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xpeachesncream · 3 years

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lowkey (jjk) | 02.

⦿ boo’d up in the daytime

⦿ mackin’ & hangin’ in the nighttime

↳ series masterlist

summary: in order to pass organic chemistry and pay off your car damages from an accident, all you have to do is help the nerd, jeon jungkook, with a few things: pretend to be his girlfriend and teach him the ways of dating.

pairing: popular!reader x nerd!jjk

genre: college au, fake dating au, friends (with benefits?) to lovers au | fluff, angst, smut

words: 3.2k

warnings: cussing, implied sexual content/mature language, kissy-kissy koo, mentions of a boner, mention of sex and cum, seokjin’s still toxic

note: posting this chapter a little early since it’s butter weekend, plus the last part of liquid courage should be up sat/sun. still sticking to my schedule in my faq though, srry loves! i’ll do my best to update as soon as i can. 💗

tags: @taegularities @jimidol @miinoongi @bluesharksandfish @ggukkieland @unicornbabylover @thebeebi @preciouschimine @ladyartemesia @moonchild1 @jikookiekosmos @marcoazz2 @kootaes @wearenot7withu @codeinebelle @bigbootyjoonie @thisartemisnevermisses @maichiverse @ppeachyttae @fairysunooo @secretlycrazyhummingbird @yukiehyukie

"I heard you were in an accident last night, babe. Are you okay? I'm so sorry I got mad at you yesterday." Seokjin comes towards you, cupping your face to look at every inch, every detail. You move away from his hold, backing up to give yourself some space.

"Seokjin, I told you to stop calling me that. Jesus. I'm fine. Don't need you to check up on me."

"Are you really gonna keep that up? I said I was sorry."

"Okay, and? I heard you."

"Really, that's it? Y/N, why are you being like this? What's the real reason?" He follows after you as you make your way to the library. To say Seokjin was persistent is an understatement— he was persistent for the wrong reasons. Like, keeping you close so he had you to fall on when things went wrong with another chick, his safety net.

"Because this is done, I don't know how many times I have to tell you. I'm tired of you doing this so, please. Just go." You slightly turn towards him as you climb up the stairs.

"I wanna work this out with you. Don't push me away. Let me help." You don't respond. He watches as you adjust your bag strap and wave at Jungkook. Seokjin chuckles and grabs your wrist gently, making Jungkook suddenly hop on defense as he balls his fists. Like he could do shit. Seokjin would probably wreck his ass with those broad shoulders.

Still. He hated how much of an asshole he was to you.

"Wait, what the fuck?" Seokjin laughs his rare, deep laugh that he uses when he's caught off guard. "You're hanging out with nerds, now?"

"And if I was, that would be none of your business." You snatch your arm away while glaring at him. You shake your head and continue walking towards Jungkook, relieved Seokjin finally left you alone today. Probably off to tell Namjoon, Yoongi and his friends how much of a bitch you've been and that you actually left him to hang out with a nerd.

Sunmi knows you're being tutored. However if that wasn't the case, she would question you, but she never take their side on shit. She remained loyal to you, and always supported you through whatever. That's why she's remained your bestfriend until this day. The senior chicks Seokjin and them hung around with though? Questionable. As long as Sunmi was by your side and you by hers, you both didn't care much for getting close to them.

"Hey, sorry you had to see that." You say as you sigh and set your bag down alongside of you on the long table.

"It's alright." Jungkook replies softly. "Are you okay?"

"Yes. Thanks." You give him a tiny, tightlipped smile. "So, should we get right into tutoring, or should we talk about the details of our deal? I have all afternoon." Luckily, it was quite loud in the loud section of the library. No one cared much to listen in to your secret deal with Jungkook, nor did anyone care because it was Jungkook.

"I do too. I guess, whatever works for you?"

"Let's get this tutoring over with first then iron out the rest." He nods.

"Sure." He pulls out his notebook. "Tell me, what are you struggling with?"

"Everything." He does a small head tilt.

"I doubt that. I'm sure you understand some things."

"No, you don't understand Jungkook. I'm legit drowning. I don't know what I'm doing wrong or where I'm lacking." Jungkook simply looks at you, lips pressed together before he nods. You're not lacking anywhere, he thinks. You're really not. The subject is just shitty and the spawn of the devil.

"That's okay. Well, can I go over some basics? Throw in some tips?"

"Yes, please. Lead the way. I need you." You chuckled, but it makes the heat rush to his cheeks. He hopes you don't catch the rosy tint creeping up on them, so he instantly grabs at the whiteboard near your table and starts to go over the very beginning, the very basics of this semester's OChem class. Maybe a bit from last semester, but last semester wasn't entirely that bad compared to this one.

He didn't expect you to be all that engaged for some reason, but he should have known you'd ask questions left and right, taking the black whiteboard marker from his hand to practice what you've learned with him watching and guiding you from your side. You were always focused, always so determined. You were incredibly smart. Incredibly beautiful.

Honestly, Jungkook go on for days.

The both of you hadn't realized it was nearing close to 5PM and neither of you had really eaten much since lunch. You sit, feeling pretty good about your first session with Jungkook. You feel a little bad having kept him for so long over OChem, realizing you still had things to iron out with him.

