Winston ;)
OFF CAMPUS ⏤ 1.06, “The Breakaway”
Lint Roller? I Barely Know Her

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Winston ;)
OFF CAMPUS ⏤ 1.06, “The Breakaway”
This Was Not The Plan 2
You got lost. You found a dragon. You bonded it.
Now Xaden Riorson won’t leave you alone, your dragon is playing matchmaker, and everything is getting way more complicated than it should be.
Part One Here
A shortcut. That’s what you were told. This is very clearly not a shortcut.
Trying to get from one side of Basgiath to the other should have been easy, but the path you’re on is so long and winding it might as well take you across the entire continent.
By the time you reach the end of the tunnel, you nearly sag in relief. Finally,
You push the door open and light floods your vision. You squint, blinking rapidly. “Didn’t think it was that bright in the dorms, but okay,” you mutter under your breath as you step inside, pushing the door shut behind you. You give your eyes a second to adjust, then take another step forward.
Only to walk straight into something solid.
You freeze.
That is not a wall. Walls are not warm. And they are definitely not scaled.
Slowly, very slowly, you tilt your head up just enough to catch a glimpse of piercing yellow eyes. Your stomach drops.
Not the healers’ dorms.
Right. Mira said something about this. Don’t look them in the eyes.
You drop your gaze immediately. “Sorry about that,” you say, like you just bumped into someone in a hallway.
You step around the dragon carefully, giving it space as you move past. If it decides to torch you, honestly? That would be fair.
You keep walking. Don’t run. Running feels like a bad idea.
It’s only when you hear another dragon somewhere off to your left that it clicks.
Threshing.
You just walked into the middle of threshing.
“Great,” you mutter. Just fantastic.
No time to panic. Just time to leave.
You pick a direction and keep moving, hoping there’s another exit somewhere that does not involve dragons.
After what feels like far too long, at least half an hour, you come across a small clearing. Mostly flat, rocks scattered across the ground.
And that’s not a rock.
You move closer, faster now.
It’s a boy.
He’s on his side, barely moving, a deep gash carved across his hip.
You drop to your knees beside him immediately. “Hey, hey, can you hear me?”
No response.
You don’t wait.
You tear the sleeves from your uniform and press them hard against the wound, applying pressure. The fabric soaks through almost instantly, so you fold it over and press harder.
The boy groans.
You let out a breath you didn’t realize you were holding. “Okay. Okay, that’s good. Stay with me.”
Alive. Maybe not for long but alive.
You keep pressure on the wound until the bleeding finally starts to slow. Your mind races as you glance around, trying to orient yourself.
Think.
There has to be a way back. There has to be.
You look up
and freeze.
Dragons.
Dozens of them.
The flight field.
Help would be there.
You look back down at the boy, then toward the edge of the clearing. It’s a drop. A steep one.
You could maybe climb it.
Maybe.
But not with him. Not like this.
You swallow.
You’re not making it back without help.
You glance back toward the sky.
A dragon.
“It would be unwise to try and move him.”
You jump, head snapping up as you scan the clearing. Nothing. No one. Your heart starts to pound.
“Okay… dehydration,” you mutter under your breath. “That’s the only logical answer.”
Silence.
Then the voice returns.
“It is always amusing what you humans think when being bonded for the first time.”
You freeze.
Nope. Absolutely not. You are not hearing voices. You have officially lost it.
“Cool,” you whisper. “That’s fine. That’s great, actually.”
A heavy thud sounds behind you.
That is new.
You turn slowly.
There is a shadow large, massive.
A dragon.
On the ground. Behind you. In front of you. Everywhere, really.
You tilt your head up and meet those same piercing yellow eyes from earlier.
“You again,” you breathe.
You hadn’t noticed the color before. Too busy not getting burned alive.
Blue.
Of course it’s blue.
“Could you… move him?” you ask, gesturing toward the boy, not entirely convinced this is real.
No. He is not worthy of a dragon.
Your shoulders slump a little. “Yeah,” you murmur. “That tracks.”
Do not feel pity, young one. He is not worthy, but if you make it to the flight field…
Your eyes widen. “Could you get me to the flight field?”
The dragon huffs not annoyed, just unimpressed.
Can you hold on long enough?
You glance at the boy, then back at the dragon. “No idea,” you admit.
Then you stand anyway.
Because there isn’t another option.
You secure the makeshift bandage as best you can, then move toward the dragon. Climbing is easier than it should be. There’s a place near its neck almost like a seat.
You pause. “Well,” you say, slightly breathless, “this feels important.”
Then you blink. “Oh. Right. That was rude.”
You steady yourself. “I’m Y/N. Y/N Sorrengail.”
I am aware of your name, young one.
“Cool,” you mutter. “Great. Love that.”
You brace yourself just as the dragon launches into the air.
The ground disappears.
Your stomach does not come with you.
Your grip tightens instantly.
And that’s when it hits you.
Bonded.
“Bealith.”
You blink. “What?”
There is no need to yell. I can hear your thoughts.
A pause. Calm. Measured.
I will say this once more. Bealith is my full name. You will give it to the scribe once we reach the flight field.
Your brain is barely keeping up. “I… okay. Yeah. Got it. Bealith.”
A beat.
“I think I like Bea better.”
You feel the irritation. If a dragon could roll its eyes, this one just did.
Without warning, Bealith drops.
Fast. Very fast.
Your stomach absolutely does not come with you.
“Okay, nope. Don’t like that.”
Then the ground rushes back up.
The flight field.
Dragons everywhere.
Before Bealith even fully lands, you’re already sliding down its front leg. “Thank you. Appreciate you. Don’t kill me later.”
You hit the ground running, straight for the healer’s tent.
You spot Professor Kaori and immediately freeze.
Right. Healers are not supposed to be here.
Too late.
He’s already looking at you, eyes wide. “You are not supposed to be on the flight field, and what happened to ”
“Boy,” you cut in, breathless. “Threshing. Hip wound. Won’t make it.”
The words tumble out between gasps.
Another healer grabs your arm, guiding you down into a seat, pressing water into your hands.
You barely notice. Your chest is still heaving.
“As for me being here…”
You lift a hand and point your thumb behind you.
Toward the massive blue dragon.
“Dragon.”
The word barely leaves your mouth before the energy on the flight field shifts.
It’s subtle but it’s there.
Heads turn. Even the dragons seem to still, just slightly.
Professor Kaori follows the direction of your thumb.
And then he freezes.
Not completely, but enough. Enough that the healer beside you goes still too.
“…you bonded.”
It’s not a question.
You blink up at him. “Yeah, I think so.”
A shadow falls over you.
You don’t have to turn to know who it is.
But you do anyway.
Xaden Riorson.
He’s already looking at you, not confused, not surprised. Just focused. Like he’s trying to figure something out and not liking the answers.
His gaze flicks past you, to Bealith, then back.
“You,” he says. “Stay seated.”
You don’t move mostly because you’re still trying to catch your breath, but also because something in his tone says that moving would be a bad idea.
Riders start to gather near the edge of the field. Whispers start. All of them looking at you.
Another dragon lands somewhere behind Bealith, but no one looks away.
Because now this is the problem.
A healer.
On the flight field.
Bonded.
Professor Kaori exhales slowly before turning and heading toward General Sorrengail.
Xaden’s eyes flick back to you. “You just can’t help yourself, can you?”
And there it is.
You blink. “I ”
“You crossed the parapet.” He takes a step closer. “Then the gauntlet.” Another step. “And now threshing.”
He stops in front of you, close enough that you have to tilt your head up to meet his gaze.
“I told you to stay away from threshing.”
There’s no heat in his voice.
That’s what makes it worse.
You swallow. “I didn’t mean to.”
That sounds weak even to you.
“I got lost,” you add quickly. “There was a tunnel, and I thought it was a shortcut, and then there was a door, and then there was a dragon, then there was a boy and he was bleeding and ”
You stop.
Because you’re rambling.
And because he’s staring at you.
Not interrupting.
Not mocking.
Just… watching.
You take a breath. “He was going to die.”
That lands.
Something shifts in his expression, small, almost unnoticeable, but it’s there.
“And the dragon?” he asks, quieter now.
You glance over your shoulder.
Bealith is still there. Watching. Very aware.
“He said the boy wasn’t worthy,” you answer honestly. “But he’d help me if I made it to the flight field.”
A pause.
Then, softer
“And then he… didn’t leave.”
I did not “not leave.”
You are mine.
You blink.
“…right,” you mutter under your breath.
Xaden’s jaw tightens.
Of course he didn’t.
Sgaeyl’s presence brushes against his mind.
You told her not to come here.
He ignores her.
“You understand,” he says, looking back at you, “that this changes things.”
You blink. “I figured that part out when I got launched into the air.”
A few riders nearby choke back laughs.
Xaden does not.
“You’re not a rider,” he continued, not unkind, just stating facts. “You weren’t trained for this.”
You lift a brow slightly. “I did the gauntlet.”
He exhales sharply through his nose. “That doesn’t count.”
“I didn’t fall.”
“That doesn’t make it better.”
“It kind of does.”
There’s a beat of silence.
Then something shifts again.
Not gone, the irritation is still there but it’s… different now. Less sharp. More focused.
Like he’s recalculating.
“You bonded a blue dragon,” he says finally. “That doesn’t happen by accident.”
You open your mouth. “…I mean.”
You gesture vaguely. “I walked into a door.”
Someone behind him actually laughs this time.
Xaden doesn’t turn. Doesn’t acknowledge it.
His eyes stay on you.
“You’re going to be watched,” he says. “Closely.”
You nod slowly. “Okay.”
“And if you get yourself killed,” he adds, voice dropping just slightly, “I’m not explaining this to your sister.”
That almost sounded like concern.
Almost.
You tilt your head. “I thought you said I wouldn’t last two days.”
His expression doesn’t change.
“We’ll see if you survive tomorrow then.”
After he walks away, you make your way over to the scribe.
Your mother stands beside them, glare already locked on you.
Impressive, honestly.
You give the scribe your name, then Bealith’s. They write it down quickly, but you can feel the weight of your mother’s stare the entire time.
You do not look at her.
Not even once.
The second you’re done, you turn and head back to the dragon.
Your dragon.
That feels strange.
“You do know I’m not a rider, correct?”
That feels important to say out loud.
That fact is not something I care about, young one.
You open your mouth to argue because that feels like something worth arguing about but before you can get a word out, Bealith shifts suddenly.
One second you’re standing there, the next you’re being nudged out of the way by his talons.
You stumble, catching yourself.
“What was that for ”
You look up.
And stop.
That is the largest dragon you have ever seen. Possibly the largest dragon in existence.
Your brain struggles to process the size of it.
“He is,” Bealith’s voice cuts in calmly. “Koda is the only one who rivals him in size.”
You nod automatically, even though he probably can’t see you.
Then you see who’s on his back.
Your breath catches.
“Violet?”
It comes out as a whisper.
Then you’re moving.
You don’t think you just sprint.
She barely has time to hit the ground before you’re wrapping your arms around her, pulling her into a tight hug.
Alive.
She’s alive.
You pull back just enough to look at her.
Her brows furrow immediately.
“Why. Are you. On the flight field.”
Each word is sharp. Measured. She’s already scanning the area like someone’s about to drag you off.
“Dragon,” you answer simply. “Long story.”
“But you need to check in. Then go to the healer’s tent.”
She stares at you for half a second longer, then nods and does exactly that.
You watch her go, just to make sure.
Then you turn back.
And promptly sit down, leaning your back against Bealith’s front leg.
It’s warm. Solid.
Comforting, in a strange way.
I am not a chair, young one.
You laugh softly. “I don’t see you moving. And I’m exhausted anyway. It’s been a day.”
If you are this tired after one day, then perhaps the wing leader is correct and you will not make it to tomorrow.
You lean forward, craning your neck to look up at him, rolling your eyes.
“I can’t believe you would side with Xaden of all people.”
Silence.
You narrow your eyes slightly. “Wow. Betrayal.”
Still nothing.
A few minutes pass. The field starts to shift again, energy building, tension rising.
Then dragons begin launching into the air, one after another.
You barely have time to react before Bealith moves.
You lean forward quickly, trying not to get scraped as his body shifts
and then he takes off.
After the dragons return and announce that not only will Violet be allowed to keep both dragons, but that you are allowed to keep yours as well
chaos ensues.
Riders shout. Leadership whispers.
All because you thought you found a shortcut.
Why can’t I do anything right?
The thought hits harder than anything physical could.
Bealith’s head tilts slightly.
“Dragons do not make mistakes. I choose you. That is final.”
You nod.
It doesn’t fully settle the feeling but it helps.
A little.
Then you turn and head toward your new room.
Gods.
What are you supposed to tell Sofie and Cortland?
The three of you were supposed to stick together.
The following weeks are rough.
Battle brief. Flying lessons. Sparring matches.
Avoiding Xaden.
The only consistent problem is Xaden.
You’re sitting in battle brief, staring at the board but not really seeing it when
“If you do not pay attention, you will get us both killed.”
You roll your eyes. “I am paying attention.”
“Thinking about the wing leader is not paying attention. Focus.”
You shake your head slightly, catching Violet’s attention.
You tap your temple.
She gets it immediately.
Of course she does.
She scribbles something down and slides the note to you.
Is everything alright?
You smile faintly, writing back.
Dragons apparently know everything we think. It is incredibly annoying.
She huffs quietly, amused, before both of you turn your attention back to the front.
Later that night, you find yourself sprawled across Rhiannon’s bed with her and Violet.
You’re halfway through a drink when Rhi turns toward you. “So how much longer are you going to play cat and mouse with Riorson?”
You choke. Actually choke. Water goes down the wrong pipe and you sit up quickly, coughing.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Violet gives you a look.
The look.
The one that says she knows you better than you know yourself.
“I’ve known you my whole life,” she says. “You have never avoided someone the way you avoid him.”
You try to ignore the heat creeping up your neck. “He’s brooding. And shadowy. Definitely not my type.”
“And I can’t tell if he wants me dead or if he’s trying to run me out of the quadrant.”
Rhi laughs. “That is not the look he gives you.”
You blink between them. “What look?”
Violet leans in slightly, lowering her voice. “If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out.”
She leans back like that answers anything.
It does not.
“I would kill,” she adds casually, “to have someone track my every movement the way he tracks yours.”
You stare at her. “He does not.”
“He walked you to the healer’s wing after sparring,” Rhi cuts in. “Xaden Riorson. Willingly.”
You open your mouth
“Or,” she continues, “the time your dragon dropped you in the lake and he just happened to be there.”
“That doesn’t count,” you argue. “He was already there.”
You push yourself up on your elbows. “I do not control where Bealith drops me. We are supposed to be doing basic maneuvers and he insists on ‘real movement.’ That is not my fault.”
They both just stare at you.
Like you’ve completely missed something obvious.
Which you probably have.
Outside the door, the hallway is quiet.
Mostly.
Xaden had not meant to stop. Had not meant to listen.
But your voice he recognizes it instantly.
Then he hears his own name.
And he stills.
“…definitely not my type.”
That should be enough. Should be the end of it.
He should walk away.
He doesn’t.
“I can’t tell if he wants me dead…”
His jaw tightens.
“…or if he’s trying to run me out of the quadrant.”
That lands harder than it should.
Sgaeyl hums quietly in the back of his mind.
Amused.
He ignores her.
“I would kill to have someone track my every movement the way he tracks yours.”
Silence follows.
Then your voice
“He does not.”
Xaden exhales slowly.
He does.
More than he should. More than is necessary. More than is smart.
“…definitely not my type.”
The words echo.
He should leave.
Instead, he shifts slightly just enough to hear the rest.
The lake. The healer’s wing. All the moments he hadn’t thought twice about.
Apparently not as subtle as he thought.
He leans back against the wall, staring at nothing.
Then closes his eyes briefly.
“…damn it.”
Sgaeyl’s amusement spikes.
He ignores that too.
Because the problem is not that you noticed him.
The problem is you didn’t.
Not the way he wanted.
Not the way he’s starting to realize he wants.
And that is new.
Training rings are loud metal, boots, grunts.
You’re currently regretting every life decision that led you here.
Imogen circles slowly. Violet stands across from you, rolling her shoulders.
“This was your idea,” Violet says.
You nod once. “I know. I hate it.”
Imogen snorts. “Focus.”
Right.
Focus.
You shift your stance, adjusting your footing.
Bealith is quiet for once.
Which is suspicious.
“Again,” Imogen says.
Violet moves first. Fast.
You react on instinct, stepping in instead of back.
Your fist connects.
Solid.
Too solid.
There’s a sharp crack.
Everything stops.
Violet blinks.
Then there’s blood.
“Oh no.”
You freeze. “Oh no, no, no”
“I’m fine,” Violet says immediately, though her voice is slightly off.
Her nose is definitely not straight.
“I broke your nose.”
“You did,” Imogen confirms, far too calm about it.
“Okay, hold on, don’t move,” you say quickly, stepping closer.
Your hands come up instinctively, cupping Violet’s face gently. “Do not move,” you repeat, softer now.
You close your eyes for half a second.
Think.
There’s swelling. She needs pressure.
You need something to reduce it.
Your fingers tighten slightly.
There’s a shift.
Something cool brushes your palm.
You blink.
Look down.
An aloe leaf.
Fresh. Cleanly cut.
You stare at it.
“…okay.”
That is new.
“Bea?”
Silence.
“Unhelpful.”
Imogen leans in slightly. “What did you just do?”
“I don’t ” you stop, not trusting it. “I think I… needed it.”
That sounds ridiculous out loud.
You press the aloe gently against Violet’s nose.
She hisses slightly. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” she mutters. “Keep going.”
You adjust your hold, more careful now.
The swelling already looks like it’s starting to slow.
That shouldn’t be happening that fast.
“You’re going to the healers after this,” you tell her.
“That was already the plan.”
From the edge of the ring, Xaden watches.
He had not planned to stop. Had not planned to stay.
But then you stepped into the ring.
And that was the end of that.
He watches the hit. The crack. The immediate shift in your expression.
No panic.
Just action.
You move without hesitation, hands steady, voice calm.
And then the leaf.
He sees it appear.
Sgaeyl goes still in his mind.
Xaden’s gaze sharpens.
You don’t react like it’s power.
You react like it’s a tool.
Like this is normal.
Like you’ve always done it.
“That is not a standard healer ability,” Garrick mutters behind him.
No.
It isn’t.
His jaw tightens slightly.
Later, battle brief is quiet.
Too quiet.
You’re writing.
Or trying to.
Your quill slips from your fingers, clattering to the floor.
You stare at it for a second, debating if it’s worth the effort of bending down.
It is not.
Before you can move
It lifts.
Just slightly.
Then settles back onto your desk.
Right in front of you.
You blink and look around.
No one is looking at you.
Except…
You glance across the room.
Xaden is already looking away.
Like he wasn’t just watching.
You look back at the quill.
“…okay.”
You pick it up slowly.
“That’s not normal,” you whisper under your breath.
“Nothing about this place is normal,” Bealith replies.
Fair.
You glance back toward Xaden.
He hasn’t moved.
Hasn’t looked at you again.
So probably nothing.
Right.
Xaden doesn’t look at you again, not directly.
But his shadows linger.
Just slightly closer than they should.
And when your quill slips again later
it doesn’t hit the floor.
The second year is bigger than you.
Sparing days are, by far, your most unlucky days.
The boy lunges.
You move but too slow this time.
His arm hooks around your neck, locking you in place.
Tight.
You grab at his forearm, trying to pull free.
It doesn’t work.
“Tap out,” he mutters.
“Not happening.”
Your voice comes out strained.
Air is becoming a problem.
Think.
You shift your weight, bringing your hand up blindly.
Your fingers find his face.
His nose.
You shove hard.
He jerks back slightly.
Just enough space.
You inhale sharply
and think.
Pain. Distraction. Something that will make him let go.
Something blooms in your hand.
You don’t question it.
You shove it straight into his face.
“Hey what the hell ”
He lets go immediately, coughing, stumbling back as he tries to wipe it away.
You drop to your knees, dragging in air.
“Do not,” you start, voice rough, “touch your face ”
Too late.
He blinks rapidly.
Unsteady.
“What did you ”
He sways.
Then drops.
The entire ring goes quiet.
You stare at him.
“…okay.”
That might be bad.
Imogen steps forward immediately, crouching beside him. “What did you do?”
“I don’t know,” you say quickly. “I mean, I do but I don’t ”
“You grew that.”
You look down at your hand.
The plant is still there.
There in your palm is a small, white flower.
“…yeah.”
“That’s not normal,” someone says from the edge of the ring.
“No,” Imogen agrees. “It’s not.”
Footsteps cut through the silence.
Professor Kaori.
He takes in the scene the downed cadet, the plant, you.
“Explain.”
You swallow.
“He had me in a chokehold,” you say. “I couldn’t breathe. I needed him to let go.”
Kaori’s gaze drops to your hand.
Then back to your face.
“And so you grew a toxin.”
It’s not a question.
You hesitate.
“…yes.”
The cadet groans slightly.
Kaori nods once.
“Controlled growth. Intent driven. Knowledge based.”
His eyes narrow slightly.
“A botanical signet.”
The words settle over the ring.
“Well,” you say quietly, “that sounds official.”
After that, it becomes obvious.
There’s no hiding it anymore.
Plants show up when you need them. A salve leaf when someone’s burned. A binding vine when someone won’t stay still. A sedative bloom when pain gets too sharp.
People start noticing.
Watching.
Giving you just a little more space than before.
You notice other things too.
A book appears on your desk one morning, thick and worn, full of botanical diagrams and poison properties.
You stare at it. “…I did not bring this.”
“I did not either,” Bealith replies.
“If you could fit in my room, I’d treat you like a pet.”
You glance around.
No one is paying attention.
You open it anyway.
Shadows linger more now.
You tell yourself it’s normal.
This place is full of strange things. Dragons. Signets. People who can kill you without blinking.
So shadows following you down the hall?
Probably fine.
It is not fine.
Night settles over the quadrant.
You slip out quietly.
You know the path now, the one that leads to the flight field.
Sofie and Cortland are already there when you arrive.
“You’re late,” Sofie whispers.
“I got distracted.”
“You always get distracted,” Cortland mutters.
“That’s not true.”
It is.
A low rumble draws their attention.
Bealith lands a moment later, wings folding neatly at his sides.
Sofie freezes.
Cortland goes completely still.
“That’s”
“Yep,” you say. “That’s him.”
Bealith lowers his head slightly, studying them.
“They are small,” he comments.
“Please do not say that out loud,” you whisper.
“I am not speaking out loud.”
“Still counts.”
Sofie takes a hesitant step forward. “…he’s huge.”
“I’ve been told,” you reply.
From the shadows at the edge of the field, Xaden watches.
Of course you snuck out.
He tells himself he’s here to make sure you don’t do something stupid.
That’s all.
Nothing else.
“Following her now?”
Violet’s voice cuts in beside him.
He doesn’t flinch. “I’m not following her.”
“You are literally hiding in the shadows watching her.”
“I’m observing.”
Violet snorts. “Right. Observing.”
She crosses her arms, watching you laugh with your friends.
“You know,” she says casually, “she’s not going to figure it out.”
Xaden doesn’t look at her. “There’s nothing to figure out.”
“Oh please.”
She gestures toward you. “You track her like she’s the only thing in the room.”
“I don’t.”
“You do, and yet she thinks you’re trying to kill her.”
“She avoids you,” Violet continues. “Not because she’s scared. Because she thinks you don’t like her.”
Xaden exhales slowly. “That’s not my problem.”
Violet turns to him fully now. “Yes, it is.”
Silence.
“You might be subtle,” she adds, “but she’s oblivious.”
“I’m not being subtle.”
Violet laughs. “Exactly my point.”
They sit in silence for a moment before she continues, “If you don’t tell her, she’s not going to see it.”
Xaden’s gaze drifts back to you.
You’re smiling.
“…I’m not telling her anything.”
Violet just hums. “Sure.”
Then she turns, heading back toward Tairn.
“You’re not as slick as you think you are.”
Xaden stays where he is.
Because for the first time, this isn’t just curiosity anymore.
It started as a stupid comment to your dragon, that comment now becoming a full on argument on the flight field.
“You are wrong.”
You don’t even look up from where you’re sitting on the ground, pulling small rocks out of Bea’s talons.
Bea, unlike Tairn, doesn’t mind being fussed over. At least, according to Violet. Tairn hates the checks you are supposed to do.
“I’m not.”
“You are.”
“I’m not.”
Bealith huffs behind you. Low. Annoyed.
“You continue to insist on being incorrect.”
You finally turn, glaring up at him.
“He does not like me.”
“He watches you constantly.”
“He watches everyone.”
“He does not follow everyone into hallways when they drop things.”
You pause.
“…that happened once.”
“It has happened more than once.”
You narrow your eyes.
“That proves nothing.”
Bealith goes quiet for a moment.
Thinking.
Which is never a good sign.
“Very well,” he says finally. “We will make this interesting.”
You immediately regret everything.
“No.”
“Yes.”
“No.”
“If I am correct, I will choose the next training exercise.”
You freeze.
“…you always choose the worst ones.”
“Correct.”
“And if you’re wrong?”
He tilts his head slightly.
“Then we will fly with the group.”
You blink.
That’s…
actually reasonable.
Suspiciously reasonable.
“You’re that confident?”
“Yes.”
You sit there for a second, thinking it through.
There is no way.
No possible way.
“…fine.”
His satisfaction is immediate.
“Go on, then,” he says.
You hesitate.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
You stare at him.
Then groan quietly.
“Fine.”
Sgaeyl is insufferable.
Xaden knows this.
He has always known this.
But lately it has become a problem.
Bealith and I have a running bet.
He doesn’t respond.
Doesn’t even acknowledge it.
That usually works.
Not today.
You will go find the young one and help us settle it.
His jaw tightens.
“No.”
He says it out loud.
Because maybe that will make it more final.
It doesn’t.
You will.
“I’m not doing this.”
You are.
Silence stretches.
He focuses on the courtyard below.
Cadets moving through their routines.
Predictable.
Manageable.
Unlike this.
You have been avoiding it.
That gets his attention.
Barely.
“I haven’t been avoiding anything.”
You have been circling it.
His eyes narrow slightly.
“I don’t circle.”
Sgaeyl hums.
You watch her.
He doesn’t deny it.
There’s no point.
You follow her.
“I observe.”
You intervene.
He exhales slowly.
Through his nose.
“That is strategic.”
You are a poor liar.
That almost earns a reaction.
Almost.
“She thinks I’m trying to kill her,” he mutters.
Yes.
Sgaeyl sounds pleased about that.
Which is concerning.
“She’s avoiding me.”
Yes.
“That’s not my problem.”
It is now.
He goes still.
There’s a shift in the bond.
Bealith insists she does not understand.
“Good.”
I disagree.
Of course she does.
Go find her.
He closes his eyes briefly.
Counts to three.
Opens them again.
Still there.
Still thinking about you.
Go.
He exhales.
“…fine.”
He doesn’t have to look far.
Of course he doesn’t.
You’re exactly where he expected.
The courtyard.
Looking like you’re about to argue with the air.
He stays in the shadows for a moment.
Watching.
Because that has become a habit.
One he has not broken.
One he is not going to examine.
Not now.
You shift slightly.
Glance around once.
Twice.
“I know you’re there.”
His mouth tightens.
Of course you do.
Shadows give him away.
He steps out anyway.
“You know,” he says, voice low, “if you’re caught out here, there are consequences.”
You gesture toward him without missing a beat.
“Right back at you.”
His mouth almost moves.
He stops it.
“What do you want?”
Straight to the point.
He does not have the patience for anything else tonight.
You clasp your hands behind your back, rocking slightly on your heels.
He notices that.
He notices everything.
“I need help settling a bet.”
Of course you do.
He says nothing.
Waits.
You continue.
“Bea thinks you like me.”
There it is.
Finally.
“I think he’s insane.”
Something in his chest snaps.
Weeks of this.
Watching you.
Being watched.
Being questioned.
Being wrong.
He is not wrong.
He knows exactly what this is.
You just don’t.
He steps closer.
You don’t move.
You don’t understand what you just said.
You don’t understand what you’ve been doing.
You don’t understand what you’ve been doing to him.
“Your dragon,” he says quietly, “is not entirely wrong.”
You blink.
Confused.
Still not getting it.
Of course you’re not.
That’s the problem.
He closes the distance.
One hand lifts.
Fingers brushing lightly along your jaw.
You go still.
Finally paying attention.
Good.
Then he kisses you.
It’s quick.
Not hesitant.
Not soft.
But not lingering either.
Like he made a decision.
And already moved past it.
When he pulls back, your expression is exactly what he expected.
Wide-eyed.
Stunned.
Silent.
“You asked,” he says.
And then he steps back.
Like it didn’t happen.
Sgaeyl hums.
Satisfied.
Xaden exhales quietly.
Black Dahlia - Third Year/Iron Flame Masterlist
Dahlia and the others have survived Athebyne/Resson, but now they have an even bigger target on their backs because of it. And Garrick makes a choice that he may come to regret.
Garrick Tavis x OC (Dahlia Aetos) WARNING - THIS SERIES NOW CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR ONYX STORM. I HAVE MARKED THESE PARTS WITH ❗️AS WELL AS LISTING A WARNING AT THE TOP OF THE CHAPTER. IF YOU HAVE NOT READ ONYX STORM, DO NOT READ THESE CHAPTERS.
Onyx Storm Spoiler - ❗️ Smut/18+ - 😍
Second Year/Fourth Wing Masterlist
69. Well This Is Awkward 70. Alive 71. Goodbye - Dahlia's Version 72. The Wingleader - Dual POV 73. Everything 74. Girls Night 75. Familiar Eyes 76. Won't Make It 77. First Attempt 78. Letters - Garrick 79. The Lieutenant 80. Co-Conspirators 81. Watched 82. Safe - Garrick ❗️ 83. Burn Out 84. When You're Ready 85. I'll Always Love You - Garrick ❗️ 86. Vivid Dreams ❗️ 87. Delivery Service ❗️ 88. Interrupted 89. Boundaries 90. Shattered 91. Resurrected 92. Rising Tensions 93. Royal Blood 94. Taken 95. Rescue Attempt - Garrick 96. I've Got You - Garrick 97. A New Start 98. A Much Needed Talk 99. Raising The Wards 100. Not Where I Left You 101. The Viscount 102. Speechless - Garrick 103. Tell Him I'm Sorry 104. Underestimated 105. Distance ❗️ 106. Oh Fuck - Garrick ❗️ 107. Signets ❗️ 108. Trust 109. Letters Part 2 - Garrick 110. Stable Relationships 111. The Cliffs 112. Letters Part 3 113. Preparing For Battle 114. Fuck it.... Again. 115. Got Your Back 116. Redacted - Garrick
Masterlist
A master list for all my writings. Mainly for Fourth Wing and our rebellion boys. But I do write for other books so make sure to check my request guidelines to see who I am currently writing for.
Requests | Links
Smut - 💕 Fluff - 🌸 Angst - 😡
Fourth Wing:
Incorrect Quotes
Garrick Tavis:
The Lost Sister (semi completed series) 💕🌸
Black Dahlia (on going series) 😡💕
Garrick Tavis Head Cannons 🌸
Just One Date 🌸
Reunited 🌸
Goodbye 😡
Means To And End - One Shot Garrick POV 😡
I Just Want To Talk To Them 😡
Happy Birthday 💕🌸
I just Want To Talk To Them Part 2 - The Reward 💕
Garrick Tavis Dad Head Cannons 🌸
Garrick Tavis Pregnant Reader Head Cannons🌸
Behave 💕
New Feelings 🌸
Is That Blood? 🌸
Wrong Advice (w Sawyer Henrick) 💕
Orders Gone Wrong 🌸😡
Threesome (w Brennan Sorrengail) 💕😡
Priority 😡 🌸
Insomnia 😡 🌸
No Strings Attached 💕😡
No Strings Attached Part 2 💕 😡
If I Catch You 💕
Jealousy 😡🌸
Apology Accepted 🌸😡
My Everything 😡
Always Have My Heart 😡
Furniture (w Aaric Graycastle) 💕
Mirrors 💕
Why Choose (w Xaden and Bodhi) 💕
Bodhi Durran:
Love Letters 🌸
Options 🌸
He's Watching You Again 🌸
It's Nothing 🌸
Assassination Attempt 🌸
Worst Kept Secret 🌸
Shower Masturbation 💕
Praise (Shower Masturbation Part 2) 💕
Underestimated 🌸😡
Courted 🌸
Make It Up To Me 🌸
Here? 💕
Dreaming 💕
Why Choose (w Garrick and Xaden) 💕
Aaric Graycastle
Everyone Has Secrets 😡
Treating You Right 😡💕
Furniture (w Garrick Tavis) 💕
Ridoc Gamlyn:
Matchmaker 🌸
Xaden Riorson:
I Think I Deserve a Kiss 🌸
All Alone 🌸
Not Meant To Care 😡
Lead The Way 🌸😡
Why Choose (w Bodhi and Garrick) 💕
Liam Mairi
Surprise🌸
Eyes On Me 💕
Not Enough 🌸
I Only Want You 💕
Brennan Sorrengail
Can We Not 🌸
Cuddle Head Cannons 🌸
Love Doesn't Suit You 😡
Take A Chance 🌸
Secret Relationship 🌸
Forgive Me 💕
Threesome (w Garrick Tavis) 💕😡
Hidden Feelings
Thigh Riding 💕
Dain Aetos
You Think I Wanted This 😡
Dain "Eyes On Me" Aetos 💕
Use Your Words 💕
Sawyer Henrick
Wrong Advice (w Garrick Tavis) 💕
Rhiannon Matthias
Fourth Wing Boys
Challenge Head Cannons 🌸
Accidental/Unplanned Pregnancy Head Cannons 🌸
Rejection Head Cannons 😡
Reader Masturbation 💕
Drinking
Crescent City
Ruhn Danaan
Shut Up. Make Me.
