𝙿𝚊𝚛𝚌𝚑𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙻𝚢𝚛𝚒𝚞𝚖 [cyrodilicbrandy & Agnes]

[Agnes]

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by the wonderful @cyrodilicbrandy with (admittedly minimal) input from yours truly

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Kinloch Hold, Lake Calenhad
The Circle of Magi, Fereldan Chapter
9:28 Dragon
Late Evening

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The scent of old parchment mingled with the faint stink of burnt wood, wafting through the secluded little alcove of the library where they sat. Scrunching his nose, Templar Cayden hastily snuffed out the little fire at the edge of the large rosewood table, shaking his head exasperatedly all the while. "Remind me why I agreed to help you again?" he groaned, coming back to sit beside the young woman he was talking to after he'd made sure the cinders had died out. The old Knight Commander wasn't exaggerating when he said to keep your armor and shield upon you at all times when dealing with mages. If it weren't for his plated armor and quick reaction in forming the anti-magic barrier, he would've been burnt to a crisp.

Not that he'd ever get an apology out of Aria. She would probably crack a joke and go back to her dusty tomes if he knew anything about her. And the thing was, he did know quite a lot about the red-maned elven maiden. Quite hard not to, when the two had practically grown up together in the tower where the Circle of Magi was housed; Cayden given to the Chantry as a babe, and Aria arriving soon after when her powers manifested. Despite the two of them being Templar and Mage and being of different races to boot, they had grown up to be the best of friends, and eventually came to love each other, as was natural when one locks men and women together in a tower with nothing to do.

Yet, their relationship was secretive, in every sense of the word. Templars and Mages don't fraternize after all, and those that do mingle with the other are viewed with suspicion from both sides. Sometimes, it was tiring, running circles around everyone just so they could share a kiss or talk about their days. He could even say it was exhausting. Not to mention, it broke his heart every time one of his brothers lobbed insults at slurs at her and he could do nothing but watch on the sidelines. But it was moments like these, where there was no one to judge them and they were free to be themselves, laughing and smiling as young people should, that made all the trouble worth it. Even getting almost turned into a human steak.

"Are you done throwing your spells at me? I'm itching to get out of this unbearable hunk of metal," he said with a grin, giving Aria a soft peck on her forehead as he settled down on the plush cushions, his armor creaking with every moment. She was studying for the last examination before she could undertake her Harrowing-- a dreadful affair he would rather not think of at the moment. His sword and shield were neatly laid against the bookshelves on the far end of the alcove, and so was Aria's wooden staff. Shifting in place, he turned to face the elven girl and gazed into her eyes, his own grey hues twinkling with mild excitement for what might come next, after she was done with the books. "It was nice of Wynne to let you stay in the library after dark. I might get a scolding for abandoning my post though." He shrugged nonchalantly, his duties the last thing on his mind at the moment. "You think she'd mind if we, uh..." He raised his eyebrows meaningfully, communicating from his eyes exactly what he was thinking.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

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Kinloch Hold, Lake Calenhad​

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The Circle of Magi, Fereldan Chapter
9:28 Dragon
Late Evening​

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If one lived in the Circle, the smell of burning, whether near or far, was pretty much a constant smell; fire magic, after all, was very useful, even despite the obvious risks that learning it could pose. Though Templars and Mages were far better equipped to deal with sudden magical conflagrations, as Cayden had just proved. Aria had been, for a moment, wearing a rueful expression; one that quickly changed to a playfully exasperated grin as the Templar grumbled and groaned on about their arrangement, him being some kind of guinea pig for her studying. Aria knew it was just for show, better exemplified when Cayden pressed his lips softly to the top of her head. For most of their lives, the two had known each other and had the opportunity to get very close indeed. Though, it wasn't exactly unexpected that two people of a similar age, cooped up in a Tower of which neither could leave, would find themselves attracted to the other. There was just one problem - well, several in actuality, but predominately her being a Mage and him being a Templar forced them into secrecy. She was also an elf, and relations between humans and elves were... fraught, at best.

Still, the two of them put a rather brave face on things. They had to, really, although it seemed that Cayd took it to heart more than Aria did, especially when some Templar or other decided to shove her a little and call her a 'knife-eared bitch'. She knew Cayd wanted to step up and say something, but that would bring suspicion on the both of them, effectively ending their relationship, such as it was. Although Ari had been very young when the was given to the Circle, but even her earliest years were filled with vague memories of racist abuse hurled at her and her family - it, like being a Mage, wasn't something she could change, and so like water off a duck's back, she just shrugged it off. Or at least tried to let Cayd think she shrugged it off. But he loved her, just as she was, so ultimately that mattered more than anything.

Except perhaps the Harrowing. Her eyebrows furrowed together for a moment, thinking of that, but although her practising tonight was all for the benefit of the last exam she needed to pass, she didn't want to dwell on that. Though perhaps, she'd have to bring it up with Cayd at some point - they couldn't just skirt around the issue until it was suddenly upon them. Regardless, she turned to Cayd, eyes twinkling. "I think I'm done for now," she said, voice light. "You've been a very good test subject, I think you deserve a rest." At his own raised eyebrows and suggestive expression, she shook her head, though wearing a smile; she of course knew him well enough to understand what he was getting at, and it wasn't as if she was going to say no against this opportunity. It could, after all, be days until they were able to sneak even a quick, passionate kiss together.

"Wynne would mind - outwardly, at least. She has no issues with lightly scolding anyone!" Aria said with a chuckle. "Though I don't think she'd exactly begrudge us this time, either. As long as we do not make a mess and put everything back where we found it."

 

[Agnes]

"Oh, thank the Maker," he said as he immediately began to undo the straps at that held together his armor, his shoulders already aching from lugging it around the whole day. He didn't pray for much in life— he was born into a noble family, but was given into a life of poverty and servitude while is siblings lived a lordling's life. He wasn't the tallest, strongest or smartest man in the ranks of the Templars. Hell, he wasn't even the most good looking; some of the older Templars had chantry sisters, mages and local girls alike giggling when they passed through nearby villages. But he did pray for moments like these. The Maker was a silent, cruel master, but even those offer some small mercies to their devout servants. "I was hoping to rest later after getting my reward from my favorite mage in the tower," he quipped back with a chesire grin.

The chest plate fell to the ground with a loud clang, echoing across the quiet hall, and the young Templar winced at the sound, smiling sheepishly as he whispered a "Sorry," and continued to shed his protection. He wore a simple loose shirt and slacks underneath, both a dull brown, befitting of the oath of poverty all Templars were forced to swear. "When have we ever been messy?" asked he with a look of feigned innocence that wouldn't have fooled the most dim-witted dog. "Come on, Ari. Wouldn't it be romantic to slide everything off the table? Have you never read a smutty novel in your life?" His tone was teasing, affectionate, throwing light jabs at each other a natural part of their banter. Now free of the heavy gauntlets, he flexed his calloused fingers and helped to put the books back in order. 'The Four Schools of Magic', 'Greatest Mages of the Tower Age', 'Mythical Beasts and their Supposed Habitats'. He would never understand how she could memorize all this information in that pretty head of hers. He had enough trouble reciting the Chant of Light at morning prayers!

