Summary: The tension between you and Aaric finally comes to a head after the Battle at Basgiath
Warnings: angst(?), fluff, canon level talks of violence, 18+ only
Word Count: 1.9k
Author's Note: This took me so long to write because I had to keep redoing it and I'm finally happy with the results! This was going to be spicy(👀) but I'm still getting back into the groove of writing smut so this just stayed fluffy. This was requested by an anon(see here) so I hope you like it and I'm sorry it took so long! As always my requests are open so send me what ya'll want to see!💕
The silence in the Barracks was louder than the battle had been. Your ears still rang from the battle and your mind felt foggy as you drug your feet toward the locker room showers. The sound of shouted orders, roaring, and swords and daggers clanging against each other kept echoing in your mind. What was worse was the smell; the smell of blood, death, and smoke thick enough it covered the sky and threatened to choke you. But now? There was nothing save for the occasional drip of a leaky faucet. You sat hunched on a bench staring at your boots; they were caked with mud and blood-whose blood you weren't sure but you didn't want to know. You had made it back. Barely. A Venin had set their sights on you and Lèirsinn, your Brown Daggertail. You had killed the Venin and Lèirsinn had taken care of its Wyvern but you had lost your balance and fell off your dragon's back. Lèirsinn had caught you, wrapped her body around yours before slamming into the ground. Your uniform was torn in some places, armor dented and cracked, and your body was littered with whatever bruises and lacerations the healers hadn't had time to fix before moving onto the next person.
You knew you should shower and wash away the dirt, sweat, and blood that caked your skin but even the thought of getting up exhausted you. You sighed and leaned back against the wall, propping one leg on the bench and closing your eyes. It flashed in your mind again; Lèirsinn clamping her jaws around the Wyvern's throat ripping it open. The Wyvern fell as the Venin grabbed hold of Lèirsinn's back leg. You rushed along the brown scales of your dragon before plunging your dagger into the Venin's neck. It had grasped your leg to pull you with it in a last attempt to end you before the alloy tipped dagger did its job. You had kicked free and that's when you slipped. Time had seemed to slow down as you screamed and Lèirsinn had roared and plummeted after you. You remembered the darkness as Lèirsinn shielded your body with hers, you remembered the jarring impact of hitting the ground, and you remembered hearing someone shout your name. You didn't know who thanks to the temporary disorientation and your dragon roaring at you along the bond.
The thump of boots brought you out of thought and you looked up to see Aaric standing a few feet away. You watched him as he made his way to sit on the bench; his armor was undone and hanging off of him. His shirt clung to his frame, sticky with sweat and blood. You could see the outlines of the muscles underneath his shirt and you swallowed hard, hoping he didn't see your face grow red. You knew you shouldn't look but Cam, not Aaric, always managed to take your breath away; even if you sat covered in bruises after a battle. He had always done so; even when you helped train him back in Calldyr City as teenagers. Even though you knew you shouldn't look, your eyes drank him in and it took everything to stop staring when he finally spoke up.
"You're alive," he said, though it wasn't out of relief. Not entirely anyway. Cam's perfect posture sagged with exhaustion and the usual sharp, commanding stare he fixed on everyone but you was now replaced with raw uncertainty. "Yeah I am," You nodded. "You fell. I saw you," He replied, his voice quiet and clipped. "Yeah but Lèirsinn caught me," You said. "Wasn't really part of my plan," You half joked in an attempt to lighten the heavy atmosphere. "No shit," Cam scoffed, humorlessly. You stayed quiet, unsure of what to say, and kept your eyes fixed on the floor beneath your boots. Cam sat down beside you, not across from you, like he needed to be close enough to make sure you were really there. The silence passed on for a beat and you still didn't know what to say. Cam always managed to steal the words right out of your head. "You scared the hell out of me," He said softly. You glanced at him, quickly, but it was enough. His expression was raw and open in a way that made your chest hurt. "I didn't mean to," You said, unsure of what else to say. "I don't care what you meant," He said. "Excuse me?" You blinked. He wasn't actually mad at you was he? Cam's voice stayed quiet but it shook in a way that was uncharacteristic of him. "You don't get to just brush it off like it was nothing. Like I didn't think you died." "So were worried about me huh?" You tried joking. You always tried to joke when things got too close. He turned sharply towards you and his green eyes flared. "Don't do that." "Do what?" You asked, suddenly uneasy.
"Make this a joke. Pretend like it's not real. You almost died Y/n," He replied and you looked away. "I know that," You whispered. Cam stood abruptly and ran his hand through his hair. "Then act like it meant something!" Cam shouted and your head snapped up. He had never shouted at you. Not ever. "You don't think I know how badly it could have ended? Of course it meant something!" You snapped back. The words hung in the air as they seemed to echo around the locker room. "Then why do you keep acting like it doesn't?" "It's just easier that way," You said. "Easier for who? You? Because you just don't want to deal with the fact that people care whether you live or die?" Cam pressed on. "Because if I started thinking about what it all meant I'd fall apart!" You said, exasperated and you knew you weren't talking about your near brush with death. "It's easier not to think about it because I don't know how to deal with that," You said, quietly. The words kept coming and you couldn't get them to stop. From the look on Cam's face, he knew you weren't talking about the fall either. "You do with everyone else," he said, his voice softer this time. "No, I pretend to with everyone else. But with you.... I can't pretend and I don't know why," You responded.
You had never planned on admitting anything to Cam; your feelings for him weren't something you ever entertained even as teenagers. He was noble and you weren't; not to mention it wasn't a secret that he liked a woman's company in bed. Why would he ever choose you when he could have anyone? You looked away and moved to step aside; you always did when it got like this. When the two of you got too close. But Cam didn't let you this time and he moved in front of you. "Look at me," Cam said but you didn't. You couldn't. "Y/n," You brought your eyes up to his. Cam's jaw clenched and his voice dropped. "I thought I lost you. I saw you fall and there was nothing I could do. I froze," He said, his voice rough. "You were just... gone. I couldn't stop thinking about how quick it was; you were here and a heartbeat later you weren't. I saw riders die but not you. All I could think about was everything I never said to you and that I would never have the chance again,"
You knew then that he wasn't angry with you, he was scared. Cam was never vulnerable with people; he learned to set himself apart from the rest and he never allowed himself to open up except for a few rare circumstances with you and your heart ached as you listened to him. "I didn't mean to scare you Cam," You whispered. Cam huffed a tired laugh. "You're the only one who calls me that you know," He said. "I know," You nodded. "And every time you do it wrecks me a little inside," He admitted. Something shifted between the two of you; a line that you both had been toeing for so long seemed to fade into nothing. You let your eyes roam over him; your eyes drifted to the blood drying just beneath his collarbone, to the bruise forming along his jaw, to the rip in his sleeve exposing the muscle along his bicep. You really shouldn't have been staring. Not when your body was still screaming from battle and your mind was processing the fact you were still alive. Not when everything inside you screamed that you had no idea what came next.
But Gods, were you looking. And Cam saw.
Cam took a step closer, slower and more deliberate. "You keep doing that," He murmured and your brows furrowed. "Doing what?" You asked. "Staring at me like you want something. Like you're about to say something and then change your mind," Cam replied. You opened your mouth and closed it again because he wasn't wrong. You weren't afraid of the battlefield. You weren't afraid of pain. But this... this was uncharted territory. You didn't know how to handle it. "Say it," He said. His eyes burned into yours, pinning you in place. "Say what?" You said breathlessly. "Whatever it is that you keep wanting to tell me. Just say it. Or don't and I'll kiss you anyway," He said. Your heart fluttered but you hesitated. Not because you didn't want him but because it was unfamiliar. You were trained to follow orders, to survive, to endure. But not for this. Not for being seen. Not for being chosen. Not by him. This was all new and it made you want to run out of the locker room and never speak of it again. "I'm not like you Cam I don't know what I'm doing," You whispered. "I don't know what this turns into." His gaze softened in a way that you normally don’t see and he stepped closer; you were toe to toe now and your back brushed against the wall. "Then we'll figure it out," He said. "Just say it Y/n" Cam said, almost begging you. You stared at him for a moment, taking in the face you loved looking at. "Kiss me Cam," You whispered.
