Currently obsessed with Fourth Wing, Throne of Glass, ACOTAR, and Cora Reilly's Twisted Series, Born in Blood, and Sins of the Fathers -- writing all things KPOP is on the back burner... but still burning :) .
Bria Sorrengail is forced into Basgiath by her mother. Bria wanted nothing to do with the Riders Quadrant or dragons or fighting and killing. (OC x undecided yet)
Chapter One: Part One; Part Two; Part Three; Part Four
Chapter One Word Count goal: 6,000
Chapter One Word Count: 11,114
Chapter Two: Part One; Part Two; Part Three (in the works)
Warnings:
language, sexual content, violence (moderate to heavy – death, fighting, battles), substance use (mild?), other- loss of loved ones, chronic illness, depression, migraines, mentions of suicide or suicidal thoughts or actions, FMC is an emotional person (apparently this needs to be a warning?)
I only only the OC's, Rebecca Yarros owns everything else.
Warnings apply & New warning -> Alic Tauri (I feel he needs to be a warning tbh)
Disclaimers: Bria still doesn't have a pairing. I only only the OC's, Rebecca Yarros owns everything else.
Word count: 2451
Part Three Part Four Next Part
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“You look like shit.” Brandon did not know what personal space was. Either that, or he knew it and he toed the line on purpose to fuck with people. Each of my squad stood on one side of the sparring mat, watching as Rois engaged a cadet from First Wing. Our squad was split between two mats right now, the one we were at, and the other three mats down.
“Brandon.” Kayleigh scolds softly, standing on the other side of Brandon.
“What happened before lunch?” Brandon pushes for answers, his arms crossing, and forcing me to step to the side or be bumped. “You came in all pale. And with Aiofe at your side, glaring daggers at anyone who stepped even ten feet close to you. Did some asshole try something already?”
“You’re really nosey.” I side eye him, turning back to the mat. Rois and the cadet were evenly matched though, neither could seem to get the upper hand.
“My mothers a scribe. She taught me to ask questions.” Brandon shrugs. He didn’t even look skeptical or anything else suspicious. Just curious. He had an air of Genuity that others didn’t. Dangerous. My father’s voice was critical in my head sometimes. Seems it was scribe vs scribe here.
“And your father?” I deflected. It was a cheap shot, but I didn’t want to talk about the attack. It was such a brief encounter anyways. Nothing truly happened.
“Dead.” Brandon nods, “but infantry before that. Why are you avoiding my questions?”
My eyes roll as annoyance floods my system. “Because you’re aggravating.”
He grins. “I’m just curious –”
“You’re just annoying.” I rebuttal.
“We’re a squad.” Brandon shakes his head, and we both watch as Rois gets knocked on his ass. “If someone is out to get you, we deserve to know.”
“I’m a Sorrengail. Most of this place is out to get me. If you’re worried, don’t stand so close.”
“You’re misunderstanding me.” Brandon looks down at me, ignoring the professor calling his name to the mat. “If someone has it out for you, we need to know so we can help. Squad unity and all that shit.” Brandon gave a charming smile before moving to join his Second Wing opponent.
Other than all the background noise we had a moment of silence.
“He has good intentions.” Kayleigh whispers from beside me. “And he’s trying here. It’s all he knows. His father taught him to be a good man before he taught him how to fight… he died a few years ago. It’s just been him, his mom and his little brother. But he has good intentions.” Her fingers wring together as she speaks.
“You said that already.” A single brow raises and Kayleigh blushes scarlet, nervously pushing her glasses up the bridge of her slender nose. “How long have you two been together?” I ask. If Brandon could, so could I.
“Three years. Our mothers were always close, and we grew up together.”
I watched her fidgeting again from the corner of my eye for a moment. Half focused on the match and half thinking about her and Brandon and what their lives must’ve been like before this. Friends to lovers at its finest I supposed. Part of me saw my younger sister and her childhood best friend being like this. Though my sister was more outgoing and less ‘blushy over everything and nothing’.
My body locked up as someone enters my peripheral from the right, sandy brown hair, green eyes, cocky smirk that always meant trouble.
“Hey gorgeous.” Alic’s hand found the nape of my neck and tangles in the hair there, gripping it in a way that made my jaw clench.
Kayleigh gasps loudly from beside me.
“Let go Alic.” I seethe, rage and panic burn through me and all the annoyances caused by Brandon were burned away.
Alic chuckles, pulling my back flush to his chest. He leaned down, pressing his face to my hair and inhaling deeply. “You’ve been avoiding me… why?”
Don’t panic. Don’t cry.
Don’t panic. Don’t cry.
Don’t panic. Don’t cry.
Alic’s grip tightens. “Answer me Bria.” He commands me. But to everyone else he was simply embracing an old friend, his diplomatic smile still bright and easy-going. He could fool anyone.
“Get off.” My voice was nothing more than a hoarse whisper as my throat threatened to close for the second time in one day as panic over same me. Like a predator getting a whiff of prey, Alic knew he had won.
“Come on,” he laughs, “don’t be like that. Maybe we could sneak out for old times’ sake. Just you and me… I know a few places.”
You would asshole… Shock struck me to my core when he leaned further, I wrenched my head back, as far as the grip he had on my hair would allow. He was really trying to kiss me in the middle of the sparring room. In front of everyone.
“Back the fuck off Tauri!”
Something slammed into us, more so him than me, but I still stumbled until a hand grips my elbow and yanks me up and away. I stumble under the force of the shove. Kayleigh wraps her arm around me, saving me from hitting my knees. I turned to see something I couldn’t believe.
Garrick Tavis stood between us and Alic. We had an audience too. The nearest mats had all come to a halt, the people standing around them craning their necks to see the commotion.
“What the fuck is your problem?!” Alic rears back, standing tall and breathing heavy. Alic’s green eyes assessed the situation.
“Would you boys like to take it to the mat?” Professor Emmeterio drawls, voice languid and vexed at the same time. It was a carefully veiled threat. Professor Emmeterio wasn't one to be played with. He set his clipboard in his lap. He had had a perfect view from across the mat, sitting on a stool with one leg crossed over the other. He gave a solid thirty seconds before nodding. “Well then, Cadet Tauri you may return to your squad.”
Alic gave the professor a professional and courteous nod, and “of course Professor.” Before turning to give Tavis a look filled with loathing and disgust. “Marked bastard.” He shoulder-checks Tavis as he passes him. His eyes narrowed on me, "I'll see you later."
A surge of disgust swirled in me, I was going to throw up... I took slow deep breaths, trying to avoid eye contact with everyone as the room disengaged and resumed their activities. Professor Emmeterio watched me from across the mat, calculating, before calling the match.
Brandon joined us where we stood, it was then that I noticed he had knocked out his opponent and won his match. He gave me a look that I couldn’t decipher. It probably meant ‘see? This is something we should know about.’ But I didn’t say anything to him, or to Kayleigh who still had an arm around me, or to Garrick Tavis who took a stand a few feet from us, feet planted firmly, and arms crossed in a pose that seemed to scream ‘don’t mess with me’. I nudged Kayleigh to let me go, but didn’t move from my spot. I didn't need to draw any more attention to myself today.
The rest of our squad made it through assessments, the only one to go to the infirmary was Rois, his opponent had broken his nose while gaining his victory and Finn had taken him immediately to get it fixed. Professor Emmeterio was wrapping up his notes and gathering his belongings as he spoke with the senior wingleader.
Wait a damn minute. My brows drew in. “Professor?”
Professor Emmeterio pauses as they turn to walk away, “yes Cadet?”
“I never went?” My squad looks between me and our professor, also just realizing that I was never called to a mat.
Professor Emmeterio nods, shuffling his folders around to hold one up. One that distinctly had my name labeled on it. “No need. I have your assessment right here.” He turned and left.
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“That’s such bullshit. Sorrengail is getting special privileges.” Rois hadn’t shut up about it since he had returned from the infirmary and his little buddies filled him in on what happened while he was gone. And that was days ago. He whines about it at dinner. He whined about after dinner before everyone. He whined at breakfast the next morning. And then the first class of the day and all through gym before thankfully in our next class, him and his friends didn’t sit with us. On the downside… he sat further down the row from Alic Tauri. And those were his parting words before he went to sit elsewhere.
“That guy is such a prick.” Brandon blows out a deep breath, letting his head all the way back.
We sat in Battle Brief, near the back, within the last five rows to those standing. I sat on the edge this time, Eithne by me, then Kayleigh, then Brandon, then Tavis. On Tavis’s other side was what I assumed were his personal friends… Including Xaden Riorson. He wasn’t glaring at me today. Hadn’t looked at me as our group had shuffled in and sat down. Just quietly conversed with Tavis. I didn’t know if the others in his row were his squad or friends, but they weren’t marked ones. Class hadn’t started yet; we were waiting for Professor Devera. Professor Markham was at the front, quietly discussing with two scribes. I set out my supplies and lined the top of my paper with what was displayed at the front, but as time went on I began doodling on the paper, filling it with black lines and little figures.
“Which one?” Eithne’s tone was a mix of fear and… disgust maybe? He was referring to Alic and Rois in question.
“Both.” Tavis crosses his arms on the table, smiling wide and proudly displaying a dimple.
“Both.” Brandon nod’s, the grin he returned was all trouble. “I’d kick both their asses, given the chance.”
“What?” Eithne’s neck snaps around, expression all shock as his quill falls from his hands.
“Hell yeah.” Tavis nods, his eyes glazed as if he was imagining it. “Who wouldn’t take that chance?”
“A fool.” Kayleigh mumbles, sighing deep through her nose. “I need to train more in case I’m presented with the opportunity.”
Tavis and Brandon both nod, Eithne looks between them, slinking down in his seat. “Sounds treasonous.” He drags his hands down his face.
“Only if done incorrectly.”
The whole rows head snap to look at me, but I don’t look up. Just continue my doodlings.
“Elaborate Sorrengail.” Brandon all but orders.
I shrug my shoulders in a slow roll, putting my elbow on the desk and cradled my jaw in my palm. “If you killed them when they were in bed. Or just blindly attack while in formation. Or in the presence of a superior officer.” I scribble out a little figure who had just gotten into a fight on my paper. “But in a challenge? Fair game. Threshing? Fair game. Even Presentation, anything could happen. Though we will be going out squad by squad and killing a squad mate is forbidden. So have a really good reason if you throw him to the dragons.”
They all just stared for a moment, leaning back in their seats as Professor Devera finally came in and took to the front. My squad mates were absolutely considering murdering someone on our squad and also the third in line for the throne. Alic wasn't the crown prince, just the spare. But the murder spree his father would go on... wouldn't want my name connected to that.
“Also prepare to be scorched.” I add, pulling out new paper, “the dragons might see that as a threat, or that you have no loyalty. They may not like that.”
Brandon lets a low whistle, finally pulling out his own supplies. “Well damn Sorrengail. You’ve given me plenty of food for thought.” He grins troublesome again, “I may even manage to stay awake in class today.”
“Stop sneaking out every night and maybe get some sleep.” Tavis teases, stretching his arms over his head before locking his fingers together behind his head and tipping his chair backwards. It gave a clear view of Riorson on the other side of him, but I wasn’t about to get caught staring.
Kayleigh blushes tomato red, using her hair as a curtain from the guys on her other side.
