Whats Once Lost, Is Found

she/her 🏳️‍🌈

[cautotelic]

Masterlist

Ambessa Medarda

Tough Love

Ch. 1 - Tough Love

Ch.2 - Friend or Foe

Ch.3 - Ballrooms and Bad Moods

Ch.4 - The Fall

Ch.5 - Been Like This

Ch.6 - Last Piece of the Puzzle

Her Temple, Her Priestess

ep.1

ep.2

ep.3

Abby Anderson

Doctors Note

Sevika

She Gets The Job Done

[cautotelic]

Her Temple, Her Priestess: ep.3

Ambessa Medarda x Priestess!Reader

A/N: Dealing with writers block. This ep took a lot of turns before ending here, but I feel like it fits...hopefully;))

Your hand glided over the skin of your leg where it dipped into the water. The bathhouse was empty which was expected for this time at night. The quiet allowed you to sit with your thoughts that had become rather rambunctious as of late.

The creaking of the door leading inside has you scrambling to cover yourself with the thin fabric of your nightgown. Eyes darting to the door, only for a whole new wave of tension to flow through your body.

“I didn’t expect to find you here, of all places,” the General states. Telling from the fact she was still wearing her uniform, it had been a long night. “I’ve been looking for you.”

You scoff, setting the piece of fabric down beside you. “Isn’t it obvious I’d rather remain hidden?”

Ambessa could sympathize with you on that note. Earlier that night she’d hosted a gala of sorts for high members of her council and other leaders. She’d only caught glimpses of you throughout the night, but whenever her eyes were able to linger, she could practically sense the discomfort in your body.

You’d changed out your regular everyday robes for more formal attire. The white dress you wore was shapely and left your arms and shoulders exposed. Whoever picked the dress obviously didn’t know you. While you managed to keep your shoulders back and head held high, your hands worried at your rosary for the duration of the night.

Ambessa begins unbuckling parts of her clothing, letting the pieces fall and clatter on the floor. “I suppose so. You are not fond of those types of events, I presume?”

“Not one bit.” You kick your feet in the water from where you sit on the edge of the pool. Trying to keep your expression disinterested if only to distract yourself from wanting to look at the General. 

She chuckles from where she lounges against the wall of the bathing pool directly across from you. The water was high enough that it covered her up to her breasts, but there was still much of her to see. Her arms splayed along the edge of the pool, muscles glistening with water. Her hair was pulled up and away from her face making the smooth column of her neck more visible.

When your eyes finally come to her face, she is wearing a teasing smirk. You quickly avert your  attention.

“Staring is impolite, Priestess,” she tsks. “Although if it is you staring, I am not entirely opposed to it.”

“Are you always this…provacative? Or is this manner of speech only reserved for me?”

Ambessa tilts her head as she looks at you. And gods if you were not a spectacle right now. She’d never seen you with so little clothing on, it was astounding. The candlelight reflected onto your skin just so, making you look both sharp and soft at the same time. She wondered if the gods would punish her for wanting to trace the shapes it made along your skin.

“I like to entice.” Her eyes move along your body and you swear you can feel it like a touch against your skin. “But it’s infinitely more fun when the subject of such attention is so willing.”

“I am not willing–”

“Oh, but you are,” she coos mockingly. “You’ve had plenty of chances in these little encounters between us to report me, or even ask for a new duty station. Yet you stay.” You fidget where you sit and a dangerous glint flashes in the General’s eyes. “Why?”

You stare at the woman, your face heating up quicker than you can comprehend. “You confuse me.”

“How so?”

“You clearly have no desire for devotion to a religion, so you go against everything I stand for. Your actions and habits are questionable. You're promiscuous and stubborn, yet you are kind. Compassionate, even.”

“And that bothers you?” 

“Of course it does!” You exclaim, looking at her and taking a few breaths to calm yourself. You pick up the sponge beside you and begin running it over your arms. “It would be much easier to dislike you if you were cruel like everyone makes you out to be.”

“I am cruel,” the General sighs as she walks over to where you sit. Suddenly the sponge in your hand is very interesting. “I do things that are unforgivable for no reason other than the fact it benefits me. I’ve killed, conquered, and destroyed. Do not make the mistake of thinking me innocent.”

Ambessa didn’t feel condemned by her past. She’d long accepted what she was. A monster. The type that parents would tell horror stories about to their children. Didn’t mean it didn’t sting. Even her own children thought she was barbaric.

“I know you're not innocent,” you state, your voice soft. “But you’re still a good person.”

You’re surprised by your own words, but in your heart you know they are true. Silence rings in the space around you and when the General does not speak, you raise your head to look at her where she stands in the water beside you. Her eyes are unreadable and it makes you shift in your spot a little.

“Do not look at me like that, General. We are both indecent, might I remind you,” you roll your eyes.

“And since when do you have an issue with nudity?” Her eyes continue to look over your naked form, but you do not see an ounce of lust in her eyes. “You pray naked, do you not?”

You flinch as you feel the backs of her fingers graze the side of your leg. Testing you. Maybe even seeing if you will challenge her earlier statement. You stay silent, only watching her as she takes you in. She trails her hand up your leg, brushing over your knee before drawing idle patterns into the skin of your thigh.

You look at her, eyes narrowed slightly. “Do you see me praying right now?”

A small smile graces the General’s face as she continues trailing her fingertips over your thigh. Despite your calm demeanor, your heart was hammering. 

You let your own hands wander to the General’s arms. Big and small scars alike litter her skin, but do little to take away from her beauty. You trace the ones on her arms wondering what unfortunate person's blade marred her skin.

Ambessa chuckles again, making you snap out of whatever stupor you were in and draw your hands back to your lap. She almost felt bad, regretting doing so if only to have your hands on her for a second longer.

“You are bold tonight, little one,” she states matter-of-factly.

You smile knowingly. “I may or may not have had a drink.” Ambessa tilts her head at you, amused. “Or three. Do not shame me. How else was I supposed to make it through the night?”

“My, my Priestess, what trouble you’ve gotten yourself into,” she teases. Her tone is anything but judgmental.

You shrug. “I am allowed to indulge,” you hum.

“Oh?” A small smirk graces Ambessa’s face. “And what else do you allow yourself to indulge in?”

“Not much.” Your hands run over the rosary around your neck. "At least not with this on.”

Ambessa eyed the string of woven beads around your neck. It fit your person perfectly. It was made of white string knots that were broken up with simple pearlescent beads. A saint pendant hanging from the bottom. Said pendant sitting directly between your breasts. 

Ambessa wanted to rip the damned thing from your neck. She’d yearned to be this close, this intimate, with you for far longer than she liked to admit. She knew that you viewed the body as holy and hell if she didn’t want to start being a believer so that she could worship yours.

“And if it were taken off?” 

Your body stills as you turn to look at the General. “Are you insinuating things again?”

“It’s curiosity,” she offers, eyes glinting mischievously.

Your eyes find hers and you see it. Not desire or lust, not a want for control. Devotion. You’ve seen that look many times, however never in this particular situation. No matter how much you tried to rationalize how you shouldn’t want her, wanting her never felt wrong no matter how many times you flipped it in your mind. And it had been a long time since you wanted anything as badly and with as much intensity as you wanted the General.

Your hands work the rosary up and over your head. Ambessa’s eyes track your movements. The piece, little more than string and beads, sits heavy in your hand. The both of you looking at it for what it is. A statement. An offering. An invitation.

Reaching over, you place it over the General's head. Allowing it to sit nicely on her chest. Allowing yourself to stare for a long moment. As acolytes, you are taught that nothing, worldly or other, should come above your devotion to the gods. But you could not deny that this moment between the two of you felt higher than religion itself. You run your finger along the pearl beads and you swear you feel the General shiver. You pull at the end of the rosary, the saint pendant digging into your palm as you pull her closer. 

“Still curious, Ambessa?” 

From the way the two of you were sitting, Ambessa was looking up at you and you down at her. She could feel your breath on her skin. Though you didn’t look smug to have her in this compromising position. Just content. 

“What happened to the pleasantries?” She teases, all too happy to be in this predicament.

“Pleasantries and monikers don’t suit you,” you say, eyeing her up. “Your moniker labels you as a commander of armies. A conqueror of men. Your name is yours alone. It is sacred and I’ve found I quite like your name. It softens your edges.”

Ambessa, without a doubt, is a beautiful woman. A beautiful woman who holds the weight of a country on her back. Never letting anyone share that responsibility. To be “soft”, is to be weak. But at the end of the day when she stripped off her armor and the facade that she presented to her people, she was soft. She was just Ambessa and, despite how much she despised that part of her, there were few things that she wouldn’t give to be soft with you. For you.

Her efforts weren’t made any easier by the fact that you were all but adoring her.

“I would like to kiss you, Ambessa.” The words were like a prayer on your lips. Said with conviction and so softly, Ambessa would have missed it if she had simply been breathing any harder. “Will you indulge me?”

[cautotelic]

Her Temple, Her Priestess: ep.2

Ambessa Medarda x Priestess!Reader

tw: slight mention of self-harm

A/N: y'all are some little fiends (love it though!!)

A box. A pretty box at that. Red ribbon hugging all sides and a nice little card sat atop your bed. It hadn’t been there when you came back to your chambers to nap earlier that day, only having shown up when you returned from your midday prayer. 

You pick it up, ready to toss it in the corner of your closet with the rest of the Generals gifts, but stop yourself. The box is light in your hands as you weigh it while the ones before have been heavy. Filled with jewels and heavy fabrics.

Setting the box back down, you carefully untie the ribbon bow and lift the top off. Soft, white fabric stares back at you. You lift it out the box to hold it in front of you. 

The dress is long and flowing. It’s made of a lightweight, soft material that feels like you are holding a cloud in your hand. It is definitely more revealing than any of the other clothing you wear around, having no sleeves and a neckline that dips down slightly. Even having gold and white embroidery along the hemline. Enough to accentuate the dresses beauty but still keeping it modest.

You, however, can’t stop looking at the top half of the dress. Along the side and up to the top straps, the dress is held closed by pieces of fabric that come together into tied bows. Three on each side. If undone, one would be exposed from the waist up…

You close the box shut, leaving it on your bed as you storm out of the room. The walk to your destination doesn’t take long, usually, but people greeting you and asking when they can come for confessions does.

When you get to the big, wooden double doors, Rictus stands guard outside. Only giving you a glance, but not moving from his spot.

“Good afternoon, Rictus,” you chime as you adjust your veil to sit halfway back on your head. Allowing the rest to lay against your back and shoulders. “I see the General is back from her campaign.”

“Yes, we returned yesterday,” he nearly grunts, eyeing you suspiciously. “The General is not expecting a meeting with you.”

You huff a laugh. “Oh, I know.”

As you smile at him, he sighs before stepping aside. The door opens soundlessly into the expanse of space that the General likes to call her office. Books and trophies from her wars fill the room. As well as one slightly brooding General.

“I would appreciate it if you stopped leaving gifts in my bedchamber.”

Ambessa sat on one of her lounge sofas drinking a glass of her favorite wine. One from the southern regions of Noxus that was sweet enough to be from a nectarine. 

Ambessa was a busy woman. She had soldiers to scold. And papers to sign…and ambassadors that needed to be threatened…and maybe one person that needed to be tortured, but now that you’ve waltzed into her study, all thoughts of work flew from her mind.

Though her time away hadn’t been the longest, she’d missed her little priestess. Her angel, she’d decided long before this little game of hers. She yearned for you, to simply be near you like no other. But she knew you were off limits. Promised to the gods. It wasn’t an unusual occurrence these days for Ambessa to lay in her bed late at night among all her finery and precious things while touching herself to the thought of the one precious thing she was not allowed to have. 

How pathetic was that? The strong, calculated, and cunning general of Noxus reduced down to nothing but frustrated growls and moans by the thought of a little, white-clad priestess with an attitude Ambessa would just love to fuck out of her. So much so that within the first week of her being away she had bedded three women that could have been your carbon copies. 

Could have. 

Their skin didn’t feel as soft as yours looked. Their eyes didn’t have that same stubborn glint. Their hair was too light or too dark, the texture not quite right. They moaned and begged for more instead of taunting Ambessa like you usually did. Not that she ever let them talk much.

She hums as she swirls the contents of her glass around. “You came all this way to tell me that?”

“Yes,” you huff. “Stop sending stuff to my room. It is inappropriate and disrespectful.”

The General smiles at your comment. “Ah, so you do receive my gifts. I was beginning to think that the messengers were keeping them.”

“That’s not the point. I do not need the things you send nor do I want them. If your actions get back to the Vatican it will—“

“Sit down, woman,” the General orders without so much as looking at you.

For a second, you’re appalled. She’d never ordered you to do anything nor has she used such a tone. The shock is still firmly on your face when she finally turns to look at you, her eyebrow raised. Challenging you to do otherwise.

With a grumble, you make your way to sit on the couch across from where the General lounges calmly. Your back is stiff, your hands fidgeting with the rosary hanging down from your waist. 

The action doesn’t go unnoticed by Ambessa. She finds your devotion interesting. How you can believe in something—in someone—who you cannot see. Have a connection with them.

“Wine?” The General asks, motioning towards the tray beside her.

“Tea, please,” you respond, irritated.

The General gets up from her spot on the settee, stretching once she is standing. You have to forcibly look away from the way her arms flex and the smidge of skin that shows when she lifts her arms. She goes over to a table and pours you a cup of tea.

“I should pray for you,” you state matter-of-factly, looking around the space. “Your habits would not fare well with the gods.”

The General chuckles, much closer than you had expected, and you start. She hands you your tea, fingertips grazing yours for a moment before sitting down besides you. She leans back against the cushions, eyes focused on you.

“I am not in the mood to please gods who do little for me,” she admits while sipping on her wine. “I only wish to please one person and she is currently scolding me for leaving her presents.”

You stare at the women, eyes squinted. “Your actions and words are flattery I do not need, General. I am here for one reason and that is to represent The Church. Anything else is superfluous."

“To deny the soul and body of a true, fit life, is the ultimate sin done against oneself.” The General searches your eyes. When you do not say anything, she continues. “You never did answer my question from before I left.”

Your whole body goes tense at her words, but you manage to stay steady as you set your tea down on the coffee table. “I don’t recall what you’re speaking of.”

Ambessa couldn’t keep the damn near manic smile off her face. She loved games, especially ones of her own making. She liked goading her partners into lying to her just so she would get to dole out a punishment. She didn’t, however, like people who played stupid. Especially not you. But she was curious and didn’t feel like her temper was going to overflow yet.

“You don’t?”

“Nope.”

Ambessa chuckles. Oh how fun you are. “I’m feeling tolerant today, so I’ll give you a verbal reminder. We were talking about the letters I sent you. You remember the ones, right?” You nod in the affirmative slowly. “The ones where I go on about how I would desperately like to have my way with you in that chapel. I was very descriptive in those, was I not?” 

