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mintvender · 3 years

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The Final Chess Piece

HaremAU!

Synopsis: As a child, he found himself buried in the warmth of his mother. When that is taken away, he desperately clings to other. But of course, Taehyung with his unique mind found himself fated to be alone; like the bright stars that together light up the sky but is forever separate by the thousands of miles between them. Amidst the darkness, however, there is a guaranteed light source in every black hole. When Taehyung found his, it is guaranteed to be a euphoric moment.

Warnings: Profanity, child abuse, indirect kills, Angst

Word Count: 11.6k

A/n: Finally finished the first part of the ongoing serie. This is an introduction to how Taehyung has meet Y/N. Took me over a week but here we are. If you spot any errors, please simply skip it. Thank you and enjoy 🌿

Masterlist

His first memory was of a brunette, one with very stunning and bright eyes. Their eyes were comparable with the stars above him as he found himself sobbing, unable to stop himself. The lady, as he later found out, held him weakly and she tried to swing back and forth to help him sleep. Unfortunately, he was a newborn back then so he did not understand her and continued crying; it only stopped when he heard the door slam open.

Turning his weak body to gaze at the direction of the ruckus, he found himself being stared at by a black-haired male. He looked so delicate that if a gust of wind were to pass by, the force would probably knock him over. His face, however, clearly showcases a malicious intent but quickly dissipated when the person who held him raised her voice. They then began to exchange their opinions but the conversation ended with the female raising her voice. The sudden loud roar startled him while causing the male to run out of the room.

The brunette quickly brought him closer and ushered him to quiet down. She then turned to one of the maids and silently whispered something into their ear before turning back to him. The next thing he knew was her roughed hands interacting with his, gently playing with them. He then looked up at her after hearing a soft chuckle above him.

Suddenly, another person was in his view, blocking his view of the person who held him. Instinctively, he let out little whimpers that escalated to thundering screams. Unexpectedly, the woman only offered him a forced smile before leaning down and kissing his little forehead.

“ Everything will be fine, Taehyung-ah.”

♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

Taehyung’s next significant memory took place on his 23rd moon cycle. It was the night when the moon was at its peak in the bright night sky. The young boy had decided to slip away while his nanny was distracted to gaze at the midnight sky. As Taehyung was still young and was protected by his mother, he was not accustomed to the format of the courtyards within their property. As a result, the young boy wandered through the unfamiliar place as he tried to return to his courtyard.

Unfortunately, it was nearly impossible for the 2 year-old as he was unable to see where he was going under the pitch-dark sky. The gleaming moon was likely to be teasing him, not allowing him to use any bit of its light to find a way back. It was as if the moon wanted to forever trap him within its webs and not let him leave.

Burdened by the thought, the poor child was unable to refrain himself from breaking down, little sobs turned into loud, painful screams that seemed to go on for hours.

Taehyung was now sitting on the dirty ground, his clothes covered in mud and dirt, seemingly having a tantrum. It only increases as the moment lengthens as the poor boy wanted his mother and nanny to come and rescue him.

*****

General Kim’s main husband, Minjun, had found himself unable to sleep and had decided to go on a walk through the Lily Blossom Pavilion. Unexpedly, he had decided to by himself instead of getting guards to accompany him.

He had a lot of problems on his mind and if a servant were to ask about his well being every time they saw him grimace, he would most likely deduct their salary before kicking them out.

With that settled, he took his time to walk to the pavilion. Once he got there, he gently walked through the countless flower bushes to admire the various types of flowers.

The Lily Blossom Pavilion was created by the previous general who gifted it to her lovely main husband as a gift. It was designed to host different types of flowers from around the world which was why the temperature inside the pavilion is so different compared to the outside.

Minjun unconsciously scoffed at the thought when he compared the couple to his current wife. The current General Kim was far different from her parents. She was instead cold, and distasteful; not caring about his health at all. Granted, they married for the benefits of alliance for the family but still, she should have reserved some affections for him and not for a lowly concubine. He is, after all, the main husband who has absolute control over his wife’s harem and was the one who helped create 3 daughters. What does that whore have that he does not?

Angered by his wife’s clearly unfair treatment, he kicked the flower bush nearby. Unexpectedly, the bush let out a painful screech which surprised him so much that he tripped over his robe and landed on the rock-covered floor, scratching his pale knees in the process. He then desperately yelled out, alarming countless people.

Soon enough, everyone in the Kim household was awakened by the terrible sounds. Many quickly rushed to the pavilion finding the main husband still on the ground, yelling for help. Minjun only stopped when he saw how many people had come. He then motioned to the nearest guard to see what was behind the bush.

The said servant then unsheathed his weapon as he strategically approached the bush, separating the branches to see what was underneath. When he was finally able to see who was hiding in the bush, the result surprised him. A boy was sitting behind the bush, with an arm clasped over his other one, tears running down his swollen cheeks, looking at him with a terror-filled gaze.

The guard quickly comforted the boy before he carried the bruised boy out. This, however, caused the boy to cry louder when he saw the amount of eyes staring at him.

Embarrassed that he was scared by a boy, Minjun quickly rushed to the boy, “ HOW DARE YOU INJURE ME!” After that, he raised his hand and swinged it with most of his force.

The sudden reaction caused the guard to freeze making him unable to shield the boy from the attack. This caused the boy to receive the full force of the slap, almost causing injury to his neck.

The next time Minjun attempted to cause harm to the boy, the guard was quick to intervene, quickly shielding himself.

“ You filthy servant, who dare you block me? I’m your master, you betrayer.”

“ Main husband, should not do this. He looks like the young master.”

The comment made him stop his yells, as he tried to examine the boy after the guard had removed himself. The crying boy in front of him did somewhat looked like the young master but he had not seen him ever since his birth, that he was not so sure. Believing that it was a bluff, he continued his glare at the guard.

“ Filthy servant, you dare to say that this is the young master? Do you think that you have made a severe mistake? Guards, bring him down and give him 50 sticks to avoid future lies.”

The guards then immediately rushed to the soon-to-be-ex guard and dragged him out of the pavilion and towards the punishment yard. Some quietly scolded him while some apologized.

After he was dragged out, Minjun turned his attention back to the rest of the servants and ushered them to leave. After they left, it was only the 7 daughters that are still present there.

“ Daughters, if this were the real young master then we should cripple him. How dare he take all of General Kim’s attention away from us? Hmph, and a boy just at that. Does the sluttiness run through the family? From your father to you? Such an interesting bloodline.”

“ Father, what if he is not the main master?” Minjun’s youngest daughter asked.

Minjun turned towards the girl, and gently patted her head, “ Sooyoung-ah, don’t worry. If he is not the young master just pretend he is and vent your anger, alright?”

The comment made her nod, and she confidently walked to word the boy. Slowly she crouched down to the boy, looked at him and grabbed the material behind his neck and lifted him up.

The boy instinctively started to struggle against the grip that was slowly choking him, yelling and kicking to attempt release.

Chuckling at his weak attempt, Sooyoung dropped his fragile body to the ground. “ You are young, but you fall like a sack of potatoes... What are you waiting for just standing there?” Sooyoung yelled back at the crowd.

Slowly, some people decided to join Sooyoung until all of them did.

Laughters and threats were heard as the girls enjoyed their time torturing the poor boy.

One of the daughters was about to kick him in the stomachs when she was stopped by an angry scream.

“ WHAT ARE YOU DOING?”

The group of people turned towards the voice’s direction and was stricken with waves of anger. Immediately, they all kneeled down, scared that they might have made a terrible mistake.

“ W-w-we did nothing, general,” Minjun stuttered.

General Kim looked at him unconvinced before she glanced at the hidden figure behind all of them. She squinted her eyes as the familiar body but soon realized who it was.

Angered by their outrageous actions, she kicked Minjun out of her path and quickly went to the boy’s side. Gently cradling the boy into her chest, she looked back at the group and contorted her face in distaste. Quickly standing up, she made her way out of the pavilion not sparing them any comfort.

“ If Taehyung does not make it, then consider yourselves done. I will properly punish you when he has recovered.”

And with that, they were no longer able to see her.

*****

“ Physician Kwon, is he alright?”

“ General Kim, he suffered many deathly injuries but he is thankfully past the risky point.”

General Kim quickly nodded her head, motioning him to continue but when she saw him hesitate, she didn’t know if she truly wanted to be informed of the upcoming news.

“ sighs, my general, even though his condition is stable. I am not able to predict that he would be able to wake up or not. I’m sorry for my mediocre abilities to not be able to help the young master. “

“ …” the comment shocked the general but quickly got morph into anger. She would definitely punish them when Taehyung has recovered… if he would even wake up.

“ Thank you, physician Kwon. Hwa, escort him out.”

When the door closed, General Kim made her way to Taehyung, and slowly caressed his hair.

That was the start of her own journey of taking care of Taehyung. So when he finally opened his eyes, general Kim was by his sides.

The poor boy started crying as waves of memories rushed into his head before he lost consciousness. Holding onto his mother as best as he could, while explaining what had happened. All the general did was to hug him and comfort him as best as she could, promising to punish the people who had caused him harm.

Slowly he began to recover and by the time he turned 2, he was back to his little minx self. Taehyung, however, acted as if he had not experienced such dangerous events but everyone else did not dare to forget about it, especially Minjun.

After Taehyung had awakened, general Kim punished her 7 daughters and Minjun, disappointed that he could act in such a way in front of a child. General Kim had decided to let each of her daughters sent to a temple to retrain their behaviours, and have Minjun get hit 30 times.

Sighing as she returned back to her room from a stressful day, she quickly changed into her night outfits and gently climbed up to bed and hugged Taehyung. She played with his hair and began to calm down. Before she fell asleep, she kissed his forehead.

“ Everything will be alright, mother’s here.”

And with that, the tired women went to sleep.

♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

“ Mother, what are you and uncle doing?” a 5-year-old taehyung asked his mother. His bambi eyes looking at the board curiously.

“ Mother is playing chess with uncle, do you want to see?”

Taehyung quickly nodded, holding his arm out wanting her to carry him.

The woman chuckled as she carried Taehyung into her lap. “ Aigoo, Taehyunggie is getting so big.”

The comment made the person opposite of them unable to refrain the laughters bubbling inside of him. When general Kim looked over at him, questionably, he let out a chuckle.

“ Is this the young master of the Kim household?”

“ What do you think?” General Kim asked as she looked at the man, wearing an annoyed face, “ Taehyung, this is Park Jinsung, he’s my right hand.”

“ Nice to meet you, I’m Taehyung.”

Jinsung smiled at how cute the boy was but was drawn back to the game as Taehyung continued to ask about it.

“ Mother, what is this?”

Before she could answer, Jinsung beat her to it, “ This is called chess.”

Taehyung tilted his head cutely, “ Chess?”

“ Yes, chess. Do you want to learn it?”

Taehyung quickly nodded and got of his mother’s lap, and quickly headed to get an apple?

The adults looked at each other confusedly, curious at what the young boy was doing but could only chuckle when Taehyung with an apple in hand.

Taehyung quickly made his way to Jinsung before bowing, offering the apple to him.

“ Master, please accept this disciple’s offering.”

General Kim then let out a snort before cracking up while Jinsung pretended to think before carefully accepting the apple.

“ Hmm… I will accept the disciple’s gift. Now come, let me show you.”

Taehyung did a quick celebration before running to Jinsung’s side.

General Kim watched the two fondly, finding how they somewhat resemble each other.

Jinsung started to explain each of the piece’s worth and from the start, he was already impressed by Taehyung’s unique thinking.

“ There are 8 pawns on one side so does that mean that older sisters and I represent each of them?” Taehyung unconsciously asked.

General Kim, however, was shocked by how he managed to know that the ones who had beaten him were his half-sisters.

Bewildered, she asked, “ Taehyung, how do you know that you have 7 older sisters?”

Taehyung, who had previously been focused on the board froze at his mother’s question. His curious expression slowly changed to one that was almost guilty, his doe eyes refused to look at hers, hands repeated grasping to further indicate his nervousness.

Seeing how uncomfortable Taehyung is, Jinsung teasingly shielded his petite body and defended him. “ Yah, Taehyung is still young, why are you bullying him?”

“ I’m his mother, I should be asking him why he lied to me.” General Kim eyed Taehyung, “ I’m waiting, Taehyung.”

Taehyung gulped hearing his mother’s calm tone, knowing that he is unable to escape her questioning this time around. Begrudgingly he lift his head and looked at her piercing eyes, and answered, “ Siwon and I were secretly playing with each other, a-and she told me about the rest of my sisters.”

“...”

Hearing his mother’s non-responsive reaction, the poor child continued to quiver in his seat on Jinsung’s lap.

�� I-I-I also sometime play with Sieun... and she would tell me stories from different books that I couldn’t read yet.”

“ …”

General Kim then looked at Jinsung before she subtly nodded her head, she then stood up and began walking out of the room.

Not knowing what was happening, Taehyung cried out for his mother.

“ Mother! Mother! Mother come back, I won’t lie to you anymore.”

Seeing how distressed Taehyung was, Jinsung tried to comfort him, “ Your mother isn’t mad at you, Taehyung. She just had some businesses to take care of.”

Taehyung's eyes then looked into Jinsung’s, searching if he was being truthful or not.

“ Really?” Jinsung nods his head, silently patting his head.

“ Mother loves you too much to leave you.”

Taehyung then turned his gaze to the floor, “ If she loves me, then why does she always prevent me from playing with my sister?”

The comment made Jinsung sighed, knowing that he would never be able to fully explain the child.

“ Your mother is trying to protect you from the outside world, Taehyung. Because you were born into this family, you will face a lot of dangers and she is trying to prevent them.”

“ Then what does my sisters have to do with this? They are not outsiders!”

“ They are not outsiders but you never know what they will ever do to you. Now, how about we get back to chess, alright?”

Taehyung begrudging nodded, not satisfied with the answer but knows that he won’t be getting any more information out of Jinsung.

*****

“ Jinsung, how was it?”

“ What do you mean?”

General Kim looked over to Jinsung, before smacking him in the head, annoyed.

“ OUCH! You didn’t have to hit me, I was just joking. Taehyung is doing great.”

“...”

“ Alright, alright, he is proceeding at an incredible speed. Understanding the logic of chess and how to play it would take one at least a few days but he managed to learn all of that within one day. He could even be compared to mine… no even I won’t be his opponent if he is nurtured correctly.”

“ …”

Seeing general Kim not utter a word, Jinsung started to agitate, not knowing what was inside her head.

“ General?”

“ Is he really that outstanding?” Jinsung nodded, reconfirming his statement.

“ That boy is becoming more like his father— stubborn yet witty, he even said that he was part of the 8 pawns along with his sisters. If this continues, I believe that he will become the queen, the most important piece to…”

Jinsung then immediately turned his head up to look at general Kim’s figure, who was standing by the spacious window, staring at the bright sunset. He was shocked that Taehyung could even get involved in such a game.

“ General, he won’t be part of it. We will do our absolute best to protect him.” Jinsung then kneeled down on his right knee, bowing to her, showing his definite loyalty.

General Kim, however, does not look at him, her face not showing any emotion.

“ How can I ever guarantee that he will always be under protection? Especially with him being a male in a matriarchal family? When he turns old enough, people would want his hand in marriage to secure ties with our house. Even you know that this is almost impossible. After all, we are only pawns who are loyal to the throne. We cannot rebel because of the oath.”

“ You are right, general but we are only pawns for the citizens. We swore an oath to protect them, not the royal family. Even though we are not able to protect Taehyung forever, it is within our abilities to protect him until he matures enough to stand his own battle.”

Jinsung’s statement made General Kim look at his bowed figure, before she chuckle.

“ I always knew that you and Jinkyu were interesting kids… good, we will train him when he is able to stand on his own. Tell Jinkyu to secretly teach him physical combats, while you teach him chess and military planning.”

Jinsung happily nodded, before doing his last bow before he stand up.

“ Yes, general.”

General Kim nodded and started to leave the room before she halted in her steps, seemingly forgetting to mention something. After a moment, she then turned around, “ Jinsung, let Siwon and Sieun play with Taehyung more openly but make sure that those three are always protected from Minjun and his daughters. “

“ Of course, general.”

Satisfied with his answer, she then turned around and left the room.

“ … you hear that, Jinkyu? You have another disciple to take care of.”

From one of the poles holding the building, a shadow jumped down meeting Jinsung in his spot. The two, surprisingly, looked very similar that if someone were to pass by, they would not be able to differentiate between the two.

“ It’s because of your stupid mouth that I have to train a brat.”

“ If you say that in front of the general, she will kill you.”

“ I’m not saying it in front of her.”

“ You don’t believe that I won’t backstab you and report to her?”

“ She won’t believe you.”

Jinsung sweatdropped at his blunt answer, somewhat understanding where he was coming from.

“ It is her command, you have to do it even if you don’t have to.”

“ Of course, she is my master after all.”

“ … there is a chance that he will be involved so make sure to train him well.”

“ I always train them well when they are in my hands but it’s hard to escape them.”

“ sighs, I know, we were a part of it after all. Two little knights for their little playground.”

“ We are still those piec—“” but just on the opposite side,” Jinsung interrupted, “ Living happily at that.”

“ Mhm”

“ Young master will become a legend.”

“ Let’s see.” The two brothers then looked at the dark sky, each with their own opinion but just about the same person.

♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

“ I want a rematch!” an annoyed voice yelled out.

“ Admit that you lost already, fourth sister,” Taehyung teased Siwon.

Siwon then stood up from her seat and turned her head arrogantly, “ I did not lose against a brat like you! I just went easy on you since you’re still so young.”

Taehyung giggles before turning his attention towards the other girl, asking her for help.

“ Fifth sister, what do you think? Did she win or did I win.”

Sieun, however, did not dare to look at Taehyung, already knowing that he looking at her with his infamous doe eyes. Sieun sighs at the thought, silently apologizing to Siwon.

“ Fourth sister, you already know that you can’t win against him.”

Siwon then looked at her, bewildered, looking shocked that she took Taehyung’s side but they all knew that none of them could escape Taehyung's cute acts.

“ HAH! I did win!” he cheered, running over to Sieun, “ I knew you would understand me, fifth sister! You are the best!”

Sieun patted his head, and congratulated him while Siwon went back to her previous position, and demanded another round which was wholeheartedly agreed by Taehyung.

*****

From the other side of the pavilion sat both Jinsung and Jinkyu as they were supervising the general’s children.

“ How is he?”

“ What do you mean?”

“ You know what I mean.”

“ …”

“ Aishhh, how is the young master doing with his training.”

“ …”

Jinsung turned to his twin brother, annoyed, “ YAH, an—” “ He is terrible.”

Jinsung then looked over to meet Jinkyu’s eyes, trying to detect if he was saying the truth or just bluffing, “ Are you serious?”

Jinkyu holds his gaze as if to silently challenge the worth of his words, “ What do you think?”

“ sighs, I guess there is no one in this world who is good at everything. Even the young master, who is amazing with strategic planning has a weak point.”

“ The young master is the worst. He can’t even run a lap without quitting and it has been 2 years already.”

“ Don’t be harsh on him, you just need to train him to help strengthen him, he doesn’t need to master it.”

Jinkyu then turned towards Jinsung and denied his suggestion, “ When he’s under my care, he has no choice but to become a master.”

Jinsung could only sigh, deciding that it would waste his time if he were to reject the idea.

“ It’s been two years since I’ve become his master. He will sooner or later surpass me.”

“ That would never happen with me.”

Jinsung then suddenly launched towards Jinkyu, knocking him down before trying to injure him.

“ You damn brat! How dare you be so rude to your older brother? Where is your manners?”

Before Jinkyu could open his mouth to retort, they both heard footsteps coming their way. The brothers turned their head around to see that Taehyung, along with Siwon and Sieun had approached them when they heard a loud sound.

