wickedadaar

[wickedadaar]

Kostera Ingellvar / Sidony Master Post

she/they, mage, spellblade and lightning. 33 years old. 7’4

Rooks Roost AU: Kostera

Background: Born under the Qun but when her magic manifested, her mother (who was not a tamassran and who got accidentally pregnant) took her and fled to Nevarra where she joined the Mourn Watch, knowing they would be able to help her child grow and develop their magic as they grew. She also knew the Qun would not pursue them and they would be safe within the confines of the Necropolis. It was creepy enough to keep most Vashoth away, no way would any practicing Qunari dare venture in. As Kostera grew into their magic, they became very adept at wielding lightning and harnessing its power. That ability fed into her curiosity for different applications of magic. She became a scientist of sorts, experimenting with how different types of magic may interact with various things around the Necropolis and how it might affect both the living and the dead

How they joined the Veilguard: After finding out Ezra Mustermann of the Veilguard had sent word back to the Mourn Watch regarding a disgraced scientist conducting experiments within the Necropolis, they knew they had to act. They felt the best way to do that would be to join the Veilguard. That’s where their talents could best be utilized.

Personality: Outgoing, quirky, super smart, kind of awkward but in an endearing sort of way. Like Ph.D. level smart. Fascinated with magic in all of its forms and applications. They are always wanting to learn more about everything, actively pursuing knowledge in various different fields, but mostly as those fields relate to magic. They are a generally happy person, but believes magic is something that should not be joked about or handled lightly because of its potentially destructive power.

Romance: Pansexual. It’s been a long time since they had a serious relationship, so that aspect might take them a little while, but they are open to flings and friends with benefits.

[stay tuned as I develop her further]

[wickedadaar]

The Warden's Shadow: Magic Touch

Featuring Alaine from @randomness-in-motion

Co-written by randomness-in-motion. Pulled directly from Rian and Alaine’s RP transcripts with minimal edits.

Word count: 1,932

The next morning, she remained cuddled up to him, her head resting on his chest, listening to his heartbeat, a steady reminder they were both still here, safe, together. He made a soft, muffled noise as he started waking. The dreams were weirder, more vivid somehow, in a way they hadn't been before. His hand moved to rest on her shoulder and gave a gentle squeeze. She began to wake, lifting her head to look at him with a sleepy smile. "Good morning, love. You sleep alright?" He gave a sleepy shrug. "The whispers were quieter... but the rest of the dreams were different. No blight, just... everything seemed more real..." "I'm sorry, love. I know what you mean. At least it's over. I'm here for you," she assured him, leaning up and kissing the tip of his nose. His brow furrowed, worry setting in. Just how much was this going to change things... "I love you." "I love you too, amatus," she whispered to him before giving him a gentle kiss. In the back of her mind, she worried about how these dreams were changing and what it might mean for them. Could this impact how much time she had left with him? Would it speed up the Calling?

He curled his hold around her tighter and chewed his lip for a moment. "Will the dreams stay like this? Is, is it the magic?" the blight dreams and nightmares.. how were they going to impact this, he already couldn't control those, how was he going to.. How. "No, the dreams get better, I promise. I can't tell you anything about the Warden nightmares, but if they're related to your magic, they'll get better, love," she reassured him, running a hand through his hair with a small, gentle smile.

He gave a frustrated sigh as he nuzzled into her touch.. Tamrian and some of the Crows he knew used tonics, the blight dreams, though, were worse now since Elgar'nan and Ghilan'nain, so it only sometimes helped with those, but the rest... Asrani specifically, though.. he was there when the Crow had been finishing up a batch one time, maybe.. "I might.. I might talk to Tamrian if the dreams don't get better.. I'll wait and see, though." "You do what you have to do, love. I'll support your decision," she told him, running her hand through his hair again, a worried look on her face. "Poor thing. I wish I could help more." He shook his head as he tilted so he could place a kiss on her chin. "Thank you, love. I'm sorry that everything is such a mess now..." 

"Of course, love. At least you aren't alone. We can be messes together," she told him with a small smile and a chuckle. "Did you want to do anything today, or is just resting okay?” "I'll be happy to just spend time with you, love. We can stay here or go somewhere you want. I just want to be with you," she told him softly as she kissed him. He curled against her, a soft murmur given as she kissed him, "Right now.. I'm more than happy to just stay here and rest with you." "We could always do more than rest if you want, but that's up to you, love. If you want to just lie here and cuddle, we can do that, too."

He gave a light chuckle, the thought more than tempting, a thread of worry had him burying his face against her. "You have no idea how tempting -more- is.. I just.." his voice trailed off, a slight shake of his head given. "What's wrong, love? Talk to me. What's going on? Maybe I can help," she offered, cupping his cheek with her hand. "I'm afraid of my..." a pause given as disbelief threaded his voice at having to even say it "Magic. Every time I think of something upsetting, it reacts. I.. I don't want to hurt you if it reacts to me feeling other ways..." "Typically, it doesn't react to those emotions, but we can go slow, make sure it won't react. How does that sound, love?" She offered, caressing his cheek.

He lifted his head to look at her. "Are you sure? I really don't want to risk hurting you, love." She chuckled. "I'm sure, love. Besides, I have been a mage for a while now, so I can sense when magic is going to go sideways. She smiled at him as she pulled him into a gentle kiss. He gave a nerve-filled smile as she kissed him, "Still can't help worry, Bellus," and he let his teeth gently graze across her bottom lip as he returned the kiss. She chuckled as she kissed him with more heat and passion, wrapping her arms around him and pressing her chest against his. "Well, I will let you know if anything about your magic feels off, okay, love? He simply nodded as he sank into the kiss, hands moving to roam along her stomach and sides as he slid his tongue along her bottom lip and then pressed, wanting to deepen the kiss further.

She melted into his kiss, nipping lightly at his lips as she held him tightly, so very grateful they were back together and safe. He nuzzled into her hold, a soft murmur made against her lips with each nip she gave as he shifted and pulled her so that she was lying half on him. She chuckled as he pulled her, kissing him harder and with more intensity. The kiss, becoming more fervent, had him hooking a finger to her shirt as he broke the kiss only long enough to nip at her lip, "I only have loungers on, but I'm feeling we're both a little overdressed at the moment, love." before his lips returned to hers.

She chuckled, "You make a compelling point." She quickly shed her shirt before kissing him once more, pouring the love she had for him into it. The moment her lips were back on his, he let his hands trail his nails up along her back as he pulled her in tighter against him, and he hummed into the kiss, "Hmm, much better." A shiver ran down her spine as he raked his nails across her skin. "Agreed," she chuckled as she kissed him passionately once more.

Maker, he had missed the feel of holding her in his arms. Her chuckle caused him to smile as she returned her lips to his, and he ran his tongue against hers as he explored her mouth, one hand still moving to trace along her back as the other moved to cup the back of her head, his fingers threading into her hair. She didn't realize how much she had missed this, him, their time together. She hummed into the kiss as he explored her mouth, a small groan escaping her as he threaded his fingers into her hair. He gave another shift, this time pulling her fully on top of him, one of his legs hooking over one of hers as she settled against him, like he was trying to lock her there against him as he deepened the kiss.

She made a small, surprised squeak as she landed against him, straddling his hips. She melted into the deep kiss, letting out a small moan as she nipped his lower lip occasionally. His hips moved beneath her as she straddled his, a low hmmm given against her lips in response to the moan she gave, and his hands slid down to grip her hips, fingers digging lightly. She inhaled sharply as his hips moved. Another small moan escaped her as she broke the kiss and lowered her head to leave a trail of kisses and love bites across his throat. His skin goosed in each spot she kissed and marked, his head tilting to the side to allow her more access as his fingers lightly moved from her hips and up along her back before drifting back down to her sides.

She continued her attention along his neck, making her way back up and kissing him passionately, running one hand through his hair, the other cupping his cheek, and raking her thumb across his beard. He gave a murmured moan into the kiss as he shifted beneath her again, her hands moving to play through his hair, nearly pulling a sigh from him as he nipped at her lip. She moaned as he bit her lip, rolling her hips against him reflexively. "I love you, Laine," she whispered against his lips as she paused to take a breath. Her hips rolling caused his to lift upwards as his hands tightened their grip to hold her against him, and he grazed his teeth against her lip again. "I love you too, Rian."

She inhaled sharply at the feeling of his teeth on his lip. She sat up, enjoying the sight of shirtless Alaine as she ran her hands down his chest and abdomen, stopping just above the hem of his pants, meeting his eyes. Her expression was a mixture of mischief and desire. He gave a soft whine at the loss of her lips, his fingers curling against her waist as she ran her hands across him and he was left to bite his own lip as he looked up at her, brow quirking when she stopped at the edge of his pants "Love, I only wear pants to be polite, if you want them gone I'll happily oblige." She chuckled at his offer, leaning down and kissing his lips then his chest. "I could always help you if you would like," she teased with a smirk as she bit the corner of her lip.

He gave a half-smirk of his own, hands still holding her to him, and lifted his hips and hers up off the bed. "We are both still a bit overdressed, so that sounds like a really good plan." She chuckled with mischief as he lifted her, hooking her fingers into his waistband as she kissed him. He gave a wiggle of his hips before he lowered them back down so he could nibble lightly across her lips as she kissed him. She chuckled into the kiss. As she settled back into straddling his hips. She rolled her hips against his as she kissed him passionately. "Would you like to take the lead or would you have me do the honors?" She whispered against his lips, teasingly.

He gave a soft groan as she rolled her hips again, his own rocking to match her movement, and he flicked his tongue across her lip as she whispered, a half-smile forming, "You, I'd like you to take the lead, love." She nipped his lip, keeping the kiss gentle for the moment. She moved one hand down his chest and across his abs, down to stroke his length as she kissed him harder. 

He leaned into the kiss, the feel of her hand moving down along his body, the light shiver it had caused to thread through him changing to heat as he felt her hand move against his shaft, the moan that tried to escape him muffled into the kiss as his nails dug against her hips. She smiled into the kiss, thrilled by his reaction. She nipped at his lip, raking her teeth across it. "Maker, Laine," she whispered as his nails dug into her. She moved to straddle his hips once more. As she landed, she took his length fully, determined to please them both.

[wickedadaar]

Mr. & Mrs.: Against the Wall - NSFW

Featuring Lorenzo from @alystrin03

Co-written by alystrin03. Pulled directly from Allegra and Lorenzo’s RP transcripts with minimal edits except for the NSFW portion indicated by ***** above it (written by me)

Word count: 1,632

Once they made it back to their room, she quickly pulled Renzo to her and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him hungrily. Lorenzo kisses her back, with a desire he does not want to control, and picks her up from the floor, leaning her against the wall, while he notices how flushed her skin is. She wrapped her legs around him as he lifted her. She let out a small whimper as he leaned her against the wall. She nipped his lower lip as she returned the desire he poured into the kiss. She started to unbutton his shirt as she kissed him.

Lorenzo knows how much he wants her, and judging by the sweet noises she is making, Allegra is in the same situation. He does not want to wait to make her tremble under his touch, to feel that gorgeous body shivering because of him. Using one arm to keep her against the wall, he slides the free hand under the dress, with a featherlike touch, getting really near the precise spot he knows will make Allie go insane but not reaching it.

She inhaled sharply as she felt his hand under her dress, a shiver running down her spine. She wanted him more than words could say, perhaps even more than her actions could show. She continued working to unbutton his shirt, pushing it aside as she undid the last button. She ran her hands across his chest and down his stomach, tracing the intricate details of his muscles. Hearing Allie hold her breath is more than enough to encourage Renzo to go further. He keeps on kissing her, not parting even for breathing, while the hand between her thighs pulls away the offending clothes. Then he ventures a bit further, starting to get near to his prey.

"Please, love," she whispered to him between desperate and hungry kisses. She wrapped her arms around his back and raked her nails across his skin. Renzo leaves her lips just for a second and bites her neck hard, whispering to her ear, "Please, what? To go ahead or to do anything different?" She moans as he bites her neck, her hands reflexively digging her nails into his back. "Please, go ahead," she begged him once more, desperate for his affection. 

"As my wife commands," he kisses her again, hard, and then focuses on giving Allegra something more than a ring to remember that moment.

*****

Once the offending clothing was dealt with, Renzo traces his fingers back up the inside of her thigh before sliding them into her. Allie gasped at the sensation, rolling her hips into his touch. “Renzo, please,” she whimpered, wanting him to pleasure her further with his fingers as she wrapped her legs tighter around him, pulling his hips to meet hers.

“Renzo, please,” she whined as she rolled her hips against his hand as he thrust his fingers within her. “I need you,” she whined as her head fell back, exposing her neck to him. Lorenzo eagerly and hungrily kissed along her neck, leaving love bites in his wake as well. “Renzo,” she whined again, higher-pitched this time. He sped up his pace, biting down harder against her neck. Allegra moaned, and that spurred Lorenzo to start circling her clit with his thumb. “Maker,” she said breathlessly as her legs began to shake. “It is not the Maker pleasing you, mi amor,” he growled into her ear, sending a shiver down Allie's spine. She cried out in pleasure once more, clinging to Renzo tightly as she kissed him deeply. Her tongue entered his mouth, tasting him, treasuring him, before her breathing started to stutter. 

Renzo's pace quickened, determined to make her climax sooner rather than later. She whined pathetically into the kiss, her hips reflexively bucking against his hand as he pleasured her. She whimpered, biting his lip as she tangled a hand into his hair. As her climax swiftly approached, her hips bucked against his hand repeatedly, following the movement of his fingers as her breath caught and her head fell back. She closed her eyes as her peak swiftly overtook her. “Lorenzo,” she whimpered as her whole body shuddered, her hips continuing to twitch once she had ridden the wave through the rest of her body. Allie panted as she tried to catch her breath, riding out the rest of her climax, her hips stilling around his fingers.

Lorenzo growled into her ear as he slid his fingers out of her. He brought them to his lips and licked his fingers clean. “My favorite taste,” he told her as he made sure she saw him licking his fingers. He still supported her weight with his hand on her ass, wrapping her legs around him once more. Allegra blushed at the sight of him licking his fingers of her juices. No one had ever treasured her in such a way before. “Renzo,” she whispered breathlessly as she began to undo the buttons on his shirt. Once it was undone, she pushed the shirt away and ran her hands across his bare chest and abdomen, tracing each line, dip, and divot. She bit the corner of her lip in anticipation. Renzo quickly shed his shirt, unbuckling his belt and dropping his pants. 

“My lovely Allie, would you shield your beautiful body from my eyes?” He asked as he quickly unzipped her dress and began to slide it off her. Because of their position, Allie pulled the dress up and over her head and shoulders. She tossed it to the side. “Now I am all yours, my love,” she told him in a sultry tone as she rolled her hips against his. “Mi amor, you are positively divine,” he whispered to her before pulling her into a deep, passionate kiss. He rucked his hips against hers, eliciting a whimpered moan from Allie. “Renzo,” she whined to him, one hand traveling down his body to his rock-hard cock. 

He growled as she grabbed him and stroked his length. He shifted his hold on her to support her weight with one hand. He used the other to take the hand from his length and pin it above her head, against the wall. “Easy, mi amor. I have something much better in mind for you,” he whispered in her ear, his voice low and husky. Allegra gasped as he pinned her hand, looking at him with eyes full of want and need. “My love, please,” she begged, rolling her hips against him. Lorenzo growled at hearing her beg for him. “You always sound the sweetest when you are begging for me, my dear Allie. It is one of my favorite sounds you make,” he whispered in her ear, lining himself up with her entrance. “I want to hear you, mi amor,” Lorenzo growled as he slid himself into her. Allie gasped in surprise and moaned loudly at the feeling of his length within her.

Lorenzo growled in her ear as he felt her clench around him. He thrusted within her, keeping a steady pace, eliciting more and more beautiful noises from her. Allegra’s head fell back as she panted, exhilarated by the feeling of him within her. “My love,” she said breathlessly as she felt her ecstasy swiftly building within her. “Mi amor, the most beautiful woman I have ever met,” he whispered to her as she felt her tightening around him, driving him closer to his climax. He was determined to hold off on his until she reached hers.

He gripped her hips tightly as he thrusted deeply into her, as she wrapped her legs tighter around him, her toes curling as she savored the feeling of him within her. Lorenzo bit her shoulder hard as he rucked his hips against her over and over, pushing her closer to her peak. Allegra’s hips rocked against him, wanting to feel more of him within her. “My love, please, touch me,” she begged, her voice quiet and desperate. “As you wish, mi amor,” he told her as he nibbled on her earlobe, and he let her hand go. He took his hand and rubbed her clit with his thumb as he thrusted himself into her, until she was whimpering and whining and screaming his name. The two of them chased their release together, clinging to one another desperately. 

“Renzo,” she cried out, as her legs shook and her cunt tightened around him, her ecstasy washing over her in waves. The feeling of her clenching around him spurred Lorenzo on as well. Once he had helped Allie ride out her climax, he chased his own. He grunted and groaned as he thrusted deeper within her. “Renzo,” she whispered breathlessly to him, a second wave of pleasure washing over her as he continued his relentless pace. Her words and the sounds she made pushed him over the edge. The couple panted and held each other as they took a moment to recover from their throws of passion. “My love, can you take me the bed?” She asked quietly with a warm smile and breathless chuckle. “Of course, Allie. Whatever you wish of me, I will do.” He kissed her gently as he carried them to their bed.

