#��as you gaze into a pair of enchanting charcoal eyes”

[crystallizsch]

okay hi so listen hear me out

sea snake is a bit too obvious (and too boring)

so i made him based on some kind of lionfish??? (bc something something venomous marine animal) also with a LOT of creative liberties i made with how the fish looks like

let’s also give his fins some rips and tears here and there bc what are the implications of that??? that’s for you 🫵 to decide

anyways chat i lowkey dont know what i was doing

i had no other thoughts but haha funny snake man i turn into fish

[delirious-donna]

Soft [Kakashi Hatake]

an: based on some thoughts I had after seeing this beautiful art of Mr Hatake looking a little more soft in physique.

pairing: Kakashi Hatake x female reader

warnings: self ship coded, established relationship with mentions of marriage and a child, rokudaime Kakashi au, fluff, flirting, suggestive at best, body positivity, reader is assumed to be curvy

Kakashi is a strong man. He always has been and probably always will, if he has any say in the matter. However, gone are the days when the defined ridges of his abdominals could cut glass.

The dips of his Adonis belt are less pronounced, and his biceps are still large but not carved from marble as they were even five years ago. A lot had changed but that’s life, and in the end, contentment brought him here.

Gone were the days when he could work out for hours in the early morning, greeting the new day covered in sweat on his way to a much-needed shower before the working day began. Now he had responsibilities to tend to and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

A wife to rouse from slumber, a hard task at the best of times, and a son to watch like a hawk as he propels through the house like a mini tornado with an eye for destruction. There were breakfasts to be made, lunches to be prepped, hair to be wrestled into some semblance of neatness and kisses to be shared. Wet kisses pressed messily to his cheek from his son as he heads out for work. Lingering kisses with his beloved that make him stay a few seconds longer just to taste you thoroughly.

Your love never wavered for the silver-haired shinobi, and even now as darker grey peppers throughout the messy strands, you still found them as enticing to run your fingers through as you always had. Age was especially kind to Kakashi, the lines around his eyes were from laughter and not stress and the weight of his responsibilities no longer dragged down his shoulders and slumped his spine.

It was amazing how easy it was to deal with the daily grind that accompanied his role when he knew he would return to the love and warmth that was his home. Everything was easier when love was in the mix, who knew?

So yes, he wasn’t as trim anymore. There was a slight pudge to his stomach and you could grab a good portion of his sides in the midst of being railed into the mattress, but fuck, was it sexy.

The silver hairs that formed his happy trail now extended higher towards his belly button and his butt hugged his sweatpants a little tighter and fuller than before. You had never shied away from the attraction you felt for him, but now it made Kakashi chuckle when you eyed him like some tasty treat to be devoured whole.

“See something you like, sweetheart?”

“Damn right, I do. When did you start getting even more handsome? Should be criminal this late in life.”

He huffed a laugh, eyes narrowing at your teasing words and the insinuation that he was getting on in years. He was still in the prime of his life, far from past it and he’d remind you of that.

“Well…” he murmured against the shell of your ear. “You know how fond I am of your softness.” Kakashi trailed his calloused fingertips over the gentle swell of your stomach, stopping to massage your hips and waist. “Thought you’d like to snuggle with someone a little less unyielding.”

How quickly your hands wandered across the expanse of his strong abdomen, a fingertip tracing the muscles. A familiar melody forced his eyelids to droop low, the hum in your throat as enchanting as the very first time he heard it.

You took your time in exploring a body you were intimately familiar with, pawing at him like the needy feline you always were until two strong arms banded around your waist.

“I might be a little more soft, but I’m still the man you fell for and I can still carry you to the bedroom with ease.”

Your chin dipped in agreement, gaze lifting to meet the desire swirling in his charcoal eyes. “Your heart has always been soft, Kakashi, whether you knew it or not. Your body simply matches it now and I’ll love you no matter what shape you take.”

[robert-sims]

Mesmerize in Blue: The Ultimate Guide to Eyeshadows for Blue Eyes

Blue eyes have an enchanting allure, and choosing the right eyeshadow can enhance their beauty even further. In this guide, we’ll unveil the secrets to making your blue eyes pop with the perfect eyeshadow shades. Whether you’re aiming for a subtle everyday look or a bold evening statement, these eyeshadows are tailored to complement those captivating blue hues.

Understanding the Palette: Best Eyeshadow Shades for Blue Eyes

Blue eyes come in various shades, from icy cool to deep sapphire. Tailoring your eyeshadow to your specific eye color can make a world of difference. Here’s a breakdown of the best eyeshadow shades for different types of blue eyes:

1. Icy Blue Eyes

For those with light, icy blue eyes, consider cool-toned shades that create a beautiful contrast. Opt for:

**Soft Silvers:** Enhance the cool undertones with a touch of silver for an ethereal look.

**Pale Blues:** Embrace the harmony of shades by choosing a pastel blue for a fresh appearance.

**Cool Grays:** Subtle grays can add depth without overpowering the delicate blue hue.

2. True Blue Eyes

If your eyes are a classic true blue, you have the flexibility to experiment with a wide range of shades. Consider:

**Warm Browns:** Create a captivating contrast by pairing warm brown tones with your cool blue eyes.

**Copper Accents:** Amp up the drama with copper or bronze hues to make your eyes stand out.

**Peachy Tones:** Soft peach eyeshadows can add a touch of warmth and brightness.

3. Deep Sapphire Eyes

For those with deep, sapphire blue eyes, rich and bold colors can intensify the allure. Try:

**Emerald Greens:** Complement the deep blue with jewel-toned greens for a striking effect.

**Plum Purples:** Intensify the drama with deep plum or violet shades for an evening look.

**Charcoal Blacks:** Add depth to your gaze with a touch of charcoal black in the outer corners.

Application Tips for Maximum Impact

Now that you’ve discovered the ideal eyeshadow shades for your blue eyes, here are some application tips to ensure you mesmerize with every gaze:

**Blend, Blend, Blend:** Achieve seamless transitions between colors by blending meticulously for a professional finish.

**Highlight the Inner Corner:** Open up your eyes by applying a light, shimmery shade to the inner corners.

**Experiment with Eyeliner:** Play with different eyeliner colors, like navy or plum, to enhance the color contrast.

Conclusion: Unleash the Power of Blue

Your blue eyes are a natural masterpiece, and the right eyeshadow can turn them into a mesmerizing work of art. Experiment with different shades, have fun with your makeup routine, and let your blue eyes steal the spotlight. After all, when it comes to eyeshadows for blue eyes, the possibilities are as limitless as the sky.

[writer-of-sorts]

written with @wolfstarmicrofic prompt: charcoal

“You’re not Mister Snivellus, are you?”

Remus jumped at the unexpected voice. He turned towards one of the many portraits hanging on the corridor’s walls. The one who had spoken was a middle-aged man with flowy golden hair.

“Erm—“

“Of course he’s not!” interjected a stern-looking brunette framed on the opposite wall, “The other boy described Snivellus as greasy-haired and hawk-nosed. What part of this young lad fits that description?”

“Oh hello, ma’am. I—”

“Maybe it’s a disguise!” cried a portrait of a knight, “Polyjuice potion perhaps?”

“He’s a student, Hermes!” cried the woman, “How would he possibly have gotten his hands on an illegal potion like that?”

“From what the other boy told us,” piped a plump elderly man in long blue robes, “I wouldn’t put it past Snivellus.”

“Oh, don’t you go taking Hermes’ side now, Batty!”

“My name is Remus Lupin,” Remus declared loudly, interrupting the budding argument, “I am merely a prefect on my nightly rounds. If you lot would kindly tell me why you were expecting Snivellus and who this ‘other boy’ is, I shall be on my merry way; thank you very—“

A loud crashing noise cut him off. Remus whipped his head towards the broom closet where the sound had come from.

Sparing a quick glance at the now-nervous-looking portraits, he stalked forward, opening the door. He had barely peeked inside when a strong tug pulled him into the dark, cramped room.

“Lumos.”

A familiar pair of glittering grey eyes came into view.

Remus opened his mouth furiously, ready to give his best friend a good scolding.

But a slender finger pressed itself against his lips, and Remus’ whole body stiffened.

“Shh,” Sirius whispered, “He’ll hear us.”

Sirius tentatively retracted his finger, and Remus felt a tingling sensation where his fingertips had lingered.

“Muffliato,” Sirius muttered, swishing his wand.

“You are in so much trouble right now,” Remus hissed.

Sirius flashed a mischievous grin. “I have a feeling you’ll change your mind about that soon enough.”

Remus narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “And why is that, Padfoot?”

Sirius opened his mouth to respond, but just then an irritatingly nasally voice drawled out from the corridor.

“Where are you, Black?” Severus Snape called out, “You promised me a duel. Show yourself, you coward.”

Remus raised his eyebrows at Sirius, who just grinned wider.

“Oh, so this is Snivellus!” one of the portraits trilled delightedly, “His hair really does look greasy.”

Remus stifled a snicker.

“What do you shower with, boy?” another portrait jibed, “Cooking oil?”

“Do you even shower?”

Remus bit the inside of his cheek.

“Say, Albert, weren’t we supposed to tell him something?”

“Ah, yes! The line!”

A moment of silence.

“Er… What was the line again?”

“You buffoons!” the brunette wailed.

If Severus had tried to ask them what the bloody hell was going on, his voice was drowned out by loud creaking metallic sounds.

Remus realized with a start that it was being made by the countless suits of armor lining the corridor. They were all starting to move.

“Oi, what’s going on here?” Severus demanded, sounding more than a little shaken, “Is this another Marauders prank?”

The clanging of the metallic footsteps boomed through the hall. Remus could sense that they were walking straight towards Severus.

“Sirius Black sends his regards,” the lady portrait sneered as the armors grew ever-nearer, forcing Severus to back away.

“Mommy!” he cried as he made a run for it, the enchanted armors following him straight out.

Remus had a feeling they would be following him well into sunrise.

He couldn’t hold it in any longer. He forgot all his esteemed Prefect responsibilities, bursting into loud, unrestrained guffaws. Sirius followed suit, and they both chortled until they ached.

Remus, clutching his stomach and choking on his laughs, suddenly felt a burning gaze on him.

His eyes met Sirius’. The deep greys glowed bright with joy and something else— something exciting, something dangerous.

“What?” Remus asked, feeling self-conscious, “Something wrong?”

Sirius just shook his head, smiling. “Nah, you just look cute when you’re happy.”

Remus felt his cheeks grow warm.

Sirius grinned, moving closer, and Remus let himself burn in the heat of his charcoal gaze.

“Say,” Sirius whispered slyly, “you’re not gonna tell me off for this, are you, Moony?”

Inspired by an unexpected rush of confidence, Remus smirked. He placed a firm hand on Sirius’ waist, pulling the black-haired boy impossibly closer —close enough for every nerve ending in his body to feel like it was on fire.

“Not if you can convince me otherwise.”

[softlyjiminie]

to hold a dragon’s heart | k.t.h

⇢ pairing(s): dragon prince!kim taehyung x warrior princess!reader,

⇢ word count: 19.1K.

⇢ rating: 18+, mature.

⇢ genre: smut, angst, fluff,  forbidden romance, dragon shifter!au, royalty!au, enemies to lovers!au.

⇢ summary: two kingdoms, two hearts and the world between them. your whole life has been a challenge,  never an easy moment on your road to becoming queen but will one decision, one encounter with the man you were destined to hate, change the fate of your worlds, forever?

⇢ warning(s): please read! major character death, violence ( torture scenes + fight scenes ), war, cursing, alocholism, unrequited love, arranged marriages, failing marriages,  imprinting, painful sickness, unexpected pregnancies, slight prejudice against mythical creatures and women, heavy smut, unprotected sex ( please wear protection ) , virgin + dom!taehyung, virgin + sub!reader, multiple orgasms, overstimulation, oral sex ( male + female recieving ), nipple play, light degredation + dirty talk, breeding kink, cumplay, creaming, cunnilingus, slight exhibitionism, male masturbation,   taehyung has a two-headed penis (with spines), teaehyung has charcoal flavoured cum— i may have gotton carried away…

⇢ author’s note(s): hello everyone! this is my contribution to the @ficswithluv​ Love Library project! i was a part of the fantasy category with @jamaisjoons​ !! i worked really hard on this fic, and it’s probably my biggest work, i’m so proud of it so i really really hope you guys enjoy and leave some feedback <3

⇢special mention(s): i would like to thank my baby, miss gia of @fantasybangtan​ for helping me muse and giving me inspiration to complete this fic, as well as giving me feedback on this hefty boy n making it’s beautiful banner !! ( also i named the sea after you ) anddd my little babie @fantasyjoon​ for letting me name a kingdom after her teehee. I wuv u guys <3

two kingdoms, two hearts and the world between them. your whole life has been a challenge,  never an easy moment on your road to becoming queen but will one decision, one encounter with the man you were destined to hate, change the fate of your worlds, forever?

on opposing sides of the enchanted forest, lay two kingdoms. one, painted with magic and mystery, from the soils to the creatures that rules the skies. the other, a land blessed with human life, cultivation and opportunity.

the Avalerian dynasty, land of the mystical and the Phantis empire, land of the man. both peaceful kingdoms, until war struck.

when you were young and with a curious mind, when tales of battle between warrior and warlock were used to put your infant heart to rest, you would ask questions. many of them, but one always seemed to snub the minds of your elders. 

“why do we fight the war? why did it start?” you would beam curiously up at your mother, Queen aadaya. she was a beauty, hair dipped in the white snows of the Huntcan tip mountains, laced with the silver moon at its highest. her skin was smooth, illuminated by starlight and her heart, as pure as any gold. but queen aadaya was a warrior, trained in the arts of her people, like her mother and her grandmother before that. she had hoped to one day, train yourself and your siblings as well.

your mother shuffled over on the bed, squishing your eldest brother, hoseok and yourself, while pulling your younger sister—tamarae, into your lap. 

you remember so clearly, your mother tilting her moon crescent eyes and brushing back the hair on your face. “we fight for safety, of you and all children.”

lies.

you had yet to learn, as a naive little five year old, what war could do to innocents such as your mother. such as your people. war was not kind to anyone it met, it’s  raging scent of death and decay and blood reaching every corner of your once ethereal home until nothing was left. nothing but sadness, loss and a hole in your heart. 

you lost your mother by order of assassination on the night of your eighteenth birthday. they say, as a revenge attack, for the death of the dragon king but it was then that you learned that war took no prisoners, it had no mercy. war was not like the lullabies and stories your mother told. that day, the kingdom mourned the loss of their queen, and you mourned the loss of your mother, the safety she promised, a lie on the ghost of her lips. 

hoseok was drafted into the war not a year later, his own doing. he trained hard but not as good as yourself, you would joke. he was to keep hold on some land by elvin territory and whilst it wasn’t much, it was everything to your brother. hoseok could do something to avenge his mother. the day before his deployment, you sat with your siblings on your bed like you would as children, sneaking snacks from the chef’s daughter that hoseok promised to wed on his return. the three of you giggled and smiled and reminisced, ending the night with tears and tight grips on each other, praying that your family would be together again.

years later, you sit aged twenty one in front of the royal court. with hoseok gone and your father unfit to rule, you were next in line to inherit your mother’s throne. the chair itself, towering with a twisted golden design, was forged from the molten treasures of the dragons themselves. tamarae sits to your left, poised in a lesser dramatic chair and gown and to the right of you, your advisor, jungkook.

“why have you come?” your voice drifts through the throne room, eyes narrow on the pathetic excuse for a man before you. your father rises from his kneel, watching you with pleading eyes. in the years between now and your mother’s death, any relationship with your father had dwindled. he grew power hungry, gambling away any riches in hoping what he earned would replace the loss in his heart. he drunk whatever he could find, rendering himself ill. you often wondered why your mother ever allowed such a man to father her children. 

“i come, with but a suggestion, daughter.”

tamarae looks to you, worry struck on her young, delicate features. yet, your steely gaze remains in line with your father’s, an anger brewing in your stomach. it was not uncommon for your father to want to challenge you in front of the court, undermine your power as you made your road to queen. you had yet to prove yourself, according to the court but you hand an inkling feeling that was your father’s doing.

 “a suggestion, pray tell?” you jest, replacing your glare for a delicate smile. a giggle bubbles from your lips, making the lords and ladies flinch. “my people and armies are fed, the livestock and farms are thriving, we have hold on all land claimed by men and yet, dearest father, you continue to doubt me.” like your mother, you had many who doubted your role as a women in power, you learned to be kind but ruthless, in order to survive. 

the man himself, withered to the bone with sagging old eyes and a wheeze in his chest, rises from his knees with a dark glint in his eye. “my grace, whilst i mean you no disrespect, but by royal decree you are still unfit to rule,” he explains, gesturing to the court with wide arms. “you lack one thing.” 

narrowing your eyes, you lean forward in your throne as your jewellery glitters and rustles around your neck. the tension in the room is thick, a knife would barely be able to cut it, “like, what?” 

“a king.” 

you rip your body from your seat, sister following suit along with your royal guard. how dare he? the sick man, run along and say you needed a king to help guide you as queen. your mother had managed just fine on her own, taking the throne from a young age and resisting the temptation of men. until she met your father, a lowly bread maker and made him the man he is today. 

he had always envied her power, much as he did with yours. 

“a king? a king like you? pathetic and on his knees like the drunk bastard he is. i digress,” you seethe, much to the amusement of your court. but your father knows your wit, knows your weakness, after all he is the man who raised you. 

“it is by royal law, for a young queen to marry, my dearest YN...” the man begins, tilting his head up at you as he basks in the support of the lords and ladies around him. “and if you want to prove yourself worthy to the court, i suggest you start, with accepting a suitor.” 

“ridiculous!” 

an advisor from beside you, the predecessor to jungkook, steps forward wordlessly and blinks to you as if he’s asking permission to speak. “with all do respect, your highness, your father does have a point...it is required of you by law to...” 

their words are silenced with a quick glare, your nostrils are flaring from how angry you are and suddenly the blue silk gown that you wear is too tight and too fitting. tamarae places a hand on your shoulder to help calm your nerves, your little sister had always been in tune with your emotions, much like your mother had.  the young princess even resembled the queen, with tumbling wisps of snow white hair and kind eyes. 

“breathe,” she whispers to you, helping you fix your poise. “you’re doing just fine.” 

standing up talk, you ease your shoulders and smile smugly at your father. “since the men of this room, seem to doubt my ability to lead... i will prove the council before me, wrong,” your grin only widens when they ask you how, and you feel your sister’s worrisome stare burning into your cheeks. “by bringing you the heart of a dragon.” 

“don’t be ridiculous, your highness!” 

a lord from goodness knows what county calls, you only roll your eyes, making your way down the steps to pass your father smugly. the court has broken into a series of whispers, anxious, excited and concerned. the men around you have grown complacent, too comfortable with the idea of overthrowing you and making you weak. 

“silence!” you bellow, turning to address every being in the room. you hum in satisfaction as the quieten down, letting your mantle made of the finest cotton, trail behind you. “no man, no king has ever brought the heart of the dragon to this kingdom. if i am to prove myself worthy to you, then this is how it shall be. laugh if you must, doubt me if you will. but i was born and raised a warrior and in my mother’s footsteps, i shall follow.”

with that, the meeting is concluded and your father is left gobsmacked, once again. 

“don’t do anything stupid, YN,” tamarae mumbles to you that evening. you stand in her quarters, dressed in traditional fighting gear. the pants are a dark grey, patterned with swirls of a lily flower and embroider with your kingdom’s emblem of a crystal lily. the top matches, only this time you wear padding to ensure your protection. “and make sure you don’t get hurt.” 

you scoff, shuffling on a cloak and pulling the hood over your head to disguise your face. royalty wasn’t allowed out of the palace after dark, due to the risk of unexpected assassination. the council put the law into place after the tragic loss of their beloved queen. “as if I’d ever allow myself to experience any form of pain.” you tut, twirling around to locate your sword.

the weapon had been a gift from your mother, on the day of your eighteenth. she had deemed you a  worthy warrior, fit for battle after many years of training. it was a shame that she would not be able to see  you use it now. 

“you know what i mean, YN,” your younger sister sighs, pushing herself to stand and handing you the sheathed sword. a bright smile pulls at your lips and you lean down to press a kiss into her moonlit hair. “what if you don’t bring back the dragon heart? you’ll call yourself a fool and beat yourself up about it.”

“i won’t, i promise,” you hum, shaking your head down at tamarae. she was young and she worried for your recklessness, much like a mother would for her child. guilt was deepset within you, despising how your sister grew up barely remembering the woman who gave her life. “now if anyone asks...” 

“you wish not to be disturbed.” tamarae gives you a soft smile, manoeuvring her hands to grip yours. she gives them a gentle squeeze before backing away.

you give your sister a quick nod of the head before sliding out of her window and slipping into the night. 

the enchanted, Mailtaria forest was nothing like you had imagined. 

according to fairy tails, it was full of beasts and blood and gore but instead, you found twisted oak trees forming the shapes of hearts, soil that illuminated beneath your feet. the air was crisp, yet some how, warming and scented with the faintest of flowers. 

roses. 

you know in your heart, that if the war was nothing but a myth, yourself and your siblings could play here for hours on end as children. as you walk, your mind drifts to hoseok, wondering if he’s safe. the eldest of your siblings had been determined to fight the war ever since your mother’s passing, a headstrong boy who was fast on his feet but not with his mind. 

the crack of a snapping branch in the distance kicks your senses into overdrive, making you duck in anticipation of a sudden attack. with a hand hovering over the sheath of your sword, you inhale deeply through your nose to keep your heart rate steady. there is no time for nerves, YN, no time for hesitance. 

dragons were not creatures of remorse. 

you ease yourself out of the bushes, mindful of the ruffling leaves that glow with some kind of fluorescence, magic that you’d not once laid your eyes on in your entire life. had you not been in the deep wood of the enchanted forest, to find and kill the dragon prince, you would have admired them more. 

“why do you come, bearing a weapon?” 

perhaps you may have spent too long, admiring the glistening petals.

you gasp, whipping out your sword and holding its point to the throat of the boy before you. slowly, your eyes trail upwards, shock connecting in your irises as you realise that he’s...floating. the boy has the hair of the silver moon, eyes as deep blue as the rough and raging Gialara seas, his lips are the colour of a blood rose with small and pearlescent fangs resting comfortably against their plumpness. he also wears a loose silk shirt that hangs simply from one shoulder, exposing his pale and slightly scaled skin. his pants are also lose, black in colour like the night sky to match his shirt. you note, that while he floats upside down, head tilted back towards you and body arched, he is also barefoot. 

this must’ve been him, this must’ve been. “the dragon prince,” you hum cooly, steeling your eyes and reaffirming your stance. “i’m here to kill you.” your brows furrow in concentration, and the boy’s, in confusion. the dragon prince, pushes his bottom lip into a pout as he twists his body to face you fully. he sets himself down, against the plush grass and uses a single finger to flick your sword to the side. 

“you have found me, yes,” the boy nods, giving you a tilted and faint smirk after his curious stare fades away. “i am kim taehyung, son of Veles and prince of the dragons...” the dragon watches as your stance falters, mouth open in shock at his strength to manipulate your mother’s sword. your palms begin to sweat at the sound of his full title, the name of the dragon king reminding you of the loss of your mother. “and i know, you will not kill me. i sense your being is far too compassionate to kill a living thing.”

you huff, dropping your arms and sending the vile thing a seething scowl. “you don’t know a thing about me-“ 

“my apologies, princess YN, i’m afraid i don’t,” taehyung interrupts you, stepping forward to inspect you closely. it was almost as if he had never seen a human before, but then again he was nothing like what you expected, especially in a dragon prince. before you can blink, you have been cornered into a tree, completely vulnerable and in the open. if he wanted to, taehyung could kill you right then and there, for the first time that night, a sprinkle of fear and adrenaline pumps it’s way through your veins. you  glance up at the regal creature, shocked that he even knew such detail about yourself and bite your lip. “in that case, might you enlighten me as to, why you seek to take my life?”

taehyung is not what you expected at all, the question bouncing softly from his lips, as you begin to loosen up. his eyes shift to yellow under the light and you start to feel warm, as if you can trust him. “my father wants proof, that i would make a great and honourable Queen.” you explain bluntly, unsure of why the words feel foreign when mentioning it.

“interesting,” the prince comments, quirking  a brow and smirking down at you as he rises off of his feet. “humans and their need for death and honour, i will never understand.” 

and with that, taehyung disappears into the darkness of the forest. a chill runs up your spine, confused at your meeting but left wondering, what more was there to the dragon prince?

“...and then there’s the marriage proposal from prince seokjin, from the shatus kingdom overseas, would you like me to accept or deny?” jungkook drawls, feeling accomplished as he skips over the final sentence with a light frown. his heart clenches, but he doesn’t say anything further.

“yes, very good jungkook.” 

“YN...”

“mhm...”

jungkook sighs, closing his book before tucking it under his arm for safety. he wouldn’t have been so annoyed if you were at least, half listening to him. tapping his foot in annoyance, the young advisor furrowed his brow deeply. “well in that case, i’ll spread word to  the royal bakers that you will be requesting a cake made of pigs slop for the wedding party?” 

“sounds wonderful,” 

“...we’ll even give out small favours of their droppings too...”

“i’m sure the dukes and duchesses would love that, jeongguk...”

“i’m sure the whole kingdom would be delighted to know that you’re marrying kim seokjin.” 

you slam your palms down on the windows, whipping your head to look at jungkook in shock. an amused grin tugs at his lips, as he approaches you to ruffle your hair fondly. now you were paying attention. “i will do no such thing!” you protest, pink painted lips forming a pout as you make an effort you lay down your tundra of wild locks. “me? marriage? what a preposterous idea. i should have you executed for that.” 