Cam didn't wait, the second the words had left your lips he was there. He cupped your cheeks in his hands and pressed his body against yours. You ignored the sharp pain from the sudden pressure against your fresh bruises as his lips crashed onto yours. It wasn't perfect; it was desperate but still gentle and absolutely perfect. You gasped as his fingers slid into your hair and he took that as his invitation to deepen the kiss. His movements softened and moved slower, exploring instead of claiming and your hands gripped the front of his ripped bloody shirt to pull him closer to make sure this was real. Cam tasted like sweat and iron and something that was uniquely him; something that felt like home. You felt him sigh into the kiss as though the weight of every moment between the two of you finally disappeared. Cam pulled his head back just enough to rest his forehead on yours, his breath ragged. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that," he whispered, his voice hoarse. "Then do it again," You whispered back, a new found confidence settling over you. Cam smiled and kissed you again, slower intent on taking his time. He finally pulled back again enough to look at you fully. "Please tell me you aren't going to stop me," he said. "I don't want to stop anything," You replied, grinning. "Good," He said, a smile curving on his lips. "Because I'm not done with you yet,"
Hello, I was wondering if you are still opened for any requests, could please you do an inexperienced female reader and Aaric Greycastle have been very close friends, and the reader is the only one that sees Aaric can truly be comfortable around and see his vulnerable side, she is the only one that he lets her call him 'Cam' in private. They been dancing around their feelings for months, always skirting too close before pulling away. One night, after a grueling battle, they both find themselves alone in the barracks or locker rooms. His armor is half undone, his shirt clinging to his skin, and the reader know she shouldn't be looking. But when he catches her gaze-intense, unreadable he takes a slow step forward. "Say the word," he murmurs, his voice rough, dangerous...and the rest came be up to you.
There is not that many Aaric fanfics sadly...and my boy honestly deserves more love...
Yes my requests are definitely still open!!
omg yes Aaric deserves way more love😭
I love this idea so much! Them meeting after the Battle of Basgiath at the end of Iron Flame👀
So I just finished reading the ACTOAR series(super late I know) but I'm absolutely in love with this series 😭
I know I just started writing for Fourth Wing but maybe writing some ACTOAR fics can help with the ACTOAR hangover??? Let me know if that's something y'all want to see :)
Hello, I was wondering if you are still opened for any requests, could please you do an inexperienced female reader and Aaric Greycastle have been very close friends, and the reader is the only one that sees Aaric can truly be comfortable around and see his vulnerable side, she is the only one that he lets her call him 'Cam' in private. They been dancing around their feelings for months, always skirting too close before pulling away. One night, after a grueling battle, they both find themselves alone in the barracks or locker rooms. His armor is half undone, his shirt clinging to his skin, and the reader know she shouldn't be looking. But when he catches her gaze-intense, unreadable he takes a slow step forward. "Say the word," he murmurs, his voice rough, dangerous...and the rest came be up to you.
There is not that many Aaric fanfics sadly...and my boy honestly deserves more love...
Yes my requests are definitely still open!!
omg yes Aaric deserves way more love😭
I love this idea so much! Them meeting after the Battle of Basgiath at the end of Iron Flame👀
Summary: Garrick shows you he loves you in small ways
Warnings: fluff
Word Count: 5.2k(this one got away from me haha)
A/N: Been a little MIA these last couple of weeks; I was on vacation and then last week was super busy. I've been wanting to write something for Garrick for a while now so I hope everyone enjoys this fic of Garrick and his sweetheart🥺
I'd love to write more for these two so send in any requests you might have about Garrick and Princess and I'll do my best to get to them! Not gonna lie I was listening to Alex Warren's song Ordinary and I felt like it fit perfectly! Hope you guys enjoy this!💕
Let me know who you'd like to read a fic about next :)
****Beware of typos lol(my computer is acting up) and constructive criticism is always helpful!
You had been studying for days, preparing for the upcoming Battle Brief exam that hung over you like a dark cloud. Your mind was drowning in the notes you had been taking during class containing outpost information, skirmishes, and other information that you swore was swimming around on the page in front of you. Despite your best efforts, the stress had started to seep into every facet of your life. If you weren't training or going to class, you were studying or eating in the dining hall and your friends had started to take notice. You noticed the sun's rays casting a warm glow over your room and you peeked out your window to see the sun setting in the distance. You sighed and rolled your shoulders to try and get rid of the tightness from being hunched over your materials. A knock sounded at your door and you jumped, the sound pulling you from your thoughts.
You got up to open it and saw your squad standing in front of you. "We're all heading to the dining hall, want to join?" Rhiannon asked. "I don't know," You hesitated, casting a glance behind you at the open textbooks on your desk, "I feel like I should keep going over the material for battle brief," You answered. "Oh come on," Ridoc groaned playfully. "You're going to ace the exam like always. I'm sure you could take a break to feed yourself," he went on. "Alright," You gave in with a small smile and Ridoc threw his arm around your shoulders pulling you into his side, jostling you. "You know there's more to life than studying," He teased. You sat with your squad, munching on dinner as the boisterous energy around you reached its peak. You had to admit it was nice taking a small break but the upcoming exam still nagged at you at the back of your mind. I'll go back to studying after dinner. You decided.
A shadow loomed over you and you tilted your head up to see Garrick standing behind you and you smiled. Garrick had been your best friend since first year at Basgiath last year and the two of you had practically been inseparable since. "Hey you," He said, sliding his large frame on the bench beside you. His deep, raspy voice caused your heart to flutter. Just being near him, your body seemed to loosen and let go of some of the tension it had been keeping. Garrick must have noticed because his eyebrows furrowed. "Are you alright?" He asked. You nodded. "Just a bit stressed about the exam for Battle Brief," You replied. "You'll do great, I know you will. I know your studies are important to you but try not to stress too much," He said, rubbing his thumb along the back of your hand.
You nodded and though his words were comforting, the anxiety didn't leave completely. "I really should get back though," You replied, standing up. Your friends protested but you promised to spend more time with them once the exam was over tomorrow. "I'll walk you back," Garrick offered, rising to his full height. Admittedly, he had made you uneasy the first time you saw him because of how big he was; Violet had called him "the big one" the first time your squad watched him spar with Xaden and the moniker was fitting. But after you helped him the first time in math, you realized he wasn't always as scary as he seemed and now you couldn't imagine your life without him in it. You and Garrick strolled leisurely through the corridors-or rather Garrick strolled leisurely-and chatted a bit.
"Why are you so stressed about the exam?" He finally asked. "It's an important exam. I don't want to fail," You replied, as if it was obvious. The two of you had made it to the courtyard and the smell of honeysuckle amid the fresh air tickled your nose. "You always say that you're scared to fail but you never fail and you worry yourself too much about it. So why are you so stressed about passing school all the time if you're good at what you're doing?" He asked, leaning his back against a pillar as the two of you sat on the cobblestones. "I don't know....I guess I just don't want to disappoint my family. They were so proud of me when I got accepted to join the quadrant," You admitted. The swath of daylilies growing at the edge of the courtyard a few fingers length away caught your eye. You reached down and stroked the delicate petals and a soft smile graced your face; they were your favorite flowers with their showy and vibrant colors and they never failed to make you smile. "I just feel like if I fail, even an exam, I'll be letting them down somehow," You said, letting the petal slide along your fingers. "You're one of the best students I know, Y/n. I'm sure your parents would be proud of you no matter what," He said softly, watching you look at the flowers.
