#black mage my beloved

[myreia]

✦ B L A C K M A G E

Black magic. The tempest of fire and ice and thunder that has been with her for as long as she can remember. Her control over it made her a force to be reckoned as a youth, the key to the specialized unit her parents staked their lives on. It has been many years since then. She has lost her strength and her focus to an enemy, clawed it back and reclaimed it in the aftermath, continued to grow with every step of the journey.   Though she has moved on in many ways, she will always return to her roots. —level 90 compendium

[eorzeanflowers]

Dawntrail Countdown - 7 days to EA

Void archeologists out to survey! Good thing they posses such potent Black Magic in their repertoire.

[lauraagrace]

I won't be sharing my fave reads of 2024 until next month (because you never know what gem you'll read before the year ends 🤭) but I DID update my manga physical license wishlist! 😍

I had 11 wins last year, and hoping I'll get just as many again next year! 🥳

Do I have any of your most wanted licenses on my board?

[amalthea-felsblood]

Familiar voice ◦ "Pardon my lady, but I'm looking for someone."

Marian ◦ "I'm sorry, sir. I'm very busy at the moment, but the others may assist you."

Estinien ◦ "Even too busy for me?"

Marian ◦ *gasp "Estinien!?"

Marian ◦ "I'm glad to see you safe and well; I've missed you so much."

[massgrav]

What's the point of having a favourite character, if you can't put them in pretty sexy dresses...

(pronouns are yes/mistress)

[windup-viera]

Reunited after maintenance! I love her your honor!!

[giggly-squiggily]

Worth More Than You Know (Black Clover)

Heyo! A request by the lovely 🌙 anon, here at last! :D Thank you so much for giving me the chance to write Yunleo once again! (And thank you so much for the kind words, I appreciate it!)

Because the request itself contained spoilers, I’m going to add it at the end :D I hope you like it friend!

Spoilers for The Royal Knights Exam (Chapters 112-133/ Episodes 73-87 of the Manga/Anime!)

When things didn’t go the way Leopold planned, he handles it in two ways.

The first way is to train like crazy and improve. A magic move failed? Put more hours into improving his flame. He wasn’t fast enough, strong enough, defensive enough? Train his muscles harder and stronger to support his actions next time. Had a bad day and is in a mental funk? Even more training- nothing in particular, but it gets his mind off the problem for at least a while.

The other way he handles it comes after he’s exhausted himself with training. This is where Yuno found him now.

“Hey…are you alright?” He asked softly as he walked up to the brooding redhead. Leopold tended to hide in the oddest of places when things went wrong. He would fade out for hours- only reappearing when he’d gotten over it or his physical needs like hunger outweighed his defeat. Today, he was hiding under a large bridge, back against the support structure. “I brought you some food.”

Leopold didn’t answer, head against his knees and body slumped. Yuno felt his heart twinge with guilt. The results of the Royal Knights Exam had passed, and Leopold failed to make the cut. Yuno was successful in getting in, but it felt bittersweet seeing his boyfriend this way. They both knew it was out of their hands who got picked, but it didn’t make the ordeal any better.

“I’ll leave it here.” Yuno placed the wrapped up plate of food beside Leopold’s heels, standing to go. “I should-”

“Wait.” Leopold’s hand reached out, gently wrapping around Yuno’s wrist. “Please. Stay?”

Yuno sat down without a second thought.

A silence passed, neither boy knowing what to say. Leopold’s hand was warm against his wrist, his thumb brushing the pulse point back and forth like a slow metronome. Finally, it was Yuno who broke first. “I’m sorry, Leopold.”

“Huh? Why?” The redhead looked up, eyes wide with surprise. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“But the Royal Knights Exam…I got in and you didn’t.” The words felt harsh in Yuno’s soft voice, making him flinch. “I know you wanted to be on the mission…”

“You don’t need to apologize for that. I’m happy for you, really.” Leopold smiled, leaning up and kissing his boyfriend’s cheek. “You were absolutely incredible out there.”

“So were you.” Yuno relaxed some, smiling back. “You were like a blazing star.”

“Yeah, but I didn’t blaze quite enough.” Leopold sighed and leaned into Yuno, resting his head against his shoulder. “If only I moved a second faster.”

“A second late today is a minute earlier tomorrow.” Yuno mused, enclosing their hands so he could give him a comforting squeeze. “That’s what Sister Lily always told us when things went out of hand. Next time you’ll do better.”

“But what if next time a second is too late?” Leopold argued. “I mean- look what happened to Fuegoleon-”

“That wasn’t your fault.” Yuno cut in.

“You don’t know that.” Leopold snapped before taking a breath. “I’m sorry. You're right- I know it’s not my fault but…I just feel so weak compared to them, you know? Like; my brother and my sister are incredible. They’re captains, they save lives, they’re true Vermillions. They’ve paved a road from the flames of their will, and I can’t even get the fire started for mine.” He shook his head, voice growing soft. “If I can’t even pass an exam, how am I to ever catch up with them, you know?”

Yuno chewed on his lip in thought, letting everything sink in as he searched for the right words to say. “I’m not…the best at words. Nor am I the best to give you advice on this kind of thing. But if there is one thing I know, it’s that you don’t need to worry about catching up with them.” When Leopold raised an eyebrow, he carried on. “When I was a kid, I was a big cry baby. I didn’t know how to stand up for myself and got stressed out easily. It was so bad that I couldn’t do anything when an old drunk took something precious of mine.

“And then there was Asta. He was loud and determined- he always knew exactly how to handle the things I couldn’t, and when that mean old man took my precious thing, Asta got it back for me, even when he was nearly beaten to death. He was like a superhero then.” A soft smile touched his lips at the memory. “In a way, he still is.

“Even with all that though, there were days when things got really frustrating. I still couldn’t do the stuff he could, and I felt so far away from him. It took a long time, but eventually I got there. Eventually, I was strong enough to stand by Asta’s side, and I did it my own way. I’m sure he thinks the same thing.

“The point is- just because you aren’t where you want to be right now, it doesn’t mean you’re weak. You’re just at a wall, and eventually you’ll find a way to get over it. You're strong, really strong. And you're determined, and incredibly talented. You’ll catch up to them in time, so don’t let this one exam determine your worth.”

Leopold was quiet as he listened, taking it all in. When he spoke, his voice sounded a tad heavy. “Heh, when’d you get to be so good at making me feel better?”

“Found a manual on it.” Yuno replied.

Leopold laughed, the sound gentle and warm. When he turned his gaze to Yuno properly, his eyes were misty. “Thank you. Really. I..I needed to hear that.”

Yuno smiled softly, leaning in and pressing another kiss to his temple.

Just then, his stomach growled.

