strange-and-unsual4

[strange-and-unsual4]

A Bet Well Lost - Garrick Tavis

⸻ image credits to scribe.jesinia ⸻

summary: What started as a playful bet between Garrick and Y/N quickly turns into an intense game of desire, neither willing to break first—until the tension becomes unbearable.

pairing: garrick tavis x fem!reader warnings: MDNI!, smut, swearing, unprotected p in v, oral (m) word count: 6k

This request and idea was submitted by anon. And this is for all the anons who have asked for Garrick smut. I am not the best at writing smut, but I hope you like it. And oops, I got carried away. 💙

⸻⸻⸻✦ ♡ ✦⸻⸻⸻

The sparring ring was nearly empty, save for a few cadets nursing their bruises and muttering about their losses. Garrick rolled his shoulders, his uniform clinging to him. His dark brown hair was damp, a few strands falling over his forehead as he watched her—watched her with the kind of unwavering focus that made it impossible to ignore.

"You hesitated," she accused as she wiped sweat from her forehead. Garrick’s mouth curved slightly, something knowing flickering in his gaze. "I don’t hesitate." She stepped closer, crossing the few feet between them with deliberate ease. "You did." His expression didn’t waver. "I had the shot," he agreed, tilting his head slightly, his smirk deepening. "And I chose not to take it."

Heat curled through her stomach, her pulse ticking faster. That was the problem with Garrick—he never just said things. Everything had weight. Meaning. Intent. She narrowed her eyes. "Because you didn’t want to, or because you couldn’t?" Garrick exhaled through his nose, the sound almost amused, almost dangerous. Instead of answering, he took a step forward—just one, but enough to make the space between them nonexistent.

"You really want to go there, darling?" His voice was low, rough. The tension crackled like lightning in the air. Yes. The word nearly slipped past her lips, but she caught it at the last second, swallowing down the rush of warmth that spread through her chest. Instead, she lifted her chin, her own smirk forming. "You think you have more restraint than me, Tavis?"

His eyes darkened slightly. "I know I do." A laugh escaped her. "Now that’s something I’d be willing to bet on." Garrick’s expression shifted, intrigue flickering in his gaze before settling into something sharper. "A bet?" She nodded, feeling the shift between them, the anticipation curling tight. "First one to cave loses." Silence stretched, thick and heavy. His jaw ticked. "Define ‘cave.’" Her gaze dipped to his lips for just a fraction of a second before meeting his eyes again. "You know exactly what I mean."

A muscle feathered in his jaw. Got him. His exhale was slow, measured, as if he were considering his options. "And what does the winner get?" Her lips curled. "Whatever they want." Something dangerous flickered in his gaze, something that sent a sharp, traitorous thrill down her spine. But then he masked it, his face smoothing into something unreadable.

"Fine," he said, voice edged with challenge. "You’re on." Satisfaction unfurled in her chest, but before she could revel in it, another voice cut through the space between them. "You two are absolute idiots." They both turned to find Xaden standing a few feet away, arms crossed, watching them like they were the most predictable people he'd ever met.

"You’re seriously making this a bet?" he asked, his tone a mix of amusement and exasperation. "It’s a matter of principle," Garrick said smoothly, not even blinking. Xaden snorted. "Right. Because self-control is something either of you are known for." She crossed her arms. "We’ll see." Xaden gave them both a long look before shaking his head. "Well, this is going to be entertaining." He turned to leave, then paused, glancing back. "By the way, you’re both on the same assignment this week. Try not to let your little game interfere."

Her stomach dropped. Garrick muttered a quiet curse. Xaden smirked. "Good luck." And with that, he was gone, leaving them standing there. Garrick dragged a hand down his face before glancing at her. "Still think you’re going to win?" She forced herself to look confident, despite the warning bells going off in her head. "Oh, I know I am."

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

If the universe had any sense of fairness, the bet would have remained simple. But no—Xaden had to go and assign them to the same task, shoving them into close quarters for an entire week like the smug bastard he was. Inventory checks. Weapons inventory checks. Which meant long hours alone in the smallest damn supply closet in Basgiath, knee-to-knee, surrounded by shelves of sharpened steel, flight gear, and tension so thick she could choke on it.

Garrick leaned back against a crate, long legs stretched out in front of him, casually flipping through a parchment log like he wasn’t the problem. Like he wasn’t sitting way too close. Like he hadn’t just passed her another list a moment ago, his fingers brushing hers, the contact brief but devastating.

"Tell me again how this is fair," she muttered, eyes scanning the inventory sheet in her hands even though she hadn’t actually read a single word. Garrick smirked but didn’t look up. "You sound like you’re about to lose already." She shot him a glare. "I’m not losing." He chuckled, low and warm, and she felt it everywhere. Bastard. The first few hours had been fine—manageable, at least. They had kept it professional, methodically moving through crates of weapons, accounting for every last dagger and reinforced breastplate. But then it started.

The proximity. The accidental brushes of skin when they reached for the same quill. The way his voice wrapped around her name. The lingering glances, the heat in his eyes when he thought she wasn’t looking. And worst of all? She was looking. At the way the muscles in his forearms flexed as he adjusted a set of throwing knives. At the thin sheen of sweat on his collarbone, a reminder of how hard they had trained that morning. At the way his shirt clung just a little too well, outlining the ridges of his chest and stomach in a way that was completely unfair.

And the way he knew exactly what he was doing to her. She exhaled sharply, dropping her list onto the crate beside her. "You’re doing this on purpose." Garrick finally looked up, brow lifting. "Doing what?" Oh, he was so smug. "Existing obnoxiously close to me." That earned her a real laugh. "Darling, you’re the one leaning into my space." She hadn’t been. Had she? Her back straightened instantly, and his smirk only deepened.

"That’s what I thought," he murmured. Her stomach tightened, the heat in her veins pulsing stronger. She refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her squirm. She wasn’t going to be the first to break. "Just count the daggers, Tavis," she snapped, crossing her arms. His lips twitched. "Yes, ma’am." They fell back into silence, but it was a loaded kind of quiet. The kind where every movement mattered—where she was suddenly aware of the way her breathing synced with his, the way his knee was close enough to hers that one shift would have them touching.

And the worst part? She wanted to shift. Her skin prickled with awareness, and she swore she could feel his gaze flicker to her mouth, then lower. She swallowed. Damn this bet. Damn Xaden for trapping them here. Damn Garrick for looking at her like that. By the time they finished the last of the logs, she was burning, every inch of her on edge, coiled tight from the sheer restraint it took not to cross the invisible line between them.

She gathered the last parchment, moving to stand—but so did he. And they collided. Chest to chest. The air thickened. His hands instinctively caught her arms, warm and firm, steadying her. But the real problem was her hands—because they had landed against his chest, her fingers brushing against heated, soft fabric, and she felt everything. The solid strength beneath her palms. The way his breath hitched just slightly.

They should have stepped back. Neither of them did. His grip on her arms tightened, just a fraction. Barely anything at all. But her pulse pounded at the feeling of his thumbs stroking over her bare skin—slow, deliberate, dangerous. Her throat went dry. His jaw was clenched, the muscle feathering as his eyes dropped to her lips. For a second—a single, heart-pounding second—she thought he was going to break first.

Then he exhaled sharply and took a full step back, his hands dropping away. "Goodnight," he said, voice rough. And then he was gone, leaving her standing there, completely wrecked. She pressed her fingers to her lips, her pulse still thrumming wildly. She was so, so fucked. 

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

If she was going to win this bet, she needed to stop playing defense. Garrick was too good at keeping his composure, too good at resisting—barely, but still. And worse? She was starting to lose her mind. Every accidental touch, every glance, every damn second alone with him in that suffocatingly small inventory room had wound her so tight she felt like she was going to snap.

So. Time for a power move. She didn’t overthink it. That was the key—if she let herself hesitate, she’d back out. And she refused to back out. Not when she had him right there, walking the edge of his restraint. She waited until late that night, when most of the quadrant had settled, and made her way to Garrick’s room. The halls were quiet, torchlight flickering against the stone walls, but her pulse thundered in her ears, loud enough to drown out the silence.

She knocked once. The door opened a moment later, revealing him. Shirtless. And gods, that was a problem. His dark hair was damp, freshly washed, and he had clearly been getting ready for bed, sweatpants slung low on his hips, the deep grooves of his stomach flexing as he froze completely. Because of her. Because of what she was wearing.

A silk nightgown, thin straps over her shoulders, the fabric dipping low enough to tease. The hem stopped mid-thigh, too short, too sheer, too dangerous. She smiled. "Hi." His jaw locked. His hand was still gripping the doorframe, but he wasn’t moving—wasn’t even breathing. Just staring. The reaction was everything she wanted. "Are you—" He cleared his throat. Tried again. "What are you doing?"

She stepped past him, deliberately brushing against his side as she walked into his room. "Relax, Tavis. I just came to talk." "Talk," he repeated, his voice flat. She perched herself on the edge of his bed, crossing her legs slowly. His eyes flicked downward, barely a second, but she saw it. The way he caught himself too late, the sharp inhale, the slight flare of his nostrils.

She tilted her head, feigning innocence. "Something wrong?" His fingers twitched at his sides before he scrubbed a hand over his jaw. "You know exactly what you're doing." She smiled. "Do I?" Garrick exhaled through his nose, a slow, measured sound, like he was holding on by a thread. "Darling," he said, low and edged with warning, "you should leave."

She leaned back on her hands, arching slightly, letting the silk shift just enough to give him a view of bare skin. "Why?" He muttered a curse, turning away, hands planted on his hips as if he needed a second. She laughed softly. "Oh, come on. What happened to all that restraint?" He was not amused. His head tipped back, eyes closed for a second before he dragged his hands down his face. Then he turned—slowly.

His expression was unreadable, but his eyes? Burning. The air thickened between them, the tension so thick she could almost reach out and touch it. She wanted him to break. To snap. To lose. But then—"You're playing a dangerous game," he murmured, voice low and dark. A thrill shot through her, and she held his gaze as she ran her fingers along the edge of her nightgown, tracing the silk idly. "Am I?"

His hands curled into fists at his sides. "Yes." She smiled, slow and sweet. "Then why aren’t you stopping me?" His entire body tensed. For a second, just a second, she thought she had him. Then, in a move so fast she barely had time to react, he was suddenly in front of her, looming, one hand braced on the bed beside her, the other gripping her chin.

Her breath caught. "Garrick—" "You really want to test me, darling?" he murmured. The room felt too hot. His thumb brushed along her jaw, barely a touch, but she felt it everywhere. A warning. A promise. And a mistake. Because the second he touched her, she knew he wasn’t unaffected. That he was so close to breaking. That he wanted her just as badly. Her lips parted, a sharp inhale catching in her throat.

His eyes dropped to her mouth. He was right there. One move. One move, and he’d be done. His fingers flexed slightly—hesitating. And then, cursing violently, he wrenched himself away. She blinked, chest rising and falling too fast, her body still humming from the near contact. Garrick was already across the room, running a hand through his hair, breathing heavy. "Go," he said, voice rough. "Before I forget why I’m still holding back."

Garrick was standing near the window now, his back to her, shoulders tense as if he were trying to hold it all in. His muscles rippled under his shirt, the fabric strained, and she could almost hear his heartbeat from across the room. He was resisting. She could see it, feel it, even in the air between them. She tilted her head, studying him. "You're really trying, aren't you?" His voice was low, rough when he replied. "I don’t lose."

She smiled, the corner of her lips curling up slowly. "You’ve been saying that for days now." "And I’m not going to lose tonight," he muttered, still not turning to face her, as if pretending the space between them could shield him from whatever was coming. She knew the exact moment when his control started to slip. The second he exhaled sharply, fingers curling into fists, the muscles in his neck tightening. She had him on edge, and it was exactly where she wanted him. She leaned back on her hands, stretching just enough for the nightgown to slide higher up her thighs. Her movements were languid, deliberate.

"Still holding out?" she teased, her voice low, full of challenge. "How long do you think you can last, Garrick?" He clenched his jaw. "As long as it takes," he growled. She stood up then, slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. She stepped closer. The space between them shrank, and she could feel the heat radiating from his body. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she didn’t stop. No, she couldn’t now.

Her fingers brushed his arm lightly as she passed by, just a gentle graze, but it was enough to make him flinch, enough to send a surge of electricity through the air between them. She wasn’t looking at him directly, but she could feel his gaze burning into the side of her face, and it made her stomach flip in anticipation.

She stopped just in front of him, close enough that their breaths mingled, the heat of his body surrounding her. She could see the struggle in his eyes, the tightness of his jaw, the way his hands flexed at his sides like he was trying to stop himself from reaching for her. She wanted him to reach for her. She wanted to break him.

"You can’t hold out forever, Garrick," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, but it was the one thing she knew would push him over the edge. The change was instantaneous. His eyes, once filled with restraint, darkened, the flicker of something dangerous sparking in them. He reached for her, the movement so fast, so fluid, that she barely had time to react before his hand was on her arm, his fingers digging into her skin. He spun her, slamming her back against the nearest wall with a force that stole her breath.

The impact was sharp, but the warmth of his body pressed against hers made it all feel like fire. His chest was against hers, his breath ragged as he held her in place, his hand gripping her wrist above her head. The other hand was braced against the wall beside her, keeping her in place, his fingers just inches from her face. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart, the tension in every muscle, and the way his body was trembling with the need to break.

"Stop," he rasped, but even to his own ears, it sounded like a plea. "I won’t lose. Not to you." Her pulse was erratic, but she fought to keep her composure. She lifted her chin, her breath mingling with his. "Who says you’ve lost already?" she teased, her voice breathy, almost mocking. But the way he looked at her told her everything she needed to know. She could see the fight was over.

His lips crashed down on hers without warning, hard, desperate. She moaned into the kiss, her hands flying to his chest, pressing herself even closer to him, her body arching against the firm heat of his. He responded immediately, his mouth bruising hers with the same wild intensity that was coursing through both of them. Every touch was frantic, as if he were trying to make up for every second of restraint.

His grip on her wrist loosened only slightly as he shifted his hand to her waist, pulling her against him with an urgency that left her breathless. She felt him—felt every hard muscle of his body. His hands were everywhere now, trailing over her, tugging at the fabric of her nightgown, his fingertips burning hot against her skin. She gasped when he pulled away, just long enough to look at her, his chest heaving as he struggled to control himself.

"Gods, you have no idea what you’ve done," he muttered, his voice thick with frustration and desire. She didn’t let him say more, didn’t give him the chance to back away. She surged forward, her hands pushing him back against the wall, her lips finding his again, more forcefully this time. He groaned as her body pressed into his, and she felt the last of his resolve crumble away.

The moment her back hit the wall, Garrick knew he was done for. The fight was over. The bet? Lost. And he didn’t even care. Because the way she was looking at him now—lips kiss-bruised, breath shaky, pupils blown wide with need—had him wondering why the fuck he’d held out this long in the first place. She wasn’t teasing anymore. Not now. Now, it was real. And gods, he was going to take his time with this. Make her feel every second of it. His fingers brushed up her thigh, dragging slow and deliberate over soft, exposed skin.

She shivered, and fuck, he felt that too. Felt it in the way her body pressed closer, in the way her hands curled into his shoulders, as if she needed something to hold onto. He grinned, pressing his mouth against the hollow of her throat. "I am not sure if your actions count as a win either." His voice was low, rough. Dangerous. Her breath hitched. Then—a smirk. "Oh for sure, Garrick." She shifted, pressing her hips against him, exactly where he needed her most.

His grip tightened. She bit her lip, eyes gleaming with victory. "And now shut up and fuck me." Fuck. She was playing with fire. And this time, he wasn’t stepping away. His teeth nipped at the sensitive skin just below her jaw, earning him a sharp inhale, her fingers tangling into his hair as she arched into him. "Bold words," he murmured, letting his hands wander, savoring the way she melted under his touch. "But I don’t think you understand what you’ve just started."

She swallowed hard, her chest rising and falling with shallow breaths. "Then show me." Oh, he would. He fucking would. He kissed her slow at first—deep and consuming, drinking her in like he had all the time in the world. Like he wanted to memorize the taste of her, the feel of her, the way she gasped against his mouth. She tugged at his shirt, nails scraping over muscle, impatient. But Garrick wasn’t about to let her rush this.