[sunmi] 4:34pm: hey babe, not gonna be leaving for a bit. i forgot i had to work on this psych project with jennie. you okay with leaving around 6/7?

"Crap."

"What's the matter?" Jungkook glances at you as you continue to stare at your phone and scroll away.

"Sunmi isn't leaving until later. I'll probably be stuck here for a little longer after you leave." You put your phone down, now resting your chin against your palm, nails slightly digging into your cheek.

"I-I can give you a ride, if you'd like? Plus, we still need to talk.. about stuff." He shyly says.

"Jungkook, that's too much to ask for."

"It's really not a big deal. How far do you live from campus?"

"Maybe a 10 minute drive, the next exit off the freeway." He shrugs.

"I'm going in that direction too."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive. We can just talk on the way home."

"Would you be willing to stop by for dinner? We can talk then. Maybe it can be considered our 'first date.'" You joke with a small giggle.

"Oh, sure. Yeah." He gives off a tiny, nervous laugh. "Where did you have in mind?"

"Can we get.. hm—" You hum. "Fire Wings? Down the street?" He almost feels intoxicated watching how your eyes gleam under the light, how they brighten and widen when you mention food. You were cute, and you didn't even know it.

"Only if you tell me what flavors you get." He tries to get smart, which makes you laugh. He made you laugh.

"Is this judgment day? Gonna see if you should call quits on our deal before it even starts?"

"Maybe." He goes along with it.

"Okay. Garlic Parmesan and Dragon." You pack up your things before shooting him a look.

"Okay, solid flavors." He nods. "I guess we can continue on."

"You're funny." You giggle as you both throw your bags onto your backs. You stay in your position until Jungkook comes to your side so you can walk by him. You don't know much about him, but he has a soft demeanor and he makes you feel comfortable. You had only seen him a couple of times across campus, not really noticing him much in class either. You feel a little bad knowing you didn't even try being that he sat behind you, but better late than never I guess? Maybe there was a reason for all of this happening. The way he tutored you today was insane, too— he was super smart, but broke it down perfectly, was patient. He was patient.

No wonder Dr. K loved his ass.

"What about you?" You picked up the conversation.

"I usually go for a dry rub and Garlic Parmesan."

"I haven't tried any dry rubs."

"You can try one of mine later."

"Okay." You suddenly remember to shoot Sunmi a text before she comes looking for you everywhere on campus. Jungkook stays silent beside you, allowing you to do your thing without being too overbearing or nosy.

But, he honestly can't help but glance a few times.

[y/n] 5:11pm: sorry just saw this, hitching a ride with my tutor. don't worry about me! ty ily, have fun working on your project.

[sunmi] 5:13pm: tutor, as in jeon jungkook?

[y/n] 5:15pm: yeah, he offered.

[sunmi] 5:16pm: okay, that was nice of him. if he tries anything tho i'll beat his ass. text me when u get home?

[y/n] 5:17pm: don't worry about him, he won't lol i will.

[sunmi] 5:18pm: kk love u b

"Sorry." You say, tucking your phone into your pocket. "Had to text Sunmi."

"That's okay. You two are really close, right?"

"Yeah, since high school."

"Cool." At this point, Jimin, Taehyung and Hoseok are coming out of the café at the same you two are passing.

"What about you, where are your friends?"

"Um." He sighs, trying to avoid his friends obnoxiously waving and calling him from the distance. You glance over from behind his figure, chuckling a little bit. "That's them."

"Cute. You all are really close, too?"

"Ya, I've known Jimin the longest though." You smile and wave at them, causing them to gasp and whisper amongst each other with huge smiles on their faces.

"I'll need to meet them if we're gonna do this thing for real. Do they know?"

"Yeah kinda."

"That's okay. We should probably work on keeping it between us though." He nods.

"Okay, but. Can we save meeting them for later? They're a bit.. much." You smile.

"Sure."

"D-do I have to meet Sunmi?" You nod.

"If you wanna make this believable, yeah."

"She's kinda scary."

"Jungkook, she's not gonna bite your head off. She just has that look, but I promise she's sweet." That look, that resting bitch face. Really, you could be biased because it's Sunmi. She really only had issues if she felt disrespected. Other than that, she meant well. Same with you— you've been accused of being intimidating and having the same look but you don't mean any harm by it.

"Okay." Jungkook unlocks his black 2016 Honda Civic and pops his bag in the trunk. You do the same, while Jungkook goes to open the passenger door for you.

"Thanks." You smile sweetly at him. He climbs into his seat, hitting the button to start the car and sighs. The music in the background starts to play, and it sounds mellow, soothing— like it came straight out of a fairytale. His eyes widen as he rushes to lower the volume before shyly looking at you.

"Sorry."

"What, no. Don't be. What is this?"

"A Final Fantasy lofi mix." He begins to drive off as you turn the volume back up.

"It's nice. Pretty relaxing."

"Ya, it's nice to listen to after a long day." He pushes his glasses up at the light.

"Do you have family here?" He nods.

"I do. My mom and dad live about an hour away. I'm the only child. What about you?"

"Same. They're probably 30 minutes up north."

