#lavender fields growing

[lxvenderfog]

I think Malitae’s island is neat, so I did an art piece of their garden :D

[samantabrzozowska]

“Live in a heavenly daydream!”

~ Sam

[breadbrobin]

lavender roses

luke castellan x reader — percy jackson and the olympians

[fem!daughter of persephone reader]

summary: everyone thinks red roses are synonymous with the perfect love. you believe that lavender roses deserve more love, and luke believes that you’re worthy of all the love in the world—you’re both just bad at communicating it.

warnings: kissing, swearing, suggestive content, mentions of weapons, idiots, miscommunication trope but it’s cute dw, seriously they’re both so stupid and oblivious, besties to idiots to lovers

word count: 3.3k

(y’all i’m losing my mind i can’t stop writing but this might be one of my favourites ever)

(also i might put together a luke taglist and a clarisse taglist so lmk if you wanna be put on either of those and i’ll get to work on it 🤩)

———————————————

“i’m free february fourteenth,” you said nonchalantly.

you were sitting with luke at dinner and he’d just asked you if you ever had a day off working. as a daughter of persephone, you lived in the hermes cabin, but spent most of your time working in the strawberry fields. you spent every free moment there, soaking in the sun, helping the plants grow and picking flowers to put in vases around the cabin and infirmary.

he nodded as chris choked on his food beside him, coughing hard. “okay, we should hang out then.”

you weren’t sure if he knew what was going on. was he messing with you? playing a joke? really wanting to hang out with you on valentine’s day? or was he having a lapse of memory and he forgot that day had any significance at all?

either way, you nodded. when you spoke, your voice was slightly higher pitched than usual. “sure.”

“we can have a picnic. we haven’t done that in a while.” he was nodding still, looking into his food with a thoughtful expression.

the air nearly left your lungs. you nodded back, though he wasn’t looking at you, and exchanged a wide-eyed look with chris across the table. sure, you and luke used to go for picnics occasionally, but that was before he’d gotten unfairly attractive overnight and you’d developed the most annoying crush on him. “yeah, sure. it’s a date.”

if you could have jumped into tartarus you would have.

what the fuck. why would you say that?

chris was staring at you in shock.

your mouth was dry.

and luke was smiling like nothing was wrong. were his cheeks red? or was that your imagination? “yup! it’s a date.”

when he got up from the table to leave after dinner, he kissed your cheek. this wasn’t too far out of the ordinary, per se—it happened occasionally—but it sent a rush of adrenaline shooting down your spine and set your cheeks aflame.

chris’ eyebrows were raised. “what was that?”

“i have no idea,” you breathed.

“do you think he knows?”

your voice was even softer as you shook your head. “dude. i have no idea.”

valentine’s day couldn’t come soon enough.

you could hardly think of anything else. zoning out in the fields, losing focus while sparring, getting distracted by luke’s shoulder muscles while he was drawing back his bow, sending your arrow flying off to the side.

he laughed at you with everyone else, coming over to stand by your side. “you good there? need any help?”

you shook your head, your quaking fingers drawing the string back once more, pulling it taut. archery wasn’t your best skill, but you weren’t terrible at it.

you could feel his eyes on you, judging your form, analysing your aim. it put you off.

your arrow barely hit the target.

luke winced. “that was… better.”

you sighed and lowered the bow. “you’re distracting me!”

he laughed. “i’m distracting you?”

“yes!” you huffed, frowning at him. his eyes were lit up with amusement. “you are.”

“well, then i’m very sorry.” he raised his hands and took a step back, dipping his head too. “as you were, milady.”

you rolled your eyes with a smile and drew your arrow back, aiming and firing, but it still didn’t do well. in fact, every arrow that you shot pierced outside of the black rings. you were starting to think there was either something wrong with the bow or that you’d been cursed by one of the apollo kids, when someone’s hand lowered your elbow.

you looked over to see luke. he wasn’t watching your face. he was guiding your elbow down so it was more level with your arrow’s line and gently pulling your shoulders back so they were more even.

“pull back a bit more,” he coached quietly.

“i know what i’m doing,” you protested.

“i know, but today you look like you need a reminder. do you want my help? or do you wanna keep missing?” he finally looked you in the eye. he was sincere, you realised.

you sighed and draw the arrow back a little more.

he nodded happily and continued guiding your stance until you were perfect, his hands hot on your body and his breath on the back of your neck. he stayed behind you as you lowered the arrow and took a few deep breaths.

you were still watching him over your shoulder. his lips quirked as he reached out and gently turned your face away to look at the target. his hand was calloused and rough, but the tough was soft. you could barely breathe.

“focus,” he said softly. “eyes on the prize.”

you’re the only prize i want, was all you could think, but you didn’t say anything. you drew the arrow back, your fingers brushing against the corner of your lips. you felt better—more powerful, more confident—in this stance. and maybe luke’s presence behind you was helping with that too. you could feel the slight ghost of his hand on your waist. it kept you grounded. it stopped you from floating away.

your arrow pierced just beside the bullseye.

luke’s hand tightened on your waist, squeezing proudly. “that’s my girl.”

your heart fluttered as you smiled. “thanks, luke.”

he patted your lower back as he stepped away. “that’s what i’m here for. go kill it.”

then he was gone, and there was a fiery pit in your stomach that grew with each passing day that told you that—oh shit—you were in fully love with luke castellan.

february fourteenth arrived in a flurry of pinks, reds and whites. hearts adorned the camp, courtesy of the aphrodite cabin, and you and the demeter cabin had been tasked with growing what felt like hundreds of red roses. personally, you didn’t understand the hype surrounding red roses. after all, the lavender ones were the prettiest. they even meant love at first sight—far better than plain old love.

but with all the love in the air and the aphrodite campers swooning left and right, luke was sure to figure out his mistake and call off the picnic. it made you feel sick with anxiety, and your hands shook as you tended to the roses.

“y/n, hey!” luke’s voice came right next to you.

you flinched and the rose bush sprouted ten feet in the air with new flowers springing into existence left and right.

“whoa…” he said, looking up at it in shock. “i don’t think we need that many.”

“i don’t think anyone needs that many.” you muttered and took a deep breath, bringing the bush back down to size. “what are you doing here, luke?” your heart was in your throat. he didn’t look upset, but he’d always been good at hiding his emotions. was he about to tell you that he didn’t want to meet up later? or that he hated you for tricking him? thoughts started spinning like tops in your mind as you sunk into worse scenario after worse scenario.

“i just wanted to make sure we were still on for this afternoon? and to let you know to meet me by the lake.” were you imagining things, or did he look almost… nervous? his cheeks were red and he wasn’t meeting your eyes for more than a few seconds at a time. was he? really?

you nodded. “oh, uh, yeah. we’re still on. i’ll meet you…?”

“at two?”

“at two.” you smiled. he smiled back and you ignored the flutter in your chest. a strand of hair blew in front of your face.

his hand twitched by his side, like he wanted to push it back, but he just nodded. “okay. see you later.”

“later,” you nodded as he walked away. “can’t wait!” you called after him. he shot a grin over his shoulder, and once he was gone, you buried your face in the rose bush with an exasperated groan.

at 1:45, you still didn’t know what to wear.

your friend becky had dragged you into the aphrodite cabin and was shoving various outfits into your arms to try on, since you didn’t have many nice outfits of your own, but nothing was right.

even though you were the same size as her, nothing seemed to fit you as well as it did her—some aphrodite’s daughter bullshit, you guessed.

she sat down on her bunk next to you and sighed. “i hate to say it, but… we’re out of options.”

you groaned and flopped backwards, covering your face.

she swatted your hands away. “you’ll smudge your makeup!” she then sat back and sighed. “honestly, hun, you might just have to go naked.”

“i’m sure he’d love that!” one of her brothers called from across the room.

you threw a pillow at him, but it dropped halfway there.

then becky froze with a gasp. “oh, my gods.”

you sat up. “what?”

“wait here.” she got up and dashed away, peering into the depths of her wardrobe.

you watched absently, kind of worried she’d pull out some sexy lingerie, as she felt around at the very back, in the corner. then her face lit up. she pulled out a dress. it was white and floaty, with tiny pale pink flowers on it and the most flattering neckline you’d ever seen. she held it out to you and then dragged you to the designated changing area beside her bunk.

you changed slowly, not wanting to rip the delicate material, then looked at yourself in the mirror.

holy shit.

becky stuck her head around the corner and gasped. “perfect! ugh, i feel like a proud mother.”

you laughed, smoothing the floaty fabric over your thighs. it was kind of staticky. “yeah, thanks, mom.”

she grabbed your arm and dragged you out, showing you off. “siblings! my magnum opus.”

as whistles and cheers came from the few people in the cabin, you smiled.

“he’ll love it,” becky whispered. “you look hot.”

“it’s not even a date,” you protested. “it’s just a hang out.”

“sweet cheeks, its a picnic on valentine’s day.” she tossed her blonde hair over her shoulder. “it’s a date. now go. you’re gonna be late.”

you slipped on your white sandals and the light green jacket you always wore, let silena slip a white headband into your hair, then stepped out the door.

it wasn’t a cold day, exactly, but you were grateful for the jacket.

you rushed down the lake and got there two minutes late.

luke was no where to be found.

great, you thought. he was messing with me the whole time.

just as you were considering leaving, you heard footsteps running up to you.

“y/n! i’m so sorry, i could figure out—oh, wow...” luke stopped in his tracks as you turned around. his eyes were wide and his cheeks were red as he looked you up and down. he cleared his throat. “i didn’t know what to wear.”

he’d settled on a navy blue crew neck sweater and black jeans. his hair was messy, like he’d been running his hands through it, and he looked good. really good.

shit. that would make things more difficult.

“it’s okay,” you smiled. “neither could i.”

“well, you look… you look amazing.” his voice was soft, almost reverent.

gods, you didn’t think you’d ever be able to stop blushing. this was torture. “thanks,” you said though, pretending your heart wasn’t climbing up your throat and threatening to jump right into his hands—like suicide. “should we—“

“oh! yeah.” he nodded and stepped forward, placing a hand on your back (just low enough that it made your heart stutter, but high enough that it was innocent) and leading you towards the strawberry fields. “this way, milady.”

your heart was sinking a little as the fields came into view. everyone went to the strawberry fields. there were at least seven couples there already. it was the standard date spot. you had to remind yourself this wasn’t a date.

but he led you past the fields and into the forest.

great, so he’ll just murder me instead, you thought bitterly. it was like you were searching for a reason that it wasn’t a date now. at least i won’t have to deal with the embarrassment of everyone seeing.

you snapped out of your thoughts as his hand gently slipped into yours and you nearly fell over. he looked back at you, amused. you shot him a thumbs up as he set down a familiar path.

you knew where you were going.

there was a clearing in the woods where you went. it was you own personal secret garden, hidden deep in the forest behind a thick hedge that you’d grown yourself. it had taken weeks to get it thick enough to keep your space safe, and weeks again to regain enough strength to add any other plants to it. in the last year though, you’d been going there often, coaxing a few new plants to grow. you’d learned that forcing growth was hard and near impossible, but encouraging growth was easy.

you’d shown luke the garden one day a few months ago, just before you developed that pesky crush.

he pulled you gently in front of him to enter the garden first, through a magically shifting gap in the hedge, so that he could enter too, and stepped aside to pick up a hefty bag hidden just off the path.

you stepped through the hedge, your hand still linked with luke’s, and into your garden. it was the same as last time you were there, around a week ago; filled with flowers and bees, with a patch of clear grass in the middle, linked to the hedge by four paths, running north to south and east to west. some of the flowers growing were out of season, but as a daughter of persephone, you had a certain level of influence over things like that. bees buzzed lazily around your head as you entered, happy to see you again. everything seemed to get happier, healthier and brighter the second you stepped into the garden. it was your favourite thing and your favourite place.

you looked back at luke to see him smiling at you. “you know me too well.”

“i knew you wouldn’t like to have everyone around,” he shrugged. “and i wanted to see this place again. it’s better than last time i was here.” he looked around in wonder.

“well, last time you were here, i’d just gotten over the flu, so i was still pretty weak. all of my hydrangeas wilted.” you pouted and crossed the garden to your hydrangea bush, blooming in all ranges of colours. soil acidity and pH didn’t matter if you were the daughter of persephone.

luke laid down a plaid picnic blanket as you murmured a few words to some of your weaker looking plants, breathing life back into them. you could feel his eyes on you as he sat and waited, but you didn’t feel rushed or observed. more than anything, you felt admired.

finally, you sat next to him. he’d set out some food and water bottles for the two of you. he was prepared. that was one thing about luke castellan: he was prepared, always two steps ahead. which is why this didn’t make sense.

as you started eating, you found yourself staring at a lavender rose bush. love at first sight, you mused. if only.

you’d fallen for luke after a whole year of friendship. that made it worse. you’d loved him already, platonically, then, without warning, those feeling shifted. the way you looked at him changed in a matter of moments. when he’d gotten cherries on his plate for dessert after you were told you couldn’t have more, then he’d given them all to you, claiming he didn’t like them (even though you knew he did), you fell stupidly, irrevocably, in love. but the way he looked at you never changed: always soft, always kind and always the same.

you were drawn to look at him. you always were. the sharp lines and soft curves of his face. those dark eyes that made your heart flutter never wavered as they met yours. never shifted, never darkened, never clouded with anger. never. they were as constant as time, as reliable as the tide, as predictable as the full moon coming around again.

and he was looking at you now. “what?” he asked.

you blinked and looked away, watching as two bees clumsily bumped into each other and went on their way. “nothing.” would that be you and luke? two bees bumping into each other briefly, then going on with their lives? unlikely to cross paths again? you couldn’t let that happen.

“you know it’s valentine’s, right?” you asked before you could stop yourself.

luke lowered his apple, resting his hand on his knee. his forehead was creased in a confused frown. “yeah, why?”

“well… then why… why are we hanging out today? i mean, this isn’t a date.” you paused. “is it?”

his eyes widened. “wait, you don’t think—“

“it’s fine, luke.” you shrugged, pretending your heart wasn’t crumbling. “it’s my fault. i shouldn’t have brought up valentines. it was a silly joke, and—“

“a joke?” he frowned again. “this isn’t a joke.”

you looked at him. he looked earnest. “what?”

“it’s not a joke. why would i joke about going on a date with you?” he swallowed tightly and put his apple down. “did you… did you just think it was a joke?”

“no! well, yes. but i didn’t want it to be.” you exclaimed. “did… you want it to be?”

“no!” he exclaimed, turning to face you. “why would i want that? i thought we’ve been dating for three weeks now!”

“you, what?”

he took a deep breath. “you’re telling me that i’ve been assuming we’re dating for three weeks, and you’ve been assuming i’ve been joking for three weeks, because we’re both a little bit fucking stupid and can’t communicate our feelings properly?”

you stared at him, wiping your sweaty palms on your dress. the static crackled like the tension in the air. “i guess so.”

“huh.” he said, turning back to face the flowers. he was silent for a moment and you almost thought he’d leave, but then he started laughing.

“stop laughing,” you protested, pushing him lightly, your cheeks flaming hot. “stop it.”

he didn’t.

soon, you weren’t able to stop yourself from giggling, then you were both laughing uncontrollably. your stomach hurt and you had to lean on each other to avoid falling over. your faces were close—too close. your laughter died as you felt his breath on your face. his fingers brushed your hair behind your ear. his breath hitched as he did, like he’d been waiting to do that for months.

“i’ve liked you for months,” you whispered.

“i’ve liked you since the moment we met,” he cupped your face in his hand, his other one resting on your knee.

you could see the lavender roses behind him. love at first sight.

the two bees that had bumped into each other settled on the same flower.

fucking hell.

you kissed him before you could talk yourself out of it.

the kiss wasn’t like fireworks. it was more like the first flowers of spring: fresh, exciting and pure. his lips were soft. yours were probably rougher than his from your long hours in the fields. you figured he didn’t care, because he kissed you like you were the only air he needed to breath for the rest of his life. you could feel flowers blooming around the picnic blanket—daisies and dandelions in the grass. the plants in the gardens were going wild. he was like a drug; some kind of amplifier for your powers and your heart rate and gods, you never wanted to let him go. his hand slid to the back of your neck, pulling you closer against him. your hand rose to his cheek and static electricity jumped from your skin to his.

he pulled away with a gasp, his hand on his cheek. then he laughed, and kissed you again.

and again.

and again.

and again.

and you were infinitely glad for the privacy of your own secret garden.

[madamabelladonna]

𝐋𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫 - 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭

𝐁𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝: House Dayne of Starfall, bearing the sigil of a white falling star and a sword on a field of lavender. Though sparse in men and coin, House Dayne is renowned as one of the oldest in Westeros. Sworn to House Martell, under the decree of their liege lord, Lord Julius Dayne dispatched the Sword of the Morning, his second son, Ser Merek Dayne, along with his only daughter, to King’s Landing as emissaries of Dorne. Little did they know, the twinkle of a star could ignite the passions of men, dragons, and wolves alike. 𝐓𝐚𝐠𝐬: Romance, Angst, Love Triangle, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Drama, Coming-of-Age, Explicit Content, MINORS DO NOT INTERACT, Violence, Gore, War, Reader eating cheerios with Luke and Helaena while Jace, Cregan, and Aemond duke it out 𝐑𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬: Jacaerys Velaryon x Reader, Aemond Targaryen x Reader, Cregan Stark x Reader

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈: 𝐄𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐞 Young Lady Dayne never truly grasped what it meant to be a high-born lady; her mother and father had sheltered her from the vipers lurking in the shadows. Yet, as fate would have it, their protection could only shield her for so long before she was cast into a den brimming with treachery. Green or Black? The choice is hers, but she finds herself drawn to the hue of violet…

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐈: 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐲𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬 Young Lady Dayne, finds herself adjusting to her new life at the capital. A gift from Starfall, a steed with a mane like freshly fallen snow. As she immerses herself in the pages of her books, a small figure unexpectedly scampers into her chamber—a boy lost in the game of hide and seek. She finds herself teaching the boy how to read. Only to be seated in the company of Princess Rhaenyra and her small family, sharing a quiet tea.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐈𝐈: 𝐀𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐀𝐟𝐚𝐫 Young Lady Dayne, awaiting Jacaerys' lesson's end, enjoys tea with Princess Rhaenyra, who grants her access to the Royal Library due to her rare gifts. As she reads beneath the heart tree, a prince in green watches her, sparking jealousy within the eldest son of Rhaenyra. With Jacaerys' eighth name day nearing, their growing relationship seems to be all the court can talk about.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐈𝐕: 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐖𝐡𝐬𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬 Young Lady Dayne captivated the feast held by King Viserys in honor of his grandson, her presence and dance stirring much interest among the court. The murmurs of a possible union between the Seven Kingdoms and The Principality of Dorne swirled in the air, though beneath the revelry, rumors threatened to unravel such hopes.

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐕: 𝐎𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧 𝐈𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐲 Young Lady Dayne knew survival in the Red Keep required more than caution—it demanded influence. After keeping her distance from Jacaerys, she finally accepted his apology, truly forgiving him. But as he left, she realized it might be long before she saw him again. In his place, a prince in green awaited.

[More in pending...]

This is my first post so I hope you like it, personally, House Dayne is my favorite and I hope it gets more recognition in the next book.

Taglist: (If you want to be added, please click here)

@yohanseyebrowmole @radiantdanvers @accidentpronedork @marvel-mistress-padawan @tabathastan @deltamoon666 @hotdhoe @cosmosnkaz @dragonamongwolves @r-3dlips @ghizlana @boiolay @gardenfaeries @ilymoonie @mellylla @omgsuperstarg @idohknow @beskardroids @buckystevelove @plainxlazy @gwaynehightower @beebeechaos @milksde @saintkittykat @cornbreadwithcheese @pinkb00bsocks @agoldenwoe @moonliightbabes @day2dream @geminizmoonz

[lxvenderfog]

yes - go for it

guys. Should I use the struggle of not knowing the chocolate cake recipe to make a little Rusty Stars (Rune x Vast x Armor) fic-?

[a-world-of-whimsy-5]

Could I please request Thranduil with a breeding kink with the lavender field prompt? 🔥🔥 thank you so much!! Your writings lift my spirits!

Here you go!

"Lavender Haze"

Pairing:  Thranduil x Fem. Reader (elf/second person POV) | Location: Greenwood the great

Themes: Smut | Soft

Warnings:  Kissing | Explicit language | Mild dirty talk | Breeding kink | Sex in an open field | Penetrative sex | Rough sex | Cream pie

Word count: 1.6k words

Summary : A game of hide of seek take place in a lavender field. What price will the loser have to pay? 

Rating: 🔥🔥 | Minors DNI | 🔞  | You are responsible for the media you consume

Rules and tag form here | Prompts for requests here

 A lavender haze. 

That was all you could see in the periphery of your vision—an endless haze of the richest lavender swaying with the wind. The blooms rustled, murmuring with a hushed voice of their own every time the wind rose. It was sheer happenstance when you came across this field of wild lavender. Thrilled with this new find, you made haste to ride back to Amon Lanc and tell its prince. Thranduil listened with rapt attention and insisted that you take him there. No one knew of such a field, and he wanted to see it with his own eyes. 

The prince came. And he saw. And believed. And a merry chase then ensued. No one besides the two of you knew of this little slice of paradise, and Thranduil wanted to make the most of it. Others would learn of the field's existence soon enough, and the opportunities to be alone within it would grow sparse. 

You ran and ducked behind tall bushes. Hid behind the thick trunks of gnarled trees with branches so low they kissed the soft grass that grew beneath them. And Thranduil chased you still, calling out for you and searching for you, the heady rush of the chase working its magic on him. 

"Where are you, meleth?"

You clapped your hands over your mouth and kept still. Thranduil was close to the oak tree you were hiding behind. You could not hear his footsteps; the prince moved like a wraith, not making a single sound. You press against the bark of the tree, wondering if he heard you or if he knew where you were hiding. 

"Meleth?"

It was as if he were further away now, but you keep yourself concealed anyway. When it sounded as if he had moved quite a distance, you peered around the tree, pleased to find him no longer there. You take off again, giggling and smug, confident you have thrown him off your trail. 

"There you are!" Thranduil ran in from behind and threw his arms around you. He cackled when you squealed and squirmed and tried to free yourself from his hold. His moving away from where you were had just been a sly trick. He was there the entire time, hidden, waiting for you to come out into the open. 

