Inspired by @willalove75's post ─ Reader is sick and seeks comfort in Alcina.
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Pathetic.
That's how you felt and surely how you looked. Walking through the halls of Castle Dimitrescu wearing your sleepwear and a blanket wrapped around you that only left your head exposed, surely didn't help your case.
You whined when your runny nose itched, your eyes watering, causing you to rub it in a failed attempt to comfort your nuisance.
You felt terrible, and you were sure you had a fever, since you were cold but sweating. Part of you blamed that as the reason why you were heading towards Alcina's office during her working hours, when you wouldn't have dared in other circumstances.
Of course you had been sick before since the Castle became your home and your Lady's bedroom yours too, but during those previous times, even when you wished to have Alcina next to you all day, you managed to deal with the fact it wasn't possible, reveling even more in the breaks she took during the day to check on you.
But this time, you were needy for her presence and attention, so desperate that your common sense was completely clouded. Nevertheless, you had the mind to knock on the door first, waiting for her permission to enter.
Alcina lifted her head when you closed the door behind you, amusement in her expression as her eyes moved over your peculiar outfit. But in the next second, when your eyes locked, she raised an eyebrow questioningly, pursing her lips at the interruption.
You opened your mouth to explain yourself, but a harsh sneeze stopped you from doing it, your eyes immediately tearing up due to the itching of your nose. You hugged yourself, wrapping the blanket tighter.
"Oh, draga..." She softened her expression in understanding.
In silence, you hurried to her, stretching your arms out once you reached her, pouting slightly to make yourself look pitiful, hoping that was enough to not being denied what you want.
Alcina narrowed her eyes at you without moving an inch, which caused to deepen your pout, furrowing your eyebrows sadly.
"Oh, for the love of-" Alcina huffed, rolling her eyes at the time she leaned forward to pick you up.
You smiled, tiredly but victorious, as you straddled her lap, sighing contently when you nuzzled into her neck, wrapping your arms around it.
Alcina chuckled softly, shaking her head and kissing you on your forehead, one of her hands stroking your back comfortingly, while with the other one she hugged you closer to her. "What on earth have you done to me, my little mortal?"
One of your hands slid down her neck to her jaw, which you traced lovingly. "I love you too," you said hoarsely. You cleared your throat, even though you knew it wouldn't change anything.
"You feel terribly bad, iubi?" she asked troubled, sighing deeply when you nodded. "I'm sure some of Donna's concoctions will help you feel better."
"Later," you muttered, shifting in her arms, attempting to get closer to her even when there wasn't any space between you two. "I want to be with you." Her cold skin felt heavenly against your warmth one.
"Draga mea... as much as I wish I could go with you, I have a heavy workload to do that sadly can't postpone."
You could've cried. Despite you could hear the regret in Alcina's voice, it was the determination in her decision what affected you the most. You loathed how vulnerable you became when you were sick.
It was tempting to beg her, and in your current state, you would have done it without contemplating the consequences, but Alcina spoke before you could do so.
"However, if you promise to behave, rest and sleep, you can stay with me."
You pulled back slightly to look at her, finding a solemn expression in those features that mesmerize you every time you looked at her.
You were unsure to what exactly she meant, resting on the office couch while she kept working? Nevertheless, you nodded eagerly, cursing yourself as you were reminded of your headache. In the end it didn't matter, you would be close to her and be able to see her, somewhat satisfying your need for her.
Alcina smiled pleased once you agreed to her conditions, and to your surprise, instead of encourage you to stand up to move to the couch, she helped you to sit sideways on her lap, wrapping her left arm around you as support and adjusting the blanket over you with the other hand.
"Comfortable, iubi?" she wondered, reaching to take the discarded pen on the desk once she was done with the task, her gaze returning to the waiting papers.
Slowly resting your head on her breast, you looked up at her with adoration. It didn't matter how many times you have experienced her thoughtfulness, it would never fail to make your heart skip a beat with happiness, knowing you were the only lucky mortal who knew this side of her. The only mortal she loved.
She looked down at you when you didn't answer, her concern quickly vanishing as she narrowed her eyes when you made eye contact, disgruntled by the pointless interruption.
"Impossible to feel better," you hurried to answer sincerely, making her chuckle.
"Rest now then. I refuse to be delayed even more this day," she warned you, but there was a trace of tenderness in her tone.
You nodded, softly this time, closing your eyes with the intention to fall asleep and not risk losing what had been offered to you.
Her cold skin helping to soothe any physical discomfort made you sigh gratefully; her presence making easier to feel in better spirits and not completely dramatic, making you wonder when Death would come for you.
Yawning, you wrapped an arm around her, clenching her dress with your hand. You didn't believe she would get rid of you the moment you were asleep, but you still wanted to have a way to avoid the disappointment of waking up without her at your side.
During the last moment of consciousness, you smiled when she nuzzled your hair to then press a few kisses on your head, taking her time before going back to her work. And you wondered if you would dare to ask her if her purring was another reassuring gesture on your behalf, or if she just enjoyed this as much as you did.
Summary: Kinda inspired by this and all those posts where reader is Alcina's teddy bear. Or, Alcina discovers that spending the night away from her partner it's not as easy as she imagined.
Tags: Fluff.
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You sighed, looking around your old room, which despite it had been so long since the last time you slept here, it was clean and tidy. Nothing else could be expected in the castle.
