#midnightwrites | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

lucienarcheron · 7 months

Text

Spirit Meets the Bones - I

Eris and Iris. Son of a high lord, daughter of a fiend. An arranged marriage brought them together and beneath all the hate, the two are more alike than they’d like to be.

Genre: Angst/Drama/Romance Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse.

Author's Note: Today marks the three-year anniversary of when I first posted this story and what better day to start reposting than today! It means so much that people stuck around and are still excited for it to continue. I hope you enjoy how it unfolds!

biggest shoutout will go to @abruisedmuse ♥️ without you, I don't know how I'd finish this fic. ily!

Find it all here.

Eris's hands were clasped behind his back as he stood rigidly next to the female who had now become shackled to him. His bride had only repeated the words of binding in a dull, dry tone and shifted her face slightly so he’d kiss her cheek rather than her lips in front of everyone. Already, she had more nerve than he anticipated. He had only smiled.

The two now stood in their finest before his parents, the festivities of the wedding raging on behind them. It would continue to rage on when the bride and groom took their leave. It all meant nothing to either of them.

Eris stood in his suit, tailor-made, and fitted in forest green. Iris’s bridal gown of white covered every inch of her, painted against every delicate curve. Eris had only stolen glances, not looking for too long. The hatred in her eyes had become grating.

He spared Iris another side glance, aware his father was watching him, and gave his parents a tight-lipped smile. “Thank you, Father. You spared no costs on this wedding.”

“If only the bride and groom seemed to enjoy it as well.”

Eris offered his father another tight smile. “It all happened so fast. We’re both a bit whiplashed but I’m sure Iris loved it as much as I did,” he said and finally fully looked at his bride. “Didn’t you...wife?”

Iris automatically bowed her head towards the Lord and Lady of Autumn and turned her gaze to her now-husband. “Of course...husband. Forgive me, I am a little tired. It’s been a long day.”

Eris and Iris.

Iris and Eris.

He only looked at her with boredom.

She looked at him wanting to desperately snap his neck.

“Well, run along then. Enjoy your wedding night. Don’t embarrass me, son. Make sure to show your bride a good time.” Beron mused with a laugh and the Lady of Autumn, Lady Enya, gave Eris a pleading look as he nodded to his parents.

“Welcome to the family, Iris.” Lady Enya said softly.

Iris bowed her head in thanks and turned once more to look at her now-husband who gave her a small smirk and Eris couldn’t take his eyes off her. Couldn’t help the slight glee at how hard she was trying not to sneer back at him.

“Come along wife, it’s time for the fun part of being married,” Eris said with a coy smile and held out his arm.

But Iris only stared at it. She stared at his arm and wondered what would happen if she just...snapped it off his body. Or stabbed him. Or at least attempted either option. Her father had nearly ripped her head off when he found out about the small knife hidden beneath her dress. The sting of his smack had barely settled down before she walked into her wedding. Nonetheless...her fingernails could be sharp enough to maim.

When a moment passed and Iris still hadn’t taken his arm, Eris stepped closer to her.

“Take my fucken arm before I drag you out of here.” he hissed and Iris blinked then tilted her head towards him with a shy smile, the ever-blushing bride as she approached him and slipped her arm through his. Never mind that it was trembling slightly.

“Try dragging me out,” she said softly. “I’ll only end up dragging your bleeding body back across this hall.”

It was Eris’s turn to blink then his lips twisted into a smirk. “Is that what your eyes have been trying to tell me? We can fulfill your dirty little fantasy once we’re alone.”

Iris stood before her husband and schooled her expression so that anyone looking at her would see her gaze reverent rather than murderous. As if they didn’t know how reverent murdering someone you hated could be.

“Oh, does that mean once we’re alone, I can run a blade several times through your torso?” she said sweetly. “Because that’s exactly what I was fantasizing about.”

Eris chuckled, his eyes drinking in the sight of her. The challenge in her voice. The sternness in her hooded eyes. “Big words for a shaking gazelle in a room full of wolves,” he said softly and leaned in to kiss her temple, ever the besotted groom. “Don’t forget, you married the worst of them. I’d watch that pretty mouth if I were you.”

Iris let him pull away and let him see the shy smile on her face even as rage flashed in her eyes. Her grip tightened on his arm and she leaned into him again. “Or what?”

A chuckle slipped out before he could help himself. Bold. She was bolder than he expected. “You’ll find out once we’re behind a closed door, wife.”

He felt her body tense but paid her no mind as he nodded his acknowledgment to the people congratulating them, as he did practically drag her out of the room. The sooner they got out of there, the sooner this night would be over and he could somehow think of how to handle this female that had been shoved at him.

They walked in silence down the hall, nodding to any lingering guests before turning a corner and the path before them was empty.

“Did you lose your tongue, little gazelle? No more big words now that you don’t have an audience?” he said quietly, as the two walked down the halls of The Forest House towards their wing. A whole wing where he was to now live with his little lady. “Not going to try and run?”

She finally yanked her arm free from his and openly glared. “And go where?” she spat. “As if you wouldn’t drag me back here and humiliate me for trying.”

Eris only hummed his response and watched as she huffed then continued walking and he took the time to openly observe her in the silence. In a tense, nearly suffocating silence.

His wife.

Wife.

He mouthed the word silently to himself then frowned thinking of how, for the second time, he was forced into a union he had little say in. At least this one hadn’t fucked anyone else as far as he was aware.

It wouldn’t have mattered if she did at this point. She was now his and he was hers. There was no escape. There would be nobody else. And Eris wasn't exactly sure how to feel about this.

How was he supposed to feel about a female he knew nothing about? How, exactly was he supposed to feel when he had only found out a month before the wedding that she was to be his?

Her father, a wealthy merchant — a criminal as Eris had understood, wanted to build better ties with the High Lord of Autumn to no doubt get away with things he shouldn’t. Never mind that the male was as big of a piece of shit as his father. He had simply offered his daughter to Beron as a bride for Eris like she meant nothing to him. Wrapped her up for him like a delicious dessert to be eaten.

And delicious she was. Eris let his eyes roam her body as she stalked in front of him toward the room. She didn't even know which way they were supposed to be going and yet, the confidence in her walk of rage didn’t hold her back. Her chestnut brown hair coiled up in braids, the tiara sitting atop her head, exposing her long lovely neck.

The train of her dress trailed behind her and he only quirked his brow at the design, not as frilly as he had expected. Then again, he knew nothing about her. No one had given him the chance.

Eris stepped on the tip of the dress’s train and she startled, a small gasp escaping her lips. Turning sharply, she glared at him.

“Get off my dress.” she seethed but he only gave her a small smile.

“We’re here.” he said and watched as she froze again, color seeming to drain from her face. He pursed his lips and wondered just how badly she thought this was going to go. “Are you thinking about running now?”

This seemed to unfreeze her body and Iris blinked at him. “Just open the door.” she muttered quietly. But he could hear her heart beating. He could almost taste her fear and his lips curled in disdain.

Eris waved his hand for the door to open and with a mocking bow, he gestured for Iris to step inside. She gave him a withering look then slowly stepped into the room and Eris followed her in.

The two stood in the doorway of the suite taking in the grandness, the room a swirl of all the autumn colors in one, coming together to give it a look of a magical place of rest. Never mind that the two people required to live here wanted to do anything but be in this space. The suite was huge, decorated with a seating area in one corner, a small dining space in another, a bedroom set that included a large closet across the wall, a vanity, and —

Iris’s eyes fell on the bed that was big enough to fit six people and her fists clenched. She only gave him a look of loathing and wrapped her arms around herself, wanting to refuse even acknowledging the space.

But then Eris closed the door and locked it, and the sense of panic she had been holding back all day filled the room. He heard her swallow and as he took one step closer, Iris whirled around.

“Don’t touch me.” she snarled.

Eris paused then took a deep breath, his hands once again clasped behind his back, a sour taste in his mouth. Naturally, she was to assume the worst about him. Naturally, he might as well oblige her.

“You’re my wife now. I thought the whole point of the wedding night was for us to be touching as much as possible,” he said quietly, his signature smirk gracing his face as he moved closer to her. “Or did they not teach you that?”

Iris flushed and shot him a glare, pointing viciously. “Don’t you take that tone with me or I’ll make you regret it.”

Eris’s smile was feral at the challenge. “Claws are coming out now, are they, wife?” he said quietly and took another step closer. “I wonder if you have claws like that in bed.” He tilted his head, observing her. “Why is your dress so modest? Didn’t they tell you I like to see some skin?”

She took another step back, hating the predatory look in his gaze. “You won’t be near my dress for too long so don’t concern yourself with it.”

“Are you sure about that? I do need to fulfill my husbandly duties and take it off of you.” he said again and took the final step for them to share a breath. “Make you feel all the wonderful things a husband should make his wife feel.”

“Stop talking to me that way.” she hissed, shoving him back.

He chuckled and grabbed her arm firmly, pulling her into his chest. “I will talk to you however I see fit, especially when it makes you flush so beautifully.”

And indeed, Eris hadn’t gotten the chance to stare at her so openly until this moment and it was unfortunate how beautiful she actually was. Very unfortunate, he thought, especially when his own heart started beating wildly in his chest and he felt hers sing to the same erratic rhythm.