“Heh, guess my appetite is back. Is the food still warm?” Leopold asked, turning to the plate Yuno brought.

~~~

“That was amazing. Sister Rapual doesn’t cook all that often, but when she does, it’s delicious.” Leopold sighed dreamily against Yuno’s lap, his head resting on his thigh as the other ran his fingers along his spine. “Especially her Apple Crumble. What did you think?”

“It truly is tasty. Though I think Sister Lily’s potato pancakes were better.” In all fairness, he hasn’t had them in awhile, but if Yuno was anything, it was loyal.

“You and your potatoes. Though those Hage ones she sent you were pretty tasty.” Leopold shifted some when Yuno’s fingers trailed close to his ribs. “Did you guys ask for them on your birthday? You and Asta.”

“Sometimes. Well, a lot of the time. Ingredients for cake are hard to come by.” There was no bitterness in Yuno’s voice, only fond memories upon waking up with Asta excitedly telling him Sister Lily made a feast. “I think it turned out for the better- I don’t really like sweets.”

“I think you’re the first person I've met who doesn’t.” Leopold squirmed when the fingers grazed his ribs again, a small smile pulling on his lips. “Such an odd character, you are.”

“Says the guy who declares rivals like Wizard cards.” Yuno teased, properly tickling him this time. Leopold huffed out a laugh, but didn’t make any moves to get up. “If I’m odd, you’re whatever’s beyond that.”

“Ehehehe! I dhoohohn’t think thehehere’s anything beyohohond oohohohdd!” Leopold pressed his face into Yuno’s thigh, squirming a little here and there. “Yoohohhohou’re the ohohohohohoddehehehehest person Iihiihihve ehehehehver met!”

“Sure I am.” Yuno rolled his eyes fondly, continuing his gentle scratches while the redhead giggled below him. “You’ve got a lot of nerve to sass me right now given the vulnerable position you're in. It’s like you're asking me to tickle you.”

“Mahahahhahaybe I ahahahaham.” Leopold boldly declared, earning a surprised but amused look from the other. “So thehehehheere!”

“Your funeral.” Yuno replied simply, his hand stretching completely out for full access along Leopold’s side. Despite his words though, the tickles never grew intense, staying gentle as he vibrated his hand along his side. Leopold tried to muffle a squeak when said fingers inched towards his armpits, though his attempts were all in vain. Every stretch of the other’s hand earned a whisper of a laugh, further reddening the smaller boy’s cheeks and increasing his smile.

“Take back calling me odd? Or am I gonna have to get serious?” Yuno asked, letting his hand rest on the edge of Leopold’s upper ribs. “What’s it going to be?”

Leopold remained stubbornly silent, brows furrowed as he dared a pouty glare up at his boyfriend. Even so, Yuno could feel his heart racing, the same way it always did when he was presented a challenge.

“I’m not scared of you! Bring it on!”

Yuno laughed, eyes bright. “Alright then.”

This time, he didn’t hold back.

~~~

“Eh…hehe…yohohohu’re mehehehan.” Leopold gasped out, lying on his side as he giggled weakly.

“I gave you the chance to take it back.” Yuno lightly nudged him, easing back against the stony wall behind them. “Stubborn as ever.”

Leopold huffed before shuffling over, leaning into Yuno’s shoulder once more. When he looked up at him, his eyes were no longer sad. “You love it.”

“I do. You feel better?” Yuno asked, squeezing his hand.

“Yeah…yeah, I do.” Leopold nodded, sitting up with newfound determination. “I’m gonna do better next time. When the Kingdom sees me again, I’ll have a whole new spell mastered!” He hopped to his feet then, running to the opening of the bridge. Taking a breath, he yelled out to the sky.

“YOU HERE THAT WORLD? YOU MIGHT HAVE PUT ME DOWN NOW, BUT I’LL GET THERE! BE READY!” The fire mage turned back to Yuno, grinning brighter than the sun. “How was that, did I sound cool?”

Yuno’s laughing was all the answer he got. Leopold took it in stride.

I hope this was good!

[maryse127]

Considering I clearly have a thing for male Final Fantasy protagonists it shouldn't surprise me that I am falling for Noel very fast but uhm, here we are

[reallyromealone]

MEETINGS

Dire Crowley x male reader

Bottom Crowley, top reader, smut, nsfw, biting, dirty talk, rough sex, sweet words

"hello again crowley" (name) grunted as he had the head mage of the night raven academies legs over his shoulders, thrusting into the others ass with a shit eating grin, the black haired man laying on his own mahogany desk crying in pleasure as the royal swords academy headmaster fucked him stupid "I missed you, did you miss me?" He teased as he kissed the others chest, dress shirt and best ripped open in the heat of the moment, leaving bite marks across his pale flesh as Crowley clawed at his back.

Crowley loved the feeling of (name)s cock stretch him out, shaping his insides to fit him as the other looked dishevelled as he focused his thrusts perfectly, Crowley never wanted it to stop as he felt his insides get rearranged.

He got very excited for (name)s "meetings".

"So generous of you to invite me to beild relationships with me~" Crowley couldn't get a word out as (name) moved him so he could hit his prostate better "ahn!" No snark or cheeky comments as (name)s balls slapped against his ass "god you're so pretty like this... Wish I could have you like this every day..." (Name) said kissing the other, mask long removed as their lips chased one another "you're so perfect... So wonderful..." (Name) loved praising the other, feeding his ego.

And Crowley felt on cloud nine as his beloved worshiped him, kissing him sloppily and whined as (name)s tongue slipped in and gently coaxed him to kiss back, the poor dark made struggling to keep up with the heat of the passion.

"Mmh!" (Name) swollowed moans and whines as he rubbed the others waist and the bruises he left from gripping particularly hard, shifting his thrusts to be a bit more slow as he pushed in nice and deep and swore he could see the outline of his cock.

(Name) let Crowley's legs drop to wrap around (name)s waist, the man pressing his hand against Crowley's abdomen and he could feel his cock go in and out.

"Do you feel that? My cock going in and out of your sloppy little cunt?" (Name) teased while licking at his nipple, Crowley arching his back as felt (name)s hot tongue swirl around his areola before biting at his nipple, (name) pulling Crowley close with one arm wrapped around his waist "don't worry my song bird... I'll take care of you" he promised as he fucked him well and good, stroking his cock in rhythm.

"Please... Fuck oh!" Crowley was such a sweetheart when fucked stupid...

He was so beautiful, sweaty and glowing as he let (name) use him like a sex toy... Maybe one day the fates would allow him to be with Crowley forever, bound by magic for eternity...

"Close...! Fuck (name)!" Crowley cried out as he bit into (name)s shoulder, causing the other to hiss as he picked up speed and left hickeys across Crowley's neck and shoulder as the other sang sweetly for him "so big..." Crowley whined as his body shook out an orgasm.

"I'll fill you up so well... Don't you worry my beloved..." (Name) would give Crowley his life if it meant his happiness would be fulfilled... But for now his cum would have to suffice.

(Name) kept his pace as Crowley's cum covered both their chests, (name)s eyes closed as he felt himself get close "so good, so fucking tight for me... God you're perfect... A perfect little hole for me... I love you" (name) confessed as Crowley looked for once out of words and pulled him into a greedy kiss as (name) came deep within him.

Slow thrusts as he rode out his climax before slowly pulling out his cock and cum dripping out of his ass "beautiful..." (Name) loved Crowley at all times, especially like this.

