#Liam mairi x y/n

[mrs-adabarba]

Holy shit this was good

Unravel Me

Liam Mairi x Fem!Reader

Summary: Grief is your constant companion as you struggle to come to terms with losing Liam. You can’t handle the memories, so you ask Imogen to take them away.

Warnings: ‼️18+ (MDNI) explicit content‼️, smut, grief, death, blood, some violence, angst, ALL HURT/no comfort, first person reader pov

Author’s Note: This is probably my fav story I’ve written so far! Liam is my favorite of all of the Fourth Wing men & I’ve been dying to write this for so long. - also, every person who has checked in on me about burnout, thank you, you’re incredibly kind & I appreciate all the love!!

Word Count: 8.6K

AO3 link

Masterlist

• • • •

The stone archway is the only thing keeping me from collapsing to the ground. I lay my back against it, trying to keep myself standing. Breaths saw through my lungs in jagged, sharp inhales. A knife cutting through me from the inside out.

Storm clouds form in the sky above, ominous in the setting sun. The smell of wet stone and soil fills the air as I try to still my racing heart.

It’s been one month.

One month.

Four weeks.

Thirty days.

Seven hundred and twenty-two hours and counting since Liam has been gone.

Knees shaking, I close my eyes, breathing deeply. But the breaths come quicker and faster. The image of Liam’s broken, bloody face surfacing unbidden. The way his blue eyes frosted over before closing, his skin cracked and pale as he slumped against Deigh’s red scales.

Rough, uneven breaths escape me. Thunder rumbles the ground beneath my feet, the summer air chilled by the cool of rain. Each breath clouds around me as I stand beneath an arch, facing the open courtyard.

The very courtyard where I first met Liam.

I remember the way his eyes lit with a teasing gleam when they first met mine. He was playful, flirtatious, but his eyes captured me. Like crystal glass, filled with murky seawater shining in the sunlight. I’d never seen such a blue.

The memory stings, sharp and insistent with its presence. Since his death, I’ve been left with nothing but every memory I have of him. Each one imprinted upon me, unique and shining. How he smiled, fully and entirely intoxicating, when I entered the room. The way his skin glided against mine between sheets. The feel of his calloused hand gripping my own. His lips coasting mine, teasing, before claiming them for his own, stealing the breath in my lungs.

Every day since his death has been my own personal hell. Waking up, alone, forms a hollow ache within my chest that grows with every second. I never want to leave my bed.

For the first week, everyone grieved alongside me. But we’re in the middle of a war. We can’t waste any time.

Only the pestering of my squad mates and the force behind my dragon’s insistent encouragement force me out of my room now. Although they try to hide it, they’re concerned for me. I act like I can’t feel their penetrating gazes, but it’s suffocating.

Every day is suffocating.

Distantly, I hear someone call my name. With my eyes closed, I can pretend I’m not here. I can pretend he’s alive. I can pretend I will find him standing before me, smiling, when I open my eyes. That he’ll tell me I worry too much and he’ll kiss the rain from my cheeks and lips.

When I open my eyes, it’s not him standing there. It’s Imogen.

Concern lines her face as she stares at me. “I’m so sorry. I can’t.”

Tears burn my eyes as the rain begins to fall harder. Overcome by a heaviness crushing my ribs, my knees start to shake. I can’t tell if I’m holding on to the wall or if it’s the one keeping me up.

“Please,” I beg, voice cracking. “I can’t do this anymore. I can’t wake up tomorrow with this pain,” I grip my chest, swallowing the grief threatening to choke me. “It’s like a living, breathing thing inside of me. It’s poisoning me. I…I can’t do it anymore.”

Sobs escape from my lips, gasping and heaving. I must sound like a tortured animal as I collapse to the ground, cracking my knees against the stone. The pain grounds me as I slump against the wall.

This pressure on my chest, the one that settled there as I watched Liam limp towards Deigh a month ago, is stifling me. It’s growing more and more, crushing my lungs, severing my breaths as I cling to the stone beneath my fingers.

I completely forget Imogen until she’s stepping towards me. She watches the tears fall from my eyes, shared sorrow evident in her posture. She, too, knew Liam well. They all did. It wasn’t just me who lost him.

But she knows what he was to me. What I was to him.

I don’t know what convinces her. Maybe it’s the tears. Maybe it’s my pathetic whimpers. Or maybe it’s the hollow look in my eyes as grief consumes me. All I know is she’s staring at me with concern and hesitant understanding. And I cling to that like a lifeline.

“Okay,” her voice sobers me from my tears.

A shaky breath. Another.

“Really?” My whisper is broken in the space between us.

She nods slowly. “I’ll do it. But you have to know what you’re asking me to do.”

I nod back, aware of her hands as they clench and unclench at her sides.

The idea came to me last week when a cadet mocked Violet about losing her “guard dog”. Violet flinched and, suddenly, there he was. Xaden was a feral, untamed thing as he hurled himself at the cadet.

It should’ve been me. I should’ve hurt that dumbass cadet. I wish it had been me as I watched Xaden deliver blow after blow on the cadet before being thrown back by Garrick. My knees and hands were shaking as I watched him be crowded against the wall, restrained as the injured cadet ran down the hall like a fucking coward.

Grief is something that’s different for everyone. I think the only person who knew an ounce of what I felt was Xaden. He lost not only a friend but a brother. He loved him.

And as I stood there, staring as Violet calmed Xaden, I had known this grief would pass for him. It would haunt him forever, but it would scar over. He would heal because he had Violet. He had Garrick and Imogen and Bodhi.

I had Liam.

A steadiness settles in me as I meet her gaze. “I know what I’m asking.”

She closes her eyes, briefly, as if debating if this is worth the risk, before raising her hands towards me.

“You need to stay perfectly still,” she instructs, kneeling before me. “I’m not going to lie to you. This will hurt like hell, but the pain won’t last long. It should fade, along with the memories you want me to erase.”

I nod as trepidation and nerves slowly creep up my spine, causing my hands to shake. I clench them, steeling myself. Forcing determination to settle on my shoulders.

Imogen settles herself before me, waiting for my signal before touching the skin of my temples. The pink of her hair is darker in the low lighting, thunder gradually fading in the distance as rain continues to fall.

“Are you sure?” She asks, voice hesitant.

A flash of Liam’s smile has my gut twisting. Liam used to say that love was something he never thought would happen to him. That love was a fairytale.

After almost a year of being together, he whispered with shaky breaths, “I’ve never loved someone like I love you. You’re the other half of something I didn’t know was missing. Something so tied within me, I feel you always.”

I’d gripped him tightly, clinging to him as I kissed his collarbone, neck, all the way up to his jaw. “I feel you, too.”

He shook his head, lips brushing my ear. “Don’t you think it’s terrifying that at any moment, it could be gone? I could lose you?”

I’d given him reassurances. False promises.

I didn’t know I’d lose him so soon. I didn’t know loving him would become a curse.

Wanting something I can’t ever have again will kill me. I can’t do it anymore.

“Yes,” I answer Imogen. “I’m sure.”

She hesitates, only for a moment, before closing her eyes. I close my own, letting the rain wash my doubts away.

Pressure builds behind my eyes, steady and gradual at her fingertips. I can feel her presence in my mind.

“Start from your most recent memory,” she says. “And slowly go further and further until you reach the oldest one.”

I pause, my heart racing frantically in my chest as I immediately recall the last time I saw Liam.

“No!” I scream, but it’s too late.

Deigh slumps to the ground, motionless.

Blood drips from my hands as I run towards Liam, whose eyes meet mine in wide panic. I watch him stagger forward, limping, before collapsing to the dirt.

I’m there, holding him up as his body begins to slump. Xaden appears, helping me, but I barely glance at him. My entire focus is on Liam’s shallow breathing.

“Take me to him,” he whispers roughly, chest rising and falling jaggedly.

We help bring Liam to Deigh. My shaking hands cling to him as we settle him against the red scales of his dragon. Xaden lingers beside me as we both kneel before Liam, whose gaze is fixed on his friend.

“You’re the brother I’ve always wanted,” he smiles. “Don’t forget where you came from. Who you are, and who you’ll become.”

Tears well in Xaden’s eyes as he nods.

I feel like I’m intruding on a moment between them, but I can’t bring myself to leave Liam’s side.

“I-“ he swallows, gaze fixated on Violet behind us. “I hope I did enough-“

“You did,” Xaden smiles, tears now falling down his cheeks. “You did everything you could and more.”

Liam nods, tears in his own eyes. Xaden leans forward to hold him, one last time.

Liam mumbles something to him I can’t hear before Xaden backs away, back towards Violet. I catch Xaden looking at me, guilt written across his features, but I don’t acknowledge it. I can’t waste any second we have left.

Liam finally, finally, meets my gaze. His jaw clenches as he watches the tears streaming down my skin. His fingers reach up, wiping them away. I lean into his hand on instinct, forcing myself to memorize the way his calloused skin feels against mine.

“I don’t know how to say goodbye,” I whisper.

Liam’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “Then don’t.”

He pulls me forward, kissing me with his last breaths. I don’t hesitate. I kiss him with every fiber of my being, knowing I won’t have this for much longer. The feel of his lips will stay with me until I, too, meet Malek at the end of this life. Where I hope he waits for me.

When we part, I lean my forehead against his, breaths sawing through me like a serrated knife’s edge.

“I-I can’t lose you,” I gasp.

His skin is pale, almost gray-tinted, as his fingers softly touch my cheek. “You won’t lose me forever. I’ll see you again.”

A sob escapes my lips before I kiss him again. “I love you. Always.”

Liam’s smile is full of sorrow as he kisses me back. “I’ll love you beyond my last breath,” he whispers against my lips.

His fingers suddenly caress the back of my head, tilting my face to look up at him. There’s a severity in his eyes as he stares down at me. “Every moment we have had is something I’ll cherish long after I’m gone. I’ve never felt so lucky,” he kisses the tip of my nose, the top of my cheeks. “Whatever becomes of me, my soul,” a tear falls from his eye as his gaze holds me captive. “I’ll always be with you.”

I turn my head to kiss the palm of his hand. “I’ll always need you.”

“Not always,” he shakes his head. “I need you to promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“Live,” his smile is beaming as blood trickles down the side of his head from an open cut, staining his blonde hair. “Live and forget me.”

“But-“

“I want you to grow old, live a full life. Fight to live beyond whatever this war will bring.”

I shake my head. “How am I supposed to forget you? You’re all I have.”

“No, I’m not. You have so much to live for, don’t let me stand in the way of something greater ahead of you.” I try to refute, but Liam silences me with another kiss. “You’re the one thing in my life that’s made all of this worth it. For that, I’m grateful for the time I was given with you.”

A whimper escapes me and Liam holds me, breathing me in.

“I kept my promise.” He kisses me once, twice.

In the space between us, we breathe together. I hold my hand to his chest, feeling the rise and fall. One long, deep, shaky breath, a whisper of my name, and he stills.

Silence crowds around me, choking the air as I weep into the skin of his neck, holding him close. A scream builds in my throat as his body grows cold beneath me. Rage rises like a tidal wave within me, numbing the pain.

They’ll pay. Every last Venin will die for this. For what they took from me.

I’m covered in sweat, blood, and dried tears by the time the sun sets and the Venin are defeated in Athebyne. For now.

Flames reach towards the sky, flickering and grasping for the stars. I grip my sword, Liam’s sword, tightly in my hand. Blood trickles down my skin across the blade as I stare into the fire.

Liam’s body burns atop the pyre. Ashes scatter in the breeze as everyone stands to watch. We all lived, and it sickens me. We survived, and Liam, the best of us, didn’t.

Bitterness settles next to the grief. It burns like acid in my gut. The last thing I remember is Violet’s hand gripping my own in comfort.

“You’re not alone,” she whispers.

But I am. I’m entirely alone.

The memory is ripped from my grasp, leaving me gasping, heaving, as the ache in my chest burns.

Before I can steady myself, I’m thrown into another.

Arms wrap around my torso, pulling me close to a firm chest as dim light filters through the arched windows.

“Good morning to you, too,” I whisper, groggily.

A breathy chuckle against my spine has my skin prickling. “Morning, love.”

I bask in the warmth of his arms, the feel of his muscles flexing against my skin as he kisses my shoulder. He hums, continuing kissing up my shoulder to my neck, shifting my hair to kiss up my jaw. I shiver, as his fingers trail down my torso to my hips, pulling the hem of my nightdress up my thighs.

“Liam,” I breathe.

I feel him smile against my ear as he nips at it. “Yes, love? Need something?”

His fingers trail up my thighs, leaving goosebumps in their wake. When his calloused hand reaches the edge of my underwear, Liam’s lips caress my bottom lip.

I whisper against him, “I need you.”

“Whatever you want, I’ll give you,” he smirks before his lips collide with mine.

He kisses me with a lazy, unhurried pace. As if we have all the time in the world.

I shift in his arms, gaining better access to his mouth as I tangle my tongue with his. My fingers dive through his hair as his own slip beneath the lace of my underwear. His skin is warm and rough against me as the tips of his fingers glide across where I want him most.

“Already wet for me, darling?” He growls into my mouth.

I moan as his fingers sink inside me, pumping agonizingly slow. He continues to tease and caress as I melt in his arms. When his thumb rubs smooth circles around my clit, heat begins to prickle at the base of my core. I’m already climbing to my peak, heaving and gasping breaths as he pumps his long, thick fingers in and out, gaining speed the more I moan his name.

“You’re intoxicating,” he groans as he bites my lip. “I fucking love waking up to you like this. Soaked and ready for me.”

A gasp falls from my lips just before he pinches my clit. Light flashes beneath my lids as I cry out, fire blazing up my body as I fall into the rhythm of his fingers. I pulse and squeeze around him as my hands grip onto him tightly. When I come down from my climax, a pounding on the door has me jolting.

“Don’t make me break this fucking door down!” I hear Xaden’s voice yell.

Liam groans, slumping against me. “Shit.”

The bed shifts as he rolls off the bed, covering me with the blankets before throwing open the door.

“What?”

There’s a pause before I hear Xaden’s low chuckle. “Sorry to disrupt your morning, but we have to leave.”

Liam’s shoulders tense. “Now? What happened?”

People are running in the hall, shouts echoing off the walls that force me to sit up, staring in confusion at the chaos.

“Get dressed,” Xaden commands, all amusement gone.

“What’s going on?” Liam asks again.

I can see Xaden’s jaw clench as he stares at his foster brother. “They’re calling us down to the flight field. War Games.”

Liam’s grip on the doorframe whitens his knuckles. “How many minutes do we have?”

Xaden hesitates. “Less than ten, but you need-“

“We’ll meet you on the field.” Liam slams the door shut.

When he turns to me, his eyes are blazing like blue fire. He stalks forward, standing at the edge of our bed. His hands shoot out and drag me to the edge, making me squeal. His fingers tear the lace from me, leaving me bare before him before forcing my legs open. He’s kneeling as I sit up, watching him as he leans forward to lick up my slit in one swift, precise movement. I groan, head falling back as I buck against his unyielding grip.

“But we have to go,” I gasp when he does it once more.

His voice is rough and gravelly as his lips caress my heat. “Guess I have to make every second count.”

The memory fades, like the burning of paper. Ashes scattering in my mind as pain radiates up my spine, throbbing at my temples. I bite my lip to keep myself from screaming as the pressure builds.

My head pounds as I’m thrown further, another memory crashing over me.

“Fuck, baby, that’s it,” Liam groans against my ear, pumping deep into me. “You’re taking me so well.”

I whine, shifting my hips to meet him with every thrust. He hits inside of me deliciously, stars dancing across my vision as his hands hold my waist, pressing me into the sheets.

An urgency fills us as we stop pacing ourselves and chase that fire slowly burning beneath our skin. It races in our blood as our skin slicks with sweat, breaths gasping.

Liam shifts his hips upward on the next thrust, making me moan into his collarbone.

“Gods, do that again.”

Liam smirks, blue eyes glittering when they meet mine. “As you wish.”

The memory warps, lost to time, as I’m thrown further, again and again, into one memory after another and another.

The mat presses against my cheek as Liam holds me down. I can tell he’s holding back since his weight isn’t entirely crushing me.

That’s a mistake he’ll surely regret.

I twist my legs, elbowing him in the face as I throw my weight onto him. He rolls, falling to the mat as I climb atop him, my elbow pressing into his throat to cut off his air supply. My legs hold his arms down to keep him from moving.

He struggles for a moment, but the shining pride in his eyes is what causes butterflies to flutter in my stomach.

“I love it when you throw me around,” he chokes out. I raise my elbow slightly to lessen the pressure on his throat.

I chuckle, leaning forward until we’re inches apart. “You like it when I make you do what I want?”

He smiles. “Keep looking at me like that and I’ll beg for it.”

Paper crumples in his hand, frustration steeling his jaw as he throws it at the wall.

“Stop,” I say, reaching for his clenched fingers. “Stop blaming yourself. It won’t do anything good.”

His hard eyes meet mine, immediately softening. “I don’t know what to do,” his voice is broken, hushed. “I wish I could find her, hide her, take her as far from this as possible.” He shakes his head, closing his eyes. “Sloane doesn’t deserve this life.”

Bringing my hand to his cheek, I force him to open his eyes. “You can’t change the future just as you can’t change the past,” I give him a small smile. “She’ll be okay, Liam. She’ll have us.”

Liam’s gaze holds mine as he breathes deeply. We sit there, suspended in time, as he grips me with shaking hands. I know he’s fighting tears as much as he’s fighting the urge to throw a punch at the wall. But with me here, he slowly begins to calm.

When he grabs my hand laying on his cheek, he kisses it. “I guess I should be grateful she’ll finally meet you.”

I smile at the idea. “I hope she likes me.”

He grips me tighter. “She’ll love you. Besides,” he leans forward, inches from me. “She’ll have to since she’ll be putting up with you for a very, very long time.”

I raise a teasing brow. “How long will that be for?”

“If it’s up to me,” he breathes against my lips. “For the rest of our lives.”

The sunset flickers across the horizon over the distant mountains, casting the room in a dim, fading gold light. It refracts off Liam’s eyes, making the blue iridescent, as he smiles against my lips.

“Will you stay?”

I smile back, nipping his bottom lip. “Always.”

“I-I don’t want to wake up alone anymore.” He hesitates, swallowing. “Move in here with me. Share my bed and steal my blankets. Get dressed with me every morning. I don’t want to waste a moment without you next to me. Make this room both of ours.”

Tears gather in my eyes as warmth fills me, settling in my chest.

I kiss him recklessly, leaving us both breathless as I whisper, “Gods, I love you.”

He laughs, shaking his head. “You have no idea.”

Two cadets with fowl breath and malice in their eyes crowd around me. My heart beats wildly in my throat as I back away. Their hands sharp and insistent as they push me to the corner of the hall. Their hands locked on my wrists to keep me from running.

“Get. Your. Fucking. Hands. Off. Her.”

The words cut through the air like a knife laced with venom. It startles the men, who bolt upright to turn and see who spoke.

Liam’s face is a mask of fury as he strides down the hall. The second our gazes collide, he unleashes himself on them. He throws a punch at one of their faces, knocking them against the wall. The other, he tackles into the brick, cracking the back of the cadet’s skull. He groans as Liam throws punch after punch, blood spraying, before throwing the man to the ground. The other cadet is there, stumbling forward and hurling himself at Liam.

I scream when I see the flash of a dagger. Liam catches it within seconds. Being the best of our year has its benefits as he twists the blade out of the cadet’s grip and stabs it to the hilt into his arm. The cadet’s eyes widen, blood trickling from his mouth as he screams, falling to the ground.

The other cadet bleeds next to him, panting.

“What the fuck?” He groans.

Liam stands, blood soaking his clenched fists at his sides as he stares them down. “You touched her, tried to hurt her, you even scared her.” He shakes his head. “You don’t get to live after that.”

The cadet Liam punched over and over again is now trying to crawl away, but it’s too late. Liam is there, hauling him to his feet and holding him against the wall by his throat.

“Liam,” I whisper, fear rattling my voice.

He stops. Everything stops as he lets go of the cadet and turns to me. He’s there, holding me as he quickly examines every inch of exposed skin.

“Yes, love? Did they hurt you?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m f-fine,” I step closer to him, cradling his bleeding hands in mine. “Just please get me out of here.”

He nods, not even sparing them a second glance as he whisks me out of the corridor. We walk quickly until we’re outside in a courtyard. Under a stone arch he stops, pressing me against the wall as he holds me close.

“You looked so afraid,” he whispers in my hair. “I-I couldn’t handle it. Did-“ he hesitates. “Did I scare you?”

“You could never scare me,” I hold him tighter as the lingering fear begins to fade. A warmth settling in me from his close proximity. A sense of rightness at the feel of his arms around me.

He pulls back, looking me over once more. “If those fuckers laid a finger on you-“

I smile softly. “You stopped them before it got worse. I’m alright.”

He nods, forehead touching mine in defeat as his shoulders sag, releasing all the pent-up tension inside of him. “If I wasn’t there, if things were worse, I don’t know what I’d do if I lost you. Who I’d become.”

I burrow into him, letting his warmth chase every horrible thought away. “But you didn’t lose me. You won’t.”

Liam shakes his head. “I need you to promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“Promise me you’ll fight. You’ll fight till your last breath to stay alive, to see the next day. I can’t-“ he swallows. “I couldn’t live knowing I could’ve saved you. But I can’t always be there.”

“You don’t need to be, but I’m grateful you were there today,” I press closer. “I promise to fight and not give up.”

He nods, satisfied. Silence envelops us as the night breeze whistles through the courtyard.

The moon shines on his blue eyes, making them almost silver as he says, “And I promise to fight for you, too. To love you and keep you safe. Till my last breath. You can hold me to that.”