Shut Up. Make Me. Part 2 💕
ACOTAR
Azriel
Bondage 💕
Powerless
Kai Azer
Mirror Sex 💕
Nightmares 🌸
Home
Part 2 of 'Forgotten'
Angst, Fluff
Poll Chosen : Xaden Riorson x Reader
Summary: After leaving Navarre behind, you promise yourself you will fight with or without your dragon and beloved. Fighting though, for some reason always leads you to Xaden.
A/N: FW/IF Spoilers.
Word Count: >28k (settle in and get comfy)
I really hope y'all enjoy this one. Let me know what you think.
Forgotten - Tomorrow, Always Tomorrow
What does one do when they run away from their dragon and desert their war college?
Hide, of course.
Pausing at a copse of trees, you sink down to your knees and pull the now tattered cloak as firmly around your shoulders as you can. The bitter chill of the wind has begun to settle into your bones as you miss the warmth of a roaring fire and warm bed.
Days of traveling by foot have taken a grueling toll on your body. Though you haven’t gone hungry, thanks to your foresight of paying attention to infantry during RSC missions, the small game that you’ve caught and cooked over small fires has not done much to satisfy your hunger. The fire, in turn, barely warms your hands and feet when the night chill settles in.
As your head rests against the back of a tree, you take a deep breath trying to clear your mind. Even though you succeeded in your plan to slip away, it doesn’t take away the hurt that has twisted like a knife in your heart every step growing more painful than the last. Taking shallow breaths, you try to will away the devastation that seems to settle in your entire being.
The connection to your dragon has seemed to go dormant, a hollow feeling taking its place in your soul. You’re unsure if it will ever break completely, but you haven’t tried to pull towards it either.
Reflecting on the bond, you can’t help but wonder if your dragon is glad to be rid of a rider that let themselves fall into the background. You feel a sense of cowardice and guilt wash over you at leaving everyone to fight the coming war. It’s that heartache of being a coward, for your dragon and beloved, that finally solidified a decision for your probably short future.
As you were already in Poromiel, you knew there was no going back to Navarre. Besides, the Poromish have been fighting for much longer and are attacked more often if your experience in Resson was anything to go by.
A few days prior you came across a small village, the people there wary of you dressed in all black leathers. Those reactions caused you to immediately find the nearest tailor and buy a new set of clothes with the little money you had with you. The tailor was obviously distrusting of you, but no one was going to turn down coin when living in a small village, never knowing when your next sale would be.
Although you purchased a wool shift dress, you didn’t have enough for a new cloak, hence the tattered holes that riddled yours from days of sleeping in the woods.
Taking a deep breath, you lay down to get some sleep for the night hoping that the villagers were right, and you will arrive in Pavis in the morning.
At the first sign of dawn, you sit up stretching out your back and muscles that have cramped during the night from sleeping on the hard ground. As soon as you feel blood flowing back into your extremities, you stand slowly wiping the sleep from your eyes. Staggering forward, you head toward the small stream you had noticed before picking this area to camp for the night.
As soon as you arrive you drop down and splash the cold water on your face and drink your fill of the clean, cool water. The shock of cold sends a shiver down your body, doing wonders in pushing the last vestiges of sleep from your mind.
You begin walking in the same southeastern direction the villagers had directed you in just four days ago. Letting a small groan fall from your lips, you try to forget the sluggish feeling that has overtaken your body from so many days of travel.
It’s as if Amari and Zinhal have finally thought to bless you as you finally see a large town come into view. A sigh of relief escapes you as you finally see a town that rivals Chantara and not just a small village with nothing there.
You drag your tired body to the first tavern you see and take a deep breath at the smell of spiced, roasted meats filling your lungs. A second later, your stomach growls loudly in protest of not being filled. Sitting down at the bar, you open your pack fishing for the remaining coin.
Pulling out your small purse, you drop the contents on the bar in front of the barkeep.
“What can I get for this?” You ask, hoping beyond hope that you can get something filling.
“Not much. I can probably get you a small bowl of stew and a glass of wine.” The barkeep replies giving you a slightly suspicious look.
It dawns on you that the man can probably hear the accent you have when you speak the Krovlish language. You may be proficient, but it’s been almost impossible to hide your accent.
“That would be lovely.” You say hoping that you can seem as harmless as possible. At least you know that no one will see the daggers that are strapped to your body since the shift you bought covers them well.
As soon as you exchange the coins, you are presented with a small steel bowl filled with a delicious smelling stew of beef and local vegetables. You dig in, savoring every single bite that begins to warm you from the inside out, letting out a contented sigh as the food hits your empty stomach. As you continue eating, you can see the barkeep watching you from the corner of your eye. In order to beat some of the suspicion, you take the chance and begin talking.
“Can I ask if you are currently looking for any help?” You ask as you begin to bring the wine cup to your lips.
The barkeep, a middle-aged man with bronzed skin and dark blue eyes that are clearly analyzing your motives. “You don’t seem like you’re from here. Where are you coming from?”
At the question, you startle slightly but make sure to hide your surprise at the question. “I’ve been displaced since the invasion in Resson.”
You decide that being as truthful as possible will be the only way to go, hopefully garnering the trust of the man you are currently speaking with. The barkeep continues to look you over, but you don’t miss the pitying gaze that he gives you. You can’t help but scoff internally as you realize how in the dark the people of Navarre have become, but obviously venin attacks are openly spoken about.
“I’m looking for a bed and to make some money.” You begin to explain exactly what you’re trying to find. “Eventually, I hope to join the rest of your military to fight against the threat that’s being ignored past your borders.”
“And why would I believe that? You’re obviously Navarrian. What if you’re just here to cause trouble?” The barkeep drolls on, but the calculation in his eyes is obvious. “Besides, I thought only a riot of dragon riders helped to fight in Resson.”
The wince is impossible to keep off your face. Taking a large sigh, you let everything out. You tell the barkeep that you were a rider, having since left your dragon, Basgiath, and Navarre behind. You try to convey the conviction you feel about helping the people of Poromiel and the overarching continent, even recounting the tale of the little girl you saved. As you begin to finish, you can see the hard lines of the barkeep’s expression begin to smooth.
“I’m not sure how you pulled off leaving a dragon behind, as well as Basgiath, but you seem genuine.” He says matter-of-factly. “Tell you what…We’ll have a trial. You help around the tavern with any tasks given and you can stay on the cot near the kitchens.”
“And, if you’re serious about joining the war effort, I’ll get in touch with those I know in the military and see if I can get you involved.” The thankful smile that falls across your face is a relief from the sadness and fear that had gripped you over the last few days.
“That sounds wonderful.” There’s no way to hide the earnestness in your voice. “I appreciate your kindness and willingness to give me a chance. Things haven’t been easy the last few days.”
“Well, if you’re going to be staying here, introductions are in order. My name is Redvers, but you can call me, Red. Ceridwen is my wife, and she runs the kitchens.” Red holds out his hand to shake and you take it enthusiastically, happy to finally be able to have someone to at least converse with and give you a chance.
“I’m Y/N. I really won’t be able to thank you enough for this.”
He chuckles. “Don’t thank me too much yet, you haven’t worked or have even seen where you’ll be sleeping.”
“I doubt any cot could be worse than the cold, hard ground.” You mutter ruminating on how nice it will be to sleep somewhere other than on the forest floor.
“Come, you can begin working tomorrow. Tonight, you can rest and get settled.”
Red leads you to a small room that is only large enough to house a cot and small table. You look back at him and smile as you take your pack off and place it next to the table.
“Let me know if you need anything, the tavern is usually open late into the evening.” Red says before turning and closing the small door.
You immediately try to light a mage light and as you try for the third time, it finally hits you. All the powers you had are now gone. You fumble in the room until you find a candle and a flint to light it. As soon as the small flame is lit, you fall to the cot and your head falls back onto the pillow.
Finally feeling some semblance of safety, all the emotions you’d drowned out since a silver haired girl entered the scene crashes down at once.
Staring at the beams of the ceiling, you try to normalize your breathing, but its useless. Your body has gone into shock, panic overtaking your every sense. Breathing is erratic, and tears are streaming down your face in a torrent as your body begins to shiver and shake in response to your breaking. You turn to the side and curl up into the tightest ball you possibly can and let yourself fall completely apart.
You’re unsure of when or how you fell asleep, but as you wake with a pounding headache, you realize at some point in the night your body must’ve given out. The emotion that overtook you taking every ounce of energy you had left in your body. As you trudge from the bed, you look to see someone brought a pitcher of water while you’ve been out.
Pouring yourself a cup of water and staring out of the small window you hadn’t noticed when you entered, you try to take a deep breath though all you feel is a hollowness. As you stare into the night sky, the sadness of now being alone settles like a heavy cloak. All you can do is count your breaths and hope that you made the right decision.
A few days go by, and you find yourself getting into the groove of assisting in the tavern. You begin noticing the townspeople that seem to come in regularly. A few fliers have also made themselves known, although you know they have no idea their enemy is feeding them stew and serving them wine and ale.
You grow close to both Red and Ceridwen, learning of their story and their families. You never thought you would find such wonderful and caring people, especially when you just randomly walked into this space. They welcomed you as if you were the daughter they never had.
Ceridwen began taking you under her wing and helping cook in the kitchens, teaching you recipes you’d never seen before. It was there that you could hear the conversations and gossip from those coming through the tavern.
“I don’t know what he thinks he’s going to accomplish with Sorrengail.” Your ears immediately perk up at the name going to stand closer to the serving window of the kitchen.
“Look Cat, it doesn’t matter what he’s doing either way. The betrothal is null and void. There is no reason for you to bother with Riorson any longer.” Your eyes flash as you realize who they are talking about, but then they furrow trying to place the name Cat.
“You and I both know he’s not really in love with her. If there’s one thing that I learned being betrothed to the bastard is that he’s incapable of feelings besides calculation and revenge.” You’re unsure why but her words about Xaden make your blood begin to boil.
“Just because he wasn’t emotionally available for you doesn’t mean he’s emotionless. Stop being so petty.” The other girl counters, obviously trying to put this Cat girl in her place.
“Secondly, if that is the case, what would you call the other girl that always had him distracted.”
“Oh her, she was never a threat. Besides, look how easily she was left behind. The group didn’t even notice they were leaving with a riderless dragon when flying out of Resson. Some feelings he had for her if she was that forgettable.” The defiant tone in Cat’s voice causes a stone to settle in your stomach.
With the last statement, you move out of earshot of anyone in the tavern. The knife that’s been embedded in your heart since you disappeared turns a little tighter making it hard to breathe. You can’t help but wonder when the knife will just explode and either kill you or leave you so emotionless you can’t be hurt anymore.
The rest of the day passes as if molasses through the eye of a needle. When you are finally able to retire for the night, you fall on your cot and try to breathe through the heartache that seemed to settle inside you, a tight band constricting further and further across your chest.
When you rise the next morning, you are more set than ever that you need to get to the front lines of this war. If you are going to lose your life, you might as well lose it while trying to fight the real enemy, maybe then the hollow feeling in your chest will stop.
As soon as you can, you go to speak with Red. “Have you had any luck finding someone to connect you with the military?”
The surprised look on Red’s face is almost comical, maybe he didn’t think you were serious about that part. He motions for you to sit down at a stool, and he sits next to you.
“I spoke with one of the commanders of the drifts. She has instructed that if you are interested, you will have to bring your supplication to Viscount Tecarus in Cordyn.” Red finishes and he looks at you directly as if to ascertain if this is what you want.
“How exactly do I get to Cordyn from here?” Asking that question makes his face fall slightly.
“Are you sure that is the path you wish to take? Ceridwen and I are more than happy to help you and let you continue living here. We’ve both come to enjoy your company over the past weeks.” The sad look that Red gives you causes you to let out a sad smile. You never thought deserting your position as a rider would end up leading you to people who had become surrogate parents.
You get up and sling your arms around Red. Although startled, he wraps his arms around your waist in a warm hug.
“You really have no idea how much it warms my heart to hear you say that.” You pause trying to find the right words. “But all my life I’ve been left behind. Now, I have the opportunity to stand up for those who cannot and if I fall doing so, at least I know I died honorably.”
You can see the sadness in his face as he comes to terms with the fact that you won’t be changing your mind. Red gives you a small smile and squeezes your hand.
“Give me a few days and I will help get you to Cordyn. On foot or by carriage it takes several days, but I may be able to get you a flight with one of the gryphons.”
Your eyes widen as you take in his words. “Would a gryphon even allow someone besides their flier on their back? Won’t they know that I was a dragon rider?” You can’t help the thought and fear that grips you.
“Yes, you would be allowed to fly. And no, they won’t know you were a rider.” Red says with so much conviction your brows knit together. “You see I know a little about bonds, between gryphons and dragons.”
“When a bond is tested by the rider or flier, it can be broken if the gryphon or dragon chooses to do so. I’m unsure if your dragon has chosen to break the bond, as its hard for a human to decipher, but the gryphon won’t be able to sense it as it is buried.”
“How exactly do you know all of that?” You can’t keep the confused look off your face at the new information.
“Because back in my younger days, I was a gryphon flier myself.” Your eyes widen as you take in the new information.
“Why didn’t you kill me on-site?” The question forms unbidden on your tongue and escapes before you can stop it.
Red gives you a warm smile before stating simply. “Because you fought for those who needed help. You chose to aid someone you were taught was the enemy without question and saved a young girl. Valor like that is worth more than just being classified as a dragon rider or gryphon flier.”
Without even forming the thought, you find yourself back in his warm embrace. “Thank you for trusting me and recognizing something in me that most other people seem to take for granted.”
“I think you underestimate how many people see your loyalty, honor, and valor. However, I do believe that all those qualities can be taken for granted. It’s not uncommon to be left behind when you quietly lift people up.” He pauses with a thoughtful look on his face. “It isn’t usually until those people lose the person that held them high that they realize everything they had and lost.”
With those words, Red leaves you to get to work getting the tavern set up for the day.
The parting words seem to continue to float in your mind for days. You never wanted to be taken for granted, but it seemed like your entire life people always just assumed you would be there. You knew that your nature to be a safe haven in the storms of life for everyone was something people loved. However, when it was calm, you always felt that people would let you drift behind. A forgotten force only needed to bolster someone in times of trouble.
Thinking your time at Basgiath over, you realized that you had always been a haven for Xaden and his group. You were constantly there trying to help them in every way you could. What you didn’t realize was that they played you for a fool, taking advantage of your willingness to help.
Reflecting, you remember all the times you told them about the weapons that Emmetterio would have brought in and even showed them the forge at Basgiath. You had signed up for weapons maintenance, and they ended up having clear access to everything they were looking for from you. You shake your head as all the small things you missed come crashing down.
Luckily today was a rare occasion where Ceridwen had you going to the market to pick up supplies, so you weren’t trying to serve anyone as the reality of everything began to crash into you.
You stop on your way to the market and let yourself sink down on a large rock not far from the road. You want to cry, but you just don’t have any tears left to give. Time and time again you feel like you were just a pawn in someone’s game.
Anger at yourself, Xaden, and everyone that you considered a friend at Basgiath begins to make your blood heat. How could you have been so naïve?
With a tumult of emotions roaring through your body, you head back to the tavern, the market all but forgotten. A new determination coils inside your mind as you realize the only way to get through these feelings is to be useful. You want to get lost in the adrenaline of war, of putting your life on the line and not caring the outcome.
As if Red can read your thoughts, the minute you return to the tavern he is waiting with a dark-haired man in form fitting brown leathers. You pull up short not expecting to have anyone expecting your arrival.
“Ah, just who I was looking for.” Red says as he gestures for you to join him and his companion.
You begin forward hesitantly not really knowing how to proceed with someone that is so visibly a flier. All of your instincts from years of hearing they were the enemy causing your trepidation to rise, though you try to tamp it down as Red gives you a look of assurance. You take a deep calming breath and know that you must put your trust in the man that has helped you over the last two months.
“Y/N, this is Drake Cordella.” Red says motioning to the man next to him. Drake immediately puts his hand out to shake yours and gives you a warm smile.
“Pleasure to meet you, Y/N.” Drake says warmly, and you give him a small nod and smile in return while shaking his hand firmly.
“Pleasure to meet you as well. I’m assuming that Red has informed you on my want to join the war effort.” You decide bluntness about the whole situation is better than trying to skirt around the edges.
“Yes, he’s filled me in on your situation shall we say.” A questioning look is immediately shot to Red who is still just smiling back at you.
“Don’t worry, Y/N. Drake is a close friend of mine. He won’t divulge any information if you wish to keep it secret.” Red reassures you letting your heart settle a little.
“I assure you, giving up any information on you is the last thing I want to do. However, I am curious as to how things are for you since being separated from your bond for so long.” Taking a look around the tavern, you can’t help the unease that settles at talking about this topic in the open.
“Would you both mind talking somewhere a little more private? I haven’t gone this long without being discovered to out myself now.” You ask, hoping you can go to Red’s office that is at the back and soundproof.
“Of course, lets head to my office.” Red says leading the way to the back.
As soon as the three of you are inside and comfortable, you take a deep breath and share the details of the past two months with them. Divulging the way your bond seems to be underneath a glass layer or buried at the bottom of a clear lake, you can still sense the pull, but it has weakened enormously. Confirming that you haven’t been able to communicate with your dragon or even draw any semblance of power. Turning on mage lights, powering pens, opening and locking doors with magic, all seem to be lost to you with the bond being silent.
They both seem to listen in rapt fascination. You realize it may not be ideal to tell the ‘enemy’ all this information, but you are certain that you won’t be seeing any Navarrians any time soon. While talking, you watch Drake move to brace his elbows on his knees as if you are telling the most fascinating story he’s ever been told.
“You were one of the riders that fought in Resson?” Drake questions, his face becoming one of contemplation.
“Yes, I rescued a young girl and killed a venin before, as some would say, I deserted my riot.” You bring your head down to the floor suddenly ashamed of your actions.
“None of that.” You catch Drake waving his hand off noncommittally at your comment. “You obviously don’t know this, but your disappearance is well known in Poromiel. I believe those in Navarre believe you are dead, at least I believe that is part of the story Riorson and Sorrengail spun.”
Your nose crinkles and stomach sours at the mention of both Xaden and Sorrengail, two names you hope you’d never hear again, let alone see.
“You see, I believe you have someone looking very intently for your whereabouts.” You can’t help the scoff that immediately leaves your lips. If there is anything you won’t believe its that anyone from Navarre is looking for you.
“Besides, I believe your dragon has kicked up a bit of a fuss for those in the vale if the rumors are to be believed.” You stare back at Drake not believing how much he seems to know about you and your situation. Shaking your head, you decide its time to now get back down to the real business and not idle gossip.
“Will any of that deter you from taking me to help the Poromish with this war?” You question. “You see, I don’t rightly care about parsing through any attachments to Navarre or any of the people in it. However, I do care about helping as much as I can to eliminate the threat of the venin.”
A sly smile marks a change in Drake’s demeanor moving past the questioning of your ties to Navarre.
“I respect that is your decision. Red and I have discussed this, and I wanted to see if you would like to accompany me to Cordyn to meet my uncle.” Drake informs.
“If meeting with the Viscount is the only way that I can prove my intention to aid, then I’m ready to leave whenever you are.” The conviction in your voice makes Drake give you a curt nod, even as Red gives you a sad smile.
“Ceridwen and I are going to miss you, Y/N.” Red says sincerity lining every word. “Please know that you will always have a home here.”
Those words cause you to immediately stand and cross the room, wrapping your arms tightly around the man that welcomed you warmly into his domain.
“No words will convey how thankful I am that you took a chance on me. Thank you for your loyalty, comfort, and love. Without those things, I’m not sure if I would’ve survived much longer.” You whisper for only him to hear. “I will be forever grateful to you for absolutely everything you’ve done for me.”
After giving him another tight squeeze, you head to your rooms to begin packing the few things that were yours. A light knock on the door brings your attention away from combing through the last of the items. Before you can say a word, Ceridwen comes in carrying a small box and a sad smile on her lips.
“Red told me that you’ll be heading out with Drake soon.” She says matter-of-factly moving to stand at your side while you give a small nod. “You may not have been with us long but know that you’ll always be like a daughter to us.”
As she finishes, she hands out the small box to you. You take it and can’t help the gasp that escapes you as you open it. Inside a black velvet box is a gold necklace with a small round pendant. You examine the pendant, and your eyebrow raises at the runes carved into one side. Ceridwen goes to take the necklace from you and places it on your neck.
“Keep this on you at all times, especially in Cordyn.” She states firmly. “You may or may not know this, but fliers usually have gifts that entail mind work.”
She pauses as if thinking through her words as she grabs your shoulders and turns you around. “You can trust Drake, but there are those who – if they find out who you are- will do anything to make your life miserable.”
Staring back at Ceridwen, you know that the words she is giving you are for your benefit, not to scare you or coerce you to stay.
“Thank you.” You begin as you wrap her in a hug just as fierce as the one you gave her husband. “I know we may not cross paths again, but please know how much you and Red mean to me. I told him already, but there aren’t enough thank you’s in the world to give you for everything that you’ve done for me.”
Ceridwen hugs you back just as fiercely before stepping away, you must take a deep breath when she steps back and you see the tears swimming in her eyes.
Not even an hour later, you’ve shouldered your pack and dressed in the only pants and shirt that you had which happened to be some old clothes of Red’s. As you walk out of the tavern, it’s impossible not to turn and give it a once over, committing every small crack, hole, and crevice to memory. Since you had started at Basgiath three years ago, you were unsure if you’d ever be in another place that hurt your heart so much to leave, but now here you are.
As you walk towards Drake, you can see the outline of his gryphon in the distance. The warmth and sadness that you felt leaving the tavern now turning into fear at the creature in front of you.
Obviously sensing your trepidation, whether from your expression or the way your walk slowed, Drake holds out his hand as if in comfort.
“I know this will be intimidating, but I promise he won’t hurt you.” Even though his words mean to placate your fear, you can’t help the raise of one of your brows in challenge.
“D-Does h-he know that I’m a dragon rider?” Your voice slides into a quiet whisper as you ask the last part of the question.
Drakes warm chuckle begins to ease the tension that has settled in your stomach. “Yes, just like your dragon, its impossible to get him out of my head.”
You look at Drake in fascination that he can seem to break the tension you’re feeling without doing more than say just the right thing.
“Are you always so comforting? Or do you have some sort of agenda here?” Your hand flies to your mouth in horror that you couldn’t stop your words. Worry is short-lived though when Drake lets out a warm booming laugh.
“I promise I have no ulterior motives.” A cocky smirk falling on his lips. “But I can’t help being born with such a charming nature.”
“And there it is.” You begin to tease as your tension continues to lighten. “I was wondering when your cocky side was going to come out.”
Without even realizing, his teasing had made you completely forget that you were headed directly for his gryphon. As you finally reach the animal, you can’t help but notice the amazing sheen to its feathers that still glints an impossible shade of gold in the moonlight. Everything about the creature seems softer than your dragon, although as you look at the talons below, you know that it can be just as vicious when it needs to be.
Drake takes your hand and brings it to the gryphon’s face. You look at him uncertainly, your heartrate beginning to spike wondering if this is the part where you get fed to his talons and sharp beak. Although, your thoughts are cut short when the gryphon simply dips it and seems to sniff at your wrist.
“He isn’t going to bite. Gryphons just like to assess a person before they are allowed to ride. They, unlike most dragons, are willing to fly those in need of transportation, especially if their flier deems their purpose worthy.” Drake explains as he continues to hold your hand out.
“Fascinating.” You say with no sarcasm in your tone. It’s not the first time since you left that you’ve wondered what exactly happened that caused dragons and gryphons to be so hostile to each other. However, you’re unsure if it’s the beings themselves or just the people that they bond with.
After a few minutes more, Drake drops your hand gently back to your side before taking your pack and securing it to his gryphon.
“if you don’t mind, I’d like you to sit in front of me.” Drake begins. “I don’t mean to make you uncomfortable, but the movement from gryphons compared to dragons is quite different and we don’t want you falling off.”
You shake your head and the next thing you know; he is hoisting you between the gryphon’s wings.
“Now, you’ll need to scoot a little closer to his neck – yes – right there, perfect.” As he finishes, you are impressed with the ease in which he settles himself behind you.
Without warning, they gryphon launches into the air, and you find yourself smacking directly into Drake’s chest. Your cheeks burning scarlet, you can do nothing but thank Zinhal it is already dark outside.
“We’ll be flying at a lower altitude than you’re used to, so you should definitely be able to get some rest.” Drake explains, his mouth unnervingly close to your ear.
You mentally slap yourself, but you can’t help the flush of your cheeks again. You close your eyes against the feeling, scolding yourself that it hasn’t been that long since a man has showed you attention.
You shake your head at his words and let your mind drift to the beats of the gryphon’s wings. Between the warmth of the lower altitude and the rhythmic flapping, you find yourself nodding off too quickly.
Your consciousness slowly coming back, you snuggle into the warmth that has seemed to settle into your bones. It isn’t until you recognize the flapping of your wings that you are snapping to attention. Turning your head, you are met with Drake’s warm smile and a teasing glint in his eye.
“Have a nice sleep there?” He teases you. “I’m glad that I was a comfortable blanket.”
Your eyes widen in embarrassment as you quickly turn around back to the gryphon’s golden neck, the mortification burning in your cheeks.
Drake’s warm laugh breaks your embarrassment. “Don’t worry, it was pretty cute.”
Your head drops again in mortification, and you give a pout at his teasing, a frustrated huff leaving your lips. Though the feeling doesn’t stay around long when Drake begins to point in front of you.
Your eyes now widen, and jaw goes slack in absolute awe. Standing in stark relief to the blue of the coastline is a palace so intricate you have to pinch yourself to make sure you aren’t dreaming. As your eyes roam quickly, you can’t decide if you should focus on the intricate white walls of gleaming marble, or the pools that look as blue as the sky. Trying to count the seemingly endless number of terraces and small gardens that jut out in all directions, you have a hard time concentrating on any one piece.
“You didn’t tell me to expect this.” Now looking down at the oversized clothes you are in, you can’t help but feel like a peasant waiting to be judged by royalty. You scoff in your mind because that is exactly what’s about to happen.
“Don’t let the palace and formality fool you. Besides, you won’t have to worry, you’re with me and I know Ceridwen gave you the necklace.” Drake’s tone is a cool calm and you try to infuse your feelings with the same. You are surprised to learn that Drake knew of the necklace but shrug your shoulders knowing that Red and Ceridwen trust him. At this point, you know there is no turning back, although there’s no certainty that you will like what will happen once you step foot in that palace.
Finally landing in a garden off to the side, you look around to see nothing but ornamental shrubs to your left and right. After years at Basgiath and life in Navarre, everything about this place seems overdone.
Drake dismounts from the gryphon and immediately holds his hand out waiting to steady you as you dismount as well.
“Even though you aren’t a prisoner in any way. I need you to stick close.” Drake says with a serious tone. “You don’t need to fear for your life, but others may be inclined to harm you if they see you walking around by yourself in this clothing. Or at least make your life difficult.”
“What’s wrong with my clothing?” You ask indignantly.
“Nothing,” he says with slight exasperation. “You just have to understand that there won’t be anyone around the palace that doesn’t have a noble’s clothing on. Let’s just say my uncle is a fan of protocol.”
You shake your head understanding now what Drake is trying to convey. “I promise I’ll stick close by.”
Drake motions his hand for you to begin walking and he matches you stride for stride. The closer you get, the more in awe you find yourself. You come to an immediate stop as you look to your right and see nothing but a cloud of butterflies.
You hear a light snicker and turn to see Drake laughing gently at your obvious shock. “I know everything is a lot to take in on first glance, but I promise you can have the grand tour after we get you situated.”
Nodding, you continue walking into hallway upon hallway seeming to get more and more decorative as you descend into the heart of the palace.
“Good morning, Sterling.” Drake says to a guard standing at two large wooden doors. “I assume my uncle and Syrena are behind there.”
“Yes, Captain. They are both anticipating your arrival.” As he finishes, Sterling looks back at you in judgment and you begin fiddling at his intense stare, but as a soldier he clearly knows better than have his feelings shown on his face.
Drake moves forward and opens the heavy wooden doors, moving them both to the side. You are met with an impressive study dripping with indulgences. There are crystal vases filled with exotic flowers, shelves with thousands of tomes, and fine carpets that have motifs you’ve never seen before.
The shocking details in the room cause you to completely miss the stares of the two other people. But as soon as you look back, you want to do nothing more than back away out of the room.
“Picking up strays now cousin?” The female in the room says. From Drake’s question to the guard, you realize this must be Syrena though you can’t help but bristle at her words.
“If by strays, you mean someone who has previously fought venin, then yes. If you’re just trying to be rude, then screw off.” Your eyebrows shoot up. Of all the things you expected, you never thought you’d hear someone who just met you defend your honor.
“Both of you are acting like children in front of our guest.” A clearly older voice rings out as you watch an older man step out from behind the large desk at the end of the room.
“Uncle.” Drake says in a slow drawl. “I was in Pavis, and a friend made me aware of someone that was interested in fighting with us against the venin threat. She was there for about two months.”
“I see.” Tecarus says as he begins to walk around you as if inspecting a shiny new toy. “Does our guest possess any gifts or interesting talents?”
The drawl of his voice sounds a shiver down your spine before Drake speaks up again. “Besides combat experience, no she doesn’t possess any other talents.”
Drake looks at you as if wanting to confirm and you give him a small nod.
“Drake says you’ve dealt with the venin before?” Tecarus asks as he continues to stalk closer to you.
“Yes.” The words leave your lips hesitantly. “I killed one in the combat that I have seen; however, I wouldn’t consider myself overly proficient.”
“Now, now dear. Don’t downplay your abilities. In fact, if the news Syrena has just brought to me is correct, you may have shown up at just the right time.” Drake comes to stand next to his uncle as he continues to make you uncomfortable with his piercing gaze.
“What news Syrena?” Drake demands to the woman who has begun to step closer as well.
“The venin army is on the move and our intelligence tells us they may be making Zolya and the Academy their next target.” Syrena succinctly conveys the information, no emotion showing on her face.
All teasing in Drake’s face had long since disappeared. Everyone in the room tensed as Syrena continued to explain what the scouts had seen as the most recent movement. A shiver snaked around your body as the extent of the possible attack settled in your mind.
“Are you planning on evacuating the cadets?” The question slipped from your lips before the thought even fully formed in your mind.
The three people in the room turned to you seeming to finally remember your existence. You could see the hesitation in Syrena’s face to continue, but soon enough she was going over the evacuation plans for the Academy and the city overall.
“I’m not a flier, but I would like to help in any way I can.” You hope that your voice is infused with the bravado that is flaring to life inside of you.
After a few months of trying to bury your past, this seemed like the perfect way to carve out a new role for yourself. Try as you may, you hadn’t been able to get the phantom memories out of your mind. Phantom touches and small moments that had seemed so precious before only burned with dragon fire and stung as a scorpion’s tail.
Shaking your head, you try to dispel the memories that had still been haunting your dreams.
“If you’re willing to fight, I’m sure we can find a place for you.” Syrena confirms as Drake clasps a hand to your shoulder in acknowledgment.
A little over a week later, you find yourself again seated in front of Drake flying towards Zolya.
For the last week you had been working with Syrena and Drake on fighting, getting outfit in Poromish leathers, and learning as much as you could about the venin and their tactics in Poromiel thus far.