He lay her down gently before climbing into the bed with her. She wrapped her arms around him and tangled one of her legs with his. “Maker, love, that was amazing,” she told him as she rested her head on his chest. “And you are always divine, Allegra. You always make me remember that I am the luckiest man in Thedas because I get to call you mine.” He kissed her gently, and he ran his fingers through her hair as they held each other and drifted off to sleep in each other's arms.

[wickedadaar]

MY BABIES <3

Thank you for letting me have Kalais in Del's backstory :3 I adore them so much!!

Several Misunderstandings - RRAU

A little background story feat. Kalais and Delaney Morlyn (another of @wickedadaar's rooks in the RRAU)

A sunny day in the forest was always a good sign. The light filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across two companions who made their way through. 

It had been quite some time since they had last headed out together. Before the explosion. Delaney was kept out of commission in camp while the burns healed. Kalais checked on them as often as they could. But the bandages were removed not long ago and Delaney itched to get back out into the field. When Kalais asked them to join on their expedition, Delaney jumped at the chance, eager to spend more time with their friend. Though, they supposed, ‘friend’ felt like the wrong word, with the tender looks they shared, and the small touches when Kalais helped change the bandages. Other veil jumpers looked away from Delaney now, clearly uncomfortable seeing the bandages, and now the scarring. Even their partner, Keegan, took time to get used to the scars. But not Kalais. Never once did they flinch or glance away. It made Delaney’s heart stutter. Yes, ‘friend’ couldn’t be the right word. Delaney just didn’t know what the correct word was yet. Keegan had been okay with the addition. They hoped Kalais would be open to a discussion about it.

Kalais led them through the trees, and up along ledges. Delaney couldn’t be sure where exactly they were headed, but Kalais had promised they would enjoy it. Some place they had found recently. A nice little quiet spot with a wonderful view! Their eyes shined as they described the location. The path they took passed near a temple, Delaney could see it through the trees, jutting up over the forest. Kalais led them around and up, climbing up ledges and reaching their hand down to help Delaney as well. They must be near the spot, because Kalais started talking, explaining in depth how they found this place.

“It’s a temple to Sylaise. Giant hearth in the center, right underneath that tower. We weren’t even really looking for it. Just stumbled upon it while leading a team to a smaller temple further on. I don’t know how it was missed before.” Kalais clambered up another ledge, once again reaching down to help pull Delaney up. “We’re almost there now.” Delaney smiled, grasping their hand and following them up. Kalais kept chattering, explaining the condition the stained glass was in, how the temple still seemed to be kept clean with very little dust laying about. Delaney was content to listen, nodding their head and smiling. Eventually, Kalais paused, turning to face them. “It’s just beyond here. I really think you’re going to like this.”

They pulled back some tree limbs, allowing for Delaney to step through, and they followed behind. The ledge they found themselves on overlooked the temple. It was framed by the autumn leaves of trees on the surrounding ridges, and a fountain of water twisting around the tower before falling back to a nearby lake. Delaney found themself taking in the view with wide eyes. Kalais stepped up beside them, taking in the scenery as well.

“It’s a pretty sight, isn’t it?” Kalais said. “For Sylaise, this seems like a pretty small temple actually. But I think the area was beautiful and that’s why it was chosen. And the water. One day I’m going to figure out why it does that. Besides just ‘magic’. Everyone always says that. What about the magic specifically causes it to do that? Though I did wonder if that’s how it’s been since the temple was built, with the way it spirals around the tower.” They continue, rambling out any and all information about the area and the building they could.

Delaney smiled at them, watching the way their eyes shined as they shared their knowledge. When Kalais caught them staring, Delaney didn’t even bother looking away or hiding it. “Why are you looking at me like that?” They asked, smiling but with a slightly furrowed brow.

Delaney shrugged. “I like listening to you. You know so much about all this and get so excited. It’s enchanting. You’re enchanting.” Bold of them, yes, but their instincts told them to be bold. 

“Enchanting?” Kalais repeated, thoroughly confused. They step toward her, reaching up to place the back of their hand to her forehead. “Are you sure you’re feeling alright, Del?”

Her eyes fluttered shut for a moment and her heart stuttered at the touch of their hand. “Yes I am,” Delaney said quietly, her hand reaching out to settle at Kalais’ waist. “More than alright.” Kalais barely registered what was happening, as Delaney pulled them close, lips pressing firmly to theirs. They froze, wide eyed and staring as Delaney kissed them. It didn’t last long, a second maybe before Delaney pulled away suddenly and quickly, brow furrowed and eyes searching their face. Kalais saw the confusion in their eyes, followed by realization, then disappointment. “You don’t-...?” The rest of the question went unstated. Though the answer was obvious. 

Kalais shook their head, still staring with wide eyes. “No….I’m sorry, Del…..” They didn’t know what else to say. If they had known, they would have said something before. But they didn’t; they had not realized Delaney’s growing feelings. And now they had hurt her. Beyond that, Del had a partner already. 

Delaney let go of them and stepped back. “No, I’m sorry…I thought…You’ve been so kind.”

“Because I’m your friend?” Kalais looked at them confused, trying to figure out what was happening. “I don’t understand. You have a partner already, Del. I never considered…That’s not something I would involve myself in.” 

So that was it. Delaney clenched their jaw slightly. “I see,” they responded quietly, looking down at their feet. “You could have led with that at least. But I understand, it’s not for everyone.”

“Not for everyone?” Kalais was very concerned now. Was this something Delaney did regularly? Did Keegan know? “Del, I don’t think it’s okay to do. Everyone ends up hurt.”

Delaney clenched their hands into fists at their sides. “No one ends up hurt if everyone communicates!” Her voice raised in volume, her tone shaky with barely held back hurt and anger. That someone she thought was her friend would judge her so harshly for how she loved stung something terrible. “If you had such a problem with polyamory, you should have just said so. I’d have left you alone.” They turned and walked away. Kalais watched them go, stunned into silence by the information they had just been told. After a moment, they chased after her. 

“That’s not-Delaney, wait!” Kalais grabbed her hand. Delaney tore it away. “I didn’t know! You never said anything!” They tried to stop her again, grabbing her shoulder. 

Delaney spun around, glaring. “What did you think was happening?!” 

“I thought you were going behind Keegan’s back!” Kalais nearly shouted incredulously. “You didn’t say anything! You just kissed me!” They sighed exasperatedly. “You didn’t communicate, Del.”

The glare doesn’t end, but a great majority of Delaney’s anger seems to dissipate from her eyes. “You didn’t know?” They could have sworn Kalais had seen them before with multiple partners. And though they only have one currently, Delaney knows they’ve told Kalais about previous partners they’ve had. 

Kalais shook their head. “No, I had no idea.” Though it does put many past conversations into a new light. Delaney seemingly had a string of short term lovers in the past. Kalais now realized some of those may have been concurrent partners. “I didn’t know,” they repeated quietly. 

The fight went out of Delaney. “Oh…I thought you had figured it out by now.” Her gaze fell to the ground. “I did talk with Keegan about it. They were okay with it, if you wanted.” She glanced up at Kalais, cautious of their reaction. “You wouldn’t have to be with Keegan either. It could be just me, as long as you’re alright with knowing I’m with Keegan still.” 

Kalais looked over her for a moment, taking a moment to formulate their response. Now that the misunderstanding was out of the way, they didn’t want to accidentally hurt Delaney even more with something badly phrased. They take a step toward her, close enough to take her hands in theirs. They gave her a small smile, and Delaney could already sense the answer. “Del, you’re my friend. A very good friend. And I will admit, there was a time when I thought there could be something between us, but it was a very short lived time.” It hadn’t been a crush exactly, but a thought more along the line of ‘if neither found anyone’. Seeing Del with so many partners, Kalais had long ago accepted that would not be the case. It wouldn’t have been fair to Delaney anyway. “I appreciate the invitation, but I can’t accept it. I don’t return those feelings for you, and I’m sorry but I don’t think I could do that kind of relationship myself. This doesn’t change how I think of you though. You’re still my friend. I hope you will continue to think of me as one as well.” 

Delaney nodded. That was what she expected. It was a gentle rejection, but rejection nonetheless. “Right. Yeah. Like I said, it’s not for everyone.” She appreciated that Kalais wanted to remain friends, there was that at least. She wouldn’t be losing them completely. “We’re still friends. I might need some time, but yeah, we’re still friends.” 

Kalais’ smile widened and they hugged Delaney. “Good. I would have hated to lose your companionship over this. Take the time you need.” They released Delaney and looked over her. “Do you- Would you prefer time alone now then? I can leave if you want to stay here for a bit. Or I can hang back if you want to return to camp.” The route back to camp wasn’t dangerous, and they trusted Delaney to handle herself. 

“I think it’s best if I head back to camp,” Delaney replied. She didn’t exactly want to stay here, in this place Kalais brought her to. “You can stay or come with me. I’ll leave that decision to you.” She said it non-chalantly, or tried to. She turned and left, passing through the trees. Kalais didn’t follow. They let her leave, wringing their hands together as they watched her disappear.

[wickedadaar]

The Warden's Shadow: Safe and Sound

Featuring Alaine from @randomness-in-motion

Co-written by randomness-in-motion. Pulled directly from Rian and Alaine’s RP transcripts with minimal edits.

Word count: 3,659

He gently pushed the door open, a sigh given as they entered the room. Without the intermittent buzzing under his skin now, it was a little more comfortable being here. He kicked his boots off by the door, then started pulling off the layers of his armour and made a mental note to order another set; he didn't want anything to do with this one. She did her best to help him along, still worried about how he was healing. "Anything I can do to help, amatus?"

He wasn't really sure, "I.. a shower for now, I just want to sit under the water for a bit." he tilted his head and leaned to press a kiss to her cheek. "You being here safe is helping the most." "Okay, go take a shower. I'll be right here when you're done. If you need anything, just give me a holler and I'll come running, okay?" She caressed his cheek with her hand and gave him a nervous half smile, still worried about him. He nodded, his cheek tilting into her touch before he moved to go into the washroom, the remaining clothes shed and tossed down as the water warmed. He washed off once he stepped in, and then once done, simply stood there for a moment before sitting down and silently sobbing...

While he was in the washroom, she moved through the room tidying it up and making sure it was comfortable for him. She made the bed, fluffed the pillows, and even used her magic to put a cooling layer of air under the sheets for him. He wasn't sure how long he'd been; it was hard to tell since the water never went cold, but he shut the shower off as he finally stood back up and wrapped a towel around his waist, then headed to the bedroom for loungers to sleep in, "Sorry that I took so long, love." "It's okay, love. Sometimes you just need a long shower to soothe your soul. I get it. Been there, done that," she said casually as she gave him a small smile. "Feeling any better?"

He gave a nod as he pulled the lounge pants on; physically, he did feel a bit better. Mentally and emotionally, though, he was a wreck. "Did you want to shower before we lie down? I can wait for you on the balcony." "Maker, yes," she said with a small chuckle. She grabbed one of her shirts and a pair of sleep shorts, slightly shorter than the ones she normally wore. She trotted up to him and gave him a quick kiss. "I won't be long. Don't fall asleep without me, okay?" She teased lightly as she caressed his cheek and looked lovingly into his eyes. He tilted into her touch as he nodded, another kiss given to her at the teasing "I'll try my best, love." his own gaze loving under heavy lids as he brushed her hair and tucked it behind her ear.

She chuckled and blushed slightly as he tucked the hair behind her ear. She gave him another quick kiss on the cheek before disappearing into the washroom to take a hot shower, scrubbing every inch of herself she could reach to try and wash away the memories of the last few days. He went out onto the balcony and curled up on the sofa bed, pillows adjusted around so he could lie on his side and look up at the Fade provided stars in a night sky.. Even if it wasn't real, it was a comfort he was glad to have as he waited for Rian, though it was getting harder to keep his eyes open. She finished up her shower and threw on the large shirt and short shorts. She dried off her hair as best she could before joining Alaine on the balcony. When she saw he was on the sofa bed, she couldn't help but tease him a little. "Got room for one more, love?"

Even though it was a wider seated sofa bed, he scooted back at the tease, "For you, always. Come stare at stars with me, Bellus." She chuckled as she lay down next to him, giving him a quick kiss before turning to look up at the stars. "Incredible," she said quietly. He smiled softly against the kiss and then once she was settled, he tucked his arm around her, Maker, he'd missed her... "It's my second favourite thing that the Lighthouse made when forming rooms for me."

She wrapped her arm around him as well. She missed him so much, and she had been so worried the past day or so. She couldn't lose him again. Not this soon, not like that. "What's the first?" she asked curiously as she registered what he said. He gave a sleepy chuckle. "The shower, Bellus. There's nothing this place could provide that will outdo never-ending showers in comfortable temperatures that change to fit what you want." She chuckled, too. "That's fair. Nothing beats a perfect shower temperature that never runs out on you. I don't even have that at home."

He curled a bit more towards her as his lids drifted down again. When will the drained feeling ease? Whatever Quinn had done in regards to the magic he now had helped a bit, but that drained feeling he'd had since the tunnel out of the estate was still strong.. "Everyone should have that..." his words drifted and trailed off as he sank a bit deeper against the cushions with a soft murmured "I love you, Rian..." "I love you, too, Laine. Get some rest, love," she told him softly as she ran a hand through his hair and kissed his forehead gently. She could tell he was still exhausted. She needed to figure out why his magic was acting like this. Maybe there was some way she could help him.

He gave a soft 'Mhhph' at her words and the kiss to his forehead as he drifted fully, his arm tightening its hold on her just a bit before relaxing into rest. She held him as he slept, eventually nodding off as well. She hadn't been sleeping much or well since she had gone to Treviso. She was so grateful that they had both come home alive. He shifted and curled in his sleep, arms and hands holding her tightly to him intermittently, small murmurs of 'Bellus' and 'I'm sorry' given as he slept in her arms.

The next morning, she cuddled him closely as she ran a hand through his hair and cradled his face in her hands. "I love you, Amatus. Thank you for coming home to me," she whispered to him. He nuzzled into her hold, lids fluttering sleepily as he sighed, "I love you.. " She chuckled as he nuzzled against her. For once, she wasn't rushing him out of bed or urging him to get up. In fact, they could stay here in each other's arms all day, and she wouldn't complain. She kissed his forehead gently. He was happy to take the extra time in bed; the night sky made it feel more normal, and Rian being here in his arms again only added to the desire to stay curled up even longer.

She hummed to herself, running her hand through his hair. "I am so glad you're okay, love," she whispered to him as she gave him another gentle kiss on the forehead. He gave a sigh at the feel of her hand in his hair, her words though.. he wasn't really, but hopefully he would be... His face tilted against her kiss as he murmured, "I'm going to need a lot of those. Best medicine." She chuckled as she gave him several more head kisses. "I will kiss you as many times or anywhere you wish, love." She pulled him closer to her, resting his head on her chest, one hand running through his hair, the other tilting his face up towards her so she could give him a tender kiss.

He shifted as she moved him, trying to make it easier for her, and once he'd resettled, his eyes closed as she played her hand through his hair and then kissed him again. "Promise?" "I promise," she assured him with a warm smile, chuckling as he closed his eyes at her touch. "Maker, I love you so much, Alaine." He nuzzled against her gently, "I love you too, Rian." A small flicker of discomfort formed as his body reminded him that he hadn't eaten in a day or two due to being so focused on the planning for getting Rian back. "I think.. I need to go raid the kitchen, sadly."

She chuckled and kissed his forehead again. "Okay, love. I'll come with you. I can make us something if you'd like," she offered with a warm smile. His thoughts were still all over the place, and his energy felt weird, but he didn't want her to have to do anything after what she'd been through. "You need rest, I'll just scavenge, love." His plan was to simply graze on anything that didn't require much effort until he could focus better. Maybe sandwiches, did he have the stuff for that was the question, but he couldn't remember.

She gave him a half smile. "Fine, but I'm coming with you. I need to eat something too. Something I can actually trust to be safe to eat," she added the last part quietly, her hand drifting up to touch her scar once again. She sat up and climbed off the sofa bed, offering her hand to him to help him up, too. He leaned up and took her hand simply to hold it as he stood, his brow pinching at the comment about eating something she could trust and how she touched her face. What the fuck had his brother been doing while Rian was trapped in that estate... The static feeling started building in his hand at the thought, and he had to take a breath as they moved, trying to get it to stop. "Let's see if I still have the stuff to make sandwiches."

She could sense his magic trying to build up, so she ran her free hand up and down his arm in an effort to calm him a little. "Let's hope so. A sandwich sounds great, love," she said quietly as the pair made their way towards his kitchen. She needed to get better about not touching her scar when she thought of Gavin or the Venatori in general. At least that's one sick bastard who couldn't hurt them anymore.

The hand holding hers squeezed lightly as she rubbed his arm. Maker, he hoped that he didn't accidentally hurt her. Did all magic react to emotions like this? I.. yeah, it does." he stopped the apology that had started and tried to focus on the idea of food as they rounded the counter, his hand only releasing hers so he could go through and pull out what was there from the last time he'd gone shopping and his last visit into the kitchen to raid its supplies while waiting to find out what the plan was. Thankfully, all the stuff had spells to keep it fresh, so they didn't have to worry about needing to leave for an additional kitchen visit, a couple of cheeses, thinly sliced meats, vegetables, some spreads, and the much-needed bread. "Looks like we're good, no need to go on a kitchen run."

