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jo-harrington · 11 months

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Hymn's of Heaven request: nachzehrer

A Nachzehrer, which translates to "afterwards devourer/sapper of energy," is a cross between a vampire and a ghoul. As the lore goes, after someone commits suicide or dies an accidental death, their body transforms into a flesh-hungry undead monster in the grave.

Sounds like a toxic relationship. *ba dum tsss*

We find ourselves with another Requiem from Hell and much like Kraken was for Heaven, this is going to get a little...abstract. Bare with me. Suspend your sense of disbelief.

Pairing: Kas!Eddie/Reader -OR- Kas!Eddie/OC (The Knight)

Themes/Warnings: Angst, Hurt/Comfort (sure), Supernatural Elements, Smut, Handjob, Dry Humping, Sexual Encounter with a Ghost(? In theory?), Monsterfucking (kinda), Bloodletting (I guess)

Find Hymns of Heaven here.

And find the Master List for As Above, So Below here.

In a place where everything belonged to Henry--even him--you solely belonged to Eddie.

Even if he didn't want you.

You were a parasite. A tiny bit of gentleness in the harsh terrain of his mind with a loving voice in his ear and your phantom touch at the most inconvenient times. Clearly a figment of his imagination or some last remnant of his humanity that clung to the very corners of his being. The last bit of Eddie Munson that simply would not die, personified by you.

It made his skin crawl.

But he craved it. Hungered for it as much as he hungered for blood. Maybe even more. You were cathartic.

He hated you.

He began avoiding the trailer, which was where he believed you resided. You always showed up when he stopped by to "pass the time." He'd destroyed the guitar some time ago, as much as it pained him to do so, simply because he thought that would destroy you too. But you remained, hissing in his ear.

"Now why did you go and do something so fucking dumb like that."

There was venom in your voice. He imagined the patronizing grin you'd give him, even though he couldn't see you. He liked it. Wondered if he could corrupt you further. Make you more like him. But you didn't stay for long, simply phased through him and dissolved into the void once again.

He wasn't sure why he didn't just tell Henry about you. Perhaps you were some kind of trick, another one of his creations, a test of obedience and loyalty made from memories. One mention to his master and surely you'd be removed. Extracted from his head, torn to pieces, obliterated. Test passed, loyalty ensured.

But every time he thought about it something akin to pain would form beneath his ribcage and he let it go.

Then he'd take the opportunity to visit you again. His hunger for you insatiable. He'd let you dote on him for a while.

He loathed you.

At some point in this never-ending eternity that he was bound to in the Upside Down, his hunger turned.

He could say that he didn't know what sparked it, but that would be a lie.

He was a disgusting being.

Henry had told him that as he dug and ripped through his mind at the end of his human life and the beginning of...whatever this existence was. Images of him rapidly pumping his fist while he flipped through a magazine, quick fucks in dark hallways, desperation to be one with someone, be understood and accepted by someone, whispered confessions of love as he transcended the earthly plane through pleasure.

Used the images to taunt him, remind him that he was a hedonistic worm that simply sought out his own pleasure. Even worse, sought out connection with others. Only to remind him that in the end, he was still alone.

So as he soared above the vastness of the Upside Down, as he stared down into the quarry and witnessed the writing masses of creatures as they engaged in their primal mating, as a different hunger was sparked, he realized how truly alone he was.

He was one of them, but so unlike any of them. Perhaps something that was given to him by his master, some feral body part so entwined with his, felt the physical reaction. Felt the appeal. Perhaps the need was something broadcast through their shared consciousness. But his stomach turned at the thought of joining them.

Something in his dead heart panged to know there was no place for him.

A yearning that was coldly denied.

There wasn't another like him. Not any of them, not even Henry. Not in physical form or cognizance. Even to his friends in this realm, he was other.

So he retreated, as far as his wings would take him, to a corner of the Upside Down that was so desolate, the mirrored Hawkins didn't even exist. It was beyond Henry's imagination and memory, beyond his.

As soon as his feet touched the ground he found solace. To be lonely was one thing but to be alone. Every nerve was alight, synapses firing, every need he'd had to push away now on the forefront of his mind. He didn't have to feel everything the others felt, he could simply feel...himself. It tasted like the freedom he might never know again.

There were no trees, no grass, not a soul to be seen.

"What a relief," your voice echoed his sentiments.

"What are you doing here?" he growled, startled that you had caught him off guard, yes, But it also meant that you weren't just tied to the trailer. You were tied to him. "Leave!"

"What you thought you left me behind? I will always be with you."

Rich words, considering you left him.

He clicked his claws together impatiently, glancing around him to try and catch you when you least expected it. How embarrassing for you to catch him here as he was about to...what...what was he going to do...fuck a hole in the ground?

"Don't be in denial," you sounded smug as you interrupted his train of thought. "I've walked in on you doing worse things. It's not like I don't know what you want."

"Then you know I don't want you here."

"Hmmm." You paced around him, footsteps crunching on the ground. Your fingertips brushed against his wings and he shuddered. "I know you want to want that. But you like me here. It's why you haven't gotten rid of me yet."

"So I can get rid of you."

"'When you cease to dream, you cease to live.' Some rich old guy said that once."

"So this is a dream?"

"Do you even dream anymore Eddie?" You were in front of him now, his eyes fluttered and he could swear he felt your breath against his face. "Do you even sleep? Close your eyes. I'll show you this is as real as either of us."

He wasn't convinced you were real. But he was curious.

Curiosity often got the better of him, even when he was still alive, still human. How many times had he gotten into trouble simply because of his overly inquisitive mind? Even now it's how he pushed himself, his new body, to amazing feats.

So he complied.

What an interesting thing though, once his eyes were closed...what little light that was able to penetrate through his eyelids was blocked by the rough shape of your form before him. Startled, he blinked them open again and you were gone.

He gritted his teeth and lashed out, claws swinging because surely this was a trick. Again.

"Rude," you tsked, voice circling him, taunting him. "Here I am trying to give you what you desire Eddie and you try to hurt me."

He roared then, an infernal roar that caused his comrades to quake. That would one day instill fear into the hearts of his former friends.

You just laughed. He could see it in his minds eye, your scrunched face that accompanied the honking, obnoxious sound.

He loved you.

He despised you.

"Alright, enough games," he felt your hands on his shoulders, negotiating the space between his wings as you got him to stand upright once again. "Do you want your treat? Or not? You've been a good boy, you deserve it."

"I'm not good."

"So you think," you muttered. "You've survived. That's good enough for anyone."

He huffed and felt your hand over his eyes, shutting them.

An odd sensation. Once sight was no longer a factor, he could feel so much more of you. See the way the light shifted as you moved around him, feel the drag of your skin against his and not just the weight of your touch.

You were gentle, just like you always were, but purposeful.

You drew your fingers over his chest, his arms. Kissed the angry scars and the places where Henry and his minions had stitched him back together. He growled every now and then, impatiently--you purposely avoided where he wanted your touch, where he wanted relief--and to his surprise, your teeth dug into him.

His eyes shot open and you evaporated.

"So impatient," your words were inside of his head now. No longer corporeal, floating around. No longer footsteps but inside of him. Echoing within his skull. "Even Orpheus wasn't this doubtful. Just trust me. Don't you know Eddie? Don't you know everything I would do? Have done? For you."

"Yes."

The words were instinctual and strained as he forced himself back to the sheer Hell that he went through when Henry first found him. The moments where he no longer existed...because something...someone had taken his place. Gave him a much-needed respite from the torture, until he was shoved back inside to endure worse.

"Do you want me to thank you? I never asked for your help."

"You never needed to ask."

"You left me."

"I'll always be here."

He snarled at the realization that as other as he would be to his comrades in the Upside Down, as lonely as that would make him, you would always be there too. Your pesky presence always lingering, always knowing and taunting and testing the last bit of humanity left within him.

He loathed it. Despised it.

Craved it, needed to possess it. Devour it.

Consume it.

Consume you.

His anger was stoked now, a tumultuous mix of rage and desire and bloodlust.

"Let me take your hunger away."

"Take it."

He eyes slammed shut and you were real once again.

Your hands were upon him, working the button and zipper of the worn, threadbare jeans that had barely survived his metamorphosis. You stripped him bare and then you climbed him, clung to his terrifying and elongated form. Rested your body in the junction of his hip, like a strange puzzle piece that slotted right into the divots of him.

He refused to grasp you for fear that you would disappear again. Not only from his sight, but from his touch. And he so desperately needed this release.

Your hand wrapped around his cock, and you both shuddered at the electric relief that shot through him. Your head rested against his shoulder as you worked him, as your hand moved down and squeezed and turned and back up. Over and over again.

His thoughts churned as he tried to understand just how this dynamic worked. You were...a ghost, a figment of his imagination...you weren't real. There was no friction, but there was enough friction. There was no lubrication to help him glide through your hand, but damn you had no trouble pumping him faster and faster, oh so deliciously. Your fingers were non-existent, but still created the perfect warm hole for him to buck into.

He knew that you had been so...acutely in tune with his pleasure when he was...alive. When he was Eddie. So it shouldn't have been a surprise as you played with the ebbs and flows of it, as you let him ride the wave to his peak only to pull him back.

But he had been equally as in tune with yours, so although he rumbled his annoyance, he was intrigued to feel you squirming against him, searching for your own release.

"Didn't know ghosts could fuck," he huffed, only to earn a punishing strum of your fingers over the sensitive head of his cock. He stuttered and almost fell, but his strong, willful limbs kept you both upright. He was shocked; it was a trick you'd never been privy to in life, something he'd only discovered once you were gone, but somehow you knew about it...here in shadows of death.

"Forgot how chatty you got," you chuckled.

"Forgot how vengeful you got."

"Did it ever occur to you that in order for this to work, we both need to find pleasure?"

"I don't need you for that."

"As we established before," your grip got lighter, and your fingers danced up his shaft instead, drew patterns and lines and words and prayers until he was sure, even here in the forgotten depths of the Upside Down, he could see God. "You need me for a lot more than you realize."

He tilted his head towards you, ducked to where you rested against him. He nuzzled his nose against yours, the only touch he might allow himself, and enjoyed the sigh you made. It was not a thank you, it was not agreement or submission, and he refused to let himself feel...but it was something more human that he could offer to whatever it was you were.

Desperate, is what you were. You rolled your hips against him and mewled the most pathetic little sound. Together you climbed higher and higher. You let him use you and he let you use him, until you reached the precipice of the mountain of temptation and fell back down to the depths of Hell together.

And as he fell, as his knees hit the ground for the first time since he became something else, as his spend rocketed his body and vacated a space in him that quickly demanded to be filled, he grasped you.

His hands pulled you from his side and pinned you to the dusty ground beneath him. He sunk his fangs into your neck through instinct alone, a knowledge of your body against his that would eternally be singed into every cell, every inch of his being. No matter how other he became. How monstrous.

He pulled deep, great mouthfuls of your blood, savored the way your life-force ran over his tongue and down his throat.

It was a strange taste. Not like the blood of the creatures. Not even what he thought human blood might taste like, as he had yet to have the pleasure of devouring like Henry had promised.

It tasted like...memories.

Of laughter in the quiet confines of a bedroom, of wicked words spat at one another in anger, of desperation as you kissed him one last time before you left him.

His hand grasped your throat, tighter as he pulled further still, as tears stung his eyes.

And as you took, what he thought was, your final breath and stilled beneath him, his hunger subsided.

He pulled away and opened his eyes, ready to be rid of you once and for all.

He expected to find nothing. The ground beneath him void of life. But instead he found you there. The sight of you shocking, not only because this was the first glimpse he had since you had made yourself known to him, but because your mouth was smeared with blood. A mirror of himself, he was sure.

Your eyes glistened as they locked with his. And as your mouth moved, he felt his own follow suit.

"Thank you," your voices echoed in tandem.

And then you were gone.

#aasb #as above so below #eddie munson x reader #kas!eddie #vampire!Eddie munson #hymns of heaven #Eddie munson x oc #Eddie munson smut

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cirrus-ghoulette · 4 months

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okay this is in response to the anon with the substance abuse/ED Dew ask/story (cw medical stuff. unforseen consequences of the actions he took in that story. talk of Dew's elemental transition and therapy n stuff.)

I swear I don't know what came over me. I swear some fucking ghost of a writer possessed me cus Ive NEVER written anything like fiction or stories or anything like this (at least, I dont write them down, most of my OC stories are just in my head)

Imagine, they finally get him into the infirmary and discover EXACTLY the kind of, and especially AMOUNT of damage this has caused. Both sets of gills shriveled and severely dehydrated. The ones on his torso almost disappearing between the sharp juts of his ribs. They find out he was using makeup and maybe something he'd put in his cheeks to keep the sunken cheek look as faint as possible. So when they take that all away, he looks GAUNT. The fins on his ears and body all look weak, floppy and shriveled. He can't move his fingers and toes as easily because the fin-like skin in between is so brittle and shriveled, it threatens to tear. His horns are cracked in several places. His hair has lost its shine.

The quints and human Dr's and nurses do their best but after a while they realise. They can't save most of the fins. His inner gills could possibly be saved but who knows if they'd still work or not.

Ifrit had already been thinking of retiring for a while, but seeing Dew like this, he couldn't take it. So he decided he would retire. He would spend most of his days at Dew's bedside, just praying for things to work out. Vowing he would take care of Dew, no matter what happened.

After this, the difficult decision was made to transition Dew into a fire ghoul. There was a lot of opposition, as you can imagine. However, as Omega and Aether explained to the pack, through tears. This was the most promising way to save Dew. He would be kept in a magically induced coma, to help his body heal. This would also give them some time to pump his body full of the nutrients it so desperately needed. Even if they didn't transition him, he would never be able to swim like a water ghoul. Most of the processes that would happen during the transition were already happening, most of his fins were already about to crumble away, his gills might never work again anyway.

He stayed in that coma for 2 months. 2 agonizing months of Ifrit at his bedside, helping Aether, Omega and the nurses turn him over to keep from getting bedsores, washing him, reading to him, bringing flowers to brighten up the room, even if Dew couldn't see it.

At long last Dew woke up. For weeks he could barely speak, his vocal cords cramped up due to disuse and the abuse they'd been put through with the dehydration and then the burning of his gills. Part of his inner gills were left, but the openings had been singed closed. He could still sometimes feel them trying to pull in air, causing him to have difficulty breathing as his body fought between which form of breathing it should use. It took a while for his horns to grow back in. They'd broken off and basically turned to dust a few days after the transition. His hair was shorter, having to be cut due to how far the split ends went up and the fear of them irritating the healing scars on his gills and ears. Ifrit had tried to argue, but even when he brushed and washed Dew's hair every day, he couldn't keep it looking well. Luckily, by the time Dew woke up, it had grown out a bit since they cut it. At that time it was just between the bottom of his ear and his jaw.

He cried, a lot.

He cried for the things he had to leave behind. He cried for Ifrit, feeling like its his fault that he quit. He cried for Aether who had to make such a difficult decision. He cried for Mountain, who had been struggling to keep the pack together during all this time. He cried for his old pack, some of whom, already knew they would retire, feeling like he let them down. He cried for the future he would never have.

Eventually his physical wounds had healed enough that he was allowed back to the den. From then on, he was put on watch. He wasn't allowed to drink alcohol. His food and water intake was strictly monitored. He wasn't allowed to be alone for more than an hour at a time. Always sleeping with someone else in the room.

He got therapy. Went to rehab. Things that were luckily able to be done within the church either via professionals who worked at other Abbey's who came to visit (or who he would visit) and online meetings. This way he could fully open up, not have to leave the whole elemental transition as an after thought. Didn't have to stay in control of his emotions enough to keep up his glamour.

Slowly but surely, things started to get better. He didnt have those dark thoughts as often anymore. And when he did, he knew how to deal with them. He could go to his pack for help. When the new summons arrived, it was tense for a while. Especially between him and Rain.

One night, Dew had snuck out, gone to the lake. He missed it, so much. He didn't know how to swim without his fins and gills and tail helping him. So he sat at the pier, staring into the water, tears slowly dripping in, making ripples appear. Of course, the rest had noticed and were frantically searching for him. That is when Rain felt a pull to go look at the lake. He didn't really know why but, hey, at least it's something right? So he made his way over. Texting the group that he had found Dew and that he would let them know if he needed help. he Slowly walked up to Dew, trying not to startle him and sat down besides him. It was quiet for a long time. Rain began to wonder if maybe he should call Mountain or Aether. They always knew how to help Dew.

"I just.. wish I could go one more time" Dew sighed. Rain startled, waiting a moment before replying. "go.. where?" "the lake. Swimming...its my own fault I know but.." Dew trailed off "I guess its no use moping. I cant. Not without my fins and gills anyway" Dew tried to joke but, it was painfully clear how much it hurt him.

"..what if you didn't need them?" Rain offered softly after a moment "I could help. I could keep both of us afloat so you don't need to think about swimming or staying above water. Just, be in the water." A moment of dead silence rang out over the Abbey grounds. As if nature itself was holding its breath, waiting to see if they'd take the plunge.

"ya know what, nevermind forget I said any-" Rain began to utter after a moment, but was quickly interrupted "Do you mean it? Will you.. keep me afloat?" Rain stared for a moment, before smiling softly "of course. I'll keep you safe"

and so, Rain let himself slip into the water, right off the pier. He came back up, holding out his hands for Dew to hold. He grasped them tightly, taking a deep breath, feeling his gills frantically beating against his scars, trying to close his airways. And jumped.

