Percy grinned, nudging Henry with his foot. "Yeah, it's like every time I see you two, you're always practically glued together. Are you sure you’re not secretly dating?"
Alex sat up slightly, still leaning into Henry. "Nah, we're just the bestest of friends. Right, Henry?"
Henry nodded, his smile widening. "Yep, best friends. Though, with how much you cling to me, sometimes I wonder."
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the
Organization for Transformative Works
Verse: Falcon And The Winter Soldier / Captain America And The Winter Soldier / Captain America: Civil War/ Marvel Alternate Universe
Characters/Pairings: Baron Zemo/ Reader, Baron Zemo/ Female Reader, John Walker
Rating: Explicit
Word Count: 8971
Warnings/Tags: Drinking, smut, m/f, oral (female receiving), vaginal fingering, unprotected sex, drunk sex, Google translated translations, Walker is an asshole and just keeps getting worse.
Summary: Baron Helmut Zemo, world renowned racer and your sworn enemy on the track. You two have been going at it for years now, but now you two must join forces to fight back against John Walker, a new up and coming racer who is proving to beat both of you. Will you two survive the other or meet your demise on the track?
This is a mess. An absolute, blazing mess that sits before you in the middle of your workshop. The chassis was dented all to Hell, a new one having to be rebuilt and delivered to fix your custom car. The engine had parts missing that were left at the crash sight when it was towed away. One car to your name, and it was fucked up. Maybe you should have taken Stark’s sponsorship and invested in a backup. Sitting on the cement floor of the workshop, screwdriver in hand as you pry out bits and pieces of parts from the engine, taking note of the parts and working on the budget you had set out for this year's series of races, you dreaded the moment you’d see the total cost. This repair would take a nice chunk, but you still had money left over after to make sure your car was at its best. That was the thing about working with your car, it was just you and this beast of metal and speed, working as one to reach the end of the line. The screwdriver is set down at your side when you struggled too long on getting the broken interconnecting rod that links the turbine from the compressor, a sigh following as you sit back. A slow sense of dread fills you as you look at the broken parts scattering the ground, the missing parts on your list, and the purple paint that still streaks the busted carbon fiber chassis.
Working with Zemo was a dangerous game, which you recognized even before you shook on the arrangement he had proposed. He was wicked on the course, predictable at times but at others a ticking time bomb of what his next move may be. He was dangerous, but that is what made him damn good. He took far more risk than you usually would when it came to advancement in the race. Where you held back, he pushed forward. No wonder the man infuriated you. But this plan was the only thing you had to get things back to normal, back to the way they were where you hated Zemo with a passion and fought tooth and nail to stay better than him. You would never admit it, but without your rival, what fun was the race? See, it's not only the thrill of the chase between the driver and death, inching closer and closer with each hairpin turn and the risk of the other driver's moves. No, it’s also the thrill of having someone who wants to win just as bad as you, who is just as good and will do anything to try and progress further than you. It sets a standard, something to surpass, something to stay on level ground with when you catch yourself falling. Zemo was your equal, no matter how much you hated him. And equals like you two don’t have room for a third party to jump in and surpass. The game isn’t any fun when someone fucks with the rules. He had a point when it came to beating Walker down, especially since the man was already fighting you both with molotov cocktails and rocket fire in the form of playing dirty on the track. He was bringing a war to a battle just to see if he could come out on top. Despite everything telling you to stay away from Zemo and not get involved in this scheme, that it could end badly for one or both of you, you couldn’t stand the idea of having Walker walk all over you like some doormat. You couldn’t let him walk in as if he owned the place and could rule as he pleased.
He needed a reality check.
Your form pops and cracks as you stand, stiff from sitting on the solid ground and stretching to relieve your body of the tension. Everything felt so wrong, and you knew you had to make it right...But was this the right way to do it? “Jesus, you sound like that rice cereal with the little elves. You know, snap, crackle, and pop?” You laugh lightly when your friend comes into the workshop, food in hand and dressed down from the usual luxury attire he wore when visiting. No suit and tie in sight, just the oil stained wife beater you had seen him in when pursuing your education in the states as he worked tirelessly on his little toys as you liked to call them. He sets the bag down, the scent of the food causing your stomach to growl and pinch with a hint of pain. Have you really forgotten to eat today? You hadn’t noticed. “Got your favorite. Do you know how hard it is to find a restaurant that speaks English? I had to have Friday translate for me.”
“Maybe you should take a new hobby and learn the French language.” You retorted with a grin, the man shaking his head as he sets everything out. “Maybe I want you as my teacher, but you’re always busy with driving around in your fast little car and getting famous for fighting a Sokovian asshole.”
“And you’re too busy tinkering away with your toys in your little workshop in New York. Truly Tony, don’t tell me you actually want me as your teacher when your toys can teach you for me.” You pause as he rolled his eyes, watching the man for a brief moment as he turned to unwrap his burger. “Speaking of said Sokovian connard, he came to the bar I was at last night.” The man paused mid bite on the thick patty before speaking with his mouth full. “Okay, spill, what did he want?”
“Well originally I thought he was going to cuss me and try to blame me for the failure to complete the race yesterday, but he showed me something. You know the young man who won the race yesterday, corriger? John Walker?”
“Yeah, I know the guy. Races for the American McLaren team and came straight from F3 to F1. What’d he do?”
He raises a brow when you sigh, taking a seat beside him on the desk he had set the food down on and stealing the dish he had brought you. “Zemo showed me proof that Walker hit his car and sent him flying into mine. And I believe he did it on purpose.” You explain, taking a bite of the food your companion got for you. You pause for a moment to chew before returning to your theory. “On my way to the car bay, he smirked at me, and it wasn’t a “I won” smirk- well, it kinda was, but it was rather a “I did this to you” kind of smirk. Not necessarily an evil one but one that showed he knew exactly what he had done and was proud of it. Pride in an unfair act.”
“And no flags were thrown up?”
“Non, not a one. As our friend the Baron said,” you cringe at the term friend, “the ones watching the race possibly couldn’t tell if he had done such on purpose or by accident. I believe him about such. And I suppose that brings me to what I’m about to say next.” You take a breath, gaze conflicted and downcast to your food as you speak. “The Baron offered a temporary truce of our rivalry to take down this John Walker, thus allowing us to return to what we do best after Walker is taken down.” He listened intently before his nose scrunched at the idea of such. You two working together? Ha! That’d never work! “And you said yes to this crazy idea? What the Hell are you thinking, (first name)?” Your hands shoot up in defense, gaze rising to meet his own. “I know, I know! It’s a crazy idea, but you know as well as I do that if Zemo and I want things back to normal, back to the rivalry, we have to do this together so Walker is met with further resistance. If I could avoid it and deal with this American scum, no offense, then I would.”
“Some taken, but I get it. I just wonder if you two will go back to the way things are after all of this. Who knows, maybe you’ll become that dreaded word you hate to associate with him in any capacity-”
“Ne t'avise pas de le dire, Anthony.”
“Friendssss.” He draws it out, causing you to roll your eyes at his antics and slap his arm with the back of your grimey hand. He pretended to show a hurt expression before chuckling when another slap came, this time to his chest. “Oh hush, we will never be friends.”
“I guess time will tell.” A shrug followed as Stark finished the last bite of his burger, crumbling the wrapper and lining up the shot with the waste bin in the corner. “He shoots,” the paper lands in the bin, his arms going up in the air. “He scores!”
