Clarion melted into her lover, forgetting for a moment everything else, just the feel of her promised, of Nyx’s lips against hers, her arms wrapped around her scout captain. The queen practically glowed, her wonderful thoughts allowing for the dust around her to really shine.
“I think it’s gone perfectly, sunrise.” Clarion beamed at her, leaning in to kiss her just once more because she could, because there was nothing to hide anymore. Atta would become the new queen soon, and Clarion had full faith that the young fairy could do it. She would shine even brighter than Clarion had.
“We should go home and plan. For our future.”
-
“Well, petal, I don’t think anyone would expect anything less.” Nyx smiled one of those big, nose scrunching kind of smiles, keenly aware of their audience and all the same choosing to ignore it for the fairy in front of her.
“We should.” She took her hand and kicked off the ground, wings fluttering.
And for the first time but certainly not the last, their hands were joined as they continued their Fly-about. Two sets of wings fluttering side by side, though they were different shapes, they looked like they belonged as a set.
Clarion’s heart was so full she thought for a moment that surely it would burst with so much happiness flooding through her. The love that Clarion felt for Nyxion was unlike any feeling she’d had before in her long life. Yes, she’d loved once before, but that love had been over in the flit of a moment…and it hadn’t felt as real, as possible as this one.
Back then, Clarion had been young, a royal talent in training to a new royal talent. Now…well now Clarion was looking to a beautiful retirement. And Nyx was going to Promise herself to her.
Tears blurred her vision for a moment, though Clarion refused to allow them to fall. She wanted to see Nyx, to watch her face, to study the love of her long life. “My sunrise…there is nothing in this world that would delight me more. I’ve seen you grow, and watched you become a wonderful scout, an incredible captain, and you’ve become someone I cannot see myself without.” Clarion reached up to wipe at her eyes quickly.
“I never allowed myself to hope for a love like ours. But because of you, I’ve let myself hope. To dream of something other than my duty and what’s expected of me. I can see beyond that to a life of joy and rest with you. I would be honored to be your Promised and spend the rest of my life with you.”
-
Nyx’s smile broadened, and for a moment, no one else was there. Just her and Clarion gazing into on another’s eyes as they spoke of Promises. At Clarion’s words, the fluttering beats of her heart pounded up against her chest and felt like they would burst forth. She murmured, still amazed by all that had gone right in the end, “I was hoping this would all go according to my strategic planning.”
And with that, she pulled Clarion in, for all the Hollow to see, and pressed her lips to the Queen’s. The kiss was the first of many, and a start to a new chapter for them. One out in the sunlight where it could continue to blossom and grow.
Clarion should have suspected something was up the moment that she spotted none of the things that Nyx described as obstacles. Or perhaps she should have the moment she heard some quiet giggling and felt eyes on them that she hadn’t anticipated.
But here they were, with petals swirling across the field, and Nyx speaking to her like…like she was everything. A smile spread across the fairy queen’s face as she got the sense of what this situation really was, wings fluttering and pixie dust spilling out beneath them.
“You know, I should have caught on to that sooner, but here we are. What are you doing, my sunrise? Plotting?”
She could guess what Nyx was wanting to do, but she could also have something entirely different in mind. Still, her heart sped up, and she felt as if the air around her shimmered as her joy was exposed to the world.
-
-
The petals swirled across the grass as more and more eyes turned onto them, Nyx pulled her hands from behind her back and for the first time, not under duty or as official escort to a function, she took Clarion’s hand. She initiated the contact in front of all of the Hollow to see.
“I think it’s time to step out of the darkness, petal.” She whispered gently before projecting a bit more so all the nosey little fairies who helped could hear. “Clarion, I’ve been at your side more moons than even the greatest scribe talent could keep track of. I’ve watched you give your heart to this Hollow, watched you foster it, made it grow more rings as time passed into an even sturdier Oak. And in all this time, I have given my heart to the Hollow as well.” Her smile curled up, eyes soft as she spoke to her queen and lover, “And if that isn’t telling us that once we put our hearts together, anything is possible, I don’t know what else will.”