“maybe now, you’ll learn to listen to me, your highness?” the raven haired boy titters, giving you an exaggerated bow. “you could never do such a thing to your oldest friend, YN.” yourself and jungkook had been acquainted ever since you could walk, a beautiful friendship blossoming over the many years. his father, had been your mother’s most trusted advisor during the war, he too passing away after the loss of your queen. it seemed that fate had its own twisted way of keeping yourself and jungkook together, for he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps, much like you.

shaking your head, you push at his shoulders with a hidden grin and listen to the chime of his medallions as he sways. the silver lily on his chest, the symbol of the royal court, glistens much like the eyes of the man you met last night. taehyung’s beauty had entranced you so much, that the task at hand had been forgotten. of course, no one in the castle expected you to bring the head of a dragon back straight away...but something in you longed to see the awe, the shock and the respect on their faces when you did. they would learn to see you as their queen. 

but something about taehyung, made you weak in the knees. an inexplainable feeling, a shy tint to your cheeks and a beat in your heart. he was different, not at all what you expected. walking away from jungkook, you pivot on your heel, the flush to your cheeks becoming more obvious by the second. “there will be no more marriage proposals from now on, jungkook. make that clear to the neighbouring kingdoms.” you remark, nodding your head with the wisps of a smile against your lips. 

one of things, about having known you so long, is that jungkook could read you like an open book. the advisor could tell you were distracted, softer. it was almost as if his soon-to-be queen’s resistant and hard exterior had crumbled. this wasn’t your usual rejection of proposal, whereby you would growl and grumble so much so that the Huntcan tip mountains would quake in your presence. no, this was much like the time where the baker’s eldest son, yoongi, had snuck some treats up to your room when you were children. you had developed an infatuation for yoongi throughout your early teenage years, until he left the kingdom to open his own bakery, kissing you behind the rose bush in the royal garden on the night before he left. 

this was fascination, this was admiration. “you like someone,” jungkook teases lightly, a knowing smile tickling at the corners of his lips. “did you find a compatible suitor, is that it?” 

“the throne is my only object of affection,” you sigh, zealously. you twirled, a bright twinkle igniting stars in your eyes as the thought of taehyung’s silver lined ones and you can feel the excitement build in your veins. “a suitor? perhaps not,” the corner of your lips twitch up into a mischievous grin. “but the throne...it is a rather large one, is it not? awfully big for just one person.” 

jungkook raises an eyebrow, seemingly unimpressed while his jaw tightens and his tongue pokes into his cheek. “i see, i’ll be sure to have the staff engage in some...extensive cleaning of the throne room. we can’t have her highness leaving messes.” he states, lips falling into a flat line. tilting your head, the glint in your eye dissipates and thick somber feeling fills the room. 

“jeonggukie?” you question with a quiet voice, swallowing thickly at his unexpected change in mood. 

the advisor shakes his head, tussled locks falling over his eyes. jungkook turns, shrugging with the book still tucked under his arms, prepared to leave the room. “if i may be excused, princess, i have duties to attend to.” 

“ah yes, of course...duties.” the whisper falls from between your lips, as you watch him go with an aching chest.

the view at castle ashwyn was one not to be taken for granted. the skies were daubed with gradients of apricot, papaya whip, and cherry blossom pink with dusting of baby power white as cotton candy clouds. the breeze was fresh, tinted with mint and rose, carrying the scents of the many flowers that twirled along the turquoise marble pillars of the castle. 

the grass outside was freshly cut all the way up to the village, where creatures of all kind walked amongst each other. pixies, werewolves, elves and all, living together in harmony and if you squinted hard enough, over the towering trees, you could see where they lived. the humans. 

taehyung hated it. 

the sickly sweetness that constantly surrounded himself and his people, where all that was in the human world was death, despair, greed and power imbalances. he hated the falsities that engulfed his father’s death, how everyone pretended. 

that there was no life of suffering outside of his own.  

it was beautiful here, life touched every corner to cover the illusion of the war beyond these walls. the prince felt trapped. he wanted to break free of all expectations, experience the world and see the legends he had been told as a child. taehyung was not a fool to the whispers, the taunts and teases from the royal courts. they had always doubted him for his optimistic view on the simple things, on them, for humans had taken his father and so he was destined to resent them for the rest of his life. 

“taehyung, my love, what preys on your mind today?” 

taehyung’s mother, the dragon queen, was a soft spoken and wise woman. ever since the death of his father, there had been many attempts to overthrow her from many kinds...including the sirens. and yet, they never once succeed as only royalty of dragon’s blood can bestow the crown. dragons had ruled the land of the Avalerian dynasty since the dawn of time, forging the first crown from the molten minerals buried deep beneath the castle’s soils. they were the most powerful of all creatures, dominating the earth as their large majestic forms but the dragons were also prime game for hunting, their scales and horns could go for up to a hundred gold coins. so the dragons learned to adapt, becoming shifters with a half human form, this allowed them to retain their abilities as dragons whilst allowing them to walk free amongst the humans.

the queen was stunning, and perhaps that is where the young prince inherited his charming look. her scales were of a deep cherry, shimmering under the lights like the brightest of diamonds. her black hair had curled tendrils that spiralled down her back and her skin was tanned by the golden suns of apollo. with piercing, aquatic eyes, queen elantris tilts her head to look at her son, she had always known his shifts in mood and thanked her maternal instinct for being able to read her ominous child.

“it’s nothing, your highness,” the young prince muses simply, turning to his mother with soft eyes and an awkward smile. smiling fondly, elantris shook her head and approached her son, wrapping her arms around him in a warm hug. her tail swishes behind her, in her half shifted state, the castle being too small to accommodate for the large size of royally bred dragons. taehyung spares a glance to the older, and shorter woman, squinting carefully to see the diamond-slit irises in her yellowing eyes. it was almost laughable at how well dragons were able to shift between states, taking on a human form is completely desired. that is how they killed the human king. mastering the art of disguise. “perhaps, i am exhausted, i had a rather gruelling night.” 

“deep in thought again, my love dear?” elantris chuckles, brushing back  the fading ashy locks from her son’s forehead. taehyung sucks in a calmed breath, closing his eyes at his mothers warm touch and allows himself to shift too. he is much more relieved to have is tail free, blackened and swishing behind him. his ears become pointed and irises shift into diamond slits. elantris beams as her child transforms. “you’ve been keeping yourself hidden, i see.” 

“i needed to be out, some fresh air to clear the mind, mother...” the prince whines and stretches, shivering as his ash scales form over his skin and hair fades from grey to black. 

taehyung pouts under the gaze of his mother, what a sight to see. the most regal prince, pouting under the amused gaze of his parent. “away with your thoughts, as you always have been, my prince...” elantris lilts and lets go of the boy, moving towards her seat on the throne. the seat itself is glorious, spiralling toward the ceiling with peaks in its molten crystal. “what preys on your mind?” 

the young dragon, ruffling out his hair and adjusting his clothes. he wears a jewelled black jacket, a gradient of white pearls to obsidian diamonds. he adorns a fitting pair of black pants and boots with heels. taehyung shift his gaze to the diluting pink skies above and breathes heavily. “humans...why is that we despise them?” 

taehyung’s mother sucks in a breath,  tongue swiping over the ruby of her lips. the prince turns his body to look at the queen properly, tilting is head and poking his own tongue into his cheek as he eases a brow, awaiting his mother’s answer. “dragons are stubborn creatures, most unforgiving...it is not easy for us to forget,” elantris explains noncommittally, keeping her voice study and demeanour controlled.

“what is there to be forgotten? how did this all start?” 

“that is what we have yet to learn my son, this conflict has been raging on for centuries now, words and swords alike...twisted,” the dragon queen pauses, looking her son directly in the eye. “twisted into lies and fatalities...”

“and so...we fight?” taehyung prompts, his stomach bubbling with unease at his mother’s cryptic words. 

elantris nods, head held high. “and so, we fight.” 

“you are forgiven, you know.” 

you look up from your flower crown, fluorescent roses and tiger lillies woven together by their grass green stems and frown. taehyung is sitting in the trees, his hair is now the colour of a teal tinged with blue while his eyes simmered a warm amber in the cool night. 

meeting taehyung had been nothing but a coincidence, yet you found yourself becoming grateful for your accidental meetings. the clearing you shared with him had followed you to your dreams, being with him under the moonlight now brought you to ease.

“forgive me for what? do tell.” you probe tartly and turn your body in the grass to ask why. the dragon prince drops from the tree and you screw your eyes shut in fear of hearing the sickening crunch that often accompanies broken bones. but instead the prince floats above you, face but mere inches from yours as a taunting smirk touches lightly at his lips. a rosey hue tickles the apples of your cheeks as you look away, cursing the creature from under your breath. 

taehyung smiles and settles himself on the ground, sinking to his knees to aid you in making some flower crowns. “for being human,” the dragon shrugs nonchalantly and picks up a completed crown, leaning forward to place it stop your hair. his lips are a breaths width from your skin, and a warmth bubbles in your chest at the prospect of feeling them against yours, eyes closing. when you open them, you gasp at the proximity of they prince, blinking rapidly and blushing. he’s so close that it seems like he was watching you. “mother says dragons must learn to be forgiving. so here i am, forgiving you.” 

“what makes you think, that you are not required to seek my forgivenesses well?” you counter as a slight aggression weaves it’s way into your question, tilting your head upwards with stern eyes. taehyung bites his lip, slit tongue poking out to wet them at their swell. “should you not owe it to me? while my people die fighting against your best men, do you not believe that an apology from yourself, would be quite fitting?” 

you chose this moment to shuffle away from taehyung, turning to face the trees

in the distance as you pat the heat away from your cheeks. “your people have magic, powers. and mine? nothing but a bare chest, swords and a shield. yet, you do not hear me forcing the forgiveness of my people upon you,” you point out— almost too harshly, twirling a piece of grass between your fingers. “you sit, protected in your realm while only your most powerful touch the bloodied soils. you kill, as do i. i do not seek your forgiveness, but the life of my people instead. the life of young boys,” a pause in your speech allows your mind to flicker back to hoseok, your fingers how clenching the grass within your disgust. “barely fit to fight, that are drafted into the war. women and children who are torn apart. please, forgive me, for not wanting to accept your so called forgiveness.”

“how do you know this? that we only send out best?” taehyung queries nervously, his tone quiet as his feet come into your blurry field of view. he senses in his chest that you’re hurt, scared and in pain. this is what the war did, not to his people but to the humans. it hurt you. everyone. 

the laugh that passes your lips, is cold and cynical. your eyes possess a glassiness, glittering with fresh tears as you look to taehyung with anger painted against your face. “you have just told me.”  

guilt washes over the dragon as he crouches down before you, placing a finger under your chin to tilt your head up to face him. his thumb brushes the tears that spill from the corner of your eyes as his lips form the words that whisper, “i’m sorry.” 

he is sorry for your pain, he is sorry for the burden that you bare on your shoulders. he is sorry that he cannot make it stop, he is sorry. 

the following weeks bring you back to the clearing, where taehyung desperately tries to erase his night of ignorance. you would meet nightly, under the sky with glittering constellations and stars that told a thousand and one stories. you were away from the world where lives were torn apart and the cloud of death was ever growing. 

you were alone and happy.

taehyung would show you many of his tricks, how he could birth a flame just by the click of his fingers. how he could make smoke rise from his ears and nose and how the colour of his hair changed with his mood. the prince had become your friend, a regular occurrence to your life that you could not deal without. 

but tonight, you would be prevented from such luxuries. 

the tips of your fingers dabbed lightly at your lips, buffing the ruby red into your flesh. a maid worked by your side, primping and prepping locks of your hair so that they shone under the crystal lights. your makeup was light, yet fierce, shades of mint and green spreading across your eyelids to match the fitting ballroom gown you wore. it was lace that curled into silver lily flowers,  from the shoulders and down to your hips, twisting into a wide tule skirt that was painted with frosted blues and mint green fading into white. a necklace of pure diamonds rested just above your breast,  a matching crown woven into your tamed hair and a pair of earrings, your mother’s earrings to go with. as you sit still, letting the maids pretty you for the evening to come, you recall a time where you would have loved to be in a dress like this. times where your mother would only faintly dust your cheeks with blush whilst your father readied hoseok in the other room. tamarae was but a twinkle in your mother’s eye back then.

the girl in the mirror stares back at you, the trace of queen aadaya on her skin. closing your eyes, you take a deep breath to calm your aching heart and hum in agreement when the doors to your quarters open. tamarae beamed at you as her own maids helped her inside, she was a gown less bold than your own but equally pretty as fuchsia pinks spiralled soft lavenders. dresses like these were reserved for special occasions, to impress guests from outside castle walls, making a sick shiver crawl down your spine at the thought of elder dukes and lords and men vying for the attention of yourself and the young princess. 

of course,  the banquet for tonight was your father’s doing, in an attempt to find you a suitor right away. he claimed that you had failed to prove yourself in the last weeks, with no trace of the dragon’s heart in your possession. so with nothing but the grace of the queens before you, you accepted his invitation to host a banquet.

“you look beautiful, sister...you’ve grown so well,” you stand slowly, lifting your skirts to make your way over to the young princess. she bows her head in a small curtesy for you causing you to chuckle fondly. you allow your finger under her chin to tilt her head up, smiling softly at the girl, the spitting image of your mother. “now now, you are my sister, tamarae. formalities are not required for tonight, even if it is a special event,” you tease with a whisper in her ear, causing the younger to giggle slightly. “for you and i both know we shall be sneaking into the royal kitchen after the night is done!” 

tamarae tucks a white lock of hair behind her ear, giggling happily as her small hands clasp onto yours. “big sister, we both know hoseokie would have made me take watch if he were here,” she remarks in response  and pokes your nose, ignoring the glares of maids who had spent hours perfecting your look. 

as a young adult— becoming a queen, the ballroom was often a reminder of simpler days whereby warm summery breezes wafted through the large french windows, carrying soft scents of the fresh lemons and oranges that grew in the royal gardens. hoseok would have been chasing you down, playing the role of big bad dragon whilst you pulled a fumbling two year old tamarae behind you. your parents would always come running in to save the day, mother playing the knight that took hoseok down and your father the one who saved his two princesses. 

those were happier times, better times.

before you knew it, you were seated on the throne with the best view of the entire room. the ballroom had towering white pillars sprouting like flowers against a mahogany glossed wooden floor, the walls are splashed with an egg-shell blue with small cherry blossoms contrasting against the colour. accents of gold decorate every nook and cranny of the room and the ceiling paints a picture of fairytale creatures dancing amongst the man. men gallop across the hall with blushing ladies in their arm, those who aren’t dancing are stuffing their faces with the array of sweet treats and savoury delights that are positioned precisely against white sheet banquet tables. 

introductions pass without you paying any mind, distracted by thoughts of taehyung whisking you away to your clearing in the forest, playing with the many creatures there. you slip back to reality when a sudden pain spreads across your left rib, making you scowl at the culprit...tamarae. the younger smiles sheepishly and points to the man apparoaching your throne. 

his hair is a soft, candy pink, contrasting with the black blouse and dress pants he wore. when he bows to yourself and your sister, you catch a glimpse of his dark, misty brown eyes and find yourself curious to search them more. “he’s handsome,” tamarae teases you, moving to stand up as he steps forward. her gaze flickers up to your stoic face as she giggles. “don’t you think?” 

“he looks like he’s full of himself.” 

the man eyed you darkly while you held out your hand for him to take. “namjoon, kim namjoon...” his voice sends shivers down your spine, good or bad , you’re not sure. his skin is golden like honey and his tone drips with the same smoothness. “of the Kevimore kingdom.” 

namjoon gives you a dimples smile, taking your hand in his and bringing it to his lush lips for a gentle kiss. tamarae giggles by your side as you watch the man through your lashes, humming in content. it was always nice to see a man bend his will for you. “you may address me, as princess YN of the Phantis Empire,” you say, equally as smoothly whilst you tilt your head to the side. namjoon straightens his posture, bowing in respect. “i do hope you enjoy your stay here, tonight.” 

with your final word, you turn your gaze to the crowd and watch as they twirl about in tune with the orchestra but smile when you catch the eye of your beloved advisor. you had not danced at a ball like this, since you were a child and back then, hoseok had always been your partner but he wasn’t here now, he was fighting a war that wasn’t his. your sister delivers a sharp elbow to your side, causing you to grunt as you ready to scold her into next year. “ahem,” she whispers, jabbing your side again and nodding her head in gesture to namjoon. “he’s still here.” 

“i’m aware,” 

“that means he requires your attention.” 

“attention that i do not have for a man, tamarae.”

“YN, he’s right there!” 

“and he can hear you...” namjoon interjects with a small chuckle, poking his tongue into his cheek while his lips form an amused smirk. he taps his ear while a light flush rises beneath the skin of your cheeks, much to the prince’s delight. 

you duck your head, imagining that the prince before you gets off at the thought of making you blush. “is there anything i can help you with, prince namjoon?” 

he nods once, pink locks falling into his eyes as his dimples smile appears once more. “a dance, with you? my queen?” 

blinking, your lips part in shock. the only person to ever acknowledge you as the soon to be queen was jungkook, and that was often a joke between the two of you. but for a split second, it seemed— that namjoon’s dark, stormy eyes saw past the extravagance and diamonds— and saw you. the queen you were meant to be. 

“she would love to,” you sister answers for you, pushing at your shoulder to force you to stand. you rise to your feet,  unsteady on them and almost toppling forward. namjoon quickly catches you by the arm, offering you an earth shattering smile with dazzling eyes as he chooses that moment to lead you onto the ballroom floor. following namjoon, you turn around and give your younger sister a faux frown, sticking your tongue out at her. the maids around you gasp at your behaviour, while tamarae giggles and mocks your face.

upon reaching the dance floor, namjoon skilfully pulls you into his arms, pressing his chest to yours to guide your steps into the waltz. “you’re light on your feet, are you sure you’re not a dancer?” he chuckles quietly into your ear, making goosebumps arise across the planes of your skin. 

you turn with him, taking the lead from his grasp and smile cheekily. “i’m trained to fight, being light on my feet is part of the battle.” but your grin quickly falls upon seeing jungkook turn away with disappointment, what was going on with him? 

“ah, i see.” the prince falls silent at your words, offering you a quiet noise of agreement as the pace of the music rises and you start to speed up your dance. 

namjoon is a handsome man, his terracotta lips seem warm and inviting, his eyes although dark make you want to lose yourself in him. the prince is tall, at least a head or so taller than you and his arms that hold you are firm and large. namjoon is attractive but...

but he is not taehyung. 

the pink haired prince dips you, face hovering over yours as he takes a moment to tuck a fallen hair behind your ear. your cheeks heat up at his proximity but you swallow down your nerves and stutter out. “n-namjoon...i,” 

“you’re beautiful, my queen,” he says simply, running a thumb over your bottom lips before he pulls you back into his chest. “what i wouldn’t give to have you ruling by my side.”

“e-excuse me?”

“you’d make an excellent wife, YN.” 

gobsmacked, you try to rip yourself away from namjoon but his grip on your waist is too tight and suddenly he no longer looks charming and gentle, a sinister stare taking over his features. “let me go, namjoon. by order of the princess i demand that you let me go!” you scoff at him through gritted teeth still struggling in his grip. “if you believe that flattery will get you my hand in marriage then you are severely mistaken, my prince. i am a queen born to rule without a man, and i shall do so, just fine.” 

namjoon tilts his head in a sympathetic fashion, pressing you closer to him. “oh but princess, we are already on the path to being wed,” he hums, his lips ghosting over yours as you squirm away from his touch. “by order of your father, i am set to marry you three weeks from now, since you failed to bring the head of the dragon prince.” 

“no that’s not, it can’t be...he wouldn’t...he wouldn’t do that,” you mumble, feeling panic rise in your chest and lodge itself in your throat. your perfect world suddenly shatters, your view for the future torn to shreds. your father had sold your soul away to namjoon, who you now saw as a man who yearned for power. “he can’t.”  

“then your father is not the man you believed him to be.” namjoon concludes. “now put on a pretty face and smile for our loyal subjects, my queen.”

you gasp with tears beginning to flood your field of view, your eyes searching in the crowd for someone, anyone to tell you it’s not true. who’s face falls at your wounded expression, he knows, you think. jungkook knew and he didn’t think to tell you. your heart shatters into a million pieces and all you can think is out out out. you need to get out. 

but for now you turn to namjoon and give him a dazzling smile through your tears, as jungkook watches you with a guilty gaze.

running.

they say that running is able to clear your mind. but instead all of your thoughts and fears ran wildly beside you as you bolted through the forest. you could feel them, all of your worst nightmares crawling up your spine and scratching at your skin as you tumbled through the forest. 

by the time you reach the clearing, you’re clawing at your throat and desperately gasping for air through your choked sobs. you can’t marry namjoon, you won’t marry namjoon. your body trembles with the sobs that wrack your tiny frame, the dress that you wear is suddenly too tight and all you can do is wail for an escape. 

“YN! you have returned, i have to admit i missed you dearly-“ taehyung starts to ramble, just having come from a flight amongst the canopies. the dragon cuts himself off when he notices you collapsing onto your knees and tearing at the dress. “princess YN? YN, are you alright?” he drops to his knees beside you, tilting your head up to look him in the eyes. the prince hates the way your chest is heaving, how a wild panic has spread through your darling eyes. “breathe for me princess, it’s alright, i’ve got you.” 

your eyes stay with his as taehyung coaches you through, his ice like irises calming you down as they watch you with concern. the dragon prince brushes a hand through your hair to soothe you as you hiccup and sniff, attempting to ease your panic. “off, i want it off, all of it...” you grumble moving to tear at your gown. taehyung follows your movements, using a  shifted dragon claw to shred off the remains of your skirt and help you out of the tight fitting corset until all that remains is your sheer and tule petticoat. 

“better?” your companion asks, pulling you into his silk shirt. taehyung is warm, much morse so compared to the cool evening, you remember him explaining that dragons have a heart of coal. meaning that the blood that flows through them is heated and molten. 

you nod shakily and move to hold his hand as a wave of comfort washes over you. “much, thank you taehyung.” 

“are you going to tell me what happened?” the prince presses gently, not wanting you to hold it in. if there was anything taehyung had learned about you in the last few weeks, is that you never had an outlet. you were closed off from the world, locked away and never let anyone see the vulnerable sides of you and yet...you somehow found it in you to trust him. 

nodding slowly, you turn and bury your face into his firm chest, fisting at the silk of his new azure blouse. “my father...” you sigh, letting your breath even out as you stumble to find the words. “he betrayed my trust...he turned the court against me and made them promise me to another man...” you feel taehyung’s breath hitch as his chest moves. quickly, you move to look up at taehyung and all you can think to do is kiss him but you can’t, not when you’re now promised to another. “i don’t love him, i could never be in love with someone so horrible.”

the now raven haired, dragon prince says nothing, instead choosing to squeeze you closer into his broad frame. he doesn’t look at you, mind racing a million miles an hour. you were to be married. and it wouldn’t be to him. so it is with a waking start that taehyung realises he is deeply, sorely in love with you. his chest rumbled at the thought of another man’s hands on you, kissing you and touching you, touching what was his. without meaning to, you place your hands on taehyung’s chest and grab at his attention. his usual ocean eyes flash with yellow and his primal senses are suddenly full of you. all he can see is your face under the light of the moon and stars, all he can feel is your touch on him and all he can smell is the sweet scent of lilies, of you. 

“tae...taehyung?” you whisper, sniffling as you lean up and tilt his head to look at you. “i will be alright, i refuse to let this stop me from seeing you.” 

he ignores your words, pulling you to stand with him. “lets go for a fly.” the prince says with bright eyes, staring at you.

“a fly? taehyung have you lost your mind-?” 

“it’ll be fun, i promise you. it’ll clear your head.” 

you slowly tear yourself from taehyung’s grip, holding your hand to your chest with a nervousness swirling in your stomach. flying. taehyung had told you that he was able to fully transform into a dragon, with all the same abilities as well. he called it shifting, and that meant he was able to breathe fire, roar like a mighty beast and fly. “i’m scared...” you admit, sheepishly. “what if...what if i fall?” 

“do you trust me?” taehyung asks sternly, stepping towards you and holding his hand out for you to take. 

“i...what?” 

“i said, do you trust me?” 

you hesitate before closing your eyes tightly and nodding, taking taehyung’s hand. “i trust you.” 

your eyes remain screwed shut as the crunch of bones fills the unoccupied silence of the woods. you flinch at the sound and the slip of taehyung’s hand from yours, whilst his heaves and groans become growls and roars. away from the warmth of taehyung’s body, you realise how cold the forest is in just your petticoat but you’re shivers are quickly ceased when a puff of hot hair surrounds you and a large head nudges your body. opening your eyes slowly, you gasp at the large beast before you, the taehyung that you know has been replaced with an oblivion black dragon, hints of silver and blue illuminating his scales under the shimmering night sky. the dragon presses it’s head to your hand, making you reach out hesitantly as you stare deep into its amber irises. 

‘do you trust me?’ 

you remember taehyung’s words as the majestic beast bows to you, you chuckle and watch as the dragon moves back, stretching out to spread its wings. you imagine that the wings themselves must be as wide as the west wing of your castle back home. when the dragon returns to his original position, you’re met with a puff of warm air, strong enough to blow locks of your hair away from your face. “impatient creature, aren’t you?” you giggle to yourself and clamber up onto taehyung’s head, making him shake it in response. 

with a deep breath, you hold on tightly to the spines feathering taehyung’s neck and close your eyes once more, listening to the sounds of his wings flap as he lifts you both off of the ground. the next time you open your eyes, you’re up in the air, soaring above the clouds. the pair of you are so high that the colour of the sky fades from a soft pink to the deep blue below, the beginnings of the sun shining in the distance. 

then taehyung makes a nose dive. 

the air rushes through your hair as you squeal, heading face first for the land beneath you. taehyung spirals his body as you throw your hands into the air, squealing loudly with happiness, you can feel every fear and doubt that clogged your mind and body rush away with the wind in your face. the dragon prince evens out his body, spreading his wings as you drift across the night sky, watching the world go by with you above it. you lean forward and rest the palms of your hands on taehyung’s, stroking it lightly as you fly past the stars.

when the clearing reappears in your field of view, taehyung tilts his body and begins the descent through the clouds. he flies low, letting you reach your hand out to touch the glistening water below. “w-woah, tae...taehyung!” you cry in amusement, feeling him shift beneath you, his bones realign as he grows tired and reverts back to his human form. his wings somehow manage to remain as the prince’s familiar face returns and he beams up at you. his wings encircle you as you make a crash landing into the clearing. the pair of you roll and tumble out onto the illuminated grass below you, taehyung’s wings protecting you and softening your fall. you manage to uncurl in his grip, landing beneath him as his palms flatten out by your head to stop himself from crushing you. 

