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foreverisntenough · 2 months

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-YOU’RE MINE -

Summary: While you daydreamed about his face an ocean apart, he had no idea what yours was about to do to him. With a twist of fate and the heat of summer, a new relationship would completely ransack his heart - Everyday heavy with the thought of one another, neither of you were going to let the unexpected love of your life go. You were going to be his, you were his, and you were going to stay his.

Warnings: This series will contain fluff, suggestions, smut love bombing, little sad, and kind of angst- not sure what else really… if i miss anything please lmk!

Note: I hope you like it! There will definitely be more parts (don’t know how many just yet though.)

INDEX

Chapter 17 - ‘You’re Mine’

Trent slowly opened his eyes, waking up, he grabbed for his phone and winced at the bright light in the dark room. He had heard it vibrating on the bedside table but hadn’t had the energy or interest to look until now. You were still passed out nestled on his chest. He smiled, inspecting the little details of your face before turning his attention back to his phone. His brows furrowed at a group chat with his manager and brother blowing up. He had 50+ text messages. Since early hours they had been talking and sending links. He scrolled in momentary ignorance up to where the conversation started this morning, clicking the first link sent curious seeing his name included in the headline’s blurb.

“What the ..” he spoke at a normal voice that trailed into a whisper... “fuck” as you stirred.

“T?” You cooed, picking your head slightly, wiggling a little on top of him.

“Shhhh... Baby, go back to sleep, yeah?” He whispered, pressing a kiss to the top of your head. You couldn’t fight the sleep plaguing you, a headache hit you almost immediately so you rested your cheek back against his bare chest.

The Daily Mail headlines felt almost fake…. Trent squinted wondering if this was an elaborate joke. He couldn’t believe it.

‘Not So Secret? Alexander-Arnold confirms long term relationship with mystery woman’

‘Packing on the PDA; Liverpool fullback gets handsy with woman on a night out in Manchester’

‘Meet Mrs. Merseyside; Liverpool’s Trent Alexander- Arnold shows off his missus on a night out.’

That one seemed to stick. People ran with the Mrs. Merseyside headline. Photos of you last night were plastered across the internet; holding hands into the restaurant, a blurry photo of you kissing at the dinner table, hooking up in the car, god so fucking many of that kiss in the car, you pouring tequila down his throat, your whole night was chronicled. Why the fuck is this being published? You two went out all the time before this, but multiple articles, major news outlets, social media a buzz, it seemed like a lot. Trent’s head started to hurt now. He picked up his arm off you to rub over his eyes trying to calm down. His movement caused you to wake. You slowly began pressing kisses all over his chest. You moved deliberately, hands running over his skin. Humming. Trent got a little sidetracked for the moment, his hand coming to stroke your face but when your hand slid over his abs and down into the waistband of his boxers he shut his eyes tight at the amount of stuff going on and he didn’t think messing around right now would be a good idea.

“Nah, nah. Please baby, not right now” He cooed trying to be nice, mind racing thinking of trying to explain the news to you when he couldn’t even comprehend what was happening.

“Wait, what?” Your head sprung up looking at him confused. It was rare for Trent to refuse you. You weren’t even trying to have sex. You just wanted to be closer to him.

“I’m sorry..sorry..” he shook his head overwhelmed. “Just not right this second pretty girl, okay?” He felt bad he could see you were confused but your head hurt too much to think right now so you laid back down in a huff and cuddled him a little before starting to draw over his chest with your nail. Trent kept reading on his phone frivolously, one article breaking down when you first appeared in Liverpool, another saying you were a one night stand, an instagram post found the price of the clothing items you were wearing, it was all doing his head in. He put his phone down leaning his head further back into his pillow. His arms squeezed you a little tighter before releasing and dozing off holding you trying to escape this morning.

Trent had fallen asleep when you heard the doorbell ring. You were confused and ignored it, continuing on with your important task of spelling your name, little hearts, and I love yous over his chest with your nail still. The bell rang again so you slipped off of Trent and the bed. You sleepily fumbled around the room looking for your panties. You pulled one of Trent’s shirts over your head as you made your way downstairs. You yawned, squinting at the bright sun coming into the house, you went to grab at the handle of the front door when it began to unlock and open. You pulled as they pushed it open.

“Where’s Trent?” Tyler pushed past you in the doorway. He had a key and he didn’t feel like waiting for your hungover ass to let him in any longer.

“What?” Running your hands over your eyes. He turned back towards you giving you a quick hug like he had forgotten walking in before he proceeded to let himself further inside, going to the kitchen.

“You just woke up I’m assuming?” He turned back to you, opening your fridge.

“Ty… I definitely didn't purposely come down looking like this.” You giggled half asleep pulling at Trent’s t-shirt from last night. “By all means, have what you want!” You joked as he poked around.

“You haven’t talked to him today?” He asked, head still in the refrigerator.

“Erm… no?” You were utterly confused and his panicked state had your head hurting again.

“Can you go get him, he has to get up. It’s… it’s time sensitive, yeah?” He asked nicely, finally turning around to face you. You said okay and left the room but you always worried when Trent and Tyler needed to have impromptu meetings. Usually, something was wrong or Trent had forgotten about something else. It all stressed you out. A part of you always selfishly feared that the ‘something’ would shake up your life with Trent. Unbeknownst to you, this one just might.

Tyler didn’t want to be the one to show you the news. He figured Trent should. You were a little sensitive about what other people said online and he didn’t want to say the wrong thing. He’d leave the hard task to his brother.

When you pulled Trent downstairs, it was a little awkward because he didn’t want to tell you either. You more than likely had to be included in some part of the discussion but the thought of stressing you out over something so ridiculous upset him.

“What’s happening?” You cooed, pressing a kiss into his neck as he wrapped his arms from behind around your shoulders in front of you.

“It’s fine, yeah? Just have to do this with Tyler. Sort some things out.” He cooed whispering in your ear, placing a kiss over it when he stopped.

Tyler had moved to the couch, Trent sat down on the other side, you stood awkwardly unable to move paralyzed by the possibilities. You suddenly felt sick and not from the alcohol that was seeping out of your pores now from last night. God, you needed to shower.

The boys explained the media frenzy occurring and you stood there in front of them. Shocked. Trent played with your limp fingers hanging at your side when you finally started coming back from the sudden drop in blood flow in your body. They showed you what had come out, scrolling quickly sparring you in the finer details, the comments you would inevitably read. Tyler called Trent’s manager and put it on speaker. He laughed when he greeted the boys so it lightened the heavy weight pulling on your heart at the moment that they were able to feel so relaxed with this going on.

“Well, there’s nothing… What am I meant to say? I don’t have to say shit to them…” Trent stumbled over his thoughts still tired, a little annoyed this was happening.

“It’s a ‘no comment’ situation, we knew this would happen. We just have to kill the more cynical narratives being put out there.” He paused, blowing some air out of his mouth. “The ‘Trent is a piece of shit, he’s a womanizer, drunk, throwing his career away,’ the whole lot and then obviously the Y/N specific stuff.” Tyler spoke more composed, seeming to have some sort of plan in place, prepared for this which didn’t surprise you but the ‘Y/N specific stuff’ comment caught you off guard. Trent hummed at it with some sort of agreement or remembrance like this was done before. You were out of the loop.

“It’s great you have to do press before the fixture this weekend.” Trent’s manager laughed sarcastically.

“Oh fuck” Trent said dropping his head in his hands. “Nah, honestly. Why do they even carreee” he groaned, falling back into the couch. The boys kept discussing more logistical things; statements, image rights, contacting the club.

“Can I go shower or do you need me?” You whispered pulling at Trent’s arm.

“You’re fine, baby. Come back down when you're done.” He kissed your temple. You got up and Trent mouthed where you were going to Tyler not to interrupt his sentence but to still fill him in. When you went to turn the water on in the bathroom you felt like you had been slapped in the face with the memory of your and Trent’s words in bed last night.

“Holy fuck” you expressed out loud. You turned the water a little colder to try to forget it, reset, there was too much going on, your head was pounding. You stood under the shower head and felt really naked. Obviously. But you felt naked that so many people had seen you in compromising positions, had opinions about you, a million questions blooming. The water droplets raced down your chest as you looked down, each one running over your skin with a thought.

‘He’s such a fuck boy and no one calls him out… the tequila photo, what a slag!’

‘What’s this girls name? Need to stalk immediately.’

‘How did this all go on and we had no idea. So confused.’

‘So obvious she’s in it for the money’

‘Where do these players even find girls like this?’

When you eventually got yourself pulled together you came downstairs going to the kitchen to get water first while you tried to listen to where the conversation had progressed to. You needed to overhear what was being said before you went back not wanting to get involved.

It was all fine. A little invasive? Definitely, but it was the life he chose and you in turn were now choosing. Nothing you could do. You figured it was okay to go back at this stage so you quietly crept back into the living room, not saying a word. You tucked yourself on the couch in between Trent’s legs leaning back on his chest. He engulfed you feeling your warm skin against his. It wasn’t a big deal. People could say what they wanted. It wasn’t going to change the way you felt about each other. It didn’t affect his performance capabilities. It bothered you for sure when people made incorrect or negative assumptions but that’s what was going to happen. Tyler gave you a smile as he continued speaking, reassuring your thoughts that this was ultimately fine, just a little uncomfortable as you began to zone out, the boys voices fading to murmurs.

“Baby?” Trent cooed his cheek coming to press against yours. “Hmm?” He questioned you but you had no idea what he was talking about.

“Sorry?” You shook your head trying to catch up.

“Did you want to release anything?” Tyler asked, leaning towards you a little.

“Release what?” This was all foreign for you to begin with so being asked to do things like this was over your head. Trent’s manager laughed a little.

“Like… Do you want to come out and say something, correct anyone, come out I guess to the public, information maybe, whatever you want?” Trent translated softly as his hands ran up and down your thighs.

“Oh… do you want that?” you turned to ask him but his face was so close to yours already you couldn’t really see him.

“Baby, that’s for you to decide this time. It’s your decision.” He pressed his lips to your cheek trying to be gentle but also explain that you, specifically, had to answer.

“Erm.. no.” You placed your hand over Trent’s. “I don’t think so, they can talk. It’s not like I want to ‘hide’ necessarily” you air quoted the word leaning forward to create space between you and Trent to look back and see his reaction. “but… it’s not really for strangers is it? I don’t have to, right?”

“No, you're fine not saying anything.” Tyler understood your reasoning, so did Trent. They assumed that’d be your response but wanted to give you the space to choose otherwise.

“Can I keep my instagram?” You interrupted the conversation that had carried on.

“Yeah, course. It’s fine.” Trent kissed one cheek again. It was sweet but you looked at Tyler for his answer. Trent said yes to everything you asked, it didn’t carry the same weight right now. Tyler nodded. “Told you so” Trent kissed you again. You had your same Instagram still. You had about 5,000 followers. It was small. It was harmless. There were no feed posts with Trent too obviously in them. You’d post stories with him, your friends and family, people you actually knew followed you, you could easily deduce that you were seeing him but there wasn’t really an easy paper trail to find or get to the account. You didn’t care anyhow, it was public. You wanted to ask though because it felt relevant and it was also your way of keeping some sliver of your normal life but you guess things changed slightly when the comments under your posts had verified blue check marks but other than that it was the same.

You leaned back again to cuddle into Trent’s chest and mentally checked out of the conversation now that your decision was made and your question answered. You would probably barade Trent with more questions later but right now… this was fine. You scrolled aimlessly on Trent’s phone looking at a folder of images from a gossip agency that sold photos from the night out.

“This one’s kind of cute.” You beamed nuzzling your head into his neck grabbing his attention.

“Yeah, baby.” He just yessed you. Tyler was less agreeable.

“Okay, no. We’re not pushing this.” He glared at you to basically shut up but the look still had a little love in it, relieved you weren't on the couch balling your eyes out right now.

You had zoned out again once you got bored of inspecting the photos. This was all a little nuts. It was the first time that people were writing full length articles about you. They didn’t even have your name and they had pulled all this crazy information out of thin air. It made you a little sick being so vulnerable.

The harsh slap of your thoughts you felt before your shower came crashing back. Trent’s hands were on your stomach and it had your brain going fuzzy and not in the way you thought it would. Your chest was warm. You could only imagine the onslaught of articles that would appear when you got pregnant. Jesus, did you want that? ‘When’ you get pregnant like it was set in stone. You rolled your eyes at the self inflicted chaos ensuing in your head.

The call was slowing down. They had kind of pieced together this idea that the England international team was released for the fast approaching Euros. When news sources were gathering images to use in the coverage the latest uploads from paparazzi cameras last night appeared. It was how the site you had been browsing worked. You could search for images taken by the agency and news outlets able to pay for them after the fact. There was a lot of debate about who made the team though, Trent, ever the hot topic, so there was growing interest and searches of his name and in turn that had all shifted to you.

‘This isn’t news… catch up. She’s been around the team for ages’

‘This woman is at every game of his, obviously a long term thing’

‘Can’t wait to see is she goes the the Euros’

‘100% a one night stand, she’s holding on to him for dear life’

‘How do we know nothing about this girl like TAA lets us in brother’

You saw one comment and laughed… showing the phone screen to Trent. It was a lyric from the ‘Brum Boy or Scouser’ song that seemed to ever haunt you.

‘Got there girls acting naughty, one night stand and she still tryna call me lol’

You giggled so Trent did too, more at your little laugh than the actual comment. He still wasn’t sold on the song but the memory of New York years ago made him happy.

“Alright that’s enough. You two are fine?” Tyler asked, standing up. He didn’t need to be annoyed with you two cuddling on the couch while he tried to iron out remaining bits of the situation you didn’t have a say in.

“All good bro. Thank you.” Trent said fist bumping his brother, he was also genuinely thankful for how Tyler handled these things.

The Euro’s were rapidly approaching, Trent having to leave for England training soon, his days busy with workouts and media. Your days blurred directly after the articles came out and him not being around as much didn’t help. There was a lot of focus and attention on you and it caused you to disconnect. You were being papped so often around the city. Articles continued to come out. You had gone to get food with Marcel one day and it resulted in another media onslaught. You wore a pair of shorts and a t-shirt of Trent’s. The actual media coverage was pointless, the frenzy really ensued in the comments when people noticed bruises and love bites on the side of your neck and once to your delight now your embarrassment, on your inner thighs. People had a field day dissecting your sex life. You didn’t want to be on your phone anymore. It had become too much, you weren’t used to this. Sure, some people's interest was sweet and thought more positively of you but an overwhelming amount was just criticism and hate. You hadn’t even responded to any of your friends or families texts in days. To be honest, you didn’t even know where your phone was.

“Ignoring me, huh?” Trent said, waking into the kitchen one late morning. He had a day off and given the recent fixation on you, you two opted to just stay home.

“What?” You looked up from the now cold cup of tea you were swirling a spoon in. You didn’t realize you had been doing that since it was hot.

“I texted you asking for water, baby” he kissed your temple walking past you to grab one.

“Oh shit, I’m so sorry T, I would've gotten you one. I don't have my phone.” Your eyes pooled like a puppy looking at him actually feeling bad.

“I know, I found it” Holding it up in front of you before he pressed another kiss to your temple standing behind you caging your body against the counter, his chest pressed to your back. “Okay?” He rested his chin on your shoulder worried after seeing you isolate. He didn’t want to bother you, understanding this had been a lot to process, but he had been busy and he missed you. He didn’t accept your dismissal and definitely didn’t fall for your lies so he made you come with him back to the cinema room to spend some time together.

You laid in the dark room on his chest in a little bra top and biker shorts. Your one leg draped over his hips, Trent was just in a pair of sweats, his hands caressing your exposed skin on your back and shoulders. Your hands traced shapes mindlessly over him as you both stared at a football game, quiet. Your heart hurt a little missing him even though he was under you. You wanted him to pay attention to you. You slid your hand down his face and pulled his pouty bottom lip out with your thumb, exposing his pretty teeth, he was unphased, letting you manipulate him. You let his lip go and nuzzled your face into his neck. You left nothing but soft kisses and nibbles on his neck, working up to his jaw and back down his neck. Trent sighed in contentment with your lips on him, shutting his eyes disinterested in the match now.

“What’s on your mind, baby?” He asked, unable to ignore your touches knowing you wanted attention. He didn’t open his eyes though. He just slipped his hands from your lower back to knead your disappointedly currently covered ass.

“I have a question” you cooed with a little giggle. Trent’s heart started beating faster, well aware that neither of you had addressed the ‘pregnancy’ comments, avoiding it every time you had had sex since. The glow from the tv lit your face and he softened seeing more of you. He wasn't sure though if he should play it off or be honest if you asked about it right now.

“Hmm?” He hummed, waiting to see what you were going to ask.

“When you’re playing someone you know, like a friend, do you pretend you don’t know them, is it awkward?” You continued giggling.

“What are you on about?” He started laughing at your out of the blue question. For now, he guessed you were ignoring the comments so he would too. Your innocent question warmed his heart though. You were adorable. He just wanted to ignore all the shit going on and be with you. You were waiting for him to answer the original question so you sat up placing your hands in your lap, waiting patiently. His eyes lit up at how beautiful you looked.

“Hmm?” He hummed again squeezing your exposed waist pressing gross wet kisses against your skin. He missed you lately, you felt distant and he didn’t know if it was the baby topic or the news but he wanted to cheer you up.

“Ew!! You know what I mean!” You squealed attempting to wiggle out of his hold and get an answer but he was much stronger than you. He kept pressing dramatic kisses on you. You felt like a weight lifted as both your giggles filled the room.

“C’mere” he was trying to grab you but you were trying to get away from him jokingly but really, him, his kisses, his hands back on you right now was everything. It didn’t take long for him to catch you so he picked you up and placed you back where you were before. He quickly came to lay completely on top of you, crushing you with his weight. You loved this Trent. He was so childish, manhandling you ignoring how strong he was in comparison, he didn’t care about anything but the present, he wasn’t Trent Alexander-Arnold number 66 in Liverpool’s starting eleven, he was just yours for the moment. He was being ridiculous and it made you happy to see that big goofy smile come across his face as he giggled close to your face.

“Baby!” You breathed out heavily but your moan next to his ear had Trent brain shift gears almost immediately. He went from teasing you to becoming very aware he was on top of you, in control.

“No, tell me what you mean” he hovered over you, his arms pinning yours down against the couch above your head. Your chest rising and falling was more apparent on full display now. You felt small underneath him.

“No, T…” you said slow and sensual. Your brain transitioned too in your new position.

“No?” He cooed, leaning his face closer towards yours. The energy had shifted in the room

“No” you practically moaned, lifting your head a little to move towards his lips for a kiss, he met you half way and you gasped at the contact.

“Okay… gonna tell me what you want then?” He said pulling away from your lips for a moment resisting to kiss you till you answered him.

“No, don’t want anything from you” You giggled a little trying to play coy but he wasn’t having it.

“So you’re not the one drooling, staring at my dick right now?” He laughed. You hadn’t noticed that your gaze had dropped greedily to his hard length. You couldn’t even get a response out. You just smiled shyly.

“Why you going shy now baby? Hmm?” He said nuzzling into your neck as you tried to hide from him, turning your head. He used the arm not holding yours back to grab your chin and turn your face to him before his lips crashed into your again. His body pressed into yours, you could feel the hard cock you’d been staring at against your core.

“I’m not” you moaned, wanting to touch him but your hands struggled to break free under his hold.

“Baby” he paused, pressing his hips flush against yours. “So hard just for you, fuck, just for you.” He groaned

“I love you, T, fuck.. so much” you were desperate for him. He laid into you, his weight was heavy on top of you and love loved the pressure.

“Say it again” he whispered in your ear. His free hand ghosting over your body. It was an excruciating tease. His movement slowed when he pushed into you once more before he whispered again. “Say it again for me, baby.” He let go of your hands and you scrambled to grab at him, pulling his face to yours, kissing him hopelessly, tugging his clothes off frantically.

“I love you, forever, T.” You did. You were obsessed with him. Sometimes in moments like this it hit you how fucking crazy it was suddenly naked with him, your boyfriend, in the house you shared, in another country, it was absolutely mad. You’d be lying if you said you weren’t thinking about him fucking you the other night. You could hear him say it, it had been playing on a loop in your head for over a week.

“Make me a daddy, be a good girl and take it all of it f’me”

It made you practically orgaasm just thinking about it, his body on top of yours. His big hard cock brushed over you. You felt like you could scream. He was so hot on top of you, sometimes you forgot until it was happening. He looked down at you. His eyes glimmered, his full lips parted, you nodded to let him now you just wanted him inside you as soon as possible. His lips pulled into that cheeky beautiful grin that had you swooning when his cock brushed over your clit moving through your folds to push into your soaking wet pussy. Your back arched your hip’s instinctively coming forward to meet his. He slowly pulled out before thrusting back in falling into a hard and rough pace, silently telling you he was in charge. The air around you became increasingly thicker at how hot it was getting. He felt so good you couldn’t hold back a moan. The way the noise hit his ears made his stroke falter.. You had him on a leash you didn’t know you were holding. You controlled him with every move of your hips. Your whines had him folding. He was ready to give into anything you wanted. He took a deep breath pulling out for a moment to reset, trying to prolong this.