She fluttered her wings behind herself a bit nervously, those strange butterflies fluttering even faster, “It would be the greatest honor I’ve ever been given, if you would be my Promised. Be mine for all the moons to come and never doubt that I will protect you as you will always be queen of my heart, which once felt very hollow, but is now full.”
Clarion felt like a fledgling again, the giddy joy carrying her along after Nyx with an energy that she hadn’t had in a long time. Each moment Clarion spent with her guard was wonderful, and she forgot for a moment who she was. What she should be doing. She let herself forget about her duty for a while.
“Oh? What kind of obstacles were you thinking?” Clarion asked curiously as they flew, already running through some ideas in her head. She knew how Nyx tended to work, so she had an idea of how it might look. But seeing was better than imagining.
She was surprised a bit by the friendly fairies greeting them with rather sly looks. Clarion glanced over at Nyx, but her beloved didn’t pay much attention to it. “Is something going on? Did they help you with the obstacles as well?”
As they flew at their leisurely pace, Nyx felt her heart beat as quickly as her wings, busying her hands behind her back to channel the pent up energy of the impending task she was about to perform.
There was not always a grand promise-posal. There was maybe a small one, or one she could easily have done for Clarion behind closed doors. But, it was getting to be time where they would take their relationship into the light rather than the shadows and she felt the best way to do this was to present it publicly. For all the Hollow that they loved to be involved in some way of showing the Queen to a new part of her life with them. That although it was an end, it was also a beginning, a bud waiting to bloom.
As they neared the training grounds, pathways of flowers grew and sprouted underneath them, the faint sound of giggling of apprentices could be heard and the shushing of their mentors.
“Just some tunnels, tangled brush, hedges and low branches.” Of course, none of those were found as they emerged onto the training grounds, the archery targets lined up to run alongside them rather than in front of them and an archway of flowers of every color in the middle of it, twinkling with fairy dust (a favor she called into her father and the dust fairies for (they’d pooled a small surplus of their own dust allowance for the occasion). A light breeze (generated by the fast flying talents) carried petals across the field and swirling them up into the air. “Oh no, maybe they’d already seen this.”
“Clarion,” She said softly, in public, without formality or title, for all the Hollow to hear.
And all the Hollow responded, eyes peaking up from targets and the brush, poking up through branches as they rustled. Nyx could roll her eyes, but then again, none of them were Scouting guard talents trained in the ways of stealth.
The grin on her face bloomed, a grin that few in the Hollow had ever seen, but was on full display now, “Shockingly, I didn’t bring you here for new training grounds or our fly about.”
“Um, ‘scuse me! Yeah, sorry, can I get your objective opinion on something? It’s very important.”
Nyx had been relieved of her Guard duties back at the Hollow earlier than usual and had decided to clumsy watch as she waited for Clarion to finish up her final case of the day. It was always so interesting seeing them hurry about and talk about money and their work and whatever other things they needed to sustain themselves.
However, she wasn’t expecting one to walk up to her as she sat on a bench near the park. Objective opinions were usually her strong suit though so why not.
Clarion had admittedly taken a little more time to make her hair nice, a flower crown she’d made for herself placed upon her head. Taking time like this with Nyx always felt like the greatest gift. She had spent so much of her life not allowing herself something like this. But now…when someone else would take over the mantle soon…Clarion could let it be.
She twisted around as she adjusted her crown a little and smiled at Nyx. “Of course. I felt ready an hour or so ago already. Spending time with my sunrise is…there’s nothing like it.” She fluttered toward Nyx, leaning in to press a soft kiss to her lips.
“Shall we?”
Every time her queen kissed her was a welcome surprise. She didn’t know if she’d ever fully get used to the level of affection she was shown whenever she arrived. Like she was something exciting and important all wrapped in one to her Queen. She felt the shy smile appear on her lips, fluttering of wings in her stomach that only her queen seemed to orchestrate and the bit of nerves that accompanied it for what she was about to ask.
