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thecapricunt1616 · 3 months

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The Bear & His Honey - Chapter 11

♡ Chapter Inspo: Song Lyrics; State Of Grace - Red(TV) TS "And I never saw you coming, and I'll never be the same"

♡♡》》𝟙𝟠+ 𝕆ℕ𝕃𝕐 𝔽𝕀ℂ! ℕ𝕆 𝕄𝕀ℕ𝕆ℝ𝕊 𝔸𝕃𝕃𝕆𝕎𝔼𝔻《《♡♡

♡ Summary: Carm goes to see Winnie after a long day at work, Winnie discovers that famous chefs like Carmy have fans & she introduces him to the world of fandom. They have a chat about BDSM and possibly exploring it more.

♡ W/C: 8,384

♡ Posted Date: 03/07/2024

♡ A/N: Helloooo all!! FIRST Just so y'all know for the story - Winnie is like 4'11 on a good day, Carmy/JAW is like 5'7/5'8 - so that's why Winnie seems so 'small' , they really have a normal height difference for a couple lol JAW is a short king. Anywho I saw a post abt. how there are actually fanfics for famous chefs and stuff and I looked it up- it is totally true!!! Loves it, So of course it inspired this chapter hehehe I feel like Carm would totally be an old man and not even KNOW what fanfic is but Winnie is a professional fangirl. Also - I am currently watching TS in Singapore & DBATCxBabe?!?!?!? IM SCREAMING!! Dead dead gone!! I predicted thissss heheheheh

♡ Warnings for BTC: Smutsmutsmut, BDSM talk, OH period sex (sowwy ik some people don't like that but u can skip and winniexcarm will be back next week with some fluffy goodness) getting lazy w these warnings but if you've made it this far in the fic nothing will trigger you i've already gotten most the triggering shit outta the way.

➵ 𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐭 ♡

➵ 𝐂𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐩 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐋𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 ♡

𝒲𝒾𝓃𝓃𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝒫.𝒪.𝒱. 🍯

When I heard a light knock at my door, I giddily jumped up from my comfy nest in bed I’d created for myself and dashed over, opening the door right away and Carmy dropped his hand away from the peephole, smirking.

“And what if I was a killer this time, did you even look?” he stepped in the doorway, wrapping his arms around my waist and his hands sliding down to squeeze my bum gently.

I laughed a bit, wrapping my arms around his middle, crossing my fingers, and draping my arms around him lightly. “I guess I was so excited to see you I’d have been dead, kisses now” I puckered my lips up and closed my eyes expectantly.

“Mmm…I’m expecting my test to be aced next time I come over yeah?” he pecks my lips sweetly and I open my eyes, furrowing my brows a bit before giggling.

“Test” I repeated, “You’re testing me?” I rested my forehead against his, gazing into the blue eyes I’d missed so much even though it’d only been 8 hours since I’d seen him last.

“Y’can’t open up the door without checkin’, baby. This is a decent area- but Chicago is fuckin’ nuts” he nudged the door closed with his foot and tightened his grip on my waist slightly, the feeling of the calouses over his fingers causing goosebumps to rise over my flesh..

“Fine, but only cause I’m sooo obedient..for you” I pulled him into another kiss, wrapping my fingers in his frizzy curls and humming happily. I ran my tongue over his, enjoying the taste of tobacco and the minty gum he must have gotten rid of just before he got here. I feel his tense muscles relax slightly under my touch as I gently scratched my nails against his scalp. We made out for a few heavenly minutes, our noses bumping sweetly, him running his hands up my waist to my lower back, rubbing soft, soothing strokes back and forth.

He pulled away slightly, causing my eyes to flutter open and find his gaze. “Hm?” I questioned and he smiled a bit.

“I uh- I smell like work, I need to shower, honey” he kissed my forehead tenderly, his lips lingering for a sweet moment.

I buried my face in his neck, inhaling deep and dramatically, letting out a satisfied hum which made him laugh, his chest shaking with movement.. “Mmmm…you smell soo good I love the way you smell Carmy, a little kitcheny, but still you,” I mumble into his shirt and he rubs up my back, his nails brushing over my ribs..

“You are fuckin’ weird babe,” he said, causing me to giggle and look up at him, resting my chin where it met his sternum and gazing up at him with a cheeky grin.

“Better get used to it, go and shower, pretty-boy- I can give you a massage after and everything if ya want. And I promise I’ll control myself this time” I said, pulling away with a step back. “Maybe” I added and he chuckled, grabbing his backpack from where he dropped it on the floor and heading to the bathroom.

“We both know you have shown little self-control around me while shirtless” he nudged it open, zipping open his backpack and dropping his usual grey sweatpants and boxers on the bathroom counter before tossing the bag on the floor.

I gasp playfully at his accusation, “I’m Sorry- are you calling me thirsty?” I stood in the doorway, arms crossed with a playful grin.

He hummed and shrugged, turning on the shower and tugging his hoodie off, and undershirt as well. Of course, I watched- what male-attracted person wouldn’t watch him undress if given the chance?

He brushes his hair back from the ruffling of the fabric, turning to pull the shower curtain open and I got the stellar show of watching his toned muscles flex beneath his skin as he does so.

He reached down, unbuckling his belt, the metal buckle jingling as he pulled it off with one long tug, an action that had me readjusting my stance in the doorway to ease the now pulsing ache between my thighs.

He unbuttoned his jeans, pulling the zipper down casually, and stepped towards the door, breaking my trance. “Mmhm…thirsty” he said softly with a smirk, pecking my lips before shutting the door in my face.I scoffed, blinking a few times in surprise and my cheeks going hot at the very true accusation.

“Oh wow! Wow! A girl can’t enjoy free eye candy in her own damn house in which she pays the bills!?” I called through the door as I headed to my room with a smile, hearing him chuckle a bit.

I laid back on my bed, opening my phone and going back to my scrolling on Tik Tok. It was about 10 minutes of senseless scrolling while listening to the water run- before, for some strange reason, I had the urge to click the search button and type in Carmy’s name.

It felt…a little creepy. But- I pushed the shame off telling myself its normal to want to see someone you’re seeing’s social media, so I decided to feed that little voice in my mind telling me it was a good idea.

And boy was it a great idea.

The first 20 or so videos were absolute fan-cams of Carmen from different interviews he’d done for different events, award shows, etc. and the comments were absolutely filthy- and also spoke to my very soul for the way he made me feel..

‘Oh- I KNOW it’s big- FS fs!!’

‘I need him in a way thats concerning to feminism- like..strip my rights away’

‘He seems SO unhinged&crazy abt his craft…I NEED him’

‘Chef- more like DADDY’

‘You KNOW he's ripped, look at the armsss- and the HANDS?! NEED EM AROUND MY MF THROAT!!!’

Each comment i’d read I was giggling more, but then- an even better thought popped into my mind, if theres fancams… There has to be fanfiction.

I nearly sprained a thumb opening my Tumblr app and typing in his name in the search bar. I giggled maniacally as if I just struck gold about 5 minutes later of digging through reposts of photoshoots he’d done fore magazines that I was amazed he didnt post on his personal instagram- when I struck the first one.

Little gasps and giggles left my lips as I continued to read through the post. Being honest with myself, I wasn’t giggling at the people posting- I was giggling because I knew Carm doesn’t have a clue about this- and I can not wait to see the look on his face when I tell him about it.

I was so engulfed in the story of some fantasy someone had about Carm roughly fucking them in over the counter in the kitchen, giggling at the idea, that I hadn’t even heard the shower water cut off.

I wish we could do that in the kitchen after everything was closed - but truth be told, Carmy is way too shy for public stuff, at least right now. But damn- after he leaves me in the mornings? I should be reading up on his tumblr tag for ideas because holy fuck- these bitches are filthy whores in the best way.

The bathroom door clicks open and he flicked off the bathroom light. “What’s all the gigglin’ out here missy?” he asked amusedly, coming over to now his side of the bed. I looked up to see him shirtless, clad in the light grey sweatpants I’d come to love so much that hung low off of his toned hips.

“Uh-” I said, the meer view of him completely erasing all previous thoughts from my brain. Fuck his curls are so much more pronounced when they’re wet, it drives me nuts. No wonder his chest is so curly…

“TikTok?” he asks when I don’t reply, instead just admiring his frame, kneeling on the mattress and getting in bed next to me and he sees the Tumblr app open with a screen full of text. “Readin’ then, baby?” he asks now, and I realize I still hadn’t said anything, my focus on the little curly patch of hair that adorned the middle of his chest.

“Everyone wants to fuck you” I said the first thing that came to my mind, my eyes flickering to his finally, and he laughed. His head fell back on the headboard, eyes crinkling up in amusement adorably.

“What?” he asked, poking my side playfully. “Who wants to fuck me? I haven’t gotten any offers as of late other than you, of course” he snorts and pushed his wet curls back off his forehead.

“N-no you’re like…famous, Carm, like- alot of people want to fuck famous chef’s.. I didn’t realize it before but it’s like..a kink? I guess? Like.. how I wanna fuck winged dudes, but some girls ultimate kink is a super sexy, awarded, top of the line chef ” I giggled and his eyebrows raised, a smirk forming on his lips.

“A kink?” he shakes his head amusedly, rolling his eyes lightly. “And who told you this baby. Sadie?” he asked and it was my turn to laugh.

“No! No, It was me, I figured it out… have- have you not looked yourself up on TikTok? People like, they make fancams with the interviews you’ve done at those um- the James Beard award things for the last few years? And the other interviews about how you’ve come up that you did back in New York..they’re like- people want you, Carm, really- like, you have these bitches pussys meowing.” I said with a giggle, smiling wide as a blush crept to his cheeks.

“The fuck is a fancam?” he asks, causing me to giggle.

“You are such an old man sometimes, you know that right?” I pecked his lips and he squeezed my cheeks when I try to pull away, smushing my lips into a dramatic pout.

“I’m only three years older than you, you know that right?” he said and kissed my lips once more before letting me go.

I laugh at his firmness on the matter. “Three years closer to 30, mister 27 and 24, 2 very different check points” I teased and went back to my tik tok likes. His eyebrows raised as he leaned in, wrapping his arm around my waist to pull me closer when he saw my last 13 likes in the previews contained his face.

“Should I be scared?” He mumbled into my neck with a soft chuckle, his minty breath hitting my senses.

“Mmm…Knowing you you’re gonna be all flustered, especially by the comments” I said, clicking on the first one. I smiled as I watched, “Look at that sexy little chef” I teased and he pinched my waist playfully as ‘Serpentine’ by The Gorillaz played in the background.

“S’what- people just like, look at me with music? Wait- why-why does it keep cutting to pictures of my hands from that article?” he questions, causing me to laugh and bury my face in the pillow at his pure obliviousness. “Hey! Tell me do I have weird hands?” he asks causing me to giggle harder.

“Carmen oh my god!” I catch my breath. “You are so oblivious to your hotness, its adorable. No babe, no. Everyone is turned on by your hands, your hands are like…girlporn.” I explained, and his eyebrows raised in confusion, his cheeks bright pink.

“Girlporn.” he repeats, and I nodded enthusiastically with an amused smile.

“I don’t believe that- I think y’re all makin’ fun of my hands, open the comments” he said and I roll my eyes playfully, obliging and reading some of my favorites out loud.

“Wow- these girls get me, Carm. ‘I know its big’ , ‘I need those hands around my neck-oops.’, ‘do you think he’s as passionate in bed as he is about the kitchen?’ oooo- I wanna reply and say yes to that one” I giggle and he takes my phone from my hand, scrolling. The light on his face accentuated his blush and he bit his lip in concentration as he scrolls.

“Who are all these people” he muttered to himself, causing me to laugh a bit.

“Your fanclub baby, I told you - people love you, and they love what you do and the passion you have for it” I kiss his shoulder gently. “You haven't even read the fanfiction yet” I giggled into his skin and he looks down at me, offering the phone back quickly.

“Show” he ordered, and I laughed. “Seriously, honey! Show! I’m frankly a little freaked out.” he said and I took the phone, going back to Tumblr.

“Babe, its nothing to be afraid of, they’re just horny 20-somethings like we are. And you’re like- mega famous? You’re like….Like- the Harry Styles of chefs! Of course like every bitch in culinary school is gonna be after your dick” I said, causing him to laugh.

“Oh my god- you really are something. C’mon, Read to me, about me- er how people think I am?” he chuckled and got comfy in bed, wrapping his arms around my waist and snuggling me into his chest.

“Mmm so I’m your personal book slash fanfiction reader now?” I said teasingly, resting my head back against his chest and he kissed the top of my head sweetly.

“Mhmm, and we can stay up as late as we want, I have tomorrow off” he said and I gasped happily, looking up at him with stars of pure joy in my eyes.

“You are?” I squeak with a broad smile and he beamed at my excitement, kissing my lips tenderly and resting his forehead on mine.

“Mmmhmm, all y’rs t’morrow babygirl, you workin’?” he asked and I withered a bit, realizing I did, in fact, have obligations tomorrow.

“No- well…kinda, I have therapy at 1, and then I have the rest of the day, but my sessions are 3 hours.” I said my eyes fluttering to his lips before meeting his again.

“Good girl” he said softly before kissing my lips dearly. My tummy flutters, and I feel warmth rush to my core at the name. He doesn’t know how much praise like that does to me.

I delicately run my fingers through his damp curls, opening my mouth for him and humming in satisfaction at the minty taste that flares across my tongue almost instantly. I looped a curl around my finger absentmindedly, relishing in the taste of him.

I interlaced our legs together, so every bit of possible flesh was being touched by him, soothingly running my calf along his. He huffs a small laugh into my mouth before pulling away.

“Are we close enough now baby?” He kissed my jaw gently and nuzzled his face in my neck. I smiled wide, interlocking the fingers of my free hand with his.

“Nope” I respond jokingly. Abruptly, I was being rolled over on top of him with one swift motion, only needing one of his arms to flip me like a ragdoll. I squeak in surprise, catching myself by straddling his hips with my thighs tightly and wrapping my arms around his middle, my phone lost someplace in the mass disarray of the blankets.

“There we go angel, can’t be closer.” he said, pleased at his work. He wrapped his arms around my back and tucked his hands under my shirt, rubbing long strokes over my skin.

“Mmm” I said happily, comfortably tucking my icy hands between his warm muscular back and the mattress “sooo warm” I said, giggling a bit when I sense him shiver slightly at the contact.

“Jesus babe. Why the fuck are y’r hands so cold” he murmured, gently grazing my back with his short nails causing my eyes to flutter shut in ecstasy

I sighed softly in appreciation “keep doin’ that bear, it feels really good” I expressed, nuzzling my face in the crook of his neck comfortably.

“Course babygirl” he said tranquily, causing a small smile to form on my lips.

“I love it when you call me names…” I said calmly into his skin, gently kissing his neck.

“I love it when you call me Bear” he replied lightly, squeezing my hip with the free hand that wasn’t doing the scratching.

“Good cause I love calling you Bear, it fits you, baby.” I kissed his jaw adoringly before sitting up slightly, resting my hands on his chest for support.

“Alexa, lights out bitch.” I said loud enough for the speaker to pick up, before laying back down.

“Okay, lights out, bitch.” The speaker replied before my tv shut off, as well as my lamps, the only glow in the room being my soft fairy lights. I feel Carms chuckle beneath me and I look down at him.

“I can’t with you..Y’re not gettin’ out of reading that to me, y’know. I wanna know what people think I’m like” he said and I roll my eyes with a smile.

“Fine- but I was only sparing you, a lot of the stuff they wrote is really filthy and I know you’re kinda shy” I settle back on his chest, holding my phone to the right of his shoulder where I could see.

“Now I’m really interested” he snorts and I roll my eyes.

“This one, is called Yes, Chef” I whispered the title in his ear seductively and nibbled at his earlobe, giggling when I felt his palm come down on my ass in a gentle spank.

“Cut it with the theatrics and read, honey” he said with a smile

“Okay! Ok fine. Here’s the summary; ‘Valerie is a 20 year old college student, who got a summer job as a food runner at Chicagos finest restaurant- The Bear, with world famous chef prodigy Carmen Berzatto, things got hot and heavy on her first day in the kitchen.’ ”

I read and he snorts a laugh. “Wow ok so firstly- she can’t even drink, way too young for me, and second- her first day?! Jesus people must think I’m a fuckin’ douchebag. The prodigy thing was a nice touch though.” he said simply and I giggled.

“Just wait. It’s not supposed to be like…realistic. It’s only a fantasy.” I explained and started reading. A few paragraphs in when it started to hit the plot point, he interrupts.

“Okay- what?” He laughs and I look up at him, an amused smile on his lips.

“Have you ever seen me wear rings in the kitchen? Ever?” He questions, raising his eyebrows.