“hi...” you pant, looking up at the dragon prince with glittering eyes. your hand reaches up to touch at taehyung’s soft face, his eyes still golden glowing irises and his curled hair now a faded black. he’s beautiful, he always has been but in this moment, you feel like you have finally see him. you can finally see that you love him.

taehyung looks down at you through hooded eyes, moving to run a thumb over your pinkish bottom lip, his breath uneven from the flight. “hello, my queen.” he says simply, face nearing yours. you feel your lashes against your cheeks as your eyes flutter shut, taehyung nosing your cheeks until his soft lips reach your own. hands in your hair, the prince tilts his head and kisses you. his lips mould perfectly against yours and you can feel your heartbeat wildly in your chest as your arms wrap around his neck and fingers curl in his wavy locks. taehyung kisses you like you’re his, and only his and all you want is to feel is him.

taehyung’s hands use a tentative touch as they slide down to your sides, slipping under your petticoat to smooth over your bare skin. you gasp as his lips venture out into the junction at your neck, curling your fingers in his hair as his hands push further and further up your clothes. he roams your skin like foreign terrain— fingers dipping at peaks and the curve of your body.  “taehyung...” you whimper breathlessly, pushing your head back into the lush grass below. 

the dragon freezes at the sound passing from your lips, moving to pull away. “are you hurt? did i hurt you?” taehyung asks worriedly, honey  eyes boring into your soul. you sit up, confused as you shake your head no, wondering if your eagerness to kiss him has driven him away. “i’ve never...i haven’t done this before...” the ravenette adds, gesturing between you both. never done...what? 

oh...

“been with a women before?” you ask gently, sitting up and leaning your chin on taehyung’s shoulder. you tilt your gaze towards him, smiling softly and move to cup his cheek. “i have never...been with a man either...you would be my first.” you whisper shyly, you had little time for courting as a princess, your royal duties taking up much of your time. but here you were, curled up with taehyung on possibly the most beautiful place on earth, feeling more ready than you had ever been.

“let me have you, if you will?” the prince asks lowly, warm breath fanning over your lips.

“you have me, all of me...” 

that was all it took for taehyung to crash his lips against yours once more, this time his tongue tracing over the seam of your own as he pleads for entrance to your mouth. you happily oblige, welcoming his warm tongue with your own in a battle for dominance, dancing together while his large hands pulled at your under clothes. you arched your back, letting him tug the tule garment off of you and spreading your thighs as he nudged them apart. 

“you’re so beautiful,” taehyung murmurs, pulling back from the kiss to admire you. his amber irises darkened to a dark gold as he drunk in your naked body, leaning down to ghost his lips over your neck. “i want to mark you...” he added, biting down on your supple flesh and sucking hard enough to leave a bruise. “fuck you, breed you. would you like that princess?” he growls. 

you arch your back as his hands come to cup your breast, squeezing them between slender fingers whilst he works a trail of purples down to your chest. “god, please...taehyung!” 

chuckling deeply, using his  dragon abilities, the prince blows a gust of hot air over your left nipple once his mouth reaches its destination. his snake like tongue pokes out to lick a stripe over the perky bud before he takes your breast into his mouth harshly, biting down and letting his primal instincts take over. even if he was a virgin, being a dragon, taehyung was genetically programmed to please during breeding seasons. he knew what he was doing, especially when you moaned aloud. 

a hand slips down your sides and into your panties, circling over your clit to spread your wetness as it glistened under the moonlight. “you’re soaking, my princess,” taehyung hums, still squeezing your breast as he sucked your nectar off of his fingers. “may i taste you?” 

“yes, please...” you gasp.

taehyung raises an unimpressed brow, pinching your nipple causing you to whine. “please what?”

eyes rolling, you moan out the only title you can think of, hoping it will urge the dragon on. “please...my king.”  

the prince with obsidian hair curses under his breath, making quick work of tearing off your panties and shuffling onto his belly on the grass so that he nears your entrance. taehyung spreads your lower lips widely, chuckling at the juices that flow from your flower. “so pretty, petal.” he says, watching you writhe under the night air before locking eyes with you through his curled locks. the air that hits your pulsing heat, is cool but taehyung’s breath is hothothot. his lush lips suckle on your clit before his burning tongue swipes over the length of your pussy, heated from his dragon’s core. taehyung sweeps at any of your sweet nectar that gushes from your hole, humming in content before pushing his tongue past your entrance making you cry from pleasure and curl your fingers in his hair. 

“look at you, absolutely dripping just for your king,” taehyung growls against your burning cunt, the vibrations sending your eyes rolling back in your head. desire burns brightly in the pits of your stomach, as you start to rut your hips into his face, the prince having neglected your wetness in favour of whispering foul words into your thighs. taehyung flicks at your swollen clit, making your legs wobble and threaten to close around his head. not that you would mind the view. “such beautiful sight, baby.” 

he dove his tongue into your tight hole, as arousal fogged your senses and his instincts to your body heightened. the world between your sweet thighs was slick, tasting of the most luxurious of treats to taehyung and he could tell he was becoming addicted to you. a finger slipped past your entrance, along with his tongue, thrusting inside of you and catching on the walls of your pussy. you wriggled against the grass, spread out in the open nature whilst taehyung claimed you with his tongue. “m close, m close!” you squealed when taehyung added another finger, fearing that your high was coming to soon. the prince was giving you pleasure that you had never felt before, that couldn’t be achieved with your own hand or imagination. you weren’t sure that you wanted it to end.

nimble fingers gripped at taehyung’s mop of sooty hair as he lapped faster and faster at your sensitive bud, the knot in your stomach becoming tighter and tighter until suddenly...it snapped. “cum for me, princess, reward your king.” 

white flashes behind your eyes as your release crashes over you, signs of your arousal painting taehyung’s chin and face. he licks over his bottom lip, chest rumbling at the taste of you before he moves between your thighs to and up to your face. he kisses you sweetly, once...twice... allowing you to taste yourself on his tongue before deepening the kiss. the pair of you become a pile of limbs, entangled in the grass as teeth and tongue clash together. your hands wind down the path way of the prince’s body, stopping above his belt loop hesitantly. 

taehyung forces himself to pull away from your onslaught of kisses, pressing his forehead to yours— eyes closing with a pant falling from his lips. “you don’t have to...” he mumbles, lips ghosting over yours while he noses your cheek.

 taehyung’s hair brushes softly over your forehand, his eyes tightly shut away from the world as if, when he sees you again, he won’t be able to control himself. you stare up at him, taking in his every mole and freckle that dots his face. you trust him. “i want to, please— let me, my liege.” you insisted, a neediness sparking in your eyes.

“fuck...the things you do to me, princess,” hisses hotly, his cock twitching in his briefs as you rolled him over. the dragon prince quickly stood, helping position you comfortably on your knees before letting his hands fly to the buckle of his breeches. watching him closely, you felt your mouth water in anticipation— you’d never in your life seen a man in full glory before, let alone a mythical creature such as taehyung. you suspected him to be girthy, but your expectations were exceed as he proceeded to roll down his breeches and undergarments in one. 

taehyung’s cock was not only thick and girthy, but lengthy as well, so big that for a brief second, you were unsure that your own two hands would fit around it, let alone your mouth. your jaw dropped in awe as your eyes observe him. “well...uh, there’s something about us dragon’s that.... that perhaps i failed to mention-“ taehyung but his lip with nervousness, his confident and dominant aura suddenly wavering. 

“you have two heads-“ you blurt out, gaze trained on the second head of his forked member. “there’s two!” 

the prince blushes, running a hand through his curled hair and swallowing thickly. “for mating purposes, it increases the success of a female carrying...” taehyung pauses is breathe explanation, frowning deeply as you touch curiously at his cock. “—carrying offspring, princess.” 

the pet name comes out as some what of a warning, making you smile sheepishly at the man above you. “it’s got spines, taehyung...you cant expect me not to touch you!” you defend yourself,  watching him closely. “it’s hot too.” 

“for pleasure purposes, dragons are also naturally hot.” 

“do you think it will fit? i’ve not been with a man before i-“

seemingly sensing the nerves that stir in your stomach, taehyung leans down to grip your chin and tilts your head upwards to catch your eye. “i’ve got you, petal,” he whispers and presses a light chaste kiss to your lips. “do you trust me?” 

“yes, more than anything.” you breathe, settling back onto your knees as taehyung guides your mouth towards his pulsing cock. your eyes trail up his body as he tugs off his shirt from above you, his skin is glazed with a layer of sweat and desire pours through your system like the molten lava that intertwines with his dragon blood. you imagine that he tastes sweet, like the finest wines of the Ubeozia dynasties. 

leaning forward you shakily take taehyung’s tips past your lips, sucking on it hesitantly while he starts to groan. the dragon sucks in a breath from the night air as you take him further into your mouth, looking up at him with sparkling doe eyes. “you’re doing so well, my darling  princess, so good for me.” he sighs.

his cock his hot against your tongue, forming tingling sensation at your lips while you work on bobbing your head. curses fall out from underneath taehyung’s breathy moans whilst his eyes flash golden like Apollo’s sun. his large hands thread between your loosened locks as they tickle at your exposed shoulders, encouraging you to give him more. 

your hands sit small on the base of his girth, fisting at what you cannot fit making a wetness pool between the apex of your thighs as you think about being stuffed full of him. taehyung lets out a small moan, closing his eyes and throwing his head back to face the stars as he shallowly thrusts his length into your welcoming mouth. your tongue works circles around his cock making taehyung’s fingers curl in your hair, massaging your scalp as he gently pushes your hot mouth further down on his pulsing, red hot cock. 

he hisses and grunts when you’re tongue glides over his slit, abdomen clenching as he feels himself fall into his high. you gasp as the dragon paints your tongue with a smokey release, his cum is a foreign feel against your tongue but brings you satisfaction as he quivers through the after shocks of his orgasm. softly, you let go of his member, sliding your tongue over your bottom lip to capture the rest of his cum— keeping your eyes trained on him. 

“how does it taste?” taehyung asks darkly, sinking into his knees to cup your face.

you hum for a moment, parting your lips gently as his thumb brushes over them. “salty, no...ashy.” you conclude, breathing lightly. taehyung quirks a brow, leaning forward to press a searing kiss to your lips, his tongue swipes over your bottom one as he gradually pushes you back into the lush grass, positioning himself between your legs.

“that’s because our release is fuelled by the fires that burn in our hearts,” the prince explains, pulling away from your lips to whisper in your ear. now that you’ve tasted me, it’s time i mark your beautiful little cunt.” 

you gasp as the tips of his thick cock brush as your entrance, instinctively locking your thighs around his hips. your chest rises and falls with the anticipation of having taehyung, the man you love, claim you. you’re in love, you love taehyung with all your heart and now he was to make you his. sighs of adoration fill the air between you as taehyung slowly pushes into your virgin hole, of course, having more than one tip would make it hurt, but only just— making your nails dig into the skin at taehyung’s shoulder. 

he stops is movements, the prince knows that it will be difficult for your tiny human body to handle his stamina and size, after all, you had already cum once and were nearing exhaustion. “i’m sorry, my petal...my queen, i know it hurts,” he cooes, nosing at your neck to ease the pain. one hand curls in taehyung’s thick locks as he fully enters you with one tip of his cock, the second slowly slipping past the lips of your cunt. the dragon prince drops a hand to your clit, slowly rubbing in circles until the pleasure overrides the sting where you bleed. “you’re doing so well for me, taking all of my cock like the good queen you are.” 

taehyung waits for you to adjust as he continues to lazily flick at your bud, while you slowly start to open up for him like the roses at his mother’s place. “please...move taehyungie...move!” you mewl, throwing your head back into the soft grass as pleasure begins to overwhelm your senses.

the prince smiles down at you, taking in the the twisted look of delight against your delicate features and the curve of your breast as you arch your back. taehyung bottoms out inside of you, gently thrusting his length within your tight, dripping walls and closes his eyes at the sound of your sweet moans. you feel like you were made just for him, for him only and when he opens his eyes, he can’t help but lean down and claim your mouth, slipping his tongue past the barriers of your lips when you part them. 

“look at you, princess, so tight for me— your king,” he praises tenderly against your hips, dropping his face to your neck as you tighten around him involuntarily. “you’re mine, made for me and my cock. you got that princess?” 

“yours, yours my king.” you pant, fingertips dancing across the expanse of your lover’s freckled back.

taehyung deepens his thrusts, the spines on his cock catching against your slick walls as he reaches deeper inside of you. he sucks a little of bruises into your neck, purples, pinks and burgundies painting a picture of his love for you while he works their. your hips lift to match his thrusts, sucking him in as you both move together under the moonlight. the sounds of love filled moans and groans fills the cool air of the forest, long forgotten as taehyung pounds into you, letting you feel every inch of his cock. his grunts send shivers down your spine, making you arch your back into him. taehyung pushes your hips down, pushing his member into your sweet spot causing more of your juicies to gush down your wobbling thighs. 

you bite your lip in an attempt to silence your cries, an unexplainable wave of pleasure coursing through your veins as taehyung yanks your hips down to his. “s’good…please don’ stop,” you slur pathetically into the night, a sheen of sweat dousing your skin, the sound of your desperation making the head’s taehyung’s length twitch inside of you. he wasn’t sure how long he would last, with the way your virgin cunt clamped down on him like a vice. the tightness was almost unbearable, each thrust bringing him closer and closer to the edge. “need you, need you m-my king!” 

taehyung’s mop of hair drops to your collar bones as he bites on them to silence his growls of possession. “fuck me, princess, fuck,” he slurs, his cock swelling as if he’s about to burst. the first head of his member stimulating that special spot, while the other fills your needy hole. “wonder what your courts would say if they saw you like this, princess,” taehyung pants into your neck, one hand sliding between your bodies to stimulate your clit while the other grips your breast, as he leans against you, pressing his hips into yours. “saw their queen spread out for the dragon king so desperate and needy for his dragon cock...fuck baby, what would they say?” 

“t-they’d be ... ashamed!” you squeal, arching your back and lifting your hips to meet taehyung’s thrusts. 

he smirks, fucking into you harder, until you’re full to the brim and you can feel him deep in your womb. “but i wouldn’t be, m’ so proud of my princess for taking me like this...” taehyung pants, looking deep into your eyes, sweaty hair falling over his own amber irises. “cum with me, my love.” 

you grab and pull at taehyung, touching at skin hair and lips as your release starts to creep up on you. the pace of taehyung’s hips never slow but start to become sloppy as your senses become overwhelmed with him. the tips of his cock brush at your spot once more, making you scream with pleasure as the damn finally bursts and you cream on his member, painting him with your release as the first spirts of his cum fill your hole. “taehyung, tae..please,” you cry, soft tears springing in your eyes as he locks his gaze on yours, hips slowing to a grind as he pumps his thick, hot seed inside of you. there’s so much, never ending as his release gathers within your cunt, searingly hot as lewd sounds of your wetness’ mixing fills the air. “i love you...”

your words are barely above a whisper, tears of warmth and happiness spilling from your eyes as taehyung cups your cheeks and swoops down to kiss you lovingly. “i love you so much, more than anything.” he responds, never ending his onslaught of kisses. 

taehyung doesn’t soften inside you, making another wave of neediness wash over your body. he loved you, he loved you just as you did with him. the kisses become sweeter and sweeter, like the finest honey against your tongue and you smile against taehyung’s lips as he lifts you into his arms. “you love me.” it’s more of a statement than a question, but taehyung answers regardless, brushing strands of hair away from your face.

“i will always love you, beyond my dying breath.” 

the dragon scoops you up, carrying you to a nearby tree and leaning back against it, refusing to put you down despite your giggles and protests. you notice, from over his shoulder that moon lillies grow in place of the spot you made love in. “what’s that?” you ask quietly, as taehyung sits, turning you around gently in his lap and barely lifting you from his cock. 

he watches darkly as only small traces of his charcoal black cum seep from your cunt before he follows your gaze to the flowers. “those, moon lillies appear when a dragon has found his or her mate, in place of where they have mates for the first time.” he mumbles shyly, hiding his face in your neck and kissing the back of your shoulder. 

“let’s... let’s make more,” you whisper and admire the flowers that act as a symbol of your love. although your thighs still shake from your last two releases, you pull your hips forward and drag them back against taehyung’s lap, twitching around his length from the overstimulation. your turn your head to face the dragon prince from over your shoulder, watching as his chest heaves with pleasure. “make love to me, dragon king. make love to your queen.” 

taehyung’s hips twitch at your words, the ghost of his fingertips settling on your hips  before gripping them harshly, helping to move you back and forth against his cock. “as you wish my queen,” he mumbles, starting to move his own hips in time with yours. “you’re going to be the death of me, love.” 

taehyung bites down harshly on your shoulder as you begin to mewl, lifting yourself off of your cock and slamming your hips back down. the spines on taehyung’s cock stimulate your spasming, cum soaked walls, catching on each ridge and causing you to shiver. the forest is once more filled with the sound of skin slapping on skin, and a mixture of lost words and moans and ‘i love you’s. you are lost with taehyung, in a world of your own as he claims your cunt over and over again with each thrust. 

you circle your hips, clenching around the thick cock that stretches you open and gasp when one of taehyung’s heads slip out from your tight core. biting your lip, you take a finger and coat it in the remainder of your last orgasms and smear it against taehyung’s tip, thumbing it hardly. the prince groans, hips stuttering as he lets out a loud moan, thrusting into you at a faster pace and circling himself inside of you. “princess, please...fuck me.” 

“forever, my sweet.” you whisper, slapping the head against your cock before pushing it back into your entrance. you rock yourself back and forth, tears of pleasure stinging the corners of your eyes as your sensitive pussy pulses with want. you know, you will not last as long as the previous rounds, indicated by your throbbing clit and collapse forward against taehyung’s legs. the dragon takes this as an opportunity to slap his palm against your bare ass, watching the flesh jiggle at the contact. 

you squeal at the spank, sinking your fingers into the grass as taehyung repeats his ministrations on each of your cheeks. his cock swells with every desperate moan that passes from your lips, stretching your tight cunt open to accommodate for his cum. he wants to breed you, fuck you full of all of his dragon seed and watch your stomach swell at the heavy load. he wants you to have his children. with new found motivation and his orgasm closing in on him, taehyung grabs your hips and forces them down against his cock, slamming into you every time you come down against him. your abused hole drips with newfound wetness and remainders of taehyung’s hot seed as he pushes it further inside of you. 

the pace is wild, and heat flares up between you both as your bodies move together completely uncontrolled. “m gonna cum again...” you gasp as you feel taehyung pound repeatedly into your g-spot. “please, please fill me up.” 

“gonna cum with you princess, gonna breed you with my dragon pups,” taehyung practically whimpers, mumbling an i love you into the air. “gonna fill you up and fuck my cum deep inside you.” he rambles now as his thrusts become erratic. having his length nuzzled inside of you is what pushes taehyung over the edge, beating the feeling of endless hours of pleasuring himself during breeding seasons. he had never held or touched a woman in the way that he did with you. you were his first, and that was what made his heads fill you once more with a heavy load of his seed, shooting further into your cunt as you cream against him once more, pushing your hips down while his cum smears against your clit. “

“taehyungie!” 

you collapse against the grass, panting shakily as taehyung pulls you into his arms again, turning to lay on his side as he pulls you into his chest. he doesn’t remove himself from your body, keeping himself inside you as more of the glowing blue flowers begin to bloom around you. taehyung’s hand settles on your belly as his arms wrap around your waist, rubbing it in circles while he kisses your hair. everything is perfect, just as it is meant to be. you’re in love with the man you had dared yourself to kill, but could now only find it in you to lay with him under the stars. 

“i love you taehyung,” you say for the millionth time that night, drawing patterns into the hand that rests on your stomach. “i won’t ever love anyone else. i am yours and you are mine.” 

“we are one, YN.” taehyung adds, sweetly, holding you closer as you feel yourself start to drift into a sweet slumber. “and i will love you forever.” 

forever. 

you smile at the word, placing his hand over his as you finally fall into sleep. you stay with taehyung, in forest for a night or two, loving each other under the moon.

“and you will see to it that the dragon is captured and killed, immediately?” 

jungkook hesitates, a pause in the air at the prince’s request. when namjoon and the king had asked the young advisor to follow his queen out into the woods, he had never expected to see what he did. the nights where you would disappear for hours on end, coming home with scorch marks and ruffled hair all seemed to make sense now. you were with the dragon prince, the one who’s heart you had promised to capture. except, only you could not do it, you had been soft in the heart. a trait that lay with your deceased mother. 

jungkook had seen you take round after round of the dragon’s cock, wishing that he could be in place of the beastly creature. he hated how that thing claimed you like he had been trying to for years, he despised how he fisted himself to orgasm behind the trees as he watched you cum for the dragon, moan for the dragon, love for the dragon. jungkook hated himself for betraying you due to his own jealousy, he wanted to see the dragon pay for what it had done to his queen, his love. and although, the advisor was unsure of what namjoon planned to do with the information, jungkook knew the least he could do was set you back on the right path. 

he had already owed you this debt, in where he failed to warn you about namjoon. perhaps, he would make it up to you by freeing you from the dragon’s grip. 

“jungkook...”

“yes my liege, we will send our best troops to their location and have him captured within the next week or so...” the boy explains, rubbing a thumb over his knuckles nervously. why does guilt rein free in his mind? he was doing what was best for you. 

prince namjoon nods proudly, nodding his head and standing from his seat to leave the dining room. the prince had moved into the palace due to your absence over the last three days, presumably to take over rule as your father was too sick to do so. namjoon was brought in to have you wed before your father’s passing but the courts knew you were more than capable of doing so on your own. 

they just hated to see a women in power.

“you are dismissed, jungkook.” 

the young advisor nods his head gratefully, running a hand through his wavy locks and massaging his scalp to calm his guilt ridden mind. “what the fuck, jeon?” he mumbles to himself, starting walk back his quarters. he needed to be a lone, he needed time to convince himself that what he had done was right. jungkook could pretend that everything would be fine and maybe it would be. 

he paces down the twisting and winding halls of the castle, chest squeezing as he begins to feel trapped within the walls and lies. jungkook doesn’t even hear the call of his name. 

“jeongguk!” tamarae gasps, catching up to the young advisor. the boy freezes, the princess much resembled the queen before YN, her features her sloping and graceful and you could see shift in her eye colour of the light hit them just right. everyone had been in awe of tamarae since she was born, but she was no YN. he looks down at the girl, just a year younger than jungkook himself, and parts his lips to speak. they were aquatinted well, but never spoke more than a passing hello when YN was around. 

but he never gets a chance to speak. 

the princess’ hand falls sharply against his cheek, the connection is enough to send his head to the side. it is now, for the first time, that jungkook really looks at the young princess. her snow white hair is dishevelled and slightly out of place, dark eye bags beneath her usually glowing eyes and her skin has paled significantly. “how dare you?” tamarae seethes, stepping closer to jungkook and pointing a finger in his face. he flops guiltily, his actions coming to haunt him. “how dare you, give my sister’s location to that treacherous prince?”

“i’m doing what is in the best interest of our queen.” 

tamarae opens her mouth in shock, casting a glance up and down jungkook’s frame before taking a breath to calm herself. “what would you know about her best interests?” she begins, now poking a thumb into the firm of the advisor’s chest. “she is happy there, out in the woods in her clearing. he makes her happy.” a breath, “— but you’re so foolishly and selfishly in love with her, you would do anything to make her love you back. well, jeon jungkook...now she will never.” 

“tamarae, i—“

“and you slept with me, i let you wrestle me to bed in your quarters and make a woman of me,”  the princess starts to feel tears form in her eyes, breath becoming shaky and anger rising within her chest. “just so...so you could find where she is. i didn’t tell you, for you to hurt her. i told you because you’re her best friend...” 

jungkook is left, trembling with guilt as the princess turns away and heads back in the direction she came. 

he was desperately in love with you, but was too blind to see the love he was given too.

the feeling beneath taehyung’s skin is nothing like he has ever felt before. it’s a bristling pain that jabs at his flesh, pinches at his every fibre and burning away at his heart. 

it hurts, it pains him and he doesn’t know why. 

the servants strip him of his shirt, sweat licking his honey dipped abs as they douse him with cold spurts of water but nothing helps and the pain doesn’t cease. one places a stick between his teeth for him to clamp down on as they rub at his skin, trying to massage the pain away. instead the supposed, soothing feeling is replaced by a thousand small stabs to his flesh, almost to the point where tears pool in his ocean eyes. 

the double doors to his bedroom open suddenly, Queen elantris making an entrance as maids and servants alike withdraw from the heaving prince. his stares over at his mother as she dismisses all other personnel in the room, dropping his head back into his tangled sheets while he pants, eyes falling shut. 

“mother...”

“shh, my boy, you are in a lot of pain,” elantris hums quietly, brushing her son’s curled charcoal locks from his paling face.  the prince whines like a young dragon pup, the hurt becoming too much to bare. elantris looks down at her child, seizing the moment to rub a cooling herb mix against his chest, despite the growls and roars that emit from taehyung’s lips. she coos at him gently, once she’s done, whispering sweet words into his hair as he shivers in a cold sweat. the dragon queen had seen this once before, never as severe. her child was sick with a deep poison, known as love. 

“what’s happening to me?”

the tone of fear rings in taehyung’s voice as he roars, scales reappearing across his skin and eyes darkening into their golden state. his mother leans down and noses taehyung’s cheek, trying to ease him through the pain and coaches him through it despite the groans he lets out.

“you’ve imprinted, my love,” elantris whispers, linking their hands. “you’re in love, taehyung, with that human girl.” 

the boy gasps through his pain, feeling like a pup being caught stealing from the kitchen like when he was young. taehyung had known that he had always felt strongly towards you, felt strongly for the way your eyes sparkled under the moon and the way your smile shone brightly whenever the dragon had a new trick to show you. taehyung had known, all along, that he was in love with you. “how, how did you know?”