You understood your wife's request for tonight without making a fuss about it ─ the previous time she had extra things related to work and the village, she had been restless. You accepted that night she wouldn't take a break until she was done with what disturbed her but, selfishly, you asked her to work from your shared room and she relented.
Unintentionally, she had awoke you often during the night and even though you tried to reassure her that you didn't mind, you could see in her eyes the trouble it caused her whenever you tried to hold back a yawn or rub your eyes and you didn't want to be a reason to cause her more restlessness.
However, you implored her to work from the room again. At the very least, it would reassure you knowing that your wife was comfortably resting since you couldn't be near to take care of her.
Though it wouldn't stop the fact that you'd miss resting in her arms, lulled to sleep by her breathing and her tender caressing, cocooned warmly and safety in her embrace.
Which it's not surprising it took you a while to fall asleep.
Because with Alcina, once you finally decided to do it after exchanging some kisses or satiated your desire for each other, it was almost immediate. Alone... you had to read for a few hours, stared at nothing and rolled on the bed from side to side over and over again until you finally achieve it.
You didn't even notice what hour it was only that it happened after midnight.
What felt like minutes later, you were pulled out from your dreams by soft motion, as if your bed was moving. It took an effort to open your eyes and you managed to only half-open them, still drowsy that when you lifted your head to discover what was going on and you saw your wife, your first thought was that you were dreaming.
"Go back to sleep, iubi," Alcina whispered, kissing your hair.
Normally, you would obey instinctively, and your body was more than willing to do it since you closed your eyes and leaned against the woman's bosom, but when you were carefully laid on the bed (making a complaining sound from being pulled away from your favorite pillow), you fleetingly looked around, hoping to see the vanity (from where you have removed Alcina's things to make space for whatever she would use to work) vacant, pointing out your wife had finished her tasks but the vanity was full of papers, and not in the way she organized them when she was done with her duties.
So you were pleasantly surprised when seconds later, Alcina joined you in the bed, wrapping and arm around your waist, pulling you towards her, no leaving a gap between your bodies.
You closed your eyes, sighing contently when Alcina buried her nose in the crook of your neck, nuzzling the skin softly before peppering tender kisses.
"You missed me," you whispered after a moment, feeling a little bit more awake, enough to connect the dots.
Alcina didn't answer, and you knew she would wear a deadpanned expression if you faced her, a gesture she took whenever she didn't want to admit someone else was right. Her only response was to sink her teeth into your shoulder, menacingly, but that only made you chuckle.
"I missed you too. It took me hours to fall asleep."
Alcina huffed. "From now on, whenever I have extra work, you'll help me deal with it to avoid this nonsense."
You bit your lower lip to stop yourself from laughing. Of course she would make it sound like this had been your idea without blaming you directly.
You turned without breaking her embrace, looking up to find her frowning displeased but when she looked down, her expression softened in an instant, making your heart melt at the look she was giving you.
Lifting a hand, you caressed her cheek with the back of your fingers. "Of course, my Lady."
Alcina smirked, kissing your forehead as if she was rewarding you and then your lips, smiling against them when your heartbeat sped up at the contact and you clenched her nightgown.
"Sleep, iubi," she reminded you, kissing your forehead once again, resting her chin on your head and bringing you closer as she closed her eyes, her arm covering your entire back.
You closed yours with a smile on your lips, nestling against her breasts and wrapping your arm around her waist.
You'd never say anything to her, knowing she wouldn't appreciate her neediness for you to be the center of attention ─ after all, she had other ways to let the world know how special you were to her without losing her intimidating dominance ─ but you loved to be the only one who was lucky enough to witness this side of her.
And you wouldn't have it any other way ─ every single day you'd happily choose the angry dragon that had no mercy, the woman who was capable to make the strongest cower with just one look, the soft kitten who purred contentedly when she had you in her arms. All of them holding you close to her, as if you were her comforting teddy bear with whom she couldn't find ease if you weren't next to her.
Y/N: [admiring Alcina with heart eyes] You are one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen.
Alcina: [stops what she's doing to frown at you] What do you mean 'one of'?!
Y/N: [eyes widening in surprise] It's a compliment! Why are you mad?
Alcina: [huffs upset] Why don't you go ask the other 'beautiful women' you've been seeing?
Y/N: [inwardly facepalming, mumbling] Note to self: Choose your words carefully.
Now that I think about, I could have cut this part in three... because this ended up being incredibly long! But whatever, enjoy it all at once, hehe.
Your presence in Castle Dimitrescu became quite the adventure.
Alcina soon discovers that as long as she was with you, you walked as a human, but if you were wandering on your own (which she clarified you were free to do because it wouldn't be fair to keep you around with nothing to do while she worked), you preferred to turn your hands and feet into paws to move as an animal since in that way, you were nimbler. And since you still weren't familiarized with the place, it was handier.
The first challenge you encounter is with Alcina's daughters.
They aren't happy with having to share their mother's attention with you and they made it fairly obvious.
Alcina never told them you were out of limits, wanting to test your abilities.
To you, she simply said that you do whatever you need to do to protect yourself. Knowing that if you managed to reach any of them or vice versa, you wouldn't cause any real damage beyond their pride.
The girls would never admit it, but they were impressed by your agility and deep down, they enjoyed and had fun with your chases.
Their worst mischief ocurrs when they lure you towards the cellar in their fly form, where they locked you into the darkness, which wasn't really a problem to you since you could see in it, making you aware that the place is filled with monsters like the one that attacked you on your arrival.
