#os excerpt

[zmwrites]

OC Kiss Week Day 1: Impulse

WIP: Open Seas

Pairing: Tess x Dorian

CWs: just the kissing

Words: 481

Notes: This scene is actually coming up soon in the canon. We'll see how much changes once I've written the fight that precedes it!

“What were you thinking?” Tess demanded as soon as the door latched into place behind her, cutting them off from the rest of the crew. Fury and fear battered the inside of her rib cage. 

Dorian stared at her, wide-eyed and startled. “Pardon me?”

“What kind of idiot, in the middle of his own ship being boarded, jumps to the attacking ship and puts himself into a situation where he’s wildly outnumbered so he can kill one person?!” She wasn’t yelling, but she approached with enough intensity that he took a step back.

“Me?” He almost tripped over the coat he’d dropped as he continued to retreat from her. “In my defence, that one person was the reason they were winning. If I hadn’t taken the risk to get close enough to kill them, we likely would’ve lost the battle and we’d all be dead by now.”

“Do you have any idea how close you were to dying? The only reason you didn’t get shot in the head is because someone else punched you in the face a moment before the trigger was pulled,” she said. “It’s only because you were knocked on your ass that you’re still standing here!”

“It’s my job to protect my crew.”

“At the expense of your own life? You’re also meant to lead them, which you can’t do if you’re dead!”

Dorian tilted his head, a roguish grin turning up the corners of his mouth. “Were you worried about me, Miss Bowen?”

It was her turn to stare, her angry words vanishing in the face of the accusation. He’d stopped his retreat and they were only a handswidth apart.  

“I think you must’ve been if you’re this upset with me,” he continued, his grin growing. “Have you grown fond of me?”

A dozen retorts born from her frustration and anger ran through her mind—don’t be ridiculous, I just need you to get me home, I don’t make a habit of becoming attached to people determined to throw themselves into danger—but none of them felt right. 

She made a sound of aggravation, then grabbed the front of his shirt and kissed him. 

It was hard and fast, fuelled by the emotional mess inside of her spilling over into impulsive action. There was no logic, no plan, no thought of consequences. Just a desperate need for closeness.

Dorian’s hand settled on her waist, the other on the small of her back to pull her closer, and the warmth of his skin through her dress sent shivers of want through her.

This was not allowed. 

She broke the kiss and forced herself away until his hands dropped to his sides. “I apologize.”

He looked at her with guarded wonder. “Just when I thought you were done surprising me.”

“It won’t happen again. Excuse me.” She turned on her heel and hurried from the room, cursing her slip of self-control.

[zmwrites]

tag: out of context line V

I was tagged by @oh-no-another-idea! Thank you!

Have a little exchange from Open Seas:

Jakub appeared at her elbow, his smile bright. “Tess! Come dance with me!” She laughed. “Where are your manners? That’s not how you ask a woman to dance with you.” “I grew up on a pirate ship, I never learned any manners.”

I tag @enchanted-lightning-aes, @kingragnarok-writes, @revenantlore, and anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure!

[zmwrites]

tag: heads up seven up LXXVII

I was tagged by @space-writes! Thank you!

From Open Seas:

“You’re awfully bold to give me romantic advice when you were about to combust with jealousy watching Simmons flirt with another woman,” she said. Petra scowled. “That’s different. We had a casual thing and agreed that we wouldn’t involve emotions. We’re friends so it would mess everything up. But then…” “But then you developed feelings beyond friendship?” “Yeah. That wasn’t our agreement, so I ended it.” “Did you talk to him about it?” “And be vulnerable about my feelings? Absolutely not. I would rather drink sea water.” Tess studied her for a long moment. “You’re not allowed to give romantic advice anymore.”

Petra is so good at having normal human emotions.

I tag @winterandwords, @talesofsorrowandofruin, @sleepyowlwrites, and anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure!

[zmwrites]

Dialogue Tag Game

I was tagged by @oh-no-another-idea! Thank you!

This seems to be the opposite of the "no dialogue" game, so I guess I'll give you a recent chat between Petra and Tess from Open Seas:

“The rules aren’t real, you know,” Petra said.  “What rules?” “The fancy society rules about interacting with other people you hold yourself to. Nothing will happen if you don’t obey them. Especially out here. No one will know.” “I’ve already broken more society rules than you realize,” Tess replied. She didn’t like Petra’s tone or what it sounded like she was suggesting. “And did the world end?” “No, but who knows what bad habits I’ve picked up.” Petra leaned into her. “Tess. We all know you have to go home and get married. No one will judge you for having some fun while you’re with us.” It took her a moment to comprehend what Petra was saying. “You could do a lot worse than Dorian for your first time.” “Gods and Saints, Petra!” Tess hissed, her face on fire as mortification coursed through her. “Shush!” She laughed. “I’m just sharing that I’ve heard good reviews.” “I don’t want to hear it!” “I don’t think he’d be opposed. He gave you his hat to wear, and he danced with you.” “Half of the people at Swales’ bar danced with me. And I don’t know what the hat thing is, so your implication means nothing to me.”

