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firapolemos05 · 13 hours

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(reposted from @/emmettnet since my blog was flagged. please note that this content may be outdated.)

Burning.

He was burning.

Is this what Cyrus meant? Was he finally burning in Hell for his sins? Or was that just his skin burning as the searing hot metal pressed against it, defiling the symbol of his faith with the shape of a cross?

Dirk’s screams echoed in the church as he struggled in vain. His arms were stretched in front of him over the communion table, wrists bound with a rope that was drawn taught around two adjacent table legs. And any attempts to arch away from the branding were stopped by Father Cyrus’ hands on his back, heavy like the hand of his God.

“That’s it, brother,” the priest said, leaning down to be heard without raising his voice. “Let the Lord hear you. Let him hear your pain as this sinful stain on your flesh is made anew.”

Shut up, he tried to hiss. Stop calling Ydedt sinful. Stop acting like your supposed Lord is superior.

But all that came out was a wretched sob.

The marble was cold against his bare chest, a sharp contrast to the scorching heat along the dip of his spine. But it wasn’t the pain that brought him to tears. It wasn’t the pain that made him stop gripping the edges of the table to shakily turn his palms up, sending a desperate prayer to Ydedt.

Forgive me, he silently begged, the rope digging into his wrists as he fought to keep his hands open. Please forgive me, Ydedt.

Ydedt’s brand was a blessing. Dirk had wanted it, and was beyond honored when Teddy deemed him, and only him, worthy. He was trembling with excitement when he was told to lay down on the altar table, smiling when he saw Teddy looking down at him with pride.

He was not offered anything to numb the pain, but that was fine, because Dirk wanted to feel everything. He was chosen for a reason, and he wasn’t about to squander such a blessing on selfish comforts.

Dirk accepted his brand gratefully and gracefully. No restraints. No audience. Just him, Teddy, and the light of Ydedt being burned into his flesh.

A pledge in blood to keep the faith with him forever.

A permanent mark of his undying loyalty and devotion.

And now that mark was being defiled for a bunch of heathens to see.

Their shrouded faces blurred together, deathly pale against their deep black robes. Their hands were clasped in prayer as their whispered mantras crawled on Dirk’s skin, as if words alone could cleanse him.

The vampire tried to silence himself, tried not to give Cyrus or any of his damned congregation the reaction that they wanted. But when he thought of Ydedt witnessing the act, and when he thought of Teddy seeing the damage done to his work, he couldn’t stop the tears from running down his face, the sobs catching in his throat.

He couldn’t stop any of it.

But he should.

As the hot iron sunk into his skin, the pain only got worse. It was like a dark cloud over Dirk’s thoughts, a blindfold that burned against his eyes, turning the corners of his vision black. He just barely stopped himself from begging, but his rationality was slipping away. Cyrus’ speech to his congregation was muffled in his ears.

“As we know,” the priest boomed, “my brother is cursed with a body that will not scar. A body that tries to reject the will of God.”

He smiled as the brand was lifted, as Dirk’s shrieks pierced the silence when the fresh wounds were gently touched.

“But we know the truth, dear siblings of mine. The will of our Father cannot be defied for long.”

Dirk squeezed his eyes shut. But suddenly, the stench of copper stung his nose as another wave of heat hit his back. He opened his eyes and tried twisting to look behind him, only for Cyrus to yank his hair up, making him gasp as his face was bared to the congregation.

“My brother has tried to fill his cracks with gold. That is the nature of all Ydedtists; to hide their filth under the illusion of prosperity. But true peace does not come from riches, and the golden light of God is not ours to wield.”

The priest’s hands left his body for a moment as he took a small crucible from his altar server. And when he tilted it down for Dirk to see inside, the Ydedtist’s eyes went wide with horror.

It was full of molten copper.

“Siblings,” Cyrus urged. “I ask you to turn your backs, so that my brother’s modesty may be preserved as he is prostrated.”

His response was the shuffling of fabric as the congregation turned. And as the ropes around the table legs were untied by the altar server, Dirk panicked.

Ydedt’s blessing had stayed with him because Ydedt made it so, which is why he expected Cyrus to fail. Dirk knew that his skin would heal over the unwanted brand, and he wanted to see the look in the priest’s eyes when he realized that the oppressive will of his God was no match for Ydedt’s love.

But he didn’t know what would happen if the wound was filled.

The second that the ropes go slack, Dirk moves. He leaps onto the table, knees hitting the marble hard. Cyrus takes the crucible away, expecting him to knock it over, but Dirk yanks one of the loose ropes towards him and grabs it with his other hand, turning it into a garrote as he wraps it around the altar server’s neck.

Before he can barter their life for his escape, Cyrus grabs his hands with crushing force, and Dirk hears a set of cracks before crying out as his now broken fingers go limp. The priest easily lifts him off the table and holds him by his waist as Dirk thrashes, kicking and screaming for all of the congregation to hear.

“No! You can’t do this! You can’t fucking do this!”

He doesn’t care how pitiful he sounds.

He can’t let this happen.

“Get your fucking hands off me, you fucking shitstain, all of you are just as sick as your - mmph!”

Cyrus covers his mouth with one hand as he guides Dirk down with the other, too strong for the smaller vampire to fight off. He gasps when his knees hit the floor, and then his elbows, until a single hand pressing down between his shoulders forces him to lay flat.

The pain swelling and burning in his body is just making Dirk even more desperate. He struggles even harder, trying to bite the hand over his mouth, but goes still when Cyrus whispers in his ear.

“Do not fight me, brother.”

It’s the same voice, but…different.

“Calm down.”

