Red Writing Hood

Fjshbones on Ao3

[redwritinghood]

Snapchat came for me the other day letting me know that it's been over a year since I last updated the Enemy of my Enemy.

I've been considering hiring an editor/beta reader. And yes I do mean hire as in if we vibe we can work out payment.

I am dyslexic so 80% of my writing time goes towards editing and I usually have to try and circumnavigate a headache.

If anyone is interested, or know anyone who might be interested, send me a message.

The only prerequisites I would require is having read captive prince and some writing experience. I will probably ask for some writing examples.

Preferred, but not necessary, prerequisites would be familiarity with my style and a writing level close to mine.

[redwritinghood]

[redwritinghood]

Fic related Ancel and Laurent wips

[capriprompts]

I actually love that one idea so I'm prompting it: smutty if one wants, but Ancel helping dress Laurent as a pet for one of Laurent's disguises. It could be canon compliant post-KR or canon divergent where mayve Laurent does take Ancel because he likes his energy and their chemistry could be more than either expected and Ancel could top the second prince of Vere while both are dressed as pets

❤

[redwritinghood]

I sort of did this...

[redwritinghood]

I have a question, I haven't read The Song of Achilles, but was under the impression that it was a blatant love story. Today though, I had it recommended to me by someone, whom I thought, would not read anything "gay". So is it actually possible to misinterpret the relationship as friendship?

[redwritinghood]

I'm one of those people who headcanon that Nikandros is attractive.

[redwritinghood]

20 Fic Tag Meme

I was tagged by @shae-la-hyene

Rules: List the first lines of your last 20 stories (if you have less than 20, just list them all!). See if there are any patterns. Choose your favourite opening line. Then tag 10 of your favorite authors!

I tag @dancyon (if they haven’t done this  already)

I don't have anywhere near 20 stories so I'm going to add the first paragraph for padding.

The Enemy of My Enemy: (currently the only one published)

Laurent held up the fake ID that said he was 22, and that he was a few inches taller than his actual height. The bouncer didn’t even look at the piece of plastic. Laurent’s face could have gotten him into the club despite being 4 years younger than the ID said. The velvet rope was unclipped, and he waded into the noise and bodies.

Untamed Pet: (Title subject to change)

Vere had received prime Akielon slaves and as a return, Akielos was receiving this. The line of Veretian pets fidgeted and glanced around uneasily. They may have once been from the court of Arles but after weeks of walking to cross the nation’s border, they were travel-worn, burdened with the now ragged clothing, heavy jewelry, and smudged makeup. As they were, there was no comparison to the properly trained and well-behaved Akielon slaves. The gift was supposedly a gesture of goodwill from the former Veretian Regent, now King, and his alliance with Kastor, Akielos' new King. Only a few stood out, but most notable was the blond on the end trying to escape notice.

Apricots:

An apricot rested in the middle of his desk. Laurent set his satchel down and eyed the invasive fruit. Everything in his workspace was meticulously placed, and exactly how he had left it. Except for the fruit on his drafting table. He glanced around looking for a hint that someone nearby had left the apricot, or if anyone else also had fruits in their workspace. Nothing else seemed amiss as his coworkers settled in around him.

"One of the hot engineers left it," an intern said in passing.

Postdiluvian: (My story with my OC's)

The fortune-teller had said three things: “Don’t tell anyone what you can do, change your name, and this is how you’ll die.”

De omnibus dubitandum est was on the ground where it had landed badly after being knocked from his hands. The book’s spine was cracked and pages face down in the dirt.

“Soren,” he said, “My name is Soren.”

There aren't a lot of noticeable similarities. In two instances I don't make it clear who the narrator is. I try to start with some action or something interesting. In three cases I identify an important object like a fake ID, apricot, and a book. I guess Veretian pets might count as an important object.

I'm not particularly fond of any of them. Openings are difficult for me.

[dancyon]

Capri Recs

Since I have read every single fic in the fandom, I decided to make a rec list with some of the fics that have impacted me the most. 

This process was brutal, i legit cried as I tried to narrow it down to ONLY 10 fics for every section, because there’s so many fics that I just adore, but the rules I set for myself said that it was only 10 fics for every section, so that’s what I did. 

