#having a grand old time tonight ladies

[swinging-stars-from-satellites]

me: watching Tenet

@freenarnian: being REALLY cryptic in the notes of my liveblog

[pucksandpower]

Going Once, Going Twice

Charles Leclerc x Red Bull engineer!Reader

Summary: getting roped into participating in a charity date auction changes your life forever

The lights in the grand ballroom dim as a spotlight illuminates the stage. The Master of Ceremonies, wearing an impeccably tailored tuxedo, steps up to the microphone.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen!” His voice booms through the speakers. “Welcome to the 12th Annual Amber Lounge F1 Charity Date Auction!”

The crowd erupts into raucous applause. You clap politely from your seat near the back of the room, shrouded in shadows.

“As always, we have an exciting lineup of eligible bachelors and bachelorettes from the Formula 1 paddock, ready to be auctioned off for a romantic date in support of disadvantaged children everywhere.”

More applause.

“But before we bring out our first participant, allow me to go over some ground rules.” The MC adopts a mock-stern tone. “Winners of each date are required to adhere to Amber Lounge’s code of conduct. That means hands to yourself at all times-” A few hoots and hollers from the audience. The MC wags his finger. “Ah ah ah, none of that now! This is for charity, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s keep it classy.”

You stifle a yawn. You’ve attended this auction for the past five years as a guest of Red Bull Racing, where you work as a race engineer. And every year it’s the same — watch your drunk colleagues get leered at by moneyed Formula 1 fans willing to pay exorbitant sums for bragging rights.

No thank you. You always politely decline the organizers’ requests for you to participate.

“Alright, let’s get this party started!” The MC gestures to the wings of the stage. “Our first eligible bachelor of the evening is ...”

As he announces the first victim, an Amber Lounge organizer you recognize comes rushing over to you.

“Y/N! Thank god I found you. We have an emergency.”

You raise an eyebrow. “What’s wrong, Lucy?”

“One of our bachelorettes had to cancel last minute. Food poisoning.” She makes a face. “We need you to fill in.”

Your eyes widen. “What? No. Absolutely not.” You shake your head vehemently.

“Please Y/N,” Lucy begs. “We need you. The show must go on, for the children!”

“Get someone else,” you hiss. “I refuse to be leered at by old men with more money than sense.”

“Don’t be dramatic.” She gives you a stern look. “It’s unbecoming for someone your age.”

You bristle at the condescension. “I don’t care. Find another victim.”

You move to leave but Lucy grabs your arm, her eyes pleading. “Y/N, the money raised tonight will help provide life-saving surgeries for children in need. Don’t you want to help them?”

Damn. She’s good. You hesitate, cursing your bleeding heart.

Lucy presses on. “It’s just one silly little date. And you might meet someone nice!”

You highly doubt that. With a heavy sigh, you slump back into your chair.

“Fine. But you owe me. Big time.”

Lucy claps excitedly. “Thank you! I promise, you won’t regret this.”

Somehow you doubt that too.

You try unsuccessfully to calm the butterflies raging in your stomach as you wait for your turn on stage. What have you gotten yourself into?

Finally, the MC calls your name. “Our next eligible bachelorette works as a race engineer for Red Bull. But tonight, the only engine she’ll be working on is yours! Let’s give a warm welcome to Y/N Y/L/N!”

Plastering a fake smile on your face, you walk stiffly onto the stage. The lights blind you as the MC sings your praises, highlighting your “beauty, brains, and sass.” You resist the urge to roll your eyes.

As he finally wraps up, you scan the darkened audience nervously. A sea of unfamiliar faces look back at you, shadows obscuring their expressions. You shudder.

“Alright gentlemen, do I hear 5,000 euros to start?”

Immediately, a paunchy, ruddy-faced man in the third row thrusts up his paddle. Your stomach sinks.

"5,000 from the gentleman in row three! Do I hear 5,500?”

Another paddle shoots up from a bald man smirking lecherously at you. Your throat tightens.

"5,500! Can I get 6,000?”

The bids climb higher and you feel faint. These vultures want to buy you. Own you for a night. Your breaths come faster.

10,000 euros. 15,000. 20,000. Sweat drips down your neck as your heart hammers against your ribs.

Just as you’re about to flee the stage in tears, a smooth voice calls out, “One hundred thousand euros.”

A collective gasp sweeps the room. Your mouth falls open in shock. That’s an absurd amount, even for charity.

The MC gulps. “Erm … 100,000 euros from the gentleman in the back!” He peers into the darkness. “Sir, are you certain?”

“Oui.”

That accent … could it be?

You crane your neck, squinting against the glare of the spotlight. A familiar mop of brown hair emerges from the shadows.

Charles. Freaking. Leclerc.

Your cheeks burn crimson. What game is he playing at?

The MC finds his voice again. “R-right then. Going once, going twice ...” He slams the gavel down. “Sold for 100,000 euros! Congratulations, Monsieur Leclerc.”

Charles saunters casually up to the stage, signature smirk in place. He takes your hand and presses a feather-light kiss to your knuckles.

“Bonsoir, ma cherie. I look forward to our date.” He winks roguishly.

You stare open-mouthed, brain short-circuiting. Charles Leclerc just bought you at a date auction.

Il Predestinato.

The golden boy of Scuderia Ferrari himself.

What. Just. Happened?

***

Backstage is chaos. Flashes pop as winners pose with their purchases, champagne flowing freely. You’re quickly shuttled into a cramped makeshift office and handed a stack of paperwork.

“These are your date waivers, dear,” the organizer says briskly. “Standard liability forms.”

You scan the dense legalese numbly. This can’t be real.

A figure plops into the seat beside you, sulking. It’s your friend Ava, Mercedes’ social media manager. She was auctioned right before you.

“Well, congratu-bloody-lations,” she gripes. “Aren’t you Little Miss Popular.”

You glance up distractedly from the waiver you’re signing. “Hmm?”

“Don’t play coy. Bagging the Prince of Monaco himself for your date!” She narrows her eyes. “Meanwhile, I’m stuck going for tea and crumpets with Lord Fartington the Third over here.”

She jerks her thumb at a white-haired man being attended to by a nurse, oxygen tank wheezing.

You wince sympathetically. “Oh Ava, I’m sorry...”

She waves a hand. “Don’t be. At least the old codger’s loaded. Clearly I don’t have your charm.”

You snort. “It’s not like I planned this.”

Ava arches a brow. “You expect me to believe you aren’t thrilled about a date with Leclerc?”

Your cheeks flame as you recall Charles’ roguish wink. “It’s for charity,” you mumble.

“Uh huh. Well, you’re welcome for the extra Instagram followers.”

You groan, burying your face in your hands. You hadn’t even considered the social media storm this would stir up.

Before you can spiral further, you’re pulled aside for a “date planning session.”

Charles is already there, looking completely unflappable. He greets you with a heart-stopping grin.

“Bonsoir, Y/N.”

You timidly return his smile. “Hi.”

A coordinator claps briskly. “Right! Let’s get your date scheduled.”

She turns expectantly to Charles. Your stomach flutters.

“I will pick Y/N up tomorrow at 7 pm sharp for dinner at my favorite restaurant in Monaco.” His eyes glint. “Wear something nice, chérie.”

He takes your hand, brushing a feather-light kiss to your knuckles. You shudder, face aflame.

“Until then, ma belle.” With a roguish wink, he turns and saunters off.

You stare after him, fingers pressed to the spot his lips touched. A date. With Charles Leclerc. Your brain short-circuits.

“Right, that’s settled then!” The coordinator chirps, oblivious to your inner turmoil. “We’ll have a car fetch you tomorrow evening. The press will want photos, of course.”

You distantly agree, mind still whirling. You survive the rest of the paperwork marathon in a daze.

By the time you escape the clutches of the organizers, you’re exhausted. Collapsing into an Uber, you text your roommate Cassie a SOS. Wine and girl talk, stat.

She’s waiting with open arms and your emergency rosé when you drag yourself in the door.

“Rough night, babe?” She asks sympathetically, handing you a generously filled glass.

You groan. “You don’t know the half of it.”

Her eyes widen as you recount the auction. By the end, she’s fanning herself dramatically.

“Shut up. Charles Leclerc really bid 100 thousand euros for you?”

You nod, chugging your wine.

“Holy shit.” She falls back against the couch. “You have a date with an F1 driver. Charles Leclerc. The Charles Leclerc.”

You chuck a throw pillow at her. “Don’t remind me.”

She sits up, affronted. “Are you kidding me? Do you know how many girls would kill to be in your shoes right now?”

You shrug half-heartedly. Honestly, you’re still processing.

Cassie narrows her eyes. “Wait. You do actually like Charles, right?”

“As a person, sure. He’s lovely.” You avoid her gaze. “But a date?”

She tilts her head. “So you’ve never thought about him … you know … in that way?”

You squirm under her scrutiny. “Maybe. Once or twice.” Or multiple times a day.

“I knew it!” She crows triumphantly.

You throw another pillow at her, cheeks flaming. “Okay, fine! He’s totally my type and yes, I’ve fantasized.” You bury your face in your hands. “But fantasizing and actually dating are totally different!”

Cassie rubs your shoulder consolingly. “So you’re freaking out because you actually like him.”

You nod miserably. “What if I make a fool of myself? What if there’s no connection in real life?” You look at her despairingly. “I don’t know if I can handle him rejecting me.”

She squeezes your hand. “Sweetie, from what you’ve told me about Charles, I doubt you have anything to worry about.”

You nibble your lip uncertainly. Cassie may have a point. But still.

“Even if he is interested, what happens after?” you whisper. “I’ll just be another conquest.”

Cassie tilts your chin up gently. “If Charles is foolish enough to let you go, then it’s his loss. But you’ll never know if you don’t try.”

You take a deep breath. She’s right. You can do this. It’s just one date.

You spend the rest of the night gossiping and polishing off the wine. Curled under the covers later, you toss and turn fretfully. What will tomorrow bring?

You replay the auction in your mind. Charles’ smooth voice calling out that astronomical bid. His signature smirk as he claimed you as his prize. The feather-light kiss pressed to your knuckles that still tingles hours later.

A date. With Charles Leclerc. Your pulse quickens once more.

What game is he playing at? There’s no shortage of women who would gladly go out with him. So why you?

You toss and turn, mind racing. Does he actually like you? Or was this all an impulsive stunt — a boast to tell his fellow drivers about later?

You groan into your pillow. This is why you never get involved with drivers. Underneath the glitz and glamour lies a tangled web of ego and politics.

Still … when Charles looked at you with those piercing eyes on stage, just for a moment, you let yourself believe he was seeing the real you. Not just another notch on his bedpost.

You huff, punching your pillow in frustration. You’re being ridiculous. This is Charles Leclerc. Motorsport’s resident heartthrob. You would be foolish to expect more from him than a fancy dinner and bragging rights.

Wouldn’t you?

Anxiety gnaws at your gut as the clock continues to tick. What if this is all some elaborate prank or publicity stunt? What if the date goes horribly wrong?

The silver lining is that at least you helped raise money for charity. Maybe the date itself won’t be so bad. Charles seemed pleasant enough backstage ...

Ugh. You force your eyes closed, begging for sleep to take you. What will tomorrow bring? With the morning light comes your date with Charles Leclerc … for better or worse.

***

The next evening, you’re a bundle of nerves as you frantically rush around getting ready. Cassie helped you pick out a stunning new dress and spent ages on your hair and makeup.

“You look hot, babe,” she proclaims. “Knock him dead!”

You pace anxiously, stomach fluttering. This morning you half expected Charles to cancel or send an assistant with excuses. But instead you got a text from him confirming your dinner reservation along with a winking emoji that made your cheeks flame.

It’s really happening. Your fantasy date with Charles Leclerc.

At precisely 7 pm, the doorbell rings. You nearly trip over yourself rushing to answer it. Swinging open the door, you find Charles waiting on the step, looking unfairly gorgeous in a tailored suit.

In his hands is a massive bouquet of peonies. Your favorite flower, though you’ve certainly never told him that. Your eyes widen.

Charles seems momentarily stunned as he takes in your dress and styled hair. He blinks several times before a slow, heart-stopping smile spreads across his face.

“Bonsoir, mon amour. You look absolutely ravishing.”

He presents the flowers with a flourish. “For you.”

You accept them, blushing fiercely. He even brought your favorite flowers? This has to be a dream.

“They’re beautiful, thank you. Let me just put them in water.” You rush to the kitchen, pulse racing. He called you his love. In French!

You take a steadying breath before rejoining Charles outside. He leads you toward a shiny black Ferrari parked at the curb.

“Sorry, I told the Amber Lounge to cancel the car they ordered for you. I wanted to drive myself so we could talk.” He holds open the passenger door for you.

You slide in, hyper-aware of his proximity in the intimate space. The car smells like his spicy cologne. You’re suddenly very thankful for Cassie’s strategic use of double-stick tape.

Charles pulls smoothly into traffic. His hand rests temptingly close to yours on the gearshift.

“You look very beautiful tonight,” he says, glancing your way. “I apologize for staring earlier. I was just … overwhelmed.”

You blush, tucking your hair behind your ear. “It’s okay. You look very handsome yourself.”

He smiles, visibly relaxing. Soon you’re chatting comfortably about work and hobbies. He asks thoughtful questions about your life and cracks jokes that have you laughing until your stomach hurts.

You’re so immersed in conversation, you don’t notice Charles parking until he opens your door, ever the gentleman. He guides you toward an elegant restaurant overlooking the glittering Monaco harbor.

The maître d’ greets Charles enthusiastically. “Monsieur Leclerc! Wonderful to see you again. Right this way to your usual table.”

You raise your eyebrows, impressed, as he leads you to a secluded candlelit table on the balcony. Charles pulls out your chair for you. Such a gentleman.

“You come here often?” You ask teasingly as he takes his own seat.

“Oui, it is my favorite restaurant in the country,” he admits. “The cuisine is magnifique, and the staff keeps things … discreet.”

Interesting. You wonder just how many dates Charles has brought here. For some reason, the thought makes your stomach twist uncomfortably.

You’re distracted as the waiter brings champagne. Charles turns to you.

“I took the liberty of ordering for us ahead of time, I hope you do not mind. I wanted to surprise you.” His eyes twinkle. “I think you will be pleased.”

You would normally bristle at men ordering for you. But the shy hopefulness in Charles’ eyes melts your reservations.

“That’s very thoughtful of you,” you say sincerely.

He beams. Soon, a parade of your favorite dishes arrives at the table — seared scallops, truffle gnocchi, crème brûlée. You gasp in delight and surprise.

“Charles, these are all my favorites! How did you know?” You narrow your eyes playfully. “Have you been stalking me?”

Charles laughs, rubbing his neck self-consciously. “No, no, nothing like that. I just … pay attention.”

You raise your eyebrows. “Uh huh. Are you sure you haven’t bugged the Red Bull kitchens?”

Charles winces. “You deserve the truth.” He takes a deep breath. “The fact is, I have, er, admired you for some time now.”

Your eyes widen. What is he saying?

Charles hurries on. “At first it was just a passing attraction. But the more I observed you, the more fascinated I became.” He looks up at you earnestly. “You are kind, funny, brilliant … unlike anyone I have ever met.”

Your pulse thunders in your ears. Charles Leclerc has noticed you — for longer than just last night. You’re reeling.

He fiddles with his napkin. “Over the years I have gradually learned your habits, your likes and dislikes. Little things, like your favorite flower, or food.” He ducks his head. “It allowed me to feel closer to you. Pathetic, I know.”

“It’s not pathetic at all,” you murmur. Your heart swells realizing just how long he’s cared. “It’s incredibly thoughtful.”

His answering smile is radiant. The rest of dinner passes enjoyably as you continue getting to know each other. Underneath Charles’ debonair charm, you find a sweet soul.

You linger over dessert, but eventually Charles pays the check. Back outside, the wind off the sea has picked up. You shiver lightly in your dress.

Charles immediately shrugs off his suit jacket and drapes it around your bare shoulders. The residual warmth from his body envelops you, along with his intoxicating scent.

“Can’t have you catching a cold, chérie.” His hands linger, squeezing your shoulders gently.

You clutch the jacket, suddenly shy. “Thank you, Charles. For everything. I had a wonderful time tonight.”

“The pleasure was all mine.” His eyes are dark, tender. “I have waited so long for this moment. You have made me the happiest man alive tonight.”

Your breath catches at his sincerity. Moving slowly, giving you time to pull away, he reaches up to tuck a windblown lock of hair behind your ear. His fingers trail lightly down your neck, raising goosebumps.

When his hand cups your jaw, you lean into the caress unthinkingly. Your lips part. Charles’ gaze drops to your mouth.

Heart in your throat, you sway closer. Is he finally going to kiss you? You’ve been thinking about it all night. His eyes flutter closed ...

A car horn blares loudly, shattering the moment. You spring apart, chest heaving. Charles clears his throat.

“I, er, suppose I should get you home.” He opens the passenger door for you, hand lingering briefly on the small of your back before he rounds the car.

The drive back passes in charged silence. Walking you to the door, Charles softly strokes your knuckles with his thumb.

“I cannot remember when I have had a more wonderful evening,” he says quietly. “I hope we can do this again soon?”

“I’d really like that.” Your cheeks hurt from smiling.

Charles presses a feather-light kiss to your hand. “Bonne nuit, ma belle.”

As he drives away, you press your hands to your burning cheeks. You just had the most perfect first date with Charles Leclerc. A pinch me, I must be dreaming date.

Hugging his suit jacket tighter, you lean against the closed door and sigh happily. Maybe, just maybe, your fantasy is on its way to coming true.

***

The week after your dream date drags by endlessly. You float through your days in a happy daze, replaying every moment in your mind. The suit jacket he gave you lives on the back of your chair, filling your room with his lingering scent.

Before you know it, you’re reunited at the next Grand Prix. You wait awkwardly outside the Ferrari garage, clutching Charles’ jacket. Your excuse is returning it, but really you’re just desperate to see him again.

Does he feel the same? Your stomach twists anxiously.

“Who are you waiting for, bella ragazza?”

You startle as Charles’ performance coach Andrea appears beside you, grinning knowingly.

“Oh, um, just returning this.” You hold up the jacket weakly.

Andrea winks. “Of course. I will let our boy know you are here.”

He heads into the garage and you fidget nervously with your hair. This morning it only took Cassie threatening bodily harm for you to change your outfit five times. You settled on a flattering sundress you know Charles will appreciate before you have to change into a team uniform come time for free practice.

Suddenly Charles comes barreling out of the garage like an overeager golden retriever. His face lights up when he spots you.

“Y/N! I was just coming to find you.”

Before you can react, he sweeps you into a tight hug. You melt against him, breathing in his warmth and familiar cologne. He’s really here, in your arms.

He pulls back just far enough to beam down at you, keeping his hands on your waist. “I missed you, chérie. The days apart were torture.”

You duck your head, smiling shyly. “I missed you too.”

You offer him the folded jacket. “I, um, thought you might want this back.”

Charles tsks, pushing it gently back toward you. “No no, you must keep it. Can’t have you catching cold until our next date, non?”

His eyes sparkle playfully. You hug the jacket to your chest, absurdly giddy at having an excuse to keep it longer.

“Charles! Fred is asking for you.” His race engineer calls out apologetically.

Charles sighs regretfully. “Duty calls. But I will see you later, yes?”

He lifts your hand to his mouth, lips grazing your knuckles feather-light. Your breath catches. Then, so quickly you almost miss it, he swoops in and presses a kiss to the corner of your mouth, sending lightning zipping across your skin. With a last lingering look, he jogs off.

You press your fingers to your tingling skin, smiling like a loon. Andrea winks knowingly as you float away on cloud nine.

Over the next few hours, you’re bombarded by smug comments and curious questions from fellow Red Bull crew. Apparently your “secret romance” with Charles is the paddock’s gossip of choice today.

You weather the teasing good-naturedly. After all, you’re daydreaming while remembering the sensation of Charles’ lips on your skin.

After FP2 ends, you’re startled from reviewing data by a knock on your office door. You open it to find a delivery man with a truly gigantic flower arrangement.

“Delivery for Y/N Y/L/N?” He consults his clipboard. “Says these are for you personally.”

You gape at the massive vase overflowing with huge, fragrant red peonies. There must be at least four dozen stems.

“Oh, um, that’s me, thanks.” You take the towering arrangement, stunned.

The delivery man chuckles knowingly. “Popular lady. Have a nice day now.”

Shutting the door, you bury your nose in the velvety petals, inhaling deeply. There’s only one person who could have sent these.

The card confirms it.

Thinking of you each and every second, C.

Red peonies are nearly impossible to find, yet Charles managed it.

It’s undeniably a public statement. Sending your favorite flowers in the color of his team for everyone to see. Staking his claim.

Normally such male posturing would irritate you. But from Charles, it feels different. Sweet. Affectionate, even.

You press your face into the blooms again, heart overflowing. Is this what it feels like to be falling for someone? You haven’t felt this giddy in years.

Somehow, you’ve captured the attention of the amazing, thoughtful, romantic Charles Leclerc. And you have a feeling this is only the beginning.

***

“Keep pushing Checo, just a few more laps to go,” you say into the radio as your driver, Sergio Perez, circles the track in final practice.

He’s been struggling with tire degradation all weekend. You’ve made setup tweaks and simulation runs, but there’s only so much data can tell you. The stopwatch never lies.

At least his pace looks improved this session. You watch closely as he enters the home straight again, sparring with the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc for position.

You try not to stare too obviously as the scarlet car glides by. The visor obscures Charles’ handsome features, but your heart still skips a beat.

Get it together, you scold yourself. You’re at work. Ogling drivers mid-session is unprofessional.

Even if said driver happens to be the charming, romantic F1 sensation you’ve somehow found yourself falling for ...

The session ends without incident. You breathe a sigh of relief reviewing Checo’s improved lap times. All things considered, not a bad recovery from yesterday’s struggles.

You pack up your station and make your way back to Red Bull hospitality to grab a late lunch before qualifying. Scrolling your phone, you can’t resist pulling up a photo from your dream date with Charles last week.

God he looks good in a suit. And that adoring smile ...

“No wonder your head’s been in the clouds lately.”

You jump, nearly dropping your phone. Checo appears beside you, leaning over your shoulder with a knowing grin.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” you mutter, shoving your phone away.

“Oh come on, chica. I’ve seen the way you two stare at each other.” He nudges you playfully. “Like lovesick teenagers.”

You shove him back, rolling your eyes. “As if. Charles and I have barely even spoken.”

A bald-faced lie, but no need to feed the gossip mill further. Checo just studies you for a moment, smile turning knowing. “Ah, so it’s Charles now, is it? No more Leclerc?”

You feel your face heat. Have you been that obvious? “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Oh come on.” Checo bumps your shoulder playfully. “I saw the way you two were making eyes at each other all morning. Like a pair of lovestruck teenagers.”

You bury your face in your notes, mortified. Has your thing with Charles really been so noticeable?