"I... I love you as well." Crowley mumbled while (name) waved his hand to summon a wash cloth to clean the dark mage "maybe next time I could take you to dinner for our "meetings", must keep peace yes?" (Name) asked as he crouched infront of Crowley to wash the sweat off his body.

"Since I'm so generous, I'll agree to your silly dinner"

"Wonderful"

They couldn't be together the way they wished but this was close enough, the two looking at each other longingly as Crowley put his mask back on.

"Now, be a good little mage and help me to the restroom, the least you could do for blowing my back like that"

[weirdsht]

I really love characters with the tendency to bleed and be some human sacrifice. Tysm kdj and krs. 😭 i have a new idea altho I'm not sure if somebody's already done this. Cale and the group with someone who coughs out blood everytime they spill spoilers from the tcf novel? Like she's been transmigrated/reincarnated (whatev you desire (⁠^⁠^⁠). Bro is trying to help so bad bc they hate war so they do it subtly and carefully (imagine having to be careful with your wording, I can't even--) but can't help but shit out blood sometimes or most of the time cos they forget and get frustrated

Forgive me for i love miserable characters...

Hardbound (Paperback pt. 2) - Cale x Reader

notes: I decided to link it to another oneshot I did before because I think it fits. I hope that's okay!

tags: blood, like the whole fic is blood, heavy cursing, Cale might be ooc, NOVEL SPOILERS (near the end of book 1)

English isn’t my first language so there will be grammatical errors

Pls don't repost my work anywhere without my permission

Constructive criticisms and any kind of interaction are more than welcome

Requests are open and welcome

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Paperback Navigation Masterlist

Crimson, the colour of Cale’s hair.

That was the colour Cale can see right now. However, he is not looking at his hair.

“Ugh!”

Instead, he was looking at the blood dripping from your mouth.

“Stop speaking. This is not good for you.”

“Why not? You cough up blood all the time. Why can’t I do the same?”

You joked lightly but Cale didn’t like how weak your voice sounded. Indeed, he always coughs up blood. Especially whenever he overuses his ancient powers. But the blood he coughs up is dark red. Dead blood from his regeneration powers cleansing his body.

Not the vibrant crimson blood dripping from your chin. Blood from a beating heart, a sign of vitality as Eruhaben would say.

“I need to continue, you need to know about this. We must hurry up so just- ugh… so just listen.”

When you told Cale you were going to pull a “World Tree-nim and a Cale combo”, he didn’t know what he expected. 

It certainly wasn’t you trying to give out spoilers from your beloved book and coughing out copious amounts of blood.

“There will be monsters. Ones too hard to– Ugh! Fuck! I’m sure you understand what I mean.”

Drip

“That’s two out of five. Those things will be in a pit. It’ll look like statues, you will also see… you will also see an altar there…”

Drip

Drip

“You don’t need to speak anymore. Please, the rest of us will figure it out.”

“No, no. I’m fine really… Bear bastard, you know who it is, hostages. He’ll– Ugh!”

Drip. Drip. Drip

“It’s Tasha’s people. For a summoning– Fuck that one really hurts! I'm trying to speak as vaguely as possible already, what the hell…”

“Please… I’m going to tape your mouth shut if you don’t shut up.”

Drip

Drip

Drip. Drip. Drip

“I’d like to see you try. The tape won’t stick with all– with all this blood.”

“Haaa”

“Enough jokes. The fourth and fifth ones are connected. In Endable, watch out for bears and black– watch out for black mages. And avoid– Shit! Avoid using instant. But I'm not sure if it's… if it's possible… I need to speak… to speak to Raon. The last spoiler is for him– ugh..!”

Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.

Cale wanted to refuse. He wanted this to end.

At first, it was just from your mouth.

The blood that is.

Then it started dripping from your left eye. Naturally, your right eye was next.

Then your nose. Then your ears.

Before the commander knew it, your entire face was covered with blood. He tried to wipe it, but they were dripping so quickly that it did nothing.

Cale doesn’t know how are you still conscious. He isn’t even sure if you’re still breathing. That was why he wanted you to shut up. That was why he desperately wanted this to stop.

But it can’t

Cale can’t refuse nor can he end this.

It was because you already made up your mind. And since you did, there’s no stopping you now.

So he gets Raon. Warned the toddler that the sight inside the room would not be pretty, but he must listen. Because their futures are resting upon the words you are about to say.

Upon the words written in your beloved book.

“Human…”

“I know… If you can’t listen I’ll listen for you and rely on the message.”

“No… I’m great and mighty. Because I’m great and mighty I shall listen to this conversation myself.”

Raon flew over to where you were. Placing himself on your lap as he uses his stubby paws to hug you.

“Ah, it feels comforting to have such a great and mighty being comforting me. But you’ll get blood on you– Ugh..!”

Drip. Drip.

The black dragon didn’t care about the blood. He just hugged you tighter at the sound of you coughing up more blood.

“Raon Miru-nim remember this well. Things might get messy and despite my meddling things might still go awry. So I’m telling you right now. In Endable, Cale might become incapacitated to fight– Fuck! Ugh, I promised to not curse in front of you…”

Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.

Drip…

Drip..

“It will be hard, you will need to do everything yourself, without Cale. In fact, you will have to do his job– ugh… but you must do well. Remember, the first thing you have to do is have Mila-nim on standby. She can heal him.”

Cough

Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip

“I want to say more… but I’m reaching my limit…”

Raon tightened his hug and you weakly reciprocated it. You aren't sure if the wetness you feel in your shirt is from your blood or the dragon’s silent tears. Nonetheless, you still tried to hug Raon tighter.

In the meanwhile, Cale was already calling for servants and healers to attend to you as soon as you admitted your limit. His voice was laced with unusual panic. It made the others who didn’t know what was happening move with urgency.

“Raon-nim…”

“Yes?”

“You are strong, smart, great and mighty, always remember that.”

You weakly stroked Raon’s back, trying to comfort him in advance for the things about to come.

“Young master what’s going on–”

Beacrox and Ron stopped in their tracks when they saw the condition you were in.

“Ahahaha, you guys are right on time. I think… I’m going.. To…”

You couldn’t even finish your sentence for you already fell unconscious. Your body dangerously swaying to fall off from your sitting position on the couch. Luckily, Cale was nearby and managed to catch your falling body.

Cale glanced at you, then he glanced at the open book on the table.

As usual, he couldn’t see what was written on the pages. He could only see the cover title at the front and the synopsis at the back.

But that doesn’t stop him from hating that damned book that put you in this state.

If only you haven’t read that book before coming here.

If only there wasn’t a restriction placed on you by that damned book.