"Do you live alone?"

"Yeah, I live in a studio. It's actually my coworker's. She bought the space to rent it out. She lets me rent it for pretty cheap though."

"That's nice."

"You?"

"I live with Jimin. Our parents are close."

"What about your other friends?"

"Hoseok is dorming, and Taehyung would rather live back home with his family and commute. He's close to them. He'll crash at ours or Hoseok's from time to time."

"Are you close to your family?" He nods as he turns into the plaza lot.

"I suppose, yes. I'm just really quiet overall, so they think it's hard to read me sometimes." He parks and you watch as he shuts the car off with the same button. "You?"

"Yeah, I'm really close to my mom. Dad, a little questionable."

"Why, if I may ask?" He comes to open your door again, causing you to give him a small smile.

"He, um. Just got into some stuff." He watches as your body tenses while you fiddle with your fingers waiting in line.

"It's okay, don't think about it. I won't ask again."

"It's okay, Jungkook. Really. Maybe another time?" You look up at him and he nods. He stands way taller than you, almost at Seokjin's height, if not the same. He likes to wear baggy, dark clothing and doesn't do much to fix or style his hair.

He's simple, but in a good way.

You both order your food with Jungkook going first so he can grab a table afterwards. Before he could pay though, you offer to cover him for dinner as your way of thanking him for driving you home. You make your way over to the table he snags, Jungkook silently sitting at the high table with his legs pressed together and his hands clasped tightly on his lap.

"You okay?"

"Ya, why?"

"You look tense."

"Sorry. It's not everyday I have dinner with Y/N." You smile.

"Stop, relax." You watch as he slightly eases up. "So, this deal." He nods. "A month?"

"Yeah, I suppose."

"We have to convince people it's real or else people will know something weird is going on." You look at his hand, now resting on the table. "You're gonna have to hold my hand and kiss me, you know?" He swallows the lump in his throat. Shit, he thinks. Don't know if I can actually pull this off?

A kiss?! Fuck.

"Y-yeah."

"When was your last relationship, Jungkook?"

"8th grade." Your eyes widen.

"O-oh, now I see."

"What's that supposed to mean? It's terrible, I know but I—"

"No, no, no. You're good. It's totally okay, it doesn't matter. I'll just have to teach you to make it look realistic and not.. awkward." You perk up again. "Not saying that you are though, okay."

"I know."

"So, are you.."

"Am I..?" He cocks hid head to the side in confusion.

"Like.."

"Just ask Y/N."

"Are you a virgin?"

"I don't know." You furrow your brows.

"Huh?"

"Look, this is gonna sound really embarrassing and I don't know if I'm even ready to tell my fake girlfriend about it."

"Just say it. We have to know things about each other." He sighs.

"I— ugh." He groans. "I did it with my girlfriend at the time. Or I guess my ex because we had broken up and this was sometime during freshmen year in high school and she came onto me out of nowhere at a mutual friend's pool party. But it was weird because we were just hormonal kids and I was just curious so I slipped myself into her only to slip back out right after because—" He's rambling, but you're doing your best to keep up.

"Because?"

"I-I, ugh. Y/N." He shuts his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose. "Are you really gonna make me say it?"

"Jungkook." You lean a bit to try and catch eye contact.

"I came right away." He says just as the worker puts down your food and takes the number from your table.

"Ohhhhhhh." You say as you nod slowly. "Okay."

"You can just run now." His head hangs low as he slowly slides his chicken over in front of him, causing you to chuckle.

"I'm not going anywhere. It's okay. Stop that."

"It's pathetic."

"No. Besides, I know you'll get better overall, and you'll find someone who will rock with you till the end. We'll work on this."

"Thanks." He says, feeling comfortable around you. You were quick to reassure him and smile at him, he felt himself melting in his seat. Yeah, you were too good for Seokjin.

"You'll have to come to parties with me. Club events. Events in general. It won't look right if I'm always going without you."

"Okay. Can I bring my friends?"

"Sure." He nods. "What do you do in your free time?"

"Play video games and listen to music. Read comics, manga. Build lego sets with the guys."

"Cute." You smile.

"You?"

"Hang out with Sunmi, or just watch movies on my own at my place. Read. Eat by myself. Explore by myself. I value my alone time."

"It's nice." Jungkook's familiar with it. Even if he had his friends around, he truly liked being in his own peace when allowed. "What about outside of the public eye?"

"Hm?" You hum.

"Do we hang out?"

"Yeah we can." You nod.

"Cool." He smiles.

"Is my car gonna be a lot of work for you?"

"Don't worry about it, it'll be good soon. Just might take a bit cause I need some parts to make it look brand new again."

"I really can't thank you enough." He shrugs.

"Only trying to help my girlfriend out." He boldly says, causing you to laugh.

"Confidence is peeking through already, are you sure you need me?" You joke. The rest of the evening, you continue to talk to Jungkook about pretty surface level shit— what you like, dislike, overall experience in high school and college so far. It was a nice, harmless conversation, one where you were starting to see how warmhearted Jungkook really was. How real and laid back.

None of the shit in Seokjin's group. It was refreshing, a breath of fresh air.

