#geraldus x you

[bxttxrflybxddie]

Dating Geraldus

A/n: Don't look at me like that. I tried working on requests but he's infiltrated my mind, running around day and night!!!! He's a cutie and I love him lol, might do spiced headcannons later who knows. I could probably write some more but these are the many thoughts that have been rummaging through my head.

Requested: no lol

Pairing: Harper (Soon-to-be Watcher) Geraldus x gn!Reader

Word Count: 1.7+k

Warnings: Lots of fluff, brief mentions of marriage and having children (no birth mentioned but wonders about similar traits the parents and children share, I want to make it clear I am NOT excluding adoption nor other ways of starting a family!!!), brief food mentions as well, existential dread related to trauma and heavy disassociation towards the end. Reader = Tav, Tav = Reader

You accompany him to his ceremony where he’s named a Watcher! He offers an arm to escort you like a gentleman, and you not-so-secretly get a feel of the upper strength he’s been keeping private. You practically hang off of his elbow the entire evening and he wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Him being fiercely protective of you. Not crossing your boundaries, but keeping an eye open for any signs of danger when you’re around. He knows more than well that you’re capable of taking down enemies on your own but he wants to be someone you can lean on; someone you can look to being your shield against the evils of the world. It’s more than Geraldus wanting to be useful but more of him wanting to keep you safe and protected.

A plethora of nicknames for you. There’s the familiar use of “love” and “dear” with an occasional “my” before the term, but every now and then he calls you his “moonbeam” since you guide his way through the dark. 

You receive plenty of letters when he’s sent away for work. Long and detailed confessions of how he misses your warmth and how he can’t wait to return by your side. He writes dreamy imaginations of how you both would spend time at the current location he’s stuck in. Geraldus even tries his hand at poetry, each line about you.

Send him letters back! He has a growing collection of each note you’ve sent him, the majority are kept close to his nightstand but your most recent ones stay in his pockets while on duty. He likes to reread them in his spare time; memorizing each curve of every stroke of ink in your handwriting. He will also memorize specific phrases or terms of endearment you’ve written.

Meeting his mom! She instantly loves you for what you mean to her son, but makes an effort to get to know you personally as well. She adores when you lend a helping hand around the farm or assist her in making desserts! Geraldus is usually standing still; struck with Cupid’s arrow as he watches you and his mother get along. His heart melts in the beautiful domestic bliss of the moment!

Geraldus makes a daily effort to tell you how much you mean to him, one way or another. He tends to accidentally repeat sentences he’s already said to remind you that the words will always remain truthful. He also likes figuring out which vocabulary can make you shy, with a darted gaze and heated cheeks. He thinks it’s cute when you’re nervous given your reputation as the grand savior of Baldur’s Gate.

Being with you has him realize how much of a touchy cuddlebug he is deep down. Holding your hand, resting his head on your head/shoulder, and keeping a hold around your waist or bicep quickly become some of his favorite activities. Adores to hold you from behind when you are both standing and likes to be held against your chest when laying down in bed. It’s as if he can finally breathe; decompress and embrace the safety of purely you. He doesn’t mean to, but he does smell you when your bodies are intertwined. Your scent is very soothing to him. Very grabby in his sleep as well, he subconsciously wants to keep you close no matter when.

He’s so nervous under your stare; he can’t help feeling flustered. You’re looking at him, every detail about himself is completely bare and out in the open for you to judge. Along with a soft expression filled with adornment from you is, more likely than not, aimed at his direction. It doesn’t help that you can read him like a book. Further in your relationship he grows more confident and sure of himself. 

You can find him tripping over his words early in your relationship, particularly in moments where he’s trying to impress you. A few words of reassurance helps him immensely. 

He loves feeling your fingers between his raven locks. You usually brush his hair in the morning and at night, sometimes giving his scalp a comforting scratch. This is the quickest way to have him asleep in your lap. He snores slightly but is easy to wake if it’s time to get up. 

Geraldus frequently has nightmares. Not only from the incident where you both met but also from the other horrors he’s seen during his work as a Watcher. He despises waking you up in the middle of the night since he hates being bothersome. However, he’ll still selfishly indulge in your comfort after nudging you to consciousness if he can’t handle his fears himself. Pull him close, his pointed ear against the thump of your heartbeat is precisely what he needs as both consolement and a lullaby. 

Every time he thinks of his future, he pictures you. He wants to be yours for the rest of his life and is definitely considering proposing after a couple years of being your significant other. If you have previously expressed wanting children someday, Geraldus could spend hours imagining how amazing parents the two of you would be. It’s almost as if he’s conjuring them into reality with how much he’s thinking. Maybe your daughter will have your nose, maybe your son will have his hair…

His kisses leave you feeling special. He first kisses you with only lip, shaking slightly as he feels blessed by the Gods themselves to have this opportunity with both hands on each side of your face. As the kiss progresses he’ll clumsily add some tongue, but leave you to take control. He likes it when you do. 

With leaving some room for imagination, he really enjoys following your orders. He appreciates a kind tone when telling him to do something more than barking out instructions, but he’s a good boy and will do what’s needed nonetheless. He also appreciates rewards for his good behavior.

His laugh is so loud now that he’s found it again, largely in thanks to you.

Geraldus will always catch you if you were to throw yourself at him, maybe not lift you off the ground but certainly collide his toned body with yours. He might stumble depending on the day and sometimes he’ll even fall over but he'll use his figure to soften the blow. Hold him against yourself nevertheless! Squeeze him tightly when he walks through the door after not seeing him for a while because of his duties! It makes him feel treasured and wanted. 

The Watcher isn’t necessarily a bad cook, but simple is a better word to describe his meals. He has primarily made food for only himself after leaving his mother’s care, but was mainly helping with the side dishes in his youth instead of the main course. Since you’ve lightened his life, he tries to improve as a chef! From experimenting dishes to asking his mother about certain recipes, he’ll be trying his best to make a “Marry Me” meal that’ll make you proud! 

Since Geraldus is gone for duty every now and then, he likes to return with special dates planned. It’s one of the many ways he likes to thank you for your patience and for choosing to stay by his side. Sometimes the dates are fancy, but more often than not they’re inexpensive and personal. Involving your favorites across multiple categories and sweet moments the two of you have previously shared. 

On dates in general, he tends to keep quiet and let you do the talking. He loves to hear about your dreams, aspirations, thoughts, opinions, and how your day went. Listening to how a scenario played out, even if he was there/involved, from your point of view is a joy to him. Yes, you’ll have to be the “He asked for no pickles!” in this relationship but it’s worth it and more. However, if you ask him a question he’s sure to respond. If it’s about a particular topic he may rant a tangent and then promptly apologize. Ask him about his work, he has so much gossip stored that's ready to be shared.

Geraldus does have thoughts about how lucky he is to be yours, and how it almost doesn’t feel real to him. Sometimes, he wonders if he met his end all the way back on that horrible night, and your time together has only been a vision. Or, maybe it’s what was in store for him after his life all along. He also speculates if he's currently going through his passing, and instead of flashing through the memories of his life he’s instead creating new and beautiful ones with you by his side and being named a Watcher. You’ll have to regularly ground him and bring himself back from the deceiving space his trauma has created in his mind. You’re here, He’s here, you two are here together, all of his memories are real, and you are both alive in this very moment. Learning a few breathing practices and taking the time to inhale and exhale with him is something he couldn’t live without. 

