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Scent of Cinnamon 6 - The Command, The Deal, And The Touch of Serendipity

Continuing directly from the last installment in this series, Raphael has agreed that it might be easier to get used to feeling Haarlep's effect on his body if he watches and instructs them on what to do. A simple task, or so he thought before he realises now that he has to actually decide what he wants. Meanwhile, the incubus is more than happy to tease their new master with the illusion of control.

3,928 Words

AO3 Link Click Here or Tumblr Masterlist for SoC Here

Summary: Raphael instructs Haarlep on exactly how to touch his...their body, while he watches Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 3.5/5 Content Warnings: Mild Power Play, Mild Angst, Masturbation, mild alcohol mention, implied sounding (but no actual sounding), Aphrodisiacs (with consent)

Spoilers Vague House of Hope and Act 3, but most of this series is focused on what came before. Canon Compliance There's really not a lot of canon to comply with here. The description of the house travelling through the hells is canon, as is Raphael's ambition to rule the hells. Other Notes: We are continuing precisely from the end of the previous chapter, right in to the middle of the scene~ I also want to give my heartfelt thanks to my beta reader https://archiveofourown.org/users/Make_me_thy_lyre for helping polish it up, catch a few errors, and for giving me the confidence in it when it waned. Also to the HOHS as usual for snippet help and feedback and writing sprints together!

Paired Song Phantom by NateWantsToBattle "I'm just a phantom in your room With no intent on leaving soon And you're still not even sure just how I got here Another ghost that's in your bed That you wish you could leave for dead Ain't no magic word can make me disappear

Now that room, it starts to dim Set the mood for onset sin And now we're passed out on the floor of your apartment With every single warning sign It passed you up and slipped you by But we're all bound to end up back to where we started

Make no mistake I'll break you down (Whoa-oh-oh, whoa-oh-oh) Shout it around town

I'm not what you want But I'm exactly what you need Take a bite and feed Your satisfaction guaranteed"

--- --- FULL CHAPTER BELOW THE CUT! --- ---

The Command, The Deal, And The Touch of Serendipity

The agreement was clear. A simpler deal, one with less urgency behind it - or so they thought. Haarlep withdrew their touch with a prolonged caress around Raphael’s whole body, letting him feel the direct contact once more. “Would this be easier with some of my-”

The impulsive nature of the cambion rose its head once more as he turned to them while they spoke, taking hold of their horns and stealing their lips in a motion almost as smooth as one of their own kind might have done.

They yielded to his whims, taken aback for a moment by the boldness in his actions, yet quickly once more reaffirming their control with one hand cradling the back of his head with a firm grasp of his soft hair between strong crimson fingers. Their other hand rested only upon his shoulder, allowing him control of his body as they delivered the poison of their aphrodisiac kiss once more.

In truth, Haarlep hadn’t expected him to agree so swiftly - and certainly couldn’t have predicted the enthusiasm with which his tongue drank them in - but they were not about to complain. They didn’t require sustenance quite so frequently as to need it every day, however there was a comfort in not having to fight for scraps of lust on the brink of starvation, or to submit themselves to someone who was beneath them.

Raphael was not on their level. Far from it. Yet…

—

The sweet fire of cinnamon was just as intoxicating to Raphael in this second kiss as it was in their first. Even a lover’s lips could not hope to match the heat-

He fought for a firmer grasp of his senses again. As soon as he began to pull back, the grip on his hair was gently released, allowing him to turn away again. It was not easy to steady himself, fingers curling and clinging harshly to the sheets as the warmth began to spread.

The only word he could seem to find for it was one that spoke of liquor, potent alcohol warming his body through from his throat to his chest, a shot spiked with infernal lava that challenged even his constitution:

Intoxicating. The second dose was no less powerful than the first had been. The cambion doubted he would ever build any form of immunity to the sweet poison that pooled with heat in his gut… He gave it a moment longer before he found the strength in his legs to stand.

A part of him was surprised - disappointed? No… Perplexed. The incubus was true to their word, leaving him in control of his own body as well as their own.

He cast a quick glance around the room and summoned one of the long couches closer with a light tug on the Weave. A brief telekinesis took little effort to one of his standing, and soon he was no longer standing but sitting, facing his own bed and the reflection of himself within it.

They still looked like a mirage to him. Every time he blinked he expected the next opening of his eyes to reveal tan skin in place of crimson, a tail with a pointed tip, and the tall and slender form that was seared into his memory in vivid detail. Yet there they sat, watching and waiting expectantly, wearing his likeness in the manner one might wear a mask to a ball.

—

Haarlep felt no need to push for control. The stick had been given, and now the carrot was dangling - though perhaps dangling was not the most apt analogy for the rigid ‘vegetable’ awaiting Raphael’s instruction.

“Could you at least look a little more relaxed?” He hesitated to give a clearer order, expression near unreadable though his body showed the tell-tale signs of aroused anticipation.

“Could you?” Haarlep laughed, though not harshly. Instead they tried to put him more at ease with the idea, at least until the lust could cloud his senses and drive more of that courage that had risen just a short minute ago. They lay back, angling themselves towards him slightly so they could see each other more clearly. “Where should I touch?”

“It was…acceptable, when you…” Faltering again, Raphael’s hand moved to tug nervously at a collar he wasn’t wearing.

“When I began before, it was here.” They ran a light claw across their chest, sharp eyes spotting the goosebumps that rose on the mirror form of the cambion’s body. He felt that. “Touch can be like a knife - the same blade that cuts the flesh could instead be used to spread icing upon a cake.”

“I didn’t take you for a chef.” Raphael’s eyebrow raised.

“You didn’t take me at all~” Haarlep teased. The eyebrow dropped to a frown. “So serious, Archduke - this isn’t business now. It’s pleasure.”

They watched another drop of sweat form on his brow as their hands sought more of the sensitive parts of their upper body, judging both their own experience and his reaction. “I’m not certain I will ever get used to this,” he murmured, his own hand hovering over the same position their caress had paused.

“Is it something you want to get used to? We have plenty of time on our hands, after all~” They pinched softly, smirking at how he sucked in a quick breath through barely parted lips.

“It is not a matter of want but of need-”

“So you need me now? I’m touched~” “What I need, Harlot, is to grow at least mildly accustomed to this…link.” He ran his fingers through his hair, sweeping it back between his horns. “It is becoming clear that if you are to entertain my clients that I will need to learn to endure it.”

“Only endure?” Haarlep pressed the point a little with another pinch, harder this time, the tug at their chest drawing a little pain. As expected, his face betrayed the hint of pleasure that travelled the distance between them to his own nerves. “Why simply endure when you could learn to enjoy what I have to offer?”

—

They were pushing him again, Raphael knew that, could see the bait even as it dangled on the hook before him…and yet he swallowed it, line and all, the metaphor twisting in his gut along with the myriad of butterflies that marked his anticipation.

It felt good, he couldn’t deny that. He also couldn’t deny wanting more. “Again.”

Haarlep complied, though they drew out the sensation, pulling with a twist, and once more he felt not even a whisper of pain. The pleasure, however-

“So this is what you like. I wouldn’t have guessed from how you were last night.” Raphael regretted the words almost as soon as they left his mouth, Haarlep’s laugh echoing from the walls far louder than before.

“The response you are feeling is your body’s own~” Haarlep pressed one claw to a ridge that ran from their chest to their stomach, following the curve with increasing pressure until blood was drawn. “Our deal transfers that pleasure, not the pain.”

The truth of their words sank in as he could see the slight wound would no doubt sting, even as it began to knit closed with the fiend’s self-healing abilities. Slower than he might, but still true to the fiend’s power. “That seems very convenient, particularly for me.” The thought swirled a little longer, even as they continued their ministrations on his doubled form, the ghost of each touch almost alive on his own skin.

—

“Very astute~ I suppose I should expect no less from one such as yourself. The possibilities for a true sadist are numerous.” Haarlep pushed back the darker edges of old torments. Safety was assured as long as they held the balance of power in their palm, but that grip mustn’t tighten too quickly. “What next? Now that you have a clearer taste of what you might experience.”

“Lower.” His eyes travelled down their body as if trying to evaluate what would be best. He seemed to come up short, however. “Go slowly, no penetration, but show me what the form you wear might feel.”

The incubus smiled, their tail beginning to tease at their lower leg, tracing the tip along the ridges that marked the demonic nature of the fiend. It was perhaps ironic that their previous form looked more human, even though by blood they had more of the undiluted infernal within them than the Cambion who held their ownership upon the page. Yet in his true fiendish form, Raphael was far more the devil of mortal tales than any incubus. “Here?” They caressed their hip, finding a point where the curve of the body dipped inwards as a shallow dip.

“There,” he replied, finally beginning to relax back in his seat.

They didn’t even need to see his body to know how he was feeling. It was pleasing to see him gradually succumbing more and more not only to the effects of their kiss, but to the touch they were indulging in as well. One hand remained on their chest, the other on their hip, as their tail continued to trail up the inside of their leg, finding each nerve to pull on like a puppet-master toying with strings.

The cambion began to dance on their stage.

—

Raphael could not still his legs, nor his tail, nor his racing pulse. Inch by agonising inch he was losing control of himself to the heat that built in every echoed touch, a bare breath away from replicating the motions of the incubus upon his own body. That, however, was a pointless endeavour - everything was vividly clear, the pressure, the slight tickle as the tip of their tail slipped out of view to tease him more. If he closed his eyes, he would assume they were right there with their hands roaming over him directly.

Haarlep held his gaze, in a way that made him feel as if looking away were forbidden. Or maybe it was another challenge… It was hard to tell. They were like a shimmering mirage, an oasis in the desert of his need that was leaving his throat dry and parched, a vision that could vanish in an instant.

The ache of need drew out the next command without a second thought. “More, direct, take hold of-”

“This?~” Haarlep’s fingers wrapped around his- their base, taking a firm grasp and drawing out the friction that was barely soothed by the remains of the oil they had been using earlier still glistening on their skin.

“That.” Raphael moaned, his own fingers gripping into the arm of the seat he was reclined upon, watching as the incubus stroked so carefully along every ridge.

“It can be easy, Archduke, to tell me exactly what you want most. Direct me, and make good use of it whilst you still can.” He could hear the edge of warning that Haarlep filtered into their words - should he refuse to give them control in the Boudoir, should he demand to be in control every time he stepped beyond the threshold, their contract would break. “Though I promise you this - when you do give me complete power you will not regret it.”

“Right there, that ridge-” His voice almost cracked as they stopped and pressed their thumb where he wanted it. “That’s…good…”

Haarlep obeyed, caressing the spot with care, tracing a path around the raised edge with the tip of their claw to sharpen the pleasure. “Anything else?”

“More oil,” he faltered again, uncertain if he was truly prepared for what he was about to request or even to voice it, but the ache of need overtook his hesitation once more. “Not…not for your hand. Your tail.”

—

The incubus felt a wave of their own pleasure increasing, their appetite whetted by the keening edge in his voice, the delicious hesitance that told them it didn’t truly matter that he was commanding their actions. The devil, as always, was in the details - they were the one who told him to give the orders in the first place. He certainly wasn’t acting like a man in control, not even over his own senses.

Fresh oil slicked over their tail easily as they continued to stroke the hardened ridge he found most pleasurable. That wasn’t something they had expected - that halfway along his length would be the most sensitive point - but it was a weakness they memorised quickly. “And now?” They pressed him for his answer. This was how they held the leash even as the pretence of the collar was around their own neck.

“You know what I want.” He pouted, refusing to elaborate. So petulant, they thought, as they glared him down. “If you don’t tell me clearly, I will assume this is all you wanted.” Haarlep kept their gaze locked on his eyes as they rubbed the oil down their tail tip with a lewd caress, mirroring the motion with their other hand. Raphael shuddered and bit his lip.

Haarlep grinned.

“In…” It was barely above a whisper, the request clear in the needy way his hips were writhing, his own tail tip twitching.

“Hmmm I must be losing my hearing, Archduke~” Haarlep licked their lips, tasting the arousal on the air, savouring the desperation as they brought their tail forwards in front of them. “In my mouth? The oil would be terribly bitter, I doubt you’ll feel much pleasure from that.”

“Hells…” Raphael’s grip on the upholstery was beginning to tear the fabric at its seams. “You know exactly what I mean, Harlot.” A moment of bravado, throttled by their next choice to bring the tip of their tail to another tip, its mirror twitching and dripping slightly. “So, in? In here?” Raphael growled a low warning of disapproval. “Well, it seems the proud and powerful Archduke who would rule over all the hells cannot even say something as simple as-” “Haarlep, still your insults and put that tail up your hole, or I shall have you thrown out!”

There it was.

The yell, the hollow threat, the cry of need finally giving voice to desire. They had him exactly where they wanted him.

“There, that wasn’t so hard now, was it?” The incubus slid their tail behind and beneath them, teasing at their entrance for just a moment before pushing inside with a swift motion that brought a quickly silenced gasp from their own lips. “Well, something is certainly hard~”

—

The pressure and fullness of the phantom intrusion almost choked the breath entirely from Raphael’s lungs. He could feel every tiny texture on the tip of his tail as they moved slowly, matching the caress of their hand in front of them. He cast a brief glance at the tail attached to his own body, the echoed pressure on the tip harsh and tight, but not unpleasant. An even briefer thought wondered if that slight ridge had always been there…

All thoughts began to swim away like a shoal of fish who had just seen the shark enter their waters - a fitting analogy for the hint of wicked teeth behind Haarlep’s lewd grin. Not that Raphael had even a chance to notice that detail, as his eyes finally fluttered shut, losing the battle with his will to face them as they tormented his body with countless pleasures.

The grip around him was firm but yielding, the pressure varying with strokes that sought to bring the strongest sensations of overwrought nerves, leaving him shivering with the intensity. Any hint of embarrassment he may have felt about shouting his desire before - loud enough for half the house to hear - was completely devoured by the reward of their tail, slowly but surely finding the centre of pleasure inside him.

Even with his eyes closed he could see their face, his mind blurring their former appearance with the current, unable to make sense of much more than the storm of lust rushing through every part of his body that they touched through the bond.

If upholstery could scream, the entire house would’ve echoed with the howls of fabric caught in cambion claws. Instead, the peace of the halls was disturbed by a long moan growing to a crescendo as Raphael finally gave himself over to pleasure’s final chorus. It was as if their bodies, in the link, had perfectly harmonised in a lustful cadence. —

Haarlep understood, now, how the cambion had struggled to hold back the day before. The intensity of the pleasure his body could bring forth was unlike most they had been with in the past, the rush almost making them lightheaded as they cascaded into bliss. Their tail thrummed at their nerves with a vibrating pulse as their hand sought to wring every drop of pleasure from both their own body and its mirrored double that had been reduced to a quivering mess.

The incubus could not resist the urge to continue into overstimulation, biting their own lip as they watched the cambion tremble and moan. His body was drenched in sweat and his own release, hair falling in messy strands between proud horns that were a poor match for his almost pitiable expression as Haarlep finally ended their game.

—

When Raphael opened his eyes, he noticed that the incubus had already cleaned themselves up, the soft cloths dropped neatly into the basket for whichever debtor had that duty. Not that it mattered much, though it made him feel even more dishevelled by comparison as cold reality seeped into his damp skin.

Haarlep casually tossed him a clean cloth when they noticed he was beginning to recover. He couldn’t tell if it was boredom, or a care for the last shred of his tattered dignity, that had them turn away while he wiped down. They stood by the balcony door, wings draping behind them like a cloak, tail twitching behind them as they gazed out into the distance.