As he set things out on the counter, she hugged him from behind for a moment before letting go to examine the food he had set out. "Impressive spread you have, Laine," she said lightly with a chuckle as she smiled up at him, sensing there was something bothering him, but she didn't bring it up. She knew what it was. It was bothering her, too. He nodded as he gave a tired smile, "I raided the Lighthouse kitchen for stuff." and then reached down to pull out the last container and a few apples, "Even found some peppered jerky." "How did you know my weakness?" She teased with a chuckle. "I always love a good jerky." As soon as the words left her mouth, she snorted a laugh. "I'm sorry. My mind went straight to the gutter," she explained between her laughs.

"Got lucky, it seems." he slid the container filled with jerky over to her as he started washing the vegetables and then slicing them. A lop-sided smile given as he shook his head at her gutter thought. She took the jerky and started to eat, noticing his head shake. "Don't judge me," she said with a laugh, nudging him gently with her elbow before leaning gently against him, making sure not to jostle him or disturb what he's doing. He leaned into her a bit and kissed her cheek before returning to getting everything sorted on the cutting board so he could get the plates and glasses as he teased, "I wasn't, I just thought it was cute."

"Well, good news, handsome, that cuteness is all yours," she teased lightly with a smile and a chuckle as she leaned her head against his arm and ate her jerky. He gave grin as he prepared to assemble the sandwiches(bread is like wheat texas toast), "Seems I lucked out then. What all do you want on yours?" hand motioning to the vegetables(lettuce, tomato, chili peppers, spinach, onions), cheeses(think american and pepper-jack), meats(Uh.. turkey and ham), and spreads. "Just give me a little bit of everything. I'm not picky," she told him as she ran a hand up his arm as she smiled warmly at him, looking at him lovingly.

He chuckled as he shook his head and began layering everything onto the bread after adding the spreads to it "That's going to be a monster of a sandwich, I hope that you're prepared for it." making her two out of habit, then once they were together he set the plate for her on the side of the counter with seats and began making his, omitting the onions, tomato's and ham. He set his plate next to hers before stepping away to fill their glasses with water, and then placed them next to each plate. "Here we go, love." She picked up the sandwich and offered it to him. "A toast then?" She said jokingly as she raised her sandwich towards him. "To a better tomorrow?" She offered with a smile.

A half-smile played on his lips as he lifted one of his hands and held it out, giving the corner edge of her sandwich a careful tap with his "To a better tomorrow, Bellus." She smiled back at him before digging into the sandwich, humming with joy at how delicious it was. "Thank you, love." She told him between bites. "For everything." He nodded as he chewed, a smile given at her humming as she ate her sandwich, and then chuckled, "You don't need to thank me for sandwiches, Bellus. But you're welcome." if she'd meant anything else, his random moments of obviousness had just let it go right over his head. "Well, too bad because I'm going to," she teased with a chuckle as she finished her sandwich. It had been too long since she had a proper meal. She decided not to point out what he missed. She would let him enjoy the obliviousness for the moment.

He smiled and shrugged, "Be prepared for me to always tell you that you don't have to," as he debated on eating some of the peppered jerky or pulling out some of the candy from their shopping trip to snack on. The jerky won. She wrapped her arms around him and hugged him as he snacked. "I missed you," she said quietly, nuzzling her head against his chest, doing her best to fight back the tears threatening to gather in her eyes. He set the jerky aside in favour of wrapping his arms around her, his cheek lightly resting against her head as he hugged her, "I missed you too, amatus." Something in her broke in that moment, and her resolve crumbled as she began to cry, holding onto Alaine tightly, afraid she might lose him yet again. "I'm so sorry. I should never have gone to Treviso by myself."

It felt like a vise tightened in his chest, and he hugged her closer and shook his head against hers before lifting to press a kiss to the top of her hair. "You couldn't have known what would happen, love.." She shook her head. "I knew the risk I was taking. I was foolish enough to think the Venatori there wouldn't recognize me. I'm sorry, Alaine. I love you. I never wanted you to have to go through that." Pain flickered across his face as he slid his arms from around her and framed her face gently, tilting it so that he could look at her, a thumb smoothing just under her eye to brush tears away. He should have gotten there sooner... "You don't need to apologise..." he kissed her forehead as he fought to focus. "You couldn't have known," he knew he'd said it before, but he'd keep saying it as long as he needed to.

She looked up at him with tear-stained eyes and leaned into his touch as he brushed away the tears. She was able to give him a tiny smile as she looked into his beautiful, mismatched eyes. She leaned up and kissed him gently. "Thank you," she whispered to him, voice still hoarse from crying. He kissed her back, then pressed his forehead to hers, he really wished that she wouldn't thank him, he hadn't been there when he should have been, he'd nearly failed her like he'd failed.. he took a slow inhale as he shook the thoughts from himself, he didn't need his emotions causing him to accidentally trigger his magic and hurt her because he didn't know how to control it I love you, Rian.. How, how about we lie back down for a bit, bellus?"

She smiled gently at him. "Yeah, that sounds good, love. I would love for you to hold me more. I missed being in your arms," she told him quietly before giving him another gentle kiss. He put food away, but left the dishes for now, and then took her hand, fingers gently lacing with hers. "Where should we rest, love, my room or the balcony?" "The bed, please. I want to be able to cuddle you without being confined to a small space. I just want to wrap myself around you, love," she said quietly as she gladly followed behind him.

He gave a soft nod as he murmured, "Let's go get laid down..." and started them towards the bedroom so they could climb under the covers. He held back the blankets so she could settle in next to him before he draped the covers over the two of them and then nuzzled against her. She wrapped herself around him, her arm across his abdomen, and her leg wrapped up with his. "I love you more than words can say, love," she whispered to him as she held him closely. "I want nothing more than for you to hold me, Laine." He tucked an arm behind her so he could shift her to rest on his chest as he wrapped his other arm around her side. "I love you too, Rian, and I'll hold you for as long as you want."

She gladly lay on his chest and snuggled up to him. She smiled warmly at him and pulled him into a gentle kiss, running a hand through his hair and kissing him tenderly. "Thank you, love. I hope you know that you mean the absolute world to me." His eyes began drifting as he held her, his lips pressing lightly to hers as she kissed him, the hand in his hair lulling him further as she kissed him again, and he murmured against her lips as sleep quickly started taking him. "You're my world, love.. don't.. I can't lose you to..." "I love you so much, Laine," she told him quietly as she nuzzled back against his chest. "Let's get some rest." She fell asleep quickly, trying to consume her too.

Her nuzzling against him was the final push, the comfort of it joining with the weight of sleep, and he slipped fully under. She fell asleep not long after him. She was able to get a good couple of hours before she jerked awake and sat upright in bed, panting from the nightmare she had had. After a moment of trying to catch her breath, she remembered she was safe. She was with Alaine, in his bed, and she was safe. She repeated this to herself several times to help slow her racing heartbeat. The movement and loss of warmth as she moved away to sit up caused his brow to furrow in his sleep, the dream he'd been looped in shifting, the pier where they'd been standing shimmering as she disappeared from it, and panic set in.

She turned and looked down at him, seeing his furrowed brow and curled up against him once more, wrapping her arm across him and her leg across one of his as she nuzzled against his chest once more, trying to fall back asleep as her heart rate finally began to slow back to normal. He shifted, trying to wake up until the feel of her settling back against him came, the weight of her arm and leg across him, and the feel of her on his chest, a soft murmured "Bellus," given as he curled against her. "Amatus, I'm here," she whispered to him as she held him closely before falling asleep again. 

[wickedadaar]

Hidden Treasure: Revelations

Featuring Lailani from @sleepingtodream

Co-written by sleepingtodream. Pulled directly from Julius and Lailani’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 1,614

After his run-in with Grey and Lanti, he figured he would be better off trying to tend to his injuries than to bother Lailani. She had warned him after all. He held an ice pack to his face and poured himself a drink to sip while he waited for the swelling to go down some. She had heard through the grapevine (ie, word got around to her bar) that Julius had gotten into a fight yet again with Grey. Lailani sighs as she carries a healing potion with her and walks up to the bar at Julius' beach. "Now, don't you look pitiful." Lailani teases as she slides up next to Julius. She sets the potion on the counter and slides it towards him.

He chuckled lightly and shook his head a little. "I'm assuming you're probably heard what happened earlier?" He said with a small half-smile as he took the potion and tossed it back. He set the empty potion bottle to the side and pulled her to him in a hug. "Oh, I heard." She confirms. Lailani gives Julius a long look, but allows the hug when he pulls her close. "Why do you keep getting into it with Grey?" Lailani asks, her tone half exasperated, half fond. "This time, I swear, Lai, they started it. I was just trying to get a snack in the Lord's Kitchen, and then Grey and Lanti rolled in and were giving me trouble. I didn't insult Lanti this time. Just told Grey she deserved better and he did not appreciate that," he said flatly, still holding the ice pack to his face.

She raises an eyebrow. "I don't think you'd appreciate it either, if someone said I deserved better than you." Lailani reaches up to take the ice pack from him, moving between his legs so she can hold it to his bruise herself. "Honestly, you two need to find a way to man up and make up. Without putting your foot in your mouth." "Thanks, Lai," he said softly as she took the ice pack. "I don't know how, when he's hostile towards me all the time. Like I get it, I've been an ass, but how can I get him to move past that and just give me a chance to make up for it?" 

She sighs, faintly. "You know, you two have a lot in common," Lailani tells Julius. "Personality-wise." She tilts her head thoughtfully. "Also, you weirdly have similar blood. I can feel it from you both. I only get that sensation occasionally." Mostly around siblings. Or parents and children. It's weird that she gets that sense around Julius and Grey, though. He looked at her skeptically for a moment. "Wait, what do you mean our blood is similar? Like we're related or something?" The confusion was plain on his face. As far as he knew, the two had no familial ties.

She nods. "Well, possibly. I don't know. I've only sensed this kind of similarity with those who are blood-related." Lailani admits. "It's how I knew my brother was my brother immediately. And my father." Lailani says softly. "It was easy for me to sense." "So you've only sensed it in people who are related," he said plainly, still trying to do the mental math of their age differences. "My parents never said anything about me having a brother, and from what I've heard, Grey's adopted... How ... how could we be related?" He said quietly as the realization began to dawn on him

She shrugs. "Don't ask me. I have family crawling out of the woodworks, babes." Lailani reaches out to settle a hand on Julius. "I think you just need to ask some questions. Maybe you need to talk to your parents. Or ask Grey." "If my parents haven't told me yet, I doubt they'll be truthful now. I should talk to Grey. Can you come with me? Make sure I don't say anything stupid and he doesn't hit me again?" She smiles and cups the other's cheek. "Yes, of course." Julius has helped her so much with her family. Of course, she'd go with him to help with his potential... Family. "Thanks, Lai. I appreciate it." He ran the back of his finger across her cheek as he looked at her lovingly. "How did I get so lucky?"

Lailani smiles wryly. "That's what I ask myself constantly." About Julius. Her brother, her dad. All of these people who treat her with such care and love. She can't believe that she managed to get any of this. Julius especially... Lailani never thought she could love someone like this again. Feel this strongly for someone. "Well, meeting you was by far the best thing to ever happen to me, Lai. I love you," he told her, caressing her cheek with one hand, pulling her to him with the other arm. "You make me so happy, I hope you know that." She smiles softly. Kissing the other sweetly. "I love you too," Lailani whispers against Julius' lips. "And I am very glad I am the one who offered to give you a tour and help you find your room that first day."

He chuckled, pushing a lock of hair behind her ear with his free hand, the other resting on her lower back. "You and me both, Lai. My life has been better ever since just because of your company." He leaned down and kissed her again, gently. Lailani smiles brightly, happily. "Jul~." She presses into the other, curling a hand behind Julius' neck to lean into the gentle kiss, deepening it a little. Though she is careful of the bruises on his jaw. He chuckled as she was tender with his injured jaw. "You know I would do anything for you, right? All you would have to do is ask," he teased lightly, picking her up and holding her against him.

She giggles as the other picks her up easily. Lailani nuzzles against Julius's nose with her own. "I know." She says softly. "That's why I don't ask often." Lailani caresses her hand down Julius' neck, tangling with the loose strands from his bun just a little. "But, it means a lot to me knowing that. It's the same for me, too, babes. Ask me anything and I'll do my best to give it to you." "Good, because I would do anything you ask of me, love. You are my entire world. You have been since the moment we met," he told her as one arm pulled her tighter to him, the other pushing open the door to his bedroom, bringing her along with him.

The flush in her cheeks grows. She still doesn't always know what to do with that kind of devotion, sincerity. Lailani wishes she could express that so easily. For her, it's still a struggle saying I love you sometimes. She lets the other pull her into the bedroom, happy to follow wherever Julius leads. "You give too much, babe." She stands on her tiptoes to kiss the other. "But I'm not complaining." She whispers against his lips. "I'll give you my everything, Lai, for as long as you'll have me. My greatest treasure," he whispered against her lips, guiding her over to the bed. "I love you so much, Lai. Thank you for putting up with me."

Her heart tightens, loving and also terrified in equal measure. Julius' love is so easy, so open. Like her father, her brother. How do others wear their hearts so easily like that? She wishes she could. "Well, someone has to, babes." Lailani teases playfully. "Guess it should be me." Lailani nudges the other back onto the bed, crawling into his lap so she can kiss him sweetly. "Lucky me." She murmurs against the other's lips. Her voice was softer, more affectionate. He chuckles and looks at her lovingly. "And no one could do it better," he teased back. He loved their banter. It was one of his favorite things about her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him as he eagerly returned her kiss. "I'm the lucky one in this relationship," he whispered back to her before pulling her into another kiss, this one a little rougher than the last.

She shakes her head fondly at him, laughing lightly. Wordlessly, Lailani curls her hands in the fabric of his shirt and leans in to the other for his follow-up kiss. Kissing with just as much bite and heat as the other. He wrapped one hand in her hair, cupping the back of her head, the other gripping her hip as he kissed her passionately, hungrily. He could never get enough of her. He considered himself the luckiest man on earth that she not only chose him, but stayed by his side. Her hands slide down Julius' chest to curl around his waist, pulling herself against him as she kisses until she's breathless. Aching with it. "Julius." She whispers softly between them, longing and aching in her voice.

He can't help but tease her a little. "Yes, princess?" He smirked at her, a bit of cockiness in his voice as he tested how far he could push her in this moment. Her eyes narrow faintly. "Princess?" Lailani tugs on his shirt, firmly pulling him close. "Your nicknames are getting more and more ridiculous." Lailani shoves the other down on the bed, holding him down with surprisingly strong arms for a mage. The muscles in her arms are defined as she looks down at the other with a sharp smirk. "Trust me, I'm no princess, babes. I'll show you." Lailani promises, ghosting the words over Julius' lips.

[wickedadaar]

Dragonhart: Fun in the Sun

Featuring Akaari from @brosephine-montilyet

Co-written by brosephine-montilyet. Pulled directly from Akaari and Katari’s RP transcripts with minimal edits. Apparently we are both yappers when it comes to these two cuties

Word count: 7,352

He knocks on her door excitedly. He's wearing a matching button-up and swim trunks, and a thick layer of sunscreen that makes his skin look paler. His hair is in a messy bun, and all the buttons are undone on his shirt. She eagerly answers the door, wearing a floor-length light green sundress with her bathing suit underneath. "Hi!" She says excitedly as she gives him a hug and a kiss. "I love the outfit," she says, giving him a noticeable once-over, her eyes pausing on his abs and chest.

He short-circuits as he answers the door. He gains his brain back as he kisses her and blushes brightly. "I outfit the love- I mean you look dress- green- pretty!" She couldn't help but chuckle at his reaction. "Part of me is afraid to show you my bathing suit now," she teased. "Glad you like it! Got everything?" "Maybe I should be sitting down for the bathing suit." He laughs and leans down to kiss her cheek. "Yes! There's extra space in my bag so I can hold your stuff!" "Wouldn't be a terrible idea," she teased with a wink. "So considerate, thanks, babe. Here," she hands him the bag she had packed with a few bottles of wine, some virgin mixed drinks, and plenty of bottles of water for them to drink, as well as a few sand toys like a shovel and a bucket. She had the umbrella slung across her back as she took his hand in hers.

He takes her hand happily after securing her bag. "I can hold the umbrella too! You don't have to hold anything, I can do it!” "You sure? I don't mind. It barely weighs anything to me," she said with a chuckle. "I want to! I would carry you too if I had another arm!" She chuckled as she handed over the umbrella. "Thanks, babe. I appreciate it." They start walking, then he stops suddenly. "Oh! I forgot! I need one more thing!" She stops when he does. "What's that?" She furrowed her brow in curiosity as she looked at him. He turns to look at her with a lopsided grin. "A kiss!" "Of course," she said with a bright smile. She cupped both of his cheeks with her hands and kissed him tenderly. "Better?" She teased as she whispered against his lips. He hums happily into the kiss. "Much, much better. Let's go!”

*****

They get to a nice secluded part of the beach. "This seems like a good spot! What do you think?" "Looks perfect to me," she said as she smiled up at him warmly. "I can set up the umbrella if you want," she offered. He hands it over, then takes a tiny square out of his bag. "This is the blanket I brought! I used an artifact to compact it!" He pours a little bit of water on it, and it becomes full-sized. "Ta da!" She drives the end of the umbrella deep into the ground and secures it before opening it. "Well, I'll be damned. That's an impressive little trick." She chuckled as she watched him, admiring her amazing boyfriend. "Want to lay it out for us?"