Completed

>50k

Étude by xlydiadeetz (The grieving process and coming to terms with life)

The Oath by LaLaCat1 (Laurent throws himself between Auguste and Damen at Marlas, and the future changes)

The Veretian Flytrap by Just_Another_Day (omegaverse extra long fic set in canon :))) )

Right Now, You’re Smitten by idratherhaveyou (fake dating, one of my fave ever)

Follow the Heartlines by fakexpearls (Damen loses his memory after canon)

Touch You by SteeleStingray (Damen is hired to be Laurent’s bodyguard)

Artes Academy by onekingdomonce (high school au)

Beyond The End of the Stars by Becky_J_1022 (Canon divergence book 2)

Capture Every Minute by orphan_account (Deaf Damen set in canon time)

Astray by liesmyth (The fic where they sleep together all throughout book 2)

20k-50k

The Heir by shinchiisanakyojin (They find a baby and get an heir :)) Kid Fic)

Hey, Look Up by Ruby_Wednesday (Nicaise is alive, idk what y’all are on about)

Anything For You by DisraeliGears (Damen just wants Nik and Laurent to be friends)

Weighed and Measured by Kittendiamore (The cave fic where Laurent gets another chance with Auguste)

Summer Fruit by Kirianna_May (Omegaverse post canon, i would die for this fic)

an ocean full of change by tumsa (The social media au where they’re actors)

On a bed of white flowers by sunshiner (Laurent’s pov)

A Kansas City Shuffle by niniblack (Con artist Laurent, agent Damen)

Blood, Bones, Voice, Ghost by sunsmasher (Damen is poisoned after canon)

Ice Kings by Iggysassou (Ice skating au :)))) )

10k-20k

The Fate of the Unnamed Pet by floss (What it says on the tin)

Alone, Without Friends by NoBaggage (The time between end of kr and beginning of summer palace)

and living well by uptillthree (Nicaise is alive, idk what y’all are on about)

well I rose, and I rose by liesmyth (Theomedes is alive and unimpressed)

the Aftermath is Secondary by vicariously kingly (pelted) (The one where they have wings)

Mother, Make Me by Kittendiamore (Hennike runs away with Laurent)

A Beast Of A Burden by Kittendiamore, moridad (Laurent declares war on Akielos the moment he becomes King)

Alpha Nicaise AU by Behind_The_Hood (What it says on the tin :))) )

You spin my head (right round) by boybeaulieu (Step Up au that gives me life)

Song of Us by Winmance (Musicians au, Laurent is a faceless YouTube singer)

5k-10k

For Better, for Worse by itallends (No one believes Laurent when he says he’s married)

Breath of Life by Kittendiamore (Groundhog Day au of canon)

shivering gold by onekingdomonce (Laurent plays a pet again like in book 2)

Breaking News by mfingenius (Modern AU, Auguste takes custody of Laurent)

ask to be unbroken by marrieddorks (Modern au post breakup and finding each other again)

Lonely Boys, Sons of Men by narie (Laurent’s conversation with the regent before the trial)

a thing of cream and stars by laurxnts (soft summer palace fic)

run all the lights by Fahye (fast cars :)))) )

The Last Hunt by timelymeanwhile (15yo Laurent)

Kingdom Come by nuttinonice (Sex is complicated for Laurent)

  2k-5k

From Eden by Kittendiamore (Laurent’s isn’t doing anything with his life until Damen comes along with a gun and fun)

Business and Pleasure by VeretianStarburst (Laurent in a skirt)

Sweet Comic Valentine by covertius (Damen takes his stepmom out and Laurent  misunderstands)

Pets and Princes by mfingenius (Damen mistakes Laurent for Auguste’s pet)

Bloom by Calenderyear (Herode’s pov of Laurent post KR)

Softly, Gently by deripmaver (Omegaverse au post canon)

and we could dive in blind by sunshiner (Fraternity rivalry au)

As I Am Now by shadowsapiens (Omegaverse au in canon time)

Again by thorvaenn (Time Travel au, Laurent goes back to book 1)

What I’ve Tasted Of Desire by Holly_Golightly (Halvik’s pov in book 2)

  <2k

in the impetus of its fire by Jinxed_Ink (Hennike’s life)

First Impressions by IAmANonnieMouse (Nik’s pov of Laurent)

and your enemies closer by girlguidejones (Nik keeps Laurent company)

and kiss your fingers forevermore by uptillthree (Laurent and Damen talk)

Choices by tokaku (Three people and the fall of the regent)

tooth for an eye by Creberrime (On Damen’s scars)

By Any Other Name by Jinxed_Ink (Soulmate au)

Commit to memory by EmergencyBroadcastSystem (Damen with memory issues since childhood)

i’d take every blow without armor by uptillthree (Laurent’s trial after the execution of the regent in an Auguste lives au)

Wash the Echoes Out by Just_Another_Day (Laurent has a praise kink)

      WIP

Sunblind by Folfar (Auguste comes back to life post canon)

there are things unbearable by vannes (nurse Laurent and fbi Damen)

gold switch blade by onekingdomonce (Auguste lives and Laurent has a spy network)

The Enemy of My Enemy by fjshbones (Mafia au)

Too Fondly to be Fearful by Jinxed_Ink (Witch Laurent)

In the Absence of a King by itallends (Fake Dating au)

The Mannequin Gallery by marrieddorks (Model Laurent)