Once he was clean, curiosity tugged at Raphael’s legs and moved him to stand - still naked, and not entirely recovered - beside the incubus. “What are you looking for out there?”

“I’m not certain.” They sounded quietly thoughtful, a stark contrast to the lustful and rowdy beast that had provoked him into playing their filthy games. “What is it that you see?”

“Lava fields, rock, burning skies…” He reconsidered. This wasn’t what they were asking. “Potential. The Future.”

“The future…” Haarlep echoed his words in his own voice, though somehow the syllables seemed to hold an entirely different meaning from their lips. “Power, then? A palace grander than any of the hells, and a throne befitting the one upon it, I presume?” They turned to face him now, the flicker green still lingering in their eyes. Or at least, it was when he looked at them.

“Maybe.” The cambion mused, his tail swishing languidly behind him as he thought it over. “Or perhaps this will remain the centre of my power. There is much to be done, of course, but I do not intend to leave it as an empty hovel floating through the hells. No, we shall make this the envy of all who are graced with the good fortune to step inside.”

A hint of a wry smile began to play at the incubus’s lips once more, their tail coiling gently around his ankle. “We?”

—

The unspoken thought that played in their mind, however, was that if they remained in this house then there was one room, the one where they would have power over the ruler of the hells… Their wings shivered with the thought. That would be a fine meal indeed.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself, Harlot.” The nickname, yet spoken without venom… Raphael didn’t even remove their tail from his leg. “Two contracts bind you here, and unless they are broken that means you will be here. And I see little point in spending my time and efforts building up a fortress to abandon it to sit on someone else’s empty throne.”

“Then you’ll make this the very seat of your power.” Haarlep turned towards the room, tail trailing up to his lower back with a gentle nudge to follow them. “Then I will help you build it.”

“You hardly seem the type to work with masonry, nor to bury your head within the depths of infernal law and contracts beside your own.” He kept pace alongside them as they began to walk towards the healing pool.

Haarlep noted, with some degree of surprise, how easily the cambion was keeping so close to them, their arms almost touching, his body heat palpable before they reached the water’s edge. “How little you think of me, or what it takes to build up all you need, that you would sell my skills so short and so swiftly.” They stepped into the pool, soothing water welcoming them as they waded in and sat, gesturing for Raphael to join them.

“What is it then? You’re offering more than your body?...My body…” He shook his head as if struggling to clear a particularly stubborn image from his mind. “What, pray tell, might that be?”

“Connections, Raphael. I am quite adept at forming them, and not only that - I can secure them for you.” They reached for the soaps as he sat beside them, again close enough they were touching. He could have sat further apart in the absurdly large baths, he could have even stayed out of the water, but there he was. He didn’t pull away when they moved to wash his hair, either. Interesting. “There is a lot more I could do with a body than sex. Although, that alone could be enough to cause quite the scandal, should you so wish.”

“Blackmail and manipulation.” Raphael considered the terms, relaxing more under the gentle caress of crimson fingertips on his scalp.

“More than that, should it be needed. A mortal would be less likely to keep their composure if I am making use of the link~ All I need is to have them agree to the deal in a way that grants me use of their form whenever I wish.” A low chuckle rumbled through them as they recalled a few past encounters. “People will easily underestimate the object of their desire offering them a night beyond their wildest dreams. The fine print, Raphael, is often left unread.”

“And now I am almost led to sympathy for your conquests.” His laughter matched their own, body leaning back against their shoulder. “Though they do get what they ask for in the end.”

“A lesson that took you long enough to learn.” They moved from his hair to his shoulders, lathering the scented soap on his skin. “For all your fight, was it truly so distasteful?”

“...no.” His answer was as quiet as the movement beneath the water as the tip of his tail curled around theirs. “Then you do not object to our continued partnership?” Haarlep’s question now came as a whisper at the back of his head as they wrapped their arms around him. They could have cleaned his body in a far less intimate way, but seeing the often irate devil soften in the aftermath of bliss? It might not last long. But it could, at least, be savoured. “I have no intention of ending our deal.” He murmured, relaxing back further against their chest. “There may be…benefits I had not expected.”

“Indeed.” Their reply was almost a chaste kiss, a single word holding a heavier weight than the simple syllables of its form.

— --- --- ENDING NOTES --- ---

The cliffhanger resolved, and Raphael finally got what he wanted...when he learned to ask for it. Perhaps in some ways, both got a little more than they expected this time, and they still haven't slept together since the deal was made!

Plenty more of Haarlep's deeper backstory to find, too, I'm just leaving you a little trail of angsty breadcrumbs as they try to find their place in the hells and learn what that might mean for their future and the reconciliation of their past.

As always, I am grateful to those who leave any feedback or interactions here, Discord, Twitter, or AO3 - I'm glad you're joining me on this journey through the past with our favourite fiends~

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 fanfiction #haarlep #bg3 raphael #the scent of cinnamon #fanfic #bg3 #ao3 fanfic #ao3fic #Spotify

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tavyliasin · 1 day

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Make sure you get in on time, darlings~ I'd love to hold your works in my hands and treasure them always

The sign up for our Raphael and Haarlep centered zine closes on Monday 29th of April at 6 pm GMT / UTC

>>> Sign Up <<<

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tavyliasin · 2 days

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I'm so normal about He Who Was

Literally the most normal a person can be over a fictional character who has a brief side quest that lots of players miss. So normal. The normalest. Who else is completely normal about He?

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 #he who was #bg3 he who was #bg3 meme #bg3 memes

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tavyliasin · 4 days

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Honoured to have been recommended for this one! I also have the work published on Tumblr for those who don't have AO3 (or prefer the format here) which includes a song with a sample of the lyrics that I feel connect to the work, and this particular link is a reblog with some art of the fic drawn by the talented and delightful @laserlope

If you're looking for something light and fluffy, please do check out the other pieces curated here, and consider following the blog if you're looking for more to add to your reading lists~

Fluff: A Baldur's Gate 3 Rec List

This week, we have Fluff Fics! Check under the cut for 12 fics that include a lot of soft love and gentle comfort, and as always, comment and kudos if you like them!

Baldur's Fairytales by CobaltCactus (2899,Teen) Warnings: Nothing triggering in here! Pairings: Lae'zel/Shadowheart

A short shadowzel fic inspired by old fairytales and such.

Reccer says: PLEASE WHAT ISNT THERE TO LIKE ABOUT IT. ITS ADORABLE I LOVE IT AND IT MADE ME TEAR UP 😭. Anyways, it reads like it was actually written years ago as a precautionary tale without the precautions. It's so fucking sweet and I JUST CANNTTT UGHHHHHHHGG

Covert Kindnesses by brewstersbru (1938,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Astarion/Halsin

In which Astarion is secretly nice and Halsin is exceedingly (annoyingly) observant.

Reccer says: I'm a sucker for Astarion pretending to be a jerk while also secretly being incredibly kind

Halving the Grief by Ineffable_Hannigram (2035,General) Warnings: Themes of grief and healing Pairings: Astarion & Arebella, Astarion/Halsin

Arebella seeks comfort in an unlikely candidate.

Reccer says: It's just very soft and sweet

Cat Burglars by AbigailMoment (5007,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Astarion/Tav, Tav/Halsin

Astarion and Staeve get polymorphed into cats. Now Halsin has to make sure they don't get themselves killed

Reccer says: Now there's literal fluff! But also just lots of sweet tender care in the form of cats and their druid

Glad Tidings by partingxshot (25638,Teen) Warnings: None Pairings: Astarion/Wyll (Baldur's Gate)

A choose your own adventure fic staring... Ulder Ravengard?! Astarion is his son-in-law to be - he hates this, can the miracle of midwinter solve the family strife?!

Reccer says: its fucking hilarious and you can mock Ulder mercilessly via bad decisions. ALSO THE FESTIVE HAT.

It's the world that falls away from me by Whumper (381,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Astarion/Halsin

Halsin's blood is so yummy that Astarion basically goes into subspace lol

Reccer says: So very soft and light and good

Owlbear Vignettes by BlackjackKent (2062,General) Warnings: None Pairings: None

Buddy the owlbear cub, and his adventures in camp with his new family.

Reccer says: Pure, unadulterated FLUFF of the highest quality

Gentle Hands by onlymine139 (7415,Explicit) Warnings: None Pairings: Astarion/Halsin/Tav

Astarion returns to camp after a long day in Baldur's Gate and Tavara is nowhere to be found. He finds her and Halsin together relaxing by the river and has to decide whether or not he should tell them how he feels.

Reccer says: A good blend of fluff and smut, very sweet with lots of soft moments.

Bouquet of the Frontiers by Tavylia_Sin (5796,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Wyll & Friends

Wyll tries to spend the tiefling party off on his own. His friends decide they would much rather adorn him in flowers and affirmations instead.

Reccer says: Very sweet. The found family vibes are impeccable

A Sweet Escapade by QueenOfCats135 (4484,General) Warnings: None Pairings: None

Mattis needs to find a way to celebrate Silfy's birthday. Hijinks ensue.

Reccer says: Just a fun little romp with a bunch of sticky fingered kids

Kvitravn by Mellybaggins (3120,Teen) Warnings: Injury Pairings: Gale/Tav

When Laileth is injured in a fight, Gale takes it upon himself to teach her some protective magic, to mixed results. In the process, the two friends find out their relationship could become something more.

Reccer says: It's sweet and playful and fun to read.

Dancing in The Dark by justmightyshadows (703,General) Warnings: None Pairings: Karlach/Lae'zel, Shadowheart/Karlach, Shadowheart/Halsin

Karlach returns from the hells and notices that feelings might still be lingering from a past relationship.

Reccer says: I liked it!

The above fanfic recommendations were pulled from our community for this weekly event. Have any questions about what this is? Check out the FAQ!

Next week, we’ll be back with Character Study Fics!

#baldur's gate 3 #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 #fanfic rec list #bg3 fanfic #fluff #fanfiction

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tavyliasin · 4 days

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The Scent of Cinnamon 5 - The Night, The Incubus, and The Empty Bed

Raphael has left Haarlep to the Boudoir, settling to go over some contracts. The incubus, on the other had, is restless, unused to their new shape... 4,893 Words AO3 Link Click Here or Tumblr Masterlist for SoC Here

--- Summary: Haarlep takes the time to get to know their new body, much to Raphael's frustration... Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 2/5 Content Warnings: Mild Power Play, Mild Angst, mild emotional hurt/comfort, Mild Use of Safe Word, Masturbation, Edging, Teasing, Massage, Maybe DubCon if you really squint at it.

Spoilers Vague House of Hope and Act 3, but most of this series is focused on what came before. Canon Compliance The deal itself shows as fairly similar to how Tav experiences it in the game. But a slight twist. In my HCs, the connection is stronger with proximity, so that will affect things going forward too~ Other Notes: I don't know if this quite counts under DubCon, given that the contract was clearly negotiated and agreed between them, but the safe word is still respected even when not used sincerely. With thanks to beta readers and others from my beloved House of Hopeful Sinners Discord, as well as to everyone who has commented on my works on AO3 or in other discord servers. Your support means the world to me, loves, it really makes this all possible.

Song Pairing Find Me Out by Hollywood Principle "It's a secret Hear my plea Don't you see I need you And you need me So worn down Turned around I never Had a doubt I'm choosing Words wisely now I'm praying You don't find me out You can take anything you want Because I would trade it all To have it back To have you back You can take anything you want Because I would trade it all To have you back" FULL CHAPTER - SMUT BELOW THE CUT --- ---

The Night, The Incubus, and The Empty Bed

Raphael left the incubus to the Boudoir. They had permission to leave, if they wished, but he also ensured that whatever they needed for the evening would be provided. He was… exhausted, and in no mood to continue entertaining their games - particularly when they had the power again.

The cambion sat back in the chair in what was a spare room, a desk hastily moved in to serve as his office for a time. Papers - stacked neatly and pointedly being ignored - held plans, contracts, letters that needed to be sent within the tenday… But for now all he wanted to do was rest.

Part of him regretted the hasty choice to allow Haarlep the use of his own master bedroom. Initially this room was to be theirs, and whilst it was hardly the expansive bedchamber that he had given up it still had plenty of comforts within and a large bed to accommodate whatever lovers they might wish to take. Raphael just didn’t expect…

—

The incubus stretched out on the bed. The borrowed clothes itched and chafed, even loosening the shirt did nothing to ease Haarlep’s discomfort. Silk sheets still bore the scent of poorly mixed perfume, despite having been changed in their absence. It clung to their skin, too. Their crimson hued skin, covered in unfamiliar ridges, light hair covering several areas in regular patterns- They sighed and got up again, pacing the floors, tail swishing behind them as if still testing the weight of the limb as they moved. The clothes soon ended up thrown over the back of one of the couches in the room, discarded and unwanted, as the naked incubus stood before the pool.

The waters moved without being touched, gentle ripples of unseen currents shifting the surface in imperceptible ways. Haarlep gazed at their reflection, how it warped their appearance even more. It was…

They ran their hands across their body, at last having time to truly examine themselves. They had, of course, memorised every part of Raphael - as intimately as they had ensured he would memorise their body - but that was different to wearing his shape. Long fingers took an exploratory touch of their chest. Strong and well chiselled with muscles that were likely more for looks than strength. Not that it mattered, they were capable in any form they took. It was the ridges that felt more alien to their caress. Harder than skin, but a little softer than cartilage, there was a slight give as they pressed along them but not such that they would flatten.

Their raised blood vessels also stood out from their skin, but far softer. And there was the skin itself - smooth yet upon close inspection it appeared to have an almost scaled texture. Typical of cambions, to have the cracked surface like the hardened crust that could form above the lava fields of Avernus, the palpable heat reminiscent of the same liquid fire that burned beneath.

Their reflection shimmered and shifted again, as if mocking them in its refusal to settle - perhaps it was indeed a more fitting mirror for the inside than the outer veil of calm that still sat placid upon their features. His features. His features on their face…

Their head began to spin. Taking the form of another had always been shorter, temporary, before now. It was a pleasure to test out the bodies of others, to watch their reactions to feeling the link the deal provided, to find the limits of each form they could inhabit…

That was, of course, an option… There were no clauses preventing them from using this form for pleasure whenever they wished, and even if there were, this room was the one they had control within. It would be a better way to pass the time than allowing the shadows of doubts creep through their thoughts any longer. Besides, they were already undressed for the occasion.

—

Raphael found himself holding the contract from the night before. Haarlep was bound to him twofold now, both as Mephistopheles’ gift, and by their deal that defined the relationship they would have beyond owner and spy.

The terms should have been simple, easy to define, and they certainly should have been thoroughly reviewed by a contract negotiator. Yet the heat of the moment had caught Raphael in their claws, just as he sought to wind his own chains around the incubus to further his goals… Giving up his own room was just the first of those mistakes.

Perhaps it was simpler this way, to maintain the ruse that the body in his bedchamber was his own. That way, those who were granted entry might not question a less decadent venue for illicit liaisons designed to lure them in to signing away their freedoms - or whatever else it was that he demanded of the debtors he planned to ensnare. Still, he would miss his own bed, the balcony and its view…

The cambion continued to check every detail that was written, cursing himself for missing some of the small print. If only they weren’t so efficient at getting under his skin, under his belt-

His line of thought came to an abrupt end, punctuated by a short gasp. He looked down at his chest, almost expecting to see hands upon his body, or at least a hint of the weave toying with him, but there was nothing there but his clothing. Exactly where he left it, and certainly not exposing his-

“What in the-” Raphael bit his lip as a phantom caress drifted over untouched skin, still covered by silks. “Impossible…” And yet there it was again.