I hadn’t even noticed she wasn’t in the bunk. Her bunk was right over mine, so I should’ve. I wasn’t sleeping again. My dreams were haunted by everything I wanted to forget. By the time morning rolled around, I was up and racing to duty. I had never gone and signed up for one, so I was assigned to where they had a need. Which was library duty. I liked it though. The peace and quiet in the mornings. I normally stopped and stole an apple or something on my way to the Scribes Quadrant. So far, I haven’t had to talk to anyone I knew down there. Which was nice. A small quiet part of me had been hoping to run into my father or even younger sister. But I was sure my mother had already accounted for that and made sure our times would never line up together.
I sigh deepily, leaning heavily on my arm still propped on the desk. This earned a look or two, but I didn’t acknowledge them. I just wanted to sink into oblivion.
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Later that night, when the nightmares got too bad, and I was being chased in the dark by a figure with familiar eyes, I got out of bed. I dressed and hauled ass right out of the barracks. I wandered the halls aimlessly. Not really searching for anything. I learned the guard post. Which professor or those in Leadership stayed up late working. I saw a few other cadets, all three years, out and about, slinking through the shadows as they met up with their partners. I ended up in the tunnel leading to parapet. There was no guard posted there. Nobody kept watch there, because no one was dumb enough to cross it twice.
I sat in the tunnel on the parapet, almost to the opening. I walked as far as I could without leaving. The air was warm, still in full swing summer. The breeze wouldn’t cool for a few more weeks, and colder temperatures weren’t expected here until at least November if not December. It was a surprisingly nice place to rest, the light breeze offered a peaceful background noise, it paired nicely with the rushing water off in the distance. And eventually as morning started to come, the early birds started chirping and I knew it was time to get ready for duty.
Disclaimers: foundation is still being set. Bria still doesn't have a pairing. I only only the OC's, Rebecca Yarros owns everything else.
Word count: 3500+
Part Two Part Three Part Four
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The death roll lasted an insanely long time. So many fell off the parapet… Some were murdered last night.
Which had been a shock. It was a calculated attack it seems. There were bodies that had all been silently forced from bunks or maybe those just quietly caught out roaming the halls. But all the bodies had been piled in a storage room. The screams from the cadet who had found them had quite literally awoken half the barracks. Each person had been ready to fight, before whoever left to go check it out. What kind of a monster targeted thirty-two twenty-year-old's on their first day in this hellhole?
The last name was called and no one moved. That was nearly a hundred and fifty people. The debacle last night made most people skip breakfast. Not that I could blame them. The entire time I ate, I was forcing bite after bite. The empathetic part of myself wouldn’t stop reminding me of how scared those cadets probably were in their last moments. How alone they were. Murdered in the dark. Where their screams hadn’t even been heard by the barracks right down the hall. Something dark and twisted ran down the length of my spine, I rolled my neck to push it away.
Panchek briefly addressed the incident this morning. Assuring everyone that death was normal around here, but the person would be found all the same.
Scribes scurried from the front and back to their quadrant. I tried to look past my squad to see if it was anyone I had known from before, but it was too far to make it out.
“Here we go again kiddos,” Moray clapped his hands, “third-years go do your third-year shit, second years go do your second-year shit. The rest of you need to get to your first class. It’s best not to be late. And maybe consider staying close.” He gave Aoife and Deidre looks, both nodded. And the two groups of three separated and went off.
Moray had shown up almost immediately this morning. I had just been closing in on the bloody scene when he had cleared the distance and gripped my wrist. He hadn’t let me go until every member of the squad was awake and together and then still Aoife had to remind him he still had a grip on me and had been dragging me around. My wrist was bruised but I had been unable to tell him let go at the time. I hadn’t gone into the room or seen the bodies myself, but he had. And when he came out… the look in his eyes had scared me. I had managed to speak this morning. After the first two squad mates tried to address me, the rest stopped. He had made everyone sit together at breakfast and walk the halls together from barrack to breakfast to formation.
“Are you coming with us?” Brandon questions, standing tall at the back of the group.
Moray exchanged not so subtle glances with Finn Oisin, one of the other second-years in our squad who had left quickly yesterday. Finn had been quiet all morning. It was easy to forget he was there really. He just silently observed the room, the next table over, the people walking in and out. He glared at anyone who had walked too slowly next to our tables. But when he spoke, he wasn’t one to bullshit. He cut to the chase and said what he meant.
“We are.” Finn nods. I’d expect nothing less from our Squad Leader Executive Officer.
“We don’t need babysitters.” Rois objects loudly, voice taking a whining tilt as he rolls his eyes.
“We don’t know that.” Brandon shakes his head. He had been trying to play peacekeeper all day. But he even seemed to be having trouble maintaining peace with Rois.
Rois seemed to make two friends in the squad. He and the other two had done nothing but make fun of other cadets all morning. All three were snot-nosed brats.
“Perhaps you should be worried.” One of the snot-nosed brats sneered, “but we aren’t.”
“That doesn’t make you special.” Finn straight up glares at them.
Tavis snorts, rubbing a hand on his jaw. This pissed the trio off.
“Shut the fuck up!” Rois roared, lunging forward. I took a step back, so did Brandon, Eithne and Kayleigh. Moray and Finn didn’t move, just watched as Garrick fucking Tavis made quick work of all three of them.
“Damn.” Eithne’s voice was quiet, it was clear he was in awe.
Brandon let out a whistle, crossing his arms and rocking back on his heels watching with appreciation.
Kayleigh, who didn’t seem to like violence, watched quietly. But there was no worry in her eyes.
Moray and Finn both seemed to move at the same time, each shoving between the four guys with ease.
“Alright kiddos,” Moray’s lofty voice didn’t match the brutal way his body moved as he pinned on of them to the ground with a foot and out Rois in a headlock. Finn had the last one in an arm bar that was on the verge of breaking the poor boy’s arm. Tavis had disengaged and stepped away the moment our squad leader had stepped in. “We don’t need anyone going to the infirmary today. Save it for the spars this afternoon.”
Moray and Finn let the three go and all three step back and glared at Tavis. This wouldn’t end well.
“We all walk together for today at least. Wouldn’t want anyone to get lost along the way.” Moray all but sighs, aging years having to deal with us. “Everyone grab your shit and meet in the hall.”
Tavis walked off first. Almost daring someone to try something while his back was turned. He didn’t break a sweat, his breathing was normal, his clothes didn’t even look ruffled. Garrick Tavis has years of fighting experience, it would seem. I filed that for later. He didn’t seem to care about me, but maybe he was just waiting his turn. I fell in line behind Brandon and Kayleigh. Eithne half a step behind me. Maybe it was the marked ones who gathered up last night and started murdering people. I shook my head, what a crazy idea. I wouldn’t write it off. But it was an absolutely crazy thought. Tavis and Eithne were bunks away from mine. They were also the first two out. I waited for Brandon and Kayleigh to go next, before following. And to no surprise. Rois and his duo were the last to come out. All three were chipper and cracking jokes again.
“That didn’t take long.” Brandon mutters, referring to their attitudes rather than their arrival.
We all started moving.
“Bet they sucked each other off.” I murmured to no one in particular. Most of them heard though. Moray snorted, Finn shook his head, Kayleigh blushed scarlet, Eithne turned into a stuttering mess, Brandon looked at me taking it in, Tavis was analyzing me as if I was an old, complicated tome that was in a language he had never heard of. “Would explain the mood swings. I bet each of them last thirty seconds or less.”
The corner of Brandon’s mouth tipped up. “That’s inappropriate Sorrengail.” I seemed to have his approval though.
“Won’t be the worst you hear in a War College.” I shrug, moving half a step faster to not walk side by side with Tavis or Eithne. The walk was filled with quiet conversations, I didn’t engage in any of them. Had no desire. Other than the emotions from this morning, I had been gloriously numb. Still am now. I had no desire to change that or start self-analyzing either. Apart of me felt relief I hadn’t run into either of the Tauri siblings this morning. But the day was young. And plenty could still happen.
Our first class was quiet and dragged on. It seemed no one was awake enough or comfortable enough to start shit yet. Which was a plus. However, even that didn’t last long, halfway through Professor Kaori’s class, some guys from First Wing started a fight with a squad from Second Wing and ended up trashing a good portion of the class as others got involved either because they were accidently hit or because they were trying to break it up. It was messy though. I moved from my seat after a table went flying. Other professors had heard the commotion and came running, probably thinking everyone was being murdered –which wasn’t far off, someone did die. And then in entirety, all first-years got lectured by multiple professors. Professor Kaori took three turns yelling at us until he turned red each time.
“First day has been great so far.” Brandon tries to joke as we move down the hall together. He held Kayleigh’s hand, though I couldn’t tell if it was because they were a thing or because Kayleigh was still scared. She had started crying a few minutes into the mass chaos.
“Right,” Tavis sighs dramatically, though he was grinning. “Just a total dreamhouse. No place I’d rather be.”
Him and Brandon exchanged looks, both laughing. It didn’t take them long to get on together, though Brandon really did make an effort to get along with everyone. It wasn’t working with Rois but otherwise I had seen Brandon engaged in numerous light conversations, even with other cadets out of our squad. Though those conversations hadn’t lasted long because Finn had glared everyone who wasn’t us away.
History was dreadfully boring. I didn’t hear anything I hadn’t already learned from my father. Battle Brief was next. It was the one class the entire quadrant took together. And it would seem our squad leaders and other leaders in our chain of command had absolutely been notified about the… debacle in Kaori’s class.
The wall was lined with third-years, and the back however many rows were filled with second-years. Which left all the first-years to start flooding the available seats. For the most part it was left to right wing for wing, squads mostly sat together but not entirely. Some cadets chose to sit elsewhere. There were so many first-years that second-years were moved from their seats by Professor Devera to go stand with third-years and the first years quietly snuck their way in, mostly avoiding eye contact with the older cadets. But not me.
Cara was glaring at me, from where she stood in the back next to the other Fourth Wing section leaders and our wingleader and even the senior wingleader was in their vicinity. He didn’t even look my way though. Cara though... looked as if I started the fight. As if I was even involved. I flipped her off. Her jaw dropped, along with a few others close to her. There was even a theatrical gasp. But technically she wasn’t a princess here. Just a second year. In my direct chain of command, sure, but who cares?
Eithne sat to my left, being at the end of the row and Brandon to my right, Kayleigh to his and Tavis to hers. Rois and our other two squad mates sat a few rows away suspiciously close to the first-year cadets who were not only involved in the fight before but had instigated it. Great.
Professor Devera was quick to call everyone to attention. She also gave us a brief lecture. On conduct. On pride. On cooperation. On not acting like fucking children. Her words, not mine.
Everyone took out papers and quills, well the others took out pens. But all the first-years took out the basics. It would be less of a mess when everyone could just use pens. I always thought it was so cool seeing mom write with one while she filled out her reports late night at the dinner table.
“This class you’ll have daily. The entirety of the quadrant has it together. This information is for all of you. And all of you had better listen up. Riders are seldom called into active service though it could happen at any time.” Professor Devera rounded her desk looking at the map that had mark after mark on it. “This class may very well be the class that separates you, that helps you rise through the rinks. This class may very well be the reason you keep your head.”
“Harsh.” Eithne mutters, less than a breath though Brandon heard it and nodded.