Music floats through the air as Liam holds me close, hands intertwining as he guides me to an alcove covered in shadows. I stifle a laugh as we race through the corridor. We ignore the shouting taunts from Ridoc and Sawyer down the hall as they head back to the party.

Once we’re out of earshot and covered by the dark, Liam presses me against the stone of the alcove. He doesn’t waste a second. His lips are on mine, holding me captive. He’s insistent and intoxicating as he consumes me with just a kiss. He smells of liquor and desire, making me feel lightheaded.

His rough fingers drag the fabric of my dress up as his lips begin to trail down my jaw, neck, and chest. Before I can protest, he’s kneeling, throwing the fabric up to expose my legs to the cool night air.

“Liam!” I whisper-shout. “Someone will see!”

Liam raises a brow. “Then you better keep quiet.”

He grips the back of my leg, tossing it over his shoulder as he disappears beneath my dress. His breath is hot against my skin as he licks up my inner thighs.

I bite back a squeal as he moves my underwear out of the way, fingers toying with my skin.

“Don’t worry, baby, I’ve got you.”

“Liam-“ I’m cut off by the feel of his mouth kissing my heat. His tongue diving deep inside me, causing me to throw a hand over my mouth, stifling a moan. My knees begin to buckle but he holds me in his firm grip, keeping me standing as he continues to twist his tongue deep inside, feasting on me.

I’m delirious with want as he continues to eat me out, thumb caressing my clit lazily. Pleasure spreads up my body, curling around my spine. My hips rock against him, pressure building and building before-

“Liam,” I gasp against my hand as my climax hits me, hard and fast. His fingers and tongue prolong my pulsing as I come all over his mouth. It feels like an eternity before my body gives out, sliding against the stone.

“Gods, I love the way you say my name,” he groans against me. “Especially when I fuck you.”

Liam stands, shifting his hands as I hear the sound of a buckle. Before I can calm my racing heart, he grips my thighs and holds up my legs to wrap firmly around his waist. I obey and immediately suck in a breath. The head of his cock is poised at my soaked entrance.

He suddenly leans forward, surprising me with a kiss on the tip of my nose. My heart swells before he finds my lips, kissing me. It’s consuming, claiming. Leaving me breathless and wanting.

“I love you so much, baby,” he says before pushing into me, stretching me. We moan together, breaths intermixing, as he bottoms out.

Using the wall as leverage, Liam adjusts me so my hips are at the perfect angle, his hands holding my ass firmly before he begins to thrust. My nails dig into his shirt as he hits me just right. This angle allows him to sink deeper and deeper, causing gasps to fall from my lips like whispered secrets.

He stops the sound with his mouth on my own, swallowing my moans. I taste myself on his lips and tongue. It’s incredibly erotic and fills me with immense pleasure as he thrusts harder and harder. I bounce against the stone, clinging to him for dear life as he begins chasing his own pleasure. I’m already climbing with him, breaths sawing through my lungs as I feel myself chasing another orgasm.

“That’s it, baby,” he coos. “You’re incredible.” He hisses as his cock hits me just right. My inner walls fluttering around him as he pumps faster. “Fuck, that feels-“

He groans just as his hips piston into me, wild and untamed as he releases inside of me. I’m right there with him. Like a flower bursting open in the sun, warmth burns through my body at the sensation. I don’t even care if anyone hears us anymore, I’m moaning his name loud enough to echo off the walls as I gyrate against him.

When we both finally come down, we’re twitching and panting, giving one another tired, lazy smiles. Liam towers above me, breathing heavily as he kisses my forehead, my temple, the corner of my mouth.

“Gods, you’re insatiable.”

I laugh before wiggling in his arms, causing his still-hard cock to sink further into me. He moans at the sensation.

“Another round?”

He laughs with me. “You don’t have to ask me twice,” his hands are firm on my wrists as he holds them above my head, trapping them against the cool stone. “As you wish.”

The stars are bright above the flight field as Liam and I lay back in the grass. It prickles the skin of my hands as a breeze flutters over us. The distant sounds of crickets and a nearby river fill the quiet. Both of our dragons lie close by, their sulfuric breathing filling the silence. We’re far away enough from them to feel as though we’re entirely alone.

Liam’s arm is close to mine as we lay, looking up at the constellations.

“What did Ridoc say to you earlier when we were leaving the gym?” I ask quietly. “You seemed annoyed.”

Liam’s breath hitches, his chest stilling. I feel his arm tense as he tries to slowly breathe out, almost like he’s calming himself.

“He, uh, just wanted to know about something.”

That piques my interest. I raise a brow. “About?”

Liam is quiet for a moment. “He wanted to know if you were single.”

“Oh.”

The silence is suddenly suffocating. The presence of our dragons makes this feel incredibly awkward, as if we have an audience. I can feel the weight of my dragon peering at us, like the gossip she is. I ignore her.

I don’t turn to look at Liam as I bite my lower lip. It’s been months of this constant flirtation. Months of tension that’s been building and building but I can’t tell if he’s just incredibly friendly with everyone or actually wanting a relationship with me. It’s driving me crazy.

Liam’s the type of guy who anyone can love and I hate how I’m one of them. How I’ve completely fallen for someone who probably only views me as nothing more than a friend.

A shaky exhale escapes me as I try and compose myself. “What did you say?”

Liam scoffs. “I told him to go ahead and ask you out.”

I startle, eyes wide and heart beating out of my chest as I turn to look over at him only to find he’s already staring at me. There’s a gleam of satisfaction in his eye as he watches my reaction.

Anger rises, sudden and quick. “Did you just say that to see what I’d do?!”

Liam shrugs before winking. “Just making sure you’re not interested in him.”

The anger dies as quick as it arrived. But my heart continues to pound, nerves sparking in my gut. “Why?”

Liam is suddenly leaning close, breath fanning over my face. He smells of mint, earth, and something so familiar, I ache to be closer to him. “I told him to go fuck himself. That you’re mine and he’d end up with a broken nose on that pretty-boy face of his as soon as he even spoke to you.”

My breath catches in my throat, a squeak escaping my lips. Liam’s mouth twitches at the sound.

“Who said I’m yours?” I whisper, unsure and entirely too hopeful for my own good.

Liam’s smile is beaming and brilliant. “You were mine the second you punched Jack in the throat after parapet.”

A laugh bursts out of me, startling the quiet of the night. Liam joins in, but his gaze is heavy and insistent on me.

“He deserved it,” I huff.

“He did,” Liam’s smile is contagious as his fingers move a piece of hair behind my ear, lingering next to my cheek. “But I also knew when you told me I’m just another big asshole at Basgiath,” he winks.

I roll my eyes playfully. “You came on too strong from the second you met me.”

He shrugs. “Didn’t want anyone to steal you away from me before I got the chance to sweep you off your feet.”

I raise a brow. “And did you?”

He lays his hand against my cheek, no more hesitating. “Depends on if you’re truly mine or not.”

I lean into him, eyes closing. “I’ve been yours for a long time, Liam.”

The nighttime breeze wraps us tighter together as he leans in and kisses me. It’s the first time I’ve ever felt his lips on mine and it sends a spark of fire down my body, lighting every nerve like a firework. I’m electrified, lighting up the night sky as he kisses me like something fragile and precious. Something worth having.

“I love you,” I whisper against his lips.

He startles, pushing himself away before he’s suddenly hovering above me. A smile that rivals the brightness of the stars shines on me as he leans down, our noses touching.

“You love me?”

I nod, my nerves fluttering as he reaches out to caress my cheek. I’ve never seen him so soft, so gentle. No one would believe how trusting, caring, and loving he can be. But only I see it. Only with me does he let down his walls.

He’s kissing me again, but this time, he’s no longer holding back. He’s not gentle as he bites my bottom lip, sucking it between his teeth. I moan as his tongue surges into my mouth, claiming me. I’m lost to the feel of him as his hands tangle in my hair, pulling my head back to gain access to my throat.

Against my skin, he whispers. “Gods, I’ve been wanting to hear you say that for so long.” He licks a strip of my skin, biting my pulse, before sucking my clavicle. “Fuck, I love you so damn much, I’ve been going insane with wanting you.”

My breath hitches as his fingers trail beneath my leathers, finding the skin of my hip. He presses me into the grass as he finds his way back to my lips. Kissing me once more.

Time seems to hold its breath as we kiss under the stars, uncaring of what the next day may bring. All we have is this moment, clinging to one another and sighing with relief. I’ve never felt so happy in my entire life as Liam looks down on me with such adoration.

When he suddenly sits back on his knees, I pout up at him. He shakes his head, laughing as he holds his hand out.

“Come with me.”

He pulls me up with him off the grass and starts racing towards the school.

“Where are we going?” I huff, trying to keep up.

Liam’s grip is unwavering as he turns back to look at me. “We only have a few hours till sunrise and I need all the time I can get to show you just how much I love you,” he winks.

Warmth rises up my neck to my cheeks, making him smile wider as he pulls me after him towards Basgiath.

“Is something going on between you and Liam?” Violet asks.

I startle, choking on my drink. Rhiannon snickers as she pats my back, helping me. Once I can breathe, my eyes betray me. I automatically find Liam across the dining hall, talking with Xaden and Garrick. His face is tight with tension and concern as his hands clench beside his plate. When his eyes meet mine, as if he can sense me, the tension is immediately gone. He softens. A smile playing on his mouth as he nods to me, saying good morning.

I nod back, warmth filling my gut before I avoid Violet’s inquisitive stare and go back to eating. “Nothing’s going on.”

Rhiannon snorts. “Sure. And nothing is going on with Violet and Xaden.”

Violet stiffens next to me. “There’s nothing-“

Rhiannon holds up a hand, stopping her. “Don’t fight it, Violet. It’s way too obvious.”

Violet glares at her best friend, causing me to laugh. I catch Liam glancing at us from the sound.

“It’s just as obvious with you two,” Rhiannon presses.

I prickle at their interrogation. “What do you want me to say? We’re just friends.”

Violet shakes her head. “Friends don’t look at each other the way he looks at you.”

I stare at her, brows pinched. “What do you mean?”

Violet glances at Xaden’s table and smiles. “Like that.”

I whip my gaze back to Liam to find him staring. He doesn’t look away when I meet his blue eyes. There’s an underlying intensity in his stare, something heavy and wanting. It leaves me breathless and trapped, wanting more than anything for us to be alone. To finally tell him how I feel. To see if maybe, just maybe, the lingering stares and touches and late-night talks are more than just friendship.

I break away first, staring down at the broccoli on my plate with sorrow climbing its way up my sternum. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Violet throws her hands in the air, clearly exasperated. “Gods, can’t you guys just shut up and make-out already!”

Her voice echoes around the table and I freeze. Closing my eyes, I hope he didn’t just hear her. I hope to every god that can hear me that he isn’t the one whose chair screeched against the floor. That it’s not his booted feet coming towards our table.

“Ladies,” Liam’s deep octave vibrates against my already rattled nerves.

“Oh fuck,” I mumble. I open my eyes to find Liam hovering above me, leaning his hands on the table.

“Morning, gorgeous,” he winks.

I fight the blush rising to my cheeks by curving my nails into my palms. The pain is sharp and helps clear my head.

“Morning,” my voice catches, sounding winded. “Did, uh, you need something?”

I catch Rhiannon smiling at the exchange in my peripheral.

Liam’s hand reaches back to wrap around his neck, showing off the rippling muscles in his bicep as he shrugs. “I was about to head to Battle Brief and wanted to see if you would join me. I mean, since you’re already heading there anyway.”

I nod, butterflies threatening to rise from my gut and fall out of my mouth as I clench my fists beneath the table. His stupid biceps are all I can focus on as his bright blue eyes burn into me.

FOCUS!

I smile. “Yeah, sure,” I turn to Violet and Rhiannon, who are smiling so big and taunting, I want to throw them off the bench. “Are you guys done? Want to head over with us?”

Violet shakes her head. “Oh no, don’t wait up for us. As a matter of fact, I think you’re looking a little chilly though,” she raises a concerned brow. “Do you need my coat or-“

Liam is draping his jacket over my shoulders before she can finish her sentence. I’m startled and staring as his cheeks redden from the attention.

“Ok, we’ll see you guys there,” he holds a hand out to me, waiting.

I turn back to Violet to see a satisfied gleam in her eyes. I glare.

Rhiannon chokes on a laugh as I take his hand, quickly making our way out of the dining hall.

We shove our way through the crowded halls, Liam close by my side as I hold on to his jacket. It’s warm and smells so much like him that I try and resist burrowing my nose into it. Would he think it’s weird if I keep it?

I shrug out of it, not trusting myself or this sudden burst of kleptomania to keep from me stealing it. “Here, I’m not super cold. It’s okay.”

Liam stops me, shoving it back onto my shoulders. “No, I want you to. Besides,” he winks. “You look good in it.”

I hide my blush as we make our way through the crowd once more.

It’s only when we’re at the door to Battle Brief that I realize I’m still holding his hand and he never let go.

Like knotted string, Imogen unravels my mind. Every knot a memory. She pulls and yanks until I’m fraying at the edges. Pain shoots through my veins, burning me from the inside out. A scream slowly builds in my throat as the pain increases to an all-consuming fire.

Just as the pain rises, it falls, like a cresting wave crashing against the shore. And a strange numbing sensation takes over.

A strange hollow throbbing begins to pulse inside of my head. As if something, or many things, are missing. I can’t place it and as soon as I try to recall what’s gone, it whisks away like a leaf in the breeze.

Imogen’s hands are steady on me as another memory, this one golden and bright, surfaces.

“I could show you a thing or two with those pretty long legs of yours wrapped around my-“

A crunching sound echoes in the courtyard as my fist collides with Jack Barlowe’s nose. His head whips back, harsh and startling. I keep my stance, watching and waiting as he whips back around, fury lighting his eyes.

“You fucking bitch!”

My hand shoots out again, this time slamming into his larynx, cutting off the sound in his throat. He chokes, staggering backwards. He falls to the ground, heaving.

The son of a bitch deserves it for pinching my ass and asking me to meet him in the dorms tonight like I’m some sort of whore. I roll my eyes and walk away from him, ignoring the stares that follow in my wake. I didn’t survive the fucking parapet to be groped and manipulated by some jackass.

“Excuse me?”

I whip around, ready to take on another asshole when I hesitate. My eyes widen at the sight of the man before me. He’s incredibly tall and broad. Muscles line his arms, rippling across his skin as if he’s a statue at a gallery. He towers over me with an impish grin on his face. His golden blonde hair a beacon in the sunlight. My heart races in my ears as I stare up at his incredible handsome face.

“You’re in the Fourth Wing, right?” His voice is deep, hypnotic. I could lose myself to the rhythm of it.

I nod, dumbly. “Flame Section.”

He smiles and I feel a strange sense of gravity slipping from beneath my feet at the sight. Gods, he’s beautiful.

But beautiful men often tend to be assholes. Like Jack.

“Me too,” he shrugs. “What’s your name, gorgeous?”

My hackles rise at the compliment. “Why?”

He puts his hands up, showing he’s not a threat. “Hey, I’m just curious. I wanted to know the woman who beat the shit out the biggest asshole at Basgiath.”

I roll my eyes. “All men are assholes here. He just happens to be one of them.”

He cocks his head, leaning forward with a twinkle in his eye. “Am I one of them?”

I step close, glaring up at him. “Most likely, given how you seem to entirely depend on your good looks and charm to get you through your time here. Just like any asshole.”

“You think I’m good looking?” His smirk is intoxicating. “And charming?”

I shake my head. “And apparently brainless.”

He leans closer. “I’ll be whatever you want me to be as long as you keep talking to me.”

My heart gets caught in my throat as I try and swallow. He watches the movement with sharp, knowing eyes. That smirk stretching wider.

“What if I don’t ever speak to you again?”

“You want me to beg, is that it?” His voice is as soft as velvet and it slithers over my skin. “Should I get on my knees for you?”

The image of him on his knees, looking up at me through his lashes, has me jolting away from him. He laughs, which rings through the air like a forgotten melody I only just remembered. It’s frightening how familiar he feels to me.

Annoyance prickles my skin as he continues to laugh at my expense. “You’re just another pompous ass who gets off at the idea of taunting me.”

He shakes his head, his smile never wavering. “Oh gods, you’re entirely wrong. Trust me.” He raises a hand, holding it out to me. “How about we start over, yeah? I’m Liam Mairi and I promise I’m not an asshole. Or,” he shrugs. “Not as big of an asshole as Jack is, at least.”

I can’t help my smile at the words. My annoyance simmers, but something inside of me knows he won’t be like Jack at all. I’ve always been good at reading people and Liam seems like he might actually be the opposite of what I thought he was.

I whisper my name back at him in greeting before reaching out and shanking his hand.

Something golden, like a thread, weaves between us as our skin touches for the first time. Intertwining around the space between our rib cages that has me gasping. It’s familiar, yet frightening. It’s something fragile, but I know it’ll somehow be something glorious. If I let myself curl into it. If I trust it. Trust him.

As I appraise Liam Mairi, I know, deep in the marrow of my bones, that I can trust him. That maybe, just maybe, he’ll become something more. He might be my everything. If I let him.

And that’s the most terrifying thing of all.

As if I’m rising out of water, after drowning for so long and seeking oxygen, I surface from the memories. They fade away with the tide, blinking from existence, as I feel my breath steady me.

Blinking my eyes open, I find Imogen moving back from me. With a quirk of my brow, I stare up at her eyes now brimming with unshed tears.

Why is she crying?

“Imogen?” My voice cracks, roughly, as if I’ve been screaming for hours.

Glancing around, we’re sitting on the stone ground of the courtyard. An arch protects us from the rain. The clouds are dark and ominous above, but I don’t remember coming out here. Weren’t we just having dinner in the dining hall?

Furrowing my brows, I purse my lips. How did we end up here?

“I’m sorry,” she whispers.

I whirl to look at Imogen. “What for?”

That’s when I notice the skin of my cheeks are damp. Touching them, I quickly wipe them with my sleeve. Must’ve been from the rain.

“Can we go back inside? It’s cold.”

Imogen is still staring at me as she helps me from the ground. My muscles ache and pinch as if I were sitting for a long time. Strange.

I stretch my limbs and stare up at the dark clouds. “Hopefully we didn’t miss dinner.”

The last thing I remember was heading to the dining hall with Violet. How did I get here without her?

Imogen is silent as she watches me.

“What’s wrong?” I ask.

She hesitates. “Nothing. Let’s go back-“

“There you are!”

We both turn to find Violet and Xaden heading towards us. Concern is painted across their faces as they approach.

“Are you alright?” Violet asks, stepping towards me.

I tilt my head. “Yeah, I’m fine, why?”

Imogen flinches in my peripheral, catching Xaden’s eye. He narrows his gaze on her as Violet continues to fret over me.

“I’m sorry, I should’ve been there for you. I don’t want you to feel like you’re alone in this. You never will be.”

I furrow my brows, staring at her. “What are you talking about, Vi? Weren’t we heading to dinner?”

She freezes. Suddenly the quiet is stifling as everyone shifts their focus to Imogen.

“What did you do?” Violet asks, her voice piercing.

Imogen stares at the ground, her eyes brimming with tears again. She doesn’t respond.

Xaden’s dark eyes are heavy on me as he steps closer. He whispers my name like I’m a startled animal and it sets my nerves on edge.

Why is everyone being so cryptic and dramatic?

Violet is the one who steps in front of him, taking my hands in hers. “Do you know who Liam Mairi is?”

At the sound of the name, something strange happens. An echo of something deep inside of me leaves me aching and wanting. I search for what it is that has me feeling this way, but I’m left empty. As if a part of me is missing. As if I’ve been cut up and left to figure out how to pull myself back together again. All I can feel are the ashes of something that used to be there and I can’t understand what it was.

“Who’s Liam?”

[soulofapatrick]

Sleep, I've Got You - Liam Mairi x Female Reader

Summary: you haven't slept in two weeks and two people are pushing you to seek Liam's help

Warnings: none

Words: 2.3k

Y/N's POV

The training room is filled with quiet conversation, but I linger in the doorway, unnoticed. Violet is stretched out on the floor with a book in hand, Bodhi and Garrick are watching Ridoc and Sawyer debating something trivial. Liam is just listening along, breathing air through his nose  when either of the goofs say something even more ridiculous than the other but he’s fiddling with a dagger in his hand. Xaden is in the corner, brooding as usual, his dark eyes occasionally flicking up to meet mine before drifting away. 

“Go to him.” Draighanmúr’s, or Draighan as I call him, voice rumbles in the back of my mind, firm and gentle. His presence is soothing, as always, but his suggestion catches me off guard, feeling his silent urge for me to move from where I’m still hovering in the doorway. He doesn’t say who the ‘him’ is but I know exactly who he is on about. 

I shouldn’t be here. My body is heavy with exhaustion, my thoughts fogged by the lack of sleep that’s haunted me for days. I know I should turn around and head back to the dorms, crawl into bed and pull the duvet over my head and try to get a single wink of sleep. Something, or someone, keeps me rooted in place, Xaden’s eyes flicking over to mine again once more before he goes back to brooding. 

The shadows around me seem to come to life, curling around my ankles like tendrils, their touch cold and almost tangible. There’s a light pressure at the back of my legs, an insistent nudge that makes me take a wobbly step forwards. My breath catching in my throat as I realise what’s happening��these aren’t just ordinary shadows. They’re Xaden’s. 

I glare at my wingleader instinctively, annoyance flickering in my chest. He’s the only one who could be doing this, the one manipulating the shadows to push me out of the safety of the darkness where I’ve been hiding. His eyes meet mine briefly, and there’s a knowing look in them, an acknowledgment of what he’s doing. He doesn’t say anything, though, just tilts his head slightly as if to say, You know this is for your own good.

