#speak now the song is genuinely such a closely held guilty pleasure of mine

[theimpossiblescheme]

Yesterday, Tomorrow, and Today

I sat on this for a while because I kept wanting to tweak it, but here it is at last--the next installment in mine and @nonchalantdanger‘s alternate universe, in which Cyrano feels less guilty than he expected about surviving the battle and Roxanne reflects on her past follies.  Hope it passes muster!

Cyrano was not a man given to morbidity.  In the face of certain death, he vastly preferred to laugh instead of cower, and he never considered failure a viable option.  Let the Reaper come, and he would meet the scythe with steel of his own, meeting his only worthy foe in final single combat.  Let him die in the same manner as a star, in a glorious conflagration that blinded any unlucky souls nearby.  Without fear or compromise… that was the only way.

And yet, standing over what only hours earlier had been a desperate battlefield, blood still staining the soil, he found himself musing on how close he’d come to being cheated of that last glory.  How close they had all come.  The sack of Troy, the razing of Carthage, the charging wolves of Ragnarok… those were great battles, but those were mere stories.  The Siege of Arras had come nowhere close—two starving armies of condemned men, denied even the honor of brave last words before the swords fell, prolonging their own starvation at the end of a cannon because it was preferable to dying by the same.  As he stood by one of the supply wagons, handing up whatever weapons and artillery they could rescue, he heard the other cadets chatting blithely, as if their day hadn’t been spent charging through mud and human viscera.  Perhaps they genuinely didn’t mind—they had so little waiting at home for them besides the anticipation of another battle.  They would have their grand death the next time… or the time after that.  It was only a matter of waiting and preparing.

It was a bitter irony… even a few days ago, Cyrano would have agreed wholeheartedly, would have stood with them and anticipated another siege with that same sanguine grim humor. Now he actually had more waiting before him than simply digging his own grave… more to live for.  More that he had never considered before.  As he handed up another crate, he made eye contact with Le Bret, who was standing in the wagon and stowing everything away safely. His friend looked unwell, favoring the leg that hadn’t been slashed by a Spanish sword, but more than that he looked exhausted.  He looked out at the rest of the cadets and shook his head very gently, a familiar look of melancholy contemplation in his eyes.  Constant, level-headed, dependable Le Bret, who loved friendships more than worthy foes, who’d defied the usual Gascon tradition of dying young… Cyrano could tell exactly what he was thinking.  And for once it didn’t seem so much like his usual growling.

Of course, Cyrano would go right back to teasing him tomorrow.  Today was simply a special occasion.  

“Is that all of it?” came de Guiche’s voice as he rounded the corner of the wagon, eyeing the process imperiously.  His numerous silks and ribbons were frayed and singed in various places, his left foot dragged a bit behind the right, and a fine cloud of ash wafted by every time he moved his head too sharply.  

“A few more minutes, and it will be,” Le Bret replied.  “There was precious little to recover on our side.”

“A pity they didn’t shoot at us a few more times,” Cyrano quipped bleakly.  “Then we might save a few more cannonballs for a rainy day.”

“I wouldn’t give the Spanish too many ideas.”  De Guiche raised an unimpressed eyebrow in Cyrano’s direction.  “You survived by the skin of your teeth as it is.”

“Despite your best efforts, of course.”

“Don’t press the issue or my recent good graces too far, de Bergerac.  I can just as easily send you all back to engage those louts closer to their own territory.”  But the Comte’s posture relaxed again as he nodded up to Le Bret.  “As it is, you may be dismissed when you are finished.  We depart for Paris at daybreak tomorrow.”

“Where is Roxanne?” Cyrano asked.  His conversation with Christian was still fresh in his mind—he had to gauge Roxanne’s feelings toward seeing him again.  And… well, he hadn’t seen her since he left the surgeon’s tent.

“In Ragueneau’s coach. Unharmed, thank God, but unchaperoned—someone had best check on her before nightfall.”

Cyrano couldn’t help but smile to himself.  Nothing would give him more pleasure.  Nodding up at Le Bret again, who gave him a good-natured eyeroll, he tagged in a new cadet nearby to take over his post and took his leave, making his way across the camp. Snatches of song and chatter still wafted by, but he managed to avoid the crowd as he drew closer to the sagging, scarred, but still stately coach sitting at the top of the hill.  Ragueneau himself was nowhere to be found—no doubt he was still getting the cadets very drunk on his smuggled muscatel—but there was still no sound from inside, and the curtains were drawn.

After a quiet knock on the door, Roxanne’s voice finally piped up.  “Who is it?”

“Cyrano.  May I join you?”

