#but sadly i never quite managed to keep them from eating their broods

[tjerra14]

client told me today that she never thought it possible to care this much about a dog

I stood there like 'well... you're talking to the person with a billion fish pics on her phone, so--'

[shadowdianne]

Since you don't get prompts all of the time, I thought it was high time that I'd sacrifice my creative intellect and send you one myself. So here it is. Swan Queen, btw. Emma accidentally locks herself in a truth chamber with Regina. They both have a secret they desperately want to hide from each other; after all the other can never find out how much the other loves them. They go about it in the most cringey ways of ways until there's only one thing left to say; the truth. Show me how ^.^

6k later...

Well, remember me raving about hubris? Is obvious that I haven’t learnt a thing about it. So,this is not short but I had far too much fun with it. Which I hope it shows andmakes it worthwhile to read it. I truly hope that you like it, really.

I added a spin to thetruth chamber though. I may or may not have taken a device I thought on addingto either Metallic Ink or Of deals magic and secretsand put it here. So the chamber is more of a… cone(?) and certainly feedinginto the steampunk dynamics. Sorry, I’m too much of a geek I guess.

A03 Version because this is just too much

“So howthis works? We can’t lie?”

Reginastared at Emma as the blonde looked at the contraption made out of copper andglass she had knocked over as they both rummaged through Gold’s shop. Thedevice, no bigger than the woman’s fist and covered in intricate filigrees thatseemed to be runes written on a mix of elvish and faeric, was emitting a smallbuzzing sound; not overtly noisy but enough for her to sigh at as the threadmade out of lighting that had spurted out of it when Emma had let it fallcovered the radius of the shop’s floor.

Standing atthe farthest corner from the cone of truth, she bit down her bottom lip as shefelt the telling sounds of the magic from the device, the compulsion ofanswering to the question eating at her. Only Emma, she thought as she pressedthe pads of her fingers against her temple, would have needed so little time tolock them in a truth chamber. The look the other woman had given her momentsprior when Regina had seen the flash cover them both had been more telling thananything else.

“Is notthat easy.” She finally replied, letting her hands fall limp at her sides, theblack blazer she wore stifling as she tugged at the edges of her sleeves. “Thespell feeds on truths. We cannot escape until we tell everything we have liedabout.”

Which was aroundabout way of saying that they both had a problem, a big one. One that noteven her powers as the newly crowned queen of realms could even surpass.Apparently blind to the many layers the spell had, Emma shrugged as she kneltin front of the device, fingers hovering over the triangular shape of theobject, the faint glow it emitted casting shadows and shapes on her cheekbonesas she eyed it; light pooling around the awful ring she still wore on herfinger, an object Regina felt her consciousness beginning to focus on, aided bythe spell.

Emma’svoice rose once again, waking her up from her reverie.

“So… what?I tell you all my truths and then we are out?” The blonde chuckled a little, avague reminiscence of the brazenness Regina had seen her display more than afew times once upon a time. The lack of a leather jacket, however, made thedifferences all more jarring. “It’s pretty flimsy.”

Taking afew strides to the center of the chamber, Regina eyed the still kneeling woman.She usually forgot that Emma didn’t know the basics of a world that had beenhers for the first years of her own life. As much as she wanted to be angry ather clumsiness the anger fiddled away as she admitted inwardly that the blondecouldn’t have known what she would unleash by dropping the device. Not like sheshould be picking any unknown objects inside Gold’s shop, of course, that gaveher enough agency to, at least, be slightly irritated. Anger, she consideredwhile sucking on her teeth, was far better than the impending sense of dreadthat was beginning to grow on her chest.

“The spellwas created so no spies could infiltrate the castles of the royal family.” Shefinally supplied, unable to stop herself as the spell compelled her to speak.And even though she hadn’t seen the cone before she had heard enough of it,enough of the powers it hold in the manner of a simple hex kept intact by theaid of the copper bands around the glass. It was intricate, and beautiful onits own way, the thought assaulting that side of her who had always feltincredibly interested by magic on itself, the one Gold had fed back when shehad been his apprentice. Licking her lips, barely looking at Emma, she spokeonce again, softer this time. “But it was a little too… much. I can only wonderwhy Gold had one of this lying around.”

The lastbit was murmured; the power of the device was obviously quite amazing; the factthe man had one was already sketchy enough. Sadly, they couldn’t ask him how orwhy he had it, how it had fallen onto his hands. She guessed she probablydidn’t want to find the story behind it; no matter the ramifications it hold.Which made the trip Emma had managed to make her take after the blonde hadknocked on her door, looking restless and nervous on her first day of the jobafter her maternity leave, all more pressing.

The blonde,unaware of Regina’s musings, rose and pressed the palms of her hands againsther jeans, a series of magic sparks following her movements as she did so.Magic, Regina knew, that would be totally useless against the powers keepingthem both tied to the chambers borders. A detail Emma was obviously ignorant ofas she directed the flurry of sparks towards the buzzing device.

Sighing andapproaching the blonde, Regina rose her right hand, carefully placing it atopthe woman’s hands, not really touching but close enough for her magic to reactto Emma’s, purple swirls breaking through her skin as she eyed the blonde’sgreen eyes, the sudden proximity making the ball of fear tighten on her chest.

“It doesn’t work like that.” She said,infusing enough sternness on her tone that Emma frowned, letting her handsfall. Rolling her eyes and taking a few steps away so she could spin and pointat the borders of the cone, Regina snapped her fingers, sending a wave ofdemonstrative magic towards the barrier, letting them fiddle out just like shehad known they would. “Once the chamber has been called it won’t disappearuntil we don’t have anything else to say.”

The blondeeyed the device in front of her and, for a second, she seemed a moment away oftrying to kick it. Which made the brunette roll her eyes at the obvioustwitching on Emma’s calf. Growling, the younger woman sat down again, handsfiddling on her lap.

“Ok, so let’s do it.”

Blinking atthe sudden change, Regina parted her lips, unsure of what she had heard. Shehad expected that Emma would try another thing before ascribing to the factthat they were trapped. Maybe even try to call to her parents, to Hook. That,apparently, wasn’t the case and when the silence stretched the blonde merelypointed around them, at both the dusty walls and themselves, still in themiddle of the cone. Apparently unperturbed.

“Yes, let’s start telling… I don’t know.” Sheran a hand through her blonde tresses, glancing at the borders. “I’m wearingmismatched socks. How about that?”

The truthdid seem to be heard by the cone, the device glowing ever so slightly at thewords, the truth ludicrous enough that Regina groaned inwardly, not doubting fora second the tidbit was true.

“Is thatwhat you are able to come up with?” Her voice was harsher than intended andEmma looked at her with a mix of surprise and wonder she always got nearmagical devices. She should have known, the brunette thought; Emma had beenunable to keep her hands to herself when they had first tried to start with themagical classes, touching almost anything she could on her vault. She shouldhave at least call Henry before going to Gold, tell him where they wereplanning to go. Unfortunately, she hadn’t; surprised by the fact Emma that hadsought her company. A rarity that still hurt deep whenever she thought aboutit.

Pressingher lips until they formed a fine line, Emma pointed at her, voice rising asshe spoke, sparks of white tinting her pupils.

“Well, atleast I’m trying! You are the one there, brooding.”

“Because Idon’t want to be here.”

The wordscame from her mouth before she was even able to edit them, her tone rising aswell, their situation nagging the back of her mind; the possibility of hersaying something, telling something she didn’t want to tell prickling herinsides.

She hadn’tleft Storybrooke for this, she thought momentarily, hadn’t left everythingbehind only to come back and be subjected to this; a possibility she had neverconsidered before.

Standingagain, stomping almost towards her, Emma herself looked angrily at her, eyesflaring with unspent energy, the shadow in them growing darker as did the hueof her magic on the back of her pupils.

