#while excusing fenris' behavior at every turn

[snelbz]

Shot to the Heart {Rowaelin AU Fluff}

Tag Team with @tacmc aka the BDavis to myPSawyer.

Once a month, everyone took a night to spend time together, outside of a bar, and just have fun. Oftentimes, that meant a game night at someone’s house, a nice dinner or ice skating, in the winter. But sometimes, they liked to get out and do more fun things. They’d been zip lining, kayaking, played putt putt, you name it. There were times where things got a little competitive between them all, especially when they decided to compete between the sexes.

They were still banned from the Strike & Spare from the last boys and girls night.

So when it was Elide and Lorcan’s turn to choose, they decided to do something a little more conducive to their violent behavior.

“Where exactly are we going?” Aelin asked as she climbed into Rowan’s truck.

He glanced at his watch. “No clue, Lorcan just said to meet at Rita’s at eight.”

“That’s dangerous,” Aelin muttered, but her grin told him that she approved.

He pulled onto the road and began their drive, only the radio playing in the background. He kept trying not to stare, even though she looked beautiful and he wanted to tell her as much. They’d been best friends for years, always teasing that fine line between best friends and so much more.

Their friends constantly teased them about it, as they all began to settle down one by one.

You already spend as much time together as a couple does.

They’d always had reasons not to though. In high school, there was Sam and Lyria, though the four of them were always together. Makes sense that they ended up together, after they both went away to Fennharrow for college. Rowan and Aelin couldn’t be happier for them. The break ups had been amicable and they were going to Fennharrow together for their wedding next Spring.

In college, Aelin had met Chaol and Rowan had Remelle. Chaol was a permanent figure for a while, but Remelle was more of a time to time thing. They’d both been single for a while, but nothing had ever happened. There were many glances and accidental brushes between them, more so when the two of them had a movie night.

Then, the next time they saw one another, they pretended like nothing had happened.

Rowan didn’t mind it, though. He preferred to have Aelin as a best friend then not have her at all. Even if he did make a move one day, he didn’t know how she would take it.

When Rowan pulled into Rita’s, the others were already there, on the patio, drinks on their hands. Aelin was out before he was, hurrying over to throw her arms around Lysandra and Elide. Rowan watched her before grabbing his wallet, his phone, and his keys and joining them there.

Lorcan was watching him suspiciously.

He sat next to him, motioning to their regular server for his regular drink. He looked over and found Lorcan still looking at him.

“What?” He asked.

Lorcan raises his beer to his lips. “This a date?”

Rowan rolled his eyes. “No, I offered to drive her because it was on the way and she can’t hold her liquor.”

The two looked up and found the trio of girls tossing back a shot of amber liquid.

Lorcan took his drink, setting the bottle on the table top and crossing his ankle over his knee. “It’s reasonable, as far as your excuses go. Both are valid and make sense.”

Two dark bottles appeared in front of them and their server slipped away like she’d never been there.

“It’s not an excuse,” Rowan muttered, taking a sip from his glass. “It’s a fact.”

“Whatever you say,” Lorcan mumbled, but it was blatantly obvious that he thought Rowan was full of shit. “But when you two get married, Elide has called Maid of Honor.”

It took everything in Rowan’s power not to roll his eyes. “Don’t you two have anything better to talk about when you’re alone?”

“We’ve been together for five years,” Lorcan said, as if it was an appropriate answer. “So...no. We talk about bills, who’s going to do the dishes, and when the hell the two of you are going to fuck.”

Rowan choked on his drink.

“I never thought I’d have to ask this, but please don’t discuss my sex life with your fiancée.”

“Excuse you?”

Rowan and Lorcan looked up and found Elide and Aelin standing at the end of the table.

Rowan stammered but Lorcan laughed quietly.

“Okay,” Aelin said, awkwardly, “Is everyone here?”

Elide sat down next to Lorcan and said, “Fenrys, Asterin, and Manon are meeting us at the...place. Dorian is already there.”

“So, that’s a yes?” Aelin laughed.

“That’s a yes,” Elide confirmed, snuggling up close to Lorcan’s massive frame. “So, let’s get tipsy and go get banned from yet another family-friendly establishment.”

Lorcan snorted and raised his glass.

Rowan raised his glass to Aelin’s and met it with a clink.

“Our friends are ridiculous,” Aelin said, underneath her breath.

“Sometimes I wonder why I keep coming back,” Rowan replied, before chugging half his glass and setting it down on the table. When he met her humored gaze, he was reminded exactly why he kept coming back.

They finished their drinks and Rowan and Aelin packed themselves back up into Rowan’s truck so that they could follow Lorcan and Elide to the surprise location. Aedion and Lysandra stayed to order food and would join them shortly.

“So what conversation did I walk in on back there?” Aelin asked once they were on the way.

Rowan cleared his throat and said, “What conversation?”

Without even looking, he knew she had an eyebrow raised. “Really, Rowan. The conversation about your sex life.”

“Just Lorcan being an asshole,” he said, trying to wave her off the conversation.

Aelin was looking at him, and he was trying so hard not to look back

“I have no sex life,” Rowan blurted, after her silence had gone on a few seconds too long. “Not that I’ve never had sex, or don’t have opportunities to...Gods. Nevermind.”

Aelin was laughing quietly. “Holy shit, you’re flustered.”

“No, I’m not,” he said, gripping the wheel a little bit tighter. “I’m just...very personal.”

“Even with me?” She asked, humored.

Especially with you, he thought. Instead, he said, “Yes.”

Her grin only widened. “When’s the last time you got laid, Ro?”

His cheeks were on fire. His ears were on fire. The back of his neck was on fire. Everything was on fire. He cleared his throat again. “That’s none of your business.”

“Just tell me if it was recent or not,” she turned in her seatbelt to face him.

“No,” he laughed. “I’m not telling you that.”

Aelin said, “Why not, we tell each other everything. I’ll tell you.”

“Please, please don’t,” he blurted.

She lifted a brow, then began to nod, slowly, recognition showing in her eyes. Rowan suddenly felt like an idiot, but then Aelin said, quietly, “It’s been a long ass time, if that makes you feel any better.”

“I don’t- it doesn’t-.” His words broke off as he sighed, and Aelin laughed quietly. “You go get some if you wanna get some… I just…don’t want you to get hurt, that’s all.”

“How very kind of you,” Aelin crooned, but he was sure he ruined it all now, was certain she knew that he was full of bullshit.

“As your best friend, that’s my job,” Rowan said, trying to make himself sound convincing.

As he pulled up to a red light, she leaned over and patted his cheek. “And you’ve done a wonderful job.”

Unable to stop himself, he turned and pressed his lips to her palm, locking eyes with her. It was the ballsiest thing he’d ever done and he felt hot and cold all over as he waited for her to react. She swallowed hard, tongue peeking out to wet her bottom lip and-.