If only…

“Fuck, after this war is done I’m going to try and burn that shitty book one way or another. I don’t care anymore if it’s your favourite.”

note: in case it wasn't clear, the placement of the drips signifies how fast the reader's blood was gushing out

[oh-no-its-bird]

I know you already did a dungeon meshi x naruto au, but think with me

I was listening to the "I'll let the world burn for you" song and, while thinking on kakaobi, I realized that's SO farcille coded

So now I thought "crossover au where kakaobi is farcille", but idk who would be marcille bc, honestly, both would use dark magic to resurrect the other, mr. Hatake "Don't use rinne tensei even if it means not saving many lives" Kakashi and mr. Uchiha "I'll destroy this world and create a dream one to have my loved ones again" Obito

YOURE SO RIGHT WHAT THE FUCK

Mm,, alternate dungeon meshi AU with obkk my beloved,,

I think Marcille Kakashi fits best if we really wanna play off that "star student turned you're worst nightmare" angle, hes my favorite rising star prodigy who tried to run too far and too fast and crashed and burned for it

Also just Chimera Obito, cmon, come on. If nothing else, I am now committed to seeing Uchiha as chimeras, it's fun

Mad Mage Madara and ruler of the golden kingdom Izuna fits alarmingly well actually, both for the roles and like, narratively from multiple angles. Madara going mad bc of his brothers death, him turning Obito into a monster, his general monstrousness coming from a place of love. It works scarily well

Maybe Tobirama can take the role of that Yaad has, cursed to be immortal and lord of the golden country hidden within the dungeon in Izuna's absence. Madara visits him sometimes and insists it'll all be ok once Izuna is back as Tobirama calls him insane to his face

Anyways; back to the party.

So Marcille Kakashi and Falin Obito. Rin has to be on their team for obvious reasons, but I reeeeally wanna see Itachi, Shisui and Tenzo on it too bc I'm such a sucker for Team Ro.

Alternativley tho, if we make Kakashi an elf, what if we have Team Ro kind of take the place of the Canaries, and say Kakashi was once part of it but bc reasons eventually left and did his own thing? ANBU/ROOT -> Canaries pipeline or smthn idk

(I just want to see team ro somewhere around)

Anyways, Kakashi turning to black magic to save Obito, only inadvertedly managing to make him into a monster, both of them effectively dragging eachother down more and more and further and futher in their unwillingness to let eachother go.

I bet it'd do awful things to Kakashi's guilt complexe too, that'd be fun

Doing smthn fun, let Hashirama be a ghost wandering around trying to talk Madara down from his usual bullshit, but confined to the lower floors or else he risks losing himself. Now let him posess Tenzo bc they have similar magic and let it give him a cool plant magic power up, and also let this mean he can now move between floors as long as he stays inside of Tenzo. Maybe he can help guide them through the dungeon

Let Madara see Obito or Itachi for the first time and realize that his family somehow continued to exist outside of the dungeon walls, and let him feel smthn about it. Let him call him turning Obito into a chimera as something like love, something like welcoming him home, and let him try to offer Itachi something similar.

I have a couple other thoughts but Imma hit post on this bc its been sitting in my drafts for too long now, might come back to add more later but idk

[aaron-m-geist-ff]

Royal!au where Mahito is the castle wizard and is known for his eccentric nature.

You are the queen’s lady-in-waiting, but her majesty cares more for her beloved psychic mage with strange stitch marks on his skin. Nobody knows much about him, and many aristocrats in the court suspect that Mahito was the result of a terrible science experiment gone wrong.

Regardless of his origins, it is clear that he is powerful and well educated. He can create countless potions and can even successfully predict the future with his strange tarot cards. Mahito is always at the queen’s side, aiding in all of her decisions. He rarely ever speaks to anyone else.

Except for you.

You run into him in the corridor one day, nearly causing the wizard to drop his spell books. He always wears the same black robes which flow behind him as he walks at a brisk pace. You apologize profusely for your own clumsiness. And Mahito looks at you as if he is just now seeing you for the first time. The two of you partake in an awkward first meeting, which gradually turns into small talk. Eventually, you engage in full on conversations any chance you get.

The queen sits on her throne, overseeing her court.

You stand on her left.

Mahito on her right.

You exchange knowing glances every once in a while.

It goes on that way for what feels like ages until the tension breaks. You spend most of your free time in the wizard’s tower, watching him work amongst the organized chaos. Mahito ends up fucking you against his large mahogany desk, pushing his scrolls and spell books aside carelessly.

Those multi-colored eyes of his are glued to yours. His breathing is labored and quick as he drills his cock into your dripping pussy. His large hands push at your sweaty thighs, causing you to let out a string of high pitched moans. Mahito fucks you so deeply. He slams into your cervix just to hear those pretty noises.

“Ha…I pulled the lover card earlier,” he rasps. “My prophecies always come true.”

_____

Had to get this off my chest, y’all 🥵 thoughts?

Read more Mahito here

[fenharelsfang]

The Wolf's Heart (1/5)

The world was awash in a sea of blood, a crimson tide of red lyrium, the Blight, and the shadow of the forced solar eclipse. The smell of smoke and rotting flesh choked the air. People screamed in the city below the Archon’s palace. Darkspawn and other unholy creatures of the Blight stalked the streets, slaughtering anything in their path. Malevolent spirits flocked to the weakening Veil like moths to a flame, possessing any mage desperate enough to invite them in. The fear of death was a very strong motivator. In the sky, a monstrous Archdemon and a six-eyed wolf the size of a dragon fought a battle that shook the very heavens. Meanwhile, a swarm of Antaam soldiers and Venatori agents stormed the city and marched against the makeshift army of Grey Wardens, Veil Jumpers, Lords of Fortune, Antivan Crows, Mourn Watchers, Shadow Dragons, and Inquisition agents, all led by Rook, the man who inadvertently started these unfortunate chain of events.

All was not lost, though. They had successfully defeated and killed Ghilan’nain and now only Elgar’nan stood in the way. Well, Elgar’nan and Solas.

“Honestly, it doesn’t surprise me,” said Rook. He and the rest of the faction leaders were gathered around a grand oak table discussing their next steps. Neve Gallus, recently freed from Elgar’nan’s clutches, revealed to them that once the tyrannical god was defeated, the last of the Veil’s bindings would unravel and it would come crashing down. “Tearing down the Veil has been his goal since the very beginning. He already betrayed me once. It’s his whole schtick.”

“I’m still blown away by the fact that archdemons are just dragons bound to a bunch of magical elves and there were two of them flying around out here,” Warden-Commander Cousland remarked with a whistle. The effects of being a Grey Warden for the past twenty years had taken its toll on her. Her once rich auburn hair had dulled to light grey and dark purple bags sagged under her eyes. She was close to her Calling. The song of the Blight was getting difficult to block out. All those years of searching for a way to free Grey Wardens from their burden amounted to nothing. This last ditch effort to seal the Blight behind the Veil was her only salvation. She prayed it would be enough to quell the corruption in her blood. Once done, perhaps she could finally go home to her beloved King for good and enjoy their twilight years in peace. “And I thought my Blight was bad.”

“... I think I preferred Corypheus,” Hawke confessed, face ashen. She was still haunted by the horror the red lyrium she unearthed had unleashed. Now Varric was dead and Solas used blood magic to trick Rook into thinking he wasn’t. That was sick and twisted. The tale of the Evanuris needed to end and she’d be there to write that final chapter. It would end with their death.