“ Are you okay, master?” Siwon hurriedly asked as she quickly ran to them, attempting to lift Jinsung off her master, “ Jinsung, get off my master!”

“ Fourth miss, what do you mean? This brat is annoying so as a brother, I should help to get rid of that nasty habit.”

“ I don’t care, get off him!”

Jinsung and Siwon continued to argue with each other until Sieun was forced to stop the two, complaining that they were behaving like children which they both denied.

“ What is this commotion?” A sudden voice asked from behind the group.

Taehyung turned around to quiver under his burning gaze while the others stopped what they were doing and properly stood up.

“ You must have misheard something, main husband.” Jinsung said.

“ You think you can lie to me, right hand?”

“ We do not dare.”

“ Hmph,” Minjun then turned his attention to Taehyung, “ Young master, I see that you have grown up very well.”

Taehyung, who was now hiding behind Siwon flinched under his gaze. Too afraid to utter a word.

“ What had caused the main husband to be in the Lily Blossom Pavilion?” Siwon asked.

The main husband then looked at Siwon, before letting out a disgusted expression.

“ Oh… isn’t this one of the backstabbers? Wait where is the other one?”

Minjun began to look around before setting his eyes on Sieun, who was wearing a very ugly expression.

“ Ah there you are. How are you both doing.”

Before Siwon can blow him up, Sieun pulled her back to prevent any physical damage.

“ We have been doing extremely well these past few years? Especially after getting beat up, we have change for the better, right fourth sister?”

Siwon immediately nodded, “ We have become better people and befriended the eight brother.”

“ So you called him eighth brother now?” Minjun amusedly asked, “ I used to remember when you guys were younger, you used to call h—”

Sieun interrupted, knowing what trap he was about to set, “— that was the past, main husband. I prefer that we should forget about the past and move on. If we compared ourselves to you, the main husband was… much worse than us.”

Seeing that Sieun managed to help the memories of such humiliating actions resurface into his conscious mind, the main husband was not very pleased.

“ Good, really good, you dare to even mock me. Fourth and fifth miss, you must remember what you have done today.” He then turned away and walked to the opposite direction of the group.

“ Whew,” the entire group except the youngest slouched their previously tense posture.

Sieun then turned around to look at Taehyung, who was still frozen in his spot. Slowly, taking his little hand and gently caressing them while waiting for him to come back.

“ Taehyung-ah, he’s gone now. It’s safe, older sister promise.”

Slowly but steadily, Taehyung began to relax until he was able to move again.

“ How about we go back now, you look exhausted,” Jinsung suggested.

Taehyung nodded as he rubs his eyes, seemingly becoming sleepier as the moment passes.

“ Jinkyu, carry him.”

Taehyung then let himself be tug onto Jinkyu’s back before the group walk back to Taehyung’s courtyard.

On the way, Siwon suddenly had an excellent idea.

“ Sieun, I should go to the market and buy something for Taehyung.”

Before Sieun could even react to Siwon’s words, Taehyung had yelled out excitedly, “ Fourth sister, are you going outside? I want to go outside! Take me with you.”

“ No you cannot.” Sieun firmly replied.

“ Wh—“ Siwon was about to ask but stopped when she saw three people glaring at her.

“ But I want to go outside. Please, please, please, fourth sister.” Taehyung asked using his infamous bambi eyes, practically begging to allow him to follow her.

“ No, young master,” Jinsung said, “ It’s too dangerous.”

Taehyung pouted, “ It won’t be if the fourth sister is by my side, right fourth sister?”

He then looked over at Siwon but she had decided to look anywhere except him. Taehyung’s irises gloomed down after seeing her reaction but went back to its previous form when he found another solution.

“ I know! Jinkyu can accompany us to prot—“ “ I will not, young master. I am too busy for that.”

The young boy huffed, frustrated with the rejection, “ Fine, if you will not let me then I guess I will have to ask mother.”

The group then returned quietly to the young master’s courtyard, the tension between them and the young master was so tense that no one wanted to utter a word, afraid that it would worsen the situation. Looks like the young master’s mother would be dealing with this matter now.

*****

Later on that night, general Kim and her three children were having a peaceful dinner before Taehyung thought that it would be a good idea to bring up his peculiar request.

“ Mother, may I go outside with my fourth sister tomorrow?”

The seemingly-innocent question made the general stop her from grabbing another piece of vegetable. Setting her pair of chopstick down, she looked over to Taehyung, confused by his sudden request.

“ You want to go outside? Why so suddenly?”

“ I heard that the markets are very fun, with many food stalls and games. OH, there are also many people that I can befriend with, too!”

“ If you want those foods, I will send someone to get them for you. There’s no need for you to go by yourself. It is true that the market is filled by many people, but if you were to get lost in them, what would you do?”

“ I won’t be there by myself! I will go with my fourth sister and Jinkyu.”

“ People know Jinkyu’s face as my left hand, if you were to go with him, they would know your identity.”

Taehyung frowned, “ He can just wear a mask.”

“ Still a no.”

“ Why, mother?”

General Kim sighs, exhausted from her audience with the emperor, “ Do you want me to say it, Taehyung?”

“ Yes,” Taehyung nodded, “ I will try my best to be able to go outside.”

“ You don’t know enough about the outside world to even grasp the most basic concept of it. How do you expect me to let you do outside.”

Not knowing what to say, Taehyung could only try to protest, “ BUT, but, I really want to go outside. Won’t you let me, mother?”

General Kim looked into Taehyung’s curious eyes, before shaking her head, sighing, “ If Jinkyu can approve that you are qualify to go outside then you will be able to go outside.”

Taehyung’s mouth then dropped, “ NO, mother, that would take forever. I am not even able to run a lap after 2 years training with him so how could I? Please, please, please, mother. I want to go outside.”

Taehyung the jumped down from his spot before waddling his way over to his mother’s spot, arms wrapped around her right bicep, begging her for permission.

“ NO,” general Kim firmly answered.

Frustrated, Taehyung released her bicep before angrily stomping his feet, “ I HATE YOU MOTHER! YOU NEVER LET ME DO ANYTHING FUN! IT’S ALWAYS STUDY AND TRAINING. I HATE YOU!”

After his rant, Taehyung then left the dining room and ran back to his room while the rest were just frozen in their spot, shocked at the young master’s words.

General Kim then sighed before standing up and left the room along with Jinsung and Jinkyu. After that, the rest began to leave until no one was left there, too stunned to even comprehend that the food was yet to be taken down to the kitchen.

*****

“ Jinsung, was I too rough with him?”

“ No, general. He was so used to you spoiling him tha I believe that denying him of one of them is necessary. Besides, going outside is too dangerous for someone as young and inexperienced as him.”

General Kim could only nod, not knowing what to say.

“ I’m afraid that I won’t be able to apologize to him.”

It was now Jinsung and Jinkyu’s turn to be confused.

“ Why is that, general?” Jinkyu asked.

General Kim stood up from her spot before walking over to the window, silently admiring the moonlight.

“ During today’s audience, his majesty had announce that every general will have to go to the south to help with the ongoing battle.”

“ WHAT!” Jinsung yelled out.

“ How could he do that? It’s too risky,” Jinkyu added.

“ I have no choice but to leave tomorrow.”

“ So soon? Is he crazy?”

“ Careful, Jinkyu. You can get your head chop off if anyone were to hear.”

“ Will you go, general?”

“ Of course, I have to after all.”

“ You don’t have to, my general.”

“ I don’t but if I were to deny it, Byungseok would also deny it. Other ministers would start to get more suspicious, it will be too much of a problem. Besides, we are just play toys. Just two little rooks that could easily be replaced by someone else.”

Jinkyu immediately denies her claims, “ General, you are wrong. Right now, you are one of the strongest pieces on the board, against the king, himself. You cannot be replace by just anyone.”

General Kim chuckled, hearing his almost immediate response, “ You’ve mature, Jinkyu. Both of you have grown so much that if I were to not be here, I would not be able to recognize the two of you.”

“ We’ve matured because of your care. You’re our savior and we swore our absolute loyalty to you because of that.”

“ Yes, without you, we would probably be dead that night,” Jinkyu added.

General Kim shook her head, “ You both have done too much, there’s not much more to do except the last few steps and we will be done.”

“ Even when we have accomplished our goal, we will still follow you, general.”

General Kim turned around and faced them fully, observing their body language before letting out a proud smile.

“ Fine, you both better stay true to your words.”

The two nodded before kneeling down, “ We will accompany you until we are unable to. Even then, our loyalty will still be yours.”

“ Sounds like you guys are courting me,” she laughs, “ Remember what you have say today. Now go and pack up, we have a lot of things to deal with.”

The pair quickly stood up before running out of the room, getting ready for tomorrow’s trip.

“ They never really change right? Right?”

General Kim then made her way back to the table, before pouring herself a cup of tea. The tea was now lukewarm yet she still found it tasty. Setting the glass cup down, she made her way out of the room and left.

“ Taehyung-ah, mother is sorry. Mother won’t be there for you anymore. Mother hope you will be able to grow up safely and happily.”

*****

As the sun started to creep up on the horizon, Taehyung found himself unable to fall asleep. All night long, his body was constantly in discomfort and itches causing him to create some rashes along his arms. He did not know why this was happening to him until his nanny came running into his room.

“ YOUNG MASTER, YOUNG MASTER, quick get change!”

“ Nanny? Why are you yelling? It’s still early in the morning.”

As the old woman bounced around the room trying to find an appropriate attire for him to wear, she announced, “ General will be leaving soon, you must greet her before she goes.”

As the mentioned of the general, Taehyung huffed and denied to go meet her, “ If mother needs to go, then she will go. There is no need for me to go and greet her.”

The nanny stopped herself when she heard the young master’s odd words. The nanny was unable to comprehend what he means? Doesn’t he adore his mother that when she has to go to the palace for her weekly audience, he would whine and cry, begging for her not to leave?

The nanny dropped multiple articles of clothing that was previously in her hand before running over to the young master. She then proceeded to set her hand on his forehead, trying to examine if he was ill or not.

“ Young master, are you ill?”

Taehyung quickly shook his head, pulling the nanny’s desperate arms off him.

“ I am fine, great at that! I will not greet mother, end of discussion.”

The distressed nanny sighed, knowing that it was not her position to yell at him.

“ Young master, the general will be gone for a very long time. If you don’t greet her now, you will regret it.”

Yet, Taehyung only huffed and ignored her. Not knowing that his rash decision would make him regret for his entire life and even beyond that.

*****

Six months have now past since the day the general has left. Taehyung was now starting to feel the regret of now greeting her but was too prideful to say anything. He was also starting to get anxious if his mother was safe or not.

“ Fourth miss and fifth miss! I received a letter from the general’s camp!” A maid announced, running towards the group with a letter in hand.

Sieun quickly stood up and the maid immediately handed her the letter. She then hurriedly opened the letter and read its content. Unexpectedly, she dropped the slip a few moments after, her face showcased a horrified expression.

Seeing how shocked Sieun was, Siwon rooked over the role and read the slip. It says,

The battle against the Ryrgs is proceeding extremely well and we currently have the upper hand. Unfortunately, during the last battle, we had some major fatalities. 200 soldiers had died along with some commanders. Within them General Kim and her left and right hands were included. They had died trying to defend the camps and were killed by a spy that had managed to enter our camps. As one of the commanders, we were unable to save them. They all had made great contributions to the nation and will forever be honoured.

Commander Park Jaekyun

By the end of it, the group was stunned from the unexpected news.

Sieun was the first to come back and quickly commanded the maid to inform everyone in the house of the general’s passing.

Taehyung, who had not uttered a single word, was impacted the most. He was the general’s only son and was the most treasured by her but what did he do? Ignore her when she could possibly not come back.

“ MOTHER! MOTHER! Taehyung is sorry, Taehyung is sorry. I won’t disobey you again. I will not be a bad son! COME BACK, MOTHER!” He yelled out before he ran towards the door with Siwon and Sieun behind, chasing after him.

“ Taehyung!” Both of them yelled.

Taehyung, who has tears running down his cheeks by now, did not hear them as he continued to run towards whatever direction. Because of his weak physique, Siwon quickly caught up with him before capturing him into a tight embrace.

“ Taehyung, it’s alright, we are still here.”

“ Mother is gone now. It was because of me! IT WAS MY FAULT THAT S-S-SHE…”

“ NO! It was not your fault that she passed away. She died on the battlefield, Taehyung. It wasn’t your fault,” Sieun quickly intervened.

Taehyung, however, continued to cry in Siwon’s embrace, unable to comprehend Sieun’s words amidst the moment.

The two sisters did not know how to comfort the boy but before they could do such things, all Taehyung could see was red.

In front of him were his fourth and fifth sister lying on the floor, each with an arrow penetrated in their backs.

Terrified, Taehyung could only freeze in his spot on the floor. Apparently, he was knocked onto the floor when the impact on the arrow caused Siwon to release him.

“ The traitor’s daughters are here.” A familiar voice said.

Taehyung looked over to the voice to see a crowd of guards that was lead by the main husband.

“ Main husband,” he whispered out, shock.

“ Ah, young master, … no I should say Taehyung, how are you?”

Minjun’s eyes were somehow red and had a bloodlust that Taehyung had never experienced.

“ …”

Minjun then turned towards the guards before motioning them to come over. The soldiers then quickly ran over and picked up the fourth and fifth miss’ lifeless bodies.

“ Main husband, what about this little boy?”

“ You can leave him, I will deal with him on my own.”

“ Yes, main husband.”

As they were carried, Siwon managed to insult Minjun one last time.

“ You will pay for this, you whore!”

“ Of course.”

After all the guards had left, Minjun and Taehyung were the only ones left.

“ Taehyung, do you know why I despise you so much?”

Taehyung was now too terrified to even answer, unable to keep his gaze away from Minjun’s burning eyes.

“ It all started with your damn father, he was just a commoner but he managed to even capture the general’s heart. How he did it, I will never understand.”

Minjun began to walk towards Taehyung, his steps were silent yet powerful.

“ When the general and I had three daughters, I thought that she would finally look at me but no. She continued to look at that whore like he was the best thing that came into her life. I understand that we were tied because of a political reason but she could have been more courteous and showed me some face.”

Minjun’s expression surprisingly saddens when he talks about those memories.

“ I decided that I won’t harm him if the general at least shows my children some affection. That was what happened for some time until she had you! Your damn father had died during the process but she still managed to keep you. After your birth, you became her most treasured child.”

His steps were now much harsher as it landed on the ground.

“ Just like your father, you managed to woo the general and left the rest of us desperate for her affections. YOU GREEDY BRAT! YOU CAUSED ME AND MY CHILDREN TO SUFFER FROM HUMILIATION! Do you even understand how humiliating it was, you brat!”

Taehyung, still on the ground, was now crying as he continues to plead for forgiveness.

“ But now it’s all good, the general is gone now so no one will be able to protect you. My eldest will inherit the position as the head of the house and no one will be able to bully us again.”

By now, Minjun had finally reached Taehyung. He then kneeled down and took Taehyung’s face into his grasp, tilting his chin for him to look up into his eyes properly.

“ You will become our slave and serve us for the rest of your life. You will suffer humiliation and pay for what you and your father had done to us.”

“ I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Taehyung continued chanting yet Minjun was unfazed by it.

“ Welcome to your new life, Taehyung. A little queen that has been captured.”

♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

“ You damn brat! Do something right for once!” Sooyoung yelled while continued to kick the frail body of a servant.

“ Sooyoung, you shouldn’t kick his body like that. If you managed to injure him, he would not be able to serve us.”

“ HMPH!” Sooyoung let out before walking back to her original seat.

“ Taehyung, you may leave.” Seoyoon said.

Taehyung then gently lifted his limp body up, one hand instinctively shielded his stomach before bowing to them and left.

“ Second sister, you ruined the fun. I was going to beat him up until he couldn’t even stand.”

Seoyoon scoffed, “ For what? You’re going to beat him up like 6 years ago. He could barely even work for us and had to heal for a month.”

“ Unnie, he’s older now, stronger than when he was 7.”

Seoyoon then hit Sooyoung’s head using her knuckles, “ With how much you beat the boy, it most likely will be the opposite. He’s probably a child in an old man’s crooked body.”

“ OUCH! But he just annoys me whenever he is nearby! How can I prevent myself when there is a delicious prey in front of me, literally waiting for me to conquer?”

Seoyoon sighed, and continued to drink her tea, too tired to talk back with her younger sister.

*****

As Taehyung continued to make his way back to his shared room, he began to hear the same old words from the other maids again.

“ So filthy!”

“ Was he really the young master?”

“ He deserved it! A spoiled brat should understand how we commoners live.”

At the beginning, he would constantly stand up and defend himself but that only resulted in more humiliation and even getting beat up. 4 years later, he knew better than to just speak out.

Finally arriving at his shared quarters, he unexpectedly got a surprise visitor.

“ Nanny? What are you doing here?”

Sitting on his bed was his nanny that had helped nurtured him before the incident. Taehyung ran towards her and captured her into a tight hug.

“ Oh, young master I have finally found you!” The nanny hushed out, “ Oh, young master! Why are you so thin?”

Taehyung ignored her questions and continued to hug her, “ Nanny where were you?”

At his question, the nanny only sighed and patted his head.

“ Young master, I apologized that I wasn’t there when you needed me the most. After the main husband got notified that the general had passed, he immediately sent me to another place to work. Over the years, I had tried to sneak into the main house to help you but I couldn’t. I finally managed to sneak in after so long but we need to hurry.”

Taehyung then let go of her, confused at what she was hinting.

“ What do you mean, nanny?”

“ Young master, there is a secret that the general and her right and left hand have always kept hidden. Only people that are involved in it know. When she first had you, she never wanted you to find out as it would cause you to be in danger. She knew that the moment you are announced, many eyes will constantly be on you so she was very protected by you.”

“ What do you mean, nanny?” Taehyung grasps his nanny’s hand and held them tightly, “ What was my mother involved in?”

The nanny then quickly stood up before opening the door and peeked her head out, looking to see if anyone was around. After making sure that no one was, she then proceeded to close the door and returned to her previous spot.

“ Young master, you must not tell anyone,” the nanny then leaned into Taehyung’s ear and whispered, “ We are a part of the Scarlet Phoenix organization.”

Taehyung looked at his nanny in disbelief, “ No, you must be lying. My mother has always been loyal to the nation that she won’t be a part of an organisation of another nation.”

“ No, young master you are wrong. The Scarlet Phoenix is not a rebellion group, they are much more than that. The organization has at least a branch in every country but not many know that. For example, our clan is one of the branches of Corea.”

With the added information, taehyung was even more confused, “ If we are the one of the branches of the organization, then does that mean that Seolhee is the head?”

“ No, of course not, young master. Minjun was married into our family because of a political marriage. Except for him and your father, everyone is a part of the organization here.”

“ My father wasn’t a part of it?”

“ Yes, young master. He was a commoner that the general had fallen in love with. He is also should have been name main husband.”

“ Then if it was like that, then why did Minjun…”

“ He became the main husband because of his majesty’s direct command. He was also the only one that had children with your mother except for your father.”

“ … you mean that except for the three eldest, the rest are not my sisters?”

“ Yes, young master. They are your cousins that have been brought from your mother’s side to make it easier for interacting with each other. Their ‘fathers’ are also a part of the organization and have been secretly working with them. Unfortunately, the fourth and fifth miss’ got exposed and was… disposed of.”

“ If they were part of it, why did they not tell me?”

The nanny then stroked his head, trying to comfort him.

“ I know that this is a lot of many but you were too young to be exposed to it.”

“ So I’m old enough now?”

“ No, my little master. It’s just that I am not sure if there will be any opportunities to escape in the future.”

“ Escape?”

She excitedly nodded, “ Yes escape, young master. You will be able to be free from the main husband.”

“ How?”

