Admiration: Volunteering
Summary: You've been entranced by an angel for years. You will not settle for less.
A/N: Reader is female. No other physical descriptors used.
Word Count: ~2.6k
Warnings: Magical violence, Smut. Please let me know if I missed any!
Part of the Blue Roses AU
Growing up, Mother always complained about you having your head in the clouds. Chicken eggs weren't getting collected because you were talking to the birds. Laundry wasn't getting washed because you were collecting pretty rocks. Weeds weren't getting pulled because you were studying their leaves. Berries weren't getting picked because you were trying to feed some to the birds. Food was burning because you got caught up in your embroidery. You really did try to be better about these things, to actually focus on the task at hand, to be mindful of the time. But nothing ever worked.
Maybe that's why you're the only one who saw the angel. It's certainly why no would believe you saw what you did.
You'd been following a hare in the hopes of befriending it. Being a lonely teenager, you felt a hare could at least make you seem like a witch with a familiar instead of the just social outcast you were.
After the hare had lost you, you wandered around the forest, trying to find clues to lead you home. That's when you heard the sounds of fighting; steel against steel, screams of pain and rage. You were unsure why you found yourself running towards the sounds. Anyone smart enough to recognize them should be running away.
There's a break in the trees that lets you see what's happening and you stop in your tracks.
A winged man with a shield and no weapon is fighting a group of soldiers whose flag and colours you don't recognize. Maybe it's the way the sun is hitting him as he's sweating but you swear he's glowing. Your heart flutters as you take in his golden hair and blazing blue eyes. His shirtless torso looks like nothing but muscle. You're not used to seeing a man without a beard, and it makes you wonder about his age.
Your attention is taken by another man, tall, broad with bluish looking skin. He has an axe on his back, but seems to not need it as any invader within reach of him becomes encased in ice. You certainly don't blame the soldiers for running away.
Hiding amongst the trees it hits you that these men must be in the King's Secret Service. And if you get found spying on them, you might have to be killed to keep their identities and abilities safe. Your best option is to run fast and run far while they're distracted and can't hear your steps.
Later that day, after you've somehow managed to find your way home, there's a plume of smoke in the direction of where the fight was. Runners confirm the King's Secret Service thwarted an attack by invaders and your town celebrates, as per tradition. They leave out gifts and offerings of thanks to those who would keep them safe. You try to participate but are too scared that you'd been noticed, that you'll be found by the blue man and made frozen.
Over a week afterwards, your fear of the ice is gradually replaced by fascination with the angelic man who fought with only a shield. He must be truly brave or skilled to be able to fight without a sword or axe. As you become older, leaving your teen years, part of you holds out hope that you will wake up to a bouquet of blue roses so you can properly meet him.
But what kind of person volunteers to become a bride for a creature?
"I knew you weren't all there but I didn't think it was this bad!" Mother exclaims.
"I thought you'd be happy I'm actually doing something for the family," you sarcastically reply. "If I get chosen, you'll all be rich."
"And if you don't you'll be living all alone in the capital city with no support," she counters. "I may not be the best mother but I'm not letting one of my kids go about penniless and broken!"
"They're probably always looking for workers at the palace," you argue.
"And how long do you think you can keep the work? You're too distractable to be worth keeping around. You're better off staying here with people who know what to expect from you."
"I'm not useless, Mother!"
"I know, but you're close to it! Best to just stay home. Maybe one of the Carpenter boys will marry you."
"I don't want one of them." In truth, you hadn't wanted any of the boys that came trying to court you. They always fell short when compared to your memory of the angel you saw.
"No, of course you don't," she snorts. "You're not pretty enough or skilled enough to be so picky, you know. You should be grateful for what you've been given."
"You'll see," you mutter under your breath.
Through scrimping, saving, and learning to survive on your own, you're able to slowly and safely make the weeks-long journey to the capital. The city is bustling and you're initially overwhelmed. For a few minutes you contemplating going back home to Mother.