“Stop goofing around, ma amie. I asked for your help with this and now I need it.”
Three weeks have passed, and the Germany race is upon you. The Nürburgring, a beast of a track that many racers to this day in Formula 1 fear like a plague sweeping the track. Your mind has been racing as you pieced your car back together and got it ready for racing. What happens if something wasn’t installed in the engine right? What if you didn’t get the intake vents lined up just right? You were a perfectionist with your car, and you know deep down that it was ready for race day but it made your head sing with pain as a migraine sets in. That wasn’t the only thing that made it throb and bring you to lean against the chassis of your car. Zemo’s deal, it worried you sick. But you didn’t have time to think about it much today. You couldn’t dwell on it. You had a race to win.
Your eyes flick up at the speakers, listening to the message. It was press conference time. You take your seat where your name tag and flag set, giving a nod of acknowledgement to the crowd of reporters sitting and waiting to open up questioning. To your left, Walker seats himself with a boyish, charming smile that didn’t quite meet those dark eyes. He looked your way, hand held out to you. “Hey, I hate that we didn’t get to meet earlier on. I’m John Walker.” You glance at his hand before looking back up at him. He played a good game, acting innocent like the boy scout he tried to be. You wouldn’t fall for his games, but you shook his hand briefly. “(First name) (Last name).” He grinned. “Oh, I know who you are. I’ve been watching you race for years now! I hate that you crashed a couple weeks ago, would have loved to have been standing on that podium with you.”
“Oui, such a shame that was. But today is a new day, Mr. Walker.” Your gaze flickered to your right, startled by your rival taking his seat and looking directly at the pair of you. The Baron never sat beside you, even going as far as to request a seat change from the press conference coordinators. Some learned to keep you two separate, others knew it would incur drama, and drama made money.
“Alright everyone, please take your seats and the conference will begin in one moment!”
“Say, did you get your car all fixed up? Must have cost a pretty penny since you don’t have any sponsors.” Walker continued on, this time his gaze looking at the reporters as he gave a brief wave to the ones he recognized from the states. “Oui.” He gave a huff of a laugh. “Not much of a talker, are you?” You wanted to bite back, to say something and throw hands with this man, but you would be escorted out and disqualified in a snap. “Non.” A leg bumped yours under the table and you glance at Zemo who met your gaze briefly. Those dark brown eyes questioned if you were okay, a silent question that only you understood. The slightest nod was sent his way before looking at the reporters who got things settled and ready.
“Questions are now open-” The announcer was startled with the amount of questions directed in the direction of you three, clearing his throat as he nodded to your little trio at the table. Mr. Walker!” He gestured to the reporter, watching him stand and adjust his microphone and camera. “Mr. Walker, this question is open to the three of you. Under allegations from the previous race at The Circuit Paul Ricard, many are wondering if you had caused the accident involving Zemo and (Last name). How do you feel about these accusations?” The man had the audacity to laugh and throw that boyish smile to the camera, rubbing at his face. “Look, that was not supposed to happen once so ever. As many of my fellow racers can attest, one wrong slip of the hand on your wheel and your car will eventually go off track. I got nervous, twitched, and just so happened to bump the Baron’s car into Ms. (Last name)’s car. I feel terrible, I truly do, but it could have happened to anyone with any driver. So I refute these accusations and continue to say this is an accident.”
“And you, Baron, Ms. (Last name). How do you feel about the accusations?” The reporter gestured his question to you two now. “I respect your opinion, Mr. Walker,” Zemo began, the man smiling and sending a nod his way. “But I call, as the Americans say, bullshit.” His smile fell, darkened gaze questioning the man on what the Hell he was going on about. The reporters erupted in questioning, trying to get the attention of the two racers who stare each other down around you. You lean back a bit for them to have a better view-line, One of the American reporters calling your name. You use this moment to break the tension. “Oui?”
“Do you believe you stand a chance as a woman against these two leading men now that John Walker is starting to gain points and nearing your total?” You blink at his question before taking a deep breath, holding it to calm your throbbing head, and releasing it slowly. “Oui, I do. I believe I can keep up just as well as any racer. Take my racing career with Zemo. I have kept up with his old extrémité arrière.” The French reporters in the room resound in a fit of chuckles, bringing a smile to your face. “And against Walker?” You meet his gaze as he stares at you expectantly for an answer, forcing that smile he tried to use on you earlier. “I believe I stand quite a good chance, but que le meilleur coureur gagne.” You shrug, listening as the smaller drivers get asked their questions. The whole time there are eyes burning into the left side of your head, waiting until the racers are dismissed. Walker watches you as you walk out, watching the way Zemo comes up in tow as you make your way to the car bay. Something was up, and he could feel that there were clearly doubts in your mind about the accident in France. He would just have to deal with you later. “(First name), wait!” Zemo followed you into the bay, slowing from his jog to keep up with you to a stop near the desk holding your notes about the race and your vehicle. “I haven’t had a chance to talk with you in person since the bar.” He paused, looking into those eyes of yours that gaze at him curiously. “Are you ready for this, fräulein?”
“Aussi prêt que possible, Baron.” You busy yourself with inspecting your car for any last minute changes, the man watching you as you inspect and work. “Good, good. And we are still a go, yes?”
“Oui, we are still, as you said, a go.” He grinned at you, gaze flickering down your back as he looked over your uniform. Of course he had noticed you in all aspects before, talent and skill being the top, but never had he been this close like the night at the bar and now to really see you. Maybe after all of this, even with the rivalry, you could be friends, dare he say anything more than such. “You’re staring.” You quip, breaking him from his trance to meet your gaze. The faintest hint of color lingered on your cheeks. He coughed, trying to clear away the embarrassment lingering in his form. Why was he getting embarrassed? “Just thinking about what will be left behind when I pass you on the track, mein liebe.” Your eye roll doesn’t go unnoticed, the man relaxing due to how calm you are around him. No biting his head off, no anger, just chill. You stand and give a playful shove to his shoulder, smiling at the Sokovian. “In your dreams, Sokovian. Now, get the fuck out of my car bay.” He smiled to himself as he walked away, mind now clouded by the smile that lingered on your lips. He liked when you smiled, and he had to make sure this plan worked.
The race was gearing up to start, the same process as before coming into play. Car, balaclava, wheel. You take your moment to breathe, today your speed has placed you in second, just as the plan entailed. Zemo took the first position. He glanced your way, sending a nod in your direction, only to smirk beneath the balaclava when you flip him off like usual. The rivalry was still on, no matter what he would still have that after dealing with Walker. Still have you in one sense or another. Your glance focused in on the man across the way in the pole position opposite of you, his eyes locked on the two of you before meeting your gaze. There he stares you down, even as his helmet slipped on. The visor was flipped down at the one minute warning, eliminating the final clarifying view of his gaze. It was clear he was cautious of you, maybe even lingering with hate.
“Fahrer! Starten...sie ihre....Motoren!
