#fourth wing x oc

[eviesaurusrex]

tale as old as time | X. Riorson

Xaden Riorson x Aurelia Melgren (OC)

summary: Usually, he’s the dangerous, unapproachable wingleader in public, but since a few days, Xaden Riorson can’t bare to be apart from Aurelia Melgren.

word count: 2.7k

warnings: none really, mentions of past injuries, dragons, Xaden being touch-starved after admitting his feelings, Xaden’s shadows, Tairn being Tairn, two idiots in love, childhood friends-to-lovers, not entirely proofread

author’s note: Lately, I really am all over the place with my writing for fandoms lol. This could turn into a series of oneshots if people are interested—I can also switch this up into a typical reader-insert starring YN, just let me know!

divider by @enchanthings-a

It started right after Threshing.

First, she almost didn’t heed it no mind, not even realizing a change in his daily routines. Sometimes, she felt his eyes lingering on her whenever they passed one another in the hallways of Basgiath on their way to classes or formation in the morning. Other times, she felt him walking closely next to her, the backs of their hands brushing against one another, letting sparks of electricity travel through her bones, dancing on her skin.

All of those incidents, Aurelia categorized as mere blips in reality—undoubtedly enjoying them, but knowing they would not be present for the remainder of their days at the War College.

But then, the shadows started to act up.

Rea knew how masterfully Xaden wielded his signet, being in total control of it; she had watched him train with Garrick and the others and had even gotten a taste of his skills herself. So, for them to act up all of a sudden as soon as she was near a particularly dark corner?

Highly unlikely.

The day on which she woke up with one of those shadowy, smoky tendrils almost lovingly wrapped around her wrist like a delicate bracelet? She knew something had shifted, that something was certainly different than prior to Threshing. And she started to notice more and more:

Xaden casually walking down the hallway of her dorm floor by utter coincidence when she opened her door to head out for breakfast? The way his hand almost naturally found its spot on the small of her back, resting heavily and comfortingly there until they reached the door to the dining hall, his fingers pressing softly into the fabric of her uniform before letting go?

His long-lingering glances across the tables atop the leader platform now so obvious, she had to be blind (or dead) not to notice them?

The way they sat in comfortable silence on the parapet on a particularly starry night because he knew how much she loved stargazing? Hands brushing against one another on the withered stone, one finger wrapped around the other’s? The heavy feeling of his gaze on her profile while she watched the spectacle in the dark-tinted sky in awe and wonder?

She really had to be blind not to see it.

On this particular morning, Aurelia cradled a cup of coffee between both her hands, eyes focused on the dark-haired wingleader as he ate his scrambled eggs while being in deep conversation with Garrick. Taking a revitalizing sip, she patiently waited, smiling softly as Tairn seemed to wake up and growled in her mind. “Your thoughts of the wingleader disturbed my sleep, Stormy One. Keep this up, and I might not be inclined to continue to tolerate him near me.” The Melgren rolled her eyes at that. “Oh, please. I wouldn’t wager my marital bliss because I keep on fantasizing about incinerating the rider of my mate,” she shot back with a humorous tone down their bond, still letting her smile like a fool.

It was exhilarating to be chosen by a dragon, and Aurelia was sure she would keep on grinning like an idiot until the day of her last ride.

The black dragon huffed into her mind. “First: The bond of mates is far more superior to the human concept of marriage, girl. And second: Do not dare think of your last flight—already. We have years upon years, Stormy One. Your skills are too refined to be wasted on an early death. Instead, continue to dream of the rider who is now staring at you—it’s far less insulting.” It was almost as if Tairn chuckled deeply as her eyes fell on Xaden again, watching his onyx eyes soften ever so slightly as he reveled in the attention she granted him.

A small smile danced across her lips as she took another sip of her cooling coffee, her eyes never leaving his handsome face, remembering his whispered words after Threshing when the healers had worked on her bruised and battered body, thinking she wasn’t conscious enough to recall any of it. Until the day before, she had accounted those words to the delirious state she had been in due to the blood loss, but now, with the shadows accompanying her and the expression on his face? The evidence of his shift in person toward her? Aurelia was sure she didn’t dream up his confession.

They held each other’s gazes locked until most of the cadets had left for classes and training, and only then did the woman rise and leave for Battle Brief herself, waiting for him in the hallway. Leaning against a wall, she had her arms crossed loosely in front of her black-clad chest, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as he finally made his way out as well, spotting her instantly. Xaden walked over to her with long, purposeful strides, graceful and lethal as ever, fingers gently twitching as his stare fell from her eyes, raking over the lower part of her face.

“How are you feeling? Is the soreness bearable?”

His question was asked quietly, his voice soft and filled with a warmth barely anyone would receive within these walls, and that knowledge made the butterflies in her stomach whirl like a tornado. He had always been soft to her, ever since their first meeting as children, and he had continued to be like that until they had been separated by fate. Perhaps he still was the boy she once knew—just buried beneath everything he had to be for everyone else.

“Good. Better. It still somewhat aches when I get up too fast, but other than that…” She trailed off when his hand crept closer and touched the spot right next to her navel where she had been run through with a sword during Threshing, a scar now left behind. “But…,” she started again, making him look her directly in the eyes, a teasing smile creeping onto her lips. “I would feel much better if you’d explain this.” And with that, she pulled one of her arms out of their hold across her chest, holding up the wrist with the shadow still in place.

She watched Xaden swallow, eyes lingering on the black, translucent bracelet before he stared down at her again. A hand rose and softly wrapped itself around her fingers, pulling her hand close until it landed on his chest, right above his steadily beating heart. It pushed all the air out of her lungs; her breath hitched as she witnessed the vulnerability the fearsome wingleader showed her at this particular moment.

Xaden watched her intently as he murmured: “Do you mind it? Do they… disgust you? Bother you?” Without having to think about it, Aurelia slowly shook her head, never leaving him out of sight. “Why would you think that? I think they’re beautiful. Immaculate. Watching you wield them is like watching art,” she confessed, still slightly breathless, eyes wide with curiosity and… doubt. Did she never show him what she thought about him, about his talents and skills? Perhaps it had been drowned out by everything happening around them, and a pang of guilt settled in her chest. “Art, hm?” Blinking, Aurelia watched his smile grow, and the guilt lessened for now, making her slap his broad shoulder playfully. “Don’t tease me about my choice of words.”

The Riorson chuckled quietly before his arm wrapped around her waist and pulled her flush against his high-towering form. “So, you want an explanation?” His voice had turned into a raspy whisper, and all Aurelia could do was to nod, eyes enthralled by his gaze, her heart beating against her ribcage, trying to escape. “I wanted to make sure you’re all right, Rea, day and night, when I’m here and when I’m not. I wanted to feel close to you at all times, reminding myself every hour of the day that you’re still here, with me.” The fingers pressed against his chest gripped onto his uniform, burying themselves into the midnight black fabric, holding herself up at his steady confession. “Threshing made me realize something I have forgotten for a while: I cannot lose you. I cannot live without you, Aurelia Melgren. If you wouldn’t have made it, it’s safe to say I would have succumbed alongside you. You…” He took a steadying breath with closed eyes before he bent at his waist, coming closer and closer until their foreheads were gently pressed to one another, onyx black crashed against periwinkle blue.

“You are the keeper of all that I feel, of all that I am. One word and I will never speak of it again. One word and I will lock everything away, remaining your friend as I have always been. But…” And with that, he pulled her even closer. “But if your feelings have changed over the years and I was too stupid or blind to see it… Please, tell me and put me out of this… this… misery.” His voice broke at the last word, and it almost hurt her physically to hear his suffering she never knew about.

When has everything between them changed? Aurelia knew when it had changed for her—years ago during a sparring session with him and Garrick back in Aretia when no one had thought about needing to separate. Yes, her father never liked her association with the Riorson’s, but her mother had been from Tyrrendor and called Fen Riorson one of her oldest friends. And on that day, when Xaden had beamed at her proudly for shooting her first arrow successfully, she had known and protected that little secret of hers until… today.

Softly, almost lovingly, Aurelia let the tip of her nose rub against his, staring into his deep eyes and seeing all the emotions she had always hoped to witness on his face, swimming there, freely visible. “Perhaps stupid, perhaps blind, perhaps a bit of both,” the Melgren chuckled, making him roll his eyes at her but turning serious for this particular moment. “You were never just a friend to me, Xaden. You were never just my most trusted companion and confidant—there was always something different between us. I felt… safe with you, protected even. I could be who I was, not the one others desperately wanted me to be. I was… free. You gave me freedom.”

And freedom was the one thing Aurelia had longed for her entire life.

Xaden stared at her unmoving; he almost didn’t dare to breathe when one of her hands cupped his cheek, the pad of her thumb caressing his cheekbone.

“I have always loved you, Xaden Riorson, and I will always love you until my last dying breath as a dragon rider. If you’ll have me…—”

She couldn’t ask the question, not with his lips crashing against hers without restraint, without fear. He was as wild in his claim as he was in his fight, making her his then and there, incinerating every trace of every other man she had allowed to touch her in her life. He unraveled her in a dark corner and put her back together, infusing her with love, passion, and freedom with every move of his lips, with ever raspy sound escaping his throat when her fingers tangled themselves in his dark strands, tucking him closer and closer, until they where almost one.

With a gasp for air, Xaden parted with a heavy breath, chest heaving and heart galloping under the palm of her hand. “If I could, I would make you a Riorson on the spot,” he mumbled, lips pressing kisses to her cheeks and her swollen lips with utmost tenderness. “Slow your dragons, love,” Aurelia’s chuckled words followed. “Let us survive this death sentence of a War College first before we enter a far less superior bond they will most definitely mock.” The man started to grin at her words, pulling her close into his chest. “Did you already get that lecture, hm?” Nodding, she gently pushed back his hair, trying to make it presentable again. “Oh, I have. And I imagine there will be more coming sooner rather than later now that we…” She didn’t dare say the words, but Xaden wasn’t as hesitant—not in the slightest.

“Now that we are in a relationship, mo chroi? You can say it—the title won’t bite you.” Shoving him away, Aurelia showed him her tongue, but letting him take her hand in his, allowing him to hold onto it. “Whatever. Those dragons are menaces, and I’m afraid he will take over the fatherly talk in lack of a present father to do that. And I’m not sure what alternative I would prefer.” As if Tairn had only waited to share his input, his voice echoed through her mind. “I do not know what you dare to imply there, Stormy One, but mind you, I would only propose exceptional measures in order not to procreate ahead of your time. We have goals to accomplish, rider, battles to win, wars to end. No time for… frolicking with your shadow wielder.”

She couldn’t hold back the laugh at the growled words and let go of Xaden’s hand in order to wrap her arm around his waist, claiming her spot at his side, his arm instinctively snaking around her shoulders. “Tairn warned me not to frolic with you, shadow wielder,” she explained at his cocked eyebrow and smiled with closed eyes as he bent down to press a kiss to the crown of her head. “I will keep that in mind, but don’t you think I won’t put my hands on you, Stormy One.”