Something in Dirk shifts, like gears suddenly turning the other way. The rage that was just consuming him seconds ago, burning as hot as the brand on his back, now felt like nothing more than a childish tantrum.

“You have nothing to fear.”

The fear that seeped into his thoughts and pooled in his chest was starting to drain away. The panic that stuck in his throat and burst in his lungs was just an unpleasant memory now.

“I know it hurts, but it will be over soon.”

It did hurt. Everything hurt, and he was aware of the voice moving in front of him, his burning skin exposed to the cold air, his mouth freed while fingers slipped into his hair, stroking, soothing. It still hurt, and he wanted it to stop hurting, and he knew…he knew the voice would understand. He knew the voice could be trusted.

“I-I want it to stop,” he whispered back, eyes turned up towards the face of the voice. A name crawled into his thoughts.

Father Cyrus.

That’s who he trusted.

That’s who was trying to help him through the pain.

Father’s smile is soft with pity. “And it will. But you must be patient, brother. Let the love of God give you strength.”

Something hot and wet hit his skin.

Dirk could only let out a choked gasp as the pain became unbearable. He felt the copper pool inside of his fresh brand, eating away at his nerves, flooding his mind with pain, pain, pain-

“Pray to God, my brother.”

It trickled out of his brand, down his hips, scalding and stripping away his bare skin. His vision flickered, his mouth dropped open, unable to scream. The only sounds that came out were fast, shallow, wheezing breaths as he struggled to breathe through the pain, to think of anything other than the pain, to listen to the voice.

Father Cyrus.

He had to listen to Father Cyrus.

He said it would stop.

He trusted Father Cyrus.

“Pray to Him. Only He can hear you.”

Dirk did. He forced his eyes shut, and tried to put his pleas into words, and tried to imagine a God that he didn’t believe in.

Gasps and whispers of awe spread throughout the congregation.

Father Cyrus looked pleased.

—

When the younger vampire awoke, Cyrus was there.

Dirk tried rolling onto his side, but gasped and fell back on his front when the movement aggravated his new brand. A pained groan was muffled by the pillow before he realized that Cyrus was there, which is when he went tense and muttered, “Get the fuck out.”

Cyrus assumed - correctly, it seemed - that the younger vampire wouldn’t be happy to see him. But he didn’t want another one of his clergy nearly being strangled to death, so Cyrus smiled and set down the Bible that he was reading.

“You must be feeling well enough to cuss at me.”

Dirk bared his fangs. But before he gave another biting response, he stopped himself. And though he smirked at the older vampire, there was a hint of wariness in his eyes that wasn’t there before.

“That explains your mindless following then.”

Cyrus knew what he was referring to. “They follow God, not me. And I never use the Gift on them, brother.”

“Oh, the Gift.” Dirk sneers. “I’m fucking honored then.”

“I apologize, Dirk,” Cyrus says, genuinely. He had already made his repentance to God earlier, but it wasn’t complete until he apologized to the one he wronged. “I just didn’t want you to suffer any longer. And for your sake, I really didn’t want to have to redo the brand if we were too late to fill it.”

Dread pooled in the vampire’s red eyes. “I’m guessing it worked.”

Cyrus smiled. “That’s what I’m here to find out.”

Dirk glared at him. But he must have realized what would happen if he fought back again, because he didn’t move as the priest sat on the edge of his bed and carefully peeled the covers back. He gave a pleased hum.

Dirk’s shoulders hunched as he fisted the pillow.

The work was done. Though the symbol of Ydedt was still a dark stain on Dirk’s pale skin, there was now a Christian cross lying on top, filled with a thin layer of copper that shone beautifully in the dim light.

The power of God had prevailed, as always.

“It doesn’t count,” Dirk whispered, lifting up his head. “It’s like anything that I would make someone do under Charm. It doesn’t count.” A single red eye peered over at Cyrus. “It only proves that you’re just like your ancestors.”

“I’ve made my apologies. And the life that I lead in service to Him keeps me from succumbing to the blood of my ancestors.”

A smile sliced across Dirk’s face. “Oh, really?”

Cyrus expected him to wince again when he moved, the copper cross flashing dangerously as he arched his spine and rolled onto his side.

But the crying, screaming, pitiful vampire from before was completely gone. What now crawled towards him was a demon of temptation as he slowly sat up on his knees, unashamed of his nudity.

“I know your kind, Cyrus,” the vampire purred, an insult wrapped up as an invitation. A challenge. “You crave power, one way or another. And sure, you’re satisfied with playing priest now.”

His fingers danced along Cyrus’ collar, fully healed.

“You’ve clearly done a good job lying to yourself all of these years, pretending to be pious and morally just. Better than the rest of your kind who give into their instincts. Their nature.”

His lips curved into a smile, no longer uttering desperate prayers.

“But I’m sure this isn’t the first time you’ve slipped. And as time goes on, you’ll keep slipping.” He walked his fingers lower. “Especially when something better comes along. Something that you’ve always wanted, but never dared allow yourself to have. Too afraid that it would turn you into the monster that everyone knows you are.”

“And you are that something,” Cyrus guesses, amused.

Dirk’s cutting laugh is soft against his cheek. “You don’t have to believe me, Father,” he teased, dragging a finger down the front of the priest’s robes. “But think about why you’re really trying to convert me. Think about why you are risking your life, and the life of everyone here, just to hold me against my will and use your Gift to make me worship your God.”

Cyrus grabs his wrist before it can stray any lower. Dirk’s smile just stretches, sharpens, as he leans forward to whisper.

“Think about what that really does for you.”

He yanks his wrist away as he leans back, crossing his legs with a sudden look of annoyance. “And bring me some damn clothes. It’s cold in this drafty shithole.”