“I don’teither!” She replied, and Regina remembered once again that despite thetentative tries they both had done it still had been a long time since they hadtruly worked together as a team.  “That’swhat I’m trying to do something about it.”

Pinchingthe bridge of her nose, calling for her magic, asking, pleading with it so itdidn’t rile up in the same way Emma’s was doing, she focused intently on theother woman’s eyes, on the stupidity of their situation. One that, if it wasn’tbecause of the growing pressure on her chest, her throat, she would be laughinghysterically about. Leave them to end up trapped without a baddie in town. Theycertainly had lost their touch.

Rising oneshoulder, half-shrugging before walking towards the middle of the cone, it wasshe the one who now bent her knees, the high heels of her boots scrapping thefloor as she fought to keep her balance, unwilling to fall in front of Emmawho, crossing her arms tightly against her chest, eyed her, anger slowlytransforming into tiredness judging by the lines around her mouth.

A tirednessthat also overcame her as she eyed the cone, the bands and barrier still up inthe air.

“The onlything that we can do is to… don’t have any lies to tell, Emma.” She foundherself saying, softly.  And the thoughtterrified her. Much more than she was willing to admit. She could feel the hexfestering on her, pulling every lie, every half-truth she had tried tosuppress. If this, she briefly considered, had happened a few years ago thememories of her past self would have worked, would have been enough. Sadly,currently those dark deeds had already been aired more times than she was ableto count: they didn’t work and so she could feel the pressure rising, drummingon her temples.

She wouldhave never thought that she would confess to the blonde while being trappedinside Gold’s shop. The imp would have loved this.

“Well, thensay something!”

Emma’swords brought her back to the present; to the device and the way she needed toeither sit or stand, her knees beginning to protest at the strain the posturebrought with it. Choosing the latest, she brushed her fingers against thebunched fabric of her slacks, ironing any possible wrinkles there beforenibbling on her bottom lip, considering momentarily what kind of truth thedevice would consider important enough to, at least, weaken its hold. It was awonder, truly, how Emma seemed bothered but not fazed by their predicament.

Or, a voiceon the back of her head whispered, slightly darker, reminiscent of her Queendays, she was merely projecting, wanting Emma to feel the same as she did, forthe same reason she had. A thought so ludicrous she snorted, humming when Emmaeyed her curiously, brows furrowed and dirty white still coloring her eyes.

A truthcame to her lips, one that wasn’t entirely a secret but one she felt the devicecould work with. Unless until she bought time, until she knew how to escape thecone.

“I don’t like the title your mother gave me;is too much.”

A snickerreached her, Emma’s lopsided smile welcoming her when she looked at her,surprised. The look was full of fondness, devoid of the slight awkwardness thathad filled their previous interactions after the coronation and Regina almostsmiled back before settling for a rise of her own brows, waiting for the womanto elaborate.

Which theblonde did after sighing, taking a step closer to her, some tension leaving hershoulders as she replied; a quiet admission on her eyes.

“I was always partial to Madam Mayor eitherway.”

The almostairily way in which she spoke made Regina smile despite the tension on hershoulders, the pounding on her ears.

“You areonly saying that because you like the ring to it.” It came out of her beforeshe could redirect her thoughts, the wording holding a far too flirtyundertone. One she bit down her tongue because of it.

Back in theday, this had been easy; fueled by either anger or the need to protect eachother. When Regina had left Storybrooke, however, she had also felt a strangeloss deeply lodged on her chest; the pull she had learnt to implicitly tie toEmma severed. That line had been restored when she had merged the realms, magiccursing through her, healing and covering every part of her in a wave made outof electric impulses. Yet, it felt strange to be there, standing there, in themiddle of a place both had returned again and again for the largest part of therelationship they had created for them both.

Emma didn’tquite answer to her response, her eyes down to the device, a light blushforming on her neck, the neck of the jumper she wore not high enough to hidethat fact. The unnatural glow of the cone gave her skin a paler complexion thanusual, the glimmer of unspent magic breaking through her hair, thousands ofspecs coloring the blonde curls with white undertones. She looked different,Regina found herself thinking. A mix, perhaps, of the woman that had hurt herfar too much to look at with the one she had known once. And that thought alonemade the truth called forth by the spell to pound even harder.

Sheremained silent, however, battling against the compulsion until she heardsomething close to a heavy breath being dragged; Emma’s eyes dark when shestared at her, the different knickknacks that covered Gold’s pawnshop framing hermovements as she changed the weight from one foot to the other, fingers playingagain with the awful ring, the silver clashing against Emma’s complexion, thedetails far too heavy on her knuckle as she slid it up and down.

“I don’tknow if I am being a good mother to Hope.” The admission was quiet, the pitch brittleas if Emma had the same problems Regina had, the compulsion far too much forher. Eyes still dark, unreadable, Emma stared at the boundaries around themjust as much Regina stole a glance to them, the glow changing slightly butnever disappearing. Not quite. One hand reaching for the swan pendant aroundher neck, the old bauble glimmering under the light, Emma kept on talking,never once leaving the boundaries glow as she did so. “I want to, but… thefirst few months, when you weren’t here… I thought on the memories you gave me,with Henry, nonstop.”

Nausearunning over her, Regina thought on the memories, on those she still had been ableto remember. The truth didn’t quite surprise her. Not as it could have atleast. But the realization of how Emma looked absolutely devastated made hersway on the spot, the idea of walking closer, moving closer, something thatkept echoing on the back of her brain. From a part that was the one who alwaysmoved closer, itching, hoping, that Emma would not move away.

“You are agood mother to her.”

There weremany other things she desired to admit but she didn’t speak them outload. Notknowing, not wishing really, to see how far she would be able to push a linethe cone was already tugging at, unrepentantly.

“Thank you.”

The bothfell silent once more, Regina trying to battle against the words she had triedto suppress for so long, the magic pushing her as she grew restless. They hadbeen trapped for a few minutes now, the light from outside the shop still thesame murky gray that spoke of a lazy morning in Storybrooke but the cars andthe people walking idly didn’t cross the enchanted walls of the place, thedimly lit place only a reminder that, apparently, no one was looking for them.Yet.

“How longuntil someone realizes we are missing?” Emma seemed to be thinking in the samelines as she had and when she zeroed on the phone the blonde had extracted fromher back pocket she refrained to do the same, knowing already that a call wouldbe out of the question.

“How longdoes Hook need to see that you are not glued to him?”

She didn’tclose her eyes, but she growled, outwardly this time, at the inability to keepthe obvious venom dripping from her lips. She had gotten better at this, atpretending total indifference to the doppelganger of the man that hadtransformed into her friend back when she had merely been Roni. The anger sheplaced on the pirate, however, hadn’t diminished. Not when she was stillsubjected to the presence of him now that she was back.

Turningbriskly, Emma rose her brows, obvious surprise on her face as she pocketed thephone once again, the not signal symbol flashing before Regina’s eyes beforethe woman’s voice made her look up once again to those green eyes, closer thanbefore.

“Really?You are going to use this to tell me again how you don’t like Hook?” Snorting,the younger woman pointed at the cone, almost as if she was talking to itrather than her. “Because I already knew that.”

Feelingdefensive, Regina shrugged, calling for calmness once more as her magic riledup once again, the throbbing on her temples only intensifying as she did so.She could try to change the subject, but she knew it would be fruitless; thehex had already latched on her thoughts about the pirate, about Emma’s ownwords and when she spoke she did it quickly, trying to do so in the quickestway possible.

It wasn’t,as Emma said, like her feelings regarding him were a secret. She tolerated himat best.

“Well, I’mnot lying. You seem unable to move without him saying something about it.”