Walking beside him felt good. Freeing. Empowering. It got into her head, she thought, but it did not matter. She had rarely felt this wonderful.

“Has Sgaeyl spilled Tairn’s secret?” Xaden chuckled humorously as they walked the empty hallways toward Battle Brief. “She did—unintentionally, I think. But it is fitting. You are a tornado, a force of nature to be reckoned with. And with that dragon at your side now? With me? We will be unstoppable, love.” Teasingly, Rea nudged his hip with hers as they stopped in front of the massive double doors leading into the largest classroom Basgiath offered. “Do not over-exaggerate, Xaden darling. You sound like you have an appetite for conquering the world,” she whispered as he bent down again, lips ghosting over hers. “Oh, I have an appetite for many things, mo chroi. And I’ll show you each and every single one of them.”

Kissing Xaden, Aurelia silenced him with flushing cheeks before opening the door to slip inside the now-settling-down cadets. She intended to make her way down toward her usual seat next to her best friend, Merope. Xaden had different plans, though.

His hand snatched hers, and without uttering another word, the tall man tugged her after him, making his row scoot up a seat to create room for her next to Garrick, who watched the interaction with gleaming interest. His cheeky grin was oh so prominent, Aurelia hit his cheek with the flat side of her quill, shaking her head slowly, almost threateningly. “Don’t you dare utter a single word,” she whisper-hissed at him, cocking an eyebrow when he dared to open his mouth, watching him reconsider his next move. “I just wanted to say I told you so, but whatever.” Grinning triumphantly, Garrick winked at her, chuckling when her hand hit him multiple times on his shoulder. “You are unbelievable,” was all she huffed in slight annoyance, forcing herself to look in front, trying to ignore all the stares and the whispers at her new spot. They seemed to increase in volume when everyone bore witness to Xaden Riorson moving his hand in her direction, grabbing her thigh under the small table each seat had sat in front of it, squeezing it tenderly, and leaning in her direction.

“Forget about them, all of them. It doesn’t matter what they think, okay?” He knew her too well, but in their case, she couldn’t give a fuck. Leaning closer herself, Aurelia pressed a lingering kiss to his jawline—it was the only part of his handsome face she could reach without making a fool out of herself—and smiled with a teasing gleam in her eyes. “You won’t get rid of me that easy, Riorson,” the Melgren promised, making him hum in contentment, his hand settling heavily on her thigh—and it would stay there for the remainder of this class and every other they shared.

“I intend to keep you, Melgren. I intend to keep you for a very long time.”

Thank you all for reading! Please consider leaving a like, a comment, and a reblog. Tell me your thoughts about this fic and/or ideas for potential new fanfictions ♡

[angstywaifu]

Black Dahlia Masterlist

One tragic day changes Dahlia's life forever. Despised by her father and brother, she's spent her entire life trying to be the child and sister she use to be. But nothing she ever does is good enough. She joins the Rider's Quadrant to prove them wrong. Garrick now in his second year has proven he is more than the mark on his skin to his fellow riders, and taken leadership of his own Squad alongside Xaden. Little does he know the girl walking across the parapet is about to send him on a rollercoaster of a year. Garrick Tavis x OC (Dahlia Aetos) WARNING - THIS SERIES NOW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR ONYX STORM. I HAVE MARKED THESE PARTS WITH ❗️AS WELL AS LISTING A WARNING AT THE TOP OF THE CHAPTER. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ ONYX STORM, DO NOT READ THESE CHAPTERS.

First Year

No Daughter of Mine

What You Made Me

Bad Idea, Right? - Garrick

Third Squad.

Not A Good Idea - Garrick

Yield

Marked Like You

Prove You Wrong

10 Gold Pieces - Garrick

Keeping Tabs

Glimpse of the Past

Unexpected Feelings - Garrick

I'll Make This Quick

Little Girl Gone

Proven Wrong - Garrick

Mares In His Stable

Jealousy

I'm Trying - Garrick

Manifestation ❗️

Painful Touch - Garrick ❗️

Show Me ❗️

Somewhere I Belong

Aetos vs. Aetos

Would It Matter?

Give Them Hell

Stepping Up

Outsmarted

Frustration - Garrick

War Games

The Hostage

The First Betrayal

Reunification Day (Dual POV)

An Unlikely Hero

About Damn Time 🥵😍

Just Sex?

The Only Mare In His Stable

Disappointed - Garrick

Chantara

Second Year/Fourth Wing

39. Familiar Faces 40. Second Squad 41. Childhood Friends 42. Assessment Day 43. Our Family 44. Unexpected Reunion 45. Opening Up 46. Coffee Talk 47. Family Ties ❗️ 48. 49. Doing Great Sweetie

[sapchat]

i want to read the most guy wrenching heart shattering liam mairi fanfiction because my baby deserved BETTER and LOVE LIKE NO OTHER (i would also fuck the daylights out of ridoc because i imagined him as stiles stilisnki era dylan obrien)

Okay well you’ve just made me realize why part of me likes Ridoc. Cuz it reminds me of Stiles fucking Stilinski.

ALSO I would love nothing more than to read the most gut punching, heart wrenching, heart shattering, lips of an angel type shit, story about Liam.

Like imagine a story where readers signet is being able to communicate with past souls or some shit, like all they need is an object which is difficult since their belongings get burned. But we have his letters to Sloan, and the dragons he carved so we can still communicate and “summon” him.

[marshmellowrio]

Fanfic Masterlist

From here out, you'll be able to reach all of the chapters from Flight of the Night and Semblance of Control.

ACOTAR

Flight of the Night

Last update: 04/05/2024

Total chapters: 9

FOURTH WING

Semblance of Control

Last update: 05/25/2024

Total chapters: 3

[thegoddessseris]

INTERLINKED chapter 2

I'll tell your secrets to the stars

oc! Xaden Riorson's sister! insert.

Summary: Xaden's little sister finds herself having to survive in the war college of Basgiath, between new truths and the rediscovery of what she really is.

TW: death, fight.

World Count: 912

A/N: All rights to the characters and plot of the book go to Rebecca Yarros, however you have no right to republish or rework this story.

Also out on wattpad!

Masterlist - previous chapter

«a nightmare is just a dream: it cannot harm you directly. But it wears you out from the inside. Slowly. And if you carry that nightmare with you when the sun is high, you risk dying. Don't be fooled. We create our own nightmares»

—page 18 of Eris' diary.

Wood.

I could feel the wood against my fingertips as I gripped the axe tightly and shook it back and forth, repeatedly. I used a lot of strength, a strength given by an emotion that I couldn't put my finger on.And he screamed in pain and cried and trembled and begged me to stop as the ax collided and penetrated his body again and again, but I was in a sort of trance 

I was sweating. My breathing was labored, my eyes wide and fixed on my goal, my mouth slightly open.Blood splattered my face and the clothes I was wearing, making the scene even more graphic and terrifying than it already was.The weapon struck the man's head continuously and insistently, opening his skull and killing him.

Once I let go of the weapon I looked at the helpless body beneath me.There was nothing left of that man.Yet, I felt no sensation, no sense of peace or remorse.I didn't feel anything. Outside the small house I was in, everything was calm and regular, and life went on as normal. My hands were shaking: I didn't know if it was from the adrenaline or from what I had just done.

My heart pounded against my chest, my soul curled in on itself with shame, shame that I had managed to carry out such a violent act without fear or repentance.

"No, no, no, no! I didn't mean to!" I screamed, stumbling backwards and landing on the ground, eyes wide and tears streaming down my cheeks.

"It was all your fault.. what did you do.." my brother's voice said, like an echo, before revealing himself in front of me."

I didn't want to" I replied in a faint voice, while tears flowed from my eyes like a raging river."

It's all- your fault.." his silhouette said, before being pierced by a sword in the chest. Mother's sword.Blood dripped from his mouth as the life left his eyes.

"NO!"

I woke up with a start, with tears streaming down my face and my breath hitching. My legs were shaking, but I didn't care, I needed air.I slowly moved the covers off my body, sitting on the side of the bed, then standing up and tiptoing towards the door.Once outside I immediately relaxed at the sight of the stars, sitting in a hidden corner. If someone caught me out now, I'd be in a lot of trouble.I tried to breathe deeply, keeping my eyes closed, to calm my heart that was still pounding in my chest, threatening to jump out."You can't sleep too?" said a voice next to me.I think I had a heart attack.But when I turned to look at him, I found a similar face."And who the fuck are you?" I said, taking out my dagger, getting up on the ground and walking away from him."Hey hey! Okay, I'm Ridoc! Fourth wing!" He said, raising his hands.And then, I realized. He was little Sorrengail's teammate.What was he doing here at this time of night? And what did he want from me? Wait, what time was it?

"What are you doing out at this hour?"

"What are you doing out at this hour?"

I winced when we asked the same question at the same time. What the hell?"I could not sleep." He immediately answered."Me neither." I replied, before looking at him carefully: he has dark brown hair that flops against the brown skin of his forehead as he moves. He's not very tall, i think just one inch more than me.Christ, everyone in this quadrant is too beautiful. Men, women, even a chimpanzee would look sexy if he walked in here, probably.

"Nightmare?" He asked, and I flinched again. He noticed, nodding his head towards me. "You're sweaty and I can tell you've been crying, plus you look like you just woke up" he explained looking at me.I didn't respond, simply preferring the option of turning my head to the other side, then raising it slightly to be able to direct my gaze and look at the stars.He was silent for a while, and as soon as I started to think that maybe he would go away, he raised his head to look at the stars, and spoke."I have them too" his tone was sweet, vulnerable. Hearing that warmed my soul. In a place like this, where any vulnerability or form of humanity was despised, seeing someone show it made me vulnerable too."It's shitty" I whispered, but my attention shifted when I saw him lower himself, and sit on the ground, looking at the sky decorated with thousands of stars. So I sat down too, at a safe distance, with the dagger still in my hand.

No words, I didn't even give him a look. That night no one found us out late and yelled at us. That night, I spent hours sitting next to what could easily have been my enemy during the day. He could have killed me, but he didn't.And I wasn't worried that this would somehow get out or make people realize how fucking weak I really am.

I know he won't say anything, because now, he knows my secret, and I know his. And here, in this quadrant, is perhaps the worst a cadet could have:

We are human.

[we-were-beautiful]

Guys, I forgot to post this up here last night once I finished up the edits that needed to be made. But I did a thing. This is the first long fanfiction I have decided to write since I abandoned my first fanfic that was about 90k words. This ended up being 9k words after editing. And I cut about a thousand words before my beta reader went over it.

If you like Fourth Wing you might like this. It is a Xaden Riorson X Melgren!OC fic in which Autumn our leading lady makes her way through all the shenanigans at Basgiath. I really suck at writing summaries; I know I need to work on that.

Also a huge thank you to my lovely Beta for this story @danikasthings. They are a god send and extremely wonderful to work with.

The next little project I am working on is Part 5 of The Fox and The Hounds. Which I am currently trying to figure out how to connect the scene I have currently worked out. I’m shooting to have that one finished up by Sunday and off to the Beta Reader by Monday but I make no promises.