Cyrus lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. “My server will bring you some,” he says, standing up to make his exit. But not before giving the vampire another smile. “I will consider your words, brother. But I hope that you will also consider mine.”

Dirk gestures to the Bible. “I have a whole book of them there. If I get bored, I’ll give it a read.”

That gets a chuckle out of Cyrus. “That’s progress,” he jokes, ignoring the vampire’s glare as he closes the door behind him. He makes sure to lock it too, using a key from the ring on his belt.

Cyrus sighs. Lord may you give me strength, he thinks, trying to purge the memory from his mind. Unwilling to confront the extremely small possibility that there may be some truth to those words.

Without thinking, the siren covers his nose, now realizing that the younger vampire’s scent had rubbed off on his robes.

Another sigh before Cyrus retires to his room.

For such a sinful creature, he smells heavenly.

#emmettverse #whump stuff #tw branding

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firapolemos05 · 13 hours

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Can you write about the relationship between Teddy and Dirk in g/g au? I mean about how they perceive each other and feel about the other

CW: NSFW themes, cheating, strained 'marriage', dubcon due to the sake of society, unhealthy power dynamics

Greens were taught from a young age how to pretend, and Dirk was quite good at it. It was easiest to do around their children, knowing that they would pick up on the tiniest bits of resentment aimed towards their father. Eshana knew because she was a Green herself, and the more she grew, the more she understood what her mother had to go through. Theodore could not understand, but he was perceptive, just like his father.

They all knew, without saying it, that Teddy was not Eshana's real father. Eshana did not know this for certain, but she knew it in her heart. She could feel the way Teddy looked at her differently, and not just because she was a Green. Dirk resented him for that too.

It was the hardest to pretend when they were alone, which rarely ever happened now. But when Eshana was busy with her classes, and Theodore was at his trainings, and Teddy did not have any Golden business to attend to -- it was just the two of them, an unfaithful Golden and his unfaithful True Green.

Dirk knew he was unfaithful first. But now, it was his Golden that snuck off to be with another, because he could not be content with the role he was born into. Dirk did not mind that part. He understood what it was like being forced to be one thing only, crammed into a list of expectations you never signed up for. He was actually quite grateful that Cyrus Blackwood could make Teddy happy, despite being another Golden. It put Teddy in a better mood and made him less likely to snap at Dirk when he tried to assert himself.

The thing that Dirk did mind was that he was left alone, without anyone to keep him company while his Golden was gone, because Teddy had taken away the only person Dirk had ever loved. Dirk could never forgive him for what he did to Malusfa, and that was where most of the resentment stemmed from.

But despite everything, there was still love, budding like a stubborn rose in a nestle of thorns.

There was love when Teddy talked about business matters and allowed Dirk to partake in the discussion, not just listen to him. There was love when they exchanged simple words -- talking about their kids, making plans, commenting on the weather -- and when they delved into deeper topics, like the unnecessary prejudice towards Stained. Teddy never quite understood how that could be extended towards the treatment of Greens, but Dirk could not fault him for that. There was only one Golden who did.

There was love when Dirk kissed him upon waking, and when Teddy kissed him upon leaving, and then again when coming back. There was love in their touches, in their shared breath, love in the form of heat and sweat and one body opening up to the other. Love and resentment often tangled together, until Dirk was kept awake wondering why he stayed, wondering if he would miss Teddy if he was gone, wondering if he could make a new life for himself without being hunted down and Reformed.

But then he thought of their children and stopped wondering.

---

When he was a young Gold, Teddy learned how to put power above all else. He learned with every other Gold how emotion made them weak like Greens, how to control those emotions and defeat them, just like an opponent in battle.

He chose Dirk to be his True Green for his looks and his reputation. Dirk was highly praised among his ring, and after giving Dirk his Blessing, Teddy could see why. There was no emotional bond at first, but once the Green was with child, those feelings came as naturally as a Gold's strength did.

He also chose Dirk because the Green helped reassure him that he was not Stained, as he had started to fear once he reached blooming age. When he was with Dirk, Teddy felt like a real Golden. When they were having sex, he was not thinking about other Goldens in unspeakable ways. He thought Dirk had fixed him.

Only to find out that his True Green belonged to another.

He liked to think that when he chose to punish Malusfa, he was thinking rationally. But his True Green's betrayal had done more than just wound his pride. It gave him doubts about whether he had been a good enough Golden. It preyed upon his worst fears that Dirk knew something was wrong with him, and sought out his pleasure from a Golden who could properly give it to him.

Even now, after Malusfa was no longer a concern, Teddy wondered how much of it was Dirk's choice. He wondered if Malusfa had actually manipulated his True Green into breaking his vows, or if Dirk had just found someone who could satisfy him. For the sake of their partnership and their children, Teddy chose to accept the former.

He knew Dirk held a grudge. He was quite good at pretending, but Teddy knew him better than that. He could see it when Dirk was particularly exhausted, how his smile strained and his voice became clipped, how he failed to reciprocate sooner and tried to find excuses for his lack of interest. Teddy allowed him that much. He accepted that Dirk would never forgive him, and that was fair, because Teddy did not think he would ever forgive him either.

As long as his True Green served him obediently, Teddy could pretend as well.

But their relationship wasn't all acting. He had confessed to Cyrus, one drunken Dim, that he did care for Dirk. He wanted to protect him, as any Golden would, and he wanted him to be happy. Sometimes to the point of letting things slide more than a real Golden would -- but his trysts with Cyrus made it impossible to keep thinking he was a real Golden. Teddy thought that was why Dirk may have been unfaithful to begin with; his Golden was too soft on him.