"Th-thranduil!" Giddy laughter ripped through you when you tried and tried, and he simply continued to carry you deeper into the field. "Let g-go!"

"No!" Thranduil's laughter mirrored yours. He listened to you grumble and plot your escape, and laughed again, louder this time. "Yield, meleth. Escape is futile. Surely you know this by now."

"Never!" That never lasted no more than a few moments, when you realized you would not be able to extricate yourself from his vise-like grip no matter how hard you tried. You give up and go limp against him. 

Thranduil sets you down amidst fragrant purple blooms. "Now, tell me. What was our wager again?"

"If I win, you are to be my slave for the turn of a moon," you answer quickly, more than a little disappointed that losing the wager meant not having Thranduil wait on you hand and foot. Literally. 

Thranduil smirked, clearly pleased with himself. "And if I win?"

"I am to let you have your way with me. In whatever way you desire."

"A prospect that does not disappoint you, yes?"

You huff and cross your arms. How easy it was for him to read you! "It does not."

Thranduil smiled wolfishly and sat down, extending his hand to you. "Come, meleth. It is time to pay the piper, so to speak."

You narrowed your eyes and made yourself comfortable next to him, lying down on the grass as you did so. The sky was beautiful, all puffy white clouds against a field of the palest, clearest blue. You rest your head over your folded arms and watch while they stay low and move slowly. Thranduil is content to watch you. He lays down beside you, an enchanting smile slowly working its way across his face when you turn to face him. His eyes light up when you smile in return. 

"I will pay," you reply with a grin. 

Thranduil beamed and leaned forward, the sweetness of his kiss pouring into your throat when his mouth opened over yours. Deft, experienced hands worked on the clasps and lacing on your robes. Your gown loosened beneath his touch. The prince helps you out of your clothes, barely taking a moment to marvel at the sight of you exposed. Thranduil then sat up, his clothes rustling while he rid himself of his tunic and undershirts, belt and sash and boots. They all joined the growing pile by the side. He slipped out of his breeches, sighing in relief when his throbbing cock sprang free. He did not give you time to even think or breathe. He simply captured your lips with his. 

Your nerves were aflame; every inch of you was heated and sensitive to his touch. And you were bold, reaching out to ghost a finger over the crown of his member. Thranduil moaned lustily and drew away, content again to watch, this time while you took him into your hands. He moved his hips, thrusting in time with your strokes. The warmth and frenzy of your pace were unceasing. It nearly undid him and almost made him cum all over your hand. 

"Not like this." Thranduil loosened your grip and pushed you onto your back. "I would much rather finish inside you."

He was so warm when he lowered himself onto you—slowly and carefully—and tried not to lose control of himself and hurt you. He did not enter you immediately. Thranduil kept still while you touched his face and his hair, and ran your hands over his arms and chest and back. The prince was perfect, like an exquisite marble sculpture come to life. 

"Mine," you declare without even hesitating. "All mine."

Joy welled within Thranduil's heart. "As you are mine," he exclaimed with pride before dipping his head. 

He kissed with tenderness, then hunger, then fury, when your mouth parted for the warmth of his sinful tongue. Thranduil knitted his tapered fingers around yours, moaning into your mouth when your free hand slid around his waist and nails dug into his flesh. 

"Naughty girl," he breathed wistfully. "Now open those beautiful legs for me."

He groaned under his breath when your legs slid open and hooked around his hips. Thranduil pushed in, inch by agonizing inch, sinking his shaft into your slit. The prince was built bigger than most, and you felt it in the pressure around your core. He kept still, his chest heaving and his heart racing wildly, while you adjusted to his size. Arousal pooled in your belly when even the slightest movement sent shock waves shooting up your spine like lightning. You no longer wanted him to stay still. You wanted him to move. 

"I am ready."

Thranduil's pace was merciless. He rutted into you like a wild beast, growing drunk on your transported moans.

"Look at how well you take me," he cries against your throat. "It is as if you have been made for me."

All you could do was hold onto him while he bucked his hips against the insides of your thighs. "Perhaps it is because we were made for each other."

"Yes," Thranduil agreed. "Meant for each other. You are mine, just as I am yours. We belong together."

His grip on your hand tightened. He plunged deeper and harder. It made you see stars. "More," you plead shamelessly. "More. Please."

Thranduil grunted softly. "Look at you. Listen to how desperate you sound. Should I deny you?"

"No!" you keen. "Please do not do that."

"Pathetic." Thranduil hissed hoarsely, his hips now undulating every time he thrust. "But I suppose I will concede to your plea. I am going to finish inside you, so you know who you belong to."

"Please." The knowledge of him filling you with his seed unraveled you. "Do it. Please."

He nearly fell apart when he heard. Thranduil let go of your hand and gripped your chin, forcing you to open your eyes and look at him. He wanted to see how your words could undo him. "Are you ready?"

You did see. You saw how his eyes had darkened and how raw, unbridled lust flashed in them. And you were so ready for him.

"Yes," you sob in relief. "So ready."

Thranduil ran his tongue along the curve of your throat. It made you tremble beneath him and whimper against his shoulder. His thrusts grew erratic and relentless. It sent you spiraling and made the world grow dark in your eyes. Thranduil gasped sharply while your walls contracted and milked his cock. It shattered him and made his orgasm rip through him. He glanced at your belly, his thoughts running riot with visions of his spend filling your cunt. It heightened the bliss he was already drowning in. With one last, satisfying grunt, he came to a stop, his arms and body trembling from the exertion. 

Nothing could be heard save for the wind rustling through flowers and leaves and the deeper sound of ragged breathing. Thranduil slowly moved onto his back, taking you with him. You sighed in contentment while he held you against his chest. When you moved, he stopped you. 

"Keep me inside you a little longer," Thranduil insists. "Just a little longer, then you and I can go for a swim in that pond nearby."

[sunvmars]

honeybee | s.r.

pairing: steve rogers x fem/afab!reader

masterlist

word count: 6.9k

warnings: swearing- obv. smut & smut implications (nothing hardcore). slightly obsessive steve. occasionally innocent and shy steve rogers deserves its own warning bc…adorable. this also hasn’t been proof read

summary: after two years of knowing you, steve has learned everything about you. you became his best friend, and you, his. steve follows you around simply wanting to please you and do everything for you. finally you make the first move and steve wants to learn how to please you in other ways.

Steven Grant Rogers craves nothing more in this world than to please you in every possible way. Can’t reach something on a high shelf? No worries, he’s there within seconds to help you. And, no, he definitely wasn’t kind of following you. Hungry but don’t feel like making something? Steve would get or make you whatever you wanted and then some- and he’d have it back to you in 30 minutes maximum. You’re sore after a long mission? He’s on it immediately. He gathers every possible muscle cooling crème or oil he can find to give you a back massage. Needless to say, Steve would do anything for you. If you wanted him to hang the moon for you he’d find a way to do it.

Steve’s had romantic feelings for you for forever. However, over the last few months he couldn’t stop his mind from wandering to more venereal places. Whenever you curled up against him in your sleep during one of your recent movie nights, all he could focus on was how your backside felt pressed against his groin. While he’s massaging your aching back and legs after training, the only thing he can think of is how he wants to touch every inch of you. Just last week he took you out to get your favorite ice cream, but found himself only capable of paying attention to the way your lips curled around the spoon. He couldn’t help but notice the way your tongue flicked out to quickly lick the leftover sugary treat from your lips.

The feelings were new for Steve. He was well used to how you made his breath catch every time you’re near, but the thoughts he was having of you recently were distasteful in his opinion. No matter what he did in attempt to banish the daydreams, they wouldn’t budge.

Currently Steve was alone in his room and trying to concentrate on his drawing- originally planning to draw a lavender field for you. He knew you loved that he’d gotten back into his previously retired hobby and loved to see your smile when he hands you new artwork. He also knew you’d probably hang it up on your wall with the other pieces he made for you. Not that he’d ever vocalize it but your approval and praise keeps his world spinning. Somewhere in the middle of sketching out the background his mind had shifted.

No longer was he thinking about the beautiful flowers; he was thinking about purely you. All he can manage to think of is how many different ways there are for him to make you feel good. He’s seen things over the years and heard things from Buck that give him a rough idea of how to pleasure you, but he truly still had no clue where to start. Steve yearns for you to teach him everything about your body; he wants to learn where and how to touch you to make you feel the same need for him as he does for you.

The pit of neediness growing in his stomach is quickly replaced with frustration. Steven had felt sexual attraction before of course, but he’d never thought of a woman sexually for this long. He knew he wanted to wait until he was truly in love with someone before he had sex. Although it gives him some peace to know that intimate thoughts come with being in love, not being able to knock the constant want to touch you was aggravating. He knew you were made for him though and it made it worth every irritating thought or confusing feeling. You were his missing piece and he would save himself for you no matter how long he had to wait.

“Steven?” you called from outside the door, knocking gently.

The sudden noise startled him from his thoughts, forcing the growing neediness he felt to the back of his mind. He stood up quietly, walking towards the door after closing his sketchbook. His brain short circuited immediately after opening the door to reveal you. You were all dressed up for Stark’s party tonight and fucking hell you were a vision. The corset dress you’d chosen to wear fit your figure perfectly and the baby blue colored fabric complimented your complexion. Your hair and makeup was done perfectly in Steve’s eyes too. The smile that tugged on your lips when you saw him made his heart flip. When your eyes scanned over him, worry dully visible in your gaze at his silence, he’d tried to spit the words out.

“Y/n,” Steve whispered as he tried to find the right words. “You…you look amazing in that dress. I meant your dress is gorgeous. I’m…shit. I’m sorry,” he manages to say, stumbling over a few words causing him to stutter a bit.

The sound of your giggle eases his nerves and he musters up a smile. He quickly takes another glance over your body before gaining an unexplainable boost of confidence, “you really do look divine in that dress, Honeybee.”

“Thank you, Stevie,” you respond softly as you brush a fallen strand of hair from your face.

Your eyes rake over his body now. His white t-shirt clung to his muscular figure, showing off his biceps and toned abs. The black sweatpants he wore often now showcased an obviously growing bulge. For a second he feels his breath quicken under your gaze.

“Are you sure you don’t wanna go to the party? It might be fun, Stevie.”

A sigh escapes his parted lips and he shakes his head, “no, no. I’ll be okay here. I’m not feeling great today.”

“Anything I can do to help? What’s bothering you?”

Your head tilted as your fingers grazed his jaw gently. He tensed up momentarily at the sudden touch but relaxed almost immediately. Steve practically melted at your soft touch; a touch so caring and gentle.

“I’m alright, but thank you. It’s just a headache.”He takes your hand away from his jaw to bring it up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to your knuckles. “I hope you have fun tonight, doll.”

“I’ll try. You should get some rest. You know where to find me if you need me, hm?”

Steve releases your hand with a smile, allowing your arm to rest back by your side. You’d left once you reassured him that you’d call if you needed him.

Steve went back to his drawing after awhile, deciding to watch a movie after finishing the piece. Unbeknownst to him, you were tiring of the party- social battery draining by the minute. That’s how, only an hour and a half after you left, you had shown up at his door again. Even in pajamas that consisted of just shorts and a tank top you were the prettiest thing he’d ever seen. Your hair was a little ruffled from changing out of your dress and your breathing was slower than normal.

“Are you sleepy?” Steve asks before stepping aside to let you in.

“More than sleepy- I am exhausted,” you sighed. You stepped into his bedroom and shuffled your way towards his bed. After shutting the door, he watched as you crawled into his bed to get comfortable. He smiled softly to himself before sauntering over to you.

“Can I do anything for you, Honeybee?”

“Can we watch a movie?”

“Of course. Anything for you,” he reassures you as he sits down next to you, “I’m only a few minutes into the movie I started. Do you wanna finish it with me or find something else?”

“We’ll just watch it from here.” You sighed again, now too comfortable in Steve’s presence to even worry about the movie and only wanting to curl up next to his warm body.

He lays down on the bed, allowing you to lay however you want. You’d chosen to lay your head on his chest and let his fingers play in your hair. “I appreciate you. I don’t say that enough. You’re my best friend. And you take such good care of me,” you mumbled to the blonde, his chest threatening to muffle what you said. Luckily for him, though, he had heard it.

“I… I’ll always take care of you, pretty girl,” he cooed, “do you need anything else?”

“No. You’re always doing stuff for me. I just want to relax with you.”

He’d be lying if he said his heart didn’t skip a beat at your consideration for him. Steve knew you cared for him, but it only made his heart grow fonder when you expressed it out loud. It was times like these when he felt like more than a friend- like maybe you feel the same fondness for him. But he was never great at picking up on cues with women unless they expressed their intentions directly. In fact, most of his knowledge on women came from Bucky. Buck tries to convince him that you do actually like him the same way, which was true, but Steve would not make the first move and take the chance on mistaking your friendliness for something else.

The first half of the movie seemed to drag on forever. Not because he thought it was boring, rather because the only thing he was paying attention to was your fingernails tracing his abs through his shirt. He’s about to readjust himself under his blanket to hide his growing bulge but then it happens; there’s a nude woman on the screen writhing and moaning under her male counterpart. He feels your body still, your breath comes to a stop for a few seconds, and you squirm a little under the weight of his arm due to the awkwardness of the situation.

The two of you lay there for the entirety of the scene, hoping it’ll be over soon. Realistically it only lasted about a minute, but to Steve it felt like five. It wasn’t the scene unfolding on the tv in front of him that was working him up, no, it was the unpreventable thoughts of reciprocating the actions on you. Not that he had realized like you did, but every few seconds his grip on your hair would tighten. He’d twirl a strand of hair around his fingers and mindlessly tug gently on it. Your thighs pressed together at his touch. A need for him that you tried to get rid of pooled deep down in your stomach. Soon enough the movie was over, both of you remained mostly quiet throughout the rest of the film.

“So…did you like the movie, Honeybee?”

“It was okay,” you lifted your head and smiled up at him.

Steve wishes he didn’t see the sight below him that you’d created. Your cheeks were flushed, your lips parted as you took slow breaths. You’d given him the best view of your cleavage and tempting neck with the way your head was leaned back.

“Are you okay, Stevie?”

“Yes, yeah I’m fine. Just tired, y’know,” he responded with urgency in a desperate attempt to change the subject, “hey, get up for just a second? I have something for you.”

Your head lifts from his chest and your body straightened out as you stretched your limbs. He walked over to his desk, bringing back a piece of paper that looked blank in the darkened room. After taking the paper and looking at it under the tv light, you could see that it was drawing of a beautiful lavender field with a sunset in the distance.

“Oh, Stevie, it’s beautiful,” you smile as you look up at him through your lashes, “you already know this is going on the wall.”

“T-thank you. I’m glad you like it,” he mutters as his confidence is replaced with nerves from your eyes on him.

“Are you sure you’re okay? You seem more scattered than usual. You know you can talk to me, right?”

“It’s nothing, really, I just have a lot going on in my mind. Don’t worry about me.”

“Steven. Talk to me, you’ve been off for the last few weeks. Come, sit,” you smile softly at him to help put him at ease and pat the spot next to you.

Steve plops down on the bed a few inches away from you with a huff. He was being oddly distant and seemed anxious. While he wasn’t the most confident man in the world, he was typically a polite conversationalist or at least was one to fill awkward conversation silence. But with you, even though he was comfortable around you, he couldn’t find that same confidence.

“I’ve just been having a lot of…feelings, I guess, recently.”

You cocked your head to the side, urging him to continue. He obliged.

“I’ve been having sexual thoughts and I can’t get rid of them.”

“Oh.”

The confession shocks you for a moment. He’d never really been one to talk about anything intimate or sexual with you, always blushing whenever you’d make a sexually implied joke. He wasn’t a prude, but he wasn’t outwardly sexual with you either.

“I’m sorry, is it weird to talk about that with you? I don’t want to overstep a boundary.”

“No. It’s okay, really. Whatever thoughts or feelings you’ve been having, I’m sure they’re normal. You can keep talking if you want.” The genuine smile on your face gives Steve all the comfort he needs.

“I want to understand how it works- how it feels, even. Do you think that’s normal?”

Steve looked over at you again, expression laced with hints of curiosity and confusion.

“It is. Most people feel like that; I felt it at some point too,” you confess with a shy smile.

As soon as your approval was vocalized, a wave of relief washed over his features, “can I be honest? There’s this girl, and I want to do…certain things with her. Or to her.”

Curiosity and hints of jealousy plagued your mind. “Stevie! I didn’t know you liked someone. Do I know her?”

“I, uhm,” Steve stops his sentence short as if he’s trying to find the right words. He finally gets the confidence to speak, but all he says is “it’s you.”

“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”

Your eyebrows furrowed and his gaze met yours after a few seconds. He wanted to respond, to blurt out everything he feels for you. But he couldn’t; he had never been this forward with you. He stood up, starting to feel overwhelmed.

“Oh, Steven.”

“I’ve been in love with you. You’re all I think about. You’re so beautiful and sweet. You’re just so…you,” Steve confesses before pausing to glance up at you again, “Y/n, I want to do everything with you- everything for you. But all I’ve ever wanted just as much as I want you is your happiness; so, if you don’t feel the same way, that’s okay, and I-“

“Steve,” you smile as you place a hand in his, “I love you too.”

It takes everything in him to stop his jaw from going slack. You loved him?

“Have you ever kissed anyone?”

“Once or twice,” he replies with furrowed brows.

“Do you wanna make it three times?”

He nodded slowly, his heart hammering out of his chest, “O-okay.”

“Don’t be nervous. Do what feels right,” you coaxed him, placing a hand on his cheek.

He took your advice and allowed his body to take over. His hands flew to your waist, fingers squeezing your sides gently as he attached his lips to yours with haste. You threw your arms around his neck and allowed a free hand to get tangled in his hair. His lips worked on yours desperately and slowly. He pulled away to catch his breath but crashed his lips against yours again only a few seconds later. You nibbled gently on his bottom lip and he pulled you closer to him, almost allowing a groan to escape his chest. His kisses grew hungrier as the realization of how badly he needed you set in.

“I want to take care of you. Will you show me how to make you feel good,” he mumbled, gasping for air against your lips. He backed you up onto the bed and held your hips down, caging you in between the soft mattress and his body.

Between his kisses and the butterflies you felt in your stomach, you couldn’t muster up a response. Instead, you chose to return the same neediness in his kisses as your way of saying yes. To have him begging you to let him learn how to please you was more than arousing. The idea was driving you crazy- he was eager to know how to make you feel good. Both of you were panting by the time he pulled away from your lips. His cheeks were tinted pink and his lips were a little swollen.

“Does it feel good if I kiss you here?” Steve inquired before placing firm, open mouth kisses on your neck. Your fingers tangled themselves in his hair and you tugged gently on his soft strands. He took the hint to continue kissing down your neck, taking note of the quiet whimpers you were attempting to hide. He’d found a spot on your neck that elicited a moan from you whenever he kissed it. “Please let me hear you again, you sound so pretty,” he purred before dipping down to lick, suck, and kiss that spot again.

You tugged a little too hard on his hair at the sudden pleasure. His hips ground down onto yours instinctively, clothed cock rubbing against your core through your shorts. Steve noticed you shutter at the contact, deciding that it felt good for you when he did that- even if it was an accident. He repeated the action harder this time, now dry humping you with the perfect amount of friction. His thrusting was motivated by your moans and whimpers, only wanting to make you feel the best he could, and you were giving him exactly what he wanted with every gasp that escaped your lips.

“Is this okay?”

“It’s perfect, Steve.”

Steve tightened his grip on your hips and leaned down to place kisses on your lips. “There’s more you can do,” you’d managed to say in between a string of whimpers and his rough kisses, causing him to stop everything he was doing.

“Like what?” The question was rushed, it seemed as if he didn’t want to go a single second without giving you pleasure.

“You can touch me down there, do you know how?”

He shook his head, telling you to continue, “here. Let me get my shorts off and I’ll show-“

“No!”

His change in tone shocked you. The look he had on his face was telling you that it shocked him too. “I’m sorry. I meant I want to undress you- if that’s okay,” he apologizes.

“That’s okay. Go ahead.”

With that he backed off the bed, standing up to pull you towards the edge of the bed. He pulled you as close to the edge as possible that still allowed your legs to rest raised up on the bed. His hands made their way up your thighs tenderly. When he reached the waistband, he paused to look up at you for permission to keep going. You nod at him with a smile and then he’s pulling your shorts off slowly.

“You’re beautiful, doll,” he cooed, helping you sit up to take your shirt off. You shrunk under his gaze, throwing your arms up to cover your chest. He frowned at this in worry that he’d made you uncomfortable. He also just wanted to see your bare form again.

“Did I do something wrong, y/n?”

“No, it’s not you. You were just…staring at me.”

“Is that a problem?”

“No, it’s not a problem. I’m just not used to it.”

“Well, can I look at you again then..please?”

He once again waits for you to give him permission before moving. You suppress a giggle and give him another reassuring nod. His hands carefully move your arms to place them back at your side as he lays your body back down.

“So pretty,” Steve mumbles against your skin, pressing kisses along your chest. His hands are all over your body. Electricity courses through your body when his lips ghost over your nipple causing you to shudder- you hope he doesn’t notice, but he does. He pauses momentarily to hover his head over your chest and look up at you through his thick lashes, “what do I do?”

Your hand guides his to rest on you breast, “whatever you want. Use your mouth or your hands or-“

He cuts you off by squeezing softly at first to see your reaction; after seeing you squirm and hearing an almost whimper leave your mouth he decides to squeeze again. He squeezes harder, kneading your breast repeatedly as he pulls your other nipple into his mouth. His assault on your chest leaves you an unbearably wet and moaning mess under him. He’s quickly become addicted to your pleasure- he wants to hear you make these noises for him as often as you’ll allow him.

“God, Steve, you’re doing so good at that.”

He tries to hide the nerves he feels at your appraisal. Against his wishes he accidentally allows a whimper to fall from his lips as he pulls away from your nipple.

“You said I could touch you,” he says as he’s rubbing you through your panties. You can feel your wetness sticking to your underwear, now painfully aware of the effect he has on you. His fingers glide over your clit, “said I could touch you here. Right?”

“S-Steve,” you whimper his name softly at his touch.

“What…uhm..how do I touch you?”

“You can use your fingers, or your mouth. Or just do whatever comes natural to you,” you say in attempts to reassure him. However it only earns you a confused look from him. “Do you need me to show you?”