[angstywaifu]

Another Sunday another fic writing day. This time I'm getting through your requests and some ideas you guys have given me from some thoughts you've sent me on a certain boy. Thought this might be fun if you guys want to ask questions about Dahlia or even Ophelia! The inbox is open and ready 🖤

Fandom OC Ask Meme

⟢⋱⟡☾ a collection of asks for OCs belonging to specific fandoms

How does (canon character) feel about your OC?

How does your OC feel about (canon character)?

Has your OC ever made (canon character) laugh? / What about cry?

Do your OC and (canon character) ever cross paths?

Which canon character annoys your OC?

What canon character gets annoyed by your OC?

Which canon character respects your OC most? What gained that respect?

Which canon character doesn’t respect your OC whatsoever?

Which canon character does your OC respect a lot?

Which canon character does your OC not respect at all? Why?

Which canon character is pissed off by the general presence of OC? (we all have those people)

Does your OC have a crush on anyone?

Who would probably have a crush on your OC?

Who would your OC most likely to get a puppy-crush on? (but it can’t be the cc they’re actually shipped with!)

Who would your OC say is their best friend?

Who would call your OC their best friend?

Who has brought your OC to tears before?

Who has your OC made cry?

Is there someone your OC didn’t like at first, but then got along with later?

Is there someone your OC liked at first, but then grew to dislike?

Who does your OC hate?

Who does your OC love? (platonic)

Who does your OC love? (familial)

Does your OC love anyone? (romantic)

Has your OC ever had to let a canon character down easy?

Has your OC ever been rejected by a canon character?

Did your OC bear witness to anyone’s full character arc?

What is the worst thing your OC does in their story?

What is your OC’s ‘‘darkness moment’’ in the plot?

What is your OC’s redemption moment?

Is there a canon character that your OC needs to ask forgiveness towards?

Is there a canon character your OC needs to forgive?

Is there anyone who your OC would die for?

Is there a canon character who would die for your OC?

[quietstormxr]

Favorite

Summary: Xaden never knew he had a favorite.

A/N: FW spoilers, Angst/Fluff

Word Count: 2.5k

Just for fun, because it came to me. Enjoy!

He never realized how much he looked forward to your presence on the day to day. The quick small smile that you would give him in the morning. The way your laugh seemed to reverberate through the halls warming him from the inside out. So many little things and moments that he had taken for granted, hell he hadn’t even noticed them before. 

Not until the morning that you didn’t show up for breakfast. He didn’t even realize he was searching for you until Garrick elbowed him in the side.

“Why the hell do you keep looking at the doors like they’ve personally offended you?” Garrick teases earning a glare from Xaden. 

“I’m not. Just looking around.” He mumbles back turning his head away from the doors to the dining hall.

‘Lying this early in the morning is a new one, even for you.’ Sgaeyl can’t help but slither into the conversation earning nothing but an irritated huff from her bonded rider.

Later that day he just couldn’t shake the dread that had settled into him since he hadn’t seen you in any of your classes or battle brief. As your Wingleader, he knew that if something was wrong someone would’ve told him. He always received notes regarding any cadets that were sick or indisposed in his wing. Unfortunately, no note of any kind had been sent his way.

It went on like that for three long days. Mornings with no smile, classes with no laugh, and evenings of scanning the hall for your eyes. 

On the slow trudge back to the dormitories, a movement in the corner of the rotunda caught his eye. Looking over he saw a figure, bloodied from head to toe, eyes almost swollen shut. For a moment he didn’t give it much thought, until he saw the glint of gold around your neck. In that moment, his heart rate spiked as recognition ran through him. You were the only rider that wore a necklace like that, and then he realized there was no mistaking that hair.

Without registering what his feet were doing, he found himself moving towards you at a speed that surprised even himself. In a few quick strides he was standing in front of you as you went to limp a few additional steps forward.

“What happened?” He breathed, unsure of if he should touch you or not.

You shook your head back at Xaden, your already swollen eyes beginning to water with the obvious pain radiating from every inch of your body.

“Can I take you to the healers?” He rushes out, feeling helpless watching you suffering.

You give him a slight nod and before you can bring your head all the way up, Xaden hoists you up and begins to carry you. A sharp hiss finds it way out of your lips as the pressure of your wounds is aggravated by his calloused hands. He looks down at your face and you don’t miss the apology reflected in the golden flecks of his eyes.

Xaden walks swiftly and with purpose striding faster than normal to get you to the healers. Inside though, he is a tumult of emotion between rage and fear. What the hell happened to you? You weren’t a second year so this wasn’t an RSC exercise.

‘Does Cikeniss know what happened?’ He questions Sgaeyl not wanting to wait for you to give him the answer.

‘No, Cikeniss only confirms that she was somehow cut off.’ Sgaeyl relays with a hint of anger coating her reply.

‘Cut off? How could she be cut off from her bond?’ Xaden questions trying to get more information. 

‘It is apparently something new your leadership is trying out. They have yet to give the antidote. Cikeniss confirms she can’t reach her rider.’ Sgaeyl confirms as he feels the anger at the possibility radiating from his sapphire bond.

Snapping out of his conversation with Sgaeyl, he looks down at you and feels his arms tighten involuntarily. You were cut off from your dragon and something could’ve happened. The thought that no one knew where you were and now that your dragon didn’t even have access to you solidifying the fear he’s been feeling. 

In the next few strides, he’s entering the healer’s quadrant. As he walks into the facility, there are people rushing about, but no one has seemed to taken notice of the two of you. He walks further into the room and still no one notices. 

Patience wearing thin, he snaps. “Is someone going to look after her or do I need to bandage her myself?”

Immediately two healers lead the way to a room as you look up to your commanding Wingleader. Gently lowering you onto the bed, his breath catches when even in pain you give him one of your warm smiles. The anxiety over the last few days seeming to lessen slightly, thought looking at your broken and bruised body it lingers.

The healers gather over your frame that is gently laid on the white sheets of the bed. The stark relief between the mix of the blood and grime that is sliding from your skin and leathers to the sheets has Xaden tensing more and more each second. How much had your body been broken and bruised for three whole days? What the reason that it even happened in the first place?

He tries to turn over what could have possibly happened before his thoughts are interrupted by a small hand on his shoulder. Looking up, he is greeted with the serious face of a healer. 

“She will need to be sedated in order for us to work on her fully. You are welcome to stay, but if so, you’ll have to wait in the hall.” The healer relays. 

Xaden can’t imagine possibly leaving you after seeing you so broken and bruised. And that is why he finds himself pacing the hallway of the healer’s quadrant with a dagger absentmindedly flipping over and over in his hand, thoughts still consumed with the possibilities of why this happed. 

He doesn’t know how long it’s been, but the pacing is doing little to calm the raging storm in his thoughts.

‘Can Cikeniss reach her?’ He questions Sgaeyl wanting to at least know that you’re still holding on.

‘No.’ Sgaeyl confirms with no sugar coating her tone.

Just hearing Sgaeyl confirm you are still cut off causes his chest to tighten further. It seems the gods finally are willing to have a little mercy on him as in the next pass of his pacing one of the healers finally comes out of the room. 

“We’ve treated everything we can. Nolon has been in to make sure to help with any major issues and she’s cleared to go back to her room. She’s going to have lingering bruising and soreness, but overall, she should be cleared for getting back to class.” The healer confirms.

As Xaden stands there listening, the last thing he can possibly imagine is letting you go back to classes with how he just saw you. 

“May I go in and be with her now?” Xaden asks hopefully, dreading being told no and to get back to class. 

“Of course. She may still be a little drowsy, but she should be waking up soon.” The healer tells him, gesturing towards the room your in. 

‘Cikeniss confirms their bond has been restored.’ Sgaeyl startles him as he begins to step towards your door. 

‘Did Cikeniss confirm anything else?’ He asks needing to know what exactly happened to you for his own sanity.

‘She did, but you will have to ask if you want that information.’ Xaden can’t help but feel disappointment and agitation that Sgaeyl won’t tell him what you went through.

‘It’s not as easy as just telling you. The reasons for her laying in that bed is not idol gossip that should be spread.’ Sgaeyl responds tersely, almost as if she is upset on your behalf for everything you endured.

Xaden can’t help the furrow overtaking his brow as he enters the room. As he lays eyes on your form, he can’t help but take stock of all the bruises that are littered across your arms, torso, and legs. The small shake of his head is impossible to stop as he realizes there may not be one patch of skin that doesn’t have a lingering purple tint. 

As soon as he reaches the side of the bed, he can see how your breathing is beginning to change indicating that you are waking up. He doesn’t realize he’s holding his breath until he finally watches your eyelids begin to flutter. As soon as he sees your eyes open fully, the breath fully releases from his lungs as he brings his hand to hold yours. The constriction that settled around his entire chest completely breaks when you give him a small smile, disarming him completely in a way he never realized before.

“If anyone saw, they might think you have a favorite dear Wingleader.” His hand tightens on your own at hearing you speak after four days of not seeing you, thought he can’t stop the glare he gives you at your comment. 

“Well, they can fuck right off.” He responds back immediately in a tone harder than he meant to give you.  “Besides, they wouldn’t be wrong, I do play favorites.”

He watches as your eyes flash going slightly wider than before, showing the way the words register in your mind. The smile that breaks onto his face at your reaction is one he knows he hasn’t had in a while, a happy, yet teasing lilt to his lips. 

“What exactly is that supposed to imply?” You ask him as he hears your breath seem to catch in your throat. Slowly Xaden brings himself to stand flush next to the bed you’re still laying in. 

“I think you know exactly what I’m implying.” Ever the confident man, Xaden can’t help but tease you a little at your question. He watches as the annoyed look is now firmly planted on your face due to his ever-elusive responses.

“Please enlighten me, dear Wingleader Riorson. Besides, how am I going to compete with your bonded first year who has made her obvious attractions for you widely known.” Now it’s Xaden’s turn for shock to plaster across his face, its almost as if he’d forgotten how you could give as good as he could.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He says hoping that he can escape the daunting topic that is Violet Sorrengail.

The knowing look that you give him does the exact opposite than reassure him. Xaden knew he couldn’t deny Violet’s penchant for looking at him as if he was the hottest man alive. Hell, he knew he even had stoked her attraction on several occasions, making a saddle, sparring with her constantly, and crafting daggers for her. The worst mistake of all was kissing her and thinking of it he can’t help but shake his head with regret.

For the first time, he’s unsure how to proceed. Four days ago, he didn’t even realize he had feelings for you and now he’s trying to convince you. The bravado he had just moments ago seemed to have completely vanished, just like shadows in the noon day sun.  

“Her infatuation is just that. Infatuation.” Xaden says firmly, although he’s unsure if he can even convince himself of that.

The raise of your brow shows him that you know that he’s trying to convince the both of you. 

“Regardless.” Xaden can’t help saying with finality. “That may be her feelings, and I’m sorry if I hurt her, but I don’t return the sentiment.”

Xaden can feel his heart picking up speed in his chest as he waits for you to say something in return. 