“But true. I lived along the border. Not a safe place for sure.” Brandon whispers back, scooting a few inches down in his chair.
“That’s awful –"
“Shut the fuck up first years.” A second year from behind us snaps.
“You shut the fuck up dumbass.” Deidre retorts, I glance over my right shoulder to see him and the other second-years squad mates about halfway down the row behind us. “Leave my squad alone.”
Well damn Deidre, didn’t think you cared so much. I glanced between Deidre and the other cadet, now in a glare off.
“Enough.” Our wingleader commanded from behind us all. Niamh moved from her position at the back wall and came to the side. She was off to the left behind Eithne now, I felt the slightest bit better. But what would stop this prick from throwing something at us from behind, or even just crossing the desk and attacking. Nothing really.
“Is there a problem in the back?” Professor Devera eyes the exchange, as Professor Markham enters.
“No Professor.” Niamh answers for all of us. “Just resituating.”
Professor Devera nods, and gestures to the scribe at her side. “This is Colonel Markham. You all will show him the respect of any professor here at Basgiath. He will be joining us daily for this class.”
“Thank you, Professor Devera.” Markham coughs into a cloth, folding it and putting it away as he turns to the scrolls and book he brought with him. “It is the duty of the scribes…”
I zoned out. I had heard this a million times before. Blah blah, scribes record the present and master the past. Whatever. And we need to have accurate recordings from reliable people and whatnot to make sure we record our history to the fullest extent. For the good of the kingdom. The good of Navarre. The good of-
“Bria Sorrengail?”
Oh, fuck me. I tried not to flinch. Everyone was looking at me now. What had I just missed?
“Professor Markham,” Professor Devera glares. Had he asked a question? Or just realized I was here. I don’t think Markham knew which quadrant I was going to go with. If his reaction was anything to go by. “That is inappropriate.” She says it through clenched teeth.
Markham was still stunned to silence, glancing between me and Professor Devera. They settled on me. “Hadn’t you gone with your father– he had said you were going to–”
“Colonel.” Professor Devera’s voice was all warning.
“No Professor Markham, you must have me confused.” I say it diplomatically. Markham nods, then shakes his head. Still trying to clear his head. He had never truly paid much attention to me. Him and my father talked as colleagues, but not friends. He had made more than one comment about my younger sister and her intelligence. He wasn’t wrong either. My younger sister was much smarter than me. While Brennan and Mira had been close growing up, Violet and I had been side-by-side. She was the one with all the ideas, and often I was the doer. I wasn’t sure how many times one or sometimes both of my parents sat us down trying to figure who had what, or whose idea and who acted on it. It was a team effort, and we never turned on each other. We’d piss them off with nonsense responses or simply just not answer. My heart ached.
“Awkward.” Brandon whispers. “What is that about?” He side-eyes me, leaning to be slightly closer.
Eithne on my other side was not looking but I could feel the curiosity radiating off him.
“He works with my father.” I say softly, barely breathing at this point. I wasn’t really sure what to say.
“Clearly.” Brandon scoffs. “But what did he mean–”
“Bran enough!” Kayleigh’s soft, melodic voice says. She was looking at me though. I couldn’t meet her eyes.
“I’m just asking.” Brandon shrugs.
“It’s not your business. So shut up and pay attention. This isn’t a study on Sorrengails.” My voice took a hard edge of warning that thankfully made them tune back into the lesson and get their focus off me.
Professor Devera’s shoulders were still tight, and her mouth remained drawn through the entirety of the lesson. Her questions were short, and her answers were curt. And I think Markham managed to piss her off to the point where not only would she not look at him, but she wouldn’t look at me either.
We launched into a full discussion about some attack on some random outpost recently. Both professors briefed us then opened the floor for questions, making more than a few first-years uncomfortable as they were called on. Professor Devera never called on me, and Markham looked my way more than a second Devera was quick to divert attention elsewhere, even by calling on third-years who clearly had the right questions and answers, but she hadn’t wanted them in on it. I wasn’t sure what was being hidden but it made my skin crawl. Professor Devera knew something about me, about me being here. I could feel it in my bones.
Soon the class drew to a close, and we were given a time period from hundreds of years ago to write an essay on. It was a topic I had already studied though I had no intention of turning in the work for it.
My squad waited until the front had thinned out and the others had caught up to us before descending the steps and leaving Battle Brief. I was guilty of hiding between the two widest and tallest members of the group as we passed the front. I didn’t know if Markham was going to try and stop me to talk but there was truly no way I was going to be part of that conversation.
“We have lunch next.” Finn announces at the head of the group. Go drop your shit off and eat. You’ll need energy for the physical assessments later.”
“You’re not going to tell us to all sit together and hold hands–"
“Don’t give a fuck if you die.” Finn cuts him off, and it’s then that I realize Moray isn’t with us. But he had just been in Battle Brief with us. I glanced around but everyone else was here. “So, like I said, get going.”
We dispersed and I fell behind the group, walking slowly on purpose to have space and time to think. Even if it was only moments. It bothered me, Markham’s reactions. Devera’s reaction to his reaction. My squad leader is now missing. It probably meant nothing. But it all bothered me.
Apparently, it bothered me enough to not see the blade coming my way. I barely managed to throw myself back into the wall. Alone in the hall, me and another cadet… a cadet whose head and face was covered. That blade would’ve slit my throat.
“What the fuck?” I didn’t move, waiting and panicking at the same time. I had nothing on me to defend myself. Calm. Stay fucking calm! My breathing labored.
The person lunged for me, and I shot to the side, avoiding both daggers that came my way. But they pivoted as well, and with a twist of their wrist their blade scored my forearm from elbow to bicep. I shoved my fist into their throat. Gripping with strength I often forgot I had and kicked their leg out from under them, shoving with both hands and full force to make some distance between us. They rolled backwards, managing to catch themselves and shot up again.
A blur came in from the side, a familiar figure, my squad leader, who was oozing fury as he lifted a hand towards my assailant. Moray’s other arm extended in front of me, shielding me? Holding me back? I didn’t know. I didn’t move as the person fell to the ground and began writhing. Blood began seeping from their mask, dripping from their face as they eventually went limp, their body slumping down, lifeless.
I stared at my squad leader in… I didn’t even know. Horror? Disbelief?
My squad leader glanced at my face, my expression, then my bleeding arm. His movements were slow as he reached for me, ignoring the way I recoiled and tensed up as he took my arm. With his other hand he reached into one of his side pouches, again going slowly. He pulled out a roll of gauze. He didn’t say anything as he wrapped my arm tightly.
“It’s superficial.” He says in a noncommittal tone.
I nodded.
“If I wanted you dead, I would’ve let them kill you.”
I nodded again.
“Sorrengail,” he steps into my personal space, my chin tips back as I meet his gaze. “Breathe.”
I just nod. I am breathing. I know I am. I had had enough panic attacks in my life to know how to breathe through them.
“Deeper Sorrengail. In through your nose, out through your mouth.”
I followed his instructions as best I could.
“The fuck happened here?” Finn.
“Fuck.” Deidre.
“Get rid of the body and let Niamh know.” Moray orders, barely sparing them a glance. Finn left immediately and Deidre takes the body.
“Think you’re making it worse Moray.” Aoife’s voice was a whisper.
“Fuck else is there to do?’ Moray asks as she steps forward beside us.
My eyes drifted back to the blood again.
“I don’t–” I licked my lips as my breath caught. “I don’t know why I’m reacting like this. I’ve seen plenty of people die.”
Moray nods, “it’s different seeing them killed.”
“It’s a normal reaction Sorrengail.” Aoife placed a hand over mine, mine that gripped Moray’s that had held my arm as he wrapped it.
“I hadn’t realized I had grabbed you…” I cleared my throat. “Sorry.”
Moray nods, “I grabbed you first. Aoife will go with you now, go change and drop your stuff off. We need to go at least make an appearance at lunch.”
Same warnings. I’m not going to repost them every part.
Disclaimer, foundation is still being set. Most of Bria and Garrick’s squad is introduced here. And Bria still doesn't have a pairing. I only only the OC's, Rebecca Yarros owns everything else.
Word count: 2400+
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Moray was quick to quite literally pile drive us through the crowds and out of formation, until we made it somewhere out of the way in the long halls, somewhere quiet and almost secluded even. Garrick Tavis, having been the only one close to me at the back of our squad, had made quick work of picking me up by my forearms and walking me a few steps when the pushing hit hard. He had saved me from tripping and getting trampled, but it still pissed me off. I wasn’t a sack of rice to be hauled around.
“Okay kiddos,” Moray claps his hands twice, looking around the circle we managed to create, most of our backs to the wall. “Everyone should’ve been given some type of academic schedule by now. If you haven’t… share with a friend.”
“These friends.” Moray gives a pointed look to each of us. “The people you see here are the only ones not out to kill you. You don’t have to like them, but trust in your squad and work together. My best advice to be honest. Only some of you will make it to third year and possibly even graduate, if you’re lucky. But not all of you. We’ll see more survive if you can grow up and stop being crybabies and maybe even put some differences aside and work together here and there.”
“You shoved us in the hall to make us take friendship vows Moray?” Another smartass speaks up, this one was on the other side of Tavis, though he gave Tavis a solid foot of space. A curtesy Tavis hadn’t given me. The smartass was tall, had wavy dirty blonde hair and dark eyes. And he was scarred... His tanned skin was littered with marks anywhere skin showed. Even his throat.
Moray rolls his eyes. “No dumbass --”
A few people snort.
“I called you hear to let you know I’m not holding your hands. Don’t expect anyone to come save you. You want to live? Get better. Get smarter. Don’t make enemies off everyone you meet.” Moray shoots the second year a dark look, “I expect you all of people to understand that, Deirdre. Don’t teach the first years any bullshit either.”
Deidre holds Moray’s gaze. Clearly clocking the threat in the under tone of Moray’s words. The stare off lasted seconds before Deidre nodded, crossing his arms and leaning back against the wall.
Then just like that, I blinked, and the hardened exterior Moray had put up was gone. “Like I said, all of you should have a schedule. Classes don’t begin until tomorrow morning. You’re free to explore today- or hide. I don’t care. First years, I would suggest staying in pairs or buddying up, but if you don’t care I don’t care. All of you first years also do have to sign up for assignments sometime here soon. If you wait till the last minute don’t be surprised that you get a shit assignment.”
“So, we’re free to go then?” The puker asks, his hand caught mid raise, like he didn’t know if it was safe to lift it or not.
“Yes Eithne. Unless there are any questions.” Moray nods. He stood tall, rolling his shoulders and crossing his arms across his broad chest. I’d bet this guy lived in the gym sparring and lifting weights last year.
The first-year smartass laughs, shoving his shoulder with his own. “Why are you such a coward? No dragon is going to want to bond that.”
“And what dragon is going to want to bond a dumbass like you, Rois?”
All eyes shoot this way. My direction, but they’re not looking at me. It was Tavis who spoke up.
The squad was stunned into silence. I didn’t dare move and lessened my breath intake to not draw attention to me.
Those who had stood in front of me blocking Rois from my view had moved. Giving a clearing between him and Tavis should either decide to lunge. Rois was Tavis’s height, but Tavis was much bigger than Rois. And while Tavis stood tall and sure, hands casually in his pockets. Rois looked unsteady, a slight tremble went up his hands. Whether it was nerves or fear I didn’t know. Then Rois’ gaze flicked down to me.