The door swung open, and Cyrano ducked inside and sat down.  On the opposite bench sat Roxanne, who didn’t even look up at him when he entered. Her beautiful green eyes were downcast, her face a sullen mask, and her hands gripped tightly together against her skirts until her knuckles were white.  The spirit of the Valkyries of old, of red-robed Ate crying havoc and letting slip the dogs of war, had left her.  She looked so lost… and she had been so happy just a few hours ago…

Tentatively raising a hand, the stitches in his shoulder straining from the effort, Cyrano cupped her cheek and gently raised her head until she was looking at him.  “What troubles you so, dear heart?” he asked softly, tracing his thumb along the line of her jaw.

Roxanne shook her head, looking down again, but leaning into his touch.  “I have been such a fool.”

“Come now… I have known and loved a girl who charged across rivers and forests with wild abandon, never caring if she soiled her skirts, and a woman who threw herself into a duel to which she was merely a spectator, saving both our lives with a single parry.” He gave her what he hoped was a reassuring smile.  “If ever you were a fool, it only reminded me that you were of the human race and not a seraph capable of being worshipped, but never held.”

“Do you suppose Christian thinks of me that way now?”  She raised her head again, and Cyrano felt his chest contract to see tears in her eyes. “I have cheated him—I have cheated the both of you—for so long.  I was so taken with the Apollo you had formed together, with his curls and your words, that I failed completely to see the golden halves that made up that whole.  I said such terrible childish things to him, thinking he had grown stupid, wishing he would grow ugly…”  A sob caught in her throat, and she clapped a hand over her for a moment mouth to stifle it.

“I know what you said to him,” Cyrano said slowly, lowering his hand to clasp both of hers.  “I… was present at both occasions, though you did not see me.”  That first time, when Christian found himself witless and terrified by Roxanne’s demands of eloquence… he was not proud of his reaction then in hindsight.  He was too petty, too ready to take it as proof that Christian was unworthy of her.  But their conversation before the battle… listening to Roxanne shower such praise upon their shared soul—his soul—made him dare to hope, but it also made his heart ache for Christian.  Dear absurd Christian, who loved her fiercely, but in whom she found nothing inherently loveable that hadn’t been gifted to him by another.  He deserved so much better.

Roxanne laughed a tiny mirthless laugh.  “Naturally, you were.  You must have thought me so selfish, seeing and asking for only what I wanted to see—what I had all along, but was too blind to notice.  I was Narcissus vainly searching for what I found beautiful, and he was Echo repeating those beauties back at me… and I nearly let him waste away as she had.”

“You forget that Echo was a nymph once with her own voice and her own fair form before the curse fell upon her.  Hers and Christian’s desires were the same—to be seen and adored for themselves.  He wished desperately for your happiness and does still, as I do, but to prepare such a banquet for another while sustaining oneself on mere scraps…”  He gave a mirthless smile of his own.  “There are few things bitterer to endure, even for the sake of a great love.”

“And to think I have starved you both…”  Another sob tore through Roxanne, and tears began streaming down her cheeks.  “How could he ever forgive me for it--?”

“He already has.” Cyrano stroked her tears away with the pad of his thumb.  “He bears no ill will toward you, and he has confessed to me that no matter your current sentiments towards him, he will never stop loving you.  He remains a great soul, Roxanne—perhaps not the one you had pledged your own to, but one nonetheless.”

“And yet I saw it not… I saw only your words…”  Her voice trailed off, and for a moment, Roxanne seemed to process his words, guilt and sudden fear warring in her eyes.  “I have not said a word to him since I left him at the surgeon’s… I must find him, I must speak to him.”  She started to get to her feet.

“In the morning,” Cyrano cut in gently, catching her hand again and guiding her to sit back down.  “We depart in the morning, and you may speak to him then.”

“And you are certain he does not hate me?  For… for loving a single man who never existed and nearly losing him twice over?”

“How could any man hate you, Roxanne?”  He raised her hands to his lips, kissing her fingertips reverently.  “How could we scorn the love, even the misguided love, of one so exquisite?  It was love for you that emboldened Christian’s spirit, raising him to new heights of courage and nobility.  And it was love for you that kept me from despair.  Without attentive mother, without sister, and certainly without mistress, I have had one fair-figured friend keeping me tethered to this earth rather than hurtling towards death.  You have enriched two lives, not ruined.  Never ruined.”

“If either of you had died today, I would have never forgiven myself… I would have spent the rest of my life never knowing… grieving a shadow instead of the two great men before it…” Another torrent of tears ran down her cheeks.