“ Listen to me, young master. Today next month, a group from the organization will arrive in Corea. I have already sent them a message that you will be waiting for them near the river. You just have to find a way to go there before the moon is at its peak, and they will help you.”

“ … you will not be going?” He asked, looking into his nanny’s eyes, desperately finding any trace that could tell him the opposite.

“ My little master, this nanny is too old to do that. Besides I need to be here when the time comes when one of the other miss takes the head role.”

“ I don’t understand. No… I don’t want to know. Will we ever meet again when I have to escape, nanny?”

She sighs, not knowing what to say except for a hesitant nod.

Seeing how uncertain she was, Taehyung could only stay silent, trying to absorb all the information that was given to him.

“ I understand, nanny. I will go.”

The nanny perked up at his decision, glad that he had decided to escape.

“ Young master, I’m glad that you have made this choice. There is not much time left before someone would grow suspicious of my missing presence so I will leave now.”

Taehyung nodded, not looking at her, knowing that if he were to see her leave, he would not be able to let her leave.

Before she left, the nanny looked into his eyes.

“ Young master, you must know that even if your loved ones have left you, they will always be in your heart,” she then motioned to his chest, “ When you get there, make sure to train hard and become someone outstanding, alright?”

After she said that, Taehyung could then see her figure leave the room before falling on top of his bed, exhausted of the recent events. After a few moments, he fell asleep in the same position.

*****

A month quickly passed by with Taehyung’s usual routine; wake up, work, get beat up, work, get yelled at, work, eat, and sleep.

The day before the grand escape, he got beaten up quite badly that he was unable to work properly. Of course it was by the hand Sooyoung, who had vented her anger because one of the maids had ‘accidentally’ destroyed her precious vase that was given by her lover.

Unfortunately, the maid knew that Sooyougn especially has a distinct distaste towards him so they blamed them.

“ You damn brat, you’ve done nothing helpful in this house yet you even dare to destroy my stuff?”

“Oof!” He called out on a partially sharp hit to his stomach. That would probably take a few days to heal.

The treatment continues Seoyoon had to intervene, claiming that it was enough. For him, Seoyoon was a very neutral person. He didn’t know if he should hate or like her. She was always the one to intervene when Soonyoung decided to beat her up, yet she always chose to stand by when others bully him so he doesn’t really know her true intentions with him.

“ HMPH! Because of my second sister I will let you go, if you repeat the same mistake then don’t think I will repeat mine! NOW GO!”

Taehyung hurriedly pushed himself up despite his obvious injuries and ran out the door.

“ Just another day, just another day, just another day,” he tiredly muttered.

“ Just another what?” A voice behind him asked.

“AH!”

Turning around, he was met with a pair of amber eyes looking down at him.

“ Sixth miss! Pardon me, I d—“

“ You don’t need to be that formal, come with me. Looks like you got beaten up quite a bit.”

If he didn’t know about the organization and how many people were involved in it, he would not do something so rash. But because he trust his nanny, he decided to follow Siyeon.

The two walked in silence to Siyeon’s room, not knowing how to start a conversation with each other as they have never been close.

When they arrived at her courtyard, Taehyung was invited for a cup of tea offered by the miss herself.

“ There aren’t much servants here.”

“ We prefer little to none as it becomes quite difficult to gather and plan when there might be a potential spy,” Siyeon nonchalantly answered as she brought out a medical kit from within her room.

“ You know how to disinfect wounds?”

“ Are you that surprised?”

Taehyung quickly shook his head, trying to not offend her.

“ No, of course not. I just didn’t expect you to be knowledgeable with medicinal herbs”

“ You don’t know a lot about our organization. Nanny must be in a hurry and didn’t explain it to you.”

“ Explain them to me, then.”

Siyeon chuckled, “ Such a curious child… the Scarlet Phoenix organization is infamous for its skills in a wide range of aspects. From medical to physical, financial to materialistic items, the Scarlet Phoenix is at the top of the rank. As long as their customer has a good enough currency to exchange for our service, we will literally do anything.”

Using tweezers to grab a disinfectant cotton ball, she skillfully dabbed them onto Taehyung’s minor wounds.

“ Like many other members, we are born into a family that is part of the organization. As a result, we are trained about a specific skill starting at a very young age.”

“ If you say it like that then shouldn’t I also be trained at a specific skill?”

Siyeon looked up at him, before pointing her pointer finger against his forehead.

“ Taehyung, you have been training ever since you were 5. Starting with chess, you were already training with your logical mindset. Seeing how much talent that was hidden in your tiny little body, the general must have seen that and told Jinsung to train you. He frequently notified me about your progress and I’m truly impressed with your talent.”

Met with an unexpected compliment, Taehyung could feel his cheek slowly turn crimson.

“ When you reach a certain level, you will be able to take missions.”

“ Missions? Have you ever done them?”

“ Yes, Taehyung, I have. Countless, even. I accomplished my very first mission when I was 13, just around your age. Siwon, Sieun, Sora and I became a group that very day also.”

At the mention of their names, Taehyung’s expression saddens.

“ I’m sorry, it was my fault that they are not here anymore. I’m so—”

Taehyung’s words were interrupted by a pat on the head.

“ You don’t have to apologize, they died during a mission in which they understood the risks very clearly. Instead, I should apologize to you for not being there when you needed me.”

Taehyung quickly shook his head.

“ No I understand that you didn’t have a choice.”

“ I’m happy that you can forgive me.”

Siyeon then came closer to him and gave him a hug, avoiding the bruise on his stomach.

“ Alright, now let me apply some medicine on your bruise to hopefully make tomorrow’s plan easier for you.”

“ You know about the plan?”

“ Of course, Sora and I are in charge of it after all so you won’t have to go alone.”

“ Really? You would do that?”

Siyeon happily nodded, “ Of course, just think of it as a way to compensate you for our negligence these years.”

“ Mhm.”

“ Listen to me, Taehyung.” Siyeon crouched down to look into his eyes, “ When you are dismissed from your duties tomorrow, immediately go back to your room. Make sure that no one is suspicious of your doings and start packing your belongings. Only bring things that you absolutely need, make it as light as possible. After that, quickly run to my courtyard but make sure that no one is following you. We will be waiting for you here.”

Taehyung nodded, determined to escape.

“ We will then help you go to the destination where the people from the main branch will pick you up. After that, it is up to you to train hard. Maybe in the future we would be able to meet each other again.”

Taehyung this time, however, did not reply and the two spent the rest of their time in Siyeon’s room in silence. After Siyeon finally finished disinfecting his wound, she lead him to the entrance of her courtyard and bid him goodbye.

After he left, she sighs, “ Please, let tomorrow go smoothly.”

*****

“ You are dismissed, Taehyung.” The head maid said.

Taehyung then thanked her before making his way back to his quarter and started packing.

Initially, he had very limited belongings but after he finished packing up, he barely has anything in his luggage. Before another person entered the room, he quickly exited the room after rearranging his bed to how they were before he had entered. He then secretly made his way over to Siyeon’s courtyard as promised.

When he got there, he saw both Siyeon and Sora were both present. They were sitting on the table near the entrance, drinking tea and acting like everything was normal.

The moment they saw Taehyung, the two quickly led Taehyung to Siyeon’s private quarter.

“ … wow…” Taehyung uttered out as soon as he entered Siyeon’s quarter.

There were weapons of many kinds displayed on the walls as a map was placed on the table in the centre. This was not what he expected.

“ It’s not what you expected?” Sora asked.

“ Mhm.”

“ Come, Taehyung. You can’t wear that when escaping.” Siyeon said motioning at his outfit.

Taehyung was currently wearing a servant’s clothing which was quite bright in color and will be easy to spot out. He walked over to where Siyeon was which was in front of a massive closet. Siyeon then proceeded to take out a black cloak and told him to wear it.

“ I don’t think you will be able to fit any of these so just a cloak will do.”

After getting it on, Siyeon and Sora did the same, wearing similar cloaks that hid their figure and face.

After that, the trio hurriedly ran out through the back door to avoid anyone possibly seeing them leave. They all knew that there was a time limit until someone has notify the head that one of the servants was missing. Especially if it is Taehyung, they will immediately start their search right away.

As Sora carried Taehyung on his back, his anxiety started to overwhelm at the thought of getting caught. Gripping on to her cloak tightly, he prayed that he would safely escape.

The closer they are to the river, the faster his heart beats, scared that he would be caught.

“ It will be alright, we’re almost there.” Sora whispered, feeling how fast his heart was beating.

Not knowing what to say, Taehyung could only nod.

However, the exact scenario happened to them as soon as they reached the river. A group of guards had surrounded them, their weapons unsheathe and ready to attack.

“ We were waiting for you, sixth and seven miss.” Minjun greeted from behind the guards.

“ Took you long enough.” Sooyoung said, standing with her father and sisters.

Siyeon looked at them and the guards around them, trying to prolong their time.

“ What do you want?”

“ What do I want? I want that boy… no I want to finish all of you.”

“ Why?”

“ Are you really asking me that sixth sister? You are a traitor by being a part of a rebellion organization. It is my job as a minister to help get rid of any threats.” The current head of the clan answered.

Sora smirked, “ Soonyi, you finally decided to appear. It’s been a while since we have met. Can you still beat me?”

“ Me beating you or not does not matter. What matters now is that I am a minister and head and you are neither.”

“ Really? If I remember correctly you can barely even understand politics, how did you even get that position when you were 20? I bet you are still unable to fully understand what politics truly mean.”

“ YOU Dare to mock me? I might not be smart and talented as you but my family is much more powerful than yours. Besides, mine is loyal to the Min unlike you.”

“ I don’t fucking care about those damn royals. I will never ever be loyal to a family that kills and uses dirty tricks to win a battle.”

“ Good, good, Sora. GUARDS, ARREST THEM!”

Immediately after Soonyi’s command, dozens of guards from all sides rushed towards the trio. Sora and Siyeon then unsheathe their weapons and the fight begins.

“ YAH!” A guard yells behind Sora, aiming to slash Taehyung to distract her.

“ You damn guard, don’t you dare injure that child!” the main husbands yelled out.

Fortunately Siyeon managed to spot the guard and quickly threw multiple needles towards him, killing him on the spot.

Siyeon and Sora then looked at each other before moving towards each other until Taehyung and Siyeon’s touched each other.

“ We need to lengthen the time, the moon is almost at its peak.” Siyeon whispered.

Sora nodded while Taehyung was desperately clutching Sora’s body, his face covered by the cloak and hidden in her neck.

Siyeon kicked the guard near her, opening a space for them to move forward. The two sisters continued to fight, not breaking their formation. It was until one of the guards managed to slash Someone's right arm that they broke.

“Gah!” Siyeon yelled out after the guard had managed to injure her. She was about to fall from the impact but was quickly pulled towards Sora for balance.

“ You alright?.”

Siyeon gritted her teeth and nodded as she continued to attack the guards.

“ How much longer?”

Taking a look at the moon as she managed to slash another guard’s chest, she answered, “ A little bit more. Hang on.”

“ Mhm.”

They continued for what seem like hours, each slowly getting more injuries until they were no longer able to fight any longer.

“ Do you admit defeat?” Soonyi asked as she tightly gripped Sora’s hair, tilting them to get her to meet her gaze.

“ Never!”

“ Hmm, you are so close to death’s door but still struggling. Why do you have that much motivation?”

Sora did not answer but only spit at her.

“ YOU DARE!” Soonyi yelled out as she wiped her face disgustingly, “ Fine if you really want to die, I will do you a favour. But not after killing him.”

Knowing who she was referring to, Sora let out a threatening growl.

“ Don’t you dare!”

Seeing how affected she is, Soonyi continued to tease her, “ Why can’t I? Especially when he had ruined my childhood. Because of him, mother began to disfavour me until she no longer cared about me. I was only able to become the head because of her sudden accident. Ah, how coincident, just when I wanted to be the head.”

Soonyi then walked over to Taehyung, who was now lying on the floor. Grabbing a guard’s sword, she slowly raised her arm up.

“ Soonyi! Don’t you dare! You must let him live!” her father yelled out.

Rolling her eyes, she turned around, annoyed by him interrupting her playtime.

“ Father, you have no right to control me.”

Minjun, angered by his daughter’s arrogant answer, lifted his hand and pointed at her.

“ You unfilial daughter! How dare you disobey your father!”

Soonyi, however, ignored his words and turned around.

“ Guards, the main husband is exhausted from today’s event. Escort him back and do not let him leave.”

Some guards began to approach Minjun’s direction before grabbing him and dragging him away.

“ How dare you filthy servant touch me! Seoyoon, Sooyoung! Why aren’t you helping me? HELP ME!”

The two mentioned daughters ignored him as they made their way to their eldest sister.

“ Eldest sister, continue.”

Soonyi once again lifted her arm along with the sword and let it fall with gravity.

Unexpectedly, before it can reach the boy, a powerful force penetrated her arm.

“ GAH!”

The two other sisters turned around, alarmed at whoever just attacked Soonyi.

“ Who?”

Behind the cherry blossom tree nearby then walked out a figure.

“ I didn’t know that this was a part of this escort.”

“ Me too,” another voice said as he slowly brought out multiple figures that all of them were able to recognize. It was the guards that had escorted the main husband not long ago.

“ Gosh, you guys are a mess, Windflower, Black Wolf.”

“ You are finally here, Phoenix.”

“ Of course, I’m always on time.”

“ Doesn’t hurt if you arrive a bit earlier,” Sora said.

“ Hush, let us deal with this and we’ll talk later,” Phoenix said as they turned their attention towards the crowd. Skillfully they began to skillfully finish all of them with the help of Bear.

“ YOU CAN’T KILL ME! I HAVE VALUABLE INFORMAitON tHAT CAN be USEFUL! PLEASE, DON’T KILL ME!” Seoyoon cried out as she saw Phoenix moving towards her.

“ Boring,” they said before slashing her.

“ Is that it?” Bear asked, looking around.

“ That must be it. They probably did not expect reinforcement would come and help. Such stupid people.”

“ … Phoenix, that’s the boy you need to escort.” Siyeon said pointing at Taehyung.

“ This is Taehyung? Are you sure he’s 13? He looks like a baby… nevermind, Bear, Panther, go and help them get back to their quarters. I’ll escort this little guy here,” Y/N said, “ you guys are lucky, having the chance to be escorted by the two bishops.

Phoenix then crouched down and faced Taehyung, smiling at him to try and comfort the terrified boy.

“ Hi, Taehyung. I’m Y/N but use Phoenix for now, alright?”

Taehyung nodded. If his sisters trusted you, then he will trust you as well. Grabbing your offered hand, he stood up and patted his clothes.

“ Taehyung, your mother has told us how talented you are. We are willing to offer you a spot and help train you. After you have finish training, you will forever be part of us and never betray us, alright?”

“ My mother told you about me?”

“ Mhm, she told me very wonderful things about you.”

“ Really? But she is gone now, how can she guarantee that I am that talented?”

“ She is… was the infamous General of the Wind, I believe that she has enough nights that she can differentiate who is special and who isn’t, Taehyung.”

“ Was… my mother there a lot? The main branch I mean.”

“ Aside from her home, she probably is there the most. Just seeing you now, I can understand why your mother assigned you queen.”

“ Queen?” Taehyung asked, curious, “ What do you mean?”

“ Ah, it’s a tradition for an older family member to name our alias. Mine was given by my mother. Your mother has decided that yours will be Queen. Just like the most valuable piece in chess.”

“ Haha, that sounds like mother.”

“ Of course. Oh! Before she left last time, she gave me a letter that was meant for you.”

Taehyung looked up to gaze at Y/N’s eyes, surprised

“ Really?”

“ Mhm so let’s quickly go back and ready it, shall we?”

Taehyung excitedly nodded and pulled Y/N towards the direction of the sunrise.

♟ ♟ ♟ ♟ ♟

“ Taehyung? Are you ready?” Y/N asked him, entering his room.

“ Mhm. I’m ready.” He said, pulling Y/N out of his room and ran down the stairs, pulling them with him.

“ You look excited.”

Taehyung then pouted, “ You know why, Y/N. Don’t act why?”

“ I know? Really? Wait let me see…” Y/N said, pretending to think.

“ Aish, how can you forget such an important day? Today is the day where I get my first mission!”

“ AHAH!” Y/N sarcastically yelled out, keen on teasing the hell out of their junior.

“ Don’t you dare, Y/N!” He said chasing them.

“ Don’t be hasty, little junior. As your senior, you need to respect me.” Y/N sassily said, pointing their finger towards Taehyung.

Taehyung rolls his eyes, “ If you are my senior, act like one. No senior would forget their junior’s first mission day.”

“ OH! You will be surprise of how many people have done that.”

Instead of answering, Taehyung only pouted, obviously sulking that he was never going to win their little competition.

Y/N then walked towards the door and offered him their hand, “ Come now, Queen. You have a busy day in front of you. Don’t want you to be late now do we?”

Taehyung then happily nodded, grabbing onto their hand, the pair made their way out of the building to their first ever mission together.

At that moment, Taehyung was unlike the past. Instead of being a pawn, he had become a knowledgeable queen who is worthy of respect, alongside him is a king then cannot be captured and will always be there for him.

#bts imagines #bts taehyung #bts series #bts angst #Taehyung angst #taehyung imagines #taehyung series #taehyung x reader #Taehyung x Y/n #Mintvender #Harem au #When the Stars meet their Sun #Ot7

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fromkaermorhentolettenhove · 4 years

Text

The Igniting of Burgundy - Chapter 1

Summary: When Geralt is offered the hand of a king’s “first-born”, he immediately refuses.

However, he doesn’t pass over the invite to stay at the castle for a week and enjoy the luxuries of life for a little while.

By the end, what Geralt will walk away with is worth more than all the riches in the land.

Rating: Explicit

Genre: Canon Universe, Royal AU, First Meetings, Falling in Love, Porn with Plot

Words: 3281

A/N: each chapter will have their individual tags as needed. please don’t hesitate to point out tags i might have missed!!

AO3

The slicing of the head doesn’t come soon enough.

Black blood sprays everywhere as the body comes crashing down, the head rolling to some unknown place. Geralt kicks at the twitching body, making sure the beast is as dead as it can be. He frowns at the corpse, wishing he had only come sooner to finish it off. With all the terror it had been causing, Geralt is surprised he’s the first Witcher to take it on.

Wiping his sword off in the grass, Geralt then sheaths it and sets off to finding Roach. She had run off when the commotion started, but luckily she hasn’t gone far. Giving her a pat, Geralt climbs onto her and sets back to the town, ready to collect his pay. It had been a frantic villager, calling out for a witcher the moment he had set foot in the market, begging for his help. It was too convenient, as if spies had been watching him from the start, and so, Geralt keeps his guard as he passes through the looming gates.

He chooses the first tavern he comes upon, waiting in a corner for the one who had hired him.

It is night when they arrive at last and something isn’t right. Geralt readies himself for the worst.

“The king requests an audience with you,” they start, hands wringing together

“You never said anything about the king,” Geralt bites.

He shoots up from the table, marches to the door, but a hand on his arm stops him.

“He just wants to thank you,” the villager attempts to reassure. “Pay you much more generously than we can.”

With a grunt, Geralt shakes off the hand and goes to collect Roach from the stables. He won’t be able to make a quick getaway. Not without some unnecessary damage. When the villager lingers behind, Geralt gives them a stern glare.

“Well?” he motions.

He doesn’t know this town, much less the way to the king’s castle, and while he doesn’t trust even the smallest speck of dust in this village, he really doesn’t see any other option. He wants his coin.

“Right,” the villager rushes to lead the way.

When Geralt reaches the castle gate, guards stand at attention while others watch him with a wary eye. The villager finds some excuse to leave and Geralt is left at the mercy of the king’s guards. That is until the king comes bustling into the courtyard, greeting Geralt like an old friend. The air is still frigid and Geralt keeps a hand close to his dagger.