That familiar purr settles into your chest, spreading through your body like a dam breaking and flooding the valley below. It stirs up the motivation to win once more, removing any doubt from your mind as you rev your engine. Zemo was right, Walker had to be stopped. With this attitude about racing, playing his little mind games and wrecking racers, he’d get someone killed just for first place. You couldn’t allow that...but you also couldn’t allow the rivalry you have established with Zemo to be broken because of someone else. There was too much there to be lost. Your fingers tighten around the wheel, licking your lips beneath the helmet as you prepare yourself for takeoff. The lights start counting down the race. Five seconds away, one green and two red lights. You watch them count down until the bottom lines of red are fully lit, then they flash off. You’re off, following Zemo right on the tail of his car as you start into the track. This track was a beast, your mind racing as it remembers every nook and cranny of it. Seventy three corners, eleven danger points, hair pin turns, all on a 12.8 mile long course that was deadly in the onset of any weather and people who get careless with their moves. Lucky enough, the sky was only overcast. No rain, little wind to interfere with the aerodynamics and mobility of the chassis, just the perfect chill in the air to remind you where you were in this moment. You take your turns with ease, avoiding the group of cars that began to follow suit on the track behind your own. Your eyes remained locked in on every shift to your side, Walker keeping close by within each turn and danger point you went through.
As you drive, Walker gets up past you within one of the speed trap areas, the stretch of road allowing him to be up beside Zemo and leave you on the back of their tires. Zemo had a plan, you believed in this plan… but had he just been toying with you to get closer to Walker? Doubt clouded your mind, even as you sped up in an attempt to join the boys directly in the front. Perhaps you shouldn’t have followed this plan, even as you get through the first twenty five laps, then the next twenty five. Each turn brought your tyres closer to Walkers who eyed you cautiously from time to time, as if silently daring you to pull a move like he did. Maybe you’d be caught and black flagged. Hell, that would make his fucking day if that happened. As he watched you, he had failed to notice on the wider strip of the track how Zemo began to drift further and further ahead. Then he was side tracked, Zemo slowing abruptly and stealing the attention of the young American driver. “What the Hell!?” He yelled over the roar of multiple motors, watching your car join Zemo’s side and the original speed be resumed. Now you sat beside Zemo on the track, pedal to the floorboard as you two kept your lead and basically walled Walker in. Each time he tried to drift around, one of you would shift your car just enough to keep him locked in. A grin met your lips as you drove, the energy of the race taking a whole new shift as you got closer and closer to the last lap with your rival right at your side. Tips of the chassis lined up perfectly, rear aerodynamic fins aligned like a well oiled machine. You two were in perfect sync as you put Zemo’s plan into action. Create a wall of impenetrable magnitude. If Walker tried anything, all three of you would go down. If he tried to get around, he would be blocked. There was no getting out from behind you two.
The checkered flag waved in the quickly approaching distance, your gaze for a moment looking at your rival. The blur of purple was steady, lined with yours like that of an air jet's flight coordination. Perfectly straight, and running at full throttle like you are. As your cars pass the finish line, debate begins to rise. It was too close in the end to call, at least not right away. You slow, allowing the purple beast to pass by and enter the pit before you, a silent gesture of courtesy to the man you worked with. He sent a small nod your way when he watched you get out of your car, helmet removed along with his balaclava and revealing the joyful grin resting on his lips. Anyone else would mistaken it for cockiness, but the look in his eyes said it all. You two did it, you beat Walker in the race! He must be furious! A breath is held on your end, helmet and the fabric covering your face discarded as you turn your gaze away from the arriving racers and the man you drove along with. You were locked in on that score board, curiosity eating at you for who may have won the race. You were neck in neck with the man, the smallest push forward could earn either of you the points for the day. No names shown yet, and you anxiously leaned on the hot surface of the carbon fiber vehicle as you waited. Each noise around you from the slow dwindle of engines to low, fading purrs to the pit crews of your respective teams surrounding you, your rival, and the newcomer were drowned out by the pounding of your heart as it flooded your ear drums. It felt like hours passed as you kept your gaze locked on, ignoring the happy clamour of your crew, the clasp of hands on your shoulder and pats on your back, even down to the ruffling of your hair in glee. Then it flashed up.
1st: (First initial). (Last name)
1st: H. Zemo
2nd: J. Walker
The press goes crazy over the news, each respective country reporting their amazement over the finishing results.
“Ein fehlerfreier, aber überraschender Sieg für Baron Helmut Zemo, der mit (First name) (Last name) gleichauf den ersten Platz belegt!”
“Victoire pour la championne de France (First name) (Last name) alors qu'elle rejoint le Baron Helmut Zemo dans une rare égalité!”
“In a remarkable and truly unprecedented event in The Nürburgring F1 race! Baron Helmet Zemo and (First name) (Last name) tied in a photo finish for first place, a rare occurrence that has set back American racer John Walker from the potential for first place!”
Your breath comes out shaky, slowly slipping out as reality hits you like a wrecking ball to a brick wall. The air leaves your lungs as a happy noise rings out from your lips, joining your crew in the celebration as they hug and surround you. You placed first. Zemo placed first. Curiosity met you, your gaze looking to the man who celebrated with his own crew before allowing himself a chance to settle his gaze on you in turn. There he sent a wink, a silent congratulations that made you shake your head at his antics before refocusing on the celebration. You would be standing with the man in first place on that podium, both sharing the victory wreath and spraying champagne all over the crowd of fans and your respective pit crews who were basking in the glory just as much as you two were. You couldn’t help the glee bubbling up in your form, even as you make your way not too far from your rival. For a second, just a split second, you let the rivalry go and let your smile be seen in accompaniment with his gleeful grin, shoulders bumping when you’re positioned at the podium by the F1 management crew. Press swarm to the area like flies to a summer barbecue, wanting to catch a glimpse of the rivals standing together, being on the podium and sharing first place. “Not so bad working with my, as you put it earlier, old extrémité arrière, hm?” He questioned as you two stood together, the closeness you two were forced into for the photographers far more comfortable than it would have been under any other circumstances. He blamed the feelings he had at this moment on the victory over Walker, over the rest of the racers, not even thinking that perhaps this was beyond the fact that he won but that you, his favorite rival, won alongside him. “Non, not the worst.” You joked lightly, forcing a serious face for the cameras when they began to picture you two side by side on the first place stand. He accepted the bottle of champagne before you could, holding it out. “You may have the honor, (First name).” Your fingers brush his own as you grasp the bottle with him, popping the cork and sending the bubbly to decorate the crowd. Flash after flash met you as you stood alongside Zemo and basked in the glory of the win. “How about drinks to celebrate? Even as rivals, I believe a drink wouldn’t hurt.” He whispered the question, causing your gaze to lock on his own in brief surprise. Was he serious!? “I um..Oui, sure. Meet you in town?” He nods, gaze seeming to glimmer ever so brighter as he takes his leave. Even when you separate to get cleaned of the alcohol and switch to “civilian clothing”, your smile doesn’t falter. Maybe it would be good for you to drink the night away with company that didn’t seem as bad as you once had thought before.
As you begin to peel away the racing suit, the flame resistant material bunching at your waist and revealing the open expanses of your back, the simplistic bra strap over the back the only material seen, you fail to hear the seething man enter your car bay. “Do you know what you just did, Ms. (Last name)? Who you fucked with?” Walker puts his hands on your shoulders, spinning you around to face him, his face inches away from yours. “You went and fucked with the wrong man. You could have just accepted your loss, licked your wounds, and we would have been just fine. But oh no, you had to go and fuck with my winning streak with that Sokovian piece of shit.” He huffed when you shove him back, gaze narrowed and arms crossing over your bra covered chest out of annoyance. You could care less what he saw. “I don’t see why you’re so mad, Mr. Walker. You got a taste of your own medicine after that stunt you pulled back in France. You and I both know that was no accident.”