Checo laughs. “Ah, do not be embarrassed, chica. I think it’s adorable. The race engineer and the driver, a paddock romance!”

You toss a balled up napkin at him in protest, which he dodges easily. “Stop it! There’s nothing going on.”

“Nothing, eh?” Checo’s eyes gleam impishly. “So all those flowers you got yesterday were just for fun? And I imagined you swooning over Leclerc in the garage?”

You flush even harder. Apparently you have not been as subtle as you thought.

Checo slings an arm around your shoulder. “Relax, hermanita. I am just teasing because I care.”

You lean into him, some of the tension easing.

“You know I just want you to be happy, right chica?” His expression grows serious. “Leclerc seems like a good guy. Just be careful with your heart.”

You nod, touched by his concern. “Of course. We’ve only been on two dates.” You hesitate. “But … I really like him. He’s so different than I expected.”

Checo smiles gently. “I am happy for you, truly. You deserve an amazing man.”

You grin. “Thanks, Checo.”

His smile turns impish again. “Just promise me one thing.”

You raise an eyebrow warily. “What?”

“No spilling Red Bull secrets to your new Ferrari boyfriend, eh?” He waggles his eyebrows. “I know he is muy guapo, but business is business!”

“Oh my god, stop! I would never.”

“Please. The heart eyes between you are obvious. Not that I blame you ...” He leans in conspiratorially. “Leclerc is quite the smooth talker, no?”

You lightly smack his shoulder, cheeks reddening. “Stop it. We’re just friends.”

“Mmhmm. Keep telling yourself that.”

He slings an arm around your shoulder. “Just remember your duties if you get distracted mooning over pretty Ferrari boys, yes?”

You make a face at him. “Gross. As if I’d shirk my responsibilities over some silly crush.”

Even if said crush is on Charles freaking Leclerc. You do have some professionalism.

Checo just grins knowingly as you reach the counter. He grabs a plate of food and you follow suit. Settling at a table together, he fixes you with a brotherly stare.

“In all seriousness though chica, be careful with your heart. I don’t want to see you get hurt.”

You soften. Underneath his joking exterior, Checo is very protective of you. He’s like the big brother you never had.

“I will, I promise. Charles has been very respectful so far. We’re taking things slow.”

“Good.” Checo pats your hand. “No one is allowed to break your heart and get away with it. Even the Prince of Monaco himself,” he adds with a wink.

You roll your eyes, but smile, leaning against his sturdy frame. “I’ll sic you on him if he steps out of line, don’t worry.”

Checo laughs. “Please do. I have always wanted an excuse to wipe that smug grin off Leclerc’s face.” His smile softens. “But truly, I hope he continues to make you happy, hermanita.”

“Thanks Checo.” You squeeze him tight, overcome with emotion. “Love you.”

“Love you too.” He ruffles your hair fondly, ignoring your cries of protest. “And if Leclerc breaks your heart, I’ll break his legs, eh?”

You laugh. “I’ll remind him of that.” You check the time. “We should head back soon.”

You both bus your plates. As you exit, Checo slings an arm around your shoulders again.

“You’ve got this chica. Just remember, the heart wants what it wants. Even if it seems loco to the rest of us.”

You lean into him gratefully. “Thanks Checo. Seriously.”

He grins down at you. “Anytime. Now let’s go smash qualifying!”

You shake your head, smiling to yourself as you return to your data analysis. As annoying as Checo’s teasing is, it’s also kind of sweet how much he cares.

You know if anyone steps out of line and hurts you, Checo will come after them in a heartbeat. But something tells you that you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Charles.

Still … you appreciate Checo looking out for you. With everyone in your corner, you feel like for once, things in your love life might actually go right.

***

Qualifying flies by in a blur of adrenaline and data analysis. In the end, Max takes pole for Red Bull, with Charles slotting into P2 for Ferrari and Checo P3. A good starting position for both your drivers.

You’re on a high as you leave the garage after the debrief that evening. The sky is dusky purple, the paddock slowly emptying out. You hum to yourself, thinking of celebrating with Cassie over FaceTime later.

Rounding a corner toward the Red Bull hotel, you’re suddenly grabbed from behind and yanked into a shadowy alleyway. Heart leaping into your throat, you open your mouth to scream-

“Shhh, it’s me!” A familiar voice hisses as a hand clamps over your mouth.

You whirl around to find Charles pressed against you, eyes glinting in the shadows. Adrenaline pounds through you.

“Jesus, you scared me half to death!” You smack his chest, pulse racing. “I thought I was being kidnapped.”

“I’m sorry, chérie.” Charles grins, utterly unrepentant. “I could not resist surprising you when I saw you walking by.”

“So you grabbed me and dragged me into a dark alley? Real romantic.” You try to look stern, but can’t quite manage it. He’s just too charming.

Charles’ smile turns sheepish. “My apologies. I did not think it through properly.” His thumb strokes over your bottom lip softly. “I suppose I was … overzealous. I could not stop thinking about you all day.”

Your breath catches at the tender look in his eyes. He sways closer, backing you up against the alley wall.

“Truthfully, I just needed to do this ...”

His lips descend on yours, firm and seeking. For one stunned moment you freeze up — before kissing him back ardently, lost in bliss. His hands thread through your hair, angling you closer as he deepens the kiss.

It’s perfect.

After endless moments, you reluctantly part, gasping for air. Charles rests his forehead against yours, eyes dark.

“I have wanted to do that since our first date,” he confesses, trailing feather-light kisses across your jaw.

You clutch his shoulders, dizzy with euphoria. “You have no idea how long I’ve thought about kissing you.”

He smiles against your skin, nipping your neck playfully. “Oh, I think I do, ma belle. Why do you think I bid on you at that auction?”

You still can’t believe your dream man wanted you just as much as you wanted him. It seems too good to be true.

Charles nuzzles your cheek tenderly. “I must be the luckiest man alive to have caught your attention.”

Heart overflowing, you draw him down into another dizzying kiss. Charles groans, crushing you closer. It feels like coming home, being in his arms. Like this is where you were always meant to be.

The distant sound of teams making their way out of the paddock finally breaks you apart. Charles caresses your face wistfully.

“I should let you get back. You need your rest before the race tomorrow and so do I.” He hesitates, looking shy. “Perhaps we could … get dinner afterwards? To celebrate?”

Your lips curve in a teasing smile. “Are you asking me on a second date, Mr. Leclerc?”

Pink stains his sharp cheekbones. “I suppose I am, Miss Y/L/N. If you would do me the honor?”

You tap your chin playfully. “Hmm. I suppose I could clear my schedule for you.”

His answering smile is radiant. On impulse, you grab his collar and pull him down into one last hungry kiss.

“Good luck tomorrow,” you whisper against his lips. “Not that you’ll need it. Don’t tell Max or Checo I said this, but you’re the most talented driver out there.”

Charles looks endearingly dazed as you gently extricate yourself from his arms. With a flirty wave, you sashay out of the alley on shaky legs, mind spinning.

Pausing at the end, you glance back to see Charles leaning against the wall, gazing after you with pure adoration. He presses two fingers to his grinning lips that still tingle from your kiss.

You blow him one last discreet kiss before continuing on your way. Wait until Cassie hears about this!

***

Race day dawns sunny and clear — perfect conditions. In the Red Bull garage, you help Checo run through final preparations, tweaking setup and chatting strategy.

“Alright, the car is dialed in and ready to fly,” you tell him confidently.

Checo grins. “Perfecto. We will beat your boyfriend today, no?” He winks.

You roll your eyes, fighting a blush. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

“Sure, chica.” Checo ruffles your hair before heading to the grid.

It’s a chaotic blur of adrenaline and split-second decisions as you guide Checo through the field. In the end, Max takes the win for Red Bull, with Charles clinching P2 for Ferrari and Checo rounding out the podium in P3.

You rush to congratulate the drivers after, giving Checo a warm hug. “Great drive out there! The tire management really made a difference.”

He smiles. “But not enough to beat our rivals today, eh?” His gaze slides behind you.

You turn to see Charles approaching, fresh from the podium. His race suit is unzipped to the waist, hair adorably mussed. Your mouth goes dry.

Checo smirks knowingly. “I will leave you two alone. See you at the debrief.” He saunters off with a wink.

Charles beams, pulling you into a quick hug. “Congratulations. Your strategy was brilliant today.”

You grin. “Thanks, you did amazing too.” Your face heats realizing people nearby are staring and whispering.

Charles doesn’t seem to care, keeping your hand tucked in his. “I will wait for you outside the motorhome? Then perhaps we could celebrate ...” His smile turns hopeful.

You squeeze his hand, heart skipping. “Can’t wait.”

The debrief drags by endlessly. Finally you escape the garage into the late afternoon sunlight. True to his word, Charles is waiting, freshly showered and devastatingly handsome in a button-down and slacks.

“Y/N!” In two long strides he’s sweeping you into his arms and kissing you ardently, uncaring of the crowd of mechanics around you.

Catcalls and whistles break out. You blush fiercely as Charles sets you down, lacing your fingers together.

“Get it Leclerc!” One of his mechanics yells, making lewd gestures. Charles just flips him off casually, keeping his eyes on you.

“Shall we?”

You nod, face still burning. As Charles leads you away, your Red Bull colleagues join the teasing.

“Don’t wait up tonight boys!” One calls, making kissy noises.

“She’s ditching us for the red guys now!”

“Just don’t go spilling all our secrets, Y/N!”

You hide your face against Charles’ shoulder. He chuckles, wrapping a protective arm around you.

“Pay them no mind, ma belle,” he murmurs against your hair. “They are just jealous I get to spend the evening with the most beautiful woman in the world.”

You sigh happily, cuddling closer as you leave the paddock. The teasing means well — it’s their way of saying they approve. And nothing can dampen your euphoria at being with Charles again.

At the parking lot, a shiny red Ferrari awaits. Charles opens the door for you with a gallant bow before rounding the car and sliding in.

“So, where are we going?” You ask excitedly as Charles peels out onto the road. “Or do I not get to know the secret location?”

He glances at you sidelong, eyes glinting mischievously. “You will see. Let’s just say I … pulled some strings to arrange the perfect second date for us.”

You pout playfully. “Not even a little hint?”

Charles pretends to zip his lips. “Non, it is a surprise, ma petite.” His hand finds yours, thumb grazing over your knuckles. “But I think you will appreciate the … atmosphere I have created.”

The promise in his voice sends delicious shivers down your spine. You pass the drive chatting comfortably, exchanging soft, smiling glances.

After half an hour, Charles pulls up to a beautiful chateau perched on a vineyard-spotted hillside. You gasp as he escorts you inside the charming stone lodge.

“Charles, this is amazing! How did you arrange this on such short notice?”

He smiles, pleased by your reaction. “I may have called in a favor from the owners, who are family friends. We have the whole place to ourselves tonight.” His eyes smolder.

You wander the chateau in a happy daze as Charles gives you a private tour. He’s thought of everything — flowers, candles, and even champagne chilling by the roaring fireplace.

Dinner is sumptuous, featuring all your favorite dishes paired expertly with rich wines from the vineyard. Charles is attentive as always, hanging on your every word.

Afterwards you cuddle together on the sofa, pleasantly tipsy, exchanging lazy kisses as you take in the spectacular starry view through the expansive windows.

Charles nuzzles into your neck, lips grazing your hammering pulse point. “Have I mentioned how ravishing you look tonight?”

You shiver pleasurably. “I could stand to hear it again.”

He smiles against your skin. “You, mon amour, are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.” His voice drops an octave. “And it is taking every ounce of my self control not to tear that dress off you this instant.”

Heat coils in your core at the unspoken promise in his words. Your fingers curl into his hair, guiding his lips back to yours. The kiss quickly grows heated, urgent.

With obvious effort, Charles forces himself to pull back, eyes blazing. “As much as I want you, we should take this slow. I want our first time to be special.” He strokes your cheek tenderly. “You deserve to be properly worshiped.”

Your heart swells at his care for you. You really hit the jackpot with this incredible man.

Cuddling against his chest, you look up at him adoringly. “You are … amazing"

Charles’ smile is soft, sincere. “I am only that way because you inspire me to be the best version of myself.” He kisses you sweetly. “I am the luckiest man in the world to have found you.”

You’ve never felt so cared for — so intensely adored. Here in Charles’ arms is exactly where you’re meant to be.

***

One Year Later

Strolling hand in hand with Charles along the Monaco harbor, you’ve never been happier. The sun glints off the water as he brushing featherlight kisses to your knuckles, making you giggle.

Charles lifts your hand to his mouth, pressing his lips to your palm as you walk. “What are you thinking about, ma belle?”

You smile up at him. “Just reminiscing about everything that’s happened since you swept me off my feet.”

His eyes soften. “The best year of my life. I fall more in love with you every day.”

Heart full, you tug him down into a sweet kiss. Charles hums happily against your lips.

“Well isn’t this cozy!” An approaching voice interrupts. You pull apart to see Lucy, the Amber Lounge organizer who convinced you to participate in the auction last year, beaming at you both.

“Lucy! Hi.” You accept her enthusiastic hug.

“Don’t you two make the cutest couple?” She winks conspiratorially. “I always knew there was a spark between you.”

You laugh, lacing your fingers through Charles’ once more. His answering smile is radiant.

“I’m so thrilled it worked out.” Lucy glances between you eagerly. “So, given it’s almost that time of year again … any chance you lovebirds would let us auction you off once more? Think of the publicity!”

You tense, old anxieties rising. But before you can respond, Charles’ grip on your hand tightens.

“Actually, I have a better idea.” His voice is lethally pleasant. “How about I simply drop off a cheque for an 100,000 euro donation, and you leave my girlfriend alone?”

A frisson of heat shoots through you at his possessive tone. Charles rubs his thumb over your knuckles soothingly, holding your gazes, before fixing Lucy with a warning look.

“We will of course still attend the gala to show support. But the auction is off limits. Understood?” His smile doesn’t reach his eyes.

Lucy gulps. “Y-Yes, of course. My apologies if I overstepped.” She nods at you both. “Have a lovely evening!”

With that she scurries back inside the Amber Lounge.

“Good day to you.” With that, he guides you away down the street, tension radiating from him.

You glance at him in concern once you’re out of earshot. “Are you okay?”

Charles drags a hand through his hair. “Yes, I just … the thought of them putting you on display again ...” He shudders.

Your heart melts realizing why he got so defensive. You halt, turning Charles gently to face you.

“That was very macho and possessive of you back there,” you murmur, walking your fingers up his chest.

Charles winces. “I’m sorry, I did not mean to be so overbearing-”

You silence him with a finger to his lips. “Let me finish. I said it was macho and possessive.” You lean up to purr in his ear. “And so. Freaking. Hot.”

Charles’ eyes widen. Grinning, you shove him back against the brick wall and kiss him fiercely. He grunts in surprise before responding in kind, nipping your bottom lip.

“If I had known getting possessive would get this reaction, I would have done it ages ago,” he gasps out between kisses.

You silenced his laughter with your mouth, desire burning through you. The raw protectiveness Charles showed took your breath away. You’ve never felt so safe, so cared for.

Finally you break apart and Charles pulls you firmly against his chest. “I love you,” he breathes against your hair. “More than I can ever express.”

“I love you too.” You can feel the beating of his heart beneath your ear. “Now take me home and show me just how much you missed me this morning.”

Charles’ eyes darken. With a roguish grin he sweeps you into his arms, making you shriek. Laughing joyfully, he carries you down the street toward your shared apartment.

If the rest of your life together is even half as magical as this past year with Charles, you’ll die a happy woman.

[crescenthistory]

in the silence, there is an us

Pairing: Paul Atreides x Reader

Summary: Throughout their lives, Paul and reader have often found themselves in each other's bed. Childish games after bedtime, late-night studying sessions, nightmares, and a burning need to not be apart.

Part of Paul's point of view can be read here: "you are my favourite silence"

Words: 7.2k

Warnings: not proofread, possibly some inaccuracies about plot details (have not watched dune in ages, i'm just obsessed with paul), best friends to lover, tension, light angst, jessica being a bit rude, reader being an orphan and of a lower social rank, duke leto's death (rip), lots of cuddles and lingering touches, fluff, the whole deal

***

The grand halls of Castle Caladan always had an eerie stillness after sunset. The select servants walked quietly, the sound of waves crashing below barely made its way through the stone walls, and the Duke and Lady Jessica kept to their quarters. For Paul and you, though, this was the perfect time to sneak past the sternness of bedtime. The day never seems long enough for young children whose eyes are still filled with stars.

“Come on!” Paul’s whisper was loud, almost too loud for sneaking around, but you didn’t think long enough to care. The thrill of the game was enough to make both of your hearts race. You were barefoot, your steps making soft thuds against the cool floor as you tiptoed through the hall toward his room.

“If we get caught—” you whispered, but Paul cut you off with a grin.

“We won’t. Besides, who can stop us?”

You rolled your eyes at his cocky confidence. He wasn’t wrong, though. You had never been good at staying still, at obeying the invisible rules set up by adults. With no living relatives to share your name, Paul was more than just a best friend – he was all you had. Him and Duke Leto, whose unwavering sense of duty made him take you in at the Castle when your parents died on a mission he orchestrated. Responsibility above all else, all the qualities he aimed at instilling in his young son. And it couldn’t hurt Paul to have a friend his own age, could it? 

You slipped into his room, both of you giggling like you’d just played the best prank on his sleeping parents. His bed was huge for a 7-year-old, more space than one boy could ever need regardless of his nobility. Tonight, it was your playground, stretching for miles.

Paul scrambled up first, then turned and offered you his hand. “Bet you I can jump higher than you,” he said, a challenge clear in his eyes.

You took his hand, pulling yourself up and laughing as the two of you bounced on the mattress, trying to outdo each other in height and bravery. You weren’t worried about waking anyone. Even if Duke Leto found you – and he often did – his stern reprimands were laced with amusement.

This was not the first time the two children had snuck into each other’s rooms after dark, the activity becoming more habit than occasion. Nights like this were your shared rebellion, a refusal to let the day end just because the sun had gone down, just because Jessica had tucked Paul into bed an hour earlier for bedtime.

Eventually, after you had worn yourselves out, you collapsed side by side on the bed, your breaths heavy from laughter. You stared up at the ceiling, still giggling as the adrenaline began to fade.

“I don’t want it to be bedtime ever again,” Paul said, his voice soft, almost wistful.

You turned your head to look at him, sprawled out on the massive mattress, dark hair in his eyes that reflected the dim moonlight streaming through the window. You understood exactly what he meant.

“Me neither,” you replied with a smile. Your hand found his under the covers.

Neither of you moved as your true bedtime took over, the quiet settling in around you, comfortable and warm. You fell asleep like that, fingers intertwined, with no concept of what it meant to have boundaries. There was just Paul, and you, and the night that was never long enough.

  ***

In the wake of your early teens at the castle, sneaking into each other’s rooms had become less about rebellion and more about comfort. The innocence of bouncing on beds and stifled laughter gave way to whispered conversations in the dark and the shared weight of fears neither of you quite understood yet.

The first time Paul came to your room because of a nightmare, it startled you. You were just about to drift off when you heard the soft creak of your door, followed by the quiet patter of feet. You jerked up from the mess of blankets, blinking into the darkness. Confusion and perhaps a bit of fear grasped you, until you saw his silhouette standing near the edge of your bed.

“Paul?” you whispered, straightening up. “What’s wrong?”

He didn’t answer at first, he didn’t know how. With his tense expression and shadows playing across his face, he looked haunted despite his still small, boy-like frame. You knew him in and out by now, and could clearly read the signs of his nails digging into the skin of his fingers, breathing shallow and uneven. 

“Can I stay?” His voice was rougher than usual, like he was barely holding it together.

“Of course.”

You didn’t ask any questions, it was a silent understanding. Instead, you lifted the blanket, making room for him. He crawled in without hesitation, laying his head on the pillow on your left. His body rigid beside yours for a moment before he relaxed, the tension slowly draining away.

Lying there, you listened to the sound of his breathing steadying, feeling the warmth of his presence next to you, arm against arm. It was quiet, but not silent – the kind of quiet that only existed when you knew someone else was there with you. Someone who understood. Someone who would never judge you for being afraid.

In his newfound safety, Paul drifted off easier than he could in his own bed. Yours was significantly smaller, but somehow softer, and he could actually feel the weight of you beside him on the mattress. He could ground himself in your presence. When he fell asleep, his head fell slightly to the side, his hair brushing against your cheek. 

You, on the other hand, stayed awake a little longer, staring up at the ceiling, your thoughts racing. 

You’d always been each other’s rock, but now, something was different. The comfort you found in his presence was deeper, more profound. It wasn’t just about not wanting to be alone anymore, it was about needing him specifically. It brought a smile to your face to know that he found that same assurance in you.

***

The weights on your shoulders materialised and became clearer as you grew beside each other. At sixteen, the favours Duke Leto had bestowed upon you by allowing you residence and education at Caladan felt like a debt more than a blessing. One you had to repay through excellence, through true devotion to any and all training given to you. While Paul tried to seem more lighthearted about it all, it could be felt in the air all the same. You were no longer just two children sneaking around a castle that seemed to never end. You were a future duke and a noblewoman-in-training, navigating a world that seemed to have its eyes on you at every moment.

To earn your gifted title and position and prove yourself worthy of your place as Paul’s friend, you poured over every textbook your teachers assigned you. The study of Caladan, of politics, traditions and customs occupied your mind to the extent that you neglected the occupant of your heart. 

Yet, at late hours, it was always Paul’s bedroom floor the pair found themselves splayed across. 

Sheets of notes, pens and books layed on top of themselves in a system neither of you could have been able to explain to an outsider. Paul against the wall with his notebook, you stomach-down on the carpet, nose buried between the words in your textbook.

“You’re going to wear yourself out.” Paul’s words were muttered, watching you through tired eyes.

You shook your head. “I’m fine. Just one more chapter.”

“You said that an hour ago.”

“I mean it this time.”

Paul didn’t argue, but you could feel his eyes on you as you worked, his presence a quiet comfort beside you. It had become routine, the two of you studying together, you claimed you worked better that way. Paul occasionally asking questions while you tried to focus on your own work but more often than not, you ended up helping him instead of yourself.

Your one-more-chapter became two more as you tried to retain the information, but your eyelids grew heavier, your focus slipping. The same sentence became burned into your retinas without making much more sense.

Ever so slowly, your head was brought closer and closer to the ink. Eventually it was all you could see before your cheek hit the page – you were out as a light.

Paul watched you for a moment, a soft smile playing on his lips. This was not the first time. He closed his own book and moved quietly to your side. He brought a finger up to brush some of your hair out of your face before he rolled you over. Gently, he lifted you, careful not to wake you as he carried you to the bed. His bed.

It had almost become part of the routine, he watches you exhaust yourself and then ensures you get the rest you deserve. He had done this before, but each time, it made his chest tighten more in ways he didn’t fully understand.