—

Haarlep took their time, as if meeting the body of a tentative new lover, testing each and every nerve with a soft stroke here, a light pinch there… They wondered if he was feeling it, if he noticed. The hallways echoed only with silence, however, and no demands to cease reached them either.

Perhaps this might be fun, to see how long he might hold out.

The incubus padded silently back to the bed, searching the drawers for oils or any other items that might provide more entertainment-

“Nothing? Really?” They huffed their disappointment, reaching for the only bottle of oil that was available and taking a tentative sniff of the bottle’s top. “We shall have to acquire more, Raphael, and find what it is you want most. But,” they continued, speaking quietly into the empty room, “my own hands should be more than enough to rile you up for now.”

—

Raphael leaned back in his chair, loosening his shirt collar which somehow felt suddenly too tight. The lines on the page before him revealed the nature of the trick, though he decided not to give in to the teasing - surely that would only prove his own lack of self control, and give the incubus another win to laud over him.

Another fastening of his doublet was swiftly undone before his mind could unravel any further, but it did little to help. His breath was quickening against his will, the unseen pressure of fingertips teasing at his body was impossible to ignore.

He pushed his hair back from his face and tried to calm himself. He was the master of his own house, of his own body-

—

Haarlep could tell that the nerves in this body were more sensitive than many of their prior lovers. They felt the heat rising within them, the swift and powerful building of arousal with little stimulation. It was almost too easy to begin to feel pleasure’s swell urging them onwards, before they had even allowed themselves direct contact with the source of that urge.

There was no chance in any of the hells that Raphael wasn’t feeling this by now, and yet still not a word filtered through to their ears or to their mind with a sending. Neither encouragement, nor a demand to stop… Was the cambion testing them? Or was this becoming a new game between them… If he wants to play, he had better be prepared to lose.

The oil was easy to spread across their body, allowing their fingers to glide over every contour of muscle, the edge of their claws teasing at the edge of pain. Between their healing and their appreciation of many sensations, pain was not in the least bit off putting to Haarlep. Many partners enjoyed it, and the moment earlier when Raphael had whipped their leg confirmed a lingering suspicion. But that was a thought to keep tucked away for later.

They brought their tail around in front of them, lamenting for a moment the prior shape their own had taken, but contemplating the further possibilities of the narrow and smooth tip of the prehensile limb. Oil slicked easily across it, and another shiver of pleasure travelled along its length all the way up their spine.

—

A shudder rippled through Raphael’s tail even as it draped on the floor behind him. Haarlep was up to something, and a long list of alarming options flew through his mind like a flock of particularly lecherous imps. He curled his tail around his own ankle as if to secure it in place and prevent the incubus from utilising any of those lascivious ideas that were likely filling their thoughts.

He would have to find a way to tame them, to deal with their-

He groaned at the phantom of touch beneath underclothes that still remained securely in place, and not at all filled with a pair of hands that were tracing pathways that hit every nerve that made him shudder. They were neatly avoiding the most pleasurable areas, taking their time to test his patience. Resistance was becoming harder by the moment, as was he.

—

The heat was rising in the main boudoir as Haarlep curled their tail higher up their leg, one hand still testing the sensitivity of their torso, wings, and even their horns, while the other was stroking a leisurely pace along hardened ridges. Even those were unexpectedly easy to get a strong reaction from, several droplets already pearling at the tip.

The oil was warm and slick, making it easy for the slender end of their tail to spread it around their entrance, toying with several ideas as they brought their knees up to improve their angle. The first inch slipped in with a fair amount of resistance. They were loathe to do too much this way, far preferring to only give , but they needed to know Raphael’s body. Inside and out.

—

Raphael gasped at the intrusion. The feeling of being open and exposed in a stark and uncomfortable contrast to how he sat, tense, upon the chair.

The cambion weighed up his options swiftly, choosing to ease his discomfort rather than to fight the undeniably pleasurable feelings seizing control of any sense beyond touch and need.

His clothes lay discarded on the floor as he barely avoided falling to join them several times in his haste to strip and reach the bed. Slipping under the sheets, Raphael closed his eyes, his bottom lip soon marked by teeth that sought to use the pain to hold back from audibly expressing how he felt.

His wings stretched beneath him, tail twitching indecisively as he hesitated to add to the transferred sensations with direct physical touch. Soon his hand had another use as it clamped down over his own mouth, stifling the noise threatening to escape his body as the incubus found precisely what they were looking for.

—

Haarlep sighed with satisfaction as they strummed a new chord against the devil’s copied nerves, testing the finer movements of their tail with a slight vibration. They knew there was no way he could be ignoring this. Even the incubus themselves had to take a tighter grip around their base to hold back the waves threatening to overcome their usually robust stamina and control.

So…you like that, do you, Raphael? Even the thought in their own mind sounded smug, the only place they still sounded like themselves. You’re not stopping me, nor are you rushing in to join me… Just what are you up to?They quickly looked around the room, they needed something as a focus for the spell… Ah. There it was. A small silver hand mirror on a side table, easily retrieved by a simple mage hand. They continued to grip and stroke with one hand, tail still pressing within them to torment the centre of pleasures inside, while their free hand worked to cast the spell.

They knew Raphael had the choice to resist, if he had enough sense to notice the casting at all. And yet… If he tried, they couldn’t tell. Instead, Haarlep was soon gazing down unseen upon the cambion laying in a smaller bed, undressed, beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.

Hmmm…so you do feel it, and it has already drawn you away from your desk, yet you don’t seek your release? The incubus laughed as a new idea formed in their mind. We shall see how long you can keep that up.

—

Before he could reach the peak of pleasure’s inevitable end, Raphael felt the sensations subside. He almost mourned the lack of touch, but the pressure was becoming almost unbearable. Curling his wings around him, he stretched his legs out flat once more, sighing and attempting to relax in the cool silk sheets.

As soon as his eyes began to close from the weight of exhaustion the day - and indeed, the night before - had piled upon his brow, the whisper of a caress moved over his thigh. He shivered, pulling the sheets closer around him and deciding that it was nothing but the wind this time.

Sleep’s tender embrace was once again disrupted by a firm grip on his hip, a gentler touch massaging along the nearby tender ridges. Lower, he felt pressure both in his tail and in his-

If you must pleasure yourself, then get it over with. He hissed in his mind, taking matters into his own hand for a brief moment before realising this room had none of the oils or lotions kept in the master bedroom. The friction of a dry palm was only a partial antidote to the slicked tail that caressed his body’s copy, it would not be enough to douse the heat of arousal, nor would it allow him to finish on his own terms.

Again, just as the sensations built up, they subsided once more.

Three more times he was brought to the edge of damnation, and thrice more thwarted from release.

Raphael was almost certain he could hear their laughter echoing from the walls, feel their eyes bearing down on him as he lay in his bed, skin slick with sweat, hair fallen from its neat stylings into a tangled mess across the pillow’s mockingly cool silks. No amount of luxury could lull him to sleep, not while the bitch in the next room had their claws in every nerve of his body.

—

Haarlep couldn’t stifle their amusement any longer. Seeing the cambion throw aside the sheets and almost walk into the halls before remembering to dress and cover himself from the debtors’ wandering eyes was just too much. They stretched out, taking a relaxed pose facing the door propped up on one elbow, the scrying dismissed with a simple motion.

It didn’t take long. The slap of bare feet on stone floors approached, betraying the fury of their owner before the door slammed open to reveal the storm on his features. “Something troubling you, Raphael?”

Even the use of his name was calculated in how casual the greeting was, and oh how delightfully his brow twisted into a deeper scowl at their words before he replied. “Playing innocent does not suit you, Harlot .”

“No? Well, what is it that brings you to my domain?” They watched the lines on his face deepen further, new wrinkles already creasing smooth skin as he seemed to be torn between holding his place by the door and storming over to the bed. “Cat got your tongue?”

“Insolent creature, this is my house, and that is my body you have been toying with.” Raphael took one step closer then halted once more, tail swishing furiously yet his wings were curled and folded defensively close to his body.

Haarlep took a long moment to sweep their eyes across him again, taking in how tight the simple trousers were. Poorly laced and straining still, the haste likely leaving no room to include undergarments, just as any kind of shirt had remained forgotten as his bare chest heaved with frustrated breaths. “So many bold claims, this room belongs to me as per our contract, and I will use it as I see fit.” They slid their hand beneath the sheets, keeping burning eye contact with the cambion as they continued. “But, I might be willing to indulge you, Master , if you tell me what it is you want.”

—

Raphael was torn between the desire to rip off his clothes or to rip the very smile from Haarlep’s impudent lips. He kept faltering as his feet refused to obey him any more than the incubus would, but at least his voice had not yet decided to take leave of him - though he had a suspicion his senses would soon prove themselves deserters. “What I want…is a good night of sleep. Yet here you are, misusing our deal for your own ends.”

“Oh come now,” Haarlep grinned with far too much emphasis in their words, “you gifted me the room to myself - a body, too - is it so unusual for me to make myself at home in both of them? It will be quite a long few centuries if I am not even permitted to discover the limits of the pleasure at my fingertips~” Those very fingertips must have still been oil slicked as Raphael felt the intrusion - it was even stronger now there were no walls between them. His knees buckled as he tried to catch himself with his tail, wings spreading and fluttering awkwardly to keep his balance. “Limits, Harlot,” he gasped as they clawed at the copy of his nerves, “don’t seem to be in your vocabulary.”

“There’s one little word that seems conveniently far from your own tongue, is there not? Do you remember it?” They grinned wickedly. Testing him. Again.

“Angel.” He muttered, and Haarlep’s hands appeared above the sheets in an instant, all whispers of touch echoing across his body falling silent just as swiftly.

“There, now. That wasn’t so hard, was it?” Haarlep’s gaze flickered lower for a passing moment. “Well, perhaps it was. A problem that is just as easy to solve, by your choice.”

“Is that so? I do not recall choosing to feel you indulging in your base urges.”

“And I do not recall you asking me to stop. A simple cast of sending, one of your debtors as a messenger, anything would have sufficed. Yet it took you this long to show yourself here, and still you do not know what it is you want~” Their eyes almost looked green again, despite the clear orange fire reflecting his own devilish hues…

“I…” He faltered. Again. He didn’t particularly find himself lusting after physical pleasure, but it was impossible to deny the simple fact that the sensations were not distasteful. Nor, truly, was the concept of being able to experience pleasure without having to directly involve himself in the messy business of partnered sex. “What should I want from this? Is it not reprehensible for someone to lay with their reflection?”

“Only if you wish it to be~” Haarlep purred, however despite their playful tone they sat up a little, smoothing the sheets over and indicating the space beside them. “Sit with me a while, perhaps I will know this body best by learning more of its owner.”

—

The incubus watched the cambion as the tensions left some of his stance, though his muscles still clearly held a lot of his conflicted feelings within them as he walked towards the bed with a hesitant air of false confidence in his stride. “I will not touch you that way - nor indulge you with the feeling of our contracted connection - unless you give your permission.”

Raphael sat on the edge of the bed, wings folded flat and neat against his back, hesitant to lay as he was bidden. “This is…unusual.”

“Is it truly so bizarre? To sit with someone with whom you have made a most intimate contract, in a bed you have already shared?” Haarlep moved a little closer, unable to see his face nor divine what he was thinking from his tense shoulders alone.

“The connection. I did not know what exactly I should have expected, but it is… vivid , almost overwhelmingly so.” His voice grew more steady again, now they were no longer intent on teasing him.

Hell had its laws, and so did Haarlep. They would not resume anything in his body until he was ready, now that he had uttered that singular word. Even though it wasn’t spoken in earnest, they had pushed him to use it on purpose, to prove to the cambion that even when they were in this room, even in the heat of lust, a single breath could stop it all. “Do you dislike it?”

“Yes.” Raphael hesitated. “No.”

“Which is it?” The incubus inched closer still, curling their tail around to lay next to his hip. Not touching, particularly not whilst still glistening with the scented oils they had used earlier, but close enough to make their presence felt.

The cambion turned, brows knit together in a frown. “I don’t desire it, I don’t need it, I certainly do not yearn for the instinctive pleasures of mortal flesh…” “But?” Haarlep prompted him, laying one hand tentatively on his shoulder. When it wasn’t shrugged off, they began to gently massage the tension from the muscle.

“But…” Raphael was still lost for words.

“There will always be something undeniably satisfying in giving yourself over to those base urges, a purely physical reaction if you must boil it down to that.” Haarlep took the lead in the conversation as well as in their…well, they couldn’t call it a relationship , but perhaps partnership was a term that suited a pair bound in contracts, indelible ink coursing in their very flesh. “There is no shame in indulging those curiosities, particularly with someone who has a very thorough knowledge of bodies and how to draw the most pleasure for them possible.”

“It’s different, you feed on this. It’s more a necessity for you than for any other.” The cambion leaned his neck back a little, inviting Haarlep to continue the massage.

“I do,” they conceded, “but even I am capable of enjoying the simple nature of the body’s pleasures. It is not always to devour. Consider it the difference between eating because you are starving and tasting samples of treats to enjoy the flavour alone.”

—

Raphael thought over their words, though he did note how their voice wavered when speaking of starvation. There was likely a reason they had ended up barefoot in his halls, having sold even their name for a chance to earn his father’s favour. “That does little to change the fact that you are touching me with my own hands, that if we are to lay together now all I will see is my own shadow looming over me.”

“Is that so? Do you truly hear your voice now?” they leaned closer, their breath tickling the pointed tip of his ear.

“Yes…no…” He pressed the heels of his palms to his forehead as if the pressure could untangle the warped realities of the deal’s terms. His fingertips could feel the whisper of touch that even now continued to work the tension from his shoulders, identical hands behind him controlled by identical arms, and yet- “It’s not the same.”

“It is not.” Haarlep agreed. “I have not felt such a bond from the other side, but I am well aware of the effects.”

Raphael lowered his arms again, gazing at his palms as if they were no longer his own. He moved his fingers in an imitation of Haarlep’s massage, mimicking them as he felt the pressure even in empty hands. “How does this usually go?”

The incubus paused as if contemplating the question as well as the nature of the asking. They moved to run their fingers through his hair, claws gently raking along his scalp which made his whole head feel somehow lighter as they answered. “Few desire the use of their own form, but there are some who do. Either way, I rarely wear a body for longer than it takes to use it as I please~” “And I assume that use is-”

“Anything from an hour to a whole night, depending on the occasion of course.” Haarlep spoke in a detached way that at first surprised the cambion, until he remembered how this was as simple for them as talking of using someone else’s kitchen to cook a meal.

Raphael almost wanted to see their face, to know what their expressions were when they talked about themselves. Because as insistent as they were that he forget not one single freckle on their physical form, they were not forthcoming about anything beyond. He let his head lean forwards a little as they moved to his neck, firm thumbs gliding carefully either side of his spine, teasing out more tension from muscles he didn’t know were knotted.

