·······•✦ description: The parameters are simple:
— No touching in erogenous zones.
— No loud noises (moans, grunts, etc.)
— The loser is the first one to give in.
If Xavier wins, you must put away all your Lumiere merch, but if you win, Xavier has to wear your Lumiere outfit during sex.
Xavier is determined not to lose.
·······•✦ pairing: xavier x afab!reader
·······•✦ word count: 6.1k
·······•✦ genre: smut, porn with plot, fluff
·······•✦ general tags: Established Relationship, Fluff, Smut, Xavier Myth, Teasing, Competition, Can't Give In, Xavier is holding back, Massage, Making Out, Lingerie, Dirty Talk, Trying to get the other to break, Cosplay, Xavier in a Lumiere cosplay, Jealousy, Cunnilingus, Orgasm Edging, POV Second Person, No use of y/n, Penis In Vagina Sex, Vaginal Sex, Marking, Clothed Sex, The Lumiere outfit stays ON, Creampie, Second Round?
·······•✦ posted on: ao3
“Are you sure you want to play, princess?” Xavier’s eyebrow is raised, and his chin is resting on his palm as he stares at you with wide, unblinking eyes. “You know that you can never resist my touch…”
“I think I can resist just fine.” The calmness with which he speaks ignites a fire within you, and you’re determined to finally see the crack in his armor. “It’s you that I’m worried about.”
His soft giggle wraps around you. It’s not taunting, but rather teasing, knowing that the feeling is mutual as you both seek to see the other give in and surrender control. One way or the other, it would be a hard match, but the stakes were high, and neither of you wanted to lose.
“Well, with a reward so great,” his voice borders on amused, “I know I have to win.”
Rolling your eyes, you cross your arms over your chest. “Then, should we start the game?” You ask, tilting your head in question.
“Sure, we can start.” He shrugs.
Immediately, you turn around, looking over your shoulder. “I just have to use the bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
Before he can say anything, you leave him alone in the kitchen, his eyes following your movements. Long strides bring you to the bathroom, where you quickly change into your first weapon of the game. The sheer fabric sits pretty on your torso, showing off the lace bra and panties that accentuate your body.
It’s just a nightgown; you’re ready to reason as you step out into the hall, seeing the peek of his bicep on the armrest of the couch. His fingers tap against the fabric, a slow rhythm as if he were anticipating what you had in store for him.
“Oh, a surprise?” He seems genuinely taken aback, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees as you stride toward him. It isn’t until you’re standing right in front of him, staring down at his big blue eyes, that you feel his hands graze the outside of your thighs.
Just one touch is electrifying, but you’re not one to give in easily.
His palms dance from the sides of your knees to just under the skirt of your nightgown. “Hm,” he hums, his eyes stuck on your body. “Is this all for me, princess?”
“Yep.” You pop the ‘p.’ “All for you, baby.”
Bending down, you notice the way his gaze moves to your cleavage, and your hands cup his cheeks. “I’m clothed, aren’t I?” After your words, you kiss his forehead, then his cheek. Cupping the back of his neck, you pressed open-mouthed kisses to his jaw.
“Princess…” There is already strain in his voice, his fingers gripping at your thighs as if you were his lifeline. Kneading at the flesh, he allows you to kiss along his neck because he has to… He’s not losing. “You’re going to have to try harder.” He’s so relaxed despite the hitch in his breath as you suck a mark into the pale skin of his shoulder.
He feels the smile on your lips. The way your fingers card through his hair, holding him still as if he could move away, already has him aching in his pants. But he’s not giving in that easily.
“I’ll try harder.” Standing up, you gesture to the couch. “Lie down on your chest.”
Xavier sighs, his normally so nonchalant attitude giving way to a red flush on his cheeks and neck. The shirt he’s wearing isn’t particularly tight, so as he obeys your request, you immediately slip your hands under the fabric, your fingers massaging the tight muscles of his back.
“Ah –” he swallows the groan, knowing that even the slightest increase in noise would cause him to lose the game. For a brief moment, he contemplates just saying game be damned, but then he thinks about him… His alter ego, whom you just seem to be so infatuated with. He couldn’t let Lumiere win.
“What was that?” You grin, your thumbs digging into his lower back, right where his most sensitive spots are. Besides his cock and neck, his back seems to be a trigger for him that always gets him to be putty under your fingertips.
“Nothing at – all.” His sentence is cut up, the lump in his throat growing as you straddle his thighs.
Intense pleasure follows every one of your movements, and Xavier buries his face in the cushion of the couch. If he can just muffle his noises, force his breathing to a bare minimum, he can last.
But you notice, your lips curling into a smirk as you tug his head up by his hair. Your lips brush against his earlobe. “Come on, baby.” Your teeth nip at his skin, eliciting a gasp from your boyfriend. “I wanna hear you. Hear how good I’m making you feel.”
“No.” He says simply, denying himself the outright pleasure of telling you how amazing your hands feel on his back, your fingers through his hair. He’s denying himself the simple admission of how much more he needs, giving in to your little game and losing.
No. Not going to happen.
“I won’t tell you how much of a good girl you are for me.” Your heart begins to race, and just like you know how to get him to fold, he knows exactly the same. With your hand moving down his neck, tracing the curve of his spine, he continues. “Or how much I wish I were turned around so you could grind onto my lap.”
Deep red colors your cheeks, and you sit up, your hands still gripping his waist. Your thumbs slowly stroke his skin, as if contemplating what to do next. No matter what, though, you’re determined to watch him lose. The realization in his face when he slips up, his eyes wide and lips parted. You crave it, and you’ll do whatever it takes.
“Then I won’t tell you how I touched myself last night.” His whole body goes rigid, and he takes slow breaths to calm down. You’re lying, but he was gone on a mission last night, so he has no way of knowing. “How I imagined your hands on me as I buried two fingers in my pussy.”
“I’m sure my fingers weren’t enough, were they?” He says it so casually, like you aren’t just talking about you fucking yourself on your fingers. “I bet you whined so loud for my cock, because nothing can compare.”
The words send a shiver down your spine, but you swallow and shake it off. It’s just some words, you think. Yet, even thinking about having to get yourself off without him raises your body temperature just a bit.
“I actually think I should get a dildo for when you’re away.” As you talk, your hands rub along his back, finding the tense muscles and working them out. Small sighs leave him, but he makes sure to zip up when he feels a wanton grunt or groan of defeat ready to leave his parted lips. “I’ll even name it Lumiere.”
Xavier pauses, his fists clenching just enough for you to notice. Slowly, very slowly, you’re chipping away at his resolve, but it would take more to finally see him crack under the weight of your challenges.
He’s quick. Lightning fast when he shifts out of your grip, sitting up on the couch with cheeks a deep red and eyebrows furrowed. You think, for a very brief moment, that he’s going to give in that easily, but it’s replaced by a quiet yelp when he reaches over, hands planting on your waist, and brings you to sit in his lap.
You’re careful not to sit directly on him, because that would mean breaking the rules, but your ass rests right on his thighs. They tense under your weight, and you chew on your bottom lip at the slight friction of your panties on your growing arousal.
“Careful, Xavier…” You coo, smirking at him. “That area is off limits.”
“Oh, I know.” His large hands cup your hips, grip tight and nearly bruising as he takes in the full view of your outfit. He was too preoccupied with the rules, making sure he definitely didn’t break them and lose to that man… “Just want to look at you when you talk about him again.”
“Lumiere?” Your voice is saccharine sweet, taunting him into a reaction, yet he remains as still as a statue. “I think that’s a much more moanable name than Xavier.”
Your hip bones are under assault by his thumbs, pressing into them in a way that bubbles a whimper in your throat. He’s silent, letting your statement sink in before putting on the facade of indifference.
“I think you sound really pretty when you moan my name.” It’s almost as if a robot is saying it, almost devoid of emotion. But you know him too well. His sentence is cut up by a gulp, nearly imperceptible if your hands weren’t sitting on his biceps and you weren’t so in tune with his reactions. “Especially with your face down in the pillow... All muffled but still loud enough for the neighbors to know who’s making you cum so hard.”
The way he says it brings back memories, and you can almost feel his hand kneading the flesh of your ass as his pelvis slapped against the backs of your thighs. The sheets were irreparably ruined, with spit, tears and cum staining nearly every inch. That night was electric, and you almost find yourself leaning closer to connect your lips.
But you’re not giving in. No. You are going to see him cave. If anything, you determined just to see him lose. Yes, winning would be great. But more than anything, you want to see him snap.
“I disagree.” Your hands move up and down his arms, feeling the way his muscles flex under your digits. He’s so hot, you think. Everything about him is attractive, but it’s the quiet confidence that is seemingly affected by anything you say to him that litters your skin with goosebumps. “I’m going to moan Lumiere’s name when you lose.”
His eyebrows set in a hard line, lips curling into a frown. Even the thought makes his chest tighten, eyes hardening just enough that you shiver slightly. There’s a depth in his gaze that tells you he’s almost there, fighting between wanting to show you how much better he is than Lumiere and the knowledge that if he wins, all of your godforsaken merch goes away from his sight.
Out of sight, out of mind…
His Adam’s apple bobs, and he shakes his head. “I’m not going to lose, princess.” The tone of his voice lowers. One of his hands traces your spine over the sheer nightgown. “You don’t know how sexy you are right now.”
A new approach. Interesting, but you’re confident you can –
“Even in my dreams, I think about fucking you dumb.” It’s said as a whisper, and you freeze in his lap, your grip dropping to the sides of his torso. He leans forward, just enough so you can feel the breeze of his breath as he keeps going. “Watching you drool on the sheets, and only hearing my name from those pretty lips.”
His eyes lock onto your lips, and heat rises. The tension between you is pulled taut, threatening to snap. But almost as soon as he stops talking, you cup his jaw. With an aura of dominance, you tilt his head up, your thumb ghosting over his Adam’s apple.
“I think next time we fuck,” your lewd words shoot straight to his cock, the deep dark color of your eyes piercing right through him as his cheeks burn. “We should film it.”
Xavier’s heart nearly stops, and you see the wheels turning in his head. Lumiere, Lumiere, Lumiere… He repeats over and over, his jealousy still iron clad in not giving in, but he sees the soft color of your lips, knowing that all he has to do is close the short distance.
“Then,” you continue, “we can watch it back together, and I can jerk you off while you watch me get filled to the brim with your cum.” A soft brush of your nose against his, your fingers gripping onto his shoulders. “I know how much you love filling me up, right?”
He lets out a huff of breath, closing his eyes as you scratch the nape of his neck, your grip switching to his hair. Something about the mental image, the feeling of your hands on him, the warmth of your skin through the sheer fabric.
Xavier snaps.
His lips are crashing onto yours before you can figure out what happened. Puzzle pieces finally finding their right match, the way he can tilt his head and find the perfect angle to engulf your entire being with him.
He tugs you closer, your hips sitting right on top of his, and you feel his hard bulge underneath you. Throbbing and needy, he plants his palms on your bare skin under your nightgown, his deep breaths being swallowed by your mouth when he traces your bottom lip with his tongue.
Of course, you let him in, but not before pulling back with a smirk.
“I – win.” You pant, unable to get the words out before he holds onto the nape of your neck, bringing you back to him.
“F – uck,” is all he can manage, the overwhelming ache in his chest knowing he lost, he let himself get out of control, is still there, but when he hears your gentle whimpers and feels your touch surrounding him, he couldn’t care less.
Your chuckle is swallowed by him, his tongue tracing the edge of your teeth. Every atom of your body shudders when he growls, your hair threaded through his digits in an attempt to just get you to stay still.
Hands cup his jaw, your heart racing in elation, but also a deep-seated need at seeing him so desperate for you. So much so that he gave up the victory just to kiss you. But he’s always been like that. He just didn’t show it. Deep down, he craved you with every fiber of his being, but his usual gentle and calming nature overrode any feral actions on his end.
All his thoughts stop as you kiss him with even more fervor. Like it’s taking everything in you just to pull away with a gasp, too caught up in each other to even worry about the breath leaving your lungs in short gasps.
With eyes locked, you feel the desire flooding in him, his fingers thread through your hair, slender digits twisting through the locks in a tight enough grip to keep you right where he wants you, but not hurt you. His thumb brushes the shell of your ear, and a moment of softness passes between you before he nuzzles the tip of his nose with yours.
“You know just how to push my buttons, huh?” His deep voice vibrates through his chest, and in the close proximity, you can hear the mix of desperation and frustration that he lost. It’s a foreign sight, seeing him so worked up that his blue irises darken into an incoming storm on the horizon.
Xavier is distracted, mostly by the haze in your eyes, or even the slight curve of a smirk that you wear so prettily. But a small part is also focused on the tip of your tongue as it darts out to wet your lower lip. He knows he’s so far gone in your essence, craving every part of you, that he doesn’t care about the inevitable of wearing that god-forsaken outfit during any intimate moment you wish.
“Mhm,” the grin you have is cocky, almost as if you are proud of the fact that you have him wrapped around your finger, ready to give in at just a bit of teasing. “But you love it.”
He rolls his eyes, but the smile on his face betrays his feelings. Of course, he loves it. Nothing is hotter than seeing you reduce him to a mess, even though he can turn it at the drop of a hat.
You like to think you always have the upper hand, but Xavier always comes out on top. His grip muses your hair, the other sliding along your waist as he bucks his hips up. It’s a languid motion, and in a single breath, he connects your lips once more.
Your tongues naturally find each other, twisting and turning in a slow dance. There’s no rush. Xavier can take his time exploring you while feeling every muscle in your thigh twitch. Every sense is full of him, and for a moment, you can barely discern where you end and he begins.
But that’s part of the fun.
Grunts of pleasure echo in your mouth, and you respond with whimpers of your own. It’s your own language of just noises that you can decipher with ease from how well you know your boyfriend. In turn, he can tell by the hitch in your whimper, the way you press even further into him, and your hands move in a line from his chest to his neck, that you feel the same way as him.
A hint of slow adoration paired with an intense need to show you how much he loves you.
You know.
He sits back just enough to speak, not wanting his lips to be far from your own but needing the space to get his thoughts out. “Princess,” he groans, kissing you quickly as if he can’t get enough, “you don’t know what you do to me.”
A giggle escapes you, and your eyes are focused on the drunk flush of his cheeks and the haze of darkness in his gaze. “Oh, I know.” You hum, your fingers interlocking behind his neck. “Or at least, I think I know.”
“No,” Xavier shakes his head, his hair moving along with it. “You don’t know.” He sucks in a breath, suddenly not even able to breathe properly in your presence. The competition isn’t even in his mind; all he can focus on is you, you, you. “I will never get enough of you.”
“Hm,” another hum, and your smirk morphs to a gentle smile. “I can say the same thing, Xavi.”
“But,” your eyebrows raise, the rich color of your eyes giving way to a bright joy. “You lost the game.” Xavier frowns, but you keep going. “So you know what that means.”
“Don’t say it.”
“I need to get my Lumiere costume out of the closet.” Your fingers wrap around his wrist, and in a swift movement, you wiggle out of his grasp and pull him in the direction of your shared bedroom.
His eyes are trained on your hips, the sway being all too enticing that he has to have you back in his grasp. Arms wrap around your waist, and his chest meets your back before you can even make it to the threshold of your room.
Labored breaths drift along your neck, fully exposed by the thin straps of your sheer nightgown. A low groan comes from him, and his hips grind against the swell of your ass just to make sure you know how hard he is. You know. You’ve known since the moment you moved to sit on his thighs. The strain in the fabric of his sweatpants is hard to miss, and it’s even harder when he guides you back against him, pinning you up against the wall.
“Xavier.” You groan as the flat of his palm rests on your lower abdomen. He’s so warm, and you want so badly to indulge, but this is supposed to be a punishment. He lost. “We need to get to the bedroom.”
“We’ll get there… eventually.” His warm lips dance across your shoulder, and he nearly growls out the words as he continues the slow grinding.
Your voice hums with disapproval, and he lets you go with a huff when you pull a little harder at his wrists. He would never trap you if you didn’t want it, but god, is it impossible to resist the way you turn and drag him further toward the room.
It isn’t until you’re standing in front of your side of the closet, digging into the corner and whipping out the outfit in a flash of white and blue, that Xavier sighs. As if his nightmare is finally becoming a reality, he slumps against the edge of the bed, his eyes hazing over with an innocence you’ve seen before when he pretends not to know something.
“Wait,” he says softly, his eyelashes framing his pretty blue eyes as he blinks, “I really lost…”
“Mhm,” you nod, holding it out for him to weakly grab onto the handle of the hanger. “If I remember correctly, you kissed me first. Thus, you lost the competition.” A proud smile curls at your lips as he stands, walking toward the bathroom with a dejected hang of his head.
“Fine, fine.” He huffs as he walks, the door closing with a click.
It doesn’t take long for him to emerge from the bathroom once more, his cheeks flushed beneath the beautiful mask on the top half of his face. It’s obvious that he hates it, his hands playing with the light blue lapel that crosses over a sharp silver chest. But there’s also a bit of depth in his walk when he sees the way your thighs clench together.
The shoulders are filled out so well, maybe a bit too well, that you force yourself to take a breath and admire that he’s actually doing this for you. Yes, he lost. And yes, this is his punishment. But if he truly didn’t want to do it, he didn’t have to.
“Enjoying the view?” He sulks, standing at the edge of the bed and staring down at your frame. The sheer nightgown still sits on your skin, and he can see the rise and fall of your chest. “I think you are, princess.”
“Of course I am.” You playfully roll your eyes, reaching a hand up toward him to pull him down. The raised bumps of his mask darken the shadows over his blue eyes, painting them like an ocean with rising tides, ready to drown you in the surf. “My hot boyfriend is wearing my other hot boyfriend’s outfit?”
You can’t see it, but his eyebrows crease together. He sets his hands on your waist, kneading your sides softly as he is rendered to silence for a moment. Something swims deep in his vision, and it’s impossible to put your finger on.
“Since I already lost, does that mean I can touch you now?” The deep timbre of his voice catches you off guard, but it’s quickly replaced by a rising flush across your chest. Under the soft purple sheer, your thighs threaten to clench around his hips, and your nipples harden behind the cups of your bra.
“Yeah–”
All other words are cut off by his lips meeting yours. It’s a bruising kiss that is all passion, with the usual undertone of intimacy that Xavier shows in all of his actions. With his tongue tracing your bottom lip, his hands push up the edge of your nightgown, exposing the expanse of your stomach and up over your bra-clad breasts.
His grunts echo in your mouth, swallowed by the back of your throat, and you respond with a whimper of your own. It’s desperate, just like the way he palms the cups of your bra and his hips slowly grind down onto the wet patch of your panties.
Only when he presses open-mouthed kisses along your jaw and to the long line of your neck do you hear his voice. “Mine,” he hums, the tip of his mask dragging across your skin. “All mine.”
The possessive words strike a chord, forcing groans and whimpers to fall from your parted lips. When paired with the slow grinding of his bulging pants to your rapidly soaking panties… It’s heaven on earth.
But you still want the chance to tease him, so as he tugs off your nightgown, you pull him down for another kiss. Your palm cups the bulge in his pants, and as you sit back against the pillow, you meet his desperate expression with a smirk.
“You’re so hard, Lumiere.”
The name sets him off, his eyes widening just enough for you to notice as well as the vice-like grip on your waist. Fingers wrap around your wrist, wrenching your touch away from him and placing a kiss to the inside of your wrist.
His eyes are dark, a hunger in them unlike any other as he slowly kisses up your arm. Without taking his gaze off of you, his lips worship your body as if you didn’t just say his name, as if he's reminding you that he is Xavier, even though he’s wearing that stupid outfit.
“Do you want to try that again?” One of his eyebrows shifts up, his mouth next to your ear as he hooks his thumbs in the waistband of your panties. A simple and swift tug and the undergarmet is cast aside to the floor, his thumb rubbing along your folds while he sucks a mark into the side of your neck.
“Xav–” His name is cut off with a whimper, the pleasurable pain coursing through you from both his light caress of your clit and the sting of his mark in your skin.
“Good girl.” He whispers, reaching around with his other hand and expertly unclasping your bra. After so many times of practice on you, it comes to him with measured ease.
When he settles between your thighs, his hands holding onto the flesh in an attempt to stop you from closing them around his head, he speaks again, his voice calm yet full of intense desire. “Who is it that’s marking you right now, princess?” A loud noise echoes as he sucks a light mark into your thigh.
“Is it Lumiere?” Even the name rolling off his tongue is tinged with jealousy and annoyance, but also a hint of tease, his teeth nipping right below where you really need him.
A shake of your head answers him, but it’s not satisfactory. “No, no.” Xavier tuts his tongue, a light kiss being placed on the hood of your clit. “I want words, princess.” His thumbs part your folds, exposing the fluttering ring of muscle. “Who is marking you?”
Once he sucks another mark into the inside of your other thigh, you catch your breath. “You.” You gasp, your fingers threading through his hair as he licks a stripe from your entrance to your already throbbing clit. “F – fuck… You, Xavier.” Your words are stuttered between gasps, fingers tightening in his hair and despite the bottom half of his face being obscured by your pussy, you can see the smile that forms.
“That’s right.” His lips wrap around your bundle of nerves, sucking harshly and listening to the sharp moan of his name that slips from your lips. “It’s me, princess.” The whisper fans out over your dripping pussy. “I want you to look at these marks and know it’s me that made them, not Lumiere.”
As he delves back into your heat, the silver adornments of the mask are the only thing you can see, along with the striking blue of his eyes that refuse to leave yours. His tongue dips inside, tasting your essence while his nose tickles your pulsing clit. After having done this so many times, he knows exactly what to do and how to prolong your pleasure.
“Ah!” You moan, your hips bucking up against his face, grinding down and taking just what you want. His name falls from your lips, and it’s exactly what he wants to hear as heat rushes through your entire body. It’s addicting to hear each sound of his name, and he thinks that there can’t be anything prettier than your hooded eyes and soft cheeks that watch him like a hawk.
Maybe the second prettiest thing, compared to the way your eyes widen, and a desperate whimper comes as he sits back up on his knees. Just as quickly as the coil is pulling taut, your body responding in turn to his mouth with just as much need as always, it’s released without any satisfaction.
Xavier’s hands card through your hair to hold you in place as he kisses you with even more fervor. You can taste your essence on his tongue, and the ruined orgasm pulses through you, only adding to your heightened senses.
He doesn’t often just stop, especially not when he’s face deep in your pussy, but with the jealousy swimming in his eyes and the grip on your hair and hip, he’s delving into another part of himself. It’s a part that is a bit more intense, a bit more overwhelming, but it’s interesting to play into that side of him.
The soft groans are pressed to your lips, and it takes him a moment to pull away. His wrist is caught by your hand, and you pout up at him with a sadistic smirk that causes his cock to twitch in his pants.
“Keep it on.” You say, knowing it was still his punishment, and also finding him extremely hot dressed in that outfit. “Please?”
Xavier smirks, his eyes blinking slowly behind the mask, before his fingers pop the button of his pants, pushing both that and his briefs down enough for his length to spring out. The tip is an angry red, skin pulled taut as the blood pumps straight down. A drop of precum drips from his slit onto your mound. The weight of his arousal rests right on your abdomen, reminding you just how deep he’s going to go.
“Only because you asked nicely.” His hand steadies himself, the other gripping onto the inside of your thigh to keep you spread for him. Loud squelching comes from below, and he taps the tip of his cock onto onto the wetness of your folds. “And you look so beautiful underneath me.”
The head of his cock slips inside, and you bite at your bottom lip with each inch that stretches you out. It isn’t painful, especially after having had him inside you too many times to count. It’s like he’s moulded you to his shape, always able to accommodate him and his length until he’s nestled right up against your most sensitive spot.
“Good girl.” He soothes, kissing your cheek, then your jaw, and then your neck. “Taking me so well.”
The first few thrusts are slow, and you can feel the slick accumulating both beneath you and onto the fabric of his pants. Your legs wrap around him, tempting him to move just a bit faster, if the whimpered “faster” isn’t enough to give him the hint.
As he picks up the pace, all you can focus on is the grunts and groans of the man above you paired with the drag of his cock along your walls. You can feel every pulsing vein, every inch of his thickness that doesn’t stretch you out too much, but it’s the perfect girth to tighten the coil inside you.
“Xavier – fu– so good.” You pant, your hands wrapping around his neck and pulling him up to connect your lips once again. It’s hot, and barely even a kiss. It’s just a clash of mouths and a swallowing of noises as the clapping of his balls on your ass overtake any words you could utter.
“Mhm,” he hums, one of his hands palming your breast while the other expertly finds your bundle of nerves. It wrenches a whine that borders on a scream at the sharp increase in white hot pleasure thrumming through your veins.
His thumb flicks across your nipple, sending shockwaves across every inch of your skin, filling the expanse with goosebumps. The pebbled nub hardens even more, and all three sensations combined feel like you’re drowning in lava. It’s pulsing and throbbing, yet you can’t get enough.
“Fu–ck… Princess.” He breathes out, his thumb quickening its touch on your clit. It’s a push and pull. With each time he is flush against your pelvis, his digit adds just a bit more pressure, alternating from slow strokes to quick presses in quick succession to the pistoning of his length inside your heat.
“God… Oh – my god. Xavier–” Everything seems heightened, and as the silver of his mask glitters in the light of your lamp, you see the part of Xavier in his eyes. He’s feral, but he also makes sure that he doesn’t grip you too hard, nor does he abuse your cervix with his length.
“Keep going, princess.” Xavier grunts, the silver hair falling just above the edge of his mask. Some of it sticks to his forehead, but his hands are full, so he let’s the sweat soak him, dripping down the side of his face as he fucks into you with reckless abandon. “Say my – fuck – name again.”
“Xavier–” his name comes in whimpers. It’s uttered over and over, as the coil inside you is pulled impossibly tighter in your lower abdomen. It’s said like you’re praying, begging for something that you know he will give you.
Xavier grunts again, his lips finding yours in small kisses that add to the intense passion in the moment. He tries to speak, but the words are lost with each time you clench around him. You’re so tight, strangling him with each sheath of his length inside you, but he will never get enough.
Heat settles on your skin, and your fingers tug at the hair on the nape of his neck. A soft moan comes from him, and as the backs of your feet rest on his lower back, he slows his thrusts down into a deep grinding.
You can feel all of him, every tantalizing inch of pleasure that rockets through you. The only thing you can manage is his name, but he loves it by the way his cock twitches inside you with each whimper.
What pushes you over the edge is when the hand on your breast drags down your front, his palm pushing down on your lower abdomen so he can feel the outline of his cockhead through your stomach. He’s always loved doing that because it sends shudders of intensity through both of you.
“Fu–Xavier!” His name is screamed to the heavens, face buried in his shoulder as your high washes over you in white hot waves. It’s like you’re drowning, the breath being stolen from your lungs, and your heart beating so quickly that it threatens to erupt out of your chest.
Xavier utters your name in a grunt as he feels you reach your peak. The thrusts slow, still grinding deep and dragging out your pleasure into one of ebbing overstimulation. It isn’t until the very end of your orgasm that you feel him twitch inside you.
Spurts of cum drench your walls, and Xavier holds you still as he fills you up with every last drop he has. He never wants to waste anything, wanting to stay deep inside you for hours after if you let him.
Silence sits between you as Xavier looks you in the eyes. Both of you are breathing heavy, warm air mixing between you as sweat soaks into the strands of hair at the nape of your neck.
“Xavier.” You start, brushing his silver hair back from his forehead before taking the mask off. His cheekbones are painted pink, and you bring him down for a gentle kiss. “That was amazing. Thank you.”
“Well, I lost.” He says simply, nose nuzzling against yours as he traces circles into your waist with his thumb.
“But you didn’t have to.”
“Do you…” He stops for a moment, teeth tugging at his bottom lip. “Do you really like him more than me?”
For a moment, you think it’s silly that he’s so jealous of himself, but then you realize that it’s his persona. Sure, it’s him, but it’s also a different aspect of his personality. No, you don’t like Lumiere more. So you shake your head.
“Of course not.” You kiss him again, cupping his jaw and caressing the side of his neck. “I like Lumiere, but I love Xavier.”
The tips of his ears deepen an even darker red as he chuckles, kissing you once more as if he couldn’t get enough. He really can’t. He could kiss you for eternity and never get tired of it.
“Good.” He nods, his eyes trailing down your body until he lands on the place you’re still so intimately connected. Arousal courses through him, and he slowly resumes the grind of his hips against you.
······•✦ description: Dearest gentle reader, the time has come for us to place our bets on the upcoming social season, where news has spread throughout Linkon that the rarest jewel, Her Royal Highness, the Princess of Linkon, has announced her hand for marriage.
While many men of all nobilities have certainly placed themselves into the race, will she settle or perhaps shoot for the stars? For a diamond like her, she needs a Prince who will provide only the best, unlike some who have declared themselves suitors…
...
Though, not all is hopeless and lost. In fact, there has been word of two very eligible and highly sought-after bachelors who are likely to ask for her hand. They are friends, nonetheless! Though hailing from starkly different kingdoms, these two princes have certainly made their own mark on the Ton and amongst mamas alike.
·······•✦ pairing: prince xavier x princess reader
·······•✦ word count: 19.2k
·······•✦ genre: fluff, build-up, strangers to lovers, regency au
·······•✦ general tags: Alternate Universe - Royalty, Alternate Universe - Regency, Prince Xavier, courting, Fluff, Slow Burn, Light Angst, Slow Build, Romance, Ballroom Dancing, Marriage Proposal, Choosing Between Two, Prince Sylus, Lady in waiting Tara, Right hand man Jeremiah, Xavier is Prince of Philos, Carriage Rides, Fencing, a lot of yearning, and thinking about the right decision, To Be Continued, Awkward Conversations, Awkward Tension, Rumors, Scandal, Masquerade Ball, Princess MC, POV Second Person, No use of y/n, Xavier is closed off and MC hates it
·······•✦ posted on: ao3
chapter one (chapter two coming soon)
However, one has heard of a most scandalous tale involving a certain Prince of Philos. Certain mamas have heard word that he was once betrothed to another, a fine young lady of good character, and yet now he is vying for the Ton’s precious jewel. This author wonders what circumstances led to the young prince breaking that poor girl’s heart and the scandal that must have occurred. Will the young prince run this time, or will this young upstart finally snatch this rare jewel?
The newspaper is spread amongst the people of the courtyard, their mouths hanging open at the news of their Princess’s announcement to attend the recent season in search of suitors. It is silly to assume that the Princess of Linkon, recently named the diamond of the season, no less, wouldn’t have the majority of the men at her beck and call.
In the main square of Linkon, you sit on a bench with Tara. She has always been your favorite lady in waiting, knowing exactly what to say and even teaching you some of her own clever slang she’s learned. Royal Guards stand behind you, making sure that nothing is to come of their precious Princess and soon-to-be Queen.
“She is speaking as if you are some object to capture!” Tara giggles, her eyes skimming the article. It’s all about you, the announcement of your search for a perfect suitor. There’s a bit of trepidation in your mind, the weight of the kingdom on your shoulders, to pick the right man to support you as Prince Consort. “At least she wishes you luck in your pursuit, though I do not wish for you to turn to dust.”
