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a-funny-little-sunflower · 4 years ago

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Yandere Legolas x reader Smut

There is a ball scene in this fic and this is what I imagined the dress would look like, cause I adore cottagcore. If you don't like it, I respect that and just ignore this picture :)

You would never have thought that this would ever happen to you. You’d heard the stories. The tales of elven obsession towards their darlings but you had never expected to become one of them….

Time makes fools of us all, I suppose.

You don’t know how you never saw it coming, after all, looking back on it, it was quite obvious.

The fawning over you, the obsessive glances, the jealousy.

God, you really should have seen this coming. You shouldn’t have fallen for his trap, but in all honesty, it just seemed so innocent.

Legolas had invited you to the Mirkwood palace, a high honour considering their secrecy and what kind of person would you have been to refuse such a generous offer?

You had gotten to the border, and Legolas was eagerly awaiting your arrival. His eyes were gleaming with an emotion you couldn’t place, and he greeted you warmly. “Y/N! I’m so glad you came!”

He ran forward and gathered you in his arms, utterly enveloping you in a bone-crushing hug, and you couldn’t help but hug back. When he finally pulled back, and gently cupped your face and stared into your eyes for what seemed to be an eternity. He looked enrapture with you.

You looked at him questioningly for a moment before you finally broke the silence “Legolas? Are you alright?” Your voice seemed to break him out of whatever trance he was in, and he smiles brightly before answering “Oh I’m alright! It’s just that my memory does not do your beauty justice”.

You were by surprise at the sudden compliment, but you couldn’t help but believe his words. You didn’t get a chance to answer because he was already guiding you to sit on his horse, and when you had been comfortably settled, Legolas joined you in the saddle.

You rode through thick forests filled with lush greenery, imposing trees, and beautiful trees. And the speed at which you were going must have been causing you to see things because you swore you saw a figure sat upon a snow-white elk, but you cast the notion away, deciding that it must have just been a trick of the light.

Time seemed to cease in this forest because you no idea how long you had been riding for, but it felt like it was somewhere between a second and eternity. Regardless of how long it had taken, you were finally at the palace gates.

You dismounted, and you had only taken a few strides forward before the gates opened ceremoniously and you were greeted by a company of guards. They bowed in unison before the captain announced your presence. “Prince Legolas and Lady Y/N, welcome to Mirkwood. The guests await your entrance”.

“Thank you Elros, we will be there soon.” You looked questioningly at Legolas as you were led into the palace, not understanding what he was talking about. He must have felt your curious gaze on his face because he turned to you and spoke “My father arranged a ball in the honour of your arrival.”

That took you completely by surprise! You would have never expected such a fuss over your presence. “But I’m not dressed for a ball!” You said in a shocked voice, but Legolas only gave you a patient look as you broke away from the group of guards.

Legolas smiled at your panicked tone and said in a reassuring tone “Your gown has already been arranged starlight.” You went a little pink at the nickname and allowed yourself to be led to the guest chambers that had been arranged for you.

“This will be your chambers for the duration of your stay, I hope it suits you well,” Legolas said before opening the door for you.

“Thank you, Legolas, it's more than I could have asked for!” You said with a bright smile. He grinned at your reaction, “You like it?” he asked. You nodded joyfully, staring around the room in wonder. “It’s wonderful Legolas, thank you.”

“I’ll leave you to get changed into your gown, my lo-…My lady,” Legolas replied, before closing the door, his footsteps echoing down the corridor.

You turned to where your ballgown was hanging, and you couldn’t help but to stop and admire it. It was truly divine. The tailoring was magnificent, it was designed to show off your shoulders and the soft colour would most certainly bring out your eyes.

You quickly stepped into the gown, and you couldn’t stop yourself from admiring how you looked. Utterly gorgeous.

You strode towards the door when you heard a firm knock echo against the hardwood and when the door swung open, you were met with handsome looking Legolas. The way he looked took your breath away and your appearance seemed to do the same. Legolas finally broke the silence, “Are you ready for the ball starlight?” You nodded eagerly, linking arms with him, and walking towards the ballroom.

The Mirkwood halls were truly as grand as the stories said. The decorations were extravagant and every elf in the room was dressed beautifully, and it was all being overseen by the Elven king, sitting high in his throne.

The night went by in a blur. You stayed by Legolas’ side the whole night, and you had the most fun you’d had in years. You had danced and drunk and laughed, it was bliss. You hadn’t thought much of it when Legolas asked you to meet him in a quiet corridor, thinking he just wanted somewhere quiet to talk to you for a while.

You finished up the conversation you were having with a young elleth and went out into the hallway in search of Legolas. You found him standing at the end of the hallway, waiting for you. He didn’t notice you walking towards him at first, seemingly entranced in his thoughts.

When he finally did notice you, his smile was enough to make flowers grow. “My darling Lady, you came!” He sounded so happy that you had decided to join him, almost like he was expecting you not to. “Of course, I came, why wouldn’t I? Besides, it sounded like you wanted to talk about something important.

He nodded, his face suddenly hardening over with a looked of determination as if he were preparing for something. “Yes, it’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a long time. Y/N, you must have noticed my affections for you by now, and I’ve been wanting to ask you…Will you marry me and become my queen?”

After he had finished his proposal, he handed a beautiful ring to you and looked at you with a hopeful gaze.

You stood frozen to the ground. You couldn’t believe what he was saying. Legolas was asking you to marry him, and by every force, in Middle Earth, you wanted to say yes. But you knew that you wouldn’t be able to handle the responsibility of being a queen, so with a heavy heart… You refused.

Legolas face fell into a heartbroken expression and his eyes glazed over with tears. “I’m sorry Legolas, as much as I do love you, I wouldn’t be able to handle the responsibility of ruling. So, I can’t marry you…I’m so sorry” You felt your voice crack on that last word and your eyes filled up with tears. You couldn’t look at his broken expression any longer, so you turned on your heel and started walking back to your guest chambers, leaving Legolas standing alone in the palace corridor.

Even after you had left, Legolas stayed in the corridor, still as a statue, with stray tears running down his face. He had been so sure that you would marry him, but you had refused him.

Legolas had been so caught up in all his thoughts that he hadn’t heard his father’s footsteps approaching him. “My son, what will you do to convince her to rule alongside you?” Legolas shook his head in defeat, "There’s nothing I can do ada, she doesn’t love me.”

Thranduil tilted his head at his son, "Oh, but she told you herself that she returns your feelings, but the burden of queenship frightens her.…She just needs a little encouragement to truly persuade her.”

Legolas looked up at his father, hope building in his heart. “What do I tell her ada?” Thranduil gave his son a knowing smile before placing a hand on his shoulder. “it is not your words that persuade her my son, but your actions.” Legolas gave his father a confused look before listening eagerly to what his father had to tell him.

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

You awoke feeling groggy and exhausted. When you had returned to your chambers after rejecting Legolas’ proposal, you had willed yourself to fall into the land of dreams to escape the feelings of heartbreak you had. But now you had returned to reality and you were slowly coming back to yourself, albeit slowly.

You opened your eyes to see Legolas staring at you from the bottom of your bed. You froze in shock, thinking you might still be dreaming, or maybe even hallucinating but sure enough, the longer you looked, the more it settled in your head that you were not dreaming.

You try to sit up in bed, but it’s like you’re frozen. You were only brought out of your trance by the feeling of Legolas’ hands on your rubbing up and down your legs in a comforting motion. You stare at Legolas in shock, and his only reply was to give you one of his cute smiles.

“L-Legolas…What are doing…?” You asked quietly, afraid of what the answer might be. Legolas only tilted his head at you and gave you a soft understanding smile.

“Darling, I know that this must seem all of a sudden but I can’t allow you to slip through my fingers. No one else makes me feel the way you do. I can’t lose that. You said you felt the same, didn’t you? You said that you loved me back?” You nodded, curious as to where he was going with this.

“Well darling, I will show you that staying with me despite your anxiety and fears of ruling will be filled with pleasure and love. Will you allow me to show you how much I love you?

After what seemed to be an eternity, you finally found your voice, “Y-Yes, I trust you.” Legolas smiled at your words before speaking “Lie back and lift your hips for me, my love.” You did as he asked, and he gave you a loving look before lowering his head between your legs and started to kiss up your thighs.

You closed your eyes and leaned your head back against the pillows, enjoying the feeling of his soft kisses against you. He slowly made his way up your thighs until he reached your centre. He pressed his thumb against your sensitive clit and because you weren’t expecting it, you let out a soft whimper of his name.

“Oh darling, you have no idea the power you hold over me, you could rip my heart from my chest, and I’d still adore you.” Before you could reply, he started an onslaught of licks against your aching pussy causing you to cry out in a mix of surprise and pleasure.

“Ahhhhh~ g-god yes! P-please don’t s-stop! It feels so good!” You heard Legolas laugh at your desperation “Shhh, darling, don’t want anyone to know how good I’m making you feel when we aren’t even married yet, now do we?”

You were already a panting, whimpering mess and he’d barely touched you, you don’t know how you were going to get through the rest of the night.

“No stay still and let me please you.” He lowered his head between your legs again but this time he was nowhere near as merciful to you as he’d been before. He was holding nothing back and you just couldn’t keep quiet. You weren’t even bothering to keep your loud cries of pleasure muffled because you knew it would be a wasted effort.

“Legolas – Legolas – ah right there! You cried, thrusting your hips up in a desperate attempt for more of the blissful pleasure he was giving you. Legolas listened to your desperate pleas and began to thrust his tongue into you, and within seconds of him doing that, you were ready to cum. “Ah! Ahh! Gonn- c-cum! Please! Please! Please, can I-”

Legolas cut you off before you could finish “Let go for me darling, I want to see how gorgeous you are when you let go.” His commanding tone was too much for you, and you finally let yourself tumble off the cliff in a peak of pleasure.

When you finally came down from your high, you saw Legolas staring at you with utter adoration in his eyes, and the overwhelming look of love in his expression was too much for you to handle, causing you to look away.

“Look at me darling, I want to see those beautiful eyes.” You turned your head back to look at him as he brought himself up to lay beside you, all the while his adoring gaze never left you. “Have I convinced you to stay my love?” Legolas asked, his voice full of hope.

“And if your people don’t accept me as their Queen, what then?” You asked in a worried tone, but Legolas only cupped your cheek lovingly, “Our love comes first. Everything else is secondary. I’ve waited so long to build up the courage to ask for your love, and now that I have it, I’m never losing it. All I want is you. All I’ve ever wanted was you.”

Your heart was filled with such love at his confession that you felt as though it might burst. And how could you refuse him? After everything he had done for you, how could you not agree?”

“Alright Legolas, I will be your Queen, and love you to the end of days.” His eyes gleamed with happiness and he put the ring he had placed in your palm earlier, onto your finger, before he pressed his forehead to yours in a loving gesture.

Cementing your love for each other till the end of time.

#Yandere Legolas x reader Smut #Yandere Legolas #Legolas x reader Smut #Legolas x reader

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silverhallow · 3 years ago

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I can’t stop thinking about what you said l, when Sophie and Benedict go back to London and the house is chaos and baby Edmund is crying and then Sophie picks him up and then he stops crying

This was supposed to be a little Drabble but it’s like 1.5k 😂😂 oh well!!

I hope you enjoy

It had been a long and arduous journey back to London and Sophie was sure she was going to throw up all over Benedict as the wheels of their close carriage brought them ever closer to their destination.

The season was in full swing which Sophie meant that Araminta was in residence. Which meant that Sophie’s arrival was a bad, bad idea, the worst idea really.. “Very bad,” she muttered to herself and into the book she was using to ignore the man say opposite bench

Benedict looked up. “Did you say something?”

She crossed her arms mutinously, her green glaring at him. “Just that you’re a very bad man.” He chuckled.

She’d known he would chuckle, and it still irritated her. He pulled the curtain away from the window and looked out. “We’re nearly there,” he said.

Sophie remembered the grand house in Grosvenor Square as if she’d been there the night before.

The ballroom was huge and almost magical with hundreds of sconces on the walls, each adorned by a perfect beeswax candle, with it’s exquisitely scalloped ceilings and pale blue pastel walls.

It had been Sophie’s dream house. In all her dreams of Benedict and their fictional future together, she’d always seen herself in that house. It was silly, she knew, it would never be Benedict’s but until she has seen my Cottage had been the most beautiful home she’d ever beheld, and dreams weren’t meant to be about reality, anyway. It her dreams she wasn’t a bastard.

If Sophie had wanted to dream her way right into St James’ Palace, that was her right, it was her dream after all…

Of course, she thought with a wry smile, she wasn’t likely ever to see the interior of any Palace.

“What are you smiling about?” Benedict enquired

She didn’t bother to glance up as she replied, “I’m plotting your demise.”

He grinned, not that she was looking at him, but it was one of those smiles she could hear in the way he breathed.

She hated that she was that sensitive to his every nuance.

Especially since she had a sneaking suspicion that he was the same way about her.

“At least it would be entertaining,” he said.

“What does?” she asked, finally moving her eyes from the paragraph she’d been staring at for the last two hours.

“My demise,” he said, his smile crooked and amused. “If you’re going to kill me, you might as well enjoy yourself while you’re at it, because Lord knows, I won’t.”

Her jaw dropped as she blinked at him. “You’re mad,” she said.

“Probably.” He shrugged rather casually before settling back in his seat and propping his feet up on the bench across from him. “I’ve all but kidnapped you. I should think that would qualify as probably the maddest thing I’ve ever done.”

“You could let me go now,” she said, even though she knew he never would.

“Here in London? Where you could be attacked by footpads or creeps worse than Cavender at any moment? That would be most irresponsible of me, don’t you think?”

“It hardly compares to abducting me against my will!”

“I didn’t abduct you,” he said, idly examining his fingernails. “I blackmailed you. There’s a world of difference.”

Sophie was saved from having to reply by the jolt of the carriage as it ground to a halt.

Benedict helped Sophie from the carriage, she reluctantly took his hand after glaring at him like he had just grown horns.

Bridgerton House was as beautiful as Sophie remembered. Benedict had said he was going to bring her to his sister in law and mother, as either one of them would find a position for her and usually on a Wednesday the entire family gathered at Bridgerton House for dinner.

Sophie stared up at the building and Benedict felt something tug inside him as he watched her take in his childhood home with wonder. “Come on, I’ll take you inside, it’s even more impressive inside” he grinned gesturing towards the front door.

Sophie took two steps before stopping and she shook her head. “I’ll use the side entrance.”

His lips thinned. “You’ll use the front entrance.”

“I’ll use the side entrance,” she said firmly. “No woman of breeding will hire a maid who enters through the front.”

“You’re with me,” he ground out. “You’ll use the front entrance.”

A bubble of mirth escaped her lips. “Benedict, just yesterday you wanted me to become your mistress. Would you dare bring your mistress to meet your family through the front door?”

She’d confounded him with that and she saw the way his face twisted with frustration.

“Would you,” she continued, mostly just to torture him further, “bring your mistress to meet them at all?”

“You’re not my mistress and you do not want to be my mistress,” he bit off, hating how petulant he sounded.

“Indeed.” His chin jutted out, and his eyes bored into hers with barely leashed fury. “You’re a bloody little housemaid,” he said, his voice low and full of emotion, “because you’ve insisted upon being a housemaid. And as a housemaid, you are, if somewhat low on the social scale, still utterly respectable. Certainly respectable enough for my family!”

Sophie’s smile faltered and she felt

Like a heel. She might have pushed him too far.

“Good,” Benedict grunted, once it was clear that she was not going to argue the point any further. “Come with me.”

Sophie followed him up the steps. Any further thoughts were lost as the door opened and she was hit by a wave of just noise.

It was bedlam.

Two teenagers running after one another screaming, a boy of no more than 15 chasing a younger sister who has something in her hand cackling madly as she darted out of the room.

Two older Bridgerton’s girls rolling their eyes and disappearing through a door when there was a wail of a small child and a cry of “ELOISE CLOSE THE.. Damn!!!!! Someone catch him!!”

Sophie looked at Benedict who laughed “welcome to the madhouse”

A cry and screaming now quite two year old boy came running out of the room the two older children has just gone through, he had nought but a clothed nappy on and an expression of someone who was deeply unhappy, his little face red and blotchy as he screamed.

There was the stampede of adult feet as this little boy ran barrelling into the hallway. Paused for a second as Benedict called out “Neddy!” Hoping to grab his wailing nephew but the boy tilted his head in the direction of the call and not pausing to stop screaming barrelled forward, running past jos uncle and throwing himself into the skirts of Sophie’s dress.

Benedict frowned but as Sophie blinked and bent down, she placed her hands on the little boys face and crooned “oh my you sweet thing. You are making an awful lot of noise” as she brushed his tears.

He stared up at her in wonder as she picked him up and the crying instantly stopped as Lord and both Lady Bridgerton’s ran into the room “what happened? Where is he!” Anthony said before blinking “Benedict! What the Devil!?”

Benedict just shrugged and pointed at Sophie who had Edmund in her arms, his hands in her blonde hair as he smiled at her,

“Oh my!” Kate said “how did you.., he’s not stopped screaming for two hours!”

“I don’t know my lady… he just… stopped” Sophie said bopping a curtsy she went to hand Edmund back but he started to whine.

“Not to be rude but who are you?” Anthony asked, blinking , looking between Benedict and the blonde.

“Anthony, this is Miss Sophie Beckett…”

Benedict went through the rigmarole of explaining what happened at My Cottage or some of it.

Every time Sophie tried to hand Edmund off he started to scream again, Sophie hummed to the small boy as she was employed by Violet Bridgerton, though Kate had joked she might have to stay there as Edmund wasn’t about to part with her… though from the way Kate saw Benedict looking at Sophie she knew her son wasn’t the only one who didn’t want to part with the mysterious blonde…

From then on in, whenever Edmund saw Sophie he refused to leave her side, he would climb into her lap whilst having tea at Number 5, or he would try and follow her around the house… much like someone else both Violet and Kate noticed.

Kate found Benedict watching Sophie the afternoon after they announced their engagement as she sung to Edmund “she’ll make a wonderful mother. She’s an absolute Angel… she’s literally the only person who stops him screaming the house down…”

Benedict smiled “yes, she does seem to have a magic touch”

And it was true… If ever a baby screamed, if Sophie held them… they just stopped, nestled into her and her chest and went to sleep… it was her special power. The only baby it hadn't worked on was Violet. When it was Benedict and Edmund at all of 9 years of age… who could stop the youngest of Sophie’s brood screaming…

#ash’s drabbles #bridgerton #benedict bridgerton #sophie beckett #edmund bridgerton ii #benophie #ask ash #ash’s asks and answers #ash’s asks #ash’s writing

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skiller0dani · 4 years ago

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Palace Garden | General Kirigan

M A S T E R L I S T Shadow and Bone Masterlist

smut requests info w.c | 4.8k summary | You are the General’s personal Healer, he doesn’t go anywhere without you. So when General Kirigan is invited to the King Pyotr’s annual ‘end of year’ party at the Grand Palace, you join him. Except the King’s second son, Nikolai, takes a special interest in you.

song

My Shadow and Bone pieces will probably include Spoilers from the SHOW. I have not yet read the books, I have only read through most of Six of Crows. I’m finishing that book as we speak, I have only seen the Shadow and Bone tv show, I haven’t read the books.

PSA: I write with limited knowledge of who Nikolai Lantsov is, although I know he is royalty (King of Ravka I believe) but in the show he isn’t the King, so I made him a Prince. Don’t be mad at me, this is all for fun and it’s FICTION.

“You’ve received another invitation from the King, just how long do you plan to ignore him?” You snicker as you drop a letter onto the General’s desk. It’s an invitation to King Pyotr’s End of Year Celebration, attended by decorated Soldiers from both the First and Second Army, and hopefully the esteemed General. The previous year the General had ‘urgent’ matters to attend to so he was unable to attend the dreaded party in his words. In truth you always had fun at the King’s Celebrations so you didn’t know what always soured his fun.

“Until the day after next.” His shoulders were rigid and his tone was clipped.

“General, tonight is the Celebration. You must answer the King by then, you know that.” You chuckled with a roll of your eyes, watching as the General begrudgingly tore open the envelope. You watched as his eyes scanned the paper in front of him, his eyebrows pinching together in frustration.

“General?” You knew it was unwise to engage him when he was in a state of agitation but in all honesty, you didn’t fear him the way everyone else did. General Kirigan swiftly ignored you and reached for a pen, and upon further examination your eyes caught your name written on the letter from the King.

‘I am most eager to meet your esteemed Healer, Y/N.’

The General tends to get a tad, possessive, of the things he deems belong to him. You were one the things the General had claimed as his own, and anybody who shows a particular interest in you tends to annoy him. You can see the tension growing in his shoulders, and while you might not know how deeply he cares for you, you know he sees you as more than just his Healer. Hopefully, he sees you as a sort of friend as well.

“Are we going to attend the Celebration General?” You ask cautiously, watching as Kirigan’s expression shifts from mildly annoyed to thoroughly agitated. You make sure to keep at least one foot distance between you and the General at all times, he tends to be a bit unpredictable when he’s upset. You watch as the General stands, yanking at the buttons of his Kefta before tossing the heavy fabric onto his bed.

“Yes, we are. Apparently both Princes will be in attendance.” The General says through a huff, reaching for his dress jacket- the black one with gold detailing he wears for social events. The Princes? Neither of the Princes have been spotted inside the Grand Palace for a few months now, it’s no wonder the King has chosen tonight for the Celebration. The end of the year isn’t for a few weeks and normally the Celebration is closer to the years change. You try to mask the mild excitement you feel at the prospect of meeting either of the Princes, although you don’t hear much about Prince Vasily. Most of the young Grisha women training in the Little Palace whisper about Prince Nikolai.

“Does this please you?” The General asks, his tone distracted as he finishes buttoning his Kefta in the mirror. You shake your head, your eyes briefly catching his.