“T, baby, please, please I need you.” You were begging for him. He took a deep breath trying to gather himself before he gripped the fat of your ass so tight you let out uncontrollable whine.

“Tell me you’re mine.” He teased above you, that smile reappearing.

“I’m yours,” you whimpered, squeezing around nothing desperate for him. Trent pushed his finger in your mouth and you moaned around them. He took his now wet fingers from your mouth and dragged them down your body before his thumb rubbed your clit in harsh circles. .

“Be a good girl and tell me your mine.” He cooed as you were falling apart under him. You couldn’t get any words out only whines, you felt his thumb into your clit harder.

“Fuck! Fu-fuck T, I can’t.” Tears started to form on your lash line. Your eyes locked onto him in desperation to let you cum. He held your gaze before he slammed his length back inside you all at once. He started up a brutal pace, so much rougher than his previous one. You could feel every hard vein and ridge of it fucking into you. He consistently hit a spot so deep inside you that only he knew. You both moaned at the sensation. You couldn’t hold it together anymore.

“I know it feels good, baby, but you can do it. Tell me your mine.” He grunted through the words. You could tell in his voice he wasn’t far behind you.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah fuck. T…Oh my god I’m yours. I’m yours.” You were crying. Tears rolling down your cheeks as your orgasm washed over you. You came all over his cock, Your slick covered his length as it dripped down your thighs. He continued to fuck into you relentlessly. “I’m yours, T.” You whined.

“Shit, shit, shit, gonna cum. Be a good girl and take all of it f’me.” It was a line similar to the one replaying in your head when you practically begged him to cum inside you to get you pregnant. A second orgasm came flooding in with the memory. All you could do is cry and moan his name while he fucked his cum into you, filling you up completely till it was leaking out of you. As he felt his cum seep out he couldn’t help but think about you asking for him to get you pregnant too. You were on birth control, you two definitely were not being the most careful but Trent didn’t mind if you actually ended up pregnant. In all honesty, that would be a dream for him. It was the ultimate way of marking you as his, and only his. You both were thinking about it and not saying a word but pretty happy with the idea.

You clung to his body breathing heavily whispering how much you loved him in his ear while your hand raked up his spine after his movements stilled and he collapsed on top of you. You stayed like that for ages until you heard an awfully familiar sound. Trent was softly snoring as he breathed on top of you. He rested his heavy head on your chest with his arms wrapped completely around your naked frame. His hair tickled your skin as he dozed off between your boobs. You let him stay like that a little longer, just happy to have him with you because he was going to be leaving for the tournament so soon. It was nearing dinner time and you wanted to make sure he didn’t fuck up his sleep schedule so you tried to wake him.

“T… baby” you cooed

“Hey…” you tried again, speaking softly.

“Pretty boy…” stroking your hand over his prominent cheek bone.

“Mmm” he groaned, moving a little on top of you. You thought he was going to get up but he just squeezed you tighter.

“No?” You giggled at how tired he was. “Okay.” You kissed him

“I love you Y/N so much” he said quietly, closing his eyes and humming in appreciation as you continued rubbing your thumb over his cheek.

•

Thank you for continuing reading! Comment or message what you think of the chapter / series … 🤍

Next part - Chapter 18 xx

#trent alexander arnold #trent alexander arnold x reader #trent alexander arnold imagines #you’re mine fic

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bg-brainrot · 5 months

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Day 3 of winter fluff! A bit more sappy than fluffy but hey, sometimes they need some sap.

Prompt: Gifts

Featuring: Astarion x Rogue!Tav

Series: Part of Love at First Knife, AO3 link here

Premise: Astarion and you love stealing gifts for each other all the time, so when it comes to a Winter Solstice present, you’re stumped on what to give him. You’re not particularly talented at things that aren’t killing, so you ask your good friend Shadowheart for advice. It turns out Astarion had much the same issue.

Tags: POV Second Person, Gender-Neutral Pronouns, Fluff, Holidays, post-canon

Word count: 1.5k

“Shadowheart, I need your help!” you say to the cleric, who’s currently sitting at your dining table. She'd come over for drinks and stayed the night, providing you with the perfect opportunity to get her opinion.

She looks up from her morning meal to your sudden, panicked appearance. “Good morning to you too.”

“Good morning,” you say with a huff. “Now, would you please help me?”

“That depends,” she says, lolling her head to the side pensively. “Are you here for the exact same reason Astarion ambushed me this morning?”

You give her a confused look, as if to say, ‘how-the-hells-am-I-supposed-to-know-that’ and respond with a pleading, “Shadowheart.”

"You're both so predictable," she says with a sigh. "Very well, what do you need help with?"

"It's almost the Winter Solstice and I don't know what to get Astarion." It's the first Winter Solstice you'll spend together, and while you were looking forward to having some company over for a Midwinter celebration in a few weeks, this holiday would just be for the two of you.

Shadowheart purses her lips knowingly, and you belatedly realize what she'd meant.

"He asked you too, didn't he?"

"He did," she says, taking an excruciatingly long sip from her goblet of what you strongly suspect is more wine. "And I'm going to tell you the exact same thing I told him: you're the only one who knows what would be meaningful."

"What kind of advice is that?" you ask with a scoff, before you start to walk off.

"Funny, he said the same thing."

Despite your complaints, Shadowheart's advice does prove useful. When you finally sit down to think, you come up with a few strong candidates for presents.

A new dagger– he keeps talking about how one of his current ones has a hilt that cuts into his thumb.

A new pomade for his curls– he’s noted a few times that the kind he uses doesn't take well to the cold.

A skeleton key – you're not sure how difficult it would be to obtain, but he's mentioned one more than enough times that you're certain he would make good use of it.

But all of these things are so… normal. After all of the adventures you've lived though together in such a short amount of time, none of these items feel like enough.

What can I get him? You pace, you yell, you assure the man in question that you're perfectly fine, thanks for asking.

It's not until Astarion's distracted by his meditation that an idea finally clicks. Aha!

"Well darling, I know we said nothing too much this year– after all we found each other, the greatest gift of all," Astarion says with an exaggerated hair toss, to which you give an amused snort. "But I couldn't help myself."

He hands you an ornate metal box, atop which a large red ribbon is expertly tied. "Astarion," you say with a gasp. "This looks too nice!"

"If you think the wrapping is nice, wait until you open it," he says with a cheeky, fanged grin.

"Wait– before I open it!"

You're both seated before your fireplace, cuddled up on a couch. So when you suddenly jolt up, ruining Astarion's cozy lean into you, you just hear a disgruntled, 'really, darling!'

Paying no mind to his complaint, you go to where you hid your present for him. You have a quick moment of concern, is it enough? Will he like it? But your excitement to give him the gift overrides all others, so you scoop it up and return to your lover.

"Here, let’s open them together,” you say, depositing your far-less-impressive gift box on his lap. It’s still a nice wooden box with a gold ribbon tying it together, which Astarion gladly takes.

“Oh darling, you shouldn’t have,” he says, with unabashed joy on his face.

You sit facing one another and open your gifts on the count of three. 1… 2… 3!

A moment later you have the ribbon off and the box opened in front of you to see a set of three items, each more beautifully embroidered than the last: a silken black scarf, a pair of delicate black lambskin leather gloves, and a black hooded cloak.

On the first, you see a pattern of red azaleas along the edges, a flower with nectar often used in poisons. Your knowledge of toxins was one of the things you’d first bonded over– you remember entering a vivid conversation with him over the merits of various poisonous plants and which venoms were worth using in combat.

On the second, you see a gold pattern of thieves’ cant symbols along the rim of the gloves. You take a moment to read the text, easily slipping into the written language of rogues. The left glove says, ‘together we fight’ and the right glove says, ‘together we stay.’ How appropriate for a matching set of gloves, you think.

On the third, the cloak, the embroidery is done in a dark gray thread, likely to keep it practical for hiding in the shadows. The effect is subtle but beautiful, as you see that Astarion has detailed out two sections of the cloak. On one side is a deadly looking dagger, a snake wrapped around it. Next to that is a matching dagger with a bat hanging from it. You smile at it, a deep affection gripping your heart– it’s the two of you.

“Oh Astarion,” you say, looking back to him with a lump in your throat.

The man in question is still absorbed with one of your gifts, and you realize he’s likely unable to hear you right now.

Before him lay your own presents: a new dagger, like you’d planned for, a new pommade which it appears he’s already opened, and the object he’s currently using. In his hands is a smooth, fist-sized orb, glassy in appearance but clouded over now as Astarion uses it. With some assistance from Gale, you’d managed to procure a memory orb, an object that allows you to store up to ten minutes of memories and relive those memories by concentrating on the object.

You’d filled it with memories of the two of you, including hugs, kisses, moments of love and excitement. It was a cacophonous melody of your time together so far, and one that seems to be a tune to Astarion’s liking, judging from the smile on his face as he concentrates on the object.

After the ten minutes elapses, he emerges from the memory to find you already wearing the gifts he’s made you. “Astarion, I can’t believe you made these in such a short amount of time,” you say, as soon as he’s back. “They’re amazing.”

He laughs breathlessly, head still swimming with memories. “I’m glad you like them, dear. It certainly helps that I can embroider while you sleep.”

“Well, you outdid yourself,” you say, showing off your gloved hands to him. “Every little detail is just so perfect. Thank you, love.”

“Of course,” he says and his smile overwhelms you with its brilliance. “And your gifts, especially the orb... darling, that was…” He trails off, looking at you with glassy eyes.

“It wasn’t too sappy?” you ask him, knowing how uncomfortable he gets when things get too mushy.

He shakes his head at you, and grabs your gloved hands in his. “Not at all. It was fantastic. Seeing myself through your memories… I guess I see why you fell for me.” His fanged grin is wicked, but the love behind his eyes is unmistakable.

“You were annoying easily to fall for, love,” you say with a wistful sigh. You pause a moment and tug on his arms. “I confess, I also wanted to get you a skeleton key, but I’m starting to think those are a myth.”

Astarion laughs, placing the rest of the presents on a side table and pulling you closer. “Isn’t that sweet of you? No need dear, there’s nothing behind a lock that I need that badly, not when I have you.” He presses a soft peck on your lips as he drags you onto him.

“Wintertime has done something to you, love,” you say, curling into his lap. “I’ve never seen you so sappy.”

The man grimaces, but holds you close all the same. “Please don’t say that near Shadowheart, she’s already accused me of something heinous.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“She said I was ‘getting into the holiday spirit’,” he answers, all but gagging on his own words. “Ridiculous. I just enjoy lavishing you with gifts.”

You wrap your arms around his neck and say, “You are quite good at that.”

“Mmhm,” he murmurs happily at your praise. Carefully unwrapping your new scarf from your neck, he begins peppering you with kisses. Each sends a jolt of electricity down your spine and you only hold him tighter. “You know, some of those memories were quite… well, memorable. Would you care to recreate any?”

The only response you can manage under his fervent kisses is a pleased hum. Somewhere in the back of your mind, you make a note to thank Shadowheart for her sage gift-giving advice.

#astarion #astarion x tav #rogue + rogue #fanfic #astarion x reader #bg3holidayfluffle23

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eyelessdoll-y · 2 years

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ヾ(´￢｀)ﾉ Important!! ヾ(´￢｀)ﾉ

Everyone!! I created courage and did more arts accounts out of this Diabolik Lovers fandom blog, and with that, I also made an linktree to link every new account in any site I create. In other accounts (Instagram/Twitter/Ko-fi) I'll try post more drawings and receive more comissions (and get a job)!! There will be my general arts in any anime, game, movies; studies, animation, design!! If you really love and have interest in my general art, you might be following and supporting me!!! 🥺🥺💜💜

>>♡ https://linktr.ee/doll__amanda ♡<<

And I finally created a Ko-fi, the link is also right on the linktree!! If you want to help me and don't want to pay for a whole commission, you can support me at Ko-fi paying as much as you want and can!!

Also, I ask sorry if the text doesn't have much to do with the photo. I did this drawing of Shuu to draw attention, as I realized that the amount of followers who read and interact in my important text/warning posts is highly disproportionate to the amount of followers who interact in my arts and drawings. And it's okay, because my blog is focused on drawings so it's normal for this to happen, I just needed you guys to come read this warning so I ended up appealing with Shuu... A little. But come on, there's nothing explicit in this pic !!! 🥺🥺

Here's a short short of him listening to G-Idle's "Nxde" in bath. It's simple, nothing woooow in animation, but I just wanted to show it!! Shuu's photo in the full tub will be on one of my accounts, click on my linktree to find it! 😘😘 (if you are under the age of 18, you will not see. And I'm not sorry about that!!)

#diabolik lovers #shuu sakamaki #and an important warning #please follow and support me 🥺🥺🙏🏻💜#like dont need to be THAT active... but just don't let me alone there pls 🥲🥲🥲#who's artist and insecure in getting started should know what i'm feeling 😩😩#AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL #eyelessdoll y #admin notes #my linktree #support me on ko-fi #artists on tumblr

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olderthannetfic · 1 year

Note

Former Anti here:

I was young when I got into fandom and fell into more anti leaning groups right away. on the surface they sounded like the sane ones, especially when I was 12/13. Eventually I ended up on discord, and the servers I found were also very anti leaning and loud about it. Most discussion was about other bad people in fandom, rather than the actual fandom itself. Looking back, it was incredibly toxic, and put people in a terrible headspace.

What got me out was an author I love. they wrote the canon ship, or gen, and wrote a lot. I inhaled everything they wrote super quickly, and so did other people in the groups I was in. One day, they posted a Bad Ship. A lot of people in the discord group for this fandom went up in arms, but a lot didn't say anything, even though they would normally. Some people would say this author was problematic, but most people seemed to leave them be and would talk about their canon/gen fics still. It was like the sheer amount of "good" fic made a couple slip ups okay, or people like this author's writing so much themselves they were willing to turn the other way. That was what got me thinking a little, but I was still deep into anti thinking for the most part.

I sent an ask about this before, but eventually the author wrote something I couldn't ignore. The summary looked incredible, and I love their writing. There was underage and huge age gaps and other content I firmly believed was terrible, but I couldn't stop thinking about it. I felt so guilty even clicking on the link, but I still did. It's one of the best fics I've ever read, even now. I sometimes reread it and every time it's like a punch to the gut in the best way possible. I read it twice, and immediately went to their profile and read everything else I'd been ignoring. I loved it all and felt terrible about it

For awhile, I told myself that this author was okay because they wrote with so much detail and didn't portray bad things in a good light. The other authors writing it were still bad. But eventually I started to be more and more annoyed at the discord server I was in if they insulted these fics because in my mind they were good and the exception. If they hadn't read something, how could they judge it?

I did eventually read more, and start to be less active in the servers I was in. What really cinched it for me was when the author I'd seen as "not like the others" wrote a collab fic with someone who I'd always seen as Bad. It was amazing, and they have another now I've been following religiously. I left the servers, and know if I tell anyone I used to talk to what I was reading they'd be terrible to me.

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kaybreezy3000 · 4 months

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Bad Things (Five Hargreeves/Reader)

~Psychopathy is a neuropsychiatric disorder marked by deficient emotional responses, lack of empathy, the inability to distinguish between right and wrong, poor behavioral controls, and behaviors that contradict social norms which then commonly result in persistent antisocial deviance and criminal behavior.

Enter, Five Hargreeves, everyone's favorite little psycho.

(Chapters 5, 6, and 7)

-If you need to read this from the beginning hit the links below.

Link to Summary and Chapter 1 and 2

Link to Chapter 3

Link to Chapter 4

Warnings and tags: Mental disintegration, psychological trauma, effects of isolation, masturbation, non-consensual voyeurism, explicit sexual content, bondage, POV altering, touch starved, obsessive behavior, inanimate object love, and many other sexually deviant themes all mixed with a lovely twist that you will hopefully enjoy...

-this post is longer than the others. It is chapters 5-7 and this will complete this story as it is currently written. Thank you so much for reading this and for your support.

Chapter Five: Elastic Heart

(There will be a page break to make this more palatable and there will be a red page break added in chapter 4 to show the one P0V change near the end)

As Five cleans up his bathroom, he can only imagine what the girl is thinking right now, or why she did what she did and then let him go. She had no reason to want to help him. No matter how hard he tries, he can’t wrap his head around it or the fact that he’s scrubbing an astonishing amount of his own ejaculation off the sink, the counter, the faucet, and even the front of the cabinets. Even after seeing the evidence, Five still doesn’t remember abusing himself or his bathroom in such an embarrassingly demented way.

Hearing his front door click closed, Five instantly comes out with his dustpan full of broken glass in one hand, the broom in the other.

“What’d she say?” he anxiously asks, his pinched expression giving away his distress just as much as his clipped words.

Klaus comes in further and slowly sits down on the edge of Five’s bed, folding his hands in his lap as he glances at the ropes still tied to the wooden frame. His head shakes back and forth as he looks at Five, but not because he means it in a critical way. Other than a few well-deserved jaw drops as Five told him what happened, Klaus has been very understanding.

“She didn’t say anything. She wasn’t there.”

“Are you sure?” Five asks, clearly not accepting this answer.

“Well, no. I am not sure, but she didn’t answer her buzzer so she might not be there or she’s just choosing not to answer, which she has every right to do.”

Five doesn’t say anything, he just stands there, hands full, eyes darting around as he thinks.

“Someone needs to make sure she’s okay,” Five abruptly declares after a moment or two of silence.

“I know,” Klaus agrees. “But that person maybe shouldn’t be me, and it definitely shouldn’t be you. I can honestly say after what you said happened, I am also worried about her. The truth is though, she doesn’t really know you or me. I am not really surprised if she doesn’t want anything to do with this now that it’s over.”

Five knows that’s true but he looks miserable hearing it anyway.

“She may not have gone home,” Klaus adds. “You don’t know her phone number, and if she’s not going to answer the door, then this is all we can do. I am sorry. I left her a note with my number, but maybe it’s for the best to leave her be, you know…” Klaus rubs his hands together. He knows this is not the answer Five wants. “She’s probably just sleeping. You said she normally doesn’t get home from work till well after three am. On any other day, this would be when she'd be asleep, so that’s probably what she’s doing.”

“Klaus, after what I did to her, I doubt she went home and fell asleep. She’s probably scared out of her mind. She may have seemed in control and knew what she was doing, but I know what I saw and she’s not okay. She’s probably holed up over there, with my gun in her hands, just waiting for me to try to do something to her that's even more crazy than the shit I already did!”

“Sounds to me that she knew exactly what she was doing and why. She may have wanted to frighten you, but mostly she wanted to help you. If things went farther than you think she intended, then I am sure this chick is feeling a little messed up and confused about that, but she also clearly saw that despite what you did, you were worth trying to save. I think she took your gun so you didn’t do something bad to yourself, not because she thought you were going to come after her. She made it plenty clear she wasn’t scared of you when she rode you like a pony, humpity-hump dry fuck style, or when she let you go free. She also evidently didn’t call the cops and she isn’t going to if that’s what you are worried about.”

“I am worried about her, not me!” Five tries doing his deep breaths to calm down but it doesn’t help. “She is hurt, and I did that to her!” Five spats at his brother even though he’s not mad at him.

Klaus remains calmly unfazed. “She may have been upset when she left but what can we do?”

Not knowing how to reply to that, Five walks over to his kitchen, and dumps what’s left of his bathroom mirror in the garbage. Putting his cleaning stuff away, he slams the cabinet door too hard.

“Hey, just try to relax. Why don’t you just take a shower, get cleaned up and let’s get out of here? We can get some food. You can come back and rest, and if you feel like it, when you wake up, we can talk or yell about anything you want all night. We will have a nice brotherly sleep over with popcorn and…” Klaus glances around Five’s small apartment. “We won’t be able to watch romcoms, and that’s because you are a super big nerd who doesn’t’ have TV, but we can wrestle, and tickle fight, and make mystery potions out of your huge supply of fast-food seasoning packets and then we can dare each other to drink them. It will be great!”

The more Klaus says, the further Five’s brows draw together like he can’t fathom where his brother gets these bizarre ideas.

“Even if I had a TV, I would not watch romantic comedies, and we do not need to have a sleepover.”

“Okay. Maybe you’re more of a horror, Bates Motel, put the lotion in the basket, chainsaws, and skin suits kind of guy. I get that, and it totally makes sense all things considered, but it’s long overdue for us to have some bonding time. That giant ball of twine thing was great, but I know we can do way better than that.”

Now Five’s jaw is really working as he stands there leering at Klaus. “I know that I am horrible but are you seriously comparing me to Norman Bates, Buffalo Bill, and Leatherface?”

Klaus cocks his head, smiling innocently. “I’m just joking, bro. Of course, I don’t think you are the creepy Ed Gein, making lamps out of body parts kind of psycho. You’re the charming, get forcefully genetically altered, and manipulated into murdering for the time police, obsess and jerk it over your cute neighbor, and accidentally abduct her and then seduce her with your adorable broken-hearted handsomeness, kind of everyday lunatic.”

“That is not what happened.”

“Well, it kind of sounds like it to me.”

“I didn’t seduce her, I mean.”

Klaus just shrugs as he keeps smiling at Five. “Yeah, it sounds like you did. Chicks don’t just frot up on your hot rod to help you get off for no reason. By the sounds of it, she had already put you in your place at that point, and doing that, and getting as into it as much you did means it was something else entirely.”