Her humor always amazes you, and a chuckle comes from your parted lips. She brings an air of comfort as she is perched beside you. Despite the many eyes directed your way, you keep your wits about you, knowing that one wrong move can mean a scandal, and who knows where the author of that article is. At times, it was overwhelming, but having people around who were always attentive and willing to help made all the difference.
“I am sure if he breaks my heart, there will be many people coming for his head,” you try to joke back, feeling Tara’s hand on your satin-covered bicep. There is a slight chill to the air, but your gloves, as well as the intricate long-sleeved dress you picked out for the day, cover you enough. “You, my parents, and the whole of the kingdom just will not stand for it.”
It was true. You have garnered the affection of the entire kingdom from the day you were born. They all sit in waiting for the day you become their Queen. The day you marry… That will be the day your parents will bestow the crown to you. Now, all you had to do was pick your husband.
“My parents have always liked him.” You shrug, remembering the talks they’ve had with you about the upcoming season. They reminded you that you could choose whomever you liked, but that they absolutely adored Prince Xavier of Philos. He always seemed so put together in royal meetings between kingdoms, but you had never gotten the chance to speak to him. “Though I wonder if this new scandal will change their hearts.”
“Surely not, My Lady.” Tara shakes her head, her eyes finding a few men staring at you. They look to be not of nobility, but the darkness in their gazes has her pulling you up and guiding you back to your carriage. “The King and Queen are not easily swayed by some article…” She pauses as she helps you up into the carriage, climbing in and sitting beside you. “However, I do think there is some truth to her words.”
Her statement weighs heavy on you as you watch the scenery change from brick and stone buildings to the fresh green land that leads to the palace—a palace that will soon be entirely yours, though your parents will still reside in it. Knowing that soon you will be sharing the royal bedroom with your husband was half exciting and half nerve-wracking.
“She is rarely wrong.” Your fingers play with the silk front of your dress adorned by gold accents. Recently, your parents have insisted on you wearing more intricate dresses with darker colors, and you can’t deny that it does make you stand out even more than before.
This author has always been able to gather the best gossip among the nobles, making sure such scandals are aired out to each and every kingdom. How she got everything, you did not know, but the fact that it was scarily accurate every time meant she was good at what she did. “I do not doubt her details.”
“There is even dirt on the Prince of Tarus!” Tara leans in, her eyes shining bright. Both of these Princes are asking for your hand… Just the thought makes your heart race. “If both of these men will be asking for your hand, it will be a big decision.” There’s a twinkle in her irises as her smile widens. “I will gladly take the one you do not want, My Lady.”
Your laugh stretches out amongst the green grass, through the herds of animals that graze there between tiny plots of forest. It’s a beautiful scene and one that you can see the entirety of from your balcony. At night, you can even catch the streetlights and lamps of the kingdom stretching out before you, reminding you of the people who look to you and your family in times of need.
“You are free to attempt the hand of whomever I do not choose. They would be lucky to have you. Though I will definitely miss you as my lady in waiting.” There is jest in your words. “If you were to become Queen, we could have daily lunches together. Should I even choose one of them…” The last sentence is more of a whisper, but Tara hears it all the same.
With a dramatic sigh, she cups your elbow. “Upon seeing the lineup of suitors so far, I am afraid that you might have to choose one of them, lest waste your first year on the market – as the diamond of the season, no less – waiting for a better option.” She is right. After being named diamond of the season by all the other kingdoms, the pressure began to mount merely hours after you announced your hand. Who knew if you would garner that same attention if you waited another year?
“I have to admit, I am quite excited to meet them.” Prince Xavier, in particular, caught your interest. The quick glances you caught of him during hectic royal meetings told you he was incredibly handsome, with soft silver hair and bright blue eyes that seemed to see through everything. He is everything your parents want for you, though they haven’t really seen the man smile, nor have you. Granted, you’ve only ever seen him in high-stress situations or large groups of people, so perhaps he is different behind closed doors. “I hope the Prince of Philos is not too emotionless. You know I wish to marry for love above all, and I worry that he will not feel the same.”
Though there are rumors circling about him asking for your hand, nothing is set in stone. You wouldn’t know for sure until the morning when there would be a gathering of suitors at the palace so you could mingle and meet with the men who would be vying for your hand. A part of you hopes that the Prince of Philos will be there, but a seed of worry sprouts in your stomach at the thought.
“You seem smitten with him already.” Tara jokes, leading you out of the carriage in front of your palace. “And if he does not seem to reciprocate your affections, then I can always knock some sense into him.”
Tara knows that she can’t just hit royalty, no matter how lax you and your parent's rules are for your ladies-in-waiting, but the statement pulls a genuine laugh from you. The smell of dinner wafts toward you, and Tara rests a hand on your waist, guiding you in the direction of the dining hall.
“This is why you are my favorite, Tara.” You laugh, your eyes closing slightly as you hear your parents greeting you from their seats at the front of the room. “Come and eat, we can discuss more about these men.”
“With pleasure, My Lady.”
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
The morning comes a long while after you retire to your bedroom. All throughout the night, you toss and turn with worry. Although the article stated that both of the highly sought-after princes would be there to ask for your hand, there is a real possibility of you walking out there and seeing all the duds.
Sleep doesn’t happen quickly, and by the time the sun is rising and Tara is knocking on your door with breakfast and your attire for the gathering, it feels as though you haven’t gotten any sleep at all. A large yawn stretches your jaw as she walks in, setting a tray of breakfast in front of you while holding up your gown.
It’s exquisite , you think as you take a bite of toast. Deep green satin is the base color, with gold droplets falling from the short sleeves and bottom. It flares out beneath the waist to give you volume, and with each step, you can imagine the droplets reflecting the light and leaving you shining. The bodice looks like it will hug you just enough to keep you together but not enough to cut off your airflow.
“Wow,” you nod, finishing up your breakfast quickly. “It looks stunning. Where did my mother and father manage to find this from?”
“A neighboring kingdom gifted this for your first gathering of the season, My Lady,” Tara explains as she helps you into the dress. Her hands make quick work, knowing exactly how tight you like everything after years of being by your side. “It is exquisite, and you will surely catch the attention of the two special princes.”
“Are they here?” You can’t help but ask, face heating up at the thought.
“Oh yes, they are.” A giggle comes from the lady behind you, her fingers brushing your temples as she sets your tiara on your head. It’s one you’ve worn since you were a teenager. With winding golden streaks that are dotted by small stars, it fits with Linkon’s love for space and science in general. Your kingdom has made amazing advancements thanks to the support of your parents, and in return, you are given beautiful clothes with said stars and planets adorning them.
Once she is finished, she turns you around to look at her. There is a spark in her eyes, fingers squeezing your shoulders as she leans forward. “They look dashing, and the Prince of Philos, in particular, has already asked for you.”
Butterflies erupt in your stomach, head turning down toward the floor as you fight the smile on your lips. “He has?” The question comes out as more of a whisper.
She hums in confirmation, cheeks nearly splitting from the wide smile. “Though the prince is a bit monotone in his expressions, he seems genuinely interested in getting to know you.” Her excitement transfers to you, the corners of your lips curling just enough to give away the happiness in your expression.
With a gentle push, you’re led out to the front yard. Your parents are already there, and you can see many people – men, women, and children – standing under umbrellas with drinks and snacks in their hands. Young women blush as their hands are held by prospective husbands, and parents watch with a smile as their children are courted.
As soon as you step out, you’re met with so many bows that your back can barely keep up. They all have their eyes on you, giving small greetings while you make your way to your parents. Men stop and stare, their eyes dark and hungry while also trying to remain respectful. It’s as if you are truly a prize to be won, and there is a sense of discomfort as your fingers fiddle with one of the golden droplets by your side.
“My princess!” Your father beams, giving you a hug as your mother presses a kiss to your forehead. “I see you have gotten the special dress made for today. You look absolutely stunning.” He cups your cheek, his expression full of glee. “It is no wonder you have been named the diamond of the season.”
Your eyes roll playfully. “Thank you, Father…” Though you pretend to act embarrassed, your heart warms at the affection shown by your parents. They have always been there to provide the best advice and shower you in love from a young age. You’ve heard from other kingdoms of princesses being raised by maids and ladies in waiting, and you wouldn’t wish that on your worst enemy.
“Please, mingle with the gentleman, sweetie.” Your mother cups your chin, looking at you with the softest gaze. “Many of them have come to us for your hand, but the decision is ultimately up to you. And remember…” Her other hand adjusts the tiara on your head. ”You are not required to choose this year. You may wait. We do not want to force you into a loveless marriage.”
Nodding, you look around to find everyone’s eyes on you. It’s not something you aren’t used to, so you smile and nod to the crowd. Wow … Most of these people here for you? Just because you’re used to the attention doesn’t make it all the more odd to know that the young men here are all wishing to be your husband.
“Alright, I shall.” With a hug to your parents, you let Tara clear the way for you to grab a drink and a snack as you greet some of the men.
Then, a low grunt of someone clearing their throat comes from behind you as you’re listening to a man talk about his farm. It’s not that he isn’t interesting, but your eyes immediately brighten as you excuse yourself and turn to see the one you’ve been hoping to catch.
“Hello, Your Highness.” Xavier’s palm is sweaty, but he hides the quick wipe of his hand on his elegant suit pants before holding your gloved hand and bowing. He’s much more handsome up close than far away, but as he stands straight again, you notice the thin line of his lips closed in a stoic expression.
“Oh, uhm.” You bow, trying to give him a smile, but it’s immediately quelled by the seemingly forced one he gives you. “Hello, Prince Xavier.”
“You remember my name.” His eyebrows disappear behind his silver hair that hangs down in front of his forehead. The warmth of his fingers still rests under yours, and there’s a moment of silence as Tara taps the middle of your back.
Snapping out of your daze, you pull your hand to your side once more. When you speak, you can’t help the slight stutter in your words. “Yes, I do.” Your brain tells you to collect yourself, that you shouldn’t be so affected just by him speaking two words to you. “It is hard to forget when you would speak about the many advancements Philos has taken during the Royal Meetings.”
It’s true. The way he conducts himself in the meetings, despite being surrounded by so many elders, is admirable, and you also find yourself becoming entranced by his deep yet gentle tone.
He seems even more taken aback by your remembrance of him. The seam of his lips parts slightly, and you feel the air around you becoming a bit awkward. A part of your mind thinks that maybe the rumors in the article are true, that for some reason or another, he denied his initial betrothed and sought you out… But why wasn’t he showing any emotion?
“Yes,” the deep timbre of his voice breaks the silence. Even though the chatter around you has turned a bit hectic, with men glaring at the Prince of Philos for just a moment to talk to you, it’s as if there is a bubble around you, the prince and Tara. “Our advancements are vast, and that is all thanks to the scientists we have working tirelessly.”
Tilting your head to the side, you hum. “So you do not have anything to do with such advancements?” It’s a bit of a teasing question, one meant to entice him into more conversation. “I thought you were the head of these missions, but it seems as if I was mistaken.”
A hint of a smile flashes past his face, but it’s gone in the blink of an eye. With his arms behind his back, he rocks on his heels, looking around as if he were searching for an out. Before you can excuse yourself, he speaks. “You are very mistaken, Your Highness.” The way the title rolls off his tongue has your heart speeding up. “Along with being Crown Prince, I am the head of our research team and work long nights with our scientists to ensure successful experiments.”
“Oh?” Your intrigue gets the better of you, and you drop the regal act for just a moment. You are you, the Princess in you sitting down to reveal the lover of information. “What kind of experiments? We are conducting our own here, but I am rather busy with lessons and meetings with my parents to attend.”
There’s a spark of something in his eyes as he takes a step closer. It’s not enough to make you uncomfortable. Rather, it’s the right distance away to admire the glow of his skin in the rising sun or the sparkle of blue that flashes as he darts his gaze across your features.
“We have been charting the stars recently.” Xavier’s voice has a hint of excitement in it, the normally stoic deepness of his sentences making way for a longing to share his knowledge. “Our kingdom has vast, beautiful forests and salt flats that make way for the most stunning view of the night sky. You can nearly see to the edge of the galaxy from the highest point of the palace.”
It’s the most he’s spoken in one breath, his cheeks tingling pink as he flattens out the bottom of his vest. Clearing his throat, his eyes fall to the ground for a moment before he meets your gaze, his expression flattening to one of near indifference. There’s a familiar awkwardness surrounding you, but it’s to be expected of two people who have just met, especially with the implication of marriage hanging between you.
“If you wish, I would love to welcome you to our palace. There is a meteor shower next month, and it is a rare occurrence, according to my research. You can catch a perfect view of it from one of our observatories.” He can’t seem to look at you for long before directing his gaze somewhere else, and while you don’t want to hold it against him, you wish you could find the secrets hidden in his deep blue irises.
Tara’s hand presses into your back, but before she can speak, you smile. “I would love that, but perhaps I can visit sooner? I am able to see the meteor shower perfectly fine from my observatory, so I think an earlier visit would be more suited for me.”
He hums, hands folded in front of him as he rocks on his heels once again. There is a frown on his face, and a hint of some unknown emotion swirls in his words. “Ah, very well. We can arrange something sooner, then.”
“Wonderful. I can work out communications to have a visit arranged.” As you open your mouth to speak further, Tara stands closer to your side.
“Apologies, Your Highness, but she must get going.” Her eyes follow the floor, bowing in front of the prince as she holds your elbow. “There are many suitors for her to meet.”
A light blush flits across his cheeks, and he simply nods. Right, other suitors . Though you are intrigued by the mysterious Prince of Philos, you know there are many other men who are vying for your hand. Maybe you will find someone better.
In fact, a certain Prince of Tarus was certainly not a sight for sore eyes, and you also wanted to know more about him as well.
“So,” Tara’s whisper was a little louder than you wanted, but the excitement in her voice was one you couldn’t ignore. “What do you think?” Both of you bow and acknowledge a few people who can’t keep their eyes off you as you stroll through the grass. “Is he everything you ever imagined?”
Leaning into her side, you let out a chuckle. “I suppose I did not imagine much when I thought about him.” It is true… There were the obvious fantasies of grandeur and sophistication that always followed him around, but other than that, you didn’t have any expectations for him. “Though I was surprised that the stoicism is not just an act, that is truly what he is like.”
Taking a bite of a scone, your eyes scan the remaining suitors. No one catches your eye quite like Xavier does… Perhaps it is because all the other nobles don’t possess the same mystery and intrigue? You’re not sure. The one thing you are sure of is that you wish to know more.
“I do have some trepidations…”
“Like what, My Lady?” Tara cocks her head, pouring you another drink.
“He does not seem interested in me, correct?” Like a child pouting, you dip your head to blow on the hot tea. “I know that it is important for me to find a husband, but I do wish to have some semblance of affection between us.”
Her short hair is rustled by the wind as she shakes her head. “You are such a romantic.” It’s said with no bite behind it, a fond smile finding its way onto her face as she moves a little closer. “He is quite handsome, though.”
Your nod is accompanied by walking as you make your way through the crowd. There are a few men that spark your interest, and you decide to push the thoughts of the Prince of Philos to the back of your mind. It is the time to explore options, and it is okay to dip your feet in unknown waters.
“You are right, Tara. He is extremely handsome, but those rumors still weigh heavy on my heart and head. What is to come if I choose him and he grows bored of me?” The words are kept to a whisper to avoid anyone else eavesdropping. “I am sure his betrothed is a lovely woman. Why is he here? Should he not just accept his arrangement? Has he grown bored of her before they were even wed, and I am his next conquest?”
A loud laugh interrupts your anxious rant. Tara holds out a plate for you to set your scone on before pulling you even further away from where the prince is surely still standing. “I do not know why he is here. I can only pretend and play into your saddened delusions.”
Your hand lands a light smack on her arm, but the smile that follows betrays you. “I am serious, Tara. What if I choose him?”
“Then,” Tara bows to an older gentleman who looked as if he wanted to speak to you. Ew . “He will become your Prince Consort, sitting on his throne beside your magnificent one.” Her expression becomes serious once more. “Do not get hung up on him, My Lady. There are plenty of men. Dip your feet in the water before diving headfirst.”
As soon as she says that, a man in a dark red suit and stark white hair approaches. Sylus . With his hand outstretched, you look back at her. She nods, pushing you lightly toward the man. Go ! Her mouth moves, but no words come out, and she turns to leave.
His smile is smooth, but his movements are more stiff and forced, as if he had been practicing it in front of the mirror. “Your Highness.” He purrs, an eyebrow raised when he stands back up. Heat radiates from his digits as he continues to hold your hand. “You look rather stunning today.” As his gaze rakes up and down your body, you shiver. It isn’t predatory like the other men around, lustful desire swimming in their eyes, but rather extremely confident as if he knows you are going to eventually end up picking him.
“Does she hate me that much?” The Prince’s words startle Tara as she watches you. Her head turns just enough to see Xavier standing a fair distance away. His eyes – already deemed cold and faraway by passersby – are also fixed on you.
Your lady-in-waiting only shakes her head. “On the contrary, Your Highness.” Both of them are staring at you, seeing your shuffling feet and wide eyes as you listen to Sylus speak of his conquest over the zealots of his kingdom. “She already seems quite fond of you.”
That takes Xavier by surprise. His eyebrows rise imperceptibly, head dipping to hide the blush that threatens to take hold of him. “Really?” He forces himself to remain calm, his beating heart the only thing he can hear for a few moments.
“She does not think you share the same sentiment or affections toward her.” Tara clears her throat, sipping on her tea before continuing. “And if I may speak so candidly, she worries about the rumors circling.”
An awkward silence settles between them. The weight of Tara’s words sit heavy on Xavier’s heart. The rumors are the bane of his existence, and as soon as he thinks about it, his jaw clenches.
“What must I do?” He sounds almost desperate, staring at his teacup in contemplation. “I want her to know I am sincere in my pursuit of her hand.”
“But are you just after her hand?” Your lady-in-waiting interrupts him, and she knows it’s impolite, but she’s also your friend. “Or are you after her heart as well?”
Another awkward silence inches in, but before it can linger too long, you meet Tara’s eye. With a bow, Tara begins to walk away. “Farewell, Your Highness.” Looking back, she smiles. “And good luck.”
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Tara’s expert hands tie up your corset, and her eyes stare over your shoulder as your gown shimmers in the light. “You look exquisite, My Lady.” Her smile beams in the mirror, pulling away to let you examine the fabric. “Truly the diamond of the season.”
It’s a beautiful combination of lace and silk, all put together by small diamonds like a net over the bottom of the gown. It resembles stars that glimmer with each step you take, leading the way to the one you will choose at the end of the aisle. As soon as the moonlight hits through your window and you know under the large chandelier that it will look as if the sky is dancing on the large ceiling of the ballroom.
You met many interesting men during your walk in the garden just a few days ago, and as the article said, only two caught your eye. Prince Sylus and Prince Xavier. The two princes with the rumors and scandals each have their own types of baggage that would serve to tear you away from them. Or perhaps, build the relationship up even stronger.
Prince Sylus is obviously physically strong, with glowing red eyes that stand out even in the brightest sun. An aura of darkness surrounds him, but you can tell from the softness of his smile that he is not inherently evil. However, when forced to really reflect on it, and maybe it is just due to only meeting him a few times, you don’t think about the prospect of marriage with him.
Prince Xavier seems like the opposite, but his stride is one of a warrior. He backs down when he knows he has to and doesn’t force an issue further than it needs to go. Everything about him looks gentle, but the ice in his gaze and the straight line of his lips make a pit of anxiety well up inside you. It makes you question his intentions, even with the feelings that are swelling up like a balloon in your chest.
“Thank you, Tara.” You can’t help the way your head dips to admire the gown up close. The bodice is simple, forcing everyone’s eyes to the bottom of the gown, the elegance of your stride fit only for a future Queen. For a ball in your honor? It’s perfect. “I love it.”
As she escorts you down to the ballroom, Xavier stands with his friend and right-hand man. Jeremiah sips from a tall glass, scanning the room. “You know, I saw her chatting with Prince Sylus the other day in the garden.”
Xavier hums, nodding as he looks around. It’s obvious what – or who – he is looking for, but his friend still chooses to let it be. “Well, should your advice work, I hope that I am able to pull her attention away from my dear friend .” His words are sour at the end, as if a part of him is actually worried about you choosing the Prince of Tarus instead of him.
In reality, he’s terrified of you choosing someone else. His feelings have festered inside him, stealing glances during royal meetings and listening with a lovestruck expression as you spoke to the room of elders. He’s enamored, and once he heard about you announcing your hand, he knew he had to jump at the chance.
“I hope so, as well.” Jeremiah sighs, bumping his shoulder. “I did not spend the whole day yesterday flirting with women in the town square just for you to not use any of my advice.”
“There is a difference between observation and practical use, isn’t th–” All of Xavier’s thoughts go out the window as soon as he watches you walk down the large staircase in the foyer. Your smile shines like the brightest star, and there isn’t much the Prince of Philos can do except hum along to Jeremiah’s words. Was he still talking?
He wants to be the first to approach you, ask for your hand, and dance the night away, but he must relent. You are meant to mingle with the men there, to find the one whom you want to call your husband, but just the thought of watching you twirl around the ballroom in another man’s arms has Xavier’s Adam’s apple bobbing. Worry about rejection also murmurs in the skipped beats of his heart. Should he ask for a dance and you say no? He thinks he will just lie down in the pasture and wait for the stars to call him up.
Masquerade masks decorate the top halves of everyone’s faces because there’s something even more interesting in shrouding people with mystery. Sure, you would be able to pick them out without their masks, but there’s an impersonal aspect that strips a person down to just their soul.
The silver mask is tight around his eyes, but it matches his suit and fits him quite well. The accents only serve to accentuate the shimmering blue of his eyes, and he hopes that it is enough to leave an impression on you.
No . It’s not enough to leave an impression. He wants to open up, show more of his emotions and feelings, just as Tara told him he should do. It’s hard. It’s going to be hard. But he’ll do it.
There’s no one else in the entire world he wants other than you. The first time he saw you, he was entranced by your appearance, but observing you from afar, the one thing he truly fell for was your mind. Every little bit of your words and thoughts culminate together to form who you are. He wants to know more. He wants to know all of you.
By the time he has finally gathered the courage to walk up to you, your back is to him. Tara catches his eye, a small glimmer of amusement. For what, he’s not sure, but you’re turning around to face him before he can even ponder.
“Hello, Your Highness.” You know exactly who it is. His mask is exquisite, covering the sharp lines of his cheekbones, but the stunning blue of his eyes could be picked out of a lineup. Just as the rouse of a masquerade ball, there is an added mystery hiding behind his eyes. “Are you enjoying the ball?”
You aren’t wearing a mask. It was an idea that you entertained, but your parents insisted you were the star of the ball; therefore, everyone needed to see every feature of your beauty. Their words made your skin heat up, a soft “Thank you” echoing in the air before you made your way down the stairs.
“Yes – uh…” It’s not often Xavier stutters, but now with your attention solely on him, he can’t help the momentary lapse of thought. “It is beautiful, but not as beautiful as yourself.” It’s a line he learned from Jeremiah, but the monotone delivery hurts his efforts just a bit.
“Thank you.” It’s obvious he isn’t used to this; his mouth still curves just slightly into a smile that seems genuine, but it isn’t enough to convey the depths of his emotions. “Your mask is quite handsome…” A playful smirk makes its way onto your face. “But not as handsome as yourself.”
The harmless flirting has Tara nearly squealing, her eyes focused on Xavier and his expressions. His ears are currently painted bright red, while his lips part just enough to let out a light cough.
“Thank you.” There’s a moment of silence, but Xavier doesn’t let it linger for too long. “I was going to ask if you would do me the honor of dancing with me?”
His outstretched hand is met with your gloved one. The colors match your gown perfectly, and Xavier wishes he could feel the full warmth of your skin.
Xavier’s been through too many dancing classes to mess this up. On the flip side, you’ve also had your fair share of lessons in ballroom dancing. The result of that is a calculated dance that is equal parts alluring and beautiful.
The way you both move so in sync with one another maybe peaks your heart rate just a bit. It’s the fact that after listening to so many of these princes drone on and on, it’s nice to focus only on the man in front of you. Perhaps a spark goes off, a small stop to your trepidations about the prince.
You’re still stubborn in your right to decide, but the way he looks at you, even in a fleeting moment before he turns at the crescendo of the song, is maybe making this decision a bit easier. You still have time. The thought echoes in your mind as you hold your palm out to Xavier. You can’t make such a hasty choice based on one dance.
The music bleeds into the background, making way for you to listen to your heart. It thrums with a strange rhythm that you can only think of as matching the prince’s own. Over and over and over, crescendoing into a climax that has goosebumps rising beneath the soft silk of your gloves.
As the dance slows, you giggle when Xavier stumbles over his feet. He’s not perfect. Even princes make mistakes.
“May I accompany you back to the drink table?” He asks when the song finishes, letting you lead the way with a nod. Tara is nowhere to be seen. Neither is Jeremiah. But you’re both sure that the two are lurking somewhere out of sight.
“Your Highness,” despite being your title, sounds different coming from his lips. "If I may be so bold, may I ask you a question?”
A light flush of pink kisses the tips of his ears. “Of course. Ask away.”
Xavier clears his throat, taking a moment to admire the way the light highlights your features. “What are you looking for in a future husband?” It is a bold question, but one that he feels so compelled to ask. He wants to know everything about you, but he can only hope he fits your ideals.
It catches you off guard. So much so that you have to take a moment to stare at the ground. The tile is an intricate pattern, one that, if you look at it for too long, will make your head start to hurt. “Well…” You say to stall for time. It’s hard putting your finger on the pulse of your desires. “I do not dwell on physical attributes, but I do wish to be attracted to him.” The filter leaves your brain as you keep talking. “It will help when we make an heir to my kingdom.”
The flush on Xavier’s ears only deepens at the implications, but he nods and listens nonetheless. He always admired how well spoken you were, how candidly you debated with the elders of the nobles, but the direct statements still throw him for a loop.
“I admire honesty above all else. A man who would lie to me would betray me.” Your eyes refuse to meet his, somehow feeling just a bit shy under his watchful eye. Other suitors have asked this question before, but none have received as detailed an answer as Xavier.
“I also need loyalty. The man whom I marry will be swearing an oath to me, his wife. I must be his one and only devotion.” Conviction lines your words, but they soften when you think about one last thing. “And despite the pressures of society, my parents have always told me to marry for love. So, I must love him, or at least be able to plant a seed that will grow into love.”
Xavier can’t do anything but stand there for a moment, his eyes the slightest bit wider. He’s lucky you can’t hear his heartbeat, which is going even faster than before. It is the most he’s heard you speak, and yet he yearns for more.
“I see…” He trails off, trying to think back to his lessons with Jeremiah. It all becomes fuddled in his brain when he looks at you. His own heart betrays his head, wiping out all of his thoughts. “Those are admirable traits.”
Even he realizes just how uncaring that sounded, so he nods, holding out a hand to the beautiful atmosphere around you. “How has this night been for you?” His question lingers in the air as you think.
With a hum, you stare down at your scone. It’s your favorite flavor, and you wonder what his favorite is. “It has been alright. The other suitors are not as good of a dancer as you are.”
Xavier laughs a genuine chuckle that strikes the bottom half of his cheeks a light pink right below where the mask ends. “I have always been praised for my swordsmanship and my dancing.”
“Those are two very different things, are they not?” Your eyebrows rise, leaning an inch closer to hear his voice. It’s a sweet melody that you think you could dance to should you try hard enough.
He shakes his head. “On the contrary, Your Highness.” His deep voice strikes a bit of excitement, the tone shifting into one with just a tinge more emotion than you’ve heard from him before. “Both require the right amount of poise and accuracy. If I take a wrong step, I will ruin your beautiful shoes.” You laugh lightly, but his expression remains a light smile. “And if I miss my opponent with my blade, there goes my head.”
“I scarcely think those two are the same.” It is as if bubbles float up and burst inside your chest, soaring into the night sky. There are no clouds in sight, and from this angle, you can catch a glimpse of a few stars through the large windows of the ballroom.
“Well, next time we dance, I will step on your feet and see if you have my head.” You know it’s a joke, but your skin prickles at his boldness of another dance. Of course, another dance. You think, already anticipating another song.
A comfortable silence settles over you, but before Tara can come in and sweep you away, Xavier speaks up once more. “My offer to visit Philos still stands. Whenever you wish to accompany me, just say the word.” The words are much more gentle and full of a quiet hope that you will want to visit his kingdom.
“I would very much like that.” You’re already going to Tarus Kingdom, Sylus’s domain, so it’s only fitting for you to visit Xavier’s as well. The two were the most eligible bachelors, and your head was growing fond of them both. Visiting their kingdoms would surely push you along in your decision. “Perhaps after the fencing tournament.”
Xavier nods, bowing deeply and holding onto your hand before standing up straight. His bright eyes shine behind the mask. “What will I get when I win the tournament?” There’s a hint of mirth in his tone, but it’s serious all the same.
“How do you know you will win?” You banter, an eyebrow raised. “All of my suitors will be participating…”
Just the mere mention of your other suitors has Xavier’s mouth settling into a thin line. He catches himself quickly, clearing his throat before smirking. “It seems you are mistaken once again, Your Highness.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Jeremiah and Tara standing together, most definitely plotting on something , though you are unsure what it is. “I was raised on the notion that to be a noble, you must learn to fight for everything.” A hint of something flashes in his eyes, but with the shadows of his mask darkening his irises and the fleeting feelings that pass, you can’t catch it. “In more recent times, if I want to win a battle, then that is what will happen.”
“So there are battles you want to lose?” His mystery only serves to frustrate you. There are more questions than answers, but perhaps it is a bit of impatience on your part. Impatience breeds annoyance, which in turn can sour all feelings that threaten to develop.
A curt nod is your answer, followed by another quick bow. “I will ask you to accompany me once more when I win the tournament.”
You watch as he walks away, giving Tara a smile and nod before saying something and gesturing for Jeremiah to follow him. The two men disappear into the crowd, and you’re left with a frown and a scone still uneaten in your hand.
“He said something to Jeremiah about ‘lessons’.” Tara chuckles as she saddles up by your side. Her eyebrows move as she leans closer. “His friend was telling me how Prince Xavier forced him to go flirt with women in the town square to help him be more expressive.”
“Well, it did not work.” You don’t mean to sound sour, but it comes out with a bitter tone. “There was banter, yes.” A shrug jerks at your shoulders, and you avoid the eyes of hungry men waiting for the chance to ask you to the dance floor. “But he is so mysterious. It is frustrating.”
“I am sorry, My Lady.” Tara rests a hand on your bicep, giving you a porcelain plate to put your scone on so you don’t get crumbs on your gloves. “Perhaps we should see how he does at the fencing tournament?”
“He said he was going to win.”
“What?” She can’t help the incredulous chuckle. “Does he know how many suitors will be fighting? He cannot be that confident.”
“He is.” You nod with an almost slanted smile that displays no happiness on your face. “He said if he wants to win a battle, then that is what will happen.”
Tara scoffs, rolling her eyes as she watches where Xavier and Jeremiah left. “He sounds oh so humble.”
“We shall see during the tournament if his words hold any weight or if I am to let him sink in the weight of his deceptions.” You sigh, letting Tara lead the way to another table, only to be caught up in a swarm of men asking you to dance. While you allow them to step on your feet, smile, and apologize before beginning again, you think about Xavier. He would never step on your feet, but would he lose the battle?
