#red queen fanfic | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

vamxxpire · 8 months

Text

Thundering Storm. (18+)

Mare Barrow x Tiberias "Cal" Calore VII

(AO3 | Masterlist)

Summary: A continuation of what happened in the woods. (Book 3: King’s Cage, Chapter 22.)

Warnings ⚠️: Mild Angst/Comfort, Traumatic response(?), very light dom/sub undertones if you squint, inexperienced, awkward-ish first times lol

Wc: 5k

A/n: Hii this is written in a way to mimic the series to make it seem like an actual chapter. So after the — — at the start, it’s transitioning into my own writing. The — — at the bottom being the end of it and going back onto the book. Ignore if my writing feels different / weird in here; The goal was to replicate the writing style of the books but also keep my own charm!!

His chest flushed beneath my palms, rising with reckless heat. His skin looks even paler next to mine. Using his teeth, he unlatched his flamemaker bracelets and tosses them into the undergrowth.

“Thank my colors for the rain,” he murmurs.

I feel the opposite. I want to burn.

— —

A rough hand of his continued to trail down my spine, tracing the scars adorning my back. Julian called them Lichtenberg scars, something about my blood bursting from electricity and heat. It was confusing at first to understand, but it made sense. The sounder device used my abilities against me, my own lightings. I still struggle with its pronunciation, but it felt nice to have a name to these wounds. They serve as a constant reminder of what’s happened over the last year, what I’ve had to endure to survive, and who I am. Not Mareena Titanos, or the lightning girl.

But Mare Barrow.

Despite the cold droplets of the storm, Cal’s hands remain a comforting warmth, and are quite easy to pick out where they settled on my body. Not like I’d ignore his touch any time soon.

The palm he had wrapped around my neck, an earlier attempt Cal made to soothe any worries or malicious thoughts of mine, edged my body closer to him. He loomed over me, eyes darting all over my face, taking in every detail as if I’d disappear any second. Both of my hands pressed over his chest, proving I wasn’t some dream. A palm laid flat against the uneasy thumping of his heart that betrayed the calm expression on his face.

I found myself doing the same. I searched his face for any hidden intentions, a habit I’ve formed over the the past six months imprisoned by Maven. No matter how much I try to convince myself I’m safe, to not read so much into actions and people, I continue to do it.

Yet, I find nothing; He remained true to himself, real and raw under my touch. His skin buzzed at my fingertips, and for a moment it reminds me of the electric pulse of the storm, but it was something deeper I can’t harness. It was a heat only I could find in Cal. It danced beautifully in rainfall, drowning out the sounds of pouring water and thunder.

Cal leaned closer into me, pulling me into a kiss. It felt different compared to this morning’s; Gentler, nervous. He squeezed his eyes shut, and I followed suit, feeling the warmth of his fingers tracing the bottom of my scars shift onto my waist in a slow motion. His palm gently nudged my the bottom half of frame forward, bodies pressed against one another. I shifted on my footing, opting to stand on the tips of my feet, reaching upwards for his touch.

My mouth opened, tongue cautiously darting out to lick at his bottom lip for something, asking for anything he would give me. Cal is quick to catch on to my message, instantly being met in kind with his own opening up and pressing against my lips. He answered eagerly, sucking gently on my tongue in a way that made me stutter in breath. My fingers trailed down his muscles, defined from years of training for the war. Quick digits founding the hem of his tight training pants, now drenched and clinging onto his body. Similarly to how I am.

Cal feels me pull at the waistband of his pants, and gasps into my mouth, pulling back from the kiss. My first instinct is to whine out, wanting to continue feeling him even as my lungs scream for air. But it is quickly replaced by worry. “Fuck. Sorry, too soon?” I asked breathlessly. Apologizing came naturally to me now, coming from a place of genuine concern. He shook his head, small droplets dripping from the tips of his hair. He flushed in silver, his blood color reaching the ends of his ears. I understood now, he’s nervous. And so was, my own blush creeping itself onto my face now.

“I just don’t know what to do.” He answered bluntly, a hint of worry in his voice. He was used to planning out things, mapping strategies. He is a born soldier, it was second nature for him to have a clear route. This wasn’t, and it made him embarrassed; Guilty from the lack of knowledge. I felt similarly, maybe for different reasons, but all the while the same.

I chewed on the inside of my cheek, nodding briefly. “I can take off my pants too, if you want.” If. We both knew that word was unnecessary, the sizzling of water against his body was a clear indicator of what we both truly wanted. The heat radiating off him came in strong waves, and while it didn’t burn at my skin, I was grateful for the rain cooling us down enough.

Cal hesitantly nodded, excitement flickering in his eyes, a golden color that reflected his abilities. I pulled back my hands slowly, glancing briefly at my own training pants snuggly hugging at my curves from the rain. I brought my gaze back up to Cal, who intently watched me. I returned the favor, not breaking eye contact as I tugged at the lining of my bottoms, breaking the waist of them free and slowly pulling the fabric down. I didn’t bother to pull them all the way off, letting them sit on my calves as I bent down and brought myself up. I was already struggling pulling them with the weight of the damp material. I don’t want to imagine what it’s like putting them back on.

He swallowed down, jaw clenching as his eyes darted all over my figure, not knowing where exactly to settle themselves. Butterflies settled into my abdomen, and I realized he looked at me similarly the first time we met. It made me feel bare all over again.

He glanced at my crotch, dragging them up my figure and onto my breast, both clothed by black underwear and bra. For a brief second they eyed the spot where Maven’s burn mark original was. While painful, Sara burned at the skin again in order to properly heal it. It felt like a small victory, proof of no longer being in his chains. They finally landed on my face, but not for long. He looked elsewhere, looking everywhere but at me.

“Didn’t think you’d be so shy, Cal.”

His eyes snapped to me, “How can I not be? I’m not as bold as you, Barrow.” A lie, maybe. His voice came out barely above a whisper. As if he were afraid we would be caught if he talked any louder. The trees and sound of the howling wind disguised any trace we could possibly leave.

A half smile tugged at the corners of my lips, making you forget all about the embarrassment from earlier. Even now, the playful bantered continued. “Well. It’s your turn, isn’t it?” I looked down at his own tight pants, emphasizing my point. It did little to the imagination; What I assume is his length, was obviously strained against the wet article of clothing. Cal’s fingers on my waist twitched in response to my shameless eyeing, reluctantly pulling away from my waist. For a second I regretted it, missing the warmth of his hand. But any regret was quickly forgotten as I watched him pull it towards his body, rewarding me with a new sight of Cal pulling at the elastic material.

He stretched them down to the start of his knees, not reaching as far as I did since a hand remained occupied at my neck, spilling a soothing heat onto the skin. My breath hitched, eyes darting over his soaked underwear that matched in color with mine. My body didn’t dare to move, the hairs on it standing on point from the cold water. An electric current ran down my spine, drawing out the scarred tissue.

I didn’t get much time to ogle over the tent in front of me, as he pulled my face up, closer once more to his figure and directing my gaze to his blazing eyes.

“You stare so much.” He muttered lowly, face hovering dangerously close. I swallowed down a lump, trying to ignore the bubbling nervousness in my abdomen. “Same could be said about you. ‘How can I not?’ ” I repeated his words from earlier, though different. In response, he scoffed at me, a crooked smile forming.

“Looks like you’re missing quite a few lessons from Lady Blonos.” Cal hummed lowly and looked down at my lips while his free hand found itself back to its designated spot; Cradling my waist and pressing both our bodies flush. An electric current pumped in my veins, pulsing in time with my heart. I pulled eyes down to his own pair of lips. “Care to teach me, your highness?” I answered teasingly, feeling the his fingers twitch while he took the bait.

Cal was quick to pull me back into a kiss, his eyes closed. I followed suit, savoring how he riled me up. We were hungry, a type neither of us ever felt before unless it was from one another. That much was obvious, and didn’t need to be communicated. But after half a year of being starved of basic needs, of affection and tenderness, I felt desperate. Greedily, I wanted more; And Cal was no fool to the needs of mine, he felt it all the same. So when he pushed me against the dark oak behind me, I didn’t protest, answering with a groan at the sudden harshness. My hands separate from his torso as my mouth easily opened itself once more for him, never finding end to the delicious taste of his tongue. I trailed my palms down to my underwear, quickly pulling the fabric down to the mid of my thighs.

I pulled back for a gasp of air, trailing saliva connecting us, and took it as a chance to peek down. I swallowed down at the sight of his clothed groin pressed against my stomach, and looked back up at him, asking. His eyes searched me as well, and he nodded, giving me all the permission I need to continue.

I moved my gaze back down to his underwear, noticing my own was drenched in something else than rain. My face flushed, blood spreading itself quickly onto my cheeks. Quickly, I diverted my attention to Cal, and with shaky, twitching fingers, pried the hem of his underwear back. I dragged them down enough to spring his length free, gasping at the sight as it slapped against my stomach and warmed me up. He in turn hissed, what I imagine could be from my cool skin.

I felt my mouth drop and lungs stop taking in air, nervously eyeing his dick and its size. Cal squirmed under my staring, and I craned my neck back to stare at him with wide eyes. “Am I going to die?” I breathed out. His eyebrows furrowed together as he grinned, “Maybe. Try not to.” He joked, but quickly his expression softened. “We can take it slow, it uh— it doesn’t have to be today if you’re not ready.” Cal quickly added on. If. I hated the word, but it wasn’t like him to backtrack on his words. So I brought a hand up to his forearm, giving an enthusiastic squeeze.

“I want to.” I whispered, not breaking eye contact.

He stared back, silver blood paled his skin with a blush. “Right. Right, yeah, okay. I want to, too.” He mumbled to me, though it sounded that he was bracing himself more than assuring me. He was afraid for me.