"Of course, anything for my amazing girlfriend." He lays it down, then finds some rocks to put on the corners. "I just realized I don't have a way to shrink it down to bring it back... Oh well!" She chuckled at his words. "I can always carry it back if needed." She casually shed her sundress to reveal her swimsuit before sitting down on the blanket and starting to apply her sunscreen. His eyes widen, and he instinctively looks away. He goes into his bag and gets out other things for them. "I'm sure once we eat all the food, we should have enough space." She notices him looking away. "You know, you can look. I am your girlfriend now, after all," she teased gently as she put the sunscreen on her long, muscular legs. "Besides, gonna need you to get my back anyway."

He blushes brightly, embarrassed. "Oh yeah. It's just a habit at this point. I can help with your back!" He looks over at her, eyes raking over her body. "Wow, you're a work of art." He says, soft and reverent. She smiles brightly, and blush spreads across her cheeks and chest at his words. "Thank you," she says as she rolls onto her stomach. "Alright, you're up, babe!" She told him with a chuckle, handing him the sunscreen. He takes the sunscreen and squeezes some onto his hand, rubbing it to warm it up. "Do you want a back massage while I do this?"

"I will never say no to a back rub," she said with a chuckle. He was the first in a very long time to offer to massage her back. No way was she going to turn him down. "As you wish, darling." He straddles her back, but leaves his legs wider and hovers so he isn't sitting on her. He starts the massage on her shoulders. "How's the pressure? Or should I go harder?" She couldn't help but chuckle at his question, deciding to mess with him a little. "Harder is usually better," she told him, smiling to herself, wondering if he would catch the innuendo.

"I can go harder!" He presses more firmly. He, of course, does not catch the innuendo. He just assumes she has tight knots from being a warrior. She does her best not to sigh at the fact that he missed the innuendo, but he was working out some knots she didn't even know she had, so it worked out regardless. "Maker, that feels amazing," she hummed as she relaxed further into his touch. "Some of these are gnarly. This might become a weekly thing, or whenever you'd like one." "Careful, I just might take you up on that offer, babe. I must admit, I do love feeling your hands on me. You're really good at massages, by the way."

"I hope you do take the offer." His hand movements stop for a moment as she says she loves feeling his hands on her. "I, uh, love having my hands on you. So that works out. That sounded bad, didn't it?" She couldn't help but laugh at his question. "A little awkward, but not bad, no. Trust me, I could make it sound much worse, though you might short-circuit if I do," she teased. He laughs. "See, now I'm curious to know what you would say! I probably will short-circuit, though."

She joined his laughter. "Alright, but don't say I didn't warn you." She paused, giving him a moment to steel himself. "I could have said I would love to see how you touch the rest of me, or there isn't a part of my body I don't want you to touch," she said with a sultry tone, waiting for his reaction, curious just how badly he would short-circuit. He stops moving his hands in order to prepare himself, but it doesn't matter. Nothing could have prepared him for that. He is silent for a few moments before taking in a stuttering breath. He blushes all the way to his chest and ears. "W-wow, you weren't kidding." He's breathless as he speaks.

"I warned you," she chuckled. "Sorry, I know that was a lot. If it's too much, just pretend I didn't say anything." She does her best backpedal to mitigate any damage she might have done. "No!" He says a little too quickly. "I-I like it when you flirt with me." "And I love flirting with you, but I do worry sometimes about coming on too strong. If that happens, please let me know. Promise me, you'll let me know, okay?" He moves off her so he can look her in the eye. "I'll tell you, I promise." He kisses her cheek.

She sat up and wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "Good. In the meantime," she took his hands in hers. "Would you like to swim or build your sand castle first?" She looked at him lovingly with a bright smile. He hugs her back tightly. "Oh! Sand castle first. Then I can rinse the sand off when we swim." He pulls out some snacks he prepared for her: some fruit, crackers, and cheese. "I brought these for you!" "Thanks, babe. I will enjoy my snack while you dazzle me with your sand castle design. Sound good?" She takes the snack he had prepared for her and smiles brightly at him.

"Yay! I have to get some stuff real quick before I start!" He takes the bucket and runs off. She can see him collecting various rocks and shells before he comes back. He starts working on something in the sand, hiding it with his body. "You can't look till it's done!" She chuckles in amusement. "I won't look, I promise," she assured him as she turned away, waiting for him to tell her when she could look at his project. He works on it for a bit, occasionally coming over and kissing Katari on the cheek before going back to it. "Alright! Ready?" He made a dragon, resembling the ones on her tattoos. His little hoard is full of shiny rocks and shells.

She chuckled brightly each time he kissed her. When she finally saw the finished project, she was touched beyond words. "Akaari, it's... It's amazing! You made this for me?" "Yes! Cause you're a shadow dragon! And you have dragon tattoos! Do you like it?" "I love it, babe!! It means so much that you made this for me. You are truly one of the sweetest people I have ever met!" She smiled brightly as she trotted over to him and pulled him into a loving kiss. "I'm glad-" He's cut off as she kisses him. He smiles into the kiss, wrapping his arms around her. She wraps her arms around him, leaning fully against him as she kisses him, her hand tracing across his chest. "You are such an amazing boyfriend, I hope you know that."

He smiles at her. "For making you a dragon? I'll make you so many more dragons if you want!" "It's so sweet of you to make that for me, babe!" She kisses him repeatedly as she holds him closely to her. He excitedly kisses her back every time. "Honestly, I didn't expect you to like it this much. I can make more for you, darling." "I would love that!" She said excitedly as she hugged him tightly. "Okay!! I'll do that!" He kisses her one more time, then runs off to make tinier dragons around it. She watched him with a smile and chuckled at his eagerness. She wasn't sure how he stayed so bright and happy, but it was contagious. Just being around him made her feel lighter.

He makes 10 more dragons, but they are much smaller in comparison to the first. After each one, he goes over to her and gives her a kiss, tells her the personality of the new dragon, and asks her to name it. He then writes the name in the sand next to it. "This one is kind of grumpy, but has a heart of gold underneath. They also like bubble baths!" "So that one has to be Lok," she joked. "Sounds just like your brother. I can see him secretly enjoying bubble baths, too." She eagerly joined in the fun, having more fun than she had in a while

"Don't tell him I told you that!!! Last time I embarrassed him, he kept putting peppers in my food." He kisses her, then works on the next one. "Now this one is kind of a bad boy. Stays out past curfew. Takes from other people's hoards. You can tell he's a rebel from the mohawk." "I won't say a word, I promise, and if he tries to mess with you now, he'll have to deal with me," she assured him with a chuckle. "Hmmm, sounds like my brother growing up. That one is Ataash for sure." "Does he have the mohawk too?" He grins and writes his name. He gives her another kiss, then moves to make more. He makes 2 this time, putting their noses together and curling their tails in such a way that they make a heart. One of them has a messy version of her back tattoo. "Now this one is the most beautiful dragon in the land. And the strongest, and the funniest, and the smartest, and the coolest."

"Not anymore, but he definitely did as a teenager," she said with a laugh. She pretended to hum in thought about the name. "I assume these two are us?" She smiled warmly at him, her eyes full of adoration for him. He gives her a small, shy smile. "Yeah, that's us. I gave myself a little artifact. I tried to make your tattoos." She chuckled. "Well, those two are definitely my favorites," she chuckled as she stood and walked over to him and gave him a kiss, very careful not to disturb any of his creations.

His face lights up when he sees her coming over to him. He stands up and tries to dust the sand off his hands, but can't get it off in time, so he leans over to kiss her without touching her. "Too bad I don't have that artifact that can turn anything into stone. You turn A SMALL PART of your horn to stone ONE TIME and suddenly it's 'Akaari that's dangerous to have at home!'" She chuckles at his story. "I would love a little stone dragon to have at home, but I'd much rather have you and not have to worry about you accidentally turning yourself to stone." She trailed a hand across his chest before kissing him again.

"Maybe I can bring it next time, with proper safety measures, of course. Oh! I brought the freezey! Maybe I can freeze them!" His breath hitches at her touch, and he kisses her back happily. "Will that work on sand, though?" She asked quizzically as she watched him fluttering around the beach excitedly. "Maybe if I get it wet!" He pecks her cheek, then runs off to get the bucket and some water. "I'm not sure if that will help, babe. Besides, didn't you say the artefact could only freeze it for a certain amount of time?"

He sighs dramatically. "Yeahhhh. Okay, next time we have a beach, I'll bring the stoner." "Sounds good to me." She pauses and walks up to him, taking both his hands in hers. "Ready for a little swim? Take a little break from dragon crafting." "Yes!" He turns slightly to the dragons, still holding both her hands. "Be good while we're gone!" He turns back around and kisses the knuckles on both her hands before scooping her up in a princess carry. She squealed with surprise and delight as he picked her up. "Was not expecting this, but I have to say, I do love it," she chuckled as she wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled up at him.

He kisses her forehead. "Am I allowed to throw you in the ocean, or would you prefer to be gently set down?" "Honestly, I've never met someone who can toss me, so give it your best shot," she laughed, bracing herself for the toss. "This alone might encourage me to do more weight training." He walks into the ocean and makes sure they're a safe distance in "Ready?" "Well, just say the word and I'd love to help you," she teased with a chuckle. "Give it your best shot!" He surprises himself and is able to throw her a decent distance. He waits to make sure she's okay before diving in next to her. He emerges smiling. "How was that?"

She pops up out of the water with a laugh, pushing her hair from her face. "I'm honestly impressed," she said with a chuckle as she paddled over to him. "Now it's my turn!" He says jokingly, wrapping his arms around her. She laughed brightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and her legs around his hips. She pulled him into a tender kiss, wrapping a hand in his hair. His laughter is swallowed by the kiss. "I love your laugh. Let me know if you want me to do it again." "And your laugh is contagious, babe," she said with a bright smile. "I will certainly let you know, but in the meantime," she said quietly as she traced her fingers across his jaw before kissing him again.

He blushes as she talks about his laugh. As he kisses her, he traces his hand up and down the exposed part of her back. When they break for air, he laughs softly. "And here I thought you wanted to swim." "Oh, I most certainly did, but you look too good not to give you affection," she teased before kissing him again, one hand running through his hair, the other raking her nails across the base of his horns, teasingly. "I'm certainly not complaining." He gasps into the kiss as she runs her hand through his hair and scratches the base of his horns. "Darling," he moans softly, digging his nails gently into her back as he kisses her again.

She inhales sharply as she feels his nails dig into her back. "Maker, how did I get so lucky to find you?" she whispered against his lips between kisses, increasing the passion just slightly with each other. He smiles into the kiss. "I ask myself the same thing." He whispers back, kissing her with the same passion. "Man, kissing is great. Why did I wait so long?" She couldn't help but chuckle. "I don't know, but I am certainly honored to be your first. You're a very good kisser, by the way," she teased him lightly.

"Really? Oh, good, I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm glad it's working!" "Well, you're a quick learner, so that has definitely helped. Besides," she paused a moment, "It helps that I like you a lot." He grins. "You like me?" He teases, nuzzling her nose. She smiles at his teasing. "No," she paused for a moment to tease him back, "I really like you, so" she stuck her tongue out at him playfully. He giggles as she sticks out her tongue at him. "I really like you!" He pulls her in tighter and falls back into the water, dunking both of them. He lets them be in the water for a moment before pulling them back out and laughing.

She squealed with laughter as he brought them both out of the water. She brushed her wet hair from her face and did the same for him before resting her forehead against his. He laughed loudly, feeling almost delirious with joy. He was having so much fun with her. He could be himself, and she liked it! It made her smile and want to kiss him! He wants to kiss her as their foreheads are pressed together, but he can't stop smiling. She smiled warmly at him, smiling from ear to ear. He made her feel safe and that she was able to be her true, authentic, goofy self. "You make me so happy. I hope you know that." "I can, but I like to hear it." He teases. "You make me so happy I feel like I'm going to explode!"

"Please don't explode," she teased back with a chuckle before kissing him tenderly. He kisses her back tenderly. He holds her with one arm and slowly moves the other off of her. He then splashes her. "Oh no! It's too late!" She shrieked in surprise as he splashed her before splashing him back. "Rude!" she laughed brightly. "Just because you're my boyfriend doesn't mean I won't fight you," she jokingly threatened as she gently poked him in the chest. He grins and sets her down. "Bring it on, cutie pie." He splashes her again while giggling.

She splashed him back again and jumped on his back, wrapping her arms around him. "You might want to rethink that, babe. I don't exactly fight fair," she teased lightly. "And who said I did, darling?" He teases back and falls backwards into the water, dunking them both again. She screamed as they fell backwards into the water. When they reemerged, she pushed her hair from her face and jokingly threatened Akaari. "You are so going to pay for that!!" She jumped on him again, burying her face in his neck and kissing just under his jaw.

He laughs happily. "Oh no, I'm so sc-" He starts to tease, but is caught off guard as she jumps on him and kisses under his jaw. He forgets everything going on immediately, wrapping his arms around her and gasping softly. She chuckles at his reaction as she hangs onto him and kisses a line from his jaw to his collar before pulling away to meet his gaze, panicking slightly. "Maker, did I cross a line? Did I go too far? I'm so sorry, I wasn't thinking," she tried her best to backpedal. He threads his fingers in her hair as she kisses his neck. He's breathless as he speaks. "Nonono, y-you can keep doing that. It's good- great even." He unknowingly gently pushes her head back into his neck.

She chuckles in delight at his words. "Oh, well, good. In that case," she says before burying her face back against his neck, kissing from his collar up to his jaw and to his ear. "If at any point it's too much, please tell me," she whispered to him before gently nibbling on his earlobe. "Yeah, uh-huh, whatever you say." He breathes out the words. His eyes flutter shut, and he tilts his head to the side to give her better access. She kissed her neck more, leaving another trail of kisses from his collar to his ear before pulling away just enough to look into his eyes. "You okay, babe?" He looks dazed when they are face-to-face. "Hm? What? Oh! Yeah. I'm great!"

"Promise?" She pressed, wanting to make sure he was really okay and not just saying that for her sake. "I tend not to understand teasing in general. I take things at face value. So I'm not sure if I will learn." He laughs and brings her next to the big dragon. "Here! Want to use my shirt as a pillow so you don't get your hair sandy?" She chuckled as she leaned in and kissed his cheek. "And that is perfectly fine. And that would be nice! Thank you." She smiled at him brightly. He grabs his shirt out of the bag and lays it down for her. He then smooths out the sand to make sure there's nothing pokey. He then does a sweeping gesture. "It's ready for you, Miss Mermaid."

She chuckled and did an exaggerated curtsey. "Thank you, good sir," she said with a chuckle as she lay down on the sand, resting her head on his shirt. He leans down and kisses her cheek before pushing sand over her legs. "You can't look down till it's done!" He then focused on sculpting, his brow creased and his tongue sticking out a bit at times. She chuckled, putting her hands behind her head and closing her eyes. "I won't look, I promise. Just let me know when it's done." While her eyes are closed, he quietly crawls back up and tries to surprise her with a kiss. She doesn't budge as she feels Akaari getting closer, figuring he is still working on the sand sculpture. She had promised she wouldn't look, and she was going to keep that promise.

He grins to himself, thinking she hasn't noticed how close he's gotten, and gives her a kiss. She opened her eyes after he kissed her and chuckled. "Not what I expected you to do," she teased lightly, reaching up and caressing his cheek. He giggles. "I couldn't resist." He kisses both her cheeks, then scoots back. "Okay, now I'm going to work." She giggled at the kisses and smiled brightly at him. "Okay, babe. I look forward to seeing the finished product." He works diligently and finishes after about ten minutes. "Okay! Open!" The tail is a standard mermaid tail, but the scales are pointed like a dragon's. She sat up just enough to look at the tail as she rested on her elbows. "That's amazing, babe!!" She told him excitedly.

"You like it? I thought you could be like... a dragon mermaid! I know it doesn't make sense, but I thought it was cool." "I love it!! And I agree, it is very cool. I love your creativity." She was smiling widely, her eyes full of adoration for him. He looks slightly flustered at the compliment. "I wonder how a creature like this would be created. Would it be half human, a quarter fish, a quarter dragon? A third of each? Hmmm." "Or Ghilan'nain decided to get weird with her creations again," she said with a laugh. "You're so cute when you're flustered," she told him with a sweet voice, hoping her sincerity would be evident.

He makes a disgusted face at the mention of Ghilan'nain, then covers his face as she calls him cute. His voice is muffled by his hands. "That's good, you're gonna see it a lot." "Good," she teased with a laugh. "Who knows, I might try to fluster you intentionally just to see you blush." She still couldn't believe her luck in finding such a sweet guy. He spreads his fingers so his eyes can be seen with his hands still on his face. "You haven't been doing that already? Oh no," He laughs. She laughed brightly. "No, I haven't been flustering you intentionally. Though I am curious how you'd react if I did." She studied him silently for a moment. "Can I tell you something that will definitely fluster you?" She asked quizzically.

He laughs and drops his hands from his face. He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath before looking at her. "Yes, okay, I'm ready." "Okay, I want to preface that this is just a thought, so do not feel pressured to do or say anything. I am still very happy taking things at your speed, okay?" He can feel his heart beating faster with her preface. "I don't feel pressured, but I appreciate you saying it again." "Okay, good. Well, in that case, I would fuck you until we both saw stars," she said quietly, blushing at her own words. Again, hoping Akaari knew she didn't want to push him to do anything.