“I must apologize for not coming myself,” the king explains as he leads Geralt to a small library. “A king’s work never stops and my papers bested me.”

The king shuts the door on his guards’ faces and Geralt has to bite back a laugh. If the king is so easy to trust him, then he is really amongst fools. The king sits at a desk, finishes signing a few documents as Geralt stands, unable to do much else. With a satisfactory nod, the king finally looks up at Geralt.

“You have done us a great service, Witcher,” the king says, hands folded on the desk in front of him. “Had you not killed the beast, who knows how long my people would have suffered.”

Geralt gives a short nod, but no more. It’s all in a day’s work and with lives saved for the day, Geralt considers it a win. Now, if only he could get his coin, then he’d be more grateful to get out of everyone’s hair.

“I would like to show you my gratitude, but you mustn’t feel obliged to accept,” the king continues on.

With pursed lips, Geralt waits for some trick, something to tie him down to this castle.

“I offer you the hand of my first born.”

Blinking, Geralt collects his thoughts, trying his best to be polite. Of all things, this is outlandish and stupidity rolled into one. No one would want to be with a witcher in such a way, willing or not.

“I’d rather not force them into a marriage they haven’t agreed to,” Geralt manages through clenched teeth.

The king nods with raised eyebrows. Geralt can’t imagine what the king expected him to reply with, barely managing to hold down his scowl. Old traditions were becoming tiresome and Geralt hopes in time, they’ll be well rid of.

“Quite, yes,” the king muses. “Then please, accept the hospitality of my castle. Stay for the week and rest.”

Geralt’s immediate reaction is to refuse. He’s already wasted enough time as it is and he’d rather not get caught up in anything else. The king waits for his answer, patient and unaware of the frustration that brews under Geralt’s exterior.

Then again, it’s not often he’s treated like a guest, giving a luxury such as this. To pass up the opportunity might bring up regret later and Geralt settles into his decision. At the very least, Roach will be happy in a king’s stable.

Geralt nods again and the king stands with a smile.

“Come,” he motions, holding out an arm.

Geralt finds himself walking alongside the king who chats about what seems of little importance. With any looming threats beginning to fade, Geralt drops his guard, but not by much.

The king opens a door and Geralt is greeted by the sight of a room, decorated beyond anything he’s seen in his time. Tapestries drape the walls except for one that holds large windows that look out to the ocean beyond.

There is a fireplace on one side, two armchairs sitting in front of it with a shared table between them. Directly across from that is a four-poster bed lined with red curtains and Geralt squints as he spots a private bath quarter from behind a small door.

“I hope this meets your expectations,” the king smiles.

It’s more than that and Geralt almost feels guilty for occupying such a space. He’ll tarnish it in an instant, be thrown out like a wild animal. He holds his breath as he takes a few steps in and when nothing comes crashing down, Geralt tries to relax.

“Dinner will be brought up to you,” the king says before he closes the door.

Geralt stares at the closed door before he steps over to the bed, taking off his weapons first. The armor comes next and Geralt’s bones are tired. He thinks to lay on the bed without eating, but there is a gnawing in his stomach that he hasn’t noticed until now. Taking a seat by the fireplace, Geralt lets himself sink into the cushions as he rolls up the sleeves of his shirt. His mind scurries about with plans of what’ll happen after this week, where he’s needed next.

A knock on the door cuts his thoughts short and Geralt starts to get up before the door flies open.

“Hello, I’ve brought you your dinner!”

Geralt stares at the man who sets a tray on the small table next to Geralt’s chair. His smile is inviting, warm, almost contradicting the blue eyes that sparkle with excitement. The mop of brown hair on his head moves with his energy supported by a strong build that floats with every step.

“I hope this is satisfactory to your tastes,” the man beams through his scripted words.

Looking down at the tray, Geralt finds his hunger growing at the sight of roasted meat and potatoes, a mug of ale and a small bowl of soup. He’s ready to dig in, but not with this man hovering over him.

“I’ll draw you a bath while you eat,” the man begins to walk away with a slight hop.

“Why?” is all Geralt can ask and he frowns at the head tilt he gets in return.

“Well, surely you’re in need of one.”

“No, I mean,” Geralt clenches a fist as he finds his words. “Why are you here?”

The man laughs a little at this. “I’m your servant for the night. The whole week if you’d like.”

“I don’t need one,” Geralt is quick to reply.

When he had agreed to the king’s invitation, he had expected to be left alone. Not taken care of every step of the way.

“Well, alright then,” the man shrugs, but there is a somber note on the edge of his words.

As he starts to leave, questions rise in Geralt’s mind. He shouldn’t care, doesn’t care, and yet, his mouth still opens.

“Wait.”

The man freezes immediately, turning on his heel to face Geralt. His face radiates curiosity and Geralt knows he’s going to regret whatever happens next.

“What’s your name?” Geralt says after a brief pause.

“Jaskier,” the man grins and braces his forearms on the back of the other chair, leaning forward a little. “Yours?”

“Geralt.”

“Geralt,” Jaskier repeats and a shiver runs down Geralt’s spine.

He furrows his brows, untrusting of his mind and body clearly working against each other. He just wants to be alone yet he’s drawn into whatever this man–Jaskier–is. Come to think of it, the last decent bath he had was villages ago and he could do with bathing in something that isn’t river water.

As if sensing Geralt’s hesitation, Jaskier slowly makes his way to the bath quarters, glancing over his shoulder.

“Thank you,” is all Geralt can manage and with that, Jaskier hurries in, the muffled sounds of bottles and running water just reaching to where Geralt sits.

In an attempt to distract his mind, Geralt focuses on his meal, appreciative of the hot food, the delicacies only a king would have. Geralt remembers the raw deer he had just a few days ago and he slows down his frantic eating, focusing instead on the flavors and each bite.

Once his meal is finished, Geralt is practically pounced upon by Jaskier who drags him into the bath quarters. If it wasn’t for all the suddenness, Geralt would take time to appreciate the warmth of Jaskier’s hand on his arm.

“I can wash myself,” Geralt says when Jaskier doesn’t leave the room.

“I know, but I want to help with your hair. You have a few bad tangles,” Jaskier replies, as if he had expected Geralt to say that.

With a smile, Jaskier turns around, busying himself with sorting the collection of bottles. Taking this moment of privacy, Geralt undresses and sinks into the hot water, a small hum leaving him. His aching muscles stretch out and Geralt almost forgets he’s not alone until a bucket of water is poured over his head.

Geralt thinks to tell Jaskier off, but before he can, strong hands scrub at his scalp, working soap into his hair. It’s nice, really. Jaskier is rough, but it’s a pleasant sting. When Jaskier pulls his hands back, Geralt almost protests until his hair is rinsed and the hands are back, carefully undoing the tangles in his hair.

“Was it difficult?” Jaskier breaks the silence.

“Was what difficult?”

“The beast. After all, you’re the only one to come back alive and with it slain as well.”

A rumble of a laugh leaves Geralt. “Whoever the king sent before was too weak. That kind of creature isn’t to be trifled with, but they’re not the most deadly creature in our world.”

“Really?” Jaskier’s voice pitches with his surprise.

Geralt shrugs, grunting a little as Jaskier pulls at a particularly nasty tangle.

“Sorry,” Jaskier apologies, drawing his hands back.

Not wanting to lose the feeling of Jaskier’s hands, Geralt shakes his head. “Didn’t hurt.”

Their eyes meet and they stare, almost challenging, until Jaskier breaks first.

“If you say so.”

His attention is back on Geralt’s hair and Geralt hates how his heart leaps.

He shouldn’t be this desperate, this needy, but every little touch from Jaskier reminds him what he doesn’t have when he’s on the road. Brothels take care of some of that urge, occasionally Geralt finds himself in the company of someone for more than a day, yet it’s nothing compared to the gentle care of Jaskier, this attention that’s all for him.

“There we are,” Jaskier pats Geralt’s shoulder.

Getting to his feet, Jaskier grabs a towel and holds it out for Geralt, a small smile still decorating his face.

Geralt is tempted to just snatch it away from Jaskier but he stands and accepts Jaskier’s choice of wrapping the towel around his waist. He can feel the heat that radiates off Jaskier, the slight tinge of pink to his cheeks. Geralt’s mind spins in treacherous ways and he steps out of the tub, rushes out of the bath quarters before he can let himself go any farther.

“Will you need any more of my assistance?” Jaskier follows Geralt, standing just a breath away.

Geralt knows he shouldn’t, not while he’s a guest of the king and when this is one of the servants.

“I have other things I can offer,” Jaskier’s voice is low.

His hand reaches out and traces along Geralt’s chest. The touch is like fire, sending sparks as their faces inch closer. It’s too much and Geralt lets himself fall into temptation. The two meet in a heavy kiss, tongues immediately shoving into each other’s mouths, a small whine escaping from Jaskier.

Jaskier’s breath hitches when Geralt grabs his hips, pulling them closer together. Geralt can feel a hardening cock press against his thigh and he pushes his leg up, holding back his grin as Jaskier desperately grinds down.

Breaking the kiss, Geralt kisses Jaskier’s jaw before mouthing at his neck, shivering at the small whimper he gets as he nibbles at a pulse point. When Geralt bites down, both men shudder, their grips on each other tightening. Geralt licks and sucks until a purple bruise begins to form and he gives it a firm kiss as if to seal it there.

Backing towards the bed, Geralt lays down when he feels the bed against his legs and lets Jaskier crawl on top of him, swallowing as he allows Jaskier to take the lead.

Jaskier mouths at Geralt’s chest before he takes one nipple into his mouth, swirling his tongue around until it becomes a stiff nub. Geralt arches into the touch, breaths cut short as Jaskier pinches and flicks the other nipple. It’s over all too soon, but Geralt doesn’t have a chance to protest as Jaskier kisses his way down Geralt’s body and he frees Geralt from the towel around his waist.

There is an audible gasp and Geralt holds himself back from rolling his eyes. Yes, he’s larger than most, but he’s not impossibly huge.

Glancing down at Jaskier, Geralt’s breath hitches as Jaskier laps at the tip of his cock, eyes staring back. Their gazes remain locked as Jaskier takes more of Geralt into his mouth, occasionally dragging his mouth back up and this sends Geralt’s mind spinning.

Propped up on his elbows, Geralt can only watch and become lost in his pleasure as Jaskier wraps his hand around the base of his cock, his mouth meeting the hand as they move opposite of each other.

It’s almost too much, but Geralt doesn’t want Jaskier to stop. His hand flies to Jaskier’s hair and he pulls a moan from Jaskier as he grips tight. Geralt can’t help his thrusting hips, the growing need and urgency, but Jaskier makes no protest and Geralt comes, seed filling Jaskier’s mouth.

To his shock, Jaskier swallows all of it, pulling off Geralt with a sharp pop. There is a lazy grin on his face and wipes off the drool that lingers on his chin.

“I’m glad I could be of service, Geralt,” Jaskier teases and Geralt sits up, dragging him into a passionate kiss.

As they embrace, Geralt lets one hand search and feel, untucking Jaskier’s chemise and running his hand along Jaskier’s stomach and chest. Jaskier moans, breaks their kiss to beg against Geralt’s mouth and really, who is he to deny such pleas?

Jaskier motions for Geralt to sit back and once Geralt does, Jaskier shuffles off of him, hastily takes off his clothes. Before he rids himself of his breeches, he pulls out a vial from one of the pockets and clutches it tight in his hand. Then, he’s back on Geralt, perched on his stomach.

“You were expecting this?” Geralt prods.

“Never can be too sure,” Jaskier grins and pours a generous amount of oil on his fingers.

Reaching behind himself, Jaskier starts his preparation, body shuddering as he pushes a finger inside. Geralt wants to see more, but if Jaskier has a process, he doesn’t want to interrupt that. Instead, he runs his hands up and down Jaskier’s sides, heartbeat quickening at the sighs that leave Jaskier.

“Wish you had come by sooner,” Jaskier breathes as he fingers himself open. “I’ve been dreaming about something like this.”

Geralt raises an eyebrow and this gets a small laugh out of Jaskier that is cut off by a moan. A hand splays itself on Geralt’s chest, fingers curling as Jaskier pushes another finger in. It’s not long before Jaskier is thrusting his fingers deep inside himself, moans growing louder as he hits the right spot inside of him.

Geralt thinks it’s the most beautiful sight in the world. He can’t help reach up to Jaskier’s face, cupping it in one hand. Jaskier smiles back, kisses Geralt’s palm before he pulls his fingers out and slides down Geralt’s body.

Having forgotten about his own cock, Geralt shifts when Jaskier coats it in oil, but quickly matches Jaskier’s ministrations. Then, Jaskier is lowering himself down on Geralt’s cock and Geralt sees stars. Sitting up, Geralt holds Jaskier close, moving his hips up as Jaskier slides down. Moans and gasps mingle together, Jaskier’s arms thrown around Geralt’s shoulders as the pace picks up.

Jaskier’s cock is trapped between them, smearing precome on both their stomachs and Geralt pulls back just enough so he can take hold of Jaskier’s cock.

“Yes, fuck, like that,” Jaskier moans, slamming down on Geralt.

With a growl, Geralt maneuvers them on the bed to where Jaskier is laying on his back, his legs wrapped tight around Geralt’s waist. Geralt wants to remember this moment forever, blue, lust-ridden eyes staring up at him, heavy moans leaving that perfect mouth when Geralt thrusts into Jaskier. His hips snap, skin slaps together, as Geralt holds himself over Jaskier, fucking him into the bed.

Jaskier’s head lolls, moans growing louder. Geralt wants to see Jaskier come and he takes hold of Jaskier’s cock again, pumping him just as fiercely as his thrusting hips.

With a near shout, Jaskier succumbs to his orgasm, back arching off the bed and white stripes coating his stomach and chest. The clench of Jaskier around Geralt’s cock is just enough to send him spiraling into his own release and he fills Jaskier with sharp thrusts.

The two lay panting, foreheads pressed together as they come down from their high. When Geralt pulls out of Jaskier and lays down on the bed, he’s surprised to find Jaskier scooting close to him, wiping the two of them off with the discarded towel.

“You are wonderful, Geralt,” Jaskier praises, kissing Geralt’s neck.

Geralt’s not so sure, but what he does hold certainty in is that Jaskier is perfect. A string of sadness tugs at his heart knowing that in a week, he’ll have to leave this. As Jaskier lays his head on Geralt’s chest, Geralt holds him close, letting himself fade into the warmth.

For now, he just needs to embrace this and for one night, not let his worries occupy his mind.

#geraskier #geralt x jaskier #jaskier x geralt #indigo's side shitposting

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justcallmehermione · 4 years

Text

Sad chapter update: Please don’t hate me

Title: Small Bump Rating: M for some delicious smut Pairings: Linzin, Tokka (implied), and Kataang

FF.net

AO3

***Just a reminder that this fic is based off the song "Small Bump" by Ed Sheeran, and if you listen closely to the last couple lines, you'll know where this chapter is headed. Please be advised that this chapter contains a birth scene, including some details people may not like to talk/think about. There is also some violence in this chapter. Viewer discretion is advised.

Chapter 13: When Reality Slaps You in the Face

The couple arrived in the Fire Nation after an easy journey on Oogi’s back. When they arrived, Izumi was looking very pregnant and confided in them that she was ready for her pregnancy to be over.

“I can barely walk. I feel like I go to the bathroom every 5 minutes. And my back is constantly sore,” she complained one evening. “I'm just ready to meet this little guy or girl. I think it has been long enough at this point.” Tenzin and Lin laughed, but still tried to console her.

“I'm sure the baby will be here before you know it and you'll have a whole new set of things to complain about,” Lin chuckled.

“That, or you will be really distracted with figuring out this whole parenthood thing,” Tenzin offered.

“Wow thanks guys. You sure know how to cheer up a pregnant lady,” Izumi deadpanned.

A few days later, Izumi’s labor had started. Lin, being a steadfast and loyal friend, did not leave her side while she labored and helped in any way she could. The labor had been going on since the night before and Tenzin tried to keep himself occupied but did not stray too far from the delivery room in case his wife needed him for anything. He spent most of the time with Zuko and Izumi’s husband, Daichi. They played some Pai Sho, drank tea, and read books while they waited to hear the news that the baby had arrived. Tenzin was about to leave to go meditate near the turtleduck pond when he saw Lin exit the delivery room.

“Lin!” Tenzin called out to his wife. She did not stop or turn in his direction. He noticed a worried look on her face and that she was clutching her abdomen protectively. He wondered if she felt sick and was going to vomit, so he immediately ran down the hall to catch up with her.

“Lin, please wait for me!” he begged, reaching out to grab her and stop her. He spun her to face him and he studied her face. She was definitely worried.

“Is everything okay? Is Izumi all right?” he questioned.

Lin nodded and said in a quiet, shaky voice, “Yes, she and the baby are safe. I just need a minute to myself is all.”

Tenzin sighed in relief and said, “If you’re sure. Let me know if I can do anything for you.” He let his wife go with a peck on the cheek. He waited in the same spot and watched her retreating form disappear from view.

Lin wandered around for a while not really taking in her surroundings. She was very shaken up after watching her friend give birth to her firstborn son. It had been a very long, painful labor and there were times when she was scared for her friend. Izumi had felt defeated on a few occasions and wanted to give up during the process. Lin had overheard one of the midwives quietly commenting to another that if the labor had continued for much longer it was possible they would have to go in and pull the baby out, putting both mother and baby in grave danger. When Lin let her mind picture that scenario she blanched and almost excused herself from the room. She assured herself it wouldn’t come to that though. She would do everything she could to lend her strength to Izumi and help her deliver the baby safely.

When the Royal Physician announced it was time to deliver the baby, Lin grabbed Izumi’s hand tightly and whispered, “You got this,” to her lifelong friend.

Izumi smiled weakly back and said, “Thank you. Now, let’s get this over with.” Lin watched as her friend mustered every last ounce of strength to bear down and push the baby out without any assistance from any tools.

“It’s a boy!” the doctor exclaimed once the baby was out. He handed him over to one of the midwives to clean and dress before giving the baby to its mother.

“Congratulations! You did it!” Lin cheered her friend on. Izumi squeezed her hand with only a fraction of the force she had used during the delivery. Shortly after the baby arrived, blood started pooling around her friend’s legs, staining the white linens on the bed. Lin looked over at her friend and noticed she was rather pale and very sweaty. She looked over at the doctor who looked a little concerned, which alarmed her.

“We’re not out of the woods just yet,” the doctor announced, beckoning for one of the midwives to come and help. The midwife who was wiping the baby stopped what she was doing and rushed over. She saw the blood and immediately got to work. The midwife started to massage Izumi’s stomach while the doctor tried to absorb some of the blood. Lin stepped back and watched in horror as a very large, bulbous object slid out of Izumi. The doctor caught the sac in a bowl and handed it to the midwife to examine.

After looking at it and flipping it over, the midwife declared, “This isn’t all of it. We have to help her.” Lin watched as the doctor got up and took over rubbing Izumi’s stomach. The midwife rolled up her sleeve, grabbed some oil from a table, and covered her forearm in it.

“This is going to feel uncomfortable, but try to keep relaxed, Your Highness,” the midwife declared. Lin continued to watch from her corner of the room as the midwife slid her arm up inside of Izumi, a look of concentration on her face. Izumi gasped when the woman entered her and scrunched her face up in pain.

“Breathe slowly, it will help,” the doctor ordered. After what felt like an eternity, the midwife pulled out of Izumi, another dark red blob in her hand.

“That should be it,” the midwife told the doctor, “I think we’re clear.” The doctor nodded and patted Izumi on the shoulder. Lin looked at her friend, tears were welling up in both their eyes. A sob escaped Lin’s throat and she bolted from the room, not wanting to make Izumi feel any worse than she already did.