Done with cleaning up the books and other paraphernalia, he padded towards the edge of the grand rosewood table (the unsinged side) and leaned against it, before hopping onto it with minimal effort. Running his hands through his dark raven hair, he simply observed Aria as she moved, her long Circle robes flowing behind her, the shape of her curves visible under the garment. A smile unknowingly crept onto his lips, and when she caught his eyes, he beckoned her over with a tilt of his chin. "Come here," he said softly, tapping his lap in invitation.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

For a moment, Aria simply watched him as he began to remove his cumbersome Templar armour, her lips curved into a smile. She enjoyed watching him take it off, and not just because it usually preceded their intimate moments. There was symbolism there, as well. Removing the armour was the only way in which Cayd could ever, even briefly, step aside from his duties - to the Order, he was a Templar first, foremost, and forever, and an individual second. Ari knew that the armour didn't make the man what he was, but it was still a fact that some used the armour as a shield against their actions, and like many other Mages in Kinloch, she felt it was something to resent. Cayd was not like them, but had to call those same men his brothers regardless.

She winced along with him as the chest plate dropped to the stone floor, only narrowly missing out on the rather threadbare carpet - because of course something had to make noise when they were trying to be as quiet as they could. The library was at least remote, and as long as the two of them were not caught in an entirely inappropriate position, they could at least use the excuse of Wynne's permission. Still... Ari's face turned playfully disbelieving as Cayd continued to do away with the cumbersome armour that she could tell just from the way he slightly changed his posture was a relief to remove. "I distinctly remember you, in a hurry I might add, accidentally tearing a hole in one of my pockets, and a full vial of distillation agent smashing onto the floor." She gestured to the table, the books he was helping put away as she continued. "And besides, smutty literature is never realistic enough to be interesting. Yes, there's passion, fumbling and whispered words, but why do they never accidentally bash their foreheads together, or accidentally bite the other's lip?" Aria was of course referring to some of their own escapades, though she had to be fair and concede that having to keep the majority of their intimate moments limited to hurried moments in dark closets did mean accidents could sometimes happen. And, it was endearing, to say the least.

So when he motioned her over to where he had perched himself on the rosewood table, of course she went over, her robes gliding along with her. Her own smile matched his, though with perhaps a little more slyness, as she acquiesced. "So," she began, her voice taking on a tone of curiosity. "This reward? The one you wanted from your favourite mage? What is it?"

 

[Agnes]

Good memories, they were, and unique to their little predicament. Who else could claim they had to hide behind a pile of potion ingredients in nothing but their breeches while their lover tried to explain the disarrayed pantry? "I can't speak for the distillation agent, but if you might recall, we did find a use for that hole later on," he said, raising his brows ever so slightly in amusement. Not the brightest thing they've done, he'll admit, but as alluring Aria was in those robes, they were a hassle when they were in a rush. That said, he did enjoy it when she bunched up her robes for him, biting her lips and trying her damnedest not to make a sound as he put his tongue to work. The books were slotted back in with ease, Cayden being familiar with their designated spots after helping Ari so frequently these days. "Because, Ari, the characters are not teenagers who grew up in a tower all their lives without anyone to tell them anything about kissing." He rolled his eyes endearingly, knowing full well she was calling back to their many mishaps during their trysts. He had to nurse a busted lip for a week and she had walked around with a limp for days after their first time, but looking back, these moments were the ones they cherished, the ones they committed to memory without even meaning to.

Alas, he hoped today would be one of those days where things were smooth sailing-- no random apprentice walking in, no accidents during sex, no wardrobe malfunctions unless intended. It might be unmemorable, but it would be an enjoyable reprieve from the constant hurdles in their lives, and Maker knows they both deserved a break. Grey eyes glazed hungrily over her frame as she sauntered over, full of confidence and flair, playful yet sensual, all the things he loved about the girl. "I..." he drawled, grabbing her hand when she drew near and pulling her between his legs, wrapping a possessive arm around her waist, "was thinking of asking First Enchanter Irving for one of his famous lemon bread rolls."

A boyish grin flashed across his youthful features, obviously pleased with his little joke. He'd probably earn a smack or two for that, but that was child's play compared to what he endured at the business end of her staff. "I'm joking. The real reward I want..." he whispered, his hand on her waist dropping lower to gently cup her round backside, while his other hand glided between her legs to press against her robes where her sex would be. "...is here. But that can wait a while longer, hmm? No one's here to disturb us tonight. We can take our time." With a deftness befitting of a warrior, he hopped off the tabled and towered over Aria, at least half a head taller, and tipped her chin up with a finger so he could swoop down and capture her lips in a sweet, chaste, kiss.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

Aria felt her face flush slightly, the faint blush contrasting with the grey in her eyes, making them seem as if they were sparkling. It was almost a shame that she had no girlfriends to share and giggle about such misadventures, like she supposed that many young women outside the Circle were able to do. Were he another mage, they might have had that option; however she found Cayd's company to be the perfect antidote for pretty much any social malady, even when they had been much younger and simply friends. "Oh, I certainly remember," she answered, the memory causing a soft shiver through her body, though she waved her hand dismissively as if that little fact was quite beneath her notice. It wasn't, of course, and yet with him she had a reputation to uphold. A playful, teasing reputation, but a reputation nonetheless. It amused her to tease him, sometimes mercilessly, sometimes where he might even start sulking, though never taking it too far - and then it amused her, too, to act like a balm for that teasing, to pour sweet words and kisses over him until her jokes had been forgotten. But she, too, could sometimes feel under Cayd's power, such as now.

For all that she crossed the distance between them looking sensual and confident, the moment his arm curled around her waist, she felt her heart skip a beat - as it always did, without fail. Looking up at him, eyes wide and lips slightly parted, waiting for what she thought was an inevitable kiss, she was completely blindsided by his response. It took her a moment longer than she would have liked to admit that First Enchanter Irving's lemon bread rolls were not actually what he wanted in that moment, and it was confirmed by Cayd's grin. Had his arm not been around her waist, gently possessive, she would have stepped away from him with her eyes narrowed, whilst he would have continued laughing. As it was, she swatted at his chest, just as he thought she would, crossing her arms over her chest, plump lips pouting. "You are a menace, Cayden," Aria said, her voice trying ever so hard to stay neutral and passive. Though it didn't last long and her control wavered, before she dropped her arms, her head shaking appreciatively. "A menace," she repeated, this time with much more warmth.