As he laid you down delicately, he hesitated by your side for just a moment, watching the rise and fall of your chest, the peaceful expression on your face. He didn’t realise how often he found himself staring at you like this, wondering when the girl who used to be his playmate had become someone he couldn’t stop thinking about. Someone he wanted to protect, to keep close, even as you worked yourself to the bone. He wanted to tell you you didn’t have to, that he knew and that you were enough. Instead, he let his instinct win and lightly caressed the soft flesh of your arm.

After a brief pause, Paul pulled the covers over you and sat on your edge of the bed for a while longer. He was tired himself, but he didn’t want to move. Not just yet.

***

The past few months felt as if they stretched on for years with how much change and development you were faced with, almost forcefully. Despite your efforts, the older you got, the more you felt like a young girl attempting to parade as a grown woman ready for whatever duties Duke Leto sees fit of you, as a “noblewoman” without any true blood given nobility. 

Paul had been dancing around your worries for a while now, cutting off your worried rants with funny quips and dragging you from the library or training room to the beach when he believed you too worrisome. However, his duties were catching up to him as well, even when he tried to balance on the beam with you. He would be a duke one day, and though he had acted like a prince all his life, this was much more real.

His duties were specifically catching up to him in the form of one Lady Jessica. Reminders, comments, requests to his teachers and staff. She wanted him to start becoming the man he needs to be.

One of her lectures was playing out before your eyes in the library, though it escaped you how it even began. The soft, rhythmic drumming of the rain against the high windows felt like the one thing tethering you this world as she spoke, shadows cast across her face. 

Lady Jessica’s voice sliced through the rain, calm but pointed. Leaving the air around you feeling heavy. You sat at a table beside Paul, as she stood above you, a judge passing through your reading session. Her sharp eyes, blue within blue, never seemed to miss anything.

She had always watched you carefully, ever since you were children – though it wasn’t until recently that you noticed how her gaze lingered on you. Emotion indecipherable, yet somehow your stomach seared from it. She was assessing you on criteria it felt you had no control over. 

“You’re both approaching the age where things will change,” Jessica said, her gaze flicking between you and Paul. Her tone was deceptively gentle, like the calm before a storm. “You can no longer afford to be... careless.”

There was a long pause, a silence that felt charged with unspoken meaning. Paul shifted beside you, and though you didn’t look at him, you could feel the tension in the way he carried himself, alert, almost defensive.

“I’m not just speaking about duties to the House or the formalities expected of you as you come of age.” Lady Jessica’s eyes rested on you, sharp and assessing. “I’m also speaking about the way you conduct yourselves in your personal relationships.”

Your heart stuttered at the implication, warmth creeping up the back of your neck. You did not wish to dig into the meaning behind her words.

This was not the first time she’d given such a lecture, but it was the first time it felt so personal. So aimed. It was understood she must be referring to the hours upon hours you spent together, including in the moonlight. The quiet moments where you and Paul sought each other out, clinging to your comfort when the world felt too heavy to bear alone.

It was never intended to be anything inappropriate. You were each other’s safety nets, just like you had always been. But still, you felt a pang of shame coil in your chest at the thought of it being seen that way.

“You have been given responsibilities that go beyond your own desires,” Jessica continued, turning slightly toward Paul. “You are the heir to the House of Atreides, Paul. Every decision you make now, every relationship you allow to develop, can impact that legacy.”

Paul’s jaw clenched, and for the first time, you risked a glance at him. His face was unreadable, but the tension in his posture betrayed his discomfort. His eyes flicked to you, worry clouding them more than annoyance at his mother’s words. He searched your face for something, and did not seem happy with what he saw, but you ripped your gaze away a mere second after.

He was not thinking about his legacy. In that moment, all he thought about was you and how you were feeling.

Your stomach twisted, and the weight of it all – the difference in your status, the expectations that shadowed both your lives – seemed too much. Lady Jessica was not wrong, and Gods did you hate it. You glanced down, willing the words to settle somewhere far away, somewhere that wouldn’t hurt so much.

“You must understand,” Jessica said, her voice softer now, but no less firm, “the time for childish games is over. It’s time for both of you to take your roles more seriously. The future will not wait for you to be ready.”

The words hit you harder than they should have, like a reprimand for something you had not yet done but already felt guilty about. You wanted to say something, anything to show that you understood, that you weren’t some distraction pulling Paul away from his responsibilities, but the words stuck in your throat. Instead, you nodded stiffly, keeping your eyes trained on the floor.

Jessica gave a tight-lipped smile you did not see, before turning around to take her leave, pleased with the efficiency of your talk. She was gone, her robes whispering against the stone floor as she left you alone with the silence she had created between you two.

For a long moment, neither of you moved. The weight of Jessica’s words still hung heavy in the room, thickening the air between you. You could feel Paul’s gaze on you, but you couldn’t bring yourself to look up at him, not yet.

“She didn’t mean it like that,” Paul finally said, his voice low and careful, like he was testing the waters.

When you did not respond, Paul let out a soft sigh, moving his body towards you. “She’s just worried. That’s all. My mother—”

“Your mother is always worried,” you cut in, more sharply than you intended. You could feel the weight of it all pressing down on you. The constant reminders of how you didn’t quite fit into this world of nobility and politics, how your presence was tolerated but not truly embraced by the one woman you wished to be on your side. “And maybe she has a point. I’ve been distracting you. I shouldn’t... I shouldn’t keep coming to you.”

You did not elaborate, you did not need to.

Paul’s expression tightened, and before you could move away, he reached out, gently gripping your hands between his. His touch was warm, grounding, but you tried not to let yourself sink into it.

“No,” he said, his voice firm now. “You haven’t been distracting me. You’ve... you’ve been keeping me sane. It’s not the same thing.”

You swallowed hard, shaking your head again. “But your mother thinks—”

“I don’t care what my mother thinks.”

The words were out of Paul’s mouth before he could stop them, and for a moment, he looked almost startled by his own admission. He blinked, as if trying to make sense of his own boldness, before his grip on your hands tightened just slightly, his eyes locking onto yours.

“I don’t care what she thinks about the time we spend together,” he said, quieter this time, but no less intense. “She doesn’t understand. She doesn’t know what it’s like to feel like you’re drowning, like the world’s pressing in from every side, and you’re just. Alone.”

You looked up at him then, your breath catching at the rawness in his voice. Paul never let anyone see him like this—not even you most of the time, not fully. But now, there was something in his eyes that hadn’t been there before. Desperation, maybe. Or something deeper, something unspoken.

“Whenever I’m with you, it’s the only time I don’t feel that way,” he continued, his voice low, like he was sharing a secret he’d been keeping for too long. “You’re not a distraction. You’re the only thing that keeps me steady.”

Your chest tightened, torn between the overwhelming urge to believe him and the guilt that had been festering inside you since Jessica’s words. You wanted to argue, but the look in his eyes made it impossible to say any words out loud.

So instead, you swallowed your thoughts, pressing them deep down where they couldn’t be reached.

“We just need to be more careful,” you said softly, pulling your hands away from his grasp. Your skin still tingled where his fingers had been. “Your mother’s right. We can’t keep hiding away in each other’s rooms. We can’t... we can’t keep acting like kids.”

Paul’s face fell, the tension in his shoulders sagging slightly. His now-free hands went up to rub at his face before he sighed. “But we’re not acting like kids.”

“Aren’t we?” you asked, your voice barely a whisper. “We’re literally sneaking into each other’s beds in the middle of the night, Paul. We’re still pretending like nothing’s changed.”

Paul was quiet for a long moment, his eyes flicking away from you, as if he couldn’t bring himself to argue. Maybe because deep down, he knew you were right.

But then, just as the silence between you started to feel unbearable, he spoke again, his voice quieter, but full of conviction.

“Nothing has changed though. Not between us.”

The words lingered in the air, and for the first time in a long while, you didn’t know how to respond. A part of you wanted to believe him, wanted to cling to the idea that no matter what the world threw at you, no matter what Lady Jessica said, you and Paul would always be the same. The same two people who had spent years leaning on each other, who had always been there to catch each other when the ground fell away.

Yet, you knew what Paul’s wishful thinking sounded like more than anyone else. You knew everything about him. And in this moment, you knew he was wrong. No matter how much you both tried to ignore it, the future was closing in around you.

“I should go,” you said quietly, getting up from your seat before he could say or do anything to stop you. “I need to think.”

Paul didn’t say anything, but the look in his eyes was enough to keep you rooted in place for just a moment longer, looking down at him. He still looked so young, his eyes so wide. That familiar ache settled in your chest, the same ache that came whenever you thought about what you were trying so hard not to lose.

“I will see you tomorrow,” you said, and with that you left him to sit with the sound of rain drops against glass.

After Jessica’s most pointed lecture, your unease at night, the one you and Paul seemed cursed to be forever plagued by as children of the castle, had only increased. You woke in cold sweat or you did not wake at all – regardless, you stayed in your own bed, never venturing down that familiar path in the hallway. You hugged your knees for comfort. 

You were a proper young woman. As you ought to be.

Nothing could get you and Paul to stop spending time with each other entirely though, not his mother and certainly not complicated feelings. There was already a lot of that flowing around anyway.

Classes, meals, walks around the hallways, the occasional silent moment watching the waves side by side in a large window. Never late-night visits. Never lingering too much, especially not around Jessica. 

She seemed pleased with your development, so you bit your cheek and played the part.

It had been months since either of you crossed that invisible boundary, but the comfort of those nights lingered in your minds, a shared memory you couldn’t quite let go of. One that you held tight on rough nights.

Ironically enough, it was the nights without thunder or storms that you struggled the most. Gripped by fear and horror, you fought through the worst nightmare you had experienced in many years. Mangled bodies, fire and smoke, Paul’s face distorted by sandstorms that you swear you could feel cut into your fragile skin like class.

The scream was lodged in your throat as you shot up, finally able to pull yourself out of the depths of your consciousness of all that has happened and all you fear will. Drowning in sweat and tears, violently trembling all over, you suddenly found yourself on your feet in the cold hallway.

No coherent thoughts were running through your head, just instinct and an intense need to be saved from your own mind. Even in a waking state, you still felt half infused in the nightmare, seeing the scenes when you blink, as if tattooed on your eyelids.

Almost running down the known path, your hand grazing the wall as you went to stabilise yourself. The rational part of your brain told you it wasn’t appropriate, that you should listen to Jessica, you were both too old to be doing this – but you were not in a rational state of mind right now. Right now you were the same scared little girl you have always been, the one you fear you always will be, and you knew what you needed to do to quiet her screams. 

When you reached his door, you paused, your hand hovering over the handle. What if he didn’t want this anymore? What if he would turn you away?

Before you could second-guess yourself further, the door creaked open, and there he was. Paul stood in the doorway, lit up from behind by a single candle on his nightstand. His eyes were wide as he took the sight of you in, but there was no real surprise etched on his face. However, if you weren’t mistaken, you thought you saw relief in it. Like he had been waiting for you, hoping for you to come.

Paul breathed your name out like a ‘thank you’, stepping aside to let you in before you could even speak. His hair was dishevelled, his shirt wrinkled from where he must have been lying awake, staring at the tall ceiling.

You slipped in past him, already feeling some tension leave your body as soon as the door closed behind you. You weren’t sure what to say. Maybe you didn’t need to say anything at all. Letting your eyes meet his, the look on Paul’s face told you everything you needed to know.

Without a word, you moved toward the bed, and Paul followed, his presence a warm, steadying force behind you. He didn’t ask you any questions, he didn’t need to. You both knew that whatever it was, it was enough to bring you here, to him. 

You hesitated for just a moment, feeling the weight of the years between you. When you were children, there had been no second thoughts, no hesitation. But now, voices were creeping in – but you shoved them aside like his blankets, and climbed into his bed.

When Paul slid into bed beside you, everything felt right again.

The tension in your body melted away as he wrapped an arm around you, pulling you close. You could hear the steady rhythm of his breathing, feel the warmth of his skin against yours, and suddenly, the fear that had gripped you moments ago faded into nothing.

You rested your head against his chest, closing your eyes as the last of your tremors subsided. He was your anchor, your constant in a world that was rapidly spinning out of control.

“Are you okay?” Paul finally asked, his voice soft, almost a whisper.

You nodded against him, but your throat felt tight, your words stuck behind the weight of everything unsaid. The nightmare had shaken you more than you wanted to admit, and it wasn’t just about the dark images in your head. It was the fear of losing Paul, of losing the one person who had been by your side for as long as you could remember.

“I’m glad you came,” Paul said quietly. “I wanted to come to you, but—” He trailed off, his hand tightening slightly on your shoulder as if to ground himself.

“I know,” you whispered, finally finding your voice. “I wanted to come sooner.”

There was a pause, and then, after a long moment, Paul’s thumb began tracing slow circles on your arm, his touch gentle but deliberate. It was a gesture of comfort, of familiarity. 

“I’ll always be here,” he murmured, so softly you almost didn’t hear him. “I swear it.”

You opened your eyes and tilted your head up, meeting his gaze in the dim light. His face was serious, his eyes reflecting the weight of the promise he’d just made. For a brief second, you thought he might say more, something you’d been waiting for but weren’t ready to confront. 

Instead, Paul’s expression softened, and he pressed a kiss to the top of your head, the gesture tender, reassuring. It was something he might have done when you were younger, but now it felt different. It wasn’t just comfort anymore—it was a part of the promise.

Neither of you said anything after that. You simply held each other, letting the quiet settle in. The world outside might have been shifting, changing in ways neither of you could control, but here, in the stillness of the night, there was nothing but you and Paul.

You didn’t know when you fell asleep, only that, for the first time in a long while, you felt safe. And unfortunately, as the next few days would ensure, it was the last time for a long while as well.

***

When Arrakis claimed Duke Leto, it also claimed something inside Paul.

He wasn’t the same after that day. The boy who had been your partner in rebellion, the one who made you laugh even in the darkest of times, had hardened. His grief was silent, buried under layers of duty and survival, but you could see it. It was in the way his hands trembled ever so slightly when he thought no one was looking, the way his eyes had dulled since your arrival on this cursed planet.

In the middle of it all, you felt lost too. You had lost the closest you had to a father figure in Duke Leto, but worse, you were losing Paul—bit by bit, day by day, as he was forced to become someone you struggled to recognise. This was a different kind of nightmare, one you couldn’t wake from.

After growing used to the luxury of Caladan Castle’s beddings, you found yourself huddled with Paul in a small tent in the middle of the desert, the harsh winds of Arrakis howling outside. There was nothing but sand for miles, and for the first time since arriving on this planet, you felt truly untethered from the life you once knew.

Paul sat across from you, his back pressed against the rough fabric of the tent, his face half-shadowed by the faint light from a small glowglobe. His eyes were distant, fixed on something you couldn’t see, something only he could comprehend.

“Paul?” you whispered, your voice trembling despite your best efforts to keep it steady.

He didn’t answer at first, but then, slowly, his gaze shifted to you. There was a fragility there that caught you off guard—a vulnerability that reminded you of the boy you used to sneak around the castle with, the one who used to chase away your fears with a single glance.

Without thinking, you moved closer, kneeling in front of him. His breath hitched as you reached out, gently placing one hand on his arm and the other on his cheek. He looked down at your fingers, as if surprised by the touch, before his eyes met yours again.

You wanted to say something, anything at all, to ease his pain. To take some of the burden off his shoulders, even if that meant taking them upon your own. No words felt worthy enough and died in your throat, while the sentiment remained hot on your tongue.

With Arrakis raging around you, you wanted him to feel some sense of security.

“I’m still here,” you whispered, echoing the words he had said to you when you were the one needing the comfort.

For a moment, he just stared at you. Then, with a twitch of his lips, something cracked in his expression, something that had been carefully held in place to keep it all in. Paul’s shoulders sagged, the weight of loss and doom pressing down on him all at once.

He didn’t say anything, but when you shifted closer and pulled him into your arms, he didn’t resist. He simply let you hold him, his head resting against your shoulder, his breath shaky and uneven.

You sat like that for a long time, wrapped in each other’s presence as the storm outside raged on. The world around you was crumbling, but here, in the faux quiet of the tent, there was nothing but the two of you. You didn’t have words for what you were feeling, but it didn’t matter. Paul understood. He always had.

As if the continued touch broke him, Paul made a sound like a tear-less sob, saving water while still drowning in emotion. His arms tightened around you, holding onto you for dear life.

He murmured something against your neck that you couldn’t hear. You made an inquisitive humming sound as you began to stroke his back, coaxing him through his pain.

“I can’t lose you,” he whispered. His voice was raw, it sent ripples through your heart. “Please.”

“You won’t,” you promised, your fingers moving up to card through his hair. “I’m not going anywhere, Paul. I’ll be right here with you.”

If he wanted to answer, he couldn’t. Instead he let himself have this moment before facing a world that seemed increasingly too big.

***

Life among the Fremen was harsh, unforgiving, but the two of you had learned to survive. It had been weeks since you arrived in the sietch, and every day felt like a battle—against the elements, against the constant threat of danger, against the growing distance between you and the boy you grew up with.

The desert night was deceptively cool, the air carrying a sharpness that contrasted with the oppressive heat of the day. You stood just outside the sietch, gazing up at the unfamiliar stars that stretched endlessly above the dunes. The sky was clear—almost too clear—so different from the comforting overcast of Caladan, the gentle crash of waves a memory long lost to the wind. You inhaled deeply, trying to ground yourself, but the vastness of the desert made you feel small. Disconnected.

There were few quiet moments here, and you took a deep breath as you were surrounded by it.

“I thought I’d find you here.” 

There was a shuffle of footsteps behind you, soft but deliberate. Without turning, you of course knew it was Paul. He came up behind you, standing slightly to your left so you could see him in your sideview. You leaned back, resting your shoulder on his own.

You smiled faintly, though it didn’t quite reach your eyes. “Couldn’t sleep.”

Paul laughed lowly – some things never change. “Neither could I.”

You shook your head, still staring at the stars. “I don’t know if I’ve had a proper night’s sleep since we left Caladan.”

“I miss the rain,” Paul said quietly. “I never thought I would. I used to complain about it when we were kids.”

You smiled faintly. “Don’t lie, you hated being inside when it rained. You’d drag me out into the mud even when it was pouring.”

He let out a soft chuckle. “Well, you never said no.”

“I never could.”

There was a pause, one that carried the weight of the past few months – Arrakis, the loss of Duke Leto, the constant struggle for survival. The two of you had grown so used to moving, fighting, planning for the next step, that there had been no time to sit with your grief. No time to just be, in the way you only can with each other.

“It’s strange, isn’t it?” Paul murmured, glancing at you sideways. “How quickly everything changes. A few months ago, we were on Caladan, complaining about studies, sneaking into each other’s rooms like we always used to... and now–”

“We’re here,” you finished for him, your voice quieter. “In the middle of the desert.”

Paul’s eyes lingered on you for a moment, and you felt the weight of his gaze. You’d been through so much together, seen so much of each other, in ways no one else had. Yet there was still a distance between you now, a hesitation that hadn’t been there when you were younger. 

It was as though you both knew you were standing on the edge of something, but neither of you dared to cross it.

“I was thinking...” Paul started, his voice trailing off. He looked away, frowning slightly as if choosing his words carefully. “Would it be... strange if you stayed with me tonight? Just for comfort, I mean.”

Your heart skipped, somehow caught off guard by the question. There had been so many nights, both as children and as teenagers, where you had found solace in each other’s company. Whether from nightmares, from stress, or simply because being apart felt wrong.

“Not strange, anyone would need a bit of comfort in our situation,” you tried at humour before looking back at him with soft eyes. 

He didn’t say anything, seemingly trapped between his thoughts. Usually when you spend the night together lately it was because of difficult emotions. You open the door for him to talk about his feelings.

“Are you– are you okay?” you asked, searching his face for the answer. 

Paul was always the one holding everything together, always taking on the weight of his responsibilities without complaint. But tonight, standing under the cold desert sky, he seemed tired. Tired in a way that went beyond just sleepless nights.

He didn’t respond right away. Instead, he looked out over the dunes, his expression unreadable, though the subtle tightening of his jaw told you he was wrestling with something.

“I’ve been thinking about my father,” he finally said, his voice thick with the grief he rarely let slip. “About everything he wanted for me. For us. How he wanted me to be a ruler who led with compassion, but how can I...?” He trailed off, swallowing hard, and you could see the battle raging behind his eyes.“I don’t know if I can be what he wanted.”

Your heart ached at his words. You had always known Paul felt the weight of his future, but you hadn’t realised how deeply it cut. Stepping closer, you touched his arm lightly, drawing his attention back to you.

“You already are,” you said softly. “Even in the middle of all this, Paul, you haven’t lost that part of yourself. Your father would see that.”

He exhaled shakily, meeting your gaze, and for a moment, it felt like the world fell away. There was a vulnerability there, one he rarely let show. It made something inside you shift, as though the careful lines you had mentally drawn to protect yourself, to keep things unchanged between you, were suddenly blurring.

“I’m just afraid of losing more,” he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. “Of losing everyone I care about. Losing you.”

The words settled heavily in the space between you, a truth that had always lingered but was now undeniable. You were no longer just childhood friends. You were no longer just companions trying to survive. There was a throne in your heart, and on it, Paul was more than just a duke. 

“You won’t lose me,” you said firmly, turning towards him and stepping even closer. “You couldn’t. I’m here, Paul, I’ve always been here.”

Paul stared at you, his expression shifting into something you couldn’t quite place. His eyes softened, the hard edges that had been carved into him by grief and duty melting away, if only for a moment. There was something unspoken in the way he looked at you now, something that had been building for years but had never quite been said aloud.

“You don’t understand,” Paul whispered, his voice rough with emotion. “I can’t lose you. Not just because you’re the last piece of Caladan I have left... but because I—”

He stopped, his throat working as if the words were too hard to say. But you knew what he meant. You’d always known, hadn’t you? 

Paul took a step closer, the last step separating his body from yours. His hand lifted to brush a strand of hair behind your ear, the touch sending a shiver down your spine. His fingers lingered at the base of your neck, and you were sure he could feel the rapid beat of your heart in your pulsepoint. It echoed the weight of what he wasn’t saying. 

“You can say it,” you whispered, your voice trembling, though you weren’t sure if it was from fear or anticipation.

Paul’s breath hitched, and for a moment, he looked like he was on the verge of stepping back, of retreating into that familiar space where he could hide from the truth. But then his palm made contact with the side of your neck, and he leaned in closer, his forehead resting against yours. Breathing in deeply, slowly.

“I love you,” he whispered, the words tumbling out like a secret he had been holding onto for too long. “I have loved you for so long, and I didn’t even realise it. But now, I can’t stop thinking about it. About you.”

Your heart stuttered at the confession, your breath catching in your throat. It wasn’t a declaration shouted from the rooftops, it wasn’t a grand, romantic gesture. It was quiet, real, the kind of love that had grown slowly over years, woven into every shared moment, every laugh, every late-night conversation.