Silencehung between them once more, the barrier glowing once more, signaling that ithad fed from both of their statements. Sighing loudly, Regina approached thewooden counter, just near the edge of the barrier, before sliding down, backagainst the wood. She was fed up with this; with her never truly having theopportunity to choose for herself. Ever so slowly, still silent, Emma walkednext to her, dropping at her side in a less ceremonious way; jaw trembling,teeth gritted.

For amoment Regina wondered if this was going to be it; the admission far too muchfor Emma to even try to keep the modicum of friendship she had started to giveher ever since she had returned to the town; a younger version of Henry in tow.

However,after drumming her thumbs against her knees, sitting cross-legged, the blonde restlesslyrolled her shoulders, the movement making the tresses that fall limp at bothsides of her head move slightly, capturing the gleaming barrier with them. Lipspale, the blonde glanced at the device, her magic traveling up and down herneck now, crackling on her cheeks as she swallowed thickly a couple of timesbefore parting her lips once more; her voice a trickle, defeated.

“I havethought on divorcing him.”

Reginacould feel her own muscles going slack at the admission, something close totrepidation making her fingers tremble as she pressed her hands on the shop’sfloor, magic itching as it began to burn through her veins, the hex pinching,prodding. She managed to swallow the words, but her voice still trembled fartoo much when she rose it again, the words ricocheting against the walls.

“Don’t make me say what I think about that.”It sounded far more pained than Regina would have wanted it to sound but shefelt that she didn’t have it in here anymore. She would have never consideredthat Emma, the Emma the woman had transformed into, would ever think onsomething she had been dreaming about ever since she had sat there, on thefirst row, heart sinking as Emma glanced at the dark-haired man as if he wasthe only thing that could make her happy.

Chucklingmirthlessly, Emma put both of her hands up, palms facing upwards, as shemotioned towards Regina. She, too, seemed pained.

“I wouldlike to.” And it was soft, far too soft and Regina sighed, rising her headuntil the back hit the wooden surface enough for her to jump back to a standingposition, unable to keep still anymore. Not when she felt her insides hurtingand Emma felt far too close to her, closer than they had been for a really longtime.

When sheopened her mouth again she knew beforehand what would come out of it, but shedid nothing to stop it this time, feeling perhaps emboldened by Emma’sinvitation. Emma who, still seated down herself, crane her neck so she couldkeep looking at her as Regina paced, purple coloring the air around her.

“You aretoo good for him.”

“You weretoo good for Robin.”

The retortdidn’t burn but Regina bristled at it; at the air of authority Emma suddenlyhad as the blonde finally followed her, standing back up, arms awakrdly akimbo,thumbs hooking on the belt loops of her jeans. An authority that she hadn’teven dare to wield even after Hook’s multiple deeds.

“Mysoulmate, the one that died because of our trip to the Underworld?” Sheflinched as the words left her mouth. She had made peace with what happened,even after she had been able to see the wish realm version of the man; foreverdifferent than the one who had died against Hades. She did not longer seek him,knowing that the story they could have had was and had been buried at last. Andstill, the fact that Emma seemed so capable of throwing that idea around whenshe herself felt her very skin burn with the reality of the pirate on Emma’slife blinded her for a hot moment. One second in where Emma glanced down beforewalking back to the furthest end of the barrier, the buzzing sound it followeda warning form the device that she would not go further than the uncomfortablestance in which she stopped, right foot mid-air.

“Zelenatold me that you had blamed her for that.” Licking her lips, the woman focusedon Regina once more, voice less brisk, mellower for a moment. “Do you realizethat it was my fault, right?”

Wanting tosnort, Regina laughed instead, the sound flat and fragile as she crossed herarms once more, fingers digging into her forearms as she did so. She did notwant to answer to that and yet her mouth opened once again, words coming out ofher before she was able to do anything about it.

“I couldnever blame you. It was my decision to go.”

Emma eyedat her wearily and Regina felt a wave of dizziness overcoming her.

“Then whyblame her?”

“Because itwas easier… to keep being angry about that. Even if…”

Shestopped, silence weighing down on both of them once more. She truly didn’t haveanything else to say, or at least not a coherent thought. Which, thankfully,the hex seemed to pick up on and stopped its nagging on the matter. Not likethe harm wasn’t already done. She had accepted what had happened years ago andyet, as Emma stared at her, her mind went back no to the Underworld, not to thehorrible, squelching feeling that had filled her when she had needed to divideEmma’s heart for a hot second, the feeling of it pumping on her hand one thathad given her nightmares alongside with the irrational fear of waking one dayonly to discover Emma was gone, left. No, the memory her mind latched on was onslightly before their trip, high cheekbones, dramatic flair and far too muchleather filling her mind.

An imagethat, despite everything, made her smile.

“I always thought that you overdid the wholeDark One regalia.”

Emma’s owntension disappeared as she laughed slightly, chuckling almost as she, too,seemed lost on the memory of white-haired hair and far too much dramatics.

“Says the woman who seemed to love using aplunging neckline while being the Queen.” And then there it was the flirty toneagain, resurfacing from Emma’s voice instead of hers. A detail Regina did verylittle to smile at as the next few words erupted from her mouth, not reallybothering to stop them this time while she lowered the tone, huskier now.

“You aresaying that because of something, dear?”

She hadexpected a stutter; Emma’s usual response of taking a step back whenever theyplayed too close with whatever precipice they seemed to always be walkingaround almost kicking in in the way she swallowed thickly. However, when thewoman answered, she did so in a similar tone than Regina had had, less smirk onher lips perhaps, but eyes intense enough for Regina to taste Emma’s magic inthe air, specs of white rising between them both, feeding the contraption.

“Well, you lookedamazing in those dresses.”

The silencethat fell upon them felt less tense now, but it still made Regina pressed herfingers against her lips, her mind still reeling as her memory went back to thetimes Emma had truly seen her in full Evil Queen regalia, the thought bringingdifferent memories than the usual shame and worry. Which was what made herblink owlishly as the blonde spoke once more, her voice somber now, one handhovering over the swan pendant once again, not quiet touching it.

“I amsorry.”

Staring ather, Regina frowned, unsure of what was the blonde referring to. Pointing aroundthem, the woman licked her lips slowly, trying probably -and failing- to keepthe words from falling from her lips.

“I’m sorryfor not having followed you guys when I could.” The woman looked surprised almost,but she shook her head and kept on talking, staring down at the device as shedid so, the buzzing on it changing ever so slightly, a band whirring as itlocked itself into place.  Eyes dark,Regina followed the band as it moved, startled when the blonde spoke again, anundertone of almost wonder filling every vowel. “Maybe that’s why I’m thinkingon filling the papers now. Everything was just too much, seeing you with Henryand then… I couldn’t. But I’m sorry. I would have go with you.”

And yes,Regina, despite everything, had felt the pang of seeing Emma go, cross back toa town that didn’t feel like home. Not anymore. She couldn’t say that, however,not when she knew that admitting it so would end up with a much morecomplicated conversation. One she didn’t want to have. Instead, she focused onEmma’s face, walking closer to her, almost touching her, as she breathed whatshe had still told herself that day, when the vortex had closed behind Emma andHook, their shadows an imprint on the back of her eyelids that had burnt forfar longer than it should have as she could only have been able to think on thealmost teary smile Emma had directed at her, a longing curling itself betweenher lungs.

“You hadother things to take care of.”

And it wasa truth, but she still felt the magic pressing her sides, pushing her to keepon speaking, to keep on admitting. Thankfully, Emma cut her short, effectivelypushing the pressure out of her, the magic focusing on her now.

“Yes, but Imissed you, both of you.”