Contentment washes over his face and he nods hurriedly. It’s not that he wants to frustrate you or delay your pleasure but he does want to make sure he’s doing everything right.

“You can start by rubbing softly on my clit. Do you remember the spot you brushed just a second ago?”

“Mhm, the one that made you whimper?”

“Y-yeah, that spot,” you reply softly, taken aback by his newly found confidence, “you could start at my, uhm, entrance too. You can just tease me or put your fingers inside me if I’m wet enough.”

“Wet enough?” Steve questions with furrowed brows.

“When a woman gets, you know, turned on…she gets wet down there to make it less painful during sex. Do you understand now?”

“Oh,” he smiles at you innocently, the pieces seeming to click together, “I understand.”

He moves quickly to pull your panties down your legs. You squeak at the sudden motion and lift your hips up to make it easier for him to pull the fabric off. When he’s gotten your panties off, he lays you back down. He’s got you completely naked in front of him with your legs propped up and thighs spread apart by his strong hands.

“Woah,” he mumbles under his breath- the sight and smell of you intoxicating him. His eyes land on your dripping cunt right in front of him, and, if he didn’t before, he definitely understands what you meant now.

“You are wet. So, so wet. Did I do this?” Steve’s eyes contain nothing but adoration and curiosity as he ghosts his fingertips over your swollen clit. His gaze is glued to you, watching you shiver at his gentle touches.

“Steve, please,” you plead with a voice hardly above a whisper.

“S’not gonna hurt you. You’re..wet enough?”

“Yes, yes I’m wet enough. Please, do something.”

“How do I-“

You cut him off, feeling yourself grow needier, “Steven. Like I showed you earlier. Do anything. Just, please, touch me.”

“Hm, no more questions, got it.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be firm with you.“

“I said I’ve got it,” he purred, pressing two fingers to your aching bud.

Your mewled under him as his touch sent heat to your core. Soft fingers circled your most sensitive spot. His name began to roll off your tongue repeatedly. Then his fingers slid from your entrance all the up to your clit to gather your wetness on his fingers and he eased in two fingers. He slowly stretched you out, pumping the digits in and out.

“Oh, honey, you’re so pretty,” he said in awe; the sight of you was making his heart beat out of his chest.

Steve moved his fingers in different ways while sliding them in and out of you. He’d paid special attention to the way your back arched a little and you made the most delicious sound when his fingers curled upwards inside of you. So he kept doing that, softly hitting your g-spot while gliding his fingers out of you. You pout at him when he pulled them out completely.

“Just give me a minute. Okay?”

He brought his fingers to his lips and paused before placing them in his mouth to suck them clean. A smile spread across his face, bringing his fingers down to get them wet again. He brings his coated middle and pointer finger to your lips this time and urges you to open your mouth.

“Steve,” you whine.

“You taste good, want you to know how good you taste,” he says with that same innocent smile.

Your lips part, allowing him to place his fingers on your tongue. You swirl your tongue around them and Steve bites back another whimper. He pulls his fingers from your mouth once they’re clean then leans down to place a needy kiss to your lips, tongues swirling together in your mouth. It takes all of him to pull away from you, murmuring “I have to taste more of you,” when he finally does.

He places himself so his face is only inches away from your cunt. He’s not sure why but he can smell your arousal. While your scent is intoxicating, your taste is even more so. His lips place gentle kisses up and down your slit. He drags his tongue between your folds painfully slowly, lapping your juices up with his tongue. You try to buck your hips up into his mouth but he shuts you down and holds your hips in place. A cry comes out when he starts to suck relentlessly on your clit; your back arches as much as his tight hold will allow. He’s eating your soaked pussy like he hasn’t eaten in days- like you’re his last meal. Your moans are music to his ears, he relishes in them.

“S-Steve, you’re so good at that. Fuck,” you whimper and tug at his soft hair.

He hums against your clit to let you know he heard you but all you can focus on is the vibration it sent to your sensitive bud. His tongue goes down to your opening to slide inside of effortlessly. He’s swirling his tongue inside of you, occasionally sliding it in and out. You coat his tongue with your wetness. Your moans have him desperate to hear more, so he goes harder and faster, his tongue roughly exploring your cunt.

“Shit. Fuck, Stevie, ‘m close. You’re doin’ so good,” you praise him as he continues licking and sucking.

Steve represses the urge to ask what you mean by close by choosing to slide a finger into you and suck on your clit. The tension in your stomach builds overwhelmingly fast. He increases his speed when a string of ‘Steve’ and ‘fuck’ falls mindlessly from your lips. That tension overflows as his tongue flicks your clit while he’s sucking on it. Your orgasm shakes your body but Steve doesn’t stop. After a few seconds it becomes overstimulating and you attempt to push his head away from you.

“Hold on,” he mutters, sliding his finger out. His tongue laps at your folds again causing you to squeal, the overstimulation making you giggle. “I’m sorry, you just taste so sweet. Are you okay?”

“I’m alright. You did really good.”

“Thank you..”

His eyes dart around the room nervously before landing on you. The corners of his lips turn up into a smile after he wipes his mouth dry with his hand. You return the smile as a means to comfort him and ease his nerves.

“Will you let me do something for you?”

“Oh… You don’t have to do that. I just wanted to please you,” he mumbles.

“Take your clothes off,“ you say with a smile still on your face.

He freezes for a second but then he stands to undress. You sit up as he slides his shirt and pants off, leaving his boxers for last. His thick, long cock springs up against his toned stomach when his boxers slide down his legs. It takes everything in you not to pounce on him right then.

“You wanna sit? Might be less overwhelming if you do.”

He hums his approval and sits next to you. After peppering kisses on his face and planting a few pecks to his lips, you slide off the bed and onto your knees between his legs.

“If you don’t like anything I do, tell me. I want you to be comfortable,” you say while taking his length in your hand.

The whimper that comes from him from just the smallest touch turns you on an unbelievable amount.

“Don’t think I’d dislike anything you could do to me,” Steve replies, voice almost faltering when you stroke him for the first time.

Your hand is soft and tight around his cock. He’d done this with his own hand a few times when he’d been too pent up, but it was nothing compared to when you did it. With perfect speed you pumped him in your hand. Occasionally your stroking would stop so you could glide a finger around his tip. His body shivers when you lick his shaft from the base to the tip. Then you slide as much of him as possible into your mouth; your head bobs up and down, cheeks hollowed out as you suck on him. His hand tangles in your hair and tugs gently. Steve almost comes undone when your hand strokes the bottom of his cock that wouldn’t fit in your mouth.

“O-oh my god,” he groans, the sensation almost too much for him. His hips bucked upwards in attempt to shove his cock deeper into your mouth, “y/n, baby, wait,” he stuttered.

You pull off of him quickly in worry that you’d overstimulated him. “What is it? Are you okay?”

“I’m..uhm…close. But I don’t want to be done yet,” he says with a frown, “feels too good and I want to make you finish again.”

“Don’t worry about me, sweet boy. It’s your first time.”

“But it makes me feel good to take care of you,” he cooed before taking your hand and leading you on top of him, your bare core resting on his throbbing cock.

He pulls your head down so your lips meet his in a passionate kiss. Instinctively your hips roll against his. His lips on yours, tongue fighting for dominance in your mouth, and feeling of his length rubbing against your clit was delicious. He slides between your folds, his tip occasionally teasing your entrance when you move a certain way.

“Want you, Stevie,” your whimper against his lips when he pulls away.

“You have me, sweetheart.”

That same innocent smile he’s flashed many times tonight tells you that he doesn’t understand what you meant. Steven wasn’t dumb by any means, he just wasn’t experienced; you made him nervous too.

“I know. But right now I want you inside of me, if that makes sense.”

Realization shows on his features, brows furrowing only for a moment. “It does,” he declares after a few seconds.

You smile before crawling towards the center of the bed and laying on your back. He waits for you to get comfortable before positioning himself between your legs.

“I’m not gonna hurt you?”

“It’s like earlier, remember? It won’t hurt if I’m wet enough.”

He then dips his fingers down to gently run them through your folds. Steve frowns when he feels that you’re not dripping as you were earlier, “did I do something wrong, Honey? You’re not as wet.”

“It’s nothing you did, I promise. Sometimes you don’t stay wet if you’re not being pleasured or touched.”

As dramatic as it seems, his heart drops. He wasn’t making you feel good the whole time? Did you not enjoy pleasuring him?

“I wasn’t making you feel good?”

“No! You were. It’s just that while I was going down on you, you weren’t touching me, so I just didn’t stay wet. You cleaned me up with your mouth beforehand pretty well too.”

He ponders and almost gets lost in the thought of how his tongue felt buried deep in your warm cunt. “Right. Well I’m going to take care of you every second from now on. I have to make my baby feel good.” He grins as he plants a kiss on your nose.

His tone makes you giggle, the surge of confidence not matching his delivery. “Where’d that come from?”

“It was a poor attempt to be more assertive, you seem to like that.”

You look around the room, trying to avoid his gaze. His observation wasn’t something you expected him to notice. How silly of you to think he wouldn’t notice something about you.

“You do, don’t you? Is that why you didn’t stay wet for me? You like to be handled rough and I’m too innocent for you?” Steve’s questions bore into you and you struggle to conjure up an answer. “Look at me,” he demands, fingers carefully pulling your chin to the side to make you face him, “I’m going to fuck you until you can’t say anything but my name.”

Before you can respond he rubs his tip up your warmth. He has to bite his lip when he slides into you to prevent himself from making any noise. His body stills when his cock bottoms out inside of you.

“O-oh,” he sighs softly, “y/n, fuck.”

Once he sees that you’re not hurting he begins to slowly thrust in and out of you. You feel so warm and soft on him and he has to prevent the urge to pound into you relentlessly. He thrusts into you slowly, trying to keep some sort of rhythm but faltering due to the new sensation.

“You’re so… So fuckin’ tight, shit. You feel so good around me, angel.”

After a few seconds he’s able to hold a decent pace. The tip of his cock brushes your g-spot and you bite down on his shoulder to muffle your moan.

“No,” he pulls your face away from him, “want to hear you.”

A whine falls from your parted lips. You feel him throb inside of you and Steve, once again, has to hold himself back when he feels your walls clench around him again. Now it’s become obvious that he’s holding back. His body is tense and his movements are becoming less in sync.

“Steve.”

He ignores you, continuing to fuck into you while placing kisses on your neck and shoulder.

“Steven, stop.”

His motions stop immediately and his eyes frantically scanning you for any sign of distress or pain. When he doesn’t see any, he tilts his head in confusion, “doll? Is everything okay?”

“You tell me,” you press a kiss to his lips before grinding down on him to keep him hard, eliciting a whimper from him, “you’re holding back, Steve. You don’t have to do that with me. You’re not gonna break me”

He ponders for a moment before looking at you again, “are you sure..? I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m going based off instinct but all I want to do is fuck you into this mattress and-“

Your lips attached to his, roughly moving against them, and he melts into the kiss. Slowly he begins to thrust into you again. This time his movements are rougher and harder. His hips start to buck up into you faster, pressure building in your stomach. It only takes about a minute before he’s pounding into you. His pace is unforgiving and you’re a moaning mess underneath him. Your fingernails rake his back, probably leaving bright red scratches, and his disgruntled groans and grunts are only muffled by his lips occasionally attaching to yours.

“You take me so well,” he gasps upon feeling you tighten around him yet again. Reaching a hand down to rub your clit he locks eyes with you, “s’like your tight cunt was made for me, honey.”

His tip hits that same spot again, repeatedly rubbing it. Your body jerks, your back arching off the bed.

"Want me to keep fucking you like this? Am I making you feel good now?" he taunts.

You don’t even manage to get a word out because as soon as he takes note of how to make his cock pound into your g-spot, he does it. You can feel him smirk against your neck before sucking on your collarbone. As if it was possible, his speed increases. A tight knot forms and he presses down to run his thumb over your clit. He leans down to place a rough kiss to your lips, tongue running over your bottom lip begging for entry. You allow it and your tongues tangle together in a sloppy kiss. He pulls out of you abruptly.

“Stevie,” you whine at the loss of contact.

“Get on top of me,” he demands as he lays beside you.

You look at him in confusion at his change demeanor, “but don’t you want to-“

“I wanna see all of you when you come undone on my cock, baby.”

You hesitate for a minute before obeying his wishes. Your legs straddle him, his length prodding your entrance. His hands grip your waist and guide you down onto him. The feeling of his thickness reentering you has you reeling. Steve’s mouth hangs agape momentarily when you’re sat all the way down, a deep grunt forcing it’s way out of him. He uses his grip on your waist to move you around on his shaft- you’re not sure you could’ve moved otherwise anyways.

“I love you, I love you,” he whispers repeatedly like it’s a prayer in between kisses he presses all over your chest.

“I-I love you too. You’re doing so well, making me feel s’good, Stevie,” you coo as you place a kiss to his forehead.

“I feel like..like I’m gonna…,” Steve struggles to piece the words together as you meet his hips, thrusting with him in sync.

“You can cum inside of me. It’s okay. You can let go.”

With your permission, he does just that. Spurts of his hot seed fill your swollen cunt. He throbs inside of you as he empties himself out. He feels you slow down to eventually stop riding him.

“Don’t stop, you’re gonna finish too,” he says through gritted teeth.

His first time and he’s worried about your pleasure too. He’s overworking himself through his first shared orgasm but only focuses on how he can keep making you feel good.

“Steven, stop. You don’t have to keep going.”

Before you could say anything else, he pulls your upper half towards him, careful not to mess up the rhythm at which he was fucking you. His mouth sucks one of your nipples in. His tongue swirls around it, sucking and licking the hardened peace. Then his free hand dips down to rub circles onto your sensitive clit. You whimper and tangle your fingers into his hair to pull on it. You curse under your breath at the overstimulation, feeling your orgasm approach quickly.

“Come on, baby. I know you have another in you,” he urges.

He comes back up to place a rough kiss against your lips while he pounds into you, keeping the same speed and pressure on your clit. The mix of pleasure he was giving you sends you over the edge. You ride out your high while still bouncing slowly on him as he continued to thrust. He watches your face closely so he doesn’t miss a single expression. Steve pulls out slowly but immediately when he hears your almost pained whimpers.

“That’s a good girl,” he purrs.

His hand is brushing your hair back and his lips are peppering soft pecks all over your face. He pulls you off of him to lay you down next to him. Your head rests on his chest to listen to his heartbeat. He covers both of you with a spare fluffy blanket he keeps at the end of the bed. You feel warm and comfortable, the contentment of being satisfied was setting in.

“Are you comfortable?”

You frown upon hearing his question, “I’m okay. It was your first time and I didn’t help a lot, are you okay?”

“Oh, honey,” he smiles softly, “I’m more than okay. Thank you for showing me how to make you feel good. I love you, y/n, and I really mean that.”

“I love you too, Stevie.”

“You should get some rest. I’m gonna want more of you tomorrow,” you giggle, burying your face in his neck.

He holds you close with a protective arm thrown over you. He sighs to himself in exhaustion.

“My best girl,” he mumbles into your hair, “all mine.”

The pair of you fall asleep a few minutes later. He’s got you held close to him, right where you belong. You’ve had him and now he finally got you all to himself.

[lxvenderfog]

*taps mic*

Flesh and Bone by Madilyn Mei is Icarus and Midas coded.

*runs away*

[jundundun]

SONDER : SEUNGCHEOL

description : seuncheol is the head knight of the kingdom of nephele. what happens when seungcheol begins to fall for the princess and resident sweetheart, Y/N.

warnings : smut (but it’s marked with special borders in case you want to skip it), angst (fluff at the end & embedded throughout), slow burn, mentions of violence

pairing : knight!seungcheol x fem!reader

word count : 14.3k

see the whole series description here !

The sun had just risen over the Kingdom of Nephele, casting a golden glow across the sprawling fields and lush forests. The air was crisp and clean, and the sweet scent of dewy grass mixed with the fragrant aroma of blooming wildflowers. It was a peaceful morning, but the kingdom was far from at peace.

Seungcheol, the head knight of Nephele, stood atop the castle walls, surveying the landscape before him. He was a man of few words, but his piercing gaze and chiselled features spoke volumes. His armour shone in the morning light, and his sword hung at his side, a constant reminder of his duty to protect the kingdom.

As he looked out over the horizon, Seungcheol could see the distant hills and mountains that marked the border between Nephele and the neighbouring kingdom of Roseate. Ever since the newly empowered prince, Minghao, had taken the throne due to his father's looming illness, tensions had been running high between the two lands. Minghao's strict rules and harsh governance had sparked protests and uprisings, and many feared that war was on the horizon.

Seungcheol was resolute in his duty to protect Nephele, but he knew that the situation was growing increasingly volatile. He turned to the guards stationed at the castle gates and spoke in a low, authoritative voice.

"Make sure the gates are secure, and keep a close watch on the horizon. We cannot afford to let our guard down, not with the threat of Roseate looming so close."

The guards nodded, and Seungcheol continued his patrol along the castle walls. As he made his way to the courtyard, he saw Princess Y/N sitting on a bench, gazing wistfully out at the gardens. Her beauty was breathtaking, her hair a cascade of dark waves that framed her delicate features. She wore a gown of soft lavender, the colour complementing the warmth of her skin.

"Good morning, Princess," Seungcheol said, bowing respectfully, staring discretely from the corner of his eye at the way the corners of her mouth turned as she acknowledged him.

Y/N smiled softly and returned the gesture, lifting her hand over her eyes to make the glare of the sun less evident as she looked up at the head knight. "Good morning, Seungcheol. It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

Seungcheol nodded, but his expression remained guarded as his posture stiffened. "Indeed, but we must remain vigilant. The situation with Roseate is growing increasingly dangerous."

Y/N's expression grew solemn, and she looked out at the horizon with a sense of foreboding. "I know, Seungcheol. I worry for our kingdom and our people. But what can we do? We cannot fight a war, not without risking countless lives."

Seungcheol placed a comforting hand on Y/N's shoulder, hesitating as he did so, knowing his actions meant more than what first came to eye. "We will do what we can to protect our people and our land. That is our duty as knights and as citizens of Nephele."

Y/N looked up at Seungcheol, and their eyes met in a moment of silent understanding. She knew that he was a man of his word and that he would do whatever it took to keep their kingdom safe. But as their gazes lingered, Y/N felt a spark of something more, a feeling that she couldn't quite put into words. Had Seuncheol always looked like that?

She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment as she shuffled around on the bench, trying to look natural as she blushed. "Thank you, Seungcheol. I know you will do your best."

Seungcheol nodded, his own heart racing with a sense of longing, though towards what, he was unsure. As he turned to resume his patrol, he couldn't help but steal one last glance at Y/N, wondering if she felt the same way he did.

—

As the day wore on, in the castle chambers, Princess Y/N sat at her desk, poring over maps and documents. She was determined to find a solution to the tensions between Nephele and Roseate, but the more she researched, the more hopeless it seemed.

Her older brother, Prince Jeonghan, entered the room with a sly smile on his face. "What's this, little sister? Trying to solve the world's problems on your own?"

Y/N rolled her eyes, but couldn't help but smile at her brother's teasing. Jeonghan was always quick with a joke or a quip, but she knew that deep down, he cared for her deeply.

"I'm just trying to help, Jeonghan," Y/N replied, gesturing towards the papers on her desk as an exasperated sigh left her mouth. "I don't want to see our kingdom suffer because of the actions of another."

Jeonghan's expression grew serious, and he walked over to Y/N's side. "I understand your concern, Y/N. But we must be realistic. We cannot risk going to war with Roseate, not when our own people are still suffering from the aftermath of the last conflict."

Y/N sighed, knowing that her brother was right. But she couldn't help but feel frustrated and powerless in the face of the growing tensions.

—

As the day drew to a close, Seungcheol found himself once again patrolling the castle walls. The sun had set, and the stars twinkled overhead like tiny diamonds in the sky.

He heard a rustling in the bushes below, and his hand instinctively went to his sword. But as he peered over the wall, he saw a lithe figure sneaking towards the castle gates.

"Who goes there?" Seungcheol called out, his voice echoing through the still night air, his authority prevalent through the low tone of his voice.

The figure froze, then turned to face him, albeit with a bit of hesitance. It was Princess Y/N, dressed in a cloak and hood, a bundle of papers clutched in her hands. A guilty look flashed across her face before she masked it with a stronger appearance.

"Princess Y/N?" Seungcheol asked, surprised, struggling to find the words to express his disbelief at the discovery in front of him. "What are you doing out here?"

Y/N looked up at Seungcheol, her eyes flashing with determination and desperation. "I have to do something, Seungcheol. I can't just sit by and watch as our kingdom falls apart. I have a plan, but I need your help."

Seungcheol felt a surge of admiration for the princess, and couldn't deny the thrill of excitement at the thought of working with her. His heartbeat wavered as she processed her speech, Princess y/n, the vision of beauty and grace, needed him, him. But he knew that the risks were great and that they had to be careful.

"Tell me your plan, Princess," Seungcheol said, his voice low and steady. "But be warned, we must tread carefully. The slightest misstep could mean disaster for us all."

Princess Y/N nodded, understanding the gravity of their situation. "I know, Seungcheol. But I truly believe that this is the only way to avoid war and protect our kingdom."

She handed him the bundle of papers, which he quickly scanned over, trying to ignore y/ns hopeful eyes looking directly up at him. It was a proposal for a treaty between Nephele and Roseate, outlining terms that would benefit both kingdoms and ease the tensions between them.

Seungcheol was impressed by the thoroughness and thoughtfulness of the plan, but he couldn't help but feel a twinge of worry in his gut. "This is a risky proposition, Princess. Minghao may not be willing to negotiate, and if he finds out about our plan…"

"I know the risks, Seungcheol," Y/N interrupted, her eyes unwavering. "But I refuse to sit by and do nothing. Will you help me?"

Seungcheol hesitated for a moment, but then he looked up and met her gaze. "I will, Princess. But we must keep this plan between us for now. We cannot risk any leaks."

Y/N nodded, relieved that she had found an ally in Seungcheol. "Thank you, Seungcheol. I knew I could count on you."

As they made their way back to the castle, the tension between them was palpable. Seungcheol couldn't help but steal glances at Y/N, admiring the way the moonlight illuminated her face and the determination in her eyes.

But he knew that any romantic feelings he had for her were futile. Their positions made any kind of relationship impossible, and he couldn't let his personal feelings interfere with the task at hand.