I smiled at his sheepish nature, a new side I’ve never seen. I stood on my toes to wrap my hands around his neck, bringing Cal down for a quick peck at his lips. When I pulled back, I watched as he chased after me. He stopped when I began to slowly bring my kisses down to his jawline, eventually reaching his neck. When he sighed out in content and dropped his shoulders, I continued. “It’ll be okay. I’ll be okay. Just—“ My voice trailed off, bringing a leg up to wrap it around his waist. It doesn’t take much to understand where Im getting at, and without much effort he pulled me upwards, leaning me against the tree behind us. He pulled at one of the legs of my pants, freeing them and giving me free access to move them.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, and Cal held my hips tightly, making sure I don’t fall or slip away from his grasp. I don’t think I ever will, not again. From this position, we could both see all. From the way our chests moved as we breathed, to the way our bodies joined together. If we were back in Norta, anyone would scream at the thought of the Prince, destined to be king, and the soon to be Princess, doing such scandalous things. Lucky we were in Piedmont. And both our destinies were no longer decided for one another.

I watched as his erection throbbed in between my legs, gulping down saliva that pooled in my mouth. He shifted my weight against the bark, taking advantage of how I had my arms around his neck, and legs tightly crossed across his hips. I know Cal would never drop me. That didn’t mean I wasn’t opposed of meeting the floor. Especially when I’m so bare and naked. For once, I hadn’t notice the lack of coziness of his hands as he quickly moved his fist to grasp at his length, swallowing down a grunt, faint enough to be drowned out by the rain. But not my ears. I watched in awe, not being able to tear apart my eyes from the action. And it felt neither could he, his gaze never moving as he began to line himself up against me.

Without moving his gaze, he squeezed lightly at my neck, checking in on me. Asking for permission once more. I eagerly squeezed at his own toned back, fingers tapping against the skin now as embarrassment bubbled itself back; It finally began to dawn in at the vulnerability, nakedness of it all. Yet the fire between us refused to be extinguished by mere emotions.

That was all he needed, and he glided his dick in between my folds, as it was practically drenched with slick. After a few testing thrusts, and surprising whines from my end urging him on, he finally pushed. My eyebrows scrunched together, feeling my heart skip a beat while I focused on the sensation of him stretching me. I bit back any sounds, nearly breaking the skin under my lip. Cal wasn’t so subtle in his reaction, hissing out and cursing under his breath as merely the tip being popped inside. His fist, originally grasped at the base, flew onto my hip and gripped tightly for some sort of stability.

“ ‘M gonna start moving.” He said for both our well beings. Even as he hadn’t moved yet, It was a burn I’ve never experienced before. It felt similar to his fire and my lighting, sending jolts down my legs, and up to the nape of my neck. Yet it remained new, the sparks that danced along my skin not being familiar to me, fed by something entirely different. It felt good, and it wasn’t even as close to starting.

While originally he faced a bit of resistance, after a brush of his thumb at my scars, I calmed down and eased up. I watched as Cal inched inside me, agonizingly slow. While he inched in an unbearable pace, it was overwhelming. I was feeling myself being stretched, the hum of the storm, and Cal’s fiery blaze all wrapped up uncomfortably around us. My mind raced with various thoughts all coming to dead ends or reaching pointless conclusions.

For once I felt graceful the exiled prince didn’t have his flamemakers, in fear of what it would be like to sense the true intensity of his flames. It was the thing that defined him. Without it, he was just like any other red trained soldier. No, that’s not right. Cal is Cal, with or without his abilities. No one will be able to take that away from him, or me.

With a groan pulled out of the both of us, Cal finally bottomed out; Joining our bodies together, hips flushed against one another. He stilled his movements, and I was thankful for the thousandth time these last two weeks. Small tears clouded my vision as I blinked rapidly, swallowing down air into my lungs that lost itself from the exchange. I dragged my face up, eyes finding Cal who was already staring at me. The world around us seemed to fade, leaving us the only two people existing as of right now. Finally, I understood what the scholars in Julian’s book were talking about, why the Gods cursed us. It wasn’t for our abilities, or because of silver blood, but for the sins of humanity. I felt every hint of them; Pride, Greed, Wrath, Envy, Gluttony, Sloth, and especially Lust, as I stared up at Cal.

A part of me wondered if he felt the same, or understood what nonsense wracked my brain. For a second it felt like he did, as if he were a Whisper and could read my thoughts. Though, he seemed to be in his own head instead. I nodded briefly, encouraging him on once I felt ready.

Albeit shaking, from the rain or something else, he pulled back his hips in the same tauntingly slow manner. Only to move his hips forward and flush against me; He was more understanding with the purposeful and gentle pace he set. The air around us felt intoxicating, all sound drowned out by our small grunts and moans. “Tell me if it’s too much.” He said abruptly through gritted teeth. I knew I wouldn’t have to. I wanted to feel it all, no matter how bad. I nodded anyways for his sake.

With no warning, he picked up the pace, his hips snapping harshly against mine. I struggled to breathe as the air was fucked out of my lungs, involuntarily digging my nails into the flesh of his back for some sort of support. A moan was dragged out from my throat, and I dug my head into the crook of his neck to shut myself up. The action only fueled Cal, like coal to a flame, and the intensity of his thrusting picked itself up. “Look at me,” I hear his voice muffled; Drowned out by my voice, the slap of skin, and thumping heart in my ears. But this doesn’t stop the words from bringing me back to Norta, to Maven when he had asked for my gaze, seconds before using the painful device on me. And for a second I panic, bolts jumping under the tips of my fingers begging to be released. His words bring me to the sounding device, making me hear the painful ringing in my ear.

I squeeze my eyes shut, wanting to run away from my thoughts and sound. The storm on top of us rumbled with thunder, syncing up with my emotions as I began to hyperventilate. With a gentle but firm tug of someone’s hand deep into my hair, I’m pulled back to face something. I snap my eyes open and searched wildly, afraid. I quickly realized who brought me towards his face, making me look at him. And I felt grateful. It was still Cal.

Im safe; I’m safe; I’m okay. Repeated in my head. I could write the words with my eyes closed from how many times I’ve repeated them these last two weeks. But no matter how safe Piedmont was, how far away we were from Norta, Maven still had his claws deep into me. His brand, long gone, continued to burn under my collar. And while my body healed, my mind didn’t. As if sensing where my thoughts were going, he traced my scars with his thumb, slowly reaching his touch up to my cheek. This became a habit between the two of us. I panic, pulled into the dark place of my brain, and he pulls me back with simple touches that made the cold go away. “Hey,” He said with a hushed voice. I swallowed down, throat dry and vision blurred with tears I didn’t realize formed and were wetting my cheek. I pretend it’s just rain. “Hey.” I responded back, voice hoarse. His eyes flickered all over my face, studying it for the millionth time. He squeezed at my cheek, silently asking.

Are you okay?

I breathed heavily, I didn’t know the answer to the question, but still squeezed at his muscled back .

Yes.

After a moment given to control my breaths and calm down, he broke the sounds of our breathing. “Can I uh. Move?” He asks, and I’m pulled back into moment. I realize how tightly snug he fit into me, and how my body ached painfully for something else. Embarrassingly, I answered as soon as the words left his mouth. “ Yes.” I hissed, but it didn’t stop there. “Fuck Cal, please. I need it.” The prince wasn’t used to begging from me, neither was it. These months changed us. Though it seemed to have an effect on him, and I heard a shaky breath leave him. He gripped at my hair, tugging me back and making me groan mindlessly, clenching around his dick. His hips stuttered, and I watched as my actions indirectly pulled a low moan from him. He pulled me into a desperate, needy kiss. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve felt his lips today. Too focused on elsewhere, I returned the kiss sloppily, the feverish movements making it difficult to even keep my head straight.

I felt my mind swirl, and I squeezed my eyes shut again to concentrate on something, anything. But Cal wasn’t having any of it, he didn’t want to lose me again. “What are you thinking?” His voice beckons, and my eyes open to look at him. I hadn’t realized we stopped kissing. But I didn’t complain. The image of Cal itself almost finishes me, a coil tightly wrapping itself on my abdomen. It reminds me of the storm, close enough to feel it, but not quite there.

Cal stared at me with lidded eyes and blown out pupils, lips parted as he breathed heavily. It reminds me of when we shared a room back in Tuck. The words get caught in my throat, and after a particular thrust, I cried out. I searched for air, forcing myself to speak. “I don’t know.” I answered breathlessly. He dryly laughs, the grip at my hips tightening as he shifted, angling himself to fuck me better. It he weren’t holding me so tightly I think I would’ve broken apart, putty under his hot touch. “No Mare— Fuck. I mean. Do you feel good?” He paused in between words, catching his breath in the spaces with the occasional moan. As soon as I processed the words, my head snapped up and down, nodding. It was more than good, it made all of my senses fry, it didn’t feel enough yet it was too much. I couldn’t find the words, so instead my nails dug into his skin, dragging them back up painfully.

That was all he needed, a shiver rocked his body, and suddenly he was too caught up on me to entertain conversation. His movements became harsh, and with them his length jabbed at a particular spot that made the purple sparks of my electricity cloud my vision. My mouth fell slack, babbling nonsense as different kind of sounds left me. His movements were erratic, waves of pleasure hitting me harder every time. He leaned his face closer, teeth scraping against my cheek as silent words reached my ears. ‘I love you.’

Like a dam, I broke open. The cables of my abdomen was quickly becoming loose and springing around like a live wire, and all I could do was grab onto Cal; My anchor as I came. My walls squeezed at him without my knowing, and with a guttural groan from Cal, he quickly pulled out, with a twitch thickly spilling all over my stomach.