Anything.

The moments seem to tick by; a never-ending echo of the clock in the background the only thing that dares to break the silence. Xaden watches as your eyes seem to bore through him as if seeing through every mask he’s ever worn, every secret he’s ever told.

Without saying anything he watches as you rise on your elbows and move to swing your feet to the side of the bed. Your continued silence doing nothing to help the gnawing at his gut that you’re lost to him before he ever even had a chance with you.

Xaden immediately is at your side grasping your waist after you let out a hiss at trying to stand up from the bed.

“Thank you.” You whisper through clenched teeth. Xaden knows that he shouldn’t be waiting on your response, but it feels to him as if everything is still suspended in mid-air waiting for your confirmation or denial. 

As Xaden feels himself beginning to brood, trying to keep the despair that you don’t care for him, he completely misses the way that you begin to turn yourself in his arms.

It isn’t until both of your arms snake around his waist and you bury your head in the crook of his neck that he realizes he may be spiraling for no reason.

‘Do calm down your emotions, your thoughts are more erratic than when we are in battle.’ Sgaeyl claps at him breaking his spiraling thoughts completely.

“If you’re going to play favorites, I’m going to need you to make your claim clear.” Xaden looks down at you as you bring your face up to look him in the eyes.

Xaden brings his hand up to your jaw, cupping your cheek and tilting your head so he can see the gleam in your beautiful eyes.

“Oh Love, don’t you worry about that. I intend to make sure that everyone in the quadrant knows you’re my favorite.” Xaden teases while bringing his nose to rest on yours, all the while memorizing every fleck in your eyes. 

The answering smirk on your lips is all the confirmation he needs before he brushes his lips against yours, tentatively at first. The way you immediately respond and arch into his touch makes his eyes flash and a groan leave his lips. Xaden can’t believe the way your kiss is searing into his skin, the feeling of you drowning him like no one ever had before.

He immediately deepens the kiss grabbing you firmly at the nape of your neck drawing your face even closer. Your answering moan causing his blood to heat and desire to begin coiling around his entire frame. Breaking the kiss, he leans his forehead against yours trying to calm his breathing. 

“Well then.” You say to him, your breathing still a little rapid. “I guess it’s time for you to show everyone who your real favorite is.”

Xaden gives you a knowing smile before grasping your hand and wrapping his arm around your waist, leading you back to the riders quadrant. There is no doubt in his mind that you are just like chocolate cake – one of his favorite things he’ll never tire of.

Divider: @firefly-graphics

[bubbles-for-all-of-us]

I wish you'd write a fic where reader is xadens younger sister and dating Garrick. But they date in secret (obviously xaden wouldnt be super thrilled at first when finding out) for like 2 years or so before they leave to go to Basgiath . Maybe when reader goes to cross the parapet Xaden notices garricks extra instruction. Maybe a slight brush on the back of the end before stepping on. And then Garrick and reader are caught by xaden and then his mad at first but relaxes off after watching Garrick protect her through out the year

When?

Xaden felt like an idiot. One big absolute idiot. He couldn’t believe that he was able to lead the rebellion but was quite literally fooled by the people closest to him. How did he miss the signs? Why didn’t his consciousness wave red flags back and forth. And he didn’t even figure it out on his own. No, no, fucking Imogen spelled it out for him.

“What are you smiling about all day?”, he had asked her as they counted up the weapons. Getting ready to distribute them overnight. Imogen shook her head as her smirk deepened, “Just Garrick”, she breathed. Xaden frowned, “Why are you smiling over Garrick? You don’t smile over a man”. Imogen rolled her eyes, “it has nothing to do with me, you idiot”, she snorted.

“Out with it, I don’t have time to play”, Xaden grumbled. Imogen placed down the dagger in her hands before looking up at her friend. “Didn’t you notice that he’s been different?”, she questioned. “Is he sick?”, Xaden smacked a question of his right back at her. “You are unbelievable”, she shook her head, “Do you seriously don’t see it?” Xaden blinked a couple of times. Nothing seemed off about his oldest friend. He was fine. Better than ever actually. “Xaden, Garrick looks at your sister as if she hung the moon up in the sky”, Imogen muttered, “He greeted me with a smile today”, her hands met Xaden’s shoulders as she shook him slowly, “A smile. S. M. I. L. E. Do you understand? That man hasn’t smiled ever since I met him”. But Xaden’s mind had clung to the first part of her words. Garrick liked his sister. No, this had to be a joke. Just Imogen didn’t look as if she was joking.

Ever since had made it his task to keep an eye out. Following you both. Sorting out through memories of you both. You had barely crossed the parapet six months ago. And yes Garrick had pulled you from the line when you came up. “Show me your shoes”, he had ordered, bending down to check them himself. Xaden hadn’t thought anything of it then. Had simply muttered, “Fuck you, I got her the shoes myself”, but he was so frightened to lose you that day that nothing else counted. Not the way Garrick had gripped the side of your face right before you stepped on. Not even the fact that Garrick had broken the board the names were scribbled on. Or how they had embraced each other when you were safely on the other side.

“Stop piling food on my plate”, you chuckled lightly, as Garrick spooned more veggie bake from his owl plate onto yours. “You need to eat more”, he stated, “You did well in training today”. Your eyes sparkled as you looked up at him. “You probably just went easy on me”, you shrugged. “I never go easy on anyone, love”, he reached out, brushing strands of your hair behind your ear, “Especially not when I want to impress you”. You hit his chest lightly, as your cheeks went pink, “You’re such a flirt”, “Only for you baby, only for you”, he traced the corner of your lips before picking up a for once again.

Xaden brooded in the knowledge of seeing it with his own two eyes. And then it’s as if someone had ripped the blindfold from his eyes. It was everywhere. Xaden saw it everywhere and it was so obvious. Garrick who was always first to leave the meeting now stood there, waiting for everyone to leave. Every time he walked past the girls he always made sure to brush his fingers along your back. Find contact with you no matter what. In a sea of cadets, his eyes were always on you.

“When?”, Xaden asked, yanking the back of Garrick’s shirt as the male left one of the meeting halls. Garrick didn’t miss a beat at batting his long-time friend’s hands off him, “Shit man you nearly got me”. But Xaden only puffed his chest more, “When?”, he repeated. Garrick frowned because Xaden was tiptoeing on the edge and he never lost his cool. A fear ran down his spine. What if something happened? What if you got hurt? Taken?

“What the fuck is going on?”, Garrick barely managed to grunt as Xaden’s left fists collided with his jaw. “Answer the fucking question goddamn”, he growled, clearly getting more and more frustrated. Garrick shoved him back slightly, “What in burning dragon shit has gotten into you?”.

A bitter laugh slipped past his friend’s lips, “I should be asking you that”, Xaden’s eyes were burning with anger, “you’re the one screwing my sister behind my back”, his voice raised ever so slightly. Garrick’s face blanched for a heartbeat before a wave of frustration ripped within him as well, “Don’t you dare put it like that”, he pointed a warning finger at Xaden who leaped forward, “You didn’t deny it, shitface”.

He wasn’t so sure if he wanted to punch or choke his long-time friend until a voice split the growing. “Stop this right now”, you called out, reaching to move for them but Garrick moved his free hand up, “Step aside Yn”. Yet another huff echoed, “Don’t tell her what to do”, Xaden bit back and it’s as if something shifted in Garrick, “I will because you are insane and I ain’t taking chances with you”, there was that primal almost frustrations in him. One that Xaden recognized because he too got overtaken by it when anyone got involved with Violet.

Yet still, Xaden pushed through, making sure to back Garrick against the wall, “I will make sure you die a painful…”, “Don’t you finish that Riorson”, you hissed from behind him, as you pulled at your brother’s upper arm. “You are grounded”, Xaden yanked his arm out of your grip, turning his frustration back on you.

“Listen to yourself, you sound like a child”, you said through gritted teeth. “Why was I not informed about this”, Xaden pointed between you and Garrick, before shaking his head, “This can’t be happening”. Garrick let out a low chuckle, “It has been for the past year and then some”, “Garrick”, you huffed pinching the bridge of your nose as he shrugged.

“She’s my sister! My”, Xaden shouted right at his friend's face, “And my girlfriend get in the line of being important to her”, Garrick said with a smirk. “I will choke you in your sleep”, Xaden leaned to tower over Garrick but he didn’t miss the beat doing just the same, “You can try”.

“Boys, please”, your voice was barely a whisper now, you could hear the sadness in it. Garrick’s head wiped in your direction instantly, “Don’t you dare get upset over this”, he hated it. Hated the sight of you sad. Of you upset. He could handle anything just not your tears. “Stop telling her what to do”, Xaden howled but this time Garrick was the one to shove him back before pointing a warning finger at him, “Riorson you are starting to get on my nerves”.

“Shut it, both of you”, you hissed, pushing your way between them and putting them at arm's length. “Garrick, I love you but please just stay quiet for a moment”, you glanced at your boyfriend, silently pleading with him, before your eyes turned to your brother.

“I’m sorry i should have told you”, you muttered. “Fuck yeah you should have”, he huffed. “But we had so little time. You both could have died, I could have died. We took a gamble just in case we survived and here we are”, you intertwined your fingers with Garrick’s and he instantly brought your joined hands up to his lips. Xaden inhaled sharply. “I’ve been really happy, Xaden”, you muttered quietly as your eyes glassed over with tears. Xaden reached out, pulling you closer to him, glaring at Garrick over your shoulder as he kissed the side of your head with a low whisper, “I know”.

You pulled back, hopeful eyes looking right into his soul. His little sister. The other half of his world. He only pushed through for you and Violet. A frown deepened between his brows before he managed to pull somewhat of a smile for you, kissing your forehead. “I will serve you your ass on the mats tomorrow”, Xaden shot a tight look Garrick’s way. He wasn’t ready to have a proper conversation with him yet. He will. He will put him from hell of his own. Just not now. “I’m looking forward to it”, Garrick nodded in agreement. Xaden turned to walk away before stopping. “A single hair breaks on her head and I am scattering you in ribbons”, he threatened, turning back to hold a warning stare with him. Garrick simply pulled you closer to his chest, wrapping his arms around you, “Believe me”, he breathed out, glancing down at you for a moment, “If a hair breaks I will go willingly”. And that was enough for Xaden. Because even if he was angry he knew that Garrick would fight till his last breath to make sure that you were okay and for that alone, he couldn’t bring himself to hate him.

[maybemaleksentmeasakindness]

Whittling

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

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

Your POV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Sleep,” was Liam’s only response.

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

Liam’s POV

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Liam?”

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

You only shook your head slightly. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[mendessi]

things i say when you sleep | chapter one

multi chapter bodhi durran x fem!oc word count: 4.9k summary: Ania crosses the Parapet into the Riders Quadrant, and finally meets with the marked children of those who got her parents and brother killed. Bodhi Durran is quick to remind her that she's marked too. tags: slow burn, friends to enemies to lovers, canon typical violence, mentions of death, she falls first he falls harder, majority canon compliant, some canon deviance, eventual smut, angst with a happy ending, additional tags to be added

AO3 masterlist

one | two | three | ...