“And I love you,” you whispered back, the words barely audible in the quiet of the desert night. “You’re my best friend, my person. You must know that.”

Paul let out a soft, almost relieved breath, his hand moving up to cup your cheek as he tilted your face up to meet his. There was a question in his eyes, one he didn’t need to ask. You answered it by leaning in, lips barely brushing against his, before he closed the final gap with the gentlest of kisses. He was tentative, as though testing the waters of something new, something fragile but real.

It was a kiss that felt like a promise.

It lingered, even when he pulled back ever so slowly, resting his forehead back against yours. 

You both stood there in the quiet, the weight of the desert and the night around you, but the tension between you finally dissipating through your touches.

“Will you stay with me tonight?” Paul whispered again, his voice steady this time, though the vulnerability was still there, just beneath the surface.

“I will stay with you every night, if that would make you happy.” There was no hesitation in your voice or your heart. Just love.

A smile spread on his face before he pressed it against your lips in another kiss. Searing, caring, passionate. This was the closest you have seen him to his old boyish self, always happy to bask in your presence.

Letting his hand travel down to find yours, he interlaced your fingers and pulled you back into the sietch.

His room was small, barely big enough for the both of you, a stark contrast to your conditions at Caladan. But as you lay down beside each other, it didn’t matter, you were glad for the excuse to keep him even closer. Paul wrapped his arms around you, holding you tightly, and for the first time since Arrakis had stolen everything from you, you felt safe. Safe in the knowledge that whatever came next, whatever trials the desert or the universe had in store, you wouldn’t face them alone.

As you lay in his arms, your head resting against his chest, you whispered, “We’ll get through this, Paul. Together.”

Paul’s grip tightened around you, and you could hear the steady beat of his heart beneath your ear.

“We will,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to the top of your head. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. Not ever.”

“And I you. No matter what, my love.”

Warmth spread across Paul’s face at the name. He thought, with sleep beginning to cloud his mind, that though there are many uncomfortable changes – that is one he will happily accept. 

For the first time in weeks, you both fell asleep easily, wrapped in the comfort of each other, and the quiet promise of the love that had finally, after all these years, been released into dry air.

[solavita]

hit me hard and soft — jacaerys velaryon

pairing ; jacaerys velaryon x fem!reader

words ; 3.1k

summary ; you're married to aegon, but jacaerys can't get you off of his mind.

warning(s) ; light smut, kissing, longing, angst, infidelity, marriage, pining, idfk

His eyes met yours at your very own wedding to another man. 

A mix of latency and unfamiliarity laced within them, ever shifting brown eyes reminding you of the way that a child would eye a piece of candy at a store before reaching over and grabbing it. Your eyes were ever so glued to his own as they peeked over your gauntlet, peering into a storm. You hadn’t known him well before this moment, and yet, in the flicker of unbounded torchlight that illuminated the great hall, it felt as though a secret was already shared between you, old and buried but only now coming to fruition. Those deep, brown eyes held mysteries you hadn’t known you were seeking, shifting a barely concealed hunger, as if he was seeing you for the first time but had been searching for you all his life. 

The moment stretched, the world beyond fading, as though everything was irrelevant except the silent pull of that glance. It wasn’t the glance of a lover, but of a stranger whose soul you’d brushed against in the dark before you could even begin to name it. There was something forbidden in the way he looked at you, like a sea that was tempting you to swim farther and farther into the abyss. A question lingered there, as if he knew — somehow, impossibly — that you were already his. 

Laughter and light music mingled with the heady scent of spiced Dornish wine, but it all felt distant, as though you were floating beyond the reach of the revelry. You were new to Kings Landing, only arriving two fortnights ago. You did not know these people, you didn’t know how to celebrate something that you had been pushed into like many women before you. Your newly wedded husband was somewhere across the hall, locked in meaningless conversation with lords, his attention as distant as the stars peppered across the skies of Kings Landing. And in the midst of it all, you felt him before you saw him. 

Jacaerys. 

He moved with the ease of someone who had always belonged to these haunted halls, yet there was something different tonight, like he was the star of the party, something darker in the way that he carried himself. The room seemed to fall away, the sound of clinking goblets and murmured conversations fading into a dull hum that buzzed in the background of your thoughts. 

“Congratulations,” He said softly, his low murmur meant only for you. It felt like a word laced with something far more dangerous, like he was warning you of something you knew nothing about. You had heard the rumors of your new husband, how . . . indecent he was. But he had been kind to you in the fleeting moments that you had met, though who was to know if that was all an act for his family and the lords and ladies that resided in the court. Jacaerys’ lips curved into a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “A grand union. I’m sure the realm will rejoice in their new princess.” 

You swallowed, unsure of how to respond, the words feeling ever so heavy on your tongue. His nearness was unsettling, not in the way of discomfort, but in the way the air thickened with every moment he lingered in your space. His gaze then dipped ever so briefly, tracing the edges of your face as though committing every detail to memory. As though devouring you with his eyes. 

“It seems the gods have blessed me,” You managed, though the words felt hollow as they left your lips. 

A shadow flickered in his eyes, something unreadable, as though he hadn’t thought that you would answer with such a cookie cutter answer. He took a step closer, the space between you shrinking to almost nothing. His breath was warm against your skin, his voice even lower now, just above a whisper. “Perhaps the gods are not the only ones who could have blessed you.” 

—

It had been a few months since your wedding to Aegon, and yet it felt like a distant memory — a page in a book that you had no desire to read again. Life as a wife, his wife, had settled into a cool rhythm, your heart still restless. You played your part well, dutiful and poised, always by your side when required, but there was an emptiness that echoed through your soul, an emptiness that lingered long after the court had gone to bed. Aegon barely noticed. Or if he did, he never mentioned it. 

In the quiet moments when Aegon was preoccupied, you often found yourself drifting toward Jacaerys. Each encounter he became more of your confidant, a presence that stirred something deep within you, a sense of adventure, a longing for the unpredictable. You longed to run away with him, you realized one night as you laid awake while your husband slept beside you. You longed for the life that Jacaerys could give you, flying atop his dragon while he showed you all the wonders beyond the Narrow Sea. A mix of salt and fire that you wanted nothing more than to get caught up in. Conversations with him unfolded like the pages of a book that you couldn’t put down, each chapter revealing more of the man behind his princely demeanor, more of a man you grew to love. 

Your meetings grew bolder, clandestine glances exchanged across crowded rooms, stolen moments beneath the stars, where whispers of dreams and desires mixed together into a heady mix of shared secrets. It was wrong to love someone other than your husband, someone who you had vowed to be next to in front of the gods of the sept, you knew this. But how could something so wrong feel so right in your heart? You thought that perhaps if things had gone differently, if it had been Princess Rhaenyra who asked for your hand for her son instead of Queen Alicent, you would be truly happy like you were meant to be. You wouldn’t have to meet in seclusion, harbor feelings you desperately attempted to push down. But it was not that way. It never would be that way. 

Jacaerys never said what you both felt, but the air between the both of you was nothing platonic. His eyes would linger a little too long, his words would carry hidden meanings that made your heart race, and when your hands brushed — accidentally, or so you told yourself — you could feel the warmth of him linger long after. He was careful, however, never overstepping, always leaving you with just enough to wonder what could be if he just pushed a little further. 

Tonight, you stood on the balcony of one of the higher towers in the keep, overlooking the sea. The cool breeze tousling your hair as the moon cast silvery trails upon the water that reminded you of water lilies. The waves lapped gently against the cliffs below, a rhythm that soothed your ever restless soul. The air was cool, the scent of salt thick as it fills your lungs. You had been coming here at night often in recent weeks, seeking solace on the endless horizon, a place where you could think, a place to be away. 

You closed your eyes, allowing the wind to tug gently at your gown, the soft whisper of the sea lulling you into a rare moment of peace. But even here, even in your self inflicted silence, your thoughts drifted to him, to the conversations you’d had, the way his voice had a way of settling into your mind. 

The sound of footsteps on the stone behind you broke the stillness, and without opening your eyes, you knew exactly who it was. Jacaerys. He said nothing at first, standing just a few paces behind you. He always seemed to find you, even when you weren’t searching for him. 

“I thought I might find you here,” He said softly, his voice carried by the wind but still intimate, meant only for your ears. You opened your eyes, gazed still fixated on the sea, as if looking to it for answers for questions that you were too scared to ask out loud. 

“It’s quiet here,” You replied, your voice just as soft. “I needed the quiet. 

Jacaerys stepped closer, coming to stand beside you, his shoulder just barely brushing yours. For a moment, neither of you spoke, the sound between you only the rhythmic crash of the waves below. Then, in that stillness, Jacaerys’ voice came again, lower now, almost tentative — 

“Do you ever wonder what might have been, if things had been different?” 

It was exactly what you didn’t want him to say. Confronting this . . . whatever it was made it all the more real. Part of you didn’t want it to be real, because then you had to face the consequences. His words hung in the air like a weight you couldn’t bear any longer. You had tried, so desperately, to keep this hidden, to tell yourself it wasn’t real, that it was a fantasy spun from the coldness of your marriage. “What good would it do?” You asked, your voice trembling, barely steady. It was a tone of anxiety that came over you, mixed with a hint of anger that he decided to break the delicate space between the two of you. “It would change nothing, Jacaerys. It wouldn’t change who I was married to, it wouldn’t change the fact that there is nothing for me but the life I have right now.” 

Jacaerys exhaled sharply, the sound heavy with frustration. “And what if it could? What if it does? We’ve been living as if we have no choice, but . . . gods, we do.” His words were filled with an ache, a desperation that mired your own. He took a step closer, and you were unable to press yourself farther away into the cold balcony stone. 

You turned to face him, finally meeting his gaze, and your heart seized at the sight of him. His dark eyes, usually so guarded, now burned with something that threatened to consume you. He wasn’t holding back anymore, no longer playing at the courtly politeness that the two of you were so used to. He was standing before you, vulnerable and exposed. You scoffed, crossing your arms in front of your chest before flailing them out in front of you. “Do not torment me anymore, Jacaerys,” You begged. “Please, I cannot take it anymore.” He needed to leave before you did something that you regretted, something that you couldn’t do. 

Instead, he tilted his head closer, down towards you. “Tell me you don’t feel it,” He whispered, his voice thick with emotion. “Tell me what we have isn’t real.” 

You felt your chest tighten, your pulse hammering in your ears. The world around you — the sea, the wind, the very stones beneath your feet — seemed to disappear, leaving just the two of you suspended in an impossible moment. His words echoed in your mind, tugging at every fragile thread that you had tried to keep intact. You had told yourself so many lies to survive this marriage. “I can’t,” You choked out, your voice breaking as tears burned at the back of your throat. “I can’t tell you that.” 

You had tried to bury this truth, to push it down beneath the weight of your duty, your vows, but now it was out in the open, raw and simply undeniable. It felt like a release and a surrender all at once, terrifying you for what was to come next. Jacaerys’ hand reached for yours and you would’ve sworn that it was a burn, his touch firm, pulling you closer into the undeniable tension you felt. “Then don’t,” He whispered, his voice hoarse. “Don’t lie to me. Don’t lie to yourself. Not here. Not now.” His hand tightened around yours, you felt as if you were standing on the end of something dangerous, a precipice you weren’t sure you could survive if you were to fall. 

But it was inevitable. You knew that you were already falling. You had been falling since that first glance, since that first conversation, and now, standing here, there was no turning back. 

“Jacaerys, I —” Your voice caught in your throat, torn between the desire to run away from this feeling or run towards it. Toward him. He took another step closer, the fabric of his shirt brushing against the bodice of your nightdress, his breath warm on your skin. His gaze never left yours, filled with a silent plea, an ache that mirrored your own. 

“Please,” He whispered, the word so soft, it nearly broke you. “I need to know. I need to know that I’m not alone in this, that what I have been thinking all these months hasn’t been for naught. Please, just tell me you feel the same as I do.” 

You felt the tears you held back slipping free, your chest heaving as you struggled to find the words. “You’re not,” You finally stuttered out, the truth spilling from you, raw and broken. “You’re not alone, Jacaerys. I’ve felt it — gods, I’ve felt it since the beginning.” 

Jacaerys’ grip on your hand tightened, his other hand rising to cup your face, his thumb brushing away a tear you hadn’t realized had fallen. His touch was so tender, so full of everything you had longed for, that it shattered the last of your resistance. You felt as though you were breaking apart and being remade all at once. “I’ve been so lost without you,” He breathed, his voice trembling as his forehead rested against yours. “I tried to stay away, I told myself it was wrong, that it is wrong, but . . . I can’t. I can’t stay away from you.” And in that moment, the distance between you vanished entirely. 

His lips found yours, soft and hesitant at first, as if he couldn’t quite believe it, as if he needed to be sure this wasn’t just another unspoken dream. But when you didn’t pull away, when your hands rose to tangle in his hair, to pull him closer still, the kiss deepened. It wasn't the gentle courtly kiss of a man seeking permission. It was a kiss full of passion and longing, full of every unspoken word, every stolen glance, every moment you had spent denying what was always there. The wind howled around you, the sea roaring below, but it all seemed distant now. The only real thing was the feel of him, his warmth seeping into you, the taste of salt and sea on his lips. His hand cupped your face, rough, as if he feared the moment would slip away if he didn’t hold tightly enough. 

Jacaerys pulled away, earning a whine from your lips. He tried to say something and you silenced him with a kiss, shaking your head in a silent no. You pursed your lips against his and said, “No more words, no more please.” And that was all he needed, his hand on your face tilting your neck back, the other one on the small of your back. 

Jacaerys, you wanted to say. You consume me whole. 

For just a moment his tongue slipped into your mouth and you made a small sound, butterflies swarming in your stomach. You tried to mimic what he was doing, going with your instincts and grasping onto his bicep, feeling the taut muscles under your touch. Everything about yours and his actions were needy and hungry, wanting each other with such need that you had pushed down for so long. All of it seemed to come out of you like crashing waves. The kissing was nice, though after a while you needed more, you were dying for more of him. Please, Jacaerys, you thought.

As if he could read your thoughts, he pulled away, a string of saliva the only thing connecting you two. “What do you want?” He whispered, tilting his head to the side and giving you one of those damn smiles of his. Of course he wanted you to say it. And you knew better than to not do what he wanted. 

“You, Jacaerys, I want you,” You whispered to him, as if someone was going to hear if you talked too loud. “Please.” You thought that you probably sounded like someone desperate, and in a way you were, you had waited for this forever and had convinced yourself that it would never happen. But he thought the exact opposite, he marveled in the way that you looked at him, wanting to show you how much you truly meant to him. The attraction and lust was there, intermingled with something more that neither of you dared to acknowledge.

He didn’t hesitate to give you what you wanted, slowly inching you towards the rocky wall behind you, the coolness of the tile making your skin prick up. Jacaerys pressed his body against yours in a swift moment and connected his lips onto the skin right below your jaw. His lips were soft like snowflakes falling onto your skin, creating a masterpiece on your skin like you were his canvas. It all felt too good, the heightening the sensations to an almost unbearable amount. It sent shockwaves to your core, igniting a feeling you often only felt during the late hours of the night.

Seeing how well your body responded to him, it was driving him crazy. You were so willing, so ready for him that his mind became cloudy, the only thing he could make out was his thoughts of you. His lips trailed down from your jaw to your neck, paying extra attention to the places that made you breathe out more than the others. He pressed a searing kiss to your pulse point, his teeth grazing the nerve and using his lips to suck a deep, purple mark into your skin. And then, when he felt it was the right time, he did it again and again, properly marking you as his. He didn’t care anymore. Your hands found their respective place in his hair, feeling the softness of the dark brunette tufts between your fingers. It was so damn soft that you wondered how you had resisted the urge for so long before. 

There was simply no way that he would be able to conceal his want for you from you anymore. You waited for his next move, knowing that it would probably be one you didn’t want to hear. But for the second time this evening, Jacaerys surprised you again.

He leaned over and kissed you. 

And you knew his answer from that.

[calisources]

𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐈𝐍𝐕𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐑𝐎𝐘𝐀𝐋 𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐒 𝐐𝐔𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒.

All sentences on these meme make references to royal balls, medieval ballrooms or regency, basically set during any period drama. You can change names, pronouns, titles and more as you see fit. Most of these were taken from different source materials found via google search. This meme makes references to masquerades, royal dances and partners.

Dancing, at its best, is independence and intimacy in balance.

Dance is the timeless interpretation of life.

Music does not need language of words for it has movements of dance to do its translation.

Masks reveal. They don’t conceal. Masks reveal your cravings, your passion, your deepest most secret desires.

It was you. I know it was you.

Look at me, Kia! Look me in the eye and tell me you’re not her.

And who shall you be once you don your grand disguise?

I don't like to hear you talk about yourself that way. Your scars do not define you, young lady. Your action do.

All the ladies must dress the same and the men have to find their partners. It’s a game of sorts. 

Even the smallfolk have their own version of the ball, at the steps of the castle.

Swoon, Dora. Every young woman deserves to swoon over the love of her life.

Dash it, Everton, how'd you know it was me?

A masquerade could have been a beautiful dance. 

 Oh, well. What's a royal ball? After all, I suppose it would be frightfully dull, and-and-and boring, and-and completely... Completely wonderful.

Each finds a partner, and upon the bell, we must change partner until we find the one we came to be. . .or the one we desire.

It has been a while since you gave me the honor to dance with you.

If the princess is not too occupied, I would wish for a dance, perhaps?

The Queen and King have to open the ball but the King is gone. No mind, I shall be in his place.

Sometimes in life confusion tends to arise and only dialogue of dance seems to make sense.

If we want our men to dance, we have to inspire them. 

 But with something more, something bigger, something that will give them a reason to want to dance.

But when balls are held for pleasure, They're the balls that I like best.

Will you be my princess for the Ball?

Keeping pushing, Andrei, and you and I are going to play a game.

Nothing like a ball to cheer a nation, give the old lords wine and the young boys the opportunity to find a nice woman and everyone shows up.

Where are you taking me? The ball hasn’t ended.

Royals is like a beautiful, broken angel: hard to look at, but utterly impossible to turn away from.

Attend the royal ball in all your glory and find out what fate has in store for you.

How many dances is one allowed before people begin to whisper?

You cannot behave like a brute. It is my duty to dance with every suitor. I am their princess.

I do not recognize you, my lord? Are you from these lands? 

It is bad luck to steal a princess.

Attend the royal ball in all your glory and find out what fate has in store for you.

There is nothing quite like dancing in the moonlight. It sets your soul on fire and your heart aflutter.

The beauty of a ball is not just in its grandeur, but in the connections it sparks, the emotions it stirs, and the hopes it ignites.

Just keep your eyes on me. No one else here matters.

I shall keep dancing with you until you stop being stubborn and go speak with me. Or you rather have people whisper?

The princess looks beautiful tonight, does she not?

Father, please, you must dance as well. Your dull looks are making people bored.

You promised me a dance when you were better. Are you?

I've loved you at every dance, on every walk, every time we've been together and every time we've been apart.

I can feel people's eyes on me.

Every time I walk into a ballroom, I know they are comparing me to Daphne.

You both get to choose your passions and adventures, while my beloved is chosen by me. And now I must join them for a dance.

Are you planning on running away when the clock strikes midnight? 

If you do wish to go away, I know a spot, secluded enough.

You wish for me to go with you, alone, unchaperoned. I am a maiden, my lord. 

Aye, but I am no lord, sweet maiden. And these masks allow us some privacy.

This is my last chance to find a match on my own accord. If I don’t. The King will do it for me and I would rather not.

 I'm only a girl, not a princess.

Believe me - they're all looking at you.

 They're all looking at you.

You are requested and required to present yourself to your king.

 I do not even know if that beautiful slipper will fit But, if it does--will you take me as I am?

 It would be an insult to take you to the palace dressed in these old rags.

How charming, how perfectly charming.

When I go back, they will try to pair me off with a lady of their choosing. I'm expected to marry for advantage.

Oh. Well, whose advantage would this marriage be of?

I hope you don't find our kingdom too confining.

I am. An apprentice monarch. Still learning my trade.

Our prince seems quite taken with her.

She went straight for him. You have to appreciate her efficiency.

Walk into the room knowing you are the best. Shoulders back, chin up. Their attitudes will totally change.

You dance love, and you dance joy, and you dance dreams.

The ball is about to come to an end, and you have yet not told me your name. 

I thought we agreed we would remain strangers.

I’m afraid my true identity would put you in danger. 

Have you ever been kissed by a stranger at the end of a ball? If not, let me be the first.

Put him on all the invitation lists, he's a divine dancer.

I’m afraid I’m more used to swordfight than ballroom.

You will ruin your pretty gown, princess. I would not wish to step on your toes.

 Silly, I am a great dancer, no one ever steps on my toes.

No. Let them dance. Interrupting would cause a scandal.

One of these men will be my husband one day. What a thought.

The art of husband seeking at it’s peak, during royal ball season. 

Maiden beware, a gentleman can become a beast when the bell strikes.

[zaczenemiji]

Morpheus x Goddess!Arianrhod!Reader

Synopsis: A convention of deities takes place and you, Arianrhod, Celtic Goddess of the Moon and Stars reunite with your old friend, Death. You meet Morpheus for the first time in person.

Word Count: 1,445

PART ONE

✧ Dream Upon A Star ✧

We begin in the Nexus, the cosmic halls where realms converge and the divine gather. Tonight, a grand convention is held. Deities from every pantheon and mythology were summoned.

Arianrhod, the goddess of the Silver Wheel, answered the call. She belonged to the pantheon of deities, a divine family, known as the Children of Dôn. She who reigns as the queen of the spiral castle, an ethereal realm among the swirling galaxy of stars, is the goddess who weaves the fabric of the cosmos, commanding time and the changing seasons.

In the crowd of deities that gathered, her presence was a beacon. Under the light of a thousand stars, she shimmered brighter than the celestial bodies above.

That said, she did not go unnoticed by the Endless siblings. However, in this assembly wherein countless pairs of eyes looked at her, she did not have the concern to gaze back at each; or to look at anyone, at all. She walked through the opulent corridors in search of a corner she could linger in.

“Star!” She heard a call. Turning, she saw Death, her friend; someone she has known since the time before the Endless were known to mortals. She had always found her presence somber and comforting.

A smile found its way into Arianrhod’s face. She walked hurriedly towards Death, failing to notice the sibling that accompanied her friend.

“It’s good to see you again,” Death mirrored her smile. Arianrhod reached for Death’s hands and held it close to her chest. “And you, Death,” she replied. “The universe always has its way of bringing us together.”

For a moment, Arianrhod reminisced the death of the first living thing on the planet. It was also the first time she met one of the Endless. Death was there to guide the dead into the afterlife. And Arianrhod, with her role as a goddess associated with the cycles of time, has seen to it that the soul reaches its final destination.

“Indeed,” Death nodded. To her, it was nice to have someone aid in the passage of souls into the afterlife. Especially during the times it got harder—when she considered giving up and walking out.