On the other side of that coin, he also has moments - very brief moments - where he wonders if you’re a doppelganger. That the real you, who he never had a chance with to begin with, is gone and in your place is this face-stealing creature that has seen him at his realest, weakest, and most vulnerable self. He is quick to brush those thoughts away. If you were a doppelganger, then surely, you would’ve ended him already; you’ve had every chance to do so. On his worst days, he thinks of the latter that wraps around into his “Is this even real?” moments. Ground and breathe with him still, but giving him some extra support through therapy will be beneficial for him for years to come. He still needs a good cry on occasions, hold him close and rub his back while he gets everything off of his chest and starts the day anew. 

He’s all yours; every fiber of his being is under your mercy and you continue to prove that you sweetly care for him. For that, he loves you. He loves you with the gentle thrum of his heart, with every moment shared between you two, with each arrow he aims, and with all of the years that pass. 

© BXTTXRFLYBXDDIE

[redroomroaving]

Realising I hadn't posted my Olly x Cal here!

From an upcoming Pirate AU verse project that I'm working on with the Hamlet Discord and the wonderful @tickitytockityrattityrottity and @beesht - watch this space.

[redroomroaving]

Ahem

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHJJHHJDJDJDJDHJSHSJJJJJDJDJJJJJJSahhhhhhhdddhhHHHHHHHHH *continued screaming well into 2025*

Rolan and Geraldus for my bud @redroomroaving from a lil scene in Harper and the Tower.

[sweeter-innocence-fics]

Click My Heels But I Am Stuck Here - Epilogue

Pairing: Rolan x Tav

Work Summary:

Rolan is battered, beaten and exhausted. After everything he’s been through to get to Baldur’s Gate, he still has no reprieve from violence and prejudice.

But wouldn’t it just be so sweet to fuck his master’s pretty little wife?

AU where Tav is Lorroakan’s wife.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Epilogue Sequel

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 1652

Read on AO3.

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Previous Chapter

Notes: It's been a wild ride folks. Hope you enjoyed :) I have a whole queue of fics that I've been neglecting to focus on this one, so it might be a little while before I write Rolan x Tav again, but I do have plans for the future, and perhaps I could be persuaded to expedite them <3

---

Two Years Later

Tav’s boots were muddy, but she could see Baldur’s Gate in the distance. She was bone-tired, and on any other day, she would concede to Jaheira’s suggestion that they should make camp for the night and continue their journey tomorrow morning.

But she needed to see Rolan. It had been almost two months since she’d last seen him, and the distance was starting to ache in her chest. More than that, she had something important to tell him.

Lia and Geraldus were both on board, so they left their fellow Harpers in a clearing in the woods and began the five-mile trek home. Jaheira had pursed her lips, but not argued. This last stretch of road was very safe, and the three of them were well-armed in any case.

“Are you sure you’re alright to keep walking?” asked Lia, looking at Tav anxiously. Her eyes darted to Tav’s stomach, which was covered by armour, so she wouldn’t have been able to see anything even if there was anything to see.

She hadn’t actually told Lia anything, but her sister-in-law could be annoyingly perceptive when she wanted to be. These last few days of travel had been slow going, because Tav had been ill.

At the last town they’d passed through, she had gone for a private appointment with a cleric, and emerged with more than just potions for her nausea. She was sure that Lia had probably figured it out then, if she hadn’t already.

“I’m fine,” said Tav. “I just want to sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“Me too,” said Geraldus.

“Cal’s bed, you mean,” said Lia, poking him in the arm.

“Hush, you.” In the early stages of their relationship, Geraldus probably would’ve chuckled and blushed at the gentle ribbing from his boyfriend’s sister, but they’d been together for almost a year and a half now, and he’d also spent almost as much time with Lia as he had with Cal at this point.

When Tav and Lia had initially joined the Harpers, Cal had briefly considered joining too, but decided the adventurer’s life was not for him. He would much rather help Rolan tend Sorcerous Sundries and stay in the relative safety of Baldur’s Gate.

Privately, Tav knew that he was also staying to make sure Rolan wasn’t alone. She was glad. She would never have been able to go on such long missions if she knew that Rolan didn’t have anyone watching over him and making sure he was eating.

“Excited to get home to your husband?” Geraldus asked her.

She gave him a weak smile. Three years ago, the question would’ve made her blanche. But Rolan was not Lorroakan. The plain gold wedding band he’d given her didn’t weigh her down like the gaudy thing that she’d had from her first husband.

Still, she hadn’t expected marriage to feel so natural this time around. She hadn’t expected to want it, no matter how much she loved Rolan.

But about six months ago, it had come up in conversation, and she realised that marrying him didn’t terrify her the way she’d thought it would. In fact, the idea of calling him her husband was very appealing.

Within a month, they were married. It was a small ceremony with just their closest friends, and his siblings. Afterwards, they’d all had a very merry evening at the Elfsong Tavern. It was perfect.

“I’m hoping he’ll help me with my hair,” she said, lightly touching her braid. “All these weeks on the road haven’t been good for it. And Rolan gives excellent head-”

“I don’t want to hear about that!” Lia interrupted.

“Head massages! Don’t be crass!”

The three of them descended into laughter. It made the long walk a little easier.

It was past midnight by the time they made it to Ramazith’s tower. All three of them were excluded from the extensive wards that kept the tower safe, so they walked in with little fanfare.

The lights were on in the kitchen. That was where the three of them found Cal and Rolan, playing some kind of intricate card game. Myshka was curled up on Rolan’s lap, but as soon as he saw Tav, he leapt into her arms.

“MERMER!” he cried, nuzzling into her neck immediately. She had cast Speak with Animals in preparation for this very moment.

“Hi there, baby,” she murmured, scratching under his chin. Suddenly, she was being lifted off her feet. Myshka was sandwiched between her chest and Rolan’s as he embraced them both.

“Tav…” Rolan sounded breathlessly exhilarated. “I didn’t know you would be home tonight…”

“But you stayed up anyway,” she said as he set her back on her feet.

“Well, I did hope.”

“He stayed up last night too,” Cal chimed in from where he was entangled in Geraldus’ embrace.

“Shut up, Cal.”

“I suppose neither of my brothers are all that happy to see me. The perils of being a fifth wheel,” said Lia pointedly, walking over to the stove.

There was a pot of soup that was slowly simmering. She grabbed herself a bowl and began to spoon soup into it, but almost spilled it all over herself when Cal hugged her from behind.

“I missed you too, Lia,” he said.

Looking a little chastened, Rolan released Tav to go and embrace his sister as well.

“How was your trip?” Cal asked cheerfully.

“Long,” said Tav. “I really need a bath.” She tugged her braid loose from its tie, letting her tangled hair cascade over her shoulders.

“I’m sure I can manage that,” said Rolan.