Once dinner had finally finished, Jungkook was on his way to drop you off. He had parked in an empty guest spot, offering to walk you up just to be sure. At the door, he took a peek at how clean your studio was, mainly soft colors of white and cream taking over, with plants scattered around your living room area. The hallway in was sandwiched between your kitchen area and another wall, Jungkook assuming your bed was on the opposite side of it. He awkwardly stands at the door, afraid of overstepping.

"Well, goodnight Y/N. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Hey, wait." You smile and come close to him. He swallows, his mouth suddenly feeling dry when he feels your breasts press against his chest. "First lesson— give me a kiss."

"Right now?"

"Jeon Jungkook, we're doing this tomorrow. People are gonna have to see this at least once while we're together." He nods and presses a quick kiss against your cheek. "Not bad, but a little longer?" He complies and presses another kiss, leaving his pillowy lips against your cheek for a little longer before pulling away. "Perfect. Now here." You point at your lips before crossing your arms.

"Y/N, I—"

"Don't be afraid, just do it. I won't kick you in the balls or anything."

"It's not that. I just don't think I'm a great at this stuff."

"Okay." You tippytoe and gently grab his jaw while you lean towards his face. "Just relax, okay? Don't think too much of it." He stays silent, doe eyes constantly on you as you continue to inch forward.

Sparks. Just sparks everywhere for Jungkook.

He feels your soft lips against his and he relaxes, moreso because he feels like he's lost all senses being this close to you. Taking in your scent. Kissing you.

"There." He stands still, still trying to process the kiss. "Not bad. We'll get better over time, but at least that looks believable. Just—" You put his hands down as they were about to fall onto your hips during the kiss, but they fell short. "Let it happen and hold me, okay?" You smile. "Night Jungkook."

"N-night." He stutters as he watches you close the door. "Fuck." He whispers to himself when he realizes he's now sporting a boner. "Jungkook, what the fuck is this?!" He continues to whisper to himself as he waddles down your hallway.

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ms-katonic-of-tamriel · 4 years

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Saw a fic tagged Lady Miraak/Lucien Flavius the other day.

Oh my god. That poor man. He’ll be eaten alive.

OTOH Lady Miraak?? Have some courage and make it male Miraak. Miraak’s bi as anything, he’ll take one look at this sheltered young Imperial desperate for knowledge of the Dragon Cult and... think things.

Bonus points for Very Sheltered Lucien at one point going “you know, if I were a girl, I’d be really nervous about now! Because... because you’re a bit terrifying!” (Spoiler alert: Lucien Flavius is really nervous, and Miraak is grinning at him like a born predator.)

Miraak chuckles and tells him to report back for his first lesson the next day then goes off to track down the annoying but definitely Not Straight jester, also from Cyrodiil, because he has to ask, have the norms around same-sex relationships changed that much??

“No, no, only Cicero fears that Mr Flavius is... how can Cicero put this. Sheltered. Naive. Barely twenty years old. The only child of doting parents. Has spent his entire existence in academic libraries. Is likely untouched. It is entirely possible he has managed to go his entire life blissfully unaware a relationship between two men is even possible.”

Miraak finds this hilarious and decides to have fun with that idea, and Dovahzul and history lessons are interwoven with VERY seductive body language, near-unmistakeable innuendo, getting Lucien all hot and bothered while not actually touching him then backing off immediately. Eventually Lucien snaps and talks to Kaidan of all people, because he’s confused as all hell, because it’s weird, it’s wrong, he doesn’t understand it, if Miraak was a woman, he’d know it was flirting but Miraak’s a man, men don’t do that to other men, do they?

Kaidan the other bisexual facepalms, wants to know just how they ever let Lucien out on his own, tells him yes they do in fact do that, just as women often go out with other women, it’s perfectly normal and not remotely rare. And yeah, Miraak’s seducing you. Or trying to. Do you need me to have a word with him, because First Dragonborn or no First Dragonborn, he doesn’t get to hassle you.

“No! No? I need to think about this. A lot. Oh Mara.”

Cicero is the next port of call. Did you know about this, Cicero? Men going out with other men? Cicero stares at Lucien, puts down the anatomical diagram of pain nexuses that he’s been colouring in, looks at him long and hard and then bursts out laughing for a good minute before drying his eyes and nodding. Yes, Flavius. Yes, Cicero knew. Cicero thought everybody knew.

“I didnt know! Oh gods. Miraak’s interested in me. Oh gods. Cicero, what do I do?”

“You are asking me for romantic advice?? Oh by Sithis... I don’t know! Are you interested in him or not?”

“I don’t know! He’s terrifying!”

“Good or bad terrifying?”

“Good... there’s a good terrifying??”

Cicero realises he now has to explain kink as well as queerness and wordlessly gets some books out of his personal collection.

“Some people like having power removed from them and being rendered utterly helpless while a ruthless, ravishing brute does whatever they like with them. Other people like taking helpless yet willing victims and having their way with them. It does not surprise Cicero that Miraak is among them.”

“Which kind is he??”

“He just had five thousand years of Mora rendering him helpless, he’s either VERY keen on it or has had enough. For you, boy? Assume it’s the latter.”