Completely ignorant to how important that room was to the lady of the castle, you jumped from barrel to barrel carelessly, kicking many of them towards the floor as you dodged the monsters to take a proper position to attack them, only noticing the spilled liquid that came from them when you slipped in a puddle but it doesn't stops you from recovering quickly to continue with the battle.
Alcina, during a break from work, tunes your heartbeat, standing in the next second when she realizes how accelerated it is, followed by a commotion.
When she finds her daughters cackling in front of the cellar's door, Alcina knows that nothing good could come from it. Growling at them to move, she heads to the cellar.
You feel proud of yourself when the lights turn on and you can witness your achievement, having got rid of the monsters on your own. However, your smile disappears when you see how discontent Alcina looks.
Despite knowing it wasn't your fault, Alcina feels the rage taking her over after watching all the wasted product. In a few long strides she reaches you, taking you by the back of your neck like a cat, lifting you up effortlessly.
You shrink into yourself, immediately reading the mood, trying to become smaller, trembling when she turns her head to you, her features twisted in anger.
It's tempting to retaliate, but despite her wrathful fog, Alcina perceives you trembling with fear, your big eyes widened with distress, shining with unshed tears. And for the first time, such image doesn't suits her well.
She takes a deep breath with closed eyes to calm a bit, and cradles you in your arms in the next second. She waits a moment in that position, trying to give you some sense of security before setting in motion without letting you go.
The girls are waiting outside, almost expectant to see some kind of drama, but Alcina pretends nothing happened, giving them the order to clean up the mess and go find new maidens to recover the losses.
In silence, she takes you to her chamber, placing you at the end of the bed, standing on the edge. You are still tense, unsure what to expect and the silence doesn't do anything to soothe your nerves.
You fidget with your tail. "My Lady, I-"
"Quiet, pet," she silences you with a soft tone. "I can't blame you for this." She holds you by the chin so you look at her. "But after this unfortunate event, I shall make clear that the cellar is now forbidden for you and my daughters' games. I will let them know about this new rule too."
You nod earnestly. "Understood, my Lady."
For a beat she remains serious but then she chuckles. "Time to get you clean, pet." You imagine a bath is coming your way, but with a gloved finger she collects some of the bloodwine in your arm and then put it in her mouth, moaning appreciatively. The sensual act makes you blush. "I can't let this go to waste."
Alcina doesn't asks for consent, at least not verbally. She keeps your eyes on your face, reading your expressions as she undresses you slowly, giving you the time to stop her.
You are not naive to not understand her intentions but you don't even consider to put a stop to it. The most time you spend with her, the most you crave from her.
Once you are naked, she leans down to lick you clean, starting on your neck and working her way down your body, avoiding any part that would make the act sexual instead of simply intimate.
Nonetheless, it makes you tremble with desire, reason why she wraps an arm around your waist when she notices your legs wobble.
Finishing with your body, she puts her free hand on your neck, her fingers on your jaw so she can move your head as it suits her as she licks the bloodwine on your face.
She takes advantage of your gasps to slid her tongue inside your mouth, brushing yours fleetingly as she press her lips against yours.
The contact barely lasts a second but it's enough to add more impact to your already stimulated body. Lightheaded, you wonder if this was some sort of punishment even when she claimed she couldn't blame you for what happened.
Chuckling at your disarranged state, Alcina takes you in her arms once again, finally taking you to the bathroom to bathe you properly.
Alcina lived in a constant state of tenderness and flusteredness because of you.
Luckily for you, her affection for you it's stronger and she only resorts to scolding you or making clear that you can't do whatever it pleases you.
Like she will once this dinner it's over.
You had been invited to join the meals of your Lady and her daughters since the very first day and today wasn't the exception but this time you did something you have never done.
You feel sleepy, due to an exhaustive chasing with the girls that lasted several hours and the food only highlighted such state.
Mother and daughters fall into conversation, Alcina happily listening to the girls' affairs.
You get off the chair, rubbing your eyes to then turn your hands and feet, sitting on your butt with bended legs on the floor next to Alcina's chair, keeping one arm extended in front of you while licking your other paw to groom yourself.
It doesn't take long to feel Alcina's hand on your head, making you push your against her hand enthusiastically.
Her ministrations aren't helpful for your sleepy state and you can only think in the comfort she provides, the warmth that would surround you if you were closer to her.
Without thinking, you hop into her lap, fleetingly nuzzling your face in her neck before lying down in a curled up position, your purring reaching every corner of the room, completely unaware of the women's reactions.
Alcina looks down at you speechless, the hand with which she had been caressing you, hovering idly.
In other circumstances ─ more precisely, in the presence of the Lords and Mother Miranda ─ she would have reacted very different, and the outcome wouldn't have been pleasing for neither of you.
Thankfully, this time she can be reckless. But a serious conversation with you is bound to happen once you wake up.
Alcina cradles your head softly, her thumb brushing one of your ears, making her smile subtly when you smile in your sleep.
Gazing up while her hand rests protectively on the side you had been hurt months ago, she finds her daughters smiling like the cat who ate the canary, and she channels her Lady Dimitrescu persona for a second. "Not a single word." Afterwards, she clears her throat, taking a sip of her wine regally and smiles softly. "Continue, sweet Bela."
You wake up hours later, Alcina's lap no longer your resting place but you are still lying in a comfortable and soft spot, and when you open your eyes, your eyes find your Lady next to you on her bed, leaning against the headboard, reading a book.