Don’t you fucking dare --
“Come on Sorrengail,” Rois’ mouth lifts to a smirk. “Wouldn’t you agree? Dragons won’t bond people like–"
“I wouldn’t presume to speak for the dragons.” I cut him off haughtily. Anger surged through me. Quickly turning into a simmering rage, that flooded my veins and clouded my head. Whatever damper I had put on my emotions was coming to an end. And it seemed my temper was returning tenfold. “Dragons bond for reasons humans could never understand. Anyone with half a wit would know better than to try and speak for one.”
There was a gasp or two.
“Why are you siding with that- that-” Rois was turning red. He took half a step forward, flinging his arm in Tavis’s direction. Tavis too, took a step forward, casually angling his body and blocking me from seeing Rois momentarily. “That traitor.” He all but yelled it.
“Traitor?” My tone took a tilt I hadn’t heard in a while. One that only came out when I was long overdue to destroy something. “Has he done something Leadership should be aware of?” I sidestepped Garrick. Rois froze. Clearly caught and cornered. “If so, please do go find someone quickly. Mind you,” the corner of my mouth twitched upwards. “Leadership isn’t going to care about your frail masculinity or fragile ego. So, before you go crying to them, think to yourself is this something they’re actually going to care about? Because if the answer isn’t a firm yes, backed up with the Riders Codex or Code of Conduct… you’re better off throwing yourself from the turrets upstairs. Or perhaps the parapet? Or maybe even finding the nearest dragon and offering yourself as a humble sacrifice.”
A few people laughed. The little voice in the back of my head – logic – was saying shut the fuck up you dumb bitch, but I ignored it, per usual. Because I was emotional, and angry and my self-control apparently shit.
“So how about you shut the fuck up so we can all move on with our day?” I ask, shrugging my shoulders with a hint of dramatic flair. “And maybe remember to think before you speak next time? Or perhaps make sure you have the right audience for whatever bullshit you want to start next?”
Rois was breathing heavily now, his jaw clenched so tightly there was a tic on both sides. “How about you shut the fuck up?!”
I move forward again. “Or what? Cause you’re sure as fuck not about to beat me the fuck up. So how about you shut the fuck up, before you get beat the fuck up?”
Most of the squad laughed now. Even Moray seemed to chuckle, shaking his head. He steps forward though into the center of the group, and I back up, not having realized I stepped forward in the heat of my anger. Tavis also stepped back against the wall, and I noticed there was a third year who also had to move back and two second years who moved away as well. Had this little debacle really been about to stir up our entire squad into a group fight? This squad was fucked.
“Okay kids,” Moray lifts his hands. “This was exactly what I was just talking about.” He looks pointedly between Rois, Tavis and me. “You do not have to like each or be besties. But you will have to learn how to cohabit shared spaces. So, let’s try to get along. Also let’s try not to draw attention to ourselves by throwing around empty accusations and maybe even try not to speak for the dragons. They prefer to speak for themselves. So, let’s all agree to disagree and move on for the day.” Moray looked around to everyone now, waiting for any rebuttal or anything else that may come. “Perfect, you’re dismissed. Third years don’t forget your third-year shit and second years don’t forget your second year shit. Do try to keep the children alive if you can.”
Everyone nods and starts dispersing.
“And go get your regulation uniforms!” a third yells, I jump, moving further back. The fuck? “Line is going to be long and if you need a popular size, you’re going to want to go quick or end up in shit that doesn’t go. Then go to dinner and find your bunks!”
“Right,” Moray nods, rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. “Forgot about the uniforms.”
“Happens to the best of us,” the third year closest to Moray is tall and littered in patches.
I hate that everyone is so tall. I wasn’t even the shortest person here, I had seen one girl an entire head shorter than me, and even some guys who were right around my height.
The third-year locks Moray into a headlock and starts ruffling his hair. “Hard to believe you’re all grown up and not a little kid anymore.”
“Erin fuck outta here!” Moray pushes Erin’s hands off him. “You’re going to scare the children.” Both their eyes moved to us first years who hadn’t moved. It was me, Tavis, Eithne, and two other first years. A girl I hadn’t even noticed yet. She was even taller than me, she looked like she’d never worked out before. So, I won in that department. And a boy who stood awfully close to her, grinning.
“Perhaps we should’ve started with introductions.” Moray says, though it was partially under his breath.
The third years laughed, “after that spectacle last year? No way.” The third year who reminded us about the uniforms looked closer at the group remaining.
“I forgot how awkward first years were.” The one female third year in our group sighs. “I’m Aoife.” She was tall and slender. But when she rocked from one foot to the other casually muscles rolled underneath her tight black uniform. She was brunette, and her hair was cut at her shoulders. A manageable length, one that could be tied back or left alone. And tanned. She spent plenty of time in the skies. Her skin was flawless. She shoves her elbow into the third year beside her. Average male height, bulky, slow and rigid as he stretches his thick arms over his head.
“Conner. Welcome in kiddos. Don’t be shy if you have questions. Your squad is the best to ask, you might get hazed a little but it's all in good fun.” Conner smiles, it felt genuine, but something about him said trouble.
Analyze everything yourself Bria. My dad’s reminder made my heart throb. Did he know mom took me to the Riders Quadrant and not the Healers like he had said to. I hadn’t even gotten a chance to tell him bye. He had been gone the last few weeks doing some scribe stuff elsewhere, mom had said I wasn’t privy to the details. But he had taken Violet with him. So, it couldn’t have been that secretive, right?
Something akin to insecurity settled in my gut as I last track of here and now. When would they return? What would mom even say to them? My younger sister had hugged me so tightly when she had left, beaming at me as she explained how excited she was about this new book from Mira she had gotten for her birthday. Did Mira even know? Surely not… right… My older sister would’ve warned me before she left for her new station. Having just freshly graduated from this very college in the last couple weeks. I missed them both so much.
Was I not good enough for the Healers Quadrant? I had studied for years in the library while my dad and Violet did their little scribe stuff. Why couldn’t they just tell me.
Tavis shifted beside me, drawing my attention and snapping me out of my self-depreciating thoughts. I took a deep breath to center myself, ignoring the calculating look Aoife was giving me.
There were fifteen people in my squad. Three of them were third years. Aoife, Conner and Erin. They seemed close enough, as I glanced between them, noting their laid back positionings. There were four second years. Only two stood in the group here. Our Squad leader, Moray. And Deidre. Who I couldn’t get a clear reading on. There seemed to be something tense between the two, some familiarity that we weren’t in on. Who were the other two second years? I should’ve been paying attention, I hadn’t even looked at my squad entirely.
“Brandon.” The first-year guy says, and he still had that wide grin on his face like he was so happy to be here. Asshole. He bumped his side into the girl beside him, her head shooting up and staring at him wide eyed.
“I’m Kayleigh Murphy.” She tipped her glasses up her freckled nose, pushing her light blonde hair behind her ears and blinking between each of us. She almost looked as if she wanted to say something else, but instead she just tipped her chin down, flushing a deep red in clear embarrassment.
Three third years, and four second years, that left eight first years. Here with me stood Tavis, Eithne, Brandon, Kayleigh. Rois was one, but the other two were unknown to me. That left four squad mates I had no clue about. My father would not approve of my negligence, and something told me my other two Rider siblings wouldn’t either. Wasn’t smart. Wasn’t strategic. I could hear it now, could see the crossed arms and shaking heads. Mira would kick my ass, and Brennan would lecture me into an early grave.
“Nice to meet you.” Brandon winks, chuckling at the girl’s reaction. He shook his head, wavy black hair flopping from left to right. He wrapped an arm around her, and she turned even more red and began stammering.
Tavis snorts beside me, side-eying me and that humorous glint in his hazel eyes was back. “Garrick Tavis.”
I reared back, “don’t even think about it asshole.” The group laughed, as I moved out of reach and started on my way.
“Wait!” Moray hollered after me, “you didn’t introduce yourself.”
“I don’t have to,” I call over my shoulder, long hair swishing left to right. “You already know who I am.”
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later on in the third-years hall
“She’s a total badass.” Conner declares loudly.
“She’s kinda hot.” Erin adds.
“Not you two third years showing your immaturity over a first-year right now.” Aoife rolls her eyes.
Warnings: language, sexual content, violence (moderate to heavy – death, fighting, battles), substance use (mild?), other- (loss of loved ones, chronic illness, depression, migraines), mentions of suicide or suicidal thoughts or actions
(these warnings are for the series/all parts of this story)
Word Count: 2200+
Bria Sorrengail is forced into Basgiath by her mother. Bria wanted nothing to do with the Riders Quadrant or dragons or fighting and killing.
(OC x ?, undecided yet) (she makes friends though, so plenty of platonic relationships. Also a few OC's, Bria is Xaden and Garricks age, and enters the riders quadrant when they do.) I only only the OC's, Rebecca Yarros owns everything else.
Part One Part Two
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It wasn’t meant to be like this.
That’s what I had told my mother. But she knew that. Of course, she did. She didn’t care though. What she wanted she got. Her word was law, in our family and in Basgiath War College. Mom bent slightly to sign my name on an empty line on the roll after I just stood and stared at it.
“General Sorrengail.” Both Captain Fitzgibbons and the riders manning the table come to attention. Showing their commander, the proper level of deference her years of service and title had earned her.
“Captain.” Mom gives the slightest tip of her head, her eyes glancing my way a moment, “Bria Sorrengail.”
They eyed me.
“Looks like we’re down to the last one.” Captain Fitzgibbons says, giving a half smile. “You know the way General.”
Mom gives me a look to go first, and I do. There was no fighting this. The battle had already been lost. I was going to be a rider, or dead. We move in silence to the tunnel of stairs that would take us to the parapet. I don’t think Mom was supposed to come up the stairs with me, but she was the General. So, no one stopped us as we ascended the two hundred and fifty steps.
At the top, it was quiet and empty. Captain Fitzgibbons had been right, there was one person crossing the parapet and no other candidates. Just three riders two men and a woman, all in rider black. Their ranks showed them as second years.
“Cadets.” Mom greets, her voice steely, eyes narrowing in on them. They all stood at attention too. So stiff I almost rolled my eyes.
“General.”
Mom waits expectantly for me, they do as well. Waiting for my name, and probably a chance to get the hell away from my mom. Not that I could blame them. The burning rage nipped at the edges of the numbness that had overtaken my body.
“Bria Sorrengail.” I tell the second year with the roll and pen.
She was painfully familiar, even though I hadn’t seen her in years. Cara Tauri. We had been close enough when my mother had been stationed in Calldyr. Only being a year apart, we had gotten into our fair share of trouble together. Her royal green eyes gave no indication of her thoughts on my presence here, though the slightest bit of surprise tugged small lines into her face. Cara wrote my name and each of the second years backed away.
Mom ignored them, turning to me, she didn’t touch me, just looked down with that unreadable all-knowing expression only she could maintain. One she had perfected since my brother’s death a few years ago. “You are a Sorrengail.” She said it as though it meant something.
To me, right now, it meant nothing.
I couldn’t meet her eyes a moment longer, eyeing the opening that would potentially lead to my death.
“You will not die today.” Mom speaks quietly but not softly. Fierce even. Words only meant for me.