Fireworks continued to spark behind my eyes, not noticing the sudden emptiness. My body shook, jolting from the intensity of my orgasm. Sounds of our heavy breathing and gasping filled the air, still humid from rain. The storm was beginning to pass as it didn’t pour so heavily, indicating it’ll soon only be the two of us left.

I blinked rapidly, hauling Cal into view through teary eyes. I watched as his chest moved up and down with quick, shallow breathes. He laid his forehead against mine, the tips of our noses touching as we didn’t dare to stop looking at one another, afraid it could all be a dream. But we were both here, and very much real. I rubbed at his shoulders, feeling the traced shapes he drew into my skin.

After what felt like hours of crying and Cal brushing away my weeping with the back of his hand, muttering sweet words of encouragement and praise; He slowly moved me down from the tree. He held me steady until my feet touched the ground. Even then, he continued to hover his hands over my waist and neck, afraid I’d break apart, and I almost do, my knees buckling as I stood on wobbly legs. I was thankful for the rain, as it washed away the evidence of his orgasm on my stomach, and the remains of my sobs. The hand tracing at my neck scars trailed up my jaw, then chin, and he cupped at it softly, making me look up.

Too exhausted to speak, we opted to communicating wordlessly, a fun game. He kissed my forehead, ‘thank you’. Then pressed another at the top of my head, out of worry. I grinned sheepishly, kissing back at his collarbone and leaning into his touch. I pressed at his biceps, kneading the muscle. With a long drag from his arm to his side; I relished the last shiver I’ll pull out of him, for now. My fingers trailed until they bumped at his underwear, tugging his semi hard length back into its containment. I watched Cal grimace, and I burst out laughing. Speaking came too easy for us now.

“It’s cold.” He grumbled, for the first time his rough palm left my neck, both his hands trailing down my sides to grab at my underwear. He began pulling it up to cover at my bits, returning my gesture. My eyes narrowed, smiling at the complimentary actions.

“Water never sat well with the Prince of Fire, did it?” I answered back slyly , pulling up my training pants and and looking around for my shirt.

He pulled up his own bottoms, picking at his flamemaker bracelets he had previously discarded nearby. With a click, they latched onto his wrist, and he flexed his fingers. “I wouldn’t mind it if it meant we’d get to do this more often.” He answered nonchalantly, though I could hear the mischievous smirk from his tone.

I flushed, blood pooling at my face, and I bit at my tongue to hold whatever response was ready leave me. If I had it my way and didn’t know better, I would beg him to shove me against the tree for a second round. Instead, I shrugged, fighting back a snort and losing. I grabbed at my drenched shirt and twist it, watching as the water fell onto the grassy earth. “I’ll make sure to track the next storm then.” I joked back, making him pale with a blush. Now it was my turn to sneer as I pulled the wet shirt over my frame. I huffed, scrunching my eyebrows at the familiar feeling of cut skin at my back, probably from the oak tree.

As he stretched, I saw the same reaction be pulled from Cal. His eyebrows knit together, confused, lips forming a thin line. “Fuck Mare.. how bad did you claw at me?” He muttered, turning for me to view. I gasped softly at the state. Silver blood trailed down his back, long scratch lines and cuts dragging themselves on his back and over his shoulder. Despite it being his blood, the sight was oddly erotic. Blood trailed around his muscles and made them pop out. Bringing up my wrists, I looked at my fingers, finding faint metallic color on the tips.

I held back a giggle. “This is going to be awkward for Sara.” I bent down to grab at his shirt, and wrung out the water, handing it over once it felt dry enough. I moved my hands to repeat the action towards my dark hair adorned with grey curls, squeezing the water out. He smiled at me, pulling the top over his head and wincing at the cold fabric against wounds. “Not if we don’t get her to heal us. I’d love to keep these.” He winked at my direction, now it was my turn to turn away from him; Starting to walk as my face and ears felt hot at the implication.

Cal barked out a genuine laugh, jogging to catch up to me. “For the person who made the first move to fuck in the woods, you are easily embarrassed, Barrow.” He said lowly. I turned my face to glare at him, my grin betraying my look. “Whatever. You were shaking as if a Shiver touched you.” I scoffed, looking ahead as we made our way out of the woods. His own grin reached his eyes, narrowing happily.

His look shifted over to my curls, and he stifled a noise by bitting his bottom lip. “C’mere, you have something stuck in your hair,” Cal reached a lazy hand over, and began to pull out green vegetation from the tree out of me.

— —

I refuse to go back to the row house covered in mud, and due to Cal’s oh-so-inconvenient living quarters, I can’t clean off his barracks unless I feel like sharing the showers with a dozen other soldiers. He picks leaves out of my hair as we walked towards the base hospital, a squat building overgrown with ivy.

"You look like a shrub," he says, sporting an almost-manic smile.

“That's exactly what you're supposed to say."

Cal nearly giggles. "How would you know?"

"I— ugh," I deflect, ducking into the entrance.

#victoria aveyard #red queen #red queen series #book series #glass sword #king’s cage #mare barrow #tiberias vii calore #cal calore #red queen fanfic #marecal #calmare ?#I don’t know their ship name lol

46 notes · View notes

leticiadeldebbio · 7 months

Text

Red Queen AO3 Stats

(Look what I am doing instead of writing new Deal Breakers's chapters)

[All of the data for this post were collected from stories written in English, on November 12, 2023.]

According to AO3, the first published fanfic of the Red Queen Series is:

ignite by calcum

Posted on ((14 May 2015))

[The first book was published on February 10th of 2015.]

In the Red Queen Series tag on Archive of Our Own (AO3) there's only 580 fics. I know, right!? I wish there was more.

Of the 580 posts, "Teen and Up Audiences" lead in the number of fics.

About the size of them, most of them are between 1 and 5k words.

I was surprised by the number of fics with less than 1k words.

Of the 580 posted fics, almost 70% are complete. I was surprised!

Most commented RQ Fic:

1. how to flirt (without really trying) by neverthecanonOTP, with 374 comments

2. King's Pet by MissDeMeanor (MissLiterary), with 363 comments

3. Lover's Curse by beforeIlearnedcivility, with 345 comments

(PS: I lost count of how many times I've read how to flirt)

Most bookmarked Fic:

1. Lover's Curse by beforeIlearnedcivility, with 42 bookmarks

2. how to flirt (without really trying) by neverthecanonOTP, with 31 bookmarks

3. and the snakes start to sing by SerenNoir, with 30 bookmarks

(PS: all three of them are on MY bookmarks)

Longer RQ Fic:

1. Calore Dance Academy by Natthefantastic, with 342,109 words

2. King's Pet by MissDeMeanor (MissLiterary), with 244,487 words

3. WAR STORM by Natthefantastic, with 236,991 words

(PS: of the 3 only War Storm it's finished i.e. there's a LOT more to come)

RQ Fic with More chapters:

1. Calore Dance Academy by Natthefantastic, with 88 chapters

2. WAR STORM by Natthefantastic, with 67 chapters

3. Chasing Fire by TwistedNym, with 58 chapters

4. Lividus by TwistedNym AND Alternative Realities by inopinion, with 57 chapters

5. Petite Venin by TwistedNym, with 54 chapters

6. Lover's Curse by beforeIlearnedcivility, with 50 chapters

7. Silhouettes by Inky_Pens, with 39 chapters

8. Mala Fides by TwistedNym, with 38 chapters

9. King's Pet by MissDeMeanor (MissLiterary) AND Burning Heir by Abismyth, with 35 chapters

10. Blood Curse by Elane_in_the_Shadows AND Bleeding Crown by Natthefantastic, with 30 chapters

Writers with most fics

About the AMAZING writers, the list down below it's the authors which posted MORE fics on the fandom.

1. beforeIlearnedcivility, with 58 fics

2. anonymous__koala, with 44 fics

3. TwistedNym, with 32 fics

4. Lily_Harvord, with 19 fics

5. Elane_in_the_Shadows, with 16 fics

6. MysticWisdom and TheLittlestMouse (orphan_account) with 14 fics

7. neverthecanonOTP, with 12 fics

8. marcosburlybiceps and Third__Writer, with 9 fics

9. mareshmallow, with 7 fics

10. Girlswillbewmn28, Cames4eva, animybeloved, Emo_MabelPines, arcane_illusions, with 6 fics

About CHARACTERS:

Which characters have more fics!? I think the first place it's kind of obvious and expected.

And the others? Check out the top 10:

Mare Barrow, with 342 fics (only 59% of the fics =O)

Tiberias "Cal" Calore VII, with 316 fics

Maven Calore, with 307 fics

Diana Farley, with 120 fics

Evangeline Samos, with 119 fics

Kilorn Warren, with 86 fics

Elara Merandus, with 84 fics

Thomas (Red Queen), with 81 fics

Shade Barrow, with 74 fics

Elane Haven, with 57 fics

And about SHIPS and relationships???

The first place surprised NOBODY, but there are interesting results!!! (I was shocked with the number of Thomaven fics, but GLAD!)

Mare Barrow/Tiberias "Cal" Calore VII, with 237 fics

Mare Barrow/Maven Calore, with 152 fics

Maven Calore/Thomas, with 88 fics

Elane Haven/Evangeline Samos, with 55 fics

Diana Farley/Shade Barrow, with 45 fics

Maven Calore & Tiberias "Cal" Calore VII, with 28 fics

Maven Calore/Tiberias "Cal" Calore VII, with 18 fics

Maven Calore/Original Character(s), with 17 fics

Julian Jacos/Sara Skonos, with 15 fics

Mare Barrow/Evangeline Samos, with 11 fics

Sooooo

It's over!