The world seemed to still as his fingers gripped her arm. His amber eyes found her hazel ones and both pairs of eyes widened slightly. His gaze intensified as he soaked in her features and how a few loose strands of hair had slipped to frame her face so wonderfully. Iris’s own thoughts had paused at how close his lips were to hers and the way he stood so elegantly and effortlessly towering over her.

It was truly unfortunate. Because Eris’s eyes had flickered down to her lips and back, the corner of his lips lifting. How much would she hate him if were to kiss her? Could he have one taste?

Iris flushed deeply as Eris leaned in even closer and she did the only thing she could think of to get away from him.

Eris let out a groan of pain as she kneed him in the balls and crossed to the other side of the room.

“What the fuck was that for?” he hissed, doubled over, his glare meeting the one Iris shot at him.

“I told you not to touch me. Married or not.” she hissed, taking a step back. “And based on everything I’ve heard about you, I definitely don’t want you touching me.”

Eris ran his tongue over his teeth as he straightened and took another step towards her.

A chair flew towards him then and he barely ducked in time.

“What the ever-loving fuck —”

“Stay on your side of the room.”

“I’m not going to —”

“One more step and the dagger will be next.”

Eris stared at her in confusion, at the dagger that looked so much like —

He looked down at his belt where he knew his dagger to be sheathed...except it was not.

“You were too busy trying to intimidate me to notice,” she said with a snort, and gone was the trembling gazelle that he’d seen all day, his dagger twirling her hand. “Surprise.”

Eris blinked then huffed out a noise of disbelief. “Well, wife. This is an interesting turn of events...How did you manage to steal it?”

“Most males are stupid and get easily distracted by beautiful females. If I let you believe I was weak, you automatically assumed you could dominate me and lose the upper hand,” she said simply and shrugged. “Your mistake.”

He narrowed his eyes. “From the things your father told me about you, handling weapons wasn’t on the list.”

“My father is a lying piece of shit and doesn’t know an actual thing about me.”

“He told me your passion was piano and you prefer to stay indoors because you were sensitive to the sun,” Eris stated flatly and Iris rolled her eyes.

“I do love piano but the only thing I’m sensitive to are the bruises he gifts me that people would notice if he let me out as often as I’d like.”

Eris froze. A distant roaring filled his ears as he stared at Iris. He stared and stared and when she narrowed her eyes at him, he clenched his teeth and took a breath.

“Your father beats you?” he asked quietly.

Iris shrugged and it was a shrug that he knew well. A shrug he had mastered to deflect Beron’s marks on his own body. A shrug he had mirrored from his own mother.

“My father seemed giddy at the idea that you’d be beating me too,” Iris began and sunk the dagger into the table with a loud thud, before meeting his gaze again. “But if you think that gives you permission to lay a hand on me, I will break every single one of your fingers and carve your heart out of your body. I would die trying.”

Eris stared at her. Trying to think of a response. Trying to think of all the things he’d heard about her before this moment.

“My daughter is delicate.” her father had told him. “She’s also foolish and needs guidance with a heavy hand. Don’t be afraid to put her in her place.”

There was nothing delicate about the fiery rage he saw in the female in front of him. Nothing but sharp glares and determination. Her stance alone told him she would be nothing of what he had expected.

His mother’s bruised skin flashed in his mind and Eris swallowed then met Iris’s gaze.

“I would never harm you,” he said firmly and she tilted her head, quirking a brow.

“Your reputation says otherwise.”

“My reputation is catered to a specific audience.”

“Your reputation is the reason I am willing to kill you and face death myself rather than let you turn me into the broken doll my father tried to make me.”

Eris pursed his lips at that and slipped a hand in his pocket, the other coming to brush back his hair. “It appears wife, that you and I aren’t what we seem.”

Iris crossed her arms. “So it seems, husband.”

“We wasted time not getting to know each other a month ago.” Eris scoffed with an eye roll and Iris froze. “Your father insisted you were too nervous and shy.”

“What do you mean a month?” she asked breathlessly, her hands fisting at her sides.

Eris’s blink marked his confusion. “A month. Our engagement was announced a month ago.”

Iris blinked then blinked again and Eris watched as a cascade of emotions flashed across her face.

“A week.” she gasped out. “I was told a week ago.”

Eris’s eyes narrowed and he took in her shaking hands. “A week?” he asked quietly.

Iris only stared at him and he felt his chest tighten when she started taking deep breaths. Eris opened his mouth to say something — he felt compelled to say anything — but she held up a hand.

“I will only say this once,” Iris spoke, her voice surprisingly steady. “We may be sharing a bed but we will not...go further than that.”

Eris frowned, his own hands fisted at his sides. “Alright.”

She blinked in return. “Alright?”

His expression immediately turned sour at that. “I think the expectations for tonight have been made very clear. What more do you want from me?”

“Nothing. I don’t want anything from you.” Iris replied, all steadiness was gone from her voice as her face fell. “I wish I had nothing to do with you.”

And with that statement, she darted into their shared bathroom and slammed it shut.

Eris remained rooted to his place and simply stared after her, at the closed door she now hid behind, his thoughts a thousand miles a minute.

He thought about their names and the silly way they matched.

He thought about the similar father figure they seemed to have and the history they seemed to share.

He thought about the small thrill he had felt when he had been within kissing range.

Eris's frown deepened at the sniffle he heard from behind the door and wondered...just how much hell would they be in for now.

#eris vanserra #eris vanserra fanfic #eris vanserra x oc #smtb chapters #spirit meets the bones #acotar fanfiction #gfics

151 notes · View notes

seresinhangmanjake · 9 months

Note

hi i was wondering if you knew what happened to ereardon because ive been trying to reread some of their stuff but i cant find them

1 note · View note

zinamrice2916 · 5 years

Text

I shouldn’t have to.

I shouldn’t have to beg you to accept me,I shouldn’t have beg you to be in my life,I shouldn’t have to beg you to accept my wife and the way I live my life. I shouldn’t have to wait days,months shit even years just for you to call just to make sure I’m still here. You should try to get to know me and the daughter I came out to be. I’ve made myself so strong and a warrior out of the madness you made me so out to be. All because you didn’t know how to “handle having a different daughter” I have strife in my heart against you both and,I’m battling best believe I am but,if I didn’t let those demons win then why in the hell would I let them win now? I’m torn because,I constantly blame myself for the shit you guys made me feel about but,guess what I’m tired of feeling shitty for nothing I did nothing. I wanted my family and all you guys did was drag me down down down until I couldn’t ever get back up. I will no longer be caving under. I will raise above your hatred,I will rise against the side comments such as oh you could of done so much better with your life all because,it’s what y’all wanted well guess what! This is who I am and SHE IS ALL IVE EVER WANTED. That’s right SHE. I know you’ll never understand my heart or the way it beats but,one thing about this heart it beats red it bleeds red and guess what that means ? We are all equal and the same. Take pride! Own it! Maybe one day whenever your done being selfish and making it all about yourselves and money then you’ll think oh whoa I have 2 pretty amazing kids they are different (1 trans&1 gay) but,still human and lives that matter. You definitely didn’t raise us like you thought you did but,damn could I say him and,I couldn’t be prouder of who we are today. Yes you thought you could torment us to be silenced and never outspoken but guess what? We are outspoken and our words matter. We are courageous. Through and through we are still here. Through all the hate judgement stares,laughs,smirks. It will not stop our pride we stand loud and proud through all hate and discrimination. We will not be silenced ever again. So mom and dad thanks for the lessons but,guess what? WE WIN!

@minitablo @peterpan428

#lgbtq🌈#wife #married #brotherandsister #proudofmyself #identicaltwins #ftm #happiness #familyfirst #deeplearning #midnightwrites

1 note · View note

midnightjournalist · 6 years

Link

Hey everyone! I’m really excited to be announcing this and I’m hoping that some of you enjoy my writing enough to be willing to support me, but I’m starting a Patreon for some of my current works and future works. I’m really looking forward to be putting up new content this year and really get back on track with my writing. Not just in the fandom world, but also my own Original writing. I won’t be able to actively promote myself on AO3 since they are non-profit and I’m waiting to see what other social media options might be available to me besides Tumblr and Twitter for this. Any pledge is greatly appreciated and I’m hoping to have more content up before the weekend is over with new content every week. Thank yo so much for your support!

#Patreon #MidnightWrites #NewContent #ThankYouForYourSupport

2 notes · View notes

the-midnight-lunar · 6 years

Text

Where the stars collide

I am a teenage poet

Who chose the path where the stars collide

Where I saw beauty born out of this chaos

And I chose to shape mine

From my distant thoughts

Into a book of poetry

That’s how I learned that the lonely

Have this way to survive

—Midnightlunar

#poetry #my writings #poems #poets on tumblr #poetic #my poems #stars #words #spilled thoughts #spilled ink #the begining #midnightwrites #charminita zeinab #poetryclub13 #poeticstories

2 notes · View notes

aftermidnightspecial · 2 months

Text

⛧Demons of Abbadon⛧ - Male Demon (Raumael) x GN Chubby Human Reader

Wordcount: 3,573 Summary + warnings: Smut with plot | size difference | You are an aspiring demon lord and intend to summon a strong demon. But when things don't go to plan, you get more than you bargain for when Raumael answers your evocation. Coming to an agreement, you seal the contract, paying the price with your soul and body. ⛧ A/N: Shout out to the anon who requested a demon fic. C: And special thanks to @sea-stone for beta reading this for me and letting me know I needed to add more smut.

⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧

You steadied your breath, fingers trembling over the spine of the ancient tome that rest in your hands. Your skin was drained of color and clammy in the candlelight. The sheen of your skin glistening in the low illumination of flickering flames that lapped hungrily at the wicks of the wax pillars. Each candle you had painstakingly lit till the room was bright and the temperature had risen substantially. The shadows that quivered and jumped along the walls tauntingly made you wince. Even your own traitorous shadow took part in this hellish provocation.

The chalk circle and neatly drawn sygils were scrawled over the floorboards in curious flowing patterns woven around your bare feet, where the same symbols and patterns were mirrored on your flesh. You close your eyes, desperation creasing your brow. Without further hesitation, despite your own wavering spirit, you parted a remarkably dry mouth and read. The ancient words spilled from your lips like boiling water, hissing and bubbling forth. The wooden planks beneath the chalk enchantments shuddered and began to quake angrily, the patterns on the floor rolling like the waves of the ocean.

This didn’t deter you, despite the roiling of your stomach, you continued reading, steeling yourself to this unsettling exhibition of power. As you continued to speak the words, the pages of the book ripped themselves free, and like a flock of doves, took to the air. A maelstrom of yellowed pages swirled around you. The paper flew past you violently, lightly slicing your flesh with each pass. You stared ahead, the page you needed to read from hovered in front of your face, bound by your speech, transfixed even as every object around you seemed to come to life by your words.

You faltered momentarily as the sygils that you’d drawn on your skin began to burn, but nothing would stop you now. Speaking the words that were on the page and in your heart, having memorized them prior to the evocation you were relying on. The final moment was upon you. Summoning forth the infernal being from the depths of the eternal burning pit to break free from the chains of Abaddon and do your bidding.

Hesitating for a moment, you revel in the power that surged around and through you. The same that had lifted up the books and pages, even your desk chair was spinning throughout the room.

Suddenly, the candles died, flames extinguished. It was now the sygils you’d drawn on the floor and on your own skin that glowed brightly in unholy illumination.

You let the demonic name roll off of your tongue in a smooth chorus, your voice powerful and commanding despite your normal demeanor. The floorboards cracked open, splintering and peeling back upon themselves. Dark smoke billowing from the gaping wooden maw, the large hole the magic had created was vomiting out ash and brimstone debris, sounding like a rumbling freight train was coming through the floor.

You tumbled backwards, taking deep, gasping breaths of air as you caught the briefest glimpse of the dark silhouette through the smoke. The figure that had emerged felt every bit as evil that you thought It might. Though instead of a disgusting monster as you’d expected, It seems you have evoked something else. Someone else. Rising from the hole, was an imposing, masculine figure, cloaked in smoke and shadows, but Its glowing eyes were on you, now examining you with dour displeasure and a furrowed brow.

"Oh no." You swallow, frozen in place.

There was an awkward stretch of silence as the smoke was beginning to settle, but It was the demon who decided to speak first. "Why am I here?" It drawled as It scorned you with, glowering with boredom. You could hardly process what was happening, merely in shock, suffering from both excitement and horror from what you’d done.

"A-Agannud?" You managed to ask, your voice only quavering slightly in Its presence. That is, you assumed the demonkin standing before you was the one you’d summoned.

The monstrous creature scoffed, as if he'd been insulted by such an accusation. "Wrong, wrong, wrong.” Its scowl turned Its lips down, serrated teeth on display.

The Hellspawn stood amongst the rubble of the room, the gaping hole in the floor having sealed itself at some point. You were now utterly alone in your bedroom with a demonic entity that was contained only by the chalk sygils you’d scrawled on the floor earlier. At least you hoped that the sygils were containing It. But you were no longer so sure.

It was something of a beast, but also had enough human qualities to give you pause. A human-like face, though… Its neck was perhaps slightly too long, even if the neck was thick with muscle and sinew. The facial features were obscured as Its coal black skin absorbed the light, made looking at the demon for too long a troubling task. It was also larger than you expected, perhaps seven feet tall, with muscular arms that were also perhaps a bit too long to be human. As It shifted Its weight and moved, you could have sworn Its shape changed, but It could be the low light playing tricks on you in a most unsettling way. Its lower half was still obscured in shadows and smoke, drawn around It like a cloak made of oblivion. For a moment, you could have sworn that multiple sets of eyes opened elsewhere upon Its body to observe you before they closed.

"N-no?” Unnerved, you pressed on regardless. You had studied this, you knew how to talk to demons. “How? I summoned Agannud? And, well, that has to be you?"

"You sound unsure. Are you positive it was Agannud you called forth from the pits of Abbadon?" Its voice rumbled in such a deep register that you felt the vibrations from your perch on the floor. Quickly you stood up but it did little to fortify your nerves. This demon was still towering over you, Its lips twisting into a smirk, serrated teeth gleaning in the light of the sygils.

"Well yes? But-" You were saying but, It cut you off before you could work through your logic.

Its glowing abyssal eyes were on you now, there was no escape from their scrutiny. “There is your answer. You're not confident enough to summon anything, so you could not know who you called forth. It's not a game you know. There is a price, I have a price.” The demon paused as It lowered itself to Its haunches so that they were eye level with you now. With little pause, It rest Its elbows on Its knees. “The price is high." It growled.

You froze, frightened of what was going to happen now. You had played with the darkest of magics and now there would be a tremendous penalty. Your life? Your soul? Could there be anything worse than losing your soul? You considered how to release him back to the depths of Abbadon, but would you ever get an opportunity to have summoned such a powerful demon? You had heard of Raumael and there was a reason you had not named him. Some entities were simply too strong to be controlled.

It continued to speak, "You are so very fortunate, because you've managed to catch my attention instead of that nobody, Agannud.” A toothy grin stretched Its maw, bringing no comfort to you, unable to partake in Its amusement.

“Though I have to admit, I'm rather embarrassed on your behalf. Despite how strong your evocation was, the fact of the matter is that your prompt was untethered, open ended, very erratic, and poorly executed.” An unnerving chuckle rumbled from the breadth of Its chest. “And that is exactly why your evocation normally would have gone unanswered. Damn my curiosity." It chastised you endlessly, sounding like a disappointed teacher rather than an infernal spirit here to do your bidding.

Its cutting remarks did nothing to fortify your will to speak out against that of which you’d summoned. But this was a demon you had called upon, sort of, and while it was an imposing figure with a crushing demonic aura to match, you had to take control. You took a step forward and steeled yourself for what came next.

"I don’t think so, demon. Tell me your name?" You commanded It with the same self confidence you had used to summon the creature itself.

It looked terribly unhappy with your renewed disposition, but It didn't have much of a choice and was forced to answer. "Raumael." It replied with contempt.

Flashing Its sharp, wolfish teeth your way was likely meant to scare you, but instead you found that the demon Raumael may actually have something of a nice smile. So much so that your cheeks began to feel warm, something that had little to do with the hellfire that radiated off of him.

“Then Raumael, you will do my bidding.” You commanded.

"I don't really feel like it. Maybe some other time." Raumael snidely remarked.

You balked, “What? You’re my demon! You have to?” baffled, you continued. “Those are the rules.”

“Not without a contract they aren’t. As I already told you, my price is high.” Raumael drawled, bored by you it seemed.

You clenched your jaw, aggravated.

He began to laugh, the deep rumble echoed throughout the small room. While It was unsettling, you didn’t find It unpleasant. “Hmm. Perhaps you will be the one following my orders and I’ll have your soul anyway.” The demon stepped closer to you, on the edge of the circle, towering over you, peering down over the ample curvature of his pec muscles. Perhaps Abbadon had a gym, you considered as this demon was fit.

You swallowed and shook your head, not so sure things wouldn’t wind up that way. “You aren’t leaving until you sign my contract. You get to walk around up here, but will do as I ask.”

The demon tilted his head, “Will I?” his tone mocking.

“You will.”

“Then you will pay my price.” Raum said as he stood and towered over you.

“Which is?”

“Your eternal soul. When you die, I will drag you down to Abbadon.”

You swallow, uncomfortable. “Anything else?”

“Your body.”

“My body?!” The suggestion was unthinkable. “Demonic possession is out of the question!”

“That is not what I’m asking for.” Raum said as he beckoned you to come into the circle with a crook of his claws.

You stayed still, the request unclear.

Obsidian eyes pierced yours, “I want to seal the contract with your body.” The demon parsed out, and as if sensing you were still dumbfounded, clarified, “Not possession.”

This was an uncommon practice, but not entirely unheard of to seal a demonic contract with a sexual act. This seemed to be the case here. But with a demon as powerful as Raumael at your command, you’d accomplish everything you had set out to do. What was a bit of sex and your immortal soul in exchange for unlimited infernal power at your fingertips?

Steeling your nerves, you step into the circle with the onyx skinned demonkin, your body tense, moving with all the flexibility of an eight hour old corpse. He clicked his tongue disapprovingly as his claws circled the nape of your neck, the other prickling at your hips as he reclined you within the illuminated ring of sygils. The glow from the enchanted glyphs better elucidated the demon’s features, a handsome, masculine face, you thought. Though the longer that your eyes roamed his features, the more things you found were not quite human. Like your sight was playing tricks on you.

The ashes and debris surround your head like a corona of chaotic wreckage, but it did nothing to dissuade your demon from sealing your contract. Raumael languidly climbed atop you with his long limbs on either side of your smaller, human body. His dark, substantial frame absorbing the light, as if his flesh was made from the abyss itself. Intense mercurial eyes stared down at you, lips parting as he lowered his head, his warm mouth brushing your shoulder. You clench your fists and tense up, waiting.