“I couldn’t care either way General.” You say with a shrug, and you swear you see the tiniest smile grace the corner of his lips. For as long as you could remember you’ve had a thing for the General, what women wouldn’t? He’s tall, handsome, has dark hair, dark eyes, and he’s powerful. You doubt some Prince could ever compare to General Kirigan, not that you’re hoping one will. A Tailor swiftly enters the General’s chambers then, her eyes landing on you.

“A package has come for Y/N sir, and she should be getting ready for the party soon.” She says, her eyes only briefly meeting the General’s before flickering back towards the floor. His eyebrows stitch together when he sees the box she holds. You reach for it before his hand raises, “give it to me.” He instructs sternly. The Tailor quickly hands the package to the General and you see an unreadable expression pull onto his face. He plucks a note from the top lid of the package, and hands it to you before opening the package.

I await our meeting with bated breath dear Y/N.

- Prince Nikolai

Inside the package is easily the most beautiful dress you’ve ever seen. It’s blood red with silver detailing, and it goes all the way to the floor. You take the dress from the General, stroking the smooth silk. He can see the twinkling in your eyes as you eye the gift from the Prince, it sends surges of frustration through his tightening chest. The Tailor ushers you into the General’s bathroom so you can change, and the General turns his back for privacy. It’s been like this for some time now, you hardly ever get ready for social events in your own room anymore. You’d been the General’s Healer for quite a few years now, and on more than one occasion he’s had to provide some Healing for you as well. He’s seen your entire upper torso bare from when he had to heal a stab wound through your chest. Needless to say, you were probably too comfortable in the presence of the General.

You stepped out of the bathroom and the General turned, his eyes landing on you. For a second he didn’t know what to say, you were absolutely stunning. Your hair had been let in loose curls down your back, normally you wore it up and out of the way so he didn’t normally get to admire your hair falling around your face. The dress hugged each of your curves beautifully, but the color was irritating him. Surely it was tailored to match whatever the Prince was wearing and General Kirigan couldn’t let that slide.

“Well? Am I presentable?” You ask the General, knowing you’ll need his say-so before you’re party ready.

“Nearly.” The General says, his voice trailing off into a whisper as he leans over towards the Tailor. You can see her smile but it’s quickly masked, and you don’t know what he’s saying to her. Quickly the Tailor ushers you back into the bathroom and fumbles around for a few things from her kit. She turns back to you with concentration on her face and soon the appearance of your dress begins to change. The red color fades away and is replaced with an inky black color, and the silver detailing morph into gold detailing. Soon the dress remains mostly the same, except for the fact that it matches the Kefta the General is wearing. When you step out of the bathroom again, you see a pleased look upon the General’s face.

“Now you’re ready.”

»»————-　✼　————-««

Your arm was hooked with the Generals as you entered the main hall of the Grand Palace, your eyes immediately traveling to all the ornate decorations covering the walls. Decorated window curtains, glass chandeliers, a wide ballroom laid out in front of you. It was crowded with people, a soft Orchestra playing in the background, and soft chatter. The General wore an easy smile across his face. He was keeping up appearances, you know he didn’t want to be here. His arm held you to his side tightly, and looming before you was the throne for the King and Queen. Stood on each side of them were the Princes, Vasily stood next to the King, and Nikolai next to the Queen. The King looked positively delighted to see the General.

“General Kirigan! Good you could make it. You remember my sons Vasily and Nikolai don’t you?” The King gestured to both of the Princes, and while Vasily regarded the General with a polite smile, Nikolai’s eyes were firmly on you.

“Yes of course, allow me to introduce the Princes to my Personal Healer- Y/N.” General Kirigan sounds almost proud as he introduces you, and you bow for the Princes who both send you a smile. Although Nikolai’s smile is flirtier then this brothers, who remains polite. The Queen’s eyes trail down your gown, noticing the slight shimmer to the fabric.

“Your dress is lovely, you must have had a good Tailor.” She smiles and you blush as you take your place next to the General, your arm slipping through his with ease.

“Well actually it was a gift from Prince Nikolai. T-Thank you for such a generous gift!” You inform her shyly, feeling General Kirigan’s body go slightly rigid beside you. You carefully peek at the General, and you notice he’s locked in a heated stare-down with Prince Nikolai.

“You’re very welcome, did the color not suit you?” He asks and it’s just now that you notice the Kefta he’s wearing matched your dresses previous color perfectly.

“Oh not at all-”

“I thought it would be better for my Healer to match my Kefta, your highness.” The General cuts in, his voice polite but firm. The General says it as if you should match because you’re his Healer but you know what he’s really saying. He’s telling the Prince he wanted you to match his Kefta and not Nikolai’s, General Kirigan is saying that you belong to him and the Prince knows that.

“Of course.” The Prince’s tone is tense, and the smile on his face looks practiced. You stay firmly placed by the Generals side, offering a polite smile as the General nearly drags you away from the royalty and further into the party. You can feel the frustration washing off the General in waves, your hand curling around his bicep a little tighter as a weak attempt to calm him. Kirigan almost cant stand the sight of you wearing a dress the Prince picked for you, but seeing the Princes face when he realized the dress he picked no longer matched his Kefta, but the General’s instead was wonderful enough to make up for it.

“General? I apologize but you’re needed urgently-” A Grisha solider pushes gently through the crowd and begins to whisper hastily in the General’s ear. You see annoyance cross onto the General’s face before he shoos the Grisha away. He turns towards you, leaning down to brush his lips over the shell of your ear. The small action sends shivers down your spine.

“Can you manage by yourself for a few minutes? There’s something I need to attend to, but I should be back shortly.” He whispers and you quickly offer him a nod before slipping your arm from his. General Kirigan shoots you an apologetic look before following the path the Grisha took before he disappears from sight. You hold a glass in your palm, although you’re not sure what the shimmering liquid is. You feel slightly out of place, and everyone steers clear of you. They saw you with the General, and are probably going to continue to ignore you to prevent receiving the Generals wrath.

“Y/N, right?” You hear a voice to your right and you know who it is before you even turn. Only one person is brave enough to approach somebody the General has placed an ‘unspoken’ claim on.

“Prince Nikolai.” You smile politely, taking a step to the side to create a small amount of distance from you and the Prince. He sips at his glass, a twinkling of mischievousness in his eyes.

“So tell me the real reason the color of your dress was altered. I thought we would have complimented each other nicely.” His voice is smooth like honey, his eyes a cool amber. It’s not that you find the Prince unattractive, quite the opposite actually. You just aren’t interested in him that way, and his good looks could never compare to General Kirigan. The Prince is clean cut and refined, while the General is rugged and untamed. They’re opposites in every way, and you just can’t be attracted to anybody else. Prince Nikolai could never compare to the General.

“I apologize Prince Nikolai, but I wanted to match the General.” You say with ease, finally allowing yourself to take a sip of the mystery drink in your hand. A look you can’t place briefly crosses over Prince Nikolai’s face, if you didn’t know any better you’d say he looked hurt.

“I see.” Is all he says and for the next few minutes you feel a tense silence before a hand presses against the small of your back. You turn your head and nearly breathe a sigh of relief.

“General.” You smile, although his eyes are firmly on Prince Nikolai. His hand gently pulls you closer to his side, and your heart races the tiniest bit faster when his hand curls around your hip to rest there. You know you and the General aren’t together, but the placement of his hand tells people otherwise. You lean further into his side, and you can feel his body relax ever-so-slightly as you do so. When the Orchestra plays a slow song, General Kirigan glances down at you with a raised brow.

“Prince Nikolai, if you’ll excuse us.” General Kirigan says when you notice other couples moving to the dance floor, including the King and Queen. He turns then and leads you out to the ballroom floor, his hand pressing against your lower back, holding your chest flush with his. He takes your hand with his free hand and soon you are both gently swaying to the music. The lights in the ballroom dim, the stars twinkling outside becoming even brighter.

“General, could I ask you a question?” You ask softly, relaxing into his embrace. When you hear him hum softly in response you turn your head up to look at him, he towers over you. You nibble on your bottom lip, your heart beginning to race like mad in your chest. His grip on your palm shifts to allow his fingers to lace through yours gently.

“Why does Prince Nikolai make you so...upset?” You ask, and deep down you know the answer. You just need him to say it. General Kirigan’s eyes flicker to meet yours, an expression on his face that you can’t read. His body presses more firmly against yours when his hold on your lower back tightens, pulling you even closer to him then you were before. You wished you could stay here in this moment with him forever, just the two of you and nobody else. You know that in your heart, you’ve fallen in love with General Kirigan but you doubt he’d ever feel the same way.

“Because I dislike the amount of attention he gives you.” General Kirigan admits, his eyes turning away from yours. You thumb rubs circles over the back of his hand subconsciously as your mind tries to grasp what he just said.

“Prince Nikolai could devote his entire life to attempting to impress me, and it would make no difference General.” You say softly, drawing his gaze back to yours. Your faces are nearly touching, your noses brushing against each others as you lean up on your tippy toes to be closer to him.

“Why not?” He can’t help himself as he asks, surely there’s not a chance you could ever feel for him what he feels for you. Part of him hates himself for being so weak, for allowing his heart to care for you, for allowing a weakness to crawl into his heart.

“Because he could never mean to me what you mean to me General, no matter how hard he tries...he could never be you.” You whisper softly, your cheeks burning hot and your eyes refusing to meet his. General Kirigan feels every emotion he’s tried to push away flood through him then, joy, excitement, glee, pure happiness. A small smile overtakes his face as he leans down to whisper in your ear for the second time tonight.

“Aleksander.”

“What?” You’re startled to say the least, pulling back to look into his eyes. Did he just...?

“That’s my name.” He clarifies, a full smile on his face now. You feel your heart pounding heavily in your chest when you suddenly hear a loud explosion. Startled, you push yourself into General- Aleksander’s chest. His arms curl around your body as the floor to ceiling windows are thrown open, and fireworks are seen outside. Immediately people flood out onto the Palace garden to view the fireworks, and Aleksander is gently leading you outside with them. Your hand is still locked with his as your head tips up to watch the colors explode in the sky. The Alkemi really pulled all the stops for this firework show. Your breath is stolen right from your lungs as you watch the fireworks go off, but soon you feel Aleksander’s fingers turning your face to look at him. Your eyes lock onto his before you’re leaning forward to connect your lips to his.

His arms wrap around your torso to pull you against him tighter, your arms flying up around his shoulders. You hear the fireworks exploding above you and the cheering of the crowd around you, but soon all of them fade away until it’s just you and Aleksander out in the garden alone. You don’t notice the people cheering for the fireworks around you, and you certainly don’t notice Prince Nikolai eyeing you with a broken heart from across the garden. He’s heard much of your victories in battle, and he knows more about you then you thought. When you part from Aleksander, you see a smile on his face and you know that same smile is mirrored on your own face.

»»————-　✼　————-««

By the time you make it back into Aleksander’s room, the moon is at it’s peak in the sky but you don’t feel tired. You stand shyly in his doorway, usually this is around the time you’d bid the General goodnight and begin the short trek to your room. But you’re not ready to say goodnight, you’re not ready for tonight to be over just yet and you can only hope he isn’t either. You bite the inside of your cheek just as you turn to head back into the hallway.

“Leaving so soon?” You hear his voice cut through the silence, and when you turn you see hurt flashing in his eyes. Does he want you to stay?

“I assumed you’d want me to go...like I normally do.” You say softly, your cheeks burning hot.

“Stay.” Is all he says, and it’s all you need to hear. You take a few steps into his room, shutting the door softly behind you. Aleksander crosses the room to you, his hands cupping your cheeks and pulling your lips back onto his. Your hands grab at the lapels of his Kefta, drawing him ever closer to you. His lips move languidly against yours before the kiss grows more desperate, his hands yanking your legs around his waist as he lifts you easily. His palms rest on the globes of your ass, quickly turning you and placing you down on the desk, not caring about the papers that are sent scattering off the desk. Your hands are trembling as your fingers work to unfasten the buttons of his Kefta. His hands don’t know where to touch first, gently grasping at the underside of your breasts before trailing down your curves, feeling how the dress hugs you so perfectly.

“G-General!” You gasp as his lips latch onto your pulse point, his hands digging into your hips. You finally unbutton his Kefta completely, pushing the fabric from his shoulders as soon as it’s freed. You yank at his dress shirt until its untucked from his pants, and his hands reach up your back to pull at the zipper securing your dress.

“Desperate?” Aleksander teases as he slowly pulls the zipper down your dress, the shoulders falling down your arms. You nod frantically, in truth you’ve never felt this desperate for anybody in your whole life. Your palms cup his cheeks, pulling his lips back to yours as his hands pull your dress down your body until it bunches at your waist. You’re practically panting against his lips as one of Aleksander’s hands slides up your thigh before he pulls away from you. He pulls back, just far enough that your lips can’t reach his. You try anyway, leaning forward and chasing his lips with an open mouth. He chuckles softly but stays just out of reach.

“What’s wrong?” You whine, your hands resting on his shoulders. Aleksander has a smile on his face, his hands are still on your hips, holding you tightly. He can’t believe that you’re here in front of him, letting him kiss you, letting him undress you. If only you knew all of the terrible things he’s done with the very same hands that are touching you, you’d probably want nothing to do with him. Aleksander brushes that thought away.

“Nothing, I just wanted to take in the moment.” He smiles but you groan, pulling helplessly at his shirt. He chuckles before leaning back towards you, pressing his lips to yours again. He loves that you’re so eager for him, so needy for him. Aleksander finishes pushing your dress down your legs, leaving you in nothing more than a pair of panties. His hands reach up to cup the underside of your breasts, his lips moving quickly against yours. Your hands reach to the hem of his shirt, and you part briefly to pull his dress shirt over his head.

“Sure about this?” Aleksander mumbles against your lips as his hand dips into your panties to drag a finger through your drenched folds. You nod helplessly against his lips, your fingers digging into his shoulders when he pushes a lewd finger into your tight opening. He thrusts his finger into you quickly, loving the desperate whines coming from your lips.

“Words please.” He says softly, quickly pressing a second finger into you. Your nails press crescent moons into his shoulders when he crooks his fingers into you, making you squeal.

“Yes, yes I’m sure about this.” You gasp, his thumb making contact with your clit and rubbing tight little circles. Your lips press firmly to his again, and he swallows all of your moans. Aleksander groans softly when he feels you grind your hips into his hand, your back arching as his other hand slides up your stomach to pinch your nipple.

“God all I want is you Aleksander-” You moan, saying his real name for the first time. Hearing you moan his name has shivers trembling down his back, and his fingers pulling out of your tight heat. Your hands are reaching for the waistband of his pants, fumbling with the button before you give up and Aleksander is swatting your hands away. He quickly undoes his pants and reaches into them to pull his hardening cock out. With one hand, he rips your panties from your body, leaving you naked and sprawled across his desk. It’s not a sight he’ll ever forget. He steps into your spread legs, one hand on his cock and the other hand on your hip as he presses his tip against your slippery folds. Your hands pull his chest against yours as you press your face into his neck when he pushes into you. Both of you release a moan simultaneously when you feel him stretching you open.

“Please tell me this isn’t a one time thing-”

“Stop talking.” He growls before pressing his lips against yours as he continues to work himself inch by inch into you. You mewl against his lips as he bottoms out, his tip nestled against the spot that makes your toes curl. It burns just a bit, but you’re still panting against him as he stays completely still inside you. You try to pull your hips back but his hands lock you in place, a playful smile on his face as he watches you roll your hips. His pupils are blown open in lust as he holds you against him, and he feels you growing wetter by the second. You want him to move so badly, you feel tears of frustration pushing at the backs of your eyes as you weakly try to once again get him to move inside you.

“Move please.” You beg shamlessly and Aleksander presses a quick kiss to your lips.

“You have to promise me something first.” He says softly and you groan, rolling your hips desperately again. He’s so hard inside you, you can feel your walls squeezing him tightly.

“Anything!” You nearly cry out, you ignore him when you hear him chuckle softly.

“Promise me that you’re mine. I can’t have anybody else seeing you this way.” Aleksander growls, starting to feel a little impatient himself. Your hands pull his bare chest against yours, your lips a hair’s distance away from his.

“I promise. I’m yours, only yours.” You promise, your hips wriggling against his once more. Seemingly satisfied, Aleksander pulls his hips back and slams back into you, causing you to cry out as he sets a brutal pace. He slams into you, ramming his tip against your g-spot repeatedly. You cry out as his lips latch onto your neck, leaving bruises in his wake as he bites and suckles any skin he can find. Your arms wind around his shoulders as he slams into you, reducing you to nothing more than a boneless moaning mess underneath him. Your lips press to his and you kiss him with a fiery passion, your body rocking against his. Suddenly Aleksander pulls out, gently yanking you off the desk to bend you over it. Your toes barely touch the ground before he’s sliding into you again, taking you roughly from behind. You hear him hiss through clenched teeth as his hand runs up your spine to twist your hair around his hand. He yanks you up onto your elbows by your hair, holding you in place as he keeps his brutal pace.

“Oh yes, yes-” All you can do is cry out and moan underneath him, all of your thoughts reduced to nothing more than endless praises to his cock. His grip on your hair loosens before your upper body collapses against the desk again, and his hands move instead to your hips to draw your body back against him to meet his thrusts. Pulling you back against him allows him to ram even deeper inside you, and you can feel his tip hit your cervix every time he thrusts into you. One of his hands reaches around your body to pinch and roll your clit and as soon as he does you’re crying out and moaning like a bitch in heat. His teeth are clenched as he groans above you, you feel absolutely heavenly.

“Fuck, fuck! Gonna cum, I’m gonna cum!” You cry out helplessly, your hip bones screaming in pain every time they’re rammed against the edge of the desk. Aleksander doesn’t slow down even for a second, continuing to brutally pound into you, desperate to chase his own release. Aleksander yanks your torso up so that your back is pressed to his chest and one of his hands reaches down to roll your clit. You cry out desperately as your orgasm washes through you, causing you to clamp down around him tightly. Aleksander fucks up into you, slamming into your overstimulated body until you’re violently trembling and soon he’s cumming in hot spurts. Your exhausted body nearly collapses to the floor when he pulls out and steps away. Aleksander immediately reaches forward to catch you before you crumple to the floor.

He scoops you into his arms and gently carries you to the bed, and you practically melt into the mattress. You see concern pooling in his eyes as he pulls the blankets over you, his thumbs brushing over the bruises on your neck and shoulders, plus the purple bruises on your hipbones from the desk. He leans down to press his lips to your gently and you smile into the kiss.

“I know that look, stop worrying. I can Heal myself in the morning, I’m too tired now.” You reassure him and his worry eases a bit before he’s standing to turn out all of the lights and slide into the bed next to you. Aleksander reaches over to pull your limp body against his chest. Pressing a kiss to your head, he holds you against him tightly.

“Did I go too hard?” He asks into the silence and you nuzzle into his warm chest.

“It was perfect Aleksander.” You promise, pressing a kiss against his chest. He relaxes then with you in his arms. Soon he hears your breathing even out and he knows you’re asleep. Aleksander knows by now that he’s falling in love with you, but for your sake he has to keep his distance. He’ll have to find a new Healer, no matter how much it pains him to do so. If anybody found out the Black Heretic loved somebody, you’d be in grave danger and frankly, Aleksander is afraid of what he’d do if he ever lost you. His heart breaks when he remembers what he has to do tomorrow, but luckily it isn’t tomorrow yet and he can enjoy laying here with you sleeping in his arms.

#shadow and bone #shadow and bone fic #general kirigan #general kirigan smut #the darkling #the darkling smut #the darkling x you #darkling x you #aleksander kirigan smut #aleksander morozova #aleksander morozova smut

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ellana-lavellan-rp · 3 years ago

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IRREVERSIBLE ; .

(( for @dreadwxlf. ty for being so patient with me!

ellana's outfit is here.

the waltz music i'm imagining is here and also here.

here's to solavellan happiness at last!!!

also tw: mention of attempted suicide via drowning ))

-x-

irreversible [ ir-i-vur-suh-buhl ]: adjective not reversible; incapable of being changed.

-x-

Things began to get better for Ellana after the time Fen'harel had snuck into her dream - over time (decades, it would turn out to be), and with distance, her heart started to mend anew. It was precipitated by one of the greatest mistakes she had made to date (and she can still feel the water in her lungs if she thinks about it too much), but her remaining friends and family had seen her through it. It was difficult at first, to put down the trinkets that had so defined the legacy of her friends, but she had had to do it for her own sake.

She couldn't keep holding onto a world long dead, it would destroy her too; and in fact, it almost had.

-x-

(the water is cold, and she is so, so tired - she cannot bear being here even a moment longer -

wading, and then diving -

and she wills with every inch of her deadened heart:

drag me down -

and the water obeys)

-x-

Dorian's message crystal had been the last item she had put away, deep into one of her drawers, and she had wept the entire time (almost unable to put it away at all). But with that weeping came a certain kind of healing, a realization; she would never forget them, but they were gone. They wouldn't have wanted her to waste away like she had been doing - a slower, more painful death than even drowning.

They would have wanted better for her.

And so she regrew her arm, regrew her hair, removed her piercing (which she had hated even though it was in remembrance of thom), and started to eat again. It wasn't overnight, and she still had bad days along the way, but she slowly began to regain the strength that she had lost.

Ellana took up more of the clan leadership duties, helping Deshanna and even Fenris, who had taken it upon himself to assist in her absence. Which she was silently grateful for, even as she buried it with her other guilt - she shouldn't have been so weak, she should've been stronger - but what was done was done.

What's done is done... but we have eternity now..

there will always be a place for you... His words never stopped haunting her either - nor the memory of his wounded face after the destruction of the dream. He hadn't come back since... he had probably already moved on from her.

The thought shouldn't have hurt as much as it did.

In her darkest hours, when she was laying in bed alone, Ellana could admit now that she still loved Solas; she probably always would. But how could she ever trust him again, even if they did somehow reunite?