The statements replay in your mind, along with the intense stare from the Philos prince as you described your ideal husband. He was interested, that was certain, but was it because he was studying you as if you were some textbook to be memorized? Or was he interested in reading between the lines?
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
The setup for the fencing competition takes a little longer than you anticipated.
It’s days of waiting, of stealing glances at the suitors that filter in and out of the main area of the palace. Day in and day out, they chat, sit with you for tea, but their conversations are superficial and one-sided. Instead of talking with you, they talk at you.
As if you are some prize to be won. But in some of their eyes, you are.
The diamond of the season, assessing all her options to pick the lucky man who can say he was chosen by the most desired lady of the marriage market. It’s a bit sickening to think of it that way, but the stares of some of your suitors are hungry only for title and notoriety, not for your heart.
Even Prince Sylus chats with you, his eyes expressive beyond a shadow of a doubt in showing some semblance of interest. Yet he talks as though the marriage would be one of convenience, driven by politics. Merging kingdoms instead of giving up his title. What would become of your people should you agree to that?
The one person you really want to talk to does not approach.
Xavier stays by Jeremiah’s side, whispering in hushed tones as they sip cups of whatever liquid they are being served. Tara doesn’t even bother going over because the frown on your face when you pass by the two men and the silver-haired man does not call out for you only causes more heartbreak. It further drives the wedge of doubt in your heart, slowly snuffing out the glimmer of hope that perhaps he is actually interested in you and not anything else.
“I do not understand, Tara.” You whisper, taking a deep breath as she ties your corset for you. Your outfit for the day’s activities is casual, just a simple gown with no special adornments. In fact, you prefer the soft, silken purple that accentuates your bodice and hips.
“I am afraid I do not understand it either, My Lady.” She sighs, smoothing out the back of your dress before looking at your face in the mirror. “I cannot pretend to understand what goes on in the mind of these men.”
“Indeed.” Meeting her eyes, you blink slowly. “At least the Prince of Tarus is straightforward in his intentions… Perhaps it would be easier to marry him.”
“My Lady,” Tara adjusts the back of your dress, giving you a once-over to make sure everything is pristine. “I have not heard you speak of Prince Sylus once besides when you spoke of settling for him.”
“Yes but-”
“I believe you should follow your heart. You never know what may transpire on the long journey to your true feelings.” She whispers, her eyes sparkling in the candlelight of your room.
With a sigh, you slip on your gloves. The silk is soft on your skin, and you smile before speaking again. “I just do not understand Prince Xavier.”
Shrugging, Tara sets your tiara on your head. “Once again, I do not wish to be in the minds of these men.”
You chuckle, your spirits always lifted by her comebacks. “He is here for my hand, yes?” The question is answered by a nod. “Then one would think he would want to win my hand … Yes?” Another nod. “Exactly.” A huff falls from your lips, one of pure confusion and exasperation.
“Well, I suppose we must get this over with.” Your short heels click on the ornate flooring. “He said he will be winning this battle, so let us see if he is a man of his word.”
Your presence halts all conversation when you make your way through the garden. The stone steps are laid out for you to the seat next to your parents. It’s quite an extravagant setting, with a clearing blocked off for the duels as well as supplies and seating for the people not competing.
Despite your better judgment, your eyes immediately find the one you’ve been searching for.
White padding sits in front of his regal attire, a dark vest and thin slacks, paired with an even brighter white shirt that has been rolled up to showcase his biceps. A genuine specimen of a man, you think. But the lingering grievances still poke their heads up in the back of your mind.
“I believe he is doing that on purpose, My Lady.” Tara leans over to whisper to you, her seat right next to yours. You’re insistent on having her by your side at all times, as you feel most comforted by her outlook on things. “Showing off his assets as if he were some sort of animal doing a dance for a mate.”
“You are detailed in your words, Tara.” You speak between bouts of laughter. “And I love it.”
Your mother, wearing an intricate crown and an even more flamboyant outfit, sets a hand on top of yours. As reigning Queen, she knows just what it’s like to be in your place, especially considering she will be giving up the title to you when you are wed.
“How are you faring, sweetheart?” Her soothing voice calms the raging insanity of your own thoughts, if just for a moment. “Are there any suitors you have your eye on?”
She already knows of both the Prince of Philos, his charms catching her eye lest she know of his severe lack of emotion, and the Prince of Tarus, his prowess towering over the others in terms of political alliances, but your other endeavors are secrets to her. As her eyes scan the crowd of men that have already started to battle, she commands the people with just a flick of her eyes.
You've always admired her strength and power, but when faced with a difficult decision such as this, you wish you had even an ounce of her conviction. However, you assume it all comes with age, and you need to pick a husband who will grow with you and support you in your journey.
“I am faring well, thank you.” One glance is stolen toward her before you find the Philos prince’s gaze once more. “And perhaps I do, but I have some worries I must work out first.”
“Is it Prince Xavier?” Her voice tells you all you need to know, eyes following yours until they land on the silver-haired man who has not once taken his stare off you. It’s intense, the unwavering expression of determination and slight cockiness that is displayed as he twirls the sabre between his fingers.
“It is.” You confirm, straightening your back and watching as he steps up to his first match. She has always told you how much she liked him, yet she knew nothing of him despite how he handled himself at royal meetings. She does not see the mystery that lingers behind his words, sending you further and further into a spiral of your own emotions. “How did you know?”
“Mother’s intuition, my dear princess.” She mumbles, her mouth barely moving, but the words are crystal clear. “And I have seen the way he has been looking at you since he arrived in Linkon.” Finishing her sentence with a nod, she goes quiet as the match begins.
There is an ease to his movements as he faces off, and for the first time since you caught his gaze, he’s looking away from you to focus on his opponent. It doesn’t take long for him to gather the appropriate amount of points to advance to the next round, but before he slinks back into the crowd, he faces you.
A bow, yet his blue eyes sparkle as they stay stuck on yours. He does not acknowledge the other royalty sitting beside you. They do not matter to him. It is your expression that he wishes to read, to have some idea of what you're thinking. All he gets back is a gentle smile and a nod.
“He is good.” Your mother whispers, her smile betraying her excitement for you.
“He is.”
“Then what are your worries, sweetheart?” She can see the blossoming of realization inside you, the way your fingers drum on the armrest of the chair while all the other men who aren’t Xavier take turns. They are underwhelming.
You sigh, taking a moment to collect your thoughts. “You have seen the article.” It’s a start, but there is much more to your trepidations. “I have made efforts to get to know him, but I am met with mystery and a lack of emotion.” Another sigh comes as a victor is crowned between two men who look as if they could be your father. “He is here for my hand, and I wish he would be more straightforward.”
“He needs time.” She rubs her thumb across your knuckles, her attention pulled away by the next round of battles. Xavier steps up once more, his face obscured by his helmet, but his stature changes just as it did before. His soft elegance morphs into a harsh, squat stance, his arm outstretched. “There is obviously a reason for his refusal to his assigned betrothed.”
“But I do not have time.” You counter, your eyes narrowing as Xavier delivers quick strikes and jabs that render his opponent helpless to the rising point total. “If I do not marry this season, I fear that I will be looked at as wasted potential.”
The Prince is so confident in his strides, and the buttons of his sleeves strain against the hidden muscles of his biceps. It’s unorthodox to fight like that, with arms bare to any unwanted slice of the sabre. In fact, he looks interesting … With the white padding across his chest and the helmet over his head, he is akin to one of those test dummies that the guards use for archery practice.
Your mother chuckles, shaking her head. “Nonsense, my sweet.” Her gentle tone wafts over you, and you give Xavier another smile and nod as he bows with his second win. One more left, and he will be crowned the winner of the tournament. “You have time. Your father and I want you to marry when you are ready.”
There is a moment of silence before she speaks again. “Though I hope you do not wait until you are well in your middle ages.” Her joke makes you laugh softly. “We just wish for you to be happy. You are not wasted potential.” She pulls her hand away from yours, the cheers of the battles drowning out as you listen to her. “You will always be a diamond in our eyes and in the eyes of your future husband.”
“Thank you.” Your words are sincere, and you give your mother a warm smile before you’re brought back to the tournament in front of you.
The finals…
“You know, My Lady.” Tara pokes your arm as the two men prepare for the final. “The Prince has not taken his eyes off of you besides when he needs to fight.”
She’s right.
Xavier’s eyes are locked on you, even as Jeremiah smooths out his padding and helps him adorn his helmet. The sabre glitters in the light, and his opponent stares at him with a smirk before putting on his own helmet, bowing, and clinking weapons.
Then, the fight begins.
It seems more like child’s play for the Philos prince. Each jab is countered to near perfection, and even as his opponent plays a good defence, it is no match for the quickness of Xavier’s step and the strength with which he pierces the protective padding.
It is true that he is a skilled swordsman. That much is evident by the beauty and grace with which he conducts himself even on a mere ‘battlefield’ such as this one.
He is right when he compares it to a dance, you realize. The poise and accuracy required to predict your opponent's next move and counter it with practiced ease are akin to dancing. Except, as he said, in one, you would ruin your shoes, and in the other, you would be rendered lifeless.
The battle lasts only a bit longer than Xavier’s previous ones, his back flexing against the fabric of his shirt that is darkened by a light sheen of sweat that wouldn’t be noticeable if you weren’t so intently focused on him. It isn’t until he has delivered the final blow that he goes back to his much more rigid and calculated movements.
“Congratulations, Prince Xavier of Philos.” Your mother’s voice carries through the crowd, and a light applause waits for him as he stands to attention and bows to the queen. “You are the winner of the Linkon Fencing Tournament.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” His voice is different, more controlled, and with a measured level of grace.
In a moment of silence, his attention drifts back to you, but not before your mother's next words have him teasing a hint of a smile.
“Is there anything you wish to say?”
Your hands grip the armrests of the chair, and you fight the urge to lean forward, focus your mind on every syllable that leaves his soft pink lips. Stop it. You think, your heart running on overdrive as he steps closer until he is right in front of the raised platform you are sitting on.
He bows, eyes boring into your own. Pure elegance fills his actions, and his words leave the rest of the suitors blinking back in surprise. “I wish to speak to the princess directly.” You nod, unable to say anything lest you make a fool of yourself by stuttering over your words. “I wish for you to accompany me to my kingdom. It would be an honor to be graced by your presence in the palace I grew up in, and perhaps it would be a better opportunity for us to get better acquainted.”
It’s a bold move to speak like this in front of all of your suitors, but there’s a spark of intrigue and interest there that you can’t deny. So you nod, your voice giving away with a small waver. “I would love that, Prince Xavier.” There is a moment where you contemplate your next move, but your natural progression of thought falls from your lips before you can stop it. “I am glad you made well on your promise to win.”
“As I have said before, Your Highness.” His face remains nearly expressionless save for the hint of a smile curling at the edge of his lips. “I had to learn to fight for everything. And fight I will.”
The way he carries himself as the tournament is called to an end and the men begin to meander around for a bit longer catches you off guard. Yes, he does have a bit more pep in his step after the win, but there is a hesitance to his movements while he chats with Jeremiah.
“Mother,” you whisper, looking over at her. “How does one know that they are in love?”
“I am afraid you must feel it with every inch of your soul, sweetheart.” She takes a breath, squeezing your father’s hand as he chats with an elder about kingdom matters. Despite being the Prince Consort, he still deals quite a bit with political decisions. After all, marriage is a joint effort, as your mother always said. “But you will know. It will strike you subtly because it is impossible to fall in love at first glance.”
“It seems to me that you are thinking about something… Or rather, someone.” Tara nudges your side, a nearly inaudible laugh coming as you lightly smack her arm. “I am just saying, My Lady. You have not spoken much about anyone else besides him.”
“It is because he consumes most of my waking thoughts.” With his back turned to you, there is an imperceptible frown that makes its way onto your face. Perhaps you have gotten used to his eyes, so deep and blue like the ocean, that the mere absence of them is disheartening. “He is an enigma; that is why. I just wish to know more about him.”
Tara rolls her eyes, taking a sip of tea before rising and holding out her hand. “Of course, My Lady.” Her smile only makes your stomach turn. “Let us get you changed and ready for dinner. We can also prepare for our trips to Tarus and Philos.”
“Our?”
“Of course, sweetheart.” Your mother nods. “You are not to just wander off alone without an accompaniment. So Tara will be going with you. Though I am sure she will be keeping a distance.”
“Very well.” Deep down, you’re glad that she is coming, just in case things go awry. After all, she is somewhat skilled in combat and will be able to assist in any takedowns should you need it. “I will be getting ready for dinner.”
Tara follows behind you, taking notice of the way Xavier turns and watches you depart. Despite the set line of his lips, his eyebrows rise half an inch. “My Lady,” she whispers, both of your shoes clicking on the linoleum floor of your palace. “Shall we go to Tarus first?”
“It is farther away than Philos…” you comment, your bottom lip stuck between your teeth for a second of contemplation.
She sighs, taking the tiara off your head and going into your closet to find a more suitable dress for dinner. “Yes, however it does make sense to go to the farthest kingdom first.” A sneaky smirk makes it’s way onto her face as she unties your corset. “I also believe it is smart to go to Philos last… As I think that you will be able to make up your mind after talking to them both.”
“I am not sure, Tara.” Letting her slip off your dress, she pulls the new one up your body. “It is stressful to pick my husband from men whom I have barely met.”
“You’ve met Prince Xavier at royal meetings, correct?” Her correction has you nodding. “And you have taken the time to remember his name throughout those meetings.”
“Yes, but Prince Sylus–”
“Does not make your heart sing in the same way Prince Xavier does.” With an eyebrow raised, her hands swiftly tie up your corset to hold the silk fabric against your bodice. “The only time you have mentioned Prince Sylus was to second guess your feelings for Prince Xavier.”
You sigh. “You are entirely too attuned to these things.”
“I have been your lady-in-waiting for years.” Tara puts the tiara back on your head. “I am a lot more observant than I seem, and it seems as though the Philos Prince has taken your interest, moreso than the Tarus Prince.”
With a roll of your eyes, you pout at her. “Though all of this pining will not matter if he does not feel the same.”
“You never know what will happen, My Lady.” She pauses, looking back at the door to your bedchambers. “Now, let us attend dinner.”
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
The day before your outing to Philos, Tara finds Xavier in a hidden corner of the ballroom, seemingly hiding from you as you chat with an older gentleman and his son. He’s not sure why he is so persistent on not talking to you, but as soon as your lady-in-waiting approaches, he dips his head, trying to hide his guilty expression behind a shroud of silver hair.
“You know, Your Highness.” She starts, leaning against the wall as she keeps an eye on you from afar. “To win her affections, you must actually talk to her.”
“I know but–”
“There are no buts to that sentence.” Tara is much more stern in her convictions, her eyes never leaving your figure as your gown sparkles in the chandelier lights. “Apologies, but I do not wish to sit idly by and watch My Lady’s heart get shattered because she is too stuck on someone who will not fight for just a moment of her attention. That is what she deserves.”
Xavier is silent, his stare also fixated on you. It’s infuriating watching you idle around and talk to these men when all he wants to do is pull you aside and dance under the stars for hours.
“I do not know how.” He whispers, a hint of broken sadness inching into his words. “I have been told that intellect and strength are far better than emotions, and it is hard to force myself to think differently. All the lessons from Jeremiah are good in practice, but for once in my life, it is impossible for me to put practice to work.”
Tara hums. “That is quite the predicament.” There is a pause as she thinks. “I am not asking you to change yourself completely. She is beginning to fall for you, that is certain, but to show her you feel the same and solidify the bond that is forming, you must tell her that.”
A light blush paints his cheeks. “I will try to do it during her visit to Philos… But I am worried that I will mess it up.” His insecurities shine through, heart threatening to beat out of his chest when he thinks about bearing his soul to you. It’s an essential part of a relationship, yet he feels as though his feelings are locked behind a cage, wanting to get out yet seemingly unable to do so.
“The only way that you will mess it up is if you do not do it.” She reassures him. “I am close to her, ever since we were children. I am confident that it will work in your favor if you are just honest with her.”
Her advice washes over him, causing his muscles to loosen up. His back is still pin straight, the air of royalty still lingering around him, but it’s obvious that her words have some sort of effect on the prince.
“Alright…” Xavier pauses, the muscles in his face relaxing into a soft smile as he watches you chat with another suitor. “I shall keep that in mind. Thank you.”
“Of course, Your Highness.” Tara bows, seeing the way you fiddle with your fingers and look around for your lady in waiting. With a bow, she meets Xavier’s eye, her lips curling into a smile. “My lady needs me, so I shall take my leave. We will see you in the morning to depart for Philos.”
“Wait.” The urgency in his voice stops her in her tracks. Before she can ask what is wrong, he continues. “I – uhm… I would like if you both accompanied me in my own carriage, if… if that is something that would be okay?”
Tara beams, her eyes crinkling with the excitement of her smile. “I am sure my lady would love that, Your Highness. I will let her know of the arrangement for the morning.” The prince’s hand clutches the plate, nearly shaking with the nerves of asking such a bold question, but it seemed like the best opportunity to talk more with you. “And I promise not to intrude on your private conversations.”
“Thank you.” He bows to her, a genuine smile on his face as she walks back over to you. For a fleeting moment, he contemplates going to the town doctor, asking him about the ailment that has affected him to the point that his heart feels like it is going to burst out of his chest.
But he knows the answer.
It’s you.
“Should our kingdoms merge, I know that our armies would be nearly unstoppable.” Sylus’s lips curl into a proud smile. “We have made remarkable advancements in the fields of weapons, and as you have seen, I have a room of specialty-made flintlocks of my own.”
Humming along to his words, you rock on your heels. Tarus is stunning, and his palace itself is unlike any other. Yet, him speaking as if it were a political movement had your heart sinking just a bit.
It isn’t until Tara comes up to your side that you smile genuinely. “It was a pleasure speaking with you, Your Highness.” You bow, shaking his hand while leaning against Tara. “Thank you.” You whisper as soon as he is out of earshot, a soft giggle coming from your lips as she leads you further away.
And you realize something.
The whole time you spoke to Prince Sylus, your mind was stuck on Prince Xavier.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Being up before the sun even rises should be outlawed.
The thought comes to you as you watch Tara folding pajamas and outfits for the next day before placing them in the small case. It’s not much, but then again, the trip is only for a day. You'll be going to Philos, touring the kingdom, and talking more with the prince about everything before taking your leave the next afternoon.
There isn’t much time left before the end of the season, when the suitors will leave with their engagements while they give up on chasing the diamond. Some of the men have already found their wives, which doesn’t help your predicament because you are stuck .
With it coming to an end, you are determined to find a husband. Your heart tells you that both Prince Sylus and Prince Xavier hold some affection for you, but you’re not sure which path to take.
The Prince of Tarus has strength and audacity, while the Prince of Philos is elegant and gentle. In the back of your mind, you’ve already made your decision, but the anxieties of picking the man you’ll spend the rest of your life with eat at every fibre of your being.
“There is one more thing before we depart, My Lady.” Tara has a glint of mischief in her eyes, her smile turning sickeningly sweet while you slip on satin gloves almost up to your elbow. “We have… changed the arrangement of the carriages.”
“Oh?” It isn’t until you are walking through the halls that she continues.
“The Prince has asked for us to accompany him in his own carriage to Philos. He came to me directly last night while you were busying yourself with trivial matters.” Those trivial matters were meeting with other suitors, but she was right. “And I agreed for you.”
“So you can just make decisions for me now?” It’s said with a teasing tone, your eyebrows raising and a smile curling the corners of your lips up, before you’re rendered into silence by your mother clapping.
Her arms wrap around you, pulling you close. “Some of the men that have found wives have already left.” Good . “And your special suitor awaits you, sweetheart.”
You roll your eyes, but the smile on your face betrays your excitement. “He is no special suitor –”
“Nonsense, of course he is!” She interrupts you, cupping your cheeks with her hands. “He and I had a nice conversation whilst waiting for you.” Another roll of your eyes, though the rapid pace of your heart quickens. “And I think he would make an amazing son-in-law.”
“We shall see about that.” You don’t mean to sound picky, but after growing up with loving parents who devote time to each other despite ruling over a kingdom, you could say you are just a bit spoiled. “I am hoping that this trip will help finalize my decision, and I may take myself off the market by our next garden party in a week.”
Her hands squeeze your face, eyes flickering across your features. Oh, how you’ve grown up. She thinks, her smile morphing to one of nostalgic melancholy as she lets you go. “Do not rush into things, sweetheart. You know what your father and I have told you.”
“I know, and I am not.” Your fingers wrap around her wrists, squeezing as if to offer some sort of comfort. “I… am starting to understand the feelings in my heart, and I must confirm them. Then, I will be able to make my decision.”
“That is my princess.” Your mother’s eyes are windows to her heart, showing you the infinite love and affection she has for you as she watches you grow up. “I am so proud of you.”
The only thing you can do is nod because as soon as you look toward the front of the palace, you catch the eyes of the prince.
It is as if the sky has kissed him, adorning his suit with a blue reminiscent of the most beautiful forget-me-nots in the garden. Remains of the morning clouds are too faint to see in front of the wide expanse of cerulean that greets you as you let your eyes wander up.
It is beautiful. It is Xavier.
“Good morning.” You bow, trying to steel your expression, but his hand reaches out for yours. He dips low, hiding his face as the tips of his silver hair dust your satin-gloved wrist. The warmth of his fingers transfers through the fabric, and there is an inexplicable tension that has been ever-present between you.
“Good morning, Your Highness.” His eyes are a bit more intense as he looks back up at you, as if you are the sun, and he is prepared to go blind looking into your center. “The ride to Philos is not long. I hope you do not mind the arrangement I asked of your lady.”
You can already see a mop of curly brown hair inside the carriage - which is huge . There are seats on either side large enough for him to nearly lay down on, and dark curtains obscure any passersby from peering in. His friend, Jeremiah, is finishing up setting the cushions down, and he smiles at you while straightening out his jacket.
“I do not mind.” Your breath is taken from you when his fingers wrap around your hand, tugging just enough to have you following his lead. “In fact, I think I prefer this. It will give us more time to chat.”
“Very well. Shall we set off, then?” His fingers are still gripping you, walking just enough to allow you the space to pull away should you want to. You do not want to.
“Yes, let us set off.” Jeremiah gives you a smile and nod as Xavier helps you into the carriage. Luckily, the dress you are wearing doesn’t impede on the entrance, nor does it become uncomfortable as you take a seat on one of the plush pillows sitting on the bench.
Tara follows, setting the bag of clothes to the side as Jeremiah holds out a hand to help your lady-in-waiting inside. There is a pillow beside him that she sits on, nodding and smiling while also keeping an eye on you.
As the horses set off, the carriage becoming but a blip on the horizon, the air in the carriage turns tense. Nobody dares to speak, your eyes flickering between the other three people until you catch Tara’s. Her head jerks toward the man sitting next to you, his knees nearly brushing against yours with each bump of the wheels on the pavement.
“I have never visited Philos before.” The start of the conversation is always awkward, dancing between emotions until you finally settle on an airy and excited one. “You have told me of the endless forests and infrastructure, but it will be different to see it for myself.”
Once your eyes meet the prince’s, you are mesmerized by the way the rising sun casts a gold hue on his features. If he didn’t look like royalty before, he is something akin to a god now.
“It will be different, but I hope that you find beauty in the contrast between my kingdom and yours.” He clears his throat. “My father – the King – is gone on a trip to another territory, so you will not have to worry about him meddling in our business.”
Business? Is that what this is? You think, your expression turning sour before you force a smile on your face. Though you are curious about the specific details of the King’s endeavors, you don’t push the matter, especially not with the word choice he has made.
Another bout of silence comes and goes, your fingers playing with the laced band around your middle. The warmth of his body radiates around you, and you find it hard to relax when he is sneaking glances at you every chance he gets.
Grasslands morph into thick brush, which is filled with the harrowing caws of birds and the clicking of some unknown animal. A bit of fear strikes you, but after seeing the prince perform so well during the fencing competition, you don’t believe that a mere animal would be able to take him down easily.
“How have you enjoyed the time in Linkon?” Tara is the next to break the ice, her smile directed at both Xavier and Jeremiah.
The two exchange a look, and it is impossible to determine exactly what they are thinking when more than a second passes by before they sit back in their seats. It is as if whatever Jeremiah does, Xavier copies, but the almost imperceptible bob of his Adam’s apple gives away his nerves.
“We have, Your Highness.” Jeremiah smiles, the apples of his cheeks poking out slightly. He has a charm to him that is undeniable, but the intrigue just isn’t there. It is not like you haven’t tried to find that spark in others. It is impossible to start a fire with no kindling.
“Your palace is beautiful.” Xavier interrupts, nodding along to his words as if he’s agreeing with himself. “And the Queen is a delight to speak to.”
“She told me that you spoke to her.” You frown, tilting your head and putting on a rather exasperated look. “Please tell me she did not share stories from my childhood.”
The prince laughs, his whole chest shaking with delight as he leaned forward. His knees sit on his thighs, and it’s the first time you’ve seen him look so relaxed. The curve of his spine isn’t one allowed in royalty, for the elders would snap you back to the right posture, but it’s a welcome change to the pin-straight back he always portrays.
“I – I can assure you she did not.” One of his hands rubs the back of his neck, and with slow blinking eyes, he tips his head up to look at you. “But now you are making me want to ask her next time we meet.”
“There will be a next time?” Your surprised expression brings another chuckle from his lips, and you forget all about the other two people in the carriage.
“I told her that whenever she wishes, just call upon me, and I shall arrive.” His smile turns a bit somber. “Regardless of the outcome, she is a lovely woman, and I think that our kingdoms will prosper for years to come.”
You don’t say anything, your mind too caught up in his admission. Was he giving up? It surely seems as though he is. The way he is speaking as if he assumes your choice will not be him. It still weighs heavy on your heart, but you are steadfast in your approach to everything.
Lifting the curtain, you watch the houses and communities of Philos pass by. Some people stand in the streets and stare as your carriage navigates winding roads. They look pleasant, with smiles on their faces and arms waved in greeting.
“Your people seem to like you.” You comment, thinking about if they would be happy to see their Crown Prince give up his title just for you.
“They are fond of me, not my parents.” The smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “There are many scholars that meet with me regularly to assist in our research at the palace. In return, they are offered appropriate compensation for their efforts.”
Generous . The trait drifts into your head, and you can’t help the flutter in your heart as he speaks so highly of the people of Philos. There is a light in their eyes as they wave at you that has a natural glow.
Children play in the street, their happy cries filling the air even as the morning breeze sweeps through. Toys sit in front of homes without being taken. Bikes fly through the streets as they gather to get a glimpse at the Crown Prince.
One of them even raises a hand to the carriage, her eyes shining blue like the most stunning diamonds. Her smile is contagious, and you find yourself mirroring the pure glee on her face.
“Hello! Who are you?” With it stopped, the other children stand a respectable distance away, knowing the dangers of those large wheels. This little girl, however, gazes up at you with a whimsy that you match with a soft laugh. A yellow dandelion dress flows in the wind, and glitter moon clips decorate her dark brown hair.
“Hello.” With the window open, you are able to reach down and shake her tiny hand. “I am a princess from a neighboring kingdom.” Her eyes light up even more than you thought possible. “It is nice to meet you.”
“Are you going to marry Prince Xavi?” The nickname pulls a giggle from your lips, and you’re all too aware of the three sets of eyes watching the interaction. It takes everything in you not to look back at Tara for assistance or even gauge the reactions of the two men in here as well.
“Perhaps.” It’s the best answer you can give, and as she holds your finger in her chubby hand, you see hints of Xavier’s light in her. Maybe all people of Philos have that innate brightness in them that follows them wherever they go. “I am still making my decision.”
She giggles, holding a small jump rope in her other hand. A few other kids call out to her to come back and play. “Prince Xavi is very nice. He reads to us sometimes, and he lets us come into the palace!”
“Does he?” You smile, seeing the children calling out to the little girl. “Well, thank you for that information, cutie. Your friends are waiting for you.”
Her wide grin shows off all her teeth, and she nods before giving you a wave. “Bye–bye, Princess!”
“Goodbye, cutie.” You wave as the carriage begins moving again, your head tucking back inside to face three smiling people.
Tara raises her eyebrows, Jeremiah glances at Xavier, and the prince himself has a deep red blush stretching across his cheeks. His eyes are wide, lips parted, but as he catches your eye, he immediately looks down to his feet, his hand massaging the back of his neck as if he has a cramp or something.
“She was adorable.” You break the silence and are met with nods of confirmation before another stop. A knock comes from the front of the stagecoach, and Xavier tries to stand, only for his head to hit the roof.
His movements are a bit awkward. His cheeks flush red, and his eyes cast down as he opens the door and holds out a hand to you. “Welcome to my palace,” he says.
Resting your hand in his, you step out into the sunlight, and your jaw drops.
It is a magnificent palace, with large towers bookending the sides and one tall building in the middle. A part of you compares it to your own, knowing that yours is slightly bigger and has more intricate arrangements on the outside, but this one seems perfect for the aesthetic of the kingdom.
“It is beautiful.” You nod as he leads you inside. Behind you, you hear Tara and Jeremiah whispering, but the weight of his hand under yours guides you in through the entrance to see the large foyer. Paintings litter the walls, and a high ceiling makes way for a chandelier with warm white light radiating from it.
“Thank you.” His voice is gentle, not like the deep and somewhat harsh tone from when you first made his acquaintance. Though it does not sound like he is very happy with the compliment. “My father redesigned it after he took the throne.”
There is a bitterness there, hiding beneath the surface of each syllable that forms with his lips. You don’t dare comment on it, lest some of the workers in the palace hear and relay the message. The last thing you need as the diamond of the season is a last-minute scandal.
He takes you on a quick tour, showing you important rooms such as the ballroom and banquet hall. All the while, his hand stays in yours. His fingers wrap around your palm, and you wish that you could take the barrier of satin fabric away to feel him directly.
The warmth of his hand in yours is a constant reminder that he is right by your side, and it brings a strange comfort to your beating heart. Being in an unknown land, with only your lady-in-waiting to confide in, is quite scary, you realize, but with his presence beside you, the scent of some musk mixed with a clean soap washing over each step you take, there is a safety in that feeling.
There is a moment of respite as a chef brings some tea and a small bite of food before you retire to your bedroom.
The bedroom in question has two beds, one for you and one for Tara. You insisted on sharing with her just in case anything happened. It seemed comfortable from the glimpse you had before Xavier pulled you away to see another room of paintings. His family loves art, with multiple rooms dedicated to specific artists.
“I will need to step away for just a moment.” The prince says, his hand leaving yours for the first time since you stepped off the carriage. “Excuse me.”
The moment he is out of the dining hall, Tara steps in front of you. “He has not stopped blushing the entire tour of the palace, My Lady.” Her eyes are wide, and her smile is even wider as Jeremiah also slips out to follow his friend, leaving you both alone. “It is as if he is a lost puppy at your beck and call.”
“I would not say that.” You shake your head, still suspicious of his intentions. Perhaps you are just being overly cautious, and perhaps your own feelings are starting to cloud your judgment.
“Well, I would.” She laughs, her hands landing on your shoulders and shaking slightly. “Do not keep downgrading his efforts.” Her voice dips down low, trying to avoid the echo in the large room. “He has invited – no, begged – for you to visit his kingdom. Nothing he has done has given you the inkling that he is just doing this to jest with you, My Lady.”
