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subtletruamadumping · 2 years

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Random Bits; A Game of Snakes (3)

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Before I knew Game of Thrones was a thing, I had an epic trilogy of warfare based on board games planned out in my head. This is from the 2nd installment: "A Game of Snake" based on Snakes and Ladders (I think). The characters in this story are getting set for the big "brother against brother" war in the final book after spending the first book getting closer together through adversity.

TW: Fantasy Violence

Written at some point in middle/high school.

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“You’ll be riding this one.” Cain said, gesturing to a brown horse, which was looking as wearily at Kry as she was looking at it.

“Don’t worry.” Nollaig assured her “He’s a gentle soul.”

“Very true.” Cain said “He won’t give you any trouble.”

“I guess that means you’ll be taking Palladio, then, my prince?” Nollaig asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Yes, it does.” Nollaig went back into the stables, shaking his head.

“Palladio?” Kry quirried.

“Pavane’s sister.” Cian answered “She’s a little... ornery. However, Pavane isn’t willing to go anywhere without her and he’ll be the best horse for your first ride.”

“You know these two well?”

“Oh, yes. Father got them for Kean on one of his birthdays. Kean was never one for taking care of them and had difficulty keeping Palladio in line. So, I took over the responsibility.”

“And I’m mighty glad for it.” Nollaig said as he reappeared again, leading another brown horse out of the stables “It’s always nice to have some help around here. Though, you spend so much time with her, you’re the only one Palladio is willing to listen to.” Unlike her brother, Palladio looked around her and tried to go different directions than she was being led. She gave a soft snort when the reins were handed over to Cian. He patted her gently on the nose as she sniffed Kry curiously.

“I think she’s jealous of you.” Cian laughed as the horse nudged Kry away from Cian’s side and moved between them “She’ll do that to Noir if she thinks I’ve been riding him too much.”

“That’s very rude, Palladio.” Kry said, crossing her arms at the horse. She received a whinny in reply and the horse stamped her foot in annoyance. Cian laughed again and patted her on the neck to soothe her.

“Might as well be off.” He suggested “The sooner you learn to ride, the better. I’m worried it might rain around dusk. Here, I’ll help you mount.” Palladio gave him an annoyed snort when he moved away from her to Kry, but he ignored it. He showed her how to fit her foot into the stirrup. It took her a few times, but she was finally able to throw herself over Pavane’s body and sit upright. After she was seated, Cian moved over to his own horse. He effortlessly mounted, throwing his cape behind him as he did so. Kry just raised an eyebrow.

“Am I supposed to be impressed by that?” She asked flatly.

“It’s something everyone here can do.” He replied “So, no, not really. Here, hold the reins in each hand like this. Right, so, gentle tugs on the reins will tell Pavane which way you want to go. A gentle nudge back with your heels will tell him to go faster. A pull back will him to slow down or stop. Remember, everything gentle. He can feel every movement you make.” Kry instantly froze, making Cian laugh.

“How are you supposed to teach me when you’re laughing half the time?” She snapped at him.

“Alright, fine. I’m sorry for laughing. Just, relax. Pavane will be easy on you. Now, a soft kick back with your heels. Tell him it’s time to go.” Kry sent her foot a little backward, brushing it against the side of the horse. Pavane swished his tail to scare away a fly.

“A little harder than that.” Kry shot a look at him, but tried again. Pavane snorted.

“Alright. We’ll work on that later. Nollaig, if you please.”

“Gladly.” The stable boy grinned broadly, then gave Pavane a mighty slap on the rear. Kry screamed as the horse suddenly sprang forward, galloping away from the stables. Cian spurred his own horse forward and followed them.

“Well, you have to hold on.” He called, coming up beside them and pushing Kry back into her saddle.

“Shut up.” She shot at him, but she gripped the reins tighter.

“Pull back if you want him to slow down. Easy!” Kry gave another scream as Pavane stopped dead in his tracks and reared his head back. Cian slowed Palladio and circled back around. Palladio tossed her mane and snorted at Kry.

“Oh, quiet, you.” Kry hissed at the horse. Cian quickly swallowed another laugh.

“You pulled too hard back, that’s all. Now, Nollaig isn’t here to slap your horse into action, so it’s up to you.” He said “When I said gentle, I don’t mean to where he can’t feel it. You’re still kicking him, after all. You just don’t want to hurt him. Come on, now. Forward. Like this.” He demonstrated with Palladio, then circled around again. Kry heaved a sigh, but gave it another go. The first time, Pavane didn’t even seem to notice. The second time, he flicked an ear. The third time, Kry managed to convince him to trot forward a few steps.

“See?” Cian said, bringing Palladio alongside them, again “It just takes a little practice.”

“That’s easy for you to say.” Kry huffed “You already know what you’re doing.”

“You’ll learn, I promise.” Cian assured her “Come on, now, let’s -- Palladio!” The horse had been looking a different direction and had decided very suddenly that she wanted to go that way. It was Kry’s turn to laugh as Cian scolded and turned the horse back to the way it was supposed to be going.

“She get’s bored easy.” He explained “Let’s get going before she decides it’s time for her dinner and heads back to the stables.” It took a few tries, but Kry got Pavane moving and they set off. Cian taught her how to make a clicking noise with her tongue that the horses were used to answering to. He showed her how to tell the horse to go around trees rather than into them. He had to speak sternly to Palladio a few times, as well. The horse had tried to knock Kry out of her saddle, had swatted Kry with her tail, and had even tried to carry Cian off in a different direction a few times. Cian was beginning to get very annoyed when she pushed her brother towards a tree so that Kry’s leg almost got caught.

“Alright, that’s enough.” He said firmly. He brought Palladio to a stop and told Kry to do the same. He dismounted, then held his hand to Kry.

“Come on. Get down.” He ordered. She frowned, but let him help her down. He brought her by the hand over to where Palladio was pawing the ground in irritation.

“Now, you’re going to stop this nonsense.” He told the horse, even pointing his finger at it accusingly. The horse snorted and looked away.

“I mean it.” Cian said, crossing his arms “I’ve had enough of it, you hear me? She’s a friend.” He took Kry’s hand and held it under the horse’s nose, holding the reins so he could pull her back if she tried to bite. Palladio indignantly tried to ignore it, but eventually gave it and sniffed it. Cian slowly pulled his own hand away.

“There. Give her a pat.” He breathed to Kry. She hesitantly gave the horse a soft pat on the nose. The horse snorted.

“Be nice.” Cian scolded, then turned back to Kry “Try again.” This time, the horse let her.

“Better.” Cian said, running his own hand over her nose.

“It’s amazing that she can understand what you’re saying.” Kry murmured as the horse allowed her to pet it.

“Oh, she can’t,” Cian replied “but she understands the tone. She can tell that I’m annoyed at the ways she’s acting. Which is probably why she wasn’t very happy with you. She tried to bite Kean one time because he was yelling at me.”

“She didn’t like me because I was annoyed at you?”

“Basically. I thought after riding for some time she’d understand you didn’t mean any harm.”

“Well, she seems to know, now.” Kry laughed as the horse began to sniff her hair.

“Persistence is key with Palladio.” Cian agreed.

“I guess--” Kry gasped as a peal of thunder rang out. They both looked up at the sky, which they hadn’t noticed had been getting darker. Jagged lightning filled the sky.

“I think it’s time we be getting --” He interrupted himself and suddenly dragged Kry to the ground, making her give a startled shout. Almost instantly afterwards, Palladio reared on her hind legs with a loud neigh, kick out in front of her as a bolt of lightning lit up the sky with another crash of thunder. Pavane also let out a whinny and, together, they both turned and tore off through the trees. Cian and Kry picked themselves off the ground.

“We need to go.” Cian breathed “Now.” He grabbed Kry by the hand and they followed here the horses had run. More thunder and lightning followed them. The few dark clouds were quickly becoming quite a storm. Large gusts of wind whirled their hair and clothes around and even threw leaves at them from the trees.

“The horses know their own way back.” Cian muttered, almost to himself “But, they’ve heard thunder before. Why did they run?”

“Maybe the lightning?” Kry suggested.

“No, that can’t be it.” Cian said thoughtfully “They’ve seen --”

“Oh, Cian!” He stopped and turned the direction Kry was facing. Out of the trees, a multitude of animals were racing as fast as they could. They bounded past Cian and Kry and they looked at each other in fear. Behind them, they could see the forest beginning to glow orange and they heard sharp crackling.

“Fire.” Kry breathed.

“Run.” Cian shouted, dragging her behind him “Run!” They sprinted after the forest animals as the tongues of fire chased after them, eating everything in their path. Still, they could hear the crashing thunder, but the light of the lightning was mostly lost in the brightness from behind them.

“You need to fly back to the castle.” Cain panted as they ran.

“What? No, I’m not leaving you.”

“Listen to me.” He said, giving her stern look as they ran “There’s a lake up ahead. I’ll be fine. You won’t if it starts to rain. Your wings will get to heavy and you’ll get caught.”

“I’m not going to leave you here!”

“Kry, you need to go.”

“What if you can’t get to the lake fast enough?”

“Kry, you need to go, now!”

“I’m not leaving you!” Another crash of thunder echoed through the trees and fat drops started to fall from the sky. Cian groaned.

“Fly back while you still can.” He insisted.

“No.”

“You must you always be so stubborn?” He complained, but paused a moment to throw his cloak around her shoulders.

“Same to you. Now, let’s go.”

“Do you think someone will see the fire?” Cian asked as they started to run again.

“I don’t know.”

“Nollaig will see that we’re missing.”

“The horses went back without us.”

“Right. He’ll tell someone. I just hope we can last until then.”

“Come on, Cian.” She laughed breathlessly “We’ve been in worse situations.”

“Seems pretty bad from here.”

“Sure, but tomorrow you’ll be telling me how much worse it could have been.” Cian didn’t answer. The rain was coming down steadily, making it harder and harder for Kry to run. Cian’s only pleasant thought was that the rain might dampen the wood, leaves, and grass to slow the fire. However, his mind was almost overtaken by unpleasant thoughts. For instance, no fire could have started and grown to this size so quickly by a lightning strike alone. Some one had to either help it along, or start it themselves. Had someone besides Nollaig known they were coming out into the woods? Doubtful. Maybe they weren’t supposed to be there. Maybe there weren’t supposed to be anyone to see that the fire was coming. With all the things that had been happening these past few months, it didn’t strike Cian as surprising that someone might plot to burn the kingdom to the ground.

Kry gave a sudden yelp and stumbled to the ground. Cian quickly helped her to her feet. Her wings were soaking wet.

“We need to get you somewhere safe.” Cian panted “You can’t go any further.”

“I can try.”

“No, Kry. Not with your wings so wet.” He looked around him hurriedly, but nothing offered shelter from the burning heat that was closing on them. He turned around in a circle, trying to force his mind to come up with something. The lake wasn’t too far away. If he head been alone, he would go there. But he couldn’t take Kry. There were rocks around the lake, but it would still be too close to the fire. He groaned and put his face in his hands.

“Cian, it’s going to be alright.” Kry said, though her voice was trembling.

“I... I can’t think. We’re not going to--”

“It’s going to be alright.” She repeated “I trust you. Just tell me what you want to do.” He looked over in the direction of the lake. He paced around in a little circle, trying to ignore how much he was sweating from the jumping sparks. He looked over at the lake again.

“Alright. Okay.” He said taking a deep breath “Come on.” She followed him as he ran over to the lake. She glanced at him nervously as they reached the rocky shore.

“Cian...”

“Help me push.” He commanded, shouldering a large rock. Together, they managed to slide it into the depths of the lake with a large splash.

“Again.” They moved another rock into the lake.

“Again.” They worked together, dropping more and more rocks into the water.

“Cian...” She said again and he saw her glance over her shoulder.

“Come on, we’re nearly done.” He said quickly “Just a few more.” However, they did their best to speed up the process. The fire was hot on their backs, making Kry’s wings steam. As they pushed the last rock in, they both looked. It was looming close. So close, they began to cough as the breathed the smoke.

“Jump.” He ordered. She gaped at him.

“But, Cian--”

“Jump!” He cried, then pushed her forward with a cry. He soon followed her, splashing into the lake. He winced as his leg crashed into the rocks below, but at least he knew that his plan had worked. He resurfaced and helped pull Kry’s head above the water.

“Here.” He panted “Sit on the rocks.” He helped her over to where the pile was the biggest so that, though her wings were absolutely soaked, her head could remain effortlessly above the water. They both looked above them as the fire lapped at the edge of the lake, hissed when it touched the water, then went around. They could still feel the heat and Kry yelped as a spark landed on her arm. Cian pulled it underwater and the little ember went out unhappily.

“See? I told you there was nothing to worry about.” Kry panted. Cian laughed quietly.

“It could have been a lot worse.” He agreed.

“I told you that you would say that.” He laughed again.

“Now, we just have to wait.” He said, sighing slightly.

“Do you think someone knows about the fire?” Kry asked.

“I hope so. At the rate it’s going, it might get to the market before nightfall.” The watched and waited in silence as the fire raged around them, just barely out of reach of the flaming fingers. Slowly, slowly, the fire exhausted its fuel. The leaves, grass, and branches had been burned to ashes and the fire had to move on from the area in search of food. The bright beast slowly moved from one side of the lake to the other. Cian and Kry watched it go.

“Do you think it’s--”

“No, it’s still too hot.” Cian interrupted “How are your wings?”

“They weigh more than you do, now, I think.”

“Right. Well, I apologize ahead of time for making you ill.”

“I might not get ill. If I get them dry fast enough.”

“I think you will. We’ve been sitting in this water for quite some time, now, and I don’t think anyone will be looking for us.”

“Well, I’ve been looking for you.” They both looked to the edge of the pond in surprise.

“Kean!” They both cried. The older brother stood, arms crossed and wearing a grim expression. However, he helped Cian haul Kry out of the pond and gave them thicker boots to walk on the dying embers with.

“How long have you two been out here?” Kean asked gruffly as the two fit their feet into the boots while trying not to touch the ground.

“I guess since the beginning.” Cian said “We were--”

“Do you know where the fire started?” Kean interrupted. Cian frowned.

“Not exactly. It came from the west, though.”

“Cian, what are you carrying?” Cian frowned even more at this question.

“Excuse me?”

“Turn out your pockets.” He scoffed, but showed his brother the (now soaked and ripped) map, a few treats he had been planning to give Palladio and Pavane after the ride, and--

“What is this?” Kean asked, snatching the last article out of his hand.

“Flint.” Cian replied flatly. Kean looked down at the little stone, jaw tight.

“Kean, you know I always carry flint.” Cian said, crossing his arms. Kean didn’t answer. His fist closed around the stone.

“Kean.” Cian said weakly “You know we had nothing to do with this.” Kean’s face was set, however.

“For the crime of arson, you two are hereby banished.” The words hung in the air, shocking Cian to the point where his mouth hung open.

“Kean...”

Kean didn’t listen, though. He turned his back on his brother and dropped the bit of flint as he walked back to his horse.

“Kean!” Cian called after him “I swear we had nothing to do with this!”

Kean continued to walk.

“I swear by my love for Mother!”

Kean finally paused.

“Fine.” He said, tone icy “You aren’t banished.” Kry and Cian gave a sigh or relief. Cian shunned himself for even thinking Kean would--

“Your trial is tomorrow morning. We’ll see then whether your swear means anything.” Kean said flatly, not turning back “I expect you both to be there.”

“Kean, you know--”

“I know nothing until after the trial.” Kean interrupted. Cian gaped after him as he mounted his horse and rode off to the castle without looking back.

“Unbelievable.” He muttered, still watching him go.

“A trail?” Kry breathed “Honestly?”

“I don’t know what’s going on here, but I’m going to find out.” Cian said hotly.

“You don’t think he’ll find us guilty, do you?”

“How? We didn’t do anything.”

“He thinks we started the fire.”

“Why would we do that? There’s no point. We’ll just have to explain ourselves tomorrow. He’ll have to see reason when we tell him what really happened.”

~*~

The Hall was quiet, except for a startling cough from Kry. The trial had officially been over for a few moments, now. It was simply waiting on a verdict from the king. Kry and Cian had explained what had happened, but Cian was still uncomfortable at Kean’s stone cold tone any time he asked a question and expressionless face. It was like he didn’t really care what Cian’s excuse was. He probably wasn’t happy that he didn’t have anyone to blame. Nollaig had even come forward and tried to put his piece in, but Kean had asked him confusing and counterintuitive questions. Kry shifted anxiously next to him as they waited for Kean to say something.

“So,” Kean finally opened his mouth “the fire started itself?” His tone clearly showed he didn’t believe this.

“Kean, what reason would we have for starting a fire?” Cian asked, beginning to get annoyed. Why didn’t Kean believe him?