"This doesn't have to hurt, little Master." He advised, claws tracing the length of your arm with surprising care.

"I'm not your master yet." You manage.

"Per our agreement. You'll be my Master while we're under contract. You may not find the other monikers used for mortals so flattering.”

You nod with hesitation, continuing to observe the way he moved, his larger body engulfing you, knees pushing your legs apart. A razor sharp claw cut through the fabric of your shorts to expose the tender flesh of your lower torso. A shudder wracks your body, feeling wound as tight as a coil while the warm air of the room washed over your bare skin.

“Calm yourself and you just may enjoy this.” He said gruffly, his large body pressing down on you. Suddenly, distinctly male anatomy prodded at the cleft of your rear, his other claw slid down the length of your spine, careful not to shred your delicate human skin.

You nod your consent, trying to relax as he licks two of his fingers before reaching down to get you slick with saliva, mindful of his claws, he avoids penetrating you with his digits. The pads of his fingers firmly rubbed the tension from the tightly clenched flesh between your legs. To your surprise he moved back, his lips kissing your collarbone and down the center of your chest. Raum’s hand released your nape and was instead put to work as they began to fondle down your torso, sliding over your chest, his mouth descending to take a pert nipple between his lips, rolling his tongue over it. You cried out, surprised and trembling as his serrated teeth brushed the tiny bud of flesh, sending a jolt of arousal through your entire body.

Raum’s lips moved onward, kissing and nipping their way southward as you squirmed under his attention, he couldn’t have looked more pleased. You considered him as you peeked through your lashes at the immense demon, long talon-like digits tracing down your ribcage before settling on either side of your hips, squeezing your padding as they explored your body. Raum wasn’t complaining about extra flesh, if anything, the demon seemed to enjoy touching and squeezing you like a glorified stress ball.

Everywhere Raum’s skin grazed yours was left warm, as if his pleasure was dependent on your own arousal, reveling in your soft frame. He left you trembling, arching into his caress as he seemed to want to cause more of your wanton behaviors. The way you mewled and tensed and shuddered for him. You entirely went stiff, physically aching for more than delicate touches, you wanted so keenly to be filled.

“Please.” You rasped, muscles all over your body clenching and unclenching with need.

This plea only slowed the demon, who now seemed to be moving at a glacial pace. He was in no hurry to take you, to penetrate you and seal the contract. Your impatience would be your downfall, clearly. In a desperate attempt to take what you needed, you foisted your hips upwards at him, but not quickly enough. He pulled back, his cock still out of your reach. “Not yet.” He said, watching as your face contorted, awash with lust.

The head of his length pressed firmly against you, parting your flesh indelicately, but went no further than the tip of his colossal length pressing at the tender split at the apex of your legs.. “Is this what you want, Master?” He asked as claws circle your waist, your belly compressed underneath razor sharp nails. His lips curl as he elicits a gasp from you as his cock throbs with need against you, precum dribbling into your hole.

Nodding eagerly, your shoulders pinch together as you twisted beneath the weight of him, a moan slipping past your lips, surprising you as you thought you’d sealed yourself against enjoying the act, but you’d fallen so far so fast. Raum had seen to it that your body would enjoy itself whether you liked it or not.

Raumael slanted his slightly too large mouth over yours, sliding his hips forward so that your bodies were pressed hard against each other, his talons gripping tightly at your nape. It was a possessive hold, a possessive kiss.

Your lips softened and gave way to his tongue, tilting your head upwards to receive more of his heated kiss. Your breath escaped as he folded atop you, his hips finding their rhythm quickly as your flesh parted for his ample girth. You groan as you’re stretched, your tender flesh splayed wide to accommodate his fat cock as he rocked your body against his, his claw firmly on your lower back holding you. His rock hard length slid deeper inside you, knocking the air from your lungs with each bone-rattling thrust.

You cry out, every part of you feels like it's on fire, your hands clawing at the massive pecs that hovered above your face before finding purchase on his broad shoulders. You weren't sure when you stopped thinking of him as It and more as a he. Perhaps when his cock barged its way inside of you, or earlier even when you'd noted his physique and handsome face.

Squirming underneath his weight, the heat of his skin warmed you to your core, as he pushed into your body, all of your nerve endings suddenly at attention as the burn of his hellfire washed over you. You wrapped your legs around him, welcoming the heat as you felt yourself unfurling, digging your nails into his shoulders as the glow of your orgasm was building. Your thighs quivered as your body seemed to have a mind of its own.

You gasp, mindlessly as his breath stirred against your shoulder, serrated teeth and warm lips pressed on the soft skin there. The demon’s hard length thrust into you, hot like coals and smooth as silk, as the base of his mound crashed against your hips. Slick with precum and fluids mixing in an obscene union. Your body was raw and pulsing as you tensed with every thrust, toes curling in pleasure, nails raking over his obsidian skin. Your breath hitched as every part of you felt as if you had shattered in that moment. Your orgasm hit you like a ton of bricks, your eyes rolling back as you silently clenched, holding onto your demon for dear life.

Raumael held you in a bruising grip, pumping furiously into you, every muscle tense and strained. You felt him swelling, growing harder, filling you more than you ever could have anticipated. He lifted you by your pelvis off the floor, angling you higher to meet his fearsome thrusts, his face contorted with evident focus. The demon’s dark brow furrowed, lips curled in a snarl as a spasm began to shake him. With a guttural hiss, his body jerked as he suddenly flooded with you what felt like an endless supply of hot, slick fluid, flooding out of you as you were filled to capacity as it smeared your inner thighs and trickled down the cleft of your bottom.

Suddenly then, the illumination of the sygils stopped. The only light that was cast upon you was the tiny sliver from beneath the closed door and a pair of dark eyes reflecting that miniscule glow back upon you. Your body was numb, like it was made completely of static and you felt utterly drained, slick with sweat, a mixture of yours and his.

There were several minutes where both of you only focused on breathing, the demon still having pinned you beneath him, his cock stuffed inside of you as cum gushed out and pooled on the floor. A terrible mess you both had made.

"Is that it?" You asked, breaking the silence, your breathing unsteady.

All the candles flickered to life suddenly and your demon peered down at you, quite offended. "Did you not cum too?" Raum scowled as he sat back on his haunches, carefully releasing you from his grip as his erection slowly dissipated.

"Oh! No, I did!" Your face turned scarlet at the questioning and you realize how that may have been misconstrue. "I meant...our contract is sealed?"

"You can't tell?" Raumael scoffed, unimpressed as he observed you closely now.

"It’s just that you're my first." You explain as you sit up, gesturing to the sygils and then to him.

"First?" Raum perked up, as you seemed to summon every ounce of his attention.

"Yes...first demon and..." You trail off.

He glanced down at you for a moment, "Oh, that makes things interesting. You should have negotiated our contract, Master. I would have given you a better deal." He chuckled, but very tenderly began to clean you up. This bit of information seemed to garner a modicum of sympathy from the devil.

Perhaps it wasn’t too late to renegotiate?

“No.” He said simply, as if he was reading your mind. This did not stop him from examining you for damage. How cute he was concerned, but there was a very legitimate reason for it. You shouldn’t confuse his concern for care. It was contractually his job to make sure you’re okay.

“But-”

Raum shook his head. “Absolutely not.” He reaffirmed.

⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧⛧

Original works Masterlist

131 notes · View notes

midnightmorpher · 1 month

Text

💻 DCA AU Idea: Digital Horror 💻

This is my first time posting a DCA AU so I’m sorry if my post sounds more like disconnected rambling ahaha 🥲 But here goes!

The DCA duo in a digital horror setting.

Think KinitoPet but instead of Kinito as the mascot of a long-lost pet game, it’s Sun and Moon as the face of an old creature collection/virtual pet game created by Fazbear Corp on their old 90s company, kid-friendly website.

Think like a mix between Pokémon and Neopets, speaking as someone who played too much Pokemon and played literally zero Neopets 👍🏻

One day many years after the website has been shut down, You hear rumors about a “haunted” pet game made by the Fazbear Corp and decide to check it out, because you didn’t watch enough horror movies to know this is a terrible idea :>

The game (archived and run on a server supported by Fazbear fans, I don’t know much about tech so I dunno if this is even possible but whatever) runs like it should when you first enter it. However, it starts acting up when you input your old username…

I might start writing this as a fic once I’m further along on my current fic, so for now I’ll just be dumping my AU ideas on this blog haha

Here’s a summary and a brief snippet I wrote because the idea wouldn’t leave me alone:

Virtual pet game websites are a dime in a dozen. You might’ve tried out one or two in your childhood, but memories of that are fuzzy at best. It’s only when your classmate brings up a particular website hosted by Fazbear Corporation that you begin to remember playing it briefly during its heydays, and you decide to visit it for nostalgia’s sake.

=0=

“Welcome to Sun and Moon’s Superstar Daycare!” the computerized voice of the sunny jester character trills. He lounges on top of the window asking you to create a new account, kicking his curly-tipped shoes merrily in the air as he eagerly awaits your input. His bouncy avatar, its details showing hours of love and dedication poured into each brush stroke, paints a hilarious contrast against the shoddy art that makes up the background of the game. You don’t really care, though. It’s not like anyone plays these types of games for its art.