Cyrus disagreed with this theory. He believed that Dirk was simply meant to be with another, and perhaps Teddy as well, since neither of them particularly wanted their relationship. The only two reasons were, of course, Teddy's reputation, and their growing children.

"But what happens once they are grown?" Cyrus had asked him this as his arms were around the other Golden, still hot and sticky with sweat. "Yes, it is illegal for a True Green to leave their Golden. But do you think that would stop Dirk from trying?"

"If he does, I will send him to the Elos ring. He can pick a fight with the freakish Greens there instead of me," Teddy said.

Cyrus chuckled. "You will not."

No, he wouldn't. As much as he hated to admit it, Teddy did not know what he would do. A real Golden would hunt down their True Green and punish them severely for trying to leave, but...did he really want to? Wouldn't it be easier if Dirk was free, so Teddy could be free too?

He tried to avoid these questions, knowing they made him even more Stained than he was. He knew Dirk did not mind it, but that did not mean much when Dirk directly benefited from his weakness.

Like now, when Teddy came home sated from Cyrus, and Dirk greeted him with a knowing smile that was more of a smirk. Had he not been enjoying himself with Cyrus, he would have found it disrespectful instead of endearing.

Teddy kissed him briefly. "Are the kids asleep?"

"Finally," Dirk sighed. "Theodore wanted to stay up and read, and Eshana could not fall asleep. But we managed."

Teddy smiled. "And you?"

"Not really tired. I may wear myself out in the guest room, if I have your permission to. You must be worn out already," he teased.

This was another part of their relationship that did not have to be faked. For as much as Cyrus sated his needs, there was still a flame burning for Dirk, a hunger always begging to be fed. Like now, when he imagined his True Green pleasuring himself all alone, and realized he was not that worn out.

"I will not allow it," Teddy said, but it was softened by lips on Dirk's neck, and Dirk's hands holding his shoulders. "If you're going to find pleasure, I will be the one to give it."

Yet another desire a true Golden would never have. Goldens do not give, they take what they are earned.

But maybe Cyrus' radical opinions were still stuck in his brain, because right now, he could not find it in him to care about what was right or wrong for someone in his position. Something that clearly pleased Dirk, as his True Green grinned and tilted his head back to give his Golden better access.

"Yes, my Golden," Dirk purred.

#Gold and Green au #emmettnet #whump stuff

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firapolemos05 · 13 hours

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(happens way in the future after this fic)

It was dangerous to be caught in the Haze. Not only was your vision blinded by the swirling crimson particles, but if they got in your lungs, you would choke on them. Getting trapped in the Haze could lead to the death of any Green or Gold; there was no discrimination.

That was how Teddy found Dirk after he escaped. He was hunched on the ground with his new Golden, blocking the Green from the Haze with his bulky form as much as he could. But he was still coughing, and Dirk was too, having inhaled too much of it. The only reason that Teddy was immune was thanks to mask on his face, filtering out the particles and allowing him clear vision.

Malusfa's eyes -- no longer green, but a gleaming gold -- narrowed maliciously at Teddy when he approached, getting close enough to be seen through the particles. But he was not there to pick a fight.

Teddy held out his hand for Malusfa to take, counting on him sacrificing his pride to save Dirk. As expected, Malusfa only hesitated for a moment before taking it, holding onto Dirk tightly as Teddy led them out of the Haze and into the nearest shelter. An abandoned arena with cracks in the stone walls.

As they walked through the dark hallway, no longer lit by torches, he realized Dirk was coughing far more than his Golden. Teddy let go of Malusfa's hand once they entered an area lit up by the split ceiling, letting Dim light flood the ground.

From his belt, Teddy took out a canteen. "Hold his head in place," he told Malusfa, since he had the muscle for it. "He's not going to like how this tastes."

Malusfa didn't argue. He just looked worried for Dirk as he held the True Green's head with both hands. Teddy uncapped the canteen and, after another coughing fit from Dirk, gently pried his lips apart to stick the nozzle inside. When he started tilting the canteen slightly, Dirk's eyes snapped open as his body convulsed, trying to yank his head away from the disgusting liquid entering his mouth.

Malusfa held firm. Once he had gotten enough of the liquid, Teddy withdrew the canteen. Dirk coughed and sputtered again, nearly gagging. But this time, once the medicine took effect, he did not cough again. Some color started returning to his face and Malusfa looked relieved, holding him and kissing his forehead. He did not express his gratitude to Teddy, but he did not need to.

Once he had recovered enough to speak, Dirk levelled with him a fiery glare. "Saving my life will not make me give them back."

"I know."

"They came with me willingly. I did not make them."

That one hurt more. "I know."

"Just try to punish me. Malu will not let you."

"I know."

"I am not scared of you, Teddy."

"I know," Teddy said softly. "That is why I wish to talk."

---

Malusfa stayed right by Dirk's side during their conversation. Teddy was willing to allow it; he was Dirk's only form of defense and he doubted that the Golden would let him speak to Dirk alone.

A fight with Mavik's former best fighter was not ideal. Besides, he promised Cyrus that he would not initiate any attacks. He was only there to talk, as he told Dirk once they found somewhere to sit in the empty stands.

Dirk looked skeptical. "Why now? You have never been interested in talking with me. Is it because I have our children?"

"That is part of it," Teddy admitted. "But it's mostly because I've had time to accept the truth, and my denial has only hurt you."

"What truth?"

"I am not a real Golden."

Malusfa huffed at that. "Sounds fucking familiar."

Dirk took his Golden's hand in a show of support. But the bitterness in his eyes softened. "That was what I liked about you. When you were not posturing or putting me in my place, you were kind. Sensitive. Someone I might even be able to trust."