It was probably better this way, even though it didn't make it hurt any less.

She was adamant about not stepping a toe into Arlathan, however, and she kept that promise for years, until one day her parents had needed her to go in their place for one of the clan's trading days.

-x-

"Just this once, da'lath'in."

Her mother had said, and Ellana was helpless to deny her anything.

-x-

Somehow that one incident had turned into regular visits (only to the marketplace, she never wandered beyond it, and it seemed that Solas never visited, at least on the days her clan was there), and Ellana slowly began to get comfortable there as well.

It was indescribable - the beauty of the crystal through the clouds, the finery of the clothes the people wore - the feel of magic everywhere and spirits aplenty; and a sad, sad part of her could see why Solas had wanted it back so badly. None of it had been worth their friends lives though, but even the pain behind that thought lessened as time wore on.

Before she knew it, decades had passed, and the annual celebration of the rebirth of Arlathan was upon them. She had stayed far away by that point, but a curious part of her wondered what the celebration was like. Was it like Orlais; where the game had been rampant? Or was it like the Dalish, whose parties had been the talk amongst humans for ages for their rambunctiousness?

Did they honor the fallen? Or was it held as a glorious victory, regardless of its victims?

She tried not to think about it too much, but as the evening fell upon them once more, her mother had pulled her aside.

-x-

"Why don't you go tonight, da'lath'in? You've had this longing look on your face all day."

"You know why, mamae.. I can't... I can't face him."

Her mother's warm brown eyes soften, and she pulls Ellana close. "Yes you can, and I know you want to. You can lie to the others, da'len, but you cannot lie to me. Enough time has passed, why not show him what he's missing?"

Ellana sighs, hugging the older woman tightly, "He's probably already with someone else. You know how the women talk of him."

She chuckles, eyes sparkling with mirth, "I have it on good authority that he isn't."

Blue eyes narrow and she looks up at her mother in shock, "Who..."

"Never you mind. Go get changed, I've left your outfit in your hut. A friend of mine told me that it was quite the outfit back in the ancient days. Perfect for Fen'harel, wouldn't you say?"

"Mamae!!!"

Her mother laughs, "I just want you happy, my darling. And you're not happy here, not fully, at least."

-x-

It was true, but that didn't mean that Ellana was fully ready to admit it.

She had gotten changed after all; the strange white material flowing like silk around her, the golden cuffs an odd weight around her wrists and neck. The golden circlet at the bottom of her hair (which was pulled back), wrapping around her ears, was probably the oddest piece - it felt like something nobility would wear, but she was hardly that.

Not for the first time, she wondered who her mother's friend was, and why they would even deem it necessary to help her with Solas.

It made her off-kilter... a feeling only amplified when she found herself back in Arlathan once more - more people than she had ever seen before, reveling in a grand ball, of all things. A palace, with rooms of gold and white, and crystal everywhere - a sight that truly took her breath away.

It was beautiful, and nothing like she had ever seen before.

At least no one was paying her much attention, their focus on the main ballroom and the dancers within it, she mused as she grabbed a glass of wine from one of the floating trays, testing its sweetness.

Divine, and Ellana just about rolled her eyes - everything here was perfect, almost too much so - but her thoughts grinded to a halt when she caught sight of just who the dancers on the floor were.

It was... him. And another woman, which made her fingers tighten on the stem of the glass, even as her mind raced -

Mamae was wrong, I knew -

But just as her thought had formed, Solas had quickly moved onto another partner, disengaging the previous with what looked like politeness (her heart pounded with relief). It continued that way throughout the night, partner after partner, her blue eyes never leaving him (blending in with the crowd), even as he managed to somehow slip away.

He was beautiful, her vhenan.

Adorned in a black outfit, more than complimenting her own stark white - the same type of golden cuffs around his wrists and neck.

Like they belonged together. Like they were meant to be.

The thought took her breath away.

I never... stopped loving him. Not really.

Her feet moved of their own volition, dodging the crowd, her entire focus shifting to the man in front of her (who seemed to be willing those around not to notice his departure, but he could never escape her, not with a will as stubborn as his own).

She followed him to the courtyard, and watched as he exhaled a breath.

Ellana could barely think with the ringing in her ears, her heart viscerally pounding in her chest, he was here and he was so close -

She stepped closer, and closer, and finally, finally was able to speak, "Solas."

Her voice was light in the midst of all the celebration, and she suddenly didn't know what to say. "... I.. how.. have you been?"

#[.:. ic starters .:. ];#[.:. dreadwxlf; ball verse .:.];#YES ITS FINALLY HAPPENING #ellana real suave #hi how are you #its only been decades #its the wine blame the wine #i love themmmm so muchhhhhh ahhhh #the ball threadddddd #tw: suicide #tw: drowning #also ellana's moms friend is abelas #he a secret matchmaker

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phr0gie · 4 years ago

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𝓕𝓵𝓸𝔀𝓮𝓻𝓼 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓢𝓮𝓲𝓳𝓸𝓱

𝓒𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓮𝓻 1: 𝓡𝓮𝓭 𝓖𝓪𝓻𝓭𝓮𝓷𝓲𝓪𝓼

“you’re my number one, you’re the one i want. and i’ve turned down every hand that has beckoned me to come.” - geyser, mitski

✯ synopsis: red gardenias are the symbol of secret love. y/n has been a cook for prince tooru and the rest of the oikawa family for their entire life. despite residing in the same castle, the two had never met. they lived in different worlds, so close yet so far apart. however, these worlds collide one night when prince tooru sneaks down to the kitchen for a midnight snack.

✯ note: this is it guys!! my first real post on this account!! i’m still exploring with my overall writing style and structure so please bear with me on that. remember, constructive criticism is welcome as long as you’re respectful about it! thank you so much to everyone who’s been patient in waiting for this series to come out, and h u g e thank you to my beta reader @ramunesuna !!! :)

✯ pairing: prince! oikawa x cook! reader

✯ tw: slight classism, minor character death mention, strong language, unresolved angst but in a romantic way you know, angsty prince oikawa hehe, kuroo makes a brief appearance lmao

✯ wc: 9k (oof)

✯ series masterlist | main masterlist

Ever since Y/n L/n was a young child, they had always been taught one extremely important lesson. There were two worlds; one full of luxury and opportunity, and another full of hardwork and perseverance. Y/n just so happened to be born into the latter, a servant of the royal Oikawa family. Their father, the head chef of the castle, had drilled this narrative into their head. “You must remember”, he would say. “In this life, to survive in our world we must work to appease those above us. It is our safest option. Their world is too far away from ours, they will forget we’re here. It is up to us to remind them.” And at that moment, Y/n believed this was true. Above them, they heard loud laughter and music from what had to be the royal family’s fifth ball this month. And, with their fingers growing wrinkly in the sink from scrubbing dishes, Y/n truly did feel as though they were in two different worlds. So close yet so far, only a story away.

A swarm of servants flooding into the kitchen had shaken them from their thoughts. Smells of wine and cake along with the sounds of sighs of relief and complaints of aching bones had immediately filled Y/n’s senses. Frantically their eyes scanned the room, searching for a familiar figure amongst the crowd. Finally, they saw their target, an older man dressed in a white coat with a long white hat. They locked eyes and the old man relaxed immediately. He smiled warmly at them and they returned it almost instantly.

“Ah, Y/n”, he said affectionately as he approached the young cook.

“You look exhausted, Father”, Y/n chuckled. “Are the guests especially rowdy this evening?”

Their father shook his head and let out a tired laugh.

“That’s one way to put it, it’s truly remarkable how rambunctious some individuals get after a few sips of wine. Especially His Majesty”, he remarked. “After his second goblet I was afraid he was about to offer me a new position in the main house!”

Y/n let out a loud laugh at this. The King was known to be generous with his power, however, once it was clear that he was having fun he became a bit too generous with it. After a few more chuckles Y/n let out a sigh.

“I wish I could have been there to see it”, they muttered.

Their father let out his own sigh. “I know you do”, he said carefully, “but, I do not want to expose you to the stresses of working closely with the royal family too early. That simply would not be fair to you.”

Y/n rolled their eyes, but still nodded in understanding. While they knew how cruel some noblemen could be to the lower-class, they still found it irritating that this would keep them from progressing with their duties; especially considering Y/n was to take their fathers place as head chef one day.

“Besides” he added, “your time will come soon enough. After all, I am old and withered; I will not be around forever.”

Y/n gasped at this. “Father!”, they yelled, hitting him lightly on the arm. “Do not say such things!”

He merely chuckled at their reaction and pointed to a grand wooden clock that stood in the corner of the kitchen.

“The clock strikes midnight” he yawned, “and we must be up early to prepare breakfast for His Royal Highness. Off to bed!”

He then clapped, as if to emphasize his point, and walked toward the servants quarters. Y/n simply let out a light chuckle and followed him, trying to busy their mind with tomorrow’s meal preparations instead of thinking about the separate reality above them.

On the other side of the castle, the Oikawa family ball had been coming to a close. His majesty’s coronation was but only two months away and, by tradition of the Oikawa family, a ball was to take place once every week before the occasion. Various Royalty and Noblemen had traveled far and wide for this night, decorated in the finest of silks and clothes, just to step into the family’s golden ballroom and catch a glimpse of the King's son, Prince Tooru Oikawa. You see, his majesty had created quite a name for himself. Throughout the land, he was known for his strategic mind and charming personality. He could dazzle any room he walked into and handle political matters with elegance and ease. This reputation caused his people to put him on a pedestal, genuinely believing that he would be the greatest ruler the kingdom had ever seen; leading them to create a nickname for the heir, “The Great King Tooru”. Yes, everyone was quite ecstatic for the heir to finally claim the throne, well that is, everyone but Prince Tooru. While he was an excellent strategist and an amazing speaker, there was something about the Prince that his subjects did not know. Prince Tooru had never had any experience outside of the palace walls. He had little to no idea how his people lived, what their biggest struggles were, what they thought could be improved upon within the kingdom. Hell, he had never even met his own staff! While charming and clever, his highness was nothing short of a perfectionist. He was dangerously ambitious and constantly craved improvement. So, whilst at his celebrations, he would present his confident, collected, charming self to the public, however, once the palace doors shut Tooru’s anxieties and worries would run rampant.

As the last of the guests exited the golden ballroom, Tooru’s honey smile melted into a bitter frown and his eyes were fixed on the door. His coronation was a double edged-sword hanging above his throne and he was Damocles awaiting his demise. The King noticed this and swiftly approached his son, patting a few times on the back.

“Well,” He started, a soft, cheery tone in his voice. “It seems as though the guests had a magnificent time.”

The Prince’s gaze stayed stuck to the door. “I want to stay the night in the village.” Tooru stated quietly, as if he were afraid the guests would still be able to hear.

The King let out a long sigh and wandered away from his son a bit. “Tooru, we have discussed this matter before-”

“How am I supposed to properly rule a kingdom I know nothing about?” He interrupted, finally turning his burning gaze towards his father.

“It is unfair not only to me, but to our people. They are expecting a ‘Great King’, but you are preventing me from becoming that for them!”

The King simply put his head in his hands, clearly not wanting to discuss this any further.

“Tooru, you simply do not understand.”

“What?!” Tooru challenged. “What do I not understand?”

“Enough!” The King shouted, rage and frustration clear in his tone. “You know exactly why you are not to leave the palace. It is not safe for you out there! I made that mistake once with your mother and I will not make it with you.”

The King’s voice rang throughout the grand, golden walls of the main hall and the tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a knife. Tooru was taken aback by his father’s statement. When The Prince was very young his mother, the Queen, had been killed whilst she was on a stroll at the marketplace one day. Back then, it was normal for the royal family to visit their kingdom. However, it was apparent that the King, as well-liked as he was, still had some enemies. Apparently they had decided to express their distaste for him by murdering the one he loved most. The incident was sudden and unexpected, because of this the King was hit extremely hard by the loss. That day he swore that the royal family was forbidden from exiting the castle. The rule was only lifted when The King himself absolutely had to leave.

“Father,” He started, his tone calmer than before. “I understand your hesitation, but that was a long time ago-”

“I said ‘enough’, Tooru. There is no hesitation, my decision is final.” The King then made his way up the castle’s grand staircase and towards his room, not wishing to continue the conversation any further.

Prince Tooru stood in silence as he watched his father retreat.

“Shit.” He menatlly cursed.

Prince Tooru turned around and threw his fist against the palace door in anger. All his frustration seemed to bubble to the surface as he glared at the carved oak. Cursing once again he closed his eyes and rested his head against the door.

“I must meet my people’s expectations of me, but how?”

All of the sudden, a loud grumble ripped Tooru from his thoughts. He opened his eyes and placed his hands on his stomach. Tooru began to recall the fact that he had not eaten much at the celebration, what with all the mingling he had to do there was just no time. Normally, the prince would have just gone to his room and rang for a meal like he always had. However, this time Tooru decided against it. Maybe it was the angst he was feeling ordering him to act out, or maybe it was the fact that he had reached his limit with social interaction and did not want to have to deal with possibly having to be speaking with someone. Whatever the reason, Tooru felt compelled to venture to the kitchen on his own tonight. So, pushing his frustrations to the back of his mind, Tooru made his way to the main kitchen, blissfully unaware of the young cook still awake in their chambers.

Y/n could not sleep. They tossed, they turned, they even took a walk around the servants hall! Yet nothing seemed to aid them. They came to the conclusion that their mind would simply not leave them to rest. Sitting up on their bed, Y/n looked out the small window across the room. Over the course of a few hours, Y/n’s thoughts had still not left the idea of the world above them and its inhabitants. Being eighteen-years-old, they were the youngest of all of the chefs and servants; meaning that they were the only one who had never been around the rest of the castle.

“Oh no Y/n, you mustn’t!”, they would exclaim. “It would not be fair to subject you to such stress, you must wait until you are able to overtake your father!”

Y/n rolled her eyes thinking about this. They tried to understand where the people around them were coming from, they really did. However, the idea of being stuck in the kitchen was incredibly frustrating to them.

“What a load of horseshit”, they thought. “How am I supposed to be an adequate cook if I do not even know who I am serving!”

A loud CLANG suddenly ripped Y/n from their thoughts. Alarmed they jumped and looked around their room. Quickly Y/n bolted from their bed and made their way towards the door. Slowly they peeked out into the servants hall. It was still as can be, no doors open and there was no sign of anyone else being awake. Suddenly a loud BANG followed by a male voice cursing “shit!” came from the kitchen.

“A thief!” Y/n concluded.

They looked around for someone to emerge from their chambers to stop the intruder, but, unfortunately, it seemed that everyone was still fast asleep. Y/n had a decision to make; either go back to bed and risk the kitchen getting ransacked, or go stop the intruder and risk getting hurt. Sucking in a breath, Y/n carefully, as to not alert anyone of her presence, tiptoed out into the hallway and shut the door behind them. They grabbed a lit candlestick mounted on the wall and took one last look around. Quickly, yet quietly, they made their way from the servent’s quarters to the main kitchen’s entrance. Once they arrived, Y/n put their ear against the kitchen’s giant wooden door and listened for their target. Meanwhile, on the other side, Prince Tooru was searching the kitchen cabinets for a fresh loaf of bread he knew the head chef had just made that morning. However, being that it was so late, his majesty could hardly see a thing. Still he blindly searched, hoping to find the soft, sweet substance. His haste led to him bumping into a brass plate wrack, knocking over a row of porcelain plates. Y/n’s eyes widened at the sound of this and decided that now was the time to make their move. Quickly they flung open the large kitchen door.

“Stop, thief!”, they yelled, charging into the room.

However, what they saw was not at all what they were expecting. There, in all his glory, was a tall, young man hunched over the porcelain plates, attempting to clean up his mess. He wore an elegant silk tunic with matching white pants and a turquoise vest with elegant gold stitching swirled across the front. However, Y/n could care less about the man's attire. For they could not tear their eyes away from the crown atop his head. Golden with topaz and turquoise gems, the kingdom’s signature color and stones. The Prince felt a bit uneasy under the young servant's gaze however, he tried his best not to show it. Instead, he flashed them his signature, charming smile.

“I am awfully sorry”, Tooru started, calmly and elegantly moving away from the broken plates. “It was not my intention to make such a mess, or to frighten you so. I was simply searching for a loaf of that delicious bread that was served this morning.”

His words broke Y/n from their trance, as they finally realized exactly who they were speaking to.

“Your Majesty!”, they exclaimed, knees quickly bending, hitting the floor to bow in reverence before him with their candle still in hand.

It was a bit awkward, but what were they supposed to do? They had never been in the presence of royalty before! Tooru looked at the servant incredulously and suppressed a chuckle.

“Your Majesty?” he questioned, amusement dancing in his tone as he approached them. “I am afraid you have mistaken me with my father, my name is Prince Tooru.”

Y/n’s eyes widened and they gasped. “Of course” they thought bitterly, “Your first meeting with the man you’ll be working for and you soil it.”

The young cook hung their head low, embarrassed and ashamed of their mistake but also afraid. Y/n had heard stories about servants who were killed for addressing their hosts incorrectly. What was he going to do to them?

“Your Highness,” they started, their voice shaking slightly. “I give you my sincerest apologies. I assure this mistake will not be repeated.”

This time, the Prince could not control his amusement. A sea of genuine laughter came tumbling from his mouth and Y/n could not help but be entranced by it. His laugh was smooth and warm, just like the cups of rich hot chocolate the kitchen had prepared many times for the winter season. Snapping out of their thoughts, Y/n looked up at the laughing heir, confused.

“Are you not angered?” they quietly asked.

When the Prince kept laughing, the cook started to get frustrated. They were already embarrassed and now he was making it worse!

“Are you mocking me?” they challenged, albeit against their better judgement.

Tooru simply shook his head and wiped a stray tear from his eye.

“No no,” he started, letting out another low chuckle. “My apologies, It was not my intention to poke fun at you like this.” he assured. “I suppose I still have to get accustomed to being spoken to in such a formal way.”

This confused Y/n. He was the Prince? Did not everyone speak to him this way? Noticing the young cooks' confusion, Tooru smiled and offered them a hand.

“Here.”

Hesitantly, Y/n accepted his offer and allowed themselves to be pulled up by the Prince’s strength, blushing a bit despite themselves at the feeling of his hand in theirs. After helping the young servant off the ground, Tooru turned back to the broken china and began to kneel down to pick up the pieces.

“Oh!” Y/n exclaimed, quickly falling next to him, “Your Highness please, allow me!”

The Prince chuckled again and shook his head. “No no,” he said, lightly pushing the servant away from the mess. “It is my mess, allow me to take care of it. Besides, it would be incredibly unfortunate if you were to get hurt due to my foolishness.”

The young cook stubbornly stayed in place. This was their job after all, if they were incapable of completing one simple task then what use did they have?

“Well,” they replied quietly, a hint of annoyance in their tone. “At least allow me to assist you.”

Not giving him a chance to answer, they quickly knelt across from Prince Tooru, sat their large candle next to them, and began to pick up the glass shards. Tooru exhaled and shook his head at this yet he did not stop them, assuming they already had their mind made up. Together, the Prince and the cook picked up the porcelain pieces in silence with a strange tension hanging in the air that neither of them could quite place. After a few moments, when the glass pieces were almost all cleaned, Tooru picked up a particularly rigid piece of glass and pricked his finger.

“Shit” he cursed quietly, but not quietly enough to go unnoticed by the servant sitting across from him.

Y/n merely scoffed and shook their head. “And you were worried about me injuring myself” they teased.

The Prince was about to retort, but the crimson liquid seeping from his index finger caught him off guard. Glancing at his wound, the cook set down their glass pieces and began to stand up.

“Wait here”, they instructed before quickly grabbing their candle and disappearing from the kitchen.

Tooru complied and stayed sat in the dark on the wooden floor, cradling his wound and occasionally blowing on it to relieve some of the sting. After about two minutes, the large oak door opened and Y/n popped their head in to make sure the Prince was still there. Upon seeing him, they quickly made their way over and sat down next to him. Tooru noticed a thick white roll of cloth in one hand and a bottle of alcohol in the other.

“Let me see”, Y/n whispered. Their tone was softer than before, more careful and concerned.

He complied almost immediately, placing his palm to the ceiling so his cut would be on display. The young cook took his hand gently and inspected his wound closely. Meanwhile, Tooru gazed at Y/n and began to study them. This was his first time seeing them so close and the sight made his heart skip a beat. Their (e/c) eyes shined brighter than any gemstone in the candle light, their (s/c) complexion seemed to rival any deity’s, and the feeling of their hand, gently holding his, was softer than any silk that would ever touch his body. Prince Tooru Oikawa had charmed and dazzled dozens of fair maidens and bachelors across the kingdom, however, none of them had ever left them quite as enchanted as the cook sitting right across from him did.

“Fortunately,” Y/n started, breaking the Prince from his trance. “Your wound is not deep and there do not appear to be any shards stuck in the cut.”

The young servant briefly let go of him and Tooru found himself missing their touch. Y/n took the bottle of alcohol and poured some onto a piece of the white cloth, making sure they did not spill a drop onto the floor. Then, carefully, they took the Prince’s index finger and hovered the towel above the cut.

“This may burn a bit” they softly warned, waiting for Tooru to acknowledge their words.

Once he nodded in understanding, the cook gently brought the soaked cloth down onto the Prince’s wound. Tooru grunted at the stinging feeling and Y/n looked up at him sympathetically.

“My apologies, Your Highness” they whispered, stroking his arm softly as an attempt to calm him. “It will be over soon.”

Tooru blushed at the gesture and looked away, trying to regain his composure. After a beat of silence, the young servant lifted the cloth from the Prince’s finger and sent him a reassuring smile. In a flash, they grabbed the rest of the white cloth and began to wrap it around Tooru’s finger. The contrast of the burning sting the alcohol left and the coolness of the soft cloth made the Prince visibly relax. Smiling at this, Y/n finished winding the cloth.

