forum “You’re a pain in my ass.” “That’s Miss Pain In My Ass to you.”

Started July 15, 2023 by @emilyevewrites group

tune

(Felt that… 😅)

Emaria immediately glared at him for the way he spoke to her. "I thought you were some kind of noble soldier on a mission," she retorted, crossing her arms over her chest to cover her cleavage. Well, as much of it as she could. Her bra wasn't very sturdy, and it didn't leave much to the imagination. "Not some horny male who demands women around for the hells of it."

She remained where she was, electing instead to watch him sit on the cave floor instead. Her entire body was tight and trembling from the cold. Imagining the feeling of his warm body pressing against her almost had her caving in and sitting down beside him. But the stupid stubbornness that she had inherited from her father flared up, and she stayed put.

The half-fae scoffed, and the air around them suddenly warmed for a split second. It was gone before either of them could really enjoy it. And Emaria hadn't even realized that she'd done it. She was too focused on her anger, directed entirely at Aedion. "You're a pig," she snarled, though she was steadily trembling worse

(I've just been so burnt out lately. If I was smart, I'd take a week or two break but I feel too guilty XD)

Aedion snorted, shaking his head. If only she knew the truth. He supposed he could tell her. It might be easier if he did so she would stop whining and complaining. But then if she knew, it was a risk if she was captured. In the small chance that she was captured, the less she knew, the better. It was why she knew nothing about him other than his name. And that he was very skilled with the weapons he had strapped to his body. It was just better this way.

He was not horny. How could he be with he dreadful weather? He was too cold to be able to do anything. Nothing would get up with how cold it was. And even if he was, it wouldn't be for her. She wasn't his type. Well, he didn't really have a type but it wasn't her. He was doing her a favor by allowing her to come with him. He was getting her out of that awful town and taking her far away where her talents might be useful. And she would be free to use them as soon as she was out of this kingdom.

He felt the slight shift in the air, the briefness of warm air, and it was gone before he could open his mouth. He looked at her curiously but he made no comment on it. Nothing was worth it if she couldn't summon it for more than a second. And now was not the time as she thought he was currently trying to fuck her. Which he wasn't, for the second.

Aedion rolled his eyes. "Believe me fae, if I wanted you under me, you would be. This is purely for your survival." Him, not as much. He had dealt with worse conditions and survived it. He would be miserable, but he would survive. He knew his limits. But with their bodies sharing heat, it would be more comfortable for both of them. She was trembling she was so cold. She had never done anything like this before. She wasn't one of his soldiers, he reminded himself. She's just a girl leaving home for the first time in her life.

His expression softened, perhaps for the first time in his life. "You're freezing. Please, let me help warm you. If any hands wonder, feel free to hit me." Not that he would wonder but perhaps that would give her some piece of mind.

(I understand that a lot. If you need to take a break, then do it bestie. If anyone makes you feel guilty for prioritizing your own mental health, then drop their ass.)

Emaria arched his eyebrows as he snorted. Maybe he wasn't the good soldier she'd thought him to be. Well, he couldn't be worse than the ones he'd killed back at the Steel Candle. But he wasn't a god either. Acting like he was above everything else… She was only here because she didn't have any other options. She'd thought that talking to him in the tavern would give her a glimpse of the world. When the opportunity came for her to actually leave with him and experience it, Emaria thought she'd been given the chance of a lifetime. Now… was she regretting it?

Her magic picked up on the note of confusion that passed across his face. "What?" she demanded. "Why are you looking at me like that.

Her mouth dropped open at his next comment. "As if!" she snapped, rolling her eyes immediately. "I'm not that easy to get. The show I put on back there was a distraction for you! That you didn't even take, might I add!"

Emaria dropped her arms and stalked toward him with narrowed eyes, and it was then that the bruises on her arm and inner thigh were more visible. Aedion might even be able to see the blossomed bruises around her breast from how hard the captain had been groping her while she sat in his lap.

For whatever reason it was, his demeanor softened. Emaria waited another few seconds before relenting and lowering herself down to the ground next to him. "Fine," she muttered. She shifted around for another moment, trying to get herself comfortable against the cold cave floor. "And I already told you… I'm only half fae."