Tempered by Comatosejoy (Thief Laurent and Prince Damen)

Proof by A_Beautiful_Irony (Canon divergence book 2, Damen is trying his best to keep Laurent safe, and viceversa) 

a good heart is the sun and moon by fairy___milly (Assassin Laurent, Auguste lives au)

[redwritinghood]

Tagged by @dancyon :)

name: ;)

nickname(s): I usually use a variation of fjsh (like fjshbones) as an online identifier. So either fjsh of J

starsign:  taurus

gender: female

height: 5′5″

sexual orientation: pan but also a bit ace/aro

color: I like pinks from blush to mauves and wines, but also all shades of blues and greens including mixes of aquamarine. Also violets and lilacs.

current time: 4:02am

current location: The microlab (I work nights)

average hours of sleep: 6-7

lucky number(s): 23, 750

last thing I googled: “What is a gaylord”

number of blankets I sleep with: 5. It’s winter and I don’t have central heating. My bed is cold.

favorite fictional characters: Laurent. Not to say the other capri characters aren’t precious, but I never identified strongly with a fictional character until Laurent. It was so oddly refreshing and simultaneously intrusive to have his actions and dialogues match what I would have done or said. There are also parallels in background and upbringing.

Honorable mentions go to: Richard Campbell Gansey III, Mello, Helga Pataki, Yuri Plisetsky, Anita Blake (before that series went to shit), Sanji, Molly the dog, Calcifer, all the Haikyuu characters, Barbara Gordon, and Lestat. (I like a lot of emotionally constipated blonds)

favorite musical artist(s): I have several playlists of songs I love but couldn’t tell you who the artist is. This is one of my current favorites: Achilles Come Down. But I like just about anything Jack White/Allison Mosshart, Mars Argo, Florence + the Machine, Jenny Owen Youngs, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Hobosexual, Cage the Elephant, Nirvana, Temposhark, Hozier, and the OG albums from Nico Vega and Arctic Monkeys

dream job: Marine Biologist and Writer/Novelist

random fact: I’m (slowly) working on getting my pilot’s license. I’m also dyslexic and I hate editing. 

do you have any other blogs?: There is an old personal tumblr I abandoned years ago

when did your blog reach its peak?: A few weeks ago one of the big Capri blogs reblogged an artwork piece or something and I had nearly 100 notifications two days in a row.

what made you decide to get tumblr?: It was recommended by someone, but I’ve also produced fanart and fics that I wanted to share. I was also curious what the community was like.

why did you choose your url?: Well I’m a soulless ginger who likes to write and only finds puns acceptable when I use them

I’m supposed to tag people but I still haven’t done a good job at interacting with tumblr people. @topoftheklopps​ seems pretty cool though.

[redwritinghood]

Ah thats disappointing! I never see any interesting interpretations about damen in fanon for pre canon when he lives and breathes to be the akielon ideal. I dont think punishing or "taming" would be beyond him esp if he was pressured into it because submission is idolized and having an unruly slave would be such a bad reflection. It would be so cool to see him go from like unsure to being really into it and giving in. He'd justify it so blindly and that fits pacat's biased pov and explores a side of damen that we only see in flashes... usually when he's emotional. So if theomedes was sick? And laurent was sus? But mostly kastor must have been hella manipulative with d precanon and i think he'd enjoy manipulating damen into something less than perfect and we never see it in fanon. Its always so predictable.

No, you’re good. 

You made some interesting points. I actually sat and thought about this for a good 20 minutes.  If you don’t mind coming off anon to chat with me I could possibly be persuaded. Having Damen as the partner instead of the other character I was going to use solves some problems but also creates new ones.

[redwritinghood]

Oooo cp erotica sounds so good! Is it Damen/Laurent? Please say yes!

Sooo it’s kind of a ‘what if it all went wrong’ scenario with some darker themes and I don’t think I could do that with too pure too good cinnamon roll Damen

[redwritinghood]

Last Line Game

I was tagged by @dancyon

I wanted to get to this sooner because I had a pretty good idea what the last thing I had written was. For the sake of honesty though I didn’t finish the thought and did edit slightly...

The gold manacles restrained sleek arms above the blond head, a pose that deepened the arch in the lower back, accentuating the narrow waist and perky curve of ass that still glowed a warm red from the recent retribution.

So not the way I was going to announce this (although this is fun too) but I am working on a CP erotica. There will be some art eventually.

I tag @shae-la-hyene and if @dancyon wants to do this again. I need to interact with more tumblr people. Um anyone want to be friends?

[redwritinghood]

Lamen laundry day

More fic related art

[redwritinghood]

I have a monstrous case of writers block. I drew some of my fic related Lamens to maybe gain some creativity back.

Laurent has been growing his hair out so he doesn’t look like his wanted posters and Damen is past due for a haircut but he’s supposed to be dead.