Observant.

The words I had always heard used to describe myself. I spent my whole life watching, and observing those around me in their day to day. I always needed to know everything. I could never let it go if I couldn’t perfect it first. I intend to carry this strategy across the Parapet. I picked it up as a child and had no choice but to refine it after my parents and brother died at the end of the Apostasy. It’s how I survived the training that led me to this winding staircase.

I listen carefully to the conversations happening in front of and behind me, but I never engage with the chatter. I don’t care to learn the names of anybody on this staircase. Maybe I’ll care once we live to transition from candidate to cadet.

I am here because I have to be. Not because I want to be.

The shimmering relic crawling up my arm earned me a one-way ticket straight into the Riders Quadrant should I make it across the Parapet.

My heart thumps against my chest as the top comes into sight, three riders clad in all black keeping post. I keep my eyes on the stairs, taking one step at a time, my knuckles turning white from the grip I have on the straps of my rucksack.

“Next.” The rider recording names says. “Name.” He speaks quickly, with no time for niceties. He’s been here all morning watching candidates fall to their deaths. I could be next for all he knows.

“Ania Alistair,” I reply. I step around him when he nods his head.

My jaw clenches at the sight of the rider standing at the opening to the Parapet. He’s certainly grown since the last time I saw him six years ago. He’s grown into his height, his shoulders broader, his cheekbones and jawline now more prominent. He had bulked up, surely a result of being a rider. His eyes meet mine and his eyebrows raise, if only for a moment. I knew I would see him here, I just didn’t think this soon.

“Xaden,” I say his name. I am not the thirteen-year-old girl he last saw in Calldyr.

“Ani.” He replies, looking down at me as if testing the waters. “I was expecting you.”

"Don't call me that." 

The day that was now known as the rebellion had ended, I had been following my older brother, Beckett, in Aretia. He had become so secretive, him and all of his friends. I wanted to know what they were and why he kept them from me.

There had never been secrets between us before, and ever since Tyrrendor had begun a secession it felt like there was a brick wall between them. Our parents had been in another fight, the fight that ended their marriage and I didn’t find it fair that he had left me behind.

Our mother didn’t agree with the Apostasy and wanted to take Beckett and I to Navarre to declare our loyalty. Her mother was a rider, how could we ever betray that?  My father was Fen Riorson’s best friend and right hand man and believed that keeping us in Aretia was the safest option. He had an extremely active role in the Apostasy.

I crept behind the wall watching as Beckett engaged in a deep conversation with Xaden and his cousin Bodhi.

Fen had always said that with Xaden first in line to the throne, he was betrothed to a Poromish girl named Catriona, and Bodhi was betrothed to me because he was second in line. At a young age, I never understood why I of all people, but Beckett and Xaden always teased us about it.

“Ania, I know you’re there.” Beckett had called out. I rounded the corner with a frown and looked between him and his friends.

“Hi, little Alistair.” Xaden greeted me, turning his body away from Garrick. Bodhi gave me a small wave and I couldn't help the way my cheeks flushed.

His friends were some I had spent my entire life around. I saw them more than I saw my friends. They’d been around for as long as I can remember. Fen and Talia had held me the day I was born, a great family friend to my parents. Even Xaden, at three years old, had held me. My father eventually got caught up in whatever it was that led to the Apostasy.

“You can’t be here, Ani,” Beckett said as he approached me, lowering his voice.

“No, you don’t get it. Mom and Dad are fighting again. But it’s bad this time, Dad is packing our things. Our things. Not just his.” I lowered her voice to match his, glancing over at Xaden and Bodhi, too occupied in their conversation to overhear.

“Something is happening, you have to go home.” He said as he placed his hands on my shoulders with a firm grip. Anxiety swam in his eyes and I could almost sense it radiating off of him.

“Come with me.” I could feel the tears prickling my eyes. “I’m scared.”

He took a deep breath and then looked to Xaden and Bodhi, “I’m going to walk her home. I’ll be back in less than twenty minutes, I swear.”

“Safely.” That was all Xaden said and we were off. Beckett kept my hand in his, tugging me quickly through the streets.

I knew Navarre had not been happy with us but my parents had assured us that we were safe here. Until my mother decided otherwise, but I trusted that they’d never put us in harm’s way.

When we arrived home, our entire home looked like it had been ransacked. The bookshelves were thrown to the ground, and books were scattered across the living room. Our rooms were torn apart as well as if someone had been looking for something.

“Ani, stay behind me,” Beckett said quietly.

I gripped the back of Beckett’s tunic in my hand as we approached our parents' rooms and as he pushed the door open a scream ripped through my throat. I ran to my mother’s lifeless body on the floor ignoring Beckett’s objections. The blood that spilled from my mother’s throat seemed nonstop, covering my clothes as I sat in it, my hands covered in it as I tried to stop the bleeding.

“Beckett!” I cried out. “Please do something. Did Dad do this?”

“No.” He breathed out. “This wasn’t Dad.”

Fight or flight took over and he grabbed me by my tunic, shoving me into the closet. “You have to stay here, do you hear me? Don’t go anywhere until I come back for you. I will come back for you.”

Beckett never came back. But Navarrian infantry did.

When Xaden saw me in Calldyr for the executions of our parents, he shielded my eyes so that I didn’t have to see. He and Bodhi stood on either side of me until we were split up to go to our designated foster homes. They both fought against the guards, trying to ensure that I’d stay put with at least one of them. I wasn’t.

From that day forward, whether it was his fault or not, I blamed him for the death of Beckett. My parents too, even. My mother wanted no part in this rebellion. My father had been captured after he fled, leaving Beckett and I behind, and now had been executed right in front of me and the rest of the rebellion kids. I knew for a fact that Beckett had left me in that closet to run after Xaden and Bodhi.

I hated them all.

My shoulders twitched slightly as thunder boomed across the sky. Xaden noticed it, however. “Good luck.” Was all he could say to me.

I made it across without so much as a slip despite the downpour of rain. Once in the courtyard, I study it carefully from my place against a pillar. I have no interest in making any friends here. I’m here because I have to be, not because I want to be. I’d much rather be with the healers, like my mother. I observed the other cadets around me, taking note of who seemed to be a potential threat in size. It was hard to tell in any other way, too soon. I wasn’t terribly short, simply average. I had been lucky enough to be fostered in a home that trained specifically in hand-to-hand combat. If you count the fake sparring I used to participate in with my brother and his friends, then I’d say extra training. Though it didn’t matter the amount of training I had, that could only help so much if my opponent was bigger. I was told stories by my grandmother and in this moment I am replaying every single one in my head. It is just how she described it.

I watched and watched, observing those who came into the courtyard after crossing the Parapet.

Observing others is what got me this far. So long as I stayed quiet and didn’t make any enemies, I could make it Threshing and bond. I just need to remain unseen.

After being placed into Second Squad, Flame Section, Second Wing, I once again took note of those around me. My new squamates. Most notable was the petite girl with silver hair, to who I caught on quickly was Violet fucking Sorrengail. The girl’s mother oversaw my father’s execution and probably had a hand in my mother’s too. If that wasn’t bad enough, my squad ended up being moved into Xaden’s wing.

My bed unfortunately was positioned right next to my squadmate, Rhiannon, who was placed next to Violet. The two already seemed acquainted before they even crossed the Parapet, but I didn’t bother asking how they knew each other. I opened my journal, leaning against the flimsy headboard, and began writing about my first day in the quadrant.

“Hi,” Rhiannon says, though I’m not sure if she’s talking to me. “I’m Rhiannon. You can call me Rhi. We haven’t officially met yet.”

With a small sigh, I shut my journal and turn to face Rhiannon, “I’m Ania.” Don’t make enemies.

“This is Violet.” She gestures to Violet who sits on the edge of her bed.

“I’m Violet.” She offers a short wave.

I hum in response and then turn back to my journal, drawing out one of the dragons I had seen today. Gods, they were incredible.

“I just figured you know, we’re in the same squad, so we’ll be spending a lot of time together. We should get acquainted.”

“Consider us acquainted,” I say in the nicest way possible. I can see out of the corner of my eye the shared look between the two girls, but I keep a snide remark to myself.

After morning formation the next day, I quickly decided that while maybe attractive, my squad leader Dain Aetos was particularly annoying. As I watch from my place back one and to the left, it's easy to catch on that Dain and Violet have a history. The sort of history I couldn’t quite figure out, but with a few more interactions I could pin it.

As the Second Squad made our way into Battle Brief, I felt someone reaching for my wrist. I’d done so good at keeping my relic covered, I don’t think anyone even suspected I was what they call a Marked one. My defenses automatically up, I turn on my heel, shoving my forearm into the person’s throat, using my weight to shove them against the pillar.

“Not bad, Ani,” Xaden says, gently removing my arm from his throat. "I taught you well."

“Don’t sneak up on me like that. And don't fucking call me that.” I snap, as I take a step back. "You didn't teach me anything."

“Tell me, why is it you’re so jumpy? You’re not hiding something are you?” He glances down at my covered arm. “It’s July, why are you wearing long sleeves?”

“None of your business,” I reply, tugging my sleeves down over my hands.

“I understand you’re not fond of me, but regardless, I’m in your corner whether you like it or not. I can help you here.” Xaden’s voice lowers.

With a glance around, I catch Violet staring, but she quickly averts her gaze when she realizes she’s been caught. “I don’t need your help, Xaden. I don’t want anything to do with you.”

“I’m your wingleader, though I doubt you need reminding. We grew up together, Ania, so trust that you will be watched over.” Xaden takes a step forward. “There’s no date set in stone, but you’ll be meeting with me and the other Marked ones in the woods-“

“I’m sorry?” I practically fume.

“I’m speaking, Ania.” He snaps and I almost flinch. I’ve only ever seen him angry once in my life and I have no intention of seeing it again. “Just do me a favor and try not to be a pain in my ass.”

We certainly are not kids in Aretia anymore.

Without another word, he stalks off and I have half the decency to not flip him off behind his back. He didn’t even finish his conversation which pisses me off even more as I follow the rest of my squad into Battle Brief. Who the hell does he think he is? Grabbing my wrist and demanding I meet him and the other Marked ones. And for what exactly? I haven’t seen him in six years and he was hardly the boy I remembered. If I can just keep my distance from him and the rest of the Marked ones, I will be just fine.

Battle Brief was hardly anything I found interesting. I simply took notes, didn’t ask any questions, and observed. I paid attention to who paid attention, Violet Sorrengail was annoyingly one of those people. Of course, the girl was smart. Ridoc Gamlyn was a class clown, who I kind of hate to admit was actually really funny.

I had always accelerated in school, far more than anyone in my class. It was something I prided myself on, something my parents were proud of too. I remember the days when Beckett, Xaden, and Bodhi would ask me questions as if I were some sort of lexicon just to see if I knew the answer. I always loved knowing more than others. I met my match in Violet Sorrengail.