Behind Death, Arianrhod finally noticed the tall and pale Endless. His dark hair framed his face and his eyes held the depth of the universe. “It’s good to see you, too, Lord of Dreams,” she said.

Death let go of Arianrhod’s hands and turned to look at his brother. “And you, goddess of time and cycle,” Morpheus replied.

“I still feel the need to introduce you to each other,” Death joked. However, she still did so. “Arianrhod, this is my brother, Dream,” she started. “And Morpheus, this is Star, goddess of the Silver Wheel.”

The two of them are aware of each other’s existence just like how humans are aware of dreams and the stars. However, for over thousands of centuries, this is the first time they met up close.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Lady of the Stars,” Morpheus said. “Your presence graces this gathering.” He carefully took Arianrhod’s hand and pressed it to his lips.

As the convention progressed, Arianrhod and Morpheus found themselves drawn into conversation. They spoke of their respective duties.

“I have always been fascinated by dreams, you know?” Arianrhod admitted. “They’re a reflection of the souls’s deepest desires. They have always been a strong motivator for humans to keep going—it keeps the wheels spinning.”

“And makes my job easier,” she added with a chuckle.

“In that case, they are, in many ways, like the stars…” Morpheus replied. “…who guide the paths of those who dream.”

In the distance, Death watched, a knowing smile on her lips. She had always understood the connections that bound the divine. Like how her friendship with Arianrhod came to be.

Before she knew it, Arianrhod and Morpheus were no longer in sight. The two found themselves in a secluded garden. The air was filled with the scent of celestial flowers.

“Do you know what this is?” Arianrhod asked, gesturing to the flowering bush nearby. Morpheus shook his head.

Arianrhod bent down to pick one flower off. She held it with both hands as she showed it to Morpheus. “This is called a Stellar Bloom,” she said.

Morpheus stepped closer to examine the flower. They now stood so close to each other, with the flower Arianrhod held in front her the only thing in the gap between them.

Its petals were a deep cosmic blue at the edges. Each were veined with iridescent silver lines that shimmer like stardust under the faint glow of the moon. Its core, a vibrant sunburst of golden tendrils.

“It’s breathtaking…” Morpheus said. He looked up from the flower and at Arianrhod without her knowledge. “…and ethereally beautiful.” He watched her hair shine against the moonlight—silver like the veins of the flower.

“Well, thanks!” Arianrhod replied with joy in every word. “I made this.”

“There’s an abundance of this in my realm,” she continued. “They grow under the light of the stars.”

She then looked up at Morpheus who, to her surprise, was staring softly at her. She looked back at his eyes. It was a realm she would probably not get tired of exploring.

“You can have it,” she said as she nudged the flower to Morpheus. “Keep it indoors in the morning, and outdoors at night, then it won’t die.”

Morpheus accepted the flower and held it carefully in his hand. “Thanks,” he said with a small smile. It was a tiny smile but Arianrhod felt as if a new star was born in the distance.

All of a sudden, a gentle melody filled the air. There is a symphony of cosmic harmonies that echoed through the halls. Arianrhod turned to walk towards the halls. There, by the center of the hall, she saw an open space had been cleared for dancing.

Morpheus arrived beside her. He saw her eyes lit up as the other deities walked into what has now become the dance floor. “Would you care to dance?” She looked up at him, smiling like a little child.

Morpheus was taken by surprise with her question. He could not believe that the goddess was first to ask. As the music continued, Arianrhod extended her hand to Morpheus.

“It would be my honor,” Morpheus said, his voice a smooth, resonant whisper.

They walked to the center of the hall, joining the other deities. Upon facing each other, Arianrhod had one hand on Morpheus’s shoulder, and the other on his hand. Meanwhile, his free hand found its way to her waist.

Then in a heartbeat, they swayed to the music. It was lively, and the other deities seemed to be in high spirits.

Morpheus’s dark robes swirled like shadows in the starlight. Arianrhod’s gown, adorned with the colors of the Stellar Bloom, shimmered with every turn.

As they danced, the cosmos itself bent around them as the stars twinkled brighter, reflecting the Stellar Queen’s delight.

Arianrhod’s laughter, like the gentle chime of silver bells, filled Morpheus’s ear as he spun her around. “The stars are dancing with us,” she said, her eyes reflecting the twinkling lights above.

Morpheus smiled, a rare and genuine expression. “Indeed,” he replied. “They are.”

As the music reached its crescendo, Morpheus and Arianrhod came to a gentle stop, their gazes locked in the moment.

A little breathless, Arianrhod smiled up at Morpheus. “Thank you, Lord of Dreams,” she said. “This dance was a dream in itself.”

Morpheus bowed slightly, his dark eyes softening. “The pleasure was mine, Lady of the Silver Wheel.”

As the convention drew to a close, the deities began to disperse, all on their way back to their respective realms. Arianrhod and Dream watched as the number of Gods decreased by the second.

“I think we could call it a day,” Arianrhod said. Dream nodded.

“Look who enjoyed the night,” Death approached them with a warm and knowing smile. “Well, you two,” she said, putting her hands on their shoulders. “See you when I see you.”

With that, Death departed. Arianrhod and Morpheus were left alone in the garden. “Are you not leaving yet?” Morpheus asked.

“You know,” Arianrhod replied, “My realm is bit too similar with this,” referring to the Cosmic Hall.

“You should come to the Dreaming sometimes,” Morpheus offered.

Arianrhod smirked, “But deities do not require sleep,” she said. “At least, not in the way mortals do—you know that.”

“I do,” Morpheus replied. “But The Dreaming will always open its gates to you.”

“We’ll see, then,” said Arianrhod. She turned to look at Morpheus one last time. “May the stars align in your favor.”

——————————————————————————

PART TWO

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[nikachansstuff]

Interception

Tags: Angst and Fluff and Smut, Oral Sex, Vaginal Sex, Sex, Soft Azriel, Azriel Needs a Hug, Simp Azriel, Azriel in Love.

Summary: The wrong note turned prophecy.

Link for AO3

Or read it bellow. All my love and thanks to the lovely @violetasteracademic for revising this one for me and giving me so much insight. You're the best, girl.

My dear Elain, I am truly sorry for my words-

Azriel scanned the freshly typed text. For the third time in the last hour, he removed the paper from the typewriter and crumpled it in his tight fists. He closed his eyes, resting his lips in his hands that still held the paper, savoring for a brief moment the scent of parchment. 

Eight months.

Eight months since, those words had left his mouth during Solstice, ending whatever sparked between them and making him the only witness to Elain Archeron's heartbreak. Eight months following his High Lord's command.

Eight fucking months thinking about her during the day and dreaming about her during the nights. Imagining possible scenarios if he only had had the courage to leave that damned office straight to her bedroom and beg for her forgiveness. 

Azriel opened his eyes, and his fingers found the keys again. Impulsively, he couldn't stop the words from forming.

Dear Elain, In my dreams, I kiss your cunt, your sweet wet cunt. In my thoughts, I make love to you all day long. Azriel 

His eyes scanned the words again, and as he finished typing, a half smile slowly curved his lips. He ripped the paper from the machine and let out a heavy sigh, reclining in the old chair. 

Shaking his head, he couldn't help the chuckle that left his lips at the absurdity of the words. He would never be so bold as to say those words out loud or to

deliver the letter, now double-folded next to his cup of hot tea.

But somehow, Azriel could picture it perfectly: Elain opening the letter, her milky skin turning a soft blush while reading the words. She would lose a breath; her lips would part as they did that night. And then, she would bite her bottom lip, her shyness giving way to the desire she would feel. Or would she be horrified? Slapping him on the cheek him just like that play he once watched at Velaris Grand Theater.  

Eight months.

A lot could change in eight months. They hadn't spoken since that damned night, and Azriel refused to give in to his need to track her with his shadows. He wanted it; only the Mother knew the effort it took to not throw away his morals and just give in to have some news from her. But he stood against it and kept away from her as Rhysand had ordered him to do. As he was foolish enough to obey.

But he couldn’t anymore. 

Dearest Elain, My headaches increased alarmingly since we last saw each other. And I don’t think I can blame our loud friends anymore. Your gift remains untouched by my nightstand. I like to keep it there as a reminder of you and your gentleness. Please forgive me for my words in our last encounter. The truth is my absence is the only way to keep me from acting on my longing thoughts. The only mistake was stopping before I could finally fulfill my dreams Sincerely, Azriel

He finished typing and signed his name in neat handwriting. Losing a soft breath, Azriel folded the letter and placed it inside an envelope. In a quick movement, he wrote Elain Archeron on the blank front of it and placed it on his desk. Finally lifting from the old armchair, he could start getting ready for tonight’s dinner, hosted by his High Lord and Lady, at the River House. 

Azriel took three long steps in the direction of his in-suite bathroom and called a single shadow that wrapped itself in his forearm. Please take the note to Elain, at the Townhouse, he commanded silently, while undressing and entering in the enormous clawfoot bathtub. 

It took him longer than usual to bathe. He allowed himself a moment to just relax in the hot water, letting his thoughts travel far while he washed. He left the bathroom, his body shivering from the different temperatures between rooms. 

Azriel was finishing adjusting the siphon on his right hand, when he allowed his eyes to travel to his desk. Where the envelope with Elain’s name still rested in the dark wood. He hesitated for a second, his shadows slowly closing in on his ankles.

Suppressing the terror that threatened to take over his body, Azriel searched for the folded note close to his teacup. His tea now cold, the note containing his deepest secret now absent. 

Well…

Fuck.

An uncharacteristic high-pitched laugh rumbled in his chest at the realization of what had just happened. Azriel ran his hands through his hair, biting his bottom lip hard enough to hurt. Fuck. So much for resorting to poetry, to relying on paper to deliver what he had felt for the past two years. He shook his head, still not quite believing how careless and miscalculating the whole series of events was. 

However… the idea of Elain reading such words sent a chill down his spine, both petrifying and, to his disbelief, exciting. He could feel the light shiver that went through him, the curiosity of seeing her reaction getting the worst of him. He was a sick bastard. From complete absence to a filthy declaration. 

“Fuck,” he shook his head again while bracing the hard desk, the steady wood giving him a sense of reality in the foggy situation. 

There was no way around it, so he needed to talk to Elain before dinner. Part of him even dared to hope that maybe Elain was not at the Townhouse, that maybe his shadow had left the note by her nightstand in her bedroom. If so, he could simply enter the room and take that damn piece of paper without any repercussion to his foolish (and lustful) words.

Taking a deep breath, Azriel left his bedroom at the House of Wind. He crossed the long corridors and exited the house, opening his wings and taking the skies. The flying did little to clear his head and calm the fire burning in his lungs, both from embarrassment and, again, to his horror, excitement. His reaction was surprising himself, the dose of recklessness in all of it acting as fuel to the desire he so carefully tried to suppress for so long. 

His shoes made contact with the hard asphalt in front of the Townhouse, in a loud thud. Azriel took the next steps, hesitating at the front door of Elain’s house for the last couple of months. 

Rhysand and Feyre made it clear to Elain that the Townhouse could be her haven whenever she needed. Azriel had thought about the decision and couldn’t help wondering if this was a way for Rhysand to give privacy to both Elain and Lucien to explore their mating bond, whenever he was in town. 

Azriel bit his inner cheek at the thought. Clearly, it was not the right place for his mind to wander because all Azriel could feel was an icy rage, notes and letters, and words forgotten. Feeling his turmoil, his shadows wrapped around his calves wildly, and for a moment, he just stood there, glaring at the front door as if it had personally offended him. 

Azriel was so distracted by murderous thoughts that he faltered a step when the door opened, his heart skipping a beat.

And there she was. 

Elain kept her hand on the doorknob, her warm doe eyes wide while greeting him. Azriel swallowed thickly, his eyes taking in the female in front of him. 

The dress made him pause, the style so different from the ordinary choice Elain would prefer. The green satin dress had fine straps, baring her lightly freckled shoulders. Azriel noticed at that moment that he had never once seen Elain's shoulders, and that was a sin in itself. 

The soft fabric was lightly loose in her torso, hugging her curvy hips, to then cascade over her legs in different panels of luxurious satin, a faint suggestion of a slit in her right thigh. He saw the style once in the Continent, the fashion considered scandalous for women in the human lands. 

His eyes traveled up to her thick hair tied at her nape. A few strands were loosely pinned on her scalp, framing her lovely face. Gods, she was devastating.  Their eyes met, the awareness of his long stare hitting him. Azriel cleaned his throat, suddenly feeling like a youngling caught in a mischief.  

“Lady,” Azriel murmured, dropping his head in a light bow, and when he lifted his chin, their eyes met again. 

Azriel couldn’t tell if Elain knew about the note, her expression null and not giving him anything. He almost winced at the sting in his chest at the realization that he couldn’t read her so easily anymore. 

A lot could change in eight months.

Slowly, Elain did a polite curtsy, taking a step away from the door. “Do you want to come in?” her voice was soft as always, but with a stiffness he was not accustomed to. He nodded, while running his hands in the lapel of his black jacket. 

Elain turned, displaying the naked skin of her back, making him inhale sharply, the air suddenly too hot. She crossed the hall all the way to the corridor leading to Rhysand’s old office. Azriel followed her steps, allowing himself the pleasure of seeing Elain’s hips undulate under the flowy skirt. She opened the heavy door and continued her way to the wooden desk at the back of the office. She flickered the desk lamp on, giving the room a warm and intimate lighting. Azriel entered the room next, closing the door behind him.

He turned, and his eyes traveled to the numerous bookshelves, stopping at a title behind Elain’s left shoulder. Suddenly, all his training experience, all the wars, battles, and enemies did nothing to help him gather the courage to face Elain Archeron. The jasmine and honey he so desperately craved filled the room.

Azriel inhaled generously, savoring her scent like a starved male, the sweetness heavy on his tongue. Only then, hazel met brown. 

“You’ve never called me lady before,” she broke the silence, proving she was the bravest of the two. 

“Elain,” Azriel shook his head, feeling stupid for the over-politeness he assumed was the best choice. He looked at the carpeted floor, and then, her. “It was a mistake,” her eyes narrowed slightly, and he cursed himself for the terrible choice of words. 

“Yes,” she said coldly. 

“I’m sorry-That’s not right…” He exhaled heavily. “What I meant is it was a stupidity,” he continued, brushing his thumb with his index finger nervously. “It was never meant to be read.”

“No,” she agreed.

“It was the wrong note,” his heartbeat wildly; Azriel felt completely exposed under her gaze. “The right letter was more appropriate and less- “

“Anatomical?” she completed, resting her hands on the surface of the desk behind her. 

Azriel allowed himself to chuckle at the absurdity. Shaking his head, his eyes traveled to the ceiling, exposing the skin of his blushing neck. “Yes.” He murmured then and searched her eyes again. 

But Elain was not looking at him. Her focus was on the white lilies beautifully displayed in a ceramic vase on the dark wood desk. He watched her fingertips as she lightly caressed the petals, the gesture so intimate. Then, Elain took a short step away from the desk. “I was surprised to hear from you…” She contoured the desk, again giving him a glance of her back, miles and miles of naked skin. “I thought it was odd, you never sent me a note before,” she continued in a low voice, and Azriel followed her slowly, his steps a muffled sound meeting the carpet.

Elain then turned, her eyes taking in the smaller distance between their bodies. She took a step back, her elbows lightly brushing the bookshelves behind her as if she could disappear behind the titles. Azriel heard a wet, soft sound as she unglued her tongue from the roof of her mouth to speak, her voice so low that only amplified the intimacy shared: “What said the letter I was supposed to read?”

Azriel took another step, getting closer to her. “It was an apology for my words that night.” He couldn’t say that he was only following Rhysand’s orders. How could Elain understand the authority of his High Lord’s command? How that order alone spoke deeply to the most primal part of him. The part that was more beast than Fae. It took Azriel months alone to slowly release himself from the need to obey, to bend the knee. He always was the wildest one, the one Rhysand couldn't easily control, and being there, with the female he wanted so fiercely, was just another proof of that. “It said the only mistake was to stop…” Elain turned her head, seeking shelter in the dark space not illuminated by the soft light from the desk lamp. She covered her mouth and nose with a trembling hand as if she was trying to physically stop herself from speaking. Her eyes glimmered as she touched their corner with her fingertips. 

“Eight months,” she murmured, still avoiding his gaze.

“I know…”

“You called it a mistake,” she then looked at him, and her eyes showed so much pain that Azriel felt sick. 

“I know, and I am sorry, Elain - I am so sorry,” his jaw locked purposefully tight. He had to forced himself to respect the distance Elain placed between their bodies. “You didn’t read it wrong, I wanted you – Gods, I still want you,” he almost choked in the last words. “Tell me how to fix it, Elain, and I will do it – I - why are you crying?”

“Don’t you know?” she said between a sob, finally letting her hand drop from her face, a single tear running a path down her cheek. 

It took him a second, a brief, finite second, but there it was: their language. The bizarre familiarity that had blossomed the day he had first met Elain Archeron. Once that intimacy hit him, her eyes, her beautiful face, and soft gestures were easy to read, like his favorite book. And he knew, then. Azriel just understood what that single tear was telling him. 

“Yes, I know exactly," he said breaking the silence, and then, Azriel just moved towards her, closing the distance in a purposeful stride. 

Their bodies crashed, and he pressed her against the bookshelves, placing his hands against them, caging her. A soft gasp left Elain’s lips at the impact, and then, their mouths collided. Only a hard pressure of lips, passion and hunger motivating more than care. Azriel felt more than heard Elain’s whimper, so he forced himself to place a distance between them again. 

Her eyes were hooded as she lifted her head to look at him. Azriel inhaled sharply to calm the burning that could spoil it all. So, he slowly, tenderly cradled her face with his scarred hands. His thumb lightly traced her wet bottom lip, and then, he was blessed by the vision of Elain parting her mouth, welcoming the touch. Azriel lowered his face, still looking at her, and brushed his lips against hers. One, two, three soft times. They were beyond present, past, and future as Azriel finally claimed Elain’s mouth. 

Her lips were soft against him as she tentatively kissed him, the clumsiness of it all fueling something primal inside him. They drew away for a second, and she placed her hands on his chest as they met again with more confidence. His hand drifted from her face to her neck, pressing her pulse point in a featherlight touch, earning him the lowest and most beautiful sound that he knew would mark the shift between them forever. When their tongues finally met, Azriel felt Elain’s knees faltering, so he pressed her harder against the bookshelves. His groan was loud enough for their ears only, and he couldn’t stop. The hunger was too strong, the desire weighing heavy on his limbs. He increased the pressure in her neck, craving the feeling of her high beating pulse, and Elain just lightly turned, offering him more. Giving him permission to take it. So, he did. 

When Azriel broke the kiss, he could’ve sworn he heard a whimper of complaint. Responsive. Elain was utterly, beautifully responsive, that wild part of her speaking to his hidden beast in a way that not even his most savage dreams could have him prepared for. He pressed his forehead against hers, his hand still on her neck, his thumb brushing the velvety skin. He slowly lowered his mouth to her jaw, tracing a wet path, inhaling greedily. Elain shivered under his arms, her hands clinging to the fabric of his shirt like a lifeline. His other hand gently caressed her left arm up to her shoulder, and when his fingers reached the thin strap, he noticed he was trembling.

Elain must have felt it too, because she opened her eyes, and looked at his scarred hand. Slowly, her gaze drifted to his. “You’re shaking…” she said in a voice that was not her own. Raspy, lower. 

He nodded, inhaling deeply, his forehead brushing the side of her neck at the motion. And then, he answered in a throaty murmur: “I was miserable without you,” his fingers played with the fine strap again.

She gently brought his hand from her neck to her mouth. She kissed his knuckles, her eyes burning bright. “I missed you too," she said and got on her toes, kissing him again. The kiss different, ravenous.

She hooked her arms around his neck, pulling him towards her, demanding more contact. Azriel moaned loudly when Elain carved her nails in his nape. His response was to move his fingers at the strap, letting it drop to her arm, exposing her shoulder. He ran his tongue through the freckles, savoring both her scent and her shiver. Elain let out a sigh that sounded both pained and breathless. She pulled on his hair, bringing his lips to hers, her mouth greedily kissing, her tongue lapping, her teeth nipping. So different from the female he knew. So different from the female that has haunted him for years. And he didn’t recognize himself as he pressed his thigh between hers, finally allowing the painful hardness of his length to seek relief in her fabric-covered flesh. Elain moaned at the intimate contact, and the sound seemed to pierce him, becoming a new and essential part of him. 

She looked at him, all blushed skin and ragged breath, seeming so, so lost. At last, they were free to take, give, demand, and explore between those four walls that sheltered them from all the outside noises, the reminders of the impossibilities.

Azriel searched her eyes, finding the same hunger, so he slowly thrusted against her. He was rewarded with another broken sob. He again lowered his face, her breath hot on his damp lips. He held her right hand, interlocking their fingers, and pressed them above her head against the bookshelves. Elain's other hand grabbed his shoulder, seeking his steadiness as to anchor herself. He pushed his hips again, fabric against fabric, more forcefully, and she closed her eyes, brows furrowing.

“Look at me,” he whispered in a low rasp against her mouth, and so she did. Elain seemed as drunk as he was. So, so lost. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No,” her answer was immediate, and her nails dug into his shoulder. “Please - oh, please, don’t,” and he couldn’t not bite her bottom lip, savoring the needy whimper. 

His tongue searched for hers again, more demanding. Coaxing her in a dance, her inexperience giving place to that newly found instinct. He then sucked on her tongue, and Elain turned pliable in his hands, her head hitting the shelves behind her in a muffled sound. Azriel let go of her soft hand, slowly reaching for the expensive fabric barely covering her small breast. His thumb traced the exposed skin of her bust, a tentative ask of consent to which Elain’s answer was the hard pulling of his hair towards her. Azriel didn’t hesitate then, baring her breast and capturing the rosy nipple in his mouth. Her moan was lower than his, the sensation piercing his lower stomach, and his hips pushed harder against her supple body.

Azriel felt something shift inside Elain. And her hands were everywhere, pulling and pushing, the contradiction as a result of desperation. She tried to unbutton his shirt, biting his jaw. He sucked harder then, working his way to expose her other breast. Elain inhaled deeply against his neck, mumbling nonsense he couldn’t hear, too drunk in her scent mixed with his own to stop. Then, she finally, finally exposed his chest, dragging her short nails through the inky swirls with enough bite to sting. He hissed at the pain and rose through it at his full height, looking at her from above. Their eyes met, and Elain slowly moved towards his naked chest. Azriel only watched, in a trance, as she dug her teeth into his nipple, hard and not playful.

