoing - the festivity being his wedding night which has gone horribly wrong - but there are some guards at the gate who look seriously disturbed at the sight before their eyes. Sam gesticulates to get their attention. "Hey! Give them two horses. Better make it quick."

The guards stare. Bucky is too drunk to be embarrassed. Natalia does not give an inch. "Two horses!" Sam repeats. "Right now! That's an order."

One of them disappears into the stables. Natalia seems a little nervous, or at least twitchy. Which is bad, given that she's holding two knives that could wound him fatally with a flick of her wrist. "Not how I imagined this going," he mutters.

She snorts. "Yeah? Your problem."

It takes awfully long, again. At least nobody else comes into the court to witness his humiliation. A guard emerges with two horses who also seem fairly confused, just as everyone else. Natalia pushes him in that direction, towards the gate, Sharon hurrying along with the bags. "Open the gate!"

The guard stares at her in utter confusion. Sam sighs. "Do as she says. We don't want her to cut my dear brother, do we."

Thanks, really. The guards look at each other, an order is an order, then proceed to open the gate. Natalia pulls him toward the horse. Sharon climbs on the other without needing any help, securing the bags. The hangbridge is lowering slowly, as if it's not quite sure that's the right thing to do. Natalia waits anxiously, blades dipping in yet a bit more, grazing his skin. She's put him between her and the guards.

The hangbridge drops, crossing the moat. She pushes him forward suddenly, toward the guards, jumps on the horse and then they're already galloping away, her nightgown riding up to her knees. Sam looks away dutifully. The guards are still flabbergasted. And Bucky, finally, gets to pull up his pants.

"We could get them," a guard tentatively suggests. "If we rode after them - my king."

"No," Sam replies. "They'll be with their tribe very soon. I don't want an open confrontation."

The guards stare after the horses disappearing into the night. Bucky saunters back to the back entrance where Sam is standing, who snorts. "Yeah, you were very helpful, you idiot."

"I'm sorry," Bucky returns with amusement. "I'm pretty sure she would have cut my dick off."

Sam sighs. "Well. She'll either come back or she'll start a rebellion."

Bucky snorts. "Oh yeah. A coin toss, really."

#I decided to post more random fragments of my writing #because if I wait until it's finished that's gonna be never #buckynat #bucky barnes #natasha romanoff #sharon carter #sam wilson #medieval au #winter soldier #black widow #my writing #fanfic

[gallivantingheart]

Lyrical Hearts (Part 10 || FINAL)

Synopsis: Post-What Can I Do/I Loved You/When You Love Someone Saga. Young K - Brian - Younghyun - whatever you wanted to call him - was known for being unknown. At least until you caught him and his band practicing late one afternoon. This is the narrative of your soft, tentative beginnings with the gruff bassist.

Pairing: Young K/Brian/Younghyun x fem!Reader

Genre: Romance. General? Acquaintance-to Friends-to Lovers?

Word Count: 2652 (geez me)

Listening Recommendations: A Day Before Us OST (It’s soooo good and soft and fluffy btw pls pls watch)

A/N: THIS IS IT. DONE. FIN. END. Thank you all for supporting and reading this series and sticking it out. I hope you like it!!!! ((also, I apologise if the ending feels a bit funny, I’m utterly horrible at endings))

Back to The Beginning || Part 9

Monday comes to you like the breeze that's become constant. Snapping out your skirt, you inspect yourself in the reflection of a dim shop window. You wonder if your realisation is too obvious. Sure, you still forgot your bus pass and all your homework is finished, but you've taken a little longer on your hair and had the audacity to swipe on some quiet lip tint you and your mum thought pretty last you went shopping. You frown and huff at yourself, yanking your hands away from fluffing at your hair. It's like those birds of paradise that preen themselves for their potential partner. This is so silly.

As the day goes on, you try and build courage to say something. It's easy, you tell yourself while you frown over the essay you just got back. Just go over, ask for a moment of Young K's time - like he does - and say it.