The next morning you woke up and the pit in your stomach about the exam was still there. Talking with Garrick helped but the anxiety wouldn't go away until the exam was over. You finished braiding your hair, strapped your daggers to your side, and grabbed your book bag. You sighed and opened the door and almost stepped on something laying on your doorstep before gasping softly. Laying on your doorstep bound together with twine was a bouquet of daylilies, the same ones you had stopped to admire yesterday. You picked up the bundle and admired the vibrant oranges, pinks, and yellows. You brought them to your nose and inhaled the sweet scent and noticed a small piece of paper tucked into the twine. "I know they're your favorite." It read and you noticed it was unsigned. I wonder who left them. You thought to yourself. It could've been any of your friends since they all knew you liked them. You stepped back inside, placed the flowers on your desk, and left for battle brief; and of course you passed the exam.
"Oh, come on again?" You cried out, seeing the lack of your favorite dessert on the dessert table. "They have plenty of other good desserts," Violet offered, amused. "I know but I wanted the blackberry tartlets again," you said, craving the delicate little pastry. You settled for lemon squares and while they were delicious, they certainly weren't blackberry tartlets. "Want me to bribe the bakers to get some for you?" Garrick chuckled. "I know you're only teasing, but I'd love you forever," You laughed, and you missed the way the red crept up Garrick's neck as he smiled sheepishly. The conversation quickly turned, and you forgot about the missing dessert you had wanted.
"Don't overreach y/l/n!" Emetterio shouted over the noise in the sparring gym. "You open yourself up if you keep doing that," he continued. You had been partnered with a girl from third wing and although she was small, she was infuriatingly quick. She knocked your feet out from under you before you had time to register what had happened and pinned you to the mat forcing you to yield. Emetterio sighed but class had lapsed, and the girl got up and offered you a hand, giving you a small nod before rejoining her squad. You walked over to your own, undoing the wrappings on your hands. “Getting your ass kicked by a first year?” You heard behind you. You looked over your shoulder and saw Garrick standing beside your gym bag. “Oh, please like you never lost a fight,” You snorted. “Besides I was just distracted,” you said. It was true; you were still thinking about the flowers left anonymously a few weeks ago and... Garrick looked really good sparring with Xaden during your match. Garrick opened his mouth but before he could ask about it, your squad called for you. “I’ll see you later?” You looked at Garrick before grabbing your gym bag and he gave you a nod. You and the rest of your squad headed towards the showers to wash off the sweat and stink of sparring practice. Sawyer and Ridoc split from the group heading towards the male showers while you, Rhiannon, and Violet headed towards the female showers.
The steam hit you in the face and suddenly you desperately wanted out of your gym clothes to feel the hot water wash everything away. "So still no idea who left those flowers?" Rhiannon asked, stripping off her shirt revealing a standard issue black sports bra. "No," You shook your head, setting your gym bag on the bench and taking a seat next to it. "I guess I should give up trying because it could be anyone." You slipped off your shoes and your shirt, leaving them in your locker to grab after your shower, before opening your gym bag to pull out fresh clothes. You scrunched your eyebrows in confusion. "What is it?" Violet asked, seeing the look on your face. "Not sure but it was sitting on top of my clothes," You murmured, pulling out a small but thick package wrapped in butcher paper and tied with twine. "Well open it I want to see what it is," Rhiannon said. You gingerly untied the twine and peeled back the butcher paper to find five...blackberry tartlets. You'd recognize the little pastries anywhere. The buttery crust held together a pastry cream layer, a blackberry compote layer, and topped with fresh blackberries dusted with powdered sugar. "Did one of you guys put this in my bag?" You asked but both of the girls shook their heads. "I love you but you know how the bakers are," Violet jokes, peeking out from behind the shower curtain. It was true the bakers were known to be a bit...difficult. It was common knowledge you didn't want to piss off the bakers who felt themselves to be superior and all important. "Someone must really like you," Rhinanon smiled before stepping into the shower. Yeah. you thought. But who?
Your squad, plus Xaden and Garrick were gathered in the common room studying or otherwise pouring over old books from the Archives. "So I heard you got another present from your secret admirer," Ridoc teased, looking up from his spot on the floor where he laid on his stomach, a textbook open but discarded. Everyone's head turned to look at you and you felt your face heat up. "Pastries in my gym bag," You murmured. "Not just any pastries...I heard they were the desserts you were wanting. Blackberry tartlets perhaps?" Ridoc wiggled his eyebrows, a huge grin plastered on his face. "Yes, they were," You said, a little uncomfortable about the attention focusing solely on you. "But they're not a secret admirer. I think they're just trying to be nice," You added, the weak defense clearly doing nothing to convince your companions. You happened to glance over at Garrick who was watching with an unreadable expression. Was he upset? You wondered. Did he care at all? Your little crush had bloomed over the last year and you knew you loved Garrick even if you never had the courage to say anything and you knew you wouldn't return the feelings your "secret admirer" had. You only wanted Garrick and you wished you could tell him.
"Please anyone who gets anonymous gifts has a secret admirer. Maybe you should try to find out who it is," Rhiannon joined the conversation. "If they found out who it was that would obviously defeat the point of the secret part," Ridoc snorted derisively. "Plus everyone knows two gifts is too early to attempt to discover a secret admirer's true identity," Ridoc added seriously. "Oh yeah who said that?" Sawyer laughed. "Everyone knows that!" Ridoc whined, shoving his friend's shoulder playfully.
"I don't but I wish I did know who it was so I could thank them and let them know how much I appreciate it," You replied. Even if you wouldn't return their feelings, it was still thoughtful what they were doing. "Maybe they already know," Garrick pointed out and you looked over. His hazel eyes always made you feel weak in the knees but there was something...different in them. "Maybe," You whispered. "Well, if they ever decide to stop being anonymous, tell them to send one my way too. I wouldn't mind tarts and a love confession," Ridoc smirked from his spot. A few laughed and the tension faded but garrick's look stayed with you.
The morning bell sounded, signaling classes were beginning soon. Your first class of the day was Dragonkind with Professor Kaori, and your steps were light but brisk, not wanting to be late. You rounded the corner and there he was- Garrick stood leaning against the wall, dwarfing the first years that passed by. "Cutting it a bit close today. Are you trying to make me late?" He joked, falling in step beside you. You rolled your eyes playfully. "I'm not the one making you late, you've got your own schedule," You laughed as you and Garrick made your way to Kaori's classroom. "I guess," He said with a lazy smile. "I can't just have you roaming the halls by yourself though," He added. You blinked in surprise. "I appreciate it but you don't have to always walk me to class," you replied. "I'd be fine." Garrick gazed down at you briefly. "I know you would be but I don't mind," he told you, his voice softer. A part of you wanted to argue but the warmth in his eyes made it hard so instead you gave him a small nod, letting the moment settle in. His presence beside you was comforting; like something you didn't realize you needed until it was already there. As the two of you walked a comfortable silence spread over the both of you- that was something you always liked about being around Garrick; you never had to fill the space with small talk if it wasn't needed- and you let your mind wander.