A horn honked behind them, as the light had been green for longer than two seconds, and Rowan turned his head forward as quickly as Aelin withdrew her arm back to her own side of the cab. He hit the gas and they took off, and Aelin flipped the bird behind them.

“Ace,” he laughed, “you can’t do that. He had every right to honk at me.”

She crossed her arms and sat up a little higher. “Yeah, well he didn’t have to lay on his horn like an asshole. A simple beep beep would have sufficed. Stupid, impatient fucker.”

The truck got quiet for a second and then they both dissolved into laughter, the tension from the moment before fading into near obscurity.

Two minutes later they followed Lorcan’s car into the parking lot of a laser tag facility, and Rowan swore under his breath.

Aelin laughed. “What? You don’t like laser tag?”

“The last time I played laser tag, I was twelve and ate too much shitty pizza,” he muttered, parking and turning off the engine. “Let’s just say they had to stop the game, turn the lights on, and call for the janitor to come in with a mop.”

“Aw,” Aelin said, her grin suggesting that she felt no pity. “Well, it’s a decade later, and you’ve had no shitty pizza. So, get out and let me kick your ass.”

Before Rowan could reply, she was out of the truck and closing the door behind her.

He groaned and laughed quietly as he had a feeling he was in for a hell of a night.

He got out of the truck and slipped his hands in his pockets as he walked over to where everyone was grouping up.

“I want to be up front and say that I feel like the girls cheated,” Rowan said to Lorcan as he leaned against the rail next to him.

“And why is that?” Elide asked, outrage written across her face.

“Because every single one of you are wearing black.” Lorcan tossed a pointed glance at his fiancée.

Elide held up her hands. “I said nothing.”

Manon’s man-eating grin said otherwise.

Rowan looked down at his light gray t-shirt. At least it wouldn’t glow when they got inside, unlike Dorian’s pure white v-neck.

“If Aedion and Lys don’t get here soon, we’re starting without them,�� Manon announced, already growing impatient.

“Agreed,” Lorcan said.

They waited thirty more seconds before the impatience grew unbearable, then their group of eight was walking in.

Girls vs. boys.

Rowan was unprepared. He needed another drink.

Thankfully, it seemed Lorcan was in agreement because the first place he went was to the snack bar and ordered two pitchers of beer. Rowan reached for one of the glasses but Lorcan pulled them back.

“Nope, these are part of the game.”

Rowan raised an eyebrow as Elide began to explain the rules.

For the most part, it was the regular run of the laser tag - hit your opponents’ targets with your point-and-shoot laser pointer and get the most points for your team. There was one caveat though.

“Both pitchers have to be empty by the end of the round,” Lorcan announced. “If your team doesn’t finish your pitcher, you automatically lose.”

“It doesn’t have to be drunk equally. If Aelin doesn’t feel like drinking,” Lorcan mumbled Like that would ever happen, and Aelin glared at him, “she doesn’t have to drink. Just as long as its empty at the end.”

They all voiced their agreement, put on their vests and gathered their guns, then they were tossed into the room.

Rowan was met with darkness and neon, glowing lights as he hurried into a tower. It was his go to. Get to the highest point, and see everyone. Then he paused, as he noticed a lock of his hair falling down in front of his face.

He had silver hair, in a room full of blacklights.

He was instantly a target.

After cursing his hair, he was on the move. He spotted Manon from the other side of the room, took aim, and hit her target.

She yelled a curse at him before he was moving, once more.

He headed for the predetermined boys base, and filled a cup with beer. It seemed he was the first to do so, but Fenrys soon jogged up, muttering about how it was unfair for a marksman like Manon to even be playing this game. His chest target was lit up red and he had a good ten seconds left before he could get back in the game. He saw Rowan and said, “That your first?”

He nodded and began drinking. “Drink two every time we stop?”

Fen nodded. “Quickest way to kill it.”

They both took a minute to chug before Rowan asked, “Seen Aelin?”

Fenrys shook his head. “She’s got a good spot, I’m sure. She has the mind for these things. Strategic.”

Rowan agreed. She was that.

After setting his plastic cup down, Rowan was back on the move.

He crept around a few different corners before he caught sight of her golden ponytail. He followed her, slowly, fully aware that he didn’t have the same graceful, quiet movements that she did. He knew there was straightaway up ahead and if he could stay back long enough, he could get a clean shot on her as she fled to the other side.

He crept along the final corner, pausing to peek behind him-.

He felt a hand on his chest and looked back to find Aelin gazing up at him. He didn’t even fumble for his gun as she pushed slightly and he backed up a few steps. His back hit the wall with a quiet thump and Aelin said, quietly, “Would you like to do what you did in the truck one more time?”

He hesitated, unsure if he was understanding her correctly. She took his bewildered look as acceptance, though, because her smile softened as she leaned up on her toes and pulled his face closer to hers with her hand on the back of his head.

Their lips met softly in the middle, once, twice, slowly, gently.

She tasted bitterly sweet, her peach chapstick mixed with the tequila shots she had earlier and the beer she was downing now. Rowan wanted the moment to last forever, but it was soon broken as Aelin leaned back, her eyes bright.

He smiled and leaned down, wanting to capture her lips against his one more time, closing his eyes.

There was a loud buzzing and then his best began to vibrate. His eyes shot open and Aelin was running away, a devilish glint in her eyes.

He blinked, watching her run away.

She had shot him.

She had kissed him.

Then she had shot him.

He stood, completely frozen, utterly dumbfounded.

Lorcan came around the corner, saw that he’d been shot, and shook his head. “You suck at this, Whitethorn.”

Rowan couldn’t even remember how to form words for a sarcastic reply. Instead, he just turned and walked back toward the pitcher of beer, where he downed two more glasses before deciding to hunt Aelin down as the alcohol warmed his body.

He knew the girls couldn’t be as close to finishing as they were, especially seeing Dorian heading back to their base with maybe one full cup and a half left in their pitcher. Rowan successfully snuck around to where the girls had named their base and found a perfect wall to crouch behind and lie in wait. The pitcher was directly in his line of sight, and it was still over half full.

Elide ran right past his hiding place without noticing him and he knew he could get a free shot out of it, but he’d give away his position. So he waited and he bided his time.

Rowan had just begun scoping out the alley behind his when a flash of white to his left distracted him. Manon ran by putting the pitcher directly to her lips and drinking. His eyebrows raised as she took down a sizable amount of their beer at once, but Aelin appeared beside her. They spoke animatedly and Aelin laughed as Manon ran back down the middle lane, hunting for another victim.

Holding his breath, he threw the empty plastic cup he’d been holding down the empty alley beside him.