Draighan chuffs in the back of my mind as if agreeing with Xaden’s silent comment, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and agreement as he tells me You need rest, and you know who can give it to you. His presence is warm, comforting, but it doesn’t take away the frustration bubbling inside me. Xaden and Draighan unknowingly conspiring against me. 

With a resigned sigh, I continue to shuffle forwards, my movements somewhat sluggish and uncertain—things you don’t want for a dragon rider. Every step feels heavier than the last, and I hesitate again, my body instinctively trying to resit the pull. But I can feel Xaden’s eyes boring holes into the side of my head, a silent pressure that refuses to elm me retreat. It’s as if his gaze alone is propelling my forwards, leaving me no choice but to keep moving until I find myself standing next to the group of boys. 

Ridoc glances up at me, a mischievous grin on his face which would have me worried if it were anyone else but Ridoc as he asks, “You joining us?” His tone is light, but there’s genuine curiosity in his eyes, like he’s surprised I’ve wandered over to them and not Violet. 

I just nod, the motion feeling more like a reflex than a conscious decision. Without saying a word, I sink down the wall, near Sawyer and a few steps away from Liam, close enough to feel the warmth of Liam’s presence but far enough that I don’t feel complexly exposed. 

The golden evening light streams into the training room, casting a warm, ethereal glow over everything it touches. Liam sits bathed in that light, his soft light-blond hair catching the glow, making him look almost ethereal. His tall, muscular frame, as built as Dain, is relaxed as he fiddles with a dagger, the blade catching the light as it twirls effortlessly between his fingers. His blue eyes are focused on the conversation, a soft, thoughtful expression on his face as he listens to the banter around him. There’s a rugged handsomeness to him, emphasised by the prominent nose and the sprawling rebellion relic that begins at his wrist and disappears under the sleeve of his tunic. When he smiles, a dimple appears, adding a touch of warmth to his otherwise stoic demeanour.

My heart tightens in my chest as I watch him. He looks like he belongs in this light, like the strength and calmness of it are just extensions of who he is. There’s a quiet confidence about him that draws me in, and I can’t help but feel my crush on him swell, massive and overwhelming. I’m head over heels for him, and it’s a feeling that terrifies me as much as it thrills me. 

Draighan’s presence in my mind is a steady, reassuring hum, bolstering my resolve. I scoot closer to Liam, my movements slow and deliberate as I inch toward him. My heart races as I reach out, nudging his right arm from his lap. He looks down at me, a hint of surprise in his eyes, but he doesn’t say anything as I lay my head down where his arm once rested.

I tense, my whole body stiffening in anticipation of some kind of backlash or teasing comment. I’m ready for Ridoc’s sharp wit, for Sawyer’s playful jabs, or even for Liam to shift uncomfortably and pull away. But none of that happens. Instead, there’s a beat of silence, and then I feel Liam’s hand find its way into my hair. His fingers are gentle, tentative at first, before they start to move in slow, soothing strokes.

Liam's fingers begin to move through my hair, the touch light and careful, as though he’s afraid of hurting me. He smooths out the knots with practiced ease, each motion gentle yet firm. The tension I’ve been holding in my scalp and neck gradually starts to dissolve under his deft touch, the soothing strokes lulling me into a state of relaxation I haven’t felt in days.

As his hand continues to comb through my hair, he leans forward slightly, tilting my head to the side so that our eyes meet. His blue eyes, usually so sharp and alert, soften as they take in the exhaustion written across my face. There’s a quiet understanding in his gaze, a silent acknowledgment of how tired I am, how much I need this moment of comfort.

“You’re exhausted,” he murmurs softly, his voice low and tender. “Sleep.”

The warmth in his tone wraps around me like a blanket, and for a moment, everything else fades away—the noise of the room, the worries in my mind. It’s just him, his voice, and the steady rhythm of his fingers in my hair. He lets go of my face, leaning back against the wall as he continues his soothing ministrations. Before he settles, though, his fingers briefly brush against my cheek, a tender gesture that sends a warmth spreading through my chest. Then, his hand returns to my hair, the steady, rhythmic strokes coaxing me closer to the edge of sleep.

As I begin to drift, I catch Ridoc’s eyes from across the room. He’s been watching quietly, his playful demeanour momentarily subdued. He mouths a single word at me, a question: Nightmares?

I nod once, softly, the motion barely perceptible. It’s all I can manage in my state of exhaustion, but it’s enough. Ridoc’s gaze softens in understanding before he turns back to his banter with Sawyer, Bodhi, and Garrick, picking up the conversation where he left off.

The world around me fades into the background as Liam’s fingers continue to move through my hair, the gentle rhythm pulling me closer to sleep. Draighan’s presence hums softly in the back of my mind, a comforting reminder that I’m safe, that I can finally let go. My breathing slows, and before long, I succumb to the exhaustion, my body sinking into the warmth and comfort of Liam’s lap.

————

I slowly drift back into consciousness, the heaviness of sleep gradually lifting as awareness returns. The first thing I notice is the softness beneath my head—a pillow, not the comforting firmness of Liam’s lap where I last remember resting. I shift slightly, feeling the warmth of a blanket draped over me, its weight soothing against the cool air of the room. There’s another weight too, heavier and more solid, resting across my waist. It takes me a moment to realize it’s an arm, strong and steady, holding me close.

I blink, my eyes adjusting to the dim light in the room. The training room is gone, replaced by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through a small window. The familiar scent of leather and something distinctly Liam fills my senses, grounding me as I take in my surroundings. I’m not in the dorms, not in my own bed. My heart skips a beat as the realisation sinks in—I’m in Liam’s bed.

I take a slow, deep breath, feeling the rise and fall of the warm body behind me. His presence is solid, comforting, and undeniably familiar. The heat of his body seeps into my back, and for a moment, I just lie there, processing the unexpected but welcome reality of where I am.

Carefully, I roll over, shifting beneath the weight of his arm until I’m facing him. The room is quiet, the only sounds being the soft rustle of the blanket and the steady rhythm of Liam’s breathing. My eyes trace his features, relaxed and peaceful in sleep. His spiky blond hair is tousled, a few strands falling across his forehead. His sharp, blue eyes are hidden behind closed lids, their intensity softened by the calmness of slumber. His prominent nose and the faint shadow of stubble on his jawline give him a rugged look, but there’s a gentleness to him now, a vulnerability that makes my heart ache.

As I lie there, taking in every detail of Liam's serene face, I feel an overwhelming tenderness swell in my chest. His usually intense blue eyes are softened by sleep, his features relaxed in a way I rarely get to see. I can’t help myself—I lean in and press a gentle kiss to his jawline, just where the faint shadow of stubble begins. His skin is warm and slightly rough beneath my lips, the contact filling me with a quiet sense of intimacy.

The soft press of my lips causes him to stir, his brow furrowing slightly before his eyes slowly flutter open. For a moment, he looks disoriented, but then his gaze finds mine, and a slow, sleepy smile spreads across his face, the dimple in his cheek deepening.

"How'd you sleep?" he murmurs, his voice husky with sleep, and it sends a shiver down my spine.

I begin to answer, my voice still soft and laced with the remnants of sleep, "Better than I have in days—" But before I can finish, I notice his eyes flick down to my lips, lingering there for just a heartbeat before he moves.

In a fluid motion, Liam closes the small distance between us, capturing my lips in a kiss that feels like the culmination of something we’ve both been wanting for far too long. His lips are warm and firm against mine, moving with a gentle urgency that takes my breath away. His hand, still resting on my waist, tightens slightly, pulling me closer as if he needs to make sure I’m real, that this moment is real.

The kiss is slow and tender, but there’s a depth to it that speaks of unspoken emotions, of the comfort we find in each other. His thumb brushes over my cheek as he deepens the kiss, his touch both loving and reverent. I lose myself in the sensation, in the way his lips mold perfectly to mine, in the way his warmth seeps into every corner of my being. It feels like coming home, like finding a piece of myself I didn’t know was missing.

When we finally part, it’s with a shared breath, both of us a little dazed but undeniably content. His forehead rests gently against mine, our breaths mingling in the small space between us.

"Maybe we should get a little more sleep," he whispers, his voice a soft murmur that makes my heart flutter. There’s a hint of a smile in his voice, one that I can’t help but return.

"Yeah," I agree, my own voice barely more than a sigh as I shift closer, tucking myself against his bare chest. The steady beat of his heart beneath my ear is a comforting rhythm, lulling me back toward sleep. His arm wraps securely around me, holding me close as his other hand continues its soothing motions, tracing gentle patterns along my back.

As I drift off, the warmth of his body enveloping me and the gentle rise and fall of his chest beneath my head, I feel an overwhelming sense of peace. With Liam holding me close, sleep comes easily, and I let myself surrender to it, knowing that for now, everything is exactly as it should be.

Fourth Wing Masterlist - To be made Comment to be added to tag list

[bludhavents]

As Long as You Know Me

Pairing: Liam Mairi x Reader

Word count: 3.3k

Summary: As a child of the rebellion, your birthday failing on Reunification Day stirs up a swarm of emotion. When your friends try to celebrate, Liam comes to your rescue... in his boxers.

Warnings: Grief, parent loss, fem!reader. Little angsty, but lots of fluff included. No use of Y/N.

A/N: Long time no see :) You can send in any requests, sign up to join my tag list, and read my previous works all through my bio, tehe! I have lots more Fourth Wing content on the way. I hope you enjoy, comment for a part 2!

July 1st was an open wound. As a child of the rebellion, it marks the day that I was forced to watch my parents be executed for fighting for a better life. July 1st is the day that Lillian Sorrengail ruined my life.

It’s the day she ironically declared “Reunification Day”, as if she hadn’t torn apart families and orphaned so many children.

July 1st was also the day that I was born. Every year since I turned eleven, my birthday has been tainted by the cruelty of the General and her misguided sense of justice.

This year, my birthday starts with her drunk daughter knocking on my door.

“Take it!” Violet urges, trying to pass me a shot of liquor. I make no move to reach for it. 

Her, Rhiannon, Ridoc, and Sawyer are all standing at my door with cheery grins across their faces and dazed looks in their eyes. They don’t have nightmares of watching their parents die. On the worst day of my life, they were probably out celebrating with their families, smiling at the rebels’ defeat. I spent that night alone. I spent it with a cursed mark running up my skin forever. 

“What’s going on?” I stifle a yawn behind my hand, wrapping my blanket tighter around my shoulders as I face them. 

“You’re twenty-one!” Rhiannon’s words slur as she claps me on the shoulder. “Drink up, birthday girl!”

“What time is it?” I blink at them. Ridoc’s smile falls into a line of annoyance quickly. 

“You’re really ruining this, you know?” He chastises. I raise my eyebrows and look across the rest of the faces in front of me, eight eyes watching me with weaning anticipation. Sawyer sways on his feet and I notice the moonlight coming through the hallway window behind him. 

“What time is it?” I ask again, staring at Sorrengail this time. She’s chewing her bottom lip. The shot in her hand is about to pour over the edges.

“It’s midnight,” Rhiannon explains as if it’s obvious. 

“For fuck’s sake,” I complain, running a hand down my face. I move to shut the door, but Ridoc protests, pushing it open and letting himself into my room. The rest follow him without question. My stomach rolls at the smell of booze they bring into the room.

“It smells nice in here,” he compliments, sitting on my bed. I disagree.

“What are you guys doing?” I sigh in frustration. “It’s late. You woke me up.”

There’s a part of me that feels guilty for my lack of enthusiasm at their excitement, but the larger--tired-- part of me is overwhelmingly disappointed by their lack of thoughtfulness. It doesn’t take a lot of tact to refrain from initiating a celebration on the day of someone’s traumatic event. Yet somehow, they still managed to surprise me in the worst way.

Have none of them thought that maybe I wouldn’t want to celebrate my birthday? Have they possibly considered that I didn’t tell them about it for a reason? The mark that swirls up my arm was no secret. They know what today means to me. 

“We’re celebrating. It’s your birthday. Quit whining,” he complains. “What do you want to do? We could still go into town.”

“I want to go to bed.” I lean against my open door frame and stare at my friends who are now scattered across my room. Violet places the shot on my desk before dropping her body on to my chair. Rhiannon has a handle of liquor in her hands and is drinking from the bottle. I cringe. 

“But it’s your birthday,” she whines. 

“Happy birthday,” Sawyer coos, pulling me into a hug. I groan and gently push him back. 

“I appreciate you all, but it’s really late, and I’m tired, and I don’t celebrate my birthday, so I think you guys should take this party elsewhere,” I explain, hoping that my reasoning can make itself known without me having to spell it out. My rebellion relic tingles on my skin. Rhiannon whines loudly and shrieks as she almost drops her bottle of liquor. I cross my eyebrows. 

A loud slam of a door echos down the hallway and I hold my breath, hoping that nobody else has come to join this dreadful birthday party.

“Are you okay?” Liam is in my room immediately, and I feel my shoulders relax slightly. The first thing he does is place a hand on my shoulder, scanning my face for injury and finding none to warrant the pained expression on my face. His eyes starts searching the room wildly before he seems to put the pieces of the scene together himself. “Oh. I heard a scream.”

“Sorry.” Rhiannon frowns. Violet stifles a giggle. My eyes catch the liquid dripping out of the corner of her mouth before she wipes it away with her sleeve.

“Now you can join the party,” Ridoc says from my bed. Liam says nothing.

I step toward him, letting his strong arm loop around my waist and bring me into his side. I let out a deep breath and he pulls me in tighter, the both of us exchanging a thousand words without speaking. 

“What’re you wearing?” Violet asks him, wobbling as she stands from my chair. She stumbles over the edge of my rug as she approaches him, and Sawyer is quick to catch her before she hits the ground. I turn my face into Liam’s side, unable to watch this shit show any longer. He straightens beside me, bringing a hand to cradle the back of my head.

“Are any of you guys sober?” Liam asks. I feel his voice rumbling in his chest as he does. 

“Nope!” Ridoc pops the p and pulls a flask out of his pocket. He tosses it to Liam, who watches it fall to the ground two feet in front of him. “Oops.”

Sawyer has his arm around Violet’s waist, steadying her as she clings onto his shirt for balance. Rhiannon is sprawled on my floor, shoes kicked off, with the bottle to her lips again. Ridoc is now under my covers with his head on my pillow. I grumble.

“What’s going on here?” A new person steps into the drunken circus that has invaded my room and I throw my head back in frustration, not having asked for any of this.

I miss my life ten minutes ago, when I was fast asleep in bed.

“Couldn’t tell you.” I look across Liam and meet Xaden’s eyes. The two of them whisper something back and forth before Xaden nods once and takes a further step into my room. His first stop is the flask on the floor, then the bottle in Rhiannon’s hand, then the now-empty shot glass on my desk. 

“Back to your own rooms, cadets. Be sober by morning, we will be having a discussion about this with Aetos.” He walks toward the door, holding it open with his foot as Sawyer drags Violet out of the room. Liam and I step out of the way, breaking our embrace to give them room to move. I notice Violet’s eyes lingering on the wingleader, but he doesn’t so much as look her way as she’s pulled to her room. Rhiannon leaves next, smiling cluelessly as she carries her shoes in her hands.

“Happy birthday,” she says, throwing her arms around my neck in a hug. Her boots slam against my back and I wince. She leans all of her weight on me and nearly drags me down as she hangs from my neck. I unwrap her from me and she walks out. 

“Love you.” Ridoc slings an arm around my shoulders and tries to guide me out of the room with him. 

“Cadet Gamlyn.” He lets go at the sound of Xaden’s voice. The older boy shuts the door as soon as everyone is out, leaving only myself, Liam, and him. We all breathe out. “What was that all about?”

“They found out it was my birthday. I don’t know if they’ve even put together that it’s the same day,” I answer, not needing to expand on what ‘same day' means to this crowd. Both of the men in front of me were there to watch their loved ones die alongside mine. They understand the storm of grief stirring in my stomach. I sit on the edge of my bed, huffing at the disarray of my comforter.

“You were with them?” Xaden accuses Liam, who moves to sit next to me. 

“No. I came in when I heard someone scream. I thought someone had come in and tried to hurt her or something.” He yawns, and I remember that it’s midnight. He must have been asleep just before he came in. His light hair is tousled on top of his head, and I notice for the first time that he wears only a pair of loose, black boxers. I avert my stare and bite my lip as my face heats at the realization of his muscled legs pressed up against the thin fabric of my nightdress. I swallow hard.

Xaden, on the other hand, is still wearing his training gear. I’m not surprised. I can’t imagine that he’ll be attempting to sleep tonight. Being the son of Fen Riorson makes today a little more complicated. 

He sits in my desk chair and puts his head in his hands, sighing deeply. I lean my head to the side and lay it on Liam’s bare shoulder. His head turns and he presses a soft kiss to my hair, leaving his face to rest there. 

The three of us sit there silently grieving with one another.

I let my mind wander to the birthdays I celebrated before the dreadful day I turned eleven. I remember my father making heart-shaped waffles for breakfast every year and letting me drown them in whipped cream and chocolate syrup. I remember my mother waking me up by climbing into bed with me and kissing my forehead. I remember my last happy birthday with them, when we were all crying from laughter because the bakery spelled almost every word on the cake wrong. When we were all alive.

I think of my mother’s laughter, her loud snorts that would send us all further into a fit of giggles. I think of how my father would always put a hand on his gut when he was really tickled by a joke. I’ll never forget either of their joy, throughout everything. 

I’ll never forget that Lillian Sorrengail robbed me of experiencing that ever again. I’ll never forget that she robbed my future children of their grandparents. I’ll never forget that she had the audacity to grieve for her son and her husband when they died years later, as if she hadn’t inflicted that pain onto so many other families.

My mind flits back to the present when Liam begins rubbing his hand up and down my bicep. I inhale deeply through my nose, trying to ground myself back in reality. The boy beside me smells like citrus and rain, and I breathe it in again. His touch is soft and delicate, such a loving motion that sweeps my heart into a flurry. I sigh into him.

My eyes wander my room, landing on the confiscated liquor Xaden set on my desktop. His large body is still in my tiny chair, but now he’s slumped forward, eyes closed, and breathing deeply. My lips turn upward.

I sit up straight, facing Liam. He looks back at me, his eyes glossy. I feel my heart crack in my chest at the sight, but shove the pain down where I store the rest of today’s feelings. My finger rests on my lips to warn him to stay quiet and he nods, licking his lips. I pull my eyes away from the action and then point to where Xaden is asleep in my chair. A small grin rises on Liam’s mouth and I raise my palm to my mouth, stifling a laugh.

In all the years that I’ve known Xaden Riorson, I’ve never seen him without the crease between his eyebrows and the tension tightening his jaw. Looking at him now, he’s perfectly peaceful. His breaths are even and deep in the too-small chair. His skin is free from any stress lines. His lips are slightly parted and his hair is hanging loosely. Gentle snores fall from his mouth.

I draw my eyes back to Liam to see him sitting back on his hands and staring at the rare sight, too. In this position, every muscle in his upper body is perfectly displayed. His forearms, biceps, shoulders, chest, abs. I drag my eyes up his body and back to his pretty face.

“Do you want to sleep in here, too?” I offer to him in a whisper. We both know that, despite my wandering eyes, I’m offering because of the pain we are both going to be in once we’re alone. It’s easier to ride the grief out together. He nods once and adjusts himself on my bed.

Now, he’s sitting up straight against my headboard, legs extended out. He holds my gaze and shoots me a boyish grin as he kicks his feet into my lap. The look on his face is enough to seize my thoughts for a moment, and I have to blink to regain my senses.

With a roll of my eyes, I lift his legs off of me. I slide my throw blanket off of my shoulders and move across the room, draping it gently over Xaden’s body. I move back to the bed quietly, where I grab the top corners of my comforter and pull them up with me as I scoot to where Liam is perched at the head of the mattress. We sit shoulder-to-shoulder. I gather the material of the comforter and pull it over our laps. 

“Should we move him?” His voice is loud enough for me to hear, but low enough that the sleeping boy couldn’t hear it from across the square room. 

“I don’t think so.” I match his quiet tone. “He needs the sleep. If we wake him up he’s just going to leave. I think it’s best for him to be with us.”

“You’re very thoughtful,” he praises, and my stomach flutters. Liam Mairi has always been a kind boy. For him to be kind under the covers with me in his boxers was a whole new experience, though, and it was one I hoped to find myself in again as soon as possible.

His toned stomach is expanding and deflating so hypnotically that I find my lips parting as I watch helplessly. My eyes drift to the trail of hair that begins below his navel and continues into the waistband of his bottoms.

“What’re you thinking about?”

My face heats as I tear my eyes away from his body and meet his burning gaze, and I shrug. 

“I’m a little rubbed the wrong way by my impromptu birthday party,” I supplement instead of revealing my actual thoughts. He lifts his arm from next to mine and drapes it around my shoulders, bringing me closer to him until my head is resting on his chest again. I adjust my legs on the bed and let myself get comfortable against his solid wall of muscle.

“I’m sorry. I get it. Do you remember that guy who tried to kill me during our first training fight?” I nod against his chest, tracing lazy circles along his skin with the tip of my index finger. “Well I kept an eye on him after that. He fought four other people, and only tried to kill the ones with rebellion relics.”

“Oh, Liam.” I turn my head to look at him and find his soft blue eyes looking toward Xaden’s sleeping form. “I’m so sorry. I wish things were different.”