“What reason does Kry have for being out in during a storm?” Kean shot back.

“We told you. The horses bolted when they heard the thunder.”

“What reason does Kry have for riding a horse?”

“We told you. I was trying to teach her how to ride.”

“What reason does Kry have for wishing to learn to ride?”

“Did you not listen to anything the first time we told you?” Cian asked sharply “We’ve already told you what happened, from beginning to end. What more do you want to know?”

“Getting a little agitated, are we, Cian?” Kean asked, raising an eyebrow.

“This is ridiculous.” Cian growled “Neither one of us started the fire and we didn’t do it together. If I didn’t know you better, Kean, I’d say this was a mock trial.” Kean’s face suddenly became pinched and he glanced over at Oddr. Cian felt his heart drop down to his stomach.

“It is.” He breathed. Of course, Kry was the only one to hear him.

“What?” She hissed to him.

“It’s a mock trial.” He whispered back “He doesn’t care if we did it or not.”

“Kean wouldn’t do that.” She replied, but she was looking much more worried, now.

“As you cannot seem to find another reason for the start of the fire,” Kean called over the crowd, avoiding Cian’s gaze “I’ll have no other choice than to find you guilty.” Cian was thankful to hear a loud cry rise from the crowd in disagreement. Kean had a sour look on his face, but continued to shout over the crowd.

“For the crime of arson; I, King of Lithendom, hereby banish--” He was cut off by as another loud cry rose from the crowd.

“I HEREBY BANISH PRINCE CIAN OF LITHENDOM, ALONG WITH HIS WIFE, PRINCESS KRY OF MALDRON!” He roared over the noise, face growing very red “AND THEY SHALL NOT ENTER THE KINGDOM EVER AGAIN UNDER PENALTY OF DEATH!” Cian’s mouth ran dry and he felt Kry slip her hand into his as she took a step closer. The noise of the people continued to grow and Kean’s face grew redder and redder until he looked like the was going to spit out fire.

“IF ANYONE DISAGREES WITH THIS DECISION, LET HIM JOIN THEM IN THEIR EXILE!” He shouted at the top of his lungs. The hall was instantly silent again. Both Oddr and Kean seemed a little more at ease, now. They seemed certain the threat would keep the crowd at bay.

“I disagree.” A small, shaky voice called. All eyes, Cian and Kry’s included, turned to see who had spoken.

“I disagree with the king’s decision.” Koir said louder, standing so everyone could see her. Kean glared at her.

“I, as well.” Everyone turned again. The speaker was Runi.

“And I!” Dwyn joined. Suddenly, a large group of people were standing, looking down at Kry and Cian. Kean’s face had lost all its color, leaving him a sickly white. Oddr leaned over to whisper in his ear. The hall was still, again, the people standing anxiously waiting to see what would become of them. After a few moments, Kean cleared his throat.

“Very well.” He said gravely “Anyone who wishes to go with Cian will have the same fate as him. You have until sundown to have made your decision.” He rose and turned away from the crowd, dismissing the trial. There was much murmuring in the crowd as those who stood with Kean quickly left the hall. However, some came to Cian and Kry, lead by Kori, who ran up to Cian and threw her arms around him.

“Banished!” She cried, taking a step back “It’s unbelievable!” Cian’s mouth was still dry and he found it difficult to speak. Luckily, Kry said exactly what he was thinking.

“We’re just glad that you all believe us.” She said, looking at Kori as well as the whole crowd.

“I’m worried I stopped trusting Kean’s judgment after he accused Cian of plotting against the kingdom because of me.” Dwyn said darkly.

“It seems like someone is plotting, however.” Runi put it “Kean was right about one thing: the fire didn’t start itself.”

“Did it reach the market?” Cian asked, finally finding his voice “Did anyone--”

“No. Dwyn was the first to notice it and we had plenty of men willing to help put it out.”

“That’s good.” Cian breathed.

“Nollaig found the ki--” Runi had to stop to correct himself “Kean soon after and told him how you two hadn’t come back to the stables.”

“He set out right away.” Dwyn added “We didn’t know what had happened when he came back without you. He wouldn’t speak to anyone.”

“We thought... maybe...” Kori bit her lip “And then, when you did come back, how Kean wouldn’t let anyone speak with you, either.”

“Well, that bit has been cleared up, now.” Kry said “Whether we are believed or not seems to be a dividing factor in the kingdom, at them moment, however.”

“Not a very even split.” Dwyn noted, looking at the people around him.

“It’s better than no one.” Cian assured him, resting a hand on his shoulder “Though, it is hard for me to see you all give up your lives here.”

“I will not follow a corrupt king.” Runi said firmly and there were cheers in agreement.

“I don’t think he’s corrupt.” Cian said with a frown “I fully believe he is doing what he thinks is best for the kingdom... though he seems to forgotten some other basic lessons along the way. However, we are still faced with the problem at hand. Where are we to go?” Everyone looked at each other, but no one came up with anything.

“We’ll follow you anywhere, Cian.” Kori finally said. Again there was a cheer of agreement and Cian smiled thinly.

“I must thank you all again for your support, but I still don’t know where to find us all a place to live.”

“Clistan.” Kry muttered. Cian looked at her.

“What?”

“Clistan.” She repeated “We can go there. It’s not too big, but there aren’t too many of us. It isn’t more than a three day ride.”

“Yes, but you seem to be forgetting who is the king there.” Cian replied. She waved her hand dismissively.

“You’ve dealt with Cassian before.” She pointed out.

“Many of us have.” Dwyn agreed.

“But I would not be willing to face him again if there were other lives besides my own at stake.” Cian said, frowning again.

“You won’t be facing him alone.” Runi said.

“And he will not be facing us alone. He will have some sort of army.”

“‘It is better to die at the side of a friend than to let them suffer so you might live’.” Dwyn said, grinning broadly “Something I heard you say once. Do you remember?”

“No.” Cian admitted.

“Well, I haven’t forgotten it. I will be at your side, Cian, even if it means my own death.”

“We’re with you.” Runi agreed “No matter the cost.”

“Let us go to Clistan.” Kori piped up “Even I can hold a sword.”

“Absolutely not.” Cian said sternly. “You are not going to be fighting.”

“Cian--”

“No! You don’t even know how!”

“I’ll teach her.” Kry volunteered.

“Kry!”

“I’m just going to--”

“The sun’s getting lower.” Runi reminded them “You can argue about this as we ride.”

“Ride? I assumed we’d be walking to Clistan.”

“I have a feeling Nollaig will give us a few horses.”

#writing #my writing #writers on tumblr #middle school #old work #random bits

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amjustagirl · 3 years

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Tug of war

pairing: miya atsumu x f!reader genre: fluff, minor angst warnings: none wc: 3k+

m.list.~ taglist.~

a/n: haven’t been here in a while cos i’m still finishing my kita longfic (it’s coming along, i’ll be back soonish!) so i thought i’d drop this fic in the meantime :) this fic is a combination of the requests i got for my milestone event - (atsumu, declaration of love, childhood/best friends to lovers, argument)

You meet Miya Atsumu when you move to Hyogo at the age of four.

He and his brother greet you with dirt streaked faces, and you realise they’re the irrepressible Miya twins your neighbours whispered to your parents about. Twin terrors, half-feral, tearing up the neighbourhood with their mischief, driving the more judgmental neighbours to madness. You hear about a prank involving frogs and torn pink dresses, another neighbour swears she came home to see both boys hanging upside down from the tree in her front yard. Your parents should have kept you away from them but you’re their only child, more inclined to savagery than dainty tea parties, so they let you run wild, run smack into them on the playground.

“I wanna play with you”, you shout defiantly, ducking under the slides to chase after them.

Osamu agrees almost immediately. He’s sweeter than his twin, politer too, but Atsumu only groans.

“A girl’s just gonna slow us down”, he whines loudly, sticking his tongue at you.

“I’d beat you in a race”, you challenge as his eyes narrow.

“Deal”, he answers, flying off immediately as you screech at how unfair he bloody well is.

You lose to him, of course, and you keep losing until Osamu gets tired of your bickering and just includes you in all their games of tag and pranks anyway. You thank him with biscuits that your mama made, and instantly win his grubby little heart.

Atsumu still resents your presence, resents the fact that his dynamic duo has now become a trio. His snarls at you are a little more restrained but he still preens whenever he outruns you, compares you to a gremlin unkindly. Still, you are undeterred.

You pull him towards you, he pushes you away. That’s just how things go.

He sneers at you, calls you a useless little girl despite Osamu and you ganging up to pummel him into the ground, attitude unchanged until he breaks the heads off your favourite dolls when he and Osamu pop over to play. Osamu asks shyly if you could hold a tea party with him. You know him well enough by then to discern that he just wants an excuse to stuff his face with the pastries and cookies your okaa-san made, but you oblige him anyway, seating your dolls around him in a solemn half circle.

He holds your gaze when he snaps their plastic heads off, expects you to shriek and cry, call for your okaa-san, vow never to play with him again. Instead, there’s a gleam in your eye that sparks sudden fear, so much so that he barely registers the flash of a chubby fist until it slams into his cheek.

“Tsumu, jus’ admit she got ya good”, Osamu remarks, amused at how his brother thrashes and kicks to no avail.

“Never!” he yelps, squashed beneath you, cheeks burning at the indignity of being pinned down and sat on by a little girl his own age.

You yank at his hair. “Never?” you question sweetly, fingers digging into his sides, Osamu cackling as Atsumu squeals like a pig. “You wanna admit you lost now?”

Atsumu will never forget having to bow and apologise out loud to each maligned now-headless doll.

It’s a game of tug of war - you’ve won the first round.

Your parents enrol you in the same elementary school, the same middle school, and out of habit you apply to Inarizaki High with your boys. Your restless energy gets channelled into student council and your studies, while the boys fall head over heels for volleyball, though you suspect Osamu’s true love will always be food. They spend hours trying to achieve the impossible, resisting the gravity of polished wooden floors in an attempt to fly.

Still, you refuse to allow them to grow distant from you. You wait in the library until their practice ends, walking back with either or both of them. You kick their shins over bowls of steaming rice and curry to remind them about homework, begrudgingly allow them to peek at your assignments. You credit your tutoring skills with the fact that they managed to pass their classes despite their brains being filled with nothing but volleyball (and food, in ‘Samu’s case).

Osamu reciprocates, ruffles your hair, packs you delicious bentos, tells you you’re the sibling he wished he had. You punch his shoulder, pinch his cheek, matching grin on your face. Atsumu on the other hand bickers and teases, doesn’t treat you any more than his annoying childhood friend. He wheedles you into not marking him late for class despite oversleeping half the days of the term, complains when you slap the back of his head for being rude to his fangirls and refuses to lend you his jacket when it gets chilly.

It doesn’t even register to Atsumu that you are a girl until the Matsuri festival at the end of your first year of high school. It’s a tradition you’ve had - attending the summer festival as a trio, stop Osamu from spending all his pocket money on takoyaki and yakisoba, scout for the best spot to watch fireworks.

But this time, your mother insisted you wear a yukata since you’re a young lady now. You listen to your mother for once. It’s a simple garment, pastel blue with pink sakura print, but it’s such a departure from your usual attire of a blouse and shorts that Atsumu’s brain short circuits when you first appear.

You’re pretty - his traitorous mind notes, even as you complain that the long skirt impedes your movements.

“Yer wearin’ a skirt” he manages to choke out, minutes later.

“I wear a skirt in school”, you point out impatiently. “Shut your mouth, you’ll catch flies - race ya to the shrine, loser has to buy mochi for the winner!”

You take off. Atsumu loses a race for the first time. Osamu merely chuckles to himself when he watches his brother’s brain fry itself to a crisp when you hike up your skirt to scale a tree later that night.

If it’s a game of tug of war, he finally figures out that he has a rope in his hands in the second year of high school.

You shriek at him when he and Osamu turn up on your front step with dyed hair. They merely laugh at you. Laugh’s on them - mere hours later, you corner Atsumu in his bathroom waving expensive shampoo and conditioner threateningly, forcing him to sit on a stool between your legs as you wash his hair. You insist he goes first, trusting Osamu more not to flee into the night.

“Waste of money”, you grumble, rubbing shampoo into his hair. “Just cos’ you wanna look good to your fangirls -”

“Aww, are ya jealous”, he teases, yelping as you yank at his hair roughly.

“Don’t you call them squealin’ pigs, you nasty boy”, you reply flatly. “I know you too well - you just wanted to look cool without thinking it through.”

“Ya admit I look cool like this!” he crows, preening until you tug his ear, muttering more complaints under your breath.

It’s nice, for the lack of a better word, he supposes, turning to contemplate the situation he’s found himself in. It’s not unfamiliar - the three of you have taken baths together for most of elementary school, but it’s different. He’s positioned between your legs, the soft skin of your thighs warm against the sides of his arms, and he nearly moans aloud when you run your fingers through his hair, rake your nails against his scalp.

He doesn’t say thank you when you’re done with him, just breathlessly asks if you’ll do it again for him.

“You’re shameless”, you snort helplessly, asking him to call his brother in for his turn.

“Is that a yes?” he asks, the funny feeling in his stomach blooming when you mumble a begrudging fine, and tell him that you’ll come around again next week, spoilt brat.

That same funny feeling in his belly erupts into a storm when he overhears Kita complimenting you for helping the volleyball club get the practice schedule he’d applied for, growling when he hears you giggle and reply breathlessly that you’re just doing your job as the secretary of the student council.

He corners you after practice. “D’ya think Kita-san is good looking?”

You look at him like he’s grown a third head. Handsome Kita Shinsuke is the talk of all the girls in school, and some of the boys. You’re not blind to his attractiveness.

“Yes”, you answer without hesitation, tacking on a sly - “of course!”

“Whaddya mean!” he shouts indignantly, stomping his foot as you dash away laughing.

Osamu just rolls his eyes, drags him by the back of his jacket back home.

“Ya should just tell her how ya feel”, he says, munching on a pork bun he snagged on the way home.

“Don’t know what yer talkin’ about”, Atsumu snaps, kicking at a pebble viciously.

“Whatever you say”, Osamu replies, shrugging. His smile only grows as Atsumu sulks his way through dinner, only perking up when you barge into his room the next morning to shout at him for oversleeping for school yet again.

He falls ill with a cold and is sent home unceremoniously by Kita. He hates missing any practice, even if he’s feeling unwell, but he can’t overrule his captain so he heads home.

Osamu must have texted you, because half an hour later, you shimmy through his bedroom window, running a cool hand over his forehead before you even say hello.

“Stupid boy”, he hears you say, watches you with bleary eyes as you grab a cold tower to press against his hot cheeks. “Should’ve stayed home if you were so ill.”

“Wanted to play”, he mumbles, shifting to lay his head on your lap. It’s the best pillow in the world, he thinks.

“Of course you did”, you say fondly, combing your fingers through his hair, the familiar action settling his heavy breath.

“Stay with me?” he asks, as sleep overcomes him.

“Always”, you whisper, when you’re sure he’s fast asleep.

He feels much better when he wakes, especially when you’re still there, head drooping, the book you were reading long forgotten over your snores. It feels right to brush his thumb over your cheek, tuck your hair tenderly behind the shell of your ear.

He’s starting to decipher how he feels about you. He learns to tug gradually at the rope, wants to tug you over, claim his prize.

But Atsumu is a dolt. He assumes that you’ll always have his back, be firmly by his side, and doesn't understand that he is soon reaching a crossroads where it’s all too easy for you to slip away. He’s single minded in his pursuit of throwing the ball into the sun, so the third year comes and goes, you’re still just his childhood best friend.

You don’t say anything because it’s Atsumu.

“You can confess to him if you like”, you say flatly when yet another one of his fangirls pester you for advice. “But don’t cry if he turns you down. He only cares for volleyball right now.”

You assume the same applies to you - and that even if he’d be interested in love, he’d be blind to you as he’s always been. It’s easier that way than to swallow down the bitter taste of disappointment. You’d rather spare yourself and your friendship that. Besides, you too are busy with club activities, homework, university applications - because like Atsumu and Osamu, you need to figure out what to do with your life.

The dam breaks when Osamu declares he isn’t following his brother to turn pro.

Atsumu yells, Osamu remains resolute.

Hell, they even brawled during school hours, the hapless Ginjima sprinting over to collect you in the hopes that you could break the fight up, Suna just chortling and continuing to film when you roll your sleeves up, hop right into the fray. Your childhood repeats itself - you push Osamu back, whilst you sit yourself down on Atsumu, but you forget he’s six foot tall and you’re very much not, so he pushes you off, the fight continuing until one of them (they’re still fighting who’s truly responsible) elbows you hard in the stomach, and you fall back, winded.

They both freeze, staring at you as you slowly rise to your feet, your expression dark and angry.