[redwritinghood]

Omg first of all you wrote enemy of my enemy??? I loved it so much omggg!!! Second of all, if you're still taking prompts i would love an au where marlas didnt happen and damen is officially courting laurent so they always need chaperons but they always escape them to be alone and aleron and theomedes are NOT happy about this

Technically still writing The Enemy of My Enemy but thank you, always enjoy being appreciated :)

Writing this with that “shy bookish boy” in mind where Laurent has wonderfully not had to face the book tragedies.

Damen saw the large willow tree that matched the description he’d been given and swung off the horse to land in knee high grass next to the river bank. He dropped the reins, allowing the horse to freely graze. Inside the natural tent of the willow branches was a private space. The shade was a relief, but the summer day was still too hot to be fully clothed. Fumbling with the excessive lacing, Damen loosened the sweat dampened shirt. The servant assigned to help him dress had been scandalized when Damen rejected the undershirt. One was already excessive. 

Somewhat freed of the oppressive garment he proceeded to remove his boots and collapsed into the grass. It was a relief to be outside of the palace, away from the over-attentive servants and curious nobility. Arles felt stuffy and confining, unlike Ios that was open to the outside with balconies and outdoor walkways. This excursion to the outdoors was needed almost more than Damen had realized. 

A patch of wildflowers mingled in the grass next to him and he collected a handful to begin weaving the stems together. This part of the river was more sedated than the frothing white rapids where Damen had accidentally rescued the crown prince of Vere. 

It had been several years but was still something Damen frequently thought on, back when the war between Vere and Akielos had seemed inevitable. While on a scouting trip, a fierce storm had arisen, separating Damen and Nikandros from the rest of their party and driven them into the forest for shelter. Somewhere during the midst of the violent tempest they unknowingly crossed the border into Vere. In the aftermath, they emerged on the Northern side, stumbling upon a raider camp next to the river. Realizing they had followed the river in the wrong direction the intent was to turn around without altercation but Damen had seen the raider’s blond prisoner.

Nikandros had protested vehemently but ultimately followed Damen on his rescue mission. They had the advantage of surprise but were greatly outnumbered. The fight could have gone badly, but once the blond prisoner was released and obtained a weapon the fight quickly shifted in their favor. 

Once the battle was won, the prisoner revealed himself as Prince Auguste. Similarly, Damen candidly introduced himself despite Nikandros’ elbow in his ribs.

There was a moment of uncertainty as they faced each other with swords still drawn. Then, surprisingly, Auguste laughed and sheathed the weapon. The two sanguine princes recognized each other as kindred spirits and agreed that this was an opportunity. Auguste wanted to introduce Damen to King Aleron, perhaps forging the beginnings of an alliance or to at least assuage the impending war. The royal family was in Marlas and only half a day's ride away. Nikandros continued to speak his objections but followed Damen, preferring to die with him than because of him.

Once hearing of the rescue and how close he had been to losing Auguste, King Aleron accepted Damen almost too graciously. Eager to offer him a reward for saving his eldest son. 

“I would offer you Auguste’s hand if he weren’t already betrothed and needed to continue the line,” Aleron said.

“I don’t need a reward,” Damen said uncomfortably. It wasn’t his reason for meeting the king and Auguste was perhaps equally surprised how well the enemy Akielon prince had been received. 

“I have a younger son,” Aleron said.

“Father.” Auguste objected, obviously disagreeing with this idea. 

Damen’s side was going to be bruised from Nikandros’ elbow. This time he agreed with him and was looking for a polite way to escape.

“That’s really alright—” Damen began.

“Someone fetch Laurent,” Aleron ordered, and servants hurried to do his bidding.

“You’re bruising me,” Damen whispered. That insistent elbow still poking his side.

“We need to leave before you’re engaged,” Nikandros hissed.

“I’m trying,” Damen said under his breath. It would be impossible to explain the arrangement to his father.

“Ah, here he is,” Aleron gestured when the doors to the court were opened.

Damen turned as he heard Nikandros say, “Oh no.”

Hoofbeats pulled Damen from the recollection. He sat up only to be knocked back down by a body colliding with his. 

“You know,” Damen said when he caught his breath, “your brother thinks I’m the one corrupting his shy little brother.” 

“Auguste still sees me as a child.” Laurent unwrapped his arms from Damen’s neck and pulled back to see his face. “Hi,” he blushed.

“Hi,” Damen smiled.

“May I?” he asked. Damen looked into the blue eyes, so unbearably close, and nodded.

This was his third visit to Arles to see his fiance. Laurent had been barely thirteen when he was suddenly and unwillfully promised to the former enemy. Understandably, he had been unhappy. When Damen returned to Ios, he wrote several letters hoping to learn more about him. It was several months before he received a short response answering questions in a brusque dismissive fashion that impressively relayed little information. Damen suspected Auguste or someone else had forced Laurent to respond. Despite the discouraging reply Damen persisted. 