“Me too. It’s just hard whenever we have to deal with things like that and our friends don’t. They probably don’t even realize what today means for us, because they’ve been celebrating it for so long without having to think about what we went through on the other side.” He shrugs his arm off my shoulder and moves it up and down the back of my night dress, making me shiver. It feels like the heat of his touch is burning right through the fabric and into my skin. I have to remind myself to breathe.

We sit like that in silence for a few minutes until he speaks again. “Can I turn the light off?”

I nod, holding back a groan when he moves his body away from mine and leaves me in my bed that suddenly feels too big without him. His footsteps are quiet as he moves across the room and flicks the switch. I lift the blanket up for him and he laughs softly, sliding in and laying his head on my pillow. He extends his arm for me to lay on, and I do, resting my head where his shoulder and bicep meet. 

“Thank you for staying.” I’m staring at him under the faint moonlight that’s coming through the window. The shadow of his full lips curves upward as a grin stretches across his face charmingly. My chest flutters. His blue eyes flick to mine. 

“Thank you for inviting me. I didn’t think my first night spent with you would include my brother sleeping in your chair, but I guess it’s still pretty nice,” he teases with a wink. It takes all my strength to contain the bark of laughter that threatens to escape at his sudden boldness. A breathy chuckle leaves me instead, fanning over his freckled skin. 

“Are you saying you’ve thought about spending the night with me, Liam?” I fiend upset, pushing myself up with the hand on his chest so that my face is hovering over his. “I’m shocked.”

“Oh please.” He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, moving his hand along my head until it reaches the back of my neck and stays there. My eyes flick down to his strong arm flexed beneath me before I can stop myself, and his smile widens impossibly. “You know every guy in this wing has thought about spending a night here with you.”

“What?” I furrow my brows. “Are there other guys in this wing? Could’ve fooled me.”

His laugh rumbles through his chest and into my heart where it twists itself into nervous ropes.

Liam and I have had an undeniable chemistry for as long as I can remember, but I’ve always been too afraid to act on it. His friendship meant too much to me, and I didn’t want to risk pursuing something that might cost me that. Now though, with his hand on my neck and his bare skin on my sheets, I find myself willing to risk anything to have this. I pull my eyes away from his lips only to find him staring at mine. 

“The boys of Fourth Wing will be very sad to know that their fantasy girl doesn’t even know they exist.” He wets his lips with his tongue and meets my eyes with a mischievous smirk. “I don’t feel bad for them, though. As long as you know me that’s all that matters.”

The hand on the back of my neck draws me closer, slowly, giving me time to protest. Instead, I meet his eyes and nod once. The smirk that graces his lips is enough to send me into overdrive. Liam parts his lips beneath me and I pause, only centimeters away, inhaling his exhales. His large nose turns as he moves to close the distance between us. My eyes flutter shut.

A loud crash comes from across the room to interrupt our moment, and Liam wraps both of his arms around me immediately, pinning me to the curve of his neck and protecting my head with his free arm.

There’s a passing moment of silence before a pained groan follows, and then Liam is laughing loudly under me. He takes his hands off of me and throws his head back against the pillow in an uncontrollable fit of giggles. 

“Shut up,” Xaden moans into the darkness.

I swing my legs off of the mattress and hurry to the lightswitch, but trip and fall halfway there. Xaden and I both groan in unison, and Liam’s laughter only grows louder and more humored.

The loud sound came from Xaden crashing to the ground along with my now-broken chair.

A rough hand shoves my shoulder and I roll off of him, cursing under my breath. Landing on top of him was far more painful than I would have expected. I lay on the floor beside him and laugh shortly.

“Did you sleep well?” I ask over the chuckles in the background. Xaden grunts in response. “How did my chair break?”

“Stop asking me questions,” he grumbles. “I’ll get you a new chair for your birthday.”

I laugh again at that. 

He sits up on the floor and runs his hand through his messy hair. Liam manages to navigate his way to the lightswitch without tripping over one of us, and as soon as the bulb flicks on, all three of us are closing our eyes and mumbling our protests. 

“Neither of you are wearing enough clothes for me,” the older boy complains as he adjusts to the light, throwing the blanket I left on his sleeping shoulders at me. His attention turns to Liam, narrowing his eyes as he looks up at him. “What’re you still doing here anyway?”

“I wasn’t gonna leave her alone in here with you snoring like that. Someone had to cover her ears so that she could sleep,” he deflects, moving to sit on the edge of my bed. Xaden rolls his eyes so hard that I wonder if it hurts. 

“I don’t even remember falling asleep.” He rubs the back of his neck with his hand and yawns. I’ve never seen him so vulnerable. “Thanks for letting me sleep.”

“You’re always welcome to stay here. Once I get a new chair, I mean,” I tease him. 

[multifandomwriter126]

Jealousy||Liam Mairi x fem!reader

Smut p in v

Not edited so this probably sucks ass💀

I did post this on my old account that got deleted a while back

“Have you ever thought about telling them how you feel instead of, you know, telling us about it?" Violet said from beside you as if it was obvious. The two of you had stopped your training to ogle at her boyfriend Xaden and his best friend Liam.

“ Um, no, because I don’t want to embarrass myself and I’d rather fangirl over him from a distance.” You countered sarcastically, wincing as Xaden landed a blow to Liam’s ribs.

"That has to hurt," you thought to yourself.

"I’m not sure he’d take me seriously anyway,” you added as Liam stumbled backward, catching himself before falling off the ledge.

Violet rolled her eyes at you. “Don’t be ridiculous,” she said, “You’re beautiful, smart, and fiercely intelligent.” Her words were sweet, but you couldn’t push away the negative thoughts.

"Yeah, well, he’d probably find me annoying. Besides, even if he does like me, I doubt he’d ever make a move.”

Violet sighed, shaking her head. "You shouldn’t speak so negatively about yourself," she scolded. "Xaden sees how great you are, and so does Liam."

Your heart skipped a beat as butterflies fluttered within you. "Wait, your grumpy hater of a boyfriend thinks I’m amazing?" you asked, not daring to get your hopes up.

Violet chuckled and nodded. "Yeah, he does," she confirmed. "He’s always been observant, even when you don’t think he is. And he notices how sweet and good you are for Liam."

Your cheeks flushed at her words. It was one thing for Xaden to think positively of you, but Liam too? The feelings within you grew stronger by the second.

Your heart began racing, but you tried your best to act indifferent at the suggestion. "yeah, and how am I supposed to do that?" you asked, your voice rising a few octaves.

Violet smirked. "There’s always the direct approach," she suggested. “Or," she continued, her smile growing wider, "I have an even better idea." You raised an eyebrow, curiosity piqued. "Oh, yeah?" You inquired, not knowing if you should trust her. "And what might that be?"

She leaned in closer, a wicked glint in her eyes. "Why don’t you and I make him jealous?" Your heart skipped a beat. Making Liam jealous sounded like a dangerous game. “What do you mean?” you asked a mix of excitement and worry coursing through you.

“Well,” Violet explained, “If Liam sees you with other guys, he might realize what he’s been missing and finally make a move.”

You bit your lip, unsure if you should go along with her plan. “But what if that just drives him further away?” you voiced your concern, “I don’t want to lose his friendship completely.”

Violet put her hand on your shoulder, reassuring you. “Trust me, you won’t. Men are competitive by nature. If he sees you giving attention to someone else, it’ll ignite something within him.”

You thought it over for a moment before nodding reluctantly. “Alright,” you conceded, “But if this blows up in my face, you’re the one responsible.”

Violet grinned triumphantly and patted your back. “Don’t worry, everything will go according to plan.”

Over the next few days, you found yourself spending more time with other male cadets. You sat with them during meals, trained with them, and even laughed at their jokes.

Every time Liam was around, you could feel his gaze on you, but you acted as if you didn't notice.

Each time you smiled or laughed with another guy, you could see the flicker of jealousy in Liam’s eyes, just like Violet said.

One night at dinner, you sat with a group of male cadets. They all seemed nice enough, but you couldn’t shake the feeling of Liam’s steely glare from across the room.

As you continued to chat with them, you felt a presence behind you, and a shadow loomed over the table. You turned around to find Liam standing there, the muscles in his jaw clenched. The table grew silent as everyone waited to see what would happen next. You swallowed hard, trying to maintain your composure, but your heart was racing.

Liam leaned down, his face just inches away from your ear. "Can I talk to you?" he asked, his voice gruff. You nodded hesitantly, feeling the intense gaze of everyone at the table.

Liam took your hand and led you away from the group, away from the curious gazes and hushed whispers. He didn't stop walking until he'd taken you far enough away from the others, to a quiet corner of the dining room where you were alone.

Finally, he let go of your hand and turned to face you, his expression serious. "What the hell are you doing?" he asked bluntly.

You feigned innocence, even though deep down you knew exactly what he was talking about. "What do you mean?" you asked, trying to keep your voice even. Liam scoffed and stepped forward, closing the distance between you. "Don’t play coy with me," he said, his voice low. "You've been spending all your time with random guys, laughing and joking with them." You clenched your hands into fists, the mix of emotions inside you growing overwhelming. "And if I have?” you asked, trying to sound defiant. "It's not like you're my boyfriend or anything.”

A flash of hurt crossed Liam's face, but he quickly hid it behind his usual stoic expression. "You're right, I'm not your boyfriend," he said, his voice laced with bitterness. "But that doesn’t mean I like seeing you with other guys." Your heart skipped a beat at his words. So Violet was right, Liam was jealous.

You stared at him, unsure of what to say. Part of you wanted to tell him the truth, that it was all a ploy to make him jealous, but then again, what if he didn’t believe you? What if he thought you were just playing games? As the silence stretched between the two of you, Liam ran a hand through his messy hair, his frustration evident. "Why are you suddenly spending so much time with other guys anyway?" he asked, his eyes never leaving yours.

You swallowed, feeling the weight of his question. You couldn't tell him the truth, not yet. So, you said the first thing that came to mind. "I just wanted some male attention, I guess," you replied nonchalantly, even though your heart was pounding. Liam's gaze darkened at your words, his jaw tightening. "Male attention, huh?" he repeated, his tone laced with sarcasm. "And you couldn't get that from me? You had to go to every other guy?"

You winced at the hurt in his voice, hating that you were causing him pain. But you couldn't back down now. "Yeah, well, it's not like you've ever shown any interest in me," you retorted, "At least the other guys give me attention."

Liam’s eyes narrowed, the hurt in his gaze replaced by anger. "Are you serious right now?" he asked, taking a step forward. "You think I haven't shown any interest in you? Maybe I was just trying to be respectful, not wanting to overstep my bounds." You swallowed hard, the guilt building inside of you. You knew he had a point, but you couldn’t back down now. "How was I supposed to know that?” you challenged. "You never say anything, you keep to yourself all the time. I thought you didn't care."

Liam gritted his teeth. "Just because I'm not always the most outspoken guy doesn't mean I don't care," he snapped. "I care more than you think. But seeing you with all these other guys has been... torture, for lack of better words."

You faltered, the hurt in his voice finally cracking your resolve. You didn't want to hurt him, that was the last thing you wanted.

"So, you… you do care about me?" you asked timidly, barely above a whisper. Liam let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair again. "Of course, I care about you, you idiot," he snapped. "More than you could ever imagine."

Your heart leaped at his words, a feeling of both relief and confusion washing over you. "Then why didn't you say something sooner?" you asked, your voice laced with a hint of irritation. Liam's shoulders slumped, the anger leaving him. "Because I didn't think you felt the same way," he admitted, his voice quieter now. "I didn't want to risk losing your friendship if things went sour."

Your heart ached at his confession. You were both such idiots, dancing around each other for so long.

"Liam," you said softly, stepping closer to him. "I've been spending time with other guys because I wanted to make you jealous. I wanted to see if you cared.”

Liam's eyes widened in surprise. "You... you did that on purpose?" he asked, his voice a mixture of shock and resignation. You nodded, feeling a sense of relief now that the truth was out. "I know it was a dumb move," you admitted, "but I didn't know how else to get your attention. I was tired of waiting for you to make a move if you ever would at all."

Liam let out a huff of frustration. "You’re a goddamn idiot, you know that?" he said, a hint of humor in his voice.

He stepped closer to you, his eyes locked on yours. "If you wanted my attention, you could have just asked." Your heart fluttered as he closed the gap between you. "Yeah, well, you could have said something too," you retorted, not wanting to give up your stance completely.

Liam chuckled, his expression softening. “Fair enough,” he conceded. “But I guess we were both too stubborn to admit how we felt.” You smiled, feeling the tension between the two of you ease.

"So… does this mean you’re not mad at me for being an idiot?" you asked, half joking, half serious. Liam chuckled and shook his head. "I am mad at you," he said, feigning annoyance. "But I guess I can understand why you did what you did.”

He paused for a moment, his expression turning serious. “But I do have one question I’m dying to ask you.”

Your heart skipped a beat. “Yeah? What’s that?” you asked, trying not to show how nervous you were. Liam stepped closer, so close that you could feel the heat radiating off his body. He looked down at you, his eyes smoldering with a mixture of desire and vulnerability.

"I just want to know one thing," he said, his voice low. "Do you have feelings for me? Honest answer, no games." A wave of emotion washed over you as you stared into his intense gaze. You took a deep breath, letting the facade fall away completely.

"Yes," you said without hesitation. "I have feelings for you. Strong ones. I have for a long time." Relief and joy washed over his face. He reached out to touch your face, his hand cradling your cheek. "Good," he whispered, his thumb tracing patterns on your skin. "Because I have feelings for you too. Stronger than you can even imagine." You shivered at his touch, feeling a rush of electricity course through you. "So, what do we do now?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper. "Are we… Are we together now?" Liam smiled, his eyes never leaving yours. "Yeah," he said, his voice confident. "We're together now. It's about damn time if you ask me." He leaned down, bringing his face closer to yours. "May I?" he asked, his breath warm on your skin.

You nodded, your heart racing in anticipation. “Yes,” you breathed, your voice almost a whisper.

Liam didn’t need any more encouragement. He closed the remaining distance between you, his lips capturing yours in a deep kiss. The world seemed to fall away as you melted into the kiss, the sensation of his lips on yours setting your soul on fire. You wrapped your arms around his neck, pulling him closer, wanting to feel as much of him as you could.

Liam's hands moved to your waist, his fingers digging into your hips. He deepened the kiss, his tongue seeking entrance into your mouth. You granted his silent request, opening your mouth to him. Your bodies pressed against each other, the heat and hunger of the moment taking over completely.

Liam pressed you against the wall, his body trapping you most delightfully. He broke the kiss, his lips trailing down to your neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin there. You let out a gasp, feeling a wave of pleasure coursing through you as Liam continued his assault on your neck. Your fingers tangled in his hair, holding him close, needing more of him.

He continued to kiss and nip at your skin, his hands roaming over your body, exploring every inch. You felt his body pressed against yours, the hard planes of his muscles molding to your curves. Liam's lips returned to yours, his kisses becoming more urgent, more demanding. You met his kisses with equal fervor, your desire for him growing with every passing second.

You felt his hands move under your shirt, his palms exploring your skin with a desperate touch. You shivered at the sensation, arching your back, and letting out a soft moan. Liam grinned into the kiss, his hands splaying across your stomach, sending a shiver through you. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do this," he whispered against your lips, his voice rough with desire.

He pushed your shirt up, his hands roaming over your bare skin, igniting a trail of fire wherever they touched. You gasped, your body arching into his touch. You wanted, needed more of him. You tugged at his shirt, wanting to feel his skin against yours.

Liam understood your silent request, breaking the kiss long enough to pull his shirt over his head. The sight of his bare chest, the muscles rippling under his skin, made your breath hitch. You reached out, your hands tracing over the ridges of his abs, feeling the heat radiating off of him. Liam let out a small gasp as your fingers explored his body, and he captured your lips in another fiery kiss.

His hands moved back under your shirt, slowly inching it higher and higher up your torso. You broke the kiss, pulling your shirt over your head and tossing it aside, not wanting any barriers between you. Liam's eyes darkened as he took in the sight of you, his gaze roaming over your now-bare skin.

He stepped closer, his body pressed against yours again, his hands roaming over your back, pulling you flush against him. You shivered at the feeling of his skin on yours, the heat from his body seeping into you. You ran your hands over his broad shoulders, relishing the feeling of his muscles flexing under your touch.

Liam's lips found their way back to your neck, his kisses becoming more insistent, his teeth nipping at your skin. His hand moved to your hip, holding you close to him as he continued his assault on your neck. You tilted your head back, giving him more access, feeling his lips and teeth graze your collarbone.

A moan escaped your lips as his other hand moved to your lower back, his touch sending jolts of pleasure through you. Liam's mouth moved to your ear, and his breath was hot as he whispered, "You drive me crazy, you know that?"

He nipped at your ear, his tongue tracing the shell of your ear. You shivered, feeling a wave of heat wash over you, pooling in your core. You grabbed his hips, pulling him closer, wanting to feel more of him against you. You were lost in the sensations he was stirring in you, your mind a haze of pleasure and desire.

Liam's hands roamed over your body, exploring every inch of you, claiming you as his. His body pressed you harder against the wall, his hardness against your thigh making you gasp. You couldn't take it any longer. You needed more, you needed him. You reached down, your fingers seeking the button on his jeans.

Liam pulled back just enough to look at you, his eyes clouded with lust. "Are you sure?" he asked, his voice rough and ragged. You nodded, your body quivering with need. "Yes," you breathed, your voice barely above a whisper. "Please, Liam."

Liam didn't need any more encouragement. He crushed his lips to yours, his kisses searing your skin as his hands fumbled with the button of his jeans. You helped him with the button, your hands shaking slightly with anticipation. You pushed the jeans down his hips, reveling in the feel of his body pressed against yours.

He picked you up, wrapping your legs around his hips. Your back was against the wall, and he held you there with ease.

You could feel his hardness pressing against you, the need in his eyes matching your own. You wrapped your arms around his neck, holding on tightly as he continued to claim your mouth in a frenzied kiss.

Liam stepped out of the jeans, his hands roaming over your body once more, leaving a trail of heat wherever he touched. "I want you," he growled against your lips, his voice guttural with need. "I need you."

He shifted his hips, aligning himself with your core. You gasped as his hardness brushed against your sensitive flesh, Your body arched into him, your mind a haze of pleasure and desire. You wanted, no, needed him inside you, wanted to feel him completely.

Liam groaned as your body pressed against him, his hands gripping your hips tightly. "Are you ready for me?" he asked, his voice low and gruff. You could only nod in response, your body tingling with anticipation. "Please," you breathed, your voice shaky with need. "Please, Liam. I need you."

He didn't need any more encouragement. He shifted his hips, positioning himself at your entrance, his tip teasingly pushing against your core. He held you there for a moment, savoring the feeling of having you so close, so close to where he wanted you most.

Then, with one smooth motion, he entered you, filling you. A cry escaped your lips as he stretched and filled you, your body arching into him.

Liam groaned, his head dropping to your shoulder, his breath hot against your skin. "God," he gasped, his voice ragged. "You feel so Good, so good."

He began to move, his hips rocking against yours, each thrust drawing a moan from your lips. You held onto him tightly, your body molded to his, feeling the heat and energy building between you.

Liam's mouth found yours again, his kiss consuming you, his tongue delving into your mouth. "You're mine," he whispered against your lips. "You're mine, and only mine." You could only nod in agreement, your body lost in the sensations he was stirring in you. Every thrust, every touch, every kiss sent waves of pleasure coursing through you, building and building to a crest you knew was approaching.

Liam's pace quickened, his hips moving more urgently against yours. His hands held you there against the wall, his touch possessive, his need for you overwhelming.

You were both lost in the moment, consumed by the sensations and emotions that were building between you. You felt yourself climbing higher and higher, teetering on the edge of release. Liam was close too, his breaths ragged, his body tensing, his grip on you tight, almost bruising.

He looked into your eyes, his gaze intense and feral. "I'm close," he gasped, his voice strained. "Are you with me, baby?" You nodded your body on the verge of collapse. "Yes," you managed to breathe, your voice wavering. "Yes, I'm close. Please, Liam, don't stop."

Liam didn't stop. He kept his pace, his thrusts deep and powerful as you both approached the edge, the pleasure building and building, Liam's kiss became more urgent, more demanding. His hands gripped you tighter, holding you there as he drove you higher and higher. And then, with a cry, you fell over the edge. Your body convulsed as the release washed over you, wave after wave of pleasure crashing through you Liam followed you into bliss with a deep, guttural groan. His body tensed his grip on you nearly bruising as he found his release.

You both stayed there for a moment, catching your breaths, trying to come back down from the high. Liam's forehead rested against yours, his eyes closed, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. "That was…" he panted, his voice trailing off, unable to find the words. "That was... incredible." You could only nod in agreement, still feeling the aftershocks of pleasure coursing through your body. You leaned your forehead against his chest, feeling his heart pounding against your skin.

Liam wrapped his arms around you, holding you tightly against him, his body still shaking slightly from the intensity of the moment. "You're amazing," he murmured, his lips against your hair. "Amazing." You smiled, feeling a warmth spread through you that had nothing to do with the pleasure you'd just experienced. You felt safe, cared for, treasured.

"You're not so bad yourself," you teased, looking up at him with a smile. Liam chuckled, the sound low and rumbling in his chest. He looked down at you, his eyes soft, his usual cockiness replaced with something gentler, something more vulnerable.

"I think I may have just found my new favorite activity," he said, his lips curving into a lazy grin. "Oh, shut up," you said, rolling your eyes, though you couldn't hide your smile.

Liam chuckled again, his hands coming up to cup your face, his thumbs tracing patterns on your cheeks. "In all seriousness, though," he said, his voice quiet, "that was incredible."

"Agreed," you said, your voice soft. You leaned into his touch, relishing the feeling of his hands on you.