“And yet here we are.” He cupped her face and smoothed away her tears once more.  “Here I am, my love.”  God, how he wanted to kiss her, but it still felt so foreign, so wrong almost, even to touch her.  Seeming to read his mind, however, Roxanne leaned forward and took the plunge.  As their lips met, she clung to Cyrano’s shoulders as if she were afraid she might float away if she let go, and he brought a hand up to cradle the back of her head, fingers threading through her red-gold hair.  And for a long moment, all was right with the world.

When they parted, her eyes were still damp, and he pressed a kiss to both her eyelids in turn, tender as a whisper.  He heard her gasp gently under his touch, and his heart sang at the sound.  “Stay with me tonight,” Roxanne breathed, still clinging to him.

As tempting as the offer was… “I have to return to camp,” Cyrano replied, gently extricating himself from her grip.  “De Guiche will be searching for me, and I know he shall never forgive me for any possible compromise of your virtue.”  That got a watery chuckle out of Roxanne, and he reveled in that sound as well.  “If I could bring you with me, I would… I will send for Ragueneau to watch the coach.  You shall not pass the night undefended.”

Roxanne nodded.  “And I will see you in the morning?”

“You will.  I will arrange for you and Christian to talk—you will tell him everything you told me.”

“If you see him sooner than that… tell him I am sorry.  From the bottom of my wretched heart.”

“Such terrible words, my love, for a sin already forgiven.”  Outside—a world away, it seemed—a hush had fallen over the camp, and the last of the fires had been doused.  Time for him to return.  Tomorrow they would see Paris again.

And Cyrano would live to see it.  With his dearest friends and the love of his life by his side.  Such graces he never deserved, to stave off some distant glorious death a little longer… where would he be without them?  He gave her one last kiss, a chaste one of her forehead.  “Good night, Roxanne.”  Parting is such sweet sorrow…

She finally smiled again. “Good night, my love.”

[darkangeldesignstudio]

Need You Tonight

summary: You landed your dream job with the Avengers team about a year ago. You went on missions and made new friends. But, one team member still confuses you. Thor and his flirtatious ways have left you dazed and confused and when he leaves on a mission to Asgard you are left with your traitorous mind. Could he really ever love a human, or was it all just wishful thinking?

pairing: Thor x female reader

warnings: language, tiny bit of angst, and my first attempts at writing smut lol

word count: 4.2k

A/N: Hey everyone! This is my entry for @tilltheendwilliwrite‘s “T Shows Her Age: Songfic Challenge.” My song was Need you Tonight by INXS, a favorite of mine because of the iconic bar dancing bid war from the movie Coyote Ugly *wink wink*.  First of all, I want to give a big thanks to my Beta @sexykitty96 for all of the encouragement and support (and typo hunting lol) she had given me over the past months. I really appreciate it love! I have to say, it was fun writing this fic, but also difficult seeing as I've never written smut before. I'm actually a bit nervous about how it turned out so if you wouldn't mind leaving me some advice in the comments that would be amazing. Much love and happy reading!

You never imagined, in all of your wildest dreams, that you would be one of the Avengers. Getting to work with Earth's mightiest heroes was the best job you could ask for.

You were fairly new to the team, only working with them for about a year, but you had become fast friends with Natasha and Wanda. They accepted you into their group easily, along with Steve and Bucky who treated you like a little sister. Tony and Bruce readily accepted your help on their projects while Sam and Clint constantly took time out of their days to help train you. It was amazing, but something was missing.

Unfortunately, there was one team member that you hardly ever saw. Thor, currently taking care of a problem on Asgard, was your guilty pleasure. When you first met, there was an immediate connection. Flirting ensued, for weeks on end, and you really felt that it was leading to something more, until he was called back home by Heimdall a few months ago.

He promised that he would keep in touch as much as possible, but the few trips back and forth to the compound only lasted a few minutes at a time and they were never really conducive to the type of interaction you both wanted. It was infuriating. Especially after the few occasions where self doubt came into play. Did he really like you? He hadn't even kissed you yet. Was he just using this trip as a way to avoid you? Why would a God ever like someone like you anyway?

You tried your hardest to squash those feelings. Thor wouldn't have spent months getting close to you just so he could lead you on. He was better than that. But, after months of silence, it became hard to push your insecurity down.

The night that Thor finally returned to the compound, it was movie night for the team and it was your turn to pick. Deciding it was a good night for an old favorite, you asked FRIDAY to put on “Coyote Ugly” and settled onto the couch next to Tony, sharing a bowl of popcorn between you.

Natasha was also excited, she hadn't seen the movie in years, and she smiled at you from a few seats away. “Nice choice, [Y/N].”