At first the rush of ice cold water hit him, making him gasp, getting some water as well. As soon as he hit the water, Rain was pulling him back up, arms grasped around his middle to keep him up effectively. Dew coughed and gasped, expelling the small bit of water from within him. Then, when he calmed down, he giggled. giggles turning into chuckles, chuckles turning into laughing, laughing turning into full crying belly laughs. Rain smiling at him the entire time.

Once Dew's laughter calmed down a bit, Rain pulled him along, had both of them float on the surface. One arm always under Dew's middle, holding onto his side. As they were floating peacefully, Dew told Rain what had happened, about his transition. He had known vaguely that Dew used to be a water ghoul like him but due to some kind of accident he had to be transitioned. But he never knew the specifics. Didn't want to pry.

The rest of the time they spend softly talking, laughing and crying with moments of comfortable silence, listening to nature, as it finally breathed a sigh of relief. Pointing at stars and the clouds. Telling stories and jokes. After 2 hours, Aether got worried again and went out to the lake to check on them. However when he saw them, he only took a picture and left quietly. They were all cosied up, napping together while holding hands, Dew's head laying on Rain's chest. And the picture? Well, let's just say, the little otter couple floating next to them added a good visual comparison of what the two floating ghouls looked like.

(again idk what writer ghost fucking possessed me but thanks bestie??)

This is amazing!!!!

#Whump month 2024 #ghost #ghost band #ghost bc #papa emeritus #cw substance use #cw ed #cw sh

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copiousloverofcopia · 5 months

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❤️‍🔥😈 Hey hey Ghesties! 😈❤️‍🔥

Here is a commission piece for the awesome Baphometmoth on AO3, featuring their OC Ian and our beloved gremlin Dew! Thank you so much for allowing me to write for you! I hope you all enjoy!!!

Play Nice

Ian and Dew have a hot/cold relationship. What happens when Dew's carnal pursuits are relentless?

Also available HERE on AO3!

Definitely NSFW below the cut!!

Even for Dew, he had been even more insufferable all day. That damned sexy, pale-skinned ghoul, with his unfairly long luscious flaxen blonde hair. Making a point to drive Ian absolutely insane, taunting his lover at every turn. First with the suggestive sway of his pelvis then it was the licking of his lips, and finally him making the obscenest noises he could think of as he passed Ian in the corridor. The devious little gremlin, doing everything short of dragging Ian off to an alcove to fuck them senseless.

“Dew! Back off, I have things to do!” Ian barked at him. Dew, completely unphased. He knew that deep down; Ian was just as hot for him as he was for them.

“Aww come on, don't be such a little bitch about it doll. Those things will just have to wait.” Dew winked, continuing to follow Ian throughout the Abbey. Trailing after them, like some sort of horny hellhound, at each and every task on Ian’s agenda. Though they had tried their best to stave off Dew’s advances, by midafternoon, Ian could no longer withstand his teasing. All it took was one more lewd gesture, Dew’s tongue wiggling between two fingers, and they were off.

The two of them, tangling themselves together in kisses and heavy petting as they made their way through the Abbey. Somehow ending up in the siblings' dorm, crashing through Ian’s door.

Dew flopped on the bed, tossing Ian’s prized stuffed tiger over to the chair and patting the empty spot he had cleared off beside him. “Come on baby, don’t know how much longer I can wait.” the ghoul purred.

“Is that so?” Ian asked, their eyebrow perked up in skepticism. Dew’s tail swayed behind him, his eyes glowing as Ian approached. Biting his lower lip in anticipation. His cock, bulging painfully against his pants as Ian crawled onto the bed.

Though it still irritated them, Ian too was ready. The space between their thighs, already aching—dripping. All at the thought of being taken by him. Dew’s impressive size and ability to use it, never having disappointed.

The smug ghoul had always found a way to hit the most sensitive spots inside them. Ones that would send Ian over effortlessly. The two of them, never having a session without them both leaving sticky and breathless.

Dew lowered his gaze over Ian’s body. The scent of their arousal filling his nostrils as he grunted with anticipation. Slowly bringing his eyes slowly up until they met with Ian’s—entranced by their vibrant violet hue. Ian tugged hard at Dew’s pants. Yanking them off as his cock sprung up fast from beneath them.

“Fuck, be gentle with the merchandise you brat!” Dew growled at the graze of rough jean material against his shaft. Ian chuckled, it was always amusing and a bit of a turn on, to see Dew in a submissive state. The normally dominant ghoul left to abide by Ian’s every whim. Dew grunting as he grabbed Ian’s brown locks. Forcing their head down towards his swollen cock.

“Dew! Too fucking hard, you little shit you're gonna yank my hair out!” Ian yelped, sending a smack across Dew’s upper thigh. The ghoul, snarling as the sting hit him. Already desperate to feel Ian around him. Ready for the formalities to be over so he could sink inside them.

“I need that mouth sweetheart…and now.” he groaned, shifting his hips up so Ian would get the hint. As if the rapid slam down towards his crotch hadn’t already given it away.

“Play nice or you’ll get nothing.” Ian smirked, slowly allowing their fingers to travel along Dew’s thighs. Scratching lines from his knees to the point where his legs met with his groin. Eventually taking hold of Dew’s cock. Slowly stroking him, Dew’s head falling back in pleasure.

He is so sexy like this , Ian mused. Nibbling a bit on his head before licking all around his shaft. Teasing his cock with the soft wetness of their mouth before allowing Dew’s cock to slide into the back of their throat.

“Mmm…” Ian hummed; eyes closed gently as they sucked fervently from root to tip. The ghoul, completely at their mercy. Clawing up the sheets as he reveled in the tight, wet pressure of Ian’s mouth around him. Slurping and swirling around his shaft as Ian’s head bobbed up and down.

“Ah fuck yes!” Dew howled, gripping tight to Ian’s hair once more. Forcing their head down to where Ian’s mouth rested all the way against Dew’s pelvis. Gagging Ian a bit before they rose up in a fury.

“DEEEW!” Ian yelped, muffled with the ghouls cock still partially in their mouth. Dew realized he had gone too far. Pulling Ian off him and bringing his lover up to face him. Locking their lips together once more.

“I’m sorry Princess… guess I got carried away.” Dew shrugged, feeling a bit of remorse but knowing full well he was bullshitting them about it being accidental.

“Uh huh.” Ian hummed, completely unconvinced. As infuriating as it could be, there was something about their ghoul lover that Ian just couldn’t get enough of. Despite all his flaws and his boundary issues, he was like a craving, never satisfied. Ian absolutely loved him and nothing was going to change that.

“I mean it.” the ghoul maintained. Ian smiled back at him. Bringing their lips inches away from his when Dew began to peck at their mouth—tasting and licking.

“Show me just how bad you feel then.” Ian commanded, pulling back in breathy lust. A sound and sight that excited the fire ghoul down to his core. Cock twitching with their words, Dew flipped Ian onto the bed, hovering over them. Hungry and determined.

“With pleasure.” he growled, stripping away the remainder of Ian’s clothes with ease. Drinking in the sight of their lush naked body as each part became revealed to him. Inhaling Ian’s scent deeply as Dew’s fingers quickly rushed to their core.

“Oh fuck!” Ian cried out, their hand’s flying up to muffle their sounds. Already Dew’s skillful fingers, finding the entrance with ease. Pushing into Ian’s dripping folds and curling up into the soft, spongy flesh of their cunt—pressing, rubbing intensely.

“That's right sweetheart. Don’t stop, I wanna hear those cute little moans while I fuck you with these claws.” he groaned. Delighting in the look on Ian’s face, contorted in pleasure as he continued to work his fingers inside them.

“I—I” Ian stuttered trying their best to speak, but to overcome with the building sensations inside them. An orgasm, quickly descending and a rush of warm fluid painting the inside of their thighs. Dew, pulling out his fingers to fuck each and every one free of the fluid before taking hold of Ian’s thighs. Biting along the inner side as he brought his head down between them. Quickly adding his slithering tongue to the mix. Gliding across Ian’s swollen little bud with intention. Lapping and moaning, the vibrations from Dew’s sounds sending Ian over once more. “Oh shit! I’m cumming again!”

“Fuck yeah you are.” the ghoul smugly agreed, allowing Ian to ride out the last moments of their orgasm before abruptly turning them over. Lifting Ian up onto their knees before sinking his fangs into the delicate flesh of Ian’s shoulder.

The ghoul’s mouth, filling with the intense taste of iron and salt from Ian’s sweat. A taste he’d never tire of. Ian writhing against his hold as Dew licked up the remains of the blood. “Ah!” Ian called out, dizzy with pleasure they allowed themselves to fall forwards onto their knees.

Dew wasted no time, taking the welcome opportunity to line the head of his cock up with Ian’s slit. Kissing at their folds as he teased them with his reddened tip. Enjoying the sounds of Ian’s whines and desperation.

“Oh sweet Satan Dew just fuck me already!” Ian begged, breathy and hot. Looking over their shoulder at the more than willing hell spawn. Toothy-grinned and blazing hot eyes, ready to plunge himself deep inside them.

“You won't have to tell me twice baby.” Dew hummed as he pushed himself full force inside them. His cock, spreading Ian out wide. The fleshy walls of their cunt, tightly pressing him on all sides. Both of them, letting out a strangled moan before going slack jawed. Dew, beginning to draw back, only to thrust inside deeper this time.

“Ah! Yes! Yes! Right fucking there!” Ian screamed as Dew continued to pump inside them. Bucking up hard and fast into the deepest parts of Ian’s cunt. Pounding so hard against their ass that he was sure to leave bruises. Little purple and blue symbols of his lust for them, as Ian’s pelvis continued bouncing off him.

The pleasure was so intense that Ian had begun to cry, overwhelmed with the sweet depth Dew was reaching. The sheer pleasure and pain of it all, sending them over to yet another climax as Dew brought his claws around Ian’s neck. Holding tight to their throat as Ian pressed their ass up hard against him, Dew fucking into them harder and harder with every thrust.

“I'm gonna cum in that tight little pussy and you're gonna like every single second of it.” Dew hissed, feeling his own orgasm building. Teeth clenched as he brought his hands down to Ian’s hips. Claws digging into them as he gripped on tightly to maintain his stride. His cock bouncing off Ian’s most sensitive spots.

Ian was a mess of cum and sweat. Unsure if their body could go on, they felt the telltale signs once more. Walls of plush flush, trying to hold the thick ghoul’s cock inside them. Even Ian’s body could tell he was ready to cum and that alone made them cum again.

“Fuck!” Dew roared, feeling Ian clamp down on him. Dew’s hot seed spilling deep inside his lover as their own orgasm milked his cock for every drop. The ghoul, snarling and hissing. His tail snapping back and forth and then in a straight line as he emptied himself out. The gush of fluid made between them, beginning to drip down the inside of Ian’s legs.

“Oh fuck me.” Ian sighed, panting hard as they returned to a post orgasmic clarity.

“I just did.” Dew giggled, Ian swatting at his smart mouth remarked as the two of them collapsed together on the bed.

“Shhh… I love you so much, you big dummy.” Ian said as they turned behind to kiss Dew. The ghoul, wrapping his tail around Ian’s leg and pulling them tightly against his chest.

“I love you too.”

12 notes · View notes

circle--of--confusion · 2 months

Text

This Love is in Retrograde - Part 2

Chapter summary: Taking place after the ending of "The cardinal and the seamstress." Amelia is over Terzo's blatant flirting with siblings in front of her and confronts him about it. He asks to try again at being together and the question is, can Amelia allow herself the chance on herself again? Amelia ends up getting advice from a ghoul to help her see the light. Amelia is so stubborn, wow! lol

Author's note: Love confessions! More closet antics! Alex and Sarah from my other fic are here! cute Copia/Sarah moments! Ghouls! I attempted to write smut, It's my first time [hehe] so go easy on me. My song inspiration for this chapter was another Starset song "Earthrise" along with "Manifest" like part 1.

Paring: Terzo | Papa Emeritus III x OC Amelia

Chapter 2: AFTER

Words: 10.1k

Read on AO3

| Part 1 | Part 2 |

Tags: Explicit/MDNI; Angst; closet confessions; Terzo is a menace; love confessions; emotional sex; fluff; smut [vaginal fingering, hand jobs, vaginal sex]; google translated itallian

banner creds to @gothdaddyissues

It’s been another night of mental betrayal. Her brain keeps conjuring up memories of Terzo. The good, the bad, and the sexy. She’s walks like a zombie down the hallways, a giant thermos of black coffee in her hand as “breakfast”. Does Amelia like black coffee? No, she hates it. Copia’s suits are finished and now it’s time to measure the new ghouls he’s summoned. By the time she’s made it to the sewing studio, Sarah and Alex have already arrived. Copia must’ve walked with Sarah because he’s there and hasn’t left her yet.

She nods in their direction as she passes them after entering through the door but her greeting is ignored. They’re a picturesque portrayal of two sickeningly sweet lovebirds off in their own little world. Copia and Sarah barely have any space between them as they hold each other and whisper sweet-nothings.

Amelia thinks her eyes might fall out at the intense eye-roll she makes. She begins to ready her sewing area for the day once she’s at her desk.

Sarah giggles. “Copia, my love, I need to get to work.” Her hand travels up to the side of his face and her thumb stokes lovingly on his cheek.

“Sarah, dolcezza mia, amore mio. I will be desperately counting the minutes until I can be in your glorious, bewitching presence again.” He leans down for one final kiss but when Copia pulls back, Sarah pulls him back forward for another one.

Alex walks over to Amelia as she observes them from across the room. “Wow! They’re really uh, locked in.”

She nods. “Yep. Young love.” Amelia waves her hand in the air and then waves her finger. “But If I hear one more lovesick pet name, I’m stabbing someone with my knitting needles.” She aggressively points over to the couple.

Alex sighs. He notices the thermos. “This is going to be a long day.”

She looks over to Sarah and Copia. “I’m goin’ in.” Amelia walks up to them and she claps her hands. The two separate, startled. “Dracule. Please allow my assistant to assist me. Don’t you have work to do?”

Copia looks annoyed and rolls his eyes. “Yes, I have a meeting with il piccolo stronzo.”

Amelia’s eyebrows knit together. “What does Terzo need to talk to you about?”

“Music stuff. He wants to give me tour advice, I think.” Sarah frowns. He tisks and grabs Sarah’s hands. “Oh, that won’t be for a while, amore.”

Sarah nods her head. “I know, I know. Though I feel like I just got you. I don’t want to see you go off for months at a time and leave me all alone.”

Amelia feels like she’s having an out of body experience. “Yeah, starting a relationship at the beginning of an album cycle isn’t a wise decision.” she responds flatly.

Alex snorts obscenely loud. Amelia whips her head around and Alex sobers up. “Uh.” he coughs. “Yeah. Poor timing.”

“Okie-dokie. Well, I hope you have a wonderful day, dolcezza mia.” Copia kisses Sarah’s hairline. “And I hope my ghouls behave enough. My new multi-ghoul can be a bit feral.” He laughs nervously.

“Don’t worry, Vladdy, I’ll keep him in line if anything happens.” Amelia assures him.

Sarah bats her hand in the air. “We have your suits ready to go. I think I’ve managed to get out of The Gauntlet unscathed.”

Amelia chuckles lowly. “Sarah, if you think his suits were the entirety of The Gauntlet, you have a bigger storm coming.” Amelia laughs and Sarah yelps.

Shortly after Copia leaves the studio do the ghouls arrive. Six new ghouls and one returning. Dewdrop. But now with a different element. Wonder what the story is there. He stares at Amelia; his eyes are the only thing she can see behind the chrome that covers the rest of his face. His head tilts. He could probably say the same for me.

“OK!” she grabs the tape measure. “In order to make this morning go by as smoothly as possible, I will measure you each, one at a time. My assistant Sarah,” she points in her direction “Will be taking my notes.”

One of the ghouls pipes up, Swiss, she thinks? “What does he do?” His thumb points over to Alex.

“I’m the eye candy.” he smiles waves his fingers. Amelia grumbles at him and Alex rolls his eyes. “I’m the every-man. I repair, mend, sew, find shit we might need. I can do it all! I have some mending requests for the siblings that I’m working on today.”

The ghouls nod their head. A couple of them give a thumbs up. “Hey! You’re like me. The multi-ghoul.” Swiss smiles.

“Dew, I will assume nothing’s been altered? I doubt changing elements modified your body that drastically.” She walks over to the next ghoul. Amelia has to nod her head further back. Mountain. She calls to Sarah.“Sarah, get me the longer tape measure, please?”

The ghoul shrugs his shoulders.

“What’s the plan with the costumes? Are they the same as the previous era?” Rain asks while she measures them. “We were able to talk with the other Papa’s ghouls.”

Amelia shakes her head. “No, these will look different. I plan to have them look similar to Copia’s suits but with a few changes.”

“Could Copia ever help give input on the costumes?” Sarah asks.

“No.” Amelia tersely replies. The room falls silent. She tries to defend the reaction. “It would turn into a thing. Also, it’s one less item for him to worry about! It’s a win! And if he really, actually hated it, I would make changes.”

One by one, each ghoul is measured and documented. Once Amelia was done with a ghoul, they either stood on the side or went to chat with Alex; she saw a few phone numbers being swapped. The morning gets away from them and the afternoon is filled with the sounds of paper rustling and being cut to form the pattern pieces that will become their costumes.

Every now and then a sister or brother will visit to pick up the article of clothing that was dropped off to be fixed by Alex. On their way out, a couple siblings looked over to Amelia as she watched them come and go. They gave a knowing smile to her and instantly her memories of the past shove their way back to the front of her mind. The last sister to give her that look is long gone by now but Amelia’s brain has left the station for the day. 4:14pm. Stick a fork in me, I’m done!