Five stops fidgeting with his cuffs long enough to point an angry finger at his chest. “It means that she took pity on me because I am just that appallingly pitiful.”

Klaus leans forward, his hands palm out in a calming gesture. “Five, no. It doesn’t mean that. Not from the way you said it happened. She did that of her own free will, and if she’s not okay with it, there is nothing we can do about it.”

Five throws his hands back through his tangled hair as he begins to pace. “I know I can’t do shit about it. I can’t do anything right! Ever!”

Seeing that his brother isn’t taking this well, Klaus takes a different approach.

“That is also not true. You are being too hard on yourself.”

“Sure,” Five animatedly barks as he flails his arms around before stopping to stare at the girl’s empty dish sitting on top of his books.”

Klaus’s eyes follow Five’s as he says, “Look at this way. Several very good things came out of what happened, but the most important is that you are willing to get help. My buddy John is all set up to meet with you on Monday and we just need to get through till then. I need to know that you are okay, and I don’t want to leave until I know you’ve had the chance to talk with someone better than me about all this.”

With a heavy sigh, Five picks up the dirty plate and looks up at his brother who is cautiously watching him still like he’s a bomb about to explode.

“Klaus, I am not going to run, and I am doing anything reckless. I already did that. I know I am beyond fucking nuts, but I get that loud and clear now. There is seriously very little left that I can do at this point that would be worse than what I have already done.”

Five can’t help it when his attention goes back to his window as he tries again to see signs of life next door but he gets nothing other than the dark behind her curtains.

“I appreciate the offer, but you can go. I will be fine. No skin suit making or anything else weird going on over here from now on,” Five distractedly promises.

“I know you will be fine. You can get through anything, but I am not leaving you to do it alone this time, not unless you make me. But be prepared if you want to have a tussle about it, I am not as wimpy as I look. I am not going down easy and I am not holding back when I unleash the biggest can of whoop ass you’ve ever seen.”

Five looks back, his mouth drawn in a hardline before he speaks. “Klaus, I know that if you set your mind to it, you can be quite the force to reckon with, but as much as you are irritating me, and how fun it would be to make you eat your words, I am not fighting with you. So, stop asking for it with all this Normal Bates comparison shit. Just get it through that big curly-haired head of yours, I don’t need a babysitter. I won’t do anything bad.”

Five glances out the window again.

Klaus leans back on Five’s bed, stretching his long legs out as he makes himself more comfortable. “I know you won’t do anything when it comes to her other than sit over here and worry and feel awful, but last night you proved that you do need a babysitter till you talk to someone professional. It’s not good to sit here alone and wallow in your dark thoughts and I know you are having them and can’t help it.”

Five silently concedes to that one, again, his eyes moving to the windows like he’s drawn to them like a magnet.

“You can’t keep looking over there, man. No matter what your intentions are, it’s not healthy. That’s how all this started. We can go stay at my friend’s place if that would help. I know he won’t mind another good-looking Hargreeves hanging around.”

“I know I can’t keep doing this, but there’s no way I am going to your fuck friend’s place with you. That is not a long-term option. I should just move and what is in my brain that makes me this way is permeant, no professional can change what I have become. This is all a waste of your time. You should just run and don't look back. I am a monster, but I swear I won't hurt anyone else. I just won't leave the house any more,” Five mumbles as he clears the small distance between him and the kitchen.

He drops the plate in his sink then moves to the window, abruptly throwing the blinds down. The move blocks out all natural light other than the bright beams shooting in from the edges of the brittle vinyl pull downs.

“Uh-oh!” Klaus laughs as he swiftly throws himself out of Five’s bed and starts staggering towards him in the dark, arms stretched like he’s blind.

“What the hell are you doing?” Five questions as he watches his brother coming for him.

“I am scared of the dark, remember,” Klaus giggles. “And, hiding in your house or moving are options, but they won’t help silence the lambs unless you deal with them.” Klaus trips over Five’s dress shoes but isn’t deterred as he lunges for him. “Help, Fivey! I can hear them crying! Hold me and we can make them stop together!”

Five dodges Klaus’s ambush, flipping on the switch to the corroded brass chandelier above his table. In the yellow light beaming down on him in his exceptionally disheveled state with his vest still hanging open and the rest of his expensive dress clothes bloodied and rumbled, Five looks every bit the part of the psycho.

He purposefully cocks his chin at Klaus as the corners of his mouth turn up in a very menacing looking smile.

“Be careful, Clarice,” he smoothly warns. Klaus’s big blue eyes grow even wider as Five slowly steps closer. “They once sent a census taker to my door, and he dared to test me just like you are doing, so I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti.”

Klaus bursts out laughing. “Do you have some fava beans and chianti? We can totally add that to our sleepover snacks. You can have the beans and I’ll have all the chianti since you are never ever drinking again. And just for fun I’ll even tie you to your bed and force feed you if you really want to get freaky like you like!”

Five glares at him. “You are really going to make me regret telling you everything she did to me, aren’t you.”

“Hey, you are the intelligent psycho Hannibal Lecter kind of guy minus the cannibalism, and having these delightful tie downs all ready to go are too fun to waste. You obviously like being dominated, and I am more than willing to tie you up and take advantage of you by sticking straws up your nose, and putting makeup on you so you look even more cute when you’re screaming at me to let you go.”

“No thanks, I think I’m good with just the simple brotherly popcorn picnic and sauce packet challenge. No tie down domination needed. My unintended captive proved to be an extremely competent master of mind and body fucks, so I think I got that out of my system for a little while.”

“See,” Klaus says with a boisterous laugh as he comes over to Five and puts an arm around his shoulder. “You are capable of being funny. I told Diego you were. Now, go wash off your wickedly debauched and somewhat less virginal dickie pickle. I am not running from you, you scary little bastard, and you are stuck with me till Monday. I am not taking no for an answer, so off with you boy!” Klaus theatrically commands while giving Five a swift slap on the ass.

To add to Klaus’s amusement, instead of getting mad about it, Five obediently takes off to the bathroom without any of his normal back talk.

Hearing the sound of the shower, Klaus flops down on Five’s bed chuckling. “Submissive little Fivey…. Who knew?”

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After showering, Five comes out with a towel around his waist, yanks open a dresser drawer pulling out whatever is on top.

“Holy shit,” Klaus gasps as he sets down Five’s book on theoretical physics that he had been looking at upside down. “I had no idea you had any non-dress clothes. You look really nice in casual gear.”

“No, I don’t,” Five says, then sits down on his bed next to him wearing black sweats and a matching hoodie as he begins putting on a very normal looking pair of black running shoes.

“Sure, you do,” Klaus pauses, then smirks, “you look like any other super hungover young dude that just rolled out of bed mid-day on a Saturday.”

“Great,” Five dryly responds, eyeing him from under the fringe of damp hair hanging over his face.

“You want to try that breakfast place I was telling you about? I have like-” Klaus begins digging around in the front of his stretch pants because he has no pockets. “Oh yeah,” he laughs as he readjusts is dick, “I blew my wad and most of my funds last night clubbing. I have like ten dollars, but I’ll buy you a donut or two and another coffee?”

“I think having zero social life and living in a shit hole affords me enough extra cash to buy you breakfast,” Five says, standing up to show Klaus he is ready to go. Five offers his hand. “Come on, I owe you, but I also need to ask you to help me with something else other than making sure I don’t go off the deep end all alone over here in my fucked-up fantasy world of fake relationships.”

Klaus reaches for Five but when he does Five pulls away and smirks.

“You little shit heel,” Klaus laughs.

“Yup,” Five agrees as Klaus quickly rolls himself out of bed.

“What do you need help with?”

Five suddenly looks down at the floor, his face looking resigned yet somehow also completely miserable, much like it did when Klaus got here.

“I know I have done some very dumb shit and I have no right to ask anything of you, but I don’t know if I can do this alone,” he quietly explains, all play gone again.

“Whatever you want, Five. I am all in, you know that.”

“I know, but you shouldn’t be,” Five replies, followed by a deep breath and a light mist to his eyes.

Five tries to push aside the overwhelming sorrow that has been threatening to take him down all morning, but he can’t even begin to at this point. He looks back up, determinedly meeting his brother’s even more concerned eyes, hating that he’s the reason Klaus looks this way when he’s much older and he should be taking care of him, not the other way around.

Five lets out another heavy breath, pulling his hands from his pockets and bringing them down to his sides for a second before he anxiously changes his mind and shoves them back inside his pants pockets, hiding them away again.

“I need to bring Dolores back where she belongs.”

“Are you sure?” Klaus asks, searching Five’s face even though right now it’s turned towards his mannequin. Even if Five doesn’t want to give her up, Klaus knows that his mind is giving him no other choice but to see that she finally left him, and even sadder, from the way Five sees it, it’s not on good terms.

“It’s time, and it probably was long before this only I was too fucked up to see it,” Five insists though he sounds anything but sure. “I just don’t know if I can get her there and inside without your help.”

Five tries to smile when he looks back at Klaus but the skewed look of it only makes his brother know just how extreme his pain is.

“I am here for whatever you want, little bro. We got this,” he assures.

“Yeah, well… Being unable to teleport is a real bitch when it comes to breaking and entering, so it’s going to have to be done while they are open. I figured you could help me come up with something interesting to get her inside without me getting myself arrested and having my pathetic face getting plastered all over the local news with the caption, world’s biggest pervert, busted for stealing and then bringing back his fuck mannequin.”

“Five, you are an adorably committed perv, but you are not pathetic, and Dolores was much more than that to you and we all know it and we understand why. I am so sorry this is happening to you, man.”

“I know you tolerate my delusions, and I really appreciate it.” Five’s eyes gloss over even more. “She’s gone, and I-” Five can’t even finish, his chin lowers again.

When Klaus moves to give him a hug, Five reactively tenses up and starts to back away, but as his brother’s arms wrap around him anyway and the façade of self-control that he has been trying so hard to hold together this morning completely crumbles.

“I hate this. I don’t know how you can forgive me, but thank you for not hating me.” Five’s entire body shudders as his head falls weakly against Klaus’s shoulder.

“Five, you are so unbelievably smart, but you are also so stupid for thinking that I or any one of our fucked-up siblings could ever hate you. We are all really dumb and act like self-self-centered jerks most of the time, but I love you and they do too. Whatever you need, I am here. I am so sorry I wasn’t here for you sooner,” Klaus soothes, rubbing Five’s back, not letting him go even though he tries to pull away from him again.

“It’s not your fault. It’s all mine,” Five shakily breathes as he lets himself drop into his brother, partly because he wants to, and partly because Klaus isn’t giving him a choice to do otherwise.

“Not true. We all screwed up big time, buddy. None of this crazy shit is your fault. You have to stop thinking that. You messed up when it came to this chick, but you are not broken, and you are not bad. It’s not too late to make this right. We can fix this. You deserve a chance at happiness, and I promise we aren’t stopping till you find it.”

“I love you so much,” Five quietly sobs with his own trembling hand on Klaus’s arm that's clinging to him, holding him up.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Klaus makes good on his promise not to leave Five, and by Sunday night, they have their stolen mall maintenance uniforms on and are walking down the street with garbage bags slung over their shoulders.

“I am so glad we are getting to hang out so much,” Klaus cheerfully exclaims as he prances along the sidewalk sipping his smoothie.

Five glances at him. “Yeah, who knew it would be so fun lugging around pieces of my plastic girlfriend while we are dressed like the Mario brothers.”

“Hey, man! We do look like Mario and Luigi! But...they were plumbers. We are janitors. That’s way cooler,” Klaus corrects.

Five smirks. “I hate to inform you, but you have that mixed up. Plumbers are much higher ranked on the ladder of shit related duties. Janitors are pretty much as low as you can go.”

“I think you are wrong, but we can pretend to be plumbers and then this cool adventure can sort of make up for Dad never giving in and buying us a Nintendo. It is like we are about to storm King Kuppa’s castle and save the princess, only the opposite, because we are returning your lovely peaches Dolores.”

Trying to understand how his brother thinks but coming up with nothing other than he secretly likes it even if it is nuts, Five slows his pace, stopping short of the back door that they already staked out the day prior on their way back from breakfast.

Using the extremely complicated old stick your foot in the door method, Five and Klaus easily slip inside after someone leaves. Seeing the coast is clear; they start making their way through the damp service corridor to the secondhand store where Five originally found Dolores back during the apocalypse, and then again because he fell into another living nightmare when he realized that he was so far gone that he couldn't live a normal life in a normal world.

Getting to the correct shop’s back entrance takes a while because they have no idea where they are going, but the brothers eventually find it. Unfortunately, the door is locked but they expected that.

Stepping a few feet away, Klaus looks at his drink. “You were lovely and delicious, but goodbye my love…”

Klaus’s smoothie hits the floor, splattering all over the cement and up the wall. He reaches into his bag and hands Five one of the two pink scrub brushes, and they set about their plan of making it look like they are cleaning up the gooey mess he just made.

“It would be cool if we had tails and we were flying around or shooting fireballs while we took out evil turtles, but this is nice too,” Klaus says as he starts bobbing his head around and he sings. “Mop mop mop, all day long. Mop mop mop while I sing my song.”

Five is glad his hair is obscuring his face because there’s no way he can hide his smile and because Klaus needs no more encouragement when it comes to turning everything into a goof fest.

After a minute or two, Klaus begins spraying Five with his squirt bottle filled with water, even getting him in ear several times.

“It’s really too bad I can’t kill you since you can’t still fart yourself back into existence a few minutes later.” Five does his best to sound mad, but when Klaus gets him again, he shakes from the small huffs of laughter he’s been trying to hold in.

“I am really enjoying watching you try and fail to resist my charms,” Klaus teases.

Just as he sprays Five again and gets him right in the face, the back door of the secondhand store opens, and a tired looking woman comes out the back, lugging a large bag of garbage. Klaus and Five quickly turn their faces to the floor again as they silently go about their janitorial duties, but the woman stops right behind them, dropping the garbage next to the two bags containing the disassembled parts of Dolores.

“Here you go boys. Make yourselves useful and take this one out with all that other smelly shit you got there.” After saying that, the woman stomps back to the store, flinging the door wide.

“Quick, catch it!” Five hisses even as Klaus makes a mad dash to stick his scrubby wand in just before the latch catches.

“And that is why I am the magnificent leader of this very important quest. I have all the mad sneaky skills,” Klaus proudly states, grinning at Five with a bow as he comes towards him with water still dripping down his face.

“You are also a total pest, you dipshit.”

“Love you to,” Klaus replies.

Lugging the love of his life on his back, Five rolls his eyes but does so while offering a small but very heartfelt smile as he slips past him inside the back room of the clothing store.

He and Klaus crouch down behind a set of tall shelves and quickly reassemble Dolores and set her straight in her favorite sequined outfit. Then, even though Klaus is right there watching him do it, Five folds himself around her for the briefest moment before softly kissing her lips one last time.

“I am so sorry it ended like this. You will always be my heart,” he quietly whispers, with his face pressed against hers as he brushes his fingers down her back.

Klaus suddenly yanks on the back of Five’s overhauls, because that bitchy woman with the garbage just came in the back room again.

To Five’s shock, when he turns around to take off after Klaus, he hears Dolores’s loving voice calling out to him in his mind, vowing that she will always love him too.

With fresh tears blurring his vision, Five and Klaus sprint down the cold smelly hallway that heads out to the garbage dumpsters where they came in, but he does so with a much less heavy heart than when he started the day.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

When Monday comes, though Five is understandably reluctant, he pushes past his anxiety and goes with Klaus to meet his therapist friend. As expected, it starts off rough, but just like Klaus promised him, Five quickly finds a willing and competent ear in the ex-soldier turned psychiatrist.

As the week goes on, Five visits the doctor and sets up regular scheduled appointments with him. He goes to work just like he always does and comes home at night to his small apartment. Five never opens his blinds but he never stops thinking about the girl and wondering if she is home and if she is okay.

Peeking out his window for even a second would be invading her privacy, and to Five, it would feel like he was violating her all over again, so he refuses to do it. Unable to stop himself, Five does glance up before entering his building, but he never sees her lights on, and her curtains never seem to change position from how she left them open that last night. By two weeks in, he becomes convinced that she moved out and he missed it while he was at work.

It makes him so angry that it came to this, but he can’t blame her for wanting to get as far away from him as possible. Since she is gone, Five stops searching for a different crap-hole apartment he can afford because there is no reason to anymore.

As Five’s therapy sessions continue, he opens himself up more and more about his long and varied catalog of traumas, but the topic of the girl and what he did to her doesn’t come up till week three. Like all the other unbelievable things Five has had to spill about his life, his doctor takes the news of his accidental voyeurism and extreme mental break in stride.

Five assures him that he has not partaken in that perverse behavior since that night, but hearing that it happened, and what this mysterious girl did to Five after it sets off a whole new list of treatment goals when it comes to the ones already prescribed as a part of his already long and extensive healing plan.

Adding to the daunting task of undoing his ingrained negative thought patterns and avoiding situations that might increase their chances, Five is given the added goal of finding new outlets to manage his arousal other than pleasuring himself privately.

With extreme embarrassment, Five tries to explain that he is fine with the way things are and why dating isn’t an option for him, but his psychiatrist wasn’t having it and tasks him with getting out socially and talking to women as a jumping off point. Five assures him that talking to women isn’t the problem, it's actually having them know who he really is, but that just gets the doctor enlisting Klaus to see to it that Five gets out and mingles.

This leads to Friday, exactly four weeks after Five took the girl.

Sitting jammed in tight with his legs getting repeatedly bonked by strangers, Five feels particularly annoyed with being forced to go out. Trying to ignore that he doesn’t want to be here, he picks up his tumbler and slowly nurses his club soda as he glances at his watch.

The entire night has been a list of humiliating fails as he attempted to strike up significant conversations with any woman that sits next to him long enough to not immediately grab their drink and move off to someone less unfriendly.

“What’s the problem with that one?” Klaus asks as he slides into the recently vacated seat that a tall busty redhead dressed in a gaudy tube top just got up from.

Five’s mouth pulls to the side as he swirls his bubbly water. “I guess she’s not interested in dickheads that don’t care to talk about her newly shellacked sparkly nails.”

Klaus frowns. “You have to play the game to get some game, man.”

“I don’t want that kind of game and she didn’t want mine.”

“You don’t know that because you don’t give anyone a chance to see how wonderful you really are. You don’t have to like any of these chicks enough to marry them. You just need to find them attractive enough to bring them home and show them some of your magical pickle tickle action. Like your Doc said at the meeting I got to sit in on last week, just like your murderous tendencies are really a part of you flexing your long-ingrained need for control because so often in life you have had none, he's also right in that you need to pop that old man cherry of yours to move past the idea that you're never going to be loved by anyone like that.”

“Please stop talking about my old man cherry and referring to my dick as a pickle.” Five pushes his drink away. “I am leaving,” he grumbles as he stands up.

“Hey, don’t give up. This is part of your process,” Klaus pushes. “You can’t move on if you don’t open yourself up to other people outside your comfort zone. I am very cool but hanging out with me and only me isn’t what your doctor meant by socializing.”

Diego comes up behind Five, aggressively messing up his perfectly coiffed hair. “Five, stop being a grumpy little shit.”

“You guys seriously need to fuck off!” Five snaps as he tries to straighten his dark head of hair back the way it was. “I am fine with my fancy new plastic toys and I also hangout with this other moron, so I’d say I vastly broadened my inner circle,” Five finishes, shouldering Diego out of his way while giving him one of his beaming saccharin smiles.

Before Klaus can stall Five, he gets pulled away by one of the guys that he had been dancing with before coming over.

Seeing that it’s his turn to rally around their brother, Diego steps up to the plate. “Five, I hate to break it to you, but that new flesh light Klaus got you doesn’t count as a girlfriend, or as mingling and that’s even if you like to talk to it really nice while you jerk off.”

“It counts as my girlfriend if I say it does,” Five disagrees.

“Really, dude? Is it really time to go home and eat your old man peanuts with a nightly bowl of butterscotch ice cream while you watch porn on your phone and whack it out in your tube socks?”

“It’s midnight,” Five informs him. “I have fulfilled my weekly social obligations.”

“Okay,” Diego laughs, “but there’s been a hot chick over on the other side of the bar eyeballing you for the last half hour. You maybe would have noticed if you weren’t so fixated on your ice cubes.”

“Whatever,” Five yells over the music, pushing past him.

“Really, I am not kidding. She was checking you out,” Diego insists but Five isn’t listening so he follows him, determined to find a way to make him stay or simple not go home alone and sulk. "Hey! If you really want to go, I'll come with you. We can go downtown, pick some fights, and you can help me figure out what this shit is going on down at dad's evil headquarters. It looks like he is adding more floors to his tower of doom. That asshole is up to something bad, I just know it."

All Diego gets for that idea is a loudly grumbled, "I don't care!"

As Five heads out through the rowdy crowd, Klaus comes running up blocking his path. Not watching because he’s looking back at the bar trying to find the girl he’s talking about, Diego runs right into Five’s back, dumping his drink down the back of his suit jacket.

Five turns around ready to flip out on Diego, but Klaus aggressively spins him back by the elbow before he can. “God damn you guys!” Five yells. “I hate coming out to these kinds of places and what’s even worse is when we get here, you two always seem to find every imaginable way to piss me off even more.”