You smiled back at her just as you noticed Thor walk into the room. Your eyes connected and you shot a timid smile his direction. “It's one of my favorites.” Your voice was unsure and quiet, which Natasha picked up on immediately and turned around to watch Thor descend the stairs.

Looking between the two of you, Nat smiled and offers Thor a seat on the large couch next to her. This left you with no options, if you wanted to talk to Nat, you had to look at Thor. Damn her and her shifty ways.

Thor said quiet greetings to everyone with a bright smile reserved only for you, but your heart was hurting. The months of self doubt and hatred for how you would never measure up to this wonderful man had caught up to you. Now that he was here, it was a crushing blow. You turned away from Thor, trying and failing to put a genuine smile on your face. They all noticed, but nobody said anything, preferring to watch the movie in silence.

Soon, the movie had everyone smiling and laughing. Vision and Wanda could be heard speaking in whispers. Vis pelted Wanda with questions about this scene or that scene and she happily answered him as they cuddled together on one of the smaller love seats. It was cute, but it still hurt to see them so happy when you were so miserable. Thor was only a few steps away, but he felt as far away as Asgard at the moment.

When the music tuned up onscreen, you smiled so brightly, it was your favorite scene. Need you tonight played in the background of the bar as Kevin O'Donnell jumped up on the bar and began dancing to the sounds of women shouting bids in his direction. It was hot and hilarious and so darn cute. You couldn't help but laugh at the absurd things the bar patrons were shouting as the man began to strip.

Just as the bidding began to rise in intensity, Pepper walked into the room and you happily gave up your seat. It was only right that she got to sit with Tony after being gone for the past week.

You quickly found a seat beside Nat, ignoring the fact that Thor was now only inches away. His massive body was so close, but your heart still felt far away.

Nat got your attention with a small nudge. “How about that dancing? I would kill for someone to seduce me like that.”

You laughed as she wagged her eyebrows your direction. “Me too, Nat. Me too.” With a sigh, you settled back into the couch and enjoyed the rest of the movie together with your friends. You never noticing the calculating look that crossed Thor's face or the sly wink that Natasha through his way.

It was a few days later that Tony threw a party for the team to celebrate another successful mission. You and Thor had patched things up and were steadily growing closer again. Sadly, there was no sure evidence that he was willing to go any further that harmless flirting and warm hugs.

It was infuriating, but you could deal with it. He was your friend first and that would always be most important to you.

About half way through the night, you noticed Thor watching you. Your instincts were on high alert with his eyes on you. You could practically feel his gaze as you danced with Nat and Wanda.

Every man in the room was getting an eye full as you and the girls got down and dirty on the dance floor. The intensity of Thor's gaze grew exponentially when Nat and Wanda sandwiched you between them. Grinding your hips together as you dropped down to the floor with the beat of the music. Natasha and Wanda's hands roamed freely and you barely heard when Nat whispered in your ear.

“Thor's getting antsy over there. That look could set a room on fire.” Her words sent a thrill down your spine.

The music ended and you slowly looked up. When your eyes connected with his, you felt your blood boil with immense heat. His eyes glowed blue in the low light, small sparks danced on his shoulders. On the face of an enemy, that look would have struck fear to the depths of your soul. From Thor, it made your heart race for an entirely different reason.

You walked slowly towards him, measuring each step carefully and hoping that he could read your intentions. When you were about five feet away he had gained a semblance of control and motioned for you to follow him.

Free of the thumping beat of the music, you walked in silence towards the sleeping quarters of the tower. When he stopped, you were a few feet from his room. “We need to talk, [Y/N], but first, I must show you something.”

You looked at him suspiciously. His voice had gone softer and held a wealth of timidness that you had never heard before from the King of Asgard. It was almost as if he was unsure and you hated it.

“Thor.” The firm tone was unexpected and he looked back at you with a quirked eyebrow, causing you to smirk at his surprise. “Whatever it is, I'm sure I will be fine. I trust you.”

His eyes lit up with his smile and you giggled happily. That smile could have brought you to your knees, it was a rare thing to see and the beauty of his happiness was never lost on you. He took your hand and led you the last few feet to his bedroom door.

“Close your eyes, [Y/N].” His authoritative voice was back, causing you to giggle again, but the tone  brokered no argument so you complied with a small smile and clenched your eyes shut willingly.

Thor smiled down at you, wishing he could just kiss you in that moment and forget about the rest of the plan, but this was what you wanted. He, Natasha, and Sam had worked too hard for him to back down now.

The sound of his door opening made it extremely hard not to peak. You had never been here before and it would be a lie if you said you weren't excited. Thor, quickly had you settled onto what felt like a plush couch and released your hand. “No peeking.”