“i could smell her on you, taehyung,” elantris chuckles and releases her child’s hand, helping him to sit. “i may be old but i am not a fool. you have learned to forgive, unlike those of our ancestors. you must go to her, the girl and the closer you are to her, the less pain you will be in.” she hums. “you just go to her.” 

the prince stretches his limbs, a cool slick sliding over his skin. “i will, i love her.” 

the clearing.

when you thought of the clearing, you thought of happiness and love. your love, with taehyung that bloomed solely under the night of the stars but another that grew strongly inside of you. the news you had for taehyung sent a series of fire works bursting in your chest, coursing through your veins— this could be it, could be what could end all the suffering and consequences, letting yourself and your prince be together. 

the familiar sent of sweet moon lily fills your nostrils, easing your nerves as you approach the clearing, your love. the sky is clear above your head, milky pink like the roses your mother used to weave into your hair. you like to believe, that she would be excited for you, looking down at you from the constellations above with joy.  this was not always your plan, but you would not let this get in your way of becoming queen. 

you take care with your steps, unlike times before this, wearing your traditional warrior fit makes the journey easier.  you want to be careful and prevent any harm to what is to come — but suddenly, the air around you feels different, thick with smoke and heavy with  an eerie vibe. something is off, something is wrong. 

peeking through the leaves you spot several men, heavily armed with swords and arrows, in a uniform you do not recognise. upon closer inspection— you notice the emblem on the crest of a soldier from your kingdom . these are your people, men from your army. 

in your clearing. 

rushing forward, you burst from the trees and slap a hand over your mouth at the site. the dragon prince, fully shifted into his beautiful dragon transformation is hooked to the ground with thick metal chains that rub at his skin. taehyung roars, in pain, in fear, you cannot tell and panic begins to rise in your chest, clawing at your throat and tearing at your insides. 

they had found him.

the beast sniffs the air once, twice, the bones in his back cracking as he fights to stand—pulling the men that held him back, off of the ground. yellowed eyes tilt towards you, barely hidden in your precious spot as the prince tries to rip free and expose you. he could sense your presence, your emotions and desperately needed to be with you, he needed you to know about the imprint. 

but before taehyung can reach you, a guard calls and has you on your knees in a second, many others spearing your lover to get him under control. tears sting in your eyes as the first drops of his blood hit the pure grass beneath your knees, where you had made love for the first time, where you were supposed to be safe. 

“taehyung!” you scream, attempting to rip yourself away from the men, your men... that hold you down. it’s almost as if you can feel every pierce of taehyung’s flesh as he roars out for you. yanking your arm free, you attempt to stand, but your pathway is blocked by a pair of black boots and a talk slender figure.  your wobbling lip turns to a sneer, gaze darkening as you look to him. “you...”

namjoon smirks, kneeling down to your height as your own men hold you down. “hello, my queen,” he hums, eyeing your sweat streaked face and angry expression. the man lifts your chin with his forefinger, tilting your head to look up at you. taehyung’s chest rumbles possessively as the latter male’s hands slip to clip your jaw tightly. “you seem to be right on time, love. you’re about to witness the true harvesting of a dragon heart.” 

a flare of outrage ignites in your chest as you lunge forward, biting at namjoon’s finger so hard that you draw blood, while vexed tears cloud your vision. the pink haired prince pulls back, holding his hand tightly in pain. “unhand me.” you breathe heavily, staring up at the men beside you, holding you down and betraying you. “unhand me by order of your princess.” you muster up a stern expression, although your lip wobbles and your eyes water as the pain of your lover courses through your veins. you had not known it was possible to feel so connected, so in tune with someone before. but you understood now, that this was love. love was not your mother and father arguing during nights, where hoseok would cover yourself and your sister’s ears, love was not tolerating and suppressing your bitter hatred for your father. love was not war. love was taehyung. 

the men look to namjoon for guidance as you thrash within their grip, he simply shakes out his wounded hand and stalking towards you, before landing a harsh slap across your face. your head whips to the side, your chest heaving in shock while your lover growls in the distance.  

“i’m afraid they cannot do that your highness,” namjoon spits, pushing you down into the soil. you clutch at your stomach protectively, glowering at the prince. “you father has handed all authority over to me, after your absence for the last two nights. the court has ruled you, unfit to rule until we marry.” 

the prince then turns to the dragon, signalling for his minions to tighten the chains around taehyung. “and he shall be executed in consequence of your action. for imprinting on our queen, like the filthy creature he is.” 

it feels like your world is collapsing, and you are falling underneath the surface. but you cannot give in, you cannot give namjoon the satisfaction of your favour without a fight. you cannot lose taehyung. you close your eyes and swallow thickly, remembering what your mother had instilled in you. every battle has a way to be won. 

“unhand me,” you repeat, steadying your breath. “and i will go with you willingly.” namjoon only chuckles deeply, shaking his head so you take action. ripping yourself from the men behind you, you kick your leg out and take the men down by swipe their feet out from underneath them. elbowing a soldier in the nose and snatching your sword from its sheath, burying it in the chests of two traitors. rolling your shoulders back, you kick down two more men and stay light on your toes. 

you aim for the prince next. 

taking a running sprint, you thrust your sword towards him, barely slicing his cheek as you pant heavily. “release the dragon, and i will spare you,” you seethe through gritted teeth, watching your wounded lover from over namjoon’s shoulder. “don’t be a foolish man, my prince.” you mock, venomously.

“i see that carrying a child has softened your mindset, princess YN,” namjoon comments softly, pushing the blade away from his throat. how could he know? who could have told him? your confident demeanour falters slightly, but you do not allow yourself to slip, holding up your blade again. “the castle maids talk, you show early signs. disgraceful, how you are willing to bare the child of the beast that killed your mother—“ the prince remains cool and collected whilst your resolve starts to crumble, he wins. taehyung wails for you in the background, weakening as you begin to shake. “you will marry me, tomorrow at sunset if you wish for child to be speared. i feel no remorse for ending two lives tonight.” 

the world around you begins to spin lightly, taehyung calling for you to stay strong. namjoon had won, he had you exactly where he wanted you, and there was nothing more you could do. “very well,” you whisper, dropping your gaze along with your mothers sword. “we shall be wed.”

you had never been to a wedding, if you had, you may have been too young to remember. sometimes, if you were lucky enough to hear, your mother would tell you of her own, her white dress and wolf furs, her pearl crown imported from across the sea. when she explained to you, brushing your hair and tying it neatly before bed, she had never smiled, never grinned at the thought of a royal feast. her face had always been void. 

you now, realise why. 

today you would marry, to a man you bared no feelings for. today you would marry out of duty and out of the love you had for someone else. you realise, being older and less naive, that your mother, the queen— married your father as a debt to her kingdom. 

“you look beautiful, YN...” your sister offered, taking over for the maid in weaving flowers into your hair. orchids. the national flower of namjoon’s kingdom. the smell was too sweet, sickly to the point where you felt you would heave. they were everywhere, in your hair and your bouquet, in gifts given by royals from other kingdoms— you hated it. a constant reminder of what you had to lose. tamarae notes your silence, stopping her hands that move to fix hair that has already been tucked into place. “please, say something...”

you blink twice in response, parting your lips as if the words will come on their own — but you’re hollow inside, a ghost of who you once were. there were no more tears to cry, or screams to let out. all of those had passed in the cold night, when your sister held you as you cried because your child would grow without the father they needed. because you were going to lose your love. tamarae sinks to her knees before you, creasing the sweet powder blue dress that she wore. her hand take yours, squeezing it gently as if to remind you that you’re still a person, you still feel. 

“you don’t have to do this,” she whispers hoarsely, white hair falling over her face to shield her from the world. her bottom lip trembles as tears slip down her cheeks— she had lost her mother, her brother and now her sister. what more could she lose? “you don’t have to...”

for the first time in hours, you make a movement...your face twitches into a sad smile as you cup your sister’s cheeks and hold her close. tamarae’s face finds the tule of your wedding dress, trying her best not to stain the expensive fabric imported from namjoon’s kingdom, not that you cared much for it. “i have to, for you and for the people. our people. they have lost faith in me, and they need me—“ you swallow sharply, no more tears. “they need me to show them i care for our people, i care for this war...”

“i don’t want to lose you...”

“you won’t.”

the door bursts open, yourself and your sister jumping apart at the sudden entrance. jungkook inhales deeply, eyes flickering between the two princesses before tamarae scoffs and parts ways with you but not before pressing a kiss to the crown of your head.

she shoves past the boy, maids flurrying after her, leaving yourself and the advisor alone. he is the first to speak. “YN, my queen, you’re stunning-“ 

“no,” you interject, looking up at your old friend, coldly. “don’t speak. you don’t get to speak today or i’ll have you executed for treason.” you punctuate your every word, begging yourself to keep it together because if you cry now, jungkook will be the only one to comfort you. your best friend, the man who betrayed you, silences himself, before it’s too late. “you don’t get to say a word, not after what you did to me. not after betraying my trust.” 

“YN, i-“ 

“please,” you hiccup this time, the air in your lungs being sucked away from you with every passing second. jungkook is here to walk you down the isle, towards the man that will only abuse his power of you and your people. jungkook is the reason you are walking this path. “please don’t say anymore. have you not said enough? given away my secrets, out of love you say?” jungkook falters, every fibre in his being screaming out at him to comfort you, but his love for you did this, he destroyed the strong girl he once knew. “then your love is truly misplaced- i have loved you, jeongguk...but only ever as a friend. you used that against my sister, which i truly cannot forgive. so please do not say anymore than you must, for your words only ever hurt us.” 

jungkook bites his lip and nods, offering his arm to you to lead you down to the ceremony. he watches you with sad eyes, but a kind smile, sighing heavily when you return his with a watery one. 

if he had not loved you, this would not have happened. if he had not loved you, he would still have his friend.

the sun is coloured a shade of honey, ribbons of its light casting a warm hue against your skin. sunsets like this are rare, beautiful and not to be taken for granted— they remind you of sweet days with taehyung, his curled hair buried in your neck and his soft giggle filling the air. sunsets reminded you of your love for taehyung.

you watch the sun dip it’s toes into the navy blue of the water, just behind the prince’s head at the end of the isle. namjoon had wanted a wedding by the sea, with enough room for all of your people along with visitors from kingdoms far away. he wanted sea air and a fresh breeze, he wanted open waters, clear enough to see the dye of taehyung’s blood when he executed the dragon prince after the ceremony. he wanted it all, and you wanted to escape. your stomach twists and turns, as the orchestra begin to strum a wedding tune. this isle was not a path to happiness, but one to your death. 

to the people of your kingdom, saw you as a beautiful bride but you saw yourself as a ghost of a human being. jungkook holds you by the arm, steadying your steps as he walks you towards your doom, your own funeral. your own father couldn’t even give you away, too drunk to even stand. you scowl at him as you pass his pew, accompanied by your sweet sister. 

if you had it your way, it would be taehyung at the end of the isle, dressed in his kingdom’s traditional fits as he gave you that toothy grin. his eyes would light up as your brother gave you away, and your mother’s light shined on you from above. taehyung would take your hand firmly in his, slip on the ring and tell you how much he loved you. the dress that you wore would be off at the end of the night, as you made love to one another. but now, here you were, reaching the dreaded prince namjoon, as he smirked at you greasily. 

jungkook gave you a tight, apologetic squeeze before handing you over to namjoon, shielding his face once he joined the rest of the crowd. your gaze slowly shifts to namjoon, hating the way he looked at you, when the ground beneath your feet starts to shake and you hear the pained cry of your love. “taehyung...” you whisper, standing on your tip toes to find him. over the shoulder of the prince, you spot the dragon shivering from pain behind the alter. 

he spasms in his chains, wrists red and sore whilst purple bruises litter his tanned honey skin. he whimpers our for you, causing tears to well in your eyes. all you can do is watch helplessly as the dragon steadies his laboured breathing. small tears slip down your cheeks, streaming through the layers of make up that you wore— the pink haired prince lowers his lips to your ear level. “take a good look, my princess, for this will be the last chance you will ever get.” the prince chuckles, pouting at you mockingly. 

with watery eyes, you glance back at the dragon prince, watching as he falls weak at namjoon’s proximity to his imprint. the injuries taehyung sustained over the time had weakened his dragon transformation, the scales that patched his skin were becoming dull as he bled from wounds here and there. the only way for him to heal would be to be near you again. 

sucking in a deep breath, you blink away the oncoming tears and replace them with a bright smile. smile for the people, smile for your family. “of course, my king,” you say with wobbling words. be strong, you chant. 

the ceremony begins with namjoon’s consent, rushing by with your mind focused on your lover. he’s hurting, in pain and all you want to do his hold him, ease him through it all. you cannot focus, sick to the stomach of what is to come, will you live out the same fate as your mother?  bare beautiful children from the seed of a hateful man. will he ruin your kingdom? what your mother had worked hard to build? this couldn’t be your legacy. 

“and do you, princess YN LN of the  Phantis empire, take prince namjoon of the Kevimore kingdom— to be your lawfully wedded husband, in sickness and in health...as long as you both shall live?” the minister’s words fly over your head, your mouth suddenly feeling dry and the air in your lungs no longer present. 

namjoon leans down to whisper into your ear, warningly. “YN...” 

“i-“ you hesitate, saying yes would mean taehyung would be executed sooner and you couldn’t bare to lose the only love you’ve ever had. namjoon’s arms snake around your waist, pulling you into him, causing taehyung to fall to his knees behind your shoulder, ocean eyes full of tears. he can’t lose his soulmate, not now, not ever. “i’m...”

the words formulate on your lips, the pressure weighing down on your shoulders. 

“stop the wedding!” 

you clutch at your chest, relief flooding through you as the crowd turns their attention to the oncoming voice. an armoured soldier and his men, enter the ceremony eliciting gasps and stares of the congregation, you take the opportunity to slip from namjoon’s slimy grip, while they create a distraction. 

“who do you think you are?” namjoon scowls, stepping forward and pointing an accusing finger at the intruder. “interrupting an officiated ceremony, what authority do you have over a drunken king and his weak daughter?” 

the soldier dismounts from his horse, stepping forward to the middle of the isle and removes his helmet— revealing the similar sloped and heart shaped features of your elder brother. “hoseok,” tamarae calls, stealing the words from your very lips. you watch as your younger sister rushes into his arms, the reunion warming your numbed heart. 

the red heard clutches your sibling close, pressing a kiss to her hair in a protective fashion before glaring daggers into namjoon. if looks could kill the prince would be five miles under. the soldier’s namjoon has under his rein, bend the knee to their rightful prince, giving you time to make a dash for taehyung before he collapses to his side. 

“prince hoseok... what—what are you doing here?”

the man in question raises a brow, ordering his men to take namjoon into custody. “the war is over, with word of my sister’s union with dragon prince-“ hoseok nods his head over to you, smirking as the latter male is brought to his knees in front of the entire court. “— spread across the battle field, man and mythical creature alike have found a way to bring peace,” the eldest sibling makes his way toward the pink haired prince and drawing his sword up to the other’s chin. “and next time...you will think twice before treating my sister, thinking you have power over us all. she is stronger and a much better leader than you will ever be. so stand, take your men and leave before i have your head.” 

namjoon nods vigorously, clearing himself and the ceremony up as you sniff thankfully, turning your attention to the dragon prince. as soon as you hold him in your arms, taehyung collapses, barely breathing as you come into his field of view. his perfect lips are dry and slightly cut, a gash along his brow that will surely scar and purple, burgundy bruises just under his ribs where his wings would be. he looks bad, but your dragon has never looked better. “t-tae...my love, it’s okay..hold on for me, please?” you whisper, brushing his hair back as his eyes flutter open and closed. “please don’t go, don’t leave me now...”

the dragon prince open and closes his mouth, head rolling as you move it into your lap. biting back tears, you brush your curls through his now silver locks, faded from the pain most likely. “don’t leave us, taehyung. don’t you dare.” you add, hoseok ordering servants and men to help give you the medical help that you. you can’t bare to part from your love now, chest heaving with your cries as the dragon slips in and out of consciousness. 

“you’re with a child...” he manages to mumble, gripping your hand tightly as his lips form a slight smile. “i could never leave my soulmate, my imprint behind.” 

your heart lifts, taehyung had told you tales of imprints only once— when his mother and father met, they couldn’t stand to be away from one another... in far too much pain. the story helped you believe in love. an imprint is when a dragon finds their mate, their one true love...and taehyung had found that in you. 

“i love you, taehyung.” 

“and i, love you.” 

you let go of his hand, allowing hoseok’s men to whisk your dragon prince away before going to reunite with your siblings. pulling off your veil, you open your arms to join hoseok and tamarae’s hug, nuzzling into them. “we’ll be okay, right?” your little sister asks, nearing tears.  this would be the first time, the three of you have held each other since hoseok left for war.

“we will be,” your brother promises, kissing your hair sweetly. “we always will be.” 

a year later, you find yourself dressed in another gown. the same fabric as your mother’s from her own coronation, emerald green silk made by those in the village embroiled with crystals from the caves of taehyung’s very own kingdom. your smile shines brightly as your younger sister fixes your hair around the crown you wear, diamond encrusted, silver plated, like the one your mother was. “sister, if you don’t stop moving, you’re going to miss your presentation to the public,” tamarae scolds you, stepping back when she’s finished with her work. “as queen.” 

“queen— that does sound delightful, don’t you think?” you tease, touching at your makeup gently before snaking your lips. tamarae rolls her eyes and pushes your shoulder gently, mumbling something about seeing you out there. over the course of the year, your father had stepped down from his position in the court allowing you to take the lead on your path to queen while you and taehyung reunified the human and magic worlds. after he recovered, you married taehyung in the dead of the night, under the stars in his kingdom, with blessing from his mother and today, you had finally been coronated as queen. 

“incoming!” a voice called, bringing a babbling baby into the room. your smile widened as jimin, the Phoenix and taehyung’s most trusted advisor stepped in, bringing over your daughter of three months. “taehyung is being dressed at the moment, hoseok is doing a cover of the grounds and jungkook,” jimin lists— adjusting cahira, your baby, in your arms. her name meaning, warrior. “he’s setting up things out front on the balcony.” 

“thank you, jimin,” you nod, bouncing your sweet girl before dismissing your husband’s advisor. 

after namjoon was punished for an attempt at overthrow, you managed to salvage your friendship with jungkook, only to the distain of your husband (it took several growling matches and attempts to calm him down before he let your advisor anywhere near you). but nonetheless, you couldn’t help but turn to mush as you watched over your baby, cahira’s eyes were large and bright like yours, taking on the blue colour of taehyung’s. her black hair was curled, with a patch of white from your mother’s side. her nose was most definitely yours, however. taehyung said that from her early months, it was impossible to tell whether she would show traits of a dragon or not, you would have to wait until her first tooth to see. 

but you knew, just by looking at your young princess— she was made to be a queen, just like you and her grandmother before you. 

“i love the way you look at her, like she is all that there is to the world,” your king grins from the doorway, moving over and bending down slightly to play with his daughter’s tiny hands. it truly is a sight to see, a large and mighty beast, cooing at his tiny baby girl. “hi there, cahira...it’s your daddy!” you sweep over your husband, taking in his floppy hair and his tight fitting black blazer that’s spiralled with silver patterns to match your dress. the ash haired dragon preens happily, primal instincts kicking in while he occupies himself with his daughter on your hip, before looking up at you through the curtain of his hair.  “and i must say, i do enjoy the way you look at me as well.” 

shaking your head, you lean down to meet taehyung’s sweet lips, wiping the small smirk off of his face,” a look of adoration, for the people i love most in this world.” you say, standing straight as your lover takes you into his arms, mindful of the giggling baby between you. “i am happy like this, with you.” 

“i am happy with you, completely and utterly in love with you, and my daughter,” taehyung whispers into your hair, kissing it. “we ended the war, and finally received the happy ending that we deserved.”  you stand in the middle of the throne room, just off of the balcony, listening to the chants and calls of your people— both yours and taehyung’s, in the distance. the war had been ended, your love had united the people and your people finally brought together. 

your maids enter the room, opening the doors to the balcony as jungkook comes through to salute you. taehyung separates from you, lacing your fingers together— allowing you to catch glimpse of the wedding rings you both wore. together, for an eternity. 

“ready to face the world, my love?” taehyung asks, taking cahira from your arms and settling her on his hip. “my queen?” 

you stand on your tiptoes, adjusting the matching crown on his head. you thought that you would never rule with a man by your side, and you didn’t need one. but taehyung would never take away from you as a woman, you were his queen and you always would be. you smile brightly, squeezing his palm and nod. “with you, i always will be.” you answer, taking his hand and stepping out towards your future. 

you had once wanted to hold a dragon’s heart, little did you know, he would be holding yours instead. 

⇢ author’s note(s): hi everyone! thank you so much for reading! I really enjoyed writing this fic, i think im most proud of this project and so, in the future im thinking of doing some kind of spin off seires/drabble collection, let me know what you guys think? feedback is always appreciated :D

[kaaytea]

CONGRATS ON 400!!!!!!!!! <33 FOR THE EVENT COULD YOU DO 13G WITH SUNA??

Songs in the Night

Location: The City

Prompt: impromptu slow dancing

A/n: BRRRR THANK YOU MORI 🥴 you have the biggest of brains with this pairing, absolutely immaculate

----------------------------------------------------------

Tall, mountainous buildings loomed overhead as you walked. Neon lights painted the dull grays like stained glass, each one blinking and beckoning you and your boyfriend to step into the shop they were promoting, their light spilling onto the damp pavement in radioactive pools.

Suna pulled you closer to him as people rushed by the pair of you, his arm around your waist and your shoulder tucked into his side. Night walks were a regular date for the both of you, usually prompted by the need for late-night snacks which led to a convince store trip. Suna's torso, clad in a charcoal gray hoodie, protected you from the slight chill in the air as you rounded the corner your favorite convince store was on. The two of you rushed into the little market, scampering around the aisles to collect drinks and miscellaneous bags of junk food.

With two plastic bags filled with snacks in hand, you and Suna left the store and hunkered down on a bench to devour a few foods before heading back to his apartment. Just as you were taking a sip of the drink you had purchased, a saxophone hidden somewhere along the streets of Tokyo started to play, the notes floating through the air and echoing against the towering city.

The music made an idea pop into your head, one that had you up on your feet in seconds before pulling Suna up to join you. Gently, you rested your arms on his shoulders and began swaying back and forth to the melancholy tune. A lazy smile spread across Suna's face as he let you lead him through your slow dance, his hands resting on your hips as you swayed.

A breathy laugh had you looking up at him. Your eyes met his, the mixture of his golden gaze and the deep maroon lining his eyes further accentuated his fox-like features, drawing you in by your soul and enchanting your heart.

"What?" You questioned, one of your hands slipped down to his chest, toying with the string attached to his hoodie.

"Nothing," his hand came up to lift your chin, his thumb brushing gently against your bottom lip, "you're just cute."

A beaming grin split your features and your hands went up to the hood on his head, pulling him down for a kiss.

[spacesquidlings]

Cooking

Jumin watches his wife as she cooks

Pairing: Jumin Han x MC

Based on the prompt “"I am profoundly enchanted by the flowing complexity in you” - John Keats for the latest drabble in the RFA discord server!!!!!!!

@rfadiscordserver

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

She was singing in the kitchen, pushing food around on the oil-covered pan. Jumin watched her from the bar in the kitchen, propped up on one of the stools, pretending to work. He had his laptop open, a pen in his hand as he idly signed some paperwork. But his eyes never left her, watching as she added something new to the pan, her off-key melody sliding seamlessly into another.

She hissed in annoyance as she looked at the recipe propped open on the counter next to her, charcoal smoke curling up from the pan.

What perhaps amused him most was how she wasn’t good at cooking. Nearly everything she’d tried making in the years since he’d known her, since he’d married her, always ended up a little bit wrong. A little too crunchy and hard. The cakes she made would be a little too sweet, the vegetables she cooked a little too stringy. Coffee she brewed would be too sharp, the tea she steeped too bitter.

She hated it too, often griping as she pulled out their measuring cups and the cutting boards.

And yet she kept trying, every day returning to the kitchen with a new recipe in her hands.

Jumin set his pen aside, watching her carefully measure something out into a spoon and dump it into the pan, coughing as steam billowed into her face.

“Love,” he said, drawing her gaze towards him.

She tipped her head to the side, pushing back her unbound hair. “What is it?”

“Why do you keep trying to cook?” He asked. “You don’t like it, and we have a chef that can easily prepare anything you want.”

She hummed, setting her spoon aside and making her way towards him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding his gaze as she responded.

“Because I like making things for you. I want to make your favourite meals and your favourite teas. I want to see you smile when I make something for you.”

“Even though you hate doing it?”

She pressed her lips to his brow. “Your smile is worth the turmoil.”

Complex. She was a little complex. To be willing to do something she so disliked, if only for him.

He smiled as he felt her lips brush against his, even as the smell of smoke and burning food filled the apartment.

And he was utterly enchanted by her.

[thewritingginger]

Just Like Daddy!

I did a thing! I don’t know how inspiration struck me for this but it did and I thought it was really cute so I did it. 

So here is a cute little Halloween idea I thought of last night :3

Fandom: Obey Me!

Pairing: Satan x Reader

Warning(s): N/A, unless fluff is one then yes

Word count: 1555 words

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Daddy. Daddy. Daddy!!!” He hears the excited cheers and the quick pitter patter of his daughter coming around the corner ready to jump into his arms. “Yes, my love.” He coos as he scoops her up. “Daddy, I want to do the Halloween!” she exclaims very proudly. “Really? What about it interests you?” He questions not quite sure where this came from. I mean sure she has known the concept of halloween in both the human world and devildom. But never in her 5 years of life has she shown this much enthusiasm over it. “The dress up, obviously!” her words punctuated with a sass she’s definitely gotten from her mother. Satan smiles a bit at his child’s actions, “What is it that you want to dress up as?” He asks curiously.

“Well, you!”

Her words earnest, as she gazes into her astonished father’s eyes. Beaming that smile that resembles the one he fell in love with years before her conception. “Me? Why?” He follows up, still stunted by his daughter’s words. “Because you’re the most awesomest and strongest daddy in the worlds!” She says whilst making dramatic motions with her arms, bringing a warm smile to Satan’s lips.

In the corner of his eye he spots you leaning against the door frame, arms crossed, admiring the scene before you. His attention is yet again brought back to your little halfling jumping in his lap. “So can I? Pleeeeease?” She pleads. With puppy eyes, the same hue as yours, staring up at him with hope. Looking up at you slightly he closes his eyes and sighs in defeat. “Yes, you can dress up as me if that's what you wish.” His confirming words bring a brilliant smile to your daughters face. Warming his heart, your eyes lock.

“Mommy!” Running up to you to share the news you had witnessed. “Did you hear, Daddy said I can dress up as him.” The happiness in her words makes you laugh a bit. “Yes baby I did hear. I guess we will need to start on your costume then.” “Yes and you too!” She exclaims. “You want me to dress up too?” You clarify. “Yes! And daddy too!” She adds pointing towards the demon. Your face twists in humor as you look at your lover. “Well of course Daddy and I will dress up with you!” You smile, amused at the joy in your daughter and the confusion of Satan.