“If anyone can stop Elgar’nan and Solas, it is the individuals gathered here,” Morrigan proclaimed with an air of confidence. She had met each of these heroes, these paragons of light and hope, and helped steer the tides of fate so that they would succeed.

“We know how to beat Elgar’nan,” Rook said. “Solas will take care of his archdemon and, when he does, we’ll throw everything we have at him. It’s what happens after that concerns me.” He looked to Neve, her blood-red eyes sending a shiver down his spine. Ugly black veins pulsed at her temples and black blood dribbled down her chin. She was inexplicably connected to the Blight now, able to feel it and, to some extent, control it. “We need a plan to stop the Veil from falling.”

“The Veil is tied to the ancient elven gods,” Morrigan said. “‘Twill not be a simple matter to find a suitable tether once they are gone.”

“Then let’s tie it to Solas,” Rook suggested. “He’s an elven god and the only one that will be left.”

Inquisitor Ellana Lavellan, standing further down the table next to Morrigan and Dorian, clenched her jaw at the suggestion. Rook didn’t speak highly of the Dread Wolf. It was understandable, really. He had been used and betrayed. Varric was gone, truly gone, and now Harding was lost as well. She could see vengeance coiling around his heart like a viper. That same righteous anger radiated off of Hawke as well. It was horrible, but she … she wanted to defend him! This wasn’t the Solas she knew, the one she fell in love with. They hadn’t seen the softer shades of him: his kindness towards those who were hurting or the way he lit up like a delighted child when speaking about the Fade. He wasn’t so different from them. He had his virtues and vices, his quirks. They didn’t know the elf who detested the taste of tea, the elf who painted beautiful murals on the walls, who could play chess in his head, who had a secret love of romance novels and music. Only she had that privilege. Everyone else who knew the truth of him was gone.

Solas, what have you done?

“You are correct,” Morrigan continued, pulling Ellana out of her troubled thoughts, “but you will need to draw his blood with the lyrium dagger to bind him and I doubt he will approve of the idea.”

Rook smirked, a dangerous glint in his eyes. “I can be very persuasive.” A sigh. “But it will be risky.”

Emmrich cleared his throat. “What about this dagger we made while you were trapped in the Fade?” he suggested, sliding the fake dagger across the table. It was nearly identical to the ritual dagger strapped to Rook’s side. He picked it up and turned it over in his hands. There were no reverberations of magic threaded through it like the real one. “Odds are,” Emmrich continued, “Solas will need to do something else to complete his ritual. This dagger looks identical, but–”

“It can’t cut through enchantments like the real thing,” Rook finished.

“The backlash of such magic will render him helpless,” Morrigan remarked, glancing briefly at Ellana.

Taash stepped forward. “Uh, are you sure you want to try a bait-and-switch on the Dread Wolf? You know, the god of lies and trickery?”

The leaders gathered around the table all seemed sold on that idea. Trick the trickster. Poetic justice. Ellana had been quiet for too long. She may have been speaking to the void, but her words needed to be heard. “Is there a chance, any chance at all, that he’ll listen to reason?”

“Speaking from the heart, Inquisitor?” Morrigan asked. Her smile was sad, sympathetic to the Inquisitor’s plight.

“How could I not?” Ellana protested. “None of you know him as I do. Well, perhaps you do, Morrigan, sort of. The rest of you don’t. You’ve only ever seen the Dread Wolf. I’ve seen the man beneath all of that. If given the chance–”

“We’ve given him plenty of chances,” Rook said. “And he wasted them at every turn.”

“Not every turn,” Lavellan argued. “He saved you and the Dalish elves from Elgar’nan. Even though he was free from that Fade prison, he still worked with the Shadow Dragons and helped protect them from the Blight. He wants to help. It’s all he’s ever wanted to do. His heart has never been in this plan to tear down the Veil. He just … he feels like he has to do this to make up for everything that happened in the past. Everything that he did for her, for Mythal. If I can talk to him–”

“Varric tried to talk to him,” Rook said. “He died for it.”

Ellana’s heart was a stone in her chest. Her throat tightened and she closed her eyes. “I know.”

“You already tried to talk him out of it before and he took your arm for it.”

Her fists clenched and her bottom lip trembled. “I know.”

“This isn’t a fairytale, Inquisitor. You can’t solve this with the ‘power of love’.” Rook struck the table with his fist, startling Ellana so that she opened her eyes to meet his fiery gaze. “He’s too stuck in his ways. He can’t change. Actually, it’s not even that – he won’t change. Not for you. Not for anyone.”

“Rook,” Bellara said, resting a gentle hand on his arm. “That’s enough.” She had been watching the Inquisitor slowly crumble under Rook’s words and it hurt. Ellana’s struggle to save the man she loved mirrored her own trials with Cyrian. In the end, he redeemed himself, though he paid the ultimate price for it. Bellara didn’t know the Inquisitor well, but she didn’t wish that same fate on her.

Ellana glared at Rook with angry, tear-filled eyes, but she said nothing. They were good points, she wasn’t going to deny it. It infuriated her all the same. She wanted to see Solas. Ten long years she had gone without him and she needed to see him to know for sure that he was too far gone to be brought back. From what she heard, he wasn’t. He couldn’t be. She had hope that she could reach him, she just needed one more chance.

“You have options,” Morrigan interjected. “And you can make your choice when the time comes. For now, we have Elgar’nan to deal with.”

“Right,” Rook said. He let out a slow breath to simmer the boiling anger inside of him and rubbed the back of his tense, aching neck. The Inquisitor was a legend. She saved the world from a darkspawn magister and his archdemon. Thedas owed her a great debt. He never imagined someone so powerful, who made choices that determined the fate of the world could be so naive. He noticed how young she looked and began to think that maybe it wasn’t the fact that she was an elf. “Elgar’nan is in the Archon’s palace above us. We’ll all climb the tendril as soon as the archdemon is taken care of. Stock up on supplies and say your goodbyes. It’s time to end this nightmare.”

Rook was the first to leave, stalking off to check in with the faction leaders to get an update on their forces. Warden-Commander Cousland followed Davrin, no doubt burning with questions about a living, breathing griffon at his heels. Hawke disappeared into the next room to meet up with Isabela. It had been years since they’d seen each other. Most of the other members of the Veilguard left to their own factions to say goodbye to the friends and family they had made over the years. Many of these people would not be returning after this battle. Already their numbers had thinned in the first assault on the city.

Ellana meandered over to the fireplace. Morrigan watched her for a moment, poised as if ready to say something, but then thought better of it. She gripped the amulet around her neck, a sending stone, and left to a far corner to update her son on the situation. Kieran was safe, as safe as he could be with the world ending as it was. He wanted to join her, but this was a mission she needed to undertake on her own. Besides, if Elgar’nan had the power to sense the soul bound within Kieran …

Dorian joined Ellana by the fireplace. He noticed her biting her thumbnail, tapping her foot restlessly against the stone floor. Tears still shone in her eyes.