Did you liked it?

Do you think I missed something? Let me know!

#red queen series #red queen fanfic #ao3 #red queen #booklover #ao3 fanfic

14 notes · View notes

skiiyoomin · 11 months

Text

BOOK MASTERLIST

RULES!!

DO NOT COPY MY WORK OR REPOST PLEASE!!

REQUESTS: OPEN

I write SFW and NSFW!

I don't take requests which cover anything dark, I don't want to trigger anyone!! (ex. su!cide, sh, ed, etc.)

MOST IMPORTANTLY, ENJOY!!

NAVIGATION

WHO DO I WRITE FOR?

----------------------------

GRISHAVERSE

DIVERGENT

RED QUEEN

THE MAZE RUNNER

13 notes · View notes

cehara-leanne · 1 year

Text

Blood Borne- Part 1

A FANMADE NOVEL

By: CeHara Evens

CONTINUATION OF THE RED QUEEN SERIES

By: Victoria Aveyard

Author’s note: This chapter contains spoilers for the book series Red Queen! If you don’t know what is going on, read the books! Not everything in this fanfic is, I repeat DOES NOT belong to me! I got mad at a character's death, and decided to fix it! That does not make the contents of this fanfic canon! Nor do I take ownership of all its characters! The characters and locations that I did not create belong to, one of my personal favorite authors, Victoria Aveyard! If you don’t know what things belong to her and what things belong to me…THEN READ HER BOOK!! This fanfic can also be considered a self-insert x reader situation, just don’t use the name of the character I created to fix this situation! That’s all!

************************************************************************

“NOW! WE WILL BEGIN THE EXECUTION!”

The executioner’s voice rang out into the arena but was soon drowned out by the cheers of the crowd. Hundreds of people…thousands of people. Screamed in agreeance. Those that were not present inside the arena sat outside its walls screaming for the same thing. In pubs. In millions of Nortan homes. They all yelled for the same thing. Retribution. But it was all on deaf ears. The deaf ears of the convicted. The deaf ears…

“OF MAVEN MERANDUS CALORE!” the executioner yelled.

Screams of bloody murder were heard at the mention of the former king’s name. His body was dragged out of a prison adjacent to the palace’s arena. Two burly sentinels carried his weight over to the public cutting board. To his death. Maven’s short black hair was disheveled, and his crystalline blue eyes were faded with indifference. His military uniform, one that he wore hundreds of times before in front of these same subjects, was covered in dust and sweat. The dungeons were hot. More humid if anything. And dirty. The weight of its Silencing Stone caused Maven’s muscles to spasm and crap, so much so that they felt like lead. The two sentinels forced Maven to his knees before the chopping block. Before the thousands of screaming people wanting his head. No resistance was shown against it other than the automatic stiffness of one’s knees when suddenly falling.

“It’s so bright outside…so bright, and so pretty.”

Maven thought to himself while his head hang heavy, looking at nothing in particular. Everything was a tired blur.

“I could think of a more sophisticated word than that…pretty…but it is pretty out here…”

“I should have come outside more often…”

“MAVEN MERANDUS CALORE! AGE EIGHTEEN! HAS BEEN TRIED FOR HIGH TREASON AGAINST THE ROYAL CROWN!” The executioner continued his address to the crowd.

“These shackles sting…but it’s a reminder that I can feel I guess…”

Maven released a dry chuckle.

“Ironic that I can feel now, out of all times.”

His chuckle did not go unnoticed by the sentinel to his left and earned him a strong kick to the stomach. Maven fell to his side at the blow to his abdomen, coughing out dryly and groaning. The crowd roared in approval of the treatment.

“Lucky me…”

“HIS TREASON BEGINS! WITH THE MURDER OF HIS FATHER! THE LATE KING! TIBERIAS CALORE VI!” The executioner yelled out to the crowd, eliciting more reactions.

“I did murder him didn’t I…without lifting a finger, I was the cause of my father’s death…”

Maven sat himself up again, looking down at the block before him. The executioner waved his hand slightly towards the sentinels on either side of Maven. Both soldiers moved forward and pressed the former king’s cheek into the chopping block.

“All because mother wanted me to have his power…Mother…”

His eyes stung thinking about it, but Maven refused to cry at this moment. How could he be a heartless, ruthless leader by crying while faced with death? That meant he had a heart. He couldn’t…

“AS WELL AS! THE ATTEMPTED MURDER! OF NORTA’S CURRENT RULER! KING TIBERIAS VII!”

At the mention of his brother, Maven moved his head to look upwards and scanned the crowd. People screamed and spat in his direction. None of them mattered. Maven moved his eyes upwards, above all the malice. Above the hatred towards him. And there he found his brother.

“Cal…My…Big brother…I never called you that very often, did I. At least…not to your face...Pity…”

In a booth above the middle section of the arena stood Cal, his black military uniform well ironed and the medals adorning his chest glimmering in the sunlight. His dark black hair was freshly cut for this “occasion”, and upon his head sat the royal crown. Its jewels shone in the afternoon sun like blazing fire. Cal’s bronze eyes looked fierce. Grim. But Maven could see how bloodshot they were. Rubbed raw from tears the court would never see. To either of Cal’s sides stood the family of his late mother, Coraine Jacos. To his right stood his uncle Julian Jacos, and to his left stood his aunt Sara Skonos. Support systems for this trying time. They knew, that even with the horrid things he did, Maven was still Cal’s younger brother…and that it hurt to watch his brother like this. Maven felt the very same.

“You always deserved a better brother than me…you were…wonderful…”

He long noticed Cal’s stance was stiff while he stood on the balcony of the middle booth. Very stiff. Holding back everything that wanted to spill out while watching the display before him. His younger brother pressed into a chopping block. Maven’s demise was imminent the moment Cal nodded toward the executioner. And Maven could tell that his brother never wanted to give that command. That he ever wanted to be the cause of his disappearance from this world. Which is why Maven couldn’t…he just couldn’t…

“You have to be strong. Stronger than you are now or else…Or else you’ll never survive…”

Maven wished he could cry, that he could express what he really felt towards his older brother. That he could let Cal know that he loved him. That he loved their father. No matter how many times that love was wiped from his mind by his mother. By Elara. In exchange for power. And in exchange for hatred. That he would always have something in his heart for both of them…but he couldn’t. Because if he did…then Cal would try to save him. Like he always did. And the Silver High Houses of Norta would eat Cal alive for his weakness. And Maven couldn’t let that happen. To have those vultures. Those tyrants. Exploit his older brother’s love for him. Exploit his weakness…that would make them and Maven too similar. Maven couldn’t bear that comparison, as much as he knew it was true. So Maven couldn’t have a heart. Not right now. Not ever again. The executioner continued his speel of Maven’s crimes, of his lack of honor. The young former king was unfazed by every remark.

“I don’t need to hear all of this, where is…ah. There you are.”

Maven scanned the crowd frantically, feeling that his headman’s speech would be coming to a close soon. It was hard to look but he had found her.

“Mare Barrow.”

People shouted into the arena and threw things in anger toward Maven, but he could make her out easily. In a random booth filled with random people, Mare could be seen at its edge. Staring intensely. Her brown hair flowed gently in the wind, the silver and purple tips of it catching the light of the sun. She wore simple clothes. A loose, white button-up top and brown cargo pants. Her light brown skin was littered with scars, only visible when the wind swayed her shirt a certain way. Maven caught sight of the “M” branded into her collarbone. After some moments Mare tried to avert her gaze, only to have Maven try to follow it to the best of his ability.

“You are beautiful you know…my Red Queen…But you can’t meet my eyes…not the way you used to.”

He felt the intensity of her gaze holding so many different feelings. So many different questions and emotions. The one he saw the most was her anger. Her anger for thinking she had killed him, even though she didn’t. Her anger for having to be here. To watch him die at a public event. Rather than having the privacy of vengeance offered to her. By killing him with her bare hands. Sickly enough, Maven felt that he only wanted her eyes on his. No matter what feelings were warranted by them, he felt the need to feel her gaze on him. He had caused her so much suffering. Killed her brother. Tortured her. Scarred her physically and mentally.

“You can’t meet my eyes with admiration. Or security. Or…hope. Those looks are reserved for my brother now…aren’t they.”

Maven wished he could be upset, but he wasn’t. His obsession with Mare made his body surge forward if only to be pressed down harder by the sentinels restraining him. All he wanted was her. He started a war for her. Killed her closest friends and relatives for her. Caused pain and suffering for her. It was twisted, dark and twisted, but all Maven wanted was her. But she didn’t want him. She never asked for what he gave her. The broken boy before her, that she had met before. The shadow of his brother, whom she comforted and loved. That was what Mare wanted. What she wished to save. But she never wanted this. Mare left the random booth she stood in and Maven’s squirming stopped. What was he doing? Making a scene for her…he would never understand.

“FOR THESE CRIMES! MAVEN MERANDUS CALORE! HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO DEATH BY BEHEADING!”

At Mare’s exit, Maven settled down. The tenseness of his muscles against the strength of the sentinels dissipated into nothing. His head was calm.

Maven could hear everything all at once….

The shouting of the crowd.

The executioner’s sword being unsheathed for use.

His heartbeat in his ears. His breathing heavy. Steady….

Maven could see everything all at once…

The dust particles floating in the air in front of him, reflecting in the sun’s light.

The random, meaningless objects thrown into the arena by angry onlookers.

His brother’s slight nod towards the executioner. Stiff…

Maven could feel everything all at once….

The steel of the unsheathed blade lining up with the nape of his neck.

The light yet searing pain of a mark being cut into his neck, used to make the strike precise.