But then you think of the man who glowed gold, fighting off dozens of men with just a shield, and it gives you the courage to start asking directions to the palace. You're met with some confused looks that become encouraging smiles when you tell them you're looking for work. It hurts that you receive more support from strangers than you do from people you grew up with. Then again, you're not saying the full truth of what you're looking for.
When you finally do make it to the palace, you're directed to the servants' quarters. The butler in charge of the palace is occupied but he has several people in charge of various sections of the palace and grounds that are permitted to hire you should you meet their requirements.
It wasn't until you met McMichael, assistant to the Mages, that you confessed your true purpose.
"A volunteer bride?" he blinks in surprise. "There are very few of those these days."
"I can imagine," you smile, cheeks burning. "My own mother called me insane for it."
"We're certainly not opposed to volunteers. Though you will need to be evaluated by the Mages to make sure you're not a knowing or unknowing agent for the enemies of our kingdom."
"Unknowing?"
"There are magics out there that can affect a person's mind, especially their memories," McMichael explains. "You could be under a spell and have no idea."
"Well that's...terrifying."
"It is," he concurs. "But we'll get you some time with the Mages for testing. From what I've heard, it feels incredibly strange, but not painful."
"If...if I pass, I guess it'll just confirm that I'm crazy," you joke, half-heartedly.
"Not at all," McMichael counters. "It's not crazy to want something different from what others tell you that you should want."
"Thank you, Sir. I needed to hear that."
As promised, the magics the Mages used on you felt oddly invasive in ways you couldn't describe. But they weren't painful. Mage Beck would always make sure to warn you when something different was expected. For once your ability to get your mind lost in the clouds was helpful because it provided a way to minimize the strange sensations.
It was a relief to be cleared. Though it caused you to have to deal with more questions.
"And your certain this is something you want?" Mage Beck pushes. "You know you will not be allowed to ever go home again. You will not be allowed to travel to other locations. You will, for all intents and purposes, be trapped."
"As it would be if I married any normal man," you counter with a shrug. "Though, I suppose, I should confess...something."
Mage Beck raises an eyebrow, silently encouraging you to continue.
"A few years ago I got lost in the woods. I heard the sounds of battle and followed those, I'll never know why. When I reached a small clearing, I saw two...men, I suppose, fighting what looked like a small army."
"And you never told anyone?"
"They wouldn't believe me. I ran, of course. And, several hours after I found my way back home, it was confirmed that the King's Secret Service were responsible for the plume of smoke we saw in the distance."
"Is there a reason you're telling me this? You could have kept it a secret from everyone."
"I just...if I have any say in which of the...men I'm to wed, I...One of the men is an angel. He glowed golden and had wings. I'd...I'd like him, specifically. If that's...an option."
Mage Beck smiles softly. "He's actually a Celestial, not an angel, but they are easy to confuse. The choice to take you as a bride is up to him, of course. But I can promise you that you've already done a lot of things to show that you're his type."
Relief floods your brain and you let out a soft chuckle.
"You'll stay here as a guest for a week," he continues. "By the end of that time, you'll know whether or not you'll be accepted as a bride."
In just a few days, you awake to a bouquet of blue roses that you hold tight as you gently kick in giddy happiness. You're still not sure what exactly you're getting yourself into, but you're proud of yourself for accomplishing such a feat. Especially when so many said you could never do it.
That night, in the Mages' Quarters, Mage Jefferson opens up a portal for your husband to come through and get you. You stand there, holding the bouquet, wearing a dress Mage Beck's wife gifted you. It was far fancier than anything you've ever worn before. A pang of sadness hits you as you wish Mother could have seen you, could have wished you well.
But all thoughts fly out the window when your angel, your Celestial husband steps through the portal with a smile that could melt the coldest hearts. He's dressed in a sash that barely covers his chest and a short wrap around his waist that barely reaches his knees. If he'd shown up dressed like that back home, he'd have been considered scandalous. To you, however, he looked breathtakingly perfect.
And given the way his eyes sparkled when he looked at you, you can guess he feels the same.