“You guys are both IDIOTS!” you roar, resisting the urge to stomp your feet. “Go sort yourselves out like adults for once!”

Then you storm off, and refuse to speak to either of them until they apologise.

Osamu expresses his remorse with your favourite cream puffs, which you accept with a smile and a tweak of his nose. Atsumu on the other hand, mumbles his apologies with a nervous bob of his throat, a boyish smile breaking across his face when you punch his chest lightly, calling him silly, like you always do.

His reaction to his brother’s decision should have clued you in to how he’d explode when he finds out you’re not following him and ‘Samu to Osaka, like you originally intended to.

“What?” he hisses, hurt written all over his face when you tell him that you’ve accepted a place to study in Tokyo, the best university for the course you’d had your eye on all throughout high school.

“You should be happy for me”, you state bluntly, hands on hips, thoroughly unimpressed by his attitude.

“I thought ya were gonna stick with us, head down to Osaka together like we always planned”, he snarls.

You recognise the four year old boy who broke your dolls out of spite. It would be easy to slap him, shock him to his senses, but you’re not sure if you truly want to anymore. Perhaps you shouldn’t rub salt in his already festering wound, but it’s been years and you are sick and tired of his greed, his need to grab and grasp even if you too, are in the wrong by breaking your promise to him.

You deserve to put yourself first.

“You’re fucking selfish, ‘Tsumu”. You snap, tone harsh even as he flinches back. “If you and ‘Samu are entitled to chase your dreams, then so am I. Even if that means leavin’ you, I think that’s a price I’m happy to pay.”

You slam the door in his face, refuse to talk to him until you graduate. It’s no longer a game if you refuse to play it anymore.

You put him out of your mind. It isn’t easy when he lives right down the street but you try your best, filling your time with packing and planning and pre-reading for university, even as memories of gap-toothed smiles and dirt streaked cheeks float stubbornly through your mind.

“I told ya he’s a piece of shit”, Samu drawls when he bangs down your door to congratulate you with his latest experiment, a match swiss roll, beautifully baked to perfection. It’s your favourite flavour, and you’re so excited you don’t even raise any objections when he suggests eating it out of the box, right on your bedroom floor.

“I know”, you respond much later when you’ve stuffed yourself full of cake, pausing to wipe away the dollop of cream from the corner of his mouth before sighing. “Sometimes I think life would’ve been easier if it were you instead of ‘Tsumu.”

You expect Samu to tease you for your admission, or laugh. But he just flops on his belly, taps his chin thoughtfully.

“Yer both alike in that way”, he says, dark eyes dancing with amusement. “Yer both never met a challenge ya wanted to back down from.”

Samu’s right, but then he always is. Tsumu has always desired a strong opponent on the court. You’re not much different, a moth attracted to the bright sparks of a live wire, blind to the danger it poses. You’ve been drawn to each other, challenged each other to your limits since you were mere children. It’s no different now, but you’re old enough to know better.

“I suppose”, you muse. “But if we dated instead I think my life would be a lot calmer.”

Osamu wrinkles his nose. “It’d be like dating my sister”, he says with disgust, but lets you lean your head on his shoulder anyway.

The last day of school comes and goes, and you graduate from high school in a swirl of pink and white petals.

You bow to your teachers, accept their well wishes and congratulations with grace. They wave you off, tell you to celebrate with your classmates, take endless photos under the cherry blossom tree - and you do, with your student council friends, your classmates, with Samu, with Suna, even with the hapless Ginjima. But you make yourself scarce whenever you spot the familiar head of blonde at the corner of your eye, and it’s easier to tell your parents that you’d like to celebrate with them, alone.

You’re already in your pyjamas when you hear your window rattle. Out of instinct, you slide it open.

“Did you really climb the drain pipe?” you demand incredulously as Miya Atsumu pushes his way past you, collapses onto the floor with a dramatic groan.

“Didn’t want yer okaa-san to start questionin’ me”, he answers with a laugh, as if he hadn’t torn a rift in your friendship with his own bare hands.

You remember belatedly that you don’t want to see him, let alone talk to him.

“You shouldn’t be here”, you state flatly, but he doesn’t take the hint.

He grabs your wrist, drops something cold and round and hard into the center of your palm. You gasp when you unfurl your fingers.

A brown button. From his blazer, more likely than not.

“Tis the second button”, he says, voice a low quiver, gaze never leaving your face. “But ya can have the rest if ya want, I saved them all for ya. It’s always meant to be yers ever since we were four years old.”

You glance up at him beneath your lashes, suddenly shy before the boy you’ve known almost all your life. Perhaps it feels different because he’s honest, vulnerable with you for the first time.

“I’m moving to Tokyo in a few weeks.”

“Osaka’s not that far away, we’d make it work.”

“It’ll be hard -”

“I promise it’ll be worth it.”

He’s offering you your side of the rope. You pick it up, relish the familiar weight in your palm.

“You’d better, or I’d sit on you again”, you say almost crossly, and he laughs, liquid honey pooling in his eyes.

“As if I’d consider that a punishment now”, he whispers playfully against your lips, making heat rise in your cheeks, drawing you onto his lap as you exchange promises for the future.

There is plenty to talk about, plenty to figure out. But despite the distance that will separate the two of you, you’re hopeful. He’s never given up on something he’s bent on chasing, and you’ve never met a challenge you’ve backed down from - so perhaps it’s a game worth working at, a game of tug of war where you both get to win.

#haikyuu fluff #haikyuu angst #hq x reader #haikyuu x reader #miya atsumu #miya atsumu x reader #miya atsumu x y/n #miya atsumu x you #atsumu x you #atsumu x reader #atsumu x y/n #haikyuucreations #Nikki hits a thousand!

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voltagesmutter · 4 years

Text

Obey Me x Heat

Obey Me - Satan and Leviathan Head-canons

Prompt: ‘I’m in heat’

Warning: NSFW, Female MC.

Satan:

The avatar of wrath had learned to keep his emotions in-control, harvesting his anger and reining it in. But when heat comes it’s all thrown out of the window.

“Fuck you smell so good,” Whispered between his lips as he presses wet kisses to your weak spot on your neck. The blonde pushing you against the dusty bookcase in the remote corner of the library, a section that doesn’t look like it’s had contact for years, grinding into your waist from behind as he presses his erection to you through the layer of your clothes. “This fucking heat man… I don’t think I can wait to get back,”. One hand pops the button of your jeans, a deep groan from his chest to slide his hands down the fabrics of your clothes to feel the dampness of your underwear, “Oh kitten, it appears you can’t either,”. The shuffling sound of jeans unbuckling and material shifting comes from behind you, cool air hits your skin as he pushes your jeans down just enough, pulling your underwear to the side to feel his pulsing heat pressing against you, “Don’t scream too loud now kitten, we don’t want anyone to catch us,”.

Normally prefers you naked but in heat he’s weak for you in lingerie. Especially white. Feeling as if he’s tainting you and stripping you from your purity.

Sharp teeth curl around the waistband of your panties, tugging them slightly before letting the material ping back against your skin. A small yap from your mouth follows causing a sinister chuckle from him. “Hush now kitten,” He purrs, teeth now licking down the stream of your underwear until it means the damped material between your thighs. Jewelled green eyes tinted with yellow meet yours, dominance and power pulsating from them as he rips them clean off your skin with an audible growl. Hands spread your thighs so he can delve his face where the cloth was sitting only milli-seconds ago, inhaling deeply before biting his lip hungrily, “You’ve been a good girl kitten, let me reward you”. No chance to register his words as lips suckle against your clit, rolling the delicate numb between his teeth leaving you at his mercy.

Want to see him lose all self-control? Dress up as a kitten, ear pieces, a bell collar, a cream bralette with matching underwear and he’s gone. Call him master for bonus points and you won’t leave the bedroom for the whole duality of his heat.

On the war path when it comes to his emotions, sparks flying between him and Lucifer before Beel’s even had his second breakfast. A lot of these emotions are pent up and spilled into his actions, thrusts fuelled by his attitude.

“Fuck,” It ripples off the walls and ceilings, loose items on the near by desk rattling from the volume on his groan. An argument with Lucifer had set his anger ablaze, demon form breaking through as his chest heaved whilst he gritted his teeth. That anger now reflected into his actions, dragging you by the wrist to his room and within minutes he had you pressed against the wall, bouncing you off his cock with no-end of stopping. “Satan!” You cried but it got lost in your throat, words lost as you felt another wave of release coming over you as he pounded against that delicate spot inside you. Bruising you from the inside whilst his fingertips left marks upon your waist. The sheer intensity ripped through you, leaving you a boneless mess in his arms as he continued to thrust into you. “One more baby, I’m close,” A hint of softness beneath his storm brewing eyes. His tail snaking up your thigh to rub circles of your clit, pace never faltering in a display of his strength continuing to move you over him. Small hands move from the back of his neck to fist his horns, gripping them with urgency as he pushes you over the edge one more. The growl that leaves him would wipe fear into any living being, dark and angry as he spills violently inside you, cock pulsing and twitching until he’s fully spent.

Leviathan:

He’s the kindest of the brothers when it comes to heat, trying to hide it from you as if ashamed. But it’s only because heat brings out the darker side of him, the fine tuned self-control just slipping from his grasp.

“Levi, I refuse to have this anymore, what is going on with you!” You snap, cornering him in the living room, the first time you’d seen him in days. “It’s nothing I’m fine,” He grumbled unable to look you in the eye, his cheeks flushed red. “It’s your- your heat isn’t it?” You questioned, only to be met with a meek nod of his head. “I don’t want to hurt you, I just- the urges are so much, I- I’ve jacked off several times in the night but it’s not enough,” Levi finally opening up to you. “I mean… I could always help, it’s not as if we haven’t been having sex for months already,” You let out a light laugh, “I miss you, I miss being intimate with you,”. Taking a step forward and leaning into his purple hair, catching his lower lobe beneath your teeth causing a hiss from him, “Beside, I want to see what real demon Leviathan is really like when he gives into his needs,”. No more was said but a groan, Levi gripping you and pulling you down on the nearby sofa with his lips attacking yours.

He tries to continue his life like normal during heat, you and gaming being his number one priority, often mixing the two together for his pleasure.

Riding him in reverse, his tail swiping of your clit as his forefinger and thumb tugs your nipple, his left typing endless commands on his computer whilst playing games like normal. His teeth latch on to your ear, sucking it before tugging it proving to be the end of you as your walls pulse over him, letting your body rock to the waves of pleasure. “Tch, I though I made it clear you wasn’t to come until I finished this level, it’s a good thing my headphones are off, I don’t want anyone hearing the noises but me,” Biting again at your ear before sucking a red mark upon your neck, ‘Guess we’ll have to restart since you put me off,”. “Levi- Levi please,” You whimper, fingers digging into your thigh in desperate ache for him to give up his game and just fuck you properly. “Sorry my love, but you knew the rules, only once this level is finished will I give you what you really need, now be a good girl and let me finish or this time I’ll edge you until I’ve completed the whole game”.

He collects scratches on his skin and wears them like medals of honour, using them as a silent claim to you. After all the god of envy has to prove your his to keep his brothers away, often making them the jealous ones.

“The fuck is that!” Mammon scowled, Leviathan purposefully lifting his arms up so his hoodie would show the deep red scratches peaking from underneath. “Oh nothing, just a few tokens of appreciation from ____” He can’t help but smirk seeing the blood raise into Mammons head. “The human is mine!” He snarled, fists slamming down and standing up. “Funny that it’s my name she’s screaming,” Leviathan threatened, taking a step forward into the kitchen. Just as Mammon was about to throw something quick witted back, you called for Levi. “Babe, I didn’t realise how flexible I was, do you think we could do that one from last night again, it just hit all the right…” You mindlessly rambled, stepping out from his bedroom in just his shirt which skirted back your bum, “Spots… Fuck…”. Your face went as red as Beel’s hair, not realising the audience that was in the kitchen, all of the brothers bugged eyes and opened mouths to see you with deep bite marks tracing up your neck and collarbone. “Sure whatever you want babe,” Levi winked, quickly pushing you back into his room before his brothers could gawp any longer. Him and Lucifer could have swapped demonic titles in that moment, the prideful one lustfully jealous, whilst the jealous was beaming with pride.

Lucifer and Beel - Heat

Mammon and Asmodeus - Heat

Belphegor -Heat

Diavolo - Heat

Obey Me - Masterlist

#obey me #obey me smut #obey me levi x reader #obey me levi #obey me leviathan #obey me levi smut #satan x mc #obey me satan #obey me satan smut #obey me satan x reader #obey me satan x mc #shall we date obey me #shall we date leviathan #shall we date satan #shall we date smut #obey me headcanons