During the first visit, Laurent had been predictably detached, and Damen spent most of his time with Auguste. But because Laurent was Auguste’s second shadow, they consequently spent time together. He typically opted out of any sport or game that Damen and Auguste would partake in but always stood as witness. Damen hadn’t expected much interaction from Laurent, he was still young, and unfairly betrothed. However, by the end of that stay Laurent was noticeably less callous.  

The next visit Laurent had altered from the suspicious aloofness to a timid interest now trailing Damen, even without Auguste’s presence. With a hesitant eagerness Laurent shared his favorite scrolls, his thoughts on the recent philosophy debates, and introduced Damen to his horse. The shy sincerity was incredibly endearing and Damen suspected there weren’t many people Laurent was comfortable sharing his thoughts with. He loved that Laurent was slowly opening up to him and Damen hoped he did nothing to dissuade him. 

Written communication increased significantly. The letters used to be a burden, something Damen forced himself to do. When Laurent began to open up, the conversation surpassed interesting to exciting. Damen was almost intimidated by the intelligent penpal and his fascinating perspective.

This was the first visit since Laurent had turned eighteen. As if to demonstrate this Laurent had physically matured and it was impossible not to notice. The guard detail had been instructed to be in constant attendance. The two princes were not allowed to be alone together. Because of this, they had not even kissed. The building anticipation had become nearly suffocating. To Damen, even holding hands had become an illicit act. Laurent sliding closer on benches or couches until their knees touched had nearly driven Damen mad. And it was Laurent initiating most contact, exasperating his guards when they had to find a way to respectfully peel the prince off the Akielon visitor. 

This was the moment, and Damen felt it with an ache through his entire body. He slipped a hand into the blond hair, holding the beautiful face. Shyly, Laurent leaned in, eyelashes dipping. Damen pressed forward, carefully, restraining himself against rushing Laurent. Lips met tentatively, just a ticklish brush. It wasn’t enough, but Laurent had drifted back, eyes still closed. 

“Laurent,” Damen whispered, and felt Laurent’s breath against his cheek. He resisted the desire to pull him in and take his mouth. The quiet hesitation evoked one of Damen’s fears that after all of this Laurent wouldn’t find him appealing. Being forced to sit still and endure the silence was torture.

Having Vere’s beloved younger prince in a compromising position above him made Damen equally excited and nervous. The peace between their countries was tentative and they were constantly observed so there was no slight or breach in protocol. What had been an expression of gratitude had turned political and restrictive. Theomedes saw the engagement as another war to be won and constantly warned Damen against any affection. This attitude had bled over into Vere and Aleron had become of a similar mindset. It may have even been his initial mindset when proposing the engagement. Having his offspring rulers of two seperate countries was a good tactical maneuver. Meanwhile, Theomedes searched for candidates that would produce an heir. This hung over Damen’s head, he wanted to tell Laurent, but it was a private matter, not something he wanted to share with the Veretian and Akielon guards. They could be bigger gossips than kitchen maids. 

That thought was silenced when Laurent’s eyes opened, the blue so bright it was almost startling, then miraculously, he smiled and Damen stopped breathing.

“Again?” Laurent asked. It took Damen a moment to realize he was asking for another kiss. 

“You want to?”

“Yes,” he breathed. 

Damen’s heart sang as he grinned, “You don’t have to ask with me.”

In response, Laurent’s arms slid around his neck and this kiss was the one Damen had needed. Deeper and longer. Laurent opened his mouth, hands sliding into Damen’s hair. He moved closer bodies now pressed together. Damen held him, arms around his waist.

“Was that— alright?” Laurent asked once they had separated and he had caught his breath.

Damen held Laurent’s face between his hands, “Yes, it was more than alright.” He kissed Laurent’s forehead, the timid innocence was so endearing he thought his heart would burst.

“You were also— adequate,” Laurent said with a blush.

Damen laughed, “Thanks.”

“I brought my favorite poetry scroll,” Laurent said scrambling up to retrieve the scroll from his horse’s saddlebag. 

While Laurent read lounging in the grass, Damen continued the flower crown and when finished placed it on top of the golden head. The blue and white flowers remained in his hair through another interlude of kissing.

After some persuasion Damen recited Akielon poems and epics in his native tongue. Laurent settled in next to him, head on his shoulder to look up at the sun filtering through the twisted branching. The flowers still in his hair.

“Are they all about war and conquering?” he asked.

“The most popular ones are. Warriors are highly regarded.”

“Were you ever disappointed that our engagement averted a war?”

“No,” Damen said. “I would be nervous to fight Auguste in serious combat, he’s very skilled.”