Not after all the godsdamned torture she’d put him through. His hands skimmed lower, purposefully slow, dragging over her waist, her hips, down her thighs—everywhere but where he knew she wanted him most. She let out a frustrated whimper, tilting her head back against the wall. "You’re really gonna make me wait now?" He smirked against her skin. "Should’ve thought about that before you started this bet." She huffed, tugging at his hair. "Asshole."

His teeth grazed her collarbone, lips curving into a smirk. "You love it." She didn’t deny it. And then—she lost patience. Her legs tightened around his waist, her hands moving to his belt, and—fuck. Any thought of teasing her vanished. Because godsdamn, he couldn’t wait anymore either. His grip shifted, and in a single move, he lifted her, carrying her across the room, never breaking contact as he lowered her onto the bed.

She landed with a breathless laugh, looking up at him through dark, heavy-lidded eyes. "You caved first," she whispered. Garrick braced himself over her, pinning her down, his body flush against hers. He ran a hand through his hair, exhaling hard. Then he smiled—slow and wicked. "Darling," he murmured, dipping his head so his lips brushed against her ear. Then, in a voice full of promise—full of absolute certainty—"I’m about to make damn sure you don’t care." And then—He did.

His lips crashed against hers in a heated kiss, tongues tangling in a battle he easily won, claiming her with each stroke. Y/N’s fingers tangled in his hair, tugging just enough to make him groan against her mouth. The sound sent heat pooling between her thighs. Desperate to feel more, she grabbed the hem of his shirt, dragging it over his head. The sight of his bare chest—sculpted muscle, so strong—sent a fresh wave of arousal through her.

“You’re so fucking hot,” she groaned, her eyes raking over him. Garrick smirked, his hands already sliding down to her hips, fingers digging in as he pulled her flush against him. Their bodies aligned perfectly, pressing in all the right places, and the moment she felt the hard length of him straining against his pants, a needy whimper escaped her lips.

“Jump.” The command was gruff, laced with raw desire, and she obeyed without hesitation, wrapping her legs around his waist. The moment she did, friction sparked between them, making her grind against him instinctively. She felt him grow harder, thicker, and the sheer size of him sent a shiver down her spine.

“I need to feel your skin on mine,” she breathed, already tugging at her own shirt. He held her steady as she stripped it off, taking full advantage of how easily he lifted her. His mouth found her neck, pressing hot, open-mouthed kisses along her pulse point before sucking hard enough to leave a mark.

His hands slid behind her, deftly unclasping her bra, and the second it was free, he pulled it down her arms, tossing it aside. He leaned back slightly, gaze devouring her, dark with hunger. “You are so fucking sexy,” he rasped. His eyes flicked to her breasts, and she smirked, bringing a hand up to his hair and pulling him down. He got the message immediately. His lips latched onto her nipple, sucking it into his mouth while his other hand kneaded the soft flesh of her other breast. The sensation sent a sharp, electric pleasure straight to her core, making her moan as her head fell back against the wall.

And then, suddenly, her back wasn’t against the wall anymore. The next thing she knew, she was on his bed, sprawled beneath him, legs already falling open around his broad frame. Garrick hovered over her, his gaze heavy, full of want. Slowly, he reached for the button of her pants, popping it open, his eyes never leaving hers. She bit her lower lip, anticipation thrumming through her veins as he dragged both her pants and panties down in one slow, deliberate motion.

Licking his lips, he leaned back over her, capturing her mouth in another searing kiss before letting his hand slide between her thighs. “Mmm, do you want my fingers, darling?” he murmured against her lips, the barest trace of his fingertip teasing her clit, featherlight and maddening. “Please,” she gasped, arching into his touch. “I want you so bad.”

His lips ghosted along her jaw. “What do you want?” “I want your fingers in my cunt, right now,” she growled, tugging him closer. A deep chuckle rumbled in his chest, but he obeyed, sliding two fingers through her slick folds before pushing them into her with ease. “Gods, you’re so fucking wet for me,” he groaned, watching the way she clenched around him. “It’s like your body was made for this.”

Y/N moaned, rolling her hips to meet his thrusts, her walls fluttering around his fingers. His pace was torturously slow at first, teasing, but when she whimpered his name, he curled them just right, pressing against that perfect spot that made her toes curl. “Oh, fuck, Garrick,” she moaned, her body tensing as pleasure coiled tight inside her. He smirked, his free hand bracing against her thigh to hold her in place. “Come for me, darling.”

The command sent her spiraling, her orgasm crashing over her. She trembled beneath him, crying out his name, her body shuddering as he coaxed her through the pleasure, thrusting his fingers a few more times before withdrawing. She barely had time to catch her breath before he was kissing her again, swallowing her soft moans.

“Fuck, your fingers feel like heaven,” she panted. A low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Wait until you feel my cock inside you.” She didn’t need to be told twice. Her hands were already at the waistband of his pants, yanking them down. His cock sprang free, hard and thick, and her breath hitched. If she was being honest, Garrick might have the most perfect cock she had ever seen.

A devilish grin spread across her lips as she ran her hands over his broad chest, down his sides, then lower, fingers skimming over his hips before she leaned in. Starting slow, she let the tip of her tongue glide along the underside of his balls, savoring the way he twitched under her touch. “Gods,” he groaned, his breath stuttering as she licked her way up his shaft.

She took the head into her mouth, swirling her tongue before sinking lower, inch by inch, until she had most of him inside. Her lips hollowed around him, sucking as she pulled back, letting her tongue drag along the underside. Garrick’s hands tangled in her hair, gripping it into a makeshift ponytail so he could watch her take him in. His other hand traced along her spine before grabbing a handful of her ass, squeezing hard. She moaned around him, sending vibrations down his length.

“Fuck, you take my cock so well,” he groaned, his hips twitching forward. She hummed in response, wrapping a hand around the base of him while her other reached down to palm his balls. His moans deepened, his grip tightening in her hair as she took him deeper, pushing herself until he hit the back of her throat. His chest rose and fell with heavy, labored breaths, his abs flexing as he fought for control. But when she looked up at him through her lashes, he lost it.

“Fuck, darling, you need to stop,” he groaned, his hands pulling her off him. His lips crashed against hers, kissing her like he needed her more than air. “I’m going to fuck this needy cunt so hard,” he rasped against her lips. “So deep that the only thing you’ll be able to think about is me buried inside you.” Her thighs clenched at his words, heat flooding her core. “Gods, Garrick, please.”

He smirked, satisfied. “So desperate, darling.” Lining himself up, he thrust inside her with one firm stroke, filling her to the hilt. “Oh, fuck,” she moaned, nails digging into his shoulders as he set a relentless pace, each snap of his hips hitting the perfect angle. He growled, pulling out suddenly, flipping her onto her stomach before dragging her hips up. Then he drove into her again, the new angle making her cry out.

“You feel so fucking good,” he groaned, his hands gripping her hips hard enough to leave bruises. “Look at you, taking every inch like you were made for me.” His words sent her spiraling again, pleasure crashing over her. “Please don’t stop,” she moaned, trembling beneath him. “I can feel you tightening around me,” he rasped. “Come for me, darling. Scream my name.” 

Her orgasm ripped through her, leaving her shuddering and screaming his name. Garrick followed with a guttural groan, his release spilling deep inside her as he rode out his own high. Collapsing beside her, he pulled her against him, pressing lazy kisses along her shoulder. “Fuck,” she panted. Garrick chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Told you I’d make you scream.”

Garrick was spent—physically, mentally, utterly wrecked in the best possible way. And so was Y/N. She lay sprawled across his chest, her bare skin flushed, her breaths still uneven as she tried to recover from what had just happened. From him. Garrick smirked, running a lazy hand down her spine, relishing the way she shivered under his touch, the way she fit against him so perfectly. "You okay there, darling?" His voice was low, teasing, his fingers tracing slow, torturous circles against her hip.

She let out a soft huff, nuzzling closer but refusing to look at him. He chuckled. "What? No smug comeback?" Still nothing. Then, quietly, "Shut up." His grin widened. There it is. "You sound a little—" He rolled, flipping them effortlessly until she was pinned beneath him again, his weight warm and solid and way too pleased with himself. "—defeated." Her eyes narrowed, finally lifting to meet his. "You wish."

He dipped his head, letting his lips graze just under her ear. "Oh, I don’t have to wish," he murmured, voice all honey and heat. "I won." She snorted. Actually snorted. Garrick lifted his head, arching a brow. "Something funny?" She grinned up at him, looking like she had some grand secret. "You caved first." Garrick sighed dramatically, pressing his forehead against hers. "We’re really doing this?" "We are." "You literally—" he kissed her, slow and sweet, before pulling back just enough to look her in the eyes— "—couldn’t wait to get my shirt off."

Her lips twitched. "You’re the one who put me against a wall like some desperate man who couldn’t resist." He let out a deep groan, dropping onto his back beside her, staring at the ceiling. "Unbelievable," he muttered. She giggled, shifting to prop herself on her elbow. "Garrick Tavis, loser of bets—" He grabbed a pillow and tossed it at her face. She let out a startled laugh, swatting it away.

Garrick rolled back toward her, smirking again, brushing a stray strand of hair from her cheek. "You’re impossible." She beamed. "And you love it." He did. Gods, he really did. His smirk softened as his fingers drifted lower, tracing over her arm in slow, lazy strokes. "Bet or not, you know I’d always choose you, right?" The teasing faded from her face, her lips parting slightly, like she hadn’t expected that.

Like she hadn’t expected him to say it. Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. "I know," she murmured. Then, quieter, like a confession—"Me too." A warm, satisfied hum rumbled in his chest. Garrick wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her in, tucking her against him, pressing a slow kiss to the top of her head. "Good," he murmured against her hair. And as she sighed softly, curling into him, he realized—He’d never needed to win the bet.

⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻⸻

Garrick knew he was fucked the moment he stepped into the common room. Not because of anything he’d done. No, he was fucked because Ridoc was already grinning at him like a feral godsdamned gremlin. And that never meant anything good. The first words out of Ridoc’s mouth? "So… who lost?" Garrick froze mid-step. A muscle in his jaw ticked. "What the fuck are you talking about?"

Ridoc leaned back in his chair, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Oh, nothing. Just wondering which one of you caved first." Garrick forced his expression to stay neutral. Calm. Unbothered. Ridoc? Was not buying it. "Don’t look at me like that, Tavis," he said, grinning. "We all knew it was gonna happen. The only question was when." Garrick gritted his teeth. "We were just—"

"—completing an assignment for Xaden?" Ridoc cut in, smirking harder. "Yeah, yeah, sure, man. You definitely left that room with all your self-control intact." Before Garrick could strangle him, a new voice joined the conversation—"You lost, didn’t you?" Fucking Xaden. Garrick exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders before slowly turning to face his smug-as-hell Wingleader.

Xaden leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, looking entirely too pleased with himself. Garrick narrowed his eyes. "You know, I’d almost believe you weren’t nosy as fuck if you weren’t standing there looking like you planned this." Xaden lifted a casual brow. "Didn’t need to plan it. The two of you were already fighting a losing battle." Garrick refused to dignify that with an answer.

Unfortunately, Ridoc was having the time of his life. "Gods, it must’ve been bad," Ridoc said, shaking his head. "How long did you hold out, Garrick? A week? Five days?" A beat of silence. Then—"Three days." The voice didn’t belong to Garrick. It belonged to her. Every single head in the room snapped toward the door. She stood there, arms crossed, looking thoroughly unbothered as she leaned against the frame. Garrick groaned, dragging a hand down his face. "You’re not supposed to tell them that."

She shrugged, grinning. "What? It’s the truth." Ridoc howled. "Three days? Three?! Oh, that’s just—" He clutched his stomach, doubling over. "You didn’t even make it a full week! Garrick, my guy—" Garrick glared. "You wanna fucking live to see tomorrow?" Ridoc wiped fake tears from his eyes. "Not after hearing this. Gods, this is better than I could’ve imagined." Xaden was smirking too, though his amusement was more measured. "Three days. Impressive restraint, Tavis. Thought you’d break after two."

Garrick shot him an exasperated look. "Are you serious right now?" Xaden’s smirk only deepened. "What do you think?" Garrick considered violence. Seriously considered it. But then she came up beside him, running her fingers along his very tense forearm before saying, "To be fair, I would’ve won if I’d played fair." That got Xaden’s attention. He lifted a brow. "Played fair?" She smirked. "Let’s just say I… persuaded him." Garrick exhaled sharply, gritting his teeth as he felt the heat of her gaze. The knowing amusement.

And the worst part? Xaden understood immediately. Because his smirk vanished—replaced by an exasperated sigh. "You wore something, didn’t you?" She beamed. "Maybe." Xaden pinched the bridge of his nose. "Fuck’s sake." Ridoc, however, was absolutely thriving. "You cheated?! Oh, that’s evil. That’s—" He clutched his chest, grinning so hard it looked painful. "That’s the best thing I’ve ever heard."

Garrick turned toward her, leveling her with a look. "You cheated." She blinked innocently. "No rules against it." Garrick exhaled through his nose. She was impossible. And he loved it. Xaden shook his head, clearly done with this conversation. "You know what? I don’t even care. Just—" He waved a hand. "Try to keep it out of the common room, yeah?" Garrick snorted. "What do you take me for? Ridoc?"

"Hey, fuck you!" Ridoc shouted. Garrick smirked, grabbing her hand and pulling her toward the door. Xaden sighed behind them. "And for the love of the gods, get your damn patrol reports in on time." Garrick lifted a hand in mock salute. "Sure thing, boss." And as they stepped into the hall, leaving the laughter and teasing behind, she leaned in close, voice warm with amusement.

"Still think you won?" Garrick glanced down at her, taking in the wicked glint in her eyes, the unfairly beautiful curve of her lips. Then, with a slow, satisfied smirk, he murmured, "I hit the jackpot."

[strange-and-unsual4]

Promise to Promise

Synopsis: A sparring match leads to an emotional one when Xaden's fear of losing control makes itself known.

Tags: angst, fluff, sparring, author has never been in hand-to-hand combat but we can pretend that isn't obvious, Xaden Riorson x Reader

Warnings: canon-typical light violence, End of Iron Flame spoilers

WC: 2.1K

Getting a face full of concrete was certainly a way to start the day, but it was the last thing you wanted to add to your morning routine. Xaden, on the other hand, seemed to think the rock made an amazing moisturizer as he pressed his knee into the center of your back, keeping you down. 

“Again. Buck me off.”

Underneath him, you groaned, already tired of the fifth set of escape maneuvers he’s had you practice today. Lifting your arm, you make an attempt to snag his pant leg and pivot your hips to the side to fling him off. He scoffs at the weak move, sliding your own wrist between your shoulder blades before your hands can make contact with the fabric.

“You aren’t even trying,” He squeezes your wrist one time as he speaks, frustration seeping into his tone. 

You huff as you yank your hand out of his grasp to no avail. It remains firmly in his grip, skin to skin. 

“Have you ever considered that you’re just better at this than me?” You say, wiggling your fingers playfully at him from between your shoulder blades. 

His grip tightens and no laugh meets your ears like it normally would. 

“Have you ever considered that that wouldn’t be the case if you were putting in some actual effort?”

Your brows furrow at his reply, annoyance at his attitude settling in before the sun has even risen. 

“Who are you to say that I’m not–”

He interrupts, tone tight and sharp.“You're not. Use your signet.”

You tense underneath him and roll your shoulder blades in the opposite direction of the pin to try to break the contact he had with your wrist. He angles it further up, sending a twinge of pain through the limb at its new position. 

“You have contact. You can feel it,” His fingers press harder into the bone of your wrist to make his point as he leans down close to your ear. “Use your signet. Get out of my hold.”

Attempting to escape again, you slam your head back to make contact with his. Faster, he grips the back of your head before it can make its full recline, fingers carding through your hair and pulling back until he can make eye contact. 

“Still not working. Do something that will.” 

Your arm throbbed at the shoulder and your wrist stung with the tightness of his hand around it, but you kept your tone level despite the pain. “I’m not using it on you.”

His gaze darkened as you spoke, eyes boring into yours. Frustration danced with the gold flecks and something like desperation settled in the onyx. 

“You will. It’s the only way you’re getting leverage enough to get out of this,” He hissed. 

Pissed, you rotate your knee to knock his foot on the ground, pivoting his balance. As he pitches to the side, you push off the ground with your free arm, angling sideways to quicken his fall, wincing as your other arm strains with the movement. 

He pulls it as he leans, forcing you to roll with him onto your back to straighten it. Releasing your hair, he darts out his hand to pin your free arm to the ground next to the other above your head. Before he can straddle, you kick up your legs, planting the sole of your foot and pushing hard at the center of his chest. 