“Oh my godddd” I groaned dramatically, giggling into his chest. “Carmy! Fantasy. The rings have purpose, just wait.” I said and he rolled his eyes, leaning down and kissing the top of my head.

“Fine. Continue, but this isn’t realistic. Rings are so unsanitary baby I’d never wear them in the kitchen” he rubs over my back gently.

I continued on getting through a few more paragraphs before my sneaky eyes betrayed me, reading slightly ahead “ooo this is where it gets really good babe. ‘I could barely reply, and he must’ve known that because he lets out an almost mocking laugh, and growls in my ear “like that mm? Little slut loves getting filled out by her boss on her first day?” he spanks me so hard the sound bounces off the walls, and I’m sure there will be a bruise-“

“Okay woah- I’d never hit you that hard what the fuck” he said, a bit shocked causing me to giggle.

“Why not?” I look up at him and his eyebrows furrow in concern.

“You want me to hit you during sex?” He questioned, his hands going still on my back. I shrug a bit, thinking it over.

“I’m more of a praise person, but if degradation like that gets you off- I think it’s hot. But…scenes like that where it’s all rough- it’s pretty emotionally draining. I’d just need more aftercare.” I said softly, gently tracing over the triangle on his chest with my forefinger absentmindedly as I spoke.

“Like…BDSM? You’re into that?” He asked and I put my phone down, nodding a bit.

“Yeah..I mean- yeah. You aren’t?” I asked, slightly anxious for the answer.

It didn’t bother me if Carm only wanted to have the same vanilla-esc sex we’d been having, but I would be much more fulfilled sexually if he would try more daring things out with me.

“I-I’ve never um…done it. Like- not…not anything real like- spanking, sure- but I’ve heard it’s like a whole…culture of stuff, and I don’t- I don’t really understand it.” He said quietly, his cheeks going pink.

I smiled a bit, leaning in and kissing his lips tenderly, gently cupping his cheeks and rubbing my thumbs along his stubble. Had he even went home, or did he come straight back here? My heart fluttered at the idea of him being so excited to get back to me, he didn’t even bother stopping at home.

“We can learn what you like, together baby.” I said softly when I pulled away, gently stroking his cheekbone with my thumb.

“What do you like?” He asked, equally as quiet as he gazed into my eyes. I could see all the curiosity behind his icy blues, and it almost made me giddy that I was the one who got to properly introduce him to this world.

“The part of BDSM I like, is more psychological control than physical. I do like bondage, I love breath play, impact play is a maybe. I like being spanked, I’ve thought about belt play for sure - but I do not want you to slap me across the face or shove me around in like… a mean way. But what really turns me on is the dom-sub dynamic outside the bedroom. I’ve never had like- a real dom but I’ve wanted one. A soft dom... But I don’t do like…hookups, or friends with benefits. I want it intertwined in to my actual romantic life..which can be kinda hard to find. But…I could see you being really good at the soft dom thing.” I expressed, playing with his curls gently as I talked with my cheek flush to his chest.

“I know what Dom and sub is..but what’s soft Dom? Like- a Dom that isn’t good enough er- like.. Strong enough to be a full dominant?” He questions and I sit up from his chest, my gaze meeting his one more quickly.

“Baby, no…no. Absolutely not. You are fucking amazing. A soft dom is a preference. Just like I said how I love praises, soft doms use rewards more then punishments. Instead of demanding something out of a sub, like- forcing it out of them, they’ll give an order a precise order, and patiently wait for their submissive to follow it, and then they reward their sub, instead of punishing because they were made to wait or something... That’s an attitude I think you’d take on really effortlessly, just cause of your job and the tolerance it requires” I explained and he nodded a bit, his hands once more continuing to rub soothing strokes along my skin.

“So…you like being told what to do, but in a nice way?” He questioned, and I nodded with a smile.

“Exactly. And I love praises when I’m doing something you like. Soft dom’s aren’t about humiliation or degradation, which I don’t think you are. Just from what we’ve done…but- do you like degrading?” I asked and he bit his lip for a moment as he thought.

“No…no- I dunno…I don’t wanna hurt your feelings baby, isn’t the point of sex to feel good?” He questioned and I gently stroke his cheek, my heart turning to goop at his honesty in the question.

“Mmhmm, some people feel good when they’re being mean like that though. It’s all consensual, I think if I was into that it would be because I want to take back control, y’know? In a way, being slapped around as a woman- I guess in a situation that you’re controlling it can help us feel…safer?” I shrug a bit “but you aren’t a sadist Carm, we don’t have to do that.” I rest my cheek back on his chest, continuing to rub my fingers over the little curly patch of hair in the middle of his pecs.

“Well t’me it would just feel…wrong? Like..to call you a slut or something.” I giggled a bit, resting my chin on his chest again to look at him.

“You can do it in a nice way y’know? I’m talking about like- for instance ‘all you’re good for is being a slut’ I don’t like that. But if you were like ‘That’s it my good little slut you’re doing such a great job for me’ I’d probably love it. Because to me it’s like- If I’m your slut, if I belong to you.. it’s different than being just a slut- I guess I probably have a bit of an ownership kink.” I giggled and he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

“Where’d you learn how to talk like that Jesus” he muttered, his hands sliding down and squeezing my ass firmly. “I…” he trails off for a moment.

“What baby? Tell me” I said encouragingly.

“I think..” he clears his throat. “I think I like praise too?” He said his cheeks going flaming red at the admission. “I-is that normal f’r guys t’like that?” He asked quietly, clearly anxious that he’d possibly said something wrong.

“Yes, yes baby, thank you for telling me, what kind of praise do you like?” I asked, gently tracing the veins along his neck with a feather-light touch.

He swallows thickly, goosebumps covering his skin. “Um..I- I dunno…but it- I-I guess the idea sounds nice? C-can you give me some examples..maybe?” He asked nervously, his thumbs rubbing circles into the flesh of my bum that he was still holding on to firmly.

“Mm..well it’s not so much of an example as it is a real thought I just haven’t said out loud.. when we were in the shower and you were all bossy telling me to bend over, that was so fucking hot. I think about it all the time when I’m getting off, it always gets me there.” I smirk, gently playing with his chain between my fingers, tugging lightly.

His pupils dilated, drinking in my words and I could see that he was contemplating something behind his gaze. “So…you like it when I give you orders like that? Like..Bossin’ you around? I honestly felt kinda bad after” he said softly and I nodded.

“I love it. Also when you praised me for how well I take your huge cock, that was so good baby.” I kiss his neck, gently nipping the sweet spot below his pulse point and he groans softly, his grip on my ass tightening.

“Fine… Then get on your back.” He said lowly, his voice husky with lust. Without a second thought, I plop on my back, spreading my legs to make space for him.

“As you wish.” I said with a satisfied smile and he straddled me, his weight pushing me into the bed and he held himself up by his muscular arms on either side of me, caging me in. His chain dangled in front of my face teasingly, and I took it between my teeth.

“Fuck you look so hot like that baby” he said softly, causing my proud smile to grow.

I dropped it from my teeth “I want you to own me Carmy” I said softly, my hands trailing up his muscled chest.

“Ye’ baby? You wanna be mine?” He kissed my neck with hot, open-mouthed kisses, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. My eyes fluttered shut, my stomach full of a swarm of butterflies, and my core on fire. I gasp in pleasure as he nips the spot on my neck that drives me wild, my chest arching up and becoming flush with his.

Suddenly, I’m reminded of my current situation.

“Wait” I said softly and he immediately stopped, pulling away and sitting up slightly.

“Did I do something?” He asked nervously, carefully pulling down my shirt that had been pushed up in the heat of the moment.

“No…it’s…” I blushed, covering my face in embarrassment. “It’s my fault- We can’t t’night I’m sorry,” I said shame lacing my voice. I feel his hand around my wrist, gently tugging.

“Honey, look at me- what’s wrong?” He pulled my hand to his lips and kissed it gently.

“I’m- I’m on my period and…I don’t wanna disgust you so- so no.” I huff, crossing my arms over my chest, staring at the ceiling more annoyed with myself than anything.

“If it’s a me thing baby- I don’t care. I’ll wear a condom if you want, we can put down a towel. I’m definitely not afraid of a little blood.” He said sweetly, gently resting his hands on my hips and squeezing affirmingly.

I felt a hard lump in my throat, and tears began pooling at the back of my eyes as my lip begins to quiver. He noticed and his lips curled into a small frown “we- we don’t have to angel, I’m just telling you that I don’t care if you’re bleeding- It’s- it’s fine, princess, we can just cuddle” he said gently and I nodded.

“I know-“ I whisper, the tears making their way to my lash line and threatening to spill over.

“Then why’re you cryin’, pretty girl?” He gently swipes his thumb under my eye, collecting the tears that had gathered.

“Cause” I sniffled. “Cause you’re perfect Carmen.” I cup his cheeks and pull him into a deep kiss, my eyes squeezing shut and more tears falling down my cheeks.

He pulled away gently “don’t cry Angel, please don’t cry” he whispers, brushing away my residual tears and kissing my damp cheeks before resting his forehead on mine. “Do you want to? I want to, baby. But what I want more is what you want.” He whispered, looking in to my eyes honestly.

I smiled a bit, nodding slightly against him. “Yes” I whisper. “But I just feel…all mushy now- and…I don’t wanna fuck” I said and I saw the disappointment behind his eyes, but of course he didn’t let it show otherwise.

“I want you to make love to me.” I whispered, kissing his jaw tenderly in a line up to his lips. He smiled softly against my lips, humming softly.

“Anything you want, princess.” He said softly before kissing my forehead tenderly.

I smile warmly, my hands trailing up his sides, “let me go get a towel..” I said softly, and he shifted onto his side of the bed, sitting up against the headboard. I sit up and looked at him before getting up, grabbing his hand and squeezing gently.

“Promise if you get grossed out- we’ll stop? A-and…and that you won’t see me differently.” I said meekly, in frantic need of reassurance.

“I told you, honey, you could never gross me out, and being intimate while you’re on your cycle won’t change my feelings for you. I love being close to you, nothing could change that” he conveyed sincerely, before bringing my fingers to his lips and kissing gently.

I nod, “ok,” I said quietly. I got up and padded off to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me. I used the restroom quickly and prepared myself by wiping down with some baby wipes, even though I’d just showered a few hours prior (you could never be too careful) - and washed my hands before grabbing an old towel from the bathroom closet. I took a deep breath to settle my nerves before opening up the door again.

“I just- don’t um…finger me. You can touch me but- no- no fingers..please” I said shyly and sat on the bed, plopping the folded towel on the edge.

“You got it, honey, thanks f’r tellin’ me- now c’mere” he patted his lap gently. I shuffle over on my knees, straddling him and sitting on his thighs gently.

“Can we…can we turn off the lights?” I ask softly and he nodded.

“Whatever will make you most comfortable baby, I’m fine with whatever you want.” He kissed my jaw sweetly.

I leaned down and kissed his neck gently, leaving soft, lingering kisses down and around his throat, trailing down, grazing my teeth along his skin as I did so and kissing his collarbones gently. “You have such a nice chest Carmy” I said softly, kissing the base of his throat sweetly.

“I could say the same thing about you, can I take this off honey?” He tugged the hem of my shirt gently, and in response I sit up and lifted my arms. He slips the fabric off, throwing it somewhere on the floor and sat back, eyes racking over my frame causing my cheeks to heat.

“So fuckin’ perfect.” He mutters, his large hands cupping my breasts and thumbs rubbing over my nipples causing them to perk up almost immediately.

“Do you like my piercings?” I asked softly, one of my hands coming up and cupping his gently. He looked at me as if he was shocked I'd even ask the question.

“Babe- y’re so fuckin’ hot. You have the nicest tits I’ve ever seen. I’m obsessed with these” he squeezes them together for emphasis, causing me to giggle and I felt all of my tension and insecurity melt away.

“Yeah? What do you like about ‘em?” I asked with a smirk, amused at his boyish affinity for breasts, running my hand down his forearm and squeezing gently.

“Fuck yes. So many things. I love how they’re the perfect handful for me, like they fit fuckin’ perfect in my hands honey. And they’re so soft, and so perky, and fuckin’ bouncy- c’mere I need ‘em” he pulls me to him, kissing over my flesh with hot, wet smooches before taking one of my nipples in his mouth and suckling gently, his tongue playing with my jewelry causing me to moan out loudly in pleasure.

I’d never been ravished this time of the month before- and to be quite honest, it was slightly overwhelming just how sensitive I was.

I gasped slightly at the feeling of his teeth gazing at the sensitive bud, my chest arching into him and pathetic whimpers falling from my lips. “Carmy - fuck I love your mouth s’much” I grind my hips into his, feeling his length already rock hard beneath me. He moaned slightly into my skin, the vibrations against my nipple sending a crashing wave of pleasure to my core that caused my hips to buck into his and my hand to fall flat to his chest to try and ground myself, his thumping heart resting beneath my palm.

“Fuck - take these off” I said, tugging at his sweatpants. “I- I don’t wanna ruin them with a stain they’re my favorites” I breathe out, pulling at the waistband more. He chuckles into my skin, pulling away from my nipple with a pop and gazing up at me with dark, lust filled eyes, the blue almost completely swallowed by the black saucers of his pupils.

“How do you want me angel?” He asked, resting his chin on my breast and not breaking my gaze. His lips were puffy and swollen from the assault on my nipple, glistening with saliva.

“I-“ I felt my cheeks heat, my stomach flipping with anxiety at the realization of the intimacy I really wanted. I swallowed thickly before continuing. “I- I want you to be on top of me…like…like earlier? When you were pressing me into the bed it…it made me feel safe” I brushed a hand through his curls.

A small blush heated his cheeks and he smiled a bit. “Yeah princess? Ok..I liked that too. I wanna see y’re pretty face” he said softly, brushing my fringe away from where it had hidden my eyes slightly.

I kissed his lips tenderly before grabbing the towel, laying it down on my side and smoothing it out. I realized, without the glow of the moonlight pouring in that was cut off by the curtains, it was pitch black on my half of the bed. “Can you- um…open the shade a little?” I ask him when he got up to slip his sweatpants off.

“Course baby, no one can see us right?” He joked, going over and pulling open the curtain and soft moonlight flooded the whole room, just enough.

“I think it’s dark enough in here for no one to get a free show” I giggled, laying back and making sure my hips were fully on the towel so I wouldn’t stain my silk sheets. I sat up a bit, pushing my hair behind me so I or he wouldn’t pull it by accident before settling back down, spreading my legs once more for him.

He stood at the end of the bed, like me, in nothing but his underwear. His large hands curled over his hips as he admired my frame. I blushed, suddenly feeling as naked as I was, and I resisted the urge to cover up my breasts with my hands. “You are so fuckin’ beautiful, Winnie” he said softly, kneeling on the bed and coming up to me, wrapping my thighs around his middle and kissing up from my navel to my neck in long, open mouth kisses, marking me with his saliva. The chill of the air conditioning after each kiss eventually brought on a small shiver that turned into raised goosebumps.

“You make me feel so beautiful” I said softly, my eyes fluttering shut and head falling back to the pillow in bliss as he ravished me with adoring kisses over every inch of bare skin.

“Mm well that’s because you are, you’re the most captivating girl I’ve ever seen” he whispered in my ear gently, his voice laced with a certainty that he believed what he was telling me.

I swallowed thickly, my breath hitching when he bites down on my neck gently, sucking on the sensitive skin. “I want to be yours Carm. Only yours- please” I breathe out, my arms curling around his back and fingers drawing little patterns over his muscles lightly. He bit down on my skin harder, sucking roughly.

There will surely be a bruise.

I moaned softly, one of my hands trailing up to wrap in his soft curls and play with them between my fingers. “Yeah?” He mumbled into my skin, peppering kisses down my jaw “Y’want me to own you, baby? Mmm? Y’want everyone to know that you belong t’me?” He asked gently in my ear, his hot breath and husky voice laced with desire hurling waves of warmth to my core.

“Please-please own me Carmy. Make love to me” I begged quietly, my voice trembling with want and anticipation. He rested his forehead on mine, nuzzling the tip of his nose against mine sweetly.

“You’re the only person I’d ever want to make love to, honey” he whispered into my lips before kissing me hungrily. I moan at his words, opening my mouth for him and dragging my tongue across his, needing more of him.

I lifted my hips when I feel hip pat my bum, and he pulls my panties down to my knees, breaking our kiss to trail kisses up my leg before he drapes it over his side to peel off the barely-there fabric, flinging it to the floor before wrapping my leg securely back around his waist.

“I need you” I voiced softly, my fingers trailing down his chest to his snail trail, delicately hooking my fingers in his waistband and pulling him free. His length eagerly pops out and slaps against his stomach, making me smile proudly.