"But," you added, a mischievous gleam in your eye, "we should probably move from the wall before my legs give out entirely." Liam laughed and nodded. He scooped you up easily, carrying you over to the bed and gently laying you down.

He crawled onto the bed, flopping down beside you, his body pressed against yours. "That's much better," he said, slinging an arm around your waist. You both lay there in silence for a moment, the sound of your breathing the only noise in the room. You turned onto your side, curling into him, your head nestled against his chest.

Liam's arms encircled you, pulling you close, his chin resting on top of your head. "I can't believe this is real," he murmured, his voice a whisper.

You could feel the steady thump of his heart under your ear, the rhythm soothing and reassuring. "It is," you replied, your voice just as soft. "I'm here, and I'm not going anywhere." "Good," Liam said, pulling you even closer. "Because you're mine now."

His words were possessive, but there was no denying the tenderness in his voice, the vulnerability behind the bravado. You smiled, feeling a mix of emotions swirling inside you. You were happy, yes, but there was also a hint of anxiety, a worry that this newfound happiness was too good to be true.

But as you lay there, wrapped in Liam's arms, feeling his heart beating steadily beneath your ear, you knew that you wanted this, wanted him, more than anything.

[ervotica]

liam mairi x reader where he literally loses it during the torture chamber over seeing her hurt

pairing; liam mairi x fem!reader

warnings; torture lol, graphic depictions of violence and injury, liam is a little unhinged (as much as a golden retriever can be) and also the best bf ever. also xaddy makes an appearance <3

a/n; for argument's sake, liam is alive and well (also for my sake bc he's my baby and i adore him) this is a little different to the plot in the books as liam isn't *technically* there during the torture chamber scene, so this diverts from the original plot. this is gonna get like 4 whole notes but idgaf because liam is taking up my entire mind atm i just want that boy to smother me in love and i can kiss his perfect face<3

Knuckles crack against the already swollen expanse of your jaw and your neck whips sideways awkwardly as blood fills your gasping mouth. Your ears ring, vision beginning to blur and blacken at the edges as Liam roars.

You can't see him for the soldiers crowding your line of vision, but the guttural sound that rips its way from his throat is unlike anything you've ever heard before. It's raw, full of untethered fury that no one would expect from a kind soul like Liam. But, then again, no one's seen the lengths he will go to to keep you safe.

"I'm fine, Li," you murmur, neck cracking as you wrench your head upright to reassure him. The swarm of bodies part somewhat, and they back against the wall; you watch him thrash against the restraints, teeth bared like a predator; it's a stark juxtaposition to his usual - docile - countenance.

“Touch her again and I’ll kill you! I’ll fucking kill all of you!” he bellows, voice permeating the otherwise relatively silent chamber. It cuts through you like glass, and you wince as another blow collides with your cheekbone. You feel it shatter, growling through grit teeth at your attacker.

“You have all the power here,” he croons. “Tell us what we need to know, and I’ll let you go.”

“Fuck you,” you seethe. “You really think I’ll break that easily?”

He cracks his knuckles slowly, one by one echoing through the empty room as he paces, his head tilting curiously as though he's enraptured by your resilience. “No. But he will.”

Your nostrils flare, eyes darting to where Liam’s still struggling to break himself free. His eyes are dark, cerulean replaced with black onyx as the rage consumes him.

“You underestimate us,” you say simply; your chin juts out indignantly. “We’re not telling you shit.”

Your ribs are next to break with a sickening crunch, and when you scream, the sharp yell of your boyfriend takes up all the space left in your brain. It's all you hear, all you can decipher through the thick cotton wadded into your ears, the only thing you can manage past the searing flames that set your body alight with agony. Your lids start to droop, lips parting to croak something indiscernible; and Liam's begging, pleading with you to stay conscious, but even as you gaze up at him through sticky, tear-soaked lashes, the darkness wraps its cruel fingers around your throat and you can't fend it off.

You don't know how many days it's been when your eyes peel open, glued shut with sleep. Every nerve ending in your body ignites, set aflame with pure, unrelenting excruciation. Your chest heaves and the movement triggers another cataclysmic inferno; a sob claws its way from your throat almost involuntarily, your body relying purely on survival instincts.

Xaden's standing over you in an instant, a warm palm cradled against the curve of your jaw to keep you still when you shout and thrash, trying to rid yourself of the unyielding pain that courses through your veins like liquid fire.

"Shh, shh." He's doing his best to placate you, but you're manic, eyes wide and frantic as you attempt to orientate yourself in the room.

"Liam," you croak. "Where's Liam?"

"He's okay. He's fine. I need you to stay calm, okay?" A tear slips past your clogged waterline and runs over Xaden's knuckle, his thumb following its downward path to brush it away.

"I want Liam," you wheeze, a pain that transcends physicality blooming into your aching chest. "Please."

There's a scuffle and a flash of blonde before Liam is crouching at your side, a thick fingered hand anchoring against the top of your head.

"I'm right here, my girl. You didn't think I'd leave you alone, did you?"

You shake your head vehemently despite the throbbing in your temples, your own fingers looping around his wrist to keep him close, to keep him touching you.

"It hurts, Li," you whimper, and it's the first sign of true weakness he's seen you expose in this long, painful week. You're safe to fall apart now, safe with the knowledge that he'll help you put yourself back together.

"I know. We just need to get you fixed up and you'll feel better."

He tips forward on his toes to press his cheek to yours, and the warmth of his breath tickles at the shell of your ear. His face turns, nose squishing into the soft flesh of your cheek, lips puckered in a kiss against the corner of your mouth. You feel the scab, long dried over, and the groove in his lip where it's split; when he tilts his head sideways to watch you, your eyes fix on it.

"You're hurt," you sniffle. "It's my fault."

"Oh, this old thing?" He waves you off, flippant as the tip of his finger prods at the dried skin. "Doesn't even hurt, angel. Don't you worry about me."

"I do worry about you."

You use the little strength you have left to turn on your side, tuning out Liam's abrupt protests until there'e enough room for two on the bed. He knows what you want from no more than a pleading glance.

"I can't-" he starts, and the complaints die in his throat when your fingers dig into the worn fabric of his uniform.

"I need you," you admit. His shoulders slouch in defeat.

"You promise to go to sleep?"

He lifts your tender body, propping you against a muscular forearm as he slides beneath you, and settling you between two thick thighs, your back to his chest. His warmth seeps into your pores and he feels you sag, only succumbing to the exhaustion now you know he's safe.

Fingernails scratch at your scalp and dimples crater into the centre of his cheeks when your head tilts to nuzzle deeper into the touch. The flaring pain resides to a dull - but manageable - ache.

"I'm tired," you say, muffled.

"I know, my girl." You don't miss the thrum of his pulse, the way it picks up when he catches sight of the deep bruises that mar your skin, the swelling from broken bones. He's angry.

And he's going to make them pay for this.

[riddlesb1tch]

Carved In Love

Liam Mairi x reader

summary: you and Liam have been dating for a year now and one night after sex, Liam admits something he thinks about that makes you fall in love even more.

warnings: TOOTH ROTTING FLUFF!

a/n: lmk how you like it!

It had been almost a year since you and Liam officially began dating, and it had been, by far, the happiest year of your life. Liam was the perfect boyfriend—kind, caring, and compassionate. He gave you space when you needed it and crafted adorable wood carvings: sometimes of you, sometimes of your dragon, sometimes depicting the two of you together, and sometimes capturing a special memory from the week. Your heart always melted when he did something like that.

You reciprocated in the ways you knew best: giving Liam space, showering him with love and affection through little gestures like saving him the last muffin at breakfast, writing notes to remind him he was loved, and welcoming him with open arms whenever he was having a rough day.

Both of you knew that your time together was incredibly precious. In the riders' quadrant, where uncertainty looms over every day, you and Liam cherished every moment, never hesitating to express your feelings for fear of missing your chance.

Liam thought about this as you lay on his chest, tracing idle patterns on his skin while finding comfort in the rhythm of his heartbeat. He ran his fingers through your soft hair, gently caressing your back and shoulders, as if trying to imprint the feel of you into his memory. He had told you as much while he moved slowly inside you, pressing loving kisses to your skin and memorizing your body with his lips.

“Y/n?” he whispered.

“Liam,” you replied, halting your movements and resting your chin on his chest to gaze up at his angelic face.

“Do you ever think about the future?” he asked quietly.

You considered his question for a moment before answering. “Honestly, not really. Life is too unpredictable and dangerous for us to worry too much about the future. I want to savor every single moment and not miss anything,” you said. “What about you?”

“Sometimes,” Liam replied.

You looked up at him, your eyes searching his. “What do you think about?”

Liam met your gaze, and for a moment, you felt like you could lose yourself in the depth of his blue eyes. Then he spoke. “I think about us. About what our relationship might be like.”

You smiled endearingly at him. “What do you imagine?” you asked.

Liam suddenly grew shy, averting his eyes. “Well, um, I imagine us together…married,” he said hesitantly, still avoiding your gaze.

That one sentence took your breath away, and you stared at Liam with your mouth slightly open. Marriages were something incredibly uncommon in the Riders quadrant. Hell, even relationships were rare. Everyone wanted to experience as much as they could due to the uncertainty in the way of life here and didn’t fancy the constraints of monogamy. 

And amidst all of this, you sweet, loving boyfriend imagined the two of you married. 

Your heart soared with joy, with love, with adoration and endearment and emotions you couldn’t even put into words, all directed at the beautiful boy in front of you. When you didn’t respond immediately, Liam’s anxiety grew.

“D-did I say something wrong?” he asked, panic in his voice. “I’m so sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”

You shook your head, sitting up to straddle his hips, and gently cupped his face in your hands.

You simply looked at him for a couple of seconds, trying to find your voice, a way to put your feelings into words. Meanwhile, Liam freaked out more and more that he had somehow made you uncomfortable. His heart raced in his chest as he stared into your eyes for a hint of anger, discomfort, fear, but he found none, and his heart calmed. As he saw was love, maybe even understanding and reciprocation of what he felt for you. 

“Liam, I love that,” you said with the brightest smile, stroking his cheeks tenderly.

Liam’s lungs refilled with air, face turning a deep shade of red because you didn’t mind. You didn’t judge him for thinking that far ahead into the future, possibly even dreaming about something impossible.

“You do?” he asked, looking at you shyly.

You grinned from ear to ear and leaned down to press a loving kiss to his lips. He immediately responded, wrapping his arms around you and pulling you close. The kiss grew more passionate as you clung to each other, both panting heavily but smiling brightly when you finally broke apart.

“I love you so much, Liam,” you said, your lips brushing against his.

“I love you,” he replied. “And I want to be with you for as long as I live.”

You smiled that heartstopping smile at him and said the words that made his heart practically beat out of his chest. “Me too. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.” 

And you showed your love to each other for the rest of the night and into the early hours of the morning. 

Masterlist

[mysterious-adventurer]

I'd Never Forgive Myself - Liam Mairi x Reader

A/N: Hi everyone! I just finished reading Fourth Wing and I was absolutely devastated by what happened to Liam. Naturally I had to write a fix it fic. The reader's dragon's name is Silah, I picture her as a blue swordtail but feel free to picture her as your favorite dragon. I hope you enjoy reading this!

Summary: At the Battle of Resson y/n realizes that Liam's life is in danger and makes a risky decision to save him. Angst, fluff, hurt/comfort.

Please do not repost.

TW: Descriptions of battle.

My heart is pounding in my chest. Liam is hanging onto Tairn for dear life and Deigh is fighting for his against the wyvern that is trying to tear him to shreds. Deigh isn't winning this fight, and he doesn't stand a chance on his own. I can see the moment Violet realizes that Liam's life is in danger. I see her urge Tairn to fly faster, but they aren't close enough, they'll never reach Deigh in time. But I'm closer, Silah and I can make it, I know we can. We have to because I can't lose Liam. Not before I've worked up the courage to tell him - no, not going there. With all of my focus on saving Liam, I feel a rush a magic as a vision takes over. I see myself getting as close the wyvern as possible and then leaping from Silah's back onto the wyvern, I see myself plunging my sword into the weak spot between two scales at the base of its neck. Then, I'm pulled back to the present. I know how to save Liam's life; I just have no clue what it will cost me. 

        "y/n! Don't even think about it! You're going to get yourself killed!" Silah roars in my mind. 

        "I'm not just going to stand by and watch Liam die when I can save him! I'd never be able to forgive myself."  

        "There has to be another way!"

        "You and I both know there isn't" I stand as Silah gets closer to the wyvern preparing myself for the leap. Silah growls unhappily but says nothing else. As ruthless as she is, she has learned that I am every bit as stubborn and that there is no stopping me once I've made up my mind. Then, just at the ideal moment, the one I saw in my vision I leap from Silah's back onto the wyvern. 

        The wyvern screeches angrily in response but does not tear its focus from Deigh. I can feel that the magic controlling it is so strong that it cannot abandon its mission to toss me off its back, even though it wants to. I try my best to balance carefully and move as quickly as possible up the wyvern's back to reach its neck. The vulnerable spot is exactly where I knew it would be. A small gap between two scales where the base of the wyvern's neck meets its back. Under normal circumstances I might not have paid any attention to it, but right now I know that this small chink is about to change everything. I can see Deigh struggling more and more with each passing second. I draw my sword and drive it down into the wyvern with all my might. The creature lets out a horrendous screech but lets go of Deigh. I see him land safely nearby as he begins healing his wounds with magic. The wyvern tosses its head back attempting to snap at me as it shifts its full focus onto killing me. When it realizes it can't reach me that way it bucks violently and then I am weightless. 

        I feel myself plummeting towards the ground at an alarming speed and I know that I am going to die. At least Liam will be alright I think to myself as I close my eyes and try to accept my fate. Then my fall is broken suddenly, jarring every joint in my body. I hear the beat of wings above me and then nothing...

-Later-

        When I come to again, I'm lying in a warm, comfortable bed. I slowly blink the blurriness out of my eyes in an attempt to adjust to the bright sunlight streaming in from the other side of the unfamiliar room. I sit up trying to get my bearings. 

        "You're awake"

        I turn to see Liam as he stands from a chair beside my bed. Without hesitation I launch myself out of the bed and into his arms.

        "Liam! Are you okay?" for just a moment he holds me close to his chest, but then to my surprise he pushes me away. 

        "I'm fine, but what the hell were you thinking y/n?" his eyes are clouded with emotion, but his voice is heavy with anger and the muscles in his jaw are tense. I've never seen Liam angry with anyone before. 

        "That wyvern was going to kill Deigh and if he had died, you would've too, I couldn't just stand by and let that happen."

        "I'm grateful, but I don't ever want you to risk your life for me again." 

        "Liam, I don't understand why you're so upset," for a moment we just stand there, inches apart, staring at each other, tension crackling like electricity between us. Then, Liam grabs my face and kisses me - hard. I wrap my arms around the back of his neck, running my fingers through his short cropped blonde hair as I deepen the kiss. It should be impossible, but in that one kiss I can feel all of the pent-up emotions and unspoken words we've both carried with us for months. 

        The kiss seems to last forever, both of us lost in each other, in what we've been holding back from, but finally we break apart our chests heaving. Liam rests his forehead against mine and his eyes are soft now filled with adoration. 

       "If anything, ever happened to you y/n, I'd never forgive myself. Please don't scare me like that again."

        "Please don't give me a reason to." 

His lips are on mine again, gentler this time, less urgent as we both savor what we thought we'd lost forever. 

[maybemaleksentmeasakindness]

Whittling

Summary - You and Liam have an arrangement of sorts. You patch him up and he makes sure you sleep. It's fine, right? Just two pals, helping each out.

A/N - There is cursing (this is your warning). As always, these characters and places don't belong to me. This is me making up for the lack of Liam Mairi fics in the world. 2k words.

Your POV

A soft light filtered through the curtains of your room. You had watched it since the moment you’d woken up, moving across the shelf where Liam’s carving sat and toward where your toes were tucked away at the edge of the bed. You had been up for a few hours and might’ve gotten out of bed if there wasn’t a beautiful blonde man lying in your bed beside you. Instead, you settled with sitting up against the headboard.

When you’d woken up Liam was dead asleep, one arm slung half-heartedly over your middle with not much space between your bodies, considering the bed was technically only made for one person. You pondered if whoever designed the rooms considered how much time some people spent in their peer’s bed, and if they perhaps did this to try and curb that habit. You chuckled quietly, considering how Liam might simply take it upon himself to take his skills with wood and a few tools to the next level and make a larger bed frame so you both could be comfortable. But that would mean admitting that you aren’t just extra good at healing his wounds, and he wasn’t extra good at noticing your exhaustion. That he just showed up at your room at night to clean him up. That he knew you weren’t getting sleep and insisted on staying the night. Just two peers, two friends, caring for each other because a larger bed frame made feelings real. Too real. 

A soft snore pulled you from your thoughts as you tugged Liam’s still sleeping form against your body, letting your fingers trace the rebellion relic around his wrist. A low groan left Liam, barely aware of the touch. Your finger traced up the mark, over his arm. It didn’t feel fair to make children suffer for their parents' choices. Liam shifted slightly, but you didn’t stop, fingers tracing higher. Liam tucked himself closer to you with another groan. Your body shook slightly with laughter. 

“Good morning, Mr. Mairi,” you teased.

“You should be sleeping right now,” Liam mumbled back, eyes still closed. “And don’t call me that.”

“Couldn’t sleep.” Not that you could sleep much these days. Just because you had a decent chance with a dragon and blade didn’t mean you were free of the terrors that came with it. 

Liam responded by tugging you down beside him, pressing a kiss to your hairline. 

A tension you didn’t know you were holding in your body seemed to ease up slightly in response before you tucked yourself closer to him, tangling your legs under the sheets. The skin of your face tingled as you felt Liam’s breath fan over it. It was warm and inviting, while giving an odd sensation. A pause, Liam’s eyes still hadn’t opened. “We could get an early breakfast,” you suggested, cutting through the silence.

“I told you I was going to help you get more sleep, and that’s what I’m doing.” Liam responded. He opened his eyes for a moment, examining you carefully. 

You smiled before placing yourself closer to Liam. You wanted to say something, to fill the pause. It’s not that you completely disliked the silence but it was more time to run around in circles and for you to do something stupid like kiss him. Ask him what exactly all of this was. “Liam?” 

“Mmm?” Liam hummed out in response, eyes still closed, both arms around your middle. 

You chuckled slightly realizing you had nothing more to say. “I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to say your name.”

“Sleep,” was Liam’s only response.

It wasn’t that easy, but you would try. If not for yourself, for him. Liam was aware of the whittling he was doing with his carvings, just not the whittling he was doing to your heart. Carving out a Liam-spaced home. 

Liam’s POV

Liam often wondered if there was ever a day he didn’t need something patched up if he would still show up at your door, if you would even let him in. But they were Riders in training, there would always be something to patch up. That always seemed to occupy Liam’s mind. Walking to your room at night. Sitting as you patched him up. Falling asleep next to you. Waking up next to you. 

It was nearly his first thought when he woke up as you pulled him tighter against you. He groaned slightly, not feeling ready to be up, and wanting you to be asleep. Liam, too tired to actually say anything, decided just to let out a low groan. A graon meant to represent the earliness and his displeasure with you being awake. Liam felt your fingers glide up from his wrist, up his arm in intricate patterns. For just a moment he thought you were drawing a picture when he realized it wasn’t any sort of free form. You were tracing his rebellion relic again. He wondered for a few moments what it would be like to wake up in his own bed, no fingers tracing up the marking on his skin. Liam had grown so accustomed to waking up beside you. He just needed an excuse to come call on your meticulous healing skills every night. What would happen if one day he made it out without some injury to be taken care of? What then? Would he still be invited into your room, your bed? The first night you’d ever spent sharing a bed was the best night of sleep in Liam’s life. 

Liam groaned at the thought of losing this opportunity to share a bed with you, preferring your warmth. He curled his body against your’s slightly, as if doing that wouldn’t let you escape, or perhaps his warmth would convince you back to sleep—–which would let him fall back asleep. 

“Good morning, Mr. Mairi,” you said, a clear teasing in your voice. He hated when you called him that, like he was your superior. “And don’t call me that.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” he heard you respond. 

Liam let out a faint grunt before selecting that asking you nicely was going to get you to try and sleep. He pulled you down so you weren’t sitting up anymore, his body pressed to yours. Liam gently pressed his lips just under your hairline, half expecting you to complain that you didn’t need sleep and you weren’t a baby, but it didn’t come. Instead a soft silence. Liam could feel you curl up against him, tangling your legs underneath the sheets. And for a split second Liam wondered what it might be like to fall asleep, legs tangled every night with you, no need for your healing skills beforehand. Just two people needing each other to sleep. Some part of that was scary, that he had to admit that he needed you as much as you needed him. That he needed you more than just for the night, he needed you all the time––alive and kicking ass. 

Your voice came echoing through Liam’s thoughts. “We could get an early breakfast.”

Liam would’ve shaken his head if you both weren’t tucked together perfectly like two puzzle pieces that would fall apart if one of them moved. “I told you I was going to help you get more sleep, and that’s what I’m doing,” he said with a huff. From a sliver of vision he could see you looking wide awake, but it was clear you needed to rest longer. He felt some relief as you smiled and managed to wiggle ever closer against him. 

If there was even an ounce of alcohol in his system Liam might’ve just kissed you right then and there, but something was stopping him. What if one day you didn’t need this? What if one day Liam would be turned away after you’d patched him up? What then? What if these feelings he felt for you weren’t mutual? 

“Liam?” There was your stupid, beautiful voice again, pulling him from his thoughts. 