They smiledat each other, unsure. They didn’t have anything else to say about that, aboutthe fact that Regina had waited for far too long wishing to open her eyes oneday and find Emma crossing back again. About the fact that Emma had justadmitted that she had thought of her during her pregnancy, memories that weren’thers but had been gifted to her a constant reminder on her mind. Which wasprobably the reason why that, when Emma spoke again, earnest, down to businessonce again, Regina found herself startled, realizing for the first time thatshe was standing far too close for her own liking, their magic mingling,coloring the air not in one single white or purple but a different hue. Onethat she didn’t even dare to focus on for far too much.

“How manysecrets can we still be keeping from each other now?”

And it wasprobably the surprise, the way she felt her body tired, her muscles aching, butshe didn’t even battle the hex this time, words tumbling out of her mouth,unbidden.

“I canthink of a few more.”

Emmablinked at that, waiting for her to elaborate but Regina bit down on hertongue, taking a step back only to be stopped by Emma grasping her forearm,keeping her in place. Eyes pleading and far too understanding for Regina’sliking.

“Well,let’s hear them.”

And thistime it was her who run away, shaking her head while she did so; not movingaway but closing the possibility as she swallowed down with every strength shepossessed the compelling magic that pinched her, prodded at her, waiting forher to speak, to admit something she didn’t want to. Not when she had just reclaimedher space in Storybrooke, not now, when Emma had told her that she was thinkingabout a divorce.

“I wouldprefer not to.”

Anothersilence, another pause and Regina began to wonder if Emma’s previous idea ofkicking the device out of their lives was actually not a bad idea. Not when shefelt her strength depleting rapidly, the contraption obviously not happy withher deflection.

“I alsohave one I don’t want to say.”

Words blurtedand unnaturally loud, Emma seemed just as speechless as Regina felt and,surprised, she could only answer in the same tone, unsure.

“You do?”

Nervous laughterechoing through the shop, Emma let Regina go, her grasp slipping as she run herfingers through her hair, strong enough that Regina winced slightly at theobvious tug on a few locks. Tongue peeking between her teeth, Emma paced,moving away as Regina took an unconscious step forward, magic drumming on herveins.

“I don’t know which one is worse. The factthat I had… that I dreamt about you, or that…”

“I alsodreamt about you.”

Regina didn’tquite hear the gasp, but she felt it nonetheless on the way her cheeks flushedat the admission, at the stupid way her mouth betrayed her; the hex taking holdon her, making her feel like a stupid girl, the same kind of girl that she hadbeen one. Naïve, far too naïve.

And yet…

“Yourealize I’m not talking about simple dreams, do you?”

Sherefrained herself from rolling her eyes. Yes, she had understood the tone, thefact that Emma even had those about her making her stammer, the beast of atruth she had tried to bury deep within her roaring back to live as she wonderedhow many, for how long.

Emboldenedby it, she pressed on, taking Emma’s space again, cornering the woman almostagainst the counter, the buzzing of the barrier forgotten as she stared at Emma’seyes, exhilaration running down her back as she saw some of the old fire backthere; a need to prove herself framing Emma’s features, giving them a shade ofgold and white Regina hadn’t even realized she had missed.

“What madeyou think I didn’t meant the same for me as well?”

She felther heart drumming against her ribcage, the thousands of times she hadimagined, hoped, for Emma to tell her something, say something instead than themere pregnant pauses, the ones she always walked away with the thought of athousand what-if’s clamoring inside her head, coming back to her, one by one.

“I had the first the first time I came here,the second night.”

Reginacould remember that night, the absolute fury she had felt, the need to scalpEmma, the need to make her go away despite the pull she had felt when she hadstood in the middle of her foyer, a far too flirtatious smile on her face, akind of strut on her walk she knew she only used when she intended to usedesire against those stupid enough to think she was weaker than she truly was.

But Emmahad never underestimated her, she had always seen her for her, for herself, forthe woman she was, not for what stories and rumors said and, as such, she couldpicture herself that night, and the one after that one, and the one that hadcome after that: curling into bed, sleep keeping her awake as she dreamt ofmultiple possibilities. A few making her tremble as she watched as the clocktick by hours in a town that hadn’t known time before.

And, a fewothers, making her want to see how far she would be able to push the newcomer’sbuttons.

“Why didn’t you…” But she didn’t finish thequestion, afraid suddenly that her voice reflected the sudden need to know, thewant that she had been so good at pretending it wasn’t there for the longest oftimes. The hex battled against it, of course, pushing, biting her, but she wasyet again saved by Emma’s own compulsion forcing words out of her in a similarfashion.

“We hatedeach other.”

“But wedon’t anymore.”

And shefelt pathetic once again; pleading for a truth that didn’t even matter anymore.Not after everything that had happened. A few dreams regarding her and theblonde didn’t hold its weight now, not after everything that had transpired. Nomatter how she still had them, all of them leaving her far too bothered to eventry to do something but to finish what they started every single night sheended up thinking about the blonde.

Blonde who,laughing bitterly, ducked away, placing her hands on the counter, eyes open andexposed.

“Tellingyou that I’ve had dreams about you I haven’t even had with Hook is not exactlyan easy conversation, Regina.”

And it wasn’t.But Regina would have never thought there would be one to begin with. Which waswhat made her jump as the blonde spoke again, eyelids low, giving her look analmost dreamy one as she spoke, voice quiet, pensive.

“I would have said no, to Hook. In thewedding. I wanted to say no, I wanted to turn and run to you.”

“Emma…” AndRegina wanted to stop her there, tell her that she had already admitted enough.Far more than Regina herself had said but the blonde, like she always did, stubbornly,stupidly, shook her head, knowing her far too well.

“No, letme. I broke the seal. It’s only fair that I’m the one who says this.” A tearysmile forming on her lips, she kept on talking, softly, a small moment of doubtcoloring her voice before she spoke once again, her next admission spoken withsuch softness, with such fragility, that Regina wondered for a brief second ifthe blonde wasn’t hoping that they could feign it had never happened. “I wantedto say no to him and then say it to you.”

Regina feltthe floor open behind her feet as there was no mistake on Emma’s words, the buildupon her own chest eliciting a gasp as Emma chuckled, sadly, bitterly almostbefore she hugged herself, bony shoulders protruding as she tried to move away,the ghost of a blush beginning to dust her cheeks with red and pink. Lightheadedas she felt, Regina could only watch with one hand on the counter, steadyingher, as she felt the hex screaming at her, asking her, claiming for a truth shehad spent far too much time denying only for the woman in front of her to beather at it. Like she always did, she thought with fondness tinting her thought.

Stillunable to speak, she saw how Emma swallowed, tears building on her eyes, makingher look younger in a way, softer around edges that Regina had never wanted tosee disappear. “But I didn’t. And I regret it. Every day ever since.” Chockingout a sob, raw magic dancing on her eyes, on her hair, on her skin, the womandidn’t move when Regina rose her other hand, hovering over her cheek, unsure,afraid. “I should have… I should have tried to say something, but I didn’t wantto lose what we already had, I didn’t want to disappoint everyone. My parents,Henry…”

The hold ofthe hex was still there but Regina couldn’t care less about it as she stared atEmma’s eyes, at the way the blonde kept waiting for a response, one that shefelt trapped between her teeth as she gritted them before she let her musclesrelax, the dizziness she had felt coiling on her stomach; hope thrummingthrough her veins.

“I’m in love with you, you idiot. I would haveloved…” It came out quicker than intended, imperfect and fast but Emma stillgasped as the chamber whirred and fell, the light disappearing and a wave ofpower cracking a few glasses and mirrors around them. Not like Regina caredabout it anymore. Not like she felt able to move either, as Emma was the onethis time who stepped closer, her chest touching hers as she slide her handback towards Regina’s, pressing the palm against her back, magic crackling inthe air.

“Say it again.”

And therewas a hint of cockiness, the kind Regina had missed. Drunk on the realizationshe wasn’t dreaming, she nodded, whispering it again, less brisk, closer towhat she guessed an admission would sound like. One that had been in the makingfor a decade now.