“Do you need me?” I ask quietly, wrapping my fist around his length and stroking him gently, giving him the firm tug he loved.

He groans, his head falling back slightly and eyes fluttering shut as I run my thumb over his slit, spreading the precum all over his rosy head. “Fuck baby- so bad. I miss your pussy so fuckin much” he breathes out, whimpering and grabbing my wrist when I started massaging his tip firmly with my thumb.

“Ah-ah-mmm-baby” he whines, gripping my wrist tighter “fuuck- shit Y’re gonna make me cum, s-stop- please- I-I still wanna fuck you” he whimpered and I gently lowered my hand, continuing to do slow languid strokes over the bottom half of his length and I see his muscles relax as if I’d just taken him right off the edge.

“That’s how it feels when you rub my clit- more or less.” I said and he gently pushes me to lay back, causing me to lose my grip on him.

“I’d say less considering-“ he spread my lips with his ring and forefinger, dragging his middle finger just barely brushing over my clit causing my hips to buck into his palm and a soft moan to escape my lips. “Takes barely anything t’get you worked up baby, you were chokin my cock- not a fair comparison” he teased with a smirk, leaning in and kissing me warmly.

I cry out in his mouth when he flicks his finger over the extremely sensitive bud, “see baby? Y’re already so worked up… I love those sexy little noises you make” he hums in my ear, rubbing me in achingly slow circles.

“Oh- fuck yes- yes-yes Carmy just like that” I whine out, tightening my heels in his back to pull myself closer. He adds more pressure and I gasp out, grinding my hips against his hand, so aching for more friction he barely had to move his fingers to get me off at this point.

“That’s it honey” he leans down, taking my nipple back in his mouth and my core clenches around nothing which he feels beneath his hand causing him to smile lightly, his tongue flicking over the nipple.

I let out a breathy “ahh” at the wave of pleasure that washes over my core at the action.

“Mmm you’re humpin’ my hand like a horny little bunny right now baby, it’s adorable” he mutters into my skin and I smiled lazily, opening my eyes to look at him.

“Not my fault your hands are better at the job then mine are” I circled my hips, and he took back over, rubbing quicker but lighter circles into my heat that made my stomach tighten and head fall back on the pillow with a breathy “oh”. My breathing quickens, my core tightening, that familiar building beginning to wash over me and my eyes twisting shut, nose scruching in focus.

“Y’gonna cum f’me, bunny? Mmm? I know that adorable face baby, you close? Y’gonna cum f’me angel?” He cooed teasingly, kissing my collar bones and nipping gently. I whimper at the use of the new name, my eyebrows furrowed together in pleasure.

“Ah! mm-mmhmm” I managed to ramble out, my mind going blank other than the overwhelming tightness in every muscle.

“Hey, hey, lemme see those pretty eyes, princess” he kisses the corner of my mouth sweetly. “Mm? Please Baby? Can I see those pretty eyes while you cum for me?” my eyes fluttered open and met his, seeing him smiling sweetly. “Oh you are such a mess and we’ve barely started angel, such a good girl- my good girl” he said, and with that- I was thrown over the edge into my orgasm full force.

My hips bucked up, my clit pulsing, warmth flooding every inch of my body as the pleasure overtook me. “Yesyesyesyes” was all that I could manage to get out of my mouth, my breathing ragged. I pulled him to me, kissing him feverishly, the sound of lips the only audible while I rode out my high.

“I need you” I mumbled between hot, wet kisses. “I need you inside me,” I said, before kissing him again.

He adjusted my hips, pulling away briefly and ripping open a condom with his teeth that he blindly grabbed from my nightstand he’d left out for us a while ago, and rolled the latex over his throbbing member. “Ribbed huh?” He raised his eyebrows teasingly and I giggled.

“More fun f’me- especially with a huge cock like yours” I pull him back to me with my legs and chuckled as he lines himself up, holding himself up with one arm.

“I’m honestly surprised you can take all of it.” He said, nudging his tip in and I moaned, dropping my head back and eyes fluttering shut. “Fuck” he grunted, pushing in deeper. “Y’re fuckin tight babe- are you sure y’re ok?” He looks up at me and in response I nod, my jaw dropped wide in pleasure and eyes shut lightly, breathing heavy.

“Fuck- oh my god please- please- more” I begged him, grabbing his hand and interlacing our fingers. He gently kissed my forehead as he pushed himself into me to the point our pelvises were flush and I let out a loud whiny cry at the sudden pressure.

“Yes fuck- I feel so full-s’good” I whine out. He moaned softly as he thrusts out to the tip before going all the way back in, the ribbed tip of his cock brushing right up against my g-spot in a way that makes my hips jerk and I let out a soft “ah”, stars forming behind my eyes. He wrapped his forearms around my thighs, pulling me higher up in his lap and wrapping his arms around my back, holding me over the bed with his hands on my shoulderblades as he started a quick snap of his hips, moaning out as his head fell back.

“Fuckkk baby. Y’re so fuckin’ good t’me letting me have you like this- shiiit- s’fuckin’ tight baby y’re swallowing my fuckin’ cock right now” he grunted out in absolute ecstasy.

But it fell on deaf ears because this new position he had us in had me swimming through an ocean of pleasure and I couldn’t think of anything other then how deep he was, and how he was hitting spots I’d yet to discover myself or with any other partner. I could feel him in my stomach - and I’d have thought before now, someone so big would hurt, but it was as if we were molded for each other's bodies, he filled me up like a fucking puzzle piece.

“Mm? How’s it feel baby? You ok?” He slows down his movements, breaking me from my trance and I cupped his cheeks, resting my forehead on his.

“Carmen” I whisper, my hands trembling with pleasure.

“What? What- baby, am I hurting you?” He asks his voice laced with worry.

“No- no. I need you- I- I need you to keep fucking going. Don’t stop. Unless I tell you. To stop. Understand me? I’ve never felt so fucking amazing- I can’t even think baby- I can’t even fucking cum right now- i’m trying to process this level of pleasure, you’re fucking me dumb right now- please, please don’t fuckin’ stop.” I rambled out and stroke his jaw gently and he continues his slow pace. “F-Faster, and harder. Please” I said, kissing him deeply and moaning into his mouth when he did so.

I pulled away, gasping in pleasure as he thrusted into my gspot, my hand gripping his shoulder and the nails digging in to the skin, causing half moon shapes “there” I squeaked, my eyes screwing shut. He rested my back against the headboard for support, before snapping his hips faste straight into that spot. The only sounds in the room were now his soft satisfied grunts, wet sounds of him drilling into me, the clapping of skin, and short sweet little ‘ah…ah…ah…’ noises spilling from my lips unintentionally at the force of his every thrust.

Before I could even warn him, my walls are pulsing and fluttering around him wildly as one of the most intense orgasms of my life crashed over me like a tsunami, my hips bucking wildly and thighs quivering uncontrollably. I cry out, my back arching up and my fists white from grabbing the sheets so hard. I could have sworn I felt one of my nails crack under the pressure of my grip.

“Mmmm- cumming- cumming!!” I muttered urgently between heaving breaths when I could finally get a coherent word out, causing him to whimper softly as he continued on the same pace to his release.

He grips my hips tight enough to bruise, his head falling forward as he chases his own release “fuck- gah- me too babe- ah” he grunted as he spilled into the condom, laying me on the bed gentle as he could in his exhaustion and limply collapsing over my frame as he catches his own breath.

He lets out a breathy moan as my walls continue pulsing around him as I come down from my own release “holy fuck babe.” He breathes in to my skin, “fuuuuck” he sits up slightly, pulling me in to a heated kiss. I hum softly, my mind still fuzzy but happy he didn’t pull out right away.

Once he pulled away from the kiss I smiled lazily, utterly fucked out from one round. “That was so amazing Carmy. I’ve never came like that before- like- that was a round three kinda orgasm, you did sooo good Bear, thank you” I said sweetly, playing with his chain gently and adjusting the pendant.

“It was perfect honey, ‘took me so well” he kisses down my jaw and neck, I hummed in satisfaction.

“Don’t pull out yet, I wanna stay like this, please” I said softly, running my fingers over his back. He chuckled softly into my skin

“Okay babygirl, whatever you need” he gently brushed my hair out of my face and cups my cheek. “I like it when we get to be so close like that…when we have sex” he said quietly, bringing a smile to my lips. “Me too” I whispered, leaning in and kissing him tenderly.

➵ 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫

#carmen berzatto #the bear fic #carmy berzatto #carmen berzatto fanfiction #carmy berzatto fanfiction #the bear fanfiction #carmy berzatto x oc #carmen berzatto x oc #carmen berzatto smut #carmy berzatto smut #the bear fx #the bear hulu

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litenmyra · 3 months

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Borrower Aether & Neuvillette - Introduction (Genshin Impact G/T)

A very very short chapter introducing the two main subjects of the fic! I wanted to test the waters with writing, and a chapter fic at that, so I'm making something off of an idea I've had for a while now! I am actually writing this without having even entered Fontaine in the AQ (still not done w/ Sumeru's) but I adore Neuvi too much not to make something g/t related with him in it! I urge anyone who sees any mistakes with my grammar, spelling, missing words, etc. to point me the right way so I can make this a learning journey too. Otherwise I hope you all enjoy this small introduction! <3 Warnings: Spoilers for the 4.2 Archon quest! Probably incorrect french to, I used the translator for it, so if someone knows french please tell me if it the right way to spell "the little café"

The pitter-patter of the rain was relentless. Shaking the glass panes with each hit, accompanying it too was the rolling thunder that without mercy grated the smallest of critters' ears.

However, certain small creatures were happy with the lengthy periods of rain. Aether could easily be described as such an example. For a borrower like himself it was nothing short of a blessing with how the rain easily drowned out his steps and tinkering with even the smallest of drizzles. Running inside these stone walls, however, humans would not be able to hear him either way. On top of that, he didn’t even have to hide from any rodents where he now resided. The odd spider or pill bug was all that Aether had witnessed.

No, how Aether would consider himself more than blessed this time, was how the man occupying the office the borrower usually roamed through was always out of it the moment the day's forecast predicted as much as the smallest of drops. Almost as if the water magnetized him. Never would he question the habits of this strange man, in part afraid that it would jinx his opportunities to scour the place for things easily offered up when the large room was empty. The small blond faced the large blue window from where he stood on the desk, making sure all was quiet within the room. The rain had been going on for a while, so no amount of caution taken was too much when in his shoes.

The coast was clear as springwater.

With a silent tact he made his way over to the teacup that was ever so perfectly placed in its everyday spot.

He put a foot into the handle, slightly testing the fullness of the cup with his own weight, making sure there was no wobble to it. The teacup remained steady, showing no signs of tipping over, even as he now balanced his whole body on the porcelain. As expected.

With a practiced meticulousness, Aether used his momentum and swung himself up onto the rim of the teacup to see his usual reflection mirroring him in the clear water below. Bingo!

He quickly fetched the handsewn leather pouch that adorned his belt, bringing it to the surface to scoop up some of the water. The pouch filled smoothly, sagging with the liquid it now carried.

Aether took a piece of twine and twisted it around the lip of the pouch, easily tying it back onto his belt.

Done! And now ready for- Wait.

The rain had abruptly started to recede outside.

The boy strained his ears, remaining unmoving for a second. Okay, the room was just as silent as it had been only a moment ago. Aether knew however, that after the rain came sunshine, and having observed the man who worked within these walls, with sunshine the office would all too soon be occupied once more.

Hopping off the cup, there was no time to spare. He was quick down the desk, with a whip of his hand the hook came loose, he gathered it as he ran off to the crack in the wall.

He would have more rainy days ahead to take advantage of, and as he had quickly caught on during his stay here, was that there was no shortage of rainy days. – The Iudex entered his office with heavy shoulders. Yet, having met briefly with Lady Furina on his way back, he couldn’t help but feel that today's burdens had lifted, if only ever so slightly. They had discussed nothing short of the mundane, Furina had more and more to tell on that particular front. Neuvillette couldn’t help but chuckle slightly at remembering the immensely vast types of pasta that the woman had shown him when she had also given him a little shopping haul. It seemed she’d never tire of it.

As with any busy day, however, for both former Archon and Chief Justice, their duties had led their meeting to an end.

It was no coincidence that after the small chat between both, the skies had cleared enough for the sun to shine through upon the city again. The man settled in his chair, looking at the relatively scarce pile of paperwork compared to the new documents he stashed just beside them. With all this day had brought him, good and bad, he just needed a small refresher. Neuvillette reached for the teacup that was placed in its usual spot, bringing it to his lips. Sipping carefully on the water in it. No longer was he surprised by the slightly leathery taste it carried. It used to surprise him, as it had never occurred merely a few months prior, but he figured that with the new upholstering of the furniture in the room, the leathery smell had lingered. Nevermind that, the freshness of the water still overpowered it. Placing the cup back onto its coaster, Neuvillette eyed the documents before him. They read of a case he had scheduled the following week. It read about suspected thievery in ‘La Petite Pâtisserie’, a café just south of the court. Cozy, was the general word of mouth that had reached Neuvillette. Dutifully reading the case, the old dragon caught sight of something peculiar; a single ‘a’ in the lines of words appeared to have been smudged. This was nothing unusual per say, excess ink bringing with it stains was not something rare, especially with the printing press’ newfound popularity across the nation. Heaven’s know how often the printing blocks needed a clean, and with time a replacement, as the surfaces were worn down and rendered insufficient.

He had gotten to know most about this when he not too recently had a case on his table regarding the growing urgent matter of the suppliance of letter blocks, yet how difficult that was to achieve with their costly production; many of the industries involved in the procedure had suffered losses when their major deals with big magazines and newspapers had been nullified, as inevitably the cost, the production, and the wearing all had resulted in nothing short of illegible prints. But the details of that legal case were of no significance right now. The orderly man brought his gaze closer to the document. It was an almost insignificant imprint to the average person, were you to skim through it all it would look like nothing but an innocuous spillage, but Neuvillette could discern it clearly from the odd ink blot. Yes, the letter’s ink had bled into what almost looked like a small shoe print. The Chief Justice raised a brow at this discovery.

‘How intriguing.'

#g/t #giant/tiny #gt #giant tiny #genshin g/t #aether g/t #neuvillette g/t

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svntxnc · 11 months

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A Chance Taken, A Heart Broken

W/C : 1.3k words (I’m proud of this idc!)

Warnings : swearing, mentions of using and cheating

Pairing: Actor!mark x Actor!reader

Summary: giving your bestfriend mark a chance.. BUT THERES MOREEE

[ MONDAY, JUNE 12TH 9:37 PM ]

“take a chance with me. sounds risky, I know but please even consider it.” the words came out of his mouth. seeming hopeful but yet, unsure? you stare at him in shock, just standing there. in some random field that he ’spontaneously’ took you to, the winds were blowing through your hair as he stands there, waiting for a response.

“I like risks.” the words came out of your mouth almost like it was nothing, keyword : ’almost’. that was a lie. you were terrified of giving him a chance. you weren’t sure if you could give him a chance considering that you know how he acted his past relationships. well, you were his best friend for almost what? 7 years? and unluckily enough, you’ve sadly fallen for him for those exact 7 years. sounds stupid to hope and wait for someone for that long but hey, cant blame someone for being In love. even if its ridiculous.

[ TUESDAY, JUNE 20, 8:45 PM ]

It’s been a few days since you’ve given mark a chance. “lets go out tomorrow?” he said while hugging you tightly “alright.” you said confidently. that’s how you got here in the first place, in a Restaurant. waiting for him patiently while knowing deep down. that he wasn’t coming at all.

[ 9:21 PM ]

You got tired of waiting, ’weird considering that you waited 7 years for him and cant spare a few hours to wait for him to arrive’, the voice in your head states. they weren’t wrong. maybe I was just idiotic to give him a chance in the first place? will he change? is he just playing with me? questions of uncertainty filled your head as you left the Restaurant. walking out the doors, you spot a familiar face, it was mark.