You laughed. “Just get on with it, Thor. The suspense is killing me.”

He smirked as he finally reached the sound system across the room and turned it on. “As my lady commands.”

A familiar beat began in the background, causing your eyes to fly open. You never, in a million years, expected to see the sight in front of you, but you smiled nonetheless as Thor slowly walked towards you from across the room.

His steps were measured to the timing of the beat and when he stood at your feet he pulled you up and into his body. He rolled his body into yours agonizingly slow and then, he began to sing along with the lyrics.

Come over here

All you got is this moment The twenty-first century's yesterday You can care all you want Everybody does yeah that's okay

His body was like an aphrodisiac. His voice like a dose of ecstasy as you dances together. He caressed your body with fingers that felt like they were barely there. You were surrounded by his body, your back hot against his chest and you moved.

So slide over here And give me a moment Your moves are so raw I've got to let you know I've got to let you know You're one of my kind

I need you tonight 'Cause I'm not sleeping There's something about you girl That makes me sweat

His breath in your ear made you moan as his hands traveled the length of your body, gripping your hips. Then the words of the song finally registered and you realized it, he was telling you how he felt. He wanted you and only you and, damn it felt good to be wanted.

How do you feel I'm lonely What do you think Can't take it all What ya gonna do Gonna live my life

As he sang along to the song, he kissed your neck. Just as his hand traveled towards the valley between your legs, you smiled. It was about time he knew how much you wanted him as well. You turned swiftly into him, pressing chest to chest. Throwing your arm around his neck, you began to sing along with him.

So slide over here And give me a moment Your moves are so raw I've got to let you know I've got to let you know You're one of my kind

I need you tonight 'Cause I'm not sleeping There's something about you girl That makes me sweat

So how do you feel I'm lonely What do you think Can't think at all Whatcha gonna do Gonna live my life

Thor's smile was predatory and full of challenge. You knew he could smell the wetness on your thighs and you were not the least bit ashamed. You wanted him. Needed him.

So how do you feel I'm lonely What do you think Can't think at all Whatcha gonna do Gonna live my life

So slide over here And give me a moment Your moves are so raw I've got to let you know I've got to let you know

The words of the song died on both of your lips when you slid your hand into his hair. His eyes began to glow as you leaned into him. His lips were brushing against yours, waiting for you to make the first move. So, you did and sparks flew. Literally.

So slide over here And give me a moment I've got to let you know I've got to let you know

You're one of my kind

You were so lost in one another that neither of you noticed when the music stopped. He sucked and nibbled at your lips. You moaned and he delved deeper. His tongue danced with yours and you could feel the tingling sensation of his lightning coursing over your body. It hummed over your skin, creating little sparks like fingers dancing over your skin.

You gasped for air when a particularly large spark danced through your womb. Thor chuckled. “How do you feel, Lady [Y/N]?”

The irony of his words and the song lyrics from before were not lost on you, but this was no time for jokes. “I need you, Thor.” Your breath caught when he looked into your eyes. An ocean of love, leagues deep, was behind those eyes. But there was also worry.

He was the King and he knew that if you accepted him as yours, there would be no turning back. You would be his Queen and would not be of this world ever again. Did you really want that? Could you leave your life here for months or even years to rule at his side?

The choice was an easy one to make. “Yes.”

In an instant, you feel the wall at your back. Your pretty black dress pushed up around your hips and your legs around his. His lips tingle against yours as he devours you. He's a force that you are unwilling to evade. So, you meet him head on.

“Please, Thor. Take me into your bed. Make me yours.” It took only seconds once the words left your lips and the next thing you knew was the softness of the bed beneath you.

Thor smiled down at you, lightening coursing in faint ripples down the muscles of his arms. Your eyes heated as he began to strip for you. His red button up came away first. Buttons flew when he ran out of patience, ripping it away and tossing it to the floor. Then his hands went to the waistband of his jeans and your breath caught.

Rallying your courage, you shifted up onto your knees and pulled his hands away and around to the back of your dress. You wanted to do this. Touch him. Admire him, just as you wanted him to admire you.

Understanding sparkled in his blue eyes as his hands softly skimmed your spine, traveling towards the zipper at the nape of your neck. Slowly, he began to pull it down as you did the same to him.

His calloused hands were rough on your sensitive skin, making you gasp. He slowly ran both hands to the shoulders of your dress and pulled the straps away, revealing your lacy black bra and matching panties. His pants followed your dress, falling in a heap upon the floor.

He was glorious. All rippling muscle and bronze skin. You envied him, you couldn't help but wish you were worthy, until you heard a deep growl rise from his throat.