I sat next to Rhiannon and Violet (unfortunately) when it came time for assessment in the sparring gym. I didn’t feel any special sort of way about it, I’d either get my ass handed to me or I would take the victory. Something in me told me that I’d come out on top as I watched the other first-years spar. I had a particular skill when it came to hand-to-hand thanks to my foster home.

I can’t help but eavesdrop on Rhiannon and Violet’s conversation taking place next to me. As much as I want to hate Violet, just like the rest of the first years, she and Rhiannon both seemed to have good heads on their shoulders. They were nice which was hard to come by at Basgiath. You’d think these two had known each other for years the way they acted, but I was struck with surprise to find out that they had only met before crossing the Parapet. It had always been hard for me to make friends and maybe that was my own fault, my own incessant need to exclude myself. Things now remained how they always had been.

I begin short-handing into my notebook quickly as I watch Ridoc and Aurelia spar, recording each of their fighting habits. I’d done so for every person who stepped on the mat, mentally tucking their patterns into a drawer in my head to use the day I had to spar with one of them.

“What are you doing?” Rhiannon asks, turning her head to look at me. Ever so nosy.

“It’s assessment day,” I say, my eyes not leaving Ridoc and Aurelia on the mat, despite my hand rapidly scribbling into my notebook. Gods, I can’t wait for the day I hold lesser magic, I can stop using these annoying quills. “I’m assessing.”

“That looks like chicken scratch,” Violet says leaning over Rhiannon to look at my handwriting. She wasn’t wrong. I had to write quickly to keep up with what was happening in front of me, so words were cut short, often abbreviated to one letter or number. The only legible thing was the title at the top of the page, Ridoc & Aurelie next to today’s date.

I slam my notebook shut and pull it close to my chest, “Well, it’s not for you to read. Do you two know anything about privacy?”

“I was just curious.” Rhiannon shrugs before getting called to the mat to spar with another first-year in our squad, Tynan, after Aurelia had her tooth knocked out. Just after Jack Barlow snapped a kid’s neck. Avoid him at all costs.

I can feel Violet’s hesitation before she moves closer to me. “I think that’s a pretty neat way of keeping track of-“ She stops at my side eye, “It’s strategy. I get it.”

I take a deep breath, debating on if I wish to reply to her. If I do, she’ll know that I’m just as smart as she is. “When I was in training, my instructor taught me that each move gets a number or letter.” I open my notebook and allow Violet to take a look. We both turn to Rhiannon as I write quickly. “One, one, two, five, four, three, five, six.” That was the combo she just threw. At least that’s what I was taught, it may be different here.”

“That’s… really smart actually.” Violet’s brows furrowed as she read over the notes I had taken for the day. “Where did you train exactly?”

“That’s none of your business.” I close my notebook and shove it into my bag, along with the pesky quill and topped ink pot.

“Too personal. Got it.” Violet turns her focus back to Rhiannon and doesn’t try talking to me again.

“You.” Emetterio says with a finger pointed at me, “And Cadet Hollis.”

I stand from the bench and step onto the edge of the mat rolling my shoulders.

“Good luck,” Rhiannon says as she takes my seat on the bench. “She’s a second year.”

That’s hardly a problem. I ignore her and take my place in the center of the mat and take a deep breath, drowning out everyone standing around the mat. I just need to track her fighting patterns and then counter them. Simple. I can do that.

Cadet Hollis, who I believe is named Quinn, joins me in the center of the mat and takes her fighting stance. I step my right foot backward and raise my hands, ensuring my face is blocked.

She moves first, taking a series of swings and kicks at me to which I slip each one much to her surprise. I track her pattern, it’s all the same, all within such a short spur of time. One, one two three, two. That’s a common pattern she follows, one of the first I learned, when she’s not trying to get her hands on me. When she takes another step with her left foot and I’m sure she’s gonna do the same thing, I slip her first throw and swing a rear hook directly into her jaw causing her to stumble backwards.

“I know what you are, Ania,” Quinn says as she bounces on the balls of her feet closer to me. Her voice is low, just loud enough for me to hear it. “They’ll all know it too. Stop hiding it.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I seethe through clenched teeth as she unsheathes a dagger. I unsheathe mine too, the only one I brought with me. If she wants a knife fight, then she’ll get one.

“It’s July. You’re the only one wearing long sleeves.” My brows furrow. Xaden must’ve talked to her about me. She lunges towards me and I sidestep enough to dodge a deeper cut than what she gives me. I hiss through my teeth but I don’t give her the satisfaction of hearing me scream in pain. I feel the blood trickling down my arm as I clench my dagger so tightly that my knuckles turn white. “Why is that Cadet Alistair.” It’s not a question.

"Alistair?" I hear the whispers on the side of the mat but I force them out. 

She lunges again but I’m ready. My arms wrap around her waist as I slip under her swing. I’m behind her now, my hands wrapped around hers above her head as she tries to fight my grip. I manage to pry her fingers from around her dagger, knocking it to the floor and before she can reach for another, I drop the one in my hand and catch it under her arm. I slam the hilt into her ribs eliciting a scream from her. I kick her in the back of her knees and she falls to the ground. I give her too much grace, thinking she’ll yield but she kicks her leg directly back, connecting with my kneecap. I fall to the ground and she’s on top of me in a second, both of us rolling around for dominance. I fall onto my back finally with Quinn in a headlock.

“Yield,” I say, but it barely comes out above a breath. I know for a fact she hears me.

“Stop. Hiding.” She strains to reply.

She raises a hand and for a moment I think she might be tapping out. Instead, her fingers dig into the slit on my tunic from her earlier cut and directly into the gash where she drew blood. I cry out as I feel the skin at the edges of my wound splitting wider, but I refuse to let go and so does she. She pulls down with her fingers and my sleeve rips completely off. I hear the gasp from my squamates and I realize Quinn’s intention. I roll over and release, her, standing to my feet quickly, my relic now on full display. I stand over her and grab her shoulder forcing her to roll over, my feet on both sides of her ribs. I grab her collar into my fist and lift her back off the mat, making sure she’s making eye contact with me before I punch her directly in the nose, hard enough that I hear the bone crack.

“Ruthless.” I hear Ridoc whisper.

“It’s always the quiet ones.” I hear Violet say.

“I yield,” I say through a heavy breath as I release Quinn’s collar, shoving her back into the mat.

I don’t bother to look at any of my squamates, not caring to see the shock on their faces as I exit the gym and head to the healers.

I knew I couldn’t hide this Gods forsaken relic forever, but more than a day would’ve been nice. I can still remain unseen and keep to myself. I can still avoid creating enemies. 

I can hardly bare the idea of returning to the shared dormitory and find myself sitting in the courtyard against one of the pillars. It's past curfew but I hardly find it in me to care. I just need a breather after today.

My first day here didn't exactly go as planned but I will prevail and move forward. It's impossible to survive here without the thickest of skin. I need to focus on what I can control. What I can control is that I earned a victory today at the assessment against a second year. 

Ruthless. That is what Ridoc had called me. I hope that reputation doesn't stick. 

I take a deep breath and look up at the night sky. Gray clouds scatter the sky and the stars look so bright. It reminds me of-

"They're not as bright here as they are from the roof of Riorson House." I don't have time to finish the thought. I go to stand, expecting Xaden to come out of the shadows. "It's past curfew."

"Bodhi," I say from the awkward crouching position I'm in.

"It's fine." He says before he sits next to me. He has the decency to leave some space in between us as he looks up at the stars. "I won't tell the wingleader." 

I take the moment of silence to truly look at him. I can count on one hand the number of times I've seen him since becoming a cadet, though I can't complain because I made it a top priority. I still associate him and his cousin with Beckett's death. The last time I'd seen him he was an awkward fifteen-year-old still growing into himself. I hate to admit but he was much more handsome now. He still has that familiar warmth and softness to him. His dark curls are much more tame than they had been when we were teenagers, his brown skin now clear from any blemishes. He was... beautiful. Younger me wouldn't mind the silly idea of being "betrothed" to him. 

"I'm glad you made it, Ani." He says quietly. I don't correct him. 

"I didn't have a choice, did I?" I roll my eyes tugging at the grass sprouting through the cracks in the concrete. "It was this or death, so." 

His mouth moves but he doesn't speak. I can tell he's choosing his next words carefully, "I saw you spar today."

"And?" I say. I don't know if I don't care or if I want to know what he thinks.

"You broke Quinn's nose." The corner of his mouth twitches up into a small smile. 

"Don't act like she didn't deserve it." I grimace. 

"Hey, I didn't say she didn't." He laughs and I turn my head to catch the sight. He always had a great smile. "You fought well. We were all impressed."

"Who's we?" I ask, looking down at my hands that are now folded in my lap.

"Everyone that had a chance to watch it. There are a lot of good fighters in the first years, but none can take out a second year the way you did today." 

I nod my head slowly. I know I'm good, I'd been told before by my instructors, but hearing it from others doesn't do so much as boost my ego. Hearing it from Bodhi feels... different. Somewhere deep inside me, I feel a sense of validation that I didn't know I was looking for.

"I don't think anyone will be challenging you that's for sure." He hesitates again and I can almost feel that he's about to piss me off with his next words. "Xaden hasn't been taking the best approach with you, has he?"

"What, so he sent you instead?" Of course, this is about Xaden. The rage returns. "Let me make something clear-"

"Ani." He stands up just as I do and I'm almost shocked at how much he towers over me. There was a short period of our lives when I was taller than him. 

"I want not a single fucking thing to do with you or him or anyone with a damned relic on their arm. I'm here because I have to be, not because I want to be so don't think for a second that just because we're all in the same place again things will be like they were in Aretia."

"Hey." His voice is sharp as he grabs my left arm into his hand pulling it up in between our bodies as he steps towards me, "You have a damned relic too in case you forgot." His pointer finger touches his thumb around my wrist and I'm made aware of just how much he's grown. 

"And I shouldn't." I yank my arm from his grip. If only my mother would have gotten me and Beckett to Navarre safely before the Apostasy. If only she would've been able to declare our loyalty. She and Beckett would still be here.

"There is so much that you don't understand. Let us help you. Please, Ani." His voice is softer now, an emotion I'm not familiar with swimming in his eyes. 

"Just stay away the hell away from me. I won't ask twice." 

I turn on my heel and walk away from him. My hands shake with anger and I clench my fists to try and control it. Ever since my final days in Aretia, I have become such a resentful person. I never had this issue as a child, I never even threw temper tantrums and now it's all I wanted to do. I had a happy childhood aside from my parents' end of their rocky marriage. I was always a happy and pleasant child. I hated feeling this way. I needed to be in control.

Focus on what you can control.

I take the deepest, shaky breaths I can muster until it doesn't feel so hard to breathe anymore. I take one more for good measure before entering the dormitory as quietly as possible.

Just remain unseen, keep to yourself.

Don't. Create. Enemies.

previous | chapter two

[iaminfourthwing]

The Generals Daughter

Bodhi Durran x Arya Melgren

"As the daughter of the most ruthless general on the continent, Arya doesn`t has it easy. She has to be on top of everything she does. Can't disappoint her father, can she?"