“I don’t think I can do any more tracing and cutting. How about we all call it a day?” she stands up from her table and stretches. “Sarah.” she yawns. “Alex and I have a clergy meeting tomorrow. You’ll be on your own for the first couple hours.”

She nods. “Okay! That’s no problem. I’m almost done with these pieces and then I can start on cutting mockups.”

Amelia claps her hands together and then sits down. “Great! You two can go, I’ll lock up. I have a couple things to clean.”

Alex and Sarah file out to get dinner, Amelia stays for a moment in her chair. The room is totally silent, save for the hum of the fan in the corner. Even now, nearly two years after Amelia left Terzo do the siblings feel the need to remind her of it. The noise in her head is deafening and she leans over the table with her head in her hands. After all the time that’s passed, she’s reached past the point of tears. She’s now angry. He’s being more obvious about it. Why?

“Fuck this!” she stands, grabs her now empty thermos, and heads out to grab dinner before it’s too late.

There are two people talking down the hall, around the corner. Who could still be here at this time? She rounds the corner to find-

“Oh, Papa!” a sister giggles. They lean against the wall, her back to Amelia’s direction. Terzo on the opposite end faces towards her. He leans towards the sibling. His suit that she made looks immaculate on him, of course. A few strands hang loosely in front of his face and his skull paint doesn’t even look smudged at this point of the day. He’s as perfect as ever and it torments Amelia every time. It’s too late she thinks. Terzo doesn’t seem like he would want to talk to me now about how we left things. How I left things.

He could do with less blatant flirting in her vicinity, though. Amelia rolls her eyes dramatically. Oh papa! She mimes and theatrically moves her hands to her chest, rolling her eyes while she passes by the two.

Terzo’s eyes flick up to see her walking by before he looks back to the sister. His mouth turns up into a smirk. “And what time will your Papa need to come by tonight?”

Amelia schools her face to not react until she’s passed. Her hands ball into fists and she grits her jaw once they can’t see her anymore. il piccolo stronzo indeed.

◊◊◊◊◊

The next morning her and Alex pile into the meeting room with a few others; Papa Nihil, Sister Imperator, and Cardinal Copia included.

“Where is he?” Sister Imperator asks. “The meeting should’ve started thirty minutes ago!”

As if on cue, Terzo enters the room with a dramatic flourish. “Mi dispiace.” his face paint looks like it was applied in a rush. “My alarm didn’t go off on time.” He walks to his seat and sits down.

Sister Imperator stands. “Well, now that everyone is here, let’s begin.”

Sister drones on for most of the meeting about various clergy topics. She asks Copia about his songs and progress with the new ghouls. Amelia is asked on her costume plans. Sister then asks Terzo what he plans to do about the upcoming Black Mass and he takes a moment to respond. Because he’s asleep.

“Papa!” she slaps the table and his head falls forward before jerking up.

“Hu- what?” he blinks rapidly.

“The. Black. Mass. What are your plans?”

Amelia snorts to herself, badly concealing it. “Long night?” she condescends.

Terzo squints at her. “Thank you for the concern, Amelia.”

“Amelia…” Sister Imperator cuts in.

“It’s just,” Amelia continues “,so irresponsible! The rest of us were here on time. You showed up late. And now you fall asleep at the table?”

“Amelia!” she flinches. “You are dismissed.”

Her eyes go wide. “But Sister!” she defends. “I was trying to…”

“You failed. Now leave us.” Sister ordered. “You too, Alex. I have no need for the both of you two anymore.”

Amelia gets up with her tail between her legs. She walks out, Alex following closely behind her. “I’m so sorry.” he starts. “Amelia is just… on her period.” He cringes immediately, closing his eyes after he gets the door to the room closed behind him.

“Alex, what the fuck?” Amelia whisper-yells.

They walk down the hall to the sewing studio. “I should be asking the same.” he retorts. “You’ve never done that, ever.”

She sighs. “The siblings keep mocking me.” Alex raises an eyebrow. “They won, remember? In the fight between them and I for Terzo’s attention.”

“That doesn’t explain what just happened.” he shakes his head. “That was also two years ago and technically you surrendered.”

“No need to remind me.” she grumbles. Amelia takes a deep breath. “I was walking home last night after locking up and, well, I saw him and a sister talking.” Alex nods. “She was cute and giggly and I may have… mocked her as I was walking by.” She lowers her voice at the last bit.

“Amelia. How old are you again?” He scolds.

“I won’t justify that question with an answer.”

He sighs. “Well, you’re at least old enough to know better.”

“He was way worse! He said ‘when does Papa need to be there tonight?’ to her when he realized I was watching.” She huffs. “Prick.”

Alex groans. “I will admit, that is pretty prickish.”

Once they make it back to the studio, Sarah ambushes them at the door. Her phone is in her hands showing a recent text message, no doubt from Copia giving her the meeting info. “What happened?”

“More than I can possibly explain.” Amelia sighs.

◊◊◊◊◊

About half of the mockups are ready to be fit on the ghouls now. Alex, Sarah, and Amelia have all been wired in, focused on getting the mockups done in time. Throughout the two weeks of sewing, Amelia would mumble “Why did Copia have to summon so many ghouls?” while shaking her head and grumbling at the machine. For a handful of nights, the three of them would stay late into the evening to stay on track. Copia makes sure to pick Sarah up on their late nights. He dotes on his amore and asks if she needs anything and Amelia grumbles that it’s his fault they have to stay so late.

Mountain, Swiss, and Dew arrive one day to get fitted and it’s going well enough. Mountain’s pants need to be taken in slightly and she’s pinning in a couple areas when Sarah chuckles.

“What?” Amelia asks while she focuses on placing a pin.

“Oh, I remembered when you were fitting Copia’s suit and Papa Terzo walked in, complaining that you wouldn’t make his pants tighter.” she spoke. “And now it feels like you’re doing this to everyone else on purpose.”

There’s a knock on the studio door and in walks Terzo. “Hello?”

“Speak of the Devil.” She rolls her eyes.

He laughs dryly. “You flatter me, Amelia.”

“Oh my God.” She scoffs.

Terzo balks. “Lets not bring him into this.”

“Were you just waiting for your cue?” he holds up his hands in surrender. “Why are you here? We are a bit busy.”

“I need to talk to Alex about my shirt.” He defends.

Amelia is impatient. “Make it quick.”

The ghouls along with Alex and Sarah can sense the energy shift and the room is ominously silent for the rest of the session with the ghouls. Terzo speaks softly to Alex about getting a button on his cuff more secure and it’s fixed in a few minutes. Once he leaves, Amelia sighs with finality. Swiss, for the rest of the session has a curious look in his eyes. He whispers with Dew about something and Amelia can’t be bothered to eavesdrop.

Another afternoon goes buy for the sewists once the ghouls leave and at the end of the day, Alex and Sarah depart together for food while Amelia decides to finish a couple more seams and pattern adjustments. She finds a stopping point and locks up the studio to head home. Amelia turns down the hall and is met with the frustratingly handsome view of Terzo’s back; he’s leaning against the wall on his shoulder while he schmoozes to yet another sibling. A newly initiated brother of the clergy is hanging on Terzo’s every word. This is the last straw. The brother is caught off guard when his eyes land on Amelia’s vengeful expression while she grabs Terzo by the arm and walks, more like drags, him down the hall.

“Che diavolo stai facendo?”

Amelia pulls up to the all too familiar hall closet of the past and opens the door, gesturing to it. “Inside. Now.” She demands.

He looks at her with an unreadable expression, his paint not helping at all to give any hints, and walks in to the cramped space. Amelia follows in after him. She closes the door and turns on the light.

“What is your fucking problem?” She seethes.

Terzo is confused. He blinks and shakes his head. “My problem?” he spits out a chuckle and crosses his arms. “You are unbelievable.”

“Must you do that in my presence?” she gestures with her hand to the door.

“Are you shocked, jealous even that I’m using my free time on siblings and not on you?” he teases and tilts his head. “Did you think I was going to take up a vow of chastity when you left?” Terzo goads her.

“You never used to flaunt it in front of me until now.” her voice falters at the end. “It feels like you’re doing it on purpose.”

Terzo drops his arms and steps closer to Amelia. He points at her. “You left me, remember? I’ve been waiting and I may have begun to get a bit impatient in the recent weeks.”

It’s her turn to be confused now. “Waiting? Waiting for what?”

“For you to change your mind! For you to realize the incredibly foolish error you made when you left me that night!” He huffs.

Amelia puts her hands on her hips. “Because I’m a fucking idiot? I had my reasons, Papa.”

Terzo slaps his hands onto the shelves behind her, caging her in between his arms. Amelia flinches, her eyes flick to his and they’re on fire. She could swear his white eye was glowing. “No.” he growls. I only ever wish to be Terzo to you, even if you’re mad at me. Please grant me at least this one request.” He asks, softly.

She nods her head rapidly and Terzo steps back to give her some space. “I had reasons for leaving that night and if I’d waited any longer, I would’ve been delaying the inevitable.” she replies softly. “Seeing how the siblings act smug around me, how I watch you indulge and flirt with the others… it confirms my fears. My reasons.”

“I understand your reasons, Amelia. I just also think at the time that they were silly.” she lets out a sarcastic laugh. His hands move to hold her face and he looks determinedly into her eyes. “When we were together, you were all I ever thought about. Because I love-“

“Please don’t finish that.” She interrupts. She’s getting choked up and he removes his hands from her face. “I’m not sure I can believe that it’s genuine when I hear them swoon about their mind-blowing nights with you.”

He knits his eyebrows together. “Tales of my sexual history the past couple years have been greatly exaggerated, Amelia.” He sounds annoyed.

“You haven’t done anything with them?” She asks.

“Well, no.” Amelia frowns. “But when I do, I keep it at arms’ length.I keep the paint on if I spend an evening with anyone. They get a night with Papa, no one else.” He says plainly.

“You’ve never…?”

He slowly raises his hand to cup her cheek. “I can’t bring myself to see anyone, to have anyone in the same way that we were. I would be wracked with guilt. To make love withsomeone, to lay myself bare in that way would feel like crossing a line.” Terzo once again holds Amelia’s face in his hands.

She can feel her eyes well with tears and his thumbs are ready to wipe any that fall. Amelia’s hands rise to hold his wrists in place and she closes her eyes. It’s not exactly what she’s wanted to hear, but it’s comforting in its own way. They stand like that for a moment, still and quiet. The sounds of their breaths fill the tiny closet as the seconds pass. They’ve released two years of pent-up frustration and now the adrenaline is gone.

“I’d like for us to begin anew.” he whispers. “The Cardinal is leading the band now and it’s only a matter of time before he is the next Papa of the Ministry. I will pass on the Papacy to him and then retire completely and I wish to spend the rest of my time with you by my side.” His thumb rubs softly on Amelia’s cheek.

“Terzo…” She finally says his name. Her voice cracks as she gets it out and her eyes open. He’s looking down at her with immense adoration and hope.

Terzo smiles wide. “Amelia.” he scans her face to figure out what she might say. His eyes linger on her down on her lips and on reflex, he leans forward.

The closet door opens to reveal a very confused and surprised ghoul. He’s one of Copia’s.

“Oh this isn’t the bathroom!” Swiss exclaims.

Terzo quickly removes himself from Amelia and steps back. One of his arms moves to sit behind his back and the other touches the back of his neck, his fingers brushing through the strands awkwardly.

“It’s uh. Down the hall after turning the corner. There should be a sign.” Amelia coughs out.

“Great. Thanks!” Swiss smiles wide enough his teeth show. He pats the doorknob. “You should probably lock it next time.” He laughs and closes the door to leave them alone.

Terzo and Amelia stare at each other in bewilderment. Their faces crack into smiles and laughter fills the small room.

“Copia’s ghoul has excellent timing.” He remarks.

“Yep.” She emphasizes the P sound.

Terzo moves to stand closer in front of Amelia and he grabs her hands to hold in his. “What I said earlier, you don’t have to answer it right now. Only when you’re ready, please let me know.”

Amelia nods. “I will. I promise.”

“Good.” He nods back and brings her hands up to his mouth to kiss her knuckles.

◊◊◊◊◊

Amelia was so drained after the confrontation with Terzo that after taking something to-go from the dining hall, she fell asleep easily and slept like the dead. The pressure in the past two years was released and her chest doesn’t feel so tight. Her shoulders feel a bit lighter the following morning and the alarm sounding off doesn’t feel as dreadful. On her way to the studio after getting breakfast, she’s decided on coffee with cream and sugar. She decided to treat herself and chose a hazelnut flavoring. Terzo’s almost confession of love replays and his proposal to start again sits in her mind.

“Good morning, everyone!” she calls to the studio. Her voice is cheery; Sarah and Alex glance to each other and squint their eyes towards Amelia. She sits at her desk and begins writing her to-do list, listing the items she needs to complete for the day. Her phone chimes.

--------

[Do Not Pick Up] 8:00 am

Did you know there is a missing Stanley Cup game winning puck? In 2010, the NHL team that won the trophy in a thrilling game 6 was not able to find the puck that secured the victory. Even the FBI got involved but it still hasn’t been found.

[Do Not Pick Up] 8:02 am

I don’t want it to be radio silence between us anymore, not after yesterday. So here, have a mystery of the day.

--------

I should probably change Terzo’s contact in my phone now Amelia thinks.

--------

Amelia 8:03 am

How do I unsubscribe from these? ;)

--------

Terzo 8:04 am

I’m afraid that’s not an option, tesoro.

--------

She laughs and it makes her feel giddy.

“You seem… chipper this morning.” Alex calls to Amelia. “What are you smiling at?”

“I have uh, downloaded an app that gives a mystery of the day!” She lies, hoping her blush is concealed enough.

“Uh huh.” Alex nods. “Because I thought, well, I read something interesting from Swiss yesterday when he texted me and-“

“Since when are you on texting terms with the ghouls?” Amelia interrogates.

He sits up straighter in his seat. “I only text with Swiss from time to time!”

“Well you can tell your ghoulfriend that-“

“Whoa, whoa, whoa! He’s not my ghoulfriend. He is a ghoul… that I know.” Alex defends.

“What did he say?” Sarah interjects.

“He said that on his way to look for the bathroom - some of the halls are still a bit confusing for him - he opened a door to find Terzo and Amelia in a closet in a very intimate position.” Alex reveals.

She gasps and covers her mouth with her hands. “No!”

“We didn’t do anything! We were just talking and well…” Amelia doesn’t know how to end the sentence. We did almost kiss.

Sarah looks over to her. “Oh, and FYI, it’s not a good idea to fuck in that closet. The shelves aren’t great back support.” Sarah scrunches up her nose.

“We weren’t fu- wait, what?” Amelia looks taken aback. She and Alex stare at Sarah.

Sarah blushes and looks up at the ceiling. “Remember a few weeks ago when I was complaining about my lower back hurting and I said it was because of my period?”

Amelia and Alex let out an affirmative “Ooooh” sound. An awkward silence falls over the room, then, and the three them wordlessly return back to their work.

◊◊◊◊◊

--------

Terzo 8:45 am

In 2015 there was a high profile cheese slicer theft. The world’s most valuable slicer was stolen from the Amsterdam Cheese Museum. Worth $28,000, covered in diamonds, it was snatched from the basement archives. A reward of a fancy cheese basket and fondue set was presented to anyone who could come forward with substantial tips.

--------

Terzo 8:36 am

In mid-winter, 1931, a Swedish ship the “SS Baychimo” became trapped at sea from the ice along the Alaskan coast. The crew abandoned ship to find shelter nearby and when they went to return to the ship, it was gone. 38 years later the vessel was spotted 50 miles from where it was originally abandoned and by the time a crew could be gathered to bring it to shore, it disappeared again. To this day, no recovery has ever been made of the ghost ship.

--------

Terzo 8:27 am

For nearly 300 years, the Pine Barrens of New Jersey have been called the home of the New Jersey Devil. It’s described as a long-necked, two-legged creature with hooves and wings. Its alleged origins begin in 1735 when a local woman was pregnant with her 13th child and right before it was born, she proclaimed “Let this one be the Devil!” and once it was born it sprouted wings, hooves, and a tail. To this day no one has been able to provide concrete proof of its existence.

--------

Terzo 8:53 am

Shakespeare’s works will always remain a mystery, specifically in the lost play “Love’s Labor’s Won”, the long-held belief that it is the sequel to “Love’s Labor’s Lost.” It was first referenced by writer Sir Frances Meres as he wrote about the playwright’s works. Some believe it was an alternative title to “Love’s Labor’s Lost” but other believe it was a play in its own right. No evidence of the show has ever been found other than second-hand references.

--------

Amelia 8:56 am

Where are getting these? I’ve been wondering about it for the past week.

--------

Terzo 8:57 am

Primo’s idea. I was gifted a desk calendar of daily mysteries a year ago but never used it. I’ve been skipping around since there’s no point following the order.

-------

Amelia 9:00 am

Yeah that sounds like him.

--------

◊◊◊◊◊

One evening after dinner, Amelia walks to the library to check out their hobbies section. She heard from a sister who works there that they recently acquired knitting reference books. Library hours have been recently extended and many siblings have taken advantage to study ancient texts or chat quietly. Tonight, the space is buzzing with activity; siblings look through the shelves or lounge on the comfy couches. The new knitting book selections were fruitful and she found one on circle yoke sweaters that piqued her interest along with a book of Japanese knitting patterns. She passes by the sitting area on the way out and has to do a double-take.

She finds Terzo sitting in a plush chair with a book in his hands. He has one leg crossed over his other knee and he’s changed out of his regular suit but still he wears dark purple dress pants and a black button up. The top two buttons are undone and he is wearing his reading glasses. She’s never seen him in the Papal paint with the glasses on and it’s all a sight for her eyes. It’s almost too much for her. His eyes however haven’t noticed Amelia yet. He’s been preoccupied with a brother of sin who can’t tell that Terzo really just wants to get on with his book.