"Have you rested well, pet?" She places the book on the nightstand and the glasses she was wearing on top of the book.
You cover your face with your paws while you stretch, then yawn. "Yes, my Lady." Though you scoot towards her with the intention to fall asleep again.
A hand on your shoulder stops you, making you pout and look up with a disgruntled expression.
"There's something I need to speak with you, pet. Something important and that can't wait."
You worry, wondering what could you have done to upset your lady, your mind already overworking with possible scenarios of your dismissal.
"Easy, pet." She shifts to her side to face you, resting on her arm. "Technically, you haven't done anything wrong. But what occurred in the dinner room can't happen again."
You frown, not understanding. If you haven't done anything wrong, why it couldn't happen again?
"At least not whenever it pleases you. You have known Mother Miranda and the other Lords. I have an image to maintain in front of them."
You still remember the day as it had happened yesterday. Your Lady had told you about them before their arrival and after finding out Mother Miranda was a scientist, you wanted to go hide in a room and come out until they were gone.
Alcina warned you to behave, and it had requiere a huge effort not to react in anyway when the leader entered the castle. You were scared and wondered why you had to be there even when Alcina explained that it was better to introduce you than trying to keep a secret from Mother Miranda.
Since your experience with scientists wasn't a good one, you were expecting to be taken away to be studied even when Alcina tried to reassured you that that wouldn't happen.
And your Lady had been right. Mother Miranda had looked at your way once, scrutinizing you up and down as if she was scanning you, capable to find out right in that moment that you weren't fitting for whatever she needed, and she had let out a snort afterwards, making a mocking comment to Alcina about what a good mother she was for getting a kitten for her daughters.
It hurt your pride but she never looked your way after that time, so only for that reason you were able to let it go.
"Do you understand, pet?" There was an edge on her tone, not appreciating having to fish for a response.
"Yes, my Lady." You gazed up. "I would never do that in front of them. I would never do anything to embarrass you," you promised, wanting to be a good thing for her and not a nuisance. "But-" you trailed off, hesitating.
"Speak your mind, pet." Her words might be slightly harsh but she was caressing your jaw with the back of her index finger softly.
"But what about when it's only you and I, my Lady, could I-?"
Alcina ponders for a moment. "Only when I'm not working and you have to wait until I allow you to do it."
You have mixed feelings about it. On one hand, you want to be selfish and take what you want whenever you want to as your nature whispers you to do and what usually gets you in troubles. On the other, you had never known about sincere care and interest for you until you meet your Lady, and you know that's something you won't risk losing.
You nod. "All right, my Lady." You smile and feel your heart fluttering when Alcina grins back at you.
"What a good pet." She buries her face in the crook of you neck, nuzzling your jaw with her head, acting as if she was a cat. She brushes your neck with her lips. "Such a good pet."
You close your eyes when you feel her teeth scraping your skin, knowing what's coming, letting out a whimper when she sinks them in.
Drinking slowly from you, savouring you, Alcina rolls over you, careful not to put all her weight on you, but enough for you to feel a satisfying pressure.
You grasp your Lady's shoulders, digging your claws for her to feel but without breaking her skin, dragging a moan from the woman.
"Mine." She grunts against your neck, making you shiver due to the vibration and the possessiveness she exuded.
Sitting on the couch in Alcina's office with your limbs and tail tucked under your body, resembling a loaf of bread, you stare at the maid who enters after knocking on the door to deliver a package until she leaves the two of you alone once again, hurrying to get out after making quick eye contact with you.
The staff was no longer very fond of you after the day you attacked one of the maids, taking away her life to rip her heart out to gift it to your Lady.
Alcina doesn't react at the box placed on her desk until hours later, once she's done with her work, when you are sleeping lightly. She smiles smugly after opening it.
"Come here, sweet pet."
Despite you are waking up, you are quick and nimble to stand up, transforming your paws to hands and feet, hurrying to your Lady's side. You wait next to her chair, looking up at her expectantly and when she pats her lap with one hand, you climb to straddle her happily.
She strokes your cheek, triggering your purring. "I have a gift for you."
You look down when she presents you the box she's holding for you to see, gasping in awe at the leather choker with the Dimitrescu crest resting proudly in the middle.
You reach out to touch it reverently with your fingertips. "For me?" you ask skeptically, not used to such gestures despite it wasn't the first time your Lady gave you something. Since your arrival, your wardrobe had increased thanks to her. But somehow you knew this was different, and much more valuable.
Alcina hums, taking the choker out of the box, leaving the latter on the desk. "I want you to have something that will always remind you of who you belong to. More importantly, to remind everyone who sets their eyes on you... who you belong to." She puts the choker in your neck, capable to close the clasp without looking at it. A pleasant sensation washing her over at the result.
You follow her hands until she's done with the task, raising your head to look at her. "I-I belong to you, my Lady?" you ask with wonder.
Alcina grins intimidatingly though you know it's not aimed to you. "Of course, pet. My pet. I got you first, you are mine." She wraps her hand around your neck, squeezing softly, not to hurt but as if she was looking to leave the choker's mark on your skin. "You are mine to look after. Mine to touch. Mine to kiss. Mine to taste. Mine to possess. Mine to do every single thing I want... isn't that right?" She wasn't asking due to uncertainty, simply because she wanted you to voice your surrender to her.