“I loveyou.”

Emmalaughed, childlike, free as the sound of a ring against the floor between themmomentarily blinded them both.

“Again.”

“I…”

But shenever managed to finish the word, a kiss promptly stopping her, the resultingwave of magic enveloping them both, leaving nothing else behind but them. Onlythem.

[chaifootsteps]

Here we are, Dragon Age Origins Awakenings Appreciation Week:  Day 6

Questions of the Day:

How did your Warden Commander respond to the Wending Wood?

The Wending Wood always unnerved Ain even before it gave him a solid reason to feel that way. Orlais is full of old, creepy, actively malevolent forests (and Rivain’s are full of snakes) and none of them put him on his toes the way it does. 

It’s one thing to feel like a forest doesn’t want you there. The Wending Wood feels like it’s aggressively given up on the world and everyone in it.

How did your Warden Commander respond to meeting Velanna?

Meeting Velanna was probably his first clue to get the hell out of dodge, but at the time, it seemed like a relatively simple solution to a sadly typical problem. Dalish elf is out for revenge, turns out the darkspawn took her sister? Fine, Ain’s met a lot of people whose relatives were taken by darkspawn. Best to try to find her, see what they can do for her, maybe put a dent in this larger darkspawn problem.

(Fun fact: Younger siblings is about the only common ground Ain and Velanna share.)

Velanna, what sort of relationship does your Warden Commander have with Velanna?

They never did learn to be best friends. Velanna needed to be a Warden and Ain needed Wardens, and apart from the aforementioned bonding over siblings, that was all it really amounted to. 

Just when they were starting to really warm up to each other, the final fight with the Architect happened. They had an absolutely vicious argument over it and never spoke again.

How did your Warden Comander respond to being kidnapped?

Hoo boy. Hoooo, boy.

The Architect is Ain’s personal white whale and there’s no getting around it...a large part of that is due to what happened in the Silverite Mines. It shook him up on so, so many levels.

How quickly it all happened, and all the ways it could have been prevented in hindsight. That brief, startling moment of clarity on the surgical table -- that this was it, the end of the line, Oghren and Anders are going to be eaten and he and Velanna will be turned into Brood Mothers. The fact that that didn’t happen, but the Architect still cut them, bled them like animals, and presumably handled his naked body. The starkness of that cell, and knowing that the only reason his people didn’t end up dead that day was because Seranni happened to let them out. And then, because there’s no kill like overkill, finding Keenan -- who he apparently took the Joining with, but whose face he can’t even remember -- mangled and dying in the ruins.

It’s tangled and awful and he has no interest in sorting out all the words for it, but the end result is the same...that day, down in the dark, he lost something he couldn’t get back.

Prompts of the Day:

The Wending Wood, adventures in the Wending Wood, the ruins in the Wending Wood, etc. 

Two incisions, parallel to the arm, about an inch long. Unmistakably intended as cuts (perhaps a cannula would have taken more time than the creature was willing to spare) but clean and precise and already brushed over with a healing spell. And it was the paradoxical nature of that precision that made it all so surreal.

How could the creature have seen fit to bleed them, wipe the blood from their wounds, dress their arms, then lay them on a cold cell floor beside a freshly dead dwarf? Just what sort of fate had sensed them, tasted the air for them, and passed them by?

“The Hero of Ferelden always kept a couple of little poison pills on her,” Oghren had said, tone eerily sober. “Just in case the darkspawn ever managed to take her alive.” 

Velanna did not turn from her task of scouring the cell for an escape route. Anders, however, looked up from where he knelt beside their leader’s unconscious form, cycling through every reversal spell the Circle had taught him. “Why would she do that?”

“You ever seen a pregnant darkspawn, kid? They’ve gotta come from somewhere.”

The door sticks, and it takes four solid, heavy, frantic hits before it gives way in a shower of dirt and rust. They all lurch forward, drawing deep, disbelieving breaths of fresh air and light and the scent of a world in full bloom. When the group descended into those tunnels a lifetime ago, it was mid-morning. The sun still hangs well above the horizon now, but inches lower by the minute, casting short, fat shadows.

The exit to the mines lies behind them; the corner they rounded, their footprints in the dust. Ain glances back at it just once.

“Everyone keep close together. We need to be out of these woods by nightfall, and then we’ll need to be in touch with Nathaniel. Make sure he made it out safely as well.”

His voice is too even, too measured...like a pot shattered on the floor, barely held together with wet glue. His gauntleted fingers shift as discreetly as possible to the gold ring on its chain, the one he had so violently snatched off the darkspawn that wore his armor, and clutch it like a lifeline in a storm.

They march back the way they came. Oghren inspects his axe, loudly comments on the “nug suckers” who “grubbed it up”, while Velanna sets her jaw and keeps a measured distance. Anders hangs in between, well aware that the commander who laughs with him at night and the figure striding briskly on ahead in heavy armor are two very different people. They stop along Pilgrim’s Path, buy hand pies and cider from the sleepy looking vendor, and eat them while walking, and it’s only then -- bolstered by the great, depleted bites their leader is taking -- that he decides to chance it.

“You alright, commander?” 

“Well, it’s always a chance, venturing into closed quarters with the darkspawn. The important thing is, we got out unharmed. But it was an inexcusable, novice mistake and rest assured, one I will not be making again. You have my word on that.”

“Ahh, good to know!” Anders replies cautiously. “...So, are you alright?”

“...Quite. Thank you.”

They make it home to Vigil’s Keep and all that awaits them there... the peasants at the gates, and the commander soothing them as efficiently as if he’d spent the day preparing a speech; finding Nathaniel alive and well and helping to cart stones for the wall; Oghren trundling off to the loving, supportive arms of his ale, and Velanna buckling down for the next day’s Joining. Anders sets Ser-Pounce-a-lot on the ground, and by the time he looks up, the commander is gone.

Only years later, across a gouged table at a backwater inn, will Ain confess to him that he spent a portion of that night curled in on himself, scrubbing his skin red, and the rest of it failing to sleep.

“For the first time, I wanted nothing more than to run home. Felt that I had no business being where I was. Couldn’t contemplate putting on the uniform and coming down to face you all.”

Anders, older and wearier, can only take his hand.

[cd-archive]

Astaroth Arc 6: In The Hive

Akta, one of Nilsine's sisters, runs up to Maline. "Maline! Are we ready to decide who the newest queen is?" She asks excitedly, knowing that it has to be her. "I-I mean, whoever wins I wish them the best of luck as queen."

Maline blushes. "It was decided that Nilsine, Being Jeda's last born, And most fit for Reproduction, Which our kingdom has need for, Will act as queen until further notice. A proper election will take place once jeda is buried and the reproduction crisis is solved."

"Nilsine!?" Akta frowns. "But she's-" she sighs. It wasn't fair. Nilsine was only younger by a minute at most. Why should she get to be Queen? "Are you sure that is wise?"

"But she's the weakest! The runt of the litter! And she's only the youngest by a couple seconds!"

Akta argues.

"She's acting queen. Period. Jeda told me to choose a hatchling to act as queen until our kingdom's population was stable again. Until then, She's figurehead. I make decisions,She repopulates. A true queen will be chosen from the hatchlings when the population is stable. No more arguments, Young lady."

Akta frowns. "That's not fair!" She pouts. "Fine! I'll just wait till she's removed. I doubt it will take long."

"I will have no more of your sass, Akta! You will wish your sister luck, Then you, Too, Will fulfill your duty of populating this kingdom."

Akta sighs and nods. "Yes, Maline..." She angrily walks away. "The only thing I'd wish my sister is a swift usurpation." She mutters under her breath.

"Wait in the throne room, Akta." Maline tells her.