Ari would have made further comments on his particular sense of humour, had Cayd's hand not dropped to her ass, cupping it softly through her robes. When his other hand slid downwards towards her sex, her mouth dropped open again, ever so slightly, a slight hitch catching her breath. Aria's eyes were now completely fixed on him, the way he whispered in the small space between them serving to make her forget about all of the risks that could come with their being together so intimately here, tonight. And the prospect of being able to spend more than a few rushed minutes together, the chance of being able to explore each other better, made her heart and body both yearn for him. When he deftly removed himself from the table, lovingly tipping her head upwards, she met his lips eagerly. In that moment, she could feel her heart constrict for just a moment - a feeling that she now attributed to the physical feeling of simply love. Her arms rose between them, pressing softly against his chest, feeling the warmth of him through his brown shirt.

 

[Agnes]

Aria might have fancied herself the tease of the two - and most of the time she was - but Cayden also had a few tricks up his proverbial sleeve, and it made him snicker how she took a moment to process the joke. Her swats were soft and half-hearted, and Cayden was too busy laughing and gazing at those perfect, pink, pouty lips to raise his arms in defense. Besides, nothing spells true love more clearly than shouting one's name and a couple of half-hearted smacks, or so one of the older Templars said. Cayden did not always concur with the wisdom of his brothers, especially ones old enough to be his father, but on this, he wholeheartedly agreed. The young man could feel nothing but love as she smiled at him, dropping her feigned annoyance, eyes bright and sparkling as her lips turned up into a serene smile. He saw his emotions and thoughts reflected in her identical greys; affection, joy, carefree joviality they could only feel around each other. "And you love this menace," he shot back without hesitation, not letting her counter as he leaned down to kiss her.

The change in her demeanor was immediate, her soft, warm frame practically melting into him as he claimed what was his, hands roaming over her body, front and back. His heart raced beneath his chest, and as her hands wandered up to lie against his chest, he wondered if she could feel it, how his heart fluttered bloomed with love for her. It was magical, the moment their lips met, just as magical as it had been when they shared their first kiss as shy teenagers and every other occasion in between. It was soft and chaste, just lips upon lips, slow and sweet as he breathed in her scent-- old dusty tomes, soapy shampoo, essence of lavender, combining with her own natural fragrance to create an inexplicably intoxicating scent that had his olfactory senses going on overload. She was warm, and comforting in his embrace, not to mention her ass was supple as sin to his touch. He made sure to get his fill, grabbing it, squeezing it, even lightly spanking it.

Deeming it appropriate to escalate things, Cayden gently ran his tongue along her lower lip, asking for entrance, the warm, wet muscle primed for invasion into her mouth. There would not be a single moment wasted when she parted her lips, the Templar deepening the kiss and his tongue finding its counterpart, inviting it to dance. There was no need for the urgency that seemed omnipresent in all their little meetings-- but that didn't mean the kiss wasn't passionate. Far from it; it might even be more of a romantic affair, taking the time to properly taste and acclimate to each other. She tasted familiar, forbidden, exhilarating. First Enchanter Irving's lemon bread rolls wouldn't hold a candle to Aria. The young Templar could already feel his arousal stirring in his breeches, starting to press uncomfortably against the fabric. "I love you, Aria," he murmured against her lips, eyes still lightly closed as he resumed the kiss.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

As Cayd's soft lips pressed against hers, his tongue silently seeking permission to enter her mouth, Aria couldn't help but lean into his body, seeking as she always had done the pure closeness of him. Her fingers clenched slightly, bunching up the simple fabric. Each moment they kissed seemed as if time itself slowed down around them; on many occasions the two of them genuinely seemed to forget about their surroundings and situation, only to have to hurriedly pull apart, completely blindsided by whatever happened to interrupt them. But tonight, they would at least have much more time to spend together, to love each other. Her lips parted, a soft sigh slipping forth and into his mouth, and quickly their tongues began to dance with the other's. He tasted sweet - sweet and pure, and it was a heady taste that drove her further into the kiss, her tongue coiling around his in a playful war of dominance.

Ari's hands drifted further down Cayd's chest, slowly, as if exploring the feel of his body beneath the shirt for the very first time. There was very little of Cayd's body she didn't know well, and though she loved every inch of him, she especially enjoyed feeling his toned muscles and the way they would sometimes react to her touch, jumping infinitesimally. She took her time tracing over the outline of his abdomen, another sigh escaping her, before they stopped in their tracks, perched at the hem of his breeches suggestively, fingers trailing light circles. She could tell, from very light clues he always gave off when they were being intimate, that he was becoming aroused; and as she almost always did, began softly teasing him, ever so lightly pushing her hips against his.

 

[Agnes]

Fingers trailing down his chest and abdomen, leaving trails of fire where her nails went, leaving him tingling and wanting more long after they'd gone. Sweet sounds reverberating from her mouth into his, met with low hum of his own. His eyes opened and looked down at Ari amusedly as she begant to tug at the hem of his breeches, gently grinding her hips against his, suggestive, devious. Naughty little minx, she was, taking advantage of him every way she knew. And he loved it. His hands shifted below her hips, bracing and lifting her as they continued the dance of their tongues, their breaths seeming becoming more ragged and irregular by the minute. She was a petite little thing, and it didn't take much effort on Cayden's part to keep her in the air for a moment, letting her fly like the angel she was, if only for a moment. When he brought her down, it was on the rosewood, just waiting to be used as another furniture for the pair to copulate upon. Bang, went the books, falling off the side of the table onto the threadbare carpet, carelessly swept aside by Cayden's winging hands as promised earlier. Too preoccupied with Aria to care about old Wynne's precious books, he continued on, not even sparing them a glace.

Mind and body dissociated— while his mind was wrought with love and affection for the redheaded elf, his body moved of its own accord in lust, his hands reaching down to hike up the long green robes up to her thighs, roaming greedily over the pale, creamy skin and trailing slight grazes over her legs with his fingertips. Finally breaking apart, he reopened his eyes and breathed in, preserving air for another go at her lips, but his grey eyes made a detour between their almost conjoined bodies before they went back to her face. What a beautiful leg, he mused, looking over her limb with a reverence. And she had two of them! The world was cruel and twisted creation of the Maker, having forsaken it and his children long ago, but if anything could be attributed to the Maker having done right, it was giving beautiful women beautiful legs to go with.