The rays of the afternoon sun shining onto the arena. Warm…

“It’s bright outside…and it’s pretty…”

The executioner’s sword stood high in the air, catching the light of the sun.

“The Sun feels warm…but why…why do I feel…”

The sword came downward, cutting through the air.

“...So cold…”

A girl sat inside the royal palace, high in the air on the palace ceiling beams. She picked at a golden vase with a fork. Stolen from the kitchen. She picked at the small diamonds on the vase, never the large ones. The larger diamonds were too noticeable. She looked at the T.V. screen broadcasting the current execution. The girl let out an exasperated sigh before looking down at the vase again.

“Jesus,” the girl grumbled, “ these royals are so dramatic…”

End Part 1

21 notes · View notes

drawredasdawn · 2 years

Photo

Just when Maven Calore thought his life couldn't get any worse, it did.

Captured once again, Maven's dragged away to a far away kingdom with the purpose of becoming a pet, but not just anyone's pet. The newly crowned king requires a very specific companion, and Maven meets all of the qualifications.

With the rest of the world out for his head, Maven only has two choices: Escape these chains and run back into the lands that want him dead, or break under the king's rule.

Maven knows his answer. There's no way he's breaking anymore.

-King’s Pet, Summary By @miss-literary , MissDeMeanor (MissLiterary) on AO3

(Alternate Photo with no text under the cut)

#maven calore #red queen #fanfiction #fanfic fanart #kings pet #red queen fanfiction #red queen fanfic #HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS #I definitely did not spend 23 hours and 9913 strokes on this #and my art style is so consistent i dont know what you mean #Besties i spent so long on this please at least quick reblog. i beg #I love making ridiculously extra outfits #but i have a new hatred for pearls #even if they do look good in the end #grrrrr #Anways. Kings Pet lives RENT FREE in my mind at all time

25 notes · View notes

nymphenberger · 1 year

Text

Look at this insanely amazing fanart I received ! Daliah looks pretty fierce.

You can find the artist on :

https://www.instagram.com/moonlightdust.m/

#red queen #red queen fanfiction #red queen fanfic #Daliah Viper #daliah viper #original character #fanfiction #original female character #character art #animos #viper

8 notes · View notes

aloratab · 2 years

Text

#these tags are killings me #but why are they so accurate #mare x maven #but make it unhinged #ao3 tag #ao3 #red queen #red queen fanfic

22 notes · View notes

merylame · 1 year

Text

Maven: the rise of a villain.

I don't quite remember when it started, when she started, but I know it wasn't until I met him. He looked just like me: tall, skinny-ish, and kind of clumsy, trying to make his way into the Front.

His eyes were bluest than the Harper Bay ocean. Same as mine but our looks were sort of different. Both of us had a sadness in them that would set the world on fire, at least if he could. I know why he felt unhappy. Who in their right mind would enjoy being forced to stay in the Front?

Instead, I had to do it for the crown. I wasn't obligated nor forced into it but my father insisted. "It would make a man out of you", he'd say, "just look at your brother".

Look at your brother. That's all I've been hearing since I was an infant. Look at your brother. Look how he can set things on fire. So can I, father!

Thomas knew I felt heartbroken, however, didn't know the real reason. I think he believed I was a brat, a spoiled, little prince who didn't want to get his hands dirty, but he never rejected me.

Until one stormy night. The sky was pitch dark, no star was visible at this point. And the rain fell like a heavy curtain above our tents. I was lying next to him, in the same bed, and we were just listening to the raindrops. My chest had been hurting since the afternoon when Cal arrived at our camp, all covered in red and silver blood, his uniform was ripped and his hair, his hair just managed to look perfect despite the battle.

At that moment, I resented him. I noticed that my body started to give off heat. My skin burned at the touch. My hands were ready to set everything on fire. Control yourself, Maven, I told myself. Cal didn't notice me. He was talking to some officials and soldiers, and when he finished, he walked past me without even looking at me.

That's when I knew I was his shadow. That not matter what I did, it would never be enough cause I wasn't him. I was always going to be Mavey: The Younger Prince. The Shadow Prince. The Forgotten Prince.

So, when we were in bed, I had to tell him. I had to confess to Thomas the reason behind my heartbroken soul. I couldn't keep it any longer and I also knew that if I did it, it would break whatever kind of relationship that we had.

Thomas just sat there, laying on his arm and listening to me without saying a word. A poured everything out, even my tears I didn't feel falling onto my cheeks, until he whiped them out.

"I know I'm just being a brat. A little child," I said with my eyes full of tears, "You are red. You don't get to know a better life like my father gives you. And here you are, listening to me complain about my brother!"

Thomas sighed.

"It's true. We have it so much worse than you," I can barely hear his voice under the rain sounds, "but that doesn't mean you can't suffer. Our lives are way too different to be compared although I can see you're in pain."

"I'm in pain all the time. Sometimes it hurts so much I fear that I'm going to die."

"You might not be the prince, but you are a prince," he whispered and got closer to me, "you are made of smoke and fire and I can see your burning soul."

"Do you?" I asked, my voice shook and my lips were slightly open.

"Yes, I do," he nodded, "You have the strength to tear this world apart. The power to set it on fire and call it rain."

When Thomas died the next day on the Front, as many reds do, his words stayed with me until today at the Bowl of Bones.

#king maven #maven calore #mare barrow #cal calore #cal #red queen #bowl of bones #ya fantasy #ya story #fanfic #fan fic writing #red queen fanfic #young adult #glass sword #war storm #kings cage #victoria aveyard #writing

6 notes · View notes

sapph1re · 2 years

Text

Infernos Mirror

In April of 2021, I started writing a Red Queen fanfic that I completely forgot about but I found it again. So I'm going to post it on here despite it being about an OC and only 1,097 words. I think I was writing it for wattpad maybe? Its chapters so yeah. Also I think I was writing it as a slow burn with Maven- a very slow burn. Anyways, sorry for ranting. Here's the first chapter. Enjoy :)

The tears are fake. A room full of highly educated Silvers and nobody seems to notice that the tears are fake. My eyes roam for a moment, jumping between the Nobles ahead, the guards behind, and my best friend beside me. Ultimately, they land where everyone else is looking. Queen Elara, drying her eyes of fake tears with a piece of cloth that is probably worth more than me.

Why she is crying is even more unbelievable than the tears themself. “This morning we saw a miracle. We watched a red girl fall into the arena like a bolt of lightning, wielding power she should not have.” Elara pauses for theatrics and to wipe away another forced tear.

“The king and I interviewed the girl extensively, trying to discover how she came to be.” I look towards my friend Mare, the fallen red girl, knowing she would have a reaction to this. After all, they did not, in fact, interview her, they ripped open her brain as they did to me 10 minutes later. I cringe at the memory of just a few hours ago and I see Mare have a similar reaction before the Queen speaks again.

“During this interview, we found another impossibility, another red girl; with abilities like ours. Two impossibilities, two sisters.” The silence of the room breaks and people start whispering to each other. About the fallen red girl and her supposed sister. And of course, that sister is me. Myself and Mare aren’t really sisters, but the lie makes our powers seem more realistic than the alternative.

“They are not red, but they are still miracles. My friends, please welcome back to us Lady Mareena Titanos and Lady Koralyne Titanos, daughters of Ethan Titanos. Lost and now found.” The Queen waves us over and we obey, hearing the applause as we get closer.

‘Koralyne Titanos’ is not my name. My name is Kory. Kory Dennings.

The moment before we dive face first into a sea of Silvers, Mare takes my hand in hers and I give a reassuring smile, hoping to calm her nerves a bit. I’m worried for our fake lives to be public but I’ve had more practice at hiding my emotions. Mare, not so much.

I’m glad our guards don't follow us out. I’m enough of a spectacle with the Queens story and the extravagant purple and silver dress they shoved me into. Apparently, in the world of wealth and power, each house has colours; the House of Titanos’ colours are Purple and Silver, hence the semi matching dresses Mare and I are wearing. Along with layers and layers of White paint to hide our natural dark skin. To make us more like a Silver.

The Queen gestures us into some empty seats in the front row of the crowd, I sit down as quickly as I can while still trying to keep up some sort of Silver Mask. The Queenstrial girls watch us probably wondering why we are so important and if we are going to steal the precious Calore Princes from them.

I mean, it is quite fitting. Two “miracle sisters” with two royal brothers, but that's not what's going to happen. Mare is about to pledge herself to Maven, the younger Calore brother. While the heir to the throne, Tiberias Calore The Seventh is going to do the same with a girl named Evangeline Samos who almost killed Mare and the reason we are here.

“Saved from their parents' fate, Lady Mareena and Lady Koralyne were taken from the front and brought to a red village not ten miles from here'' The King now speaks. “Raised by red parents, they worked as red servants. And until this morning they believed they were. Mareena and Koralyne were diamonds in the rough, working in my own palace, the twin daughters of my late friend under my nose.” Mare and I are not twins. I am eight months older than her, not that anyone would notice.

“But no more. To atone for my ignorance, and to repay their father and their house for their great contributions to the kingdom, I would like to take this moment to announce the joining of House Calore and the resurrected House Titanos.” A loud gasp echoes from the girls of the Queenstrial. I was right, they think we are going to steal the Princes from them. I almost roll my eyes. But Mare, on the other hand, looks worried that they are going to murder us or something. I’d like to see them try.

Maven steps forward and some tension in the room deflates. He looks defeated but still regal somehow. “Lady Mareena,” he says. Mare gives me one last shaky look before rising and facing him.

“In the eyes of my royal father and the noble court, I would ask for your hand in marriage. I pledge myself to you, Mareena Titanos. Will you accept?” He recites the words he has been taught probably since birth.