“Five, I just saw her!” Klaus shrieks over the loud music as he excitedly pounces around, eyes darting around the club.

“Who?” Five asks, as he angrily shrugs off his wet coat.

“Ahhhh…” Klaus looks at Diego, thinking how to say this because even though he has been a part of pushing Five to go out and he knows about the therapy sessions, he doesn’t know that something bad happened that initially prompted it. “It was that one girl, you know the cute freaky one that used to be your neighbor…” he says, eyes deliberately bugging out.

Five spins around looking through the throngs of people, but he doesn’t see her.

He looks back at Klaus. “Are you sure?”

“Wait, what cute freaky neighbor?” Diego demands.

“It was her. She was wearing a pretty little dress with cherries printed all over it,” Klaus replies.

“The hot chick at the bar was wearing a dress like that,” Diego says, clearly pondering if this could be the same girl.

Spinning on his heel as he looks for her again, Five impatiently asks, “Which way did she go?” He can’t help cursing under his breath because he’s so frustrated that he didn’t see her, and she was right in front of him.

“She was over by the-"

Before Klaus can finish his thought, all three Hargreeves brothers stop dead in their search because the girl is prowling towards them in her red kitten heels.

She winks at Five. “Hello, sunshine. Looks like other than being a little wet and bored out of your mind, you seem to be doing much better than the last time I saw you. I am glad to see it,” she says, as she gazes up at Five’s very flushed, slack jawed face.

“Ahhh…Yeah?” he stammers, not sure what to say to that, and also clearly unable to grasp that the girl he thought hated him, and that he’d been worried about for weeks, is standing right in front of him willingly speaking to him, and she seems fond of calling him of all people the nickname sunshine.

“Mind walking me home if you are heading out? This city is so dangerous, especially our neighborhood. You know, with all those pervy weirdos living around there,” she laughs.

Five swallows several times. “You want me to walk you home?” he asks, thumb pointed at his chest in confusion.

“Yes.”

Still looking totally thrown he glances at Klaus for help but gets nothing, so he looks back to the girl. “I thought you moved.”

“No, why would you think that?

“Ah, well… Because you- Uhm….”

Her smile gets bigger, and she comes just a little closer. “Have you been spying on me?”

“No!” Five squeaks and that makes the girl’s smile even brighter.

“I am teasing you. You look like you are about to have a heart attack. Please don’t,” she says, laughing at him.

Suddenly realizing how tense he must look, Five instantly tries to shake it off, but his awkward shifting and fidgeting only makes the girl giggle at him even more.

Five lets out a shaky breath, his doleful eyes glued to hers. “I thought you hated me.”

“No. I do not hate you. I have had a lot to think about since our last date, but hate is not something I feel about you or how that turned out.”

“Oh,” Five breaths relieved but confused still.

Her cool calculating eyes flick from Five’s to Klaus, her smile unwavering. “Hi, Klaus.”

“Hi,” Klaus giggles, unable to hold in his amusement over this very interesting exchange.

“You look so different without one-hundred straws stuck up your nose. I almost didn’t recognize you when I passed you a few minutes ago.”

Just as Diego is about to say something that’s probably going to be dumb and also make Five even more uncomfortable, Klaus throws his hand over his mouth. “We better get back to ah… Yeah.” He points to the dance floor, nodding at Five as he drags Diego along with him.

Diego twists Klaus' arm around to make him let go but it obviously doesn't hurt because Klaus just laughs about it. “Hold up. What’s she-"

“Nope,” Klaus snaps, slapping his hand back over Diego’s mouth, yanking him by his leather utility vest he can’t seem to give up. “This is one of Five’s solo missions, man.” Klaus gives Five a very silly smile. “You have successfully let go of the dark side, but much to learn you still have, young Padawan. Go now. May the force be with you.”

Five looks even more flustered by him saying that and by their abandonment than he was by their overbearing presence. His eyes dart back and forth from his retreating brothers to the petite woman standing there grinning at him in a cute but also very mischievous way that’s doing nothing to calm his haywire nerves.

When he realizes her hand is reaching for his, Five’s head jerks down, eyes wide with shock, but he doesn’t pull away. Her fingers lace between his and Five lets her pull him through the crowd.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Outside, the city streets are damp from the earlier rain. The girl tows Five along, slowing only when they are far enough away from the doors of the club so that they aren’t being bombarded by the loud music flowing out.

She uses Five’s hand in hers to maneuver him to a stop just inside the entrance to the adjacent alley. He opens his mouth, not sure what’s happening but sure that now that they are alone, he’s going to say all the things he has wanted to say since the moment he last saw her.

“I am so sorr-"

The girl’s warm lips press against Five’s, preventing him from trying to apologize. Her small body moves flush with his as her hands come up around Five’s neck, her fingers brushing gently through his soft strands of dark hair. Five’s suit jacket slowly slips out of his hand, falling at their feet. A second later, both his hands are gingerly resting on the girl’s narrow waist.

Even though her tongue is softly massaging his and it feels so good that it’s making it feel like his head is floating high above the tall buildings around him, Five manages to break away. He pulls back, anxiously watching her eyes flutter back open.

“Your magical lips are pretty much the best thing that I have ever felt but you’re going to have to forgive me. I don’t know what’s going on. I thought that I would never see you again. I was so worried about you. I assumed you left because you were so upset by what I did.” Five quickly rattles off his line of thinking, then takes a deep breath, trying to calm down as he searches her eyes for the answers.

“I am sorry,” she says back equally nervously. “I did leave the city for a little while because I needed to clear my head and that was because of you.”

“You have every reason to hate me, and you should have had me arrested. I don’t understand this. Why are you talking to me let alone letting me kiss you again? I don’t deserve this from you of all people, but the truth is, this is all I have wanted since I watched you walk out my door, and I know that’s wrong and everything about me is crazy, but it’s been killing me not knowing what happened to you. I know you probably don't believe it, but I really do care about you.”

Her hand comes up pushing some of Five’s hair back out of his eyes and when she does, her fingers brush against his forehead. It feels so unbelievably amazing to him that he inadvertently lets out the smallest of sounds from deep in his throat. Five’s face turns towards her touch as he shuts his eyes, trying to stop the tears being brought on by the flood of emotions he’s feeling.

“Please don’t feel bad. It is not wrong to feel and want the things you do, Five. I have wanted nothing more than to kiss you again ever since you threw me for a loop and blew my mind while I was trying to blow yours.”

“You have?” Five asks, not believing it even though it just happened, and she just said it, and she’s touching him so softly that it’s the sweetest hurt he’s ever known.

The girl leans in, raising up on her toes, meeting Five’s slightly parted lips with her own in a feather light touch that lasts only a second before she pulls away again even though he moves forward with her withdrawal trying to prolong it.

Her heels drop down again, as she smiles up at Five with her own glistening eyes giving away that she’s equally overwhelmed by this.

“Five Hargreeves, I can’t stop thinking about you. At first, I was confused by it. While I was gone, I realized that I was feeling this way because I saw something in you, and it’s something most people don’t have and never will.”

She smiles in what looks like a deceptively coy manner. Then her hands slide down to Five's shoulders, holding him firm by the collar of his dress shirt in a controlling but playful way that he is more than okay with because it means he isn’t going anywhere, and neither is she.

Her grin turns all fox again proving Five right. She is trying to fuck with him.

“And… by something most people don’t have, I don’t mean that you are a genetically altered ex-assassin, who is mentally an old man but somehow physically the opposite, or that you lost your ability to travel time and teleport around like an electrified perv on superhero steroids. Mostly people don’t have all that going for them and that’s all very interesting, but that’s not it.”

She laughs and shrugs a little, her smile softens, and it looks so accepting.

“When we were together, you made me feel things I have never felt with anyone else. It hurt me to see you hurting the way you were. I wanted nothing more than to break you out of your hell. The way you look at me, the way you give every part of yourself over so honestly and completely, the way your kisses make me feel so alive… Five, you may be full of all sorts of bad things that will always haunt you, but the fact that you are still fighting to be this good person who is also so desperately handsome it should be illegal, it is truly the most real and beautiful thing I have ever seen.”

“You see me like that?”

“I do.”

“You aren’t scared of me?”

“No. I know you didn’t mean to have things go down the way they did. I know you needed help, and I am glad that you’ve been getting it.”

“How did you know I have been getting help? I mean, I know you text Klaus about it, but how do you know I have been going?”

Her smile broadens. “You aren’t the only one who can spy on people. I have had my eyes on you, and running into you tonight while you were having one of your many brotherly misadventures wasn’t a coincidence. I have been stalking you, Hargreeves,” she taunts, giving Five’s shirt a feisty tug.

“You have?”

“I have and I think you realize by now that I am not the innocent girl you thought you were falling for.” She giggles. “I am far from perfect. I know what I did to you was wrong. I never meant to take it that far. From the start, it was wrong even if I was trying to help.”

“I think you are perfect,” Five quickly blurts, his intense stare never faltering.

Five saying that makes the girl’s teasing smile weaken a little, but she doesn’t let him go.

“I assure you I am not perfect, and if you knew me, you’d see that. Even tonight, when I was watching you trying so hard to fit in but also self-sabotaging your own efforts because places like that are the last place you want to be, me being unable to stay away is not fair and that's because you are still working through so many things.”

“I don’t want you to stay away. I want to know you, the real you,” Five says, sounding so sincere. “I haven’t been able to stop wanting that.”

“I want that too, but I didn’t mean to throw myself at you like this, but you are so damn lost and dead sexy and you make me totally crazy and I couldn’t help it. My kooky brain wants to do all sorts of things with you other than help you escape that obnoxious place, but that’s me being wrong, not you. I think I have proved that you are not the only one who is badly behaved.”

She tries to move back.

Five can’t resist. His fingers latch onto her small hips preventing her from getting away from him.

“I want you more than anything. Maybe we can be wrong and badly behaved together?”

The girl looks nervous but not in a bad way and that gives Five the nerve to keep spilling what’s on his mind and also start fucking with her right back.

“Please believe me that I want to know you more than bodily, though I absolutely want to make love to you right fucking now too.” His voice comes out low and dangerous and the girl’s breath hitches as she stares into his honest eyes.

Five moves closer, stepping on his disregarded jacket as his head falls to the side while he studies her cute reactions to him. Seeing the cherry covered fabric covering her chest rising and falling quicker has his mouth pulling to the side.

“You want to do that?”

“Yes, I fucking do. I want to gently take your shoulders and guide you backwards until your back is pressed into that wall behind you. I want to let my hands run as light as possible up and down your gorgeous arms, and the entire time I will keep my mouth against yours in a soft kiss that makes you believe how much I want all of you.”

Five eases her backward, just like he said. His cautious kiss is so delicate it makes her entire body shiver.

His warm lips move away only enough to say, “From there, I am going to wrap your legs around my waist, open my pants, and slowly, gently, slide my naughty meat puppet inside you.”

She softly giggles over that, and Five holds his serious tone, but his smile widens and his eyes narrow.

He doesn’t follow through with that action. Instead, Five runs his fingers down over the tops of her exposed thighs with spider light touch calling every goose bump on her legs to attention.

When Five has her back against the cool brick wall, he leans in close like he is going to kiss her again, but then he abruptly moves to her ear.

“If you allow me to fuck you…” He moves his hands around the back of her legs, gripping her thighs tightly and pushing her hips into his, “at first it will be slow and gentle but as I go, things will be anything but. Every thrust, every touch will convey how fucking sexy I find you and I promise there will be no shortage of passion.”

The girl clears throat, looking much less the part of the sly dominatrix she has been putting on for Five. “Uhmmm, Wowza… This confidence act you have going is pretty damn good and it’s sure to drop some panties if you put it to use next time your brothers force you out with them.”

“It’s not an act, and your panties are the only ones I want to drop,” Five smarts back, full of renewed certainty of that fact over seeing her so cutely flustered over his ridiculous dirty talk.

“Really because among your many talents I have heard about, I didn’t really think that you were the ass kissing kind of guy. That’s unless you were given no other choice, like in our little situation, but that was because you were literally tied to your bed, and you were so hard you were about to come in your pants.”

“I am usually not an ass kisser, but I’d love to kiss your ass and have my way with your ass in other ways too, and maybe even vice versa. I am not opposed to trying new things, or to being punished in any way you see fit.”

“Is that so?”

“It is. You can rule me anytime. I have wanted nothing else since you had me under you pleading for your love."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

They way Five is acting and hearing him say that makes your jaw drop.

The way Five says the word love, it feels like it could make your heart stop beating. You feel faint. If not for his strong grip on your bottom you’d be swaying like a drunken sailor, and you didn’t drink any alcohol at the bar.

This insanely sexy man is proving once again to be everything you knew he was and then some.

“As much as I like your idea of using this wall as a backdrop for carrying out your clever plan, I think maybe we should take our conversation somewhere more private?”

“You like my plan?”

“Yes, Five, and even though I loved making you quiver and moan for me, I am more than willing to let you take the lead and let things go as far as you want this time. I like control but I like being controlled just as much if it’s by the right person.”

Five’s eyes never leave yours as he grins and presses his impressive hard-on between your legs. “Damn. I wish I could blink us back to my super crappy apartment.”

“Blink?”

His beautiful smile spreads in that way that makes your heart feel like it could plunk out completely.

“I mean teleport. That’s what my siblings started calling it when we were kids. It would happen in the blink of an eye, and that was very unsettling for anyone around me when I did it. The porthole manifests with an electrical charge followed by a bright flash of blue flashes of light, so calling it that made sense to my family and the word stuck,” he explains.

“I am glad you have them. Your family, I mean.”

You know that you sound like an awe-struck fool but it’s hard not to. As much as you know now about Five and the Umbrella Academy, it’s still hard to fathom all the wild things about him that make him who he is.

“I am glad I have them too. If you hadn’t given me this chance, I never would have been able to tell them how much they mean to me, but I have now and I have you to thank for that, though sometimes I still sort of want to kill them. So, that is why I go to a shrink twice a week and probably always will. I am crazy as fuck and they all know it.” Five finishes that by laughing at his own attempt at making light of his tendency to jump straight to thoughts of murderous rage.

You shake your head, chuckling just a little. Even trying to be mean and belittle himself, you can see the love in Five’s eyes as he thinks about them.

When you feel Five’s fingers slipping off your backside, you shiver again, but this time it’s more from the cold of his withdrawal. He swiftly bends down picking up his dirty suit coat, his dark brows furrowing as he looks at the garment.

“I would offer you this, but it’s covered in Diego’s margarita, and now I really did it because I think that’s gum stuck to it.” Five lifts the coat higher, eyeing it closer in the dim light. “Yup, that’s gum. Looks like I am going to have another expensive dry-cleaning bill, which is funny because that happened the last time that I was with you.”

Five’s smile looks positively wicked. He is all danger of the good and very bad kind and you love it.

Five is clearly trying to tease you about punching him in the nose, causing him to bleed all over his dress shirt, and then later, how you shamelessly rubbed yourself all over the protruding crotch of his pants.

Thinking about that, you immediately feel your desire for him making itself even more apparent between your legs, so you snatch up his free hand, leading him back out on the street.

“I wish you could blink us back too, but it looks like we will be walking like the rest of the boring regular humans.”

Five scrambles along behind you as fast as he can, trying to adjust himself in his pants in a way that makes his nice sized, rock-hard dick less noticeable, and he couldn’t look hotter doing it.

“Thank God, it’s only four blocks. I know it’s only ten minutes away, but I have been waiting over sixty years for a chance like this and I feel like even a minute more and I might die before we get there,” he says while excitedly sliding in at your side giving you the most adorably boyish smile.

As you and Five quickly walk the shadowy streets, he asks questions about your life in such a way that proves he wasn’t kidding when he said he wanted to know you. You can’t help but laugh at him a few times over how the moment you finish telling him one thing, he fires off another question as if he’s reciting them from a list he’s been compiling in his head since he first laid eyes on you from across the alley.

As the pattern continues, Five never loses his enthusiastic momentum, and you realize he probably does have an actual list of things he’s been wanting to ask. That gets you giggling as you try to keep up with him, but he doesn’t seem to care if you laugh at him as long as you don’t stop answering his sweetly thought-out questions that comprise of everything from where you grew-up, to details about your family, the books you love, your favorite foods, if you prefer dogs or cats, and even if you favor the right or the left side of the bed when sleeping. To that curious question you tell Five, you prefer the middle since you generally sleep alone, and that response is met with what you determine is a very mischievous, but also very happy looking grin.

Together, with plenty of nervous smiles, your feet rapidly click along, mimicking the anticipation you feel, and you are sure Five feels it too. As you make your way to your destination, it’s with the mutual understanding that something very special is happening.

Chapter Six: Underneath It All

Outside your building, when Five begins to lead you towards his, you pull back.

“Come to my place.”

You don’t say it in question and that’s because you don’t feel that it is.

Even so, Five looks at you with that troubled expression traveling across his face, and it hits you again how gorgeous he is, not just his looks, but it’s more that he has a smoldering sexuality in the hint of vulnerability within his many troubled expressions.

“Are you sure?”

You can hear his doubt, and you know why it’s there. Five is still terrified of doing anything that will invade your private space after what he did, and that’s all the more reason for you to bring him inside your place to help move past it.

“Five, I am sure. I want to know you, and for you to know me the right way. What started this may have been very bad, but sometimes bad things can turn out good. I have been home for the last three weeks and I have never once shut my curtains. I wanted you to open your blinds and see me openly letting you into my life and that’s because I want you in every way.”

The cool green in Five’s eyes is so beautiful as he breathlessly brushes his lips across yours. He’s so warm and soft. You are stunned speechless by the gesture because it’s so desperate yet gentle.

“Okay.” Five’s reply falls from his lips so softly and unsure, but he doesn’t pull back when you lead him inside.

At your door, he slows his pace to a full stop, his hand pulling back on yours as his eyes move around your home taking it in for the first time from the inside not out.

Seeing that scared look on Five’s face, you immediately yank him over the threshold and throw the door closed behind him. Before the poor guy so much as has a chance to let out another one of his long nervous breaths, you are on him, your mouth covering that sexy neck of his in fevered kisses that make his breath catch sharply in his throat. If he had on one of his black ties, you’d be securing him to you with that, but griping his shirt will have to do.

All at once, Five’s hands lock down on your hips letting you know that he's not going anywhere.

“I want you to kiss me again, Five,” you hum as his head drops back and his lips part.

Another sound of desperate craving erupts from somewhere deep inside him, but after a second or two Five finds his senses again, and just as fast, his tongue is obediently pressing inside your mouth.

After expertly reacquainting himself with the motions of a deep kiss again, breathless and flushed, Five pulls his mouth off yours. “Thank you for allowing me to touch you this time. The ropes were fun but his is, fuck .”

Five’s use of the word fuck gets you every time, only making what he says hotter, and you grin at him, ready to give him whatever he wants, all things fuck included.

One of Five’s hands brushes against your breast, tentatively sliding up and down with his happy words. The next thing you know, he has the other hand moving up your skirt and his warm fingers are running along the joint between thigh and your hips, tracing a line over the thin lacy fabric.

A soft moan-like sound escapes your tightly pressed lips because you are a little surprised by him so brazenly touching you so fast being a few minutes ago he was so nervous. He may be thrown by it too based on the way he appeared to just stop breathing.

Five’s hand under your skirt suddenly moves away, flipping the flared fabric up as he retreats and even though you understand his nerves, you are slightly confused by the back-and-forth pattern of intense confidence to having almost none.

“This little dress of yours is humorously appropriate considering this is technically my first time and I have been getting shit constantly from my brother’s about being the oldest virgin on the planet.”

Five fingers puck at a conveniently placed cherry on the pattern of your dress and you let out a tiny yelp that has him looking so smug that it makes you think you may have just misread him and this confidence thing big time.

“You look unbelievably hot in this, but I need you to take this off and get on your bed as soon as possible,” he orders as he tightens both hands on your breasts and his hips pump against yours, deliberately giving you another taste of his renewed stiffness below the fabric of his black slacks.

Letting your fingers run down the front of Five’s crisp white dress shirt, causes him to shudder and it reminds you that no matter how he’s acting now, it’s easy to make him react in such an unbelievably sexy and uninhibited way. Five Hargreeves, the broken down mentally sixty some year-old virgin, is literally the sexiest old man you've ever seen and that's because he is enjoying the prime of his life all over again, and his reactions to the smallest touches are the biggest turn on ever.

As you look him dead in the eye, you reach along your side and undo the hidden clasp above your side zipper, not stopping until your dress falls at your ankles and Five is unable to hold your stare. His focus drops, moving up and down your body a few times before hungrily landing on your bare breasts.

Without a word, Five swiftly swoops you up, your legs flipping up over his arm as he brings you over to your bed and proceeds to lower you like you’re the most breakable thing he’s ever held. Just as fast though, he comes down next to you with one of his legs possessively pinning yours to the bed.

Five props himself up on one elbow, his face falling against your breasts. Looking down, all you could see is his dark hair as he abruptly covers one of your nipples with his mouth. His warm lips part over you, his tongue coming out, wetting the sensitive skin as his hand moves, running up and down your opposite side so slowly.

His lips, his tongue, his soft hair tickling you, all of it is incredible. You let out a high-pitched whining and kick out your feet, but Five tightens his hold on you making sure to keep you secured where he wants you.