He screwed his eyes shut, knowing if he opened them he’d just stare straight at those gorgeous lips of yours. Liam needed you to both shut up and get out of his sight and to always be talking, always be in his line of sight. You were maddening.  Stupidly so. Liam restrained a groan before letting out a soft, hum. He was convinced if he tried to do anything more a long trail of words would escape his mouth before it was too late. 

“I don’t know. I guess I just wanted to say your name.”

LIam chose to quickly mumble out, “sleep.” He paused a moment before cracking one eye open to see you had closed yours. His gaze fell to a few of the carvings he had mde for you a while ago. All of them scattered around your room. Your dragon, a small bunny placed beside each other. Liam felt you shift slightly, face tucking into his neck. His fingers tensed against your back for a split second before relaxing. He could do this. He just needed to clear his head. 

“Liam?”

He looked at you before he realized he was gripping your back tighter than he meant. His eyes followed your face as you lifted your head slightly. “Oh, sorry.”

You only shook your head slightly. 

Liam scanned your eyes then your lips. Your stupid, perfect, gorgeous lips. Liam swore your face got a few inches closer to his. Shit.

Suddenly a knock came at the door and Liam sat up quickly.

“I know you’d never forget about me,” Ridoc calls from the other side of the door.

Liam tenses, eyes scanning to you as you mutter a litany of curses, jumping out of your bed. Liam’s very aware of his hand resting on your lower back as long as it physically could before you were running around your room. 

“Sorry! Give me a minute!” You shouted from the door before glancing at Liam. “Told Ridoc I’d study with him.”

Liam nodded before realizing he ought to get out of your bed and leave, though he knew exactly what that would look like. He watched and waited as you dressed as quickly as you could before swinging the door open.

Ridoc stood there with a shit-eating grin before trying to stop it. “Good morning, Liam. Didn’t expect to see you,” an unnecessary pause as he scanned the both of you, “here.”

You stepped out of your room, smacking Ridoc’s arm in response. He winced, acting like a wounded puppy as you pulled at his arm giving Liam the space to leave. He quickly made his way to the door, unsure how to say goodbye to you. Normally he’d happily walk out into the hallway with his arm around someone’s shoulder. But not today, not this time. You were different. He had too much emotional attachment here. Before Liam could make any more decisions you pulled him into a hug. As you both pulled away from each other he felt that tension from earlier, the moment just before Ridoc was knocking on your door. Before he could think or act on it, Ridoc was half pulling you down the hallway towards someone else’s room. Liam didn’t stand around waiting to find out who, he just briskly walked towards his own room, hearing your laughter just as the door was shut behind him. 

He could still feel your warmth, see your proximity to him, feel how close he was to getting a taste of those lips. Liam shook his head. He needed to clear it. 

Liam spent an hour doing that, trying to do anything and everything to get you out of his head; push-ups, bathing, studying. Nothing worked. He finally gave up, sitting down with a small piece of wood and a tool, and began to whittle away. Whittling your face from memory.

[fireheartpages]

like they do in babylon | l.m.

liam mairi x reader (for now…)

series masterlist

summary: “but if all you can ask for at present are two feet on solid ground and your best friend next to you, then maybe you have a chance of surviving this hellscape.”

word count: 4.5k

notes: 2nd pov, she/her reader, and i gave the reader a last name (bishop). mentions of parental death, canon typical violence, liam mairi is a certified idiot™. spoilers. so many spoilers. through FW for this chapter, but by the next chapter there will be OS spoilers. for the love of god please do not spoil yourself. anywhooooooo i have been sitting on this bad boy for a FAT minute. get ready for angst, no one comes out unscathed. also, this is gonna be a love triangle. i don’t wanna hear it, i love a good love triangle and i poured my heart and soul into this one. if RY won’t do it, i will! mwah ha ha ha ha song link :)

Your balance is shit.

Liam’s up ahead of you, making the parapet look like a child’s balance beam, and you’re teetering like baby deer forty-five minutes after it was born. This really is designed to kill you.

He hadn’t even said goodbye. Just gave you a “see you on the other side” and started walking, started making you look bad in front of everyone. You literally come from the same place, were trained together, and yet he can walk the parapet—you, decidedly, cannot. Did he mean he’d see you after your souls were condemned to Malek? ‘Cause that’s what it’s looking like.

The end is maybe ten paces away. Ten steps between you and glorious, solid ground. How the hell were you going to be a dragon rider when you were afraid of heights? That’s a later problem. The problem at hand was not slipping and falling in the gods-awful rain.

Liam lands with the grace of a trained dancer on the other side, like he’s done this a million times before. You’re going to make it across this damn bridge just so you can smack him upside the head for that.

He turns around and he’s got that pretty smile pinned on you—the one that makes you feel a lot more than you should be feeling for your best friend—all white teeth and big, blue eyes. Fuck him. Like, sincerely fuck him.

You’re maybe five paces away, practically touching the alcove when a gust of wind blows through the valley so strongly that you sway—you falter. You see it in Liam’s expression. He panics, toothy grin snapping shut and baby blues going wide. You suck in a breath, lean against the wind.

You’re falling the other way now and the wind is no longer helpful in correcting you.

Your flail, and your leg swings out to counter your weight. You’re righted again, two feet firmly on the line of brick, and you suck in a deep breath. There’s no place for fear on the Parapet. (That’s what everyone says about everything in this hell hole.) Yeah, sure, deep breath, and another step. And another, and another, and another, until—

Two feet. Solid ground. Big ass arms wrapping around you.

“Li—”

“You made it!”

“I’m going to murder you—”

“Can’t do that in front of Executive Officers.” Wait, that isn’t Liam’s voice, it’s—

Xaden.

You tear out of Liam’s arms, twisting until you spot him, and you’re more teary-eyed than you’d care to admit. Two years stretched between you, and suddenly the weight of it is there. The weeks before he’d left had been hectic, barely pausing for long enough to pat you on the shoulder and start an argument with Brennan. And then he had left with Garrick, and then Bodhi and Imogen had gone, and now he was here, in front of you, and he was a godsdamned dragon rider. You have a whole year of seeing him every day now, seeing the people you knew like family, and despite the circumstances, it all felt right.

"You did good, B," Xaden whispers, a hand on your shoulder.

You pull back with a wince. "You don’t really have to call me that anymore. No one to differentiate me from."

"Good luck with that," Liam mumbled from behind you, and when you turn around, theres a glint in his eye—a little mischief, a little intrigue, but mostly understanding. It turns your stomach over in a way you didn't want to acknowledge, and it’s the last part that inclines you to let it slide.

"Go give your name to the roll keep. I'll get you in my Wing." He steps away from you, a clear signal the theatrics are over, to fall in line. You give him a mock salute. He rolls his eyes, and you hear Liam laugh behind you.

Second squad, Tail section, Fourth Wing, and a smiling Bodhi greet you and Liam as you file into place in formation. The summer heat is oppressive in the all-black outfit you’re sporting, courtesy of Brennan and his Infinite Knowledge of Basgiath War College, but if all you can ask for at present are two feet on solid ground and your best friend next to you, then maybe you have a chance of surviving this hellscape.

“Hi.”

The voice belongs to someone over your right shoulder, and you chance a look—flat lipped smile conveying the what the fuck you’re feeling since you’re fairly certain the dragons will come down and rip you apart for not paying attention the Xaden’s speech up on the dais.

“I’m Brinn.”

She keeps speaking. You give her another not-smile, and introduce yourself.

“B,” Liam hisses. You bring your gaze forward again and swear you can feel Xaden’s attention on you.

The girl’s bright brown eyes dance between you, and you swear you can feel her gearing up to say something else.

“I’m making friends.”

Is this girl serious? You turn to look at you over your shoulder, and she’s fucking beaming at you. You take a moment to survey her: wild brown hair in a braid down to her waist, a cream tunic paired with black trousers, and attention that is anywhere but where it should be. She’s like a ball of energy and excitement all wound up and ready to spring. You roll your eyes.

“I heard they torch cadets that don’t pay attention to formation,” you respond.

“Torch?”

You turn back, arching a brow. “Like, with dragons?”

“There are no dragons here yet,” Brinn responds sagely. “But I think they’re gonna be here soon. Have you ever seen a dragon?”

You blink. “One killed my parents.”

She sucks a breath through her teeth, a look of genuine remorse and something else etching into her face. “Oof. That’s rough. Mine were killed by gryphons.”

It’s enough to make you almost turn fully to her. She has Liam’s attention now, too, and you share a look with him.

“Look, we’re trauma bonding,” she says in a half-whisper. “Besties!”

And you can’t help it—you laugh. Just a little. Really, genuinely laugh.

｡･:*˚:✧｡

Dragons are, in fact, as fucking terrifying the second time you lay eyes on the species as the first. But the novelty wears off, which is good, you guess, considering soon you’ll be riding one. A thought that is borderline more terrifying than the fire itself.

It’s no more than a month into the year before you realize just how seriously—or, unseriously—people take training for the riders’ quadrant. Your squad has six first years, three second years, and a lone third year and squad leader. Smaller than most of the others, and you and Liam are, of course, the only Marked ones.

Other than one of the first years, Des, who practically bares his teeth and snaps at the pair of you any time you’re in his vicinity, everyone else is surprisingly unaffected by the relic. Which is honestly more than you could have asked for. The other two first years, Micha and June, are kind to you. One second year, Ollid, seems indifferent, another, Caelum, is too reserved to anyone but Ellis for you to get a read on—and you cannot for the life of you figure out the dynamic between the latter two. Your squad leader, Lumen, the only third year, just seems like he got the job because nobody else wanted it.

Classes are easier than you’d expected, too. Math and physics are practically no brainers, you’re surprised with how much you can get away with in history by just regurgitating answers you think a Navarrian would want to hear. Battle Brief is tougher. Definitely going to be a learned skill, but not impossible. Weeding through what you know versus what they are expecting for an answer is going to be a delicate line to walk, though. Liam, naturally, excels at everything.

Surprisingly, so does Brinn. And moreover, she is an excellent strategist. Even slipping you a few answers in Battle Brief that Professor Devera, kindly, doesn’t call you out on. You’re always send her a soft, hesitant thank you, but the way she beams and sends you an exaggerated thumbs up makes you glad no one’s attention is on you.

Besides Des, who seems to have hawk-eyed for any movement a Marked one makes. He always delivers a scrutinizing glare to Brinn, but she never falters. You’re honestly unsure anything could make her falter.

Sparring was the one thing you worried about, no matter how practiced you were—which was not nearly as much as Liam, much to your dissatisfaction. It was no surprise the hulking mass of a man was good at hand-to-hand, but even though you were in the same squad, and therefore meant to be encouraging one another, you would be remiss if you didn’t at least try to poke a hole in his perfect facade. Even after he took you down on the mat time and time again.

So, when assessment day rolled around, and you watched Emetterio point to Des, then to you, you had half the mind to be relieved Liam wasn’t up against you. The other half was a bit worried at the idea of sparring with someone that was probably out for blood. But, hey, he can’t kill you. Right?

You weren’t so sure as you took the mat, Des’s glare sticking you in place as you felt your heart ratchet up. He was tall, sure, but he didn’t have nearly as much muscle packed on him as Liam or Xaden, and you’d been training with them since you were a teenager. You took a deep breath, breathing in for a four count, holding for three, and out for five. You were not about to let some bigot get the best of you.

So, when he threw the first punch—of course—you used your size to your advantage and ducked. It was clear he had some power, but there wasn’t nearly enough follow through on it. He seemed to miscalculate, stepping forward, and you were at the perfect level now to throw an elbow into the back of his knee and land him face-first against the mat.

All you had to do was glance up to see Liam’s smile, trained on you.

Gods, this guy was an idiot. An idiot that was going to get himself killed if he fought like this in battle. You would have loved to see him go up against an actual opponent.

He rolled onto his back and made to kip, but not before you spun to meet his groin to the heel of your foot. To his credit, the only reaction he made was a sound of discomfort before he was pushing up, but all it took was a punch to the nose before he was back down again. There was the tell-tale crack, and then his hands were cradling his face, blood already smearing as he groaned. You laid a hand flat on his chest.

“Yield?” you ask, cocky with it.

Anger flared in his eyes, and he reached for you, bloody hands grabbing for the sides of your face—to do what, you weren’t sure—but you scrambled back. You rolled into a crouch and kicked, sweeping the feet he’d gained out from under him, and he fell forward on his already-broken nose.

“This is painful,” you heard Lumen mutter from behind you. Then, Emetterio, louder, “He yields, Bishop.”

You stand, offering Des a hand that he doesn’t take.

“Ollid, take him to the healers before he bleeds all over everything,” Lumen says, ushering Des off the mat.

You’re smirking when you step off, and Brinn offers you a towel and points to the spot on your neck where his bloody fingertips had grazed. You give her a nod of thanks, wiping at your skin before crouching to clean the mat.

“Brinn and Liam,” Emetterio calls as you rise, and you turn to face your squad mates with raised eyebrows. “You two are up.”

You toss Lumen the towel, locking eyes with Liam before you turn to look at Brinn. “Kick his ass for me?”

Brinn throws her head back and laughs. “Yeah, sure. I’ll do my best.”

You look over at the rest of your squad, seeing Micha and June—the latter sporting a quickly blackening eye, even after winning her match against the former—watching with rapt interest. Caelum wasn’t anywhere near paying attention, but Ellis looked like she was watching a sporting event. She held out a closed fist to you.

“Badass, little B,” she said.

The name sent a shock through you, and your smile fell, even as you bumped your fist against hers. Suddenly, your focus was on not letting your chest physically cave in.

“She’s big B,” Liam calls, because of course he heard the exchange. He probably read your demeanor change even from the distance.

“Nah,” Ellis laughs. “First years are all little, at least until threshing.”

“My sister,” you said, speaking past the emotion, “was always little B.”

“Aw,” Ellis croons, not missing a beat. “I landed on a family nickname.”

And something about the way she said it, the smile she sent you, set you right again. She didn’t even have to acknowledge it.

Your turn and place your back flat against the wall, your shoulder a healthy distance away from Ellis’. It seems the remaining members of your squad are just as eager to watch the match between Brinn and Liam. All eyes are trained on them as they step up, equidistance apart and beginning to circle.

Brinn is a fucking powerhouse—she’s all lean, packed muscle and an insanely quick mind. She’s a fast thinker and a brilliant strategist. She has enough confidence to make you really think she has any situation under control.

But, Liam… he’s just fucking huge.

He’s got six inches minimum on Brinn, and not to mention one of his thighs is probably the size of her head. He’d been training for the quadrant since he was a teenager, and if Xaden was anything to go by, the Lindell household was a formidable one. It turned out warriors.

But, by Dunne, if there isn’t a glint in Brinn’s eye that gave you the sneaking suspicion she might win this thing.

Something in Liam’s expression twists as he looks at Brinn, readying herself in a defensive position, and you could tell he was hanging back. He doesn’t want to make the first hit. It was obvious. But Brinn is all mirth as she looks up at him, as if daring him to try.

And try he does, but Brinn is powerful, and Liam had underestimated her. He throws the first punch, and she catches it, wrenching his arm behind him as she slips out of his reach. He winces, spinning around to try and grab her again, but she lands a quick jab to his ribs that doubles him over.

“Are you serious?” Liam groans.

“Are you taking it easy on me?” Brinn taunts him.

“No,” he mumbles, and it’s evident it’s a split second decision. A reassessment in his gaze as he calculates her threat level, sizing her up as a different breed of opponent.

You know Liam, you know him intimately, and you know the way his brain works. He doesn’t hurt his friends, and somewhere between the wide smiles and quiet remarks, Brinn was categorized as one now. Despite his hulking frame and brutal training, Liam is gentle at heart. You’ve seen him take spiders outside instead of killing them, just because he felt bad.

You can’t help but laugh, feeling lucky you weren’t paired against him. You don’t envy either of them. You weren’t sure you’d be able to take either of them down in the same situation.

Brinn is the first to lunge this time, a pattern of punches so quick Liam has no choice but to fall back onto the defensive, hands flying to block any from striking where it would hurt the most. He spins around, kicking back and making contact with the back of her knees, but Brinn is ready for it, twisting her body so she falls on her back and letter her momentum throw her into a backwards roll until she’s in a crouch. She springs up again, and Liam is there, throwing a punch out that makes contact with her jaw.

“I’m sorry!” he shouts, as if it’s a reflex, and you hear a laugh from beside you.

“Seriously, Mairi?” It was Lumen, watching them fight, and you see Professor Emetterio next to him, observing the match with rapt interest. His bushy eyebrows are raised in the biggest display of a reaction you’ve seen from him, and a quick glance around the room tells you he’s not the only one whose attention has been snagged.

Brinn seems impossible to knock off course, though. She barely even falters after the punch, immediately launching into her next attack with so much force you start to wonder where she’s hiding all of the muscle that has to be powering her. It’s incredible to see. Liam has yet to lose a match, but she’s giving him a run for his money.

She lands another good punch to his throat, so hard you know it’s going to bruise, and she’d downright giddy as she dances around him. She spins, and you can tell by the way she shifts her weight that she’s prepping for a kick. The tell is evident, and there’s a piece of you that’s hoping Liam is too distracted to notice as well.

Unfortunately for Brinn, he isn’t. She goes to kick, and with one step back, he’s there to grab her leg, pulling until she’s on her back, slamming into the mat. She recovers quickly, knocking into his ribs with a jab you know has to hurt, but not before he lands a punch that you know will bruise.

You had spent the latter half of your adolescence watching Liam spar with Xaden, or Garrick, or Bodhi, or Imogen, and yet this had to be the most entertaining match you had ever had the pleasure of witnessing.

By the end of it, both parties are breathless, bloody, and bruised. Liam, with so much exhaustion lining his face you were worried he was going to pass out on top of her, ends up with his entire body pinning Brinn down, bracing a bit of his weight on a forearm near her head as her front is pressed into the mat. He pants out, “Yield, please.”

Brinn looks just as worn as Liam does as she lifts a hand to tap the mat twice, and Emetterio calls the match begrudgingly for Liam. They both limp over to you, purpling bruises littering each of their faces, and Liam is pressing a hand gently to his ribs while Brinn favors her left foot.

You’d imagine your face reads the precise amount of shock you’re feeling. All you end up saying though is, “What the hell?”

“You pack a punch,” Liam pants, addressing Brinn.

She just shrugs, a smirk lining her split lip.

“Are you okay?” you ask her.

Humor dances in her eyes as she answers. “I’ll live.”

You cut a glare at Liam, who balks in response.

“Are you serious? What did I do?” he asks indignantly.

“You beat her up!” you squawk, and try to remain serious, because you are concerned about your friends, but you can’t help but relish in the way shock colors his features at your teasing.

“It’s assessment, B! I didn’t mean to hurt—”

He doesn’t make it much farther before Brinn bursts out laughing, and you dissolve into a pit of giggles right there beside her.

｡･:*˚:✧｡

“You’re sure we’re not going to get caught?”

Liam cuts you a sideways glance as the two of you make your way across the field together, back to the dorms. “You heard what X said, he and Garrick have been doing this since their first year,” he says. “Helped Bodhi through his, too.”

“This share-the-wealth situation seems a little outside them,” you volley, and he rolls his eyes.

“Yeah,” he answers. “I guess so.”

“Why’d you go? Not like you need any help,” you mumble. Because it’s true. Liam hasn’t so much as lost a match. At this point, you’re pretty sure he doesn’t know how to take second place.

You’re not too far behind him, and neither is Brinn. But it’s nearly impossible to catch up to him. Micha and June aren’t doing terrible either, and even Des has started to shut up when he realized just how lacking in the hand-to-hand department he is. Liam might be leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of you, but you’re pretty sure that if the rest of you remain steady, with the advantage Liam give you, once Squad Battles roll around, they’re going to be an easy victory.

Maybe your sleuth leaves something to be desired though, because as you all break from the meetings the Marked ones held under the massive oak, you’re absolutely convinced someone is going to spot your duo. Even though it is only the two of you now, and it’s no longer a capital fucking offense.

“You were there,” he answers, like it’s obvious. “Did you see the way Ellis and Ollid were looking at each other after dinner today?”

Your head whips towards him. “Are you… gossiping?”

“You seem nervous.” He shrugs. “I’m distracting.”

You can’t help but laugh. “I don’t know how everyone in this school hasn’t caught chlamydia by now,” you answer. “I thought there was something between her and Caelum. She’s like the only person I’ve ever seen him talk to.”

“Maybe they’re a throuple,” Liam says dryly.

You can’t help but throw your head back, immediately panicking because fuck, you’re being too loud, and—

“B? Liam?”

There’s a voice that sounds out of breath, and then footsteps crunching over the gravel. In your panic, you don’t even bother to register the voice. You feel Liam tense next to you, and you quickly calculate all the ways to get out of this situation, all the lies based off who could have caught you. Who is even out here after curfew like this? Crazy people. And you qualify, and so does Liam.

And Brinn, apparently, who is who you see as you spin, clamping down on your panic. She jogs up to you, black sparring leathers sticking to her sweat-soaked skin. Her brown hair is pulled back from her face, but by how loose the tie is, it’s clear she’s been out here for a while just… running?

“Brinn,” you say in lieu of greeting, relief a fickle thing as you see her glance at a cluster of other Marked ones walking behind you. You catalogue the way her eyes flit over them, then back to you. Still, you can’t help but arch a brow at her. “Out for a night cap?”

The way Brinn laughs always seems to capture your attention. It puts you at ease, watching the way she is almost surprised by it, like her own joy caught her off guard. That’s the way she laughs as she looks at the two of you, and you feel a bit of the tension in your body release.

“I have to tire myself out at night, or I’ll never make it to bed,” she says, propping her hands on her hips as her breathing begins to even out. “Figured I might as well make use of it and do something productive with the way they run us ragged around here.”