“I pledge myself to you, Maven Calore. I accept.” Mare quivers. I doubt anyone else noticed it but I did. A little perk of being around someone for most of their life.

Maven sits back in his seat and Mare back in hers beside me. Cal, the eventual king, now stands. I feel more eyes on me, expecting him to say my name, pledge himself to me as Maven did to Mare. I’m glad that's never going to happen.

“I am my fathers heir, born to privilege and power and strength. You owe me your allegiance, just as I owe you my life. It is my duty to serve you and my kingdom as best as I can- and beyond.” He pauses his perfected speech. When he does, I take a second to look over at Maven, I don't know why, but I do. I’m usually really good at reading people but I can't read him. He looks emotionless, staring at his brother. It intrigues me. I wonder if I look like that when I’m hiding my emotions.

“I need a queen who will sacrifice just as much as I will, to maintain order, justice and balance.” Another pause, this one for drama, suspense. Keeping everyone on the edges of their seats.

“Lady Evangeline.” He says. Some are surprised that he didn’t call my name but others are not, knowing that Evangeline is undeniably the better option. They repeat the same words as the couple before them and each go back to their seats. The elder prince has a charming smile plastered on his face.

#red queen #victoria aveyard #maven #maven calore #maven calore x oc #red queen fanfic #fic #cal calore #newblood #oc #redqueen #aveyard

6 notes · View notes

imperatrice21 · 4 months

Text

Does anyone know any fanfics where Cal chooses Mare in the first book instead of taking her and Maven to the king?

15 notes · View notes

lucy-the-cat · 18 days

Text

The Red Queen Midnights Collection (Newblood Queen's Version) Plans

Mostly canon divergences, occasional AU with the same worldbuilding. Read the original here!

Lazender Haze - Arranged Marriage AU

Maroon - Cal and Kilorn's friendship falling apart

Anti-Hero - Maven learning about Elara from Elara as he continues to grow up in the Stilts without ever pickpocketing Mare

Snow On the Beach - Mare POV, not sure when

You're On You Own, Kid - Elane bonding with Maven

Midnight Rain - Elizabeth moving on from Shade to Dexter (you don't who that is yet but trust me he's important)

Question . . . ? - Maven never falls into the grid, Mare POV

Vigilante Shit - Farley POV of Mare interactions

Bejewled - Sees Elizabeth flirt with Maven to get under her skin, assumed he reciprocated

Labyrinth - Maven never falls into the grid, Maven POV

Karma - Elizabeth spreads gossip about Mare

Sweet Nothing - Mare makes Maven her consort

Mastermind - technically spoiler (you'll find out next chapter) where Mare is never adopted by Ada and Nix

The Great War - maybe a marecal au I don't know

Paris - Maven and Mare read about history before the Calamities

Bigger Than the Whole Sky - Shade mourns being rejected by Ada and Nix

High Infidelity - SPOILER but it involves Mare being a POW

Glitch - Prequel where Evangeline convince Elane to move to The Lakelands with her

Would've, Could've, Should've - something about Maven and Elara idk

Dear Reader - Maven loses Mare to the arena

Hits Different - Maven is executed by the Scarlet Guard

You're Losing Me - Cal and Maven rise to the throne together, but still become estranged

12 notes · View notes

vamxxpire · 8 months

Text

Post-Training (18+)

Mare Barrow x Tiberias “Cal” Calore VII

(AO3 | Masterlist)

Summary: A routine between Mare and Cal.

Warnings ⚠️ : Mild dom/sub undertones if you squint again, awkward ish and a little cringe

Wc: 5.7k

A/n: Hi omg ignore any typos, I’m too tired to keep on rereading this lol.

My routine remained the same,

Wake up. Morning run with Cal. Sneak in some Theory. Go to Stormhill. Train with the other Electricons. Go home.

Speaking of pent up energy, after our muddy exchange in the woods, it became norm to see each other outside of our normal routine.

It was easy. No one asks when the lighting girl and exiled prince run off somewhere after training and the soldiers don’t question when I step into their bunker in the middle of the day. At least that’s what I tell myself. I could care less what anyone else thought or saw. Especially after being broadcasted by the king so often and subjected to the eyes of millions.

My muscles ache, throbbing painfully as I make my way down the uneven dirt. Electricity hums dully in my twitching fingertips, sizzling as I try to smooth down my curly hair that stood up at the static. My face was flushed with exhaustion and I squint my eyes at the small crowd of people in the circular arena, far from the hill. I search through the specks of people, looking for Cal. Sometimes he spends his time here; Watching Newbloods train, steadily studying the new wave of abilities and offering feed back. Just like a soldier raised and trained for war would. But I don’t find him through the crowd which gives me an idea of where he’s at instead.

Cal at first watched me train with the others uphill, but after a purple strike of lighting getting too close for my comfort, I urged him to not tag along anymore. After a few stubborn huffs followed by his Arguing-with-Mare stance; Crossed arms over his chest, and a convincing kiss— He now spends his time training, watching fights in the arena, or waiting for me back in his bunker. Now I feel my cheeks heat up for different reasons.

The other Electricons, mainly Ella, are having a conversation. I don’t pay too much attention to it, focusing more on trying to not collapse on the ground crunching under me. The ringing in my ears begin to wear down, but is quickly pushed back and gone as my attention is brought to a shadow in the corner of my eye. Suddenly I feel someone pat at my back, and I crane my neck to glance at them. Ella merely glances down at me, standing only a few inches taller than me.

“You did pretty good today as well Mare! Make sure to rest up,” she eyes my form for a second, a knowing look across her face. I must look like hell right now, I tell myself. I nod courtly as I steady my breath, “Yeah. I will.” Is all I can say for now, offering a small nod of politeness. I feel her hand leave my back, small crackling sounds following along her retracting touch.

With that, the other Electricons and I part our ways; leaving me to finish up my daily routine.

The walk to Cal’s from the hill isn’t so bad, I find it long, but bearable. Initially I hated it. My mind found ways to worry itself or be pulled into past memories of Maven, the white prison he kept me in, Shade, or the other Newbloods lost. Ones who will be lost.

These days I no longer mind it; With all the training I do in a day, and the strain on my body, I find myself too tired to be entertaining any worries. Now I enjoy the walks, finding it a perfect opportunity to regain my energy spent uphill for Cal and whatever trick he has up his sleeve. Or for what my impulsive brain decides on.

I pull my thoughts far away with a weak stretch of my limbs, enjoying the stinging running through me. It feels nice to train again, the dull pain makes me feel alive. After a few more seconds and popping of joints; The familiar building coming into view makes me drop my arms to my side, and suddenly my feet shuffle themselves quickly, nearly tripping over each other as they’re eager to find the him.

After all the analyzing I had to do in the Whitefire Palace, it was easy to memorize my way to his room right off the bat. I turned a corner, passing various rooms as quietly as possible.

Some doors were open, small glances of other’s sleeping quarters. Tiny pockets of life. Majority of them had multiple soldiers, bed bunks in the dull-colored rooms. I wince at the thought of falling off the top bunk, and find myself grateful I don’t sleep in one of these small spaces. Other rooms were empty, the lighting outside being shinned through a singular window and illuminated its lack of soldiers. Yet. I feel my brain tug itself at the idea of war, the Lakelanders, Norta. I force myself to look ahead after turning another quick corner, having no time to entertain such ideas.

I step in front of Cal’s small room, lazily twisting the doorknob with a flick of my wrist. There’s no need for me to knock or make myself known to the person inside, no one else but me would enter his room so casually. Or at all. My eyes automatically go to the corner, where his bed is shoved against the grey wall. I find the prince on the singular bed; His back propped up against some thin pillows with a book in hand.

He wears clean clothes, a thin shirt with loose jogging pants. Cal’s sleeping quarters were different from the others, his bed was against the far end of the room and wasn’t a bunk. But all the while, it still remained narrow.

No other soldiers shared a room with him, which in retrospect, made sense. No one wants to be in close range with a Prince that drags heat everywhere he goes, especially in the middle of Summer. No one but me at least.

With the extra space, even if it was barely anything, he had a small desk with a lamp propped up its surface. He looks up from his reading, practically lighting up at the sight of me entering.

“Hey, how was training?” He asks enthusiastically, closing the book with a quick motion and moving the bottom half of his body to stand.

I groan as I close the door behind me, exaggerating my reaction but betraying it with a curl of my lips. “Tiring. Did some more Storm lighting with Ella.” I kneel down with a pop of a bone, wincing as I quickly began unlacing my boots and loosing up the material.

“Wasn’t so bad though. What are you reading?” I asked him, pulling myself back up slowly and kicking off my footgear near the entrance. He placed the book on the nightstand, with a nonchalant shrug making his way slowly to me.

“Something Julian lent me. Wanted to learn more about what he’s researching.” To learn more about Newbloods, to study them. As if sensing my thoughts he adds on, “Just curious to what he’s been discovering. Exciting work my uncle’s doing honestly.”

When close enough, he reached a lazy hand to wrap around my waist. With the thin cotton of my clothes, made to be refreshing in the Summer heat of Piedmont, it was easy to feel the torch in his hands.

I hum, “Gotta go one day to visit him and Sara,” I replied back.

He nods to me, a small smile forming, “That would be nice. Those two need to be pulled out of the lab for a while.” Cal answered, angling his head to kiss at the top of my head softly, the other hand sneaking its way to massage the nape of my neck. He shuffled closer to me, his hand at my waist tugging at me to bring me forth, but quickly was stilled when I placed a hand against his abdomen. I pushed him back softly.