Her smile turns into a smirk, and your heart tightens as she leans in even more, your gloved hand gripping the teacup to avoid dropping it. “And you do not know just how he looked at you as you spoke to that adorable little girl. It was like…” She pauses, looking up as if recalling the exact moment. “Like he was imagining you with a child of your own… His child. ”
With your bottom lip tucked between your teeth, you dip your head. Heat rushes through your entire body, and what is this strange feeling ? Your head is spinning, feeling a bit like you’re floating at just the thought of him looking at you like that. It overwhelms you, fills every crevice in your body until your heart threatens to burst out of your chest.
Then everything goes black.
───── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ─────
Voices…
They mumble and whisper around you, but you can’t discern what they are saying as your vision is clouded in darkness.
“I do not know what happened, Your Highness.” Tara whispers, fanning your face that is damp with sweat. In one moment, you are smiling at the prospect of his affections being genuine, and the next, you are collapsing in the banquet hall. “She just fell.”
Xavier sits on the edge of your bed, the bed he arranged for you in his palace. It’s high in a tower, overlooking his kingdom while also giving you a good glimpse of the stars, with many stairs he had to climb with your limp body in his arms. He was not letting you go, even as the palace doctor rushed in to examine you, stating that there was nothing wrong and you would be fine once you awakened.
As you finally stir, there is a throbbing sensation in the side of your head, and an involuntary groan falls from your lips. Light pierces your eyes, and you’re met with a hand on your forehead and three people looking at you as if you are a ghost.
“What… Happened?” You ask, your voice a bit hoarse. The sun is already beginning to dip down toward the horizon, bathing the room in a glow akin to a rising flame.
“We are not sure, Your Highness.” Xavier is the first to answer, his hand resting on your bicep through the satin glove. “I stepped away for a few moments only to hear a noise and your lady in waiting calling for a doctor.”
“You just collapsed.” Tara dabs at your head with a cloth, grabbing a pillow as you try and sit up. “Be careful, My Lady.”
The prince’s gaze is intense, as if he is trying to read every single thought that is running through your head. At the moment, it’s not much.
“Oh.” It’s all you can muster, but your energy already seems to be coming back to you as you look around at the worried expressions. The intense pain in your head lulls into a gentle throbbing, and you find your voice in the back of your throat. “I will be fine… It was just a little fall.”
“Please listen to her, Your Highness.” Xavier’s deep voice cuts through the air in the room, sucking it out until you can barely breathe. It’s like he is back to the stoic and emotionless man he was in the garden weeks ago. “I do not wish to have to carry your limp body again.”
He carried you ? Tara is silent as you look to her, but there is a hint of a smile that confirms his words.
“So you wish to carry my alert body?” Even in your weakened state, you force a laugh at the joke. It’s just a small tease, but the rosy blush on the tips of his ears, as well as the way his eyes flicker down to his hand on your arm, gives away his nerves.
“Of course.” It’s the only thing he can say without stuttering, but even then, there is an almost imperceptible hitch at the end of those two words.
The prince clears his throat, tearing his gaze away from you to Tara and Jeremiah, who are gathered around your bedside. “May I have a private word with the Princess?” It’s the first time he has addressed you as ‘princess’ and not ‘Your Highness’, the title sounding even sweeter coming from his lips.
His request is met with nods of confirmation. Tara finishes wiping the sweat from your brow before giving you a wink and following Jeremiah out of the room.
Then, silence.
He is not speaking, but his thumb begins to stroke the side of your arm. Even through the satin glove, you feel his warmth. It’s then that you hear his ragged breathing, his flushed cheeks, and the slight pause before he speaks again.
“You worried me.”
It is the most straightforward he’s been, and in the depths of his blue eyes, you feel the sincerity in every syllable that is punctuated by a graze of his thumb on your wrist. His eyes travel across every one of your features, memorizing them as if you would disappear.
“I am sorry.” You respond, and you mean it. The influx of emotions that overwhelmed you came to a point that your heart could not take. Maybe it was the true realization that you wanted him, or maybe it was the fear that he might not want you in the same way. But it all culminated when Tara gave you an outsider’s perspective that you actually chose to believe.
“Do not apologize.” Another short sentence, but he follows it with a deep breath. “I was going to ask if you would like to go see the stars tonight.” A breathy chuckle leaves his lips, along with a hint of a smile that you know is completely genuine.
“You can still ask.”
“But–”
“I. am. fine.” In a bold move, you reach out to wrap your hand around his wrist, tilting your head and giving him the same smile that you did the night of the ball. “Ask me.”
He relaxes at that. “Alright.” His fingers release your wrist, turning instead to grip at your other hand as if it is his lifeline. “Would you do me the honor of accompanying me to get a glimpse of the stars tonight?”
His formality causes a giggle in your throat. Energy seeps into you from just being around him, and despite the slight throb in your temple, you dance your gloved fingers across his palm.
“I would love to, Prince Xavier.” He helps you sit up further, and your eye catches the setting sun in one of the many windows. “Where are we going?”
“I know of a salt flat not far from the palace.” His voice is back to soothing and gentle, like knowing you're okay is bringing about peace in him. “I can bring a blanket, and we may sit and watch the sky.”
“Should we depart soon, then?” It’s exciting, going on an outing such as this. Back at your palace, it is all flatland with little forests to create the aesthetic and mystery of the unknown. Though your kingdom is beautiful, there is a certain intrigue in the difference.
“If that is alright with you.” He stands, holding onto your hand and helping you up as well. For a moment, he observes you, the way the moonlight trickles in and creates shadows that dance along the walls. As soon as he is sure you aren’t going to fall again, he moves to drop his hand from yours.
You catch it.
The hesitance with which he touches you is disheartening. At some points, he is holding your hand as he shows you his palace, and the next, he is keeping his distance. So you force yourself to be bolder, your hand finding his once again. You hold it as if you were new lovers, an awkward grip that causes both of you to direct your eyes to the ground.
“I need you to lead me there.” You whisper, your voice unable to reach higher as you revel in the way he holds tight.
“Very well, Your Highness.” The dulcet tone of his voice strikes deep within you, and you wonder if he will ever cross the threshold into more than just the impersonal formality. “Follow me.”
With his hand in yours, he keeps a close eye on you as he pushes open the door to your room. On the other side, Tara and Jeremiah are gathered together, their heads nearly touching. Both of them straighten up, head turning to face you.
“My Lady, are you okay?” Tara rushes over but is stopped by your hand.
“I am okay, Tara.” And it is true. Despite the slight headache and the lack of energy, you feel otherwise fine. “Truly.” She backs off a bit at the insistence, nodding and looking between you and Xavier.
Xavier exchanges a look with Jeremiah. “We are going to take a stroll to see the stars.” Your hand leaves his, sliding up his bicep and nestling in the crook of his elbow. He tries to say something else, but the words are stuck, his face colored red.
“I will not need your accompaniment.” It’s said as a whisper, but it feels as if you have shouted it to the heavens. “I do not believe we will be long.”
Tara tries to keep her composure, but it looks as if she is going to burst at the seams. Looking back at Jeremiah, she is met with an almost matching smile and nod, and she takes a step back. “Very well, My Lady.” There is a warmth in her gaze, and you think about how grateful you are to her for always being by your side. “I will be waiting in the chambers for your return.”
Xavier looks over at you, an eyebrow raised. “Are you ready, Your Highness?” With your nod as confirmation, he takes a blanket from a closet down the hall and leads you out of the palace and down a winding stone walkway.
The forest is beautiful, you think as you take in the sights. Large trees line the small road along which you are strolling. He leaves you in silence, his steps measured and controlled. There are a few moments of tension as your hand grips tighter to his arm, wanting some sort of contact so you don’t lose him in the brush.
“Wow.” The breath is stolen from your lungs when you walk into the clearing.
A circle of trees makes way for a floor of grass. It’s big enough to frolic and run around in but not enough to seem vast and endless. A sanctuary in the middle of everything, where you can get away and enjoy the night.
Up above, the stars shine bright in the sky, and you must admit that it is a stunning sight to be able to sit down beneath the vast universe and not feel its crushing weight. So many twinkling lights, and yet the darkness still seeps between the cracks.
The air is cool, brushing against your bare arms as Xavier spreads out the blanket. His shoulders flex, and it takes you a moment to realize you're staring, appreciating the light flush of pink on his ears that descends down his neck and to the apples of his cheeks.
A hand reaching out pulls you back to reality, and despite the cold air whipping around you, a warm hearth sparks inside you. Accepting the hand, you discard your heels and cross your legs under your dress, the silky fabric soothing you from the biting wind.
“It is beautiful, is it not?” His voice is somewhat between awe and indifference, his eyes reflecting the twinkling lights up above. You can’t force yourself to follow his gaze, too stuck on the man in front of you who is such a damned enigma that you truly can’t figure him out.
“Yes…” You whisper, your stare never wavering.
His eyes stay glued onto the stars, and while you admit they are beautiful from your periphery, there are much better things to see on the ground. Several minutes pass, his body heat radiating from him like a fireplace while you shiver at the slightest of breezes that ruffle the blanket by your bottom.
As if he senses your eyes on him, he turns to look, taken aback by the proximity. Leaning onto his palms, he puts just a bit of distance between you, his attention back on the sky.
“That one is my f–”
“What are we doing here, Your Highness?” Your legs curl under yourself, anger suddenly coursing through you at his dismissal of nearly everything you say. He is so mysterious, so emotionless, that you think at times it is impossible that he even has a heart.
“What do you mean?” There it is. A semblance of disappointment as he furrows his brows.
“I mean,” you stand, your bare feet exposed to the chilly air, “you are indifferent to me. Why have you even taken the time out of your busy life to travel to my kingdom and participate in the marriage season if you are not looking for someone’s hand?”
Xavier stands as well, caught off guard by the sudden outburst. “How are you so sure that I am not there for someone’s hand?”
A pause, and your nose scrunches up in annoyance and even more anger. How dare he act so calm about this? His soft tone of voice sinks into your skin, telling you that he’s sincere, but you’ve believed it too many times. Never again will you get your hopes up that he’s changing, that he’s giving you what you need in the hunt for your hand.
“You have not spoken to anyone!” Your voice carries across the cosmos. “Besides me and your gentleman friend, I have not heard a word uttered to anyone else.”
“I have spoken to the Queen.” His short sentence only infuriates you more, your eyes beginning to well up with tears of frustration.
“Fine. If you are to be that way, then–”
“I have not spoken to anyone because I do not have the desire to speak to anyone.” The words drip from his lips as if just speaking them into existence is painful. His cheeks are red, the tip of his nose akin to a cherry as he takes a step forward. With a shaky breath, his eyes widen just enough to take in your crossed arms and the emotion swelling in your eyes.
“Years.” He starts. “I have watched you from afar for years. Your grace. Your beauty. Your intellect. All of it has haunted me at those meetings. I have hung off of every word that has come from your pretty lips, gripping at each syllable as if I were listening to my favorite piece of music. Your voice sings me a symphony that I wish to play on repeat until the day I draw my last breath.”
Your heart is in your throat, eyes wide, and lips parted slightly at his outburst. It is unlike him to lash out like this, and the frantic look in his normally peaceful eyes is alarming.
“I have spent hours mapping out the contours of your face, so much so that should you give me a pen and paper, I would be able to draw you from memory, and it still would not hold a candle to how beautiful you are in front of me right now. At times, it was hard to believe you were not an angel sent from the heavens above to show the masses what true perfection looks like. But I am also selfish, and I want you to myself. I know which seat you prefer around the table of elders, and when given the floor to boast about your kingdom’s achievements, I can recite every pride-filled word you have said.” He takes one more step forward, waiting for you to push him away, but you don’t.
“What of your betrothe–”
“She is nothing to me.” He clenches his teeth, sucking in a breath as if to compose himself. “A ploy sent my way to appease factions in this wretched kingdom while seducing me into a sense of autonomy. But with all the paths laid before me, I realize there is no other option. They all lead to you.”
“I know I have not been the most cordial of your suitors.” Just the mention of the other men has him swallowing the lump in his throat. “I know that my dear friend, Prince Sylus, has caught your attention as well. I have flaws…” There is a furrow on his brow as he fights with himself. “I may not show it, but my heart has never been at rest since I first laid eyes on you so many moons ago. It yearns for you. I yearn for you .”
Another step.
Then another.
One more and he is right in front of you.
Your vision is full of him. Of the way his eyes twinkle, of the rosy tinge in his cheeks, of his warm breath that comes out in pants. He seems almost feral, a need to speak like a dog has the need to bark at intruders.
“You will lose your title. Your kingdom.” You reason, wanting to make sure he knows the ramifications of his decision. “I will become Queen of Linkon, and you will be my Prince Consort. You will not even be a King in the eyes of the kingdom.” Breaths mingle together in a tornado of intensity that feel as though you will fall over at any instant.
He is speaking right as you finish your sentence, as if he had been waiting for that excuse. “I will gladly bestow my title to someone else. I have no need for this crown, and the people will not have to miss me often as I will be visiting my dear friend Jeremiah for his coronation as next Crown Prince.”
“I only have need for you. In this vast nothingness of space, I want nothing more than to be by your side to the very end. I would face death with a smile if it means that you will be waiting for me at the steps of heaven.” He takes another breath, his hand reaching out, hovering over your hip. “I remember you speaking of the atoms that make up the stars being the same we are made of. Nothing would make me happier than knowing we are from the same star.”
There is a beat of silence, and all you can hear is your ragged breathing and the steady thrum of your heart in your ears. His hand hovers so close, and your eyes flicker from his speckled blue irises to his pink lips.
“Ever since I was a child, I was raised to fight.” Pleas weep from his words, drowning you in your own feelings. “No emotions, just the heavy metal of my blade connecting with everything in sight. I did not know how to use my heart for anything other than to keep me alive. Though I do not want anything except for you to breathe life into me.” His sentences are slower, as if soaking in the emotions for himself.
“I am sorry for the sorrow I have caused you. Jeremiah’s courting lessons were lackluster, and after hearing the way Prince Sylus spoke to you, I was sure you would pick him.” His own eyes drift down to your tongue that pokes out to wet your bottom lip. “That still may be the case but… I wished on a shooting star moments ago that I would gather the courage to speak about everything going on in my heart and my brain.”
“Your Highness?” Your voice cuts through the tense air. Unsure of what else to say, your hands shakily sit on his shoulders.
“I…” Another pause, eyes closing for a mere moment before finding yours again. “I want to fight for you. To court you properly. It is hard to ignore the way I was brought up, but I wish to change for you. I wish to fight for you, just as I have these past few weeks, and to show you what true emotion feels like at the hands of someone who cares.” He’s almost pleading, and if you had told him to get down on his knees, he would gladly drop like a pin.
He takes another breath, dropping his arm back down to his side. “Do not tell me your decision tonight. Spare me the fantasy of just one last sleep that I may hold you in my dreams and not be reminded of the harsh reality when I awake. But please understand I am true in my intentions. I came to your kingdom to ask for your hand in marriage despite the objections of my father. I want you, Your Highness.”
You don’t say anything, caught swimming in the ocean of his eyes, as even the trees grow silent. Nothing will come out, and you just force yourself to nod, too taken back by his sudden burst of emotion and sincere words to form thoughts of your own.
“Let us head back, Your Highness. I am sure our chaperones must be anticipating our return.” His tone is much softer, the deep timbre still there but lined with a vulnerability you have not seen from him before. Before you can walk away, he steps in front of you, holding out his arm after gathering the blanket in the other.
It is not often you are rendered speechless like this, the clicking of your heels and rushing intensity of the wind a backtrack to the synced beating of your hearts. His arm is bent into a perfect rest for your gloved hand, and you imagine him leading you down the halls of your palace after your wedding ceremony.
As soon as you are back in the palace, your headache subsides into near nothingness. You are greeted with Tara’s concerned face. It is as if she senses your change in demeanor. Her arm wraps around you, bringing you toward your chambers.
“Your Highness,” Xavier calls out, and when you turn to meet his eyes, a spark of electricity shoots through you. You see the subtle nuances of his jaw as he smiles, the crinkle of the corners of his eyes… “Good night. I shall see you in the morning.”
“Good night.” You bow, your waist still supported by your lady-in-waiting. Shaky legs bring you to your bed, and you refuse to tell Tara anything that happened except for the muttered excuse that you are okay.
That night, you dream of an extravagant wedding.
Of course, your parents would put on only the best wedding for their daughter. With decorations throughout the entire palace, extending out toward the streets, the people of the kingdom cheer and celebrate with glee at the emergence of their new Queen.
Your crown weighs heavy on your head, knowing that you will be shouldering the responsibility of your kingdom. Should anything happen, it will all be either your downfall or your golden opportunity.
People cheer, waving and jumping at the front of the palace as you walk out to greet them. Your heart is a steady beat, and although the nerves begin to creep up at your feet, a steady hand wraps around your waist.
“You are going to be an amazing Queen, my love.” Xavier looks over at you, letting you bask in the limelight.
You wake up before you can share a kiss.
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After an awkward carriage ride and a million questions by your parents on what transpired, you’re tired of answering. The confinements of your room are enough to satisfy you for the time being, along with the heavy weighted decision. Your mother made it clear you did not have to choose this season, yet what if you didn't? The thought of Xavier going and finding someone else threatens to break your heart in two.
There it is…
“Are you ready, My Lady?” Tara puts the finishing touches on your tiara, pinning it to your hair to make sure it doesn’t fall off. “This is the end of the season.”
“I know my mother told me I do not have to choose, that I may wait until next season…” You trail off, turning around as soon as she steps back. “But I think I am confident in my decision.”
“Really?” Her sly smile creeps back onto her face. “And am I right to assume it is one of the two very eligible bachelors from Tarus or Philos?”
Your smile gives you away, and she grabs your wrists and shakes them. “Oh my goodness! I always wondered what went on in that forest…”
“Oh, stop it.” The way your eyes cast downward to your heels, the fabric of your dress kissing the tops of your feet. “I understand what my mother said about love, that it is very subtle. I have not felt anything like it, and I do not want to let the opportunity slip through my fingers.”
As if she were the one getting married, she lightly tugs you out to the garden. Many sets of eyes stare at you, and Tara leans closer, her voice just a whisper. “Go to your husband, My Lady.”
You see him before he sees you. His suit jacket is nearly the color of the sky that night in the forest, with specks of diamonds littered along the seams.
All your life, you thought of this moment as one filled with nerves, and when you were named the diamond of the season, it only skyrocketed your anxiety to new levels. However, despite the hardships of battling emotion and logic, one look at him, and you could feel your heart settle in your chest.
A soft tap on his shoulder causes him to turn around, cheeks flaming instantly as soon as he meets your eye. With his hands glued to his sides, he bows, only for you to stop him with a hand on his bicep.
“You do not have to bow, Prince Xavier.” It’s the first time in a while you have said his name, and he thinks he might pass out, and when you smile… wow . His lips curl up into a matching smile, and the warmth that blossoms in your heart is more beautiful than any sparkling star in the sky.
He watches as you slip your satin glove off your hand, extending it out to him in an invitation. “If you still wish for my hand, then take it. It is yours, just as I wish to be yours.”
There is a moment of silence, his eyes focused on the lines of your palm that are oh so inviting to him. Time seems to stop, and you think for a split second that he was not sincere, that the forest meant nothing to him. But before you can rescind your offer, you hear a soft release of breath.
[CN] Li Zeyan’s MQ: Burning Imprints (Eng Translation) - Part 2
⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a mind quest, 灼痕, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡
✦ Part 1 || Part 2 || ASMR
🔞 Additional Warning 🔞 Same old but more severe warning this time LOL. The steamy parts of the MQ are as explicit as they can get, i.e., some of the most explicit stuff you’ll read in a CN otome game right now, so if you don’t qualify for the game’s 17+ rating (CN server), I’d very highly recommend that you don’t proceed under the cut~ :>
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Read part 1: here!
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【CHAPTER 5】
The pitter-patter of water in the shower ceases. I wipe my dripping wet hair as I walk to the mirror, raising my hand to clear away the damp mist from its surface.
During the movement, I inadvertently trigger a slight twinge in my sore shoulders. I let out a soft hiss and pick up my phone, intending to search for effective ways to alleviate weariness.
My peripheral vision falls upon the work group that has been silent for several days, causing me to pause mid-gaze.
I wonder if the layout of the remaining placement sites is too discreet; it seems like the progress in collecting the bracelets has hit a snag lately.
For several consecutive days, there hasn’t been anyone coming to the “Elven Emissaries” to register with their bracelets. The operations of all the other projects are running seamlessly, with no slip-ups requiring documentation.
My schedule has become increasingly free. Every day, I accompany Li Zeyan to explore the restaurants on the island, trying all kinds of dishes prepared from locally sourced ingredients.
Alternatively, we also engage in activities such as diving, parasailing and so on, having a blast to our heart’s content before returning to our little cabin hand in hand, basking in the warmth of the evening breeze.
The relaxed ambiance has gradually allowed me to unwind from the intermittent stress that work brings, making me feel as if I’m truly on vacation.
I close the browser on my phone, lazily comb through my still-damp hair with my fingertips, and push the bathroom door open a crack.
MC: Li Zeyan, my waist is still sore.
MC: Not feeling up for vigorous activities today. How about we go for a spa treatment or a Thai massage to relax instead?
There is no response in my ears, but the intermittent sound of his voice can be faintly heard.
LZY (on the call): At this stage, if the bracelet is found, just directly… no need to…
LZY (on the call): As for the remaining progress, just wait for…
Progress, bracelet… Why does it sound like this is related to the collection task?
–
Without delay, I gently push the door ajar, finding Li Zeyan seated on the chair, his gaze lowered as he looks at his iPad.
With one hand supporting his Bluetooth headset, he occasionally swipes across the screen, appearing to be ruminating about something.
Upon hearing my voice, Li Zeyan lifts his head in my direction. I point at the screen for him, silently mouthing the words––
MC: [mouthing] Let– me– have– a– look– too––
I snuggle into his arms in the most familiar practice, intending to take a closer look at what he is up to.
However, Li Zeyan smoothly turns the iPad to face the other direction, his voice maintaining its composure as he continues to inquire through the earpiece.
LZY: [gives you a teasing glance before redirecting his gaze] What’s the new development you mentioned?
Confused about what’s going on, I move myself to the side he has shifted the device to. But Li Zeyan, as if on purpose, raises his arm at an unhurried pace.
LZY: [tosses you another mischievous glance before withdrawing] Continue.
It’s quite a rare sight to have him act in such a childish manner. I freeze for a moment, my initial curiosity now spiking to its maximum.
After thinking for a while, I resort to being a rascal and simply seat myself in Li Zeyan’s lap, attempting to suppress him in this manner.
Li Zeyan’s breath hitches for a moment. The body in contact with mine tenses briefly, halting all movement.
MC: Hehe, let’s see how you dodge now~
Thinking I have succeeded in my plan, I raise my eyebrows at Li Zeyan with an air of complacency, then lift my hand to climb up his arm.
Li Zeyan supports his headset with one hand, and there isn’t a single ripple in his expression as he watches me drawing closer to him. As I move, a few drops of water drip onto his face along the ends of my still-wet hair.
Splat.
He stares in my direction, the light in his eyes now dyed with moisture. The next moment, the palm resting on the armrest suddenly lands on my waist.
LZY: [still on the call, while looking at you] Inform the others to proceed with the original plan as previously arranged.
The force around my waist suddenly tightens with his words, clamping down on my provocative actions.
Just as I’m about to struggle, the tight body under my legs shifts slightly. Accompanied by the squeaking sound of the chair moving across the floor, Li Zeyan suddenly stands up from the armchair.
MC: …!
My body suddenly loses its fulcrum, and I cling tightly to his neck with both arms, desperately exerting every effort to suppress the exclamation that’s about to escape my throat, for fear that the person on the other end of the headphones might hear something.
But he effortlessly holds me up with one arm, a practice he couldn’t be more familiar with, then begins to walk at a leisurely pace, neither too fast nor too slow.
With each step he takes, my body collides uncontrollably with his again and again. And being restrained by his control, I’m also unable to create distance between us.
I bite my lips tightly, desperately, having no alternative but to tense up my body to endure it. Despite having only covered a few steps of distance, a thin layer of sweat has already formed on my cheeks––
Until the brief sensation of falling hits me, and I land heavily on the rumpled sheets. Li Zeyan tosses the headphones aside and sits leaning in towards me.
LZY: You’re becoming more and more unscrupulous.
His breath, carrying with it a burning warmth, teasingly caresses my face, keeping at a distance that is neither too close nor too far. His dressing gown has opened slightly during our earlier movements, exposing the dark red marks on his shoulder.
My heart rate uncontrollably accelerates for a few beats.
MC: It’s all because you’ve been playing coy with me… Let me see what you’re up to!
MC: I’m a part of the staff; I won’t get in the way of you guys.
Li Zeyan doesn’t seem to pay heed to my words, casually picking up a grape from a nearby plate.
LZY: I’ve learned this from a certain someone.
LZY: When you don’t want to show me the drafts of your proposals, you are much more of a rascal than this.
As he says this, he peels off the grape skin at an unhurried pace and bites into its luscious pulp. A sheen of grape juice colors his thin lips, which he then raises his hand to wipe away.
Despite pouting at him, my curiosity still gets the better of me. I peel another grape and bring it to his lips, attempting to sound him out.
MC: Well, then, could you perhaps briefly reveal some information? Like, where do you plan to search next, or…
I’m still in the middle of speaking when a sudden burst of warmth is felt at my fingertips.
Li Zeyan bites into the grape I’ve held out, and seemingly inadvertently, his teeth graze my fingertips, sending a tingling sensation through me as if I were being electrified.
My fingertips involuntarily flinch, but my wrist is firmly caught in his grip.
My body, which was already slightly tilted, suddenly loses balance, and I tumble into his arms.
LZY: The benefits of just one grape are far from enough.
LZY: If you want to pry out information, I’ll need more sincere bargaining chips.
MC: Just the other day, I was perfectly fine with you watching me! And now, after getting my appetite whetted, you suddenly cut off any further information… you’re quite the rare being!
Li Zeyan hooks his finger on the sash of my bathrobe and slowly slides it outward.
As the fabric falls with a rustling sound, my body shivers momentarily from the cool air. Soon after, I am covered by his scorching body heat.
Gasping, I try to press my lips together, but his fingertips slip in. Unlike last time, they don’t penetrate as deep, just resting between my teeth and stopping my attempt to close my lips.
MC: W-Why are you doing this again…
LZY: Why can’t I?
A low, husky voice sounds from behind me. Though it’s a question, it carries an irresistible implication.
LZY: It’s just the two of us here now.
LZY: Don’t hold back. Let me hear you.
A layer of moisture clouds my vision. I moan uncontrollably, biting down on his finger.
MC: [dragging out between her moans] …And you point fingers at me… when clearly you’re the most unscrupulous person there is…
A loose laughter drifts from beside my ear, accompanied by a sudden penetrating weight.
LZY: [as he moves inside her x1] I thought a certain someone already knew this about me.
LZY: [x2] …go on, “accuse” me a little more.
LZY: [x3] Perhaps this way, I’d be willing to give you whatever you want.
—
——————- p.s. Interval, and as you’ll see in the 2nd next sentence, god knows how many times they did it LMFAO ——————-
—
In the end, I still couldn’t coax any words out of Li Zeyan’s mouth.
Amidst the steaming afternoon heat, we’ve worn away the better part of the day once again until even our heads felt dizzy from satisfaction.
I lazily nestle in Li Zeyan’s arms, almost wanting to ignore everything else and simply “wasting” a whole day by his side.
Until the sound of a notification alert chimes from under the pillow.
MC: [reading the text] “Two more guests dropped by in the afternoon to submit their bracelets… Currently, we’re only one bracelet away from the completion of the collection task…”
…so, in other words, the conditions for unlocking the hidden surprise could be met at any time?
I close my eyes, silently running through a few minutes of mental preparation. I push myself up from the bed and sit upright until Li Zeyan’s arm loops around my waist from behind.
LZY: [poor man LOL, laughing softly] Where are you off to now?
I instinctively want to tell him, but then remembering what he did earlier, I let out a soft “humph” instead.
MC: …I’m not telling you. But anyway, received a notification in the group, so I’m heading to the “Elves’ Home Bar” to see what’s going on.
I nudge his arm as I say this and hear him let out a sigh interspersed with a little helplessness.
LZY: [chuckles helplessly] There are quite a few employees from LFG relaxing in the entertainment area there as well.
LZY: Come on, I’ll go with you.
—
The sports car parks outside the streamlined building, and I trail behind Li Zeyan as we make our way inside. [6]
Upon pushing open the sturdy wooden door, the sound of melodious music wafts towards us.
Warm-colored lights dance around the spacious space, illuminating the distant bar counter and the dazzling lineup of floor-to-ceiling wine cabinets.
The recessed seating arrangements create the outline of semi-enclosed spaces where the employees of LFG are gathered in small groups, chatting, laughing, or playing games. The atmosphere couldn’t be more relaxed.
Catching the sound at the entrance, Goldman inadvertently glances over and, upon seeing Li Zeyan and me, sets down the cards in his hand and stands up.
Goldman: CEO Li, you’re here too.
Goldman: We have something to report to you. I wonder if it would be convenient for you to talk now?
Goldman clears his throat, his expression as serious as ever. I nod at him in greeting and whisper to Li Zeyan.
MC: Why don’t you go ahead and check it out? I happen to have some things to attend to as well~
Upon finishing my sentence, I swiftly make my way to the back of the bar counter and find a staff member. I cast a quick glance towards Li Zeyan, then quietly inquire in a lowered voice.
MC: How’s the progress on the collection task now?
The staff behind the counter slides a glass of champagne over to me and answers in a similarly hushed tone.
Staff Member: The progress is still stuck where it was in the latest report, but something is a little off.
Staff Member: Clearly, we’re just one bracelet away from completion, but they seem to have lost their drive, and they’ve been here playing cards and board games… Could it be that the difficulty is too high and it’s affecting their motivation?
I take the champagne and ponder for a moment as I take a sip.
MC: But given the amount of countermeasures they came up with before, they won’t give up halfway… they must have some other plan.
MC: I’ll find another opportunity to look into the situation. If it’s really because of the design of the hiding spots being obstructive, I’ll have the staff controlling the lights make adjustments.
As I say this, my gaze drifts towards those people chatting and laughing relaxedly in the distance, and I inadvertently lock eyes with Li Zeyan.
The person next to him seems to have just finished a game, and a ripple of laughter passes from the group. Another person sorts out the deck of cards and asks Li Zeyan if he is interested in joining.
Li Zeyan sets down his wine glass and suddenly looks in my direction.
My heart skips a beat as I hear him speaking in a calm voice.
LZY: I will fancy a game, actually––
LZY: ––If the “Elven Emissary” over there is willing to accept my challenge.