“Before we get to Zolya, we have a stop to make.” Drake says, though his tone belies there is more to this stop.
“Spit out exactly what you aren’t saying.” You spit tersely knowing there is something he isn’t saying.
“You’re going to want to stay with the gryphons and keep the hood of the cloak you have up.” He continues.
“And you need to tell me exactly what the fuck is about to happen.” You toss back.
With an exaggerated sigh, he continues. “We’re going to pick up weapons from someone I don’t think you’re interested in seeing.”
There is no way that Drake can miss the way that your entire body stiffens like a wooden plank. Of all the things he could have told you, this was the last thing you could’ve possibly imagined. Your head whips around to look at Drake in the eyes.
“Are you telling me that you’re about to pick up weapons from Xaden Riorson.” Your voice comes out smaller than you want, but at this point you know that Drake knows exactly who you are. How would the Poromish not know when they have a bargaining chip?
Suddenly thoughts of betrayal flit across your mind, but before you can spiral too deeply, Drake breaks your thoughts.
“I promise neither Syrena nor I will say anything about who you are. That is why I’m asking you to raise your hood, cover your face with your handkerchief in your pocket and stay with the gryphons.” You try to take a calming breath as you realize that they are both really trying to make sure that Xaden doesn’t know it’s you.
Gods. Can you even shield anymore? You immediately begin to test your metal shields and try to reinforce them. The nostalgia that hits you at being back in your mind space is off-putting, the exercise being something you never thought you would do again.
Sooner than you’d like, you feel the gryphons shift as they begin their descent. Without waiting, you take the handkerchief out of your pocket and tie it over your nose and mouth, after which you bring up the hood of your cloak as the gryphon hits the ground.
Drake easily dismounts and turns to assist you. “Remember, just stay here and keep your mouth closed and this will be over soon enough.” He gives your arm a small squeeze as he turns around and walks towards the small clearing.
Your breathing begins to pick up as your eyes move to the distance in front of Drake and Syrena and see Sgaeyl and Chradh standing there, the imposing figures of the dragons causing your heart to flutter. All you can do is pray to Zinhal that neither dragon will be able to place your scent, be interested in looking too deeply into you, or tries to delve into your mind. Though no one can see you looking, you watch the entire scene take place.
The breath catches in your throat as you lay eyes on the man that stole your heart in now what seems so long ago and in a completely different life. You keep your head angled down and let your eyes take in the sight of Garrick standing there next to him, studying them both for any injuries. You can’t say they would care if they knew you were here or not, but that doesn’t stop you from caring about their well-being.
Then the tone of Xaden’s voice brings you out of your reverie. “If you don’t stop with the attacks, we won’t have any choice but to stop the drops. Not only are the cadre already suspicious, but the higher rates in attack are making this harder to accomplish.”
“We are aware Riorson, but there is movement you are unaware of that we are currently on our way to try and contain. Actually, there’s plenty you don’t know, and frankly I’m unsure why the Assembly hasn’t been forth coming with what they know.” Syrena claps back, her tone just as menacing as Xaden’s. After spending time on the other side, you can understand the desperation the fliers are feeling.
“Look, we’ll do what we can.” Drake interrupts, breaking the tension between the two, trying to be the voice of reason. “Just know that the threat is getting increasingly worse. Besides, in two weeks’ time, we may not even be around to collect anything from you.”
“What do you mean?” Xaden asks forcing his tone to be a little calmer.
“I mean that we are trying to stave off an organized attack of a large city that will have more than devastating consequences. I’m sorry to be vague, but is your assembly’s job to inform you, not ours.” With that, Drake turns and continues back towards you.
As if finally recognizing there is another flier in his midst, you watch with your hood covering your eyes as Xaden’s gaze flicks up to you. You don’t miss the uncertain expression on his face and the way he cocks his head slightly to the side as if trying to place you. If you didn’t know him so well, you would’ve missed the small twitch of his hand indicating he was utilizing his shadows.
At that same moment, you blink down and see the shifting of shadows around your feet. Using every ounce of restraint, you make yourself stand completely still, letting the shadows coil around your feet in curiosity. Forcing breaths in and out, you solidify the shields you hope still work in your mental fortress as tightly as you can.
The moment that Drake steps up next to his gryphon, you bring your head up fully and lock eyes with Xaden for one second before you turn and allow Drake to help you up. You keep your head firmly down as Drake mounts and just seconds later you are airborne.
As you drift from the meeting spot, Drake’s chuckle breaks your tumultuous thoughts.
“Syrena is going to have her hands full the next time Riorson does a drop.” He gets out between fits of laughter. Looking over your shoulder, you give him a quizzical look.
“Oh, so you didn’t see then.” Drake explains wryly. “If I can read people as well as I think I can, Riorson either thinks he just saw a ghost or realized who you were and was so shocked he didn’t know what to do.”
Scrunching your nose at Drake’s comment you turn back to the front and let out a long-suffering sigh.
“I’m assuming that since you said Syrena, you don’t normally have any interaction with Xaden.” You ask, now wondering exactly how this whole operation works.
“No. I don’t usually have time for such things.” Drake huffs an almost indignant sound coming from him, it causes your eyebrow to quirk, but you know better than to pry too deeply.
Falling into comfortable silence, you scan your surroundings noticing the changes in topography as you glide closer to Zolya. If there is one thing you can say for flying on a gryphon is that the lower altitude gives much more visibility to the lands around you.
As you continue to observe the landscape, the familiar sound of rushing water fills your ears between the beats of gryphon wings. Looking down, the Stonewater River flowing below you can’t be mistaken. As dawn begins to break, you take the opportunity to soak in the colors and sounds of the river below you before the chaos that you are sure will ensue.
Before you have enough time to absorb the beauty of the nature around you, the feeling of descent makes your stomach begin to rise to your throat. As you bring your eyes to the horizon in front of you, you see the fortress of Cliffsbane Academy rising from the ground.
The foreboding stone is reminiscent of all the times you flew into Basgiath, but for some reason the fear that used to immediately settle in your bones at Basgiath doesn’t come. Unsure if it is just you moving past the fight of living or just accepting today may be your last, you don’t know.
As the gryphon touches down in the flight field of the Academy, you can’t help the way your head swings as if on a swivel trying to map out your surroundings. A sarcastic huff leaves your mouth as you realize you are a dragon rider now standing in the beating heart of enemy territory. You wrestle with yourself trying to figure out if this is the best idea you’ve ever had or complete madness.
Drake immediately dismounts and pulls you down soon after. Not letting any hesitation settle into your bones, you take a deep breath and stand tall, following close behind Drake as he confidently moves towards the entry doors.
“I’ll remind you to stay close by while we’re getting directives and moving everyone into their places.” Drake warns as you both continue to stride down the halls.
“Don’t worry. I have no interest in becoming fodder for the students here who may prefer to see me dead.” You challenge back, although there is no malice there.
Before long, Drake stops in front of two large doors and looks back at you giving you a tight nod. As he opens them, your eyes widen as you take in your surroundings. The rotunda that you have entered is just as big as the one at Basgiath, but instead of dragon pillars, majestic gryphons in different states of flight line the interior. Golds, browns and whites highlight each other in alternating hues from floor to ceiling, where the colors fade into the painting of a beautiful blue sky.
You aren’t awed for long when you hear a familiar sounding voice call out from the other side.
“Since when is picking up strays a new past time for you cousin?” A female voice purrs with a malignant sneer.
“Catriona, I’m only going to say this once.” Drake begins as he gives the similar looking female a stern look. “Play. Nice. This isn’t about you or some petty score over a man. She is here to help us, so you will treat her with respect.”
Catriona looks at you, eyes narrowed, while Drake continues. “That is an order, not a request.”
“Oh, I can play nice.” Catriona retorts though the mischief in her eyes shows you probably won’t like what follows. “Besides, what could be more of a punishment than being forgotten about not only by a man you thought loved you, but also your own dragon. You must really feel sorry for yourself to end up in flier leathers.”
You can’t help the slight flinch when she finishes her statement, though you can’t understand how she would even know what you looked like. And with that your entire being begins to feel the helplessness and utter betrayal of being left. A grief so sharp, it feels as if your heart may stop, hits you straight between the ribs causing your breath to hitch.
Drake must realize something because soon enough you watch as he grabs Catriona by the arm and gets into her face. “I said play nice. Quit it now.”
Catriona gives you one last glare before turning and walking away. You’re unsure what just happened, but the sting of her words slowly seems to lessen the further and further she gets away.
A clash of steel breaks you from your emotions at you and Drake both turn and stare at the doors you just entered through. A second later, a warning bell whistles out harshly and all hell breaks loose. You watch as flier cadets seem to come racing from all areas of the building.
“Come on, it seems we were a little later in the timing than we should’ve been.” Drake says ushering you towards the heart of the Academy.
“It’ll be better if we separate. Where can I help in evacuating?” You say while running to keep up with Drake.
“Follow this corridor and get out everyone that you can. Remember to use the two blades that I gave you if you come across a venin.” You nod your head sharply at the orders and immediately begin running toward the corridor assigned.
As you go, you knock heavily on the doors before directing anyone coming out to head to the rotunda and towards their gryphons. You try to keep a tally in your head, but as you reach about twenty, your mind starts to spin.
A dark cloud seems to enter your mind and no amount of shaking your head clears it. Continuing down the hall and constantly trying to clear your mind, you don’t notice the set of billowing robes that is at the end staring straight at you.
“Well, well. I didn’t expect to see you here.” A high-pitched shriek of a voice calls out as you open the door of the last room.
After ushering the last two cadets out, you finally look up and come face to face with the last creature you were hoping to see today.
Venin.
“See me here?” You taunt back in confusion. “You act as if you know me.”
“Oh, we always know a tortured soul when we see one. Especially one so exquisitely bleak as you.” The voice of the female venin shrieks. Your heart begins to race as you try to figure out your best way out of the situation, though things look disheartening when you realize you are at the dead end of a corridor.
“My Sage told me about the girl who was forgotten at the last battle he attended. He could feel the pain radiating off you in waves. He was very disappointed to have to leave you behind.” Everything the female is saying makes your head spin.
Suddenly awareness comes back to you, and you jerk in response to the now close proximity of the female. As you begin circling one another, the thoughts of the possible finalities of this predicament hit you. You don’t have time to dwell though as the female unsheathes a blade and goes to make the first strike.
Immediately parrying, you find yourself completely disadvantaged at the speed the female possesses. You utilize all the training you had done with Xaden and Garrick, but nothing seems to be enough to completely evade her blows. As you aim your own alloyed blade down to strike, you hiss as you feel a blade tear down your left arm.
A fiery sting erupts from the wound as if hundreds of dragons are firing up and down your arm, but you don’t stop, you can’t. The female steps back slightly admiring her handywork which causes her downfall. You take the move for your advantage and charge directly at her.
Even though she stepped back, your height made it easy to hit her right between the ribs. A shriek of a scream rends the air as she grabs at the alloyed dagger now protruding from her body.
Watching as she falls to her knees, you find yourself backing against a wall, the sharp sting of scorpions radiating from your arm. Once the venin falls completely to the ground, you turn and look down. It is then you see the black that has begun to spider down your arm.
You begin to stumble back down the corridor towards the rotunda, hoping that you can drag yourself there. Movement begins to become sluggish as you get closer, hearing the battle still raging around you. Finally reaching the door, you look up and see people being directed out to the adjacent courtyard. Limping forward, you search for the familiar face of Drake.
As luck would have it, on the third pass of the hall, you finally spot him on the far corner. As if acutely aware of your stare, his head jerks up and his eyes land on you. Relief floods his face before it seems to turn to concern as you find yourself slowly sinking to the ground.
“Y/N!” You can hear Drake shout, although everything is beginning to sound far away. The harsh sounds of orders and footsteps seem to make up the background noise in your head, but nothing is clear anymore. Finally hitting the floor, you hiss out a pained breath as it begins to feel as if a thousand needles are running through your veins.
“Y/N!” Drake shouts again and you see him materialize in front of your face. His voice is both a command and plea at the same time, though you’re unsure why.
As your vision begins to swim black, you think you hear him again. “You’ll be alright. We’re going to counteract the poison; you just need to hold on.”
The burning continues, your body convulsing with the heat of the venom in your blood. You can feel your whole-body tense as waves of fire rolls through. Darkness taking over your vision and your body beginning to slacken as the poison infiltrates your blood stream.
Each fiber of your body feels overloaded with fiery toxin and the loss of adrenaline. You try to open your eyes one last time, but your eyelids won’t obey your command, instead you find yourself slipping into oblivion.
----------
The first thing you notice is the quiet. Without opening your eyes, you listen but are only met with deafening silence. Continuing to lie unmoving, you take a deep breath before trying to open your eyes. Managing to finally get them open, though the effort seems unbearable, you are met with confusion as your eyes stare up at a beautifully decorative ceiling.
Confusion tugs at your brain as you try to place this room that seems familiar, yet not. The decadence of the bedroom, even only by the ceiling you can see and the feel of the sheets on your bare skin, is something that seems familiar but not at the same time. Slowly, you let yourself move each one of your limbs, from your toes to your fingertips.
You begin to move your arm and feel a lingering ache on your left. Bringing it up and over the covers your breath catches in your throat and your eyes widen at the sight. All along your arm are spidering black veins that seem to penetrate your skin.
“Don’t worry, eventually it will recede.” Immediately your head whips to your right towards the male voice. “It will take some time since we don’t have a mender and only healers, but it shouldn’t cause you any issues.”
Your eyes encounter the warm gaze of Drake. Never before would you have thought the view of a flier would be a welcome sight, but your life hadn’t seemed to work out the way you’d thought anyway.
“H – How lo-long have I been out?” You rasp your voice scratchy with disuse and in desperate need of water.
While you finish your statement, Drake moves to the table next to the bed and brings you a fresh glass of water. You take the cup and drink greedily, the cool liquid calming the dryness.
“It’s been a week since the venin took Zolya.” Head jerking back towards Drake, your eyes widen at the revelation.
“Wh-what happened to all of those cadets?” Your heart begins to race as you panic over your life being saved over those fliers who were trying to learn and fight for their people.
Drake gives you a knowing smile. “Don’t worry, we were able to evacuate Cliffsbane for the most part. Unfortunately, as with every battle with the venin, we weren’t able to save everyone.”
Your eyes immediately turn down at the news of the cadets that didn’t make it through the battle. This wasn’t the first time that you felt there was an unnecessary loss of life, and although you tried to make a difference, you always felt lacking.
A warm hand covers your forearm and gives a tight squeeze as you look up into Drake’s knowing eyes.
Days later, you’re finally feeling normal enough to get dressed and move about. Staring in the mirror after a shower, you begin to trace the lines of a particularly dark vein that moves across your chest to your left arm. Although you don’t feel the fiery pain that the poison elicited immediately, the phantom fire still seems to course through your veins as you trace the line.
“It will fade soon enough.” A sharp feminine voice rasps causing you to whip your head to the right. Fighting the surprise that wants to plaster on your face, you turn to face the two women who are entering into the room you’re staying in.
Turning around, you watch warily as Syrena and Catriona walk towards you. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your company.” The saccharine dripping from your lips a stark contrast to your thoughts of the two women.
“Our Uncle seems to think we will be having Tyrrish company soon and for some reason he wants to dress you for the part of emissary.” The venomous tone Catriona adopts when telling you this information betrays her polite words.
“Dress me?” Your brows furrow at the thought. Hearing of such things happening was no surprise, however, not being part of a political family or born to royalty it was an action foreign to you.
Syrena steps forward handing you the tunic you were about to put on. “Yes, even though he has more than enough gowns to alter in his repertoire, he wants to put you in something new.”
“Why though? What is he expecting from me?” You look back at Syrena hoping for some semblance of answers, though you’re unsure if she will provide any.
“Unfortunately, he hasn’t revealed what his plan is or what he seems to be expecting.” Syrena confirms. “Though if the consistent nagging I’ve been forced to partake in the last few weapons drops is any indication, I’m sure he’s trying to exploit Riorson’s weakness for you.”
You immediately scoff and roll your eyes at the comment. “Why would he be pestering you? He doesn’t even know I’m still alive, yet alone here of all places.”
“It seems the one look he caught at your eyes has reinforced his belief that you are indeed alive. And that I am more than aware of your whereabouts, which obviously is all correct.” Syrena gives you a deadpan look.
“But who knows why it would matter. He obviously couldn’t care less if he didn’t even notice your absence.” Catriona comments and you loathe to admit to yourself that she’s right.
Your head begins to hang as the bitterness hardens in your heart at the thought of Xaden leaving you behind without even noticing. But wasn’t that the reason you ran? Didn’t you want him to forget? Didn’t you want to forget him? Unsure where these intense feelings of insignificance and uselessness have come from, your hand grabs at your chest as the ache intensifies feeling as if the organ may leap out of your chest. You try to calm yourself, but you can feel your breaths becoming shallow pants and the control it takes to hold in your sobs is immense.
“Cat!” You hear Syrena’s sharp tone in the background, though it seems like its underwater. “Leave her alone. She doesn’t even have her powers to shut you out.”
Words registering, you try to slam your shields up, but you can’t get past the ache and intense feelings of inconsequence.
“If she wants to be with Riorson, she’s going to have to be stronger than that.” Catriona spits back at Syrena. You try to drown the ache, but it isn’t until you hear the door slam that there seems to be a break in the intensity of the feelings.
Finally, you hear a set of footsteps approaching and look to the side to see Syrena looking at you with concern.
“I’m sorry. I know Cat can be a piece of work sometimes, but I thought she could be more civil than that considering you saved her life at Cliffsbane.” As your breath finally begins to even out, you look to the side and chance a brow at Syrena’s words.
“She was the last cadet you pulled out of the corridor you were in and watched you take on the venin. I thought between that and Riorson’s recent actions, she could have some compassion or at least understanding; but I see my darling sisterstill has some things to work on.” Syrena finishes as you finally have your breathing back under control.
“It’s not your fault.” You say as your breath catches again in your throat. “I know from experience how hard it can be to let somethings go.”
Syrena scoffs. “Empathy is not a quality my sister excels at, but it seems you have more than enough for the both of you. I can see why Riorson has lost any semblance of niceties now that you aren’t around.”
“I’m not sure that Xaden has a single nice bone in his body, that’s not exactly his strong suit.” You retort letting the sarcasm lace every word.
“Either way, how about you follow me, and we get you fitted for this monstrosity that I know my uncle is going to make you wear.” Syrena says while motioning you to follow her.
You try to keep your facial expressions neutral as the seamstresses begin their work, but it’s impossible. Every single emotion known to man must pass across your face because you watch as Syrena must hide her sniggers behind her hands at your antics.
“Clearly this isn’t something you’re used to.” Syrena muses as you stare down at the seamstress that is measuring from your waist to the floor.
“I would think that is obvious.” You retort as you move your arms as to not knock into one of the seamstresses scurrying around you.
“Well, you’ll get used to it.” That comment causes you to snap your gaze to the secondary heir to the Poromish throne.
“I beg to differ. Besides, I don’t see why someone that’s fighting in a war will need a fancy gown again.” As the seamstresses finally step away from you, a deep calming breath and drop your arms as you’ve been wanting to do for the last half hour.
“You do know that Riorson is the rightful Duke of Aretia, correct?” Syrena continues as if you haven’t spoken. “When all is said and done, I’m sure he’ll regain the title, if not more. You’ll most likely be expected to dress the part next to him.”
Tripping over your feet, you barely catch yourself before you hit the ground. “What the fuck are you talking about Syrena?” You demand as your emotions begin to rise, clogging your throat with both fear and hope.
“I’m sure you’ll see.” Her cryptic response does nothing to quell the nauseous feeling that has now settled in your stomach.
About a week later, you find yourself walking back to your room in the palace at Cordyn after your training session for the day. As you shuffle in, the armoire that houses your clothes that must be worn to formal events sits open. Walking towards the door, your eyes immediately fly wide.
Hanging in the open door is an emerald dress that is something you thought you’d only see in your dreams. The gown is made of layers of gauzy fabric with jewels encrusted over the entire bodice with twirling vines of ivy. You stare at the skirt, and you can’t help but wonder if the sheer layers will cover any part of your body. Vines run up and down the bodice with a few hanging into the layers of the skirt and fabric drapes from the bodice into a full skirt. As your eyes continue to trace the dress, you notice the sleeves that will hang off your shoulders and will at least cover some of the black veins that still spider on your arm.
Every ounce of the dress looks as if it is fit for a queen, not a mere soldier barely scrimping by.
“I believe you’ll look absolutely stunning in that my dear.” The oily rasp of the voice behind you causes you to step back. You turn and stare back into the eyes of Viscount Tecarus.
“If my intel is correct, I believe we will be having a few guests join us this evening.” Tecarus continues coming to step in front of you. “And I’ve come here to tell you what you’re going to do.”
“I see.” You say but your trepidation is clear, even to your own ears. “And what exactly is that?”
“You will be escorted to dinner with Drake; however, you will not make your appearance known until after everyone has joined. There will be a guard to inform Drake of when to enter. You will keep to your chamber between now and then.” There is no denying the calculation that the Viscount has done.
“Once there, you will get the rest of your instructions. I’m unsure of how much Riorson knows about your whereabouts exactly, but from what we’ve pieced together he knows you’re in Poromiel. However, he has made no indication that he knows you’re here.”
“I’m not sure what exactly you think I can do for you with him. As you remember, I was left behind in Resson and from what I can tell, that was that. No one has tried to find me.” You try to explain and keep your voice level.
As the conversation continues, it takes everything for you not to bolt from the fortress and not look back. Coming face to face with Xaden again is the last thing you want to do.
“Yes, that may be what you think, but my dear, there are many things you don’t know.” With that, the Viscount walks out of your room but not before giving you a smile that tells you this evening isn’t going to be any fun.
A few hours later, two ladies’ maids have come to take care of your hair, makeup, and dress you for the evening. Standing fully dressed and looking in the mirror, you are shocked at the reflection that stares back at you.
The maids have curled your hair and left it half up and down, braids are intricately woven in and out at the top with golden chains woven throughout. Your eyes pop after having been lined with charcoal and the suppleness of your lips are highlighted the dark red of a ripe raspberry. Though the one thing that you can’t stop staring at is the dress that you now don. The emerald color complements your skin immaculately and falls to accentuate every curve of your body. You’ve never seen yourself look so beautiful, regal even.
“What my uncle lacks in battle strategy, he certainly makes up for in style.” Drake’s voice drips like honey behind you and you turn quirking your eyebrow. “You look absolutely beautiful, ever the regal queen.”
Even with the compliment, you give him a deadpanned look. “I’m not exactly sure how I’m going to survive this night alive.” He quips, chuckling slightly.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Your irritation barely contained.
“Riorson might just have my head for escorting you.” Drake continues with his jibes. “Especially when everyone’s eyes will be on you.”
“Ha. Ha.” You let the sarcasm drip from your lips like molasses.
“Seriously though, I’ve already seen the riders that are joining us, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so tightly wound.”
“Him who?” The look Drake gives you makes it obvious that he knows you’re being ridiculous. Letting out a long-suffering sigh, you let yourself slouch feeling defeated even though your night hasn’t even begun.
Looking you over, Drake goes to the dressing table in your room and picks up the necklace that Ceridwen had gifted you. “I need you to remember to wear this whenever you’re around Catriona from now on, do you understand?” The serious look in his eyes causes you not to question his decree and just nod your head in confirmation.
A knock on your door breaks the silence and your heart begins to speed. Breathing has turned into a chore, and you’ve begun pacing back and forth, eyes trained down at the floor and shaking your hands as if trying to dispel the feelings you’re feeling.
“Hey.” The sternness of the voice the only thing breaking through your reeling thoughts.
“I know this is going to be a long evening, but I need you to breathe.” Drake soothes taking your hand in his and guiding you to slow your breathing. “Never forget that you don’t have to leave, you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. If anything, you should go down there with your head held high and show Riorson the strong and beautiful woman he let disappear.”
It’s all you can do to focus on your breathing and shake your head. Drake begins to walk towards the door and holds out his arm for you to take. Letting yourself move forward slowly and continuing to take deep breaths, you try to remind yourself that whatever happens this evening doesn’t matter. Soon enough Xaden will be on his way home and you’ll be free to throw yourself into the war like you’ve been wanting to, preferably as far away from him as possible.
Letting your mind wander, you take in the scenery of the palace as you walk. Looking to your left, you watch the shimmering coastline that seems to sparkle with the night sky, though you can feel the heaviness that is settling in the air around you forecasting the coming rain. Watching the waves crash calms your racing thoughts as you continue to walk forward on Drake’s arm.
Far too soon, you stare at a familiar set of doors and your heart has now leapt into your throat. Before the guards open the doors, Drake turns to look at you, his expression serious.
“Before we go in there, I just want to say I’m sorry for whatever happens tonight. It’s important to me that you know I had no part in whatever plan my uncle intends to carry out tonight and I tried my damnedest to keep you as far away from this as possible.” The concern in his eyes shines as he finishes talking. You have no idea what to reply, so you just give his arm a squeeze back in acknowledgement before the doors are opening.
Turning to face forward, you take a deep, shaking breath as Drake continues to guide you forward and down the stairs. Your free hand is now balled into a fist so tight, you’re unsure if you are drawing blood or not. Descending, you can’t help but feel the weight of the stares of all the people gathered at the palace. Searching left and right, you try your hardest not to encounter the onyx eyes that you haven’t seen in months, the anxiety eating at your very being.
Drake’s warm hand falls over yours and squeezes bringing your gaze back to his, the gesture grounds you as you continue to walk forward. The small comforting smile that he offers you helping to bring your breathing back under control and alleviate a tinge of the anxiety.
A voice breaks your gaze from Drake’s as you hear the words uttered from further in front of you. “Ah, here’s the other guest that we’ve been waiting on.”
Whirling your head towards the sound of Tecarus’ voice, the breath completely leaves your lungs. In front of you is the last person you ever wanted to see again, but you can’t tear your eyes away.
Standing before you in a tunic tailored to every line of his body is Xaden Riorson. His hair perfectly windswept and strong features on display for all to see. Though the thing you notice most is the taught lines of his body and the way his eyes look sunken and more tired than you’ve ever seen them as he stands in front of you. The rest of the room seems to fall away as you stare back at each other, him in disbelief and you in resignation.
A fire begins burning in your chest, one you didn’t expect. Anger that you hadn’t realized you were holding onto starts to blaze as you watch Xaden. Your nostrils flare in irritation as your eyes finally move to the woman standing next to him.
Sorrengail.
The sneer on your lips comes unbidden, though you don’t let your eyes linger on her before looking to the two others standing next to her. Gaze going between the three, the realization hits you as you notice the similarities in their features, her siblings.
Closing your eyes and taking a calming breath, you open your eyes and bring them to Tecarus, ignoring the way Xaden fidgets as if he is barely keeping himself in place.
“I believe now is the time to discuss the business we have here.” The male Sorrengail sibling says, obviously trying to break the tension.
You keep your eyes trained on Tecarus, but it’s impossible not to notice the way that Violet tries to get Xaden to step back, as you notice he can’t stop himself from taking steps forward. You roll your eyes at the gesture, of course she would be the one to control him.
A chill crawling up your leg causes you to shiver and look down. Unsurprisingly, shadows swirl at your feet, and you know if you parted your skirt, you would find them shifting around your legs.
Getting pulled back slightly causes you to look down and realize the tight grip that you had on Drake’s arm as he still held your arm in his. You give him an apologetic look, but it doesn’t last when a black tendril of shadow tugs at your arm as if to pull it from Drake’s grip.
Pivoting, you send a sharp look to Xaden, a silent command to drop his shadows. However, he doesn’t see it as he is only glaring at your hand that is still holding Drake’s arm and then back at the man himself.
“Now that all our guests have arrived, Riorson, we can continue our discussions for the luminary.” Tecarus says as if he is doing something magnanimous, causing your eyes to roll.
Violet goes to step up and begins to raise her hands to wield, but she is quickly cut off. “No, no, my dear. I want you to wield from the beautiful arena below. In fact, I have a few things to go through before we start.”
“You,” Tecarus says while pointing to Violet. “Will head down to the arena floor and I have a target I want you to hit with your lightning. If you’re interested in bringing anyone with you, you may - except him.”
Xaden goes to step forward, but for some reason you don’t understand, he seems torn. “Don’t worry Riorson, you won’t need to move from where you are. In fact, things will deteriorate if you do.”
Your brows furrow, but soon enough you have stopped paying attention when you’re grabbed by two guards. As your head swivels left and right trying to understand, you see the murderous look that is plastered on Xaden’s face and the undeniable anger on Drake’s.
“Tsk. Tsk. Don’t move any further if you want that luminary Riorson.” Xaden’s footsteps immediately falter, but his eyes turn to anguish.
“Fuck the luminary.” Xaden growls as he goes to take another step towards you, but he stops in his tracks when you give him a look telling him ‘No’.
“You, dear Xaden, have one task.” Tecarus looks to you, a disturbing gleam in his eye. “You cannot move from this balcony. If you dare take one step towards the arena, our dearest Y/N will fall to the arena floor.”
As Tecarus finishes, the guards, that grabbed you, push you into a golden cage. You rattle the door you were thrown in, even though you saw it locked behind you. You can’t hide the betrayal on your face and at this point you’re unsure if there is anyone you can trust.
“That’s what you wanted. To dress me up like a beautiful bird that lives her life in a gilded cage. To dangle me for what? To prove that I don’t matter to any of them? That I don’t matter to him?” The rage building in your heart at the betrayal you’re feeling, an overwhelming monster threatening to tear the entire palace down.
“And what can I assume you will do if I don’t follow your instructions?” Xaden growls out, the blazing hot fury causing his voice to drop low.
“You see that’s where the fun begins.” The giddy elation in Tecarus’s voice causes your glare at the disgusting man to intensify. “We get to see who is really more important to you and you get to see what happens when you don’t follow my commands.”
You look down at the arena floor where Violet now stands with her siblings. “Now remember, the minute you make a move towards the arena, the cage opens, and you are responsible for any consequences.” The danger dripping from Tecarus lets you know that he has no intention of letting Xaden get through this unscathed and is taking immense amounts of pleasure from his plan.
Taking time to look at the cage you find yourself in, you notice the latch that you are sitting on and trace the chain that falls from the bottom to a guard standing close to you. A jerk of the cage has you jostling from side to side as the cage begins to move.
“This is ridiculous uncle. Bring her down right now.” Drake’s voice breaks from the din of whispers that have only gotten louder since your placement in the gilded cage.
Eyes darting from side to side, you realize that you are now not only caged, but dangling above an arena that is soon going to be covered in lightning.
“Oh Amari.” The words woosh from your lungs as the certainty of your imminent demise begins to settle in your bones.
The certainty solidifies as you watch guards bring a chest into the middle of the arena. Watching wearily, your eyes bulge when you watch a venin tumble from the chest. Your gaze swings back to the balcony and watch a satisfied smirk plaster on Tecarus’s face. A movement to the left has you meeting Drake’s gaze, he makes a motion towards the bodice of your dress, and you look down. Unsure exactly how or when, you find yourself in possession of one of the alloyed daggers that you’ve killed the previous venin with. It’s then you know what you must do.
In lieu of Xaden losing his life because of Violet’s death, you make the decision that you’ve been dreading. Standing in the cage and picking up your foot, you drive it down as hard as possible, the heel cracking through the latch on the bottom.
“Y/N!” A male voice roars your name, but you don’t look to see who it is.
The sensation of falling hits you immediately, but using everything you’d learned at Basgiath, you soften your blow to the ground just the tiniest bit in order to keep from breaking anything. You roll to your feet, and curse the ridiculous dress that you find yourself tangled in.
Although you know your exit and landing wasn’t that quiet, the venin hasn’t seemed to notice your presence. Your eyes catch Violet’s as you begin to move forward, silently conveying your command for her to keep him talking. Unsheathing the dagger that was held at your ribs, you slowly make your way towards the creature trying to keep your steps measured and slow.
The venin begins to crouch to the ground, and you know you don’t have much time.
“Y/N! NO!” The same male voice repeats, though now there is a hint of absolute desperation and panic.
Running as swiftly as you can in the outrageous skirt of the dress, you bring the dagger up in preparation to strike. Right before you make your move, the venin turns his hand jutting out and grabbing you by the neck his read eyes bulging.
“Quite the prizes I’ve been led to. The sage will reward me handsomely for bringing both the lightning wielder and the pained one.” He hisses, spittle hitting your face. For a monstrous creature that has been denied the ability to channel for so long, it strikes you how powerful he is still, even in a weakened state.
“I may be full of pain, but I’ll never meet your master.” You hiss breathlessly as you bring the dagger to slash the venin’s arm. Hissing in pain, the venin drops you to the ground and you cough trying to get breath back into your body.