When Five pulls back, his eyes are closed and there is a look of peace on his face that instantly turns pained again when he opens them.

“I have wanted to know what that was like for so long. That was way better than I imagined it and I imagined it a lot," he admits with a small laugh that makes you want to immediately kiss him. "Things got so lonely when I was completely isolated in my windswept wasteland for forty years, but they weren’t much better after that. Dolores was my everything. She kept me from completely going insane. She was all I had. She was all I thought I’d ever have, and then you saw it, she left me too.” Five's handsome smile fades just a little as he further explains what's on his mind.

“Five, where is she?” you ask.

He lets out a long breath and his sweet smile returns, covering a deep sadness. “I took her home to be with her friends because that is where she belongs.”

Your brows furrow but you smile because he is. “Five, you didn’t need to do that. Your Dolores seemed very nice, and I don’t mind a three-way as long as it’s with someone as easy going as her.”

Five laughs and not just any laugh either, he throws his head back and laughs so hard the skin around his eyes crinkles and you can see his nice white, perfectly straight teeth.

“Though I really appreciate your offer to let me be with two lovely ladies at one time, it’s okay. I think I like the idea way too much, but I am not sure I could successfully please two women at once even if one is made of plastic and I manifest everything she thinks and feels inside my own fucked up brain.” He chuckles and shakes his head. “It was time. You helped me see that and it was a very good thing.”

As you are about to tell Five, that based on the demonstration that he gave you before he drunkenly passed out on you at his apartment, you are pretty sure he actually could successfully pleasure two real women at once, his lips crush yours again, and you can hear the soft murmur of that amazing whimpering sound coming from him again. Five’s tongue snakes into your mouth pushing for more as he kisses you, deeply, roughly, and desperately.

You kiss him back, eyes crashing closed, your hands flinging up, feeling that wonderful hair of his as they move up his neck and your tongue drives into his mouth equally aggressively. You hear that Five’s breaths are already coming quickly as begins lowering himself down over you and the warmth of his fully clothed body presses against yours like you are two magnets being pulled together and there’s no stopping it.

Once Five gets a handle on himself, swallowing down his excitement he opens his eyes again, releasing your lips. You feel his hands on the bed next to your sides tighten into clenched fists. “I want to use my fingers on you the way you did to yourself. Will you show me how to do it right?”

Even hearing Five so sweetly asking permission to do that has your legs fighting to tighten together as coils of longing burn through you. He shifts himself over you as his right hand comes around your hip, stopping on your thigh. Between what he just said and where he has his hand, it’s clear what he means. The confirmation of your small nod gets his fingers moving again.

Your mouth opens in anticipation as his fingers creep down between your legs, stroking you so lightly and carefully over our panties.

“Does this feel good?” Five asks, sounding so unsure of himself even though you know damn well that he can feel how wet you are through the almost non-existent lace.

Propping yourself up just a little on your elbows, you bring your flushed face up to his, seeing even clearer that his pupils are blown wide and dark by desire. You nod again as you bite your lip and reach down to show him how to move in a way that’s even better, but you do so by taking his hand in yours to demonstrate.

Just the look on Five’s face is enough to do you in, but a short review of your previous lesson is all he needs, and within a minute he has it under control and you are reeling in pleasure from the sheer feel of his fingers on you quickly giving you what you want. As Five’s fingers slide between your folds, your attraction to him can’t be ignored and he lets out a very sharp and pained sounded moan because of it.

“My god, you are beautiful.” He all but whispers his sweet compliment as he lightly ruts his restrained erection up against the side of your leg in time with his hand.

“Fi-ivvvve ,” you embarrassingly mumble out as his fingers move faster, “you are wearing way too much clothing for this!”

He laughs at that as your pleasure builds to an almost unbearable degree. Feeling desperate with the need to see all of him, you try reaching for him to tear his shirt off but the sexy shit wiggles further down the bed so you can’t.

“If I was naked, this would be over way too quick,” he says, still laughing. “I want to make sure I see that beautiful face of yours falling apart for me this way before it comes to that.”

His fingers slow but only for a moment before he presses them down deeper, letting the tip of one slip inside you in just the smallest amount.

“Now keep your hands to yourself or I’ll find a way to make you. Thanks to my peeping Tom perving on you, I know you keep some very nice toys in that drawer over there and I am sure there’s bound to be something in there that I can use to keep your hands busy while I enjoy myself manually down here,” he cockily warns as you begin to reach for him again.

First you try to look shocked by that, but Five’s smart-ass grin proves that was his intention, so you show him your poutiest pout instead, but it also does no good, so you obey by throwing yourself back down in the pillows, hands balled up in the blankets at your sides.

“This is fucking amazing,” Five curses as he dips in even more while his eyes remain locked on yours as he studiously watches you unraveling for him, your hips bucking each time he his knuckles push against you.

“Yessss, ahhh…FFF! Just like that,” you gasp as Five forces his two buried fingers up while inside you, then pulls them back out with a firm glide as you helplessly rock your hips up into his hand.

The smooth motion as he works into you, deeper and faster, leaves your thighs quivering and a sweet ache spreading from your toes to your scalp.

Five’s look of admiration and childlike wonder over this is enough to send your orgasm flying through you.

“Fff-ive! Aaa—na, MmmfFFF!” you incoherently cry out.

He has to feel it happening. You catch that glimmer of defiant pride in the dark depths of his unbelievably expressive eyes.

Five seems older in doing this to you and you can see his true age coming into play in his ability to just stop and focus his complex mind on what he’s seeing and feeling. As the pulsing explosion of the purest release he just caused begins to fade, his fingers pull out of you, but they don’t stop slowly making circles over your clit.

He is so quiet and contemplative that you don’t see it coming until he drops his head and begins to lick you, his damp fingers clinging to your hips to keep you still and to give his mouth room to work.

“I want to do that all day, every day,” he buzzes after a few exceptionally long and leisurely licks. Your body shudders from that alone.

“Oh my God, Five. You are…. Wow.”

Five shamelessly laps at you with his searing tongue and it is almost too much to handle, making you squirm from being over stimulated due to not being over the orgasmic bliss he just gave you.

Five only lifts his head when he feels your fingernails brushing against his scalp gently pulling him up.

“No one has ever trusted me or seen me the way you do,” he whispers and his warm breath is still so close to your skin it feels like just another one of his brilliant touches.

Five looks to the side, a wayward look in his eyes as the light from the window and the lamp in your adjacent living room space illuminates his face.

“All I want is to make you feel as good as you make me feel,” he admits, so damn softly again.

The way he says it sounds so scared, like he feels that he needs to explain what he just did and it's like he feels in the wrong for wanting that.

“Five, consider that one checked off your list because you are making me feel so far beyond good. Now take off your clothes and get up here,” you playfully demand.

After that, he springs to action faster than you’ve ever seen a man move and seeing it has you smiling because you can’t help thinking about how quick Five would be if he could still do his mysterious blinky thing. Thanks to only having on a dress shirt and fitted dress pants, though still looking hot as hell, Five has himself fully naked in ten seconds flat.

And damn…

Wow, wow, wow.

You knew that Five was all lean muscle. You’d seen it before, but like this. All out there…

Yeah.

Five is standing there, very erect dick at full attention, looking down at you looking so absorbed, like he’s so ready to do anything you tell him to do. Despite what he said he was going to do to you back while you were out on the street, now he is looking for direction of any kind and you know it’s because he’s never done this before and he’s probably also scared of pushing you too far in any way.

His face begins to melt into a look of almost childlike distress and it’s actually a very adorable look on him that’s equally sexy for some reason. This man is mentally over the age of sixty and he’s never been with a real woman. Five is such an anomaly in that he carries himself both with a cold hypnotic confidence yet also so much uncertainty and innocence that it’s hard to grasp it can all be in one beautiful yet very complicated person.

“I am such a stupid asshole. I don’t have any protection,” he says, looking so cutely flustered when he admits what’s partly troubling him.

You smile and giggle because you had thought it was more than that. “It’s okay. I am on a very reliable birth control that will take care of that for us and I haven’t been with anyone since I was last tested, and that was over a year ago. A lot of what I did and said when I tied you up was to fuck with you, but I was not lying when I said that I don't date much.”

Five smiles now too.

“Come here,” you say, seductively curling your finger at him.

Five’s weight makes the mattress sink as he moves closer, but he stops short, and it seems like he is still hesitant to make the first move now that things just got very real, so you decide for him how this is going to start.

When you lure him in for a kiss and his face meets yours, you abruptly push him over flat on his back on the bed as you hop on top straddling him. It only works because Five lets you, and giving in to your insistence, his head falls back, his dark hair spilling out on the white pillowcase, and he looks so handsome laying there under you that you could die.

You are strongly considering wrapping your mouth around his cock, and as you lick your lips thinking about it, Five bucks up just a little. Him doing that reminds you that he probably wouldn’t be able to take much of that and the real goal here is to get him laid and a blow job finish doesn’t count.

“Oh, are we doing this again?” he questions with plenty of teasing in his tone.

“We can do anything you want, I just thought you needed a little guidance there for a second.”

You reach down between your spread legs, running your hand over Five’s shaft, relishing how hard he was. Even the feeling of him this way alone, and the sight of his eyes rolling with pleasure, makes you gasp and fresh wetness spills between your legs.

You tickle your nails along his chest as you start to rub the swollen tip of his cock, gathering his drizzle of pre-cum on your finger before bringing it to your mouth, giving him a little taste.

“Mmmm,” you hum. “You taste good too, Number Five.”

“MMmffuck.”

The tiniest muffled moan from Five and you want to give him the world.

“Are you ready?” you question even though you know he is more than ready.

Five looks like he is already beside himself over that, and he never stops holding your gaze but you can tell something wrong.

“I am, but I am scared this can’t possibly be real,” he whispers on what looks like trembling lips. “So much is not real, I just trick myself into thinking it is and I have been doing it so long, I don’t know what to think anymore. Even you feel unreal because there’s no way in my mind that I can work out why you would want this with me.”

Cupping his jaw with your hand, you lean in close, touching his forehead to yours.

Five whispers your name.

Thinking about what he just said, you almost sob out his. “ Five . This. Is. Real.” You say each word in a way that you hope drills it home for him and you also rub his tip back and forth across your entrance to further prove the point. “I promise you won’t always feel this way,” you pant out in small huffs as you begin to lower your body over him.

As the heavy feeling of him begins to fill you, it’s harder and harder to keep your eyes open, but you do it because you can’t take your eyes off him.

“Oh my, Fu-uuck ,” Five groans, throwing his head back as his eyes slam closed.

Just seeing that.

Oh my God!

You let out a low helpless sounding moan of your own and that makes him writhe beneath you even more.

Careful to only undulating your hips very slowly at first, you softly shoosh him, while running your lips along his handsomely defined jaw.

It takes Five a second or two, fists clenching at his sides, laying almost completely still again, for his eyes to open again. It’s as if he is unable to speak because he’s so overwhelmed.

Maybe he can’t?

Again, that is so fucking hot.

Since Five is property indisposed, you let your lips meet in a kiss that leaves you shaken to the cells of your being. Like before, Five may not be in control of this, but he is eliciting a primal response in you, one that is as welcoming as it is frightening in your pure need to give him anything you can.

Very slowly, you begin rocking your hips, moving back and forth.

Five’s fingers brush across your skin, tracing lines of want over your shoulders and arms.

“I love the way you touch me,” you say, gasping for air. “I don’t know how you know what to do but you do.”

“You feel so fucking good, all I want is to touch you,” he breaths as he lays there looking up at you in such an honest loving way that you know you have never seen anyone look at you like this before now.

Sitting up on him much straighter, you continued to very slowly roll against him, enjoying the feeling of him inside you but trying to take it easy on him to make this last as long as possible. You watch his eyes move from yours down to your chest, then down to wear your bodies are joined. Again, Five curses from the sight, and you feel his cock inside you simultaneously jolt, which is quite impressive considering it is being squeezed tight within your walls.

Five can’t reach you as well now so instead his hands drop, clinging to the rumbled blankets under him.

You can tell he wants to do more but he is fighting to remain as is, letting you do this to him.

Feeling empowered the more you watch him strain and try to control himself, you dig your toes into the bed looking for leverage to really fuck him. You begin thrusting your hips down on him over and over, making his cock move in and out, just at the tip, before you fuck back down on him hard again, eliciting the most glorious cry from his gaping mouth.

Five’s moans of pleasure as he struggles, and the feel of him, exquisitely inexperienced and so fucking hard inside you are enough for your own building pleasure to just about send you over the edge again.

“Oh fuck,” he cries as he suddenly sits up enough to wrap his arms around you, pulling you down with him.

You think that he just wanted you near again, but that’s when Five flips you over, your bodies not even parting as he skillfully traps you under him. His hands come down under your ass, squeezing but also trembling as he lays there with his face against your neck trying to catch his breath.

“I am sorry,” he breathes, “That was beautiful, but I just have to know what it’s like to fuck you.”

“Fuck away,” you giggle as Five starts pulling himself up on his elbows positioning himself to do just that.

Five’s face is full of color, his strong body tense as he drags his cock out, and for the first time he is one getting to be in control of this while being with someone who knows the difference. That looks like it sends him to another planet, but his otherworldly look gets even better when he slowly pushes his length back inside you. There’s no way to describe the low sounds coming from Five other than to say they are part pain and part pleasure. It’s like Five is savoring every inch of you he takes even if doing it slowly is taking every bit of control he has left.

You start kissing Five right along the hollow where his shoulder and collarbone meet. Your hands both slid down his smooth back and your fingers dig into his firm ass, urging him to take you harder.

When you lick along his neck and suck his earlobe, Five groans so lustfully, but it’s almost like he can’t take even one more thing because suddenly, his hand moves under one of your legs, lifting your bottom while sliding your entire body backwards. He does it so unexpectedly that you would have bonked into the headboard if not for him quickly putting his other arm around you, holding you till you’re settled again.

“Hang on to your headboard, this is going to get rough,” he warns.

As he’s saying that, Five positions one of your legs up over his shoulder while he latches the other around his waist, and you have to wonder how he knows how to do this and where he’s getting this idea from. Then you realize that this behavior is exactly what he would have been used to doing with Dolores because with her, he could do anything he wanted, and he was able to position her body in different ways to some extent. Just thinking of Five deviantly pretending to have sex with his Dolores in this way is making you feel even more turned on.

“Now I am going to really fuck you,” he growls as he thrusts himself full to the hilt, his hair falling in his eyes as his face contorts with pleasure.

You cry out from the sheer intensity of it as he clings to you. Sensations you don’t even comprehend begin to flood your body as he does it again and again. For someone that has never done this with a real person, Five knows what he’s doing. His cock works inside you each time with such an explosive momentum that makes your body quake. But when he pulls out, Five makes sure to buck up into you at the same time so that his member slides across the secret parts of you that make you melt.

“Five, you’re the one that’s unreal,” you moan out so frazzled sounding that it has him grinning ear to ear.

You can tell that Five’s main mode of operation is to act on pure instinct and immense need and that’s exactly how this should be. When Five lets it all out there, he’s the opposite of vacant coldness. He’s literally bursting with desire, passion, empathy, and tenderness that can make you weep.

Five’s face is suffused with a light red flush, his top teeth studding into his bottom lip. He has you filled entirely, pushing achingly through your body. You feel like you may have just died from how brutally hot he looks while fucking you.

You swear your heart stops because you can hardly breathe. The pleasure building makes you want to go limp, but he keeps your leg lifted, how he wants, as his strong hips fuck into you and you hang on for dear life.

You can feel your orgasm building blindingly inside you, but before you can let yourself go, Five swiftly moves you again, dropping your leg and aggressively pulling your body down off the pillows as he covers you. Letting go of the rungs on your headboard, your nails dig into his shoulders hard enough that he flinches. Perhaps in retaliation, Five’s mouth goes back to your breast, sucking deeply at one nipple, and with that you cry out, coming undone.

Your head flings back, mouth opened. “Oh Fuck! Five, fuck!” A hard, pulsing, orgasm shakes through you, making you cling to him.

He laughs of all things, and it is enough to make you shudder and clench around his thrusting length even more. Five is the epitome of deep, primal, carnal joy and he looks so beautiful you could cry.

Five’s hands at your sides keep you captive, impaled on his length. You press your face onto his shoulder. His flesh still working, sliding in and out of you is teasing every nerve you have far past any mental understanding. He nips and sucks at your neck, his hips slamming powerfully against yours in a rhythmic pattern that’s as simple as in and out as quick as he can. He grasps at your body in a way that is surely going to bruise, lost in passion that is all intensity and burning heat.

The pace of his furor begins to fall apart, the fiction too much for him, turning each attack into a much less coordinated effort but no less intense as his pumping hips continue to seek his first ever release inside of someone.

You know it is coming soon when Five stops his onslaught of dizzying kisses and bites, his eyes closing as he buries his face against your neck. One of his hands comes up and his fingers twist into your hair. He moans, a long low sound that sends you over the edge again.

“Five ,” you softly whimper because you are so far past crying out.

That is it. You feel him spilling. It’s so warm, and notably lengthy, like the sixty some years of waiting to do that equates to his impressive amount of cum though you know that has nothing to do with it and it seems to be his norm.

Five’s whole body shudders over and over but he remains silent other than his heavy breathing. Erratically lifting his hips with his knees pushing down on the bed, he eventually gives up trying to move. His whole body goes limp. He is covered in a sheen of sweat, panting, body reddened from heat.

Though no one is, you are sure that Five is flawless in this one beautiful moment.

Still speechless, Five nuzzles into your neck even more while he pulls himself out. You hear his breath hitch and yours does too but within a second, he’s got his softening length against your hip and he’s laying down beside you placing a gentle kiss on your shoulder.

“I know it makes me even more nuts to feel this way, but I want to say something so badly that I shouldn’t,” he admits so quietly you hardly hear him. Five kisses you again, his lips spreading against your skin. “I’m going to be smart for a change and just shut up.”

Thinking about what is going on in Five’s wild mind, you are pretty sure you know what he wants to say and that's because you feel it too. Taking his cue not to go there, you silently continue to brush your fingers through his hair and just let yourself look at him laying there totally happy and at peace.

With that, the slow languor that is left over from your sex drifts into something else, something so sweet and full of hope and promise.

Five eventually draws you into the hollow under his arm and his head falls against the pillows. This way you can see his face even better and what a face.

Without a word, you lean over, placing a soft kiss on his lips. Five tries to open his eyes, but his heavy lids keep drooping back down in an adorable way that makes him look like an incredibly sleepy kid who is about to fall asleep at the table in his pile of mashed potatoes.

You don’t want that wonderful look to ever fade.

Though Five Hargreeves seemed so broken at first, he clearly knows what love is and he knows how to give it. More importantly, when his walls come down, Five is willing to receive love and you are sure that you've never met someone more deserving. Hopefully this, and everything else he is doing to save himself is enough to help him see that real happiness is not something out of his reach, and that is because you want nothing more than to be a part of his happiness and his future.

Just as you are sure Five fell asleep, he whispers, “Do you want me to go?”

Your reply is simple but true. “Never.”

Chapter Seven: Epilogue

Five’s warm fingers tighten around yours as you make your way down the busy sidewalk.

“When I left my demeaning work cave yesterday, I never would have guessed in a million years that this is how my weekend would turn out. I am on my first real date with the most amazing woman in the world and I still can’t believe it. I am the luckiest man alive.”

Five’s smile as he expresses again how happy he is looks so handsome that it makes your heart skip a beat.

Taking you by surprise, he stops right in the middle of all the rest of the pedestrians and his hands come up in your hair, gently pulling you in for a kiss.

“There,” he laughs after finishing his sudden display of affection with one more quick and very cutely maneuvered peck. “I may need to do that every few minutes for a while until I can get it through my crazy head that this is happening and I am not imagining it.”

Your heart is racing as you gaze up at him. “You can do that anytime you want even after you realize I am not a figment of your beautiful imagination.”

Someone swears as they walk by and Five smirks. “Shall we proceed to the Argyle Library where I can give you the grand tour of all my favorite sections and maybe even whisk you to a semiprivate nook where I am going to seduce you into sharing my love of poetry while I also do my best to fuck you with my fingers dancing around up your skirt?”

Your chest rises and falls with laughter.

So many times since you both woke up and Five ravaged you again, he’s made you laugh. You knew from his long history that he was capable of anything, but you're still shocked with how funny he is now that he’s letting himself enjoy life a little.

And damn those fingers of his. Boy do they dance when he wants them to, which reminds you that after Five’s allotted part of this fun outing, you are taking him back home and he promised that he’d actually dance with you even though he claims he hates it and doesn’t know how.

“I do not like poetry but when you put it that way, I just might after this,” you reply, trying not to sound so infatuated by him, but by the look on Five’s face, you can tell he knows that you are, and thankfully he feels exactly the same as you do otherwise you’d really be embarrassed with how fast you are falling for him.

Five is right, this is unreal. What is happening with him feels too good to be true, but some things just are this good. That is why life is worth living and you aren’t going to stop trying to give him anything you can give until he never forgets it.

“Come on, time is of the essence, my love.” Five swiftly leads you on again through the throngs of people going to and from whatever they are doing on this sunny Saturday in the city.

My love?