She can’t conceal her giggle in time and Terzo looks up, following the familiar sound. He locks eyes with her across the room and winks her. She blushes and hides the book in front of her face then brings it back down a few seconds later. He hasn’t looked away and Amelia can sense something deep in her heart once again. The long-lost sensation of fluttering butterflies up to her chest. She smiles to Terzo and walks off to check out her books. She can somehow feel his eyes on her and she’s testing all of her will power to not look back.

◊◊◊◊◊

Today the three sewists have finally met their threshold. Even Amelia cannot keep up with The Gauntlet and on a sunny Thursday Sarah, Alex, and Amelia take the day to rest and recharge.

She decides to walk in the courtyard for a bit to think. Their non-stop sewing marathon for the ghouls has prevented her from fully giving Terzo’s proposition a proper consideration and she wonders if fresh air will help to clear her mind. She talks to herself, gesturing wildly down a path and some siblings walk by her will funny looks. Yeah, that’s probably fair she thinks. Amelia finds a quieter, less populated section and sits down so she can think out loud in private.

“He doesn’t seem like he’s fully moved on.” she says to herself. “But would he really take another chance on me?”

“Would you?” a voice cuts in from further down the pathway.

“Dew? Am I interrupting something? Should I move?” Amelia calls out. He walks closer and sits down next to her on the bench.

“Not at all. Did I interrupt something?” Dew responds with a playful lilt in his voice. She can’t see his face due to the chrome mask but she can tell he’s smirking.

“I’m just thinking out loud about something.” She sighs.

“I could tell.” he nods. “Well, don’t let me get in the way.” Dew leans back on the bench, threading his fingers together and leaning his head back in his hands. “So, Would you?”

“Would I what?” she asks.

“Would you take another chance on yourself?” He nods his head towards her.

She’s silent for a moment. “I’d like to say ‘yes’ but I’m not sure.”

“I don’t know what you two were for each other, but when you left, Terzo was a wreck for a long time.”

Amelia turns to look fully at Dew while he continues to look forward. “I didn’t know that.” she looks down at her hands in her lap. “He always seemed so put-together.”

Dew sighs through his nose. “Only for the clergy, never around us. Going on tour was one of the few ways he could feel normal even if he was playing a version of himself at times. When Terzo didn’t have any obligations, he became a recluse.”

Amelia breathes a deep sigh. “I’m an asshole.” She drops her head into her hands.

“No, you’re not.” Dew sits up straight and moves his head to face Amelia. His left hand pats her knee. “Humans are terrible with emotions. What is it you all like to use as an excuse? Fight or Flight?”

“I flew, I know, I know! But when he came home that night I… The paint on his mouth was smudged and he had kiss marks on his clothes!” she waves one of her hands in the air.

“He kept pushing the sister away but she was very persistent with Papa. One of us had to escort her out once she got to his neck.” he tilts his head to the side. “And if I remember correctly, his face paint was smudged from kissing foreheads all night. He kept professing that the only lips that would touch his from now on were yours.”

The entire night comes crashing down in Amelia’s mind. Her eyes feel misty and she sniffles. A tear sits dangerously close to falling down her cheek. “I didn’t know.” Amelia wipes at her eyes. “He said the kiss marks meant nothing to him and I didn’t even let him explain his mouth.”

“So, you accused him of infidelity and then didn’t let him defend himself?” he said incredulously. “You ghosted a man who looks at you like you hang the stars in the sky.”

“I couldn’t allow myself to believe that he could completely… love… me.” She almost cringes.

Dew chuckles and she swats at him. “Do you really think you are so awful? Terzo is flirty, sure, but he likes making people happy as Papa. Your happiness meant the world to him above all else.”

“I just didn’t see what was so special about me.” she looks down and picks at her fingernails. “I knew he cared about me like I cared about him but there was always a nagging thought in the back of my mind that he would meet someone so in awe of him and he’d forget about me.”

Dew chuckles. “Yeah, you’re not an asshole. You’re an idiot.” Amelia shoves him. “Hey!”

“I’m happy to hear that my inner turmoil is hilarious to you.” She deadpans.

He stands up and placed his hands behind his back. He tilts his head down to look at her and Amelia tilts her head to look up at him. “You need to tell him these things. I can’t tell you why he loved you so much but I know he did and it broke his heart every day when you were gone.”Amelia nods with determination and Dew turns to leave.

--------

Amelia: 5:45 pm

I’m ready to give you my answer.

--------

◊◊◊◊◊

The following evening Amelia takes careful, tentative steps to Terzo’s apartment. He’d asked for her to come have dinner with him while they talk. With shaky hands she takes a deep breath and then knocks on his door. After a few seconds, it opens to reveal him and he’s wearing a pair of black pants and a comfy dark green sweater; Terzo’s face is bare, free from any paint he’d worn that day. Her mind flashes back to the last time she’d seen his face that way. It was earlier in the night before it all went to hell two years ago.

“Ciao, Amelia.” He nearly whispers his hello. It feels like if he speaks any louder, she might run off.

“Hello.” She smiles. Terzo steps back to let her in and closes the door once she’s inside.

“Thank you for coming.” he glances at her outfit. He chose simple black jeans and a red button up blouse with bishop sleeves. She blushed slightly under his watchful eye. “You look beautiful as always.”

“Thank you.” She whispers. “You…too.”

Terzo gestures to the table he has set up. He guides Amelia to take a seat while he walks over to plate their meal for the night. “Fettuccine al Pomodoro. The tomatoes are fresh from Primo’s garden.” He smirks. “I got permission this time.”

Amelia laughs and he smiles wide at her reaction. “I’m sure he was happy you’d asked.”

He brings over their plates and then sits down across from her while they begin to eat their meal. The pair eat in silence, only occasional hums of approval or fork scratching sounds float into the room. He eats a few bites off of his plate but mostly watches Amelia as she savors hers. When they’re finished, he takes their plates and silverware to the sink and clears the table. Amelia gingerly rests her palms on the table, Terzo puts his elbow on the table to and rests his head in his hand. He looks at her expectantly.

Is he waiting for me to start? she thinks. “So, I came here tonight to give you my answer, Terzo.”

He nods his head softly. “And… what do you say?” He watches Amelia, almost pleading.

She lets out a deep breath. “I say yes.” He sits up straight in his chair. “Yes, I want to be with you. To try this again.”

“A-Amelia I am delighted to hear it.” Terzo scoots his chair to sit closer to Amelia. His knees bump into hers in his enthusiasm to be nearer to her.

“We need to talk first, though. I have some things I need to say.” She looks down at her lap.

He takes her hands into hers. “Whatever you have to say, please say it.”

“First, I want to say I’m sorry. I’ll say it as many times as I need to-” Terzo lightly squeezes her hands and it cuts off her train of thought.

“You don’t have to apologize for anything.”

“But I do. I acted out of fear. I didn’t let you defend yourself. I thought a sibling was finally able to woo you enough to convince you of my irrelevancy. I didn’t let you explain and I jumped to conclusions and left.” her voice shakes. She feels her eyes becoming misty. “I t-thought you’d finally found someone who was s-so amazed by who you were and that they’d become more interesting than me-” Amelia sniffles and a tear falls down her cheek. Terzo brings her in to his chest while his arms wrap around her back in a snug embrace.

“Amelia I wouldn’t, couldn’t ever think someone was more important than you.” His right hand moves up to stroke through her hair a few times. Amelia’s hands tentatively wrap around his waist and pulls him closer.

She sniffles again. “I couldn’t understand at the time, I still don’t really understand now, why you think I’m so special.”

He moves back to look at Amelia. “Can I tell you?” His thumbs softly wipe at the tears around her eyes. She nods. “Of everyone I’ve ever known in this ministry, you were like my one constant. My family, the Emeritus legacy, makes people treat me differently. Siblings think of me as this tantalizing higher power and the other Bishops and Cardinals try to suck up to me so when I became Papa, I don’t randomly fire them or relocate them.” he smiles. “Throughout the couple decades I’ve known you, every time I spoke with you, I was always some stronzo named ‘Terzo’ and I admired your consistency even when I technically should’ve corrected you at times. I can’t help but be attracted to how you didn’t give a shit about my title.”

“I don’t like putting people on pedestals.” Amelia squeak out. “Also, I’m pretty sure Sister Imperator would have the final say in any relocations anyway.”

“Probably.” he lifts her chin up. “Do you understand, now?” Terzo searches her eyes.

She nods. “I think do.” Amelia leans her forehead against Terzo’s and closes her eyes.

“When you left me that night,” Terzo begins, softly. “,it felt like a part of me left with you.” He pulls back from her forehead. “You are one of few people who know me this intimately. I was hurt, Amelia, that you would think of me so poorly.” It’s Terzo this time to look down at his hands.

She grabs his hands into her own, rubbing small circles on his palms. “I think… I just got caught up in everything, mentally. You always reassured me, and when we were around each other I was fine. I could feel your love even if we never spoke it. But then you had more obligations, more events that would take you from me.” she lets out a shaky breath. Terzo squeezes Amelia’s hands as a small reassurance. “And then there were the looks from the siblings. It’s like they were angry, Terzo. They acted like I took something from them.”

“It pains me to hear that they felt so entitled of me in that way. I had my moments of intense devotion from the siblings so to speak, but I wasn’t aware of the extent of their spite towards you.”

Her emotions get the best of her and she feels tears welling in her eyes again. “I tried to hide how it felt as much as I could. You genuinely care for the congregation and the funny thing is, in a way, I don’t blame them. I’d hear the stories of siblings spending a night with you after I left and below all of the gloating and bravado,” deep breath “,I could tell that it was still special for them. You are Papa and that means something in this ministry.”

He huffs. “I feel guilty now for my flaunting earlier and my rendezvous. I’m sorry.”

She shakes her head. “No, please don’t! I thought I was setting you free. I should be sorry that I couldn’t block out the noise and not let it get to me.” A small tear falls down her cheek. Amelia takes a deep breath to steady her nerves.

Terzo coos softly and wipes the wet streak from her cheek. “Oh, please no more tears, amore? We’ve shed enough of those for a lifetime.”

We? She looks into Terzo’s eyes and sitting this close, looking at him without the paint, she notices just how exhausted he looks. How many sleepless nights had she unknowingly given him? Amelia’s hand rises up to cup his face. Her thumb brushes lightly on his cheek and his eyes flutter shut. She grazes her thumb down to softly brush along his lower lip. Amelia tries to remember what Terzo’s lips felt like on hers but it feels like a faint memory at this point. He gasps lightly when he feels her remove her hand from his face.

“Amelia.” he whispers.

“Yes?”

“Can I kiss you?” He all but begs her.

Amelia nods her head and Terzo’s hands hold her face firmly. He kisses her like he hasn’t kissed anyone in a century. She’s almost overwhelmed at the way he pours his affection into her and Amelia’s hands go to rest on his shoulders for stability. Tired of leaning awkwardly, she lifts from her chair without breaking their kiss to straddle his lap. One of her hands slide up to thread her fingers in his hair. In her enthusiasm, she tugs lightly on the strands and he hums deep in his chest. Terzo smiles and Amelia can feel the way his lips perk up against hers.

Terzo’s hand starts a path from her waist down to Amelia’s lower back and he pulls her further into his lap. The passionate assault on each other’s mouths continues and now their tongues battle for dominance. Amelia’s arms around his head pull his face even closer to hers and she shifts in his lap to feel flush with his body. A matching set of satisfied hums are exchanged.

His hand moves once again, further down her body to grab at the curve of her bottom to give a light squeeze. His hips shift under her slightly and she begins to notice the growing bulge below in Terzo’s lap. The feeling stirs up a forgotten tingling sensation back in her lower stomach. She swivels her hips, grinding down lightly as a test and Terzo leans back, ending the kiss with a groan and breathy laugh. His eyes open and he smiles at Amelia who’s looking back with the same expression. She begins to look down and frown and he angles her chin to look back up at him.

“Tell me what you’re thinking.” he asks. Terzo’s hands rest on either side of her hips. “What’s going on inside your head?”

“I’m not sure if it’s wise to take things further tonight.” Her eyes dart around the room and she plays with the hair at the nape of his neck.

One of his palms rub softly on her side. “If you would like to stop, we can.”

“Here’s the thing: I don’t want to stop.” She admits, looking down sheepishly.

“Then we won’t.” Terzo smiles.

She nods and then they lean in for another round of kisses. After a moment, his restless hand slides under her shirt to move up and palm her chest and his mouth starts to kiss down her jaw to end on up on her neck. He squeezes lightly at her chest and Amelia whimpers into the air, pressing down on his lap which in turn earns a groan from Terzo. They’ve started grinding against each other at a slow, lazy pace while he bites at her neck, no doubt leaving a bruise for tomorrow. She can’t stand the teasing anymore after a while.

“Terzo.” She breathes.

He plants one last pronounced kiss to her neck before pulling back to at her. “Yes?” Terzo asks with half-lidded eyes and a smirk.

“Take me to bed.”

He smiles wide. They stand up from the chair and he takes her hand, placing a small kiss to her knuckles before leading the familiar path to his bedroom. The two stand on the side of his bed, holding hands, looking into each other’s eyes. Amelia nods quickly at Terzo and he raises his hands to begin unbuttoning her blouse. She watches him while his focus is trained on the small buttons and once the last one is released from its buttonhole, she helps to shrug the shirt off her shoulders and lets it fall to the floor beside her. Amelia’s hands grab at the hem of his sweater.

“Your turn.” She chuckles. He smiles and raises his arms for her to lift the garment away. She runs a hand down his soft chest hair and rests it on his hips. Her other hand’s fingers brush themselves through his hair, fixing it after it became disheveled when he took off his sweater. She pulls him in for a small kiss and Terzo’s hands rest on her shoulders.

He tugs on her bra strap and whispers into her lips. “We forgot something.” He smirks.

Amelia rolls her eyes and unclasp her bra before pulling it off, to follow the path her blouse took to sit on the floor. Now free of its confines, Terzo’s hands slide to fondle her chest. His thumb runs over one of her pebbling nipples and she gasps at the sensation. In retaliation, Amelia’s hand lowers to caress the prominent bulge poking at her hip. Terzo groans and he lets out a sigh. With a sudden urgency, her hands rush to the button on Terzo’s slacks and she expertly unbuttons them. Pulling the zipper down she pushes the pants down his legs and it gives some relief to Terzo’s sensitive, aching cock in his briefs. He loudly sighs into the room. Her pants are next to go and together they remove their underwear to end up fully exposed for each other now.

He leads her backwards to the edge of the bed and whispers in her ear for her to lay down against the pillows. Terzo is facing Amelia, lying beside her on his right side and he leans down to kiss her lips softly. His fingertips trace an invisible trail from her collar bone, down through her chest to her stomach. “Please, let me show you what you mean to me?” His fingers ghost down her stomach to her slightly spread open legs. He grabs at the soft flesh on the inside of her thigh and his thumb rubs small soothing circles.

Amelia nods her head. “Yes, please.” She breathes out. Her eyes close and his hand slides up her leg. She instinctively opens her legs wider to give Terzo better access and his fingers tentatively run along the enticingly slick lips between her legs; they both gasp in unison at the feeling. Terzo smiles, happy he can elicit such a reaction from her. Amelia is already sensitive from their kissing and grinding earlier and now just a feather-light swipe from his fingers is enough to have her squirming. He continues, slowly grazing his fingers from her lips to her clit, pressing down ever so slightly before moving back down. Amelia can’t help but fidget in her spot, gifting Terzo with small whimpers and mewls signaling her pleasure. She’s so wet, his fingers slide with barely any resistance.

She gasps when Terzo slowly inserts a finger at her entrance. She can feel the tight fluttering below becoming more intense and she’s close to falling over under his spell. After a short while, he pushes a second finger in, curling the digits and it’s all so much. Between his thumb slowly rubbing on her clit and the two fingers inside, she nearly yells to him. “Terzo I’m so,” she huffs “,close-“

“Please, amore, come for me.” He begs and she can’t help but comply.

One final curl from Terzo’s fingers cause Amelia to fall into her orgasm, sighing out ‘Terzo’s with a smile. He softly rubs her clit a few times as she rides out the high before slowly removing his hands from her pussy and licks her release from his fingers. She watches him as he closes his eyes and hums and savors the taste of her on his fingers. When she looks down, she realizes he hasn’t given himself any attention and his cock looking beautifully red and flushed, leaking at the tip. It’s standing at attention against his stomach, aching for some relief.

She leans her head up lock eyes with Terzo and he leans down to kiss her. She can taste some of the lingering essence of herself on Terzo’s tongue when they deepen the kiss. She pulls back slightly. “You look like you could use some help.” Amelia smirks.

Her hands move slowly to his tip, spreading some of his pre with her thumb and he hisses, his head falling back. Terzo releases a soft whimper when she removes her hand for a moment to spit in it and then lowers it back down to wrap her hand around him. Using his own slick and her spit now, she gives small tugs, letting him savor the sensation. He’s rested his forehead against hers, moaning as she continues to pump his cock. More pre starts to leak out and she collects it to give a better glide down his shaft. He rushes to stop Amelia before he can get too worked up.

“I won’t last very long if you keep going, Amelia.” He smiles awkwardly.

“I want you to feel good, too. That’s the point, Terzo.” She smiles.