“Yes,” you say breathily.

“So you do remember. I was beginning to think you’d lost all your sense,” she exclaims before looking at you with an almost mocking smile. “If that’s the case, then you’ll have no problem remembering and answering the question I asked you that day.”

You huff. “Sex, within The Church, is a sin. That is what we are told as acolytes.” You can practically feel the General’s eyes on you. Like she knows the answer already and only wants to hear it from your lips. “I…do not see it in the same light.”

“And how do you see it, priestess?”

You mind reels. You’d thought of it a million times since becoming a member of The Church. While you devoted yourself wholly to your faith, you struggled with aspects of it at times. When the gods did not speak to you or feel as close as they did before. When you find yourself yearning for worldly things. When you simply wanted anything. 

When those particular thoughts came to your mind, you’d punish yourself, but it was never in the way that you needed. As an acolyte, you’d thought that you’d needed to physically cut the sin out of your body, leaving scars in places that will never see the light of day. But eventually, physical harm to one's own body was a sin too and so you resorted to deep, meditative prayer states that lasted days.

However, those harmful thoughts have never once graced your mind whenever you thought of the General. Perhaps she was the incarnation of the war goddess, Athena, herself and therefore was allowed to hold space within your mind without guilt. The woman was an enigma to you. She ruled her armies with an iron fist, yet ruled her people with the kind, almost gentle, discernment of a ruler. A true mother to her country.

“I see it how everyone else sees it, General,” you say as you rise from the couch. “It offers pleasure, yes, but that pleasure can so easily be twisted into control and manipulation. Having the reins on someone else’s desires, is a recipe for chaos. And unlike your other dalliances, I have no wish in being controlled.”

The General looks up at you with a somehow renewed curiosity. Like she too is attempting to put together the puzzle pieces that make you.

[cautotelic]

Her Temple, Her Priestess: ep.1

Ambessa Medarda x Priestess!Reader

The chapel was cold tonight. The full moon shone light through the stained glass windows above. You knelt at the altar, your white robes collected at your waist, the top half of your body exposed. It never occurred to you that praying like this would be considered anything but holy. Because, did the gods not bestow this body upon you? Would they not appreciate this display of both body and soul?

Your praying was momentarily halted by the creak of the chapel door opening and closing. Your acolytes were standing guard at the door and knew better than to let themselves, let alone anyone else, inside the chapel when you prayed. Only one person had higher authority than you in this palace.

Silence lingers in the air, but it is a tense silence. You wait a beat to see if she will speak–she does not. You go back to finishing off your prayers. You dip your head down, a thank you to the gods, before beginning to pull your robes back over your shoulders.

“You know better than to disturb my prayers, General,” you speak, voice echoing in the chamber. “Did you make my students cower?”

An amused sound comes from behind you as you tie the front of your robes. “No. As much as you like to think so, I do not take delight in scaring teenagers.”

You turn towards the General, your hands clasped in front of you. You couldn’t look more ethereal, she thought. Saint-like, however blasphemous it was to even imagine. 

You’d come to Noxus shortly after you’d taken your vows as High Priestess. The highest honor of the church. Ambessa had thought she’d be welcoming a well-mannered, pious, and reserved young woman into her home. She’d been surprised when instead an opinionated, intelligent, rather unconventional woman walked through her doors.

You did not like the General at all. She was rude, demanding, and held her traditions and customs as close as she held a blade in battle, wielded all the same. You ignored her for the better part of month which only intrigued Ambessa more. She was not used to being denied anything within her direct reach and she certainly wasn’t a stranger to wanting things she shouldn’t have.

She wanted you. Badly.

In the beginning, she’d send the finest of jewelry and fabrics to your bedchambers. It was almost comical every time you walked into your room to a new box of finery. You didn’t so much as touch any of it. You couldn’t deny, the General, despite how much she irritated you, was handsomely gorgeous, but your duties stood above any worldly pleasures she could offer. 

“Respect, while not a true one, is something I consider a virtue, General,” you speak, your voice confident. “Staring is rude.”

A muscle in her jaw ticks as she rolls her tongue along the inside of her mouth. “What’s rude is you continuing to not respond to my letters, Priestess.”

“We live under the same roof, you know where my bedchambers are and where I spend most of my day, and we are both adults,” you note, slightly annoyed. “I think we can have a conversation.”

The General stares at you like she's deciding if you want to reprimand you for your attitude towards her or ask for forgiveness.

She chooses neither.

“Did you read them?” She asks, her voice low and calm. Not demanding, just curious.

You fidget from foot to foot because you are fairly sure this is the longest that you’ve had her full attention alone. You are not a fan of it. Not one bit.

“I did.” She didn’t need to know that you hoarded the correspondences in your vanity drawer like a dragon with treasures, reading them almost every night. “You were rather…descriptive in your writing. Might I remind you, chastity is a virtue, General. The gods would not be all that pleased to know of the thoughts in your head.”

The General walks leisurely towards you, her eyes roaming the space around you. “I think the gods would be outraged with me, angel.” She circles you now, like a wolf stalking a lamb. “Because I do not only write and dream of such things.” You can practically feel her breath brush against your ear. “My thoughts prompt my actions.”

You flinch as she runs her hand down the sleeve of your robe. “You look so beautiful when you pray. I was not bluffing when I described the things I would like to do to you in this very space, should you let me.”

You shivered at her words. Her letter had been lewd, respectfully disrespectful, and oh so tempting. Preceding your own years as an acolyte, you’d been out in the world. Had experienced what it had to offer before beginning anew. You had not been touched by another in nearly seven years and being under the same roof as the woman that now invaded your senses and made your brain short circuit, was not helping.

You clear your throat loudly, stepping away and facing her. “What you are insinuating is sin.”

“It is only considered sin, if one deems it as morally wrong,” she recites. “Is that not what you say when teaching your priestlings?”

You huff. “That is different. This…This is not–” 

“Do you deem it morally wrong?” She cuts in, her eyes never leaving your face as she takes your chin into her hand. “Answer the question, priestess.”

Oh how Ambessa loved to see you flustered. She’d only been able to make you turn this particular shade of red on a few other occasions and, safe to say, it was her favorite sight. 

You open your mouth, most likely to respond or spout some of that devout nonsense that Ambessa loved to hear, when a series of knocks sound on the door. Three quick, one, followed by three more quick knocks. Your prayer window was closed.

You move the General’s hand touching your face and let it fall away from you, ignoring how the skin where her hand was tingles. 

“Goodnight, General,” you breathe before exiting the chapel. Leaving the General alone.

A/N: hehe should I make this a mini series??

[cautotelic]

Doctor's Note

Professor!Abby Anderson x Medical Analyst!WOC Reader

CW: fluff, light smut, yes they are married :)

Wife!Abby whose wife is a medical analyst

Wife!Abby who always makes sure your day's meals are always packed. Some days it’s only one, sometimes is breakfast through dinner depending on your shift. 

Wife!Abby who loves the way you look at her when she surprises you with takeout from your favorite Indian restaurant on one of your late shifts.

You see her coming through the door in your lab, a few nurses peeking in through the doorway wondering who this woman is. You perk up as she comes to give you a peck on the lips.

“Hi, baby. What are you doing here?” You ask, but not complaining at the woman's presence.

“Thought I’d bring my girl a treat,” she says as she sets the takeout bag on your lap.

You gasp before wrapping your arms around her neck, hugging her while telling her she’s the best. 

Wife!Abby who quite literally has to drag you to bed on your off periods because you won’t sleep.

“I’ll be up in just a second. I just have to finish this theorem,” you say as you draw on the whiteboard in your office.

Abby stands quietly seething in the doorway. You’d been given three full days off of work in compensation for overtime. However, instead of resting and relaxing, Abby has found your continued presence in your office. It’s almost two in the morning and Abby can tell you're tired because you’ve started talking to yourself. Mumbling about probabilities and calculations. 

She walks over to you and plucks the dry erase marker out of your hands. 

“Abby,” you whine. “Give it back I was almost finished and-”

“You’ve been saying that for the past three hours.”

“Okay, but this time I am almost done,” you protest.

“Well if you’re almost done, you can just finish it off tomorrow morning.”

You pout as Abby cracks a small smile, turning and walking out of the room expecting you to follow. Instead, you grab another marker from your desk and begin writing again. You write for a few seconds before you’re picked up and tossed over Abby’s shoulder.

“Abigail, put me down!”

She doesn’t. 

Abby takes you to your shared bedroom. She picks out some comfortable clothes for you to wear and makes sure you do your skincare and put your hair in your bonnet before making you lay down with her in bed by force. You huff as she keeps you close to her, her arms encircling you. But as soon as Abby starts rubbing her hand up and down the length of your back, you’re nearly purring like a cat as you drift off to sleep.

Wife!Abby who loves seeing you get dressed up for events. She thinks you look beautiful in everything, hell you could even make a garbage bag look good. But she loves watching you get dressed up. Applying makeup at your vanity, taming your hair, putting on jewlery. Her favorite part? You asked her to zip up your dress. She holds a certain kind of pride knowing she’s the only one who knows what color lingerie you’re wearing under it. The whole time at the event all she can do is think about how much better it would look on the bedroom floor.

Wife!Abby who loves getting her hair braided. Whether it’s sitting in bed or sitting on the floor while watching one of yalls reality TV shows, she wants it braided. She loves how you comb your fingers through her hair, trying to be as gentle as you can knowing she’s tender headed as hell. 

Wife!Abby who will never admit that she loves sleeping skin to skin. It’s her favorite form of intimacy, but it wasn’t always that way. She was confident  in her body, but whenever she was in a relationship, she felt like it wasn’t right. Too much muscle. Too broad. When she met you, all she saw was everything she wasn’t. You had curves in all the right places. A body fit for a goddess. You were all soft curves while she was all harsh lines. That didn’t deter you though. 

You had come home late, again.

Abby had already drifted off to sleep, her bare back exposed as she laid on her stomach. In all of the five months you’d been dating, you’d never seen her without a sports bra. You washed and did your night routine before slipping into bed beside her in only your underwear. 

At the movement, Abby is suddenly awake and tense. Shit. She hadn’t meant to fall asleep.

In the dark room you make out her silhouette as she sits up abruptly, fumbling with her shirt that had been on the nightstand beside her.

You reach your hand out, stopping her frantic movements. “Abby…lay down.”

Hesitantly she lays back down, facing you in the darkness. You reach your hand out again and your fingertips meet her shoulder. She flinches. You draw your hand back slightly, but Abby manages to grab a hold of your hand and drags in across the length of her collarbone and neck. 

You’d never touched her before. She never let you get this close before.

She lets your hand go and you bring your hands to her face, tracing along her nose, cheekbones, and lips.

“You’re beautiful, Abigail,” you whisper into the darkness.

She chuckles dryly. “You can’t even see me.”

“I don’t need to see to know.”

Wife!Abby who helps you through your post shift migraines. 

You had come home late, almost midnight. Abby had stayed up waiting for you.

The whole drive home was excruciating. You had been in the lab and meetings all day and your head was screaming. The fluorescence in the building had made your eyes hurt, making them overly sensitive and the sterile smell of the hospital had begun to make your head spin. 

Abby was sitting in bed, her glasses firmly on her face and a stack of her students' essays by her side. Her eyes brighten as she looks at you, but her eyebrows furrow as she sees you. 

She doesn’t ask straight out. Instead, wanting to gauge your mood. “Hey, babe. How was your shift?”

You shrug noncommitaly, tiredly. “Fine, I guess.” 

She watches as you walk around the room removing your hospital badge and shoes before heading to the bathroom. She doesn’t miss that you don’t turn the light on as she hears the shower start up.

You were definitely not fine.

You stand under the cold spray of the shower, hoping it will have a cooling effect on your overheating head. 

“Shit, babe. Why is the water so cold?” Abby hisses from behind you.

Abby can just barely make out your figure as you shrug again.

She huffs as she reaches around you, turning the dial to the right to get the water warmer before looking at you in the dim lighting coming from the lamp in the bedroom. “What happened? What's the matter?”

You break down crying. It’s so sudden, Abby is scared for a moment before snapping out of it and taking you into her arms. 

“My fucking head hurts. They had me in the ER almost all day running tests and there were so many people and the alarms were going off and the lights hurt my eyes and I was so stressed,” you manage to get out between sobs.

Abby doesn’t say anything, she doesn’t have to, only continuing to hold you. Your crying reduces down to short hiccups as she grabs the non-scented soap from the ledge and lathers it on a sponge. 

She knows how sensitive you are to smell, light, and sounds. Your choice of profession doesn’t help that though.

As she washes you she whispers affirmations to you along with bits about her day and her students. She manages to get a sad chuckle out of you. 

Wife!Abby who takes self care very seriously.

You had just gotten home from your shift at around five o’clock. Abby wasn’t home yet so you change into your favorite pair of sweatpants and one of Abby’s tshirts, wrapping a scarf around your hair. 

You turn on the TV for background noise and take out one of your medical books to start reading lightly. It’s almost seven o’clock when Abby gets home.

At the sight of you sitting there on the couch, Abby feels a hunger growing in her chest, but she tampers it. You’re relaxing.

At the sound of the door opening you peek your head over the back of the couch as you smile at her. “Hey. I was thinking of making chicken and rice bowls tonight, does that sound good?”

Fuck you’re wearing one of her tshirts too.

“Yeah, that sounds good.”

While Abby goes up to shower, you start making dinner. As Abby makes her way down the stairs, she peeks into the kitchen on her way to the living room, watching as you flitter around the space. 

It only takes you a few minutes for you to bring her her food and she thanks you as you both sit on the couch. You start eating your dinner, book in one hand, fork in the other. Completely engrossed in the research journal.

Abby on the other hand, is not. She’s too engrossed in watching you, to eat her own food. The way your delicate hand holds the book, your wedding ring on full display.

She stands and moves closer to sit right beside you. You pay no mind to the action. 

“What’s your book about?”

Without looking at her, you crack a smile. “I’m at a part where they’re talking about how difficult it is to calculate and determine the dosage of a solution in which someone will not hemorrage. The solution is lethal if not measured correctly and would have to be so exact with the margin of error being 0.000174.”

You turn to her with an excited smile on your face. You look at the small table in front of the couch at her dinner. “Did you not like your dinner? I knew I shouldn’t have added that new seasoning I got,” you say, a sorry expression on your face. “I can make you something else.”

Abby shakes her head. “No. No, the food was great.”

You furrow your eyebrows as you huff a laugh. “Then why aren’t you eating it?”

“Because I’d much rather have dessert first.”

—-

“A-abby, fuck.”

Abby chuckles against your skin and it sends a shiver down your spine. “Hm? You’ve worked so hard lately, mama’s. Need to work on taking care of yourself. No wonder you’ve been fucking irritated. Look at you.”