Lucien whimpers. Takes the books. Runs. Liriel gave Miraak’s mask to Dragonborn Gallery without hesitation and he’s been bare-faced ever since, with piercing blue eyes and long blonde hair and a smile that could tempt an Aedra to sin. She let him keep the robes though, having had replicas made for her museum, the originals cleaned and mended, and then returned, and the First Dragonborn had been wearing those whenever Lucien had seen him. Without the mask they were low-cut, to well below his collarbones, and while they weren’t tight-fitting, it was clear Miraak had muscles under there, and Lucien knew first-hand Miraak could fight with blade as well as magic.

Miraak was terrifying. That was a given. But Lucien had to know for sure.

Next lesson, Lucien enters the safehouse, sees Miraak sitting by the fire, and Miraak only has to look to know something is wrong. Different. Lucien is staring at him and not coming any closer, and Miraak realises that after three and a half months, he’s finally fucking realised.

About time. Now, what will the young seeker after knowledge do about it.

Silence and it is Miraak who breaks it.

“Is something wrong, goraan?”

“No - yes - have you been flirting with me??”

Bless him, his young student has finally graduated.

“You have finally noticed! Well done, goraan. Yes, I have been... how does Tamrielic put it. Pushing my luck. Nudging at the boundaries. Wondering which will fall first. Note I have not laid a finger on you. Merely left suggestions in the air. And despite becoming ever more blatant, you still come back for more. Why is that, goraani?”

Oh gods, he’s changed to the possessive tense.

“I’m not your... I’m leaving. Right now! I’m not coming back! I’m not paying for Dovahzul lessons in sex!”

Surprise on Miraak’s face. “It was never the intent you should, goraani. Ah, krosis. I took advantage of your naivety. It was wrong. I apologise. If you wish to stop the lessons, I understand. But if not, I will continue - only I promise to behave this time. You have my word as an Atmoran.”

Atmoran honour and the swearing of a vow were covered early on. Lucien doesn’t entirely trust him, but at length he sits down and the lessons resume. Except they’re different. Miraak is a respectful three feet away at all times. No breathing down the back of his neck without quite touching. No innuendo or purring or that damn smile. Just Miraak being calm and professional and, and... Lucien hates it. Hates every fucking second of it because walls have gone up, part of Miraak that was on display is now shut off, probably forever and Lucien... Lucien misses it. Lucien misses the feeling of feeling scared out of his wits but safe at the same time because Miraak wouldn’t really... Miraak apparently would. If Lucien asked him. Lucien does not know how to ask. Or what to ask for. But Miraak behind him, trailing a finger down the back of his neck, Miraak’s chest on his back and his arms round his waist... With arms like that, Miraak probably gives really good cuddles.

“Goraan. You are clearly not paying attention. If your mind is elsewhere, you are welcome to discontinue until it returns?”

“No!” Lucien gasps. Raised eyebrow from Miraak who wants to know where exactly his thoughts are flying if they are not here, and Lucien can take it no more.

“You. Utter. Bastard!”

Miraak doesn’t even look shocked. “I am, yes. Which of my many sins are you referring to?”

“You can’t just... you can’t just do this to me! You can’t just spend months being all up close and personal and then just... just switch it off like it meant nothing!”

Strange look on Miraak’s face. “Krosis, Lucien. I was under the impression my attentions were unwelcome and you wished me to stop.”

“No! Oh gods. No. You utter, utter bastard, I hate you so much, please don’t stop.”

Silence, Lucien’s face going bright red as he realises what’s just come out of his mouth, and he can barely look at Miraak. Then the chair creaks, Miraak’s footsteps are on the stone floor and then gauntlets are removed, hit the table, and then Miraak’s hands are in his.

“Lokaaliin. Is that your wish? Truly? For me not to?”

Miraak’s voice is gentler than Lucien has ever heard it and he finally looks Miraak in the eye to see the softest smile, one he’d not thought the man capable of, and Miraak’s reaching up to stroke his cheek, cupping his face and Lucien can’t stop himself leaning into his touch.

“I’m scared, Miraak.”

“It is all right to be. I have... not had a lover in a long time. But I have not forgotten how to give pleasure. I will give it to you if you ask.”

“I don’t even know how to - I’ve never had one! Oh gods.”

Miraak just smiles and kisses his hand. “It is all right. I will take care of you. It is your wish to move our lessons to a more intimate footing?”

Lucien nods, because Miraak makes him flushed and breathless and eager for... he doesn't even know what for. Miraak takes him by the hand and leads him to the bedroom upstairs, promising nothing below the waist will happen yet, they can just talk and cuddle, yes?

After all the frantic worrying, for it just to be that is a blessed, blessed relief. Miraak sheds his circlet, outer layers, strips down to his trousers, kicks off his boots and lies down on the bed, arms open for Lucien and Lucien hesitantly takes off his outer coat and his own boots and goes into Miraak’s arms, and from the moment skin touches skin, it is safety, reassurance, a throbbing strength that allays his fears as Miraak pulls him into his arms and holds him tight, and it takes Lucien a moment to realise Miraak is shaking.

“Are you all right?”

“Krosis. Yes. I am well. I just... I have had no one in my arms like this in millennia. Ah, goraani, I’m sorry. Be patient with me.”