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elephart-hi · 3 years

Text

Worthy of a Queen | Jurdan Canon Compliant AU

AU: Jude decided to take Cardan in small doses during The Wicked King. Lovers AU

Summary: Jude was a fool for try to best Cardan here. She may be a cunning spy and a swords master but the bedroom and lovemaking was his domain.

~~~

“Shall we continue?” he asked in a voice of innocence that certainly seemed akin to lying with how far innocence was from his intentions.

Jude had underestimated Cardan. She got her prize, she had won the battle, but he was going to win the war. With that miserable thought in mind and her pride boiling with anger she spat out her response, “fuck you.”

Cardan’s chuckle was dark and dangerous as he said, “with pleasure.”

Rating: M is for mature and mad filthy (but ends sweetly) (I try to trick ya in the beginning bare with it)

AN: This is my first ever fic!!!! And of course, it's Jurdan and of course, it's smut. No one is surprised. Shout out to Amber and Hannah for being my beta readers and convincing me to post this. And shout out to @slightlyrebelliouswriter23 who's beautiful writing made me go fuck it and sit down and write something myself which I've always wanted to do, so thank you keep being wonderful.

Please let me know what y'all think! I have ideas for a whole fic for this so if you want that tell me.

Inspired by these sketches and this

set during the Wicked King

warnings: hair pulling, spanking, and light bondage

AO3

As she lay sprawled out on her hands and knees, dirty, sweaty, and out of breath, it was clear to Jude Duerte that pride was her hamartia. She could have everything that she needed if she would only concede but stubbornly she refused to. Her pride wouldn't allow it, no matter how desperate she was.

Instead of the glory, she assumed she would achieve that night she lay there pathetically at his mercy. Something she deeply detested. She detested it almost as much as the smirk she could practically hear on his full lips as an infuriatingly cocky laugh rumbled out from deep in his throat. A laugh that had her toes curling and her seeing red and seething. Just as most things that came from his lips did.

Jude gritted her teeth together as she futilely attempted once more to get him to relent but the ironclad grip on her hair did not loosen and she was met with another rumble of laughter followed by a resonating smack of skin against skin. Her cheek stung from the impact and the slap made her burn red hot. The blow would surely bruise.

She hated him for this. Absolutely loathed him for it. She could easily beat him in a fight, have him on his back with a knife to his throat in less than ten seconds if she wanted. He knew that as much as she did. He probably relished in the knowledge of it, of having her here like this when she could easily best him. But she couldn’t now. Not if she wanted what she came for. Tonight her only option of getting what she needed would be to play nice. Something she was not fond of nor good at. Something that she absolutely did not want to do. Jude wanted nothing more than to make him see red as she did at that moment.

In her anger and frustration, Jude let his name snarled from her lips, “Enough of your stupid games Cardan” she nearly spat the last syllable out.

She was met with another slap, its impact sent her reeling with a groan slipping from her mouth. She hated to give away that his blow affected her at all; that groan was a loss for her. He hummed at the sound she made. Satisfied that her patience was running thin. Happy that he was getting to her. He knew he was winning. He gripped her hair tighter, tugging her head back and her lips pulled into a sneer. She could hear that fucking smirk again as he murmured into her ear with the buttery voice of a lover, “What games do you speak of my darling Jude?”

She struggled again but to no avail. The ‘my darling’ getting to her just like he knew it would. Oh, it made her burn. “You know what I’m speaking of!”

All that he smugly replied with was “Do I?” a small quip from his devastating lips.

She knew he was toying with her. Responding with questions to avoid having to speak in truths. A common trick of the fae used to deceive those around them. But Jude was having none of it.

“Give me what I want, Cardan!” it was a vicious snarl from her lips. He stilled completely at it and she knew it had been a mistake to let her temper fly. She knew he would only give her what she craved if she played by his rules and losing this prize was not an option for her. She couldn’t afford it. Jude was absolutely desperate.

He leaned in close to her ear once more and in a hushed whisper that sent a shiver, not unlike a premonition, down her spine and said, “all you have to do is ask Jude. But make it pretty, befitting of the king of fairy,” his words were an infuriating echo of what he had said to her not so long ago at the summer tournament after she had bested him in the war games. He had gripped her hair like this then too. But Jude doubted she would best him tonight.

She hated it. She hated him for this.

“Go fuck yourself,” she spat at him. He gripped her hair painfully tight this time and slapped her ass harder than he had before. The combination left a series of moans spilling out of her.

He drank up her cries like it was the fine wine they had drunk from the bottle which sat empty next to their dinner on the discarded tray situated on his bed next to them. The gaudy fabric of the comforter cushioned both of their knees, his tucked under and between hers, forcing her legs to be spread wide for him.

“But then I’d have to stop fucking you, my sweet nightmare. And I know neither one of us would want that” he looked down to where he was buried to the hilt in her, still and unmoving. His free hand massaging her red and sore butt cheeks that were bruising from his earlier abuse.

“Especially not after you were dressed up so divinely for me tonight. That dress was just begging to come off wasn’t it?” He hummed as his free hand went from massaging her sore bum to teasing her right above the nub between her thighs. So close to where she desperately needed him to be but giving her no reprieve and only making her more desperate. Jude bit her lip, refusing to respond, her stubbornness digging its heels in, so Cardan continued on.

“I could tell how wound up you were when you showed up here. With a pretty blush already on your breasts and the sweet scent of your arousal coming from your skirts with every step you took towards me.” The dress in question laid discarded on the floor beside his own clothes. It had been raven-black to match his hair, hugged her curves and muscles like a second skin, and was dangerously low cut. Definitely not her usual attire, definitely wasn't subtle Jude realized with embarrassment. Both of their wardrobes had been removed in haste not far into their dinner. The buttons of Cardan’s ridiculous blouse scattered the tiles beneath the bed, having been ripped from the fabric as Jude rushed to undress him in her lustful frenzy.

“So unusually kind of you to bring dinner and wine for me, to ask to eat in my company. I know it was all just an act to get me to fuck you, Jude. The least you could do for me is beg for it,” he whispered dangerously, his voice thick with his arousal.

Jude flushed again, this time in shame from his words. That he truly thought it out of her character to be kind. It was true of course. Jude wasn’t a very kind person, not after what she had lived through. But for some reason that was beyond her, she wanted him to think highly of her. She wanted him to think she was kind. And most bizarre of all, she wanted to be kind to him. Perhaps fairyland was driving her mortal mind mad after all.

“It wasn’t just to get you to bed me Cardan,” Jude answered ashamed of how breathy it came out, ashamed of what she was about to say, “I did want to enjoy your company tonight. I brought you dinner and wine because I thought it would make you happy.”

Jude would be damned before she begged him or anyone for anything. But if he wanted sweet words from her she would give it to him at this point. His free hands had moved upwards from tracing around her clit and had gone to circle her breasts. From time to time he would give them a brutal squeeze. More taunting but no release. Jude was a bundle of nerves wound up painfully tight. She needed her prize and she would be getting it if it was the last thing she did. She just wouldn’t beg for it.

To her surprise, he landed another searing smack to her backside sending her sliding forward and had him pulling her back onto his cock by her hair. Jude’s toes curled on the mattress, more moans spilling from her lips. She was beyond keeping them in at this point, the wine they had drunk making her dizzy, or perhaps it was just him doing that. The lust fogged her brain more than the alcohol did. She tried to slide forward again so she could push back onto his delicious length, rock hard and throbbing within her, but he held her hair tight, keeping her in place. Still no release in sight.

“Dirty mortal liar” Cardan spat at her, not believing her wishes to make him happy. Landing another brutal blow on her bum. Cardan had confessed to Jude in the court of shadows that he was no killer, but that didn’t take away from his cruel nature. He wasn't being gentle with her. Jude didn’t want him to be.

The spanking was a mercy compared to the torture he had been forcing her to endure. The sharp slaps gave her friction and reprieve from his cold refusal to please her in the ways she craved. And now because of her earlier outbursts, he remained buried in her gut unmoving and wouldn't move an inch till she begged him to. Before at least he had been in motion albeit it being painfully slow. Sliding in and out of her aching core, still slick and throbbing from his earlier ministrations with his mouth. He had spent longer feasting on her than he had on his meal, now cold and forgotten. He had tortured her with his tongue, bringing her to the edge of precipice but never allowing her to tumble over the peak into blissful oblivion.

She thought he would finally give her release when he slid his gloriously thick length inside of her but still he only taunted her. Slowly he would slide in and out of her, mocking her with what she was desperate for. He would pull out to his tip, her hair locked in his ringed hand keeping her in place while he eased back into her wetness at a punishingly slow pace. All the while knowing she was desperate for more. Each strike to her ass had been a godsend, pumping red hot arousal to her system while his little endearments, ‘my Jude’, ‘my sweet nightmare’ spurred her on. Cardan knew she secretly loved to hear them. Knew she loved hearing him call her ‘his’. Knew it made her think of all the things he could do to claim her as his; with his hands, mouth, and cock.

But they were far too alike the two of them, Cardan as prideful and stubborn as she. Jude could feel him pulsing inside her. A pounding throb in time with his heartbeat. She knew it had to be painful at this point, he was torturing himself as much as he was her. But that was part of the thrill for him. He loved the powerplay, loved toying. He wanted to come out on top; Jude couldn’t let him.

“I may be a liar Cardan but I didn’t just then. I want to make you happy.” Jude was panting as she spoke. She would never live this down. She couldn’t bring herself to care though. It was the truth. She wanted it as much as she wanted him at that moment. She hadn’t been able to rid herself of the guilt of tricking him into the crown and chaining him to the throne as well as her command. She wanted to see a smile on his face rather than the sneer that lived there most days, as breathtaking as he was with either. Jude wanted Cardan to be happy and she wanted to be the one to make him feel that way. Especially after she was the source of his misery. Although it wasn’t as though he hadn’t been the source for much of hers in the past. That alone was the only thing that kept her from begging him to give her what she so desired. That she was horny enough to even consider begging him, if he was deserving of it, was something she didn't want to think too much about.

“If you wanted to make me happy Jude,” he said her name like a curse, his frustration with her stubbornness evident, ”you would beg for me.”

She felt a ghost of a touch tickle against her arm then flee away an instant later. She peeked down as much as she could with Cardan pulling her head back like he was. Below, his tail was coiling and uncoiling. Whipping back and forth sporadically. Like a cat’s would while it attacked its prey. Before, he had the laziness of a cat who had caught a mouse; a cat that was toying its food before devouring it. Now he was agitated and ready to strike. Jude could use that.

At her refusal to respond to him Cardan tisked and lamented “well if you have nothing to ask of me, my goddess of death, then I suppose we are done here.”

He started to pull out of her as though he meant to leave her there as a panting, aching, mess with no release in sight. Her prize to be lost. She felt his tail whisper next to her arm again, just as he slid his tip out, and with the desperation of a mouse fleeing its captor, Jude latched onto his tail and ripped him back, slamming his raging length deep into her. Hard. The cross between a groan and a whimper that escaped from his lips, and the toe-curling feeling of him slamming into her made her mad with desperation and giddy with power. Jude wasn't the mouse anymore. She was a lioness; she was going to feed.

“You’ll do well to remember who put that crown on your head, My King. Begging is out of the question and will be until you are worthy of it,” she purred at him. “As your sechel, I’d advise you to please me and do it well. But, and more importantly,” she said as sweet as the fruit of the everapple tree, “As the Queen of Shadows and master of your fate I demand you do it,” she finished with a smirk, using the word ‘demand’ instead of ‘command’, so there was no true magical power over him to do so.

“And Cardan,” She said glancing over her shoulder, his grip on her hair had gone slack enough for her to do so from his shock at her actions and words, “Do make it worthy of a Queen.”

Her bravo started to wear off as the giddiness faded. It was in that moment, staring into the Achingly beautiful face of the High King, whose midnight black orbs burned like fire threatening to consume her that Jude realized her mistake. From the look of the wickedly sinister grin on his sinful lips, Jude knew would be getting her prize after all… and then some. Cardan had been playing nice until now, in hopes she would be nice in turn to him. Now that he knew there would be no such thing he was more than willing to unleash himself on her relentlessly.

What a fool she had been to forget one of the first rules of fairyland: Be careful what you wish for.

Jude would be lucky to be able to sit down or move for the next week without being sore if their last row together was any indication of how the rest of the evening would play out.

Cardan’s grip on her hair tightened again and used his free hand to trace a single finger up the curve of her spine, sending goosebumps flying in its wake. He pulled her up against his chest by her hair. Her head resting on his shoulder now, breasts pushed out to the world and peeking from the chill in the room brought on by his change in mood. Being the High King gave Cardan control over the weather and such things; no more nice Cardan who gave her sweet endearment, this was the Cardan she was most familiar with, his face the picture of icy rage.

Her breath plumed in clouds from the frigid temperature and ruffled the raven black hair sticking to the sweat on his brow. She shivered from the cold. He was so devastatingly beautiful like this it made her head spin. The sneer on his face made her toes curl knowing she was the one who had put it there.

His voice was murderous as he murmured, “Give me back my tail.”

Her grip on the thing tightened as it tried to lash out of her grip. His tone only stoked the fire burning in her gut, the heat fighting the chill of the room.

She felt the giddiness bubble up in her again, the same feeling of fear mixed with excitement that she got when she taunted him at school. The feeling of taking a dare.

“Fuck me like you were told princeling and perhaps I will,” she referred to him by the same mocking title his late siblings would call him by, all of them being more than a hundred years his senior and already have established roles in the kingdom, while he was hardly 19 and had still been in school with no real power. She was deliberately placing him beneath her by calling herself a queen and him only a boy prince, despite him being two years her senior. She felt the smugness tugging her lips when she heard his breath come out ragged and slow. He was going to great lengths to keep his temper in check, still not wanting to let her win. But Jude could taste her victory, her toes curled and her gut tingled with sharp electricity boiling there. An almost hysterical laugh bubbled up her throat, knowing that her next words would send him over the edge.

“Or perhaps you don’t know how to please a woman, hmmm?? Were all those ballads about you being a good lover just pixie dust in the breeze? Maybe the musicians of the court were just flattering you so that the fine people of fairy would think that you were actually good for something.”

It was an obvious lie and they both knew it, Cardan has had her screaming his name, soaking the sheets, and has made her a blubbering mess, nothing more than putty in his arms, much to her own shame. But the lie was an insult to his manhood nonetheless. He would have to fuck her senseless now, his honor and pride would demand it.

His grip on her hair tightened as the room rapidly started to heat back up, getting hotter by the second. Cardan was pissed now. He used his free hand to trace the curves of her body following his hand with his deadly stare. He took in every inch of her, from the blush on her cheeks that burned so bright it went straight down her neck and chest and spotted across her full breasts which were heavy and aching from her arousal. He took in Jude’s toned stomach and muscular thighs appraising them as though they were one of the powders he frequently took as though he hadn't had a dose in far too long and was itching for it. There was a furious hunger in that gaze. The stare of a recovering alcoholic glaring at the bottle before he dived to the bottom of it. Furious for even wanting it, furious for going back to it, furious for having said no to it for so long when it felt so right. He was going to give into Jude even if she didn’t beg him for it. He was pissed about it.

His tracing hand slowly inched towards the numb of nerves between Jude’s thighs, her hair tugged back on his shoulder allowed him to hear the airy sigh that befell her lips, tickling his hair. Her airy moan sounded like one someone would heave when they stepped into a steaming bath after a long day of hard work, easing their aching muscles. That wouldn't do at all. There would be no easing for her. If she wanted to step in that tub then Cardan was going to shove her in and force her head under the water and keep it there till she was thrashing for air. If she wouldn't beg him to start, then she would have to beg him to stop.

Cardan leaned in and whispered to her ear, using all of his willpower to keep his temper in check, “Fitting for a Queen you said hmm,” the words sent shivers running down her spine, had her walls clenching around his cock that was still buried in her, to her great dismay still not in motion.

Cardan paused to take a breath and for a moment the whole room stilled as though his magic had quieted the very air around them, as if the whole kingdom was tingling in anticipation, silently waiting to see what happened next. Even the roaring fire that was crackling in its hearth just seconds prior didn’t dare to make a sound, lest it invokes the wrath of the wicked king. The only noise was Jude’s ragged breathing in eerie contrast.

Cardan’s words eased out in his exhale, resembling the sickening woop in the stomach one gets when falling from large heights, “How's this for fitting?”

Jude’s eyes were blown wide and then forced tightly shut as he unleashed himself onto her. The sounds of the room roaring back to life around them were completely lost to her as the brutally aching bliss filled her to the brim. The sensations were overpowering her, overwhelming her senses after being denied it for so long. The feeling of his length filling her to the brim combined with his sinful hands, one tugging her hair the other rubbing her nub; It was too much. Cardan’s hand was brutal in its attack on her clit, rubbing her relentlessly right where she wanted it, just the way she liked it.