It struck you how often he did this, walking you to your classes. How often he waited for you even though he didn't have to, seemingly always there. Most of his classes were on the other side of the academic wing so they weren't exactly close and yet, without fail, he always made a point to walk you to yours even if it meant he'd be late to his own. The two of you approached the crowded courtyard, students milling about as they gathered for their own classes. "So what do you think?" Garrick asked, a teasing glint in his eyes. "What?" You asked, shaking your head free from your thoughts. You followed his gaze and you realized- Garrick was close to his class but you were still a good several minutes from yours. You would make your class on time as always but he'd be late. Again. "Are you sure you don't mind risking detention just to walk me to my class?" You asked, a soft smile curling at the corner of your lips.
Garrick smirked at you, not breaking his stride. "It's worth it," he said, his voice unbothered. "Besides I've been late to worse things. A class won't kill me," He added. "And this...is more important than your class?" You asked, raising an eyebrow at him in bemusement. "Always," he quickly responded as if it was the most natural response in the world. "Besides you're stuck with me now whether you like it or not," He grinned. You chuckled and shook your head, knowing there was no arguing with Garrick once he made up his mind. By the time you reached your class Garrick was already glancing at the crowded hallway with slight frustration. "I should get going," He murmured but there was no real urgency behind his words. He was clearly in no rush to leave you, regardless if it meant he'd be late to his own obligations. "Thanks," You said softly. "I don't know what I'd do if I didn't have you walking to my classes everyday," You joked lightly.
“I have no doubt you’d make it on your own but I’m in no hurry to let you,” He teased, giving you a wink. “Have a good class,” He said and with that he turned and started making his way through the crowd towards his own class. You stood there for a moment and watched him leave, your heart swelling a little. Walking you to class was one of those small things that amounted to something much more significant than what it seemed on the surface. It struck you and you realized that Garrick wasn’t doing these little gestures to simply pass the time; he was showing you in the only way he knew how that he cared. As you took your seat, you thought about the anonymous gifts that had been left for you and you wondered. Was Garrick leaving them for you?
You were tucked into a quiet corner of the library, your head hunched over the textbooks in front of you as you tried to get through some of your assignments that had piled up. It was late and the rest of your squad had already said goodnight and left. Garrick sat next to you and his warm presence filled the space. He didn't have anything to study and you told him he could leave with everyone else but he refused, remaining seated beside you. Your back ached with the hunched position you had been in the last few hours and your arms and legs felt stiff from sitting. You really should have taken a break hours ago, probably left with everyone else, but there was so much to do and you didn't want to fall behind. Your eyes crossed as you furiously scribbled down notes and you closed them, stifling a yawn. "I think it's time you stopped for the night," Garrick said, half amused, half serious but you shook your head. "I'll take a break in a few minutes," You said, cursing your voice for sounding weary. "You said that hours ago princess," he murmured. You looked up and noticed the fire had dimmed significantly and all but a few mage lights had gone out; maybe time had gotten away from you more than you wanted to admit. "Just a little longer and I'll leave," You protested weakly, but Garrick wasn't having it. "You won't be able to study efficiently if you're as tired as you are," He said and he had a point. You conceded and started packing up your things, putting your papers, notes, and pens in your book bag and closing your textbooks. You stood up, your body protesting from being in the same position for so long and you stretched.
Garrick stood beside you and without missing a beat grabbed your stack of textbooks before you could even reach for them. "What are you doing?" You asked, wincing as you remembered the weight of them even though deep down you knew the weight barely bothered him. "Helping you," He said, nonchalantly. "But I can carry my own books," You replied. "I know you can but right now you're so tired you can barely stand," he pointed out. He grabbed your book bag from the chair and slung it over his shoulder, his body language effortless, as if carrying your things was nothing to him. Truth be told it wasn't and he did it often. "Just relax," He said, his voice gentle but firm. "You've been going at this for hours, I'll handle it now," He went on. "Let's get you out of there." He placed a hand on the small of your back, guiding you out of the library. Garrick's expression seemed soft, almost...protective, as though he were willing to take on your burdens for you. And that was just it- he wasn't just carrying your things he was carrying your stress. The weight you hadn't even realized you were carrying started to dissipate with every step you took, as though by carrying your things he was telling you it was okay to let go.
"I could've just taken a break," You pointed out, Garrick letting you lean against him slightly as you walked. "You could have," He agreed. "But we both know you wouldn't have. And I'm not going to give you the option of overworking yourself," his smirk returning, but warmer. You stayed quiet and your mind returned to the possibility of Garrick being your secret admirer. Could it be him? You wondered. The way he seemed to always be there when she needed him. The way the gifts had shown up seemed a little too coincidental to when Garrick had been around. You shook your head. Why would he do any of that? It felt a little ridiculous to think Garrick would be the one to be your secret admirer. Anyone could have left the gifts and you were sure Garrick also walked the rest of his friends to class and carried their things every once in a while. But deep down you knew he didn’t. You glanced up at him, catching his eye and he smiled at you like he always did but there was something different about him. Something... vulnerable and tender and you offered him a small smile in return. No, it couldn't be. Still, as Garrick helped you with your things you couldn't shake the feeling that your secret admirer was no longer as anonymous as they used to be.
It was the kind of day that the exhaustion wasn't evident until you flopped down on your bed with a sigh. It had been a long day with classes and flying practices and your body ached from the drills. The sun had started to dip below the horizon, softly illuminating your room. You sat up and started to peel off your flight jacket and daggers, dropping them on your desk. You turned to undo your braid to shower and noticed something peeking out from under your pillow, your breath catching. Was it another gift? You wondered. You walked over and slid the package out realizing from the shape it was a book. You removed the soft cloth that contained the book and almost gasped out loud. It was your favorite novel since you had been a young teenager; you hadn't read it in years since you hadn't been able to bring it with you to Conscription Day. It was leather bound with the letters on the cover brushed with gold.
The leather showed signs of wear and the spine had a few cracks where the book had been opened too many times to count; it wasn't stiff like a new book, but had some give to it. The book was old and out of print now, nearly impossible to find in its original form. You opened the book and ran your fingers down the page; they were soft, the edges worn and slightly frayed from countless fingers flipping them. But this book contained something even more special and rare; marginalia. You thumbed through the pages and noticed notes, comments, and annotations from the author scribbled amongst many of the pages. You didn't even want to think about how someone could have gotten this, much less what it had to have cost. But who would even go through the trouble of getting this for you? And you realized, there was only one person it could have been.
Garrick.
The book was special to you as a kid, a gift from your parents, and you had only ever told Garrick about it. The novel was about a princess and her knight who conquered dangerous quests to prove his love, always bringing her something from his many fascinating travels across the land. You were afraid your friends would tease you for liking such material and although the teasing would have been good-natured, you wanted to keep it to yourself. You had only told Garrick about the book a while back. There was romance and danger and it had made teenage you swoon and daydream about one day having your own knight. You sat there, shocked that you hadn't realized it sooner; or rather believed it sooner. Garrick was your knight. He was the one who had left you the gifts. He was your secret admirer. The pieces were falling into place now. Garrick had been there to see you admire the daylilies and the next morning they were on your doorstep. Garrick heard you wanting the blackberry tartlets and the next day there they were in your gym bag. He always walked you places. Always carried your things. He never did this for anyone else. Now, a rare edition of your favorite book had appeared under your pillow.
These gestures and gifts weren't nothing to him; in his own way, Garrick was letting you know he cared about you and listened to you. In his own way, Garrick was trying to confess that he loved you. Not with big grand gestures but in subtle and deeply meaningful ways. Tears pricked your eyes because that meant more to you than anything. That he knew you wouldn't want him to admit he loved you in a big or public way. You asked your dragon along the bond to find out from Chradh where Garrick was before rushing out the door. You had to confront Garrick even if you were wrong-and you didn't think you were- and you had to tell him how you felt. Chradh and his rider are about to land in the flight field. Your dragon said through your bond. You ran towards the flight field passing the dining hall and academic wing before finally making it to the field just in time to see Garrick and Chradh touch down.