—

The incubus could feel the cambion relaxing further as they soothed him. It would take time. Their first night was… intense . It was aided, of course, by the impatient nature of both fiends needing to establish the hierarchy between them, to secure their deals and know where their own ambitions fit within each others’ plans. Their boredom had led them to haste, and now they were forced to slow their pace. Moving back to his shoulders, they kept quiet in their contemplations. The initial idea had of course been to come here and act as a spy, to report back their findings, and earn Mephistopheles’ favour - that had not changed. What they could not have anticipated, however, was the contradiction in front of them. Raphael was, by most standards, impatient and impulsive. He was filled with pride - and some measure of inadvisable hubris - and yet when that slipped away he could soften. Even the wickedly sharp contours of his horns looked less jagged as they watched his head fall slightly forwards into an ever more relaxed state. The way he had sought some measure of comfort as he drifted to sleep…

The cambion was, upon closer inspection, lonely . Although at least he seemed to be placated from the frustrations he had entered the room with. Well, most of the frustrations.

Haarlep continued to caress Raphael’s body, moving from his shoulders to the join of his wings, waiting for resistance or arguments yet hearing none. “Would you like to find out,” they tentatively broke the weight of the silence with half the question, allowing him to stop them before its completion, “to find out how the contract’s link between us will feel?”

“Are you suggesting you sleep with some pitiful debtor whilst I watch?” His tail twitched, but he didn’t move away from their touch.

“There needn’t be any other in the room.” Haarlep curled their arms around him now, pressing their chest to the warm of his back and resting their chin on his shoulder. It was both a reminder of their power, that they were still above him, but also of their willingness to compromise. Their partnership would come to a swift and unsuccessful end should he decide to end it. Or worse, he could still keep them, but deny them the promised reward should he succeed in his goals, or prevent them from being an effective spy and earn them his father’s ire instead. They shuddered. “So you are suggesting we lay together again, already?” The cambion leaned his head back to look at them directly, a frown creasing his brow. “How about tonight, I will allow you to suggest what you wish.” They held his gaze, seeing their own reflection in the dark centres of eyes that were as ever alive with infernal fire, even when his expression might have sought to extinguish it. “Do not get used to ordering me around, nor think of me as ceding my control to your whims. You may be where you wish, and tell me how you would like me to use your body whilst you grow accustomed to the bond that now binds us.”

—

Raphael hesitated. Had he not known better, he would’ve thought the offer born of consideration - but this was just another game to them, to their wicked green- Their eyes weren’t green. Their hair was not long and midnight-hued. Their body was no longer lithe and tan with softer curves. But their voice held the echo of allure in their cadence despite being carried in his own tone, and the cinnamon scent was still drifting into his senses when they were near… His body and mind briefly struggled and came to the same conclusion. “I agree to your terms.” --- --- ENDING NOTES --- ---

I'll admit some level of guilt for edging the reader as much as Haarlep is teasing Raphael here, but there feels like so much importance to these early interactions. Both have to find their place right as their lives have taken a sharp turn in ways neither could predict. There will likely be some more time skips as the story progresses, but at least in the beginning I'd like to give proper weight to these interactions. Besides, it's fascinating - even to me as I write it - to see how their early dynamics were formed.

Continue to the next chapter below~

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 raphael #haarlep #the sc #the scent of cinnamon #bg3 #fanfic #bg3 prequel #Spotify

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tavyliasin · 5 days

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Is that even a serious question?!! This is such an easy smash~

#raphael baldur's gate 3 #baldur’s gate 3 #bg3 raphael #raphael bg3 #bg3 smash or pass #smash or pass #poll

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tavyliasin · 5 days

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The Scent of Cinnamon 1 - Cactus Redactus Version

This is a bit of a fun idea as well as a challenge - rewriting the Scent of Cinnamon (Raphael x Haarlep Prequel) into a mostly SFW piece for someone who was interested by the story but not comfortable with the sexy bits~ (Cactus is how we often refer to this wonderful individual, hence "Cactus Redactus") So we are trading sex for food and cuddles in mixed metaphors that might not always make sense, and some rather large chunks of redacted material. I'll make all changed words and lines green in colour and use [redacted] to show where lines have been fully censored. I've been working this in a google doc for them to read by highlighting redacted segments with the same colour as the text to hide it like censorship bars which I sadly can't do here! Anyway, please enjoy the retelling of this fic, which you can find here:

I'll make a masterlist for this silly edit version once I've transferred them all over here (I don't have the energy to do more than one tonight, sorry!) FULL CH1 below the cut!

Chapter 1 - The Cambion, The Gift, and The Contract

Fine leather boots paced across stone floors, the click of heels echoing around the halls of the largely empty mansion that floated through Avernus. It was a start. A place of his own, somewhere to work with his own contracts and plans. The owner of the boots was a cambion, son of Mephistopheles, and already a powerful fiend in his own right. Raphael, if you were to ask a mortal, looked like a human in his mid 20s. Chestnut hair was swept back neatly from his brow, the ends curling a little just below his shoulders. His brown eyes were deep set but sparkled with ideas, face clean shaven and expression darkening by the moment. Had he taken his other form, huge red wings would stretch above him, a long tail slapping the floor in irritation behind him, and soft brown eyes would instead blaze with hellfire. His whole form would be larger, and his skin would be a deep crimson, ridges across his well defined muscles more reminiscent of his demonic heritage than the human half. However, it was often easier to remain in the guise of a human man. Aside from not having to deal with the physical logistics of wings, horns, and a tail, potential clients found him to be more trustworthy, and the reveal of his demonic guise was often another powerful tool of intimidation and persuasion. Occasionally, some found him to be seductive, but he tired of trying to please people he had no interest in. There were no fiends in all the hells he could trust to be intimate with, and mortals were so terribly boring, weak, and short-lived. No, they were far better as tools, pawns in his grander designs, so naked cuddling was a last resort to seal a particularly irritating deal.

This might have been seen as unusual in the hells, for any fiend to have no attraction or desire to act upon their need for cuddles, but Raphael did not care. He could hug himself should the need arise, and it was safer not to let anyone in to his abode. Not until he had built up his loyal following.

Unfortunately, so far he only had a couple of apprenticed Warlocks, and one or two debtors scrubbing his floors. And now he had to greet a stranger. The letter had specified a “gift”. Knowing Mephistopheles, this would not be the kind of gift that came with a single catch, but more an entire shoal of red herrings to sift through to find which specific catch he needed to be concerned about.

—

A young fiend stood before a glimmering doorway, uncertain of when precisely they were meant to cross the threshold. They were dressed in a black silk outfit that gave them an appearance of masculine androgyny. Dark tan skin and bright green eyes might have looked human, if it weren’t for the 4 short horns protruding from their brow, slightly parting black hair that cascaded down their back and over their shoulders almost blending with the silks they wore. The other tells of their demonic nature were more obvious, however. Huge wings with blackened edges, claws at the tip, coloured in sunset hues of red and gold stretched out behind them, quivering with nervous anticipation. A long tail with an arrow-tip end pawed at the ground behind them, kicking up a little infernal ash. All they carried was the clothing they wore and the instructions they had been given. A simple enough task, and they were hardly inexperienced, but their first meetings were usually within a dream. Subtly watching their target, learning their desires and their fears, finding every cheeky secret they hid in their subconscious before they would ever appear before them physically.

They sighed. They didn’t even have a name to bring with them. Whatever it was had been taken, a simple exchange for a promised reward. “Let him name you,” the instructions had been clear, “let him do as he wishes. Get close, learn all you can, and deliver it back to me. You are no fool, incubus, and neither is he. But play the game well, and you will have the life of your dreams in the end. A home all of your own, whatever meals you desire delivered to your door, complete power over the domain I shall grant you.” It was tempting. It would be tempting to any incubus or succubus. They also couldn’t deny a small amount of pride at having been chosen. It sounded like the advances of succubi had already been rejected, so they relished the thought of a challenge. Besides, the son of Mephistopheles was hardly without any power of his own. They took a deep breath, steeling their nerves before they stepped through the portal. —

Raphael sat back on his chair, tilting it so the front legs were no longer on the floor, boots on the edge of his desk as he read through pages of another contract. Etiquette might demand he stand to greet the arrival, due any moment now, but Raphael was not one to heed any demands but his own. He didn’t look up when the familiar electricity of the magic swirled in the air, nor did he pay attention to the polite cough from the guest. “You’re late.” He lied, thumbing through the pages and moving one to the front, still not looking up from the paper. “And you’re human.” The visitor stated, all too bluntly for Raphael’s liking. “I was told to expect a cambion, Raphael. Does the master of the house not see fit to handle his own household?” The cambion bristled. His brow darkened a little, though only one watching very closely would notice the subtle change. “You would do well to remember at least a modicum of respect when addressing your new master, regardless what form he might appear in. Are all gifts supposed to be so rude when accepting hospitality?”

“Hah! What hospitality? There’s barely a thing here, and I am barefoot upon your floor. Gift, indeed, that you do not even look upon me let alone deign to unwrap me.” They were becoming no more humble. If anything, they were becoming more bold by the moment. The attitude was finally reaching Raphael’s limit. He looked up from the papers to see who would have the audacity to address him so. For a moment, his thumb slipped, one of the pages almost dropping from the stack as he took in the tall and slender form of the nameless incubus. He quickly regained his composure, but not before they had noticed. The cambion put his feet on the floor and straightened up the papers, putting them in a neat stack on the table. He stood, walking towards the invited invader in his home, stalking around them to observe and assess them. “I’m not a piece of meat, Raphael.” They stood still nonetheless, allowing him to pace and take in all of their form. They flexed their wings and tail to put on more of a show. “Do you like what you see?~”

“Passable.” The cambion grunted, the highest praise he had given any attempt yet. “And good you finally recognise your master’s name. So, why are you here?” “You know that much. Your dear father sent me. You are well aware that many of your kind take ours as advisors, partners in cuddles, or allies for whatever purposes you might have for our abilities. ” The incubus grinned, the hint of slightly sharpened teeth glinting in the light as they looked down on the smaller human form of their supposed master. “You’re a spy.” Raphael said simply. “Obviously.” They replied, pleased that they were not being expected to work for a complete fool. “Do you wish to refuse me? Send me back?” “Honesty is a commodity that few of your kind trade in. You may stay. However, ground rules must be set.” He turned to walk away, beckoning for them to follow. “Come.”

“Leaving already?” The incubus laughed. “I thought we would talk more than that, Raphael.” The cambion bristled at his name being used so casually, but remembered a key point. “Name. What is it?” “I don’t have one, not until you choose one for me. Spiteful of your father to take my identity, but at least I kept my good looks.” The incubus brushed off the lingering insult of what they’d had to trade for the opportunity. It would be worth it, eventually. “Then I should know you first, incubus. I shall choose a name befitting your station.” He continued to lead the way through the halls, keeping a few steps ahead of the honest spy who was taking note of every crack in the walls.

— The incubus watched Raphael carefully. Every movement, every time his gait shifted to avoid stepping on a looser stone. Their bare feet felt uncomfortable on the floor, but it mattered little. They noticed the silence in the halls, only one terrified half elf dressed in rags scurried away as they passed by, busying themselves cleaning some furniture in a side room. There was a lingering scent of cherry that drifted from the cambion ahead, though that was the only note of perfume they detected. Somehow, something so simple hardly seemed fitting. The door to the bedchamber was large, heavy, and sealed with a magical lock. A simple spell had it opening before the master of the house, who gestured for them to enter. “There, take a seat.” He indicated a pair of chairs near the balcony on the far side of a huge four poster bed, heavy red velvet drapes skirting the floor, a deep contrast against ebony silk sheets. They ignored the suggestion of the chairs entirely, and instead took a seat on the edge of the bed, their tail snaking out behind them to smooth over the sheets. “Not bad, I’ve slept on softer.” “That is not for your benefit.” Raphael stood a little taller, crossing his arms and glaring invisible flames towards defiant green eyes.

“Then for yours? You are aware of my nature as an incubus, if you are to indulge in my many hugs, I am not one to cuddle.” They watched his reaction, wings folding carefully inwards to soften the challenge of the statement. “We shall see. I have yet to decide on that matter.” The incubus smirked at that reply, it was not a no. Raphael continued regardless. “What are your abilities ?” “Aside from near infinite warm hugs? I can take the form of any who have made a contract with me.” They shifted now with a spell, appearing first as an elven woman with flowing ginger hair and freckles across her cheeks. The next moment the magical fire enveloped them they became a dwarven man with a long braided beard and dark eyes below a heavy set brow. The third form they took was a dragonborn with sparkling iridescent scales. “This one was a particular favourite, a beautiful rarity. So I may become anyone you wish me to be, so long as I have hugged them.”

“Any form? Including another fiend?” Raphael arched an eyebrow, fingertip tapping against his jaw as he considered the options. “Another devil taken your fancy?” The incubus laughed, remaining in the guise of the dragonborn for now. “Of my many forms I have not added a fiend, yet …but were I to take yours, there would be some benefits.” “Benefits? It seems more like a remarkably unpleasant experience from start to finish.” Despite his words, he appeared to be waiting to hear more. “Any time I take on the body of someone I have hugged,” they ran a claw down their chest, hand drifting across their arms momentarily, “they feel it when their form is used. Echoes of snuggling even across planes, though more intense the closer they are. If they were in the room right now, they would feel the sensation of their own hand on their body.”

“So, enhanced hugs, and a disguise?” Raphael took a longer moment to consider it. “I can see a use for this, incubus.” “Wait, you actually wish to deal with me yourself?” Their bravado finally slipped away in surprise, transforming back to their original body. “You would give me access to your form, control over your platonic intimacy?”

“Must you be so vulgar about it? This could work to our advantage. Depending…” Raphael stepped forwards. “Tell me, spy, what were you offered?” “Simple. My own domain, power over it, and whatever delicious dinners I wish to devour.” They held his gaze, even as he blocked the light behind him. “I enjoy cuddling as much as I am sustained by it as my meal. I have known hunger, Raphael, and I have known powerlessness. I have no desire to become intimate with either again.” “So you want power, snuggles, and a range of flavours to sample? That is as cheap as you are to trade your identity, your entire being, devoting centuries to espionage for such pittance?” He was treading a line in his voice between anger and disappointment. The incubus’s tail began to flick with annoyance.

“There was hardly anything to trade. What’s in a name, anyway? And a few centuries in the span of immortality, that’s nothing . An easy job, made all the simpler by the particular subject. You don’t even object to my presence or motivations… What do you desire, Raphael?” They prodded back with their question, working out how the pieces would fit together.“Perhaps not so different, incubus. Power would be a simplification, but an accurate one. First I will expand my influence here, then across the rest of Avernus.” He raised his hand, infernal fire wrapping around him in an instant, transforming him into his more devilish physique. His horns curved above him, crowning his chestnut hair, wings spreading like a wide and regal cloak behind him in the same deep red as his skin. He had grown taller, marginally more muscular, and his own tail swished behind him. Fiery eyes regarded his guest with a new intensity. “Quite simply, I shall become an Archduke. The Archduke. The nine hells are full of infighting and imbeciles, one hand should have a tight grip upon them all. And that hand will be mine.”

The incubus watched the display with interest, contemplating their options. “You’re very sure of yourself, perhaps I should call you Archduke already if that is your goal. Consider it forward payment, if you are to rise to such lofty heights. Are you certain you should be telling your father’s spy all of your plans?”