Lost in the memories of what just took place, Lin blinked away tears that had started welling up again. She looked around as her vision cleared and noticed she was no longer on palace grounds. The gate must have been open, and she had walked right through it because she now found herself in the middle of the high street of the Fire Nation capital. The street was still fairly busy, despite the late hour of the day. Lin guessed they were mostly people returning home from a long day’s work. She saw a sign for a nearby park and decided to go visit it, hoping it would be a little quieter so she could collect herself better before returning to the palace and celebrating with everyone.

She finally came across the park as someone was lighting the lanterns that lined the pathway. It was winter time, but since she was in the Fire Nation, the air was not freezing, but there was still a chill. Lin wrapped her arms around herself as she walked through the park. She wished she had brought a shawl to wrap around herself to keep out the chill. The park was quiet, the only other person she noticed was the firebender who was finishing up lighting all the lanterns. It was quiet and peaceful, the perfect atmosphere for clearing her head after the jarring events from earlier.

Lin never really thought about giving birth. She hadn’t really been close with or known other women who were pregnant. Sure, she remembered her mom having Su, but she was only 6 when that happened. She wasn’t there to witness all the pain and blood involved with bringing new life into the world. And if she thought about it, she realized that no one ever really talked about it either. Well, if they did talk about it, they certainly didn’t talk about all the gory details. Lin battled with the positives and negatives of this situation and was engrossed thinking about what her own impending delivery might be like now that she had seen one up close and personal.

Lin was so lost in her head that she hadn’t heard the figure approach her from behind. He struck so fast that she didn’t even have a chance to defend herself. A series of quick jabs to her pressure points paralyzed her and blocked her bending. Chi blocking she thought immediately, remembering the stories of Ty Lee and the Kyoshi Warriors. Her eyes widened and a scream got stuck in her throat as her body crumpled to the ground. Luckily, she fell on her side and not directly on her stomach.

“How dare you try to undo what Fire Lord Sozin worked so hard for?” a deep, male voice spat at her. Lin raised her eyes as far as she could and saw a dark figure standing in front of her. The person was wearing a cloak with the hood drawn to cover their head and face thanks to the shadows cast by the lanterns. “He eradicated the airbenders for a reason and the only way the Fire Nation can return to its glory is for them to stay gone,” the figure continued as he began to draw lightning from out of nowhere. Lin’s eyes widened realizing what was about to happen. She felt so useless because she couldn’t move to defend herself, defend her baby. All she could do was lay on the ground and wait for the pain. Tears were streaming down her face as she felt the electricity course through her body, the majority of the pain in her abdomen since that’s where the man had directed the lightning.

It felt like an eternity, but really the man had only been in front of her for a few minutes. He disappeared in the bushes just as quickly as he had appeared, leaving Lin on the ground in an excruciating amount of pain. Lin writhed on the ground as electricity still coursed through her body, causing her muscles to spasm all over. The last thing she remembered before the world going dark was feeling a warm, wet sensation between her legs.

Tenzin had been pacing in the royal palace for the last several minutes. Once they had realized Lin was missing, he felt frantic, worrying for her, as well as the baby. Zuko had convinced him to stay at the palace in case she returned while he and a search party went out looking for her. Despite the years of meditation, Tenzin had never felt more impatient than he did now. He could be on his glider, using the aerial view to his advantage to find Lin faster, but instead he was told to wait here.

“Master Tenzin!” a servant shouted, running towards him. Tenzin raced over to the servant, eager to hear the news.

“Come quickly,” the servant managed to say between breaths, “They found her.” Tenzin’s eyes lit up at the great news. They had found Lin and brought her back to the palace. He followed the servant to the room they had been staying in while visiting the Fire Nation. Tenzin had a huge smile on his face when the doors were flung open, excited to see Lin again. The smile quickly disappeared when he saw her laying on the bed, unconscious while the Royal Physician and a midwife he recognized from Izumi’s birth earlier were fluttering around her.

“Lin?” Tenzin called out to them, “What’s going on?”

“Master Tenzin, I think it would be best if you waited outside for a few minutes more,” the doctor ordered.

“But,” Tenzin tried interrupting.

“Leave, now,” the doctor ordered again, glancing at the servant who brought him here, imploring him to shoo Tenzin out. The servant read the expression and pulled Tenzin out of the room, shutting the doors behind them.

“What’s going on? Why was the midwife there?” Tenzin interrogated the servant.

The servant shook his head and responded, “I’m not quite sure. The Fire Lord should be here momentarily to explain.”

Just then, Zuko appeared in the hallway and called out, “Tenzin!”

Tenzin looked over to the aged firebender and saw the grief in his face. Panic had set in then. Zuko was usually a stoic man, rarely showing any emotions unless they were strong ones. He knew something was wrong when he could read the Fire Lord’s expression.

Tenzin gulped, “What happened?”

Zuko drew in a deep breath then explained, “Some of my guards were questioning people on the high street if they had seen Lin. Some woman said that she saw someone who looked like Lin heading towards Lu Ten Park which is tucked away off one of the side streets. When we heard that, the woman’s friend mentioned that the lantern lighter of the park lived on the way there. We checked with the lantern lighter and he confirmed that he saw Lin, walking alone in the park as he was doing his job that evening. He said the park was empty other than her. My guards and I continued to the park, expecting to find Lin wandering the park or sitting on a bench, but when we got there… Tenzin, you may want to sit for this next part…” Zuko hesitated before continuing his story, noticing the horror stricken look on Tenzin’s face.

Tenzin slid to the floor, nodding for the Fire Lord to continue. Zuko slid down to sit next to him and continued, “We found her on the ground along one of the paths, unconscious with blood pooling around her. There were no wounds that we noticed upon immediate inspection, which made us act fast. I grabbed Lin and ran her back to the palace while some of my guards searched the area for anyone suspicious. One of the guards noticed a set of footprints in front of Lin that looked like they belonged to someone fleeing the scene of a crime. I’m so sorry this happened, Tenzin. I promise you that I will do everything in my power to find who did this and serve justice.”

Tenzin didn’t respond. He rubbed his hands over his head, trying to imagine what could have happened to Lin and figure out why there was blood around Lin if she wasn’t wounded. Something clicked in his head and Tenzin gasped, “No!”

“Tenzin?” Zuko asked.

“It’s the baby, isn’t it?” Tenzin looked in Zuko’s eyes, his vision blurring as tears began to pool there.

“I think it might be,” Zuko whispered dejectedly, looking down at the ground not wanting to watch Tenzin cry.

“That’s why there was all that blood. We lost the baby,” Tenzin said the words out loud, making the pain feel more real.

Just then, the doors to the room opened and the Royal Physician appeared, clearing his throat, he approached the two men who were still seated on the floor. “Fire Lord Zuko, Master Tenzin,” he bowed to the two men and then crouched to their level, “I’m afraid I have terrible news.”

Tenzin met the doctor’s eyes and asked, “We lost the baby, didn’t we?”

The doctor nodded dejectedly. “Yes, I’m afraid so,” he confirmed.

“And Lin… is she…?” Tenzin couldn’t bear the thought of asking what he was about to.

“She is stable for now,” the doctor explained, “After closer inspection, it seems like she may have been attacked with lightning. She has some severe burns on her abdomen. I’m afraid all the electricity caused her muscles to spasm, which in turn caused trauma to the uterus, causing the unborn child to become detached, and no longer able to get what it needed to survive.” At this point, Tenzin let out a soft cry as he openly sobbed. Zuko reached over to put an arm around his shoulders in comfort.

Zuko nodded at the doctor, “Thank you. I think that’s enough information for now. May we go see Lin?”

The doctor got up and bowed to the men again, “Yes, you may go in. Things should be cleaned up there. Lin is only resting now. She is going to be very sore all over for a while, so I gave her some calming tea to help keep her relaxed as her body recovers. I’ll be back to check on her in a few hours.” The man backed away, leaving the two men in the hallway.

“I know you might have a lot of questions, but they’ll get answered in time. Go and be there for your wife,” Zuko urged Tenzin.

Tenzin, still crying openly, managed to stand up on his own two feet and head into the bedroom. He crossed to the bed and gently sat on the edge. The tears were making it difficult to see, but he was able to find Lin’s hand and grab it, grazing his thumb over it.

Lin’s eyes opened slowly and squinted over at him. “Tez,” she managed to whisper before a sob escaped her throat.

“Shhh,” he hushed, “Don’t talk right now. I’m here, just relax. Everything is okay now.” He leaned forward and placed a kiss on her temple, squeezing his eyes tighter as another sob rippled through his body.

“Hold me,” she whispered, half asking, half demanding. Tenzin silently acquiesced and molded his body around hers, holding her close. The couple cried together in bed until the tears and sadness felt so heavy, they could do nothing but fall asleep, hoping the morning did not come too quickly.

A/N: So, the lyrics I was referring to in my first note were: " 'Cause you were just a small bump unborn for four months then torn from life Maybe you were needed up there but we're still unaware as why." -Small Bump by Ed SheeranNow that you read this difficult chapter, I hope you don't hate me and will continue to leave comments/kudos and finish the fic! There are only 3 more chapters and I should be posting them sooner rather than later!

#linzin #sad chapter #fanfic #tw: miscarriage #atla #tlok #ed sheeran #my writing #justcallmehermione

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sargeantwoof · 4 years

Text

The City Gates

** if you like this find me at ao3 on under the same name! **

It's at the end of the war when Sokka realizes that he has no idea what he wants to do.

"You could go back to the Southern Water Tribe?" Suki offers one night shortly after the comet. Sokka doesn't say anything, turning to look out over the houses and walls of the Fire Nation. He's not sure how to say it, but he's suddenly struck by the fact that of all the things he could do, he doesn't want to go home.

Though, he admits, that's not quite right - he does want to go home. He wants to see Gran-Gran, and Pakku, and even the children he had tried to train. He just doesn't want to go home and get stuck, doesn't want to turn around one day and realize that he's spent his life in one place after saving the world.

And, he thinks privately to himself, that's not even considering what Suki wants to do. If he were to go home to stay, would they break up? Would they stay together and just spend months and weeks apart? Would it even be worth it at that point?

"I don't know if that's best," he says instead, shifting back to face her, his eyes serious and settled in the way that they have been since the war was won. She scrunches her face at him, sticking her tongue out when he grins at her. "And besides," he continues. "I will, eventually, no matter what."

"I know," Suki responds, reaching out to catch his hand, her fingers warm against his skin, her face open in the torchlight. "Family is everything for you."

***

Zuko doesn't say anything in the days that pass after his coronation, but Sokka overhears two servants gossiping in the halls about how even as the Firelord, Mai still didn't want him. Sokka pauses in what he's doing, considering.

One on hand, Zuko could be prickly about things like this, blowing emotional shifts out of proportion, and refusing to talk for days. One the other hand, he had been a great listener when Sokka was talking about Yue, and break-ups always suck, especially when they happen to someone instead of being a mutual decision. Not that mutual decisions don't suck, Sokka acknowledges, it's just, not as much.

He shifts from one foot to the other, fidgeting for a beat before sighing and turning to head to Zuko's room. He wishes Suki was with him as she would know what to say. Instead, it's just him- him and all the incredibly wrong things he could say.

He gets to the door, pausing again to shift in front of it before knocking. Zuko's voice bids him to enter, the tone softening at the end when Sokka pokes his head in.

"Sokka," Zuko says, his face surprised but his eyes warm. "What is it?" He looks panicked suddenly. "Is it-"

"No," Sokka says, looking over his shoulder, before taking a deep breath. "Listen, I have something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Oh," Zuko says, his face blank, glancing down at the papers in front of him before setting them aside. "Sure?"

Sokka comes into the room, making sure to latch the door behind him. It suddenly is imperative to him that this goes well, he realizes. He turns around, pastes a bright smile on his face, before realizing that would probably give Zuko the wrong idea. He groans, dropping into the seat in front of his desk and burying his face in his hands.

"Sokka?" Zuko says, his voice tentative. "Are you okay?"

Sokka breathes out once, nods to himself, and looks up, staring directly into Zuko's eyes. "Am I okay?" He repeats. "Zuko." He pauses, "Are you okay?"

"What?" Zuko says, his face confused. "Yes, of course, I'm fine - wh-why? Should I not be?" He glances around, clenching his fist. "Is something going to happen?"

"No!" Sokka says, rocketing up from his chair, and waving his arms around. "No, are you okay?" He places emphasis on the okay, dragging it out and raising his eyebrows.

"I'm fine," Zuko repeats, still tense but relaxing, staring at him. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Oh," Sokka says, flushing. "Uhm, no reason, I guess."

"No reason?" Zuko frowns. "What's going on? Are you distracting me from somethi-"

"IheardthatyouandMaibrokeup," Sokka blurts out, before dropping his eyes and sighing. "I heard that you and Mai broke up and I wanted to see if you were okay, and you just kept repeating you were fine and looking around and nothing else was going to happen." He squints his eyes at Zuko's gobsmacked face. "Nothing is going to happen, right?"

"No," Zuko says faintly, sitting back down. "Nothing's going to happen." He sighs, looking pained. "I didn't tell anyone about Mai and I because I figured you all had enough on your plate." He rubs the back of his neck, looking embarrassed.

"Huh," Sokka says, his face crinkling up as though he was working on a puzzle. "I guess that's okay."

Zuko huffs out a laugh, as Sokka hides a smile at the tiny flame which flickers out of his mouth. "I didn't realize the Fire Lord had to tell you everything," Zuko teases.

Sokka rolls his eyes, relaxing back into his chair. "That's what friends are for," he says, quirking a smile at Zuko. "Duh."

"Duh," Zuko echoes back softly, his face alight with wonder.

***

Zuko feels the way the ocean has always felt to Sokka, he realizes one day. Vast and mysterious, with layers and a whole system of its own, but home. He pauses in his stretches with Suki, freezing at the thought.

"Sokka?" Suki prods, her voice sliding from teasing to serious as she realizes something's happened. "Are you okay?"

Sokka waves a hand at her, before flushing, confusion painted across his face. "I'm fine?" he says, his voice going up at the end, the tone evident that he is not fine. She narrows her eyes at him, her face falling into the stern Kyoshi Warrior aura she wears so well. Sokka shrugs, rubbing the back of his neck. "I just, I realized something," he says, turning from her prodding gaze to face the window.

She hums beside him. "And?"

"And some stuff just clicked into place," he says faintly.

"Does it have anything to do with Zuko?" Suki says after a beat, her tone dry. "Because that whole thing has not been subtle." Sokka spins to look at her, terror painted across his face. She laughs softly. "It's fine," she says, patting him on the chest. "You're not the only one." She turns back to her stretches, Sokka nodding beside her.

It is only when they have gotten half-way through that her words register with him. "Hang on, you like him too?"

She laughs, effortlessly bringing her leg to her head and holding the position for two counts. "Yeah," she says as her leg returns to the ground. "He's Zuko."

***

Katara throws the door open, her face set in stone. "I'm taking him," she says to Suki who grins at her in response. She snags his shirt, towing him behind her, ignoring all his protests.

"Ka-Katara," he splutters as she yanks him up a flight of stairs, bringing the two of them onto the balcony that overlooks the inner courtyard. "What's- what's going- is something wrong?" He settles on, as she shoves him down onto the cool stone. He gives her a look when she doesn't respond, bits of his panic seeping through.

She sighs after a moment, the tenseness leaking out of her. "Is this what you want?" She asks, looking out over the duck pond and the gleaming red roofs. "A life here? Away from ho- the pole?"

He frowns at her. "I don't understand."

She wrinkles her nose at him, groaning. "I knew you were going to bad at this," she mutters and Sokka tries not to feel offended. "Fine," she huffs out, glaring at him. "If this is how you want to play it- that's fine." She stands, brushing nonexistent dirt from her clothes. "I'll be going then."

"Hang on," Sokka says, snagging her wrist when she turns to leave. "You need to explain this for me." He tugs her down beside him again, ignoring the look on her face and the way she rolls her eyes at him. "What are you even saying?" He says after she's stopped twisting around beside him. "Seriously, I have no idea what you want from me."

"You-" she cuts herself off, the anger fading, her face becoming more open. She squints at him, bringing her knees up and wrapping her arm around them before she sighs, low and long. "I thought you were hiding it from me," she says, tucking her face between her knees. "I thought that you didn't want me to know."

"Katara," Sokka says gently. "I have no idea what you're trying to say."

She looks at him for a long moment. "Zuko," she says finally. "I was- I am- talking about Zuko."

Sokka blinks at her. "If that was supposed to clear things up for me, well, it didn't." She stares at him. He shrugs, ignoring the faint rush of blood to his cheeks. "I don't know what is happening," he finally says. "I'm just- here."

"Suki?" Katara whispers, unfolding a little bit. Sokka nods and then shrugs again, scrunching his face up. "But- so, all three?"

Sokka frowns. "More like two, at least right now, I think."

Katara closes her eyes, breathing in deeply. "You sure know how to pick them."

Sokka shrugs for the third time, hopeless and fond. "They chose me, I just stood there."

Katara snorts. "You're good at that," she says, ignoring his squawk of outrage. She grins at him, fully unfolding from her curled position. "You always have a home with me," she says, dipping her head. "And, I miss you sometimes."

"I miss you all the time," Sokka says, his voice quiet. "It was you and me, and Gran-Gran, and now it's you and me and the world." She shuffles closer, their arms pressing together. He huffs, leaning into her.

"Tell me a story," Katara says after they've been quiet for a few minutes like she used to when they were children.

Sokka nods slowly, before beginning. "There once was nothing but ocean, no life but the sea and all her creatures, but the stars looked down and saw a small creature bobbing in the waves…"

***

Sokka blinks sleep from his eyes, the sudden rush of cool air waking him almost immediately. He furrows his brow, tracking the figure pacing across the room, the tiny fires dancing across their hands. "Zuko?" He croaks, his throat dry. The figure pauses, turning slowly to look at Sokka, their fire cupped in their hands, their face gently becoming illuminated.

"Oh," Zuko says quietly after a beat. "I didn't realize this was your room."

Beside him, Suki pushes herself up, her face already unimpressed. "You didn't realize?" Zuko freezes, a strange look flashing over his face before he turns to go. Before Sokka fully processes what is happening, Suki has launched herself up, landing neatly in Zuko's path. "I don't think so," Suki says, bringing her hands up to push him towards their bed. "Sit down before you decide to do something stupid."

Zuko huffs at her, the fire on his palm growing, before he relaxes, letting himself be shoved onto the bed. Sokka rubs his eyes, clearing the last bits of sleep from his brain, and pulls himself out from under the covers. "What's going on?" He asks, quietly, settling in next to Zuko. He tips his head against his shoulder, unable to ignore the warmth the fire bender gives off. He doesn't look but he knows Suki is sitting on his other side.

Zuko tenses for a moment, before physically forcing himself to relax. "Azula," he says, finally, after so much time has passed that Sokka had almost forgotten his question. "I don't know what to do with Azula."

"Ah," Sokka says, his voice faint. He had somehow forgotten, or more like willfully ignored, the fact that Azula was Zuko's baby sister. He couldn't imagine trying to untangle the threads - it made his heart hurt to even contemplate him and Katara in the same position.

Suki clears her throat, softly. "What can you do?" She asks, her voice free of pity. "Logistically, I mean." Zuko shifts next to them, fidgeting for a beat. Suki sighs, before looping her arm with his and pulling him backward. "Shh," she chides, when he pulls back, her strength winning out as she lightly drags him up the sheets. "Lie down with us."

Zuko shoots Sokka a panicked look but Sokka shrugs, his face fond. "I just do what she tells me," he confides in a low voice as he slots himself in next to Zuko. "She doesn't get as mad at me when I follow her lead."

"Oh please," Suki says, tugging the rumpled sheets over their three bodies. "You almost never listen."