At that moment, he was fully convinced that you were a gift from the Norns themselves. There was no possible way that a being as perfect as you was not and he felt unworthy in your presence. Why would you have feelings for him? God or not, he wasn't so special to deserve you, but he would die trying to prove his worth if that's what it took to keep you.

“Lady [Y/N], are you s...”

You cut him off before the asinine question in his eyes could finish leaving his lips. “I swear to the Nine Realms, Thor. If you do not kiss me right now I will make you regret it.”

His deep chuckle was all that you heard before he was on you again. He kissed you slowly, tenderly, as you laid back onto the bed. His hips cradled between your own as you both moved towards the center.

His chiseled abs and hard pecs brushed against the softness of your curves and the barrier of your bra. You whimpered as small sparks danced over your womb and his fingers, wrapped in lightning, traveled up the back of your calf.

Your senses were beginning to overload at the sensation. It was like heaven and hell all wrapped into one. An exquisite type of torture that you couldn't get enough of and he hadn't even touched you yet.

When he did, you were sure you would die from the pleasure.

His mouth began to travel south as his hands traveled north. Lips kissed and teeth scraped as they followed the length of your throat, towards your collarbone. There was no doubt that you would have marks in the morning, but you couldn't care less.

His hips ground down into yours and you could feel the heat of his hard cock through your panties. You ached to touch him there, but the thought of trying left your mind when his mouth wrapped around your nipple. Hot breath caressed your clothed peak and small sparks shot up your spine as his hand unhooked the strap at your back.

Pulling the lacy contraption out of the way, Thor sucked your bare nipple back into his mouth, suckling and nibbling until it was a hard peak before moving to do the same with the other.

Your moans were hot and seductive in his ear, pushing him closer and closer to the edge of his control as your fingers in his hair tightened with the loss of yours. You were close and all it would take was one more little nudge to bring you there.

His hips rocked into yours again and again. The friction at your center was torturous, it kept you on the precipice, teetering precariously as his mouth and lightning stimulated your breasts.

The brush of his hands at your hips, his weight lifting slightly to allow him the room to pull your panties down slowly, was enough to spur you into action. You released your grip in his hair and ran your palms down his spine, gripping the waistband of his boxers and pushing them down to join your own at the foot of the bed.

The heavy weight of his cock settled on your thigh, making you moan. You gripped him softly, running your hand up and down his shaft. His breath caught at the contact and he thrust lightly into your palm.

You giggled a bit at the irony of the situation. The God of Thunder, the “Mightiest Avenger”, brought down by such a tiny human woman. It was unbelievable, but here you were.

Thor slowly pulled away from your soft touch, wishing for you to enjoy this first time without him losing control too quickly. There would be time for that later. His mouth roamed over the valley of your breasts and down towards your center, leaving tender kisses and reddened marks along the way.

You returned your hands to his back, dragging your nails up his spine and back into his hair. The faint red lines gave you a happy thrill. They marked him as yours just as he was marking you as his, though the marks you left would be gone by morning, it still made you giddy to know they had been there.

When his mouth finally reached your center, all thoughts were gone. The first hot breath on your center, the first small spark from his tongue sent you reeling over the edge and into pure ecstasy. You panted his name, moaning skyward as you came apart.

He watched you tremble from your orgasm, wishing to watch you come undone before his control snapped completely. He wanted to taste you. Your scent teased his nose. You were like ambrosia, like the finest mead in all of Asgard and he wanted to drink his fill. But, he held himself back, watching and waiting like a predator for its prey.

You slowly came down from your high and looked down the length of your body. Thor's blue eyes were predatory, daring you to look away from what he was about to do, but you couldn't. You watched as his mouth descended on your mound. His tongue found a home in your slick folds as his eyes stared into your soul, sparking blue in the dim light of the bedroom. You panted at the sensation, moaning quietly as he languidly tasted you, but never looking away.

Then his fingers entered you and you couldn't hold back anymore. You fell back onto the bed, moaning and crying as he stretched you. His lips wrapped around your clit and you bucked into his mouth.

Thor held you down. Holding you at the mercy of his wicked tongue and adept fingers. When you relaxed, he slid a third finger inside. He was by no means, small and the last thing he wanted was to hurt you. Letting his powers flow a bit, he used his free hand to send sparks across your nipples until your inner walls began to quiver around his fingers.

Slowly, he withdrew his hand. You whimpered at the loss of his touch, causing him to smile as he crawled up your body and pressed his hips back down to yours.