“Cal, Geraldus,” said Lia suddenly. “Will you help me with my bags? I left some stuff downstairs that needs bringing up.

“What bags?” asked Geraldus, confused, but she elbowed him in the ribs. “Right, of course, let’s go.”

And then Tav and Rolan were alone. Tav was sure there were no bags to be brought up. Lia was just trying to get the others out of the room.

Rolan put his hands on her shoulders and held her at arms’ length as he surveyed her.

“You’re looking well,” he said. “Lots of colour in your cheeks. That’s good to see. Being a Harper is good for you, as much as I hate to be away from you.”

She knew that he was downplaying his own feelings. Cal had once told her that her long absences were hard on Rolan. He feared for her safety, and he missed her deeply.

He would never tell her the full extent of his feelings though. He didn’t want to pressure her into putting his needs over her own.

“I never want to be away for that long again,” she said, and it was true.

She loved the thrill of adventure, but the tower was her home. Gone were the traces of Lorroakan that had haunted the place. With a combination of magic and interior design, they had made this place into a home for themselves.

“And I doubt I’ll be leaving Baldur’s Gate again any time soon. I’m going to be taking a little bit of a leave of absence, from fieldwork at least. With the resources we have at our disposal here, I can still make a difference without putting myself on the frontline.”

Rolan swallowed. “Really?” There was a quiet, but obvious spark of hope in his tone. “Tired of adventuring already?”

“Well, it’s more that I think it’s probably too dangerous for me right now, in my condition.”

“Condition?” he asked, drawing his eyebrows together in confusion.

She took his hand and guided it to her belly. In the last leg of the journey, she’d removed some of her armour, leaving her in a loose-fitting tunic. His eyes widened as understanding dawned on his face.

“You’re- We’re-” he stammered, disbelieving.

“Pregnant? Yes.”

“Gods, Tav.” He dropped to his knees and pressed his face into her clothed stomach. She put her arms around him, a laugh bubbling up in her chest.

“Are you…” A hint of nervousness entered her tone. “Happy to hear that?”

“I’m elated,” he said. “Are you?”

“I never thought I would want this,” she said. “I vowed to never give Lorroakan a child, so I thought that was it for me. But I want this with you. I want to have your child.”

“Tav…” Tears were rolling down Rolan’s cheeks. He pressed a kiss to her stomach. “I love you so much."

“I love you too.” She smoothed her fingers into his hair, loosening it from the hair tie that was holding it in place. He didn’t protest, still pressing his face against her.

That was how Cal, Lia and Geraldus found them a few minutes later, with him still on his knees, holding her. Lia let out an excited yelp as she took in the scene.

Rolan got to his feet quickly, embarrassed. “Should we tell them?” he whispered to Tav.

“I think Lia already knows. So I think it’s only fair.”

“Alright.” He nodded.

“We’re having a baby,” she said, and Cal almost knocked her off her feet as he pulled her into a hug.  

“I knew it,” she hear Lia shriek, and chuckled into the material of Cal’s shirt. Rolan was hovering behind her, a protective hand on her lower back. As soon as Cal moved out of the way, Lia took his place, throwing her arms around Tav’s neck. “I’m so happy for you two.” She pulled back and held Tav’s face in her hands. “You’re brilliant, you know that? Your kid is going to be a superstar.”

“Our kid is going to have the best aunt and uncles in the world,” said Tav.

Lia turned to Rolan. “You’d better get to work, the mother of your unborn child wants a bath.”

“With rose petals,” Tav supplied.

“She wants rose petals,” said Lia, helpfully.

“I suppose I better get on that,” said Rolan, kissing Tav’s temple. “Anything for you.”

---

Notes:

fic title is from Black Ink Revenge by Automatic Loveletter

"Don't you let 'em know you're dying, dying Dying to break out Dying to get, get, get out Through the window of the upstairs Click my heels but I am stuck here"

[delta-lethonomia]

for your request for a random pairing to plot around! One that's honestly intrigued me-- Astarion/Jaheira

oooooooh!!!! That's a good one, ok, thinking.... this has to be a one shot "10 times x happened" type deal, yes? I'm thinking something a little melancholy, a little tragic, a lot slow-burn romantic.

Spawn!Astarion ends up an adventurer/"hero-for-hire", and Jaheira (typically) ends up returning to the Harpers, though you can talk her into remaining in Baldur's Gate. Astarion is a feral stray cat. Jaheira is a "used to be a sweet house cat, is now feral old mama cat who wanders further and further everyday until she one day never comes back at all" type cat. Cat!Astarion needs to join the colony is what I'm saying

It makes total sense to put them together and I love their sass but the emotional availability is the problem here. Astarion is open to emotional intimacy, longs for it even, while Jaheira is only available if you really, really need her, and then only until you're fine without her. (Looking at all the kids she takes on and then her distance when they grow up.) So, plot:

Astarion starts off hunting for his meals in much the same way he used to find people for Cazador. He's pickier, aiming to murder only really awful people so it won't twinge his budding conscience, but in the process he stumbles into a Harper operation or runs into other trouble etc. Some fast talking gets him in front of someone who recognizes him - maybe Geraldus - and before long he's made contact with Jaheira once more, who rolls her eyes tries to get him set up with a few contacts. It's very "if you wanted a job, you should have talked to me. Idiot" -type vibes. This makes so much sense there's even a comic about it lol.

But I can't see Astarion actually enjoying the sort of organization the Harpers are. He doesn't want to join, swear a vow, fall in line etc. so he's very "thanks but no thanks" about it. He goes off on his own again, and then Minsc finds him, forcing him to move (again!). Irritable and a little bored, he seeks out Jaheira to bitch about it and they commiserate over Minsc's.... everything. Maybe he picks up a contract, maybe he doesn't, but contact and a routine is established. If there's the 7k spawn in the Underdark, Jaheira might be a useful person to bring in - she's used to working with strays, has a lot of organizational knowledge and leadership abilities, could have contacts willing to trade with spawn etc etc. That's definitely one route to keep her around for a while.

But the point it - Astarion and Jaheira interact as peers, and that's something Jaheira lacks in her day-to-day life, which frustrates her even in BG3 if I remember correctly. She's pretty burned out on being High Harper but feels it's the best way to make a difference, and after the events of the game gets a drive to fix the things that have fallen apart. Astarion gets to drop in and play the hero on occasion, but he really only listens to Jaheira. Jaheira enjoys the attention and his little flirtations, but that's about it - they've got a flirty old friend vibe going after a few years, though younger Harper's certainly think there's something more to it, though that's purely because Astarion's hot and therefor must be sexually involved with anyone he associates with.

I could see them naturally hooking up after a while. I doubt Jaheira has been celibate since Khalid's death, but I think she'd also initially see Astarion as someone who'd latch onto her, so she wouldn't indulge his flirtations beyond talk, but given enough time she might. Alternatively, a catalyst - the underdark spawn colony gets its first trading partner through Jaheira's efforts and grateful Astarion honestly propositions her (because fucking any of the other spawn there would be.... potentially very weird if it's someone he doomed to vampirism and didn't remember), or some type of whump where an important Harper dies, or perhaps one of Jaheira's kids.... lots of options.