The blonde had you firmly held in her lap, your back against her chest, as she fucked her fingers into you. Your legs were thrown haphazardly over each of her thighs, your hands clawing at her bicep and forearm as she kissed along your exposed neck.

You rest your head on her shoulder, reaching your hand back to grab the back of her head, bringing her forward to your lips. You kiss her, desperate little gasps and whimpers being consumed by her.

Abby knows you're getting close. She’s pinpointed every single one of your tells.

The way your back arches out. How you flutter around her fingers. How you're almost silent, wanting to be at least a bit modest even though you both know the rather obscene things you would and have let Abby do to you.

Abby curls her fingers upwards to that spot that has your squirming. “Nuh uh. Don’t be fucking quiet now. You were just ranting about your book,” she chastises. “You’re such a nerd.” She bites down on the side space between your neck and your shoulder before kissing it. “My nerd.”

Your orgasm crests and you’re practically shaking, but Abby doesn’t stop, fucking you through your high. You relax back onto her chest, her labored breathing in rhythm with yours.

Abby places a kiss on your cheek, nuzzling her nose into your curls. 

Wife!Abby who is just overall fucking feral and head over tits in love with her wife.

[cautotelic]

She Gets The Job Done

Cowboy!Sevika x Wife!Reader

Synopsis: A situation in which a bad day and a bratty wife leads to Sevika releasing some pent up frustration

cw: bratty reader, strap on sex (r receiving), light spanking, oral sex (r receiving), Sevika has OCD, slight panic attack, aftercare

(Please ignore if the dominos don’t exactly line up. I wrote this on a 16 hour road trip and didn’t proofread)

It was hot. It always was, but someone had to get the job done. The ranch was rather quiet this afternoon despite all the animals roaming their pens. Sevika wiped the sweat off her forehead with her glove-clad hand.

Her body is a well oiled machine. It’s routine at this point. She is everything if not a creature of habit. Her mind focused on the task at hand.

However that focus had been broken when she had to go into town to the lumber yard and pick up new fence posts because the cattle had broken through the old ones. On top of that she ran into several people she knew, which made her have to stop for a “short chat” that lasted an hour.

Now, back at the ranch, she works almost angrily. She should’ve been done almost three hours ago, but her trip to town caused her to get behind on her schedule.

It’s only the soft crunch that comes from grass being under a boot that pulls her away from her work.

You approach her wearing the white blouse she wouldn’t admit looks good on you, denim shorts, and the new boots she just bought you, a sweating glass of water in your hand.

She doesn’t allow herself to stare for long, not wanting to get scolded. Again.

You extend the glass out for her to take. “You sure you don’t need any help, honey?”

Sevika takes the glass with her human hand, taking long sips from the glass, nearly downing the whole thing in one go. She nods her head. “Yeah.”

Her words are short, clipped. Always are. But after years of being with the woman you’ve learned to make something out of nothing. She’s tired. She’s frustrated.

You rest your hands on your hips. Not annoyed or upset, just natural. “Alright then. Well I’m almost finished up with dinner so don’t be too long now.”

You walk away without another word, Sevika watches you walk off back towards the house.

She gets back to work.

You try not to dwell too much on your wife’s mood as you finish up dinner. Instead waiting for her to bring it up first.

You stand in the kitchen in your socks, now a few inches shorter without your boots. Sevika trudges in through the door.

“Boots off,” you call from the kitchen without looking up from the stove. You feel her glare on your turned back. “Don’t look at me like that. You know better.”

The sound of weight dropping onto the wooden floors echoes through the house and a small satisfied smile graces your lips. You wait a few moments for the familiar sound of heavy footsteps going up the stairs of your house, but it doesn’t come. You turn around to see Sevika leaning against the doorframe of the kitchen. Watching you.

You know better than to approach her having been given a stern talking to when you two had just started dating. Sevika didn’t want to disturb and ruin your softness. Didn’t want to mix her sweat and grime covered body with your primed and pampered self.

She saw it as reasonable. You thought it was absurd. You didn’t care, she knew you didn’t care, however her rule still stood. She would not touch you and she wouldn’t allow you to touch her until she’s showered and put fresh clothes on.

Sevika watches as you rest your back against the counter, folding your arms across your chest with that almost defiant look in your eyes. She wants to hold you right now. Oh god she wants to just scoop you up and fall asleep right on the couch behind her, but her mind won’t allow her to.

Her jaw is set tightly, you're surprised she hasn’t broken a tooth by now. Then she stalks over to you and you stand still, not wavering or fearful. You’ve never been one to step down once your mind is set.

Not since the night you met when she saw you break a beer bottle over a creep's head in the bar you worked at. Not ever.

She stands right in front of you, the kind of closeness where you can feel her without her even laying a hand on you. You look up at her with those eyes she loves so much, eyelashes long and full.

Sevika didn’t do gentle. Didn’t grow up with the most loving and affectionate of parents. When you first started dating, it was definitely a shock for her to see you offering physical, emotional, and mental intimacy and understanding so easily and willingly.

Ran and Jinx always tell her that she’s gone soft after meeting you. She usually just rolled her eyes and ignored the two while deep down knowing they were completely right.

Standing in front of you in the kitchen feels like home. Her human hand comes up and gently lifts your chin up with two of her fingers because she would never dare touch you with her mech arm. She doesn't even allow you to sit on her left side.

You look at her expectantly, maybe even a hint excited as she tilts your head towards her. She leans down, being engulfed in the scent of your signature perfume and the soap you always buy from the market. Your two scents mixing into something familiar.

She hesitates for a second. Not long, but long enough for you to notice. Ever so cautious and careful. You don’t give her the opportunity to back down, instead raising yourself on your toes to get closer to her.

“Sugar,” she mutters, the endearment rolling off her tongue like a subtle warning.

“Hm? You came up to me, cowboy. Don’t be upset when I simply take advantage of an opportunity,” you state.

“What are you saying you can’t give your wife a kiss?”

Her dark eyes look down at you. “Quite the opposite. Just don’t want to dirty you up, doll.”

“Sevika,” you say as you take her hand on your chin in your hand, looking up at her. “I don’t give a damn.”

She huffs as she looks around the kitchen. “After I shower. Promise.”

She’s gone nearly as fast as she came. You slump back against the counter. Disappointed but not surprised by her actions. You finish up plating dinner, listening to the running water upstairs.

You pause as you finish setting the table, a mischievous smile gracing your face.

Sevika oblivious to your antics stands under the spray of the shower, the warm water washing away the day. Her hands rest on the tile wall as her hair lays dripping in her face.

Why can’t she do anything right?

She could have kissed you, it would have been easy with you being right there. But her mind would allow her to. There’s always a certain way things have to be done. She can’t lay in your shared bed without eating dinner. But she can’t eat dinner without showering. And then she can’t shower without having completed outside work for the day. And she can’t get the day started without having her cup of coffee. And-

The bathroom door clicks. Her body goes tense even though she knows it’s you. The rustling of clothes follows before she hears the curtain being drawn back.

“Now why would you get in the shower with your mech arm on?”

She almost chuckles at your tone. She usually does take it off when she showers and then while she’s just in the house. But today the latch just seemed stuck and it annoyed her to hell so she kept it on.

Turning to you, Sevika rakes her eyes up and down your body. Not lusting, just admiring and appreciating.

You move in front of her face as you snap. “Eyes up here,” you motion to your eyes. You step forward to her, your hand moving towards her arm. Sevika catches it in her human hand. You huff.

“It’s fine. I want to keep it on.” A lie. A very bad one at that.

She hated that mech arm more than she hated anything disturbing her patterns and routines. Although she says it makes her feel “whole” again, you know that it’s uncomfortable. Can see it in the way she winces everytime she has to move the arm. How she discards the faux appendage as soon as she’s done for the day. How, despite all her best efforts to hide it, she looks at the damn thing with hatred and shame.

“Don’t lie to me, Sevika,” you say sternly. You tilt your head to the side, thinking if you look at her from a different angle, you’d be able to read her. “It’s okay to ask for help when you need it. You don’t always have to be the strong one.”

Sevika’s nostrils flare from trying to tamper down her own emotions. She can feel them bubbling up in her, almost overflowing like boiling water. But she can’t. Can’t allow you to carry a weight that is hers and hers alone. She can feel it. Her breathing becoming erratic and uneven, her mind going to that uncomfortable place where she feels like she isn’t in control of anything.

You noticed it. You always do. Making your own call, you reach around her shoulder and pull the latch. The mech arm makes a hissing sound as it unattached from her shoulder.

You set the appendage on the outside of the shower before returning your attention to your wife.

Her breaths are coming out in long huffs. You bring your hand up to cradle her cheek.

“Sevika I need you to breathe, okay? In and out.” You exaggerate the movement, waiting for her to follow along.

Eventually she does, her eyes focusing onto your face as you run your thumb over her cheek.

Sevika hated how you looked at her. The soft, easy going expression you always gave her no matter the time of day.

“Hi baby,” you cooed as you looked up at her.

It took a couple of moments for her to remember exactly where she was and why she was there. Then it came back to her. Her heart racing, breathing heavy, her arm…

She looks down to her shoulder, only now noticing the absence of her faux appendage. A choked kind of sob breaks through her chest before she’s pressing her lips together. Her head turning away from you.

“Go away,” she says, meaning for the words to come out bitter but she just doesn’t have the energy to put the bite in them.

“Is that what you want?”

Again with your understanding eyes and soothing voice. She wants to open her mouth and tell you yes, but the words get caught in her chest which cause another choked sob to come out.

She takes a step towards you and lets herself rest her forehead on your shoulder, you wrap your arms around her, hugging her body to yours.

You tsk softly as you look at the red and tender skin where her arm attaches. “You’ve been neglecting yourself, Sev.”

She grunts in your arms. “I hate the thing.”

You reach over beside you to grab the soap and lather it on a clean towel before starting to gently clean the area. Sevika flinches out of habit but grits her teeth and lets you continue.

“Then stop wearing the arm. I’ve told you no one will care if you do or don’t. And plus it’s honestly-“

“I hate myself.” Sevika’s words give you pause. She sighs. “I don’t feel like a person without an arm. There's some things that I can’t do because of it and I hate it.”

You don’t say anything, just letting the silence hang as you clean her up. Because you know how her head works. She doesn’t want sympathy, will hardly accept comfort, she just wants to talk and for you to listen.

When you finish you rinse her off with the utmost care. She remains silent but refuses to look at you.

She watches you get dressed from where she stands in the bathroom. Putting on your matching lavender colored underwear and bra that complimented your skin so well. She scowls and averts her gaze, bringing it to her arm that lay discarded on the floor.

Just as she reaches down to retrieve it your voice sounds from the other room. “Don’t even think about it.”

“Watch it,” she grumbles just loud enough for you to hear from the other room.

“No, you watch it.”

For some reason, your words light a fire within her. Don’t get her wrong, she loves when you're mouthy with her. It just means she has to remind you that she does have the bite to back up her bark.

And that was always fun for her.

Oblivious to your wife’s shift in mood you pad around the room getting a nice set of comfortable clothes. As you open the drawer you feel her behind you, pressing her front to your back.

“Oh so now you want to touch me?”

“Are you this stubborn to everyone or just me?”

Her tone of voice has you turning around to face her. She’s already dressed again. Wife pleaser top on and a pair of her non-work jeans. You take in her dark eyes and the tension in her whole body along with the addition of her mech arm.

You glare up at her and she nearly bends you over her knee right then and there. “I thought I told you not to put that thing back on.”

“And when have I ever listened to you?”

Your eyebrow quirks up. “I see your feeling better now.”

“Very. Except now I’m having to deal with my bratty little wife who’s being a tease,” she states.

You hum, feining innocence. “I haven’t the slightest clue what you're talking about.”

A devious smile pulls at Sevika’s lips as she steps impossibly closer to you. “Oh? So you didn’t come out wearing those damn shorts just to fucking torture me? Or try to boss me around to get a reaction?”

You look at her and shrug. “Okay and? What are you going to do about it?”

Sevika doesn’t say anything as she grabs your arms and pulls you towards your shared bed. Turning you around, she bends you over the edge of the bed. You struggled against her, of course. Always tried to see if you could overpower her, you never did.

Sevika liked your fight, you liked fighting. Forced her to be more rough with you.

Your hands are pinned behind your back and you can feel her hips pressing against your ass.

She laughs a cruel laugh. “What happened to all that talking you were doing earlier, darlin?”

You turn your face just enough to be able to look back at her. “Fuck you.”

SMACK

You jolt forward on the bed and groan slightly from the impact of Sevika’s human hand coming down on your bottom.

“Try again.”

For a split second you think of submitting to your wife, but then again, what fun would that be?

“If I’m too bratty, shut me up yourself, darlin.”

Sevika hooks her fingers in the band of your underwear and pulls them down until they pool at your ankles. She leans over your body, her lips brushing the shell of your ear.

“Is this okay, sweetheart?”

Her husky southern drawl sends a shiver down your spine.

“Yes, ma’am,” you say softly.

You hear her hum in satisfaction and her fidgeting with her belt before she’s pressing her strap into you.

You bury your face into the sheets below you to keep from giving her the satisfaction of hearing you.

Once she’s fully buried to the hilt she waits a few moments to let you adjust. She’s not cruel.

But once she’s sure your good, she’s relentless.

She pulls her hips back before slamming them back into yours. Over and over and over again. She uses her grip on your wrists as leverage, pulling you to meet her thrusts.

You try to keep your breathing even but eventually it’s no use. You mutter curses into the sheets as she fucks her frustration out.

Sevika groans behind you. “Look at you. Such a good little housewife letting me use you. You sound just as pretty as you look, doll.”

You nearly sob at how incredibly close you are already, it’s almost pathetic. She can tell you're almost there by the way your moans get more airy and by the way your legs are shaking.

“Is this what my girl needed?” She coos mockingly. “Needed to have the attitude fucked out of you?”

“D-didn’t have an attitude,” you stutter.

“Must not be doing a good enough job if you still have the energy to talk back,” she states as if she’s just talking about the weather.

Her pace and speed doesn’t let up as you crest your first orgasm. If anything it makes her go harder.

You're on your back now, not an article of clothing on your body as Sevika’s tongue works between your thighs. You’ve forgotten how many times you’ve come by now all you know is that your body will definitely be sore for days to come.

Sevika’s left love bites and the good kind of bruises all over your body. Nowhere where they could be seen when out, but a nice reminder for you and a claim for her.

“Sevika,” you whimper as you try to squirm away from her sinful tongue yet again.

She looks up from her spot between your thighs. Her human and mech arm wrapped around your legs to keep them open. A mess all of her own doing. Your hand is fisted firmly in her hair. Something she never lets you do but she’ll make an exception today. “What is it, darlin? You're going to have to speak up.”

You whine softly, opening and closing your mouth trying to form a sentence but can’t seem to grasp them. Sevika’s long since forgotten what exactly she was mad about, now only getting you off for the hell of it.