Lucien hadn’t expected that. For all he’d seen Miraak as the scary First Dragonborn, he’d not even realised there was still a human being in there with feelings and vulnerabilities. That... was a lot less scary, or rather it was still scary in a different way. Goodness, what if he hurt Miraak? He’d never even thought of it that way round before. Well. He’d just need to be gentle, wouldn’t he. Just as Miraak was presently being with him.

It would be a few weeks more before sex actually started to happen. Rather more before they finally told other people they were seeing each other. Round about the time Liriel takes them both in her party, Lucien’s swarmed by Falmer, and then Miraak promptly immolates them all so fiercely you can’t tell flesh from chitin any more and when all the foes are dead, is frantically checking Lucien over, healing his wounds and then holding him so tightly no one can miss what’s up.

Liriel has strong words for Miraak, but sees Lucien leap to his defence and at length decides, what the hell, anyone to be a reforming influence on Miraak is a good thing, and Miraak does seem to genuinely care. Still, she does promise that if he hurts Lucien, she’s coming after him. Miraak just smiles. He’d expect no less.

Not so very long after that, Lucien moved into the safehouse with Miraak, and then it turned out his father got him a lead to this Dwemer ruin on Solstheim of all places and who better to go and have a look with him than a Solstheimer? That led to a whole series of adventures, including that one time Miraak nearly broke up with him for remantling the Dwemer-Daedra entity that had tried to kill Miraak and possess his corpse... but eventually Miraak forgave him. Even if he decided that if Lucien now had a demon horse, he was getting one, and acquired a Storm Atronach in horse form as his mount. At least it wasn’t tentacled.

#miraak #lucien flavius #skyrim #this is never going on ao3

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shannaraisles · 7 years

Text

Set In Darkness

Chapter: 4 Author name: ShannaraIsles Rating: M (for language) Warnings: Bereavement, canon-typical injury and violence Summary: She’s a Modern Girl in Thedas, but it isn’t what she wanted. There’s a scary dose of reality as soon as she arrives. It isn’t her story. People get hurt here; people die here, and there’s no option to reload if you make a bad decision. So what’s stopping her from plunging head first into the Void at the drop of a hat?

Requests

"Only it burns when I take a piss, and there's this redness ... right here, look."

Rory blinked, finding herself eye to eye with yet another trouser snake. She'd seen more male genitalia today than she'd ever expected to. For some reason, Ferelden men didn't seem to think a visit to a healer was complete until they'd waved their wang in her face. On the other end of the equation, getting an Orlesian to even admit to having a cold seemed to be like drawing blood from a stone. She looked up, past the angry-looking penis, to its owner's face.

"You can put it away, recruit," she assured him, somehow managing to keep a straight face. "I recognize what you're describing to me."

"Are you sure?" he asked worriedly. "You don't need to ..." He gestured to his unhappy manhood.

"I'm very sure I don't need to," she promised confidently. "It's a very common problem, and you don't need any medicine to deal with it."

"That's a relief to hear," he admitted, pulling his leggings up and fastening them before taking a seat again. "Saw a mage once - cost me two months' wages - and all he said was it'd go away on its own."

"And it did?" she asked curiously, unsurprised when he nodded.

"Only it come back a couple of months later," he told her. "It does that - here and gone, here and gone."

"Well, I can promise you that it's a very easy fix," Rory guaranteed. "But it's something you'll have to do for the rest of your life."

"I'd give anything to piss in peace the rest of my life, miss," he said fervently. "Maker knows it's a small pleasure until you can't do it no more."

"I'm sure," she agreed easily. "What it comes down to is this ... you're not drinking enough water. Ideally, you should be drinking between four and six pints of water a day. It's still going to be uncomfortable for a few days, but the more you drink, the weaker your urine will be, and the less pain there will be when you pass water. Drink enough water every day, and this problem will never come back."

"That's all, just water?" the soldier asked in disbelief.

"Just water," she confirmed with a smile. "With most things, the remedy is usually simple. But please make sure the water is clean, or you will become very sick, and there is very little I can do to help with that."

"What, you mean like boiling it first?"

"Exactly," she agreed. "I'll see what I can do to make sure there's an adequate supply of clean drinking water for the camp, but for now you're on your own." Just like the twenty or so other recruits I've seen today who have a U.T.I. because they only drink ale.

"But I'm fit otherwise?" he queried, apparently needing to hear her say it again.

"Fit as a butcher's dog," Rory promised him. "Go forth and be mighty."

Chuckling at her dismissal, the soldier left the tent, once again leaving her in peace. By her notes, she'd seen around fifty men and women today. She was beginning to think this pre-Inquisition had an inexhaustible supply of ex-templars, farmers, and random mercenaries. No one had actually said anything about what she was supposed to do with the inevitable two or three who weren't fit for duty, but she was determined to do this right. So that meant a report of some kind.

Drawing a fresh sheet of parchment onto the writing board she'd found in the crates piled outside, Rory uncapped the little pot of ink. This quill and ink business was taking some getting used to, but she managed to produce a reasonable report, complete with recommendations, with what she considered to be the bare minimum of blotches and mistakes. It was legible, anyway. But who did she give it to? It dealt with the recruits, so was she contributing to the mess of paperwork that filled Cullen's days? Good gods, what was she going to do about him, anyway?