Anyway, they sleep together. Once. Twice. A few times. Not often, not regularly, but an established hookup every few weeks/months etc. Distant enough it never grows more, close enough it's regular and Astarion thinks about her a lot.

One day Astarion realizes he's the closest person in Jaheira's life. Maybe he talks to Rion or another of Jaheira's kids, or someone high up in the Harpers, and realizes he's the Faerûn equivalent of her emergency contact. No one knows where Jaheira went - he knows she's in Neverwinter, dealing with the aftermath of the DnD movie lol. Minsc finds him again. He asks him, "Do you know where Jaheira is?" and Minsc has no goddamn clue. Somehow, he's closer to her than Minsc!

Fuck. Are they dating? Is this a relationship? How did he end up in a relationship and not even realize? How embarrassing. How awful. Does he want this? The second he says something she's going to bolt. He's no Khalid, and doesn't want to be. Should he say something? No. No, definitely not. Why ruin a good thing? They're having fun. It's nice, having a warm bed to crawl into with someone who doesn't look at him like he hung the moon and stars. Jaheira's maturity is one of his favorite things about her.

So naturally he tells her. It eats him up inside - Astarion is terrible at keeping long-term secrets. Maybe he couches it in a joke, a little nonchalant observation, but Jaheira sees right through it. The next morning, she bolts, and Astarion doesn't see her for at least a year.

But a year isn't that long, when you've lived so long already. He's not mad at her, which is new for Jaheira: everyone knows about her issues, call her out for it often, and are yet always surprised when it happens to them. But Astarion isn't upset. Midnight chimes, hm? But they have such chemistry. They fall back into bed together after a while. Things continue.

This plot has already taken place over years lol. They stick together more and more, and so long as no one talks about what their relationship is, it's fine. Astarion keeps quiet. He's smart enough not to make the same mistake twice. Jaheira wonders if she's keeping him from finding true love, a relationship that can meet him at the level of intimacy he clearly desires - but he's an adult and can make his own choices. Selfishly, she enjoys his company.

She gets older. Maybe they take in another stray kid and stay in Baldur's Gate a while, and Astarion gets to play the decadent evil step-mother without realizing he's more emotionally available and reliable to the older kids than Jaheira is. (note: this is the only way I could see Dad!Astarion happening, namely purely by accident and somehow being more emotionally available despite sending the kids late to school with nothing more than half a loaf of bread and a very sharp knife to cut it with.) Or maybe something happens to Rion and they call him instead of Jaheira, and he finally puts his foot down and demands some clarity and definition on what "they" really are.

Either way, despite her young immortal lover (but in truth, because of him) Jaheira decides against extending her life further with the druid ritual. She becomes old enough this adventuring business has reached an impossible level of difficulty - and like an old cat, she leaves home one day without telling anyone, to go die by herself somewhere nice, or in battle, in some selfish way that Astarion does not see coming at all. While he knows she won't live forever, she's not decrepit, and even he realizes leaving someone when they start to degrade is a dick move, so he had no plans to leave her, but Jaheira wouldn't see it that way. Instead, she dies, far away and alone, with Astarion helpless to do anything about it.

He's gutted. They weren't - together - but they were to anyone who had eyes. It was all very comfortable and easy and nonchalant but he did love her even though he never said it, but she didn't respect him enough to talk to him about her plans. She didn't give him a choice. Went off to kill herself, as if he somehow wouldn't care, as if what they had really was just a fling that never ended - even after years or decades together, he was no Khalid. His grief is eclipsed by anger, and a much older Rion, her eyes dry, tells him something that amounts to "I told you so."

I'd end on something years later in the future. Another few decades, maybe with a lover who could dedicate themselves to him as much as he could to them, an Astarion with a bit more experience with love and the pain of outliving someone, after seeing other relationships degrade and how people deal with the inevitability of death - perhaps he writes a journal, or reminisces with someone, and understands just a little more why Jaheira was the way she was. Looking back with fondness and nostalgia, and seeing all the good they had together even if it wasn't perfect. A little bittersweet, a little melancholy - but also a lesson, in what not to be.

Anyway while I don't think Astarion needs a partner, I do think he would benefit a great deal from having one. Emotional intimacy is something he'd crave deeply but it also afraid to ask for, so while he'd be aware of Jaheira's emotional unavailability I think he'd be unable to pull himself away from it. I can't see a relationship between them ending anywhere else other than inevitable heartbreak :(

[redroomroaving]

It's my boys 😭 I'm dying

[forgeofthenine]

Rolan x Geraldus is a new one for me, but in one of the discord servers I’m in there’s a big support for Cal x Geraldus (rarepairs forever)

Cal x Geraldus actually seems so sweet now that I think about it! Geraldus is so meek to start with though still very ambitious. Cal has such an even temperament and already knows how best to handle people with lofty ambitions (thank you Rolan)

Pairing the two together I feel like it would help them build each other up without too much clashing of personalities. The more I consider this, the more I love it. Thanks for bringing this rarepair to my attention anon!

[russica]

Like Harper Geraldus? Did that fic by Isntthatrightzach on AO3 hook you on RolanxGeraldus???? Here ya go lol

[voloslobotomyservice]

wip whenever

tagged by @commander-krios @my-favourite-zhent@rolansrighthorn

tagging @dustdeepsea and @wanderingisobel bc I know they're cooking something good

this is actually from chapter 2 of an upcoming fic featuring Geraldus x Named Tav, where Estrelle, a Cleric of Selune, meets Geraldus before the events of the game.

(yes I'm still working on Killing Me Softly don't worry! hoping to get the next chapter out next week)

this is very much a work in progress so pls be kind

Estrelle sighed deeply into her empty wine glass. Her sponsor, Faelynn, had convinced her to celebrate her induction at the Elfsong, her treat. She was more than happy to drink to her success, but after finishing her first glass, her mind filled with clouds of doubt.  The thoughts trickled in like rain, contrasting the late summer sun shining through the windows: Did she make the right choice? Was it worth it to risk her life to keep the city she loved safe? Would she make the citizens of Baldur’s Gate proud? In fact, would she make her parents proud? “Done already?” A half-elf asked, pulling Estrelle out of her thoughts. She sat across her in the booth, tankard freshly filled. “It usually takes you years to finish a glass.” “And you’re on your third drink, Faelynn.” She chuckled, lifting her empty glass and tapping the rim against the tankard. “Try not to go too wild tonight, hm?” “But we’re celebrating!” Faelynn exclaimed before taking a large swig of her ale. “If anyone should be getting drunk, it should be the new Harper Elle!” “I think I’ll pace myself tonight, thank you.” The last thing she wanted was for more intrusive thoughts to fill up her mind. Or to be sloppy drunk in the streets of the city she swore to protect.  “Suit yourself,” Faelynn shrugged, “but I hope you know how proud I am. You’re gonna do great work in the Harpers, kiddo.” “Likewise.” she smiled before bringing her glass to her lips, forgetting it was empty. The half-elf’s eyebrows raised in amusement. “Aye, looks like you need that second drink, eh?” She laughed before taking a few more sips of her own drink. “I’ll get you another once mine is done” “Thank you, Fae. You’re too good to me.” Estrelle let her eyes wander around the Elfsong, glancing over from one person to the next. It was always interesting to spy on the different patrons and predict why they were there. For example, the couple at the table next to hers was most certainly a man with his elven mistress. The elderly man was trying to hide his face from most of the other patrons, and the woman looked much, much younger than him.  Though elves do live much longer than humans, she thought, so maybe it’s not as taboo as it seems.  Then, on the other side of the tavern, a blonde man looked to be crying tears into his drink, his face rather forlorn. Perhaps he was dumped by his lover, or maybe his mother had passed away. Either way, probably not the healthiest way to handle his emotions. And at the bar sat a young, handsome half-elf, with raven hair that settled just above his shoulders… Wait a minute… is that… She squinted, trying to make out the details of his side profile. Sure enough, she saw his big, hazel eyes, shimmering in the dim tavern lighting. Geraldus?!