“Can’t- too much,” you get out through moans.

“Just one more, sugar. Can you do that?”

You nod your head and Sevika continues eating you out like it’s her last meal. Your body is so sensitive that when she flicks her tongue over your clit, you’re practically gushing all over her face.

Sevika cleans you up with a warm cloth from the bathroom before dressing you in one of her tshirts. She’s ever so careful as she handles your tired and sore body, allowing herself to touch you with the mechanical appendage.

Knowing you, you’d probably want to just go right to sleep. But knowing herself, she won’t allow herself to fuck you and not feed you.

She’s a woman of class.

She scoops you up from where you lay on the bed taking you downstairs.

“Put me down, Sevika,” you grumble quietly.

She flicks your nose as she sits down at the table with you in her lap, taking in the food on the plate.

“You made my favorite?”

“Figured you’d want it after a bad day,” you say as you adjust yourself into a more comfortable position.

Sevika takes your face in her hand and kisses you on the lips. “You’re too good to me.”

“I know.”

[cautotelic]

Hello lovely and wonderful people of the internet, I have finally posted my new story on AO3!!!

I do feel like I’m the only one excited for it because the Pansy Parkinson and Harry Potter fandom in general is kind of dead, but I love the world and story I’ve created so I’m going to share it with you all anyway.

It’s called Why Hate Who You Love?

Even if you guys aren’t major Harry Potter fans just maybe perhaps drop in and leave a comment.

Have a wonderful day/night no matter where you are in the world and continue to be great and awesome.

Love, Cate (I’ve decided I like the name)

https://archiveofourown.org/users/cautotelic

[cautotelic]

Chapter 6: Last Piece of the Puzzle

Ambessa Medarda x Reader

Synopsis: When you get taken away from your home land and thrown into the palace of the infamous warlord, will things be as bad as they first seem?

CW: PURE FLUFF, alluding to sexual acts

A/N: last part, let’s go out with some love

~5 years later~

“Come on, the kids I teach could do better than you, Rictus,” I say as I circle the commander.

Rictus laughs. “Your lucky I’m pulling my punches. The General would not be happy if I actually hurt you.”

“How about you let me deal with Ambessa and you fight. Deal? Deal.” I say as I go to attack him head on.

I’ve switched my regular staff for a more traditional Noxian dual sword staff. I jab it in his direction and he goes to block it. I flick my wrist and summon a shadow reaper that comes at him from the side, distracting him enough so that I can sweep my staff at his feet, having him land on his back.

He’s quick enough and disperses the reaper before swinging his blade over to me. I drift my hand in front of my stomach, erecting a force field, his blade pinging off of it. He looks at me with a mix of relief and anxiety as the blade deflects.

I rein in my breathing as Rictus comes at me with an attack. Using my staff I counter his attacks but I’m not able to get back on the offensive so I stick to blocking. In no time I can tell my motions are getting slower, my body being wracked with fatigue.

Rictus stops his attacks and looks at me concerned. “That’s enough for today, little lady,” he orders.

I roll my eyes at him and catch my breath. “You’re no fun anymore Rictus,” I protest but silently I’m agreeing with him.

“I thought I told you no more sparring,” an ever so familiar voice booms from behind me.

Rictus bows his head in Ambessa’s direction before leaving the arena. I turn around to my ever so brooding wife.

“You’re no fun these days either,” I chide as I watch her stalk over to me with her hands behind her back.

When she’s close enough she hums and pulls me closer to her by the waist. “How is my little one doing?” She asks, concern lacing her voice.

I bring my hands to run over my enlarged stomach. “She’s fine. Restless, but fine,” I say my voice tinged with exhaustion. Ambessa’s large hands come to press against my stomach, her cold hands a nice contrast to my warm skin as she looks at my pregnant belly.

“I’m not talking about the baby, dear,” she clarifies as she looks at me expectedly.

I huff and bring my hand to cradle her cheek. “I’m just fine, you worry too much.”

She looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “Obviously I’m not worrying enough. Going behind my back and sparring with my most trusted commander? I should punish you for it…” she says

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh please do General,” I egg on sarcastically.

She chuckles and lays her head into my neck. I pull her head away from me and give her a good once over. “You look exhausted. How many times have I told you not to be staying up so late to do paperwork?” I ask, noting the stress lines etched on her face.

She nuzzles her cheek into my palm and turns her head to kiss the band of my wedding ring. “Don’t worry about me, it’s not good for the baby. Plus that's my job.”

“I told you I hate when you say that…” I huff as my hand makes its way to her hair where it sits in a low military style bun, clearly having been like that for multiple days. “Come on, you're in deep need of a good bath and some T.L.C, my love,” I command as I kiss her cheek.

•••

I sit on the edge of the tub, my legs in the water. My hands work on lathering and detangling the hair of the woman sitting between my legs. I take the last section of her hair and take some cream in my hand, spread it on the section before taking a comb and brushing her hair out, bottom to top. I’m gentle with brushing out her hair not wanting to pull too hard.

Her hand comes up out of the water to tenderly squeeze my calf beside her. “Dear im not made of glass, you don’t need to be so gentle,” she chuckles.

I move my hand to the base of her scalp and give the hair there a firm tug, earning a groan. “Better?” I ask teasingly.

“Always trying my patience little one.”

I make a small sound and shrug and go back to brushing her hair before starting to braid her hair into a protective style. Weaving the strands of her hair over and under each other. It’s taken a long time but now I’m the only person other than herself who she will let do her hair, and I carry that badge with pride.

One of my newts floats around in the water by my leg, since my pregnancy I’ve found comfort in having them around more often than not.

I take the bottle of oil beside me and apply it in between each of the braids. Ambessa lets out satisfied sighs as I massage the oil into her scalp.

Once I’m finished touching her hair, Ambessa’s hand reaches back and pulls my head down towards hers as she presses a loving, tender kiss on my lips.

“Always so good to me, hm?” I smirk as I pull away to go put her hair care products away. From behind me I hear her rise from the tub and dry herself off.

I exit the bathroom and into our shared bedroom, going to sit on my couch in front of the fireplace as I pull out my stethoscope and notebook. Placing the earpieces in my ear I press the cool metal to my stomach and quiet my breathing as I move it around, only stopping when I hear the familiar sound of a heartbeat.

I wait and count how many beats per minute before writing it down in my notebook. I do this 5 times. While I’m busy, I don’t hear Ambessa come out of the bathroom dressed in nothing but her silk robe. She places the newt on the couch next to me, the small shadow spinning around before settling down beside my leg. She removes the ear pieces from my ears and places them in hers.

A small, proud smile appears on her face. “She will be strong, just like her mother,” she reassures. “Again, stop worrying, the physician said that everything is going as it should," she adds trying to quell my worries.

I sigh as I take the stethoscope and place it on the couch beside me. “I know, I know. I just feel like something is going to go wrong, something always goes wrong,” I admit as I run my hands anxiously over my swollen stomach as I’m reminded of my own childhood.

Ambessa reaches out and steadies my hands, holding them in hers. “Nothing is going to happen to you or our child, dear. I assure you. Now,” she says as she stands from her kneeling position, pulling me up with her. “I think you need some T.L.C too, don’t you think?” She asks, her tone hinting at more than the usual foot massage.

She backs me up and I fall back to sit on the edge of the bed. I quirk an eyebrow. “While I do enjoy your enthusiasm, is what you have in mind also ‘not good for the baby’?” I ask, throwing her words back at her.

She kneels down again in front of me and starts gently kissing up my bump and I chuckle at the tickling sensation. She trails her way up my chest to my collarbone and neck where she starts focusing her attention. She hums with disagreement as she shakes her head. “Nope, not at all. Actually it’s completely beneficial… for you.”

I roll my eyes with a sigh as I tilt my head to give her more access. “Yeah? What book did you read that in?”

She acts as if she is thinking. “Hm? Mine, it’s called Tough Love and will you very respectfully shut up so I can get on with helping my dear, darling wife relax?” She asks, her hands hooked and resting in the waistband of the flowy pants I was wearing, waiting for my go ahead.

I think a little about it. “I guess it wouldn’t hurt…” At that she presses her lips to mine as she pulls my pants off.

My hand reaches out to her and pulls the tie of her robe loose before opening it and letting it slide off her shoulders, leaving her bare in front of me. She pushes me back to lay on the plush silk sheets of the bed.

•••

The white of my dress is contrasted to the greenery around me

The woman I once hated, who I thought would harm me

A life I once was accustomed to

Is the same woman who now stands before me in a white dress with pieces of her battle armor on

Of course.

A ceremony just for us, vows said in hushed whispers so that they are truly our own

An everlasting promise between two souls

Forged in blood and tenderness

Sealed with a kiss.

•••

I would never admit it but I have grown to be very fond of and love this cold, ruthless, warlord of mine.

[cautotelic]

Chapter 5: Been Like This

Ambessa Medarda x Reader

Synopsis: When you get taken away from your home land and thrown into the palace of the infamous warlord, will things be as bad as they first seemed?

CW: SMUT (what we've all been waiting for), kinda fluff, Ambessa being downright downbad, yes the title is from that Doja Cat song 🤨

A/N: enough with the sadness, let the tension end. please leave more replies/comments I LOVE reading them and knowing y’all enjoy the story:))

The next few days go by painstakingly slow. I help the physicians with tending to the injured warriors. I’m back to avoiding Ambessa, still somewhat upset with her. Whenever I think about her I’m drawn between being so frustratingly angry at her and just wanting to thank the fact she’s, in her words, alive and well.

Whenever I get the chance during the day I’ll go into my room and try to get a bit of sleep before leaving for the night, knowing that Ambessa has been residing in my room. Maybe she’s hoping that I’ll come back at the same time she's there, but I doubt that.

Currently I’m outside of the estate collecting snow in a bucket to take inside for the physicians. Being in my own thoughts I don’t hear the crunching of snow beneath boots coming from behind me. 

“You should really wear a coat out here, little lady.”

I smile. “You want to give me a hand or are you just going to stand there and look pretty?”

The crunch of snow grows closer before Rictus’s big, burly form comes into view. He settles himself behind me and pulls something out of his cape, a blanket. 

I hold my hand up. He continues to unfold it. “The General would have my head if I let you get frostbite out here.”

“Why does she bother?” I mumble as I feel the weight of the blanket being placed around my shoulders. I will admit that I am thankful for the blanket.

Rictus hums as he takes the bucket out of my hands and begins shoveling in the snow with his own gloved hands. “She has a weird way of showing it, but she really does care about you. It’s the reason she brought you here,” he admits.

My brows furrowed in confusion but Rictus continued. “She and your father had a meeting negotiating trade deals and land disputes, the regular diplomatic conversations,” he says and I nod. “I remember you standing in the corner of your fathers office, just a tiny little thing, barely noticed you were there. But when we got back on the airship, you were all she could talk about.”

“She sent your father a letter asking if he would trade you for extra trading goods. He refused and she threatened him with war.” The bucket of snow is full so Rictus stands, I copy his movements as we start to make our way back to the estate. “Of course she knew of your power and wanted you to train her soldiers, but she also saw how miserable you looked, like a bird trapped in a cage. Her stronger feelings for you only transpired after you arrived.”

We step back into the estate and hand the bucket of snow to the physician standing there. I watch her leave before turning to Rictus. “Why are you telling me this?”

“So you understand why I have to do what I’m about to do next,” he utters, a hint of guilt showing in his expression.

“What-“

In an instant I’m scooped up and thrown over his shoulder as he begins walking down the hallway. A small gasp comes out as I am disoriented. “Rictus put me down. Where are you taking me?” I protest.

My struggling does nothing to sway him into putting me down. “The General hasn’t slept for a week because of you and personally, I don’t enjoy being yelled at,” he grunts as he readjusts me on my shoulder.

The realization hits me. He’s taking me to Ambessa. I start hitting his back. “Rictus, put me down now. I don’t want to see her,” I declare.

I protest the whole way until we walk into a room lined with bookshelves. He sets me down on my feet and I turn around to face Ambessa who is sitting at her desk. The surprise on her face tells me that all this was all by Rictus’s own doing. 

“General,” Rictus nods towards Ambessa before walking out of the room, leaving us together.

The tension in the room is so thick you could cut it with a knife. I stand awkwardly in the center of her study as I shift from foot to foot. Her study is just as warm and inviting as her bedroom. Throw blankets adorn the couch sat in front of the fireplace and soft rugs cover the floors.

I look up at Ambessa and she isn’t looking at me but I can tell she’s tired.

“I don’t know why he brought you here, I told him, and everyone else for that fact, not to bother you,” she states coldly as she writes something down in the ledger on the desk.

Just hearing her talk and being in her general vicinity has all my anger resurfacing. I let out a chuckle. “You’re a real piece of work, you know?” I accuse as I stalk towards her desk.

She stops writing, folds her arms, and leans back in her seat, an amused expression playing on her face. “Oh you're in no position to talk about being a piece of work, but please, do tell.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, growing irritated. “You are so incredibly maddening. I cannot fathom how anyone gets anything done around here with you.” When I get close enough I trail my hand along the edge of her desk. “For the past month I spent the whole time believing you were dead, hoping you weren’t so I could do it myself. But now…” I sigh as I look at her, looking for answers to the ache I feel deep in my bones. “I can’t even find the strength to stay mad at you.”

Our eyes lock and I wonder if there is just as much emotion in my eyes as there are in hers. I draw closer to her slowly, unsure and uncertain. Reaching out I touch her cheek with the backs of my fingers softly. 

She leans into the small touch before grabbing my hand and pressing kisses to my palm. “Forgive me… please.”

My body leans towards her hesitantly, eyes darting between her lips and her eyes. I gently press my lips to hers, my own silent apology and many words unspoken. I feel her smile into the kiss as she lets me lead. My own repressed desires surface as I move to press myself closer to her. Ambessa stands from her desk chair, breaking our kiss as her hands come under my thighs and lift me onto the cool wood of her desk. My hands move on their own accord touching any part of her that I can. She chuckles at my eagerness before lifting her shirt off, her bindings going with it. I stare at her for a good second admiring her as her hands go to the bottom hem of my shirt. She looks at me, waiting for me to push her away, to close myself off again.

I don’t.

I mutter a soft ‘yes’ and she takes my shirt off. Unlike our kiss in the library, her fingers find my skin, going over the scars on my chest and torso. Under her observant gaze I feel self conscious and I curl in on myself.

Ambessa notices this and makes a noice of displeasure. Her head dips back down and her lips brush against the shell on my ear, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine. “Do you know how turned on you make me, sweetheart? Hm.” She hums as she nuzzles her nose into the crook of my neck. I shake my head and she groans. “Too much. I get all hot and bothered when you're fully dressed, so don’t worry about this,” she says, her hands trailing up my sides. “You're perfect.”