Aelin heard it immediately, turning and staring in his direction. He was obscured by the half wall and as soon as she crept by, her gun aimed down the alley, he reached out and wrapped his hand around her wrist, pinning it - and her gun - to the wall.

Her eyes were bright with excitement and he couldn’t stop his gaze from dipping down and watching intently as she bit her bottom lip.

He didn’t know why his voice had dropped so low, why it sounded like he’d been gargling nails, but he leaned down by her ear and breathed, “Was that just so you could distract me?”

He was almost worried for her reply, but then she asked, “Is this just so you can distract me?”

He glanced down, not even realizing he’d been using his body to press her into the wall, hadn’t realized how close their faces had gotten.

He shook his head, slowly, the tip of his nose brushing hers ever so lightly.

Aelin sucked in a breath as she whispered, “Good.”

He kissed her then, much harder than she had kissed him. He slowly dropped her arms that were pinned to the wall, only so he could drop his gun and cup her face. Those delicate, steady arms of hers wrapped around his waist and she held his body close up against hers.

Aelin brushed her tongue along the seam of Rowan’s lips, asking permission, not just taking as she’d done before. But there was nothing he wouldn’t do for this woman, nothing he wouldn’t give to her if it was in his power. He opened for her and let his tongue brush against hers softly. She groaned quietly.

Rowan pulled back, catching his breath, and rested his forehead against hers. He took the moment to gaze at her in the darkness. She was the most beautiful damn thing he’d ever seen.

She breathed, “I’ve wanted to do that for a really, really long time.”

“Me too,” he whispered, laughing quietly. He brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear as he kissed her, once again, damning the game and forgetting about their friends.

For a moment, it was just the two of them, and that was all he cared about.

#tacmc toab tag team #tacmc x throne of ashes and beauty #toab tacmc collab #the shara tag #shara writes #rowaelin au #rowan whitethorn #aelin galythinius #throne of ashes and beauty x tacmc collab #throne of glass

[elentiyawhitethorn]

Sneaking Around | Chapter Twelve

Lysandra’s POV

Lysandra was not giving up. There was no way Aelin was going to reveal her boyfriend before Lys caught them, that she would make certain of. Aelin was smart, very smart. But Lysandra was smarter.

Their office building was not a particularly large one. Not that it wasn’t still many, many people, but she would take all the help she could get.

The bar wouldn’t have fit everybody; they must have only invited certain departments or something; Lysandra couldn’t remember. Not that it mattered; Lys had the guest list.

The bar was rather sizable. It had been reserved for the night, and dozens of people had attended. Only half were men (thank the Gods Aelin wasn’t bi) and these men were then narrowed down.

Aedion had been crossed off the list of course, being Aelin’s brother. The twins and Rowan were with Lys when Aelin got her alibi checked, so there was no way it could be them. Snooping had found one employee on vacation during a time she knew Aelin was at the mystery man’s place.

Lysandra was methodical and believed in exhausting all possibilities, but she was getting desperate. She decided to eliminate the men in a known relationship. She doubted Aelin would carry on with a cheater, and she certainly wouldn’t bring him to a party as her date.

Elide was the receptionist; despite her sweet nature, she knew all the gossip. Lys had coerced her into coming over last night, the only person to show up to her gathering. They had used Elide’s pool of knowledge to eliminate Chaol, Aelin’s ex who was now dating someone named Yrene; Nox, dating some girl whose name they didn’t know; and Ress, newly engaged.

The list being significantly smaller than when it was first made, Lysandra then called all the remaining men and questined them while Elide tried to muffle her giggling in the background.

Laying in bed the next morning, Lysandra thought of those conversations.

“Hello Tern, it’s Lysandra from security. It’s been so long since we’ve talked, and I was just wondering what plans you have for the holidays.”

A dozen phone calls later, Lysandra was stumped. Why? Because every single one of them was going to their parents’.

Yes, they might have lied. But if that was the case, she couldn’t trust a single conversation. She had gone over every possibility with Elide and they had agreed: it was time for a stakeout.

-

“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Elide asked, sitting next to Lysandra in the latter’s car in Aelin’s parking lot the night after yesterday’s meeting.

Lys rolled her eyes. “Of course it is. We agree we need to find out who it is. So close to the party - and to you leaving for your parents’ place with Lorcan - lists just aren’t going to cut it anymore. I honestly wish I’d done this sooner. And if you’re going to have doubts, walk home and I’ll do it myself.”

“No, no, I’ll stay.” When Lysandra grinned at Elide, El elaborated, “Just to keep matters in control if you insist on doing it even if I leave.”

“If you say so.” Lys knew Elide just had to find out almost as much as she did, and her paltry excuses weren’t cutting it.

“Um. What now? Do you even know?”

Lysandra giggled. “I work in security. Of course I know.”

“Does the security department usually involve themselves in stakeouts?”

“Well, no, but... It can’t be too hard to figure it out. We just sit. And watch. And wait.”

Elide frowned. “I have to pee.”

A sigh from Lysandra. “There’s a gas station down the street if it’s an emergency. Otherwise, suck it up.”

“If Aelin’s car isn’t here, why are we expecting her boyfriend to show up?”

“She might have a change of clothes or whatever, but even so, Aelin can’t stay there forever. She might come back, whether it’s to stay or pick something up or whatever. If the dude isn’t with her, we’ll follow her when she leaves again.”

“Do you do that in the security department too?” asked Elide with a smirk. Who knew sweet El was even capable of smirking?

“Shut up. Job or no, I am a pro. I watch true crime.”

Elide giggled. “You’re so weird.”

“What, it’s good. And let’s be honest, we’ve been waiting for ten minutes and we’re both bored out of our minds. Let’s try to figure out the situation.”

Before Elide could ask what she was talking about, Lys pulled out her phone and pressed Ansel’s contact. She put the phone on speaker so Elide could hear as it rung.

“Hi Lys. What’s up?”

“Hey Ansel. I’ve been watching reality TV for three hours and I need a good gossip. I’m assuming you won’t tell me about MM?”

“MM?”

“Mystery Man. My new moniker for him.”

“Oh. No, certainly not. I will say, though, that Fenrys just left and last night Aelin and MM came to watch a movie with us.”

Elide gasped and Lys elbowed her. “Is that so? How was it?”

Ansel laughed. “If was fine for the most part. They made out for, like, ten straight minutes though. Either they wanted to annoy me or they’re the horniest couple I’ve met. Or maybe both.”

Lysandra frowned. “I can’t believe I wasn’t there. You and Fen really watched a movie with them?” Before Ansel could reply, Lys continued. “She’s at his place now, I’m guessing?”

“Where else?” Ansel sounded exasperated. “I don’t see her on weekends. I might not even see her until after Christmas now. I’m not much better, though. I’ve spent the last few days with Fenrys.”

Trying to steer the conversation back on track, Lysandra said, “She’ll be there for a while, I’m guessing?”