With his relentless grip and the backwards momentum of his fall, he pulls you with him, having you thump on to his front as he lays on the ground. 

“Now this is more like it,” You smile, but Xaden isn’t having it. He finally releases your arms and slides you off of him, standing with a huff and running a hand through his hair. 

“Can you take anything seriously?” He asks coldly. 

You sit up in shock, rubbing at the red marks on your wrist. His eyes dart down to the movement and his jaw clenches, but he stays firm in his stance across from you. He crosses his arms to stop himself from reaching down to help you up as you rise to your feet. 

“The hell is your problem today?”

“My problem?” He scoffs, staring you down. “My problem is you not treating these sessions like they’re real.”

You roll your eyes in response, crossing your arms to mirror his expression. “I am! I literally just got you–”

He surges forward and grabs the arm he had pinned, untucking it and holding the underneath to reveal the finger shaped bruising coming in around the wrist. 

“You let me hurt you. You had every chance to use your signet on me, but I didn’t feel a thing. You’re holding back.”

You turn your wrist over in his hands and lace your fingers together to stop the slight shake in his hands as he spoke. Rubbing your thumb over his softly, you felt the tension slowly release from him, until you spoke softly.

“I’m not going to hurt you like that.”

He steps back, dropping your hand and snapping. “What if one day you don’t have a choice?”

“Xaden. It’s not going–”

“You don’t know that,” He yells, shadows in the room growing more apparent along the edges of your vision as his voice raises. His footsteps echo across the concrete with the steps of his pacing, arms swinging wildly as he continues. 

“You don’t know when this, this thing is going to take over. You don’t know how strong the pull to drain is. You don’t understand how hard it is to ignore sometimes. The pain from your signet may be the only thing to distract me from it. I’ve seen you drop people twice your size from a single touch. Everyone describes it as–”

“The worst pain they’ve ever been through? Feeling like their own blood was fighting against them? That their brain was on fire?”

You grab his shoulder to stop his pacing as you speak, but he brushes you off, turning to speak, but you can continue before he can, getting closer. 

“I can’t put you through that, Xaden. I’m not going to, I won't.”

His pacing stops and his shoulders droop. His gaze stays on the floor, refusing to look at you. Without the sound of his walking, you can hear the slight strain in his breathing as he heaves in and out. The shadows surrounding you twitch. A few approach his form, weaving between his legs like a cat before retreating to your side, hovering before darting back to the corners of the room. Their comfort does little to stop the slight shake of his body as he breathes, so you have to take matters into your own hands. 

You take a step closer and rest your hand gently on his chest, feeling the stutters of his strained breathing. He leans into it like second nature, chasing the connection like a lifeline. You count silently in your head, waiting for it to even out. At three, the hands beside him unfurl. At five, he allows them to touch you, one resting at the dip of your waist and the other settling on top of the one on his chest. He moves his gaze from the cracks in the floor to flicker back and forth between your hands and your face at seven and eight, and at ten, just like he always does, he unclenches his jaw and anger makes way for something else on his face.

Fear, the underlying culprit for all of his outbursts, finally comes crawling out of its hiding to make itself visible in the dark circles under the misty sheen of his eyes. It tilts his head to the side, and creases his lips into a frown as he looks down at you. It dries his mouth and shoves its way down his throat into a tentative swallow before he speaks, working his tongue to spread its gospel. 

“I’m scared that one day it's going to take me over and take you with me in the process.”

“I’m not going to let–”

He interrupts you for the 100th time today, words hitting harder than any blows you would have rather taken. “And I’m scared you’re just going to let me because its me.”

It takes every ounce of willpower to hold your tongue and a neutral expression on your face as he continues, each word digging a knife deeper and deeper into your heart in sympathy as he does. 

“I’m terrified that when the time comes, when every part of control I have left is gone, you’ll hesitate and that will be all it takes. The thought of having to watch myself kill you haunts me every night.”

You take a deep, shaky breath to gather yourself. “I’m not going to let–”

“There’s no ‘Letting’ it–”

“Xaden,” You bark, firm, but soften as you continue. “Please. Just let me speak.”

He nods once, slowly, and you lift your connected hands to place your palm on his face. 

“I’m not going to let that happen. Not because I’m naive and think this will all just blow over. Not because I’m in denial about what's going on. Not because I’m some lovesick girl who is going to ignore it.”

You swallow hard, confronting your own truths as they dance on your tongue. As much as they sliced their way up and almost drown you to think about, you know he needs to hear them. He needs to know the choices you’ve come to terms with that haunt you in order to keep some of the ghosts out of his own mind. He needs your worst reality to distract from his own. 

“I’m not going to let that happen because I’ll stop it before it gets there. I love you, Xaden, and part of that love is making sure nothing hurts you, and this infection is one of them.”

You step forward, fierceness taking over your gaze as he peers down at you, shock in his expression. 

“The second you try to hurt me, I’ll know it's not you anymore. It’s all them,” you try to swallow the venom out of your voice as you continue, voice lower, making him have to lean in to hear you. 

“The venin isn’t you, it’s part of you. The second it tries to hurt me, it’ll be hurting you, and that’s what I can’t let happen. That I can promise you.”

You squeeze your eyes shut at the implication, even harder at how at ease it put him. How your threat relaxed him, how your worst nightmare is exactly what he wanted to hear. You’ve always heard that relationships were about sacrifice, but you never thought it’d be to this degree, yet you know you meant every word of yours, for him. 

You open them again, watching him take in every word you have to say. 

“I said I wouldn’t hurt you, because I won’t. Because you’re still you. These training sessions prove it. Your hand on my waist proves it. The way you looked like you were going to throw up and your shadows haven’t stopped hovering since you saw the bruises on my wrist prove it.”

You close the distance and take his lips in yours, pressing your belief into the kiss in hopes it’ll sink into him. He squeezes your waist as you do, pulling you even closer. Chest to chest, fear to fear, love to love. 

He pulls back, pulling your hand from his face and cradling it between the two of you. Before he even speaks, it's your turn to cut him off.

“Sparring injuries don’t count before you even start. I’ve gotten worse bruises from trying to talk to Imogen about Garrick.”

He chuckles slightly, a smile finally warming up his expression and your chest. He lifts it to his mouth, pressing a kiss to each of the purpling marks. With each one, you feel the storm in your mind get smaller and smaller now that he’s out of his own rain. 

“Sorry for being an asshole before breakfast,” he says, slipping his grip to hold your hand fully. 

You swing your arm slightly, pulling him along as you walk towards the doors from the training gym. The hustle and bustle on the other side of the wall brings a sense of normalcy to the end of the least normal start to a day. 

“It’s alright,” You turn and smile at him, playful tone from earlier reentering your voice. “You’ll just have to make it up to me later when we recreate some of those moves on a softer surface.”

He smirks down at you, eyes finally calm. 

“Now that I can promise.”

[strange-and-unsual4]

We're Off Soon Pairing - Garrick Tavis x RiorsonSister!Reader Summary - You're supposed to be celebrating the fact that you've made it through your first year of Basgaith alive, but after just losing Liam, you can't bring yourself to do it. Especially knowing that your brother and your boyfriend could be next at any moment. Word Count - 2.6k Warnings - Soft smut! 18+ only!

“Of all the people I thought would be a mopey, depressing drunk, you did not make the list.” 

Your eyes narrowed at Imogen over your almost empty bottle. While normally, the buzz of alcohol would be pleasant, sending warmth and ease through your body, tonight it was too hot. Your body felt tense, and grief for your friend still weighed your shoulders down. 

Not to mention in a few short hours, your brother and boyfriend would be leaving, and you had no clue when you’d get to see them again. 

“Yeah, well,” you let out a hiccup. “The world fucking sucks right now.” You leaned your head back against the wall, and didn’t fight the tears you felt warming your eyes. There was no point. They’d been on and off for days. 

“Imogen, why is my sister crying?” You’d been so wrapped up in your emotions you hadn’t even heard him approach. Xaden’s voice was calm, but you could hear the concern there. 

“Because the world fucking sucks.” She repeated, and you heard the sound of her taking a gulp of her drink. 

Xaden’s voice, usually hard and stern, was soft, a tone reserved for you as he said your name. 

You ignored him. You knew what would happen if you looked at him. You’d start sobbing. It was all so unfair. It wasn’t as if you hadn’t known this was going to happen, but now that it was, after losing Liam, it made it so much harder. Would Xaden be next on the list of people for you to lose?

“Spitfire . . .”

Of course he was here too. If Xaden was here, he wouldn’t be far behind. 

You couldn’t deal with this right now. You sat up, unsteady due to the alcohol, still avoiding everyone’s gaze. “Say goodbye before you leave.” You told them, and strolled away as fast as you could without toppling over. 

You didn’t make it far when arms wrapped around your waist, making you stop and pulling you back into a hard, but familiar, chest. “Did you think I was going to let you walk away from me while you’re crying?” 

Your body was at war with itself, fighting the comforting safety of Garrick’s arms with the crippling anxiety of knowing he was about to leave. You tried to take a deep breath to settle yourself, but all that came out was a sob instead. 

Garrick turned you around at once, his hazel eyes trapping yours even through your blurred tears. “Baby . . .” His voice was soft, so gentle that it struck you straight in the chest, delivering the blow that finally made you collapse. 

You clutched his shirt in your fists and buried your face in his chest as you let the tears flow, your body shaking with the effort of letting all the emotion go. 

He bent down at once, gripping your thighs and hoisting you up against him. This time, you didn’t care that he wasn’t giving you a warning as he distance wielded you into your room. Garrick sat down on your bed, letting his warm arms wrap around you again as you settled in his lap. “Talk to me.” He pleaded. 

You couldn’t hold it in any longer. “I just got Xaden back!” You sobbed. “I finally got you! And I - I know it’s stupid because I knew this was coming, but I - what if - what if I lose you both like I lost Liam? I can’t lose you!” It wouldn’t leave a hole in your heart like Liam did. It would rip it out. 

Garrick didn’t say anything. Instead he slid his hand up to the back of your head, holding it against his shoulder while his hand rubbed soothing circles into your back. He was your anchor, holding you in this moment as the storm raged inside of you, rocking you back and forth in his arms until the sobs slowed, and you took a shaky breath. “It’s not stupid. You know how I know that?” 

You shook your head against his shoulder. 

“Because I’m fucking terrified of the same thing.” He admitted. “You’re not much safer here than I am at Samara. Especially now that leadership knows we know.” 

He was right. Your guard was going to have to stay up constantly now, even more so than it was before. 

You leaned back enough so you could press your forehead against his. His breath was warm against your skin, shaky like yours. 

“I can’t promise you nothing will happen. I can’t promise that I’m not going to be hurt. I can’t promise you that you won’t get hurt.” His voice was ragged, his grip tightening on your hips. “I wish I could. Gods I want to tell you that you’ll be safe. That I’ll be here every second that you need me.” 

Your fingers tightened in his shirt, because Gods you wished he could too. You wished he could make that promise and be here every moment because if he was here . . . You could keep him safe too. “But you won’t lie to me.” You said. 

Garrick shook his head. “But I swear to you,” he said, his voice almost breaking. “There’s not a godsdamn force on the continent that’ll stop me from fighting my way back to you if I need to.” 

You closed your eyes, pressing your body even closer to him, breathing in that leather and cedar wood scent and wishing you could bottle it up and keep it somewhere safe, so no matter how far away he was, you could always smell it. “You better,” you whispered. “Because if you don’t, I’m coming after you, and you know I’m way scarier than anything that could keep you from me.” 

A broken laugh escaped him - half pain, half love. His hands slid up to frame your face, rough thumbs catching the tear tracts that were still falling. “You are. Always have been.” 

For a long moment, you stayed like that. Forehead to forehead, breath mingling, hearts racing in a perfect sync. You memorized the way his hands felt on your skin, the press of his body against yours, the way he looked at you like you were air and he was drowning.

“I love you,” you whispered, and though it was the first time you’d said it, you’d known it for a long time. 

Garrick’s smile was soft, oh so tender as he replied. “I love you.” 

The words settled in your chest, warm and grounding. “I still can’t believe Xaden told us we loved each other before we did.” 

Garrick let out a weak chuckle, and then leaned forward to kiss you. It wasn’t rushed, or desperate. It was slow, deep, and there was a promise in the press of his lips against yours. 

But you needed more than a kiss and he did too. 

You both knew he had to go, but neither of you rushed. You didn’t know when you’d have this again. You took each other’s clothes off slowly, reverently, and every new bit of skin revealed was marked with a kiss until you felt wrapped with them. 

Your fingers dragged across his skin, memorizing every curve, line and scar like you were committing it to memory, even though you didn’t need to. You knew his body better than your own, but that didn’t stop you from mapping every inch again, as if touch could etch him deeper into your skin. 

He seemed to want the same, his hands never lingering in one place too long, like he couldn’t decide where to touch you. Like he had to touch all of you. 

You wanted that touch branded on your skin. 

By the time he slid into you, you were already soaked: from his kisses, his hands, just him. A moan left your lips at the fullness of him, and you brought your legs around his waist, desperate to pull him in even more. You wanted, needed, him to be as close as possible. So when he was gone you could remember what it felt like to be his.

“You’re always so fucking perfect for me.” Garrick murmured against your skin, his lips dragging up the column of your throat. “I’m going to be thinking about this every second I’m away from you.” 

You swallowed back the tears again, shoving the emotion down to let go when he was gone. You wouldn’t waste anymore of your last few minutes with him crying. “I hope not every second, or else spending time around my brother is going to be super uncomfortable.” 

He choked out another laugh, and you couldn’t help but smile at the sound of it. “There’s my girl,” he said, shaking his head at you with a fond smile, your favorite dimple popping out. 

“Yours,” you agreed, reaching up to cup his cheeks with your hands. “Every second you're gone, and every second you’re here, I’m yours, Garrick Tavis.” 

“And I’m yours. Malek trying to collect me or not, I am always yours.” He promised, and before you could say anything else, he started moving. 

Normally, the two of you were playful, teasing in bed, but this didn’t call for that. You moved slowly, savoring every second of being connected. The pleasure built up like a fire, small flames until the stroke of his touch and kiss was like kindling, making the flames climb higher. Then you were burning. “Garrick,” you gasped out his name, your head falling back against the pillows, eyes closing. 

Garrick’s lips slid over your skin, up the column of your throat and chin, leaving a lingering kiss on the corner of your mouth, then bumping your nose with his. “Stay with me, baby. Just a little longer.” He whispered, his hands tightening on you to a bruising grip. 

The double meaning in his words had the tears building up in your eyes again, but you refused to let them fall. You felt the brush of Grizel’s power against your skin, adding to the heat, and in the back of your mind, you heard the rattle of objects on your bedside table. You knew that meant you wouldn’t last much longer. You clung to that precipice, the moment before the fall, knowing as soon as you let go, he would have to go. 

The pleasure was too great though. He felt too amazing inside of you, and your nails dug into his skin as his pace inside of you became faster, harder, sharpening the waves intensity as you felt yourself starting to slip. “I can’t,” you gasped, burying your face in his neck, “Garrick I can’t.” 

“It’s okay,” he replied, his voice as breathless as yours. “I’m right there with you.” He transferred all his weight to one arm, sliding the other down to slip between your bodies to where you needed him most. 

You were sure you drew blood when your nails dragged down his back, gasping his name as the touch made you slip farther, closer to the fall. You couldn’t help but let out a whimper as he tilted his hips to hit a spot inside of you that had you seeing stars. You didn’t want it to end, but you knew you couldn’t resist it any longer. 

Almost as if he could sense your thoughts, you felt his lips against your ear. “I’ve got you, baby. You can let go.” Garrick murmured. 

That was all you needed. 

You let yourself fall into mindless waves of intense pleasure, gasping out his name and clutching him so close that you could feel his rapid heartbeat against your skin. You grounded yourself in it, determined to stay in this moment for as long as possible as you felt Garrick’s release seconds later. 

But time kept moving. 

And he had to go. 

You both got dressed and made a quick stop by his room to pick up the pack that wasn’t already on Chradh. The two of you didn’t say anything, words unnecessary after everything you’d just shared, but it didn’t stop you from clinging to him. His arm was wrapped around your shoulder, keeping you close to his side, while your own hugged his waist. Your breath caught every time he pressed a kiss to your hair, each one landing like a goodbye he was trying not to say.