“You know what? Yeah, I did that. But I see you are working with Zemo now, which is also a big no-no in Formula 1. Seems we’re both sinners of the race. The greed of it.” His tone was a hushed, harsh whisper. There was no need to alert anyone that he was in your private quarters harassing you. “I’m nothing like you.” Your tone came out in a hiss, his downturned lips curving up into a grin at your response. “Oh sweetheart, I beg to differ.” He chuckled at the narrowed gaze he was met with. “You and your Sokovian boy toy need to back off. Let this happen like it should or you’ll not like what happens next.”
“And just what do you think you’ll do, John? Because all I’m hearing right now is a lot of talking with no proof of any big execution.” Your lazy grin and scoff of annoyance at his presence left him to raise his hands in mock defeat, hands coming to rest on your shoulders once more with a harsh grip that made your body tense and hold you there. He leaned in, even as you tried to lean away, his lips moving in close near your ear. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Frenchie. I will do anything to win. You best remember that.” His tone alone makes your body betray you, the calm, cool, and collected front slipping as a shiver ran up your spine at his warning. And with that, he leaves you to get dressed for the night.
Zemo texts you an address for a bar off the beaten path in Cologne, Germany, further than you had anticipated in going from the track but a welcomed change of scenery. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Frenchie. I will do anything to win. You best remember that.” The words stick with you, even as you drive the main road into the big city, looking for the bar Zemo had invited you to. It was connected to a hotel, a fancy hotel at that, with old architecture and lavish exterior. You could only imagine the interior! A nervous breath is taken as you get out of the car, gaze meeting the man you had just won with. He smiled at you, clothing casual and the air around him feeling far more comforting now than ever. The incident with Walker had left you rattled, sending your nerve endings to buzz and let your body know that you aren’t okay. Even though you felt off, you force a smile to the man who wrapped a friendly arm around your shoulders and led you in to sit at the quiet bar. “So, did I not tell you the plan would work?”
“I just thought it was your cockiness talking, but I will admit, though it physically pains me to do so…” You pause, biting your lip. “Well?” You sigh. “You were right.” The words come out struggled and forced, the man's grin growing at such. “Ah~, I don’t believe I caught that.”
“Oh va te faire foutre!” He chuckled at your words, hand raised towards the bartender to get you drinks. “What are you ordering?”
“Shots. We deserve something to toast our victory to, and I don’t believe champagne is your drink of choice.” He offered you one of the smaller glasses, his own raised before him as he locks those bright brown eyes with your own. “Ein Prost! To us, and our victory over John Walker. May that American schwein taste defeat again.” You raise your glass, hoping to drink away any thoughts about Walker's warning and leave it for the next day. Throwing caution to the wind, you decided right then and there that you would finally have fun and disregard the night that you sat across from your rival. Tonight you just wanted to drink. “À la vôtre!” The drink is bitter as it hits your throat and travels down your body, causing a warmth to spread soon after. Kuemmerling, a bitter concoction of herbaceous and bittersweet flavors. A drink of choice for Zemo it seemed because soon after the shots were downed, he ordered another round.
Shot after shot after shot is taken down until your body is leaning against his own and a joke that is shaky at best from his part sends you into a roar of laughter. He holds you close, laughing right along with you. “So... It’s Barenjar?” He snorts at your piss poor pronunciation of the new liquor joining the mix, shaking his head at you as he looks on with drunken vision. “Nien, nien, Bärenjäger. Say it with me. Bä-”
“Bä-”
“Ren-”
“Ren-”
“Jäger!”
“Mick Jagger?”
He laughs in defeat, shaking his head as he watched you. So relaxed, so calm. He hasn’t seen you like this before in his life. He’s startled by your sudden movements after downing your last shot for the night, catching you as you try to stand and stumble as your feet betray you. Your body landing against his, his arms slotting themselves around your waist as your drunken gaze catches his own. Those brown eyes of his are hypnotizing, keeping your gaze locked on his own. “I have something to confess, (First name).” He paused to wet his lips, trying to piece the words together in his hazy mind. “I have liked you since the day I met you.” He finally blurts out, fingers moving up to brush away a stray strand of hair that had fallen into your eyes. “You’re infuriating, yet calming. Stubborn and determined. Your smile is lovely and those eyes…” He trails off, leaving your hazy mind questioning what was going to come after, but you hardly have time to think about it as he pressed in closer, face inches from your own. The smell of Bärenjäger and Kuemmerling lingered on his breath as it fanned over your face, those brown eyes searching for something in your own. “Can you feel it, the connection we have? Can you see that we are not just rivals now?” His tone was just barely above a whisper, questioning you with a hint of desperation to his tone.
“Oui.”
That was the only answer he needed. His lips are on yours with fever and desperation, hands clinging to your form for dear life after hearing the words that sent him to fully fall into the feeling of you. You were his comfort, the one constant thing in his life. His rival...but right now you were the woman he sloppily kissed at the hotel bar as the bartender tried to catch his attention to tell you that you both were cut off for the night. His hands moved to grip at your thigh and tangle in your hair, abandoning the idea of holding anything back, the liquor giving him courage to make a move on you. He has wanted to do this for years, touch you, feel you, have you there with him in any way he could. He separated only when the threat of security was offered by the bartender, lips kiss swollen and a faint pant falling from them. “Come.” His hand takes hold of yours, leading you along to the lift and up to his room for the night. This hotel that he called home for the time being would serve well for what he had in mind to do to you. He led you inside, not even waiting for the door to close as he captured your lips once more, hands taking your rear in his grasp and hoisting you up so your legs wrapped around him, back pressed up against the closest wall he could find. He held you there, lips separating to begin trailing hungry kisses down the column of your throat and allow his hands to trace along your sides. His fingers slipped beneath the fabric of your shirt to feel the bare skin there, wanting what he has longed for since the day he met you. A noise fell from your lips as he lazily suckled a mark over your pulse point, your fingers tangling into his dark hair and tugging the locks when his hips grounded against your own. He couldn’t help the fire blooming in his body, needy for the creature that has teased him for all these years, The one he thought he would never have a chance with because of their hate for each other on the track. He needed you, and in your current state, you were willing to accept any touch he offered. He was just Helmut Zemo tonight. Not your rival, not the Baron, just Helmut. And you were his (First name).
A groan left his lips when you pulled him by his hair away from your neck, hands working to take your shirt up and over your head. Throwing it aside, he looked at you with a gaze of admiration. It was similar to the gaze he gave when looking at the new modifications to his car, taking pride in the beauty of things that drove him to win. He dampens his lips, fingers lazily dragging up the expanses of your back from bottom to top, resting on the clasp of the garment covering your breast. “Darf ich?” Your nod was all he needed, the clasp undone with skilled fingers that knew precision, holding still on your back when your arms rose to take the garment and throw it in an unknown direction to be forgotten about for the time being. He wasted no time with taking one of your breasts in hand, fingers running over the sensitive bud of one while he took the other in his mouth, suckling and lavishing with his tongue. He took his time, drunken yet slowly sobering mind savoring each and every noise that fell from your lips as he toyed with your body. You’re barely into foreplay and he already has your panties soaked, the Baron being a creature that knows exactly what buttons to push to get you going without even knowing your body. He was skilled, that much was for sure in your mind as he switched to the other breast, paying equal attention to each. Those brown eyes of his don’t leave your face for a second, watching every reaction and trying to commit them to memory. If he could only have you tonight, he wanted to remember everything he possibly could. Every detail of your body, everything that drew a hitched breath or a low moan from your lips. Every shaky breath and the way your body would press closer to his greedy mouth and hand. He stored it all away. Maybe he’d wake up the next day and fancy this a pleasant dream...It wouldn’t be the first time he’s gotten worked up by thinking about you.