“I have no clue. Actually, wait, I think she’s coming sometime tonight to get her laptop. She wants to get some work done and she forgot it.” Interesting. “I hope you’re not considering a stakeout,” Ansel teasingly said. “We were worrying about that last night. Oh, wait, I hope I didn’t just give you any ideas.”

Lysandra laughed. “I not desperate enough for a stakeout just yet. Gods, that would be so boring.” Elide covered her mouth, probably to avoid laughing.

The two good-naturedly chatted for a few more minutes before hanging up.

“So,” said Lys. “Aelin’s coming tonight. We are very lucky people.”

“Yes we are. Shit, I really have to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”

Lysandra dug out some dollar bills and handed them to Elide. “Get some snacks while you’re at it. I’m starving. I feel so stupid for forgetting food. That’s the number one rule of having a stakeout.”

-

One hour later, Lysandra was just nearing the bottom of a Cheetos bag when a familiar car pulled into the parking lot.

“Duck,” Lys whispered to Elide.

Elide complied, and then asked, “Why are we whispering?”

“It’s cooler. Okay, I don’t see anyone else in the car. It’s hard to tell because it’s so dark, but yeah, just Aelin. So we wait until she drives off and then we follow.”

“I feel like this is illegal,” commented Elide.

“It might be.”

“That’s not very reassuring.”

Lysandra smiled wickedly. “I haven’t felt so exhilarated in years. We need to do this more often.”

Elide giggled at this. “I feel like some sort of private detective.”

Just then, Aelin emerged from the staircase. Lysandra waited until she had driven a fair distance before pulling out after her. The dark was advantageous in that Aelin wouldn’t see them well.

They soon pulled up at a different parking lot. There was something about this place that Lysandra recognized, but in the dark it was impossible to tell.

“Is it just me, or is this place familiar?” Elide wondered.

“You’ve just voiced my own thoughts. Maybe we’ll realize what it is when it’s light.”

“Um, are we going to be here that long?”

“We can’t just follow her in.”

“Why not?”

Lysandra frowned. “I want to see that smirk wiped off her face when she thinks she’s won but realizes we already knew. That requires more patience than barging in there. Anyways, we’ve lost her, and we can’t very well knock on every door.”

“Why not?”

“Stop asking questions. We just can’t.”

A sigh from Elide. “Pass me the gummy bears.”

-

They stayed up all night. Telling stories, pinching each other, whatever it took. Lysandra even ran down to another gas station and grabbed some coffees.

Lysandra was telling a particularly ghastly story about Lorcan, and Elide was gasping about her boyfriend’s uncouth behavior, when Lysandra spotted a figure out of the corner of her eye.

People had been walking by all morning (dawn had just passed), so Lys wasn’t expecting it to be anyone important. But what she saw had her dropping her jaw. “Holy. Fucking. Gods.”

“What?” Elide turned and gasped. “Ohmigosh ohmigosh ohmigosh-”

Lysandra clapped a hand over Elide’s mouth. “Hush. They’ll hear.”

She pulled out her cell phone and snapped a picture. Of Aelin with her tongue jammed down Rowan Whitethorn’s throat and his hand on her ass. Holy hell. Another picture as they broke apart, where both faces were clearly visible.

Elide appeared to be trying not to scream. “But. I can’t. They hate each other!”

“Apparently not anymore,” was Lysandra’s dry reply.

Rowan reached for Aelin’s arm and walked with her to his own car. Maybe out to one of the cafes Aelin liked to frequent.

Lys and Elide had been very lucky that Aelin had gone home last night, and now that she and MM - Rowan - were going out somewhere now. And that they had decide to make out right in the line of Lysandra’s phone camera. Yes, they had been very lucky indeed.

“Now what?” asked Elide, seeming to have calmed down.

“Now we swear everyone to secrecy and tell them, just to spite those two-faced worms. Rowan went to my first meeting, you know. A spy, no doubt.”

“We tell everybody?”

Lysandra thought for a minute. “Well, Ansel and Fenrys already know, not to mention they might tattle. I suppose I’ll take mercy on Aelin and let her tell Aedion herself. I want to see Manon’s reaction at the party, so we’ll leave her out of it. Vaughan already left for the holidays, so he’ll have to find out later. Lorcan, Gavriel, and Connall we’ll tell though.”

“Okay.”

The three men were called and told they needed to come to Lysandra’s apartment immediately. They were all instructed not to tell anyone of their whereabouts.

Gathered in Lys’ small living room not too much later, Lorcan said, “Alright, do I really need to ask you ladies why we’re here?”

Elide smiled. “We have news.”

“But,” Lys intervened, “None of you may share this information with anyone. Not a single soul.”

“Why?” asked Connall.

“Just swear it,” Elide commanded.

Lysandra added with a smirk, “On your lives.”

They all rolled their eyes, but swore to stay quiet.

“We know who Aelin’s been sneaking around with,” Elide dramatically announced.

The men had various reactions: Connall gasped, Lorcan smirked, and Gavriel sighed. “Do I even want to know how you’ve come about this information?” asked Gav.

“No, you most certainly do not,” Lys replied. Then she pulled out her phone and showed them the first picture of Aelin and Rowan making out. The angle wasn’t as good as what Lys and Elide had been able to see, so the only distinguishable feature was the hair. While typically silver, Rowan’s hair had caught the light, making it more blonde-like. That did little to narrow down the suspects. They still couldn’t tell who Aelin was with.

“Um, very exciting, but who exactly is that?” questioned Connall.

Wordlessly, Lysandra swiped the screen, moving on to the photo of Aelin and Rowan pulling back and looking at each other.

Shocked expressions graced all of their faces. “What the freakin’ hell. What the holy fucking shit. What the-”

Lorcan was interrupted from his tirade by Gavriel, who just said, “Wow.”

Connall started to laugh darkly. “Those fucking assholes. I’m going to beat the shit out of them. And my brother. Shit, my brother knew?”

Elide smiled. “Yes, I’m afraid both Fenrys and Ansel were aware. They even watched a movie with the two of them a couple days ago.”

“Traitorous pieces of shit. You know, I think I’m content to watch this play out. Aedion doesn’t know?” Connall asked.

“No,” answered Lys with a smile on her face. “And don’t worry,” she added. “I’ll fill you all in on the details of the party. I can’t wait.”

#rowaelin #tog #sneaking around #my writing

[ask-constantinvaldor]

Say at least one bad thing about every primarch, plus the emperor if you want. Maybe even the other custodes too if you're feeling like it.

*Sips Hot chocolate and pulls out a piece of paper.*

I.  “Despite his knightly demeanor and all his talk of honor and loyalty, The Lion was far too willing to keep secrets, even when he could and should have told the truth.  He believed he should have been chosen Warmaster simply because he was the 1st primarch ever created.  He was unable to  relate to mortals and even his own Legion.  He demanded respect and obedience, but rarely gave it to others, even his own brothers and adopted father.”