I brace my hands on the sides of the turret and step up. The wind hit me first, it was loud and overbearing, and I wasn't even out of the tunnel yet. I was going to blow right off the parapet. I could feel it.
“That is an order.” Mom’s voice was drifting.
I shot a panicked glance back, but I only saw a glimpse of her back as she descended the stairs. Something in my chest cracked. I don’t know why. It wasn’t like it was preferable if she stayed and watched. But if I did fall, if I died today her last words to me would be an order... an order that would be failed if I don’t make it. My breathing took a panicked turn. My chest almost heaving as tears filled my eyes, and my hands trembled as I stood, taking another step onto the parapet. I could feel the panic attack ready to take over.
“You’ve got this Bria-”
“Don’t!” My teeth clenched; I didn’t look back at her. I wasn’t sure what led her here. Why she was now a rider, when she had disliked riders when we were kids. But something about the sympathetic tilt her voice had taken. I couldn’t bear it. I faced forward and moved.
I would not die today.
Even if it wasn’t meant to be like this. Even Though I wanted to.
The parapet itself was awful but anticlimactic. But maybe I only think that because I survived it.
The storm clouds had descended, and the wind tore my clothes left and right. I went slow, trying to be careful of my steps, even when it began to sprinkle.
I also cried. But I had always been the crybaby of my family. I could cry over literally anything. It didn’t have to be a sad event. Something happy? Tears. Scary? Tears. Angry? Tears. The rain did hide my tears, which was a slight win.
I realized halfway across that I wasn’t alone. One of the second years had also decided to walk. And he made it look so easy. He was massive. Like huge. And the wind did nothing to him. I hadn’t even known he was there until he asked me if I intended to jump off when I had stopped three fourths of the way across. I didn’t answer him. He eyed me as I turned back forward and kept going.
Anticlimactic for the win. Nothing bad other than the weather. The last few feet of the parapet were in a dark tunnel, and thunder cracked and echoed so loudly I slammed my hands to my ears and stopped for a moment. Two riders watched me come in, watched me step off the parapet and to solid ground.
“Thought you weren’t going to make it,” one of the riders’ smirks. A third year. He was cocky and held an aloof air as he crossed his arms. “Was up there watching you, was sure you were going to off yourself when you took your little break.”
“Shut up Blaine,” the female rolls her pretty blue eyes. “Name?”
“Bria Sorrengail.” I ignore Blaine, seeing as he’s just here and not the one with the roll.
Blaine curses, turning away as he laughs. “Gonna be an interesting year, got a shit ton of marked ones, a Sorrengail, a Tauri, a Riorson… what a shit show. Let’s make bets Niamh.”
“Enough Blaine.” Niamh seemed to huff without opening her mouth. She seemed exhausted by the other third year.
“My bet’s on Riorson.” The second year who followed across the parapet hopped down, right behind me. Now stood way too close. Stood way too close and was publicly announcing his vote against me. It took everything I had to not turn or move or do something. Fuck him.
“Of course, it is Moray,” Blaine rolls his eyes, uncrossing his arms and letting them fall to his sides. What could be taken as a relaxed position if I didn’t know better. Blaine is now in prime position to grab weapons and I am standing between him and his target.
“Enough both of you,” Niamh orders. “Why are you over here Moray?”
Moray steps from around me, the most casual one here, he stops at my side. I didn’t turn to look at him, but he watched me, towering over me, I couldn’t really feel any real aggression coming off him, so I didn’t balk, flinch, or breathe really.
“Captain Fitzgibbons says Cadet Sorrengail is the last one.” Moray shrugs, “said maybe there will be a straggler, but we weren’t all needed over there. Tauri sent me over to relay the message.”
“Go on Sorrengail, they’ll start separating everyone into squads and begin officially here soon.” Niamh tips her head to the side, gesturing to the open doorway. She probably thought she was saving me from Moray, the truth be told I didn’t care about him. Or anyone else here. I didn’t want to be here myself. I didn’t come to make friends, or enemies. I just wanted to get through this. One day at a time.
I nodded my thanks though and stepped away from Moray, who had crossed his arms over his very, very broad chest. The man was built. And being a second year meant he had this last entire year of combat training. No doubt he could wipe the floor with me. I didn’t want to find out.
All cadets gathered and were sorted and stood in formation. Commandant Panchek with his fake ass smile said a bunch of things about joining and the wings and the rules and trying to stay alive. The head Wingleader gave a fancy little speech. Not really, he didn't really look like he wanted to be there. Didn't seem to have the time for this nonsense. Couldn't even blame him.
Niamh, it turns out, is Fourth Wing’s wingleader. Which was interesting. I almost figured Blaine would be her second, but he wasn’t, he didn’t hold a leadership position at all. He was in Fourth Wing and was in a different squad, and when he caught me watching him, he gave a cocky smirk and winked.
There were a few names I recognized. Mostly other leadership kids who I had seen at different stations growing up when we had moved place to place. Then there was Alic Tauri, was put in First Squad, Claw Section, First Wing. Fuck him. And Cara Tauri, who is Fourth Wing Flame Section's Executive Officer. Good for her.
Altogether through the four wings it seemed there were ten or so marked ones. Children of the rebellion, people had whispered since I crossed the parapet and came to the courtyard. People avoided them, giving a wide berth and they seemed to clump together. All standing off to the side until they were called and separated one by one. I don't think there was more than one marked on per squad.
My squad leader ended up being Moray. Second Squad, Flame Section, Fourth Wing.
My name was called last to this squad and Garrick Tavis, who had already been called and in formation, shook me to my core when I was called and he just smiled… the smile he gave me.... there wasn’t even anything evil in it. Just something humorous. Like he was privy to a joke I wasn't in on. Better than being in Riorson’s squad.. or Alic Tauri. He also was glaring at me. There was no one else close enough that I could make an excuse and say he was looking at them. It was me. Riorson was looking at me. And his gaze was pure hatred.
The scariest moment was when the wingleaders’ dragons started torching people.
But something was wrong with me, because it wasn’t fear curling in my gut, but annoyance and something I couldn't name. I had been around my mothers dragon before, though not enough to make me not fearful of dragons but all these runners seemed to be people who crossed the parapet willingly. Not even conscripts. And it made me unreasonably angry. Because my choice had been taken from me. I tried to tell myself that I didn't know for sure and I had no business being brat about this but the feeling swirling in my gut were swirling, heavy and disgusting.
Heat curled over head as a runner was scorched twenty feet behind us by a fierce looking green. The green reared back, eyeing my squad one by one. He seemed to be going down the whole of Fourth Wing, trying to weed out the weak. Globs of spit dripped and splattered right in between me and a squad mate, who blenched. The man trembled and shook and lurched forward, throwing up everywhere. Including my boots.
“Can you fucking not?!” Disgust swirled heavily inside me, urging me to throw up as well but I shoved it down. Movement from the corner of my eye caught my gaze. My eyes widened seeing the green mouth open and tongue curl. We were about to be scorched. I launched myself at my puker squad mate, tackling him back along with whoever was directly behind him and straight into the squad next to us- who screamed and moved as fire spread. I found my feet quickly, not wanting to lose sight of the dragon again.
“Get up idiot!”
“Nice going!” A second year speaks up from the side, having been clear from the dragon fire.
“Fuck off.” I roll my eyes, but only after the green retreats.
Moray opens his mouth, ready to retort but was cut off by Cara pushing through the cadets, ushering them back to where they were supposed to be.
“Enough both of you.” Her voice and expression were no nonsense, the second year and I both looked away and let it go. “Moray get your squad in order.”
"Trying." Moray shrugs a shoulder, laughing.
I flipped him off. Cara grabbed my hand and forced it down, disbelief overtaking her prim and prissy dainty features before she masked it. There was nothing dainty about her grip as she took my arm and steered me back towards Tavis, who now stood closest to me in formation, thanks to our meddling asshole squad leader. She gave him a look I couldn’t decipher, the corner of his lip tipped up and he gestured with his head to the side, almost as if saying "she's fine by me". The fuck I was. Asshole probably wanted to kill me to get back at my mother.
Cara gripped my arm, leaning into my space and forcing eye contact while breaking my previous train of thought.
“I don’t know what your problem is,” she says quietly, “but make peace with it quickly. Before you get someone killed.”
Outrage swirled in me. Anger bordering on wrath mixed with a heavy sense of betrayal had me ripping my arm from her, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” It was an outright lie. But we were not about to have a heart to heart in the middle of formation.
Panchek brought everyone back to order. Niamh spoke some encouraging words. We were dismissed. That was it. Congrats, good luck surviving.
Fortis Master List - Bria Sorrengail is forced into Basgiath by her mother. Bria wanted nothing to do with the Riders Quadrant or dragons or fighting and killing. (OC x ?, undecided yet) (she makes friends though, so plenty of platonic relationships. Also a few OC's, Bria is Xaden and Garrick's age, and enters the riders quadrant when they do.)
Warnings: smut; fingering, aftercare; mentions of rough night; yandere actions, plotting manipulation, mentions of abductions; mafia mentions vaguely. don’t interact if younger than 18
this chapter switches a bit between POV's. I'm sorry, I just wanted to get it all out in one part. Next chapter won't be like this one.
With his little lover worn out and passed out in his arms, Namjoon had time to think. She had asked for this assuming it was a one time thing. But hopefully Namjoon had been thorough enough that his sweet girl would be begging for him to return. After weeks of not having any real contact with her, having her in his arms like this was euphoric. He wasn't ready to give this up. He was ready and willing to seduce her or even just take her back home with him.
How could he convince her to leave with him? With the way his world worked, he could just steal her and hide her away. But knowing her father had deep connections, he was hesitant to start trouble here when he was working so hard to establish his name on this side of the ocean. And so he started to work her father into his plans, the man would be a useful pawn in Namjoon's game. Maybe an arranged marriage? Namjoon didn't have long term plans to keep the man in his life but he was willing to let the man dwell in the corner (where he could be watched) if it meant he had his sweet angel, he grinned, placing a kiss to her forehead. Maybe some kind of a business deal or even an alliance could be made. It was an option but Namjoon knew it was only the beginning of possibilities for a solution to his dilemma.
Namjoon couldn't help the anger that surged through his veins at the thought of how simple it was to get to her. She couldn't defend herself, had no one to protect her. Namjoon was already taking initiative to remedy that as well.
There were only a few people he would trust with her safety, and once they were done with their current missions or recovered enough from the last someone would be on their way to keep track of her personally. Yoongi would be done first, Namjoon would call him to sit in for awhile, just until he could figure out a more permanent plan. He didn't like pulling Yoongi away, with the man being so good at what he did, but for his jagi, he wanted the best. In his arms, his sleeping beauty pushed away from him and the blankets, still too hot and exhausted from their tango. Not wanting her to get too far, he helped loose the blanket from her body, pulling her into his side comfortably and letting her head rest on the deep blue silk pillow case rather than his arm, his freed arm going under his head. An arm still around her small body, fingertips tracing unseeable patterns over her smooth, sun kissed skin. This was something he absolutely wanted to get used to.