The act alone was more than enough and already toying her towards the edge of release. Cardan knew Jude’s body far too well. He had spent plenty of time tracking all her tells, tracking every breath she took while she lay beneath him from the first moment she welcomed him into her bed. His dark hungry eyes always locked on her taking everything in. Cardan was a fantastic lover not just because he knew how to please any woman who passed his way, but because he went to lengths to perfect his craft for those who stayed.

Jude realized with no little shame that he had been saying something to her but she had missed it because of the roaring in her ear. Her cheeks went impossibly pinker when she realized it hadn't been roaring, but her own moaning. She hadn't even realized she was doing it so overcome by her arousal after being denied all night. She glanced up at him and all she could stupidly say was, “huh?”

He barked a laugh, his head thrown back; he loved making her like this. Knocking Ms. Know-it-all off her pedestal, making her dumb-founded and drooling. Such a sharp contrast to her usual stoic demeanor. He leaned down close to her face, slowly licked up the dribble of spit hanging from the corner of her mouth. Then with a wicked smirk on his sinful face, one that promised nothing but trouble, he went to her ear and snickered, “you’re as soaked for me as you were when I shoved you into that river mortal.”

As he said it he rubbed her just so, sending her shuddering relentlessly into an orgasm around his unmoving cock. The orgasm shattered her mind and made her see white, then instantly red from the fury his word sent her into. She hated that he made her come while he said that. Knew he had done it on purpose to piss her off. Knew it was the damning truth since no lie could fall from his fairy lips. Bliss, anger, and shame all swelled within her swirling together and muddling her mind in ways fairy fruit never could. Jude felt as though she might fade into the very magic of fairyland at that moment for surely if one could be magic itself, this would be how they always felt.

Jude couldn’t even get a word in back at him for what he said because he slammed his mouth against hers before she could recover enough to form a coherent sentence; licking and drinking up her moans like it was his only purpose in life. His other hand moved from restraining her hair and wrapped around her middle, pinning the arm holding his tail to her side in an ironclad hold and pinning her body against chest; his hand reaching up to attack her breasts. Switching back and forth between one and the other, he would alternate massaging and pinching her nipples with painful precision. His other hand was still working her clit sending her rolling from one orgasm into the next. The combination of it all was so overwhelming she cried out into his mouth as she squirted all over his hands, soaking their legs and the sheets beneath them. Jude was awash with shame and bliss, leaning her full weight on him to remain upright. He hadn’t even begun to fuck her properly yet, Cardan was still buried within her throbbing painfully from denying himself and she was already a stupid mess in his arms. The shit-eating smirk on his face told her that he was thinking the same thing.

Jude was a fool for try to best Cardan here. She may be a cunning spy and a swords master but the bedroom and lovemaking was his domain. Her legs quivered beneath her, hands limp at her side. Cardan released his hold on her, sending her falling ungracefully forward onto her chest and face. He laughed at her mockingly, “and now the sheets are nearly as soaked as your clothes were that day.”

Jude’s blood boiled and she wanted to turn around and slap him. But as she went to move she found herself unable to. While she hadn’t been looking, brain hazy from her orgasms, the roots from the tree atop the hill had curled their way down the bedposts and snaked their way across the sheets wrapping around her wrists binding her in place. Another display of his kingly magic. Jude tried to figure where she went wrong, one moment she was the one with power and now here she was again, completely at his mercy and more so than before. The answer to her question flicked back and forth in the periphery of her vision, his tail moving again like a lazy cat playing a game it knew it was going to win. He had made her come so hard she completely lost her senses and touched the stars and managed to release her one and only advantage.

“Thank you for returning my tail to me sweet Jude,” he said, noting her coming to this realization. His hand returned to her hair pulling her head back as much as he could while her hands were bound. He shifted, leaning forward shifting his body causing his cock to finally move within her once more; it was enough to make her lose a breathy moan. Oh! The frustration she felt with herself! She was a fool for him and it was humiliating. His other hand went back to massaging her bruised bum as he chuckled darkly behind her.

“Shall we continue?” he asked in a voice of innocence that certainly seemed akin to lying with how far innocence was from his intentions. Jude was still miserably horny, and not even the two earth-shattering orgasms he had given her were able to satiate her need after all the torture he had put her through earlier. She craved him desperately but her wounded pride couldn't bear to ask him to go on. She tried to shift her bum against his length again, the same attempts she had earlier, knowing it was just as futile now as it had been before. He laughed at her, slamming his palm hard against her ass just as he had done each time before.

“Excuse me, your majesty,” he purred, mocking her for calling herself a queen while pumping into her once, twice. Teasing her, making her nails dig into the bound palms of her hands in ecstasy, “I believe I asked you a question, my queen.”

Another endearment. Him calling her his. His queen. She squirmed again, willing him to please her but he held fast.

“Last chance Jude,” he murmured in her ear, leaning all the way forward so his cocked filled her completely, “Beg for mercy and I’ll give it to you,” the smirk was as present as ever in his infuriatingly sexy voice.

Cardan’s chuckle was dark and dangerous as he said, “with pleasure.”

He slammed into her unrelenting: brutal and hard. Jude was going to have to skip training tomorrow because of this, her body would be too sore. She hated missing training and it made her furious at him. Perhaps she just liked being made at him, she thought as he hit her spot over and over again making her see spots. She went to bury her moans and cries in the covers, still damp beneath them from when she squirted, but he pulled her hair back forcing her to cry out into the room for him to hear.

“Moan for me Queen Jude,” he gruffed out viciously, riled up and ravenous after having to wait so long himself to have her, “let me hear how worthy this fucking is of you hmm.. this is what you wanted wasn't it? A good fucking? It's what you came here for.”

He was relentless, Jude was biting her lip trying hard to not give him what he wanted. The wet sloppy sound of their bodies joining together echoed in the room in time with the slapping of his pelvis against her ass. It was debauched to hear how sinfully wet she was for him, the wet slapping making it painfully evident just how ‘worthy’ his fucking was. She groaned through her teeth and he yanked her hair hard forcing her mouth open. Her moans came spilling out, pitching each time he thrust his body into hers.

Cardan was groaning with her now. He was getting close if his sporadic thrusts were any indicator. The knowledge that he was getting off to her made her walls clench around him and her toes curl in pleasure, forcing a groan from deep in his throat to spill out. It was otherworldly, doing this with him, so many emotions, sensations, and feelings all swirling together in a messy lustful haze that left them rutting like savage dogs by the end of the night. They hated each other, didn't they? How could they keep coming back to each other like this? Why did this feel so right?

He pulled her hair back hard making her back bend almost painfully towards him, her wrists straining against the vines that bound her; training was definitely out of the question this week. She could see his face now, brows pinched, eyes dark, sweat dripping off of him while his mouth hung open. He was devastatingly gorgeous like this. He leaned down and kissed her as he landed three sharp blows to her ass with his other hand as he pounded into her relentlessly. She squirted again seeing stars as another orgasm ran through her. He smiled a brilliant smile down at her for it. So beautiful that she all but forgot her pride existed as she said breathily, “I didn’t come here just to fuck you Cardan, I swear it,” blush burning her cheeks at her confession, “I wanted to make you happy.”

She felt emotions shining on her face, ones she always buried but she didn’t mind it. Jude was mad with pleasure, drunk on his kiss, his scent, and sensations. Jude was drunk on him. Caution was lost to her.

Cardan’s eyes went wide at her words and he released her hair suddenly. A swear was a serious thing in Fairy especially one made to the high king. The vines receded from restraining her and he unsheathed himself from her aching core. She was met with a jolt of horror at what she had done, what she had said, in fear that she had upset him.

The panic was quickly replaced by confusion as he rolled her onto her back with tender hands and then leaned above her positioning himself between her legs with one arm bracing beside her head while his other hand came up to tenderly caressing her cheek. His cock was positioned right before her entrance, leaking with precum. He clearly had stopped right before his climax. What on earth compelled him to do such a thing?

“Is that the truth?” he said in a breathy whisper, chest still heaving from their wild fuckings, still trying to catch his breath.

All Jude could manage was a small nod.

His eyes searched hers, looking for something. Jude didn’t know if he found what he was looking for but after a moment he slowly slid into her again staring into her eyes. She wanted to look away, his gaze was too much as he slowly and sweetly slid their bodies together, again and again. He was being tender with not a rush in the world. A different kind of fire started building within her. Instead of a burning inferno like earlier, this one was the slow-burning of water set to boil. His dark gaze was searching, consuming. His beautiful face slack in awe as he looked at her.

“Beautiful,” he murmured like wonder spilling out of him. Jude snapped her eyes shut to it, to what she felt. She felt naked for the first time today despite having been freed of her clothing for the better part of two hours now. The way he was holding her, the way their bodies slid together, it terrified her, the emotions it stirred up. He cooed at her then, fingers caressing her cheek, “Jude,” he said sweetly, “look at me Jude, it's okay.”

She scrunched her eyes shut further at his words. He stilled, pulling away from her. He heaved a sigh, that sounded so much like hurt and disappointment. Quickly, shyly her hand reached out to the ringed one on her cheek just as it went to pull away. Softly Jude said, “Please-- Please don’t stop.”

Jude mustered all the courage she had, reached into the well of fearlessness she had obtained from living in fairyland, and opened her eyes. Dark pools the color of midnight stared back at her, full of swimming emotion. It was overwhelming, confusing. She wished she knew what he was thinking, wished she knew if this meant something. There was so much fear in her and she knew he could see it all on her face. She was so scared of this, “Please Cardan, keep going. Please. I-- I beg you.”

The smile that graced his shocked face was beautiful and hesitant like the one someone might make if they thought something was too good to be true. She shocked herself with the plea, she had never thought she could long for someone the way that she did at that moment. She wished she knew what he was thinking. She peeked to his tail in hope of gaining some insight, but it was wrapped around her calf, the furred tip seemed to be caressing her. She looked back up at him. Cardan was smirking, but it wasn't mocking, it seemed… endearing almost. But that couldn’t be. He clearly knew why Jude looked at his tail, knowing she liked keeping an eye on it because it made him easier to read. The crinkles beneath his eyes gave away happiness and his smirk tugged into a dazzling smile.

Jude’s heart was pounding so hard it almost hurt. He ran his hand down from her cheek to her chest, feeling how fast it was pounding. His smile only grew, as he leaned down and nuzzled his nose against hers. Jude let loose a breath she didn't know she had been holding, it came spilling out of her like an airy laugh, her lashes fluttering at his closeness. He was being so sweet, it threw her off guard. She peeked into his eyes once more, she didn't really know what she was looking for in them. But she knew what she did not find there: his arrogance, his cruelty, and his wickedness.

There in his dark eyes, she saw something she didn't understand yet. Saw something shining there that she knew reflected back in her own. Confusion mingled with an emotion she had never known before. She realized she didn't understand a lot of things, about life, fairyland, and him. From the look in his eyes, she realized she didn't need to understand everything. And with that realization, she wasn't afraid anymore. She peered into his eyes unabashedly now, Belkin’s words from in the Isle of the Forgotten rang in her head:

“to mortals, the feeling of falling in love is similar to the feeling of fear.”

But what do mortals feel when they stop falling. What happens when they were wholly in love.

Jude didn’t know, and she didn’t care to know. She didn’t need to understand everything, she didn’t need to understand what she felt. She needed to just feel it.

If nothing else, Jude felt safe here in Cardan’s arms. A feeling that she had long grown unaccustomed to thanks to the cruelty of her life. She looked at the man before her, so similar to yet so strikingly different from the boy he was under Belkin’s thumb. This was a man who she wanted to make happy. And despite his uncanny ability to frustrate her, he had the uncanny ability to make her happy as well. He made her forget her pride and she made him forget his own. Neither caring who came out on top anymore. Maybe it was just the sex, maybe it was something more. She didn’t know and somehow that was fine.

With those thoughts singing in her head, Jude Duerte leaned up and kissed Cardan Greenbriar soft and slow, allowing all the things she kept buried within her to come pouring out. Allowing all the things she didn’t understand to pour out with it because perhaps Cardan didn’t understand it either. Perhaps they could learn to understand it together.

So that night, Jude waved the white flag and she made love to the King of Fairy.

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bubblegumbi0tch · 3 years

Text

The Vacation

Warrings: Creampie and public sex

"Ladies and gentlemen, please clip on your seat belts and get ready for the time of your lives. The safety precautions are as follows on the screen. Thank you for flying with Peach Aviation, where every journey is exciting. The flight attendant's voice echoed throughout the airplane. After clipping on your seat belt for the landing to Brazil where Oikawa was taking you, you turned towards him. "You seriously want me to believe that this was spontaneous and not a planned vacation." Yup!" He stated, popping the p. "You seem thrilled today." You reported. "Obviously, you have put up with me for four years, and you are still here. "He smiled softly up at you. "Plus... There's the fact that I am about to get some." "Who said that? What makes you sure you are going to get some?" You unclipped the belt and got up, taking hold of your handbag next to you.

"What?! Seriously Y/N…princess?" He followed you out of the plane. What you saw in the open-air took your breath away. All around you, there are lush green mountains, sounds of seagulls, and the waves crashing entered your ears. The beautiful architecture is all around you. You turned around to face Oikawa, only to bump into his chest. His muscular arms wrapped around you stable. "Took your breath away, didn't it?" He questioned. "Happened to me too, just like the very first time I saw you, in that little black dress and heels during one of my first games, I knew I had to have you." He smiled down at you. It's beautiful, Tooru. I don't have words to explain, but it really is." You stated. "I know. When I talked to Hinata about a good place to take you, he recommended a nice beach. We visit him before we go. He stated. "Happy Anniversary, princess. "He whispered you. "Tooru, I don't know what to say. You really didn't have to do this." "You could express your gratitude by giving me a Thank-you kiss for one! "He smirked. You kissed him with all the emotions inside you. At that moment, it was just you two, two lovers kissing without any care, as their lips tangoed perfectly together.

"You want to spend all your weekend here at the airport or actually go down to the hotel?" He pulled away. "It's a five-minute walk from here." "Let's go!" You exclaimed excitedly and then dragged him down the out of the airport you're rolling luggage in hand and to the pathway, half cemented and half not. You marveled at the beauty of the scenery. It was stunning. The birds chirped, and the wind blew perfectly. He clasped his hand into yours. According to Oikawa, you were the prettiest girl he's ever seen. As the two of you walk both near the hotel's main doors, Oikawa checks in, and the bellhop gets your bags. As you open the door to your room, Oikawa suddenly stopped and turned to you, only to pick you up by the knees and the shoulder, bridal style.

You squealed in surprise. "What in the heavens are you doing, Tooru?" You threw your head back in laughter. Carrying you inside our room, what else?" And then he spun around, with you in his arms.

"Tooru !" You squealed again.

"Keep practicing princess, you are going to need it tonight." This caused your checks to heat up.

As Oikawa walked in further inside the room, your eyes slipped onto the glass wall on the opposite side, which gave you a perfect view of the ocean.

"You know only married couples do this?" You questioned as you walked over to the wall.

You heard him shuffling but paid no heed; you were far more invested in the view. "I know, but you have to admit you like it. Imagine being Mrs. Oikawa … Oikawa (y/n) has a nice ring to it, don't you think" he smiles. You nod at him. "Now, love, why don't we head over to the beach? We can watch the sunset together. As the both of you get changes, Oikawa's jaw drops the second you walk out of the bathroom wearing a bathing suit that hugs you in all the right places. Accentuating the best parts of your body. "Wow (y/n), you look amazing." You see his eyes sparkle a light blush cover his cheeks. You smile at him as he holds your hand, leading you down to the beach.

As you walk down to the beach, you hear the gentle washing of the waves sings a lullaby to your ears. You have always loved the sound of the ocean, so serene yet holding so much power. 'Thank you again for bringing me here, love.' You tell Oikawa as he sets up a towel. "Anything for you princess you how much I like to spoil you." The two of you are sat on a towel by the beach, watching the sun paint its oranges and yellows in the sky. You were distracted by the sky that you didn't see Oikawa get up on one knee; he holds your face in his palm, gently Turing you to him. "Y/N L/N, my girlfriend, my love, and my heart. I know I am not the most deserving man on this planet. I have made my fair share of mistakes. But you have changed that. You have been a source of light in one of the darkest periods of my life, so today, I am asking you will you let me be your light? Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" By the time his speech ended, tears were streaming down your face.

"Yes! Yes! Thousand times, yes." You nodded.

Oikawa got up from his position, grabbing your hand and slipping on the diamond on your finger.

"You have made me the happiest man alive on this planet, Y/N." He stated. "I love you, Mrs. Oikawa."

"And I love you, Mr. Oikawa." He pulled you into a deep passionate kiss, your saliva mixing. When you pull apart, a string connects the two of you. You look around and notice that you two are the only ones left on the beach. That "Let's go swimming princess" he starts running towards the water. You feel your feet sinking into the soft sand. You pad after him towards the calm, beckoning water. Oikawa smirks at you. You screech into the quiet beach when he all of a sudden picks you up and carries you bridal-style into the sea. Bringing you further into the sea and complaining about the cold water. A droplet of water is trickling along the edge of his jaw; your focus is transfixed at its smooth descent to his chin. Your bodies are bobbing with the calm waves, up, down, up, down.