You gulp, momentarily closing your eyes as your body arches towards hers. Alcina's laugh make your ears flutter at the divine sound, and you are overjoyed when she wraps her arm around your waist, soothing your desperation to be closer when she pressed your front against hers, your hands finding her shoulders.
"Yes..." you whisper, your voice trembling but with your next words your tone is louder and firmer. "Yours, my Lady, ever only yours." Your hands slide towards her neck, your fingertips ghosting her jaw.
Alcina raises an eyebrow, almost like she was reading your mind and daring you to do what you wanted to do. And despite knowing there could be consequences for acting before your Lady approved it, you couldn't deny that you enjoyed her punishments because it usually meant keeping you at her side all day, doing things to keep her in a good mood or spend all day aroused.
Even when you were the brattiest and she resorted into something physical and you had trouble sitting comfortably, you never felt unsafe or scared because Alcina carefully keeps an eye on you to be conscious of your limits.
But so far she has never crossed a line, giving you comfort and reassurance afterwards; and you took pleasure in the soreness her hands left in your body, which you considered another way to mark you even when not always it was visible.
So you dare to hold her face in her hands, tilting her head as if you truly could have some control over her. She growls as if annoyed but she smirks before you press your lips against hers.
"I'm yours as much as you are mine, my Lady," you claim conceitedly.
Alcina doesn't denies it. She can't, knowing you are aware because you thrive on all the attention she gives you, noticing how different it is from the one she gives to others. Nonetheless, she narrows her eyes, golden eyes shining with only one purpose.
And when she grabs your ass with her free hand, squeezing it, you know the next following days, every time you sit down, you are going to be reminded of your cheekiness.
But when Alcina kisses you again, taking total control of you with her tongue and lips, you are more than clear that you wouldn't have it any other way.
Neko.- In Japanese manga/anime, a part human, part cat; Nekos usually are human in appearance, but have cat ears and a tail, and in some occasions paws, as well as exhibiting cat-like behaviour.
A/N.- I don't even know. The image came to my mind and you know how it is, you have to write it down to be able to think about other things. My plans were to write all the points in just one post but this was ending up too long that I decided it was better to cut it in two.
Alcina sees you before you are aware of her presence, which is not surprising since you are running away from a moroaică.
Normally, she would enjoy the show ─ there's nothing more pleasing than witnessing a person getting what they deserve after invading her territory ─ but almost immediately she noticed something different about you, which peaks her curiosity.
She walks unhurriedly through the opposite path you had headed, knowing that you'd end there in a matter of minutes.
And it doesn't take long for Alcina to see the moroaică striking your side with the sword, making you whimper and trip over your own feet, sending you to the floor.
With a hand covering your wound, you turn around to see the monster raising its arm, ready to give the last blow.
You look at it with fear, knowing there's no way you could get out of this. If it hadn't been possible when your nimbleness was to its max, now that it was impaired due to your injury, everything seemed hopeless.
You closed your eyes, as if that could somehow help you to avoid the pain. But when you listened a slashing sound and gurgling coming from your nightmare, you couldn't keep your curiosity at bay, opening one eye.
You saw the monster hovering on the air thanks to what it seemed to be a few blades piercing its chest. Your other eye fluttered open as both widened in shock.
You could tell there was someone behind, who was the reason of such image, but you couldn't distinguish their features because the body was hiding their face. You could only perceive a black hat and an off-white dress, and you weren't sure if it was due to your perspective from the floor or if the person was really tall.
Just when your savior decided to lower the corpse to reveal themselves, your eyesight blurred because of the blood loss. You can only whine before everything turns black.
When you come back to your senses, the first thing you are aware of it's your purring and the next one, the reason of it: someone was scratching behind your ear. A goofy smile curls your lips.
"You are finally awake."
Your eyes flutter open as you hurry to sit on the bed you were resting, your body tense, your flight instincts kicking in. You are ready to bolt out when a hand, big enough to cover your shoulder and collarbone, stops you ─ using the strength enough to convey the message that escaping is futile.
"My, my, my. Is this how you reward your savior?"
You expect to feel the apprehension you had been experiencing since arriving to the town when you turn your attention towards the voice but when your eyes find a very intimidating and oh so extremely gorgeous woman sitting next to you on the edge of the bed, you oddly feel at ease despite the amused smile she wears.
"I-I apologize, my lady." You clear your throat. "I have been attacked or hunted since I set foot in this town. It was instinctively."
"Not surprising, you seem to be pretty unique." Her eyes move to your ears, and now that you are certain you are not in immediate danger, you are aware that she's still scratching your ear.
Alcina smiles fondly when you start purring again, your eyes closing in pleasure.
She doesn't asks you what you are, she's not interested in that. After all she used to creatures that are different. But she's curious about one thing. "How did you arrive to the village?"
You open your eyes lazily to look at her, somehow knowing that she preferred the eye contact during a conversation. "In an attempt to escape from my previous life. I trusted the wrong person and I ended up living in a lab for months." You lower your gaze to your lap, placing your tail on it so you can fidget with it. "I-I," your voice cracks, your purring coming to a halt.
Alcina sees your hands turning into paws, kneading the fluffiest part of your tail. If it wasn't because she witnessed the transformation, she would have thought you pulled some furry gloves out of somewhere. "There's nothing you could tell me that will change my opinion of you."
Bashfully, you look up at her. "What opinion is that, my lady?"
"That you are incredibly endearing, and if you had to resort into some sort of violence it was most likely necessary but also part of your nature since you are half of an animal that is savage despite their domestication."