His hands were in her hair, then he pulled her from him and lifted her chin to capture her lips again. She opened her mouth below him, and they both moaned when their tongues met again with little finesse. Azriel grabbed her waist and pushed her higher against the furniture, her weight half supported by a lower shelf. Desperation guided him hard towards her legs, grabbing the satin fabric and pulling it to expose her. Elain opened wider, giving him more space between her milky thighs and she whimpered when his hips thrusted, pressing hard against her heated core. His breath was hot and heavy, and for a second, the need enveloped every part of his body, and Azriel froze, lost in what to do next, what to taste, to give, and to take. 

Elain laced one leg at his waist, encouraging the pressure. They looked at each other, and Azriel ran his calloused fingers on the velvety skin of her thighs. Sweat covered Elain’s neck, tempting him, so he lowered his mouth, lapping at the exposed flash, tasting salt and honey. His hand moved on its own accord, higher and higher, up to her heated groin. His thumb traced the lace of her underwear, and Elain’s gasp was both surprised and pained. Their eyes met, and Azriel slowly separated their bodies, both breathing raggedly. 

Azriel took one infinite minute to take her in, all of her. The thin straps were hanging loose on her arms by the elbows, breasts fully exposed. A thigh was still hocked in his waist, and the other leg hung, lightly trembling both from need and exhaustion. Her hair was now loose from her nape, strands everywhere, and he realized he couldn’t point when that had happened. The complete utter mess of her only fueled his arousal, encouraging him to dig deeper, to ravish her entirely. So, Azriel slowly removed her leg from his waist and did what he had dreamed about for the past eight months: he kneeled in front of Elain. 

Gently, he ran his hands through her calves, bringing her foot to his bended knee. Elain just watched from above, all wooded eyes, the brown burning fiercely. Azriel then unclipped the thin strap of her golden sandal, removing the shoe. Still holding her gaze, he kissed the inside of her heel, guiding her leg to the round wood step of the bookshelve ladder. He reached for the satin skirt, moving the fabric around her bent leg. He turned his face to the inside of her thigh, brushing his nose on the milky skin. Elain sucked a ragged breath, their eyes still locked in a heated gaze. His mouth moved upwards and covered the path with hot, wet, open mouth kisses. Suddenly realizing his intentions, Elain’s lips parted.

“What are you doing?” She asked in a weak voice, grabbing the shelves by her waist, knuckles whitening. 

Azriel grabbed her heel, both to part her legs wider and to anchor himself. Wetting his lips, looking at her beautiful brown eyes, he finally uttered the words that haunted his dreams: “Let me taste you,” her eyes widened at the request. “Please,” he begged in a broken, desperate whisper, brows furrowing. “Oh, Gods, please, Elain,” he blinked his too-heavy lids, slowly reaching for her sex to run his lips against the lace underwear. Elain let out a sob as she nodded, a broken yes leaving her lips as that lovely blush painted her skin in the most beautiful way. 

Azriel closed his eyes, brushed his nose against the lacy fabric, and inhaled deeply. The scent of her arousal weighted sweetly on his tongue, and his mouth watered. He turned his head and ran his lips through her inner thigh up, up, up her hip bone, where he nipped the skin through the fabric just for good measure. She whimpered above him, lacing her fingers through his hair. Opening his eyes, he couldn’t suppress the low chuckle that left his lips at the disbelief, at the enormity of fulfilling what once was a long-lost dream. Something snapped inside him, and he hocked his fingers in the fragile lace, pushing it aside and baring her. The wet pink cunt glistened under the intimate half-lighting. “Beautiful,” his voice was a throaty rasp. He searched her eyes, and when he found them closed, his groan was both annoyed and aroused.

"Elain," he called her and Gods, he sounded desperate. She opened her eyes, gazing at him from above, in a trance. “Look at me,” he commanded, but his voice was equally deep and broken. “Actually look at me, or I will stop,” he said, and she nodded again, her eyes watering. 

So, finally, Azriel kissed Elain’s sweet, wet cunt, the note now both prophecy and only witness. His loud moan drowned the sound of her own at that first taste. His tongue greedily lapped her entrance, sliding between her pink lips, wanting all of it, and when her hands weighted heavily on his scalp, for a moment, he thought she had fainted. Elain let out a long moan, the vowel stretching for infinite seconds. And despite his threat, he was the one with closed eyes, savoring her in the darkness. When his lips closed around that sweet spot and sucked, she startled, and the motion woke him up to the present. It suddenly hit him exactly where he was and what he was doing. “Fuck,” he groaned against her sex. “Gods, fuck – Elain,” he was a mumbling mess at the realization.

In a feral impulse, he grabbed her thighs, opening her wider, and his tongue was sliding, lapping, sucking, and fucking worshiping her. The loud, filthy, wet sounds filled the room along with their mixed scents. One hand in his head, her other searched for support on the shelf above her hand. Elain was trembling under his touch, a broken whimper leaving her lips every time he sucked hard on the apex of her thighs. Their eyes met as he slowly glided a finger inside her, his mouth parting, mimicking her expression. He trusted carefully, painfully aware of her every reaction. Elain brought the palm of her hand to her mouth, biting the soft flesh, her moan muffled. Azriel reached for her wrist, shaking his head. “No, I want to hear it, sweetheart,” he rasped. “All of it, I need it,” and he pushed his finger harder, twisting it on the way out. 

He felt it, then. The beginning of her fall. And it was his driving force and only need as he ravished her, tongue, fingers, nose and chin. He couldn’t stop his own moans when Elain grinded against him, searching for her release. The obscene sounds filled the small space, bouncing back from the four walls, and he knew then that this was his undoing. He would never recover, neither did he want to. He wanted to commit to memory every sound, every note of that scent, every drop of that sweet fucking honey on his tongue.

Her mouth was a perfect O when she came undone on his tongue. He felt the sweet contractions in his hand, the fresh rush of wetness, the trembling limbs. “Yes, sweetheart, that’s it,” he praised her, still sliding his fingers, working her through her climax. Elain was a shaking mess above him, eyes closed, back arched. When she was finally coming down from her high, she let out a final satiated moan, a small smile curving her lips, and she turned her blushed face to the ladder, her forehead rolling into the dark wood in a lazy motion. She was a vision. Devastating. 

Azriel slowly rose from the floor back to his full height, and Elain opened her eyes, taking him in. Her eyes were glazed, but with a slow blink of the heavy eyelids, when she looked at him, it was there. The hunger was still there. And Azriel thanked all the Gods above for it. He positioned himself between her thighs and slowly raised his right scarred hand closer to their faces. Elain only watched as he brought his still-soaked fingers to her swollen bottom lip, brushing it in a light touch, painting it with her release. Her eyes were wide at the realization, and Azriel's own lips curved in a devilish half-smile. "Sweet like fucking honey,” and before she could have a taste, he captured her glistening lip with his teeth and sucked, growling ravenously. 

Elain whimpered as she caressed his exposed chest with trembling hands. Her nails had no bite left and traced a path downwards the button of his pants. Azriel still lapped at her bottom lip greedily, aware of her hands working their way to free him from the layers that separated them. When she finally unbuttoned his clothes, she let out a sigh of relief, the fabric now pooling at his ankles. All that was left was his undershorts, his arousal evidently displayed. She scanned both his eyes before hers descended, and then, Azriel only watched as Elain looked at his erection, a maddening male pride felling his senses when her eyes widened. 

“Oh,” her trembling voice was both surprised and curious. 

“We don’t need to- “

“Don’t you dare,” she interrupted him in a heated whisper, her eyes back on his. 

Elain placed one hand at the waistband of his last piece of clothing and pulled gently, grating space for her other hand to free his cock. Her lovely, sweat damp palm fisted him, and Azriel held his breath, both at the perfect sensation of Elain’s touch and at the vision of her small hand barely able to close around him. He bit his lip, bringing his forehead to hers, both breathing raggedly. She moved her palm up, a fingertip curiously brushing the slickness at the head. Azriel inhaled deeply, surrendering to her pace and will, letting her fulfill her curiosity and take her fill in uneven, inexperienced strokes. The clumsiness of it all aroused him even further. 

He cradled her face with his calloused palms, but Elain kept her gaze fixed on his cock, jerking it with both small hands. He held her jaw then, and Elain's eyes were on his. Basking in her full attention, Azriel pressed one thumb in her mouth, seeking entrance, and Elain parted her lips showing true eagerness. She sucked his finger into her mouth, and Azriel pressed the pad of his thumb on her velvety tongue, pinching it from inside while holding her jaw and locking it as he wanted. Azriel then lowered his free hand, swiping one bead of precum on his thumb, bringing it close to their faces again, the action followed by burning brown eyes. Elain opened her mouth wider under his pinch, and he removed his thumb from her jaw, cradling her chin. Their gaze still locked, he brought his slick thumb to his own mouth, tasting himself while still feeling Elain’s release in his tongue. Elain whimpered, her breath rapid and hot, her lips still widely parted. Azriel then lowered his face to hers, tilting her head, and spit inside her mouth, feeding her both their essence. He watched her throat work as she swallowed what he gave her, her eyes closing as she moaned. Elain then opened her eyes, parting her mouth again, asking silently for more.

“Fuck,” he rasped, pulling her towards him and kissing her savagely.

Suddenly, she placed one hand on his chest, breaking the kiss and willing him backward, creating space between their bodies. His brow furrowed in confusion, but then, Elain’s feet touched the carpeted floor, and she hooked her fingers on her underwear. She held his gaze, all blush and conviction, as she pushed it downwards her lovely thighs, bending one leg at each time, removing the lacy fabric. She then swallowed thickly, anchoring herself to the same previous position, one leg seeking support in the lower ladders’ step. She opened her legs wide, pushing the fabric and baring herself to Azriel. 

“I want you,” she said in a shaking voice. “Make love to me.” It was a feverish request in her tongue, but to Azriel's ears, it was a yielding command.

He was back at his rightful place the next second, touching her thighs with utter devotion. Azriel looked at Elain as he lowered his face towards her, giving her a gentle kiss, nothing but a brush of lips; both still with open eyes, scared to surrender to the heavy eyelids and had the moment stolen from them, vanished like sand between their fingertips. He fisted his cock twice, in a slow motion, all while holding her gaze hostage. He slid his length through her wetness, biting his lip to suppress the loud moan at the perfect sensation. His forehead met hers from above, and they both looked as he notched at her entrance. Elain was all supple limbs bellow him, the frenzy of the enormity of what they were about to make hitting them both. 

Elain sucked a breath, her nails digging into his forearms as he pushed gently, entering her slowly, savoring the feeling greedily, inch by fucking inch. He stopped halfway through, breathing heavily, their foreheads still rolling lazily against each other, their gaze still locked on their connection, and Elain dug her nails deeper, silently urging him to continue the feverish torture. He pushed again, more forcefully, and when he was settled to the hilt, Elain sucked a ragged breath, turning her face in a rapid motion. Azriel froze, giving her time to adjust to the fullness of him. Her lovely, blushing face was only partly illuminated by the weak lighting, but Azriel saw her tearful eyes as she blinked rapidly, breathing deep, silently. She then looked at him, and there was passion but also pride in those beautiful brown eyes. She dragged her hand to his waist, pulling him to her, goading him, and he denied her no more. 

His thrusts were slow and deep; his hands settled at her thighs, forcing her open with every motion of his hips. Elain’s head rested against the titles behind her, and her nails traced the inky swirls in his chest. Condensation rebounded from her skin back to him, making their skin gleaming with sweat. And when he hit the right spot inside her, Elain’s back arched as a broken gasp left her perfect lips. That sound was his lighthouse, guiding him towards her pleasure, so he angled his hips, hitting the same spot over and over again. Elain's shaking arms embraced his neck, and she dug her face into his shoulder as if she could hide from him. 

“Look at me,” he said for the third time, desperately. She inclined her head, her nose brushing against his jaw. Their eyes locked, and Azriel thrusted harder, faster. 

“Oh, Gods,” she sobbed, all supple, shaking body.

“Call me by my name, Elain,” he pleaded, his voice a growly mess. “Please,” he moaned. 

 “Azriel,” and it was the siren’s call, leading him to the edge. 

“Again,” he rasped, hitting his forehead against the bookshelves, his hips increasing the rhythm on their own accord. He was purely instinct now, barely rational. 

“A-Azriel, oh, Azriel,” and she stretched the first syllable of his name in the most beautiful sound he had ever heard. 

Craving more of that lovely sound, Azriel slid his arm under the one knee that was around his hips, his hand circling her wrist, and pulled her closer. Another plea with his name left her mouth, vibrating her entire body, her head falling behind her. Delighted with the silent offer, his mouth descended to her exposed neck, biting the salty skin. It was too much; the hill they were climbing together was too high, and he knew deep inside his immortal soul that once they reached the peak, he would be forever at her mercy.

Her walls tightened against him, and his groans were feral. Needing more, he hooked her other leg around his arm, holding both her wrists at her back. His free hand went to her perfect bottom, and he used her to slide up and down his length in a fierce motion. The wet, filthy noises of skin-to-skin ricocheted from the walls back to their ears, and when Azriel thought he couldn't take it anymore, Elain screamed against his neck. “Yes, sweetheart, fuck, fuck, Elain!” His hips lost rhythm, the pace uneven and uncoordinated when he felt the contractions of her climax, pushing him to the edge. He spilled inside her, long and hard, her name a plea in his tongue.

His breathing ragged, his legs faltered, and Azriel fell to his knees a second time that night. Carefully cradling her to him, he unhooked his arms from underneath her, and Elain embraced his waist with her legs, her arms circling his neck. He looked at her from below, his arms embracing her waist. Luminous. She was light itself. Azriel knew now that she was his new religion, his only Goddess, and that he would forever worship at her altar. Their mouths brushed in a devoting caress, sharing the same air, her breath hot on his damp lips.

“I love you,” she murmured above him, running her fingers through the hair at his nape. “I love you, Azriel,” she repeated. 

Azriel had read the words in his books while studying the mortal’s culture and traditions. He knew the expression weighted heavily for humans, but he couldn’t fully understand the importance of the foreign words. So, he answered the only way he knew how.

“I am yours,” he placed her hand on his chest, on top of his heart. “And you are mine,” his hand was on her chest, then his thumb lightly brushed the damped skin. “Forever,” he vowed. 

“Forever,” she prophesied, her eyes turning a murky white a brief second, but she blinked and then, it was gone.

Azriel felt it then, the heat underneath his palm pulsing at the same time the skin in his chest burned. He removed his hand to see the newly fresh ink marking Elain’s sternum. A rose covered with tendons of shadows. He didn’t need to look at his chest to know an equal pair was now displayed there. Elain’s fingertip brushed away a tear running down his cheek. 

“Forever.”

[fantasybabygirlslutsworld]

The Realm's Light - 3

Part one

Part two

Safe to say, the celebration of Princess

Mariana's birth would be far grander than her own parents's wedding. King Jaehaerys I of his name had announced that a grand feast with hunting and tourneys would commence for a month inviting all the lords and ladies of the seven kingdoms and free cities to honor the birth of his great granddaughter.

While preparing for the grand feast for their immediate family, Queen Alysanne had questioned her eldest son about the whereabouts of her other grandson.

" Baelon, where is Daemon? It's been more than 6 hours after the babe was born but he hadn't come to see his niece till now." Prince Viserys had already sent a guard to inform his brother about Princess Aemma's labour.

" You know about Daemon, mother. When informed about Aemma's labour, he immediately flew on Caraxes to Dragonstone to fetch a dragon egg for his little niece or nephew ." Crown Prince Baelon replied to his mother." We should soon find a match for that boy so that he can embrace his responsibilities." Queen Alysaane gruffly said.

"Mother, did you invite Vaegon and Maegelle to the feast." Prince Baelon asked his mother. Ever since Vaegon Targaryen became an archmaester in Citadel and Maegelle as a Septa to the faithful seven,their visits to king's landing had been limited.

" Vaegon informed that he will not be able to attend today's gathering but he will come during the tourney next month to see his grandniece and sweet Maegelle had gone to a village near the riverlands to se fellow followers." Queen Alysanne said to her son .

After the death of her two daughters, Princesses Alyssa and Viserra, Septa Maegelle had became the only comfort for the old queen. "I hope that the birth of the little Princess may unite our family,Baelon." The old queen said to the spring Princ.

The crown Prince agreed with his mother as the house of the dragon was slowly starting to break away after the death of Prince Aemon soon followed by Prince Baelon given the title of Prince of Dragonstone instead of  giving it to Princess Rhaenys,Prince Aemon's only daughter.

If the problem was not solved then, there would be a future filled with destruction for House Targaryen.

As the news of the birth of his niece soon reached him , Prince Daemon closed his eyes and did nothing but smile for a minute. The gods had granted his prayers. Now,it is time for him to fulfill his part in the plan . But first,he needed to find a suitable dragon egg for his darling niece.

Words are that the people in the village near Dragonstone saw a dragon flew to an isolated cave a moon ago. Prince Daemon went alone to look for the dragon and see if there is any egg with it. As he went near the cave a familiar pungent smell of blood hit him. Someone must have died here recently.

When he went inside the cave,a dragon was seen lying motionlessly with no external injuries with it's silver scales glittering in the darkcave. 'It must have died from childbirth ' Prince Daemon thought . However,Something had caught his eye before he could fully examine the dragon. In the corner lays an egg so white that it brightens the whole cave.

Prince Daemon took the egg in his hands and decided that it would be perfect for his Issa dōna hāedar. He then went outside the cave and called Caraxes. The Blood Wyrm roared and landed near his rider. Prince Daemon touched it's about and said " Are you excited to see īlva tolie half, Caraxes?". After saying that, he claimed on his dragon to attend the family gathering tonight and meet a special someone.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The preparations for the celebration had kept every servants on their toes . Lord Corlys Velaryon and his children had arrived to king's landing and was now sitting with King Jaehaerys, Queen Alysanne,Prince Baelon and Princess Rhaenys in the royal dining hall prepared for the occasion while the Velaryon siblings were taken to their chamber to sleep by heir wet nurses .

" Uncle Baelon,do you know where is Daemon ? He was not present here during Aemma's labour " Princess Rhaenys questioned . Before the spring Prince could reply, " I told you,Baelon. That son of yours doesn't care about his duties and was only interested in jousting and riding his dragon. Yesterday, I had gotten a velry good proposal from Lord Roland Royce of the Vale to make a betrothal with his only daughter to Daemon." Queen Alysanne angrily said to her son.

" I know about Daemon, mother. Even if he doesn't seem to care about the royal court, he is loyal to our family. Even now, he had gone to Dragonstone to fetch an egg for his niece. He should be coming now at anytime. And about Lord Royce's proposal, let Daemon decide about it, mother." Prince Baelon softly said to his mother. Before the Queen can reply, a piercing roar of a dragon echoed through

the walls. a knight had entered the hall and said " My King, Prnce Daemon had arrived at the dragon pit with his dragon".

" Well,  Daemon had chosen to come at the perfect timing with us speaking about him,  grandmother." Princess Rhaenys slyly replied. " Inform Prince Daemon to  come here soon." King Jaehaerys ordered. " Yes, y King " the royal gaurd replied and went away.

Meanwhile, Prince Viserys and Princess Aemma were getting ready for the celebration in their own bedchambers while their newborn daughter lied in the baby cot in her parents hared chamber.

Suddenly, the footsteps of a person echoed through the palace halls and the person stopped at the chamber where the young Princess was present.

The door of the chamber was opened by the royal gaurd to let the person in and the first thing that caught his eye was the

Cot made of mahogany wood.He then made his way and stopped right infront of the babycot.

In the moonlight,it can be seen that the person stnding there was the rogue Prince himself in a red tunic and black breaches. He was intensely gazing at the small figure lying on the cot in a white gown made of fine silks,her platinum blonde hair symbolising her as a Targaryen. That the same hot dragon blood coursing through his body is also in hers made him wondered.

As if sensing his presence, the littlest Princess opened her eyes to see the intruder.A gasp left Prince Daemon upon seeing her eyes.One emerald green and another Targaryen violet just like how his mother, Princess Alyssa, once had.

Now seeing the same eyes on his niece made his heart warm and a smile tugged in his face. " Welcome naejot īlva lentor, issa dōna darling . " Prince Daemon said to his now wiggling niece.

" I see my daughter had met her kepus already. " Prince Viserys had said while walking into the chamber. " Well, you all had been here from her. She must have yearned to see someone younger while surrounded by older people, brother "

Prince Daemon snarkily replied.

" I am only 20 summers old, Daemon. Besides who are you calling old when you yourself was going to be an adult?"

Prince Viserys retorted. " Oh Please! Don't start your verbal brawl in the presence of my daughter. I don't want her to bicker like you both." Princess Aemma intervened and said.

" Please,I had no wish to start a brawl with my brother after flying for hours on Caraxes to and from the Dragonstone. But it was so much worth it doing for my darling niece." Prince Daemon said while looking at the new addition of his family who was holded by his brother .

" Do you want to hold her, brother?" Prince Viserys asked his brother. " What if she might break in my hold?" Prince Daemon whispered. " She is not a glass,Daemon. She will not break" princess Aemma chuckled and said.

Carefully,the rogue Prince took his niece from his brother and held her in his arms. The young Princess looked at his hair and face and showed her toothless smile. The rogue Prince smiled back. " So, my daughter likes her uncle very much that she smiled for the first time." Princess Aemma said with amusement.

Suddenly, someone knocked on the door and a kingsguard entered the chamber to inform that everyone of House Targaryen was present and now waiting for them. " Let's attend the family gathering, brother. Word of warning, I heard that grandmother was working on your betrothal to Lord Royce's only daughter." Prince Viserys said to his brother before walking towards the dining room with his wife.

" She can try but I won't marry anyone of her choosing " Prince Daemon muttered while following his brother while holding his niece.

" Stop talking, you both and Daemon, I knew Rhea Royce from childhood and she is an excellent leader and skilled in hunting." Princess Aemma whispered to them . Soon they reached the entrance of the royal dining hall while the guard outside announced their presence.

" Prince Viserys and his Princess consort Aemma of House Targaryen had arrived to the hall.Prince Daemon Targaryen, wielder of dark sister had arrived to the chamber."

As soon as he announced, They had entered the hall and sat on their respective seats in the table . King Jaehaerys had sat on the head of the table with Lord Corlys on the other end of the table while the old queen sat beside her husband and across her older son with Princess Rhaenys beside her husband and Pricess Aemma on her other side and across Prince Daemon.

Prince Viserys sat beside his brother and father.Prince Daemon can be seen holding his niece who was staring at the huge chandelier hanging above .

" I am glad that most of our family had  gathered here for celebrating the birth of my great granddaughter today. In her honour, let's toast for her good health and hope she brings glory to our house. Hear,hear." King Jaehaerys announced.

" Hear, hear " Everyone drank the wine in their glasses except Prince Daemon as he was only 15 summers old and still a child in their eyes. "Prince Viserys, I congratulate you for the birth of your daughter and may she grow with beauty and happiness." Lord Corlys said.

" Thank you,Lord Corlys,we are happy to see you here after sailing for a day from Dreamfort . " Prince Viserys replied back.