[rolansrighthorn]

Songfic Tag Game!

Pick a song to accompany each of your fics or as many as you like. This might be the fic's inspiration or just pure vibes that you'd like to share with readers. Tag as many people as fics you feature (or do as you please).

I have been on a Mitski kick so all of these are going to be Mitski songs lmao.

Apologies Aren't Enough (Rugan x Rue (OC) x Geraldus):

I Will- Mitski

I will take good care of you I will take good care of you Everything you feel is good If you would only let you I will wash your hair at night And dry it off with care I will see your body bare And still I will live here

Only Together, With You (Rolan x Daryna (OC)):

Come Into The Water- Mitski

I didn't know I had a dream I didn't know until I saw you So would you tell me if you want me? 'Cause I can't movie until you show me

Tender For You (Geraldus x Willow (OC)) (unpublished as of posting this):

First Love/Late Spring- Mitski So please hurry leave me, I can't breathe Please don't say you love me 胸がはち切れそうで (My heart feels like it's going to burst)

Another Chance At Love (Rolan x Penelope (OC)):

Once More To See You- Mitski If you would let me give you pinky promises kisses Then I wouldn't have to scream your name Atop of every roof in the city of my heart If I could see you Once more to see you

Tagged by @dustdeepsea

Tagging @underdark-dreams @thisaccountisagainstmywill @voloslobotomyservice and anyone else who wants to do it!

[bxttxrflybxddie]

Beautiful Sad, Wet Eyes

Headcanons

Dating Geraldus

Imagines

Kinktober Day 4: Praise

© BXTTXRFLYBXDDIE

[redroomroaving]

"...did, did I get it right?"

"That was clever - with the code - way to keep your head, recruit."

Harper Bor x Harper Geraldus

(Blame @captainsigge for "so what if Bor met Geraldus" and the ensuing problem we now have.)

[neontokyoo]

How many characters can we request for headcanons? Would you do the same prompt with different characters? Can we request for gender neutral reader? Are there any characters you won't do in each fandom? Can we request Baldur's Gate 3 Geraldus, Cal, Haarlep, Dammon, Rolan, and Zevlor? Can we request characters from different fandoms in a request? Are there any dark topics you won't do like rape, suicide, etc? Do you do poly ships x reader? Would you mind if we request for Alternate Universes or Aus like AU where the character lives happily? Would you mind if the request is suggestive, implied sex, or mentioned sex but no explicit sex? For Baldur's Gate 3 requests, would you mind if we don't specify the race/class to leave it ambiguous or if we ask specify the race/class like human/healer? What kinks would you accept for requests? Can anons request smut? Can we check with you if you received our requests? Thank you in advance!

You can request as many characters as you want for headcanons, but it may take longer for me to post them if there’s a lot of characters to write for.

would love to do the same prompts for different characters.

I do write for gender neutral readers, unless I’m writing smut or someone specifically requested a female reader.

I write for literally everyone for the fandoms I write for. Except for maybe Cazador because if characters are problematic, I prefer not to write for them.

You can request anyone you want except for Cazador.

I don’t do crossovers so I won’t write for different characters from different fandoms in one post.

I won’t write about dark topics such as rape/non-con, suicide, etc., but I can mention them depending on the request.

don’t do poly ships just because I find it hard to write about more than 2 people being in a relationship.

I really don’t mind writing for AUs. If you have an AU you’d like me to write, don’t hesitate to send it to me.

I will write suggestive content, but you would have to specify that in the request, or I would probably end up writing smut.

Race/class doesn’t matter unless the request specifically asks for a certain race/class.

I accept most kinks as long as they’re harmless. I won’t write about weapon or food-play or anything like that.

Anons can request anything they want, including smut.

yes, you can check in to see if I got your request! Some requests I won’t do if I don’t want to, and I’ll let you know. But sometimes my inbox glitches and requests don’t always show up, so feel free to check in with me!

I hope this helps, and I will make sure to add these to my rules because these were really amazing questions! Thank you for asking!

[redroomroaving]

Yes and thank you

[neonsbots]

Rules

This blog is for 18+ ONLY, due to suggestive and mature content that is also user-interactive. All ageless, nameless, and/or blank blogs will be blocked

What I WILL write: Smut Fluff Angst Song-inspired bots (songfics) OC Bots (if I have enough information from you) AUs Hurt/comfort (or I can try, at least. . .) Romantic & platonic relationships

What I WILL NOT write: Incest Pedophilia Other problematic topics

Fandoms I write for: Hogwarts Legacy Stardew Valley Baldurs Gate 3 ACOTAR Kingdom of the Wicked

FAQ For Asks:

Q: Would you do the same prompt with different characters?

A: I would love to do the same prompts for different characters. So don’t hesitate to send an ask for a character even if I already answered one for a different character, I’d love to write more.

Q: Can we request for gender neutral user?

A: I usually write for female users, but I will happily do gender neutral users if you ask me to.

Q: Are there any characters you won't do in each fandom?

A: I don’t do male users or female characters in any fandoms. I won’t write for professors, goblins, or house elves in Hogwarts Legacy. I won’t write for Cazador, or Ascended Astarion in BG3, and I won’t write for unromanceable characters in Stardew valley, as I try to keep it limited to the bachelors.

Q: Can we request minor background characters and/or characters that aren’t exactly human? Ex: Baldur's Gate 3 Geraldus, Cal, Haarlep, Dammon, Rolan, and Zevlor?

A: I do write for forgotten, minor, side, and background characters. I think the only non-human characters I write for are Elves, Half-Elves, and Tieflings/Devilish characters.

Q: Are there any dark topics you won't do like rape, suicide, etc?

A: I won’t write about dark topics such as rape/non-con, suicide, etc., but I can mention them depending on the request. For example, I would probably mention abuse, assault, or not really wanting to live anymore if I was writing about Astarion, but I wouldn’t go into detail about what happened.

Q: Do you do poly ships x user?

A: I do make polly ai bots, but it takes me longer than single-character bots because there's more coding/programming (idk wtf to call it) to do to make sure the bot works correctly

Q: Would you mind if we request for Alternate Universes or Aus like AU where the character lives happily?