Your hands hover over the keyboard. After a moment’s hesitation, you try to enter your old username.

“Starbite”

Most likely the “Sorry, this username has already been taken” prompt will pop up since you clearly remember using it as a kid, but there’s no harm in trying. You click on the “Confirm” option.

Nothing happens.

Weird. Is it hanging? You click it again, and again. Nothing happens. Even Sun has frozen still. Yep, it’s definitely hanging. Pity, but it’s not too unexpected considering the game’s age. You decide to fall back on the good ol’ cure: spamming the mouse button. clickclickclickclickclickcli

his eyes flick up to stare at you

The shock shoots through your whole being like a lightning bolt. You gasp sharply, eyes fluttering close for a brief moment before they’re cast on the computer screen again.

“Welcome back, Starbite!” Sun says. He takes center stage in a field of rudimentarily drawn grass, the baby blue sky matching the bright smile stretching from “ear” to “ear”, like nothing had happened. “Go forth and pick a Faz Pet to be your forever companion, and I hope you enjoy your stay at our esteemed daycare!”

The character delivers his scripted lines like he should.

The character has his arms up in celebration like he should.

The character smiles at you like he should.

So what is this cold dread trickling down your spine…?

#fnaf security breach #sun security breach #sundrop #fnaf sun #fanfic #fnaf daycare attendant #fnaf dca #midnightwrites #fnaf au #dca au #dca sun #dcau #dca community

24 notes · View notes

need-a-name-101 · 5 months

Text

#not me making memes about my current situation with wips #fanfic writer #fanfiction writer #writing #fanfic writing #ao3 writer #writeblr #memes #has this been done before #writers on tumblr #writers #writblr #midnightwrites!

25 notes · View notes

katiebugwolf · 4 years

Text

Monster

There’s all kinds of thought fragments bouncing around in my head but none of them seem worth the effort of polishing to say out loud or share with anyone. Now that I’ve thought about it more, that definitely seems like the shadow tentacles of depression winding their way through the eddies of my subconscious. And not sexy hentai tentacles, more like the mysterious, dangerous deep-dwelling tentacles of a giant squid - easy to forget about until you’re already deep underwater.

#depression #mentalillness #mental illness #midnightwriting #midnight writing #creative writing #creativewriting #shortstory #mini short story #minishortstory #short story

2 notes · View notes

lucienarcheron · 4 months

Text

Spirit Meets the Bones XXIV

Genre: Angst/Romance/Drama Warnings: Mentions of physical abuse. Author's Note: anddd we're finally starting with the new chapters! I hope you all enjoy :)

shoutout to @abruisedmuse for being part of this journey with me!!

tagging: @climb-the-mountian / @vanserrass / @zenkindoflove / @animezinglife / @readthelastpaage / @teddyhoneybear / @positivewitch / @krem-does-stuff / @clockwork-ashes / @carolynmezzosoprano / @carnythian / @runningwiththeoceans / @secret-third-thing / @readychilledwine / @goldenmagnolias / @thedarkinmansfield / @mali22 / @maidr-00 / @electromagnetic-waves / @eastofatlanta / @moobell55 / @bibliophiliaxvignette / @devilsfoodcake22 / @moonfawnx / @weesablackbeak / @ladywhilemia / @alohaangels / @eachies / @feysandfeels / @thelovelymadone / @corcracrow / @dawneternal / @sinnerrsworld / @gracie-rosee / @stormycleric / @queenoftheworld1998 / @wolvesnravens / @theeternalstruggle / @the-midnightwriter / @illyrianvalkyrie / @that-golden-lyre / @ladystarrynight / @rityrooroo / @thewilderheart

Find it all here.

Hearing the words from her lips – it was like a boulder dropping right on his chest.

But the confirmation made up for whatever else had happened during this day. It set what was left of his wretched soul on fire and the need to claim her nearly had him drop to his knees.

She wasn’t repulsed. She wasn’t running. She stood in his arms, hands at her sides as she stared at him and all Eris wanted to do was taste every inch of her.

“When — how did you know?” she asked.

“I’ve sensed something different about this relationship with you from the very first night we spent together.” he said quietly. “It wasn’t until you were with your father and I felt you. Like an invisible string being pulled.”

“Like a thread.” she said quietly.

“A thread,” he confirmed. “And it dragged me right to you.”

Iris swallowed and she opened her mouth to speak then closed it once more. Her mind had gone blank as quickly as her heart rate had increased. She couldn’t stop staring at her husband who had always been so much more than she had anticipated. She saw the hesitation in his eyes, the slight panic that hadn’t left him since.

One kiss had changed the trajectory of their relationship.

And this was going to be the one thing that unraveled them both at the seams.

“You’re my mate.” she whispered again, still in disbelief and Eris nodded.

His throat bobbed as she said the words once more and the flame that had engulfed them finally disappeared. “Yes.” he confirmed again, watching her chest rise and fall, her beautiful eyes blinking rapidly as she processed.

“You’re — you’re —”

“Yes.” he said as his thumb caressed the column of her neck softly. “It seems you and I were always destined to meet… and be a little more.”

Iris couldn’t help but think about how much of an understatement that was. She could only think of everything he had just told her, of the loneliness they had both drowned in for years. Only to find their way to each other in a faith-forgotten land — in a place meant to snuff them both out.

“You knew for hours,” she finally found herself saying. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

She watched his expression dim at her question and after everything he had already shared, Iris hadn’t expected the uncertainty on his face at this.

“I wanted to. I was going to before Finn interrupted.” he said quietly.

His words from earlier flashed in her mind.

“I’m terrified to tell you.”

“Because…you are something I had not anticipated. Because you never wanted this. You never wanted me.” he had said quietly. “And I am…overwhelmed by this thing between us.”

And all at once, Iris felt herself soften and a deep, painful ache unfurled in her chest.

“Of all the things that happened today, this is what you’d been most hesitant to share with me?” she asked quietly and the ache intensified when his throat bobbed again.

“We’ve barely started being something close to… normal.” he said tightly and slowly pulled back from her. “Everything between us has already been moving so fast. You’ve only started to feel safe with me and people don’t feel safe around me. But you —” His fists clenched at his sides. “You do.”

“I - I do.” Iris said softly. “And this seems to be worrying you more than anything.”

“Because now this is another thing I’m shoving at you.” he said through clenched teeth. “Tying you to me and this fucked up family forever —”

Her brows went up as she watched him. “Eris —”

Eris couldn’t look at her as he shook his head and then quietly said, “I have spent my whole life guarding all that I am from everyone. And you came into my life and made me…crave. Want.” He waved a hand almost helplessly. “Being mates is just another thing thrown at you. And I don’t have it in me if you don’t…want me this way. If it’s only a bond making you stay. Tolerating me.”

Iris wondered if he could feel her heart break at the confession. Had no one ever seen how afraid he was? How alone?

“You seem to forget,” she began gently. “That I had nothing before you.”

Eris glanced at her as she took a step toward him. “This may not have been a choice for either of us in the beginning but…we made a choice to try together,” she said. “You and I decided we wanted to make this work and that was before any bond came to light.” She shrugged her shoulders almost helplessly. “I’d like to think I’m not still here because you’re just tolerating my presence.”

“No.” he said immediately and Iris tried not to smile at the scowl that followed his quick response or at the way the tip of his ears turned red. “I — I —”

Iris mustered a small, teasing smile. “You have so many feelings for me, don’t you?”

His scowl deepened. “If you haven’t picked up on that by now, I’m going to open the window and fling myself out of it.” he snapped, and Iris bit back another smile. “Obviously I like you.”

“Ah, a swoon-worthy confession if I’ve ever heard one.” she said as color bloomed on her cheeks at his reluctant confirmation. “Having feelings must be so difficult for you.”

“I hate every single thing that is happening to me at this moment.” he said through clenched teeth and Iris couldn’t help the strained chuckle that escaped her.

“Really?” she asked and moved in front of him again. “Even if I tell you that I… obviously like you too?”

Eris pursed his lips, his face heating. He knew his insecurities had nearly suffocated him today — especially at this moment. But those words sent a warm feeling fluttering in his chest. Eris knew Iris…liked him. And yet.

Very few people openly claimed to enjoy having him around. He needed to hear her say these things.

“You seem surprisingly calm about all of this.” he said, his shoulders tensing as she watched him, pink coloring her cheeks.

“Shocked and calm are two very different things.” she said with a knowing look and Eris couldn’t help the way his lips twitched at the words. “I’m still…processing. So maybe I’ll lose my mind tomorrow and you can be shocked and calm about it then.”

He snorted. “Should I offer you my condolences?” he added and though it was a joke, she heard the tension in his tone. “That I’m the one you’re fated with? That you’re truly stuck with me now?”

Iris shook her head and with a breath, her hands grasped his. This male who was burdened with so much, whose deep-rooted fear of remaining alone in it nearly suffocated him. Of being left alone in this life. He had been expecting her to react differently.

And had it been a few weeks ago, Iris would’ve run. She would’ve done anything not to be tied down to the Eris everyone thought they knew.

But now? It was…a sense of relief that Iris felt. She was relieved that the person who cared, who made her feel was the one fate wanted her to be with. That the person she may not have initially chosen as a partner was the only partner she wanted. Iris was certainly calmer than she expected because of how right it felt. How much it made sense.

Any resistance Iris had felt towards him in the beginning, had been chipped away long before a mating bond changed anything. And he felt the same way. He wanted her. And he wouldn’t leave.