It wasn't as though Aedion was being unnecessarily cruel or trying to hurt her. There was no turning back now, unless she wished to brave it herself. It would be up to her if she remembered the way back to her little village. He would not help her. Not after the murder scene he had left in her little tavern. The further away he went, the better. He would need to stalk supplies soon and he prayed he found no trouble. He would be in and out. An hour or two of his time and they would be gone, back on the road. He had never asked for to come with him nor had he really wanted it. But one thing led to another and now here they were.

He didn't respond to her demand. It was better to leave that alone, and her potential magic. Here was not the place to experiment on it, less she set them all on fire. Besides, it wasn't worth noting if it never appeared again.

He almost laughed at her outcry. He would have, had she not mentioned her little distraction she had used. Thet pulled his lips down into a frown. He didn't like that. He didn't like that one bit. She shouldn't have put herself in harm's way. And now she was hurt because of him. It weighed heavy on his conscience. Even now, he could see the bruises. They had turned shades of blue and purple. He wanted to erase that soldier's touch from her body. It should have never happened.

"Never do that again," he said, very serious all of a sudden. "Never put yourself in harms way for me again. I can take care of myself. I do not need you putting yourself in dangerous situations. Not for me. And if I had taken your distraction, do you know what he would have done to you?" He asked, eyebrows raised. "Because I do. And no one there was going to save you. You know that as well as I do. I wasn't going to let that happen to you for the sake of escaping. And look," he motioned around them, "I still did."

He watched her silently as she finally gave up her resolve. Her arms dropped and he couldn't help but look at the bruises on her skin. He wished he had made it hurt more. he wished he had taken his time. Unfortunately, that was time he had not been afforded.

He hid his smile from her as she finally laid down on the ground next to him but kept space between them. That was not how sharing body heat worked exactly. Without much warning, he rolled onto his side, grabbed her around the middle, and pulled her back into his chest. "I promise not to let my hands wonder. Now get some rest. We have a long day tomorrow."

(I’m alive!)

Emaria had no intentions of leaving, no matter what she might say. While the rain and cold on the first night were hardly ideal, that didn’t mean that this was a mistake. She’d been looking for a way out of that mess-of-a-town for years. She wasn’t about to waste the opportunity now that she had it.

The change in his emotion was palpable. Emaria hesitated, worrying that she’d said something wrong. Especially how his eyes scanned over her body afterward. She parted her lips, about to say something, but she paused. The way he was looking at her wasn’t hungry or lustful or greedy. Not at all like the soldiers from the tavern. Rather, he looked… concerned. Burdened.

His serious tone reinforced his gaze. Wisely, Emaria kept her mouth shut while the soldier spoke. When her finished, she spoke briefly, but firmly.

“I can only imagine what would have happened if you hadn’t stepped in. So I know I’m in your debt for what you did. But know that whether you escaped or not… I’d do it all again. Whatever information you have, the reason they’d tracking you down to put a blade through your chest… I’m sure it’s worth it. Every sacrifice.”

When she made contact with the ground, she had to tense her whole body to avoid flinching form the cold. Emaria could feel Aedion’s gaze on her, but she didn’t reciprocate it. He was likely looking at her bruises again. And it wasn’t something the half fae woman particularly cared to think about

Emaria’s breath hitched as Aedion’s strong arm wrapped around her body and pulled them flush against each other. She stiffened for a moment before relaxing. “Don’t tell me what to do,” she muttered in reply.

But, much to the half fae’s annoyance, he had been right. She could already feel her body warming with his. Still, the ground was cold and she shivered for a little while longer before the subtle warmth that there was between them took effect.

As unwise as it was because of them - or at least, Aedion — being tracked, Emaria slipped into a heavy sleep. It didn’t take long for her to become restless. She didn’t lash out or anything substantial, but she twitched slightly while her face contorted. While something was disturbing her sleep, it was not enough to wake her.

Aedion tried not to laugh at her naivety. Did she not hear her own voice? Did she not hear the stupidity coming from her mouth? How could she know that the information he carried was of vital importance? For all she knew, he could have been carrying information about a chicken coop from home. He wasn't of course, he wasn't that stupid. The information he carried could have been life threatening. It could have been the very thing that would kill this kingdom. And perhaps it was. He was going to warn their neighboring kingdom of the king's impending invasion plans. This could very well mean the downfall of their kingdom, and he was brining it upon them. But he was an honorable man and he would not be the one to carry out those orders. He had done many things in the name of the king but that would not be one of them.