Yes, they’d talked about it. And yes, in theory they’d wanted to spent the next lifetime together, but when it was real, would that still be the case?
She pushed that thought down and whispered softly, the secret always lingering between them, “Of course, petal.”
She led her out and kicked up off the limb of the tree, easily fluttering her wings up into the air, “I thought I’d show you the training grounds, I’ve been thinking about agility training for the Scouting talents and thought perhaps the fast flyers could utilize it as well. I enlisted the help of some garden talents to set up some obstacles.”
Her heart was like a hummingbird in her chest. Truthfully, she had pulled a few strings with the garden talents and the moment they got wind of the premise, they gave her a rather knowing look that baffled her. Evidentially, they weren’t subtle.
A few overly friendly fairies came up to them with grins and smiles, giving a greeting and a look to the Captain which was met by a brief unamused glare.
Clarion’s reign was winding down and it was approaching the time when the Spring and Winter fairies would have their annual promise ceremonies. Nyx didn’t want to wait another moon let alone another dozen to make sure Clarion was completely hers and they could start their life together.
So she had devised a little something with a few talents that Clarion would see on their fly-about today. She would act as normal until they got towards the training grounds and then things would look a little different than usual.
She knocked on Clarion’s door before peering her head in, small sort of secret smirk on her face that only Clarion saw behind her serious demeanor, “Queen Clarion? Are you ready for our fly-about?”
Beliefs: Nightquill strongly believes in clan loyalty as well as Starclan. She is lead by the warrior code and anyone caught outside of it will feel the wrath of her snarl and claws.
Appearance: Nightquill is a smaller cat, but don’t mistake that for her not being strong. Her black fur keeps her cloaked in the darkness and makes her stealthy hunting skills even more deadly. Her jade green eyes sparkle with the promise of a hunt and narrow with the slightest dissent.
STORY SO FAR:
tw/cat death
Nightquill had a rude awakening as a kit. Her mother had been a fierce warrior, in an attack on their land by a stray hawk, she had fought bravely to defend her clan and kits, but it had not been enough. Nightquill had been introduced to loss early on.
She chose to devote herself completely to her clan. Rising through her training quickly to become a warrior and then patrol leader and then eventually deputy. No one could utter a word against her loyalty. She was the first to back up their leader (though sometimes she knew he didn’t have the greatest of ideas, she could tweak them and make them work). She ascended to deputy and that was her vision, to one day be clan leader. To lead this clan to what they were destined to be, the clan Starclan would be most proud of.
TLDR; Nyx has a conversation with Sled about the future of the Scouting Guard... and feelings?
@runnerless-sled
Nyx knew with all the changes going on, she had to make sure that the future Queen was in good hands. So she tailed Sled’s detail with the to-be queen, watching as he stood in the corner and gave her space, watched closely as clumsies came up to her and she went up to them asking questions.
All-in-all, she was fairly pleased with his training, despite his sometimes dopey sort of look, Sled was still keen to his surroundings even when it seemed he wasn’t paying close attention.
She tested this by kicking a rock a few feet away from him as he glanced to the future queen, “Fancy meeting you here, Captain.” He grinned as she now approached him and Atta. “Sled, seems you’re doing well with the queen apprentice.”
He just grinned, and waved at Atta to come over so he could talk to the Scouting Guard Captain. “Yes, it’s all been quiet. You can ask Miss Atta.”
Nyx cleared her throat slightly, “When you return to the Hollow, I’d like to speak with you.” And with that she ducked out of sight again, going over what she wished to speak with Sled about in her head on her way back to the Hollow.
------
When Sled returned he made his way to the Perch where Nyx was looking out onto the training grounds, little apprentices throwing their first spears and trying to string up their bows.
As he came to stand with her, Nyx had a sort of wistful look on her face, it was softer than he’d seen in a while. “You know, Eoghan,” He didn’t think he’d ever heard her say this first name before, “I took this position quite a few moons ago because it was the only thing I felt I still had control of that filled my life.”