"Say it!" You hiss aloud.

"Say what?"

You cry out, pen flying from your hand. The little star charm hanging on the end jingles softly. Snapping your gaze up you find Donghae, shadowing you with a smile. His hair is a little damp from the water fight you heard down by the taps.

"Geez Donghae! You scared me!" You snap, clutching at your tie.

"Sorry," he chirps back, not sounding very much like it, "But, say what?"

"Oh, ah, nothing." You mumble.

There's a faint crease in his thick brows. "You sure? You look like you're gearing up for something."

You pause to glance over your shoulder at Younghyun slipping out the class early, probably for practice. He hasn't said boo to you today - odd. Pursing your lips, you nod.

"Yeah. Something like that."

Donghae smiles and pushes off your desk to ruffle your hair and again you shriek in fury - all that effort this morning, down the drain! You both laugh though, the tensions loosening in your shoulders just that little bit. His sounds very much like a goose and Somi glares at you as if you've grown a third eye.

"Don't worry about it. Relax!" He smirks. "Nice hair."

You pat it down as he walks off, raking a hand through to settle it down. "Yeah, thanks. It was."

You're a coward.

Monday you told yourself. Air it out - pull off the band-aid! Practice isn't on today so your curse yourself all the way home, practically stomping the pavement into submission. You shake out your hair and tear out of your uniform in a self-hating tantrum. Throwing yourself onto your bed in nothing but your underwear, you realise in the silence that Younghyun hasn't said anything to you today. You pull out your phone, yelping as your bag charm stabs your toe. No messages today, or yesterday. Not even on Saturday. Rolling onto your tummy, you tap out a vague message, your finger hovering for a long moment over the green heart in your recent emojis.

[Younghyun] Sent 7:43pm

Hope work isn't too boring!!

Fighting!!

Tuesday you do that same routine, but manage to make it on the bus this time. You know he's not going to be on it, but you still fuss over yourself as you peer about.

Tuesday also entails some looks from the girls and plenty of grumbling.

He still says nothing to you, vanishing from sight every moment he can. You can't help but feel a little scorned. In the moments that you do catch his figure, you see the hunch to his shoulders, the dullness to his character. Your newest happiness is faded and you grip your pen just that bit tighter.

White Day comes and goes. Somi doesn’t actually blow it on Donghae, seeing as he asked you for help on reeling her in. It works, a little, the offer for coffee and maybe a trip down to the river taken up with a weary squint. Dowoon passes Somi, Dani, Soojung and yourself little chocolates in thanks for joining his very informal security team. Haebin simmers in irritation at the drummer's kind gift so you happily eat it in front of her, crowing about how lovely it all is. Younghyun looks even more bleak than the days before, in turn putting you in an even worse mood. It's only been a few days but you're beginning to resent how much of an impact he's made in such a short time.

Thursday after school, you scramble to gather your things, ready to corner him. No longer are your thoughts about your shaking emotions, but instead the sudden unexplained cold shoulder you're being given. You tap his elbow as you fall into step with him. His brows are shaped deeply in thought, hands stuffed in his pockets. Your nerves and tensions sit stony and high in your shoulders while he glances at you, sprouting your name in surprise.

"Hey."

"Hey." You say. "You okay? You haven't been talking to me - have I said or done something wrong?"

His brows shoot up. "No. I've just been busy. Work. Practice."

"Are you sure? You can always tell me." You assure him, clutching the straps of your bag tightly.

He nods again and you relax, going onto your next point of order. "You coming to practice then?"

You hope you don’t sound too enthusiastic, the bouncing on the spot possibly giving it away. Younghyun looks at you for a minute, eventually deflating and ducking his head. He pulls a weird face at the lino floor. You frown and lean around to try and find the source. The boys have gone ahead to the music room anyway, Jae waving at you with an insistent expression.

He laughs, a little tightly. “Uh, what? No. No, not today. I’ve got stuff. Sorry. Bye.”