Glancing at the clock, it read close to four a.m, he'd have to leave soon. He had a meeting at 8, and it probably wouldn't be the best idea to show up in the same clothes he wore the day prior. He wanted to be here for when she woke up, he knew she'd be tired and sore and would need the help becoming human after all he put her through. Not to mention, being here when she woke would leave a better lasting impression. And would create a bond stronger than an embarrassing one night stand. Namjoon considered sleeping for an hour or so but he didn't want to waste any time sleeping here. He did plan to take advantage of her unconscious state to add some security to the house. Plan already formulated and decided on, he carefully unraveled himself and freed his legs from the tangle she had made getting comfortable in her sleep and placed a lingering kiss to her plump pink lips. She huffed a shuttered sigh between her lips, her eyebrows creasing before he placed a kiss there as well, soothing her back into rest as he snuck out of the bed. He figured the house could burn down and she wouldn't wake up. He'd kill anyone who tried to light a match here but the sentiment stood true as he grabbed his bottoms and pulled them on.
He dialed Taehyung, the man was close by, no doubt and might even be busy with his own one night stand but he could come when he was done to set up a system and stick a few wire taps and cameras here and there. Maybe even her phone and purse. Taehyung and Yoongi would know best when it came to those devices and where they best fit, but Yoongi wasn't near. And Taehyung was. Maybe he'd leave Taehyung on watch until Yoongi could come... but maybe the bugs would be fine until the trap was adequately set. Decisions, decisions. Namjoon hummed and got to work.
Ava’s POV
Waking up was a chore on good days. Even after she had drank too much those few times in her life the hangover had nothing on the pounding in her head at the moment. And her body..... she groaned, pressing her face as deeply into the pillow as she could. Sore didn’t describe it adequately and she didn’t even know where to begin to assess. The ache between her legs was probably the worst, her lower back came in second, her arms and legs felt like jello and she could feel the multitude of bruises and hickies coating her entire body. She didn’t know what she was getting into with the random foreign man from the diner. From the diner she regularly visited, she must be an idiot. If her throat wasn’t so dry and cracked she’d groan again, but she could feel a coughing fit coming on any second. But that man... Namjoon.. her legs clenched together as a spike of pleasure went through her body from just thinking about him. He was thorough. And obviously heavily experienced. She couldn’t tell if she was lucky or not to have him be her first or not. On one hand maybe he just ruined all her future experiences and on the other maybe since her father was forcing her to settle down, and she’d be stuck with someone awful, this was a god send. Like at least she got to experience this one time. She wasn’t expecting to be so pleased with the encounter. None of her friends stories and of their first had been this exceptional. Maybe they downplayed it, but Ava highly doubted it. All her friends liked to show off, flaunt their stuff, and boast about what they have.
The next thing she wasn’t expecting was for an arm to tighten around her back and pull her close. Her heart stopped. With eyes wide she craned her neck up from where she was lying face down to meet his gaze. And immediately gulped. He still had a bit of fire in his gaze. Ava glanced away, biting her lip and pulling her hand up to rub her face.
“Good morning.”
Namjoon already had a deep voice, she knew that from the talk before this- encounter.. and it got even deeper during their... intercourse - she cringed just thinking about how awkward this was getting - when he was giving low commands, but his raspy morning voice was sexy and it was doing something to her insides that she wasn’t prepared for.
She cleared her throat, still not brave enough to meet his gaze, “good morning...” what was she even supposed to do? She didn’t have the experience here, all her friends did the walk of shame or pretended to sleep while their partners did and yet here he was laying in her bed and grinning rather smugly, looking at her like he was ready to do it all again. Her legs clenched again at the thought. Why did she bring him here? She’s rich. He’s obviously rich. They could’ve gotten a hotel room somewhere, and not done this in her home- in her bed. She didn’t realize how low his hand was drifting until he softly stroked between her legs, and she was moaning rather shamelessly.
Ava had thought she couldn’t handle any more, but the way his fingers were moving slowly and feather light, her mind was shutting down and her body relaxing under his touch.
“Does this feel good jagi?” Namjoon’s lips are pressed against her temple. “Is it too much?”
Ava couldn’t process his words properly, but at the thought of him stopping she shook her head quickly, messily flinging her hair everywhere.
“Please.”
He applied slightest bit of pressure, carefully checking to see if she was wet and was satisfied to feel her dripping. He inserted one finger, curling it and pressing his thumb to the bundle of nerves at the same time. Her gasp was followed immediately by a high pitched moan.
“More.”
Namjoon grinned, adding a finger but continuing his slow, sensual speed. He didn’t want to break her after the night they had. He watched as her breathing got more and kore shallow and labored, she tilted more onto her side then her front and gripped his arm tightly. Her face scrunched up in pleasure, and her body moving on instinct with his fingers. Namjoon leaned down to connect his lips to hers, matching his tongue with his fingers movements and had her breathless in seconds. He moved his lips to her jaw, adding another beautiful mark, one much more visible than the others he had left and mumbling against her throat, “let go jagi,” she whimpered, clinging tighter to him. “I’ve got you.” And that was all it took for her to come undone against him.
The sounds she made were embarrassing in her mind, to say the least but she truly couldn’t help it as she rode out and came down from her high. Collapsing back in a heap, she cried out, flinching and body tightening as he removed his fingers.
He placed soft kisses all over her face, grinning as he did so. “Let me help you.” Was all he said before sliding his hands underneath her body and lifting her effortlessly.
Had it not been for the orgasm he had just given her, this would’ve been so much more awkward and embarrassing. However, her mind wasn’t all there, the pounding had subsided a bit with the pleasure coursing through her, and she was blisses out and did nothing more than lean her head against his shoulder as he found the bathroom. He set her on the toilet, softly telling her not to love before he went to the tub. Figuring it wasn’t the most embarrassing thing she’d done in front of the man, she tried to pee. Which felt much worse than she thought it would, all the muscles in her lower body were screaming at her and in between her legs weren’t much better off.
With the bath going he came back for her and eased them both into the warm water. She wasn’t too sure what happened then because she was in and out of it. But she remembers plenty of soft kisses and sweet murmurs against her skin as he helped her wash and dry and get dressed before tucking her into bed.
“Do you work today?” He asked, one knee on the bed where he just set her in and covered her snugly. She muttered and shook her head, bleary eyes barely seeing him, but feeling his fingers caress her cheek. “Then rest.” Such sweet words, her body and mind immediately agreed and started shutting down the rest of the way. “I’ll see you soon.” He promised with a kiss to her lips. No reply and she was out.
warnings: asking for sex; mentions of sex; manipulating; slight seducing and mentions of seduction; alcohol;
All of Namjoon's muscles clenched immediately, his body taut as a bowsting.
She didn't elaborate or explain. She stared directly into his eyes with that fire of hers smoldering and waiting for an answer.
Was she really looking for some quick fuck? Was this what had her down that past two hours? Or was this her way of distracting herself from the real problem at hand?
From what Namjoon had dug up, his sweet little jagi was exactly that, sweet and innocent. She didn't party, only drank on special occasions, he could only guess had never done drugs from her perfect school records and she hadn't been allowed to date or go out with strange boys.
Her fathers leash was tight around her neck, it had made his blood boil when he came to that conclusion.
That was another thing he'd be changing soon, he would take the studded choker off her neck and place his own there. His was much softer, much more loose, allowed more freedom and gave her even more luxuries that she already possessed.
Namjoon had no immediate plans of denying her, though he did want to know exactly where this came from, so he could make sure she wouldn't be out propositioning to just any pathetic little boys she could meet. He was more than willing to fuck her to her little hearts desire. Until all she knew was him, until she couldn't form any coherent sentences, let alone remember her own name. His was all she'd be able to say by the time he was done with her. He'd make sure to fuck her so good she would know better than to run to anyone else for something only he could provide her.
With those thoughts that had his mind racing and muscles coiling, ready to pounce, he smoothed his expression into slight confusion, maybe a bit of amusement in there and calmly said, "excuse me?"
"Really?" She nearly rolled her eyes. "You don't seem dense to me. Maybe I was wrong." She huffed, finally breaking eye contact, looking rather annoyed and mostly with herself. He could see the warring behind her eyes.
"Do you often go up to people asking them for sex?" Namjoon asks calmly, one side of his mouth kicking up as he leans back in his chair, exuding power. His movement drew her gaze back to him, and she unconsciously bit her bottom lip and Namjoon felt low growl hum in his throat at that combined with her innocent expression and the way she shifted in her seat. He just knew she was getting turned on already. He'd have to work hard not to break her.
Her eyes widened, no doubt hearing the noise and finally she answers. "No-"
"Then why approach a random man and ask for sex?" As he spoke, he leaned forward, placing his elbows on the table, his hands clasped in front of his mouth and glasses slipping down his nose just a bit. It didn't help the heated gaze he pinned on her. "This isn't a club," he added when he saw her swallow, it seemed she didn't know what to do with his full attention on her. He'd remedy that quickly, his angel always had his attention, even when it seemed she didn't. "Or a bar. Why here? Why now?.... why me?"
Her eyes dropped to his lips as his voice dipped lower and quieter with every word.
"If you don't want to do it," she paused, trying to regain the control of the situation that she thought she had, taking a breath and steeling herself, eyes losing a bit of that glassy glaze they developed. "Then you don't have to. I'll just go to either of those places and find someone who will. Can't be that hard."
She said it with a bratty attitude that Namjoon instantly found arousing and annoying in the same moment and his mind immediately supplied a dozen ways to make her lose it.
Annoyed, she stood and slid out of the booth, not expecting him to follow. He did, smoothly and with much more elegance. A closed off look on his face as he rebuttoned his suit jacket. He dwarfed her in size, she looked between five three or five four in her flat shoes. In shock, she took in his appearance, seemingly appraising him and liking what she saw as her eyes lit up and she swallowed again.
"Shall we?" He asked stepping close enough to her to invade her personal space, past what social etiquette deemed fit, but not far enough to be overly intrusive and scare her or make a scene. Out of the corner of his eye he had been watching the cook and the waitress, an older couple who seemed protective of his jagi. They had kept an eye on her the entire time, the older woman had held a short conversation with his jagi when she first came in and the woman had even brushed back Ava's hair during the course of her meal. His jagi hadn't shown any signs of being uncomfortable with the motherly gesture so Namjoon had let it be. But the way that they watched him with such distrust, Namjoon was debating on whether or not they'd need to be dealt with or not. If they wouldn't become a problem for him down the road he could maybe even use them.
Ava nods slowly. Almost disbelieving that what she had asked for she was getting. "My place or yours?"
Namjoon was a bit disappointed that she was offering her own bed to a stranger, but perhaps she felt safer there instead of trapping herself in an unknown place. Namjoon couldn't follow the knowledge (or lack there of) that she was using to make the decision.
But he knew she lived alone. No chef, no maid or any help of any kind, no security, other than what her building supplied at the main entrances. It was easy for him to get to her personal space, but that meant it was easy for others too.
Her father was a fool, he had made many enemies in his time in the illegitimate side of his business, and once again Namjoon felt his dislike for the man swelling deeply at his negligence. He broke his thoughts, paying for his drink and tipping generously. He gestured with a hand for them to go and placed a hand to her back that was neither too low or too high. If she was having second thoughts, he didn't want to scare her into running. He'd really have to woo her.
"I'm only in town for the weekend," Namjoon supplied, opening the door for her and stepping close enough for his jacket to brush against her as they exited together. "I'm staying at the Baccarat Hotel in Manhattan-"
"My place then." She interrupted. "I'd rather not be seen going into that hotel with you. It looks... bad." She carried off, fingers playing with the hem of her babydoll dress.