"Fine, I'll be there." She says, heading off towards the throne room, resisting the urge to hit the hive walls and scream in frustration as she walks there.

One of Jeda's Weavers is fixing some old webs on the wall. "Hello, Little hatchling." she says.

"Hey." She grumbles back, her arms crossed as she waits.

"Waiting for someone?" she asks, Looking at her.

Akta nods. "Maline told me to wait in the throne room. She didn't say for what. Probably to congratulate her royal highness." She frowns.

She slinks down from the webs. "You don't seem happy, For a queen."

"Because I'm not queen. Naline's queen. And it's just because she was born a few seconds behind me."

"Poor thing." She hugs Akta. "Maybe you will win the elections."

Akta smiles faintly. "Thanks... I hope so." She hugs her back.

"You are one of Jeda's brood...You need to be Strong."

"You're right. Thank you." She nuzzles the weaver. "I'm sure the hive will elect me. I have faith in our people."

The weaver picks her up. "You are of breeding age. That must be why Maline wanted to see you."

Akta blushes. "Y-yeah." She nods shyly.

"Your body is unused, Yes?" she asks.

"Mhm...." She blushes brighter.

"I want to have a brood with you, Little Hatchling. Perhaps we will birth a future queen. "

Akta nods. "Yeah... I'd like that." She smiles. "J-just... go slow please."

She grows a cock. "Let's start."

Akta looks down at her cock, spreading her legs. "Hold me close..." She says, nuzzling her.

She picks up the little attention starved hatchling, Nuzzling her as she slides her cock into her.

Akta lets out a cute moan, smiling as the two embrace. "Ahhn, I want to have lots of little hatchlings with you."

"I want to do the same with you." she thrusts into Akta quickly.

Akta moans as the weaver fucks her tight little pussy. "Mhh!" Her tail twitches with pleasure.

"You will be a nice queen." she thrusts harder as she nears orgasm.

Akta moans louder. "I love you!" She squeals as she cums, her lithe body trembling with pleasure.

The weaver cums in Akta and stuffs her with her tail, Beginning to lay her eggs.

Akta pants and moans softly as she feels the weavers eggs start to fill her. She smiles, nuzzling her.

"You are a sweet girl. You have traits of both of your mothers."

"Really? I never got a chance to know Jeda well. And I never even met my other mother." She says, blushing faintly at the compliment. "But... thank you. It means a lot."

The weaver's tail slides out once akta is full of eggs. "Let me take you to the back, so you can eat."

Akta nods. "Thank you." She smiles, feeling her full belly. "I am pretty hungry..."

"You deserve to be pampered." she smiles gently,Putting her down.

Akta blushes. "Just being with you is nice enough for me." She smiles, holding the weavers hand.

Her touch is almost overly gentle and she's very motherly, She's an older weaver and she has been working on the hive for a very long time. She kisses Akta.

Akta kisses her back, smiling. "I... I've forgotten where the food hall is." She lies. "Can you lead me there?"

She nods,Picking up akta and carrying her to the food hall. She sits the Hatchling down. "I need to return to my duties, Little one."

Akta nods. "Okay..." she says sadly. "But... you'll come see me later, right?"

"Is that what you want, Little hatchling?"

Akta nods. "Yeah! I-I mean... if you're not too busy, a-and you don't mind then... I want to spend more time with you."

The weaver smiles. "My name is Jeasa. I will be in the throne room today." she walks away.

Akta watches as she walks away, smiling. "Jeasa..." She sighs happily, before getting some food. She eats her food quietly, wondering what to do today. She could go back to the throne room and spend more time with Jeasa, but maybe she'd seem too clingy. Besides, she should probably show Maline her egg-filled belly. Or, if nothing else, she could go for a relaxing walk.

Cleaners come by, A few stopping to groom her and clean her body as she eats. Their Fuzzy bodies gave them a cute and gentle appearance.

Akta giggles as the cleaners groom her. She's quite ticklish, and she tries not to laugh as they clean her.

One of them sniffs her, Spreading her legs and beginning to clean the excess juices from her.

Akta blushes and gasps. "H-hey, wa- ahhh!" She moans, her legs trembling.

She continues to clean, But doesn't realize that by licking Akta's folds, She's making more mess to clean.

Akta bites her lip to try and keep her moans quiet. Her delicate frame quivers from the cleaners skilled tongue.

She keeps going, Trying to clean a seemingly endless Flow of juices.

"Mhm, w-wai- nhh!" Her girlcum flows even faster as the cleaner continues. "I-if you keep licking there then I'm gonna- mhh!"

She keeps it up, Her tounge moving faster to lick up the cum.

Akta lets out a girlish squeal as she cums, more of her feminine juices leaking from her slit.

The cleaner keeps licking, Trying her best to clean up Akta's mess.

"Nhh, wait! Wait!" She manages to say between moans and gasps. "I-I'm clean, you can stop!"

She looks up, Squeaking a bit.

Akta pants softly. "Y-you... did a good job." She smiles, patting the cleaners head. She really was quite cute. "I'm all clean now. Thank you."

She nuzzles Akta, Beginning to leave.

"U-um... miss!" She calls. "D-do you think you could stay for... a bit longer?"

She walks over to akta, Sitting down near her.

Akta smiles, nuzzling her. "Thank you. Do you want some food?"

She snuggles up to akta, squeaking as she falls asleep.

Akta blushes. "O-oh. Well... I guess sleeping is good too." She rests her head on the cleaner, closing her eyes.

When akta wakes up, she's in one of the spiderkin dens, being snuggled by the cleaner and other spiderkin.

Akta blushes as she opens her eyes and looks around. "Oh, good morning." She smiles shyly.

They nuzzle her, wanting her to keep snuggling them.

Akta giggles. "Well... I guess I can stay for a little bit longer." She says, snuggling them.

Jeasa is laying above her. "Hi, little hatchling." she kisses akta.

Akta smiles brightly as she sees her. "Jeasa!" She kisses her back.

"Mhm. You got carried here after you fell asleep."

Akta blushes. "I-I just needed a little nap is all. Carrying eggs is more tiring then I thought. What about you? Are you done your work in the throne room?"

"Mhm. I have time to cuddle with you."

Akta smiles, hugging her. "I never got to cuddle with anyone before." She admits. "It's nice."

"You're attention starved, aren't you little hatchling?" She hugs Akta.

"W-well... m-maybe." Akta blushes, nuzzling her. "I just... never stood out among my sisters, that's all."

"I think you're very pretty, Little one.'

Akta smiles shyly, looking up at her. "Y-you really think so?"

"If you aren't queen, you'll make a wonderful advisor, and a wonderful birthmother."

Akta hugs Jeasa tightly, her eyes watering up. "Thank you, Jeasa. I couldn't have picked a better spiderkin the carry the eggs of."

"Oh, you give me too much credit. You're such a sweetheart."

Akta nuzzles her. "I should probably go tell Maline why I wasn't at the throne room today."

"Why don't you tell her after i stuff you again?" Jaesa smiles, trying to get Akta horny.

"Again?" She feels her egg-filled belly. "Will more eggs fit in me?"

She blushes.

"We can fill your butt." Jaesa smiles.

Akta bites her lip, starting to get turned on at the thought of being stuffed with more eggs. "Okay." She nods. "I want you to fill me with as many eggs as you can!"

Jaesa smelis and spreads akta's legs, Sliding her cock into Akta's other hole.

Akta moans, holding onto Jeasa. "Mhh... I love you."

Jaesa thrusts faster, Grabbing Akta's sides.

Akta moans louder, her femcum soaking her nethers as Jaesa fucks her tight hole.

Jaesa speeds up, Rutting the little spiderkin hard.

Akta squeals cutely. "Mhh, g-gonna cum!" She moans, kissing Jaesa.