“And something else is.” The former sledding talent said gently. People didn’t think he noticed, but although he may not be the smartest of the scribes, he was observant and wise like a snow owl on its perch, watching the little forest animals scatter and go about their business. Nyx had been distant lately. She’d been completing her duties, but there were less nights he saw her holed up in the Perch going over plans.
The Captain gave a slight nod, “I know many look to you over me despite you not having been a Scout in name for long. You’ve lived the moons I have many times over.” Sled went to protest but Nyx held up a hand, “Don’t worry, I’m not giving up the seat... but I may have to ask you to act in my stead soon, or maybe for you to aid someone else in that position.”
Sled raised his brows with a bit of a smile, “Nyx Quillspear? Taking a break from duty?”
She all but growled in response, her arms crossing, “I can do without your teasing thank you, Scout talent Sled.”
The sledder just chuckled and put a hand on the shoulder of the smaller fairy, “I think it’ll be good for you, Nyx. Truly. For both of you.”
It was then that Nyx fully turned to Sled, straight-faced, “I don’t know who you’re talking about. I didn’t mention anyone.”
Sled smirked slightly, “She’s not just anyone to mention, Captain Nyx”
Nyx couldn’t help the slight upturn of the corner of her lips, “Indeed.”
The older fairy’s eyes clouded slightly, as if he weren’t present in this moment but in somewhere long ago, “Don’t wait.” Nyx could hear the layer of pain? Hurt? Regret? That lay under his even tone. She knew Sled had a lot he’d lost back when they first came to Hollow. “Your duty will always be here. She won’t.”
“Eoghan...” Nyx sighed, “I know you’re a sledding talent but you’re dragging around a big burden on those runners that you won’t let anyone else help with.”
He offered a sad smile, “Well, maybe I’ll work on that in your absence.” She gave him a bit more of a stern look, “Okay. I will work on that in your absence, Captain.”
“Good.” She turned back towards the entrance, fluttering her wings, “We never had this conversation.”
He called after her with a bit of a smile in his voice, “Goin’ so soon, Captain? Thought you had somethin’ to tell me?”
Clarion gasped at the hands in her hair, pulling in closer to Nyx and forgetting in that moment about the rest of the world. For the first time in hundreds of years, Clarion was just a woman.
She pulled back for a moment to catch her breath, a smile lighting up her face. “We’ll have to get back to work soon.” She didn’t want to say it, but the longer they sequestered themselves, the more likely someone would notice.
“But we have to do something like this again soon.”
Nyx chuckled a bit, oddly, Clarion had that sort of lightening effect on her. A twinkle of laughter would appear from her usually so gruff and grumpy voice. A joke even. She felt her age for once.
“We do, petal.” She knew her duties and she knew she couldn’t be too selfish with the queen for too long. But soon, maybe they would just be two fairies with a little less responsibility bearing down on them.
“I will pencil you in at some point, I’m very busy.” She teased and pressed another soft kiss to her lips. “Plus... if you’re going to wash my wings, that could take an entire evening.” She gave her a wink before sitting up and taking the queen’s hand. “Shouldn’t rush that sort of thing.”
Wing washing had always been a deeply personal affair. Clarion herself had only ever let her sister do so when her sister had been alive, and her parents. She’d once considered it with her past romance with Milori, but that quickly changed when she realized how foolish it was to let herself be pulled into those feelings.
It was different with Nyx. She wanted to know and be known. She wanted the shared experience and tenderness of taking care of each other in such a way.
“Thank you, my love. I trust you too.” Clarion leaned into the kiss, a hand reaching out to cradle Nyx’s cheek as she moved to deepen the kiss just a little. To express her love just a little more.
Though Nyx once valued her wings and her duties above all else, Clarion was a new priority, one that she knew would factor into the mix of things.
It was hard to let someone take care of her when she’d shut herself off completely to that sort of thing, diving into her work and simply plowing ahead. Clarion made her stop. Made her walk and take in the scenery.