He lifts his forehead away from hers. Terzo moves from his position on the bed beside her to leans his body over hers, settling between her legs. His hand rests on the side of her face. “Not if I plan to give you another orgasm with my cock.” He leans down to steal the gasp from her lips. Her hands fly to the back of his head, pulling him closer. He lines himself up with her entrance and slowly, he leans in, taking his time for them to get familiar with the stretch of her around him. He groans into her neck “You torture me, amore.”

She feels him push a little further more inside. “I can say - ah - the same about you right now.” The both let out a breathy chuckle. He leans up to kiss her fully while he pushes the last of his cock inside, buried to the hilt. He swallows her gasp and he lets Amelia settle into the feeling of being so fullof him after being so long a part. Her hand moves to stroke his cheek and she nods slightly. “You can move now, Terzo.”

He shifts his hips, thrusting in and out at a slow pace. She soon starts to feel a familiar fluttery feeling deep below and Terzo smiles down at her. Her hips move with him to help form a steady rhythm. “Are you ready to come again so quickly, amore?”

“You feel so good.” She rolls her eyes when he gives a particularly deep thrust in that moment. “It’s hard not to resi – oh just like that” She pants.

“I’m reaching my limit, Amelia. Are you almost there?” He asks, panting against her face.

She nods furiously. “Mhm. I’m close.” Her hand moves to rub over her clit while Terzo continues to thrust in and out in and out at a hurried pace. Terzo’s lips on hers, the delicious stretch from the feeling of him inside inside her and her fingers on her clit are all too overwhelming and it’s enough to have Amelia toppling over into her second orgasm of the night; it feels like all of her nerves are being stimulated at once. The convulsions of her inner walls around Terzo’s cock give enough for him to come soon after Amelia, filling her with his own release. They mouth at each other’s moans as the two ride out their highs before Terzo’s arms give out, his body settling onto her chest. He mouths a few kisses to her breast, over her heart. Amelia cards her fingers though his hair while they lay there, content, letting their breaths even out

Terzo slips out a short while later after he’s softened and he gets up to bring a wet washcloth over to clean Amelia and himself up. The two cuddle in silence for some time, his arm wraps around Amelia and she feels at peace, finally. Overcome with affection, she turns her body to look at Terzo, her hand comes to rest on the side of his face.

“I love you, Terzo.”

He leans forward to kiss her lips, lingering there for a few seconds. He pulls back with a smile. “Ti amo, Amelia.”

◊◊◊◊◊

The next morning, Amelia is roused form her slumber when she feels the soft pecks on her shoulder down to her arm from the man behind her. Terzo notices her eyes are open. He tightens his arm around her and gives her a soft “Good morning, amore.” His voice is still gruff from sleep.

She sighs dramatically. “It would be if someone hadn’t woken me up.” Amelia turns around to face him.

Terzo smirks. He leans his lips down to stop at the corner of her mouth. “Mi dispiace! Would you prefer I stop?”

Amelia snorts and rolls over to her back. Terzo takes this as an opportunity to drape himself on top of her, kissing all of the newly exposed skin he couldn’t reach earlier. He kisses and nips from her mouth down to her chin. He moves further down to her collar bone, leaving a trail of wet kisses in his wake to the curved peak of her breast where he’s stopped for the time being. He rests his head in her chest and her fingers settle in his hair. She finds a small number of gray strands and Amelia thinks it makes him all the more beautiful.

“Making up for lost time?” She jests.

He raises onto his arm and moves back up Amelia’s body. “si, Amelia, and I fear I will not be able to let you leave this room as a result.” Terzo drapes his arm over her stomach and he plants a small kiss to the point at her shoulder.

She laughs and, in that moment, it sounds like music to Terzo’s ears. “I’m eventually going to have to go back to my job, Terzo.” She raises an eyebrow. “That includes leaving this room.”

He begins kissing down Amelia’s body once again. “I’ll have a sewing machine brought to my room.” He smiles into her stomach. His eyes flick up to hers.

Amelia can feel herself getting worked up and his watchful gaze below her isn’t helping. “I-We’ll have to eat!” She reasons. Terzo’s moved down to kiss the side of her hips and she squirms in her spot.

“I’ll have a ghoul bring us food when we get hungry.” He’s settled his body lower, between her legs. Terzo raises one of her thighs to pepper kisses on the inner flesh. “BecauseI am not going to spend another minute,” he kisses her thigh again and she sighs. “,where I’m not touching you or looking at your beautiful face.”

“How can I argue with that?” She breathes heavily from his adoration.

He laughs while he moves back up to lay down beside Amelia. “Somehow I believe you could.”

She scoffs.

They spend the rest of the morning in each other’s arms, catching up from the past two years or just simply existing with each other in silence. At some point Amelia decides she needs a shower and Terzo comes along to “help” her. After a very handsy, sudsy time in the shower, the couple emerge fresh and clean. She borrows a robe from Terzo until she can get some new clothes and lounges in the bed while he calls for a ghoul to bring him breakfast.

The ghoul arrives, Dew she thinks she hears, arriving and bringing in a package of food. She walks up to hear their conversation and catches Dew off guard.

“Well, when you said you needed me to bring food to your room, I was worried that you’d gone back into your old – Oh.” He stops when Amelia enters the room. “Ah. I see.”

Amelia blushes and looks down, crossing her arms over the robe. “Hey, Dew…”

His eyes flick between the two for a couple seconds. “Well, uh, let us know if you need more food later! I’m sure you two are famished.” Dew cackles.

Terzo shoos the fire ghoul away and closes the door behind him. He turns around and walks over to Amelia. “I have to admit, I am a bit hungry.”

◊◊◊◊◊

True to his word, Terzo didn’t let Amelia out of his sight for the entire weekend. They were holed up away in their own tender, affectionate world and come Monday morning the bubble was burst. He begrudgingly allowed Amelia to leave and go to work, lamenting how she was “so cruel to leave him all alone” as he reapplied his papal paint for his own work day.

She laughs as he clings to her body as she creeps closer to his door. Her hands grab at his waist and she leans into his ear. “Walk me to work?”

And that he does! They stride arm-in-arm from his room to the sewing studio, passing a few clergy members and siblings on the way. He gives a light squeeze to her arm at every person they pass as a small sign of reassurance and she for once doesn’t even think about anyone else in that moment besides the man lovingly holding her to him. Amelia looks over and kisses his cheek lightly once they reach the hall the studio resides.

She’s the last to arrive, Alex and Sarah having beat her to it. She figures that would be the case as Terzo nearly convinced her to play hooky but her brain decided to think rationally at the last minute.

“Well look who decided to show u-” Alex calls, stopping mid-sentence when he realizes Terzo is with Amelia. “Hello.” He says with a slightly smug expression.

Sarah and Copia, not having left yet, bow their head towards them. “Hello Papa.”

Terzo nods at them and then turns back to Amelia. He raises her hands to his lips to leave a lingering kiss to her knuckles. He leaves a black and white lip stain to her hand she giggles.

Alex dramatically rolls his eyes. “Not you too! Am I going to have to start bringing a spray bottle with me to work, now?”

“Is that how you speak to your Papa?” He raises an eyebrow and crosses his arms. Amelia can tell he’s joking but with the paint on his face, it’s hard for others to tell.

“Well, I, uh. I’m so sorry your Eminence. I didn’t mean-“ Alex stumbles.

Terzo laughs and then waves a hand in the air. “I’m fucking with you. Though if you ruin my paint because of a spray bottle, we will have issues.”

“Yes. Of course.” Alex flashes an awkward smile and them turns to the work prepped on his desk.

Terzo smiles and looks back to Amelia one more time. His hand cups her cheek and he leans down to give her a deep, passionate kiss goodbye. Amelia’s hand threads her fingers through his hair and pulls him in deeper, not wanting to let him go.

“Ugh get a room, you two.” Copia pipes up. Sarah swats at his arm.

Amelia interrupts the kiss, much to Terzo’s dismay, to look pointedly at Copia. “Stones and glass houses, Copia.”

Terzo responds with a deep laugh and in that moment, Amelia thinks she wants to hear that for the rest of her life.

Also, FYI, I had a mystery of the day calendar last year and that's where I got the ones that were mentioned. lol. Thank you to all that have read, comented, liked, or kudo'd this, I appreciate it!

Translation: - il picolo stronzo [the little asshole] - Che diavolo stai facendo? [what the hell are you doing?] - tesoro [treasure] - Stronzo [asshole - ti amo [I love you]

#terzo x oc #ghost fanfiction #the band ghost fanfiction #papa emeritus iii x ox #terzo fanfiction #my fics #ghost fic #papa emeritus iii fanfiction #personal #i still can never figure out the tags lol

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alpydk · 5 months

Text

Cabinet of Oddities (The Final Chapter)

Gale x Tav (OC F)

The final chapter. The defeat of the Netherbrain, the docks, the Chionthar. 2 epilogues. The first is the "canon" happy ending. The second is the one I prefer but decide for yourselves.

((I'm going to add a long blurb of thanks here. And some of my own unwanted backstory.

Nana was created for a DnD game back in 2021. A year when everything for me went to shit and I had a nervous breakdown. Her aversion to touch reflected my own insecurities with it, Thomas was the self-destructive tendencies which I clung to so desperately, her 5 years in the past was my 2021 as I lost myself to my mental health. Either way, this story was written as a reflection of all that happened and the friends that helped pull me out of it (despite all the struggles that came in that area).

But yeah, thank you to everyone who has read and enjoyed the story. It's meant a lot, especially with this being the first fic I've ever written. So again, thank you, thank you, thank you.))

Ao3 Link

Nana fell onto the Netherbrain, her slight changeling form hitting the flesh beneath her. “Ooo squishy…”

“Tormentum!” Gale fired off a barrage of magic missiles at the mind flayer that loomed over her. “Nana, pull yourself together!” The battle so far had been intense, fighting their way through the High Hall, taking down cultists, ghouls and mindflayers and they’d had little time to recuperate before the final stages came. Now they bided their time as their own mindflayer ally opened the last portal giving them access to their foe. Gale ran to her, helping her from the ground where the enemy had shoved her.

“Thanks,” she said, wiping the ichor from her armour before leaning around him and firing an arrow past him into a tentacle that had suddenly emerged. “This is fun, right?” He could see how light her eyes were and the way her lips curved as she saw the arrow hit.

He looked at her in confusion but then a smile crept on his face. “Hardly the verbiage I would choose, my love.”

The portal erupted into view and the group sprinted for it ready to face the brain, the hardest part they had to overcome. Gale still thought of the orb, of that final choice he would have to make if things began to go badly for them. They continued to fight valiantly leaping between the plates that barely held in place around the brain. He could see the wear and tear of Astarion’s armour, the bruises on Shadowheart’s face, and again the choice presented itself to him. If this is what is needed, then so be it.

“Pew pew!” Nana dived past him firing arrows at the brain, his thoughts interrupted. Does she even realise where we are right now? He felt his head throb as the Netherbrain attempted to dominate the tadpoles they carried within. “Tormentum!” Another collection fired in the direction of the brain. Just go for the Magic Missile and fire away. Never fails.

It was a spell from the Shadowheart that was the final nail in the coffin, causing the Netherbrain to cry out in agony. He heard its voice within his head pleading with them to surrender or work alongside it but the mindflayer accompanying them ordered them to kill it. Gale stood with the crystals, looking at the Netherbrain in front of him, knowing only one thing; He needed to get the crown. He commanded with authority for the Netherbrain to destroy all the tadpoles and itself, immediately feeling intense pain in his skull, the worm withering away to nothingness.

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

Nana watched as Gale made the order, her cheeks flushing a little at the sight. Oh, he is nice when he’s in charge… She bit her lip and then grimaced before crumpling to the ground in pain. She clenched her eyes shut, hoping for it to end and as it did, she looked up seeing the crown shatter into pieces before falling out of sight.

She looked down into the water. Everything was quiet. Too quiet. No Thomas, no tadpole, just the ramblings of her own mind. Jam, cushions, Gale. Going to be a fun night. And then there was a new sensation, one she had never experienced before, falling a large distance.

She felt the wind in her hair, savouring the moment before she hit the cold water beneath. A strange feeling overtook her as struggled to stay afloat, her arms growing weaker against the current, water entering her lungs. She could see the light above the surface but her mind kept drifting away from her, willing for sleep to take her. It was only as Astarion grabbed her pulling her upwards and the air entering her lungs again that she realised what had happened. She gasped for breath as she was pulled up onto the docks, coughing up mouthfuls of water. “I need to… learn how to swim.”

Astarion stood up next to her wringing out the water from his clothes. “Darling, you need to learn so much more before swimming.”

She felt Gale’s hand on her back, rubbing gently, and looked up to him with a smile. “We made it…”

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

Gale walked along the docks indulging in the sensation of finally having his mind to himself again. He thought over the crown and where it was within the water, how he would find it and reforge it, and whether he was still willing to hand it over to Mystra as she had ordered of him. He looked over at Nana as she removed her soaked leather armour revealing her cotton shirt underneath, her pale skin moist with droplets of water. She shook her head, spattering Astarion, and Gale watched as he chastised her for it, her laughing at his temper. Is godhood worth losing all this?

It was as her smile faded that his attention moved to what she had seen. Karlach stood on the edge of the docks, the flames of her skin licking higher. She’d spoken little of her affliction to him throughout their travels, but he knew what was happening as Shadowheart ran towards her with concern on her face. He watched, unable to hear the words they spoke to one another as Karlach burnt hotter and brighter than any of them had seen previously, his mind racing, looking for solutions. An ice blast, the water around us. All other options except the one he knew she was against. It was Wyll who shouted past him about Avernus, the reluctance showing on her face as she heard the words, but Shadowheart managed to convince her to see sense.

They had no time to say goodbye to the trio before they fled through the portal, the heat of Karlach’s flames becoming too much for any of them to handle. Nana stood next to him, a tearful and shocked look on her face.

Astarion came closer towards them both with a smirk. “Well, loves, I guess it’s just our merry- ow!” He flicked his wrist as if he had been bitten by an insect. Gale saw how his skin began to smoke, the delicate fingertips of his hands cracking into a soft blue. “What the - oh gods. Oh no.” The sunlight.

Nana's panic was clear to see as she watched how Astarion fled across the docks, his abilities being altered by the absence of the tadpole. “We have to go after him!” she called to Gale, before beginning to run.

Gale reached an arm out stopping her progress. “There’s little point. There’s nothing we can do for him.”

“Maybe not, but he’s our friend. We can’t just leave him alone out there,” she pleaded with him. In mere moments she had lost over half of the people who had ever come to care for her, leaving only him alone with her. “We have to find him. Please, Gale.”

You’re right. The crown can wait. He gave a small nod and together they ran off in the direction they had seen Astarion flee.

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

It had been over one hundred years since Astarion had felt the sun last burn his skin, a cruel torture technique that Cazador had used a few times for entertainment. But over the last few weeks, he had forgotten the feeling of it, the sting and then the pain that followed. He ran to the shadows, glad for the layer of dust in the air that blocked the sun’s direct rays from burning him up instantly. He crawled into himself, the days of those small beams prickling at his skin flashing in his mind, and he closed his eyes, willing them away, trying to work out his route to the Underdark where he would have to continue on alone.

What Astarion had not expected was to feel someone sit next to him as he sat alone behind the crates. He lifted his head and sat in confusion seeing Nana with him. After all they had been through, how he had treated her, and distrusted her so much. She still refused to abandon him like so many others had before. “He’s here, Gale,” she yelled out into the air.

Astarion didn’t know what to say. He didn’t want anyone to see him in this condition, with his face burnt by the sun, and his clothes tattered and torn. He buried his face in his knees again to shield himself from her view. As he spoke, his voice was quiet, more vulnerable than he would have liked, “Leave me alone.”

She said nothing but he didn’t feel her move. He heard Gale’s steps on the stone beside him and felt as he sat too. I don’t want their concern. He wanted to shout for them to leave again, he wanted his strength back, he wanted the sun, but they chose to never leave him. Even as the sun slowly dipped below the horizon, they sat quietly with him waiting until he was ready to say goodbye on his own terms.

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

“You’re going to be okay, right?” Nana’s lip quivered as she spoke the words on the shores of the Chionthar.

Gale gave her a reassuring smile, placing his hands over hers. “I will be.” He spoke with confidence, despite the worries he held within. He was thankful for the tadpole’s absence making these little moments that much easier to handle. “I will find the crown and come back to you. Do not worry for me.”

“I’m going to wait right here. I’ll stay here until you’re back.”

He could see the concern on her face, and he wished he could reassure her further. The letter he’d written lay in the journal he’d gifted her on the desk at the Elfsong Tavern, and he hoped she would never have to read it. Even if she did, he had spent hours with a quill in hand trying to provide the best words that could give her comfort if the worst were to happen. The kiss they shared felt too short, and Gale hoped it would not be their last. He boarded the boat to go out into the waters, letting his hands slip from hers. “Nana, know that I will always love you.”

He watched as she sat alone on the shore, her legs pulled up to her chest, and as she slowly disappeared from view he gave a quiet prayer to his goddess for her protection.

*****************************************

Epilogue

It was a sunny day outside of Waterdeep. A lone gravestone could be seen, purple flowers lined around the base. Not far from it sat Nana in her natural changeling form, her short white hair had grown out and the scuffed leather armour had been replaced with an elegant silk gown.

"So, it's been a year now since that day by the river. A lot's happened, as you know. I held a proper funeral for you here and I was able to say my goodbyes. I met up with Karlach and the gang again. They said Avernus has been good to them. They mentioned something about a refinery and that they’re hopefully sorting something permanent for Karlach’s machine. I’m hopeful for her. Astarion went back to the Underdark as well and has pretty much put himself in charge of all the vampires. He looks well, a lot more at ease with himself than he used to be.”