As they reached the castle gates, Seungcheol turned to Y/N. "I will help you with your plan, Princess. But we must be careful. We cannot let anyone find out about this."

Y/N nodded, a determined look on her face. "I understand, Seungcheol. We will be careful."

And with that, they parted ways, both with a newfound sense of purpose and determination to save their kingdom from the brink of war.

—

Seungcheol couldn't shake the feeling of unease as he made his way back to his quarters. The proposal for a treaty was a promising idea, but the risks were too high. If they were caught, they would be accused of treason and the consequences would be dire.

He knew that the head knight of Roseate, Seokmin, was fiercely loyal to Minghao and would do anything to protect him. The thought of facing him in battle made Seungcheol's heart race with anxiety. But he had made a promise to Y/N, and he intended to keep it.

As he entered his quarters, he was greeted by his second-in-command, San, who was waiting for him.

"Sir, there's something you need to see," San said, his voice urgent.

Seungcheol furrowed his brows in confusion as San handed him a parchment. It was a letter from the head knight of Roseate, Seokmin, demanding a meeting with Seungcheol to discuss the recent tensions between their kingdoms.

Seungcheol's heart sank. He knew that this was a trap, but he couldn't refuse the meeting without raising suspicion.

"Prepare the horses," Seungcheol said, his voice steady. "We leave at dawn."

As San left to make the preparations, Seungcheol sat down at his desk and took a deep breath. He had to think of a plan, and fast. He couldn't let his guard down for a moment, not with the safety of his kingdom on the line.

But as he looked at the letter in his hands, he couldn't help but think of Y/N. He knew that if he was caught, she would be implicated too. He couldn't bear the thought of her being punished for trying to save their kingdom.

Seungcheol shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. He had to focus on the task at hand. The meeting with Seokmin would be the first step in a dangerous game, and he had to be prepared for anything.

As he retired for the night, Seungcheol couldn't help but think of Y/N's determined gaze, and he knew that he would do whatever it took to protect her and their kingdom.

—

The next morning, Seungcheol and his men set out on horseback towards the border of Roseate. The tension in the air was palpable as they rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.

As they approached the border, Seungcheol spotted a group of Roseate soldiers waiting for them. Among them was Seokmin, the head knight of Roseate, his expression unreadable.

"Welcome, Head Knight Seungcheol," Seokmin said, his voice formal.

Seungcheol dismounted from his horse and approached Seokmin, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. He could feel the eyes of his men on him, and he knew that any misstep could mean their downfall.

"We come in peace," Seungcheol said, his voice calm but firm. "We are here to discuss the recent tensions between our kingdoms."

Seokmin nodded, his eyes flickering to Seungcheol's hand on his sword. "Of course. Please, follow me."

Seungcheol and his men followed Seokmin across the border and towards the Roseate castle. Seungcheol couldn't help but feel uneasy as they entered the castle gates. He knew that they were walking into a trap, but he had no choice but to trust in his abilities as a knight.

As they entered the castle, Seungcheol was struck by the opulence of the decor. The walls were lined with tapestries depicting scenes of battle and conquest, and the floors were made of polished marble. It was a stark contrast to the more modest surroundings of the Nephele castle. Seokmin led them to a large chamber, where Minghao was waiting for them. Seungcheol's heart raced as he saw the prince, his eyes cold and calculating.

"Greetings, Head Knight Seungcheol," Minghao said, his voice laced with malice. "I trust your journey was uneventful."

Seungcheol bowed his head respectfully. "It was, Your Highness. We are here to discuss a treaty between our kingdoms."

Minghao sneered, his posture stiffening as his fists clenched. "A treaty? I have no interest in making peace with your kingdom. You are nothing but traitors and rebels."

Seungcheol gritted his teeth, his hand twitching towards his sword. He knew that he had to keep his composure, but the insults stung.

"We come in good faith, Your Highness," Seungcheol said, his voice steady. "Surely there must be a way to resolve our differences without bloodshed."

Minghao's expression softened slightly, but his eyes remained cold. "Very well. I will hear you out. But make no mistake, Head Knight Seungcheol. If I find any evidence of treachery, I will not hesitate to execute you and your men."

Seungcheol nodded, his heart heavy with the weight of their perilous situation. He knew that they were walking a tightrope, and one misstep could mean the end of everything. But he also knew that he had to keep fighting, no matter the odds. For the sake of his kingdom, and for the sake of Y/N.

—

Seungcheol took a deep breath and began to lay out his proposal for a treaty between Nephele and Roseate. He spoke eloquently, carefully choosing his words to avoid any offence to Minghao's pride.

As he spoke, he could feel the tension in the room slowly dissipating. Minghao listened intently, his eyes narrowing in thought.

When Seungcheol finished, Minghao leaned back in his chair, a frown on his face. "Your proposal is… interesting, Head Knight Seungcheol. But I cannot make any decisions without consulting my advisors first."

Seungcheol nodded. "Of course, Your Highness. We understand that this is a delicate matter."

Minghao stood up, signalling the end of the meeting. "You and your men are welcome to stay in our castle for the night. We will discuss this further tomorrow."

Seungcheol bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Your Highness. We appreciate your hospitality."

As they were led to their quarters, Seungcheol couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Minghao's sudden change of heart was unexpected, and Seungcheol knew that he had to remain vigilant.

He turned to his men, his expression serious. "We cannot let our guard down. Keep your weapons close, and be prepared for anything."

The night passed uneventfully, but Seungcheol slept with one eye open, his hand resting on his sword. He knew that they were in enemy territory, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down.

The next morning, Seungcheol and his men were summoned to the throne room once again. Minghao sat on his throne, flanked by his advisors.

"I have consulted with my advisors," Minghao said, his voice cold. "And we have decided that we cannot agree to your proposal, Head Knight Seungcheol. Our kingdoms are too different, and our interests are too divergent."

Seungcheol felt a sense of disappointment wash over him, but he kept his expression neutral. "I understand, Your Highness. We will take our leave and return to Nephele."

Minghao nodded. "Good. You are free to go. But remember, Head Knight Seungcheol. Any further attempts to cross our borders will be met with force."

Seungcheol bowed respectfully, then turned and left the throne room with his men. As they rode back to Nephele, Seungcheol couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat. But he also knew that he couldn't give up. He would find a way to save his kingdom, no matter the cost.

As the days passed, Seungcheol and his men returned to their routine duties of protecting the kingdom of Nephele. Seungcheol kept himself busy, throwing himself into his work and trying to forget the disappointment of the failed treaty with Roseate. But he couldn't help but feel a sense of restlessness, a nagging feeling that there was something he was missing.

—

Meanwhile, Princess Y/N spent most of her days confined to the castle walls, longing for adventure and excitement. She often watched the knights as they trained, admiring their skill and bravery. She had always been fascinated by Seungcheol, the Head Knight of Nephele. He was chivalrous and focused, always putting the needs of the kingdom before his own. But she also knew that he was off-limits, as a knight was not allowed to fraternize with royalty.

Even though Seungcheol and Y/N had known each other for years, they remained oblivious to the growing attraction between them. Seungcheol respected Y/N as a princess, and Y/N admired Seungcheol from afar, too afraid to act on her feelings.

—

One day, as Seungcheol was walking through the castle courtyard, he heard a sound that made his heart skip a beat. It was the sound of Y/N's laughter, tinkling like bells in the air. He turned to see her sitting on a bench, surrounded by a group of young girls. She was smiling and laughing, her eyes sparkling with joy.

Seungcheol couldn't help but be drawn to her. He walked over to her, his heart beating faster with each step. "Princess Y/N," he said, bowing respectfully. "Is everything alright?"

Y/N looked up at him, her smile fading slightly. "Oh, Head Knight Seungcheol. Yes, everything is fine. I was just enjoying the company of these girls here." Y/N spoke, lightly pinching one of the girl's cheeks as she broke eye contact with Seungcheol.

Seungcheol nodded, then hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Princess, I was wondering… would you care to take a walk with me? The gardens are beautiful this time of year."

Y/N's eyes widened in surprise, but she quickly composed herself. "Of course, Head Knight. I would be honoured."

Seungcheol and Y/N walked through the lush gardens, the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers wafting in the air. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, casting dappled shadows on the path.

"So, how have you been, Princess?" Seungcheol asked, trying to break the comfortable silence that had fallen between them. "I have been well, Head Knight. Thank you for asking," Y/N replied, smiling at him.

"I noticed that you seem to enjoy spending time with the young girls of the court," Seungcheol remarked.

Y/N nodded. "Yes, they are such a joy to be around. It is refreshing to be around their innocence and exuberance."

Seungcheol smiled. "I can see why. Their energy is infectious." They walked in silence for a few more moments, enjoying the peacefulness of the gardens. Seungcheol couldn't help but notice how beautiful Y/N looked in the soft glow of the setting sun.

"Princess, I must apologize for the failed treaty with Roseate," Seungcheol said, breaking the silence once again. "I know how important it was to you and your family."

Y/N sighed. "It is not your fault, Head Knight. Minghao is a stubborn and prideful prince. He would not listen to reason."

Seungcheol nodded in agreement. "I will do everything in my power to protect Nephele, Princess. You have my word."

Y/N smiled at him. "Thank you, Head Knight. I have always admired your dedication to our kingdom."

Seungcheol's heart skipped a beat at her words. He had always admired Y/N for her kindness and intelligence, but he never thought that she would admire him in return.

"I hope you don't mind me asking, Princess, but what do you enjoy doing in your free time?" Seungcheol asked, trying to start a conversation.

Y/N smiled. "Not at all, Head Knight. I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends. What about you?"

Seungcheol thought for a moment. "I like to train, of course, but in my free time, I enjoy playing chess and writing poetry."

"Poetry?" Y/N raised an eyebrow. "I didn't expect that from the Head Knight of Nephele."

Seungcheol chuckled. "Yes, well, I find it a good way to unwind after a long day."

Y/N nodded, impressed. "That's very interesting. I would love to read some of your work someday."

Seungcheol smiled. "I would be honoured to share it with you, Princess." As they continued walking, the conversation turned more personal.

"Can I ask you something, Head Knight?" Y/N asked, her voice soft.

"Of course, Princess," Seungcheol replied, his tone respectful.

"What are your hopes and dreams for the future?" Y/N asked, her eyes searching his.

Seungcheol's expression softened. "I hope to see Nephele prosper and flourish, to see our people happy and safe. As for my personal dreams, I…I hope to find someone to share my life with. Someone who understands me and supports me, through thick and thin."

Y/N looked at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She couldn't believe how much she was starting to feel for the Head Knight of Nephele.

"And what about you, Princess?" Seungcheol asked, turning the question back on her.

Y/N blushed. "Well, I…I dream of exploring the world, seeing new places and meeting new people. But mostly, I dream of finding true love. Someone who sees me for who I am, and loves me just the same."

Seungcheol's heart skipped a beat at her words. He couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe, he could be that person for her.

But he knew that he had to be careful. As the Head Knight of Nephele, he had a duty to protect the kingdom and its people. He couldn't let his feelings for the Princess distract him from his responsibilities.

As they reached the end of the garden path, Seungcheol turned to face Y/N. "Thank you for taking the time to talk with me, Princess. It was a pleasant distraction from the usual duties of the day."

Y/N smiled. "The pleasure was mine, Head Knight. I enjoyed getting to know you better."

As they parted ways, Seungcheol couldn't shake the feeling that there was something between them. Something that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He tried to push the thought from his mind, reminding himself of his duty to Nephele.

But Y/N couldn't stop thinking about their conversation. There was something about Seungcheol that drew her in. His strength, his courage, and his dedication to the kingdom were all admirable traits. But there was something else, something that she couldn't quite explain. She found herself wanting to spend more time with him, to learn more about him.

—

As days passed, Y/N and Seungcheol found themselves having more small encounters. Sometimes it was a passing smile in the hallway, other times it was a brief conversation over a shared meal. Each time they spoke, Y/N felt herself drawn to Seungcheol more and more, despite her attempts to keep her feelings hidden.

One afternoon, Y/N was sitting in the garden, reading a book when she heard footsteps approaching. Looking up, she saw Seungcheol walking towards her, a small smile on his face.

"May I join you, Princess?" Seungcheol asked, gesturing to the empty bench beside her.

Y/N nodded, feeling her heart race as Seungcheol sat down beside her. They sat in silence for a few moments, Y/N feeling nervous and unsure of what to say.

"Is that a book of poetry?" Seungcheol asked, gesturing to the book in her lap.

Y/N nodded, trying to hide the fact that she'd been caught trying to educate herself on one of Seungcheol's hobbies. "Yes, it's a collection by a local poet. I find their work very beautiful and inspiring."

Seungcheol smiled. "I couldn't agree more. Poetry has a way of capturing the essence of life in a way that nothing else can."

As they sat there, feeling serene amongst the floral atmosphere Y/N asked Seungcheol about his childhood. At first, Seungcheol hesitated, unsure if he should reveal too much of his past. But something in Y/N's gentle gaze and earnest expression made him feel safe.

"I was born to a poor family in the outskirts of Nephele," Seungcheol began, his voice low and hesitant. "My parents were farmers, and we had very little. But they always taught me the importance of hard work and integrity, and I knew that I wanted to make something of myself."

Y/N listened intently, her eyes never leaving Seungcheol's face. "What made you want to become a knight?"

Seungcheol smiled. "I always admired the knights of Nephele, with their bravery and honour. When I was old enough, I applied to become a squire, and worked my way up the ranks until I became head knight."

Y/N nodded, impressed. "You must have worked very hard to get where you are now."

Seungcheol nodded, his gaze meeting hers. "I did. But it was worth it, to be able to protect my kingdom and those I care about."

Y/N smiled at him, feeling a sense of warmth and admiration for the man beside her. "You're a true hero, Seungcheol."

Seungcheol felt his heart swell at Y/N's words, and he couldn't help but feel a growing attraction to her. He wanted to tell her how he felt, but he knew any relationship between them was forbidden. Even their brief encounters would be a topic of discussion in court. It was too risky, this was too risky.

As the sun began to set, Seungcheol and Y/N walked back to the castle, their conversation turning to lighter topics. But even as they laughed and joked with each other, they couldn't help but feel the growing tension between them. They both knew that their feelings for each other were dangerous, but they couldn't deny the attraction that burned between them.

—

As they walked through the castle corridors, Y/N couldn't help but feel restless. She had spent most of her life cooped up in the castle walls, and she longed for adventure and freedom. She had always felt confined by her duties as a princess, and she yearned for a life outside of the castle. Seungcheol noticed Y/N's restlessness, and he couldn't help but ask, "Is everything alright, Y/N?"

Y/N paused, unsure if she should reveal her deepest desires to Seungcheol. But something in his warm gaze made her feel safe, and she decided to confide in him. "I feel…trapped, Seungcheol," she admitted. "I want to explore the world, to see new places and meet new people. But as a princess, my duty is to stay within the castle walls and fulfil my obligations."

Seungcheol listened intently, his expression sympathetic. "I understand how you feel, Y/N," he said. "But as a knight, my duty is to protect the kingdom and its people. Sometimes, we have to sacrifice our own desires for the greater good."

Y/N nodded, understanding the weight of Seungcheol's words. "I know," she said. "But sometimes, I just wish I could be free."

Seungcheol smiled softly, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps one day, you will be," he said. "But for now, know that I will always be here to protect you and keep you safe."

Y/N smiled at Seungcheol, feeling grateful for his words. As they continued to walk through the castle, Y/N couldn't help but feel a growing attraction to the kind and protective head knight. But she knew that their growing feelings were forbidden, and she pushed her feelings aside. For now, she would focus on her duties as a princess and trust that Seungcheol would always be by her side.

But still, no matter how hard she forced her feelings down, trapping them in the back of her mind, she couldn't help but wonder. What would life with Seuncheol be like? With no duties, no nothing. Just him, and her, together.

—

As days went by, Y/N and Seungcheol's friendship grew stronger. They would often steal small moments together, sharing their dreams and fears with each other. Seungcheol found himself drawn to Y/N's free-spirited nature and her kind heart, and Y/N was enamoured by Seungcheol's unwavering dedication to his duty and his bravery.

One afternoon, Y/N was sitting by the castle gardens, reading a book, when Seungcheol appeared before her. "May I join you, Y/N?" he asked, smiling.

Y/N smiled back, gesturing for him to sit next to her. "Of course, Seungcheol," she said, patting the spot next to her.

As they sat together, Seungcheol couldn't help but notice the way Y/N's hair danced in the gentle breeze. "Y/N, can I ask you something?" he said, breaking the peaceful silence.

Y/N turned to him, curious. "Of course," she replied.

Seungcheol hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Do you ever think about…us?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N's heart skipped a beat at Seungcheol's words. "What do you mean?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

Seungcheol turned to her, his expression serious. "I mean…do you ever feel…something for me?" he said, his eyes searching hers, his hands unclenching and clenching as he struggled to conceal his nerves.

Y/N felt her cheeks heat up, and she looked down at her lap. "Seungcheol, you know we can't," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seungcheol took her hand in his, squeezing it gently, causing Y/N to look up at him. "I know, Y/N," he said. "But…I can't help how I feel. And I have to know if you feel the same way."

Y/N felt torn between her duty as a princess and her growing feelings for Seungcheol. She took a deep breath before speaking. "Seungcheol…I do feel something for you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seungcheol's face lit up with a smile, and he leaned in, placing a soft, lingering kiss on her cheek. "I'm glad," he said. "We'll figure something out, Y/N. I promise."

But despite Seungcheol's words, he couldn't help but feel conflicted. He knew that as the head knight, his duty was to protect the kingdom, and that meant putting his own feelings aside. He couldn't risk jeopardizing Y/N's safety, or his own reputation and honour as a knight.

—

The next day, as they walked through the castle halls, Y/N noticed that Seungcheol seemed distant. "Seungcheol, is everything alright?" she asked, concern etched on her face.

Seungcheol stopped in his tracks, turning to face her. "Y/N, I need to talk to you," he said, his voice serious.

Y/N felt a knot form in her stomach, fearing the worst. "What is it, Seungcheol?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seungcheol took a deep breath before continuing. "Y/N, I think it's best if we…if we stop seeing each other," he said, his eyes downcast.

Y/N felt her heart shatter into a million pieces at Seungcheol's words. "What? Why? Just yesterday we were happy together, what changed in such a short span of time?" she asked, tears forming in her eyes as she tripped over her own words.

Seungcheol turned to her, his expression pained as he tortured himself with the thought of parting with her. "It's for the best, Y/N," he said. "We can't let our feelings get in the way of our duty to the kingdom."

Y/N shook her head, tears streaming down her face, which she didn't attempt to wipe away, instead staring at him with her emotions raw and desperation apparent within her glassy eyes. "I can't do that, Seungcheol," she said, her voice shaking. "I can't just ignore how I feel about you."

Seungcheol took her hand in his, squeezing it tightly as he looked into her eyes as if he didn't really want to say goodbye, his hands revealing his true status. "I know, Y/N," he said. "But we have to try. For the kingdom."

Y/N nodded, feeling her heart heavy with sadness. She knew that Seungcheol was right, but that didn't make it any easier. They hugged each other tightly, trying to hold on to the small moments they shared together.

—

As the days passed, Y/N and Seungcheol tried their best to suppress their growing feelings for each other. They avoided spending time alone together, and their conversations became more formal and distant.

Y/N couldn't help but feel a sense of longing every time she saw Seungcheol. She missed the way he would smile at her, the way his eyes sparkled when he talked about his dreams, and the warmth of his embrace.

Seungcheol, too, found it difficult to deny his feelings for Y/N. He missed the sound of her laughter, the way she would tilt her head when she listened to him talk, and the softness of her touch.

But they both knew that their duty to the kingdom came first. They couldn't afford to let their personal desires cloud their judgment, especially with the tension rising between Nephele and Roseate.

One evening, as Y/N was walking through the castle gardens, she heard the sound of someone playing the lute. She followed the sound until she came across Seungcheol sitting by a fountain, strumming the instrument.

"Seungcheol, you play the lute?" she asked, surprised, as she approached him with hesitance, still unsure of where their relationship lay.

Seungcheol smiled, setting the lute aside. "Yes, I've been playing since I was a child," he said.

Y/N sat down next to him, his thigh brushing hers, feeling a sense of peace as she listened to the music. "It's beautiful," she said softly, her eyes slowly trailing up from where his fingers strummed onto the instrument, and up towards his eyes.

Seungcheol looked at her, his eyes softening as he fought through the heavy fog in his mind urging him to stop. "You're beautiful," he said before he could stop himself.

Y/N felt her heart skip a beat at his words. She looked at him, seeing the conflict in his eyes. "Seungcheol, I know this is difficult," she said. "But I can't ignore how I feel about you."

Seungcheol sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Y/N, I…I feel the same way," he admitted. "But we can't act on our feelings. It's too risky." Y/N nodded, feeling a sense of disappointment wash over her. "I understand," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Seungcheol took her hand in his, giving it a gentle squeeze. "But that doesn't mean we can't be friends," he said, a small smile forming on his lips.

Y/N smiled back, feeling a sense of relief. "I'd like that," she said.

As they sat there together, listening to the sound of the lute and the gentle trickle of the fountain, Y/N and Seungcheol realized that their feelings for each other wouldn't go away easily. But for now, they would try to be content with the small moments they shared and hope that someday, they could be together without any obstacles in their way.

Seungcheol felt a strange sensation inside his chest, a feeling he couldn't quite describe. He had never felt this way before, not even with the other women he had courted in the past. He couldn't deny that he was attracted to y/n, but he couldn't act on those feelings. It was forbidden for a knight to pursue a princess.

He took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. "I think it's best if we get back to the castle now, Princess," he said, breaking the silence. Y/n nodded, not daring to meet his gaze. She was equally confused by the feelings that had arisen between them, but she knew better than to act on them. She was a princess, and he was a knight sworn to protect her and her kingdom. "Please, let me escort you back to your room, Princess."

They walked back to the castle in silence, lost in their own thoughts. When they arrived, they bid each other goodnight, and Seungcheol watched as y/n disappeared into the castle's corridors.

He couldn't stop thinking about her, about the way her eyes had sparkled in the moonlight, about the sound of her laughter. He knew he shouldn't feel this way, but he couldn't help it. He had to keep his feelings in check, for the sake of his duty and his honour.