"I do when it counts," Sokka says, flashing a wink at her, and grinning at the look of shock Zuko gives him. Sokka rolls his eyes, reaching across his body to take Suki's hand, the fingers tangling together above Zuko's heart. Zuko tenses again, his body becoming stiff. "C'mon," Sokka says, curling deeper into him, and burying his face into the curve of his shoulder. "It's just Suki and I," he says. "You've seen us snuggle with others before."

"I- yes," Zuko says, a little lost. "But- not me?"

"Oversight on our part," Suki says, peeking up at him through her lashes. "We meant to ages ago." She pauses, her face becoming a little bit stiffer. "Unless of course we overstepped-"

"No!" Zuko says, the word bursting out of him and tearing through the small bit of pride he was clinging to. He sighs, relaxing and scooping an arm around each of them, a wordless apology for his standoffishness earlier. "I'm just- wound up," he settles on, gazing down at Suki. "There's so much to do and I just, I don't know."

Suki shrugs at him. "It's no worries," she says. "We both know how to carry weights, so just, don't shut us out."

"I wasn't trying to," Zuko says softly, closing his eyes. His lips curl up when he feels Suki hum against him and get closer. "Sometimes I miss the earlier days when we were trying to save the world."

Sokka twists, bringing his leg over Zuko's and ignoring the way Zuko jerks. "It was a simpler thing," he says, his voice muffled by Zuko's shoulder. "We had a real concrete goal then."

"I- yeah," Zuko says, sagging in relief. "I knew we had to do it or die trying. And now, I have decisions to make and people to help and war efforts to end."

Sokka shrugs next to him, the rise of his shoulders bumping into Zuko's ribs in a way that shouldn't be unsettling but is. Zuko shudders slightly beside him, which Sokka ignores. "I mean, I think that becoming an adult was always going to turn out like this."

"What?" Suki and Zuko say together, both of them looking at Sokka.

He shrugs again, turning to peek at both of them. "Like yes, this is all far more dramatic and stuff but I think that becoming an adult is-" He pauses, propping his chin on Zuko's chest, the line of his throat pressed against his ribs. Zuko very careful doesn't let himself pay too much attention to the way his small action makes him feels, ignoring both the flush of pleasure and the comfort of having him close. Sokka continues, unaware of what he's doing to Zuko. "I think growing up is always about how priorities expand." He takes a deep breath and then looks directly at Zuko. "If Aang hadn't shown up, if this hadn't happened, I would've gone and fought the Fire Nation." Beside Zuko, Suki stops breathing, her silence the clear sign of her surprise. Sokka bites his lip, looking faintly regretful. "I probably would've died, and it would've been okay because I was dying for the world, for the good of it. But, if you had asked me before, when I was younger, right after my mom-" He quiets for a moment, neither Suki nor Zuko moving. "I would've done it for my family. But, growing up, it's like, the expansion of that, if that makes sense?" He finishes quietly, blushing faintly in silver moonlight.

Zuko blinks at him, unable to comprehend a world where that happened. Suki lifts their entwined hands and brushes a kiss across the back of Sokka's. "Well, thank Aang for this world then," she says lowly.

Zuko nods. "Any world that I don't know you is a world wasted," he finally settles on, ignoring the rush of blood to his ears and the twisting in his stomach.

"Thanks," Sokka says, looking pleased. "Any world where this doesn't happen sucks."

***

After that night, Zuko occasionally stops in, sitting with them late into the night, until his brain quiets and he can go to bed. On the rare nights that it doesn't happen, that his brain won't shut up, the three of them will bundle up under the covers, curling into each other, linked together.

Zuko only realizes he has a problem when he wakes one morning and his uncle is standing at the foot of their bed, one eyebrow raised. He just barely resists flinching back, his years of training rushing to the forefront of his brain before not a threat breaks through.

"Prince Zuko," Uncle Iroh says, a strange catch in his voice. "I have been looking for you."

"Whuzzit?" Sokka slurs, twisting from where he was lying, halfheartedly rising. He squints in Uncles direction for a beat before offering him a thumbs up and sliding back into bed. On the other side of Zuko, Suki sits, her lips pressed together. Zuko can't tell if she's angry or trying not to laugh.

"I'll just- I'll be a moment," Zuko says, offering Uncle a nod. Uncle nods back, his face still a little off. He turns and leaves though, so Zuko is counting it as a win. He looks at Sokka, attempting to tug the sheets from him to disentangle himself.

"Hey," Suki says softly, her hand pressing into his shoulder. Zuko stills. "I'll slide out and then you can get out," she says. He nods jerkily, suddenly uncertain in the face of his uncle. Agni save him, but he hadn't thought any of this through. "Zuko," Suki says softly. "Are you okay?"

He nods once, sliding from their warmth and standing. "I'll try to -" He cuts himself off, turns from the two of them, and leaves. He shuts the door behind himself gently, refusing to sag against the worn wood, even as his entire body screams at him to go back.

He heads for his room instead, knowing that whatever Uncle wishes to speak with him about will be best spoken about in privacy. He slips through the doors, fighting the urge to turn and run, both due to Uncle and the residual feelings the Fire Lords private room brought up. He squares his shoulders, turning to face Uncle.

Uncle sighs, a long, low exhale before patting the cushion next to him. Zuko tilts his head in brief accordance but slides onto the seat across from him, his brow already furrowed. They sit for a moment, the steam of the tea filling the air before Uncle finally moves, his hands reaching for his cup, a gentle smile on his face.

"How often," he begins, clearing his throat. "How often do you find yourself with them, Prince Zuko?"

"Please," Zuko says, waving his hand at him. "Just Zuko, here, please." Uncle nods, an unnamed emotion slipping across his face. Zuko sighs, gripping his cup tightly, ignoring the flash of heat against his fingers. "I- they help," he admits, his shoulders slumping as he drops his gaze, hiding his eyes - the truth from Uncle. "Sometimes it can get a bit much."

"Hmm," Uncle says, his tone even.

Zuko refuses to flinch, keeping his eyes averted. The room falls quiet for a long moment, the only sign of time passing the shifting of the sun against the walls. "Uncle," Zuko finally whispers, his face still covered. "I'm afraid."

"Oh, my son," Uncle says after a beat, his voice low and sorrowful. "Love is nothing to be afraid of."

Zuko doesn't move, words stuck in his throat. Most of the love he had ever known had ended in fire and loss, in sharp smirks and angry eyes. He swallows after a beat, raising his head, and meeting Uncle's eyes. Uncle smiles at him, the same smile that had kept him on track for all of his banishment. Zuko pauses but slowly lets his mouth curve up in return.

***

Once Zuko recognizes what's happening he pulls back, suddenly sure that he's ruining everything.

The third time that Sokka makes eye contact with him, only for Zuko to turn and run the other way as fast as he is able, he sighs, letting his shoulders slump as he goes to find Suki. She's in the courtyard, watching her trainees scale the walls of the palace.

He sits under the tree next to the pond, his gaze on the turtleducks even as his focus remains on Zuko. He just doesn't understand what he did, what scared Zuko off. He bites his lip, reaching back to trail a finger over his new boomerang as a pit in his stomach deepens. Had Zuko found out about him and Suki and is so disgusted that he didn't want to be friends?

Sokka blinks, tilting his head back as he feels Suki come up behind him. She bends down, brushing a kiss across his forehead as he leans further back against her legs. "What's the matter?" she asks quietly, her face only showing minimal concern.

Sokka blinks at her again before shaking his head against her legs. "Not here," he says, his eyes catching to some of the women lingering in the courtyard, their curious gazes obvious.

Suki nods, stepping back and waiting for him to rise before she spins sharply about, pinning the girls with her glare. "If you have time to gossip," she says, her voice even. "You have time to run laps of the palace." She raises a hand at the beginnings of their groans. "Three laps and then you're released from training for the day," she says before pointing towards the exit to the outer palace wall. "Go."

The three of them exchange a look but go, leaving Sokka and Suki alone in the pavilion. "C'mon," Suki says, her gaze still watchful. "Let's head up to our room."

***

When Sokka finishes telling Suki what had been happening to him, she smiles, a tiny fleeting thing before nodding. "I know what to do," she says as she stands from the bed, absentmindedly looping her fans to her belt. She bends down, kisses Sokka's confused face and pauses, their foreheads resting against each other. "If you thought you were intruding, would you run?" She asks, her voice quiet. She pulls back a tiny bit to slot her mouth against his for another quick kiss before standing straight. "I'll be back," she says, watching the emotions flicker through Sokka's face. "I'll be back with him."

***

Zuko flicks his eyes up at the soft knock, casting his gaze out the window and taking in the setting sun. He frowns, but quietly bids the knocker to enter. When Suki slides in, he bites back a curse, beginning to gather his stuff as he searches for an excuse to get out.

Suki latches and locks the door behind her, shaking her head. "I don't think so," she says, pinning Zuko in place with her stare. "We've got some things to talk about." Zuko shifts in his seat, setting down the papers down in front of him and grimacing. Suki watches him for a long moment before sighing. "How long have you been in love with him?" She asks gently, before sighing again. "How long have you been in love with us?"

***

Upstairs, Sokka stands, pacing in front of the fireplace. He fidgets, tugging on his clothes, brushing a hand over the familiar blue of the water tribe. He pauses, frowning, thinking over the build of them, thinking about how it had turned and stopped and spluttered and somehow still continued. He stares at their bed, the one he had begun thinking of as theirs - all three of them.

He stills completely before he whirls around.

He runs.

***

Zuko stares at her, his face paling. "I meant no harm," he says, his voice firm. "As soon as I realized what I was doing, I backed off." He drops his gaze to the paperwork in front of him. "I apologize for any inconvenience- it wasn't- it isn't, fair of me." Suki opens her mouth and Zuko raises a hand. "Please," he says. "Just-"

The door flies open.

***

Sokka stands in the doorway panting. He comes into the room, gently shutting the door behind him and scooping up Suki's hand, dragging her over to Zuko's desk.

"We're in love with you," Suki says quietly. "That's why I came down here. That's why I asked."

Zuko blinks at her, turning stunned eyes to Sokka. He shrugs, quirking his mouth up in a half-smile. "I think I liked you even when you were trying to kill me."

"Oh," Zuko says. The room falls silent for a moment before he raises his eyes back up to them, clearly steeling himself for something. "I'm in love with you two too."

***

It's at the beginning of the reconstruction when Sokka realizes what he really wants to do.

"I'm so glad you stayed," Zuko says, a warm line against his back. "If you hadn't-" He breaks off, laughing underneath his breath. "Well, you know."

Suki rolls over in their bed, her eyes still shut. "I'm glad we were able to figure it out with minimal issues."

Sokka and Zuko exchange fond glances, their love clear in their eyes. Sokka tilts his head back, brushing a kiss over Zuko's mouth. "I'm glad I stayed too." He says, his eyes bright in the moonlight of their room. "Family is everything to me."

#avatar the last airbender #sokka/zuko/suki #sokka/suki #au #atla #fanfic #ao3 #alternative ending #oh god #i don't know how to tag #first ff on tumblr #pls help me

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slusheeduck · 4 years

Text

And One Day, A Queen

Chapter 2: Introduction

[Arrival]

Hekla hadn’t been exaggerating about getting Iduna up first thing the next morning, and she’d certainly been making her promise of being the hardest worker Hekla had ever seen hard to keep up. The past four days had been nonstop mucking, feeding, training, brushing…she was barely able to stay awake long enough for dinner before collapsing right into sleep until Hekla shook her awake to do it all over again.

But, truth be told, the hard work was welcome. Her brain was so full of horses and saddles and hay that there was no room to think about the forest or the future or what had happened just a few days before.

“Hey! Freyja doesn’t have her bridle on!” Hekla’s call brought Iduna back to the present, grimacing as she ran to the stable to fetch it. “Come on, girl, it’s common sense. How’s anyone supposed to ride a horse with no reins?”

For all of her gruffness, Hekla didn’t seem to mind having an assistant all that much. She’d gotten a cot moved into her little cottage the day after Iduna’s arrival, and she was remarkably patient as Iduna learned that horses were actually vastly different than reindeer, giving short bits of instruction and guiding her into doing things properly.

“There, just push the bit in. Freyja’s a calm girl, she won’t nip you unless you really mess up.” Hekla crossed her arms as Iduna carefully got the reins over Freyja’s head, then looked over as a young servant—not much older than Iduna, really—ran up to the gate. Hekla let out a tsk.

“What do you want, Kai?” she asked shortly, making the boy freeze up for a moment before he spoke.

“It’s, ah, it’s time for inventory,” he said, not quite meeting her eyes. “So…if you could just…hand me your list of what you need so Rosskjell can…”

Hekla groaned. “Was that this week?”

“If…if you’ve forgotten, I can just tell…”

“No. Don’t you dare,” Hekla said firmly, making Kai stand up straight. “Rosskjell will never let me hear the end of it.” She rubbed her eyes, then looked up. “Iduna!”

“Yes?”

“You can write, can’t you?”

“Of course I can write.” She patted Freyja’s neck, then tossed her braid over her shoulder as she walked up to Hekla. Immediately, a pencil and scraps of paper were thrust into her hands.

“Go do a count of what we need, then take it in to Rosskjell. His office is in the west wing of the castle.” Hekla gave her a push toward the stable. “If you don’t, we’ll have some very upset horses.”

Iduna made a face. “Can’t you do it? You know everything we need, and where Rokill is.”

“Rosskjell, and why should I do when I have an assistant right here who promised to be the hardest worker I’ve ever seen?” Hekla gave her a smirk, then shooed her off toward the stable. Iduna sighed, but this time went to the stable. There was still a good deal of hay, but it wouldn’t hurt to get a bit more. They were due to get a new colt next week, so they’d need horseshoes for him. Maybe a saddle, too? Better put it down just in case. And Balgruuf’s blanket was getting awfully threadbare…

After what felt like forever, Iduna was pretty sure she’d gotten everything they needed. Now it was just…going into the castle. She had to admit, it was a little exciting; she hadn’t been able to go inside yet. She wondered if it was as grand and bright as the outside. A few helpful guards doing their rounds told her how to get inside, and she slipped in through the servant’s entrance.

It was very grand inside.

Lights blazed on just about every wall, and plush rugs nearly completely covered the gleaming wood floor beneath. There were paintings and swords and tapestries on each wall and servants milling about and a group of well-dressed young ladies walking down the end of the hall and…

Iduna shut her eyes, gathering her wits again. No, don’t get distracted. She had to get to Rosskjell, in the west wing. Now, which way was west in here?

Iduna walked through the halls, trying to look as much like Hekla as possible rather than a girl worried about getting lost. Even so, she could practically hear her sister telling her how ridiculous she looked.

Was Yelana okay? What about Mother? Had Father…

She froze and shook her head. No. She wasn’t going to think about that, especially not here. All she needed to focus on was getting the list to Rosskjell. Now, the west wing should be here. Or…here? Maybe up these stairs…

“And you’re certain this is temporary?”

“Your Majesty, it’s only been four days. He’s likely only begun to recover from it; really, it’s a lucky thing he’s doing as well as he is.”

“But what if he has amnesia or…”

“If he had amnesia, he wouldn’t remember the year. Or your name. Or his name.”

As soon as Iduna reached the top of the staircase, she caught sight of a man and woman speaking in hushed voices, and automatically she slipped out of sight. The man was in fine clothes, but the woman…her dress was made of heavy, dark damask, and her collar was lined with fur—but something much more delicate and fine than the reindeer and rabbit skins they wore back in her village. Jewels sparkled at her neck and on her fingers, but the most spectacular was the crown that sat on top of her head, the dark blue gems contrasting wonderfully with her golden hair.

Naturally, that had to be the queen. And if they were talking about what Iduna thought they were talking about, then this room must be the king’s.

She’d clearly taken a wrong turn, and she should go back downstairs to find Rosskjell. But…the queen and the man—doctor, most likely—were going the opposite way. So if she were to just…take a peek…they probably wouldn’t notice.

After all, you couldn’t save someone and spend hours staying silent next to them without wanting to make sure they were okay, right?

She waited until the queen and the doctor were a few doors away, and made sure that there were no other servants coming this way. Then, as quietly as possible, she padded down the hallway’s rug to the door. She peeked around again before reaching for the door and, very, very carefully, opened it just enough to slip inside.

For a king’s room, it seemed…rather plain, especially compared to the rest of the castle. Certainly there was furniture, and a massive bookshelf by the window, but…nothing that looked like it belonged to a boy. Maybe that was part of being a king.

The bed was impressive, and it was so large and covered in thick down comforters that she almost couldn’t tell there was a person on it at all. But she saw a tuft of blond hair between the blankets and pillows, and the tiniest shift of the blankets.

There. He was alive. She hadn’t realized how much she’d worried that he’s been really hurt, but she’d gotten her confirmation that he was okay and could go on her way.

Or…she could get a better look at him. Just to be sure.

She bit her lip as she stepped a bit closer. This was stupid. She’d get in so much trouble if she was found out, but her curiosity wouldn’t let her stop. Just a bit closer…

There.

She tilted her head. He looked more or less the same as he had when she’d gotten him into the cart, but with a touch more color in his cheeks. He breathed softly as he slept, a wave of blond hair falling over half his face.

So. This was the King of Arendelle.

How horrible.

Kings, she knew, had nothing but responsibilities to attend to. The last king had seemed shifty and shallow, with smiles that only seemed to last as long as they needed to. Before the fighting had broken out, this boy had seemed bright-eyed and ready to learn from the Northuldra. Would he be like his father now that he was king?

Then again, it wasn’t really her place to wonder that, was it?

She’d better get moving, anyway. Hekla would begin to wonder after her, and that might mean a box on the ear. She stood up and turned, carefully padding out.

“Who’re you?”

Iduna froze in place as she heard the hoarse voice, and she slowly turned around. The king was sitting up, pale green eyes unfocused as he looked at her sleepily.

“I…I’m lost,” she stammered out as the king rubbed his eyes and grimaced.

“Lost?”

“Y-yeah. I’m…looking for Rosskjell?”

To her surprise, the boy let out a quiet laugh. “You’re really lost. Gimme a minute, I can…um..I should…sorry, I’m drawing a complete blank.”

Iduna shook her head, starting to back toward the door. “Really, it’s fine. I should be…” She tilted her head, eyes widening as she heard footsteps. Someone was coming. She looked back at the king, then pressed her finger to her lips. He dazedly copied her, watching as she sprinted across the room to hide behind his curtains just as the door opened.

“Agnarr! What are you doing?”

Iduna peeked out from behind the curtain, watching as the queen swept over to the bedside.

“The doctor says you’re to stay in bed until you’ve recovered, and that means laying down. We need you to be well as soon as possible.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re not fine, now lay down.”

The king—Agnarr—mumbled incoherently as he laid back down.

“What was that?”

“There’s a girl in here.”

Iduna bit back a gasp, instead holding her breath as the queen looked around curiously.

“You’re imagining things, Agnarr. No one’s allowed in but me, the doctor, and Petra.” She knelt leaned over the bed, smoothing her son’s hair out of his face. “Now please, rest. Things will be…difficult soon, and you need to be as well as possible.”

Agnarr hummed distantly, eyes fluttering closed. The queen stayed by his bed for a moment longer, then straightened up to walk out.

“Mother?”

The queen paused, turning to look back at the bed. “Yes?”

“I can’t remember where Rosskjell’s office is.”

“Do you really need to know now?”

“Yes, it’s important.”

The queen sighed, clearly debating whether it was worth humoring her son or not. “You go down the stairs, turn right at the first hallway, and go down to the door at the end. Does that help?”

“Mm-hm.”

The queen sighed, shaking her head before exiting the room. Iduna held her breath until she heard the click of the door, then leaned back against the cool window for a moment. That had been way too close. After a moment, she slipped out from behind the curtain, sending a big smile toward Agnarr…but he was already asleep again. Iduna’s smile grew smaller, but no less genuine, then silently made her way out of his room and toward Rosskjell’s office.