Then your eyes lock, you feel a heat building up inside you. Oikawa looks at you and sears a mark in you, and it's burning like the flames of hell all the way down to your core. With the side of his finger, he doesn't need to so much as touch you to tip your head up his way because that's how willing you are. One tilt, that's all it takes to kiss him right now. His fingers are sinking into your tender waist, and immediately you need to feel inside you. "I love you, princess" He slides his cheek against yours and traces the bridge of your nose with the tip of his. He dips his face in closer to your lips, nearing one another. You taste the sea on his lips, salt, and cold. It feels like diving into the ocean, plunging into the deep blue, and simply allowing your body to be swept away. His kiss is greedy, hungry, willing you to submit to him and follow his lead.

Legs wrapping around his torso in the water, his hands caress up your thighs to your ass, digging into your plump flesh with an ardor that releases damp arousal from your slit. Your own fingers grope down his chest and toy with his hair, scratching and tugging. When he nibbles on your bottom lip, and you know that you're done for. You melt like putty in his control, meeting his tongue with soft obedience you don't usually exert. Tooru .' You gasp into his mouth. 'I told you that you were gonna be screaming my name tonight, (y/n).' he says before diving back into you. Those words send the possessive animal in your mind wild with satisfaction.

Because yes, he's all yours tonight. When you feel his stiff length poke underneath you, your cunt is set ablaze with desire. Desire to sink down onto him this instant and have him pound into you amidst the ocean until you both feel faint. The desire for him to break you in half with all his might, make your eyes water with from the pleasure he stabs into you. He holds you as the both of you walk to shore together. Lips never leaving one another's. His mouth travels down to your breasts, and he doesn't hesitate to devour them from your bathing suit, suckling angry red/ purple marks down your cleavage and around your nipples. Though clothed, the prominence of his big cock burrows between your wide-open entrance, rubbing against your bikini-clad clit and making you thrust your hips further into him.

Enjoying the euphoria from his touch, you don't realize you're on land until he gently falls onto his knees and carefully places you on the towels below him. You pull him by the neck onto you. As he kisses a torching trail down your wet body, your mind is somewhere else in heaven that worships your fiancé Oikawa. His large hands kneading your exposed breasts, the wisp of his breath tingles down your stomach, tying a knot in your core. His teeth, he obscenely tugs lose the string that ties your bikini bottom together. The fabric falls loose lifelessly, revealing your soaking cunt, shimmering with want for him.

‘So wet (y/n) .’ He muses as he kisses your pelvis, finger stroking up your slick to gather the liquid of your arousal. Then he prods his finger into your mouth, your tongue compliantly lapping up your own taste, salty from the sea. 'Who made you this wet, mmm?'

'You.' You're practically pleading as he sucks viciously at your inner thigh, so close to your weeping pussy. I want you to scream my name by the time we're done." When he first links his lips to your clit, your hips buckle upwards, and fingers fly to entangle his chestnut hair. Sucking harshly on your sensitive bud, all you're capable of is squirming and writhing underneath him. The sensation of his mouth sucking on your succulence sends a shot of ecstasy down your quaking legs. Your head feels dizzy.

'"Fuck!' You whine. "You like that, princess ?' When he looks up at you, a wet smirk on his lips breathing hot air into your cunt, a coil winds in your stomach. T-Tooru.' Your grip on his hair tightens.

Then he's gorging you like a feast, tongue fluttering on your swollen bundle of nerves, your kryptonite, teeth scraping along your folds seductively. After several licks of your entrance, he pushes two digits into your gummy cunt. The ease in, lubricated by your moist walls that welcome the pressure of his intrusion into you like the open sea. He draws wide circles inside you, and it feels like your innards are being stirred to perfection by a metal rod. In the meantime, his assault on your clit doesn't falter, rhythmically hitting his tongue against you. Allowing the vibrations of his humming to penetrate your core. Looking down, this is simply the most beautiful sight you've ever witnessed. Oikawa's brown eyes glimpsing up at you hungrily, face buried nose-deep in your pussy. Hands gripping under your thighs that are rested on his shoulders, the beautiful scenery of the sunset, its glow onto you, and the ocean in the background play a symphony to your moans and his filthy slurps.

Suddenly, an explosion of pleasure arrives at your clit. 'Oh, fuck yes!' You screech, throat raw from the pure elation that washes over you. The throbbing in your cunt releases at his continuous friction, pulsating so wildly you think you will burst. His fingers pump out your high as he sucks one last time, long and hard, on your beating clit. 'Ah… Oh my god… Tooru…' he emerges from between your legs to breathe. You watch as your fluid dribble down his chin lewdly, your thumb swipes to catch the wetness.

'How was that?' Untangling his arms from your legs, he walks up on his elbows to meet your lips in a tender kiss.

'Wow.' You utter against his mouth, eyes rolling to the back of your head for dramatic effect. 'Let's continue back in our room.' Quickly you do up your bikini, impatient for more.

Without needing another word, Oikawa sweeps you into his arms, gathers all your belongings, and hastily carries you back to your hotel located just a minute away from the beach. Although, it takes much longer than a minute for you to arrive, seeing as multiple detours are made along the way, fondling behind a tree, kissing in the elevator, and missing your floor.

And when you're finally in the confines of your shared room, he pins you to the closed door, not even bothering to switch on the lights, lips latched onto your magnetizing neck. Your wrists trapped in his grip against the hardwood, you ache to touch him as his teeth find your earlobe. Nipping at your soft round flesh, a pleasant shock is sent down your spine at the twinge of pain. 'Tooru…' You sigh. He pulls away to stare into your beseeching eyes. 'What do you want me to do to you, princess?' His voice is a low grumble of dominance, digging its talons into your brain.

'I want… I want you to fuck me until I cry.' In the dark of the room, your attention flickers to the sunset terrace outside. 'Right on that balcony over there.'

Something in his eyes ignites at your suggestion. Filled with lust, he brings you through the glass door that opens to the fresh setting night. 'You want me to fuck you right here, princess? For everyone to see?' Danger lurking one kiss away, you sense the precarious position his mind is at. So you reach down and grab his hard cock over his shorts and tip his mind to a carnal desire.

'P-please, Tooru.' The name is the last straw for him. His breath hitches as you tug down his pants and allow his enormous cock to spring free. Spinning you around roughly, he bends you over onto the rail of the balcony and strips off your swimsuit in one deft gesture. From here, you have an unobstructed view of the coast, lined by bustling bars and closing restaurants. The neighboring terraces are a meters away; if anyone walks out now, they would horrifically witness Oikawa about to pound into you from behind. Your heart is beating in the excitement of the risk as well as the anticipation of his cock. Not being able to see him, he can thrust into you any moment now; he must be reveling in such control he holds. Then you feel it, his large thick round tip pressing against your entrance curiously. Your legs shake expectantly while fresh arousal leaks out of you, mixing with his precum he's plowing into you. 'Begone more time for me (y/n). Please, Tooru.' Allowing the words to drag out on your tongue, you twist your neck to look at him with large pleading eyes. He looks like a king, towering over you with this much assertion, relishing in the power he holds above you in this very moment.

Hands holding your hips in place, he slams his thick member into your gaping tight pussy in one forceful plunge. You can't help but cry out at the sheer stretch of your walls he's spanning. fuck, he's so big he makes it feels like your first time together all over again. All you think at first is an incredible cinching of your core, the ache of him impaling his rigid shaft through the resisting pressure of your tight pussy. He's fucking massive. He seems to know it as well because he gives you a second to adjust to his size, palm scaling smoothly up the hill of your back to gather your hair in his hand. Then he is pummelling into you, hips slapping against your bottom, ringing such vulgar sounds in your ears. His cock, hard as if carved from marble, piercing through the pain and molding a thing of sweet, sweet pleasure inside you. You grip the rail so tight its edge gouges marks into your skin, your head hung low between your tense arms.

'Fu-uckk princess, you ohhh feel so good around me," he groans. At this angle, his cock is curving up the wrong way into you, jabbing in places that make you go crazy. A part of your soul is no longer with you, propelled elsewhere by his ceaseless merciless attack on your pussy. You feel a sting on your butt. He spanks a searing hot mark into your ass cheek. The sharp pain is refreshing alongside the dull ache behind the euphoric throb he is penetrating into you. "Princess, I love hearing your whimpers their so cute" Another slap echoes in your ears, and you welcome it by curving your back more to tip your tush higher for him.

'Tooru, you fuck me so good.' you egg him on further, stroking his ego as your tight squishy walls are clenching his dick. Pounding into you with such vigor and violence that your folds are beginning to sting.

Moans that fall from his lips tingle at your clit, which you start to play with to add to your stimulation. Another smack on your ass, this time so surprising that you scream out. 'Yes, be loud for me. Let everyone hear how good I make you feel.' He coaxes. Oikawa begins to slow, which you know is a sign that he's close but doesn't cum yet. He bends over you, your hair still tied around his wrist, and nips at the shell of your ear. You've never known your ear to be such a sensitive area, for when his tongue flickers at your inner shell, a shudder convulses through you. Leaving slobbery kisses down the curve of your shoulder.

You wanna Finish on the bed, princess ?' You nod, and Oikawa embraces you from behind; his strong arm comes under your cold lonely breasts that perk up at his attention, his wet cock sitting between your red ass cheeks. The hum of his deep rasp on your neck sends your head lolling back onto his sweat-covered chest. His lips seal yours as he walks you back into the room, leaving the glass door open for the night breeze to grace you. Amidst the rough sex, you treasure such a soft, delicate moment on your tongue, delighting in the way the tips of his fingers trace up your side. When his hand slithers up to your face, you melt into the warm flesh of his palm, mouth opening up for him to unfurl into.

Then the back of your knees hit the bed, and you know it's about to begin again. Without breaking the union of your lips, you clamber onto the sheets with his frame hovering over you. Grappling on his neck, you drag Oikawa on top of you as your head sinks down onto the plush of the pillow.

He sucks on your plump bottom lip one last time before pulling away. Fluid still profusely oozing out of the slit of his tip, he perches between your legs. 'How do you want it, my future wife?' His tone is endearing, yet eyes his eyes are hungry.

Impatient for him to fill you to the brim again, you lift both your legs up for him to grab and place onto his shoulders. 'Like this please, husband.' That's all you have to say for him to grunt okay and push deep into you, knees digging into the mattress. In this position, his cock reaches your cervix without hindrance, his swollen head slamming into your end every thrust he gives. It's a different type of ache this time, more targeted at the one sensitive spot inside you. As he continues, you thrust into you, balls swinging at your ass, a build-up of sensitivity gathers at your core.

You feel it approaching, that imminent contortion of your cunt, looming over you, on the brink of toppling your senses.

'Keep going.' You whimper the filthy feeling of his prick hammering so fast into you enough to bring tears to your eyes. You try to keep them open, watch his tongue poke out in concentration as he watches your body quiver under his. But the intensity of his fucking is truly too overwhelming that a single droplet leaks out and flows down your temple. 'I'm so close.' Oikawa moans, pecking the bone of your ankle. Something ruptures within him; with an even more arduous determination, he drives into your walls like a crazed beast. The sole purpose now is to reach the climax awaiting him; he spreads your legs open wide before him and rabidly plunges his twitching cock.

And for the second and third time this night, your orgasm hits you, one immediately followed by the other. 'Tooru, I'm-' You're a crying thrashing mess beneath him, drool dribbling out of your mouth and teary eyes, the ecstatic pleasure obliterating your mind into ruins as your cunt erupts. The string of profanities that leave you sound incoherent to your own hearing.

You won't be able to walk straight tomorrow; you're sure of it.

Oikawa watches you break on his cock, walls tightening impossibly around him. "(Y/n) I'm gonna cum. Can I cum inside you?" His thrusts start to get sloppy than what they were from the beginning. He starts to pound into and with one final thrust, he shoots his cum in spurts deep inside you. He pulls himself out a string of cum attached to his tip. He sees you haven't moved in your original position, still dazed out from what just happened. He spreads your puffy lips apart. He sees his cum seeping out of you and onto the bed. Oikawa leans down and touches your cheek; you snap out of your trance. "amazing, Tooru." You were too tired to finish your sentence. Oikawa smiles "you were fantastic; I'm so lucky to have you as my future wife." He kissed your temple and carried you off to the bath.

Requests are open ᡕᠵ᠊ᡃ່࡚ࠢ࠘ ⸝່ࠡࠣ᠊߯᠆ࠣ࠘ᡁࠣ࠘᠊᠊ࠢ࠘𐡏⊹ ♥︎

#haikyuu smut #haikyuu x reader #haikyuu imagines #haikyuu!!#hq x reader #hq smut #request are open #hq thirst #hq x y/n #haikyuu x y/n #oikawa x reader #haikyuu oikawa #oikawa smut #oikawa toru x reader #hq oikawa #oikawa torū #oikawa x y/n #haikyuu time skip

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drarrily-we-row-along · 3 years

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Day 50: Anonymous

(Can you all believe that I've been doing this for 50 days?! Thank you all SO MUCH for your love and support on these little ficlets. This has been such a great journey and I am so thankful for all of you!)

Halfway through Draco's eighth year at Hogwarts he started receiving anonymous notes.

He'd assumed, when the first scrap of parchment had arrived via an ordinary, school barn owl, that it was something threatening and he had cast multiple spells to ensure that it wasn't something that was going to hurt him. When the spells turned up nothing ominous, Draco looked around to see if anyone was watching him, then he carefully opened the note.

I really admire the way you're working to build yourself a different life. You're really brave. XO

He looked around to see if anyone had been watching for him to open it, but no one seemed to notice. Frowning he rolled up the little slip of parchment and tucked it away in his bag. Surely, it was a mistake.

---------

But the next morning at breakfast he received another.

I saw the way you fixed Neville's cauldron on his desk during potions so that it didn't fall off and spill. Have you always done things like that? -XO

His brow furrowed, it must be one of the other eighth years. He looked around but no one seemed to be paying him any attention. Carefully he folded up the scrap of paper and tucked it away in his bag, wondering what this was about.

(Read more below the cut)

He received another note that evening:

I like the way your face lights up when you figure something out, like it did today in Ancient Runes. It was almost enough to make me interested in the subject... Almost. -XO

And then he got another the following morning:

This is probably the most ridiculous thing I've ever said, but you're adorable in the mornings before you've had your coffee. All grumpy and sleepy. You need more over-sized jumpers. -XO

And again the following evening:

I can't with the way you were so gentle with that first year about how toxic pureblood culture is. You were so kind to him but so willing to stand for the truth. You're a good person, Draco. -XO

And they started arriving everyday like clockwork:

I like that little mole on your neck just below your ear. -XO

You're a bloody brilliant flyer, so graceful. -XO

Smith is an arsehole. No, he's worse. At least an arsehole has a purpose. I know that it gets to you, what people say, but you're better than that. You're more than what they say about you. -XO

It's unfair that anyone should have a neck that looks like yours. How's a bloke supposed to get anything done when your neck is *right there* begging to be kissed. Sigh. -XO

I'd like to kiss you. Your cheeks, your nose, your eyelids, your wrists and fingertips. Anywhere, really, I'm not particularly fussy. -XO

What are you going to do when we graduate? Will you leave and never look back or will you miss any of this? I realized the other day that I won't be able to see you all of the time any more when we graduate. I'll miss that. -XO

And so on, until the little box that Draco had begun putting them in was nearly bursting. They made him smile (or blush in some cases) and he pulled them out to read sometimes at night when he was having a hard time falling asleep or when he just needed to see himself through someone else's eyes.

He couldn't quite figure out who the secret notes were coming from but in his weakest moments, he let himself imagine that they were from Potter.

Potter, who shot up six inches the summer after the war, whose shoulders had filled out, who didn't look at Draco with eyes full of hate and vitriol anymore. He imagined what it would be like for Potter to like him, too.

It was silly and fanciful, there was too much bad blood and bad history between them, but it didn't stop him from day dreaming.

It was an accident when he discovered who his mystery man was. He'd been in a bit of a hurry, it was lunch time and he was late, he and Potter were coming from opposite directions, hurrying around the corner, and they ended up slamming into one another. Books, and quills, and parchment scattered as they tried to steady themselves.

"Draco!" he said, sounding surprised, "Err, Malfoy, I mean." He reached out a hand to help Draco off the floor before he started collecting his things and helping Draco to pick up his as well.

"Oh, here," Draco said, as he reached for a leather bound notebook that was lying open. He froze when he saw the writing on the page; he knew that handwriting. Looking a little more closely, he read the words:

I know it's silly, but would you ever consider going out with me sometime. I know there are a million reasons not to but I want to. What about you?

"You're the one writing me letters?" he asked, dumbfounded.

Potter rubbed the back of his neck, "I guess you were bound to find out sooner or later." He looked a bit crestfallen but he seemed willing enough to admit it.

"But," Draco started before breaking off to shake his head, "Why?"

Potter's brow furrowed, "I've written you dozens of letters about the why."

"But you-"

"I'm just a person," he interrupted. "I'm just a bloke who's really sick of people treating him differently."

Draco blinked, then gave him a little smirk, "I was going to say that I didn't know you were gay."

"Oh," Potter said, running his fingers through his tangled mane of curls, "Bi, actually."

"You," Draco started, clearing his throat and wishing that he could control the blush creeping up his neck and his cheeks, "You said something about kissing me. Anywhere I'd like."

Harry blinked, then a slow smile spread across his face, his left dimple appearing, "I did," he murmured softly.

"Would you maybe like to start here?" Draco asked, tapping his forefinger against his lips.

Harry's fingers curved around the side of his neck, his thumb brushing over his jaw, "I'd like that very much," he murmured as he leaned in and pressed his lips to Draco's.