“Being run ragged isn’t enough to tire you out?” you ask, incredulously.

She shrugs. “My stamina is legendary.” The throws you a wink, and you can’t help but return her smile. “Though, It looks like you two had the same idea?”

Liam quickly shakes his head, and the way you cut your eyes at him is involuntary.

“Listen, a field after dark with a ton of people around isn’t my forte, but if it’s what you two are into—”

“No!” Liam says, correcting her quickly, and it’s practically a shout.

You ignore the way it stings.

“We went for a walk,” you explain, opting for half-truths, because something about lying to Brinn made you feel ill. “I like the trees around here. The creek.”

“The trees,” Brinn says, arching a darkly defined brow at you.

You shrug. “Privacy.”

From the way her eyes light up, you immediately regret saying it. Brinn quickly picks up her feet, moving past you two.

"It's not what you think," Liam says, rushing to correct her, but Brinn isn't giving an inch.

“I’ll leave you to it, then!” she says jogging backwards as she gives you a mock salute. “See you tomorrow for breakfast?”

“Yep!” You hold up a hand, trying not to cringe.

The silence between you and Liam in her absence is deafening—and tense as a bowstring.

“She’s…” Liam began.

“Eclectic,” you finish, and despite how close you were to being caught, despite her insinuation, you were forcing down a smile. Something in your gut told you that Brinn knew you weren’t looking for a quiet place to be alone, or do whatever she implied you were doing. She saw the other marked ones behind you, walking from the same direction in what were hopefully inconspicuous groups. And she poked fun at you instead. Just let it roll off her, and turned back to what she was doing like it wasn’t a big deal.

Maybe you didn’t know her very well, and maybe you would never be able to share all of the parts of you with anyone that isn’t a Marked one, but you knew then:

You had an ally in Brinn.

But from the look on his face, Liam seemed harder to convince. “She’s suspicious,” he said warily.

“She is not,” you say, feeling the urge to defend her.

“It was weird of her to assume…”

You can’t help the way you spin towards him. “Assume what?”

He shrugged, not meeting your eye. “You know, that we…”

“That we what?”

He shook his head. “It felt like a deflection.”

Something stung. Deep in your chest, something stung. You frown. “The idea of it is so outlandish you’d rather her accuse us of treason than hooking up?”

Liam’s head whipped towards you. “No, I just think we need to be wary of her.”

“Wary?” you ask, appalled. “She has been nothing but nice to us.”

“Nice people can still be suspicious, B. Not all of them are like Des, constantly throwing it in our face that they hate us,” he retorts.

You reel back. “She saw the other Marked ones, you’re right, and she didn’t say anything. She’s keeping it to herself.”

“She literally ran away from us,” he says, and you barely recognize the look in his eye. “Who knows who she’s off telling! You need to be more careful.”

You scoff. “You’re right. Can’t have more people thinking we’re sleeping together.”

You turn on your heel and march away, leaving him calling after you, shouting your name across the courtyard like gasoline in an engine that only makes you walk faster, not even bothering to look back as he catches up to you.

You walk back to the first year dorms in silence.

[danikamariewrites]

A request for maybe an AU with Liam. And reader and Liam meet at a ball with plenty of fluff and joy and fun! I just want to go to a ball with this man, what can I say?

Prince Charming

prince!Liam Mairi x princess!reader

Notes: Hi! I hope you like the AU that I came up with. I loved the thought of Liam as a prince and more of a lighter tone on the arraigned marriage trope since Liam and reader want to be married. They got lucky and Liam def needs a happy ending after what he’s been through🥲

And Happy Onyx Storm month! I can’t believe we are so close to book 3, so it’s only appropriate we kick off the month with a FW fic.

Warnings: arranged marriage

The clock tower chimes seven as I step down from the carriage. A footman holding out his hand to help me down. As I give him a kind smile my brother rounds the carriage in a huff, giving me a disapproving look.

I give him a smirk, waiting for him to take my arm. “You know I’m supposed to help you down, not some servant.” He chastises, guiding me inside the castle. Keeping smiles on our faces and nodding at other nobles we recognize to hide our sibling spat. “Oh brother, you’re too traditional. I could’ve gotten out myself.”

My brother jokingly tsks at me. He knows it’s a smaller insult I can give about him being to like our parents.

“War is here and we need to make you look like the princess you are, little sister. Remember why we are here.” My brother’s tone a mix between commanding and somber. With Navarre at war my arranged marriage is closer than I’d like.

Navarre and Tyrrendor need to unite as kingdoms. I can’t say I’m happy about this being sooner rather than later. If it were up to me, I’d be flying in my father’s legion. My dragon has been itching to stretch her wings, the promise of going to war making her restless.

Tonight my brother is presenting me to Prince Liam. This will be the first time we’ve seen each other since we were teenagers. I don’t remember much about him. I remember his soft blonde hair and kind smile as we explored his family’s castle when we were children. As we grew older our meetings became more formal and less adventurous. I wish I remembered where all the halls led, or what passage was behind which painting now. I could use the escape.

Though Prince Liam is kind and I’ve never heard a bad thing about him this whole situation is still nerve wracking. Much more nerve wracking than flying into war, something I’m at least prepared for.

My brother and I are guided by knights to the hall just outside the throne room. The Mairi family crest staring at me on the carved wooden doors. I take deep breathes, calming myself.

My brother gently squeezes my hand, giving me a reassuring smile. “It’ll be fine. You know Liam, he’s kind.” I nod in agreement. “Besides,” he adds. “I would never let father marry you off to some tyrant.” That gets a laugh out of me. We smile at each other. “I’m thankful you’re here.” I say before we’re announced and the double doors are opened.

The crowd cheers, parted down the center of the room so we can walk straight to the dais. I keep my eyes anywhere but the crowd or royals before me. My brother notices my timidness and pinches my elbow, as if to say look up.

I stand straight and I’m met with the most beautiful, striking blue eyes. I remember a lot about Liam, but those eyes have grown more captivating as he got older. And he’s taller. Holy hell, a lot taller.

His blonde hair looks the same. Still shiny and soft looking. I want to run my fingers through it.

We come to a stop, bowing before the king and queen of Tyrrendor. “King Isaac, Queen Viviane, thank you for the kind welcome. It’s wonderful to be back in your home.” I barely hear my brother’s words. My undivided attention on Liam, and his on me. As my brother continues his little speech it feels like everything in the room has fallen away.

Like it’s just Liam and I. How has it been so long since we last saw each other? Is there such a thing as love at second sight? I blush under his gaze, earning a smirk from the prince. My prince.

Liam steps down from the dias right in front of me. My brother slips his arm from mine, Liam taking my hand, bringing my fingers to his lips, kissing them softly. His eyes never breaking away from mine. “It’s lovely to see you again, y/n.”

“Likewise, Liam.”

King Isaac stands, declaring the festivities begin. Liam lead me to the dance floor while my brother is whisked away to the King’s table.

Liam wordlessly takes my hand, placing his other on my hip. The way he’s looking at me sends a chill down my spine. I can see something twinkle in his eyes. My heart leaps at the hope of love.

As the music starts Liam leads me around the dance floor. All eyes on us as the prince and princess reunite for a dance.

“You look even more beautiful than the last time I saw you.” Gods, his voice. A sweet, deep melody that makes goosebumps break out along my arms. “Well, it has been a few years.” That earns a small laugh from my prince.

Suddenly becoming self conscious, I am unable to meet his eyes. “Hey,” he murmurs. Taking his hand from my hip to tilt my chin up. “No need to be shy with me, love.” I smile at him like an idiot. Good gods, how do I find war on dragon back easier than talking to my fiancée?

“How are you feeling, about all this?” I ask in a hushed tone, as it not be heard by nosy gossips.

Liam takes a moment to think, making my heart drop to my stomach. “Happy.” My eyes widen slightly at his honestly. “Really?”

“Of course. Y/n, from the moment I met you I was enamored by you. And seeing you again tonight made me realize there is no one I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. It’ll be an adventure, like we used to have.” I smile at the memory of a younger us.

Liam dips me, pulling me up then spinning me away from him, then back to his chest. Swaying us to the rhythm of the music.

“How are you feeling?” He whispers. “The same.” I say truthfully. “When I saw you tonight I remembered every time we met before. How safe I felt with you. How much I like being with you.” the truth tumbles from my lips before I can stop.

Liam spins me again, pulling me flush against his chest this time. His hand sliding to the small of my back. It felt like it belonged there, forming to the curve of my spine perfectly. Our lips are mere inches from each other now, our breaths mixing. My eyes dart from his lips to his enticing blue ones.

I lean up on my toes as Liam leans down to meet me halfway. As much as I don’t want our first kiss to be public I can’t deny him. The pull to my prince magnetic. When our lips meet my heart pounds against my ribs. Begging to be impossibly closer to his. The kiss was slow and exploratory. Both of us exploring each other’s mouths. Learning slowly what makes the other gasp or moan.

Breaking apart my eyes stay closed, reveling in the moment. They flutter open a moment later to see a flushed Liam. His hands gripping my hips, keeping me close. He leans down, those soft blonde curls tickling the side of my face. “Is the secret passage behind the big painting still your favorite?” I give him a small hum as a yes.

He takes my hand again, quickly pulling me from the ball room to go find the passage. To our next adventure.

[lady-of-tearshed]

Get him back

Platonic!Liam Mairi x Reader

Inspired by the song "get him back!" By Olivia Rodrigo

Summary: Liam would do absolutely anything for Sloan. Even listening to her spilling tea about her... rather hot best friend shitty lovelife.

Word count:

Warnings: very slight violence.

A/N: Let's be honest, Liam would totally be the type to love hearing out to her sister spilling tea to him. And he would do anything to help her baby sister out.

Liam almost jumped off the chair of his desk when Sloan slammed the door of his bedroom open, crashing down onto his bed in an annoyed grunt. He knew he wouldn't need to ask what was wrong, so he just got up and closed back to the door slowly, making sure the joints hadn't been shattered by his little sister's sudden entrance.

He laid down beside his sister on his bed, ready to hear about whatever had put her in such a shitty mood. “Is it wrong to read your best friend’s journal?” Sloan kept staring at the ceiling, biting her lower lip just like she did after doing something bad when they were children.

He turns his head and smiles gently at his sister, knowing how caring she was towards her… incredibly attractive friend. “Well… was it a matter of making sure she's safe?”

Sloan exhaled a deep sigh. “Well… kind of. She's not talking since he dumped her. And she'd been acting really… weird lately. I was worried, and she wouldn't open up to me when I asked her…” She groans and throws her hands to the ceiling in annoyance. “She wrote that she wanted to get that bastard back!”

He sat up abruptly, his pulse fastening and his voice slightly raising an octave. “She wants to get him back?!”

Unfortunately for Liam, Y/N seemed to have an annoying attraction to the worst masculine specimens there could be. Plus, as she said plenty of times, Liam was “a good friend to her, a brother figure”…

Yeah. He knew he'd never get a shot with this amazing girl… Plus, Sloan would probably pin his balls to the wall if he ever made a move on her best friend. “Well… that's what she wrote in her journal…”

Sloan turned her head to his brother, giving him the eyes. The pleading eyes… She even added a little pouting lip. Whatever Sloan was about to ask him, he knew damn well he was already doomed to accept whatever it was about. “Please talk her out of it, she always listens to you!”

Liam groans in answer and sit up on the bed. “Fine. I suppose I can try to stop by her room to… try putting her back on track.” Sloan sits up too and swings her arms against his brother’s neck. She gives him a big smooch on the cheek, making him chuckle at her baby sister's childish behavior. “Ooooh thank you! You're my best big brother!” “I'm your only one.” “Exactly my point.”

He rolls his eyes at her teasing, and walks out of his bedroom to stop by Y/N's room before classes start. He makes sure to stop by the cafeteria to pick them both up coffee and muffins, for breakfast. That way it'll give them more time to talk.

He passes by first year cadets, every one of them, mostly girls, looking over at him as if he was some kind of fallen angel. Probably because of his prominent rebellion relic showing off fully because of that fitted black t-shirt he was wearing. And the fact that a second year was walking through the halls of first years…

He tried to brush it off, and walk directly to your door, knocking on it with his foot, since his hands were full with you guys breakfast. You open up the door, your nose buried deep into the book you were currently reading. Your eyes shift up when you realize that the same standing in your doorway was much larger and taller than your roommate's, Sloan. “Liam? Is everything okay? Did something happen to Sloan?”

He chuckles and your body relaxes at the sight of breakfast in your friend's hands. You put your book down on the desk beside the door, and help Liam empty his hands. “Everything and everyone is fine. I just decided to bring over breakfast. Figured we could… talk.” She nods, taking a first sip of her coffee and moves to the side to let Liam in.

“Thank you, Liam. Actually, yeah. I wanted to talk to you too about um… something.” He nods, feigning innocence as if he didn't already know what was wrong. As if Sloan didn't just burst panicked into his room this morning when she snooped into your things and read your journal.

He puts a comforting hand on her shoulder and smiles softly. “You know… I know that… things are hard after a breakup and that sometimes we have doubts…” You frown and shakes your head. “No I- Actually, I'm really over him and I wanted your help to-” You stops in your track and gasps, throwing him an accusatory finger.

Liam tenses, but quickly relaxes when a playful grin spreads onto Y/N’s beautiful lips. “Sloan snooped into my things again, did she?!” You burst into laughter at Liam’s awkwardly scratching the back of his head. This sibling duo was impossible… “She must've thought I wanted to get him back for other… reasons.”

Liam chuckles, feeling incredibly awkward in the situation her sister threw him in. “What..?” You chuckle and finish up your coffee in a swig before filling your mouth with the muffins he bought. “Yeah! I wrote in my diary that I wanted to get him back, but for… revenge purposes. And I wanted to ask for your help, actually.”

He leans forward on his chair, elbows resting on his knees. “Listening.” You grin and stand up, clapping your hands. “Alright! So first, I want to make him really jealous. And for that part, I need your help. I need us to… fake date.” He raises a brow, confused. “Fake date? Sloan will kill my ass.” “Oh shush, she's your little sister and my best friend, she can't be that scary!”

He sighs and leans back into his chair, contemplating the situation he got himself into… “Alright. Deal. We'll fake date. But… you said first… what are the next parts?” You grin mischievously, then add. “Oh… the next parts are my parts… the fun parts. I'll make him lunch, poison him, kiss his face with an uppercut, and break his heart again and again, just like he did to me.” You finish up your muffin and wipe the crumbs on your shirt.

You walk to exit the door, Liam too stunned to say anything. “Oh. And once I'll be in second year, and have the right to send letters, I'll make sure to write one to his mom to tell her how her son sucks. Good day, Liam!” You shoot him a pretty smile before heading out of your room to attend your classes, as if you did not just confess to him that you'll make this man suffer from worse tortures than in RSC classes.

Sloan really had nothing to worry about her best friend… But that guy needed to. Though he totally deserved it.

A/N (again): This is just a quick little something that flew out of my mind just... Now. I'm currently reading Crescent City, so I'll probably post some content about this fandom soon. 💕👀

[inky-writing]

Coming soon

[soulofapatrick]

The Not-So-Secret Secret - Liam Mairi x female reader

Summary: Liam overhears you fantasising about him 

Words: 3.6K 

Warnings: none 

Notes: Who wouldn’t want a friendship like this with Ridoc, Sawyer and Violet??

Y/N's POV

Lunch in the Rider’s Quadrant is supposed to be a brief respite—a small break from the endless training, a moment of peace before we're thrust back into the chaos of Basgiath. But, with my friends around? Peace is a joke.

Ridoc lounges across from me, his smirk too damn infuriating as he stirs his stew with far too much amusement. Violet props her chin on her hand, watching me like I’m the star of her personal comedy show. Sawyer, the unwilling participant in all our chaos, sits next to me, sighing deeply into his cup like he already knows what’s coming.

And, of course, as always, I’m the topic of discussion.

I glance around the crowded mess hall, my eyes scanning for the familiar form of Liam. I swear, I can’t stop myself from looking for him, even though I know full well I’ll just end up making an idiot of myself when he catches me staring.

But before I can spot him, Ridoc speaks.

“You’re so obvious,” he drawls, his voice lazy but laced with far too much amusement. He taps his spoon against the edge of his bowl like he’s conducting some twisted rhythm. “It’s almost painful to watch.”

I roll my eyes, trying to ignore the heat creeping up my neck. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Sawyer huffs a quiet laugh, not even bothering to hide his amusement. “You definitely do.”

Violet grins, leaning forward with that knowing look. “You want us to spell it out? Fine. You stare at Liam like he’s a godsdamned meal, you turn into a stuttering mess when he talks to you, and—oh, wait—didn’t you walk into a pole last week because he smiled at you?”

I groan, slumping forward and burying my face in my hands. “Once. That happened once.”

Ridoc snickers, not missing a beat. “You apologised to the pole.”

Sawyer shakes his head, clearly done with both of them. “You’re aware that most people just… talk to their crushes, right? Instead of ogling them like they’re about to go extinct?”

I lift my head just enough to glare at him. “First of all, I do not ogle him—”

Ridoc snorts. “Oh, babe. You do.”

Violet hums thoughtfully, a smirk playing at her lips. “I mean, to be fair, I’d ogle him too.”

Ridoc grins, his shoulder leaning back casually. “Same.”

Sawyer sighs, running a hand over his face. “I hate both of you.”

Violet nudges my foot under the table, a playful glint in her eyes. “You’re so far gone. What is it? The muscles? The whole ‘dangerous but soft-hearted protector’ thing?”

Ridoc elbows her, joining in. “Or is it the way he looks like he could pick you up and throw you onto a bed like you weigh nothing?”

I shoot them both a withering glare, but they’re not even fazed. “You both suck.”

Violet just laughs, clearly enjoying herself far too much. “I bet he’s great in bed.”

And that’s the moment that seals my fate. Without even thinking, I let out a dreamy sigh, my voice soft and full of wistful longing. “Oh, definitely.”

Sawyer’s fork hits his plate with a loud clatter, his eyes wide with shock. Ridoc and Violet exchange delighted glances, both of them far too entertained by this.

“Oh, please,” Ridoc urges, leaning forward with far too much enthusiasm. “Do go on.”

I should stop. I know I should. But the words just spill out, and I can’t seem to stop myself.

“Okay, just think about it,” I begin, my hands moving as I get more caught up in my own thoughts. “Liam’s always in control, right? He’s always calm, always watching out for everyone. But I bet when he finally lets go?” I exhale sharply. “Gods.”

Ridoc presses a hand to his heart, pretending to swoon. “This is already my favourite meal ever.”

Violet grins wider. “Go on.”

And so, I do.

“He’s so strong,” I continue, eyes wide as I gesture in excitement. “He could pin you down so easily. Hold you right where he wants you.” My voice softens, turning almost reverent. “And he would—he absolutely would. And he’s so thoughtful, you know? He’d pay attention. He’d know exactly what makes you lose control, and he’d use it against you.”

Sawyer makes a strangled noise behind me, while Ridoc actually fans himself, looking delighted.

“I bet he loves praise, too,” I murmur, voice barely above a whisper. “He’s got that heroic streak—he wants to protect, wants to be good at what he does. So imagine what he’d be like in bed if you just—” I trail my fingers along the table, my breath hitching slightly. “If you just moaned his name and told him how good he was—”

Ridoc wheezes, barely able to contain his laughter.

Violet’s eyes are wide, fighting back her own amusement.

Sawyer groans, rubbing his temples like he’s in physical pain.

And that’s when my stomach drops.

I freeze, my mind going completely blank. The atmosphere shifts, and Ridoc’s laughter turns manic while Violet looks far too entertained. Sawyer—traitor that he is—won’t even look at me, staring at his plate like he’s preparing for my inevitable demise.

I slowly turn my head.

And there he is.

Liam Mairi stands right behind me, arms crossed, hazel eyes dark with something unreadable. There’s a slight flush creeping up his neck, but his lips are quirked in the faintest, most infuriating smirk.

I can’t breathe

For what feels like an eternity, there’s nothing but silence. The entire room seems to freeze, and my heart races in my chest like it’s trying to escape. I’m convinced I’ve just combusted, my soul departing from my body as the blood rushes to my ears. I feel like I'm suffocating, trapped in the crushing weight of my own humiliation.

Then, in a voice that’s far too calm, too collected, Liam says, “That’s quite the imagination you’ve got there.”

And just like that, I forget how to exist. My body goes slack, my mind blanking out in the worst possible way. I can't even form a coherent thought. It’s like the universe has decided to prank me on an existential scale.

Ridoc is the first to lose it. He collapses against the table, gasping for breath as he bursts into full-blown, wheezing laughter. I can feel the heat of embarrassment spreading across my face, but there’s nothing I can do to stop it. Sawyer groans in disbelief, slumping in his seat as though he's praying for an escape. And Violet? Violet just watches me with gleaming eyes, too pleased with herself as she waits to see how I handle this nightmare.

And because Liam is a menace, he steps closer. He leans in just enough that his breath ghosts over my ear, and I feel a shiver run down my spine. His voice is low, teasing, and he murmurs, “You could’ve just asked.”

I’m pretty sure I stop breathing entirely, my entire world shrinking down to that one breath, that one infuriatingly calm whisper in my ear. And then—like he didn’t just completely obliterate my existence—he straightens up, grabs an apple from the table like it's the most normal thing in the world, and walks away without another word.

I’m frozen. I don’t even know how I’m still upright. Every single neutron in my brain is fried beyond repair. The weight of my own existence crashes down on me, and I don’t know whether I want to crawl into a hole and die or just evaporate into thin air.