Her lips find mine again as she lifts me off the desk and walks us over to the big couch in her study. Laying me down on the couch she makes quick work of my pants as well as her own. She leans down and sucks on the skin of my neck, leaving dark marks that will stay. Her hand travels down, down until it touches my waiting core. She teases, circling her fingers around my clit. I let out a frustrated whine and she chuckles.

“So impatient,” she hums, kissing my ear.

She’s merciful and slowly enters her fingers. Her pace starts out slow and deliberate, sinking them in before, dragging them almost all the way out, before doing it over again. I sigh, pleased that she’s finally touching me but wanting her to speed up. 

My hands come around to her back, grabbing as much of her as I can before pushing her into me. I turn my head to it’s right by her ear. “I know you love me, but I want you to fuck me like you hate me,” I nearly demand.

She chuckles into my skin. “I would be careful what you ask for, little one,” she purrs as she bites down onto the space between my neck and shoulder. She speeds up the thrusts of her hand as she curls her fingers up and brushes that spot inside me. I gasp. She mimics my face and sound. “There,” she says breathily. “Is that what you wanted? Hm. To be treated like this, like a toy for me to use?”

I let out a strangled moan into her ear. My noises only egg her on as she fucks me. My nails dig into her back. 

“So fucking wet, your basically swallowing my fingers. You dirty, dirty girl,” she says as she leans away from me looking down at my sopping cunt. 

She uses the thumb of the same hand to gently circle my clit, light and slow motions. She watches her own fingers disappear inside me, she damn near moans at the sight. I quickly shut my legs closed at the sensation, feeling overwhelmed. She roughly pushes them back open as I feel her go deeper.

“Fuck…” I sigh. It’s all too much, her, my body. I reach my hand down to grab at her wrist. For what exactly, I’m not sure, but the coil in my stomach is winding tighter and tighter, I feel like I might burst.

Ambessa looks down at me with a dark expression on her face as she grabs both my wrists in her free hand and holds them against my stomach, leaving me helpless as she tortures my body.

“Mm that’s much better, don’t you think, little one?” She chuckles as she bullies her fingers into me at an unforgiving pace.

The sounds leaving my mouth are absolutely, downright shameful. But I can’t find it in me to care right now. Moans and whines leave my lips but Ambessa swallows them in a kiss. 

“Please please ple-ah,” I jolt as she hits that spot. She takes notice and focuses on repeatedly hitting that spot as her circles on my clit fasten.

The coil begins to fray, the pressure too much. “A-ambessa stop I-“ I’m cut off by my own moan.

She looks down at me and hums. “Are you close? Going to make a mess for me, pretty girl?” She coos.

I struggle against her hold trying to get away from her and the feeling in my stomach as my breathing grows ragged. I cry out as my orgasm washes over me, my back arched, Ambessa smiles as she fucks me through it.

When it’s finished I close my eyes and regain my breathing. I stay like that for a while, my hands coming to cover my face.

Before I can even open my eyes again I’m being flipped onto my stomach, my chest being pushed into the couch, ass up. I yelp as I crane my head to look behind me. Ambessa leans over my body so that her head is right beside mine, her bigger frame covering mine. I feel something prod at my backside. I go to look and she turns my head to look at her. She trails kisses along my shoulder blade.

“That first one was for your pleasure,” she says, almost proudly. “These ones are for mine.” 

“What are you- oh my god,” I moan as I feel her strap enter me. When the fuck did she put that on?

My mouth forms an ‘O’ as she sinks deeper into me, inch by inch. I dig my fingers into the couch to keep me grounded. Ambessa leans over and kisses my cheek, laughing softly. 

“I won’t be as kind.”

“Sadist much?” I spit out, my voice coming off weaker than I expected.

A loud smack sounds through the room and I jolt forward, gasping at the sting. Ambessa’s hand rubs over the spot. “I do hate disobedience, and you're far overdue for a lesson,” she leans down to my ear. “Let’s fix that, shall we?”

Her weight lifts off me. “If it’s too much, let me know.” As soon as I nod her hips snap forward. A short scream leaves my throat at the action. 

Her pace is so deliberately slow it makes me want to cry. I groan into the couch. I move my hips in sync with her, fucking myself back on her. Her hand comes and grip my hips, halting my movements and I whine.

“You want me to go faster?” She asks, and I nod desperately. “Well who am I to deny you that?” There’s a hint of something in her voice but I couldn’t care less as she does indeed pick up the pace.

I’m a moaning mess as she does. I’m muttering curses and small ‘thank you’s under my breath as I approach my climax faster this time. 

This time when I finish, Ambessa doesn’t stop. I whimper, overstimulated. “T-too much- Ambessa.”

She chuckles behind me as she grunts, speeding up her pace. “This is your lesson for being so damn mouthy. I told you that this wasn’t for your pleasure, it’s for mine. So fucking take it or do you want me to stop?” She slows to a complete stop before pulling out. She waits a solid few minutes waiting for my growing orgasm to subside.

I cry out at the loss of stimulation. “You're such an asshole,” I seethe.

She shrugs before pressing back into me at a brutal pace. “So damn stubborn,” she says.

Ambessa has me a moaning mess in less than a few minutes. She kisses down my back, over my scars. “So fucking pretty. You like this huh? You like me being mean to you.” All I can do is nod and mumble incoherently at her words.

“What happened to that attitude that you had earlier? Am I fucking you too good for you to act out now?” She teases. 

Although she is acting unaffected, her small moans and sighs are telling me she is getting off from this, from me.

I’m getting closer to my 3rd orgasm and her thrusts are growing erratic and inconsistent. “Fuck…” she groans from behind me and I can tell she’s close too. She speeds up and a guttural moan leaves my lips as my body shakes.

She keeps thrusting her hips forward, chasing her own release. I tap her hand on my hip. “Stop Ambessa.”

She quickly pulls out of me and flips me around, concern written on her face. Her hand comes to cradle my cheek. “What’s the matter? Did I-“

I flip her over so she’s on her back before climbing on top of her, sinking down onto her strap. I moan at the feeling, feeling it go deeper than in the other position. Ambessa looks up at me from her spot below me. “Darling you don’t have to-“

“Shut up,” I sigh as I begin to move. She moans at the sight and the friction on her own cunt. I bounce up and down on her strap, moans leaving my lips as I look down at Ambessa watching her face contorted in pleasure. 

I fold over and suck marks into her neck as soft sighs and moans leave her lips. Her body is growing restless and I know she’s close. 

She leans into me, worry etched into her brows. “You need to finish first. I can’t-“

“You can and you will. You better fucking finish, Ambessa I swear to god,” I chuckle as a breathy moan leaves my lips. 

I pick up my pace, my breast moving in time with my bounces. I reach down and roll her nipple between my fingers earning a small sigh from her. 

Her face should be casted in a painting for my eyes only. Her eyes watch the strap as it goes in and out of me. Her moans growing more and more desperate.

“Are you going to come for me, General? Gonna get off to me using you to pleasure myself?”

At my words her arms reach up to me as she pulls me to her chest. She props her feet up, heels digging into the couch as she thrusts up into me. 

“Oh my god- fuck fuck fuck.” I say into her skin. She’s shuddering at this point. “I’m gonna come- fuck.”

My orgasm wracks through my body, our combined moans filling the room. My body goes limp and we stay like this, me on top of her, as we both catch our breath. I raise my head and peck a kiss on her lips.

She moves under me, sliding her strap out of me, I hiss. She chuckles as she lifts me and sets me down to stand. I wobble a little on my feet but her arm is there to steady me. She wraps one of the blankets on the couch around me before wrapping one around herself and then scooping me up.

We walk out of her study and into the hallway and I’m met with Rictus standing on the other end of the dead end hallway. My face reddens as we approach where he is standing against the wall. 

“Why is he down here, Ambessa?” I ask, embarrassed.

She shrugs. “Making sure no one bothered us,” she says nonchalantly.

Someone needs to give him a pay raise. 

We pass by him and he gives a curt nod to Ambessa before looking down at me wrapped in the blanket. 

“Good talk?” He questions with a mischievous, barely there smile.

“Good talk,” I affirm as Ambessa keeps walking.

She takes me to her room and we shower to wash the sex off of our bodies. I dote on her, washing her hair and body even though she insists she can do it herself. She dresses me in her clothes before laying us down in her bed. I lay my head in the crook of her neck, breathing in her scent. Her hand lazily runs up and down my back, I no longer flinch at her touch as it lulls me to sleep.

For the first time in years I get a full night's sleep.

[cautotelic]

Chapter 4: The Fall

Ambessa Medarda x Reader

Synopsis: When you get taken away from your home land and thrown into the palace of the infamous warlord, will things be as bad as they first seemed?

first tag-list!!: @trexsuit @lez-zuha @pearldaisy

A/N: don't mind me just pulling at your heart strings... again :))

I walk down the corridor, my steps echoing off the walls as I enter the training arena. All the warriors are rushing around getting weapons and putting on their battle armor. I see Ambessa donning hers. She momentarily glances up at me, expressionless before turning to one of her soldiers. Someone steps in front of me.

“What’s going on? Where is everyone going?” I ask as I try to get around her.

Wherever I move, the girl moves to get in my way. She looks at me. “I can’t tell you anything, ma’am. I’ve been ordered not to.”

“Like hell you aren’t, what's going on?” My voice raises on its own accord grabbing the attention of a few of the warriors surrounding us. 

In just a few seconds Ambessa pushes her way through the crowd, grabbing my arm and pulling me from the crowd. We stand outside in the corridor. 

I cross my arms over my chest. “What is going on?”

“We're going to battle,” she says like it’s nothing.

“With who?”

She huffs annoyed and irritated. “With your father.”

My heart sinks. Although I don’t particularly care for my father, I know a lot of bloodshed will come from this battle, innocent lives lost. “Is this because of what happened in the library last week? If you're upset with me, be upset with me. But don’t send your soldiers out to get slaughtered,” I plead.

She narrows her eyes at me. “You doubt my army?”

I sigh. “You don’t understand, they,” I say motioning to the warriors. “Are not ready for the sheer magnitude of magic that you are throwing them into. They can train with me all day and night and never know the full extent of it.”

It’s clear that my words go in one ear and out the other. She scoffs and goes to walk past me and I get in her way. “Ambessa, please.”

“I have to defend Noxus. Get out of my way,” she says harshly.

She tries to push past me again but I hold her at arm's length. “You’re going to get yourself killed and you can’t defend Noxus if you’re dead. So I urge you to reconsider,” I assert. Something in me bubbles up, something I’ve repressed for so long it aches.

She lifts her head. “I have to go,” she murmurs.

Her hand comes up and wipes a tear that I didn’t know I had shed as she cups my chin in her hand. I pull away from her touch. She opens her mouth to say something.

“General, we’re ready to depart,” one of the soldiers announces from behind me. Just as quickly as it was there, the soft, tenderness is gone from Ambessa as she steps back into her General role.

She looks down at me one last time. “Good, the faster we get there the faster we get to come home,” she says as she passes me. I let out a breath I didn’t know I was keeping. My back hits the wall behind me, I slide down as I stare at the wall across from me. Lost.

•••

“When you attack your opponent, you need to be quick and quiet. So absolutely-”

“No giggling,” the children say in unison as they sit on the training mats. 

I nod, pleased. “Exactly. Man you guys are quick learners,” I praise, my hands resting on my staff. 

One of the younger children of the group comes to me and tugs at my pant leg. I pick her up and rest her on my hip. “What do you need, miss ma’am?” I ask with a warm smile.

The little girl giggles and points at my hands. “Do the thing,” she whispers. Her whispering isn’t that good and the rest of the children hear what she says and join in, urging me to use my magic.

With the little girl still in my arms I kneel down on the mats. “Fine, fine,” I chuckle. I flick my hand and a newt appears on the mats in front of the children. A series of ‘awe’s’ comes from them as the newt rolls over and jumps around, even at times jumping into the children's laps. Seeing the children enjoy the power I was gifted and not be afraid of me, heals something in me, an old wound not forgotten. 

Someone clears their throat by the door of the small training area, Mana. “Ma’am, it’s time to go,” she informs with a sorry smile.

I get up from the floor and the children look at me sadly. “Now you guys don’t get into too much trouble, alright? I’ll see you all on Wednesday next week.” They all get up and give me a big hug before Mana and I walk out of the small building.

Stepping outside I shiver before donning my coat as Mana and I walk back to the palace. “Ma’am that is the 3rd time this week that I’ve found you at the children's training center,” she notes worriedly.

It’s been nearly a month since Ambessa and her forces left for battle and I’m worried to say the least. For the first week or so nobody would tell me anything other than ‘they’re alive’ and now I don’t even get that. 

I turn to Mana. “It helps distract me. I feel… useful.”

She only smiles. On our way back to the palace we stop and buy some fresh fruit and a light snack. 

I help Mana prepare dinner and we eat together in the kitchen. Once I’m done eating I head off to bed.

•••

A loud bell startles me from my sleep. Getting up I make my way out of my room and into the hallway. I follow the noise of rushing footsteps and loud voices to the training arena. The doors leading outside are wide open as soldiers rush in from the cold. They settle down on the mats and await medical treatment from the physicians on standby. 

My eyes flutter across the room going from one person to the next unknowingly looking for someone. My heart starts to pound as my search comes up empty. I see Rictus being helped in by another soldier and that’s confirmation enough.

If he's alive, she's alive. He wouldn’t let her die.

I’m pushed out of the area by the physicians telling me that I can’t be in there right now. Right before the doors of the arena close I look one more time.

The walk back to my room is filled with dread.

Did she really go out there and get herself killed? I hope she is alive so I can kill her myself.

I slip into my room and close the door before turning around and freezing. 

Ambessa stands in my room silent as she quietly takes me in from head to toe. “Hi,” she says softly as if talking to a wild dog, waiting for me to bite.

I look at her, really look at her. Her eyes are soft but her body is battered. A small cut is seen on her cheekbone and by the way she’s holding her side, she has a big injury.

“Why didn’t you go to the physicians to get patched up?” I ask, my voice wavering slightly.

She looks down at herself. “It’s nothing. I wanted to come see you.” She makes a move to come near me and I step back. “You're angry.”

I don’t reply to her comment. “And you're filthy, take a shower,” I say as I go to my bedside table, not sparing her a glance.

I hear her sigh before hearing heavy footsteps and the bathroom door close shut. Exiting the room I walk the short distance to her bedroom and get her some clothes to dress into before heading back. When I walk in she’s still in the shower so I open the door to the bathroom and place the clothes on the counter.

I rummaged under the sink for the first aid kit I’d taken from the medical wing, back from when I didn’t trust anyone here. As I place it on the counter the water to the shower shuts off. Without looking I hand Ambessa something to cover her chest, underwear, and cover shorts. Without complaint she gets dressed.

“When you’re done sit down on the edge of the tub,” I say as I finish gathering all the supplies I need.