By the time the two of you made it to the flight field, Xaden was already waiting. Garrick let you go without a word so you could wrap your arms around your brother. “Please don’t get yourself killed.” You muttered against his chest. 

“Same goes for you.” He tightened his arms around you before pulling back to meet your eyes. “I’ll be back every other weekend because of Sgaeyl and Tairn. So let me know if there’s anyone I need to kill then.” 

You gave him a small smile. “Will do, and you’ll write this time?” You asked. The thought of going so long without talking to him again made your heart give a painful lurch. 

“Every boring detail.” Xaden promised with a ghost of a smile. His gaze flicked toward Basgaith. “Could you . . .” 

“Keep an eye on Violet?” You guessed, and when he nodded you continued. “As long as you promise to do the same.” You said, looking over at Garrick who had stepped a few feet away to give the two of you some privacy. 

A small smile tugged at Xaden’s lips. “Always,” He said, pulling you in for one last hug.

As soon as Xaden mounted Sgaeyl, Garrick stepped in, wrapping an arm around your waist and pulling you close, his forehead resting against yours. 

You slid your hand to his chest, searching until you found the steady beat of his heart, grounding yourself in it. His free hand closed over yours, anchoring you there. 

“It beats for you, Spitfire,” Garrick whispered, his lips brushing against yours. “No matter how far I am.” 

You swallowed thickly, nodding in agreement. 

His lips brushed yours again. “I love you,” he whispered. 

“I love you too,” you choked out, clutching his hand tight wishing that there was something, anything you could do to keep him there, but knowing that there wasn’t. 

Garrick kissed you, searing, aching, desperate, and for one suspended second, your heart forgot how to beat. 

You let yourself memorize everything about this moment. The way his soft lips molded to yours. The faint taste of yourself still lingering there, reminding you of what you’d just shared. The heat of his body wrapping around you and the feeling of home that it provided. 

It was over too soon, and you felt those tears building up in your eyes once again when he pressed his lips against your forehead. 

Then, just like that, he was gone. 

And only one person might understand what that felt like. 

When Violet opened the door, her face was tired and guarded, but you took the fact that she opened it at all as a good sign. 

“I know you’re mad at me and my brother for keeping things from you,” You blurted out before she could shut the door. “And I’m sorry. But I also know how much you love him, and I just had to watch him and Garrick fly away from me.” 

Your voice broke on the last words, and you saw her expression falter. 

“And you’re probably the only person who’s as scared as I am that they might end up like Liam.” Saying his name felt like claws scraping down your throat, but you did it. 

Violet stared at you for a moment, and you could see her own eyes start to glisten with the same sadness that was in yours. Then she grabbed your hands, and her arms wrapped around you without hesitation, as someone who understood. 

And you let yourself sob.

[strange-and-unsual4]

Surprise - Liam Mairi x Reader

Prompt - It’s your first Valentine’s Day with Liam, and you’re pulling out all the stops to make it perfect for him…complete with a special surprise

Enjoy the last of my Valentines Day prompts! Thank you to all who sent these in, I had a lot of fun making them!

Since the night of threshing, Liam and I had been in this weird limbo. We had taken our friendship a step further that night. And neither of us regretted it. It was amazing. And it happened again frequently. But neither of us dared to label it any more than just a casual thing. Because that’s all it was. But recently it had felt like the dynamic had changed. Whenever Liam touched me, his hand would linger longer than normal. Anytime there was a free seat next to me, he would be the one to fill it. If it was taken? Then he asked whoever was there to move over. The one that had peaked my interest the most was when I had gotten injured during a challenge. Which wasn’t unusual for me to walk out with some sort of injury. In the next class Liam and the other guy were absent. I later learned Liam had started a fight with them after challenges. Yes my injuries were worse than normal. But still healable. That night I had left him to be on his own. Mainly cause I hadn’t seen him either. Almost as if he had been avoiding me. The next day it had all gone back to normal.

But the shift in dynamic had made me…. Hopeful. I couldn’t deny I wanted more. I’d always had a slight crush on Liam. After the rebellion, we had been sent off to different families, but luckily we were sent to ones close by and frequently did events together. As the only rebellion child at my family I was very much on my own. So Liam became my light in my darkest time. My knight in shinning armour so to speak. Which was very fitting with his tan skin, and soft blonde hair. And those eyes. Eyes I could get lost in and had quite a few times. Valentine’s Day was fast approaching, and surprisingly it seemed to be a big thing here in the quadrant. I guess you have to make the most of the little things around here. And that’s what I had planned to do. Even if I was scared shitless.

”Stop freaking out. It will be fine.” Rhiannon reassured me with a nod from Violet who were both sitting on the floor of my room helping me.

I had decided to leave Liam a bunch of surprise gifts throughout the day. Each with a letter. The last one leading to a surprise I had planned and would reveal it was me all day. Though I was sure he would figure it out pretty quickly. He was very smart. Rhiannon, Violet and even Ridoc and Sawyer had agreed to help me with my plan. They were going to be my couriers so to speak. Each of them giving Liam one of the gifts I had worked on over the last few weeks. The last of which I was working on now. I had managed to convince some of the black smiths to give me some materials to work with, and with the help of my dragon, I had melted it down and made a matching charm for Liam and I to wear on a leather bracelet I had also made. I wanted everything I gave Liam to be hand made. He was always making people things with his wooden carvings. Not long after threshing he had given me one of my own dragon. I kept in on my bedside table. He often teased me about it if we ever came to my room.

“I can’t help it.” I say with a sigh as I struggle to get the charm on one of the bracelets. “What if I do all this for nothing.”

Rhiannon gives me a very unimpressed look. “Girl, it won’t be. Trust me.” She holds her hand out to me. “Now give me that before you throw it out the window.”

I hand her the bracelet and she attaches it almost immediately. The cuff I had made for Liam was far easier to attach than the bracelet I had decided on for myself.

”How about we go over the plan again?” Violet suggests as she notices me start to fidget and pick at a fingernail.

Rhiannon nods in agreement. “So Violet is giving him the first present correct?”

I nod. “Yes, the candle I made.”

Violet holds up the neatly wrapped package I had given her just before.

”And at lunch time, I will give him the new wood working set you’ve gotten him.” Rhiannon adds. “Leaving Ridoc and Sawyer to cause chaos and essentially drag him to the tower where you will be waiting.”

”Yes, and I will have the bracelets and be quietly shitting myself that he might reject me.”

Rhiannon and Violet both look at me with very unimpressed looks.

”He is not going to reject you.” Rhiannon scolds me. She’s been doing that a lot the last few days.

”Rhi is right, he won’t. It will all go to plan.” She reassures me.

The girls bid me goodnight and good luck for tomorrow. Luckily no classes are on, so I will be doing my best to be around as little as possible. Hopefully Liam doesn’t try to come looking for me. But Violet assures me she will find a way to keep him busy. Which I’m sure involves the likes of Xaden. That man would do anything for her.

The next day I hide in my room. I need to make sure Liam is gone before I leave. I can’t risk him seeing me. I hear feet stop outside my door and I freeze. It was him, there was no denying that. I vaguely hear Violet call out to him. My heart is pounding too loudly in my ears for me to hear anything they say as I stand there frozen to the ground. A few minutes pass and I watch the shadows outside my door walk away. I let out the breath I had been holding for god knows how long. I open the door slowly and peek out, just in time to catch Violet following Xaden and Liam around the corner. As if she knows I’m there she looks back at me and smiles. Liam was taken care of for the day. I grab my pack with the stuff I had packed last night and made my way to the tower I had planned to use. In the many times I had gone there to escape the quadrant for a few moments, I had never seen anyone there. And today was no exception. Honestly I don’t think anyone had really been up here in years till I found it. It had a beautiful view of the valley and mountains that surrounded the college. Especially in the afternoon as the sun was setting. Which was when I planned for Ridoc and Sawyer to lead Liam up here.

Just as I’ve finished setting up the blanket, some small mage lights strung on some string and some food I had gotten from the kitchens I hear the faint sounds of commotion down below. Ridoc and Sawyer were right on time. I hear foot steps walking up to where I am. I quickly rush over and sit on the ledge of the tower, trying to act as if I’ve been patiently been waiting and my heart isn’t trying to escape my chest. The foot steps stop behind me.

“Y/N?”

I turn around to see Liam standing there, his chest rising and falling as if he’s been running. I was going to have to ask Ridoc and Sawyer what the hell they had done to get him over here. He looks confused at first as he takes in the blanket and pillows, and everything I had set up.

”All the things today, that was all you?” He asks as he walks over to where I am sat.

I nod. “Yeah it was all me. Though I will say I have no idea or had any say in how Ridoc and Sawyer got you here.”

He laughs. “Lets just say they went to a lot of effort to get me here.” He rests his hands on my legs as he stands right in front of me. “Guess I should say thank you for everything you’ve done today.”

“Don’t say thank you just yet.” I tell him.

He tilts his head to the side with a confused look as I reach into the pocket of my jacket and pull out the small bag I had put the leather cuff I had made him. I hold it out to him and he slowly takes it from me. His eyes go wide as he reaches in and pulls out the black leather cuff I had made, a small metal charm in the shape of the protection rune his mum had made us. As he looks back up at me I swear I see tears in his blue eyes. He moves so fast I barely have time to react as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me off the ledge and into a kiss. We had kissed before but not like this. This was different.

We’re a tangle of limbs as I wrap my arms around his neck, my fingers locking in his blonde hair. His arms around my waist. He quickly manoeuvres us so his back is against the pillar and I am leaning up against him between his legs. He breaks away from the kiss, one of his hands reaching up to cup my cheek. A goofy smile on his face that I can’t help but mimic.

”Thank you. You have no idea how much that gift means to me. What you’ve done all day. I had a feeling it was you. That candle instantly reminded me of the orchard back home. I just knew it was you.” He says to me quietly. “And now I can do what I’ve been wanting to do all day. Hell what I’ve been wanting to do for weeks. What I went to do first thing today.”

“And what’s that?” I ask nervously.

”Will you be my girlfriend?”

[strange-and-unsual4]

Is That Blood? - Garrick Tavis

Request - “Is that blood?” “No?” “That’s not a question you’re supposed to answer with another question" I just see all sides of him here with this one lol Requests Open. Masterlist

The walk down the stairs was slow and rough. Every step sending a jolt up my side. I hiss in pain as I step down to a step ever so slightly lower than the other. Damn these stairs up the side of this mountain. I should have called out for help, but the rest of my patrol had rushed off, eager to get to bed after a long day. None of them aware I had been injured in the group of Venin we had encountered. Luckily the knife that had been imbedded in my side had not gone in far. But enough I needed medical attention. And this late at night I knew there would be no healers awake. Guess a home DIY job would have to do till morning.

I finally stumble into the courtyard, my footsteps echoing louder than normal as I make my way over to another set of stairs. At least this time I would have a wall to brace against on my way up. I was honestly surprised I hadn’t fallen to my death as I’d hobbled down the others. With one hand braced on the wall, I start my ascent up to the fifth floor where my room was located in the barracks. After a few steps, I realise up was a lot harder than going down. Every time I raise my left leg, I can’t help the groan that escapes my lips. Only four more floors of this. Great.

My foot catches on one of the stairs, sending me sprawling forward as I brace myself on my hands and knees as I land on the landing. Least I hadn’t landed on more stairs. Bracing myself on the wall, I manage to pull myself upright before leaning against it and shutting my eyes. Breath in. Breath out. I can do this. Only three more floors to go. I push off the wall and open my eyes to continue my journey, but a figure in the archway leading towards the family quarters has me jumping back, a yelp escaping my lips. The figure steps forward into the moonlight illuminating the stairway through an open window. I should have known who it was without it. No one was as tall or big as he was, even his curly hair recognisable in the dark. Garrick. His eyes furrow as they look over me, before focusing where my hand clutches my side.

”Is that blood?” He asks me gruffly as he steps forward again.

I look down to see my fingers are stained red from where blood has seeped through. Shit.

”No?” I say, it coming out as more of a question than an answer.

Garrick cock’s his eyebrow at me. “That’s not a question you’re supposed to answer with another question.”

”Maybe I’m starting a new trend?” I say with a sheepish grin.

I can instantly tell Garrick is not impressed with my answer with the deadpan look he gives me, his tell-tale jaw tick indicating his annoyance. But I can see him fighting a smile as the corners of his mouth ever so slightly curl at the edges.

”And how’s that going for you?” He asks before bending down and scooping me up into his arms before walking us up the stairs.

I brace for the pain to worsen with my wound pressed up against Garrick, but it doesn’t. If anything, the pain lessens. I look up at him confused, but Garrick’s stare is set firmly ahead as he walks us up the stairs.

”It’s going great, can’t you tell.” I huff as I settle into his arms, laying my head on his shoulder.

”Oh I can tell. Cause bleeding all over the stairs is the epitome of great.” His tone a mix of joking and serious.

”I was not bleeding all over the stairs. I had it contained.” I mutter.

I feel Garrick’s chest rise with silent laughter, containing his usual booming laugh as we walk into a corridor that does NOT lead to my room. My room was another two floors up. Where the hell was he taking me? He walks us past the assigned rooms and through an archway to another area of Riorson House. More private rooms. He pushes open a door and instantly I’m hit with Garrick’s scent. This was his room. Just like most Rider’s rooms it was pretty bare, only the necessities, but there were little bits of Garrick here and there. I barely get to take in the room before he’s kicking the main door closed and walking me towards an archway. He quickly places me on the counter in the adjoining bathroom, before walking back into his room. He returns quickly with a first aid kit, already pulling out bandages, cleaning supplies and some needle and thread.

”Take you’re jacket off.” He mumbles as he starts to set up his supplies.

I shrug off the jacket as best as I can, the pain now returning now I wasn’t in Garrick’s arms. He quickly grabs my flight jacket, placing it on an empty hook on the wall. I can’t help but wince as he gently lifts my shirt to observe the wound. I look down to see the skin around the would red and irritated, a slight purple colour to the edges. The knife had been coated in something. Garrick must have the same thought as he rushes from the room, quickly returning with a vial he holds out to me. A silent command to drink it, which I do quickly.

”Of course you would manage this after every healer here has gone to bed, and Brennan is away.” He mutters as he starts to clean the wound with a cloth and water.

”Not exactly like I planned for this to happen while out on patrol.” I tell him, wincing as cleans the edges of the cut.

He just shakes his head at me before grabbing the needle and thread from the counter. I turn away, opting to not look at Garrick stitch me back together. Sure I could do it to myself, but there was something about watching someone else do it that always made me uneasy. I brace for the all too familiar sting of the needle piercing the skin as Garrick places a hand just next to the wound. But it doesn’t come. All I can feel is a slight tug. Strange. I turn my head to look, and sure enough Garrick is stitching up the wound. But no pain. Not a single bit. And I know Garrick didn’t have anything to numb it. The vial he had given me was to treat the poison we knew the Venin used. It had no numbing or healing qualities to it. Was this his signet? I try to think of any instance of Garrick using a signet, and come up blank. In all the years I’ve known him, not once have I seen him do anything that could be explained by a signet. Till now. As if reading my mind, he removes his hand to help tie off the last stitch, and immediately I’m hit with the familiar dull throb of pain I associate with being stitched together. Garrick is silent as he starts to pack away the first aid kit, holding the bandage out to me to take. I grab it and quickly wrap it around myself, holding the padding in place in case any blood decided to seep through before I got to the healers in the morning. I place my hands on the counter to push myself off, planning on heading back to my room to sleep. But before I can Garrick scoops me up in his arms again, silently carrying me back to his room and placing me on his bed.

”If you just wanted me in your bed Garrick, all you had to do is ask.” I tease as he sits on the edge next to me.

He chuckles lightly and shakes his head, replying, "You're insufferable, you know that? Now get some rest. I'll get you to a healer in the morning." He stands up, but not before giving my hand a comforting squeeze.

Exhaustion pulls at me, but I manage a grin. "Only for you, Garrick." I murmur as I let sleep claim me. Garrick laughs softly at that, a sound that brings a strange sense of comfort. He watches over me for a moment longer before finally turning out the light and leaving me to rest.

[strange-and-unsual4]

Goodbye - Garrick Tavis

Request by @fw-gt - "I never want to see you again." A/N: This was a weird one to write. I'm torn between liking writing this, but also hating writing something like this for my main Rebellion boy. Please don't hate me! But I hope you enjoy it.