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[Tidbits]:
[6] ! NERDING ALERT LOL. The architectural name of the building design is more popularly known as “Streamline Moderne.” Though the geometric shapes and curves make these structures look futuristic, these designs actually emerged in the 1920s and reached their peak in the 1930s-40s, and are known to be timeless. I do want to applaud Li Zeyan’s content team b/c this was such a little detail effortlessly tied with his car model- the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing (produced from 1954-57). Widely known to be another timeless classic and a groundbreaking car for its time– kudos to his team for never failing to incorporate such subtle details, though unfortunately, I can’t gush about each and every one of them b/c that will turn bigger than the MQ translation itself ahah. also, not LZY being the only guy who got his car drawn into the event special background arts LMAO 💸😂
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【CHAPTER 5, INTERWOVEN EMOTIONS】
[Tidbits]: This is a bonus chapter (equivalent to the memory silhouette in SP MQs), described in the narrator’s POV, comprising moments before Chapter 6~ 🥺
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Set against melodious background music, a rather ostentatious scene unfolds on the movie screen.
The protagonist’s eyes shimmer with tears as they are about to deliver a passionate confession of love, and just at this moment, several indistinct murmurs sound from beside him.
Li Zeyan turns his head to look at the girl sleeping soundly next to him and chuckles softly.
The movie being screened at the island’s movie theater today is a classic example of a crowd-pleaser but lacking substance–– a grand setting with overly dramatic plotlines.
Despite the fact that this genre of film isn’t the girl’s cup of tea, she was the one who spontaneously suggested coming here. And sure enough, she nodded off halfway through.
LZY: [smiles helplessly] …
He sighs almost inaudibly, his gaze fixed on the gentle play of light dancing through the girl’s long eyelashes, casting a subtle shadow under her eyes.
These days, she often has to juggle work responsibilities now and then, and she clearly hasn’t let herself relax properly.
At the moment, the person really basking in the enjoyment of his vacation is just him alone.
Li Zeyan lowers his gaze and picks up the blanket nearby, draping it over the girl so that she can sleep more soundly.
Buzz—
His phone’s notification suddenly rings out for a moment, only to be silenced as he swiftly presses the mute button.
Li Zeyan walks out of the screening room with light footsteps and closes the door behind him before answering the call. Goldman’s voice sounds on the other end.
Goldman: CEO, we’ve got a handle on the locations of the remaining bracelets. It’s only the whereabouts of the last one we haven’t been able to track down, as of now.
Goldman: Would you want to consider mobilizing the rest of the employees and get them to participate as well?
LZY: No need. They’re all on vacation now. Let everyone who wants to unwind enjoy their time off peacefully.
LZY: Those who are interested can continue exploring in their leisure time, but do not put any pressure on them either.
LZY: Inform them using your account. Just updating the group with the clues that have been found will suffice. I’ll keep up the search.
Upon receiving a response from the other end of the line, Li Zeyan ends the call and walks in the direction of the screening room at an unhurried pace.
The project area along the coast and the highly popular tourist spots have been searched and ruled out one by one over the past few days… The location of the last bracelet seems to be a little too discreet.
Li Zeyan’s fingertips absentmindedly trace the phone’s surface, the sound of the girl’s expectant voice playing in his mind.
“‘The harvest reaped from a certain someone’s efforts during this time has indeed been worthwhile.’… I want to hear you say these words personally after seeing the surprise.~”
LZY: [laughs helplessly] …The difficulty level is set rather too high for a vacation experience.
Even as Li Zeyan murmurs his discontent under his breath, there is a touch of gentleness in his eyes.
He has closely witnessed the hard work the girl put into this project in recent days. And if he can help it, he doesn’t want her dedication to go in vain.
And even though she hasn’t said anything directly on purpose, she’s been occasionally dropping hints that “she wants this task to be realized as soon as possible”— whether it’s through her words or through deliberate or inadvertent actions…
Li Zeyan’s steps come to an abrupt stop.
The screening schedule for the theater is arranged early in the morning. She should have already known from the outset that the content of this film wasn’t something she’d be interested in.
Given that, why was she insistent on bringing him here?
After contemplating for a moment, Li Zeyan lifts his foot and changes his direction. He doesn’t enter the screening room and instead returns along the path he had taken with the girl.
Before long, he comes to a stop on the stairs of the theater.
LZY: [extremely helplessly and indulgently] Dummy.
Li Zeyan says softly, his voice tinged with the gentle hint of a smile.
A beaded coconut shell bracelet hangs quietly on the railing above, a lustrous sheen haloing it.
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【CHAPTER 6】
After only a brief moment of contemplation, I stand up and take a seat at the other end of the round table where Li Zeyan is sitting, ready to hear the rules––
First, both parties will receive five cards each, which will remain undisclosed. Upon obtaining the cards, each party can choose to propose to exchange some of their cards with a third party or keep them as they are. Then, they will proceed with placing the bets.
Once everything is finalized, the cards will be revealed, and victory will be determined by comparing the ranks of the card combination.
The rules don’t sound that complicated, so I nod to Goldman, signaling that we can begin.
The shimmering yellow glow of the light dances on the marble table top. After a brief shuffle, five cards are respectively placed in front of me and Li Zeyan.
MC: You know, we haven’t yet decided what the wager should be.
In order to test the waters, I intentionally speak up, watching as he calmly flips his cards over, shooting me a glance.
LZY: How about a wish?
LZY: Even if it doesn’t comply with the “rules” of this island, we still have to fulfill for the other person.
Whether intentionally or otherwise, his pronunciation of the word “rules” seems to carry extra emphasis. I blink, and a realization suddenly strikes me.
The progress of the bracelet collection task has currently hit a snag… Perhaps Li Zeyan wants to gain clues through this method?
MC: Yeah, sure thing.
Saying this, I glance at my own cards, my heart pounding in my chest. To my surprise, luck has favored me this round–– I have Two Pair among the five cards.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch him intermittently tapping his fingertips on the table. Displaying such subtle gestures of contemplation likely means his cards aren’t as good.
I have to seize this opportunity and compromise a little bit.
MC: I want to swap cards.
LZY: [simultaneously] I want to swap cards.
As the deep, heavy hum of the music interweaves, our voices coincidentally collide with each other. Li Zeyan and I hold each other’s gaze for a moment before he calmly takes out three cards to exchange with Goldman.
I also trade my Two Pair with Goldman, acquiring a few new cards in return. Then, following Goldman’s cue, I spread out my cards on the table.
And just like that, the game is settled in a moment–– Li Zeyan’s Joker with a four-flush clearly outmatches my high cards.
Even as I’m trying to maintain my composure, I still breathe a sigh of relief, my eyes crinkling into a smile as I turn to Li Zeyan.
MC: CEO Li’s move to swap the poor cards for such an amazing hand was rather wise, I must say.
Li Zeyan doesn’t say anything and only arches an eyebrow, while Goldman beside him clears his throat with a cough.
Goldman: Actually, CEO Li’s original hand was a straight, so it wasn’t bad either.
A straight… that’s still better than my original Two Pair, isn’t it?
MC: …Then why did you take the risk of changing cards?
LZY: [chuckles softly] Just to be cautious.
LZY: After all, judging from a certain someone’s subtle cues, her hand must have been pretty good.
LZY: Since the Joker was already in my possession, there was a high chance the new cards would either form a flush or above, so it was worth the gamble.
Calculating the probability in mind from his description, I can’t help but widen my slightly as I look at Li Zeyan.
The interval was only about ten seconds or so, and this man calculated everything so fast even within that window!
MC: [mumbling to herself] Had I known earlier, I wouldn’t have gone easy. At least, I could’ve lost with some dignity…
I mutter under my breath in a voice only I can hear, watching as Li Zeyan rises from the seat and addresses me.
LZY: [and he still hears it LMAO, ofc he does] A bet’s a bet.
LZY: Now, you should accompany me to fulfill my wish.
─
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[Tidbits]: Just in case it eludes anyone, they are actually playing their version of exclusive poker. I’m not gonna explain the specific terms or the game b/c it’d be a long ass explanation. But just wanted to point out that while MC was playing to have Li Zeyan win the game, the man just really wanted to win LMAO– and why, you’ll find out in a bit~ 🥺
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We take our leave from the entertainment room. The nearby and distant buildings are already veiled by the gathering darkness of the night.
The streamlined sports car zooms through the night, racing towards the highest point of the island, and it soon pulls into a secluded parking garage.
Keeping an intermediate distance, the sports car comes to a slow stop by the food-to-ceiling windows. Lights from the surroundings spill a surfeit of light through the glass, making it so that it seems we’re almost close enough to touch by just reaching out.
…What a coincidence, this is the best spot for enjoying the “hidden scenery”!
Everything seems to have fallen perfectly in place, and my heartbeat instantly quickens a little. Li Zeyan turns his head sideways and casts me a casual glance.
LZY: Come on, let’s enjoy the night scenery first.
The door on the driver’s side opens silently, and Li Zeyan seems about to rise from his seat and get out.
MC: Hang on, you haven’t yet told me, what’s the wish you want me to fulfill for you~
I grab his sleeve at flying speed, but he still maintains his calm and composed demeanor.
LZY: I don’t think there’s any need to rush it at the moment.
MC: …but this is a task that must be done eventually! If you don’t tell me, I won’t be able to set my mind at ease~
With my hopeful gaze fixed on him, Li Zeyan ponders for a moment.
LZY: [YOU CAN’T SEE ME BUT I’M PRACTICALLY IN TEARS RN] Well then, from this moment onwards, leave all your time for me and me alone.
MC: [confused] …?
I find myself momentarily doubting if I’ve heard him wrong.
MC: Are you sure you want something so simple? You know you could take this opportunity to get your hands on some even more “impossible” terms!
I subtly stress the word “impossible,” but Li Zeyan seems to have missed my hint and simply gives me a nod.
MC: …Li Zeyan, you’re really a dummy!
I straddle his lap and punch him on the shoulder, feeling a little depressed.
MC: You clearly said yourself, that you wanted to realize the collection task! Then why not seize this opportunity and ask me––
LZY: Ask you about the location to activate this surprise?
And just like that, my hidden thoughts are exposed by him. I stare into his eyes, finding myself a little astonished.
Li Zeyan lifts his hand and runs his finger down my chin, signaling me to pull myself together.
LZY: You’re looking in the wrong direction, turn your head.
I follow the direction his finger points at and, somewhat perpexedly, look out the floor-to-ceiling window.
In the next second, it’s as if an invisible switch has been pressed, and the outline of the entire island is suddenly illuminated by magnificent lights.
The resplendent yet gentle lights, akin to a cascade of stars falling from the vast expanse of the night sky, delineate the long and winding curves of the coastline.
And just like that, the scene I have seen repeatedly in the design drafts and renderings suddenly unfolds before my eyes without warning. My lips part, and my heart suddenly skips a few beats.
…During this whole time, as I spent monitoring the progress, I imagined countless times how Li Zeyan would react when he saw it.
He would probably smile, wouldn’t he? Or perhaps, he wouldn’t even be able to take his eyes off of it.
Harboring such anticipation in mind, I always wanted to achieve the completion of this task as soon as possible, so that he could enjoy this perfect surprise.
Yet, as this scene suddenly materializes before me, I find myself becoming the one who can’t tear her eyes away.
—
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[Tidbits]: Sorry to break the flow, but just a little refresher/ reminder as to why MC’s surprise is so significant and emotional (p.s. the BGM here is the 3rd anniv. theme btw 😭)– in S1 CH11, Li Zeyan first told MC how looking at the city lights from a height would quell his anxiety and worries. From then on, it has become one of LZY’s most prominent themes (night, city lights, and meteors). We also saw the reversal of it in the winter world (Only Tonight SP), where MC told Li Zeyan how looking at the city lights would remind her of her special person, and it calmed her down, too. Aside from the little scattered ones, some major moments where we’ve seen the significance of this reference– S1 CH 37 farewell scene, S2 CH 4 re-bonding scene (at the hospital again), S2 CH 40 memory returning, LZY’s 5th birthday etc. This is why MC’s own surprise apparently takes her aback just as much here, too~ ꒦ິ꒳꒦ິ🙏
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A soft chuckle rings in my ears, and I finally snap out of my daze.
Only to find that Li Zeyan’s gaze is fixed intently on me, and I see countless lights and myself mirrored in his eyes.
MC: You had already guessed what the hidden scenery was, didn’t you?
Li Zeyan responds with a soft hum, his palm gently caressing my wrist.
LZY: After all, a certain someone did say it was something worth appreciating with someone you hold dear.
LZY: Since every single element of it was designed by you, I reckoned my preferences were taken into account subconsciously.
LZY: During my morning runs these past few days, I scouted for locations on the island that would offer a breathtaking view. And, combined with the information gathered from the group, I did indeed make this discovery.
His voice carries a sense of ease, and interlaced with it is a confidence of calmly accepting love. A soft “hmph” escapes my lips, and I can’t resist pressing on for more details.
MC: Had I known earlier… I should have chosen my words more carefully when making the introduction.
MC: Come to think of it, the bracelets should have all been collected a while back… You were simply keeping it under wraps so that you could unveil it now, weren’t you?
Li Zeyan doesn’t deny it, leaning back into a relaxed posture.
LZY: Had you known in advance, you wouldn’t have felt the surprise.
I blink my eyes and speak subconsciously.
MC: But this surprise wasn’t prepared for me in the first place––
LZY: [cuts her off] Why can’t it be for you?
As he says this, the touch of resigned laughter colors his baritone voice.
LZY: [lets out the most helpless, gentlest of chuckles] When you persuaded me to come, you clearly said we’d be on vacation together.
LZY: Why is that after “tricking” me into coming here, more often than not, you seem to be so on edge and distracted by all sorts of work related matters?
As he speaks, his fingertips brush my head, causally removing my headwear.
—
The delicate ornament lands soundlessly onto the carpeted floor of the car. A few strands of hair by my cheeks trail downward, causing a slight tickling sensation.
I lower my gaze and belatedly piece together the way I’ve had an increasing amount of free time these past few days, as well as the bet he cleverly orchestrated and won. Suddenly, a realization dawns on me.
MC: …So, everything that happened the past few days was part of your plan?
LZY: After all, a certain someone didn’t have that awareness.
LZY: So, I could only use my ways to bring you out to escape the confines of rules and identities.
As I gaze into that pair of serene eyes, I feel as if a flower is blooming within me, my innermost being silently overflowing with an exquisite sweetness.
The corners of my lips involuntarily curve upward as I lean in, resting my forehead against his. I feel enfolded by the warmth and breath of the person in front of me, and he hems me in completely, not leaving even the slightest gap between us.
MC: So, you’ve been planning this all along, step by step… guess this falls under Teacher Li’s “aesthetics of delay,” doesn’t it? [7]
LZY: Of course. Moreover, the one who gets to immerse in the enjoyment shouldn’t be just me alone.
Our warm breaths intertwine, and I can almost see my own reflection mirrored in his eyes.
A soft laugh escapes me as I lean in towards him.
MC: Well, now it’s time for me, the “dummy student,” to be proactive and respond.
────────
[Tidbits]:
[7] Putting the note here before we get into the intense™ scene again LOL– the “aesthetics of delay” part is a throw-back to Li Zeyan’s top-up SP card– “Exuberant Fruits of Patience” (aka When Love Matures in EN). I’d highly recommend re/reading that to find out the significance of the throwback here~ 😉
────────
—
I plant a kiss on his lips as I say this. The palm supporting my hips suddenly tightens.
His lips wrap around mine, neither too fast nor too slow, stealing all my oxygen away at a leisurely pace.
Amidst our entwined breaths, even the air lingering between us burns hot. I nibble on his lips, only to be answered with an even more intensified demand.
Sapped of all my strength, it’s not until I give a push on his shoulder that I manage to catch a sliver of space to breathe.
The night air, carrying with it a slight chill, embraces our fiery body heat. I shiver involuntarily and reach out, yearning to steady myself on his chest, but the progressive intensity of the thrusts leaves me swaying back and forth.
MC: Li Zeyan, please let me lean on you a little more…
Allow me to find a mast to rely on and continue to meet the deeper waves.
I’m not sure if I’ve actually said these words aloud, but the panting in my ears suddenly grows heavier. At the same time, my wrists are held captive by a palm soaked with moisture.
Accompanied by the rustling sound of a tie twining around, my wrists are bound and looped around his neck.
MC: [moaning] Li Zeyan…
Murmuring, I turn my head to the side and bite Li Zeyan’s equally damp shoulder.
He doesn’t speak and only releases a restrained pant, holding me even tighter in his arms.
The magnificent lights, the shimmering reflections… the colors on the car window sway, gradually becoming blurred in my vision––
–– Until, akin to fireworks, everything converges into a burst of white light and explodes in my mind.
I take a deep breath, and in the all-consuming embrace of our entangled bodies, lift my hand and run my fingers through the wet tips of his hair.
MC: Li Zeyan, do you still find this delayed surprise to your satisfaction?
With those profound eyes staring fixedly at me, he leans his head in and gently plants a kiss on the inside of my arm.
LZY: Of course… I find it even more satisfactory than you could imagine.
LZY: And I also find myself to be even more addicted (to you).
His lingering kisses wreathe upwards, charged with a passion that can set everything ablaze.
I almost forget how to breathe, as I feel even the last spark of my consciousness grow burning hot and melt into the flowing night.
The world fades into distance and obscurity, leaving only the fiery and violent pounding of our tightly pressed hearts.
And so, I close my eyes, sinking into his temperature once more.
[CN] Li Zeyan’s MQ: Burning Imprints (Eng Translation) - Part 1
⌚Warning⌚ This post contains detailed spoilers for a mind quest, 灼痕, that is yet to be released on the global server! ♡
✦ Part 1 || Part 2 || ASMR
🔞 Additional Warning 🔞 Same old but more severe warning this time LOL. The steamy parts of the MQ are as explicit as they can get, i.e., some of the most explicit stuff you’ll read in a CN otome game right now, so if you don’t qualify for the game’s 17+ rating (CN server), I’d very highly recommend that you don’t proceed under the cut~ :>
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【Subbed Video】
not posting the video right now b/c my YouTube channel is still on probation from Li Zeyan's UR ASMR upload LOL, so this video will go online in about three more weeks, and I'll update the link then~
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【Chapter 1】
Toot––
The melodious steam whistle sounds from afar. A ferry sails over the shimmering, crystalline waves, its sleek and majestic hull gradually becoming clear in the field of vision.
Accompanied by the heavy thud of the ferry entering the port, the seagulls on the coast are startled, scattering and flying into the azure sky.
I exchange a few words with the staff next to me, and eventually, we fine-tune our respective appearances. As we look on in anticipation, the ferry slowly lowers its gangway.
In no time, people begin to descend in small groups of two or three.
Employee A: Wow! I can’t believe the entire island has been booked for team-building. The company really is committed to this.
Goldman: After all, we’ve managed to seize back several projects from FengZhen Group, and the financial report has some commendable highlights. Anywho, the only one who is capable of making such strides is our LFG. [1]
Executive B: Indeed, let’s have the administration team shoot a few extra videos. We can use them as promotional material when recruiting from universities next year.
Amidst the continuous ebb and flow of conversation, a staff member next to me props up their head ornament and walks up to the crowd.
Staff Member: Welcome, travelers from distant lands, to Nan’Ao Island!
Staff Member: I am an elven emissary of this island. In the time that follows, I will be accompanying you on this journey of exploration along with my companions.
In cooperation, I point the “wand” in my hand toward the direction of the shore. As I watch the expression on the staff members’ faces, either of astonishment or admiration, the weariness accumulated over the past few days of running around dissipates a little.
With the Spring Festival approaching, LFG offered employees the opportunity for company-sponsored travel as a benefit. Nan’Ao Island was among the destinations that were up for choice.
This place has just undergone the transformation into a vacation-themed resort with a “Magic Holiday” theme. In addition to the subsequent promotional campaigns, [MC’s Company Name] was also involved in designing the majority of the activities.
In order to closely follow up on the initial operations, I decided to stay on the island. Concurrently, I made most of the opportunity and assumed the role of an “NPC” to promptly identify and address any potential oversights that might occur during the process.
MC: Now, please make your way to the nearby golden beach. We’ll be guiding each of you to choose your own “abodes.”~
The crowd follows the guidance and walks toward the beach. I maintain a courteous smile, my gaze subconsciously scanning around, but I’m unable to find Li Zeyan’s figure.
...Could it be that he got caught up with some last-minute work? Or could there be some other reason?
As I silently ponder to myself, memories of the conversation during our video call the other day surface in my mind.
–
──── [FLASHBACK STARTS] ────
LZY: …they can only truly relax when the higher-ups are not around.
LZY: There are still many year-end matters to attend to, and not all members of the management, myself included, necessarily need to be directly involved.
I let out a prolonged “Ah” and lean a bit closer to the screen.
MC: Team building is an essential component of corporate culture… how can CEO Li, as a member of LFG, make an exception?
MC: In such opportunities to strengthen team cohesion, if the boss also actively participates, it can provide even better motivation for everyone!
MC: Moreover, “sharpening the axe doesn’t delay the cutting of firewood.” Taking a break before the New Year also means entering work with a better mental state afterward, don’t you agree?~
Li Zeyan, on the screen, locks eyes with me for a brief moment, and his motion of flipping through the documents comes to a halt.
LZY: If [MC’s Company Name] ever incorporates a debate competition into team-building activities, a certain someone here would surely come out on top.
MC: So, to translate your words, does it mean that CEO Li has been persuaded by me?
Li Zeyan leans back against the chair noncommittally, and though he doesn’t confirm or deny, a touch of softness settles in his expression.
LZY: Don’t celebrate just yet; I need to arrange my schedule first.
LZY: If I can carve out time, I’ll try my best to make it there.
───── [FLASHBACK ENDS] ─────
–
Seeing the stream of people on the pier gradually thinning out, my gaze falls on Goldman, and subconsciously, I consider asking him about Li Zeyan’s situation.
But considering that there are still numerous unfamiliar LFG employees present here, and given my current role as the “Elven Emissary,”...
After some thought, I decide to play the role of an “NPC” for now and find a moment to give him a call later.
Click.
A soft sound emanates from behind. I reflexively turn around and find myself involuntarily squinting my eyes into a smile.
Li Zeyan is leisurely leaning against the railing of the pier, holding up his phone in my direction. His hair dances in the sea breeze, revealing his deep-set eyes and brows.
Perhaps due to the vacation atmosphere, he is dressed somewhat casually today. The collar of his shirt is loosely open, allowing the sunlight to sketch out subtle contours.
Noticing that I’ve turned around, he then shifts his gaze away from the screen. A barely perceptible hint of a smile lingers on the corners of his lips.
At this moment, only the two of us are on the boardwalk. I finally can’t resist the urge to let a smile tug at the corners of my mouth and briskly walk up to his side.
MC: Hm-hmph, I knew you’d definitely come~
MC: By the way, were you sneakily snapping photos of me just now?
LZY: I’ve been standing here for quite some time already.
LZY: You were the one who didn’t notice me, so you can’t really call it being “sneaky.”
LZY: Besides, I haven’t seen a certain someone for several weeks. Am I not even allowed to take a few pictures now?
MC: Hehe, Sir, you’re allowed to do whatever you please~
MC: After all, this “Elven Emissary ” here is so cute. It’s only normal if you want to treasure this moment~
LZY: [laughs helplessly] …as usual.
His voice carries a subtle undertone of helpless resignation, causing me to involuntarily burst into laughter. Li Zeyan looks at me and slows down his pace.
LZY: Your mood seems exceptionally upbeat today.
MC: Of course~ After all, I had a hand in creating this tourism project, and the first batch of guests to be welcomed here happens to be employees from my boyfriend’s company.
MC: One must acknowledge it’s a wonderful stroke of fate.
The bright and beautiful sunshine beams down, and the warm sea breeze carries with it Li Zeyan’s soft chuckle.
LZY: Turns out this kind of hectic coordination can also be viewed as a “serendipitous coincidence.”
LZY: Obviously, when the administrative department was selecting the team-building destination, in order to advocate for Nan’Ao Island to be included in the list, a certain someone even went out of her way and brought a PowerPoint presentation to explain.
LZY: What was it? Something along the lines of “since there’s a hierarchical relationship, if LFG chooses Nan’Ao Island, they can enjoy discounts and save on budget funds.”
LZY: “After tirelessly working for the entire year, what better place to warm one’s heart than heading to a sun-drenched island during the chilly season?”
LZY: While you did deploy a bunch of rhetoric, you also appealed to emotions and reasoned with logic.
MC: In any case, judging from the results, the strategy did prove effective!
MC: CEO Li, rest assured. Since I’ve strived for this opportunity, I will ensure the quality of your team building is guaranteed.
MC: I pledge that no matter what, both CEO Li and the employees of LFG will enjoy a perfect vacation~
In the midst of our conversation, we’ve already reached the end of the boardwalk and stepped onto the soft, warm beach. Li Zeyan’s voice resonates from beside me.
LZY: And what about you?
MC: I’m gonna fulfill the duties of the “Elven Emissary ” and ensure you all have a great time, of course~
LZY: …a certain someone never forgets her professionalism.
In the distance, the hubbub of indistinct yet clamorous laughter emanates from the meeting point. I clear my throat and speak in a serious demeanor.
MC: I officially welcome you to the island~ Our magical holiday journey is about to begin!
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[Tidbits]:
[1] It’s a reference to his top-up SSR from this same event.
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 2】
As we get closer to the meeting point, the distant voices of conversation become increasingly clear. I loosen my grip on Li Zeyan’s arm, lowering my voice.
MC: I’ll go ahead first; we’ll catch up later, okay~
–
I gesture to another “Elven Emissary” as I speak. The latter, understanding my signal, walks in front of the unfolded map and speaks during the interval before I take the stage.
Staff Member: Up next is the segment for choosing your accommodation. Feel free to pick based on your preferences.
Staff Member: For those seeking a quiet retreat, you can choose locations near the “Healing Hot Springs” and the “Elves’ Home Bar.” The surroundings are picturesque, and it’s convenient to reach us whenever needed.
Staff Member: If you lean towards activities, you might want to choose accommodations near the boardwalk. This not only offers more convenient access to activity spots like “Blue Sea Snorkeling” and “Dragon Wing Gliding” but also…
MC: But also, there’s a higher concentration of hidden items in the nearby area!
Seizing the opportunity, I smoothly take over the conversation and walk to the front. And sure enough, a curious inquiry reaches my ears.
Employee A: What was that you just mentioned about the hidden items?
Beaming ear to ear, I raise a string of coconut shell bracelets.
MC: This is the Easter egg segment we’ve designed~
MC: Scattered around the captivating spots worth exploring on the island, you’ll find 16 sets of these bracelets. If you find them, please pass them over to the Elven Emissaries.
MC: Once you collect them all, you’ll unlock a hidden scenery–– share this delightful surprise with someone you hold dear~
MC: Now, who would like to come up first and choose their accommodation?
The air buzzes with excitement as conversations erupt. Though no one comes forward to take the stage, everyone simultaneously turns their eyes to the back of the crowd as if in tacit agreement.
My gaze follows the direction of the crowd, and looking up, I see Li Zeyan standing alone under the shade of a tree.
Probably not wanting to draw attention to himself, he has deliberately chosen a spot slightly removed from the crowd. However, he is still unable to escape from the employees’ gazes locking precisely onto him.
The beach at the moment is akin to a natural conference room, with countless eyes of either admiration or curiosity trained on Li Zeyan, all awaiting his directives.
I struggle to contain the urge to hook my lips into a smile, suddenly recalling Li Zeyan’s words from our video call – “They can only truly relax when the higher-ups are not around.”
During the relaxed time of team-building, it’s actually a great opportunity to lessen the sense of distance between superiors and subordinates...!
Suddenly, an idea pops into my mind, and I speak with a beaming smile on my face.
MC: Although no one has spoken yet, their collective gazes have already pointed to the most fitting candidate.
MC: That handsome gentleman back there! Could you come up to the stage, please?
LZY: …
Across the bustling crowd, Li Zeyan and I lock eyes for a brief moment before he finally walks unhurriedly to the front of the stage.
The moment our shoulders brush against each other, his thin lips move almost imperceptibly.
LZY: [GAHH THE “THREATENING” WHISPER] You’re gonna have to settle this account later.
MC: C’mon, enliven the atmosphere a bit. Please cooperate, CEO Li~
I also answer in a voice that only the two of us can hear, briskly leading him to stand in front of the map. Then, with a serious demeanor, I ask.
MC: I wonder which accommodation you’re planning to choose?
As I speak, my fingertips trace over the area near the “Elves’ Home Bar” as if inadvertently, and I stare at Li Zeyan expectantly.
His gaze wanders over the map for a moment, then he raises his hand and points to a vacation cabin nestled within the dense forest at the far end of the bay.
LZY: This one here.
LZY: However, it’s in a rather secluded location. I’m afraid I won’t be able to find my way there alone.
With this sentence, he slips one hand into his pocket and turns sideways, looking at me with an indolent gaze. Although he hasn’t said anything explicitly, I clearly catch his implication and discreetly pout my lips.
MC: ...Then, after everyone has chosen their accommodations, I’ll––
Goldman: Actually, after CEO Li’s demonstration, the process has become much clearer. We can complete the remaining steps under the guidance of others.
Goldman: Going in groups like this will also increase efficiency.
Goldman pushes his glasses up and suddenly speaks from the audience.
Several threads of understanding or confusion are thrown from the crowd, but they all nod in agreement in groups of two or three.
LZY: Could you lead the way now, “Miss Elven Emissary”?
MC: …please follow me. Everyone else, carry on.
Amidst the lively atmosphere, I escort Li Zeyan off the stage and walk out of the crowd. It’s not until we are seated in the equipped car that I turn to look at him.
MC: Sob, sob~ and here I was so sure of our tacit understanding. Did you not catch the hint I gave you just now?
MC: This place is the furthest from our offline work information exchange hub, “Elves’ Home Bar.” I’ll have to take so many detours in the future…
Suddenly, a warm touch lands on my lips. Li Zeyan raises his hand and caresses my lips, sending a wave of tingling sensation through me.
LZY: Well, isn’t that just perfect.
In the faintly intoxicating sea breeze, he leans in toward me, his voice tinged with a touch of indolence.
LZY: Since it’s so troublesome, just reduce the frequency of your visits.
LZY: Invest all the time you would have spent there on me instead.
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 3】
The cozy tropical sunshine beams down as I sit on the deck of the small boat, adjusting the fishing net. Suddenly, a few drops of cool seawater land on my cheeks.
Li Zeyan floats up from the sea, lifting the breathing tube with one hand, and squints slightly as he looks in my direction.
LZY: Wasn’t it a certain someone who took the initiative for this and said she wanted to try her hand at fishing?
LZY: Why is she dilly-dallying now?
MC: Let me finish fastening this last buttonhole… don’t rush me!
I lazily scoop up a handful of water and splash it back at him. Looking at the dripping wet hair over Li Zeyan’s forehead out of the corner of my eye, I can’t help bursting into laughter.
MC: Don’t you feel this scene gives a sense of deja vu?
MC: It feels like when we were on White Pearl Island, I was waiting for you to come back from pearl diving just like this. [2]
As I speak, I adjust the equipment and give him an OK gesture. Li Zeyan seems to recall something as well, and a glint of smile glides across his dark-colored irises.
LZY: All I remember is you waiting on the deck for about ten minutes, and then you started feeling bored.
LZY: When I got on the ship, you persistently kept asking about the underwater scenery.
As he says this, he reaches out and clasps my palm, bridging the distance between him and me.
LZY: And this time, you can accompany me to see it together.