Little did he know, y/n was struggling with the same feelings. As she lay in bed that night, she couldn't stop thinking about Seungcheol. She couldn't deny the way her heart had raced when he had touched her hand, the way she had felt safe and protected in his presence.

But she knew it was futile to pursue those feelings. She was a princess, and he was a knight. Their love was forbidden, and they could never act on it.

And so, they both lay in their separate chambers, their hearts heavy with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. The tension between the kingdoms of Nephele and Roseate continued to rise, and the future of their love seemed bleak.

—

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months. The tension between Nephele and Roseate continued to escalate, with rumours of a possible war spreading throughout the kingdom.

Seungcheol and y/n tried their best to keep their distance, to ignore the feelings that had grown between them. But it was becoming harder and harder with each passing day.

One evening, Seungcheol was on patrol duty when he heard a noise coming from the castle walls. He immediately went to investigate, and to his surprise, he found y/n climbing down the wall, her hair blowing in the wind.

"Princess, what are you doing? You know, we need to stop meeting like this," he asked, his voice filled with concern.

"I couldn't sleep," she said softly, her eyes downcast. "I needed to clear my head."

Seungcheol couldn't deny the admiration he felt for y/n. Despite the danger, she had climbed down the walls of the castle all by herself, determined to escape the confines of her room. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her spirit, her determination to be free.

"Come with me," he said, extending his hand. "I know a place where we can watch the stars without any distractions."

Y/n hesitated for a moment before taking his hand, and together they walked to a secluded garden, hidden behind the castle walls. The stars shone brightly overhead, and the gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming flowers.

They sat down on a bench, and Seungcheol couldn't help but steal glances at y/n. He admired the way she looked up at the stars, the way her eyes sparkled with wonder.

"Princess, can I ask you something?" he said, breaking the silence. "Of course," she said, turning to face him.

"Why did you climb down the walls?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I… I needed to escape," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I can't stand being trapped in the castle all the time. I want to be free, to explore the world outside these walls."

Seungcheol felt a pang in his heart. He knew all too well the feeling of being trapped, of not being able to pursue one's dreams.

"I understand," he said softly. "I feel the same way sometimes. But we have duties to our kingdom, to our people."

"I know," y/n said, her voice laced with sadness as her head slowly gravitated to lay on Seuncheols shoulder, seeming to have forgotten their prior agreement of friendship. "But sometimes… sometimes I wish I could just run away, to leave all of this behind."

Seungcheol's heart ached for y/n. He knew how hard it was to be trapped in one's duties, to not be able to pursue one's desires. He wanted nothing more than to hold her close, to comfort her and tell her that everything would be alright. But for now, he had to settle with running his fingers through her soft locks of hair, relishing in the feeling of closeness between the two.

He knew he couldn't go any farther than that. Their love was forbidden, and he had to keep his feelings in check, no matter how much his heart ached each time they parted and how they felt so right yet simultaneously being wrong together.

And so, they sat in silence, watching the stars above, lost in their own thoughts and desires. The tension between their kingdoms continued to rise, and their love remained forbidden.

Y/n smiled at Seungcheol's gesture, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "Thank you, Seungcheol," she said softly, "you always know how to make me feel better."

Seungcheol chuckled, "I try my best, princess." He paused for a moment before speaking again, "I must admit, it feels nice to be able to speak to someone openly like this. I've never really had anyone to confide in before."

Y/n's expression softened, "I'm glad I can be that person for you, Seungcheol."

Their eyes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still. The air was thick with unspoken feelings, and Y/n's heart raced in her chest.

Seungcheol cleared his throat and broke the moment, "Anyway, we should probably head back to the castle now. It's getting late."

Y/n nodded, feeling a bit disappointed that the moment had passed. They made their way back to the castle, walking side by side in comfortable silence.

As they reached the entrance, Seungcheol turned to Y/n, "I'll see you tomorrow, princess."

Y/n smiled softly, "Goodnight, Seungcheol."

As she walked away, Y/n couldn't help but think about the feelings that had been stirring inside of her since she had met Seungcheol. She knew that they were both of different stations and that any romantic feelings between them would be forbidden. Yet, she couldn't help but feel drawn to him in a way that she had never felt before.

Seungcheol, on the other hand, was feeling equally conflicted. He knew that he had a duty to protect Y/n and the kingdom of Nephele and that any romantic feelings between them would only complicate things. But, he couldn't deny the pull that he felt towards her, and the desire to be close to her.

As they both retired to their respective chambers, they couldn't help but think about each other and the unspoken feelings that hung between them.

—

The next few days passed in a blur, with Y/n and Seungcheol going about their respective duties as usual. However, there was a palpable tension between them, as if they were both acutely aware of the feelings that they were trying to suppress.

One afternoon, Seungcheol found himself on the training grounds, honing his skills with a sword. As he went through the motions, his mind kept wandering to thoughts of Y/n and the way that she had opened up to him the other day. He couldn't help but wonder if there was something more between them.

Suddenly, he was interrupted by a voice, "You seem to be deep in thought, Seungcheol."

Seungcheol turned to see Jeonghan, Y/n's older brother, standing a few feet away. Seungcheol had always found Jeonghan to be snarky and teasing, and he couldn't help but feel a bit on edge around him.

"I was just practising," Seungcheol said, sheathing his sword.

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow, "Is that what they're calling it these days?"

Seungcheol's jaw tensed, "What do you want, Jeonghan?"

Jeonghan smirked, "Just wanted to make sure you're keeping your hands to yourself when it comes to my sister."

Seungcheol bristled at the implication, "I assure you, my intentions towards the princess are purely honourable."

Jeonghan's smirk grew wider, "I'm sure they are. But just remember, Seungcheol, I'll be keeping a close eye on you. You know what a relationship between a knight and a princess will bring. You'll ruin her."

With that, Jeonghan turned and walked away, leaving Seungcheol feeling uneasy. He knew that Jeonghan had always been overprotective of Y/n, but something about his words felt like a warning.

—

Meanwhile, Y/n was sitting in the castle gardens, lost in thought. She had been feeling more and more suffocated by her duties as a princess, and the idea of being confined to the castle walls was starting to feel unbearable.

As she sat there, lost in thought, she was interrupted by a voice, "Princess, are you alright?"

Y/n looked up to see Seungcheol standing in front of her, concern etched on his face.

"I'm fine, Seungcheol," Y/n said, forcing a smile.

Seungcheol didn't look convinced, "Are you sure? You seem…distracted."

Y/n sighed, "I don't know, Seungcheol. I just feel so…trapped, sometimes. Like I'm not really living, you know?"

Seungcheol nodded, "I know what you mean. Sometimes it feels like our duties and responsibilities are all that define us."

Y/n looked up at him, feeling a sense of understanding between them. "Do you ever feel like…you want something more?" she asked, hesitantly.

Seungcheol's eyes met hers, and for a moment, they were both lost in thought. Finally, Seungcheol spoke, "I do. But sometimes, wanting more can be dangerous."

Y/n felt a twinge of disappointment in her chest, knowing that he was referring to their growing feelings for each other. But she also knew that he was right. Any sort of relationship between them would be forbidden and could put both of them in danger.

Seungcheol could feel his heart racing in his chest, and he knew that he was in trouble. He had never felt this way before, and he didn't know how to handle it. He was the head knight, and he had a duty to the kingdom of Nephele. He couldn't let his feelings for the princess get in the way of his duty.

But at the same time, he couldn't deny the way he felt about her. She was different from anyone he had ever met, and he found himself wanting to spend more and more time with her.

As they walked back to the castle, Seungcheol struggled to keep his emotions in check. He knew that he had to put some distance between himself and the princess, but he didn't want to hurt her in the process.

"Princess," he said, finally breaking the silence between them. "I think it would be best if we kept our distance from each other for a while."

Y/N looked up at him, her eyes filled with confusion and hurt. "What do you mean? We've been through this before Seungcheol. Separating us from each other doesn't help, it just brings more pain." she asked.

"I mean that I don't think it's appropriate for us to spend so much time together," Seungcheol replied, his voice firm but gentle. "I have a duty to the kingdom of Nephele, and I can't let my personal feelings get in the way of that."

Y/N's face fell, and Seungcheol felt a pang of guilt in his chest. He didn't want to hurt her, but he knew that he had to do what was best for the kingdom.

"I understand," she said softly. "I'll…I'll see you later then."

As Y/N stood up to leave, Seungcheol gently grabbed her wrist. "Wait," he said softly, his eyes searching hers. "I may not be able to act on my feelings for you, but I can't deny that they exist. I care about you deeply, Y/N. More than I should."

Y/N's heart skipped a beat as she looked into Seungcheol's eyes, seeing the raw emotion there. She swallowed hard, feeling her own emotions rise to the surface. "I care about you too, Seungcheol," she said quietly. "But I understand that duty comes first. I won't ask you to choose."

Seungcheol's grip on her wrist tightened slightly. "I wish it were that simple," he said, his voice low. "But the truth is, I don't know how long I can hold back my feelings for you."

Y/N's heart fluttered at his words, and she felt a glimmer of hope. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I mean that every time I see you, every time we talk, my feelings for you grow stronger," Seungcheol admitted, his voice full of emotion. "I can't keep denying them forever."

Y/N felt her own feelings intensify at his words, but she knew that the situation was complicated. "What can we do, then?" she asked, her voice filled with uncertainty.

Seungcheol looked away, his gaze fixed on the ground. "I don't know," he said, his voice barely audible. "But for now, we must keep our feelings hidden. It's the only way to protect ourselves and the kingdom."

Y/N nodded, understanding the weight of his words. "I will keep my feelings hidden, Seungcheol," she said softly. "But know that they exist and that I care about you deeply."

Seungcheol gave her a small, sad smile. "I know, Y/N," he said. "And I care about you too."

—

Seungcheol let out a deep sigh, his heart feeling heavy with the weight of their conversation. He knew that what he was feeling for Y/n was more than just a simple admiration or friendship, but he couldn't bear to admit it to himself.

As they approached the castle gates, Seungcheol cleared his throat and turned to Y/n. "I… I must take my leave now, Princess. Duty calls," he said, his voice betraying the turmoil in his heart.

Y/n nodded, her eyes filled with a mix of sadness and understanding. "Of course, Head Knight. I will see you soon."

Seungcheol gave her a small smile before turning to leave, his mind racing with thoughts and emotions he couldn't quite grasp. As he made his way back to the barracks, he couldn't help but replay their conversation in his mind, the words and emotions haunting him.

Days passed and Seungcheol found himself more and more drawn to Y/n, despite his best efforts to distance himself. He found excuses to be near her, to speak with her, and to bask in the warmth of her company. He was helpless to resist her charms and found himself falling deeper and deeper into a love he couldn't deny.

However, the tension between the Kingdoms of Nephele and Roseate continued to grow, and Seungcheol's duties as Head Knight demanded more of his attention. Minghao's actions only seemed to stoke the flames of conflict, and it was becoming increasingly clear that war was on the horizon.

As Seungcheol trained his knights and prepared for the worst, he couldn't help but think of Y/n and how he longed to protect her from the impending danger. He knew that their love was forbidden, but he couldn't help but hope that somehow, they could find a way to be together.

Little did he know, Y/n felt the same way. She yearned for the freedom to love whomever she wished, and Seungcheol had captured her heart in a way she never thought possible. As the kingdom braced for war, their feelings would be put to the ultimate test.

—

As the days passed, tensions between Nephele and Roseate continued to rise. Minghao's strict laws and harsh taxes were causing unrest among the people of Roseate, and rumours of rebellion began to spread.

Seungcheol and his fellow knights were constantly on high alert, ready to defend their kingdom if Roseate decided to attack. But even with their swords and shields at the ready, Seungcheol couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled in his stomach.

One night, Seungcheol was patrolling the castle walls when he heard footsteps approaching. He turned to see Princess Y/N walking towards him.

"Is everything alright, Your Highness?" Seungcheol asked concern etched on his face.

"I couldn't sleep," Y/N admitted, her voice soft. "The tension between our kingdoms is weighing heavily on my mind."

Seungcheol nodded, understanding. "It's understandable to feel that way. But rest assured, we will do everything in our power to protect Nephele."

Y/N smiled faintly, but there was a sadness in her eyes that Seungcheol couldn't ignore. "I just wish there was another way. I don't want to see more bloodshed or lose any more lives."

Seungcheol took a step closer to Y/N, his hand reaching out to gently touch her arm. "I know," he said softly. "I wish for the same thing. But sometimes, in order to protect what we love, we must make difficult choices."

Y/N's eyes met Seungcheol's, and in that moment, Seungcheol could feel the weight of their unspoken feelings hanging between them. He quickly withdrew his hand, stepping back.

"Your Highness, it's getting late," Seungcheol said, his voice slightly strained. "You should return to your chambers and rest."

Y/N nodded, turning to leave. But before she did, she looked back at Seungcheol. "Thank you, Seungcheol. For always being there for me."

Seungcheol watched her go, his heart heavy with the knowledge that he could never have her. Not while tensions between their kingdoms ran so high.

—

Despite the tensions between the kingdoms, life in Nephele continued as usual. Seungcheol continued to train and lead his knights, while Y/N remained confined to the castle walls, longing for a chance to explore the world outside.

One day, news arrived that Minghao, the prince of Roseate, had made a bold move, one that could be interpreted as a threat to Nephele. It was rumoured that he had sent a letter to the king of Nephele, demanding that he submit to Roseate's rule or face the consequences. The tension between the two kingdoms reached new heights, and everyone in Nephele was on edge.

Seungcheol spent countless nights strategizing with his fellow knights, determined to protect his kingdom at all costs. Meanwhile, Y/N grew increasingly restless, tired of being kept in the dark about everything that was going on.

One day, while wandering the castle gardens, Y/N stumbled upon Seungcheol. He was standing by the fountain, deep in thought. She approached him, hoping for some answers.

"Seungcheol," she said softly. "What's going to happen to Nephele? Will we be safe?"

Seungcheol turned to face her, his eyes filled with concern. "I can't say for certain, Y/N," he said. "But I promise you, I will do everything in my power to protect this kingdom. That's what I was trained to do, and I take that duty very seriously."

Y/N nodded, feeling comforted by his words. She took a step closer to him, and Seungcheol could feel the warmth radiating from her body. He couldn't help but feel drawn to her, even though he knew it was forbidden.

As if sensing his inner turmoil, Y/N reached out and placed a hand on his arm. "Seungcheol, I know we come from different worlds," she said. "But I feel like we have a connection, something special. Don't you feel it too?"

Seungcheol froze, unsure of what to say. He knew he couldn't deny the feelings he had for her any longer, but he also knew that pursuing a relationship with her would be dangerous, both for him and for Nephele.

"I do feel it, Y/N," he said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Y/N's heart skipped a beat at Seungcheol's words, and she knew then that she felt the same way. Without a word, she leaned in and kissed him. The kiss was hesitant at first, but soon turned passionate as they let go of their reservations.

Their tongues danced passionately in chorus with each other as Y/N's hand clutched desperately onto Seungcheols shirt, fisting it as if she was scared to be separated from him. Seungcheol brought his hand up, placing it onto her jaw and angling her head up to give him better access to her plush lips, using his spare hand as support for the back of y/n's head.

As they separated, their foreheads joint and their heartbeats each beating in a hurry, they stared into each other's eyes, a silent conversation occurred as they explored the colours and emotions evident in each of their irises.

"Are you sure you want to do this, Princess?" Seungcheol spoke, his voice wavering with desperation as he slowly massaged the back of her head and looked deeply at her. Once he felt her nod against him, he guided them through the walls of the castle, using his knight training to avoid passersby as he led them into Y/N's private chambers.

Seungcheol made work of untying the layers making up Y/Ns blush pink gown, carefully untying the ribbons as he pressed delicate kisses against her collarbone, relishing in the breathless gasps she would release. Y/N gasps loudly and brings her arms to wrap around his neck as Seungcheol lifts her up from the backs of her thighs.

Without struggle, Seungcheol walks them towards her bed, carefully laying her down so her back rests on the mattress, but still not letting his arms unwrap from around her, y/n doing the same, not wanting to separate from him.

Seungcheol trails his fingers towards the end of her undergarments, slowly tucking his fingers down to lift them up and off her, revealing her bare self to him. Seungcheol refrains himself from sighing in pleasure as he stares back into her eyes, feeling complete as he puts his mouth upon her, licking and sucking her most sensitive parts as she writhes above him.

Y/N's hands rested on his broad shoulder as he ravished her, clawing at the material of his shirt with shakey hands, silently signalling for him to take it off, wanting to see, and feel, more of him.

Seungcheol tore his shirt off, wanting to obey all of Y/N's wants and fulfil her needs. However, he didn't waste time as he went back to relishing in the sweet taste of her core, moaning and humming in pleasure as he slowed down his advances, instead, laying gently kisses over her core, not once breaking eye contact, "You like that, Princess? You like it when I bury my mouth onto your pretty pussy like this? Oh I know you do, you're practically leaking, aren't you, my pretty princess?"

"Yes, Cheol, oh yes. 'Makes me feel so good when you l-lick me!" Y/N mewled, in between pleased squeals and whimpers.

Seungcheol didn't hesitate to add a finger into the mix, curling it into a hook as he eased it inside of her, making a grabbing motion with his finger as he moved it inside her, relishing in the feeling of her squeezing around him, "S'not enough for you, is it, Princess? You want another finger, you can't get enough of me, right? Well, you have to ask for it, Princess. Tell me what you want?"

"Y-you, I want more of you, need more of you inside me. Give me more, Cheolie!" Y/N begged in between startled moans as her fingers dug into his shoulders, no doubt leaving scars behind in her wake.

Seungcheol follows as she commanded, chuckling lowly to himself at her desperation as he pumped another finger inside her whilst using his tongue to play with her clit, feeling himself harden at her moans.

"Why don't you taste yourself, princess?" Seunghceol urges as he brings his covered fingers up to her mouth, seeing her take them in and suck on them whilst looking into his eyes, "God, you're so perfect, princess, I need you right now, fuck, need to be inside of you."

Seungcheol stands up from his place on his knees, making work of escaping from his briefs to reveal himself, standing tall as the bright red tips released pre-cum that dripped down his veiny base. He grabbed her thighs, lifting them to wrap around his waist, leaving him to tease her entrance with his tip.

"You ready for me, Princess? Ready for me to make you completely mine?" Seungcheol asked, stroking her hair from her eyes, wanting to see all of her as he claimed her. His eyes softened momentarily as he breathed against her lips before pressing them to meet hers in a gentle kiss before he slowly plunged into her, moaning lowly as she squeezed him and gasped out his name, "Thats right, princess, say my name. I'm yours."

Their bodies entwined, and they moved together in a rhythm that was both passionate and gentle. Y/N's fingers dug into Seungcheol's back as she cried out his name, lost in the sensations that he was stirring within her.

Seungcheol was equally lost in the moment, his love for Y/N spurring him on to new heights of passion. He whispered sweet nothings into her ear, his breath hot against her skin as he brought her to the brink of ecstasy.

As the night wore on, their movements became more frantic and their breaths more ragged. Seungcheol explored every inch of Y/N's body with his hands, his lips, and his tongue, leaving trails of fire in his wake. Y/N moaned and writhed beneath him, her fingers tangled in his hair as he brought her closer and closer to the edge.

Finally, with a gasp, she shattered into a million pieces, her body shaking with pleasure. Seungcheol held her tightly as she rode out the waves of her orgasm. He moved inside her slowly at first, savouring the feeling of her tightness around him, but soon his movements became more urgent.

Y/N met him thrust for thrust, arching her back and crying out his name as they moved together in perfect harmony. As they lay there afterwards, sweat-drenched and breathless, Seungcheol pulled Y/N into his arms and held her tightly, as if he never wanted to let her go. "I love you," he whispered into her hair, as Y/N slept from within his arms.

The night was filled with whispered promises and moments of pure bliss. For a while, they forgot about the tensions between their kingdoms and the duties that awaited them. But as the morning light began to filter through the curtains, Seungcheol reluctantly pulled away from Y/N's embrace.

Seungcheol gazed at Y/N's face as they lay tangled in the sheets, her breathing slowly returning to normal. He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for what he was planning to do next. But he knew it was for the best, for both of them.

Y/N stirred and turned to him, snuggling into his chest. "Seungcheol, promise me you'll come back to me," she whispered.

He brushed a lock of hair from her face and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead. "I promise, Y/N. I'll always come back to you."

But as he got dressed and prepared to leave, Seungcheol couldn't shake the feeling of dread in his chest. He knew that his plan was the only way to keep Y/N safe from his own feelings, but it didn't make it any easier to go through with it.

As he left Y/N's chambers, Seungcheol took one last look at her sleeping form and whispered, "Forgive me."

—

As Seungcheol made his way back to his quarters, he couldn't help but feel conflicted. He knew that he couldn't let his feelings for Y/N get in the way of his duty to Nephele. He needed to put his kingdom first, even if it meant hurting the woman he loved.

The next morning, Seungcheol woke up early, his mind already racing with plans. He needed to distance himself from Y/N, to make her hate him so that they could both move on. He couldn't let himself be distracted by his feelings any longer.

He dressed quickly, deliberately ignoring the marks Y/N had given him the night before. It was a painful reminder of what they could never have. As he made his way to the stables, Seungcheol came up with a silent plan to make Y/N hate him. He would be cold and distant, ignoring her every chance he got. It would hurt, but it was necessary.

As he mounted his horse and rode out to the front lines, Seungcheol couldn't help but feel a sense of emptiness. He knew that what he was doing was necessary, but it didn't make it any less painful. He would bear the burden of his unrequited love in silence, sacrificing his own happiness for the good of his kingdom.

Little did he know, Y/N was sitting in her chambers, tears streaming down her face as she tried to come to terms with Seungcheol's departure. She couldn't help but wonder if she would ever see him again, or if their passionate night together was just a fleeting moment of happiness before their inevitable separation.

—

As he made his way to the courtyard, he noticed a group of soldiers gathered around a table, poring over maps and discussing strategy. Seungcheol strode over, his mind fully focused on the task at hand.

"We need to secure the northern border," he said, addressing the soldiers. "If Roseate decides to attack, that's where they'll come from."

The soldiers nodded in agreement, and Seungcheol continued to give orders, outlining a plan of attack. He was so focused on the task at hand that he didn't notice Jeonghan approaching.

"Seungcheol," Jeonghan said, his tone laced with contempt. "I didn't know you were the one in charge here. I thought that was the job of the King, not the head knight."