“I’m afraid I should be offering you my condolences.” she said with a small, sad smile and Eris’s brows furrowed.

“Why would you say that?”

“I don’t have much to offer you.” she said quietly. Especially as a mate. Especially if she thought about who he previously wanted to wed; how could she compare to the power of the Morrigan or what Nesta Archeron had offered him? What could she, who had nothing, give to someone who already had everything?

She glanced away from him. “You’ve given me so much in the time we’ve been together and I don’t know that I —

But Eris had cut her off by firmly gripping her chin to force her to meet his gaze. “Do not finish that statement,” he said. “You’ve offered me more than you already know.”

She had offered him companionship and soft hands. A relationship where he wasn’t waiting for the other shoe to drop. Where understanding and a little room for kindness were the only requirements.

He forced himself to swallow and hold her gaze as his hand dropped to hold hers. “You offered me a space to be something more than what I’ve been obligated to be for years.” he continued softly. “You have no idea what you’ve offered me.”

“And is it — am I enough?” came her whispered question.

“Am I?” he asked in return. “Even if staying with me — being my mate, would likely never bring you peace?”

Husband and wife shared a glance and without saying a word, the answer stood between them and a slow, steady tension filled the room: the confession, the realization hanging heavy between them.

Iris glanced down at their hands. “Eris,” she said softly then let out another breath as she glanced back at him. “Being with you is the first time I’ve ever known what peace could look like.”

Eris scoffed weakly, his voice tight as he asked, “How can you say that living here? With all that you know now? With everything to come?”

Iris shook her head slowly, her expression almost helpless. “You bring me ease. You make me feel safe.” she said, flushing deeply at her confession. “Anything outside of us…I think we can manage that together. As best as we can, we can fight for that peace.”

Eris felt that ache of self-loathing in his chest. “How can you say I bring you peace when already, we have to fight so hard for it?”

Iris hesitated, her expression cautious.“Aren’t all the important things worth fighting for?” she asked quietly, and when Eris’s expression tightened, she continued, “You have shared so much with me today and I know that hasn’t been easy. I know everything between us hasn’t been easy either and while I don’t know if I’m ready to fully accept a mating bond yet…” She licked her lips and met his gaze, the flush on her cheeks giving away the shyness she felt. “I do know that I want whatever this is with you. I know that I have accepted you.”

Eris’s head dipped at her words and he tried not to let the visceral relief he felt show, tried not to let it bring him to his knees. They could work on a mating bond. They still needed time for that and Eris would give her all the time in the world as long as she accepted him. As long as she wanted him.

“I know there’s much we have to figure out together,” he said, a slight edge to his tone. “And I know we will need more time but —”

“Tomorrow.” She said, silencing him with a hand to his lips and his brows furrowed as he watched her. Iris gave him a small smile and slowly, without taking her eyes off Eris, she walked him back to their bed and gently pushed him to sit. “It’s been a long day. Let’s worry about everything else tomorrow and instead focus on just you and me tonight.”

“Just you and me.” he repeated and Iris nodded as she stood before him.

All the panic, all the hurt and pain and anger that they had dealt with tonight, all of it seemed to deflate at the simple words. All of it faded away.

She let a finger gently caress his face and wondered if Eris could hear how wildly her heart was beating as he shuddered beneath her touch. That she, of all people, could make Eris Vanserra shudder — could make him feel.

Her husband had many faces and played many roles but in the end, the most important one was the one that looked at her like she held his world in her hands. The face that was begging deep, deep down to be seen and loved.

They may not have been each other’s choice in the beginning, but they would be each other’s choice from now until they were no more. He was hers in a way she had never dreamed anyone would be and Iris would take care of what was hers. She would take care of his bleeding heart.

There was so much left to discover between them, so much to see but tonight would be a new start for them both.

“You and I are used to hands that beat down. That break.” she started quietly. “And maybe everything we went through was so that when we met, we’d understand.”

Eris felt his chest threatening to cave in at the way she looked at him, as though she could see right through him. “Understand what?” he forced himself to ask and the corner of her mouth ticked up.

“That there are hands that hurt and hands that heal. That soothe.” Iris continued, her voice a whisper. “That those hands can be your person and your peace, if given the chance.”

Gods, he was going to throw up. And Eris tried not to show it – tried not to make it too obvious what this day, what this conversation was doing to him.

“Is that what I am now?” he said, attempting humor that didn’t last when he continued, “Your person?”

Iris gave him a half-smile, feeling her heart spasm at the tiny crack in his voice she hadn’t missed. “Among other things apparently,” she said, her thumb grazing his cheek. “If that doesn’t affect your delicate sensibilities, of course.”

A small chuckle escaped him. “Of course. As long as you being mine doesn’t affect yours.”

“Is that what I am now? Yours?” she teased gently and he shot her a look that had her chuckling. “Careful now, husband, it sounds like you’re very enamored with me.”

Eris forced himself to roll his eyes, feeling heat spread through him at her words – her gaze – her touch. “Oh wife,” he said and sighed without taking his eyes off her. “I am so very enamored.”

Her lips twitched and Iris leaned in to place a gentle kiss to the corner of his mouth then held his gaze as she slid to sit next to him.

And a thrill went through her at the way Eris watched her, his gaze curious, possessive — with a hunger that Iris felt deep in her soul. It overwhelmed her. This feeling of being wanted. Needed.

Nobody had ever needed her. But Eris did.

They were starved for a safe touch, for a connection that was only theirs.

She wasn’t sure how much he needed but if the ache in his gaze matched the depth of her own, Iris wanted to give what he needed – what she wanted. A kiss to soothe. A gentle touch of a hand. To see and be seen.

“This is strange.” she whispered.

“Very.” Eris agreed.

“I’m not quite sure where to go from here.”

Eris watched her lovely face, clocking the slight hesitation – the little space between them. He opened his palm and the corner of her mouth ticked up as she slid her hand in his.

“That depends.” he said and she furrowed her brows. “Are you feeling dramatic or tired?”

“Dramatic?” Iris asked with an amused expression and Eris couldn’t help the twitch of his lips.

“Elain didn’t speak to Lucien for three years when she found out they were mates. I’d like to prepare myself if that’s the route you’re planning to take.”

Iris snorted then nodded to her right. “I was thinking more so to take your suggestion of leaping out of the window instead.”

And after everything this day had put him through, it should’ve shocked Eris that he could laugh. Even if it was a quiet chuckle. It should’ve rocked his world that he felt lighter sitting here next to the female who had been a stranger to him not too long ago than he had ever felt in his life.

His hand found its way to her cheek and the cracked pieces of his heart shook when she leaned into his hand, her hand wrapping gently around his wrist to hold him, to anchor them both to this moment.

Mates. Mates. Mates. Mates.

It was a melody that wrapped itself around them – a symphony of emotions, too many to process.

Where did they go from here? He swallowed. If it was up to the carnal desires coursing through him at the sight of her and the bond chafing at his skin, Eris would’ve already been buried in her. They would be sharing the pleasures of being mates.

But he couldn’t. Not when he wasn’t in full control of his emotions. Not when he could hurt her in his greed. Not when the thought of his skin touching another person made him want to set himself on fire.

The version of himself before Iris might’ve succumbed just to feel something. Who he was trying to shape himself into now needed more.

Eris licked his lips, hesitating for a moment. He was not used to asking anything of anyone — did not like the feeling of needing anything from anyone but…

For the second time in a matter of hours, he confessed what he usually kept buried.

“I am so tired of all this.” he murmured. “Being in this place. Dealing with everything outside of this room.”

Iris’s expression fell, her chest tightening at the words. “I know.” she whispered. “Let’s rest easy. Let me be here with you.”

Eris licked his lips again, the heat of embarrassment coursing through him at the way he wanted to sink into her words, sink into her arms, and allow just that.

He’d allow himself to sink into her kisses. Neither of them had to say anything. His eyes held the question and Iris answered by leaning closer.

Holding her face with a tender touch, he kissed his wife. His lips brushed hers in greeting and slowly, Eris let himself go. He kissed her and let every other moment of this day wash away, focusing only on the feeling of her lips, the heat of her body next to his, and the soft noises she made.

“Eris.” she whispered against his lips and Eris couldn’t help but deepen the kiss as she opened for him, a hand running through her hair and down her back. His mouth moved to taste more of her, kissing her jawline and sliding to her neck, his tongue darting out for a taste then back to her teasing mouth to swallow those little noises he loved so much.

He wanted — he needed —

Turning his body into hers, his hands tangled themselves into her hair, a noise he could only describe as hungry slipping from his mouth into hers and he shuddered when he felt her fingertips skimming across his skin and up his arms.

A hand slid from her hair and wrapped around her throat, his grip tightening gently and Eris intended to pull her closer, devour her further — but Iris had stiffened beneath his grip and so had he when he felt her fingers dig into his back. A snarl slipped from his throat as a sharp breath slipped from her lips and Iris ripped his hand away and pulled back, nearly shoving him off the bed as he pulled away from her.

“No.” they snapped in unison and then froze, his hands raised away from her as Iris’s own hand covered her neck, their breathing shallow.

“Not — don’t — don’t hold me like that.” she stuttered.

A tense silence stretched between them, anxiety skating down Eris’s spine and his chest tightened at the expression on her face. At the slight panic she was trying to hide that mirrored his own. At the tense caution, waiting for him to react. As if he’d be upset. As if he didn’t immediately understand why she reacted that way. As if he hadn’t reacted the same way snarling at her like an animal.