“You still love him, do you?” he asked. “After all these years?”

Ellana closed her eyes and lowered her hand. “I will always love him. He’s who I belong with.”

Dorian sighed. He reached out an arm and wrapped it around her shoulders, pulling her into his embrace. “What am I going to do with you?”

They stood there for a while, staring into the fire, each consumed by their own thoughts. Ellana leaned her head against Dorian’s shoulder. She had missed him. Even with the sending stones, being so far away from him was difficult. He was her rock. When everything was falling apart, he had been there for her. The Inquisition disbanding, Solas leaving her that fateful night in Crestwood and then again after defeating Corypheus, her clan exiling her when she told them the truth about the Dread Wolf … Dorian was there to keep her going. He was her very best friend.

“Dorian, when this is over–”

“I know.”

She lifted her head off of his shoulder and stared at him with wide, surprised eyes. “You do..?”

“My dear, I could see it all over your face at the meeting.” He smiled at her, tears shimmering in his own eyes, and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “And though I don’t believe he will ever be deserving of you or understand why you could love that stubborn, prideful egghead, he makes you happy. And you deserve all the happiness the world can offer.”

“Dorian…” Ellana sniffed and wiped at the tears that had slipped down her face. She felt a soft handkerchief being placed in her hand and wiped at her eyes.

“Don’t start crying, you soft-hearted fool. You’ll make me cry, too, and I refuse to be reduced to a blubbering mess.”

Ellana laughed and leaned up to kiss his cheek. “I’m going to miss you.”

“I’ll miss you, too, my friend,” he replied. They held each other for a long moment and when they finally separated, Dorian left to meet with Maevaris.

Ellana stood alone in that room, facing the fireplace for a moment longer and trying to formulate a plan. She would find some way to get to Solas first so they could talk, before Rook took matters into his own hands. As she turned away, she nearly collided with Neve. The mage was staring at her, still as a statue. Her black eyes pulsed with an unnerving intensity and a sinister smile spread far too wide across her face.

“Oh, Neve,” Ellana said. She tried to remember Neve’s real face beneath the corruption. Hopefully this was temporary. Something seemed … different about the mage, though. “I’m sorry. Did you … need something?”

Neve chuckled darkly as she slowly began to circle around Ellana as a predator would its prey. “So, the Dread Wolf has fallen in love,” came a voice that was definitely not Neve’s. It was male, high-pitched and gurgling as if blood filled the lungs. Her irises were a thin white ring against a black backdrop, mirroring the eclipse outside. “And with a mortal, no less. This is interesting news indeed.”

Ellana took a step back and felt the flames of the fire licking her back. Neve matched it. She was cornered and though she had never heard the voice before, the realization came over her all the same. “Elgar’nan,” she whispered.

Her cry for help was cut short by a fleshy tendril erupting from a blighted portal in the ground. It wrapped around her throat, strangling her. She threw out her gauntleted hand and the fire within the hearth snaked around it before jettisoning out at the tendril. The gauntlet was a true marvel of engineering, created especially for Ellana by her arcanist, Dagna. It acted as a staff would, focusing her magic. The tendril shrieked as the flames burned into its flesh. Footsteps and startled voices sounded elsewhere in the building, heading to her location. Another tendril burst forth to trap her body in a vice-like grip.

“Inquisitor!” Morrigan cried out as kicked open the door to the room. Lightning crackled from her fingertips and arced out towards the abominations. The acrid smell of burning flesh made Ellana’s eyes water. She felt the relief of loosening limbs and thrashed about wildly to escape. Morrigan’s attack wasn’t enough, however. More tendrils sprouted from the growing portal around them, wrapping around the Inquisitor further. Dark spots danced in her vision as the air left her. She struggled desperately against the tightening garrote. The whispers of demons promising her the strength to free herself from this horror roared in her mind like thunder, but she fought against them. Slowly, she began to sink into the portal, its red glow casting sinister shadows on her face.

More allies showed up. The Warden-Commander hacked at the tendrils with her dragonbone greataxe, but they sprouted new growths with each strike. Dorian joined Morrigan in a magical assault of lightning and fire. Even Rook struck at the tendrils with the lyrium dagger. It proved to be the most effective weapon against the aberrations. The prison that contained the blight from which they originated was created by that weapon. Pieces fell to the ground in squelching thuds before disintegrating into ash. Instinctively, they coiled tighter around the Inquisitor's body. The last thing the heroes saw was the Inquisitor’s fearful eyes as she was dragged through the portal into the earth.

“Ellana!” Dorian cried out. He slammed his fists against the stone floor as if he could crack it open. “We have to help her!”

Rook stormed up to Neve, still possessed by Elgar’nan, and shook her viciously. “Where have you taken her?!”

The black sclera faded back into white, her irises glowing red once more. Neve blinked. She looked down at Rook’s hands gripping her arms, fingernails digging painfully into her skin, and then around at the people gathered around with their weapons drawn. “Ow, Rook, that hurts! What’s going on? What happened?”

Bellara ran up to her, shocked at Rook's increasing anger. “Elgar'nan possessed you for a minute there. He must be connected to you through the Blight. The Inquisitor is gone. He kidnapped her.”

Neve blanched. To have that horrid creature violating her body like that made her sick. Was that how Lucanis felt when Spite was forced into him? She patted Bellara’s hand to let her know she was okay. Sensing her distress, Lucanis came up beside her and held her hand.

“Damnit!” Rook cursed. He turned to the others, all staring at him with expectant eyes. “He must have taken her to the Archon’s palace.”

“Why would he take the Inquisitor?” Davrin asked. “If anything, I thought he’d kidnap you, Rook.”

Dorian paled as realization dawned on him. “He overheard us…”

“What do you mean?” Rook asked.

“Ellana and I … we were discussing her past relationship with Solas. Elgar’nan must have heard through Neve. He’s going to use her against Solas.”

“Well, shit,” Hawke muttered. “What does that mean, exactly?”

“It shouldn’t mean anything,” Rook said. “I’m sure he thinks it’ll stop Solas from killing his archdemon, but we all know it won’t.”

“Do we?” Morrigan asked.

“Don’t tell me you believe she’s more important than his end goal.”

“It is not a matter of whether or not I believe in his love for her. Solas was a spirit. He is guided by his emotions and he has not seen the Inquisitor in many years. It will, at the very least, distract him. All Elgar’nan needs is an opening, for Solas to let his guard down and he can end the Dread Wolf. Solas is not bound to an archdemon. He is mortal. It only takes one well-placed strike.”

Rook began to pace back and forth in front of the fireplace, hands on his hips, brow furrowed. “Then we need to get up to the palace as soon as possible. We need that archdemon dead and it’s too fucking big for us to kill it alone.”

“We’ve got other problems,” said Strife as he jogged up to the distraught group with Isabela and the Viper in tow. “Elgar’nan’s army is amassing just outside. Our forces can hold them off while you climb up.”

So they would have to face Elgar’nan with less forces than they planned. That did not bode well, especially if Solas was somehow taken out.

