#some might think it odd how the captain of the royal guard hovers around the advisor rather than his king and queen

[softquietsteadylove]

Could we get a little something something from My Kingdom for a Heart fic that’s on ao3? Idc if it’s fluff or angst I’ll literally take anything you give out bc it’s just that good!!

Sersi was spinning around the floor with Ikaris, her veil whirling around her, sparkling silver against her emerald green gown. She always had a certain joy to her, of course. But even Thena had not seen her beaming so fully in all their lives together. It was exactly the kind of free, unburdened smile she had always wished for her sister.

To marry without obligation was the best gift Thena could pass on to her sister, and that included abdicating the throne as the eldest and making Sersi the acting queen. Thena had some reservations about the marriage in question being to Ikaris, but she had to admit, he was not so villainous. Annoying, perhaps, but that was a lesser of evils.

He was her brother now, and while she felt she was truly understanding the petulance a brother could bring to her life, their families - and kingdoms - were becoming one. Unfortunately, he still liked to argue with some of the advice she had to offer (as the royal advisor). But Sersi was always quick to hear out her sister, and that usually managed to pull her new husband along with her.

"It is a beautiful ball, your Grace."

Much to her disappointment, it was not the one she was expecting, but rather some lord or another. She did not know why he was saying so to her. She had not planned it alone, nor was she truly participating in it, past being the one who had walked Sersi down the aisle to her groom. "It is."

"Congratulations, to you and to the happy couple."

"Indeed," she muttered. She was no longer the princess and regent, she was merely Sersi's second in line, and that came after her job as advisor, as far as Thena was concerned.

"You look splendid as well, of course."

He was wearing on her patience, of course.

"I should almost think it possible for you to steal the attention away from the bride herself."

"My Lord," Thena drawled, keeping her eyes on her sister, "I should think that you would rather not insult my dearest sister in the process of attempting to compliment me."

"I-I-" he stammered, "I would never-"

Thena moved away from him. She no longer held the power to send people away with the flick of her wrist--truly the only part of her position she truly mourned. The crowd cheered for the guests of honour, concluding another of many dances this evening. Thena smiled.

"Your Grace!"

Was tonight destined to be a gauntlet through which she was to battle?

"Congratulations on your sister's happy marriage, your Grace," another lord bowed to her formally at least. "The kingdom could not be happier for the Prince and his bride."

Sersi would make a wonderful queen. "I shall tell them."

"It does free you, does it not?" he continued, perhaps not catching onto her locked tight posture and cold eyes. "Without expectation to marry the Prince, you are more able to select a husband of your choosing. Perhaps even a love match?"

Thena looked at the brazen lord speaking to her without end. He was younger than she had expected, his hair sitting atop his head with as much arrogance as he exuded in his smile. "Do you have a matter that concerns you, my Lord?"

"Perhaps," he grinned at her, and it made her want to take a long step back from him. He held out his hand to her, "if you would do me the honour-"

"Forgive me, my Lord, but her Grace has other obligations."

Thena's eyes rose, and she failed to contain her pleasure at the sight of her rescuer. "Captain, if you would be so kind as to escort me."

"Of course, your Grace," he smiled back at her as a gentleman would. He even removed his leather glove before offering his hand to her. He stood between her and the man asking to dance with her, turning his back - unthinkably rude! - on him in the process.

"Thank you," Thena murmured as they made their escape, descending the steps closer to the thrones and skirting around the crowd. "I can no longer decline such invitations without good reason."

"I would think that not wanting to listen to him preen himself is reason enough."

Thena attempted to keep her laughter contained, but a faint puff of air escaped her. She held the skirt of her dress in the hand that was not perched in Gil's. "You have rescued me yet again, Captain."

"It is part of my job," he stated, although the royal advisor was not technically part of his obligations as royal guard. He winked at her, "Thena."

She smiled down at the lush carpet beneath their feet. If her hands were free they would be wringing around themselves again and again. The Captain continued to have such effect on her, and her poor, suffering heart. "I keep telling you, it is not."

"And I keep telling you: you will always be Princess, to me."

How was she to think clearly when she had such poetry over her shoulder, no less whispering in her ear?

"Would you like to?"

"To what?" she looked up at him.

He nodded his head towards where Ikaris was claiming another dance with his bride, even wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off the ground in their shared glee. "Dance?"

Her hand flinched in his, while the one holding her dress began squeezing it for her life. Her throat dried. "I'm afraid I have not nearly the grace my sister does, Captain."

"Come on," he whispered to her, even coming to a stop at a small gap in the crowd's observation of the bride and groom. "I thought we had a deal."

Thena's eyes darted up to him and then forward again. Her heart flitted and fluttered in her chest as she sighed, "Gil."

He stood straight, his hand behind his back and the other holding hers aloft. "It is a celebration, y'know. No one would think twice about you having a little fun at your own sister's wedding."

She could feel how warm he was next to her, even with his light chest plate over his formal uniform. Her fingers trembled faintly, but he held her steadily. "I suppose your gallantry should not go unrewarded."

She winced at herself, and her need to make the simple act of a dance something obligatory. Why could she not simply say that she did wish to dance with him?

Because that would be far too damning an admission, and far too revealing for one simple dance.

But Gilgamesh just smiled at her as he always did. He moved slowly, grasping her hand as he took the first step out from the edge of the crowd, "I'm honoured."

Thena forced herself to look up at him as he swept her onto the dance floor. It wasn't that moving with him was unfamiliar, or even awkward. It felt like when he had helped her from the wagon by lifting her delicately by the waist.

If anything, it felt too familiar, and perhaps even too...nice. He was warm, and gentle, and if he were not wearing the pauldron of his armour, she had half a mind to slip her hand up to his shoulder. His hand grasped hers out from them, the other on her back in a proper and appropriate position.

"So, have you thought about it?"

"Hm?" she blinked, betrayed by her mind wandering away from her actions and instead meandering along the subject of her dance partner.

"Marriage."

The royal advisor's cheeks took on a lively rouge as he spun them around with ease. This was not the first time they had discussed such a topic, either. And remembering the last time they had never failed to send her heart into a frenzy.

Somewhere behind them, Sersi also spun past amidst her dance with her husband. Her sister's giggling reached her ears, worsening Thena's feeling of fluster. Sersi knew very well that the subject of marriage - when it involved the Captain - always left her feeling stymied.

"I," Thena started and then paused immediately. Her mastery of language was slipping from her mind. Her eyes slid down his chestplate to the crest of the kingdom sitting right in the centre. Her hand twitched in his again, "I have...considered it."

At her own insistence, her marriage simply had to wait. As soon as she had abdicated, there was little time until Sersi's coronation and the wedding happening right on top of each other. And she and Gilgamesh were at their busiest when Sersi and Ikaris were.

There was no time to consider Gilgamesh's proposal of a proposal, as it were. And a man of his word, he had not brought it up amidst all the chaos of things. But he was asking now. As she had told him, he was asking if he could ask her again.

"And?" he prompted her gently--sweetly. He ducked his head closer to hers, moving closer in their dance to a proximity one could consider salacious. "If I were to ask you, would you say yes?"

Thena tried to keep her breathing even. She felt as if she were drowning in him, and she did not fully want to emerge from it. But she forced herself to keep her face from burying itself against his neck. "Your timing could be improved, Captain."

"Oh?" he chuckled, still in good spirits as she dodged his approach to marrying her yet again. "And how is that?"

Thena closed her eyes, trying to concentrate, and unable to do so while she thought people might be observing them acting so improperly. All she needed do was turn her head for her lips to graze his cheek or perhaps even his ear (indecent!). She gulped. "It is my sister's wedding day, Gil. This is no time for you to be asking for my hand."

"I daresay she would approve."

Sersi would be the first to jump for joy. She would also point right at Thena and say that she had said so long beforehand.