Masterlist

I stare at Garrick in shock as I try to process his words as my heart thunders in my chest, and my blood runs cold. My mind torn between lashing out at him or breaking down and crying. My mind decides on a mixture of both as silent tears start to fall down my cheeks and my eyes narrow at him.

”What did you say?” I manage to get out in a somewhat neutral tone.

I watch as he hangs his head and his shoulders sag. “We need to stop seeing each other. It’s too dangerous.”

”Too dangerous? Why is it all of a sudden too dangerous?” I snap at him.

I’m glad the courtyard is empty, the rest of the quadrant in the dinning hall celebrating graduation. All except Garrick and I. Garrick who has just broken my heart.

”You know why.” He says angrily as he lifts his head to look at me. “I nearly lost you in that attack!”

”And I nearly lost you! But you don’t see me throwing the last two years down the drain because of it!” I yell back as I step towards him.

His gaze hardens at my words and I watch as I notice the tick in his jaw. “You know the last two years have meant so much to me. Do not question that. This isn’t easy for me to do.”

“Then why are you doing it?” I demand.

”Because I will not let them use you to get at me. And don’t you try tell me they won’t because they will. We both know they will do whatever they can to get at us. To get information out of us. And I can’t protect you if I am not here.” His voice shakes at the end.

As much as I know it is hurting him to do this, I still see red. He was willing to end this because of one thing going wrong. Yes we lost people, but we had both walked out alive. Alive and together. We had both fought to make sure we made it back to each other.

”What about Xaden and Violet?” I ask him.

His eyebrow furrows. “What has this got to do with them?”

”Is he also ending things with Violet to protect her?”

”Their situation is complicated. This is different.”

”Different?” I shake my head at him, a sarcastic laugh escaping my lips. “No. It isn’t. She is also in danger, probably more so than me. And we both know I can protect myself better than her.”

"They have mated dragons. She’s a target no matter what he does.”

”And I will be to. We don’t need to be in a relationship for them to know they can get to you through me. I have a target on my back regardless of what we do. I have a target on my back just for being in Athebyne.”

”At least I can try to protect you by doing this.” He tells me softly as he steps towards me as he goes to grab my hand.

I step back out of his reach, shaking my head at him as new tears roll down my face. “You should know more than anyone I do not need protecting. I have been through the same shit as you. I can handle myself.”

He tries to reach for me again. I take another step back. “I know you can. Gods I know you can. I have never doubted your ability to fight or protect yourself. But at least I can try lessen the threat against you. When this is all over we can go back to how things were. Back to each other.” He pleads to me.

“No. There is no us after this is all done. I never want to see you again.” I say sternly even though it breaks my heart to.

I stare into his eyes as I shake my head and I can see the moment his heart breaks. As he realises he’s fucked up. I watch as his hand reaches for me. My body screams at me to rush into his arms and take it all back. To say I will wait for him. But it’s too late. Garrick had broken my heart beyond repair. I watch as tears form in his eyes, one escaping and rolling down his cheek.

”You…. You don’t mean that.” His voice quivering as he speaks. His chest rising and falling faster, his panic setting in.

”Goodbye Garrick.” I say before turning on my heel and walking away.

Each step being harder than the next. I hear a small thud behind me. As I go to turn the corner I see Garrick kneeling on the ground where I left him and my broken heart.

[strange-and-unsual4]

Garrick Tavis Pregnant Reader HC's

Prompt from @garricks4thwingqueen - I just feel like Gare would be so prefect when his girl is pregnant. Maybe just some fluff or maybe a little worry because reader is having a difficult time with the pregnancy. A/N: Couldn't resist doing this as head cannon's, and you just know he would be the best during a pregnancy. Keep an eye out next week for Father Garrick Tavis HC's! Masterlist

Garrick is over the moon when you tell him. That man never cries, but you best believe tears are streaming down his face as he pulls you into a tight hug. Though he instantly panics about hurting the baby which has you rolling your eyes at him.

He is so excited and wants to tell everyone immediately. You try to stop him, but he’s already running off to find Xaden and Bodhi. There was no stopping him from telling them. Nothing at all.

While out on a mission Chradh informs him you are not well via the bond he has with your dragon. As he reaches for your presence he can tell its closed off, but there’s something there that you can’t quite hide. Something he can pick up on easily due to his signet. Sickness or Pain. It sends him into a panic instantly, going home without a second thought.

He rushes inside to see you sitting on the ground, leaning up against the counter next to the toilet. His panic eases slightly, just morning sickness. But he can tell instantly that you are no good, and it’s not going easy on you. He scoops you into his arms, taking you back to bed. He gathers a bucket, cold water, a wet face cloth and some plain biscuits. He slides in next to you, pulling you against him.

The morning sickness lasts months. Almost till the very end. But the healers assure you both baby is fine, and everyone handles pregnancy differently. You immediately tell Garrick no more sex if this is what she has to go through.

The whole way through he gets you anything you need. Ice cream? He’s already noted the flavours you have craved and has them stored. In fact any craving or preference you have or keep going back to, he has on hand already. So much it could probably last you another pregnancy. But that man is well prepared for any craving after they started appearing and catching him out of nowhere. He didn’t want to face your wrath ever again. It takes a lot to scare him. You scared him.

Every night that man is running you a bath. No showers for you while you’re pregnant. Though you do sneak a few when he’s out on patrol. Nothing beats washing your hair in the shower. He goes all out on the baths. Bath salts, candles, anything he can find to make it more relaxing for you.

That man is also reading up on anything and everything to help you and the baby out. He has covered all bases from things to make the birth easier for you, to things to help the baby once they arrive. He wants to make this experience as good as he can for you despite the morning sickness.

As the baby gets closer Garrick is in full dad mode. He’s building all the new furniture, he’s baby proofing everything, and he’s packing your bags ready to take to the healers should the baby decide to come suddenly.

And that baby does come suddenly. Almost two weeks early. He’s out on a patrol with Xaden and Bodhi when Chradh alerts him through the bond. The way he stops mid flight, those two know what's happening before the smile breaks out on his face. In seconds the three of them are racing back so Garrick can be there for you. And he make’s it just in time to meet his child.

[strange-and-unsual4]

"For Her, Always"

oneshot

Garrick Tavis x Riorson reader Request: Garrick x riorson little sister (she is a 2 year with Bohdi they are bff) they fell in love when they were little and now she is a rider but they hide what they feel to not upset Xaden, but the some guy flirts with her and we get MAD JELOUS Garrick and he hurts the guy on challenges, Xaden notices and they have a talk so then reader and Garrick can be together (Love confession Bridgerton style) wc: 6.8 ☆ no specific spoilers. Uses pronouns: she/her.

Masterlist ☆ Dragon guide ☆ Star's story ☆ Empyrean guide ☆ Support me

If there was one thing about Garrick Travis then it was that he was attractive, always had been- even when he was younger. I would be lying if I said I didn't feel something for him. And maybe, just maybe, I would have said something by now if it wasn't for the fact that he's best friends with my brother.

Xaden.

He has enough on his mind. Adding to that is the last thing on my mind. Even if that means I'll have to keep my feelings to myself. Even if that means my heart will keep yearning for what I can't have. At least I can still stare at him. From a distance, in the practice room. It's better than nothing I suppose.

"You're staring." Bodhi muzes next to me. I shoot a small glare his way as I continue to wrap my hands for sparring. "Am not." I respond tense.

Second year is more difficult and stressfull than it seemed. RSC hanging over my head. Xaden has done his part in preparing me but that didn't make it less terrifying and seeing as it's unpredictable when leadership would come and get us, well, that just makes it worse.

Not that I have seen a lot of Xaden lately, he's been occupied with a certain Sorrengail.

That thought brings me back to where I am. Xaden is training the youngest Sorrengail on one of the mats in the corners, Garrick not far away from them as he practices with his sword.

And I'd hate to admit it but I am staring.

After I finish wrapping my hands I stand and pick up my daggers. They had always been my preferred weapon. Light but easy to use.

I go through my usual warm up routine. Swinging them around. It's all going smoothly until I hear a voice call out. "Looking good, beautiful."

I glance toward the voice, only to find Oren—the overconfident third-year with a cocky grin plastered on his face—walking toward me. He’s twirling his sword as if to show off, his steps relaxed.

“Your technique’s good, but I think you’re missing something,” he says, a smirk on his face.

I raise an eyebrow at him, unimpressed. “And what would that be?” He shrugs, a look of mischief appears in his eyes. “A partner. You know, someone to make things more… interesting.” He takes a step closer, lowering his voice. “Maybe someone who can keep up with you.”

I roll my eyes and focus back on my daggers, spinning one lazily between my fingers. “I’m perfectly fine. Thanks though.” I reply sarcastic, focusing back on my daggers. In the corner of my eye i catch Garrick's gaze.

But Oren doesn’t back down. “Come on, beautiful. You’ve got moves, but I bet I could teach you a thing or two. Maybe over a Meal?” His grin widens. I shake off the shiver that runs through my spine. An uncomfortable look on my face.

"Back off Oren." Bodhi's voice cuts through the tension. "She's already got someone to spar with." Bodhi's voice is on the cold side, almost as sharp as my brother Xaden's.

I give Bodhi a grateful smile as Oren retreats a step, his hands up in surrender. The smirk on his face is still present and I can tell he's not finished. For now maybe. But not forever.

♤

I stand by the surrounding crowd. All our eyes are on the mat, at the fight that is happening. It's a good match-- the matches before this one were a little meh but this one is actually good, we might be onto something.

The match ends after the second year taps out. From the corner of my eye I can see Garrick talking to Emmeterio. Why would he talk to him?

"Next match. Seifert and Travis." Emmeterio announces and my heart jumpes in my throat. That can't be a coincidence can it? Garrick against Oren not even a day after the small incident in the sparring room.

I can feel Xaden's eyes on me but I don't turn to face him. My eyes are solely on Garrick as he takes his place on the mat. His face holds the sole emotion of anger.

Oren charges first but Garrick side steps him, around his attack. Oren tries again but Garrick takes a hold of his arm, twisting it and Oren let's out a groan.

I can see Garrick say something to Oren but it's too quiet for me to hear. Garrick starts twisting his arm at an unnatural angle. He puts his leg between Oren's and he falls backwards on the mat. I knew Garrick was a good fighter but he's really good.

Garrick easily straddles Oren, a dagger at his throat and I wouldn't wish the look upon Garricks face to anyone. Not even my worst enemy.

He moves his dagger slightly, enough to draw blood but not enough to seriously injure him. I hold my breath at the sight. There is no way Garrick would actually kill him right?

He presses the blad harder against Oren's neck. I hear the familiar tap against the mat, he taps out. I let out the breath I'd been holding, Garrick slowly gets off him. He takes a step backwards, his dagger still in his hand.

I also take a step back, most people in this room night not know what this means but some do. I can feel bodhi's and Xaden's eyes in my back, burning holes.

I can see Xaden follow Garrick out of the sparring room and I don't hesitate to follow. I follow them quietly until they stop in a dark alley.

"What was that supposed to mean?" Xaden snaps at Garrick. His voice full of authority. I stay hidden behind the wall.

"He was flirting with her last night." I hear Garrick argue, frustration laced in his tone. "I'm aware of that. I saw it to but she can defend herself." Xaden voice grows bored.

"You're telling me you don't care that an asshole was flirting with your sister?" The frustration in his voice grows harsher.

“Of course I care,” Xaden snaps. “But I trust her to handle it. You, however, handled it as though you were issuing a challenge. That’s not protecting her—it’s claiming her.”

Garrick falls silent for a moment, his heavy breathing the only sound in the alley. “Maybe I am,” he says quietly, his voice carrying a weight I’ve never heard before. My breath catches in my throat.

“You don’t get to do that unless you’re willing to back it up,” Xaden warns, his tone razor-sharp. “You don’t get to make her your responsibility unless she’s choosing you. So tell me, Garrick, what exactly are your intentions?”

There’s a long pause before Garrick speaks, but when he does, his voice is steady. “My intentions are to love her. To protect her. To be the one she can turn to for the rest of her life. If that’s claiming her, so be it. I’ve loved her for longer than I care to admit, and I’m done hiding it.”

I press my hand to my mouth, trying to contain the gasp that threatens to escape. Did he just say…?

“And what about her?” Xaden challenges. “Have you even thought about what she wants? Or is this just about you?”

“It’s about her,” Garrick snaps back. “It’s always been about her.” “Then maybe you should say something to her instead of throwing daggers at every man who looks her way,” Xaden retorts. “Because this whole display? It’s not going to win her over. Talk to her. And for both your sakes, stop making me the middleman.”

I hear footsteps retreating, the sound of Xaden walking away. My heart pounds as I realize I’m now alone with Garrick, hidden just around the corner.

I take a shaky breath, stepping out of the shadows. “You could’ve just asked me,” I say softly.

Garrick whirls around, his eyes wide with shock. “How long have you been there?”

“Long enough,” I admit, stepping closer. “Is it true? What you said?”

He looks away, running a hand through his hair. “It doesn’t matter—” “It does matter,” I cut him off, my voice trembling. “Because I’ve spent so long trying to convince myself that what I feel for you is one-sided. That you could never see me as anything more than Xaden’s little sister. And now you’re telling me that you… that you’ve felt the same way?”

His gaze snaps to mine, his expression a mix of hope and disbelief. “You… you feel the same?”

I nod, my chest tightening as the words spill out. “I’ve been in love with you for years, Garrick. But I thought you’d never… I thought it wasn’t possible.”

He takes a step toward me, his hand reaching out to cup my cheek. “You have no idea how hard it’s been, keeping my distance. Watching you with Oren last night, I just… I couldn’t take it anymore.”

“And today?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. “On the mat?” “I wanted him to know,” he admits, his thumb brushing against my skin. “That you’re not just some girl to flirt with. That you’re… everything to me.”

I can’t help the tears that well in my eyes as I lean into his touch. “Then stop keeping your distance,” I whisper. “I’m right here.”

He doesn’t hesitate. His lips find mine in a kiss that’s both fierce and tender, years of longing and unspoken words pouring into that one moment. His arms wrap around me, pulling me close, and for the first time, I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be.

When we finally pull apart, his forehead rests against mine, his breath warm against my skin. “You’re my everything,” he murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. “And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you.”

I smile, my heart lighter than it’s ever been. “You’ve already done enough,” I whisper. “But I wouldn’t mind seeing you try.”

♤

[strange-and-unsual4]

Fourth Wing Boy HC's - Challenges

Prompt - Violet tips you off about your next challenge and it's someone you're really likely to lose to. So how would our boys help you prepare and help with you being nervous and anxious about it? A/N: Sorry for the later than normal post. Currently sick and I completely forgot to schedule this one! I'd say I'm sorry for the last one.... but I'm not. Masterlist

Garrick

As soon as Violet told you about your opponent, Garrick was giving you extra training sessions after classes to prepare you. It became his mission to make sure you had everything you needed to succeed in this challenge.

The night before he would run you through everything he’s taught you. Make sure you’re ready for anything that might be thrown at you from your opponent. He wouldn’t go hard on you though, wanting to make sure you had all your strength for the next day

That night at dinner he’s making sure you eat food that’s going to help you the next day. Give you the energy you need for your challenge. Your plate is full of food, way more than you would normally eat. You go to object but the look he gives you as you holding back your words as well as eating everything on your plate.

After dinner and training is done, he wants to make sure you are super relaxed. You return to your room after showering to Garrick waiting for you. But instead of the usual activities you would be doing in your bed, Garrick just wants you to be relaxed. He’s gotten your favourite warm drink ready, grabbed whatever it is you do to relax, and is ready to give you a massage to relax your muscles for tomorrow. To Garrick this is the most important part of the prep. You need a good nights sleep and he is making sure you get it.

Xaden

Just like Garrick, it becomes his mission to make sure you are prepared and ready for your fight. Even if its not training with him, he would assign someone else to help you. He wants to make sure you have the best training for you.

If he’s not the one training you he is always there though. Providing guidance, pointers and to step in and help out if need be.

The night before at training he can sense how nervous and anxious you are. He notes the way you pick at your nails, play with your hair, how you’re fidgety. If he has someone else training with you he tells them to go.

He would take you somewhere quiet and secluded, just you and him. He would give you the biggest pep talk, pointing out all your strengths and how to use them to your advantage. He would make sure you feel confident in yourself and what you can do. He doesn’t want you going into the challenge with doubts in your mind.

Bodhi

Initially he would be the one more nervous and anxious than you. He would be worried about what could happen due to your opponent being vastly bigger than you.