And it crushed him because he could hear the fast beating of her heart in line with his own. He didn’t realize it would bother him. He – he liked her touch. Gods, he wanted her to touch him but not – not –

He straightened, his hands falling to his lap as guilt and embarrassment tore at him. This was exactly why he wouldn’t let himself go further tonight. “I didn’t realize it would bother you.” he finally said quietly. “I didn’t think. I’m sorry.”

“It’s — it’s okay.” she managed, her face flushed and Iris tried to hide her own embarrassment at the moment being interrupted by her hands and her reaction.

“No, it’s not,” Eris said firmly, a muscle feathering in his jaw as he watched her. “I don’t want to do anything you don’t like or touch you in a way that makes you uncomfortable. You are always safe with me.”

She felt her heart flutter at the words. Safe. Since that first night together, she had wondered if safe would be her reality with him.

“I know.” she said then swallowed, slowly bringing both hands back to settle in her lap and calm her breathing. “I’m – I”m sorry for touching your back. My hands just slipped. I didn’t think.”

Eris shook his head. “It’s – it’s fine.” he muttered. “I told you, you can always touch me…I didn’t think I would…react that way.”

Iris bit her lip. “I – I didn’t expect to feel that way either.” Her gaze dropped to her hands. “You’ve held me by the back of my neck before and I — I liked it. And I like it when you kiss my neck.”

His hold never hurt. His lips were always so soft on her skin. It made her forget her father’s hand.

“But no hands wrapped around your throat.” he confirmed gently.

“Not – not yet.” she whispered and Eris’s mouth curled softly, causing Iris’s flush to deepen.

“Not yet?” he asked and carefully, slowly, raised his hand to brush a strand of her hair back.

She licked her lips. She had thought a lot about his hands and what she’d imagine he’d do with them. Her flush deepened as he gave her a knowing look.

“I…like the idea of your hands on my throat.” Iris confessed shyly. “But for now…”

“Kisses only?” he suggested and after a breath, she nodded, watching his face.

She hadn’t meant to react that way, hadn’t even thought it would bother her. Until he squeezed and it triggered another hand on her throat. A hand she hated more than anything and Iris wished she had let Eris wipe him from existence so her father wouldn’t ruin more moments for her.

Her husband only watched her calmly and as he did, Iris felt her shoulders start to relax, her body calming. Eris gave her a small smile.

“Kissing is one of my favorite things to do,” he said. “Especially when your skin tastes like heaven.”

Iris couldn’t help the weak chuckle that escaped her lips and leaned in to rest her head against his shoulder gently. His hands immediately tightened around her and she felt her chest ache.

A few moments of silence passed before Iris sat back and met his gaze once more.

“I’m sorry for ruining the moment.” Iris said quietly, her fingers tracing the scattered freckles on his shoulder.

Eris’s expression flattened and he gave her a hard look. “You ruined nothing,” he said firmly, his hand sliding down her back and back up absently, soothingly. “We were both caught up in the moment.”

Iris shook her head gently. “It’s alright. We’re…figuring it out.” she said quietly then slowly leaned in to shyly kiss the corner of his mouth. “Is your back the only place I shouldn’t touch yet?”

He felt his wretched heart skip at her question and Eris was already on the edge of a heart attack just with this conversation alone. He wanted her to touch him everywhere. Every surface of his skin to replace any touch before hers.

“For now.” he only said and she nodded slowly. She watched him as he watched her and Iris would never get over how she had the power to make the Prince of Autumn blush.

He seemed to struggle with his next words and Iris waited, knowing just how hard this night had been for him.

“Will you lay with me?” he finally asked quietly and Iris blinked at the request, then nodded with a small smile, a light flush in her cheeks.

They let go, their hands reluctantly separating as the two moved to rest on their respective sides of the bed but they couldn’t keep their eyes off each other. There was something in the casualness of the movement, in the routine of them shifting around their bedroom that built a sensual tension between them.

Until Iris clocked Eris’s stiff movements as he tried to get comfortable on his stomach. He tried to hide how worn out his body was — didn’t want to see the way her expression dropped again even if it made his stupid heart skip a beat, to know that he had someone who worried about him like this. Who could ease these moments for him. And Eris tried not to break when instead of saying anything, Iris silently moved a pillow for him to place it beneath him.

He could only nod in gratitude, color marking his face as he slowly settled in and glanced at her, silently lifting his arm, waiting for her to slide into the space next to him.

Iris glanced at him for a moment as a silly sense of shyness crawled its way into her chest and she bit her lip.

“Are you sure?” she whispered and Eris quirked a brow at the question.

“I like it when you’re close,” he murmured and Iris heard the unspoken sentence to follow those words, saw it in his eyes, what he really wanted to say, I need you close.

A heartbeat passed, and then Iris allowed herself to sink into his side with that small, shy smile.

Eris pulled her into him and a shuttered breath slipped out of her lips at their closeness, at the careful way he held her, and gods, she knew her heart was beating so fast.

All of the other times he had held her or touched her…she knew that this time, it felt different. A new awareness sat between them; the hands of fate rested over them. She wished now more than ever the earlier touching hadn’t caused such a panic.

Iris adjusted herself, turning on her side so she could watch him as he always watched her.

Mate. Her mate.

The revelation made her skin tingle as they sat in silence and she still, to this moment, wasn’t sure it was real. “Are you feeling alright?” she asked, scanning his expression for any signs of discomfort. “Do you want me to get you more of the healing ointment?”

Eris only gave her a short smile. “I’m fine.” he said but Iris shot him a look that made the corner of his mouth twitch. “Exhausted. But fine.” His brows furrowed as he watched her face. “Are you alright?”

“I’m more worried about you.”

Eris grunted in response, the hand wrapped around her waist moving to slide slowly up her back. “I’ll be fine. So stop looking at me like that or I really will fling myself out the window.” he said and Iris pursed her lips.

“I’m not allowed to be worried about you? You’re my husband.”

“And a little more than that too.”

As it fell silent between them once more, Iris felt her heartbeat speed up at his tone. That low, sultry tone.

What was going to happen now? Clearly, things had escalated. Where did that leave them? What did that mean for them outside of this room? Do they tell anyone? How long would they wait to solidify their bond? How soon did she want to?

Her eyes fell to his bare shoulder, the arm wrapped around her feeling heavier. His shoulders bore such a burden and now she was another one added to the list. Another person he had to protect. How could she help him? How could she ease his struggle instead of causing more of it?

How long would it take him to start resenting that, even as her mate?

“Iris?”

She blinked and met his gaze as he assessed her. Iris let her eyes roam, focusing first on his bare chest, then resting on his collarbone. She let a hand tentatively slide to trace the bare skin of his shoulder carefully.

“Maybe…Maybe I am being too calm about this.” she whispered and Eris gave her an amused look.

“Are you going to run away screaming now?” he said. “I’ll be a gentleman and give you a headstart.”

Iris snorted softly. “Chase me until the bitter end, hm?” she said and met his gaze, the look he gave her heating her skin.

“Oh, absolutely. The chase is the fun part.”

She tried to chuckle but her expression fell instead. Now that they were mates, tied in a way that couldn’t be changed, that mattered more than anything else…the weight of it all grew heavier. Iris realized how she’d tensed when his hand had slid from her waist to brush up and down her back, soothingly.

“A question for a question.” he murmured and Iris glanced at him, the corner of her mouth curling up.

“A question for a question.” she repeated.

“Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“That’s less of a question and more of a demand, husband.”

“What’s on your mind, oh smartass wife of mine?” he corrected with a teasing tone.

Iris looked away with a small chuckle before sighing softly. “Too many things, if I’m being honest.”

“Such as?”

Iris bit her lip again then frowned. She didn’t want him worrying any more than he already did. They’d – they’d take it day by day. It would be fine. They were in this together.

And yet, she couldn’t help her question.

“Don’t you think this is…crazy?” she said quietly. “A few months ago we were complete strangers…what are the odds of us meeting the way we did?”

Eris gave a slow shrug. “Fate is a funny thing. It is the one thing we cannot escape,” he said. “I barely thought marriage was for me and yet…here we are.”

Iris hummed and then silence fell once more between them. There were so many thoughts swirling in her mind. She wasn’t sure which to ask first.

“Will we…tell anyone?”

Eris’s expression hardened, his grip tightening on her waist briefly. “I would rather we kept it between us for as long as possible. I can only imagine how much worse my father will make things if he finds out what you are to me.”

Iris bit her lip. “What about your mother?”

She watched as Eris stiffened slightly then let out a sigh. “I’m sure she’s sensed it for a while. I wouldn’t put it past her.” he said but glanced at Iris. “But yes. I do want to tell her.”

“I’m alright with that.”

Eris paused for a moment, glancing away from Iris before clearing his throat and shifting slightly to meet her gaze once more. “Lucien knows.”

Iris blinked. “He does? Since when?”

He nodded, hoping his fidgeting wasn’t too noticeable. “When we visited them…outside, during our conversation,” he said. “I may have been overwhelmed and shared more than I intended.”

Iris blinked again. “I see.”

“Does that bother you?” he asked quietly and Iris bit the inside of her cheek as she watched him, thinking it over before shaking her head.

“No. If you trust Lucien, I trust Lucien.” she said and Eris nodded, swallowing his relief.