Teddy's eyes flicked over to Malusfa. "Like how you trust him."

"I've never treated him like you did," Malusfa said lowly. It was almost admirable, how much he clearly cared more about the wrongs done to his True Green than what Teddy did to him.

Teddy sighs through his nose. "I know. Had I just given up on trying to be like other Goldens sooner...maybe things wouldn't have gotten to this point."

"I always had Malu waiting for me, Teddy." Dirk hesitated. "But you're right. Maybe we could have been on better terms and not have all of this hurt between us."

Teddy was ready to do what no other Golden would do -- except Malusfa and even his own son, Theodore, who had left him when Dirk ran off. Eshana did too, and Teddy felt guilty for not caring nearly as much.

He opened his mouth, ready to compromise. To put their pain in the past and work with Dirk on a solution for the present, so that he would still get to see their children live out their adult lives.

But before he could, Dirk apologized.

"I'm sorry for betraying you. It was selfish, and I thought that somehow, I was escaping the life that I was born into by accepting another Golden's Blessing. I was spiteful. I...I was wrong. Had I been able to end things between us before I fell in love with Malusfa, I would have. Believe that much."

"But you couldn't," Teddy realized.

Dirk smiled sadly. "I would have been Reformed."

Somehow, this changed everything. Somehow, hearing it straight from Dirk's lips helped untangle the web of hurt that he had been trying to ignore. Seeing that his former True Green was genuinely remorseful filled a need much deeper than his pain.

"I...I am sorry as well."

Dirk looked shocked.

Malusfa's jaw actually dropped.

"I let my pride be more important than you. I hurt you, not without realizing it, but because I justified it. I told myself that it was what any Golden would do, and I never stopped to question if that was the right thing to do by you."

It was much harder to look at Malusfa, the spitting image of the Golden that Teddy wanted to be. But he still forced himself to look up and say, "I am sorry for what I did to you in retaliation."

Malusfa clenched his jaw.

"I...never thought you would apologize," Dirk said, in disbelief. A smile played at his lips. "Is this the influence of Cyrus Blackwood?"

Teddy allowed a small smile as well. "Don't tell him that."

The silence that followed was not comfortable. But it was not rife with tension, splitting with things left unsaid. It was fragile, but it was precious. It was hopeful.

It was healing.

---

"Eshana is ours, and you have done nothing to deserve any time spent with her," Malusfa said gruffly. "I'll still ask her since she's her own Green, but I guarantee you the answer will be no."

"I understand," Teddy said. He loved Eshana the same way an actor loved the stage -- once the curtains closed, the performance was over, and the actor returned to their normal life.

"But I know you care for Theodore," Dirk said. "Even though you have certainly steered him wrong before, he loves you, and I think he can benefit from your guidance now that you are...more accepting of what both of you are."

"It's alright. You can say Stained."

Dirk's lips twitched. "I wasn't sure."

"If he agrees to it, I would like to see Theodore every six and seventh Dim," Teddy said. He was still trying to compromise, hoping that he could start off small and earn enough of Dirk and Theodore's trust to ask for more in the future.

Dirk nodded. "If he agrees to it, that is fine with me. Malu?"

"Fine," Malusfa said. "But there will be rules to how you act."

"I'm willing to abide by them, with just one condition of my own."

That got him a suspicious look from the couple.

"Cyrus would like to be part of their lives as well. We know they are adults now, but if they are willing, I would like to introduce them to him."

Malusfa raised an eyebrow. "As your...partner?"

There really was no other name for it, aside from the derogatory ones that were used to shame them. "Correct."

Dirk shrugs. "If the kids want to meet him, I see no reason to refuse."

"He sounds a lot more tolerable than you. No offense," Malusfa added dryly. But just the fact that he added it at all, and knowing that Cyrus would get to properly meet their adult children, had Teddy's mouth twitching into half a smile.

"None taken."

#Gold and Green au #emmettnet #whump stuff

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firapolemos05 · 13 hours

Note

Can you write about Cyrus and Teddy relationship in GG au? How did they meet? How did they become lovers?

CW: NSFW themes, domestic abuse

Goldens will be your friend until you're better than them. That's what Teddy's parents had always told him.

They knew their son was destined to join the Goldens and then surpass them. For a while, that's exactly what happened. Teddy started climbing in the ranks because his Golds were winning every fight, raising them to the status of champions. When that happened, he became the opponent of every Golden who faced him, and those who hadn't yet were plotting his downfall.

All except Cyrus Blackwood.

Cyrus was insufferable when Teddy first met him during a Council meeting. He never stopped smiling once. For each of Teddy's points, Cyrus calmly made a counterpoint, as if it was a game between them. They could not agree on a single matter.

Which was fine, since the majority of the Council agreed with Teddy. Cyrus' opinions were far too radical, they joked about just not inviting him at all to the meetings. But it was quality entertainment.

"You seemed to be getting flustered for a moment there," Cassius joked with him privately, referring to how Cyrus had almost managed to trip him up once. Almost.

It was irritating.

He would see Cyrus again during tournaments, when Goldens of nearby rings would be invited to a hosting ring that wanted to show off their Golds for recruitment. The other Golden still had that smile on his face, and Teddy felt like somehow, he was mocking everyone in his head. Clearly, someone with such radical opinions must have thought they were above everyone else.

Teddy wanted to prove him wrong. Not in a battle of words, but in a battle of strength, as was the proper Golden way.

He challenged Cyrus to spar.

Cyrus looked amused. "And what have I done to earn such a privilege, Golden Teddy?"

"You have caught my attention," Teddy said, which he...really could have worded better. Cyrus' smile curled into a smirk, and heat curled under Teddy's skin at the sight.