“hey.” he says as he slowly approaches you “I know I’m late but. can I make it up to you?” he says as you look at him strangely “for two hours, yeah you were.” you replied as he looks at the ground “I know, and I’m sorry” he replied “what.. took you so long?” you ask, feeling nervous about what his response would be, you had a prediction but you shouldn’t assume things, it’d be rude if you did, right? “uh.. stuff” he replies with guilt and nervousness splattered all over his face. as you nod, feeling assured for a moment, until you notice something on his neck, it was a fucking hickey, you pretend not to notice as you both went on with your ’date’

[ WEDNESDAY, JUNE 28TH, 11:34 AM ]

He was on his phone, laughing while texting someone. ’its just his friends’ you assured yourself, knowing damn well that he couldn’t. you sit next to him, sounds of his phones keyboard, him laughing and the rain outside. you sit there and think ’how did it even last this long?’ as he shortly looks at you and scoffs “I have to go somewhere” he says as he stands up, sounding unsure, you nod quietly as he leaves the room, “happy birthday to me, I guess” you say bitterly as you got your phone out to message your friend about going out today, spoiler alert: they cant.

so as any logical, idiotic person would do, you went out by yourself. I mean, what else could you do? as you were walking around the mall, you spotted a coffee shop that you loved. and with our luck! guess which two bitches are in there together? you looked at them, spending time together, laughing together, genuinely having fun. and if you aren’t caught up yet, it was mark and your best friend. “happy birthday to me” you whisper bitterly as you move and leave the front of the coffee shop and pretend nothing happened, you wouldn’t wanna ruin anything right? you were dating someone that you’ve liked for aged now and she was the bestest friend you could ever ask for. who would wanna ruin that? I mean its just something that may leave a scar on your life but, hey, scars heal. overtime right?

[ THURSDAY, JULY 6TH, 2:24 PM ]

you and mark decided to go back to where you both first met, sounds cheesy, I’m aware. but there’s nothing wrong with looking back at the past every now and then right?.. right?

“tada!” he says as he removes the blindfold on your eyes, feeling very proud of what he thought of for a date, “this place hasn’t changed a bit” you mumble as you look around “right? it’s great! everything’s still as it was” he says enthusiastically as you nod, you enjoyed walking around, playing around and visiting old friends but.. looking back made you think that, was it really for the best that you both got together? yes you’ve liked him for.. a long amount of time but, was risking your friendship really worth it? you knew that things wouldn’t be the same but, it was a pretty drastic change, a million thoughts went over your mind as he taps your shoulder “you okay?” he asks as he kisses your cheek and gives you an ice cream as you nod, that’s when you decided, you would never step a foot in this place again.

[ FRIDAY, JULY 14TH, 10:45 PM ]

It’s been a whole month and one 2 days 1 hour and 8 minutes but, whose counting? you walk into his apartment silently, not making any noise cause you wanted to suprise him! you walk in as he’s gaming with friends, not noticing your arrival. “her? what about her?” he says as your curiosity grows “oh uh, I’m kinda just using her to get her bestfriend? its been working, she’s clueless.” he says as he scoffs, your heart shatters in pieces. as you pretend not to hear and re enter the room and call him, his blood turns cold as he looks at you panicked, “hey! just a question? did you hear what I said?” he asks nervously “no, what was it?” you say, pretending not to know cause again, why would you wanna ruin this? “ah, it was nothing. wanna come play?” he says as he changes the subject and gives you a controller, you grab the controller and begin to play and look at him shortly, “mark lee, you’re losing me” you mumble under your breath and luckily enough he didn’t hear you.

[ SATURDAY, JULY 22ND, 2:22 AM ]

“lets just call it quits then, I was only using you anyways.” he snaps as you look at him “didn’t expect it from me huh?” mark says as he scoffs. “I knew mark I’ve known” you snap back, “why didn’t you..” he says confused, “cause I had everything that I wanted, I had you, I had my best friend, I had everything that I wanted.” “I’ve wanted you for the past 7 years.” you say. and what other than rain could’ve suited the situation more? he looks at you in shock as it starts pouring “I..I’m sorry” he says as the rain slowly grows. “I’m sure you are” you say back as you walk away from him, whose slowly regretting everything he’d done to you.

“.. and that’s a wrap!” the director praises you both as the movie that you and your co-star, lee minhyung has been acting in they stop recording and you and him are thanking everyone.

as you were about to leave the set, he follows after you and yells your name “hey!” he says as you stop in your tracks and look at him as he finally catches up to you “what’s up?” you ask him as you pat his back “thanks for stopping” he says awkwardly as he catches his breath as he stands next to you, “can we talk? like remain friends even after the movie is done and hear me out-” he says as you cut him off “of course we can! I would say that we’re close friends already” you reply as you smile at him “not like that” he says as he chuckles and pulls you closer as you look at him shocked, “think we could give mark and her the ending they should’ve got?” he says as he smiles at you.

#mark lee imagines #mark lee fluff #mark lee scenarios #mark lee x reader #nct dream fluff #mark lee drabbles #nct 127 fluff #mark lee angst #nct fluff #mark angst

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mi-rae07 · 8 months

Text

Jeong Yunho : Fell In Love With A Pirate (Part 2/7)

Pairing : Jeong Yunho (Ateez) and named character (Kim Yumi)

______________________

It had been the 10th day and yunho felt stupid. For his entire life he had scoffed at Romeo for having fallen in love with Juliet within merely a day and dying for her a few days later, he had always found it dumb. But now here he was, watching yumi talk to her crewmates about important directions and predicting the weather while he leaned against the side of the ship, his arms wrapped around his knees close to his chest.

He didn't know why out of everyone, he was falling in love with the one person he knew he could never have. She was a captain of a pirate ship, she deserved her freedom out in the sea. While he was the future king of a nation that was close to it's ruining, all he would receive in his future were shackles that would bind him to his throne and his nation. Then what the fuck was he thinking, falling for her like that. His mother would go pale from seeing his choice of women.

But he couldn't help it. Maybe it was the way she talked to him, or the way she would smile at the things he said and actually pay attention to it. Or maybe the way she would tell him of her stories in voyage as he slept in the night. Or maybe when she held his hand whenever he got scared from the violent sea at night. Whatever it was, he was slowly starting to love her, and this wasn't going to help.

Yunho flinched away from his thoughts as yumi plopped down beside him, looking at yunho intently as she asked

Yumi : what are you thinking, prince?

Yunho shook his head, looking away from her. He couldn't even handle looking at her anymore without swooning or saying something he probably never should.

Yunho : nothing.

Yumi : you sure?

Yunho : yeah.

Yumi : okay.

Except yumi knew it wasn't true. yunho wasn't the only person who noticed things, she was a captain, she was raised to notice when things were off. And nothing about yunho had been proper since the past 3 days. The way he would look at her, the way his cheeks turned pink when she came too close, it was all normal for her. She was a pirate and people had come close to her many times, maybe even in bed. But yunho was a prince, if anything he had only been used to people bowing down to him and staying away from him because he was too high a rank for them.

Yunho : noona?

Yumi : yes, prince?

Yunho : what…what happens if someone falls in love with you?

Yumi laughed, looking at yunho as if he had gone crazy.

Yumi : with me? You don't really think anyone in the right mind would fall for someone like me, do you?

Yunho frowned

Yunho : what? Why-

Yumi : because look at me! I have blonde hair that never seems to stay straight. I have calloused hands that are rougher than granite, and men always prefer soft hands on ladies. I have no lady-like manners, I speak and curse like the pirate that I am, and I have too many scars from battles. No one would ever fall in love with me, you're being quite stupid.

Yunho : I'm not. There are thousands of men in my land who would die to get a woman like you as their partner.

Yumi : your land's just crazy then.

Yunho sighed and rested his head on his knees, looking out into the sea. Yumi believed no man could fall in love with her, so then how was he supposed to tell her he loved her? Would she do something to him? Or drop him off at the next island?

Yumi : why'd you ask me that question, prince?

Yunho : no reason.

Yumi : I'm not stupid, I see the way you look at me prince.

Yunho's eyes widened as he sat up straight, looking at yumi in shock. If anything, he hadn't expected to hear that from her. He thought he had been discreet.

Yunho : w-what?

Yumi : did you fall in love with me, jeong yunho?

She didn't know whether she hoped he did. Usually when you start to like someone, you hope they would to. But yumi realized their case wasn't as simple as that.

Yunho : noona, I can't…I'm not supposed to-

Yumi : we don't always do things we're supposed to, prince. I don't care about the suppositions no more, I wanna know whether you love me or not.

Yunho just stared at yumi, not really knowing what to say. He wasn't going to tell her, yumi already knew, she had to find another way. Yumi sighed and stood up, holding out her hand for yunho to hold

Yunho : what?

Yumi : come, I wanna take you somewhere.

Yunho : we're…at a ship.

Yumi : mhmm?

Yunho : in the middle of a sea.

Yumi : I know, prince.

Yunho let out a breath and held yumi's hand, lifting himself up as he said

Yunho : you're crazy.

________________________

Yunho : BY THE ANGEL, JESUS CHRIST!

Yumi smirked as she said

Yumi : suddenly feeling holy?

Yunho screamed as he held on to yumi tighter, trying not to get washed away from the back of the ship out into the infinite sea. When yumi had said she wanted to take him somewhere, he hadn't expected it to be at the edge of the ship where the it opened out into the sea almost like a slide. It was like a slide after all, it went from the top of the ship, where you climbed down the steps and you eventually stood on a flat broad piece of wood with railings around it, except for where it opened out into the sea, like the ship's tail. But the ship kept moving and so did the water, which made it enter the piece of wood. And the continuous splashing of the water had already drenched yunho's lower half.

One slip of hand, and yunho would fall right into the sea. Except yumi was holding him, looking as if she'd done this a million times before.

Yunho : AM I-AM I GOING TO DIE??

Yumi : don't be stupid, no.

The ship moved forward once again as yunho yelped, the water splashing on him. Yumi giggled at the way yunho looked, letting go of the railing and stepping out into the wooden board as well, drenching her feet completely in water.

Yunho : OH NO NO NO, SOMEBODY HAS TO HOLD THE RAILING OR WE'LL BOTH-

Yumi : prince-

Yunho : SHIT I CAN'T DIE SO YOUNG-

Yumi : yunho, shh.

Yunho paused, staring at yumi as she held both his hands, gripping it tight in hers before whispering

Yumi : I'm holding you, I won't let go.

Yunho : I-

Yunho cut himself off with yet another scream as the ship thrusted forward sharply, making yunho fall on yumi as she leaned against the railing with a laugh. Yunho smiled at her, droplets of water falling on her cheeks as the sun cast a golden glow on her.

Yumi : you look so scared for someone who's supposed to be king some day.

Yunho : yeah well a king doesn't have to hang by the edge of a ship at any point of his rule.

Yumi giggled and was about to say something when the ship tilted towards the side, making yunho fall closer to yumi as his hands instinctively held her waist. The both of them paused, realizing how close they were to each other. Yunho could feel yumi's breath on his lips, her gaze muddling his thoughts altogether. Just a little bit more and her lips-

Yunho closed the gap between them as he connected their mouths together in a passionate kiss, pulling yumi closer to him as he kissed her deep. Yumi smirked into the kiss and wrapped one of her arm around his neck, the other holding onto the railing behind her to steady them. This was what she wanted to know, and now she did.

Another harsh thrust made water splash on them, completely drenching them now as yunho pulled back, gasping for breath as he came back from his daze. Yumi chuckled, holding yunho's cheek before whispering

Yumi : I told you it'd be fun.

Yunho : f-fun! Yes, totally because I had planned for my first kiss to happen on the edge of a ship with water raining down on me every 5 seconds.

Yumi froze, her eyes slightly widening as she asked

Yumi : this was your first kiss?

Yunho let out a shaky breath and pulled back, looking anywhere but at yumi

Yunho : royals don't get the time to…sleep around.

If anything, yumi had thought yunho would've slept with a minimum of 20 ladies before entering this ship.

Yumi : but you're a man-

Yunho : I couldn't find anyone who made me desire them, noona.

Yumi chuckled as she asked, brushing her hair back from her forehead

Yumi : so you desire me?

Yunho : wh-what, n-I just…I was…god!

Yunho quickly climbed up the stairs and walked hastily towards the inside of the ship, leaving yumi below with a smile on her face. She chuckled as she leaned against the railing, closing her eyes as she threw her head back to feel the wind and water on her.

Now she knew what yunho felt for her and god save her, because there was nothing that could stop her anymore from loving that man all the more for it.

_______________________________

Yunho had another sip of the brandy that yumi had told him not to drink, all while sitting opposite to yumi on the dining table as she stared at him intently. The 9 other crew members were sitting beside them, having their dinner while chattering away happily. Yunho had gotten close to them as well within the past 10 days, he could now remember all their names as well.

San, Wooyoung, Mingi, Jongho, Yeosang, Haneul, Si-yeon, Mina and Hye-In. they were all from different provinces or different kingdoms, all except for San and Haneul who were siblings. Mina seemed to be the one closest to yumi, she had grown up with yumi after all in the same village. However yunho seemed to like Mingi the most, with his beautiful smile and humor-filled words, he was the bestfriend 15 year old yunho would have wanted if his father hadn't refused to give him one saying rulers should learn to be on their own. They had formed a gang almost 3 years ago and most of them seemed to be of the same age, yumi was the oldest and was the daughter of a man who once used to be a pirate captain as well, hence she had automatically become the captain of this gang as well.

And now the same woman was sitting here, watching as yunho got more drunk as minutes passed, his tolerance for brandy being very low since this was the very first time he had ever even had one. Which was why yumi had asked him not to have brandy but of course, yunho never listened much.

San : so then I jumped onto the other pirate ship, dragging a screaming wooyoung along with me.

Wooyoung : yah! I wasn't screaming! It was the chicken.

All the others laughed at this, yunho taking yet another sip of his brandy while giggling.

Mina : captain, you alright there?

Yumi looked up at mina, nodding slightly

Yumi : I'm fine.

Hye-in : you don't seem to be paying attention though.

Yumi : I've heard this story a million times, I don't get how ya'all still manage to laugh along.

Mingi : we just don't want to disappoint our sannie.

Mingi gave san a fake sympathetic look as san rolled his eyes and threw a piece of bread at him, making mingi giggle.

San : the prince is new here! He hasn't heard my tales of valor, have you, lord prince?

Yunho : deffffinitely not! It is quiiite amusing, if I may say so myself!

Yumi groaned at the way yunho's words slurred, making the others smile at how adorable he looked right now. Which, well, yumi could agree. His cheeks were red, his smile never fading for a single second within the past hour of having chatted along with the crew. But he was at his limit, yumi could see it.

Yumi : okay, we're going to bed.

At that everyone let out groans and complains, but quickly shut up as yumi shot all of them a glare before walking up to yunho, holding his arm and tugging at it

Yumi : come on, stand up.

Yunho : no, no no! I wan-want to have some mooore-

Yumi : shut the fuck up and hold onto me if you don't wish to fall down.

Yumi lifted yunho up in ease, making him yelp and fall onto her as he hiccupped against her shoulder.

Yeosang : aww, he's adorable.

Si-yeon : we should keep him.

Yumi wished.

Yumi : yeah no, goodnight guys. Sleep well.

Haneul : goodnight captain.

The others said their goodnight's too before yumi dragged yunho out of the dining area, yunho waving cutely over her shoulders to the rest of the crew as they smiled at how adorable he was when he got drunk and waved back.

Yumi walked up to yunho's room slowly, yunho mumbling something into her shoulders while leaning onto her

Yumi : stop mumbling prince.

Yunho giggled, resting his chin on yumi's shoulders as he looked up at her and said

Yunho : do you know how stupid I find myself for falling in love with you within barely a week?

Yumi : yeah well, I'm pretty easy to love, I suppose.

Yunho : you're beautiful.

Yumi felt her heart flutter at those words.

Yumi : I know.

Yunho : and such an amazing captain.

Yumi : I know that too.

Yunho : do you know that I want you to kiss me as well then?

Yumi felt herself pause on her tracks, turning to face yunho as she said

Yumi : do not say things like that, prince.

Yunho : why? Because I know you want to kiss me as well?

Yumi : and what makes you think that?

Yunho : your eyes, your breathing pattern, everything. I may be inexperienced but I'm not unknown to these things.

Yumi : you're not in your right mind-

Yunho : I don't care! I want you and I want you right now.

Yumi : you do not realize what you're asking for, prince.

Yunho : oh, I do. I want you to ruin me. Ruin me, take me-

Yumi let out an incoherent noise before pushing yunho against a wall, grabbing his neck as she kissed him hard. Yunho moaned into the kiss, wrapping his arms around her waist as he shut his eyes, tilting his head for more access. He felt his body grow even hotter than it already was, his cheeks reddening. Whether it was from the alcohol or yumi, he didn't know and he didn't care.

He had never felt any of what he was feeling right now in his entire life, he had always been too busy in state matters and what not. He never had time even for himself, let alone for this. But now, he felt it in full force, the desire, the need, he wanted everything she could give him, everything. And he could care less about the other people whom she had done this with before him.

Yumi pulled away a few seconds later, breathing heavily as she looked at yunho, his face flushed.

Yumi : no, no you're a prince I cannot do this.

Yumi stepped away, walking towards god knows where. She just had to escape this, these feelings. This wasn't going to end well if she stayed. Yunho groaned and ran up to her, holding her hand as he said

Yunho : no please, you…you didn't seem to care in the afternoon-

Yumi : because you weren't asking for…for this. Yunho, we must not.