“There,” they said, holding his hand up so he could see their handiwork, “it should be better by morning.”

As Tooru brought his hand in to admire the make-shift bandage, Y/n quickly gathered the rest of the glass pieces. Standing up, the young servant began to quickly dispose of the glass.

“You know,” they said, wiping their hands on their night shirt. “The next time you feel peckish in the middle of the night, you need only ring for a servant. There is really no need to travel all the way down here.”

Tooru smiled at this. “I suppose you are correct,” he replied as he regained his teasing façade. “However, the upper level of the castle gets so boring when you have lived there for nineteen years.”

The Prince stood up and began to approach the cook.

“Besides,” he continued, a large smirk on his face, “if I hadn't come I would never have gotten the absolute pleasure of meeting you.”

He then grabbed their hand and left a feather-light kiss on the knuckle. Y/n attempted to fight the blush and smile creeping on their face.

“Your recklessness will get you in trouble one day, Your Highness” they replied.

Tooru simply smiled and shrugged. Suddenly the grand, kitchen clock chimed, signaling that an hour had passed.

“The night grows short…” Y/n mumbled.

The Prince’s smile dropped, yet he nodded understandingly. “I suppose I should be going then..” he trailed off.

The cook nodded and watched him turn around to exit the kitchen. “Your Highness, wait!” they suddenly shouted. Tooru turned around, startled by their outburst.

“If you come back tomorrow night, I will be sure to save you some of that bread.”

Prince Tooru smiled brightly at this and bowed to them. “Until tomorrow then, my dear…” the Prince trailed off. A panic set in him once he realized he forgot to ask for their name. Noticing this, the young cook stifled a laugh.

“Y/n.”

Tooru flashed them an embarrassed smile. “Right,” he coughed, trying to regain his composure for the second time that night. “Until tomorrow, my dear Y/n.”

With that, the two parted ways. Prince Tooru left the castle’s kitchen that night with an empty stomach; however, he did not mind, in fact, he barely noticed it due to the overwhelming fullness of his heart.

Thus began Y/n and Tooru’s nightly routine. Every night at the stroke of midnight, Prince Tooru would sneak downstairs to the kitchen where Y/n would be waiting for him with fresh bread and warm tea. There they would do nothing but talk and share secrets they never thought they would. Y/n would tell him about their life. How they grew up, how they’ve never been inside the upper parts of the castle despite living there for so long, how they long to see how the other side lives. And, in turn, Tooru would tell them about his life. How his father ran the kingdom, how he was nervous to be as good a ruler as his father, how he wished to see beyond the castle to ensure that he could be a good enough ruler for his people. Tooru considered Y/n to be his closest ally and Y/n considered him to be theirs. However, there was always an underlying tension between them that neither of them had addressed, a boundary that had yet to be crossed. It was a feeling clear as day, yet neither of them could place what exactly this feeling was. So, through a fear of ruining their perfectly good companionship, both Y/n and Tooru kept this feeling to themselves, bottled up like a secret. These meetings continued normally for about a month until one day, the Prince came up with a plan.

It was a warm day in the beginning of June. The clock had just struck midnight and Prince Tooru was on his way to the main kitchen, as always. With a skip in his step he opened the large oak doors and saw Y/n pulling a fresh loaf of bread out of the wooden oven.

“You seem quite happy today, Your Highness,” they said, noticing his joyful demeanor, “did something good happen today?”

The Prince merely groaned and made his way over to them. “How many times must I tell you, you are allowed to simply call me Tooru.” he quipped, sending them a false look of exasperation.

The cook rolled their eyes, sensing the sarcasm in his tone. “You never answered my question” they retorted, a playful smirk on their face.

The Prince gave them a confident smile, almost unable to control his excitement. “Well, if you must know,” he started, causing Y/n to roll their eyes again. “I have come up with a plan for you and I.”

This caught the cook’s attention. “What do you mean ‘a plan for you and i’?” they asked.

Tooru began to beam. “I’m so glad you asked.”

He paced around the room as he explained his idea. “For a while I’ve been thinking about our situations. You wish to experience royal life and I wish to see the world. Well, it dawned on me today! We each hold the key to what we yearn for! You are able to come and go whenever you please, and I am constantly stuck in the castle.”

Y/n nodded, attempting to keep up with this rush of ideas. “I suppose you are right, in a sense..” they mumbled, watching the Prince pace.

“So,” Tooru continued. “I came up with a plan to help us both experience what we long for!”

Y/n nodded, invested in what he had to say. “Well, pray tell,” they said a bit impatiently, “what is your big plan?”

The Prince smiled, excitedly. “My father has gone to a neighboring kingdom for two weeks time,” he explained. “Whilst he is gone, I will accompany you on your visits to the nearby town during the day; there I may finally see how my people live and become a better ruler for them. Meanwhile, at nightfall, you will accompany me as my guest to my pre-coronation balls ; here you may finally get a chance to see and experience royal life! Don’t you see, Y/n? It’s perfect!”

Y/n gave him a disbelieving look. A beat of silence passed before they finally realized he was waiting for their response.

“Your highness...that idea is utterly mad.”

Tooru’s smile faltered. “How so?” He inquired.

Y/n shook their head and crossed their arms. “How exactly do you suppose this is to work? Won’t the townspeople recognize you? Your cover would be blown! Not to mention, I’m not sure the kitchen staff would take very kindly to me slacking on my chores to go frolic and play pretend.”

Once again, Prince Tooru let out a dramatic sigh and leaned against the wooden countertops.

“Oh sweet Y/n,” He said, a fake pout making its way to his features as he grabbed a slice of the bread sitting in between them. “You really have no faith in me do you?”

Y/n gave him an inpatient look, signaling for him to get to the point.

Tooru’s proud smirk returned. “I have arranged disguises for the two of us so we will be able to go out without being recognized!” He announced confidently. “You see, my plan is foolproof.”

Y/n scoffed. “Good, it needs to be if you are the one orchestrating it.” They teased, a smirk of their own creeping in.

Tooru gasped in mock offense as the cook let out a large laugh at his reaction. After a few minutes, the two stood in comfortable silence. The Prince climbed up to sit on the counter he was leaning on and bit into his bread slice. Meanwhile, Y/n contemplated his idea. As much as they enjoyed poking fun at him, Y/n knew that Prince Tooru was incredibly intelligent and they trusted his judgement completely.

“You are sure that we will not be caught?” They whispered, breaking the silence as they went to sit next to the Prince.

Tooru nodded his head and swallowed his bread. “Positive.” He assured, placing his hand overtop of theirs.

Y/n blushed slightly yet did not pull away. Small touches like this became frequent throughout their meetings, however, that did not mean they ceased to fluster them. Another beat of silence passed before the young cook let out a shaky breath.

“Fine.” They finally decided. “If you are confident in your plot, then so am I.”

Prince Tooru beamed and slightly squeezed Y/n’s hand.

“Wonderful! We will begin tomorrow morning,” He eagerly explained. “We will meet at the kitchen’s exit just before noon. I will supply both of our disguises and we can make our journey into town.”

Y/n let out a nervous chuckle and shook their head.

“Your recklessness better not cause me my head, your highness.”

Tooru gave them a bright smile and hopped off of the counter, extending his hand to help his comrade off the counter.

“Dear Y/n, you worry too much. Have a little faith in a close friend.”

With their agreement decided, the pair bid each other goodnight and hurried off to their quarters to prepare for tomorrow morning.

The morning sun slowly rose and shone upon the kingdom and its subjects. Neither the cook nor the prince had slept very soundly that night. Be it anxiety or excitement, neither party was quite sure. However, despite their tired state, the pair still found themselves at their arranged meeting spot and time. Y/n stood outside the door, the early summer sun warming their skin and cool breeze blowing across their face. The feeling was extremely calming. So much so, that they decided to lean themselves against the door and fully enjoy the serenity of the early June weather. Little did they know, Prince Tooru had arrived a while ago. It was a rare sight, seeing Y/n so calm and content, and Tooru was enchanted with it. In the month that the two had come to know each other, Prince Tooru had only ever seen Y/n with their guard up. Constantly stressed, on high alert. It was nice to see such a stark contrast, Y/n with their guard down.

“Angelic.” That was the term Tooru thought best fit them at that moment.

After a few moments, Tooru decided that, while he was relishing the sight in front of him, they had to be going soon. Quietly, he tiptoed his way over to Y/n, who still had not noticed he had even arrived. A smirk played on Tooru’s lips as he appeared behind them. Carefully he raised his arms and placed them on Y/n’s shoulders, shaking them as he did so.

“Surprise!” He shouted in their ear, causing Y/n to flinch and smack the Prince against his head.

Y/n gasped as they realized what had happened.

“Your highness!” They exclaimed. “Are you okay?”

Tooru laughed and stumbled over a little bit.

“You pack quite the punch, don’t you dear Y/n?” He teased.

Upon realizing that he was fine, Y/n rolled their eyes and lightly smacked his shoulder.

“You fool, do not scare me like that again!” They scolded. “I could have hurt you!”

Tooru gasped in mock offense. “How rude, Y/n!” He whined, trying to banish the smile growing on his face.

Y/n rolled their eyes and began to walk ahead. “Are you ready to venture on, your highness?”

Perking up, the Prince rushed to catch up with them. Together, the prince and the cook made their way into town. It turned out, the “disguise” Tooru had brought for himself was a simple blue hood along with a plain white shirt and brown pants that he had undoubtedly taken from the servants quarters. While it was simple, it was a relatively good costume. He genuinely did look like a regular townsperson rather than a prince. Once the pair arrived, Prince Tooru immediately ran off on his own to mingle with the townspeople. To Y/n’s surprise, he was actually very good at speaking to his subjects. He had told them that he was a simple traveler and asked for them to tell him more about the kingdom. This way, the Prince was able to learn more about the issues going on as well as experience them first hand. As it turned out, the kingdom was experiencing issues that he had never even learned about. Seeing the way he interacted with his people sparked a new sense of admiration in Y/n. Beneath his confident, cocky façade, Prince Tooru was a leader who genuinely cared about his people. Y/n could not help but smile at the sight of him listening intently to what each person had to say, knowing that he would remember each encounter once they returned to the palace. As the day continued on, Y/n showed Tooru around the town. They took him to the best fruit venders, the sweetest farmers, and the finest tailors the kingdom had to offer. With each stop Tooru grew more and more in love with his kingdom and the people in it. After walking away from a vegetable booth, Y/n noticed that the sun would be setting soon. They stopped momentarily whilst Tooru kept walking.

“Wait.” Y/n said, grabbing the Prince’s wrist to halt his movements. “Before we venture back to the palace, there’s one more thing I would like to show you.”

A soft smile took over Tooru’s features and he moved his hand to entangle his fingers with theirs.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” He smiled,

Y/n grinned and tightened their grip on his hand ever so slightly. Then, with their hands still intertwined, Y/n began to lead Tooru to the edge of town. The Prince could not help but smile softly as the cook excitedly dragged him to their destination. Upon reaching the edge, the two walked on a dirt trail for a little while until they were met with a small, well kept garden. There was a small river flowing nearby and a large assortment of various wildflowers scattered about. However, what really stood out were the giant bushes of red gardenias that seemed to cover the entire area. Prince Tooru looked around in awe at the beauty of the secret garden.

“I discovered this place about a week after our first meeting.” Y/n said, carefully sitting on a small wooden bench right in front of a gardenia bush. “It reminded me of you, in a way.”

The Prince’s gaze shifted to the cook’s at this. He moved to sit next to them, his eyes wordlessly urging them to continue. Having gotten the message, Y/n shifted and gave Tooru a nervous smile.

“It served as a nice, comforting escape from everyday life. A paradise, even.”

Prince Tooru’s face flushed at this. The explanation was a bit vague but he didn’t ask them to elaborate any further, they didn’t need to. Tooru understood. This was a confession. He carefully placed his hand atop of theirs, as he had many times before, and squeezed it gently. A secret confession of a love returned.

“I feel the same way, thank you for bringing me here, Y/n.”

The two sat in a comfortable silence with their hands interlocked. And, as Y/n rested their head on the Prince’s shoulder, Tooru could not think of any other place we would rather be.

As the serene moments passed the sun began to fall, causing a hazy orange atmosphere to surround the garden. The shade from the trees covered Y/n’s face as they opened their eyes. Noticing how late it was getting, Y/n turned to tell Tooru that they should take their leave soon. However, the sight they were met with caused any words they could have uttered to be caught in their throat. Next to them, the setting sun hit the Prince’s face perfectly. His eyes were closed and his head was tilted back in relaxation. The golden hues made Tooru’s hair look warm and soft.

“Just like hot chocolate during the winter time.” Y/n recalled with a smile.

Suddenly, the Prince’s eyes opened slightly.

“You know, staring is considered to be quite rude, my dear.” Tooru quipped, his lips curling into a smirk. However his expression was different from his usual, cocky, exterior. There was an underlying softness in his eyes and a faint blush on the apples of his cheeks. It was not hard to tell that this was a side of him only reserved for those close to him. While the rest of the world saw Prince Tooru’s confident façade, Y/n was the only person who got to see the genuine, soft side of him. The thought made Y/n smile.

“Night grows near, we must venture back to the castle soon.” Y/n whispered, fearing that if they were any louder the calm atmosphere would crumble like glass.

Humming in agreement, Prince Tooru stood up and stretched his limbs. “Shall we then, my dearest Y/n?” He smiled, offering the cook his hand.

Y/n accepted his offer with a content smile. With their hands intertwined, as they always had been, the two made their way back to the palace.

Upon their arrival, Tooru removed his hood and snuck Y/n past the knights guarding the castle’s entrance. The two then scurried up the grand staircase, towards the grand hall where the royal family’s rooms were located. Y/n looked around the hallway in absolute awe. They had never been in such an elegant place before. The white marble floors were freshly polished and the golden columns seemed to sparkle. The walls were hung with beautiful family portraits that seemed to come alive on the canvas. Y/n’s gaze had been fixed on one specific portrait with a golden frame with carvings of vines etched on the sides. The painting featured a young Tooru smiling brightly and standing next to a slightly older girl, who Y/n presumed to be his sister. Behind them stood a tall man with a confident grin, who they were able to recognize as the King, and a slightly smaller woman with a kind smile that Y/n did not recognize. All of the sudden they felt two strong arms wind around their waist as well as the weight of someone’s chin resting on their shoulder.

“This is one of my favorite portraits.” Prince Tooru whispered in their ear.

The cook’s face began to flush red, they had never been this close to the Prince before and the contact was foreign, however it was not unwelcome. In fact, it was almost comforting, being in his arms.

“It was painted a week before my mother passed.” He continued, his voice dropping ever slightly.

Y/n blinked, unsure of what to say in this situation. They never really knew their mother. She had died giving birth to them, so there were really no memories left of her to miss.

“How did she die?” They awkwardly asked, mentally screaming at themselves for asking such a question.

“I mean-” Their attempt to fix the situation was cut off at the feeling of Tooru tightening his hold on their waist.

“It’s okay.” He reassured, taking a deep breath.

“My mother was assassinated while she was in town one day.”

Y/n’s eyes widened as they turned their head to look at the Prince, who’s gaze was still fixed on the painting.

“Her death is one of the reasons I have been forbidden to leave the palace.” He continued. “I suppose my father fears I will meet the same fate she did.”

A long moment of silence passed. The tension in the air was thick enough to run a blade through.

“Do you miss her?” Y/n mumbled carefully.

Tooru’s grip on them tightened once again.

“Sometimes.” He replied, sounding like he had more to say.

Just as Y/n was about to encourage him to continue, a loud GONG! shattered the atmosphere surrounding them. Frantically looking towards a giant grandfather clock at the end of the hallway, Tooru noticed the time.

“Damn.” The Prince cursed, releasing his hold on the cook. “We are going to be late!”

Together, the two briskly made their way towards the Prince’s chambers. Once inside, Tooru closed the door and locked it. Y/n looked around the room and noticed two outfits neatly laid out on a giant, white bed. The Prince grabbed the pile to the left and ushered the cook behind a large, blue velvet curtain.

“Here.” He instructed, handing them the clothes. “You may change here.”

Prince Tooru quickly shut the curtain and fumbled around the room to get changed himself. Y/n began to disrobe as they admired the garments they were given. They were made out of the finest turquoise-colored silks and were decorated with beautiful golden accents. As Y/n pulled the garments over them, they were met with a softness they had never felt from clothing before. Moving around they noted how the silks seemed to sway and how the jewels seemed to glisten.

“Y/n!” The Prince called out. “Do you require any assistance?”

“No!” The cook replied quickly. “I am finished.”

Immediately, the curtain opened and Y/n took in the sight of Prince Tooru. He was wearing a silly button up shirt with a light blue-green vest and golden trousers as well as his usual golden, topaz encrusted crown. Y/n noticed that their outfit seemed to mirror the Princes slightly, what with the colors and the overall style.

“You look very elegant, your highness.” They complimented with a shy smile.

Tooru on the other hand was absolutely stunned. Before him he saw what he thought had to have been a deity. The way the colors complimented Y/n’s complexion and how the garments clung to their features in the most flattering way left the Prince speechless. It was at that moment, Tooru truly realized how deep in love he was falling for the cook.

Y/n shifted under his gaze, a bit nervous that he still had yet to say anything. Noticing this, the Prince mentally kicked himself.

“My dear, you look….” He trailed off, finding it hard to regain his composure.

A slightly cocky smirk made its way to the cook's face.

“My my your highness.” They teased. “I believe this is my first time seeing you at such a loss for words. Do I entice you so?”

A light blush dusted Tooru’s cheeks at their jests. A soft grumble tumbled from his pretty lips as he lightly hooked his fingers to the back of Y/n’s hair, pulling them until their faces were merely centimeters apart.

“Do not tease.” He warned, darkly and with seduction dancing in his tone.

A heavy blush settled on the cook's face. However, before things could escalate any further, the gong! of a clock echoed throughout the room, signaling that it was really time for the pair to go. Pulling away with a satisfied smirk, Prince Tooru held out his arm for Y/n to take. Wordlessly they accepted, hooking their arm around his and allowing the Prince to lead them to the ballroom.

As the pair entered the ballroom, Y/n could not help but be astonished once again by their surroundings. The room was ginormous. The marble floors and golden walls mirrored those of the great hall almost exactly, the only difference was that throughout the ballroom, several marble statues of various greek gods were scattered throughout the floor. With a large orchestra in the corner of the room playing a familiar tune Y/n had only heard from the castle’s kitchen and various couples already waltzing around the dance floor, Y/n had easily guessed that the part was in full swing. Prince Tooru chuckled lightly, amused at the cook's obvious admiration.

“Shall we go and mingle with the guests?” He suggested, leaning in closely to their ear so that Y/n could hear him over the boisterous music.

The cook gulped harshly. They had forgotten they would have to interact with an abundance of such high class individuals. Sensing their nervousness, Tooru reached to grab Y/n’s chin with his thumb and pointer finger.

“You will do great.” He reassured. “They will adore you almost as much as I do.”

His words made Y/n relax a bit and instilled a newfound confidence within them.

“Alright.” They stated, determination laced in their voice. “I am ready, let us go forth.”

Smiling proudly, Prince Tooru led the cook to the dance floor and the night truly began. As the hours passed by, Y/n and the Prince danced until their feet ached, joked with guests until their voices got scratchy, and drank various types of wine until their heads got dizzy. Y/n could not think of a time when they felt more alive. The night had been a huge success. That is, until Tooru had to part from them for a moment to have a conversation with another leader.

“Just remain here until I return.” He had told them, his hands holding theirs. “Tis only a conversation about a treaty between our lands, I shall only be a few moments.”

And with that, he left a feather-light kiss against Y/n’s knuckles and disappeared into the crowd of nobles. As soon as he left, the entire atmosphere of the room began to shift. The previous excitement that filled Y/n’s veins had passed and been replaced with an overwhelming feeling of anxiety. Looking around the room, Y/n had only one thought in the back of their mind;

“I do not belong here.”

Feeling out of place and judged, Y/n frantically searched the room for someone familiar to them. They found themselves searching for the warm eyes of their father in the sea of people but, unfortunately, it was no use. Y/n felt hopelessly alone.

“Perhaps a little fresh air will do me some good.” Y/n decided, making their way towards an exit that led to a balcony just off the side of the ballroom’s entrance.

Exiting the crowded ballroom, Y/n leaned against the railing of the balcony. As the cool summer’s night air danced lightly across their face, they took a deep breath and attempted to relax.

“I just do not understand you Tooru.”

A deep voice interrupted Y/n from their thoughts. Searching for the source, their eyes landed on a balcony only a few feet away from the one they were on. They spotted Prince Tooru standing next to a taller man of whom they had never seen before. The man wore a black button up along with a dark red vest and black trousers. He had spiked black hair and atop his head sat a cold, ruby encrusted crown. Y/n had no doubts that he was also royalty and concluded that he must have been a friend of the Prince.

“You are going to be King soon, the Great King I might add.” The man continued, a hint of annoyance in his tone.

“Are you not worried about who will succeed you afterwards?”

Tooru rolled his eyes at this, his signature unbothered smirk making its way to his face as he turned away from the other prince.

“Kuroo” He started, his voice calm and collected, a stark contrast against the man’s (now known as ‘Kurro’) brash tone. “It is as I keep telling you, I need not worry about a successor. It is already set in stone that my nephew will be the next heir after I.”

The response had only seemed to aggravate Prince Kuroo even further.

“Even so.” He argued. “Would it not be nice to settle down with another? Find someone to spend your days with?”

This question caused Prince Tooru’s smirk to fall and a far off look to gather in his eyes. There was an intense moment of silence between the two royals.

“I cannot afford any distractions.” Tooru said finally. “My kingdom is my first priority, you know this.”

Kuroo had let out an exasperated sigh.

“So, you will never be wed?” Kurro asked, defeated.