She brushed her hair behind her ear. “And then there is me... Well, me and Gale are getting married. Yeah, I think he’s crazy too. I know you probably won’t be too happy about it, but then you were never really that happy about anything, were you? I wonder if you were always that way. Was there any way I could have really saved you?”

She sighed deeply looking at the tattered journal that sat beneath the stone. “I think that’s why I'm here today. I wanted to explain the choice I made a year ago. Why I didn't want to help you. I’d believed that I wasn’t enough, and when I met you, I thought that for maybe a moment you were the answer to everything. Too many times I questioned what you did and yet I allowed it, afraid of you leaving me. I was selfish and because of me, people got hurt, and people died. After meeting Gale, and everyone else, I realised that I am special in my own strange way and that being alone isn’t really what I want anymore. I guess what I’m saying is, I don’t need you anymore. I do hope though that you’re happy. You showed me a new world outside of my swamp, and maybe at some point, you did feel something for me other than the disgust you did a year ago.” She wiped away a stray tear and smiled. “Either way, I hope now that you’re gone, you’ve found some peace in death that you never had in life."

A few feet away Gale approached, his hair still weaving around the collar of his robes, though now with a layer tied neatly back. "Nana, If I could give you longer I really would but my mother is quite the stickler for being punctual. We’ve also received a letter about a tree growing at the location we previously camped at in Rivington. They’d like for us to come and claim it before they cut it down."

Nana looked at Gale and smiled before turning back to the gravestone. "Well, I guess this is it then…” She stood and placed a hand on the cold stone. “Goodbye, Thomas. I'll always remember our time together." She breathed deeply and approached Gale, sharing a brief kiss with him before settling her hand in his.

Together they left the resting place of Thomas, only the sound of birdsong left hanging in the air.

*************************************

Epilogue (Alternative)

The rains poured outside of Waterdeep. A lone gravestone could be seen, purple flowers lined around the base. Not far from it sat Gale his dark hair had grown out, greying more than it previously did and the scuffed purple robe had been replaced with leather armour.

"So, it's been a year now since that day by the river. A lot's happened, as you know. I held a proper funeral for you here and I was able to say my goodbyes. I met up with Karlach and the group again. They said Avernus has been good to them. They mentioned something about a refinery and that they’re hopefully sorting something permanent for Karlach’s machine. I’m hopeful for her. Astarion went back to the Underdark as well and has pretty much put himself in charge of all the vampires. He looks well, a lot more at ease with himself than he used to be.”

He brushed his hair back with his hand. “And then there is me... Well, I’m returning to my swamp. I stayed here for a while with Tara and your mother but they’re a bit much for me. I see the way they look at me, blaming me for what happened. I should have gone with you, I should have stopped you. I should have prayed harder to Mystra…”

Nana sat in his form holding her arms tightly around her body. She sighed deeply looking at the tattered journal that sat beneath the stone. “I think that’s why I'm here today. I wanted to say goodbye properly. I’d always believed that I wasn’t enough, and when I met you, I thought that for maybe a moment you were the answer to everything. I kept your form for comfort just like I did all those days past with Thomas and I know in some way you’re still with me but I know that I can’t keep doing this. I need to let you rest, I want to hold onto you, but I know it’s not what you want. Your letter brought me comfort and I keep it in the journal you bought for me. You never let me down, never. You were always worthy, always good enough and I just wish you knew that. I wish you were here so I could tell you every day how much I love you, how much I’ll always love you.” She wiped away a stray tear. “I’ll keep writing poetry for you."

A few feet away Astarion approached, a large black umbrella held over him, blocking his suit from becoming soaked. "Darling, if I could give you longer I really would but they expect the rain to clear in the next few hours and I’d love to get back to the Underdark long before that happens."

Nana looked at him and waved an arm not wanting to be rushed before turning back to the gravestone. "Well, I guess this is it then…” She stood, reverting back to her natural form. “Goodbye, Gale. My moon and star." She breathed deeply and approached Astarion, giving him a small nod, thankful for the rain coming down upon them.

Together they left the resting place of Gale, only the sound of raindrops hitting the umbrella left hanging in the air.

#bg3 #baldur's gate 3 #bg3 gale #gale dekarios #gale of waterdeep #gale bg3 #galemance #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 astarion #well so long and thanks for all the fish

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icon-cloud · 7 months

Text

Nighttime Wonderings

A request Submitted by @sister-nyx

Includes: OC, Nightmares, Angst, Comfort, OC/Mountain. It's really very soft.

WC: 1,648

Nyx couldn’t remember what she was dreaming about, but the panic she felt was still there and very much real. She woke up curled on her side, breathing too fast and perspiration making her hair slicked back, hugging her scalp. Sitting up, she placed a hand on her chest in an attempt to slow her breathing. This only marginally worked as she stared around her dark room.

Usually, her room stood as a reprieve for her. It blocked out noise and it was all hers, there was no need to worry about someone coming in or encroaching on her space. Tonight, it would seem, that her solitude was not bringing her comfort in its usual fashion. Desperately she wished for her sister's soothing tone.

Jocelyn would always comfort her when she woke up, more often than not, paralyzed from a nightmare. So, as she stared into her dark and empty room, she decided that she couldn’t stay. She needed to be out.

Out where the darkness didn’t weigh on her as it slowly suffocated her in its silence. Where there had once been whispered secrets, desperate assurances. She couldn’t stay, reminded of her loss that still felt as fresh and empty as the day it happened.

Standing up, she forewent her usual modest dress and chose to stay in her nightgown. The only thing she decided to grab was a soft woolen shawl that Cumulus kindly gave her as a thanks to mentoring Phantom in the infirmary when he first arrived. She smiled fondly at the memory of receiving this gift before looping it over her shoulders and clutched it closely.

Armed with a barrier to combat the wind, Nyx set out for the Monasteries grounds. She didn’t know where she was going, but outside seemed better than being confined to the still air and deafening silence.

Soon, she found herself standing in the open threshold of a heavy door leading outside. For a moment she just stood. Leaning against the cool stone wall, she closed her eyes and breathed in relief as the midnight wind brushed her face. Almost reverently, the wind danced around her figure, causing her hair to dry and her heart to slow down. No longer was there an oppressive silence hovering over her prone figure.

Instead the trees were dancing with the wind, causing a soft swooshing sound to flow around the grounds. In the distance, she heard the small stream laughing gaily not too far. Where the frogs resided and the crickets tuned in with the surrounding sounds.

Frowning gently, she opened her eyes and set forth on a small journey. Arriving at the stream, Nyx sat next to the willow tree and sighed into the surrounding sounds as she hugged her knees and placed her chin atop them. There was still an emptiness. Grief still shrouded her tonight. And it was exhausting, always so exhausting.

Staring across the stream, stuck in her head, she didn’t notice the soft footsteps approaching her. It wasn’t until she heard a soft spoken, baritone voice call her name did she realize that she wasn’t alone anymore.

Causing her to jump with a shrill shout, she turned to see an imposing dark figure, hovering over her spot next the the stream. Flinching, she backed away. The progress she made to come down after her nightmare was lost as her heart sped back up, and her breathing came in short gasps. Shakily standing, she took a step back and placed her hands in front of her.

“Woah, woah, Nyx! Hey, it's me!” Mountain quickly crouched to make himself appear smaller, before continuing, “It’s Mountain dove, it’s alright!”

Stopping wide eyed, Nyx stared at the crouched figure before her until registering the name he used for her. Hesitantly, she lowered her hands and said, “Sweet Lucifer Mount, what the hell are you doin sneakin up on people! Damn near gave me a heart attack hun!”

Snorting softly he replied, “Well, I didn’t purposely sneak up on you dove, but I do happen to be a ghoul of the earth. I tend to blend in here.” Standing he approached Nyx and frowned slightly. Reaching towards her, he gently brushed a stray blue strand from her face. He noticed that she was more ashen than usual before gently prompting, “You’re not one to roam the grounds at night. What’s wrong Nyx?”

Taking a deep breath she closed her eyes and leaned her head into his warm palm. She didn’t say anything when she opened her eyes to look at him through her lashes. Quietly, she opened her arms to him and made a quizzical note in the back of her throat.

Mountain smiled sweetly at her silent inquiry before wrapping her firmly into his arms and nuzzled her hair. Nyx leaned into his warmth, closing her eyes once more. This didn’t stop tears from leaking out under her eyelids. She didn’t stop them from coming. No, she had been trying, unsuccessfully, to cry for so long. Why would she stop them from happening now?

Gasping wetly she leaned further onto his chest and squeezed him once more before leaning back. Wiping her face, she looked up and smiled at the taller ghoul. Mountain in turn, returned her smile and stared at her, drinking in her image.

She was lovely in this light with the moon looking down on them both, drowning in the gentle silver of its waning face. Tilting his head, he raised his hand once more to her face. Using the pad of his thumb, he traced under her eye wiping away any dampness. Before turning his hand over to brush her cheek, taking with it any wetness left over.

“So here I was,” he said in a soft tone, “walking. Listening to the forest speak. When I saw the most beautiful ghoulette, none of that dear.” He interjected before continuing, “The most beautiful ghoulette sitting alone under a tree in the middle of the night. She looked so alone. I needed to tell her, in some way, that she wasn’t.”

She began to purr softly, as she closed her eyes and leaned her head more into his palm and listened to his speech, “She needed reminding that she has someone who loves her.” He leaned closer to her face, “Someone she should let in more often.” He whispered these final words onto her lips and paused, waiting.

Humming slightly, she reached up and brought her arms around his neck. She laughed through her nose and smiled, before opening her eyes to look into his own. Angling her face forward, she lightly rubbed her nose against his before tilting her head to brush her lips against his.

With this one action, she allowed all her fears to melt away. It was just as sweet and tender as the first time they kissed. Starting slowly, they both nipped at the others lips until, finally, the small gaps ceased to exist. Nyx found herself prodding Mountain’s lips, silently asking to be allowed in.

He smiled into their kiss, an outcome to her asking so adorably, in his mind, and granted her entrance to his mouth. Initially, she had full control over him until he decided to play as well.

What had at first started as a gentle assurance to them both, quickly morphed into a battle of dominance. When one pushed into the other, they took in the essence of each other. Mountain soon took advantage of his height over Nyx, by angling his face down, he held her unyieldingly. In doing so, he carved safety from his own being and leant his protection to her, a promise made, one that would forever be kept.

Nipping him one last time, she leaned her head back, choosing to nuzzle Mountain's neck. Peppering small kisses onto him, Nyx leaned her forehead on his shoulder and took a deep shuddering breath. Weakly she whispered in a broken voice, “I, uh. I had a bad dream. I don’t remember what it was about.” Pausing she squeezed her eyes shut and leaned further into his embrace, “I woke up and I was alone.”

Leaning back she chose to look into Mountain's eyes for a second before looking down. Raising a hand, she traced his features softly as she continued to whisper into the space between them, “I’ve always had night terrors. Josie would always help me with them. I-” tears welled in her eyes when her voice broke, “I woke up alone, and it was so dark.”

She leaned into his chest once more before whispering in a broken voice, “So dark. I had to clear my head and I didn’t want to wake you up. So I came out here.” Turning away slightly, she took in the scenery once more and said, “It’s peaceful out here, it’s almost enough to stop the inside voices.” She turned to him with a small smile tilting her head, “You know?”

Mountain hummed softly in response and gently tapped his forehead against hers. He pulled away slightly to circle behind her. Never relinquishing his hold, he encircled Nyx’s waist and hugged her from behind. Softly, he placed his head atop hers to look at what she could see.

Without any pollution from a nearby city, the stars shone brightly. Muted by the surrounding darkness, you could barely make out the lush green of the surrounding soft hills. The creek before them reflected the moon, allowing just the smallest bit of more light. Almost like an offering gifted to them both.

He smiled when Nyx placed her arms on top of his, lacing their fingers together he replied, “I know what you mean my dove.”

Nothing else was exchanged between them as they continued to bask in each other's presence. They gently swayed together and took comfort in knowing that they wouldn’t be alone the rest of the night.

#the band ghost #ghost band #nameless ghouls #mountain ghoul #OC x Mountain #<=Nyx is adorable #and I hold her gently #my fics

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a-driftamongopenstars · 1 year

Note

Perhaps dealing with the curse of the shadowlands and the ill effects that might bring. One losing a torch or light for a time? Whump recovery

ah thank you! :) this is just what I needed for some writing today <3 featuring my oc Gleam, tiefling wild magic barbarian :) also on ao3

Suffocating, harrowing darkness. Astarion feels it on his tongue, the rot and the fear. He has nearly forgotten that it used to be the very part of him, in all his waking hours. And now it creeps upon him by surprise, tearing into his flesh.

The light cannot enter here. This territory belongs to the curse.

He can hear the shouts of the others, but cannot see them. Shadowheart’s pleas to her Lady for protection of her allies, all falling on deaf ears. Karlach’s fire unable to light up even an inch of this darkness. Astarion can hear Gleam’s voice, calling for him.

The fear grasps his insides, turns them inside out.

After fruitless attempts to conjure light from their ring, Gleam’s face lights up but for a second, enough for Astarion to see the desperation and fear on their features, before dissipating into the thick of the dark again.

“We must get out of here,” they call.

Astarion opens his mouth to answer, but instead, shadowy bile drips from his mouth, burning - and he gasps.

“Astarion!” Gleam calls.

He can hear shadows rustling, preparing to strike from the nearest corners. The ground beneath his feet shifts, breathing with hunger for prey. Soon, he will be just another ghoul-like creature, and nothing, no one can stop it.

It is then that he feels the pulls around his arms, warm and familiar. He feels the smell, so very familiar, breaking even through this veneer of nothingness. Gleam’s voice just beside him, their strength pulling Astarion out from the darkness into the dim light of a brazier.

“It’s all right,” Gleam says, their hands finding purchase around Astarion’s face, making him look up. And look he does, into their bright eyes. His own shine with tears, the fog of terror dissipating in his mind as those warm hands clutch his head and help him out of the trance that the darkness would have imposed upon its prey.

“We’re safe, for now,” Gleam says as Astarion clutches onto their wrists.

They kiss him, and he kisses them. Brief, sweet, grounding.

“They won’t have you.”

The barbarian edge to that perfect growl.

Astarion kisses them again, unwilling to let go just yet. A moment of weakness, shining through his well-built facade, but damn it all, he must have it. And he must have Gleam, for whatever it is worth.

#baldur's gate 3 #tav x astarion #fanfiction #driftcreates #gleam

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ghuleh-recs · 11 months

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hi! i'm a new Ghost fan and i would love to get some fic recs since i don't know where to start. 😊 i'm pretty much open to anything but something with lots of feelings (hurt/comfort), Papa IV x someone, and around 15,000 words would be great. thank you in advance 🧡

hellooo! welcome to our little satanic corner of tumblr!! i'm so sorry this took me so long—i had a tough time finding fics that matched your criteria. i hope it's okay that i focused on "feelings" more so than hurt/comfort specifically. definitely give these writers a follow if you haven't already. (i also wasn't sure what you meant by "x someone" so i threw in a mix of x reader, x ghoul, and x oc.) feel free to dm me or send another ask if i didn't get it right this time! i can also point you towards a bunch of fantastic writers ♡

recs under the cut!

x ghouls

paper armor - @ratballet - copia x dewdrop

“Horns,” Aether says quickly, like the words in his mouth are searing him. “It’s his horns.” He spares a glance at Dewdrop’s door, like he’s afraid he might be pressed up against it, listening. “He’s shedding them." Dewdrop is shedding his horns. Copia tries to help.

Steadfast Love, Not Sacrifice - @st-danger - copia x aether x dewdrop

It’s a bit like a shark smelling blood, he thinks as they follow close behind. It's natural they were going to want to taste it, too. “Well,” Copia says, “some of us need our beauty sleep.” He hesitates, and then proceeds to look nervously between the two of them and continue, “I meant me, of course. You two are already very, erm. I should go to bed.” It’s such a flimsy excuse. The elevator reaches the third floor before any of them speak again. Aether clears his throat. “You don’t want to though.” Copia looks very called out, but can’t do much more than stare, before realizing the two ghouls beside him are waiting for an actual answer of some kind. The elevator beeps as it passes the fourth floor. “No,” Copia says slowly, and Aether’s stomach does a little swoop. “I don’t.” Or, Sometimes the reward is worth the risk. *No Man Taketh From is another favorite of mine with Papa IV and Aether.

x reader

A Message From the Bulletin Board - @writingjourney - copia x reader

The ministry’s bulletin board, ordinarily used for missing items or party announcements, contains a particularly interesting request this week – a lonely hearts ad. Or: You and Copia are secretly crushing on each other. You both have to reach maximum desperation before you make a move. * if you're in it for the long haul PLEASE read I Knew Nothing But Shadows THE hurt/comfort fic of all time. you won't regret it.

Confessional - @da-rulah - copia x reader

As a sister of sin, it was your duty to confess at least once a month, to have your sins praised by a higher up member of the clergy. But you only ever chose Thursday nights, when you knew he was on duty. And tonight, you were working up the courage to confess your darkest sin - the dreams you had been having… *check out Rituale Septem while you're at it. lotsss of feelings but with Papa III, instead.

x OC

sweeter red - @anamelessfool - copia x oc

Your kiss so sweet, your sweat so sour…sometimes I’m thinking that I love you... but I know it’s only lust. Copia is a scrungly little nerd and this totally happened to him. There's something about Cardinal Marian. Maybe it's the way she infuriates him with her laissez-faire attitude, or ingnites his soul with envy of her free spirit. Rage and love, at a certain point they merge together into an overwhelming burning in the heart and mind: passion.

you found the ache in my argument (series) - @the-lisechen - copia x oc

In which two reasonable people from different religious disciplines have a conversation. (A study in faith, hope, and love.)