The silence is unbearable. It stretches on like a taut string, a physical thing, as though everyone else in the room is waiting for me to fall apart. And then—

“Oh, fuck, that was beautiful,” Ridoc gasps, still wiping actual tears from his eyes as he struggles to catch his breath. He barely manages to hold himself up, clearly on the verge of total collapse from laughter.

Sawyer exhales deeply, like he’s been holding his breath for an hour. “I think I need a cold shower after that.”

Violet is grinning like a cat that got the cream, her eyes dancing with wicked glee. “So… are you going to ask?”

I groan, burying my face in my arms on the table. This is it. My life is officially over. I’m going to die here, surrounded by the most insufferable friends in existence, right in the middle of the Rider’s Quadrant.

Ridoc is practically howling with laughter now, unable to contain himself any longer. He slides off the bench, clutching his stomach as he wheezes. Violet beams like she just orchestrated the most spectacular thing in the world. Sawyer—poor, long-suffering Sawyer—just groans, his face buried in his hands like he cannot handle the absolute chaos any longer.

Meanwhile, I am completely frozen in place, still reeling from the fact that Liam Mairi—the man I’ve been not-so-secretly fantasising about—just heard everything. And then, then, he had the audacity to whisper in my ear like he hadn't just obliterated every ounce of dignity I’ve ever had.

I am never going to recover from this.

“Holy shit,” Ridoc gasps, still on the floor, clearly out of his mind with laughter. “That was—I am deceased. Do not revive me. Let me die like this.”

Violet sighs dreamily, clearly still basking in the aftermath of the moment. “Gods, that was hot. The way he just—” She mimics Liam’s smirk, deepens her voice mockingly, “‘You could’ve just asked.’” She shudders, as though she felt it too. “I felt that.”

I groan again, shoving her arm away. “You’re not helping.”

“Oh, I never intended to.”

Ridoc finally manages to haul himself back onto the bench, though he’s still wiping tears from his eyes. “You know,” he says between fits of laughter, nudging me with his elbow, “if you want, I can go find him. Tell him you’d like to—what was it?—moan his name and tell him how good he is?”

My soul leaves my body. “Ridoc!”

He grins, unbothered. “What? I’m just being a good friend.”

“You’re the worst friend.”

“Oh, absolutely.”

Violet, still wearing that insufferable smirk, tilts her head with a knowing look. “You do realise you now have zero excuse not to make a move, right?”

I blink at her, not understanding at first. “I—what? No, I absolutely have an excuse. Multiple, actually.” I start counting them off on my fingers. “One: I’ve just suffered a public humiliation the likes of which I will never recover from. Two: I am pretty sure I’ve spontaneously developed a heart condition from that interaction alone. And three: I simply cannot face him after that.”

Sawyer groans, cutting me off with a loud exasperated sound. “For the love of all that is holy, just go after him.”

I blink, completely thrown off by his sudden urgency. “What?”

“I cannot handle any more of this,” he grumbles, dragging a hand down his face like he's dealing with something far beyond his understanding. “I love you, but I am too straight to be forced to think about another man’s dick this much.”

Ridoc cackles like a madman. “You poor, poor thing.”

Sawyer levels him with an exasperated look. “You are thriving in this chaos. I am suffering.” He gestures at me, then at Liam’s retreating figure. “And she’s just sitting here instead of chasing after him like a normal person.”

I sputter, feeling like the world is spinning around me. “Chase after him?!”

Violet hums thoughtfully, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I mean… it would be the logical next step.”

I shake my head, my voice low and shaky. “No, the logical next step is that I pretend this never happened and spend the rest of my life avoiding him—”

Sawyer cuts me off with a sharp, pained groan as he shoves me. “Go.”

“I—”

“Go.”

“I don’t—”

“If you do not get your ass up and go after him, I swear, I will personally tie you to a saddle and deliver you to him myself.”

Ridoc perks up, like he's suddenly interested. “Oh, that sounds fun.”

“Not helping!”

Violet crosses her arms, clearly not letting me off the hook. “Sawyer’s right. You have a literal invitation to make a move. Are you really going to sit here and let it go to waste?”

I groan, slumping further down onto the table. “You all suck so much.”

“Yeah, yeah, we’re the worst,” Ridoc says, rolling his eyes. “Now go get your man.”

I lift my head just enough to glare at them all. “If this ends in disaster, I’m blaming all of you.”

Violet shrugs nonchalantly. “Fair.”

Sawyer gestures toward the door, clearly done with the back and forth. “Please just go before I hear one more word about Liam Mairi’s dick.”

“Don’t forget to suck his-“ 

I throw a one-finger salute over my shoulder, my heart already in my throat. The last thing I need is Ridoc making more of a spectacle out of this than he already has. Still, I can hear him laughing behind me, Violet trying (and failing) to stifle her giggles, and Sawyer groaning in what I can only assume is pure agony.

I try to focus, pushing past the teasing and the anxiety building in my chest. I need to find Liam. I can’t even think about the fact that he—the person I’ve been obsessing over in the most embarrassing of ways—now knows exactly how I feel. I really need to see him again to figure out if what happened was as insane as I think it was.

As I jog away from the dining hall, the crowd thinning as I round a corner, I spot him just outside. His broad shoulders are visible before anything else—impossible to miss, especially when his presence seems to take up more space than necessary. He’s standing near the stone archway, arms crossed, with that familiar soft smile playing on his lips. I stop short, heart hammering in my chest, legs feeling like they’re made of lead as I stare at him.

What the hell am I even supposed to say?

Liam’s eyes flicker toward me, his smile widening slightly, as if he’d known I’d come running after him. He leans back slightly against the archway, his posture easy and relaxed, and I feel a flutter in my chest that has nothing to do with nerves.

“You know,” he says, his voice warm and inviting, “I didn’t expect you to come after me quite like this.”

I open my mouth to respond, but nothing comes out. Gods, help me. Instead, I shuffle on my feet, trying desperately to act cool, but I can feel the heat creeping up my neck. It’s almost like every ounce of confidence I’ve ever had is being sucked out of me by his gaze.

He pushes off the stone with one hand, his eyes soft but teasing as they meet mine. “I didn’t think I was that irresistible.”

I wince, my blush spreading even further. “You’re not—"

Liam’s eyebrow quirks up, his lips curving into that playful smile I know so well. “Oh, really? Because Ridoc sure seemed to think you were.”

And just like that, the air in my lungs feels like it’s been replaced with stone. Ridoc’s voice echoes in my mind: “Suck his dick, huh?”

Fucking Ridoc.

“I—” I stutter, trying to force words through the haze of panic, but they’re stuck somewhere in my throat. “I don’t—I wasn’t—”

Liam steps closer, slowly, his presence gentle but unmistakable. He reaches out, his hand brushing lightly against my arm, sending a surge of warmth through me. It’s soft, almost tender, like he’s being careful with me, like he’s waiting for something. But the intensity in his gaze tells me that he’s not the least bit uncertain.

“You know,” he murmurs, his voice low, almost teasing, “I’ve been thinking about this. And I think we’re both tired of pretending we don’t want this.”

I open my mouth to respond, but the words catch in my throat. The heat between us is building, and my mind feels hazy. His eyes flicker down to my lips, and then back up, and I swear I see a flicker of something darker in his gaze.

Before I can process what he just said, his hand moves quickly—too quickly for me to react—and he pulls me closer, his fingers wrapping around my waist. My breath catches in my chest as he draws me in, his grip firm but gentle, like he’s in control, like he knows exactly what he wants.

Then, in a move so fast it almost takes my breath away, he spins us around, his body pressing me up against the nearest wall. My hands are pinned above my head, his strong grip keeping me in place. The world seems to stop as I feel the heat of his body against mine, his breath warm on my neck.

There’s no teasing this time. No playful smirk. His face is inches from mine, his expression serious, searching. “Is this what you imagined?” he asks, his voice breathless, a hint of vulnerability behind the intensity.

I freeze, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of his words hangs in the air between us, and for a moment, all I can do is stare at him. This—this is different. This isn’t the playful Liam I know. This is something raw, something real.

The space between us crackles with heat, the air thick with anticipation, and when his lips finally crash against mine, it’s not soft or hesitant—it’s burning, desperate, and hungry. He moves with a primal need, as if he’s been waiting for this exact moment for far too long.

My breath hitches as his hands grip me, pulling me even closer, pressing my body flush against his. His lips are bruising, demanding, his kiss deep and relentless as if he wants to devour me whole. His tongue slides against mine, coaxing, urging, like he’s trying to erase every ounce of hesitation between us. I can’t think, can’t breathe—there’s nothing but him, nothing but the heat of his body and the intoxicating taste of his kiss.

I lose myself in it, my fingers tangling in his shirt as I tug him closer, needing more, deeper. His hand moves back to my wrist, pinning it above my head against the wall again, his grip tight but not painful, a reminder that he’s in control, that he’s holding me here, with him. His other hand slides down to my waist, tugging me even closer until there’s not an inch of space between us.

His lips shift, feverish, his kiss becoming more insistent, more demanding. His breath is ragged against my lips, each exhale a fire that only fuels the inferno building between us. The sensation of him, the taste of him, consumes me, and for a moment, I forget everything else—the world, the noise, the people around us.

Then, just when I think I can’t take it anymore, just when my mind is a haze of desire and need, he pulls away, his lips barely brushing mine as he pants against my face. His eyes meet mine, dark and heavy with unspoken questions.

“Is this what you imagined?” His voice is low, gravelly, the words thick with longing.

I can barely breathe, let alone form a coherent thought, but somehow, I manage to let out a shaky breath and nod, my hands trembling as I rest them on his chest, feeling the rapid thud of his heart under my fingertips. I can still taste him on my lips, still feel the heat of him all around me. My head spins, but I can’t stop smiling. “Yeah,” I whisper, my voice barely a breath. “I think it is.”

Liam’s grin returns, wicked and slow, before he leans in again, his lips hovering just above mine. There’s something different in the way he kisses me this time—softer, more intimate, like he’s savouring every second, every breath.

But just as the world narrows down to nothing but him, just as his lips move with that same heated urgency, an unmistakable wolf-whistle pierces the air.

I freeze, every muscle in my body tensing as a familiar voice rings out through the silence, followed by another.

“Damn, Liam! Save some of that for later!” Ridoc’s voice calls out, his tone mocking but amused.

Sawyer groans in the background, dragging a cackling Ridoc and Violet behind him. The sound of their laughter cuts through the haze of heat between us, and before I can even react, Ridoc’s obnoxious whistle echoes again, followed by a loud, exaggerated "Woo!"

I pull back from Liam, my cheeks flushed with embarrassment, my heart still racing from the kiss. But the moment has shattered, replaced with Ridoc’s teasing and Sawyer’s grumbling.

Liam chuckles softly, his breath still heavy, though there’s a playful glint in his eyes now. “I guess we’ll have to finish this later,” he murmurs, his voice full of promise.

I blink, disoriented, and turn my head to glare at Ridoc, my heart still pounding in my chest. "You’re a real piece of work, you know that?" I mutter, though a smile threatens to break through.

But I know this isn’t over. Not by a long shot.

Fourth Wing Masterlist TAG LIST - updated 12th Oct 2024

@caramelmacchiato07 @fanficscuziranout @daisydark @mariahoedt @marrass @honethatty12 @ladymacbabe

[sapchat]

i want to read the most guy wrenching heart shattering liam mairi fanfiction because my baby deserved BETTER and LOVE LIKE NO OTHER (i would also fuck the daylights out of ridoc because i imagined him as stiles stilisnki era dylan obrien)

Okay well you’ve just made me realize why part of me likes Ridoc. Cuz it reminds me of Stiles fucking Stilinski.

ALSO I would love nothing more than to read the most gut punching, heart wrenching, heart shattering, lips of an angel type shit, story about Liam.

Like imagine a story where readers signet is being able to communicate with past souls or some shit, like all they need is an object which is difficult since their belongings get burned. But we have his letters to Sloan, and the dragons he carved so we can still communicate and “summon” him.

[nomie-11]

Liam Mairi x Reader - The Artist and his Muse

masterlist!

Never once did Liam have the desire to learn how to draw, or learn how to paint, but as he whittled her dragon into another blank piece of wood, he was beginning to understand. He had no clue how to carve a mini figurine of her and her beautiful face, so he would need to learn how to draw. 

The idea had struck him like a bolt of Violet’s lightning—a restless itch that wouldn’t fade no matter how many times he told himself it was impossible or unreasonable. He was Liam Mairi, a warrior, soldier, protector, he had no business picking up a pencil to sketch her delicate lines or smoothing the curves of her figure with tender care. It was already somewhat unreasonable that he spent nearly all of his free time carving small figures of dragons. But when he glances at her, Y/n, laughing softly as her dragon swished his tail protectively behind her, he realized no battlefield could ever compare to the challenging art of capturing her essence. 

The unfinished wooden carving sat in his hands, its shape rough and unrefined, and he really couldn’t even tell that it was supposed to be a human, let alone Y/n. It wasn’t enough. The wood was too rigid to hold her warmth, her fire, her unmistakable spirit. He needed to bring her to life on paper before he could even think about turning that vision into something real. 

So that evening, after drills, Liam approached Violet. 

“I really, really need your help,” He pleaded as they walked towards the dining hall. “I need you to ask Jesinia to get me a book on how to draw from the archives. Please Violet.”

She snorted, suppressing a giggle as they grabbed their trays of food and sat down at their normal table. 

“I’ll see what I can do,” she replied lightly, waving to Rhiannon and Y/n, who sat talking animatedly over something. “We’ll figure it out tomorrow during archive duty before breakfast.” 

“Thank you so much,” He sighed, taking his seat next to Violet and across from Y/n. “You’re a lifesaver.” 

“Why is Violet a lifesaver?” Y/n asked, tilting her head curiously. 

“No reason!” He replied, just a touch too quickly, hiding his red ears behind his hands in a way too obvious manner. 

—————————————-

Over the next week, Liam carried the drawing book everywhere he went, his new codex of sorts, tucked between his journals and Xaden’s training regimens. The first sketches were more than rough, messy lines that bore no real resemblance to Y/n or anything remotely human. He tore out the worst of them in frustration, crumpling the paper into tight balls that littered the floor of his quarters. But he persisted, staying up late in the quiet glow of candlelight, pencil in hand, practicing strokes, shading, and proportions as if his life depended on it. 

It was her smile that always tripped him up. How could something so effortless on her part feel so impossible to replicate? When she smiled, it was never just her lips; it was the way her eyes crinkled at the corners, the way her nose scrunched slightly when she laughed, the warmth it brought to her entire face. He could picture it so vividly in his mind that it hurt to see the flat, lifeless doodles staring back at him. 

Still, he refused to give up. He filled the pages of the makeshift sketchbook Xaden had scrapped up for him, painstakingly sketching her in every moment of silence they had. The way she tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear while reading; the intensity in her gaze when she strategized during training; the rare softness of her expression when her large blue dragon nudged her shoulder, her hand resting gently on his scales. 

He began stealing glances whenever he could, noting the curve of her jawline or the way the sunlight caught the strands in her hair, a mesmerizing mix of highlights he couldn’t quite replicate. 

“Are you drawing her again?” Violet teased one afternoon, leaning over his shoulder as they sat by the edge of the sparring grounds, Y/n and Rhiannon going at each other just in front of them. He quickly closed the sketchbook, shooting her a warning glare. 

“Shut up,” he mumbled, his ears turning a bright crimson. 

“She’s going to figure it out eventually, you know,” Violet grinned, nudging him playfully. “You’re not exactly subtle.” 

Liam groaned, burying his face in his hands. “I just… I can’t get it right. She’s—she’s so—”

”Complicated?” Violet offered with a smirk. 

“Perfect,” he corrected softly, almost too low for Violet to hear. 

Later that week, as they gathered in the common area to relax after a long day, Y/n sat down beside him, close enough that her shoulder brushed his. Liam’s heart hammered against his ribs, and he clutched the sketchbook tighter, praying she wouldn’t notice it. 

“What’s that?” She asked, her tone curious, eyes flicking to the edge of the leather cover sticking out from under his arm. 

“Nothing!” He replied quickly. A little too quickly. 

Her eyebrows rose, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “Oh, it’s definitely something. Let me see.” 

Before he could react, she reached over, snatching the sketchbook from his hands with an ease that came from years of training together. 

“Y/n, wait!” Liam practically lunged after her, but it was too late. She flipped the book open, her eyes scanning the page in silence. 

At first, she didn’t speak, her expression unreadable. She turned page after page—her laughing, her dragon mid-flight, her leaning against a tree in a rare quiet moment. Some sketches were crude, others more refined, and some heartbreakingly detailed, especially the ones of her smiling. 

“You… you drew all these?” she asked finally, her voice barely above a whisper. 

“I—uh—yeah.” He scratched the back of his neck, feeling like his heart might give out. “I know they’re not great, but—” 

“Are you kidding?” she interrupted, looking up at him with wide eyes, “These are… Liam, they’re beautiful.”

“You think so?” he asked, his voice hesitant, vulnerable in a way he rarely allowed himself to be. 

She nodded, her gaze softening as she held the sketchbook closer to her chest. “But… Why me?” 

The question hung in the air between them, heavy with meaning. 

Liam swallowed hard, his hands fidgeting in his lap as his ears turned a bright red. “Because… because you’re everything, Y/n. You’re fierce and kind and smart… and gods, you're just you. And I guess I wanted to try and hold onto that somehow. To show you what I see.” 

Her cheeks flushed, and for a moment, the ever-confident Y/n seemed at a loss for words. “Liam, I… I don’t even know what to say.” 

“You don’t have to say anything,” he added quickly, his voice shaky. “Just… don’t laugh, okay?” 

“Laugh?” she said, a smile tugging at her lips. “Why would I laugh? No one’s ever done anything like this for me before.” 

He couldn’t quite meet her eyes, the vulnerability in his chest almost too much to bear. The air between them felt charged, her fingers still clutching the sketchbook close to her heart as if tethering him in place. His mind screamed at him to say more, to do something, but for once, the fearless Liam Mairi felt fear clamp down hard, rooting him in place. He wanted so badly to close the gap between them, to taste the words that lingered on her lips, but he couldn’t move. 

And then she did. 

Her hand reached out, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, and before he could process what was happening, she tugged him down, her lips meeting his in a rush of warmth and fire. It was soft at first, tentative, like testing the waters, but when he didn’t pull away, she leaned in deeper, her other hand dropping the sketchbook to the floor as it rested on the curve of his jaw. 

Liam’s breath hitched, his heart pounding against his ribs like a war drum as he surrendered to her touch, kissing her back harder than before. His hands hovered for a moment before settling gently on her waist, like he was afraid she might slip away if he held on too tightly. 

When they finally pulled apart, her face was flushed, and her eyes sparkled with something he couldn’t quite name. 

“Well,” she said, a teasing smile curling her lips. “That’s one way to say thank you.” 

Liam let out a breathless laugh, his hand lifting to rub the back of his neck. “I—uh—yeah, I guess it is.” 

She grinned, leaning in close, her voice dropping to a whisper. “And for the record, I think you captured me perfectly, Liam.” 

And with that, she kissed him again, and this time, he didn’t hesitate to kiss her back.

-------

If you enjoyed this one shot, please check out my other series!

Taglist: @awkardnerd , @hannraumari , @minjix , @glaciuswduo , @wolfbc97 , @heeseungthel0ml , @acourtofsmutandstarlight , @kylaisra

[ervotica]

Oh! I've got one! Liam with a super cuddly reader, who's quiet and doesn't speak often, but at random times, she decides she needs a hug and they just cuddle, even if there are other people around.

pairing; liam mairi x fem!reader

warnings; none, just fluff. established relationship, fem!reader.

a/n; apologies this took so long to get out, my dear anon. i’ve been slacking on creative juices recently, and i’m not overly happy with this, but it’s better than nothing (and i adore liam. he’s my no.1 fictional bf <3)

You're late to breakfast this morning. You'd procrastinated the journey to the cafeteria, weighed down by a fatigue that filled your limbs with treacle and siphoned your motivation to move at all. Your bed had practically begged you to stay put, at least for another half an hour, and you’d obliged, heavy eyes falling closed for another few minutes of dreamless sleep.

There are some perks to second year, you decide. Free weekends are awesome.

When you finally trudge your way through the heavy doors, Liam's there to greet you with a grin that has dimples cratering at the centre of his cheeks and crows feet crinkling at his eyes. It's almost enough to dissipate the abounding lethargy that clings to your every muscle, mouth pulled down into a pouting frown that Liam desperately wants to kiss away. He refrains, only for the fact that you’re so shy you’d simply melt on the spot if he kissed you the way he wants to.

“Good morning, my sleepy girl. How are you?”

You forgo words, instead opting for nudging forward into his arms and squishing your cheek against the slope of his shoulder.

“Ah,” he murmurs, smearing a kiss to the very top of your head. “It’s like that, is it?”

“Mm,” you hum noncommittally, dead weight against his chest. His laugh rumbles through you, arms coming up and over your shoulders to settle you into the crease of his armpit; the tension from your body dissipates and you nearly vocalize your urge to drag him back to bed with you.

“Saved you some breakfast,” he says, one broad hand delving into his pocket and coming back armed with a chocolate crossiant— your favourite.

“Pocket pastries!” you giggle. “Every woman’s dream.”

“See, I know you so well,” he laughs right back. “Come and sit. There’s more where this came from.” He accentuates the statement with a cheeky wink and a kiss to the shell of your ear, delighting in the way you flush white-hot beneath him.

You snort, tipping your head up to press a kiss to his jaw. One, then two. He keeps an arm hooked securely over your shoulders when you move towards the table.

“I love you,” you say, muffled around a bite full of pastry. He kisses the crumbs from your lips happily.

“I love you, my girl. Want some more food?”