Taking one deep drag of air, you jolt up and slam the blade of the alloyed dagger into the venin’s chest. A triumphant smile crosses your mouth, but it is short lived when you see the venin raise a dagger that you were unaware he possessed. You take two steps back before the venin slashes the blade across your chest.
“Y/N!” Violet screams, as the awaiting storm finally breaks and soaks everything. As you both drop to the ground, the bright red of the venin’s eyes turns to a dull ruby and his skin begins to grey. Landing fully on the ground, the breath is zipped from your lungs and your hand instinctively goes up to cover the slash across your chest.
The warm and viscous blood flowing from the wound coats all your fingers as you bring them up to your face to see, the metallic smell wafting to you through the raindrops.
“Brennan, mend her!” Violet’s voice seems further away than it was before.
Closing your eyes, you let yourself focus on the feeling of the rain falling down your face instead of focusing on the pain of your injury. Soon enough you drift off, a sense of contentment washing over you. You may not have saved yourself, but you saved those who can better save the continent.
“Y/N, please open your eyes. Please.” A familiar male voice says in a desperate, coaxing tone, though you can’t bring yourself to obey the command. You feel a large, calloused hand stroke your cheek and then card through your hair, finally coming down to lace with your fingers.
“She’ll be fine Xaden. Brennan mended her. You couldn’t ask for her to have been seen to sooner than that.” A female voice tries to coax who you’ve realized is now Xaden.
“You don’t know that.” You can hear the frustration in his tone back at the female. “She almost killed herself trying to save you.”
Reality slams back and you now know that you won’t be opening your eyes for the two people who have haunted you for months. The last thing you need to see is the man you love with the woman that caused you to be forgotten.
“We need to go anyway. Tecarus is expecting all of us for negotiations.” Violet tries to reason with him.
“I don’t give a fuck.” Each word drips out of his mouth with vicious certainty. A knock on a door seems to halt their conversation.
“Your presence is required for our negotiations I’m afraid.” Your emotions settle as you take note of Drake’s voice breaking the conversation.
“You can tell your fucking uncle he should be glad I didn’t send him to meet Malek today for the stunts he pulled, and I’ll come when Y/N is awake.” Xaden replies in a menacing growl, his fingers tightening on yours as if afraid you’ll disappear if he lets go.
“Look Riorson, you may not believe me, but I agree with you. Everything that happened tonight is despicable.” Drake begins catching you off guard. “But you shouldn’t spit in the direction of Y/N’s sacrifice that she made tonight by not participating in negotiations.”
“If it would be any consolation, I can stay with her until negotiations are done. If for some reason she wakes between now and then, I’ll have someone fetch you immediately. However, in hopes to move things along, we all need this discussion about the luminary to be decided upon.” Drake explains with as much diplomacy as possible.
Silence greets your ears for a few minutes before anyone speaks.
Drake must’ve given Xaden the confirmation he wanted as a minute later you feel the hand wrapped around yours squeeze tightly and a cool feeling whisps around your wrist, wrapping in tightly.
“Fine. But I’m not leaving her completely. You’ll have to deal with a few shadows if you want me to participate in this bullshit.” Xaden says plainly, though his tone begins to darken at the end. “And you better keep your damn hands to your fucking self Cordella.”
You expect to hear the sound of retreating footsteps, but instead the bed dips and you feel warm breath ghost across your face.
“Y/N, Love, I need you to wake up for me. I promise you I’m not leaving this damned place without you awake and Malek will take me before I fly out of Cordyn without you. Please, my Blaze. Please wake up.” Xaden whispers in your ear before you feel him leave a lingering kiss on your temple.
The bed shifts again and you hold your breath until you hear the door click shut.
“You aren’t very subtle you know. I can tell you’re awake.” The humor in Drake’s voice is dry.
Your eyes flutter open and look directly at him. The eye roll and slight shake of your head doesn’t stop the way your mouth ticks up at the corner.
“What can I say? I was just waiting to have you all to myself.” You tease but the smile doesn’t last as you wince in pain trying to sit yourself up.
Looking down to the shadow at your wrist, you lift it up with a pointed look. “Did you really need to allow this?”
Drake’s laugh is cynical. “Allow? You may have heard the words Riorson just said but you haven’t been awake for the last 3 hours. If you’d seen what I have, you wouldn’t be pushing too many of his buttons.”
“I highly doubt he enjoyed watching his dear Violet’s life endangered, but I took care of it.” The flat tone of your voice giving away the hurt.
Swinging your feet to the edge of the bed, you look down to see someone has changed you into a silk sleeping gown. Your hand then goes up as your eyes catch on the new raw scar that slashes across the left side of your chest. Trying to comprehend, you just can’t understand how you’ve evaded Malek’s grip once again.
“Violet?” Drake chimes in as he walks closer to your side. “Is your whole existence now dependent on avoiding the fact that the man that just left this room is irrevocably in love with you?”
“Don’t.” Your voice drops to a deadly whisper. “You don’t get to do that. You don’t get to judge what I think. You haven’t been around for the last year and a half, or do you not remember that I fucking ran away from that man and my dragon.”
Your voice is gaining in its fire, and you can feel your body begin heating with the anger coursing through every nerve.
“I-I’m sorry.” Drake hesitantly begins sounding suitably chastised. “I understand that with whatever happened between the two of you, he has a lot to explain and atone for, but did you not see how sunken in his eyes are?”
You drop your head down and let your anger fester. There is no way you’re going to let anyone make you feel bad for leaving, even though there was no mistaking the sallow color to Xaden’s eyes and deep purple smudges below them.
“Will you at least let me tell you what happened on the balcony? At least let me give you some information before he inevitably comes back.” You give a curt nod, but only because you know that there isn’t any way you can completely evade Xaden, not now.
“Besides, someone needs to chide you for being as reckless as you were.” Your head jerks up and the look Drake gives you shows he was vastly unimpressed with your performance. “Did you really need to try and kill both me and your shadow wielding, hot head by dropping yourself from that cage?”
You give him a dead-panned look. “What’s the difference? Your uncle dearest wanted to play games, so I bent the rules.”
With a roll of his eyes, Drake goes on to relay the chaos that you were completely unaware of, obviously too engrossed in dispatching a venin and then almost meeting Malek for the second time in just a few weeks.
The male voice you heard shouting your name was apparently Xaden, both he and Drake, flew to the arenas edge once you started falling. Though Xaden’s focus didn’t stay long on the battle once you killed the venin and were mended, apparently turning to let his wrath at the situation out on the Viscount.
Drake imparts the threats Xaden carried out, wrapping his shadows around Tecarus’s neck and slowly constricting, and the bedlam that followed. He confirms you were mended by Brennan, as Violet had already stated, and then Brennan had carried you up the steps of the arena.
Somehow Violet had broken through the spell of anger that Xaden was in, and he had immediately turned towards the Sorrengails. Seeing your limp form in Brennan’s arms, Drake confirmed he had taken you from him and stalked off not bothering to say anything to anyone.
“I’m unsure if I’ve ever seen the burning hatred in someone’s eyes shine as brightly as Riorson’s did tonight. I’m unsure of exactly what control he used, but if he had any less, he may have taken out the entirety of the line of succession of Poromiel.” Your head turns cocking an eyebrow at Drake’s words.
“How exactly did I end up here? And where exactly is here? This isn’t the room I normally stay in.” You ask as you finally look around the room.
“No, this isn’t your room. This is Riorson’s room from when he used to make regular visits to Cordyn.” Drake confirms.
“You mean when he was engaged to your cousin?” You snipe back, the bitter taste in your mouth causing you to scowl.
“Not engaged. Betrothed. Not something I chose.” Xaden’s voice causes you to jump and your head to turn swiftly towards the door that has just opened.
The minute his eyes meet yours, the way they soften and swirl with a plethora of emotions, has your heart breaking in your chest. Your head drops down and you stand, immediately trying to leave the room.
“No.” The word leaves his mouth breathlessly and he’s crossing the room quickly stopping you from going anywhere. “Please Blaze – please stay.”
Of all the ways you’ve heard Xaden talk, in the years knowing and loving him, you had never heard his voice so broken.
“Why?” The word passes your lips before you can stop it, but now that it has you know there is no way to take it back.
Pulling back from Xaden’s grip, you look up into the eyes you had been avoiding. A sigh leaves your mouth, though you can feel your chest tighten, as you see the anguish and sorrow clearly on his face. The man in front of you has never looked so lost, broken, and utterly defeated.
“Do you know how long I was waiting for you to sound so desperate for me in the last year? To not feel like you had forgotten about my existence? Did you even realize the way you left me behind?” The questions rush from your lips in a torrent, and you have to bite down on your lips to avoid more from spilling.
Have you broken Xaden Riorson?
Is the only thought you manage to have as you watch the tears slip down his cheeks.
Your head is spinning with the emotion that is ripping from the man in front of you. As much as your brain holds onto the anger that had settled in you, your heart is shattering watching him crumble before your eyes. Your hand comes to your chest as your throat begins to close trying to hold back your own tears.
Your vision begins to swim with tears as suddenly Xaden moves. He crashes to his knees as he grabs you by the waist crushing you to him so tightly you know there will be bruises there tomorrow, though you don’t focus on that when you hear the sob tear from his throat.
Standing there frozen in place, your emotions war within you on whether to push him away or try to comfort him. In the end your heart wins out and you rake your hand through his hair. The gesture causes his breath to catch in his throat and his hold on you to tighten even further.
Bringing your hand down and placing your fingers under his chin, you tilt his head up to look him in the eyes. As he does, you can’t help but trace the tears still falling from his eyes wiping them as they continue to dampen his cheeks.
“Xaden.” Your voice comes out as a calming whisper. “You need to breathe for me, alright?”
He gives a short nod as he tries to calm his breathing while still being plastered to you. Your fingers absentmindedly stroke his cheeks, keeping a steady rhythm to help soothe him.
As his breathing begins to level, he takes both of your hands in his and kisses your palms slowly rising to his feet.
Not letting go of your hands, he pulls you to the bed and sits you down next to him. You try to pull your hands away, acutely aware that Violet could walk in at any second, but he tightens his grip further.
“Y- you d-don’t know h-how long I’ve been dreaming of seeing you again.” The confession comes out in a stuttered whisper as Xaden continues to pull your hands forward trying to tug you closer and calm his emotions.
You can’t help the incredulous look you give him. After everything that had happened over the last year, you never believed that Xaden would even care about seeing you again.
“Forgive the brashness Xaden, but I have a hard time believing that with everything that happened at the end of our relationsh-.” As you finish, Xaden doesn’t try to hide the way his breath hitches as you draw a line in the sand of your relationship, but he quickly cuts you off.
“Don’t.” The word comes out with such force you immediately rear back a bit. “That wasn’t the end. This isn’t either.” He says firmly brooking no argument.
As he finishes, your head cocks to the side and the look you give him is filled with resignation. “I don’t think you’re allowed to make that call alone. Besides, I’m sure Violet wouldn’t want to hear that.”
At the mention of the silver-haired girl, Xaden picks up his hand and grabs your face with deliberate force, directing you too look candidly into his eyes. “I don’t give a fuck what Violet wants. My relationship is none of her fucking business.”
You scoff and try to pull your face away. “I believe it is her business if she’s part of that relationship.”
A frustrated growl slips from his lips as he gets a better grasp on your face. “I’m. Not. With. Violet.” Each word is punctuated through grit teeth.
“More fool me then. Left behind for someone you aren’t even with.” You can feel yourself getting nasty, the attitude and anger lying dormant rising to the surface.
“I’m sorry.” Between the words and the way Xaden is looking at you, it’s as if a cold bucket of water has been poured on you and doused the fire that had begun to race through your veins.
“Excuse me?” You ask incredulously, furrowing your brows because you’ve never heard Xaden say those words.
Xaden takes a deep breath, and confusion becomes shock as he grabs you and pulls you on his lap, his forehead resting on the side of your head as his hands wrap tightly around your waist. “I’m. so. fucking. sorry.” The words leave his mouth punctuated slowly as if to convey their importance.
He raises his head, and you turn to look him in the eyes. “There aren’t enough words in this world for me to tell you how fucking sorry I am. I’ll apologize to you every damn day for the rest of our lives, but I need you with me.”
After being hurt so thoroughly by this man, you find yourself unable to stop throwing words in his face. “I’m certain that the last year has proven quite the opposite.”
Your words clearly strike a nerve when he flinches, though the movement doesn’t last long.
“I deserve every ounce of your ire. All the pain you’ve felt tenfold.” He says simply. “And I will gladly accept every ounce of venom you can toss my way. Use daggers if you want to. Make me bleed. But please, come with me.”
“I can’t.” The words are out of your mouth in an instant. There is no way you’re just going to fold to the man in front of you. “Pretty words aren’t going to fix this.”
The look of anguish on Xaden’s face makes your gut twist and your chest feel too tight.
“They aren’t just pretty words.” The pleading and anguish in his voice is on full display.
“Your actions for the last year spoke louder than all the words you’ve ever told me. No matter how much I want to believe them.” An emotion flashes in Xaden’s eyes, but it’s gone before you can decipher it.
“Gods Xaden, we’re even having this discussion in a place that you’d been aiding for years, but did I know anything about it. No!” Your voice begins to rise as you gesture around the room. “You’ve been aiding Poromiel, been betrothed to an heir to the throne, and when things blew up in Resson did you even notice my reaction? Or was calming the lightning wielder down just that more important?”
“You think I don’t know how much I’ve fucked up? I’ll spend from now until I meet Malek showing you that needing you isn’t just pretty words. That all the things you didn’t know were not because I didn’t want to tell you, but because I wanted to keep you protected.” The words become harsh as Xaden’s conviction begins to solidify. “You are as vital to me as the fucking air that I breathe, and I haven’t taken a full breath since I realized you were gone. I know I fucked up for the last year. Hell, probably even longer than that, but nothing in this world is more vital to me than you.”
Your eyes dart back and forth between Xaden’s eyes looking for lies, but it hits you suddenly he looked at you the same way for years not giving away any of his secrets.
“I want to believe you. Really, I do.” You start. “But this time you’re going to have to show me, before we are anything again – if we even can be.”
“I’ll do anything you want me to do, but you have to come with me back to Aretia. I want to take you home. To my home and I want to make it yours.” Xaden has slowly walked back towards you leaving little space in between, the scent that you always associated with comfort, mint, leather and the essence of him assaults your nostrils and it takes everything you have to not bury your face in his chest.
“I’ll give you this.” You begin taking a few steps back out of his orbit. “You’ll have the opportunity to show me that what you’re saying is the truth, but I’m not coming with you to Aretia.”
His arm shoots out trying to drag you back to him, but you put up a hand to stop him. “No. If you want any chance at all, you’ll respect my decision.”
Turning around one last time before exiting his room you look up at the man that brings you both comfort and tears.
“I’ll always love you, Xaden.” Your voice is quiet as you leave him with parting words, sadness coloring the lines of your face. “But this time you’re going to have to be the one fighting, because I refuse to be forgotten again.”
With that, you let the door fall closed behind you but not before you see the absolute look of desperation on Xaden’s face. Walking away a few paces, you can’t help but overhear the shout of agony from the room you just left as you let the tears flow down your cheeks.
“Come on.” A gentle voice says as you continue down the corridor. Your head turns to the voice as a blanket is thrown over your shoulders and the now familiar warmth of Drake settles over your shoulders. “Let’s get you back to your room for some rest.”
Days later after the delegation from Aretia has left, you are walking in the garden trying to clear your mind from the reeling it’s been doing since Xaden stepped back into your life. As you walk, you let your hand trace over the beautiful roses that line the path, taking in the overabundance of colors that strike against the backdrop of the white palace.
You close your eyes trying to absorb the smell of the roses and calm your racing mind, but the peace doesn’t last long. A shriek comes from inside the palace causing your head to jerk in the direction and your eyes fly wide.
Coming in at a rate too fast to seem friendly is a dragon on a collision course with the palace. On your left and right you watch as gryphons launch in the air. You stare with wide eyes, you breath stuck in your throat, as the gryphons descend towards the incoming threat.
Soon enough though the gryphons turn and come towards the palace as well in the formation of an escort. Your brow furrows as you wonder who exactly has returned to Cordyn so soon.
‘No one, Loyal One. I’m here for you.’ A crisp female voice races through your mind.
Your eyes flare as you look towards the incoming dragon, familiarity hitting you like a stone as you watch the coppery sheen of your brown swordtail coming closer and closer.
‘Dhìoch. H-how?’ You don’t need to finish the sentence of how she knew you were here.
‘Sgaeyl. You didn’t think the Brooding One was going to let you be alone with the enemy, did you?’ You mentally curse Xaden and his inability to leave well-enough alone.
‘There’s plenty he doesn’t know.’ You snark, although your mind begins to race as you realize your dragon just might burn you to the ground for your actions.
‘I see that, Loyal One. You have been busy these past months, even without any powers. I knew I was right in my choice, although many have questioned me since your abrupt departure.’ There’s no mistaking the anger in Dhìoch’s eyes as she lands in the garden, talons digging up the gently manicured bushes you were just admiring.
‘I’m sorry Dhìoch, but I just couldn’t stand it any longer. I figured you just severed our bond and found a more worthy rider.’ Even your mental voice becomes small, your own insecurities shining through.
‘You do not apologize.’ Dhìoch says surprising you. ‘Although you were reckless and abrupt, I understand why you did what you did.’
‘However, if you ever think you can leave me again, I will burn you and we will burn together.’ There’s no evading the scathing look from the beautiful, bronzed creature in front of you and there is no way you are going to challenge her threat.
‘I understand Dhìoch and I won’t allow myself to become that forgotten girl again.’ You confirm and Dhìoch sends an acknowledging hum through the bond.
With Dhìoch back at your side, you spend days working on repairing your shields and practicing your signet. It doesn’t take long as everything moves through you like a stream that had been denied water, the feeling of being whole again finding its way to you.
Syrena and Drake spend time training with you when they are in Cordyn and thankfully let you know whenever there will be a new drop of daggers. Between trying to avoid Catriona before she left for Aretia and then trying to avoid Xaden, you find yourself always playing a game of hide and seek.
Unfortunately, when you are playing against a shadow wielder, you luck is more often than not, terrible.
“Blaze.” Your eyes immediately roll as you continue walking back to the training fields itching to get away from him. But the man of shadows will have none of it. A cool whisp wraps around your wrist and tugs causing your steps to tumble slightly backwards and into the chest of the man basically running you down.
“Will you stop calling me that.” Your voice rasps in irritation at the man now holding you by your waist against his chest.
Before you can so much as turn, he buries his face in the side of your neck and his arms slither all the way around your frame before you hear a breathy response. “No.”
“Why?” You ask tersely as you try to pry yourself free.
“Because there is no alternative I will accept, then you burning with me. You’ve always been an all-consuming flame, whether passion or hatred and I’ll never let your blazing glory go.” Xaden says, his lips brushing your ear as he speaks.
Huffing, you are finally able to tear yourself from his grip. “Is there something you needed? Or are you just here to torment me?”
You don’t miss the way he flinches at your scathing tone, but you’re in no mood.
“I’m making another drop.” He says simply.
“Aren’t there other people in this group of yours that could do such a menial task?” You ask as your hand gestures about showing your aggravation.
“Of course there is. This man just can’t help himself from being subjected to your company.” Drake interjects as he walks next to the both of you earning a glare from Xaden and an eye roll from you.
“Well let me not subject you to anything, I was just on my way out.”
“Wait.” Xaden stops you with a hand wrapped around your wrist.
“What? Sgaeyl didn’t give you your report from Dhìoch?” His eyes flaring the only indication that he knows what you mean.
“Exactly. Don’t think I don’t know why my dragon suddenly knew where I was.” You say pointedly. “I’m going on patrol, Drake, I’ll be back later.”
“I’ll come with you.” Xaden says walking to your side.
You whir on him and a sneer leaves your lips. “You, sir, are not enrolled in service to the Poromish, so I don’t think you will.”
“No, I’m not, but I wasn’t asking your permission either.” Xaden steps into your space and you immediately let go a growl and stomp away in the direction of your dragon.
As you make it to the flight field of the palace you can’t stop yourself as you turn.
“What are you trying to accomplish?” You challenge.
Xaden huffs his own frustrated sigh, raking his fingers through his hair. “I’m trying to prove to you that you are my fucking world. But for some reason, you won’t give me the time of day.”
A humorless laugh leaves your lips. “I won’t give you the time of day. That’s rich coming from you.”
Xaden finally realizes exactly what he said and immediately turns sheepish. You just roll your eyes at the brooding idiot in front of you.
“Let’s go if you’re coming.” The exasperation in your voice is high as you acquiesce to Xaden. His eyes immediately light up and he pulls you to him placing a lingering kiss to your hair. A breathless ‘thank you’ leave his lips before he turns and seamlessly mounts Sgaeyl.
You shake your head at the last few minutes and immediately mount Dhìoch for your patrol.
This process now seems to repeat every time Xaden makes a weapons drop to Cordyn. Though you get a reprieve for a week at a time when he is clearly stationed at an outpost.
Walking into a strategy meeting, your brows furrow as you look at the serious looks on the faces of Syrena and Drake. Looking between the two, you know whatever they are discussing isn’t going to be good news.
“Some intel we have seems to point to them heading to Pavis for some reason.” Your ears immediately perk up at the mention of the town you spent weeks in after Resson.
“We are spread thin though, we can only spare one or two fliers to station there.” Drake says not taking his eyes off the map.
“Send me.” There’s no hesitation in your voice as all three heads turn your way. “I’ll be reinforcements. Besides, the only thing going on here seems to be wyvern patrols.”
“Are you sure you’re up for that? We won’t have much back up for you.” Drake questions as he studies you.
“I’m sure. I owe it to the people of the town that took me in without question.” The finality of your voice must convey your seriousness.
“Alright. Though you may need to go alone at first before we can split a squad.” Syrena says as if that would change your mind.
“That’s not a problem. I’ll go start packing.” Immediately rising, you walk briskly towards the bedroom that you’ve called home the last two months.
“Are you trying to avoid a certain shadow wielder’s drop tomorrow?” Drake says as he leans in the door frame. A huff leaves you as you shake your head at his question.
“No, actually. This has nothing to do with him. I owe Red and Ceridwen more than they’ll ever realize.” You stop packing to look back at Drake. The thought of seeing the people who became surrogate parents spurring your rush. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure they are safe.”
Drake gives you a knowing smile while pushing off the door. “I know you’ll take care of them the best way you can.”
As he turns, he throws over his shoulder, “though I don’t know how we’ll survive when your incendiary loverboy finds out you aren’t here.”
The comment causes you to burst out in a fit of laughter before replying. “Oh, I have faith that you can figure it out.”
Drake waves you off as he continues down the hallway and you go back to packing.
A few hours later you find yourself taking a deep breath and enjoying the freedom of flying, while trying to stop from thinking about what you may be walking into. As Dhìoch begins her descent, you cannot help the beaming smile that lights your face seeing the tavern in the distance.
‘Do you think you’d be willing to meet the people who took me in?’ Hesitently asking Dhìoch down the bond.
‘I’d be willing to show my appreciation to the people who looked after you.’ Dhìoch hums in response and your smile grows a little wider.
Dhìoch comes to a stop not far from the front of the inn and you dismount quickly hoping to alert the owners inside without drawing too much ire from the rest of the residents. As you step into the tavern, the smell of roasting meats and stale alcohol hit your nostrils and your nose scrunches in memory.
Noting the lack of either of the people you are looking for, you knock on the bar and call out in a harsh voice. “Can’t anyone get some service around here.”
The heavy thump of a cup hitting a table makes you smirk as you watch Red come from the back, a look of irritation on his face. Though the look doesn’t last long as the minute he recognizes you he smiles widely almost as if welcoming hope his daughter. The warmth that settles in your chest has you smiling right back to him.
“Ceridwen.” He calls to the kitchen. “Come and see what the gryphon dragged in.”
“What are you talking ab-“Ceridwen’s words are cut off as she sees you standing at the bar. “Oh, my dear, I’m so happy to see you.”
It takes less than ten seconds to be swept up into Ceridwen’s hug as you hear Red’s warm laugh behind you. You haven’t smiled so much in the last few months, let alone the last year.
Your heart continues to warm hours later as you sit at a table in the tavern deep in conversation with the two.
“If I would’ve known that introducing you to Drake would put you in so much danger, I would’ve contacted someone else.” Red grumbles next to you.
“You can’t blame it all on Drake, I did ask and require him to take me.” Your reassurance does nothing to quell Red’s thoughts on this issue if his huff is anything to go by.
“So how long will you be here?” Ceridwen asks though you can see the worry in her eyes.
“Hopefully not long, and if we are lucky, the intel that was given is false.” You say as you smile, but this time it doesn’t reach your eyes.
“Either way,” Red says, clapping you on his back as he begins to walk towards his chambers. “We’ll sleep better at night knowing that you and your dragon will be here watching out for us.”
You squeeze Ceridwen’s hand and send them both a small smile as you begin to turn and walk to your own bed. As you sink into the mattress you can’t help but take a deep breath, relishing in the warm feeling of familiarity and comfort.
True to their words, a few days later a pair of fliers come into the tavern looking for you, relaying your orders from Drake. Though you look up in shock when the man himself walks into the tavern not long after they had finished.
“Why are you here?” You ask in obvious confusion. “Jesper and Tusarr just told me everything I needed to know as far as orders.”
“Wonderful.” He clasps his hands, and you can see the agitation rolling off him only causing your confusion to continue. “I’m glad that has been cleared up, but that isn’t why I’m here. Unfortunately, I’m here on a personal matter regarding you.”
You quirk an eyebrow in invitation for him to continue.
“I don’t know what magic you’ve used, but it seems we’ve almost had another international incident with your rabble-rousing paramour.” You honestly feel like you’re in some sort of book, shaking your head slightly, Drake must be joking.
“The shadow wielder just about tore down the entire palace when he learned you weren’t in Cordyn. Though with his temper there was not time to explain to him that we knew where you were.”
Now a humorous smile is stretching across your face, and you can’t help when the laugh you’ve been trying to hold in bubbles out.
“I knew that you could embellish things, but this seems extreme, even for you Drake.” You say between laughter as your hand comes up to grasp Drake on the shoulder. Though your laugh begins to die down when you see the look on Drake’s face.
“O-Oh.” You stutter in amazement. “You really are serious.”
The indignant scoff he gives you is only broken off by the slamming of a door against the tavern wall. You both turn your head quickly as the air in the tavern turns icy with anger.
“Why are you always with him?” The question comes out in a growl as the disgruntled man stalks towards you as if he’s the predator and you’re his prey.
Your eyes flash in challenge, after everything over the last year, you refuse to back down.
Turning away from Xaden, you direct your next statement to Drake. “Thanks Drake. I’ll take it from here and I’ll speak with you again before you leave regarding the next few weeks.”
Drake gives you a curt nod and a small uptick of his mouth, turning away from Xaden and back out the door of the tavern. Taking a deep breath, you slowly turn your head and look up to meet the stare of the most insufferable man in your life, at the moment at least.
“What the fuck is your problem?” You snap at Xaden while straightening your spine. You relish in the surprise that flashes in his eyes when you step up into his space.
“My problem. You just fucking left Cordyn and didn’t say a fucking word.” Xaden gets out between grit teeth.
“Here’s the problem Xaden.” Your tone short. “You think you have a say in where I go. You aren’t my wingleader anymore. I do not report to the cadre at Basgiath or in Aretia or whatever the gods names you are part of, so I don’t see where I’m stationed or move to is any of your business.”
You watch as his jaw ticks and you can feel the tension in his muscles from where he stands close to you.
“I am more than aware of all of that. I am aware that I have no right to know where you are.” The anger in his voice is present, but his eyes tell a different story. In his onyx depths you can see the fear and panic swirl in and out of their golden flecks. “But for my own fucking sanity, I need to know.”
The last part comes out as little more than a whisper. An admission that looks like it may have cost the man in front of you his entire being. Xaden takes a shaky breath before closing his eyes.
“I have no right to demand anything from you, and I know that. But I about went out of my fucking mind when I searched for you, and you were nowhere in Cordyn.” He takes a small breath before the emotion clogging his throat stops him.
An arm shoots out and forcefully pulls you forward, his arms wrapping around you in a vice grip. “I ca- I can’t lose you like that again. You can’t just disappear.” The last part is a whisper in your ear as his face comes to burrow in your hair.
You stand there for a few moments unsure exactly what to do. After the night in Cordyn, you thought the way Xaden acted was just from the shock of finally seeing you again, but with this, you realize there is something more to it.
Finally giving in for just a moment, you bring your arms around Xaden’s waist and return the hug. You hear his breath hitch from where his face is still buried in your hair and his arms hug you tighter.
“Truthfully, I wasn’t trying to hide from or scare you.” You tell him, your tone gentle. “There’s been intel given and I chose to come back here. This place is special to me.”
Xaden picks up his head looking at you with furrowed brows as you finish and give a labored sigh.
“After I left Resson, I traveled on foot for a few days and found myself here. I worked in this tavern for a few months before the owner, Red, put me in contact with Drake to assist with the war effort.” Xaden watches you explain, and you see the hurt on his face at your tale of your own exploits after Resson.
“Someone could’ve killed you if they knew you were a rider.” Xaden’s panic is palpable, and you huff a laugh.
“At the time, I didn’t really care.” Xaden’s eyes flash before he’s dragging you into another hug, crushing you even harder than before.
“Though I have to ask one question.” You say as you pull away from Xaden’s hold. “If I didn’t disappear, would you be acting this way? Would you be fighting for me like you are now?”
The look on Xaden’s face makes you shake your head and move a few steps away putting much needed space between the two of you.
“Exactly.” Resigned, you continue, maybe because you want to add salt to the wound making him suffer like you did. “While I was here, I was welcomed. Hell, I’d go out on a limb and say I’m loved. And you dare to be jealous of Drake, when he’s done nothing but look after me for the last few months.”
“Gods Xaden. Is there any us to go back to?” The bitterness in your voice cutting like the blade of your sheathed dagger.
“Don’t say that.” Xaden utters, a quiet plea.
“Why? It’s the truth. You’re trying to atone for something that I don’t even know if we can get past. How can I trust that when push comes to shove, I’ll be your priority?”
“Fuck! I know!” He says, his anger getting the best of him. “Do you not understand how angry I am at myself for the way I treated you. For the way I let you be left behind.”
Xaden begins pacing franticly in a way you’ve never seen before. “I’ve woken up every fucking day – when I did even fall asleep - replaying all the fucking ways I’ve failed you. The one person I never wanted to neglect; is the one person I wholeheartedly failed the most.”
“And no, I can’t change all my shitty actions. I can’t do anything but try to gain your trust back for the rest of my fucking life. I would gladly take a scar for every way that I’ve hurt you than lose you forever. You are the only sunshine I’ve found in a life that’s been filled with nothing but rainstorms and darkness. I’ll do whatever I can to prove to you that I’m worthy of you. That you are my only priority.” As he was speaking Xaden grabbed your hands in his and continued to drag his thumbs over your wrists, grounding you to the feeling of him.
Tipping back your head and closing your eyes to take a moment for yourself, you try to clear your mind from all the hurt that you’ve felt. To wade through the overwhelming swath of emotions.
But your head jerks up and eyes go wide as you hear the sirens blare. Pulling your hands from Xaden, you yell for Jesper and Tusarr telling them to find Drake.
As you sheath the few weapons you had left behind the counter, you look back to Xaden. “We can discuss this more later, but you need to leave. That’s the attack siren and if Dhìoch is correct we only have about twenty minutes.”
He looks at you with steel in his eyes. “I’m not fucking leaving.”
“Yes, you are.” You say back with finality. “You aren’t even supposed to be here and this isn’t your fight. You need to get back to your own riot.”
“I’m not fucking leaving you here to fight alone.” Xaden hisses through grit teeth as you both walk out of the tavern.
You turn and pull him down by the lapels on his jacket. “Yes. You. Are.” Steel in your gaze and words. “This is not your fight. This is Poromiel, not Navarre, not Aretia, not Tyrrendor. Go home and defend it.”
You let go and get two steps before his hand wraps around your wrist and pulls you backwards.
“I’m going to get the rest of my riot from Draithus and will be right back.” He explains, his face directly in yours. “Do not be reckless.”
Before you can give him a sarcastic sass back, you are plastered to his chest, his hands in your hair at the nape of your neck, and he’s kissing you with a ferocity you’ve never felt from him. You gasp as the kiss ends as quickly as it began and he’s tearing himself away and mounting Sgaeyl.
You blink a few times and then shake your head, trying to clear it before running for Dhìoch.