Before you can question anything he’s turning on his heel and pretty much running from sight. The fluttering nerves that come with the mere thought of him drain from your limbs, filling instead with a little hurt, a lot of confusion and a bit of dread. What’s wrong then?

You look up, the first eyes you catch being Sungjin’s. He frowns too and you wave your hand off, scuttling to meet him on the corner.

“Where’s Young K?” He asks.

“I don’t know. He just said he was busy and... left.” Your voice is a soft whine that you don't have the capacity to hide.

You can’t help to look behind you, seeing if there is anything out of the ordinary about the place you were just standing in. Your arms hang in a lost shrug in the air. Sungjin pats your shoulder, shaking his head.

“Don’t worry. I probably just forgot about it. Come on, I can hear Jae’s whining from here.”

Just as you're ready to say something - feel out the waters, give a sign - you're cut off.

No messages or calls in the evenings. A brief greeting here and there. How he vanishes the moment class is over, not even considering to ask if you want to accompany him or let you know why not. It's like your mere thoughts of him have scared Younghyun away. Admittedly, it crushes you a little, causing a bit of a whine and a particularly bingey lunch using all your allowance. How to explain it to mum, you weren't sure.

You try not to let yourself get too affected by it, leaning more on Somi and Dani in an attempt to gain clarity over it all. Your mysterious love interest’s walls your character had been pulling down are rebuilt in a day, stronger than before. Trying to ignore the urge to look at your phone every two seconds or hang around his desk before or after school. But gee did it hurt. Things felt colder. Practice in the afternoons became very awkward very quick, making you walk home to save the silence and distance. You apologise furiously to Jae and Sungjin.

Their leader shoots a sharp look over his shoulder to the bassist, his head stuck in his phone. "It's not your fault. Things should sort themselves out soon."

A week later exactly on the thursday, he seems to surface from his radio silence. Soojung and yourself are going over her math homework when you feel a presence behind you.

"Excuse me?"

You can't turn around fast enough. It's like a starved man finding water or a bat's echolocation. After the lack of him, you've become finely tuned to what you can get. Younghyun shadows you, fingers hooked into his pockets and dark eyes boring into you. Soojung can't shut her mouth, so you help nudge it shut. She coughs shallow and turns away in her sad attempt for privacy.

"Y-Younghyun." You stumble.

"Can I borrow you for a bit? Please?"

Rather than dig your heels in and sulk for longer, you scramble from your seat. This might mean answers! "Of course! Yeah, sure!"

His hand comes around your wrist, thumb slotting between fingers. It feels like a burn after how long he's been away. The breeze sneaking through windows has gotten distinctly warmer, the spring evolving fast.

You both end up in the music room. It appears that now you're here, he's not quite sure what to do next. The quiet surrounding you is thick like the air outside. You sigh and clutch the hem of your skirt, unable to look up at him through the tension. Still, you have things to say.

"Why have you been avoiding me? I asked you if I had done something wrong, Younghyun. What - what have I done?"

You hate how meek and broken your voice is, clingy and seemingly desperate for his attention. But you miss him and that can't possibly be wrong. What was once a haven for the two of you and your relationship now feels more like a prison - jammed window and all. You jump when a gentle palm falls to your arm. He makes a stressed huff and even now you can imagine the way he rolls his eyes.

"It wasn't supposed to be like that. You didn't do anything wrong. You never could." He says softly, breath tickling the crown of your hair as Younghyun comes closer.

You look up and blink at how close he really is. Bottomless brown meets you; glowing with sunlit promise. You’re startled but you know you miss it - his steady gaze, comforting proximity.

“So, then why the radio silence? Should I be worried?”

Is Soojung right to watch after him? What could you have missed? There is a flicker of a smile at your rising intonation and you feel his thumb absently rub circles to your skin. Your sensory perception zeroes in on the feeling and you resist leaning into it - shut your eyes to savour the feeling.

“I… I was writing something. Come, sit.”

Younghyun guides you to your chair by the jammed window. He drags his own over with a shrill screech. He follows it up by pulling out a guitar rather than his typical bass.