Jaesa cums first, Lubing her up as she begins to lay her eggs.

Akta squeals and moans as she cums, feeling Jaesa's eggs slowly fill her tight butt.

Jaesa finishes,Pulling out and kissing her. "Better go talk to maline."

Akta nods, kissing her back. "Alright. I'm sure she'll be happy to hear the news." She smiles, nuzzling her. "Oh, and... it's Akta. My names Akta." She walks back to the throne room to go find Maline.

Maline is sitting near Nilsine, with a web made over a hole in the ceiling.

"Maline!" Akta calls as she enters. "Oh... Nilsine. You're here too." Her smile drops slightly.

"Hello, sister!" Nilsine smiles, not seeming to notice.

"Did something happen?" Akta asks, looking at the hole in the ceiling. "A Minotaur walk by?"

"I'm trying to catch humans." Maline says.

"In the throne room?" Akta shrugs. "Whatever." She smiles, rubbing her belly. "Notice anything different?"

"You're full of eggs." Maline nods. "So is Nilsine, I'm going to show the royal hatchlings how to turn a human into a widow and impregnate her."

"Do you think anyone's gonna wander over here?" Akta asks. "I mean, we have better odds of catching an orc."

Meanwhile, above the throne room, a young girl sits down to examine her map. "Hmm... the old cave system should be right here. The owner abandoned it decades ago, but why? There should still be plenty of gems down there." She's young, with a curvy build and a hint of muscle. Her hair is black, and long, and her eyes are bright green.

"Orcs are good eating." Maline says happily. "But i have faith in my bait hole."

Nilsine nods. "Maline's really smart. I'm sure she'll catch a human."

The human girl take a pickaxe out of her bag, and begins walking closer to the webbing, still looking at her map. "Hmm... if I set up some rope then I should be able to drop down right... here?" She stops as she steps on the webbing.

Maline nods. "Thank you, Nilsine."

Akta frowns. "Ass-kisser..." She  mumbles to herself.

The girl tries to step off the webbing, but her feet are caught on it. "Wh-what the?" She starts to pull and struggle, trying to free her feet.

"See? I hear one. Watch her fall." Maline crosses her arms triumphantly.

"Fall? Is something going to catch her?" Akta asks.

The girl growls. "Stupid gunk!" She grabs her pickaxe.

"Yes! The web that Jaesa made." she points at it.

Akta nods. "Oh! By the way, Jaesa's the one who laid her eggs in me-"

The girl above strikes at the webbing, causing it to tear. "Um... maybe this was a bad idea..." suddenly it gives out under her weight, causing her to fall onto Jaesa's webbing. The girl keeps screaming as she lands on the web, before slowly stopping and opening her eyes. "W-wait... I'm alive?"

Maline smiles. "Told you! She's a good specimen too. I can't wait to see her nude."

The girl struggles, trying to get out of the webbing. "Crap... maybe that's why they abandoned it..." She looks at them. "Are uh... you gonna eat me?"

Maline shakes her head. "I'll get to you in a minute. Akta, be a dear and get the other royal hatchlings."

The girl sighs in relief. "Oh good. Take your time then!" She smiles.

Akta nods. "Okay." She leaves, going to get the others.

The girl looks at Maline and Nilsine. "So... what do you want with me then, if you're not gonna eat me?" She asks.

Akta returns with her sisters. "Maline, here's everyone!"

Maline smiles and climbs up to the web. "I'm going to show you how to convert a human and breed with her!" She coos at the hatchlings.

Natalia claps happily. "Really? Cool!"

"W-wait, what?!" The girl starts struggling again. "No! Not cool! Very not cool! Let me go!"

Akta smiles. "Well... that sounds like fun."

Nilsine blushes. "Mhh... I don't know..."

Claire nods. "Are you gonna lay eggs in her?"

Maline smiles. "Mhm!"

"Hold on! I never agreed to this!" The girl squirms. On the shirt of her adventurers outfit, is a name tag that reads "Evie".

"Evie!" Maline smiles. "That's a cute name. Do you want to be my wife, Evie?"

Evie shakes her head. "No, what I want, is to be let down from here, and led safely back outside!"

Maline smiles and bites her neck.

Evie winces. "Stop that! I'm not your prey!" She says, her struggling getting weaker and a blush growing on her cheeks.

She stops biting, looking at the hatchlings. "Never lay eggs in any human you don't bite first. Spiderkin venom kills viruses that might harm your eggs."

Natalia squeals. "Can we bite them lots?"

Maline nods. "As many times as you want, But be careful, Too much venom can cause problems. So only bite if they struggle. "

Akta giggles. Natalia's enthusiasm was contagious. "Mhh... humans are kinda cute when they're tied up."

Evie continues to weakly struggle, barely managing to pull at the webs. "L-let... me go!"

Maline smiles. "You want them to be like she is now before you strip them. She can't resist me now, and if she does try, we'll just give her another love bite." Maline begins to strip evie.

Claire watches intently. "What hole do we lay eggs in?"

"Any of them." Akta answers. "You can fill their womb, their ass, and even their mouth all at once if you want them to carry lots of babies."

"W-wait... stop!" Evie begs as Maline strips her.

Maline nods, Spreading her legs and spreading Evie's pussy lips. "This is the best hole to put babies in." she licks her lips.

Evie moans weakly. "D-don't stare..."

Natalia blushes. "She's pretty, How do we lay our eggs in her?"

"Mm, Use your tail or a cock to mate with her." Maline smiles and bites her again to get her ready.

Evie gasps as Maline bites her again. "Mhh... w-wait..."

"How long do eggs stay in a human for?" Nilsine asks.

"How many eggs should we fill them with?" Akta asks.

"Fill them with as many as you can. Eggs will stay in them for a few weeks before they are laid."

By this point the venom has caused Evie's lower lips to become soaked in girlcum. She can barely even lift a finger as she struggles to move. "Nhh..."

Akta blushes. "Look at how wet she is... I wonder if she wants those eggs now."

Maline Smiles and pinches Evie's tits as they enlarge from being slowly transformed.

Evie gasps and moans. "What- mmn- are you doing?"

"Is the venom doing that?" Nilsine asks.

"The venom will begin to turn suitable hosts if you inject them with a special enzyme. It takes a certain pressure to inject. It'll take a little practice. Her body is changing into a Widow's, Better suited to suit our needs."

Evie's body slowly begins changing to that of a widow. She's too weak from the venom, and can only look down in horror.

"Mhh, she's really pretty now." Akta smiles.

Maline smiles, Moving her cock near evie's mouth. "Open wide, dear."

Evie hesitantly does as she's told, opening her mouth to let Maline do as she pleases.

"What an obedient girl! You'll make a nice wife."

"J-just... let me cum..." Evie says weakly.

"Mhh, and to think she was struggling so hard earlier. Our venom is powerful." Akta grins.

Maline smiles. "I love you, My wife." she tells evie.

Evie looks up at her. "R-really?"

"Mhm. You're going to stay with me and live a nice life as a royal advisor."

Evie smiles faintly. "I'd... I'd like that... but I still don't know your name."

"Maline." She smiles. "Time to lay the eggs." She smiles, Putting her cock in evie's mouth. "Lube it up, Little slut."

Evie obediently starts licking and sucking on Maline's cock, enjoying the feeling of servicing her new wife.

"Mm, You've got a nice mouth, Evie." Maline smiles. She thrusts into her throat.

Evie moans as Maline uses her mouth like a fucktoy.

"Mhh..." Nilsine blushes brightly as she starts to get wet, resisting the urge to touch herself as she watches.

"Mn, drink my thick seed." Maline pounds her throat.

Evie moans and moves her tongue faster, licking at the underside of Maline's cock to try and coax out a big load.

Maline cums, her gooey load Filling Evie's throat.