He kissed you slowly as he lined himself up. Pulling away to meet your gaze when he bumped at your entrance. “I'm going to make you mine now, [Y/N]. I will go slow as not to hurt you.”

You tried to urge him on. Tried to tell him to take you. That you didn't want slow, but the words were lost when he pushed into you.

Every ridge, every vein, you could feel them all. Your moans grew as he thrust long and slow into your tight sheath. Only a moment passed before you fell hard. This orgasm stronger than the previous and pulled a deep growl from Thor's throat.

The heat that surrounded him, milked him, was almost too much to handle. He held tight to the last vestiges of his control, breathing through it as best he could so he wouldn't explode like some untried youth. He hadn't felt like this in ages, it was as if the hundreds of years learning to control his powers had flown out the window. Thunder boomed in the distance and sparks floated in the air around him, a testament to his loss of control.

“[Y/N], I can't hold back anymore. I need you, now.” His face was soft, but his eyes were so bright they were almost white and his words were strained.

“Please, Thor, I need you, too. I love you, so much.” You were at the end of your rope, your control was gone. You needed him to take you and to come down with you. You pleaded with him, with your eyes, with your body, with your soul. You loved him and you needed him just as much as he needed you.

“As I love you, my lady.” His control snapped with your words and he moved into a punishing pace.

His hips snapped up into yours, lightning coursed over your skin as your legs tightened around his waist. His lips crashed into yours with reckless abandon. You were at the mercy of a God and it felt like heaven.

You screamed in ecstasy when he shifted his body higher onto yours, pushing himself impossibly deeper. He was a beast, rutting into you hard and fast, and you loved him all the more for it. His hands gripped your ass, surely hard enough to bruise and it felt wonderful.

Pleasure mixed with a bit of pain as he fucked your body, but nothing compared to when you felt his powers brush their way into your entrance. You felt white hot in that moment as your vision began to darken, your core pulsed in time with your heart as he thrust into you. The pleasure reaching heights you had never experienced before.

He bit into the pulse point at your throat and you screamed. Little jolts of lightning danced across your flesh, around your nipples, and through your womb pushing you over the edge. With a final snap of his hips, Thor followed you down. His roar of pleasure, drowned out by a loud clash of thunder and flash of lightning outside your windows. His hot cum coated your insides causing aftershocks in your core.

He turned, at the last moment, to collapse beside you on the bed and pull you into his chest. Your hearts beat loudly as you laid together, the sounds of thunder fading away into the distance outside. It took a few moments to be able to breath again.

Smiling happily, Thor turned back to you, rising slightly onto an elbow so he could read your face. The smile he received made him chuckle. “So, was that worth two hundred and fifty of your Midgardian money?”

The question caught you off guard and you had to try hard not to laugh in his face. Of course he would go right back to thinking about the movie. It was what got you here, after all.

Smiling brightly up at him, you place your hand onto his cheek. “It was worth so much more.”

The love in his eyes was unmistakable. Slowly, he lowered his head and took your lips in a long, slow kiss.

[maedarakat]

Stolen Kiss, Freely Given

(A "Blindsided" Tuffstrid AU, for reasons)

---

"'I can't imagine what you're going through'," Astrid mimicked under her breath, and then growled, hurling her axe at a target. Her eyes were giving her no information as to how close she'd come to the bullseye, but she heard the satisfying 'thunk' of weapon hitting wood.

Not bad for a blind Viking, right? Hiccup didn't know what he was talking about; she could defend herself against the Triplestryke and any other threat just fine. With or without a dragon.

Stormfly's lack of faith in her stung too, even though Astrid knew the Nadder was just being protective. Roaring with pent up hurt and frustration, Astrid hurled another axe.

A 'thunk' sounded, accompanied by a scream.

Astrid yelped. It had sounded like one of the twins; only those two would be foolhardy enough to interrupt her training. "Tuff? Was that you?"

Silence was her answer and she drew in a worried breath. "Tuffnut, answer me. Did I hit you? Are you okay? TUFFNUT -"

A voice sounded right next to her left ear, making her jump.

"Loki'd," Tuff said, sounding far too smug about it. Astrid turned on her heel and slammed a fist into his side, dropping him with a breathless groan.

Okay, that had been satisfying.

"You complete jerk! You reckless, infuriating - I should just kill you right now and save the Dragon-Hunters the trouble!" Astrid ranted.

"Hmm. At least I would be guaranteed a proper funeral that way," Tuff mused, now at her right. Astrid dealt him another hard punch, to his shoulder. Tuff grunted and moved away. "Easy, A. One might suspect you were actually worried you'd axed me."

That gave her pause.

"I almost did," she snarled. Hadn't she?