Seungcheol bristled at Jeonghan's tone, but he kept his voice even as he responded. "Your father is busy with other matters," he said, trying to keep the irritation out of his voice. "It falls to me to protect Nephele."

Jeonghan sneered. "Protecting Nephele? Is that what you call it? It seems to me like you're more interested in cosying up to my sister."

Seungcheol felt a surge of anger at Jeonghan's words, but he forced himself to stay calm. "You have no right to speak to me like that," he said through gritted teeth. "I am a loyal knight of Nephele, and I will do whatever it takes to protect this kingdom."

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? I wonder how far your loyalty really extends."

Seungcheol gritted his teeth, feeling the blood rush to his face. He wanted to lash out at Jeonghan, to defend himself and his honour. But he knew that it would only make things worse.

Instead, he turned on his heel and walked away, feeling Jeonghan's eyes burning into his back. He had a job to do, and he couldn't let anything get in the way of that.

As he walked towards the stables to prepare his horse, Seungcheol couldn't help but wonder if his plan to push Y/N away was the right one. He knew that it was for the greater good, but the thought of never seeing her again made his heartache.

But he pushed those thoughts aside, reminding himself that duty came before personal feelings. He mounted his horse and rode off towards the northern border, steeling himself for the battle that lay ahead.

—

As he rode out to meet the Roseate army, Seungcheol felt a pang in his heart at the thought of Y/N. He couldn't let his guard down, though. He had to keep his mind clear and his focus sharp.

The battle was fierce, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Seungcheol fought with all his might, his mind focused solely on the battle. He couldn't afford to make any mistakes.

As the battle raged on, Seungcheol spotted Minghao on the opposite side of the battlefield. He gritted his teeth in anger, thinking about the tensions between Nephele and Roseate caused by the Prince's recent actions.

Seungcheol and his men fought valiantly, eventually pushing back the Roseate army and claiming temporary victory for Nephele.

The battle was intense and gruelling, but Seungcheol led the Nephele army to victory. As he rode back into the kingdom, he saw Y/N waiting for him, a look of concern etched on her face.

"Seungcheol, are you okay?" she asked, rushing over to him.

He forced himself to be cold, to push her away. "I'm fine, Princess. Just doing my duty as head knight."

Y/N looked hurt, but she didn't push the issue. Seungcheol knew that he had to keep up this act, even if it hurt both of them in the process.

Days turned into weeks, and Seungcheol continued to distance himself from Y/N. He was cold and distant, always putting his duty to the kingdom above his personal feelings.

Y/N tried to reach out to him, to understand what had happened between them, but Seungcheol shut her out. He couldn't risk giving in to his feelings for her, no matter how much he wanted to.

Eventually, Y/N began to give up hope. She stopped trying to reach out to Seungcheol, and their interactions became strained and formal.

Seungcheol watched her from afar, his heart breaking at the thought of losing her. But he knew that it was for the best. He couldn't let their feelings for each other get in the way of his duty to Nephele.

So he pushed her away, silently bearing the pain of his own broken heart.

—

For the next few days, Seungcheol kept his distance from Y/N. He went about his duties as head knight, staying focused on training the soldiers and organizing battle plans in case of another attack. Whenever Y/N approached him, he was curt and distant. It was painful for him to do, but he knew it was for the best.

Y/N was confused and hurt by Seungcheol's sudden change in behaviour. She tried to talk to him, but he always had some excuse to leave or was too busy to pay her much attention.

Days turned into weeks and soon Seungcheol was preparing for the final battle against Roseate. As they were about to leave, Y/N approached him once more. "Seungcheol, please talk to me," she pleaded. "What's going on? Why are you acting like this?"

Seungcheol took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "Y/N, I can't do this anymore," he said, his voice steady but laced with pain. "I can't keep pretending that everything is okay between us when I know that it's not. We both know that what we shared was a mistake. It can't happen again."

Y/N was shocked and hurt by Seungcheol's words. Tears filled her eyes as she struggled to comprehend what he was saying. "Seungcheol, please don't do this," she begged. "We can work through this together. We can figure it out."

But Seungcheol remained firm. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I can't," he said, before turning and walking away, leaving Y/N alone and heartbroken.

As he rode away, Seungcheol couldn't help but feel like he was making the biggest mistake of his life. But he knew it was necessary. He had to push Y/N away before their feelings became too strong to ignore. He had to do what was best for both of them, even if it meant sacrificing his own happiness.

Seungcheol watched as Y/N walked away, feeling a pang of guilt in his chest. He knew he was hurting her, but he couldn't let himself get any closer to her. Not when he had a duty to fulfil to Nephele.

—

As the bright summer months began to change into a gruelling winter, Seungcheol continued to avoid Y/N's company whenever he could. He focused on his duties as the head knight and tried to push aside the growing feelings he had for the princess.

But it wasn't easy. Every time he saw her, his heart ached. He missed the way she smiled at him, the sound of her laughter, the warmth of her touch. But he knew he had to stay strong, for both their sakes.

One day, as Seungcheol was training his men in the courtyard, he saw Y/N walking towards him. He tensed up, unsure of what to do.

"Seungcheol," Y/N said, her voice soft.

"Princess," he replied, keeping his tone cold and formal.

"I…I know you've been avoiding me," she said, her eyes downcast. "And I understand why. But I can't help how I feel."

Seungcheol felt his resolve crumbling. He wanted nothing more than to take her into his arms and tell her how he felt. But he knew he couldn't.

"Princess, please," he said, his voice rough with emotion. "I can't…we can't."

"Why?" Y/N asked, looking up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Because it's forbidden," Seungcheol replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I have a duty to this kingdom."

"But don't you have a duty to yourself as well?" Y/N asked, her voice trembling.

Seungcheol sighed heavily. He knew she was right. He had been trying so hard to deny his own feelings that he had forgotten to take care of himself.

"I…I don't know," he said finally. "All I know is that we can't be together. Not now, at least."

Y/N nodded, tears streaming down her face. "I understand," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But it doesn't make it any easier."

Seungcheol felt a lump form in his throat as he watched her walk away. He knew he had made the right decision, but it didn't stop his heart from breaking.

—

Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months. Seungcheol had been away on the frontlines, leading the charge against the kingdom of Roseate. Y/N was left in the castle, waiting anxiously for any news of the war. She had tried to reach out to Seungcheol, but he was cold and distant, ignoring her letters and avoiding her at every turn.

Y/N couldn't understand why Seungcheol was acting this way. She had thought they had something special, something that could survive the trials of war and distance. But now, she was left feeling confused and heartbroken. She had never felt this way before, and it scared her.

One day, Y/N was walking in the castle gardens, lost in her thoughts when she heard a voice behind her. "Princess, a messenger from the front lines has arrived with news for you."

Y/N turned around and saw a young soldier, his face weary and tired. "What news do you have?" she asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

The soldier hesitated for a moment before speaking. "I'm sorry to inform you, but the head knight, Seungcheol, was captured by the enemy. We don't know his fate, but we fear the worst."

Y/N felt like the ground had been ripped from beneath her feet. Her heart ached with indescribable pain. She couldn't believe that Seungcheol was gone, that he might never come back to her.

She went to her chambers and sat down at her desk, her hands shaking as she wrote a letter to her brother, Jeonghan, begging him to help her find Seungcheol. She knew that Jeonghan didn't approve of their relationship, but she had to do everything in her power to save Seungcheol.

Days turned into weeks, and Y/N heard nothing from Jeonghan. She felt hopeless, alone, and scared. She missed Seungcheol more than anything in the world, and she didn't know what to do without him.

Y/N spent her days waiting for any news of Seungcheol, praying that he was still alive and that they could be reunited. She felt like she was living in a nightmare, and she didn't know how to escape it.

—

As Seungcheol was dragged away from the battlefield, he saw Minghao and his soldiers approach him, sneering with a wicked grin on his face. Seungcheol gritted his teeth, his mind racing with the thought of the safety of his kingdom.

"What do you want?" Seungcheol demanded, trying to break free from the hold of the soldiers.

"Ah, the mighty Head Knight of Nephele, how honourable," Minghao taunted, approaching him. "I have heard of your bravery, Seungcheol. Your loyalty to your kingdom is commendable, but I'm afraid it will not save you now."

Seungcheol's heart sank, realizing that he was completely outnumbered and outmatched. He tried to keep his composure, knowing that showing fear would only give them more satisfaction. But inside, he was terrified.

"What do you want from me?" Seungcheol repeated, struggling to keep his voice steady.

Minghao leaned in close, a sly smile on his face. "Oh, nothing much. Just a little information."

Seungcheol's heart raced, knowing that he couldn't reveal any secrets about Nephele, even under the threat of torture. He steeled himself, ready to face whatever was to come.

But little did he know, this would be the beginning of a long and painful journey for both himself and Y/N.

—

Days passed before Seungcheol was once again brought before the Roseate King, Minghaos father, who had mysteriously recovered from the plague seeming to corrupt all five kingdoms, and his generals. However, Minghao's presence was not there, his absence leaving a fierce feeling of doom amongst Seungcheol.

They stood before him with smirks on their faces, ready to interrogate him for information on the Nephele kingdom. They had been brutal with him, trying to break him down, but Seungcheol remained strong. He refused to give them any information that would harm his kingdom.

The Roseate King grew impatient and raised his voice, "You are a loyal dog, Seungcheol, but your loyalty to the Nephele kingdom will be your downfall."

Seungcheol remained steadfast, his eyes never leaving the king's as he teased Seuncheol with the idea of hurting the ones he loved most, seeming to go through a mental list in his mind to spot any weaknesses.

"What about Princess Y/N, a pretty one I hear, loved amongst all the kingdoms." The King began, the corners of his lips rising as he spotted Seuncheols heaving chest.

Seungcheol's eyes hardened with determination. He knew then that he would fight until his last breath to protect her and his kingdom.

The Roseate King noticed the change in Seungcheol's demeanour and grinned. "Ah, I see we have touched a nerve. Tell us about your relationship with the princess."

Seungcheol's jaw clenched. He would not betray Y/N's trust, even if it meant his death.

"It would be a shame, wouldn't it, if one were to hurt the precious princess." One of the guards started, sizing Seungcheol up with his eyes as he talked.

Seungcheol saw red. He broke free from his restraints, instead using them as a weapon to weaken the guards surrounding him.

Seungcheol fought with a ferocity that surprised even himself. His muscles flexed with each movement, his sword slicing through the air with ease. He was a warrior, a protector, and nothing would stand in his way of protecting his kingdom and the woman he loved.

As he fought, Seungcheol heard Y/N's voice in his head, urging him on. He fought for her, for their love, and for the future, they could have together. The Roseate soldiers fell one by one, and soon Seungcheol was the only one standing.

Breathing heavily, he stood tall and looked at the Roseate King with a fierce glare. "I will protect my kingdom and my princess with my life. You will never lay a hand on her."

With that, Seungcheol turned and walked away, leaving the Roseate Kingdom behind. He would return to Nephele and to Y/N, to fight for their future and to love her with all his heart.

—

As Seungcheol stepped off his horse, he immediately spotted Y/N. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her hair was dishevelled from the wind. He couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt at the sight of her. He approached her slowly, unsure of how she would react.

But as soon as she saw him, all her reservations melted away. She ran towards him, her arms outstretched, and jumped into his embrace. Seungcheol wrapped his arms tightly around her, tears threatening to spill from his own eyes.

"Seungcheol!" Y/N cried, her voice choked with emotion. "I was so worried about you."

Seungcheol held her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his own. He buried his face in her hair, taking in her familiar scent. For a moment, he forgot all about the past, about the war, about everything except the woman in his arms.

"I'm sorry, Y/N," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I'm so sorry for everything."

Y/N pulled back slightly, looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. "I forgive you," she said softly. "I just want you to be safe."

Seungcheol nodded, his own eyes filling with tears. "I'll do everything in my power to protect you," he vowed.

The two of them stood there for a while longer, holding each other tightly. Y/N didn't care about the people passing by, staring at them. All she cared about was Seungcheol and the fact that he was finally back in her arms.

Finally, they pulled away from each other, and Seungcheol took a step back, his eyes scanning Y/N's face. "You're so beautiful," he said softly. Y/N blushed at his words, feeling her heart flutter in her chest. "Thank you," she whispered.

Seungcheol smiled at her, a warm, genuine smile that reached all the way to his eyes. It was a smile that made Y/N's heart skip a beat.

Seungcheol held Y/N in his arms, feeling her tears soak into his shirt. He pulled back slightly to look at her face, his thumb wiping away the tears that fell down her cheeks.

"I'm so sorry, Y/N," Seungcheol whispered, his voice heavy with guilt. "I should have never left you. I should have never tried to push you away."

Y/N looked up at Seungcheol, her eyes red and puffy from crying. "I don't care," she said softly. "I just want you. I've missed you so much."

Seungcheol's heart swelled with emotion. "I've missed you too, Y/N. More than you can imagine."

They stood there for a moment, lost in each other's eyes. And then, without another word, Seungcheol leaned down and captured Y/N's lips in a passionate kiss. She responded eagerly, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him closer.

The kiss was long and heated, full of the pent-up desire and longing they had been feeling for each other. When they finally pulled away, they were both breathless and flushed.

"I love you, Y/N," Seungcheol said, his voice hoarse with emotion. "I love you more than anything."

Y/N smiled through her tears. "I love you too, Seungcheol. I always have and I always will."

They kissed again, this time slower and more tender. They were lost in each other, finally free to love each other without fear or hesitation.

Jeonghan stood there in shock as he watched his sister and Seungcheol embrace each other. He had suspected that there was something between them, but he never expected it to be this intense. He watched as Seungcheol whispered sweet nothings into Y/N's ear, wiping away her tears.

The king, who had been watching from a distance, approached them with a stern look on his face. "Seungcheol, I understand that you have feelings for my daughter, but you know that as the Head Knight of Nephele, it is your duty to put your kingdom before your personal desires."

Seungcheol looked at the king with a determined expression. "I know that, Your Highness, but my duty to my kingdom does not mean that I have to give up on my happiness. I love Y/N with all my heart, and I will do whatever it takes to make her happy."

The king sighed heavily, knowing that he couldn't deny the love between Seungcheol and Y/N any longer. "Very well. But know that your actions will have consequences. I will not tolerate any disruption to the peace between our two kingdoms."

Seungcheol nodded his head in understanding, still holding onto Y/N tightly. Jeonghan finally snapped out of his daze and approached the couple with a wide smile on his face. "Well, it's about time you two finally confessed your love for each other! I always knew there was something special between you."

Y/N laughed through her tears and hugged her brother. "Thank you for understanding, Jeonghan. We just couldn't keep our feelings hidden any longer."

The rest of the day was filled with celebrations and feasts as the news of the two kingdoms finally coming together in love spread. Seungcheol and Y/N were inseparable, holding hands and stealing kisses whenever they could. They knew that they had a long road ahead of them, but they were willing to face it together.

As they watched the sunset together, Seungcheol pulled Y/N into his arms once again. "I never want to let you go, Y/N. You mean everything to me."

Y/N smiled up at him, her heart full of love and happiness. "I feel the same way, Seungcheol. I can't believe we were both so blind to our feelings for each other."

Seungcheol kissed her forehead gently. "But now we know, and we can make up for the lost time. I promise to love and protect you for as long as I live."

Y/N snuggled into his embrace, feeling safe and loved. "And I promise to love and support you in everything you do, Seungcheol. Together, we can conquer anything."

Y/N's arms tightened around him as she returned his kiss with equal fervour. They stood there, lost in each other's embrace, for what felt like an eternity. When they finally pulled away, they were both smiling through their tears.

"I missed you so much," Y/N said, looking up at Seungcheol with adoration in her eyes.

"I missed you too, Y/N," Seungcheol replied, his eyes shining with affection. "And I promise that I will never leave your side again."

As they walked away from the crowd, Seungcheol couldn't help but feel grateful for the second chance he had been given. He knew that he would never take Y/N for granted again, and he would always cherish the love that they shared.

it’s here, the first instalment of the sonder series! please comment and reblog, all feedback is appreciated and don’t be scared to literally spam my ask box since i really like interacting with readers. make sure to let me know which instalment you’re most excited for so i can start writing them!

tags : @shiningstar-byulxx @woo8hao @hoshi-mochi @sanxoxodra @memoooooooooo @tara-drabbles @eiiasmarteii @mimisxs @hikyeom @dearlosver

[cece693]

You're Not Crazy Pt.1 (The Mad Hatter x M! Reader)

I got an ask some time ago about writing for other Depp characters such as the Mad Hatter. I haven't seen the movies recently, so some things might not be canon, however, I do want to explore this fandom since it is relatively empty of fanfics :) I left it purposefully open-ended in case you guys want a 2nd part.

Summary: You believed your sister when she returned home and spoke of a land where magical and peculiar people roamed. You asked her to take you there, and there, you encounter the Mad Hatter.

tags: of age reader, your Alice's brother, older by a few years, you hadn't seen wonderland before, not following story or book timeline

You believed your sister from the moment she returned home, eyes wide and voice trembling with excitement. She spoke of a world hidden beyond the ordinary, a place where logic twisted into nonsense and peculiar beings roamed freely—a land called Wonderland. You listened, enraptured, as she described a realm of talking animals, living chess pieces, and the most unusual of tea parties. While others dismissed her tales as ramblings of a crazed girl with an overactive imagination, you knew better. You had always known better.

“I want to see it,” you told her one evening. “I want to go there, too.”

Your sister hesitated, her face clouding with concern. “It’s not a place for everyone,” she said softly. “It can be…overwhelming.” But you insisted. If she could brave Wonderland, then so could you. And so, with reluctance, she agreed.

The next day, you followed her through the forest behind your home, down winding paths that seemed to shift and change when you weren’t looking. Eventually, she stopped by a large oak tree, its roots sprawling like the fingers of some great, sleeping beast.

“This is where I fell through.” And before you could ask what she meant, she took your hand and jumped, pulling you into the hollow darkness beneath the tree.

The fall was long and winding, like tumbling through a kaleidoscope of colors and strange sounds. When you finally landed—rather unceremoniously—on a bed of soft grass, you found yourself surrounded by an impossible landscape. The sky was a deep lavender, the grass a brilliant shade of blue. Flowers whispered secrets as you passed, and a brook giggled like a child at play.

"Welcome to Wonderland." Your sister announced with a smile, her eyes alight with familiarity.

It was more magical and bizarre than you could have imagined. You wandered through towering mushroom fields and past chattering woodland creatures, your eyes darting in awe. But one tale from your sister’s stories captivated you most—the Mad Hatter and his eternal tea party.

You begged her to take you there, and she obliged, leading you down a winding path that seemed to twist back on itself like a living thing. She left you at the entrance to a clearing, insisting that the rest of this adventure would be yours alone.

“Just be careful with him.” she warned softly before disappearing back down the path. Confused by her words, you approached the clearing cautiously, the sound of clinking china and cheerful, nonsensical chatter growing louder with each step. And then you saw him—the Mad Hatter, sitting at the head of a long, crooked table filled with teapots, mismatched cups, and an array of pastries that defied description.

His hair was a wild mop of orange curls and his large green eyes glimmered with a feverish brightness. Beside him sat a hare who seemed to be caught in a perpetual state of alarm, and a sleepy mouse that napped in a teapot.

“More tea?” the Hatter exclaimed, lifting a cup in your direction before noticing you. “Ah, a new guest! How splendid, how rare!”

You hesitated, taking in his erratic movements and the almost manic excitement in his voice. He seemed to be all contradictions—both welcoming and wary, kind and somehow unsettling.

“I…I’ve heard a lot about you.” You said carefully, stepping closer.

“Have you, now?” The Hatter's eyes widened, and he leaned forward as if this was the most intriguing news he'd heard all day. “And what did you hear? That I’m mad as a hatter?”

You chuckled. “Well, yes. But also that you throw the best tea parties in Wonderland.”

This seemed to please him immensely. “Then you’ve heard correctly!” he declared, standing up with a flourish. “Do sit, do sit! There’s always room for one more at my table. Unless, of course, it’s Tuesday, and we’re already three cups deep in the riddle rounds. But it’s not Tuesday, is it?”

You shook your head, finding yourself smiling despite the oddity of it all. “No, it’s not Tuesday.”

“Wonderful! Sit, sit!” He patted a chair beside him, his smile so wide it was almost infectious. As you took your seat, he poured you a cup of tea without asking if you wanted one, dropping in a few sugar cubes for good measure. “Tell me, what brings you to my humble tea party? And don't say 'a rabbit,' because that would be terribly unoriginal.”

You explained how your sister had told you stories of this place and how you wanted to see it for yourself. The Hatter listened with an almost childlike fascination, nodding and “hmming” at all the appropriate moments.

“There’s something different about you.” he said thoughtfully after a while. “Most people who come here are either lost or looking for something they don’t understand. But you—oh, you’re not like the others, are you?”

You shrugged, unsure how to respond. “I just…wanted to see if it was real.”

The Hatter’s grin softened into something almost genuine. “And now that you’re here? What do you think?”

“I think it’s more than real,” you said. “It’s…alive.”

His eyes seemed to glow with approval. “I like you.” he declared suddenly. “You’re not afraid of madness. You might even be a bit mad yourself.”

You laughed, feeling a strange warmth spreading through your chest. For all his eccentricities, the Hatter made you feel like you belong in this topsy-turvy world. And you realized, with a start, that you liked it. You liked him.

As the days passed, you found yourself returning to the Hatter's tea party again and again. You never knew what to expect—sometimes, you’d spend hours debating the merits of invisible jam; other times, you’d sit in comfortable silence, simply enjoying the strangeness of each other’s company.

The Hatter, for his part, seemed equally drawn to you. He would light up whenever you appeared, his eyes twinkling with mischief and delight. There were moments when his wildness would soften, and you’d catch a glimpse of something deeper beneath the madness—something vulnerable and achingly sincere.

But as the weeks turned into months, a quiet conflict began to stir within you. Wonderland was a place where time didn’t matter, where rules were made to be broken, and madness was a way of life. And yet, the longer you stayed, the more you began to feel a strange pull—a yearning for the world you had left behind. Memories of home, of mornings filled with familiar scents and sunsets painting the sky in shades of gold, tugged at the edges of your mind. Then there was your sister who you dearly missed. You tried to ignore the pull, losing yourself in the Hatter's antics but the feeling persisted.