Well, that hadn’t gone as bad as it could have. But she was going to have to keep a big distance between her and the king from now on. That could get dangerous really fast.

There was one fundamental flaw in her plan to keep away from the king: she was a servant in his castle. Granted, she lived on the grounds rather than in the castle, and, according to Hekla, she’d likely spend all but the most important holidays out here. It wasn’t like stablehands had to attend balls or meetings, after all. And according to the gossip, King Agnarr was still on strict bedrest, and likely would be for some time. Once he did fully recover, he’d likely be busy with all sorts of kingly duties. So Iduna was safe.

And even if she wanted to snoop more, there was just no time for it once their new colt arrived. Hekla had named him Jarl, certain that he’d grow into the name, then passed him off to Iduna for breaking. He could be a darling, when he felt like it, but he had a strong enough stubborn streak that Iduna’s whole days were filled with trying to get him to eat on time, trying to get him used to his bit and bridle, trying to get him to just listen to her. And, of course, Hekla was hardly any help, only assuring Iduna that she’d be able to figure things out on her own. Really, it seemed like she was trying to break the both of them.

Today’s task was teaching Jarl how to be led. He didn’t seem to mind the bit as much today, but trying to steer him was nearly impossible.

“Come on, Jarl,” Iduna grumbled, playing tug of war with the reins. “It’s just a little walk. Just follow my lead.”

Jarl huffed at her, and Iduna huffed back. She heard footsteps behind her, but they could wait for a moment for her to coax Jarl around the run. She tugged again.

“I’m not even asking you to do anything fancy, Jarl. Just walk with me.”

“It’s you! You’re real!”

The voice startled Iduna, and Jarl took the opportunity to throw his head, nearly tugging her off her feet.

“Don’t do that!” she chided, then called over her shoulder, “Not you, the horse. And of course I’m real. Jarl wouldn’t be so fussy if I weren’t.”

Her visitor gave a stifled laugh. “Clearly. Still, I’m glad I wasn’t imagining strange girls showing up in my room.”

Iduna froze up, and Jarl took the chance to tug his reins away, finally making her lose her balance and faceplant into the dirt. He let out a triumphant nicker before trotting away. Iduna let him go, instead scrambling up to bow as best she could.

“Y-Your Majesty! I…I’m sorry, I didn’t expect…I mean, I’m very sorry for…I…” She grimaced as she peeked up, brow creasing as she tried to avoid making eye contact with the boy leaning against the gate before ultimately bowing her head again. “I…I hope you’ll forgive me for, um, breaking into your room?”

She still wasn’t looking, but she was going to assume that the rustle of fabric was a shrug. “Well, you needed help, and I’m supposed to help people. I don’t think there’s anything there that needs forgiving. Um, you can stand up, if you want. That doesn’t look comfortable.”

Iduna stood up as quickly as possible, and Agnarr stifled another laugh before looking over at Jarl. “He’s beautiful. Is he new?”

“Yes, and stubborn as anything,” Iduna said with a sigh as she crossed her arms. Agnarr glanced at her, then reached into his coat pocket, pulling out a couple of sugar cubes. He gave a whistle, smiling as Jarl looked over at him. Slowly, the colt made his way over, interest piqued as Agnarr held out the sugar cubes.

“This is how I got my horse to like me,” he whispered to Iduna as Jarl carefully nosed his way toward the king. “Hekla told me off for giving him sugar, but now I have a friend for life.”

Iduna smiled, watching as Jarl finally nibbled at the sugar and willingly let Agnarr stroke his nose. “I might have to sneak some out here, then.” She glanced up at the king, still hesitant to look too long. “Are…you feeling better? After what happened?” Agnarr’s smile faded, and Iduna swallowed nervously. Maybe she shouldn’t have asked that. “I’m sorry, I…”

“You apologize a lot,” he said quietly. “But I guess I’m going to have to get used to that, if I’m king now.”

Iduna bit her lip. “So you know what happened.”

“If Mother hadn’t told me, I’d’ve heard from everyone else.” Agnarr stroked Jarl’s nose a few times in silence before he said, in a much more formal voice, “Yes, I’m better. Thank you for asking.” He turned his head slightly, green eyes looking at her curiously before he bowed his head. “I’m sorry. I’m keeping you from your work.”

“I wasn’t getting very far with it,” Iduna said, reaching forward to pat Jarl’s neck. “He’s in a much better mood now, so I’m glad you came.”

Agnarr smiled, a smaller one than before but still genuine. “If you’ll let me, I’d like to come back. I’m not really supposed to be out here yet, but I could only stay inside for so long.”

“Only if you bring sugar cubes,” Iduna said with a teasing grin before she realized who she was teasing. “I-I mean, of course…they’re your horses, after all, and…”

“I’ll fill my pockets with them,” Agnarr interrupted with another laugh, then looked up as several voices called “Your Majesty!” around the grounds. He sighed. “I guess that’s my sign to go. Thanks for letting me meet Jarl.” He reluctantly pulled away from Jarl, started to walk away before he stopped and turned back to them. “Sorry, I’m so rude, I didn’t catch your name?”

She blinked. “Ah…I’m Iduna.”

“Iduna. Iduna,” he repeated, as if committing it to memory. “I’m Agnarr. I mean, you probably knew that. You definitely knew that. I…” He looked up as he heard another call. “I’ll be back soon, Iduna!”

Iduna smiled. “I’ll see you then, Your Majesty!”

As Agnarr made his way back toward the castle, Iduna looked up at Jarl, who nudged his nose against her head. Well, so much for keeping her distance. But at least the king seemed nice enough…and willing to forgive egregious trespassing.

She found herself looking forward to his next visit.

[Funeral]

#frozen #frozen ii #agduna #agnarr #iduna #arendelle #fanfic #meet-cute #frozen fic

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siinoda · 5 years

Text

The Arcana cheating on you; The Other Three (TM) Edition

Here’s the other three! Break whats left of your heart under the cut.

In case you missed the first three, you can catch up and read them Here

Muriel:

It happens with a friend you both know

Muriel has known them about as long, if not longer than he’s known you, so he trusts them quite a bit.

He met them through Asra, they were another magician that passed through from time to time and was able to see past his curse.

You and him have been together for a little while now but have never done anything more intimate than kissing.

He wants to take it father with you but doesn’t know how.

He really doesn’t know where to begin at all, and he wants this to be the best experience for both of you.

So one evening while you’re out, he has his friend over.

He doesn’t like talking about your personal lives, much less sex but he needs to know.

So he asks them, truing to be nonchalant about it

His face is so red they know he’s talking about the two of you

They present him with an offer. They would show him how to please you, and what sex is like so he wouldn’t be so nervous his first time with you.

He isn’t fond of the idea of someone else touching him, but he does want to be good for you.

While he’s considering it they reach over

The whole experience is slow, experimental, then like it started its over.

You run into the friend on your way in as they’re leaving. They tell you how much Muriel must love you before heading home.

Thats weird, but not as weird as Muriel sitting on the bed you share, naked, red faced and covered in red marks.

He doesn’t even open his mouth to speak before you realize what happened, why the friend’s hair looked so unkempt, the lazy look in their eyes.

The immediate guilt and panic on Muriel’s face.

He stands with the sheet around his hips as you leave him in the cottage, taking a long walk outside to calm down.

By the time you make it back, admittedly still upset, he had gotten dressed and was sitting at the table.

There is a violent storm in your mind. Why weren’t you enough? Why couldn’t he talk to you? Why couldn’t he have trusted that it would have been great with the two of you if you tried it together?

The only question you can form out loud is a single word among all the pain and confusion in your head. “Why?”

It comes out a single broken syllable, and it makes him flinch.

You refuse to sit down as he is quiet, softly explaining how it happened.

He doesn’t give details and he can’t look at you.

He won’t even let you touch him, it only makes his stomach turn more with guilt.

He stays his quiet self in the time following the incident. He doesn’t touch you, doesn’t kiss you, just goes about life catching dinner, raising chickens.

The only time he’ll touch you is with a single pat on the head, you think it may just be an acknowledgement of your existence. The thought tightens your chest, making it harder to breathe each time he does it.

He doesn’t know how to fix this. He is afraid to ask, afraid to drag it up again only to face the same look you gave him before.

He’s so afraid to face you it makes him weak.

When you wake up in the morning he’s already gone for the day. He doesn’t come to bed unless you’re already asleep.

If you’re honest, this hurts worse than the cheating.

When he comes home to find you packing your things he asks you what you’re doing.

You tell him if he’s decided to step away from you after what happened, then you don’t see a point in staying.

He doesn’t miss the way your voice wavers, and he instantly knows he’s fucked up on top of the original fuck up.

He comes to you, closing your bag and moving it aside as he takes your hands.

He pulls you close, pressing your face to his chest so you won’t see the hot tears in his eyes, but it doesn’t stop you from feeling him tremble.

His hold staying tight around you as his voice begs for you not to leave.

Its all he can do, apologize and ask you to stay.

He promises you the world, tells you how he cut off the person it happened with. How he’ll pull the moon from the sky if that’s what it took to earn your forgiveness.

The night is spent with both of you sitting by the fire, talking through what happened and communicating the best ways to move past it.

You keep a tight hold on his hand the entire time.

Your life together gradually grows simple and easy again, and the two of you have grown closer as a couple as a result.

And when you two finally do work up to the next level, its as special and perfect as he hoped it would be.

Portia:

Portia casually flirts with everyone

Neither of you think much of it. You always know she’ll come home to you to smother you in kisses and love.

You weren’t worried when Nadia mentioned that Portia had been spending time with someone she had been training at work.

Portia didn’t think anything different of her actions when she told them they were hot teasingly while folding clothes together in the palace, joking with each other to pass the time.

She never paid attention to the way they’d take her hand and squeeze in the middle of wheezing laughter.

She ignored the warmth when their fingers touched her skin, when their hugs lasted too long when they parted

She told herself it wasn’t anything when they told her she was beautiful

When they tickled her sides, making her giggle and blush.

And one day in the laundry room, after they chased each other having a soaking wet bubble fight

Portia didn’t think about how close they were when they pinned her back against the wall with the bubbles in their hand.

When the laughter died and her eyes opened and all she could see was their eyes staring into hers, their breath heavy as it heaved their chest

From the bubble fight or their current position she wasn’t sure

And when they leaned in, and Portia’s eyes closed, she didn’t know what to think as their hands found purchase, pulling away the wet, now cold clothes.

She was grateful they were in a laundry room. She got dressed, her heart hammering in her chest.

When they kissed her before parting, it tasted sour on her lips.

She could still taste it when she returned home. Her throat was dry when she saw you, sitting on your shared bed, practicing magic out of a book Asra gave you.

She watched your hands work, your beautiful eyes fixated on the book at your side.

She loved watching you do magic. She loved seeing you so in your element, doing things she couldn’t even dream were possible.

Today, she watched you as your eyes rose to meet hers. Her heart skipped a beat at the laugh you let slip at her change of clothing.

“My love, did you slip into the river again? You should be more careful.”

You freeze at the tears in her eyes, dropping your magic to jump to your feet and hurry to her, cupping her face in your hands.

When you ask her what’s wrong her eyes squeeze closed, her tears soaking your hands.

When she tells you she fucked up, you just shake your head.

“Whatever happened, we can fix it togeth--”

The look she gives you stops you cold.

When she tells you what happens you’re frozen, stuck in place as you stare at her face.

This didn’t feel real. You didn’t want to believe that your Portia was capable of this.

You have to ask. And you regret when you do.

When you find out its the trainee you feel sick. She’s sobbing when you pull away.

When you ask her if she loves them and she hesitates, its too much.

She doesn’t stop you when you pack a bag and head to stay with Asra.

He holds you while you break, trying to soothe you with tea and soft advice. Your old mentor distracts you with lessons, reading your cards and lighting the room with borrowed incense from Nadia.

You stay for a few days, getting your head together, coddling your grief as it weighs on your chest.

When you finally return home, its impeccably spotless. Portia spent her time organizing your books, clothes, other belongings into neat little easy-to-find and pack spaces. You sit and wait for her to get home.

When she enters and sees you sitting there she stops. You can see the red around her eyes, and you know you don’t look much better.

She sits with you, leaving her hands on the table should you want to hold them, but not pushing you to do so.

You ask her again, because you never got a straight answer and you have to know.

“Do you love them, Portia?”

When she shakes her head, blatant relief makes you choke. She starts talking in a hurried tone, trying to explain everything.

It doesn’t make much sense to you, honestly. You feel just as hurt by it knowing what happened. But you’re grateful for the honesty.

Portia tells Nadia someone else has to train the new person, and tells them that she made a mistake and is madly in love with another.

You don’t have to worry about them again, because they avoid Portia (and you) from then on.

Portia stops flirting with others, even as a joke.

She focuses all her attention on you, and doesn’t let others flirt with or touch at her anymore.

You both find happiness and a way to move past it together, just like you promised.

Lucio:

Ohhh Lucio.

A man with many wants and no patience.

Lucio found something he thinks is love with you.

After all that time spent in the spirit world as an angry goat, he doesn’t waste time in the present affording himself (and you) any and all luxuries.

He gets annoyed (but is unsure why) when you spend time away from him, especially if you’re off with Asra.

Frankly, it pisses him off.

He’s in one of these moods when a cute servant comes up to clean.

He smiles charmingly and invites them back to his room.

There really isn’t any thought from either of them as their clothes come off, Lucio always starved for more even though gods know you do your best to satiate him ffs

Lucio is not gentle with them, leaving marks galore and in the heat of everything calling your name.

It crossed his mind that you might enjoy hate-fucking like this, and the thought of you makes him lose the mood rather quickly.

He kicks them out immediately after, confused and upset.

He takes a long bath, washing their scent off of him but he could still feel their hands, could still hear them calling his name.

It rung in his head, an obnoxious bell that kept crashing and making a mess of his thoughts.

When you return with a smile and see him standing and staring at the painting of himself, you just chuckle and hug him from behind, loving the fresh, clean smell of him.

He acts as if nothing happened, carrying on with you like he would any other day.

You don’t find out until you hear the servants chattering.

Portia comes to you with what she heard, and you really don’t believe it at first.

You go straight to Lucio and confront him, asking him what happened and if the rumors were true.

He scowls, looking away, muttering something about sewing the lips shut of the help in this place.

When you step closer, demanding an answer he looks to you. Behind all the anger and bravado you see the answer you were looking for.

Lucio is quick to stand and block your path angrily demanding to know where you’re going.

You’re too worked up to think straight. You ask why the hell he would do something like this, why he would hide it from you, what the fuck ever made him think any of it was acceptable??

He’s red in the face when he loses his temper. He shouts about how you always leave him to spend time with Asra, how ridiculous it is that you prefer his company over Lucio’s.

The anger that peaks in realizing it was a jealousy fuck is blinding.

When he sees your tears the anger melts to panic

He pulls you close, trying to get you to calm down in the middle of trying to tell him how you stretch yourself thin to maintain your friendship with the person who literally has tried to help you piece yourself back together after your memory loss and the person you loved who hated your friend with a passion.

He doesn’t let you pull away as he spews an apology, asking you what he can give you to make it go away.

Your glare through your tears and it just makes his heart sink like its made of lead.

It takes awhile for you to trust him again.

But he works hard, doing everything he can to be better for you and to make your relationship easier on the both of you.

He still gets jealous when you go visit Asra, but now when you come home he picks you up and carries you back to his room for some quality time together.

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alloveroliver · 5 years

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Evil!Harr, Part 2

harr anon bringing part deux to the table :D again, i LIVE for cradle gothic so there are some elements ahead!

apologies for the lateness too, i actually had an extra 3000 words on this for an epilogue (with some harr/loki/alice content :3c) but i shaved it off to save time/stop rambling. even though this still came out to 5000 words *shrug* for the harr lovers out there, we are so starved for content, its a case of go big or go home!

warning ahead: NS-FW (rated content, yandere vibes from our new overlord silver, sad loki)

please enjoy!

…

By the time Alice wakes, she finds herself beneath a curtain of stars.

Incense sticks burning out around her head, she pushes the heavy bed sheets down the length of her body amidst soft plumes of fragranced smoke. Trailing small wisps of blue and purple in the faint moonlight, she watches as they dissipate overhead, until they fade from sight. Their fumes sting her eyes a little, but perhaps it was getting used to them that bothers her so much.

Harr had suggested they would require a moment to adjust to.

Speaking of…

While her mind had been foggy, there was no doubt she had not gone to bed alone. The duvet is crumpled at her side, stray dark hairs against the pillow…but they are ice cold when her fingers play over the fabric. The tattered robe is no longer on the floor, neither are his shoes, his shirt, his trousers…

Alice shivers as the wind howls through the pillars above her head. It seems so much scarier when she is alone.

Quietly stepping out from beneath the covers, Alice places her bare feet upon the frigid marble floor. It stings to the touch - how long have I been asleep? - and her legs wobble uncomfortably, until she manages to plant her hands over the vanity table beside her and regain some balance. The movements feel slow, almost dream-like in their fluidity, but that only serves to leave Alice trembling even harder.

The ornate pillars are oppressive in their structure, more akin to the bars of a prison cell, with the view of Cradle beneath as a reality too far to reach. The wind clatters new black flags against their poles, etchings of a new order now ruling where Amon once stood, and yet…the unease remains the same.

Personally, she couldn’t quite remember the sequence of events that had led to her coming here. Above all others, held in the Magic Tower’s highest room, as though she were the Cradle equivalent of a very bewildered Rapunzel. No matter how hard she tries, hands balling into fists so tight she almost cuts her palms with her nails, she struggles to make heads or tails of how she found herself slumbering here, without Harr by her side.

Indeed…where was he?

“Alice? What are you doing out of bed?”

As if summoned by her mere thoughts, he arrives on heavy footsteps, draped in a cloak as dark as a crow’s wing. His crimson eye is wide and glassy, as if shocked by the sight of Alice up and out of her bed. Their bed, she wants to say. But when he never seems to be beside her when she wakes…can she even say that at all?

“I just woke up now,” she replies, though judging by the look of shock Harr gives her, it seems that was enough to have him on edge. “I couldn’t find you when I woke up so I just-”

“Well, I’m here now, dear,” comes the soothing reply, as the sorcerer gently places the tray upon the stand and takes Alice’s hands in his own. The touch is familiar…the scene is familiar…but she finds herself struggling to remember just how. “And there’s nothing to be afraid of.”

Afraid? Afraid…of what, exactly? She can’t be sure, but given how Harr is suddenly so skittish, it doesn’t bode well. “Oh…well, I’m glad about that. Then how about we go outside tonight? We could go for a walk, like we used to do.”

“No…no, no, no…Alice, you can’t go out there.” Urgency tinges every word from Harr’s lips, and he almost trips over himself in his haste to gently press his hand against Alice’s lower back.

But she doesn’t budge. Instead, a veil of frost settles in her words. “Harr, talk to me. Please tell me what’s happening.”

“It’s not safe for you right now. I want you to stay here, where I can protect you.”

“From what? What’s out there?”

“The last dregs of Amon’s miserable campaign…I fear they may come to take you from me.”

At those simple words, Alice feels her blood freeze in her veins. Her pale gaze goes wide, waiting for Harr to simply say it was a joke, a joke in such poor taste that it wouldn’t even have been funny.

“My dear, it’s complicated…,” But Harr only sits at the foot of her bed, gently patting the spot beside him for Alice to copy the motion. She smoothes her nightdress and cocks her head as he sighs, as though he is struggling to place his words in a satisfactory manner. “At least let me give you a drink before I start. You must be parched.”

But as Alice reaches out to take the teacup from the tray, Harr takes hold and raises the rim to his lips. He takes a mouthful, a glint of mischief in his eye, and crooks two fingers to beckon her closer.