“He’s one of the very few people that I do.” he continued. “That's why I’m glad I told him. I wanted…I wanted to make sure you had somewhere safe outside this place. That should anything happen, you could go to him.”

Iris felt her expression soften. “Eris…”

Though he shrugged, Eris knew the heat rising on his face gave away his true feelings. “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t have a plan for everything.”

Iris chuckled softly. “You had a plan for everything except me.”

His chuckle echoed hers. “You did throw a very big wrench into my plans.” he agreed and she flipped him off half-heartedly, earning her another chuckle. “I never said I was complaining.”

“How could you? I’m so lovely.” she said with a polite smile that made him snort.

“Yes, especially when threatening to stab me. What else could I have asked for?”

Iris couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “This does seem awfully convenient for you.” she mused. “Wife and mate all in one package.”

“For you as well, I’d wager.” He said with a smirk. “I am very rich and well-endowed.”

She swatted his chest gently. “Not to mention incredibly humble. Don’t be crass.”

He couldn’t help the chuckle and squeezed her waist again, marveling at the fact that he could laugh at anything after this day. “We are well past me being crass. You should know better by now.” he said sagely. “So if you’re thinking about leaving me, it’s too late I’m afraid.”

Iris sighed playfully. “Who knew you’d be so clingy? I mean, one kiss sent you into a spiral, who knows once we’ve done more what you’ll be like? I’m never going to get rid of you.” Her cheeks flushed in delight at his laugh and she couldn’t help her own chuckle.

“Thinking about doing more with me, are you?” he asked, his voice dropping in a way that made Iris’s heartbeat quicken.

“Maybe.”

He sighed rather dramatically then deadpanned, “And the saga of maybes continues.”

Iris’s laugh was muffled as she hid her face. And maybe it was his hand resting against the silk of her robe or his teasing words or the now acknowledged mating bond between them that she remembered his earlier request and met his gaze shyly again.

“Do you remember what you requested before you left?”

Eris quirked a brow, the corner of his mouth curling up. “I do.” he said quietly. “Don’t tell me this is the one time you’ve decided to listen?”

Her chuckle was a little breathless and Iris could only bring herself to nod. Eris groaned, closing his eyes and Iris couldn’t help her soft laugh.

“I did say it was under consideration.” she said.

His hand seemed heavier on her back and Eris opened his eyes once more, his gaze unreadable as he watched her.

“Do you remember our first night together? When you helped me with my dress?” she whispered.

“How could I forget?” he murmured. “I think about my hands touching your bare skin too often for my own good.”

Iris flushed. “I – I think about your hands touching my bare skin all the time.” she said.

“Do you now?”

“Unfortunately.”

“What a disgusting habit you picked up there, wife.”

“I did learn from the best, husband.”

Eris’s lips twitched at her response and without looking away, his hand slid down her curves to settle on her upper thigh, his thumb toying with the slit of her robe. “Oh, the things I want to teach you, mate.” he said, his voice velvet sin, and Iris couldn’t help but shudder, heat pooling low in her belly at his tone, at the way the word mate tugged deep inside her.

Gods, she wanted him to touch her so badly. They could handle brief, light touches, could they not?

And he must’ve seen the desire in her gaze because slowly, as if giving her room to protest if she wanted to, Eris slid his hand beneath her robe, making contact with the smooth skin of her bare thigh.

Eris heard her intake of breath and tried not to tremble stupidly as his thumb caressed her skin. He tried to breathe easily, his gaze not wavering from hers as he squeezed her upper thigh gently.

“If this day had gone differently,” he began, his voice low. “My reaction to this conversation would have a different outcome.”

“Oh?”

His only confirmation was a grunt as his hand squeezed her thigh again then greedily slid up to the curve of her ass and Iris bit back a moan when he slid his hand over her lace undergarment and squeezed again before sliding back down to her thigh.

“Do you – do you want me to take off the robe?” she whispered and his gaze turned molten.

His mind had already conjured image upon image of how quickly he’d rip any layer between them. How he’d feast on her and gods, would he fuck her. Too easily could he picture how she’d look coming all over his cock. How’d she feel over him and under him and touching him. He could almost taste her. And every time he thought about it, it was everything they both wanted and more.

But he also knew what trying to have sex right now would be like for him. It would be rough and hard and ruin anything they had built between them because he knew he’d lose control. He was still too tense and for years, sex had always been something empty for him. Something that made him feel meaningless – a moment of fleeting pleasure and nothing more. He didn’t want that with Iris. His wife — his mate deserved better.

And if anyone else knew that Eris had hesitated at her question, they’d consider him ill. He had half a mind to get his head checked anyway but knew deep in his tired bones that tonight wouldn’t grant either of them justice. This bond was delicate between them. It was sacred and he’d be damned if, at this significance of a moment between them, he ruined it by thinking with the wrong head. By accidentally hurting her in his haste. Especially after her earlier reaction.

He could be patient. His self-control was a practiced art.

So Eris shook his head and chuckled when Iris narrowed her eyes at him. “I can’t take what I want from you tonight, even if you’re willing.” he said.

“Who are you and what have you done with the male I married?” she joked and his lips twitched once more.

“He’s still very much here, plotting sinister and despicable things to do to you,” he replied and Iris bit back a smile that faded when his own expression sobered. His fingers continued to skim her bare skin beneath the robe. “I don’t have it in me to handle more tonight,” he muttered, feeling his face heat at his confession. “So you’re safe with me. This…this is enough.”

And because they were two sides of the same coin, Iris understood. She understood that his skin needed only the softest of touches the way hers did for a while, that he could only tolerate so much of it in one night.

Iris nodded and then bit her lip, assessing his expression as they glanced at each other. He had laid all his armor at her feet today but he had been giving her pieces of him from the moment she met him.

She would do the same. She wanted all of him the way he had always wanted all of her — piece by piece.

“You’re safe with me too, you know that, right?” she said and Eris’s brows furrowed. “I’m on your side. I’m here with you.”

Eris felt his insides crumble, his expression falling. What had he done to deserve such a statement?

“Don’t – don’t say things like that to me.” he whispered and Eris felt himself near a cardiac arrest when her expression softened and she pulled him even closer to her.

“Why not?” she whispered back, and slowly, as if giving him time to protest if he wished, she brought his body to rest half over hers.

And Eris watched her face as his body rested over hers, drinking in her expression and the trust he found there. The shy caution. Every inch touching and the frantic beating of her heart threatened to send his own heart into overdrive. He felt himself about to burn from the inside out. As though being touched and kissed by her lit a fuse inside him and he couldn’t take his eyes off her as Iris’s hands grazed the back of his neck. Gently. Tenderly.

Gods. Was this what he’d been waiting for his whole life? Were these feelings what had been missing?

“Iris.” he whispered her name, a plead. A prayer.

Iris gazed at him, her expression filled with an emotion he couldn’t place. An emotion he couldn't even handle to think about.

“What do you need to make tonight easier for you?” she said, repeating her question from earlier in the evening, her voice a whisper.

Eris blinked and then he barely could get enough air in his lungs. His mouth parted and the Prince of Autumn couldn't understand why the question knocked the wind out of him. After everything that had happened today, his needs were the last thing on his mind. It…it surprised him to be asked. For a second time, his wife, whom he’d only known for such a short amount of time, asked him what he needed.

No one ever asked Eris what he needed. He was…he hadn’t been in the right headspace when she asked him earlier but now…to be asked once more…he was touched by her question.

No one has asked him so bluntly before. No one focused on what he needed.

And what did he need?

Her.

Need was too light of a word when it came to her. It was a want — a depthless craving to have her everywhere. Her scent overwhelmed him, her body pressed into him with his arm draped over her just like this. The answer was simpler than he had anticipated. Simply…Iris.

Gentler than Eris had ever thought to touch someone before, he brought a hand to her cheek.

It was dangerous to admit his needs, especially to the person who now held his world in the palm of her hand. And yet, he couldn’t stop the words as they slipped out, “Just you. Right here.”

The corner of Iris’s mouth curled up, flushing at the words. She shifted slightly so their legs were now tangled as he settled comfortably over her and she held him.

“I think that’s doable.”

Eris’s chuckle slid against her skin as gooseflesh erupted on her skin and she held her breath when he leaned in closer, his nose brushing hers.

“We can decide what to do with this mating bond between us and discuss it to death tomorrow and on,” he began and Iris shifted as his voice dropped. “But come what may, Iris, as of tonight, I am yours. And you are mine. Do you understand?”

The world around them seemed to halt at the words and Iris could feel the shift in the air at his claiming. She felt herself flush deeper and the bond between them went taut as her husband stared at her and she at him, watching, feeling his chest rise and fall.

There would be no going back to dancing around their feelings after tonight.

“I am yours. And you…are mine.” she repeated, her grip tightening around him and Eris nipped at the corner of her mouth as he whispered,

“Mine.”

And they sank into each other with slow kisses, the touch of their hands reverent. Every thought, every moment outside of their lips touching slipped away and husband and wife were left with only each other. The weight of tomorrow and everything after pushed away for this one night.

A night where the only thing tethering the Prince of Autumn to this world, was her.

#eris vanserra #eris vanserra x oc #eris x oc #eris vanserra fanfic #acotar fanfiction #smtb chapters #gfics #can you BELIEVE I've sat on this for over a year lmao #we're back in action folks :)#thank you for reading ily <3

96 notes · View notes