"I will not become engaged on the day of my sister's wedding," Thena resolved with a bit of a huff. "Have you no sense of propriety?"

On the contrary, it was mortifyingly she who was breaths away from pressing her forehead under his jaw just to feel the warmth of his skin.

"Forgive me, your Grace." She knew he was smirking--she just knew it. "Shall I ask again tomorrow, then?"

Thena's heart pounded. He hadn't asked in the exact words, but her whole body felt flush with warmth and thrill all the same. The warmth did not drain from her cheeks as she gripped his hand purposefully with her fingers. "I will be at the garden pond at first light. I expect you will not keep me waiting."

As she had done to him.

His hand squeezed hers, and he even dared to weave their fingers together (the absolute audacity). He tilted his head, disguising the way he touched his cheek to the top of her head, no longer weighed down by a golden circlet. "I wouldn't dream of it, Thena."

[flowerwrites06]

jeweled sea finale — kth

Plot: A princess without a kingdom ends up in a pirate ship

Pairing(s): Pirate!Taehyung x Princess!OC (Name: Angel)

Rating: G | PG | M | R 18+

Type: Drabble | Oneshot | Two Parter | Series

Word Count: 5k+

Genre: Pirates/Fantasy | Fluff/Angst/Smut

Tags & Warnings: drinking, mentions of trading people, explicit smut (in the next part), tiny bit of angst.

Authors Note: another requested repost and one of my personal favourites!

Peaceful morning had been interrupted with growling and protests from outside of the cabin. At first Angel thought it was just the crew attempting to have a party early in the morning. That is until she heard one of them yelling for someone to get off the ship.

Taehyung shifted under the blanket, squinting one eye and opening the other to see Angel standing at the table. “Wha-happe-ngh…” He rubbed his face. All the exhaustion in the world seemed to rain down on his body as if the alcohol still pumped through his veins in place of actual blood. With the groan, pushing himself up and sat on the edge of the bed.

Angel watched him pull his boots on quickly before stomping up to his feet and rushing out of the cabin. She followed along as the door opened, welcoming in the stark morning light.

They were welcomed with the crew still in sleeping clothing while other figures in full navy uniform standing just in the center looking around. Or at least it looked like navy uniform. The badges shined but not in the polished way. Rather a disgusting imitation of gold that was far too yellow so it was hard to miss. And their uniforms a dirty crème white like someone had not washed it in weeks.

“What’s going on here?” Taehyungs’ voice rung deeper and raspier than ever with his sleep still laced with in it.

A man with matted grey hair and a scar down his lip walked closer to the couple. “Are you the captain of this establishment?”

“Who’s asking?”

“Lieutenant Kwon.” He answered, keeping his hands clasped behind his back. No sooner his eyes flickered to the side where she stood. “We are the Royal Guard for the lost Kingdom of Owuhan. We’ve come here to retrieve our future queen.” Kwon nodded towards Angel.

The mere nod caused tremors of whispers and hissed mutters amongst the crew while they stared at her in both apprehension and fear. For the first time, Angel preferred them laughing like idiots and acting like the epitome of freedom rather than this.

“Lost Kingdom of Owuhan. I’m sure you get sacked or something when kingdoms die.” Taehyung continued to play along with the conversation.

Kwon smiled sarcastically. “Only if the bloodline is broken. Now let’s do this peacefully, hand her over.”

Angels’ brows furrowed before scoffing lightly. “Who’s your commander?” Her question lingered in the air.

The crew’s focus now quickly piqued at the makeshift navy officers who stayed silent as if thinking up a fake name.

“Commander Park.”

Angel softened her expression, giving the officer a polite smile. She leaned closer to Taehyung. “…They’re lying.” She whispered.

“Looks like they weren’t the only ones.” Taehyung retorted.

“You—you don’t remember.” Her heart jumped and clenched as she stood completely straight next to him.

“If it helps, pirate—” Kwon spoke up. “We’ll pay a large reward in exchange for the princess. She’s worth a lot of gold.”

Taehyung tried to rack his brain for something Angel might have said last night. She was talking before he passed out. Fucking hell. Though what captured his interest the most was the honorable naval officer offering gold for his precious monarch. “How much gold?”

Angel closed her eyes for a moment, hanging her head as she wrapped her own arms around herself. What did she expect really? That he was going to welcome her and let her stay here for the rest of her life? This was the troubling fate of any princess or prince without a kingdom. Being sold around like a slave until they could take no more or someone decided to marry them out of pity.

“Five thousand pieces.” Kwon’s reply should have shaken the entire crew into excitement.

Except they all stayed silent. It was about as silent as a ship wreck at night.

“Promising offer.”

“Captain…” Jimin murmured trying to take a step forward down the steps of the quarter deck but Namjoon grabbed onto his shoulder gently. He felt him close in on his ear.

“Patience, pet.”

“Do we have an accord, pirate?” Kwon held out a hand to seal the deal.

Angel swallowed the growing lump in her throat, glancing over at the rest of Kwons’ crew who had their eyes raking down her form already. Fingers gripped at her shirt until it could almost rip through.

“Well you see—” Taehyung smirked. “Now that you’ve given a price, I don’t feel as inclined to give her away. Who knows someone might come along and take her for a larger price. Royal slaves are always a strong demand.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

Kwon curled his fingers into a fist before pulling it back into his pocket. “You won’t get more than five thousand pieces. It’s a small kingdom. She’s not a valuable royal.”

“I’ll have to take those odds…lieutenant.” The captain raked up and down his ragged form, struggling to keep a grimace away from his features.

He tried to look less infuriated by pursing his lips together but the constant blinking and bone jutting out from his cheeks clearly showed he felt cornered. “Alright.” Kwon spoke through his gritted teeth. “We will—leave you to your business.” Kwons’ crew did not seem to care to hide their defeat as they tried to quietly argue with him while they made their way back into the ship.

Jimin relaxed back into Namjoons’ hold, letting out a deep sigh of relief. Though when he looked over at Angel, her expression seemed unchanging. “Is she okay?”

“She was almost sold to a ship full of scoundrels who don’t have self-control. It’s not easy to just laugh it off.” Namjoon explained in the solemn tone, looking at the other ship to ensure it was really sailing away.

When the ship looked far enough, the crew burst into a light cheer. Some of them patting on Angels’ shoulder to which she responded with a faint kind smile. In minutes they all happily moved back to their positions and began working. Once they were occupied, Angel turned on her heel and walked back into the cabin.

Taehyung looked over his shoulder, wanting to quickly explain that it was all a play but she disappeared before he could say a word. Letting out a small defeated sigh, he followed her.

-

Walking through the cabin, Angel told herself that she needed to be happy. Taehyung wasn’t planning on selling her in the first place. It was a clever trick. So why did something in her chest still clench and her heart still pound through her ribcages like she was under attack again? Warm tears filled up in her eyes as she padded towards the velvet covered sitting area attached to the edge of the cabin where the windows were.

She perched herself down, forcing herself to take deep breaths while her fingers still trembled along with her knees.

Taehyung carefully shut the door behind him to ensure she didn’t get startled. One step after the other, he heard a few sniffles echoing in the room. “Angel…” He spoke almost under his breath.

Angel quickly wiped away at her cheeks as soon as she heard his voice. “Thank you for helping me. You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to.” He replied simply.

“The person… who attacked the kingdom was a close friend of my father.” She stared down at the dark wooden surface meshed with a deep red velvet, nails raking down gently. “He wanted to arrange a marriage for an alliance but—I refused. And he killed them.”

Taehyung took a few steps forward. “That’s not your fault he can’t take rejection, you know that…right?”

“I do.” Angel nodded not giving him another glance. “But now Kwon is going to tell him—and your ship might be targeted.”

“We’re pirates, love.” He finally managed to reach the sitting area and slowly sit next to her. “My ship is always targeted.”