“It’s fine,” Rook said. “The Veilguard can handle Elgar’nan. Just make sure those forces stay here on the ground.”

“We will,” the Warden-Commander promised.

Rook turned to his team. “Let’s do this.”

[squeaky-potat]

I finally got around to drawing my cheerful murderous black mage ✨

Henry, my beloved, I’m sorry it took so long.

[inactivewattpadauthor]

Erron Black x Reader: Overwatch-Coded

~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Is that the last of it?" Erron Black's muffled voice asks. Kabal had just loaded up the possible last bag of gold and goods in the truck. He wants to be sure none of Kano's men left even a nugget of gold down the ransacked mine.

"Sure is. I already ran through the damn shaft twice." Kabal sharply replies. "We should get the hell out of here before trouble comes. Start telling them to wrap it up and go to the mark-"

A loud noise boomed nearby, cutting the fast man off. Speaking of the devil, huh? Everyone went silent, focused on the direction of the racket. Erron takes his step forward, nonchalantly prepared to light anything up if they dare to intervene the heist.

"Hurry up and get out of here! If they don't kill us and take our score, Kano surely will!" Kabal orders the driver of the storage truck to leave. Kabal steps up to where Black is, prepared to hold off whoever was coming. He readies his hooks. In the back, men shout and prepared guns and got to cover quick, ready to partake in a possible fire.

Showing up a little too late, you and your gang made quite the entrance. Though, you were already irritated that your score as just drove off. Putting that aside, your eyes looked at the competition, then you saw him. Ditto timing with him.

"Erron."

"Y/n."

"You know that chick?" Kabal looks at the cowboy, whom gaze was deeply focused on yours with some sort of visible tension.

"Y/n is a... former partner, a kindly way to put it." The gunslinger rests his hand on his revolver, eyes narrowed at you, not cutting off your eye contact. "Lassie is a wild one, so stay sharp on what she does."

You couldn't help but chuckle at that, slinging your beloved rifle over your shoulder. "That's rich coming from you, Black. Because if I remember correctly, I'm the one not interested in drinking yer' blood." You would never get over that fact. After leaving you, came some vampire woman, then a blood mage. As much blood as you spilled, you never consumed it like those two broads did, but it became clear Erron had a type, and you never had a chance to begin with.

Erron groaned and rolled his eyes. "Women like bringin' up stuff in the past a lot, don't they?"(Author is female fyi.)

Offended, you aimed your rifle at him, his side getting more cautious, which makes your side cautious as well, tension rising anxiously. "Watch yer' mouth, cowboy! Or I'll jam my gun so far up your ass, you'll be spittin' bullets for a hot minute!"

The threat definitely made Kabal grimaced, but Erron was completely used to the creative threats you spewed. "You haven't changed a bit, darling."

"I would say the same for you, but I guess that's what happens when you deal with some weird ass sorcerer. Ain't that right, cheater?!" You spat, flicking him off.

"How many times do I oughta tell you, Y/n? It ain't cheatin' if I left you prior!" Black states. He does recall trying to let you down as gently as possible, but you were a little too crazy in the head to take the breakup well. Poor man almost became Erron Blackeye.

"Forget about all that. I believe one of your men drove off with my score!" You lowly growled. "Be a doll and tell him to bring it back so no one has to die." Cooing with condescension, you raised a hand to gesture for your squad to get ready for a fight. Being truthful to yourself, whether you get the gold or not, someone was getting hurt today just for the sake of it. Maybe definitely the dickhead of your ex-boyfriend. But you wanted to be the one that hurts him.

"Kabal," Erron speaks lowly just for the fellow kombatant to hear. "Take out whoever from that side, but leave the lady to me." Kabal nodded. He wouldn't want to get in the way of a lover's quarrel. "Not possible, Y/n." Erron speaks up to you. "He's already gone back to the Black Dragon camp as far as I know. And you sure as hell ain't gonna follow him."

"Heh, have it your way then." You coldly delivered.

Atlas, the showdown is arriving. Everyone was dead silent and anxious. Only the sound of the wind and the swivel of the typical tumbleweed between rivals roll by. And when the sun is blazing just above, you made the first fire at Black. All hell has broken loose.

The old gunslinger was quick enough to jump out the way and start firing back. Both sides fired at each other, Kabal dashes around, avoiding getting shot and looking for a lacking target to pick off. But you and Erron were too focused on each other, ignoring everyone else.

Realizing his uncovered position, Erron gets back up and scrambles off to try and get some cover, but you jumped to his level, aiming your rifle and completely missing your shots. You growled and chased after him, making sure to dodge any bullets he fires back at you. He gets to cover shortly, and you had to reload, growling as you take the time to. "Give it up, Black! I ain't leaving until your riddled with more holes a trypophobe would dream of!"

Erron makes sure to duck and hold his hat on tight as you fire at his shield of cover. "This really isn't necessary, ya know?" His voice is drowned out from the background barrage of gunfire. Conveniently, he spots a belt of flashbangs at his foot, and he knew this was a game changer.

"Look on the bright side. No women, whether it be a normal girl, or some ugly beast you hooked up with, will never have to deal with yer ass again!" You exclaimed eagerly, readying your rifle and taking steps forward.

"Y'know. I just might look at the bright side, just like you're about to!" What you saw was a bunch of flashbangs hurled up in the air towards you. By the time you realized what they really were, it was too late.

"OH SHI-" Everything was white, fading black as the ringing in your ears were treacherous. You were knocked out.

...

"So what do you want to do with her? Someone like her definitely has a juicy bounty on her head." Kabal watches the tired cowboy lift you carefully on the back of the horse, making sure your wrists and ankles were tied securely.

"She's stayin at a tavern." Erron decides with no debate. Kabal questions it though.

"Then what? A crazy chick like her will definitely come back after she realizes her whole crew is gone. Most anyways. Unless you want someone at the tavern to take her out-"

"Nah, I don't want anything to happen with her. She will be safe at the tavern." The cowboy gives a side glare at the speedy male, hinting his seriousness on it.

Kabal shrugs. "Whatever. It's your woman."

eHe walks off and Erron focuses back on you. "Gosh, I miss you and yer wildness." He searches your person, and finds a folded up, ruined picture. It was of you and him happy together in the old days. He smiles under his mask and tucks the photo in his pocket for himself. Next, he slaps the horse for it to take off with you, watching you become distant. ~~~~~~~~~~~~

[iamnotyourgodsherald]

Fanfic: Taste Tester

Rating and Pairing: Elven M!Rook (OC) x Lucanis Dellamorte. SFW (Still 18+ Blog so lmao)

Contains: Lots of Affection. Teasing, Cooking, Fluff. Kissing. Hugging, Comforting Partner. Awkwardness.

“So, what am I here for again? I thought you don't like it when I'm in the kitchen with you because I'm distracting~?” Demitrix purred.

“If you behave, I’ll let you stay. Besides, I need your taste buds. I am making this for everyone.” Lucanis scolded.