"How do you want me?" he asked in a breathy whisper, eager to please and eager to feel, the notion of personal space completely lost between the two of them. One hand still on her thighs, the other traveled up and nestled in her luscious red lock, running through them gently as Cayden took a moment to truly observe the beauty of Ari's face, just before he would make it twist and contort in pleasure.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

Ari could feel his amusement, subtly. Just the way his lips twitched, and something in the next exhale of his breath. And then of course, he swept her upwards, supported entirely by his strong arms, though her own light weight certainly wasn't going to tax the warrior. As he lifted her, she could feel her stomach lift at the same time, and knowing his arms wouldn't let her drop, she took her own hands away from where they had been perched and curled across his shoulders before coiling a few strands of his hair from the back of his neck around one of her fingers. The moment felt like an eternity, before he carefully brought her down onto the table they had just been working at not so long ago. The sound of the books being knocked onto the floor, as Ari had lightly warned against earlier, only slightly stirred her thoughts, and she likely would have rolled her eyes or swatted at Cayd again, were she not so immediately busy.

And it seemed Cayd was too, quickly pulling up the hem of her flowing robes to expose her somewhat, breaking apart their kiss to feast his eyes upon her legs. Aria moved her lips into a pout, one that Cayden would be reasonably familiar with when she pretended to be upset with him. All an act, of course. Especially on seeing the way his eyes took in the spectacle that was her long, willowy legs. She'd have thought it was the first time he'd ever seen them, and her tongue darted past her lips to moisten them slightly, her own expression sly. Cayd's eyes then lifted back up to her face, where their eyes met - Ari smiled up at her lover, feeling her heart's beat racing around her body as he whispered down at her.

Eyes still upon his face - oh Maker, she'd never forget his face - she turned her head just enough to nuzzle lightly against the hand running through her hair, taking a moment to ponder his whispered question. Normally, there was no question of what they might be able to do together; so often they just had to take what little time they had, and make the most of it, if only just a kiss, or their hands inside each other's clothes and pleasuring the other whilst trying to make the least amount of noise possible. But the very idea of being able to choose what to do was so rare that she wanted, instinctively, to answer "In every way", though they likely didn't have quite that much time. Her hands seemed to be working independently of her brain, however, slipping down from where they were coiled amongst his dark hair and once again dropped to hem of his breeches, playing with the fastenings. Ari's voice was husky, breathing shaky with anticipation, when she spoke: "If we have more time than usual, my love, I want to see your every reaction in your face as you make love to me." Not that that hadn't happened before, but simply put, for the most part when they had made love before, it was somewhat rushed, and she longed for the moment they could take their time and just experience what all those smutty novels, the kind she professed she hadn't read, talked about.

 

[Agnes]

Aria took her sweet time deciding, and Cayden was only too happy to let her. Too often were they forced into rushed moments of passion, not even having the time to let their eyes feast on each other's bodies. Sometimes a simple kiss, perhaps a touch here and there, maybe pleasuring each other with their hands if they were so lucky. Even getting to choose how they spent their time was a luxury, and a night together in a bed was almost a fever dream. Waking up to the lazy morning sun in each other's arms, burying his face into her pillow, breathing in her scent as she attended to her morning routines, not having to always feel like they were on a timer-- fragments of his fantasies, from smutty novels to late nights tossing and turning in the barracks. Was it sad that his ambitions flew no higher than hoping for a normal life with the woman he loved? Perhaps, but that did not matter now; what mattered was the inexplicably beautiful elf trapped between him and the table, who whispered to him just how she wanted him. This prompted a sly grin from his thin lips, grey eyes glimmering with a fierce glow of tilitation. "Can do, love," was his simple answer, needing no more words to convey and infer what he would set his eyes on next.

Shaky breaths, husky voice, eyes alight with a desire that was unmatched by any, all the unforgettable features on Ari's beautiful face spurred him into action, and her dove in for a kiss again, like a lion leaping for prey, demanding and unrelenting. He himself let out quiet moans that might've very well been growls, hands gripping those soft, delectable things and pulling them apart, edging closer to her until their bodies practically melded together. His lips trailed down the side of her cheeks after he broke apart from her lips, peppering wet kisses down her face, jaw and the side of her neck, every single touch affectionate and fueled by a fire that would not be quenched. An arm snaked around her waist, pulling her close and making her arch her back, while its twin trailed along the warm inner side of her leg and slipped beneath the hem of the bunched-up robes, finding the undergarment that proved the only barrier between him and his destination.

Finding the skin on the side of her neck, near her shoulder, Cayden bit down and suckled in, tasting the natural sweetness of her mingled with the saltiness of sweat from having worked in a hot, enclosed space for so long. He made sure to leave a mark where his teeth were, bruises and broken blood vessels serving as symbols of their forbidden love, and moved on to her collarbone where he made the second bite. The finger beneath her robes found the elastic band of her panties, playing with it and pulling on it gently, letting it snap back with a grin. Two digits to start his descent, and he trailed them lightly over her lower lips over her panties, feeling the heat and dampness of her arousal through the fabric. "Quite excited, are we?" he murmured dryly against her neck, giving her a playful lick along the side, going up to her earlobe.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

As Cayd agreed to her whispered request, descending upon her with barely concealed need, Ari responded in kind as their lips met again, the kiss hungry. She exhaled softly through her nose, the sound a soft and contented sigh, though in the next moment a quiet, muffled moan bubbled softly in her throat as Cayd's hands purposefully pulled apart her pale thighs. She wondered if he felt a similar feeling to hers - having had so many intimate moments that were hurriedly, or in actuality could barely even be considered intimate at all, did he also feel nervous energy course through his veins, as if his mind and body were itching to move faster, even in spite of the fact they knew they could take things slower tonight. Ari's hands trembled where they rested on this lower abdomen, a byproduct of this nervous energy but simply her arousal, too. Oh, she certainly wasn't complaining, by any stretch of the word; in fact, she was glad he was able to take his time, peppering her soft skin with kisses, trailing his lips down to the side of her neck. Less fumbling, less hurried actions, more time to love each other. And that was all she wanted in the world, really.

One of her hands abandoned playing with the fastening of his breeches - for now at least, though the other stayed there, idly trailing her fingers - to drop lower, brushing against the evidence of his arousal, as if by accident. Just then, Cayd's lips, having drifted to the pale skin of her shoulder opened, and his teeth took the skin between them, biting down with the care he would always show her. And yet, the way Ara could tell he was suckling at her skin, the pressure of that combination, there would likely be a mark there, though she wouldn't know how large or obvious it was for a little while. Her own lips, which had been parted after his own had moved away, had been kept moist by the tip of her tongue, and when Cayd had bitten down on her shoulder, a slightly hitched exhale escaped from them. He did it a second time, and along with the slow, sly movement his hand made towards her sex, Ari couldn't help but squirm pleasurably beneath him, feeling a coil of warmth pool in her lower belly in anticipation.

In playful retaliation, her own hand cupped his manhood, simply savouring the way she could feel him grow harder and almost pulse in her grasp, and her lips curved into a grin as Cayd;s fingers rubbed along the fabric of her underwear. The both of them could now not deny how much arousal the other was feeling, and Ari's hips pushed upwards against his hand, though she knew he needed so such encouragement. "I just can't stop thinking about lemon bread rolls," Aria whispered, clearly holding back a laugh, before affecting a sensual voice for her next words, almost like a purr: "Mm... lemon bread rolls."