His hand traveled downward, cupping your sex through your pants as his own grinds up against your thigh, straining through the fabric of his pants. He ached for you, for your heated skin to be pressed against his own in a delicious rut of bodies. He traced along the seam, hearing the low whine that fell from your lips as he teased you through the material. “Helmut, stop for a moment.” The man paused all actions, his gaze shifted to a worried state as he met your eyes and spoke with concern. “Are you alright, mein liebling?”
“Oui.” Your fingers trace his jaw, the man's face briefly pressing in against your palm before delivering a soft kiss to the area. A tender gesture that sent butterflies to flutter in your stomach and heart to speed further than the foreplay had already caused. “I just...Take me to the bedroom. Please?” You preferred not being right beside the door where anyone could listen in, where anyone could hold a camera up to the peephole and record the sexual pleasures of the infamous Wildcard and Baron. That would make a top headline, wouldn’t it? He gave a chuckle at your demand, nodding as he kept his grip on you, your legs wrapping just a hint tighter around him as he moved you both to the bedroom. He’s gentle with setting you down, looking down at you when you unwrap your arms and legs from his form. “Scheiße, du bist perfekt.” He slowly worked on the buttons of his shirt, working each plastic piece through the loop with fingers that were known for precision on the course. A shift in his steering, taking hold of the semi-automatic paddle-shifters as he drove, it was all well calculated and that applied on and off the track. His shirt is shrugged off his shoulders, thrown aside before focusing on the belt on his pants. He gets it off with what can only be deemed a darkening gaze, knowing he’s getting closer and closer to having you. You rose to let your hands trail his chest, roaming over the lean muscle that rested there as feather light kisses met his collarbone. A shiver met his spine, shooting up in bliss as he allowed a moment to savor the feeling of you touching his skin. Your skin was so warm, so inviting. He was getting lost in everything.
Your fingers shift down his torso, trailing his abdomen before looping in the belt loops of his pants to pull him forward, a low growl falling from his lips when you place a kiss above the waistline of his pants. Your movements were confident, unzipping his trousers and tugging them down to reveal the tent hidden behind his underwear. He swallowed thickly as he kicked his pants off, watching your every move as you cup him through the thin fabric, thumb moving to brush over the leaking tip and cause a shaky breath to leave him. “Maus-” A groan leaves his lips when a jerk through the fabric is given, his head falling back briefly. He huffed when you repeated the motion, fingers anxious to wrap around his bare flesh and feel that hot skin in the palm of your hand. But he stops you, hand wrapping around your own and bringing it to his lips once more. “Tonight is not about me, maus.” You’re surprised when the man placed his hand on your chest, lightly pushing you back to lay on the bed as he slowly sank down onto his knees, ”Es geht nur um dich.’ His lips drag slowly across your skin, trailing light kisses and nips along your abdomen and resting at the waist of your pants. He glanced up, a silent question of courtesy offered your way as his fingers loop in the band, asking permission like a proper gentleman. “Go ahead.” Your voice is barely above a whisper, his presence making you feel like you’re floating higher and higher on this ride with him. He gave a tug, your rear lifting and back arching to aid the man as he pulled your pants down and let them fall to join the scattered articles around the room. You’d have to go on a damn scavenger hunt just to find your clothes! But none of that mattered now, not when his hot breath is fanning over your needy core and face nuzzling at your thighs. He placed a kiss to your inner thigh before another followed, then another as he began to trail inward towards your covered core. “Aufgeregt?” He purred in questioning, a low rumble of a chuckle coming from deep within his chest spilling out at the small nod he is met with, loving how he has left you damn near speechless just by being so close. Your hips jump back before he gets a grip on them, his tongue moving over the wet fabric and causing a light whine to spill from your lips. “Helmut, please.” Oh, hearing you speak his name only egged him on further, needing you. He needed to taste you, to feel you. He needed you in every way, and his drunken mind only pushed him on to pull the fabric away from your legs and stare at the glory that is you. So wet, so beautiful. He wasted no more time, bringing your legs to hook over his shoulders and delved into the intoxicating honey pot he had been offered. He started off slowly, a long lap from entrance to clit given before the motion was repeated just to hear the noise that left your lips with each swipe. Zemo was mapping you out, taking note of what areas made your thighs twitch and tense, what areas made your hips jump back at the sensitivity of his touch, and what made those oh so delicious noises spill from your mouth.
He allows his tongue to focus in on your clit, flicking the bundle of nerves in a rhythm that sends your head to spin and moan after moan to spill from your lips. “Merde!” He smirked against your core when your hand shot down to tangle in his locks, needing stability after he took your clit between his lips and suckled. He repeats the motion, gaze locked on your own and watching the sudden shock of the feeling run through your body. You were so reactive, and just for him. A lazy lick is given to the sensitive bundle of nerves, watching your hips jerk lightly and seeing the tremble that began to settle into your thighs. “Close?” He questioned as if he was questioning about an everyday thing, totally not giving the impression he was getting you close to orgasm just with that sinful tongue and lips of his. O-Oui.” Your tone was shaky, breathy, eyes half lidded and watching his every move on you. “Gut.” A gasp fell from your lips when he sank a digit into your hot, needy core, arching along the way and searching for the sweet spot deep within. He wasn’t like the inexperienced boys who would just jab their fingers into their partner and hope it hits something. No, his fingers curled, probed, dragged and felt for that spot in a way that showed his experience. A second digit is added not too long after the first, probing the flesh within until he hears your moan and finds that spot that drives you to clamp your thighs around his head. A groan left his lips at the rush of slick is met with each probe, massaging that spot within you and only adding to the tension building in your core. Each throb he was met with only spurred him on. He was on a mission to bring you over the edge, and he would do anything to get you off. When his mouth returned to your still sensitive clit, tongue flicking of the bundle and including the occasional suckle while his fingers moved deep within, you were done for. A rough tug is given to his hair as your body convulses, thighs clamping around him and grinding your hips down against his eager tongue. He helps you ride out your orgasm, lapping at your clit until you give a light shove to his head to make him stop. A wicked smile crosses his features as he gives one final suckle, a squeak leaving your lips at the motion and shoving him back as much as your trembling body allows. He can only chuckle at the attempt, fingers removing from your throbbing core. He watched your gaze land on him when you caught sight of the digits, watching the man move his glance to them as if he was inspecting them before a quiet whimper left your lips when they were taken one by one into his mouth. He made it a show, teasing you as he cleaned each digit of your juices in a slow motion. Sinking down to the knuckle before returning and licking at whatever was left. “Tease.” You huffed, chest rising and falling steadily with your hammering heart. “Oh you know you like it.” He retorted, lazily letting his body climb up and over yours on the plush mattress.