He short-circuits at her words. He stops breathing for a moment as his eyes go wide and his face turns redder than she's ever seen it. "Oh- I'd- Uh- I'd like that, one day- yeah- cool-" He covers his face again. She couldn't help but chuckle. "Hey," she says gently. "Come here," she told him quietly, waving him over. He scoots over using only his legs and butt, keeping his hands over his face. "You are so cute," she said gently, reaching up to wrap her hands around his wrists. "Can I see you?" She asked quietly, rubbing her thumbs across the back of his hands. He sheepishly moves his hands away from his face and looks at her with a small smile. "Hi," he says softly and shyly.

"Hey, cutie," she said with a smile. "Sorry, I thought that might be a little much. You alright?" "No! Don't apologize! I mean, yes, I'm alright, no to the too much. I- I like it. Knowing that. And I want to! And also- to you?" He groans and rests his forehead on her shoulder. "I'm so bad at this." She ran a hand through his hair gently. "Well, I'm glad it wasn't too much. I know I can come across a little strong sometimes. And you're not bad at it, just a little inexperienced, and that's okay. Like I said, we go at your pace. I never want you to feel like I'm pressuring you into anything, okay, babe?" He doesn't lift his head from her shoulder. "I still don't feel pressured. And you come across perfect, I don't want you to change a thing. I'll tell you if I ever get overwhelmed or feel guilty, kay?" He lifts his hand, pinky extended.

She smiled brightly at him and wrapped her pinky around his. "Deal," she agreed, kissing her hand to seal the promise. She chuckled as she looked at him. She couldn't stop smiling. He lifts his head and looks up at her, smiling. He kisses her sweetly, then pulls back. "I'd love to go back in the water. Want to join me?" "I'd love to, but I could use a little help getting un-mermaid-ed," she said with a warm laugh. "You're saying that a sand tail has taken down the mighty warrior? We can't let the venatori know your weakness!" He smiles brightly as he teases her. She rolled her eyes with a chuckle. "Are you going to help me or not?" She teased back, raising her eyebrows at him.

He laughs happily. "You know I am." He brushes the sand off her legs and offers her a hand to stand up. She gladly took his hand and stood. "Thanks, babe. I appreciate it." She pulled him closer to her and kissed him gently. He hums happily into the kiss, then tugs her to the water while giggling. Once they get past the waves, he reaches for her hand again and floats on his back. She laughed as he pulled her along. Once they were in the water, she took his hand again. "I wish I could float like that. My muscles are a little too dense," she said with a laugh. He immediately stands back up. "Lay back, I'll hold you so you can!"

She smiled shyly. "Are you sure?" She asked him nervously. She was aware of her stature and didn't want him to feel obligated. "Yes!" He lays his arms down in the water and makes little gimme hands. She chuckled and blushed slightly as she leaned back into the water over his hands. She lifted her legs in an effort to float and smiled up at him. "You're adorable." He looks down at her with a fond smile. "So are you." He leans down and kisses her forehead. "Relax! Enjoy floating!" She blushed at his words and his kiss. "This is really nice, very relaxing." She looked up at him lovingly, mesmerized by how he looked in this moment with the sun behind him and the water glistening on him. He looks around at the scenery, then looks back down at her. When he looks back down at her, he blushes. "You're so beautiful." He says softly. "And you're downright enchanting, my dear," she flirted with a wink. "So very handsome." He blushes brighter. "Sweet talker." He tries to brush off the compliment. "You love it," she teased before standing back up in the water, wrapping her arms around his neck, and leaning against him. "You know, you look amazing with the water glistening on you and the sun behind you," she teased, biting her lower lip.

He smiles at her. "So do you." He cradles her face with one hand. His eyes flicker down, watching her bite her lip. "Maybe I do." He says, breathless. She couldn't help but chuckle and blush at his words. She ran a hand up one of his arms as she smiled up at him. "Well, if you ever get tired of my teasing, I want you to tell me, okay?" "I will. Right now, I don't want you to stop. I like it when you tease me." He admits with a blush. "Good," she said with a chuckle. "Because making you blush is probably one of my favorite things to do. You always look so cute." He blushes brighter. "I can't seem to stop blushing around you. I'm glad you like it."

"Of course I do. It's probably one of the cutest things I have ever seen," she teased with a chuckle, tracing her hand up and down his arm. He shivers at her touch on his arm. Overwhelmed and not quite sure how to answer, he leans down and kisses her. She happily and eagerly kisses him back. The feeling of his lips on hers was definitely her favorite feeling now. Well, that or the feeling of his arms around her. She couldn't quite decide. He hugs her tight to him and deepens the kiss. She's like a magnet that he doesn't want to resist the pull of, not that he ever would. When they are forced to part for air, he rests his forehead against hers. "You said making me blush is one of your favorite things. What's your favorite?"

She ran a hand through her wet hair, brushing it back from her face and horns as she stood. "Well, kissing you is definitely my favorite thing. A very close second is how it feels when you have your arms around me. A third is how you make me feel when we're together." She traced her hands up his chest, pausing a few times briefly while she studied him with her eyes. His eyes widen. He wasn't expecting her favorite things to also be about him. He thought it would be like... being with her family or doing handstands or killing venatori or something. "Oh. Me too. I mean- when you have your arms around me. Not that I don't like- I like having you in my arms! It's also one of my favorites." He sighs and scrunches his face.

She chuckles as she pulls herself closer to him. "I'm glad you enjoy holding me as much I enjoy being held by you. Same for the kisses,' she teased with a wide grin before pulling him down to a tender, passionate kiss as she poured her emotions for him into the kiss. His breath is taken away by the passion of the kiss. He returns it eagerly, trying to pour his own emotions back. "Same with kisses-" he kisses her again "- absolutely-" another kiss "-Easily my favorite thing ever-" another kiss. He never wanted to stop. She chuckles into the kiss as she felt the affection he had for her. "Good, because sometimes it's really hard not to just pull you to me and kiss you," she whispered to him.

"Then don't resist the urge." He whispers back. Then he gasps. "OUR SANDWICHES. Has it been 102 minutes???" She couldn't help but laugh. "I have no clue how long it's been, but I am hungry. Shall we?" She asked, gesturing back towards their blanket. "One sec!" He dunks himself in the water and dramatically flips his hair when he reemerges. "Now I'm ready!" She chuckled as she took his hand and pulled him towards their picnic area. She takes a seat and crosses her legs, looking at Akaari affectionately. He sits next to her, pressed up against her side, his gaze mirroring hers in affection. "So, y’know how I said you shouldn't resist the urge to kiss me? Does that apply the other way around, too?" His eyes flicker down to her lips.

"Of course it does, babe," she assured him without hesitation, noticing his eyes flicking down to her lips for a moment. The "babe" is cut off as he leans down and kisses her. He pulls back with a smile. "I wasn't really resisting in the first place, but it's good to know." He reaches into the basket she brought and places the still frozen sandwiches onto plates. She chuckled into the kiss as he caught her slightly by surprise. "Please don't hesitate to kiss me whenever you feel like it." She told him with a sly smile as she gladly took the sandwich from him. "If I did every time I feel like it, we wouldn't do anything else." He laughs. The sandwiches on the plate suddenly defrost in an instant. "Oh! Perfect timing!"

She blushed and chuckled. "I know exactly what you mean," she admitted just as she saw her sandwich defrost. "Huh, that's pretty neat." Akaari tries to contain himself and not infodump about the artifact. Instead, he wiggles in place and nods. "If you wanna talk about the artefact, go ahead. I know how much you love them," she assured him with a gentle caress on his cheek. The second he is given permission, he starts rambling about where they found it and how he managed to fix it up. His hands move animatedly as he talks. She smiled warmly as she nodded along intently, happy to listen to his info dump about it.

"... and everything else was frozen but the artifact! Even a guardian right next to it! So we thought it was deactivated or wouldn't attack us, but once Mera deactivated it, IT DEFROSTED AND RAN AT HER! Then Lok came in and got her out of the way and hit it!" He mimics Lok swinging at it. "Then I shot at it at like-" He mimics shooting his arrow. "and then it EXPLODED." She watched him and chuckled at his reenactment. "That sounds like quite the adventure, babe. Glad you three made it out okay." His smile turns shy when she starts talking. "It was. Was that alright? Sorry, that was a lot."

"That was perfectly fine, babe. I know how much that stuff fascinates you and you always look so cute when you're gushing about the artefacts." He blushes and kisses her on the cheek. "You're the best." He can't believe he got so lucky. She actually likes listening to him ramble? And doesn't find it annoying? And thinks it's cute??? Wow! She giggled as he kissed her cheek. "You're very cute, I hope you know that." She told him with a warm smile. He blushes brightly and kisses her sweetly. "We gotta eat! OH THE PIÑA COLADA!"

"Agreed! I'm starving," she told him as she took a bite of her sandwich and hummed happily. He eats happily, smiling up at her in between bites. "I want to ask you more questions, but I also want you to eat." She chuckled, finishing her bite. "Ask away, I can multitask," she told him as she took another bite. "What's that like?" He jokes. "What do you like to do in your free time? When you aren't working out or being badass or with your family?" She laughed brightly. "It's pretty nice," she joked back. "I like to swim. I like to climb stuff. I guess that's part of work, but it is fun. I've heard there's a climbing course at the lighthouse that I would love to check out one of these days. What about you?"

"I also like to climb stuff! It has the perk of giving me a better vantage point to shoot from too! We should go to the climbing course!" He takes a bite and thinks. "I've had a lot of hobbies that haven't really stuck? Now, mostly I play with artifacts in my free time. Oh! I like baking!" "I think that would be a great spot for our next date, don't you think? And I know what you mean about hobbies not sticking. I've tried all sorts of crafty-type hobbies, but I got bored with them. As for baking, I would love to try anything you make. I will gladly be your test subject for any new recipes."

"Yes!" He waves his hands excitedly, forgetting he is holding a sandwich. "Knitting was the hardest for me. There's so much counting! I kept dropping stitches. I should try to find a way to use all the yarn I bought." He then starts to think about baking with Katari. Getting to give her a little kiss in between steps. Putting a little bit of flour on her nose to see her scrunch up her face adorably. Tossing chocolate chips at each other and trying to catch them with their mouths. Getting to kiss her more, and more, and- He blushes brightly. "I'd like to bake for you, too! What kind of baked stuff do you like?"

She could tell he was thinking about something, scheming?? No, plotting, yeah, that's the right term. "I'm not picky. I love pretty much anything baked. Cakes, breads, cookies, you name it!" "Then I'll make you everything!" He leans over and kisses her cheek. Once he finishes his sandwich, he starts drinking his piña colada with a pinky in the air. She finished her sandwich as well, opening a bottle of water and chugging it. She watched him adoringly, so happy that he was her boyfriend. He puts down his drink and watches her, waiting for her to finish drinking. Once she set it down, he playfully tackled her and started pecking kisses all over her face.

She squealed in surprise and delight as he tackled her and kissed her repeatedly. "Akaari!" She said through laughter. "Yes, darling?" He says between kisses. "Why are you attacking me with kisses?" she asked through her laughter. He backs up just enough to look down at her. "Cause I want to?" "Fair, but what made you want to?" She asked with a chuckle, her hand coming up to cup his cheek gently. He shrugs. "Your existence? I don't know. I always want to kiss you!" She chuckled and blushed. "You're such a sweetheart. How did I get so lucky?" "I think you asked me before, but I still don't have an answer." He teases with a laugh before kissing her sweetly.

She laughed again, cupping his cheeks in her hands and pulling him in for a sweet, tender kiss, then rubbing her nose against his. "I don't either, but I am so very glad I was this lucky." "You never know, I could still turn out to be evil. Maybe I kick baby halla in my free time." He laughs. She laughed brightly. "Please, I feel like if you even scared a halla, it would be very upsetting for you." He looks away from her. "One time I tried to feed a Halla, but I moved too fast and scared it away... and then I cried." "Aww, see? You're very kind-hearted, Akaari." She cups his cheek and turns his face back towards her. "I love that about you." "And you're really sweet, which I love about you." He blushes brightly and attacks her face with kisses again.

She squeals with laughter again at the onslaught. "Akaari!!" She barely managed through the laughter. He continues for a little bit longer before laughing and rolling off of her onto his back. "I could go for a nap right now." "I know what you mean. The sun and surf have taken it out of me. Do you want to head back?" "Yeah, but I don't want our date to be over." He pouts and sighs dramatically. "It doesn't necessarily have to be over if we head back. If you'd feel comfortable with it, we could nap together? Maybe cuddle if you're okay with that. Or we can stay here and have fun until we can't anymore," she suggested with a chuckle.

He quickly rolls on his side to look at her. "Cuddling and napping together is an option??? Let's go!" He hops up and starts to pack. She chuckles as she starts to help him gather everything and pack. "It is absolutely an option, babe!! I love cuddling!!" Once everything is packed and his shirt is back on, he takes her hand and walks quickly to the eluvian. "Well then, let's go! I probably need to shower." She chuckles as she takes his hand. "Lead the way, babe." She curled her hands around his arm, holding him tightly.

[wickedadaar]

My dice curse continued lol

RRAU Story: Leaving the Nest, Hall of Valor Side quest (4/6) - Match 3

Start here for Part 1

The following is a retelling of our roleplay on the discord server. Featuring characters from @wickedadaar @sleepingtodream @pandorazlost @alystrin03 @hedgiestail @soturoayami @randomness-in-motion @aislingavry

As they all rested up from their disastrous match with the Venatori, Isabela called for them once. “Time for Match 3 everybody, hope you have had time to heal those bruised egos, proceed to the ring!” 

Enrico finishes his drink and turns to the team. Viago’s voice echoes in his head again. ‘You want to be a Prince, right? Then prove that you are a leader.’

“Right, this is the final match everyone, keep your heads up and let’s give it our all,” Enrico says, raising his sword. “Let’s do this!”

"Let's fucking go" Lorenzo cheers

"They won't know what hit them!" Dancia says as she follows them out.

Makié hops out of their seat and after a quick kiss to her partner’s, Haleir, cheek they head in.

—---

Once they were in the arena, they faced down a group of frenzied dead.

“Come on, come on, place your wagers! And remember all, never bet anything you aren’t prepared to lose!” Isabela yells as the bell rings.

Lanti attempts to take down one of the dead, but another rushes her with a shield and bashes her with it, knocking her out cold.

“MIERDA!” Enrico curses, this was not a good start, he rushes over to a fallen Lanti, throwing his shield to knock out the dead that were over her, catching it back with ease and slays the others with a sword strike.

Wanting to redeem herself after the tragedy of the last round. Mercy summons her storm again. She quick fires though, her chain of lightning striking a couple of the undead enemies.

"Aww hell I hate undead,” Dante growled. Harder to kill what was already dead. killing someone and having them skill come at you. Dante pulls one of his hardier arrows. He strikes the head of two against his boot and sets them on fire. "Ye aught to stay dead." He shoots striking against two and taking them down. The blaze burns red then white as the phosphorus catches and it sinks into whatever is left to burn. He spits. "ugh." As the corpses collapse.

This time, Lorenzo is ready. The undead try to get both him and UIrich, and he sees how the dwarf fights bravely, but one of the creatures almost catches his friend. So with a hammer blow, he makes the heads of two of them roll.

"Undead! How do you kill what is already dead?” Too distracted by her thoughts Danica doesn't see the undead warrior shield charge her. With no time to block she is knocked five feet back, her ear ringing a bit from the collision.*

Makié noted the targets but before they could even choose one they hiccuped and shifted into a halla. Leaving them confused and bounding away from one of the undead that had moved too close for the comfort of this shape

“Oh dear! Quite literally! A rocky start for our favourite Crows, but still holding on!” Isabella called out.

Enrico glanced over at Lanti, she still wasn’t moving, so held his position where he was in front of her, fighting off any dead that dared charge at them, swinging his sword and knocking their heads off.

"One more." Dante grumbles, taking aim and with no preamble shoots down the next target. He snorts, "hmph, better." He only makes notes of Makié in the back of his mind. gotta make sure not to hit 'em. Haleir watches nervously from the audience thinking the same thing.

This time it is Lorenzo who gets distracted. Drunk by how hard he hit his previous enemies, Lorenzo almost loses balance. Luckily for him, Ulrich is by his side, and avoids the man getting bitten.*

"Haha!" Ulrich laughs "My debt is paid!"

Mercy’s storm brews stronger and she laughs wildly as electricity crackles off of her. She dashes through the undead, blade slashing out as her orb dances around her other hand. Her blade along with the electricity cuts through a few of the enemies.

Still as a halla, their pathing altered a bit they managed to concentrate enough to shift without a hiccup. Makié immediately sets fire to the nearest mage before putting some distance back between them and the remaining undead.

"Damn shields!"  Danica jumps to her feet, steadying her stance. The warrior in her line of sight, rubbing her hands together, summoning the cold to her finger tips and shooting off a beam of frost. Watching the undead warrior start to freeze over.

“That’s it, way to put on a show! Now finish them!” Isabela loudly cheers.

Lanti finally starts to stir again, slowly climbing to her feet. "Thanks, Enrico," she told the other Crow as she rubbed her head. "I'm just gonna stand over there out of the way of everyone." She patted his shoulder and went to stand by one of the walls.

Enrico is momentarily distracted by Lanti waking up and thanking him, only to get jumped by another dead soldier, just barely holding it off with his shield. He cruises loudly.