“I initially comforted myself by realizing that the engagement would essentially end all wars between our countries. And with Auguste as king of Vere I was certain I could manipulate you and mediate some hundred year treaty.”

The confession made Damen laugh, “You wouldn’t have to manipulate me. Whatever archaic dispute that led our elders to war no longer applies to us.”

“Is that a promise?” Laurent asked sitting up to look down at Damen.

“A promise that while we’re alive there will be no war between our countries?” Damen asked.

“Yes.”

“I promise,” he said and was surprised when Laurent dropped down to cup his face and fervently kiss him.

In the thick heat of the summer afternoon, Laurent was persuaded to remove his boots and step into the river.  Damen knew removing his clothes to bathe in the river would be an affliction on the tender Veretian sensibilities. As if to prove this Laurent had turned red when Damen removed his outer garment wearing only pants. Damen frequently caught him staring and would watch him blush and turn away. Not much coaxing was needed to bring Laurent into an embrace and kiss him while they stood waist-deep in the river. The cool pale hands traveled up his biceps to his shoulders almost reverently. 

“Laurent.” Auguste’s voice was a baritone traveling forcefully over the water. They had been discovered. 

Damen pulled on his boots as the brother’s argued. So far Damen had witnessed Laurent win every argument against anyone who dared oppose him, with the exception of Auguste who seemed to be more of a blind spot than a master debater. The two sets of guards were not far behind and with the older brother’s instruction the younger was whisked away.

Damen took his time as he dreaded redressing in the complicated jacket and lacing it by himself.

“I trust our agreement still stands.” Auguste sat next to Damen in the grass while he tried to reassemble his shirt.

“I haven’t fucked your brother.” The agreement to not sleep with Laurent until their wedding night had been easy to make when Laurent was thirteen.

“I don’t blame you for your efforts, I bedded my wife before our consummation. But he’s my little brother, I still feel— protective.”

This confession only further irritated Damen and he briefly imagined shattering the innocent image Auguste held of Laurent. It wasn’t Damen initiating physical contact and arranging secret dates.

“I won’t start anything,” Damen said. It was a little dishonest considering Auguste was blind to his younger brother’s burgeoning sexuality. 

“I appreciate it,” Auguste said, then reached over to help Damen with his laces.

Dinner that evening was uncomfortable. Laurent, with the flower crown still in his hair, was unremorseful and the two brothers had not reconciled. It was clear they had never been at odds before and the court was unsure how to react to the feuding siblings. 

After retiring to his chambers, Damen was settling in for the night when a noise outside his balcony disturbed him. Laurent dropped down out of the night but the more surprising part was how he was dressed.

“Where did— where did you get that?”

“I had it made. Is it accurate?” Laurent did a little twirl to show off the chiton and the fabric lifted revealing even more thigh.

Damen had to sit down, he had never seen more than hands and feet. “Not bad. Did you have the sandals made also?”

“Yes.”

“Why?” Damen asked, he was having trouble breathing. Not only was the flower crown still present on the blond head but the chiton was especially short and the knee-high sandals drew special attention to the bare thighs.

“Isn’t this the fashion in Ios?” Laurent asked. “Am I expected to dress strictly as a Veretian once we’re married?” 

“You’re getting a little ahead of yourself,” Damen said, “We still have over a year.”

“I like to be prepared,” Laurent said and adjusted the white cloth. Damen looked away, there had been the slight glimpse of pink nipple. If he was going to uphold his promise to Auguste he would have to make Laurent leave. But he really didn’t want that, any of their time together was precious.

“What’s wrong?” Laurent asked.

“You can’t be here.” Damen had averted his eyes. “We aren’t supposed to be alone together.”

“That didn’t bother you this afternoon,” Laurent said and stood still observing Damen. “Did I do something?”

“No,” Damen said and reached out. Laurent accepted the offered hand and allowed Damen to pull him down into the seat next to him. The damn chiton was even shorter sitting down. “If we weren’t already engaged I would be on my knee in front of your father asking for your hand.” 

Laurent’s blue eyes hadn’t softened, “Then what is it?”

Damen knew there shouldn’t be any secrets between them, “I made a promise to your brother that I would wait until our wedding night for— you know.”

With an exhale Laurent slid onto Damen’s lap. “My brother has no say or control over my body. If I decide I’m ready now isn’t that my decision?”

“Of course,” Damen nearly choked. His hands came up automatically to hold Laurent’s waist. “Unless you find me unappealing,” Laurent said. 

“No one finds you unappealing,” Damen said and helplessly tugged Laurent closer. 

“I realize now that your hesitation was trying to respect your promise. It’s an honorable trait.” Laurent smoothed a hand into Damen’s hair, the cool palm cupping his face. “However, any further decisions regarding my body are to be made by me.”

“Understood,” Damen grinned. 

“My current decision is to allow you to take me to bed.” The coy smile almost physically hurt.