“But that’s a whole army of people. If they find out—”

“They can hunt a lost princess. But they can’t hunt a pirate.” Taehyung shook his head. “They’ll have to deal with the entire Guild for that. That’s why he offered me money—not just your price but to keep it quiet.”

“But I’m not a pirate.”

“You don’t have to pillage and steal to be a pirate. So long as you’re part of this ships’ crew, no one can hurt you.” He smiled.

Angel met his gaze quizzically. “You mean that?”

“I think I’ve bluffed enough today.” Taehyung scrunched his nose, a small chuckle emitting under his breath.

She couldn’t help but smile back at the male. “Thank you.”

-

Two days later. This night was more peaceful than anything else. At least amongst the crew, the sky itself had a few thick clouds covering the moon while they heard thunder rumble a few miles away. The winds were wispy, chilly and almost wet to the touch.

Angel could tell after the drunken chaos and drama with the officers, the crew truly looked like they were rested and ready to continue on their journey to an unknown destination. A true kind of freedom. Not having to worry about reaching somewhere rather fully immersing yourself into the pleasures of the trek itself.

“Tomorrow morning we go back to the open sea.” Namjoon announced, fingers absentmindedly brushing against Jimins’ hair while he rested on his shoulder.

“Where to next?” Jimin asked.

“Anywhere the wind takes us, I suppose.” Taehyung replied through a relaxed sigh.

“We could go to the Sirens’ Cave in the West.” Namjoon suggested. “Apparently you can bathe in their waters and regain lost memories.”

“I’m sure we’d have a lot of those with the way we’ve been drinking.” Jimin chuckled.

Angel watched them with a serene joy, a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. Eyes flickered up to the captain, heart jumping a little when his gaze was already fixated on her. The shadows of the candle light shining down his tanned face causing his jaw to sharpen. Long dark hair relieved of the bandana, leaving his bangs to hover over his eyes.

Every second Angel kept with his gaze, the tingles down her spine travelled to her lower belly. Spreading through every vein in a delicious heat of anticipation.

A light smirk tugged at the corner of his plump lips watching the way she shifted in the tiniest hint of excitement. Her body now adorned with a loose white nightgown bought from one of the merchant stalls in the Severed Tail. Apparently some businesses ran quite well there. Though Angel noticed the insignia and told him it could have also been stolen from another kingdoms’ palace.

Cheeks burning, Angel took a deep pleased breath. “I’m going to retire for the night.” She muttered to the crew before standing up. Not forgetting to glance over at the captain as she walked to the cabin.

Taehyung licked his lips keeping his eyes glued on the girl as her dress flowed through the cool air before she disappeared into the room. “I should probably head off too.” He announced, getting up while actively ignoring the smirk Namjoon and Jimin had plastered on their faces.

-

Through the cabin, the calming atmosphere twisted into one of adrenaline pumping through their veins. Taehyung walked and only stopped until his toes touched the back of her heels while she stood at the table. Almost waiting for him. Leaning in, he nudged his nose into her soft hair. Salt now exuding the faint remanence of rose. Possibly another merchant purchase.

“You looked very beautiful tonight.” He whispered, warm breath cascading down her waves.

“Is that drunk Taehyung talking?” She smirked glancing over her shoulder.

Taehyung hummed in a gravel tone almost resembling a low growl. Lips hovered down to her neck, merely brushing against the soft skin as his hands made camp on her hips. “Completely sober.” Well he was a different kind of intoxicated. It involved squeezing the cinch of her waist and relishing in her light giggle.

Angel tilted her head to give him room, closing her eyes as his faint brushing turned into chaste kisses down to the crook of her neck. A shaky sigh passed her lips lazily pulling at the drawstrings of her dress to loosen the sleeves off her shoulder.

He reached in front of her, hands exploring every crevice until he found her clothed core, warmth so strong it radiated through her clothes onto his palm. “Already getting excited?” Taehyung smirked into her shoulder.

Angel let out a small trembling breath, a fire burning in her lower belly. Arousal thickly seeped through she didn’t know whether to feel shy or even more stirred. “Don’t tease.”

“Or what? Hm?” Taehyung challenged, voice deeper than it could possibly go as his hand pressed harder against her core almost squeezing out more of her wetness through her clothes.

“I might just waltz back outside to your crew.” Angel leaned back against his shoulder, pressing her nose against his cheek. “I’m sure they’d like to see what’s under here too.” Jolts of electricity flashed through her seeing how dark the captains’ eyes turned as he met her gaze, predatorial and hungry.

Ringed fingers came up to grab at her chin, pressing into her cheeks until he could feel her teeth. Hot breath hitting her face as he felt a tightness in his pants feeling her press a little harshly against him. “I think you’re forgetting who runs this ship, princess.” A dangerous smirk tugged at his lips. “Would you like me to remind you?”

Her spine tingled, every word awakening her nerves as she pushed back against his crotch, feeling accomplished at how it stiffened. “Yes.” Angel whispered.

The sweetest, tiniest voice rung in his ears, magically muffling out anything else so all he could do was drown into her. How Taehyung tried to maintain dominance while still keening over Angels’ every being was beyond him. Turning the woman around, he captured her lips into his, tongue pushing through her teeth while the ship began to sway with more intensity.

Angel gripped onto the edge of the table while one hand gripped onto his shoulder. She pushed down his loose shirt almost ripping it in the process while he slid her dress up until it rested on her hips. Legs spread apart to completely close their distance, Angel discarded his shirt onto the ground before working at his belt.

Taehyung undid the drawstrings on her dress watching it fall helplessly down her shoulders, revealing her tender breasts, nipples poking out cutely in the cold. Once his belt landed on the floor he dived in and latched onto one of her nubs swirling his tongue around it until it was unmovably stiff.

Throwing her head back, she curled her fingers into his hair, nipples hardened until it ached but his tongue managed to soothe it at every lick.

Hand travelled down until it sneaked between her inner thighs, the heat from her core still exuding with strength. Fingers rubbed at the heat feeling it drench the skin until he sunk a finger in slowly.

Angel bit down her bottom lip feeling his long finger curl up inside her, cool metal of the ring causing her to shiver a little.

Taehyung moved up back on his feet, smirking at how her beautiful features contorting in gaining pleasure from his one finger. Ambitiously he snuck another in stretching her walls out for him to fully be a guest. “Have you done this before?” He mused.

“I was a princess—” She giggled. “Everyone wanted to fuck me. Sometimes I let them.” Angel spoke in a whisper, almost teasing the captain a little.

He let out another growl under his breath, pulling his fingers out and unbuttoning his pants to let his achingly stiff length spring free.

Angels’ walls clenched around nothing just looking at the monster of a cock twitching in front of her. She couldn’t help but let out another giggle as his hands latched onto her body before the thick tip pressed against her entrance. Without warning, she felt his wide length push through, ripping her open for him to taste, a gasp leaving her lips as her frantic fingers scratched down his shoulders.

“Princess likes being stuffed with a cock, doesn’t she?” Taehyung whispered, pulling his length out a little only for her pussy to swallow him back in. Slow, snapping thrusts clapped their skin together making Angel cry out in a daring mix of pain and pleasure. “Does it hurt, sweetheart?”

Angel wrapped her arms around his shoulders, getting dizzy from how full she felt, the tip reaching the soft walls of her cervix every time their hips snapped. “It’s okay.” She whispered giving him a small tender kiss. “It’s okay.”

“Good.”

Before she could gather her bearings, her body was being lifted off the floor and carried over to the colder side of the cabin where the windows.

Taehyung pulled out of her causing Angel to whine before he turned her around. Taehyung pushed her back, bending her over until her face touched the glass window of the cabin.