Namjoon nods, humming his approval. His smart girl. She was protecting her image, their were plenty of reporters that hung out near the richer hotels. And Namjoon only stayed at the best. She must've pieced together that he was well enough off by the way he dressed and the hotel he was staying in.
"Lead the way." His grin was perhaps a bit to sharp as she looked up at him with big round eyes.
He had to act as if he had never been near her place of dwelling though, so even as she seemed to take the long way he didn't correct or give any hints that he was on to her as he made polite conversation the whole way. In fact, he was soaking up all he could from this time he had with her, he wanted to build a relationship with her. One that was more than just sex- though that was something he did look forward to. She was quick to offer up her first name. But not her family name. Ava. He acted politely, as if it was brand new information and then he offered his whole name just as readily. She repeated it carefully and Namjoon's body reacted to his name falling from her pretty pink lips, and he didn't stop the sudden urge to press his lips to hers in a heated kiss as they were stopped on a crosswalk at an intersection. He swooped down to her height, the hand on her back crushing her chest tightly to his and his free hand wrapping around the side her slender neck as she gasped and their lips met. Her neck was small enough for his thumb to tilt her jaw up and for his fingers to cup the back of her neck entirely and pull her face even closer as he dominated her mouth swiftly making it a bit more passionate and stealing all her breath away.
He pulled away from the heated kiss first, leaving her clutching his front and gasping for air. Her eyes went down immediately and Namjoon watched with a growing smile as she tried to compose herself.
He dipped close enough for his lips to touch her ear and whispered, "shall we?"
Everywhere his lips or breath touched rippled with goose bumps right away and he admired the skin their, how smooth and creamy it looked. He couldn't wait to mark it up. He placed a sweet kiss to her ear, humming in satisfaction when a shiver went down her body.
It didn't take long before they were in her penthouse. Namjoon had found deep in many, many files that the penthouse was a gift from her father on her eighteenth birthday. A bit of freedom for her so long as she obeyed. Namjoon had already had Taehyung and Hoseok sweep the place for any sort of bugs that could've been hidden. Namjoon took in the room with out rudely intruding. He eyed the entrance in distaste. It was a bit of an annoyance and disgust that Americans didn't remove their shoes upon entry into their homes. They walked all over their messy cities and then tracked it through their house. He wondered how he could convince her to abandon that habit.
"Make yourself comfortable I suppose." She said, heading into the kitchen, "feel free to look around." She shrugged, not looking over her shoulder.
Namjoon shook his head, his smart girl could be so naive. She just invites a strange man into her home all alone (for sex no less) and tells him to 'make himself at home'. It was clear she had never brought anyone home with her before. He grinned again, taking in the rooms slowly, even though he truly already knew the place inside and out. He did take more time to look in depth at the pictures on the wall and on each table. His beautiful jagi. He grinned. His innocent virgin baby girl. He had no doubts at this point that she was a virgin. And with the way her body reacted to his touch, he doubted anyone had ever touched her at all.
He found her pouring a glass of dark alcohol that she pulled up to drink quickly. Not seeing or hearing his approach, she was shocked when he pulled the glass from her hand, giving an amused expression and raising a brow in question. Her eyes narrowed in what seemed to be annoyance or perhaps defiance as her eyes flickered to the bottle on the counter. Namjoon once again wanted to rid her of the brattiness. He took off his glasses slowly, folding them closed and setting them beside the drink before caging her against the counter and overwhelming her with just his presence alone. He waited a moment, for her to push him away or tell him no, and when she didn't he leaned down and connected their lips in the softest touch he could manage. He didn't make any move to deepen the kiss, or escalate it in any way. He just moved his lips softly against hers. Coaxing her into the kiss until she was breathless again before he pulled back. He smirked proudly at what he had managed to do to her with just a kiss. Her chest was heaving as she worked on slowing her breathing, and it took her a moment before she opened her eyes, they were clouded and it had Namjoon humming in satisfaction.
"I need you sober, baby." He said softly, voice smooth as velvet as he cupped her jaw gently, he stroked a thumb over her cheek as he spoke. "If you don't want to do this you need to tell me now...." her eyes focused a bit at that, the hand that had tangled in his jacket gripped a little tighter, unconsciously begging for him already. "Once I start I'm not sure I'll be able to stop, beautiful." He added slowly, with a light nip to her ear.
He kissed the skin under it gently at first, a light peck before moving down a bit, kiss by kiss until he found her soft spot and started sucking and biting. He kept it more lips and tongue rather than teeth, knowing she wasn't ready for anything too rough. He was going to take such good care of his jagi. The breathy moan she released accompanied with the death grip she had on his jacket and arm had him grinning in her neck. "Are you ready jagi?"
She was whining low and needy, nodding her head and not letting go of him as he pulled up and stood straight. He unbuttoned his jacket, shrugging it off his shoulders and her hands fall away from him. He held her in place with nothing but his gaze alone.
"Always use your words," he instructed, folding the jacket in half and setting it down with care. "When I speak to you, I expect an answer."
His sweetheart nodded at first before stuttering out an 'okay'. He tugged her hand, having her stand and helping her take off her own jacket. "Where's your room jagi?" He asks, hiding his grin until she turned to lead the way. He squeezed her hand a bit. "Words angel."
"My room is up the stairs and down this hall." She supplied quickly, eager to please him, "along with my office, and my closet and bathroom. Down the other hall is two guest rooms, a sitting room and another bathroom."
Namjoon made a noise in the back of his throat, nodding his approval and gripping her hip as they went. Her room only held a bed, a very big bed, a chair in the middle of the room facing the floor to ceiling windows and a bedside table. Though she did have a pair of panties and a night dress thrown against the wall but neither cared as Namjoon spun her around, both hands against her waist and kissing her again. She gripped his arm and neck, excited and wanting more but Namjoon was prepared to take his time. He was going to have her begging for him before all her clothes were even off, and considering she only had on a few items it would be a challenge. But one he was more than willing to take head on. He sucked another mark into her neck, loving the way her head fell back and she moaned. It was going to be a long and beautiful night, he grinned.
This is from Namjoon’s POV. This also cuts back a few years, for when they just met.
Warning list for the whole story is on the first chapter. Will put specific triggers in chapters as they come.
She didn't know that he had first seen her two months before, at an opera that she had attended with her parents. He had been intrigued by her the entire show and had decided to look more into her. It hadn't been hard, her father was in his line of business- both the legitimate and illegitimate sides. So while she thought that she had made the first move (and maybe she had approached him first) he already had plans for her. The fact the she was so willing was just perfect.
It had worked out so well when he had sat down in the little diner in a booth back away from the bar she sat at and waited. He didn't order anything other than a drink and she had never noticed, never found it peculiar, never even felt anything off as she picked at her food. He watched the upset young woman with focused eyes, wondering exactly what had transpired in the hour she had spent in her fathers penthouse to make her so distracted and upset. She never was truly aware of her surroundings (something that upset Namjoon to no end, and something he was going to remedy as quickly as he could) but her plump full lips always were stretched in a smile or some kind of pout that he found delicious and adorable.
With the slump of her shoulders his little Ava seemed tired, almost beat. Without her fire even. Namjoon didn't like that. Her body shifted up and he could hear the deep intake of breath even with their distance, and she let it out slowly, rolling her shoulders and sitting straight from her slouch, removing her elbow from the counter. Namjoon tipped his head away, eyes still watching as intuition told him to pick up his drink and take a sip. A moment later she glanced around, finally surveying the room she was in, an hour into sitting there. And her eyes found him, he kept his head down, choosing to watch her from the reflection of the window as she stared at him. She didn't even try to hide it. It was nearing two minutes when she finally blinked a few times and turned away, her long hair falling to create a curtain over her face. Namjoon's lips curled up.
Finally his smart girl was back. Namjoon watched as she finished her water, pushed her nearly full plate away and slapped a few bills down. She pulled her crossbody clutch over her head and on her shoulder and stood.... and made her way directly over to him. His left brow raised but that was the only reaction that slipped through his carefully maintained mask of indifference. She held eye contact as she slid into the opposite side of his booth, slight pout in place but she had a determined air about her.
Namjoon waited for her, interested in whatever was about to take place. He hadn't felt this much giddiness in ages, the excitement settled in his stomach heavily. He wondered if perhaps some slipped through his gaze as she failed to conceal the shiver that went down her body.
Namjoon's mind was producing a million different ways that she would or could start the conversation, for the second time that night she took him by surprise and said, "will you have sex with me?"
This part lacks Namjoon and is mostly a filler, but he will be back soon. Deciding on an update schedule and whether or not to tag accounts or not. Until I’m more used to posting this way I won’t be tagging people, thank you for understanding! Roughly edited.
Ava sat, twirling the ring on her left hand.
It had been a week since she had told Namjoon of the baby. He took it well. Simply nodding and smiling softly. He had stood and taken her hand, leading her to what she assumed was his office where he unlocked a desk drawer and pulled out a small black velvet box. And with a 'this wasn't how I had planned to do this....' he had asked her to marry him. Of course she said yes. Then he spent the entire night worshipping her body. The next morning she was beyond exhausted and slept the entire day.
Her parents were less than pleased, though they didn't get a say in it. Ava had told her mother briefly over the phone after Namjoon had left to America to discuss it in person with her father. Her mother didn't say much, she wasn't in a position to, she only said that she would try to come early for the wedding to be with her.
Even with Namjoon being in a different country, most of the work was still done by him personally. A lot of the wedding preparations he had taken responsibility of to make sure they would be perfect, and only left a few specifics and special touches to be done by Ava.
"Gonna sit there all day?"
"Maybe." Ava glances away from the window, grinning at Yoongi, who didn't hesitate to drop on the free couch and throw an arm over his eyes.
"Your mom should be here soon." He offered up after a moment. "You should at least pretend to be busy."
Ava scoffs, "my mom knows I'm lazy. She will see right through it."
"Maybe," he shrugs, "but it will give you an excuse to make a run for it if she starts getting on your nerves."
"Thats what you're for. And why we're not meeting here but at a restaurant." Ava stands and starts placing all the books back into their correct positions on the wall, before collect all the papers with wedding details on them and locking them in a box before setting that next to the fire place to act as decoration.
"That's a stupid hiding spot." Yoongi remarks, still not even looking. "Lazy."
"Doesn't matter." It was Ava's turn to shrug, "I just need two people not to see it, and both of those people are banned from this room anyways."
"You're not including your parents in any of the wedding details?"
"No," Ava scoffs, "why would I? If it weren't for Namjoon they wouldn't have received invitations in the first place."
"Have you sent out the invites yet?" Yoongi asks, sounding half asleep at this point.
"Most of them. But Namjoon is talking to my father in person and I told my mother over the phone. They will still get a card though, probably after Namjoon is on his way back." Ava hums, playing with the flowers in a large vase that she moved from the mantle of the fire place to the window. They were a gift from Namjoon that had been delivered that morning, they weren't the first and she knew they wouldn't be the last.
"Shouldn't you go get ready?" Yoongi finally broke the silence twenty minutes later.