Putting her down you say, “Baby, how about you go ask Uncle Asmo to help design your costume.” Gently stroking her hair as she redirects to the door . “Okay!” She squeals as she joyously runs off to find Asmodeus.

You walk over to Satan as he sighs, pinching his nose bridge. “How did I get roped into this?” He’s brows quirked and eyes pleading a bit. You chuckle. Taking your spot on his lap, arm wrapped loosely around his neck. “Because you have a little girl that idolizes you!” Your words tug at his heart, as your palm caresses his cheek. “Yeah but why do I have to ‘dress up’?” He whines a bit. “Because, you love your daughter and if you didn’t it would break her little heart.” You see him falter under your words. “I know.” He sighs, nuzzling his nose into your neck. “And besides, it’s not just you she wants. We both are doing this for her.” You state pointedly, making him look up at you. A slight smirk cuts his lips, “That’s right.” You raise a brow at the devilish gleam that flashes across his eyes. “Why did those words sound more schemish, then innocent compared to before?” You shake your head with an amused grin as the blonde responds. “Oh, no reason. Just can’t wait to see you looking stupid.” He laughs as you playfully punch him in the shoulder. “What ever, you jerk.” Your words make him chuckle more as you leave the room.

~ 1 Week Later ~

It’s Halloween night and you and your daughter are getting ready to meet Satan downstairs so you all could leave to the human world. Since it will be your daughter's first time in the human world where she will be old enough to remember, she is very excited to say the least. You both have been in your room for hours getting dressed up and talking, her telling you all the things she is excited about. “And then I’m going to get so much candy tonight, so i can share it with Uncle Beelie!” You smile, listening to your child’s ramblings as you sweep on the dark shade of lipstick. Once you’re finished with your makeup, you sit back and assess your work. While doing so you hear a gentle gasp sound behind you. “You look so pretty, Mommy!” Looking up at you with sparkles in her orbs just like yours. Booping her nose, you scrunch your face “Thank you my love, but I think you are the true beauty here.” She giggles as she takes your hand. “Come on. Come on.” Her impatience shows as she tries to rush you both to the door, itching to finally go.

Satan stands at the base of the stairs in his true demon form. Looking up as he hears his daughter rushing down the stairs screaming, “Daddy. Daddy, look!” The demon of wrath's heart melts when he sees his daughter standing before him doing twirls, showing all angles of her costume. Upon her head are her little horns that resemble his, her wild dirty blonde hair framing her rosy cheeked face. She is wearing a charcoal grey long sleeve shirt, a black tutu with white dots to match his pants, black tights, black flats, a black feather boa around her neck and the finishing touch a little clip on tail with a purple tip for her own touch. Seeing his daughter so happy to be ‘just like him’, makes him overflow with pride and adoration for this gift that he was, ironically,  blessed to have. With his daughter gripping his leg, that’s when his gaze falls on your form.

To say he was taken aback by your appearance would be an understatement. His jaw damn near hit the floor, his eyes drinking in your beauty. Of course he thought you were the most enchanting creature to walk all the worlds. But, he couldn’t quite help how the little black horns that rest atop your head make his knees buckle a bit. How the jet black shadow on your lids intensifies the color of your eyes. The dark shade of lipstick outlining your lips so well, tempting him to kiss them. As his gaze travels down, taking in every inch of your body. Wondering how you can be so sexy yet modest at the same time. Being fully covered in a black long sleeve, black pleather shorts and sheer black tights. Only leaving room for the imagination. Paired with a leather body harness that connects to your neck, waist, and thighs and black heeled booties for added height. Almost gawking at your being, he is snapped back to the sound of your voice. “Are you just gonna stare at me or are we gonna get going.” You state with a sly smile. “Ah yeah.” Shaking himself from his trance, “You go wait by the door, we’ll be right there.” He waves off his daughter. Taking a few steps towards you putting a strong arm around your waist, pulling you closer to his chest. “Wow, you look...” He trails off struggling to find the words to describe you. “I look like what?” You ask, savoring this moment. “You look, amazing.” You laugh a bit, pressing against his chest freeing yourself from his grasp. Taking a few steps backwards, smirking. “If my memory serves me right I believe you had told me and I quote that you ‘can’t wait to see me looking stupid’. Does that sound about right?” You toy, enjoying the look he gives you as you throw his words back in his face. Turning around to head to the door Satan rushes to catch up with you. Pulling you to his side by your hip, “Perhaps I misjudged the situation, I admit.” You giggle, leaning into your ear he whispers. “Later tonight, remind me to request you keep those horns on.” His voice almost a low growl, “You look absolutely... delectable in them.” His words curling with sin as he grips your ass before you slap his hand away.

Ripping yourself from him once again you give him a warning look, “Do that again and you won't be getting anything tonight.” You sass.  A soft chortle vibrates his chest as he watches you walk towards the door, with possibly a little more sway to your hips.

He watches as you crouched down, helping your little halfling get her jacket on. Taking another moment to be grateful for this life he has with you. And how meeting you by chance led to moments like these where he has a kin to call his own, that will look up to him like he holds all the answers. Moments that he will ingrain into his memory.

“Daddyyyy. Come ooon.” His daughter says dramatically as ever. Pulling him behind her by his hand, just like he always hopes she will.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope you enjoyed this, I know it’s been a loooong ass time since I’ve posted a new work and I hope that this can help me get out of this block I’ve been in for too long. 

So if you have any ideas of what other cute or not so cute 😉 Halloween works I could do I would love to hear them.

💛 ~

[inforapound]

Ease The Dawn Pt.2 Ch.13

A/N - Just in case you forgot what kind of a King Ivar is... Previous Chapter 12 here. Thanks for reading. 

Pairing - Ivar and Aethelswith   Words - 1,900      

Warnings - Angst, human sacrifice, death, did I mention angst.

The weeks dragged on and Aethelswith continued to deteriorate; her weakening body struggling to fight the attacks of the illness, with the hours of reprieve few and fleeting. In those moments when she would stir or wake, the peace was short-lived, the violent toils of the unknown affliction pulling her back and holding her down.

After just one night of struggling to care for her, Ivar buckled, allowing the old healer and one assistant back in and limiting the number of thralls. And, despite Ida and Freydis working and moving her limbs each morning and night, Aethelswith's skin-and-bone body had begun to atrophy, her flesh and the whites of her eyes showing a tinge of yellow.

Her sight was entirely gone and, in those moments, when she could be roused, she woke confused and panicked, crying for Ivar, begging him to stop some brightness she said was burning her eyes. Attempting to soothe and comfort, he would hold her close, whisper that he was there, that she was brave and strong, and how much he loved her. He would try and coax her, with the help of Ida, to take sips of water or honeyed milk but in spite of her body wilting away, any scarce amount she could take in was instantly rejected.

The early autumn weather was not yet cold, but charcoal was kept smoldering in the fireplace to help mask the smell of her failing system, and the days and nights spent in bed left open sores on her backside. The unspoken question flashed in the sideways glances of everyone but Ivar, all shaken, wondering how much more their sweet queen could suffer. But somehow, she held on.

After months of the same agony, news of her dire condition spread through the city, reaching villages beyond. People braced for word, feeling as if their own fate was somehow tied to the survival of the king's beloved. At dawn, each day, flowers, small gifts and various tokens of affection were collected from outside the doors of the permanently closed hall. It was all the villagers and merchants could do to express their worry and hopes for her recovery.

In addition to cooking and running the kitchen, Birgit, had stepped in to oversee the slaves and manage the hall. She would rush out early and collect the gifts, hiding them from Ivar, afraid he would see them as offerings of condolences.

Only a select few were permitted in their chambre aside from Ida and Birgit, occasionally Freydis, Hvitserk and a couple of favored thralls. Nana and Gussr would sit at her bedside, often for hours and Brana would read from books, brush her hair and help with the washing down of her body.

Shielding his brother from the pull of duty, Hvitserk took on the training of the army and, with the help of Loni, tended to the city and trade disputes, while Ruud oversaw the ongoing wall construction.

Life in the city had changed; the streets were quiet, and people moved cautiously, tense with the anticipation of what was to come. A fog of sadness had settled around the hall, suffocating and dangerous. The thralls would scurry through the corridors, fearful of catching the king's eye, his wrath sharp below his strained, brittle, exhaustion. Few hours in his day were spent away from Aethelswith and when he did enter the hall, he would sit at a table alone, avoiding the throne chairs entirely.

On the rare night that he would emerge, leaving Ida at her side, he would drink himself into a stupor and smash anything he could reach. On more than one occasion, he'd use the walls of the hall as a target for his axes, inevitably being dragged back to his bed by his brother.

Taking a chair in the corner, Hvitserk would sit and stay close, watching as Ivar screamed at Aethelswith's fragile, sleeping form. In his tirades, he would demand that she wake-up and shout that she was not permitted to ever leave him. He would weep and sob, kiss her hands and stroke her tied back hair, promise to love her how she deserved, swearing off his selfishness and cruelty forever. He would shout and curse the Gods, pray and plead for Odin to spare her, but with no change, no signs, not a single mark of improvement, the killings began.

It started with goats, and various animals, so great in number it depleted their winter stores. He then ordered every farmer in Kattegat to hand over an offering for sacrifice. It escalated to horses and before long Ivar was fixated on sourcing rare, exotic animals brought in on boats from far away lands, all in hopes of appeasing the Gods.

With no results, his desperation grew and he began to offer the blood of slaves. It was a sacrificial massacre and a chill could be felt through what was now called the red city. The slaver's boats continued to sail in, the traders rubbing their greedy hands together knowing the enamoured king would take the whole lot, dickering little on price. People were afraid, the neighbouring kingdoms on alert and all questioned the soundness of Ivar's unraveling mind.

Not a single person tracked the grave situation closer than Harald Finehair. The ambitious king with a vested interest in the city had personally experienced the enchantment of Aethelswith. Further, he had witnessed the grip of Ivar's devotion. The order had been made that any news coming from the city, any update on her or the king's diminishing capacity was to be brought to him with haste. Harald could not help but wonder without Aethelswith at Ivar's side, tempering his madness and bolstering his nerve, how quickly would his stronghold on the throne crumble? How quickly would war begin and kingdoms fall if Ivar found her in the arms of another?

----

Entering the room, Ivar halted at the sight of an unfamiliar woman speaking to Ida in a hushed tone. Standing off to one side of the bed, the two had their heads together in discussion. They appeared similar in age but unlike Ida's plain face and white hair tucked back in a bun, this woman wore her grey hair down, and her wrinkled eyes were lined crudely with coal. Around her neck hung necklaces beaded with the vertebrae of small animals and her green woven wrap, still around her shoulders, told Ivar she had only just arrived.

"Who is this?" he snapped, his tone demanding. Glancing over to Aethelswith, he saw that she was still under the veil of sleep, her lips mumbling in some inaudible trance.

"This is Tarin," Ida answered, her voice sounding reserved. "She has traveled here from Vestfold to help care for Lady Aethelswith."

"No," Ivar whispered still staring at Aethelswith, watching her eyes dart side to side under her closed lids. Shaking his head, he looked back to the women. Lifting his brows, he repeated, "No."

Stepping around to face him, Tarin opened her mouth to speak.

"No!" he barked, "and I will not be questioned."

Looking down at her clutched hands, Ida said nothing.

"King Ivar," Tarin spoke up, "I have been the healer in King Harald's city for many years, longer than you have been alive. King Harald only wants..."

"Harald wants to spy and I will NOT have strangers caring for my wife."

"And you!" Ivar looked at Ida, her face lifting to meet his glare. "You know better than this."

"King Ivar, Tarin was explaining a technique that may help loosen the hold of the sickness."

Ivar's eyes flicked back to Tarin.

Clearing her throat, the strange woman nodded to Ivar. "A deep cut is made in the fleshy part of the foot and blood drained to..."

"You want to bleed her?" he narrowed his eyes. "You want to open the bottoms of her feet and bleed her?" his face hardened. "I will fucking bleed you! he screamed.

The eyes of both women flashed wide.

"Get out! Both of you! No one touches her anymore. No one. GET OUT!"

"Ivar?" Aethelswith's frail voice called from the bed, her eyes cracking open and searching the ceiling above that she could not see.

As the two healers raced past and out the door, he moved in her direction. "I am here. Everything is fine."

----

Responding to the two abrupt knocks, Brana opened the front door of her modest home, startled to see Ivar standing on the chunk of wood used as her front step.

His eyes were round with apprehension and she froze, calming the fear that flared inside, telling herself if something had happened, it would not be Ivar at her door with the news.

"Can I enter?" he asked, his gaze not wavering.

"Of course," she snapped into action. "My apologies, of course. Please come in." Standing to the side, she pushed the door wide, glancing up to the street where Loni waited with the chariot. The two exchanged a look and he answered her unspoken question with the lift of his shoulders, he did not know why they were there.

Standing, at the centre of the room, Ivar waited as she rushed toward her table, pulling out a chair for him. "Please sit. I will get you something to drink. Are you hungry?"

"No, nothing for me. I will not be long."

Standing at the opposite side of the table, she paused giving him time to settle. Lowering himself into the chair, he jerked his head for her to take the seat across.

The air felt strained and it occurred to her, as they sat facing each other, just how entwined their lives had been for nearly eight years. She had been one of the only witnesses to his struggles and triumphs and him finding love, all from the sidelines of his brutal world. And there they were now, bound by tragedy of the most intimate kind, placing them for the first time at the same table.

Closing his eyes, he slowly exhaled, Brana not missing how the helplessness had aged him. Looking down at his hand, his thumb traced a groove in the grain of the wood, and he cleared his throat as if to prepare.

"We are the two people that Aethelswith loves the most. Gussr and Nana too but they are old and seeing her as she is..." he sighed with exhaustion, "it is killing him."

Saying nothing, Brana nodded with understanding.

"I released you from service but would you come back and help care for her... full time. I will have a room made up in the hall for you and Loni to use as your own. I...just..," looking away, he shook his head as if he had lost the words. Taking another deep breath, it felt to Brana he was mustering the strength to continue. "Will you help me care for her?" His eyes met hers again. "I will no longer allow slaves and strange healers to touch her. Just us, the people who love her and know her heart. My beautiful Aethelswith is dying, Brana. I know this and it will be any day. Help me, help her die."

The tears broke on either side of the table, running hot down their cheeks and both lowered their eyes knowing the pain in the other's face would pitch them over the edge.

"It would be my honour, King Ivar," she whispered in a shaky voice.

"Brana," he said, their eyes meeting, shining with emotion, "it's just Ivar."

.

@youbloodymadgenius @naaladareia @whenimaunicorn @lol-haha-joke @ceridwenofwales  @jaydelesley4  @sweeneythots @funmadnessandbadassvikings @fangirl-nonsense @thiahilmarsdottir @redama @mdredwine @didiintheblog @yourpurplequeen  @londongal2810 @fields-and-fields-of-poppies @readsalot73 @hexqueensupreme @littlecarolina94 @oddsnendsfanfics  @youbelongeverywhere @blonddnamedhandz @hecohansen31

[scgdoeswhat]

The First Solstice – Beckett x Clarette

Summary: Beckett and Clarette celebrate their first holiday season under the same roof.

Rating: T

Words: 3065

Author’s Notes: Happy Holidays!!! Complete and unadulterated fluff that takes place post Penderghast. That is all 😂

Hope you all enjoy! Beckett doesn’t belong to me (unfortunately), but the story does. No Beta used.

Sorry if the “Read More” link isn’t working. It’s Tumblr’s fault, not mine!

Tag list: @xo-endlessmayhem-xo @grungeisntmything @friendlylilshipper @felmasri @numberonepoetryexpert @hellomynameisdevi @beckettbaguette @siegrrun @choicesthatplayyou @retroangxl @askdana @50shadesofraleigh @darley1101 @kamybelen-blog @herdecisions @artchoicesreblog @teenytinymagician @choicesfannatalie @itsstillnotwhatyouthink @abigailpoe @flyawayboo @brightpinkpeppercorn @gardeningourmet @harringtons-honey @manateemilk @queenodysseia @thatcatlady0716 @divergentofhogwarts @pottershat @topsyturvy-dream @choicesyouplayandmore @zeniamiii @never-neverland @drakewalkerfantasy @syltti78 @elementalistshoe @maxwellsquidsuit @sleepingpillcorporation @tabithacarlisle @ludextruction @pbmychoices @wickedgypsymoon @mistychoices @izzycheeese @lady-kato @fluffy-marshmallow-heart @adrian-rainess​ @walkerismychoice @thefirstcourtesan @drakesensworld​ @laceandlula​ @rhymesmenagerie​ @shainaa00​ @princessstellaris​ @itsbrindleybinch​ @donutsgirl36​ @liamzigmichael4ever​ @mckenzie-powell​ @sunflowergirl05​ @justendlesssummerfeels​ @friedherringclodthing​ @choicesarehard​ @desiree-0816​ @elanorwaverley @aworldoffandoms​ @mrsbriarmarlcaster​ @star-adorned​ @wiselight @cloacasexual @thequeenofcronuts​  @slytherclawwarrior @mslarimone

Please let me know if you want to be tagged/removed on future fics and I’ll tag anyone I may have missed in the comments. Thank you!

 The early morning sun rose in the distance, the rays of light casting an ethereal glow over the fresh snow that had fallen overnight. Across the landscape, fat, fluffy cardinals and blue jays flittered to and fro; the little balls of red and blue adding to the dots of greenery that were peeping out of the blank canvas of white powder just beyond the large bay window.

Beckett hummed to himself in a hushed tone, putting the finishing touches on the first of his many gifts to Clarette. His eyes darted about the spread he had made himself, satisfied with the final product. With a point of his finger, he enchanted the decorations and candles to light when she entered the living area later that morning. He padded back to their bedroom, peeling his clothes off by the bedside to keep the facade of him being asleep the whole time.

Crawling back into bed, Beckett smiled to himself as he kept his movements silent with the aid of some quick air magick to mask any sounds. He looked down at Clarette with tenderness, his gaze roving over his sleeping girlfriend's figure that was burrowed under the blankets. Her dark, luscious hair was spread out in contrast to the pale blue of the pillow, her lips slightly parted in her deep slumber. As he slid under the covers, it was automatic for Clarette to turn towards the heat of his body, her arm wrapping around his torso while her head nestled onto his chest. He brushed her hair back and kissed the top of her head, his other arm holding her close, caressing the soft skin of her bare back with the lightest of touches.

He closed his eyes in an attempt to get a few more minutes of sleep, knowing full well that Clarette was going to wake up uncharacteristically early on this special day, even though they had both fallen asleep only a few hours prior. The corner of his mouth lifted with the memories they had created earlier that night, the specialness of sharing their first Solstice while living together under the same roof fresh in his mind.

The evening had started out innocent enough as they headed to the LeFleur household earlier that day. What he was going to wear to her family’s place never crossed his mind, assuming a blazer and tie would suffice. He was about to throw on a crisp button-down shirt when he saw Clarette walk out in one of the ugliest sweaters he had ever laid eyes on. The red sweater had a lone reindeer on the front, its antlers bedazzled with rhinestones, with a geometric design of white snowflakes covering the rest of the jumper. The only saving grace of her entire outfit was the pair of skintight leggings she paired them with.

Beckett’s jaw fell agape in horror. “What in the world are you wearing?”

“Beckett, your face!” His reaction brought her to tears of laughter, her almond eyes crinkling in amusement. “Did I forget to tell you? It’s my ugly Christmas sweater! And you might as well save the suit and tie for your parents’ dinner tomorrow. Tonight, we’re doing Christmas LeFleur style.”

Quirking an eyebrow in response, he removed his shirt, placing it back on the hanger. He stood shirtless in front of their closet, mulling over what to wear now that his original outfit had been dashed. “What, then, constitutes a ‘LeFleur style’ Christmas?”

“Well, for starters,” she sauntered over to him, placing her hands on his chest before sliding them up his muscular frame and around his neck. “There’s no need for a fancy schmancy blazer. I mean, we’re a family who wears onesies for Christmas, remember? A sweater’s fine,” she giggled. “Though I’ll tell you what. If it wasn’t the holidays, I’d suggest we just stay home because I’d much rather see you in this state of undress any day of the week.”

Going up on her tiptoes, she brushed her lips against his in a slow, seductive manner, smiling when he moaned into her mouth. She unwound her arms and pulled back with one final peck, watching his eyes open slowly, the hazel grey hues now tinged with desire. “Except that it is the holidays, so you need to finish getting ready. And as much as I appreciate your exquisite physique, I don’t think the rest of my family would appreciate you showing up without a shirt.”

Taking a quick look through the closet, her fingers rummaged through the hangers before landing on a charcoal, cashmere, V-neck sweater. She handed him the piece of clothing before she walked out of the room, tapping his toned ass with the back of her hand for good measure.

He shook his head with a grin on his face as he heard her laughing to herself down the hall. She was absolutely ridiculous, and he loved her for it.

A couple of hours later, Beckett and Clarette walked hand in hand up the driveway towards a modest, one-story, ranch style home in the middle of suburbia. The surrounding neighborhood houses all had simple lights and decorations strung up along their roofs, the neighborhood giving off a different and distinct feel compared to the affluent community he grew up in. While he knew they had different upbringings, this was the first real opportunity to experience her life before Penderghast and before him. He exhaled deeply, letting out a breath he didn't even know he was holding as they approached the front door.

Taking the keys out of her purse, Clarette stopped before ascending the front steps. He took the step up, only to notice she had paused in her gait, causing him to halt and rejoin her on the bottom rung.

“Is everything alright?” He held her gloved hand, clutching it for support.

“I was about to ask you the same thing. I heard that breath you let out, you know. And don't even try to deny it.” A crease of worry lined her forehead as she glanced up at him.

“I’m afraid I might be overthinking things again. How do you know me so well?” Wrapping his arms around her, he squeezed her in the ridiculous puffer coat that she wore over the ugly reindeer sweater.

“Because I always have. I just know you.” She hugged him back, breathing in his scent.

“I suppose I might be slightly nervous, this being the first Solstice that your family has invited me to,” he confessed.

“You have no reason to be. You've already met my entire family and they love you. Even Atlas does, although she'd never admit it.”

“I know you're right, but I can't help but seek your family's approval at all turns.”

She tilted her head up at him, cupping his jaw. “And you already have it. They want what's best for me and you're it.”

He beamed, her words relieving some of the pressure that he had placed on himself. Leaning down, he placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “How did I get so lucky with you?” He murmured before grazing his lips over hers once more.

She responded with fervor, her hand sliding from his jaw to the base of his head, the other gripping the soft cashmere of his sweater underneath his black pea coat. “How about we call it even and say we both got lucky.” 

Stepping back, she smoothed the fabric down his chest, straightening his sweater out while taking the opportunity to feel his hard body underneath her fingertips. “By the way, I really love this on you. It brings out your eyes and just so you know, I'm going to be imagining tearing it off of you all night long until we get home later.”

Laughing, his eyes lit up with desire before looking down at the mocking reindeer on the front of her sweater, its obnoxious, bejeweled eyes glittering back at him. “And I can't wait to tear that hideous thing off you either.”

As if on cue, the door opened, revealing a reindeer-onesie-wearing Atlas just in time to catch Beckett's words. Her smile turned upside down and her eyes darted between the happy couple, glaring at the pair. She stepped aside, letting them into the house.

“I was going to say I've missed having you around the place for the holidays, but Harrington just reminded me why I don't. I was going to ask what took you so long, but I think I already know the answer. And no, I don’t want any details.”

Clarette hung her and Beckett's coats up, glomping her sister with lightning quick speed before the fair-haired twin could dodge her advances. “I've missed you too, sister! And don’t worry, we weren’t late because we weren’t having sex, if that’s what you were implying!”

Beckett coughed, clearing his throat. “Clarette, must you verbalize that? What if your parents heard you?!”

Atlas squirmed out of her touch, scowling at them both. She shook her head before her mask broke and a hint of a smile appeared. “Sometimes I really hate you, you know that.”

“What did your sister do now?” An amused voice echoed from inside the house, the footsteps getting louder as they approached the entryway. Their biological mother came into view, donning an apron and looking like an advertisement for ‘Better Homes & Gardens’ instead of being the almighty Sun Source.

Theia hugged her Sun-Att daughter hard, rocking her back and forth in the embrace, keeping in line with actions of the affectionate mother she had become. “Clarette! It's like I never see you anymore once you moved out!”

Clarette rolled her eyes, grinning as she hugged her mother with the same gusto. “What are you talking about? I just saw you two days ago!”

“But it's different when I was used to seeing you every day for past Solstice breaks!” She let her go, turning to Beckett with a stern expression, the ancient Sun Source power radiating from her mortal form, “And you, Beckett Harrington, I hope you've been treating Clarette well.”

“Yes, yes of course, I have, I - ” he stammered, “- always! With the utmost respect!”

Theia broke out into laughter, gathering Beckett into a hug. “You should've seen your face! Clarette is right, you are fun to tease!”

Beckett sputtered, his ears turning pink as he returned the hug for a moment before taking his place back at Clarette's side. “Well, at least now I know the teasing is hereditary,” he joked, an easy smile coming to him.

She clasped her hands, an action she did to control herself when she could feel her Sun energy spiking with joy. “In all seriousness, I'm glad you were able to join us, Beckett. I do have one question for you, though, before we all go help with the cookies in the back.”

“Yes?”

Clarette jostled when she saw the shit eating grin creep onto her mother's face. “Mom…”

“So... when are you going to pop the question?”

“MOM. OH MY GOD!”

Beckett could feel the red color his cheeks and he never had the chance to reply as Clarette grabbed his arm, pulling him towards the kitchen.

The rest of the evening went swimmingly, with lots of love, laughs, and a frightening number of cookies and egg rolls being consumed. They arrived back at their townhouse a bit before midnight, where Clarette still had a warm buzz going after too many glasses of spiked eggnog.

The tree in the corner glowed under the sparkling lights that were draped on the branches, the dimmed room illuminated by the soft, silver sheen of the tinsel. Presents wrapped in foil, paper and tissue were piled under the greenery, the scent of fresh pine, cinnamon, and allspice filling the area.

They sat on the sofa, watching the flames of the fire dance and leap from across the room, the heat warming them up from the cold outside. The fireplace crackled in the comforting silence; the sound was a soothing melody as they reflected on their first holiday living together so far. This night and the morning to come was a nice respite from all their familial obligations through the Solstice season.