A: I really don’t mind writing for AUs. If you have an AU you’d like me to write, don’t hesitate to send it to me. I’ll let you know if I don’t want to write it.

Q: Would you mind if the request is suggestive, implied sex, or mentioned sex but no explicit sex?

A: I do write suggestive content sometimes. If you don’t want explicit toe-curling smut, I’m perfectly happy to write something that doesn’t go into detail, but is still suggestive, and then since they're AI bots, you can do whatever you want with it past the intro message. Just make sure to specify what you want when you send the request.

Q: For Baldur's Gate 3 requests, would you mind if we don't specify the race/class to leave it ambiguous or if we ask to specify the race/class like human/healer?

A: I usually try not to give the user a certain race or class since it’s still kind of a self-insert and I try not to go into too much detail, but if you specifically ask for a certain race or class when you make a request, I will happily write about that.

Q: What kinks would you accept for requests?

I accept most kinks as long as they’re harmless. I won’t write about weapon or food-play or anything like that. I try not to get too crazy because if characters really love each other I feel like they wouldn’t be trying to hurt each other or put each other in dangerous situations. But if you would like rough sex, I don’t have a problem with bondage, degradation, or mild choking. Just as long as it’s not harmful or absolutely disgusting.

Q: Can anons request smut?

Anons can request anything they want, including smut. I try not to add limitations to requests. Like, we’re all people and I’m going to write anything and everything I can, it doesn’t matter if you’re anonymous or identifiable.

Q: Can we check with you if you received our requests?

yes, you can check in to see if I got your request! Some requests I won’t do if I don’t want to, and I’ll let you know. But sometimes my inbox glitches and requests don’t always show up, so feel free to check in with me!

[sweeter-innocence-fics]

Click My Heels But I Am Stuck Here - Chapter Nine

Pairing: Rolan x Tav

Work Summary:

Rolan is battered, beaten and exhausted. After everything he’s been through to get to Baldur’s Gate, he still has no reprieve from violence and prejudice.

But wouldn’t it just be so sweet to fuck his master’s pretty little wife?

AU where Tav is Lorroakan’s wife.

Chapters: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Epilogue

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 3962

Read on AO3.

Masterlists.

Taglist info

Previous Chapter

Notes:

final chapter! stay tuned for the epilogue, should hopefully be up this week. Thank you for coming on this journey with me.

---

When Geraldus had run into the refugee camp, telling Cal and Lia to come quickly and bring their things, Lia hadn’t expected this. Ramazith’s tower belonged to Tav and Rolan now. They had a home, finally.

Rolan had offered his siblings their choice of bedrooms. Every single one of them was larger than any of their rooms back home. No more sleeping in tents.

It hadn’t taken Lia long to unpack her belongings. Between the fall of Elturel and months on the road, everything she owned could fit into a rucksack.

She chose a bedroom with its own small balcony that overlooked the city. Cal took the one right next door, although there were plenty of other options. She had to admit that it felt good to have him close. She needed to know he was safe. Perhaps a few months down the line, they would be squabbling and getting in each other’s way, but right now, she was grateful.

The sun was just setting when she stepped out into the hallway. The tower’s ceilings were incredibly high. Lia wondered how they dealt with cobwebs. Magic, probably.

Ramazith’s tower was so large that she was afraid she might get lost, but she really wanted to explore all the same. She wandered in the general direction that she’d come from, poking her head into any room with an open door.

There were a lot of magical artifacts. Rolan had warned her not to touch anything until he was sure it was safe, but she had to admit she was tempted. It would surely take him months, if not years, to catalogue everything here.

She slipped into a room. It was dark and dusty inside. As far as she could tell, it was a disused office or study, but it was admittedly hard to tell, as a lot of random items appeared to have been stored here.

She dragged her fingertip across the desk, taking off a thick layer of dust and revealing the mahogany underneath. Behind her, something creaked.

The last year of her life had sharpened her senses and her reactions, so she spun on the spot, but there was no need to fear. Tav’s cat, Myshka, was sitting in the doorway, his bright blue eyes fixed on Lia. His tail flicked from side to side, seemingly agitated.

“Are you going to tell on me?” she asked him. He stared back, uncomprehending.

Distantly, she heard Tav’s voice calling out, “Myshka?”

The cat didn’t move. It was watching Lia. Nervous, she took a step towards him, and he stood up. Once he seemed certain that she was following him, he walked out into the hallway. She stepped out behind him, leaving the door ajar, just as Tav rounded the corner.

“Oh, there you are,” she said, looking at Myshka. The cat meowed and sprinted towards her. She opened her arms and he leapt into them. She hugged him to her chest and then turned to Lia. “Are you alright? You look out of sorts.”

Lia swallowed. After everything she had been through, it was hard to turn off the part of her brain that told her she was in danger.

Tav was no danger to her. By all accounts, she was a kind and gentle woman. A kind and gentle woman who had just murdered her own husband.

Lia shook her head slightly. Lorroakan was a monster. Tav had done the world a favour when she’d stabbed him through the heart.

“I’m fine,” said Lia. “Just… looking around.”

Myshka meowed, and Tav stroked his head. “Don’t mind Myshka,” she said. “He has trust issues. Feed him some meat and he’ll warm right up to you.”

“Right…”

“Are you hungry? Rolan has an Unseen Servant working in the kitchen. I’m sure it could whip us up something.”

“I am. Very hungry, actually.” Hot meals were few and far between at the refugee camp. She wasn’t sure that she’d truly felt full since the time the four of them had met at the Elfsong.

“Come with me, I’ll show you to the kitchen.”

Tav filled the silence as they walked together, half with comments to Lia and half mumbled baby talk to Myshka, who was still lounging in her arms.

Apparently, Tav was very glad to have the use of the Unseen Servant. When Lorroakan was alive, she had done most of the chores herself, but Rolan had promised her that that wasn’t going to happen anymore.

“What are you hungry for?” she asked as she opened the door into the kitchen. “We have a very well-stocked pantry.”

“Something hot. And filling.”

Tav grinned at her. “I’m sure we can rustle something like that up. I personally have a hankering for a beef stew. Does that sound good?”

Lia’s stomach rumbled. “That sounds amazing.”

She waited as Tav relayed her instructions to the Unseen Servant. As soon as she was done, she said, “Come, let’s go and sit in the dining room.”

The dining room was just as grand and palatial as she’d expected. There was a huge, throne-like chair at the head of the table, but Tav just pushed it out of the way to put a more modest chair in that spot. Myshka leapt from her arms and settled himself down on the throne.

“We’re going to need to get a lot of new furniture,” she said. “I’m not sitting like a pretty little ornament at a man’s side ever again, even if it is a man I love this time.”

“Are you talking about Rolan or Myshka?” asked Lia with a wry smile.

“Both of them.”

“I’ll drink to that.”

“Oh! Wine! That’s what we’re missing. Take a seat, I’ll be right back.”

Feeling awkward, Lia sat down in the seat beside the head of the table. As promised, Tav was back a moment later with a bottle of wine and several goblets.