𖤐 you know the drill--bookmark, read, leave kudos and/or comments!

#my fic recs #papa emeritus iv #cardinal copia #papa iv x aether x dew #papa iv x dew #papa iv x reader #papa iv x oc #papa emeritus iv fanfiction #the band ghost fanfiction #the band ghost fanfic #the band ghost fic #the band ghost fic rec #fic rec!!#ghost band fanfiction #ghost band fanfic #ghost fanfiction #ghost fanfic #ghost fic #spicy tag

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genderlessghoul · 10 months

Text

If I'm being honest, I don't actually remember writing about half of it. I know I planned on making it longer but I definitely lost motivation 😂

1.6k of Phantom being a little creep that likes to listen in, feat. Swiss and my ghoul OC Spark (they/them)

It had become an almost daily occurrence at this point. For Phantom to walk past the couple's door and to hear all kinds of filthy noises coming from the other side. Swiss had been insatiable with his spouse since his return from tour a week ago, always finding any excuse to get them behind a locked door. Preferably their bedroom's but any door did, really. They'd been caught in a supply closet once already.

And since Phantom's room sat right in front of the couple's, he had front row seats to all the noises they made any time he walked past it. Spark's high pitched whines and pretty moans he'd plucked out of them himself a few times. Swiss' grunts and growls. The creak of the bed frame, the occasional sound of flesh making impact with flesh. Sometimes he could hear wet squelching too, if he really listened closely. Not that he ever did on purpose.

But this time, the sounds are so clear when Phantom makes his way back from the common room, he just has to do a double take. The door is slightly ajar, just enough to deny a barrier to the pretty sounds coming out of Spark's mouth. He knows he shouldn't listen, he knows anyone who walks in the hallway in and out of their own room would catch him red handed. The idea of getting caught sends a twisted wave of arousal straight to his cock. He simply leans against the wall and listens

Spark is letting out quick, high pitched moans accompanied by an occasional gasp, no doubt the result of something wicked their lover just did to them. Swiss lets a low moan every now and then but it sounds muffled. Their voices are accompanied by wet sounds that Phantom can't quite place but they do nothing but fuel the fire slowly building in his guts.

He can't help it when one of his hands seems to move of its own accord to palm at himself through his pants.

Spark lets out a barely muffled scream and his dick twitches, now fully up to attention. The hand palming at him finds its way down his boxers and he's stroking himself in earnest now.

On the other side of the door, Swiss has his head buried between Spark's thighs, lapping at their cunt like a man starved. His expert tongue glides in and out of them, comes out to find its way up to their clit and sucks it into his mouth, teeth giving a light nibble before he changes up the pattern.

Your boyfriend's listening in. The words aren't spoken out loud, they're pushed into Spark's mind but they hear them as if they were whispered in the ghoul's ear. They know, of course, they could sense Phantom's presence the second he stopped in front of their door. They both could.

Let him. He's not hurting anyone, he's a good boy.

Spark had taken a liking to the young quinessence and earth ghoul from the moment they first laid eyes on him, all shriveled up at the center of a summoning circle. It had been two months ago, a couple of days after the Cardinal first left for tour, taking most of the Ministry's ghouls with him. The ones left behind had needed a few extra sets of hands. Phantom had ended up doing a whole lot more than initially requested with his as he grew closer to the fire and quintessence ghoul.

Swiss lets out a chuckle that ripples straight through Spark's core, ripping a desperate whine from their mouth. You let the boy get away with too much.

One of his lover's hands finds its way in his hair and scratches at his scalp through his thick braids. Maybe. I think he deserves it.

Let's give him a show then, shall we?

Swiss goes back to his task with renewed enthusiasm, sucking Spark's clit back into his mouth and flicking over it with his tongue. The sounds he rips from the small ghoul are truly sinful, they travel straight from his ears to his cock.

They're whining in earnest now as their legs begin to shake from the effort it takes not to smother the multi ghoul with their thighs. They've been close to the edge for a while but now? With the way Swiss is going at them like there's no tomorrow? They're dancing right on the brink of it and they both know it. Swiss takes two of his fingers up to their cunt, circles their entrance once, twice before he's pushing in so easily with how wet Spark is. He wastes no time finding that sweet spot inside that makes them keen.

"Gonna cum… oh fuck. Swiss, I'm gonna…"

It only takes a few thrusts before they come undone, squeezing tight around his fingers, their mouth stuck on a silent moan that's stuck somewhere down their throat. Swiss works them slowly through it before he takes his fingers out and brings them to his lips, moaning at the taste of his lover coating his long digits. His head comes to rest on Spark's thigh as they both take a moment to catch their breaths.

"Are you coming in or do you plan to stand outside for the rest of it?" Swiss calls out, loud enough for Phantom to hear. A choked out whine answers him from the other side of the door. It slowly creaks open, revealing a ghoul blushing up to his ears, eyes glued to the floor. His cock strains against the seam of his pants in what has to be a painful way.

"Oh don't be so shy, come on in."

Phantom enters the room, eyes still glued to the floor he does.

"Don't forget to lock it."

Phantom obeys once again. Swiss pushes himself off the bed effortlessly and walks up to him, naked as the day he was summoned and dick impossibly hard. The quintessence ghoul doesn't dare look up at him but he can feel the piercing gaze of those golden eyes and he feels tiny under it. He loves it. Swiss walks up to one side of him, lets his fingers wander around the other ghoul's still clothed shoulder blades as he walks around to the other side of him. The contact sends sparks all throughout Phantom's body.

"You do quite a number on my mate, you know. They came so hard just from knowing you were listening in."

Phantom eyes shift up to look at Spark, still laying breathless on the bed, not quite recovered from the orgasm that rippled through them less than two minutes ago. Their cunt is on full display, shiny with spit, slick leaking out and still throbbing. He's sure his pants have a wet spot by now from the way he's dripping pre.

"Are you happy just watching? You can take a seat if you'd like." Swiss gestures to a chair sitting in front of a desk as he speaks. His voice is honey sweet, too sweet it feels like a trap. He moves in front of the other ghoul and hooks a finger under his chin, forcing him to lock eyes. "Or you could join us. What would you like to do to them?" He shakes his head vaguely at his spouse, who's now moving to join their two lovers.

"Darling, you got him all wrong. It's not what he'd like to do to me. It's what he'd like us to do to him. Isn't that right, moonflower?"

Phantom answers with the smallest nod and Swiss lets out a chuckle "Should've known."

Spark closes the space between Phantom and them, locking eyes with him as they run their hands down his chest, past the hem of his shirt to make contact with the skin of his lower stomach. He lets out a gasp when warm fingers make their way back up his chest, tucking up his shirt as they do until Spark is able to lift it over his head and send it flying at the foot of the bed. They never break eye contact as their hands make their way back south to work at his pants, popping the button and pulling down his zipper swiftly.

Phantom knows he's been blushing since he walked in but he feels it creep down chest now with the way he's trapped between one ghoul stripping him out of his clothes and another eating him alive with bright, almost glowing eyes.

Spark glues themself to Phantom's side once they're done stripping him, head resting on his shoulder, making sure to put him on full display for Swiss to watch. They wrap slender fingers around his flushed cock and watch as his head tips back and his eyes go slightly cross-eyed. He lets out the prettiest moan and Swiss can't help to bring a hand down between his own legs at the sound.

"Told you he's a good boy." The praise makes Phantom dick twitch as Spark gives him a few strokes before letting go.

"Get on the bed, sweetheart. We'll take care of you." The tone is soft but commanding, he's scrambling towards the bed in a matter of seconds. By the time the two others join him, he's already situated against the headboard, half sitting up against it, half laying down on the mountain of pillows beneath. Spark's gaze holds the same care and affection it always has as they crawl to his side but Swiss' is predatory, like he means to eat him alive. It turns him on so much more than he'd like to admit.

#the band ghost #ghost bc #nameless ghoul #nameless ghouls #swiss ghoul #phantom ghoul #ghoul oc #nsft #meerkat writes

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dr-acula121 · 27 days

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Naturae Ferox Chapter 3

Summary:

Caught up in the manipulation and seduction of a certain vampire, Fen struggles with her own sense of control and autonomy, all whilst struggling to hide her own secrets.

A druid without connection. A Chosen without faith. Rage without control.

Pairing: Astarion x Female OC

Warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, Non-con, Slavery, Smut, Angst, Hurt/Comfort, Spoilers, Blood drinking, Masturbation

Chapter 3: Blasphemy

Fen had of course been told the many twisted stories of the undead - their unnatural existence a mockery to Sivanus' balance. Flesh in limbo - life denied from nature's cycle. Stories of animated corpses and ghouls puppetted by their cruel necromancer masters chilled the hearts of young children in the druidic enclaves. In many a young druid, the thought of zombies bred the instinct to flee, but to Fen it only bore rage.

She had as part of her druidic vocation spent many a night tracking and hunting the undead of this realm and those threatening to disturb Silvanus' balance. In fact, it was something she had sworn to at one time in her life. Where ancient battlefields had been disturbed by budding necromancers attempting to resurrect the dead and pull them from the ground, she would find herself called. In a rage she had ripped them apart, rendering their rotten flesh back to the earth where it belonged.

Wherever the wind called her - a sacred woodland in peril, or an ancient marshland at threat - she would be called.

And she would raze them to the ground.

You'd think then, with her experience, that she would have at least felt weary of the vampire spawn who she had welcomed around the fire. At least before she had awoken his fangs bared at her throat.

Fen was unsure whether it was a nightmare that had woken her up that night, perhaps one of her regulars. Or had she been perceptive that something was amiss? Or maybe, for once, she had just been lucky.

Leaning over her, his teeth bared, and pupils dilated he was posed to strike. Her heart raced in her chest, her breathing shallow and quick. The need to run. The need to hide. The inability to move from that very spot.

"Shit", He physically recoiled at seeing her awaken in front of him and stood cowering back from her. "No no, it's not what it looks like, I swear."

Standing on her own feet, her legs shook below her. The adrenaline coursing through her blood was working its own type of innate magic.

"No? Because it looks pretty fucking terrible right now", she hissed. Eyes not leaving the man in front of her.

“I wasn't going to hurt you. I just needed - well, blood.”

There, in the glow of the dying firelight, she saw him for his true nature - a vampire.

"I can't believe I didn't see it", she uttered mostly to herself. Her eyes glanced over the two very obvious scars lying on his neck. "Gods, the boar -"

"It's not what you think. I'm not some monster" He was quick to explain. Fen was certain that in the short time she had known Astarion, he hadn't ever come across as this flustered before. In any other context, she would have even perhaps found this amusing. "I don't kill people – well not for food anyway - animals mostly. I'm just too slow at the moment. I can't think clearly. I'm too weak. I just… I just need a little blood… please".

His gaze fell to the floor. He looked so small at that moment. A starving fox desperate for a scrap of meat.

"And you didn't think this was information we deserved to know? You didn't think we should be allowed to know what we share our camp with at night”.

He grimaced slightly at her choice of words, and she almost felt guilty.

"I needed some time. That's all. People don't tend to warm very much to the idea of travelling with a vampire. I just needed some time to get you to trust me. And you can trust me, Fen."

There was a small part of Fen that couldn't help but feel relieved by this realisation.

She recognised something in him she knew well.

Yes, this was a predator, but she knew predators. She understood them. She could predict their moves and at times had been a predator herself. And this one was acting out of sanguine thirst.

What had actually frightened her more just moments ago, was being awoken to the body of a strange man over hers and the fear of what he might do to her.

No, she would unpack those feelings later. Hunger she could deal with. She had known hunger well, intimately.

"Ok…" she said, initially unsure. Then with a bit more confidence: "Ok."

His shoulders visibly relaxed and he held his head only a fraction higher. "You don't think… that um… you could perhaps trust me just a little further? I just need a taste, I swear. "

Fen had no idea what came over her. The Fen of a decade ago would have hissed and revolted at the idea. She would have taken on the form of a fearsome beast and ripped this creature before her apart with her claws for the sheer audacity of the question. Silvanus himself would have commanded it.

But now his voice was as silent as the night around them. And now, if she had heard his call on the wind, would she have obeyed? Only resentment festered where her faith once bloomed.

Perhaps going through with this might even be cathartic to the young elf. Perhaps she could test her bindings to her God who had lost her favour.

"Let's do this then." The words had left her mouth before she had even realised that she had made a decision.

They both seemed slightly surprised by her choice - Astarion noticeably.

"Of course, don't even think about taking more than you need." She needed to set boundaries - for both her physical and mental wellbeing. "When I signal to stop, you stop."

"Yes, yes, absolutely. Not a drop more"

"Swear to it." This was important to her. Not often had she given herself willingly to someone like this, especially in a way in which she would be with so little control.

"I swear" He breathed; his blood-red eyes fixed on hers.

Again, how had she missed this?

He swallowed against what must have been a very dry throat and signalled to the ground "Should we make ourselves more comfortable?".

She tried to hide the little quiver in her legs as she returned to sit on her bedroll, leaning back on her elbows. "Would this be easier? Or would it be best if I was lying down?" She impressed herself with her ability to keep her voice calm, but inside she was anything but.

Yes, she had agreed to this with her words, but she was sure he could hear her heart thundering in her chest.

"Perhaps lie back down? In case you feel woozy?" He offered, now kneeling beside her.

She would have preferred to have remained sitting to have clung on to any illusion of control but understood his reasoning.

Leaning over her, he planted his hands on either side of her shoulders. The sleeves of his white shirt were rolled to the elbow, and she stopped herself to admire the tense forearms which now enclosed her. Strong and lean, she wondered how they would flex as he twisted a dagger into an abdomen. Or how they would feel wrapped around her. It must have been the adrenaline talking. Her body was strung like a piano wire, ready to snap at any minute.

However, she couldn't ignore his scent filling her nostrils and making her dizzy. It was a warm smell of woody rosemary and fragrant bergamot with the lingering tail of something alcoholic and heady. Brandy? She wondered.

She realised she had never been this close to him before, and she had to acknowledge that he was just magnificent. A true testament to earthly beauty, high cheekbones; stark elven eyes with pupils blown to leave just rings of blood red; thick silver curls tucked behind pointed ears. In another life perhaps she could have fallen for a face like this. Instead, she was welcoming her neck to it.

"Please, just make sure you stop when I say," her voice now a whisper. She felt small. A mouse caught between the paws of a cat, awaiting its fate.

Leaning on one arm, his hand found hers - noticeably less calloused but just as cold as she had expected. He brought their hands to the back of his head. Her fingers combed into his soft curls. "There. Pull here when you need me to stop."

And there it was, all the control she had in the world: silver-white hair between her fingers.

His hand now fell to the side of her neck, tilting her head and exposing the other side of her throat to him. She supposed this would act as a counterbalance, stopping her from pulling away or flinching as he worked.

His eyes searched her face eagerly, awaiting an invitation, which she gave in the form of a slight nod.

The fingers of her spare hand found the dirt next to her. She braced herself.

He made his descent.

Teeth found her internal jugular vein instinctively. Blades of ice pierced her skin, cold sinking down her vena cava and directly to her heart. With each beat the pain ebbed and waned to throbbing numbness. She could feel his lips on her skin as he drew his first mouthful of her blood. He shuddered above her, already drawing in the next.

At this moment, she fully expected to feel fear of the undead creature sucking her life force from her neck, or perhaps even disgust from years of druidic lecture. Maybe she had expected to feel deviant against the teachings of her God. Victorious in her rebellion. At the very least she expected to feel frightened of the man above her who she was currently at the mercy of.

But no, the moment Astarion's arm collapsed, and she felt his body press deep into her, the only thing she felt was desire. Hard lines of his torso pushed down against her chest. Firm was the earth beneath her. Firm was the man atop her.

She felt more than heard the groan he made as it vibrated deep within his chest. Her legs quivered in response. She was initially thankful that he had chosen to lean over her from the side, but now she felt desperate for the press of his hips against her, to feel his pelvis hold hers down.

An unfamiliar ache pulsed between her thighs and her legs rubbed together in response.

Her senses were saturated with him. With each mouthful, she felt him press harder into her, shuddering, his grip on her throat absolute and unwavering. His scent poisoned her mind. His rabid breaths were crystal clear in her ear.

Her blood flowed into him. She was in all sense of the word consumed by him.

The dark expanse of the night sky felt to be descending on them as her vision blurred around the edges. She was mindful enough through her unexpected arousal that this was the effect of blood loss taking hold.

She tugged weakly at his hair. His reply was a grunt at her neck and another frenzied mouthful. A firmer pull dragged his head slightly to the left, but his jaw never left her neck. Another mouthful surrendered to sanguine thirst.

That numb sensation now started to spread. Starting from her toes, now progressing gently up her body. "Astarion-" she whimpered. "Please" Her voice was as weak and small as she felt.

Her thundering heart now waned to a flutter, with each suck she felt herself go.

She lost grip of his head, her hand now falling to the ground beside her with a thud.

If she had been more conscious, she would have perhaps found this poetic. The druid sworn to destroy armies of the undead, willingly exsanguinated by one. Pathetic really.

It was unclear whether it was the sound of her arm falling to the earth or the loss of pressure at the back of his head that brought Astarion back to his senses, but it couldn't have come at a more crucial second.

He disengaged with her throat and withdrew himself from her clumsily. He pressed his hand firmly to her wound in an effort to stop the bleeding.

"Oh shit, yes. Of course, " He floundered. Blood now stained his pale lips and speckles of his chin red. Stark against his pale skin. Her blood.