Beckett raised his arm, allowing Clarette to snuggle into his warmth and he rubbed her back as she nestled into his nook. She traced imaginary patterns on his sweater, only stopping when he laced his fingers with hers, kissing the back of her hand before stroking it with his thumb.

“Thanks for coming tonight. It really meant a lot to me and I am so sorry she put you on the spot like that, I had no idea she was going to go there.” She buried her face into the crook of his neck, still reeling from the embarrassment of earlier.

“The question that your mother asked me?” He kissed the top of her head, a low chuckle rumbling from him. “There's nothing to apologize for. It is something we have discussed in the past, is it not?”

Raising her head, she looked into the depths of his eyes. “Yeah, it is, but I don't want you to feel pressured into asking just because societal norms tell you to do it. I'm not going anywhere.”

He hummed in agreement, noticing the sincerity in which she spoke those words. “You're the only thing in the world that I don't feel pressure from. And when I do ask the question, I want it to be as perfect as possible because that's what you deserve.”

She sat up, running a hand through his hair before studying his face. The fire may have been reflecting in the gloss of his eyes, but it was an internal heat that she recognized as she cupped his warm cheeks between her palms. She brought his lips to hers, faintly tasting the gingerbread they had from earlier.

Tangling his hand into her dark mass of hair, he pulled her onto his lap and she straddled him, her knees on the outside of his hips as she pressed herself against his hard body. He groaned at the contact, his head falling back while she rubbed herself on him. Straightening up, he ran his hands down the curves of her body, this time making her sigh in pleasure as he attached his mouth to her neck, kissing and nibbling her skin before he captured her mouth once again.

With a smirk, he pulled off the atrocious sweater, the night air causing goosebumps to raise on her skin. “Finally,” he chuckled, his hands and mouth covering the newly exposed expanse of flesh. She undulated under his touch, ripping off his top as she had earlier promised, running her hands over his strong, taut frame.

They ended up making love on the couch, and twice more in bed, which brought him back to this exact moment, except he now felt Clarette stirring in his arms. He heard the deep, contented sigh that signaled him she was waking, and he closed his eyes feigning sleep.

She kissed his chest, right over his heart, before trailing her lips up with the softest of touches, culminating with a slow, lingering kiss. “Morning, sleepyhead.”

He responded after a moment, a moan originating from deep within his throat as he wrapped an arm around her, holding her tight. “Hmmm, you're up early.”

She propped herself above him, her arms on either side of his head, leaning down to give him a quick, smattering of pecks on his face. “It's our first Christmas together. Do you know what that means?”

“Tell me.” His hands rested on her waist as she hovered above him.

“It means presents!”

He gave her a lazy grin, his thumbs rubbing minute circles against the supple skin of her hips. “I don't know if anything could top the present you gave me last night.”

Giggling, she bent down, their mouths meeting. “I'd have to agree, that was a great gift, but I'm talking about things you unwrap and stuff!”

Pulling her close for more, he laughed in between kisses. “I don't want to get technical, but I'm relatively sure we both did some unwrapping last night.”

“You're ridiculous,” she tittered, before placing a final kiss on his lips. “And I love you for it.” Bounding off the bed, she threw her fluffy robe over her nude body, securing it closed with a knot around her waist. “I'll make some coffee while you get up?”

“Certainly. Give me a second.” He put the shirt and pajama pants that he had removed not even 20 minutes ago back on, proud of himself that Clarette had no clue what he had been up to that morning. Walking down the hallway, the smile on his face grew as he heard her exclamation from the breakfast nook. As he entered the dining area, he was greeted with her running towards him.

Clarette threw her arms around his neck and wrapped her legs around his waist as he hoisted her up with no effort. She peppered kisses all over him, the smile on her face worth its weight in gold.

“When did you have time to do all this? And how?” She gestured to the dining table, which was chock full of waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, plates with sizzling bacon and eggs, and two steaming mugs of peppermint mocha. “Not only were you asleep, but you said you can't cook!”

He led her to the table, pulling her chair out before sitting next to her. Holding her hand, he ghosted his lips over her knuckles. “I was thinking, wouldn't it be nice to start our own traditions? So, I taught myself how to make your favorite breakfast. I hope everything turned out to your specifications.”

Clarette placed her free hand on his cheek, gleaming at him in wonder. Their eyes never left each other as he placed a sweet kiss to her palm.

“It's absolutely perfect,” she whispered, never taking her eyes off him.

Leaning in towards each other, their eyes fluttered shut as they shared a soft kiss full of hope, promise and love.

“Merry Christmas, Clarette.” Beckett rested his forehead against hers, both relishing the peace and serenity of this moment, as well as the deep connection they shared.

“Merry Christmas, Beckett. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

[astertataricvs]

Giyuu with a fem s/o thats an artist? but giyuu finds out on accident and stumbles upon their sketchbook with drawings of him? tyy

Thank you so much for requesting! I hope that you like this one ♡

Fingertips grazing on the white silky papers and hands holding a long thin wooden stick of fine charcoal. The tepid breeze of air blows through your body as you sight the sky coated with cantaloupe and pinkish colour. The smell of nature around proffers you a rejuvenating feeling as you embed the scenery in front of you in a blank piece of paper.

You were on a cliff where you're sitting under the huge oak tree as you sight the majestic sky and composition of the town underneath the cliff. This is your hideout whenever you had your day off from your profession of being a demon hunter. You found this place when you're exploring for something you can draw about. Then hours of walking, you stumble upon this place that eventually lured you because of the tranquil and enticing view. Since then, you would generally visit the place and it became your hideout due to no one was passing by and trying to visit the place.

Everyone in the demon slayer corps doesn't have any idea that you like to draw since you've been trying to hide it from everyone. It's not that you're obscuring it because your drawings are suck, it's just... all of your drawings were all about a certain ravenette who allured you by his captivating gaze and how graceful his gesticulations were.

The first time your eyes caught his figure, you already had the urge to draw his appearance in your sketchbook that you've been keeping for almost a year.

He gives you this odd sensation whenever you're going to stare at him; you would automatically command yourself that you want to draw his gorgeous face in your sketchbook since you don't want to pass the enchanting look you had witnessed. That's why the content of your drawing pad was full of Giyuu's face; slaying demons; sitting in the meeting room where all the pillars and Oyakata-sama were holding a meeting; Giyuu eating, and also, Giyuu's stoic face whenever his eyes were going to dart at you.

You don't have any idea why you're getting inspired to draw his face in your sketchbook, but all you know is that he's a perfect piece of art that you can't thwart your gaze and you can't repress your hands from scribbling in the paper and draw his face.

Flipping all the pages of your sketchbook, your lips curled as you look at the different portraits of Giyuu that you have drawn. For some unidentified reason, you couldn't help but always grin every time your eyes would settle on his figure. In spite of Giyuu isn't showing any signs of emotion, you still had the propensity to be attracted to him and draw him whenever you had spare time. The water pillar was an enigma to you, you don't know what he was feeling or his thoughts when you're going to sight the man and once the two of you will be paired up by Oyakata-sama for a mission.

You had known him as the emotionless and an uptight man. You never even saw him smile even if it's just a microscopic one. He would always have this poker face displaying on his handsome features and isolate himself from all of you. Although you wanted to speak to him and be close to the water pillar, his actions were enough reason to halt you from your plan. On your missions, you tried communicating to him with the best of your abilities, but his response would eventually end the conversation which was really challenging for you to think about a topic that would kill the awkward silence that was inundating the both of you.

Extorting a sigh, you heard your stomach gurgle since you still haven't eaten your lunch yet. Therefore you decided to go to your house and grab your lunch to eat in your hideout. Rising up to your feet, you place your sketchbook and pencil beside the trunk of the tree and leave it there. Yet again, you look at the view in front of you then afterwards, a smile tugs at your lips as you feel the gust of wind blows through your body.

"I'll be back," you said into emptiness and started your journey to your house.

Giyuu was taking a walk around to find a spot to invigorate his mind. He just returned from his mission that Oyakata-sama had sent him. It's been a while since he relaxed his tense self and for always thinking about slaughtering demons and his days with Sabito. Although he was an unobtrusive man and doesn't talk a lot, his mind was the exact opposite of it. He's always been thinking about the feasible outcomes that would occur to him whenever the sun had risen again.

As the water pillar come across to a cliff where an oak tree is at the centre and a beautiful scenery lies ahead. His eyes widen ever so slightly and sauntered towards the big tree. Trudging closer, the wind began to gush his body as his eyes caught a sketchbook and a pencil lying beside the trunk.

Giyuu's eyebrows rumpled, did someone just got here before him? Then where's the person that was here a moment ago?

The water pillar stared at the sketchbook, Giyuu wasn't the type of guy who would stick his nose into other peoples business but a moiety of him was intrigued about the sketchbook that was lying underneath him.

The deep blue-eyed man roamed his eyes to sight someone's figure but to no avail. Reluctantly, he started to pick the mysterious notebook then once he picked it up, he flips the first page and the water pillar's eyes widened a bit upon seeing the beautiful canvas engrave in the white sheet of paper.

It was a field of sunflowers where the petals were wafting in the air. Behind of the flowers was a group of trees where leaves were swinging due to the wind. Despite having no colour and just plain black and white; Giyuu was still fascinated at the well defined and real-life image.

After admiring the first canvas, he started to flip the page again. Darting his eyes to the next drawing, this causes Giyuu's mouth to fell open and dumbfounded at what he just saw.

It's a portrait of him where he was looking to elsewhere with his usual emotionless facade. This made him baffle and ponder who's the one drawing him and who owns the sketchbook he was holding. His first assumption was someone in the demon slayer corps since no one else would know him despite the organization. But what if it's someone he helped from the past?

To inspect further, he flips the next page and yet again he was astounded because the next drawing was also him, though, he's slaying a demon. Giyuu was awestruck because every page that he flips, it was still him with diverse scenarios. He was in utter disbelief that someone was sneaking behind his back to draw his features. Giyuu had mixed emotions after encountering the sketchbook; confused, disbelief, amazement, his curiosity was beginning to resurface as he flips the pages until it stopped from an unfinished drawing. It was the view of the place where he's standing right now, the town underneath the cliff and the view of the vast sky with cirrus clouds slowly moving.

Giyuu stared at his portrait that was very well elaborated. His geometrical and plain red haori, the shape of his eyes and nose. His long spiky hair that was tied into a low ponytail and his left hand that was gripping his sword. Minutes of examining the drawing, it just dawned upon him that it was really him. But why would someone bother to draw someone like him? Is he that appealing to draw?

"Tomioka-san?" Giyuu snapped out from his deep solicitudes when he heard your gentle voice rang in his ears before whipping his head to look at you.

"(Last name)..."

Gaping at the man in front of you, your eyes landed on the sketchbook in his hands which causes you to frantically grabbed the drawing pad in a quick pace.

"D-Did you s-saw it?" You sputtered as your face becoming to heat up because of embarrassment. You hug your sketchbook into your chest while looking at him with a faltering gaze.

Giyuu was stunned when he found out that you're the owner of the mysterious sketchbook that he rummaged. He felt his lips involuntarily parted once he sights your blushing face and how you protect the sketchbook in between your arms.

So his assumption was correct? It's someone in the demon slayer corps who was sneaking to draw him.

"I have no idea that it was yours," he monotonously said to which your blushing face augmented.

"I-I'm sorry i-if I'm drawing you without your permission..." you hung your head as you still hug your sketchbook.

You feel so ashamed right now that you had the urge to hop on the cliff if you only had the resolve to do it, same as you don't want to see his face this instant, you're too embarrassed to look at him. In many people that might saw your sketchbook, why does it had to be Giyuu? Why does it have to be the one you least you wanted to discover your book?

Ah, you wanted to be eaten by the ground right now.

"It's actually fine for me."

Your head promptly snapped at him to see Giyuu only looking at you with his usual deadpan face.

"What?" You asked for confirmation.

"It doesn't bother me if you wanted to draw me." Giyuu faced the landscape in front of you, relishing the warm breeze of nature.

"I thought you're going to be mad."

This causes to catch Giyuu's attention and looked at you with a perplexed expression. "Why?"

"I-It's because... I'm drawing you without your consent..." you awkwardly responded while gazing at your feet.

Giyuu only bored his eyes at you before diverting his gaze to the scenery. "I don't have any complaints about you drawing me. But I have a question to ask."

Lifting your head, you tilt your head. "What is it?"

"Why do you want to draw me?"

Upon hearing his question, your body automatically stiffens as you gaze at his face still fixated on the view. You feel your lips quiver and heart beats erratically. Before you can answer him, you bite your lower lip.

"I don't know why but... I had this sensation inside me that I wanted to draw you. Every time I'm going to draw your face, it always gets me the excitement and for me... you're a beautiful person, Tomioka-san..."

Giyuu's body went rigid once he heard your answer. He gradually turned his head to face you with shock evident on his handsome features. Never once in Giyuu's life that he would receive from someone telling him that he's beautiful. It totally took him by surprise and he didn't foresee that answer from you, specifically that you two weren't that close to begin with and just acquaintances.

"A-Ah! I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to offend you by telling you're beautiful! Well... y-you're handsome-- no! What I mean is you are indeed beautiful-- ugh!"

Giyuu only watched you being frantic as you oppressively ruffled your hair. Seeing you being a mess makes him elicit a soft chuckle.

"Eh? Did you just laugh?" You stopped from your hysterical self when you heard a chuckle coming from him.

"No, you're just hearing things," Giyuu instantly replied with nonchalance.

"But I really heard you--"

"Think of whatever you pleased. I didn't laugh, it's just your imagination." Giyuu sighs then started to walk away. This makes you startled and shouts for his name.

"Tomioka-san!" The water pillar paused in his tracks and looked over his shoulder.

"C-Can I still draw you?" Your voice shakes as you said those words.

"Do whatever you want." Then in just a few seconds, you saw a minuscule smile tug at his lips that totally caught you off guard.

Before you can utter a word, Giyuu began his steps. "You're good at drawing, you have my praise for that," he stated then disappear into the woods.

You only stared at the path he walked on while blinking numerous times, confirming that you're not hallucinating. Did you really witness Tomioka Giyuu the known emotionless water pillar just bestowed you a smile? If so, he notably looked dashing if he's smiling, though he looked handsome even if he's in his usual indifference.

"You really are a masterpiece in most of my drawings, Tomioka Giyuu-san."

[smythesm]

You and I Were Fireworks- Fourth of July Weekend, 2020.

Para: - You and I Were Fireworks

Rating: PG.

Pairing: Seblaine.

When: Fourth of July Weekend, 2020

Location: Smythe Family Lake house, Ohio.

Notes: Sebastian and Blaine get a much needed escape from Massachusetts for some Summer fun. Sebastian’s favorite time of the year.

Warnings: A nice little calm before the oncoming storm. ;)

Sebastian's POV:

Sebastian’s family owned a lake house a few hours away from Westerville. He grew up going to the lake at least twice every summer (if he were in the states, of course.) and his father regularly went on fishing trips with his brothers there (Sebastian was never interested. He tried fishing once when he was 9 and almost threw up when he saw the worms.) Over the years, The Smythe’s had celebrated the 4th of July at the lake house off and on. It was always a giant bash filled with Sparkler burnt fingertips and ice cold lemonade. This year, Sabine decided to make a weekend out of it since the 4th happened to fall on a Saturday. She had invited Sebastian and Blaine and other random family members most of which he couldn’t care less about (none of the Aunts would be there, they were going on a ‘Wine Weekend’ Thank GOD.) . 

What he did care about was fireworks, the smell of charcoal in the air, the sun soaking into his skin, and his feet floating in cold water. Seb loved Independence day though it didn’t really have anything to do with patriotism. It had to do with summer, melted popsicles, grilled hamburgers with heaps of charred cheese, campfires and gooey marshmallows, the scent of heat soaked asphalt mixed with sunscreen. He was a child of summer, his skin glowed when the sun touched it and he didn’t have to wear much clothing if he didn’t want to because it was always hot. No sweatshirts, or blankets, or socks. The 4th of July as the most sun drenched, sticky summer day of the year and Sebastian loved that feeling. 

 He was excited for Blaine to see the property. The house basically floated on the water, had an open bay where they kept the boat, a dock, and a spacious wrap around porch. The house was surrounded by trees and yellow flowers in the front that complemented its grey color. The lake itself  was basically the backyard and seemed to stretch on forever. It was everything that his boyfriend loved. Sebastian even surprised the other man with some new amber colored jars so that he could collect lake water and sand when the others weren’t around. 

Blaine and Sebastian drove to Ohio with Enjolras. They took turns driving, stopped for lots of snacks and to let Ras walk around, and they only bickered over the blue tooth once. Blaine sang almost every song that played and even talked Seb into singing a little bit. Blaine had kept Ras calm with his vibes and the pup sat in the back seat calmly and happily looking out the window as other cars and buildings and green grassy fields flew by. 

It was a successful trip and they arrived in the evening in time for dinner on Friday night. It looked like Wick and Luke, Sebastian’s most un problematic Uncle and little cousin were there along with other random cousins and family friends of Thomas. Sebastian never felt much appreciation for his family, except for his mother. But, since meeting Blaine, he had a newfound gratitude for some of them. His boyfriend loved Wick and Luke and he liked to attend social events, since he didn’t really do anything besides magical  business or arguing with his own father. Which wasn’t very different for Seb (minus the magic) but, at least he had his mother and his Uncle Wick and Luke.

Blaine’s POV:

Sabine inviting Sebastian and himself to Ohio couldn’t have come at a better time for Blaine, it was also the cause of a rather emotional argument. Tensions had already been  rising between him and his father at LeFay and Blaine’s anxieties and fears were beginning to catch up to him. He hated the bickering and the knowing, frustrated looks Will Anderson threw at him every time he mentioned that he had some sort of gig or that he wouldn’t be back for the night for some reason or another. He hated it even more when Will threw Sebastian, without saying his boyfriends name, back into his face. He could still hear the echoes of his father’s voice when he told him he wouldn’t be home much this weekend. 

You must really think I’m stupid, Blaine. I know where you go. I know who you’re seeing and I know what he is. Blaine had given him a firm head shake and an even firmer proclamation that he didn’t know what the hell Will was talking about. Blaine’s hands had shook, and his voice grew thick when he’d spoken, but he stood his ground. For his part,  Will had thrown his hands up, yelled a few more things about Blaine’s life being worth more than some silly fling and then, and this still surprised Blaine, his father’s words cut off like he didn’t have any steam left in him and he looked for a moment like his face might break into tears before turning away from Blaine and waving a dismissive hand at him. Mumbling for him to just be safe. Blaine quietly promised he’d check in to keep himself from getting into trouble again and left the room. As Blaine packed for the trip, he had to wonder if Will knew that, even though it was supposed to be impossible, Sebastian was his Fate. His soul mate. That he was so much more than a fling. 

Blaine tried his best not to ponder too hard about this or else it would eat him up the whole weekend and that was the last thing he needed. He needed to calm down and relax, he needed to not think about LeFay or his father’s haunted face as he spoke about Sebastian and Blaine. He needed to focus on this trip, and being away and spending time with people that didn’t make him feel like he was an awful person for being in love. It made him feel selfish and guilty because he could still see that look in his dads eye and it reminded him just a bit of when his mom died but… he pushed it away and replaced his worries with an easy, warm smile and embrace for Sabine, a firm handshake accompanied by a clap on the shoulder for Thomas, open laughter for Wick and Luke and a wide eyed wonder over the enchanting slice of nature that was the Smythe family lake house. He made a promise to himself to tell Seb about his worries and the argument with his dad later, but for now he needed this peace. Besides, he had a few new lovely jars that needed to be filled and he didn’t want to tarnish their trip and Seb’s gift with a melancholy memory. 

The dinner had gone by fast, the night ending with drinks for the adults by the fire, Sebastian had even relaxed enough and rested his head on Blaine’s shoulder, and there were sparklers for the younger ones. There was an openness among the family that seemed to be missing from the two Thanksgivings Blaine had spent with the Smythe’s and he wondered if it might have to do with the absences of the infamous Aunts. The night ended slowly and they fell asleep in a room with open windows, and lake breeze reminding him of their first trip to the island together. They fell asleep wrapped around each other with Ras snuggled at their feet and he could feel that Freya, sneakily, was nearby keeping watch. 

The next morning brought fresh fruits and rich coffee for breakfast and a warm Summer breeze rustling through full green trees sending ripples throughout the massive lake. The gentle sway of their boat, warmed by Sebastian’s favored sun almost lulling Blaine to sleep as he lay on his stomach on the boats deck, his head propped up on his left hand, his right hand idly connecting the dots of Sebastian's star dusted freckles, his leg hooked just so over Seb to keep them close. It was just the two of them out there, everyone else felt a million miles away for just a moment and Blaine could have stayed this way forever. It was so close to perfect. He could hear the splashes of water as Ras and seven year old Luke, Wick and few of the other cousins played near the shore. It brought Blaine back to a soothing reality and he gave a little laugh and a lazy smile as he sent little magical splashes of lake water towards the shore, making it seem as if the water were chasing Luke and Ras and the rest. He probably shouldn't have been doing it, but the delighted giggles from the boy and the barks from Ras made Blaine happy and not much could ruin this moment.

He could feel Sebastian's green gaze and he turned his head, his smile still lazing around on his face. “What?” He laughed, leaning in to nuzzle at Seb’s shoulder. “Mm, you don’t suppose your mom would let me cook breakfast for everyone tomorrow, do you?”

Sebastian's POV:

Sebastian had all of his favorite things in one place; summer, his favorite holiday, and Blaine. The moment felt perfect; the sun beating down onto his skin, the boat gently swaying, the scent of algae and coconut from the sunscreen Sabine kept in the boat. It was Blaine’s strong fingertips tracing over his skin, the sound of his youngest cousin and his dog barking, Blaine humming and laughing a little himself. He lifted his head up and noticed Blaine gently moving his hand back and forth. Sebastian sat up a little more to look back at the shore where it seemed tiny waves were chasing a glee filled Luke around as Enjolras playfully bit and stomped on the waves. He slid his black RayBan sunglasses down the slope of his nose to look over at his boyfriend. “You better be careful,B. Luke’s gonna be on to you.” Sebastian smiled a lazy smile, calmed by the sun’s rays and lulled by the lake’s rhythm.  He stretched out his long legs, wiggled his toes, and turned his face up towards the sky. “I think she’d love that. Though, she might insist on helping out. You really wanna cook for all these people?”  Seb let his eyes rake over the other man’s muscular body. They were both starting to tan already. Sebastian sighed a happy, dazed sigh. “Of course you do.” He reached out and poked Blaine’s ribs gently. “You’re sweet. We should probably head back. We have the crab boil and Wick’s fireworks tonight.” 

Sebastian and Blaine chased Luke and Ras around in the water for a little bit before heading in to take showers, get distracted by each other in said showers, only to change into new swim trunks and tank tops. Sabine had caterers come in to make a crab boil for the family. She had picnic tables set up, filled with buttery crab legs, corn on the cob, and red potatoes. There were cold beers for the adults and even a sno-cone machine set up by said caterers for the kids. Sebastian would be damned, though, if he didn’t get his hands on a cherry sno-cone. They ate too much and laughed and drank until it was dark enough for the fireworks to begin.

He and Blaine helped set off a few small fireworks at the beginning of Wick’s display. Sebastian stooping low to light the little fuse on whatever weird firework his uncle had picked out, only to take off running with Blaine so that nothing sparked on them. The three of them laughing and jumping around like they were all teenagers again. Sebastian had gotten a spark on his grey Sperrys and danced around like a crazed duck, his adrenaline spiked, laughing so hard after that his sides hurt. 

 The two of them found themselves on a blanket in the warm green grass, looking up at the colorful explosions in the sky. Sebastian felt a little tipsy from the adrenaline of setting off fireworks and the crisp beers and the scent of lake breeze trapped in Blaine’s curls. His younger cousins and family friend’s children ran around with sparklers and Ras was asleep at Sabine’s feet as she lounged in an Adirondack chair. “You keeping him calm?” Seb pointed at the sleepy pup.

Blaine’s POV:

Blaine had to fight to keep from smiling too big and he gave a shrug in regards to Seb’s statement, his grin a little mischievous. “Ah well, he’s seven. Sometimes kids need something to believe in. This isn’t the first time I’ve given Luke a little glimpse though, remember?” He asked, his hand resting on Seb’s sun kissed thigh as his boyfriends shifted positions so he could watch the activities on the shore. He thought back to the Thanksgiving he’d met Luke, the five year old had seemed fascinated with Blaine from the get go as if he were someone akin to Santa Claus. Sometimes human kids just knew when a person had magic whether they showed it off or not. The memory of making the curtains dance was a fond one for Blaine and he’d put it on the shelf along with this boat and the pup biting at his magical little waves and the kid chasing them.   “Besides, he’ll forget all about it as he gets older. Kind of like most kids do with Santa Claus and so on.” All children grow up and sadly most of them didn’t take their imaginations with them into adulthood. Blaine just wanted to bring a little bit of happiness into a world that was sometimes incredibly dark. 

He thought for a moment, taking a visual headcount of all the people he’d have to cook for and nodded to Seb. A sheepish smile creeping over his face at Seb’s sighing of course you do. “Yeah, I want to. Everyone here has been so welcoming, especially your mom. I suppose I don’t actually have a say on whether she helps me or not. It’s her kitchen after all. I just want to do something nice. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed but food is one way that I show appreciation.” He laughed, a little thrill shooting though his body when Seb poked him, the gesture tickling him. His cheeks flaring up in a blush at being called sweet. He nodded, and moved to sit in the proper seat so Seb could steer them back with a silly,  “Aye, Captain.” and a wink.

The holiday went on in a blur of Luke and Enjolras running around in circles from the two of them. Wick tipping a couple of the younger kids into the Summer warmed lake water. Ras whined when he could follow Sebastian and Blaine back into the bathroom while they shared a shower that somehow turned more intimate than intended with mouths and skin touching skin. Blaine’s cheeks were red when they emerged back at the gathering a short time later and not from the sun. He sipped on a beer during dinner, hoping the lot would think it was just from the drink and the sun. And they laughed at each other’s Sno-Cone stained mouths. Seb’s cherry red and tempting and Blaine’s an unnatural shade of blue as he happily ate the sticky sweet cotton candy flavor he’d chosen. The smell of fireworks and sunscreen and lake water filled the air and Blaine couldn't stop laughing at his boyfriend for all of his hopping about, the laughter pouring out of him as Seb squeaked and giggled like a teen as his shoe was singed. And for just this moment, remember why he’d been so upset before coming here. 