"Healer?"

Startled, Rory jumped, dislodging the ink bottle from her knee. She yelped, making a grab for it as it plunged toward Elora's bedroll. She missed, but the bottle landed safely in the outstretched palm of the messenger who had surprised her in the first place. He looked up with slightly worried eyes, handing it back before straightening.

"Oh, thank you," she enthused, settling the ink safely to one side. "Elora would snap me like a twig if I covered her bed with ink."

He chuckled nervously with her. "Yes, she's a little scary," he agreed, fingers scratching against his chest in a way that was suddenly familiar. The way he just stood there silently was familiar, too.

"So ... can I help you with something?" she asked politely, raising her brows above her smile.

"Hmm? Oh!" Blushing, he came back to himself. "Commander Cullen wants to see you, Healer. He sent me to bring you to him."

Trying to ignore the excited ping in her stomach at this news, Rory nodded, packing her notes into a neat pile. She paused - she couldn't really leave them in here. The tent wasn't secure, and these notes had personal information on a good number of the pre-Inquisition recruits. Nothing for it; she was going to have to keep them with her until she could get hold of a lockable chest. Even then, she'd have to hope no rogue decided to investigate it. But for now, they'd have to stay on her person. Tucking the pile into her arms, she rose, stepping out of the tent into a world that was darker than she'd thought it would be.

"Good grief, is night already?" she asked in surprise, letting out a belated groan at the ache in her back. How many hours was it since she'd moved out of that tent?

"Sunset, Healer," the messenger told her, waiting patiently to take her to the commander.

Stretching carefully around the throbbing ache of her cracked ribs, Rory turned to walk with him toward the village. "You can call me Rory," she told him as they went. "What's your name?"

"Not sure I'm allowed to, Healer," he said uncertainly. "But I'm Jim."

"Really?" She didn't mean to giggle, but come on ... how had the Dragon Age fan community guessed that? "Sorry, I don't mean to laugh," she apologized quickly. "I haven't taken a break since this morning."

"Couple of people mentioned they didn't see you when they called lunch," Jim commented thoughtfully. "You've eaten since breakfast?"

"Um ..." It was embarrassing how hard she had to think about that. There was a gnawing sensation in her stomach now she came to notice it. "No, I don't think so."

"Didn't you hear the bell?" Jim asked, aghast at the information that the healer was so bad at looking after herself. "Chantry bell. They're ringing it for meals while we're here."

"Oh, I didn't know that was why it was ringing," she admitted ruefully. She'd assumed it was some kind of call to noonday prayer or whatever. "Thank you for telling me."

"Cupcake!"

She glanced up as they climbed to the second level of Haven, smiling at the sight of Varric waving to her from the door of the tavern. The dwarf had a tankard in one hand and a deck of cards in the other.

"Drinks, remember?" he reminded her with a grin. "You've been at it all day."

"I remember," she assured him with a tired smile. "And my day's not over yet, I'm afraid. Another night?"

"I'll hold you to that," Varric warned in amusement, letting her walk past. "You're working too hard!"

Rory laughed, waving him back into the tavern. If he thought this was a busy day for her, she didn't want to know what he'd think when the shit hit the fan in a few weeks. Still, thank gods for all that random reading she'd done over the years. Who'd have thought four years working in an emergency department would combine with her slightly obsessive interest in medieval medicine to work so well for her in this situation? This insane situation that she was almost sure by this point was absolutely real. Really, incredibly, deadly real. I am still totally screwed, though. Her gaze fell on Cullen, standing where Solas would take up his station in the not so distant future, and felt her heart judder at the sight of him. Well and truly screwed.

"Commander, I found her," Jim announced as they mounted the last steps. "She hasn't eaten, ser."

Cullen gave the messenger a vaguely quizzical look. "No one has eaten yet," he answered with understandable confusion. "The dinner bell won't ring for another hour."

"I mean since breakfast, ser," Jim told him, despite Rory's earnest desire for him to shut up.

"Which is fine," she said hastily. "It isn't going to kill me to miss a meal."

Cullen was frowning at her now. "Lady Healer, you are injured," he reminded her. "Even I know you need a good diet to aid the healing process."

"Should I fetch her something, ser?" Jim offered, eager to be helpful and make a good impression.

Before Cullen could open his mouth, Rory rushed to head that off. She was not a wilting flower; she did not need preferential treatment. "That's not necessary, really," she insisted as firmly as she dared. "It's only an hour and ... Was there a reason you wanted to see me, commander?"

He was frowning again. Suppressing the ridiculous urge to apologize for a perfectly reasonable viewpoint, Rory forced herself to hold that gaze, daring him to argue with her over something as trivial as missing a meal. All the while, her inner fangirl was squealing. He's worried about me! Look, I can touch him! He's real! ... is sexual harassment a thing in Thedas?

"I have managed to secure a space for you to work," he told her, snapping her out of her ogling. "I am reliably informed that this was built for a healer, so it should suit your needs." He half-turned, laying a hand gently at her back to direct her into the cabin behind him. Rory squeaked at the contact, instantly regretting the excited sound as he pulled his touch away in concern. "Forgive me, are you in pain?"