The Hatter noticed, of course. He was always watching you with those keen, almost too-bright eyes. One evening, as you sat together beneath the stars, he turned to you, his expression unusually serious.

“You’re thinking about it, aren’t you?” he asked quietly.

“Thinking about what?”

“Leaving.” he said, his voice edged with something fragile and raw. “Going back to your world. Abandoning me.”

His words cut deeper than you expected. “It’s not like that, Hatter. I just…I miss some things from home.”

“But you can’t have both.” he replied sharply. His hands trembled as he poured himself another cup of tea, spilling more than half of it onto the table. “You can’t live in two worlds at once. Sooner or later, you have to choose.”

You felt a pang of guilt twisting in your chest. “I don’t want to leave you. Not really.”

“Not really?” he repeated, his voice rising, eyes narrowing as he stared at you. “But ‘really’ enough to think about it. To dream of it.”

The words stung, and you felt a flare of frustration. “It’s not that simple, Hatter! You don’t understand—”

“I don’t understand?” His voice rose, and he stood abruptly, knocking over his chair. “Oh, I understand perfectly! You think you can dip in and out of Wonderland as you please, but this place changes you. It consumes you. And you think you can just walk away?”

“I don’t know what I want!” you shouted back, standing to face him. “I care about you, I do. But I can’t just—”

“Then go!” he interrupted, his face twisted in anger and heartbreak. “Leave if you must. But don’t come back. I can’t bear the thought of you dangling the possibility of forever only to snatch it away.”

“I’m sorry.” you whispered, unsure of what else to say. The Hatter’s face crumpled, and for the first time, you saw him for what he truly was—a broken soul clinging to the one bit of sanity that remained: you.

“Don’t be.” he murmured, turning away. “I’m just a madman, after all. And what would a madman know of love?”

As you stood there, watching him retreat into himself, you felt the weight of the decision pressing down on you like never before. Wonderland was a place of wonder, but it was also a place of madness. Could you stay here forever, leaving the world you knew behind in favor of Hatter's affections?

The answer wasn’t simple. It wasn’t clear. But as you watched the Hatter, his shoulders slumped and his hands trembling, you knew one thing: if you left, a part of you would always remain in Wonderland—lost among the teapots and riddles, forever searching for a madman’s love.

[goodgirlofglory]

Ambrosial / One-shot

Pairing: Bucky Barnes x reader

Word count: 7,1k

Warnings: Explicit language, explicit content, mutual pining, scent kink, smut, oral (f receiving), fingering, multiple orgasms, barely-there-handjob (like, not really at all), coming on clothes, a little bit of sweat kink? Sort of filth kink (not scat or anything like that but like, Bucky likes it messy), Bucky worshiping reader.

Summary: With his heightened senses, Bucky knows no peace when it comes to his olfactory system. Sweat, rotting food and sewage – the smells of the world surrounds him day in and day out. His only reprieve is the carefully curated space of his private quarters – and you, the sweet, new member of the team. With your unique, mouth-watering scent, it’s all he can do to not lose control around you. What happens when you unexpectedly cross that line between the two of you, and Bucky gets an opportunity to do more than just smell?

Note: My first Bucky fic eyooooo. He's a simp. It's weird, I feel like I'm so stuck in 2016 mcu. All I can picture is newly liberated-from-Hydra Bucky at the compound post civil war. But I reeeally liked this concept, and scent kinks really get me going. Anyone agree?

Your media consumption is your own responsibility, but I advise you not to interact if the contents of the warnings upset you.

Minors not welcome.

My work is not to be distributed outside my blog.

Replies, reblogs, likes and messages are amazing<3

Coffee, petrol, rusty iron, wet dog, shit, blood and old toothpaste. For as long as Bucky could remember, he could smell really well.

All his senses were heightened. The serum that made him a super soldier saw to that. But of all the senses, smell affected Bucky the most. Whether it made him think of a memory, alerted him to danger, gave him pleasure or was a bother. Most often it was the last one. Garbage, old sweat, farts and rotting food was a constant discomfort to him, assaulting his poor olfactory system wherever he went.

And no one, save for Steve, seemed to get why Bucky preferred to keep his rooms in the compound so clean. He feared Sam would never stop laughing that time he found the scented candle in Bucky's bathroom.

"You're killing me here, Buck! Lavender and rose petals," Sam had choked out between fits of laughter, wiping tears while clapping Bucky's shoulder.

"First of all, don't call me that, and second, fuck off," was all Bucky could say to his own defence. Steve had given him a look of understanding sympathy, while you had only chuckled at Sam's amusement. Bucky let Sam have his laugh and kept the candle.

You were the newest addition to the compound, and though you and Bucky hit it off in a polite and respectful tone, Bucky didn't really know you outside your skills and specialties in the field (which he had mostly learned from reading your file - not actually talking to you). The two of you didn't seem to have much in common besides a shared love for food. Your rooms were just near the kitchen, like Bucky's, so whenever something good was cooking, you both would come sniffing.

So, Bucky didn’t really know much about you, except that you had the sweetest scent he’d ever smelled. Rich, slightly spicy, a mix of dried herbs and honey mixed with warm skin. It made him think of lazy mornings in soft sheets, quiet, content walks in lush forests, and sex. It was so appealing to him, he’d started to guiltily look forward to every time he got to smell it. He couldn’t ever let you know that, though. Couldn’t let you know how deeply he subtly pulled your scent into his nostrils at times, and how much it sizzled within him. How it sometimes made his cock grow half hard and sensitive in his pants. You smelled so good. 

He was horrified by his own reaction, how he couldn’t control it. Bucky could control everything, held himself so tightly leashed he sometimes didn’t remember how it felt to react naturally to something. The semis you gave him were a direct threat to that control. 

Bucky could faintly remember being quite the ladies man back in the day. No more, though. He barely knew how to talk to people these days, let alone women. Let alone gorgeous, cute, good-smelling women like you.

He had most of the scents of the compound down by now. Natasha's caramel lattes in the morning, Steve's burnt toast and black roast. Wanda's paprika dishes and Clint's cheesy pizzas. At noon every day the hallway would smell with the fresh sweat of the joint training sessions. Sam would enjoy popcorn on Thursday’s movie night and a strong, musky cologne on Friday's club nights. There would always be the smell of liquor in the air when Tony was around, and more often than not, the smell of smoke as Steve went to cool off on his bike soon after.

Only Vision had no smell at all except a very faint hue of fresh, clinical rubber. Eerie, Bucky often thought to himself. Sometimes it was the only reminder that Vision wasn't human.

There were rarely any new smells for Bucky to note. Rarely something he didn't know what was, until one particular evening. The compound was quiet. A larger group were off on a mission, and the rest had scattered away, some leaving the grounds for a few days leave. Bucky had left his room to scavenge for snacks when he turned the corner into the kitchen and bumped straight into you. 

“Oh gosh! Hi Barnes! You scared me,” you said with a surprised smile after giving a little yelp, nearly dropping the bag of chips and steaming cup of tea in your hands. 

Bucky felt his body flush, partly embarrassed that he hadn’t sensed your presence before nearly tackling you off your feet, and partly because you were standing very close. Closer than he’d ever been.. Then your scent hit him, and a new wave of warmth spread in his body. It was…heavier than usual. Richer, with an overwhelming tangy note - the warm skin and lazy mornings in soft sheets he’d mentioned earlier - and it coursed through him like a comb through wet hair, leaving him momentarily stunned by sensation. He swallowed the sudden excess of saliva in his mouth and fought to not close his eyes. You were right there, for Christ's sake. 

Don’t be a creep! 

Bucky pointed to the items in your hands and said “snacks”. 

Stupid!

You looked down to where he pointed, momentarily puzzled before smiling and raising your cup in a small toast as you seemingly understood what he meant. 

“Way ahead of ya,” you said, then you sobered and when you met his eyes your cheeks had gained a strange hint of color. “You haven’t been out tonight? I thought I was all alone here,” you said, and Bucky was almost too distracted by your scent to realize you were nervous. 

“Ah, no. Not for me,” he said, and then added “going out on town and stuff,' cause his communication skills were truly atrocious. 

“Oh. Yeah, me neither,” you said, smiling softly at him, looking up through your lashes in a way that had him squirming in his skin. Bucky let his gaze track down to notice for the first time that you were only wearing a huge, oversized t-shirt and fuzzy blue socks. He could see your bare knees. So cute. 

Don’t get hard, don’t get hard, don’t get hard…

And then, as Bucky tried to will his cock not to swell in his sweatpants, he realized what he was smelling. It was arousal - your arousal. Or rather, that which came after your arousal. The smell of you post arousal. Bucky swallowed thickly again. You’d been masturbating. Or maybe you had a visitor. No, those weren’t allowed in the compound. 

You’d been self-pleasuring then, while you thought everyone was away. Which explained the rosy cheeks and nervous tone of voice - and the slip of control that had blood rushing to Bucky’s cock right before you. He resolutely fought the mental images away with a proverbial stick, shook himself quickly from his stupor and stepped past you, running for the fucking hills before you’d notice the tent forming in his pants and be forever creeped out by him. You didn’t deserve that, fucking hell. 

“Well, enjoy the rest of your evening,” he called over his shoulders and didn’t look back as he entered the kitchen. A long moment later you stammered out a “y-you too” before Bucky’s advanced hearing caught your feet slipping on the floor as you made your way back to your rooms. 

Later that night, hot with shame, Bucky laid in his bed, hard and aching as he remembered your smell, the way it had lingered in the hallway, and the way your cheeks looked with that adorable blush. But he didn’t touch himself - refused to be that way, knew he wouldn’t be able to look you in the eyes again if he did. 

§

That scent haunted him from that day forward. Each time he passed your room he would automatically look for it, each time he passed you he would scrutinize the nuances of your scent, trying to figure out if you’d been aroused recently or not. Not able to help himself, he would try and decipher if you were wet right then and there, if your scent changed during the brief time you were in a room with him. This was usually during mission briefings or the missions themselves, so it wasn’t often he ever caught your scent marinated and warm and potent like he had that day in the hallway. 

But then the day came where Steve, your usual sparring partner, was on a mission, and out of nowhere you asked Bucky if he could step in. 

“It’s just, with the serum and all, you might be the closest to Steve in terms of the level of challenge we’ve been working up to,” you said, looking down, hands behind your back as you stood before Bucky where he sat on the bench, having just finished a bench press set. 

He’d been resolutely not looking at you from the moment you unexpectedly stepped into the gym. Because he was concentrating on his routine, and because he was giving you space to concentrate on yours. But also because it was hard enough to keep his eyes reigned in when you weren’t sweaty and flushed, your compression shirt clinging to your toned torso, your tights hugging your thighs and oh god, plump, rounded ass perfectly. 

Bucky felt at home in the gym. It was a safe space for working out his surplus energy and jittering nerves, and fresh perspiration was a hundred times better than the stank of old socks and musty boxers he got elsewhere. He always felt a bit grimy, a bit uneasy in his own skin, with the way his bulky body and gait moved him through the delicate spaces of the compound. In the gym, he could just be loud and forceful in his grimy skin and everyone else was too. 

But now, with you so polite and sweet and shy before him, Bucky felt at a loss. He couldn’t damn well say no to you when you gave such a good reason for asking him. He didn’t want to be an asshole. You were supposed to be teammates. Colleagues.  

“What she means to say is that no one else is good enough for her,” Scott Lang chimed in from the bench next to Bucky when Bucky remained quiet a second too long. 

A familiar, rosy blush stole across your cheeks as you batted a hand towards Lang. 

“Maybe if you spent half as much time working your biceps as you do your mouth, I would’ve asked you,” you retorted, and Bucky didn’t bother to quell his snort of laughter. It wasn’t often he got to see your sassy side, though Steve had told him about it. 

You looked back and smiled a little at Bucky as Lang exaggerated a shocked gasp and got up from his bench. 

“You know, you shouldn’t be so nice all the time, Y/N. I would like to see you being a little mean,” he said as he grabbed his towel and headed for the gym exit, smiling all the while. 

“Try me, Bug-man.”

“I just might, ordinary human woman,” Scott threw back as he pushed through the doors. 

You looked back as Bucky, who was still recovering slightly from the smile you’d given him. 

“So, what’s it gonna be, Barnes?” you asked hopefully. 

“Yeah, sure,” he heard himself say, and almost immediately his heart kicked into gear. 

This is a stupid idea, he thought to himself as he joined you on the sparring mat. Your scent, alive with your fresh, warm sweat, wafted in a trail directly behind you where Bucky followed, trying not to take too noticeable pulls of air. You stretched for a bit and Bucky did the same so he wouldn’t end up staring. 

“So,” he started as he raised himself from a forward hamstring stretch, “what have you and Steve been working o- oof!”

His words were cut off as you launched yourself on him, landing a kick to his midriff that had the breath momentarily stealing from his lungs. Then his mind slipped into combat mode, and he lunged for you. 

It seemed like hours passed as you sparred. You’d come a long way in your training, and Bucky found himself receiving quick punches and efficient kicks unexpectedly several times. You’d already been sweaty when you started, and it didn’t take long for your mixed perspirations to clog Bucky’s nose, adding a layer of distraction to the mix. 

You wrapped your thighs around his head in a move eerily reminiscent of Natasha, and Bucky nearly blacked out as he came face to face to the source of that intoxicating scent. He might be gross, but he didn’t care. It smelled so fucking good. 

And then, as he grabbed you by the hips and flung you to the mat, catching your head from breaking against the floor and lowering himself to his knees between your legs to dampen the impact, you let out a surprised little squeal that had him flushing for entirely new reasons. 

You stopped short, panting furiously and looking up at Bucky with wide eyes, face red, hair clinging to the sweat on your forehead. You were utterly gorgeous, and Bucky was powerless. He couldn’t look away even if he wanted to. You were a dream like this, alive and blinding, so beautiful and so close. It gave him a sort of reverent pleasure just to be allowed to look at a woman like this. A lucky reward he was completely undeserving of. 

You stayed like that. You on your back, arms limp on the mat over your head, legs loosely draped over Bucky’s thighs as he sat on his knees between them, metal arm bracing on the mat by the side of your head, the other, softer one, cradled between the back of your head and the mat under it. 

And then the unmistakable, elusive scent of lazy mornings in bed, sex and spice hit his nose. Your arousal, mixing with your sweat to a lethal potion. Bucky couldn’t for the life of him stop the instinctual indraw of breath, feeling himself instantly getting a little dizzy of it. The appreciative sigh escaped him a moment later. 

Your mouth parted slightly like you understood what he was doing, your eyes momentarily going wide before your eyelids drooped, pupils expanding. 

Then, in a move Bucky would never anticipate, your head lifted off his hand, and you slotted your mouth to his, warm lips meeting his in a hard kiss. 

Wait, what?

Even as Bucky’s thoughts scrambled to keep up with what you’d done, his body responded in kind, lips returning your kiss after only a beat of stunned shock. 

Muscles rippling with lightning bolt of unleashed need, his body surged forward, pressing your head back into the mat, dragging his flesh hand up to cradle your jaw as he deepened the kiss. 

You’d kissed him. He’d kissed you back. You were kissing. No, making out now, he thought fervently as your mouth opened to not so shyly pry your tongue against his, swiping slick and hot in a way that had his breath catching in his lungs.

Lust rippled through him, making even his bulky frame shudder.

With the cutest, neediest whimper that made Bucky’s blood rush in his ears, you grabbed his wrist with both your hands and brought his hand, the one made of flesh, down to cup you between your legs.

The surprised grunt that escaped him was entirely unplanned, and the one that followed was downright unhinged, escaping his control. Before his mind had completely caught up to what had happened, his hand had started to move back and forth on it’s own, rubbing you over and over, and fuck – you were wet, so wet it had soaked through the fabric of your leggings, making his hand damp.

Bucky’s breath burst out of him, and you suddenly wrenched away from the kiss, your head falling back with a dull thud on the mat. Your hands let go of Bucky’s hand and you covered your face with them.

“Oh God, sorry! I’m sorry, that was so thoughtless of me, what if you don’t want to, and I…and, maybe we should stop, I mean you don’t have to if –“ you rambled, shrill voice muffled by your own hands, and Bucky had to refrain from screaming in protest to this stopping. He brought the hand he’d awkwardly stilled between your legs up and pried one of your hands off your face.

You had the most adorable, crimson flush high on your cheekbones, and your face was all scrunched up from embarrassment. The sight of you being so small and vulnerable beneath him had a surge of protectiveness welling so fast in Bucky’s chest it physically pained him for a moment. He suddenly felt entirely sure he wanted to do, would do, anything to stop you from fretting, from worrying about anything ever again.

You were still mumbling faintly about not wanting him to feel pressured and how inaprorpriate it was of you to come on to him like this. Bucky would have none of that. Emboldened by his newfound emotion and almost panicked by the notion of this ending before he could touch you and kiss you just a little bit more, he lowered his face to capture your lips again, if only to shut you up. You whimpered into his mouth, eagerly reciprocating in contrast to your attempt at rationality. 

Fuck rationality. Bucky was starving, had been starving for months.

When he broke away, he leaned his forehead to yours, trying to catch his breath, to get order to his thoughts, but they were a jumbled mess of possessive, filthy wants that had his self control ripping at the seams. And your scent, God, your fucking scent was tinged with fucking ambrosia, like an aphrodisiac designed specifically to make Bucky’s vision go all loopy and his damn civility to shrivel to dust. 

“I want…I…fuck, you have no idea how much I want,” he blurted inelegantly, and then words escaped him all together, for there were no words to describe the profound ache that settled deep in his loins, the sheer carnal need to feel your skin on his, to touch you, to be the provider of every moan and keen of pleasure he could - to keep you wet and shivering and wordless from pleasure. 

His mind short circuited as he landed on the mental image of hearing you come with his cock deep inside your weeping cunt, and he pounced on you without really meaning to.

His mouth sought out the soft skin of your elegant neck, and he licked it before giving it an open-mouthed kiss, covering it in saliva. He felt your body twitch and writhe as he latched his teeth and tongue onto it, moving messily down to the collar of your compression shirt. He wanted to pry it off you, to tear it to shreds with his teeth, to lather the skin of your breasts with the attention of his tongue and lips, to nip and bite and suck on your nipples till they grew hard and red and puffy for him. But that would have to be later, for he had one goal he was working towards, that spot between your legs where he had already felt how much you already needed him. He would not let you go another minute unsatiated. 

Unceremoniously and frenzied, he kissed over your clothed torso as he crawled down your body. Your hands were in his hair, tugging and gripping as he went, the most decadent, breathy moans spilling from you panting mouth as he (rougher than he intended) manhandled your legs over his shoulders and then your hips off the floor, wrenching your leggings and underwear down so hard your whole body jolted, and fuck, he was telling himself to be more gentle, to not scare you away when you had given him this fucking gift of letting him get this far.

But he needed it; was desperate for it. Desperate to bury his face between your legs, breath in your warm, sweet scent where it was most potent, to taste you and feel your pulsate on his tongue. He needed you to come in his mouth, all over his face, so he would smell you there for days, lingering like the most illicit secret. Fuck, all his blood was rushing south so fast he felt almost faint.

You let him do what he wanted, laid down again naked from the waist down, so small and fragile and beautiful and Bucky wanted to eat you alive.

And then he was on his stomach between your legs, pussy inches away and it was glistening with how wet you were, your patch of dark curls wet too. Your whole body was shivering slightly, and your hands flitted about the mat for something to do, something to hold on to, a nervous gesture, or an excited one. Fucking hell, Bucky hoped you were half as excited for this as he was, and promised he would do anything to have you as addicted to his mouth as he already was to your scent. 

It was baffling how magnanimous the moment was to him, to have the absolute honor of being allowed this close to your sweet pussy, to have you trembling and flushed on your back, allowing him, socially stunted, unelegant and most of the time awkward as hell, between your glorious thighs, allowing him to touch you, to try and bring you the most pleasurable experience you could have. 

It had been a long time since Bucky was a religious man, but -

“Christ,” he muttered as he saw your pussy clenching under his gaze, more of your slick seeping out under his watchful gaze. 

In a moment of unexpected (and impressing) clarity, Bucky looked up to find your gaze on his face. 

“Is this okay? C-can I?” he asked, or rather rasped, for his voice was all husky, more growl than anything else. His cock was so hard in his pants, throbbing, and he had to push his hips down into the mat to alleviate some of the ache as he watched your face avidly, fearing for his life that you would do anything but consent enthusiastically. Suddenly he wasn’t sure how he would survive if you said no and he would have to tear himself away from you. 

To Bucky’s relief, a needy whimper escaped you and you bit your lips nodding before gasping. 

“Yes, please, please Barnes, I -”

Bucky didn’t let you finish your sentence. The minute he heard you say yes and oh lord - plead for him to do it - he surged forward and sucked your pussy into his mouth. He heard the air catch in your throat as he licked his tongue flat against you from weeping hole to your clit, the nub swollen and hard already. He flicked it with the tip of his tongue and your body jolted, a small sound escaping you. 

He did it again, flicking your clit teasingly, the little nub growing harder and bigger under his attention. He was ravenous, wanted to work you until your whole body felt like one big overstimulated nerve, contracting and throbbing with every touch. He wanted you soaked in pleasure, so hazy with it you could do nothing but come back to him for more. 

You let your sounds spill freely as he went, pretty, needy whimpers and unashamed moans.

God, yes, Bucky thought, hoping you always were so reactive, vowing to drag more sweet sounds out of you, his blood sizzling with how downright nourishing they were to him. 

You were writhing so hard on the mat you nearly squirmed away from his mouth, and Bucky hooked his metal arm around your thigh as he draped it over his shoulder, securing you firmly in place as he lavished your whole dripping pussy with his spit, letting it mingle with your own slick and coat his chin and lips in it, probably dripping down onto the mat. Bucky didn’t care, he couldn’t get enough. You tasted even better than you smelled, and his vision went blurry with how ecstatic he felt buried in the hot, soft flesh between your legs. 

He sucked your clit into his mouth, bullying it with his tongue as he peeked up at your sweaty face. He drank in the almost reverent look on it, eyes closed, mouth slightly parted, drool at one corner. 