He would do his best to help you prepare but eventually Garrick or Xaden would tell him to go do something else cause he would start worrying and it would put you off. Which then leads to you becoming nervous and anxious, and then thinking you’re not going to be able to do it.

After Xaden or Garrick gave him a firm talking to about being a nervous mess and putting you off, he would do anything he can to make you feel better. He would pull you aside and tell you how sorry he is for getting in your head and making you doubt yourself and promises to help in anyway he can. He starts taking you on morning runs to clear your head, stretching with you after training and telling you how well you were doing.

The night before he would make sure you two spent all of it together. Just enjoying each others company and making sure you’re relaxed and ready for tomorrow.

Liam

Being the best in your year, Liam immediately jumps into helping you prepare once he sees how nervous and anxious you are.

Unlike Xaden and Garrick, he would talk you through some things you can do first. He’s been watching you fight for months now so he knows exactly how you move and handle yourself. But like Xaden he focuses on your strengths and what you can do to use that to your advantage in the challenge.

Once he gets you on the mat he takes it super slow with you, not wanting to overwhelm you with everything at once. He runs through everything slowly to make sure you understand it all and feel confident in the changes he has suggested.

You wake up the morning off to a small wooden carving on your nightstand with a note in Liam’s handwriting ‘You’ve got this. Go knock em dead. But not literally please.’

Dain (I’m not sorry for the below)

This man would be trying to get you out of the challenge. He would try use rank and name to get that changed ASAP. Just no help at all.

[strange-and-unsual4]

Fourth Wing Boys Head Cannons - Accidental/Unplanned Pregnancy

These are based around the battle at the end of Iron Flame. So if you have not read Iron Flame, the below will contain spoilers for some of our boys.

Masterlist | Support Me

Garrick

He would be as still as a statue. You aren’t even sure he’s even breathing as he looks down at you wide eyed. You were both on the tonic, but clearly there must have been a faulty batch. The healers were adamant. You were pregnant.

After a few moments he’d snap out of it, brow furrowing as he thinks everything over in his head. “Are you sure? Did you get-“ you cut him off with a nod, which is all he needs to shut his mouth and nod.

You could tell what he was thinking. This was no time to be having a child. Not in the midst of a rebellion. Not a rebellion you both had prominent parts in. Not when Xaden needed him.

After a few tense moments of Garrick being stoney faced and reserved, a small smile would start to pull at the corners of his mouth. Which honestly surprised you. Before you Garrick wasn’t really the relationship kind of guy. You even falling into that category a few times till another rider had showed interest after you were both sent to Samara.

“Really picked the perfect time to fall pregnant didn’t you?” He teases before to swat his arm, his usual booming laugh breaking through the tension that was now nowhere to be seen.

Despite the teasing joke you could tell he was nervous, worried and unsure. Especially as he pulls you against him, resting his head atop yours as it rests against his chest. His heart beating erratically underneath, a start contrast to calm demeanour he was trying to output.

Bodhi

He drops whatever he was holding, staring at you with shock as he goes utterly still. Wide eyed, mouth open as he just looks at you.

He goes to talk multiple times but keeps shutting his mouth, clearly unsure what to say. Eventually starting to pace back and forth till you grasp his hand.

His eyes snap to yours, some of the panic dissipating ever so slightly as he relaxes at your touch, the small circles you rub onto the back of his hand with your thumb grounding him.

His free hand comes up to run through his black wavy hair. “You’re sure? Like 100% sure?” He asks nervously.

You nod up at him, his eyes going wide again, but you note the corners of his mouth pulling up. You know the nervousness and panic comes from the rebellion. It’s not ideal timing. But now there’s not much you can do.

Panic flares again in Bodhi’s eyes, his hand tightening around yours. “Xaden’s going to kill me”

Xaden

it’s not often you see Xaden caught out or surprised. In fact you can’t remember ever seeing him like that. And yet here he is, staring at you, still as a statue. Not a single emotion or reaction detectable on his face. Almost like he was expecting the news.

“Fuck.” He finally says before walking over to you, his eyes glued on your stomach which currently shows no signs of the baby inside.

You can see him thinking over everything in his head. Every possibility and scenario playing out.

“You have to promise to not be reckless anymore. I can’t risk loosing you two. Ok?” His words coming out almost like a command, but there’s that slight hint of worry that softens his words. You know he just wants to protect you, and that you’ll definitely be tacking a back seat going forward.

Brennan

He pinches the bridge of his nose, pacing back and forth as he mutters to himself. It reminds you so much of Violet and how she recites facts to calm herself and focus.

Back and forth, back and forth, you’re sure he’s going to wear a track in the floor at this rate. You reach out and grab his hand to stop him.

His amber eyes instantly soften as he looks at you. “I was doing the thing, wasn’t I?” He asks as he purses his lips, knowing he slipped into planning mode. You nod at him and smile. “Yeah, you kinda did.”

He smiles down at you, and instantly you feel like everything is going to be ok. Is it good timing? Gods no. Especially with the Venin advancing on Navarre. And especially now they know Brennan is alive.

“We’ll make it work. We always do.” He tells you softly, reaching up and caressing your cheek.

Dain

This man is in denial. How could this happen? You were both on the tonic. And that tonic has never failed. Every logical situation runs through his head. There’s no way this could have happened. Unless….

“Did you stop taking the tonic?” He asks, tones almost accusing as he walks up to you, a hand raised towards your face. He lowers it wicking when he sees the anger on your face, answering his question immediately.

He would be spiraling. In a matter of weeks he’s gone from being the golden child, helping to get rid of the marked ones. And now here he was in Aretia, fighting against everything he’s always known, and now you’re pregnant.

He reaches out and takes your hands, grasping them in his as he lets out a shaky breath. “Really took disappointing my dad to a whole new level didn’t I?”

Sawyer

He would be shocked, looking at you like he doesn’t believe you. Like the words didn’t just leave your lips. But they did. You were pregnant with his child.

Despite the seriousness of the situation you were all in he would embrace you immediately.

“You’re not mad?” You ask him as he pulls away. “Gods no. Is it terrible timing? Probably, but we’ll make it work.”

Which feels like it won’t as you sit next to his bed, his leg now missing as you grip onto his hand like a lifeline. Everyone else had gone, leaving just you with him. None of them aware of what was looming over you.

He lightly squeezes your hand, your eyes snapping to his as he lazily smiles at you. You engulf him in a hug, completely forgetting about his injury. You start sobbing all the thoughts tumbling around your head. Sawyer just embraces you tighter, whispering you’ll make it work. It has to. Especially with the ring he wears on a chain around his neck. Waiting for the perfect moment.

Ridoc

He literally thinks you’re joking, trying to pull some prank on him like he does to literally everyone else. But once he sees the way you’re looking at him he goes silent. Ridoc who is never silent. And yet here you are taking the words right out of his mouth.

“Holy shit you’re not joking are you?” He finally asks you. When you shake your head at him he gets so excited.

It might not be the best time with everything going on, but he’s too excited to care right now.

He runs out the door to find Sawyer screaming “I’m going to be a dad!”

So much for keeping that quiet. The whole of Aretia knows with how louds he’s yelling and screaming.

[strange-and-unsual4]

"Shadows and sparks"

Oneshot

Xaden Riorson x reader

Request + Blurb: Could I request first year reader constantly getting on Xaden's nerves and pushing his buttons until the reader sees Violet and Xaden making out one night and suddenly reader stops interacting with Xaden, which drives him crazy? wc: 5.7 ☆ NO SPOILERS FOR THE EMPYREAN SERIES. No specific pronous used, i think.

My first request! thank you so, so much lovely! <3

Masterlist ☆ Dragon guide ☆ Star's story ☆ Empyrean guide ☆ Support me

It had been weeks of trying to get my sword swing right. With daggers, I was skilled—extremely skilled—but swords were a different story. They were heavier, harder to handle. So, I’d started asking Xaden for help.

For the last few weeks, Xaden had been working with me, but it never seemed like he actually wanted to. That thought alone filled me with insecurity.

Today, I had one of those rare moments as a first year where I had nothing on my schedule. I saw it as the perfect opportunity to get in some extra training.

But for that, I needed Xaden.

Lucky me, he just happened to be in the training room, his friend Garrick not far off. Both of them were clearly caught up in their own routines.

I hesitated for a moment before slowly making my way over to him, sword in hand. I always doubted myself when asking for his help. Sure, he did help, but it never felt like he actually enjoyed it. Maybe he only did it because I’m a marked one.

“Hey…” I said quietly, my voice barely audible. I swallowed hard, steeling myself before trying again. “Would you mind helping me with that swing? I think I almost have it.” I tried to sound casual, throwing in a touch of friendliness for good measure.

He stopped mid-movement and turned toward me, his cold eyes locking onto mine. Yep, definitely annoyed.

I sucked in a deep breath. “Just a moment…please?” I tried again, my tone softer this time.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair before letting it fall to his side. He dropped his sword. “Just a moment,” he said, his voice as sharp and cutting as the blade in my hand.

Xaden was always the same when he gave instructions—sharp, and to the point. Even after the session ended and he stepped off the mat, he didn’t soften. No goodbye, no comment on what I should work on. It was strange—he always had something to say, some correction to offer for next time.

Not today. Today, I had officially pushed all his buttons and that made me feel horrible.

Later that night, about an hour before curfew, I wandered through the massive halls of the Riders Quadrant. With the freezing months settling in, a nice hot drink seemed like a good idea.

I turned toward the courtyard when I heard voices—two of them. A man and a woman.

“We’ll both regret it,” the man said, his tone low and laced with frustration.

No…wait. That’s Xaden’s voice.

“Naturally,” the woman replied, her voice calm and familiar. Violet Sorrengail.

As quietly as I could, I moved toward the edge of the wall. I peeked around the corner, but I immediately wished I hadn’t.

Violet and Xaden. Kissing.

I bit my lip. No, it wasn’t just kissing—she was practically climbing him.

I stepped back from the wall, sucking in a shaky breath to stop myself from trembling.

I never felt anything romantic for Xaden—or at least that’s what I told myself. He was helpful, even when he never seemed to want to be. But seeing them together…it hurt more than I expected.

It's probably better this way. If i don't talk to him, i won't have to face the humuliation of knowing he chose someone else.

The urge to look again, to confirm what I’d seen, was huge. But I knew what I saw. No need to make it worse.

♤

It had been five days since I last spoke to Xaden—or more accurately, since I started avoiding him. The ache in my chest hadn’t eased, no matter how much I tried to bury it.

I spent most of my free time practicing. Training felt like the only way to get him out of my head, though it never worked completely.

It was nearly dark, the training room clearing out as the hours ticked by. I swung my sword again, harder this time, pouring my frustration into each movement.

“Use that much force, and you’ll cut your own head off.”

I froze at the sharp voice behind me.

Taking a deep breath, I turned to face Xaden. You can do this, I told myself.

“I don’t recall asking your opinion,” I said, keeping my tone neutral as I buried my emotions.

He raised a brow, the scarred one. “You asked me to teach you,” he argued, his voice just as sharp.

“Do you think I don’t notice you slipping out of every room I walk into? Avoiding me like I’ve done something wrong?” He steps closer, his voice low and cutting. “Tell me what I did.”

I scoffed and turned back toward my mat, but before I could pick up my sword, his hand wrapped around my wrist.

“Let go,” I said through gritted teeth, trying to pull away.

“No,” he said firmly. “Not until you tell me why you’ve been avoiding me. And don’t lie—we both know you have.”

His grip didn’t loosen, but his tone softened slightly, the sharp edge still unmistakable.

“I don’t get involved in relationship drama,” I replied sarcastically, giving him a pointed look.

His frown deepened. “What does that have to do with anything?”

“You and Violet,” I said, raising a brow. “I’m not getting between that mess.”

His grip finally loosened, and he stepped back, confusion flickering across his face.

“Violet and I are not…that is not—we’re not together,” he said sharply.

“She climbed you like a tree five nights ago,” I deadpanned, meeting his gaze head-on.

For a moment, he just stared at me. Then, to my shock, a grin spread across his face—wider than I’d ever seen.

“You’re jealous,” he said, his tone almost teasing.

“Excuse me?” I shot back, taken aback. “I assure you, I am not jealous. I just refuse to be part of a mess.”

He stepped closer, and I instinctively backed into the wall. His hands came up, caging me in.

“I assure you,” he said softly, his voice dropping lower, “there’s nothing between Violet and me. What you saw was her first time experiencing the mating bond between our dragons.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but he beat me to it.

“Surprisingly, I only have eyes for you.”

My breath hitched, his words catching me completely off guard. “You don’t show it,” I managed to say after a moment. "All you’ve ever done is push me away.”

His brows furrowed, frustration flickering across his face. “Because I can’t think straight when you’re around. You’re stubborn, infuriating, and you have no idea what you’re doing to me.”

He sighed, the softness in his expression almost foreign. “It’s difficult to teach you when all I want to do is kiss you.”

Excuse me? There is no way that this man just admitted that. The usual cold, emotionless man that I had been stupidly falling for did not just admit to want to kiss me.

"what?" I whisper out, not trusting my voice to talk any louder or say anything else.

One of his hands cup my face and I can feel my cheeks flush. "All I want to do is kiss you." He repeats, his voice is just as confident as before.

I think for a moment before I speak again. "Then why don't you?" The question is soft and I can barely even finish it as his mouth crashes on mine.

The kiss is rough, just as I expected from this man. His hand on my face tightens and his other hand goes to my waist. He squeezes my waist softly as the kiss deepens.

Gods, this man.

After a few more seconds he pulls away, leaving my breathless as I lean against the wall.

"That was..." I start breathless. "Perfect," he finishes for me. A smile creeps up my face, I can feel my body heat up more every second.

"yeah....yeah, it was perfect," I repeat and I lift my eyes to his. He seems to be feeling the heat to.

"we can finish what we started in my room." He proposes and my eyes widen slightly-- not in fear, no, in anticipation.

I nod my face quickly. "Yeah sounds amazing. Sounds perfect." I say with a smile. He gives me a grin.

"Let's go then." He says grabbing my hand.

♤

[strange-and-unsual4]

Are You Kidding Me?

Pairing: Xaden Riorson x reader

After the war ends and Xaden is cured, you find out you're pregnant and quietly start preparing for the baby—until one innocent look at a onesie has you spiralling over the size of baby heads. Xaden tries to comfort you, but mostly ends up laughing as you dramatically mourn your future labour. Still, in the middle of all the teasing and ridiculous threats to name your child after Tairn, there's no mistaking the fierce love growing between you both—and not just for the baby.

⚠️ Content Warning: This story contains light-hearted pregnancy humour, dramatic groaning over labour fears, affectionate teasing, and excessive banter between deeply in-love idiots. Mild mentions of childbirth logistics and one (1) emotional moment that may cause unexpected feelings. Proceed with snacks and emotional support dragons.

You stared down at the tiny onesie in your hands, the fabric soft and dyed in a rich midnight blue—almost the same shade as Sgaeyl’s scales when she told Xaden he should try to convince you to rest instead of running combat drills.

It was adorable. The little snaps, the embroidered gryphon, the hood with tiny horns. You’d melted the second you saw it in the little market in Aretia and bought it without thinking.

Well, you’d bought five of them. In different colours. With matching mittens.

You were beaming when you got home—until, about five minutes later, curiosity ruined your bliss.

You glanced down at your bump—just the softest swell under your tunic—and then looked back at the baby clothes on the bed. More specifically, the size of the neck holes. Then your gaze dropped slowly to your legs.

“No,” you whispered. “Absolutely not.”

You picked up the onesie again, holding it by the shoulders and squinting like somehow it was the fabric’s fault. You paced back and forth in the bedroom you shared with Xaden, muttering calculations under your breath, comparing your hips to the fabric like a madwoman.

“This thing’s head is bigger than my—oh gods,” you wheezed.

The door creaked open behind you. “I’m almost afraid to ask,” came Xaden’s voice, amused and warm.

You turned around slowly, holding the onesie out like evidence of a crime. “Do you know how big their heads are?”

His brows rose, then furrowed. “...The babies?”

“Yes, the babies, Xaden.” You gestured wildly to the onesie. “Their heads are this big. This is supposed to come out of me. I don’t think I thought this through.”

He blinked, clearly trying not to laugh. “You… measured?”

“I’m thorough.” You shot him a glare. “Did you know this? Did you know how huge baby heads are?”

“I—” he choked, covering his mouth with his hand. “I mean, I figured you’d read a book or something?”