"No!" Great, now you're a suicidal wreck with nug-like tendencies. Good going, Rory. "I mean ... that is, my ribs do hurt, but you didn't hurt me," she hastened to explain herself.

"I shouldn't have touched you without seeking your permission, I apologize," he answered, a very faint hint of confusion beneath the concern in his eyes.

"No, that's fine - please don't apologize," she fumbled. "I like being touched by you." There was a beat as her ears caught up with her mouth. "That came out wrong." Suicidal nug-woman with no boundaries wants the ground to swallow her whole now, please... wait, is he blushing?

He was blushing. He was also giving her that invisible smile of his as she groaned and shut her eyes, acutely aware that she was blushing far more fulsomely than he was.

"I doubt the Maker wants you eternally imprisoned in the stone beneath my feet, my lady," he assured her in amusement. "It would be a terrible waste."

Rory's eyes snapped open, staring at him in astonishment as her cheeks burned. "Are you flirting with me, commander?" she blurted out. Did Cullen flirt? She didn't remember any flirting until he established a relationship with the ... Hoooo boy. Cool your heels, Ror, the love of his life might be on her way to Haven right this instant.

Whether flirtation had been his intention or not, her abrupt accusation had him hastily back-pedaling. "A terrible waste of a skilled worker," Cullen blurted right back at her. "For Haven - for Thedas. Not that I expect you're thinking of leaving us, which ..." He stopped himself, resolutely closing his mouth and pushing open the cabin door. "Your clinic rooms, Lady Healer."

Rooms was an overstatement for the space he ushered her embarrassed, flustered apology into. It was a single room, with four stripped beds along one wall. A desk stood in one corner, next to a line of chests that held linens, bandages, potions - everything they had salvaged from the avalanche outside Frosthelm. Everything she needed to do what they expected of her. The place needed cleaning, but she could do that, easily. It was, in a word ...

"Perfect." She turned to Cullen, touched to know he'd arranged this simply because she had asked for it. All right, so it was necessary for a healer to have a clinic to work in, but he had arranged it for her, and he was even making sure that he was the one to show it to her. Horny fangirl is hopeful. "Really. This is so much more than I was expecting. You didn't ... no one was living in here, were they?"

"No one has been displaced for your benefit," he assured her. "It is heartening to note that is your only concern."

"Thank you." Without thinking, she reached out to touch his arm gratefully. "I really do appreciate this."

The cool warmth of his gloved hand covered her own on his wrist. "It is good to see you engaged in something beyond your grief," he said in a soft voice.

"I made you a promise," she heard herself answer through the flicker of painful pleasure that came with his words. Pain, for the loss she didn't think she was ever going to come to terms with; pleasure, that he didn't want to lose her to it. Of course he doesn't want to lose his only bloody healer. Start thinking with something north of your hoohar. "I would hate to let you down."

The gold-touched brown of his eyes softened infinitesimally as he held her gaze. "That is good to know."

There was something deeply comforting in being the recipient of that softness; a balm for the bruises that littered her heart. She knew he'd suffered so much more than she ever had, yet here he was, wasting his time and energy to help her. Wasn't looking after people supposed to be her job here?

"Oh!" Startling both of them with a sudden thought, Rory broke the moment into shattered shards, pulling her hand from his arm to rifle through the parchments she held. "I wrote a report, but I don't know who to submit it to."

Sighing ruefully, Cullen held out his hand. "It's to do with the welfare of my recruits, therefore it comes to me," he conceded, taking her report and scanning it briefly. "Maker's breath, woman, who taught you your letters?"

"My writing's not that bad," she protested, glancing over at the page in his hand. She was wrong - it was that bad. "Well, it's legible."

"Just." For the briefest moment, she could have sworn he'd flashed her a grin, feeling unaccountably gooey at the knowledge that he was teasing her. "Do not miss the evening meal," he said then, turning to leave. "Your own health does not come second to the health of everyone else under your care."

"Takes one to know one." She just about swallowed her wince at the sharp look he gave her for that. "I'll answer the dinner bell, commander."

"I had best not hear otherwise," he warned, considering her a moment longer before stepping to the door. "Good evening, Lady Healer."

"Commander."

She watched him out through the door, closing it in his wake to lean against the weathered wood with a mildly relieved sigh. Cullen was not an idiot; she couldn't pass everything she let slip off as healer's intuition. That one hadn't been too bad, but it was a slippery slope. She couldn't afford to get too comfortable, at least not yet. He had to tell her his problems, or he would never trust her enough to allow her to ease his symptoms.

Also ... was it unethical to treat someone on whom you had a raging crush? Someone who didn't seem to mind that crush. Someone who couldn't possibly be real. And if the survivor turned out to be a female human or elf ... someone who might forget her in an instant to fall in love, as he should do. So why did the thought of that abandonment hurt so much, if that's what he should do?

#set in darkness #multi-chapter fic #cullen rutherford/original female character #cullen rutherford/rory allen #rory allen #cullen rutherford #jim #special moment #more angst #but there's fluff too #looking hopeful

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