A small sigh breaks the silence. The bed squeaks as she crawls closer to almost rest on his lap. “Even in these moments, you find the time to tease me.”

When his lips touch hers, the taste is unbelievable. A saccharine sensation, as though his lips had been coated in sugar, floods her taste buds and spills down her throat. The tea is warm and soothing as she drinks from his lips, even as her hands come to gently hold his cheeks, lapping at his lips for more.

Parting for a moment, a light flush tinges his cheeks as he feeds her again. Each kiss lasts longer between mouthfuls of warm tea, until Alice no longer minds the sweetness numbing her tongue, not when it’s chased with such dizzying pleasure.

As the cup runs empty, Harr holds her face with tender hands. “You look so beautiful right now,” he murmurs, tongue running against his lips. The blood beneath her skin, pounding and flushing, tints her face a gorgeous shade of pink. “I don’t want to lose you to the outside. Not when I see you like this.”

“But I know you could protect me,” she counters.

Despite that, Harr only laughs softly and shakes his head. “When Amon fell and I overthrew the Tower, some of his lackeys managed to flee into the forest and into Cradle itself,” he begins, gently taking Alice’s hand in his own. The touch is warm, comforting after so long. “They may be small and they may be few, but the fact that they worked for the Tower is already an issue I cannot let slide. They know you’re here, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving loose ends.”

“And the Red and Black Armies? Would they not be able to help?”

“I have friends in both sides now, but I don’t imagine it would be enough.”

“What would be enough for us, Harr?”

“I don’t know…not yet, at least. I’m afraid I haven’t quite finished making Cradle safe enough for you just yet.” Making Cradle safe? What did he mean by that? “But you only need to wait for me a little longer, when I can finally show you what I’ve been working on.”

Something wants to protest inside her. But…every time the thought was just in grasp…just underneath her claws…it scrambles away into the recesses of her mind. Instead, the sugary tang of Harr’s sweet tea takes its place. A replacement of thoughts, a candied distraction that lured her into silence, perhaps?

Her tongue doesn’t allow her to object to the suspicious words that spill from her lover’s lips. And the conversation moves on.

Harr speaks of the weather and of the world, but doesn’t permit her to see it yet. He weaves light tales of how the Black Army is doing in an era of newly-founded freedom, how the Red Army is coping after the exposure of Amon Jabberwock’s nest of lies. Lancelot Kingsley has a ‘change of heart’, he says, and wishes to abdicate the throne, longing for a better life without the pressures associated with being the King of Hearts. Ray Blackwell remains silent for now, but Harr suspects there are similar motions being made under the cloak of ravens’ wings.

And Alice believes it. She swallows these words as easily as each mouthful of tea.

…

“If the world outside is so dangerous, Harr…am I truly any safer being kept in here?”

Setting down the empty teacup upon the stand, Harr holds his love with a questioning glance. Of course she would be curious - such seems to be the in the blood of every resident from the Land of Reason - but he is already prepared.

He shakes his head at her question. “I can guarantee your safety here, darling. I can’t guarantee it outside these walls. Not until I am sure Amon’s servants are caught.”

“But what if they find me here? All of Cradle knows who I am.”

“And all of Cradle knows who I am. They would be fools to try and take you from my side. As I say, I guarantee your safety.”

“You can…how?”

Alice watches as Harr wraps his cloak around himself, rising from the bed with quiet elegance. “I am the most powerful wizard that has ever existed in Cradle. My life has been devoted to honing my talent into the purest form of sorcery, and my knowledge of the magical arts surpasses all those in the Magic Tower and the armies combined,” He turns to face his love with a knowing grin, as though flaunting his expertise. “When it comes to magic, I believe I can offer my solid word.”

“But does it not drain you? To constantly protect me?”

“Charms and concoctions imbued with magic are not hard to create, especially when I need to defend the one I love. These incense sticks are one such thing,” he murmurs, summoning a small flame on his fingertip to reignite fresh sticks that hang from an owl-shaped dish, and fill the air with perfume. “An ancient herbal formula to hide your presence from those who would hunt you, from those who would hurt you.”

Alice watches with cloudy eyes as he lights more sticks, until the scent has her eyelids growing heavier and her heartbeat slowing. But above her headboard, her fingers find purchase over the woven fabric nailed to the wood, images of animals and figures running over a green field. Crimson dogs and midnight wolves, accompanied by purple-cloaked masters, seem to give chase to a small yellow bird, but never quite in reach.

As hard as she tries, she can’t remember this tapestry. Even the material feels foreign under her palm, no matter how hard she tries to recall. “And this?”

Harr’s smile is gentle, sweeter than before. “Woven with love and magic. No matter what monsters try to chase you, they will never catch you as you sleep with that charm above your bed.”

Of course he would say something so charming. He always had a way of soothing Alice’s worries, and now is no exception. She snuggles under the duvet once more as Harr’s broad chest looms overhead, gently stoking fresh fires in the oil lanterns.

Not enough so she could see the deep red of his eye, however. That was something she didn’t need to notice…not before the incantations took effect.

She didn’t need to know their real purpose. How those incense stocks were to lower her resistance to persuasion, the woven charms to dampen her repelling energies, the elixir she consumed from his lips to stimulate pleasure from her nerves.

In time, of course.

Ignorance is bliss, and it makes Alice’s essence all the more sweeter for consumption.

…

As the night grows longer, Alice finds her belly growing warm.

Perhaps the tea had helped to raise her temperature, she muses, but it doesn’t feel quite the same. Her chest doesn’t feel as tight as it usually would when she drinks something too hot, and the energy seems to gather in the pit of her stomach, instead of the top. It reminds her of other forms of heat, but she can only flush and shake her head in dismay. As inappropriate she finds it to be, there is little she can do to avoid Harr’s sudden roving eye and piqued interest.

“You’re feeling rather warm, dear,” He places his hand upon Alice’s forehead, soon followed by his own. The vivid scarlet of his eye is mesmerizing, and Alice finds herself subtly shifting her position to accommodate how sticky she is suddenly feeling. He breathes in, deep and even, eye fluttering closed. “And your heart…it’s racing in your chest.”

“I don’t…I don’t know what’s come over me,” Alice finds herself panting at every little touch that the wizard casts upon her, and she scolds herself for how lustful she has become in his presence. “I feel so…hot, I…,” But the sensations aren’t unwelcome, and as Harr gently rests his palm over her left breast, inhibition flees her as her breath gives way to a plaintive mewl. “Oh, Harr…”

Harr’s eye widens for a heartbeat, but the flush on his face matches the hunger in his gaze. “Perhaps it has been too long. I’ve been neglecting you, haven’t I?”

“Harr, I…oh, my dear, I need-”

The air seems to fill with the scent of flowers, sweet and fragrant, and Alice begins to wonder why her head feels like its spinning. Similar to her first tumble into Cradle, the crystal lights and burning candles glitter and fragment before her eyes and a single glint of scarlet draws her in like a moth to the flame. Harr’s breath quickens - she almost swears blind that she can hear him purring - and it is with a sigh that she tumbles into his warm embrace. Into his arms she lands, where he waits with a deceptively rough kiss.

“My dear Alice…do you want me?”

Breathless and heavy-lidded, she croons. “…Yes.”

This is rather unlike how he used to be. Harr was a gentle lover at first, sweet and soft as could be. But oh, it would have been a lie to say that a little spice wasn’t welcome right now. Because every time Alice rubs her thighs together, runs her fingers over Harr’s broad shoulders, the heat in the pit of her belly grows warmer, roars louder through her veins until her heart feels ready to burst out of her ribcage.

Unbeknownst to her, Harr almost salivates at that very thought.

“Feeling good?” he asks between kisses, one hand trailing down to rest upon the folds of her nightdress, crumpled up and barely obscuring her underwear. Alice nods and chews her lip, if only to suppress her whimpers. “And how about…here?” Another nod, and the rush of validation to his ego is purely delightful.

Harr presses his fingers down against the soft material and rubs small circles through it. Given how Alice squeaks and whines under his ministrations, even as he only stimulates her folds through her undergarments, he preens himself knowing how easily she surrenders to him. Even now, she soaks through the white fabric, dampening his fingers and matching her breathy moans with faint wet noises.

The scent is intoxicating. He knows the taste will be even more so.

“Let me make you feel even better.”

His path down the length of her torso makes a brief stop at her heaving chest, where her breasts perk even through the material of her gown. Harr gently laps at the first with his tongue, rubbing the second between two fingers until both stiffen and Alice keens against him. The fabric grows cold as he lifts his mouth away, and the sensation against bare flesh makes his lover squirm.

Kisses to the exposed skin work even better, and he lavishes both with licks and sucks, all while skilled fingers continue to press and curl at her lower lips. Alice finds her body rocking harder into the actions of its own accord, following the motions as though this were a dance she was well-versed in already, and Harr greedily welcomes the movement. She was so close to her peak already, and with barely any effort? He takes great pride in knowing her body like the back of his hand.

And so he permits himself a satisfied grin as he moves to the apex of her thighs, knowing that as the wet material slides down her legs to bunch at her ankles, he can play her like a fiddle, her pleasure entirely at his bidding.

“Hold still for me, darling. Let me taste you.”

When the first lap of his tongue reaches her core, Alice chokes on her own breath. He is ravenous in his actions, tongue and lips licking, sucking, reaching every inch of her that he possibly could.

As predicted, her essence is heavenly. Harr can’t contain each little grunt and moan as he kisses here, bites there, lets himself get absolutely lost in the heady stimulation of his every sense. Alice’s cries are the sweetest music to his ears, her nails scraping his scalp a delicious kick that makes him groan louder against her flesh. Harder, faster, he sucks at her nub and plunges his tongue and fingers, all while she can barely string together a coherent sentence above him.

With surprising speed, Alice finds herself shuddering under the force of her orgasm, teeth clenched to hold back the shriek of surprised ecstasy. The constant coaxing of her chest and neck had left her pliant and ready, until the heat in her lower stomach could no longer handle the sorcerer’s wicked mouth and hands. Her own palms raised to muffle her cries, Alice rides out the waves with drunken satisfaction.

But Harr feels her muscles contract around his fingers, thighs squeezing the sides of his head as Alice rolls her hips into his mouth to prolong her climax, and he knows that he is doing well. It’s a small victory, knowing he had total domination over her pleasure, but it greatly strokes his ego to know that as she moans and begs for only him. And that no other man will ever know such sweetness.

Harr raises his head from between Alice’s legs, tongue swiping hungrily at every trace of her that may have remained. Such a sinful tongue, she muses, but gives no protest as he crawls up the length of her body, tangling it with her own in a bruising kiss. She tastes herself in his mouth, along with hints of magic and blood. A bitter tang, her clouded brain remarks, but remains unable to voice how her palate judges it.

The thin fabric of the nightdress is ripped easily between frantic hands, baring her torso beneath him. In her muddled thoughts, she doesn’t protest, other than to stare into that hungry scarlet eye, watching how he almost growls at the prospect of devouring her. His voice is deep and beautiful, an edge of danger that clenches the muscles of her belly with ardent want. Bare beneath him, a beast chained only by a thread, her breath catches between something akin to a cry and a moan.

Outlined by the presence of the moon, his silver form looms overhead. Bare as the day he was born, hot and heavy between his legs; he takes himself in hand and presses his head between her slick folds. Alice’s muddied thoughts only amplify the pleasure, and she simply falls back into the sheets, lips parted as her lover moves to embrace her ever closer.

“Let me have you, my dear. Every inch of you. Show you how much I love you.”

As he sheathes himself within her, the tightness of her stomach unravels in seconds.

“H-Harr, wait, I–!”

Already over stimulated, Alice jerks and jolts beneath him at the brusque intrusion, torn apart by the strength of yet another climax. But Harr pays it little heed, only smiling with clear satisfaction that he was the one to bring his lover to her peak in such a fashion. Saliva dripping down her chin, eyes unfocused and bleary, chest heaving amid shreds of her negligee…she is a picture of decadence and debauchery, and it drives him forward with a fanged grin and a snap of his hips.

“Already, my dear?” he croons, taking a handful of her beautiful golden locks and bringing her face closer. The kiss he gives is burning to the touch; searing every inch of passion he can muster into the promise that this was only the beginning. “Then you’ll definitely enjoy this.”

The coupling is frenzied, a pair of wild animals caught in the depths of unbearable heat. Alice finds herself dragged and draped like a doll all across the length of her bed, and even beyond that. A shameful look crosses her beautiful face as she glances back at Harr over the shoulder, hips raised high as he takes her from behind with powerful thrusts. But such innocent expressions of guilt, knowing what they do is wrong, only serves to stir the beast in his belly; he bites down hard into her nape, pushing her forward and snapping his hips faster into her warmth.

The nausea is briefly chased away by the sheer pleasure building, as Harr seems to push himself deeper into her guts.

On all fours like an animal, Alice cries out as her thighs begin to quiver once again, the telltale knotting of her stomach indicating she is not far from another orgasm. And yet behind her, the sorcerer continues to pound into her like a man possessed. His dark hair fans over his face, his one red eye feral as sweat drips from his brow and runs his rivulets down the column of his throat. The power he must be exerting is dizzying to imagine; Alice doesn’t have to imagine hard as Harr suddenly slams his length deeper, her core pulsing and dripping around him.

When had he accrued such stamina? Where had he found such power? Alice wants to entertain the thoughts, but finds her legs rend wide as he flips her over, teeth latched in her throat.

His hands knead her breasts, grasp her hips, pull her hair…his savagery knows no bounds as he fucks her. There is no other word for it. And despite the brutality with which he claims her, Alice cannot find herself complaining at all.

“Mine…you’re mine, aren’t you…my dear,” he groans, a brief moment of lucidity as he rolls his hips into her tight warmth. “Waiting here for me, my little darling…”

The bite aches as he pulls his teeth away, and Alice swears she can feel something hot dripping from the wound. But her mind is reduced to primitive thoughts by their aggressive style of play, more akin to wild mating than the tender love-making they once had.

Yet she still pushes herself into his thrusts, screams his name, coaxes him onward. “Yes, Harr, yes! Yours!”

“Only me…only for me,” he huffs between each powerful roll of his hips, almost jerking Alice up the bed in his urgency. His stomach is tightening, the muscles taut and outlined as she runs her hands over his sides, his back, his arms, everywhere she can reach. “Mine, mine, mine.”

They fall together over the edge in a cacophony. Alice caterwauls at the top of her lungs when Harr’s slender fingers jolt and rub her nerves as he pistons into her, never letting up as she crumbles beneath him into a disordered, screaming mess. She rakes her nails down his shoulder as the floorboards threaten to splinter, his guttural roar filling her ears when each thrust suddenly warms her insides with hot stickiness. He twitches, pulses, thick and wet, all kinds of words of worship spilling from his mouth as he proceeds to fill her.

The stimulation is too much…the heat is too much for her body to take, and Alice sinks into sweet oblivion. Guided by the warm hands of her lover, lain against sweat-coated pillows as willowy fingers card through her hair and over her scalp. The gentle touch burns so sweetly, a numbing fire that tingles with an edge of magic; just enough to make her eyelids grow heavy and the strength leave her muscles.

But before sleep claims her, a lullaby of ragged panting guides her there. Hot breaths fan her neck as that sinful tongue licks over her marks, with only his husky words breaking the silence.

“My sweetheart…my dear…mine.”

…

As Alice slides into blissful numbness once more, Harr slithers up the length of her torso, only to gently card his fingers through her golden hair. The sweat begins to dry from the tips, but around her face remains a halo of strands, a stark contrast to the fading rouge of her glowing cheeks.

The time was right, her magical energy at its purest form.

He harvests what he can, the lock of hair and fresh blood safely stowed in vials for later refinement. Her sweat, her tears, her saliva, all was ripe for the taking, still seeming to crackle with traces of magic. In his heightened state of magical being, the very flow of Cradle’s universe lays itself before him, and Alice was no exception. A very different energy, yes, but one that no doubt piques the attention of the green-eyed monster that now wore his skin.

Because if he could see her potential…someone else could.

Harr knows this girl is more precious than Amon could ever have imagined. A breed from another world entirely, she was the key to his domination over Cradle.

And in her veins, the power to repel the very force that dictated his every move. She whimpers and bends to his every whim now, but to imagine how she would be sitting beside him…regal, perfect, the purest incarnation of azoth and his beloved queen.

And even better…she loves him.

A throaty purr rumbles deep within Harr’s core. “How about we dance again, my dear?” he asks, a voice as sweet and thick as molasses. His hand slides down to rest just below her navel, only to press into the soft flesh and elicit the smallest of twitches. “It’s been a long while since we indulged, and I wish to get my fill of you.”

At the most subtle of persuasions, Alice parts her thighs, still sticky, and gently flexes her spine to expose her chest. Littered with bites that the elixir refused her to feel, she looks ravished beyond compare, yet still willing and waiting for even more.

He dips his fingers into her heat with tenderness, eye trained upon the delicate expressions that run over Alice’s face. Calloused fingertips rub and curl in all the right places, lubricated by his own seed, pushing it deeper inside and swirling it around. She sighs and bucks into his touch, before an inviting smile carves over her sweet lips.

There would be plenty of time for more when they ruled Cradle side by side, when Harr could allow her to step from the birdcage in the safe knowledge he had her still in his grasp.

So as he kisses a trail down between her thighs, he allows himself another small taste of her heaven, just for now.

…

Loki jerks his head up as he hears footsteps trailing from the entrance to the staircase. They’re light and tentative - only one person had such a gait - and the young man can’t help but gasp.

If she was awake, if she was aware…what would she say of the madness Cradle had become?

But a stronger stride soon matches those steps, and he knows that Harr will have intercepted Alice before she could have even made it past the doorframe. They had this tango many a time, some of which he had been privy to through the crack in the doorway, but it was always the same.

Ever so charming, Harr would coax his lover back to their bed with a pretty little set of lies, wrapped up neatly with Amon’s dead servants as a phantom to scare her into staying, before sating his desires with Alice’s body until she was ready to slumber once again.

The cycle never ends. The snake never stops eating its own tail.

…It’s too much.

He lies down upon the marble, the wind fanning his wild locks and filling his ears with ghostly howls. It’s a cruel and unusual punishment he inflicts upon himself, to subject himself to the sounds of the distant storm, but it seems only fair. A reminder of where he came from, the sheer despair that had once yawned painfully in the depths of his soul, now acting as his comforter for the long and lonely nights.

The humorous side might have been subjective, but the ironic side was downright cruel.

Cold marble robs him of feeling as he hears Alice’s voice from the mouth of the staircase, breathless and pleading, crying out for her lovesick captor. She simpers, she howls, she croons…a voice like the wind which carries it.

Harr responds in kind to Alice’s beautiful voice, though he cannot make out the words. If she is the wind, he is the thunder; a dangerous growl that makes the younger’s skin crawl.

…And alongside their duet, the rhythmic creaking of wooden posts against a tiled floor.

It almost seems like forever before Alice’s caterwauls finally settle down into sleepy murmurs and airy laughter. But thankfully, the silence passes much faster, and Loki distracts himself with thoughts of yesterday, of when he didn’t need to fear his only true friend snapping and tearing his organs from his chest, or constantly have the gnawing loneliness left behind by one of the few good people left in this world being completely and utterly ravaged, torn apart by the fantasies of a twisted lovesick monster.

Was it a bad thing to cry now?

Knowing he had been complicit in this awful descent into insanity?

Loki instead squeezes his throat tight, fighting the urge to throw up.

#my little darling godddd!!!!#anon submittion #harr anon. this was incredible to read!#ikemen revolution #harr silver art #evil!harr silver #harr x mc #i am floored ahhhhhh #i loved this so so so much!#thank you for submitting this! you are amazing!#submission

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