Tooru instantly answered, the hard, far off look never leaving his face.

“Never.”

Something about this conversation struck a chord within Y/n. They were unsure if it was the intensity of the situation, the amount of wine they had taken in, or the fact that (up until recently) all of their feelings had been bottled up. However, as soon as the words left the Prince’s mouth, Y/n let out a quiet, choked sob. Their emotions had moved to the forefront of their mind as the harsh reality set in.

“Of course.” They thought, tragically. “We were never meant to be in the first place.”

Bringing a hand up to their mouth, as to not let out any more miserable sobs, Y/n promptly exited the balcony and made their way to the exit of the ballroom. Making their way through the crowd of drunk, dancing nobels, they successfully reached the front gates of the castle and continued walking. They walked, and walked, and walked, until suddenly their steps turned into sprints. Y/n thought they must have appeared to be insane, running through the town in fancy clothes, sobbing their heart out. Nevertheless, they ran. They ran until their legs had reached their destination, the garden they had visited earlier that day. With a heavy heart, Y/n took a seat on the bench they sat on earlier that day with the Prince.

“How could I have been so naive?” Y/n thought bitterly as they buried their face in their hands and began to sob. Of course they could have never been, they resided in two completely different worlds. It was unknown to the cook how much time had passed before they began to hear footsteps nearing their location. Y/n quickly looked up and was met with a rather disheveled-looking Prince Tooru.

“I thought I would find you here.” The Prince whispered, afraid to startle the young cook. “Why did you run off? I thought we were having a lovely time.”

He sat down and reached to place his hand atop of theirs, as he always had, only for Y/n to flinch and remove their hand from his reach. This had puzzled Tooru. He tilted his head and looked at them with confusion, silently urging them to explain their behavior. Y/n let out a sigh and shifted away from the Prince slightly.

“Tooru..” They trailed off, trying to find the words to explain the situation.

The Prince was taken aback. Y/n had never addressed him by his first name before, and the sound of hit caused his heartbeat to speed up ever so slightly.

“What are we doing?” Y/n asked, sadness deep in their voice.

This has perplexed Tooru even further.

“What do you mean, dearest?” He asked, genuine confusion evident on his face.

At that point, all of Y/n’s frustration and sadness had begun to bubble over and pour out violently.

“What are we doing?” Y/n repeated harshly. “Surely you do realize that we cannot be together, we can never be together! There is no future for us, you made that clear in your conversation with your comrades!”

Tooru sat there in shock. He had been unaware that they had been listening in.

“Besides.” Y/n continued, letting out a shaky breath. “You and I were never meant to be anyways. We are too far apart, from different universes.”

A choked sob left the cooks lips as they hopelessly avoided the Prince’s gaze.

“So tell me, your highness, what are we doing?”

A long moment of silence passed through the garden as Prince Tooru processed what he had just heard. In reality, Y/n had simply left the conversation too early. After a little more arguing, Tooru had confessed to Kurro that he had fallen for one of his servants and, following his coronation, he had sworn to find away for the two to wed. Prince Tooru loved Y/n more than he had loved anything else. After realizing he had not been the best at accurately expressing that, his heart broke like the porcelain plate that cut his finger when they first met.

“Y/n..” Tooru mumbled, scooting closer to the cook. “Y/n, look at me.”

He grabbed their face gently and, hesitantly, they let him. Prince Tooru’s eyes were filled with concern and love, while Y/n’s were filled with tears and devotion.

“Y/n L/n.” Tooru whispered, his voice soft and full of complete adoration. “I am completely, hopelessly, irrevocably in love with you.”

Y/n’s eyes widened. They put their hand on Tooru’s wrist and pulled back from him a bit, as if to inspect him to see if he was lying. Yet, when Y/n looked into his eyes, all that could be found was pure, sincere emotion.

“I love you so much, my heart aches.” The Prince continued. “I will not rest until we do have a future together. If I am to spend my life with anyone, it has to be you. ”

A moment of silence passed before Tooru leaned in cautiously, giving Y/n a chance to pull away. However, without a second thought, they leaned in, connecting their lips in one fluid motion.

And, as the two lovers shared their first kiss in a garden of red gardenias, a sense of hope began to bloom in their hearts. A hope that maybe, just maybe, the universe could allow these two worlds to collide. Just this once.

#haikyuu!!#haikyuu x reader #tooru oikawa #tooru oikawa x reader #oikawa #oikawa x reader #royalty au #frog.fiction

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highqueenofelfhame · 5 years ago

Text

castle.

Prompt: Piano, Candle, Beauty. (from a three word prompt set from @sparkingstoryinspiration)

3.5k celebration masterlist // full masterlist

The inside of this castle was infinitely worse than the outside, which was saying a lot.

Not only was the stone black as night with spires disappearing into low hanging clouds, half the windows were boarded up and the exterior was so dilapidated she had half a mind to wonder how sound the structure was. Still, she’d crept inside after tying Kresida to a post at the base of the stairs.

Inside, though, the place seemed downright haunted. The drapes were moth-eaten and falling from the walls. One side of the grand staircase had steps that had fallen completely through and the banister was in shreds. There was the overwhelming feeling that she was being watched that she couldn’t quite shake. Still, she made her way through the lower floor chased by the sounds of the wood creaking beneath her feet.

In what had likely been the grand ballroom, the old chandelier had crashed in the center of the room. Half burnt candles fell out of the iron holders and toppled out onto the floor. Bits of the marble flooring had piles of melted wax. It seemed it had fallen while it had been lit, perhaps mid-revel. The thought gave her a shiver and she couldn’t help but wonder what great tragedy had swept the castle, couldn’t help but wonder if it had once been a place of beauty or had always felt so cold and hollow.

On her way back out the door, she paused near the grand piano and tapped one of the keys. Eerily, it remained in tune. Of everything in this place, of all the dust covering the surfaces, she was caught off guard that the c note she’d touched sounded perfect. She let her fingers dance over a few more keys, playing the beginnings of a song she hadn’t played since childhood, and every note hit just as it should.

The feeling of being watched became too overwhelming so she moved on, abandoning the perfectly tuned piano in search of… what, she didn’t know. What was she even doing here? Investigating? Her mother would say she was just getting into trouble and something in the back of Aelin’s mind had her wondering if that wasn’t the entire truth.

She’d been on a bit of a rebellious streak ever since the news came out that as Crown Princess of Terrasen, she would be forced into an arranged marriage with someone from another kingdom. It didn’t sit well with her, though she knew that these days marriage was nothing more than a contract between kingdoms if royals were involved. It was her duty, should have been her honor, yet here she was exploring an abandoned castle in the middle of nowhere while not a soul knew where she was.

It was then that a bad, horrible feeling started to take over. How could she be so stupid? Being the sole heir to the throne, she had responsibility, she had rules to follow. She couldn’t just go gallivanting through Wendlyn with so little as a whisper of where she’d gone. If she went missing, they wouldn’t even know where to begin to look. And she’d heard wolves outside, wolves that could chase Kasida off and leave Aelin stranded in this godforsaken palace.

With a single brain cell propelling her toward the door, she took off running through the halls. The floors creaked and cracked while she ran, feet stumbling over loose floorboards and her cloak hanging on nails protruding from the walls.

She had just made it to the front door when a massive hand wrapped around her bicep and pulled her to a stop, the sound of flapping wings and the scent of pine overwhelmed her senses as she was tugged back inside. The door to the castle slammed shut.

Nobody heard her screams.

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#castle #aelin galathynius #batb #rowan whitethorn #tog #throne of glass #kasida #celaena sardothien #terrasen #wendlyn #doranelle #prince rowan whitethorn #wat #3.5k wat

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nose-bandaid · 5 years ago

Text

camellia

Prince! Shinwon x Princess! Reader | royal kingdom AU fluff | 3.8k words

synopsis: you were never big on parties, the loud music, dancing, unwanted attention from the hundreds of guests. they were simply not your thing. when you find yourself forced at yet another masquerade however, you meet a masked stranger who shows you that maybe you can find something enjoyable at these gatherings.

=====

The bells chimed loudly, its grand sound resonating in the vast halls to signal the start of the royal ball. The castle you stood in was located in a far away forest and you were told that it was one of the Ko family’s many properties. Though their name wasn’t the most popular of all time, you had to give kudos to them for being able to invite almost all of the royal families to the ball — on a Monday no less. Behind you, an endless number of masked people rushed into the spacious ballroom, excited to meet new people and maybe even find a special someone to take home with them. You too, as the eldest amongst your siblings, were tasked with the responsibility of searching for a possible candidate to marry and strengthen your family’s name, as per your father’s request. It was a grim responsibility as you weren’t really sure how you felt about having to chose someone that very night — you’d much rather meet them naturally, as opposed to the forced dances you’re bound to go through in the next few minutes. Taking one last glance at the mirror you stood in front of, you had to admit that you were stunning in your outfit nonetheless. The colours of the dress complimented your features perfectly and your hair was done to create a lavish charm to your appearance. You made a note to thank your maids for dressing you up so well. With a final adjustment to the sparkling mask resting on the bridge of your nose, you turned to enter the ballroom yourself.

You were instantly met with glaring lights from the chandeliers above, and laughter and chatter danced in the air from every direction. All around you were people of all ages dressed to the nines in almost every colour imaginable. It was a breathtaking sight and you had no idea where to start. There were so many people out there, how could possibly select just a single person out of the hundreds milling about? As you stood around in a daze you felt a tap on your shoulder and turned around to face a man dressed in royal blue bowing down to you. When he rose back up, you held back a small gasp, even with a mask on, you could tell he was extremely attractive.

“Feeling a little lost, princess?” His honey-like voice questioned. “You look beautiful tonight, I would be grateful if I was able to accompany you for the next few dances. You can call me Kino, by the way.” He finished with a hand reached out to yours, which were frozen in midair out of a mix of awe, confusion, and surprise. You really didn’t know how to respond to his advancements, it would’ve been so much easier to judge his intentions if you could’ve seen his entire face. At least, you would’ve felt a little more assured when it came to the dances and inevitable kisses later in the night as everyone got a little bit more tipsy.

Kino seemed to have noticed your hesitation and glanced up from his slightly bowed position to see you meekly staring back at him. “Not feeling up to it, my princess?”

“N-no, I’m sorry, I don’t think I’m really ready yet. But you look very handsome tonight, Kino, I’m sure it’ll be easy for you to find another partner.” You replied as you watched him stand up straight and dust off his outfit a little bit, showing no signs of embarrassment. You feared that he would’ve been upset about your rejection, but instead, he shot you a dazzling smile.

“Understandable, and thank you for the compliment. May you have a wonderful night.” And with that, he and his royal blue suit disappeared in a wave of people. Feeling a little fazed by that encounter, you made your way to the buffet tables as discreetly as possible. The smell of sweets filled your mind and you wandered towards the long table filled with almost every single dessert imaginable, and you happily found your favourite in a flash. You made a beeline towards and was just about to grab one when a hand slipped underneath yours and grabbed it right from you. Sure, there were almost hundreds of the same dessert laid out right in front of you, but you still looked up in shocked at the thief’s audacity to take the precious food from you.

The man in front of you had his orange dyed hair brushed back and was wearing a matching orange-toned suit. His plump lips smiled cheekily as he shoved the dessert into his mouth, all while staring straight back at you. You felt your eyebrows twitch as you stared back at him, appalled. He was the first to speak, and you were at most, grateful for that, because you weren’t sure what exactly you would’ve said to him if you had the opportunity to speak first.

“I’m sorry, were you planning on eating that?” He held his hand out after carelessly wiping it on his pants. “I go by Hui, though Lee Hwitaek might sound more familiar.” It did, the Lee family was a household name, especially when it came to riches.

“Well, Hui,” you started, putting your hands on your hips childishly, refusing to shake his hand. As high and mighty his family may have been, you were still going to give him a piece of your mind for stealing your beloved dessert. “That dessert was supposed to be mine until you stole it. How are you going to repay for that?”

Hui smirked and smoothly maneuvered around the table towards you, wrapping one arm around your hip as he pulled you closer. “How about I repay you with a dance or two? I promise you’ll have an amazing time and it’ll make up for my little mistake.” He whispered into your ear.

Your ears burned as you tried your best to remain polite when you pried his arm off your body and shimmied away from him. “I’m going to have to decline that offer, thank you very much.” And with that, you scurried away to another table, trying to find peace in the covers of the crowd.

Letting out a sight in relief, you leaned on the wall near you. Why does finding partner have to be so difficult? And how in the world am I supposed to do this all alone? You thought to yourself, looking at your empty hands disappointedly. I didn’t even get to eat some good food in peace.

The burning feeling of someone staring at you brought you out of your trance and you tilted your head up, making eye contact with a very tall man staring back at you, drink in hand. Is it just me, or is everything unsettling in this atmosphere? You shuddered to yourself as you once again, ran away, but this time to the gardens which you knew would be much quieter than the loud music that was being blasted to cover the entire hall.

You finally found solace in a little rock garden in the midst of some trees (though the definition of ‘little might be skewed, it was ‘little’ in comparison to the rest of the Ko’s massive gardens). Taking a seat on one of the benches, you looked back wistfully at the bright lights coming from the palace. As much as you wanted to have a good time, you couldn’t help but feel so alone and misunderstood in the unfamiliar environment.

“Is this seat taken?”

Oh god, here we go again.

You faced the unfamiliar voice, “I’m sorry, but if you’re looking for a dance partner, you’re not going to find one here...” you told him defeatedly, sinking your head into one of hands supporting it.

“O-oh, I was really just asking if I could sit here, but if you don’t want that, then that’s alright too, I can find another place.”

Genuinely surprised at his reaction, you took another glance at the person in front of you. He was dressed in all white, a red camellia propped in his chest pocket, and had a fluffy mullet falling down to his neck. His shoulders were noticeably quite broad and he looked manly, though his hunched, polite posture urged otherwise. You shifted in your seat for a moment as you considered you options, before finally shifting over to your side and patting the seat beside you.

“No, no one’s sitting here, you can go ahead.”

He shot a small smile at you and gratefully took the seat, stretching his long legs immediately afterwards. “This party is quite something huh?” He sighed. “I don’t know if it’s just a me thing, but I can never find the appeal of events like these. I’d much rather sit outside and watch the stars with some friends. Though, I’ll agree the food is probably worth it though.” He rambled quietly.

You didn’t plan on saying another word to him after the initial reaction, but his attitude towards the party intrigued you. If you were to solely judge based on his appearance, you would’ve thought he was some sort of player that enjoyed parties. His features would’ve definitely attracted a lot of people towards him.

“Is that so? I didn’t even get to try the food because of the commotion there.” You sulked childishly back. You were already so tired out from the party, but this stranger seemed to be feeling the same way, which was a nice change, and you felt a little more spirit enter your body.

His mouth curved into a small ‘O’ as he looked up at the sky, deep in thought. “The buffet tables will probably be clearer towards the end of the night, when everyone’s more focused on dancing, so you could try going then, if you’re up to it.” He speculated.

“I guess so, I’ll try again later then, and if it doesn’t work out, you know where to find me.” You chuckled.

“And maybe,” he added “I could accompany you there? People will probably avoid you if they see that you had me, er, a date already.” He put air quotations around the “date” and you examined him curiously, he looked a little shy from his offer and it was a little difficult to tell with the mask on, but he seemed sincere.

“I’ll take up on that offer, actually.” You decided, putting your hand out for a handshake. “I’m Y/n from the L/n family, may I know your name?” The mysterious man took your hand but simply shook his head. “How about we save that introduction for the mask reveal?” He smiled, and your heart melted at the sight. Though you really wanted to know his name, you knew you couldn’t force him to spill and just went along with it.

The two of you sat in the cool night talking about this and that, from what it’s like at your towns to the way the formal clothing made you feel constantly uncomfortable to ranting about your identical distaste for these balls. The chirps of the crickets and the hums of the cicadas accompanied your quiet conversations that were filled with laughter. You’ve never bonded with someone so easily in a setting like this, and you felt yourself falling for the masked man with every word he said. You talked until the moon shone brightly above the little rock garden and the bells chimed to signal that it was midnight — meaning that the final dances and mask reveals were happening very soon.

The man took notice of that and got up from the bench, stretching his tall body from the hours of sitting. “Shall we leave now, m’lady?” He turned to you, who was still seated, and offered a hand to help you up, which you gratefully took. Your hand lingered in his for a while once you were up, and a part of you wished that you could hold his hand for a little longer. Unfortunately, he was the one to let go first and began heading back towards the palace. With a quiet sigh, you followed behind him.

Wait... what am I sighing for? Am I actually falling for a man who hasn’t even told me his name? But at the same time, he understands me... and he’s undoubtedly very handsome. You shook your head, trying to sort out your thoughts in vain.

When the two of you returned the ballroom, you were met with the loud music once again and it was a disappointing contrast from the quiet of the garden. Clearly, the party was just as lively as it was when you left, if not, livelier. The man in white was right though, the buffet tables were quite empty as everyone was busy preparing for the final dance, and you spotted the last few servings of your favourite dessert sitting in a tray nearby. You gasped excitedly and rushed over to the food, unknowingly pulling the man with you by the arm. Upon arrival, you looked up to him and smiled brightly, “Would you like some? We can split what’s left in half.” You offered happily. All you got in response was a slight stutter with a nod and you saw his cheeks were tinted red, like the flower in his pocket. You looked down to see that your arm was still tightly hooked in his. Realizing your actions, you were quick to detach yourself from him. Soon, he wasn’t the only one who was blushing as you felt your cheeks burning in embarrassment.

“I’m so sorry about that, I have no idea what went on in my mind when I decided to —” You were cut off with the sweet dessert being plopped into your open mouth. Chewing slightly you looked up to see his familiar bight smile looking down at you, and you couldn’t help but return it with a little laugh. You felt an unusual sense of comfort from him as the two of you gladly finished up the last few pieces of the dessert. By then, almost everyone had already gathered to the centre of the ballroom, eagerly waiting for the music to begin. You felt a slight pang of jealousy in your stomach at the number of happy couples you saw. You wished you were able to enjoy these events the way they seem to, but you always ended up plagued with the feeling of unwelcomeness. As your eyes continued to scan the crowd, they locked onto a pair that was staring straight back at you. Taking a closer look at the person, you recognized the fluff or orange hair and immediately turned back to your masked friend.

Why is Hui staring at me again?? You frantically wondered to yourself. Do I look unpresentable? Is it because he’s going to ask me to dance with him again?

A white glove entered your vision, tilting your head back up to face that comforting smile once again. “Is everything alright, princess? Is there someone that’s bothering you?”

You blushed and looked back in Hui’s direction, head still resting lightly on his fingertips. The orange haired man was nowhere to be seen. “No, just people I may or may not be trying to avoid. I rejected a couple of dance requests before I met you.”

This time, it was his turn to look away. Rubbing his head sheepishly, his eyes moved back to you “Actually... I was going to ask you if you wanted to perhaps be my partner for the final dances. But from what I’m getting, you might not be interested in that, so I’ll gladly back down from that offer if that’s what you prefer.”

The blush never left your cheeks as you thought of your reply. “Well, if it’s with you, I think I’ll be up to it.” You answered, luckily sounding much more confident than how you felt on the inside.

He beamed at that, and swiftly grabbed your hands into his, pulling you into a less crowded section of the ballroom. He maneuvered between the dancing people bumping into him from left to right as if he’s done it many times before and it made you wonder just who this mysterious man really was. When you reached your destination he gently placed on hand on your hips and clasped the other into your hand.

“You know how to dance?”

“Well of course I do,” you shot back playfully, easily falling into position. “I’m a princess, it’s not like I can avoid the ballroom lessons, as much as probably would’ve liked to.”

He laughed at that and the two of you danced gracefully on the golden floors. You would’ve been lying if you said it didn’t feel nice to dance in your luxurious dress with such a handsome man. As if you two had met long ago, your moves matched each other perfectly with every step and spin you took. By the time the current song finished, you found yourself leaning slightly into his firm chest, smiling to yourself. The band quieted and the people around you began to whisper to each other in hushed tones as the Kings of each kingdom, your father included, gathered on one of the balconies, ready to make a statement. Cheers arose from the crowd as they looked down upon you guys and raised a glass of champagne.

“I would first like to thank you all for being able to make it to this lovely night. From the preparations to the actual partying, a lot of effort was put into making this night go wonderfully.” One of them, who you recognized to be head of the Ko family, said. Another round of loud cheers emerged from all around you.

“I’ll keep the speech short,” he continued, “because I know all of you are eager to get to the unmasking, and to finally see your partners face in all its glory.” You glanced up at the mysterious man at that, but he kept his eyes glued on the Kings, face set with a serious gaze.

“We will have one final dance after the unmasking, but please, feel free to stay longer, for the night is still young and does work really need to be done tomorrow?” He joked. “Music will continued to be played, food will continue to be served, and of course,” he raised his glass, “more booze will arrive to be drunk!” You thought the cheers couldn’t get any louder before, but the cheers that resonated in the ballroom at that statement proved you wrong.

“I will thank you one last time for attending this event, it means much to my family and I’m sure it means a lot to yours too. Why, some of you guys might have even met your future partners! And what a lovely thought that is. So now, we will begin the unmasking!” His voice boomed over the chatter of the dancers. Gasps were held back and even a scream or two could be heard from across the room as partners unmasked themselves one by one.

Nervously, you turned to face your own partner who once again, was only offering you a smile. “Would you like to take it off on a count of three, Y/n?” You nodded, and began to count.

“1... 2... 3...”

You closed your eyes as you slipped off your own sparkly mask and when you opened them again, your jaw almost fell to the ground. He was stunning, his features were all so perfect in your eyes and you almost couldn’t stop yourself from wanting to stare at him all night long. As your eyes scanned his face one more time, something clicked in your mind.

“You-you’re—“

He bowed deeply introducing himself. “I am Shinwon from the Ko family, it’s a pleasure to meet you tonight.”