“That man would be far more than ignorant to not believe that this is my exact aim. I would imagine he would be thoroughly disappointed if his progeny lacked any ambition. You’re welcome to report that back to him if you so wish, but it has as much merit as telling him that rain makes things wet.” Raphael considered the rest of the statement, clawed finger rubbing along the line of his jaw. “As for the title… No. Not until I have what I want. Although names have power in themselves, and we do not yet have one for you.” “Whatever identity I had is gone, all that remains is my body, and even that is more changeable than the weather in the material realm. So call me whatever you like, Archduke , it matters little.” They smirked at seeing him bristle at the nickname, the implied insult. “Then you are willing to consider my deal? There are plenty of… benefits to a cuddle with me~”

“You have been ill-informed to believe me easy to hug. I will not lay with any harlot to stroll into my arms.” It was the incubus’s turn to darken their expression, voice gaining the edge of a growl. “Oh I am well aware of your type, Archduke . Aren’t you tired of primming and posing? Of all this air of I’m so much better than you, listen to me, do this, do that, puny lesser beings .” They stood, rising to their full height, standing just a little taller than Raphael even though he had transformed. The tips of the cambion’s horns were higher, but their eyes were above his. The realisation widened their sinister smile. “You do not need to be above everyone all the time, that is why you didn’t turn me away when I told you I will not snuggle beneath you.”

“You think yourself more powerful, do you? Need I remind you that I am the Master of this house, I own you, incubus, you are a gift in a pretty bow.” He stood firm, unswayed as they moved closer, the strong scent of cinnamon drifting from their warm-toned skin. “You feel nothing, even now?” Their bright green eyes glowed more intensely in the face of Raphael’s insults, paying his venom no mind. Their tail began to touch his lower arm as they stepped even closer, faces just inches away. “You do not, do you…but you feel that .” —

Raphael certainly felt something. Irritation, the searing tip of white hot rage pressing forward like a knife at the front of his mind, and…curiosity. How could he not be curious about a fiend who dared to be so brazen with him? To stand before him without bowing even once, never offering a single thing to gain his favour. They were speaking to him as an equal - that should have been an immense insult, and yet… “You should have more care about where you touch, harlot. ” The offensive nickname slipped quickly from his lips, just as his tail slapped away the one that had been threatening to tug him off balance. “I have given you no such permission.” “Then if you gave me permission, you would allow it? Very interesting, Archduke . Let me ask you this, if I may?” They kept from touching him again, for now, instead observing his features closer with a piercing gaze. “Ask. There is little point in asking to ask, aside from wasting my time.” He remained unmoved, tail betraying a hint of his irritation still. “Your clients, the mortals you deal with. They desire your affection, do they not? You are a handsome devil, in either of your forms. Your human guise perhaps more cuddly to some than your true fiendish self, but I see the appeal in both.” They smiled more sweetly, bringing a hand towards his face, never touching but tracing a line above his cheekbone, his jawline… A mockery of a lover’s caress.

“I am not here to be eye candy to you.” He sneered, faint lines in his face appearing with the expression. “Affection is merely another card in my deck, mortal beings are too easy to manipulate with hugs. Something I am sure a harlot would be more than aware of. You do not need me to point that out.” “Quite so,” they continued their touchless caress down his neck, along his shoulder, and close to the top edge of his wing. “But I would be more than willing to fill your pointy boots in that regard~”

“I see you do have at least a modicum of sense between your filthy ideas.” He summoned a scroll to his hand, a quill pen appearing in the other, tip glowing with infernal magic. “Rules, incubus, and they will be followed. Without fail. Or I will not hesitate to cast you out of here.” They sighed, hand dropping back to their side from where it had been hovering above the thinner and more sensitive skin of the cambion’s wings. “ Fine, if you insist we shall have it all in writing. You are to ensure I do not go hungry. Either provide me with pizzas to satisfy my hunger, or satisfy me with your own home cooking.”

“Agreed.” Lines appeared upon the page in infernal script, glowing on the parchment with the power they contained. “And you shall not lay so much as a finger upon a client without my permission.” “Then make it simple. This room will be mine as much as it is yours. Those you allow to cross the threshold are by rights my own to hug, should they agree to it.” They smirked, adding to the letters upon the page. “The house is your domain, but in this room I am the only Master.” Raphael’s ego failed to pick up on the edge of their tone as he easily agreed to the term, and moved on to the next. “Then the illusion must be maintained. Once you have my form, you are to wear it until or unless I specify otherwise.” This time the incubus wavered. “You are asking me to give up the last shred of my personhood, to become you?”

“No. You will retain your personality as you see fit. You are to be my mirror in appearance, I cannot have a stray client or debtor seeing through that. They must believe, at least to a degree, that it is me they are cuddling with, and not some brothel-hired -” He paused. His finger traced a few letters in the air, moving them around, reforming his own name into something new. “That’s it. Haarlep . A perfect anagram, the version of Raphael that is closer to the Harlot that you are.” “You scorn me even as you wish to use me to your own ends?” The incubus frowned, though the name…was not entirely objectionable.“The name should be a fitting match for the wearer, should it not? Or do you have a better idea?” He raised an eyebrow, staring directly into the incubus’ eyes.

“I suppose I can become accustomed to it, with time.” They looked at the page, filling with more rules as they talked.

— Some time later the full document was drawn up and signed, befitting Raphael’s side of the deal. Haarlep, as they had reluctantly accepted the name, would require the consummation to finalise things yet. Both cambion and incubus smirked, feeling as if they had outmanoeuvred the other, their own egos clouding their gaze from the space between the lines. Had they looked closer, they might have noticed the finer details they hid from each other between clever words and half-truths…but it mattered little. The signatures marked the parchment in clear and binding text. Haarlep, as they were now named, watched the scroll disappear to whatever archive it would be stored in with a wide smile. “And what is it precisely that you find so amusing?” Raphael’s voice drew their gaze back to his eyes. “Oh, nothing, Archduke.” They leaned just a little closer to his face. His appearance was by no means distasteful, if they were being honest they found his form to be intensely attractive, their imagination already cuddling him as they spoke. “Now, I want you to take a very good look at me. Memorise every pore in my skin, every hair on my head, every little details of me . If I am to give it up, to become you until such time as either we reach our common goal or Mephistopheles decides my work here is done, I would have at least one being remember me properly.”

“I can have a portrait made if you are so particular. And despite your glamour, you will have access to this form should it be permitted.” He pulled back by an almost imperceptible amount, small wrinkles forming on the bridge of his nose. “No.” The incubus spoke with a growing air of authority. “I will burn every part of my image into your mind and body. Every time you close your eyes you will see me, every moment of silence you will hear my true voice in your ear, every moment your own hands touch your body the grip you will feel upon your throat will be mine.” Raphael took an involuntary step back this time. The imposing figure of his supposed gift, the toy he was simply supposed to occupy the hours with, the being that was intended to be used for hugging alone…it felt as if their shadow was about to swallow him whole. Haarlep could see it in his eyes, the way the sweat began to bead on his brow, the breath catching in his throat as they leaned closer again.

They had him cornered like prey, a meal they fully intended to devour, the promise of what the contract could deliver almost as enticing as the low scent of fresh bread rising from the cambion’s kitchens. “You needn’t fear my touch, Raphael. I assure you, this can be a most pleasant experience. You feel it already, do you not? The anticipation rising within you, the warmth of my body moving closer, that sweet cinnamon filling your senses already…” They grinned wickedly. “[Redacted]” “That…would be acceptable.” The usually proud cambion struggled to find the words, his presence shrinking back with the hint of power in the words he had already signed away. “Then you accept my arms? You want to feel the hug of an incubus, to feel the pressure of my affection around your body?” Their wings fluttered in anticipation. “Stop talking already. Your master has granted you permission by the terms of the deal.” “Oh, Raphael, you have forgotten so quickly…in this room, I am the Master now.”

--- --- ENDING NOTES --- --- So anyone who hasn't read the original might be feeling a little perplexed right now, but it might be more fun to read the pieces parallel, or one after the other, to see what changed. The second chapter gets a whole lot more silly with huge redacted sections and a lot more changes that may or may not make sense~

Literally that's how much is redacted in the beginning of the second chapter! But the rest manages to keep enough of the tone, story, and interactions between the pair to still be relatively coherent as a piece~

Until the next part, and when all 4 current chapters are done I'll get the masterpost for links to them too~ Also if anyone knows a way either here or on AO3 to hide text like that, or to change text colours on AO3, please let me know and I'll get it up over there too~

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 fanfiction #haarlep #bg3 raphael #bg3 #fanfic #the scent of cinnamon

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tavyliasin · 7 days

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Smash~ As in, he can- Lia dragged off stage

#abdirak #bg3 abdirak #bg3 smash or pass #smash or pass #abdirak could fix me

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tavyliasin · 8 days

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The Scent of Cinnamon Masterlist

Links to the Raphael and Haarlep Prequel fanfic series The Scent Of Cinnamon.

About the Fic

A prequel to the events of Baldur's Gate 3, exploring the relationship between Raphael and Haarlep from the moment they first meet and following through several key events in their long and storied history together as both seek their own goals and find how they connect between them.

There will be a lot of smut in the works, as well as a fair amount of angst and character exploration. I aim to keep clear tagging of each individual chapter as the content will vary and I would rather allow people a choice to skip parts of the story if there are tags they dislike, or to easily bookmark and return to tags that they adore~

There is no set schedule due to life factors and multiple ongoing series that I switch between, but comments and interactions do help to inspire work on it.

Notes: Haarlep will always be referred to with they/them pronouns in this piece and will utilise shapeshifting. The story is built from the scraps of lore we see in the game alongside my own interpretations of both characters and the potential depths lurking behind them.

My headcanons are entirely my own and I completely respect (and truthfully also adore) other interpretations of the characters and story. Please feel free to contact me to discuss the story and characters or anything else about the work, and I welcome Beta readers who are willing to give feedback and corrections to improve the work both before and after publishing (sometimes mistakes slip through the net, so please let me know to fix things here if needed)

Chapter Links Below The Cut

Series Playlist

Each chapter has a song assigned that has lyrics and/or a mood that matches the tone and story in that chapter. The main post will also contain a cut of the lyrics that I feel best match what I'm expressing with the song choice. They're all very optional! But I'll put the Spotify list here for anyone who is interested in it.

The Cambion, The Gift, and The Contract

Raphael has a new home, but the halls are remarkably empty. Mephistopheles has seen fit to send him a gift, though as with all things in the Hells, nothing is ever quite so simple... Meanwhile, an incubus with no name stands in front of a portal, ready to take the first step in the only plan they have left. One that will either secure their future or seal their fate... 4,301 Words

Summary: Raphael and the incubus meet for the first time, and the specifics of a contract are worked out between the pair. Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 0.5/5 Content Warnings: Mild power play. There's not a lot of spice in this one, it's the following chapters that will raise that bar~

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The Scent of Cinnamon 2 - The Contract, The Kiss, and The Cambion's Pride

With the talking over, it is time for the deal to be sealed. However, Haarlep is not willing to relinquish their physical form so quickly, nor are they in any rush to finalise the contract with Raphael without enjoying it first. 4,965 Words

Summary: Haarlep draws out the first kiss into far more devious uses of their own lips as well as Raphael's. They will ensure he doesn't forget a single thing about them. The sound of their voice, the feel of their touch, the taste of their- Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 3.5/5 Content Warnings: Oral Sex, Shapshifting, Power Play, Mild Choking, BDSM, Aphrodisiacs, Incubus Kiss, Mild Blood, Mild Humiliation/Name Calling

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The Deal, The Devil, and The Promise Beyond

The deal is finalised as Raphael and Haarlep continue their night together, sealing the contract with sex that will quite literally be life changing for both but not in the hyperbolic manner most would assume from the thought. For Haarlep, they take on the identity they have been given, sacrificing their physical form to take the shape of the man who owns them. For Raphael, he has fully accepted an incubus spy into his House and his bed, and despite his best laid plans he has not fully realised the consequences of the terms of that deal. 4,708 Words

Summary: Haarlep reaches the conclusion of the deal, but is in no rush to end the encounter before both of them are fully satisfied. The night, just like their body, must be unforgettable... Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 4/5 Content Warnings: Power Play, Oral Sex, Anal Sex, Aphrodisiac, Mild Praise Kink, Porn with Plot, Mild Pain Play

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The Morning, The Tailor, and The Fit of the Glove

Raphael wakes up to the consequences of the deal he made the night before, and realises Haarlep has no clothes to wear save for his own which are somehow a poor fit on his copied body. A trip to Waterdeep sparks more conflict as the two fiends begin to find their places with each other, pushing each others boundaries. Haarlep also has to reckon with the consequences of their end of the bargain, with shadows of their past biting at their heels. 5,139 Words

Summary: The pair head out to Waterdeep to a tailor who can make something for Haarlep to wear other than Raphael's old clothes that feel like a poor fit on the incubus' borrowed body. Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 0.5/5 Content Warnings: Mild Power Play, Mild Angst, ---

The Night, The Incubus, and The Empty Bed

Raphael has left Haarlep to the Boudoir, settling to go over some contracts. The incubus, on the other had, is restless, unused to their new shape... 4,893 Words

Summary: Haarlep takes the time to get to know their new body, much to Raphael's frustration... Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 2/5 Content Warnings: Mild Power Play, Mild Angst, mild emotional hurt/comfort, Mild Use of Safe Word, Masturbation, Edging, Teasing, Massage, Maybe DubCon if you really squint at it.

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Scent of Cinnamon 6 - The Command, The Deal, And The Touch of Serendipity

3,928 Words

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More to follow!

BONUS - SFW(ish) EDITS!

I'm editing this fic to remove the smut, making it...not SFW but a lot closer. It's coming out as a little fun, and a little silly as all sexual references are replaced with hugs or snacks~

For now I only have the first chapter on here because it takes time to copy out of my docs, but I'll swap this link for the masterlist link once I have one!

#FanFiction Series #the scent of cinnamon #baldurs gate 3 #haarlep #bg3 raphael #bg3 fanfiction #bg3 #fanfic #masterlist #fanfic masterlist #prequel #prequel fic

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tavyliasin · 8 days

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The Scent of Cinnamon 4 - The Morning, The Tailor, and The Fit of the Glove

--- Summary: The pair head out to Waterdeep to a tailor who can make something for Haarlep to wear other than Raphael's old clothes that feel like a poor fit on the incubus' borrowed body. Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 0.5/5 Content Warnings: Mild Power Play, Mild Angst,

Spoilers Vague House of Hope and Act 3, but most of this series is focused on what came before. Canon Compliance The mention of a certain mad mage should match up roughly to the time he was actively in Waterdeep. But even the official lore is inconsistent on that one so we're running Rule of Cool. Also, the perfume is the exact canon scent according to 2 pieces of in game lore (Yurgir saying Raphael smells of cherry, and a letter of Raphael's that carries the scent of Palmarosa and Black Pepper in his perfume) Other Notes This is really to explore the dynamics between the two as they get to know each other outside the boudoir...don't worry, they'll be back there soon enough.

Song Pairing Everything You Hate by Project Vela "Looks like the time has come to pull the plug on the weak Your independence gone, control is not what it seems It's time to rise up and take it into the streets The life support is cut, the transformation complete

My actions don't seem so clean You're out there pulling the strings Anything any cage that couldn't hold Has escaped and it's out of your control Everything you ever hoped that you could be Only exists in a fake reality

You and I are one and the same One reflection bound by different names Recognised that you have become everything you hate Everything you hate"

--- FULL CHAPTER BELOW THE CUT --- ---

The Morning, The Tailor, and The Fit of the Glove

Raphael stirred in his sleep, suddenly aware of an unfamiliar weight resting on his leg. It felt like his tail was draped over something too, yet there was nothing beneath when he tested moving it. The awareness of his own body began to spread through his consciousness, piece by piece. There were ghosts where aches might have been, even if pain had healed his muscles still felt the echoes of whatever it was he had-

Whoever it was. And that who was snoring quietly on the pillow beside him, their tail draped over his leg, their hand resting lightly on his waist.