You stay silent for a moment, pondering her words. "I did have to hurt people to escape, and I never confirmed if they were still alive or not," you finally whisper.
Alcina hums. "And the person responsible for everything?"
You shrug. "That's why I decided to leave, I knew they would come looking for me and make it even worse."
"Clever little thing." She smirks. "Now, let's heal your wound, okay?" You had forgotten about it, but now that she mentioned it, you can feel your side throbbing painfully. "Unless you have healing abilities."
You shake your head no. "I heal faster than a human, but I can't heal right after the wound happened, I need a few days." Alcina doesn't answer, she stands up and heads towards a door.
Waiting for her to come back, you recall the events of the day, unsure what will be your next step.
You weren't stupid, you knew that your saviour was not human. She might've not showed anything out of the ordinary beyond her impressive size but after what you had seen, it wasn't hard to reach that conclusion.
Nevertheless, you didn't feel threatened in her presence, you didn't feel the need to run away from her now that you had spent some time with her.
"Lift your shirt."
You jump on your spot, completely taken aback by her return, your ears entirely missing any sound. Still, you don't waste time doing what she asked for while she sits down again in the place she had vacated, your paws turning back to hands to keep the garment in place.
Alcina could have called a maid to aid you, but selfishly she didn't want to share you with anyone else.
Her pupils dilated at the sight of the blood but fortunetely for you, she could control herself. Perhaps later she could convince you to willingly allow her to drink your blood, as a thanks for her compassion.
You hiss when she starts cleaning your wound, having to hold back with all your mighty your first reaction of scratching the one responsible of your discomfort.
In an attempt to distract you, you focus on her hands, big enough to cover your entire torso with one of them but which are nothing but gentle in their way to cure you. "What was that thing that attacked me?"
"Mmm, failed experiments that now work as protectors of the castle."
You nodded as if you had any idea of what she was talking about. "And piercing their heart with some swords is enough to kill them?"
"Swords?" She raises an eyebrow.
You tilt your head to the side. "Wasn't that what you used?"
There's a pregnant silence before she chuckles. "I will show you mine if you show me yours," she purred.
When you look at her with confusion, Alcina pauses her task but keeps her hand on your body, careful to not irritate your wound any further. She lifts the other one for you to see and once you rest you eyesight on it, she grows her claws slowly.
You gasp in surprise, your eyes widening as they keep going until they reach their limit. "Mine aren't that big." There's wonder in your voice.
"Show me," she reminds you.
You eagerly do it, excited to have found someone who was different like you and with whom you could communicate instead of having to run away to save yourself.
Your claws are tiny compared to hers, but Alcina (who by now had retracted hers) touches them with her index finger, analyzing. "But they can be just as deadly." She smiles enticingly.
You feel herself blushing at the... compliment? And you can't stop the timid smile that appears in your lips.
"As you can see, you definitely came to the right place. Over here, there are some pretty unique beings." She goes back to the interrumpted task. "You had a harsh start, but that was because you hadn't come across with the right person."
"And have I now?" you wondered, coyly, looking at her as if you had found a treasure.
Alcina doesn't stops what she's doing but she takes a moment to look at you as she grins in a way that could make anyone shrink. "I think I'm going to keep you... my pet."
It's not your first time taking care of a wounded animal, but it's definitely the first time said animal has an attitude.
You were used to the fear, the hesitation to trust you, succumbing to their instincts when presented with tempting food, lowering their walls with patience and sincere affection towards them, finally giving way to the gratitute.
This bat had none of those. It mainly acts like you are expected to take care of it, like it was making you a favor by allowing it.
It hadn't attack you. Not by lack of trying from its part but because you had been fast enough to avoid the scratches and bites.
You had been forced to use a garden glove whenever you want to hold it still to fed it, which has proven to be quite the challenge.
You have tried with fruit first, only for the bat to turn its head to the side to avoid it. The next attempt had been with insects, which only earned you a glare with those distinctive golden eyes.
You were getting desperate because it had been two days and the bat hasn't eaten anything so far and you didn't want it to get weaker.
You were contemplating other options while preparing your food. Completely distracted by your thoughts you cut your finger.
Within seconds, before you even have the chance to react, the bat is on the countertop, licking the blood that was coming out of your wound.
It surprises you the softeness and lingerlyness of the licks. After the fierness the little creature has shown these days, you would have never imagined such gentleness and calmness could come from it.
For some reason it makes you blush and you decide to withdraw your hand, and when the bat turns to look at you, you nod. "All right, buddy. I get it now."
Any kind of truce it's over after those words and the bat it's screeching offendedly at you in the next second.
You imagine the reason why it's because you have removed its food source, which you are quick to compensate by filling a bowl with blood from your last hunt.
The bat doesn't look entirely pleased as it had looked when it was feeding from your blood but it still drinks it, which was better than the previous days.
But the next time you use the word "buddy" to address the little creature, the screeching happens again.
"So you don't like the word buddy, huh?" As you expected, the screech is your answer. "And what should I call you? You have a peculiar way of acting, like royalty. So what about: your highness?" You can't stop the sarcasm from your words.
The bat doesn't screeches but hisses. By now you know the difference from the screeches and the hisses. The first ones meant anger, the latter was a warning to treat carefully.
You snort. "Too much?" You sigh. "It would help if I knew if you are a lady or-"
The bat interrupts you, fluttering its good wing as if to catch your attention. "A lady?"