You were at a loss of words from his reveal — you were dancing with the host’s son the entire time? You’ve heard many rumours of him before amongst the maids and townspeople who just loved to gossip about his beauty and popularity. But the masked man you met today was the complete opposite of what you’ve heard. Minus, of course, the beauty part. That, you were able to confirm was very true and his beauty probably surpassed the way it was described by others.

Shinwon rose from his bow and looked around nervously at your lack of response. “I’m sorry... was it wrong for me to want to hide who I was at the beginning? I just wanted to get to know you without having the burden of my status. It was really nice to have company that actually enjoyed me as who I was.”

You shook your head in denial. “No! It was just, it was just very surprising.” You replied sheepishly. “I would’ve never imagined that I would end up dancing and shoving desserts into my mouth with the King’s son of all people.”

The music began playing and you both naturally ended up swaying softly, hand in hand. “Tonight actually ended up becoming really fun,” you admitted. “And I don’t think anything has really changed, now that I know who you really are. Though, I guess it’s a little easier to address you.” You giggled.

Shinwon sighed in relief. “I am so glad to hear that. Do you know how worried I was about the reveal? At my own party, even.”

“Hm... you’re even more handsome without the mask, I can give you that.”

“And you look fascinating, with or without the mask.” He smiled and pulled the red camellia out from his pocket to rest it on your ear, decorating your hair. “But I think I prefer without the mask — I like seeing your eyes.”

The music grew louder and you held each other even tighter. “I know we’re already half way through the song, but are you alright with me taking this last dance?” He asked, a sliver of doubt still hinted in his voice.

“Yes, of course.” You squeezed his hand. “I don’t think I would’ve wanted to have this last dance with anyone else, but you.”

“That’s good to know.” And with that, he swooped down and softly placed his warm lips into yours. You returned the kiss, leaning further into him. It felt like everything around you had melted into a mix of colours. All you could focus on was the feeling of his lips on yours and his hands grasping you tightly. You would’ve kissed him forever if you could.

As you broke for air, you found a smile painted on both of your faces. “I hope this isn’t the last time we will see each other.” He said breathlessly.

“After all that just happened, plus the kiss? I think there’s going to be an issue if we don’t get to see each other again, Prince Shinwon.” You exaggerated his title jokingly.

“Then I’ll make sure to send another personal invite to you sometime soon, Princess Y/n.” He smirked back. “Do you know how happy I am to have found someone who dislikes these formalities just like me? You’re amazing, Y/n.”

“Says you, you looked like a sun amongst stars when I first saw you. It’s like you came to save me.”

“Well, you’re like the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen. And I don’t plan on letting you go anytime soon.” He replied, pulling you closer to spin you around.

When you came to this party, you had no hopes or plans on finding a perfect partner the way you father wanted you to. Even though the party had an uneasy start, meeting Shinwon definitely turned things around for the better. And now, maybe you can find a bit more happiness in events like these, if it meant that you would have him by your side.

=====

i’ve honestly never been the biggest fan of kingdom AUs but for some reason the idea for this plot just came to me one night and i had to write it out.

i hope you enjoyed it! it was a joy to write.

~tiny

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oppvenuz · 9 months ago

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makethiscanon · 5 years ago

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So for my first request, can you write a one shot of Toshinko in a Cinderella AU please? What do you think?

Okay I’m not proud of how long this took me to get back to, HOWEVER, I am pleased with the result. I might have gone overboard.

NEVER THE LESS.

Here’s all 4.7k words of this fluffy, Cinderella Inko tale! Please enjoy~It’s a long one. You have been warned.

Inko’s Fairytale Moment (An Inko x Toshinori Cinderella fic)

Inko felt the longing in her heart. She watched her friends load into a horse-drawn carriage, hiking their dresses up to their knees to keep the mud at bay. Rei and Mitsuki looked absolutely stunning in their ball gowns. They were going to knock the prince speechless, she could tell.

After very little time at all, Inko had to turn away. She closed the drapes and wished them well from the confines of her bedroom, then sighed a deep sigh at herself. What she wouldn’t give to go to the ball. It was all the worse because she was, in fact, invited. Mitsuki and Rei had begged for her to go. But she couldn’t. Not… as she was.

She wasn’t like her friends, all dainty and slight. Time had dealt her body and her confidence a heavy blow. She was in her forties with a child who had flown the nest long ago. Her skin was tired and her stomach was flabby. It wouldn’t be right to go to the ball as she was, especially when the prince himself was trying to choose a bride. No man of royal blood would ever choose a woman like her and she couldn’t bear the humiliation or the glances or the mutters of other women should she attend, even if just for fun.

She skulked around the house, cleaning to pass the time but it dragged on so very slowly. Even after doing the dishes and mopping the kitchen floors when she looked at the clock it was still too early for the ball to have officially begun. She sighed again. Maybe she would simply go to bed and wait for morning to come.

She climbed the stairs to her room in the top most corner of the house but when she opened the door there was another woman sat on her bed. She shrieked, slamming the door closed in case the woman lunged but instead all she heard was laughter.

“Ms Inko, what are you doing? Come in here. I won’t bite.”

Against her better judgement, Inko opened the door. The woman was on her feet this time, with flowing blonde hair and a racy cream and purple dress that could make any head turn.

“You’re late,” the woman chided, ushering Inko into the room before she could turn tail and flee.

“L-late?” She questioned. “For what?”

“For what?” The woman repeated as if Inko had asked the daftest of things. “For your fitting. Your dress. The ball.”

“Oh.” Inko said, feeling her heart sink. “But I’m not going.”

“Oh yes you are. There’s no doubt about it.” The woman pushed Inko until she was in front of a tall mirror and forced her to look herself over. “Your friends are there. They’re having a good time so why can’t you?”

Inko frowned, wondering just who on earth this strange woman was.

“How do you know so much about this?”

The woman scoffed, stepping back to formally introduce herself.

“Why, because I’m your personal Fairy God Mother. You can call me Takeyama, and bibbity-bobbity-bitch I’m here to turn you into a fabulous queen for the evening. Now get your dancing shoes because I need to know what I’m working with to coordinate your dress.”

She pulled a thin rod from out her cleavage then posed like she was ready to conduct an orchestra. Inko stepped back in alarm.

“Wait. Wait,” she begged, holding her arms up. “Please. I don’t want to go. I can’t. Not when I look like this.” She gestured to herself as a whole.

“I… don’t see your point.” Takeyama frowned, wondering if Inko meant her dress sense. True, she was wearing housewife 101 but a quick flick of the wand would fix that.

Inko hated that she had to say it out loud. She was insecure and shy, and voicing her concerns only made them that much realer.

“My size. My shape. I’m not fit to go to a ball. People would stare. Heaven forbid, what if the prince saw me? I could never. Maybe once upon a time but not now. Please just let me be and let me sleep.”

The desperation in her voice struck a chord in Takeyama’s Fairy God Mother soul. There was nothing wrong with Inko or how she looked, but if this was a case of confidence then, perhaps just for tonight, Takeyama could give her ward the means to love herself.

“Alright, Inko. You can go to sleep. I’ll leave you be. Just do me one small favour.” She flicked her wrist so slightly that it was impossible to see, jolting the wand a breadth. “Look once more in that mirror for me.”

In the hopes that Takeyama would leave, Inko did as she was told. But when she caught sight of herself in the mirror she couldn’t believe what she could see.

“I—I’m—” Gone were her tired eyes and loose skin, her mum-tum and the body that came from a woman who loved her offspring unconditionally. She was a wisp of herself, as bright as a button and simply radiating with confidence once she realised it really was her. “What’s happened to me?”

Takeyama felt proud by Inko’s reaction. She flicked the wand again, adding makeup, hair-up and a salmon pink ball gown to boot. When Inko caught sight of herself for a second time she started to cry.

“Get it out of your system now,” Takeyama cooed, coming to hug the trembling woman. “I can fix your makeup in a jiffy while you’re here but you’re on your own at the ball.”

“You did—you did—you did all this— so I—I—could—I could go to the ball?” Inko could hardly get her words out, tears streaming down her face as her heart swelled with happiness. All she wanted was to spend the night with her friends, dancing the time away without the fear of being judged. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“Just spend your time wisely, my wonderfully anxious ward. You’ll only stay this way until the last stroke of midnight, then revert to your natural state, no matter where you are.”

“That’s enough time.” Inko said waterly, wiping her eyes enough to smear her makeup down her face. “That’s more than enough. Thank you. Thank you for everything.”

With a giggle and a flick of her wand, Takeyama fixed Inko’s makeup, then sent her on her way. There was no time to lose. It was nearly time for the ball to begin.

oOo

Inko found Rei and Mitsuki in the palace’s grand ballroom, knocking back drinks and dancing with each other because no man would ever be good enough for either of them, not even the prince himself. They were here for a good time. Tonight was an open bar.

At first neither woman could believe their eyes, not until Inko got flustered and started stammering like she so often did, but in the end the pair were delighted to have their third musketeer with them, and believed every word Inko said about her odd Fairy God Mother.

“Mine let me back in the house one time when I drunkenly locked myself out.” Mitsuki roared, remembering the instance fondly. “Haven’t seen her since but I know she’s keeping an eye on me.”

Inko was shocked at such a revelation. She glanced around, wondering if everyone here was surrounded by a cluster of invisible Fairy God Mothers, each nattering about their wards’ less-than-perfect life choices.

As Rei and Mitsuki wandered off towards the drinks table, leaving Inko alone, she gravitated towards a marble pillar where she could rest and watch the other dancers with interest. Despite her elegant appearance, she was so used to being shy and self-conscious that her position of choice was that of a wallflower. She honestly didn’t know how to act any different.

Just then, trumpets blared to announce the royal family’s arrival. First came Queen Nana, as beautiful as they got. She descended the staircase with a legion of attendees but brushed them aside to speak with any woman that was near, offering them a smile and a wave until she reached her royal throne at the far side. Next, of course, came her friend and advisor, Torino. Though time had withered him down to a height half that of his original size, he still exuded confidence and pride and welcomed the guests like family. Inko found herself jealous at his assurance in himself. He did not seem to care what time had done to him, but took it in his stride.

Perhaps after tonight she would try being kinder with herself. Time took hold of everyone, after all.

Finally the crown prince, Toshinori, arrived. The room erupted with girlish squeals, applause and declarations of love for him. He was dressed in the absolute finest white royal uniform, tailored to contain his gargantuan muscles and stood at a height tall enough to make any woman feel petit. It made Inko’s heart flutter to know he would have no trouble lifting her even if she were normal size.

In a bid to find a place to perch, it seemed Inko’s friends had lost her amongst the crowds. They did not return even after some time. So Inko merely watched the blonde prince as he glided around the room, kissing hands and bowing gracefully to all who approached him. Being the tallest in the room, she could watch him even as women clung to him on ever side.

In a way, she felt sorry for him. Perhaps it was her own feelings, but if she were in his position, she would much rather have room to breathe than suitors invading every piece of her personal space.

Another horn blared, and suddenly every woman in the room flooded the dancefloor towards Prince Toshinori. He smiled and laughed and welcomed them all, and did not seem to mind in the least that they were practically trampling on his feet to get his attention. The horn was a signal that the prince would choose a lady to dance with. Inko stayed back, practically suctioning herself to the column while eager women charge past, shoving each other out of the way.

Really, she thought, it was enough just for her to be here. Her Fairy God Mother had sent her a miracle and her heart was already full to bursting that she was here, surrounded by elegance and dressed like a princess. As soon as the night was over, she would write to her son Izuku to tell him all about her adventures. She knew he would be pleased. He was always telling her to go out and enjoy herself more.

Just as she was thinking about where she had left her writing paper the crowd of women suddenly started to fan out towards her. She wondered what was happening until, to her surprise, she saw Prince Toshinori making his way towards her with the most dashingly handsome smile she had ever seen. She felt her heart flutter as her knees threatened to give way beneath her. He was looking at her. He was looking straight at her with his warm blue eyes.

“Dear damsel, what has you clinging to that column like a gecko?” He asked, his voice both booming and kind. He surely didn’t mean to but his singling-out of Inko caused legions of scorned female eyes towards her. She wanted to answer him but noticed their glares first. How she had hoped being slim and attractive would help her blend in, but by the prince’s efforts she now stuck out like a sore thumb.

“I-I-I—” she tried, but no words would come. Her body was rooted and her face felt clammy, caught under a collectively scrutinising gaze. She could do nothing but beg the prince wordlessly to turn away, to leave her be, to let her breathe. She was flattered and humbled that he would pay her any mind at all but in his presence she felt as though the magic was gone and her body was pudgy and withered once more.

Prince Toshinori, sensing an unease in Inko that he chocked down to nerves, took a stride towards her while extending a hand.

“My dear, I would hate to think of you going the whole night attached to that pillar. If only for a moment, would you please join me in—”

At the moment Inko felt her insides drop, realising the prince meant to ask her to dance, a second miracle occurred. From the other side of the room a familiar voice bellowed out to catch the prince’s attention,

“Oi! Prince Toshinori! You’ve run out of pinot. Can we get some more over here?”

As the women in the room turned to see who dared trouble the prince with such a trivial matter, he gave Inko an apologetic expression then turned to address the voice. The voice, by no miracle but friendship alone, belonged to Mitsuki.

Inko took her chance. She knew Mitsuki didn’t care that one single type of wine was gone – she’d drink absolutely anything as long as it was free. It was a distraction, and Inko wouldn’t pass up such an opportunity. With everyone’s attention diverted she slipped away, heading for the veranda.

Outside the air was cool with enough of a breeze to help Inko’s nerves. She pressed herself against the stone railing, looking out into the gardens. What a mess, she thought. How silly she had made herself look in front of the prince.

She stayed there until the music returned, then spotted the prince dancing with a woman so poised and perfect in the centre of the ballroom. It was better this way, she believed. Rather all eyes be on her anyway.

A short while later, a rather drunken Mitsuki and a more put-together Rei appeared, looking for Inko.

“There you are.” Rei said in her soft voice, coming to hug Inko, knowing what an ordeal that must have been for her.

“Did you like my distraction?” Mitsuki asked, flashing her a lopsided grin. “I’m glad you got the hint. As soon as the prince got more wine he went back to look for you.”

“He did?” Inko asked wistfully. Rei took her by the hand.

“Did you want to dance with the prince?”

Inko’s cheeks reddened

“O-of course.” She said. “But not like that. To make a fool of myself in front of so many people…”

Mitsuki slapped her playfully on the shoulder, a tad harder than necessary thanks to her intoxication.

“Stop being so shy. You’re drop dead gorgeous.”

“For now.” Inko lamented, pulling at the skirt of her dress. Wondering the time, Inko looked up to the clock tower and found it to be only quarter to ten. As both Rei and Mitsuki knew of Inko’s midnight-deal, when they saw her looking skyward they each took her by the hand and tugged her back towards the ball.

“Oh no, I—” she began, but neither would release her hand.

“Come on.” Rei insisted, then Mitsuki took a firmer hold on her arm. “Let’s make these last two hours count, just the three of us.”

The night turned out to be as fun as Inko had hoped it would be. With most other women distracted by the prince’s presence, she, Rei and Mitsuki danced the time away together in one corner of the ballroom. It was not a slow waltz like the prince and his partners did, but rather a fun bop like how they had once danced at their children’s’ birthday parties.

Inko smiled and laughed, and twirled to her heart’s content. Rei and Mitsuki took turns disappearing to the drinks table so as not to leave Inko on her own again, fearing something similar to last time might happen should she be left to her own devices.

At quarter-past-eleven a final horn blared to signal the prince’s leave. While Queen Nana and Sir Torino stayed to witness the rest of the party, Prince Toshinori bowed with grace and apologised with regret that, as he had royal duties that he needed to be sprightly for tomorrow he had to retire. Every woman watched him go, including poor Inko who could only wonder what might have been had she had the confidence in herself to dance with him.

Inko danced with her friends a long while more until finally she felt the need for another bout of fresh air, feeling her feet begin to ache.

“Excuse me,” she said politely. “I won’t be long. I’m just nipping outside again.”

Her friends nodded and let her go, with Rei telling her not to stay away for long, unless she wanted to return to a rather too drunk Mitsuki. She promised her friend then made her way back onto the veranda.

Finding her comfortable spot against the stone railings, Inko sighed as she slipped out of her shoes and stretched her toes, staring up to the sky. What a wonderful night, she thought. What a beautiful moon. What a wonderful time she had been blessed with. She looked at her hands, how dainty they were compared to her usual ones, normally calloused from hard work. She span in her dress, feeling the lightest she had ever done. This was a night she would always remember. A night she truly had fun.

“Excuse me, Madam?”

A man’s voice caught her attention. When she looked, she saw a man in a white royal military uniform, although his clothes did not fit him all that well. He was thin and looked ill with sunken in eyes but the gentlest of smiles. It appeared he had come from within the gardens and not the party. Perhaps, she thought, he was on patrol. His uniform suggested he might be part of the royal family’s security.

“I’m sorry,” he said, “I was hoping not to startle you.”

“Oh, no.” Inko said softly. “Please, I’m alright.” She looked back to the sky wistfully. “I’m only here to collect my thoughts.”

The man paused for a moment, watching her look skyward with a twinkle in her eyes. He looked into the party then made the decision to keep her company, coming to stand beside her as he too stared up at the stars.

“Perhaps I can help you arrange them.”

She looked at him and smiled shyly, but thanked him for the offer.

“I never dreamed I would be here tonight.” She said. “I’m usually too shy for these kinds of things.”

The man smiled a knowing smile, turning his attention towards her. She noticed his eyes. They were such a warm shade of blue.

“A wallflower, you might say?”

“Exactly. My son will be shocked when I tell him I came here.”

“If you’ll allow me, I can’t imagine why. You look wonderful tonight. A true bell of the ball, I should say. You would be right to have more confidence in yourself.”

“Oh,” was all she could say, flustered by his compliment. It hurt only a little, knowing such a compliment would not occur again after tonight. “But I don’t usually look like this.”

“No?”

“No,” she admitted, tugging lightly at her dress. “I’m a mother and a housekeeper on any other day.”

The man was quiet for a moment, but as time drifted by his warm smile grew.

“You do not seem to mind being either of those things, my dear.”

She chuckled, surprised by the accuracy of his comment.

“No, not at all. My family is my world. I would climb mountains for my son, but as you might imagine, motherhood takes its toll.”

She was met by another brief silence, in which time the orchestra inside began to play a slow waltz. Finally, the man said with a pensive gaze,

“Appearances are not always what they seem. Looks may change over time, but a kind heart will always stay beautiful.”

Her cheeks flushed pink. She tried to think of a response that wouldn’t make her stammer, but while she did so the man began to cough. It was heavy and raspy, and he leaned against the railing to catch his breath.

“Are you alright?” She asked in alarm, placing a tentative hand on his back.

“I’m fine.” He reassured her, wheezing desperately. “Just an old war-wound acting up. It’s nothing to worry about.”

She was reluctant to believe him.

“I can get you some water?”

“No, no,” he said, and after that his coughing subsided. “But thank you for your concern.”

The pair stayed in relative silence for some time, both enjoying the lull of gentle music and the crisp bite to the air. It was Inko who broke the silence. For some reason she felt at ease around this sickly man. She enjoyed his company in a way that made her forget how she looked or how she would look tomorrow.

“I nearly danced with the prince tonight.” She admitted, chuckling at her lack of confidence. “But I was a wallflower, just like you said.”

“Is that why you fled?” He asked, a strangely sombre tint to his voice. Inko’s cheeks turned pink again.

“Ah, you saw that?” She asked, wondering how many others had noticed her cowardly disappearing act. “Yes. My friend caused a distraction to let me get away.”

Surprisingly, the man burst out in a fit of laughter that came from deep within his belly. It was low and delighted, and Inko almost couldn’t believe that the noise had come from him. She stuttered as her blush deepened.

“What was I supposed to do? I’d have shown myself up in front of everyone, I’m sure.”

“My dear, you need to have more confidence in yourself. Whether or not you make a fool of yourself is irrelevant. What’s important is that you have fun.”

The man suddenly stood to attention, placing one arm behind his back as he dipped low in a bow, then extended his hand towards her.

“So perhaps,” he said, catching her by surprise, “you would care to join me in this dance? Out here there are only the two of us, so let us enjoy this moment of peace together.”

He was so unfathomably gentlemanly. Inko felt her heart flutter like a giddy schoolgirl. Her shyness begged her not to do it, but the woman who longed to waltz at the ball was stronger. With a nervous smile she reached out and took his hand. He took her into his embrace, a hand nestled into her waist as the pair began dancing in time to the sounds from inside.

There was something about him, Inko thought as she looked at his face, something that seemed so familiar. It was never stronger than when she looked at his eyes. They were such a brilliant blue but so kind. She had met him somewhere before, she was sure of it.

“I’m sorry,” she said, smiling as he span her gracefully across the veranda. “I never caught your name.”

Her words made him pause. Only, before he could say anything more, the clock overhead began to chime.

“Oh no.” Inko said with a gasp, realising too late that she had spent all her time away. It was already midnight, far too soon for her liking. “Oh no. I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I have to go.”

Just was her luck to have such a wonderful moment ruined. She felt awful for abandoning him so suddenly, but Inko rather worried her dance partner would have a rather turn of opinion about her should he see her true form. She let go of his shoulder and tried to pull her hand away, only he kept hold of her and asked her hurriedly to stay.

“I’m sorry,” she said again, hearing the chimes like a gong in her ears. If only she could get inside. It was too late to hide completely, but if she could get inside she could lose herself among the other women and leave, knowing she had not spoiled such a wonderful man’s opinion of her.

“Please,” he said, sounding dejected. “Don’t leave. I have yet to catch your name, too.”

“I—” she said, trying as politely as she could to wiggle her hand free. “Please I—”

Dong… Dong… Dong.

The final chime rang out. The music inside carried on but Inko stilled, knowing it was too late.