Your hands still flitted about looking for purchase, for something to grab. He grabbed you gently by the wrist and led your hands to his hair, still working your clit with his tongue in rhythmic swipes, up and down, up and down. You instantly grabbed fistfuls of his dark locks in tight clasps and your eyes, blown and glassy, met his as he lowered his head to lap at your hole again. You whined, lifting your hips slightly to grind against his mouth and Bucky hadn’t thought this could get any better but the feel of you smearing your juices on his face, riding your clit mindlessly on his tongue, using him to chase your own pleasure - Bucky nearly came in his gym shorts and he couldn’t even be bothered by it. 

He fit his hands on your hips, just resting them there as you grinded on him, your brows drawn together in concentration. Bucky groaned into your flesh as more of your sweet slick dripped out of you onto his tongue, and you jolted against him, whimpering so adorably as your hips sped up to frantic bucking. 

Bucky started flicking his tongue to help you out, to drive the movement higher, faster, and you gasped hoarsely. 

“Yes, fuck, just like that, oh my god Bucky!,” you exclaimed, practically screaming into the empty gym. And hearing his name like that, so intimately and fervently, desperately as you praised him. Bucky downright snarled into your pussy, and that seemed to drive you that last bit off the edge. 

You threw your head back on a choked whine, whole body seizing tight, trembling like a leaf in his arms. Bucky kept his flicking licks on your clit, feeling it jump and throb as the waves of your orgasm rode your body. 

He kept licking until your voice returned to you in jolting little squeaks, and tried to keep going even as you pulled his face away from you by the roots of his hair. 

Bucky wanted to protest. Wanted to shake your hands off him and push his face into your cunt again. He wasn’t ready for it to end. He hadn’t gotten nearly enough of your addicting, heavenly taste. He kissed and licked over your thighs, smearing your slick and his spit all over them, nibbling on the soft skin and making you all messy, a preening sort of satisfaction settling warm in his chest at the sight. He wanted to see you come again, hear you come again, feel the way your muscles seized as you reached that pinnacle of pleasure. He wanted to make you come again. So he did just that. 

With renewed, almost feral fervor, Bucky shot to his knees and hunched over your lower body. Easily prying your hands off his head, he pinned them to your sides on the mat as he pushed his tongue against your hole, lapping up the gush your orgasm had created. A rational, though very small voice in the back of his mind told him he probably sounded and acted like an animal, but he didn’t care. He pushed his tongue as far inside you he could and felt your walls throb and clench around the muscle, driving his fervor higher. 

He kept your hands pinned to your sides a while longer, though it didn’t take long for your squeaks of overstimulation to turn back to sweet, needy whimpers of “fuck, yes, more, please, yes, God”.

Bucky wanted to feel more of you from the inside, and when he felt more secure in the fact that you would allow him more time between your legs, he let go of your wrist and brought his flesh hand down to your hole. His fingers trembled slightly as he swiped through your messy folds, coating them thoroughly before resting them just on your opening. 

Your hand returned to his hair, carding through and then tightening. 

“Pleeease,” you whined above him, and Bucky’s breath went short and puffy at how completely and ardently you submitted to him, gave yourself over and begged him. He wanted to hear you beg more, but he was too impatient to get inside you, if only with his fingers. 

His cock jumped at the thought of getting inside you, too, but he ignored it. He wanted you to come, right now. 

He pushed two fingers into you and groaned at the tight, wet heat that enveloped him. It was like nothing he’d ever felt before, and if he used to do this sort of thing back in the day, he couldn’t remember it feeling like this. 

Your back arched off the mat on a garbled gasp. Bucky took the opportunity to wrap his other arm under your back and practically drag you into his lap as he sat back on his haunches, getting his mouth back on your clit. 

He flicked it fast, alternating with messy suckling, and curled his finger inside you to hook against the roof of your stretched cunt. He had no idea where all his moves came from. He hadn’t so much as seen a naked woman since coming to the compound and didn’t remember much other than fragments of his sexual escapades before the war. It must have been muscle memory, some hard attained skills locked deep in his mind. It seemed to be working well with you, and that was all that mattered to Bucky. 

You were keening and whining under him, half in Bucky’s lap with your shoulders still on the mat. Your hands grabbed and scratched on his knees and thighs below you, and Bucky fucking loved it.

He was aware he was acting like a brute. No finesse, no manners, just a primal and instinctual need to get you off, to feel and hear and taste you fall apart from his touch and tongue. And have that heavenly scent of your arousal fresh in his mind for the rest of the day. 

You came again quickly with Bucky’s fingers added to the mix, screaming his name as your legs went rod stiff, body spasming that same, incredible way it had done the first time. Bucky felt high on your juice, licking up the fresh gush with reverent licks.

He had the absurd urge to keep going when he felt your hand tap his thigh twice. Tapping out. 

Bucky looked up your body, or rather down it where your bum was held up by his arm in his lap. You were panting, your eyes half-lidded and shining. You smiled at him, and his heart clenched weirdly in his chest. He was coming back to himself slightly, and suddenly wondered if he should prepare himself for embarrassment and horrified rejection after the unhinged way he’d just acted. But your hands, so gentle and elegant, reached for his face. 

He bent forward to insinuate his jaw into the cradle of them, and slowly lowered your lower body back to the mat as you gently pulled his face to yours, kissing him on the mouth almost chastely after what he’d just done. He could feel himself tremble a little as he hovered over you, kissing you again and then again, deepening the kiss a little to slow swipes of your tongues. He wondered if you could taste yourself on his tongue, if you liked your own taste as much as he did. 

Your head plumped back down on the mat and a trill of laughter flitted effortlessly from your mouth. 

“Oh my fucking God, Barnes,” you said, eyes closed and a broad smile on your face. Bucky could feel himself blushing a little, though he liked it better when you’d called him Bucky. 

Taking a purely selfish chance, Bucky quickly backed down your body to lay on his chest between your legs again, resting his head on one of your spread thighs. Your hand absentmindedly came to lay on his head, stroking his hair lightly. He stared at your pussy, swollen and pink and messy  with the mix of his spit and your slick. He could stare at it for hours. He took another selfish chance and slowly leaned in to swipe his tongue over your slit.

You moaned, though a bit critically. 

“If you don’t let me catch my breath, you’re gonna kill me,” you said, but you were still smiling. 

“I don’t want that,” Bucky admitted honestly, and you laughed again. 

“I’m glad.”

Bucky went back to staring at your messy pussy, taking in that perfect scent that had all his other thoughts muffling to a peaceful hum. He leaned forward, watching you to see if you would stop him, and took another slow, almost soothing swipe over your pussy. You jolted slightly, then hummed contently, eyes closing. He did it again, for he was an animal with no self-control, and this time, your thighs came up to bracket his face, stopping him half-way. 

“Barnes,” you warned, and Bucky had to admit defeat. He crawled back up to hover over your body, hoping you would drag him back in for kisses, or just touches, or just some form of physical contact. His skin was prickling all over from the pleasantness of just feeling warm skin to his. 

Luckily, you did, pulling him back down to kiss him again, and he let his body lower to lay splayed on top of you, making sure not to put too much of his bulk on you, but plastering himself to you all the same. 

You gave a startled little noise and broke from the kiss, looking down with wide eyes. 

Oh shit, Bucky was still sporting a raging hard-on, which he had unceremoniously pushed into your stomach as he laid down on top of you. About to jump away, Bucky again readied himself to reign himself back in when your hand snaked down, grabbing him over his gym shorts, keeping him put exactly where he was. 

Your hand around him, even with the fabric between, drew a raspy gasp from him. 

“Can I”? You asked, looking up at him through your lashes. 

Bucky swallowed thickly, looking down at your dainty hand barely reaching around the bulge in his gym shorts, and his cock gave a noticeable jerk as his mind flooded with images of all the things he wanted you to do to his cock. He could feel his balls tingling, drawing up, his sack tightening in warning. He was already on the edge. 

“I won’t last long,” he admitted, barely daring to meet your gaze again. 

You smiled, biting your lip slightly. 

“That doesn’t matter, as long as you want to,” you said. Bringing your other hand to draw his face down, he shivered as your hot breath tickled his ear. He was so overworked on sensation, he was surprised his arms hadn’t given out yet for how weak and sensitive he felt all over. 

“I want to make you feel good,” you whispered huskily in his ear, and Bucky bit his lip to try and stifle the embarrassing sound crawling its way up his throat at those words. He wasn’t successful, and he sounded almost like a wounded puppy before giving up and pressing his flushed face into the crook of your neck, nodding rapidly. He hadn’t even given a thought to you reciprocating anything. He’d been more than happy to just use the memory of this as masturbation fodder for a long, long time to come. 

“Yeah?” you asked in a honey sweet voice, God, you were just so fucking sweet, and Bucky melted against you. “Roll over on your back,” you told him, and like a tamed beast eager to please, Bucky immediately obeyed, rolling off you to lay on his back on the mat. You followed, moving swiftly to get on your hands and knees between his spread legs, one hand moving teasingly up his thigh to wrap around his bulge again. 

Not able to help himself, Bucky rose to a sitting position to claim your mouth as you held him by the cock. He wanted you closer, everywhere. You kissed him while lazily touching him over the fabric of his shorts, sliding the tip of your finger up his length to the tip and Bucky jolted, grunting uncontrollably into your mouth. His breathing was picking up, his nerve endings spiking and sizzling. 

While thrusting your tongue into his mouth, Bucky’s hands cradling your face like the most precious jewel, you reached inside his shorts and took his cock out, wrapping your hand around it and letting it just sit, rock hard and leaking generously, between you. 

You broke the kiss, gave Bucky the most devilish smirk he’d ever seen, and licked your lips before lowering yourself to take him into your mouth. The anticipation burned like a lightning bolt straight down his body to his cock. 

Bucky exploded before you even got your lips to his tip. Cum spurted out of him, spraying his t-shirt, some going as high as his chin, and some getting on your shocked face. Bucky groaned as the orgasm wrecked through him, riding through him in wave after wave, the most intense one he could ever remember having - and you hadn’t so much as jerked him without his clothes on. 

Mortified and still trembling slightly with aftershocks, Bucky gathered the courage to look at you, and found you staring at his cum-covered chest. Your hand was still wrapped around his twitching cock, your knuckles shining with his spunk, and despite how Bucky had no clue where to go from here, the sight had hot satisfaction spreading in his chest. It was like he was marking you with his cum the way you had marked him with your slick (though that had mostly been Bucky marking himself by literally rubbing his face in it). 

He watched with rapid attention as you brought your wet hand up to your face and licked a stripe of cum off your knuckle, sucking your own thumb into your mouth. You met his gaze, and Bucky swore under his breath as his dick throbbed with renewed interest at the sight. 

Your mouth ticked up at the corner before you leaned in and kissed Bucky softly on the mouth. He shivered with excitement as you pried his lips open with yours to swipe his own taste into his mouth. Fuck, he’d never done that before. It was filthy and possessive and dominating and Bucky had never thought he’d be so fucking turned on by it. 

You broke the kiss with a content hum that had Bucky’s blood rushing in his ears. 

“That was really fucking hot,” you murmured, going back in for another kiss. Bucky felt his nervousness dissipating, replaced by a sort of ecstatic elation. A laugh bubbled up and out of him, and he kissed you back. Pulling you closer with his hands on your face, neither of you cared about the mess on his shirt as you laid down on top of him, kissing again and again, slowly, exploringly. 

There was a calm inside Bucky, a sort of sated comfort he could scarcely remember feeling, and he knew it was all because of you, the sweet, wonderful woman in his arms. He could lay like this forever, simply kissing you, holding you close, smelling your scent and feeling your warmth against him, your grounding weight on his chest. His cock had other thoughts though, already starting to fill, lodged between the two of you. 

You raised your head and cocked a brow down at Bucky, and he could do nothing more than shrug and blush. And then, as he started thinking about dragging you up to sit on his face, a booming voice came from the door to the gym. 

“Please, for the love of all things good and holy, vacate the gym room now! You’re keeping it hostage at this point!,” Sam shouted, and Bucky glanced over your shoulder to see him standing outside, facing the other way as he held the door open to shout through. 

Oh. Right, you were still in the very public gym of the compound. 

You squealed as you scrambled off Bucky to retrieve the leggings and underwear he’d ripped off you and thrown to the side. Bucky got on his feet and in between you and the view of the door, trying to shield you from view while you frantically redressed - he could at least try to be a gentleman after having devoured you like a hungry animal and then cum all over himself and you. 

You turned to face him once you were fully dressed, and your eyes bulged as you glanced down. With frantic, fumbling hands, you reached forward and tucked his cock, hard and proud and still jutting out over his shorts, back inside. Bucky grunted at the touch, seeing the lovely crimson blush on your face, stretching to the tips of your ears and down your neck. He grunted again, appreciatively, when he noticed the splotches of his cum still drying on your chin and cheek from when he’d busted in your face. 

Bringing his thumb up, he gently wiped his mess off your skin, wiping his hand on the back of his shorts. 

“Sorry about Sam and…” Bucky trailed, gesturing awkwardly to the mat and around the room. His communication skills hadn’t improved by the earth-shattering orgasm, then…

“It’s fine. It was I who jumped your bones, after all,” you said sheepishly, but you were smiling. God, so sweet. 

Bucky was about to lean in to kiss you once again when Sam’s voice cut in. 

“Don’t you dare start up again, I don’t have all day! And bring that mat with you. Matter of fact, burn it!” he shouted. 

Giggling like teenagers, you scrambled to get your belongings and exit the room. Bucky gave Sam an apologetic look as he passed him, and though Sam was clearly pissed off, Bucky saw the way his mouth was ticking up at the edges, approval shining in his eyes. 

You grabbed Bucky’s hand once you’d left the gym, and Bucky happily let himself be dragged along down the hall. He was already working on his plan to lure you into his room, and subsequently rub your scent on everything he owned. For though the intensity of smells were mostly a nuisance for Bucky, having a strong sense of smell wasn’t so bad when it came to you.

[myokk]

It's a clear, beautiful summer's day, the type of day that starts out bright and full of birdsong, that ends looking up at the stars and the moon while crickets chirp and fireflies show soft bursts of light. When the air is warm and full of life and the smell of hot grass and lavender and honey permeates everything.

The whole summer had been like that, really. Running outside with abandon, chasing each other through the tall grass deliriously happy and lying down in the fields surrounding their village, watching the clouds float by while they eat cucumber sandwiches. It's the summer before their first year at Hogwarts; the Sallow twins know that their life's about to change and are determined to enjoy their last summer of childhood.

Maybe they're too old for this sort of thing - they are eleven, after all, but both of them know that this summer is a turning point for them and they want to cherish every moment for as long as possible. Their parents have been encouraging them, often sending them out for the whole day, piling journals and ink and quills and picnic baskets full of food in their hands, encouraging them to research and be curious about the world around them as they had always done.

This day, however, their parents are almost eager to push the twins out of the house. Their mum's smile doesn't quite reach her eyes. Sebastian feels nervous about this, but doesn't realize why until much later, when the memory is analyzed and remembered during his dreams. (definitely not while awake). When they leave the house in the morning, she makes sure to kiss each of them on the cheeks which she normally never does and Sebastian pushes her away in disgust, much to his future horror. In the moment, all he can think is that he might still be holding on to the last moments of his childhood, but he's too old to be kissed by his mum.

(but now, Sebastian doesn't know if his memory is faulty and he is adding moments that never actually existed in the first place. the mind is a tricky place)

He never allows himself to think about these halcyon days, the perfect-until-it-wasn't summer before they went to Hogwarts; this day in particular is forbidden to remember. His unconscious mind rebels against his iron will.

They spend the morning looking for the fairies that Anne had dreamed about the night before. She's convinced that it's a prophetic dream and they march around in circles in the little copse of trees - a forest to the two children, who haven't really ventured out of their village - as Anne tries to remember where she had seen the fairies in her dream.

Sebastian is happy to follow her even if (maybe especially if) he thinks it's a futile adventure - what else are summer days for?

They're in that strange junction between childhood and adolescence; desperate to just grow up already and become the people they were always meant to be, and yet just wanting to spend their days being kids, without a care in the world.

"Come on, Sebastian," Anne calls to him, a tiny stream gurgling between them. In one hand, she's holding the map that she drew as soon as she woke up; in the other, boots stuffed with her stockings.

Sebastian huffs as he trudges behind her, arms full with their bags, his shoes, and the picnic basket. Anne had offered to help him carry things, but he refused on principle. Their dad is always doing small things like this for the women in his life, and Sebastian wants to be just like him.

Anyways, Anne has her own role as the leader today, and it won't do to have her bogged down.

And he's eleven, more than old enough to carry everything.

He steps through the tiny creek, mud and slush squishing through his toes, and he smiles. There isn't anything he loves more than being outside, except maybe being outside with a good book.

"Keep your eyes peeled for a tree with a knobby trunk, with lots of knots that look like faces," Anne tells him, glancing over her shoulder, then turns her face back to her map and scrunches up her face. "In my dream, the fairies lived nearby."

They spend the rest of the morning continuing their fruitless search, laughing as they walk in circles, then set up their picnic in the field next to their house.

"What do you think Hogwarts will be like?" Anne asks, a dreamy look on her face.

Sebastian doesn't look at her when he answers. He lies back and stares at the clouds. They've already had this conversation hundreds of times since their Hogwarts letters arrived, both of them have their parts memorized. "Amazing. I can't wait to actually be able to use our magic instead of just reading about it."

Anne rolls to her side and props herself up on her elbow, getting a better look at her brother's face. With a smirk, she says, "I think I'll like Transfiguration the best. I can't wait to be able to turn you into a -"

A huge noise interrupts her before she can continue. Sebastian sees the confusion in her face before he truly registers that something has happened. It's like everything's moving in slow motion and all he remembers clearly whenever he dreams of this day are his feelings of confusion and disbelief and the smell of fire.

There's a huge explosion and the air is full of smoke and he and Anne are scrambling up, the picnic blanket tangled up around their bare feet and -

Hand in hand they run in the direction of the huge black smoke that is billowing up. It coats the air - they can't see anything and the smell of burning fills their noses and the smoke fills their lungs and they're coughing coughing coughing -

Sebastian doesn't want his sister anywhere near the blackened husk of their former house but he is also terribly afraid to be alone. They stand in the middle of what used to be their house, blackened half-walls, charred wood that used to be their table, the old couch they read on every night, it's all smoldering, all gone, the thick black smoke making his eyes water and choking and smothering everything in its wake. His mind can't comprehend what he's seeing. Everything is so familiar and yet so wrong.

He doesn't know how long he and Anne stand there, clutching each others' hands like they are a tether to reality. Which, he supposes, they are. They might be there thirty seconds, ten minutes, one hour, an eternity...

Then, neighbors are running to the twins, coughing, covering their faces in the crooks of their elbows as they conjure blankets with their wands and wrap Sebastian and Anne up and drag them out of what is - was - their home.

This part is always hazy. Sebastian can't remember if he cries. Or if he even says anything. He just stands there with Anne, the smoke thick and oppressive as it pours out of their house. Everything is crumbling apart.

(A hand gently caresses his scalp, fingers light and reassuring as they dance through his hair)

Their neighbors try their hardest to salvage what they can. The daguerrotype that their mother had cherished more than anything, taken a few years before, miraculously survives. Sebastian stares at it, the tiny figures moving and laughing and smiling as though everything is perfect. He wants to throw it and break it or maybe rip it up to shreds but he can't bring himself to do anything but stare.

Their father's wand is also shoved into Sebastian's hand, unscathed. It was found just outside of his father's curled fingers, lying pristine on the ground as if mocking the destruction that it caused.

At some point, their Uncle Solomon, who they've only really seen once a year growing up, shows up with a loud crack and tears through the rubble, tears carving wet tracks through the soot on his face. His voice goes rough with desperation and when he walks up to the two orphans, he is almost unrecognizable.

As if in slow motion - maybe an after-effect of the curse that has destroyed their lives is that the air has turned into molasses - Sebastian watches his uncle stagger over to them. He looks much older than Sebastian remembers.

Later, when Sebastian looks at his reflection in the mirror of his new home, the boy staring back at him also looks much older than he remembers.

Before It Felt Like A Sin, Chapter 14

[samantabrzozowska]

“To be happy is to be a child.”

~ Sam

[lxvenderfog]

what if… I requested two (a ship) in exchange for two tarot readings???

I fear that @lxvenderfog has dragged me somewhat willingly into the fable smp fandom….cuz why am I thinking of making fanart despite never having watched this 😭😭 fanart maybe incoming yall

[famousinuniverse]

Lavender Fields, Provence, France: Nicknamed ‘the blue gold,’ a tour around the lavender fields of Provence is one of the best things to do in France! Fine lavender (lavandula angustifolia) is the typical lavender of provence; you won’t find fine lavender anywhere else in the world! The fine lavender grows above an altitude of 800 m, and it is a small plant with a single flower per stem. Traditionally used for medicinal properties, fine lavender became the region’s ‘blue gold’ when the great perfume makers in Provence started using it for their best perfumes...Provence is a geographical region and historical province of southeastern France. Wikipedia

[ohnohelpitsagain]

imogen messaging relvin made me SICK to my stomach oh my god. the way she tells him she loves him no matter what, and she thanks him for doing his best. an acknowledgement that this may be the last time she speaks to him and an acknowledgement that he was not perfect, in fact he may not have even been good, but he gave what he could.

it is SO brutal because it’s that realization that you get when you grow up that you deserved so much better, and you were a child, but maybe what they gave you was all they could. it’s that brutal feeling of wanting to change the unchangeable. it’s being thousands of miles away and an adult and crying for a comfort you’ve never received because you miss the idea of what your parents could have been. it’s having to war with the hurt child inside you and the adult who knows that you didn’t do anything wrong but that they didn’t do what they did in malice.

and relvin just reaffirms exactly what imogen implies in her message. he doesn’t say i love you, he doesn’t even directly say he misses her. it’s like he can’t. it’s all “i think about you a lot” and “the horses miss you just as much as i do.” it’s clear that her last visitation left an impact on him. he does hope she’s happy but it’s the mental block of a man who never developed the tools to love his daughter, a girl with the face of her mother and her powers to boot, the way she needed. she’s his baby. she’s his more than she was ever liliana’s but he couldn’t ever be what she needed. it’s a tragedy and it’s something he will have to contend with every time he walks past her empty room, or sees a flower in a field from the corner of his eye and turns, expecting to see a tiny head of lavender hair trailing him like a little shadow, and realizes that it was just a trick of the light.

LIKE WHATEVERRRRR the temults are literally WORMS IN MY BRAINS LIKE I NEED TO PUT THEM IN A JAR GOD