"Actually, you came pretty close. I mean, I definitely felt the wind on it. I had to come visit you though."

Astrid scoffed, folding her arms. "Let me guess, you had to check on me."

"Uh, no. I don't do that. But I wanted to ask if you could give me some tips - like how to use a dikfore."

"What's a dikfore?"

Tuff snickered and at once, Astrid realized she'd been had. She threw another punch, but this time it wasn't nearly as hard. Tuffnut's dirtier jokes were a guilty pleasure out here on the Edge, and Astrid was usually the one laughing hardest at them. This time was no different; she guffawed as soon as her fist landed on his arm, and Tuffnut's delighted cackle joined her own.

"Jerk," she snorted fondly. "So you're here to pester me."

"As always. Unless . . ." Tuff's warm arms embraced her from behind into a hug. "Feeelings! You want to talk about our feeeeelings --!" He crooned, swaying her along to his ridiculous song.

Astrid stomped on his foot, but she was laughing now. "We all swore to NEVER speak of that day!" she protested.

"Yes, but did we sign it in blood? I'm not sure if I remember," he said, and it was honestly amazing how she could hear the mischievous grin in his voice.

"You are ridiculous."

He dropped his chin on her shoulder, still absently swaying with her in time to music only he could hear. Astrid just let it happen, feeling oddly at peace. Tuff was here and making her laugh and he wasn't treating her any different than normal - except maybe taking full advantage of the fact she couldn't see him.

She appreciated that too; that Tuff saw no reason to give her special treatment. It was the same when he'd been so shocked at her losing a fight to Heather on Ryker's ship. Tuff simply hadn't accepted it. Remembering something he'd said then made her smirk.

"Hey, if I don't get my sight back, maybe I can pray for eyes that shoot fire."

"Heh. Trust me, A. You already have eyes that shoot fire."

Something about the way he had said that made sudden warmth course through her veins. Astrid shivered and pressed her back into his chest. She was blushing - she knew that, but she didn't dare reach up to feel her own face.

Every other sense was hyper-aware, noticing the slight change in Tuff's breathing as he suddenly held her closer. He swallowed, hesitating, while his pulse seemed to get quicker.

Astrid waited patiently, willing him to not back down.

She had always thought Hiccup would be hers, but over the years it had become apparent that the boy's heart belonged in the air with his dragon and not on earth with her own. Astrid would always love and protect Hiccup with her life; but she'd slowly grown used to the fact that there would never be a Hiccup and Astrid.

But, maybe . . .

A warm nose nuzzled against her jaw, and she couldn't help but soften - this was the same trickster boy who had always been so hopelessly blunt and honest and who wasn't afraid of pain. The same boy who had turned to her as they were under siege and had told her to take Stormfly and fly for her life.

She'd had a history with Hiccup, but now she wanted one with someone else.

Tuffnut's dry lips brushed almost shyly across her jawline, giving her every chance to flip him over her shoulder and slam him to the unforgiving ground. He had no doubts as to whether she could do it.

Astrid linked her fingers with Tuff's longer ones, pressing them over her chest and squeezing tight. She turned her face to meet his and was pleased by the lips that captured her own; sweet as stolen elderberries.

The sunlight on her arms and face seemed to wane and a breeze made Tuff shiver lightly against her. They broke for air, but he still held on to her - absorbing her warmth just as much as he lent her his own. He'd always gotten cold easy, even as kids.

"Another storm," Astrid muttered. "Great."

"Want to go riding down a zip-line in the rain and wind? It's probably even more fun to not know when to drop."

Astrid snorted. "And go hurtling over the cliff to certain death? No thank you." It was a little strange, going from kissing to bantering like nothing had happened. She rather liked it, though. "Besides, you're freezing."

"Am not," Tuffnut protested, teeth obviously chattering.

"Are too. I bet your nose is already turning blue."

"Whose nose? Mine?" Tuff buried it in the crook of her neck, an icy cold touch that made her yelp and earned him an elbow to the ribs. He coughed, then snickered. Astrid smirked and put a hand on his shoulder, steering him back to the Clubhouse.

A distant roar made them both pause. The Triplestryke . . .

Astrid sighed, her hopes of relaxing by the fire with a nice mug of mutton stew fading away.

"You think if we ask him nicely, he'll just go to bed early?" Tuff asked.

"No, because that would be too easy. Come on, let's get this over and done with." Astrid trudged on ahead, feeling Tuff's fingers gently squeeze hers as he followed.

There was no talk of going back and letting the others handle it - no putting any foot down on whether she was fit to do this.

He would only refuse leaving her side.

For the first time all day, Astrid genuinely smiled.