II.  REDACTED (They made the mistake of facing me, they should have fled and lived a little longer. Not that they could have escaped the Ten Thousand and I.)

III. “For all his talk of perfection, Fulgrim failed to see the perfection in humility and doing his duty,   All he ever wanted was glory and adoration. He wanted everyone to  sing his praises from the highest mountaintops and the lowest of gutters.” 

IV “Perturabo never should have been given command of a legion.  Like Fulgrim he wanted praise and glory for his achievement.  While paranoia is a strength, Perturabo saw criticism and enemies everywhere, even when it did not exist and even among his own family.  He believed Rogal Dorn was his rival but this rivalry  was a product of his own deranged mind.  His treatment of his Legionaries was sick and disgusting,   While victory cannot be achieved without sacrifice, Perutrabo murdered one in ten of his own legionaries when he was reunited with them, simply because they did not meet his achievable standards.  He spent their lives like a spoiled prince spends gold,  War was never a necessary evil for him, it was an equation and a bill at his doorstep,  One he was too eager to solve by spending his own son’s lives.”

V “The Khan was always a mercurial  soul. A paradox.   Reckless one moment, overcautious and dawdling the next.  A bloodthirsty hound and a diplomat.  A admirable, cultured and philosophical man, and a barbarian that mounted the heads of his foes on his jetbike,  In his desire to not be a tyrant, he neglected discipline and too many White Scars considered becoming traitors, yet in his widsom, he granted them atonement through battle. In short, he traveled down many paths,and ran off the road constantly,  Thankfully the one road he stayed on was one of loyalty.”

VI  “ Leman,.. Like Dorn, I admire him for his steadfast loyalty and envy him for how simple things are for him   Simply tear the Emperor’s enemies apart and follow orders like a good little corgi.  Yet, he is a hypocrite, He claimed his Rune Preists used the power of Fenris, when one could smell the musk of the Warp on them a mile away.  The culture of Fenris may have saved the VIth legion from  tearing itself apart, but it was anathema to the Imperial Truth.  He always assumed the worst in Magnus and that he was always right,  So self-righteous, so  eager to charge with his axe raised high.  So changeable. One second he’s offering you  a tankard of Mjol, The next, you’re head’s been removed and being chewed on by one of his wolves  and he’s bedded your wife, cousin, sister and daughter at the same time. He always chose the most violent and direct option, even when diplomacy might have prevailed.  If I  had brought a leash for him, perhaps Prospero might not been destroyed,and the handful of innocents on the wretched rock might have lived.”  

VII  “I admire Dorn  for his refusal  to compromise his ideals, his honesty and his zeal.   I wish I shared his idealism.  But his refusal to compromise is his greatest weakness.  He is more stubborn than a mule.  He would rather win a moral victory and lose the tactical war than make a hard or dishonorable decision that keep you up at night.  In addition he will not accept that  Arlette will not let him fortify the Tranquil Courts.”

VII  “Konrad Curze  refused to  accept help for dealing with his visions dammed him.  He saw only one way to bring justice, through fear.  The Night Lords were a necessary evil, but under him they became nothing but a band of criminals, He claimed to be a bringer of justice.  A rather bold claim when one skinned men, women, and children alive.”

IX. “Sanguinus was compassionate and empathetic, but he never saw humans as people, he treated them like pets. For all his humiltiy, he basked in thier admiration like a tanner in the sun,  Some part of him he refuses to admit enjoy’s how they view him   He was too idealistic, and like Dorn refused to compromise on his ideals when it would be necessary.  He was also  surprisingly short tempered and hateful on  occasion.   I’m not sure if he knew this, but to some of the Silent Sisterhood, he came off as Misogynist.”  

X “ Ferrus Mannus was incredibly short tempered.  For all his and his legion’s cold-hearted and automata like behavior, he emotions collared him and kept him on his knees like a slave.  He said he would purge the silver from his hand and ban the voluntary cybernetics of the Iron Tenth when the Great Crusade was done, yet if he had the strength he boasted so much of, he would have done it already.  if he was logical  as he claimed to be, he would not have died on Isstvan V.”

XI [REDACTED]

XII.  “Although Angron would not accept it, I pity him.  The Emperor should have let him die.  The Butcher’s Nails have stolen any chance he had for  a happy life, Yet the Butcher’s Nails does not excuse  forcing them to  be implanted them in his men.”

XIII “ Roboute is a statesman second only to Malcador.   What he has done with Ultramar is nothing but remarkable. However, his obsession with control and efficiency, and his idealism, means everything must conform. Everything must be right or it will all fall apart.  He cares for mortals, but like Sanguinius he believes he is their better and knows what’s best for them.  Like the Lion, he demanded respect and obedience, and while he did earn it from his subordinates, like his brother, he had scorn for those who disagreed with his vision and banished them from his presence like the nobleman he denied he was.  One can look no further than the 22nd chapter of the Ultramarines.  These men are Destroyer’s and primarily Terrans from the old XIIIth legion.  Many of their number also come from Ultramar and their Chapter Master is from  the 500 Worlds. Yet the 22nd has a distinctive and unique culture that makes them stand out among the XIIIth ad other legion’s Destroyer Corps.  Gulliman has made his dislike of Destroyer’s weaponry well known and their culture does not fit into his idealized view of his Legion , so he keep them at arms length like a red-headed stepchild. “

XIV.  “Mortarion’s  dislike towards Psykers, while justified due to the abuse of his foster father and the suffering he inflicted on him and the people of Barbarus, does not excuse his blind and irrational  hatred for all of them.  In addition,  he lavished his affection on the legionaries from Barbarus and disbanded the Librarius of his legion.  This made the former Librarians feel like illegitimate children.   Mortarion was a prideful as Fulgrim, and could not accept the fact the Emperor had to save his life. When Mortarion spat on his oaths, he became the very thing he and the old XIVth legion swore to destroy,  a tyrant with a callous disregard for life.”

XV “Magnus was arrogant. He believed himself superior to his brothers because of his abilities. He was a glutton for knowledge, but for all of his knowledge, Magnus was not very wise, and in his folly, dammed our entire species.”

XVI  “  Horus… *sighs and takes a swig of hot chocolate*  As much as I hate to admit it and as much as I tried to turn a blind eye  to it,  Horus was arrogant and acted like a spoiled brat.  For all  his tactical brilliance, for all his humor and kindness, He graved glory and adoration not for his Legion or for humanity,  but for himself.   Like Fulgrim, he wished all to bask in his glory and sing his praises.  Horus wanted statues of himself, wanted people to prostrate themselves before him.  He wanted their affection and love and to say “Yes Horus you are so brilliant what would we do without you.”  