“Please,” she begged softly. “Don’t look at me.”

His hand slipped from hers as the magic receded from her body. Mercifully the dress grew to accommodate her but it hurt no less when she felt the appearance of her love handles or the callouses on her palms.

“Please…”

She covered her face, unwilling to see the look of horror in his eyes at what she had become. If only he would walk away now and leave her to her misery, but for some reason she could not hear his footsteps.

“Madam…” he said after the longest, most painful pause. But she could not bear it. He sounded hurt. He sounded lost. She felt the tears well up in her eyes before she could stop them. For a single night she had been beautiful but that only made the reality hurt her more.

“I’m sorry.” She said. “I’m sorry I lied. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you the truth. I wanted for one night to be pretty. I wanted to have that fairy tale moment, if just for a single second. I’m sorry. I never should have come here. I don’t belong here. I’m so sorry. I—”

His hands grabbed her by the shoulders. He pulled her into the tightest hug. A hug that was kind. A hug that urged her to stop saying such hateful things about herself. A hug that understood.

“Please, my dear,” he said weakly. “Please don’t say you don’t belong here. You do. You belong here just as anyone else does. More so.”

Inko couldn’t stop her tears. She felt embarrassed and ashamed, but even then his words still found a way to reach her. When she finally chose to lift her head, she saw such kindness in his eyes, like he was looking at someone he had cared for all his life.

“Appearances are not always what they seem.” He reiterated. “A kind heart will always be beautiful.

“When I saw you in the ballroom I knew something was amiss. Now that I know who you truly are, I can say with certainty that I was right to ask you to dance.”

“Hm?” Inko said with a sniff, puzzling over the meaning of his words. Letting go of her so that he could stand back, the man took a deep breath then his body began to steam. Then it happened like a lightning strike. One moment he was the thin, sickly man, then the next it was Prince Toshinori stood before Inko.

“Your highness?” She gasped in alarm. But with another quick fizz and a pop, he was back to his sickly self. She was so in shock. She had no idea what to say. Having expected as much, Toshinori came to her, taking both her hands in his.

“My dear, I know more than anyone what it is to be afraid to show your true self.” He raised her knuckles to his lips and kissed them softly as her face, both tear-stained and covered in runny makeup, broke into a tizzied blush. “But if you’ll allow it, I’d like to show you there’s no need to be ashamed. You really are beautiful, through and through.”

She could not believe this man – this wonderfully kind man who she felt so at ease around – was the crown prince himself. She couldn’t believe what he was telling her, but try as her insecurities might, she could not deny the look of affection in his eyes or the way he pulled her close, returning his hand to the rather bumpier curve of her waist.

“I would rather like to finish our dance,” he said, starting to sway her in time to the music while he gave her time to collect her thoughts. “And then, perhaps if you’ll let me, I’d like to give you that fairy tale moment you wanted, and let you live it for the rest of your life.”

#boku no hero academia #bnha #my hero academia #Toshinko #Toshinori x Inko #inko x toshinori #BNHA fairytale AU #fairytale AU #My Writing #All Might #Inko #Midoriya #Inko Midoriya #All Might x Inko #Cinderella #Bakugou #Todoroki #bnha imagines

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talkfastromance4 · 5 years ago

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For Your Eyes Only– bodyguard!ashton [Chapter Ten]

Summary: Ashton Irwin is the head of security for Princess Alouette who is a kind, gentle young woman. Secretly pining for one another, those feelings will soon come to light as an occurrence will change Alouette’s life forever, and Ashton’s.

Word count: 1,307 (it’s smaller than the others but the last 2 chapters will be longer I promise!)

Warnings: mentions of injury, slight trauma

Author’s note: there are links to click on so you can see what they are, they are bolded

donate to my ko-fi here :)

Masterlist

Chap. 1 || Chap. 2 || Chap. 3 || Chap. 4 || Chap. 5 || Chap. 6 || Chap. 7 || Chap. 8 || Chap. 9

The winter ball is always a grand spectacle in Chadria. It’s when Alouette opens her palace to her people so they can join her in celebrating the wintry season and Christmas. The palace is decked out with garlands of blue and silver, frosted wreaths and a splash of red blows scattered around.

Christmas is Alouette’s favorite holiday so she makes sure there is plenty of food and perfectly wrapped presents for the children that come.

Ashton made sure Calum has ordered the highest quality of walkthrough metal detectors that were equipped with x-ray. Ashton is on edge of having the palace opened to the public but Alouette is skirting around her home in such a cheerful manner, he doesn’t want to diminish her joy.

So, he’ll stay on edge for both of them.

“Everything’s going to be fine, man,” Michael assures him as they finish putting the last present under the tree.

The DJ is still setting up behind the white table that looked like snow and icicles. He will be playing all of the Christmas classics and a bunch of Alouette’s favorites.

“Our security is extra tight, the cameras are all working perfectly and Alou seems a lot more like herself,” Michael continues.

“I can’t help but be anxious, Mike,” Ashton sighs. He scans the room and it looks like a beautiful winter wonderland that he knows Alouette will love.

“I know, just . . . I don’t know, try to have fun tonight,” Michael says. “You need to go get ready, I’ll finish up here.”

“What do you mean get ready?”

“Go to your office and get ready,” Michael laughs pushing Ashton away, “trust me.”

•••••

Ashton waited patiently for Alouette to come inside the ballroom next to where all of her guests were. He’s wearing the new suit he found in his office, laid perfectly on his desk chair with a note from Alouette.

My gift for you, Your Alouette

Ashton’s staring out at the snow falling lazily from the window when the door opens, he spins around just as Alouette slips in and he takes in her appearance as she runs into his arms. He lifts her off the ground, the skirt of her silver dress billows in the air. Her soft giggle is music in his ears.

Ashton sets her down then captures her lips in a kiss, then gives her two more.

“You look exquisite,” he tells her, forehead on hers. He breathes her in.

“You look exceptionally handsome,” she smiles slipping her fingers under his lapels.

“I have you to thank for that,” he chuckles and tightens his hold on her waist. He touches her swan pendant gently.

“It’s all you, honey,” she sighs taking his hand in hers, “I just knew the green would bring out your eyes.”

They hold each other closely as he dances in a small circle while Nat King Cole’s voice echoes distantly through the walls sings The Christmas Song. The soft piano and magical sounds of the violins were Alouette’s favorite part of the song.

While they sway in comfortable silence, Ashton can’t stop picturing dancing with her in a different setting, where she’s in a white dress and a ring on both their fingers. Ashton releases her waist then spins her away from him, loving the way her dress flies up, then pulls her close once more.

Her smile and quiet laughter fill the room and Ashton’s never been happier.

When the song is over, Alouette exits the room first to return to the party. Ashton counts to twenty then follows after her. They blend back into the party without a hitch and Ashton keeps his eye on her as she moves about the room.

Then, a loud bang and crash bursts through the happy holiday fair, Alouette screams and Ashton is by her side immediately. Before she crumples to the ground with her head in her hands, Ashton slides next to her catching her in his arms. He holds her tightly to his chest as she whimpers in fear.

The music stops and it’s silent as her guests gather around their dear Princess, fear and worry expressed on their faces.

“An ice sculpture fell,” Michael says from Ashton’s left.

Ashton nods then helps Alouette stand to her feet, tears shining as they roll down her cheeks. “It’s all right, you’re all right. It was an ice sculpture,” he soothes wiping her tears. “Let’s get you upstairs.”

With quick glances to her guests, Ashton leads her from the ballroom to go upstairs to her bedroom. Once inside, as soon as the door clicks shut, Alouette breaks down against Ashton. He slides down on the floor cradling her in his arms.

Her cries come out in choked sobs, her fingers clutching tightly to his jacket and Ashton just holds her. He kisses her hair, rubs her arms and whispers loving words about how she’s safe and nothing is going to harm her.

“It b-brought me b-back to the . . . to that room,” she gasps. “They said horrible things to me to scare me . . . things they wanted to do . . . they joked about it. And-and they cut my dress whenever we moved. . . When I wouldn’t talk they burned me with th-their cigarettes. It wasn’t until I was tied up that they hit me and cut me . . . they laughed . . . .”

Ashton listens intently at the horrors she was relaying to him. He’s only asked once what happened and she pushed him away, now she’s opening up and he wants her to bear it all. If it will help her heal, he’ll listen for as long as she talks.

“They’d kiss my cheek but that was it. I didn’t get why,” she sniffs, “one of them liked hurting me the most. He cut my back and pressed the knife to my throat a lot. . . I thought I was going to die.”

She lifts her head up staring at Ashton. His eyes are wide while he listens to her. Alouette strokes his cheek, eyes memorizing his face even though she already knows every blemish, every faint freckle.

“Then you came and saved me,” she whispers, fresh tears welling in her eyes. “I knew you’d come and I stayed alive for you.”

“Oh, sweetheart,” Ashton sighs holding her face as well. They’re a tangle of arms and hands on the floor, their love seeping out in every breath and blink of a lash. “I’d die before I ever gave up on you.”

“I love you so much, Ashton,” she says, voice full of emotion.

“I love you, Alouette.”

And they’re kissing. Lips tasting like salt from her tears but their lips move in whispers finishing unspoken sentences that they already know. Ashton and Alouette have a bond formed that’s stronger than anything now.

•••••

Alouette knocks on the door to the monitor room, a place she’s visited on and off over the last few months when she’s searching for Ashton or looking for Michael. She left Ashton in her bed, slipping quietly from his loving embrace and pulled on her nightgown.

She knocks gently on the door then opens it, she peers into the blue-black of the room and spots Michael sitting in the center of all the screens.

“Oh, hey,” Michael greets setting down his mug of coffee. “Are you alright? Where’s Ashton?”

“In bed,” Alouette closes the door then moves next to Michael. She glances at the screens quickly then looks in his eyes behind the thick rimmed glasses he’s wearing. “Can I ask you a favor?”

“Sure.”

“Can I ask you a favor as my friend and not as the Princess?”

Michael stares at her. Her eyes are a little fearful as she waits for his response.

“Y-yeah, yeah, of course,” he clears his throat nodding quickly.

“I want to speak with the man you have captive.”

• • • •

Taglist: @galcalirwin @cashtonasff5sos @wokeupinjapanisabop @myloverboyash @rotten-kandy @tea4sykes @jannimoeller3 @loveroflrh @iovehemmings @cxddlyash @princesslrh @here-for-the-uproars @katiaw2 @g-l-pierce @fairyintheglass @gosh-im-short @banditocth @dezzym17

#ashton irwin fic #ashton irwin au #ashton au #ashton writing #ashton 5sos #fyeo #bodygaurd!ashton #bodyguard!ash #ashton fluff #ashton angst #ashton irwin fluff #ashton irwin angst

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variantia · 4 years ago

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Iridescent Nacre just posted a video — “UNBREAKABLE” (COVER)

After several months of no new content, this video begins on a black screen. When the first few notes hit, an image of Nacre, reflected in a mirror, fades onto the screen. There are cracks over her fingers, which are set against the mirror, and a melancholy look on her face.

“ ♫ There’s always gonna be someone trying to tear you down mocking you for your mistakes, ohhhh there’s always gonna be someone messing your head around watching you to see you BREAK, so ... ♫ ”

The image changes, as do the vocals. Nacre’s children appear in the mirror behind her, one by one, and their voices join her in singing. Her expression changes, slowly, into a smile.

“ ♫ Don’t you let them call you out brush away the shame and doubt remember what you’re all about, and then— ♫ ”

A gentle flash fills the screen and a background of seascape appears. Nacre begins to walk and dance ; as she does, she passes her children, and takes their hands to pull them into her dance.

“ ♫ Show ‘em who you are, show ‘em that you’re strong show ‘em that you know where you BELONG open up their eyes, force ‘em all to see let ‘em know you are and you’ll always be unbreakable ! unbreakable ! unbreakable ! UNBREAKABLE ... ! ♫ ”

The background swirls around them, melting away into a vision of Homeworld. Many Pearls of varying appearance, coupled with a Baddeleyite, a pink Spinel, and a fusion Garnet, march confidently beside and behind Nacre through the streets. As they go, a group of Off Colors that includes a human join them, one after another.

If any of Homeworld’s other residents bat an eye, it isn’t shown onscreen.

“ ♫ There’s always gonna be someone saying you’re something less let ‘em talk ; you know your heart, ohhhh there’s always gonna be someone calling you second best shut ‘em down, don’t fall apart, no ! ♫ ”

Slowly, as they walk past every one of Homeworld’s Matrons, they turn heads. Even if they show an initial surprise, eventually each Gem matriarch’s face splits into a smile. They all fall into step beside Nacre and the others.

“ ♫ Don’t you let ‘em in your head doesn’t matter what they said get up on your feet instead, and then— ♫ ”

A grand symphony of voices blend together, Gems and humans, all different, making up an incredible, diverse, crazy, beautiful harmony. More than anything else, it sounds inspiring and accepting, full of self-love, an anthem both Homeworld and Earth need right now.

“ ♫ Show ‘em who you are, show ‘em that you’re strong show ‘em they’ve been seeing you ALL WRONG open up their minds, throw away the key tell ‘em that you are and you’ll always be unbreakable ! UNBREAKABLE ! ♫ ”

Nacre and her band of children, friends, and siblings slam open the door to Homeworld’s palace ballroom. There‘s already a crowd, and the group walks boldly inside, weaving among everyone else.

“ ♫ You define yourself Y O U, and no one else ! ♫ ”

They all begin to break off, some with each other and some with other Gems and humans inside the ballroom, asserting their rights to be here, to exist, to love themselves. The music swells, and the room is filled, for once, with people who are all happy.

They are all imperfect and so, so beautiful.

“ ♫ Show ‘em who you are, show ‘em that you’re strong show ‘em that you’ve KNOWN IT all along open every door, own your destiny live as if you are what you were and you’ve been and you’ll always be unbreakable ! unbreakable ! unbreakable ! unbreakable ! ♫ ”

The scene of the dance plays for a moment more, then the camera suddenly pans up to the ceiling as the song ends in a sharp, proud staccato. One word is displayed across the screen.

“ ♫ U N B R E A K A B L E ! ♫ ”

#long post #a soft heart in a cruel world. ( NACRE. )#like ASMR but for Pearls. ( PEARLSONG. )#(( yes hi hello Mom and I watched UglyDolls last night and the music fucking slaps #this is Nacre's anthem not only to empower everyone around her but also herself #VIVA LA SELF ACCEPTANCE AND LOVE YOU NERDS PEARLMOM IS LOVEBOMBING Y'ALL ASSES ))

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valnune · 5 years ago

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Obey Me! OC - Wine Mom Chapter 8-8

This is Wine Mom’s chapter for the dance. Oh. Both Wine Mom and Marshmallow have an added dance with Diavolo ;) Enjoy. Word Count: 6707 Within the golden illustrious palace of the Demon King, the residents of Purgatory Hall, exchange students Simeon, Luke, and Solomon, were joined with the denizens of the House of Lamentation, the demon brothers, accompanied by the final exchange student, Althea. It was a retreat designed to celebrate the exchange program and how smoothly it was running. Smoothly was not the word she’d use for it however. While the situation itself was one of jovial merriment, a banquet before them prepared by the Demon Lord’s Butler Barbatos and the unseen staff that lurk in the shadows, Althea had been having the antithesis of amusement. “...Well then, I suppose it’s about that time.” Diavolo, a man who seemed surprisingly pleasant given the fact he was supposed to be, according to all she knew about Hell prior to arriving in the Devildom, had risen from the table that everyone had been seated at for the meal. As he rose, so did everyone else, more or less, rise with him in time as you would expectantly do for someone of such high royal status. Yet he also looked off to the side and waved a hand to the staff who were only visible from the reflections on the golden floor. The table glittered before them and disappeared before her very eyes through means of magic, much to Beelzebub’s displeasure, mumbling and groaning about how he wasn’t finished eating. “Ignore him, Diavolo. Go ahead.” Lucifer had distanced himself, and so did the other brothers. She had known that there were more festivities to be had, and while she enjoyed the tour and perhaps the scavenger hunt itself for its intellectual and cultural insights, this was a surprise for her whatever it was. Fun fact: Althea did not like surprises. You can’t prepare for surprises. That, and most surprises were disappointing. This one time however, was the exception to the rule. This was something the heiress was a bit more used to. “All right then, here we go…”

As the lights went dark over the entire area, her vision became obscured so that not even a shine from the floor or chandelier was able to gleam through. This was a spell, it had to be. Though she was unfamiliar with sorcery, she had been around it enough to feel the charged particles linger in the air. If she had arm hair, surely the hairs would be standing up as she felt static prickle along her skin. Althea felt a weight against her neck, and the texture of other fabrics. As the lights went on, all was revealed as the room they were in was transformed to a grand dance hall. Each demon was within their natural form, and the students, herself included, were adorned with fanciful formal attire.

This is the sort of thing that could tempt mortals to fall. All those stories about grandiose, larger than life scenarios. Oh, how the Devil could tempt you with whatever it is your heart desired. Indeed. Decadence and Sin was mired throughout this place. She had been raised Catholic, went to an all girls, Private Catholic School, and although she had enough skeletons in her closet to fill a graveyard, was still faithful to God.

“Magic really does come in hand sometimes, huh?” Solomon passed by her, his cloak bearing a mantle now for his formal robes his smirk remained the same no matter what he wore.

“We were the only ones here just a bit ago, but now look at all these people…” Luke’s formal attire suited his diminutive appearance, rather looking like a flower boy at a wedding. Though that wasn’t much better than a chihuahua.

“They’re all guests from across the Devildom, and there certainly are a lot of them.” Simeon was the other angel, dark skinned, dark haired, with eyes like the Caribbean Sea. Yet, she was expecting to see that the angels had wings, apparently neither manifested them or were able to.

Yet all of the individuals here, those she knew, those she didn’t, were in their demon forms. Wings, tails, and horns of all shapes and sizes were visible. Yet it seemed, from what she could see, that only Lucifer retained feathery wings. The rest had wings like that of a bat if they had them. Satan and Leviathan only had tails and horns- and despite Satan’s questionable fashion sense, it was Diavolo who truly caught the eye. The man had already been enough to catch the eye before; broad of shoulder and frame, tall of statue, clearly the largest demon she had seen but in his true form it was something else.

His bare chest was adorned with golden accents and a few tattoos that accentuated his muscled form. Triangles bore upon his forearm and his attire on his lower half of black and white was still draped with gold chains and just the same as his torso. His neck held a black and gold collar that went all the way up, yet it didn’t look like it was difficult to turn his head in. All the while, a mantle of black fur curled over his arms behind his shoulder blades like a runway model. His hair turned a blood red and his skin deepend in colour. The future King of the Devildom truly looked like royalty in this moment for even his horns and four bat wings were tipped with gold. Yet he wasn’t the only one who was striking.

“...Yo, Al… ah… ah…” Mammon seemed stunned for a bit at her appearance, and as Althea took a glance over what she wore, it seemed that it was the gala gown. It seems that it was replicated perfectly- and she didn’t have to pay the hefty price again for it either.

With a thigh high slit, the gown was practically entirely gold, the leaves, vines, and flowers upon the skirt gold, the bodice and interior, all shades of gold in various ways that had a satin reflection as much as the room around her. Yet that wasn’t all, it also appeared her jewelry was replicated as well, bejeweled bracelets and the cascading necklace upon her bare neck and collarbones. Glancing to the side, she saw Barbatos give a nod. It seemed that he had done his research to make the gown as faithful to her own as possible.

“I- Ah- Al- Althea! Um, like… you know… uh, I mean, like… uh… L-Like, you’ve gotta have weird tastes to ask a human like you to dance. I’m guessin’ no on here’s gonna do that, huh? Ahahahah!” Mammon then mumbled something under his breath, looking away from her gaze, the blush upon his cheeks was expected by now.

His demon form, as this was the first she had a chance to see it, was what she assumed he thought looked cool. A leather half cropped jacket that came nowhere close to being able to close was studded and had gold dangling decorations on the popped collar with belts that crossed his chest with two strips of leather that clutched the X. His bat wings were angled downwards and held white markings on them, just as his chest bore markings almost reminiscent of tribal war paint.

“My oh my, Mammon… this look is more suited for the bedroom than the ballroom, don’t you think?” Althea closed the distance and brought her hand towards his chest, ever so slowly dragging a finger across one of the white markings. Mammon seemed to freeze a second and take a half step back as his blush intensified.

“Mm? Y- yeah? W- wait- I mean! Y- what are ya doin’?! Y- ya can’t go sayin’ that here-” He even smacked at her hand, however light the trailing of her nail had been across his chest. Though, Althea’s reaction as a smug, mused grin at how flustered her had become.

“Oh, I know- I know. I just like to see you blush. It’s terribly entertaining, darling.” Placing a hand on her hip, she canted them to the side as Althea couldn’t help but laugh in the most amused of ways. Teasing Mammon was probably her favorite thing to do in all the Devildom, which honestly was saying something because she lied. There were a few things that she did find enjoyable since being here.

“Stop it-! Would ya? Geeze. Now I don’t even know if I wanna pair up with ya for a li’l bit!”

“Mammon, why not just admit that you want to dance with Althea?”

“You’re such a loser! And a total tsundere! Looooool People are sick of characters like that!... Didn’t you get the memo? Lololol Those characters are so yesterday! LMAO.”

Satan and Leviathan mocked the already wounded Mammon, pouring a bit of lemon and salt into the cut Althea made. The both of them had been a curiosity to her. While certainly she did get along with Satan as he tended to with others, she was used to people faking their smiles and demeanor and found it tiresome to guess their motives. Levi was easy to read, just like Mammon, in that he wore his emotions on his sleeve and he had quite a bit of emotions as well. A bit of a smile formed upon her lips again and as she was about to offer a head-pat to comfort the second oldest brother, he burst out in frustration to number 3 and 4.