Icy surface touched her dampened cheek, hair over her eyes. Angel felt him spread her legs while her knees rested just at the edge of the sitting area. Rough velvet scratching against bare skin. Heavy breathing fogging against the glass, the flicker of silver lightning cracked through the blackened sky in the same intensity as Taehyung snapped his cock back into her sloppy entrance.

Fingers curled against the glass getting warmer and foggier from her body heat, fighting against the harsh cold of the storming sea. Angel almost couldn’t tell whether it was the ship moving Taehyung right against her or the other way around. It didn’t matter. She felt him feeding every inch of his length to her core, a growing pressure on that tingling spot inside her.

Another roar of thunder from outside as the ship swayed to the right. Taehyung dug his nails into her hips until it created dents on her beautiful skin, pushing in to relish in how her walls clenched around him almost trying to keep them connected.

Lightning flashed again. The ship swayed to the left causing Angel to stumble a little on her side but Taehyungs’ death grip kept her from crashing. Palms now pressed hard against the rough velvet underneath them.

Taehyung moved them to the side, his one knee resting on the sitting. The movement causing a whine to spew out of the princess’ mouth. Slapping their hips together until the skin burned from the impact, her pussy squelching at every thrust. The very sight of her arousal sputtering out of her made him throw his head back, drunken smile gracing his lips.

Angel pressed her chin down, nails scratching against the velvet surface as she let out a delightfully shaky moan. The heat bundled up in her lower belly coiling tighter and tighter desperate to burst. “Tae-ngh I’mgo—” She gasped as Taehyung jabbed into her roughly before staying still.

“Are you close?” He breathed out.

With a whine, she tried to swivel her hips to bring back the rush of heat but it slowly kept fading away. “Mhmm—p-please–keep moving.” Lightning flashed when she spoke, rain droplets slamming against the windows like a bullets.

Hissing lightly, Taehyung pulled her up and moved their positions so he sat properly and her body perched atop his. He smiled at how her hair fell all over her face. Gently he brushed it away to reveal Angels’ glowing face, almost shimmering in the dimmed light.

Legs on either side of him, she sunk down with so much ease, a light giggle passed through her hypnotizing Taehyung to do the same. He watched through hooded eyes how Angel slid up and down his cock trying to pleasure him but chase her orgasm at the same time. She grinded her hips against his, throbbing clit rubbing against his lower belly as the tip of his cock tortured her soft spot inside.

Taehyung choked out a moans as his nails dug in so much, her skin could break. Constricted heat spreading across to his thighs, cock growing heavy. Too heavy. Thrusts sounding like wet splotches mixing in with hurried whimpers. “I’m cumming…” He whispered. Only a second after he spoke, his body stilled, the heaviness now shooting out in ropes.

Angel breathed out a delighted chuckle, continuing to bounce on his drenched cock as her pussy spewed his release, staining both their thighs.

He rested his head back against the window as thunder cracked so loud, it could frighten the Ocean Goddess herself. Hooded eyes peered at how Angels’ lips parted, closing her eyes as she milked him out down to the last drop. Quicker and quicker, he felt a little ache around his member but he’d be an idiot to stop her, the way she tried to chase her release. With a pleased smile, Taehyung reached down to press thumb against the hardened nub rubbing it in circles.

“G-g-Tae—” Angel whimpered, trying to rub further against his thumb while keeping her rhythm. The heat became unbearable reaching the depths of her core. The coil sprung free, bursting like a dam as her release now mixed in with his creating a sloppy between both their legs. Warmth spread through her limbs down to her toes, body trembling, wall clenching around his cock and spewing out more of his release.

Even the nailed sitting area creaked as the ship swayed giving momentum for her to quicken her thrusts. In a hot, wet mess, her orgasm hurdled over the edge. Warmth trembling through her limbs making convulse as her cries of pleasures echoed through the cabin almost loud enough to match the thunder and rain. Angel continued to thrust against him until her walls began to ache from the friction.

“Such a good girl.” Taehyung breathed out, brushing away her hair. Leaning in he pressed a small kiss on her lips. “Did that feel good, princess?” He nudged against hers.

In the midst of her heavy breathing, Angel let out a delighted chuckle before nodding. Good was an understatement but she was too fucked out to make coherent sentences. All she could do for the moment was lay her head on his shoulder and catch her breath properly.

-

“You can teach me sword fighting.” Angel held up the blade, pointing it playfully towards Taehyung as he relaxed on the bed. Her body now adorned by her loose shirt while the captains’ hat lay on her head, a little tilted.

Eyes still droopy from the air of bliss swirling in the cabin, he smiled at the woman. “I thought princesses were taught sword fighting.” His voice grew raspier after all the growling under his breath. But every little ache and strain brought a sense of calm in his belly.

“I was given archery and assassin training by my mother.” Angel put the sword back down on the table. “But never got around to sword fighting. Apparently it’s because I’d have to deal with more distant work than front line.” She padded over to the bed and knelt down on the soft surface, sleeve of the shirt falling off her shoulder.

“Pirates don’t really do front line fighting.”

“Then the stories I’ve read are false?” Angel shifted closer until she straddled him, legs on either side of his lap while her hands rested on his shoulders.

“I suppose in the past, they used to. Now we’ve gotten more intelligent.” Taehyung smirked. His hands immediately rested on her bare thighs, sliding upwards until he felt the globe of her ass. Still a few dents left from his nails.

“Right. You never figured out I was a princess.” She mused, shaking her head. “Guess you’re not that smart.” Angel nudged her nose against his playfully before feeling him squeeze her ass, the beautiful sting coming back as a reminder of their prior sin.

“Intelligent for navy standards.” Taehyung grinned. “Not exclusively trained royals.”

“Ah—makes sense.” Angel mused, giggling under her breath before pressing a tender kiss on his lips.

Taehyung closed his eyes as his hands moved up her back. He relished in the comforting warmth of her lips dancing before the harsh jolt of reality tugged at his belly. “Will you ever return to your kingdom?” Much to his dismay, he felt Angel pull away from the kiss to meet his gaze.

“I’ve thought about it.” She played with the hairs at the back of his head. “Maybe fight and take my kingdom back but—I…I never wanted to rule. I saw how it ruined my father and my mother. They were good to me but I could tell ruling took a toll on them.”

“No one said you have to do what your parents did.” Taehyung reached out and pulled off the hat, placing it next to him. “You can be free to do whatever you want.”

Angel sucked in her bottom lip, averting her gaze in thought for a moment. “What if I wanted to stay on this ship?”

His expression softened, a light fluttering in his belly as the words registered slowly. “You’re already part of the crew, princess.” Taehyung smiled.

“Really?” She grinned feeling a burning behind her eyes.

“Well Jimin would surely kill me if I let you off alone somewhere so—”

Angel chuckled patting his chest affectionately. “I’m not really a pirate though. Are you sure?” She eyed the captain carefully. He didn’t have to take her in with some grand gesture to keep her safe if he really didn’t want to. So many tried to protect her because of some duty and it only ended in tragedy. It ached her heart thinking of a situation where something like that would happen to Taehyung.

Taehyung let out a small sigh, reaching up and lightly cupping her cheek. “This can be your new home—if you want it to be…”

Lips quivering, she wrapped her arms around him burying her face into his bare shoulder. Angel squeezed him a little to remind herself that this wasn’t some sick dream she was having while stranded out in the sea again.

“Is—is that a yes?”

“Oh!” She sniffled, giggling as she pulled away. “Yes, yes…”

Taehyung grinned quickly wiping away the light tear gathered at the bottom of her eye. “Then you’re officially a pirate now, Your former Highness.”

<< PREV CHAPTER

[a-world-in-grey]

Bring Back Memories au II

Tissue warning! (and coarse language)

Also tagging @agent-jaselin because I blame them for inspiring this au in the first place.

.