"Very well. I shall strive to keep it."

---

They were evenly matched for most of the spar. Both were skilled, strategic, and clever fighters, always striking each other out.

When Teddy attacked, Cyrus evaded.

When Cyrus attacked, Teddy evaded.

It felt more like a dance than a fight, a seamless choreography that never let a single hit land. They always came close to touching, close to breaking each other's guard, only to pull away at the last second.

It felt like Teddy was being toyed with. He bristled at the thought, at having his honor and pride as a Golden insulted.

"Come on," he barked, forgetting some composure. "Stop acting as if I'm one of your Golds and fight me seriously."

"What makes you think I play with my Golds?"

It was the perfect opening for a barb. "Given how much they lose, I doubt you're training them much at all."

It stung with the truth, and yet Cyrus did not look bothered at all. If anything, he looked delighted, baring his teeth in a wide grin. He dodged Teddy again, but Teddy could tell he was planning something, so he gave the Golden a wide berth.

"Maybe so," Cyrus said. "But do you know why I still keep getting invited to tournaments, Golden Teddy?"

The question actually required some thought.

That was Teddy's mistake.

He had gotten so used to Cyrus' slow, careful way of fighting, that for the split second he paused to think of an answer, he did not see the abrupt change coming. Cyrus dashed behind him with shocking speed, and before Teddy could evade him, Cyrus had entered his guard, grabbing Teddy's waist to spin him around.

Cyrus was much stronger than he realized.

Before he knew it, Teddy was slammed to the ground. He fought to get up before Cyrus could pin him, but the bigger Golden was faster, using his body weight to keep Teddy's legs down while all he needed was one hand to pin his wrists.

Cyrus grinned down at him. "I know how to entertain."

Teddy glared up at him. "Get off."

"The fight isn't over until you yield, Teddy."

"Don't you dare address me by--"

This wasn't right. Something was burning, a stray spark from someone's fire landing in Teddy's chest. He could feel Cyrus' breath on his face, feel the strain in Cyrus' arm to hold him down. Teddy's demand caught in his throat before he swallowed down the unwanted, repulsive feeling.

"Fine. I yield."

---

He told himself he could just ignore Cyrus.

Cyrus refused to be ignored.

Ever since their sparring match, the other Golden went out of his way to bother Teddy whenever chance he got. Teddy was almost certain he was pulling strings to get them alone this many times.

He wasn't going to play games like two immature Golds. Teddy planned to confront Cyrus this Dim, now that the tournament was over. Dirk was at home with their children, as was his duty, and had finally learned his lesson about asking questions about Cyrus.

Until he inevitably had to be reminded, of course. It stung Teddy's pride even more that none of the lessons seemed to stick.

Masking his frustration, he sought out Cyrus and found him in the courtyard of the arena, the only one still lingering there. His back was to Teddy, facing the elaborately designed fountain that spewed liquid gold and sapphire. Teddy approached him.

"Golden Cyrus, we must have words."

Cyrus said nothing.

Teddy frowned. "Do not ignore me. I will not take another insult fr--"

He touched Cyrus' shoulder to turn him around, and the figure collapsed instantly, revealing it to be nothing more than some clothes on a life-sized doll.

In his moment of surprise, he was tackled from behind.

There were too many attackers. Teddy managed to fight four of them off, but more kept coming, and he was eventually overpowered. Two sets of arms dragged him up after wrapping a cuff around his neck. It burst into a ring of green light -- the same ones that he used on Dirk.

He realized why, when he found himself staring up at Mavik Elos.

Mavik cackled. "I can't believe that actually worked! Well, actually, I can, that's why I did it. But still."

"I have no quarrel with you, Mavik," Teddy said, breathing heavily, but still trying to stay composed.

"Oh, but you do. Remember when I publicly asked to fight your ring in the next tournament, and you said yes? And remember when we ended up not going through with the fight, and I said that I wasn't upset at all?"

"I...remember, yes."

Mavik's mirthful grin took a plunge.

"I lied."

One of Mavik's freakish Greens punched Teddy in the stomach, getting him to grunt and cough.

"I," Mavik continued, "am actually very upset that you had the Green I lined up for our fight assassinated, all because you were too scared of losing, but also too scared of turning down a fight for all your Golden buddies to see."

Teddy nearly let his shock show. How did Mavik know about that?

"But you know what? It's fine! Really this time!" Mavik grinned, and there was nothing fine about it. "I lost one of my Greens, so you should lose one of yours. Oh, wait...you only have one that you actually care about, don't you?"

"You are not getting the mother of my children," Teddy said firmly.

Mavik sighed. "Oh, but if I don't get a Green...ah, I know! Since my Greens fight for me, I'll just take a Gold that fights too. How about that son of yours? A little weak for my tastes, but he'll do."

"If you think threatening my family--"

He got punched harder to shut him up.

"Mmm. Not your True Green, not your Gold son...well, Teddy, that really only leaves one option, doesn't it?" Mavik strode forward to grab his face, yanking it up as he was wheezing from the last punch.

"That. Leaves. You."

Teddy opened his mouth. Closed it. Realized that he was in a less than ideal position here, possibly even a bad one.

He couldn't fight Mavik off like this, and he couldn't trust the Council to help him either. Most of them would love to see him fall in the hands of Mavik Elos, taking down the leading champions of Gelion.

He could try negotiating with Mavik. Maybe striking a deal, or a bargain. He opened his mouth again, trying to keep the words from sounding desperate, when a voice interrupted.

"It was me that killed your Green, Mavik."