“I was too busy surviving a war and making out with a six-foot-five former venin duke to read a book about biology.”

That did it. He laughed—loud, full, head-tilted-back kind of laugh. You scowled and smacked the onesie against his chest. He caught it before it could fall and looked down at it, then back at you.

“You already bought clothes,” he said, voice softening as he reached for your hand. “You’re really doing this.”

You sighed and let him pull you into his arms, pressing your cheek against his chest. “Yeah,” you whispered. “I really am.”

He kissed the top of your head, his palm warm as it splayed across your back. “I guess I should start researching baby head dimensions.”

You groaned. “Don’t ever say that again.”

He chuckled. “Deal.”

It started as a low, guttural sound in the back of your throat—one of those dramatic, from-the-depths-of-your-core groans that turned into an actual wordless wail as you flopped face-first onto the bed.

“Uuughhhhhhhhh,” you moaned into the sheets. “This is not what I signed up for. Why did no one warn me? Why did you not warn me?”

Xaden just stood there with the baby outfit draped over one hand, brows raised, trying his hardest not to laugh as you buried your face deeper into the mattress and let out another prolonged, muffled groan.

“I fought wyvern,” you whined into the blankets. “I stared down quadrant leaders. I survived First Year and my mother. And this—this is what’s going to break me?”

Your voice cracked halfway through, which only made Xaden finally lose it. You heard him snort, then cough like he was trying to hide it, which only made you groan louder, full of despair and betrayal.

“You’re not helping!” you shouted into the mattress.

“I didn’t know I needed to warn you about...head circumference.”

You just groaned again.

Drawn-out. Dramatic. And utterly defeated.

Xaden tossed the onesie onto the bed and moved toward you, that smug little smirk playing at the corners of his mouth—the one that meant he was enjoying himself far too much for a man who didn’t have to physically push a tiny, big-headed person out of his body.

“You done?” he asked, crouching beside the bed and brushing your hair back from your face.

You shifted just enough to peek at him with one narrowed eye. “Do I look done?”

He laughed under his breath, resting his arms on the edge of the mattress so he could lean in close. “You look like you’re trying to mentally relocate your uterus to somewhere with a back door.”

“That’s not even funny,” you mumbled, flipping onto your side with a grunt. “There is no door. There’s no way out. Just this one tiny, horrifying tunnel.”

Xaden tilted his head, brows lifting. “I mean… we could always call a healer—”

“Oh my gods,” you cut him off, throwing a pillow at his head. He caught it easily, grinning now.

“You’re so lucky you’re pretty,” you muttered.

“I know,” he said smugly, tossing the pillow back on the bed and climbing in next to you. “But you’re stuck with me either way. And we’re stuck with one very well-endowed baby skull, apparently.”

You flopped back onto his chest with another groan, this one slightly more resigned than the last. “It’s not fair. Why is the head the biggest part? Why not feet? Feet I could deal with.”

Xaden was stroking your back now, trying and failing not to laugh again. “Feet would be far less aerodynamic.”

You hit him. Gently. But still.

“I hate you.”

“You love me.”

“I love you,” you muttered, pointing at his chest, “but if I go through twenty hours of labour and this kid pops out looking just like you, I’m going to make sure the entire quadrant knows who’s responsible.”

Xaden smirked, tugging you tighter into his arms. “Let me guess… huge head, dramatic flair, stupidly good hair?”

You squinted up at him, deadpan. “And an ego that can’t fit in a gryphon's saddlebag.”

He grinned, leaning down to kiss your forehead. “We’re gonna be fine.”

You sighed, curling closer to him. “You’re damn right we are. But if this baby’s head is bigger than yours, I’m naming them after Tairn.”

Xaden froze. “You wouldn’t.”

You grinned. “Try me, Duke Riorson.”

Xaden was silent for a beat too long.

You looked up at him slowly, brow raised. “What, are you picturing it now? A tiny little baby with a full head of dramatic, windswept black hair screaming its lungs out and breathing shadows?”

He blinked. “I was actually picturing Tairn’s reaction when he finds out. You know he’s going to think it’s a compliment.”

You snorted. “He would. That smug, oversized lizard.”

Xaden’s fingers drifted down to your stomach, his palm warm as it rested against the gentle curve there. His voice dropped lower, more thoughtful. “Still can’t believe there’s someone in there.”

Your smile softened despite yourself. “Someone who already has your stubborn streak, I’m sure.”

He chuckled. “And your ability to terrify an entire room with one look.”

You shrugged. “I learned from the best.”

A quiet settled between you—comfortable and full. Xaden kept his hand over your stomach like he could feel something already, even though you were only just starting to show. He didn’t say anything, just watched you, eyes softer than you’d ever seen them during a debrief or a strategy meeting.

You nudged him lightly. “You okay over there? You’re looking at me like I’m going to break.”

He blinked, then shook his head. “I’m just thinking. This time last year, I didn’t know if I’d ever get to have something like this. With you.”

Your heart gave a painful, stupid little thump. You reached up to cradle his jaw, brushing your thumb just beneath the scar on his cheek.

“You came back to me,” you whispered. “That’s all that matters.”

“I’m never leaving again,” he said fiercely. “I don’t care what position I hold. I don’t care what anyone expects. You and this baby—you’re my only priority.”

You were about to say something sappy and heartfelt—and maybe tear up a little—when the baby onesie beside you caught your eye again.

You narrowed your eyes at it.

Xaden noticed. “...Don’t start.”

“I’m just saying,” you muttered, “I should probably start stretching.”

He groaned. “Gods help me.”

You grinned wickedly. “Oh, you’re not getting out of this. You’re the one who did this to me.”

Xaden raised a brow. “Pretty sure it was mutual.”

You scoffed. “I didn’t order a baby with a melon for a head.”

He laughed, and you buried your face in his chest again, trying to muffle your wheezing. You could feel his heartbeat beneath your cheek, strong and steady.

Yeah, you were going to be okay. Even if you were about to give birth to a tiny version of Xaden with a boulder for a skull.

You were so in love, it was actually disgusting.

A/N: I take requests but they probably wont be posted until the summer!

Comments, thoughts and reblogs would be really appreciated

Credit to @empyreanevents for the divider

This fic is for my beautiful wife @thelov3lybookworm

[strange-and-unsual4]

Hiiii :) I love your work so much💙

Can I ask for Xaden Riorson x reader where reader find out she pregnant and doesn't know how to react or how to tell Xaden. Also her dragon is extra protective of her and won't let anyone near her, especially Dain🙄

Unexpected

Xaden x reader

A/n: I now officially need Xaden in this scenario

Warnings: angst and fluff

You had avoided Xaden like the plague yesterday. You weren’t ready to face him with the news the healer gave you last night. You’re pregnant and it scared the shit out of you.

The healer told you to avoid stress and anxiety because it’s not good for the baby, but that’s all that surrounded you. A million questions ran through your mind as you picked at your breakfast. How will Xaden react? What will happen when you give birth? Will you be kicked out of the riders quadrant?

You could feel Xaden’s eyes on you which made you clench your jaw even more. Liam gently placed a hand on your shoulder and you jump. You also hear Cadmus growl in your mind at the surprise touch. “Sorry, just…are you ok? You seem, not yourself.” “I’m fine,” you grumble out.

Liam opens his mouth to say something else but you shove up from the table, stomping out of the dining hall. When you get to the flight field you see Cadmus is already waiting for you. Some of your other squad members are also mingling on the field as well as Dain who’s looking over his flight plan for today.

You try to hide behind Cadmus hoping he doesn’t notice you. Cadmus must’ve noticed Dain walking over because he lowered his head and let out a deep snarl. You just wanted to get through lessons and figure out how to tell Xaden.

When you landed back on the flight field Xaden was standing at the edge of the field waiting for you. You put on a big smile and tan up to him like everything was normal. “Hi baby,” you fling your arms around his neck. Xaden reluctantly wraps his arms around your middle, patting your back.

“Hi sweetheart.” He whispers and pulls away from you. You tilt your head at his unreadable face. “Let’s talk. Wanna go to my room.” You slowly nod as he takes your hand.

Xaden closes his door as you sit on his bed, anxiously fidgeting with your fingers. Xaden strides across the room, leaning against his desk and crossing his arms. “What’s goin’ on y/n? You’ve been avoiding me and don’t deny it. I thought we could tell each other everything.”

You could see the hurt in his beautiful brown eyes. His eyebrows creased, casing his scar to crinkle. You felt a lump forming in your throat as tears started to burn your eyes. “I’m sorry,” you choke out through your tears.

A small sob escapes your lips and you cover your face with your hands and just let everything out. “I’m sorry Xaden. I just don’t…didn’t know how to tell you. I’m just so scared.” Xaden climbed onto the bed, pulling you to sit in his lap, cradling you to his chest.

Xaden rubs his hand up and down your spine, shushing you calmly. “It’s ok sweetheart. It’s ok. Whatever it is we can get through it, ok.” You lift your head from his chest wiping at your eyes. “Ok,” you breathe out. “Promise you won’t be mad?”

He holds your face in his large hands, rubbing his thumbs at your tear stained cheeks. “I promise y/n. I could never be mad at you.” You nod, closing your eyes. Letting out a shaky breath you finally find your voice to tell him. “I went and saw a healer the other night. I’m pregnant.”

You can feel Xaden stop breathing for a moment. He hugs you to his chest again. “Everything is going to be ok, y/n. I will be with you no matter what you decide to do.” “Thank you,” you whisper and cling to him.

“I don’t want to decide right now though.” “That’s ok,” Xaden says quickly. “We’ll figure it out sweetheart.”

[strange-and-unsual4]

hii🫶 could you please write a spicy enemies with benefits for xaden?

Love Hating You

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *

Pairing(s): Xaden x reader

Warning(s): 18+, mdni, nsfw

Summary: The routine between you and your sworn-enemy was familiar; however, these new feelings between the two of you, weren't.

SR’s Note: This was spicy and yummy yum yum... oof I needed to write another Xaden smut story, lol. I think it’s obvious, but in case not — this takes place before Xaden and Cat are even a thing, so wayyy way back, lol. Enjoy! (and make sure to read part two after!)

Tags: @mellowmusings @rcarbo1 @lilah-asteria @kitsunetori @velarisdusk @nctsawrus @lreadsstuff @freakishfandomfiend @littleemissperfecttt @loveofmychips @bodhidurrans (inbox me or comment if you'd like to be added!)

･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ✧･ﾟ: *

"You're... so fucking annoying,"

Xaden's breathless gasps came as his gaze centered on your lips, fully wrapped around his cock. You drew your head back, releasing his length with a lewd pop.

"I think you mean..." you trailed off, your right hand slowly pumping him. "Delicious? Magical? Sweet?" You flicked your eyes up at him, a devilish smile curling your lips. He huffed, rolling his eyes.

"I think the last thing I'd ever call you is 'sweet', that's for sure."

You gripped his cock harder, and he sucked in a sharp breath through clenched teeth. You smiled to yourself, wrapping your lips around the tip of his cock. You continued staring up at him through your thick lashes, delighting in the way his breaths ran ragged.

"Fuck," he sighed, his large hand finding the back of your head. His fingers slid effortlessly through your curls, pushing your lips closer to his hips. You coughed as the length of him slid deeper down your throat, and though he was eager, he took it slow with you.

The small noises coming from your throat as he fucked into it had him tossing his head back, reveling in the way your throat constricted around him. His dick pulsed with need, precum wetting your tastebuds in that familiar taste you frequently desired.

After a few sharp thrusts, he yanked his cock from you with a gasp. His fingers tugged your hair, pulling your lips from him before he completely lost control.

"Get up here... now."

You staggered to your feet, working to regain balance on your high heels. Xaden's fingers curled around your waist, working to hoist you up to your full height. You let out what sounded like a giggle as he shoved you against the bed, and the immediate flare of concern within sparked at the unusual sound.

Xaden stepped between your knees, his palms toying with the hem of your dress.

"Did you think that wearing this," his eyes darkened as they roved over your body. "Was the best choice tonight?"

You chuckled, reaching your fingers up to toy with a strand of his onyx hair.

"What, your ego too big to admit my dress distracted you from your little..." you paused in thought. "Girlfriend, is it? What is Cat to you anyway?"

Xaden's brows narrowed as his gaze refocused on your face.

"She's not my girlfriend," he growled, his hands sliding along the skin of your waist underneath the shimmery fabric. Your breath hitched at the touch, and his eyes flickered for only a moment. You swallowed, and he tracked the lines of your throat with his eyes.

"Yet." You said as his hands found the roundness of your breasts. He squeezed playfully, and your eyes flared. Xaden leaned in, his teeth grazing the delicate skin of your neck. You moaned softly, and he nipped lightly at the skin there.

"Better be glad," he mumbled, his fingers finding your nipple. He pinched softly, and this time you gasped. "I don't think she'd appreciate her 'boyfriend' doing this with her best friend... especially on her bed."

Your bottom lip drew between your teeth as you groaned, your hands leaving the crimson sheets in favor of tangling in his hair. He shuddered at the soft tug, his gaze finding yours again.

"Maybe she would," you said suggestively. "Maybe she would like the idea of-"

"Gods, do you ever stop running that mouth?" Xaden snapped, his frown lines reappearing. You returned the gesture, your fingers leaving his hair in favor of raking down his back.

"You're the one who dragged me in here," you accused. His left hand left your breast in favor of wrapping around his leaking cock, drawing the head closer to your opening. He pressed it against your panty-clad pussy, his gaze boring into yours. He was silent as his opposing hand left your breast to yank at your panties, tugging them over your knees and letting them fall wherever they pleased. His bare, needy length pushed past your entrance, and your eyes widened up at him in anticipation.

"Must be some dress huh, for you to pull me in here and fuck me on your not-girlfriend's bed?"

His eyes darkened as he pushed in, just as slowly as the last time he fucked you.

"I think we both know it wasn't because of the dress."

You didn’t have the capacity to register what he was implying. His cock filled you in the most exquisite way, every vein and bump rubbing along your gummy walls as you took him inch by inch. He sighed in pleasure when he was finally seated to the hilt, his eyes closing softly as he enjoyed the feel of you wrapped around him. Your lips parted as you clenched around his length, raking in the feel of him inside you once more.

When he began to move, it was fast; his restraint had broken the minute he'd seen you enter the party tonight, but now it was a fully lost cause. His fingers gripped the flesh of your hips as he slid his dick into you, over and over and over. His gaze fell on the silvery fabric bunched around your hips, the way it glittered and shone in the dim light and stretched across your midsection in the most enticing way.

But it was when his eyes met yours again that he found it hard to look away. The way your cheeks flushed as he pounded into you, those lush, full lips open as silent moans escaped-

"So beautiful," he whispered. Your eyes opened, wide and round as you looked up at him. The few coherent brain cells were working overtime in your head, and you couldn’t quite accept the compliment he’d just given you.

"What did you say?" You asked, not even quite believing what you just heard. Xaden shook his head sharply, trying to shake off his ‘misspeak’.

"N-nothing," he said gruffly, one hand slipping from your hip to instead push your knee closer to your chest. "You just… take me so well."

You scoffed, trying to keep your tone even despite the ragged breaths coming from your lips.

"That's not what you said," you accused, and Xaden looked away. His cheeks flushed a light rosy shade. "You said-"

"Flip over."

You stared blankly up at him, trying to find any trace of emotion in his stone-cold expression.

"W-what?"

He pulled out of you, his fingers pushing your knees to the side onto the mattress.

"Ass up. Now."

You scowled, and he helped move you to the new position. You barely braced your weight on your forearms before his palm was pressing down on your upper back, the other pulling your ass higher in the air for him. You gasped when he spanked your ass, the slap ringing out loudly in the otherwise quiet bedroom. His breath was hot as it grazed the shell of your ear, and his voice came out low and commanding.

"I know you like it rough -- don't lie to yourself."

Your pussy clenched at his dirty words, and he chuckled lowly at the small action. Despite your hatred for the man, you’d admit he knew your needs better than anyone else; that was what kept you coming back to him time after time, anyway.

His cock prodded your hole, and you moaned loudly when he slipped it all the way in.

"Gods... Xaden... you're..." you squeaked, and you felt his fingers closing around the back of your neck.

"Delicious?" He asked, ramming his cock into you. "Magical?" He asked again, driving in even harder.

"...Sweet?"

Your eyes rolled back as his fingers flexed around your throat, limiting your air inflow in the most divine way. You groaned in a high-pitch as he shoved your face further into the mattress, his cock driving deeper inside of you.