“Laurent,” Damen groaned. His head dropped onto the bare shoulder. “I want you so badly.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“I don’t want to risk offense. We’re not even supposed to be alone together. I can’t lose you.” Damen spoke against Laurent’s shoulder noticing how goosebumps blossomed across the pale skin.

Laurent was quiet briefly, stroking Damen’s hair, “The engagement was not my decision, but as the younger prince I expected it was my fate to be traded for some political or financial gain. The bids even began before I turned twelve.” Laurent watched Damen’s hair slip between his fingers. “I thought I was prepared, but I didn’t expect to be— happy. I don’t intend to lose you either.” 

Damen’s heart swelled as he lifted his head to look into the beautiful face. “May I?” he asked, smiling.

“You don’t need to ask.” Laurent also smiled as he leaned in. It was still new, each kiss better than the last. This time Laurent took more control, his head above Damen’s and with both hands smoothing through his hair. Boldly Damen traced a hand up the bare thigh feeling Laurent’s reaction with his body so close. 

“What is this?” Damen asked when his fingers ran into a slice of unknown fabric.

“I didn’t know what was typically worn beneath these so I fashioned something myself.” Laurent lifted the skirt revealing cloth crudely made to fit between his legs and around his hips. “Why are you laughing?”

Any other time Laurent’s unconscious reveal of so much flesh would have almost stopped Damen’s heart but the strange little modest piece of clothing was so ridiculous and unexpected

“There’s nothing worn beneath them?” Laurent asked, more fascinated than scandalized. 

“No,” Damen said, he had barely managed to explain through the laughter.

“It must be very warm there.”

“Compared to here, yes. I can’t wait to show you,” Damen said using his mouth to find the pulse point in Laurent’s neck. The soft sigh reminded him where they had been going before Laurent’s reveal. The kissing continued softly, Laurent tenderly exploring the act with lips and tongue. He pressed closer, their bodies together. Damen detoured to the slender neck, recalling that initial reaction with that soft sound. He wasn’t disappointed, the reaction was innocent and genuine. The quiet moan of pleasure would have brought Damen to his knees. Unconsciously, Laurent’s head tipped back allowing Damen more access. His hands traveled beneath the chiton he held Laurent at the natural dip in his waist, the skin warm. This startled him and he flinched before exhaling with a nervous laugh. 

“I suppose that is one advantage to wearing so little clothing.”

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Damen asked.

“Yes, I’ve just never— it’s my first time.”

“I’m a little more experienced than that,” Damen said, his thumbs stroking the smooth skin of his stomach.

“Yes, that is apparent,” Laurent said, his face had warmed slightly, responding to Damen’s touch. 

“Really?” Damen asked, pleased. Laurent made a sound of affirmation before resuming the kiss. He unthinkingly reacted to the caress against his abdomen with a movement of his hips that ground against Damen. He was going to flip Laurent onto his back and escalate the encounter when the door to his chambers opened. 

Damen was frustrated and horrified to find not only the prince’s guards invading his quarters but also Auguste and King Aleron. Laurent stood up with a sigh straightening the chiton with no self-consciousness or embarrassment. The blue eyes lifted towards the invaders, prepared for battle. He couldn’t have been more intimidating with a sword in hand.

“What are you wearing?” Aleron asked, looking over the exposed limbs of his son with disgust.

“Do you like it?” Laurent repeated his little twirl to show off the garment. 

“This is not a game, Laurent,” Aleron said. “You have deliberately disobeyed me.”

“You have implemented nonsensical rules for only me,” Laurent stated.

“They’re to protect you,” Auguste stated.

“Protect me from what?” Laurent asked, turning his icy gaze towards his older brother. 

Auguste glanced uncertainly at Damen where he stood off to the side. “Protect your innocence,” he said.

“No,” Laurent said, “The only thing you’ve been protecting is your idea of me. For years I’ve endured visiting dignitaries whisper in my ear of what they would like to do to me. The insipid and specific gossip of pets is impossible to ignore. Especially those that have involved my own brother who has taken numerous candidates to bed or an empty hallway, whichever is closer.”

“Laurent, stop talking.” Aleron’s face was red.

“There are also scrolls and illustrated manuscripts of any erotic position you might wish to master available in certain temples.”

“Laurent.” A vein bulged on Aleron’s forehead. “Escort the prince back to his chambers.” The red faced guards stepped forward to take Laurent by the arm. 

“Auguste was hardly chaste even before being engaged and yet you impose these rules on me for what reason?” Laurent asked, still talking as he was led from the room. 

“Damianos, I must request that you pack your belongings and be prepared to leave by morning,” Aleron said. “I will have a ship ready to depart for Ios at dawn.”

“Father, we should talk about this before acting, we don’t want to risk offending Theomedes.”