He found himself relaxed on their blanket, following Seb’s line of sight to where Ras and Sabine sat close by.  Red, white, blue and a tangle of other colors crashing overhead, lighting up the sky as he slipped his hand into Seb’s, giving his boyfriend a squeeze to reassure him. “Yes.” Blaine had made it his mission to make sure Ras didn’t get too nervous with all the fireworks. He’d been sending out a pleasant wave of energy to Seb’s companion all night long. Blaine turned his head and pressed a kiss to Seb’s shoulder before pulling back to smile up at him. The taller man tasted like the sun that he loved so damn much and Blaine was quiet for a moment as he basked in his glow. “Yeah, I have and well, Frey’s here also. She’s been hiding and watching him since we got here. I think the water and the fire are making her nervous.” He chuckled lowly, scooting a little closer to Seb. “She’s been watching all of us actually, I think. She knows a few of your favorite people are here so she feels obligated to keep us all safe. But, between you and me I think she’s mostly ere for Ras as well as your mom.” He paused, his thumb running over Seb’s knuckle gently. “Speaking of your mom- she’s gonna let me cook!” He laughed again, warmly. “She’s insisting on helping, so you were right about that. But, I get to cook. So, I guess I’ll be getting up a couple hours early tomorrow.” He leaned up and kissed Seb’s jaw. “Try not to miss me too much.”

He thought back to when he’d approached Sabine about doing breakfast, somewhere between dinner and Sno-Cones. She squeezed his hands comfortingly, her pretty face lighting up in a smile and a little eye roll that was reminiscent of Sebastian’s as she said of course you want to help. And of course you can. It pleased Blaine so much and again he struggled to remember what he’d been so worried about. But, he supposed that was the point. “Hey.” He mumbled and nudged Seb’s shoulder in an attempt to get him to look away from the colorful sky. “I love you so much, you know? In case I haven’t told you today.” He smiled fully,a little goofy, his face open and worry lines gone for the moment. “I’m sorry, it’s all just so romantic right now I just can’t help myself.”

Sebastian’s POV:

Sebastian nodded. “Thanks for doing that. He usually has to stay inside anytime there are fireworks.” He chuckled and shook his head because of course Freya was at the lake. “She’s magical, though. She’d be fine, right?” Sebastian looked at the lingering smoke in the night sky. “I mean, it is probably for the best that she stays hidden. Luke might try to take her home and how would we get out of that one?” He laughed a little to himself, picturing seven year old hands clutching the massive white fluff of Blaine’s familiar. Sebastian could imagine her bitchy face perfectly. He caught Blaine’s hand in his, “I’m glad. You’ll have fun together, I’m sure. She’s not the best cook but she tries. Not that I’m one to talk.” Sebastian smiled and looked down into Blaine’s warm eyes, they were practically sparkling with excitement. “You know I’ll be sleeping in.”

He looked back up after a loud ‘boom!’ sounded above them, the night sky filled with green and gold bursts of light. Sebastian looked back at the other man when he felt the nudge. He smiled, “I love you so much back.” Seb couldn’t help but chuckle and roll his eyes playfully. “That is one of the most you things you’ve ever said. Today was pretty great. Thanks for coming with me.” 

Seb leaned in and gave Blaine a kiss as a big red firework exploded above them, painting their skin in a faint scarlet glow. “We should probably head inside soon since you have to get up early. Ras will probably stay out here with my mom. He loves her and doesn’t get to see her often.” He stood up and held his hand out to help the other man up. They walked over and said goodnight to Sabine, Sebastian gave her a kiss on the cheek and ruffled his pup’s shaggy fur. He felt the only kind of tired that you feel after a long day of sun and water. The kind of tired where skin has summer heat trapped inside and your bones feel water logged. Seb knew that he was going to fall asleep fast and soundly. 

He had hardly stirred when Blaine left for the kitchen with a kiss but the smell of bacon definitely brought him out of his heavy slumber. Sebastian’s stomach growled and he could hear the din of dishes, the click of paws on tile, and his mother’s laughter float from the kitchen. He ran a hand over his sleepy eyes and stretched his limbs, threw on his tank top and green trunks from the night before and headed towards the welcoming sounds and smells. Sebastian walked in to see his boyfriend and mother finishing up the impressive spread, laughing and talking like old friends. Wick was working on pouring himself some coffee and nudged his own cup towards Sebastian. He took it with a grateful smile. Luke was sleepily nursing a bowl of watermelon. The rest of the family and guests were still asleep.  “Smells  great in here.” Seb’s voice was low and sleepy, he was sure his hair was still a mess. “Can I steal some of that bacon before Ras gets it all.”

Blaine’s POV:

After bidding Sabine and the pup and a few of the other adults a goodnight (the kids had fallen asleep in a haze of fireworks and excitement) Blaine let Sebastian lead him up the stairs and the two of them fell asleep hard, their energetic, sun soaked weekend catching up to them. Blaine’s arms wrapped tightly around Sebastian. He hardly even stirred when not even an hour later the door opened and an equally sleepy Ras padded in and fell asleep at their feet again. Blaine jerked awake once sometime around four in the morning, his subconscious telling him he was forgetting something. He pulled himself from Seb, and grudgingly popped himself back into his LeFay room to check in, making sure the magic in the school knew that he was around before he let himself go back to Sebastian’s arms for the night. The next thing he knew he was being quietly nudged awake by a bright eyed, fresh faced Sabine Smythe, already dressed and ready to conquer the day. She left the room so he could get ready and he couldn’t help but smile to himself as he got dressed and made his way down to the vast, open kitchen. 

A familiar tug pulled at his heart as he thought back to all the times his own mother would wake him up so they could cook for his dad. And while he knew that Sabine wasn’t his mother it still lifted his heart knowing that she was there for him with the gentle way she showed him around the kitchen and  the warm way she spoke to him. Plus, it made him happy knowing how much she loved Sebastian and seemed to be fond of Blaine himself. It meant a great deal to him and he hoped his smile and gratitude showed it. She’d even let him show her how to make the pancakes so that they’d be extra fluffy and she showed him how to brew a better pot of coffee, which was saying something as Blaine prided himself on his coffee and tea skills. Blaine had given Luke a bowl of watermelon to tide him over while they cooked. Both him and Sabine laughing as the kid all but fell asleep into his bowl. He smiled shyly up at his boyfriend as he heard his familiar sleep raspy voice coming down the stairs. He piled a generous amount of bacon on a plate for Sebastian and slid the plate over to him. He even managed to sneak Enjolras a piece.

“Good morning!” He greeted, and pressed an almost shy kiss to Seb’s lips as a hello. His cheeks were a little red knowing they had an audience, but Sabine’s energy seemed pleased, and Luke just huffed like children did when adults did adult things and Wick was too busy sucking down his coffee to even seem to notice. Slowly, one by one, the rest of the group arrived all of them seemingly impressed by the spread the two of them had prepared.  Even Thomas Smythe, who rarely seemed impressed unless you presented him with a two hundred year old bottle of wine, was impressed. Giving Blaine a nod and a half smile over his morning paper. They ate, and talked and laughed for the next hour, the Sunday morning going just as smoothly as the rest of the weekend had and Blaine found himself not wanting to leave just yet. Alas, the two of them had a twelve hour drive ahead of them and if they wanted to be back before midnight they needed to leave soon. It wasn’t practical to magic travel with Ras in tow so a long drive it was. After their meal Blaine and Sebastian both helped leave the kitchen in the condition it was in when they arrived and went off to pack up.

They said their goodbyes, hugging Sabine and promising they’d be back around soon. A handshake for Thomas and Wick, and nods of farewell to the rest. Blaine had a breif talk with Luke about Star Wars and Harry Potter that Seb even joined in with where he could and they promised they’d see him on Thanksgiving this year. And maybe, yeah, maybe Ras could come. By eleven that morning they were off and on their way home. Ras was already snoring lightly in the back seat with Blaine’s help. Promises of Freya waiting for him when he got home lulling him. Though Blaine knew that Ras knew she had been nearby the whole time.

Somewhere around the six hour mark, after stopping for dinner, Blaine managed to let himself think about his dad and their disheartening conversation on Friday night. He reached for Seb’s hand before he started the car back up to finish their drive and quietly told him all about what had happened. Telling him that he didn’t want to tell him before because he didn’t want to ruin the weekend with his worries. His boyfriend had listened intently, a little frown on his face before cupping Blaine’s face and kissing him gently and telling him that he understood, and that he was there for him and made Blaine promise not to keep his worries to himself anymore in the future. It wasn’t going to ruin things, if anything Seb could make Blaine feel better about it if he’d let him. Blaine had promised and they finished the drive in a flourish of loud music and bad gas station coffee. The clock reading 12:06 am when they finally let themselves into Seb’s apartment. Ras bound over to Freya and licked her face like he hadn’t seen her in weeks. She then gave both Blaine and Seb a sniff before settling down on the couch with a sleeping Ras, apparently she was tired from the weekend too. Blaine and Seb managed to pull their luggage into the bedroom before sharing a quick, exhausted shower to wash the traveling away. The two of them fell into bed exhausted, eyes already closing, arms pulling each other close and their mouths pressing together in a sleepy kiss that promised something more tomorrow night.

/fin.

[paellaplease]

Firebird | Chap.1

pairing: Revali/Original Female Character genre/warnings: adventure, romance, slow-burn. graphic descriptions of pain. later depictions of self-injury. scarring. burning. swearing. canon-typical violence chapter word-count: 2,847

author note: Props to revali’s VA for bringing such an interesting and compelling character to life, especially with the limited screen-time etc. I knew I wanted to write about him the moment he rocked up and started talking.

Hope y’all enjoy the ride. 

Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7

Chapter 1: Dagger and Arrow

If there was anything she was completely positive about, it was that death wasn’t painless and enchanting hurt even worse. 

*

She had felt death before.

It was a white, hot pain. Racing through her veins and making her muscles stiffen and squeeze as if she’d been struck by lightning instead of stabbed by a sword. Sometimes in her dreams it starts in the tips of her fingers, others it begins as a heavy weight on her chest. 

All times it hurts and it lingers. Swirling in her abdomen, making her feel sick as she briefly registers that her head was spinning, and the world felt very, very far away. Slowly, the edges of her vision would creep in. The commotion and screaming around her fading away till it was nothing but dull chatter.

Eventually, there would be silence and darkness. The pain ended just about then.

Yes, she’d felt death before. Or at least the worst parts of it. However now, standing in the middle of the Akkala Forge and staring at the lone dagger that sat on its pedestal in the centre of the black marble table…

She realised that on days like these, enchanting sometimes felt worse than dying.

The task was simple enough. The same she was given each month after weeks spent in study and preparation, training both her mind and body before her mentor deemed her ready to perform the procedure. 

Enchant the blade, make it work.

Gently, she exhaled a long, tired breath, glancing at the rune in disdain. There it was, marring the surface of her hand like it always did. An ancient pattern carved deep into her skin like a raised scar. The shape that looked almost like an eye at its middle seemed to stare back at her. What are you waiting for? It seemed to say. 

The rune had been there for as long as she could remember. It was the one thing she had left of her past, and also the main thing that reminded her of what her purpose was right now. 

Every attempt she’d made on enchanting a weapon had ended in failure, some more spectacularly terrible than the last. However today, on the eve of her twenty-fourth birthday, she was determined. She’d studied even harder this year, dedicating much of her free time to observing the smiths, and the rest to visualising the procedure. Today was the day she was to complete what was set out for her.

Gritting her teeth, she focused on the target and fanned her palm open.

The weather in the forge immediately shifted, transitioning from a stagnant cold, to a thick blanket of humidity. It was stifling, heavy in the same way the air would feel in the moments before a storm. 

The energy lying dormant in her veins ignited like a spark, low pitched and buzzing, singing loud and clear in her ears.

Bracing herself, a familiar burning sensation raced from her outstretched palm to the rest of her body, making her bite her lip as she focused on not calling out from how much it hurt.

The feeling worsened with every minute, the magical energy in her left hand pulsing to the beat of her racing heart. Carefully, she bent her ring finger inward, watching the rune illuminate in a blazing flash of blue light.

In an instant, jets of fire crawled up from the edges of the rune and into her five fingers, casting an eerie, orange glow on her pained face and making the air smell of charcoal. She pushed the fire further, the pain in turn worsening and making her head spin. 

Lines of fire raced out from her fingertips, wrapping themselves around the hilt of the dagger first and embedding themselves into the detail. The silver metal, now hot and red, began to melt and warp as the fire travelled up, searing a blazing trail into the metal of the knife.

Then came the worst part. Grimacing in anticipation, she grabbed the blade. 

The first time she had attempted the sealing stage, she had passed out in the workshop. It was the middle of winter then, five years ago. 

(She woke up the next day to the sterile chill of the village infirmary, sore as hell and smelling like a campfire.)

With time, she eventually learned to look past the spots that formed in her vision, fighting through the dull ache in her body and willing herself to stay awake. However, even with years of practice, her body wasn’t fully immune to the procedure’s effects.

She eventually discovered that at her level, her enchanting had a time limit:

Five minutes.

One. She closed her eyes and focused deeply on the blade, imagining the fire as she coaxed it to slither its way into the molecular structure of the dagger, willing it to wrap itself around the rapidly vibrating atoms like a snake in a birds nest. 

Two. With a shaking hand, she lifted the mallet she held in her other palm high into the sky, aligning it with the red star she had painted on the ceiling as a guide. Exhaling a gust of air, warm as oven smoke, she brought the mallet down, letting go of the blade in the same instant. 

Three. The black stone table she worked on shook lightly from the force. In contrast, the dagger she had just struck went immediately still. Steam began to lift from it, small flames licking its edges and casting the room in shadows. 

Four. She felt her focus waver, clutching her hand and falling to her knees-

Not yet! Not done yet! 

A bead of sweat dripped from her forehead, seeming to evaporate before it hit the ground below. 

Five. She dropped the mallet, shakily rising to her feet and swiping the thick cream coloured cloth at the edge of the table, quickly wrapping the burning blade in the material and extinguishing the rising flames.

Release! She ordered it, and the fire and burning in her veins were no more.

For a while, she stood there panting, clutching her shoulder as residual phantom pains echoed in her left hand. 

Swallowing her nausea, her right hand lifted the dagger to the dusty light filtering from the forge’s window. She marvelled at how heavy it suddenly felt, the metal, whilst still hot, laying cold in her hands as if never kissed by flame in the first place. 

She had done it. Her first successful attempt amongst so many. 

“Congratulations, Maiya.”

Maiya jumped, quickly whipping around to face the person standing behind her, still clutching the dagger. 

It was a tall woman, almost seven feet in height. She was wrapped in a dark cloak with light blue intricate designs laced into its sleeves and hood. Her bright, silver locks stood out amongst the darkness, cropped short and slicked back, her wrinkled face clear of distractions just as she likes it.

Seeing who it was, Maiya’s face broke out in a large grin. “Teacher! How long were you standing there for? I did it! I finally did it!”

If she wasn’t paying attention, she wouldn’t have caught the brief, small smile that flashed across her mentor’s face before it was replaced by her ever customary frown.

“I was here for long enough. You did well, my dear.“ 

Her mentor took a step forward, reaching out for the dagger with a black gloved hand. She peeled back the cloth slowly, revealing the enchanted blade underneath.

It was red. Bright red. With orange light glowing and racing its way from the hilt to the sharpened tip, embedding itself into the dagger’s swirling detail and setting the dimly lit room alight. 

"It’s time you find a master for this dagger.”

Maiya opened her mouth, questions bubbling to the surface as her mentor continued. 

“Rito Village, in the upper north western corner of Hyrule, is where you will go.”

“But why-”

“The land is filled to the brim with monsters made of ice and snow. The people there will benefit greatly from a warrior skilled in handling an enchanted blade of fire, no?”

At that, Maiya’s mouth ran dry of complaints, her words evaporating in the heat of the workshop’s air. It was no use arguing with her mentor at this point. But a lingering thought still hovered in her mind like a dark cloud.

“The land is quite far, teacher,” she whispered, looking everywhere but the woman in front of her. She braced for a sharp reprimand for her obvious sign of childish weakness, and was surprised when none came.

“I understand, child. However, I believe it’s time that you venture beyond the borders of this town and see for yourself the riches and diversity of the world around you." 

Her piercing grey eyes seemed to cut into Maiya’s darker ones, distant and glassy. Seeing something she couldn’t.

"An evil is building, my dear. And we must be ready. You learn nothing if you allow fear to dictate your freedom.”

Maiya dropped her gaze to her hands. The rune, ugly and deep, cut through the tan skin on the surface of her left. It stood out, angry and red, contrasting greatly with the smooth, unmarked skin of her right. 

“What of my other element, Teacher? The one that I will carve into my right hand when I am ready?”

“It is ice, is it not?”

Maiya nodded.

“We will begin preparations once you return.” Her wrinkled face twitched into a smirk. “Perhaps the environment will give you some ideas.”

With that, her mentor put both hands on her student’s shoulders, steering her away from the stone bench and leading her to the exit.

“You will be fine, Maiya. Now prepare, I will arrange a space for you in the next merchant trip to the region. Pack warm, you leave in three days.”

———————

Thud. The arrow embedded itself into the center of the target. Thud, thud, thud! Three more, dead centre again, each piercing through the previous arrows with deadly accuracy. 

Thud! Another, still in the centre of the target but slightly askew by a millimeter.

Revali frowned, wiping his brow and nocking another arrow onto his bow. Not good enough.

The forest outskirts a few hours from Rito Village was not his usual training spot. The wind was still fair, and the targets numerous (with hundreds of trees to choose from), but it still didn’t pack the same challenge, the same dramatic drop, the same chilling and powerful air of his beloved Flight Range in the Hebra Mountains. 

However, today marked the culmination of months of training for several of their new aerial recruits, and said Flight Range was therefore currently swamped by excitable Rito’s raring to get a few targets in before the sun set on the horizon. 

And as much as he would love to provide them with a generous demonstration on the highest level one can reach as a skilled archer such as himself, he didn’t believe he had the patience to deal with any novices today.

So…the forests will have to do.

Thud! The arrow went, embedding itself again in the middle of the target and cutting through the three previous others with a bit more force than usual.

The blue-feathered Rito reached into his quiver, picking out and nocking three arrows in one fluid motion. The world around him sharpened, then blurred. Three painted trees for three arrows, his vision hyper fixating on the first, second, then the third.

One breath, another. Now. 

The first arrow sang through the forest, embedding itself into a target hanging from a tree to his left. The second, whizzed past a bit further, passing through the leaves and piercing the hidden bullseye that he had placed underneath the foliage.

The third arrow travelled the furthest. Revali aimed to hit one of the more difficult targets he had planted several meters away. The tree was an ancient oak with leaves mostly orange, swaying lightly in the chill autumn breeze. 

Revali’s gaze sharpened. The arrow dipped and flew, dancing with the movement of the wind, quickly approaching the woman with dark hair that had just stepped in the way.

Wait.

What?

“Watch out!”

It all unfolded instantly. The Rito, in shock, slinging his bow over his shoulder and sprinting towards her, stopping to shield his eyes from the flash of a bright blue light. The woman, in a bizarre twist of luck and fate, hearing his voice and turning at the last minute, the arrow missing her head by an inch and cutting a diagonal line through her long, braided hair.

Silence reigned through the forest for a second. Then:

“WHAT THE FU-”

“YOU NEARLY KILL-”

The Rito stepped forward, pointing an accusing wing at the stranger. “Don’t you dare voice a stupid accusation such as that, I had no intentions of harming you.” He narrowed his eyes, suddenly feeling suspicious. It was rare to see Hylians frequenting this side of the woods, especially with the recent increase of monster activity and abundance of natural predators hiding in the thickets. 

Furthermore, although he doubted her involvement with the troublesome Yiga Clan, whose members have often been known to terrorize the odd lone traveler, he didn’t want to take any chances. “What are you doing wandering the middle of the Tabantha wild? The next Hylian-managed town is more than an hour away.”

He was surprised at the fury in her tone as she tilted her head up to snarl at him. “First of all, birdie, this forest is open to the public. No one owns these trees.” He opened his mouth to bite out a seething retort, but she stepped forward, pushing a finger underneath his beak to snap it shut. He spluttered. 

“Second of all, I’m taking a shortcut. I’ve been travelling west for three bloody weeks and it has been absolute hell. I’m sleep deprived, hungry, and tired. And I’m in a hurry! So unless you know anything about a place called ree-too Village, I’ll be on my way." 

Revali glared. At least that clears a few things up. Were all Hylians this demanding and foolish, or was it just the ones Valoo above was adamant in acquainting him with?

He pushed away the offending finger and rolled his eyes.

"Firstly it’s pronounced ree-toe. Secondly,” he said, mocking her manner of speech, “No. I don’t know anything about the village of which I was hatched and spent most of my life and waking hours. Whatever led you to such a ridiculous notion?”

He raised an eyebrow, watching- bemused, as a dust of pink crept its way onto the haggard woman’s cheeks. It was adorable, really. If only he wasn’t so pissed.

He took her silence as his cue to continue. 

“I wasn’t hatched yesterday. You’re obviously lost. However, to avoid you waltzing into another unsuspecting warrior’s weapon range, I suggest that you continue eastwards that way." 

His bow gleamed in the afternoon sunlight as he used it to point towards a structure which towered and peaked over the top of the trees. "See that stone pillar over there? That’s Valoo’s Spire, follow it and you will eventually reach the shore of Lake Totori. You will meet the Great Hylian Highway once again, and if you manage to follow it this time, the bridge to the village will be made apparent to you.”

He smirked, crossing his wings and tilting his head. Amusingly, she was about a head shorter than him, and she had to lift her dark eyes to the sky to glare at him. “Got all that? Because if not, good luck as I am not the type to repeat myself to idiots who ignore my knowledgeable advice.”

“Alright thanks, whatever,” she sighed, grabbing an elastic from her pocket and pulling her now asymmetrical hair into a haphazard ponytail. She turned “Try not to kill anyone with that bow, Fly Boy,” she called over her shoulder. 

A few strands of uneven, dark hair came free as she walked away. He couldn’t help it. “A very creative haircut, Strange Hylian!”

“Oh shut up!” A shrill yell replied, echoing from the other end of the forest and scaring several birds from their perches. 

He squawked out a sharp laugh at that.

A few seconds passed and she was finally out of his line of vision. Revali of the Rito was happily alone once again. 

“What an unusual and infuriating woman,” he muttered. He had been distracted and decided that now was a good time as any to take a few minutes to collect his discarded arrows and reset his targets.

Revali trudged towards the oak tree where the troublesome arrow was embedded, feeling slightly amused at the trail of shorn dark hair a few steps away.

He reached out towards the arrow, eyes widening in surprise as he stepped closer.

The once brown wood of the arrow shaft was an ashy, crumbling black. The bird feathers of its fletching emitted an unpleasant sulphurous odour, and the metal of its arrowhead was warped and melted like silver molten clay.

It was completely burnt. 

A strong wind blew through the trees, rustling through his feathers as he took a careful step back.

How odd.

[valiantthewriter]

All Things For You

Part 2. Can be found on AO3

Part 1

Content Warning: Kink Negotiation, Daddy Kink, Verbal Degradation, Bratty Peter

Excitement couldn’t begin to describe the elation Tony felt after receiving a text from Peter on the Thursday after their dinner. That dinner, the way Peter talked to him, the dim lighting in the room making Peter glow, Tony was enchanted, bewitched, and irrevocably smitten. He couldn't help but ruminate on the evening, on everything, really. It was true that Tony was a powerful man. Tony lived at the top of the world, everything at his disposal, be it people or things, but he couldn't seem to possess Peter. He had been waiting all week to hear from the confident, beautiful, sassy boy, whether it was an order or a question or a sweet word. Tony wanted anything and everything from him.

Did you deposit my allowance, Daddy? I want to buy a new outfit for when I see you.

Tony grinned like an idiot at his phone and quickly began typing back.

I did, angel, just as you asked.

Good job <3

What’s your favorite color?

The fact that Peter cared enough to ask filled him with joy and those damn butterflies again. He supposes he should be grateful, after all he was an old man now and this pretty young thing brought him back to life. It’s not like he was ever alone, after all he was surrounded by people every day, be it at the office or at a party of some kind. Though he was never really alone, he was lonely; and then along came Peter.

Red, any shade. I’m also a fan of gold.

Why?

One, because I asked. Two, I’m trying to find a suitable outfit for our date. Does Saturday at 11 work? I want brunch.

Tony could do brunch. He knew the perfect place in the Upper East Side that had amazing french toast and the best mimosas. It had a french country aesthetic and it was just a charming little place owned by a woman from Paris. Tony liked it so much he had his own table reserved for him at all times on the patio, it was a peaceful place away from all the paparazzi and fans.

I’d love to see you then, sweetheart. I know the perfect place to get brunch, so leave that to me. Do you want me to pick you up?

Tony held his breath as he watched the three little dots keep going. What all was Peter typing out?

You can come pick me up. Be here around 10 so we can get to brunch on time. I want you to have a list of terms. Things you will agree to do, be it financially or sexually, and what you expect of me. I’ll have mine, too. I don’t want you in over your head.

He sucked in a breath, heart swelling at the last sentence. Peter cared, he had to in some capacity. Tony could feel his blood pulsing through his veins.

I’ll make sure to have something put together.

Good Daddy. I expect you to wear something nice for me. Don’t text me for the rest of the week and focus on your list. XOXO

Tony’s hands started to shake with nerves- or was it excitement? He wanted to text Peter and talk to him, but he had his orders.

Orders…

Tony was normally the one giving commands, not following them. It felt kind of liberating in a strange way. These were things to think about another day, right now he had to work on that list and in spite of being a genius he had no clue where to start.

-

He was outside Peter's building at exactly 10 o'clock and he had been waiting on him for 5 minutes now. Tony's palms began to sweat as he waiting, anticipation building higher and higher still. He did as Peter asked and dressed up some, wearing a black graphic t-shirt saying “Han Shot First” in red writing and a charcoal gray blazer and matching pants. Tony couldn't change his style completely after all.