As the kiss deepened, her fingers tangled into Clarion’s hair, pulling her that much closer as the two lay there, isolated from the rest of the world, just being together if only for a few moments, but there would be so many more to come.
Clarion shivered a little, the light touch of Nyx’s fingers making her skin tingle, every part of her aware of where her hands were. It was exhilirating, exciting, and it encouraged her to let her own hands trail down Nyx’s spine, gently brushing against that part of her back just before her wings. She was beautiful.
“How very generous of you,” Clarion replied with a laugh, leaning in to kiss the corner of her mouth. “I think one of my wishes would be to…to help clean your wings sometime.” It was a very personal and intimate thing to do, but it was something she couldn’t help but desire.
-
Nyx sighed softly at the hands moving down her spine, her wings fluttering a bit as she lay next to her partner. She couldn’t believe the eyes looking up at her. They were so beautiful, so deep, like they’d seen so much but still there was so much behind them that was light, hopeful.
Her brows rose at the request. It was very intimate. Her wings were arguably her most important asset as a Scouting fairy. She needed her speed, her ability to generate lift as she hefted things in her arms, her agility. Aside from her arms, her wings were her identity. She’d never let anyone (aside from her parents when she was young) touch her wings like that. Moreover, her wings were the one thing of her mother’s she new she always had. The pattern on her wings mimicked her mother’s in every crease of them, they made her feel connected to her and a lot stronger because of it.
She brushed her nose up against Clarion’s, “I’ve never let anyone touch them like that before, you know how important they are to me.” She exhaled softly, “But I would let you, I trust you.” She pressed a soft kiss to her lips, hoping she could feel how genuinely she cared for her.
“You’re right. We will find a way to make it happen.” Clarion was just not used to planning this type of future. It wasn’t something she could expect until another royal talent came around. Atta was right for the Hollow. She was coming in at a good time. She would make a lovely queen.
Clarion smiled and leaned in to press another soft kiss against Nyx’s lips. And another. And just one more for good measure. It was like she was a fledgling again, joy bubbling up like a spring.
“It’s not so bad…once you let it happen.” She nuzzled Nyx’s nose and sighed. “After all, I am not good at being cared for myself, but I’ve found myself able to let you do it. It can be quite enjoyable.”
Nyx ran her hands up along Clarion’s side. Though they were rough and strong, they were gentle with her. They treated her as if she were made of the thinnest piece of parchment, that if a hand ran over her too roughly it would tear. Of course, Nyx would be rougher with her when the time came, if she asked. But for now her fingers glided as lightly as a feather in the breeze, ghosting across the queen’s body as they kissed softly, lips meeting only for moments but those moments made her heart jump in her chest.
“Ah yes, once I let it happen.” Nyx chuckled, resting her forehead to Clarion’s for a bit, “You know, with anyone else that would seem like an impossible request.” She slid her hand to Clarion’s back and just held her close, “But for you, for my queen, my petal, perhaps I could let it slide and let you spoil me with something.”
“ If you hurt my girl, you will answer directly to me, and whatever crimes I commit against you, remember, I have diplomatic immunity in 46 countries “
But really, there are so many to choose them for this sexy pair of women. You want a forbidden romance??? Check. You want a ROYAL romance??? Double check! What about love through the ages? Hell yah.
I pick the Bodyguard Crush though because it’s a unique little thing that we don’t have a lot of! There’s just something about love vs. duty that itches an extremely special niche. Nyx serving her queen for years, always putting the Hollow above her own feelings, only to learn that Clarion loves her too! The two of them united by a shared goal that is bigger than themselves! It’s basically a workplace romance (which I love) put on steroids, where the stakes are life and death. Plus, I love all their sneaking around and kissing in trees and dreaming about a future after Clarion is no longer queen.
And of course, I have my fingers crossed for a happy ending. Because there is no greater romantic act than Clarion putting her crown to the side and choosing Nyx over everything else. Will it happen??? Before it does though can i request a super sexy para where we see Nyx protecting Queen Clarion in action? Thnx.