Her hand came up to replace his, as she shuffled back to put more space between them. As she sat up slightly, her head span momentarily as she caught her bearings. Her other arm held her abdomen protectively, symbolically putting up a barrier between them.

She was suddenly aware of how cold the night was around them. Gone was that heady feeling that encompassed her previously, but that trembling ache between her legs shamefully persisted. Goosebumps littered her skin.

Now her guard was up, he straightened and replaced his own mask. He stood with confidence. "I was just a bit swept up in the moment there, wasn't I darling?"

"Bit of an understatement, I would say!" She hissed, conscious not to wake the rest of camp. "You did almost kill me there."

"But I didn't, did I?" He said with a confident smirk and all of his infamous grandiose returning and then some. "It worked. I feel incredible!" He stretched his limbs like a cat after a satisfying rest. "Stronger. Happy!"

"Well, I'm glad" Fen muttered almost sarcastically, pulling her hand back to check on her oozing neck. "I would appreciate it if you had more restraint next time."

Where did the idea of a next time come from? Astarion's grin grew larger before her very eyes.

"Astarion-" She started. "I think it's best we keep this between us. I don't think our companions would take as well to you feeding off them." The thought of La'Zel's blade to his throat crossed her mind.

"That's very generous of you darling, I doubt any of them would be as delicious anyway." She blushed most unusually at the thought that her blood was tasty.

"Now if you excuse me, darling, you're invigorating, but I need something more… filling" Adjusting his shirt and the waistband of his leather trousers he turned to leave.

Just as he took a few steps, Fen felt a question linger on her lips. "Astarion-" He stopped, turning his head slightly to the side to hear her. "Why me?" It had been particularly risky for him to feed in the middle of camp. And surely, he would have appreciated the privacy of a tent to hide away from prying eyes. Anyone could have caught them.

His eyes briefly flashed with something. Regret? Guilt? Before returning to their confidence "Convenience I suppose. You were the first one I spotted, and I couldn't resist, dear."

"Oh," She replied, but she wasn't sure she was convinced. She would have perhaps believed him more if he had told her, it was because he found her to be the most vulnerable, both physically and mentally.

He turned to leave once more but stopped again "This is a gift you know. I won't forget it."

He sauntered away into the surrounding woods, stronger, confident.

Although the bleeding had surely stopped at this point, her hand remained, pressing into the wound. She almost enjoyed the aching pain it elicited, a mere wisp of a memory in comparison to what she had just felt.

Her mind was racing as she scrambled back into her bedroll. She attempted to ground herself.

Firm dirt under her back and stars above her head. Deep breaths. Firm dirt and stars. More deep breaths.

There were more trails of thoughts in her head than she believed she had room for, especially accounting for her current tadpole occupancy.

Most importantly, although she felt like she could at any moment, she hadn't spontaneously combusted into a ball of fire and flame. She hadn't instantly been struck down by a rogue lightning strike. A pack of wolves hadn't descended on her in that very moment.

A choice had been made, and seemingly there hadn't been any consequences.

Perhaps this was a sign of the state of affairs. Was this confirmation that her God truly didn’t have the hold on her that she had thought? She was clearly able to defy him. Or maybe Silvanus just didn't have the presence she thought and was just not aware of the sin she had committed.

Fen hoped it was the former. She wanted him to see what she had done. For over a decade she had prayed to him and for a decade she had heard nothing. Not even a whisper in the wind. Nature was silent as she was tortured. No, she wanted him to know what she had done.

Although to any observant, they would think that at that moment she was very much at Astarion's mercy. Her control firmly in his hands. But merely the act of surrendering that control briefly was a revelation to her.

She had felt powerless for so long. Over her mind, her fate and especially over her body. So often was she claimed by others without permission, but she had given herself to him freely.

Her fingers lingered over the puncture sites on her neck. They would surely scar. They would join the legion of scars and brands littering her skin.

However, these were different. She had allowed Astarion to mark her willingly. And they made her feel powerful.

Wondering how far she could push her autonomy, her mind wandered back to that feeling of desire that had washed through her. His strong arms encapsulating her. His lips pressed to her neck as he fed upon her. The hard press of his chest to hers, pinning her in place. The brief adjustment of his trousers before he left - the only indication that perhaps he had felt even the slightest bit affected by their feeding than she had been.

Her spare hand wandered down her body, finding a part of herself she had long disregarded years ago. She found that deep part of her that ached and worked to rid herself of the tightened coil she felt within herself. Fen couldn't remember the last time she had been allowed such simple carnal pleasures and sighed as she spent the next few minutes relearning how to enjoy her body.

For the first time in years, she had no thoughts of the horrors of Manshaka, and no visions desert worn hands holding her down. The only thoughts she had were musings on what Astarion’s fingers would feel like inside her instead.

#astarion fanfic #astarion x oc #naturae ferox #astarion smut #forgotten realms #baldurs gate 3 #astarion #astarion x tav

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copiousloverofcopia · 9 months

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Hey there ghesties!!!

Here is a new fic trade I did with the amazing @sirlsplayland with their OC Marzanna and Daddy to be Secondo!!!!

Thank you so much for allowing me to write for you! Hope you all enjoy!

Commissions are OPEN, please see pinned post for Carrd info!

Timing Is Everything

Prime Mover Marzanna is ready to give birth to her and Papa Secondo's first child. As the time draws closer though all she can think of is convincing her hovering husband to give her some space.

Also available HERE on AO3!

Read below the cut!

The bed, laced with emerald silk sheets and a mountain of plush feather-down pillows, had felt like both her sanctuary and prison. While she was never happier, Marzanna entered into the last month of her pregnancy filled with anxiety. Everything was going smoothly, her and Secondo’s child growing strong and well throughout. However, the more her belly grew, the more her husband’s concern followed suit.

Secondo was insistent on accompanying his Prime Mover everywhere. Not allowing her to do anything on her own. If by some unavoidable circumstance he was detained, Marz knew that she would get stuck with a clowder of companion ghouls in his stead. While she loved him dearly for his dedication, his care, and protection—it was honestly starting to get on Marz’s nerves.

The constant hovering and keeping watch, made her feel at times more like a captive by her condition than the excited, expectant mother that she was. It wasn’t his fault, Secondo loved her so very much that even the slightest note of sadness in Marzanna’s tone, or a less than enthusiastic look on her face, has always sent him into a spiral. Determined to figure out what was wrong and how to fix it—a trait he held for no other than her. A pregnancy with its aches and pains was bound to draw that out of him, but Marz was desperate for things to return to normal.

She missed being out in the fresh air. Her place of solace in the garden—an almost distant memory now that she had spent so much time away. Only days away from her due date. Missing the warmth of Primo’s humor and the scent of budding flowers as they filled the air with the most wonderful perfume. Marz let out a heavy sigh as she laid there, her husband by her side, knowing that it would not last forever.

“What is on your mind tesoro?” Secondo asked her, looking up from his copy of The Expectant Father . Marzanna, smiling over to him as she attempted to sit up higher in the bed.

“Argh… my back has just been awful today.” she groaned, Secondo quickly popping up out of his chair to come help her. Shifting things around in the bed until Marz had found a more comfortable position.

“Are you alright, is there anything else I can—”

“No Sec, stop. You’re smothering me.” Marz laughed, joking with him, but also quite serious about his hovering. “Fine… could you please hand me another pillow?”

“Of course, of course.” he replied, grabbing another pillow to adjust behind her back. Watching as the look of contemplation fell over his wife’s eyes. “What are you thinking about?”

“I was thinking of skipping the meeting today, you go ahead without me.” she told him, knowing full well that he had refused to leave her side for days.

“Amore. That's not—”

“Sec, now you listen. I adore you more than Lucifer himself, but you have to give me some breathing room. I already have limited space because of the baby, I don't need you making it worse for me too.” she reasoned, watching Secondo’s eyes fall.

“I’m sorry, I know I have been a bit overbearing.”

“A bit?” Marz laughed.

“Ok a lot overbearing, but tesoro I love you both so much. I don't want to miss anything. I don't want anything to happen to you or our child.” he reasoned, Marzanna seeing the heaviness weighing on his heart as he spoke.

“I know. I promise you we are going to be just fine. Why don't you let me have the day. Just today. I will go about my usual WITHOUT you or the ghouls trailing after me and you will see that things will be just fine.”

“And if I do? Then what?” he asked her, confused where this all might lead.

“Then I will let you carry me around the Abbey for the rest of this pregnancy if you so desire.” Marz laughed. “Just give me this one day Secondo, I’m going stir crazy here.” Though he was not thrilled with her proposition, as a man who very much valued his own independence and privacy he knew just how much she needed this.

“You promise? Just for today?” he asked, sending her a smile. A smile that told Marz he was already, reluctantly, on board. She pulled her husband down to sit beside her on the bed, staring deeply into his eyes.

“Ti mentirei, Papa?” she winked. Secondo, rolling his eyes before pressing his lips to her forehead. Marzanna’s swollen belly nestled between them as he embraced her. Little kicks, fluttering away inside, drawing both their attention.

“He is so strong.” Secondo mused, a proud father already before his child was even born.

“He? What if it's a girl?” Marz asked him. Secondo had already been anxious from them being unable to know, Marzanna wanting to keep it as a surprise for everyone. Would the Ministry have a Papa to be or a Papess to be, everyone would find out soon enough.

“Your cruelty knows no bounds. Besides, Emeritus men tend to have sons.” Secondo kidded, feeling the sting of Marzanna’s playful slug to his shoulder.

“Uh huh.” Marzanna said, raising her eyebrow at him.

“Now shall I help you to—”

“Sec.” she whined.

“Alright I will go. I shall see you this evening amore. Please…be careful.” he pleaded as he rose from the bed. Ready to allow Marzanna the space she so desperately needed.

“I will.” she assured him as he made his way out of their shared Papal suite.

It had only been mere seconds since her husband had left the room and Marz was ready to go. Hoisting herself up from the bed, after a bit of a struggle, and frantically trying to decide what she might wear. Knowing her usual habit had grown a bit too tight in the belly to be worn at this point in gestation. Deciding instead to go for a more relaxed dress. Sweeping her white striped tresses up from her face and into a bun as she made her way towards the door.

As she cracked it open, she half expected to find ghouls flanking the entryway. Astonished when she found the hall had been left empty. The sounds of the Abbey echoing from down the corridor in the distance. Marzanna beamed, ready to travel around the whole Abbey. Feeling the need to go exploring it as if she hadn’t lived there most of her life.

“I think I will head to the garden first, Primo must be swamped with all the seedlings sprouting. I bet he could use some help.” she thought aloud. Slipping on her shoes before heading out the door. Just as her foot stepped over the threshold, another nagging pain came from her back. This time much more pronounced and crippling.

Marzanna quickly held on to the doorframe. Her hand wrapped protectively around her belly and her breathing, quickening with the pain. Her discomfort had lasted only a few moments before she could fully stand. She tried to take things more slowly this time, walking carefully down the hall towards the grand staircase.

When she reached the landing, however, the pain hit her once again. This time however it was followed by a squeezing sensation that traveled up from her back and around the width of her belly. Instantly Marz stopped, her breath stolen as she winced in pain. She was having contractions—this baby was on its way.

“You have got to be kidding me?” she cried, angry at her body for choosing now to go into labor, but also trying to wade through the pain. Marz tried her best to continue, but the contractions became too great. Bringing the normally strong and vibrant sister to her knees. As luck would have it, one of her husband’s ghouls, Earth came traveling down the hallway.

“Earth!” Marz called out, now doubled over on the floor.

“Sweet Satan! Sister Marzanna, what's wrong, is it the baby?” he asked. Marz couldn’t even respond. Teeth clenched and eyes squeezed tight as he ran to her. The ghoul impressively strong, lifting her up with ease off the ground and into his arms.

“It's time. Take me to Papa, he’s with Sister.” Marz told him, barely able to get out the words. Earth, panicked inside, hoping that he would get her there on time or suffer Secondo’s wrath.

“Maybe we should just take you to the infirm—”

“Earth, I said take me to my husband!” Marz demanded. The look of fire filling her eyes and the pain overwhelming her. The ghoul took off in a flash, careful not to injure her as he made his way to the main floor. Pushing passed the crowd of confused siblings and ghouls as he took Marzanna right to Sister Imperator’s office.

“I’m telling you… we should give it a re-release. I know what the people want.” Secondo explained. The prideful Papa, kicking back in his chair as he, along with all the other members of the Clergy in the meeting, discussed bringing back the Phallos Mortuus collection for the upcoming tour.

“It has been 10 years.” Copia reasoned, raising up his shoulders, letting them all know he wouldn’t mind it.

“Then it's settled. I will have Mr. Saltarian contact the merch team to have them re-issue it. Anything else on the docket for today?” Sister asked, looking over the paperwork scattered about along her desk.

“I feel like maybe another release of Seven Inches—” Papa Nihil began before Terzo lifted up his hand to shush him.

“I’m gonna stop you right there old man. Your time has ended, the Tiktokers have moved on.” his son assured him, snickering between himself and Copia. Nihil stood there, pouting to himself as the meeting continued on. Sister Imperator allowing her face to fall in her hands in frustration with the antics of Nihil and his misbegotten sons, when suddenly there was banging at the door—frantic and loud.

“Come in” Sister Imperator called out as the door came flying open. Earth and Sister Marzanna materializing within the doorway. Secondo immediately went into full blown panic mode, jolting out of his chair, all the color having drained from his unpainted face,

“I think I need to borrow Secondo for a bit.” Marz said, doing her best to smile through her pain. Secondo rushed to her side. Almost taking out Copia and Terzo as he went to hold her hand. The other one placed tenderly on her belly.

“Is it?” he asked her, tears beginning to fill his eyes. The hardened, stoic Papa—softening before his beloved Prime Mover.

“It is.” she smiled, her own tears spilling down her cheeks. Finally the moment they had waited so long for had arrived. Just as they went to head to the infirmary, Nihil drifted towards them, a look of irritation in his eyes.

“Are we going to have to continue this meeting or are we finished?” he groaned. If his father’s insolence wasn’t enough to worsen things, Secondo turned to see a large gush of clear fluid pouring from Marzanna. Drenching both her and Earth completely from the waist down.

“We better go, NOW!” Marz howled as another intense contraction ripped through her. The three of them, taking off like lightning to the infirmary. When they arrived, Marz was instantly placed in the bed, the doctor confirming that it was already time to push. Secondo, taking onAe of Marz’s legs while the sister nurse took the other.

“Alright Marzanna this is it, I can see the baby’s head.” the doctor told her, in position for delivery. Marz was dripping in sweat, writhing in pain, her body working too hard to deliver her child.

“You see what happens when I leave you? You go and decide to have the baby on me.” Secondo said, trying to lighten the mood only for it to backfire in his face when Marz turned to look at him with all the fury and rage of Hell in her eyes.

“Sec. SHUT. UP!” she screamed, Secondo deciding to do as he was told.

“Alright let's do this.” The doctor told her as the nurse helped Marzanna curl around her belly to push. Crying and groaning as she pushed with all that she had in her. Secondo, watching as their first child was delivered onto the world.

“It’s a—”the doctor began when suddenly Marzanna fell limp. Her body, dropping down on the bed. Eyes closed and her skin clammy and pale. Secondo’s gaze widened, feeling like he was on fire within. Sweating bullets as the doctor went to check her vitals. Their newborn child, having been carefully handed over to her father.

“Is she alright? What's going on.” Secondo commanded, though the fear inside him caused his voice to stammer. Scared with every fiber of his being that something awful was happening to the love of his life—his beautiful Marz. The tears stung in his eyes, almost blinding him from his surroundings as Secondo waited for the doctor to say something—anything to let him know that all would be alright. Trying his best to calm down the baby who was crying its lungs out within his arms.

“It’s alright Papa, she’s gonna be just fine. Childbirth takes a lot of someone.” The doctor assured him. Secondo bursting into tears in front of them all. Not caring who saw the emotion, the relief he felt. Both Marzanna and their child would be ok.

It was hours later now when the sounds of chaos and crying returned to a quiet calmness. The room lights dimmed as an exhausted Marzanna rested in bed. Her husband loyally at her side, as their small newborn baby, slept so peacefully in Secondo’s arms. Both of them, feeling more happy than they had ever felt in their entire lives.

“She’s perfect isn’t she?” Marzanna asked, smiling over to Secondo as he watched lovingly the small bundle wiggling gently in his arms. Quiet coos from a sweet, slumbering babe, like music to his ears as he couldn’t help but sniffle.

“She is, just like her mother.” Secondo turned to kiss Marz. His eyes filled to the brim with his tears. Beginning to fall freely between them as they both laid gentle kisses on the baby.

“We made her… the most beautiful thing in creation, our little Zara.” Marzanna cried, looking deep into her husband’s eyes. Having loved him more now than ever. The bond between them immortalized their love for all time in this little life they created.

“I will love you until the moon and stars fall from the sky.” Secondo promised her as he stared down at her. Marzanna, pulling him back to look at her, adjusting to be closer to him, though she was still sore from the birth. Ready to face the pain in order to kiss the man she loved and adored. Just as their lips met, the baby began to stir. Waking from her gentle sleep and erupting in a cry. Pangs of hunger for the first time having reached her belly.

“Oh my, looks like we are getting interrupted.” Marz laughed as Secondo handed her the child. Readying the bottle to feed her, the small baby instantly suckling away, almost soothing her back to sleep.

“I am sure it won't be the last time… seems like we will have to take our moments when we can.” Secondo smiled. Marz nodded, content to know that their family was complete at last. She leaned in to kiss Secondo, warmed by his affection as she spoke.

“You know with kids, timing is everything.”

Notes: Ti mentirei, Papa?- Would I lie to you Papa?

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