 

[Agnes]

Nothing quite like the sound of his lover sensually purring 'lemon bread rolls' to pull a man out of his lustful haze. A snort escaped against her neck as he held back a laugh, trying not to break into hysterics and give Aria the satisfaction. "Custard pudding... sticky toffee cake... chocolate mousse." The redhead might be the mage and the coyer of the two, but Cayden's tongue was as sharp as his sword, which she could probably attest to in more ways than one. He too had to exert almost all his self-restraint to stifle his laughter, though it too was a blessing, to be able to laugh even when they were getting hot and bothered. "But none taste as good as you," he cooed smoothly, his warm breath brushing against her ear, which afterwards he gave a soft kiss. The small, delicate fingers around his manhood felt familiar, and he felt it twitch in her grasp with longing for her touch, aching to be free of its confines. A pleasured sigh slipped past his lips to mirror her hitched breaths and quiet hums-- their arousal and pleasure feeding into each other in an unending cycle.

His own digits trailed lazily along her core, resisting the urge to push her down and go straight to the main course, mentally reminding himself to enjoy the appetizers. And quite delicious it was, feeling her squirm in pleasure at his touch, feeling her push forward against him, laying herself bare on the table for him to take. Step by step he ramped up the pressure, his touches growing more salacious and bold with each passing moment. The hand on her waist slid to the front, palming her breasts through the robes and gently cupping them, squeezing them, caressing them, worshipping them as he should. "Can I?" he whispered, rising back to face her, as his fingers started to pull at her panties to peel them away, though deep down, he knew he didn't need permission or some such. He still made a point of asking though, loving the way she gave into him verbally as well as physically and mentally.

"You can actually reach in and touch it, you know? It's not going to bite you or anything," he suggested with a lopsided grin, gesturing down to where she held his member through his breeches, in no small part because he longed for her touch so much it was starting to become painful. Cayd gave as good as he got, of course, and he wasted no time in exploring once her panties came off, pulled to the middle of her thighs where it would stay, not even bothering to remove it fully. Despite his consuming desire that hounded at him to dive into her, he took his time pleasuring her, brushing lightly over the soft ginger bush he loved so much, trailing across her inner thighs, teasing the outer lips of her labia, letting her stew for a bit as he purposefully danced around where he would do the most good.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

Cayd's reaction was everything she could have hoped for when she teased him, feeling the laugh he tried to keep back in the way that he held himself against her. She loved him, more than anything, and it was little moment such as this, where their humor collided, leaving them softly giggling with one another. It was certainly a byproduct of their closeness from such a young age, growing and learning about each other's little intricacies and being able to fill the spaces in their lives with little else but themselves. Case in point when Cayd rejoined her joking remarks with his own, before slipping very smoothly into flattering words, the tone of his voice whenever he did so always causing her body to shiver. She wanted to make a follow-up remark - Ari hated when she couldn't get the last word in - but his soft, probing fingers all but took her breath away, her grey eyes fluttering closed, taking a moment as if to collect her thoughts again.

As her eyes opened, they fixed upon his face, taking in every part of it as if she had never seen it before. It was a face that she knew would never leave her. One day, her red hair would be a thing of the past, white and brittle. Her fingers so gnarled and stiff that apprentices would have to turn the pages of her books for her. But even then, Cayd's face would never leave her. And she liked to think that it was even just a little like the same for him. Maker... I love this man. His voice was quiet, mirroring how his fingers continued to drift close to her sex through her panties, as he asked for permission as he always did. And Aria, her eyes slightly narrowed with need, whispered a breathy assent, before her lips pressed shut to conceal the moan that threatened to break free as his other hand, curling around and enjoying her breasts, brushed past a sensitive nipple through the thin fabric.

Taking a moment to steady her breathing, which was shaky at best and in danger of becoming shallow as his fingers began their deft task in removing her troublesome underwear and exposing her sex to him, which would, as always, welcome him, Aria couldn't help but roll her eyes lightly at his comment, as he gestured with his head to where one of her own hands was also very busy. "I know," she said, her voice dry, and for emphasis, gave him a soft squeeze. Her hand was starting to tremble in earnest, though, as Cayd's digits seemed to almost purposefully ignore the part of her that needed them the most. She would have to undo his breeches soon, or her hand would be too shaky to even make a decent attempt on it, leaving Cayd to do it for her. And that wouldn't be satisfactory, as he'd have to pull his hands away from her needy body to do it. "And I don't bite, either," she said, hips again pushing up against his fingers with clear need. "Unless you want me to," she finished, before finally doing away with teasing him - for now, at least - and undoing the top of his breeches for easier access to his manhood. Her soft, smooth fingertips reached in, first curling around the base of his cock, and her lips curved into a smile at the very feel of him. Slowly, the rest of her fingers grasped a hold of him, sliding along his length, torturously slowly. And then they reached the tip, where her thumb deftly flicked over the head of his length. Through this, her eyes remained fixed on him.

 

[Agnes]

A taste of his own medicine perhaps, feeling Aria's skillful fingers trail along his manhood with an excruciatingly slow pace, which practically jumped at the attention. The little flick over the head sent Cayden's eyes fluttering and lips open in a gasp, the pleasure too sudden to dampen his reactions. And she knew exactly what she was doing, because when he reopened his eyes he saw her beautiful face staring at him with a fixation. Cayd let out a bashful laugh, keenly aware of how exposed and vulnerable he was being with her, like he would be with no one else. In those greys eyes burning into his face, he saw an undying affection, one that transcended race and status, and truly even life itself. To quote some of the smutty novels Ari was so critical of, 'he felt his heart jump and butterflies flying in his stomach'. They'd been through so much together already in their young lives, and would go through so much more. Sneaking her snacks from the Chantry Kitchen on nights she missed dinner when they were but teeny children. Holding her whenever she felt like the world would cave in, when they were teens and the world inside the enclosed tower felt so imposing and fearsome. It still did, on some days. But as long as he could gaze into those mesmerizing eyes, Cayden knew they could enduring through whatever comes next-- her Harrowing, when he would be inevitably called away to carry forth the Maker's will. He doubted he could ever find someone else he cared about as much as Aria, or one who cared for him as much as she did. Well, perhaps until the day they bring their children into the world, he supposed. Cute baby names could be an interesting topic in its own right, he mused as he lazily dragged his fingers across her bush. Who would they name them after, their closest friends? Surana and Cullen?