-The glaives believe Sola to be dead. Tredd and Nyx are broken. It's like the Burning all over again, except the grief feels like someone tore out part of their souls. 

-Tredd never wore a Mourning Braid for his parents and siblings, and Nyx thinks he might one day unbraid his Mourning Braid for Selena. But for Sola? Never. Because the aching wound in their souls feel like they will never heal.

-They return to Insomnia, and Nyx and Tredd are so glad they can leave it to Captain to report to the King. Titus knows his men are grieving, he's not going to push them to face the King, to force them to tell the King that his daughter is dead. 

-Nyx… doesn't know why Abyssus sticks to him like a stubborn burr, but he won't admit that the big cat's presence helps him keep it together when he wants to fly off the handle. 

-The funeral… it goes. Titus secures invitations for the remaining 33 members of Sola's regiment, because they were brothers- and sisters-in-arms and they deserve to be there. The King, the Marshal, and Captain give speeches that Nyx barely remembers. Everyone in the regiment cries by the end. Nyx can see the Crown Prince, seated next to the King, the odd golden fox Nyx remembers Sola once called Cyrus sitting in his lap. Dark head bowed, and thin shoulders hunched and shaking.

-Once all the speeches are done, and everyone is waiting for the pallbearers to lift the empty casket to be delivered to the Royal Mausoleum, Tredd takes a breath and lets his voice rise to the rafters of the cathedral. It's not a Lucian song, but rather a Galahdian one, because for all that Sola had never been braided, she was one of them. One by one, the rest of the regiment joins in, until all 33 of them are singing.

-And despite his knee, the King insists on being one of the pallbearers. An elderly man, thick Leidan accent and clearly close to the King, is at the front with Regis. Another man, dark skinned and closer to the King's age, takes one of the center holds opposite Clarus' son Gladio, who stands for both his father Clarus and for the too short Crown Prince. And at the back, the Marshal and the Captain. Leaving Clarus and the Kingsglaive to form up around the procession because like Pyre they're going to allow assassins to take a shot at Sola's family at her funeral. Nyx and Tredd and Abyssus hover near Sola's little brother, while Libertus and Crowe guard his Hand. 

-The hug Noctis gives Abyssus isn't surprising. What does surprise Nyx are the two hugs he gives to Nyx and Tredd, before allowing Gladio and Ignis to usher him into the waiting Regalia. 

-Safe in Little Galahd, the fourth regiment gathers to mourn and get roaring drunk. Nyx doesn't remember Libertus dragging him back to his apartment, slung over Abyssus' back. His next memory is Abyssus waking him up at some Pyre-cursed hour, raging hangover making his already shitty mood worse. Nyx tries to push Abyssus away, but the damn cat just meows insistently at him, dodging the half-hearted swat Nyx blindly aims his way.

-Nyx's resolve to go back to sleep loses against Abyssus' determination when the cat grabs him by the tangle of his sheets and drags him, bedding and all, onto the floor. Nyx swears, blearily glaring up at Abyssus. Abyssus huffs at him, unimpressed before dropping shirt and sweatpants on his head. Nyx grumbles about making cat-kebabs, but stumbles upright and into the clothes before tossing his bedding back on the bed and then searching for something to help his Six-awful hangover.

-A search he's forced to abandon at the knock on his door. Not by choice, if it were up to Nyx he'd ignore it because fuck everyone else at the moment, but Abyssus lets out another one of his demanding meows and Nyx just wants to go back to sleep. Nyx yanks open his front door, ready to tear whichever unholy daemon of a morning person a new one, only to freeze at the sight of the Crown Prince standing on his doorstep. 

-Nyx really wants to know who he pissed off to deserve this. He's hungover and nowhere near awake for this, he's not even on duty! But he knows Sola would come back from the dead just to kick his ass if he let her little brother get hurt, so Nyx looks around to see if he can spot whichever Crownsguard are shadowing Noctis.

-Only, unless they're sneakier than an Arra - and Nyx knows where he'd put his gil and it's not on the Crownsguard - it doesn't look like the Prince has anyone guarding him. What. The. Pyre. Nyx manages not to swear out loud through Astral-worthy willpower and ushers the kid inside. 

-Once he's leveled a Look at Abyssus and the cat's taken up a position at Nyx's front door and only window, just in case, he levels a stern look at Noctis and tells the kid that he'd better have a good reason for being in the slums at - Nyx checks the clock and wants to glare at Abyssus all over again - seven in the morning without any bodyguards. Does anyone know where Noctis is?

-Noctis blinks wide blue eyes at him - Sola's eyes, fuck - and says that Nyx does. Abyssus huffs from the door, and Nyx swears the cat is laughing at him. Nyx is not amused. Nyx rubs a hand over his face and tells Noctis that he can't do this. They just lost Sola, don't… don't make his father grieve him too. Noctis hunches his shoulders, looking away guiltily. He mumbles an apology, but some of Sola's stubborn defiance pokes through when he adds that it's important.

-Nyx sighs, but ushers Noctis over to his crappy kitchen table, rummaging through his cabinet for two glasses and painkillers. He sets the water down before him and the kid, but pauses at the elixir Noctis holds out to him. Nyx frowns, and tells the kid that he's not injured. Noctis tells him that it's for the hangover. Nyx… doesn't actually want to know how an eleven-year old knows what a hangover is or how to make a magical cure for it. Especially when he knows for a fact that Sola never drank, even after she became legal for it.

-But he's sure as Pyre not turning it down. And Ramuh does it help. Nyx savors the sweet relief for half a second before turning his attention back to Noctis. He asks the kid what's so important to bring him down here without telling anyone. Noctis says that Nyx knows how Sola was his Sword, right? Nyx nods. It was something Sola was fiercely proud of. Noctis asks if Nyx knows why.

-Nyx… actually doesn't know, and he admits it easily enough. It's not like the inner workings of the Royal Retinues was common knowledge. Noctis doesn't look surprised. He frowns in concentration, like he's trying to figure out what to say. He tells Nyx that the Lucis Caelums are Blessed by the Draconian. Nyx nods. That's common enough knowledge, and Galahd has a number of Clans Blessed of the other Astrals, though none so recent as to have magic. Noctis says that because of the Blessing, they bond with people. Like, stronger than normal.

-Nyx frowns, and asks what Noctis means by stronger. Noctis flails a hand, saying that he's not sure how to explain it. It's… it's a feeling. It's instinct. But, when he was a baby, Sola decided that he was hers. And that she was his. And when Noctis was older, he accepted and returned that bond. Sola was his sister.

-Noctis huffs, frustrated, and complains that he's not explaining it right. But Nyx is frozen in his seat, because that… that's familiar. He tells Noctis that Sola Claimed him. And Noctis Claimed her back. Noctis perks up and says that yeah, that's exactly it. Meanwhile, Nyx is thinking back, a year and a half ago, when Sola's enlistment was leaked to the public and Tredd dragged him to calm Sola's Rage. How Tredd had called Nyx one of Sola's Claimed.

-And Nyx asks Noctis if it's only their Retinue that Lucis Caelums Claim. Noctis shakes his head. He says that Sola Claimed the Glaives years ago. All of them. He figured it out when she kept calling them 'her idiots.' Nyx fixes Noctis with a deadpan look and Noctis grins innocently back. Noctis adds somberly that it was why he encouraged Sola to stay with the Kingsglaive, because she was happy with them. They were hers.