That’s a new one. It's sort of old fashion but also very classic and sweet. It's very him.

Five peeks at you out of the corner of his eye and you can tell he’s checking your reaction, which is full blushing and fidgeting like a silly schoolgirl in love.

There is no need to tell him you liked it. He knows.

As you are smiling to yourself over this fast but wonderful feeling growing inside your heart, all of a sudden your hand in Five’s feels oddly very hot.

Like burning hot.

“Ow!” you shout as you instinctually pull away from the pain. “Five?”

Five crumbles to the ground, his knees hitting the pavement hard as his hands pull together clenching and shaking uncontrollably.

“Five!”

It’s like he can’t answer. There are what looks like blue flames erupting around his hands and his face is twisting in pure agony. His teeth are clenched so hard it looks like they might shatter as his entire body folds in on itself and spasms.

Even Five’s pale but beautiful skin is suddenly turning the most terrifying grayish hue of death.

You try to touch him and his head swings back, his neck bending back with a snap as his face looks up to the sky. His soft green eyes are now filled with the same nightmarish blue light that is beginning to spread around the rest of his body. It's like it's coming out of him.

You can’t even get close enough to touch him because the heat of the electrical storm engulfing him burns you with blistering heat. Five is clearly being hurt by what is happening but what burned you doesn't seem to be actually burning him in the same way.

You hold your injured hand to your chest, but you don’t care how bad it feels, all you want to do is help Five so you start to come at him again.

“NO!” Five screams in the most terrifying way but you don’t know if it’s at you or from what’s happening to him. You stop anyway, in part because how scared he sounds, and also because you simply can't get close enough to him to do anything.

This entire time, the other people on the sidewalk have been steadily moving away from this unimaginable scene happening before their eyes. But when you frantically look out in search of anyone willing to help, you realize that most of them aren’t even looking at Five.

Your eyes follow theirs upwards along the skyline filled with looming skyscrapers.

Now you see why they aren’t worried about the stranger on the street dying in front of them.

The top of The Hargreeves International building is alight with the exact same blue fire that’s all over Five, and the flames are spreading outwards in the sky and spilling down the sides of the building at an alarming rate.

Just as you look back down at Five, the blue electricity snaps ferociously, lashing outwards. He collapses, his head smacking the cement. His mouth opens in a silent scream that matches your very real one, and then just like that, Five is gone.

“No, no, no, no, no, this can’t be happening.” You look all around, and he’s just gone. The supernatural light covering him blinked out in the matter of a second and Five disappeared with it.

Before you can even try to understand what just happened to Five and if it was his own lost power somehow coming back and doing that to him, or if it has something to do with his dad's building and what is happening in the burning sky raining down around you, everything comes to an abrupt and ominously quiet halt.

No one is moving or screaming. People are frozen mid step in their frantic attempts to run away.

In a dazed like state of shock you lift your scorched hand, looking at your red fingers. Time and space around you are standing still but for some reason you are not a part of it.

As if one inconceivably bad thing taking away the man you are falling in love with isn't enough, things instantly start moving again and now you are watching a wave of bursting blue light rushing towards you, sucking away everything in its path.

Again, thank you for reading this. ❤️

If you are interested in my other stories, hit the link below.

Master Post List to my Five Centric Stories and art

Link to visit me on A03

Link to my other posts on Tumblr

Special shout out to one of my friends and favorite Five fiction TUA author's. Thanks for all the kind words and reblogs!

@mangoshorthand. Hit this link to visit her Tumblr blog and checkout her amazing Five-centric series and one-shots

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colgatebluemintygel · 9 months

Note

hello I recently reread all of OAO that’s currently up (I enjoy media a normal amount I promise) and then cyberstalked you here (aka clicked the link on AO3) and the first thing I see is that you’re a panic stan? specifically a ryan ross stan?? we’re besties now, no take backs. also thank you for writing sirius in a way that feels like a kick in the chest (but in a good way). I’ll be over here rattling the bars until I get more enrichment in my enclosure (aka the next chapter) mwuah

HAHAHA yes............. patd is a skeleton in my closet that refuses to stay locked away 🤭 it does mean we are bonded for life though, u are so right <33

thank you 🫂🫂🫂 sirius v much drop-kicked all of my original plans n made oao his own! i think in a lot of ways it's become a love letter to him 💌 love him so very much

real enrichment is a wee while away i'm afraid :-(( but here, have a little treat xxx

“I’m in love with Remus,” Sirius says. Through the phone line, he hears Emmeline's muffled sob. “I know."

#oao #pigeon post

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himbosuplex · 1 month

Text

Mais, talk about! (Gambit/Rogue/Magneto)

Mais, talk about! [X-Men '97 (Gambit/Rogue/Magneto)]

Premise:

Remy LeBeau stands outside Magneto's room, unable to forget an impromptu kiss earlier that day and wanting to finally put an end to the uncertainty that lingers between he and Rogue.

But the answer isn't quite as simple as he thought...

[Link to the fic on AO3]

Notes:

Posting this at near 3am before X-Men '97 inevitably kicks over my sandcastle and declares it wrong in every way.

Please take the references to off-screen events with patience, as this is but a portion of a much longer fic I'd like to write but simply just don't have the energy to at the moment, so the most you get of prior events is a spicy comic I made recently. I wanted to, at the very least, float the idea of "Romyneto" to more people, as surprisingly few folk have considered that maybe you don't need to fracture a love triangle... Maybe you just need to make it into a heart.

Hashtag let Rogue have both the spicy chaos bisexual AND Sexy Grandpa... she's been through enough and deserves it.

Also a final author's note: I'm from Texas, not Louisiana, so pardon my clumsy use of Cajun French. I did an embarrassing amount of research for this short of a fic, but hopefully it'll pay off in the future. Anyway, keep reading for the actual fic!

-----

Remy stood outside the door to Magneto’s room, resting his forehead on the rich stained wood. He had been mustering up the courage for close to ten minutes to knock. The only thing propelling him forward was the fear of being seen loitering.

All he intended was to check if Magneto was awake and willing to talk. It was the early hours of the morning, but who the hell had a normal sleep schedule anymore? He briefly considered waiting for Rogue to return, which would likely be the wiser choice. However, Remy wasn’t always known for making the most prudent decisions, especially after a drink or two to calm his nerves. Waiting for Rogue wouldn’t alleviate the intense anxiety he felt at that moment.

After all, he was dealing with someone who was intellectually superior and more powerful in every aspect. Magneto was someone who seemed to excel effortlessly at everything, akin to a character from one of Jubilee’s video games. Moreover, Magneto could actually touch the woman Remy loved. Perhaps it would be easier to just give in or give up. It wasn’t that Remy opposed being in an unconventional relationship with Rogue, or even being intimate with another man. It was simply the fact that it had to be him—a person who felt threatening on multiple levels and made him feel inadequate whenever he was around.

Clenching his fist, he rapped on the door before he could chicken out and leave. He had never been this gêné, this easily embarrassed. It frustrated him to feel this way and it frustrated him that of all aspects of his life that he could feel insecure about, it was this. He always had so much confidence with Rogue because he did truly think any physical hurt he experienced was entirely worthwhile. Now he wasn’t even sure if she felt the same about him anymore.

Maybe he should just wait and talk to her like an adult, like Jubilee said. As much as he hated being called out by a teenager, he did have to begrudgingly admit she was right. No one answered the door, so he assumed that some people did indeed have a normal sleep schedule. Or at least, he hoped so. Turning to leave, he managed only a few steps before the doorknob clicked, and the door slowly opened.

Qu’el tonnerre m’écrase.

He leaned towards the partially open door, peering into the dark room. There was nothing. Could it have opened by itself? He knew the chances were slim, but he held onto hope. As he moved to leave, some invisible force pulled him back towards the door. Merde. It seemed better to comply than to be dragged in like a child. Gingerly pushing the door open with his index finger, he entered the dark room.

“So you awake, eh?” he said as casually as he could manage, adjusting to the dimness. The door clicked shut behind him, and the curtains parted slightly, allowing a sliver of moonlight to illuminate the room better. “You gonna talk or just gimme frissons?”

“Do you make a habit of waking people up at three in the morning?” Magneto’s voice carried an edge of irritation as he gestured for Remy to take a seat on the edge of the bed. Sitting upright, his hair tousled from sleep, and his chest bare, Magneto exuded a commanding presence even in the dim moonlight filtering through the room. The sheets draped luxuriously around him hinted at more than just his bare chest, drawing Remy’s attention despite himself. While his usual skintight uniform left little to the imagination, Magneto’s well-sculpted physique was even more striking when unclothed.

“Non.” Remy took the indicated seat, unable to suppress a smirk. “Only when Gambit feeling particularly vindictive.”

Annoyance briefly flashed across Magneto’s face before he regained his usual icy composure, his features settling into a mask of stoicism. “Did you intend to discuss anything or were you just being ‘vindictive?’” His cold eyes bore into Remy, reflecting the moonlight with an almost ethereal glow.

Remy felt the urge to respond with his usual charm and sarcasm, but he knew better than to try such tactics with Magneto. He was just as immune to this as he was to Rogue’s abilities. Nor did such banter seem conducive to actually hashing out anything going on between them. Clearing his throat nervously, Remy ran his fingers through his hair, searching for the right words to broach the subject weighing on his mind.

“Why Magneto go and kiss Gambit, huh?” Remy’s question hung in the air, heavy with tension.

“I’ll acquiesce, but first I wish for you to answer my question.” Magneto’s sneer was evident even in the dim light.

“What dat, den?”

Magneto’s piercing gaze filled him with unease. “Why did Gambit kiss Magneto back?”

Remy felt a weight press down on his chest, as if the air had been sucked out of the room. He should have anticipated this question, especially after bringing up the kiss from earlier that day, but he still wasn’t prepared for it. The shame of his desperation hadn’t abated at all since it had happened. An overwhelming urge to flee flooded his mind, urging him to make a dash for the door in the hopes it would yield. Excuses and cop-outs ping-ponged across his mind, and he was ready to try anything to avoid answering the question.

“Ah,” Remy began, shaking his head. “Maybe we gon wait til Rogue gets back, yeah?” He attempted to shrug off the weight of the conversation, rising to his feet in an attempt to retreat to the safety of his own room. But once again, he was met with resistance, pulled back with enough force that he stumbled and flopped onto his back, legs still dangling over the edge of the mattress.

“Do you require a reminder?” Magneto’s voice was low and commanding as he leaned in closer, silver hair falling around his face. At such close proximity, his intense eyes were mesmerizing, and Remy could feel the warmth of Magneto’s breath against his skin. “You never gave the impression of someone who would flee so easily.”

Remy wanted to respond with one of his usual comebacks or snide remarks, but his brain failed him. Clutching the bedsheets tightly, he attempted to quell his frayed nerves. The offer of warm lips was tantalizing, his loneliness making him feel touch-starved and desperate. From such close proximity, he could better appreciate just how attractive Magneto truly was. With sky blue eyes framed by strong brows and accentuated by thick, dark eyelashes, Magneto’s features exuded a captivating allure. Rather than detracting from his sharp features, the creases and wrinkles around his eyes and mouth seemed to enhance them, giving him a distinguished air. It was the kind of face that anyone, regardless of preference, could acknowledge as objectively handsome.

Clearing his throat, Remy shifted uneasily. “Man gets tres lonely sometimes, yeah.”

“This is true, yes. Therein lies your answer.”

Once more their lips touched, this time without Remy giving any pretense of resistance. Heat surged through his body, his fingers digging into the bedsheets as he held on tighter. Initially, he had attributed his resentment of their first kiss to the realization there was merit to Rogue’s attraction. But now, he knew the reason was far more primal: he wanted to be kissed again.

There was a comforting strength in the way Magneto kissed him. While Rogue possessed raw physical power, their rare moments of physical contact held a delicate yearning—a desire to be held and protected in ways her power denied her. But with Magneto, it was different. His unwavering confidence manifested even in moments of intimate affection, a man who was more than capable of taking what he desired. As their lips parted, Remy couldn’t help but feel vulnerable and consumed by a deep longing.

“You say dat the answer, but it don’t make sense, no.” Remy pushed himself back up, turning around so that the two of them sat face to face. “Mais la, why would you ever be lonely?” The tone of his voice implied what he left unsaid: ‘You have Rogue.’

“It is not mine I speak of.” Magneto extended his hand, reaching towards Remy’s arm. The movement caused the sheets around his waist to slip downward, revealing the bare skin of his hip. Only the bed linens separated his unclothed body from the cool air. The moonlight played off the contours of his body, accentuating every curve and muscle.

Remy hesitated, his mind racing with thoughts of how Rogue might react to the situation. It was evident that she and Magneto had been spending considerable time together, reigniting whatever bond they shared in the past. However, he couldn’t assume that their relationship had progressed to the extent his insecurity insisted. Would he truly be any better if he acted behind her back? He couldn’t deny the attraction he felt towards Magneto, nor could he ignore the tantalizing prospect of exploring a relationship unburdened by the complexities of their current love triangle. And yet, he couldn’t shake the guilt that gnawed at him, the fear of betraying Rogue’s trust and the uncertainty of how she would react when she found out.

As he looked into Magneto’s piercing blue eyes, he saw a depth of understanding that promised something more than just physical intimacy. It was a proposition of mutual respect, a chance to be seen and valued in a way that most around him failed to do. Despite the taunts and deliberate attempts to antagonize, he got the distinct impression that Magneto thought more highly of him than it seemed at face value.

Perhaps it wasn’t about choosing between having Rogue for himself or letting her be with someone else - but about embracing the complexity of all their desires. Though their exchanges were often fraught with confrontation, there were moments when Remy caught glimpse of a softer side to Magneto. It was in the way Magneto’s gaze lingered longer than necessary, the soft way he looked at Rogue, and the subtle hints of approval that slipped through his stoic facade.

“Gambit don’t know…”

“You came here tonight to talk, so let us talk.” Magneto interrupted, his tone firm but not unkind. He continued to offer his extended hand, and after a moment’s hesitation, Remy accepted, allowing himself to be pulled down beside Magneto into a supine position.

“When we talk before, you said… you could help Gambit make tings work.” Remy continued, his fingers fidgeting nervously as he played with the hem of his crop top. “How you gonna help if Rogue already choose you? How I gon’ compete wit Magneto of all people?”

“As I explained before, I have no interest in competition - nor do I wish to force Rogue to make a choice. Given that you are here, I presume you considered my words.” Magneto’s gaze was steady and unwavering.

“Been considered, yeah. But dat don’t make ‘em easier to reconcile, no.”

Magneto ran a coarse hand up Remy’s stomach and under his shirt, eliciting a sharp inhalation from Remy in response. Despite their similar size and stature—identical in height and nearly in weight—Magneto exuded an aura of all-encompassing dominance and strength. Every movement carried with it a sense of purpose and intentionality, from the firm grip of his fingers to the deliberate pressure applied when touching intimately. It was enough to convey a degree of authority and dominance, without crossing the threshold into discomfort.

“I am disinterested in forcing you to do anything you do not wish to participate in,” Magneto spoke, his voice low and measured. “No matter what you may have assumed, Rogue does care about you deeply. It is evident that we both share affection for her.”

With a subtle shift of his hand, Magneto gripped Remy’s waist firmly, pulling their bodies together. “Facilitating the two of you to touch without the barrier of her power would be effortless for me, a mere afterthought. However, I have no desire to be but a third wheel or to ‘share’ that which cannot and should not be treated like a belonging to be passed around.”

Remy’s body trembled with a mixture of excitement and apprehension, his mind racing as he tried to process the implications of Magneto’s words. He wished he had chosen to wear something less revealing than gray sweatpants for this visit, something that didn’t tent so easily under the pressure of Magneto’s touch.

“Do you accede?” Magneto’s voice cut through Remy’s thoughts, drawing him back to the present moment.

“Got me too much an envie to fuss. Maybe Magneto make a good cher, yeah?”

“I will interpret that as a yes.” Magneto spoke with a hint of amusement.

“Mais talk about! Got a lot to learn you if you gonna be with Gambit!”

“Very true,” Magneto conceded, wrapping his arms around Remy and pulling him close. “Apropos of nothing, you may call me Erik. In private, at least.”

“I like dat, me,” Remy murmured, nuzzling his face into Erik’s strong chest. He looked forward to when Rogue would return from her trip and couldn’t help but anticipate the surprise that awaited her.

With a contented sigh, he closed his eyes, allowing himself to bask in the warmth of their shared moment. For the first time in a long while, he felt a glimmer of hope that he could find happiness in this unconventional arrangement. Remy found himself drifting off to sleep, lulled by the steady rhythm of Erik’s heartbeat beneath his ear. As he succumbed to the embrace of slumber, he couldn’t help but feel grateful for the unexpected turn of events that had brought him here.

#text post #fanfic #fanfiction #x men the animated series #xmen #x men #x men 97 #xmen 97 #gambit/rogue/magneto #gambit/magneto #remy lebeau/erik lehnsherr #remy lebeau #erik lehnsherr #romyneto #rated T for teen

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ficbrish · 7 months

Text

To Belong

Rating: Explicit 18+ only!

[AO3 Link]

[Kinktober 2023 prompt thanks to @absurdthirst! October 6th - Collar/Leash]

[[TW/CW: Dom drop, cptsd, blood, alcohol, smoking, choking, service, oral]]

Summary: Astarion and Vistri seek the help of old friends for a bit of kink coaching.

Takes place during post-canon (about 4 years after). There are SPOILERS FOR THE ENDGAME OF BG3 directly under the line!

Penance is my friend's OC and we co-wrote the group scenes. The AO3 link has more information and where you can find their companion smut to this. Which is ❤️‍🔥

[Click here for my other Kinktober one-shots]

Astarion had a roguish glint in his eyes and a smirk on his face. His hands were hidden behind his back, and it looked to Vistri like he held something as he strutted over to her in their bedroom.

“Uh oh.”

He smiled, a chuckle under it, “I haven’t even said anything.”

Vistri stepped closer to rest her hand on his chest, appreciating the beating of his undead heart. It fluttered as if he were nervous.

“You don’t have to say anything. I can just tell.”

Astarion bent over and leaned forward to speak low by her ear, “Now that I’m here, you might as well give us a kiss.”

She smiled and moved a curl away from his forehead. He wore that soft, mischievous look; one of his many ways of showing adoration.

Vistri brought her mouth up to his. That little moan he always let out whenever their lips met made, “I love you,” slip from Vistri’s tongue once she pulled away.

“I don’t think I caught that. Be a dear and repeat it for me.”

“You didn’t hear?” Vistri teased, “Let me get closer then.” She nestled her lips against his earlobe and whispered, “I love you, Astarion.”

He shivered pleasantly, just a little bit. Vistri kissed his cheek affectionately before taking a step back. She’d fight a whole other Netherbrain just for the way he looked at her right now.

“And I love you, dearest Vistri.”

She hummed with satisfaction before asking, “What is that behind your back?”

“A delightful little surprise,” he brought his hands around to show her a box that was wrapped in pretty paper.

Vistri couldn’t help the smile on her face, “You thought of me?!”

“Oh, don’t be ridiculous. I think of you all the time! A normal, healthy amount. Just every morning, noon, and night—And all the seconds inside them.”

Vistri laughed and ripped open the giftwrap, “I only meant it’s not a holiday or anything.”

“I don’t need a special occasion. Just you, my love, to inspire me. Now stop staring at me and open that gods damn box before I get too excited and spoil the surprise.”

“I’m opening it! Gods!” Vistri protested in mock offense.

She lifted the lid and moved aside the tissue paper. Vistri looked back at Astarion with the biggest eyes, “You didn’t!”

He seemed so genuinely pleased with himself, “I just wanted to make another of your dreams come true.”

On top of a velvety bed sat a collar. And not just any collar, but the collar. It was made of dragon scale leather and inlaid with opals and pearls.

“It matches my face!”

“That’s not too macabre, is it? I thought it was cute, but then I thought—”

“Astarion! It’s perfect!”

Vistri enveloped his chest in the biggest bear hug her little arms could manage, smashing into him with such force that Astarion almost toppled over. He could feel her hot breath seep through his clothing. Speaking with her face still tight against his chest, she asked, “But… Are you sure?” with muffled concern.

They’d talked about doing something like this a few times over the years. Vistri yearned for his collar ever since she fell in love with him, but Astarion had been traumatized in a kennel. Astarion, being the person he was, tried to convince her he’d be fine, but Vistri didn’t want it if it wasn’t for him too. Being owned and belonging to him in the way a collar represented came from a resilient need for restoration and reclamation. It wasn’t just about Astarion feeling ready, he had to want it in the same way. It couldn’t be something he put himself through just to make her happy. It had to be something they both re-enacted in order to heal.

“I want us to have fun and live our lives the way we want,” Astarion answered, “I’m tired of Cazador still having his way with parts of my mind. I want to take back everything he’s taken, and I want to do it with you.”

Vistri had tears in her eyes, she was so happy, “It means everything to me that you trust me with this, and I promise to do everything to keep you safe.”

Astarion held her tight, resting his head on top of hers. They stood there embracing for a good few minutes before breaking apart.

“And I will do the same,” he promised.

They started slow, with Vistri simply wearing the collar around for a few days. Astarion could see her in it, knowing what it meant, and sit with how that felt before getting into anything more intimate. She’d wear it for benign conversations or reading a book. She’d take it off for any serious moments or prolonged physical contact.