With these words, Li Zeyan pulls me along and together, we dive into the warm, cerulean sea.
The scenery undersea is akin to a picture scroll, its novel appearances unfolding before our eyes through the diving mask.
Schools of fish shuttle through the vibrant, swaying coral. Occasionally, one or two would swim alone, leisurely swishing their tails as they cruise along.
The target suddenly appears, capturing my attention instantly. I swiftly dash forward and swing the net. Unexpectedly, the fish rapidly changes direction and escapes from my encirclement.
MC: …
Li Zeyan casts a sidelong glance at me, his long legs sheathed in a black diving suit swaying leisurely in the sea waves.
Despite the breathing tube and diving mask obscuring his face, I can still vaguely discern a smile.
Unwilling to resign myself, I chase after several lone fish again, but all my attempts to catch them end in failure. I grab his hand and float to the surface, exhaling a sigh of frustration.
MC: These fish are too agile. Can I apply for some assistance from outside?
Upon hearing my words, Li Zeyan glances at me and takes off his breathing tube.
LZY: When you say “assistance from outside,” what exactly are you referring to?
MC: I was referring to CEO Li’s Evol, of course~
MC: As long as you pause time for just a moment, we can catch them all in one fell swoop, can’t we!?~
I lean in with a beaming smile on my face but am stopped by Li Zeyan’s outstretched finger pressing against my forehead.
LZY: Even if we succeed this way, there won’t be much joy in it.
LZY: Instead, we should slow down our movements and allow the fish to relax their vigilance. Once they feel safe, they’ll come closer on their own.
LZY: When the time comes, they naturally won’t have any chance to escape.
Seeing my skeptical gaze, Li Zeyan doesn’t offer further explanation. He simply puts on his breathing tube and motions for me to join him in diving underwater again.
I follow behind him, observing as he pauses with the net in front of a cluster of coral, quietly slowing his movements. Before long, sure enough, a few fish swim over.
Silently, Li Zeyan leans forward, waiting until the fish approaches the net without any alertness, then swiftly pulls the net together.
Eyes wide, I suppress the excitement bubbling within me as we float up. I watch as Li Zeyan lifts the net, several fish floundering vigorously inside.
Glistening droplets of water cascade down his damp forehead, melding into his equally soaked neck and broad shoulders. I can’t help but gasp in awe.
MC: So amazing! You managed to really catch them!
LZY: I learned quite a few techniques from the fishermen back when we were on White Pearl Island. Just putting some of that knowledge to use. [3]
Li Zeyan lifts his hand and swings the net onto the small boat as he speaks, then helps me up onto the deck. Followed by this, he speaks with a hint of amusement in his tone.
LZY: On the other hand, a certain someone has already been on this island for quite a long time for planning and on-site inspection purposes.
LZY: How come it is that no matter if it’s diving or fishing, there’s always a sense of novelty in your reactions?
MC: Hehe, I indeed haven’t had the chance to enjoy myself here. This island is more of a workplace for me, after all.
MC: Every day, I’ve had to stay on top of the situation on-site, adjust program designs and coordinate personnel arrangements…
MC: Sob, sob, I’d just pass out as soon as I went back to my room, so I didn’t even have any time to explore properly.
A warm touch lands on my cheek as Li Zeyan casually wipes away the water streaks from my face, giving me a somewhat helpless glance.
LZY: Aren’t you always on the dot to remind me about “seizing” the chances to relax when I’m on business trips?
LZY: I remember you mentioning before that you’re not the only person responsible for this project inspection.
LZY: So, how come you didn’t sneak off to “touch fish” and relax a little? [4]
MC: I just can’t help but feel a little uneasy without seeing things with my own eyes. After all, this project is going to be recommended to LFG, so it’s only natural that I must ensure every detail is ironed out.
MC: Moreover, haven’t I already “seized” it back? Being by your side is already the best method of “touching fish.”~ [5]
Grinning, I reach out and touch the fish still flopping around in the net, the tail note of my voice carrying a cheerful lilt. Beside me, Li Zeyan chuckles softly in response.
LZY: A certain dummy has always been quite skilled at comforting herself.
LZY: So, what’s the plan for these fish?
MC: The restaurants on the island do offer processing services… but I want to push the envelope a little further.
Beaming from ear to ear, I lift my chin towards the open-air barbecue area on the shore as I speak. Li Zeyan follows my gaze, his voice now tinged with a hint of comprehension.
LZY: When it comes to troublesome tasks such as this, a certain someone really spurs into action.
MC: But I also need someone here to cooperate~ Pretty please, Li Zeyan; it’s been ages since I have experienced your culinary masterpieces!
As I speak, I fold my hands together in a gesture of prayer and gaze at him. Although Li Zeyan remains non-committal, the glimmer of a smile in his eyes grows increasingly pronounced.
—
Sure enough, once the small boat stops by the boardwalk, Li Zeyan picks up the net.
LZY: Go change your clothes.
LZY: Decide on the flavor you want, grab the condiments, and meet me at the barbecue area.
With Li Zeyan’s promise, my mood can’t help but brighten all the more.
After changing into dry clothes, I head toward the “supply point,” filled with joy and expectation, mentally calculating as I walk––
Naturally, we should include the local specialty sauces… but what if Li Zeyan doesn’t have a taste for them? I should also bring some classic condiment pairings like spiced salt and hot pepper…
Staff Member: Excuse me… Miss Elven Emissary!
A hesitant call sounds from behind me. I quickly snap out of my thoughts, and a polite smile forms at the corner of my lips.
MC: May I help you with something?
Staff Member: I just found one of the bracelets you guys mentioned while taking photos by the reef. Could you please guide me to the registration area?
The other party opens their palm towards me as she speaks. My gaze falls on the beaded bracelet, and my eyes can’t help but sparkle a bit at the sight of it.
The first bracelet has been found so quickly! This collection task seems to be progressing even more smoothly than I imagined…
MC: Of course, please follow me~
I reply in a brisk tone and send a message to Li Zeyan, letting him know that I’d be ten minutes late. Then, I escort the girl to the “Elves’ Home Bar.”
After taking care of everything, I inadvertently glance at my phone. My heart suddenly stutters.
…It’s been twenty minutes past the time I promised Li Zeyan that I’d be there.
—
I rush towards the open-air barbecue area at lightning speed, carrying the bottles and cans in my arms, and spot Li Zeyan leaning against the long table.
Several plates are already arranged on the table. As I draw nearer, the tantalizing aroma of grilled delights wafts into my nostrils, clearly indicating that they’ve been ready for quite some time.
Seemingly hearing my footsteps, Li Zeyan lifts his gaze to look at me. I promptly dash a few steps forward.
MC: I’m sorry for making you wait for so long… haha, the aroma is so delightful!~
MC: As expected of Mr. Li. You can maintain top-notch performance even without any condiments!
LZY: These fish have already been seasoned. You can stop buttering me up now.
LZY: While I was waiting for you earlier, a staff member passed by in the vicinity, so I asked him to help me fetch them.
LZY: Otherwise, if I were to wait for a certain someone to bring them back, the fish would have all burned.
MC: The route to the registration point was a bit circuitous. I didn’t realize it’d take this long.
As I rush to explain at lightning bolt speed, a not-so-firm yet no-so-gentle tap lands on my head.
LZY: [laughs helplessly] Dummy, I’m not mad.
LZY: I just realized that you seem to be particularly invested in this group task.
MC: Because I designed that surprise single-handedly from scratch. Instead of it staying hidden, I rather hope it can be seen by everyone~
MC: And, to be honest, I also have a bit of a selfish motive.
MC: “The harvest reaped from a certain someone’s efforts during this time has indeed been worthwhile.”... I want to hear you say these words personally after seeing the “surprise.”~
LZY: [laughs even more helplessly] You’re already an accomplished producer in your own right, do you still need this kind of affirmation?
MC: Of course~ After all, affirmation from clients and work partners is recognition of my capabilities, which fuels my resolve to keep pushing forward.
MC: However, the affirmation from my boyfriend–– can sweep away all the weariness from this period, filling me with motivation to welcome the next challenge head-on~
LZY: [even more indulgently] Dummy.
As he says this, his baritone voice softens slightly, and he forks a piece of fish and brings it to my lips.
The delicious flavor explodes on the tip of my tongue. I squint my eyes contentedly, listening as Li Zeyan speaks in a low voice.
LZY: It’s okay to give yourself a break without any worries.
LZY: Don’t underestimate the people at LFG.
──────────────
[Tidbits]
[2+3] It’s a reference to LZY’s first UR card story: “Melding Into You.”
[4+5] The term used here is “摸鱼” (lit. meaning touch fish), which is actually used to mean “slacking off.” There are a lot of playful puns here, which I’m too exhausted to explain rn. Anyway, while I could have used the fig. meaning, I went with the lit. one b/c the conversation revolves around the whole fish imagery here, e.g., you see MC touching the fish they’ve caught together (with him guiding her) as she says her best method of slacking off, i.e., relaxing, is simply being with him– which essentially is a core part of this date, which you’ll see unfolding later ahah 🥺
—
•─────⋅◍♡◍⋅─────•
—
【Chapter 4】
Outside the vacation cabin windows, the dense patter of rain mingles with the rustling of branches and leaves.
Standing on the terrace and looking outwards, I can see the buildings near and far being shrouded in a fine veil of rain.
I withdraw my gaze from the eaves outside and glance at the work group chat that has been continuously bombarding me with messages since just now.
The sudden downpour has only now begun to taper off. The patrol staff just reported that the beaded bracelet placed at the seaside has been washed into the sea.
If similar situations occur at the other sites where the bracelets are placed, it will surely impact the experience of the game. With this in mind, I swiftly send a few messages in the group chat.
MC: “Once the rain stops, let’s each go check the placement of props in our designated zones.”
In response, there comes a series of consecutive affirmations in the group chat. Deep in thought, I raise my head and gaze towards the forest outside the vacation cabin.
The nearest hiding spot to me is right here... I’ll have to seize the opportunity when Li Zeyan isn’t paying attention and sneak out for a quick look.
As I’m contemplating, Li Zeyan’s voice suddenly comes from behind.
LZY: It’s so late, and you still haven’t come to bed. What are you zoning out for?
I discreetly tighten my grip on my phone and turn around to look at Li Zeyan.
He is sitting reclined against the headboard, iPad in hand. His dark fringes hang leisurely, partially veiling his eyes.
A pair of glasses rests loosely on the bridge of his nose, reflecting several glimmering points of light from the screen.
I plop back onto the bed, casually leaning closer to him as if nothing has occurred.
MC: The rain outside is quite lovely, so I was just snapping a few photos.
MC: And what about you… it’s only been a few days since the vacation, why have you already started looking at documents?
Catching my curious gaze, Li Zeyan leans back and casually angles the iPad in my direction.
LZY: In order to complete a certain someone’s mission.
I move closer with some confusion, and a chart titled “Technology is the Ultimate Weapon” immediately enters my field of vision.
On the topographic map of the vacation island, at least a dozen annotations are sprawled, detailing analyses ranging from distribution patterns to minimum spacing radii, both internally and externally.
For a moment, I can’t help but be bewildered by the scale of the arrangement. Then I hear Li Zeyan’s voice coming from beside me.
LZY: As you can see, there are already people from LFG who have begun updating the guide in real-time.
LZY: In addition to taking turns searching during the vacation, they also share the locations they’ve already found the bracelets each day to avoid wasting time.
LZY: Goldman even went ahead and prepared charts, saying that it would narrow down the search area through data analysis.
I withdraw my gaze and meet Li Zeyan’s eyes with a moment of incredulity.
MC: Isn’t that taking it a bit too seriously… hang on, you didn’t assign this as a task to them, saying something like, “You must complete it within the designated time frame,” did you?
Li Zeyan shoots me a cryptic glance with a hint of ambiguity in his expression.
LZY: I haven’t become that unreasonable yet. This is something that interested individuals did voluntarily.
LZY: At the end of the day, it was a certain someone’s previous introduction that piqued their curiosity.
With a pensive “Oh,” I suddenly think of something.
MC: So, to derive from what you said, this is a private chat group? Then how are you––
There is a sudden hesitation in Li Zeyan’s demeanor.
LZY: [you can’t see me but I’m actually crying lmao 😭] …I asked Goldman to add me to it.
His voice remains very calm. I hold his gaze for a moment, but can’t help bursting into laughter.
MC: Pfft, haha, so it turns out CEO Li is also participating in this activity, huh! Then doesn’t that mean you have to lead the team and set an example?
MC: But you have the “secret weapon” in your hands! Just “please” me a little, and who knows? You might uncover some clues.
I teasingly poke his cheek. Li Zeyan doesn’t say anything and simply stares at me intently.
A moment later, he suddenly chuckles and casually takes off his glasses, setting them aside. Without the obstruction of the lenses, those deep eyes of his stare at me unabashedly.
LZY: [chuckles teasingly] How do you want me to “please” you?
His voice seems to take on a slightly huskier timbre than usual, as he reaches out and takes hold of my fingertips.
A wet, passionate kiss descends immediately. I quiver, instinctively wanting to pull back my hand, but he restrains my movements.
LZY: Like this?
LZY: …Or would you like me to go further in?
With these muffled words, his lips quietly trail to my neck, lingering there, taking his time and igniting a growing fire.
My heartbeat accelerates uncontrollably, but I still make a conscious effort to keep my willpower intact.
MC: …I already asked you to please me. Naturally, you should be the one to think about how to do it.
LZY: Hmm, I haven’t thought it through yet.
He appears to be genuinely reflective, but the force of his delivery suddenly increases, catching me unawares. The goblet glass at the head of the bed is knocked over, its content spilling silently and soaking the crumpled bedsheet.
I tightly clench the pillow, his voice reverberating in my ears.
LZY: [shaky, breathless voice x1] But since you’ve handed over the control to me…
LZY: [x2] When we should stop won’t be your call anymore.
The rain outside has stopped at some point. Only the gauze curtains in the distance dance in the breeze, occasionally making a rustling sound.
I stealthily open my eyes. The man next to me has half of his face buried in the pillow, his features traced by the moonlight pouring through the window.
His body rises and falls gently along with his light, rhythmic breathing. It seems that he has already drifted off to sleep.
MC: Li Zeyan? CEO Li? …Zeyan gege?
In order to feel out, I speak in a soft voice. Seeing that he still hasn’t responded, I slowly move his arm aside.
Then, gently and quietly, I rise from the bed, casting one last glance at the sleeping Li Zeyan before feeling at ease and pushing open the door.
—
Creak––
Along with this almost inaudible sound, the crisp air post-rain rushes towards me head-on.
The clear night drapes over the quiet vacation village, with the vaguely audible murmurs of the waves in the distance.
I walk along the cobblestone path into the woods, carefully identifying the location of the placement point by the distant lights.
The bracelet hanging from the branches sways gently in the breeze, almost blending into the dim light of the night.
Feeling relieved, I send a message to the group to confirm that everything was fine. But just as I’m about to leave, I can’t resist muttering to myself.
MC: …Li Zeyan, you really are a dummy.
MC: This hiding spot is clearly so close to where we’re residing, and yet you still haven’t found it.
LZY: After all, considering the vast expanse of the area to search through, it’s surely going to consume a lot of time.
LZY: Instead of running around aimlessly, it’s better to wait patiently for the chance to arrive.
A familiar voice sounds from behind me. Startled, I turn around at lightning pace. There, standing behind me, is the person who I saw seemingly “sound asleep” just a moment ago, now watching me.
MC: You… You were actually pretending to be asleep!
LZY: A little correction. I was simply concerned about your safety when I noticed you were heading out so late, that’s all.
LZY: The discovery I’ve made just now can only be regarded as an unexpected gain.
Li Zeyan’s eyes mirror a contemplative interest as he speaks.
LZY: On the contrary, a certain someone here seems to be getting more and more adept at pulling the wool over people’s eyes.
LZY: While her leading foot earnestly vowed that she was genuinely exhausted and just wanted to sleep quickly, her trailing foot dashed out the door to be busy with this and that…
LZY: [GAH THAT MENACINGLY SEDUCTIVE TONE] It seems like I don’t need to be mindful of such excuses from now on.
The roots of my ears can’t help but flush a bit, and I let out a cough before offering an explanation.
MC: Circumstances change… my current action is entirely driven by my dedication to work.
Li Zeyan lets out an ambiguous “ah.” His figure is outlined by the distant lights, casting a slender silhouette that projects onto me.
Amidst the murky darkness, I discern his voice carrying a slightly deeper chuckle, and it seems a little more muffled than usual.
LZY: Sophistry.
LZY: Whether or not there’s some truth to it… I’ll examine it in my own way.
His voice drops to a whisper, and what follows is a warm and entangled kiss.
I find myself involuntarily clutching onto the corner of his garment, tilting my head back to reciprocate. The next moment, I feel the tip of his tongue gently glide across the roof of my mouth.
Despite the brevity of that touch, it sends a shiver through me, making me tremble uncontrollably. I feel as if my heartbeat is about to melt into the fiery breath of this moment.
??: Has this area not been searched yet?
Indistinct chatter suddenly echoes from a distance. I gasp and turn my head, watching as two blurry figures appear far off at the edge of the woods.
MC: They seem to be looking for clues… We…
Before I can finish my entire sentence, it’s gradually drowned out by stifled whimpers.
Li Zeyan closes in on me from the back, covering me deeply. His one hand presses against my lips, seemingly trying to hush my voice.
His slender fingers teasingly caress the space between my teeth. After playing around for a while, they irresistibly delve further in.
MC: …!
LZY: They should know what’s appropriate.
LZY: But if you can’t control your voice… that might be a problem for us.
His fingertips carry the slight chill of the night, stirring my tongue every now and then. It feels like an appeasement, and yet also a form of punishment.
All the sounds in my ears fade away, leaving only the pounding of my heart, growing more and more violent amidst the whimpers. Unconsciously, I bite down on the fingers he has inserted.
His embrace, imprisoning me, tightens even more. A moist kiss descends onto the nape of my neck, followed by gentle nibbles, trailing down to my chest.
Rumble––
The rain, which came to a halt, has begun pouring down at some point unbeknownst to us, pitter-pattering onto the surface and creating ripples.
In the embrace of the night, everything is steeped in the surging tide.
"we're gonna be really late, y'know?" you whisper against nanami's shoulder, your words cut off by a sudden gasp that slips out of your lips without you realising. once your breath steadies and your shaking thighs can support you again, you continue. "the reservation is at seven, and it's nearly --"
"then we'll be late," he replies, pressing an adoring kiss against the crown of your head, "they can wait."
even now, he seems effortlessly composed. the only hint of any loss of control is how his chest rises and falls slightly faster than normal, paired with the faintest pink flush spreading across his cheekbones. besides that, he seems completely unperturbed at the idea of missing a reservation at his favourite restaurant.
"that's out o-of character," you mumble fondly, feeling the fabric of the couch imprint against your knees as you lower yourself down again, your grip on nanami's bare shoulders leaving little crescent-moon indentations on his skin. "you-you're the punctual one, aren't you?"
a shift of his thighs beneath your own and his hips are pressed flush against yours, the thrust knocking the air from your chest.
"the difference is," he says, deep voice hushed but tinged with barely-concealed lust, "that i only watch the clock for things i don't like doing. and right now, i can't think of any place else i'd rather be than-" - he pulls out, letting air back into your lungs, before grabbing your hips and speeding up the rhythm until your vision blurs, "- right here, with you looking so pretty on top of me."
reader is wearing a dress but no pronouns are used, fluff, kissing, slightly suggestive at the end. minors and blank/ageless blogs dni
Diluc shifts in his heavy leather chair, the evening light coming in through the window behind him casting a soft sunset glow that only serves to illuminate his features. his vividly red hair cascades down one side of his face, the ribbon usually tied in his hair loosened after the days wear. his lashes are long, thick, as he blinks down at the paperwork before him. lips set in a neutral expression, his cupids bow pretty and pronounced - a favorite place of yours to kiss. his gloves have been set to the side of his wide desk to give you the view of his large, beautiful hands that are rugged and riddled with scars.
you long for him. sitting on the quaint little couch in his office, the spot you have claimed as your own whenever you find yourself wanting to be in the company of your busy spouse, which is often, and settle yourself in cozily with a blanket and the newest book you were recommended by Lisa. the book, unfortunately has stopped being interesting to you, now laying face down in your lap while your thumb fiddles with your wedding ring and you stare at Diluc while he diligently and silently works.
you sigh, quietly and wistfully, leaning over the armrest of the couch with your arms folded and chin rested on top of them, tucking your legs further under your bottom as you dreamily drink in the vision that is your husband.
“My dear.” he murmurs, not looking up from his work.
“Hm?” you reply innocently, tilting your head and resting your cheek on your crossed arms with a smile. your husband looks up from his work and meets your eyes, the setting sun brining awe inspiring illumination to your hues and Diluc pauses to enjoy your beauty.
“You’re staring, my dear.”
“Yes?”
“At me.” he clears his throat and chuckles. no matter how long you have been with this man, the soft blush on his cheeks when you give him your gentle affections is ever present. it makes you smile widely, and your eyes twinkle at his reaction to simply being looked at.
“Of course, Diluc. You’re beautiful. My beautiful husband.” you coo, each word you say honest and sincere with adoration. he exhales sharply, licking his lips and smiling at you,
“I should be the one saying that to you.” he defends, you note how his papers are now not in his hands, but on the desk and there’s a telltale creak of his chair being pushed back.
“And you do, you tell me often. But ‘Luc, you are beautiful. I only needed to tell you that.” you retort with a light laugh, watching your husband walk towards you until he’s seated on your little couch beside you.
“Only needed to tell me that, hm? Your incessant staring and that’s all?” he teases gently, putting his arms around your waist and pulling you into his lap.
“I’m surprised you haven’t asked for a kiss, love.” he chides, his ruby gaze as deep as ever, but glistening with soft edges. you make yourself comfortable in his lap, his hardened body fitting against your softer one in a way only puzzle pieces are familiar with, and you suddenly lean in to kiss his cupids bow. Diluc scoffs in amusement, you then inhale how he smells like fine sun warmed leather and sweet grape juice.
“I promise you I was only admiring my husband, Diluc.” he blushes again and you cup his cheek, eyes closing when he leans in with a smile and brushes his lips against yours. you moan softly when he presses in more firmly a moment later, feeling the passionate push and pull of his kisses. you’ll never tire of this, of being in his arms. Diluc kisses you earnestly, hands rubbing at your back and waist to keep your body closely knit to his own.
“Only admiring, eh?” Diluc rasps, moving his head down to kiss hot and open mouthed against your throat,
“I’m afraid you’re doing more than admiring at this point, love.” he continues in a hushed voice, as if in a warning of what’s to soon come for you, to soon devour you right there on that little couch. you gasp at his teeth sinking into you for only a second and can’t bring yourself to respond properly as Diluc laughs into your warm skin. a hand slowly pushes up your dress and his palm rests against your inner thigh, the metal of the ring on his finger making you ache. this is all yours, this touch, this want. you tremble, he kisses you and inhales your every whine of need,
“Allow me to do the same, and admire you in return.”
✮ tags ; gn!reader, usage of honorfics (-senpai once, -san), submissive ish nanami, blowjobs, anal fingering, 18+
✮ wc ; 1.7k (???????????)
✮ a/n ; i dont know what happened. not even a nanami girl. but. i see a man in need. nanami sorry for what every does to you.
It's so easy to get Nanami to bent out of shape.
He tries his best, you think. He tries hard, and he's a good guy. You always feel bad being around him and pulling your pranks and antics. You're not like Satoru - he's told you, because you're much more conniving. Unlike Satoru, who Nanami finds dishonest - he thinks you're too direct. Too plain in your admission, your admonishment, your praise.
He deserves a break, for all the tremendous pressure he puts on himself to do well and protect. to make something out of his life. There's some part of him you feel a lot of sympathy for, and another part that sees him for what he is. A man under duress who's practically begging for reprieve. He wants to vacation on a beach somewhere, but he can't.
You think it's natural - inevitable, that Nanami will give into your flirting. You lay it on thick every time he comes by. he's only unaffected in the brief stretch of time where he thinks you're teasing him. Because he's older than you, jaded, easy. When he realizes there's even the slightest bit of sincerity in your words, he suddenly can't look you in the eye.
It's a troublesome affair for him to have feelings for his junior. It's inappropriate, and he can't approach you in the way he likes. The way he likes being controlled and practiced. He's quite the gentleman. Later, you'll sure he'll wine and dine you nicely as a proper thank you. A man like that leaves no good deed unaccounted for.
But for now, you don't really want to let Nanami do anything for you. You've always wanted to do something for him. Break him down. Maybe it's your problem, since a man with that kind of neuroses always turns on the worst in you.
Still. Still. You can see something in him that no one else does, a desire to forget himself. You can give that to him without trying that hard at it, but it does take a lot of convincing.
He's got the handsomest face when he's embarrassed out of his fucking mind. He gets red. You've never seen it before - but his face is lit up. Pink up to his ears.
He's haphazard. Shirt unbuttoned but not off, tie loosened. He took off his pants but couldn't manage his boxers. You've been riling him up all evening, teasing and testing and pushing. When he finally kissed you later on in the evening, an expression close to a plea - you knew you had him where you wanted him.
So you made it to his apartment, kissed in his hallway, pulled him onto the couch and dry-humped like two idiot teenagers. He can't see him to control it after all your meticulous bullying and he looks so much better that way. Loosened up and picked apart.
He's so easy. It's unimaginable for you in some ways, that your cool and collected senior could break apart over something like this. He's normally so reserved, but you've breached some upper limit and now he's like this underneath you.
The muscles of his thighs are tense as you sit patiently between his legs, a hand on his knee with another wrapped around his shaft. you laugh a little at the state, the pre-cum dripping down your fingers and
"Nanami-san," you punctuate the honorifics "You alright up there?"
He lets out a sigh like he's been holding it in all evening. He tries so hard. So hard. You respect it, admire his endless resolve. He chokes down a sound as your hands grip around the base of his cock.
"Yes," He says, only barely masking the thin veil of desperation in his voice. He's almost begging you. You think you're probably awful enough to get him there "I'm fine."
"You sure? You're red in the face. Been a while? You seem like the serial monogamist type. When was the last time you got laid?"
In an act of unbelievable cruelty, you decide the best time to blow him is now. You open your jaw wide, stick your tongue out and let the spit pool onto the tip of his length. He hisses, almost bites a hole in his lip looking down at you in disbelief. His cock throbs painfully in your hand and you giggle - which makes him look down at you ashamed.
You blink innocently, silently imploring him to keep going. He sighs, an arm thrown over his eyes and his hand closed into a hard fist. You close your mouth around the head, minding your teeth. Nanami tastes like skin and salt and musk, but not unpleasant at all. His pre-cum taste clean, just like the rest of him is so prim and perfect. You dip your tongue into his slit, watching him squirm before taking him down even further.
"Could you please—for the love of—"
You slide off your mouth of to talk. You can't help but want to press his buttons.
"Come on, Nanami-san. You can withhold a little bit. You're so sturdy, y'know, more than I thought. Tell me about your sex life."
Nanami can recognize your words for what they are, because he knows you and the games you play with him. He frowns hard, meeting your eyes and closing his own with a sigh.
"I don't remember," Nanami tells you, honest - nearly biting a hole into his lower lip as you massage his balls with your hands, soft as you kiss down his shaft and lave your tongue over the thin skin "It's been a long time. Years."
"That so? You deserve an orgasm, Nanami-senpai. A good one. You really work hard," You punctuate every word with a touch, a squeeze before he shivers himself into a mess. "Every had anything up there?"
His eyes widen in shock and dismay, but not disgust.
"....A very, very long time ago."
"You okay with it?"
"....Well, yes. I guess so."
"Any lube?"
"There's uhm," Nanami stutters, rubs his eyes like he doesn't know where he is "Oil. In the drawer."
"Kay," You say, casually, patting his thigh as you reach over to get it and return to him no problem. He looks at you awestruck and you look back at him with nothing more to offer "Try and relax,"
You warm the oil up in your fingers first before you pull his cock up enough to touch his ass. The rim of muscle flutters as you touch it, slick thumb drawing circles around. He makes a noise you can't identify, followed by one you can. A moan, slight and quiet enough to go undetected. You grin silently as you ease a finger in, a thumb first then your pointer. Nanami breathes through the motion, and you move slow enough to get him to relax.
Once there's one, you go back to blowing him. He loosens up immediately when he feels the warmth of your mouth, hot and slick, suctioned around his cock. You relax your throat taking him deep, opening his ass at the same time.
It's more attention than he's had in a while. There's an unmistakble quality of lust, gargled words and sounds and shuddering. His chest is so flushed in the bare light of apartment he almost glows. You start with one finger and keep your blowing steady - start him easy with stimulation.
You get another, then another - and when your three fingers in, you decide you have some room to be relentless. Ruthless. You curl your fingers and search for his prostate. You know when you've found it because the sound he lets out is debauched.
It's easy - too easy, to get Nanami completely bent out of shape. Getting him this broken this fast almost feels like a trick of light - his dark brown eyes rimmed red and shaking. Such a composed gentlemanly sort moaning a fucking mess.
His strong chest is trembling as it rises up and down trying to catch a breath. You know when you find the spot because he nearly jerks his hips, but shows enough restraint not to do it. Not to fuck up into his throat animalistically like he wants so badly.
A well-trained man he is. You suppose all men can be a little like dogs.
So you reward him by deep-throating him. It takes all of your willpower and expertise but the reaction is more than worth it.
So polite, he doesn't even swear when he breaks underneath your ministrations. Doesn't cry, doesn't even scream when he wants too. His cock shudders and twitches and pulses against the warmth of your mouth, pre-cum streaming into your throat like a broken faucet. But he doesn't let himself cum, doesn't do anything but let you have your way with him.
No, he wants you to have your way with him.
You pull off and he whines. Whines. His voice, thick and deep, so pitched with need you almost want to laugh. You kiss his cock affectionately.
"You can cum when you feel like it. 'Kay?"
He just nods, speechless. Needy. You feel so good and a little sorry for him at the same time. But you're urged by a silent desire to ruin him at his very foundation.
So for the last time, you let your mouth come down on him and fuck him with your fingers. You give it everything, bobbing your hand and timing your rhythms well enough that your wrists hurt. It's a game of balance, but you manage it - because with even the slightest gestures or veritable movements, Nanami folds.
He caves in on himself, breathing ragged and practically drooling. Poor Nanami, you think. It's just so easy to get him this way, and it's fun too.
The words barely get out of his throat before he can warn you, frantically that he's going to cum. But you don't move, pushing forward and barrelling your way towards his orgasm. You can feel it happen on your tongue, cock twitching hard and he unloads deep into your throat.
You don't taste it so it's easy to swallow, and you swallow hard as you milk him making him pull you off in a desperate plea for mercy.
You laugh as you pull away from him, watching as he stares down at you awestruck and a little afraid. You wipe the corners of your mouth and smile.
"You're so sexy, Nanami-san,"
He groans in shame and embarrassment, still red to the tip of his ears.
Aizawa is tucked halfway under the kotatsu, pouring himself into the papers scattered across the tabletop. His hair, still damp from the shower, is pulled up and out of his face in a loose bun, bits of hair threatening to come unraveled with any suddenly movement. He tuts his tongue at something written down, mumbling about ‘Kaminari’ and drawing an x across the whole page. Then, he sticks the pen back in his mouth. It bounces between his teeth as he continues to read, huffing and sighing as he goes along.