“Cal, I’m all sweaty and gross right now.” I offer gently, trying to sound stern. He scowls, looking almost as if I’ve insulted him, “I’ve seen you in worst conditions, Barrow.” He grumbled out. I scrunch up my nose in distaste, remembering the various states we’ve been in before, being brought back to the Notch. “That’s different, though,” I answered back, planting my feet firm against the cement floor. He tilts his head to the side, stepping forward; Attempting once more.

My body reacts faster than I do, and without thinking I step back, keeping the same open space between us. Yet it close enough so that his hands still remained on me, neither of us wanting to truly break apart our contact. “And what’s so different now?” He plays dumb, pretending he doesn’t know what I’m talking about. It’s different because we weren’t sleeping with each other back then. I want to snap back, but the words cling to my cowardly tongue.

“Come on, you know what I mean.” I retaliate, taking a few more steps back when he pushed himself more, feeling the hard wall bump against the back of my clothed feet. If he really felt like it he could pull me into his embrace, and if I wanted, I could break out of it.

We do neither. We’re enjoying this game of push and pull, trying to convince the other.

Cal looms over me, forcing me to look up and match his gaze. The hand at my neck found itself flat against the wall, forearm pressed over my head; Sucessfully caging me in with him. No escape now.

“Actually, I don’t follow along.” He says lowly, blunt fingers at my waist finding my training pants. I’m reminded of the storm from a few days prior, being pressed up against the dark oak tree similarly to how he did right now. It brings back memories, the all-too-familiar feeling between my legs returning as it had in various other occasions the past few days.

My face flushed, heart pounding loudly in my ears. No matter how many times we repeat this dance, I still find myself tripping over some of the notes. And I could say the same for him; Even on as the setting sun’s light hit his back, casting a shadow over his front view and me, I could still pick out the specks of silver on his cheeks. But with the practice; The prince grew more confident these couple of days, finding himself comfortable initiating.

My mind raced, trying to come up with something but not being satisfied with whatever answer pops up. Instead I bite my bottom lip, the push against his stomach my hand provided going limp as he wins our little game. He catches on to this, and successfully pulls himself forward, dangerously close to me. If he has any plans of stopping whatever this leads to, I see none. And hope he doesn’t.

“So? Want to fill me in?” He asks, face hovering over mine. My eyes dart, landing on his lips as he spoke. I pull them back to his eyes when I realized he wasn’t going to continue. My tongue darts out to wet my lips nervously, my hand trailing down from his abdomen to the start of his loose pants. His body responds to my touch under his clothing, the muscles twitching as the pads of my fingertips trailed downwards.

“I don’t know.” I whispered, my mind honestly not focused on entertaining him or answering the question. Now it’s his turn to give up on the conversation, instead humming as he kissed the side of my head.

“Oh yeah?” He whispered back, pulling his head away to look at me. His lips were merely inches apart from mine. So close. “So you don’t mind if I continue, even if you’re ‘all sweaty and gross’?” He asked in hushed, but smooth voice, repeating my excuse from earlier.

Suddenly the ache and soreness of my muscles are gone, and it takes everything in me to not jump at him, claw the clothes off his defined form, dirty him up with my own figure, until only our bodies were the only things keeping us apart.

And that’s exactly what I’ll be doing.

So I don’t fight the urge at all, closing the space between us in a swift motion.

Cal moans into the kiss, his gentle tugs at my waist from earlier turning stronger while he pulled my waist off the wall and crushed my hips against his. Both his hands were now at my sides, keeping me at a tight hold. His muscled thigh found itself on its designated spot, and easily came in between my own. It pressed upward against my groin, making me gasp against his lips. He swallowed down any noise that escape my loosened mouth, his tongue working against mine in a desperate and hungry manner. As much he tried to taunt, painting a picture of a calm and level headed man; The desperation in his touch was quite contrasting with the teasing.

With a harsh motion of his hands, he drew my hips forward, dragging me against his leg and forcing me to pull away from the kiss as my breath hitched. A trail of saliva connects the both of us, quickly broken when a grunt leaves me from another delicious drag of my body. I pulled my head down to look at what he’s doing.

With strong arms and hands secured at my hips; He maneuvered me easily, practically gliding me over his clothed leg as if I were nothing. My hands flew up to his forearms on my sides, gripping for some type of stability. I breathed heavily, my thighs around his singular one twitching and squeezing the leg — He continued to rock me against him in steady motions. It drove me crazy, it was enough to feel good, but merely just that. It did no help in feeding the crackling static at my gut that grew tighter; Making whatever I was searching for was out of reach. At this pace I wouldn’t get what I wanted. I wanted more. Needed more.

I look back up, catching how he raised his eyes under my gaze; Enjoying the attention. “Feels good?” He mumbled, another blunt drag to emphasize his question. I shamelessly whine, my fingers digging into his flesh briefly. I laid my head against his shoulder, his hunched figured against my cheek giving me a comfortable position to look up at him.

“Please.” I manage to communicate in between heavy breaths, answering his question with a plead. I hoped he caught on to my silent want, in whatever I needed right now; Because I wasn’t quite sure what I wanted in particular. I needed whatever he was willing to give me.

The muscle in his cheek twitches, fighting back a smile. He just looks at me, as if bored, and trailed me against him particularly slow. It makes me squirm, and I bite my lip to hold back any sound as he drags out the sensation.

“Please what?” He asks in a sweet tone, making it my turn to scowl disapprovingly at him. I have no time for games anymore. “Cal.” I groaned out, patience wearing thin. He laughs, eyes squinting as mischief flickered in the bronze color, showing no hint of backing down. He nudged his face close to the shell of my ear, sending vibrations through it as he spoke, “I thought we agreed on being more truthful with one another, Barrow.” He teases. He was right. The lack of retreat makes me swallow down a pool of saliva in my mouth. My mouth opens quicker than I can react, words spilling out before they can even form in my head.

“I need more. Come on Cal. You know I do.” I responded, voice hushed and quick. I half surprised myself at how desperate his name comes out, sounding different; As if I haven’t been indulged by him in a while. Truth is, I find myself always wanting more despite how sated I get left everyday by him. It’s become a norm for me to beg the exiled Prince, apparently. A clueless moth daring to fly itself closer to the flame.

“There we go.” He mutters against my skin, pressing tender kisses over my cheek. They trail down lazily to my jaw, then neck. Which each kiss, painful bites adorning me. More of his teeth graced downwards; Every hint of teeth pulling a hiss from me. But just as quick, he kisses whatever skin he damages, making me sigh out happily. He sucks what exposed skin he can find, too lazy to pull my shirt off just yet; Slowly sinking down to his knees and leaning back on his heels as his fingers prod the dark fabric that are my pants.

I stare down at him with a puzzled look, eyes searching him for any explanation. At this angle and our height difference, he’s perfectly aligned at my crotch. The gears in my head finally click in place and begin a smooth circular motion, turning my confusion into a pleasant shock.

I gasp at the realization, watching him tug at the material and pull them down harshly. He pats at the outer section of my thigh, silently asking to help. Catching on; I hesitantly raise a foot, letting him tug a leg free from both my pants and wet underwear. He shifts his attention to do the same to the other leg, but doesn’t reach all the way through, leaving it halfway down my calf. A bad habit we’ve formed, never fully undressing. Though, even as I still had the articles of clothing on; I’ve never felt more exposed under his watchful eyes.

My heart thumps heavily in my chest, watching him intently as a trembling hand finds itself in the locs of his hair. “Cal.” I whisper his name for the millionth time today; This one is unsure, but a sliver of curiosity can’t help but find its way through my voice.

He looks up through lidded eyelids, and winks at me. “Just trust me,” He answers back with a smile, rough hands sliding up my bare legs and wrenching them open with ease. A choked sound leaves me, feeling very bare and naked. Embarrassment grew, my face feeling impossibly hot as blood bubbles up.

He presses quick kisses on the inner section of my thighs, sucking harshly occasionally and making bruised skin blossom beneath his pecks. I steal in a breath, trying to calm the drumming in my chest, threatening to tear me apart. With every kiss my legs jolt; The nerves under my skin pump with electricity begging to be released. Cal’s fingers squeeze against the plush skin, making his grip sure against me. For a moment I’m afraid he’ll get shocked, a pulse dangerous close to the skin he touches. I stare at him, eyes darting all over his figure as he focused more on what’s in front of him. He presses one last kiss on one of my inner thighs, much closer to my aching pussy.

Before I can process it, his dives himself quickly to my groin, mouth opening to wrap itself around it. All worries that previously clouded my head were gone, replaced by the sunny warmth of his tongue. It spreads through me in crashing waves that make my body stiffen, engulfing me in a fiery heat. I groan softly when I feel his tongue lap up at my entrance, moving to drag itself in between my folds, lastly reaching at my clit and circling. My grip on Cal’s hair tightens, fighting back the urge to sit on his face and get devoured properly. He reluctantly closes his eyes to concentrate.

The motions of his tongue is repeated, starting the process all again and making the muscle in my legs strain. His mouth makes wet noises as it works against my bottom half, the vulgarity of it all making my head spin and the room feel unbearably Hot. The balmy sensation clings to my skin, and I don’t notice the slow palm trailing up my thigh.

With a gasp; Cal pulls his face back, chin covered in slick that glistened under the warm orange and red sunlight. Before I can speak, mouth open to throw some sort of question, his fingers replace his mouth and he drags his index and middle one from my clit to my entrance in a singular motion, coating them with slick. I suck in a breath, pulsing static running up from weak legs to the very top of my head. The hairs on my body stand on pointed ends, similarly to whenever I train on Stormhill. Whatever snarky words were ready to leave me, find themselves caught in my throat; Swallowed down.