Teddy couldn't turn around, but he didn't have to. He knew it was Cyrus speaking. A moment later, he saw Cyrus standing next to him, torso noticeably bare and revealing black tattoos along one arm. Judging from the blood dried on his forehead, Teddy assumed he was knocked out and had his top stolen for the childish ruse.

Mavik squinted at Cyrus. "I don't believe you."

"She found out I was Stained," Cyrus said, as if he didn't just tarnish everything Golden about him with one word. Teddy's eyes went wide with shock. "I had to get rid of her before she squealed."

"My Greens don't care about Stained."

"They do when they have a personal grudge against one."

Mavik's eyes narrowed further. "She didn't have a grudge against you."

Cyrus just smiled. "Did you ever ask?"

Judging from Mavik's contemplative expression, the answer was clearly no.

Teddy was in utter disbelief. He wanted to ask Cyrus: What are you doing? They're obviously going to call your bluff. They might take you instead. Why are you putting yourself on the line for me?

After a tense moment, Mavik huffed.

"I'm pretty sure you're lying. But you're also very entertaining, Cyrus Blackwood. I wasn't expecting this at all. Well," they said, smirking at the two of them, "let me rephrase that. I wouldn't expect you to do something this risky for a Golden you didn't care about."

"It's one-sided," Cyrus said, before Teddy could be incriminated.

Mavik looked directly at Teddy with lidded eyes.

"Of course it is."

With the snap of their fingers, Teddy was released. He managed not to gracelessly crumble to the ground thanks to Cyrus grabbing his arm, helping him stand as Mavik's Greens returned to their ring leader. They cheerfully waved at the two of them before leaving -- and then immediately turning around to grab Cyrus' stolen clothing, taking it back for themself.

Once they were alone, Cyrus looked at him in concern. "Are you okay? I'm sorry for not coming sooner, I was--"

"Is it true?"

Teddy pushed him away. Because it felt too good to be close to Cyrus, under his caring gaze, touched by his cold hands. It felt too good, it wasn't supposed to feel good, and Cyrus had just said he was Stained.

The only thing that felt awful was how crushed Cyrus looked.

"Yes," he eventually said, quiet. "I am Stained."

Teddy made himself take a step back. Another step. Another step, until he just turned his back on Cyrus and started walking away.

Cyrus caught up to him. "Are you going to tell?"

"No," Teddy said curtly, not sure what was going on, but he hated it, and he had to hate Cyrus now, because he was Stained. "You did me a favor. Keeping your shameful secret makes us even."

Cyrus stopped, and Teddy left him in the courtyard.

---

"I know you're keeping something from me, Dirk. Say it."

He was so much quicker to snap now. He hated how easily Dirk flinched away from him, but he loved it, because it meant he was a proper Golden. It meant he was right. It meant the dreams he kept having about Cyrus Blackwood meant nothing at all.

"Y...You told me not to bring up Cyrus--"

"Are you defying an order?"

Dirk dropped to his knees, head bowed. "No, my Golden. I apologize for my insolence."

"Then out with it."

Dirk kept his head down. "Cyrus Blackwood stopped by while you were away. He asked me to wish you luck on this Dim's fight."

Of course he did. He just can't let me forget him and his disgusting existence. He has to keep mocking me, keep tormenting me, even when he's not here--

He kicked Dirk out of sheer anger, relishing the cry of pain it got him, because he could pretend it was Cyrus' pain. That somehow, hurting his True Green was hurting Cyrus too, the poor excuse of a Golden that wouldn't stop haunting his thoughts.

But when Dirk raised his arms to shield his face, Teddy stopped, feeling some kind of trance break.

"Please, Teddy," Dirk begged, and he was crying. "T-Theodore keeps asking about the bruises. I can't -- just not the face. Please."

A true Golden would have punished him for that. For daring to beg for mercy. Having the audacity to tell his Golden what to do.

But the anger at Cyrus crumbled in the face of Dirk's earnest pleas, and Teddy found himself kneeling down to help him up.

"I...I must save my strength for the fight," he said, an excuse not to hurt his True Green further, both to Dirk and himself.

Dirk looked grateful for it.

---

Teddy won the fight.

He did not spare his opponent.

When the crowd cheered during the beheading, he sought out Cyrus in the stands reserved for Council members, and found Cyrus seeking him out too. Their eyes met, gold on gold, the blood on Teddy's face as red as the accents on Cyrus' clothing.

When it was just the two of them, Teddy demanded to spar.

It wasn't right. It wasn't like him to be this full of rage, needing an outlet that wasn't his True Green. He needed to pummel the source. He just needed to succumb to his Golden urges for once and hit, punch, beat down, destroy.

Then he would be free from Cyrus.

But of course, Cyrus was letting him win again. It was infuriating. He doubled down, but Cyrus was just better enough to keep dodging, until he finally slipped up and Teddy viciously threw him against the wall, panting with fresh blood still on his face.

"I'm not like you," Teddy snarled.

He expected acknowledgement. Concession. Apology. But instead, Cyrus narrowed his eyes at him and dared to ask a question.

"Are you sure?"

Teddy was so taken aback he relaxed his grip. "What?"

"I said. Are you sure."

"Of course I'm sure!"

"Then prove it."

Cyrus slipped free of his grip, and grabbed Teddy's bloody face with both hands to yank him closer, smashing their mouths together.

Teddy's eyes bulged. What was happening? He didn't want this. Cyrus was kissing him. It was so unthinkable, so disgraceful.

And yet--

Before he knew it, their positions were reversed. Cyrus slammed him up against the wall, no longer holding back his strength, and kissed Teddy with all of the ferocity that he should have been putting into their sparring match. It's only when they were kissing that Cyrus fought like it was a battle he actually cared to win.