-Nyx swallows hard, because damn it, he's not going to cry. He roughly asks what this has to do with Nyx specifically. Noctis tells him seriously that Nyx was Sola's Sword. Nyx chokes on his water, because what. Noctis says he didn't see it before. Sola never wanted a Retinue when he was little, because she was worried the Council would make her stop being Noctis' Sword. But Sola must not have realized it, because Nyx was Sola's Sword and Tredd… her Heart? He wasn't her Shield because Sola refused to have a Shield and he doesn't think Tredd was her Hand-

-Nyx holds up a hand to cut Noctis off, and takes a moment to order his thoughts. He was part of Sola's Retinue, go figure. Tredd too apparently, which, Nyx can see now that he thinks about it. And if Sola Claiming the Glaives wasn't enough to bond with them as her Retinue, but Noctis Claiming Sola back made her his Sword… Nyx thinks of the bead he added to his Mourning braid for Sola, for the woman he'd have adopted as his little sister if only he'd realized it sooner. 

-Fuck, that makes far too much sense.

-Nyx asks if Tredd should hear this too. Noctis nods. He says that he could use Abyssus to find Nyx, but he doesn't know how to find Tredd. Nyx nods, and says that he'll call him, and Noctis can tell them at the same time. Privately, Nyx is feeling just this side of petty because if he has to be up this early to have this conversation, then Tredd can suffer with him.

-It takes three calls before Tredd finally answers his phone, swearing at him. Nyx tells Tredd that he's going to be stopping by in thirty with breakfast, get up and get dressed because the Crown Prince is coming with him to talk with them about stuff no one knew they had to tell Nyx and Tredd about Sola Claiming them. There's a few seconds of silence on the other end, and Nyx asks if Tredd got all that. Tredd swears and says that yeah, he got it, but Nyx better bring the good shit, not Yamachang's pathetic excuse for kebabs. Nyx snorts and says that yeah, yeah, he'll get a proper breakfast for him.

-Nyx tells Noctis that they're gonna pick up breakfast on the way, wait at the table while he changes. Nyx washes his face, scrubs his teeth, and throws on jeans and a shirt, redoes the worst of his braids, and buckles his kukri to his back. Then he's ushering Noctis out his front door with Abyssus and locking up before hoisting Noctis onto Abyssus' back. Because if he's the only guard Noctis has currently, he wants Noctis to have a quick escape route if things do manage to go south. And Abyssus is more competent than half the Crownsguard. Easily.

-Turns out Noctis hasn't breakfast either, so Nyx picks up three of the breakfast burritos from Psamathe Furia, who takes one look at the Crown Prince and tones down the spices on one because Nyx honestly doesn't know if Noctis shares Sola's delicate Lucian palate.

-Tredd is in fact up and presentable by the time Nyx pounds on his door. Nyx gives Tredd a cheerful good morning just to be an asshole, and Tredd tells him to shut the fuck up. Nyx tells Tredd to watch his language, there's a kid present. Tredd swipes one of the burritos from Nyx, retorting that the kid's in public school, there's no way he hasn't heard it all. The two look at Noctis, who's staring at them innocently and Tredd tells Noctis that his innocent face sucks. Noctis pouts and Abyssus laughs at Noctis. Noctis clambers off, accepting the milder burrito from Nyx and finding a place to sit at Tredd's table because Tredd tells both of them that he's not discussing anything until he's had food damn it. Noctis wrinkles his nose at the veggies, but obediently eats them when Tredd gruffly tells him not to waste food.

-Noctis presents Tredd with another hangover cure, which puts Tredd in a marginally better mood but prompts him to ask where the Pyre Noctis learned to make hangover cures. Noctis says that it was Sola. Whenever a mission went bad, he'd spend time with her while she made them, because she always said the other glaives would need them. And Noctis was curious, so she taught him how to make them too. Nyx pinches his nose because fuck, that was Sola all over. She always showed up with her hangover cures after a mission gone bad, because half the glaives usually went out and got drunk. And sure, Sola usually poked fun at them while she handed the cures over because she could be a bitch like that, so no wonder she taught her little brother how to make them. Handing out cures made by a kid would've been hilarious to her. And because she could never really say no to her little brother.

-Nyx listens as Noctis repeats the first part of his explanation to Tredd, who, to his credit, picks up the details almost immediately. Though he asks what the Pyre Noctis means by him being Sola's Heart. Nyx snickers, because Tredd looks so disgruntled. So Noctis explains what he knows about each position in the Retinue. It's a bit rote, but clearly someone's drilled the details into his head, because he explains that the Sword's duty was to wade into danger and destroy threats before they reached their King, therefore protecting him. They attacked. Whereas a Heart protected their King's emotional wellbeing. Protected their King's heart.

-Noctis says that a Retinue is en-tit-led to stuff, even after Sola's death, and Noctis wanted to make sure they could get it if they needed it, because Sola was his and they were Sola's. And it's all he can do for his sister. He's knows it's not much, but he got Iggy to help him print off all the info for them. Nyx tells Noctis that they appreciate it, and they'll look it over. But he needs to get back to the Citadel. Noctis frowns, but Tredd tells Noctis that Sola wouldn't want him taking stupid risks. He's still a kid, but he's smarter than this.

-Before Noctis can reply, there's a knock at Tredd's door, and Nyx opens the door to see a very Unimpressed Cor. Nyx apologizes for the trouble, but Cor says he appreciates Nyx alerting him to the situation before anyone caused a panic. Noctis cringes from the Look Cor gives him, and yeah, kid knows he's in trouble. Nyx tells Noctis that if he really wants to come down to Little Galahd and meet more of Sola's people, let them know first and they'll come get him, okay? That way everyone knows he's safe. Nyx asks Abyssus to go with Noctis. The roads can't be good for his back. Abyssus nods, and Noctis climbs back on.

-When the door closes, Tredd slumps back in his chair and breaks down into grief-tinged laughter. Nyx agrees with the sentiment exactly. Tredd says that of course the fucking short stack went and grew on him, like a Ramuh-damned fungus, and once he was attached she had to up and die on them, and he couldn't even do anything because he was fucking bleeding out like a useless idiot! 

-Nyx tells Tredd, the first person he's told, that he tried to reach Sola. But Sola stopped him. Raised a shield and he, he couldn't break through before Abyssus dragged him away. Tredd says that of course Sola did that, the self-sacrificing dumbass. Nyx whispers that he's not sure he'll ever be able to forgive her for that, for not letting him try to save her. Tredd tells Nyx that he'd be dead if he'd reached her. Nyx admits that he knows, not saying that he'd almost prefer it that way. Tredd hears it anyway. Tredd says that Sola always did care more about them than herself. They were hers. Nyx smiles bitterly and says that no one ever told Sola that she was theirs too.

-Neither of them say that now they'll never get the chance.

[awkwardwritersyndrome]

Chapter 3: The Earth Queen

The morning sun is starting to get hot. Bumi and Kai sharpen their new airbending skills but it’s proving to be hard for an old beardog to learn new tricks. Kai out-maneuvers Bumi and knocks him off his feet as Korra, Asami, and Jinora look on. Moments later the airship glides over the inner wall of Ba Sing Se and floats over the lower ring. All the passengers on the ship can smell the filth and squalor down below. Bolin cringes at the thought of his dad growing up in this place. The middle and upper rings are drastically different, revealing a cruel caste system in the great Earth Kingdom. A bad feeling creeps up Korra’s spine but she can’t quite figure what it is.

As the airship landed, Grand Secretariat Gun shuffled towards the visiting aircraft. As passengers filed down the ramp he greeted them quickly before listing off a host of rules. It sounded as if the queen didn’t even want visitors based on all the stipulations put in place before meeting her. Korra remarked that there were “an awful lot of rules,” with a perturbed frown. 

Gun ignored her complaint and rushed the guests to hide the animals before the highly allergic queen spotted them. He then hurried Korra out of the guest house and across the estate to the queen’s topiary. When the Avatar stepped out onto the balcony overlooking the garden, whirlpools, and walkways, the queen was berating her servants. Garden keepers hustled about rearranging earth at their queen’s request. Korra had never met someone so rude and demanding. 