Yunho : no, I'm asking for this now. I know what I want, yumi, please.

Yumi was about to say something when yunho pushed her inside his room, quickly entering as well before locking the door behind them as yumi just stared at him.

Yunho : I'm not letting you leave. Not until tomorrow morning.

Yumi : such a brat.

Yumi threw yunho on the bed, him landing against the soft sheets as the back of his head dipped into the fluffy pillow. Yumi got on top of him, leaning down and kissing him as yunho tangled his hand in her hair.

Yumi : bloody hell yunho, what are you doing to me.

Yunho looked up at yumi, his eyes hazy as beads of sweat decorated his forehead, his neck and his chest. The candles lit up in the room made him seem even more flushed than he already was, his pants ringing around the room as he whispered, desperation lacing his tone

Yunho : noona…

Yumi : no, don't do that to me.

Yunho held yumi's hand, placing them against his chest as she felt his heart hammer against it

Yunho : do you feel how much I want you?

Yumi : yunho.

Yunho : please, please just touch me.

Yumi : god, this is so stupid.

Yunho : no, no! just…do something, anything! I need you, please noona.

Yumi : you're drunk, yunho! You're not in your right mind, I can't take advantage of you like this-

Yunho : what if I want you to?

Yumi : what?

Yunho lifted his head, kissing yumi as he whispered against her lips

Yunho : take advantage of me, do whatever you want, I don't fucking care. I want you right now, noona, all of you.

Yumi : are you sure? This is your first time, yunho, you really want it to be me?

Yunho : god, I couldn't have asked for anything more than you, yumi. I want you so bad it hurts, I want you to be my first and my last.

Yumi let out a breath and kissed yunho, his words breaking down all her walls as she finally gave in.

_____________________________

Yunho looked over at yumi who was now lying fast asleep next to him, her arms forming a cusion as she laid on her stomach. The window right next to their bed showed yunho the view outside, the ocean glimmering from the stars above. And that in turn cast a glow on yumi's face, making her seem even more beautiful than she already was.

Yunho brought his hand towards her hair, brushing it back slowly as yumi snuggled closer to him in her sleep. Yunho wrapped his arm around her waist, bringing yumi closer to him as she breathed peacefully against his bare chest. And as yunho traced his finger along the scars that decorated yumi's back, he felt a feeling of protectiveness take over him.

Her scars were beautiful, but he didn't want her to have any more of it now that he was here. Yunho was going to protect the lady he loved, he was going to give yumi everything for the love and happiness she provided him. He knew she could do that by herself, but he was hers now, his heart longed for yumi. There was no denying that anymore.

Yunho brought his hand to the back of yumi's head, brushing her hair softly as he whispered

Yunho : good night, my darling.

Their love was impossible, but for her, yunho was going to make it possible.

_______________________________

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mr-dogwoods-freakshow · 14 days

Text

A Lost Lamb & A Faded Flame

*The Withered Beauty cautiously approached the gilded wagon of the ringmaster. She had been ordered to speak with him in his wagon; perhaps with most other bosses, that wouldn't be such an ominous prospect. Or at least, being fired would be the only fear*

*Regardless, she took a hollow breath, and entered, Mr. Dogwood himself sat in an expensive silk chair, waiting for her, greeting her with his usual slimy conman smile at the sight of her*

"Aye, Beauty! Lovely to see you! Come on, please, sit down."

*If Ella was capable of such, she would've narrowed her eyes. She had known the ringmaster for quite some time now, and she knew he was -never- this kind - unless he needed something*

*She did indeed sit down but kept her gaze on him* "Skip it, Dogwood. What do you need?"

*He huffs out a chuckle, smirking wide* "Alright, alright. A little bird told me quite a bit about the carnival across the way, two things especially. I need you to get down there and collect those things."

*Her suspicious gaze only tightened upon the man* "Why me? I thought you preferred to recruit personally." *He nodded* "Yeah. But I also try to avoid getting too public, if I can help." *She huffed, leaning back in her chair* "Ah, so that's it, is it? Plausible deniability? Sending me so you can claim you had no part of it?"

*He hummed, his smirk maintaining as he stood from his chair to walk a bit through the wagon as he continued* "Not entirely. The first thing of interest is that apparently the strongman has...gone astray, as it were. Or to put it a tad blunter, he's undead."

*Her body language stiffened at first in surprise at first, but quickly turned to anger, sitting up straight* "I am -not- aiding you in ensnaring another undead into this horrid place! Aren't I enough for you?!" *She shouted, standing up from her seat with a huff, face held up high as she headed for the door* "Get one of your other lackeys for this, Dogwood! I'll have no part in it!"

"Ah, but I haven't told of the second thing!" *He called out as she moved to open the door* "Your dearest little Enodi." *He said with a wide smirk, seeing her stop and freeze for a moment, just as he predicted she would at those words*

"...Enodi? He's there? How, why? W-What are they doing to him?" *She said, turning around to face him in an almost panic; she was playing right into his hands, but she couldn't help it, she missed the wretched little clown terribly, and knew him long enough to know the kind of trouble he could get into without guidance*

*He chuckled a bit, waving a hand* "Calm down, sweetheart, he's fine. But seems he's caused quite a stir down there, to put it lightly. I'm sure Mr. Lecroux would be more than happy to have us take him off his hands. And hey; if you can't get him to hand over the zombie, just bring back the clown. See? Easy peasy."

*Ella stood there for a moment, reeling from all of the overwhelming info. She didn't want to do any of this...though, in truth, she knew even if she stuck to a 'no', he'd find a way to do it regardless...he always did. But at the same time...if Enodi really was there...or was it just a bluff to get her to agree?*

*He looked down to the man, and decided to ask one final question* "What do you expect me to do if Mr. Lecroux refuses to hand over -both- of them?" *He ponders that for a moment, his ears flicking in thought* "Hm...good question, doll. I still think he'd be more than happy to hand over the clown, if nothing else...but, if he isn't so keen, just come back and tell me. I'm sure I'll come up with something."

*She stays silent for a moment...before finally sighing* "Fine. I'll do it." *He nods with his usual smirk* "Good. That wasn't so bad now, was it? You can take your time, not like the carnival's going anywhere, after all. But I expect it in the next few days, alright?" *She solemnly nodded her head, keeping her gaze to the ground, before finally pushing the door to the wagon open once more and moving down the steps, the clacking of her heels against each step the last thing heard before she was out of sight*

#once upon a witchlight #ouaw dogwood freakshow #legends of avantris #posts from the carnivale #// time for plot babeeeeh

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thegeminisage · 3 months

Text

star trek update time. last night* we watched tng's "second chances" and ds9's "dramatis personae." in a shocking twist of events, the tng episode was better than the ds9 one?! *times changed as usual bc i am typing this at fuck o clock

second chances (tng):

TWO WILL RIKERS! AND THEY'RE BOTH REAL! finally there's one riker for each of worf's--

for those of us cool enough to have seen farscape, this is VERY john crichton of them. actually, i think it's the third or fourth instance in which i can see star trek directly influencing farscape, which is really cool.

i take back what i said about not having single-character episodes. if that's the way they're finally gonna deliver me some good goddamn character work, i will fucking take it. this was one of my favorite tng episodes in ages, i liked it even better than the one with the nuthouse

you can't help but to sympathize deeply with both rikers, but my DEEPEST sympathies actually went toward deanna. yellow shirt riker still had all of the feelings they used to have, and hadn't dumped her for his career yet, but red shirt riker correctly predicted that he would - so not only does deanna have to remember what she lost, but she has to go through it a second time

i do like however that in the end she kind of dumped HIM...revenge dumping. so true girl

i also like that she and red shirt riker were able to talk about it like adults. i've never bought the line that they were only friends, but i also really like how cool they are with each other seeing other people. they're totally polyam

i think also that like. red shirt riker is having his cake and eating it too. he dumped deanna for his career and broke her heart, but then his career wound up accidentally putting him on the same ship as her. so when he wants to kiss or cuddle her or go on dates with her they do, but when he wants to fuck someone else he can, and he doesn't really have to choose or sacrifice anything - he's got deanna and his career and his freedom, all at the same time. like, of COURSE he's gonna keep turning down command positions. captains don't get to do anything in tng and if he moved to his own ship not only would he lose planetside privileges but he's lose this sweet no-strings setup he's got going on

meanwhile deanna ached over him for years before she picked up the pieces - it feels a little unfair to her. like, they're both really chill and she ALSO sees other people but if it was anybody in the world other than laid-back, kind, chill, down to clown riker? i'd be killing him with my teeth. it's a little like what picard does to beverly except riker and deanna seemed to have worked something out/are fine with things being a little ambiguous whereas that is ABSOLUTELY not the case with picard and beverly.

anyway, the poker game. mwah. let's DO see who will come out on top. i always thought in the age-old question of "would you fight your clone or fuck them?" riker would come down solidly on the side of "fuck" bc thats how he is but i didn't realize his two selves would be so jealous of each other

the line about yellow shirt riker not even wanting to tell his dad he was alive...oof

in the part where they were in the caves i kept waiting for them to fight and one of them to try and kill the other. barring that i was SURE yellow shirt riker was gonna die. like theyre not just gonna have two rikers from now on, right??

EXCEPT THEY TOTALLY DID DO THAT. i think his name change was lame (why shouldn't red shirt riker change HIS name if they're both the real riker?) but good for him not having to live through eight years of solitude for nothing. i was so pre-emptively sad about it. i guess riker and riker ARE the sort of dudes who save each other's clones they hate. he is just that kind of guy. those kinds of guys?

also, idk what was going on with yellow shirt riker smooching deanna in front of red shirt riker to say goodbye but it was hot. good for all of them e worf who shoulda been there.

one nitpick w this episode was idk why they needed that data so badly bc i wasnt paying attention at the beginning. that might've been a me problem though

dramatis personae (ds9):

what...the fuck

i feel like if they wanted everybody to act weird and edgy for no reason they could have just done a mirrorverse episode. this was not it.

like, sure, am i glad my boy odo got to save the day, yes. was it fun seeing his face turned inside out? also obviously yes. but it was not enough to save this episode. like, i thought the shore leave sequel was bad but WOW. this is the first ds9 episode i really actually HATED...even the b plots of some of the others have been passable, and even the q episode had vash being super fucking hot. there was literally nothing here for me except as previously mentioned odo's face.

like, all of these transformations were bad and not fun except maybe kiras was a little bit hot in some places when she acted like she wanted to fuck everybody on that space station ESPECIALLY when she was putting the moves on dax. women.

but like. obrien sucking siskos dick was bad. sisko BEING a dick was bad. stoned dax was just sad and depressing.

i will say it was funny quark remained unchanged bc hes already like that

no wait sorry i almost forgot julian bashir. him wanting to pour odo through his little machine was horrifically funny and also how odo snowed him at the end into fixing the problem by playing along also earned a chuckle. he's so fucking stupid <3

honestly i was genuinely trying to give them the benefit of the doubt until the end when obrien backhanded poor stoned dax and knocked her ass out cold. that guy would NEVER hit a woman and it was really very very very VERY unpleasant and jarring to watch, and i was just completely 100% finished with the whole shtick after that. like i was walking with them and trying to have fun in spite of everything, and then they made it very not fun. so. what can you do.

also, we never even found out what happened to those guys running weapons?? hello???

finally, i do have to take some small issue with odo spacing that mind gunk or whatever it was. in tng when beverly and geordi spaced that radioactive waste they tied themselves down and STILL almost died, and odo was just like "hang onto something"? i hate to give tng the point here, but...i have to give the point to tng. geez. that's dire. can't all be winners i guess!

NEXT: ds9's "duet" and tng's "timescape." idk what the ds9 episode is about but i've read the summary for tng one and i am so hopeful that we get yet another? watchable tng episode?? we've had a good handful lately...

#personal #star trek blogging #tng lb #ds9 lb

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pupika-samika · 2 months

Text

A King is Nothing Without His People

Chapter 9

Dive into the Unknown

CW: None

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Spoiler alert. It did not work out. At least, not how Link hoped it would. He could have predicted about a hundred things happening before he predicted what was currently happening! He stood in front of King Dorephen and Prince Sidon, mouth much too dry considering where he was. "W-What did you say?" The two Zora towered over him, making the mighty hero feel small and powerless. A mere worm compared to the giant sharks in front of him. They- he can't be serious? There's no way she planned this far!

Link looked over at Mipha, the small Zora standing next to her younger brother. She looked surprised as well but unlike Link, she was much better at hiding it.

Link looked down at the parchment paper again, letting the words sink in as he memorized the contents. He knew what they said, he knew they were important but he couldn’t get it in his head that it was real. "Father, are you sure about this? This hasn't come to light in over a century, are you sure you still want to honor that kind of contract?" Sidon asked his father, looking as shocked as Link felt.

Now you might be wondering, Link, how did we get to this point? To be quite honest, Link was wondering that himself. It started at 6 am, the time Yunobo woke up. The Goron woke up later than Link, which gave him plenty of time to make breakfast for them both. Two rockroasts for the Goron, and three omelets for the Hylian.

"Good-" a yawn broke through the sentence. "Morning, Goro! Do you always wake up so early?" Yunobo asked as he sat beside Link, picking up one of the offered roasts. The Hylian had to admire Yunobos cheerfulness so soon after waking up, even he didn't feel so happy right after waking up. Link didn't answer the question, instead watching his friend's reaction as he ate the rock.

Yunobo took one bite of the roast and lit up, chewing the rock much more enthusiastically. Taking another, much bigger bite he asked, "woah Link! Where'd you get this roast from, Goro!? It tastes delicious!" He praised, taking more chunks out of the rock.

"Oh I made it. I found the recipe somewhere and wanted to do something nice for you." Link lied. It was much easier saying you found a recipe than explaining you had your friend's dead grandfather explaining how to make it step by step. "Is it really that good? I should've made one for myself."

"It's delicious! Here, you can have the second one! You shouldn't miss out on a meal as good as this! You need strong rocks to grow big and durable, Goro!" Yunobo praised as he held out the rockroast. As tempted as Link was, he had to decline.

With a shake of his head, Link held up a hand to stop the offending rock from entering his personal space. “I already ate Yunobo, but next time I’ll make sure to make one for me too. I made those for you so you should eat them.” He explained, giving his friend a smile. With much convincing, Link was able to get Yunobo to finish both the rockroasts by himself.

They finished eating breakfast at almost 6:30, the perfect time. If he planned everything correctly then his meeting with Dorephen wouldn't take too long. Hopefully less than an hour if it could be helped. Then he could spend the rest of the day in Vah Ruta, maybe spend the night in the machine if-

"Oh, Link! I forgot about the promise I made last night!"

Yunobo cut Link out of his thoughts. Promise? What promise- Oh!

"There's been some really, really strong monsters hanging around lately! They even have gold pelts, it's crazy Goro!"

"What?" Link asked, dumbfounded. Gold pelted monsters? That's ridiculous, there's no way there's golden pelted monsters…Right? "Where are they? I'll see if I can clear them sometime soon."

"We've already gotten rid of most of them, there's just that one Lynel near those whale bones up north but no one ever goes there so it shouldn' be a problem. You shoulda see them Link, Goro! They're so strong, it's takes two Gorons to take down a golden Bokoblin!" Yunobo raved, excitement sparkling over him. If it were any other race, Link might've been worried about how many monsters were in the area. But knowing how strong the Gorons were, Link felt he could put this issue on the backburner. At least for a few days.

Link gave a hum in acknowledgement as he thought over the monsters. He could leave those be for a few days, until the next blood moon. The two spent a few minutes watching the sunrise, the sky becoming more blue and orange then black and red.

“Well, I guess it's time for me to get going. Thank you again for the gift and information Yunobo." Link smiled, briefly glancing at the crimson ribbon inside his slate before switching to his map screen. He wouldn’t wear it now, only because his current hair tie was almost broken. He’d wear the ribbon when the tie finally broke. His fourth hair tie lasted much longer than the others, being bought during the last leg of his quest and seeing less hardship than his other three. "I'll visit again really soon, in about a month. I'll even stockpile on some rock-roasts for everyone to try."

"Be careful, goro. And if you ever need help, I'll be right there! Just- give me a warning if you think you'll need my help with something," he paused, seeming to work himself up to say something. He waited, allowing Yunobo to gather his words. “And Link? You’re always welcomed here. Not just to my house but to the volcano, to the city, goro.”

Blinking in surprise, Link stared at Yunobo. The Goron looked away from him, seemingly embarrassed. “Thank you, Yunobo. I promise to come visit more often.” He promised, shooting a smile at the Goron. Yunobo fidgeted for a few seconds, making Link wonder what else he had to say. “Anything else on your mind?”

It happened so fast that Link thought he had gotten attacked. One second Link was standing, staring at Yunobo with his slate in hand, and the next he was being awkwardly smushed into a rocky chest.