You waited on the edge for Chradh to leave before approaching Garrick. "Is everything okay?" Garrick asked as you walked up to him. "Chradh said you were looking for me." "I'm fine but I need to ask you something," You said, your fingers curling protectively around the weathered spine of the book. Garrick tilted his head and something in his eyes shifted, becoming cautious. "Alright," he simply said. "This... this was under my pillow when I got back from drills," You told him, holding the book up for him to see. Something flickered across his gaze but it was so quick you couldn't even register what it was, and you continued on. "I told you about this book a long time ago. About how much it means to me. How no one else knew." your gaze searched his, watching carefully and your chest became tight but you pressed on. "And now it turns up. After the flowers, the pastries, always walking me to class, carrying my things, everything." Garrick's jaw tightened but he didn't say anything. The silence pressed around you two, thick and heavy with all the words being left unsaid. "You've been the one leaving me the gifts," You said, not as a question but a statement because you knew, but you wanted him to say it. "Haven't you?" You asked him. For a long beat, Garrick stood silently looking at you, something unreadable flickering in his expression. You began to grow uneasy. What if you had been wrong? Finally, Garrick let out a faint sigh and nodded. “Yeah I have,” he stated. The breath you had been holding in your lungs escaped and you stepped closer to him. “Why didn’t you just tell me?” You asked. He smiled a soft lopsided smile at you.
“Because you deserve a knight,” He responded, echoing your words from so long ago.
“You deserve someone who brings you things from his travels. You deserve someone who proves how much he loves you without ever having to say anything. You deserve everything you want Y/n,” He said. “I just wasn’t sure you’d want me to be him,” he confessed, sadness tinging his words. “Garrick…” You said, your heart thudding painfully in your chest. “I thought maybe if I could show you instead of telling you outright that you’d figure it out. Or even if you didn’t you’d at least smile a little more. I would’ve been fine with that much honestly,” He went on, anxiously running a hand through his hair and looking away for a split second. “But then every time I noticed you smiling and happy after I left something for you, it felt like I could breathe easier. Like maybe I actually had a shot,” He smiled. You closed the remaining distance between the two of you and looked up at him. “Garrick you always had a shot,” You whispered. “You just didn’t know it yet.” His hazel eyes, those stupidly beautiful hazel eyes, bore into you. “Do you mean that?” he whispered back and you nodded. “I do. You’ve always been my knight haven’t you? Always watching out for me, always there,” You smiled. “I’m not really the best at this kind of thing,” His voice was low and earnest. “But I love you with everything I have. That much I’m sure of. And I’ll spend the rest of my life proving that you,” he promised.
The setting sun caught his eyes, making the hazel irises look like molten honey and it made you weak; you could stare at his eyes forever. “Then you’re already doing everything right,” you smiled and it was big and bright and all you. That was all he needed to hear and he bent down slowly, giving you every chance to pull away but you didn’t. His lips met yours, moving slowly; it wasn’t a kiss filled with urgency or heat but a confession in itself. It was quiet and complete, brimming with everything he couldn’t put into words. You leaned into the kiss without hesitation, holding your knight as if you’d never let go. Garrick finally pulled back and smiled down at you, familiar and lopsided and you gazed at his face; it was perfect, even the scar running down one side. “I’ve wanted to do that since the first moment I saw in the Archives scowling at your reading list,” he said with a husky chuckle. “You mean the time when I dropped all my books and cursed the professor under my breath for assigning so many?” You laughed. “That’s the one,” he grinned. “I knew I was done for. Took me weeks just to speak to you the first time in math,” He grinned.
You tilted your head. “You mean all those dumb questions about the equations were just your excuse to talk to me?” You teased. “They weren’t dumb! I stand by not knowing what the hell was going on in that class,” he laughed. “You had a better grade than me!” You said, shaking your head with a smile. “Yeah but only because I started studying after you helped me. I had to impress you somehow,” He flashed a grin. “Then you’ve just been trying to impress me this whole time?” You asked softly, looking up at the man who stole your heart. “Because you never needed to,” You whispered, wrapping your arms around his waist, still clutching the precious book. “I’d still do it all over again for you,” He said, leaning down and kissing you again. This time, you held your knight and didn’t let go.
Can you make one where y/n is xaden's sister and he hates her for some reason she doesn't know about. Garrick finds her attractive and goes behind xaden's back to date her. After liams death Garrick is assigned as violets bodyguard (?) and because of that y/n and Garrick won't be able to talk much and she gets jealous a lot. Then one day xaden and her get into a fight for some reason and xaden accidentally finds out she's pregnant (he doesn't know she was dating garrick) he becomes concerned about her safety and explains why he hates her. Can you make it very angsty and the end fluffy?? Please
Sorry it took me so long to get to this!
This sounds like an interesting fic and if a good plot line strikes me I will definitely write a story for this :)
Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who showed love on my first Fourth Wing fic I love you all sm! This was requested by an anon and honestly I had way too much fun writing this one so I hope you like it anon! 🤭Hopefully my writing is a bit better on this fic!
Not proofread so please be aware of typos! Hopefully you all enjoy and don't forget my requests are open. I'm hoping to post the first part to my oc story soon and also work on a few requests :)
***as always likes, comments, and reblogs are always appreciated***
The sparring gym was empty with the other cadets filtering out and heading in different directions in a sea of black. You and Dain remained behind to get one of those moments where it was just the two of you. Not only were you Xaden Riorson's sister, which came with its own challenges, but Dain was your wingleader and fraternization between a Cadet and their chain of command was strictly prohibited by the Codex, so you and Dain were forced to keep your relationship a secret until he graduated. The only people who knew were your squad. Dain stood before you, rolling his shoulders and looking infuriatingly at ease. Your eyes wander over his bare chest and down his sculpted abs. Gods how could he look so perfect covered in sweat? You thought to yourself. "You sure you're up for this Aetos? You're looking a little tired," you remarked, taking your place in front of him. Dain's lips quirked upward in a smirk. "Oh I'm sure," He took a lazy step forward onto the mat. "But I appreciate the concern," He added. "Whatever I just don't want you using being exhausted as an excuse when I win," You retorted playfully while shifting into your stance. "Show me what you've got then Cadet," he chuckled softly.
You struck first, fast and decisive just like he taught you, aiming for his ribs. Dain deflected it effortlessly without so much as shifting his stance. "That was predictable," he said, the two of you now circling each other. "I'm just warming up," You grinned. You feinted left and saw Dain's body shift to block the incoming blow, and you shifted your feet to the right to aim a well placed kick on his thigh earning you a grunt that sent shivers down your spine and made your body flush. Is now really the time to think about your wingleader in such a fashion? Your dragon sent down your bond, half-teasing half-disapproving. You rolled your eyes but said nothing ignoring that she was right. "Is that all you've got?" Dain teased, recovering quickly. You huffed, going in for a palm strike and Dain grabbed your wrist before your strike could land. He twisted your arm gently and spun you so your back was pressed against his front. "Nice try but you're allowing me too much time to counter," he whispered, his lips pressed against the shell of your ear. Your pulse raced and not because of the fight. Dain let go of your arm and stepped back. "Try again," He said, playfulness dancing in his golden brown eyes. "Are you enjoying yourself?" You asked. Dain smirked. "Immensely," He threw a half-hearted swing with his fist, leaving his middle exposed. You ducked under his arm and instead extended your leg, attempting to sweep his legs from under him. He dodged easily and hooked your balancing leg from under, causing you to hit the mat. "If you wanted me on my back Aetos you know all you had to do was ask," you flirted, springing to your feet.