"I never said you couldn't," he teased back breathily, his eyes flicking to where he'd marked her moments prior, a smug smile plastered on his lips, obviously satisfied with his handiwork. "It's only fair, right?" True to his words, in retaliation for her torturous treatment of his cock, which was almost at full mast and aching, by the way, he pressed against her slick lips without warning and slid his fingers along her sex, flicking at her little bud hidden in its hood at the very end. Just like her, his grey orbs were fixed solely on her face, her gorgeous iridescent face, eager to see the little hints of pleasure and the way she would try to conceal them. They couldn't be very vocal, after all, they were supposed to be quiet in libraries by default. He was no saint with infinite patience however, and having had enough of the teasing foreplay to the foreplay, he brought middle and index fingers to her entrance and slowly pushed them in, reveling in the familiar way her walls stretched to accommodate him. She felt familiar and warm and tight inside, and so intricately familiar with her body he was, Cayd knew exactly what to do to bring her pleasure.

Pushing in and curling upwards, trying to find the little spot that would send her over the moon, while his thumb gently circled around her clit, rolling it around and pressing against it, never so rough as to hurt her. "The clit is like the back o' yer hand", he remembered one of his Templar brothers said one late night in the barracks. "Go too rough on it, and she won't feel a thing." And Cayd has strictly followed that ideology ever since. He was slow and methodical, yet sensual in his movements, his personality of a cool, calm strategist bleeding into his sexual exploits. He was less subtle with his own needs, and gently moved his hips along with her strokes to get the most out of every touch, growing bit by bit in her very hands. A lewd, wet sound began to reverberate in the stark silence, and the young man couldn't help himself but crack a little smile, and kissed his lover passionately in an attempt to halt any embarrassed swatting his chest may receive.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

His reaction to her hand's antics was exactly what she had expected and hoped for. That sharp, sudden gasp, eyes springing open, meeting with hers. She couldn't help but grin knowingly at him, the expression on his face and the soft, bashful laugh he gave serving to only further endear him to her. And besides that, knowing that such a simple movement from her hand made him react so subtly strongly made her feel powerful. And it was rare she felt powerful. She was, after all, a mage, and though able to command a decent amount of herbal knowledge and several spells, it wasn't as if she could do anything with that knowledge. She couldn't leave the Tower, she couldn't directly stand up against certain abuses the Templars felt they were privileged to dish out. There was the ever-looming threat of her Harrowing, which she only knew would happen at some point, something she knew Cayden feared as much as she did - the consequences of her failure in the Fade would be severe. Possession? Death? Neither were attractive opportunities, though at least in those cases what used to be Aria would be Aria no longer. What really scared her was the idea of becoming Tranquil. If a mage survived their Harrowing, Chantry law forbade them from being made Tranquil, but... some of Cayd's 'brothers' were sadistic and cruel, and she wouldn't put it past at least a handful of them to spread word of an innocent mage being deemed too dangerous to live, un-Tranquil, in the Circle. Living with her memories of Cayd, but with no emotions, no feelings, no thoughts of her own - no, she'd prefer death. And it would break Cayd's heart.

So. In this moment, Aria felt powerful knowing she was able to elicit such reactions from her lover, though she knew full well he could just as easily turn the tables and bring her to near mind-numbing ecstasy. That thought was proven correct the moment Cayd slipped his fingers along her eagerly waiting sex without so much as a warning, causing Ari's breath to hitch in her throat. It really was a shame that they barely got to spend so much time together like this; Cayd was a smooth, proficient lover, and yet much of their intimacy was rushed and fumbled groping behind closet doors. And they had learned the necessity behind staying quiet, too.

A sigh left her lips, shaky, as Cayd's fingers continued to explore her as if for the first time. Her own hand, which had stopped teasing him momentarily, resumed it's important work - namely stroking his length, trying to keep a rhythm going. It was hard though, especially when Cayd's thumb circled her clit, pressing softly against that sensitive little nub. Ari's body trembled, hips pushing upwards into his hand greedily. It mirrored the movements of his own hips, the two of them clearly eager for the other, and that fact caused a shockwave of need to course through her body, her breath catching in her throat. "Cayd..." she whispered in the space between their faces, before his lips captured hers, the kiss warm and passionate. Her moist lips opened under his and her tongue slipped forwards, seeking his to wrestle and dance with.

 

[Agnes]

The little knowing smirk she gave him as she mercilessly teased him was endearing, the only thing that could wash away the worries and troubles that plagued these haunting tower walls. Of course, he knew that Aria would have the harder life out of the two of them, but Cayden had his own demons to tend to. He wasn't exactly popular among the Templars— sure, he was best friends with Cullen and some others he grew up with, but some of the older members of the order sniffed their noses at him. Perhaps it was his noble bloodline, carrying the name Amberstern and the sigil of the stag, though no one really knew that outside of his friends and Aria. Lord Cayden Amberstern would be his offical title were he not given to the Chantry, as he was the firstborn of his parents. It prompted endless eyerolls from him whenever Aria mockingly referred to as a lord, having abandoned any hopes of returning to that life long ago when he was just a child. Another reason could also be that he was friendly to the mages, perhaps a tad more than he needed to be. It was no revelation that Mages and Templars weren't really the best of friends, and both sides lobbed insults at each other frequently enough, but he's seen some of his brothers do some terrible things to the mages that left him with troubled thoughts and sleepless nights. Aria received a terrible amount of abuse as well, and it took Cayden all his restraint not to speak out and defend her whenever she was being shoved around and called a knife-ear and had crass suggestive comments thrown at her.

Even if he couldn't fully protect her in public, he could make her feel like a goddamned princess in private. Not a princess even, a queen. His Queen, specifically, and he would spend an enternity bowing to her whims if he could. And that included giving the elven beauty exactly what she wanted when she was practically humping his hands in hazy lust, and that was exactly what he did. He delighted in the way her whole body trembled and her breath hitched with every touch, how she had trouble even keeping up with playing with his member, and the way she met his kiss eagerly with her moist, delectable lips. Sweet and pure, sensual and alluring, she was everything great about his life complied into one adorable package, and he loved her so much he could bundle her up and lock her away safely in his chest.