An old quote came to me regarding Horus Lupercal. “Veni Vidi Vici”    Horus Came, he saw galaxy and humanity, and wished to conquer it.  First for the Emperor, now for himself and his sick desires,”

XVII   Lorgar is complicated.   Arlette and I advised to Emperor to be merciful, when He censured him   After the II and XI, I could not bear to slay another one of His children, and Lorgar’s transgression  was nothing compared to  the horrors the II and XI wrought on humanity.    And I sympathized,  with him not wishing to be a warrior, to try and be something besides another warlord.  After all, when the crusade ended, and if Emperor’s safety could be absolutely guaranteed for eternity, i would live in a cave high in Himalzia with sheep for food and company and indulge in falconry and blacksmithing and toymaking and compose philosophical  treaties. I could venture down from  my solitude and strike down injustice and distribute candy and toys  to children.  

I was a dammed fool.

Like Leman, he was so changeable. He was like a child’s bouncy ball.  Except he was loyal and devout in  a misguided way, and than wicked, traitorous and spiteful, burning works and unleashing damnation with a smile on his face.  

Lorgar had such faith in Emperor, he deified him,  raised statues and built church’s all for Him.  Now he is devoted to the Primordial Annihilator and will do anything to please his gods.

If only he had such  faith in Humanity.

XVIII “ Vulkan’s Promethean Creed is an admirable philosophy.  He had a heart bigger than an Ordinatus and kindness, compassion and smiling all came so easily to him.  I envy him for his effortless kindness.   Kindness, compassion and smiling are all things the Ten Thousand must hone as much as our skills in  assassination and bladework.

Yet that compassion in his greatest weakness, Vulkan is not a warrior, he is a builder, a worker ant defending his anthill out of love. A blacksmith who forged all his creation but his weapons with pride.”  

XIX “ Corax’s goal of liberating those in bondage is an admirable goal. Yet for all his time spend hiding in shadows, he failed to  recognize necessary evils. On  a personal note, I believe this character flaw led to his Terran legionaries meeting an ignoble end.”

XX  The Alpha Legion began as a hammer in the shadow, another necessary evil.   Yet when  Alpharius took  control, they became a twisted serpent.  The old Christian devil in  the form of a Hydra. Alpharius was a glutton for complicated plots and schemes.  He is intoxicated on suffering and disorder.  He is like  Horus in the regard that all must know they were outsmarted by him.  All most know that as soon  as they sat down at the Regicide table with him, they were played like a damn fiddle.”  

Any complaint’s about the Emperor, I shall keep to myself.

Arlette and I may have our disagreements, but we have each other’s back.  

The only custodian I can complain about is Diocletion. He is quite frankly, a Dick.  Empathy and compassion are skills he must learn.  Time with the Ligo  Aetos and humanity itself will be his teacher. “

[sparemyocs]

Listening

"There's something I... should ask you about Tevinter." Dorian's eyes rose to the other man from the book he'd been reading. "Oh. Should ask me, hm? Says who?" "...The Imperium is the center of the slave trade, isn't it?" Ah yes, this topic was bound to come up eventually. Admittedly it was foolhardy of the other man to have left it for after they'd started... whatever it was they'd started. This was going to be a very fun conversation. "Ah, that is true," Dorian confirmed, the usual mirth gone from his voice. He set the book aside, slowly standing up from his comfortable chair. "And...? Did you own any slaves?" The Herald folded his arms, eyes a bit wide and searching the human's face. "No... but my family did. So far as I was aware they were treated quite well." Dorian made sure never to look away, as badly as he wanted to. There was no way this conversation would go well but... After so many kind words, he didn't want to seem a coward to his amatus. Still, for a moment his fingers slotted together before he could force his arms back to his sides. "So far as you were aware?" "It... never seemed like my business. Truthfully, I never even thought about it until I saw how different things were in the South. Back home... Well, it's just how it is. I'm not even sure most slaves really thought about it." "I think you're underestimating them," the elf snapped. Already hitting sour notes it seemed. "All of them? In the South you have Alienages. Slums both human and elven, and the desperate have no way out! Back home a poor man can sell himself. As a slave he can have a position of respect, com-" "Respect!? Excuse me!? What 'respect' is there exactly in being a slave? Where, pray tell, does this magical 'respect' come from?" Hanhari's arms straightened out to his sides, teeth gritted and bared. Dorian felt the skin on the back of his neck prickle and his face pinch in displeasure at the display. "If you wanted to know my thoughts on the matter, you could at least let me finish." "I wasn't being rhetorical." The human huffed, sour expression holding, "Status, from his family. The comfort of knowing his children would never go hungry." "Unless they were sold away of course. I've heard tales to the contrary." "Well perhaps you shouldn't believe every tale of Tevinter excess you hear." "I do at least believe what I've seen Dorian. Scars speak louder than any of your deflections." "Whose scars?" Certainly not his own. The only scar Dorian could actively think of on the man was the one on his back from escaping Haven. Whatever others there were weren't that noteworthy. "We can talk about that later. If the mighty Scion of House Pavus can get over his apparent disregard for the dragon that's been lounging at the foot of the bed!" Hanhari looked away, grimacing and waving his hand off at the other. Dorian sneered at the haughty movements, "You seemed fine with that so-called 'dragon' last night, amatus." The proceeding slap nearly sent Dorian into the nearest bookcase. By the time he recovered, his amatus was gone.

"Whew, it looks like you opened a Fade rift in here Glowy." The elf at the far balcony scoffed softly, not turning around. He had his arms braced wide against the top of the stone railing as he looked over his domain. Probably trying to calm himself down. "Look, I never thought I'd say this, but try not to be too hard on the guy. He spent his whole life swimming through shit. Some of it was bound to stick. Not to mention, Sparkler's a good guy. I bet if you talk instead of yell, he'll listen. Especially to you." "...That's easier said than done Varric." The dwarf shrugged and threw out his hands in exasperation, even if he knew the gesture would go unseen. "Fine. Do you want to talk about it? The rest of Skyhold already is." Varric almost felt bad when he saw the elf flinch. "...I still love him. He's still incredible. But 'I haven't thought about it' is not an acceptable answer." "Then make him think about it." He had to admit, for how tumultuous their relationship could be, Hawke and Fenris had always done a pretty good job conducting themselves in public. Even with Broody having basically no experience with healthy relationships. "And if he doesn't.... Change his mind? If he can't see it for what it is?" The Inquisitor whined softly, "It'd ruin everything." "Your 'dragon' metaphor was pretty accurate you know. You can't ignore a deal breaker. If you never talk to him again then it's already over." "I don't know if I can be reasonable about it." "And I don't blame you, but if you want this to work you'll need to try. And don't expect him to magically 'get it' with just one conversation." Varric sighed, rubbing the back of his head and looking to the ground. "...Nobody would blame you for walking away Inquisitor." "...Thank you Varric. I... need to think about this more." "Sure thing Inquisitor."