“Come on! YOU ALL CAN DO THIS!” He calls out to the others. “ONE LAST PUSH!”

Makiè aimed for the center area where the undead seem to have almost pooled together, staff pulled from the strap on their back as they ran and then slid into a roll that ended with them slamming the staff down, a wide burst of cold light flashing up from the ground around them to freeze anything within the ring and then they pushed up off the ground and cleared out of the way for the others.

Following suit Dancia looked for the direct line of sight, ran for the pooled group of undead. Dropping to the ground into a slide going past while shooting out a massive beam of cold aimed for the undead midsections freezing their arm movements in place. Coming to a stop and clearing out of the way for the rest.

As Danica and Makié ice the enemies and the field, Mercy's storm brews around her. She reaches out, crackling with electricity and sends it into the weapons of those with blades and arrows. Imbuing them with crackling electricity.

Looks like this was going to be the final push. Shaking his head Dante draws a splint of arrows. It'll be easier without the moving targets and he doesn't even startle as electricity surges around his bow. He closes one eye to find the right angle, turns his body lengthwise and aim's into the air. 

"SCATTER!” A hail of electrified, splintered arrows cascades down from above on the frozen enemies sending lighting pinging through the iced fields.

"Blasted mages!" Ulrich roared, his footing lost to a treacherous patch of ice mid-swing. He crashed to the ground, a dwarven avalanche of limbs and metal, narrowly escaping a rain of arrows by rolling away like a frantic, armoured sausage, his warhammer abandoned.

The rain of arrows goes over Lozeno’s head. The enemies that have not burnt with electricity remain frozen.

It's time to redeem himself. Renzo takes both hammers (his and Ulrich) and unleashes a spiral of blows, spinning, turning all the enemies to dust.

“My oh my! What a spectacular finish! And that is another win for the crows!” Isabela cheers as the crowd roars and cheers for the team.

Enrico raises his fist in the air with a cheer. “WE WON! WE DID IT! GOOD JOB EVERYONE! WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!” 

‘I can leave,’ he thinks to himself. ‘I can become a Prince, I can marry…’

“Hold your horses hot stuff,” Isabella's voice cuts him off.  “It’s not over yet.”

Enrico looks up at her confused, “What do you mean? We won your three rounds. That’s it, it’s over!”

Isabela wags her finger at him from her stage up above “Maybe for a normal set of fights here. But this one came as a special request from the fifth talon himself.”

“Viago…” he curses under his breath.

Isabela smirks at him before addressing the crowd. “For this extra special final round, ladies and gentlemen, our, and I quote, little lion, here must choose two members of his team to fight with him against our most deadest opponents yet. I suggest, you choose wisely. Get a cold drink and unbutton those collars, my friends. This next fight is going to be hot!”

To Be Continued…

[wickedadaar]

The Darlings: Reunited at Last

Featuring Kalais Aldwir from @elfmaid

Co-written by elfmaid. Pulled directly from Kalais and Beck’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 3,623

Kalais stands outside the door to Beck’s room, wringing their hands together, shifting side to side, trying to take steady breaths. This had to go well. They’ve been trying to figure out what to say and how to say it. Beck said she still loved them. Others had said similarly. Surely that meant that Kalais didn’t need to worry so much. They worry anyway. But this needs to be done, and whatever happens, happens. They knock, timidly. She grumbles to herself, Who was it now? "Come in," she called out from her couch, continuing to lounge across it in her pajamas.

They enter and close the door quietly. "Beck?" They still stand by the door, just in case she doesn't want to talk now. As soon as she hears their voice, she jumps to her feet and vaults over the couch and rushes to them, picking them up in a tight hug, "Vhenan!" They shouldn't be surprised by her reaction, and yet they are unprepared for the embrace. They are still very careful to make sure their hands don't touch her, as much as they desperately want to. "I'm sorry, Beck. For all of it." Their voice shakes as the words tumble out. "There's a lot to explain, and I'm sorry for hurting you and pushing you away. I thought it would be better in the long run. That you would realize I'm a danger and leave. I don't want you to leave."

"I know," she said quietly as she set them down. "Please, come in," she stepped back from the door, gesturing for them to follow her. "Trust me, I don't want to leave either. Never did." They follow her further into the room, hands anxiously twitching. "I'm sorry for not listening before. It didn't seem possible. I can't say I fully understand why you want to stay, but I believe its true, a little at least. It's easier to believe now than before." She offered her hand to them to take, "Please?" She gave Kalais a soft smile to reassure them as she ushered them towards the couch in the center of her room.

They glance from her to the offered hand. They gingerly place their hand in hers. When nothing happens, they breathe a sigh of relief. "I don't...I can't apologize enough for what happened. I'm so sorry." She brings their hand to her lips and kisses their knuckles. "It was an accident. Accidents happen, vhenan. It's not the first or probably the last time that's happened to me. I was just afraid of losing you," she said as she cupped their cheek with her free hand as a tear slowly rolled down her cheek.

They place their hand on her cheek, gently wiping away the tears with their thumb. "I didn't want it to ever happen again. When it happened the first time-" They pause, drawing their hands back to their lap. Taking a breath, they start over. "My magic manifested when I was six. I was playing with my friends, and we were chasing each other around. I tried to tag my friend Venaya, but it felt like my hand just latched onto her, and I couldn't pull away. She screamed, and a second later I was able to let go, but there was...a mark left behind." They glance down at where their hand had touched Beck, remembering the mark there, too. "It was an accident then. But everyone wanted me to leave, wanted me sent away from the clan. Only the Keeper insisted on letting me stay. Not even my father wanted me to stay. I spent my childhood alone, save for my lessons with the Keeper and her First. And even after becoming an adult and the Second for our clan, everyone kept their distance. I proved myself, and it wasn't enough. That's why I left my clan, joined the Veil Jumpers, and clan Aldwir."

She listened silently while they spoke, pulling them into another hug as they finished. "I am so sorry you had to go through that. I told you before, I'm not going anywhere, but I see now why you might have had trouble believing me. I am yours for as long as you will have me. I love you, vhenan." They hold onto her tightly, burying their face in the crook of her neck. Their whole body shakes and trembles as they try to hold back all the emotions they are feeling at once. "I never wanted to hurt you like that. I never wanted it to happen again. I intend to never let it happen again."

"I know you didn't. That's why I don't blame you. If anything, it's partly my fault for insisting on helping you. It's alright, I'm here. Let it all out. I've got you," she reassured them as she held the back of their head with one hand, rubbing up and down their back with the other. "It could never be your fault." They cling to her, tears falling as they close their eyes tightly. She's here. She's alive. She loves them. "Ar lath ma, vhenan. I will never push you away again." She kissed the top of their head as she held them close, never wanting to let them go. "Ar lath ma, now and forever, Kalais." They don't move, content to be held by her again, while they try to sort through the tangle of emotions. "I'm sorry for worrying you and yelling at Leonius," they say eventually, when the tears finally stop. "I'll need to make it up to him and Lucia."

She chuckled. "It's alright, vhenan. I understand. Thank you for coming back to me," her voice cracked as she said the last sentence, as she was overwhelmed with emotion as well. Hearing the emotion in her voice, they pull away just enough to look at her. "I'm sorry it took so long. I wanted to, I just...couldn't believe you wanted me to. It took talking with others for me to figure it out. I should have just listened to you from the beginning." She leaned down and rested her forehead against theirs, savoring this moment of reunion. "I'm just glad you figured it out and I didn't have to shake some sense into you," she chuckled. They laugh lightly at the thought. They don't know if that would have helped, but it's an image for sure. "I love you. I always will. I won't leave your side again." They lean in and kiss her gently.

She eagerly returned their kiss, her hands falling to their waist as she pulled them against her as close as she could. "I love you too, vhenan. More than anything, and I always will. I'm by your side until the end." "I missed you so much." They kissed her again, hands cradling her face. "I never want to sleep alone again. The worst nights I've had since I met you." "I missed you more than words can say. I've barely slept at all without you in my arms," she leaned into their touch as she wrapped her arms around them, pulling them into another kiss. They loop their arms around her neck, deepening the kiss. "I'm here, vhenan. I'm here and not going anywhere," they whisper, letting fingers thread through her hair. "If you want to rest, I'll stay with you."

She chuckled as she scooped them up in her arms, wrapping their legs around her waist. "I don't think I could rest if I tried. You set my heart on fire, vhenan." They look at her with concern. "Are you sure? You're still healing. I just said I don't want to hurt you." "Trust me, vhenan, I'm pretty much fully healed," she smiled at them, kissing them tenderly. "If you would rather we rest, then rest we shall, but I just want you to know I've missed you entirely. Body, mind, and soul." They look at her, not entirely convinced. Pretty much doesn't necessarily mean actually fully healed. "We have time. I'm content to rest with you, as long as I'm in your arms." They caress her cheek, gently kissing her.

"As you wish, vhenan," she carried them over to her bed, climbing in and bringing them with her. As she lay against the bed, she looked up at them lovingly. They settle into bed with her, running a soothing hand up and down her back. "Is there something on my face?" they ask with a smile, seeing how she looked at them. She chuckled as she pulled them into another tender kiss. "No, I've just missed seeing you smile." Their smile grows. They've missed this, missed spending time with her. "Being back with you, it will be hard to stop smiling." They press a kiss to her forehead. "Rest, Beck. I'm not going anywhere."

She chuckled as she pulled them against her. "Now, that I can do." They run gentle fingers through her hair, holding her close. They let her rest as long as she needs. They are grateful that she didn't give up on them. This is much more preferable than the nights spent alone in their room. They sigh happily, nuzzling further into her hold. There really is no other place they would rather be. She nuzzled her face against them as she gave them a kiss on the forehead. She was overjoyed to have them back in her arms and back in her bed. She missed this; she missed them.

They can't stop smiling. The warmth of her presence is balm for their soul. They slowly start to doze off themself, back in their place in her arms. "I love you," they whisper. "I love you too, my dear. More than anything," she traces one hand up and down their back as her eyes start to grow heavy. Having Kalais here with her, everything in the world felt right again. Well, as right as they could be with two blighted elven gods stomping around. Her response is the last thing they hear before blissful sleep takes them. For the first time since Weisshaupt, no nightmares plague them, and they rest peacefully.

She too soon falls asleep, blissfully free of nightmares. The next morning, she stretches and then wraps her arms closer around Kalais, hugging them tightly. They wake, feeling themself being squeezed tightly. They would snuggle closer if it were possible to be any closer than they already were. They kiss her cheek. "How are you feeling this morning?" "Better than I have since Weisshaupt. You?" She planted a gentle kiss on the top of their head with a smile. "Same here. I feel much better. I actually got some good sleep. My bed was too empty without you to rest well." Their hand run up and down her back in a soothing motion. "I'm glad I don't have to be alone in it anymore."

"I know exactly what you mean. I couldn't sleep without you by my side. It just didn't feel right not having you there, she admitted with a chuckle. They smile up at her, caressing her cheek. "I'm here now, vhenan. I'm choosing to stay this time. Not even the gods themselves could tear me from you now." They pull her in for a tender kiss. They mean every word they say. This time with Beck, as much of it as they have (and they hope its a lot), is what they want. They won't jeopardize this again. She wrapped one arm up and held the back of their head as she kissed them deeply, treasuring this moment and them. "I love you, so much, vhenan, and I will never stop reminding you of that fact."

They kiss her deeply again in response. There are no words to say what they feel. They need to make up for the time spent apart, in penance for the hurt they caused by their own stubbornness. They will spend every moment they can showing her how much they love her. "I never want you to doubt how much I love you in return. I'm yours, forever." They trail kisses along her jaw and neck. She let out a low growl as they kissed along her neck, her hands tightening reflexively, gently pulling Kalais's hair and gripping their hip even tighter. "And I am yours forever, vhenan. Never forget that." They let out a breathy moan when she pulls. They throw a leg over her and press up against her. "Remind me this once?" they ask with a small smirk.

With one hand, she grips the back of their thigh and pulls their leg tighter around her, flipping them, pinning Kalais to the bed as she gazed deeply into their eyes. "Of course, vhenan," she chuckled before burying her face in their neck and proceeding to remind them exactly how much she loved them.

*****

Some time later, she held Kalais closely, their head resting on her chest. She kissed the top of their head as she thanked the Maker or whatever powers that be for bringing Kalais into her life. She couldn't imagine what her life would look like without them. They rest against her, smiling when they feel her kiss their head. It's one of the things they like best that she does. "So you're getting a new dress then?" they ask quietly. "I am. I think you'll really like it. I'm planning to take you to dinner the day after we pick it up, a little treat for the two of us," she told them as she stroked their hair, running her fingers through the strands. "I was just thinking of doing something along those lines. It would be a shame to get a new dress and not show it off." It was like she read their mind and was one step ahead. "We could even ask Lucia about using her apartment, maybe?"

"We really do think too much alike sometimes," she teased with a chuckle. I already asked her. She agreed to let us use it after we pick up my dress and what I ordered from the jeweler." Huh. "May I ask what you ordered? You mentioned to Marisola that it was custom jewelry, if I recall correctly?" "Yep, fully custom. Metal, gems, everything. 100% unique. I think you'll love it, but it's a surprise, so you won't get to see it until we go to dinner," she teased with a knowing smile as she booped their nose. "And that's not the only surprise I have in store for you," she winked at them with a chuckle. They glance up at her, wondering what sort of surprises she has planned. "Well, I suppose I'll have to wait then. Though now I'm curious what it is."

She chuckled. "I can promise you will love it, but that's all I'm going to say," she whispered to them as she kissed their temple. "I have a little surprise planned for after dinner for you as well." She winked at them again, seeing if she could fluster them with just the anticipation. "A surprise for after dinner....oh." Their face heats up as they blush slightly. They aren't certain what exactly the surprise might be, but they have figured out what it likely leads to. "That one sounds like a very exciting surprise. I'm looking forward to it." "As am I, vhenan. I can't wait to see your reaction," she chuckled as she kissed them tenderly, pulling them closer to her.

They smile into the kiss, hands cradling her face. "I'm sure it will be worth the wait for both of us." "I certainly hope so," she teased as she rubbed her nose against theirs with a chuckle. They steal one more quick kiss from her. "Since you planned this all out already, it seems, did you decide where this dinner is going to take place?" "It's more of a private dinner that I have planned, so we can fully enjoy each other's company. I ordered a meal to go for us, complete with wine and dessert for to enjoy anywhere in the city we want, and I already have a spot picked out."

A private dinner sounds wonderful. Beck really seemed to have put a lot of thought into this. "May I ask where, or is that another surprise?" "Let me just say, if all goes to plan, it will be very romantic." "Oh, I don't doubt it." They kiss her cheek. "Any time spent with you is always very romantic." She chuckled and pulled them close in a tight hug. "You're so sweet, vhenan, and I must agree. Any time with you is romantic." She kissed their forehead. They hum in content, burying their face against her shoulder. "I love you." They place a soft kiss there.

"I love you too, Kalais. More than words can say, vhenan. I don't think I'll ever be able to say it enough to capture how much I love you." They glance up at her, mischief in their eyes. "I'm never against you showing it," they say with a soft smirk. She chuckled as she grabbed their chin between her thumb and forefinger, lifting their gaze to meet hers. "Well, I might just do that then," she whispered against their lips before kissing them passionately. They return the kiss fervently, one hand sliding into her hair as the other traces down to her hip to gently pull her closer.

She wraps one arm across the small of their back, pulling them close,r and the other wrapped in their hair as she deepened the kiss. They groan into the kiss, the hand in her hair tightening. "Beck, please," they whisper between kisses. She groaned as their hand tightened in her hair, rolling them onto their back as she leaned over them, her hands tracing down their sides to their hips as she buried her face against their neck, leaving a string of open mouth kisses across their skin as her hands continue to explore their body and caress every inch of them she could reach.

****

Later, they hold Beck close, playing with a lock of her hair. Every moment with her, their love only grows. They gently hold one of her hands, raising it to their lips. They spend an extra moment looking over her hand before entangling their fingers with hers. "Mmm," she hums as they play with her hair and take her hand. "My favorite part of the day," she teased with a chuckle as she stretched and held them closely. "My lovely vhenan, in my arms."

They gaze at her with a smile and place a kiss on her forehead. "The best place to be. I have such a hard time leaving." She leans into their kiss. "Agreed, I hate leaving. I'm always the most comfortable right here." She nuzzled against their hair and placed a kiss on top of their head. They close their eyes and sigh, enjoying a few more moments with her. "I am also very comfortable like this, but we wanted to get a cat today, yes? We'll have to move soon, I'm afraid.” She chuckled, "Yeah, I guess you have a point." She sat up, bringing them with her. She gave them one more quick kiss before climbing out of bed and starting to get dressed.

They follow her lead, getting ready as well. "I suppose it depends on what cats are hanging around, but are you looking for anything specific, like color or size?" "Not really. I always heard cats pick their people, not the other way around, so I guess we'll see which one chooses us," she told Kalais as she put on yet another dress she picked up in Rivain. "It seems to be that way with a lot of pets, I think." They finish getting dressed, putting their vest on last as they reply. They turn back to her, ready to head out, but pause when they lay eyes on her. "You always look so beautiful." They take a moment to appreciate her and the dress she chose. Their gaze lingers on her midriff, their smile faltering for a moment before it returns, and they look up at her again. "I am enjoying your clothing choices lately."