The bat preens at your words and you are convinced its- she's smirking at you, like it's getting away with something you aren't aware of.
You don't question it. It's not like you are going to get an answer anyway. But after that day, you start addressing the bat as "my Lady."
Alcina knows that the best way to speed up her recovery process is by taking blood.
Her plan for that first night was waiting for you to fall asleep to set it into motion but you don't sleep that night, commited to take care of her and make sure there wasn't a more serious problem; and the following nights she is placed inside a birdcage when it's your time to sleep, like an animal.
Despite knowing the misunderstanding it's not entirely your fault, Alcina decides that once she's able to turn back into her human form, you would met your demise after such offense.
After a week under your care, and be fed animal blood for a few days to strengthen her but not enough to be completely healthy, Alcina starts to feel angsty.
She wonders if Mother Miranda has noticed her absence. Or even worse, if the mob continued their path and dare to make their way to the other Lord's residences and take them aback and defenseless.
She knows Mother Miranda would blame her if that happens. She was the first defense line and so far, nobody had been capable to pass through her.
So with the prospect of failing in her mind, Alcina takes a risky and stupid decision.
She ignores the soreness of her wing. At least she's capable to keep herself in the air and she's convinced she's well enough to make the trip to Mother Miranda's place, and once there she was sure her creator would offer a human to recover entirely.
One night, before she's stuck inside the birdcage for the night, Alcina takes advantage of the fact that the front door is slightly ajar, since you never noticed it hadn't close after you when you went out to do who knows what on the garden, to escape.
She knows it would be simpler if you don't notice she was gone. She doesn't want to give you the opportunity to hold her as if she was nothing and stop her from her goal.
Alcina is not aware of the dangers she could face, especially at night. Because she's not used to be a prey. So when she faces an owl, that in her current form is six times bigger than her, her first reaction is to headbutt the obstacle that is in her way.
When you are back and notice the open door, you don't worry at all because you know your winged lady is far from being recovered and you like to think she is smart enough to know it.
However, you are capable to sense the absence the moment you step inside, a sensation of dreadness immediately washing you over, which increases when you hear the familiar sound of screeching moments later.
You run like you're being chased to where the sound of commotion is coming from, not taking the moment to think to take some sort of weapon in case you need it.
For a few seconds you are frozen by the image. Despite knowing how cruel nature can be, you aren't dehumanized when you witness such things.
The owl is standing over the bat's wings, using the talons to pierce the membrane to subdue it, the little creature writhing desperately. The moonlight helping you to see the blood in the ground because you have dropped your lantern along the way in your hurry.
The screeching hasn't stopped and it's until you are able to see what's happening that you realize it's not an angry screech like the ones you were used to. This time is a screech of pain.
It's that what puts you in motion, just as the owl straightens up, fluttering its wings while opening its beak to give the last blow.
You take a fallen branch hoping the noise is enough to frighten the bird and make it go away. Though there's a part of you who envisions yourself hitting the animal with the branch just to take out your fear in some way.
You don't do it though, sticking with your plan of hitting a tree to draw the owl's attention, who shrieks threateningly looking at you without moving from its spot, almost like it was expecting you to be the one to surrender to its presence.
You keep moving towards the animals, trying to make as much noise as possible until the owl gives up, realizing that you won't do it and finally flies away.
With your heart beating wildy in your chest, you squat just like the first time. Though in this ocassion, your hands are trembling as you reach to take the bat in your hands.
"It's okay, my Lady," you whisper with a trembling voice, your eyes filling with tears that you don't shed at the feeling of the blood and see the wounds up close in your small companion. "You are safe now."
The bat looks at you, but as you bring her closer against your chest, cuddling her in reassurance, she closes her eyes tiredly, leaning her small head against you.
After the rescue, things take a radical twist in the interactions between you and your winged lady.
The animal no longer behaves as if you are an enemy, as if she was expecting the slightest mistake from your part to take advantage of it.
When in the past she preferred to be away from you but without losing sight of you, as if she was spying you, now she was close to you most of the time ─ climbing your arm to take a spot on your shoulder if you were standing and doing chores, or resting on your thigh when you were sitting down, or on chest when you were lying down. Looking for a comfort that you are so happy to provide with tender petting on her head and body, and with the attention and caring to take her back to health, which provides to be easier to do now that the bat it's on your side.
Because of it, it was no longer necessary to put her in the birdcage during bedtime, letting her roam freely the whole day and cuddling on the pillow next to your head when it was time to sleep.
You can't explain how giddy this changes makes you feel.
Alcina is in complete awe of you after you saved her.
Never before someone has taken care of her, much less protect her in the way you had and are still doing.
In all the irony, within her built family Alcina has learned to be independent, to deal with things in her own and never count with anyone. She wants to stand out and being the favorite which entails to always being on guard and not showing any kind of weakness, much less depending on others.
When it comes to humans, she is used to people being afraid of her, people running in the opposite direction when they see her. And even though it's something that thrills her, your actions are able to move her in a way nobody has done it.
After a few weeks Alcina is completely recovered and even though both of you wish to prolong your time together, it's not possible.
Alcina, even though has allowed herself to take the necessary time to heal this time without feeling guilty, still has responsabilities and needs to face any possible consequence of her absence.
It only takes one look for you to understand what your Lady wants to tell you the day she looks through the window with purpose.
Even when your heart screams at you to keep the bat with you, that's something you would never do to an animal that it's meant to be free.
On the other hand, if that would happen for some crazy reason, you would want it to happen because she chooses to stay with you and not because she's forced to it.