"My beautiful bride," he beams with a bit of blush in his cheeks. "I cannot tell you how happy I am that you came here. I only choose my brides from those that volunteer. It shows a strength of spirit that I admire."
"Thank you," you chirp.
"My common name is Steve," he tells you. "Let me carry across the threshold to your new home?"
"Yes, please!" you practically bounce into his arms, making him laugh.
It shouldn't surprise you that he's able to carry you and your belongings, few as they may be. Still, you marvel at his strength and how he's able to balance his firm hold with a gentle touch.
The other side of the portal is cooler than your guest room in the palace. You manage to tear your gaze away from your new husband to see where you are. There's a small circle of houses, and what looks like the entrance to a cave, surrounding a small lake. There are signs of life, despite the hour, and you make a mental note to follow up on that later.
"I hope you like the place," murmurs in your ear. "It's been my home for quite some time and I've worked hard to keep it fixed up."
"You don't...use magic or something?"
"I could, but I like to work with my hands. There's something very rewarding about fixing something on your own."
"Oh, you've got good hands?" you giggle, making him blush.
Inside of his home, your home, Steve sets down your things but still holds onto you. If you were on your feet, you certainly would have swooned into his arms by now.
Steve carries you into the bedroom and gently lays you down before positioning himself on top of you and giving you a deep, hungry kiss.
"I normally wouldn't rush," he breathes between kisses. "But I've been alone for some time now."
"Oh," you gasp as he peppers kisses along your neck. "I'm...I'm okay with it. I, oh! I knew what was expected of a bride."
"Thank you, my beautiful sky."
Steve stands up and helps you out of your dress. Part of you feels shy, but the way he looks at you so hungrily makes you feel beautiful.
In return, you remove what little clothing Steve was wearing and you let your curiosity lead your way as you touch every part of him. He moans and groans, especially as you mimic his kisses from earlier. Your hands reach his erection and you hesitate for a moment.
"Show me?" you whisper.
He responds with another hungry kiss and guides your hand to grip him firmly. He groans into your mouth as he makes your hand move, slowly, letting you get used to the motions. Your other hand he guides to his balls and again guides you to caress them with just the right pressure.
Before long he lets out a small whimper and guides the hand on his cock towards the tip. You feel something wet and he uses your thumb to spread it around.
"Is this...is this good?" you falter.
"It's amazing," he assures. "You're incredible. So quick, so eager, so beautiful."
His praise has you giggling with embarrassment.
"I should return the favor," he growls, making you shiver. Letting out a yelp of surprise, you find yourself back on the bed.
"Let me show you something else I find more rewarding when I use my hands." Steve's fingers move between your folds and he grins, "so wet for me."
One of his fingers easily slides into you making you gasp. His thumb moves to your pearl and your legs spread as you moan. His other hand slowly strokes his cock as he watches your reactions to his touches. He wants to fill you but he takes great pride in bringing you pleasure. He studies your moans and motions as his hand works its own kind of magic, bringing you to orgasm again and again. By the time he's certain you're ready to take him, his hand is soaked and your brain can't form a single thought from pleasure.
Steve crawls over you, kissing his way up your front.
"Hope you don't mind me always being on top," he smirks. "The wings don't really allow for too many positions."
"Is good," you babble, making his smile grow.
He never stops kissing you as his erection fills your core. When he's fully sheathed, your eyes roll back and your hips start moving. He moves his own hips to meet you, quickly building up speed. The pleasure you feel is unprecedented and you swear you've actually gone to heaven.
Steve spills his seed into you with a groan. He's careful not to collapse on top of you, but he doesn't hold himself up as much, wanting to still feel you. With the swirl of emotions you feel, you wrap your arms around his head and run your fingers through his hair to help ground you.
"I need to get up, to clean us both up, but I don't want to stop touching you," Steve whispers.
Kissing the top of his head you smile, "we can stay like this for a bit, yeah?"
"Thank you."
Part of the Blue Roses AU
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