Years ago, Vistri consulted Shadowheart about eventually navigating something like this with Astarion.

“It’s not that I lack experience in this…”

“Area?” Shadow suggested, “Field of study?”

“Exactly!” Vistri continued, “It’s just, all my experiences were with people who took what they wanted and didn’t consider me.”

Karlach would have scooped her into a sweeping hug, but Shadow just passed the wine and explained everything she could. And that was exactly why Vistri was admitting this in Shadow’s tent versus anyone else’s.

She explained concepts to Vistri like aftercare, Dom drop, and the simple idea of taking things step-by-step in your own timing.

“It can be easy to fall into the trap of feeling like the villain,” Shadow admitted, “The healing part is… I don’t know. Maybe it’s just doing the things that were done to you, but with everyone feeling good and okay instead of… what it actually was.”

During their trial period, as Vistri and Astarion referred to it, they would check in with each other a lot to see how things were settling. One night as they sat together on one of their sofas, Astarion answered, gently toying with the collar around her neck.

“It’s absolutely stunning on you.”

The feeling of his fingers lightly brushing along her throat drove Vistri wild, but she needed to stay grounded if she was going to keep Astarion grounded too.

“I love it almost as much as I love you. Your taste is immaculate, my dear.”

Astarion giggled happily, warm and secure, “I could have picked any old bit of leather, and you would wear it like perfection.”

“But you didn’t just pick any old bit of leather.”

“I did not,” he chuckled, “I searched and searched until I found the very best one, because you deserve no less.” He playfully poked the bridge of her nose for emphasis on the word, you.

Vistri stroked his hair, “I’ll happily be your prized pet.”

“My beloved, cherished pet…" Astarion smiled dreamily, "I rather like that.”

“I like that too.”

“Is that what this is then?”

“Do you want it to be?” Vistri checked, “That—Does it feel good to you?”

“It feels sort of wonderful, actually. Does it feel good for you?”

“Oh, it feels lovely!” she answered affectionately.

After discovering what it would mean to them, they decided to take it a step further. Vistri would wear her collar, and they’d go about their evening as usual. This time, however, Astarion would ask her to take off bits of clothing until she wore nothing else.

Vistri sitting by the fire was the picture of contentment. Flickers of light caught on the opals in her collar, making them dance. And Astarion would stare at her.

Before saying something like, “And now your shirt, my dear.”

Her eyes grew more eager with every article shed. Astarion kept asking how she felt, knowing each time the answer would be the verbal manifestation of everything sitting in her expression.

Then he’d tell her how that made him feel, “I love watching you choose to do what I want you to do.”

Since that went so well, they got confident. A couple nights later, Vistri was again left wearing nothing but her collar. Swept up by her existence that night, Astarion gave her a new kind of command.

Every moment between them was a little more intense than usual. They saw each other a little brighter, felt the ache of their love in a different way, and that filled them with the rush of brand-new lovers. It was just one of those days where they looked at each other with fresh eyes and were stunned by the sheer perfection they found in front of them. The heat on Vistri’s face grew as abundant as the slick between her thighs.

That night, she moaned every time Astarion asked her to take off another piece of clothing.

It made him feel greedy.

“Come over here,” he beckoned with a nod.

Vistri stopped performatively searching the bookshelf and turned with a smirk. “I know that tone,” she teased.

Astarion patted the spot on the sofa next to him and pouted, “Come be a good girl for Daddy.”

Vistri blushed and walked over immediately.

Astarion laughed appreciatively when she sat down, “Oh, you liked that. I can tell.”

Speechless, she bit her lip and smiled.

“Now why don’t you lay back for me, darling? I want to admire your form, and I can do it so much better when you’re in that position.”

She did as he suggested.

“That’s it, love.”

Astarion performed that predatory expression he wore so well; the one she trusted so much. “Now spread your legs for me,” he demanded with a sweeping, vampiric wave of his hand.

She did as he asked. Smirking, he moved closer, and she whimpered as he stroked her thighs. The anticipation of his touch almost outshined his actual touch. Her body knew his as the source of years of passionate ecstasy, and on top of that, it was the safest one hers had ever known. It gave itself to him entirely at the barest brush, at the least bit of attention. And here Astarion was, paying her every drop of attention and holding Vistri in both hands.

She cried out his name and wriggled under his fingers. All he had to do was run his palms up and down her thighs, and her want for him turned into madness. It was delicious enough to earn her praise, “How you purr for me when I pet you…”

“Please,” Vistri writhed, helpless; begging, “Take everything. I’m all yours.”

Astarion played with her until he couldn’t help himself. He ordered Vistri to help him undress, then claimed the home he found between her legs. They left her collar on for a while, but Astarion took it off to sink his teeth into her neck. It was the one thing they owned that they couldn’t afford to ruin with bloodstains.

Completely carried away with each other and the moment, they went a step further. Vistri screamed his name so sweetly it inspired Astarion to say, “That’s it, show us who you belong to.”

She shouted his name at every thrust, and once she started crashing around him, Astarion groaned and muttered, over and over, that he owned her. He fucking owned her. It went on for a while before he whined, spilling into her. As he rode out his pleasure, Vistri joined him in it and screamed that she was his. She was completely his.

It was a wonderful moment, but it settled over Astarion afterwards in a weird way.

Not immediately after either.

They checked in with each other as usual, and both felt fantastic. They kissed each other’s fingers and held each other; talked about everything and nothing for hours. Then they went into their trances, blissfully wrapped around each other.

It wasn’t until the next day, when Vistri secured the collar around her throat, that either of them noticed he was bothered. Astarion was excited one moment and in the next, shuddered, almost imperceptibly.

“Are you all right, darling?” she asked immediately.

The corner of his mouth lifted with a little smile, but Astarion was obviously shaken. “I’m not sure,” he questioningly stated.

“Why don’t we sit for a bit?” she suggested, carefully taking off her collar, “Hold on, it’s stuck.”

“Let me get that for you,” he tapped her shoulder, and she turned around for him to finish undoing the clasps.

Astarion looked lighter once it was off. Like some weight had lifted.

“What changed?” she asked, concerned.

He sat down next to her, “You know, I’m really not sure.”

Resting his head in her lap, Vistri played with his curls. She made a concentrated effort to hold her tongue, wanting him to have the silence he needed, and wouldn’t speak until he was ready to speak.

“It’s not like we really did or said anything we haven’t done or said before…” he started before trailing off.

“But not with a collar.”

“No, not with a collar."

Vistri swallowed the guilt and blame bubbling up over her reason. His curls were her final tether to reality, petting them gently to steady herself, “We don’t have to—”

“But I want to! That’s the tricky bit of it all. I like what we did, and it made me feel… I don’t know… Powerful and powerless all at once. And the powerlessness snuck up on me. I didn’t even know it was there until I saw you put on your collar again.”

“I’m so sorry, love.”

“You don’t have to be sorry.”

“Neither do you,” Vistri assured him. Then she asked, “Do you know what made you feel powerless?”

He thought about it, “It’s not about hurting you—You enjoy it too much for those kinds of thoughts to take purchase. Visibly, audibly—”

“Astarion!” Vistri laughed, more from relief than anything else. If he was joking again, he was starting to feel better, more himself.

“What? You just really, really, obviously adore the things I do to you. And I think that deserves to be stated out loud as often as possible.”

She raised an amused brow, “You’re getting off-topic.”

“Right!” he agreed, “Where was—Oh! Right. The powerless thing. As I said, it’s not about hurting you or doing something to you that you don’t want. It’s more about… I feel wrong for wanting you to belong to me. It isn’t about doing something that I don’t want to do. It’s about me wanting to do it in the first place.”

“It’s perfectly okay to want those things. Even with everything that’s happened.”

“I know. It just feels that way anyway.”

They just sat in that together.

Eventually, Vistri had an idea, “You know who we could always ask about this?”

Astarion chuckled, knowing exactly what she was about to suggest, “Jenny and her pretty Penny?”

“Yes! It’s about time we have them over to stay again.”

v---v v---v v---v v---v v---v

The four of them were absolutely delighted to see each other. Shadowheart and Penance looked the same as they always did, but entirely different too.

Shadow’s shock-white hair was even longer but rather than the tight, chained style she’d worn when they traveled together, she sported a softer braid. Penance had hers pulled up too, but neither had a hair out of place despite the dirt on their cloaks indicating a recent scuffle with something nasty. Penance towered over Shadowheart even more than Astarion did Vistri. His shoulders were broad, but Pen’s were broader. They were a visual contrast that made Astarion and Vistri look matched in comparison. All this to say, the tiefling was quite big. It even looked like she’d put on more muscle in the past six months. She had a few new scars too.

But it hadn’t been that long. Not really. Half a year, actually, but when you all used to live and fight together, even a week apart felt like a few years. The last time they’d all seen each other had been at Shadow and Pen’s farm, so seeing them again at their manor made it feel like even more time passed than it did.

Exclamations, hugs, and kisses exploded from the open door. Shadowheart was unusually animated, handing out such physical affections freely. Peace seemed to suit her; living in its safety had brought her to life. Penance, her stalwart sweetheart, was far more subdued by comparison, but no less affectionate. She offered Astarion a warm handshake and Vistri a kiss on the cheek. Even through their various greetings, Shadowheart and Penance always had a funny way of devoting a corner of their attention to each other at all times, as if there was an invisible tether between them.

“May we come in?” Shadowheart asked with a wink to Astarion.

“Why aren’t you a sweetheart! Yes, please step inside.”

Vistri noticed Pen wasn’t wearing her collar yet, and put her hand up to hers in blushing embarrassment.

Shadowheart could see Vistri’s discomfort for what it was and reassured her she wasn’t doing anything wrong, “It’s fine that you’re already wearing it—Moonmaiden’s mercy! It’s absolutely stunning! Astarion, what did you do? Sell a whole city?”

He laughed as they all stepped further in, “How little you think of me! I’d rob half the Upper City before selling anything.”

Everyone could feel Penance, the staunch Paladin of Lathander, tense up a little at the idea.

“Now, now, Pen,” Shadow purred, “Remember our friends and their little jokes.”

Vistri and Astarion shared a look from the corners of their eyes.

Penance insisted on taking their bags into their room despite the abundance of well-paid servants that swarmed them in the foyer.

“It’s no trouble,” she insisted, blushing under her blue-grey skin as she dismissed them.

They had a before-dinner catch up in the lounge by the fire. The deep glow of the Underdark shone through the windows.

“Sorry about the lack of sunlight, Pen,” Vistri apologized, noting their slight unease, “And the moon, Shadow.”

Shadowheart waved off her concern, “Darkness still has its moments. As for Pen…”

Her shoulders were tense, and she cleared her throat, “The light of the Dawnfather comes from within just as much as without.”

Shadowheart chuckled a little and took her hand to kiss it as if to say, What am I going to do with you?

They got the usual conversations out of the way first. Shadowheart had brought a new litter of kittens to the farm. Penance had just finished a new addition to the estate. There’d been a bit of drama between Astarion’s brothers and sisters. Lae’zel was still at war, but it was going well. Gale confirmed again there were no signs of new Elder Brain activity. They’d all gotten the same box of cigars from Karlach and Wyll.

“Well, now that we’re basically all caught up,” Shadowheart segued, “Let’s talk about why we’re all here.”

“You mean other than just to adore you two in person?” Vistri remarked with genuine flattery.

“Shadowheart said you two were exploring and that we could help. Right?” Penance asked.

Shadow placed a hand lovingly on her knee, “Precisely, love. Not to mention dinner.”

“Speaking of dinner,” Astarion said, “We still haven’t dismissed the cook in case you need any help preparing it, Pen. I know you’ve insisted, but you can always change your mind.”

Penance shook her head resolutely, “I will not change my mind. I’ve been planning this all week.”

“She wants to, Asty. Besides, Penance loves to show me all the ways she can serve, don’t you?”

The large tiefling shot her a million-gold smile. She did.

Astarion crossed his legs and languidly sat back, “Well, far be it from me to get in the way. When should we officially begin?”

“First, I’d like to reiterate what I’ve said before. However the two of you decide to explore is perfectly fine. For us, the collar is a symbol of our devotion to one another. I ordain and Penance serves. While her collar is on, she defers to me in all things. Her focus is mine. She is mine,” Shadowheart said.

Penance hung on to every word and a grin slowly spread across her face. The air shifted around them ever so slightly, charged with anticipation.

“Exactly so,” she added, “My primary attention will be on Shadowheart, so forgive me if I’m not much for conversation.”

“Typically, we keep to our roles quite strictly, but since this is all new for you, we’re happy to make exceptions as you learn,” Shadowheart finished.

Astarion tipped his head genuinely, “Thank you.”

“It’s our pleasure,” Penance smiled.

It was so easy to see why those two served the sun and the moon. Brightness poured out of the Paladin, and the Cleric was more than happy to soak up her every ray and reflect it right back. They tempered each other, complimented one another.

“You are our friends, and you know us well,” Shadowheart warned, “but we are a bit different when we’re playing formally. If anything happens that doesn’t sit right with you for any reason…”

“Safe word is ‘Barcus’,” Vistri finished for her.

“Right. Ours is ‘Netheril’.”

“Rest assured,” Pen said, “It pleases me greatly to serve.”

Gods, Shadowheart practically giggled, “Isn’t she darling?”

Penance leaned in for a kiss that was met with equal fervor.

“They are so sweet,” Astarion said to Vistri.

Vistri had a smile on her face she couldn’t get rid of, “Do you think we’re that sweet from the outside?”

“We can hear you talking about us, you know,” Shadow said.

“We know,” Astarion quipped, “That’s why we’re saying it.”

Penance gave Shadowheart a final peck and then made for the kitchen. There was work to be done and she was eager to do it. Not to mention the fact that, though she loved Vistri and Astarion dearly, she could never quite settle in their presence. They were always unpredictable and bursting with energy; difficult to keep up with at length. Rather than trying, she preferred to show her affection in other ways.

A servant approached her on her way to the kitchen, but she waved him off.

“No need to fuss over me. You will have to plate everything though. You know that’s not my gift,” Penance winked.

While she cooked, Shadowheart went over everything a second, third, and fourth time. But it was nice because it gave Astarion a chance to talk to her about what happened the other night. Vistri tried her best to just watch and not chime in. Shadowheart could understand him in a way she couldn’t in this instance. Shadow and Astarion were the people who held the leash, and they were platonic friends instead of sexual partners. As Astarion’s expression shifted from anxiety to relief and then joy, it became easier and easier for Vistri to sit back and stay quiet.

When Penance finally came back into the room, she was holding her collar.

Hers was the complete opposite of Vistri’s but commanded just as much presence. Made of restored leather and backed with reinforced steel; it was plain except for a singular moonstone. It was well-worn and loved even before they’d found it in the Shadow-Cursed Lands, and since having it repaired, it was obviously well-worn and loved again.

“Oh, that’s lovely!”

Penance politely dipped her head, “Thank you, Vistri.” Then she approached Shadowheart and presented the collar to her.

“This means she’s ready,” Shadowheart explained, “Are you two ready?”

Vistri and Astarion looked to each other and nodded.

“Yes,” they both said.

Shadow looked from them to Penance. Once her eyes were on her lover, she needed only to nod. Penance lowered herself to her knees. Even so, she was still so tall.

“Can you be good for me?” Shadowheart asked.

“Yes.”

The air between them was thick with trust and care. Shadowheart smiled and buckled the collar around Pen’s neck. For a brief moment, it was as if the world around them had ceased to exist and was born anew between them. As the moment passed, Shadowheart turned to Vistri and Astarion.

“Pen gives me her collar to let me know she’s ready. And then I put the collar on her as my way of letting Pen know I’m ready.”

Vistri looked to Astarion. There was a thoughtful, delighted smirk on his face, “Hmmm, I think I like that.”

“Would you like me to take it off so you can put it on me, my dear?” Vistri asked.

Astarion smiled warmly, “I just might!”

Vistri turned around so he could unclasp it. Once it was off, he offered it back to her. She accepted with a bright smile before giving it back to him.

He smirked, “Come sit on my lap.”

Vistri felt her heart flutter as she took to her perch. His smell was all around her. She could feel his chest against hers, and the movement of his relaxed breath.

“There you are,” he said as he secured it back around her throat, “Now the whole world can see how darling we are to each other. And by the world I mean Shadowheart, Penny, and the servants.”

Penance glared at Astarion before she could stop herself. Astarion froze. He forgot that “Penny” didn’t actually like to be called that and that only Shadowheart could actually get away with it in her presence.

Shadow corrected her before Astarion could stumble over an apology.

“Penance.”

The effect was immediate. Penance looked back at her like a guilty puppy.

“I came here to show off my perfectly trained pet, and here you are glaring at our hosts.”

Shadow’s voice was stern and icy. Vistri and Astarion knew they’d be stepping into roles, but they were also facing the experience and familiarity that came with years of this kind of play between them.

Vistri squeezed Astarion’s hand, Are you okay?

He squeezed it back and nodded an, I’m all right, love. Thanks for checking.

They watched the other couple resolve their conflict. Penance bowed her head in shame and Shadowheart clicked her tongue disapprovingly.

“Misbehaving is rare for her. We do apologize.”

Astarion bowed his head, “No apologies needed, darling. It was my offense. May I offer your dear pet an apology?”

“If you must,” Shadowheart smirked.

He made eye contact and said, “I’m sorry I called you a name you don’t like. I’ll be more careful.”

“Thank you,” Shadowheart said for her as Pen bowed her head to express it, “Now, shall we admire her for a moment?”

“Don’t mind if I do,” he smirked.

Anyone could spend hours singing Pen’s praises. She was tall and broad even for a Tiefling, the result of many years of hard discipline. Her silver-blue skin was scarred and her hands calloused, evidence of her love for hard work. Her pale pink hair was shaved down on the back and sides with the rest tied back in a neat ponytail. She was terrifying to behold, and half it was just from being so beautiful.

“I cannot fathom another person who compliments you better, Shadowheart.”

“I suppose she’ll do. My great beast,” she observed.

“A mountain that greets the sun!”

Shadowheart smirked and circled Penance like a displacer beast around a hunk of raw meat. She ran her fingers over the tiefling’s biceps.

“She is quite striking, isn’t she? Well endowed,” she purred.

All the while, Penance stood perfectly still, waiting for an order and silently enjoying the attention. She was rather terrible at appreciating herself, but Shadowheart was more than happy to make up for it.

“I always knew you were a size queen,” Astarion teased.

Vistri looked up at one of the servants as he stepped into the room. He wasn’t one of the spawn, just a big fan of vampires. He was just George.

“Hello, George!” she waved.

He waved back, “Hello! Dinner is ready, by the way. If you would all please take your seats.”

As George left, Astarion stopped them all from moving to the dining room right away.

“Let’s not forget about my little dragon,” he offered Vistri a hand and pulled her to her feet.

“Exciting!” she said, “I’ll go stand next to Penance so you can admire us both at the same time.”

Shadowheart smiled at her dearest friend and Vistri smiled back. She was much warmer with Vistri, knowing discipline wasn’t as suited to her tastes as her own pet.

“Well, now, Astarion. I think you’ve got some competition. Vistri’s even prettier than you are.”

“I’d take offense to that, but I completely agree.”

Penance looked over at Vistri and winked, offering just a little encouragement of her own.

As they all moved over to the dining room, Astarion watched Shadowheart pull Penance to the side to check in. He took his cue to do the same with Vistri before sitting down at the table.

They pulled off into the room’s entryway and spoke low.

“Are you doing all right, love?” Astarion asked as he moved hair out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.

“It’s a little weird, but kind of a good weird. You know?”

He chuckled, “That’s how I feel too. It’s a bit startling at times, but it’s more exciting than anything else. So, you’re doing okay?”

Vistri nodded happily, “Yes. I’m perfectly content. Are you okay?”

“I’m wonderful,” he admitted, a little shyly.

“Kiss me,” she suggested.

Astarion leaned into her, pressing her back into the wall as he pressed his lips against hers.

They found themselves at the table before Shadow and Pen.

“Everything okay?” Vistri asked when they finally joined them.

Shadowheart nodded her head, “We’re fine. Pen isn’t totally used to an audience, but it’s well in hand. Leave her to me.”

Vistri put her hand to her heart, “We’re adjusting too, darling. Don’t fret about it.”

Penance nodded.

“It’s kind of exciting though, right?” she went on, “I mean, it’s all so new, but I’m already having a wonderful time. Plus, I get to share it with you and Shadow.”

Penance nodded again.

“Though, it is a little strange too—I suppose that’s the case with anything new though… What do you think?”

Penance sighed patiently, “Vistri, I’m trying to focus.”

“Right. Sorry.”

Penance took her duty so seriously that it was hard for Vistri to feel like she wasn’t slacking in some way. Maybe she wasn’t doing this right, not paying Astarion enough attention or giving him enough deference. Vistri looked to him for reassurance and he beamed back at her. So she looked over at Shadow, but she had no criticisms to offer. Besides, she’d reminded her over and over again that pets are individuals and dynamics are unique. Pen can be as staunch as she wanted to be, and Vistri could just be Vistri.

“No need to apologize,” Shadowheart smiled. She turned to her beloved pet, “Shall we eat?”