Queen Hou-Ting seemed disinterested in actually hearing what the Avatar had to say. In fact, she requested a favor from Korra before agreeing to help her. She claimed she had tax money stored in a nearby town that had been overrun with outlaws. If Korra retrieved the money, Hou-Ting would have the Dai Li help find any new airbenders in the city. 

Despite feeling unsettled by the queen’s character, the young Avatar agreed to retrieve the money. When she returned to the guest house everyone was looking for Kai. He was missing and Mako was pretty confident he was up to no good. Despite his bad track record, Tenzin argued that such a young kid should not be left to fend for himself. Korra suggested that Mako and Bolin search for Kai, Tenzin and Jinora wait at the house in case he returned, and her and Asami would go retrieve the queen’s money. 

“Sounds like a plan,” said Asami as she stepped toward Korra.”If we take the airship we can be back by this evening.”

Korra liked the idea of them teaming up for an important Avatar mission. Katara used to tell stories all the time about her and Aang working together before they defeated Ozai. They did serious stuff like take down the Fire Nation factory that was polluting a nearby river village. But they also did fun stuff together like penguin sledding. 

A subtle smile formed on Korra’s face until she remembered that Aang and Katara were a couple. Her own thoughts made her blush. “Yup, okay, good. Sounds great. I’m just gonna...head...somewhere else...to get ready,” Korra stammered before jetting off to avoid anyone noticing how red her face was.

That afternoon the two women left Ba Sing Se to find the secluded vault. 

Looking out at the vast rugged land beyond the city’s walls, Asami wondered, “Are you sure we shouldn’t have bought more people to collect the tax money?”

“Royal Guard’s waiting at the vault,” Korra explained. “I doubt anything will happen. I think her majesty just likes ordering me around.”

Asami raised one brow at her friend. “You mean someone can actually tell you what to do?”

“Hey. I’m not that stubborn...Am I?” Korra was at it again, asking questions she wasn’t sure she wanted the answer to.

The CEO’s face softened and she giggled. “No. I’m just messing with you. When it comes to the most important stuff, you’re the first person looking for sound advice. I admire that about you.” Asami wasn’t sure if her compliment came off weird so her posture stiffened and she trained her eyes on the skies outside the windows.

Korra didn’t even notice, she was just flattered by her friend’s words. “That means a lot coming from you,” she said. 

“Coming from me? What does that mean,” Asami probed. 

Then it was Korra wondering if she had said something odd. She tried to explain her thinking. “I just mean that you’re so successful to be 19. I spent my whole life on a compound training to be the Avatar and I’m not even all that good at it. It’s just impressive, is all.” Korra rubbed the back of her neck as it started to sweat from nervousness. This friendship thing was harder than people made it out to be. No wonder Asami was her first true best friend. 

“I never thought of my success as my own. Most of what I have was handed down from my father. Now that his legacy is tarnished, I feel like I’m at square one. I haven’t accomplished anything on my own,” Asami replied with a defeated tone.

“No way! You’ve accomplished a lot since your father went to prison,” Korra rebutted. She grabbed each of the other woman’s arms just above the elbow and craned her neck downward to look into those bright green eyes. “You made the mecha suits mass producible. You dug Future Industries out of debt after its reputation was ruined. You revamped the airship division and you hammered out a deal with the world’s craziest business mogul. That’s all pretty amazing,” Korra insisted tenderly.

“Well that last one was mostly Bolin and kind of backfired on me, but I get your point.” Asami looked back into Korra’s blue eyes and realized how similar they were in being hard on themselves. “I could rattle off a similar list for you,” she sassed.

“Don’t worry, Tenzin beat you to it the day we finally found Daw. I guess I’m pretty hard on myself too,” the Avatar admitted as if she could read Asami’s mind. The two of them hovered near each other until the closeness felt hot and almost unbearable.

A ridge of mountains appeared on the horizon and they knew they were getting close. “I should land this thing,” Asami suggested bashfully, still standing with only inches between them.

Korra took a big step back and away from the helm so Asami could work her magic. “Right. Aye aye, captain,” she said awkwardly before making an about face towards the exit ramp.

The ship floated to a halt in the middle of the town where there were no buildings or homes. The duo quickly identified the vault and the Royal Guard and made their way over. The money was loaded onto a wheel barrel and three guards began walking it to the ship. Suddenly a red flare shot into the sky and the women immediately knew trouble was afoot. A hoard of outlaws with mopeds and an armored truck began speeding towards the guards and the money. Two earthbenders cartwheeled off their hotrods and hurled three boulders at the queen’s guards. They didn’t even attempt to fight and scurried away from the mob.

“So much for our escort,” Asami panned while sliding on her electrified glove.

“Maybe we should’ve bought everybody,” Korra added, swallowing the lump that formed in her throat. 

The pair dashed towards the money and made their stand. A battle ensued, two against twelve. Korra crumbled the ground beneath the outlaws and sent them all stumbling backwards. Two men gunned it towards Asami but she propelled herself over them in a flying roundoff and tased them with her glove. As she stuck the landing, an air strike narrowly caught another bandit as he reached out to grab her. The industrialist looked over and saw Korra was covering her blindspots. The two advanced towards the few men left standing but they began to retreat. As the leader of the mob hopped on the back of the armored truck he yelled, “You’re on the wrong side of this fight, Avatar. That gold belongs to the people, not the queen.”

The proclamation echoed through Korra’s ears. “Why do I get the feeling that he’s right?”

They loaded the money onto the airship and returned to Ba Sing Se. Gun escorted Korra to the throne room to report her successes to Queen Hou-Ting. Turns out, Korra’s gut was right. The queen made up a lie that the Dai Li didn’t find any new airbenders and she asked the Avatar to leave the city. 

That was the last straw for the hot headed young woman. “You make me do your dirty work, extorting your own citizens, for your stupid palaces and topiaries and then you just want to send me away? We’re not going anywhere until we find some airbenders,” Korra hollered at Hou-Ting. The queen looked on silently and Korra added, “we know there are some here!”

The queen promptly banished Korra from her sight. Korra began to storm off but spun around and pointed her finger up at the throne like a deadly arrow. “This isn’t over. I’m going to find the airbenders!”

Korra burst into the guest house after stomping all the way across the estate. She was sporting a seriously contorted frown and tightly wound shoulders. When she got to the dining room she dropped her weight in the nearest chair and huffed in anger. Tenzin was asleep with Jinora and the brothers hadn’t returned yet. 

Asami was the only one around to comfort the young Avatar. She approached cautiously and announced herself calmly. Just hearing her soothing voice made Korra relax some. The younger woman let her scowl melt away and said “I’m glad to see someone I don’t want to punch.”

Asami winced at the thought of taking a hit delivered by Korra’s muscular arms. “I’m guessing the queen isn’t going to help us,” the businesswoman assumed.

“No! She isn’t! And I’m the total idiot that ran off to the middle of nowhere like her evil henchman. This search for the airbenders is a complete disaster,” Korra lamented. She folded her arms on the table and buried her head between them. She might have stayed like that all night if two soft hands didn’t take hold of her achy shoulders. A firm but gentle pressure relieved her muscles of knots and tension. Without knowing it she let out a guttural moan.

Asami smirked as her fingers undid the stress in her friend’s body. “How’s that,” she asked coyishly. 

“Huh?...It’s uh... really nice,” Korra crooned with delight. All the rigidity in her body was gone and all she could think of was the image of Asami delicately untangling string the other night. In that moment, Korra felt like she was a knotted mess of string herself.

Asami leaned against the table next to Korra and shared a caring smile. “You could use a real massage. I know a guy in Republic City if you’re interested.”

A drunken grin overtook Korra’s face and she nodded in agreement. 

The two women sat at the table while Korra described all the ways she disliked the Earth Queen. Asami challenged some of her poorly thought out grievances, but generally understood why Korra was so upset. They talked for several hours before they noticed the time. They decided to get some rest, so they both stood up at the same time. “I’m no masseuse, but I give good hugs,” Korra announced with open arms.