The feeling of being hugged by a talus lasted for only a few seconds, not nearly long enough for Link to wonder if he should hug back. Yunobo let go and pushed Link back, stuttering out apologies for the hug. "I didn’t- I don’t- that was- I’m sorry for-" Yunobo was cut off when Link let out a laugh before giving Yunobo a hug back. While his arms couldn’t reach all the way around, Link hugged the Goron as best as he could.

"If you wanted a hug, you could’ve asked for one, big guy.” He said, not letting go until he felt Yunobo hug him back. “Thank you, Yunobo. For everything you’ve done.” He thanked as he let get of his rocky friend.

Link dragged the cursor over to the Lanayru region, then zoomed in until he saw the Ne’ez Yohma shrine located in Zora's domain.

Yunobo, watching Link get ready to leave, smiled at him. “Make sure you visit soon! We can make rock roasts together!”

"I will. Stay safe Yunobo." Link bided before clicking on the Ne'ez Yohma shrine. He looked down at Fostri, watching as his friend floated up to grab a few strands of his hair. Would that be enough contact to teleport? Hopefully it was because Link already pressed the button.

---

Link's world blipped into millions of blue particles before he was deposited on the base of the Ne'ez Yohma shrine. It had barely been a minute but Link was quickly regretting going from boiling hot to freezing humid. He threw on his Zora armor, barely registering the crimson leather that greeted him until he saw the Zora of the group floating up the overflown, watered stairs. Link looked down at his Zora armor then looked to the others of the group, two of which seemed amused by his silent panic. “Is this too weird? I could go to Hateno and redye it." He offered, feeling like his color choice could have a different meaning other than pretty colors.

"Why change it? You've already shown the Domain. Plus, I think you look good in red." Urbosa complimented, a mischievous smile on her face. Link was not reassured by that smile but seeing as he was already here (and she did have a point. Hell, Dorephen and Sidon said he looked good in red which, now that he thought about it- you know what. He’s just going to stop thinking) and he only had a few days till Impa reached Hateno. He needed to use his quickly dwindling time wisely. An annoyed huff later and he began making his way up the stairs, looking up to the sky. Unlike the first time he had been here, the sky was clear, not a cloud to be seen. The suns’ rays were beating down, gleaming harshly on the water. If he wasn’t here on borrowed time he’d consider going for a swim in such nice weather. Unfortunately, that will have to wait as one of the people he has to meet with is currently bounding his way over to the Hylian.

“Fostri, you can go explore if you want, I’ll come get you when I'm done.” Link quickly and quietly whispered to the Korok who had fixed its seating arrangements and was now sitting on his shoulder. The Korok shook his head, only clinging onto a few strands of hair to voice his refusal.

"I wonder, why does Mr. Link want me to leave so badly?" he started, standing on Link's shoulder to get a better view of the incoming Zora. "Could it be that Mr. Link doesn't want to introduce me to his friend?" He asked almost sadly.

Link sucked in a breath, thoughts conflicting with each other. "It's not that, it's-"

“Link! It’s so good to see you again!” Sidon boomed as he stood near the stairs, shark tail slowly wagging behind him.

“I can’t believe he hasn’t gotten over that habit, it’s been over a century. Surely father would’ve tried correcting him.”

“Well it took you being dead to fully correct that, I’d say it takes time. Even then, sometimes you still wag your tail when-"

“Hey Sidon,” Link greeted his friend, ignoring the loud conversation in front of him. “It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”

“It has been! What are you here for today? Some fishing? Do you want to go on a swim? Oh, maybe we can go fight that Lynel up on Ploymus Mountain! I’ve heard from some of the warriors that they’re saying it’s turned into a golden Lynel, that must be exciting to fight! So how about it, Link? What are we doing today?” Sidon excitedly asked, tail swishing faster and stars lighting up in his eyes

Link frowned and looked away from his lo- his friend. With how excited Sidon was, he was beginning to feel guilty about the topic he needed to bring up. "I'd love to but I really need to talk to you and your dad about something. It’s important- I’d rather not talk about it down here.” He explained, motioning around to the very open area they were in.

Sidon momentarily froze, before composing himself. “Ah, this wouldn’t happen to be about why Vah Ruta fired a laser about a week ago, would it?” Sidon asked as he backed up and began walking up to where his father resided. Link followed after him and nodded, idly waving to the shopkeepers and weaving around giggling groups of guppies.

“It is. That’s why I have to talk with your father. And you- since you're a prince. Don’t worry, I’ll answer any questions you have when I’m done.” Please don’t give the sad eyes. Please don’t give me the- damnit Sidon. Link pointedly did not look at Sidon as he could see the slight pout on his face from the corner of his eye. The conversation died out as the two climbed up the overflowing stairs, King Dorephen being easily heard from the bottom of the steps.

The Zora proudly stepped into the chamber, eyes flickering briefly between Muzu, who had already been in the royal chamber, and Link, before greeting his father. “Father, we have a visiter. Link requested a private conversation about Vah Ruta,” Sidon paused, glancing at Muzu. At the older Zora’s refusal to move he added, “he asked it be held privately.” Muzu looked to King Dorephen for permission to refuse but grumpily left when Dorephen asked him to leave. He left the chamber room, grumbling on how he’d be back.

Alright, I got this. Just- explain what happened. It’s not that hard and you’ve done this before… his thoughts trailed off as he saw the expectant look on King Dorophens face. He took a deep breath to steady himself before he started. “A few days ago Vah Ruta fired a laser aimed at the castle. You probably noticed by now that Calamity Ganon isn’t surrounding the castle anymore. That’s because I was able to defeat him with the help of the beasts and the princess, they both had incredibly important roles in the fight. After the battle ended, the princess was infected with too much malice to survive. Her body was safely taken to the place where I was resurrected but only time will tell if she will survive.” He summarized, thinking over if he missed anything.

“Tell them how you're king now- but don’t make a fool of yourself like you did with the Rito.”

“Revali I’m sure he was going to say that next, don’t rush him.”

Link was trying to ignore them, he really was. It was taking everything in him to not turn around and ask what the hell they were talking about this time. He must've made a face as Sidon asked if he was alright. He waved the concern aside, thinking over how to word his next statement.

"During the princess' last moments she had one request for me. She asked that after her death, in her steed I become-"

"King of Hyrule,” King Dorephen cut in. “Ah, such a shame those precautions must be used." He frowned, heaving a sad sigh. Prompted by their confusion he continued, "the princess had come to me over a century ago, months before the Calamity, and asked that I sign a contract with her. If, by some chance, she and her father were to both fall to the Calamity then I was instructed to help the next King of Hyrule. Which would be you, Link. In return I, and by proxy, the Zora, will get more contacts with the other races. Especially the Gorons, us two races have climates that challenge the other so it's difficult to arrange meetings." He rambled on, clearly forgetting the important matter at hand. "I've only met a handful of Gorons in my life, all surely dead by now. The first time I met a Goron was-"

"Father, can you please get back to the topic at hand? You said you formed a contract with the late Princess?" Sidon intercepted, deciding the rambling was not important enough for this conversation.

King Dorephen took a moment to orientate himself, abruptly realizing he had gone off topic. He cleared his throat and nodded. "Yes, as I was saying. The late Princess Zelda had come to me and we signed an agreement. If you'd like to see it, it's in the chest over there," he pointed in the general direction behind his throne. Sidon and Link made their way to the chest, King Dorephen twisting his upper body to watch them. There was indeed a chest behind the throne and inside there was a parchment paper. It was aged and yellowing, plus water damage was clearly eating at the edges. But the ink was still legible. From the signatures to the clause, even the fine print was readable. Link blinked in shock. There wasn't- she couldn't. That was the princesses handwriting, he spent too many nights up late reading her work to not recognize it.

Now that you're all caught up, let's continue.

There Link stood, Link looked down at the parchment paper again, letting the words sink in as he memorized them. He knew what they said, he knew they were important and the signatures weren’t forged but he couldn’t get it in his head that it was real. "Father, are you sure about this? This hasn't come to light in over a century, are you sure you still want to honor this kind of contract?" Sidon asked his father, looking as shocked as Link felt.

"It's a signed contract between two nations. As a King and as a friend of the late Princess it's my duty to not only honor her last wish but her last contract. Besides, no one has as much time nor experience to teach you as I do. So Link, will you allow me to help you? Will you allow me to fulfill the Princess' last wish?" King Dorephen asked, keeping leveled- as leveled as he could- eye contact with Link.

He thought over this… could it even be called an offer? It seemed more like a demand- or even a plea to him. Nonetheless, Link had to accept. Except…

"I'd love to take your help, but Lady Impa from Kakariko already offered to teach me everything. She's headed to Hateno as we speak, she should be there in around five days. I could try to bring her here so you can both teach me at the same time but-" Link started, a slight pressure building behind his eyes as he thought over how to solve this problem. He wasn't even an official King, yet he was already becoming stressed like one. He’ll be grey before he even reaches a hundred and twenty at this rate.

King Dorephen, seeing the spiral Link was headed into, cut him off. "There's no need for that. I'm sure Lady Impa can handle your training on her own. Though, before you leave for your next destination, come back here. I'd like to give you a letter for Lady Impa." He requested. If someone else offered to teach him, especially someone as close to the royal family as Lady Impa, then he figured he could offer some breathing room in his schooling.

Link nodded at the request, figuring it wouldn't be too much of a hassle especially as he would’ve come back before he left to say goodbye. Besides, he couldn’t feel the smallest bit of annoyance when the pressure to learn so much so quickly was lessened slightly. Only slightly. Not a lot. Just by a tablespoon. Or teaspoon? Whichever was smallest.

"Don't worry, Link. Even if this proves too much for you, don't forget that we're here to help you. While you might not have any memories from a hundred years ago we do." Mipha offered comfortingly, a hand moving to rub his arm but stopping just short of touching him. While the comfort never made contact it still did its job in calming him down.

"Thank you for offering to teach me. If I ever need help I'll be sure to come to you. Lady Impa is still a few days away from Hateno so while I'm here can I look at Vah Ruta? I'd like to fix him up a little, just enough to get him running if he needs to."

There was barely a second's hesitation before Dorephen nodded in approval. "I don't see a problem with that. Be careful, some Zora say they hear monsters within the beast. Who knows what's made its way inside since the last blood moon."

With little else to go over, Link was ready to bid his goodbye. “I think that's everything I needed to talk to you about. Unless either of you have anything you want to ask…?” He trailed off, looking between the two Zora to see if they had anything to say. King Dorephen is the one who speaks up, a somber look on his face.

“How did she die?” He asked softly, as if he knew the question could set him off. Sidon yelped out a quiet ‘Father!’ in response to the question, yet they knew he was curious too.

Next to him, Urbosa winced at the question, looking at him with pity. That was a sore subject for everyone, especially with how recent it was. “Well, better to be forward and get a straight answer than dance around the topic and get a misunderstood answer. I’d say that’s a terrible way to deal with a trauma victim but a good way to get information.”

“It’s also a good way to make him cry.”

“You… are an insufferable bastard. Do you know that?”

Setting aside the twos’ bickering- were they always arguing? He’s only had them around for less than two weeks and it’s already gotten old to him, was this what Mipha and Daruk had to deal with for a hundred years? He thought over what Urbosa said, specifically the last part. Him? A trauma victim? He wasn’t a trauma victim! …Whatever trauma was, he wasn’t a victim of it!

“She died- she died in my arms. She was infected with malice and wouldn’t have made it. She begged me to kill her as soon as The Calamity was taken care of. I put her in the shrine I was revived in, so now all that’s left to do is wait and see if that helps her. It may not help her but… I’ll remain hopeful until the end. The shrine worked a miracle once, I’m hoping it can work one more.” Strangely enough, he almost didn’t feel the pain in his chest whenever he thought of Ze- the princess. Nope- he still can’t even think of her name without feeling choked up.

He bit his lip as he waited for someone to speak, anxiously looking between Sidon and Dorephen. The two Zora looked at each other, the two having a silent conversation only heard to them. After waiting a while for either to acknowledge him, he slightly bowed his head and turned around, careful not to make Fostri fall while making his way out of the chamber. Right as he got to the entrance he heard King Dorephan speak up, causing him to pause his walking. “Don’t doubt yourself Link, they would be proud of you. All five of them would be incredibly proud of you, especially her.” He vaguely stated, not specifying who ‘Her’ was. That confused him- which Her was he talking about? He didn’t let himself think over it too hard, letting his body go on autopilot. He heard faint chatter from inside the chamber but he tried not to eavesdrop, he was no longer a part of that conversation.

He idly listened to Mipha talk about Ruta as he pulled out his slate, moving it from the Ne’ez Yohma shrine to the Vah Ruta teleporter. Fostri had sat himself on Link's head, his tiny feet kicking back and forth to keep himself entertained. They occasionally hit Link's forehead but he couldn’t find it in him to care too much.

“I can’t wait to see Ruta again, I’ve missed him terribly these past few weeks. I wonder if-”

"Link! Wait up!” An excited, familiar voice cut the small Zora off. "Link! Would you mind if I accompanied you to Vah Ruta? I would feel awful if you went to fix that beast by yourself while I sat around doing nothing." Sidon had jumped off the top of the stairs and landed slightly in front of Link, easily righting himself.

Link stumbled back as the large Zora jumped in front of him, almost falling over from the surprise greeting. If it wasn't for Sidons hand quickly grabbing his arm he had no doubt he’d be absolutely soaked, more than he already was. Once he could stand on his own he lightly tugged his arm away from the Zora, giving an appreciative smile. “You want to come with me to Ruta? Are you sure?” Though the question was directed at the prince he sent a side glance to the four champions now crowding the two.

“He can come with, you could use the extra set of hands. And it’d do you some good to talk with someone who isn’t dead,” Urbosa pointed out. He didn’t want to admit that she was right. The past few weeks he hasn’t really talked to anyone unless he had to- or they were a ghost who followed him around when he didn’t want them to. He gave the idea a bit more though before reluctantly nodding, Sidon cutting himself off at the action.

“Ok, you can come with me. But it will take us a while to get up there- I usually teleport there but I’ve never brought another person with me.” He explained as he looked over the area surrounding Ruta, his sentence growing quieter as he thought. How long would it take to get up there? He’s never walked up that mountain before, only glided down it and occasionally scaling the smaller cliffs.

Luckily he didn't need to think too hard for too long because the small voice of his best friend piped up. “But Mr. Link, you always teleport me with you. Can't you do the same with Mr. Prince Sidon?"

If Link knew what a lightbulb was there would have been one blinding everyone. Unfortunately I don't think lightbulbs exist in the Zelda universe so a metaphorical torch appeared above his head. Fostri was a genius! Link wanted to send a grateful look his way, to hopefully convey every positive emotion he was feeling, but he thought it'd be weird if he did that in front of Sidon- who he was sure couldn't see the Korok.

"Actually, give me a minute to check something over and I'll take you to Ruta. I'll be back in a little bit, wait for me by the shrine- '' Link quickly told the Prince, pausing just long enough to see the nod of confirmation before he felt the dizzying yet familiar feeling of being stitched and rewoven into reality. He opened his eyes to the sight of Vah Ruta looking worse for wear. He openly frowned at the beast but didn't have the time to openly study it like he wanted.

Faint chatter was heard somewhere off to the side yet he didn't want to eavesdrop. If he was meant to hear that conversation they'd be louder. He gently picked up the Korok from his shoulder and dropped him in the air. A startled yelp was heard before faint twirling replaced it, the Korok holding its trusty leaf to hold him in the air. "That was rude Mr. Link!" Fostri whined, making his way back to Link's shoulder.

"No Fostri, you have to stay here. I don't know how many people I can take at once and I don't want to risk it." He tried reasoning, thinking of anything to try and distract the Korok. "Why don't you go with the others and try to survey the damage? Then I can get to work right away and we can leave sooner. So stay here while I go get Sidon?"

The sound of rushing water, birds and faint chatter was all he could hear for a few moments, the Korok in front of him seemingly deep in thought.

A tiny, reluctant huff sounded from his friend. "I'll stay here, but I expect an apple in return for my troubles Mr. Link!" He said with a laugh and zoomed over to the now hushed group of champions who were openly watching the pair.

I'll bring so many apples. I'll even get the biggest, juiciest ones from the Hateno Orchid. He thought as he went back to the Ne'ez Yohma shrine, double checking that the Korok wasn't going to try and sneak back with him. He closed his eyes as blue consumed his vision and opened them when he felt the hot humidity of the domain surrounding him.

Sidon wasn't there yet but he couldn't be too far away- nevermind, there he is. Was it just Link or did the Prince look more handsome than two minutes ago? The Zora looked ethereal. Divine even. The sunlight streaming behind him, the soothing dripping of the water streams, his bright smile. Link had to pause, his brain refusing to process anything other than pretty Zora standing in front of me what do I do Hylia help. Luckily he was saved from further embarrassing himself by Sidon speaking up.