With no resistance, he pushed both fingers drenched with wetness inside. Somehow it feels more overwhelming than the previous times he done it, maybe because this is the first time his face was so close to something so intimate of mine. Or maybe from the previous teasing, my body so desperately wanting to let go. I groan out loudly as my knees buckle, threatening to fall.

Cal’s free hand, now at my hips, holds me in place. He watches me with blown out pupils, lips parted as he caught his breath. He wastes no time, pulling his fingers back for a brief moment before ramming them back inside and settling into a brutally quick pace.

My mouth drops again, trying to process the fast motions of his wrist while pathetic sounds get pulled out of me. I grunt when squelching sounds fill the room, much louder than the sounds of his tongue against me, but not enough to drown out my voice. He leans forward again, his mouth latching onto my bundle of nerves as he fingered me. Fat, eager tears swelled up in my eyes, making my vision blurry. His tongue swirls at the bud, making my hips buck into his mouth involuntarily before I’m stopped; His free hand’s grip on me tightens, and he stills me, restraining my movement. I tug at Cal’s hair in response, pulling at the strands as his mouth created a suction. He groans lowly at the pull of his hair, sending a delicious wave of vibrations through me and forcing me to hunch over as even more moans slipped through my lips.

This does nothing to stop his motions, and I rapidly bat my eyelashes, trying to look at him through my vision with tears prickling at the corners of my eyes. I find him staring at me back, his gaze unwavering and pierced right through me; Eating up every reaction in a different way and making me clench out of instinct. He curled his finger, hitting at the spongy spot inside and forcing out a choked, surprised sound from me. My legs shake, threatening to give out on me with every second. Cal ensures I stay put, even as I leaned over his form that’s kneeling and latched on me.

With his hungry eyes, digits drilling into me, and the steady suction his lips had wrapped around my clit, it was hard to hold back the wiring deep in me.

I easily let it go, feeling it quickly unraveled itself deep inside me.

With a loud moan filling the room, and bright hot light blinding me; I cum in his tongue. I pull on his hair desperately, feeling his nose press against my pelvic bone while he continues his motions; Easing me through my orgasm and continuing to work my body. The tips of his fingers continue to crash waves of pleasure through me, until the warmth of his mouth paired with his fingers prying me open feels too much. I pull at his hair, pealing him off my pussy with an audible pop. It stills his movements, silently communicating that I need a break.

I drag his head backwards, chin angled up at me. I scrunch up together my eyebrows, noticing how his bottom half of his face was somehow even more drenched before, slick reaching its way down to his throat. It sends more pangs of need through me, and I bring his head forward slowly, watching how his eyes never leave me.

For a few seconds we remain like this; Silently staring at each other, studying each of our features as always. Our chests rapidly moved out of sync, the previous squelching sound now replaced by our heavy breathing. I move slowly, leaning my body back against the surprisingly cool wall and closing my eyes to ground myself. I loosen my grip on his hair, hand suddenly feeling heavy dropping to my side. I feel as Cal pulls his fingers out of me slowly, perceiving eyes dotting sensitive I feel. His free hand lets me go once he’s sure I won’t trip forward.

I hear shuffling, until I feel his body heat in front of me and I open my tired eyes to look.

I still at the sight of him licking his fingers clean, tongue lapping at the last traces of me on his hand. He looks content, almost as if he purposely wanted me to see him do it. All I can do is stare in awe, my legs and arms alike still twitching from the recent orgasm. With a pop, he pulls out his now clean fingers and wipes his wet chin on the back of his palm. His manner don’t seem of a Royal Prince at all, reminding me much of a starved animal eating scraps of food.

He doesn’t miss my staring, “My compliments to the chef.” He jokes, and I make a face at him in distaste, cringing.

“You’re terrible.” I answered back, voice hoarse that matches my look. He shrugs my disappointment with a smirk, wrapping two hands around my waist.

“Think you can come up with something better?” He asked as I wrap weak arms around his neck. He brings me towards him, easily dragging me off the wall.

“Ugh. You’re so difficult today.” I scoffed, strong arms slid from my waist to the bottom of my ass, with little effort they pull me upwards. He holds me up as we walk over his bed.

Cal walks quickly to the bed with long strides, plopping me down on the soft cushioning. The familiar thin pillows lay behind my head, faintly smelling of him and clean. I let go of his neck and subconsciously press my legs together lowly, a useless attempt to cover parts of me that have been exposed many times to Silvered man.

I eye him as he stood at the edge of the bed, watching as he starts to bring his shirt over his head. I hungrily watch, not missing the obvious tent of his jogging pants. Guilt kicks me hard in the gut. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, voice coming out surprisingly soft. He dropped the shirt onto the ground, knowing what I’m referring to.

“Wanted to focus just on you.” He replies, winking again playfully.

I huffed as my cheeks got coated in crimson, pretending to be upset as I watched him pull at his own pants now. “Whatever.” I grumbled, knowing arguing with him today would be a losing battle. I hesitantly lay my head down on the pillow, staring up at the wall. “I’ll pay back the favor next time.”

He hums in response, and I feel the mattress under me dip as he settled in front of me, a calloused hand on one of my knees. “Already planning?” He pushes my leg back and towards my chest, making the soreness from earlier return painfully. I wince, looking down from the ceiling to him. “Hold on—“ I pull the leg he pushed over his shoulder, tossing the other leg right next to it so both laid comforting side by side. He laid his hand over both of my thighs, keeping them in place. “There.” I finished my sentence, not missing how Cal pales in silver.

The change of position gave him better access, and he scooted closer until his dick glided in between my drenched folds. The exchange was wordless, and a shiver is ripped out from me. Anticipation and need hung heavily in the room as he glided a few testing thrusts in between the wet skin, coating his dick with lubricant.

Before I can hear him, I feel him. I sighed out happily when I feel him pushing his length inside, the tip not stretching me out so much. Sharps sucks of breath are pulled from Cal as he inched himself further. The previous orgasm and scissoring of his fingers make it easy for him, offering no restriction as he reached closer. He’s not so slow and cautious this time, wasting no time in bottoming out.

He grunts out when his hips touch the back of my skin, the only second of stillness he gives me before he moves himself back.

I choke, losing the wind in my lungs as Cal settled into a powerful and unforgiving pace. The stamina of the soldier outmatches me, and I become flaccid at his will; Letting him bend and mold me however he finds fit.

Loud smacks reach my ears every time I feel his abdomen on the back of my thighs. It makes me throw my head back onto the pillows, my spine arching itself off the bed; My body looking for more.

For once, no sounds leaves my throat; My bod and brain too shocked to react at all. Instead, my hands claw down wanting to grab something, anything to keep myself stable. Fingers with itching electricity at its tips dig themselves into the sheets of the bed, and drag up harshly. In sync with his thrusting; The bed rocks beneath me, headboard knocking loudly against the dull wall as slaps of skin fill the room.

I moan as he fucks into the spongy spot inside me; Sparks and dotted stars blinding me again while my mouth hangs low. The hard press of his nails into my skin forces me back, making me blink away my tear filled vision.

I toss my head to the side to look at him; Cal has his eyes squeezed tight, his teeth catching the bottom of his lips. I instinctively squeeze down at the sight of him, cable wiring tangling itself back again. He grunts out, responding in kind with a stronger thrust, the steady pace never once faltering.

His grunts and my groans bounce off the walls of the small room, our skin being painted a yellow tint by the flashing lightbulb overhead. I feel it switch on and off every-time, never missing the heavy thumping of my heart. I almost don’t hear him over our sounds occupying the room, but Cal mutters praises and encouragement under his breath. His low and gentle voice contrasts deeply with the optimistic movements against me.

My legs twitch, feet curling as I notice a familiar spread of pressure inside of me. It begs to be released, and the lights blink rapidly as I breathe just as fast. Cal catches on, his eyes studying my form under the changing lighting. His movements become erratic, egging me on and pressing a kiss against my calf.

With a shriek, I cum for the second time today. I suddenly feel empty as heat engulfs the whole room, making me sweat bullets while I spasm and shake underneath his palm. It takes me various seconds to come down from my high, chest moving up and down with my heavy gasps and breaths. I bat my eyelashes, making my eyes focus as I notice the familiar warm cum on my stomach again.

Cal rests his face on my skin, pressing shapes into the plush meat of my calf with his short fingernails. He gazed at me with a tired look, heavy eyelids being the only indication of exhaust. The watching golden eyes make a static current run beneath my skin, into my veins. They map out my body, until they run back to where they came from. His touch isn’t uncomfortably warm like the room, instead making the hairs on my body excitingly as his touch tickled a little.

I let out a long sigh, digging my face onto the pillow. I decide to close my eyes and relax for a moment, basking in the comfortable silence with sex hanging in the air. Cal slowly shifts me, putting my legs down with gentle care as he makes his way next to me on the narrow bed.

I don’t open my eyes, but I can feel him staring at me. For now, time is still. We are not at war. Not some Red girl and Silver boy. It’s only the two of us in this hot room. I have to get up, take a shower, and head back home. Tuck myself under the thin covers at home and sleep in the cool room with my sister. I have to go back to being myself, finish the routine.

I keep my eyes closed, afraid that once I open them time will resume. I want to pretend some more, even if it’s just for a little bit.

Cal doesn’t bother me, joining me in comfortable silence. A hand reaches me, and it tucks a thick curl behind my ear. Gentle fingers brush away loose strands sticking to my face. Now only our soft breathing is heard, and the occasional shuffling of hair. I slowly peek open my eyes, glancing up at Cal.

I don’t mind staying in the present, as long as he’s here with me.

#red queen #cal calore #mare barrow #red queen victoria aveyard #victoria aveyard #red queen series #red queen fanfic #book series #king’s cage #tiberias vii calore #marecal #calmare ?

19 notes · View notes