Evie eagerly swallows her hot seed, gulping it down like a cum-hungry slut.

Above ground, a girl stumbles upon Evie's abandoned map. "Hmm? Who left this here?" She has long black hair and amber eyes. She's taller than Evie, with a curvier, and slightly more toned body. She's wearing tight pants and an skintight undershirt that reveals the shape of her body perfectly, leaving little to the imagination. Above that, she's wearing plated armour, and carrying a large spear.

Maline pulls back, Sniffing Evie and nuzzling her.

Evie smiles. "You know... you're pretty hot, Maline."

The girl above ground picks up the map, looking around. "Hmm... no sign of a struggle. Maybe someone just left it?"

"You're hot too, Evie. Your body is perfection." Maline flirts.

Evie giggles. "Says the girl who made me look like this." She smiles. "But... I'm not complaining."

The girl above ground keeps her spear raised as she looks around. "Something's not right..." She slowly inches closer to the hole, until finally she steps over it, falling in, and right next to Evie. "Damnit, what the hell?!"

Maline looks over at the new girl. "Hmm?"

Nilsine giggles. "You're really good at making pitfalls, Maline."

The girl growls. "A pitfall? I should have known." She looks around. "Spiderkin? As if these webs could hold me!" She starts pulling, the webs straining under her strength.

Maline quickly bites her neck.

The girl squirms and tries to free herself before the venom takes effect. "Bitch! That neck would look better with a collar around it..." She strains, pulling as hard as she can. The webbing around her right arm pulls and tears, and she manages to free her arm, but then the venom weakens her as she reaches out for Maline. She grabs Maline's arm, but her grip is weak. "Y-you'll regret biting me! I think making you eat your meals out of a dog bowl will suffice." She threatens, not seeming to understand that she's clearly in no position to make threats.

Maline bites her arm.

She winces. "Ow! Stop biting me, wench! Or I'll have you lick my boots clean!"

Akta giggles. "She's... not the wisest."

Nilsine blushes. "She's certainly confident..."

Maline smiles, letting the venom take effect.

The girl's cheeks flush as she feels a growing need. "Nhh... dammit..." Her arm goes slack. "You'll regret this. Once I'm able to move my body I'm taking over as Queen and making you my first slave."

Akta giggles. "Maybe she needs a bit more venom."

Evie nods. "Yeah! Make her so horny she has to beg!"

Maline bites her and injects her with more venom, Smiling.

She gasps, her body growing even hotter. Her panties are already soaked with her love juices.

Nilsine smiles. "What are you going to do with her?"

Maline smiles. "You look horny." she teases the girl.

"I-I'm fine..." The girl lies. "N-now let me go!"

"Hmm... She looks uncomfortable. Maybe it's that bulky armour." Evie giggles.

Maline nods and begins to strip off her armor.

As she takes off her armour, the girl's hard nipples can be seen through the tight shirt, and a faint dampness is visible between her legs.

Maline grins. "You're a horny girl." she smiles and rubs at the girl's wet pussy.

The girl bites her lip, trying to keep her moans quiet.

Maline pinches her nipples. "Look at how hard your nipples are.....you want it bad."

She lets out a moan, the venom making every little touch send waves of pleasure up her spine. "Mhh... n-no..."

Maline grins and rips off her Suit Forcefully.

The girl squeals as her clothing is torn off, revealing her needy body. "P-please..." she whimpers.

Maline pokes her body. "Beg."

"P-please... let me cum..." she mumbles weakly, her already flushed cheeks reddening even further.

Akta grins. "I think she can do better."

"Try again, Cow."

The girl is silent for a moment, before swallowing her pride and begging for release. "Please let me cum! Pound my ass! Fill my pussy with your seed! Do whatever you want with me, just please let me cum!"

Maline grins. "You'll be my other wife, Then."

Evie giggles. "Starting your own harem?"

The girl whimpers needily, nodding. "Yes, I'll be your wife! Now you'll let me cum right?"

"No." she grins. "I want you to howl like the slut you are as your tender lower lips get wetter and wetter. That poison will have you wanting anything to touch you."

The girl pouts. "What? No fair!" She whimpers. "Please! I'll do anything! I need to cum!"

She bites the girl's sensitive thigh, the venom making even the air tease her sensitive body.

The girl squeals. "Nhh! Stop teasing me!" She whimpers.

"M-maybe you should let her cum..." Nilsine suggests.

"No... I like hearing her beg." Akta grins.

Maline grins. "You were so dominant a few minutes ago...but now you're a little horny slut."

The girl whimpers. "Stop mocking me! You made me like this, it's not my fault!"

Maline smiles and touches above her pussy teasingly.

She lets out a needy moan. "Nhh, please, I'm begging you..." she whimpers. "I'll do anything you want, just let me free so I can relieve myself."

Maline grins and grows a cock. "Mmm, Do you want it?"

The girl looks at her cock hungrily, nodding. "Yes, I do! Fuck me already, I can't wait any longer!"

Maline smiles and thrusts her cock into her.

The girl squeals loudly, her tongue lolling out. Her pussy is tight around Maline's cock, covering it in her juices.

Maline smiles. "Get ready for my eggs."

"Mhh, wait eggs?! I changed my mind! I don't- ahhn- want them!" She moans, trying to move her body to no avail.

Maline grins. "You're going to turn into one of my kind."

The girl frantically shakes her head. "No! I like being human! Mercy! Please have mercy!" She begs.

"Mmm, You'll enjoy it soon enough."

Evie nods. "Yeah! I love being a spiderkin!"

"You'll love it too!~" Maline speeds up.

The girl moans louder, about to cum as her sensitive pussy is fucked hard. "Mhh, cumming!" She squeals,

Maline closes one eye and her tounge lolls out as she cums, Beginning to lay her eggs.

The girl continues moaning and squealing as the eggs fill her womb, the venom beginning to change her body.

"Mmm, lots of fertile eggs for you!" she says happily.

The girl whimpers and mewls as the transformation finishes.

"Mm, she looks even hotter now!" Evie smiles.

"R-really? I do?" She asks.

Maline squeezes the girl's massive tits. "Mmm, she's got a body like a cowgirl now."

"Too bad she's not lactating." Akta says.

"Mhh, not so rough!" The girl moans. "I'm still sensitive from all that venom."

"She's still got nice nipples to suck~" Maline begins to suckle her.

The girl moans and shivers with pleasure.

"So, cutie, what's your name?" Evie asks.

"Its- mhm- Aurelia." She answers.

Maline grabs Aurelia's hand and moves it to her cock.

Aurelia blushes as she starts stroking Maline's cock. "I-I'm just doing this because you're not giving me a choice. That's all."

Akta giggles. "Sure."

Maline thrusts into her hand as she licks and suckles Aurelia's tits.

Aurelia moans, Maline's pre-cum covering her hand as she continues to stroke her, getting wet again.

Maline looks up. "My dear wife, Aurelia.."

Aurelia blushes. "This has been a really weird engagement... and wedding."

Evie giggles. "And honeymoon!"

Maline lays with them.

Evie nuzzles her. "I love you, Maline."

Aurelia blushes. "M-me too..."

Nilsine smiles. "Aww, what a cute couple... um... triple."

Akta nods. "Well, it was certainly educational."

Maline snuggles up to them.

Aurelia yawns. "That was pretty tiring."

Evie nods. "Yeah..." she closes her eyes.

"Is the lesson over, Maline?" Akta asks

Maline smiles.  "Yes. Come lay with me."

Akta blushes. "M-me? Are you sure you don't mean Nilsine?" She asks, a faint joy in her eyes.

"Nilsine can cuddle too. All the hatchlings can~"

Akta and Nilsine both smile and join them on the web, happily cuddling with them.

Maline falls asleep.

The others all cuddle up to her, falling asleep too.