"And yet I am not willing to sacrifice you. I would not sacrifice anyone for this. This is my burden and mine alone. You will not put yourself in harm's way. Not for me. I don not deserve that kindness from you." He didn't deserve kindness at all. Not with all the blood caked on his hands.

He saw her bruises once more and his hands clenched into fists. He should have made it hurt. He should have dragged it out until that soldier was screaming for mercy, and even then he still would not give it. Not until he was well and truly broken.

He huffed a small laugh, murmuring, "Stubborn woman." It wasn't as if he was telling her anything that would harm her. She needed to sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day. He didn't plan on stopping. Not until they at least found the next town or their rumbling stomachs got the better of them. And even then, he wasn't too keen on stopping.

He would have to hunt tomorrow. He could hold out until they stopped for the night but he wasn't sure if she could. If they could hold out, he would hunt and smoke the meet tomorrow night so it would last them a few days if they rationed it. If she couldn't wait, he would hunt something small, cook it, and snack as they moved through the woods. He would find a way to make to it work, even if he was having to change his plans to cater to her.

"Why not?" Emaria bit back, not looking at him and instead focusing on her own fingers tapping against the stone beneath her. She bet he thought she was stupid. Well, after that little stunt she had pulled at the Silver Candle, she probably was. At least a bit. No one else in their right mind would have offered themself up to those soldiers for a complete stranger. But whether it was her magic or her conscience, Emaria had felt something in Aedion. Something that not everyone had.

"Don't think I missed the insignias of the men who were after you or what they said back in the tavern," she hissed softly. "How you were a traitor to the crown and wouldn't be allowed to leave the kingdom. That you know too much and are supposed to be brought back to the king alive. Telling me about your aunt's house at the border was enough of an excuse when you first mentioned it, but now I realize that you are crossing the border and just didn't want me to know about it then. Clever excuse.

"And who are you to dictate what I am to do?" Emaria continued with narrowed eyes. "Who are you to tell me how much kindness I should allot to you? Would you like me to tell you how kind I think you should be to me?" A quiet sigh escaped her. "It's not about what we think we deserve. It's about knowing that, to some degree, you are worthy of kindness."

The half-fae scoffed. "My parents could have told you that," she quipped. She did wonder how long it would take on their journey for him to ask about her father. She knew that revealing him to be a mercenary would catch Aedion's attention.

Still, Emaria's eyes drifted closed. But she didn't fall asleep right away. She couldn't help the dull aches she felt from where she'd been handled earlier. It kept her awake longer than she wanted it to.

Aedion clenched his jaw yet he did not look away. She didn't know anything and that was his own doing. he was the one refusing to tell her anything, not the other way around. He was refusing because it was safer for her and yet it made things difficult. like this. Perhaps she thought him truly a traitor. And yet, she had still come with him. She had left her home to travel with a man she believed was a traitor. He didn't know what she saw in him or made her think it alright to come with him.

"I may be a traitor to the crown but I am not a traitor to my country. I love my country and my home, and I will do anything to protect it. Even if that means betraying the king." He would not deny his betrayal. He had betrayed the king. He was a fugitive and was to be brought in dead or alive. he knew this. And yet his cause was a noble one. It was just and the king was not. If he had to betray him to save his country, then so be it.

"Because I am not worth risking your life for. I have lived and I have seen all life has had to offer." He had seen death and hardship. He had felt life's cruel hand and he had been rejected by everyone that was supposed to love him. If he died tomorrow, he would not reject anything but that he did not make it in time to warn them. But he had tried and done everything in his power to do so. "You have not. You have a lie ahead of you and you will not throw it away for me. this is the one thing I will not allow."

Aedion wasn't in the business of telling women what they could and could not do, but this was the one thing he would. He did not believe himself worthy to be saved. Not by anyone but perhaps himself. Too much had happened by his hand. too many deaths because of his blow. Not even his own father loved him, why should he receive any kindness from anyone else?

Aedion drew Emaria closer to his chest, her hair warming his face. While his eyes did not close, he let his body relax. He doubted he would get very much sleep, too paranoid that someone might come into their cave. While it was highly unlikely anyone was in the area, someone could be searching for those soldier's killers. Or perhaps a predator trying to get out of the rain. Either way, his eyes would be glued to the entrance.

After tonight, he would teach Emaria about nigh shifts. Someone is always awake while the other is asleep. They would take turns in the night on watch, watching each other's backs and alert the other if there was any danger nearby. He wouldn't be able to not sleep for the rest of their journey.