The previous day came rushing back as the last vestiges of a far more peaceful dream were banished from the cambion’s reeling mind. His eyes blinked open to see exactly what he was dreading: the imperfect mirror of his own face, a slight smile tugging at the corners of copied lips, but a different scent drifting on their warm breath.

Cinnamon.

Ah. That was it. The incubus and their deal, the contract signed in ink and in lust, his body the very page that they had inscribed their presence upon.

Raphael almost expected their eyelids to reveal the vivid emerald as they began to slowly open, but instead there was only the infernal fire burning around their pupils as they met his gaze.

“Mmm~ I could get used to this~” They purred, stretching their wings lazily behind them before pulling the sheets closer around them.

The cambion already felt his ire rising. He might have invited this…this…Harlot to his bed, but that did not give them the right to treat it like a luxury resort. He kicked his leg free of their tail and threw the covers off the pair of them as he forced his exhausted body out of the comfort and warmth of the night.

“Five more hours~” Haarlep pulled the sheets back over them, covering their face, but not before he caught the hint of a grin spreading across it.

“Petulant creature.” Raphael waved his hands in a swift motion, a few brief words tugging the threads of the Weave into ripping the covers from the incubus’ grip, tossing them out of reach on the floor.

“Spoilsport.” They groaned, brows furrowing and the fire in their eyes flashing dangerously as they scowled at him. “I am the one with the power in this room, by your own contract’s terms.”

“And do you wish to spend your days in here completely nude?” Raphael was already pulling on the fresh clothes that had been set aside for him. A modest outfit, but one that nonetheless showed his figure. “Or will you concede that you need at least one outfit you feel comfortable in? My clothes will fit you, but I suspect they are not to your taste.”

“Clothing is hardly a necessity for my line of work~ Do you not like what you see, Archduke?” It seemed the incubus had no intention of ceasing their insulting nickname, a completely transparent attempt to rile him up. “Made to your very own specifications, no less! Aren’t you curious what it might feel like to-”

“No.” He snapped, turning away as he continued to fuss over the fastenings of his shirt, frustrated by his fingers refusing to obey him. He wasn’t ready to accept that the incubus was flustering him, even the shadow of that thought entering his mind was more infuriating than the sound of their voice. His voice. Not his voice… They were like an echo, distorted by the landscape it ricocheted from. Within every word, he could still hear-

—

“Let me help you, then.” Haarlep had grown tired of trying to cling to the comforts of silk sheets for now. Their lips just brushed the pointed tip of Raphael’s ear as they wound their arms around his waist to fix the fastenings he was having such trouble with. “There. Not that difficult, was it?~” The cambion shivered at their touch, stepping quickly away from where their naked body had pressed against his back, but their tail wound around his wrist to turn him back to face them. “Could you not-”

“Wait.” They cut him off again, firm yet soft. His collar was crooked… The incubus carefully straightened the piece, pulling the ruffles into place and ensuring they were even. “The master of the house has appearances to keep up, does he not?”

“Quite so.” Raphael clawed back his dignity with the reply, reaching forward to fix Haarlep’s hair, even though they both well knew that not a strand was out of place. “You will have to wear something for now. Wait here.”

Haarlep watched as he strode confidently to an old armoire, searching through a variety of finery that was neatly pressed and stored within. It seemed most of the options were objectionable, until he pulled out a simple outfit in a near-black tone. It would have looked absurdly severe on the cambion himself, a poor match for the line of his jaw or the hint of apprehension in the expression above it. “It will do, for now.”

“Beggars, Harlot, make for poor choosers.” He held it out at arm’s length, clearly trying to avoid the ire in the incubus’ gaze.

“The day I beg you for anything, all of Avernus will be colder than Cania.” Haarlep snatched the outfit from the cambion’s claws, quick to remind him in every moment of his place in this room, loathe to leave the one space they retained control.

“Perhaps if you play your role well, you will have no need to do anything more than ask.” Raphael turned away, as if to give them privacy to put on their clothes. An absurd notion at this point, but nevertheless they began to dress as he continued. “We have our deal, there is no reason for us to be adversaries, you know.”

“Hmmm maybe so,” Haarlep wound their arms around his waist again, half dressed but their shirt still open, claws teasing at his hips as they held him close. “But it’s so much more fun to feel you squirm like this~”

“Degenerate.” Raphael’s tail swung around and whipped their thigh - hard enough to be felt, but not to hurt. He gasped. “Mmmm harder~” Haarlep moaned in his ear, relishing at the shiver they felt beneath their fingertips, drifting lower already. “You won’t even feel the pain, just the pleasure.”

—

The cambion shuddered. They were right, he felt a brief but clear rush of heat… “Absurd.” He lied.

“There’s the trick, Archduke,” Haarlep purred, the bitch dropping to an even more seductive tone. The imitation of his voice barely sounded familiar, the tone of their previous voice snaking through his senses far stronger while he couldn’t see them behind him. “It’s only arousing because your body likes it. The pleasure I feel is yours, in more ways than one. Don’t you want to try it out? Find the limits of your own debauchery-”

“We are going to be late if you don’t stop this nonsense.” Another lie, though this one was more believable than the last. The tailor would wait as long as necessary, he had enough of a hold on them that they would not consider turning him away even if he marched them out of bed to sew a ballgown in the middle of the night. “Fine~ Have it your way.” Their touch left him immediately, his body suddenly colder for the lack of their warmth pressing against him. It took conscious effort to stop his tail from reaching out to find them. “Then tell me, if we are to rush to this appointment of yours… Will this suffice?”

Raphael turned around to take a look at the incubus dressed in an outfit he had not considered wearing in decades. It was a little tight on them, and the shirt had been left half open to expose part of their chest in a way that had no right to be so tempting. Their tail was twitching impatiently, yet their wings spread behind them as they struck a swift pose and flashed him a grin. He turned away again, reluctant to look any longer in case their eyes alone drew him closer. Outside the room he would be in control again…at least on the surface. “Come.”

“Hah! I’m not that easy-”

“You know precisely what I meant.” He stepped beyond the door and into the hallway, subconsciously standing a little taller and straighter as he wore the power of his title like a monarch’s cloak. “Hurry up.”

—

Haarlep followed Raphael through the House until they arrived at a room with a shimmering portal, several short steps leading up to it.

“An easier method of transportation, no point in wasting energy on magic when permanent spells can be cast.” The cambion waved dismissively towards the huge arch and the warped reality within it.

“And where, precisely, does it lead?” Haarlep eyed it suspiciously, unwilling to play a game of ‘follow-the-leader’ without at least some idea of whether they would be treading the ice fields of Cania or the muddy streets of a Halfling village. “Waterdeep.” Raphael replied simply, stepping forwards and stopping just short to beckon them to hurry. “I did not take you for one so hesitant.” “And I did not take you for someone to rely on mortals for your tailoring.” They didn’t bother to keep the disdain from their voice, although they did step obediently forwards all the same.

“One more thing,” the cambion turned to face them, a swift casting of a spell rendering them completely invisible. “You are not permitted to speak until we arrive.”

Haarlep pursed their lips, hands forming some swift and unsavoury gestures to spell out their displeasure without any verbal component.

“I can see invisibility, Haarlep. Know your place.” Without further warning, Raphael transformed his body to his human guise - clothes shifting to fit the smaller frame - and walked through the portal.

—

The room was dusty and poorly kept, despite Raphael’s strict instructions - he made a note in the back of his mind to have stronger words with the diabolist maintaining his portal in what should have been the upper floors of a well kept mansion. Boxes were piled to the sides, half open and half labelled in scrawled handwriting.

“That looks like the writing of a madman.” Haarlep’s shimmering form stood beside him, peering at one of the boxes. “Not entirely inaccurate,�� Raphael ceded the point, but not without irritation. “You were, however, told explicitly to be silent.”

“First, we have ‘arrived’, so you should be more specific if you mean another destination.” The whisper of their smirk was more audible through their tone than it was visible on their face as he felt a dull ache nagging at the back of his skull. “But that aside, this place is clearly uninhabited. There’s no risk of being discovered.”

“Must I train you in both manners and obedience?” He turned to face the warped space that concealed Haarlep’s insolent form from most onlookers.

“Hardly necessary. Besides,” they stepped close, strong hands taking a grip of his jaw and moving his mouth with their words. “If you move those lips just right it will seem as if you’re the one talking, given how you have burdened me with your own voice.”

Raphael swatted their hands away, fixing his hair and collar quickly as he tried to keep his emotions in check. “If I must remind you to behave once more, you will live in that outfit for your first decade. Or perhaps you would rather never leave that room, if you are so hellbent on retaining your control? I do not have to cross the threshold, nor do I have to send anyone in to sate your needs unless I choose to.”

—

Haarlep bristled. They knew that he had power and control, that both of their deals now bound them to him with all the fine print that came with it, but they had not considered that the young and overconfident fiend would…would…

—

Raphael faltered. He could feel the tension, the change in their demeanour in an instant. They still stood behind him wearing his body, but it now seemed like a poorer fit on them than the clothing that groaned at the seams. Even their stature seemed to shrink back in that moment, the unseen shadow of their presence retreating.

An unusual sense scratched the back of his mind. Guilt? Unthinkable. And yet…

“I am no tyrant, incubus. Stick to your word and I shall be true to mine. But no more words for now, not until I dispel the invisibility shrouding your form.” He began to lead the way, loathe to waste any more time. Halaster could be reprimanded later for leaving the portal in such a state.

—

It took half an hour before they reached their destination. The sun was far too bright, the incubus cursing that invisible wings could do nothing to stop the wretched beams from searing their eyes. Haarlep kept quiet for the remainder of the journey, following carefully in step behind Raphael, wings and tail tucked in so they would not catch a passer-by unawares.

For his part, the cambion acted much as a human noble might. He strolled down the streets as if he owned them and all who walked through them. Every now and then, he stopped to greet someone, to slip a note into a hand, or to show his disdain or appreciation for the quality of goods on market stalls.

But for their own part, Haarlep was an invisible shadow. They stalked behind him with heavy steps as if their own feet fit as poorly as the boots upon them. Every now and then, they stopped with him to adjust their shirt, to rub at their head from the weight of the horns above, or to swallow back the worry that he might decide to leave them locked up to starve after all.

The bell of the shop rang with a disgustingly joyful tinkling, crinkling their nose into a grimace. Luckily, they were able to fix their expression into something more neutral as Raphael removed the invisibility spell that kept them hidden.

“So,” the tiefling shopkeeper peered over her glasses, “this is what all the fuss is about?”

“Uphold your bargain and you will find your competitor out of business by the end of the tenday.” Raphael replied, before gesturing towards the incubus. “They require proper clothing. Should you supply something that meets their needs, you will have my repeat business.”

“Surely someone in one of the hells would be a more appropriate choice to dress a devil such as yourself.” She shrugged, stepping around the counter nonetheless. Her outfit, Haarlep noted, was plain but well fitted. A measuring tape was draped around her shoulders, and numerous pins were strategically held in the apron of her dress along with a couple of pouches holding scissors and threads.

“They are not me. Which is information that will not be leaving this room, unless you particularly relish the idea of centuries in the hells as a pathetic lemure.” His voice left no room for argument, a confidence that seemed a strong contrast to the whimpering and begging mess he had been at the end of the previous night. Haarlep watched closely. They had a role as a spy to uphold, after all.

“They look exactly like you.” The tailor walked around Haarlep now, assessing them in a way that felt far too much like their first meeting with Raphael the day before. Their tail flicked behind them, still unused to the smooth tip in place of the arrowhead shape of their own body. Their body…which now seemed more like an outfit that had been zipped up into a neat little bag and stored away in a locked closet out of their reach. But he had the key. That’s all that mattered.

“You need new glasses, they look nothing like me.” Raphael’s absurd response snapped Haarlep back out of their thoughts. He transformed swiftly into his fiendish appearance, and gestured to the incubus as the tiefling looked back and forth between the two. “See? The ruse would only fool someone who lacks insight.”

The tiefling seemed to agree to appease him as she began to take notes on the fittings in a small book from her pocket. Haarlep, on the other hand, was stuck on his words. They were a near perfect copy, they knew that. The deal they made was important, and they had made sure to memorise his body as carefully as he had theirs…though perhaps… His eyes met theirs for a moment, a light hint of a blush behind already crimson cambion cheeks.

—

“You should undress.” The tailor stepped back and gestured to a partitioned area of the store, as Raphael pulled his gaze from the incubus’ blazing eyes.

He was perplexed. How did she not see the obvious differences? This wasn’t a mirror before him - not quite. He swore he could see the green in the depths of their eyes, the curve of their jaw and shape of their ears a little sharper of an angle than his own. The way they moved was certainly no copy, either… That would need some work later, he decided. The sway of their hips was decidedly too seductive-

“You didn’t tell me what you want me to make for them.” The tiefling was eyeing him over the rim of her glasses. “There was all the rush to be available immediately, but as you are unsatisfied with them wearing your own clothes I assume it is to be something different. Something bespoke.”

“What do you think?” Raphael looked down at her, for a moment forgetting to choose his words more carefully to keep the power balance strongly in his favour.

“Clothes have a purpose, Raphael. They must not only fit the wearer, but be appropriate for the role they must fill. One who is your copy, yet is not supposed to fill your usual role? I need more information than that.” She tapped her pen on her notebook, not bothering to turn around as Haarlep stepped out from behind the screen in only the loose silken underwear he’d given them. Even those seemed like a terrible match…

“Start from the undergarments. My outer clothes will suffice for any other needs for a time.” He gestured over to the incubus standing proudly, and almost entirely naked, in the middle of the shop.

—

“Arms out.” The tiefling was clearly unperturbed by Haarlep’s almost naked form as they followed her instruction, mildly amused at the little stepladder she had to use to reach their shoulder. Raphael had taken a seat over to one side, watching closely but mostly leaving the woman to her work.

“If he told you to work from undergarments, why do you need the measure of my arms?” They couldn’t help but feel perplexed by her choice.

“It would be a shame to cover you up, what with all these muscles,” she cast a tentative glance at Raphael for a moment though he seemed not to care in the slightest, “but clothing doesn’t just cover. The right garments can enhance what you have instead.”

Haarlep laughed, the first genuine moment of amusement all day breaking the tension that had been eating at the back of their mind. “I assure you, I do not need any of my anatomy to be enhanced.” They licked their lips seductively and glanced down. “I can prove it, if you like~”

“Not here, Harlot.” Raphael snapped, earning their impudent tongue-out expression as a response. “Just…work with her. Find something you would be comfortable in.”

Their expression changed just as quickly again, switching to one of quiet contemplation. Comfort? He hadn’t been concerned with their comfort before now. Even in his sleep, it had been a fight to keep enough of the sheets to cover themselves. The contract had been business, the deal itself pleasure, and all they shared since was…confusing was about the only way they could describe it.