Follow her through her time in Basgiath, the war college for soon to be healers, infantry, scribes and riders. While she`ll find friends and gain enemies, something dark lingers behind the wards. Waiting for the right time to strike. And a certain handsome second year at the end of the Parapet.

She has to prove herself and everyone else that she is more to that than just her last name. After all, she is nothing like her father, right?

Masterlist

Arya Melgren

Chapter I: Conscription Day

Chapter II: Conscription Day II

Chapter III: Battle Brief

Chapter IV: Assessment

Chapter V: Assessment II

Chapter VI: Fury Bonus Chapter: Liam (Ch. VI)

Chapter VII: Challenges

Chapter VIII: Punishments

Chapter VIIII: Gauntlet Training

Chapter X: Formation

Chapter XI: Presentation Part I

Chapter XII: Presentation Part II

Chapter XIII: Threshing Part I

Chapter XIV: Threshing Part II

Chapter XV: Innea

Chapter XVI: You are not special

Chapter XVII: Company

[angstywaifu]

Black Dahlia - 25. Give Them Hell

Summary: Squad Battles are here, and its a tight battle for first. With the final challenge laid out for them, who will come out on top?

Garrick Tavis x OC (Dahlia Aetos)

Black Dahlia Masterlist | Masterlist | Support Me

Today had been an intense day, all of us pushed to the limit. But for our squad it had been worth it. Today Squad Battle’s had started, something we had all been looking forward to for weeks now. And honestly we’d been killing it today. We’d come second overall for the Gauntlet Sky Race, and so far we were on track to win the Sparring Challenges. The only match standing in our way was Garrick and Xaden. Xaden and Garrick who were both very shirtless as they circled each other on the mat.

It had been a few weeks since my interaction with Garrick in the gym after my challenge against Dain. We’d interacted here and there, but I was yet to be alone with him after the interaction. Though I’d caught him starting at me multiple times since then. And I couldn’t deny I’d been caught out by him when I’d found my eyes wandering to him.

I’d replayed that night in my head multiple times, mainly when he’d asked me what would happen if there was no one else in his stable. I was yet to see Garrick actually commit to it. Though it wasn’t like I was sitting outside his room or following him around to see if he was still sleeping around. I was in this strange tug of war with him. Part of me wanting to see if he would and if he had, the other part of me not wanting to care. I shouldn’t care. Maybe the part of my mind that knew my father and brother would lose their shit over it is what had caught my interest. Though I’d already toed that line before with one of the infantry cadets I’d had a short thing with prior to coming here. It honestly wasn’t as satisfying as I thought it would have been. But with the mark that extends up to his shoulder, I know I’d get a far worse reaction from them.

As if sensing my eyes, Garrick turns his head as he circles Xaden, wiping blood from his nose as his eyes lock with mine, his signature smirk gracing his lips for a few moments before focusing back on the fight.

"Did he just smirk at you?” Austin asks from next to me. She was as observant as me sometimes.

”Who?” I ask, pretending I hadn’t noticed Garrick’s smirk. She rolls her eyes at me.

“You damn well know who I’m talking about.”

”There’s plenty of girls in this room he could have been smirking at. I doubt it was me.” I reply, trying to sound indifferent as Bodhi tries to hide his laughter from next to me.

I elbow him in the side to shut him up, sending him into a coughing fit as he clutches his side. He’d been the bane of my existence since Garrick and I had started to get along to some extent. He was always the first to jump on any change in our interaction, trying to turn it into something it wasn’t.

”From what I hear he hasn’t been with another girl in a number of weeks. Not since you two started actually getting along and not yelling at each other.” She says as she elbows me lightly, catching my attention as I turn to look at her. “I hear a lot of girls aren’t happy with the new found friendship with you.”

”Add them to the list of people who already hate me.” I reply with a shrug, turning my attention to the mat just as Xaden pins Garrick to the mat, wrapping his arms around his neck as Garrick flails beneath him in an effort to get out.

For a while he resists, but after a few more moments he reaches out and taps the mat three times, the crowd roaring and cheering as Xaden wins. Bodhi whistles and cheers the loudest at his cousins win, pumping his fists into the air before draping an arm across my shoulders in a half hug. I shove him off me, pretending to be angry, but as usual he sees right through it and ruffles my hair before turning and celebrating with some of the others from our squad.

Xaden walks over and the boys jump on him immediately, clapping him on the back and congratulating him. The smile on his face seems so genuine and also out of place. I’ve seen him smirk and smile here and there over the last few months, but this one seems completely genuine. A warmth behind it I’ve never seen before. Like he’s completely happy and giving into the emotion, especially as Bodhi pulls him into a hug.

”Everyone quiet down!” Commandant Panchek calls out as he steps on to the mats, the room falling silent as we all turn to face him. “Quite an interesting out come, two squads going into the last round head to head.”

I look over to Garrick and his squad, who we are now tied with. They’d just clutched first ahead of us in the flying portion, while we had clutched the win from them in sparring. Garrick looks over as if sensing my gaze, smirking as he catches my eye.

”Your final challenge will start tomorrow, but you will plan and travel tonight to the location.” Panchek continues as we all fall silent.

I’d never seen the Squad Battles be carried out, but I knew they were mostly held on sight. But this year it seemed we were going off site, and a hum of excitement fills the room at his words.

”Half of the squads will defend a makeshift out post, while the other half will attack. Those defending will leave in two hours time to prepare their outpost and get a lay of the land. The attacking squads will remain here and travel to their starting points in the morning.” I can’t help but also join in on the excitement of the Quadrant. It’s clear they’ve never done something like this before, and everyone is keen to prove they’re the better squad.

A scribe steps forward, unravelling a scroll which most likely has the list of what squads will be paired up for this battle. Those defending will have an advantage. We will have all afternoon and evening to get a feel for our outpost and the land surrounding. Part of me hopes we’re defending, but I can’t deny there would be some satisfaction in attacking and being successful.

”And lastly, Third and Second Squad from Tail Section in Fourth Wing. Third squad will defend, Second Squad will attack.” The scribe calls out, another Scribe I hadn’t noticed rushing out to hand Xaden a scroll.

Now this would be interesting. Both squads tying for first and well ahead of the others going head to head. Essentially whoever won would be victorious. And seeing as Garrick and Xaden were best friends, they were both going to be highly competitive.

”You have your assignments. Defending squads, you will leave within the next two hours. Attacking squads, you will remain here till then.” Panchek announces before turning and walking from the room, the Scribes rushing behind him.

Xaden turns to us a sinister smirk on his face as he clutches the scroll. “Flight field in one hour. Lets give them hell.”

@imtoanonymousforyou @simplyme-fornow @omalmal @lalaluch @wolfbc97 @leptitlu @fullmoon-94 @the-fandom-ness @fan-of-many-bands @awkardnerd @heeseungthel0ml @acourtofsmutandstarlight @fairchild06 @freyagallileaevans @pit-and-the-pen @hannraumari @elliot-rain @thestarseternaal @stupid-and-contagious01

[sapchat]

Fourth Wing idea

What if, like in House of the Dragon(GOT too I guess) that when a dragons rider was pregnant, their dragon laid an egg?

Cuz like in HOTD, Syrax would lay a clutch each time Rhaenyra was pregnant.

[sapchat]

Bodhi fic Bodhi fic Bodhi fic

Guys guys guys it’s daddy Bodhi

Shit at Feelings

Part one

Pairing: Bodhi Durran x fem!marked one!reader

Trope: Hurt/comfort, angst

Word count: 1.6k

Warnings: SPOILERS!!, drinking, swearing, filler dialogue, not proofread v well. lmk if I missed anything

A/n: my first Emperyeon series fic!! Was supposed to be just a one part fic, but I got carried away. I also just wanted to write a self indulgent piece w dialogue amongst the group too 🥲 this is my first time in a while writing but I fr love Bodhi sm I needed to have something w him in it. I hope you enjoy!

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You survived your first year, you defied the odds of what everyone else said about you. Not only defying those odds, but being one of the best in your year. Maybe Imogen and Xaden had played a crucial part, but most of the marked ones were surprised. You had been more quiet and reserved out of the group of kids for the high ranked officials, but that didn’t mean you were weak. You had proved that while being ruthless and cunning in your training. Your parents were Fen Riorson’s top battle strategist and healer after all.

In the gathering hall, everyone celebrated moving into their new ranks. While simultaneously saying goodbye to the third years they’ve grown to know. You were indulging in the alcoholic lemonade, and your fellow fourth wing with more than a few words tonight. You sat on the left side of Violet while Imogen sat on the right. Nadine and Sawyer next to Rhiannon across from you bickering playfully about something. You savoring your newfound will to live after the events at Resson.

The hall was sweltering in the summer evening heat, no amount of lesser magic had helped. Neither did the warmth you could feel from Ridoc beside you. Taking your jacket off, only being left in your tank top underneath.

“Damn Y/n,” whistled Ridoc. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen your relics yet.” Everyone’s eyes went to you, and usually you would’ve been intimidated by all eyes on you. Tonight it didn’t faze you that much. Even noting the softened gaze in Nadine’s eyes, who had been skeptical of the kids of the rebellion at the beginning of the year.

Both sides of your collarbones are covered in intricate designs extending to shoulders making their way down to your biceps on both arms. You never tried to hide the relics, but you never took your jacket off or opted for a long sleeve, higher collared shirt when training in lessons.

You rolled your eyes at the male’s cheekiness and everyone gawking besides the few who knew what already laid beneath your jacket. “It’s not something I necessarily flaunt.”

“Obviously or we wouldn’t all be shocked here.” Sawyer snorted, sipping on his beverage.

“It’s so badass though.” Violet acted as if she hadn’t only seen it days prior.

“I had been fortunate in the placements of them. Since both of my parents were a part of Riorson’s regime.” You tried not to be bashful about it.

“Where’s your dragon relic?” Ridoc blurted as he looked at the design on your shoulders.

“Sheesh,” Rihannon reached over, flicking his ear. “You’re staring like you’ve never seen any relics before.”

Before you could give a response, something caught the youngest Sorrengail’s eye causing her to get up. “I’ll be back.” Violet stood up from the table, wobbling tipsily to the corner where you saw Xaden and Bodhi. The latter descended, seeing the silver haired girl approach them, offering a curt nod when they passed one another.

You gulped at how good Bodhi looked in his new third year jacket, even when it bore no difference to his second year uniform. You were just a sucker for Bodhi in a uniform admittedly. The mage lights illuminating his dark curls to a chocolate hue that tempted you to run your fingers through his hair.

Despite being close with Xaden, Imogen, and even Garrick—you kept your distance from the younger man for a year before he left for Basigath. When you were kids, you two had been close friends, maybe even inseparable. But when a rebellion happens, and you have increasingly become aware of how much your affection for him went so much deeper than being his friend—things become complicated.

When you were around him now it was the only time you felt truly timid. You could conquer the parapet, gauntlet, bond a dragon, kill venin and wyvern, but that man was your weakness. He had narrowly saved you and your dragon from a wyvern attack while back in Resson.