“You are not the king yet, Auguste. My orders are still to be obeyed. Perhaps you should go talk some sense into your brother.”

Auguste’s face had hardened and the resemblance between brothers was clear. “Yes, my king.” He said turning on his heel.

Aleron and Damen were alone. The king cleared his throat before speaking, “I recognize how Laurent can be a— temptation. So I’m not going to place the blame entirely on either of you. But I don’t like the  brazen and reckless way my son behaves when you’re around.”

“If that’s the case, I’m proud my presence gives him the courage to speak his mind. I’ve enjoyed watching him grow into a confident young man,” Damen stated.

“I see,” Aleron said, his eyes traveled over Damen in consideration. “There will be a guard escort waiting to take you to your ship in the morning. The details of the engagement will be discussed when everything has settled down.” This final blow statement Damen and he failed to notice when Aleron left. The oblique political speak could be interpreted in a myriad of ways, but it made Damen worry. The night went by without sleep and the restless anxiety that his fear would come to fruition. A blue flower that had come free of the crown now rested on the couch where they had been. Damen tucked it into a fold of his robes.

The knock came before the sun was up. Damen did a head count of his guard escort and knew there weren’t enough, and that if he really wanted to, he could fight them off. 

“I want to say goodbye to Laurent,” Damen said.

“Our orders are to take you directly to the docks.”

Damen could have taken them, fought his way to a goodbye but couldn’t further jeopardize the engagement and went peacefully. In the stables he searched for a blond head and any chance that Laurent would make it in time. On horseback with the little entourage surrounding him, Damen continued to look over his shoulder. Even on the ship while sailors continued last minute preparations Damen clung to the railing, staring over the sandy hill hoping for even just a messenger with a letter. Ropes were cast off and Damen’s heart sank as the anchor was raised. 

He half turned to retire to his cabin when a horse crested the rise. Laurent rode onto the docks without slowing, the horse pushed into a merciless sprint. The coarse wood rattled beneath the hooves. Sailors shouted at him and the guards from Damen’s escort chased him down or attempted to startle the horse into stopping. The ship had pulled away from the dock. Damen didn’t know what Laurent intended to do as he charged towards the end. 

His heart was in his throat when Laurent leapt from the back of the horse into empty air. Damen reached for him, catching him with an arm around his waist, and pulled him over the rail into the solid safety of the deck.

Laurent was laughing while Damen worried his heart had stopped.

“You’re insane,” Damen said breathing a relieved laugh. His brain becoming preoccupied with the realization Laurent was beneath him. 

“You tried to leave without saying goodbye,” Laurent breathed.

“Sorry,” Damen said and unable to resist, kissed him, deep and heartfelt. Around them the ship had broken into chaos. The anchor dropped and the sailors tried to go backwards to the dock despite the tide ready to take them out to sea. Damen sat up pulling Laurent along with him. He knelt on the rough hardwood deck, still wearing the ridiculous chiton that caught in the salt breeze taking it, and his golden hair, in every direction. Damen pulled Laurent up off the rough deck, and arms circled his waist.

Laurent pressed a cold hand against Damen’s face. “This isn’t really goodbye. We’ll fix this.” He leaned in folding his arms around Damen’s neck in a loose embrace. With hands holding the slender waist, Damen pulled him back into a kiss, desperate to keep him close for a little longer. The blond hair blew into his face. 

Laurent pulled back, “Quit distracting me, I can’t think and we have to plan.”

Damen had to tell him now. It wouldn’t feel right to do it in a letter. “I wanted to tell you in a better way, but now with everything happening I need you to know that my father has been looking for other candidates. Specifically, ones capable of producing an heir.”

“Is that what you want?” Laurent asked calmly.

“No,” Damen said, and took the cold hand from his face to hold between both of his, “It will only ever be you.”

Laurent’s expression was still carefully neutral, looking down at their clasped hands.

Damen took the flower from his pocket, “Since neither of us was given a choice. I’ll ask now.” Damen went to a knee and tied the flower around Laurent’s slim finger. “Will you marry me?”

Laurent nodded, expression solemn. “Yes,” he said, then made a small sound of surprise when Damen pulled him down for a desperate kiss holding the slender body as close as he could.

Laurent pulled away to breathe, petting Damen’s hair. “You’re behaving like we’ll never see each other again,” he said.

“I’m not sure we will.” 

“We will,” Laurent said. “I spoke with Auguste through the night. We were able to reconcile. The current rulers can choose to keep us apart but their time is almost over and you will be better.” 

Damen captured the wayward blond strands of hair and smoothed them out of Laurent’s face to see the bright eyes. “We will be better,” Damen told him. “But no matter what happens I will keep my promise.”

“Good.” Laurent smiled before Damen pulled him in for a final kiss.

[typohime]

summer at Ios

[typohime]

oof`

[typohime]

HMMMMMMMMMMMM