"Ari..." he whispered agaisnt her pink, pouty lips, his voice shallow and raspy, feeling every inch of his manhood being pleasured by her hand, needy and desperate for her. A playful grin on his face, he broked apart from the kiss and leaned back, a bridge of saliva connecting their lips before it snapped, and with a look of sheer rakish sensuality, he dragged his fingers embedded deep in her sex and brought them to his lips, popping them in one by one and sucking her juices off them as if it were the most delicious thing he had ever tasted. She tasted wonderful— if he had to describe it in culinary terms, sweet and savory with a hint of tanginess. Not sure if she'd appreciate the description though, so he went with a more appropriate answer. "Mm... much better than lemon bread rolls," he said, giving her the most cheekiest of winks as he tasted her arousal.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

Every time he said her name - whether it was in exasperation, teasing, or lust-filled - it made her feel whole, alive, loved. Complete. As complete as she could possible expect to feel, shut away in the Circle. But if she was with Cayden, she could get through it. Without him, she didn't know what she would be. Just another knife-eared mage bitch. In his arms, lips on hers, hands on, over, in her body. She was his. Hearing the love and lust in his voice made her chest constrict around her heart, her fingers tremble around his length, and when he pulled away ever so slowly from the kiss - causing Ari to whimper softly - her eyes opened to meet his. Ari was fascinated by how the low light in the library danced in his eyes, as if in those grey orbs she could see the constellations she had only read about in books. She barely even registered the removal of his fingers from her core, thought he certainly had her attention when he lifted those same fingers to his mouth. Aria watched, her pink lips parted as her trembling breath escaped from between them, as his own mouth opened to envelope his moist fingers individually. The mage felt her throat go dry, and had to swallow audibly as she watched her lover taste her, although his callback comment about lemon bread rolls - their new joke, it seemed - surprised a laugh out of her stupor.

Finding her voice, eyes alight, she said sotto voce : "Menace. Menace!" Aria certainly wasn't complaining, however; it was another way Cayd continually showed how he loved and appreciated her - every inch of her. Her lips curled up into a smile, almost a smirk, her own hand softly giving his length a squeeze before continuing the slow, teasing strokes, relishing the way with each movement, she could feel his cock twitching with need in her very grasp. "Menace," she repeated as her free hand lifted to cup his face, the palm of her smooth hands and thumb caressing over the light stubble on his face. "But you're my menace." And saying that, she gently encouraged him to lean his face back down to hers, lifting her head somewhat and meeting him halfway. The kiss, at first, started chaste - just a meeting of soft lips. But Ari could feel her heart racing through her chest, the blood pumping rapidly through her stomach, her fingertips, even down to her legs and toes, where those small digits couldn't help but curl as a rush of need crashed into her body. The kiss became hungry and almost desperate, more akin to their usual trysts, her mouth opening beneath his whilst her tongue forced its way into his, seeking out his tongue to dance and dominate. Ari's hand, the one cupping Cayd's face, slid up and into his hair, where her fingers coiled around the dark strands; the other, still very much occupied with stroking him, sped up - she wanted to feel him twitch and pulse within her hand, to feel the way he held himself against her change as his need for release would inevitably grow, and to hear what groans and gasped would escape from his throat.

 

[Agnes]

A menace, she called him, and a menace he was. "Your menace," he reaffirmed gently, taking the cue to lean down and meet her for another kiss, the fourth in an endless sea of kisses to come. Her eyes were alight with excitement as he leaned in close, and it only served to further heighten the torrent of emotions crashing through him. The little squeeze on his member had profound effects on his body and overworked mind, and the young Templar let out a hitched breath and a groan as she coaxed him further along the string of arousal, a healthy amount of translucent pre-cum already coating her fingers and lubricating as she worked him over and over in his breeches. She was going faster now, faster than he could pace himself, and he could already feel something coiling and turning deep inside him, his body trembling as it prepared for the inevitable. Her fingers snaked into his hair, her tongue forced its way into his mouth, and he was only too happy to accept them and return the favour with rigorous attention. His own tongue met hers in the hot arena of their mouths, dancing and wrestling, pushing and pulling and twirling, intent on kissing her into submission but never quite achieving total victory.

Meanwhile, his hand continued to roam over her ample chest, feeling her breasts through the soft fabric of her robes like he had done so many times before, unable to take the time to properly explore their bodies. In a way, their shows of affection were becoming more urgent and aggressive, sliding back into their natural comforts, and Cayd sailed where the wind blew, snaking back down to between her legs to properly finger fuck her as they waged war with their tongues above. "Ari... I—" He began against her lips, urgent and needy, but he was cut off by another sudden squeeze on his manhood that almost damn near sent him over the edge. "Ari, I need you," he whispered, leaning forward forcefully and amping up all fronts of pleasure he worked on her body. His tongue swirled over hers, his fingers sliding in and out while his thumb played with her ginger bush and her clit, his hands cupping her breasts and cupping the sensitive little nipple between his fingers.

His advances were both a demand and a plea, and if she would consent, he would use his free hand to hastily undo his breeches fully and let them crumple to the ground, freeing his manhood and giving it some much needed breathing room, and would also peel away her underwear until it was hanging by an ankle, fully intent on spreading her legs open on the table and having his way with her. A mental note of apology was sent to whoever would be studying on this table tomorrow. Cayden held a laissez-faire attitude to most things in life, but never when it came to Aria. He needed her, and he needed her now.

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

Aria was immediately validated at Cayd's very physical responses to her hand's machinations, once again the feeling of power rushed through her; the groan that extended forth from his throat, combined with the presence of pre-cum already leaking from the tip of his cock and causing her hand to slide along his length in a slicker motion - all of this would have confirmed how physically attractive she was to him, and how able she was to bring him into a state of pure arousal... if she hadn't already been well aware. In their deep, passionate kiss, she could feel his need for her with every coil and press of his tongue, which was almost desperately trying to subdue her own, and failing, yet in the best possible way.

Beneath the touch of his calloused hands, her supple breasts quivered, and each time his palms brushed against her nipples between the fabric, a soft gasp slipped from her throat and into his mouth, getting lost amidst the dancing of their tongues; the gasps evolved into shaky whimpers as Cayd slipped his fingers back into her inner depth with increased speed. Ari's hips squirmed from side to side, practically turning into mush beneath him. He pulled back a little, the two of them left panting in the scant space between their faces, and spoke soft words to her that mirrored the need she felt for him. They hung in the air for a few seconds as Aria tried to catch her breath, chest rising and falling rapidly underneath his touch. "My love..." she started, grey eyes staring at up at Cayden, lidded with pure need, her pale skin flushed across the cheeks that clashed spectacularly with her red tresses. She continued, voice soft, loving. "My love, if you need me... you can have me." The anticipation rocketed through her body like a shock spell; her hand, somewhat reluctantly, let go of Cayd's length, but not before sliding her thumb over the very tip, and instead moving to press against his lower abdomen, where she could feel his muscles jump and tense as his own desire urged his body's actions.

 

[Agnes]

Words were never truly necessary between the two of them, and it was the case this time as well. Ari's half-lidded bedroom eyes and the gaze of pure desire she held in them answered his question long before her lips did, but Cayd still enjoyed the vocalisation of it. Her voice was another of the endless things he loved about her, and he would hear her telling him to take her every single day if he could. There was no overreaction from the templar, her assent having been assured long before they stepped into this library together. He only cracked a sly grin and a drawled "Noted," being more concerned with more pressing, physical matters, like getting their clothes out of the way. He did clamp his mouth shut at the way she teased his tip, sealing the groan in his mouth before it could escape, and that was the end of that— it wouldn't be exciting to lay out all the cards before had even started now, would it?