Ava's nose twitched, "do I have to though? I should just go like this." She gestured to her (Namjoon's) sweatpants (that she had raided his closet for despite her closet being filled to the brim with clothes) and white t shirt that was slightly see through depending on how you looked at it. Yoongi gave a very unimpressed look earning a huff from Ava before she stood and dusted herself off.
"Fine. I won't go out looking like trash today." She grumbles, "enjoy your nap."
"I will."
Ava threw one of the couch pillows at him on her way out, receiving a laugh and nothing more as she shut her parlor door behind her.
"Would you like help Miss Smith?" Imo-ssi offered gracefully falling into step just behind her, respectfully. Ava had learned from Yoongi that her name was HaeSoo and since then had taken to calling the woman by it, despite her objections. She did compromise by adding ssi to the end, to not be rude.
"Yes please, HaeSoo-ssi." Ava nods with a smile, "that would be lovely."
It wasn't long before Hae-soo had created a masterpiece of the young woman and was ushering her towards the doors.
"Who is going with us?" Ava asked Yoongi as the man stepped from the shadows against the wall and joined her in her car. It was the same car that Namjoon had gifted her in America, a white and black Range Rover that literally sparkled it was so shiny and new.
"JK's driving and Jimin is already at the restaurant. Hobi picked up your mother from the airport and is bringing her there now. We will be there before her but just barely." Yoongi gave her the run down, glancing from his tablet to the window before speaking in Korean to someone over an ear piece.
Ava nods slowly, the team was divided up, Jin, Taehyung had gone with Namjoon to close off American deals as well as be with Namjoon when he spoke to her father and Yoongi and Jungkook had been left with her for her protection. Yoongi had dragged Hobi and Jimin into the detail when the two had showed up after their latest mission and gala coincidentally at the same time.
"Hey Noona." Jungkook grinned, hopping into the front seat. "Thanks for giving me permission to drive your car."
Ava rolls her eyes, which was seen by him in the mirror. "I didn't, don't put a scratch on it." She warns, half serious. Even if he did mess it up in any way she'd have a new one by morning, maybe even by the time she was done with dinner.
"Let's just get there." Yoongi orders.
"Let's get it!" Jungkook mumbles under his breath, a little too excited compared to the two in the back seats.
Ava and Yoongi exchange glances, Ava biting back her sigh and Yoongi quickly going back to his tablet. It would be a long night.
Finally having separated from her overwhelming mother, Ava curled up on top of the covers, hugging a pillow close to her chest.
"At least get underneath and pretend to sleep." Hobi grins, standing in the doorway and crossing his arms.
"No." Ava murmurs into the pillow. "Don't want to."
"Namjoon's going to be upset that you're not sleeping." Yoongi said closing the balcony doors of the master bedroom and clicking the lock shut.
"Don't care." Ava sighs deeply, shutting her eyes and feigning sleep. "He shouldn't leave me alone for this long then. He knows I don't like sleeping alone."
"Sounds like a you problem." Yoongi smirks, gripping the edge of the bed spread and tossing it over her half way.
"Wanna snuggle?" She grins up at him, pulling the blanket up a little more.
"And get a bullet in the ass?" Yoongi scoffs. "I think not."
Ava looks up towards Hobi, "how about you? You a wuss too?"
"The biggest." His grin widens, pushing off the door frame he flicks a two finger salute as goodbye. "See you tomorrow. Go to sleep."
"Yeah, go to sleep." Yoongi adds with a nod. "Call JK if you need anything he's probably the only one able to get away laying with you if you're man walks in tonight."
Ava's eyes brighten, "is he coming back early?"
Yoongi holds a sigh in, "probably not. But we don't need you getting anyone shot between now and then."
Ava repositions, hiding deeper in the blankets and imagining being anywhere else. Preferably not pregnant to be honest. "Ok. Goodnight."
Yoongi shuts the door behind him, leaving Ava in mostly darkness except for the pale moonlight coming from the glass doors.
It was an odd thing to crave. Wanting nothing more to be alone and nothing more than to not be alone. It was something she had grown accustomed to. Being surrounded by people around the clock but not truly having companions. She grew up in it. And since meeting Namjoon she had grown accustomed to his overwhelming presence. He drowned out her inner demons and made her feel safe again.
warnings: adult content, please don’t read if you’re not old enough. (not to sure how far this will go so these warnings could be for now or later; if added later, chapters will have those specific warnings. Please don’t read if any of these topics trigger you.) violence, yandere, manipulation, panic attacks, guns, gangs, possible smut in later chapters, themes and mentions of smut. adult content, please don’t read if you’re not old enough. this is not a reflection on the people, and we do not stan any kind of bad behavior or violence or abuse, if you are in a similar situation and need help please reach out to the right people.
Ava steadied her breathing, wondering again how she had ended up in this position. Pregnant. Single and pregnant. Single, pregnant and stupid.
She had been careful. They both had been. She was on birth control and he had worn a condom. But there was so much sex.... Blinking away her thoughts, she turned hearing the clicking of heels. The house keeper, (in all the time she had known the older woman, she had only heard her called Imo-ssi and Ava didn't know enough Korean to know if that was a name or a title) came down the hall looking very much like she belonged here.
Unlike me. Ava swallowed.
Maybe she'd be thrown out. Maybe he wanted nothing to do with her.
Highly unlikely.
She could remember the conversations about kids, she could remember how much pleasure he took in cumming in her every time he came (her legs clenched uncomfortably just at the thought). Not a bit was ever wasted. Maybe she was stupid. She shouldn't even be surprised that she was pregnant. Of course she would be. They had so much sex for so many years now. How had so many years passed? How had she not ended up pregnant before this?
"Right this way Miss Smith."
Ava nodded, her mouth to dry to speak and followed as she was led through the mansion and into what seemed to be some kind of parlor. She hated the waiting game.
"Please make yourself comfortable and sajangnim will be back soon." Imo-ssi gave a politely formal smile, "I'll bring some tea."
"Thank you." Ava smiles, exhaling a shaky breath. She smoothed her hands down the front of her silk shirt slowly taking in the room.
The room itself was nice, it almost didn't fit into her lovers image. It was mostly white, plush white couches, with white and baby pink throw blankets draped over them. A white coffee table placed in between them, a patterned white rug underneath, a white ottoman placed to the side adding seats to the rectangular formation. On the opposite side, a black fire place with a silver metal protector in front of it, feminine knick knacks on top of it. Candles around the room, all placed strategically to not cause fires. A piano sat near the corner but the room was so big it wasn't shoved in the corner or taking up too much of the room. One of the walls were covered in shelves, mostly filled with books. The opposite wall was all windows. The wall that held the door had two tables on either side, laps on both sides of the door hanging on said wall, they were white as well with intricate silver linings around them. After a moment, she noticed the walls were more of a cream, complimenting the room and making it warmer. The pink, black and even gold touches drew the whole room in.
Ava wasn't sure how long she stood in the center of the room, where she was left, when Imo-ssi returned with a tray.
Imo-ssi seemed shocked for a split second before it was smoothed over, "here is the tea, please have a seat." Ava nods, sitting on the couch. "Sajangnim hasn't returned yet. You are welcome to all the amenities-"
Ava stood, eyes going wide. "He's not here?" She mumbles looking at her hands. "I'll leave," her heart was racing and her hands started sweating. Her nerves were already eating her up. She didn't want to be here longer than she had to. "I'll come back when he is here." Moving to step around Imo-ssi, she didn't make it two steps before the older woman had grabbed her hands tightly.
"No, no!" She scolded in a motherly fashion, "you can stay, rest. You look so tired dear." Imo-ssi led her back to the couch, gently helping her to sit and get comfortable.
Ava sighs heavily, pulling her legs up to her side after kicking off her house slippers. Closing her eyes and steadying her racing heart, she could feel just how familiar this was. Imo-ssi had been there all those times in America, taking care of her when her rogue lover would disappear. The older woman knew how to take care of and even soothe Ava in her most difficult panic attacks. This mild burst of anxiety didn't hold a candle flame to the worst of them. "I feel sick." Ava whispers as Imo-ssi wraps both her hands around the tea cup.
The older woman nods, "I will get you some medicine. Sip the tea, it will help."
Ava watches with bleary eyes (am I crying again?) as Imo-ssi opened the door and with a beck of her hand had called in a younger woman. This woman was in her early twenties Ava guessed, and was dressed in a similar outfit (a house maid uniform the sarcastic part of her mind quipped) to Imo-ssi. Both women's hair was smoothed and tied back into a very neat bun. Imo-ssi spoke in their language for a moment before stepping out of the room and leaving Ava with the younger woman. The woman put herself by the book wall and bowed her head, hands clasped in front of her. She seemed to have been instilled with utmost respect, refusing to meet Ava's eyes and standing quietly. Ava was sure if she asked for something the woman would bow and be gone to do it.
The room was silent again and Ava let the tea cup rest in her lap, her head fell back to rest against the blanket behind her and her eyes closed almost automatically. Maybe she was stupid. Coming straight here after getting off the plane. Pregnant and pathetic, she could at least be smart about this. Even a little bit.
Ava didn't know how long she rested, only waking a few times when someone was in the room with her, the first being Imo-ssi who shooed the younger woman away and helped Ava take some medicine, making sure she finished most of the tea before letting her close her eyes again. The second time a blanket was being draped over her and she was being carefully positioned to rest more comfortably. The third and final time, a hand was stroking down her cheek and cupping her jaw, a kiss was placed to her forehead and the hand ran through her hair. She hummed in content, reaching up to rub her eyes, breathing in deeply and clearing her throat, willing herself to wake up.
She startled seeing a dark figure in front of her, pushing back and away from the person in a blind panic.
"Shh Jagi," hands steadied her, the figure moved from his sitting position on the coffee table to kneeling in front of her. "It's me."
"Oh." Ava nods, feeling silly. As if someone could break into this place. The amount of security she saw with her own eyes was slightly alarming, who knew how many were hidden in rooms and shadows. "I'm sorry."
"I'm the one who's late jagi," there was a grin in his voice, "what are you sorry for?"
The room was dark, a single candle lit on the fire place, the evening lighting that had streamed in through the windows had long left, leaving Ava to wonder exactly how long she had slept.
Her throat tightened as she started to make out her lovers sharp features. He is so hot. Her throat tightened remembering just how attractive he was, how much power he held. He had that air about him. He commanded all the attention in the room, every room. He commanded respect too. No one would dare oppose him, in fear of his wrath. Ava had never been truly afraid of him, he had never given her a reason to fear him, she had never given him a reason to make her fear him.
His hand cupped around the back of her neck, thumb barely brushing against her jawline, drawing her attention back to him.
"Jagi?" His voice was so smooth... so deep and rich.
How had she fallen in love with such a dangerous man?
He waited, sitting there patiently, one hand tugging on one of her bands and lacing his fingers with hers, the other hadn't moved from her neck, where he could feel the rise and fall of her pulse. Both touches were so gentle on her skin. She had craved them for years now, every time he left her, no matter the length of time. This was what made her run to him and not away from him when those lines stared at her menacingly.
Her eyes met his, and she was surprised by the steadiness of her voice as she managed to speak.
"Namjoon."
He shifted as his name rolled off her tongue, something hot striking across his heavy gaze, she smoothed a hand over his shoulder, resting it there as she made the words come out.
"I have to tell you something," Ava whispers, fingers tightening in his shirt. "Something important."