“GRRRRR! Get outta here, both of you! Shoo! Shoo!” Mammon smacked the hand away again to avoid being head-pat but also waved his hands frantically at Satan and Levi.

“Althea, come dance with me. Now.” A voice came from the side, deep and commanding.

“Lucifer, surely you can ask a lady more politely than that.” A bemused chuckle slipped from her lips as her eyes leveled upon the mighty first born in his prideful glory. Accepting the hand that was extended towards her, she could tell just from the shadows nestled in his gaze that this was not a frivolous encounter.

“Wh…!”

“See, you should’ve just come out and asked Althea to dance.” Satan let out an audible sigh.

“The loser was rejected! Haha, awesome! Loool!”

“SHUT UP YOU TWO!”

A hand remained delicately rested within Lucifer’s, another hand pinching the corner of her dress as the pair made their way further onto the dance floor. Her eyes glanced over, lingered upon his facade as he seemed to be watching her from the corner of his eyes as well. As soon as they were appropriately distanced enough from others, her hands went in position and remained there without a shred of doubt in herself.

“It would surprise me if you didn’t know how to dance.”

“You would be correct to assume that I know. However, the question is, can you keep up with me?”

“Is that a challenge?” These words could have been spoken by either of them, as both held a certain tension that charged between the both like electricity about to go off. Yet it was Lucifer who stared down with a foreboding gaze as if to question the human who dare challenge his pride.

“No. Not yet anyway.” Althea was taking full advantage of them being in a public location and while she would contest him while not surrounded by others as well, she was all the more confident in just how many people were around them.

Lucifer was savvy on the pickup, and as the music started, took careful stride. Long, graceful movements were made upon the dance floor, something that she could easily pair her steps with. Needless to say, she was not one to fall behind with every pivot, twist, and for the longest of whiles, the two would not speak, merely stare intensely at each other as if to try and make the other person become unnerved and miss a step. Of course, she didn’t expect to be able to stare down Lucifer, however, she made certain not to lose any of her own ground. Finally, the dancing slowed enough for the discussion to begin.

“You might be able to charm Mammon, but I will not be so easy. I will cut directly to the point as you already know this is not a dance out of politeness or interest.”

Althea certainly expected him to be dramatic, yet as he pulled her body in close, pressing snugly so that it made it difficult to breath, she knew that it was best to dispense with the games, lest she make any following interaction with him sour. It was quite clear that with how tightly he was squeezing her hand, that he was demonstrating his force, able to easily break every one in her hand should he feel like it. With his lips whispering next to her ear, the heat of his breath chilled at the back of her neck.

“I know you’re plotting something with Asmo...”

His words remained cold, and for a moment, she wasn’t certain if she could even breath, let alone feel her hand with just how tightly she was squeezed and yet that moment passed. He eased up and a slow, more basic dance resumed. Step, step, step, glide. Step, step, turn, step glide…. Just a bit to be able to get a bit of air in her lungs as he continued.

“Let me make one thing clear: I respect my brothers’ freedom to do as they wish. However, if I ever sense that you’ve become a threat to either Diavolo or us… then I will show you absolutely no mercy. Understood?”

There were any number of approaches she could take here. Should she simply take his warning and be done with it, should she try to reach out with attempted understanding, perhaps threaten back and put pressure on him to show she wasn’t going to be pushed around or controlled? Certainly any number of them could backfire and while accepting it seemed the safest option and be done with it, she was in Hell and if she was going to be stuck down here for the year, she was determined to make them suffer just as much as they were making her suffer.

“Oh, I understand. However you need to understand something yourself, Lucifer. You’ve taken someone away from their home, away from everything they’ve known to be real and then forced them to adapt- and I don’t like surprises. I don’t like change- and like you, I like to be in control of everything around me. Perhaps all of this is just a fleeting moment in your ancient life, but it’s not to me. If I were you, I’d be more concerned about Solomon. He actually has the power to change things here in the Devildom and he might just have the mind to. A warning you gave me on the first day.”

There was no point in mincing words and while she really could take the most advantage of her time here, and while Althea could manipulate and con others, she’d much rather not put in the effort to deal with demons. The only reason after all as for why she was making these pacts to help Belphegor was because that damned voice in her head wouldn’t let her sleep. Making pacts with the demon brothers, while amusing in hindsight for the look on Mother Superior’s face at the next alumni reunion will be precious, was never something she particularly cared for. It was a means to an end. He should be thankful she wasn’t more malicious.

“Oh, I have my eye on Solomon as well. However, he is a figure we’ve had our eye on for quite some time and understand his motivations. You are an unknown. And while you are forced to be here, you would be wise to keep your nose out of where it doesn’t belong.” There was an abrupt turn with those words as his hands remained tightly gripped within her own, a jerking pull to one direction as the dance was nearing its end.

“Where it doesn’t belong? Or where I don’t belong? It seems to me that you don’t entirely trust Lord Diavolo. My my, how scandalous, Lucifer. Do you doubt his wis-”

“Watch it, Human.” Once more Lucifer abruptly pulled upon her hands but at this point, it was because the dance was at an end, and so was his patience.

“...Pardon me. Well, looks like a new song has started. I’d love the chance to dance with Althea. Might I cut in?” Speak of the Devil. It was almost too perfect his timing as Solomon approached. There was an unassuming smile upon his features as if he knew this was exactly the perfect moment to approach.

“...Fine. I get the feeling that you’ve gotten the message and you understand what I’m telling you, Althea. I’m glad we got to have this little talk.” Inclining his head ever so briefly as she placed her hands within Solomon’s for the dance, Lucifer shot a glare that threatened to freeze the entire Devildom.

“... What was that all about?” Solomon gave a side glance to Lucifer who was now on the hunt for Mammon, seeing as he was no longer visible on the dance floor, it likely meant that he was attempting to steal something.

“It was exactly what it looked like.” Her words were evasive as was her dancing, for it seemed that Solomon as well was a graceful dancer. With her heels, she was even able to remain at eye level with him instead of having to look up.

“Oh? I see. So you were flirting then.” A fake laugh erupted from him, one that was obvious enough to her just how fake it was. Though he continued to speak as a delicate little dance proceeded.

“You certainly aren’t meek, are you? When I heard that the other human they selected wasn’t a witch or sorcerer, I half expected them to be eaten alive and had their soul taken within a week. However, while you may have made pacts with demons, you still lack the power to command them.”

Of all the humans that they could select, it was Solomon. Of course she knew who Solomon was, she was Catholic. Yet, that he looked so very different from the portrayals still was a bit of a surprise. Then again, there were many things that were coming to a surprise as her. Once more. She did not like surprises, even if this one did come in the form of an attractive young man.

“Lack the power to control them? Perhaps I don’t have magic like you, but I certainly can still command them. I daresay my method is more fun.” With an aloof shrug of her shoulder, Althea turned her head off to the side with a bit of a hmph. Though, she knew that Solomon still had something up his sleeve. He wouldn’t bring that up for no reason.

“Well, everyone has some amount of magical power by nature. However, there are some people in which it actually manifests itself, and some people in which it doesn’t. And even among those in which it does, some have more of it than others. It varies based on the individual. Seeing how it doesn’t even manifest itself in you to begin with, even though you’ve made pacts with demons, you can’t take command of their powers.”

“This has been made clear enough to me as is, Solomon. What is your point?”

Althea kept her gaze turned to the side, dancing around him and dancing around the subject just as he was. Solomon was obviously building to some point, bringing up and reminding her that she couldn’t use magic. In truth, she had been researching to see if there was a way to get around that. While it was still unknown all of what magic could do, the amount of benefits you could apply it to in the human world would be quite advantageous. But just what was he getting at?

“How would you like me to lend you my power?” Solomon gave a side eye, clearly trying to tempt Althea with the thought and to get her to read into it more and more. He was having quite a bit of amusement with this, wasn’t he?

“Depends on what your price is… But. I am more concerned about your motivations in this. What do you get out of this?” Althea’s eyes narrowed all the same, sliding her body closer towards his own, fingers on his shoulders sliding a bit down his arm.

“A price? What sort of person do you think I am? I am but an innocent la-”

“An innocent lamb. Yes yes, if you’re an innocent lamb, then I’m a fairy princess.”

“Well, glad to meet you, your Highness… Hmm. Well. Let’s just say I’m curious to know what would happen if I did. You’re a destabilizing element here in this world. I can’t say what might happen if I do this, which is exactly what makes it interesting. We are on a retreat after all. Why waste this opportunity?”

From what she had known of Solomon, he didn’t lie. However, he wasn’t one to tell the whole truth either, or he would avoid answering the questions all together if he didn’t wish to say the full truth either. While she was confident enough that he wished just to see what would happen, Althea was not one to enjoy being used for entertainment of others and there was no guarantee what would happen or what effects would linger, if any. She needed assurances before accepting and just how he would do this.

“You have me intrigued, however. I do have conditions. First, how do you intend to share this power and for how long?”

“For six hours, I can allow you access to my abilities. This should allow you to command the demons you’ve made a pact with. As for conditions, you don’t need to be so wary of me. After all, us humans need to look out for the other.” Solomon kept his words aloof and lofty, offering words of grandeur as a gesture to try and make her more accepting of his proposition. However, she was not one to just simply accept something without knowing the full details.

“You may know demons and you may know magic, but it is precisely because you are human that I am wary of you. I make no assumptions about the world around me, for the rules I know do not apply, yet the one thing I have the utmost confidence in, is a fellow human, for I know the evils we are capable of. I also know enough to not believe in all of the legends about you.”

Althea picked up the pace of the dance, sliding her leg up and inward against his own as she then kicked her heel around his own. Dropping her weight, she forced Solomon into a dip for dramatic effect so that the weight of her words would add pressure and assurance to what she was about to say. Yet it was the piercing, stern nature of her eyes that would contest the shrewd gaze of his own. Perhaps she couldn’t stare someone like Lucifer down, but with Solomon, she had the utmost confidence in this.

“I will accept your offer, but know that if I find any lingering effects or if you attempt to do anything else of a similar nature without informing me…” Althea then leaned in to whisper against his ear, much like what was done to her earlier.

“...You will find out why Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned… and I would oh so hate to get your blood on my hands, as pretty as the colour would be…”

Pulling him upwards now, Althea then proceeded to dance with him again, holding his hand firmly within her own , the other upon his back again. Yet for all what was said and done, Solomon just smiled. Althea hadn’t been able to threaten him enough or perhaps it was effective but not in the way she wanted exactly. Though the way he remained smug annoyed her, she couldn’t let her expression show any of it.

“Hahaha. And they say I act like a demon. Hmm. Very well. You have nothing to fear from me. Just a moment… and… There.”

Solomon had stopped the dancing between them, just as the song ended as well so it didn’t look so suspicious. He made a subtle hand gesture, but did not even speak words and around them, it almost seemed as if there was a bit of glitter floating in the air. A chill ran down her spine as the tips of her fingers felt almost faster… and then the feeling faded, going numb and returned to feeling the way it had before.

“For the next six hours, you’ll have access to my abilities. You are quite a curiosity, Althea. I’m excited to see what will happen…”

A smug side glance was sent her way, and in return, she shot a narrowed one of scrutiny. It was hard to tell exactly who had won that battle, but unfortunately, she felt like she was in the red two for two tonight. This was not what she wanted. To be put under pressure from Lucifer because he was afraid of losing control, and accepting the temporary use of magic from humanity’s (theorized) most powerful sorcerer. She needed a drink.

Walking past a waiter, Althea plucked a glass of demonus off of the tray. This truly was Hell. She hadn’t had a glass of wine in ages and demonus didn’t seem to affect humans. Still, it had a similar taste which was at least a slight benefit. Making her way to Asmodeus, who, for one time in this night wasn’t surrounded by the group of scantily clad incubi and succubi, was speaking with Satan over something. It was a good opportunity to see where she could get something that could numb her a bit.

“Ooh ooh! Look! Althea made it back in one piece.” Asmodeus actually noticed her and skipped over a bit. His demon form had four smaller bat wings upon his back, a sleeveless blouse with roses imprinted upon it, and what appeared to be a centipede in gold that wrapped around his torso.

“Dancing with Lucifer and Solomon. Aren’t you the popular one tonight. Whatever they wanted, it couldn’t be good.” Satan was obviously watching, he seemed to know as much stuff as Lucifer when it came to people watching. Of course he would have seen that they were speaking. It made her question if any demons could read minds.

“Lucifer threatened me and Solomon is looking for entertainment. So. Just a regular night in the Devildom. Listen- do you know where I can get human world wine?” Althea casually waved a hand as she glossed over what was said, downing the glass she had in her hands.

“Threatened? What did he say this time?” Satan shook his head, whether he was concerned or just feigned it was hard to tell at this moment, however, whatever Lucifer was for, Satan was always against.

“Weeeeeeeeell…..? Why not kill two birds with one stone?” Asmo plucked the glass from her hand and turned her gaze to the idea that just popped into his head.

“Just as a little favour to me, why don’t you try and dance with Lord Diavolo. It’ll be super fun.” Like a giddy school girl, Asmo pointed out the Lord of the Devildom not too far away from them. He was in the process of crossing the hall and she could easily intercept him. What was better, is that Lucifer was distracted shaking down Mammon for all the things he had stolen.

“Not only would it annoy Lucifer, but imagine the status you would gain by being seen dancing with him.”

Satan brought up a good point. It would annoy him, which was the opposite of what she wanted right now, however, it was going to be something to add clout to her. Networking was one of the things she excelled at. So, with a wink to the both of them, Althea sauntered her way to Diavolo, hips swaying as she did so. This was the time to turn on all of her charm. There was nothing to hold back with. As she neared him, she could feel the heat of Lucifer’s gaze upon her once more. Yet he was too late, she was already there.

“Lord Diavolo, I must thank you for this lovely turn of events. It is something I couldn’t hope to dream of attending. Would you do me the honour of a dance? I would be grateful and gracious if you would accept such a request of mine.” Placing a hand over her heart, Althea dipped her head in a bow, bent knees ever so slightly for a curtsy before straightening up.

She was thankful to be a woman of stature, for it would be easy to be lost or overwhelmed with a man of this size. Perhaps, she might be able to actually enjoy the dance for what it is however. After all, it is something that she did have formal practice in. Growing up in a family of wealth, no… growing up as the middle child in a family where it pushes your children to succeed, Althea had picked up many artistic hobbies or skills in her youth to try and impress her family. She didn’t expect to use any of them all that often, let alone for such an important thing like this.

“Ah, Althea! I’d be delighted to share a dance with you. I saw your dance with Lucifer and I must say I was a little jealous. I haven’t danced with Lucifer in centuries!” His cheeks went a bit flush, as if he was actually jealous. Diavolo was a strange sort of person, always laughing and smiling, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Then again, she knew just how entitled people could behave. She was one after all.

“Jealous, My Lord? Why, I find it more jealous that he gets to share your company with such great frequency. I daresay I put Lucifer in a bit of a panic earlier. My most sincere apologies if he confides in great lengths about it later. I take entire ownership of his unrest.”

As her hands came into place within his own, the moonlight from the windows illuminated her near sickly pallor and the gold between them. A glance to the left, she noticed that the other dancers had given them space. After all, it was as Satan said, dancing with the Lord of the Devildom was quite a thing of status. Yet this was not status she could use. It was simply, for the moment, for the enjoyment of it. Resting her other hand upon his shoulder just over the mantle, her eyes glance to the right. Lucifer watched from a distance, not daring to separate the two for the moment. This was her moment.

“Please, please. No need to speak so formally. Though you say you put Lucifer in a panic? Haha! That sounds just like him. I don’t think he’s had anyone challenge him outside of his brothers for quite some time.” Diavolo seemed to laugh at this, all the more amused over the turn of events. He was surprisingly light on his feet, able to stride through the dance hall with great sweeping motions. No. Perhaps it wasn’t surprising. She should come to expect that he’d excel at something like ballroom dancing.

“My apologies- ah.. Hm. Admittedly, I am not good at relaxing. It is not as if I challenge him to cause him grief. That is a byproduct I cannot control, but I will not allow others to control me, regardless of who they are. It is simply my nature to challenge those who think themselves superior.” As if in reaction, her grip tightened a bit in place, even if Diavolo remained the same, not adding fuel to her tension. This was strange for her. It was not like Althea to be so candid with her responses and while she didn’t like to lie about things, she wasn’t the most forthcoming with her feelings either.

“Hmm. I think I know what’s going on here. You’re reminding Lucifer of how he first behaved when he came to the Devildom. I must say, this certainly brings back memories!” Diavolo’s signature laugh was quite loud from a distance but up close it caused her to wince a little bit. Still, regardless of her sigh and frown, Diavolo only seemed to smile and laugh all the more.

“Yes! Exactly! He made that exact same face!” He didn’t relent with his humor, finding too much enjoyment in the similarities.

“Lord Diavolo, please-” Althea shook her head as the pair spun around in the dance, not once miss-stepping or having a single tap of her shoe off beat with the music. Even though she was being teased, she had to keep herself poised through the dance at all times, after all, there were eyes upon them.

“Now I’m curious to see you in his outfit. Hmm. Yes. I’ll have to get Barbatos to tailor you a suit.” It was as if he was already imagining this in his mind and at this moment, Althea was sympathizing with how Lucifer had to deal with this spoiled prince. There was no getting out of this whim of his, was there?

“Oh come now, don’t sigh. I do mean it, however. You and Lucifer share striking similarities at times and yet there are things you are the exact opposite with. I believe he is concerned because he knows what he is capable of but is uncertain where your loyalties lie.” It seemed that Diavolo had returned to being serious, though perhaps he was always serious, even when joking.

“I can understand that, and perhaps he is not used to having to sympathize with humans, and I will certainly not take anyone’s pity, but he should not expect that I will simply sit back and let myself get pushed around by anyone, human, angel, or demon.” Her gaze had been to the side, scrutinizing the situation as she had been on edge this entire time. It was as if the dance that was supposed to be for fun was turning more into something to be paranoid over.

“You must have had a difficult life to assume you must constantly defend yourself. Let me ask you this, Althea. What do you believe in? What is the dream that you are fighting for?” Diavolo directed the conversation back on track and brought his hand up to her face, drawing her gaze back towards his own as the pace of the dance started to slow down.

This is something that she had to think about carefully. It was something that she hadn’t particularly shared with anyone, and it was still too soon for her to determine if Diavolo was indeed someone that she could trust. After all, he was a demon, and while he might seem pleasant and charming, that is how they reel you in. You can attract more flies with honey than with vinegar after all. Still. She could not deny the fact that she was in hell, so she applied prudence and caution. However, it was something of inner reflection that she had to consider why she was always behaving in such a way, so much so that it caused her to isolate from others in the pursuit of glory.

“There are societal expectations that one should strive to be the best they can possibly be, a society that demands perfection. The idea that if you are not the best, you are not good enough to leave an impact on the world. To leave a legacy. Your mark, your name. To be remembered. I dream to have a legacy where I will not be forgotten after I am dead and gone. I fight, so that others will not ignore me.”

That is the closest reason Althea could think of right now. Of course she also believed that since she started down this path, she really couldn’t stop. After all, she had already committed to years into an economics degree, currently with a Masters and while math was not the most interesting thing, she knew that money made the world move. It was one of the reasons she surprisingly got along with Mammon, despite his idiocy, she could take full advantage of his abilities in a way that aided them both.

“And what of happiness?” The dance had now stopped, and Diavolo had his hands resting on either side of her shoulders, staring towards her with a look of genuine concern now.

“Happiness is not something I assign value to.” Her voice was flat in response, now taking a step backwards out of his attempted comfort. Perhaps Diavolo only had the best intentions, but that she said as much was enough as is. The pursuit of happiness was not within her schedule. If it happened, it happened, but she would not directly go out of her way to do something fun for fun’s sake, there was always another motivation attached to it. The amount of priority happiness had on her list was leagues below most other needs.

Yet, while Diavolo might have wanted to continue the conversation, Lucifer had made his way over, quite displeased with how long their conversation went on. Not like she cared. Althea waved over a waiter, needing another drink and swearing she would give someone a lobotomy with her nails if she didn’t get alcohol this time. Again. Just demonus.

“And just what were you discussing with Diavolo?” Lucifer’s arms were crossed over himself, stern voice, strict posture, all the while Althea kept her gaze turned away, pretending not to see him.

“Oh relax, Lucifer. This is a retreat after all. I was just noticing how many similarities you and Althea share! I have a wonderful idea I must tell you and Barbatos about!” Diavolo placed a hand upon Lucifer’s shoulder and went back to beaming brightly, now patting him in an encouraging way.

“Lord Diavolo, I swear if you-” Althea widened her eyes, this was not something she wanted to go through with and while perhaps he had a striking coat, Althea was not going to play dress up for someone’s amusement.

“I want to see the both of you wearing the same outfit and pose for the RAD Newsletter! Think how well an advertisement it will be!” On cue with Diavolo’s laughter and Lucifer’s sigh, Althea downed the glass in her hand and just started to walk away. No. At this very moment, she was most certainly glad to not be similar to Lucifer in the way that at least she could walk away from this situation. He would have to endure the conversation and hopefully he would speak sense into the Lord of the Devildom.

Staring down into the empty glass, it was at that moment that Althea did need to consider what she wanted in life. Her world was turned upside down with the realization that some things in her life were now meaningless in comparison to the eternity of either the Devildom or Celestial Realm that awaited her after death. She made no illusions that she was virtuous, but she was not quite tipsy enough to have a philosophical debate with herself about this. No, instead her eyes drifted upon a roughed up little demon sulking against the wall.

“Mammon…” Muttering his name below her lips, Althea could at least relax around one demon that didn’t care about pretenses. Then again, he might also know where an actual bottle of wine was. Maybe Solomon’s power could be used for more than just causing mischief later on. With a saunter and sway of her hips, Althea flipped a hand through her hair and approached the Avatar of Greed. He did look like he could use a bit of cheering up.

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