Peter walked out of the building at exactly 10:10, strutting his way to Tony's car. The boy looked ravishing again, wearing a simple pair of red skinny jeans (so tight, so perfect) and a white shirt with the Gucci insignia on it. The look was complete with what looked to be a gold Audemars Piguet watch. Clearly, Peter had expensive taste and Tony could definitely work with that. He’d step it up a notch and get Peter a watch covered in diamonds.

The older man stepped out of the driver's seat to open Peter's door, heart skipping a beat as the boy kissed his cheek as a greeting. His cheek was left sticky from lip gloss and up this close he could see a golden sheen on Peter's face that he couldn't decide on whether it was makeup or the boy's natural glow.

“Hi, Daddy. How are you?” Peter asked, somehow making getting in a car a graceful movement. Abnormal levels of grace must be a superpower Peter possessed.

“I'm great now that you're here,” Tony confessed, smiling down at Peter and memorizing his face. Peter smirked up at him.

“Get in the car, weirdo.”

-

Peter took in the little restaurant with a small smile, his gaze traveling from the soft, blue walls to the rustic furniture, and the lovely paintings of the countryside. That small smile felt like a triumph for Tony.

“Hello, Mr. Stark. I have your table ready,” the hostess said, guiding both of them to a table on the patio. It was a lovely August day, a perfect mesh of summer sunshine with a cool breeze. Tony couldn't hope for better. “I'll have the kitchen press the juice for your drinks. The usual mimosas, correct?”

“Please, Mimi. Ask the server to bring out some pastries as well-”

“No pastries, please. Some fresh fruit instead,” Peter interrupted, smiling as Mimi looked between him and Tony, clearly taken aback.

A tingling sensation ran from the top of Tony's spine down to his feet. “As he says. He's the boss,” Tony said with a chuckle, finding it to be too true. How did he feel about that? Well, it was feeling good so far.

Once the hostess left, Peter turned to Tony. “Good job recognizing who is in charge here. Your money is my money and I'll spend it on what I want,” Peter said with a bratty tone, “I'm the prince and you're my bank account. Got it?”

“Loud and clear, prince,” Tony said, voice breathy and eyes wide.

“Good. Now about these terms- thank you,” Peter said with a smile to the server that brought the fruit, looking so innocent and sweet. Seeing both sides of the same coin just made that bratty, snooty behavior all the more appealing. Peter looked like a butterfly but had the bite of a cobra.

“As I was about to say,” he began, popping a berry into his mouth, “First thing, no sweets around me because I'm on a diet. Second, what do you want out of this? I know you're new, but what do you like so far?”

The question took him aback. He thought about this, made a list, but speaking up now seemed like a challenge, like his lips are sewn shut.

Peter sighed, reach across the table to hold one of Tony's hands, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “You can talk to me, you know? The brat thing is a service. I'm still a real person just as you are,” Peter said, voice quiet and expression soft. The change in attitude took Tony aback as he witnessed the hidden sweetness in the boy across from him.

“Thank you...I think I want you to keep on being spoiled. I like spoiling you. I like you calling the shots. It's...it's different, so different from how my life usually is and the role I have to play,” Tony began, looking at Peter for approval. He got a nod indicating that he should continue. “I want you to demand things of me. I want you to keep treating me how you have been.”

“Good attitude, Tony. Just remember this is not a romantic arrangement. This is a business transaction between us. I give you what you want and you give me what I want. Reciprocity. Remember what I said before, about the monetary requirements?” Peter asked and Tony nodded, “Are those truly something you agree to? I'm not the type to take advantage, I'm really not. I can and will work within your terms. What is the maximum amount you're willing to spend for me?”

The answer was so easy for him. “Yes,” Tony replied, “I want this arrangement and there is no limit. I'm a genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist after all.”

Peter bit his lip and sized Tony up, head tilted to the side. Tony sat up a little straighter, waiting for Peter's judgement to be decreed.

“Ok, I can work with that. It seems you like level of verbal degradation. How far do you want me to go with that? Do you want me to keep calling you ‘Daddy’? Do you want me to call you slutty or a worm? I can be a real bully if you want me to,” Peter said, giving Tony's hand another squeeze before pulling away to eat more berries.

Tony was about to respond when they were interrupted by their server who brought them their mimosas.

“What can I get you gentlemen today?” she asked, taking out her pen and paper.

“Uh….” was Tony's clever response. He forgot to look at the damn menu.

“He’ll have the eggs florentine and I'll take some type of egg white omelet with vegetables in it. Surprise me,” Peter said for both of them, smiling that sweet smile at their server, who all but cooed over the faunlet, hurrying away to put in their order.

No one had ordered food for Tony since his mother was alive. It made him feel cared for, it made him feel something nameless that swelled in his chest, expanding his rib cage and emptying his lungs.

“So,” Peter started, sipping on his mimosa, “we were going to talk degradation limits. How far do you want me to take it?”

“Well, I know I like the Daddy thing and I'm definitely not a worm. Let's just...keep it Daddy for now, prince,” Tony answered, sipping at his mimosa as well. The champagne did nothing to get rid of the dryness that took over his mouth.

“About sex now. I'm up for it if you are. You have that sexy silver fox vibe that I'm into, it's why I called you Daddy in the first place. So, do you want to touch me, Daddy?” Peter asked, lashes fluttering and a devious grin on his face. Very unfair and sexy of the boy.

“I definitely want to touch you, baby boy. I have some rules for that-”

“Me first. Remember it is always me first in our upcoming arrangement,” Peter reminded, setting his glass down to nibble on more berries. The fruit was staining his pink little tongue all bright red. “I plan on getting tested soon.If you pass an STD test, I am open to oral sex without a condom, being eaten out, anal sex with toys and with you as long as you wear a condom. No fisting, no biting, no attitude. We won’t sleep with anyone outside our arrangement, but don't worry, I'll be more than enough to satisfy you. Got it?”

Those rules seemed reasonable enough.

“I can follow along with that. I don't bottom for sex, at all. I top only. That good with you?” the older man asked, setting his glass down to pop a berry in his mouth. He sure hoped the boy would be good with that.

“Sounds good to me. I prefer bottoming anyways. Do you have any limits I should be aware of?” Peter asked, all business but the embodiment of pure pleasure, of milk and honey and venom.

They were interrupted once more by their server arriving with their plates and fresh mimosas. “Bon appetit,” she said, smiling at the couple before leaving them to enjoy their food.

Tony watched as Peter began to dig in. He was really cute when he ate and he ate with gusto. Peter might be a delectable and sensual being but he still had the appetite of a young man, whether he would admit it or not. That egg white omelet must be good because it was almost gone.

“Limits, huh?” Tony said thoughtfully, taking a bite of his food as he turned the idea over in his mind. Two things came to mind immediately: One, a grown man should be able to rattle off their limits with ease. Two, Peter made a great choice with the food. “My limits are similar to yours. I'd like to add no leaving marks where they can be seen and no disclosing our arrangement to anyone. That good for now?”

“It is. Now for the fun part. Tell me what you like, Daddy? What do you want this little prince to do with you?” Peter asked in a teasing voice, picking up his glass and licking it in a blatantly sexual manner from the where the stem met the glass to the rim, berry stained tongue licking over the glass like it was a cock before taking a sip of his drink. Yeah, Tony was in over his head but at least a strong swimmer. Tony gulped, eyes trained on Peter's mouth.

“I definitely want to see those lips wrapped around my cock,” Tony said, taking another bite of food before noticing Peter's disapproving look. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

Peter scoffed, downing the rest of his drink. “Remember who you're talking to. This is about me. All of this,” Peter gestures between them, “is about my pleasure. Try again.”

Tony looked anywhere but at Peter, feeling truly dressed down by a boy. How did he wind up in this position?

“I'm sorry, prince. I would like to see your lips wrapped around my cock if…” Tony paused, glancing up at Peter to see if he was on the right track, breath catching when Peter waved for him to continue, “if it pleases you.”

“Good answer. Eat your food and I'll tell you what I want you to do,” Peter said, once more sounding like it was an order and not a choice, “I want to suck on your fat cock, Daddy, I really do. I wanna choke on it and drool all over it. But here's the catch- you'll be wearing a cock ring and you don't get to come until I say so. You'll fuck both my mouth and my hole and you get to come after me if you're lucky. Sound good?”

Well, when Peter put it that way…

“Sounds great.” It sounded perfect.

[seb-ass-tian-stan]

Oops! | Sebastian Stan fic | Three

Pairing: Sebastian Stan x Eve (ofc)

Summary: Eve (22) and Lisa (20) are best friends, living in New York. Lisa is 40 year old actor Sebastian Stan’s daughter. One night, when Eve’s date blew her off and Sebastian came back to town, they sat to catch up in a bar. What happens next is… Oops.

Warnings: Language, Age Gap, Sexual Tension, Drinking.

Word Count: 1.3K (oooouuu finally something i wrote that’s over 3 paragraphs this is exciting)

A\N: I forgot to mention that english is my second language so forgive me for any mistake.

 two

For her, it was game on. She knew he was under her spell in some form or another. The things that were exchanged that day on the rooftop were simply formalities, seeking to hide truths.

Fun and dangerous truths.

For a while, there have been several times of these truths almost being unveiled.

One of them, was when Eve had plans with Lisa and their friend group to go out and about. With a spaghetti sleeved red dress and a red plastic flower in her hair, she stood in the hallway, waiting for a certain short, charcoal haired lady to open the door and welcome her in for a small pre-outing drink.

Instead, Sebastian greeted her with wild feathery hair, low-hanging sweats, a white shirt and, lest we forget, a devilish and slightly self-absorbed smile.

His tall structure towered over her petite one, but she didn't flinch. With confidence, she declared, "Hello, kind sir."

"Hello, fair lady." He moved to cross his arms and lean to the side. "Is there a Lisa here?"

"She's in the shower."

"What, fuck! We said 9, why the hell is she showering just now?"

"I gave her all the punctuality genes."

"She'll be long?"

"She just got in."

"I'll just wait here then." She said and made it seem as if she was about to sit down on the hallway floor.

"Get in, you vermin." He laughed, got behind her and jokingly pushed her inside.

"A-ha-re you sure you're cool with it?" She said while stumbling a bit.

"Perfectly fine. You want coffee? Tea?"

"Gin."

"I don't think there's gin here." He quickly searched the fridge.

"There is. Why'd you think I came over? To take out your garbage?"

"You've gotten salty."

"Do you like it?" She sat down on the couch, he put down his glass of wine and gave her the gin. He sat down and gazed at her for some while, enchanted.

"I do."

"Have I gotten a confession out of the great Sebastian Stan? Be careful, you're starting to let your guard down." She said and chugged some liquor down her throat.

"I already have." He put a hand behind her, on the back of the couch, she, in response, leant in a bit.

"When was that?" 

He moved his gaze to her lips, "Every night for the past week."

Rude of him to say that. She could not hold her feelings (which were a mix of arousal, worry and excitement) in, so she made an unconscious move closer to him. Their lips were now extremely close but not touching, breathing warm air, making their mouths gape a little.

"This is risky." Eve mumbled, moving slightly closer but not yet meeting him. "We shouldn't." The stopping of the water sounds coming from the shower made Eve successfully shook herself out of the bubble. In a panic moment, she got off her seat.

“Lisa’s done.”

“Sit down, it’s fine.” He said while holding her wrist and giving her a look that, later in life she’ll describe as the second most relieving (and breathtakingly beautiful) look she has ever recieved, which made her feel less like a sad backstabbing perverted excuse for a best mate, and more like a woman who’s simply starting to fall for this charming man.

She back down casually, taking the gin in her hand. 

“That’s gonna be hard to set aside.” She said.

“It’ll be much harder for me. believe me.” He laid back, desperate. She got up and told him, “Well if that’s any help, m’gonna go help your daughter pick an outfit. Lisa! You done?” She shouted from the hallway, leading to the bathroom and her bedroom. 

He quickly got up, “Thanks, that’s about ruined the moment. Appreciate it.”, and went to his bedroom. She turned to him and giggled sweetly, going the opposite direction. 

“Get out of the fucking bathroom, L. Your Dad’s tryna’ be funny.” She said, purposefully loud.

Eve would return from each of these rendezvous’s to her empty, tiny flat. After her time in Europe, moving back to New York after a time of working minimally and traveling in several expensive countries (except when she visited Hungary to see where her jewish family lived back in the early 30s) had her moving to the tiniest of places in the filthiest of neighbourhoods, with a flatmate that, unfortunately had to move back to Boston.

Therefore, she had to decorate it to make it a home. 

Her efforts included hanging a ridiculous amounts of fairy lights on the wall (the place being so little meant the string of lights covered every section of it other than the toilettes, which played for her favour), cascading plants, photographs that she took and messy piles of clothing. The latter contributed the most to warm homely feeling. 

But there was one thing missing. She’d come home charmed by his looks, his scent and his words, and have him nowhere near. The coziness she’s fabricated aroused her and the sparkling light caused her to romanticise it all the more.

What made that even worse was the hasty intoxication she’d indulge in every time she hung out with dear Lisa.

So combine all that, and you got Eve texting Sebastian in the middle of the night, after seeing him when stopping by Lisa’s to take her out, not exchanging a single word since, this time, her friend was ready on time.

1:38AM: “hi LISA’S DAD this is her friend eve”

1:40AM: “fisrt of all, i feel like i miss you which is weird”

2:11AM: “second of all you looked really good today. i really held myself there lmao”

3:03AM: “also”

The next day she was working, to her sorrow. She came in late to the coffee shop (which she swore was only a temporary thrice weekly job until she’d get promoted at the production company she was working for as a camera assistant) tired and hungover. 

After being on her feet for 2 hours, serving coffee for poor art students, a tall man with a hat and a pair of sunglasses approached to the cash register stand where she was and said, “Also what?”

The camouflage was lousy, and fooling only bypassers who had no reason to suspect it was in fact Sebastian Stan. And she saw that as an opportunity to poke fun at him, as usual.

“Hey there Joel Goodsen, came here in ya Dad’s Porsche did ya?” She said without raising her eyes at him from cleaning the counter. He simply chuckled and before saying anything, she continued.

“You smartmouth. You don’t remember last night, do you..?”

“Fuckin’hell. I don’t get it, I woke up at my place. How--”

“No, Eve. We didn’t do anything.”

“That’s too bad.”

“You did.” He said and she gave an examining look. “You texted me.”

“Oh.” 

She dragged him after her to a locker room in the back, originally made for the waiters to change to their uniforms in but turned by them into a smoking room along the years. 

“Show me what I wrote.” He clumsily took his phone out the back pocket of his trousers and handed it to her. 

“What’s the passcode?”

“061299″ He impulsively said and she gasped, “Should’ve guessed it.”

When she opened the texts, she was reading in with confusion and he looked at her from above, grinning. “Also what, Eve?”

She opened her mouth to explain that she was too drunk to have intention behind her words, but if there was intention, it was probably booty calling him. She was about to say that when she suddenly felt his lips attaching to hers in a sweet motion. Her eyelids fluttered when they started to dance around with hers, and her arm took the back of his neck to bring him closer.

Everything was new; the warmth of his mouth, the feeling of his hair between her fingers and his arm around her waist, caressing lightly. He pulled her body closer and his tongue met hers. The sweetness of his tongue made her unwillingly release a small moan, he, in response started laughing into the kiss, which made them detach, not before leaving several extra pecks. 

“Meh.” she said and he chortled.

“Unbearable. Absolutely unbearable.”  

taglist: @joyofbebbanburg  masterlist

[dante-vergil64]

December Rain

People used to say that the meaning of life would be found in great exploits and achievements, that through adventures and diligence one would become who one was meant to be.

He often wondered if the people who believed such things ever experienced the true significance of their existences.

As a young boy, his entire world was viciously ripped to sheds in the most brutal manner imaginable, event that tangibly shaped his life into a blood-soaked road fully consumed by vengeance.

As a teenager, he abandoned all loyalties and became a ruthless criminal walking further into the shades that would empower him in order to materialize his ambitions, going as far as to almost kill the one he had, from the bottom of his tattered heart, considered to be his best friend.

As a young adult, the death and subsequent revival of his beloved older brother had sent his mind into a spiral of madness that had nearly threatened to consume their world in a black fire of which there would have been no return from.

He had raged through an unholy war, crushing endless enemies with a peerless might that had permanently carved his name in the tomes of history. Crimson eyes witnessed the fall of both living and dead in a catastrophic conflict that shook the world to its very core. 

Indeed, he had experienced his fair share of unbelievable events, but it wasn’t until that rainy night in mid-December that he truly caught a glimpse of the reason he had ever been given the blessing of life.

The post-war world had left their once bright and vivid village in somber shambles, a diverse collection of scars marring the city streets he used to walk through as a child.

Despite all the tending and healing, and mending and rebuilding, the sky had remained a bitter grey to his obsidian gaze. A consuming emptiness inhabited his being like a parasite, unwilling to release him as he vaguely pondered if it would have been any different had he succumbed to death in the battlefield.

For the first few months after the final battle, his days were spent inside a cold and dirty makeshift cell as the village leaders reluctantly debated what his fate would be. 

Bound by chains and seals all around his body, with no visibility and in complete isolation, all that had remained were tragic memories of the past replaying endlessly, one after another.  

He had had nothing. No goals, no desires, no ambitions, no fears, no passions, no worries, nothing but regrets and guilt. Not even the murderous anger and the vicious hurt he had carried since the massacre had been left. He had been empty, his body barely going through the necessary motions to survive.

After a rather aggressive intervention from Naruto, the five Kage had decided on  allowing him freedom with the condition that he had to be severely restrained and kept on watch for an unspecified period of time.

He had merely agreed because of the discomfort the tight chains caused him. 

He had been subsequently relocated to a small, dimly lit apartment that had been confiscated by the authorities, standing close to the Hokage building by the center of the village. 

His release had held no significant distinction to his nihilistic perspective. His time had been carelessly spent in isolation with his mind constantly drifting, his surroundings entirely forgotten.

Confrontations with others had been kept at a minimum despite Naruto’s deep efforts and insistence.

He had rapidly started avoiding even him, yearning reprieve from the incessant noise and activity within the village.

By the end of his first year back in that place, he had developed a consistent habit of wandering around the dark empty streets during the middle of the night, basking in the silence that followed like an insulating blanket.

He had rather become inclined of doing so when it rained. The light sounds the raindrops made as they met the cold ground pavement, and the feeling of the water gently brushing against his skin had been one of few things he pleasantly discovered soothing.

It had been a night not unlike that, when he first met...Her

His feet had been unhurriedly carrying him through the deserted streets of the commercial district of the still recuperating village without any particular destination in mind.

Heavy downpour had deafened unwelcome distractions as his steps echoed silently in the rippling water below.

As an ash grey sky had thoroughly masked the darkness of the night, he had allowed himself to fall prey to his disarrayed thoughts.

His mind had been deliberating incoherently, his continued existence purposeless and without further significance. He had remained in a perpetual limbo that he couldn’t escape from with a cacophony of emotions that had left him entirely exhausted.

He had stopped steadily in front of a large circular stone fountain at nowaki plaza. His clothes had stuck to his body as he stood staring blankly at his blurred reflection in the undulating water.

Temperature had gradually dropped to the mid-thirties and despite the fact that his body was internally heated by his fire nature chakra, the increasing ferocity of the gelid winds had started to become unpleasant.

Unbothered by the pouring rain, he had begun heading back through a lesser known path on the third corner of the 20th ward that lead to the main residential sector.

A pleasant, bitter smell had suddenly reached his senses as he was quietly crossing a street flanked by a number of small old rustic buildings.

Jasmin and earl grey had permeated alluringly through the sturdy cypress walls of a humble-looking tea shop as dim light faintly escaped the narrow windows.

The name written in the hanging banner had been unrecognizable to his gaze, never having encountered such place before.

Enticed by the appealing fragrance of the leaves, he had wistfully turned to the entrance of the shop before heading inside.

The smell had grown significantly stronger as his feet moved closer to the wooden counter, a small trail of water being left behind with each step.

Charcoal eyes had roamed appraisingly across the small establishment, a tranquil silence encapsulating the space within.

Old wooden tables had rested spread around the tidy room, pale walls duly decorated with heirlooms and antiques. 

Several colorful lavender flowers had laid perched on tall glass vases that were attached to upper segments of the walls , conveying a pleasant harmonious atmosphere with the rest of the ornaments. 

A woman had lied seated as the single costumer a few spaces to his left, long thick strands of straight indigo hair flooding silkily down her delicate shoulders.

She had been scribbling measuredly on a piece of parchment as her table was occupied with several open books. Her movements had been slow, tired. she had seemingly been there for quite a while.

A cup of warm jasmine tea had lied to her right as she continued diligently with what had most likely been her work.

Her factions had been obstructed to him by her lengthy hair, yet he had noticed the white lavender jacket and the navy shinobi trousers that she wore.

He had been briefly surprised that someone other than himself had been out of their homes during the rain.

His obsidian orbs had then turned away from the woman to the store owner behind the counter. 

A slight frown had marred the man’s factions, eyes shining with unbridled wariness as they had focused on him. Recognition.

He hadn't been surprised, his reputation had been rather infamous. The pain and anguish his name had caused had remained an open wound for many within the village. 

Gazes full of hatred and mistrust had followed him around wherever he went. He had become accustomed to it all, being able to easily ignore it.

“One black tea” he had said indifferently as he placed a pair of coins on the counter.  

The old man did not move to take the money, his brown gaze watching expectantly for his suspicions, his fears to be confirmed, “We do not serve your kind here, demon” he had muttered gruffly, great resolve steeling his frail body as he had clenched his fists in apprehension.

He had remained unconcerned, his ebony eyes as serene as when he had first stepped inside. Inwardly, mild annoyance had invaded his senses as his gaze had lingered motionlessly on the man before him.

He had been about to turn around and walk away from the little tea shop when a gentle, soft feminine voice resonated to his left as the chair in which the woman had been seated scraped backwards against the stone floor. “Mr. Shiroe! That was very rude of you!” she had called as she turned to the man she had been addressing, faint displeasure and something akin to disappointment adorning her delicate factions.

Charcoal eyes had stared with slight intrigue, not expecting her involvement at all.

Her eyes had been a captivating shade of lilac tinted white, unhidden compassion and kindness shining full in display.

A delicate button up nose had descended down the middle of her elegant face framed with supple aristocratic cheekbones that gave her a peculiarly regal visage. Her full lips and small ears had had a feminine quality that was simply alluring.  

She had been positively enchanting as far as appearances were concerned, evidence of her high-praised bloodline.

Her movements had been impressively graceful as she stood and approached  them determinedly.

“L-lady Hinata!” the old man had gasped, his surprised chestnut gaze centered strugglingly on the indigo-haired woman.

“It is not right to be so disrespectful of others.” she had said glancing his way before turning back to the other man “He is a person, just like you and me. I know you are better than this, Mr. Shiroe” the words had flown out of her mouth gently, almost like a whisper. A pleading expression had crossed her factions as she continued to stare earnestly at the shopkeeper.

Sasuke had noticed the man had the decency of looking ashamed for his attitude as he partially bowed to the woman at his side. 

His reluctant gaze had centered on him for an instant before taking the money on the counter and leaving to prepare the tea.

“I did not require your assistance.” he had said indifferently, his blank gaze traveling to the delicate-looking woman.

His words had not seemed to bother her in the least as the tips of her lips lifted into a candid smile. He remembered being surprised at how beautiful she was.

“I apologize if my involvement was unnecessary, I just did what I thought was right” she had continued in that pure almost bewitching voice as she respectfully bowed to him.

it had been an inkling of something, surprise, intrigue, curiosity and something more he couldn't name that enveloped his body unexpectedly.

That was the first time he had felt something other than overwhelming emptiness since the end of the 4th war. 

She had invited him to drink his tea in her company, her work patiently left aside temporarily. He had agreed nonchalantly, interested in satiating his curiosity of the woman who could look at him and see an ordinary guy.

Their meetings had begun from that day onwards, intermittent at first due to the unfamiliarity with one another, but slowly, gradually becoming more recurrent.

For the first time in what felt like an eternity he had started looking forward to things, to seeing her.

And she was so...incomparable. He had often found himself just staring trying to memorize each and every quirk of hers. 

Hinata Hyuuga was kind, soft-spoken, mature, stubborn, diligent, optimistic, wholesome, naive, clumsy, and a million things more.

Without realizing it he had quickly fallen in love with her.

When her teammates had found out about their meetings they had been greatly displeased, their distrust of him leading them to believe he could be a danger to her.

It was the first time since the fated battle with his brother that he had truly been afraid. Apprehensive of the possibility that she would heed her friends’ warnings and terminate whatever relationship they’d had.

He had been a selfish man, and even though he had not understood his feelings at the time, he knew with complete certainty that he did not wish to be separated from her.

But he could not demand her affection, and so he had left that choice to her.

She had reached for him with her delicate fingers, holding him close by the sides of his face as their foreheads touched soothingly, dissuading all his fears and insecurities. 

Her voice had echoed as gently as the day he had met her as she addressed the words she had been holding deep within her heart. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says, you are very important to me. I will not let anyone take you away. So please, stay with me.” 

She had offered those words to him with all the courage she had been able to muster, a trail of tears descending down her cheeks at the prospect their parting. 

That day was the first time he had kissed her. And nothing else had seemed to matter from then on. He had held strongly onto her with his both arms, finally allowing all those complicated feelings he had once been hiding to reveal themselves to her.

That was when he truly understood. That it had been her all along, the reason he had been born in that beautiful terrible world. The reason he had loved, and lost, and lost again. The reason he had remained alive despite it all. it had been her.

To meet her, to fall in love with her, to hug her, to kiss her, to make her laugh, to wipe her tears, to stand beside her, to make love to her, to make sure she was the happiest she could possibly be, to protect her. It had always been her.

Not a single day passed in which that fact was forgotten.

Now, seven years later, as he lay seated on his large silky bed, gentle rain pounding against his glass windows, he brought a bundle of blankets in his arms closer to inspect.

The whole world lied in the safety of his arms, the product of their love, his hope and pride softly tucked inside her lilac cotton blanket. 

His warm obsidian gaze then drifted to the space beside him. Straight indigo strands of hair fell silkily down the nape of a neck. Her even breathing had remained unperturbed as he dedicated himself to watch her, to thank her, to lover her.

It had been one long, rainy night in mid-December when he discovered it had never been because of his past, his achievements, or his fame that his heart continued to beat, but a very special woman with kind eyes and an a beautiful earnest smile.