“What would you like? Are there any materials or styles you prefer? Or is there a particular look you wish to emulate?” The tiefling had largely ignored their quips and offer, measuring their chest and waist easily, now wrapping the tape around their hips.

“Leather has its appeal…” Haarlep considered the options, the purpose they would have in Raphael’s deals. “Something close fitting - cover as little as you can - and it must project power.” Their eyes flashed across to their Master, as he would call his role, who remained nonplussed…aside from the momentary flick of his tail betraying a hint of the thoughts behind his calm expression.

“Is that agreeable?” The tailor turned to Raphael herself now, looking for his approval as the one purchasing the garments.

“Whatever they want. I will reserve my judgement for when I see the look complete.” Even his voice was measured and calm. “Do you have everything you need?”

“Yes, yes. That will do.” She finished measuring their inner leg with a quick and practised motion, avoiding any intimate contact much to Haarlep’s disappointment. They were wondering if the cambion might squirm in his seat if they let themselves get a little excited by the simple touch-

“Go and get dressed again. There is more to do.” Raphael distracted them from their amused thoughts. It was hard not to roll their eyes at his tone, but they held their reaction in check for now.

Until they could be certain, until they had proof of what he was really going to be like… They didn’t want to test their luck. Though they were sated now - the deal had been more than an adequate feast - their body still remembered hunger. Their nerves recalled too easily how they could ache if left untouched, unfed. Their heart was far too familiar with the hurt of trying to get by with nothing but their name and a bare shred of hope that they were still pretty enough to secure a meal...

And now they didn’t even have that name, nor the body they cared for so carefully to ensure they wouldn’t starve.

The clothes they pulled on behind the screen once more felt as ill-fitting as their skin, laced with those same clashing scents that Raphael wore to cover the hint of the infernal that lingered around any who travelled in and out of the hells.

At least that was something they might be able to change.

—

Raphael paid the tailor an advance for the materials, tracking in his mind exactly which pawns he would need to move to ensure the rest of that deal was upheld. Behind him, the incubus seemed just as uncomfortable as they had been in front of the portal, when he had snapped at them.

He sighed and rubbed at the wrinkle forming at the bridge of his nose. He would need to be more careful with how he treated the spy. It didn’t matter much what Mephisto found out from them, but if he were to be so foolish as to allow himself to spend the night naked and vulnerable with them again… A shudder crept uninvited down his spine as he cast the invisibility upon them once more. That was dangerous. Foolish. If he were to die here in the streets of Faerun it would be little more than a painful inconvenience. He would simply reappear in Avernus.

But if he were to be slain in the hells?

He pushed the thought from his mind, resolving himself to be more careful. Haarlep must know their place, but should not be backed into a corner. They were strong, cunning, and they were likely to learn more of his own weaknesses by living in his body.

“Before we go,” they almost startled him, unseen hand on his shoulder and voice quiet near his ear, “I should like to stop at a perfumery.”

“And why would that be?” Raphael hissed back, pausing with his hand on the door.

“Your fragrance… It isn’t quite right. There are too many scents in there battling for dominance. You should have something complex, but not overwhelming.” Haarlep didn’t sound insulting, despite the implications of their words.

It took barely a moment to cast Sending, projecting his voice to their mind and allowing the reply to come back to him silently from their thoughts. Perhaps conversing might be acceptable like this, especially on his own terms as he would have to initiate each part.

—

It took a while to find a place that Haarlep approved of. Raphael even seemed willing to indulge them in a little more casual conversation as they walked, the sendings passing back and forth. In truth, the first shop might have been truly atrocious but the second was more than acceptable. Yet here they were, at the door to the fifth.

“Please tell me this one is good enough for you. I have contracts to write and precious little time to waste on further frivolous ventures.” Somehow Raphael always seemed to use up every one of the 25 words the spell allowed, his voice echoing in their head.

For a moment, Haarlep wondered if their reply would sound like they did now, the echo of Raphael’s own deep tones filtering into his mind like his own thoughts betraying him, or perhaps… “It seems like it will suffice. As long as nobody tries to spray you as soon as you walk through the door. Again.”

They slipped through the door behind him as he entered the shop, careful not to allow the door to remain open for a suspicious amount of time. They kept their steps light and took a good look around the place. It might not have been as substantial as the third establishment, but they were fast running out of options.

“As you are so insistent that I require something different, I suggest you tell me what the ingredients might be, Harlot. Make it quick, though.”

“Pick up the bottles I point at and hold them so I can sniff them.” Haarlep replied quickly, already pointing to a few.

“Can I help you?” The elderly shopkeeper was watching Raphael closely, and seemed anxious in his silence.

“If I bring you several of your scents, can you make something based on those?” Raphael gestured to the shelves as he asked, earning a smile from the man behind the desk as he continued. “I will, of course, pay you handsomely should your perfume meet my exacting standards.” The flicker of his eyes towards the incubus was for them alone this time, but the perfumier seemed to already be counting his profits.

“Yes, yes! Go ahead, I have many years of experience, I’m sure I can mix just the thing for you!”

Without the sending to reply to, Haarlep could only gesture invisibly as needed. Several bottles were pulled from shelves and opened with dramatically wide gestures to waft the scent closer to where they stood.

It was difficult to decide, but there had to be a balance. The cherries suited him, and something strong would have to disguise the hints of the hells that carried on his clothes and skin after travelling between planes. Something spicy too, and the blend needed an allure that could draw in a wide range of potential clients.

And, naturally, it mustn’t clash with cinnamon.

All of this was relayed to the perfumier who made notes with impressive speed for a man of his years, selecting and rejecting several of the bottles himself. Eventually he seemed ready to mix a selection of oils into a glass flask, balancing it out with the base and blending the scents carefully.

“Palmarosa, black pepper, cherry…”

“The contents matter less than the result. May I?” Raphael took the bottle that was handed over, waving it dramatically through the air once more. “Ahh, interesting.” He looked over to Haarlep, finally allowing a Sending. It was not lost on them how he controlled even their private communication for now… “Well? I have no objections to this one. Quite to the contrary, it seems very fitting. I may concede that you both have adequate taste.”

“Finally,” they began, unable to hide their frustration at being left to mime for so long. “It’s close, but it needs one more thing. Not much, but it needs some cinnamon. If I am to play your role, that is…”

“Agreed. There must be as few loose ends as possible. Our scents should match as closely as our appearance, voice…” This time he didn’t use the limit of the spell’s words. He seemed momentarily torn and distracted before he stopped pretending to sniff the bottle and handed it back to the man waiting expectantly at the counter. “A little cinnamon, and that will suffice.”

“Of course!” The perfumier seemed delighted by the suggestion. “Warmth and spice, to balance out the bitter and cold edge, an unusual blend but it should work quite nicely, quite nicely indeed!”

—

Several very long minutes later, the pair were back out on the street with a small bag in hand and an order left with the Perfumier to prepare a much larger batch along with some infused soaps and candles.

The journey back to the portal was somewhat swifter and than before, but at least the time of day meant the sun was now more of a pleasant warmth than a blinding presence above. Raphael kept a swift pace, though with his human guise his stride was somewhat shorter than the incubus’ who had a far more relaxed stroll behind him.

The mansion holding the portal was just as empty as it had been before, and Raphael made a mental note to contact Blackcloak soon. The mage might have been driven mad in the past, but he was still powerful, useful, if he remembered to hold up his end of certain contracts. The cambion shuddered… Halaster had once come far too close to binding him into service. That would not stand. Neither would he allow-

Haarlep tapped his shoulder. A quick gesture and mime a reminder that they were following his instruction not to speak out loud.

Raphael dismissed the invisibility and turned to face the incubus. They were quiet a moment longer, expression unreadable as they awaited his instruction. “The day appears to have passed us by far faster than intended.” He broke the silence first, the insignificant statement preferable to the uncomfortable stagnation of the air hanging heavily around them as if still carrying the echoes of earlier words spoken in haste. “Well, time does fly, so they say.” Haarlep shrugged, a hint of mischief tugging at their lips once more. “I always favoured the night, anyway.”

--- --- ENDING NOTES --- --- A little more angst and plot for our dear incubus, but the night is theirs and that's where the next chapter will lead.

Keep Reading the Next Chapter Here!

#baldurs gate 3 #bg3 fanfiction #haarlep #bg3 raphael #the scent of cinnamon #fanfic #bg3 #prequel #bg3 prequel #Spotify

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tavyliasin · 9 days

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The Scent of Cinnamon 3 - The Deal, The Devil, and The Promise Beyond

--- Summary: Haarlep reaches the conclusion of the deal, but is in no rush to end the encounter before both of them are fully satisfied. The night, just like their body, must be unforgettable... Pairing: Raphael/Haarlep SPICE Rating: 4/5 Content Warnings: Power Play, Oral Sex, Anal Sex, Aphrodisiac, Mild Praise Kink, Porn with Plot, Mild Pain Play

Spoilers Vague House of Hope and Act 3, but most of this series is focused on what came before. Canon Compliance As before this is now taking on my canon and headcanons for this section. Other Notes This is the final part of their first night together, but I really wanted it to have time and impact to settle in fully.

Song Pairing La La Lh by The Dirty Youth "So Erotic To feel your touch I need your body I need it so much Give into passion Lets let go So electric Enjoy the show Pull me closer And treat me right I need affection From you tonight You know you’ve got me You’ve got control So take my body Seduce my soul And when you tell me to make no sound I’m singing la la la la la lah"

--- FULL CHAPTER BELOW THE CUT --- ---

The Deal, The Devil, and The Promise Beyond

Haarlep took a moment longer to look down at the one who would own them, the one who would deign to take everything they were and transform it, steeling themselves for the loss that would follow. But for now? Now, they were only winning their prize. Perhaps it would be more satisfying to see the fiend come completely undone once they had suffered his presence for longer, but for now, at least, they were pleased by his insatiable lust. Of course, his stamina left something to be desired, but this was nothing unusual in an inexperienced lover encountering one of their kind for the first time. Taking him now… Haarlep had the chance to find out exactly how to break him down and shape him to their will in the process.

They ran their claws down Raphael’s shivering body - a lighter touch, for the moment. As anticipated, the cambion was already sensitive to the slightest motion of air across his tense muscles and sweat-slick skin. Haarlep sank to their knees, quickly hoisting his thighs over their shoulders before he had a chance to complain. A cleverly pointed tongue traced the ridged lines and visible veins along the inner edge of their new master’s knee, allowing themselves a slight smirk of satisfaction as they felt him quiver slightly in their iron grip, fingers digging into his thighs.

“Must you be so-” His voice faltered as they allowed their teeth to pierce his skin, gently but with meaning.

“Do not judge, Archduke, until you have tasted the depths of bliss with your own lips.” Haarlep continued their indecent descent, intent on teasing every last moment of anticipation out of Raphael’s throat in stuttered gasps. They refused the pleasure of returned touch this time, keeping their arms beneath him, lifting his hips, spreading him before them - ready to be devoured.

—

The incubus was deceptively strong. Though perhaps not in the ways one might expect - Raphael noted how they instinctively shifted his weight in their grip, manoeuvring him to exactly where they wanted him. Haarlep’s fingers clawed into his flesh, their tongue-

He writhed in their grip, unsure if he wanted to escape the near-ticklish sensation of their most lascivious kiss or press himself harder against them to feel more, to encourage them to go further. Haarlep gave him no time to find the answer to that particular conundrum, however, as their aphrodisiac-coated tongue worked its way inside, consuming his lust-filled moans with it.

Feeling them beginning to devour him in the most intimate manner… It was all at once too much and not enough. Raphael wanted them to stop, to let him find some semblance of conscious thought to cling to in the storm of their passions, but the only word that found its way to the tip of his tongue was “more”. And even that single syllable of need was swallowed up in the building carnal thirst that left his throat parched.

They pressed their tongue deeper, drawing the breath from the fiend’s lungs again with a whine that sounded damned near pitiful for one who aimed to rule over all the hells. If he couldn’t even rule over his own-

Haarlep added a single finger and nearly drove him over the edge with the motion of a single claw pressing exactly where he didn’t know he needed it. Raphael felt himself tightening and quivering around the intrusion, quickly realising that there was plenty the incubus could show him of physical pleasure.

—

Haarlep continued to tease and pleasure their new master, delighting in how his body reacted. It had been a long time since they had been able to feed so thoroughly on this much energy, and it was deeply satisfying to play with their food. Withdrawing their tongue, they continued to use their hand to ease him into the motion. Their tail reached for a bottle of oil on the bedside, pouring a thin line of it over their fingers before adding a second digit carefully. They could be rougher - they could drive him to the edge of his sanity - but they had all night. They were determined to make every moment last, so he would never forget how it felt to have their claws tease every sensitive nerve inside his body.

The incubus began to scissor their fingers, gradually and slowly letting him relax in their experienced hands, training the fiend for what was to follow. “Good, Archduke,” they soothed him with a little praise, even though their voice carried the dark hint of threat laced between honeyed words. “Make sure you feel every single second, sear my touch into your body, and know that no other will ever bring you such satisfaction.”

Haarlep added a third finger to the stretch, tasting the sweat that beaded on his parted thighs, denying him any further pleasures…for now. For all his verbose nature, Raphael was devoid of any reply beyond a low moan. A moan that was every bit as satisfying as seeing his eyes squeeze closed with the sensation of hedonistic indulgence. Perhaps later they might wish to silence him properly, to deny him the ability to watch them, maybe even wall him off from all sensation except their touch…but that would not suffice this night.

—

Raphael felt the fingers withdraw again, the emptiness and cold of the oil exposed to the air pulling a sigh from him without his permission. He sounded so…needy. Even he could tell that much, and the hint of a derisive laugh from the incubus confirmed how ridiculous he must look. But…it didn’t matter, did it? The deal was a necessity, and their ministrations were hardly unpleasant-

“Look at me, Archduke.” Their impatient voice snapped him out of the stray thoughts he had begun to drift towards, as he noticed they were kneeling upright again, gazing down with great interest.

His eyes drifted lower, to where their hand was distributing more oil-

“That’s it, take a good look again. You will feel it soon enough, all of it.” Haarlep’s tail curled forward to caress his throat. “Your wicked tongue should already remember the taste of me upon it, your mouth will not forget the feel of me filling it.”

Raphael swallowed involuntarily. Every time they spoke, reminding him of how it felt, to taste their skin, to feel their pulse on his lips-

“Good.” They grinned, running a single clawed finger from his knee to his inner thigh, relishing in how he shivered under their touch. “Now we will ensure the rest of your body remembers me.”

“Must you always talk so much?” He complained despite himself, the edge of impatience growing as his body longed to feel everything the incubus was offering.

“How easily you forget,” they chided him again, their claw digging in more harshly as they reached the line of his hip, “that even my voice will become yours. Perhaps I should sing to you, to ensure your ears will echo with a lullaby dedicated to your own sins? Ah, but it would be a shame to miss the sounds that you can make…the sound you will make when you utter my name at the peak of your pleasure, the depth of your debauchery, the moment you give yourself completely to me.”

—

Haarlep watched Raphael’s blazing eyes widen a little - whether through fear, anticipation, or arousal, it did not particularly matter. They began to position themselves over him, wings spreading out above them to cast an eerie shadow over his crimson skin that glistened with sweat. A simple position to start, one that would allow them control and let the cambion become accustomed to the experience. Some might consider it a little plain, but in their experience, simplicity was often the better choice.