Alcina climbs into your hand when it's presented to her, and you walk out of the cabin, smiling sadly at her once you are out and she lifts her head to look at you.
"Farewell, my Lady," you clear your throat after it cracks. You always feel affection towards the animals you take care of and the time to say goodbye it's always bittersweet. This time though, it's heartbreaking for some reason you can't understand.
Your emotions are so raw that Alcina can't feel like she's being rejected or kicked away, knowing that this is hard for you. Just as it's proving to be for her. Which staggers her ─ a few weeks ago she was desperate to leave this place and she now wants to have a reason to stay without consequences.
You kiss the small head, lingering for a few seconds before pulling back. "Please, take care of yourself. You are welcome to visit me whenever you want, no need to harm yourself to do it," you joke, forcing a smile.
You sniff when your Lady gently licks your wrist and part of your palm, giving you one last piercing look with those unique eyes before taking flight, ending it all as unexpectedly as it started.
You go back inside once you can no longer see your winged lady, not wanting to give much thought to the acute sensation that you had just missed a very important thing for you.
Just like her draconic form is the signal of losing control of her mutation, her bat form indicates her most healthy state, feeding herself correctly to keep the reins over the cadou.
However, it's not a form Alcina is fond of turning into because as a bat she's more fragile and vulnerable, making her feel mortal.
Also because it made her feel humiliated. How was it possible that a woman of her height, capable to provoke fear and intimidation ended up turning into a tiny creature that could be considered adorable?
One night, Alcina decides to go out on her own after listening some gossip about hunters, once again, planning to attack the castle, wanting to deal with it once and for all instead of waiting for them.
She spots the group right away, the gang not even bothering to go unnoticed with the torchs in their hands.
Alcina wonders, boringly, licking her claws clean, if humans were becoming more stupìd. She had killed the group so easily. Why even trying an attack when it seemed they didn't even bother to come up with a plan to at least make it thrilling?
The last thing she expected was finding herself surrounded by a bunch of people in the next second.
The village didn't count with such quantity so it was clear that people from other places had joined for the assault.
She fights without hesitation, but sometimes her height ends up being a disadvantage despite her strength.
Alcina had never faced so many people at the same time, much less people who actually counted with a plan for the confrontation, and even though she would have prefered to deal with this on her own, she was aware it wasn't going to be possible.
Despite it wouldn't be enough to kill her, the large amount of weapons coated with holy water and silver bullets striking her skin over and over again were enough to make an impact and weaken her.
She decides what's best is let Mother Miranda know what they are facing, that this time it's wasn't just an heretic group from the village as they were used to but a whole mob.
Alcina turns into a bat, small and nimble, confusing the people around her by her sudden disappearence to fly away.
But there was a hunter with hawk sight that noticed the creature that wasn't common to see in those lands, who is capable to hit the target, piercing Alcina's wing with his arrow before she managed to disappear entirely from his sight.
You live on the village but somewhat isolated, after experience the nastiness of people, you preferred it that way.
You are getting ready for bed when you listen a crash outside, startling you.
After waiting a few seconds, making sure there wasn't further commotion and waiting for your heartrate to slow down, you decide to investigate.
Holding a lantern, you step outside your cabin, not finding anything out of the ordinary at first sight but then you notice the fallen buckets in the front of your garden shed, knowing that's not how you left them.
You squat in time to see a bat shaking its head, shaking off the dizziness of the hit, using its wings in an attempt to get up just to tumble to the right side, which makes you notice the tear of the wing membrane.
"Oh, you poor thing," you whisper, placing the lantern on the ground, your eyebrows furrowing with concern. Without thinking, you reach out to take the animal in your hands, not surprised when it hisses at you, finally realizing of your presence, but you do stop before achieving your goal. "I know, I know. I just want to help you, I promise." You keep one hand close to the animal so it realizes you are not a threat.
The bat freezes, its golden eyes locking with yours instead of inspecting your offered hand, looking at you in what it could be considered, a scrutinizing way.
You are befuddled by it, used to animals getting desperate in their attempt to escape and seek refuge to lick their wounds. Instead it felt like you are being inspected.
Alcina would prefer to escape and leave the mortification she is feeling behind. But after the unexpected attack she received, it wasn't possible for her to turn into her human form, she was too weak to even try it.
She looked at the person in front of her, knowing she would have to depend of them for a while because she was aware that she wouldn't be capable to make the rest of the flight. For a reason she had fallen during it. Unable to fly or move easily, it wasn't going to be possible to take care of herself on her own.
It wasn't something Alcina liked but needed, reason why she still hissed at them once she finally moved, crawling carefully over the offered hand. She hoped they were smart enough to get the message.
You smile when the bat settles down on your palm, noticing its body fits perfectly on it, its healthy wing folded against it while the other one is spread to the side not to aggravate it further.
You scratch softly the bat's head with your index finger, in a reassuring gesture, to then take the lantern with your free hand and stand up, making your way back to the cabin.
Alcina huffs at the petting. "It seems they aren't smart enough. Or at least they are smart enough to remove their finger before I had the chance to bite it." She sighs dramatically, already abhorring what would come in the next weeks.
Part II, Part III, Part IV
I would like to make a special shoutout to @ctitan98 because watching them share their AUs inspired me to finally share mine instead of keeping them in my mind and most likely never coming to life in any way, lol. Thank you so much for blessing us with your Alcina content!