You saw his eyes darken at your suggestion and you used his brief hesitation to lunge forward, aiming a strike at his side. His arm shot out, once again grabbing your arm but you used the opportunity to drive your knee into his midsection. He quickly caught your knee before it could do any damage to his ribs, and his eyes sparked with approval. "Better," He said. He lets go of you and steps backward. “Let's see what happens when I stop taking it easy on you,” He smirked. The next exchange was faster, sharper. He let you once again press the attack but any strike you attempted to land on him he countered with precision. And worst of all-he seemed to be enjoying it.
“Your stance is slipping,” he noted, as he effortlessly parried your next strike.
“Your mouth is slipping,” You shot back, unable to come up with anything better.
“Oh, you like my mouth just fine from what I remember last night,” He flirted.
Your next punch came faster than expected, grazing his jaw slightly. His eyes darkened, his pupils dilating with something you weren’t sure was irritation and you smirked. “That was decent but I wouldn't get too confident just yet," He said. Then he was moving fast, too fast. He pressed the attack now, his movements controlled and methodical leaving you with barely any time to dodge or block his strikes. His palm grazed your rib as you just barely twisted away, your breath coming faster. “Getting tired yet?” Dain asked, his voice way too casual. “You wish,” You taunted. He smirked and you took advantage of the distraction to aim a well-placed palm on his chest, driving him backward. You only just barely managed to shove him backward, his dense muscles working for him(in more ways than one) but you caught a flicker of surprise in his gaze. You carried it through with a high kick to knock him down but he caught your ankle, swept your leg, and you fell backward. He caught you before you could hit the mat too hard and trapped your body beneath his. He still had hold of one of your legs, holding it gently by the back of your calf and he pinned your wrists above your head with his other hand. You struggled against his grip but it wasn’t much use; he was bigger, heavier, and worse-entirely too pleased with himself as he smirked like he won something far better than a sparring match. “Not bad,” he murmured with his face just inches above yours. “But not quite good enough.” “You’re enjoying this way too much,” You remarked, your pulse quickening as he leaned in slightly.
His gaze flickered briefly to your lips and his smirk softened. “Maybe.” Before you could fire back with another retort, he pressed his lips against yours. The kiss wasn't rushed; Dain never rushed he was too controlled for that. The kiss was slow, certain, and firm as though he had already decided this outcome like he had the fight. His lips moved against yours with slow precision, savoring the moment. He wrapped your leg around his waist and ground his hips into you slightly, eliciting a moan from you. He pulled back, his lips ghosting over yours and staring at you with those brown eyes that caused you to melt. “Now that,” he murmured. “was a win.” You exhaled, a smile forming at the corner of your lips as you stared up at him. “Cocky bastard,” you teased. “Care for a rematch?” He smirked, sitting back on his heels. Before you could answer a voice rang out across the gym.
“Am I interrupting?" The voice was low, lethal, and way too familiar and it caused you to freeze underneath Dain. You look over to see your brother standing off to the side with Garrick next to him. "Xaden!" You squeaked. "Get the fuck off my sister Aetos," Xaden growled. His shadows surged forward, dark tendrils ripping Dain off and away from you and Dain slammed onto his back. Simultaneously, his shadows wrapped themselves around your wrists and pulled you backward away from Dain until you stopped at Garrick's side. "Xaden what the fuck!?" You exclaimed, your initial shock being replaced with indignation. You look up at Garrick who only offered a somewhat apologetic smile. Your brother didn't even glance at you, his entire focus on Dain who was picking himself back up with a clenched jaw. "You overstepped Riorson," Dain snapped. "I don't give a damn if she's your sister you don't get to pull that shadow shit with me," He said, his voice rigid. "You know Aetos I'm a bit surprised you had the audacity to go that far, " Xaden took another step forward, his shadows swirling around his feet. "I didn't think you'd be stupid enough to shove your tongue down my sister's throat," Xaden's voice dropped. Her face flushed with embarrassment and you felt Garrick shift beside you, a little uncomfortable. You watch as Xaden stares daggers at Dain and suddenly you weren't sure you recognized your own brother. The man standing in front of you was no longer the older brother who always looked out for you. Instead he was every inch the soldier that Basgiath had forged him into. For the first time in your life, you understood why so many people were afraid of him.
"What the fuck did you just say?" Dain's voice was tight but unwavering. "You heard me," Xaden replied. "And in case you forgot who she was I'd like to remind you who's been protecting her this whole time," Xaden's eyes smoldered with rage but Dain didn't flinch. "She's not your possession Xaden." "No she's not but I am her brother and that makes it my responsibility to make sure she doesn't end up in a situation she's going to regret when she gets hurt," Xaden said, his eyes narrowing. You stood frozen. Xaden said when not if. Does he really think Dain would ever hurt you? You looked up at the hulking man who stood beside you. "Do you think Dain is something I'd regret?" You asked Garrick. Garrick was one of your friends, going back to when you were kids and he always let you tag along with him and your brother, and you knew he would be honest with you. Garrick glanced down at you, hesitating for a moment unsure if he wanted to get involved. "No, I don't think so. But he and Xaden barely tolerate each other so seeing him with you was probably more of a shock than anything," he replied sincerely. "You deserve to be with someone who treats you right and loves you. And Dain seems to love you especially if he's willing to go toe to toe with Xaden to defend you," You smiled and he returned the gesture before Xaden and Dain's voices pulled you back. "I don't need your permission to do anything with her. I certainly don't need you to remind me how to treat her right. And I'm not going to be scared of you and back down like you want. Ever. Not when it comes to her," Dain growled and your heart seemed to stop. Xaden's shadowy presence seemed to grow even more oppressive as he stalked closer to Dain, their faces inches apart. "You're walking a fine line, Aetos. You think you can just play these games with her? Pretend like you're her hero while you're distracting her from everything else around her?"
Dain's nostrils flared and for a split second it seems like they may actually clash with each other. As much as you loved Dain, you weren't entirely sure he was a match for your brother. You opened your mouth to intervene when Professor Devera walked into the gym. "Professor Tavis? Professor Riorson? You're needed to attend a meeting with the other professors," She stated, looking at the situation before her before turning to leave a moment later. Professors? you thought. That must be why Xaden is back but why didn't he mention anything? Xaden's shadows seemed to disappear and his icy gaze glared at Dain. "This isn't the last time we'll be talking about this," He promised, his voice low. Xaden turned away making his way to the gym doors while Garrick gave you a reassuring squeeze on your shoulder before following his friend. You glanced at Dain who's eyes met yours and suddenly, that indignation came back full force. You spun on your heel and stalked after the two men. "Xaden!" You shouted, garnering brief glances from people nearby. Xaden and Garrick stopped abruptly and you came to a stop in front of them, your arms crossed. "Who the fuck do you think you are!" You asked your older brother and Garrick's eyes went wide. "Excuse me?" Your brother asked, peering down at you. "Why are you acting like a total asshole?" You asked angrily and you could hear Garrick chuckle. "Me?" Xaden asks with disbelief. "This is the first time I see you in months and you berate my boyfriend?" You snapped but you cringed inside. Boyfriend seemed a little...immature but you didn't know what else to say. "Considering what I saw him doing, you're lucky I didn't kill him right there," Xaden replied coolly and you gaped at him. "You could've chosen anyone y/n and you choose Aetos?" He asked, incredulously. "I don't need your approval for anyone I want to date," You spit back. "He isn't good for you," Xaden insisted. "You don't get to make that decision for me Xaden!" You raised your voice. "If you want to act like a big brother and look out for me and care for me, by all means please do so," You continued. "But I'm not a little kid anymore and you have to stop treating me that way. You don't get to decide who I can and cannot spend my time with," You finished. Xaden stared at you while you chastised him.