Tess hasn't been away from fancy society long enough to have this conversation so frankly.

I tag @kaatiba, @reneesbooks, @aurumni-writes, and anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure!

[zmwrites]

Last Line Tag CCCLIII

I was tagged by @kingragnarok-writes! Thank you!

From Open Seas, after Swales has threatened to kick them all out if they don't put their weapons away:

Tess stared at Dorian, willing him to do the rational thing and put away his gun. He didn’t take his eyes off of Ruby. His teeth were bared, his jaw clenched, his eyes cold; he looked every bit the terrifying, bloodthirsty pirate from the stories. Swales was almost done filling his drink. Petra watched Dorian nervously, but she didn’t move to intervene. Ruby’s grin turned gloating as she remained held in place. “Dorian.” Tess’ voice was irritatingly weak, betraying her unsteadiness. Still, it did what it needed to: he looked back at her. Straightened. Lowered his gun. Ruby made a sound of disgust. “Is that all it takes to quell your anger these days? A gentle voice calling your name? How the fuck were you voted into the captaincy?” “Shut up, Ruby,” Jasper said. “If you touch her again, I’ll break your hand,” Dorian threatened. He holstered his gun and shoved Ruby towards her brother. “Control your crew, Captain Eldon. I don’t take kindly to my people being threatened.” “You think she’s going to start listening to me now?” “That’s not my problem,” he replied.

I tag @akindofmagictoo, @sleepyowlwrites, and @reneesbooks! And anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure!

[zmwrites]

Tag: 9 Lines XII

I am stealing an open tag from @talesofsorrowandofruin!

From Open Seas! For some context, Ruby is Dorian's ex and has just been threatening Tess with a knife to the throat:

She was jerked backwards, her knife clattering to the ground, and sent careening face-first into a nearby pillar. Dorian held her in place by the collar like a scruffed kitten, his gun pressed against her temple. “Give me one good reason I shouldn’t blow your fucking brains out, Ruby.” Tess tensed. The cold, controlled anger in his voice was alien. It reminded her of the look he’d fixed on the officers trying to give her a bad deal back in Mistellach. It had unnerved her then, and she still didn’t like it. The woman—Ruby—was grinning despite her cheek being crushed into the rough wood. “Lovely to see you again, Dorian. I was just getting to know your new lover. She’s a bit prim for our world, but she’s got guts.”

Tess keeps forgetting that Dorian is, in fact, a pirate. Also please note that Tess and Dorian haven't even kissed, so Ruby is jumping the gun a bit.

I tag @willtheweaver, @teriwrites, @inks-books, and anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure!

[zmwrites]

Last Line Tag CCCLII

I was tagged by @ace-malarky! Thank you!

From Open Seas, featuring Tess and Dorian's ex Ruby who has taken issue with his apparent favouritism towards Tess:

She wasn’t sure what the woman was talking about, but she was pretty sure she’d just been insulted. Again. “Do you know how to be polite or are you always this improper?” “Am I getting under your skin?” “You’re getting on my nerves,” Tess corrected. “I was having a pleasant evening before you arrived. I would appreciate it if you would move along so I can return to my friends.” “Are you dismissing me? While I’m holding a knife to your throat?” she demanded incredulously. “Yes. I thought that was obvious.” She laughed mirthlessly and pressed the blade against the base of Tess’ neck again. “Do you have any idea what I’m capable of?” “I don’t even know who you are.” The woman stared for a moment, uncomprehending, then her face twisted into a snarl of rage. Her knife scraped up her throat until it bit into the sensitive skin below her jaw. Tess barely dared to breathe. This was why Dorian had told her to stay close to him.

Tess has an incredible ability to find trouble for a society lady.

I tag @kaatiba, @oh-no-another-idea, @memento-morri-writes, and anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure!

[zmwrites]

Last Line Tag CCCLI

I was tagged by @avrablake! Thank you!

From Open Seas, after Swales was making fun of Dorian for not dancing with Tess all night despite every other pirate in the place asking her:

Dorian shook his head. “If you’re done, I’m here to prove you wrong.” “Oh?” Swales rested his chin in his palm. “Yes,” he said, shooting a withering glare at Swales. He shifted so he was facing her directly. “Do you have one more dance in you, Miss Bowen?” Tess blinked at him, then glanced at Swales as though he would somehow help her. She’d resolved that dancing with Dorian was a terrible idea for a multitude of reasons yet now she couldn’t name a single one. “Don’t look at me, girl. You walked in here wearing his hat, not mine,” he said, holding his hands up. She would have to ask someone about the hat thing later. Or maybe not—she wasn’t sure she wanted to know. “I can manage one more dance,” she replied a few seconds too late. “For you.”

Oooooh they gonna dance.

I tag @samplewriting, @daisywords, @rhikasa, and anyone else who wants to play! As always, no pressure.