Dorian was not nearly as drunk as he wanted to be. Blackout drunk would be good, but ignoring the glares in the tavern was impossible. All through Skyhold, someone had something to hiss at him. Nastier things than usual, anyway. As if losing his amatus wasn't bad enough. He'd spent most of the last three days away from the library, instead he was hiding out in his room trying to make his limited supply of books and alcohol last. So far he'd only been leaving to do things like eat or bathe, so he was surprised to find a book on his bed after one of these such trips. It even had a little note.

'It's time to start thinking about it – Varric'

Dorian tried not to turn up his nose at the intrusion and looked at the book instead.

'Tevinter: A Country of Denial by Potitia Tertia'

Well that title was extremely on the nose, wasn't it? But it wasn't like he had anything to lose, and at a glance the author seemed to be Tevene so it hopefully wouldn't be completely preachy, uninsightful garbage. Maybe. Perhaps Varric had chosen it for just that reason. The man was painfully good when it came to knowing how other people worked. He felt his lip twitch up when the dedication was 'To the country that likely banned this book.'

Dorian barely looked up when Hanhari let himself in, buried in his book and lounging on his bed. He'd need to do more research on his of course but... "It's... all a bit more twisted than I would have liked to think." "A bit?" Hanhari pressed. The black haired man sighed, setting the tome aside. "Fine, fine... It's a great deal worse. Why can't my countrymen not live up to their stereotypical reputations even once? Just once might be nice." "You really didn't know?" "Propaganda and pride are both very powerful things when you never see anything to suggest something different. ...Or perhaps I did and simply didn't take it for what it really was, so I can't remember. I heard stories of course, but stories are easy to dismiss. 'Oh it's an exception to the rule, oh they blew it out of proportion, pay no mind.' It's never been my fight, my business. It scarcely seems to be yours either, frankly." The other mage sat down beside him on the bed, "What do you see when you look at me Dorian?" "I see... my amatus, the Inquisitor, the Herald of Andraste, a mage, a man... Short red hair, beautiful skin, kind eyes..." He sighed softly, delaying no longer as he noticed Hanhari's scowl deepening, "and an elf." "You can't pretend that last one isn't important Dorian." "Can't I? I'd adore you no more if you were human." "It's a part of my identity Dorian. A vital one I might add." "Wouldn't it be easier if it wasn't?" Hanhari sneered, lip curling up to expose one of his canines, "I don't know. Would your life be any easier if your sexuality was less vital to you?" Low blow, but it made his point. ...Was that really what it was like? Maybe not exactly but as a thought... "Ah... Point taken I suppose... I'm sorry. I must sound like an ignorant fool." The Dalish man deflated, "For what it counts... You are a very eloquent ignorant fool, 'ma'lath." The elf smiled at the other softly then. "I... I'm glad you're at least willing to listen. Most... people aren't so willing." Dorian smiled sadly back, "Ah, but is just listening enough?" "No, but it's a start. ...I'm sorry as well. I... made our fight very public. That was cruel of me." "As long as you don't hate me amatus, I don't care what anyone else thinks. I'm sure once they see we've made up they'll cull their contemptuous behavior for a while anyway. ...Are you sure about this however?" The Dalish man laid down next to him, turning onto his side to face the human. "More sure than I should be, considering. ...But I trust you, ar lath ma Dorian." Dorian felt his brow raise slightly, "Hold on, now, don't get me wrong, I'm completely flattered but... You said that in the wrong order." "Huh?" The elf sat up on his elbow. "I said what in the wrong order?" "Well alright, maybe it's not 'wrong', but it was different that time. It's usually 'ma lath', not 'lath ma'." "Oh... I did." "Now I'm curious, what are you saying?" "...My love." "...Oh. ...So just now, you were saying..." "I love you." Dorian had to swallow a few times before speaking again. "...I... Maker's breath- You choose to say such a thing now? Right after our first serious fight?" He blinked a few times, looking away from the human and down at his own knees. "I've... We'll I've never had a particularly fortunate sense of timing honestly. To be fair, I wasn't counting on your pressing." "...You are ridiculous." "Can I stay in your room tonight? With you?" Dorian bit down any expletives that wanted to come up at the sudden question. "With me? In my own room? Never, you will stay here without me while I go and use yours." The smile flashed across the elf's face and his soft laugh soothed the Tevinter's nerves. "Well, if you insist. At least it will smell like you," Hanhari looked up at him and settled back down against the bed, "that will make it easier to sleep while I miss you." "You play so dirty amatus, now I can't go." "Good."

#pavellan #dorian pavus #varric #argument #making up #fanficion #Inquisitor Lavellan #dragon age inquisition #dragon age

[silverchildqueen]

Fenris POV - Memories of the distant past.

His memory drifted away to the time when he was only an apprentice and had a very specific mission to escort the younger Ruler to be back at home, back at the place he had seen her for the first time when she was only a child. Where memories hurt her and made her feel uncertain. 

Her life was in grave danger right now as dark forces tried to penetrate the Citadel. She was there to learn the ways of ruling, politics, negotiation. A lot of people knew she was next in line and that made her a primary threat to those who wanted the throne. The master, whom at that time was only a Guardian, had the mission to escort her back to her homeland to keep her safe.

But it wasn’t the threat or the battle it took place later what he is remembering now, no. His mind returned to the moment he saw her standing at the balcony of her childhood home, the cold breeze bristling her skin. She looked beautiful at that moment, with her red hair down and curly, wild, it was like an undying flame. She wore a white nightgown, and a purple robe to cover her from the cold. The moonlight reflected in the liquor she held in her hand.

The former Guardian believed she hadn’t noticed him, but she did, as she spoke without looking at him. 

“I used to come up here and watch the stars, I would make a wish every night. I would beg the Gods to return me my father, but no one ever listened. This was his favorite spot as well, father would tell me stories about the stars and the universe, while he held me in this balcony. One day, perhaps, I can tell you about his stories.” She said, and her voice sounded like silk, but he could feel the sadness as well. 

“I would be honoured to hear those stories, my lady, whenever you wish to.” He position himself by her side, watching her carefully, with those analytic eyes.

“Do you want a drink, my faithful Guardian? It is from Stikis. It is said they have the best liquors.” She asked, holding the bottle with her right hand. He could tell she had be drinking for a while, by the remaining in the bottle. And he knew it was strong, to survive the could the alcoholic drinks in Stikis are known for the strong savor. 

“I think that would be ill-advised, my lady. I’m here to protect you, I can’t protect you if my senses are clouded by…” he didn’t finished the sentence, he just looked at the glass she held with her left hand. 