With a deep breath I stand up and turn to walk towards her, her eyes follow me. When I come to stand in front of her I sigh and look her over. There’s not many injuries but it’s enough to be concerned. I shake my head and get started.

Slowly and attentively I work on patching her stomach up, removing any dirt and scrap metal. Ambessa doesn’t make a sound, the only way I know she’s in some kind of pain is her stomach tensing and relaxing. I’m focused as I work.

Once her stomach is bandaged I begin working on the smaller cuts that litter her arms and legs before moving to the one on her face. I inspect the cut, turning her head from side to side, my thumb absentmindedly rubbing over her other cheek. I pull away and get the iodine to clean it up.

“Say something,” she mutters. I ignore her and move to put the solution on her wound and she grabs my hand. I shut my eyes and take a breath before looking down at her.

“What exactly do you want me to say, General?” I spit out bitterly.

My tone clearly surprises her and she looks at me sternly. “Watch your tone.”

I scoff out a laugh. “Watch my tone? No, how about you watch yours, you…” I stop myself from continuing, not wanting to say anything I’ll regret. Ripping my hand from her grip I finish patching up her cheek before turning to put my stuff away. 

I feel her eyes burning into my back but I don’t spare her a glance. I wash my hands scrubbing more than I should and I don’t notice my hands going raw, beginning to burn until much larger hands come from behind me and pull my hands away from each other.

I huff, hanging my head as I feel Ambessa’s sturdy frame behind me. “You could have died,” I mutter as I remove myself from her, walking into my room. She follows behind going to sit on my bed.

“But I’m here now, alive and well,” she admits nonchalantly.

I look at her in disbelief and shake my head. “You call that big gash on your side ‘alive and well’?”

Her eyes trace my face, taking in every detail. “Come here,” she says.

“No, you can’t just brush that kind of thing off like that you could have-“

“Stop being stubborn and come over here. Now,” she orders, her voice growing stern.

I stare at her for a second, challenging her. She clicks her tongue and tilts her head towards me, her eyebrow quirked up. “Don’t make me come over there and get you, child.”

I roll my tongue on the inside of my cheek, huffing before walking over to her. I stop a little bit away from her and she grumbles something under her breath before hooking her finger into the waistband of my pants and pulling me to stand between her legs. I cross my arms as she looks up at me, her hand moves to my waist, her thumb rubbing small circles into the exposed skin.

I don’t look at her as she speaks but she moves to try to find my gaze. She takes my hand, grasping it in hers as she guides my hand to her body. Placing my hand on her chest she holds it there with her own. I feel her heart beating, strong and unmoving, undoubtedly her. 

She gently turns my face to look at her. “See? I’m right here and I’m not going anywhere…”

My facade drops for a split second as I let myself feel what I’ve been bottling up for months before I come to my senses. I pull my hand away from her. “You should get some rest,” I say quietly as I walk into the bathroom to retrieve her clothes. 

When I come back I hand the clothes to Ambessa and she takes them before setting them on the bed beside her. I huff and run my hand down my face. “Put the clothes on.”

She sighs. “I won’t apologize for leaving, it needed to be done and has been a long time coming.”

I huff a laugh and look down at the floor. “And you say I’m the stubborn one…” I mutter under my breath. I walk towards the door opening it. “Get some rest,” I finalize quietly before slipping out of my room, leaving Ambessa.

[cautotelic]

Chapter 3: Ballrooms and Bad Moods

Ambessa Medarda x Reader

Synopsis: When you get taken away from your home land and thrown into the palace of the infamous warlord, will things be as bad as they first seemed?

A/N: hehehe enjoy my loves <33

It’s been two and a half weeks since my shadowing incident and I haven’t spoken or seen Ambessa since. If I'm being completely honest, I’ve been avoiding her. 

I don’t like the way I feel around her and the thoughts she makes me think

I’ve busied myself with training the warriors and spending time in the palace library. Today is different though, today we have a gala to attend and apparently I have to go.

A knock at my door brings me out of my thoughts. Opening it up I realize it’s Mana, the servant assigned to me. I smile at her warmly. “Good afternoon,” I say, letting her in as she carries this big bag.

I give her a quizzical look. “For the gala, ma’am,” she says as she lays the bag on my bed.

“I never got fitted for a dress or picked one out.”

She gives me a smile. “Don’t worry dear, the General hand picked this one herself,” she reassures as she opens the dress bag. “Now, let's get you ready.”

After two hours, I finally look at myself in the mirror and don’t hate my appearance. The dress is fitted, floor length, and a deep red color that compliments my complexion. The straps of the dress fit snugly on my shoulders and the neckline is low enough to look flattering. My hair is left down and my makeup is light, but still brings out my best features. “Thank you, Mana.”

“Oh course dear, you look absolutely beautiful,” she compliments.

Walking out of my room, Rictus is waiting outside leaning against the wall and he escorts me to the airship we will be taking to the gala in Piltover. When we arrive Ambessa is already there waiting. As we approach her I run my eyes over her form. She’s wearing a dress of her own, in gold, and her hair is braided into an updo. The realization hits me, I’m wearing her house colors and we’re matching. We come to a stop in front of her and she nods her head to Rictus and he leaves us, walking onto the airship. Her eyes find mine for a second before I look away.

“You clean up nice, General,” I comment. Our proximity makes me want to push her away and pull her in close all at once.

“Back to formalities I see.” The sharpness in her voice surprises me, what's got her in a bad mood?

The ride to Piltover was smooth and when we arrived the sun was just setting. As soon as we are docked, Ambessa is standing and ready to leave. Without sparing me a glance she begins talking. “Don’t get into any trouble, or there will be consequences,” she says before walking off the air ship.

I roll my eyes. Rictus appears again and offers his arm to me which I gladly take. “What's got her panties in a twist?”

He snickers under his breath as we exit the airship. “She’s just…” he looks down at me scanning my face for something. “Going through it.”

We walk off the docking platform and enter the huge glass atrium where the party is being held. It’s beautiful. Warm lighting fills the space and vines and plants climb the walls. Big bowls hange for the ceiling flowers overflowing out of them. Tables and couches line the surrounding walls, couples and friends drinking and laughing. Something flashing flies in front of my face and it makes me notice that at irregular intervals all over the room little fireflies fly around. 

Rictus removes his arm from mine. “Sorry, duty calls,” He says before leaving me.

I fidget with my hands and decide to go find where they have the drinks. I find the bar and order a drink, leaning against the counter and looking around.

“What’s a pretty thing like you doing here all alone?” A voice says from beside me. I look over and a girl with dark, almost blue hair is standing beside me.

“Excuse me?” I ask in shock.

She turns around and leans her back against the bar counter, her elbows resting on top. She looks at me through her eyelashes. “I said, what are you doing all alone, sweetheart?”

I feel my face go warm. “I like it that way,” I say as I take a sip of my drink.

She hums as she eyes me up and down. “Caitlyn Kiramman,” she introduces herself as she extends her hand out to me.

I shake her hand. “___,” I say curtly.

“If you don’t have anything to do, want to sit and chat for a while?” Caitlyn asks as she looks at me.

I nod. I grab my drink and start to walk towards one of the tables. Caitlyn’s hand comes to rest on my waist, guiding me through the people.

We sit down at a table in the corner, sitting right next to each other. I set my drink down and get comfortable, turning towards her. “So what brings you here?” I ask.

She turns towards me and puts her arm on the cushion behind me. “My family loves throwing these types of things and I have to make an appearance. You?”

I chuckle. “I was dragged here, but I’m not entirely complaining.” As I speak I feel her hand move up my leg to come and rest on my thigh. 

She looks at me with a smirk. “Well I would sure hope not. If that was the case I wouldn’t be doing my job very well.”

We talk and drink for a good chunk of the night. At times taking walks around the room to get a change of scenery. This Kiramman girl makes me laugh more than I have in a long time.

The party is starting to die down. We are off to the side of the dance floor, standing fairly close. I’m rambling about this book I read on hextech when Caitlyn reaches her hand out and tucks a piece of my hair behind my ear before cupping my cheek.

This makes me pause as I look in her eyes. She starts pulling me into her, her eyes closed. 

Someone clears their throat. I pull away and look. Ambessa. All of a sudden I feel like a deer in headlights tinged with guilt.

“General, it’s a pleasure to see you as always,” Caitlyn greets.

Ambessa only hums as she turns her gaze to me, looking me up and down before looking at Caitlyn. “I see you’ve found my ward, young Kiramman,” she states. “We will be departing now. Tell your parents that the evening was lovely.”

We say our goodbyes before Ambessa and I walk back towards the docks, her hand pressed firmly against my back. I spare a glance up at her as we walk and she is visibly pissed.

We get back on the airship and she says nothing to me as she goes to her office. The ride back to Noxus seemed way longer than on the way there. The whole way thinking about Ambessa and why she would be so upset. 

When we dock in Noxus I stand and wait for the door to open before stepping out onto the dock platform. When I get back to my room I change out of my dress and into my lounge clothes. I lay in bed for what feels like hours before giving up on trying to find sleep and heading to the library. 

I open the heavy doors and slip inside silently. Rows and rows of books surround me. I walk to my favorite isle and go down to the section of books I’ve been working on for the past few months. Looking over the selection I pick one and start walking to my reading spot at the center of the library.

I start to read the book as I walk until I get where I need to go. I finally look up from the book and I’m startled and take half a step back. Ambessa stands at one of the tables looking over papers and what looks like battle plans. She changed from her evening gown into something more comfortable, her hair down from its updo. A deep frown is etched on her face and I so desperately want to run my fingers over it-

No.

She hasn’t noticed me standing here so I turn to go back to my room instead. 

“Trouble sleeping?”

I pause my movements and debate turning around or to keep walking. 

Turning around I find that Ambessa hasn’t lifted her head from her work and doesn’t as I walk out into the open space.

“No, I just wanted to get a book,” I answered, my voice lowered defensively.

“Don’t lie to me, little one.” She takes her pencil and writes something in her notebook off to the side.

I scoff. “What? All of a sudden I can’t have a simple interest in wanting to read.” 

“I’m just stating it as I see it,” she states.

I roll my eyes. “I’d rather you mind your own business.”

She chuckles coldly. “And I’d rather have a legionnaire that does as she’s told.” In finishing her sentence, she finally looks up at me, her hands pressed against the table's surface.

I throw my hands up in disbelief. “I am and I’m trying. I do the training, I hardly get into any trouble here, and tonight I didn’t have any issues because I was talking to that Kiramman girl.”

The mention of the name has Ambessa’s jaw clenching and her hands fisting on the table. “Out of everybody at that party, of course you would talk to her,” she says under her breath, barely audible to me.

“We were just talking,” I clarified earnestly.

Ambessa raises an eyebrow at me and looks me up and down before standing up straight, folding her arms. “Are you that oblivious? She was practically undressing you with her eyes.”

“You're being ridiculous. Why do you care anyway?” I wonder, my mind only now processing that Ambessa herself was also watching me tonight.

She looks at me and huffs in frustration. Her eyes hold an emotion I can’t decipher. She shakes her head and goes back to working. “I don’t.”

I stand there trying to understand her, but end up walking over to where she stands at the table. As I go stand beside her, I look over her map. Ambessa glances down at me for a split second.

The map is of lands I’m familiar with, as I’ve fought on them myself. My fingers glide over the map as I look at where Ambessa has put her pawn piece to represent her soldiers.

I hang off the side of the mountain, swaying back and forth, my body tethered to the top. I look to my left and right at the dead troops beside me, our mission failed. Placing my hands one on top of another I pull myself back up from where we repelled. My muscles ache as I pull myself over the ledge. 

“You shouldn’t put your forces there. The mountain is too steep for them to be on guard, leaves them vulnerable…” I suggest pointing to a certain spot on the map.

I feel her gaze on me without having to look at her. She silently reaches over the table and grabs the pawn piece, handing it to me. I look at the piece before taking it from her hand, our fingers brushing against each other. 

My mind goes into that of the strategist I’d been raised to be. I start picking up and placing the pawns where they would give Noxus a better advantage. Taking high ground, using trees as coverage, and fortifying the mountain range. When I’m done I step back and look at the map.

Ambessa hums beside me. “Not bad,” she chides. 

I hum in response. “It’s whatever.” Looking at the map takes me back to sleepless nights in my father’s study looking at and studying maps until plans were to his liking.

“Come,” she demands more than asks as she moves away from the table and towards the couches.

Seeing as I didn’t really have a choice, I followed her. She stands by a smaller table beside the couch and pours out two glasses of a dark auburn liquid. She offers the glass to me and absentmindedly I hesitate to take it. 

Without a word Ambessa brings the glass she offered me to her lips and takes a sip of the drink before offering it back to me. I take it without complaint and sit on the couch. Ambessa follows suit and sits down next to me only leaving a foot or two or space between us.

I shift uncomfortably from her proximity. This does not go unnoticed by her as she chuckles. “Scared of me still, child?” Although she tries to come across as sarcastic, her voice holds a hint of hurt.

“I was never scared of you,” I admit as I take a sip of my drink, the liquid burning. 

This surprises her for a second before she goes back to teasing. “Let’s play a game, shall we?” She asks.

“What kind of game?” I groan.

“20 questions, however,” she says with a smirk. “If you don’t want to answer the question asked, you have to remove an article of clothing.”

My eyebrows furrow in annoyance. “Absolutely not, that is humiliating.”

She looks at me as she tilts her head, intrigued. “What? Don’t tell me you're ashamed of nudity.”

“You're not?” I shoot back.

“Nope,” She shrugs and her smugness ignites the stubbornness in me and I take the bait.

“Fine, let’s play.”

She smirks, leaning back into the couch. “You ask first.”

I roll my eyes as I take a swig of my drink. “Why did you want to go to war with my father?”

At the mention of my dad her hand tightens around her glass as she takes a sip. “He was being… difficult. But whether we went to war or not I would have still gotten what I wanted, it would have just been as spoils of war.”

This gives me pause. “What exactly did you want?”

She tsks. “That was two questions, my turn. I know you can’t sleep, so what are your nightmares about?”

I mull over her question before taking a sip of my drink, standing up. I hook my fingers into the waistband of my pants and pull them down, leaving me in my underwear. Ambessa’s eyes never leave my form. The shirt I’m wearing is long enough to reach about mid-thigh so I sit back down.

I look at Ambessa. “What did you want from my father?”

With no hesitation Ambessa rips her shirt over head. My eyes roam over her toned abs and biceps before I look away. I huff, annoyed that she didn’t answer my question.

We continued this back and forth for a while. Ambessa loses her pants and I lose my shirt, we both only sit in our underwear and bindings now.

It’s her turn and she hums as she brings her glass to her lips. “Would you have let that Kiramman girl into your bed?”

Nearly spitting out my drink I look at her shocked. “What kind of question is that?”