He pushed the final material separating you from him away, throwing the underwear away before letting himself settle in against your body. Zemo wasted no time in wrapping your legs around his waist, lips joining yours as he lined up with you, one hand taking hold of your hip while the other took hold of your hair, tugging it back enough to have access to your neck. As he begins to ease himself within you, his lips attach at a section of your neck, a harsh mark left in his wake as he sinks inch by inch within the lightly pulsing core that he toyed with before. A groan was left against your skin when he was fully settled, grip rough on your hip but movements gentle as he waited for you to adjust. He was no animal, not cruel! He knew that there was a possibility for pain if he moved too soon, and even in his drunken haze he recognized the look in your eyes, the slight twinge of pain from his size alone. The stretch wasn’t unpleasant, no, but it was an intrusion you weren’t quite used to when normally doing this. He lightly placed kisses to sooth you along the mark he left, trailing them up the underside of your chin, going along your jaw before soon connecting with your lips in a soft kiss. Something to distract you until you were ready for him to move. A shift of your hips was given when you tested the feeling of him in you, the moan that left your lips causing a low growl to fall from his own. He lifted his body to loom over yours, hand moving from your hair to cup a breast as he sets a slow, deep and even borderline sensual pace within your core. Slowly out until the tip stayed just barely in before plunging deeply into your warm, wet depths. He huffed with each push of his cock within your core, meeting your moans with a faint groan here or a soft growl there when your walls gripped him just right. He was losing composure with each faint twitch of your walls around him, pace beginning to pick up into a steady rhythm that developed the noise of slick skin hitting skin and the bed beneath to creak ever so slightly with each movement. “Verdammt!” He could tell how your walls began to tighten around him, how each noise leaving your lips grew louder and louder. His poor neighbors, hearing you both so vividly through the walls of the hotel. Yet he didn’t care who heard. As long as they knew that in this moment, you were his to take, that was all that mattered. Zemo moved his thumb to your clit, working the bundle along with the assault he laid on your sensitive spot deep within. Each clamp around him brought his own release to come closer and closer. “Cum for me, maus.” He demanded with a grunt, needing to feel you come undone to reach his own release. His words hit somewhere deep in you, the demand that was laced with a plea driving you to your second orgasm of the night. He groaned as he felt you clamp around him, the sensation alone causing him to remove himself from you and spill onto your stomach with a few quick pumps of his hand along his slick coated member. He pants, taking in the sight of you one final time for the time being. Messy, slickened by your own arousal and sweat. Your hair was messed up, your lips parted and panting. To add the cherry on top, you were coated in his release, a sight for sore eyes while you lay like this. He made you like this, and it swells his drunken ego.
Slowly he eased down to lay at your side, bringing you in against him with an almost delicate kiss delivered to your temple. Your breathing slowly evened out, head resting against his chest as his fingers trail along your back, drawing imaginary patterns as his mind begins to blank. The alcohol was taking effect, causing him to enter a lull and for his eyes to flutter shut. As you lay there, catching your breath, you watch as he drifts away, a single question beginning to enter your sobering mind.
“What have I done?”
Tag List: @darksxder | @mymagicsuitcase | @mischief-siriusly-managed | @alindeluce
Hi, I know, I know… It’s been a (ridiculously) long while since I last posted something. Life has been totally insane, but I am now trying to refocus on what matters more: writing.
I finally updated my ongoing novel, The Crimson Stone, with Chapter 7, so it is now available for registered members to read on Channillo.
Please visit the website for a free preview, enjoy, and don’t forget to…
A courtyard unfurled before a towering castle. Gray pavers, smoothed by use, spread out around a massive platform. Though the platform was empty now, it seemed as if something belonged there. Water could be heard flowing nearby. Walls cordoned off the courtyard from the rest of the garden with forts and keeps spaced in the intervening area as defense.
A vast and sprawling countryside of gentle, undulating hills spread out between the blue roofed castle and a red roofed castle far in the distance. Three roads cut through the countryside to the walls of the other castle. Beyond that, it sounded like a garden party was taking place somewhere.
A shrine lay at the north and south of the country. One dedicated to the moon, one to the sun. In the center stood a huge, stone dragon statue. Something seemed to crackle just beneath the surface, almost as if the statue was alive beneath the stony veneer.
A dais, positioned directly in front of the castle gate, crackled with power before four figures seemingly appeared from thin air. In almost unison they stepped down from the dais. Three of them seemed to belong together with similar arms and armor. The fourth seemed like they were from another world entirely. Truly, they were.
“Another day, another fight! FOR THE WILDHAMMER!” A dwarf billowed from atop his gryphon.
“Enthusiastic as ever I see, Falstad.” A kingly figure with dark brown air chuckled as he glanced up at the sky. “Looks like sword and board today. We’re down a man and a healer.”
“Ain’t it a little funny? Even if they show up a bit late a fifth is always here by now…” A man in a full body suit of armor commented as he shifted his gun to his other hand. Almost as if that were a cue, the dais crackled with power again. “Speak a the devil…”
All of them turned to see who their fifth would be. The kingly figure turned a sickened shade of white immediately.
“No…” A barely audible whisper as he took a tentative step up on to the dais. “Why? Of all people… why are you here, my son?” With each step he seemed increasingly weaker. Finally, he collapsed to his knees before a flaxen haired young man. The very image of a broken man, he limply reached out to them. Finding strength in the myriad emotions welling up inside, he yanked the young man up against him tightly. Barely contained sobs buried themselves in the crook of the young man’s neck.
“Battle starts in 30 seconds.” A regal, albeit disembodied, voice echoed through the courtyard.
A dwarf in blue armor reached out and touched the grieving man on the shoulder.
“Come on! Wake up! We’re running out of time.” The king urged as he pulled himself from his sorrow.
“Ya Majesty. Yannae how this all works. He’ll be safe here.” The armored dwarf named Muradin spoke quietly and kindly.
“Aye, even if they take the core, they cannae touch ‘im ‘ere.” The gryphon riding Falstad chimed in encouragingly.
“Just... Come on, Anduin. Wake up.” The king gently shook the young man one last time.
“Come on, Wrynn. We gotta roll.”
“Right. If he’s here then I’m bound to see him again.” The king gently laid his son back down and got to his feet. A quick wipe of his face with leather gloved hands and he became a vision of seriousness. His noble features take on the shape of a king once more. Like so many times before, emotions pushed aside in favor of the stoicism necessary to lead.
“That’s the spirit!” Falstad cheered raising his hammer into the air. His gryphon squawked in seeming agreement.
“We need to figure out who we’re up against.” Sparing his son one last look, he left the dais. The others climbed on their mounts as they waited for him.
“Foolish mortal! I will feast upon your fear!” A deep voice shaded by darkness rumbled through the air like far off thunder.
“Great. It’s that guy… again... Someone really needs to tell him you can’t eat emotions…” Jim Raynor loosed a long suffering sigh before his visor clicked down.
“I hate demons…” Varian hissed under his breath. “Let’s go!” With a quick hop he was on his steed and racing toward the gate at the front of the courtyard. He glanced over his shoulder one last time.
“Light protect you, my son. Until we meet again.”
The clattering of hooves and roaring engines finally drew the young man from his slumber. Eyes slowly pried open by light and warmth coaxing him to consciousness. He sat up just in time to see a very familiar back riding away, cloak flapping in the breeze. “Father?” He blinked a few times while shaking his head and the figure disappeared beyond a gate. He got to his knees quickly and tried to call out to the figure again. Hands reached to take hold of the image but were met with nothing but air. His voice was lost to distance.
“What… is this place?” He finally took in his very foreign surroundings. “A dream?”
“You have been summoned to the Nexus.” A disembodied woman’s voice answered him.
“This… looks nothing like Northrend.” Confusion marked his features as he slowly got to his feet. He took one tentative step towards the edge of the platform.
“The name is a coincidence to the location you know.” The voice went on flatly. “The Nexus is where great heroes gather to fight.”