He’ll be asleep soon, probably on top of those papers, but your night is just beginning.
“Shouta, I’m headed out; the girls are waiting for me.” You stroke his hair as you pass behind him and Aizawa leans into the touch. Your boyfriend isn’t one to explore the city’s nightlife, so he’s usually more than happy to let you go out with your friends and stay home alone. “Don’t wait up.”
He barely spares you a glance, humming a soft tone as a goodbye.
Then, he looks up again and the pen clatters to the table.
“Wait a second. Come back here.“ He jerks his chin, directing you back to him. You slowly turn on your heel, teetering back on your stilettos. Shouta’s gaze burns into you as you approach, drinking up every inch of your body, reaching for you the second you come close enough. His hands find your ankle, tracing over the bone there before trailing up, past your knee, all the way up to the hem of your dress.
“God damn,” he breathes, squeezing the give of your thigh appreciatively, “You can’t go out in this.”
Every bit of excitement that’s built inside you immediately dies. “Shouta.”
He gestures to you as if its self explanatory. “Where’s the rest of it?”
“What do you mean ‘where’s the rest of it?’“
“Your ass is going to fall out.” He grips the hem of your dress and tugs it lower– which also lowers your neckline. Suddenly, your tits are spilling over the top, nipples peeking out the hemline. “God, that’s worse.”
“Shouta!” you scold, slapping his hands away and correcting your dress, “I’m not changing!”
“I’m not saying you have to change.” Aizawa’s touch creeps back, hooking behind your thighs and pulling himself closer to dot chaste kisses along the inside for your knee. “Just add a coat.”
“So you don’t think I look good?” you coo with a pout.
He deadpans. Looking up at you through his lashes, Aizawa opens his mouth and bites, hollowing his cheeks as he sucks the fat of your thigh into his mouth. Pain blooms from the spot, tensing your muscles and trailing into your core in a much more pleasant way that it should. When he lets go, you almost miss him… until he dives back in, running his tongue appreciatively over the indentations his teeth left in your skin. You’re already bruising, broken blood vessels coming to the surface as he presses his lips against it again.
“Now go put on something long enough to cover that.” He spanks your flank before leaning back to the table, corners of his mouth turned up with a smug little smirk, like he thinks he’s won.
“I’m going to go out with my girls-” you hike your skirt even higher- “with my slutty little hickey on full display.”
You step into him, heel sandwiched between his folded legs. Like this, his face is almost at the same height as your cunt, only a stretch away. He doesn’t even pretend to look somewhere else; Aizawa tilts his head ever so slight to peer up your skirt, enthralled as much as he is annoyed.
“Wanna give me another before I go?” You point to a spot on your other leg.
“You’re killing me, you know that?” Aizawa lets out a heavy sigh as he comes back to you again, almost begrudgingly kissing the bareness there. “My old heart is going to give out thinking about you-”
He bites again with enough force and time to make you squirm, lingering for a long moment before pulls off with a wet pop. Hungrily, he explores again, pushing up your leg with just his face. Your skirt catches against his face as his mouth explores upward, cotton bunching over the ridge of his nose and trapping the heat of his breath against you.
“On that dance floor-” He finds another spot higher, right where your hip meets your thigh. The nip here is all teeth, just barely scraping- “Being eyed up by men who want you.”
His lips brush against the tiny fabric on your panties, just a ghost of a touch. “Stay home and let me worship you instead.”
TEXTBOOK CITATIONS ON IMMORAL SEX | S. GETOU ft. F. TOJI
✮ tags ; porn no plot, afab + fem!reader (good girl, little girl once sarcastically by toji, pretty), mild degradation (dirty girl, a bitch in heat), professor!getou + security guard!toji, dubcon, imbalanced power dynamics, age gaps(10+ years), mild coercion / blackmail, spit play, wet ‘n messy sex, face-fucking, oral (f +m!recieving), spanking, restraints, dirty talk, creampie / unprotected sex, 18+
✮ wc ; 10.6k
✮ synopsis ; You’re willing to do anything to pass your intro course. Whatever it takes. No cost is too high.
✮ a /n ; a comm for the beloved @fushironi !!! thank you for commissioning me and letting me post your work. if anyone is interested in a commission i will be reopening them at some point this month hopefully
A SIDE NOTE: THIS IS VERY CONSENSUAL!! but the relationship is inherently unethical so the dubcon tag is there. and this is. just smut. no plot no brain. just porn.
You're failing ethics.
You're failing ethics and failing it badly.
You refuse to take all of the blame for your failures. Some of it is your fault, but most of it is the fault of your good-for-nothing academic advisor. You're not sure what they get paid for, since it seems like there's an elaborate prank going on between staff and you're the only one not in on the joke. In what universe is it possible, plausible - that an individual could get paid for doing everything but their job?
Apparently this one. But whatever.
In your last semester of university, on the edge of graduating and totally on the right track - you're informed that you're not going to be able to graduate in the expected time frame because you are missing a single course. You learn this information about two days before registrations close, which means all the meaningful classes contributing to your major are booked and busy. Everything is full, and everything that isn't doesn't contribute to your degree. As in, even if you took it - it wouldn't give you what you need to graduate.
After a full-blown mental break, a long night crying yourself to sleep in your dorm, and an egregious amount of begging - you managed to snag yourself a class. It wasn't ideal by any stretch of the imagination, and it did put quite the strain on your schedule. Straight out of your 8am lab - you had to speed walk to the other end of campus and make sure you made it to lecture. The lecture time itself was an hour and twenty minutes, attendance mandatory, twice a week - which meant you had to delay lunch again till afterwards and learn on empty fumes till 1 pm.
Still, better than not graduating at all.
You'd hoped (expected?) that the course itself would be about average in coursework. For one, it's an intro class. Intro to Ethics or PHIL-2467, with Professor Getou Suguru. Secondly, the actual listed coursework seems simple enough. Discussion boards, reading analysis, and a few papers made up for most of the grade. The expectations were outlined as clearly as they could be.
You didn't really know anything about Professor Getou at the time, only that his ratemyprofessor described him as somewhat strict but mostly good.
In any case, you'd consider yourself lucky. And in an effort not to freak out about your circumstances, you'd practically chanted to yourself each night the same mantra. Everything was going to be fine. You've taken nearly 120 hours of coursework, and a little extra time won't kill you. At the start of the semester, you fully believed it too. Bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and utterly naive.
How could a single course torment you like this? You hadn't the faintest clue. At first, it struck you as odd that the course felt as difficult to grasp as it did. The readings were complex and extremely long but always said a lot of nothing. Much of your grade was dependent not only on assigned work but participation and discussion. The paper criteria was only simple on the surface, but proved to be too lengthy to comprehend and too difficult to fulfill.
Long story short, the class was kicking your ass. And the ass-kicking slowly progressed into a failure so bad it was laughable. You're in your final year, and that means taking a lot of difficult and specified courses in relation to your major. You were at the point where your classmates were starting to thin out, and you were seeing the same group of people you had as a freshman. As far as prioritizing goes, a 3-credit hour course that isn't technically meaningful to you falls to the very bottom of your priorities. You're more concerned with things like job-hunting and finishing your capstone and all the stuff related to your actual career.
So you've been half-assing all the papers and exams, falling asleep in class, and lowkey straight up ignoring the weekly discussion boards.
However, above everything else, the worst part of your class is your professor. Professor Getou Suguru. PhD in Comparative Ethics with a Masters in Cognitive Science.
You didn't really have a chance to speak with any of your friends about Professor Getou, despite it being in your best interest - because you only knew you had the class two days before it started. You'd come to learn only two things about him after attending. First, he's a complete hardass when it comes to grading any assignments, and second most of his merit comes from the fact he is ridiculously good-looking.
He can't be any older than his late thirties or early forties, which means he's young. Young enough to be attractive but old enough for most of your peers to thirst for him in unhealthy ways. He's at least a decade and a half older than you, and by god does he make it clear.
What they don't tell you about college is that there's nothing that can make or break a class more than your professor. Everyone is always too worried about everything else, about getting their schedule right - that they often overlook this basic tenet of college life even though it's so crucial. The worst part is that while various websites rating your professors are helpful, you won't truthfully know how you feel about a professor until you've met them in a classroom. You've had professors with lower ratings be absolute angels, and professors with higher ones being some of the most useless in your entire academic career.
You were hoping that Professor Suguru would be what you expected. That his astounding 4.5/5 would be a meaningful assessment of his character, that he would be tolerable and polite and understanding and that your semester would be smooth sailing because of it.
But of course, of course - that couldn't be further from the truth.
You don't know at what point exactly your relationship to Professor Suguru became as sour as it is right now. There's no real pivotal movement where mild intolerance became full-blown and outright distaste. But part of it, you know, stems from the fact your beloved professor is a snake.
You have no idea how no one else notices it. It genuinely feels like you're the only one who catches the subtleties of his behavior. There's just something about him that's a little…off. The irony isn't lost on you. He's an ethics professor, but something about him makes alarm bells go off in your head. A walking red flag, though a handsome one. He's off in a subtle way, but more than that - he's very openly smug to every single one of his students. It's just that no one else seems to really care. The air of pretension that surrounds him in his every movement is suffocating. Maybe that's part of the charm, if the way girls flock to him after class is anything to go by.
Even so, you just know there's something deliberate about his casual cruelties. He always seems to pick out the quiet kids, and from the beginning of your semester to now - he always, always manages to single you out of the crowd of students. In every class, in every discussion, in every chance he has to make you out to be a troublemaker he will.
Yes, you don't really have any idea how it started. But you've been keeping a long record of every single act of personal terror that damned man has been inflicting on you since the start of the course, and you're not unconvinced that your shit grade is in part because he wants to see you grovel in front of him.
The first time it happened - you figure it was a coincidence. He had called you out in class after you missed a discussion board. You hadn't done the reading, and it wasn't obviously humiliating but it singled you out all the same. When you fumbled coming up with an answer, he gave you a smug smile that so quickly morphed into a fake sincere one, you wondered if you were imagining things.
The second time was when you came in late after a walk of shame, and Professor Suguru greeted you by the door by asking if those were the same clothes you wore yesterday. After being completely mortified by it, the once dark gaze immediately rescinded to his usual fake-calm self. It was suspicious, but not the concrete evidence you needed.
And the third time was after your first project of the semester. Your grade was lower than you deserved, and you knew it - so you went to his office hours to bitch and moan to get it bumped up. But he wouldn't budge, saying that he thought his assessment was accurate. Made a smug face as he told you he just didn't think you thought your points out through. Unfair critiques shielded by flowery words and polite gestures. It was that moment that cemented the dislike, though it wasn't the start.
The beginning of the end, so to speak.
Ever since then, you've harbored nothing but dislike for him. You can see past his pretty face and you don't see anything good. You've had unpleasant professors before, but none have ever targeted you so specifically. None of your previous professors, even at the worst, seemed to hold such an unbelievable personal grudge.
You're all alone, fighting an invisible battle.
The worst of it though, is that you simply couldn't be bothered to give a shit about it for most of the semester. You had way too much going on, so you just had to put up with the inexplicable dread of attending that class until you had to deal with it again eventually.
And after months and months of avoiding the issue head-on, you're at a point where you can no longer do so. Your grade is officially below a C after bombing your last quiz, and there's only 5 weeks left until your semester is over and you're barred from graduation.
And you have no fucking idea what you should do about the situation.
__
There's a subtle pit of dread in your stomach as you enter your first philosophy lecture of the week.
For the first time since the start of the semester, Professor Getou doesn't antagonize you as soon as you enter the door. In a strange way, this makes you kind of uncomfortable. He gives you his usual fake smile, but the fact he's gone out of his way to leave you alone makes you feel like he's planning something.
You brush your paranoia aside as you take a seat in the back of your class. You don't have any friends in this lecture, at least not ones you do more than greet. You sit closer to the back of the lecture hall, tucked into a corner and up a few steps.
The charms on the end of your book bag zippers click together as you take your seat. You open your laptop - pulling up the lecture slides to pretend to study while opening 2048 to play while Professor Getou goes on about his business. You're hoping he's going to go easy on you today, and that his lack of interference is a sign of mercy.
More people start to trickle in and the classroom is the usual amount of packed it is by this point in the semester. The last day to drop passed last week, so the number of students has decreased despite it being spring semester.
Your professor starts his lecture as soon as the clock hits 11:30am. You look up from your computer, watching him as he sets up his slide deck and waits for all the conversation to settle before he begins talking.
He catches your eyes briefly before he continues, but he holds it for long enough that you know it's intentional. You frown at him, and it almost looks like he laughs - but you can't be sure your mind isn't tricking you into thinking that.
"Good morning everybody," His voice is smooth and pleasant - hair tied up neatly. He's wearing his usual attire. Black slacks, and a loose-fitting white shirt with some kind of canvas shoe. "How's everybody hanging in there? Good? Bad?"
He takes a look around the room, gauging peoples replies before chuckling.
"Not in good shape huh? Stick it out, a few more weeks and you'll be out of here. Today, we're going to continue on into section five of our coursework - the shortest of all of our other sections," He grabs something that clicks the slide into the next one, a few images next to a wall of text "We have a lot to cover in the last few weeks, but I want to start with a refresh of what concepts we've been learning for the last few weeks."
The swiftness in the way his eyes land on you is comical in its predictability. You give him an uncomfortable half-smile as he calls your name and brings the class's attention your way. A few looks of pity don't go unnoticed. You stiffen, straighten your back as he says your name slowly before asking.
"Do you think you can tell me, what are the four core structures that define modern Japanese philosophical thinking?"
There's real, uncomfortable weight to his gaze that makes you choke. You pull back slightly.
"Uhm, well - there's Shintoism, Confucianism, Buddhism and western ideology. Primarily German idealism."
He gives you a smug look, the same one you always see before it fades off to an uncannily brilliant smile. Not a sincere one, because when is it ever - but there all the same.
"Someone's been studying hard huh? But you are correct. We've spent the majority of this class going over the first three. How Shinto tradition, Confucianism, and Buddhism were experienced in Japan - isolated from Anglo-Saxon influence for the first few centuries of its establishment. We've also studied the vague historical timeline of these influences, mostly focusing on modern philosophy. We've covered Edo period philosophy as a precursor for what we know and understand now."
You can say a lot about Professor Getou, but more than anything - he has a certain way of commanding the room's attention that never lets you get completely comfortable. He has an air of charisma you've never seen in your life and being in close proximity to it makes you feel like you're being swept in by waves larger than life.
You fidget almost anxiously as you wait for him to continue his lesson.
"Our last few weeks are going to cover the culmination of your previous lessons, and what dictates both national morality and the hierarchy of modern Japanese social mores - Bushido. The way of the Samurai."
Professor Getou continues with this slide deck as he outlines Bushido conceptually. From its existence as a moral code in late 12th century Japan, to the many misconceptions about the strictness in which it was adhered. He starts the lessons like he starts many others, explaining misconception and myth before touching the surface of the subject at hand.
It's in his nature to advocate for the whole truth. From the start of your classes to now, Professor Getou always places the same emphasis. If only that truth is unable to be understood without opposition. It's like his whole being is constructed by it, opposition that is always radical and jaw-dropping. You've known this about him since he voiced his open critique for certain ideas about social welfare and about the emphasis of national morality.
You can't be certain what he really believes - only that he'll voice his views as critically as possible, if only to stir the room.
"Bushido is the heart and soul of modern and postmodern Japanese ethics, but it remains critically undefined despite its usage and citation functionally. Other philosophical schools of thought have strict definitions - Bushido is evolutionary in nature. Inazo Nitobe is primarily credited with the modern and popular interpretation of Bushido, but has received criticism for its obvious influence from Western ideas, and its comparison to chivalry."
Professor Getou sits back on the edge of his desk with a look on his face.
"The tendency of Japanese philosophy to lean into metaphysics does not align with the many values of infrastructure and military present in the culture now, but I'm not going to critique the philosophy for you," He skips to the next slide, your last project of the semester on the wall "For the sake of brevity, I'm going to have you write a paper on one of the eight outlined ideals in Nitobe's work, and I want you to reflect on that ideal in your paper."
A collective whispering erupts in the class as people stress about the assignment of their final few weeks. Not unexpected given the circumstances. Professor Getou doesn't flinch as he waits for the room to settle down.
"This will be your final project in this classroom, and will count as your final grade. On one hand, doing a good job on it means you have nothing to worry about for the last few weeks. On the other it's make or break," He locks eyes with you again as he says this, startling you as his smile grows coy and inauspicious "So if you're in need of a good grade to pass you, I'd recommend coming to see me during office hours or during one-on-one time so I can get you the grade you need. We'll discuss more at the end of class, but we've gotta get through more lectures so you can get an idea of what you can pick."
He gives you one another look, another pointed and obviously direct look, before he proceeds on with his lecture. It gives you a bad feeling in your stomach, and maybe you're being too self-centered thinking he's focusing too much on you.
But you can't help it, swallowing down your uncertainty as you continue on with the lesson.
You need to pass this class.
___
You meet up with Nobara after the fact.
She's a good sounding board for your problems as usual. Where you're always looking for the most civil solutions, she's good at giving it to you straight on what you should do. She's no bullshit and you like that about her. Whenever you need a kick in the ass or an ounce of courage, she's the person for the job.
So after meeting up for lunch, ranting again about Professor Getou (for the hundredth—no, thousandth time), and whining about his weird behavior, you're expecting some semi-sound, if not mean advice on what you should do.
"Have you thought about just fucking him?" She says instead, her voice full of sincere boredom. It comes out so casually, like she's relaying the news cycle to you - and you can't help but be utterly shocked listening to it. "Not that it was my first suggestion, but I mean…it's getting ridiculous."
"Hello? Where the hell did that come from? What do you mean just fucking him?"
She gives you a sideways glance of disdain as if you were the one saying something unreasonable. She leans forward into her hand mirror, gluing on her eyelashes for her afternoon date with Maki. She scoffs when she realizes your shock is genuine.
"Are you serious? Does this not read as an elaborate scheme for this total jackass to fuck you?"
You're flabbergasted. Surely she's not being serious with you.
"Nobara."
"Haah? Tch. Don't make that face. It's a gross abuse of his power but well, he's not ugly. If he were any younger of a professor, would you like… not assume that was the end game?"
"Nobara, he's a professor of ethics. His whole career is ethics."
"Yeah. Like. The perfect cover for wanting to screw his wide-eyed, desperate students. He's a hot, young professor. Not my type but you get me. Don't you think it's a little naive to assume his personal vendetta against you is shit, I don't know… totally lacking that motive? Think with your brain, not your tender little heart for a minute, okay?"
"It's not that!"
"Really? Just like your relationship with Mr. Fushiguro is totally platonic?"
"I said it was one-sided, not platonic."
"You're my whole heart and soul, you know that right? I didn't freak on you when you said you had a crush on Megumi's deadbeat dad. You're my salvation from the idiots we call guy friends. So I'm saying this with love, and not as the complete bitch you know me as - you're being dumb."
"Nobara, are you seriously saying you think this whole thing is about him wanting to," You can barely even get the words out. You're not that much of a prude but god. "Wanting to have… sex with me?"
"Yeah. What else would it even be? I think an awful man is interested in screwing you - a hot, capable twenty-something. Are you stupid? Is that like, sooo impossible for you to consider?"
"Well it's not the first place I would think to go, that's for sure."
"And that's your whole problem. Don't get me wrong, again, totally gross. Is it like.. a total abuse of his authority? Yeah. But that doesn't have anything to do with you personally. If I'm right, and you fuck him - you get a good lay and to graduate. And you need both."
"Nobara!"
"Don't be mad, I love you, okay? But I'm thinking about your future and your prospects. There's nothing wrong with it on a technical level."
"That is so untrue and you know it—"
"Look. I don't like it. I think it's a weak move and kind of corny and gross. But you've been planning your big graduation for years. And it's not a bad opportunity, and you're not a complete idiot. You said before that he's never inappropriate with the other girls right? You might even be the only one. As far as I'm concerned, there's no reason for you to not get laid and pass."
"Oh, so the student-teacher thing isn't reason enough?"
"Not if you wanna graduate it's not."
The two of you remain at a stand-still as his words trap you into a corner. How the hell do you even deal with this information? And how on Earth is she so sure of herself anyways? You think you're pretty good with signs, at least about things like this.
But it doesn't feel like flirting. He's never flirted with any of the students in class, despite how much they seem to fawn over him. Could this weird, psychological dance you've been doing for the last twelve weeks be some sort of unspoken foreplay ritual?
The more you think about it, the less it seems implausible to you. There's a wave after that, some cross between impending doom and shameful arousal blooming up inside of you as everything hits you all at the same time.
When you return to reality after being trapped in your thoughts, Nobara gives you a mindful (almost pitiful) smile and shakes her head. You frown at her in reply, squeezing the bridge of your nose.
"If it were like literally anyone else, I'd totally tell them it's a bad idea. But it's not like you're going on to date him, and you're what - 24? because of your gap year so you're not a preteen like some of the freshmen in your class. I just don't see any reason not to go for it."
You tamp down the small voice in the back of your head, encouraging you to do - and instead ask her a follow-up question.
"...Do you think I should attend his office hours tomorrow, yes or no? I have to email him by tonight to get the one on one."
"Yeah. Yes. And shave before you go."
__
You decide, for the sake of your sanity and everyone else's - to ignore Nobara's odd implications about what Professor Getou wants from you and to attend his office hours.
(That's a partial lie, you figure - given the fact you did shave, and shower before attending. You're wearing something kind of nice underneath. But you still don't think he wants to fuck you. It's more of a safety precaution than anything else.)
You made the game plan last night that you would go, present your idea, and then beg him to be kind to you during the grading process. You even developed a list of things to sob and cry about it to generate something of a sob story if everything went awry. You've forsaken your pride. The only thing that you need to get out of this meeting is a passing grade.
And that is, of course, by any means necessary.
Fearing for your life, the state of your mood improves as you approach the building hosting Professor Getou's office. Of all of the people you interact with semi-regularly on campus (all of which you are quite fond of), Nobara wasn't lying about your affection for campus security guard - Toji Fushiguro.
He's an older man. Older than you by double digits, and from what you can tell - older than even your professor. You've been fond of him ever since he brought you back to your dorm after a horrible break-up with your ex as a sophomore. He's got a rough edge, and there's plenty of unverified rumors of his past. You know that he has something of a criminal record too.
But for all of those rumors, and for all the things you hear about him - he's been one of the highlights of your campus experience. You've had a one-sided school-girl crush on him ever since that night, because you were sober enough to catch his body and how it feels. He was strong. Not in an average way. He made it so effortless when he was carrying you home in his arms - and it's not the first time you've seen him lug around things at least over 300 pounds like they were nothing.
But attractiveness aside, he is uncharacteristically good at cheering you up. He's funny and witty, all while maintaining a cool facade. He's endearing in his own way too, and you're a little head over heels for him though you'd never push yourself to make the first move.
Still, when he sees you come towards the building - he greets you with a wide smile. The scar over his busted lip - split open and welcoming as you run up to him for a hug. He's normally patrolling around campus, so it feels lucky to catch him where you least expect.
He wraps you up with a single arm, your feet temporarily lifting from the ground before you get put back down again.
"Mr. Fushiguro, what are you doing here?"
"I got moved over here since there's been some rumor about someone stealing from the labs upstairs. So I'm on lock up duty for this building 'till it gets fixed up and solved," He says, voice as smooth as ice "What about you sweetheart? It's gonna get dark out soon."
"Ah, I have office hours with Professor Getou today. I need to consult with him about a paper."
"That right? Just gonna be you in there, then?"
"Yep. I'm gonna go in there and beg him for a good grade on our next assignment. So for the sake of my sanity, please wish me luck?"
Mr. Fushiguro tilts his head to one side, grinning.
"Wouldn't that mean you graduate sooner instead of later? Can't wish ya luck on that." He says, making you flush and letting the feeling linger before continuing "Just kiddin'. A pretty face like yours should do you just fine. Knock 'em dead."
"I feel a lot better about it with your encouragement." You say honestly. Mr. Fushiguro gives you a laugh.
"Treat me to something if my luck makes any difference. And hurry in. Last thing you'd wanna do is be late."
You nod, wide-eyed and dazed by how charismatic he is before you rush into the building. It's silent, given how late in the school day it is. Most people have already gone home, with the exception of the other poor souls likely chasing down their professors for the same reasons as you.
You feel an overwhelming sensation of dread as you encroach upon Professors Getou's office. There's no one else in the close vicinity, only a few closed classrooms and students who are passing by the small corner where his door resides - most of which are making their way to leave.
You decide to take a deep breath, calming your shaken nerves before knocking politely once on his door and entering the room.
Professor Getou's office looks like how you'd expect it to look. It's clean, and sleek - and lacking almost completely of items of personal effect with the exception of his desk. It's the first time you've ever been inside of the room before, but it smells distinctly of him. He has that same scent surrounding him, like flicks of nicotine and a hint of bergamot. Sweet with the taste of metallic bitterness, like blood and sugar.
You feel the back of your throat bob as you see your Professor sitting at his desk. It's lacking his usual gracefulness. His shirt is unbuttoned down by three entire buttons, and his slacks seem looser. Most notable is his hair - classically long, now in a loose bun with pieces falling all on his shoulders and rolling down his neck.
You think of what Nobara said to you earlier in the day alone, a strange and overwhelming sensation of lust and embarrassment making it difficult for you to open your voice and talk.
It's Professor Getou who greets you first. He looks up from whatever he was reading and looks at you from where you stand awkwardly at his door. His smile widens, though it's just by a little.
"Ah, I was wondering when you'd be here. Looks like you're right on time." He says first, sitting up in his chair but not bothering to gather himself in any way otherwise "Come on in and sit. I assume you're here to talk about your grade."
You sit across from him hesitantly, hands folded in your lap as you put your bag down on the floor.
He studies you quietly. There's a long stretch of silence, where neither of you do anything but sit in each other's company.
He breaks the silence first.
"So, while I have a guess," He says, elbows on his desk "Do you want to talk to me about what you're here for?"
You've practiced the dialogue in your head so many times now. What to do and how to say what you need too, but the words seem to fizzle out completely when it's time to really say them. Leaving nothing but uncertainty, you open your mouth only to close it once again.
"Uhm," Your voice strains trying to make the words out into a coherent sentence. "I came to talk about my paper. And my grade, like you mentioned in class."
"So you decided to heed my advice? Good girl, that was a smart choice," You try not to be taken aback by the pet name - unsure if it's as inappropriate as you think it is "Do you know what virtue you want to cover?"
"I thought I would pick uhm, righteousness - and then pull from some of the Western ethics we learned about. Making uh, connections between deontological ethics and duty and how it relates to the defined idea of righteousness," You explain nervously, an uncomfortable laugh bubbling out of your throat "How practicing duty and righteousness relate to each other."
"Hmm. Sounds like you've had time to think about it a little, then."
"I uhm, haven't finished the reading but I did take a look over my section to see if I could make it work."
"I think you have something to work with. You'll need to straighten out the thesis of your paper into something more tangible. I know that's an ironic ask. But I think it's a good idea," He gives you a brief glance, studies you with eyes. Snake-like. Something coils inside of you, tickles and brushes against your skin and makes the hairs on the back of your neck raise "It seems like you have something more to tell me, though."
Do you? Is there anything more there? The answer lies indifferently on a scale from obviously to no. nothing at all and it haunts you that he's able to pick it out.
"It's just well. Uhm. You know, I don't have the best grade in this class so I was more prepared to go down with my grade. You approved quicker than I thought you would."
"Your grade is pretty abysmal. Did you come in here planning to beg?"
You refrain from an instant yes, even though it's what you feel. Something about the way he says it makes your stomach clench. Your heart quickens. Your tongue feels too heavy in your mouth as you laugh uncomfortably.
"Something like that? Uhm, or at least try to hash things out between us. I know our relationship over the c-course of the semester has been kind of sour so I…"
He cuts you off.
"Has it?"
Your brain stutters to halt.
"Uhm. Yes?"
It's unpredictable, utterly and completely - the way he reflects on your words like you've said something incomprehensible. You aren't sure if that's sincere. You can't be sure if any of the words out of his mouth are. But he doesn't seem like he's lying. Your mind flashes to Nobara, and you find yourself speaking before you can stop it. It comes out like a flood.
"I j-just always assumed you singled me out in class because you didn't like me? I don't mean to be accusatory, though."
"I'm afraid you've got the wrong idea," He says, shaking his head "I don't harbor any negative feelings for you at all."
"Oh," You say, eyes falling down to your lap again "Right, then."
"You must be desperate for that passing grade, hm? If you're meeting with a professor you think hates you."
You glance at him.
"Well, yes. I want—need to pass this class. I've already planned my graduation for this semester."
"And you'd be willing to do anything for that, is what you're implying?"
"Yes," You say, with a sudden rush of unwavering confidence "Anything."
"Let me ask you another question, then." He lets his elbows rest on the edge of his table, a familiar coy smile "Do you think there's any other reason for why I've been paying special attention to you, aside from me disliking you? You're a smart girl, so I'm sure you'll be able to figure it out."
The weight of his words don't go unnoticed. The air feels heavy as it hangs between you. He couldn't be implying it so directly could he? Your mind drifts back to Nobara's warning to you, and your breath hitches. Your eyes widen as you glance up for the first time and give him a look of mild distress.
And he smiles. His grin widens as soon as it dawns on you.
"Seems like you've reached an important conclusion," He says, casually - as he sits up in his chair and leans back. Stretched like nothing could get in his way "Why don't you share with the class?"
"You," Your voice is a nervous tremor. You must be crazy. You must be completely out of your mind "...To sleep with me?"
"See? I told you, you're a smart girl."
The question is a burning one. One you've been wanting to ask since you started thinking about it last night.
"B-but…why? And why me? A-and,"
"You have a tendency for being combative. You know that? An air of defiance. I can tell you're a little older than your peers. A little wiser, and a little more knowing of when to ask for help," Getou outlines, staring you down "And seeing you with that sense of desperation was exciting for me. I'm a man of simple tastes. At my age, I know what I want."
"And I like when tough, combative, clever women turn into babbling, desperate, needy girls. I'm quite fond of it, actually."
He's detrimentally serious. Your stomach flips.
"Do you want to pass this class?" He asks you, an air of confidence surrounding him. You close your eyes, unsure if you can call it coercion when you're feeling so terribly willing about it.
"Yes. I need to pass."
"Then come up here," He gestures, widens his legs and leans back in his chair "And sit."
Your body is burning. You don't know if you're even really in the situation, or if you've daydreamed it into something impossible. Something phantom moves you. Stands you to your feet shakily before walking in short strides. Professor Getou looks at you from where you stand over him.
His hand brushes your outer thigh, patting it.
"Sit."
So you sit. You spread yourself and straddle your professor - and the reality dawns on you the minute you touch what you're doing. You haven't gotten laid in a bit, and he's nothing like anyone you've ever slept with. You feel out of your element. You get the impression he's a man, a grown one. There's a confidence in him that looms and looms and looms, overshadowing any of your doubt.
He's sexier up close. There's the faintest trace of smile lines on his expression as you look down at him. He guides your arms to loop around your neck, and holds your hips with his hands.