“The best way to explain all this is for you to just listen.” He strums the strings together to check if they need tuning. There’s a heavy pause before Younghyun glances up to you from behind his dark, fluffy fringe. “It’s for you.”

You don’t get a chance to protest your confusion before he starts to play. A soft summer strum and a tentative story weaved with his voice and his lyrics. It’s as if he knows what you’ve been thinking over the last week and a half, singing your emotions back to you in his beautiful voice. It speaks of a love bloomed between aisles of ramen and under fluorescent light, swaying in the midnight breeze. The pull he feels the moment he steps away from you. Laughter echoed up hallways and whispered over late night phone calls. He pegs these descriptions confidently as love.

As the last chord resonates to silence, all you can hear are the faint squeaks of fingers up strings and shared beats of breath between you.

“That was beautiful.” You blurt out breathlessly.

He goes pink, ducking his head and baring a taste of the sweet grin of his that always brought into question how his bad boy rep came about - how could you be so feared with such a lovely smile? “Thanks.”

“I like you too.” You add, just as sudden and maybe a little too loud.

The phrase couldn’t be restrained, your filter flown out the window. Besides, it didn’t feel right to leave him in such suspense. His head snaps up to focus or you, eyes wide. You can see the ghost of that smile from seconds ago touching the edges of his mouth.

“Really?”

You squeak and jump your chair forward loudly so your knees are touching and accidentally kick his foot, wincing in his stead. The shadows from the light cross between you, your shared moment.

“Uh, yeah. I wouldn’t lie to you or something. You really had me worried, Younghyun.”

Finally he beams, radiant and full, the ghost fading away. The feeling you can only describe as youth fills your chest, warming your ribcage and making an itch blossom in your fingertips to write out your emotions. You rest a hand on his scuffed knee as you lean forward. His hand is creeping away from the body of the instrument and closer to where your hand rests. You pretend you don’t notice, let him take his time.

“I wanted to tell you the right way.” He insists softly. “I was supposed to give it to you on White Day, but it wasn’t finished.”

“I wouldn’t have cared when or how you told me. As long as I found out. Or maybe I should have told you how I was feeling first. Big proclamation in front of the class.” A smirk toes its way onto your lips. “Jae helping serenade? Oh, and flowers!”

“Okay okay, that’s enough.” He says gruffly - the smile dampens his rough tone.

Younghyun’s hand finally falls over your fingertips and you easily flip it over, twining you together tightly. You take joy in the way he jolts in surprise, his eyes lighting up. The feeling of his hand in yours is infinitely better than just standing nearby.

"So, uh..." You fold your lips together, trying not to burst out with any and every word you're thinking of. It doesn't last long because you blurt out with a happily painful smile, "can I take you out? On a date?"

"No."

Your smile drops. Wh-what?

"It means I get to ask you out. How do you feel about an arcade night Saturday? Bet I can beat you on Motorcross 98."

Your grin is back and his is that same brightness. It's like the sun coming out from behind clouds on a soft summer's day.

"Arcade night sounds awesome." You can't keep the warm hum out of your voice, returning the light thumb stroking of before.

He packs away the guitar and pulls you standing. You swing your hands between you for a moment, watching them intently sway. You sigh a little at the time on your phone.

"Probably shouldn't go back like this, Younghyun. Someone might pass out or something." You say partly rueful, part mocking. "'Sides, don't you have a reputation?"

Young K nods, shutting his eyes somber before letting go. You're already missing the contact when he's sliding you under his arm and snug against his side. You can’t bury the squeak of surprise that escapes past your lips.

"You know I don't care about that. C'mon, the bell will ring in a minute," Younghyun says airily.

You roll your eyes, muttering under your breath as you let him lead the two of you back down the halls.

You can't help but hum the song he wrote, for you.

#day6writersnet #day6 young k scenarios #day6 young k imagine #day6 imagines #day6 scenarios #day6 fic #day6 young k #kang younghyun #day6 #written