“For what purpose? Why are we fighting?” He took another step forward, but stopped short of going over the edge of the platform.
“That is the way of this place. Heroes are gathered to fight for lords of these realms. It helps to maintain the balance.”
“It’s some kind of arena then…? We must fight to be free of it. Is that it?”
“If that is how you choose to understand the situation.”
Any further questions were stifled by the sounds of a tremendous battle taking place beyond the gates. “Who’s fighting here now?”
Words appeared in the sky:
Blue Team
Anduin Wrynn
Falstad Wildhammer
Jim Raynor
Muradin Bronzebeard
Varian Wrynn
Red Team
Abathur, the Evolution Master
Diablo, Lord of Terror
Gul’dan
Illidan Stormrage
Miles “Blaze” Lewis
“My Father is here?! And... and… Illidan?! How is… I thought he…” Anduin’s brain came to a full stop along with his mouth left agape.
“Heroes from many different worlds and times are summoned here to fight.” The disembodied voice pulled him from his disbelief.
“Don’t let Lady Chronormu find out you are tampering with the timelines.” Anduin looked gravely serious as he shook his head to dispel his shock.
“You may have the opportunity to do so yourself in time. For now, the battle has begun. If you do not engage in combat soon you will be removed from the battle.”
“I can’t have that! My Father is out there! I have to help him!” He looked around quickly and found a chestnut mare waiting for him. He mounted the horse and rode off in the direction his Father went.
The scene that met him on the battlefield was not what he expected. Vast armies were commanded by the people whose names appeared in the sky but only 8 combatants stood out on the field. The combatants closest to him looked considerably worse for the wear, especially his Father. Varian was down on one knee leaning heavily on Shalamane.
“Damn… bested by Gul’dan and his demons again…” Varian sighed in resignation. “Regroup behind the gate! I’ll keep them busy!”
“Pitiful mortal…” A towering demon, the likes of which Anduin had never seen before, called haughtily before starting a charge right towards Varian.
“Raynor!” Muradin yelled sprinting towards Varian.
“Reloading!”
“FATHER!” Anduin screamed and Varian suddenly went flying backwards to the gate.
“Anduin?” Varian seemed wholly overcome with emotion to see his son awake again. He embraced his son tightly.
“Your wounds, Father.” Anduin quickly freed himself and began healing his father.
“Damn. Shalamane is out there.” Varian clicked his tongue as he watched the demon kick it to the side.
“Then take mine. I suspect I’ll be doing a lot of healing from back here.” Anduin pulled his Shalamane off his back and handed it to his Father. He gave his father a kind smile. “It always looked more at home in your hands than mine.”
Varian looked down at the blade then back up to his son with a conflicted look on his face. “This was not the life I wanted for you, my son.” His hand slowly wrapped around the hilt.
“I know, Father. Later.” He gave his Father a reaffirming clap on the arm. “I am here with you, right now.”
“Yes…” Dispelling all reservations, Varian took the sword and bolted back into the fray.
While Raynor laid down cover fire Varian slid down and grabbed his Shalamane before gracefully regaining his footing. He charged headlong toward the red demon.
“Thought ya said this was a sword and board match!” Falstad jeered teasingly as his hammer came flying back to his hand.
“Changed my mind!” Varian wore smug smile as he passed Falstad. “Cover the northern road!”
“Aye! LET’S FLY!”
Anduin sent a wave of light forward healing his allies before bouncing back to him.
“Always thank yer healer!” Muradin cheered as he gripped his axe tighter. Then he took a mighty leap into the air and landed a hair’s breadth away behind Gul’dan. “I’ve been lookin’ forward to this for a looong time…” There was a might crashing sound and Gul’dan went sailing through the air into the gate next to Anduin.
“You stay right there!” Chains reach up to wrap around Gu’ldan while canons rained down from above to finish him off.
“What is this place?” Anduin finally had a chance to ask as he collapsed into a sitting position on the stone courtyard of the opposing castle. Exhaustion had settled into every fiber of his being. Though he had trained after taking the throne, it had not been nearly as often enough and he could tell that now.
“They call it the Nexus. Something created it long ago and now it’s full of different realms. Each realm is ruled over by a realm lord. The acting realm lord of King’s Crest is Raena, the Lady of Thorns.” His Father explained as he offered a hand up. “It looks like the fighting is over for now so we’ll have some time to talk.”
Anduin took his Father’s hand and hoisted himself to his feet again. With great effort he mounted his chestnut mare and followed after his Father.
“I suspect since you’re still here, that means you’ll also be staying in the castle.” Varian motioned to the castle far off in the distance that was not fought over during the battle. A certain bitterness laced his words.
"Was that voice that made announcements during the battle the Queen?" Anduin's fatigue had lifted some in favor of curiosity.
"Yes. She is one of the many lords fighting over space here in the Nexus."
"Is... that why we are here to fight? For someone else to gain territory in this... bizarre place?"
"There is... quite a bit more to it than that. Once we make it to the planetarium things will make more sense."
The pair rode on talking all the way about the ins and outs of the Nexus. By the time they reached the grand castle Anduin's head felt like it might well and truly explode.
"Welcome back, King Varian!" A cheerful voice beamed as a VERY short stable hand came out to get their horses. "This must be Prince Anduin! We've been expecting you!"
"You... you have?"
"He is King Anduin. He succeeded when I was... What did happen to me exactly...?"
Anduin's face twisted up in confusion and concern at this. "Do you not remember, Father? Your fight with Gul'dan? And how you..." His voice faded off to nothing as sorrow took him. His gaze drifted away from his Father as he fought back tears.
"I remember getting on a boat to the Broken Isles but I don't remember ever getting there." Varian's answer was every bit sincere. He well and truly remembered nothing. "That is... a conversation for another time... Come, you need to see the planetarium."
Anduin thought to press the issue, but the more he thought to, the more he realized he didn't remember much of the what happened just prior to his appearance in the Nexus either.
"Quite the puzzle..."
"Take a look in this." Varian gestured to the eyepiece of the largest telescope Anduin had ever seen.
Still quite astonished by the size, he walked up to it and took a peek. He was greeted by a massive, swirling storm in the middle of space. "That's quite the storm..." He commented absently as he watched clouds roil and churn on themselves as lightning danced through them.
"Let's turn it so you can see something else." Varian turned the crank once Anduin pulled away. The telescope slowly moved in a clockwise rotation a few degrees at a time. "Look now and tell me what you see.”
Anduin obliged and what met his eyes now was wholly different than before. An endless expanse stretched before him dotted by millions of stars. Just off center of the field of view was a massive portal with a familiar world just beyond. Bathed in the light of day, it was clear to Anduin just what he was seeing. So startling was the image he fell away from the eyepiece and landed hard on the floor.
"That is... Draenor on the other side of that portal... But... The Draenor of the new timeline created by Garrosh. The one in which Valen dies and..." He stammered as his eyes shifted back and forth between his Father and the eyepiece. His hand pointed off into space shaking uncontrollably.
"Yes..." Varian nodded and smiled softly. "This place, this Nexus, is at the center of a great storm of energy that tears open rifts to other worlds, times, and dimensions. Even different versions of Azeroth." Varian walked over and offered his hand again. "There are even other versions of me here, at least Muradin has told me as much. And I suspect if you are here, I will see other versions of you in time as well."
"This is a lot to take in, Father." Anduin looked and sounded utterly overwhelmed by it all. "I feel as though I understand what is going on here to a point."