“A question, now answer it or take something off. But I doubt you will.” She looks at me waiting for an answer expectantly, challenging me.

Something clicks in my head and I look at her with a smug smile. “Maybe I would have, but I guess we’ll never know now will we?” She’s silent so I continue. “Okay my turn. Are you jealous that I would have let her fuck me?” I gamble.

I watch her tense as her jaw clenches. “Watch it,” she warns.

I take another sip of my drink, staring at her. “What? It’s a question, General. Answer it or take something off, hm.” I say, throwing her words back at her.

One second I’m sitting down the next I’m pinned to the sofa with Ambessa towering over me. I summon a knife and go to hold it to her neck but she catches my wrist in her hand and plucks it from my hand, sending it clattering to the floor. 

“You just love to be difficult, don’t you hm- stop fucking moving,” she tells me as she roughly presses me further into the couch.

Looking up at her I chuckle. “You are jealous.”

“Shut up.”

“Oh yeah? What are you going to do about it?”

I expect everything. A punch, a slap, yelling. What I don’t expect is for Ambessa Medarda to kiss me. I’m frozen for a second as she connects her lips with mine but slowly I give in, wrapping my arms around her neck. The kiss is rough and bruising.

I let out a small moan as she nips at my lip. “Do you know how infuriating you are? How wrapped around your finger you have me? How fucking frustrated I was when you wouldn’t speak to me?” She lets out between kisses. 

My body heats up at her words. “I hate you,” I mutter as she begins trailing kisses on my jawline. Her strong, composed demeanor is nowhere to be found as her desperation takes over.

She lets out a hearty chuckle. “I know you do.”

Her kisses continue to my neck where she nips and bites, her left hand cradling my head and turning it to get more access. I whimper at the sensation as her right hand kneads the flesh of my thigh.

My hand finds its way into her hair and I pull slightly, earning a groan from Ambessa. 

At my core I know I want this, so badly. But the rational side of my mind is telling me I can’t have this, that I’m not allowed to.

Ambessa must feel my body growing tense as I contemplate. She pulls me closer to her. “You're overthinking, little one,” she murmurs in my ear.

“I-“

“General I have some paperwork that you need to- Jesus.” I look over and see Rictus standing by the table with the map.

Ambessa moves so that her body is covering mine seeing as we both barely have clothes on. She groans in annoyance and curses under her breath. “Can this really not wait, Rictus?”

He clears his throat before speaking. “I just came to drop these off,” he lifts the papers in his hand. “Sorry if I interrupted,” he enunciates. What I don’t see is the glance he gives towards Ambessa with a smirk.

I look over Ambessa’s shoulder. “Hi, Rictus,” I wave with a smile.

He raises his hand towards me. “Hi, little lady.” Ambessa gives him a sharp look and he puts his hands up. 

“I should go…” I look away not being able to look at her. I make a move to get up but she isn’t having any of it. I sigh before shadowing. 

I appear on the other side of the library, my clothes back on. I wobble slightly on my feet and Ambessa makes a move to come towards me, I take a step back. Our eyes connect and the look in hers makes me feel guilty.

I shadowed my room and locked the door before collapsing on the floor.

Why is my mind complicating everything? Why do I not know how to react to her?

[cautotelic]

Chapter 2: Friend or Foe?

Ambessa Medarda x Reader

Synopsis: When you get taken away from your home land and thrown into the palace of the infamous warlord, will things be as bad as they first seemed?

TWs: past abuse, blood, violence

A/N: this is definitely longer then the last chapter but I love my war crimes committing, questionably older wife:))

“Again,” I instruct the warriors. They go to the drill again, doing one on one with the techniques that I taught them. I walk amongst the pairs on the training mats, stopping to critique when needed before moving on to the next. After a few minutes of letting them spar I bring them to a stop.

“Okay, you’ve proven to be able to handle yourself in combat with each other. Now lets see how you manage against a legionnaire,” I announce with a quirked up eyebrow.

I look over to the guard overseeing my training hours. With a look of urgency he takes off running down the corridor. I click the timer on my watch. “New guy, huh?” I say motioning towards where he just took off running. “Well I don’t have all day people, who wants to go?”

“I will,” a voice says from behind me. I turn around and see it’s one of the female warriors. Nodding her way in acknowledgment, she tips her head to me.

Before I know it she’s surging forward quickly, but I’m quicker. I easily turn out of her path and she goes stumbling on the mat where my body once was. I bring my staff to the floor and lean on it slightly. “Is that all you’ve got? I expected more from someone under the Generals command,” I mock yawn.

That riles her up and she’s back on her feet. Again she comes at me head on but this time drawing her twin battle blades. With the possibility of injury on the line, I focus more on the fight. I deflect her attacks using my staff being both agile and quick. I go to block one of her overhead attacks and fail to notice her other arm coming down to take a low blow. A stinging sensation blooms just under my rib cage and I hiss. Looking down at my watch. 2:45, 2:46, 2:47. I only have a little while longer.

I grab the arm that sliced me and I tug her close before twisting our bodies so that we fall. Her back hits the mat and I’m on her. Using my staff I press it down onto her throat. I feel cool steel against my neck and freeze. I look the girl in the eyes and know that neither of us will be conceding anytime soon.

“Exactly what is going on here?” A familiar voice booms. The warriors part way for Ambessa to walk through, Rictus not too far behind. I get off of my sparring partner and help her to her feet.

“General,” the woman lowers her head in respect. “I can explain this I-“

“I thought I made myself very clear when saying no one is to lay hands on her,” she interrupts as she begins to stalk over to the warrior.

I get in between the two and shove Ambessa in the shoulder with my staff. “Hey, if you want to punish someone, punish me. I’m the one who told them to fight with me.”

I watch Ambessa roll her shoulders back and press her tongue on the inside of her cheek before looking down at me. “This doesn’t concern you, get out of my way,” she orders as she tries to push past me, but I hold my ground. She looks down at me clearly irritated.

“Well I guess you're just going to have to make me because I’m not letting her get punished,” I say as I point to the warrior. “For something I did.” I take a second to look around and see that all of her warriors have backed up and are now watching this whole interaction.

Ambessa looks behind me at the female warrior with a glare. “Everyone, out,” she orders and the sound of shuffling footsteps fills the room. Once everyone is cleared out she stalks up to me. “‘Make you’, huh?” She says in a condescending tone.

I crane my neck slightly to look up at her. “Yes, ‘make me’ because god knows how many times I’ve been punished because of someone elses faults,” I state as I jab my finger into her chest. “So… if you want to punish someone, punish me. Right here, right now.” I say as I take a few steps away from her, holding my staff at the ready.

Ambessa looks at me and I can’t tell if she wants to kill me or…. well kill me. She looks me up and down. “Your bleeding,” she points out as she motions to my stomach.

“Scared of blood, General?” I ask.

She huffs as she goes to grab her weapon of choice from the weapons rack. Twin daggers, great. “Hardly. Although you might be considering you don’t even have a real weapon,” she insults.

“I refuse to draw blood in a sparring match but,” circling me she goes out of my frame of view. “I see that isn’t the case here.”

I sink down to the floor as I watch her arm swing where my head was a second ago. I extend my leg out and swing it behind me, hoping to knock her off her feet. I hear a solid thud behind me and I’m immediately on her. Climbing on top of her I straddle her waist as I pick up her daggers and throw them across the room. While I was too busy focusing on the dagger, Ambessa took the opportunity to wrap her hands around both of my arms. I struggle in her hold as she pulls me down to look at her.

“You will not win this fight- stop fucking moving,” she demands coldly as she glares up at me. “For over a month you have been a thorn in my side and I expect nothing but obedience from you of all people.”

“Sorry to disappoint, General. But I’m not gonna be one of your obedient bitches you keep on a tight rein.”

That pisses her OFF.

She pulls me down to her chest and twists me around so that my back is to her front. Her arm comes around and wraps around my neck and she starts squeezing. I claw at her arm as I gasp for air to no avail.

“Let this be a lesson. Don’t let it happen again,” she murmurs in my ear before releasing me. My hand goes to my neck as I cough, inhaling deep breaths. I watch as Ambessa walks out of the training arena, disappearing into the hallway.

•••

The sun has just set on the horizon. I watch as the guards make their rounds outside as I sit perched in the window seat. Deciding I’m hungry, I pad over to the door of the room, opening it slowly. The hallway outside is eerily quiet. With a furrow in my brows I summon a newt and release it to let it creep down the hall silently. A few minutes go by in silence before it returns to me, scurrying down the hall. It climbs its way up my body until it reaches my shoulder where it perches itself.

“Well? What is it?” I ask calmly. The newt makes a quiet chirp sound before biting down on my hair and tugging. “Okay, okay I’ll go check it out…. Sheesh.”

I walk down the hallway and round the corner. All the lanterns in the hallway are out which is unusual because they are always on. Being cautious I continue down the hallway when all of a sudden I’m grabbed by someone. I go to let out a scream but a thick hand comes to cover my mouth. I struggle in my captor's arms but they are too strong.

Out of nowhere another person, wearing a mask that covers the lower part of their face, comes and binds my hands together. With my mouth covered by tape, the two intruders hog carry me through the halls and out of the palace into the gardens. I rub my mouth against my arm and am able to remove the tape from my mouth.

“Help!” I yell as loud as I can. The people quickly drop me and climb on top of me trying to put the piece of tape back.

“Shut her up,” the bigger one hissed as he looked around anxiously.

“Get off of me,” I say as I try to kick my feet out from under the smaller guy who’s on top of me.

The dudes attempt to put the tape back are halted. When he goes still I look up at him quizzical before he slumps on top of me, dead with an arrow sticking out of his back. I look in the direction of where it came from and almost sigh in relief. Ambessa.

She has a cross bow and steps out into the snow, it crunching beneath her feet. “Why didn’t you stay put, child?” She asks, running a hand down her face. The other intruder I watch from the corner of my eyes starts to slowly back away from us. Ambessa without looking raises her crossbow and shoots him, her eyes never straying from mine.

I shrug. “Free will.” She helps me stand up and takes out a knife to cut through the ropes on my hands. As she does I look out towards the edge of the palace property where the clean cut land turns to overgrowing forests. I turn my attention back to Ambessa but I can’t stop glancing back at it with a bad feeling in my stomach.

“Someone’s out there,” I say quietly just loud enough for her to hear me.

“Hm? What are you talking about?”

“There's someone, a lot of someone’s, past the tree line,” I repeat. When I say that it’s like a stampede as 15 or 20 people come running out of the trees armed at the ready. Out of nowhere, some of Ambessa’s soldiers come charging towards them. The two groups clash and fighting ensues.

The intruders start dropping like flies but the warriors are severely outnumbered. Ambessa joins in the fighting and I’m left to watch. I watch as more and more of the warriors start to fall and realize why. The opponent is using sorcery. I take off running towards the fight and quickly turn into a shadow myself. I move swiftly and silently through the masses of people, returning back to my physical form to kill the intruders before shadowing and moving on to the next.

In less than 2 minutes I’ve decimated all of them. I return back to my physical form, covered from head to toe in blood. I look down at my watch and stop the timer with a shaky hand.

I went over my time limit, completely exerting myself.

I watch as the Noxian soldiers dust themselves off and as Ambessa finishes off her last intruder. She looks over at me with both shock and intrigue. What she doesn’t notice is the lone straggler aiming a spear at her back. Using all that’s left of my energy, I throw my arm up and erect a wall behind her.

The spear deflects off of it, clattering to the ground. I sway on my feet and feel myself falling, my body going limp. My breathing is shallow. I watch as Ambessa breaks someone’s neck. I blink and she’s kneeling beside me. I blink and suddenly I’m being carried inside. When I close my eyes I don’t open them again.

••• The smell of eucalyptus and a rubbing sensation of my arm brings me to. Slowly opening my eyes the first thing I notice is that I’m in a bathtub. Second, I’m not alone. I go to sit up.

“Don’t even think about it, you’ve done enough today,” I hear Ambessa say from behind me.

Looking down I see that my bindings and my underwear are still on. I also note the murkiness of the water. Despite how much I want to get away from her, I can’t bring myself to get up because of how much my body aches.

I go to move and groan. Ambessa sighs and gently readjusts me into a more comfortable position. “Oh how stubborn you are,” she mutters as she runs the washcloth over the back of my neck.

I don’t say anything and neither does she. We sit in silence. As she cleans me her touch is tender but firm. For the first time in years, I’m being taken care of instead of being left to lick my own wounds. Why? What does she want from me? Everyone always has ulterior motives for stuff like this, right?

“Your tense,” she notes as her hands run over my shoulders.

“Why are you doing this, Ambessa?” I question, my voice coming out raspy.

I can tell this takes her aback as her movements on my body halt. “What do you mean, child?”

I huff. “I mean,” I say as I once again try to sit up from laying back on her and I hiss. “Why are you sitting in dirty bath water cleaning blood off me?”

Ambessa’s brows furrowed together and her eyes softened at my pain. “Is it so hard to believe I care for you to some degree?” She states calmly.

I chuckle. “Kind of. I mean I guess not, I’m surprised you haven’t killed me yet with how much I’ve been a pain.”

Her laugh reverberates in her chest and my body feels warm. “Trust me, I think about doing it more than you’d think.” I know she’s talking about killing me but the way she said it, makes my mind go back to our encounter in the kitchen. “Do you do that often?”

“Do what?”

“The turning into a shadow thing,”

“Growing up I never really had a choice,” I admit as I try to relax in Ambessa’s hold. “I didn’t like doing it though. I end up like this and…never exactly had anyone to do this for me. So thank you.”

“Anytime.” We both stay silent as she finishes cleaning me up. When she’s finished she gets herself out of the tub and I sneak glances as she wraps herself in a towel. I can’t tell if I’m sad or relieved that she was also wearing some kind of covering.

She comes over to me, moves my arm to wrap around her neck, and lifts me out of the tub. The movement causes me to whimper. “Forgive me, little one. I have to put you down to dry you off, can you stand?”

I nod. She places me down on my feet and I wobble slightly, her arm is there to steady me. Holding eye contact with me, she lowers herself down to my level, places my hands on her shoulders and starts drying me off. “I can dry myself off. You don’t need to-“

“No you can’t and you're right, I don’t need to do this, but I want to. So stand still.”

For once I listen to her.

She dries me off making sure every inch of my body is dry. Leaving me to lean against the bathroom counter for a moment she goes and gets me some clothes, before leaving me to get dressed. I change my underwear and take off my bindings before dressing in the clothes she brought me: a loose fitted top and lounge pants.

Once I’m dressed I use the wall to keep myself up as I make my way to the door. When I open it I’m startled at Ambessa standing right there. “I see the clothes fit.”

I hum in acknowledgment. “Can you take me to my room now?” I ask anxiously, not trusting myself in such close proximity to her.

She appears to be mulling it over for a second. “No.”

“Why?”