Then you feel it, almost instantly - something hard and bulging pressing against the seam of your pants and against your crotch. He's already half-hard and he hasn't even kissed you. He grins at you lazily, like a cat with cream.
"I'll pass you as soon as I put it in," His hands are so big - long, slender fingers gripping your ass "And give you extra credit when you cum for me. How's that sound?"
You feel dirty. It's all happening so fast. Almost vulgar, but it's impossible to feel cheap. To believe in the wrongness of it when Professor Getou is so undeniably sexy. Wrong, on so many levels, to do this for the sake of your grade. Or just in general. Yet you want it, yearn for it, find the culmination of all your annoyances melting as he graces you himself.
"I wanna pass," You say, uncharacteristically nervous about everything. You add the next part a little quieter "...I want it."
"What do you want, exactly?"
"Want you to fuck me." You admit, against your better judgment "Please?"
"Gonna make a real pretty mess out of you," He says, voice smooth and serene. You look down at him. His knuckles brush against your jaw, on your cheek before his thumb holds on your lower mouth. His fingers push past the edge of your lips, sliding against your tongue and gently running along your teeth. He gags you on it, so slightly - enough to startle you but not enough to hurt. You feel spit pour from your lips.
Thick messy strings of drool drip down the sides of your mouth. You want to back away in shame. But there's an air of intention behind the gesture. It's deliberate, the action - the mess and how it runs down your neck. Before you know it, he's kissing you in that same state.
Professor Getou kisses like he's done it before.
His hands grip on your ass as he kisses hot and heavy. Self-assured, he sucks and bites at your mouth - sticking his tongue in and mixing his saliva with yours in a way that feels downright dirty. Yet it makes you throb, white-hot flames licking at the back of your thighs. The sparks of arousal crawl up your skin.
Your nerves tighten as Professor Getou cups your face with one palm, kissing you with fervor. You melt into him, arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
"Been thinking about what you would look like bent over my desk all semester," He says as he pulls away, looking on with admiration at your messy complexion "You wanna go on ahead and show me?"
Another wave of embarrassment washes over you, but you find yourself standing to your feet. Sliding your sweats off down your legs - your lower half is left bare with the exception of your feet. You lay or stomach on his desk, the cold wood sending chills up your whole body and your stomach and tits lay flat and squishy against the hard material. You stand, shoulder width apart, and present yourself in front of him.
"That's what I like to see," His voice is rich and deep as he speaks. You can feel him inch towards you, pulling you apart with his palms before his hand comes down on your ass in one hard motion. The noise echoes against the walls of the room "See, I knew you could listen well when you had to."
You don't say anything in reply, pressing your cheek against the desk.
"W-what do I call you?" You ask, your voice trembling. You feel his fingers against the seam of your panties. He snaps the cotton waistband against your skin before humming thoughtfully, a light tap to your ass.
"Getou is fine. Suguru is too. Sir if that makes you more comfortable."
Getou makes a show of fondling you, though you can't see it - you can feel the way his eyes nearly swallow your naked lower half. How his fingers touch and prod all of your sensitive places, with some kind of keen observation. Everything Getou says is like that, keen and particular.
"Such a pretty pussy on you. Would've been such a waste if you didn't come to me."
You don't bother to ask what he means by that. Behind you, there's a noise. Of a chair rolling back, and the dull thud of knees hitting the ground. Before you know what's happening, there's a face dangerously close to your clothed pussy. The minute you try to squirm, there's a tight grip keeping you in place. He takes a deep breath. Without any real hesitance, you feel his tongue lick across the clothed material.
In one fell swoop, he pulls your panties to one side and kisses your clit without any more real introduction. You're gripping the edge of the table you're bent over as you feel his tongue slide against the wet folds of your pussy, making your voice cry out involuntarily. Normally people would urge you to be quiet, but you got the feeling he didn't care if anyone heard you crying out for him. You get a second wave of intuition telling you he might even like it.
A sensation of bliss washes over you as he sucks hungrily at your cunt. It feels good enough to be holy. There's such immense expertise in it that you can't help but succumb to it completely. The warm, heavy muscle gliding over sticky folds.
You're so lost in the pleasure, your mind completely blocks out the intrusion. The sense that would detect another person in the room disappears completely. You only know because of Getou, the way he stops and scoffs. It forces you to blink your eyes open. He speaks before you get the chance.
"What are you doing here?"
You recognize the voice instantly, and your heart drops through your stomach.
"Thought I heard a ghost howling," Mr. Fushiguro says, his voice is rougher and deeper and older "Turn out it was just a little girl wanderin' into the woods."
"If you can see I'm busy, why're you still here?"
You can't help but feel the second wave of overwhelming shock as you sit there, naked and unafraid. Still, they stand like nothing is wrong. Chat like they know each other somehow, but you have no idea in which way. All you can focus on is the bubbling, nauseating shame.
"Oh god." You voice, but both others ignore. Mr.Fushiguro speaks first.
"This one is off-limits, Suguru. What kinda professor goes around fuckin' their innocent little students?"
"Just the one, Mr. Fushiguro. And I'd like to get back to business."
"Ah, no way I'm letting you off the hook. I could report this y'know? Make headlines. Ethics professor coerces student into sexual activity. It'd be big.
Your heart drops.
"Fuck off, would you? Does she look coerced?"
A beat of silence. "Nah. Not with the way she's twitchin'. But it's not fun if I just let you go. How about you tap me in and I'll keep your little secret hm? She's gotta cute crush on me already."
Your heart flounces around in your chest, a muffled noise of shock escaping your lips as you squirm to move but are held, still, so firmly in place. Your expression and feelings all go through 5 stages of grief before settling at dumbfounded. They don't especially ask for your input, but you hear Professor Getou behind you.
"Fine, if it'll get you to shut up. And I'm fucking her first."
Strange. Nothing about today makes any sense. You don't miss the almost childish sense of competition in Getou's voice that changes your view of him in an instant. Humanizes him in the strangest and most unrecognizable ways. It lacks his usual virtue.
Mr. Fushiguro walks up in front of you, imposing. He's grinning, a well-worn smile on his face that you know. He helps you up, and you keep yourself upright on your arms as he grabs your chin with his palms. You look up at him wide-eyed, unsure of what to do.
"Dirty fucking girl aren't ya?" He says, though he almost sounds like he's impressed with himself
"You into older men or is it a coincidence you're screwing 'im for your grade?"
You're speechless, and you moan a little pathetically as Getou doesn't stop eating you out. This only seems to make Mr. Fushiguro even more excited. You look up at him through wet lashes, unsure of what to do.
"Don't mind either way, just curious. Guess I'm a little sad 'cause I thought your little heart eyes around me made me special," He tells you this looking down at you, eyes locked. You can tell he's just teasing you, and it makes you twitch "But I guess that's not true, is it?"
"You're different. I uhm. Well it's true at least."
"Yeah? You're just letting both of us fuck you 'cause you're like a bitch 'n heat?"
You flush. He gives you a smile and a well-meaning laugh that makes your body feel warm with heat.
"Mind if we're a little rough on you, sweetheart?"
You shake your head.
"Good. Stick your tongue out and open your mouth for me then."
You listen, oblige the instructions almost obediently. Your face is still covered with spit from before. You watch idly, intently - as Mr. Fushiguro pulls his cock out from his black pants. The loose material covers him well, but as soon as they're down past his thighs - the outline of his cock borders on intrusive. Your eyes widen, fluttering and unfocused because it's hard to think about anything while feeling such intense pleasure.
But Mr. Fushiguro is captivating as he pulls himself out for you. His cock is thick and heavy, protruding but too much that it can't stand up on its own. Weighed down by gravity, you stare at it wide-eyed. It's the size of your forearm, so thick you can't possibly imagine what it feels like.
Your heart stammers.
"It won't fit in my mouth." You say, gasping for air as if you're already suffocating on it "You're—you're so huge."
He laughs with an edge of snark. You blink at him in complete seriousness, taken aback. He lets the tip of his cock tap the plushness of your cheek before pressing against your lips. You stare at him, almost afraid.
"Of course it'll fit," He says in confidence "Just gotta make sure you're relaxed. So relax, sweetheart, and open your mouth for me."
Hesitantly, you open your mouth wide. You feel the corners of your lips stretch around the intrusive, thick head of Mr. Fushiguro's cock. The taste of sweat and skin is invasive and heavy, violating your senses. Just the tip and it barely fits in your mouth. You try and concentrate, sticking your tongue out and curling it around the underneath of his cock, focusing on sucking just the tip. He groans above you, a hand on the back of your head. He doesn't force you down, but you can tell by the twitch in his fingers that he wants to.
"Look at you," He says, his voice coarse with restraint and desire "You're drooling on my cock while you're professors busy eatin' your pussy. Thought you were an innocent girl, but now I don't know what to believe."
He says this as he eases more into your mouth, slowly letting you adjust. He rocks his hips back and forth until you relax. You open yourself up, trying to focus on blowing him.
But a hand comes down on your ass, hard and heavy - making you yelp. The noise is muffled but audible. A short squeal, you can't turn your head to look
"Don't you think you two are getting too comfortable upfront without me? I'm the one who decides your grades."
"Maybe you're not doing good enough for her to care."
You can feel a strange sense of competition between them, but you're too occupied to ask about it. How do they know each other, and for what reason do they seem so automatically hostile? It bothers you, but you can't think about it too hard.
"That's not true. Her pussy is soaking fucking wet." He punctuates his words with a harsh smack against your cunt, the force rippling through your as you bend forward and choke "Almost as messy as her face."
He's quick, again, to latch himself to your clit. He flicks it with his tongue, licking it mercilessly as your brain starts to fog up with desire. Like he's trying to prove a point, you moan around Mr. Fushiguro's cock as your pleasure starts to thrum up again. The back of your legs tense, trembling as a knot begins to uncoil in your lower stomach. The cock in your mouth moves too, using the distracted moans to ease himself even deeper into the wet, arm cavern of your mouth.
Your head feels heavy, body weak as the both of them use you to their contents. Your stomach starts to stir as a familiar feeling of euphoria claws at you.
You cum for the first time like that, your body pressed against a wood desk - restrained and under careful watch of two men. Your whole body explodes - white, hot nerves fraying off and ricocheting off your ribs inside of you. Your insides shake as the wave of an orgasm washes over your entire body. You gasp, clenching down hard and gasping as tremors of orgasm pulse and push through your whole body. Something in you ignites as you grip the edge of the desk for your life, trying to keep yourself upright as Getou pushes you through the orgasm.
You've barely recovered when Mr. Fushiguros pulls out of your mouth, pressing his spit-soaked cock against your face and cheeks with a smile. You let it slide against your tongue, eyes fluttering open as your face gets covered in precum and saliva.
"You look so fucking filthy right now, you know that? But it looks good on you. I'm dying to fuck you."
"Mr. Fushiguro," You groan. He clicks his teeth.
"Toji's just fine sweetheart."
You whimper helplessly as you ride out your high. Behind you, your professor pulls away. You peek behind you to see him, flush as he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand.
Toji looks down at your frazzled expression with a grin, teeth showing as he cups your jaw a second time and slides his cock back in one go. This time, he pushes his cock in the base - keeping your throat around him with a hand on the back of your head.
"Just focus on me for now, baby. Focus on sucking me off, yeah? Just like that, easy easy. He's gonna open you up. Stretch you nice and make your pussy all sloppy. That's what you want right?"
Getou leans over you, the weight of his body looming as you feel slender fingers slide through your sticky folds. His middle and index brush against your abused clit, rubbing a few circles into it before pulling away. He grabs your arms and positions them behind your back, gripping them in one hand to keep you restrained. You squirm against the gesture, unable to get any leeway as he holds you down. Then you feel his fingers move, middle finger catching on your wet hole as it trembles and sticks. He opens you up like this without any warning.
His middle finger goes first - delicately intrusive as your pussy widens to accommodate him. They're so much bigger than yours. Just one feels like two of your own. You push back out of instinct but Getou doesn't let you move. He buries himself, pushing in and out until he's able to fuck your pussy all the way down to the knuckle. Once there's no longer any resistance, he pulls back and makes room for another. The sensation is duller, lets you clear your head and think even as Toji rubs his cock on your face and fucks your mouth in short ruts.
Not enough to make you choke, but enough to smear something hot and nasty all over you.
Professor Getou repeats the process with his pointer, pushing and stretching and opening until you can't fight it anymore. With two fingers, he scissors them trying to make your insides soft enough for him to take you.
"You're stretching out for me like it's nothing. You must be turned on, hm? Like getting all your holes used like this? Getting your face-fucked by a man old enough to be your father?"
Toji laughs harshly, smacking your face lightly, enough it doesn't hurt but enough to make you feel it.
"She loves it. She's clenching down on you tight ain't she?"
"Sure is. All this for a grade. Maybe I should've bullied you about it a little more first. Since you're so eager."
"Gonna give her extra credit for this?"
"I should deduct points for the fact you're even near here."
He laughs good-naturedly at this point, and you're still having trouble making sense of their relationship. You manage to speak for the first time in forever, voice barely there as you go to question them. You're not expecting any solid answers.
"How do you two know each other?" You ask, before Toji starts fucking your mouth again
"Goes a long way back. And we're still on bad terms, so congrats on bringing us together, sweetheart. Kind of an expected reunion really."
"He's been working here since Professor Gojo and I were students here and we knew him from before. A long story. Don't worry your pretty little head about it."
The burning question is quick to fade out of your mind as you feel your professor's clothed bulge rest against your cunt. You moan, a clipped needy sound as you nearly beg him to fuck you. Toji bends over you this time, reaching back to spread your pussy open by grabbing your ass. You can feel the grip of his hands, strong and assured.
"She's gettin' impatient. Give it to her."
"Don't need your help with that." Getou spits, irritation sounding in his words.
"Consider it an apology."
The air of tension is there temporarily, before Getou pulls his cock from the confines of his boxers. You can't see it, eyes squeezed tight as you work your mouth and tongue Toji's length. You can feel it though. He makes a show of rubbing his cock against your puffy, sore cunt. You get a feel for its shape as he pushes it between your thighs and lets it cling in between your lips. Professor Getou's cock is longer and more narrow, but it curves upright. It's hard, throbbing between your legs. Whining helplessly you wiggle your ass again. You feel increasingly restless about needing something inside of you. You're still bound though, completely and utterly unable to move. Toji's hand comes down heavy on your ass as you do, clicking his teeth in faux irritation.
"Don't fucking move unless you want my handmark on your ass forever," He says, his voice cool and forgiving "Impatient."
Getou must feel something inside of him merciful enough to keep you waiting. Even with all the stretching and prep, the minute you feel the head of your cock push through - something inside of you snaps. It's still so big, still too much, still reaches a part of you so deep you didn't know it was there. The position itself - still being on your stomach, makes it reach so much farther than other positions. The raw, skin-to-skin contact leaves your tummy fluttering, skin prickling with heat. Your top is pushed up enough to expose your lower back and your skin is pulsing. You feel like your whole body is on fire, suspended between men so much older than that want nothing more than to fuck you.
Every time you try to wiggle away from the sensations, Toji's hand comes down heavy on your backside. It doesn't matter how minuscule the movement. If he gets the idea that you're going to try and pull away, he spanks you hard enough that the room echoes with the sound. Your skin tingles, phantom sensation left before as you're held open and made to take your professor's cock - obedient and wanting.
Inch by miserable inch, it takes forever to take him down to the base. Your toes curl, eyes shut and mouth sloppily trying to keep up with the cock in your mouth and just barely succeeding.
He groans behind you, shuddering
"That's incredible," He praises, and it feels so good to hear him saying something so overtly kind you don't know if you want to laugh or cry "Your pussy is fucking incredible. Shit."
"You hear that? You gotta. Pussy's twitchin' like crazy. Ass is too, how cute."
"Feels sho good," You slur, brain clear of any and all rational thought as a string of saliva drips down your chin "Please fuck me, please,"
"You heard her teach."
Toji lets go of you and returns back to where you are. He pulls his cock away from you, instead holding you up and cupping your mouth open. He kisses you, after everything - with all of his pre-spend in your mouth before spitting into it harshly and kissing it again.
"Such a pretty face you're makin' right now." He says, something of a warm and unprecedented affection to it "So excited to get your pussy filled up."
He leans you on him, lets you wrap around his midriff, and squeeze tight while he pets the back of your hair in a strange streak of affection. You don't know what to make of anything. All you can feel is the long cock pounding into you without any mercy. Razor-sharp thrusts, nudging against your swollen g-spot and pounding into your cunt with immeasurable force. A man so much older than you is fucking you, pounding your pretty little pussy, and turning you into a complete mess. He's meant to be a mentor to you, but he has his cock imprinting itself inside of you over and over and over.
Your stomach feels hot again, but some other feeling takes you over as Toji cradles you - watching you just as intently. He talks you through with confidence you can't entirely understand.
"Yeah, that's it. Tighten up for him, just like that. Feels good doesn't it? I know baby, I know."
You whine out in Toji's arms as he talks you through it. Behind you, you feel Getou's grip hold you tight as he pistons you. The sound of his thighs smacking against your ass is noisy, almost as noisy as your pussy. Slick wet, sounding each time he thrusts.
"I'm not gonna last like this, shit." He pumps into you a few more types before his hips stutter to a halt. He cums with his cock buried deep inside of you, filling you all the way to the brim. You feel his white, hot seed fill your belly, cock twitching as he unloads and makes your legs shake.
A sense of emptiness overwhelms you as Getou pulls out, landing a hit on your ass as he shakes. He kisses your spine.
The two of them switch places without communicating with each other about it. Getou pulls out, and away - coming back in front of you and picking you up in his arms as Toji positions himself behind you. He spreads your cunt out with his fingers, examining the seed left over with a light laugh.
"Gonna fuck into your sloppy little cunt, give you another load where you need it and make you cum." Toji says, not hesitating at all. You feel your breathing start to quicken as he takes the same positions as before.
Toji doesn't neglect touching you as his arm curls around your waist, calloused fingertips brushing against your clit before his cock pushes into you. Your pussy takes him much easier, but even so - Toji is just so thick, you can't help but feel him all over again. This time, Getou has you in his arms, holding and guiding you. Your hands are curled around his bicep and lower spine as you're held up.
Toji's thrusts are slower, but just as rhythmic - focused on bringing you to another orgasm. It's duller this time, the sensation more focused and spread. Toji is so big you feel it in your hips, your entire lower half tingling as he pumps his cock in and out of you. He gives you all of his attention, staving off his own orgasm as Getou encourages you with his own words.
"Gonna cum again, pretty? Take another man's cum in you right after me? You want to, right? Take it all in, every drop. You've earned it."
You feel your insides tighten again, for a second time - in a miraculous span. Every muscle in your body tenses and contracts as both sensations work in tandem to bring you closer to your edge.
Your nerves fire off a second time as you push yourself to the limit. Toji fucks you through another orgasm with ease, thrusting with each tremor until you've ridden out your high. His own orgasm and chase come not long after that fact.
As soon as you've gone totally limp underneath him, he sheaths himself as deep as he can. Bent over you, he cums hard and deep, filling you to the brim a second time.
There's a brief moment of silence as Toji rides out his high, where all three of you sit in silence.
You find yourself limp as you lay there, Toji pulling out and Getou slowly letting you down before you look up with a tired expression.
"...So, did I pass?"
Your professor laughs harder than you've ever seen him laugh.
imagine you live in the same apartment complex and thinking sukuna hates you because when you first met him you asked him what floor he needed to get off at so you could press the button for him and he gave you the NASTIEST look
then said a mean, ”seven” and stayed quiet until he got off and side eyed you like a dick
the truth is that you DO piss him off BUT it’s because the moment you made eye contact with him he felt his heart do a cartwheel and that’s worse than the white haired freak neighbor of his that can never shut up
nonetheless one day you’re holding a bunch of shit in your arms in the elevator because you forgot your bag in your car, one of them being a book that slips from your grasp unnoticed as you get off in the lobby
and when sukuna goes in to get the book and turns around, you’re long gone
so he takes it to his place to give to you whenever he spots you
but curiosity gets the best of him and he sees all these pink little papers sticking out so he opens the pages to them to see what’s the deal
turns out it’s an erotica book and the pink papers were on pages with the filthiest descriptions that give sukuna a hard on because cute little you with the “what floor ? :D” looking ass was reading about getting face fucked and getting endlessly creampied
you know jing yuan has been watching you since you emerged from the bathroom.
he lays in the bed, eyes blissfully closed whenever you sneak a glimpse—the covers are haphazardly tossed over his body and he gives a perfectly sound impression of himself dozing away in the dimmed light of the hotel room, but you know better.
you can feel his gaze on you every time you look away; have felt it since you’d stepped out in a bathrobe and turned your back on him to put on your clothes. you’d have thought that he’d jump at the chance to zip up the minidress you’d chosen; apparently, whatever intent he has with his faux sleep outweighs his typical enthusiasm to put his hands on your body.
(you emphasize your struggle anyway, pouting and sighing and all but audibly lamenting how oh, you wish your handsome boyfriend were awake, his hands are so much more skilled and steady, to no avail)
those eyes are still closed when you turn to make your way towards the vanity. you’d splurged on the hotel room, admittedly eager to show your lover the best your home system has to offer, though he’d probably name the bed as his favorite part.
jing yuan’s eyes had lit up when he’d first seen it—a large cupped thing like a bowl, lined with plush cushion and plenty spacious enough to comfortably fit five people. it’s built out into a bubble window on one side of the bedroom and the vanity you currently sit at is placed opposite, thus a perfect vantage point for him to observe you as you pull your stockings up your legs and then set about doing your makeup—which, as you apply a final choice of lipgloss, is now complete. with a quick glance to the clock ensuring you and he still have half an hour before you need to leave, you stand and turn to look at him.
while he relaxes his face and keeps his eyes stubbornly shut, it’s no coincidence that he turns over with your motion. it pulls the covers mostly off his body, ruffles his hair. the sigh he lets out is content, not sounding tired in the slightest. you huff a laugh.
he shifts again. the sheet falls further—almost nothing covers him now, little more than a strip of cotton across one upper thigh that leaves absolutely nothing to the imagination with how wide his legs have been spread.
you approach the bed fully, padding over with stocking-covered feet on the carpeted floor until you stand right behind him. reaching out, you brush his bangs up out of his eyes and over his forehead, bending over at the same time to look over his lounging form.
“i know what you’re doing,” you say sternly, though you’re gentle as your fingertips caress him. “it won’t work.”
“won’t it?” jing yuan’s voice isn’t even laced with sleep; it’s perfectly alert, teasing, as he tilts his head back to give you more access.
you press a sticky kiss to his forehead. it leaves a shimmering mark of your lip gloss, tinted a faint pink. “you don’t have to come. you’re more than welcome to stay behind if you want.”
“we could remain here for a night in,” he counters. “this bed is… a marvel.”
his words have you giggling lightly. this time you kiss the mole just beneath his closed eye, drawing a heavy, pleased sigh from the elegant curve of his lips. your hand cradles his cheek, thumb reaching out to trace his cupid’s bow.
“tempting as that may be, we have a very limited amount of time on this trip. i’m not giving up on the only night i’ll be able to spend time with my friends like this.”
his hand, large and calloused and warm, reaches up to stop yours from pulling away. he turns into your touch, nuzzling at your palm with a petulantly grumbling noise. still, when his rough fingers move to lace with yours, you slip from his grasp and step away.
“i’m going with or without you, jing yuan,” you declare. “but if you’d like to come, you need to get ready now.”
“how very demanding. i must say, i thought i had successfully evaded orders when i took leave…” now he yawns and makes a show of stretching. you watch him shift, all lethargic grace, every motion meticulously planned—thighs tensing, stomach twitching, arms bulging. a display for you, a last-ditch effort to seduce you back into bed.
you snicker. it won’t work, but you’re hardly inclined to complain. it’s a pretty sight to see regardless; all that honed muscle working beneath porcelain skin, those scattered moles and full brush of stark white hair only emphasizing each sinewy movement. you’re drawn nearer once more, inclined to get a better look—that’s your mistake.
above all else your lover is a cunning man. it’s a miracle he put that mind to use for good, because he utilizes it for far more sinister things when it comes to you. beckoning you closer, setting up the trap, baiting it with his own body; your legs meet the edge of the bed and, though he’s still only halfway onto his stomach, a big hand darts out to catch behind your knee, so fast you don’t realize what’s happened until he’s dragging you towards him with inescapable strength.
your shin drags over the bed’s lowered entrance. the sheer speed of it all has you stumbling, only just managing to catch yourself with a hand on the raised side.
jing yuan lets out a disappointed little grunt. his touch is gentle, coaxing, as he attempts to pull your leg even closer. when that proves futile he eases himself towards you and presses a kiss to the inside of your knee. tilting his head up, he fixes you with a heavy-lidded look, those striking golden eyes glinting beneath long, pretty lashes.
“are you certain i cannot convince you to stay?”
“yes,” you answer without hesitation, entirely unmoved by his responding whine. you remain stoic, too, when he drags your lower leg into the bed and begins to kiss down the side of your calf, lips searing, lingering longer and longer with each press to your stocking-covered skin. upon reaching your ankle he gives far too much attention there; free hand reaching around to grab hold of your foot and maneuver it to let him pepper nipping kisses along the top.
with your face growing hot and your leg squirming beneath his attention, you forget entirely about his other hand—until it pinches at the thin fabric behind your knee and tugs, fast and hard. the mesh rips with ease, a run tearing down the length of your calf. you yelp, attempting to pull back but stopped by the immovable grip he has on you. he sinks his teeth into the back of your ankle just enough that you’re certain it’ll leave a mark, but when he pulls away it’s obvious what his true intent was.
this time the rip is loud, fabric caught between his canines and giving way like tissue paper. you stumble back and yelp out a protest; his grip becomes solid, tugs you back to him so strongly that you lose your footing and spill into the soft drum beyond. he’s atop you instantly, caging you in with a thick arm on either side of your head.
“jing yuan!” your wail is swallowed by a kiss, but even as his tongue delves into the hot cavern of your mouth it cannot distract from the tattered remains of your stockings. you lift your knee to brace it against his chest; there’s a loud, wet sound as he finally pulls away from your mouth and buries his face into your neck.
“stay,” he groans out between each searing, open-mouthed suck at your skin. “let me hoard you, let me keep you to myself—”
“i thought that was my job?” your words catch and come out breathy as he trails lower, running a hand down the side of your body and then shamelessly shoving it up the hem of your dress—which has, admittedly, ridden up indecently high. still, you do your best to continue. “stealing you away from your responsibilities on the luofu.”
“a dual effort, then. we must be made for each other, my dear.”
his grip on your thigh is almost painful. he nuzzles at the other, reverent, eyes clouded over when they dare to flit up to meet yours. when his tongue pokes out from between plush lips, wetting them and then retreating, you realize the intent seconds before he bows his head.
you’re faster. your hand flies to his hair, grabbing a fistful and yanking back just before he manages to burrow beneath your skirt. for half a moment the pair of you remain there, frozen—his lips halfway parted, your chest heaving with pants. you blink. then you slowly ease your legs from beneath his torso.
“i told you,” you say, tightening your grip until his eyes flutter and he lets out an obscene, unabashed groan, “it won’t work. you can wait until after we come home.”
you’re precise as you peel yourself away; you keep your spare hand free to swat at any further attempts to pin you, slide your body out from beneath him until you can perch up upon the bed’s entrance and catch your breath as you stare down at him.
jing yuan props his head in his hand and returns your look. you click your tongue, but it’s impossible to fight back the affection in your tone. “scoundrel.”
his lips twitch. “so they say.”
“it’s deserved.”
“i can hardly deny it. i only wish you put up less of a fight.”
“no you don’t.”
“no,” he concedes, “i don’t.”
finally you turn and stand. the feeling of the carpet beneath your bare foot reminds you that you need to change your stockings—you frown as you glance at tattered remains of fabric on your leg.
“bastard,” you hiss out, far more venomous than the previous accusation. your suitcase lies closed upon the dresser; you approach it to dig through for your spare.
behind you, still, you hear no sound of motion. you sigh loudly, dropping the ball of socks in your hand and turning your head just barely to give jing yuan a lidded look where he’s draped himself over the side of the bed, arms crossed and biceps bulging as he watches you. never one to give up; a stubborn, bullheaded man who would chase you to the farthest reaches of the universe for a single kiss, only spurred onward by your fleeing.
perhaps you’ll throw him a bone.
“if you’re fast enough,” you begin sweetly, “i’ll let you help me into this new pair.”
he’s up instantly, darting for the bundle of clothes you’d set out for him before you’d even showered with a speed rarely seen outside of the battlefield. the offer will make you late, surely, and quite possibly cost you your second pair of stockings—you’re well aware his mind is running wild with schemes to bury his head between your thighs and glut himself on his well-earned prize in whatever fleeting time you might give him before finally shoving him away.
but what kind of leisure trip would it be if you didn’t give in to his whims?
gn!reader. established relationship, soft zhongli, maybe a little bit of hurt/comfort.
zhongli & hand kisses
even at the edge of dragonspine, the cold is relentless.
the mountain rises baleful into the darkening horizon. the summit is swallowed by an unyielding blizzard, solid stone reduced to a mere shadow under the snow's opalescent shroud.
you watch the churn of the storm. it moves swiftly, whirling like a disturbed crystalfly, each thick cloud edged in an eerie green. you imagine the flakes are thick, fluffy things. beautiful and brutal.
you haven't seen snow since you fled snezhnaya.
you don't know how long you stand there, staring into the winter you've long outrun.
zhongli's gentle touch makes you yelp. in the frigid air, the earthen heat of him—the gentle, solid warmth of sun-soaked stone—intensifies into something scorching. it burns even through the leather of his gloves. you grab his hand without thinking, hissing as your stiffened joints protest.
"you're freezing," he says, golden eyes narrowing. "come inside. now."
he bundles you into the tent before you can even protest, settling you before the fire and draping his jacket over you. the sudden heat dazes you, turns his voice into slow, sweet syrup. you think he asks you something. you nod out of habit.
he cups your hands in his, bringing them up to his lips. you go still, cheeks heating as he exhales over your frozen, stiff fingers, his breath rolling hot and damp against your skin. your fingers flex, and he glances up at you, eyes darkened to amber in the firelight. when you say nothing, he dips his face closer and huffs out another warm breath over your fingertips. it feels good, gentle against the chill that's sunk into your bones.
but a thaw is never kind.
the heat gives way to a needlepoint ache, each lick of returning sensation catching like brambles beneath your skin. you hiss, flexing your stiff fingers. your joints creak like branches in the wind. it singes down your nerves until you're trembling.
"it will pass," zhongli says. he adjusts his grip so that he can sink his fingertips into the meat of your palm, massaging gently as the shards of feeling sink deeper into your bones.
"i know," you say, gritting your teeth. "it aches, that's all."
he hums, drawing your hand up to his mouth once more. he presses a light kiss against the pad of your index finger. it's almost too soft to feel. he presses another one to the tip of your middle finger, then your ring, then your pinky. each of them is unbearably gentle. a pinprick of tenderness.
zhongli gazes at you over your hand. "i will ease what i can."
"i know," you say, barely able to meet his eyes.
he lays a firm, sweet kiss against the center of your palm.