She chuckles as she leans down and kisses their forehead. "Thank you. I remembered how much you loved what I wore at the resort, so I decided to get a few more in the same style. I'm glad you like them." "I like them very much." They take her hand and raise it to place a kiss. "I look forward to removing this one later." "Good, that's half the reason I got it," she smirked down at them and gave them a wink. "Almost ready to head out, vhenan?" They look her up and down one last time before nodding. "I'm ready. Let's go get us a cat!"

She wrapped her arm around them tightly as they moved towards the eluvian. "You know, I heard of a pet shop in Treviso we can check out too, if you'd be interested?" "I didn't realize Treviso had one. I feel like the cat cafe would have more cats to choose from, but the pet shop would have more pet options in general. Though," they stop for a moment. This information is somewhat important in deciding where they go. "Neither of us has any pet care supplies, so we should head to the shop, I think, for that at least." "Agreed. I vote we head there first, and if we see a cat we like, great. If not, we get everything we'll need, then head to Minrathous. Sounds good to you?" "That sounds perfect, love."

[wickedadaar]

The Dice Gods really hated me and my girl lol

RRAU Story: Leaving the Nest, Hall of Valor Side quest (3/6) - Match 2

Part 1, Part 2

The following is a retelling of our roleplay on the discord server. Featuring characters from @wickedadaar @sleepingtodream @pandorazlost @alystrin03 @hedgiestail @soturoayami @randomness-in-motion @aislingavry

Team Antivan Crow had gathered at the bar as they waited for the next match to begin. Ulrich cursed at most of them about how awful they were in the first fight. Haleir went to praise Makié's efforts while others nursed their wounds and ordered drinks.

As Enrico pondered how they would do in their next fight, while Ulrich and Lorenzo came up with a plan for the human to throw the dwarf into battle, the announcement came for them to enter the ring once again.

“Okay, it’s time, are you all still with me?” He asked the others as he led them to the arena.

“Let’s do this!” they all say as they follow him out. 

—---

“They’ll be on you faster than ticks on a blood mage, get ready for the Venatori!” Isabela called out as the bell rang for the match to begin. But for team Antivan Crow, the match was not in their favour. 

Enrico readied himself, they just about managed to get through the last round, but surely they will do better this time, right? He didn’t have time to think however because the venatori suddenly rushed at them all, catching him off guard and falling down. “FUCK!” He cursed.

Lanti charges at one of the sickle wielders who hooked her ankle and slung her other their shoulder like she weighed nothing. In the dirt she goes again, with a muffled string of curses

“Oh good, the blood suckers,” Dante snorts, and spits. He takes aim, fires and misses one by one of its damned billowy robes. Fucking mages. he can already feel his joints swell in irritation.

“Venatori!” Mercy also curses, she knows how to handle this. She summons a storm of magic to her, prepared to fight. And immediately gets caught off guard as one of those damn sneaky ones nearly takes her head off. Mercy's magic drops as she rolls out of the way, cursing again.

For Ulrich, now these one he likes! Squishy squirmy venatori! Ulrich chuckles menacingly as he rushes in the fight. Blocking one of the Executioner's attack, and hitting the stumbling baster right in the chest full force.

“Mage on mage why not,” Danica said to herself. That cult mage was going down. Running at the mage to then dive into a slide, shooting a beam of frost. Tossing him back.

Makié pulled their staff out this time, eyeing the opponents, trying to choose when decision paralysis and the worry of a repeat from their last round kicked in, their aim going completely wild as they levied a beam of ice that glanced off the shield of one they weren't even aiming at and bounced back to knock them off their feet. "Fenedhis lasa!" they should have stuck to their dagger.

Enrico is trying to fight off the soldier when Lozenzo came in swinging, knocking the venatori solider flying. “Thanks!”

“Oooo, rough start, but good thing they have their little crow to hold the team. The short ones are always the mightiest!” Isabela cheered.

Lanti stood, taking a moment to gather herself as she attempted to throw a knife, missing her target completely

Now he was back on his feet, Enrico charged as the other soldier, slicing them and then also tore through one of the executioners.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lorenzo attempt to pick up Ulrich and throw him as planned, but the little crow almost ended up flying into the pit.

One of them flippy motherfuckers came running at him and Dante, knowing he wasn't going to be able to dodge, rolls, using the side of his extra cloth to catch the most of it. One of the hooks drags across the skin of his arm but no worse than that. He hisses. Turning on the man to fire before he has a chance to teleport away.

Mercy was on the run at this point. Fade stepping around the field trying to keep one step ahead of this fast bitch coming after her. Mercy can't even get a spell off, constantly on the move.

Danica had thought that blast would keep the stupid cult mage down. But he was coming back for more. He charged her and in turn she charged him, just as they were to collide. She fadestepped behind him and smacked him with the pummel of her dagger knocking him to the ground again.

AOnce Makié was back on their feet, they shifted to the side, staff still in hand as they slammed it down against the ground and sent a jagged stream of ice at one of the war mages, shards randomly impaling their arms and legs, because fuck that one in particular.

“That’s it! Well done ladies! Show them how we get it done!” Isabela praised them from her stage.

Enrico’s eye twitched, briefly wondering if she included him in that because of his long hair. However, he was also slightly panicking at the thought that he saw Ulrich go in the pit and not come back up yet, he ran over to help, but the moment he pulled the little crow up, he slipped and just managed to hold onto the edge to stop him from falling to the bottom.

Dante's arrow catches the man right in the neck and he goes down even as he uses the blood to try and slip away from him. Dante grimaces as he falls. He uses his bow as a crutch to stand up. "Spirits." He hisses as a curse.

Mercy was getting exhausted, bouncing around the battlefield uselessly, being chased by a very tenacious bitch. Mercy really hates those sneaky, stabby Venatori. They're so goddamn annoying.

Makié's attention turned to the other war mage, staff swapped out for their mageblade, this time layering fire and electric as they fade-stepped behind them and then jammed the blade into the Venatori's side and twisted.

“Fuck,” Lorenzo notices they are doing terrible, and even in that situation he gets distracted, being foolish enough not just to miss a hit, but by fall because the intertia of the hammer.

"¡Me cago ег mi puta madre!" Ulrich swears heatedly, pulling Enrico out of the pit with the beak of his hammer.

"CAN WE NOT FUCKING SUCK TODAY? PLEASE AND THANK YOU!" He yells again, grabbing his hammer in an outstretched grip. Because it's too much. "WATCH OUT!" He screams again and runs towards a bunch of fucking Venatori. He will show them what berserk-dwarf with a huge heavy hammer is! Ulrich is gaining speed and momentum, turning into a tornado on the battlefield, pulling the remaining enemies to himself from the sheer speed of it. At this speed and with his hammer so heavy, one blow is enough to snap the bodies in half.

“AND THAT’S ANOTHER WIN FOR THE CROWS!” Isabela cheered. “All thanks to the mighty Ulrich! THE KING!” The crowd goes wild for the little dwarf. “Keep it up my lovelies. The next round is going to begin soon!”

To Be Continued…

[wickedadaar]

My poor girl got cursed by my bad rolls. I'm sorry, Lanti /joking

RRAU Story: Leaving the Nest, Hall of Valor Side quest (2/6) - Match 1

Part 1

The following is a retelling of our roleplay on the discord server. Featuring characters from @wickedadaar @sleepingtodream @pandorazlost @alystrin03 @hedgiestail @soturoayami @randomness-in-motion @aislingavry

Enrico paced back and forth outside the Hall of Valor, thinking back to his conversation with Viago.

This was just but another step in his plan. He can’t very well become a prince and marry Val if he was still tied to the crows. Although his heart ached to leave the organisation that took him in and made him the man he is today. For his future, for Val. He must do this.

He eventually decides himself busy, readying his weapons for the fight ahead as waits for the others to arrive. Having put a notice up with the promise of a favour from him as a reward, surely that's enough to lure some of them in to help him.

Other Crows started to arrive to aid him, some from his house, some encouraged by others. Seven turn up in total.

Lanti Araiani, an elf warrior who had helped Enrico in the past.

Mercy Cantori, a human mage who just happened to be an ex of Valhail. She had heard about this from Teia, she figured if this is about Val- Perhaps, she owes him one. More than one really, but this she can lend a hand with. 

Other crows turn up that Enrico had not met before, but was still grateful that they did. 

Dante Iman Pastor, a human rogue.

Danica de Riva, an Elvan mage. 

Makiè Lavellan de Riva, another Elvan mage, closely followed by her partner Haleir who came along to support her.

Lorenzo de Riva, a human warrior. 

Until finally, the last member arrives, Ulrich de Riva. A mighty dwarf warrior who Enrico has a past with. Depending on the day, they can be good friends, or the worst of enemies.

They all banter outside as they wait for the fight to begin. Ulrich makes some comment to Lorenzo about there being at least one other proper warrior in the group besides him. Enrico’s eye twitches at that, but decided to let it go, for now. 

He counts everyone who has arrived, seven crows came to help, that’s seven favours he owes when they win, great.

He clears his throat, “Thank you everyone for coming, as you know we represent the Antivan Crows, there’s a lot riding on this, so let’s give this our all and win,” he says as he raises his sword. “And, err, it really means a lot to me you all showed up,” he says under his breath quickly.

"Lighten up, little lion~" Ulrich turns to look at Enrico. "We are the Crows, we won't even sweat!"

Mercy nods, looking at her nails. "This will be a piece of cake."

The others nod and get ready as Enrico leads them into the arena.

"Right then, follow me.”

——-

From what Enrico understood, there were three matches they had to fight in and win, simple right?

Isabela took to her stage above the arena with her sound rune to call out over the stadium.  “We are in for a treat today folks! They have just flown in all the way from Antiva and boy are their arms tired. Everyone give it up for the Antivan Crows!” 

Their first match was against a group of 8 mercenaries. The bell rings and the fight begins!

“For Val!” Enrico screamed as he charged at the enemy group along with the others. Enrico braced himself against his shield and sends one the expert mercenaries flying back

Lanti runs up on one of the mercenaries, axe at the ready. She takes a swing and they deflect it with more force than she was anticipating and they fling her back a few feet, resulting in a not-very-graceful tumble in the sand.

Dante swaggers behind the group. he unslings his bow and takes aim at a man. He ain't look like too much and he wasn't paying him no attention. "Not a good call." He mutters, pulling his bow quick, letting the arrow fly right into a gap in his armor. "Strike." He says. He'd be staying in the back.

Electricity crackles between Mercy’s hands, a small storming brewing. Her eyes narrow on the targets, looking for a weak link. Ah, let's go mage for mage, she thinks as she releases the bolt of lightning straight at one of the mages. It hits the mage howling as they're consumed by electric shocks.

Ulrich went straight for the mages. As Mercy takes down one mage, he speeds up and hits the second one with his hammer. Sending the poor bastard flying.

Danica ran at expert assassin and fade stepped behind him, slamming a frosty orb into his back causing him to tumble to the ground.

Lorenzo wants some action, and is ready for it. One of the mercenaries has the terrible idea of attacking him directly, so it is really easy for him to hit the poor soul with the hammer and leave him unconscious.

Makié’s eyes focused on one of the expert assassins, a quick advance and they fade stepped behind them, and released a burst of icy cold, the ground beneath them lighting up in a bright pattern that froze the other in place. 

Haleir, Makié’s partner, eagerly watches and cheers but doesn't want to throw them off their concentration. He was mesmerized watching them.

“Ooooo rough start out of the gate, tough break little bird, but team crow came back strong! Let’s hope they can keep it up!” Isabela yells over the crowd.

Enrico heard the commentator overhead. “MIERDA, don’t jinx us,” he cursed trying to swing for one of the assassins but they dodged easily out of the way. Yep, she jinxed them.

Lanti got up and charged another mercenary, once again getting flung back into the dirt, rolling a couple of times before ending up on her hands and knees.

Dante reaches back for an arrow but his mistake is immediately obvious as he has to stumble out of the way of an oncoming merc. He wasn't coming for him, many more people to be taken by but Dante loses the shot he was lining up and has to shuffle very quickly out of the middle of the battle. "Watch where ya going!?"

Ulrich swung to finish the mage, but just as he was about to hit him the bastard fade-stepped, causing the dwarf to hit the wall. The backlash of force was so hard he felt his teeth ring. As he comes back to his senses, Ulrich notices that his buddy Lorenzo is out of luck too, missing his swing just as spectacular as Ulrich did himself.

Mercy weaves another bolt of electricity. Preparing to send it out when, she gets clipped by a concussive blast from the mage that she was fighting. Mercy electricity goes wild and sputters out as she tumbles to the ground ungraceful. Ooph, that was embarrassing.

Danica rolls another blast of cold in her palm. Aiming to toss it at the assassin she had knocked to the ground. But a kick to her leg knocks her off balance and the orb flies high.

With the assassin frozen, Makié pulled their blade and layered it with electricity as they deftly moved up and then quickly thrust the blade into the assassin's back, sparks of purple enveloping the target as they gave the blade a twist.

Isabela laughed from her platform. “Whoops, spoke too soon, too late for refunds on those bets! At least the cute red head is picking up the slack!”

Moment of redemption! Lanti got to her feet once more, and launched another last ditch attack. She leapt in the air, bringing her axe down firmly on one of the few remaining mercenaries, cleaving them in two.

Enrico had started out so well, but these mercenaries were faster than he thought, unable to land a single blow on them without being knocked back himself.

Mercy attempts to get up. Scrambling to her feet, only to be swept away yet again by a well timed hurricane of wind that knocks her off balance. For fuck's sake! Mercy is kicking herself furiously.

For Danica, It was going well at first, then it took a bad turn but time to redeem herself. Jumping to her feet, she kicked the assassin, shoving them back and her spellblade going through their middle.

Makié moved to pull back, and then sighed in frustration as they found their blade refusing to leave the body it was currently lodged in, another twist given as they tried yet again to remove it. Well... this was awkward, maybe they should have stabbed a bit less viciously.

Ulrich really got railed up. Missing a hit! And under the watchful gaze of an audience! What a shame for the crow!

So he rushed in the middle of the fight, noticing Lorenzo smashing one of the bastards right on top of the head. "Great job!" He called out to the man, who laughed in response and gave a playful salute.

"Me cago en todo lo que se menea!" Ulrich yells as he fucking had it with those fuckers. He gained up the speed hitting whoever was still standing with full force. Sending them flying into the pit in the middle of the arena, until none left. "For the crows!”

“And the crowd goes wild for the little crow!” Isabela screams over the audience's cheers. “Securing the first win for the team! But it’s not over yet folks, we will be taking a brief pause for our flock to recover and will start the next match momentarily.”

“One match down…” Enrico thought to himself as the team dragged themselves to the bar. 

To be Continued…

[wickedadaar]

Meme Redraw: Beck x Kalais

Kalais belongs to @elfmaid

Base below:

[wickedadaar]

Chapters: 10/10 Fandom: Dragon Age: The Veilguard (Video Game) Rating: Explicit Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Davrin/Rook (Dragon Age) Characters: Davrin (Dragon Age), Rook (Dragon Age) Additional Tags: Cunnilingus, Oral Sex, Vaginal Sex, Rough Sex, Biting Summary:

A story of love as the world ends between two Wardens just doing their best to survive. This is centered around my canon Warden Rook, Ivy Arainai-Tabris, daughter of the Hero of Fereldan and Zevran Arainai

For pictures, you can find them here: https://www.tumblr.com/wickedadaar/787367788748636160/ivey-arainai-tabris-virevadahl-ivey-sabrae?source=share

[wickedadaar]

Allegra's Photo Album 2.0

1.0 here

[wickedadaar]

Leaves on the Vine: Fiesty

Featuring Oakley from @painfullstorms-blog

Co-written with painfullstorms. Pulled directly from Oakley and Ivey’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 1,797

He still had Ivey on his back, and he opened the door to her room. "Can we have a common consensus? That dress not in busy towns like Minrathous?" She chuckled. "Deal, I'll save it for the beach or when we go on dates. Does that work for you, love?" She teased lightly. "Works perfectly fine for me." He set her down on the bed and knelt in front of her. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that, my love. Did he hurt you at all?" He takes her hand in his and can see the man's grip mark. His brow furrowed, then he laid his hand on her arm and started to heal it to rid the mark. "It's alright, Oakley. Unfortunately, that was not the first time that had happened. I had it handled, but I do appreciate you stepping in." She watched as her healed her, touched by how gentle he was being and still impressed with how he handled that guy in the market.

He watches as her arm heals. He removed his hand and kissed where the mark was. "It makes me sad to know this had happened before," he says, taking her hands in his and looking her in the eyes. "It will never happen again. I will ensure it." "Life as an elven woman, unfortunately. It's happened many times before. Mel has her magic to keep the grabby hands away, so I started using my dagger. Easier to hide in a dress than a shortsword," she added with a sad chuckle. "Thank you, Oakley. Truly, I appreciate it." "Hmmm..." he was deep in thought. "What are you thinking about vhenan?" she asked curiously as she studied him, tilting her head slightly to the side, her ears twitching.

"Your gift, I have some things I need to tweak with it," he smiles and looks at her. "I've never said anything about it before because I didn't want to be rude," he brings his hands up near her ears. "The way your ears react to how you're feeling is absolutely adorable!" "Oh," she said as she was taken aback for a moment and blushed deeply. "No one's ever really mentioned it. Well, they've never complimented it at least." She looked at him sheepishly as she admitted that. "It's one of the many millions of things I love about you," he smiled at her lovingly.