" Cousin,my husband and I have prepared a gift for our niece. I hope she likes it in the future " Princess Rhaenys said while signalling someone to present the gift." Oh my goodness! These are the rare type of pearls which possess different colours when shown in the sunlight " Queen Alysanne exclaimed looking at the chest of pearls in various colours. " We have imported them from the Braavos which took almost a week of sailing" Lord Corlys proudly said. " We express our gratitude for your wonderful gift, Lord Corlys " Princess Aemma said to them.

" Son , I too have prepared a gift for my granddaughter. I have named her as the Lady of the spring manor which is in the north where your mother liked to spend time " The crown Prince said to his son with mirth in his eyes." Thank you, father " Prince Viserys replied.

" Now, if you all have finished,can we start the dinner?" Queen Alysanne playfully questioned them. " Wait, grandmother .what is a Targaryen family gathering without dragons?. I too have gift for my darling niece. The one which will be the most precious to her than jewels and manors." Prince Daemon said. Everyone except Prince Baelon was puzzled at what his gift was . One of the guards came forward and kept a Iron container in the middle of the table. Prince Daemon handed his niece to her mother and opened the container took out an object.

In his hand,lays a dragon egg so white, that it shined brighter than those pearls. Everyone was perplexed at the sight of the egg ." I had never in my life saw a dragon egg of this colour. Where did you obtained this egg ,boy" King Jaehaerys questioned his grandson. " I had retrieved it from a dead dragon in a cave near Dragonstone, grandfather. It must have recently died from childbirth." Prince Daemon replied.

" Thank you, brother. It would be the most precious gift to my daughter anyone can give to her. " Prince Viserys thanked his brother. " And Aemma and I have decided a name for our child " he said to everyone present there . " And the name of my daughter will be Mariana Targaryen ,the first of her name , the Realm's Light. " Prince Viserys proudly announced."

Everyone was overjoyed about learning her name and toasted for another time but both Prince Baelon and Prince Daemon got emotional upon hearing her name. Princess Alyssa had always wished to name her daughter that but never gotten chance. Prince Baelon smiled at his eldest son for gratitude while Prince Daemon looked at his niece with a strange gaze.

The celebration continued as everyone shared shared some of the interesting incidents and ate dinner with whole heart . As wished upon, this gathering had made House Targaryen stronger than ever and hope it will remain stronger at difficult times.

Only future holds the answer to the questions.

Part four Part five Part six

___________________________________________

Author's Note: I hope you like the chapter done by my amateur writer self.

Do vote for my story if you like it.

@snowtargaryen @sadmonke @girl-of-multi-fandoms @cwallace02sblog

@bitchycollectorvoid @immyowndefender @kpopstanforlife2007 @hc-geralt-23 @beebeechaos

@ayamenimthiriel

[bodhrancomedy]

Chasing the Mists (Part 1) by Bodhrán M.

The seafolk had been coming for decades, but still no one could say why they chose to steal the people they did. Sometimes it seemed simple enough – all young men or all old women or children under five – but sometimes the only similarities of the captives were that all had brown eyes, or they took from every third house. Sometimes they swarmed up the beach in an unrelenting hoard, seizing and breaking and shrieking in delight. Sometimes it was done so silently, so neatly, that a man could wake in his bed to find the wife he’d clasped in his arms at nightfall gone as surely as snow in summer.

Every year it changed along with the seasons and the tactics, but two things were certain.

The seafolk came once a year and those they took were never seen again.

Odette – Ody – knew this just as everyone did. So did her mother as she trailed behind her, telling her daughter over and over as Ody purposefully restrung the little boat’s sails.

“Please, Ody. Please. No one comes back, you know that. Please just come back inside.”

Ody ignored her. The anger and sorrow and terror balled up in her chest was making her lightheaded and floaty, that core a steel anchor to her mind.

“It hurts, Ody. I know. I promise I know. We all know.”

It was true. Many of the villages up and down the coast would be grieving loved ones tonight – whether stolen or slain trying in vain to protect them.

“I lost your grandfather to them,” her mother was choking on her tears, fingers gripping the side of the boat until her scarred knuckles turned to white skulls, “my best friend, your sister… I don’t need to lose you too, Ody.”

Ody tested the rigging, the rope rough against her hands as she tugged.  

“What about your father? What about the twins? What about his mother?” At that her mother sucked in a ragged breath, swaying. “Ody, please listen to me!”

She did straighten at that, her heart stuck painfully in her windpipe. “He’d come for me, Mam.”

“Because you’re both young and foolish and in love.” Her mother reached out, pleadingly grasping Ody’s woolen sleeve.

The sleeve Locke had made. They’d spent their childhood like everyone else; weaving the fishing nets on the shores where his had always had a fineness to them no one else could match. She’d heard the elders talking once, saying how it was almost a shame he was born out here on the shifting sands and not in the city, where some grand laird or lady could have apprenticed him. The overheard conversation had made Ody guilty for days because the first thought which had gripped her tight was that she was furiously, fiercely glad he hadn’t and that the Gods had determined that he be here with her instead, together for eternity in this destitute fishing village overlooking a merciless sea.

That was a young and foolish Ody, not this one.

Not this calm, meticulous one with a knife in her belt, a ring on her finger, and a plan in her head.

“No one,” her mother begged, “no one has ever come back.”

“Then I suppose it’s time they did.”

[izzymissi]

"Caught in the act" Lady Dimitrescu x Femreader (very spicy smut) Oneshot

TW: Degradation, Physical abuse, Name Calling, Pain

this was some old draft i had and i just made it longer because i feel if i dont write today im gonna start gnawing on cables. enjoy!

The castle was eerily quiet, save for the soft sound of your footsteps as you made your way through its grand hallways. The glow from the candles cast long, flickering shadows across the ornated walls, making the atmosphere feel even more oppressive. You shouldn’t be doing this—you knew that much—but the thought of catching a glimpse of Lady Dimitrescu in her most private moments had been plaguing you for days. The tall, elegant Lady of the castle was an enigma, commanding and regal in every way, and you couldn’t help but be mesmerized by her.

Tonight, you couldn’t resist. Tonight, you had to see her.

You knew where she would be. Every night, she would retreat to her chambers, and the castle would grow quiet as the night settled in. You found yourself creeping towards her room, your heart pounding in your chest, a mix of excitement and fear coursing through you. You pressed yourself against the wall just outside her bedroom door, taking a deep breath before slipping inside.

The room was dimly lit by a few flickering candles, and there, in the center, stood Lady Dimitrescu. She was facing away from you, her tall, imposing figure bathed in the soft glow of the candlelight. You watched in awe as she began to undress, the fabric of her gown sliding down her smooth skin. You couldn’t help but marvel at her beauty, her grace. She was everything you had ever desired, and you felt your pulse quicken as you continued to watch, unable to tear your gaze away.

But then, she froze.

You felt a chill run down your spine as Lady Dimitrescu turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowing as she caught sight of you in the mirror across the room. Time seemed to stop as her gaze locked onto yours, and a smirk slowly curled her lips.

“Peeping on me, are we?” she purred, her voice low and dangerous, like a predator that had just cornered its prey. “What a naughty little thing you are.”

Your heart skipped a beat, panic rising in your chest. You tried to back away, to make a run for it, but before you could even take a step, she was on you, moving with terrifying speed. Her hand shot out, her long, sharp fingers wrapping around your throat with a grip that left you gasping for air.

“You thought you could spy on me and get away with it?” she growled, her breath hot against your ear as she shoved you roughly against the wall. The cold wall pressed into your back as her fingers tightened around your neck, squeezing just enough to make your head swim. “You’re nothing but a pathetic little whore.”

You whimpered, barely able to form words as her grip made it hard to breathe. "M-My Lady, I—" you tried to stammer out an apology, but she cut you off with a sharp squeeze of your throat.

"Silence, pet," she hissed, her golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "You wanted my attention? Well, you have it now. And I think I need to teach you a lesson for being such a bad little plaything."

With one swift motion, she yanked you away from the wall and threw you onto her massive bed, your body bouncing slightly as you landed on the plush mattress. You barely had time to catch your breath before she was on you again, her tall frame looming over you like a shadow. Her long, elegant fingers dug into your shoulders as she straddled you, pinning you beneath her weight.

"Look at you," she sneered, her lips curling into a cruel smile. "Such a needy little Whore. So desperate for my attention that you'd sneak into my chambers like a common thief. You're pathetic."

Your body trembled beneath her as she leaned down, her face inches from yours, her sharp teeth grazing the sensitive skin of your neck. "Do you like being my plaything?" she whispered, her voice dripping with mockery. "Do you enjoy being treated like the worthless little whore you are?"

You bit your lip, your body trembling with a mix of fear and something else—something dark and intoxicating that made your pulse race. She chuckled darkly, clearly sensing your inner turmoil.

“Oh, I can tell,” she purred, her lips brushing against the shell of your ear as her sharp teeth grazed the delicate skin there. "You love this, don't you? Being at my mercy, completely helpless under my control. It excites you, doesn’t it, pet?"

Her words sent a shiver down your spine, and before you could respond, she grabbed you by the shoulders and flipped you over, pulling your body across her lap. Your face flushed with shame as you found yourself draped over her thighs, your ass presented to her like an offering. The vulnerability of the position made your heart race, but the anticipation of what was to come only fueled the heat building inside you.

“You’re going to learn what happens to naughty little maids who can’t behave,” she growled, her voice filled with authority. “You’re nothing but a plaything to me—a pet who needs to be trained.”

Her hand came down hard against your backside, the sound of the slap echoing through the room. You gasped, your body jerking at the sting of the impact, but you bit your lip, trying to suppress the moan that threatened to escape.

“Count,” Alcina ordered, her tone commanding. “And if you make a sound, I’ll make this so much worse for you.”

“Yes, my Lady,” you whimpered, your voice barely above a whisper.

Her hand came down again, harder this time, the sharp sting of pain mingling with the growing heat between your legs. “One,” you managed to gasp, your body trembling beneath her.

Another slap, harder than before, sent a jolt of pain through you. “Two,” you breathed, trying to keep your voice steady.

The spanking continued, each slap harder than the last, the pain intensifying with every strike. Your skin burned with the heat of her punishment, but with every hit, the fire inside you grew, and it became harder to suppress the moans that built in your throat.

“You like this, don’t you?” she sneered, her hand rubbing over the red, stinging skin of your ass before delivering another punishing slap. “You’re such a filthy little whore. My filthy little whore.”

You couldn’t help it—the moan slipped from your lips, and Alcina’s hand paused mid-swing.

“Well, well, well,” she purred, her voice low and dripping with sadistic pleasure. “It seems you can’t even follow simple instructions, can you?”

Before you could respond, she grabbed a fistful of your hair and yanked your head back, exposing your neck. “You’re so pathetic,” she whispered, her breath hot against your skin. “A dirty, desperate little Slut who can’t control herself.”

Without warning, her sharp teeth sank into your shoulder, the pain searing as she bit down hard. You gasped, your body arching beneath her, the sharp bite sending waves of pain and pleasure coursing through you. She pulled back, leaving a red, angry mark on your skin before biting down again, this time on the other side, her teeth leaving bruises that burned with each throb.

“Mine,” she growled between bites, her voice rough and possessive. “You’re nothing but my plaything.”

Her hand slipped between your legs, pressing firmly against the damp fabric of your underwear. You squirmed, unable to control the moan that escaped your lips as her fingers rubbed against your soaked core. "So wet for me," she murmured, her voice filled with dark amusement. "You really are a filthy little whore, aren't you?"

Her other hand moved back to your neck, her fingers wrapping around your throat once more, squeezing just enough to make your breath hitch. “Keep quiet,” she whispered, her voice a dangerous growl. "Take your punishment."

With a swift motion, she pulled your underwear to the side and without any warning, thrust two of her thick fingers inside you. You cried out, your body arching off her lap as the sudden intrusion sent a jolt of both pain and pleasure through you. Her fingers were too big, stretching you to the point of discomfort, but the overwhelming sensation made your head spin.

"Shhh," Alcina hissed, her hand tightening around your neck as her fingers moved relentlessly inside you. "Did I tell you to make noise, pet?"

You whimpered, trying to hold back the sounds that bubbled up in your throat, but it was impossible. The way her fingers pumped inside you, so deep, so rough, combined with the pressure of her hand on your neck, had you trembling with need.

"Such a bad girl," she growled, her pace never faltering. "You don’t deserve to come. But you will, because you're just a pathetic little plaything, aren’t you?"

Her words made your body burn with shame and desire. You could feel the tension building inside you, your body teetering on the edge as she continued to work her fingers inside you, her thumb brushing against your sensitive nub with every thrust.

"Come for me, pet," Alcina ordered, her voice low and filled with dominance. "Show me how much of a filthy little whore you really are."

Your body shuddered as the command sent you spiraling over the edge, your release crashing through you in waves of pleasure that left you trembling uncontrollably across her thighs. You moaned, unable to hold back as your body gave in to the overwhelming sensation, your vision going white as you came undone.

Alcina’s fingers stilled inside you, letting you ride out your orgasm before she let you come down from the intense high. Your body continued to tremble, every nerve ending on fire as you gasped for breath. Alcina slowly withdrew her fingers, the sensation leaving you aching and empty. You whimpered softly at the loss, your mind still foggy with pleasure, but any comfort was fleeting.

Alcina shifted underneath you, gripping your hair once again and pulling your head back. She held her soaked fingers up in front of your mouth, her eyes gleaming with cruel amusement as she gazed down at you.

“Clean me, pet,” she ordered, her voice low and commanding. "You’ve made quite the mess."

Without hesitation, you parted your lips and obediently took her fingers into your mouth, your tongue swirling around them as you cleaned them of your own release. The taste of yourself lingered on your tongue, and the sensation of her rough fingers against your lips made your core pulse once more, despite how spent you felt.

Alcina’s gaze never left yours as she smirked, clearly enjoying the power she held over you. “Good girl,” she purred, pulling her fingers from your mouth with a wet pop. She let go of your hair and stood, leaving you sprawled across the bed, your body still trembling from the aftershocks of your climax.

“You’ve learned your lesson for now,” she said, brushing off her hands as if she had just finished a mundane task. “But don’t think for a second that I won’t punish you again if you step out of line. You are mine, little whore. My pet. My plaything.”

Her words hung heavy in the air, each one sending another shiver down your spine as you struggled to process the intense mixture of shame and satisfaction that flooded your senses.

Alcina smirked, clearly pleased with how thoroughly she had dominated you. With one last disdainful glance, she stepped away from the bed, adjusting her dress as if nothing had happened. The casual elegance with which she moved, after treating you so roughly, left you feeling small and insignificant.

She turned to look at you one last time as you lay on the bed, still recovering, your skin marked by her teeth and her hands. “I trust this won’t happen again,” she said coolly, though her smirk said she almost hoped you’d give her another reason to punish you. “Because next time, I won’t be so kind.”

Without another word, she turned and swept out of the room, leaving you lying there in the dim candlelight, your body aching and marked by her touch.

You felt the sting of her bites, the throb of your neck where her hand had gripped you, and the lingering pulse between your legs from the ruthless way she had used you. Yet, despite the shame, despite the degradation, a part of you craved more.

You knew deep down that this wouldn't be the last time you found yourself at the mercy of Lady Dimitrescu

[blorbocedes]

i kinda have a basic idea Brocedes lore, like the timeline and everything. but were there moments post Monaco 2014 till the end of 2016 where Lewis and Nico had some nice and genuinely fun moments or were they all awkward and distant with each other?

the answer to this is complicated. well, my header gif happened months after monaco 14, in Abu Dhabi 14. so this is nico congratulating lewis for winning his 2nd championship (1st with merc) and its way after lewis said "we're not friends." so like all things brocede they're.. Like That (whyre u holding a man you're not friends with by the nape of his neck 😳😳😳🤨)

Ladies and gentlemen, a short look into the not so distant past...

obviously every year as the silver war progressed, tensions arose but that didn't mean they couldn't stand to look at each other. those 3 years of early merc domination era HAM-ROS were on every podium, and they were pretty happy spraying champagne on each other as I've documented here, and here

this is a video from December 2015 stars and cars where they're being very playful and teasing each other

this is them wishing each other happy birthday in 2015

this is nico on lewis' snapchat

this is nico playing football on lewis' snapchat (you can hear lewis snicker)

this is lewis lowering nico's chair on purpose in 2015

this is nico umm pretending to hold a bottle for lewis to pee in while DR live slug reacts Hungarian Grand Prix 2016

this is them giggling together at a sponsor event in 2016

this is them teasing each other about being old in 2016

there's definitely podiums and cool-down rooms where things are Tense and they're Avoiding Eye Contact/Talking to each other, depending on how the race went. but there's also them amused and laughing together such as mexico 16 and aus 16

we all remember the iconic nico throws cap at lewis but the crazy part is this was them hugging moments before,

and this is them partying together after that

this is AD16 and lewis is saying he likes presscons when it's just him and nico 🥲

this whole press con is ahhhhhh. pain

lewis' own words on how they were:

this isn't an exhaustive list, there's many more, but rather so you have an idea that although the popular narrative is once lewis said we're not friends post monaco 14 they never looked at each other again it's not exactly true. things never was like they're childhood besties again, but they also didn't outright despise each other despite what fandom might speculate. but that doesn't mean things weren't awkward and tense too, esp in merc meetings post race! cause it was! but they also had some sweet and fun moments in between :) such is the bittersweet nature of brocedes

[fandomfucker]

pls could you write another one shot off Rhea , Dom!Rhea x sub!Reader, with the prompt “Please mark me, I want everyone to know I’m yours.” btw your last one shot was just perfect 💜

Warnings: 18+ There is light smut in this! (Dom!Rhea, Sub!Reader, kissing, hickeys, oral and penetration mentioned, slight ownership) as well as a creepy man😔

A/N-This one is short and doesn't go very far so I'm sorry but please enjoy anyways. There will be another more detailed Rhea smut coming soon!

Word Count: 1,067

I waited backstage in the WWE arena for the night as my girlfriend, Rhea Ripley, fought against her former friend, Raquel Rodriguez.

Rhea had been on the road for over two weeks straight now, having her normal TV appearances along with house shows and PPVs so we hadn't seen each other in forever which gave me the grand idea to surprise her backstage at her last Raw show.

Dominik stood beside me as we watched Rhea on the screen before us. She was kicking Raquel's ass. And she looked smoking hot while she was doing it.

She wore her usual black bottoms with purple feathers and a cut-up T-shirt depicting herself on the front. She wore black knee-high boots that gave her an extra inch in height along with her famous 'Mami' choker as her hair swung wildly around her face.

A few minutes into Rhea's match, I felt a pair of eyes on me. Trying to turn my head around as discretely as possible, I saw a man staring at me from across the room. He looked like an average 45-year-old man but as he stared at me and we made direct eye contact, a chill washed over me and I got a bad feeling.

Dom looked over at me when I visibly shuddered, his eyeline shifting to see what I was looking at. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him stiffen before wrapping an arm around my shoulder and pulling me into his body in a side hug.

While Rhea and I weren't secretive about our relationship, some men had chosen to ignore it and occasionally go after me anyway when Rhea wasn't around to fend them off.

I relaxed into Dominik's side as we continued watching the match, cheering quite loudly once Rhea won and her title was returned to her.

As the screens went black, insinuating a commercial break, the man from before stepped in front of the screen, forcing me to look at him.

Dom's arm got tighter around my shoulder as the man spoke.

"Hey cutie, I was thinking that after the show tonight, we could go out and grab drinks?"

He was rubbing his hands together in a really sleazy way that made me uncomfortable.

But before I could answer him, someone behind me answered for him.

"She already has plans."

I turned around, a cocky smile now growing on my face as I saw my girlfriend standing there, pissed as hell.

The man was also now visibly pissed. "Well, I think the little lady here can speak for herself. You don't own her."

I beat Rhea to the response this time. "Actually, she does."

I slipped out from underneath Dominik's protective hold on me, sending him a suggestive wink as I twirled around feeling certain that he could hold his own against this man, moving towards Rhea.

Grabbing her hand, I interlaced our fingers and began to pull her down the hallway back to her dressing room.

Rhea walked ahead of me into the room as I closed the door behind us. She was seething as she paced the room in front of the couch. I locked the door to ensure we wouldn't be interrupted before walking up to her, placing a hand on her forearm causing her to stop in her tracks and look at me.

Anger and concern swirled in her eyes, mixed with a protectiveness over me. She stepped closer and held my hips in her hands. "Are you okay?"

I gave her a reassuring smile as I nodded up at her, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear and out of her eye.

Standing on my tiptoes, I brushed my lips against the column of her throat, dragging them across her throat over to her ear. "Please mark me, I want everyone to know I'm yours."

That seemed to ignite a flame in her as she immediately locked one hand around my throat, the other still on my waist, using the hand around my throat to guide me to the couch.

The backs on my knees hit the edge and I automatically sat down, looking up at her as I waited for her next command.

Her hand was still wrapped around my throat, just loose enough to let me breathe freely. Her thumb began to trace circles around my racing pulse as she got down on her knees in front of me.

She pushed my knees apart with the hand that was formerly on my hip, pushing herself between my legs to where her hips met the edge of the couch. The hand that clutched my throat let go and dragged down my front to the hem of my t-shirt. Well, really, it was Rhea's I had just stolen it to wear tonight.

I lifted my arms above my head in a show of consent for her to take my shirt off and she immediately took it off as fast as she could.

She stopped and stared at the lacey purple and black bra I'd worn for her and licked her lips, her tongue piercing catching the overhead light.

I grinned down at her as our eyes met and she laid a hand on my stomach, pushing me down against the cushions.

Her lips brushed against my skin all the way from my waist up to just underneath my chin as she teased me. Goosebumps grew along my body at her touch.

"God, I missed you," She murmured against my skin, getting only a moan from me in response.

What was left of her lipstick left stains on my skin as she kissed her way back down, savoring the feel of my pebbled flesh on her lips.

Having waited to be told to take off my bra, once it was finally off, Rhea rolled each of my nipples between her fingers as she left my boobs covered in bruises, marking her presence.

She left hickeys all down my body—the biggest ones between my thighs and on my collarbone. Not only just marking me, but claiming me as hers.

My favorite mark, however, was the one she left on the lip of my pussy just before taking my clit into her mouth and sucking as her three main fingers were inserted into me.

The moans she created in me could be heard outside the door and the hickeys were blatantly obvious if the stares and refusal of eye contact for the next few days were any indications. But I wouldn't have it any other way. Nothing beats belonging to Mami.

[reaper2187]

Daniela x servant female reader

The grand halls of Castle Dimitrescu echoed with an eerie silence, the kind that enveloped the senses and made every creak and whisper stand out starkly against the otherwise oppressive quiet. The dim light of flickering torches cast long, dancing shadows on the ancient stone walls, giving the castle an almost alive and breathing quality. Daniela Dimitrescu, the youngest and most tempestuous of the Dimitrescu daughters, prowled through these halls with a restless energy. Her fiery hair cascaded around her pale face, and her eyes glinted with a mix of mischief and hunger.