“You are so proper, Ser. I can’t even force a drink on you.” The lady tried to joke, but he could sense the bitterness. 

She sighed, and she trembled a little, but the cold had nothing to do with it. 

“I’m sorry.” She apologized and the man knew why she was apologizing for. It was like a knife deep-skin. Her green eyes looked as crystal as ever. “I should apologize for my behavior, for what I did was wrong. I violated your vows and my own, but I’m deeply sorry because I forced you to endure it. I’m making your job more difficult. I apologize for that. I wish I could be in the Senate, doing what I’m supposed to do. Learning the ways so one day I can be a good Ruler. To protect my people.“ 

The words came out of her mouth an unusual calm, for what she was saying. Those words lingered in her tongue since the day she had kissed him, she told those words to herself many times until he was the one to hear it. 

She thought he didn’t wanted her, because he stopped the kiss. What a naive notion. 

The guardian took the bottle out of her hands, and pour the remaining inside down the balcony, before the astonished eyes of the young woman. 

“What are you doing? That was a expensive bottle!” She exclaimed in shock, as the last drop of liquor left the bottle. Now it was empty. 

“You had enough of these, my lady. You shouldn’t drink anymore. It is an unhealthy behavior.” He simply said, with that kind of voice he would use when a younger Guardian was under his instructions. The voice of a master. 

She refused to return her gaze back at his, ashamed, everything was overwhelming. The consul expecting of her to improve her skills faster, afraid that the life of the actual Ruler was slipping away faster than anticipated. The threat of a unknown person, who didn’t even knew her, trying to kill her because she wore the mark of the crown. Her feelings for a person whom was denied to her by the rules they lived in. And how much she missed her father, and how very often the screams of her mother as she died reappeared in her dreams, tormenting her. It was too much. And right now she only wanted this person beside her, but he was beyond her reach. She couldn’t afford happiness. And rulers could never have that kind of joy. 

She didn’t noticed the worry in his eyes as he stared at her. She was lost in her thoughts. 

“Euphemia.” He called her by her name, for the first time. But it sounded so far away. “Euphemia, look at me.” He spoke again, he reached for her cheek and cupped it within his hand. Her soft skin warm to the touch,it felt as if it was burning him, but it didn’t hurt. She raised her eyes, staring at him like a lost doe. 

“I’m always looking at you.” It was such a low sound, he might have dreamed about it, those words might be only an illusion. “You know… this might be silly. But I hoped if I was able to make you drink with me, we could get drunk and we might have done something careless, regardless of our moral judgment. I thought that maybe I could convince you to get drunk enough after some taking in more of the liquor inside that bottle, and kiss me again. And then, we could blame the liquor for our behavior and  not ourselves. We could pretend. It would be a good excuse, don’t you think?”

“It would be.” He finally said, but she was under the wrong impression, and he had a few seconds to decide if he wanted to correct her or not. It was an easy choice. “But I do not need to be drunk to want to kiss you again.”

He was aware she thought he rejected her when she kissed him, as he pulled away. But he only did it after returning her kiss, and he did it because the reality of their worlds hit him hard. He was destined to lose her. He couldn’t have her even though he loved her. But he could love her still.

Love wasn’t a possession, he loved her and that was all. 

Euphemia closed her eyes and sought to caress his hand with her own cheek, he held his hand still with her own, entangling their fingers. There was a kindness inside of her than shines more brightly than her tragic past, and her sorrow. Maybe this was the reason why she was chosen as the next Ruler, maybe her gentle heart made of iron was what they needed to protect and defend the realm. He couldn’t stop her destiny, but be could be there every step on the way.

“You’re kind, my Fenris.” She said as she brushed her lips against his skin. The way she spoke, as if she was thankful for his gentle lie, it made him consider that maybe she didn’t believed him. “It always amaze how everyone considers you one of the strongest warriors in this realm and other realms, but it my eyes there is nothing but goodness. I could never fear you, not even with that sword in your belt.“ 

Fenris stayed quiet for a while, thinking about the mistake he was about to make. He knew the rules that abide them, the Guardians, he could have sexual encounters with female or male; he can kiss and tell. He can feel desire but not love. Because love will make your throw yourself in front of the other person that you care and put your duty at last. 

Love is the death of duty, they would say. 

He wrapped her in an embrace, holding her close to him by the waist. Her raising heart, beating so fast he could actually hear it, and the proximity of their faces was intoxicating. He knew it was wrong of him to feel her body as he was right now, when that dress barely covered anything. It was a threat to property. It would be so easy to slip his hands under it, and it was wrong to think about that. He knew it was very wrong of him to feel this kind of craving, to want her so badly it hurt him physically. And it was unspeakable to even consider to press his lips against hers, to know how she tasted. But he did it anyway, and it felt so right. 

He needed to believe that his undying desire for her was just a manifestation of his lust, but he was no fool. Because with each kiss he was consumed, and the thought to find the will to stop vanished as her tongue collided with his. Fenris cornered her in between his body and the balcony, keeping her steady, while she entangled her fingers in his red golden hair. She loved his hair, how it glowed golden under the sun but with those beautiful red sparkles. She longed to feel this, all this.

Euphemia gasped in his mouth as his hands traced her back, trembling against his body, and suddenly he was awake. The spell he was under just broke. He broke the kiss, but didn’t turned away, he was still holding her as she watched him with confusion. 

She was possibly drunk and there is no way this looks any good. She might want him as much as he wanted her, but he wouldn’t continue with this while she was under the influence of alcohol. It wasn’t respectable for her or for himself. Suddenly, she understood. 

“You’re an honourable man, Fenris of the Wild. You could never wrong me.” Euphemia’s sharp mind, even at her current state, surprised him. She was able to read him even now. "You don't need to go. You can stay." Euphemia tried not to beg, but it sounded like it. 

“I thank you, my lady. But I rather not have you hating me tomorrow morning, when your mind is clear and sober. You have enough enemies already.” He was turning around to leave, and a part of her wanted him to stay. But she knew it wasn’t fair of her to put him in the position to deny her once more for her sake. It didn’t escaped her that although he left her, he didn’t say what he did was wrong. She knew in some point of views it was wrong, but she didn’t wanted to hear it from him.

She was young back then, and so was he. And maybe now, with the years and experience gained, they have learned how to control their emotions, how to tear apart what they felt for the sake of others. But it was always there. 

He would do anything for her, he would die for her, either way it was such a bliss. He never spoke the words at loud, but if the fate of the world didn’t relayed on their shoulders, if he were a selfish person… he would leave all behind for her. He would sacrifice all to be by her side as he wanted to. Not like this.

It was a beautiful dream. 

#ff: of the hunt #oc: fenris #oc: euphemia #fenris x euphemia #oc: the master #oc: the ruler #ship: fenris and euphemia #ship: the master and the ruler