"So I'm supposed to just be fine with you picking probably the worst guy at Basgiath?" He asked you. "Yes!" You snapped. Your sharp words did nothing to dull the pain from Xaden's words. Could he really think your taste in men, or rather your decision making in general, was so bad? Despite how you were yelling at him, you desperately wanted his approval. "And he's not the worst," You continued. Xaden opened his mouth but you cut him. "You need to get over this Xaden because I'm not planning on breaking it off with Dain anytime soon," Once you were finished, you spun on your heel and stalked off. "We're in the middle of a conversation! Where are you going?" He called after you, ignoring the fact he was supposed to be in a meeting. "To fuck my boyfriend!" You shouted over your shoulder. You weren't actually going to fuck him, but you heard Garrick's laugh as you rounded the corner and the look you imagined on Xaden's face made the retort worth it.
Later that night you sat with the rest of your squad in the dining hall with Ridoc and Sawyer fighting over who was stronger-which led to an arm wrestle-Aaric looking somewhere in between bored and amused, Rhiannon shaking her head in amusement at the two boys' antics, and Sloane laughing as the arm wrestle came to a conclusion. You weren't even sure who won. You had tried to eat, you were certainly hungry enough, but the thought of Xaden and Dain's interaction gnawed heavily on your mind. Xaden had intercepted Dain in the corridor as he made his way to the dining hall with his wing and you were instantly uneasy. Xaden wouldn't actually kill Dain. Right? Violet noticed you were uncharacteristically silent. "You okay?" She asked, nudging your shoulder with hers. "She's just upset because big brother Riorson found out she's been getting it on with her wingleader," Ridoc said smugly. You fixed him with a glare and Rhiannon swatted the back of his head causing Ridoc to laugh out loud. "Seriously?" Violet grimaced at the brown haired man sitting across from her before returning her attention onto you. "He's not technically wrong," You muttered. "Dain and I were practicing sparring after everyone left. It escalated and I sort of ended up....underneath him," You finished. Ridoc and Sawyer tried to keep from laughing. "Xaden walked in as Dain was kissing me,"
You took a drink of your water to try and cool the wave of heat that caused your cheeks to flush. Violet's eyes went wide for a moment. "How did he take that?" She asked, everyone listening in. "About as well as you'd expect," You replied. "I'm surprised either one of them walked away alive." You went on. "Don't forget the shouting match you had with him in the courtyard," Ridoc threw out there. You scowled at him and Violet raised her eyebrows in curiosity to which you told her about your confrontation with Xaden. "So I told him I was going to fuck my boyfriend," You finished, your cheeks on fire. Ridoc and Sawyer collapsed with laughter, Rhiannon and Sloane smiled at you proudly, and Aaric had a slight expression of amusement on his face. "Wow," Violet said. "Yeah it wasn't my best moment," You admitted. "I saw Xaden corner Dain in the hallway and disappear somewhere before we all came to the dining hall," You told them. Violet sensed you were uneasy about your brother's conversation with Dain. "I'm sure everything will be just fine. Xaden and Dain may not always be on the best of terms all the time," Violet started. "But Xaden loves you and we all know how well Dain treats you. I wouldn't let it bother you so much," She finished, giving you a small hug.
You happened to glance up to see Dain appear in the entrance to the dining hall and he motioned with his head to follow him. "I'll be right back," You told your squad. "Good luck," Violet said. You made your way across the hall and rounded the corner of the dining hall entrance to see Dain standing a few feet away. "Well you're alive," You joked, but your tone was laced with a little relief. "How did it actually go?" You asked, worry in your eyes. "Xaden had some strong words and honestly I wasn't sure if I was gonna make it until Tavis vouched for me," He joked and you gave him a pointed stare. "Sorry," he said sheepishly. "So...is he....okay with this?" You asked, the nervousness clawing at you. "Xaden is Xaden. I don't think he's going to ever be too thrilled I'm with his sister but for now...yeah he seems okay with it," Dain nodded, giving you a smile. You felt your shoulders drop in relief. "We’d better head back before people start gossiping,” he said, the familiar twinkle back in his eyes and you nodded. His hand fell to the small of your back but you heard your name being called. You turn around and see your brother staring at you. "I need to talk to you," He said, his expression unreadable. Dain gave your waist a squeeze and left you and Xaden to talk.
You walked over to where your brother stood and crossed your arms, still a little angry with him. "Thanks for not killing him," you said sarcastically. "I thought about it," Xaden muttered. "Listen, I appreciate you wanting to protect me and I don't want you to think I'm not grateful for you. You're my brother; I'm always going to need you, it's just in a different way now. I'm not a little girl any more you don't have to keep protecting me. Dain...he isn't the enemy Xaden. He wouldn't ever hurt me and I trust him," you told him. Xaden ran a hand through his dark hair, sighing. The words stung he couldn't lie; but not in the way he had expected. There was pride in your voice, a sense of confidence and determination he hadn't anticipated.
"I know and I get you're an adult now....but it's hard for me to see my sister with someone who I could never come to terms with," he admitted. That was putting it lightly. You thought. "If he's good enough for me Xaden, why can't he be good enough for you?" You asked him. He could see in your eyes you just wanted him to say he approved of this relationship, of your decisions, and your words hit him like a punch to the gut. "I'm your brother Y/n no one is ever going to be good enough for you," it came out as a joke but deep down you knew he meant it. "Xaden you can't control everything. You need to let me make my own decisions and learn my own lessons," you said, a little frustrated but with a new understanding of where Xaden was coming from. "I can't be your little sister forever," you added quietly. His chest tightened and for a brief moment he saw a younger version of you in his mind.
When he looked at you, he no longer saw the small kid who always needed her brother to be there. You were no longer the kid who looked at him as though he hung the moon. You had grown up. "You're right. You're an adult now, capable of making her own decisions. But I'll always be here for you; that's what older brothers are for," he gave you a smile and you felt yourself grin. "And can you please try to not threaten Dain as much from now on?" You asked him. "He's not as bad as you think." Xaden raised an eyebrow at you. "We'll see." The two of you walked back towards the dining hall and you smiled to yourself. It was a long road ahead before Xaden would, if ever, be comfortable with you and Dain being together but at the moment he tolerated it. And that was enough for now.
Summary: You are the unfortunate target of a bet between Aaric and Ridoc
Warnings: None
Word Count: 1.5k
Author's Note: My first ever Fourth Wing fic!! Not sure how I feel about this one but I hope I captured Aaric's personality well :)
Thank you to everyone who voted in the poll! This is my first time writing in forever so this may not be my best work lol but I already have some work done on a few more fics so stay tuned! If you have anything you want to see with the Fourth Wing characters don't hesitate to send in a request💞
***As always beware of typos and comments, likes, and reblogs are always appreciated!***
The mess hall buzzed with the usual chatter, clinking dishes, and boisterous laughter. Aaric sat across from Ridoc, who was looking particularly frustrated. Ridoc slouched, absentmindedly pushing his food around on his plate and sighing. "What's the matter with you?" Aaric asked, glancing up from his own plate and trying to decide whether or not he actually cared. Ridoc sighed dramatically, dropping his fork with a clink. "I had this one rider practically in the palm of my hand. She was cute as hell too. But she rejected me! Me!" Ridoc exclaimed. "Can you believe that?" Ridoc placed his elbow in the table and rested his chin on his hand. "I don't really know what to say...I've never been turned down," Aaric continued to eat his food, deciding he actually wasn't that interested in Ridoc being unable to have some unfortunate girl spend the night in his bed. Ridoc picked up his head and peered at Aaric. "Really?" He asked, with a mixture of disbelief and genuine curiosity. "You've never been turned down? How the hell do you manage that?"