The other woman laughed and shifted her weight so she sort of fell into Korra’s arms for a hug. Each woman headed to a different side of the house to find their beds. Even as the night wore on in different rooms, the warm embrace left a tantalizing feeling in each of their heads.

Next Chapter

[stoffelees]

Deserving of Acceptance: Chapter Twelve

Chapter Title: Protest

Rating: Teen and Up

Chapter Warnings: Racism

Word Count: 1579

Summary: It would seem some humans are less than thrilled about the monsters.

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He liked days that started like this one. Papyrus woke up at dawn, had breakfast, and was out checking the perimeter fence before most monsters had stirred from their slumber. He preferred establishing his presence before any trouble could be caused.

He had been on a normal patrol when a sound caught his attention. It didn’t take Papyrus long to find the ones causing it. Humans were grouped together near the gate holding signs and yelling things that were, at present, incomprehensible to him. Heavy boots took him closer to the ruckus and he could finally hear what was being said. ‘Get out.’ ‘Go back underground.’ ‘Filthy underlings.’

Underlings? Monsters were just as sentient as humans, they were not inferior. If anything, monsters had earned the right to live here. What had humans done to deserve the surface other than taking advantage of species deemed lesser in status?

Papyrus closed his eye sockets and suppressed his anger. He needed to inform Undyne of the situation. No actions should be taken until the captain declared her orders. He pulled out his phone and tapped in a quick text. It was informal, but it was the fastest way to brief her on the situation.

Now he needed to get a better look at what was taking place. Eye sockets took in the sight as he reached the fence. It was better not to say or do anything yet, but gathering information would be useful. The humans seemed to hiss and spit with their words as if each one was dripping in venom. But none of them were armed, and, even if there were enough to overwhelm him, they would never stand a chance once inside the perimeter. What were they trying to prove? Did they really think shouting insults would weaken him?

He continued to pace along the fence taking note of each individual human and analyzing their potential strengths and weaknesses. They did not appear to be warriors fit for combat. Not a single one was clad in armor or any protective articles. But he recalled stories told by monsters who'd survived the war. Stories that described armorless humans with hidden blades. Their intention was strong enough to kill some of the strongest monsters. A human needing only to have a strong desire to kill to be effective?...they were just stories.

A short time later he heard the familiar boots of his captain. Turning to make his way toward her he saw monsters had begun peeking out of their homes to see for themselves what was happening. Few were willing to venture further than their front steps. But it was the pair his captain was approaching that puzzled him. Who had summoned Alphys, and why was his good-for-nothing brother here?

Sleeping through the night was a rarity for Sans. Yet here he was, greeted by the morning with no recollection of dreams or waking up in the dark. He wasn’t sure if he could say he felt rested, he’s not sure if he had anything to compare it to, but he actually felt like getting up and that was different.

Sans reached for his phone on the floor next to his mattress. It was just after nine, not bad for waking up without a kick to the ribs. Getting up, he got himself dressed and grabbed his usual additions. Ensuring his ID card was in the breast pocket of his jacket he made his way downstairs to find Papyrus was already gone. Still feeling satiated from dinner last night, Sans figured he’d head out now rather than hang around the house.

Being out on the street was less anxiety-inducing than it used to be. For the first time in memory he didn’t feel like he was going to be attacked. No fear of being used as leverage to get to Papyrus, no one hunting him, nothing trying to bend or break him. He could walk from one place to another and really look at his surroundings. Right now he found himself staring at the sky while his feet took the familiar path toward the shop, but getting closer a strange sound caught his attention.

The gate came into view and with it the source of the noise. Dozens of humans were gathered outside the fence. They seemed to be yelling and a few were holding signs. He squinted in an attempt to read them but motion on his side of the fence distracted him.

Panic tried to take over until he realized who the movement was: his brother. He raised a browbone and eye lights followed Papyrus as the taller skeleton paced the fence. Sans gave a sigh and dragged himself over to a familiar lab coat hovering nearby.

“what’s all this about?” He gestured to the crowd before them.

Alphys jerked away before relaxing as she realized who it was that was standing next to her. “We don’t know. They showed up a short time ago. I just got here and I’m not actually sure why I was called.” She fidgeted with her claws before looking up to see the captain of the Royal Guard arrive.

“well this should be fun.” He turned to see his brother approach as Undyne reached them.

“WHY IS THE ROYAL SCIENTIST HERE?” It sounded more like a genuine question rather than annoyance from the taller skeleton.

“I called for her; I want her insight on dealing with this. Why is he here?”

He knew Undyne was pointing at him and rather than give Papyrus time to answer he figured he should chime in. “i was wandering around and saw my pal standing around looking confused.” He gave a mock punch to Alphys’ shoulder and was rewarded with a glare from the lizard-monster and a scoff from his brother.

“Whatever,” Undyne turned back to the guardsman. “I’ve gotten word that this is not an isolated incident. There are groups of humans at city hall, various businesses, and here. They all seem to be anti-monster and they want their government to notice them.”

Sans looked over, curious to see how his brother would take this information. “HUMANS HAVE AN ODD WAY OF WANTING TO BE NOTICED. IS THERE ANY REASON WE SHOULD BE CONCERNED?” He rolled his eye lights and brought a palm up to his face. Leave it to Papyrus to pass this off as a simple annoyance. Humans are practically banging on their door and he’s wondering if they ‘should be concerned?’

“At the moment? No. They seem to be just yelling. But until further notice, no monster is to leave the neighborhood.” Undyne didn’t even seem phased by having to make this decision.

“what?!” No, what the hell? They’re not concerned by these humans but they’re willing to bar entry and exit from the neighborhood?

“BE QUIET.” Sans closed his eye sockets and shrank only a fraction at his brother’s warning. “I WILL ENSURE THE GATES ARE UNDER CONSTANT SURVEILLANCE.”

“I know you will. But I need you with me. Alphys, you’re going to figure out a way to control these humans. I don’t care how you do it, just get these humans off our doorstep and don’t give the human government a reason to side with them.” As seemed to be her way, Undyne gave her orders and turned to head back.

He could feel his brother’s gaze on him. “SANS, YOU WILL WATCH THE GATE AND NOTIFY ME OF ANY ATTEMPT BY A HUMAN TO ENTER.”

“yea boss, you got it.” Sans watched his brother follow the captain before he turned back to Alphys. “looks like i got the easy job. what the hell are you going to do?”

“I d-d-don’t know. I might know more about humans than most monsters but what exactly can I do? Unless they cross the fence we can’t take action, and if they do cross what do we do?” She was focused on the ground at her feet. “It looks like you’re on sentry duty again though.”

"i know, i’m thrilled. and i don’t even get a station to sleep at.” Bony hands buried into his jacket and found the familiar smooth metal of his blade. Lately, all the comfort he needed was found in just having it with him, but he knew being cooped up might cause his anxiety to spike again.

Alphys started toward her home. Watching, Sans found himself speaking before he even realized it. "hey, if you need any help or insight, uh..." His hand began rubbing the back of his skull, "gimme a buzz or something, ya know?"

Turning back to look at him, she raised a brow and lowered her glasses. "I don't need your pity, and you better watch yourself. You're getting soft. The humans will dust you before you even have a chance." She straightened her lab coat and pushed her glasses back into place. With a scoff she left him to face his task alone.

Eye lights found themselves drifting toward the ground. Was he going soft? Underground that was a self-inflicted death sentence, but here? Were things not changing? He looked at the humans gathered by the gate. Clearly things had not changed. Humans hated monsters, and monsters hated each other.

A scowl took over his features and his grip tightened on his switchblade. It was foolish to think the surface would bring anything but new difficulties. He settled himself against one of the buildings and prepared for a long day.

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