And the euphoria he felt was like flying, and catching the game-winning snitch, and getting a good grade, and everything good he could think of all at once. He sank into the kiss, his fingers grasping the front of Harry's robes as he tugged him a bit closer.

Harry's glasses were a little crooked when he pulled back, a smile firmly in place on his face, "So, what do you say?" he asked. "Would you like to go out with me sometime?"

"Name the time and the place and I'll be there." And Draco thought that having a not-so-secret-admirer might be even better than having an anonymous one.

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I just wanted to add a little note to say that you're more than welcome to send me prompts, and even if there are more than 100, I'll keep writing them. :)

Day 49: Truth | Day 51: Parents

#100 drarry drabbles in 100 days #drarry #drarry drabbles #drarry ficlets #my writing #love letters #soft #8th year

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sokkascroptop · 3 years

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traitor. (sokka x f!reader) pt 25

part 1 | part 24

A/N: she’s HERE!!! anyways, post and dip BYE

Y/N bit her bottom lip as she shook the dice around the wooden cup she was holding. She was losing–badly. Sho, a game that Aang had taught them a few days ago when Zuko had let up on their firebending training, was an Air Nomad game that the monks would play. Aang was a little confused on the rules, so they’d filled in the blanks where they needed to with their own.

And Sokka was good at it, way better than any of the rest of them. Which is probably why he’s suggested they’d start betting money.

“Just roll them!” Zuko growled from next to Y/N where he was laying on his stomach, head propped in his hands. Y/N gave him a sharp look and let the two dice fall from the cup onto the ground. Snake eyes. She’d only be able to move her pieces two spaces. Y/N let her head fall into her free hand with a resounding smack. She could hear the disappointed sighs from the rest of the gang around her. Sokka had already leeched them of their money, Y/N was their only hope, and now she was going to lose too.

Of course the money that they all had was shared amongst themselves, but it was purely the principle of the fact.

Sokka snatched the cup cleanly from Y/N’s left hand, dropping the dice into it before shaking it. Surely he couldn’t roll exactly a seven, there was no way– “Are you kidding me?!” Y/N shouted as Sokka laughed and grabbed what meager money Y/N had thrown into the pot and shoved into his now full pouch. “How did you roll a seven? How?!”

Sokka’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “I’ll never tell my secrets.”

Y/N pouted. “I feel like I was just swindled.” Well, at least she knew how those people in the Fire Nation felt when Toph stole all their money.

Sokka scooted closer to Y/N and threw an arm around her shoulder. She automatically leaned in. “Oh don’t be such a sore loser, I’ll buy you something nice in the next town we stop in.” He winked at her.

Butterflies fluttered in Y/N’s stomach in response. She rolled her eyes, fought off a smile and sent him a withering glare back which didn’t phase Sokka in the slightest. In fact, he looked more pleased with himself.

“Shut up, Sokka,” Toph said what everyone was thinking and Y/N felt herself giggle along with the rest of them.

“Aw, Toph we’re buds, you don’t really–”

“No, seriously! Everyone–shut up. I hear something off in the distance.” Toph stood up and turned her head so one of her ears was pointed in the direction of the canyon.

Y/N quickly pulled out of Sokka’s reach and scrambled to her bag where her sword lay, sheathed and untouched since she got back from Boiling Rock. There was a near imperceptible shake in her hands as she pulled the sheath off and dropped it to the side, adrenaline already coursing through her body. Everyone else was frozen, either staring at Toph or Y/N. Despite her asking for silence, Toph turned to Y/N. “Do you hear it too?”

Suki was standing too now. Something about the way Toph and Y/N acted had set her off too. “No,” she answered for both of them. “I don’t hear anything. Not even the birds.”

Truthfully, Y/N hadn’t even thought of that. The cave dwelling birds that lived in and around the temple were always chirping. It had become the background noise to their lives, but now it was silent.

Y/N let out a shaky breath. It was true, the stillness of the air was unnerving. It reminded her of the fights that happened in the yard at Boiling Rock. The ones where you could hear a pin drop before the brawl began, or the solitary click of boots down the halls in the middle of the night before some prisoner was pulled from their room with a piercing scream. It was the moonlight shining through the leaves in the forest that night before Kaito and his friend attacked. Too quiet was too quiet and it made her stomach roll with fear.

The first explosion rocked the very ground Y/N stood on. It felt like an earthquake, but Y/N knew better.

Three Fire Nation airships seemed to rise from the canyon itself. Over her shoulder, Y/N could hear bits of the Air Temple crumbling in on itself where the first bomb hit. In the 100 years since the Fire Nation was last here, their technology and weaponry had only gotten more advanced. The temple was old and unkept, it wouldn’t last long enough to protect them.

Aang broke away from the group and ran to his glider. With a powerful swing he was able to airbend yet another fireball heading for the roof, back in the direction it came from. It exploded next to the far left airship, sending it careening sideways, but it wasn’t enough to take it down. Another one smashed into the fountain sending stones and dust flying through the air. It stung her eyes and choked her throat. Y/N coughed and stumbled backwards, running right into someone. Hands gripped her arms, keeping her steady.

“We have to head to the back of the temple!” Sokka shouted into Y/N’s ear. It was a good thing too, another section of the roof came crashing down, much too close for comfort. She caught sight of Zuko and Katara diving to the side to avoid being crushed by the falling rocks.

Y/N nodded and the two of them ran towards the back of the temple to where Haru and Toph were bending a hole in the ground large enough to fit Appa. Suki was currently trying to help Aang wrangle Appa, who was having nothing with the thought of being pulled underground.

“Come on Appa, it’s okay!” Aang tried to reassure as he tugged on Appa’s reins. The sky bison bellowed loudly in response and dug his heels in.

Everyone else had started to make their way into the tunnel first, Chit Sang was helping Teo navigate his wheelchair over the bumpy rocks, The Duke close behind. All they had to do was get Appa to go too and they’d be safe. Well, safer than where they were now.

Sokka, Y/N and Katara joined Aang and Suki in trying to coax Appa into the tunnel. Y/N promised belly rubs and as many moonpeaches as Appa could eat if he just took a few more steps forward but he wasn’t budging.

They were really pushing it close now, with each explosion more of the temple fell away; half of the courtyard was already gone.

Y/N looked back to the ships, which looked larger than she’d ever seen before. Standing at the head of the middle ship, like it was her own personal army–which it probably was–was Azula.

And Zuko had caught sight of her too.

Y/N already knew what was going through his mind before he probably did. “Zuko! Get back here now!” she shouted.

“What are you doing?!” Aang chimed in, making a move towards stopping him.

Zuko barely even glanced back and through a pause in the explosions, Y/N could hear his voice loud and clear. “I’ll hold them off. I think this is a family visit.”

“Zuko!” Y/N and Aang both yelled simultaneously. Appa’s reins fell from Y/N’s hands and she reached back for her sword, ready to follow Zuko into battle.

But her hand paused, just as she touched the leather grip.

What was she supposed to do? Y/N had always, always been tailing after those two. Always soothing both sides after their fights, promising a better tomorrow if–

“–if you just please get along, for me.”

Y/N growled before grabbing Appa’s reins once again. She couldn’t be that person anymore. She couldn’t keep pretending that she was their nurse-maid, there to apologize for when one was mad at the other. This wasn’t about elementary school games in the palace gardens, this was a war; life and death. And as much as it hurt her to admit, Y/N might not be able to save them both.

Besides, she was sure that her presence would only cause more trouble, it always did.

“This isn’t working.” Sokka pushed his hair out of his face with frustration. “We’ve got to get out of here now.”

Aang shook his head. “Appa isn’t going to go into that tunnel!”

Appa seconded this statement with a roar.

“Aang, we can’t fly out of here!” Katara gestured wildly in front of them to the airships that were mostly blocking their only way out besides the tunnel.

A large shot of orange flames caught their attention. Even in the daylight it was blinding. Azula and Zuko were battling one another, but the airships hadn’t slowed their onslaught on the Air Temple.

“We’ll have to try.” Y/N could hear the determination in Aang’s voice but she kept her eyes on the ships, on the blue and orange flames that were dancing across the top of the centermost one.

Y/N turned her head over her shoulder. “They might not be expecting that. It’ll take a while to change their trajectory and we could slip away. If we’re fast enough.”

She locked eyes with Aang and an understanding passed between them.

“So we can’t take everyone...”

“No.”

Katara reached behind her absently in the direction of her father. “What do you mean we can’t take everyone?! We aren’t being separated again!”

“Appa can’t carry us all. We need to move fast if we have any chance of getting out of here.”

Sokka nodded in agreement. “We have to split up. They can still get away, Katara.” Sokka looked away from his sister to his father. “You can take the tunnel and get to the stolen airship.”

“No…” Katara’s voice broke and Y/N busied herself with climbing into Appa’s saddle.

“It won’t be forever,” Hakoda promised before pulling his two kids into his chest.

Y/N waved down to him sadly, as Suki and Toph piled in next to her. She sent up a silent message to whichever god or spirit that was listening to keep her new friends safe in their own escape.

“Which way?” Aang asked as he looked out to the canyon.

Y/N couched near Appa’s head and pointed directly at the airships. “Wait until there’s a break between the firebender’s hitting the temple, then go up as high as you can.”

Riding on Appa’s back on a good day made Y/N feel like she was floating; where her stomach was in her chest and her heart was in her throat and every gust of wind made her gasp.

So when Appa dove and rocked side to side avoiding the explosions aimed at him, it was safe to say Y/N was left queasy. The higher they climbed, the less fire reached them.

In a moment of clarity, where they drifted above the airships in the cloudline, Y/N was able to think about how much she hated where she was; about who she was.

As she peered over the edge of the saddle, trying to get her eyes on Azula and Zuko, she wished so badly that she would just wake up from this awful nightmare, back in her bed on Ember Island, ten years old and nothing to worry about. Before she met Azula; before her life became this.

And then she saw them. On top of the center airship, fighting one another like they were true enemies. And for once, it looked like Azula was evenly matched. The siblings simultaneously threw fire-packed punches at each other, and where they met in the middle blew up into an inferno of blue and orange flames, blowing both Azula and Zuko over the edges of the airship, plummeting to the bottom of the canyon.

Aang saw it first, diving Appa down before Y/N could even register what just happened.

“Oh my spirits. Aang?!” Y/N hung halfway out of the saddle as they dropped quickly through the smoke in the direction they last saw Zuko. Fear spiked through her body like a white hot knife. “Does anyone see them?”

Y/N was met with silence, just the wind whistling past her to fill her ears. She wasn’t sure if someone spoke up she’d be able to hear them anyways. Her nails dug into the soft leather under her hands, so deep half-moons were sure to be left behind long after she let go. Y/N stared into the clouds, dizzy and hyperventilating.

One breath in–

“There!” Sokka hollered, jumping to the edge next to her.

–and out.

It was by some divine force that Y/N was able to reach Zuko as he was falling. Even with Aang steering Appa in his direction, Y/N almost missed. It’s like she was moving in slow motion, their fingers dug into one another’s arms and the sudden weight of him pulling on her almost had Y/N tipping out of the saddle, shocking her back to reality.

The only thing that caught her was someone’s hands fisted in the back of her shirt. That was a good idea. Y/N reached around and grabbed the back collar of Zuko’s shirt, dragging him in roughly.

His hands were scorching hot from the recent firebending but he didn’t let go of her, instead his fingers tightened around her arm as the two of them stared back towards the cliffs. Their eyes were locked on the sight in front of them.

Like Zuko, Azula was falling too. But she didn’t have anyone to catch her.

Y/N hated the way she took a shaky breath in automatically. “She’s not going to make it.”

Y/N made a move towards the back edge of the saddle, as if somehow being closer meant that she could lean out and help. She wanted to look away; she didn’t want to see her best friend plummet to her death but she couldn’t turn away, she couldn’t break her eyes from the sight in front of her.

But in true Azula fashion, she persevered through all–she was just too stubborn to die yet. She firebent herself closer to the cliff face and caught herself on the rocks with her hair pin.

“She did make it.” Zuko’s voice was surprisingly full of relief.

Even from the distance, Y/N could feel the anger Azula emitted. But that wasn’t Y/N’s problem anymore, as much as she wanted it to be.

She sat down, facing away from the cliffs–away from Azula–and pulled her knees to her chest. Zuko sank down next to her, doing the same.

Momo, sensing some shift in her emotions, crawled into Y/N’s lap. She scratched absentmindedly behind his ears. She looked across her friends in wonder, all crammed together in the Appa’s saddle, in various states of shock. She wished they’d all met under better circumstances, but she was glad to have met them nonetheless. She would never be the person she was today without them. This was the life she was meant to have, even with how messed up it was.

They flew for as long as Appa could fly and then some more, needing to get the most distance between them and the Fire Nation airships as possible. They only landed, all fully exhausted, when Appa could go no farther and the sun was low in the sky.

----

Zuko and Y/N tasked themselves with setting up the tents while everyone else split off from the group and began to set up camp in a familiar daze; no words necessary.

“I get it now.” Zuko shook one of the tent canvas’ out over the grass, clearing off dust from the journey, doing everything in his power to avoid Y/N’s eyes.

She yawned as she pulled out the tent stakes and tossed them on the ground near his feet. “Get what?”

“I get, well–you now. It’s something Azula said when we were fighting.” Zuko mumbled. He began to thread the wooden supports through loops in the canvas without another word.

Y/N blinked wondering if she heard him correctly. “What did she say?”

Zuko seemed even more hesitant to speak now. Azula was a sore subject around camp before she’d just attacked them. The last thing they needed was someone to hear them talking about her. “Something about how she had to do it. The way she talked, I don’t even want to hear the garbage Father is filling her head with.”

Y/N cringed and with a pang of worry, she wondered how Ozai would take the loss of Aang once again. “You don’t think she’s too far gone, after what she did?”

Zuko chewed on his lip for a second. “She’s making it very hard to sympathize with her.”

“But?”

“No, I don’t.”

A sudden rush of hope filled Y/N. She wasn’t going to be alone in this quest for saving Azula. She and Zuko had just become allies in yet another way, and while it was never going to be easy, she would at least have a companion.

And it helped that it made Y/N feel a little less crazy about the whole thing. It was true; since her confession to the others Y/N couldn’t help but think that she might have been wrong all along. She’d rolled that thought around her brain until it became all she could think about when she was alone. With Zuko’s own admission, Y/N felt like the goal was much more attainable.

Y/N couldn’t help the grin that grew on her face. “That’s–”

“Zuko.”

Y/N’s lips zipped shut and she turned to look at Katara. She looked between the two of them with a sour expression on her face. “Sokka needs help carrying firewood. We need a lot of it, it’s going to be cold tonight.”

Y/N knew that tone of voice. It wasn’t a question of whether he wanted to go help, it was an order for Zuko to get up and leave Y/N alone.

“Uh, yeah. Okay.” Zuko handed Y/N the tent stakes and jogged off in the direction they’d seen Sokka go when they’d landed.

Y/N barely caught Katara leaving, walking away just quickly as she had come. Leaving it up to Y/N to get the rest of the tent set up before dinner.

Y/N really did try and give Katara the benefit of the doubt. She’d been through a lot, and Y/N felt like she had dragged her through more by admitting that she wanted to help Azula. But it was hard to ignore some of the outright hostility she showed Zuko–and Y/N too–if she was around him.

While at one time, she had encouraged Y/N to become friends with Zuko once again, now it seemed like that was the last thing Katara wanted anymore. The flip-flopping left Y/N confused and worried. Was her newly rekindled friendship with Zuko the same thing that was dousing the friendship between her and Katara?

----

Y/N didn’t know what was making her more queasy. What had happened at dinner with Katara, or the fact that she and Sokka were currently spreading out blankets in his tent, for both of them to sleep on. It was so...private.

“What do you think was going on with Katara at dinner? She was all–I don’t know–pouty. And then Zuko? Running after her?”

Y/N sat down and crossed her legs, fixing a corner of one of the blankets until it was perfectly straight, just hoping to give her hands something to do before giving a noncommittal shrug. “I’m not sure.”

Zuko had shared a look with Y/N before he got up to follow Katara to the coastline, like they were in on something together. However, she was completely in the dark. Mostly. Well, Y/N was smart enough to make a guess.

Sokka cocked his head to the side and sat down across from her. “I think you know more than you’re letting on.”

Y/N furrowed her brows. “Maybe. I’m just guessing.”

“Then what’s your guess?”

“Katara is mad about something.”

“Well yeah, obviously,” Sokka scoffed.

“But Zuko hasn’t done anything recently for her to be mad at. So it’s either a long held grudge from Zuko’s ‘hunting the Avatar’ days, or something new is making her mad.”

“Like what?”

Y/N looked away. “I think she’s mad at me.”

“You? For what?”

Y/N leaned back on her hands, fisting them in the blankets before letting them go. “Come on, you know what.”

“I thought we all were past that?”

“Maybe she’s not.”

Suddenly the opening of the tent was pushed aside and someone came barreling in, stepping on Y/N’s left hand in the process.

“Ow!”

“Sokka, I need to–” Zuko stopped and looked down. “Sorry, Y/N…?”

His voice trailed off as his eyes bounced from Y/N to Sokka to the blankets spread neatly across the spanse of the tent, all illuminated by one single lantern on the floor.

Zuko’s cheeks grew pink. “Sorry, I didn’t know... I didn’t mean to interrupt, I–”

Y/N felt her own cheeks heat up as she realized what Zuko was implying, the flush spreading all the way down her neck. “No! You weren’t interrupting anything!!”

“It’s just the way the blankets are all–”

Sokka let out a strangled noise. “Nothing was gonna happen!!”

“Okay!” Zuko crossed his arms across his chest tightly.

“Okay,” Y/N repeated. She folded her hands in her lap and stared at her thumbnails, unable to meet either boys’ eyes. All three of them were quiet, still cringing over the embarrassment that had just happened.

Sokka cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So, Zuko, you needed something?”

“Uh, yeah.” He sat down next to Y/N. “It’s about your mom.”

Y/N’s head snapped up. What she knew about Sokka and Katara’s mom was little to none. She knew that she had been killed in a Fire Nation raid when both of them were younger, but that was the extent of Y/N’s knowledge. Neither sibling liked to talk about her in detail, and Y/N didn’t pry.