‘You need to clear your head for battle.’ Dhìoch sasses, clear amusement in her tone.
‘And you need to learn to tell me when Sgaeyl is here and bringing around her infuriating rider.’ You snark back with an irritated sneer to the back of your dragon’s head.
‘He may be infuriating, but he still has your heart racing.’ You roll your eyes at your dragon’s need to maneuver in to your personal life.
Your banter with your dragon is cut short when you see an entire hoard of wyvern in the distance heading straight towards Pavis.
‘Are you ready for this Dhìoch?’ You ask, your mind calculating on the best ways to strike.
‘We will not fail. Now brace yourself Loyal One.’ Dhìoch says before shooting straight towards the hoard.
Your heart rate kicks up as the prospect of your first battle back with your dragon begins.
‘Can you relay the information to the gryphons to help evacuate the citizens and we’ll handle the hoard?’ You direct.
‘Done, they are working to put them in the safe houses.’ Dhìoch confirms as she cuts through the air with a precision you admire.
As you get closer, your eyes widen at the amount of venin atop the wyvern. You try to count, but you lose it at five. Gears clicking in your mind, you take a mental tally of the alloyed daggers you have on you and know you must keep them close. Having only three will limit your ability to throw.
‘Are you ready Dhìoch? I’m going to need you to fly as close to the wyvern as possible.’ You ask as you go over the plan in your head.
‘I don’t believe the Brooding One would agree with your plan, but yes we will take these abominations down.’ You ignore Dhìoch’s tease and reach for her power.
As you feel the sensation of her power fill your veins you look down to see your fingers disappear from view. Once you can feel yourself fully cloaked, you carefully stand and walk as close to the juncture of Dhìoch’s leg and wing. As Dhìoch begins to hover, you duck to avoid scorching blue fire as it sizzles through the air above you and immediately slide down off her back.
Landing on the back of one of the smaller wyverns, you crouch and try to gain your balance as best as possible. The small form in front of you wears purple leathers and you assume this must be one of their students. Without giving the venin time to turn around, you fling one of your three daggers and hit it in the back of the neck. You watch as the blood flows and the venin goes limp. Before you can jump, you feel the wyvern you are on begin to rapidly descend.
Immediately rising to your feet, you don’t think and just jump though you know you are too close to the wyverns falling body.
‘Dhìoch!’ Your mental voice is panicked as you are unsure where your dragon is currently. The panic doesn’t last long as you suddenly feel talons wrap around you. Drawing a ragged, grateful breath when you see the coppery sheen above you.
‘You should trust me more than that.’ Dhìoch says in an offended tone as she tosses you up and catches you on her back.
Scoffing, you can’t help but roll your eyes. ‘Yes, well I wasn’t expecting that wyvern to go into freefall.’
You get back into your seat and Dhìoch begins to climb above the battle again. Looking down, you can see a venin on the way into the heart of town. Panic begins to rise when you realize that Ceridwen and Red are in the perfect collision course for the venin.
‘You must take me down Dhìoch. I won’t let anything happen to them.’ You can feel your terror begin to take over at the thought of something happening to the couple that took you in.
‘Get them out and then come right back. I will not let you get drained on the ground.’ Dhìoch growls, her disapproval evident.
Dhìoch begins her descent, and you know this will be a running landing. Throwing up a quick prayer to Zinhal, you rise from her back and head back to her shoulder. As she hits to the perfect height, you let yourself fall and with more ease than you expected, you are immediately running towards the tavern.
“Red! Ceridwen! Get out now!” You yell at the top of your lungs racing for the front of the tavern.
Ceridwen darts out of the front door with a small satchel in tow. Behind her your eyes widen as Red dons his brown leathers and is sheathing a sword to his back.
“You should be taking shelter with Ceridwen!” You yell at him as soon as he’s in earshot.
He gives you a look that shows he is anything but impressed. “No, I should be fighting for you and Ceridwen both and that is what I intend to do.”
Ceridwen comes next to you and puts a hand on your forearm. “You’re fighting a losing battle my dear, so instead of wasting any time, let’s go.”
You shake your head and begin pulling Ceridwen along. ‘Dhìoch can you tell Tusarr to help get Ceridwen to safety.’ A low growl in your head is the only response before you hear the screech of a gryphon landing.
“Go with Tusarr, she’ll take you to the others. I’ll take care of Red the best I can.” You say to Ceridwen before she tugs you close in a tight hug.
“Take care of yourself, my dear, and don’t worry about Red, he can take care of himself.” She says before letting you go and repeating the same process with Red.
‘Alright Dhìoch, let’s take down some more of these dark wielders.’ You say as you run towards an opening for Dhìoch to land.
As you see her scales come into view, you turn, and your eyes fly wide. In the few minutes since leaving Red behind a venin has materialized and is staring him down. Letting Dhìoch’s power flow, you mask yourself and begin sprinting toward Red’s side.
Getting closer you see him locked in battle and as much as you don’t want to admit it to yourself, his strength seems to be waning.
Your heart stops and eyes go wide as you watch the venin slash down Red’s arm with a dagger that was just dripping with a green liquid.
“NO!” The scream rips from your lips as Red slashes his sword towards the venin slashing at its throat. As you slowly get closer you can see Red’s movements becoming sluggish.
Please Malek, no! Take me instead!
‘Dhìoch you need to get Red to the healers and tell Drake to get him healed.’ You demand of your dragon.
Not taking your eyes from the venin still managing to stand, you stalk forward, cloaked and invisible. Your face contorted in rage, you continue running and pull the alloyed dagger from your ribs. Without stopping, you barrel into the venin with your dagger leading straight into his chest. The venin hisses at the impact and the dive of your blade. Blood rushing in your ears, you fall with the venin, and it isn’t until you roll, now looking up at the sky that a familiar burning pain breaks through at your wrist.
You don’t need to look down to know that some of the poison is now in your system, but you won’t let them win. You won’t let the venin take Pavis without a fight. Slowly rising to your feet and looking at your surroundings., the town that you have loved is now alight in flames surrounded with a thick smoke, suffocating the beautiful town center.
‘I am on my way to you, Loyal One.’ Dhìoch confirms as you begin to jog towards an area for her to land.
As soon as you see Dhìoch’s talons hit the ground, you start running for her leg. Your breathing is coming in rapid pants as you try to ignore the burn in your arm.
‘You need to be seen by a healer as well.’ Dhìoch growls as you tear a strip from your shirt and wrap your wrist.
‘No. I will save these people first, with or without your help.’ You demand without feeling any remorse for your biting tone.
You can feel Dhìoch’s displeasure at your response down the bond, but she doesn’t press. Instead, she flies back into the din, the stifling smell of smoke rising from the ground and clouding your vision. As though Zinhal hears your pleas, there is a break in the smoke on the horizon and you spot a venin with its robes billowing in the wind.
‘That one’s next.’ You refuse to hear any argument from Dhìoch as you set your sights on the enemy in front of you. Dhìoch slices through the air and as you grow closer to the venin, you can see the brilliant red that spiders from the creature’s eyes down the sides of its face.
Dhìoch clearly has read your intentions and begins her ascent to hover over the massive wyvern that has your next target. As she levels out, you begin to lower to her shoulder but can’t bite back a sharp intake of breath when your wrist moves, the poison making its presence known. You try to avoid the sting and crouch before launching yourself from Dhìoch’s back.
For a few seconds you are airborne and hoping that you estimated the correct spot. You don’t have long to worry as you feel your feet hit the leathery surface of the wyvern. You let your entire body drop as you try to gain your balance on the creature.
Looking up, your eyes fly wide realizing that the venin can see you and is looking directly into your eyes.
“Ah, the pained one again makes an appearance. Tell me, do you really think you can win this challenge?” The oily voice that drags from the venin in front of you draws shivers down your spine.
You don’t respond as you know there is no reason. The venin slowly stalks towards you, wind whipping at their robes with two blades drawn. Assessing the way the venin moves; you know that you’ll have to be quick.
‘Make sure you’re below me Dhìoch, just in case.’ You hear the hum of agreement in your mind as you draw your blade.
‘Dispatch the dark wielder quickly. You need to get back to the flyer captain.’ You hear the slight concern in Dhìoch’s voice.
You continue using Dhìoch’s power to remain cloaked, although you’re unsure of how much use it Is against the venin. Creeping forward you hold an alloy hilted dagger in your right hand. Letting the thought linger too long, you must go on the defensive when the venin strikes first, and the bite of a dagger slashes close to your face.
Ducking down, you feel your foot slip slightly on the leathery back of the wyvern. Without thinking through your moves, you slam a dagger into the back of the wyvern to avoid falling. The minute it embeds, the wyvern bucks and you can do nothing but hold on as best you can, your wrist burning with fury. Regrettably, the venin does not seem to be affected by the wyverns thrashing. You watch as they continue to get closer and try to throw your right leg up and regain your balance.
Pulling yourself up, you don’t see as the venin brings one of its blades down and though you move quickly, it isn’t quick enough to evade the blade completely. An agonizing scream tears from you as the blade pierces your side.
‘Loyal One, finish it!’ Dhìoch demand is covered in icy dread as you try to push past the pain.
Taking as deep of a breath as you can, you gather your remaining strength and duck as the venin goes to slash at your other side. A loud roar sounds that causes the venin to turn its head and you take the opportunity to bury your remaining alloyed dagger into its throat.
The venin coughs and sputters grabbing at its throat, but you watch as the skin around it begins greying and shriveling.
“You bitch!” The venin gasps and lunges towards you. Losing your balance, you trip backwards and find yourself falling from the leathered surface of the wyvern. A particularly fiery jolt of pain slashes through you as you begin falling and you watch as your arms raise, and you can see you are no longer invisible.
“Y/N!” A voice calls in the distance and you turn to see a blur of blue. As your mind is drug down with poison, you barely have the cognizance to call out for Dhìoch.
You hear air furiously whipping around you and all the breath tumbles from your lungs when you hit a rough surface hard. The impact has your vision going completely black as your body jerks from the impact.
With all the poison coursing through your veins, it proves impossible to open your eyes, but you can feel that your body is still rolling. The only thought left is that those you care about are safe before you succumb to the darkness.
You feel your consciousness pull forward, even though your body feels like a thousand weights are tied to it, even your eyelids feel tethered. The roughness that you remember last seems to be replaced with something soft and the fire in your veins only a light hum. The exhaustion of your mind and body don’t keep your conscious state around long as you feel yourself drift again.
Unsure of how long you’ve been in a state of poisoned dissidence you finally feel as if you can move your small extremities. You take the time to try and wiggle your fingers and toes, but your eyelids still feel like they have anchors attached. You try straining to hear any sounds around you, but everything still feels slightly muffled.
“How long is this going to take?” An impatient male voice penetrates your ears.
“That’s not something I can predict. I can’t mend the poison from her system.” Another male voice replies in exhaustion.
“It’s been over a week. It didn’t take this long when Violet was poisoned.” Confusion swirls in your brain as you try to place the name that seems so familiar.
“I understand, but poison doesn’t affect every person the same. Besides, from the light discoloration from her veins on her left arm, it seems like this has happened before.” The exhausted male voice replies.
You can hear as the pacing footsteps suddenly halt. “What?!?” The other voice says a tone that seems slightly panicked but also filled with fury.
“Didn’t you notice the black veins running down her arm while we were in Cordyn. They stood in stark relief to her skin and that dress.” You’d give anything to move your body, wanting to wrap your arms around yourself in soothing gesture at the conversation you’re hearing.
“I was a little busy trying to keep myself in one place and not forcefully pick her up and leave with Sgaeyl, so no, I suppose I didn’t notice.” Realization hits as now you realize its Xaden’s voice you’re hearing. “Besides, why would that matter, that was over a month ago now.”
“Yes, but her body obviously wasn’t recovered from that poisoning, so now it’s taking longer.” The other male in the room has a voice that sounds familiar now, but you still can’t place it.
“And I’m going out of my fucking mind. I’m being ordered to Draithus again tomorrow and I can’t leave not knowing if she’s going to be okay.” Xaden’s voice becomes tight with worry and frustration.
“Unfortunately, Lieutenant, you don’t have much of a choice. You’re going to be leaving tomorrow with Sgaeyl and you’ll have to deal with it.” The voice has grown hard, both with weariness and aggravation.
“Don’t fucking try me, Brennan. You won’t fucking win.” Xaden challenges.
“Oh, I don’t have to try you. Lieutenant Colonel, remember?” With that last statement, you hear as footsteps sound and a door clicking shut behind them.
As you begin to feel the eternal pull of sleep weighing on your body again, you notice the bed you’re in dip down slightly.
“Blaze, I need you to fight this. I need you with me. You can’t leave me again, not like this, not before I can show you how much I love you.” There’s no mistaking the pain in Xaden’s voice and the way it breaks in and out. It’s clear that he’s barely holding himself together, but the pull of darkness is too sweet to deny.
Taking a deep breath, you finally feel the ability to flutter your eyes open. Though as you do and stare up at the ceiling, everything still feels foggy. You’re unsure of how long you just lay there with your eyes open, but eventually you gather enough strength to sit up.
Looking around, your brow furrows trying to place the room you are in. It’s well appointed, but there’s no white marble and blinding gold, this chamber is pure stone with tapestries lining the wall generating some warmth to the space. You look up at an armoire that is at the side of the room and turn to see a door that you assume must be a bathing chamber.
There is a large green chair that has been posted next to the bed as if someone was sitting there waiting for you. You close your eyes as you try to clear the fog that still clings to your brain and memories. The action feels like wading through waist deep water, and you can’t help the confusion that seems to settle.
Brows furrowing you try to remember the last place you were, because you know it wasn’t wherever this is. Looking down, you see that you’re in a pair of loose-fitting black pants and oversized shirt. Running a hand through your hair, your nose scrunches at the greasy feeling of your hair. Whatever has happened in the last few days, the only thing you want right now is a nice long shower.
Slowly picking your overtired body from the bed, you shift to a standing position. Trying your best not to wobble, you walk into the bathing chamber and immediately spot the shower and take a deep breath. Hobbling straight over, you turn the taps and let the warm water run through your fingers relishing in the feeling. You let yourself relax into the shower and hope to Amari that the water will wash the fog of your mind.
Grabbing a towel and drying yourself, you walk towards the mirror and place your hands on the sink sucking in a breath and letting the granite hold your weight. The peace that settled into you during your shower is short lived as you look up into the mirror.
Gasping, you fumble backwards, and your hand flies up to your chest. You watch the mirror as your fingers trace the scar on the left side of your body and the lingering blackness. Eyes flying wide, the memories of the battle rush back in a torrent causing you to move.
You go back into the room, the peace of the shower completely gone, and search for clothes. You see riding leathers that look to be about the right size and immediately begin tugging them on your body. Lacing your boots with as much efficiency as you can master, you are shooting up, not concerned about your hair or the fact that you don’t even know where you are.
Only one thought is pulsing through your mind. ‘Is Red alright? And where is Ceridwen?’ The thought leaves unbidden, and you pull up to a halt at the bottom of the stairs when there’s a response.
‘They are both safe and resting in a small cottage in town.’ Dhìoch’s voice slithers quietly into your mind.
‘Can you take me to them?’ You ask as everything hits in succession.
You know you must look like a crazed fiend, but your emotions are hitting you from every side and you need to see they are safe for yourself. There’s a minute where you think Dhìoch will deny you, but then you just ignore her and begin back down the stairs and sprint out large doors.
Unsure where you are and where you are going, you turn and see a small town in the valley below. Turning back your eyes widen at the stone fortress that you just exited from.
I’ll worry about that later. Is the only thought you have as you begin walking towards the town below. You have no idea where you are going, just that you need to lay eyes on the two people that saved you from yourself.
As you begin to enter the thick of the town, you wrap your arms around yourself as you brace from the cold wind that has begun whipping around you. Arriving at the heart of the town, you enter into one of the taverns.
“Excuse me.” You say as you walk up to the barkeep. “Do you happen to know if there was a couple that was brought to this village from Pavis a few days ago? Their names are –.“
“Y/N!” You cut yourself off as you hear the familiar voice yell your name.
“Ceridwen!” You yell back and instantly run towards her and embrace her in a bruising hug.
“Thank the gods! We’ve been so worried about you.” She gets out in a rush parsing over you as if looking for injuries.
“I’m fine. How are you? Is Red alright?” The rush of your words and panic in your eyes makes Ceridwen soften her eyes at you.
“Thanks to you.” She says as she grabs you by the arm. “Come. I know he will be ecstatic to see you finally awake.”
She leads you back out into the town and the tension in your chest begins to ease slightly at her warmth. A small smile spreads on your lips as you get closer to a small cottage closer to the outskirts of the town. Hope fluttering in your chest as Ceridwen goes to open the wooden door and you can’t help but notice the green roof that seems to line every house you’ve passed.
“Ceri did you happen to get any eggs while you were out.” A male voice calls that immediately has you taking a breath of relief.
Walking further into the room, a beaming smile spreads across your face that you can’t control.
“Thank the gods!” Red says in a breathless whisper before tugging you into a fierce hug.
You let your body slacken as the relief of seeing them both crashes over you, Ceridwen coming up behind you and hugging you as well. You let yourself melt into the warmth of their hugs and take the first deep breath you’ve had since you’ve woken up in this strange place.
An hour later you find yourself drifting, your eyes involuntarily closing as the exertion of your day begins to hit you full force.
“Come on, Y/N, let’s get you in bed.” You hear Ceridwen whisper softly.
“I don’t want to intrude.” You say though it comes out in a yawn.
“My dear, you saved our lives, the least we can do is let you rest.” You don’t argue with her logic and slowly follow her to one of the bedrooms. As soon as you step next to the bed, you fall into the mattress and your eyes slide closed.
The next day, you feel at least some of your energy has returned to its normal state and take a short walk into the hills surrounding the town. As you sit with your back on one of the trees, you breathe in the clean air and let the calm of the forest wash over you.
‘Why are you always such trouble?’ Dhìoch slides into your mind a hint of amusement in her tone.
‘Excuse me. How exactly am I trouble? And hello to you too.’ You don’t try to hide your indignation.
‘Always the one to jump in and save others. Then taking two weeks to wake up.’ You scoff at your dragon, especially when she is intruding on the little solitude you seemed to have found. It isn’t as if you asked to be poisoned again.
‘You could’ve found another rider. I gave you the opportunity to leave me behind.’ Your dragon’s snarl curls around your mind and you know she would be knocking you to the ground if she was in front of you.
‘That isn’t what I was implying. You aren’t the trouble for me. Sgaeyl is.’ Dhìoch says, her tone bored. Though you can’t help but send your confusion through your bond. In the back of your mind a faint whisper of someone talking while you were poisoned flits in your mind, but you can’t quite place it.
‘Dhìoch, where exactly are we anyway.’ You look around and there is something so familiar about the land, but the answer seems to evade you.
‘I believe the answer to all of that will be coming very shortly.’ You roll your eyes at your dragon’s insistent use of non-answers to your questions.
Beginning to feel your body tire again, you slowly rise to your feet to begin the trek back to Red and Ceridwen’s cottage. You didn’t ask them where you were, but you were so concerned with their safety, you didn’t care. Knowing they were both safe was the only thought that crossed your mind.
As you get closer to the cottage, your body begins to feel to heavy and when you go to take your next step, your knee gives out. Expecting to crash to the ground, your eyes snap closed and you brace for the impact. When impact doesn’t come, you open your eyes back up and they flare as they lock with onyx ones.
With two long strides you find yourself gathered tightly in Xaden’s arms and his head buried in your hair.
“You’re going to send me to Malek one of these days.” He whispers in your hair, though there’s no bite to his tone. You huff a humorless laugh at the statement while still being crushed to the chiseled lines of his chest.
“For some reason I think I have an appointment with the god of death before you do.” You sass back at the insufferable man that has your entire being plastered to him. As if in offense, his arms tighten around you further.
“Don’t even fucking joke like that.” His words come out hard a biting tone to every syllable.
He suddenly pulls you back and stares intensely back into your eyes. He continues searching yours before the exhaustion of the day starts to seep into you again. You let out a large yawn and begin to pull away from him.
“If you’ll excuse me, I’m tired. I’m going to bed.” Before you can get further than two steps ahead, Xaden has grabbed your wrist and whirled you back around.
“Then come with me.” His tone now soft as he looks pleadingly into your eyes.
“Come with you where? I don’t even know where we are. All I know is there are two people that are grateful for my existence in this cottage that offered me a warm bed.” You continue as you gesture towards the cottage.
“You’re in Aretia. I took you here after Pavis was evacuated.” He says as if that is an entire explanation.
“While I appreciate everything you’ve done for Red and Ceridwen, I’ll only be staying until I feel back to myself fully.” You say turning again to walk away.
“You are staying here.” Xaden states with finality and you whir around fully intending to give him a piece of your mind at his overbearing insistence. Your plans however are dashed when the world begins to tilt, and your eyes roll skyward.
“Y/N, Love.” Is all you hear before you feel weightless and find yourself wrapped up in Xaden’s arms and he begins to jog. Unsure of what is happening, you try to let yourself relax as breathing becomes more of a chore.
Seeming to fade back in and out, you suddenly feel the sharp sting of wind at your face, though Xaden tries to fold you closer towards his chest. “You’ll be alright love; you just need to hold on for me.” Xaden whispers, his mouth grazing your ear with every word. His words may be steady, but there is no mistaking the dread laced in their tone.
As your breathing begins to grow shallow, you’re jolted in Xaden’s arms. Trying to open your eyes, you are met with the looming shadow of the fortress that you had left from a day ago. Though that isn’t what shocks your system.
Your eyes catch Xaden’s for only a heartbeat, but the absolute terror swirling in them puts a crack in the wall that you’ve had up for months.
“Where’s Brennan?” Xaden barks, between the force of the command and the panic you can only imagine the way people part for the man.
“Wh-what the hell Riorson?” Another male voice questions from further away.
“You need to help her. She fainted and she’s barely breathing.” Xaden explains as you can feel him climbing and hear as a door is kicked open.
“Stop standing there and fucking help her!” The roar leaving Xaden’s lips has your pulse jumping at the threatening tone.
“You need to calm down. Most likely it’s just the aftereffects of the poison trying to leave her system.” The calm male voice says as you feel Xaden place you down on a soft surface.
“Don’t tell me to fucking calm down.” Xaden growls. “She’s been out for two fucking weeks and then disappears and no one fucking tells me! You want me to calm down, then fix her!”
No words are exchanged before you hear footsteps coming closer to the bed and then a warm sensation seems to wash over your skin. As the warmth begins to fade, you finally take a deep breath and exhale out of your mouth, eyes fluttering open to the familiar stone ceiling you had woken to before.
“Thank the gods.” A breathless whisper comes before Xaden is kneeling next to the bed you are in, closer to your head. Your head turns and you’re met with the eyes that you can never seem to get out of your mind. He brings a hand to your head and cradles your cheek, rubbing his thumbs back and forth in a soothing motion.
“What happened?” Your brows furrow as you blink your eyes trying to clear the fog in your head.
Another figure catches your attention, and you look down to see a man you’ve never seen before sitting at the base of the bed.
“I believe it was the last remnants of poison pushing through your system.” The man with auburn curls tells you.
Your eyes don’t stay on him long as you feel your body begin to drag you down again. Looking back up to Xaden, you slowly blink, the heaviness of sleep beckoning you. “I’m tired.”
“I know, my Love.” Xaden murmurs as his hand continues to stroke your cheek. “Sleep, I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
You blame it on the exhaustion pulling at you when his words cause your entire body to warm and a spark in your chest begin to ignite, though the flicker grows hotter when he leans in and gives your forehead a lingering kiss. Not letting yourself dwell on your feelings, you close your eyes and let yourself drift.
Unsure of how long it’s been since you’ve drifted, your eyes blink open to darkness around you. Trying to roll to your right and out of the bed, you are immediately stopped by hand that is firmly gripping yours. Turning your head, you see a large figure slouched in sleep in a large armchair brought as close as possible to the bed.
You slowly untangle your fingers from Xaden’s and continue your roll out of the bed. Heading towards what you think are the windows, you silently let yourself lean into the wall. Pulling back one of the curtains, you let yourself relish in the bright light of the moon that highlights the town below. You take in all the little things you can see by the light of the moon, including the way the moonlight glistens over the green rooftops that dot the town.
Caught up in your perusal of the town, you jolt when you hear the quick snap of the chair on the floor and turn as the occupant jolts up and begins striding towards the door.
“Xaden.” You murmur in bid not to scare him, and his head immediately turns towards your voice. Without responding to you, he meets you in two strides and turns you to face him.
“Are you feeling alright?” The concern in his eyes and tone is evident, even in the soft way he holds you.
“I’m…better. Not sure if I’ll ever be alright.” You reveal quietly which causes Xaden’s arms to tighten slightly around you.
Resignation tearing at you, there’s no way to stop the words from forming. “What do you want Xaden? After living through the last few months, I need to know. What do you want?”
You let the seriousness of your question leech into your stare, not willing to pretend any longer.
“I want everything you’ll give me.” Xaden says bringing both hands to cup your face.
“I can’t fucking let you go. I refuse.” He continues fervently his eyes blazing with conviction. “What I said back in Cordyn, I meant every godsdamned word. I just need you to believe me.”
Xaden continues to stare back at you his brows furrowing and eyes turning sad. “I need you to give me another chance. Just one. I promise I won’t disappoint you.”
Your eyes slide closed as your head battles with your heart. Your head tells you that you’ll never be the priority for this man, but your heart screams for you to give him another chance. It isn’t either of those things that win out though, it’s the words that Red and Ceridwen left you with when you talked last night.
“No relationship is perfect, especially when you’re young. Life is always going to throw different problems in front of love, that's what makes finding it so special. But, if you find the one person that will fight tooth and nail to love you, you hold it close, because no relationship will succeed without the will to fight for it – you can’t just let it go.” Ceridwen finished while she gave Red’s hand a squeeze.
Opening your eyes, you can see the expectant look on Xaden’s face and the stiffness of his arms, even though his touch is still gentle on your cheeks.
“Are you going to fight for this like you will for the continent?” Your question comes out quiet, almost afraid of the answer.
“I will fight with everything in my being, until my last dying breath. I will always fight for you harder than I would ever fight for the continent.” The fiery conviction is only met with absolute certainty as his arm tightens snuggly around your waist tugging you against him.
Your own hand comes up and pulls his other from your cheek. As you bring it down, you turn his palm and give it a lingering kiss. His breath hitches as his hand tunnels into your hair drawing you fully against him.
After some time, Xaden’s hand moves to your neck and angles it to look up into his eyes. The moonlight seems to cast them into pools of gold, a swirling mass of love hidden in every corner.
“May I kiss you?” Xaden breathes out in a whisper as if he’s afraid to speak too loudly.
“Only if you promise it’s only the first in a lifetime’s worth.” The smile that he gives you is brighter than the sun before he tugs your face forward and his lips crash to yours.
Caught off guard at the ferocity behind the gesture, you can’t help your smile and the small laugh that bubbles up. You feel as Xaden’s lips curl into their own smile before the kiss turns languid.
Xaden continues to kiss you slow, as if he’s trying to re-memorize every single corner of your mouth. You feel yourself melt into his arms as he slowly backs up and sits down on the bed. Without breaking the kiss, he pulls you down onto his lap while tightening his grip as if he can’t stand to have a single bit of space between you.
You gasp into his mouth as you feel every inch of his body press into yours. He pulls away slightly giving your neck a lingering kiss and rests his forehead against yours.
“Gods, I missed you. Your taste, your lips, the way you fit in my arms.” Xaden says as he punctuates each one with a kiss.
“Missed me enough to always put me first?” The seriousness of your voice and conviction in your eyes showing through.
Grabbing your face with both hands, Xaden’s eyes seem to search every corner of yours. “No one and nothing will ever come before you again. That is the easiest promise that I could ever make.”
His hand slides to your waist and pulls you flush against him and for the first time in months, you let yourself relax into his touch and breathe him in. As he feels your body soften against him, he brings your head to rest in the crook of his neck and leaves a lingering kiss on your temple before burying his face in your hair.
“You are the light to my shadow. The only home I’ll ever find rest in, and I’ll spend the rest of my life more than satisfied if I always have you.” He whispers in your hair, and in the darkness of his room, in the middle of the night, you breathe deeply and your heart settles as you find your own home in him.
Taglist: @honethatty12 @motorsportloverf1 @annthepenguin @dragonsandrinks @acourtofsmutandstarlight @minidemont @bookishcait
Priority
Garrick Tavis x Reader
Summary: Anon Request: You thought you were Garrick's world, until Xaden ordered Violet's protection and that always seemed to take priority.
A/N: Mentions of torture, violence, spoilers for FW, small OS spoiler, angst
Word Count: 9k
Waking up to the bitter scent of healing herbs and the blinding white of the infirmary is not what you expected when you had gone to bed three days ago. Eyes adjusting to the lighting, you took stock of your limbs and tested each and every one. Curling your fingers and toes, rolling your wrists and ankles, moving your head from side to side, but when you went to pick up your legs, the phantom pain came rushing back in fast and sharp.
A moan escaped your lips unbidden as you tried to push down the reminder of the two lieutenants who had used you as their personal punching bag. This wasn’t the first time you’d been interrogated for RSC, but it was definitely the worst. And you knew there was something more to it than just RSC because you had been on your own. For three days, you were held captive, beaten, bruised, and broken all for what, you didn’t know. Or at least you think it was three days, but pain and mending seem to blend together when you have nothing else to focus on.
Finally opening your eyes fully, you look to the end of the bed and expect to see a familiar pair of hazel eyes staring back at you. Instead, you are met with an empty chair.
Brows furrowing, you slowly hoist yourself to a sitting position to take a better look at the room around you. It is there and then that your heart absolutely shatters. Reality of everything slamming into you in a way that you never thought possible.
There’s no mistaking that no one had been in to see you. The area usually meant for visitors still as pristine as usual and no furniture out of place. But before you let yourself spiral, you make a promise to wait to confirm with the healers themselves.
As if answering your silent call, a light blue uniform peaks around the door and comes toward you.
“I’m glad to see you’re finally awake my dear.” A comforting smile breaks across the older woman’s face causing you to give her one in return.
“Just need to check over a few things with you and then you can be on your way.” She continues her tone sweet, but actions clinical.
Before you can decide the better of it, the words have left your mouth. “Can I ask if anyone has come to see me while I’ve been in here?”
Sadness creeps into her eyes and the look confirms your suspicion before she even speaks. You give a slight shake of your head and tilt it up to try and stop the tears that are beginning to threaten. Pools of water coat every inch of your eyelids, but you refuse to close them and let a single tear fall. Not now at least. You only let your fragile heart break into pieces and know there isn’t enough glue in the world to possibly put it back together anymore.
Before long the healer has given you a few pain tonics and confirmed you can head back to your room. You take the bag and throw your torn and bloodied flight jacket over your arm and head back towards the riders quadrant hoping you can avoid everyone.
Zinhal however decides that isn’t to be your luck. As you turn onto the landing for the second-year floor, the last person you wanted to see is standing right in front of you. A smile on his face has his dimple popping as he looks at you after pausing his conversation with Bodhi.
Emotions swirl and you’re unsure if you want to punch him in the face or rip out his heart, just like he just did to yours. The hurt settling into your heart and dragging it to the pit of your stomach like a heavy weight.
Taking a deep breath as every piece of your shattered heart jostles against your chest, you look straight forward showing no emotion and head straight to your door.
Before you can make it all the way to your room, the mountain of muscle that usually had your heart racing stands in front of you. Your eyes slowly rise and look back at the man who was your entire world. The dimpled smile still plastered on his face, he steps forward to take your hand and you immediately step back and avert your gaze.
“Hey.” He has the audacity to put his hand under your chin, coaxing you to look up at him. “I’ve been looking for you.”
At those words you let out a sardonic scoff. Clearly the cretin in front of you has no idea what he just said and everything you just experienced.
“Where have you been over the last few days?” Your voice is dry and void of emotion, but you still need the answer.
He looks at you and furrows his brows before responding. “You know I was helping Xaden with the blades and saddle for Sorrengail. I’ve been in the forge with him.”
“Ah.” It’s the only thing you have to say to the man in front of you. Pulling your face from his hand, you sidestep him and begin walking to your room.
Without turning around, you call out to make sure he won’t follow you. “I’m tired. I’m going to bed early. I’ll see you later.”
As soon as the words are out of your mouth, you shut your door behind you and lock it. Without hesitation, you pull out your book on wards and immediately start reweaving the ones you have. You pull every ounce of control you have left to change your wards to only allow yourself through your door. There is no doubt in your mind that Garrick will have a shock when he tries to come in, but at this point, you don’t care. Bitterness settles into your heart crawling like vines between your ribs with deep roots weaving between every bone.