Your sassy response was drowned out against the silken sheets, and Xaden breathed out a heavy sigh. His gaze was fixated on the way your ass reverberated against his hips, the way it bounced as your skin connected with his was...

What was it, though? Mesmerizing? Intoxicating? He couldn't help but let his thoughts wander as he continued driving into you, simply entranced by the way your walls felt clenching around him. He’d never admit to his feelings, thoughts, or anything else for that matter — all he’d do is deny, deny, deny until the day he died.

It only took a few more thrusts before your breathing labored and your walls began to quiver.

"Xaden - Oh Gods, Xaden -" You cried out against the sheets, and he bend over you to speak directly against your ear once more.

"Cum for me baby," he growled, feeling his own impending release tingle at the base of his spine. "Let that pretty pussy cum all over my fucking cock."

His words were your undoing as you released with a shudder, every ounce of pent-up orgasmic bliss pouring from you and coating Xaden's length. He groaned as he released inside of you, shooting cum deep in your pussy. His hands gripped and squeezed your ass as he regained control of his breath, and his gaze fixated on the back of your head.

"C'mere," he mumbled, and you turned to look over your shoulder slowly. He helped navigate you onto your back, his palms gently bracing your lower back as he laid you down gently. He stretched his arms before you, and you couldn't help but study the intricate swirling lines of his tattoos stretching across his toned body.

He smirked, dropping his hands and leaning in, dropping to both palms on either side of your head. You laughed as his nose brushed yours, only scolding yourself minutes later.

The silence stretched between the two of you, the tension palpable as his eyes searched yours. You could practically count each gold fleck in those gorgeous orbs, and the way his lips drew closer...

But, you’d never actually kissed before. Sure, he’d been quite literally inside of you many a time; but kissing?

You leaned in without thinking, allowing your lips to press against his. He breathed in deeply through his nose, lowering his head to yours as he kissed you right back. His right hand moved beneath your head, his fingers threading through your hair as he cradled you and drew you even closer to him. His lips moved against yours, the surprise dwelling in both of you as you quite enjoyed how the other tasted.

No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't stop; he loved the way your mouth felt on his. He'd never tasted anything like this, felt anything like your lips before.

But, just as soon as he let himself go there, he stopped himself. And, so did you.

"We need to head back-"

"We should get going-"

You both stopped, your words entangling with eachother. Xaden smiled, actually smiled before he drew back, rising to stand once more. You hated how you immediately missed his touch.

"I'll take these," he said, bending to pluck your panties from the ground and shove them in his pocket. You scoffed, rolling your eyes as you watched him fidget back into his button down.

"For what? A souvenir?" You teased, sitting up straight and ruffling your hair. He shoved his feet back into his shoes, staggering for the door in that refined elegance he so proudly showed off.

"No," he said softly, looking to you once more before turning the handle. You raised an eyebrow, dropping it as you took in his fixated expression.

"More like a reminder that you're..." he looked down, not quite finding the word. Your face softened, and you felt the slight tugging of your heartstrings.

"...real?"

His soft grin widened, and he turned the handle to let himself out.

"Something like that."

✧･ﾟ: *

Hate Loving You

[strange-and-unsual4]

one for the books - g.t.

Garrick Tavis x Scribe!Reader part of my Valentine’s Day Celly (better late than never?) words: 1.7k (got a little carried away here, oops) 🏷: IRON FLAME SPOILERS. scribe reader who is referred to as a woman one time, and has painted nails, but no pronouns used. just some meet-cute fluff with reader and Gare. love at first sight. it's weird writing him with anyone other than Angel, but I hope y'all will still like it anyway 🥺

Garrick wanders through the rows of bookshelves in search of someone who actually knows what they’re doing, so he won’t have to spend the entire day looking at the titles of every book in this massive library.

It doesn’t take long for him to find the only scribe who’d come with them to Aretia: Violet’s friend, Jesinia, who had helped them sneak into the Archives to get the journals. Who happens to be Deaf. He hadn’t thought about that part. 

He waves a hello, racking his brain for the letters of the alphabet and spelling out his request at a snail’s pace, hoping he’s moving his hands correctly. I… n-e-e-d…

Jesinia takes pity on him, holding up a hand to stop him and darting back into the maze of shelves, leaving him standing there thoroughly embarrassed -- he really needs to add “study sign” to his list of things to do after this whole wyvern thing is resolved and Tyrrendor is freed again. Whenever that will be.

He’s expecting her to come back with a pen and paper, so he can write it down, but she emerges thirty seconds later with another scribe in tow, one he’s never met before -- the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. 

Jesinia gestures to you with a soft smile, and leaves.

He blinks once, twice, taking you in.

You’ve taken some creative liberties with the uniform, wearing the beige scribes’ robes open with a plain shirt and pants underneath, the hood down to expose your face and hair, a pair of glasses perched atop your head and a clipboard in hand, your nails long and painted a pale pink -- a few of them have started to chip, but it’s endearing; comforting to find a tiny flaw in an otherwise perfect presence.

You’re equally entranced. The fortress is crawling with riders -- you’re one of maybe five students here who are anything else --  but this one in particular makes your heart race. 

It’s as if the gods pulled a knight from the pages of one of your fantasy novels and dropped him in front of you in this library; broad and tall, muscled and tattooed, two longswords strapped across his back… he’d be intimidating without the nervous smile on his face and the blush dusting his cheeks, the afternoon light coming through the windows and making him glow.

“How can I help you, Lieutenant?” you ask after a moment, hoping you don’t sound as flustered as you feel.

The scar running down the side of his face moves as he speaks -- more quietly than you’d been expecting. “Riorson sent me; he wants everything you have about wards.”

You blow out a nervous breath. “Okay, uh… I’m still not totally sure how this library is organized, but I’ll see what I can do.”

“We can look together, then,” he offers, giving you a knee-weakening smile.

You don’t know if you can spend the rest of your afternoon with this man and not make a complete fool of yourself, but you’ll just have to try your best. “Sounds like a plan.”

You realize you don’t know each other’s names, having been too busy staring at each other to make proper introductions.

“Garrick,” he offers, extending a hand to shake.

You’re really supposed to refer to him as Lieutenant, since he’s graduated and you haven’t, but you still repeat the word softly, trying it out. “Nice to meet you, Garrick.”

He already owes Xaden Riorson his life, but hearing you say his name, feeling the softness of your hand against his… he decides he’ll be in the boy’s debt well into the afterlife, too.

“I’ll start on one end, you on the other, and meet in the middle?” you ask. “Anything with wards, magic, or protection in the title would be a good start.”

He hums in acknowledgement, heading down to the end of the row.

“I haven’t been in here in ages,” he admits, scanning the rows of shelves for anything that could be useful. “I lived most of my life here before the revolution,” he adds quickly, explaining.

Small talk is good. You can do small talk.

“It must have been interesting growing up in a fortress like this,” you respond, too shy to ask him for his likely incredibly-tragic life story outright, and you’re technically on the job right now, so you should be focusing on the task at hand.

He picks another volume off the top shelf, keeping his feet flat on the ground and barely having to stretch for it. “It was. There were a few dozen of us kids around, always underfoot and meddling. We used to play hide and seek in here, and see how long we could stay before the scribes found us and kicked us out.”

You laugh, a sound he doesn’t think he’ll ever grow tired of hearing. You may be a librarian, but you’re the polar opposite of the typical strict and stiff scribes he’s used to -- young and lovely and not afraid to laugh and talk among the books, to let them hear your voice and know that they’re appreciated. They’re lucky to have someone like you watching over them.

Since you’re grasping at straws here, you decide to cast a broad net and pull down anything that could be even a little bit helpful -- and you’re finding more than you’d thought, likely because the Tyrrish basically invented wards. 

You really should have brought a cart, but it’s no issue for him -- he’s holding at least ten thick volumes at once with complete ease.

“I got it,” he offers, shifting the tall stack he’s amassed into one arm and taking yours with the other. Seeing a man like him with an armful of books is hotter than it should be. Everything about him is hotter than it should be.

He sets the stack on the nearest table, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over the back of a chair before he sits down.

Your eyes linger on the relic winding around his arm like a plume of black smoke, contrasting against the pale muscle. You know it was intended as way to mark them as the descendants of those who had committed treason, to set them apart from their peers and to force them to enroll in the rider’s quadrant, but he looks like he didn’t have too much trouble in his days at Basgiath, if the two dozen patches on his flight jacket are any metric.

It suits him. He’d look incomplete without the relic and the thick scar on the side of his face. It would be rude to ask how he got it, but the curiosity still tugs at you. You want to know everything about him.

You realize you’re staring, and pull your eyes away as quickly as you can manage, worried that he’ll think you’re judging him -- though you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t on his side.

You each take a book off the top and crack it open, scanning for anything that could help. “Did he say anything more specific? Or why he needs this?”

“Nope. But he’s always been vague and mysterious, even when we were kids, before he had all those shadows following him around.”

“I’ve only seen him twice, but that sounds accurate.”

It’s his turn to laugh. “He may be all cold and broody all the time, but he’s a good guy. I’ve always considered him my best friend.”

You’re thinking of the best way to keep him talking when Jesinia knocks on the side of a nearby shelf to get your attention. Done with my transcribing. What’s next?

Thank you. You can leave for the day. 

Jesinia gives you a sly smile. You don’t want help? Or do you just want to be alone with him because you think he’s handsome?

She’d told you that Garrick’s sign was rusty, that he could only fingerspell, but you still turn away from him as you respond, praying he didn’t understand what she just said. 

Two can play at this game. I’ve been meaning to ask, how is that redhead boy who keeps coming by to talk to you? I’m sure he’d like to see you for another sign lesson tonight.

She reddens, realizing you know about her crush on the rider, and bails out of the conversation while she still can. Goodnight!

There’s that lovely laugh again as you turn back to him, seeing him watching you -- now you really hope he didn’t understand. He quickly returns his gaze to the book in front of him, which definitely isn’t modern Navarrian or any of the other languages you know. It must be Tyrrish.

“You can read this?” you ask with rapt curiosity, leaning forward to take a better look at it.

“About every fifth word or so,” he answers. “There aren’t many fluent speakers left, since it was outlawed decades ago and kids aren’t taught it in school. I don’t see the symbol for “wards” anywhere, but that might be too obvious.”

“No language should ever be outlawed,” you respond, perhaps a little too hotly. “There must be so much valuable information that was lost in translation or destroyed entirely after the wars. That’s one of the reasons I wanted to become a scribe, to try to save as much as I could. But so many of the texts in the Archives have been translated over and over, and I can’t help but wonder if some things were left out on purpose.”

Another smile. “Well-said. Into the “maybe” pile, then?”

Your cheeks warm with embarrassment as you realize how long you’d been talking. “That’s the only pile we have,” you sigh, stretching. 

He’d shown up around four, and it’s nearing seven now, your body automatically responding to the hour and telling you to pack things up, but that’s one of the nicest things about the library here -- unlike the Archives at Basgiath, you can work here through the night, and not be booted out at seven on the dot.

You’d asked the Lieutenant Colonel about it when he’d come by one day, and he’d told you there wasn’t any sort of magical time-sealing-lock on the library, just a normal wooden door charmed to be fireproof -- so you’d stayed in one of the armchairs until midnight reading, just because you could.

“Well,” he offers, “I know it’s a grave sin to eat in the library, so how about we take a break, get ourselves some dinner, and pick this back up after?”

Smooth. Very smooth.

“I’d like that,” you answer, your heart fluttering. “I’d like that a lot.”

[strange-and-unsual4]

The Set Up Pairing - Ridoc Gamlyn x Reader Summary - A silly argument your boyfriend has with his best friend results in your dragon being mad at you, but you can't bring yourself to care. Not when you finally feel some semblance of peace. As much as you could with war hovering anyway. Word Count - 900+ Warnings - None! This is literally just short, cute and fluffy! Enjoy!

Aretia might be your favorite place in the whole entire continent. Maybe even world. 

It wasn’t just the sun-warmed ruins, or the breathtaking views of the mountains. It was the freedom, real and quiet, humming in your chest for the first time in what felt like forever. Varrish was gone. The war still loomed, but you were breathing easier. Laughing more. 

Of course maybe some of that peace had something to do with the guy currently arguing about dragon skincare.

While there was no doubt that Ridoc was engaged in his argument with Sawyer, his hand rested on your knee. His thumb stroked your leg, and the subtle, casual touch relaxed you straight down to your bones. The smile you gave Violet and Rhiannon was easy as they sat down beside you. “Gods are they still arguing?” Rhi asked. 

“Since breakfast.” You said, rolling your eyes. 

“What could they even argue about for that long?” Violet asked, shaking her head in disbelief. 

“Well as you know, we started with breakfast fruits,” you said, beginning to count everything off on your fingers. “Then we moved on to what foods would be the best to eat on the backs of your dragons, to what foods your dragon would definitely incinerate you for spilling on them, and now we’re at how dragons moisturize.” 

The two of them looked at you in silence for a moment as if waiting for you to say ‘just kidding!’ But when you didn't, Rhi sighed. “You know, I’m not all that surprised.” 

“I’m telling you, it’s water! Can you honestly say that you imagine Aotrom rolling around in lotion every night?” Sawyer’s voice spoke up from Ridoc’s other side. 

Ridoc shrugged his shoulders. “Hey, whatever Aotrom does at night is his business, like whatever I do at night is mine.” Ridoc said, his voice full of wicked mischief as he shot you a wink. 

Heat rushed to your face, and you couldn’t keep your lips from twitching. Dunne help you, but you were smiling like an idiot. He knew what he was doing, reminding you of what business he got up to with you last night. 

A little smirk played at his lips when you squirmed in your seat as your mind started to replay it. 

“But I guarantee you he does more than dive into water to look as badass as he does all the time.” 

You heard a sharp snort down the bond followed by an indignant screech. “Fiadh?” You shot down the bond, sitting up a little straighter in concern. 

Showing how aware he was of every little movement your body made, Ridoc glanced over at you, raising an eyebrow. 

“Your mate’s idiotic dragon splashed me. Something about moisturizing. I will murder him.” She hissed back. 

You slapped a hand over your mouth to stifle your laugh, even though there was no real reason too. You glanced at Ridoc to see if he knew what his dragon had done. The mischievous smile told you yes, but the fondness in his eyes, the way they lingered on you like you were the only thing worth seeing, that was all for you. 

“Of all the males you could have mated with, you had to choose the one bonded to him.” She growled, anger still clear in her voice. 

Realizing the argument with his best friend was over for the moment, Sawyer took the opportunity to let Violet and Rhi quiz him on his sign language progress while Ridoc turned his whole attention to you, clearly curious about your own conversation with your dragon. “Oh come on, Aotrom’s not so bad.” You told her, reaching out to place your hand on top of Ridoc’s that was still on your knee, playing with his fingers. 

“He has the maturity of a hatchling.” She hissed. 

You grinned over at your boyfriend. “You know Rid, I think Fiadh might have a crush on Aotrom.” You told him. 

He caught onto your teasing immediately, a stupidly sexy smirk forming on his lips. “Are you suggesting we play matchmakers with our dragons?” He played along. 

“Say that again, and I will carve your eyes from your skull with my tail. Then I will no longer be the only sightless one.” 

A year ago that would have terrified you. Now? “Yeah I think we should go for it.” 

A wall of fury slammed down between the two of you, and a loud laugh left your lips that had Ridoc grinning at you as he flipped his palm to entwine your fingers. “How pissed is she?” 

“Oh, furious.” You said, your smile never wavering, “but she’ll get over it.” 

Ridoc clicked his tongue at you, “and people say I’m the troublemaker in this relationship.” 

“Clearly you’ve rubbed off on me.” You said, smirking, and immediately regretted it as Ridoc’s eyes lit up. He opened his mouth, but you covered it with your free hand, knowing the words that were about to come out. “Don’t say it,” you warned. 

His eyes were full of a mischief that made you feel warm inside, even more so when you felt his deliberate kiss against the palm of your hand. Slowly you removed it, narrowing your eyes at him as he continued to smirk. And then, as you expected, he said it anyway. “I was going to say I could rub off on you some more tonight.” 

Heat flushed your face, and you ran a hand through your hair. “I walked right into that, didn’t I?” 

Ridoc just grinned at you. “So is that a yes or a no?”

[strange-and-unsual4]

love how xaden told violet once that "the right way isn't the only way" and she never did anything the right way again