“All I'm doing is taste testing? Is that necessary?” Demitrix chuckled.

“Yes. I need to know if this will be good. I've messed with some of the recipe and I was hoping it came out right.”

Demitrix was sitting nearby in one of the dining room chairs, looking over at the bubbling stew that sat on the burning stove, then back at his beloved. Lucanis’s black, feathery hair hung down as he stirred and his dark eyes staying sharply focused.

“You are so cute when you are focused. Makes me want to bother you.” Demitrix purred mischeviously.

Lucanis gave Demitrix a stern, scolding glance.

“Don’t make me banish you.” Lucanis warned, waving the wooden spoon he was using. “Behave.”

“Fine! Fine. I’ll behave. But only because I like the view.~”

Lucanis rolled his eyes, but a soft subtle smile grew on his lips. After a few moments, he ladled some stew broth and brought it up.

“Come here, Mi Amore. It’s had some time to simmer.”

Demitrix hopped out of the chair, sauntering over to stand next to him. His raven black curls hanging in front of his face, which Demitrix lazily tried brushing them away. Lucanis turned to look at him and made a face.

“You are going to dip your hair in the broth.”

Before Demitrix could protest, Lucanis swooped his hand under his bangs, and brought the spoon to his lips.

“Your hair is getting long.” Lucanis observed.

Demitrix jolted, blushing brightly at his touch and sipped at the broth. The surge of salty and savory flavor on his tongue melded nicely, leaving a soft spicy feeling that lingered on his lips. The warmth of the stock made him feel so cozy, it was like he was wrapped up in his fluffy blankets back in his room.

“Did you add spice? It gives it a nice kick. It's like I'm back home in my apartment, under my blankets during a cold day.” He giggled.

“Good. I want there to be some kind of comfort in it. Harding was talking about being homesick, and I wanted to try and make her feel better...” He chuckled.

Such a doll… We don't deserve him.

Demitrix watched Lucanis taste it himself, tucking some hair behind his ear as he did. His eyes darted around as he began thinking after he tasted it before adding a pinch of something.

He’s so cute when he’s focused. He seems so natural in this setting. So at peace. I don’t see him like this very often. I wonder if he gets this comfortable at home too, when he was cooking… Ah! Lucanis Dellamorte, Housewife!

“You know, when we first met, I never thought that you’d be so… domestic. You came to us in the Lighthouse, and immediately started taking care of a flock of women and myself. Making sure we ate, caring about our health. I mean you got a mint plant for Harding when she was having nightmares.” Demitrix explained, going over and leaning back on a nearby counter. “Never thought the Mage Killer we needed was going to be so caring and nurturing. Now, he’s my lover. Making stew for his makeshift family.”

“Assassins have to always be prepared for any situation. If I can look like a servant, a chef, a laundry boy, I must know how to act like one as well in order to blend in. I'll teach you some of those blending techniques, if you wish. You are… very loud and while that's not always a bad thing, you… should learn to blend in more. I worry. As for you and “the flock of women” we had at the time, you all were eating scraps of food and whatever Harding was finding at the time. Bellara is an excellent cook but even she was struggling to cook for all of you. I was happy to pitch in. Plus… I didn't notice this at first, but when you eat something you like, your skin glows, and your eyes get big and bright. Like you can't believe you’ve never tasted something that good. It's… adorable.”

Demitrix smiled, watching him yap as he talked. His mind went elsewhere as he stared at Lucanis’s thick lips moving. However, as soon as he called him adorable, Demitrix’s face went pink and the color spread across his dark freckled face.

“A-Adorable?! I… don’t understand.” Demitrix said, looking away.

He felt his ears lower and his face grew hot in embarrassment. He tried to look away to hide it, but Lucanis turned to him and sputtered, trying to cover his mouth to hide his laughter.

“Meirda, you’re so pink!” He laughed, setting the spoon down. “You get flustered and embarrassed when I compliment you! It’s really cute! …And funny.” Lucanis stiffled.

Demitrix was now turning redder, trying to hide his face with his hands and groaning loudly.

“Stooop! You...! Agh! You can't just be so sweet out of nowhere…! I am so weak to you! Why are embarrassing me like this?!” Demitrix growled.

“I rarely ever get to see you flustered, its- Oh, don't hide your face! Come here.” He laughed.

Demitrix growled, about to protest more but he suddenly felt strong arms wrap around him and hug him tightly. His body going rigid before he melted into it as Lucanis squeezed him laughing.

“I love seeing you embarrassed. It's rare, you're usually so confident… and to think that I could fluster you like that…” Lucanis giggled.

Oh his giggling… His hugs… My heart is beating so fast!

“Lucaaaa…” Demitrix whined.

Lucanis pulled away, kissing Demitrix’s face and smiling at him, cupping his face in his hands. Demitrix instinctually grabs his hands to keep them on his face.

“Mi amore, I love you so much.” He purred softly.

Demitrix smiled, softly melting against the counter they were leaning on.

“I love you too, amore..” Demitrix said sheepishly.

Demitrix then sniffed the air, as something in the air turned bitter and sharp.

“Is something burning?”

Lucanis paused and sniffed. He then dropped Demitrix on the counter and ran to the stove, cursing in Antivan. He pulled the pot off the burner and tried stirring it up, examining the contents. Once dinner seemed to be saved, he sighed looking at Demitrix, leaning on the counter and giving him an annoyed look.

“Meirda! You are too distracting for your own good.” He shook his head.

Demitrix only laughed, now getting off of the counter he fell onto and dusting himself off.

“That's why you banish me, just like you said. I’m okay, by the way. Thanks for asking.” Demitrix joked.

Lucanis then looked apologetically at him, setting the pot to the side.

“Ah… Sorry I…” He trailed off.

He rushed back over, dusting Demitrix’s back quickly before looking embarrassed and stepping away from him. Fiddling with his hands nervously, as if he was in trouble.

“I am… not good at being…attentive or suave. Or just... I just rush to fix things and I just didn’t think about�� my apologies. I am just inexperienced with… this.” He stammered, motioning to Demitrix and himself. “It’s hard to remember that I have a partner now. I am not sure what to say or do most of the time and when I dropped you, I didn’t mean to just… Be patient with me, Please.”

Demitrix laughed and immediately wrapped his arms around his neck, hugging him. He let Lucanis slowly melt into it and felt him wrap his arms around him. Demitrix stayed quiet just to let Lucanis breathe and clear his mind, feeling his quick heartbeats slow down. After it seemed Lucanis calmed down, Demitrix pulled away, looking into Lucanis’s eyes. Immediately getting lost in them and sighing deeply.

“Lucanis. I understand. Okay? We are both new at relationships… but what I do know is that I love you. Whatever you need from me, Luca, you’ll have. You need space? You got it. You need affection? I am right there. You need patience? Done. There’s just one thing I will not do.”

“What…?” He hesitated.

“Give up on you.” Demitrix smiled, kissing his nose. “You're stuck with me now.”

Lucanis smiled, his heart beating faster before hugging Demitrix tightly.

“I think I can live with that.”