Setting the last piece of power in place, you let yourself break. Sliding to your knees, every possible sound is drowned out by the sounds of your sobs. You let your head hit the floor as you break apart. Your body unable to even hold itself up. Tears streaming in a torrent down your face and your breathing turning rapid and irregular. You try, but it’s impossible to control the shaking of your body with the violent sobs racking your heart.
It isn’t until you wake the next morning that you realized you never even made it to your bed and sobbed on the floor until the exhaustion tore you apart. Rising, you go to the mirror and look back at the girl staring at you in the reflection.
The eyes that greet you are puffy and bloodshot, but there is a vacant look where there used to be a spark of life. There is no brightness to the color of your skin, every ounce of sunlight seemingly bleached from your complexion. Purple bruises look as if they are indented under your eyes. The color of your irises once so vivid now muted and dull, empty and haunted.
Closing them, you breathe in the heartbreak that has filled every pore of your skin. The breath feeling like its traveling through the broken glass of your lungs, sharp and unrelentingly painful. You know there is no way you can show the devastation you’re feeling, not in this quadrant, and not to all the people who told you that you were just another conquest. With a heaving sigh, you head to the bathing chamber and pray to the gods that you can wash away the grief as best you can and put on the face of a warrior.
Though as the water begins to heat your cold skin, you feel the warm tide of anger rise with it. A fury buried deep beneath your heart begins to consume everything. Thoughts you had buried for so long burrowing deep in your very core. You finish dressing and immediately make your way back to your room and dress for the day, every movement sharp and harried.
Putting on your tight-fitting training leathers, you tie your hair up close to your head and pin it in place. There’s no mistaking the blaze that has taken over your eyes a vibrant fire dancing in the previously muted color, dismissing the vacant look from before. Without waiting any longer, you tear your door open and begin the slog to the training room.
Your footsteps are heavy, thudding loudly against the stone floor as you march yourself towards the nearest punching bag. Each step is another strike of anger taking a bite out of your already tattered heart. The fire of your anger laid thick into the stones of the fortress.
“Feisty and wallowing today, are we?” The snarky question comes from the last female you wanted to see.
You don’t give her the satisfaction of a response as you continue pushing past her down the corridor. At least you didn’t think you would, until you find yourself turning around and looking at her with Bodhi now next to her.
“He’s all yours Cardulo. I’m done with all of you.” Your voice drips venom, though if either one of them knew you well enough, they would hear the betrayal and sadness seeping through every syllable.
Not taking another second to register what she could possibly reply, you immediately keep walking. Making your way into the gym, you quickly take up a spot at the nearest punching bag. Not bothering with wraps, you swing with every ounce of emotion you can possibly displace. White hot pain splits up your knuckles, but you relish in it as it replaces the agony tied around your heart.
Unsure of how long you’ve stood there delivering punches to the bag with all the force you can muster, you are startled when a large shadow appears behind you.
“What did that punching bag do to you?” There’s no mistaking the tease in his voice and it only fuels the fire within you.
“Fuck off, Tavis.” You spit to the man that is hovering over your shoulder.
As you go to throw another wild punch, your eyes fly up when your fist is intercepted by the aggravating man’s large hand.
“What’s gotten into you?” Garrick questions and his audacity to ask has you pulling back you hand as quickly as you can.
“It’s none of your business. In fact, I’m no longer your business. Why don’t you go back to protecting your duke and precious charge and leave me the hell alone.” The rancor in your tone is obvious as you immediately twist away and head to the door.
Before you can push it open, a gust of wind pushes you against the wall, taking the breath from your lungs. Looking up, hazel eyes are staring down at you mixed between disbelief and anger.
“You aren’t just going to say that and walk away. Tell me what the fuck is going on.” You can’t help the sarcastic laugh that falls from your lips.
“No.” Every bit of defiance is burning in your limbs, and you refuse to say anything more to the man who can’t seem to spare a minute of his day for you. Garrick stands there his eyes searching yours, though you know there is nothing but anger and emptiness behind your gaze. Your lungs begin burning as the fury rushes through your body.
His hand comes up to your face as if he wants to comfort you and you instantly slap it away. Garrick’s eyes flare at the action and you feel a slight satisfaction in the way the gold in his eyes seems to turn to worry. There isn’t any reason to worry though, not anymore, you think to yourself as you boldly stare back at him.
“What happened?” Garrick’s tone has softened as he’s realized that there’s more to your actions than just simple aggravation.
“If you have to ask, then you aren’t paying attention.” You snap; your tone refuses to soften after how many times this man has left you wondering your importance.
“Please tell me. I can’t fix anything if I don’t know where I went wrong.” The pleading in his voice tries to crack through the hurt that’s been living in your mind for months, but it just isn’t enough anymore.
“At this point, there isn’t anything to fix. You have your priorities and I’m not one of them. So, think of this as a boon. You now have more time to focus on your more important duties, Section Leader.” The sharpness of your voice cuts like a blade as you lay the final strike to your relationship.
You watch as his gaze cracks, the hard exterior he always wears fractures and shows you the broken man he is becoming at your words. Part of your heart wants to reach out and comfort him, but the harder part of you, tired of being left behind wins.
Taking advantage of his shock at your words, you quickly leave the gym, leaving the man that you used to think was your everything behind. The future that you had deigned to let run through your mind nothing but tattered shreds of a painting that was never allowed to form.
A few days later, you open your door, and your breath catches as you see Garrick’s frame standing outside, hands braced on either side of the threshold and a wild look behind his eyes.
“What do you want Tavis?” Your impatience is on full display as you take in the mussed look of the man in front of you, the complete reverse of his usual calm and poised demeanor. His curls are wilder than normal, showing how many times he’s run his hands through them and there is no mistaking the pallor of his skin and sunken state of his eyes.
“Why can’t I get into your room anymore?” He breathes as if it is the most urgent question he has.
“Simple.” You reply, your tone remaining cool and detached. “We aren’t together any longer, so there is no need for you to have access to my room.”
His hand moves to reach for you, but he immediately recoils at the wards that encase your door.
“Let me in, please.” The pleading in his voice and eyes would’ve cracked your resolve once, but now it just steels your heart. Though it’s impossible to completely dismiss the sweep of your stomach.
“No. You lost that privilege.” You refuse to let him claw his way back in, tired of always feeling second best. “Why don’t you go crawl back to Xaden, maybe he’ll let you in with him and Violet, because I’m done.”
As if caught off guard, he backs up a step leaving enough room for you to stride out and begin down the corridor.
“Wait.” His hand wraps around your wrist as you finally make your way out to the courtyard. “What is that supposed to mean?”
You scoff at his question but turn around and look him in the eyes with every ounce of disappointment you’ve ever felt.
“Did you know I was in the infirmary a week ago?” You watch as his eyes blow wide at the revelation, but all it does is fuel your rage.
“Precisely. Do you know why I was there? Oh, that’s right, you didn’t even know I was there so why would you know the reason?” You continue as you stalk towards the man. Even though he towers over you, the shadow of your bitterness is taller than any height he has on you.
“Are you alright?” He has the audacity to blurt as he looks your body up and down looking for injuries. The laugh that barrels out of you is nothing but cynical.
"Obviously.” You sneer. “No thanks to the man that supposedly loves me.” You don’t miss the way he flinches at your words.
Another sarcastic huff leaves you as you continue. “I was tortured by two lieutenants – alone - for three days, and in the infirmary for an entire day after that. But did the man that claims I’m his whole world show up?”
“No!” The roar that leaves you is louder than you expected, but your anger has exploded, and you can no longer keep it contained. Continuing to stalk into his space, you jab your finger into his hard chest.
“And I can see by the look on your face you didn’t even know.” Your bitterness is on full display now. “I always knew your allegiance was to Riorson and now by extension, Sorrengail. But I never thought it would be at the cost of even knowing I was fucking missing.”
“So, yes, this is the end of our road Garrick. Feel free to sow your fucking oats with anyone in the stables of Basgiath. I’m done. Finished. I refuse to be put last in the list of priorities for the man who claims that I’m his whole world.”
“I didn’t know.” The words leave his lips in the barest whisper as his stunned silence continues.
“How would you when you’re constantly following Xaden like his loyal pet? And now Violet. Sure, every single marked one has her on their radar, but at what fucking cost? When do any of you get to have your own lives?” The control on your words has completely left you as you continue to barrage the man in front of you with every ounce of bitterness in your heart. “I understand you owe him everything, but is it at the expense of having a life yourself? At what point do you get to make someone else your world? When do you get to live for yourself?”
You’ve never seen the man in front of you speechless, but it seems like you have rendered his tongue from his mouth at his continued silence. You shake your head as you begin to step back from him.
“Maybe this will help you in the long run, but no one is going to stay when they constantly must play second fiddle, even though a man claims you’re everything to him. Perhaps in another life we could’ve been happy, but I’m tired of always being your last priority.”
With that you let your feet carry you away from the man that you thought was your forever. You head to the flight field and only hope that you can outfly your own emotions.
Weeks pass and you don’t miss the glances that Garrick is always throwing your way. You have done your best to put distance between the both of you and being in a different wing, it works, for the most part. Every time your name is called to the mat, you don’t miss the way Garrick steps up and watches your every move.
In one particularly brutal match, you don’t miss the way that he goes to step in when you take a brutal punch to face. With blood spilling from a cut to your cheekbone, you turn away and stand on the other side of the mat an empty look on your face.
Trying to get in and out of battle brief without getting trapped by him becomes almost impossible. It’s as if he has become a sentinel at the door and refuses to move until you go in and out. On one particular day, the short fuse on your temper has been tested all day and it takes every ounce of control you possess not to rip into him as you try to get into the class. The minute it’s over, you are the first one out the door before Garrick can even blink.
The rawness of the day has taken every ounce of your control, so you find yourself walking out to the river in a bid to find a least a little slice of solace in this tumult of a life you’ve found yourself in. Sitting in the tall grass near the bank of the Iakabos, your head falls back on one of the stones and your eyes close relishing in the warmth of the sun on your face.
You let your mind wander as you try to let the warm glow of the setting sun and calming flow of the water become the only sounds and feelings left.
Unfortunately, it’s short-lived when you hear heavy footfalls behind you. Turning, your senses rise when you can’t see anyone behind you, but there is no mistaking the way the hairs on the back of your neck begin to stand at attention.
“I know you’re there.” You call out to the copse of trees behind you, heartbeat erratic at what you aren’t sure is a threat or not.
In the next few seconds, your fear turns into annoyance as you register the person who has broken your solitude.
“I’m not interested in company, Durran. Least of all from any of Garrick’s loyalists.” You snap in irritation, turning back to face the river.
Bodhi continues his trek undeterred by your words, if the sounds of his footfalls are any indication. Aggravation begins to peak as Bodhi stops next to you and joins you to sit on the forest floor. You let out a heavy sigh, laden with annoyance before turning your head to look at the man sitting next to you.
Silence stretches as you turn your head back towards the river and watch as the sun makes its final arc before setting.
“Why are you here?” There’s no way to hide the exasperation in your voice, tired of feeling like the one that always has to back down from your own anger.
Bodhi slowly turns his face to you, as if he’s just registering your presence for the first time. But it’s the sad smile on his lips that has your own expression faltering.
“I think you know why I’m here.” Bodhi finally pipes up, though his voice is subdued. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Garrick fall apart like this.”
His tone does nothing to quell the nerves that have seemed to bundle in your stomach, though you narrow your eyes in suspicion.
“Garrick is a big boy. I’m sure he’ll be just fine. He just needs to find an open bed and he’ll be right as rain.” Your anger flaring at the possibility of this conversation.
Bodhi hums in acknowledgement of what you’ve said, though his entire posture remains in an unusual state of sadness.
“You’ve inserted yourself into a family of sorts, you know.” He continues, now glancing out towards the river, his composure turned thoughtful. “After the apostasy, we became brothers. The group of us clinging to each other to hold on to a sense of normalcy.”
“Though, Xaden took most of the burden. Which in turn, I suppose you could say, made him our de facto leader, not that he wasn’t before that.” Bodhi’s head falls slightly and begins to shake. “We’ve always let him deliver the orders. Let Xaden command us – but something you said to Garrick must’ve hit him hard.”
“He came to me the day after he tried to get into your room and failed.” He continues matter-of-factly. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen Garrick so worked up. Sure, he teases and ruffles people’s feathers, but I don’t think he’s ever had someone put him in his place so well. Never had someone to put things into perspective.”
You turn and look at Bodhi again, contemplation taking over your own features. “I like to think I’ve been patient. That I’ve been understanding, because I know about everything that has happened to your families. But I refuse to be the last priority for someone that claims to love me.”
At this point Bodhi turns and looks at you, the sad smile gracing his features again. “I know. And so does Garrick. You see the issue is not that you’re wrong. Because gods, even Garrick knows that you’re more than right. It’s really that this is the first time any one of us in Xaden’s circle has ever had to confront it.”
A dry chuckle leaves his lips. “I’m sure you’re aware that Xaden’s close circle isn’t known for their stellar relationship skills.”
You can’t help the sardonic huff that leaves you at the comment.
“So that means you’ll also realize that you were the first one to push through the ranks and become the first outsider in our mismatched family.” Bodhi leans in and gives you a knock into your shoulder. “The first one to really stay that is.”
“I’m not sure your fearless leader would agree with that.” You murmur with a raised brow.
Bodhi’s nose scrunches, trying not to show feelings about his cousin. “He’s not exactly the person you should gauge that from.”
You scoff again and Bodhi gives you a knowing smile of his own.
“But before you, there wasn’t anyone that any of us needed to prioritize outside of our own circle. Hell, most of the time we don’t even prioritize our own selves if there is something that Xaden demands.” You hum in acknowledgment knowing that you’ve seen that yourself.
“And you know Garrick, loyal to a fault. If someone asks, he’s there, possibly eating you out of house and home, but always there.” You both snicker at the mention of Garrick’s insatiable appetite.
“Knowing that, you should know how torn up he is. Not only did he fail to know you were missing and hurt, but he let you fall through the cracks. Honestly – he’s probably pacing in his room right now beating himself over all the cracks that he created himself.” Bodhi continues, your chin drops to your upturned knees, and you let yourself rest on them.
“I needed more than words.” You murmur quietly, tired of holding back everything. “I wanted him to show up for me. To show that I wasn’t last on his list for the day.”
“You’re right.” Bodhi agrees as he begins to stand. “It’s up to you if you are willing to listen to him or give him a chance at all to explain. But I wanted you to know that prioritization of our partners is something we will all need to learn, maybe even the hard way of losing the one we love. Though at the end of the day, we’re going to war, and no one knows if they are going to come home the next day – even Xaden needs to realize that.”
“And yes, Xaden is important to a lot of us, and we love him and the Sorrengail situation has added complications on top of everything. However, we can’t continue to exist on only protecting him and his interests over every relationship in our own lives.” Bodhi reaches his hand out and you bring yours up, allowing him to pull you to your feet as well. “If we stand any chance at happiness, we need to stand our ground for our own partners too.”
“So even if you never reconcile with Garrick, thank you. Thank you for saying what needed to be said, for vocalizing something we all need to realize.” With that Bodhi begins to walk back to the citadel.
You begin to follow after him, but let yourself linger, taking the time to try and absorb every single word.
‘Perhaps the cousin should be the leader. He seems to understand you humans better.’ You let out a snort at Stòlda’s comment.
‘Bodhi does seem to have a level head on his shoulders. At least he seems to realize that people have feelings.’ You comment though not really focusing on the conversation with your dragon.
As you get closer and closer to the citadel, you can’t help but feel the loom of the fortress settle in your bones. As tired as you have been since your latest torture session, you haven’t been sleeping well, phantom pains and hands keeping your mind running at night.
Arriving at the second-year floor, you take a heaving breath, the tiredness of the day beginning to settle into your bones. For some reason though your feet begin to feel even more sluggish than before, every step taking an immense amount of concentration and physical strength.
‘Something isn’t right.’ You send down your bond with Stòlda, but everything about your connenction with her seems fuzzy.
Before you can take one more step your world goes black and muffled voices ring through your mind, but you can’t make out a single one.
__________
Waking up to an uncomfortable pull between your shoulders, you try to bring your arms forward but as you tug, the rough pinch of rope jerks at the skin of your wrist. Letting out a hiss of pain, you open your eyes and all you find is a room of roughhewn stone in front of you.
Scanning the room, the only light emanating in is from a small window that is halfway to the only door. Confusion is the only thing that registers, aside from the pain between your shoulders and the rub of the rope on your skin.
Distant sounds of roars and the clash of metal has your head spinning, eyes darting left and right, though there is nothing for you to see being strapped to the chair you are in. Suddenly you register the loud pound of boots outside the door and your eyes focus, waiting for whatever danger is lurking.
A reverberating kick to the door has it splintering and you close your eyes to the onslaught of wooden shards.
“Well, well, what do we have here?” An all too familiar and cruel voice drawls from in front of you.
Drawing your gaze forward, there’s no way to hide your sneer of disgust. Your head rises as the menacing figure drawing forward, but you don’t back down from holding your head proudly.
“I never thought we’d have the marked one’s whore for a target.” The masculine voice continues to sneer as he comes face to face with you. There’s no mistaking the disdainful visage in front of you, not since you’ve spent more than enough time trying to rid yourself of him.
Kol. Second Wing’s resident menace that has caused more than his fair share of deaths in the quadrant. A bully who came to the quadrant for gore and power, not the ability to help anyone.
“I never thought I’d be subjected to your disgusting face, but here we are.” The words barely leave your mouth before the burning sting of a hand bursts across your face, head thrown to the side from the impact.
The coppery tang of blood coats your tongue and you gather everything you can and spit it directly in his face. His eyes flash and you pull on your restraints again trying to stop him as you register his fist coming up to punch you in the face. Unfortunately, the bindings have no give and the only thing you can do is take the blow. A strike of pain, hot as a branding iron flashes over your eye socket causing a moan to escape as your vision begins to blur.
“Not so tough now when your personal guard isn’t around, are you?” Kol mocks as he begins circling the chair you’re tethered in.
Even with your right eye swelling fully shut, you stare at him through blurry vision not willing to back down.
“Must be tougher than you since you had to wait until I was tied up to attack.” You taunt, though clearly that was the opposite of what you should have done.
Rage burning in his eyes, Kol unsheathes the dagger at his waist, and you rear back as he drags the tip down your arm. A muffled cry climbs your throat, but you refuse to open your mouth and let the sounds become any louder.
“I’m going to have a wonderful time breaking you, inch by inch. You’ll be begging me to stop before I’m finished with you.” Your eyes flash at Kol’s sadistic words, but you refuse to back down and succumb to his incessant taunts.
Concerning quiet has suddenly settled over the room you’re in and it brings Kol’s focus back to the door he had come through. Brows furrowing, you try to place if you did hear another pair of boots or if it was just the ringing in your ears.
“Now where were we?” Kol jeers as he slowly draws the dagger across your face. “Ah, yes, I believe we were just about to get started.” The vicious gleam in his eye has your fear ratcheting, but you refuse to let it show.
“And I believe you’re about to die.” The voice breaks through the quiet so low and menacing you feel like you may have dreamt it.
Turning your head from Kol, you squint with your good eye trying to make out the figure in the doorway, but all you can register is the man’s tall frame.
The sinister smirk that graces Kol’s face makes you realize it could only possibly be one person.
Garrick strides forward and the glint of sunlight catches on his sword as he holds it out in front of him. You try to get a clearer picture, but no matter what you try, your vision remains blurred. A jolt of panic rises through you as the familiar clink of blades meeting makes your pulse begin to race.
Here you are, tied to a chair with no access to your power or dragon, so you’ll be absolutely nothing but a liability.
“No, Garrick! Just go. You don’t need to worry about me any longer.” A male grunt registers, but the clash of steel still sings through the air.
There’s no response from either man as you hear the continued grunts of a fight and clang of metal. Though your worry grows when you hear a groan of pain and the unmistakable tear of flesh.
“Garrick!” You heave, trying to control the panic rising, continuing to pull on your restraints. “Are you alright?”
Another grunt is heard before the decisive thump of a body hitting the floor is heard. Your heart beating erratically and your breathing shallow, you continue to pull on your restraints even through the burning pain that has rubbed your skin raw.
Booted footsteps sound and your shallow breathing continues as you can only pray that Garrick is the one approaching you and not Kol. A slight whimper leaves your lips as familiar fingers trace your jawline and come to rest on your chin.
Without removing his hand, your wrists are freed and your shoulders sag at the sudden relief. Before you can take stock of the rest of your body, you feel yourself being picked up and cradled into a strong chest.
“You don’t have to carry me. I can take care of myself.” You retort, but there’s no bite to the words. They fall short of their aimed target.
“I am more-than-aware that you can take care of yourself.” Garrick replies with a softness in his voice you’ve never heard before. “But no matter where we stand, I will always want to take care of you. Even if my previous actions may contradict that statement.”
You don’t reply to his words, unsure in the moment of what to say, so you let you let your words drift to safer ground.
“How did you know I was here? How did you find me?” The words come out quieter than you expected.
Garrick takes a considering pause before replying, a soft huff leaving his lips. “If you think after the last month that I don’t know where you are at every moment of every day, you’re fooling yourself.”
A sardonic scoff leaves your mouth at this words, but you won’t deny that the conviction in his tone doesn’t have you intrigued.
“Seems silly to keep tabs on someone that you aren’t with any longer.” Your lips thin as the words slip out before you can stop them.
Your body slightly jostles as Garrick comes to a stop. “I know you may not believe me. Honestly, after everything, I wouldn’t expect you to, but you haven’t stopped being the singular most important person in my life.”
You try to focus on Garrick’s face as he keeps speaking, but your vision still refuses to clear. “This isn’t the time to have the whole conversation that I want to have with you. But I need you to know that if you will let me prove to you that you are my priority, I will not let you regret it.”
Without waiting for your reply, Garrick begins walking again and soon the warmth of the sun greets you. The swift kick of the wind licks at your face, as well as the sounds of wing beats. It’s the sudden realization of everything going on around you that causes you to gasp.
“I can’t feel Stòlda.” You murmur to Garrick, unsure of if anyone else is around.
“What do you mean you can’t feel her?” Garrick questions with clear worry in his voice.
“Exactly that. I woke up tied to that chair and unable to feel our bond.” Garrick’s grip tightens on you as you hear the distinct sound of wings getting closer and closer.
“Let’s get you to the healers as soon as possible and I’ll find out what’s going on.” Garrick confirms, clearly beginning to mount Chradh.
“Are you sure Chradh is alright with you carrying me?” You can’t help but question, trying to pull out of his grip.
“Of course he is. He knows how much you mean to me. And besides, Stòlda ordered him to bring you to safety.” As he finishes, Garrick carefully plants you in the seat on Chradh’s back in front of him.
Wrapping his arms tightly around you, he grips the pommel in front of you, not letting you jostle in any way. You close your eyes at the onslaught of the wind against your battered face, turning your head as far into Garrick’s shoulder as you possibly can to conceal yourself, to push away the sharp sting of the wind. You try not to breathe in the familiar scent of the man that has you wrapped in his arms, but its impossible to ignore the scent of leather, steel, and something distinctly him, a comforting presence that you loathe to have to give up again. Involuntarily, you take a deep breath, inhaling him and the strength that he radiates, every inch of him a balm to your frayed nerves.
Even though every movement he makes is completely controlled, there is no way to mistake the rapid heartbeat thumping through your ears. You don’t let yourself get wrapped up in the thought, because its most likely just from the adrenaline from the fight. Soon enough, you feel the pull of Chradh’s wings as he begins to slow and land.
Garrick unwraps his arms and you go to begin to lever yourself off of Chradh, but before you move two steps, you feel the way the brown dragon begins to shift even further to the ground. Unsure whether to move or not, you stand still until Garrick’s caloused hand is gently guiding your arm down.
Vision still blurry, its impossible to truly make sense of the people standing around you, but the next voice you hear is unmistakeable.
“Tavis, take the egg. I need to check on Sorrengail.” Xaden’s voice booms over the chaos that is breaking out around you, his strides towards Garrick carrying a weight that you never miss.
“No.” Garrick’s voice carries an edge of steel, firm and unyeilding, something that you’ve never heard before, especially not directed at Xaden, his best friend and superior officer. “Get Graves or Scharf to deal with it.”
There’s no missing the look of venom Xaden sends Garrick’s way, even with your terrible vision. “I said take the egg, that’s an order from your Wingleader.” Xaden’s voice hardens, an edge that dares Garrick to defy him. The air between them turns charged, the tension building like a storm cloud.
Not wanting Garrick to be punished or let this get out of hand, you start to maneuver your legs out of Garrick’s hold, but instead of letting you down, he only holds tighter.
“Stay right where you are.” Garrick directs at you, tone gentle, though his focus never leaves the glaring Wingleader.
“She’s more important than that damn egg.” Garrick continues, his tone never losing the steel, the tone of immovablility. “And this time my priorities will be clear. Sorrengail is your responsibility, as Y/N is mine. I’ve come to heel regarding Sorrengail too many times at her expense. I won’t do it anymore.”
Without waiting on Xaden’s response, Garrick’s steps continue towards the fortress, controlled and measured. Each click of his boots a smattering of both pressure and relief.
“You don’t need to worry about me, Garrick. I can get someone else to take me to the healers.” Your tone is quiet, tired, beaten down. The adrenaline and energy from the battle beginning to drain from your body.
Looking up to Garrick’s face, you can see the muscle in his jaw feather as his footsteps begin to slow. Your arms drop from around his neck as you try to move away from him, but before you even have an inch between you, Garrick’s grip tightens again. His hands keeping you firmly tethered to his side, his eyes coming down to stare into your own.
“You aren’t getting anyone else to take you. You aren’t leaving my side. And I don’t give a fucking shit if Xaden never talks to me again.” His feet begin moving again and before you have the chance to reply, the familiar scent of the Healer’s Ward comes floating through the air.
Garrick walks confidently to the nearest open cot, before he steps away to beckon the nearest healer.
“Oh my dear.” A sweet female voice floats through the air. “I didn’t expect to see you in here again so soon. Though I’m glad there’s someone with you this time.”
You give her the semblence of a tired smile, but there’s no warmth there. Nothing happy fills you as you wait to hear the retreating footsteps of Garrick’s boots.
She stands in front of you checking you from head to toe, taking time to put a salve on your swollen eye. “I’m going to get Nolon and see if he can assist with taking away some of the inflamation so you can at least see out of one eye.”
“Before you leave, can you also ask if there’s something that was given to me before war games?” Your tone comes out pleading, the silence in your mind between you and your dragon weighing on you. “For some reason I’m unsure of, my bond is gone. Or it feels like it has been severed somehow.”
The healer looks back at you, a look that says she knows exactly what you speak of and that she doesn’t agree with it one bit.
“I’ll get everything you need while I find Nolon. We’ll get some of your vision back in order and you’ll have your dragon back in no time.” She says with a confidence you don’t feel.
Shaking your head in acknowledgment, you let your head fall back to the pillow behind you, eyes closed to keep away the blur of your vision. Taking a deep breath, you try to keep the emotions roiling inside at bay. There’s no reason to cry, or to rage, you know that it won’t fix anything in your failed relationship.
The quiet of the ward greets your ears and you try to breathe through the hazy thoughts of the day, but warmth gliding over your hand has your eyes popping open.
Mouth widening slightly, you look up to see the blurry figure of Garrick standing over you, his fingers intertwined with yours, stroking the back of your knuckles.
“You – you can go.” You confirm, your voice small, even to your own ears. “I’m sure you have more important things to tend to.”
The stroking on your knuckles comes to a quick halt and you close your eyes, not wanting to watch Garrick turn his back on you again. But your eyes open again when you feel the bed next to you dip and a warm, calloused hand cup your cheek.
“I’m not going anywhere.” Garrick’s voice is quiet, subdued in a way you’ve never heard before. “I heard everything you said. And I saw everything you didn’t.”
He starts, but stops in a way that indicates he’s unsure on how to continue.
“I failed.” He exhales. “Failed you spectacularly in every single way I could.” He shakes his head as if unbelieving of his own actions. The movement causing your throat to catch, unsure of where this conversation is headed.
“I took advantage of the fact that you’ve always been able to take care of yourself. Always been strong, even before you were mine.” He scoffs, irritated with himself. “But I took your strength for granted. Made it mean that you didn’t need me, not really. Not in the way that mattered.”
“I chose to make our relationship secondary. To let you bleed to the back of my life, when in my mind you were always the front.” Garrick’s thumb begins to stroke your cheek as his voice becomes reflective. “In the end though, my actions spoke far louder than any of my words. I told you that you were my world, and you still are. Always will be. But I never treated you that way. I never put you before what I considered my duty.”
Rising from the bed, Garrick begins pacing, as though the words can only come if he keeps moving, if he keeps himself in the reflective moment he seems to be caught up in.
“I’ve always followed Xaden. Always been his right hand. Just like my dad was Fen’s. But never once did I ever stop and really look to see what that meant. How the rest of the people in my life fit into that dynamic. Never had to.” He pauses, eyes coming back to find yours.
“That was until you came around.” He says coming back towards you. “Not until you made me begin to question things. Question what I was trying to prove, why I was always the one following orders, not giving some of my own. I let my own life fade into unimportance, everything that wasn’t detrimental to the mission quickly forgotten.”
“You taught me that. The way you left me standing in the courtyard, devastated that the one piece of my life that truly mattered slipped through my fingers at my own doing.” The way his eyes glaze begins to pull at the ropes tied tightly around your heart. “Every single moment of happiness that I’ve experienced with you drowned out by the realization that I tore everything apart. The weight on my chest from not knowing you were hurt, not knowing that I could’ve lost you and I would’ve been none the wiser. I’ll never forgive myself.”
Its then that the healer comes strolling back in, causing Garrick to step back away from your cot.
“Sorry to disturb.” An aged male voice greets as you see Nolon walk into the room behind the healer. “But I’m sure you’ll both be glad to get back to the rider’s quadrant quickly after this. After all, I believe there will be raucous celebrations tonight.”
You give him a tight smile as he stops when he’s flush with your cot. “I’ll be able to calm some of the inflammation, but the bruising will still be there for some time. But before we begin, go ahead and take this.” Nolon finishes as he brings a small vial forward with a clear liquid.
You nod your head in understanding and take the vial from him. Knocking the liquid back, you swallow and lay your head back down and he raises his hands to your face. The power of mending begins to pass through your body and there’s no way to stop your body from tensing through the pain. Your jaw clenched, your hands fall to the sheets below you, and you grip them with white knuckles.
The feeling of a large palm covering your hand has you releasing its tight grip, but soon regaining it intertwined in Garrick’s hand. You try not to squeeze too hard, but as the zip of mending continues the pulsing pain around your eye, you can’t help the whimper of pain. Though instead of your hand tightening further in Garrick’s, his curls around yours harder as if trying to take the pain for himself.
A few more minutes tick by before the magic around your face begins to fade and you are able to open your unaffected eye with clear vision. As you blink the sting of tears away, you are finally able to see Garrick clearly and you can’t help the way your breath catches at the sight.
Gone is the stoic leader who exudes power and strength, in his place is a man that looks wrecked from sleepless nights and personal torment. It’s impossible for you not to reach for him, your hand that he still has in his pulling him forward. Your other hand rises as he shifts to his knees next to your cot and goes to his face, cupping and stroking his stubbled cheek. Garrick surprises you by leaning into your touch, his eyes closing at the tenderness you’ve given him.
Your vision narrows to the sorrowful man in front of you, your eyes unable to move from his dim ones. Eyes that normally shone a bright gold and flecked with greens as deep as emeralds. The color has now dimmed to a dull honey, every single speck darkened to almost black.
“How did we get here?” You voice comes out as a rasp, a sound unlike your normally smooth tone.
Garrick’s eyes close as if overcome with emotion from your question.
“Letting anyone or anything come before you will always be my greatest regret. I just hope that someday, somehow you will be able to let me atone for every way I’ve failed you. Failed us.” The spark of hopefulness in his words put a sad smile on your face.
Garrick continues to burrow his face in your hand, a man starved for the only touch he’s been craving.
“What about Xaden and Sorrengail?” You ask, the question the thing that keeps you from willingly folding into the arms of the man in front of you.
“I’ll always try to protect them both, but I refuse to do it again at the expense of you. As I told Xaden, you are my responsibility. The only person I want to take care of.” He exhales the breath he seemed to be holding. “Never again will you feel like you aren’t my priority. Never again will you think you are less than the most important person in my life.”
Your hand snakes around the back of Garrick’s neck and you pull his face to yours, resting your foreheads together.