“Do you want me to…?” Y/N nodded her head towards the tent flaps, unsure whether this was a private conversation. She looked between the boys, waiting for an answer.

Sokka shook his head. “No, it’s okay.” Already his brows furrowed deeply. He chewed absently on his lip before saying, “What do you want to know?”

“Tell me about the day she died.”

Y/N glowered at Zuko, wanting to reach out and punch him in the arm for asking about something so sensitive.

“I don’t like to think about it,” Sokka’s eyes had a far away look in them, like he wasn’t seeing Y/N and Zuko in front of him, but was imagining the way the tundra looked on the day his mother died all those years ago. “I was nine, Katara was eight. We were out playing in the snow with Mom and Dad when the ash began to fall…”

----

Sokka’s story had lasted long into the night, and overall left Y/N with more questions than answers. Of course they were questions that no one could answer for her. No one could explain what was going through that man’s head when he decided that Kya’s life was worth less than his. No one could explain the greater complexities that were behind the Fire Nation’s decimation of other cultures, not in a satisfying way that would help Y/N ever understand. Because that was that; she would never understand–the fear factor, the sense of power that came from knocking one culture aside to make way for your own. (Why would you destroy when you could cultivate and grow and learn from each other? She had learned so much about that in the past few months.)

And all of those thoughts made it hard to sleep. There were too many things going through Y/N’s head as she watched Sokka’s chest move up and down with each rhythmic breath. Furthermore, she knew that Zuko wouldn’t have asked for the story if he didn’t already have plans made for what he was going to do about it, and that did not sit well with Y/N.

----

And she was proven right, the next morning after a few hours of sleep when Katara marched up to her, Aang and Sokka asking to borrow Appa.

“Why do you need to borrow Appa?” Aang asked with a smile. It slowly faded into a frown as he looked between Katara and Zuko. “What’s going on guys?”

Katara squared her shoulders, steeling herself like she was about to get into a fight. “Zuko knows who killed my mother.”

At that moment, Y/N’s ears started ringing. She frowned at Zuko, who just shook his head and frowned back at her. She should have known that any question he asked last night had an ulterior motive. This was his brilliant plan to make Katara like him??

Without warning, Katara stole Y/N’s attention back.

“Y/N, you’ll come with me won’t you?”

The older girl looked over and caught Katara’s gaze. “Huh?”

Katara looked down at Y/N hopefully. “I don’t care if Zuko comes, but I want you to. I need you.”

Y/N blinked at her. There were a lot of things that she wanted to say but the words just seemed to tangle around her mouth. She’d open her mouth to say one thing but snap it shut immediately for something else. Finally with a quick shake of her head she blurted out, “No.”

“What?”

“I’m not going to watch you hunt someone down and kill them.” The words left a bad taste in Y/N’s mouth. They were all too familiar to her. And the mere thought of doing that…

“I need this. I can’t just forget about him now that I know he’s still out there. I can’t just let it go!”

“I wouldn’t expect you to forget it,” Y/N replied slowly as she stared at Katara’s shaking hands.

“So help me.”

“No. And if you want me to be real honest, I don’t think that either of you should be going!” Y/N sent a very pointed look to Zuko. What is this really about? She wanted to ask him. “Revenge is not going to fix how you feel, Katara.”

“How would you know?”

“I just do.”

“Well you’re wrong. This man is a monster. He deserves it.”

“But you don’t need to be the one doing it.”

“Katara,” Y/N doesn’t have to look at Aang to know he’s sad. It comes through in his voice, clear like bells. “I understand how you–”

“Stop.” Katara’s voice cut through the air like a knife. “If you’re going to tell me not to go then you don’t understand either.”

“I do understand! How do you think I felt when the sandbenders took Appa, or when I woke up and found out what happened to my people?! Doing this out of revenge is not right and you know it.” Aang was standing now, a divot punctuating between his eyebrows as he frowned at Katara.

“You’re both wrong,” Zuko murmured. He was so quiet during the whole exchange, Y/N nearly forgot he was there. “This is about closure and justice.”

“Katara, please,” Sokka spoke up from behind Y/N. He too had stayed quiet for most of the conversation. Y/N wondered if he had an idea that this was going to happen after Zuko came to talk to him too. “She was my mother too, but this isn’t right.”

“Then you didn’t love her like I did.” It felt like a bucket of ice cold water had been splashed over Y/N’s body. She jerked at Katara’s words, even though they weren't aimed at her. In one foul swoop Y/N wanted to scream at Katara for saying something so hurtful to her brother and simultaneously pledge to do everything in her power to make the man who killed their mother pay for his crimes. However, Y/N didn’t have time to do either, because while she was still thinking of which was the better option, Katara spun around on her heel and stomped away, not unlike a child having a tantrum.

----

Y/N huddled between Sokka and Aang behind one of the large rocks surrounding their camp, watching as Katara and Zuko, dressed in black, loaded Appa with supplies. Her mind drifted to how cozy Toph and Suki probably were as they slept peacefully around the campfire. The wind bit through her clothes and Y/N shivered involuntarily. She knew that the point of staying up, waiting for Katara and Zuko to sneak away, was to once again try and convince Katara that this wasn’t the right thing to do. Aang thought that confronting them again would somehow bring Katara to her senses, except–this was Katara acting with her senses. As angry as she could get, she never forgot to plan, she wasn’t acting on a whim anymore.

Y/N didn’t know if she could say anything to convince Katara to stay that Aang and Sokka hadn’t already tried; Katara had shown her hand already and her mind was hard to change once it was set on something.

The three of them stepped out, just as Zuko and Katara were leaving. Y/N made a beeline to Katara.

“Please, Katara, listen to me.” Y/N kept her voice low, quiet enough that it was just for the two of them, and tugged on the girl’s sleeve childishly.

“No.” Katara didn’t have the same idea, her voice was strong and clear and it rang out loudly. Despite this, she still stopped and let Y/N reach to grip her wrist. She could feel Katara’s rapid pulse through her sweater.

Y/N shivered and crossed her arms across her chest, as if it would hide the gaping wound in between her ribs. The hurt that came from watching her friend choose the wrong path. It was a familiar pain.

“You told me once that you can’t just wish feelings away. You think by killing him it’s going to make things right. It won’t. You’ll feel better for a moment; a fraction of a second while his life is in your hands and then you’re going to regret it. The moment will pass and you’ll see what you’ve done. You’re strong but that’s not the kind of person you are, nor the kind of person you’ll ever be.

“Maybe that’s just you.”

The words stung. It wasn’t even meant to be a particularly hateful comment but Y/N couldn’t help but feel hurt over it.

She felt numb as she watched Katara climb onto Appa and fly away into the dark.

----

Something about the dark of camp and the unsettling feeling of having their group suddenly minus three made it hard for Y/N to find sleep. And when she did, it wasn’t peaceful. It had been a long time since Y/N had had a nightmare so realistic. She could still feel blood on her hands–

She sat straight up out of her sleep, kicking at the blankets that were tangled in a sweaty mess around her legs.

Her eyes took a moment to adjust as she looked around. Sokka’s tent was much darker than it was when they slept outside, the canvas blocking out the natural light from the moon and stars and a dying campfire–and it was warmer too–under all those blankets.

Then, Y/N realized a majority of the heat was radiating from Sokka next to her. His arm was still around her, knocked from her waist to the tops of her thighs when she sat up.

He was sleeping on his stomach, his face buried in his pillow–with one half open eye staring at her. “Lay down, is’okay.” He patted her leg with his hand and rolled to his side, both of his eyes closed now.

Y/N did lay down, even though her heart was pounding and everything within her told her she needed to run, to do something instead of staying here like a sitting duck.

She clutched her hands in fists, focusing on her breathing, which was still shaky. She stayed rigid, flat on her back–the easiest position to get up and defend from.

Despite this, Sokka snuggled closer, pressing his nose into her shoulder and wrapping his arm back to where it was across her waist, his hand splaying out across Y/N’s stomach comfortingly. Her shirt had shifted in the night, and his pinky brushed bare skin, leaving Y/N the feeling of butterflies, though she didn’t really mind.

She was falling asleep now, her tiredness overwhelming her sense of danger, and through that haze she could feel Sokka’s hand move, pulling her shirt further down and covering the bare skin he was once touching. And back was the warmth of his hand, resting protectively over her abdomen.

----

It had been Sokka’s idea to go out and have a picnic. Only after days of moping between the two of them did he come up with the thought. Though, it might have been spurred by the constant bickering between Y/N and Toph, usually only stopped by Katara’s sharp tongue. What usually started out by harmless banter ended with Y/N half-covered in mud and Toph dangerously close to what Y/N called an “impromptu haircut”.

It would have been a nice time for relaxation for both of them had they not been so worried for Zuko and Katara who were off Agni knows where, doing Agni knows what. Neither of them meant to, but their minds were in different places instead of here with one another. It had already been a few days since they had left, and their absence was being felt by everyone at camp.

Y/N dragged her hand through the cool grass and watched Sokka for a minute; wanting to lengthen their time out here, away from the chaos of their lives. She followed his gaze down to the town–their perch on the highest hill around had been strategic, but it provided a nice view too. Y/N noticed that Sokka wasn’t really looking at the houses and stores below, more like looking through them. He was off in his own world, worrying at the inside of his cheek with his teeth.

She didn’t always get the chance to stare so candidly at him while he was distracted. His hair had gotten longer on the sides but he never made any notion to shave it back down. Y/N kind of liked the scruffy look. Her gaze followed down his cheekbone to his eyes–which were still trained straight ahead. As he blinked, Y/N wrinkled her nose in jealousy; there was no need for him to have eyelashes so long and thick.

He could have been thinking about anything, a new invention, the slightly muggy air, the sour fruit—but if the pout on his lip was indication, Y/N knew what was on his mind.

She popped a quartered persimmon in her mouth before speaking. “Maybe we should try this again another day.”

Sokka grunted and didn’t look back. Y/N chuckled and pulled up a piece of grass, tickling Sokka’s cheek with it. “Did you hear me?”

He jumped and looked back at her guiltily. “Sorry, what?”

“We should try to have a picnic again on a different day,” Y/N smiled softly.

“That sounds like a good plan.”

On their way back to camp, they walked close, bumping shoulders every time their steps unsynced. They hadn’t strayed too far; their camp was just half a mile down the hill and to the coastline, but it was far enough so that they could be alone.

Y/N was happy to see that Sokka’s mood had changed for the better since moving off the hill. She reached down and linked her pinky with his. It was much too hot to be holding sweaty hands.

“Tell me–” Sokka started.

“Hmm?”

“–what happened back there at the temple? If you want...” Sokka quickly added, holding his free hand up to show he meant no harm.

Y/N had to think back, even though it was only a few days beforehand it seemed so distant in her memory. Maybe even a little hazy, like she wasn’t really present when she had done it. That might have been more than just an explanation, she barely remembered jumping up from the ground, just one minute she was sitting next to Sokka and the next she was holding her sword ready to fight. Y/N couldn’t recreate the exact feelings she was having either, but it made her fists clench involuntarily, like she was trying to push away whatever it would bring.

Finally after a moment of silence, she spoke, but it didn’t offer much of an answer to what Sokka was asking. “I don’t know. I just had a really bad feeling, is all. I heard Toph say that and I just acted.” Y/N chewed on her lip and shivered despite the sweltering heat. She felt worn out like her body had just had a massive adrenaline rush and she was fading now.

Sokka noticed this. “You didn’t have to tell me if thinking about it bothers you.”

Y/N looked at him and then snorted through her nose. “You asked me to be more open with my feelings.”

Sokka rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled slightly. “Yeah, but not if it distresses you. I just wanted you to know I’d be there for you.”

“It doesn’t distress me...that much.” she added when Sokka gave her a very pointed look. He didn’t say anything but he clearly didn’t believe her.

“So I’m a little bit on edge, that’s not a bad thing!” Y/N rolled her eyes.

“It is when you aren’t getting sleep.”

“I am getting just enough sleep to keep me going.”

“I’m not saying we need to be enjoying our life on the run, but you could act like you aren’t waiting for imminent danger every second of every day.”

“If I didn’t, then who would?” Y/N grumbled.

“We all protect one another.”

“Yeah..”

Sokka hummed and cocked his head, a wistful smile flitting across his face. “Sounds like you don’t really believe me.”

“I just… anytime we have time to breathe is when something bad happens. I am just anticipating it before it comes so it doesn’t catch me off guard. I’m doing that for all of us.”

“That is no way to live.”

“This—” Y/N gestured around herself wildly. “—is no way to live.”

“I know.”

“And Katara, don’t even get me started on that mess. I can’t protect her when she leaves.”

Sokka shook his head. “Katara doesn’t need protection.”

“Well obviously I know that. Neither do you or Zuko or anyone else, but it still makes me feel better if I was standing next to you if someone came after us.”

“You don’t...have to be self-sacrificing.”

Y/N bit her tongue to keep herself from replying. What would she say to him anyways? Maybe Y/N’s actions were more see-through than she thought.

It was disappointing to hear, probably just as much as it was for Sokka to say it. She didn’t think of herself like that, but that’s how she felt wasn’t it? Like her life meant a little bit less than everyone else’s because of her past crimes? That if she had it her way she’d do everything and anything in her power to make sure that no one else suffered, even at her own expense?

Protection. It felt like that was all she was good for. She wasn’t a planner, or a bender, or a leader, but she was tough and Y/N liked to think she was more than capable. A fighter was what she had to be, because there were no other slots that needed to be filled; she would just have to make her own.

Y/N was tired. And it was more than just physically. Sokka had been correct in saying that she hadn’t been getting enough sleep but it wasn’t like she could force herself to sleep when her brain never stopped screaming, Danger!

It was a relief to see a familiar shaggy beast at camp. It drew the conversation away from things she really didn’t feel like discussing.

“Look, they’re back.” Y/N nodded her head at Appa, who was munching on hay and receiving loving chin scratches from Aang.

Appa gave a lowly bellow when he saw Y/N and Sokka approaching, which called Aang’s attention to them.

Y/N was surprised to see a happy grin on his face. “Hey guys!”

“Hey, buddy,” Sokka murmured as he patted Appa’s snout.

Aang walked around Sokka and nudged Y/N’s elbow. “Katara is down by the water. You should go see her!”

Y/N raised an eyebrow. “Sure.” She passed over the basket full of fruit and pastries that she and Sokka didn’t finish. “Go ahead and pass them out to everyone, yeah?”

As she passed by Sokka he gave her arm a reassuring squeeze, which she returned with a grateful smile.

----

Y/N found Katara sitting at the end of the boat dock, swinging her feet just inches above the water line. The wooden slats below her creaked with each step she took. She stood behind Katara, waiting for the other girl to acknowledge her presence.

“I didn’t realize that I was mad at you until you didn’t want to come with me.” Katara turned around and smiled sheepishly at Y/N.

“Can I sit next to you?”

Katara patted the wood next to her and stared back out to the water.

“I’m sorry for treating you so badly.”

Y/N nodded numbly. “It’s okay.”

“It wasn’t.”

“We’ve all said mean things to one another,” Y/N said with a shrug. “While you were gone I told Toph I’d cut off her feet if she tried to stick them in my lap again.”

Katara chuckled. “Seems like I missed a lot.”

Their talk faded into silence as they listened to the waves lap against the shoreline.

“I was worried you’d leave again.”

Y/N blinked at Katara. What did she just say?

Katara seemed to sense Y/N’s confusion and continued. “Whenever I saw you with Zuko, always whispering to yourselves like you were keeping secrets, I thought you two were going to leave us.”

“We would never do that,” Y/N said, incredulously.

“I know that now,” Katara looked away with a shy smile. “I might have interrogated Zuko about it to find that out though. I didn’t want you to become lost again.”

“Lost?”

Katara paused, weighing her words. “We’re the same. You let your heart rule your head. All logical reason leaves you when you want something done. So I know when you need someone to watch out for you.”

And for the first time ever, Y/N felt fire in her chest. This is how Firebenders must feel all the time, Y/N thought.

That fierce loyalty and protectiveness that Katara waved in the face of adversity, that was for Y/N too. Not that it was ever doubted, but now Y/N could see it; feel it. What Sokka said was true, they all looked after each other.

But Katara wasn’t even looking at the tears shining in Y/N’s eyes. “That’s all you were doing for me too.

Besides, it wasn’t all I blamed him for either. He was just the easiest target. And forgiving him; it was easier than I thought it would be. Once I realized that I was blaming him, and maybe you, for something you didn’t do.”

“Well,” Y/N kicked her legs. “I did do something. And you have every right to be mad over it.”

“But now I know why.”

Y/N gave her a quizzical look.

Katara picked at her wrist wraps, unwinding and winding them back as she thought of the right words to say. “My journey taught me some things along the way. Before.. I didn’t know what it was like to love someone so much that all reason leaves you. I can never understand why you did it, that’s between you and Azula. But I can empathize with you now.”

Y/N didn’t have the vocabulary to respond to that. She realized that’s all she needed from her friends. She didn’t need unconditional acceptance for her past mistakes, she just needed to know that they could still love her despite them. She couldn’t expect them to understand what Y/N couldn’t even understand.

“I didn’t do anything, so you know,” Katara muttered.

Y/N nodded, she could have guessed as much but she knew it was important for Katara to tell her that.

“I wanted to, so badly.” Katara’s cheeks flushed with what Y/N knew was embarrassment. “It would have been so easy, but... I couldn’t. You were right, I would have regretted it and resented myself for it. I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

Y/N didn’t respond to that last part. She’d always suspected that Katara knew more than she’d led Y/N to believe. They probably all did.

“So many things happened while you were gone. You’ll have to tell me about them,” Y/N squared herself around to look Katara in the eyes. “When you’re ready.”

Katara held her gaze, “You can too.”

“I might take you up on that.” And Y/N was sure she would. Some day.

----

A/N: you guys should like,,, come in my ask box and tell me what you like about this because i’m feeling very self-conscious about my writing since it’s been so long.

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