Their first course was a salad made with crops from their garden on the Surface. As the servants brought it out, Shadowheart explained how important it was to Penance for them to have a taste of the sun.

Astarion was genuinely touched, “Thank you. I truly appreciate that.”

Food didn’t sate his hunger, but he could still taste and admire it. More importantly, Vistri would enjoy it. He looked over at her happy expression from tasting one of the tomatoes. Even though Vistri grew up in the Underdark, Astarion always felt guilty for depriving her of the Surface and its food. She loved Surface crops, and the ones traded to the Underdark were never as fresh, or grown in the wrong soil down here. Astarion couldn’t put into words how grateful he was they’d brought her some picked just earlier that day.

So instead, he gave Penance and Shadow a toothy grin and said, “I remember this dressing. You made it all the time back at camp.”

Vistri agreed, mumbling and chewing, “Mmmpphh.”

“Don’t try to talk with your mouth full,” he chided playfully, “It’s rude and we have guests.”

Vistri glared back at him but there was a glint in her eye.

“Careful, Asty,” Shadowheart warned, “If you don’t tame your pets, they get wild.”

He turned to Vistri with a devilish grin, “All the ways I can think to tame you, beloved. My mind is rushing with the possibilities.”

She answered with a hellish look that complimented his, “In honor of our wonderful chef, how about a little penance?”

Astarion raised his eyebrow, “Oh?”

Shadowheart crossed her arms in amusement, waiting to see where her friends were going to take this. She looked over at Penance and could see, by the slightest twitch of her eyebrow, that she was critiquing her food and making mental notes adjusting the recipe for her dressing as she chewed.

“You did perfectly,” she said to Pen from the corner of her mouth.

Penance wiped her mouth with her napkin and smiled at Shadowheart. Then her eyes grew wide as her moment of pleased contentment was interrupted by Vistri’s next words.

“How do we all feel about blood at the dinner table?”

At least this time they were asking.

“Not while we’re eating!” Shadowheart protested, “Excuse yourselves for a moment and go do that in another room like civilized people.”

“It’s not that taboo here,” Astarion said, “We live in a city full of vampire spawn for gods sakes.”

“We live with animals that have more restraint,” Shadowheart sighed.

He stood up dramatically and giggled as he held his hand out to Vistri, “Come, pet. This is lovely but I need some real sustenance and you need to be punished. If you’ll excuse us for a moment or two.”

Shadowheart rolled her eyes happily at the sight of them skipping out of the room. Penance finally let herself chuckle at her moonbeam’s little zinger.

“Laugh it up, devil. I’m saving your punishment for later,” Shadowheart mused.

On the other side of the wall, Astarion pushed Vistri’s back into it with an eager kiss.

“You’re supposed to punish me,” she laughed, still pressed into his lips.

“I know,” he purred, “But I do so like misbehaving with you.”

He tangled his tongue with hers and Vistri tasted their wine and Pen’s salad. She felt his hands roam over her breasts, his lips move to her neck.

“I can’t wait to fuck you,” he growled as he licked her throat.

She sighed, “Bite me.”

Grinding his hips against hers, he sunk his teeth into her neck. Just a shallow cut he’d gladly lick up until it closed. Vistri wriggled between him and the wall, trying not to cry out.

The next course was already on the table by the time they got back. Roast duck with carrots and a colorful arrangement of potatoes. It smelled divine.

Shadowheart spoke once they sat down, “Got a little bit of red on your collar there, Vistri.”

Astarion stood back up at once, “Shit!”

Vistri leaned into him as he tried to rub the stain off with his fingers, but that only spread it around.

“Fuck it!” he said, bending over to put his mouth on her collar and suck off the blood. It was just easier that way! And even if dragon scale didn’t stain, he didn’t want to tempt it.

It was quite a sight, Astarion sucking on the collar around Vistri’s neck. Shadowheart laughed, “Gods, you’re like this even when you’re not trying to be.”

“Like what?” Vistri asked, head tilted with Astarion’s mouth still hanging on her neck.

Thankfully, the collar didn’t stain.

As dinner resumed, Astarion took note of how Shadowheart interacted with her pet. It almost seemed like she was ignoring her at first, since Penance wasn’t really part of the conversation, but every once in a while she would look over at her or touch her idly.

“Penance. Astarion’s cup is empty.”

Without wasting a moment, Penance wiped her mouth with her napkin and rose from her seat. She took the bottle of wine from the servant nearby, as if he was the one behaving strangely, and refilled Astarion’s cup.

With her task complete, she paused, looking to Shadowheart for guidance.

“Vistri, would you like more wine?” Shadowheart asked.

“Please!”

Penance filled her glass and then waited, once more, for further instructions. Shadowheart looked at her, holding her attention in the palm of her hand, knowing she could hold it there forever. After a long moment of this aching, glorious tension, Shadow nodded.

“You may sit.”

Once seated, Penance was rewarded with a hand on her cheek and a soft, “Good.”

Astarion watched them with rapt attention. Seeing Shadow and Penance act the way they did took away that wrong feeling. Around them, he felt validated and free to play. These people understood power and how its exchange was more than just cruel or petty; it could be so much more. He could, for lack of a better description, be a kinder Cazador to Vistri than he ever got. He could do similar things that were done to him, but from a position of power, and with the person he trusted and adored the most wanting him to do it.

He was truly confident and playful after dinner. He and Shadowheart were also tipsy enough to start showing off.

“Penance, show them how easily you can pick me up,” Shadowheart demanded.

She swept her into her arms like Shadow was a leaf. Blushing, she stared at Pen like she was dessert.

Astarion looked over at Vistri.

“I could try?” she shrugged.

“You don’t have to try. You sweep me off my feet every day without having to lift a finger.”

Shadowheart cleared her throat and leaned into Penance’s chest. “Put me down before I get you in trouble,” she said huskily.

Penance placed her gently on the ground, but Shadow’s cheeks were a little darker. Her breath a little tighter.

Astarion twirled Vistri into the middle of everyone’s view, “She might not be able to pick me up, but her honeyed tongue could talk a devil back to the Hells. And she has! Quite a few times, actually.”

Shadow walked up and pat Vistri on the head, “I was there for that, and you were so impressive.”

Penance let out an impatient noise. Shadowheart snapped her eyes to her.

“I see,” Shadow said tightly, “You want to be punished. The way you’re carrying on while I dote on my best friend is most unbecoming.”

Penance let out a long, tense sigh.

Astarion pouted, “Darling, I’m hurt! I thought I was your best friend.”

“You’re a different best friend!” she laughed, her firm manner melting away immediately.

“My, my, Shadow,” Vistri grinned, “Everyone’s fighting over you tonight.”

Astarion came up from behind and picked Vistri up. They fell back on the couch, laughing.

“Come lay down in my lap, you sweet thing,” he whispered into her ear.

He slowly stroked her face and hair as Penance served them brandy. She didn’t imbibe herself, but she did take some water over to Shadow’s side and knelt by her knees. Shadowheart leaned down and whispered something to her that made her swallow thickly.

Astarion, eyeing the box from Karlach and Wyll, was struck with an idea.

“Vistri, darling?” he called.

“Yes, love?”

“Would you be a dear and light us some cigars?”

The glint in her eyes reflected his.

“Gladly.”

Vistri got up to grab a cigar from the box, and the back of her neck tingled in the most delightful way. It wasn’t Astarion’s orders per say, so much as it was seeing him confident and unafraid. Figuring she’d bring it to him in the manner that would most please him, Vistri sat on his lap and told him to open his mouth.

"I think I'm the one supposed to be giving the orders, my darling," he corrected.

Vistri pulled a face and Astarion clicked his tongue, “Now don’t pout love. It’s Ladies first, and we don’t want to be rude. Besides, you’ll want to save the best for last.”

He gave her bum a squeeze as she leapt off his lap to put his cigar aside and present one to Shadowheart, who then placed it in Pen’s mouth. Vistri snapped her fingers and a little flame shot up from the tip of her thumb. She held it steady at the end of Pen’s cigar until she puffed it into steady life.

“Good girl,” Astarion purred, “Now come over to me.”

She grabbed the cigar she’d put to the side and paused before bending over to meet his smirking grin. He opened his mouth, and she placed it between his teeth. She fell into Astarion’s eyes, and kept staring into them as she snapped her fingers and bent to light his cigar.

He used the opportunity to capture her, sweeping Vistri into his lap.

Penance was already turning the room into a cloudy day.

Astarion took a generous puff before taking the cigar out of his mouth to kiss Vistri. She giggled and he growled.

“Share it with me, darling?” he asked her.

She nodded, and Astarion brought his cigar to her lips. Lingering on each consonant, striking them with emphatic warning, he told her, “Take it,” and pushed his thick cigar into her mouth. Grabbing the end of it between her teeth, she did as commanded and sucked. He held it there until puffs of smoke began to billow out of her mouth, making her eyes water.

Taking it so harshly without coughing once earned her another, "Good girl," whispered low by her ear.

Shadowheart didn’t particularly care for cigars, but the wine coursing through her veins had made her peckish, and since she couldn’t feast on Penance just yet, she settled for the smoke. She looked down at her pet and cleared her throat, batting her eyelashes. She patted the spot on the sofa next to her, and Penance hopped up with a grin.

Slowly, Shadowheart parted her lips and snaked her tongue just past the edge of her mouth. An invitation that Penance answered reverently with the end of her cigar. It was maddening to watch her inhale, but that madness was its own pleasure, and it was made even sweeter knowing that it was shared.

Shadowheart stared deep into Penance’s eyes and exhaled. It took every bit of the tiefling’s self-control not to lean in and devour her, but that would have been overstepping. So, she took the cigar back and sucked down a huge lungful of smoke before letting it drift slowly from her nose.

“I don’t know how you bear it, but then I remember you’re an infernal beast,” Shadowheart said evenly.

Penance’s eyes offered plenty of searing reply, “Your infernal beast.”

“You know Astarion,” Shadowheart mused, “Do you remember how I mentioned that wild pets need taming?” Astarion reluctantly pulled his gaze from Vistri.

“I do.”

Shadowheart pushed Penance gently off the couch and back onto the floor. Their eyes stayed trained on one another, and it was clear the time for company was coming to a swift end.

“I was speaking from experience. My pet may seem well-behaved now, but she’s got a devilish streak in her that must always be carefully minded. Shall I show you how I handle such a brute?” she asked.

Astarion leaned in close to whisper in Vistri’s ear, “Why do I feel like I’m in trouble too?”

Vistri giggled and kissed his cheek. “So scary,” she murmured back, “Reminds me of all the times we misplaced her eyeliner.”

Shadowheart snapped her fingers and Penance went entirely still, like a coiled spring.

“Pushups, I think,” Shadowheart said, pointing to the middle of the room, “Go on.”

Penance got to her feet and took a long pull on the cigar between her lips, never dropping her gaze. The length of the puff looked almost painful, but she didn’t so much as flinch. She took another, letting the smoke shoot out of her nose in long plumes. A devil indeed. Then she passed it to Shadowheart and made her way to the middle of the room.

“A beast needs a firm hand lest she start to forget herself.” Shadowheart said firmly.

Without skipping a beat, Penance dropped onto her hands and began slow, measured pushups. Her short-sleeved shirt gave an excellent view of her corded arms as they pumped. For a few moments, no one spoke. Everyone simply watched this display of powerful submission until the sound of Pen’s breathing became too much to bear.

Vistri twirled around in Astarion’s lap with the full intention of making a joke, to relieve a little of the thick tension in the room, but misjudged the force of her shoulders and her throat pressed into his mouth. He froze. Under usual circumstances, he would simply indulge in Vistri’s blood, with her permission, of course, but not in front of their guests.

He had to restrain himself in present company and that proved quite difficult with her so close and so sweet in his nose. Despite himself, he let out a soft, low moan.

Penance stopped moving, her attention similarly pulled to Shadowheart who had…also let out a rather telling noise.

The evening was promptly dissolved.

“Ahem, I think we should all retire before we lose what’s left of our reason.” Shadowheart announced.

Astarion took a moment to stand up and bid them goodnight. He turned to Vistri and commanded her to do the same.

“Say goodnight to our guests, pet.”

She blushed and bid them sweet dreams.

When Penance and Shadowheart left, they were alone.

He tackled her onto the couch, kissing her deeply and whining from his throat. Vistri met him with a fury that was hard to contain. They tasted like brandy and smoke.

“Take me to bed,” she begged him.

“Naughty, Naughty,” Astarion chided, full of heat, “We haven’t even settled our little bet.”

Their own cigar was smoked about halfway, but the ashtray with Pen’s was completely ash.

“Well, it's all gone but that took about ten minutes, so I say we both lose.”

v---v v---v v---v v---v v---v

They had a leash for Vistri’s collar they hadn't used yet. It wasn't near as grand; just a fine, black leather whose simplicity complimented the collar's grandiosity. After tonight’s dinner, Astarion felt ready. He put on the airs of a vampire lord to command her, “Come bind yourself to me, you sweet, delicious treat.”

Vistri gladly walked over to be taken. He fit her leash into the loop on her collar, and she was tethered.

He reached out for her face, caressing her cheek, “You just want to please me, don’t you?”

She nodded, “More than anything.”

“And what do you get out of it?”

“Your happiness.”

Astarion kissed her, then said, “That’s about me again.”

“I know.”

She was so sweet he had to kiss her one more time, “Then if you really want it all to be about me, you’ll serve.”

Vistri ran her hands along his chest, “I want to sate every desire. Until you feel perfect.”

“Believe me, my dear. You will.”

He fingered the leash between them, then tugged it to bring her closer, “You like this?”

She nodded with enthusiasm, “Oh, I like this.”

Astarion smirked, “Then get on your knees.”

His tone was firm, but still warm. Vistri kneeled and he towered over her, looking down and running his hands all through her hair. He positioned her head between his legs at the level of his hips. Vistri could see the hard imprint of him through his trousers and needed to put it in her mouth.

He ran his thumb across her bottom lip, then grabbed her chin to make her meet his gaze. Tightening his grip on the leash shortened the give between them, and he wrapped the leather around his fist a few times, “Now you can’t get away. Any regrets?”

Vistri crawled on her knees until she was pressed into him. Her face rested on his thigh and nuzzled it, “No regrets but that you are not yet buried deeply into my ache.”

Astarion grabbed a fistful of hair at the top of her head and pulled. She gasped pleasantly.

“Now don’t be so vulgar, darling. At least not yet.”

He let go of her hair to play with her lips again. She kissed his fingertips as they danced across her. He only abandoned them to undo the lacings on his trousers, and Vistri’s breath caught on her throat anticipating the sight of him.

He was stunning. His head pushing boldly passed his foreskin was art. His thickness was both threat and promise. Vistri turned her gaze back to his face and saw his fangs bared in his grin. So many parts of himself that he sank into her. She wanted them all, wanted all of him; to be devoured and taken over, owned.

“I long for it, Astarion,” she moaned, nestling her cheek into his palm.

He grabbed hold of himself and pressed his tip against her mouth, just like he had with the cigar. He watched her open up to take it, and held it just there between her lips.

His eyes rolled back for a second as her tongue flickered along it. He sighed, “Now that’s not fair.”

Vistri stopped.

“I didn’t say stop.”

She did it again.

“That’s better, pet,” he ran his hands through her hair.

Astarion took himself in hand again to push further into her lips. Just passed her teeth, just like he did earlier in the evening.

“You have to open your mouth so wide to take me, my dear.”

The sides of his lip twitched as she played with his head, now completely nestled on her tongue.

“Oooh,” he moaned, “You treat me so well.”

Vistri felt him take a slightly wider stance and tug her leash even tighter, bringing him even deeper into her mouth.

He grabbed hold of her chin again. He loved to cradle Vistri’s face in his palms with his cock in her mouth. He loved seeing himself disappear into her lips and come out coated in her sweet taste.

“Would you like the whole thing?”

She moaned her desperate consent, and he thrust himself into her throat. Steadily, his hips rocked against her lips. Slow, rolling thrusts in and out; languid.

Astarion watched, looking down at her, holding her leash. He felt… good. Like he had all the power in the world. Like she was his servile spawn and him a true lord.

And that didn’t feel bad.

He didn’t feel bad.

Astarion stared, drinking in her show until the drool started to drip from the corners of her mouth. Then he pulled himself out very slowly, just free of her lips, keeping himself right in front of her.

“Swallow,” he commanded.

Vistri caught her breath and swallowed the combination of his and her salivations.

Astarion patted her on the head as a reward, “That’s a good pet.”

There was still wetness dripping down her face, at the corners of her mouth and a little on her neck. He wiped her off with his fingers, and licked them, tasting her on his hands.

“Sod it! I can’t take any more of this,” he said, scooping her up to throw her onto their bed, full of rakish charm.

Vistri landed on her back. The bed bounced lightly with impact as Astarion crawled over on his knees to straddle her. He tugged the leash tight between them and pulled until she sat up to meet his lips. Astarion let out the hungriest groan and pushed her back down after adding more give to her tether.

Vistri was putty. Begging, writhing putty.

He stroked the spot on her neck that he drank from earlier. With the dragon blood running through her veins, it had already healed.

“We’ll just have to mark you again right after this. You did promise to sate my every desire, did you not?”

“I want the same thing,” she said thickly.

Astarion smirked. He was going to have to satisfy her to set her mind right. She was literally lost in her want.

The sight of her so helpless to him made him feel like he really belonged somewhere.

He pried apart her knees and leaned closer, his hands crawling up her leash. As he put himself inside her, after they both shouted out with closed eyes and opened them again to behold each other, he made another offer.

“Would you like me to wrap this around your throat as I fuck you?”

“Please,” she begged.

Astarion unhooked her leash and wrapped it around her neck like a scarf. Keeping her safe would require just enough concentration that he wouldn’t have to worry about losing himself. It was a lingering threat that allowed Vistri to let go completely and Astarion to stay grounded.

The collar was firm, and the leash was tight without being restrictive. Both pressures on her neck only made Vistri more eager for his teeth.

With one hand on her leash, and the other caressing her waist, he pumped into her. It was overwhelming. Trust was made more explicit and exposed their raw cores. The leash and collar wrapped around her were his arms cradling her heart as she exploded like a star. Vistri made Astarion feel so safe, he could just toy with her and take; to be a tyrant without being horrible.

He could fracture her, and she could fracture him, and at the end of it, know themselves and each other better.

Astarion screamed, “Thank you,” over and over as he came. Vistri was so spent by the time that happened, her voice was too rough to do more than whimper with tears in her eyes.

They panted and smiled at each other so wide they ended up laughing. He unclasped her collar before she left to refresh herself. When she jumped back into bed and into his embrace, she offered him her neck.

“You greedy thing,” he spoke against her skin before sinking into it.

v---v v---v v---v v---v v---v

Shadowheart checked in with Astarion the next morning.

“So,” she took a careful sip of her hot tea, “How is everything now that you’ve…”

“Fully stepped into my role?”

She nodded her head.

His voice was light, “We got out the leash last night!”

“How very exciting!” she smirked.

Astarion took a sip and adopted a serious face as he put down his cup.

“Uh oh.”

“Why is everyone always so quick to say that to me?”

“Because you’re you,” she smiled, “Now what are you on about?”

“I really… I really appreciate you and Pen for—”

She shook her head and waved her hand like it was no big deal.

“But it is a big deal. To me. So, I thank you,” he bowed his head, “You really made me feel better about myself, more myself. Does that make any sense?”

Shadowheart reached forward to give his knee an affectionate tap, “It makes sense, Astarion. And I’m happy for you. Truly.”

Penance and Vistri came over in an unusual chorus of laughter. Pen’s deep, rolling cackles were broken up by Vistri’s loud, pitchy squeals.

“What’s so funny, love?” Shadowheart asked.

Vistri squeezed her shoulder in greeting and winked, “Pet stuff, darling.”

“Oh, how ominous!” Astarion teased, “Dear Shadowheart, I do believe they’ve been talking about us behind our backs."

"Unlike you, mosquito,” Penance said, “The things I say behind people's backs are exactly as I would say to their faces."

Before Astarion could protest, Vistri hopped over and kissed the top of his head.

“I quite cherish the things you do behind my back,” she smirked.

Penance gave a little snort and looked over to Shadowheart with a wink, who just stared back.

“Don’t fish for compliments so early in the day,” she sighed. The smirk on her lips was more than enough regardless.

That evening, Penance and Vistri wore their collars again. Astarion and Shadowheart were seated on one of the couches as if it were a shared throne. Penance and Vistri held out their collars to their respective partners, and Astarion and Shadowheart smiled at each other as they secured them around their necks.

Dinner was just the same as last night but with everyone a little more settled. Everything more okay because they’d done it once before.

“A toast,” Astarion offered, the wine in his glass a bit thicker than the others, “To friendship, and above all…” his eyes sort of welled up, and he had to pause before continuing, “To family.”

The women raised their glasses, smiling warmly at Astarion as they met his toast.

“To family,” Vistri and Shadowheart said, and Penance nodded.

[Click here for my other Kinktober one-shots]

#vistarion #kinktober 2023 #absurdthirst kinktober list #prompt fill #collaboration #vistri #astarion #balders gate 3 #full fic #astarion x tav #to belong fic #BrishFics #fluff #smut #lemon #bg3 spoilers

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