“Seeing as you can’t even walk without being supported, you're staying in here.” She says with finality in her voice.

I look at her dumbfounded. “I don’t want to stay here.”

She leans in close to my face. “Frankly, I don’t care what you want,” she admits as she scoops me into her arms.

“Ambessa, put me down,” I protested.

“Stop squirming, you’re going to hurt yourself more,” she states as she places me down on what I assume is her bed.

I roll my eyes. “I don’t even sleep so being in here is pointless.”

Ambessa ignores me as she goes to sit at her desk in the corner of the room and begin writing on some papers. Now that I’m sitting on it, this bed is very comfortable. The pillows and blankets make it seem even more inviting. After the events of today, I am exhausted so I lay down covering myself with the comforter.

•••

Unbeknownst to you, Ambessa quietly watches you drift off to sleep. She would never admit to it, but having you against her chest in the bathroom had her heart pounding. Ever since you’d arrived she couldn’t keep you out of her mind. Suddenly filled with the urge to take care of and provide for you. Every time she was reminded of you father and what you’d been through, she was filled with rage that made her want to break their agreement and go to war. Never would she think of putting her own children through harm so… why would he?

She’s brought out of her thoughts when she hears you groan. At first she thinks it’s your body aches and that you're probably just moving in your sleep. But when she looks at you, you're not moving. In fact you haven't moved from that position in the hour that you’ve been asleep.

Standing up from her desk she makes her way over to you, concern written on her face. She takes a knee beside the bed taking note of your labored breathing despite being asleep and the furrow in your brows. Her hand comes up and gently caresses your cheek, her other hand rubs at the tension between your brows. Slowly your face relaxes and your breathing evens out.

Even though you're fine now Ambessa sits and stares at you for a moment before getting up and going to the other side of the bed, laying on top of the covers.

[cautotelic]

Chapter 1: Tough Love

Ambessa Medarda x Reader

Synopsis: When you get taken away from your home land and thrown into the palace of the infamous warlord, will things be as bad as they first seemed?

TWs: past abuse, scars

A/N: this is my first time writing a fic so please let me know what you think of it, most likely this will be a series.

The rough material of the sack on my head rubs uncomfortably against my cheek. Pressed into the floors, my knees ache from what feels like hours of kneeling in the same position. I shift in discomfort and my wrists once again rub against the rope tightly bound around my hands, no doubt already bloody and bruised like the rest of me. The sound of approaching footsteps makes me flinch as they echo in the space. With a precise and calculated gait whomever has entered makes their way from behind me to stand in front of me. 

In an instant the sack is pulled from atop my head. The brightness of the room causes my gaze to drop to the marble floor as I blink my eyes into adjusting. My eyes find a pair of boots and my eyes follow the person's body to their face. When I meet her eyes my breathing stops and I tense up immediately, looking down quickly. 

“When Remu asked what I wanted in return for promising not to wage war on him, I asked for his best legionnaire. Little did I know,” she chuckles as she looks down at me. “That he would send his own kin.”

I let out a soft chuckle. “Well my father isn’t exactly known for his outstanding morals, now is he?” Glancing up at her, her expression is as solid as rock, but her eyes tell me all I need to know: pity and something else I can’t place… empathy?

“I suppose not…” she says lowly. I see her footsteps approaching before her hand is on my chin, forcing my head up. Her eyes run over my face as she twists her hand from side to side, moving my head with it. 

Her thumb gently comes up to touch at a cut on my cheekbone when I jerking my chin from her hand and glaring up at her. “Don’t touch me,” I spit out defiantly.

Her eyebrows lift with shock and her hand hovers where my face once was before she scolds her expression and moves her hands behind her back. With her head raised she exudes power.

“Take her to her quarters. Ensure that she is bathed, fed, and that no one bothers her.” She orders to the guard standing behind me. I watch her walk past me and before exiting the room she pauses. “You will start training after your injuries are healed.”

•••

“You’ve got to be kidding me, I’m not doing this,” I say as I fold my arms over my chest as I look down at the warriors training in the open arena.

“I find it funny you think you have a choice,” the man, Rictus, says from beside me halfheartedly. Despite my situation, he’s one of the only people I tolerate in this place, other than the lady that brings my food every day.

My eyes scan the sweating bodies below. “Ha ha, very funny. I’ve never taught anybody anything before, how exactly am I supposed to do this.” I ask.

He shrugs. “That's up to you but General Ambessa asked for your father's best legionnaire because of how much experience you have in combat, so she trusts you whatever you teach.”

“Well she seems to have a lot of trust in someone she’s only met once in the month I’ve been here,” I quip. In the month that I’ve been in Noxus, I’ve only seen glimpses of the warlord I now know as Ambessa, which is fine with me. 

I sigh and begin walking down the stairs that lead to the floor of the arena. I move quietly and fluidly through the groups of people and make my way to the weapons racks on the stone walls. I grab a bamboo staff from the wall before turning around to face the people. Raising the staff into the air, I knock it back and hit the gong hanging from the top of the wall. 

The ringing echoes in the large space and easily gets everyone’s attention. With all eyes on me now I clear my throat nervously before moving to the center of the crowd. 

“Where I come from is of no importance to you but I am a legionnaire and I was brought here in exchange for Noxus not going to war with my home country,” I say as I pace slowly back and forth. 

I hear murmurs of chatter at the mention of my title but continue on. “The first lesson you learn from me is how to disperse a shadow reaper. Shadow reapers are beings of pure darkness that can be summoned by legionaries. These beings are extremely powerful, incredibly agile, and will kill you without hesitation,” I say as I flick my wrist.

Nothing happens at first, but then slowly inky black wisps start seeping from the walls and from under doors to collectively join next to me. From the bottom up a figure appears and I see most of the warriors visibly pale. I smile to myself.

"This is a shadow reaper,” I say as I begin to circle the reaper. “Now, from all my knowledge there's no real way to kill a shadow reaper but you can temporarily get rid of them.”

Taking my staff I side swing it and quickly glide it through the reaper's neck, effectively dismissing it. “Easy but you must remember to hit them directly at their neck or they won’t go away like that.” I say as I come to a complete stop in front of all the warriors. “Who wants to go first?”

•••

After all the soldiers have had a chance to both disperse and spar with a shadow reaper, with almost little to no critique, they were naturals. I sit on the training mats alone, Rictus cleaning up the area and putting the weapons back where they belong on the racks. I use my staff to get up from the ground before looking over towards him. “Spar with me?” I ask.

He laughs and doesn’t turn around to face me as he speaks. “No thank you. The General would kill me if I layed a land on you,” he says matter of factly.

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Well tell your General, that I don’t need her protection…”

“You just did.” 

“Did wha-“

“I see you’ve found the energy to train,” I hear a voice say from behind me. “And an attitude.”  I turn around and see the General standing at the entrance to the training arena.

I look her up and down noting her casual lounge wear, a stark contrast to her armor that she wore when I last saw her. I hum in response. “Is that a problem?” I ask her defensively.

She chuckles lowly. “Is it? Lest I remind you it is I who determines if you live or die.” 

I roll my tongue on the inside of my cheek. “I hate you, I really do,” I say as I go to exit the arena. When I go to pass by her, she grabs my arm firmly but not enough to hurt.

“How have you been sleeping, little one?” I freeze at her words, keeping my eyes forward. “That’s what I thought. Try talking to me again when you finally get some sleep,” she says before releasing my arm roughly. As I make my way out of the room I shove my shoulder against her.

I walk down the gilded corridor. Regal portraits line the walls as I make my way back to my room. The sun is low on the horizon as I close the door to my room. Despite everything, Ambessa has been very generous with my accommodations and I can applaud that. I make my way to the bathroom and turn on the shower before stripping out of my clothes. I close my eyes as the water flows over me, having it turned to the hottest setting. 

I start thinking to myself of what I would be doing if I were back home and I cringe at the idea. Since I’ve arrived here I haven’t been able to maintain my regular routine, even my brother's routine beatings have been replaced by me standing in this shower with burning water just to feel something. When the skin of my arm starts to hurt to the touch, I switch off the water and dry myself off. 

I throw on a tank top and some loose pants before climbing into bed for yet another sleepless night.

•••

I wake up frantically looking around as I scoot back until my back hits the headboard. My breathing is out of control and I hear screaming and only realize it’s me when someone suddenly enters my room. 

“Ma’am are you-“ 

“Get out!” I yell. No one can see you like this, they’ll think your weak.

“We can help you, just tell us what you need,” the lady, part of the night shift, says.

“I said GET OUT.” I reach my hand over to the nightstand and grab the vase before throwing it towards the door. 

The lady quickly shuts the door and the vase shatters as it makes contact with the door. I tuck my knees to my chest and sob, deep, guttural, sobs. I rock myself back and forth as images of my dream come surfacing back. Wire cords lashing against my back. The smell of blood, the taste of my own tears, the silence I had to keep to stay out of more pain.

When morning comes I don’t move. The lady that brings my meals comes and goes, the food going untouched the whole day. As night falls again I finally decide to leave my room. Grabbing my thin shawl from a chair I quietly make my way out of my room. I roamed the hallways for what seems like forever before finally finding where I wanted to be, the kitchen. 

I grabbed a pot and began making my favorite dish growing up that my mom used to make for me. As I cook I let my shawl fall to rest at my elbows as my tense shoulders relax. When the food is almost done I give it a quick taste before covering it and letting it simmer for a while longer. 

“Well this is a sight to see.” I hear from behind me. I turn around and lean back against the counter and see Ambessa leaning against the doorway to the kitchen with a small smirk on her face. I roll my eyes and say nothing. 

“Quiet game again?” She presses with a sigh. “You weren’t at your training today. And while I have been courteous in giving you time to adjust, I won’t tolerate laziness and insolence.”

Her gaze on me causes me to squirm and I readjust my shawl to cover the expanse of my back. This doesn’t go unnoticed by her. “I really must say though, your stubbornness is getting… frustrating.”

I chuckle at this. “Well I grew up knowing that stubbornness can be a survival tactic and I was not in the right headspace today, so forgive me if I needed a moment to myself,” I say as I look at her, really look at her. For the first time since I’ve met her, in the moonlit kitchen, I notice her eyes aren’t just brown but almost hazel. How her scars actually add to the uniqueness of her face. Makes me wonder how she got those scars.

I hear her let out a laugh across from me and I'm snapped out of my thoughts. I said that out loud. I feel my face grow warm but if she notices, she doesn’t comment on it.

“If I tell you one of mine, will you tell me one of yours?” She asks.

I already know which one of mine she’s going to ask about but I still proceed. “Fine.” I agree.

She hums in surprise. “Which one do you want to know about?” I look over her exposed skin and my eyes land on a scar near her neck. 

“The one on your neck,” I say softly.

“When I was younger I was challenged for my throne. Big burly man, looked more like a were-person than a man really.” I let out a chuckle at this and her eyes meet mine for a split second before I drop my gaze to the floor. She continues. “Nearly took my head off. Had me pinned to the floor with this big axe against my throat, started cutting in. But clearly I won that fight as I’m still here,” she says.

I nod at this and huff. “Which one do you want to know about?” I ask.

Her eyes scan me up and down as she moves further into the kitchen, not coming incredibly close to me but closer than before, the kitchen island separating us. She comes forward and leans her hands on the counter. “The one on your back.”

I sigh and close my eyes for a minute to gain some composure. “When I was 10, I forgot what it was exactly I did, probably something normal for a child to do, I got in trouble. And my father being the man he is, had to make an example out of me. Since I was a legionnaire I was always in the public eye and so when I got in trouble my father wanted to show our people that this behavior wouldn’t be tolerated. Not even by his own daughter.” Lifting my gaze off the kitchen floor I spare a glance at Ambessa. Her expression conveys nothing about how she’s feeling, but its clear she's hanging on to every word I speak.

I turn my back to her, go back to stirring my food, and start talking again. “He dragged me to the town square, tied my hands to this big pole at the center, and whipped me in front of everyone. All to prove a point.” I say as calmly as I can without my voice shaking. “Twenty lashes across my back, my shirt split open by the third. I can still remember the smell of my own blood, how much of it there was…”

Somehow without me hearing her Ambessa had come up behind me. I didn't realize my hands were shaking until her much bigger ones reached around me and took the wooden spoon out of my hands and placed it down on the counter. I chuckle lightly as I brace my hands against the counter in front of me.

“You know the funny part is after he was finished and I was nearly about to pass out, he told me it was for my own good. That it was my fault…” I say quietly. I feel Ambessa gently place her hand on my upper bicep and I shrug her touch off. “Don’t touch me, I don’t need you pity.” I say as I turn off the stove and move away from her, going to get a bowl. 

“From these few interactions that we have had I’ve learned a lot about you,” she says matter of factly.

“I tell you one insignificant part of my life and you think you know me…” I open the cabinet and reach for a bowl. Silently I make the decision to grab two.

“But it isn’t insignificant, is it? Not to you anyway. You think about that moment a lot. Probably flipping it over and over in your mind trying to decide for yourself if you deserved it or not. Am I close?” She challenges as she leans back against the kitchen island.

“Not even close.” I pour the soup into the two bowls.

She hums in acknowledgment. “I doubt that. It can also correlate to your adverse reactions to physical touch. I have two theories for this one: it’s either you just really hate me or-“ she takes the bowl out of my hand before spinning me around to face her. “You just won’t allow yourself to feel something other than pain.”

“The first option,” I respond as I roll my eyes and brace my hands on the counter behind me.

She lets out a laugh at this. “Oh really, because…” she trails off as she leans in close to me. So impossibly close, closer than anyone’s been in a long time. “I think it’s the second.” Her lips nearly brush against the shell on my ear as she speaks to me. 

Her hand finds my hand and I flinch from the contact, but she presses on. She runs the pads of her fingers up my arm slowly, tentatively like she’s waiting for me to push her away. Her hand comes up and gently cups my jaw. She looks at me with indifference but her eyes are asking a silent question, I nod my head ever so slightly. 

She leans back in and starts to slowly trail feather-like kisses from my jaw to my neck. My eyes flutter shut as I press my lips together. She uses her hand on my jaw to tilt my head to give herself more access. The hand not on my jaw finds its way to my waist as she presses me closer to her. To steady myself I hesitantly place my hands on her chest, her muscles tensing and relaxing under my touch. 

When she gently nips as a spot right below my ear I let out a small whimper. I feel her chuckle against my skin. “Breathe, child.”

Her words are what snap me out of my stupor. Using my hands that are on her chest, I push her back roughly. “You let that go on far longer than I thought you would,” she says with that smug ass smirk on her face.

I regain my breathing, rolling my tongue on the inside of my cheek. “Do that again and I’ll kill you,” I hissed as I grabbed the two bowls of soup, shoving one in her hands before putting distance between the two of us. “Eat the soup don’t eat the soup, I don’t fucking care. Leave me alone.”