"You beat me. I was hoping to make it here before you," Sidon all but whined as he glided down the stairs to meet Link. Could sharks glide? Apparently handsome, tall, red ones could.

"I told you I'd be back soon. Couldn't leave you behind, not when you asked to come along." He replied back, quickly ducking his head to look at his slate. He was sure his cheeks were flushed red but didn't want to make it obvious. Well, more obvious than it was. Hopefully he could blame it on the humidity. As he spoke Sidon moved closer, leaning to peer down at the screen between them. "We'll need to have physical contact for this to work, but I've never tried this on anyone bigger than a very small child. I don't know how much is required for it to-"

Before he could finish his sentence, arms wrapped around his shoulders and pulled him into a hug, shoving his face into a toned stomach. He stilled, mind processing what was happening.

"Is this enough contact?" Sidon asked with an excited grin, tail furiously wagging behind him. Link could only nod and keep his gaze on his slate. He clicked on Ruta's teleporter and off the two went, the very fabric of their beings being torn apart and stitched back together with royal blue threads of fate.

The two reappeared on the ground before Ruta, the champions nowhere to be found but clearly heard from within the machine. He could faintly hear an argument happening along with the sound of rushing water. He could only wonder what they were fighting about this time.

"Ruta… how far you've fallen," he heard Sidon mutter off to the side. Link spared a glance at the prince, seeing the crestfallen look on his face. He then looked up at the beast, taking in its features for the first time.

The trunk, he learned that's what it was called from Mipha, sagged heavily against the ground. Its head was downturned and the bottom of its chin was barely hanging off the ground. It was truly a sorry sight. Link turned to Sidon and gave him a comforting squeeze of the arm. "He'll be alright Sidon, we're going to fix him. Have some faith in us," he said softly, giving the prince a smile before releasing his arm.

Link turned his face to his slate, looking away too soon to see the loving look Sidon sent his way. He was less than happy with how few ancient supplies he had but he'd have to make due. "Be careful, I don't remember if there were any electric monsters or currents inside. And anything could've made a home in there since I first defeated the beast." He said, swiping to his clothing section. The wind had grown frigid, leaving the Hylian to shake slightly from the cold.

Seeing as they'd be here for a while, Link decided to take off his Zora headpiece and put his ruby circlet on instead. It kept him just warm enough to not freeze, that would have to do until he got his body moving. That couldn’t be soon enough. "You ready?" He asked the prince, getting a delayed nod in response.

With some help of Revali's gale, plus a particularly strong mighty and tough elixir, he was able to get both of them to the entrance of Vah Ruta. Urbosa was waiting for him at the entrance but the other champions- and his korok companion- seemed to be further in the beast.

"No monsters in here. Even checked all the secret rooms Mipha remembered. The other four are looking over the back half but we found some areas that need fixing." She summarized, her gaze falling to Sidon every few seconds. Said Zora was looking around the machine, clearly on guard and ready for something to pop up.

Link put a hand in his tense forearm, making Sidon look down at him. “There’s no monsters in the main room so there shouldn’t be too many elsewhere. You can relax a little.”

Sidon looked like he wanted to disagree, even opened his mouth to do so, but seemed to back out at the last second. “...If you say so, Link,” he paused and gave the room another look around. “While I do trust you, I’ll keep my guard up for a little while longer. Being inside this beast gives me a bad feeling.”

"If anything dangerous pops out I'll protect you," Link promised, sending Sidon a reassuring look.

Urbosa, who had been quietly watching the exchange between the two, let out an amused buff. "Are you two love birds done or must I stand here and watch this go on for several more minutes?"

Link jumped and tried to keep the heat off his face, having completely forgotten the Gerudo was even there. "We should uh- go get started on this," he stammered, avoiding looking Sidon and Urbosa in the eyes.

The Zora prince, unaware of their audience of one, nodded and followed behind Link. While he looked relaxed and openly eyed all the mechanisms of the beast, his hand never let go of the Ceremonial Trident he used to fight with.

Link sighed as he accepted that Sidon would stand guard the whole time they were there. He followed Urbosa, occasionally running into another champion who helpfully (or unhelpfully. CoughRevalicough) told him where something had to be fixed.

Three quickly became five, then ending at seven as the rest of the champions and Fostri met up with the group. As he got to work on repairing some of the broken parts he couldn't help but listen in to the conversations around him. Although he knew they were there for almost the entire length of his journey, he couldn’t help but forget since they barely talked about it. It was times like this that he was quickly reminded of this fact when he heard Urbosa and Revali making bets in the distance. He couldn’t hear much of what they were saying, just enough to know they were making bets on him and Sidon. He opted to not listen, saving himself the embarrassment of knowing they knew about his love life- and lack of it.

They were about halfway through the day when Link remembered the topaz jewelry he'd had custom made some time ago. He only remembered after the third time he almost accidentally electrocuted himself, standing much too close to a puddle of water while working with electricity.

"Oh by the way,” pausing his work, he got the jewelry out of his slate and offered Sidon a pair of gems. "In case there's any electric enemies, this should help keep the effects from being too bad.” He rushed out, heat creeping to his face when he saw that Sidon was already looking at him.

The Zora prince gratefully took the gems, tail slowly wagging behind him. "Thank you Link! I'll be sure to return them when we get back to the domain!” He beamed, pinning both gems on his sash. The yellow gems complimented the navy fabric and stood out against his white scales.

Link shook his head, using the movement to look away from the prince. “You can keep them. I bought a few more gems for the other Zora that frequently go to areas with electric Lizalfol.”

He heard Sidon moving and before he knew it, there were two arms around him, carefully dragging him to Sidons chest. “I greatly appreciate this Link,” he beamed, . “You’ve done so much to help us Zora. Words alone can’t express how grateful I am for all you’ve done for us.”

Link started to squirm, unsure how he should be feeling about being in the Zora's hold. He only stopped when Sidon spoke up, his tone hesitant yet heavy.

“Link… I…” He started, tightening his grip around Link. “You’ve been so distant these past few weeks. Is it something I have done?” He asked, voice going quieter with each word. “Have I done something to upset you?”

The silence was thick as Link thought about the question. He slowly shook his head, deciding that now was the time to tell him. “No,” he started, unsure how to go about this. “No, you haven’t done anything Sidon. I’m the one that should be saying sorry.”

Sidon was quick to speak up at that. “Link, you don’t have to be sorry for anything. I understand that you’re incredibly busy rebuilding Hyrule and protecting her people. I just wish to know what I have done to upset you.”

Link shook his head again, more firmly this time. “No Sidon, you really haven’t done anything. Maybe we should sit down and I’ll tell you everything.”

So they did. Link sat on the side of one of the pools while Sidon floated near him. Here, Link told him everything. How he was slowly getting his memories back over the course of his journey, and with them his feelings for people long dead. He told Sidon about Zelda, how he felt about her and how she felt about him. He told Sidon about the secret dates and the research trips that always took longer than necessary. He spoke of the long days watching Rhoam berate her and the late nights comforting her. Lastly, he told him how they planned to get married and start their own family after everything was done.

It didn’t need to be said how that never happened.

Sidon was silent through everything, patiently listening and waiting for Link to finish before speaking up. “Do you still have feelings for her?” He quietly asked, no judgment in his voice. If anything, his eyes held nothing but sympathy and understanding.

He didn’t know what to say after that. Some days his heart ached to be with the one he loved, staring at his sword for hours at a time. Those days are the ones where he was Link from a hundred years ago, feeling guilty for the kingdom he couldn’t protect.

Then there were some days where he hated her. Hated her for putting this responsibility on him, this kingdom and her people. Those days are the ones where he was some random boy born into a world he had to save even if he didn’t know why he had to.

All he could do was give Sidon a halfhearted shrug, unsure of the answer himself. “I think so. I don’t know.” He whispered, looking away from the Zora. "Everything's so confusing. I feel like all these emotions I have are from the old me. But then I talk with Impa, Purah, Robbie. You and your dad. I don't know what to feel when I talk with anyone who I knew before." He ranted, frustration with himself building as he felt the tears threatening to fall.

Sidon said nothing, making Link keep his head down in anticipation. Would he be upset at him for keeping this secret? Betrayed that Link has feelings for another? Would he be mad and leave? He didn't want to know.

"Link? Would you look at me, please?" Sidon asked softly, the sound of water gently splashing as Link saw his shadow moving closer.

He didn't want to look up in fear that his fears would come true. Nonetheless he did, wanting to know what Sidon wanted to say.

Looking up at Sidon revealed none of that. Sidon had a sympathetic smile, nothing but complete sympathy and understanding on his face. “When you do figure out your emotions, do be sure to let me know. Until then, I shall wait for you for as long as you need. If you ever need a friend to talk to, please don't hesitate to ask me. I shall help you however you need, as it would be my pleasure.” The Zora stated, holding a hand over his heart. A vow he was always willing to hold.

And suddenly, Link didn't see Sidon anymore. He saw Mipha offering a healing hand while ranting talking about her day and the domain, or scolding him for getting injured again. He saw his childhood best friend who always had his back no matter what. He saw the sister to the one he loved, the Zoran princess he couldn't save.

"Link, how many times must I tell you to be careful? You Hylians are fragile, please take better care of yourself." The red Zoran princess scolded, gently holding Link's injured arm in her hands.

The knight shrugged, looking away from the princess in front of him. They were having their weekly chats, sitting on Vah Ruta's trunk this time, Princess Mipha having recently gotten crowned as the beasts pilot.

Princess Mipha sighed but held a webbed hand over the slash, letting her healing water wade over the wound. Link bit his cheek as a hiss threatened to leave him, training and desensitization being the only reasons he didn't flinch from the sting of the healing.

It was quiet, the sound of water softly swishing being the only noise until Mipha spoke up. "I worry about you Link," she said softly as her healing faded, the slash leaving barely a car behind. "You constantly throw yourself in harms way for Princess Zelda and hold no regard for your own health. I worry your duty to the princess will get you killed." She confessed, tracing the freshly healed scar with a clawed finger.

I worry too Mipha. But I have to protect the princess, it's my purpose. Link thought to the Zora, willing her to understand his thoughts.

Another sigh passed from her lips, letting go of his arm and allowing him to take the appendage back. "I suppose there's nothing I might be able to say to change your mind, is there Link?" She guessed, a sad smile on her face.

Link shook his head, knowing that even if he wanted to, being the princess' knight was his duty till he died.

"Then there's nothing else I can do but be here to heal your every scrape and wound. I promise to you that I shall always be here to heal you, even if I leave this world." The Zora stated, placing a hand over her heart. A vow she was always willing to hold.

Link stared at her until he blinked and saw Sidon once again, who was making his way out of the pool.

Sidon stood next to Link and held a hand out to help him up. “Now, I quite believe you said there was more work to be done here?” He asked, looking around the space they were in.

Relieved that he was changing the topic, Link wiped his eyes and nodded. He cleared his throat as well for extra measures. "Yeah, you're right."

Neither of them pointed out his misty eyes or rough voice.

~Bonus content~

After Link and Sidons conversation, the two spent the rest of the day working on Ruta. Link felt that he could be turned on (don't ask how, he just had a feeling) but decided not to.

Or well, he tried.

Honestly, his first mistake was saying his thoughts to Sidon. The Zora was so insistent that Link felt he had to turn the beast on. So with a warning of the noise and vibrations the beast would cause, Link set his slate to the control unit and allowed it to wake from its slumber once again.

The Zora was enamored by the beast now that it wasn't trying to flood his home, begging Link to sit atop it's back. Seeing as Link couldn't say no to him, the two watched the sunset from Ruta's back while Mipha enjoyed some time with her previous life partner.

The champions, who had been kind enough to not comment on their conversation, were spread across the beasts back to give a semblance of privacy.