Teddy wasn't sure how to win.

He didn't know if he was pulling Cyrus closer or trying to push him away, but his hands were fisting in fabric. He didn't know if he was opening up for the tongue thrusting inside or trying to turn his head away, but it was wet and hot and when Cyrus growled into his mouth, Teddy thought he was going to black out.

They hadn't broken apart to breathe. They were just breathing harshly through their noses, like snarling animals, until Cyrus used his free hand not pinning Teddy's wrists to paw at his chest, managing to squeeze under the tight fabric and skirt up his ribs. That's when the kiss broke with a gasp from Teddy, and another shameful noise when Cyrus grinded against him, pressing their clothed erections together.

He was aroused.

Unbelievably, painfully aroused.

From kissing a Golden.

He had never seen Cyrus breathing so heavily in combat, but now he was panting, his gaze burning. "If you can honestly say that you want me to stop, I will. I'll leave you alone, Teddy."

He let go of Teddy's wrist to cup his face.

"But I'll be thinking about you for the rest of my fucking life."

Teddy didn't know what to feel. He was stunned. Shocked. Disgusted with himself, with both of them. He was -- he couldn't be scared, Goldens did not get scared, but there was something tangled in his chest with the heat, with the desire, with the unspeakable yearning.

Was that fear?

"I," he said, realizing he had no idea how to finish. He cleared his throat and used every ounce of self-control he had to push Cyrus back -- gently this time.

"I need some time."

---

He didn't know why he told Dirk. Maybe because Dirk was the only person he could tell. Maybe because he knew his True Green wouldn't be able to expose him without serious consequences.

Maybe he just hoped Dirk wouldn't judge him.

Dirk was surprised, but he wasn't repulsed. Not just because he wasn't allowed to be; there was no disgust for him to mask.

After a while, Dirk finally spoke with his permission.

"You are still a Golden, Teddy. Who you are attracted to and who you care about does not change that. If another Golden can please you like I do, I hope you don't give that up."

"I would be unfaithful to you," Teddy protested.

Dirk's smile was bittersweet. "It would be justified then, no?"

---

It was twenty Dims before Teddy decided he had enough time.

"But I will not be the Green," Teddy rasped, after Cyrus had kissed him breathless. "It's either you or neither of us."

Cyrus smirked. "Neither then. We can find other ways."

He had said that, but since Teddy was clearly ignorant of these 'other ways', Cyrus was the one finding all of them.

---

It was fourteen Dims before they decided to go on an outing together. It wasn't uncommon for Goldens to do so, just as long as they weren't overly affectionate with each other.

Which was a bit of a struggle with Cyrus finding excuses to touch him all of the time. It was, as the Golden said, his love language.

Teddy found out a lot about Cyrus during the next fourty-two Dims. He was not a Shimmer person and often failed to wake up on time. Personal hygiene was often a losing battle, so he doused himself in cologne. His parents did not become Gods, and since his Golden relative disappeared, Cyrus was raised by two Greens, explaining where a lot of his radical opinions came from.

They were not as ludicrous when Cyrus explained them to him, over a nice hot meal, or under the covers after they exhausted themselves.

Cyrus found out a lot about him during the fifty Dims after that. He learned that Teddy values cleanliness highly. Teddy enjoys reading, often much more than a fight. Teddy can cook quite well. Teddy's parents did become Gods, his Golden status was inherited, and he has never felt deserving of it since he became one.

Teddy learned some things about himself too. Like how he was willing to spend the Dim to get Cyrus up early for an important meeting. Or get in the shower with Cyrus if it motivated him to clean his body properly. Or talk with Cyrus for hours on end without tiring of the conversation, and without feeling inferior.

He felt quite good, actually, when he was with Cyrus.

---

"It doesn't make you a Green, dear. Have we not pleasured each other enough?"

Teddy flushed. "This is different. You want to...if I was a Green you would be giving me your Blessing."

"But you are not. I just want to make you feel really good."

"You already do."

"Not like this."

Teddy groaned. "If I try it once, will you stop asking?"

Cyrus grinned. "Only if you don't like it."

"Fine. I am certain I won't."

---

Teddy very much liked it.

---

Teddy wasn't home, so Cyrus was greeted by his True Green, Dirk Warfson. He gave Dirk a polite smile as he bowed to his superior, asking the reason for Cyrus' visit.

"I actually wanted to see you," Cyrus said.

Dirk raised an eyebrow. "Without his permission?"

"You wouldn't be asking that with that look if you cared," Cyrus said, grinning when the True Green rolled his eyes and dropped the act.

"Why to see me, Golden Cyrus? I am not the Golden you seek."

"But you matter a lot to him." Dirk didn't hide his skepticism fast enough. "It's true. I know he's...he's trying to be like every other Golden, but he really isn't."

"Say that to me when you serve him," Dirk said briskly.

Cyrus held his hands up. "I just wanted to thank you, that's all. I know you're the reason he decided to give us a chance, and...I truly am grateful. He values your opinion, despite not being supposed to."

Dirk seemed to be debating something. But eventually, he brushed his spite aside and said, "I am grateful that he has you. It has helped improve his mood dramatically."

"Well." Cyrus waggles his eyebrows. "Should you know why."

Dirk smirked. "It's just such a mystery."

Cyrus walked over to him, not missing how the True Green tensed. Or how he flinched when Cyrus raised a hand, and put it on his shoulder.

"Thank you, Dirk. I will find a way to repay you, on my honor as a Golden."

Dirk looked stunned. But after a moment, he smiled, and it was so convincing that Cyrus could not see anything else behind it.

"I will keep that in mind."

#Gold and Green au #emmettnet #whump stuff

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