"There is more to all of this than just fighting to appease the lords of this place." Varian's countenance grew grim as he turned his gaze to the sky. "Could you imagine what would happen if Sargeras found out about a place like this? What he would try to do?"
All color drained from Anduin's face as horror washed over it. "I... I would rather not..."
"That's why it's important we try our hardest to fight. If we support the lords of this place they become more powerful with each victory. The more powerful they become, the easier it is for them to fight off any who would seek to use this crossroads as a means of conquest. As a means to worlds otherwise out of their reach." Varian slowly extended his hand up to the sky. He abruptly clasped it into a fist around a particularly bright entity in the sky.
“It’s not just terrors from our world either.” Anduin’s statement pulled his Father back to him.
“No. You saw as much during our battle today.” Varian reached out and put his hand on his son’s shoulder. All sternness faded into a mixture of sorrow and regret. Normally strong hands seemed weak as they pressed into Anduin’s shoulder. “I… I never wanted a life of constant fighting for you. I wanted you to live a life of peace and prosperity.”
Anduin’s eyes glanced to his shoulder before meeting his Father’s gaze. “I know, Father. But it seems fate has other things in store for me.” Anduin gave his Father a warm smile. “I, for one, am glad to have this opportunity. I never did get the chance to really fight by your side.” He trailed off a moment as a wave of myriad emotions washed over his face. “There are… so, so many things I want to say to you. So much left for me to learn from you.” His voice broke as tears pooled at the corners of his eyes.
“I know.” Varian wrapped his arms around his son and gave him the hug he had wanted to since they were first reunited.
“Father, I’ve missed you so much.” Wrapped in the comfort of his Father’s arms, tears flowed like springs from his eyes.
“I know. I missed you too. But I am proud of you, my son.” Varian was not immune to his own emotions, voice cracking at the end under their weight. Sensing words would only fail him, he opted to tighten his embrace instead.
“I should take you to meet Lady Raena now…” Varian begrudgingly pulled away from Anduin.
“Oh! It is only fitting I should introduce myself if I will be staying in her castle.” Anduin scrubbed the tears from his cheeks with the heels of his hands a moment. After composing himself he gave his Father a confident smile. “Shall we be off?”
“There’s something you need to know about Lady Raena.” The seriousness of Varian’s voice put an icy chill in the air.
“This must be your son.” A familiar woman’s voice filled the audience chamber as soon as Anduin and Varian entered it. There was a certain amount of venom woven around every word. “How nice for you to be reunited once again.”
Anduin looked around in distress at the state of affairs in the throne room. “This is far worse than you lead me to believe, Father.” Anduin assessed the damage the walls and ceilings that were still in the process of being fixed. “You said something troubling happened to the royal family. Is there anything I can do?” Anduin turned to his father who now stood beside a stone statue of a woman.
“You are welcome to try.” A woman’s voice filled the room.
“Do excuse me. I did not see you.” Anduin looked around confused. “I am indeed Anduin Wrynn. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance…” He finally laid eyes on his father who was not so subtly gesturing to the statue. “By the Light!” He immediately run up to the statue. “Lady Raena is imprisoned in stone?”
“It is the curse passed on through my family.” She replied bitterly.
“For… forgive me… I had no idea.” Anduin was genuinely apologetic as he lowered his head in embarassment.
“Hmph…”
“Has anyone tried removing the curse?” Anduin shook his head. “I’m sure that is the case…”
“This is not the type of curse even Archdruid Malfurion or Mehdiv could remove with their considerable skills.”
“They are… as well?!” Anduin seemed genuinely shocked to know more people he knew, or at least knew of, had been brought to this place as well. “Maybe… it isn’t a curse at all.”
“What do you mean?” Varian looked at him puzzled.
“What if… it’s a kind of vile enchantment?” Anduin looked quite serious as energy polled in his hand. “In which case, I might be able to help.”
“Save your energy, Child.” Lady Raena scoffed at him.
Anduin chose to ignore her and sent the energy at of his hand. It spiraled around her slowly, but seemingly did nothing. Until the statue’s façade cracked slightly.
“What did you just do?” She asked suspiciously.
“I… used dispel magic. I fear it did not yield the desire result.”
“No… It just wasn’t powerful enough.” Raena’s voice had lost it’s hard edge in favor of sadness.
“Hm… I wonder… In theory it could work…”Anduin held his chin as he considered his options.
“Do you have an idea?” Varian looked on expectantly.
“Mass dispel can remove harmful magical effect from many targets all at once. But if all of that cleansing power was focused on a single target it would, in theory amplify the spell’s effect.” He seemed quite thoughtful. “However… Given how little the effect of a single application was, I suspect it would require more than one attempt.”
“Or more than one priest.” A familiar woman’s voice echoed throughout the halls.
Anduin spun around quickly to meet them face to face.
“Or a priestess as the case may be.”
“Lady… Lady Tyrande…” Anduin’s wide-eyes narrowed quickly as sadness took him. “I am surprised to find you speaking so genially to me given our last meeting.”
“Our last meeting was quite joyful as I recall.” She smiled at him despite the worry on his face.
“Oh… Then you must be…”
“Perhaps it is a different ‘me; you know. But this ‘me’ is willing to test your theory if it means freeing Lady Raena.” Tyrande stepped up beside him facing Raena.
“Yes. In that case, I appreciate any assistance you can afford me.”
Together than channeled their energies and focused them all on dispelling Raena’s stony form. When the light dispersed, much to their sorrow, the stone remained.
“It was… too much to hope for I suppose.” Tyrande sighed quietly to herself.
Suddenly a cracking sound filled the room. Like hundreds of eggs cracking all at once the stone splintered and spiderwebbed. Anduin held his breath hoping this was a good portend and not a sign they had in fact destroyed Lady Raena instead. Then the stone started falling away. Piece by piece the rock fell away, smashing to smaller pieces on the polished stone floor. At last, there was none left at all. Lady Raena took a deep breath and all her limbs relaxed immediately.
“For how long?” Her voice was only audible to Varian who took her by the arm to steady her. “For how long was I trapped in that accursed prison?”
“Too long.” Tyrande answered in relief.
“Indeed…” Raena clasped a gem to her chest. “There is much to do. But for tonight, let us all rest.” She looked up at Anduin with grateful eyes. It didn’t seem like the same person who so angrily and bitterly spoke to him before.
“Yes. I have something of great interest to you, Lady Raena.”
“Very well. I looked forward to hearing from you.” With that, Raena gently freed herself from Varian’s grasp and turned towards the throne. “I have already asked so much of many of you. But it seems I will need to ask you for your strength once more if we are to rebuild the kingdom.” She looked directly into Anduin’s eyes. “I was right to call you here, even if my motives at the time were… wholly selfish. I hope you can forgive me.”
“I… really don’t know what to say. I will do my best to assist you in anyway I can, Lady Raena.” Though Anduin answered clearly and happily, Varian looked rather displeased…
The Crimson Stone – chapter 6 Hi, my ongoing novel, The Crimson Stone, has been updated and Chapter 6 is now available for registered members to read on Channillo. Please visit the website for a free preview, enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!
With immense pride I announce that my ongoing novel, The Crimson Stone, was picked by Channillo to be published as a series.
Starting from today, it will be updated on a monthly basis. And while the first chapter is publicly visible for everyone, the rest of the story will be available to members only.
No words can express how happy I am to be given such an opportunity. That’s why I want to share…