“Red?”

“Yes please.”

Lia watched Tav’s face as she poured the wine. For a split second, she caught a slight tremor in her hands. Tav was nervous. Her frenetic talkativeness made that clear.  That, conversely, put Lia more at ease.

“I hope that this goes without saying,” said Tav, “But please help yourself to anything in the pantry. This is your home now too, after all.”

“Thank you. I really don’t have words for how grateful I am.”

Tav chuckled awkwardly and took a sip of her wine. “I don’t need gratitude. It was enough seeing the look on Rolan’s face when you arrived. He really loves you and Cal.”

“We really love him too.”

The wine made conversation a little easier. Tav settled into the seat opposite Lia’s, and they chatted until two bowls of stew floated out of the kitchen towards them.

It was piping hot, with rich chunks of meat and dumplings floating in it. Lia tried to be polite, but she was ravenous. Tav had barely eaten half of hers by the time Lia had finished. Still, Tav called for the Unseen Servant to bring her another bowl.

Lia might’ve been embarrassed but Tav was good humoured about it. After months of too-small-portions and whatever scraps that Cal and Lia could scavenge or buy for themselves, this was heavenly.

“We should go back to the Elfsong sometime,” said Tav. “Now that I have no one to stop me.” There was a sad look in her eye that was gone almost as soon as it arrived. She turned and grinned at Lia. “Maybe Cal can invite Geraldus.”

Lia stifled a laugh. “I’ll see if I can persuade him. I’m sure he’d-”

She was interrupted by the door to the hallway opening. Standing in the doorway was a human man that Lia didn’t recognise. He was middle-aged, fairly short, with greying, dark brown hair.

“Tavya,” he said, and Tav was on her feet at once, upending her bowl of stew. Lia jumped to her feet to avoid the splashback.

“What are you doing here?” There was a tremor in Tav’s tone. Whether it was from anger or fear, Lia couldn’t tell.

“I heard what happened to Lorroakan,” said the man, stepping towards Tav, who took a step back. “You’re not safe here.” His eyes darted to Lia. “If he’s willing to kill Lorroakan, imagine what he would do to you.”

“He?”

“That bloody hellspawn that moved into Lorroakan’s tower and murdered him!”

Lia tensed. She was no stranger to slurs being thrown her way, but after the delicious food and good conversation, this was giving her emotional whiplash. Her hands curled into fists.

“Don’t call him that!” Tav snarled. “And for your information, Rolan didn’t kill Lorroakan. I did.”

The man faltered. “Tavya, please, don’t say such things. I’m trying to help you.”

“You’ve never given a damn about me, father, or else you wouldn’t have sold me to Lorroakan.”

Everything clicked into place. Tavya had mentioned her father while they were at the Elfsong, but hadn’t gone into detail. There wasn’t much family resemblance, but they did have the same dark brown eyes.

“You never cared about my safety when Lorroakan was beating and raping me.” Her tone was chilling. Lia had gathered that her marriage to Lorroakan had not been a happy one, but she hadn’t known the full extent of his abuse. She looked at Tav sympathetically, but Tav’s attention was fixed on her father, eyes ablaze. “I begged you for your help then, and you refused me. What kind of father does that? You left me to rot with that monster! You’re not my father! I hate you even more than I hated him!”

Angry tears were rolling down Tav’s cheeks now. Her shouts must’ve echoed through the halls, because a moment later, Rolan appeared at the door, looking out of breath. His gazed homed in on Tav’s father immediately.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, incredulous. “How did you get in?”

“Through the front door,” said the man. “It wasn’t locked.”

“There are supposed to be wards up to stop people from getting in without permission.” Rolan sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I suppose they died with Lorroakan. I’ll have to get started on putting them back up.”

“Look at you,” said Tav’s father, glaring at Rolan. “Lording about the place already, when your master’s body is barely cold.”

Rolan opened his mouth to speak, but Tav was already crossing the distance between them. She slapped her father hard across the face, the resounding smack echoing throughout the high-ceilinged room.

Her father blinked at her, cheek reddening. “You insolent little whore,” he said, “I ought to-” He raised his hand, but Rolan cast Hold Person on him before he could do anything else.

“I ought to kill you.” She let out a hollow laugh, staring at her father’s frozen face. “But there has been enough bloodshed today. This is your one warning. As soon as Rolan releases you, you’re going to leave this tower. If you try anything, I’ll kill you the way I killed Lorroakan. With a knife to the heart.” She reached out to Rolan, and he took her hand. “Rolan is a far stronger wizard than Lorroakan ever was. So I advise that you walk away and never come back here. Is that understood?”

Her father stared back at her, unable to speak.

“And if you ever try to make trouble for me and mine again, I will make sure you pay for it. Because I’m not alone anymore. Not like I was when you sold me into this life. I have powerful friends now.”

She gave Rolan a small nod, and he released the spell. Tav’s father stumbled forward, clutching his chest. He looked up at Tav desperately, but didn’t move.

“You can leave through the front door, or through the window. Your choice,” she said.

Begrudgingly, he turned to walk away.

“I’ll see you out,” said Rolan. “I need to put up those wards anyway.” He squeezed Tav’s hand and then let her go, following her father from the room.

And then Lia and Tav were alone again. Tav let out a soft laugh that turned into a sob.

“Are you alright?” asked Lia.

“I need more wine.”

*

Later that evening found Rolan, Tav, Cal and Lia on the dining room’s balcony. It was large enough for several benches around a low table. The balcony itself overlooked the city, and beyond it, the Chionthar. In the distance, they could see the domed roof of Sorcerous Sundries.

Tav was sharing a bench with Rolan. She let her head fall onto his shoulder, her eyes fluttering shut. Rolan put his arm around her, ignoring the stares of his siblings.

“It’s been a long day,” said Cal. “Perhaps we should all get some rest?”

“That sounds like a good idea,” said Tav sleepily. “I killed my husband today.” Surprised at her bluntness, Lia laughed. Tav was evidently still adjusting to this new situation. “But yes, you’re right. I should go to bed.”

She got to her feet, pulling her hair back into a loose bun as she did so. She looked at Rolan, who was sitting awkwardly, unsure if he should follow.

“You wanna come with me?” she asked, a shy smile on her face.

“Of course.”

It was what he’d been hoping for. He hadn’t wanted to assume that she’d be happy to share her bed with him. Perhaps after Lorroakan she might want to be alone. But she reached out her hand to him, and he took it.

He bid goodnight to his siblings, and then the two of them made their way down the corridors to Tav’s room.

Once they crossed the threshold of the room, Tav wasted no time in getting undressed. The door had barely closed behind them before she threw herself at him, her bare body pressed against his clothed one.

“Zurgan, Tav,” he cursed as her hands fumbled with the fastenings of his robe. “There’s no rush.”

“Not for you, maybe,” she said. “But if you’re not inside me in thirty seconds I swear I’m going to cry.”

He chuckled as she grew frustrated with the amount of clothing he was wearing, and instead opted to grab his hand and guide it between her thighs.

He spread her lower lips with his fingers, feeling the wetness there. Her eyes fell shut, and she leant against him, letting him support the weight of her body.