Aaric replied, "I guess I just know how the game works," he said, a small smirk appearing briefly on his face. Ridoc scoffed, unimpressed. "I have game okay? And you're telling me you could hook up with any rider in here if you wanted to?" He continued. "If I wanted," Aaric said in a bored tone. Ridoc leaned forward on his elbows, his eyes narrowing with a competitive glint. "Prove it then," he said. Aaric raised an eyebrow, amusement starting to dance in his eyes. "Like a challenge?"
Ridoc smirked. "Yeah. You think you can walk up to any rider, charm them, and convince them to come to your room tonight? Prove it. If you win, I'll do your morning drills for a week no questions asked. But if you lose, you have to admit your game is weak and I'll make sure everyone knows it," Ridoc proposed. Aaric stared at Ridoc for a moment, considering his challenge. "Fine," Aaric finally said, his signature smirk on full display. "So who's it going to be? Pick someone with a backbone not one of your usual targets," Ridoc clarified. Aaric scanned the room, trying to pick the perfect rider to win the bet.
His eyes landed on you, sitting in a corner with a book in your lap clearly not interested in impressing anyone. He had seen you around before carrying yourself with a no-nonsense kind of confidence. He had been wanting to ask you out for weeks. "That one," he said, gesturing to where you sat alone. "Her? She's not impressed by anyone. She turns down anyone who's tried to get with her," Ridoc explained. "That's exactly why I'm picking her. No one else will be as satisfying to impress," Aaric pushed his plate away and got up from the table. "Fine. But you can't just pull all the cocky shit you usually do. She has to be genuinely impressed. If she comes to your room tonight, you win," replied Ridoc. "Enjoy your last few days of sleep Gamlyn," Aaric threw over his shoulder as he smoothed down his sleeves with practiced ease and adopted that casual confidence he was so good at.
Aaric sauntered over to where you sat, enjoying your book. "Mind if I join?" A voice asked you. You didn't respond immediately and instead looked up from your book to see Aaric Graycastle standing next to you, flashing you a smile. "I guess," you nodded. "But I'm not really one for small talk," you continued, returning your attention to the book in front of you. Aaric slid into the empty space on the bench next to you. "That's okay I don't enjoy small talk either," He leaned in closer, looking intently at you. "I'm Aaric by the way," his voice was lower and softer. "You didn't have to sit so close there's plenty of space," you remarked, noticing his thighs practically up against yours. Was it horrible you didn't actually mind? "And I know who you are Graycastle. We have classes together and our squads spar each other," you replied, flipping the page in your book. "Have you been watching me?" He teased. "You know, this is starting to feel like small talk," you said dryly. "Oh come on," he said, scooting even closer if that was even possible. "I've been wanting to talk with you for a while now... you're different," he went on. "Really that's all you've got Graycastle? I'm different?" You shook your head. "Not your best opener,"
Aaric merely chuckled, not allowing himself to be discouraged. Even he had to admit that wasn't his best. "Okay fair enough let me try again," he said. "I like how you value your independence, how you don't get caught up in the drama here. That's pretty rare especially for a school like this," Your gaze shifted slightly, curiosity creeping in. "Do you still think you can actually impress me?" You asked, closing your book. His grin grew impossibly wide. "I'm just getting started honey,"
Time passed and Aaric threw everything he had at you. His witty remarks, usual charm, and effortless confidence; but nothing seemed to work. You didn't seem to be interested in the usual ways that allowed him to charm girls into his bed. You simply sat there, barely listening to him, practically bored with his attempts. This is was so much harder than he had expected. He chanced a glance at Ridoc, who sat there watching the exchange with a smug smile on his face. "Listen, not that I haven't enjoyed our little conversation," you started sarcastically. "But I have to go," you started to stand up to make a hasty exit but Aaric grabbed your arm. There's no way he could let Ridoc win. "Okay wait," he begged. "Why?" You asked, but you sat back down and he loosened his grip on your arm but didn't let go. "The truth is my friend and I have a bet; I bet I could get you to come to my room tonight and if you came by I won," he confessed. "I really like you and the bet was an excuse to come talk to you," he went on.
You were silent for a moment and Aaric wondered briefly if he just made the biggest ass out of himself. "What do you get if you win?" You asked finally. "My friend does my morning drills for a week," replied Aaric. A small smile tugged at the corner of your lips. "And if you lost?" "I have to admit my game isn't as good as I claim it is and Gamyln makes sure everyone else knows it," he said, a little hesitant. "If you liked me so much, why did it have to take a bet for you to come talk to me?" You had to admit you were curious. "Because....you always seemed so uninterested and you turned down everyone who tried asking you out. I just didn't want to be shot down like the rest," he explained. "I didn't think Aaric Graycastle was scared of talking to any girl," you said, an authentic smile blooming on your face. "Just you," he confessed in a soft voice. Your expression changed and you gazed at him.
You had a small crush on him since you first saw him in Battle Brief but you knew he was with a new girl every week so you didn't bother entertaining those feelings; despite the fact they continued to grow. Could he be serious about liking you? "Alright Graycastle," you told him. "Alright?" He asked in a confused tone. "I'll come to your room. But I'm only coming so you can win the bet nothing else," you made a point. Aaric smiled at you but it was different this time; it wasn't his cocky grin he put on all the time it was a genuine smile and it made your stomach flip. "Really?" He asked. You nodded before standing up. "But next time, don't talk to me because of some silly bet," You said with a small smile. "Next time?" He questioned. Were you really going to give him a next time? He wondered. "Just talk to me," you told him before picking your book up and walking away.
"Goodnight Aaric," you said, reaching for his doorknob. Aaric felt felt a sense of a disappointment that you were leaving. The two of you had talked for hours and he enjoyed getting to know you. "Maybe I should adjust my shirt or something," you paused before opening the door. "Make it believable," you went on. "Maybe," he said opening the door for you and standing so close you could smell the mint on his breath mixed with his cologne. It made you want to bury your face in his neck. "But this might work a little better," he murmured, tucking a piece of your hair behind your ear. He leaned close, pausing only to look at you, making sure you weren't uncomfortable. You nodded, letting him know it was okay. He placed his lips over yours, one of his hands squeezing your waist. "Goodnight y/n," he whispered after pulling apart. You gave him a smile and turned to leave. Aaric watched you turn the corner and his eyes found Ridoc's, who was at the end of the hallway, gaping at him. Aaric smirked and closed his door, already looking forward to talking to you again.
LOL yessss!! I saw somewhere that the real enemies to lovers arc was the readers and Dain and honestly, I could not agree more 😂😂
I cannot find a Dain / OC fic anywhere for the life of me, so I’d be more than happy to anything you’d be willing to write on Dain.
I do have a few ideas though; (I don’t know if you’d do Dain/OC or Dain/Reader)
- Dain and a childhood friend who is not Violet LOL
- Dain and an OC who would be Xaden’s little sister (someone completely the opposite of Xaden, someone softer and kinder LOL) and it would be a forbidden romance trope
Honestly anything you write I’d be happy to read. I’ve need going through a lot of Fourth Wing fics lately 😅
Oooooh these are so good! *scribbles these down on paper*
But just imagine Xaden "get the fuck away from my sister" Riorson 🤭 these most definitely will be added to my WIPs :)
Yaaaay! Can’t wait to read Aaric fics 🥳🩷 but what about Dain? Will you be writing any on him? I’m on a Dain high since onyx storm! LOL
Omg how could I have forgotten about our boy Dain😖
Honestly he's grown on me a little since Onyx Storm so I'm definitely all for a Dain redemption arc. I'll link the Masterlist below and once I get a good idea for him I'll add to it! If you have anything specific you want to see just send me an ask :)
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