Besides, this way he would have to look at them, to know they were above him, to feel how small he was beneath them-

“Please-” he began, before regaining his composure, as if he was remembering the last shred of pride he still gripped tighter than the silk sheets balled in his fists. “Do not keep me waiting too long, else I might reconsider-”

“You would not come this far - or this many times - to let opportunity pass you by now.” Haarlep bit the tip of his nose playfully, lining up their hips so he could feel just the heat of their tip tantalisingly close to his aching and oil-slicked hole. The slightest touch had him biting his lip. “You need me. And I need you. It is not distasteful to lay with you, there are far worse ways to spend a night.” The brief shiver of memory slithered through their mind, quickly chased back by their rising ambition, the dream of the life they wanted refusing to be stopped by even the slightest hint of fear. This was security, their future in a simple deal - though they were not lying. The more they felt of him, the more they wanted…

“And you did not come here to tease me until we both die of old age.” Raphael’s attempts to be firm were not matched by the wavering of his voice and his lust speeding his pulse into a roar.

“If I wanted to tease you, I would not satisfy you until you were begging. Your voice would be hoarse before I gave you even an inch.” They took the moment to press inside him as they spoke, their smile widening as his head pushed back into the pillows. “There, you see? I could have kept you waiting far longer. Do you want more? Or is this enough to please you?”

The cambion had run out of smart replies again, although his lips did at least answer the kiss they pressed against him. Their tongue caressed his as he opened himself to them fully, relaxing a little as their sweet poison began to spread once more.

They gave him a minute longer in their kiss, ensuring he had all he needed, relishing how they could steal his breath just by pushing an inch deeper. They moved back again as they withdrew their lips, pausing as they held his gaze with their own. “You are…delicious, my Archduke.” The incubus gently bit Raphael’s lower lip, pulling a little before they sank back into him, another fraction further than before. “That’s it, take your time. Do not be too greedy just yet, I will ensure you have everything you desire when you are ready.”

—

It was achingly slow to be stretched moment by moment, Haarlep not even trying to set any kind of a pace. Raphael knew they were drawing it out… There was no chance he would be able to forget a single contour of their shape. Even their body above him was in such sharp detail, the texture of their skin, the way the shadows danced across their features, the colour of their eyes never leaving his-

He inhaled slowly as they pressed inside him again. Deeper, yet still far from their full length. The cambion found himself longing for more contact, to feel more than just one part of their body, to know what their pulse felt like as it raced within their chest.

“Touch all you wish to.” They smiled as his hand had found its way to the spot above their heart without his notice. “Take your fill of my body just as I will take my fill of yours~”

Emboldened by their encouragement, Raphael ran his other hand up the length of their arm, the soft feel of their skin a harsh contrast to the sharp muscle beneath. Their hair slipped forward over their shoulder as they moved forward again, claiming another inch of him from within, their pulse strong and clear through his fingertips drifting along their ribs.

Haarlep moaned a soft encouragement, and the sound of their voice had his body responding and tightening around them as it sought to draw them in.

His tail curled, moving to caress their leg, feeling how their thigh tensed as they moved, finally beginning a slow rhythm that built the friction against his nerves. The taste of their cinnamon lips was still palpable on his own, but they seemed to deny the kiss that he chased as he leaned up to meet them.

“Ah, no more of that for now~” They almost seemed hesitant to refuse him. “I will not have you lose your mind completely. There is a limit even to what your kind can take, and this-” they finally filled him, hips flush to his own, “-this is what you need more, is it not?”

—

Haarlep could see Raphael struggle for a moment as he bit his lip, but the concern slipped away as his hips pressed towards them, urging them to continue. The way his tail curled around their own was not lost on them either…

The would-be Archduke of the Nine Hells was needy, wanting, and thoroughly melting beneath them. His formerly perfectly neatened hair was falling loose around his face, framing the lust-drenched expression in a mess upon the silk of the pillows. A portrait of a face they would soon see in the mirror, though they would never allow themselves to look so…undignified.

They reminded themselves once more, a means to an end, even as they felt their hunger subsiding with every moment that they continued to draw the pleasure from his lips in hot breaths and sweet little noises. And they were; sweet, like sugared cherries, a dessert they could savour for hours.

For his part, Raphael was not wasting the encouragement to feel the shape of their body. His touch moved with hesitation, almost reverently - he was taking the deal seriously, at least. Maybe it was just the physical stimulus driving the natural surge of emotions, but the crease in his brow wasn’t softening. Haarlep shifted the balance of their weight onto a single hand, drifting the other down in a caress that had the fiend beneath them writhing on the sheets even as their fingers only traced the contours of the ridges over taut muscles. Quivering. Twitching. When they reached their destination, they were almost certain he would cover their hand in a second, and yet he bit his lip hard enough to draw blood. He was holding back. For them.

“Good boy~” The incubus praised him, smirking in satisfaction as they felt him struggle to hold back more at their words. That would be interesting to toy with… “I wonder what this will feel like for you…all of these-�� they teased along his length as they spoke, “ridges, the notches and textures~ Will they please you more than this?” Raphael gasped as they punctuated their sentence with a harsher thrust, beginning to pick up the momentum as his muscles clenched around them.

“You’ll know soon enough, to feel yourself inside and out, to know how pleasurable it is when you tighten-” Haarlep squeezed their fingers around him for a moment, “-and how you pulse, how you greedily take it all in.” —

The cambion was long past the point of forming any coherent response. Every word they said only drove him closer to the edge he was avoiding. Would it be over the moment he released this time? Or was it their own climax that would finalise the deal? He held Haarlep’s name on his tongue, gripped their shoulder and waist with his hands, and dedicated his mind to retaining every part of the night in his memory.

The incubus slowed, drawing their touch lighter across him, seeming just as willing to prolong their coupling. Their eyes were bright, searing right through him as they found everything his body wanted and needed from them.

They kept talking, narrating their actions as his mind grew as white-hot as his body, nerves seared with a single screaming sensation: pleasure.

No succubus nor incubus before them had ever reached Raphael’s room. No other fiend had lain in his bed. Even the passing dalliances with mortals he bedded to secure their allegiances…they were barely an ember to the inferno of carnal delight that Haarlep drew from him in every motion. Their words echoed in his mind - how would it feel to be filled by his own form, to see his face reflected back at him, to hear his own voice chastise him just as they did whilst pressing their thumb to a particularly sensitive point- Raphael would not last much longer like this.

—

Haarlep increased their pace, finding the rhythm that made the cambion’s eyes begin to glaze over with the inevitable conclusion of their deal.

“Tell me, Archduke... Let me hear it clearly now; Who is your master in this room? Who is it that you give your body over to? Whose memory will you burn into your soul in every intricate detail?” They felt the pressure building in him, watching his expression change as he fought against every overwhelming sensation they thrust into his quivering body. “Raphael, whose name will you-”

“Haarlep-!” Their name filled the room, surrounding the pair as both relinquished their hold over their own climax and unleashed their carnal delight with a rush of infernal flame swirling around them. The deal was done, and so was he.

Their wings fluttered slightly behind them as they allowed the intoxicating sensations to sweep through their entire form. The incubus could feel the shape of the cambion’s bones, the tension of his muscles, even the bruising grip of his tail, the way they filled him so completely-

The flames grew brighter as it began. Out of courtesy, they slowly withdrew from him - it would be too much to experience those ridges for the first time right now.

It only took an instant to an observer, but to Haarlep it could feel like an eternity to embody a new form. Not that they would ever show it, of course. Every shape they claimed this way took some getting used to. Their horns were larger now, their body more masculine, their hair far shorter and the spade tip of their tail had melted away to the smooth whip-like tip of Raphael’s. The ridges of their flesh were unfamiliar - like scars of battles they hadn’t fought - in neat and regular patterns, their skin now the perfectly mirrored crimson of the sweat-slick flesh of the cambion who was laying still beneath them.

“There. And I even sound the part, too.” Haarlep tested their new voice. Deeper, but their inflections still carried through. It was his, but something of theirs remained. The thought was a small comfort as they took a deep breath. “The deal is done.”

“That…that’s it?” The echoed voice was wavering, a soft vibrato born of pleasured exhaustion.

The incubus knelt upright above him again, idly examining their hand covered in the evidence of their contract. The ink it was signed in, one might say, if they were feeling particularly unsavoury. They licked it from their fingers whilst maintaining eye contact, making their point very clear. “Was that not enough for you? You’ll have more soon enough - unless you keep me well enough fed with your clients. Although I’m not opposed to entertaining you purely for your own pleasure~”

—

Raphael looked up at the sight of Haarlep - of himself - kneeling above him. It was unnervingly like a mirror, but one with a slight fog on it, a little warp to the silver beneath the glass. The differences would be almost invisible to someone who didn’t know better, but where he had seen his own form reflected for his entire life…he could tell. And he could see the discomfort behind their expression, too.

The cambion fought off the exhaustion threatening to overtake his spent body and mind, as he indicated the pool on the other side of the room. “Over there. We can rest, recover.”

“How little you think of my stamina, that this would be my limit~” Haarlep’s voice was like an echo of his own, albeit with a far more playful tone. He would have to remember this, to put an edge of seduction into his voice when dealing with clients who might be gifted the services of the incubus inhabiting his shape. They continued, nonetheless, in the same easy and musical pattern. “Very well, if you insist. You can hardly walk the halls as the dignified Master of the House looking such a mess, can you?”

“I’m not going to beg your forgiveness for not having the stamina of one of your kind.” Raphael snapped back, though not unkindly. The deal done meant they both had what they wanted for now, but he would not trade more of his dignity for their favour. The power balance of their agreement was beginning to become clearer to him, and the potential implications… Thought for another time.

Haarlep remained by his side, yet made no attempt to help him as his shaking arms pushed him up to a sitting position. They watched still, as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, finally stretching the wings that had been pinned beneath him throughout their encounter.

The cambion stumbled as he tried to stand - his legs not willing to bear his weight just yet - and it was at that moment that the incubus moved. They were swift. One arm wrapped around his waist, the other pulling his own around their shoulder. Their tail teased the back of his leg in a motion somewhere between affection and a mockery of his sudden lack of strength.

“Come along, then, Master. We shall clean you up and discuss what must follow.” Haarlep began to lead him, setting their pace just a little faster than was comfortable. Another show of power, a reminder that they had taken control from him in his own house? Perhaps. But the feel of the soothing water on his skin melted those concerns away in an instant.

—

Haarlep was, of course, very familiar with the concept of aftercare, but they could also tell that Raphael was not going to make any of that simple. The waters of the pool were heated and strongly scented with a mix of fragrances that didn’t particularly match. They helped him sit waist deep on one of the levelled steps near the edge, bowls of soaps, flowers, and even food all laid out nearby.

Raphael frowned, beginning to complain as they nudged his hand away from where it reached for the cloth and picked it up instead. “This is hardly necessary-”

“How quickly you forget who is in control in this room, Archduke~” They mocked him a little with their tone, even as they lathered a little lotion into the cloth and began to clean the slick from his shoulders. “Relax. The hard part is over, for now~”

Raphael sighed - it was unclear whether this was at the innuendo in their words or the relaxation of their thumbs teasing the knots from his muscles. Knots that quickly reformed as he contemplated the implications of what they’d just said. “What exactly do you mean ‘for now’?”

“Your ambitions are as impressive as your sudden lapse in memory~ Perhaps I should take that as a compliment, that I have so thoroughly fucked your brains out.” The last part was whispered into his ear, and Haarlep could feel the shiver of arousal that passed through him for a moment, disappointingly swiftly chased away by the lingering afterglow of satisfaction. That didn’t matter, it would be better to take their time to get used to wearing his body before using it. “There will be plenty to discuss in the coming weeks - if you uphold your end of our deal.”

“Hell has its laws, Haarlep,” he spoke plainly, meeting their eyes for a moment with the same strength and audacity he had when they had first walked into his home a mere few hours past, “and I expect you to keep to them as closely as I do.”

“Oh but of course~” They took a moment to feel the impact of their new name being used clearly again. It would take some time before it felt like a comfortable fit, much like the body they wore, but it was better than no name at all. Even being called Harlot was better than the painful absence of identity. They moved to begin washing his hair, relishing the soft little moan that slipped from his lips. “There, better?”

“I am perfectly capable of caring for myself, you know.” The cambion’s complaint did not match his motion as he leaned against their shoulder, his horns grazing their skin. Although, as they noted, no blood was drawn. No wounds. Thick skin, in more ways than one, would be a useful trait for them to share.

“You most certainly are, Raphael,” Haarlep muttered quietly, wondering how long the moment might last where he was willing to be softer, more vulnerable. They could feel the magic infused in the waters healing the abrasions from where their bare feet had walked the hells, a few lingering aches of their new transformation finally beginning to subside. The pool would certainly be useful, and it would be interesting to test the limits of what the cambion might find pleasing.

Hours passed as they cleaned their bodies and rested, sated, in what was their new home.

Home…The incubus paused as the word crossed their mind, brow furrowing as they idly caressed the shoulder of the cambion now peacefully drifting into a light sleep as he rested against them.

Perhaps this would be a suitable home. Both the building and the body they now wore. They hadn’t stayed in one place, or even one form other than their own, for longer than they could remember. There was certainly a safety in the prospect of a floating mansion drifting across the lava plains of Avernus, of allying themselves with a cambion of powerful lineage, and of course their less-than-secret espionage deal with that same lineage. There was also security in appearing to be the master of that very house. It would be quite unlikely for someone to stroll in to Raphael’s bedroom and attack someone who appeared to be him. They smoothed down their damp hair, already drying in the heat of the hells, and carefully scooped the slumbering cambion into their arms, holding him against their chest. It was difficult to stand like this, but their tail was still strong, and their wings added further stability as they rose from the water. They noted with some satisfaction that the few debtors wandering the halls had at least crept in quietly and changed the sheets of the bed for them, more refreshments on the small tables standing on either side.

Snaking their tail out to lift the top sheet aside, Haarlep laid Raphael carefully down on the mattress, taking another moment to study his face. His appearance now would be immortalised in their own, each little wrinkle that had already formed in his early centuries etched upon their brow, the way his hair curled softly upwards at the end laying against their neck… Their shoulders felt bare without their long hair falling across them, and their head felt heavier as they laid their head back onto the pillows.

Raphael seemed so peaceful, though the hint of a frown still remained as his wings curled over his shoulders. However, it was the feeling of his tail subtly curling around their wrist and pulling them closer that caught them off guard.

Master of the house indeed, Haarlep mused as they acquiesced to the silent request and rolled to embrace him. You’re not even the master of your own dreams, not yet. Their eyes drifted closed as they rested their chin against the top of his head, the scent of too many perfumes wrinkling their nose. They would have to do something about that, later.

Later…

You’ve brought a hypocrite to your own bed, Raphael. The incubus chided themselves as the edge of sleep began to wrap around them, warmer than the body beside them. I came here with dreams even grander than your own…it is up to you now which of them I might claim. Don’t let me down, Archduke.

--- --- ENDING NOTES --- ---

Finally they have sealed the deal, but at what cost? The storm might be over, but the aftermath is going to have a little more impact than either realise... Are we loading our darling Haarlep up with more angst? Oh I do believe we are loves, but trust me, it will be worth it~

CHAPTER 4 CONTINUES THE STORY HERE!

#the scent of cinnamon #baldurs gate 3 #bg3 fanfiction #haarlep #bg3 raphael #bg3 #fanfic #ao3fic #haarlep x raphael #nsft #Spotify

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