Wrapping his other arm around her waist, he leant down and kissed her rounded ear.

“We have time, my love,” he murmured. She shivered at the feeling of his hot breath against her ear.

“I know we do,” she said, softly. “But for the first time in my life I’m actually getting what I want. It’s intoxicating. I want you so bad.”

With the hand that wasn’t playing with her pussy, he swiped a fingertip between the cheeks of her arse, relishing the high-pitched squeak she let out as he did.

“Go lie down, love,” he said. “Let me take care of you.”

These were the moments he really cherished. As he stripped off his own clothes, he watched her make herself comfortable on the bed. Her pale skin was smattered with freckles, and he wanted to map every one of them with his tongue.

He took his time with her, the way he’d never had the opportunity to before. Taking her foot into his hand, he laid a kiss on the inside of her ankle, and then further down her calf. As he reached her knee, she grabbed at his horn, but he ignored her urgings, moving instead to her other ankle.

Slowly, he moved himself between her legs. His hands smoothed over the muscles of her thighs, rubbing out the tension in them. As he worked on them, he listened to her breathing slow and her body grow more lax.

“Are you falling asleep?” he asked, pressing teasing kisses to her thighs.

“Noooo,” she said sleepily.

“I can stop, if you’d like.”

“Don’t you dare!” She sat up on her elbows. Her hair had come loose again, falling in messy curls around her shoulders. She looked like a goddess like this, illuminated by the warm lamplight. How could he possibly deny her anything she wanted?

When his mouth found her cunt, she let out a soft sigh of relief. She spread her legs for him, one hand on his horn to keep him in place.

“You’re good at that,” she said serenely, her free hand coming up to play with her own nipple.

“Practice makes perfect,” he said. “And I’m having a lot of fun striving for perfection with you.”

In truth, Rolan was sure that he was clumsy and inexperienced, but he was still probably better than anyone Tav had been with before. It was nice to be praised, in any case. He would happily spend the rest of his life learning what made her whimper and moan, if she let him.

His thumb, which had been lazily rubbing her clit, sped up, and she started to breathe harder, her legs moving to wrap around him. He kept up the pace, holding her thighs open with a firm hand, and in moments, she was cumming, her back arching off the bed.

He would’ve been happy to keep going, but she was pushing him back, so he pulled away. She didn’t let him go far. She dragged him down for a kiss again, chasing the taste of herself on his lips.

With gentle but insistent tugs, she manoeuvred him around so that he was now lying back against the pillows. She couldn’t manhandle him the way he could her, but she’d be damned if she didn’t try.

His cock was achingly hard where it lay against his stomach. She straddled his waist, her pussy hot and wet against his skin.

There was a fond smile on her face. She brushed aside a lock of hair that had fallen from his bun, tucking it behind his ear.

“Hi,” she said.

He chuckled. “Hi.”

And then she grasped his cock with one hand, lining it up with her entrance. As she slid down onto him, a fire sparked inside him, and he grabbed her hips to help her down the rest of the way, gentle but firm. She was so wet that she sank down easily until he was buried inside her up to the hilt.

“Fuck, Rolan,” she said breathlessly. “I’m still not used to how big you are.”

“Sorry,” he said, not sorry at all.

She splayed her hands across his chest as she started to move. Her fingers stroked the ridged skin there, making him shiver. His hands on her hips kept her steady, but didn’t push. He wanted her to set the pace.

Her breasts bounced with every flex of her hips and thighs, and suddenly her body felt like a feast and Rolan didn’t know what to taste first. His right hand smoothed up her thigh while his left grabbed her breast, pinching her nipple.

She keened, bracing herself on his chest, and he felt her clench around him. The first time they’d fucked, that might’ve been the end of it for him, but he was more practised now, and wasn’t ready for this to be over.

She rode him through her orgasm, and he met her in the middle, thrusting up into her. Her thumbs came up to tweak his nipples, and he gasped, a bolt of pleasure running through him.

Her head was thrown back, moaning every time she bounced on his cock. He slipped his hand between them, brushing over her clit and trying to draw her into another orgasm.

This time, when she came, she collapsed forward onto his chest, breathing hard. That was fine. He didn’t mind having to work for his pleasure.

His hands went back to her hips as he thrust into her, spearing her on his ridged cock. He knew now how to hit the spots inside her that made her keen. She dug her fingernails into the skin of his chest, gasping his name.

“Come for me, Rolan. Please, come inside me,” she whimpered.

And once again, how could he deny her anything she wanted?

His orgasm hit him hard, his balls squeezing as he emptied himself inside her. Her mouth was on his neck, her teeth scraping against his skin, and all he could do was cling to her as he rode out the aftershocks.

When he was done, she leant forward, letting him slip out of her. They were face to face now. She was smiling at him, a warm tingle ignited in his gut. She dropped a chaste kiss onto his lips and then rolled off him.

It was strange. For the first time, there was no rush to bathe or redress. There was no fear of being caught. There was no looming spectre of Lorroakan to ruin the afterglow. Rolan almost didn’t know what to do with himself.

“I think we should burn this bed,” said Tav. He looked at her, but she wasn’t looking at him. Her eyes were fixed on some point on the ceiling. “And the curtains. Most things in this room, honestly. I don’t want to be reminded of him.”

“We can start fresh,” said Rolan. “We have access to all of Lorroakan’s money now. We can redecorate however you want.”

“Well…” Tav turned to him now, her shy gaze meeting his. “I was hoping you’d have some input. This is your room now too.”

Rolan swallowed, his throat feeling dry. That was a lovely thought, but he had to be sure of something before he let himself indulge in it.

“Tav…” he said. Her eyes were fixed on him, wide and curious. “I just wanted to say… It doesn’t have to be my room, if you don’t want that. I don’t want you to feel pressured to share your life with me, especially not so soon after Lorroakan.”

 “Oh,” she said. She sat up, pulling the blanket with her so that it covered her breasts. “That’s… I mean… You don’t have to stay, if you don’t want to. There are plenty of spare rooms.” He watched her pull her hair into a loose bun, not looking at him.

“That’s not what I meant,” he said softly. He sat up too, putting his arms around her. As he kissed her cheek, she relaxed into him again. “I love you. I want to be with you. But I also want you to know that it’s okay if you don’t want the same thing.”

His throat felt tight. In truth, he would be devastated if she pushed him away now, but he wanted her to know that he’d support her even if she did.  

“Rolan…” She let out a quiet sob. “I love you too.”

“I know you do,” he said, pulling her into a proper hug. She turned, wrapping her arms around his shoulders.

“This is all so confusing,” she said. “I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ve never really made my own decisions before. But I do know that I want you to stay with me tonight.”

“Then I’ll be here tonight. And tomorrow night, if you still want me then. Let’s take this slow. One step at a time. If at any point, you need space, or time, I will give it to you. I don’t think I could deny you of anything.”

Fiercely, she threw her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. He let her lead him, holding her against him. Her arms were so tightly wrapped around his neck that he almost couldn’t breathe, but he didn’t care. She was here. They were here together.

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