His cheek still dusted with a greenish yellow bruise, and jaw gashed with a healing cut. Unashamedly you thought it made him look so much more lethally handsome than he was. Gods you were resorting to a bumbling nervous lovesick puppy.

“Human women and their finicky hormones and emotions.” Your dragon, Cleasaí, chortled through your bond.

“Quiet, go eat sheep or something.” You slammed your mental shields up from her to the best of your ability while intoxicated.

Bodhi reached the table, already looking at you. His hazel eyes shimmered with curiosity as he scanned your exposed arms and collarbones. Either not used to lack of sleeves or was it the fact you unabashedly stared back for once. His mouth curled into a lazy smirk. You hoped he didn’t notice your already flushed warm cheeks redden under the mage lights, feeling a ghost of smirk on your own lips. The lavender lemonade made you feel bolder evidently as well.

“Mind if I squeeze in?” He asked, keeping his eyes locked on yours stil.

“I can move over—“ Imogen started moving closer to you, but he had already stepped over the bench to take a seat in between the two of you. “Or not.” She deadpanned. She had been one of the only ones that knew the complicated timeline between the two of you.

Your heart skipped a split second from the stare down between the both of you. Now feeling acutely aware of your posture and the swarm of what you could only compare to bees buzzing around in your stomach.

“Y/n,” he greeted casually, his voice a warm husky tone.

“Bodhi.” You tried to play cool, and take a sip of your frothy drink. Not only did you know he was looking at you, you could see Imogen in your peripheral, giving you a “what-the-fuck” look at the interaction. Ignoring the pink haired girl, you spoke up again. “Feel like a third year yet?”

“Eh, it won’t hit me until the new candidates get here.” He finally took his eyes off you as Ridoc offered him a bottle of ale. “Thanks man.” Bodhi’s side pressed up to you when leaned over to take the bottle.

His warmth doubled down into you, igniting the exposed skin where he pressed into you. Feeling his minty breath fan the side of your face, and the smell of cedar, patchouli, and musk invade your senses. You could feel his hard muscle flex through the layers of his clothing against your bicep. The storm that buzzed through your stomach turned into heat seeping into your core. Lovesick puppy or just desperate for male touch?

“I know I will be taking every advantage as a second year,” Nadine chimed in. “Finally being able to sleep in is priority number one!” She did a little celebratory dance in her seat. You snapped out the trance Bodhi left you in, and agreed with her.

“I’ll be savoring our newfound alone time too.” An extra hour in the morning, and weekends to actually do something more than chores or training. Maybe you can finally break out the sketch book that someone smuggled in for you during a supplies trip. You only found it on your bed with no note.

“Define alone time, Y/n.” Rihannon wagged her eyebrows at you. The group chuckled at the suggestive comment.

“Or will you use your newfound freedom to bring someone into your room finally?” Ridoc added, causing the group to laugh louder. If you weren’t red enough already, you had to be beet red now.

“What makes you think I haven’t already?” An inquisitive eyebrow raised at the shorter male from beside you. ‘Oohs’ rise from the group.

“Did you want to be number one, Ridoc?” Quinn giggled.

You felt both the male in question and Bodhi tense. The former blushing a deep scarlet in embarrassment and the latter wearing a neutral expression you couldn’t decipher.

“Sounds like you’re keeping watch of me.” You teased playfully. The flushed male who usually was never at loss for words was now stammering trying to deny it. “It’s okay, maybe one day I’ll take your consideration if I’m ever bored enough.”

“Not what I meant.” Ridoc put his hands over his face groaning. You finally let out a laugh from his reaction, you couldn’t help getting the slight joy of teasing him. He always got the joy of doing it to everyone else. It seemed the rest of the group was enjoying teasing the man just as much too. Everyone besides Bodhi, who had a slight scowl on his face until Imogen whispered something to him.

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By the end of the night, everyone was just about ready for bed drunkenly chatting and giggling at one another. You had consumed two more tall glasses of lavender lemonade. Most of the group now were clamoring around getting clumsy and incoherent. While you were trying to stay sane while remaining seated next to the guy you’ve always had undeniable feelings for. Overly aware of every little action he did at the table throughout the night. From him laughing to the way he gripped the bottle of his alcohol. Lovesick puppy.

You had stood at the exit of the hall up to the dormitories with Ridoc and Rhiannon. Both have to hold each other up as they bid you goodnight.

“Y/n,” Ridoc hiccupped. “I wasn’t serious about earlier, but if you’re—“ hiccup “serious I can be—“ another hiccup “serious.” You did everything you could not laugh out loud knowing it was the alcohol talking.

“She wasn’t.” Bodhi came up next to you, giving him a glare. You shot him a look, not used to such a serious or broody version of the man you grew up with. Him always being the friendlier one out of Xaden, Garrick, and himself. “Goodnight you two.”

Rhiannon’s eyes widened in a shocking delight. “I knew there was something between the two of you!” She squealed, like he bared his soul with a couple words.

“There is—“ you go to correct her, but the tall male beside you cuts you off.

“Goodnight Cadet Matthias.” He had an authoritative tone that made your knees buckle. Or was that the alcohol? His muscular arm wrapped around your waist as he noticed your unsteadiness, and you felt that same sensation you felt earlier when you leaned into him for support.

Your two fellow second years gave the both of you looks before clumsily walking away, leaving you alone with the male holding you up. Your heart is now hammering as he starts to lead you away.

“Let’s get some air.” Bodhi motioned his head to the courtyard as he effortlessly led your stumbling form outside. You wanted to scoff at his proposition. Your new bed and pajamas were calling your name.

A few cadets and lieutenants lingered around the expansive yards, but he quietly led you to an alcove that brought you to a secluded spot where no one could see the two of you.

You leaned up against the stone wall, letting the summer breeze cool your skin. Carefully observing the tawny skinned man from beside you. He took out a small rolled paper and a match, lighting the roll and the sweet smell of churam filled your nose. You weren’t allowed to smoke, and you knew if you were caught you two would be expelled and possibly executed at this point.

“What are you doing?” You hissed as he took a drag, watching him let the smoke leave his mouth and inhale through his nose. There goes that damn buzzing feeling in the pit of your stomach again.

“Relax this is our smoking spot, Y/n/n, no one comes around here.” He reassured you once he exhaled the smoke again. You rolled your eyes staring at the mage light that flickered on the wall. After a lengthy pause, you glanced back at him.

“What makes you think I wasn’t serious?” You questioned, crossing your arms around yourself.

“You know these are the most words you’ve spoken to me in months? Maybe even years?” He ignored your question.

You opened your mouth, before closing it again. You couldn’t admit it was because of your harbored feelings. Not now. Because he was right, you hadn’t talked for quite some time. It didn’t feel right nor did you want to omit that confession.

“Well you were here for an entire year and I was back home so yeah it’s been a year since we talked.” So you played oblivious with him.

He scoffed, “you’ve hardly spoken to me since you’ve gotten here.”

“You just seemed so busy—“

“Cut the shit, please.” He pleaded, now anxiously dragging the joint.

As he brought it away from his lips after a couple puffs, you stole it from him. Your fingers brushing slightly as you grab the small rolled herb. The small touch warrants an electrifying feeling between your fingers. Quickly brushing the thought of if he felt it too, you took a hit of the herb. Letting the sweet smoke seep into your lungs and haze the self awareness and guilt that filled you.

You didn’t want to let him in, truthfully. You’ve already witnessed too many losses during the succession and your first year alone at Basigath. It was when your parents had been executed when you started slipping away from him. You let the stereotypical crush trope hide deep down what you felt, how afraid you were. It would hurt to know, if you finally got the balls to admit everything you’ve felt, and something happened to him or you. It already almost did once, the regret and shame still kept a hold of you for the last few days.

You could now see the disappointment in his eyes. “You’ve always been quiet and reserved, but with me? That’s never been you.” You took another deep inhale of the herb.

“Could you blame me if I was scared?” Your hands slightly shook as you handed the joint back to him. Your eyes were earnest as you looked at him.

He shook his head, running hand through his hair. “You're scared? Fuck, Y/n I almost watched you die. And you know what ran through my head thinking ‘this could be it’?” He took one last smoke, throwing the remaining part of the joint on the ground, stomping it out into the cobblestone. “That the last fucking year spent with you was speaking through a chain of command or small talk bullshit when you weren’t running the opposite if I was near you for too long.”

A lump formed in your throat, and you could feel the tears burn the edges of your eyes. That electric current you felt in your stomach only a few moments ago had solidified into a brick. Then ascended into a wall that crushed you with an iron force with his words.

You two had only briefly talked while in Aretia after what happened.

You had tended to your dragon most of the time while waiting for Violet to heal. Your green clubtail had a poorly injured claw from a wyvern, and despite her persistence it would heal, you were nervous that it would draw too many questions back at Basigath. Xaden agreed and saw Brennan to help mend some of the wound once Violet was stable. You were not able to leave her side while the stranger tended to her. She was already furious that someone besides you had to touch her.

You wanted to talk to him more after that, everything had happened so fast though. Then you went back to avoiding him.

“You’re right.” You mumbled, picking at the edge of your nails. “I’m so sorry, Bo.” Your lip trembled, and the first tear slipped from your eye.

He sighed, sounding defeated. “Gods, I don’t want to be right.” He gently grabbed your elbow, wrapping your smaller frame in his arms. “I want you to stop icing me out, Y/n.”

He ran a hand through your hair, his chin resting on top of your head as you sniffled tears silently running down your cheeks. He had every right to be upset with you, but here he was comforting you. This had always been the Bodhi you knew, how he was before the height of the rebellion. Whereas you had turned cold, letting your cowardice and stubbornness control your emotions—for what you thought was for good reason.

“I know,” you stifled against his jacket. Finally wrapping your arms around him. His grip tightened, and you were overwhelmed by the sense of comfort. You hated what this man did for you and to you.

“I shouldn’t have had this conversation tonight.” He admitted. “I should have waited until we were both sober.” He let you go, and you wished you were still wrapped in his muscular arms. A cold seeping into you that wasn’t due to weather.

You shook your head, a sad smile on your lips. “I would have run.”

“And I wouldn’t have had the courage to bring it up.” A dry chuckle echoed through the quiet alcove.

“We’re riders and we’re—“

“Shit at feelings?” He mused as he watched you tug your jacket on. You wiped some stray tears from your cheeks with your sleeve.

“I was gonna say pansies, but that works.” You sniffled, as a toothy grin finally appeared on his face.

“Should we get to bed and do this all over again tomorrow?” He offered his arm. You raised an eyebrow at him, was he sane? “I mean the drinking part, not the arguing. I enjoyed hearing more than a word out of you tonight though. So I can resort to arguing if needed.” He nudged you slightly.

You rolled your eyes teasingly, “no promises.”

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Reblogs and likes are appreciated! I am open to feedback as well as requests too! 💕🫶

[we-were-beautiful]

Happy Solstice Every One!!!

Here’s a little something that I put together for Almond_BonBons as a part of the riders quadrant secret solstice exchange