“Then take me back to my room, Section Leader.” There’s no mistaking the way Garrick tenses in your arms, his entire body ready for a blow that you know will never come. You can feel the way the wind whooshes out of him, an exhale believing that you are completely lost to him.
Garrick slowly nods and begins to stand. He holds his hand out and helps you rise from the cot. Wincing as the pull of the mending tugs at you, but you hold steady on your feet.
The silence between you grows thicker and thicker as you both continue back to the riders quadrant. Garrick’s footsteps click, though you can hear the hesitation in even those. As you ascend the stairs, his hand tightens on yours, the last seeming vestibule of your relationship that he is trying in every way not to lose.
Entering the landing of the second-year floor, you trudge to your door, pulling along a hesitant Garrick. You let your hand turn, the click of your lock unmistakable and Garrick pulls in a shaky breath behind you. A small smile gracing your lips, you pull him forward, his brows pulling in with confusion.
“I’m giving you a chance.” You state with conviction, turning as Garrick continues to grip your hand as a vice. “One chance. Prove yourself. Prove that you will put our relationship and yourself before the weight of the rest of the world, because at the end of the day, the world will only crush you if you let it.”
Before you have time to blink, your breath leaves your lungs as you are tugged against a hard chest. Garrick’s arms encircling your waist in a punishing grip, his face buried into the top of your hair.
“I will spend every day proving that you are my priority. You are my one love, my partner and the singular person I will drop anything and everything for.” The words rush out of Garrick, the singular conviction in his tone obvious.
Backing up one step, you are caught off guard again when Garrick’s lips slam into yours. The kiss claiming in a way that you’ve never experienced before. The desperation, hope, and utter happiness leaching through every movement of his lips on yours.
He lifts you up by your thighs and your legs instinctually wrap around his waist, his strong arms balancing your weight with ease. A smile breaks out over your lips and as you part, you don’t miss the dimple, that is your undoing, making an appearance.
Your hands stroke his cheeks as you watch the light slowly climb back into his eyes, the tension seeming to melt from every pore. Smiling back at each other, you refuse to focus on anything but the hope that has settled in your bones.
Hope for Garrick’s commitment. Hope for peace. Hope for your future. And finally, the hope that you will never be without the man you’re wrapped around ever again.
Divider: @empyreanevents
Taglist: @ilovetomtailor @nevermoresworld @nastylicious @iambored24601 @mysticalfuncollectorus @sadpieceofbread @alwayshave-faith
♡ GARRETT GRAHAM off campus trailer
OFF CAMPUS TRAILER
how the carrier scene should have ended in my humble honest hobjectively correct opinion
finally posted the first chapter of my first hangster fic!
Hail Mary on ao3
He should hang up. Go back to sleep. Doesn’t, when a whine fills his ear. Jake sits up straighter as the whine turns into sobs, as an omega, on the line, falls apart. But then- "Pete? Sweetheart, please… Let me?" a far away voice begs above the cries. A steadier lilt. Desperate nonetheless. Jake grits his teeth. Expects the worst. "Mr. Seresin? This is Admiral Kazansky speaking." Or: Jake runs an omega rehabilitation centre in Texas.
so happy to share this one 🥹
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> Beautiful, Handsome, Pretty {🤠🐓} (Last update - 30-03-25)
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PssPss...
Drop an ask if you want me to find you a lost Hangster fic! 💕
If you want a specific Hangster recs list, I'm up to the challenge as well, although I ask for patience (it takes time to search & compile). 🤗
Credits : Space Divider from @enchanthings-a
Humour me?
3 and 5
Under Texas Skies: Chapter 1
Summary: Kayla arrives in Austin for her best friend’s wedding festivities, expecting a weekend of checklists and last minute planning. What she doesn't expect is an impromptu escape to a ranch owned by a man she’s never met. When Lo reveals that the best man, Glen Powell, has planned the entire weekend and will be hosting everyone at his Texas property, Kayla is immediately skeptical. But when they arrive, the ranch is stunning (not that she’d ever admit it). And then there’s Glen himself. He’s charming and confident. Their first meeting is full of sharp banter and undeniable tension, setting the stage for a weekend that promises to be anything but predictable.
Warnings: Strong Language/Cursing, Brief Mention of Religion/God
Word Count: 2,813
Author's Note: This is the first chapter of my new Glen Powell RPF story. I really am excited for this story. I've been working on it off and on for a month or so and I think it's finally ready to share. I'll be alternating between posting this story and the last few of In the Space Between (Glen and Gabby's story) over the nex few weeks.
The Texas heat hit Kayla the moment she stepped off the plane, wrapping around her like a thick, suffocating blanket. It was different from the crisp, early fall air she’d left behind in Nashville. This was more intense, heavier somehow. She barely noticed it, though, her mind already racing through the endless checklist of things still needing to be done before the wedding.
Table assignments? Still pending. Florist confirmation? Need to double check. Final dress fittings? Scheduled, but-
Her phone buzzed in her hand, dragging her out of her thoughts.
Lo: I see you, Kay. Get over here already before I tackle you in front of God and TSA.
Kayla huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head as she looked up. And there she was Lauren “Lo” Bennett, standing near the baggage claim, practically vibrating with excitement. Even from across the terminal, Kayla could see her best friend bouncing on the balls of her feet, waving both arms like a human air traffic controller.
Before Kayla could take another step, Lo took off in a full sprint.
"Kayla!"
A split second later, Kayla found herself being smothered in a hug. One of those tight, borderline aggressive squeezes that stole the air from her lungs.
"Okay, okay," Kayla wheezed, laughing as she hugged her back. "Are you trying to kill me before the wedding?"
Lo pulled back just enough to hold her at arm’s length, blue eyes scanning Kayla like she needed proof she was real. "I haven’t seen you in forever! Let me have my moment!"
Kayla rolled her eyes, but a smile tugged at her lips. "It’s been six months, Lo. You act like I was lost at sea."
"Same thing!" Lo argued. "A half of a year without my best friend? Unacceptable."
She shook her head like she couldn’t believe it, then grabbed Kayla’s arms and spun her around in a full twirl.
"Okay, yep, you’re still cute. I approve."
Kayla groaned. "Are you done?"
"Not even close."
Kayla sighed dramatically. "You know, it’s not too late for you to move back to Nashville. You'd get to see my cute face a whole lot more..."
Lo groaned, reaching over to nudge Kayla’s arm. "Oh my God, again with this? You’ve been in Texas for five minutes and you’re already trying to steal me back?"
Kayla smirked. "Just saying. Nashville misses you."
Lo shot her a look. "Or you miss me?"
Kayla sighed, conceding. "Same thing."
Lo grinned, nudging her playfully. "You could always move to Austin, you know."
Kayla scoffed. "Yeah, right. And do what? Ride off into the sunset with some cowboy?" She shook her head. "You know I don’t do cowboys."
Lo hummed like she wasn’t convinced. "Mmm. Never say never. Besides I thought you didn’t do men period? Now we’ve only excluded cowboys? That leaves a whole lot of the male population as free game."
Kayla rolled her eyes.
By the time they reached the parking garage, Lo popped the trunk while Kayla hoisted her suitcase inside. "Anyway, the weekend plans are all set," Lo said, brushing her hands off like it was done and handled. "This is going to be the best weekend ever."
Kayla raised a skeptical eyebrow. "Okay, but I still don’t have an itinerary. You know that stresses me out, right?"
Lo flashed a knowing grin. "Relax, it’s all handled."
Kayla folded her arms. "By who, exactly? I’m the planner in the group. Planning things is literally what I do!"
Lo tossed her a look over the roof of the car. "Levi’s best man, Glen. He’s taken care of everything! We’re all going to his place to eat tonight so everyone can get acquainted."
Kayla groaned. "Right. The best man who apparently doesn’t believe in communication. I told you to have him text me so we could plan together weeks ago!"
Lo shrugged, completely unbothered. "Yeah well, Glen doesn’t really give out his number like that."
Kayla’s brow furrowed. "That’s…weird."
Lo laughed. "I don’t even have his number, it’s not weird."
Kayla narrowed her eyes. "So, let me get this straight. This guy is super secretive about his personal information, owns a bunch of land in the middle of nowhere, and we’re just blindly trusting him with our weekend plans?"
Lo, catching on, smirked. "Kayla—"
Kayla raised a finger. "I’m just saying. That’s how every true crime documentary starts."
Lo burst out laughing, shaking her head. "Glen is not a serial killer."
Kayla crossed her arms. "Uh huh. That’s exactly what people say when the unsuspecting guy turns out to be a crazy person!"
Lo sighed dramatically. "He’s actually really sweet. Charming, too."
Kayla huffed a laugh. "Yeah? So was Ted Bundy."
Lo groaned, throwing her head back. "Can you just trust me for once?"
Kayla smirked. "Not when you’re leading me into a potential murder plot."
Lo shook her head, still grinning as she leaned against the car. "Okay, but real talk. Glen’s actually great."
Kayla scoffed, tossing her carry-on into the trunk. "Says the woman who just admitted she doesn’t even have his phone number. Do you even know this guy that well?"
Lo rolled her eyes. "I know enough about him."
Kayla turned, crossing her arms. "Do you, though?"
Lo huffed. "Levi trusts him completely."
Kayla snorted. "That just means they’re both part of the murder plot."
Lo groaned, throwing her hands in the air. "Kayla, I swear—"
Kayla smirked, shrugging one shoulder. "Hey, all I’m saying is if I go missing, at least you’ll know where to start looking."
Lo let out an exasperated laugh but didn’t argue. Instead, she gave Kayla a knowing look, amusement flickering in her blue eyes.
"I’ll remember you said that."
Kayla rolled her eyes, slipping into the passenger seat as Lo climbed in beside her. The second the doors shut, Lo cranked up the music, humming along to the country song playing through the speakers as she pulled out of the parking garage.
Kayla sighed, settling in for the drive. Serial killer or not, she was about to meet the mysterious Glen.
Kayla leaned her head against the window, watching the cityscape gradually give way to open roads and sprawling fields. The further they drove, the fewer buildings she saw, and the more concerned she became.
She frowned, straightening. "Wait. Are you lost? Because this is definitely not Austin."
Lo grinned, eyes fixed on the road. "Nope. We’re headed out to Glen’s place. He lives like 20 minutes outside the city.”
“What about my bags? Shouldn’t we drop them off where we’re staying?” Kayla questioned.
“We’re staying at Glen’s place for the weekend."
Kayla blinked at her. "I’m sorry, what?"
Lo shot her a quick glance, amused. "You heard me."
Kayla turned fully in her seat, staring at her best friend like she’d lost her mind. "Oh, perfect. The guy who doesn’t give out his number also has us staying on his property? This is getting better by the second."
Lo just laughed. "You’re ridiculous. It’s a ranch, Kayla. A really nice one."
Kayla muttered under her breath, arms crossed. "That’s what they said about the cult compound in that one documentary."
Lo snorted. "Would you relax with the true crime stuff? The whole bridal party is staying there. We’re not being lured into the woods one by one."
Kayla huffed. "Still not thrilled about the idea of sharing a room with someone I’ve never met."
Lo waved a hand. "You won’t. The place is huge. You’ll have your own room, I promise."
Kayla narrowed her eyes. "And what exactly does this mystery man do for a living that he can afford a ranch big enough to house ten people for an entire weekend?"
Lo’s lips curled into a smirk. "Oh. Didn’t I mention?"
Kayla’s stomach dropped. Lo’s smirk was never a good sign.
"Mention what?"
Lo threw her a sideways glance, eyes twinkling with mischief. "It’s Glen Powell."
Kayla blinked. Once. Then twice. Then very calmly, she said, “Lo, what the hell do you mean it’s Glen Powell?”
Lo just grinned, tapping her fingers against the steering wheel like this wasn’t the most absurd thing she could have possibly said.
Kayla however was frozen. Surely she had misheard. This was just some misunderstanding.
She stared at Lo from the passenger seat, waiting for her to crack a smile. Begging for her to say ‘Just kidding!’ or ‘Gotcha!’. Something.
But Lo wasn’t joking. No. Lo was very much serious.
Kayla let out a short, disbelieving laugh, shaking her head. “I-what? Since when do you know Glen Powell?”
Lo shrugged, a gesture way too casual for what she’d just dropped on her, in Kayla’s opinion. “Levi and Glen have been best friends for years. He’s the best man. So…naturally, we’re all staying at his place this weekend. He’s taken care of everything.”
Kayla blinked at her again. “Naturally.”
Lo’s grin widened, eyes dancing. “You okay? You look a little…”
Kayla inhaled sharply and waved a hand. “Nope. I’m good. Completely fine.”
Lo gave her a knowing look. “Uh huh. Sure you are.”
Kayla turned towards the window, exhaling slowly as the open Texas roads blurred past them.
What the hell had she just signed up for?
She’d worked with a handful of celebrities–mostly country singers– planning their weddings, dealing with their excessive requests, navigating the massive egos that always seemed to come with fame.
And if there was one thing she’d learned? Celebrities could be a nightmare.
Entitled. Impossible. Used to getting whatever they wanted, whenever they wanted it.
And now she was supposed to spend an entire weekend at a Hollywood actor’s house? One she’d just accused of being a potential serial killer, no less?
Kayla exhaled sharply, dragging a hand down her face.
“Okay.” Her voice was tight. “So let me get this straight. Not only are we going to be completely isolated in the middle of nowhere, but we’re also staying at a celebrity’s house? And no one thought to mention this to me before now?
Lo, still grinning, just shrugged. "Surprise?"
Kayla groaned, sinking lower into her seat. This weekend was already spiraling. And she hadn’t even met Glen yet.
Lo let out an exaggerated sigh, shaking her head as she flicked on her turn signal. "You are so dramatic."
Kayla shot her an incredulous look. "I’m dramatic? You just dropped the ‘oh, by the way, we’re spending the weekend at a celebrity’s house’ bomb mid drive, and I’m supposed to just…what? Roll with it?"
Lo smirked. "Yep."
Kayla let out a slow breath, pressing her fingers against her temples. "Lo. I plan weddings for a living. You know how difficult famous people can be. I once had a country singer demand a specific brand of champagne that doesn’t even ship to the U.S. I had to fly someone to France to get it!"
Lo hummed, completely unfazed. "Well, lucky for you, Glen’s not a country singer."
"That is not the point!"
Lo just waved her off. "You’re overreacting."
Kayla blinked. "Overreacting?"
"Yep."
"Lo, I literally just found out I’m spending the next three days on an isolated ranch owned by an actor who refuses to give out his phone number. If anything, I’m underreacting."
Lo snorted. "You’re impossible."
Kayla crossed her arms. "And you’re suspiciously calm about all of this."
Lo just grinned as she made another turn, the road narrowing as they got further from the city. "Because I know Glen. And trust me. He’s not what you’re expecting."
Kayla narrowed her eyes. "That’s exactly what someone leading me to a murder site would say. Are you in on this murder plot too?"
Lo laughed, shaking her head. "You’ll see."
Kayla let out a long breath, watching as the open land stretched endlessly around them.
Yeah. She’d see, all right.
And something told her she wasn’t remotely prepared for it.
The tires crunched over the long curved driveway as Lo pulled her car up in front of the house. Kayla leaned forward, taking in the sprawling limestone exterior, its pale stone catching the afternoon sun. The dark framed windows and wooden shutters gave it a timeless, rustic charm, while the thick, twisting oaks that lined the front yard made the whole place feel like it had been there forever.
“This is his house?” Kayla asked, eyebrows raised as she glanced at Lo.
Kayla let out a low whistle, stepping out of the car. Her gaze swept over the property, taking in the wide stone steps leading up to the front porch, the thick wooden beams supporting the overhang, the way the evening sun cast a golden glow over the exterior. It was rustic and refined all at once, effortlessly cool in a way that bugged her.
Because damn it, she liked it. Not that she’d ever admit that.
The front door swung open, and before Kayla had a chance to take another step, Levi appeared.
“There’s my girls!” he called, grinning wide as he jogged down the porch steps.
Lo let out a squeal, rushing forward to throw her arms around him.
Levi laughed, squeezing her tight before his eyes shifted to Kayla. His grin softened into something warmer, familiar. “C’mere, city girl.”
Kayla rolled her eyes but didn’t hesitate to step into his hug. Levi was solid with his broad frame, but also in the way he’d always been dependable.
“Missed you,” he murmured against her hair.
Kayla felt some of the tension in her shoulders ease. “Missed you too, cowboy.”
Levi pulled back, looking her over like he was checking for any signs of damage since the last time they’d seen each other. “You surviving all that wedding planning?”
Kayla smirked. “Barely. But at least one of us gets to be chill about all this.”
Levi chuckled. “That’s ‘cause you and Lo are doing all the worrying for me.”
Lo smacked his arm. “Excuse me?”
Levi just winked, then turned back to Kayla. “C’mon, let’s get y’all settled. You’re gonna love it here.”
Kayla hummed unconvinced, but followed him up the steps. She could handle a weekend in the country. It was the people she wasn’t so sure about.
And then, he stepped onto the porch. Glen Powell.
He looked completely at home, wearing a worn T-shirt and jeans, a backwards baseball cap sitting low on his head. Casual confidence radiated from him like this was his domain, and he knew exactly how to own it without trying.
Then came the grin. Easy. Almost too charming. The kind of grin that probably got him away with way too much in life.
He greeted Lo first, pulling her in for a quick hug. “Hey, trouble. You ready for the best weekend ever?”
Lo laughed. “That depends. Did you stock the bar?”
“Obviously.”
Kayla stood by the car, arms crossed, watching their exchange with mild curiosity until Glen’s gaze slid to her. There was a brief pause. Then a flicker of amusement appeared on his face, like he already knew exactly who she was.
Lo, catching the moment, grinned. “Kayla, this is Glen, the best man. Glen, this is Kayla the maid of honor, wedding planner, and the one who thinks you might be a murderer.”
Glen raised an eyebrow, smirking. “Well, this is awkward. I usually wait until at least the second day before revealing my true intentions.”
Kayla didn’t blink. “Right.”
His grin widened. “Hey, if it helps, I make a mean barbecue, and so far no one’s gone missing from any of my cookouts.”
Kayla hummed, unimpressed. “Yet.”
Something unspoken passed between them. A spark, a challenge.
She took in the details she absolutely should not be noticing. The stupidly nice smile. The way he carried himself with that easy confidence. The infuriating fact that he was actually kind of attractive.
She shut that thought down immediately.
Charming men are not to be trusted.
Glen, however, looked thoroughly amused. He’d met plenty of women who fawned over him instantly. But Kayla? Completely unimpressed. And he kind of liked that.
Lo nudged Kayla with her elbow, smirking. “You know, you two are going to have to get along at some point. Wedding planner and maid of honor, best man—you’re basically co-captains this weekend.”
Kayla made a face. “Don’t remind me.”
Glen turned his attention back to Lo. “So? How’s engaged life treating you?”
Lo smirked. “Ask me again after the wedding is over.”
He chuckled. “Fair enough.”
“Alright, enough standing around,” she announced, nudging Kayla’s arm. “Let’s go inside before the mosquitoes eat us alive.”
Levi grabbed their bags from the trunk while Lo looped an arm around Kayla’s. Glen held the door open as they stepped onto the porch, and Kayla hesitated for just a second before crossing the threshold.
The weekend was just beginning.
And something told her Glen Powell was going to be the biggest headache of all.
The Doctor, The Pilot and The Little Girl
Bradley’s little girl is sick and what should have been a routine doctor’s appointment might just change the both of their lives.
“I don’t want to go papa,” the little girl said as she squirmed in his arms, not wanting to go into the large building.
“I know you don’t sweetheart, but you’re sick,” Bradley tried to calm her as he rubbed a hand up and down her back. Her little head came to rest in the crook of her neck and he could feel the heat radiating off her.
“‘M not sick-” she began, but was cut off by a fit of small coughs racking her tiny body.
“Mmhmm, not getting out of it that easy baby girl,” he chuckled softly, holding her just a little bit tighter as he felt her tears begin to soak through the collar of his t-shirt.
“After this, we can go to the store and you can pick any toy you want, deal?”
A small whine left her throat. Usually she’d jump at the idea of a new toy.
Bradley walked up to the reception desk, still holding his daughter who had refused to pick up her head that was still buried between her teddy bear and her dad’s neck. The inside of the building was a lot more inviting then the outside, with a colourful corner for the children Lucy would usually be rushing to play with or pointing out and naming all of the animals painted onto the walls.
“Hi, my daughter has got an appointment with Doctor Jamie.”
The receptionist looked between the pair with a smile as she got a look at how pale and sad the small girl in his arms looked, “Sure thing, can I get her name?”
“Lucy. Lucy Carole Bradshaw,” he replied.
The receptionist typed away at her computer before she frowned. “Unfortunately her usual doctor is out on maternity leave, but we have an amazing paediatrician filling in for her. Doctor Jake will take great care of her,” the receptionist said with a smile, “take a seat and a nurse will be right out with you.”
“Nooo,” Lucy squirmed tiredly in her dads arms as he sat down in the waiting area. She wasn’t a stranger to coming to the doctors, but it didn’t mean she liked it.
”I know princess,” he soothed her the only way he knew how, smoothing back her hair and peppering light kisses on her forehead.
He hated having to drag her to the clinic but with her medical history, he couldn’t change it. Lucy had been born premature and been in and out of hospital growing up for various complications and check ups, so whenever she even had as much of a sniffle his protective instincts would kick in.
They didn’t have to wait long before a man with dirty blonde hair and wide wire rimmed glasses came out into the waiting room. He wore bright coloured scrubs and a name tag shaped like a bear with ‘Nurse Bob’ stamped across it. He knew Lucy, had helped treat her many times.
He walked over, slowly kneeling down in front of where she sat cuddled in Bradley’s arms, one arm around her bear and the other clutching to his shirt. “Hey Lucy, remember me? Somebody told me you’re not feeling too well.”
She sniffed, wiping her tears on the back of her hand before nodding.
“Well, how about we get you feeling better and guess what?” He said, whispering to her as if to make sure no one else could get in on the secret.
“What?” She croaked quietly.
“I’ve refilled my sticker drawer since your last visit and I think I have a few you and Mr Bear might like.” The bear she carried around with her had been one from the many hospital trips growing up, the cream bear with the little pastel outfit had been with her through countless check ups and procedures.
Despite the temptation of the stickers, Lucy made no effort to move, completely exhausted and cuddled in Bradley’s arms. Bradley rose to his feet, clutching his little girl as he followed Bob to one of the many exam rooms lining the hallway. Bob took a seat on a wheely stool and gestured for Bradley to sit up on the exam table with Lucy. “So, Lucy Lu. What brings my favourite patient back?”
She hid further into Bradley’s neck causing him to sigh. He looked exhausted himself, dark circles under his eyes, stubble starting to form where he hadn’t shaved for a few days. “She’s been running a fever since yesterday morning, can’t bring it down with tylenol or cool baths. With her history, I thought it best to bring her in.”
Bob nodded in agreement, “you did the right thing.”
“Okay, Miss Lucy. Why don’t we start with letting me take your temperature? Can we do that?”
She nodded, and allowed Bob to put the thermometer in her ear and wait until it beeped. Bob frowned at the reading, noting it down on her chart. “Definitely still running a fever.”
He ran through a few more questions as he set up the next piece of equipment, asking when her last dose of medicine was and if Bradley had noticed any rashes or anything else out of the ordinary for her. “
“Just the fever and the cough, she was complaining her throat was sore too but won’t let me near to get a good look. Spent half the night cuddled to my chest last night, the only thing I could do to get her settled.
“Lucy, can I clip my special laser on your finger? Like we usually do so we can show the doctor how good your numbers are?” Bob asked.
Bradley loved the way Nurse Bob was with her, he had such a way with kids and always explained things at their level and gave them the choice. She held out her little hand, letting him clip a pulse oximeter on her finger. Both him and Bradley watched the monitor closely. Being a dad of a sick baby meant you picked up a lot about the medical world.
“Her pulse ox is a little low and her heart rate is a little fast, but with the fever it's not unusual. I’m going to write this down and then go and grab Doctor Jake to take a look. But first, I think you did such a good job that you and Mr bear both deserve some stickers,” Bob said as he turned to his sticker drawer and pulled out a shiny blue box filled to the brim.
He set the box next to her, pulling out a few he thought she might like, “I’ve got some princess stickers, doc mcstuffins and my personal favourite, strawberry scented ones.”
She moved her hand slowly, pointing towards the strawberry scented ones, letting Bob hand her a few.
“And we can’t forget Mr Bear, can we?”
Lucy let out a tiny smile, the first one Bob had managed to pry from her that morning. He’d definitely be noting that down as a win. With Mr Bear covered in a few Doc Mcstuffins stickers and Lucy quietly sniffing the strawberry scent of the stickers, Bob left the room to go and grab Doctor Jake.
Bradley shifted her in his arms, letting her show him all the stickers doctor Bob let her pick out, pressing a kiss to her cheek and pushing the sweaty curls from her forehead. Lucy didn’t always do well with new doctors and despite reassurances from Nurse Bob and the receptionist, it still didn’t ease his nerves having someone new looking after his baby girl.
He didn’t have long to think about it before there was a knock on the door. Bradley didn’t know what he was expecting, maybe an older and wiser man, salt and pepper beard - been in the business for a while and was great with kids. What he didn’t expect was the tall, broad shouldered and blond-haired doctor who walked into the room. He was good-looking, there was no denying that. He grabbed the wheelie chair that Bob had not long occupied and rolled into position in front of the pair.
“Hi, my name's Doctor Jake,” he held out a hand for Bradley as he introduced himself. Bradley took his hand and adjusted Lucy who once again had buried herself in the crook of his neck, hiding from the new stranger in the room. Bradley watched as his kind green eyes moved to the little girl in his arms and tilted his head to get a better look at her.
“And you must be Miss Lucy? A little bird told me that you’ve not been feeling too good, huh? Can you tell me about that?”
“‘M not sick,” she mumbled.
He’d already got the low down from Bob and checked over her initial vitals. He had read her chart and noted her history; premature, spent time in and out of hospital in the NICU and had heart surgery for a small hole in her heart from being born so soon.
“Hmm, well. I guess you wouldn’t mind letting me check you over so we can prove your daddy here wrong.”
She shuffled a bit to get a better look at the stranger. He was at her level, wearing a kind smile as he looked her over. Despite watching him, she still stayed clutched in her dads arms, not looking like she was going to be moving any time soon. He noticed the bear clutched in her arms, the standard ones they give to pediatric patients when they’re in hospital and decided to change tactics.
“Who’ve we got here?”
“It’s my bear,” she croaked.
“Does he have a name?” Jake asked.
“Mr Bear”
“That’s a great name! And you’ve already got stickers from nurse Bob! I can’t say I’ve got as good a sticker collection as his but there might be some super special ones nurse Bob doesn’t have that we can put on Mr Bear.”
This definitely got her attention. “Can I have one now?”
Jake let out a chuckle. He knew this game, knew she’d end up with a shirt full of stickers and he’d still have an exam to complete.
“I’ve got to get a look at you first. Nurse Bob tells me you’ve got a bit of a fever and if you are feeling yucky it’s important you tell me so we can get you feeling better. Then we can have a look at the stickers and if you’re good, you can have three whole stickers!”
“Promise?”
He held out his pinky and curled his much larger finger around her tiny delicate finger, shaking it lightly, “pinky promise.”
Bradley shifted her around better so her back was against his chest, still holding her protectively.
Jake grabbed a pen torch from his pocket, “is it okay if I take a look at your throat first?”
She hesitated for a moment before letting him, it was red and raw as expected.
He continued on with his exam, taking the stethoscope from around his neck he noticed the faint pink scar in the centre of her chest. “Do you know what this is, Lucy?”
She nodded, “a stethoscope,” not quite getting the pronunciation right.
Jake chucked softly at the way she said the word, “that’s right! Do you mind if I take a listen to see how strong your heart is?”
She hesitated a moment before nodding. He checked her too quick beating heart and the way her breathing rattled slightly.
“Looks like you’ve got a case of the flu, Miss Lucy,” he said, speaking to her first before turning her attention to her dad. “Her lungs sound a bit congested but it doesn’t sound like we’ve hit pneumonia yet and there’s no new heart murmurs. We’ll get a couple of viral swabs just in case but I think we’re good to continue with Tylenol, fluids and rest. I can prescribe something to help her feel a little more comfortable and obviously if her fever spikes again or you’re worried you can always bring her back and we’ll take another look.”
“I know I’m probably overreacting but every cough or fever…” he paused, his mind wandering slightly before he continued, “just sends me back to nights in the hospital, alarms beeping, doctors and nurses rushing around and her tiny little body more wires and tubes than baby.”
Jake placed a comforting hand on his elbow, meeting his gaze. “You did the right thing, it’s always best to err on the side of caution especially with her history.”
“Thanks doc.”
“Now, Miss Lucy. As promised,” Jake spoke as he turned around in his chair and unlocked the bottom drawer of the desk pulling out another small box with his stash of stickers. He placed them on the exam table beside her, pulling out the sheets and spreading them out. “I’ve got princesses, special Dr Jake stickers, planes, because I’m a plane guy myself.”
“Can papa have one of mine?” She asked so innocently. Jake nodded as she pointed to the plane stickers, “he needs a plane sticker, because he flies planes!”
“He does, does he?” Jake asked as he glanced at Bradley who was most definitely blushing. “You’re a pilot?”
“I-uh, I’m a naval aviator.”
Jake smiled at that, “that’s pretty cool, you must be proud of your daddy, huh Lucy?” He continued choosing stickers for her and Mr Bear, helping her stick them on her shirt and her bear for her. She stuck the plane sticker to her dad’s shirt, cuddling into his side now the excitement had turned into exhaustion again.
Bradley picked her up easily, holding out his spare hand to shake to doctors before he headed out of the door. “If you need anything, just give us a call and I can see her again. I’d like to see her again in a week's time just to be sure she hasn’t gotten any worse. I’ll get that all sent through for you.”
Jake watched as Bradley held the small girl close to his chest, smoothing back her hair and placing a gentle kiss to her forehead, whispering something he couldn’t quite make out. He wouldn’t admit it to anyone, but he was secretly looking forward to running into the pair again the following week. Whoever her mother was, was a very lucky woman to have a man like him in her life.
“Alright, come on sweet girl. Let’s get you your medicine and get you home. I’ll call Auntie Nat and tell her I won’t be coming in today.”
Taglist: @robertsfloyd
Summer Days
Summary: You're a Pediatric Nurse and fill in on an as needed basis for Penny at The Hard Deck, which is how you met and became friends with Phoenix. Fast forward several years, the Daggers are now permanently assigned to North Island. Upon their return will a blooming friendship turn into something more?
Pairings: Bradley "Rooster" Bradshaw x Female! Reader
Warnings: None, pure fluff... kissing, two idiots falling in love. Loosely edited... sorry in advance for mistakes.
Word count: 6002
Written as part of the #1kPoolPartyPlaylist (link HERE ) There are still TONS of songs available and time to write if you wanna join the party!
A/N: I don’t own the characters or storyline for Top Gun Maverick. All OC’s are mine. I DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR ANYONE TO COPY OR REPOST MY WORK TO ANY OTHER PLATFORM! I do NOT give permission to copy and feed my work into AI generators!! DON’T STEAL! Reblogs, likes and comments ALWAYS welcomed.
Taglist is open! If I missed anyone who asked to be tagged, please fill out this GOOGLE FORMto be added. It’s getting to hard to keep track of asks.
Masterlist
You’d moved to San Diego out of college, moving across the country looking for a fresh start. Luckily, your clinical supervisor for nursing had given you a glowing recommendation and helped to get you an interview with a pediatrician friend of hers who had her own practice. It was a smaller clinic and unlike in a hospital setting you had regular hours. When you’d first moved to the area, you realized that meeting people was harder than you thought it would be. You were paid well by the clinic, so you didn’t necessarily need to pick up a second job for money, but when you had wandered into a lively bar on the beach that seemed to be popular among the Naval officers and personnel from nearby bases, you’d met the owner Penny, who’d taken a liking to you immediately.
One night, the bar was particularly busy, which was not unusual for a Friday, but Penny was down a bartender. You’d jumped up and offered to help, assuring her you knew your way around a bar, having had bartended and waitressed to get your through college. From that night on, you became Penny’s backup. Turns out, it ended up being a great way to make friends.
Not long after you’d started helping Penny, a new group of Top Gun recruits had started, and The Hard Deck became their favorite spot to blow off steam after a tough day of class or flying. In this group of recruits you met Natasha Trace, who quickly became your best friend. The two of you kept in touch and made plans to meet up either in San Diego or occasionally you’d fly to wherever she got stationed if you had vacation time on the books.
You were just finishing charting for a new infant patient when your phone buzzed in your scrubs pocket, letting you know you had a message.