She giggled as she couldn't stop smiling. "You're always so sweet to me." He loved seeing her smile and giggle, "Ugh! When is Mel coming home? My stomach is doing flips, it might have eaten itself...." "I'm sure she'll be back soon enough, vhenan. Patience," she encouraged as she cupped both of his cheeks with her hands. "My love, how long has it been since my last dose of Vir?" he smirked. She bit the corner of her lip in the way she knew drove him crazy as she leaned forward, her face just barely not touching his. "Why? Are you having withdrawals?" She teased with a low, sultry voice.

"Yeah, I think I am," he smirks and leans in to kiss her, stopping right before their lips touch. "I heard something once that the anticipation of a kiss drives people crazy." She smirks as she traces a single finger down his chest. "I've heard it applies to other things, too." She uses her other hand to grab his chin as she chuckles. "I'm curious if that applies." "Ahhh ha," he let out a nervous chuckle, "isn't that teasing?" "Is it?" she teased as she bit her lower lip with a smirk. She takes her hand from his chin and rakes a finger up his throat, trying to see how far she can push him. She watched him like a cat toying with its prey.

His breath hitches, his heart racing, burning with desire, he kept looking at her lower lip as she bit it, his tongue licked his lips. He needed to be strong and not be the first to break. He is still gazing in her eyes, a breath away, he picks her up and sets her directly on his lap, right where his desire was. He kept strong, but could she, like this? She whimpered as she landed on his lap. "So we're playing unfairly. Good to know," she whispered against his lips as she leaned against him, rolling her hips against his. "aaahhhh... Vir.... haaa.. Careful..." He was quivering. This was unfair. He groaned but kept his hands to himself. "Stay strong, buddy, stay strong! Don't give in!" He thought to himself.

"What's the matter, love?" She asked with a smirk as she slid her hands down his chest and rested them on his stomach. His breathing increased, blood pumping and rushing, and he was starting to feel uncomfortable in his clothes. "Virevadahl..." he placed his head in the crook of her neck. She chuckles darkly at his reaction. "You okay, vhenan?" She teased as she wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned her chest against his. He adjusted and bucked his hips upward, slightly rolling his hips against her. He groaned, "I'm fine." She inhaled sharply, biting her lip harder. She dropped her head and whispered against his neck, "Are you sure about that? You seem tense."

He was pulsating with desire and anticipation. He'd always been the one to break and take Ivey. He kinda wanted to drive her to that point. To jump his bones, so to speak. She was impressed he hadn't broken yet, but she was tired of waiting. In one swift movement, she knocked him back onto the bed, her hand landing on either side of his head as she smirked down at him. "I'm impressed," she teased with a chuckle as she leaned down and kissed along his neck. "This is a very pretty sight, you on top of me like this." he shifts in the bed, bucking his hips upwards into her. He smirked and bit his lip.

She groans into his neck. "Consider it your reward for not breaking first," she teased in a whisper against his skin. She licked a stripe from his collar to his ear along his neck, nibbling on his earlobe. "Vir.. I need you," he grabbed her, untying the bows on her dress, and removed his clothes. He was kissing her deeply, tongue gliding along hers. He groaned, moaned, and grunted in her mouth, "Only you, forever." He whispered against her lips. She whimpers as he does so, melting into his touch. "Gods, marry me already," she whispered against his lips as she kissed him hungrily with a fire she had not shown him before.

"Fuck, Vir!" he gasped in between kisses, "where has this feisty woman been?" his hands were holding her right under her bust. She chuckled at his reaction. "What can I say? Seeing you defend me earlier was pretty hot," she admitted as she continued to kiss him fiercely. "Mmm, so that's what I need to do to get you like this? Okay!" "Well, I've been defending myself for a while, so it was very nice to see you do that. My hero," she purred to him between kisses as she rolled her hips against his.

"Virevadahl, please allow me to satisfy you. Please," he was nearly begging at this point. He felt that he was going to erupt any second. "Gods, please, Oakley," she begged him in return, burying her face in his neck, leaving a fresh trail of love bites across his skin and down his throat. "Thank you!" he lets out a sigh of relief, lifting Ivey and lowering her onto him. "Fuck! Thank the creators!"

*****Later, she sat up in bed, doing her best not to disturb Oakley as she rolled over and grabbed the notepad she kept next to her bed. She hummed to herself as she jotted down some wedding ideas. He slightly awoke with the absence of Ivey. He opened his eyes to see that she was writing. He stretched and yawned, grabbing Ivey's waist with one arm and dragging her over to him. "Hey, beautiful," he said in a sleepy voice. She let out a small squeak as he dragged her to him. "Hey, handsome," she said to him as she set the notepad aside. She rolled towards him and cupped his cheek with her hand.

"Whatcha doing there?" he peeked over at the notepad. "Just writing down some ideas for the wedding. Any you would like me to jot down for you?" "Yeah. Get married," he chuckled, "can't sleep?" "I don't sleep well most nights these days. Figured I should try to tire my brain out, you know?" He sits up on his elbow. "Nightmares again?" She sighs defeatedly. "Yeah, pretty much every night since Weisshaupt. I thought they had settled down some, but now they're back and angrier than before. I'm surprised I haven't accidentally woken you up with them." He sighed, "The calling?..." She shook her head. "No, just the archdemon. It won't stop screaming. I wish someone would shut it up already."

"If I knew where the damn thing was, I would kill it. So you can sleep in peace..." "I know, love, and I appreciate that. Though, if I could ask a favor of you?" "Anything, my love." "Can we spend a night in Rivain soon? The nightmares seem quieter out there. I don't know why, maybe the sound of the ocean helps calm my mind when I'm sleeping. Either way, we need to get our shell, and I could use a good night's sleep," she said with a quiet chuckle, sadness tinging her voice. "Come on, love." he gets up out of the bed and dresses, then holds out his hand to her.

She looks at him, confused. "We don't have to go right this moment, vhenan," she said with a chuckle as she gave him a half-smile, knowing good and well she could use the rest. "No, my queen needs her rest. Harlowe is still at the Bungalow, so we'll head to the estate. There's a guest house, so we won't disturb Makuahine, if that's your worry. " She climbed out of bed and put the wrap dress back on, not wanting to fuss with finding a new outfit. "You spoil me, vhenan, but thank you. I appreciate it." Once she was dressed, she took his hand and leaned against his arm

"No, not spoiling you. Giving you what you deserve, which is the world." He picks Ivey up like a new bride, and he makes his way to the eluvian. She smiles warmly at him as he carries her. "I love you more than words can describe, vhenan." He gives her a gentle kiss, "I love you too."

[wickedadaar]

Leaves on the Vine: Affection

Featuring Oakley from @painfullstorms-blog

Co-written with painfullstorms. Pulled directly from Oakley and Ivey’s RP transcripts with minimal edits

Word count: 2,398

The next morning, she looked at him lovingly, tracing lines over his bare chest and abdomen with her fingers. The same lines she would trace with her tongue if given the chance. He was still asleep, but he was unknowingly playing with her braid and fiddling with the wooden bead. She chuckled as she felt him playing with her braid. "Good morning, vhenan." He lifts his head up and stretched, "AAARRRGGHHH. Good morning, my love." He wraps his arms around Ivey. "How'd you sleep?" he kissed the top of her head.

"Wonderful as always when I'm in your arms, vhenan," she said as she smiled up at him and gave him a quick kiss. "I think we need to speak about living arrangements, or at least the sleeping arrangements. I can't sleep without you in my arms, and I don't want to." "I would feel bad leaving Mel by herself. We can keep trading off on whose room we sleep in, but I agree. I can't sleep without you by my side and don't want to either." "I could just turn my room into a study and move in with you. That's, if you want to..."

"As much as I would love for you to move in with me, I wouldn't want to do that without talking to Ella. And, if I'm being honest, I like your room more than mine," she admitted sheepishly. "I get it, that's okay. We should probably discuss what we are planning on doing after the wedding. I won't sleep away from my wife.." "Oh, after the wedding, we're definitely moving into your place. I love waking up to the sound of the ocean. No question about it." "I know you think differently, but I hope by then Kaia and Mel have resolved their issues and are together again. I wouldn't want Mel alone like that... I wonder if the Caretaker could take my room and attach it to your joint space? I don't know, just rambling at this point."

"Hell, I would settle for them being friendly again," she chuckled. "I don't see why not. We can always ask them." "Would that bother, Mel? I think we need to include her since you two have been together. Harlowe is off on her own, other than the joint ownership of the Bungalow." "We won't make any drastic moves without talking to Mel, promise. Though I would be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to living with you." "I'm just looking forward to spending the rest of our lives with each other." he pulls her close and kisses her slowly, then more passionately and deeply.

She chuckled, "Me too, vhenan. You're going to be an amazing husband," she said before melting into his kiss, returning the passion and depth of it. "Vir, every time you say that, an electrical pulse surges through my entire body," he groans into her neck, "Gods.. Virevadahl.." "I'm just being honest, vhenan," she says with a low, sultry voice, chuckling as he groans into her neck. "I think we need to slow down with how often we are fooling around... I don't want to end up knocking you up when you're not ready."

"Says the person in this relationship with self-admitted low-restraint," she teased with a smirk. "That's fine, love. I'll just enjoy teasing you in the meantime." "I hate myself for saying that... I want you so badly right now it hurts," he awkwardly chuckled, his face still in her neck. "Do you think we should hold off until our wedding night? Sleep separately and all that? My parents said they did that." She laughed at his comment. "I'm inclined to say yes just to torment you, but I fear if I do that, my poor dress won't stand a chance. You really will rip it off of me," she teased with a smirk as she walked her fingers up his chest.

"We discussed you getting two dresses, remember? So I can rip it off you." he pulled her on his lap and groaned just thinking about what he wants to do to her is arousing him like crazy. She squeaked as he pulled her onto his lap. "I meant you'd rip the second one off of me, too," she teased with a chuckle. "I promise I'll get it tailored and fixed for you." his head goes back, and he lets out a weary sigh. "Fuck! I take it back! We aren't waiting, I can't!" He begins to move Ivey's hips on him.

She snorted a laugh. "See? Low restraint," she teased as she rolled her hips against him, ducking her head to leave a trail of kisses and love bites along his neck. "Vir, it's only you. It's only and will always be you." While she is kissing and biting his neck, his hands focus on her piercings and kiss and bite her ear. She whimpered at his touch, biting down harder out of reflex as she passed a hand over one of his piercings, trying to tease him further. He holds Ivey securely and rolls, now being on top of her, he slips his shorts off. "My love, lift your hips," he whispered on her lips. He was completely lost in her. She was all he could think about.

She let out another small squeak in surprise as he rolled them. She followed his command and lifted her hips for him. "Gods, I love you, Oakley," she whispered against his lips. He slipped her undershorts off when she lifted her hips. He whispered on her skin, "That's a good girl." He tossed them to the side and grabbed one of her thighs and brought it to his hip. He lined himself up, gasped, and groaned, "I love you so much, Virevadahl." When he entered ecstasy, he then kissed her deeply and passionately as they both got lost in one another.

*****

Some time later, she chuckled as she lay in his arms, with her head on his chest, listening to his heart beat. It was still a comfort for her. The nightmares had faded, but part of her was still afraid it could happen again. He looks down at Ivey lying on his chest. "I should talk to your sister, see if she knows any enchantments for jewelry to let you know the other is okay." "I've heard of enchanted bracelets where you can tap them, and the other person knows you tapped it. I don't know the magic behind it, though," she admitted absently as she nuzzled her head against his chest.

"I wonder if there's something that can make you feel the other's heartbeat. hmmm, I'll have to speak with Mel on that. So you never have to worry about my heart." She smiled warmly up at him. "Thanks, vhenan. I appreciate it. Sorry, I'm still a little spooked by the whole ordeal." "I understand, my love. I hate that I put you through that whole ordeal…" his voice trailed off. She leans in and kisses him gently. "Just promise not to do it again, okay?" "I can't promise that."

She chuckled lightly. "Yeah, I figured that was a long shot. Promise to avoid blood mages from now on, then?" "Now, that I can promise!" he pulls her up to his face and kisses her. "Good," she said decisively as she booped his nose and smiled at him. He smiled lovingly back at her. She kisses him again before tilting her head to the side quizically. "Have you thought about what you're gonna say to Mel?" "Nope! Not the slightest idea. First time I'm ever asking for someone's blessing."

"It better be!" she teased as she poked him in the chest. "Virevadahl, you realize you are the first woman I have ever fallen in love with, the only woman I will ever love. I wish I could say you're the only person that would have my heart, but we have to see what the future holds for us." He placed his hand on her lower abdomen. "And you are the first person I have fallen in love with. I thought I had found it before, but my love for you... nothing could ever match it. I would burn the world to make you smile if it came down to it." She cupped his cheek with her hand as she looked at him lovingly

"I should probably talk to your sister soon, and let's continue planning the wedding because I will not have you be my fiancée for long." "Oh? Is that so, vhenan? You plan to marry me so soon?" She teased with a smirk, already knowing the answer. She just loved hearing him say it. "Vir, I would have already married you, but I want to get your sisters' blessing, and I wanted to find out information on your clan and family. I want your bonding gift to be perfect. I want your proposal to be perfect. It's the least you deserve."

She couldn't stop smiling as she looked at him. She caressed his cheek with her hand as she traced her thumb across his cheek. "I know, I just love hearing you say it," she admitted quietly as she blushed fiercely. "I will scream it at the top of the lighthouse how much I love you!” She giggled as she tucked a stray hair behind her ear. "I will never get tired of you telling me that." He starts kissing her all over her face "I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you! VIREVADAHL! I FUCKING LOVE YOU! YOU ARE MY WORLD!"

She giggled harder as she tried to wiggle out of his grasp. "Oakley!" She only blushes harder with each word. "NOPE!" he held onto her tighter, "Not getting away from me!" He chucked "Hey, do you think, if I get you blushing enough, your vallaslin will turn purple??" "Oakley!" She said as she swatted him. "I hope we never find out. I don't think there's any return from blushing that hard." "I will still love you if you were a blueberry! Aww, my little blueberry! OR OR my little blue bell!" he attacks her with kisses again.

"Oakley!!" She tries to wiggle away again, squealing with laughter. He rolls, holding her, continuing to kiss her "MWUAH MWUAH MWUAH!!" Finally, she cups his cheeks with both hands to try and fend him off. "Why must you do this?" she asked through her laughter. "GASP!" "YOU HAVEN'T HEARD?! IT'S MWUAH BECAUSE MWUAH I MWUAH LOVE MWUAH YOU! MWUAH MWUAH MWUAH!" "OAKLEY!!" She yelled, still struggling against him, trying to stop the onslaught of kisses.

He paused, "Do you want me to stop loving on you?" "I want you to stop tickling me with your beard," she told him, still laughing. "Do you want me to shave it off?" She gasped dramatically. "Absolutely not!! I love your beard. It looks really good on you. It really only tickles when you give me a barrage of kisses." "What about like this?!" he sits up and holds Ivey up with him, barraging kisses all over her chest and torso. She continued to laugh as he kept kissing her, only now humming occasionally as his lips traced her skin.

He looks up at her, "Does this tickle?" he focuses on her chest again, then rolls the barbells with his tongue. Her heart jumped in her chest, and she inhaled sharply, leaning into his touch. "Not the word I would use to describe it," she said quietly with a chuckle. He smirks and lays her down in front of him. "Does this tickle?" he kisses all down her torso and hips, then licks up the space under her navel. She hummed at the sensation, biting the bottom corner of her lip as she looked down at him. "Gods, you are incorrigible," she pauses, and she inhales deeply. "I love it," she whispers as she runs a hand through his hair.

He lies on his stomach and wraps his arms under her thighs. "Vir... please.. keep your eyes on me." he kisses her inner thigh. "Watch me taste your pleasure," he kept his eyes on her the entire time, pupils fully blown but filled with immense love. He made sure she knew she was the one and only he wanted to worship.

*****

Later, she lay in his arms, recovering, as she made a mental list of all of the reasons why she loved him and he was the only man for her. First and foremost being that he treats her like a queen. "You okay, love? You look stuck in your head. She chuckled as she rolled to face him. "Oh, I am much more than just okay, vhenan." She teased with a wink as she smirked at him. "Yeah? You feeling good?" he smiles. "Heavenly," she said with a smile as her ears pinned back to reflect her emotions. "Better than I have in a long time." She whispered to him, her voice light and breathy.

"Gooood," he kisses her cheek. "Now," he grabs Ivey and yoinks her from the bed, "Let's get cleaned up and go about our day! Maybe visit your tea master to get some tea for Mel?" She squeaked in surprise as she pulled her from the bed. "Gods, alright," she said with a chuckle. As she approached her pile of clothes and put her dress back on, giving Oakley a wink, knowing what he would be thinking the entire time they were out. "Want to stop by your room and get different clothes?" he swallowed hard, remembering what he did to her in the dress.

"No, I'm content with this one. Besides, I get to know what you're thinking all day while we're out and about," she teased with a smirk and a wink. "You temptress, you!" She chuckled at his words as she gave him a small twirl. "Only a little. Besides, imagine getting to see me out and about in this, knowing what's beneath is all yours, vhenan." "Maker, Vir. You're trying to kill me," he chuckled. "Nah, I just like building anticipation, vhenan." She said with a chuckle as she put on her shoes.

[wickedadaar]

Rian's Photo Album 2.0

1.0 here