Daniela paused at the doorway of the library, a room she frequented less often than her sisters, but tonight was different. She could sense something—or rather, someone—inside that intrigued her. She pushed the heavy wooden door open with a soft creak and stepped inside, her gaze immediately falling on Y/N.

Y/N was a new servant, having arrived only a few weeks prior. Despite her position, there was something about her that caught Daniela's attention from the very first moment. Perhaps it was the way Y/N carried herself with quiet confidence, or the way she seemed unafraid to meet Daniela's piercing gaze head-on. Tonight, Y/N was seated at a large oak desk, engrossed in a thick tome. The firelight from the nearby hearth bathed her in a warm, golden glow, highlighting the soft curves of her face and the strands of hair that fell across her brow.

Daniela watched her for a moment, a slow smile spreading across her lips. She moved silently, her footsteps making no sound on the plush carpet as she approached. When she was mere inches away, she leaned down, her breath brushing against Y/N's ear.

"Enjoying a bit of light reading, are we?" Daniela's voice was a low, seductive purr.

Y/N started slightly, her heart racing at the sudden closeness. She turned her head, her eyes locking onto Daniela's. "Lady Daniela," she said, her voice steady despite the fluttering in her chest. "I didn't hear you come in."

Daniela's smile widened. "That's because I didn't want you to," she replied, straightening up and walking around to the other side of the desk. She perched on the edge, her gaze never leaving Y/N's face. "What are you reading?"

Y/N glanced down at the book in her lap. "Just some old legends and folklore," she said. "I find them fascinating."

"Do you?" Daniela said, tilting her head. "And what, pray tell, do you find so fascinating about them?"

Y/N hesitated for a moment, then said, "They often contain a grain of truth. Even the most outlandish tales have some basis in reality."

Daniela chuckled, a low, throaty sound. "Spoken like someone who knows the truth can be far stranger than fiction." She leaned forward, her eyes gleaming. "Tell me, Y/N, do you believe in monsters?"

Y/N held her gaze. "I've seen enough in this castle to know that monsters are very real," she said softly.

Daniela's smile turned predatory. "Indeed," she said. She reached out, tracing a finger along Y/N's jawline. "And are you afraid of them?"

Y/N swallowed hard, the touch sending a shiver down her spine. "No," she whispered. "I'm not afraid."

Daniela's eyes darkened with a mix of amusement and desire. "Brave words," she said. "But bravery can be a dangerous thing, especially here."

Y/N straightened, meeting Daniela's gaze with determination. "I know the risks," she said. "And I'm willing to face them."

Daniela's expression softened slightly, a flicker of something almost like admiration in her eyes. "You're an interesting one, Y/N," she said. "Most of the servants here cower in fear. But not you."

Y/N's heart pounded in her chest. "I… I don't see the point in living in fear," she said. "Life is too short for that."

Daniela's smile returned, but this time it was less predatory and more contemplative. "You intrigue me, Y/N," she said. "I think I'll keep you around for a while longer."

Y/N felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension at those words. She knew that being in Daniela's favor could be both a blessing and a curse. But as Daniela stood up and turned to leave, Y/N couldn't help but feel a spark of something else—something that felt dangerously close to excitement.

"Goodnight, Y/N," Daniela said, pausing at the doorway to glance back at her. "I'll be seeing you."

Y/N watched her go, her mind racing. She knew that Daniela was dangerous, unpredictable, and utterly captivating. And despite the risks, she found herself looking forward to their next encounter.

The following days passed in a blur of routine and tension. Y/N went about her duties with a heightened awareness, always sensing Daniela's presence even when she couldn't see her. It was as if the young Dimitrescu daughter was always watching, always waiting.

One evening, as Y/N was cleaning the grand hall, she felt that familiar prickling sensation on the back of her neck. She turned around to find Daniela leaning against the wall, watching her with an inscrutable expression.

"You're quite diligent," Daniela remarked, her voice breaking the silence.

Y/N straightened up, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "I try to be," she said. "It's important to do one's job well."

Daniela pushed off the wall and walked over to her, her gaze intense. "And do you enjoy your work, Y/N?"

Y/N hesitated, then said, "It's challenging, but rewarding in its own way."

Daniela stopped in front of her, so close that Y/N could feel the heat radiating from her body. "I think you could find greater rewards elsewhere," Daniela said softly. "If you were willing to take a risk."

Y/N's breath caught in her throat. "What kind of risk?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Daniela reached out, cupping Y/N's face in her hand. "A risk worth taking," she said, her eyes dark with promise. "Come with me, Y/N. Let me show you what real power feels like."

Y/N felt a thrill of fear and excitement. She knew that following Daniela could lead to unimaginable danger, but there was something about the young vampire that called to her, something she couldn't resist.

"I… I'll come with you," Y/N said, her voice trembling slightly.

Daniela's smile was triumphant. "Good," she said. "You won't regret it."

As Daniela led her deeper into the castle, Y/N couldn't help but wonder what she had gotten herself into. But one thing was certain: life with Daniela would be anything but ordinary. And as she looked at the fiery-haired vampire beside her, Y/N felt a strange sense of anticipation, a feeling that whatever lay ahead, she was ready to face it head-on.

[agendabymooner]

heaven ! fernando a. x ofc (mom!professional wrestler!canadian!ofc)

"i don't know how heaven could be better than this."

summary: everyone's talking about the hearth sisters, lester and their partners. but what about the original F1 it couple of the 2000s? OR beatrice anastasia 'trish' alonso is the only woman who can balance out fernando alonso's insanity with her calmness, and she happens to be the grid's crush of the season.

content warning: fluff, mentions of mclaren fernando, dad!fernando, family-centric (ish), possible use of explicit language, badly translated spanish, tim hortons references, 2023 canadian gp, f1 drivers are down bad, petty fernando at the very end, using 'trish stratus' (the actual ring name of the wrestler) as the ring name of oc

note: was writing third part of my max verstappen thing, worked on cmyc for a minute, thought about nando and that photo with the models, made these posts, had a breakdown. bon appetit xx

masterlist

2018 ROYAL RUMBLE - TRISH STRATUS TALKS ABOUT COMING BACK TO THE RING AS A WOMEN'S ROYAL RUMBLE ENTRANT

[1st image: i've definitely missed being in the ring. for the past few years i've been working back and forth in spain and canada- where my yoga studio is. i've been watching my husband, fernando, race throughout the years and we've been taking the kids along whenever we could.]

[2nd: i've told him (fernando) at some point that i've missed being out there and wrestling. months before, hunter (triple h) called me and wondered if i'd like to be a part of... this. i had never been so happy to hear that they want me to be a part of this very important event that will impact women's history at the professional wrestling industry. now here i am, participating in the first women's royal rumble.]

[3rd: it's been an eye opener for me, to be honest. i've met many women that are new here- some of them apparently grew up watching me alongside stephanie mcmahon and lita and the other ladies. i had never been this happy nefore because we never had the same platform as men - and back then, it wasn't as diverse in the women's division. so for me to be a part of this, so far, has been an absolute privilege. i will never ever waste any time spent here.]

[4th: my husband was more excited than i was *laughs*. throughout his break, he did everything a supportive spouse would have done. he took the kids to watch me train, we often did our workouts and yoga together, he was actually the one who suggested i wore these ring gears. he's highly excited to see me in the ring tonight - he even wore an old trish stratus merchandise that he bought years ago.]

[5th: he's supposed to be in uk for his sim racing practice, but he phoned me few days ago telling me that he was already flying in with our kids - one of which is a six month old - from spain. he said that "he didn't want to miss out on his wife making history again." so... here i am! making history with the most talented women in wwe, as my fernando wanted.]

2016 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX - POST-RACE INTERVIEW WITH FERNANDO ALONSO

[1st image: i know that my mom and my wife are watching the tv, so i got out quite quickly.]

[2nd: trisha has been calling me every hour to see if i'm okay. i keep telling her that i'm okay but she doesn't believe me for one bit- i was like "what do you want me to do???" *laughs* but i am flying back to canada as soon as i can because i miss her and our son.]

[3rd: it's not the first time that has happened to me but now i know i have to make it out of such situation because i have a family. our son, frederico, is only 2. i still want to see him and his many siblings grow up, you know? this is the first time i've been scared (enough) because i promised to take him swimming when we go back to spain. so, yes. i would like to get out of australia as quickly as possible so i can rest with my wife and our son.]

tagged fernandoalo_oficial, lance_stroll, astonmartinf1

liked by tillywolff, estebanocon, carlossainzjr

user1 OMG !!! frederico was so little back then 😭

user2 what grade even is frederico in?

thetrishalonso fifth grade! he's turning 10 soon 🥰

astonmartinf1 when freddy and rey dressed for the occasion 💚 liked by thetrishalonso

thetrishalonso of course, green = lucky 🍀

user3 word on the street is that the drivers were drooling over you 😭 can you please confirm? landonorris pierregasly lance_stroll charles_leclerc

oscarpiastri "the source is i made it the fuck up" -user3

yukitsunoda0511 not true 👎

user3 oscarpiastri yukitsunoda0511 i literally didn't ask either of you 💀💀

user4 f1 drivers are obvious and down bad 🙅‍♀️

georgerussell63 thanks for visiting the mercedes garage! it's been a pleasure 😊

user5 oh no they're piling up...

carlossainzjr frederico y reyna estan bien grandes ahora! liked by thetrishalonso

thetrishalonso estoy tan preocupada de que lleguen a ser más altos que yo y su papá.

landonorris thank you for the selfie! i really liked spending time with you and the mini alonsos 😇

lance_stroll thank you so much for the iced capp this weekend! it definitely helped! liked by thetrishalonso

thetrishalonso of course, sweetheart 😘 anything for the aston martin crew!

mickschumacher the everything bagel was very good, thank you so much! teach us how to do the stratusfaction next time!

nyckdevries thank you for introducing tim hortons to us 🙃

estebanocon thank you so much for the timbits 😊 lance failed to be a canadian to us and never got us any the last canadian gp

schecoperez ¡encantado de verte, beatrice!

user6 she got the whole grid on a leash 😭 so girlboss of her

alo_oficial estoy tan feliz de que tú y los niños estuvieran aquí. te quiero mi reina 😍😍 liked by thetrishalonso

thetrishalonso love you too, mi hombre guapo 🥰

tagged thetrishalonso

liked charles_leclerc, pierregasly, landonorris

user1 LMAO YALL NEED TO APOLOGIZE TO FERNANDO 🤣

user2 fernando's bout to enter his dts villain era once more 😭

pierregasly very pretty! 😍

user3 not you having the audacity 🤠

landonorris so fine 🤪

user4 why are y'all asking for your death wish 😭😭

user5 fernando's on his way to wipe half of the grid, thanos style 🤌🥰 as he should

thetrishalonso you're going to have to work hard first then we'll talk babies 3,4 and 5 😘😜 liked by fernandoalo_oficial

fernandoalo_oficial challenge accepted, mi amor

user6 ugh parents 😫 if you need a dog hmu

translations !!! (what i wrote down in the translating app 💀)

frederico y reyna estan bien grandes ahora! = frederico and reyna are so big now!

estoy tan preocupada de que lleguen a ser más altos que yo y su papá = i'm so worried that they'll grow taller than me and their papa

¡encantado de verte, beatrice! = nice seeing you, beatrice!

estoy tan feliz de que tú y chicos estuvieran aquí. te quiero mi reina = i'm so happy you and the kids were here. i love you my queen

mi hombre guapo = my handsome man

solo mi esposa, frederico y reyna, y sus muchos más hermanos por venir = just my wife, frederico and reyna, and their many more siblings to come

[spaghettificationandpretzels]

There's Nothing Sweeter Than My Baby

This is my first Gaz fic. I've just started uni break so I finally have the ability to write again, this idea grabbed me by the throat months ago and refuses to let go so I'm writing this instead of my millions of WIPS

Contains: Deadly levels of fluff, it's all fluff, I'm not sorry, this man is a puppy dog so don't blame me, hints at smut.

Masterlist

Song inspo (of course it's fucking Hozier)

1.4K Words

Gaz had never been so mesmerised by fabric before.

"You with us, man?" Price's words pulled him from his thoughts; Kyle hated his army functions, they were always so dull.

He nodded. "Yeah, I'm thinking I should have given my ticket to my sister, at least she would be having fun."

Price chuckled. "Just get drunk, I know I am." Gaz sighed, for all their talk, once the gentry had finished their posturing and platitudes, they left the grunts to themselves.

Right on cue, Soap appeared with Simon in tow, their hands full of fancy glasses, and they settled beside their teammates. "I got this one for you Gaz, it's winter melon." It was comical to see Simon without his mask, a fancy drink in a tiny glass in his massive hand.

"Thanks man." It tasted like melon candy and a headache, but it was better than nothing.

"Is y/n coming?" Soap's tone was too almost too nutural.

Gaz nodded. "Yep, she'll be here soon."

Their table went quiet, and Price and Simon shared a look before Price turned to Gaz. "You gonna ask her to dance?"

Gaz blinked. "I don't know."

Simon cleared his throat. "Your arms are going to fall off it you keep carry that torch."

Gaz was going to refute him, tell Simon you were just friends but the tap of Soap's finger and a point towards the grand staircase stopped him. "Holy shit." He had never seen such a pretty shade of yellow, like you were wrapped in the fading sunlight of a spring afternoon.

You made a beeline for the group, stopping only to snatch a glass of bubbling champagne from a tray. "Hey."

Simon was the first to speak, twirling his thin drinking straw as if he were a cheap villain in an old movie. "Don't you look nice." He shoved Gaz in the shoulder. "Don't she look nice Kyle?"

His mouth was still agape, Soap and Price snickering from behind their drinks. "Yes, yes, you look lovely y/n."

You smiled. "Thank you Kyle." You paused for a moment, the poor man looked like he was going to keel over with nerves. "Will I be on your dance card tonight?"

He blinked. "Yep, yes, I would love to dance with you."

Simon, Price and Soap exchanged a look as Price hid his red face behind his glass; now was not the time to laugh at the poor man. "Wonderful, I need to go thank Kate for the invite." You turned to Price. "Please don't drink to much while I'm gone."

He chuckled. "You're off duty Doc, I can do what I want."

****

Kyle was a coward, a terrorist killing, war criminal hunting coward, or at least that's how he felt watching you awkwardly dance with a man old enough to be your father.

"He's an earl, you know?" His team had been taking turns for the last hour and Soap's Scottish lit had only grown stronger as he got drunker, your disapproving looks only served to spur him on. "You're going to lose your lady to an old earl." He snorted as you pulled away. "Wait, no, she doesn't like him much." He slapped Gaz on the back, and it was hard enough for him to shift from his spot. "Go on laddie, before someone else steps in, you did tell her you'd dance with her."

Gaz sighed and downed the rest of his whiskey. "Right.." His shoulders fell. "I don't fucking know how to waltz."

Soap chuckled. "You'll do fine, just don't step on her lovey shoes."

He took another deep breath and stepped out onto the dance floor, heading right to you with determination. But any confidence he had faded like a dying star when you flashed him a smile. "Kyle, I thought you'd run off."

He shook his head. "No, we haven't danced yet, and I want to do that, with you."

You did your best to hold back your giggle. "Is that you asking me to dance?"

He nodded and squared his shoulders, extending his hand like a Victorian gentleman. "Y/n, may I have this dance?"

You nodded and took his hand. "I would like that very much."

You stayed at the edge of the dance floor as the soft music continued, taking a deep breath before addressing the elephant in the room. "When are we going to talk about what's going on between us?"

He managed to hold back his flinch, the hint of upset in your voice was enough to make his chest sting. "Now's as good as any time I guess."

You huffed. "You guess? We spent weeks sitting with each other by Soap's bedside after Makarov shot him, then he finally checked out and you almost kissed me and now you're acting like nothing happened."

His eyes fell to the floor. "I know, I didn't know where to start. I didn't want to fuck things up."

You smiled softly and lifted a hand to his cheek. "You won't, don't worry."

The tension bled from his body as he resisted the urge to nuzzle into your palm. "Can I kiss you?"

You nodded. "I would like that."

He leaned down, his nose brushing yours, before pulling you into a kiss. It was soft, his thumb and forefinger holding your chin as the other hand splayed across your lower back. His chest swelled, so this is what love felt like, like drowning in a roaring river, all the sound sucked from the air while he got pulled into the undertow.

He pulled away and slid his hand up your body, uncaring of the people standing around watching. "The hotel gave us a room for the night, something about throwing us a thank you breakfast, you wanna save the cab fair and come to stay with me tonight?"

You nodded. "That's very thoughtful of you Kyle, shall we go now?"

His face broke into a grin, and he looped his arm around your lower back. "I like your thinking."

You slowed as you walked by the rest of the 141. "Get it off your chests now, you've all got one minute exactly."

Simon was silent, and Soap was so drunk that he was just smiling like a madman, so Price was the one to add his two cents. "Just use protection, I'm too young to be grandfather." Kyle's eyes went wide, and Price broke out into a belly laugh. "Off you go kids, go have fun."

You pulled Kyle away by the arm and waved. "I won't forget this."

The elevator ride was smooth and quick, and you were in his room in a flash. His lips found yours again, and you leaned against the door. His fingers slid around your body to find the opening of your dress. "You need to unlace the corset sweetheart."

He took a deep breath. "Right." He moved behind you, his hands never leaving your skin as they reached the bottom of the dress where the bow was tied. It took him a while, but the dress slowly loosened, and he slid his hands upwards to slip the cap sleeves off your shoulders. You stepped out, and his head tilted; he was expecting lace underwear, not more skirts.

"It's called a petticoat, it makes the dress more puffy." You took his hand and brought it to the hook and loop closure, and he struggled for a moment before that, too, came free.

He stretched his hand out, softly pinching the short silk dress that covered your skin. "A chemise, my dear, it stops the corset boning from pressing against the skin."

He grabbed the hem with a soft smile. "Can I?"

You nodded. "Of course." He marvelled at the softness of the silk as it came off, and his breath caught in his chest as he took in your bare flesh. His fingers reach out, brushing your flesh with a gentleness that didn't seem possible for hands so calloused. You took his hand and placed it flat on your breast, and he seemed stuck dumb. "Are you alright Sweetheart?"

He nodded. "Oh, I'm fucking great. Shit, I think you're the prettiest woman I've ever seen."

You smiled. "Ok, you're very overdressed."

His dress greens were suddenly even tighter and scratchier and that was saying something. "Yes I am."

You reached up and slid the coat from his shoulder, placing it on the nearby chair before you turned your attention to his shirt buttons. "Ok then, I guess we should fix that."

He nodded. "You should." He grinned and kissed you again, deeper this time with a promise of things to come. "I love you y/n."

You sighed as your hands hit the hard, warm muscle of his torso. "I love you too Kyle."

Fin

@chaos-4baby @candy616 No idea if this is your thing so no pressure.

[slashingdisneypasta]

Captain Hook x Reader || Excerpt

Plot: ⬇⬇⬇

'You should have met me in 1984. You would've liked me.''I like you now.'

(From The Vampire Diaries)

Warnings: ... softness???...

Tagging: @asperol-with-izzy , @disney-android-foundation , @lady-love88 , @marinerainbow , @miss_understood , and @ryantryan6969 . Hi, I hope you are all ready for some romance featuring one Captain Hook! ^^ Have a great day, and I hope you enjoy ^^

"My dear, you are beautiful... tonight, and always." He speaks quietly, looking thoughtful as he uses his hook to gently release your hair from under the collar on his coat and carefully arrange it over your shoulder. His eyes are on you but they're far off. You're not sure he's really here, right now, truly. "... You should have met me before all this madness... before this blasted land. Before Peter, and my hand... You would've liked me. I would've- I would've been sure to deserve you, then." Hook's fingers on your face, knuckles gently brushing your jaw, feel like complete heaven to you as well as his dark romantic eyes on your face. His coat around your body is warm and makes you feel loved and cared for, and the breeze in your hair makes you feel like you're on air but his words are all too wrong and it makes you feel suddenly confused; Eyes round and eyebrows furrowed and head tilted to the side at him.

"... Hm?" You've just had the loveliest night with him. He made all of his men leave the ship for the night so you could be alone together and watch the sky get dark. You watched the sky turn a pale blue first, then yellow, and orange, and pink... then blue again and now its black- its night, and it cold, and you have a charming man's coat on. Its a perfect night... but now he's saying some things you just don't understand. You? Would've liked him?? Would've???

"I was a gentleman, back then... I would've taken you on the grandest dates, shown you sights almost as beguiling as you are, taken care of you, and your family... made you happy. ... Unfortunately, all I can proffer you now is the chill in the damn Neverland air and this old coat." His hair is silhouetted by the lamp behind him and you can see the breeze ruffling the messy locks so you reach up and run your fingers through it.

"Grande dates? Hm... could've sworn we were on one of those right now." You flash a gentle, hesitant grin. He cant be serious about the things he's saying, can he?

Chuckling softly, Hook shakes his head. "This is nothing, dear. I wish I could give you so much better... A treasure like you is supposed to be spoiled. And once upon a time, I was a better man- I would've made that- you- taking care of you, and making you happy, my entire life."

To this, you don't know what to say. Your mouth falls open as if needing to say something- but no words come out. Closing it again, you lower your hand from his hair let it slide down his hook arm; Squeezing gently. An attempt to comfort.

"Which is not to say that I wont try, now... " As he takes in a deep breath, he closes his eyes for a moment and furrows his brow's, the lines in his forehead getting deeper. "But unfortunately, my dear, you are looking at a broken man. I can only offer half my heart, to you- the rest is taken by an infernal desire for revenge. And I... I'm sorry, but I'm not good enough, to overcome it. Not even for you."

... Oh... That's what this is about.

You see.

Squeezing this sad-sack's arm a little more firmly, you take a step into him, so you truly need to crane your neck back to see his face. "... I don't care. I'll take what you can give me."

His eyes pop open again, and he looks at you with a surprised expression. "What?- "

"I like you now, Hook." Sliding your hand back up his arm and to his shoulder, you use him to balance you as you get onto your tip-toes and give his cold cheek a kiss. "So, you take your revenge on that Peter... or you try. You can try every single day, if you want to. You two can chase eachother back and forth all day, every day. But just come back to me at night and have dinner with me, okay? Have dinner with me, and kiss me, and hold my hand, and I'll be happy. I'll be over the moon."

"My dear- "

"James." He gulps, hearing you pull first-name on him. "Just kiss me, okay? And think about what I've said; Let it sink in. I want you, I need you to understand that."

"... th- think? That's rather hard to do, while kissing you; You know?"

Giggling, you curl your hand around his neck and gently guide him down. "I believe in you, Captain."

"Alright, my dear; I will try." With a bemused, pleased smile - like he's the luckiest bastard in the universe, - Hook does so.