Tasha: So… your girl has been recalled to TG PERMANENTLY. What are the odds you’d save me from having to bunk in officers quarters until I can arrange permanent housing?
You: OMG!!! 🎉You are absolutely NOT staying in military housing. I have a room with your name on it. Swing by the clinic for a key if you get in before I’m off.
Tasha: I owe you my first born. 💗 Hard Deck tomorrow night?
You: I’ll be there…. But behind the bar. Penny needed an extra hand. Beach day your first free day?
Tasha: Absolutely. But also raincheck on actual Hard Deck night with you NOT behind the bar.
You: Deal. See you tomorrow!!!!
After finishing up getting the clinic rooms reset for the next day and responding to incoming messages from the online chart portal, you were able to head out for the day. You decided to make a quick stop off at The Hard Deck, needing a drink. It had definitely been an exhausting day. Normally, you opted to change out of your scrubs before leaving if you were heading anywhere other than home, but that took too much effort today. You didn’t plan on staying anyway, just a quick drink, say ‘hi’ to Penny and the home to shower, change and watch some mindless movie before calling it a night. Maybe your co-workers, Penny and your family back home were right… you needed a life.
“Rough day?” Penny asked when you came in and plopped down in a seat at the bar.
“Not rough… just long.” You sighed, smiling, “I think there’s been another baby boom…I swear the majority of our patients today were newborns in for their first visits or babies needing vaccines. My ears are still ringing.”
“Ouch.” Penny winced, “I don’t miss those days with Amelia. Those were the worst visits. This one’s on me.” She handed you a bottle of your favorite beer. “I can find someone to cover the shift here tomorrow night if you need it, Sweet Girl.”
“No, I’m good!” You assured her, “I’d be here anyway, Tasha got permanently assigned, I’m guessing the others did too? She’s planning on being here tomorrow night I guess to celebrate.”
“They have.” Penny confirmed, smiling at you knowingly. “I suspect some will be trickling in tonight already if you plan to stick around.”
“You know, I’m good with just one tonight, Pen.” You replied, rolling your eyes. “I have a hot date with a shower, some dinner and a movie to end this day.”
“Sounds like a good concept for ‘Nurses Gone Wild’.” A familiar voice drawled behind you, “Penny, my dear, can I get a couple of beers please?”
“Sure thing, Hangman.” She replied, winking at him. “No harassing my favorite bartender.”
“Cross my heart.” He replied, giving her a wide grin, “Grab your beer and come join us, Dove. Nix will be here tomorrow, but we don’t bite, you can hang with us tonight.”
You turned to face him, offering a smile, “Thanks, Jake.” You replied, “It’s good to see you again. I’ll take a raincheck on hanging out with the group though. It’s been a long day and I have to work at the clinic all day tomorrow then bartend here tomorrow night.”
“A certain birdy aviator will be sad you’re not here.” He winked, “It’s good to see you too though. We’re all back here permanently so I imagine we’ll get to spend a lot of time together.”
“Especially if you ever get your head outta your butt and decide to do something about that torch you’re carrying for Tasha.” You replied, smirking.
“I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about, Dove.” He hedged, “Nix and I are just friends… and until a few months ago… pretty sure she hated me.”
“Jakey, I’ll let you in on a little secret.” You said, taking pity on the man, “Tasha has felt many things for you over the many years of knowing you, but hate has never been one of those feelings.“
“I think I’ll just enjoy the fact that she’s tolerating me and not openly despising me for now.” Jake replied, “It’s nice to know I’ve got you in my corner though, Dove. It means a lot. I’ll let you in on a secret… Bradshaw isn’t known for getting off his perch. He’ll overthink things. He likes you. So you’re gonna need to be a little more obvious with him. Give him direct signals.”
“You’re sweet, Jake.” You replied, “But Bradley is just nice because we’re both friends with Tasha. He’s not interested. Trust me.”
“You should listen to him, Sweet Girl.” Penny said, making her way back to your side of the bar with the beers for Jake to take back over to the group. “This round is on the house, Jake. Happy to have you back at North Island…permanently, Kid.”
“Thank you, Pen.” He smiled, brightly, “It’s good to be back. Dove, invitation still stands… come and join us if you decide to stay. And at least promise to think about what I said.”
“Thanks, Jake.” You replied, smiling warmly, “I really do need to get home, but I’ll promise to think about it if you think about what I said.”
“Deal.” He replied, chuckling, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Dove.”
“See you tomorrow.” You said.
After getting home and making dinner you sent a text to Tasha, deciding to poke the bear a bit.
You: Stopped for a drink on the way home… ran into your favorite Texan. Had a nice chat. Promised him we could all hang out more. 🤠
Tasha: I THOUGHT YOU WERE MY FRIEND?! Why are you subjecting me to forced time with Bagman OUTSIDE of work? 😣
You: He’s a sweetheart…and harmless. I thought you were friends now?
Tasha: Sweetheart is a stretch… and I’d say it’s more of a tentative friendship.
You: Sure… Anyway, just wanted to let you know I’d see him.
Tasha: You’re a peach. 🤨 I’ll see you tomorrow…
You: Drive safe. I’ll see you when you get here. 🤟
By the time you got to The Hard Deck the following night you were already running on empty. The day consisted of injuries, pulling small objects from ears and noses, and more infant vaccines. You’d barely had time for lunch so you’d inhaled a burger and fries on your way home from the clinic. Tasha had called and left a message letting you know she was in town and would be heading to the apartment to unload, shower and change before heading to the bar.
When you walked in just past eight, it was already getting busy which didn’t bode well for you having an easy night. You headed straight to the back to drop off your bag and keys before you made your way behind the bar.
“Hey, Sweet Girl.” Penny greeted you, mixing a drink, “Today any better than yesterday?”
“Same.” You replied, “But it’s Friday so I guess that makes it better.”
“There’s the spirit.” She laughed, nodding to the far side of the bar “Incoming, you’re up!”
You turned, to see Tasha and Bradley making their way to the bar.
“It’s about time!” Tasha exclaimed, “I was about to send the search party.”
“I couldn’t exactly come straight from the clinic rocking scrubs, Tash.” You laughed, “I needed to eat and then run home to shower and change.”
“Alright, you’re forgiven.” She said, “I can’t wait to catch up. I’ve missed you!”
“I’ve missed you too.” You replied, then smiled, turning your attention to the other aviator, “Hey Bradley.”
“Hi, Dove,” He replied, returning the smile,his warm gaze meeting your own, “Good to see you again.”
“Good to see you too.” You replied, “What can I get you two?”
“We need a round for the group.” Tasha said, “Bradhsaw’s buying.”
“How’d you get so lucky?” You asked, playfully, “And the usuals?”
“Lost a bet to Hangman.” Bradley chuckled, “You remember all your customer’s drink orders?”
“Nope.” You replied, smiling, “Just the customer’s I like.”
“And it’s not like our orders are hard, Bradshaw.” Tasha laughed, “With the exception of Bob, who gets a Coke, and Hangman who orders that piss water he calls beer, we all get the same thing.”
“Bradley occasionally throws me a curveball.” You defended, grabbing the beers first from the cooler below the bar, “I’ve had to pour a few glasses of the hard stuff for him.”
“See?” He said, turning to Tasha, “I’m not always predictable.”
“A real daredevil.” She drawled, rolling her eyes. “Hey, Y/N, before I forget, we’re doing a beach day tomorrow. Your attendance is mandatory.”
“What if I already had super amazing high priority plans?” You asked, setting Bob’s Coke on the bar, glaring playfully at Tasha.
“Well do you?” She asked, calling your bluff.
“No, but I could have.” You replied.
“But you don’t so…beach day.” She beamed, grabbing Bob’s Coke and a couple bottles of beer, leaving the rest for Bradley before sauntering off back to the group.
“And you choose to be best friends with her.” Bradley teased, handing you his card.
“You do too, so what does that say about both of us?” You tossed back, taking his card, trying not to visibly react when his hand brushes yours in the process. “Do you want me to start a tab for you?”
“I guess it means we’ve both got great taste in best friends.” He replied, smiling “Yeah, start a tab. Thanks, Dove.”
“No problem, Bradley.” You replied, “Try not to lose any more bets to Jake. Might get expensive.”
“Would be worth it.” He replied, winking at you. With a final smile that threatened to stop your heart, he grabbed the remaining beers and headed off in the same direction Tasha had gone.
The bar got busier as the night wore on, sadly, there weren’t many opportunities to talk to the squad as they came up to get drinks. Several drinks in, Bradley had made his way to the piano and entertained the bar. You’d missed that when he’d left North Island after the mission. You enjoyed watching him play and sing, as did all of the other women in the bar.
“You’re drooling, Sweet Girl.” Penny teased, reaching over you to grab the container of limes for a drink she was mixing.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” You denied, refocusing on your job. Your face felt like it was on fire at being caught staring at Bradley.
“Uh huh.” She smirked, “Literal heart eyes as well.”
“Just appreciating good music.” You lied, “Oh look! Customers.”
You made a hasty retreat to the other side of the bar, Penny’s laughter following as you went.
By the end of the night you were ready to drop. Penny made the announcement for the last call so you were now busy cashing out people’s tabs. It was a nice reprieve from rushing around grabbing drink orders.
“Dovey, I need to cash out, Darlin’” Jake said, offering a dimpled smile. “You coming to beach day tomorrow?”
“I gotcha, Jakey.” You replied, grabbing his card from the back counter and ringing him out, “Yes, I’ll be there… Tasha decreed it.”
“That tracks.” He laughed, “I saw you and Bradshaw talkin’ earlier… he came back grinning like an idiot. I think there may have actually been hearts in his eyes.”
“Oh my GOD” You groaned, “Have you been talking to Penny?”
“No?” He replied, sounding confused.
“Both of you are ridiculous.” You sighed, shaking your head, handing him back his card, “I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe take your own advice.”
“I’m sorry, Dove.” He said, concern in his eyes, “I didn’t mean to make you mad. I was just teasing. I’ll stop if it bothers you.”
You instantly felt bad at the kicked puppy look in his eyes. “No, I’m sorry.” You sighed, “I’m just really tired and getting crabby. I shouldn’t have snapped on you.”
“It’s my fault.” He insisted, “No worries. I really don’t want to upset you, Dove. I love being your friend.”
“I love being your friend too, Jake.” You said, giving him a small smile, “We’re good. I promise.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow, Dovey.” He said, his smile not quite as bright and his eyes still sad. Now you felt like a complete ass. You made a mental note to make it up to him tomorrow.
“Night, Jakey.” You replied.
You started wiping down the bar, maybe with a little more force than was really needed.
“Do I need to go kick his ass?” Bradley asked, stepping up to the bar, “We just to a point of friendship, but I’ll lay him out if he said or did something to cause you to take the finish off of Penny’s bartop.”
Pausing your overzealous cleaning of the bar, you glanced up seeing gleam in Bradley’s eyes and soft smile on his face. You almost believed he would indeed go lay Jake out on your behalf if there was just cause.
“Actually, I’m the asshole in that interaction.” You admitted, sheepishly, dropping the rag down into the sink behind the bar and wiping your hands off, “No need to hurt Jake or ruin your new friendship.”
“Dove, even on your worst day, you wouldn’t be able to convince me you could be an asshole.” Bradley replied, “I’d bet that whatever you said to him, he had coming.”
“And that is how you end up buying rounds, Sweetheart.” You teased, feeling a little better, “Ready to close out?”
“Yeah,” He chuckled, shaking his head, “Close me out… unless you wanna let me buy you a drink first.”
“Bar’s already closed, Handsome.” You smirked, deciding to test out Jake’s theory. Least you could do after snapping at the poor man.
“Maybe another time then.” He suggested, flashing a smile, but not giving much away as to if he was just being friendly or if he was interested in something beyond that.
“Sure. Word on the street is y'all are sticking around for a while.” You smiled, turning to ring him out and give yourself time to school your features and calm your racing heart.
“That’s what we’re being told.” He replied, “Nice change of pace. Definitely looking forward to being in San Diego.”
“As a former East Coaster, I can attest to it being much better out here.” You said, turning to hand him his card and slip to sign. “Beaches are better too.”
“Good thing you like them with Tash ordering mandatory beach days.” He smirked, signing the slip and handing it back, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Beautiful.”
Before you were able to reboot your brain and find your words, he’d slipped from the barstool and was making his way out of the bar.
“Beach day suddenly sounds a lot better now, doesn’t it?” Tasha teased, coming over to the bar. She was the last person left in the place. She started stacking the stools up on the bar for you while you gathered all of the slips and cashed out tips. As always the squad had tipped you over the top, despite you constantly telling them not to the last time they were all here. Bradley had left a note on his slip for a raincheck on the drink, along with a winky face. You laughed softly when you saw it, snapping a picture of it with your phone before putting all of the receipts into the register.
“I’ve got the rest.” Penny said, carrying in a crate of clean glasses to restock the bar, “Head on out. You’ve had a long day, Sweet Girl.”
“Are you sure?” You asked, “I don’t mind.”
“I’m sure.” She smiled, “I’ll be here doing inventory tomorrow if you all need drinks during your beach day. I think Pete will be around too.”
“Perfect!” Tasha said, “Thanks, Pen!”
The next morning you were making an iced coffee when Tasha came out to the kitchen. She made her way to the Keurig and made herself a cup of coffee, sitting at the island with you.
“What time do we need to be at the beach?” You asked her, adding the cold foam to your glass.
“Everyone is meeting around 10:30 on the beach behind The Hard Deck.” She replied, “We need to go to the store first though for drinks and food.”
“Is it a free for all?” You asked, “Everyone bringing whatever they want?”
“Pretty much.” Tasha laughed, “I think Payback is bringing a beach grill so we can grab stuff to throw on that.”
“Ok then.” You replied, “Well, I’m gonna go get ready then and pack a beach bag. I’ve got plenty of sunscreen and towels and all that stuff so don’t worry about that.”
“Sounds good!” She said, “I’ll text the group to make sure everyone is up and put some sort of plan in place for who brings what.”
By the time you both finished getting ready and went to the grocery store, you were pulling into the parking lot to The Hard Deck at 10:45. Only fifteen minutes behind the time Tasha had told everyone to be there.
Jake and Javy pulled in behind you and parked, so at least you weren’t the last ones there.
“Hey, y’all need help carrying stuff down to the beach?” Javy offered, hopping out of the passenger seat of Jake’s truck. “Hi Dove!”
“Hi, Javy.” You replied, smiling, “We could probably use a hand with the food and drinks.”
“Morning, Dovey.” Jake said, coming around and grabbing a bag from the trunk of your car, “Need me to carry anything else?”
“Morning, Jakey.” You smiled, “We’re good. I found that guacamole dip and the chips you like at the store so I grabbed them for you. I remembered you said they don’t have them up in Lemoore. Thought you might be missing them.”
He looked up at you, with surprise written on his face, then a smile spread across his face and lit up his green eyes, “Wow… that was a throwaway comment months ago, Dovey.” He said, “You remembered that? Thank you… that’s… you didn’t have to do that.”
“Of course I remembered,” You shrugged, starting to walk towards the beach,“We’re friends. I remember what snacks my friends like. And I was an asshole last night, so this is me saying ‘I’m sorry.’”
“You weren’t an asshole, Dove.” He assured you, “No apologies needed at all.”
“Still friends?” You asked, as you reached the sand.
“Dovey, of course we are.” He replied, setting the stuff down and engulfing you into an exaggerated bear hug, spinning you around.
“Oh my god, Jakey! “ You squealed, “Put me down!”
“Thank you again for the snacks, Dovey.” He replied, setting you down.
“You’re welcome.” You laughed, picking up your stuff again and heading to where Tasha was setting up.
“Gonna fill me in on what I clearly missed?” She asked as you spread your blanket out on the sand.
“It’s nothing.” You said, “Jake was trying to be helpful and was teasing me last night and I snapped at him like a jerk so that was just me making it up to him.”
“Ok… but helpful how?” She pushed, “What was he teasing you about?”
“Playing matchmaker.” You sighed, “And was teasing me about Bradley having heart eyes after he came back from getting drinks… after Penny had accused me earlier of the same thing watching him play the piano. I just… wasn’t in the mood I guess.”
“Wow, for once, Jake is spot on.” Tasha said, pulling off her shirt and dropping it on the blanket before grabbing the sunscreen and applying it. “It was sweet that you got him his favorite chips and dip. I’m starting to realize that there might be a squishy interior to the cocky obnoxious exterior.”
“You should pay closer attention.” You smiled, “His squishy interior is quite endearing. He’s got a big heart…and I don’t think he’s used to people really giving a damn. He tries hard to hide it but he absolutely loves this squadron…”
“I’ll take it under advisement.” She said, stubbornly. “I’m gonna grab a drink from the cooler, do you want one?”
“Just a bottle of water for now.” You said, pulling your own shirt off, “Too early to start day drinking.”
You sat down on the blanket and started putting on sunscreen. Everyone was getting teamed up to play a round of dogfight football. You smiled, shaking your head at the heated debates on who should be on which team.
“Morning, Beautiful.” Bradley said, crouching down by you. He’d already shed his shirt and was shockingly wearing an actual pair of swim shorts rather than the cut off jean shorts he’d sported the last time you’d witnessed him on the beach. They were a bright Hawaiian print…which also was not shocking. The man still looked better than he had any right to look with chiseled abs, his big muscles, paired with the irresistible smile and eyes you can get lost in. It was a lethal combination. It also didn’t help that he was an absolute sweetheart on top of it all.
“Morning, Bradley.” You replied, smiling at him, before teasing “No jorts this time, huh?”
“Wow.” He laughed, “In my defense, last time I was recalled from the middle of a deployment… on a carrier. Didn’t think to grab swimwear. Beach day was a last minute change of training plans… had to improvise.”
“Wasn’t knockin’ them.” You smirked, “They were kinda hot.”
“I’ll make sure to keep that in mind for the next beach day then.” He replied, chuckling. “Need me to get your back?”
“Sure.” You said, handing him the bottle of sunscreen. You turned around so you were facing away from him.
He gently brushed your hair to the side before warming up the lotion in his palms then starting to rub it into your shoulders and back. You felt shockwaves of electricity shoot through you at his touch, butterflies erupting in your belly, making you have to focus to sit still.
Glancing up, you made eye contact with Jake from where he was settling teams with Javy. He smirked, knowingly and continued his debate. You knew you would not hear the end of that from him.
“There you go, Dove.” Bradley said, his hand lingering for a moment before pulling away, “Safe from the sun…for now.”
“Thank you.” You said, turning back around. You picked up the bottle and tipped it towards him, “You should make sure you’re covered too. I can’t imagine those flightsuits will feel very good on sunburns.”
“You’re probably right.” He agreed, accepting the bottle.
He started to slather the lotion on his chest, abs and shoulders. You forced yourself to dig through your bag under the guise of looking for a hair tie.
“Sorry that took so long.” Tasha said returning with the drinks, handing you a bottle of water, “Was hashing out teams for the game. Unfortunately, Bagman stole you before I could snag you, Dove.”
“How did I get roped into this?” You asked, your eyes growing wide, “I am just here for a nice relaxing beach day.”
“And you’ll get that…” Tasha promised, “After Bradley and I wipe the sand with Jake and Javy’s team.”
“That I am apparently on.” You reminded her, glaring at her.
“Don’t worry, Dove.” Bradley said, winking, “I’ll guard you. We’ll let Tasha take on Jake.”
“He also managed to steal my backseater in the negotiations, so I might just guard him.” Tasha said, “Hurry up though, game’s about to start.”
“Need me to get your back for you?” You offered, keeping eye contact as you took a sip of your water.
“If you don’t mind.” He replied, smiling, handing the bottle of lotion back to you.
“Turn around, Handsome.” You told him, causing him to chuckle before turning towards the water and resting on his knees on the blanket.
You made sure to warm the lotion in your hands as he had done, although the temptation was there to tease him and just pour the lotion straight on to his skin. You started at his shoulders and worked the lotion into his skin, moving over the expanse of his back, until you reached his lower back. You could feel his muscles rippling along his back as your hands moved over him, making you have to bite back a groan.
“All set” You told him, once you were satisfied that you’d gotten the lotion evenly on his back, “You’ll have to reapply later, especially if you end up going into the water.”
“Thanks, Dove.” He replied, his voice a little raspy.
Tasha and Jake yelled over for you both to get a move on, making you laugh.
“Guess there’s no way outta this.” You sighed, “So much for relaxing on my day off and soaking up the vitamin D.”
“It won’t take too long.” He promised, standing up then reaching his hand down, offering to pull you up. You slipped your hand into his and he pulled you to your feet.
You had to admit the game, as chaotic as it was, was actually a lot of fun. The squad was a very competitive bunch, which you expected, having observed them plenty at The Hard Deck. Having Bradley blocking or guarding you was highly enjoyable as well…it was also distracting.
“Alright, Dove,” Jake said, “We’re using our secret weapon on this next play…you.”
“ME?” You squeaked, “You remember that before today, I have zero experience with this game, correct?”
“You don’t need experience with the game, Dove,” Javy laughed, “We’re using you against Bradshaw.”
“Gonna need you to be all cute and flirty with him and distract him while we run the ball right on past him.” Jake explained.
“What makes you think that will even work?” You asked.
In response you just got 4 sets of eyes staring at you like it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“So once Bradshaw is distracted we’ll get the ball to Bob.” Jake said, “Nobody’ll be expecting it.”
Deciding to lean into it and go for broke, took your spot opposite of Bradley again waiting for the start.
“Having fun, Beautiful?” He asked, smiling, wiping sweat from his face.
“Of course,” You replied, smiling and biting your lip as you obviously checked him out, “I can definitely see the appeal of the game… watching would be fun and all, but playing… you get all up close and personal.” You reached your hand out, running your fingers over his shoulder and down over his biceps before letting them drop away.
You could see him visibly swallow, his pupils dilating. He licked his lips, his eyes now wandering over you, a smirk starting to form on his lips.
He was about to respond when Bob went flying past with the ball, heading to the designated endzone, his eyes snapped back to yours, and you could see instantly that you were in trouble.
“Oops.” You said feigning, innocence. “Guess we missed that play?”
“Oh, you’re in trouble now, Beautiful.” He replied, the gleam in his eyes making them sparkle. Without warning, he lunged forward and scooped you up, all but tossing you over his shoulder as he rushed with you in the direction of the water.
“Wait! NO! Bradley! I’m sorry!” You pleaded, before yelling, “Don’t you dare drop me in that water!”
“Sorry, Dovey.” He laughed, “Sounded like you need to cool off a bit… getting a little overheated.”
You could hear everyone still on shore cheering and laughing as they watched the scene unfold. Once Bradley got waist deep, he dropped you into the cold water.
You came up outta the water once you got your footing, wiping the salt water from your eyes and glaring at Bradley who was laughing, practically doubled over. Seeing your opportunity for revenge you grabbed him, tugging, catching him off guard and pulling him forwards off balance into the water. In the process, you were also dunked again, but worth it.
You both came up laughing, regaining your footing on the floor of the ocean to stand up. Bradley settled his arm around you, steadying you so you wouldn’t get knocked over by the waves.
“Truce?” He asked, gazing down into your eyes smiling. With his hair wet, the once controlled waves were now more pronounced, hanging down over his forehead. You had to force the urge down to run your fingers through them.
“Truce.” You agreed, with what felt like a permanent smile plastered to your face.
“I have a confession to make.” He said, stepping closer and moving his other hand up to rest on your hip.
“What’s the confession?” You asked, bringing your hands up to rest on his biceps.
“I’ve been absolutely crazy about you since I met you.” He replied, his voice dropping, “I didn’t want to start anything just to have to leave again…and I wasn’t sure how you felt…didn’t want to make things weird.”
“You’re here to stay now…” You said, smiling, excitement fluttering in your belly. You slid your hands up to his shoulders around his neck. He inched closer, pulling you into him. “And if you haven’t figured it out… I’m kinda crazy about you too.”
“Can I cash in the rain check?” He asked, his voice dipping lower, raspier than usual, “Let me take you out on a date?”
“The rain check was for a drink.” You teased, smiling up at him.
“How about we start with a drink and then I take you on a date.” He compromised, chuckling.
“You got yourself a deal, Handsome.” You replied.
“Are you free tonight?” He asked, “I think we’ve waited long enough.”
“I am.” You said, giggling. “I’m going to have to listen to a lot of ‘I told you so’s.’”
“What do you mean?” He asked, smiling.
“Jake, Penny and Tasha have all been trying to convince me that you liked me.” You admitted, ducking your head, feeling heat creep up your neck and into your cheeks…that had nothing to do with the sun beating down on you. “I may or may not have thought they were crazy.”
“Oh, Beautiful.” He replied, “I need to do a better job then of making it much more obvious then.”
He moved one of his hands, up to your chin, tipping your head up so you were looking at him before lowering his head down to gently kiss you, tentatively at first, allowing you the chance to pull away if you want. When you lean into him,arms tightening around him, the hand that had been by your face, moves to your back, pulling you closer. His tongue snakes out, seeking entry, you open immediately, allowing his tongue to lick over yours, the kiss quickly deepening and heating up.
As the two of you continued to kiss, he ran his hands over your back before resting on your hips, your own fingers threading through his hair. Finally, the need for oxygen caused you to have to part. He rested his head against yours again, both of you sucking in oxygen.
“I think it’s pretty clear now.” You whispered, not trusting your voice yet. “Message received.”
“Good.” He answered, his voice deepened from arousal, “But just in case, I plan on doing a whole lot more of that… fair warning.”
“I think I can be ok with that.” You said, smiling.
“Come on,” He said, “Let’s head back to the beach, I promised you a nice relaxing beach day after you played dogfight football.”
“Feel like joining me to soak up some sun on the blanket?” You asked.
“That sounds perfect.” He replied, taking your hand, the two of you walked back towards the shore.
As predicted, you were subjected to knowing looks and some ‘I told you so’s’ once you got back to the shore. Once they got it out of their systems though, they left the two of you alone. Around lunch time when Payback fired up his grill to start cooking you ran into the Hard Deck to use the bathroom and cool off for a moment, and decided to grab a cold drink from behind the bar too. Penny was in the back doing inventory and as promised had left the back unlocked for you all to come in as needed.
Bradley came in as you were grabbing a drink from behind the bar, taking his aviators off as he made his way over.
“Hey, Handsome.” You said, smiling, “Want a drink?”
“I’m supposed to be getting you a drink, Beautiful.” He replied, chuckling, “But sure.”
You grabbed his favorite beer from the cooler and popped the top before walking around the bar and handing it to him. After taking a swig from the bottle he took your hand and led you to the jukebox. He set his drink down on the table next to it. He punched in a number and the machine came to life, the beginning notes of a song starting to play.
“Dance with me?” He asked, smiling as he held out his hand to you. You set your own drink down on the table and slipped your hand into his. He pulled you into him, keeping your fingers laced together, he moved his other arm to hold you, his palm on your lower back. You laid your head against his chest, your other arm around his neck. The two of you danced as “Summer Days” by Martin Garrix played, lost in your own world.
Neither of you saw Penny peek her head out from the back to see who was in the bar, or the knowing smile that graced her lips at the sight of the two of you dancing. Nor did you see Jake and Tasha in the window peering in then turning to high five one another.
The only people in the world that existed in that moment for you and Bradley were each other, and the realization that you’d both finally found in each other, “the one”.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed!
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Hiii!! I have a prompt: The final mission but they don’t shake hands but actually kiss and confess their feelings.
No problem if you don’t want to do it or don’t feel like it or don’t have time for it, will gladly read anything you will write!❤️
Thank you for the prompt! Hope you enjoy. 🤗
Jake pulls off his helmet and presses his head back into the backseat, letting out a relieved laugh. He got there in time. Mav and Rooster — Bradley fucking Bradshaw –are safe, and back on deck in one piece. From where he’s still sitting in his own cockpit, he can see Bradley half hang out of the wrecked F-14. He and Mav are being crowded from all sides by what looks like the entire ship. He takes a deep breath and tries to brace himself for his own climb down the ladders. Jake’s heart hasn’t calmed down since he heard about Rooster’s E-SAT going live, and he needs a moment to get his shit together.
Bradley is alive.
Somehow that’s all that matters.
Their disagreements, the way they had hurt each other in the past, the way they both dug into where it hurt the other the most – it’s all irrelevant now. It’s all something they can work through, Bradley and him. Jake knows it with his whole being: This is the second chance he always ached for.
He isn’t going to let it pass by.
He pushes the button for the canopy and finds the eyes of his best friend down next to his jet. Javy’s the only one standing close, as he looks up at Jake with a wide grin and knowing eyes.
Jake makes his way down, his legs feeling like jelly. Javy pours his arms around him when he steps onto the tarmac. Jake gets embraced in the tightest hug he’s ever gottem, no words needed.
Javy pulls him along to join the celebrating crowd, everyone stepping to the side and opening a path for Jake to make it into the middle where the Daggers are celebrating and yelling to their hearts’ content.
They are all alive.
They somehow all made it back. It’s a miracle.
Bradley’s eyes meet his, and the ecstatic expression on his face transforms into a slow and wonderous smile.
Jake freezes in place and then it’s like they’re the only two people in this place. Everyone else falls into the background, gets tuned out.
Jake sees Bradley swallow, sweat sliding down from his hairline to dampen his flight suit. There are cuts there at his neck and Jake’s heart squeezes, a frown taking over, his fingers tingling with the need to check him over, feel him under his hands, alive and breathing.
Bradley shakes his head a little, drawing Jake’s eyes back up to his own.
He’s looking at Jake like he used to look at Jake.
With utter love. With his whole, entire focus on Jake.
Bradley takes the last couple of steps over to meet him where his feet seem to have grown roots. His hands find Jake’s hips, steadying him.
Their foreheads press close.
“I’m okay, sweetheart,” Bradley soothes him, voice quiet and rough, and Jake lets out a shuddering breath. Hearing the pet name fall from Bradley’s lips so easily makes his chest squeeze tight. He’s missed this, can’t even begin to imagine how he managed without it all these years.
He lifts his arms around Bradley’s shoulders.
It’s natural to lean up and kiss him. Their lips slide together. Jake’s breath is taken away for a moment. It’s like they never stopped doing this, like it’s instinct.
If they had enough sense they wouldn’t be doing this here, where everyone’s eyes are on them.
But that’s something they will deal with later.
For now, Jake threads his fingers into Bradley’s curls, angles his head where he wants it and licks deeper. Bradley lets him take control as they kiss and push into each other.
The crowd erupts around them and it may be about them, it may be something else.
They couldn’t care less at what’s happening around them, taking the time to assure each other of their aliveness. Of them, somehow, being worthy of another chance – both at life, and at the two of them.
Jake and Bradley.
“I love you, you absolute asshole,” Jake breathes against Bradley’s lips, squeezing his eyes shut for a moment at remembering the hour he sat in his jet, believing the love of his life to be dead.
Bradley chuckles fondly, cupping Jake’s cheek and waiting for Jake to open his eyes again. When he does, he finds Bradley looking at him like he’s the most important thing in the world.
How could he be, when Bradley already is?
Jake is brought back down to earth at the thought. He realizes that Bradley’s shaking in his arms. How Jake is shaking, too.
He catches a glimpse of medics nearby and starts to pull back. Back to himself, Jake realizes they need to be checking Bradley over. Make sure that Bradley really is okay.
Bradley doesn’t let him get far though. Not before he presses the best words Jake’s heard in a decade against Jake’s lips. “I love you more.”
Jake shakes his head, smiling, eyes tearing up. “Shut up,” he says, sounding fond and exhausted. “You’re never gonna win that argument, Bradshaw.”
Brasley’s expression turns serious. “I’m going to try, Jake. Every day from now on.”
The words punch Jake square in the chest. He nods his okay and leans up for another kiss before he finally lets the medics do their job.
I think Bradley technically could go to Ice and Mav for dating advice but it’s not all that useful because it’s basically either “I don’t know how I did it, kid” and “I just hated him until I didn’t? And it happened?” So not a lot to work with
So he goes to uncle Slider, and it’s not much better?? Cause Slider’s dating advice is basically a list of what not to do, taken from his time witnessing icemav’s beginning
So Slider’s advice is:
Don’t snap your teeth at them
Don’t insult them
Don’t stare at them from across the room with a weird smirk on your face, everyone can see you and you look ridiculous
DON’T snap your teeth at them please
Don’t play any sport shirtless against each other, it gets weird for everyone
Don’t eye fuck each other in the locker room, it also gets weird for everyone
DON’T FUCKING SNAP YOUR TEETH AT THEM
The only thing Bradley retains from all that is to not snap his teeth at them… no hope for the rest… hangster is just icemav with less teeth snapping