Link sighed, feeling at peace for the first time in a long, long while.

~~~

It's been almost two years since Link (now known as Link Durim Hyrule across his (HIS!!!!) people) had been crowned as King of Hyrule. His rule isn't perfect, he still messes up and burdens people with his mistakes. But it's a learning experience. One he and his people are learning through together.

It's nearing the last day of the festival, the Miracle Festival some people have been calling it. On this day two years ago he defeated Calamity Ganon once and for all. The festival took place in the center of Castle Town. The once destroyed town was still destroyed but it was quickly being rebuilt into an even better version of itself. Bolson got his team together (including Hudson's mismatched band of races) and they got working on the new town.

Their hard work was truly paying off. The town was usable for the first festival, even if only the town square was able to be used. But this year almost the whole town could be used! Most of the buildings had been fixed up so store owners could store their wares or travelers could rest in one of the temporary lodges.

Seeing Link's kingdom, his people, his friends, his family. Seeing everyone come together to celebrate his victory? That was doing terrible things to his self-esteem. Hylia knows it was already too big.

The coming sunset signaled the time for the festival to come to a close. Store owners gave away the last of their wares and travelers bedded down one last time before the long journey home the next day. Link decided to go check and make sure no monsters were lurking in the shadows of the walls. After waving off the champions ("No I don't need company"), Paya ("I promise I won't rip my outfit again"), and Fostri ("I'd rather you stay safe in town. I'll bring you back some apples when I come back.") he set off to do a quick perimeter check.

He switched out his 'formal' attire (a shirt that was nice quality and ripped far too easily with pants that probably would've cost both his arms a century ago) and into his sheikah set. You could never go wrong with a classic. His Hylian shield and savage lynel sword were his chosen defense and offense for today.

As he neared the walls he got this sinking feeling in his chest.

Something was wrong.

Something was there.

He narrowed his eyes and quietly got his sword out, holding it parallel to his body. His whole body tensed up as he heard voices on the other side of the wall, every muscle in his body pulled taut.

"Does anyone know who’s Hyrule this is?”

“Fuck if I know! Four threw up on me and passed out!”

“Poor Four. Here, take this and give him to me.”

Link quickly opened his slate and downed a stealthy elixir, stalking as close as he could to the walls. He started scaling the walls, throwing his sword in his slate to make the move more quiet.

“When he wakes up he’ll be put on laundry duty. Whenever we find somewhere to settle down. Warrior, don’t you think this looks like Castletown?”

“If it is, it’s much quieter than most of ours. Could be ‘Rules?”

“Not mine, not enough magic in the air.”

“Kinda looks like mine but too big ta be. An' too quiet for the old mans.”

Link finally got to the top of the walls, peering down over the other side of it. There he saw eight people, two kids, two teenagers, and four adults. He glared, wondering if the children were taken against their will. While he didn’t recognize them, it wasn't impossible that there were some people he hadn't met yet. Perhaps they could be from out of Hyrule? But that doesn’t make sense, someone had asked who’s Hyrule they were in. Were there multiple kingdoms named Hyrule?

He didn’t question it for much longer before he grabbed his Great Eagle Bow, lined it with arrows and spoke up. “Put your weapons down and your hands up or I’ll be forced to shoot.”

The whole group spun around trying to find him, hands flying to the swords on their backs. Link was going to shoot until he saw one with a wolf pelt look up at him. Something about pelt seemed so… familiar. Pelt slowly raised his hands, making Link loosen the hold on his arrow. He didn’t harm people that were surrendering. “We don’t mean ya any harm.”

“Uh Twilight, I think he’s the one that should be saying that, not us!” One of the teenagers hissed, one with pink hair.

“You don’t question the person with an arrow aimed at you who looks like they're prepared to shoot!” The adult with a long, blue scarf hissed back.

Link let an arrow fire past Pinkys head, watching his hat swish from the sudden movement. He didn’t have time for people to question him, not when he could feel Tenk laughing at him and his lack of authority over the situation. Of course the one spirit he couldn't get rid of is the one spirit that couldn't help him. “State your name and business for being here. I have to get back and I’d rather not have to escort you to jail.”

One Eye spoke up, hands slowly coming down from above his head. “We’re here to find the hero of the land? We need to speak with him.”

“Busy. State your name and business for being here.” Link pointedly said, aiming his arrow at One Eye.

"Hey now! You wouldn't harm an already injured man, would you?" Blue scarf hissed, glaring up at Link. "Wouldn't kill you to set the bow down." He scoffed and threw his arms down, hand much too close to his swords handle.

Link decided Scarf would be a better target as he let another arrow fly, this time snagging at the edge of his tunic. A rip was heard as the arrow nicked the bottom edge of the fabric, keeping the piece pinned to the ground.

The silence was thick as Link instantly lined another arrow. "I will say it once again. State your name and business for being here."

"I bet if you threaten one of the kiddos they'll be more inclined to answer." Tenk unhelpfully offered, lazily floating next to the kid in a colorful tunic.

The kid in blue must've seen his eyes lingering on the other kid as he shouted "Don't!" Before a gust of wind knocked him down from his perch on the wall.

Goddamit Tenk, Link thought as he fell. He prepared himself to feel the air leave his lungs and his back to snap.

He didn't prepare himself to get swallowed by a swirling mass of purple.

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partystoragechest · 10 months

Text

A story of romance, drama, and politics which neither Trevelyan nor Cullen wish to be in.

Canon divergent fic in which Josephine solves the matter of post-Wicked Hearts attention by inviting four noblewomen to compete for Cullen's affections. In this chapter, Trevelyan teaches the Commander a lesson.

(Masterpost. Beginning. Previous entry. Next entry. Words: 3,211. Rating: all audiences, except for a swear.)

Chapter 13: Lesson One

Trevelyan accomplished nothing of note in the morning, for in the afternoon, she was to see the Commander, and the thought of it consumed her anxious mind.

She reported to her waiting ladies’ maids just after lunch. Outfits were brought to her for decision, but she told them, “Whatever mother thinks best.”

Permission granted, then. Her hair was dragged into place, her cheeks forcibly dabbed with the barest hint of rouge. Like children, they played dress-up with their doll. Her best breeches, her best puff-sleeved shirt. An open-front wool overdress, in sage green, that laced under the bust. She plastered a fake smile on top, and the look was complete.

Trevelyan regarded herself in the looking-glass of her room, and considered the facade to be perfect. She had all the appearance of someone who was trying to make an impression, regardless of if she actually intended to do so.

Her maids put on the finishing touches, ensured her gown was laid right, and told her she was ready. To her own surprise, Trevelyan thought she was too.

For this time, it was not the Commander’s titles that unnerved her, nor his attitude—she had grown somewhat accustomed to both. This time, if she were to fear anything, it would be what he knew of her, and how that might affect their conversation.

And yet, she was not afraid.

This was evidenced in her stride, as she left the Great Hall to find the Commander waiting on the stair. It was evidenced in her posture, as she stayed tall and strong down every step. And it was evidenced in her voice, as she called to him:

“Commander, good afternoon! Are you well?”

He turned from the courtyard he surveyed, and looked to her with predictably little reaction. “I am, your Ladyship.” He bowed. She curtsied. “Are you… all right, today?”

“I am very well indeed. Good to be outside”—she briefly admired the sky; though overcast, the clouds were cottony and bright—“the Undercroft can be quite stuffy, after a time.”

“Yes. With your work there, the Ambassador had said you would be too busy to meet.”

It wasn’t a question, though it certainly sounded like one. Trevelyan smiled. “I found time,” she told him. Her arm extended toward the downward stair. “Shall we?”

“Ah—yes. Where would you like to walk?”

Closer to the sky. “The battlements,” she said, preparing to take the first step. “Though tell me, are we to take this stroll in silence as well?”

“I, ah… well, I had hoped to ask about your work with Dagna. I’ve not had a report since the first.”

Of course he’d like to talk about work. At least it was a topic Trevelyan found interest in.

“Very well,” she said. “Let us walk.”

And so she told him her tales of the Undercroft. Plans were laid on the first day, reports delivered. The second had been spent isolating the relevant script of the original ward—the one for cooling a kitchen, she reminded him.

They reached the bottom of the stairs, and began to cross the courtyard. Its natural hubbub seemed to leave a wide berth, and they passed through with ease.

Day the third had been spent copying runes and scribing new ones—thrilling work, obviously. The Arcanist, meanwhile, laboured to prepare a vehicle for this enchantment. However, more testing was required before it could be applied.

“Though it will not be the explosive version I test,” Trevelyan informed the Commander. “I shall utilise the original ward to find the correct temperature to trigger at.”

She stopped at the foot of the castle walls, and stood aside for a descending soldier to exit the stairs. The Commander waited at her back, and asked quietly, “Will you need a sample of red lyrium for these tests?”

“Not yet,” Trevelyan whispered in return. “We shall find our floor using body heat—ensure it does not trigger for an unafflicted person’s output. Fire shall suit for the ceiling.”

The stairs clear, Trevelyan started up them; the Commander hesitated. He called after her, “Metaphorically?”

Trevelyan stifled a laugh, and turned to watch him catch up. “Of course, metaphorically! What else?”

“I am serious. It wouldn’t be the first time Dagna had suggested setting a ceiling on fire.”

“To what end would one set a ceiling on fire?”

The Commander shook his head. “I believe you’re asking the wrong person.”

They reached the peak of the stairs, and found themselves upon the battlements proper. It was far quieter here than the bustling courtyard, with only soldiers patrolling the parapets, and the odd runner skating by.

With the gatehouse to their left, they journeyed instead to their right. Trevelyan placed herself closest to the edge, so that she might see better out over the valley. The vista provided by this wall was different to her usual, for it looked out over the entrance of Skyhold—that long old bridge and the twisting slope that led up to it.

Beyond that, the frigid river, and the encampments upon encampments upon it. The tents and structures were mere blotches of brown, the fires nothing but little embers, and the people dots that moved between them. Though they were certainly more intimidating when passed through at ground level, only when viewed from here could one truly comprehend the numbers.

“Incredible,” Trevelyan muttered.

“We’ve recently had movements of Red Templars,” the Commander said, stealing her attention back.

“On Skyhold?”

“North of Val Royeaux. Such explosives could be useful there.”

Oh. No pressure. “Well, then,” Trevelyan said, “I certainly hope we are ready in time to assist.”

The Commander hummed. “We have a retinue we can move into position if called upon.” Maker, why did she need to know all of this? “But in future, preventative measures may be—”

“It strikes me, Commander,” Trevelyan interrupted, “that we are supposed to use this time to get to know one another, and yet you resort to only speaking of work.”

It took a second for him to recover. “Well, you said yourself you are busy, as am I. It would be useful to utilise this time to speak about Inquisition matters.”

Though he may have been a former Templar, he certainly had the same stubborness as some of the practicing Templars she’d known. Cowing was hardly going to do anything.

Oh, fuck it. Let him have it. “You know, Commander, I believe you make yourself busy, to avoid wooing your suitors,” she said. Only half-true: she had seen evidence herself of his being quite occupied. But there was no better way under a stubborn man’s skin as such facetious claims.

He stammered, “I do not. Lady Trevelyan, I promise you, I am as busy as I say.”

Get him. “Too busy,” she wondered, “to say ‘good evening’?”

No reply.

“Because I am, by your own admission, terribly busy as well, Commander,” she continued, “and I still find the time to say ‘good evening’.”

A quick glance at his face painted such a picture. His eyes were askance, his mouth half-open as if he wished to speak but had nothing to say. One hand came up to rub at the back of his neck. Trevelyan hadn’t seen such a display before.

A little smirk crept across her face, and she quickly concealed it.

“I, ah… well, I am… I am not much in the way of conversation,” he admitted.

“I apologise for how impolite this may sound, Commander,” she warned him, “but I could quite tell. However, I cannot laugh at your bonfire when the torch I hold burns my hand unnoticed.” She whispered conspiratorially: “I am not much when it comes to conversation, either.”

His gaze ceased its avoidance, and returned to her direction.

“Despite this,” she said, “I try. Unfortunately, whether I succeed is not for me to decide.”

He cracked a smile at this. “You seem capable, from where I stand.”

“It’s kind of you to lie.”

Finally, he laughed. A small laugh, more of the nose than mouth, but a laugh nonetheless. And that, gathered friends, was how to break a Templar.

“You know,” she continued, “I think it’s the Circles that do it. I’ve never met a mage nor Templar who came out of one with any kind of conversation. Being around the same people every day, you start to say the same things over and over, I think. All of your vocabulary and social skills wilt like flowers in shade.”

“Or are pulled from the ground entirely,” the Commander added.

Trevelyan laughed. “You know what I mean, then.”

“As you pointed out, I am quite familiar.”

Their walk reached the end of the current battlement, and turned a corner. The mage tower shifted from periphery to foreground, with the main keep as its terribly dramatic backdrop.

The Commander asked (quite naturally, by his standards), “How did you find Ostwick Circle?”

What an interesting question with ever such a complicated answer. There were many things Trevelyan could say about Ostwick, and her experience there, and how she felt about losing her only home at her darkest moment in life—regardless of how that home had treated her beforehand.

But instead she sighed, and said, “Fine.”

The Commander nodded with the solemn face of a man who knew what that ‘fine’ meant. “I had heard Ostwick was one of the more… decent places.”

Trevelyan snorted. “I believe ‘decent’ is the perfect descriptor,” she told him. “You know, I wasn’t informed you were a Templar before I arrived.”

The Commander’s steps stuttered. He stared at her, mouth once more agape. “Ah… I’m surprised you stayed.”

She could not help the titter that escaped her lips. “Well, I had little choice.”

“What do you mean?”

Uh oh. Now was her turn to look surprised. “I found out only when I had stepped foot within Skyhold. I could hardly turn around at that point!” she lied. Not bad.

And he bought it, with a soft smile. Felt a bit guilty, that such a smile had been drawn forth by a lie. “Do you like Skyhold, at least?”

Trevelyan looked out upon the mountains with which they walked parallel. Their height intimidated, but felt protective all the same, like a counsel of benevolent deities watching over. She smiled. “I do,” she said, “very much so.”

Continuing that smile, she looked to the Commander. “And with that, I believe congratulations are in order! We have passed at least a minute with no discussion of work. As your reward, we may take the rest of our walk in silence.”

And so they did—for a few moments, whilst they turned at the mage tower and began to head the way they had come. But all the while, an enigmatic grin spread across the Commander’s face.

He said, “Have you had chance to read anything from the library?”

Oh. A question. Talking. Conversation! And not work-related?

Trevelyan stammered over her reply, “Well, erm, yes. A few books, mostly relating to lyrium.”

“The Tale of the Champion?”

“Oh! Yes, but I shouldn’t think you’d like me to bring it up.”

The corners of his mouth twitched into a sweet little smile, for the briefest of moments. “Thank you—but it’s quite all right. Varric already informed me you had.”

Oh, no. Varric had told him about her. Maker, what had he said? How could she be a topic of enough note to warrant any kind of dicussion? No, she was fooling herself. It was likely a brief couple of words on the subject, and nothing more.

“Oh, he did?” she said, attempting to sound as casual as possible. For the life of her, she could not tell why she ought be so flustered.

“He did. I believe it’s the reason he’s been calling himself ‘the foremost scholar on red lyrium’.”

Trevelyan laughed. “Dorian will hate that.”

“He does.”

Oh. No question of how she knew Dorian, to be able to mention him so fleetingly. Which meant, perhaps…

“Has Dorian spoken to you about me as well, then?”

The Commander nodded. “He said he had discussed red lyrium with you.”

“Ah! My source is revealed.”

For someone who claimed not to be a good conversationalist, Trevelyan ought to have congratulated herself for how well she was, at that moment, concealing her inner panic.

Part of her mind was desperately trying to recall every word spoken within her meetings with Varric and Dorian, and if any of it was something she would not wish the Commander to hear. The other part was scrabbling about in an attempt to maintain her end of the current conversation.

Wait, there was something about Dorian. Dorian—yesterday!

“Actually, you’ve put me in mind…” Trevelyan said, glad to move to something else, “I meant to thank you for dealing with those soldiers yesterday.”

The Commander’s face soured—though not at her. “I am sorry for their behaviour. Soldiers of the Inquisition ought to know better, and it is my responsibility to teach them as much.”

“I am sure they learnt their lesson after a few trips up and down those stairs!”

Yet as soon as she made the comment, it brought to mind Trevelyan’s own trips up and down those stairs—and how many aches she’d awoken with this morning because of them:

“I certainly learnt my lesson,” she added. “Walking has been quite difficult today.”

The Commander interjected, “Then, shall we stop here?”

“Stop?” She repeated the word quite without thinking. When thoughts finally returned to her, she could not help but wonder why she would protest it.

And then, strangely to her relief, the Commander clarified: “I meant, rest.”

She noticed his arm, extended towards a parapet that overlooked the river encampment. Unable to say no for some reason or another, Trevelyan padded toward it—and struggled all the way to figure out where in Andraste’s name this change in the Commander’s behaviour had come from.

Maker, if Lady Samient had been telling the truth? What if this really were the version of the Commander her Ladyship had known?

But—then, he barely acknowledged Samient yesterday, at the cart. Though, perhaps it was not to let anything slip, before Trevelyan. Let her believe he was not already stood before his favourite, and it was not her.

Pity. Of course, pity. That was what had changed between them, since their last walk and this one. The Commander now knew something of what she had suffered before she arrived at Skyhold, and had shown his sensitivity to the fact at the time. He was not stone-hearted, that she could well admit; and so it was quite probably within him to shed his abraisiveness for a softer touch.

Politeness, born of pity.

At least it was something.

“It’s a… lovely view,” the Commander stuttered, causing her to realise she hadn’t said a word.

Trevelyan grounded herself through the feel of the cold, rough stone that her hands rested upon, and the sight of a few breakthrough rays of sunlight, that shone in beams on the valley before them.

“Yes,” she told him, “I wish I could be up here more often.”

“You seem to come to the battlements often in the evening.”

“When I can; I enjoy looking at the stars. You seem to be there often, as well.”

The Commander explained: “There is a path from my office, through the keep, that loops back on itself.” He pointed to his tower—half-concealed by the other gate tower before it—and led his hand to trace an invisible path, around Skyhold, and back again. “I like to walk it in the evening.”

Trevelyan might have believed him, had he not sounded so unsure when he said it.

“Keeping an eye on the night watch?” she teased.

The Commander chuckled as he said, “I’m sure they feel that way.”

Another full minute of conversation. Possibly more. Trevelyan could hardly tell the time, for her mind had forgot to keep count.

She wondered, with a grin, “Weren’t we talking about Ser Tethras’ book before all of this?”

“Yes,” the Commander admitted, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Was there anything you wished to ask? I don’t mind answering.”

Outside of her questions about red lyrium—questions the book nor anyone else was truly capable of answering—Trevelyan wondered one thing: “Was it all really that beige?”

The Commander seemed amused, and a little relieved, by the question. “Well, there were other colours, too. It was very orange, sometimes—though that was dependent on whether someone had set something alight that day.”

Trevelyan choked on her laugh, caught quite off-guard by it. “I see. And any ceilings caught in the blaze?”

Though his face appeared blank for a moment, realisation struck it like lightning. The confusion resolved into a smile, and a laugh. Trevelyan congratulated herself on a joke well made, and cursed herself, too.

It was such an unfortunately pretty smile.

***

Their walk concluded not long later. But it had been ever so peaceful and sweet. And easy… casual, enjoyable… nice.

When Trevelyan went to stargaze that night, her hands met the parapets with a sense of familiarity, and stroked once more against the moonlit stone. From the mountain deities, her gaze tilted upward to the skies.

Now clear, they sparkled.

Her mind wandered—and she let it—to the many things she had to think of. Work, the Commander… Two things, then.

But it was the latter she thought of more, for quite obvious reasons. That nice walk. That nice man. This, then, was the side of him that everyone had been so eager to praise. And she was seeing it because… he pitied her. Not exactly an ideal start for any kind of relationship—

“Good evening, Lady Trevelyan.”

Trevelyan jumped, and turned, and found the Commander stood behind her.

“Forgive me,” he said, “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“No, no, it’s all right.” She could have made a sarcastic comment about being surprised by the fact he was finally acknowledging her, but… no. “Good evening to you as well. How is your walk?”

“Good, thank you. The stars?”

“Oh, wonderful as always.”

“Good. Um…”

He was struggling. Bless him. Trevelyan took up the reigns of the conversation: “Thank you, Commander. I shall return to my viewing, before the clouds return. Have a lovely night.”

“Yes. And you, your Ladyship.”

With a little bow, he departed. Trevelyan watched him go, smiling to herself.

As soon as he was gone, her smile dropped, and she shot a look to the guard who was always posted nearby. He shrugged back. I didn’t see him, he mouthed.

Unreliable warning system!

Though… not that she’d minded too terribly tonight. For the interaction had shown her something important: the Commander could be taught.

He could be made acceptable, he could be made to like her. All of that seemed very much possible, now.

There was just one problem.

She would have to like him, too.

And as sweet and genial as he had been, there were still things that troubled her about him. The argument with Lady Montilyet. What hid behind the contradiction. A former Templar. Though she might well befriend the Commander…

Could she love him?

#cullen rutherford #cullen x trevelyan #commander cullen #unwanted #unwanted fic #dragon age fic #dragon age #i have been looking forward to this for so damn long #i already started writing the next chapter before i finished this one because i've been waiting for that too #so like expect it sooner than usual maybe lol #(with an asterisk because life stuff gets in the way sometimes yknow)

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