Heart hammering in his chest, fingers warm from her body but cold with nervousness, he gently parted her legs after he'd removed her panties, exercising all of his self-restraint not to rush like they so often had to. Pulling up her thighs and pulling them towards him so that she was more accessible, and also allow her to hook her legs around him if she so wished. Taking a moment to steady himself, he aligned the tip of his member with her slick, wet entrance, never losing eye contact with his lover. He wanted to see every little gasp and moan and flutter she let through, and he wanted her to see everything he had to give. Memories of their first night together came rushing back; he'd felt nervous then, a lot more than he felt now, but it was a wonderful memory that lived on in both their minds, equally captivating and awkwardly endearing in all the right ways. Back then, they'd had to hide away the bloody evidence of their lost innocence before Aria's friends and mentors could find out what happened. It probably wouldn't be the case now, the both of them having acclimated to each other's bodies, but it was still a tight fit down there, so he took his time to make it enjoyable for the both of them.

Slow and steady was his method, sliding inside her with a care and familiarity thatcould onlyne achieved through years of friendship and courtship. She felt familiar, tight, yet exotically pleasurable in a way, and he groaned quietly and let out ragged breaths as he felt her walls stretching to accommodate him, the tight vice of her walls almost milking him dry with the very first contraction. "You... you feel amazing, love," he whispered, hands around her waist and holding her close as he bottomed out on her, until there was no more space between their bodies again, except this time they were connected in a new way entirely. His pale face was red with exertion, but youthful as ever, eyes shining glazed with both pleasure and love for the woman, and he leaned in close until their foreheads could touch, gazing deep into those greys. "I feel like I've gotten better at this," he jested in a whisper, a lopsided smile upon his lips as he started moving slowly, having given her some time to adjust to his intrusion. "I'm no longer making a fool of myself trying to undress you. I just yank your bottoms out of the way."

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

Ari's lips moved to mirror Cayd's own sly smile, her hand now moving away from his length for him to better move himself into position in a short while, and the sly grin only widened somewhat as his lips pressed together to prevent some sort of noise from escaping in the small space between their faces. The varied kinds of sounds that would typically leave his lips during intimate moments were one of the many things she looked forward to during each tryst, not in the least because circumstances typically forced them to be rather silent. It was a mixture of that power she loved having over him, and seeing him so relatively vulnerable, physically, when he generally had to be stoic, always made her legs feel weak. Her lips parted a little, tongue sliding out to moisten them, eyes still fixed upon him as he got to work in removing her panties and parting her thighs, exposing the most secret part of her body - and it was all for him. As his body moved closer to her, Cayd's cock pressing up against the entrance of her sex, her legs lifted and wrapped possessively around him as if locking him in place.

Cayd, almost torturously slowly, slid him member between the entrance of her warm, needy sex; a gasp, trembling and weak, slipped from her mouth, followed by a soft, nearly inaudible chuckle. It was a little strange for their love-making to be slow, exploratory, and it reminded her somewhat of their first time, the first time they had actually been able to sleep with one another; they were young and of course inexperienced, and up until that point their intimacy had been consisted of brief kisses (heads bumping included), and the occasional groping and fumbling in which they grabbed at each other with hungry abandon. But that first night, Cayden had been entirely endearing - he wanted it to be special, like the erotic novels Aria was not keen on, and it had been. Awkward, yes, but given their inexperience that would have been a given. And he hadn't hurt her, and hadn't since, not withstanding the carefully administered bites and nips on her soft, pale skin.

Being reminded of their first time together, her skin erupted into gooseflesh against him, her lower body in a state of heightened awareness as his cock moved further into her depths, the walls tightening around him subconsciously and providing the two of them already so much pleasure. "Mm," Aria agreed, voice soft and silky and amused, her hips starting to gently roll against Cayd's, the movements subconsciously aligned. "You definitely have, sweetheart. Though-" she paused, a sharp gasp stopping the word in her throat, and she had to take a moment to gather her thoughts again. "I loved those times, too... we were both so unsure, and you wanted to make every moment special." Their faces were so close together now she fancied she could see every line of colour in his shining eyes, and she bumped her nose against his in a sort of callback to previous encounters. "Though I'm not complaining about you just getting right down to business, either." That was of course true, although she often wished they had enough time and space to be able to make love like the average person - the average person not locked up in a Tower and on opposite sides of social expectations, perhaps more like a husband and wife on a farmstead somewhere who owned three goats and five chickens. Yet she also tried not to think about that too much. It could be...depressing. Aria's eyes closed, composing not only her breath but her thoughts as well. Cayd was knowledgeable enough of her expressions and perceptive enough to notice the change in them, and this was not the time to bring it down in any way. So, after taking a moment, she opened her grey eyes again, sparkling up at him and lidded with need.

 

[Agnes]

How is it that a single woman was able to send his walls crumbling down with a look and a smile? To most others, Cayden was a stoic, guarded man, just as his brothers were. He was forced to be, unable to show emotion or empathy, least of all the very mages they guarded, so that he was just one more faceless Templar under the Chantry's command. It was exhausting, frankly, but even then he did not show his true colors, his true skin to just about anyone. Not his brothers with whom he shared the barracks, not his family who had forsaken him, no one. Only Aria ever got to see him cry, laugh, anger, and in moments of pleasure like these, shiver and tremble with need for her. Then again, Aria was no ordinary woman, was she? For him, at least, she was the perfect woman anyone could ever ask for. Gorgeous physical beauty aside, flaming red hair and the face of an angel, she also held a heart of gold that radiated with purity. A heart she had thrust into his hands so trustfully, just as she completely owned his. As he told her just before their precious first time, "You're beautiful. You're kind. And you're mine."

And it did them both good that he went slow and steady, it seems, because a symphony of quiet moans and gasps flowed from Ari's lips like water from a fountain, gooseflesh blooming all across her skin as he made the slow, slow descent into her depths. Same as her, it filled him with a sense of power to see her become a trembling mess at the barest of touches, knowing he would be the only one who ever holds this much sway over her, mind, body, and soul. "Hey, I still make every moment special," he shot back with some good-natured cockiness, having a bit of trouble keeping his voice neutral amidst every intense contraction her slick walls took against him. Sometimes, they got right down to business, and other times, they took their sweet time-- but every moment Cayd tried to keep special, endearing, memorable in some way. Never would he think of taking their time together for granted; they had so little of it already.

And despite the scarcity of contact between them, their shared bond was not skin-deep. No, it went much deeper than that, to the very core of their person. It was only a split-second, but the young templar caught the little dip in the mage's disposition, the way her eyes dulled and her shoulders sagged. She was thinking of the future again, of a farmstead with three goats and five chickens, and the bitter reality that they might never even get to that point. She waved them away with a squeeze of her eyes, but Cayd read Ari like she reads a book. Soft as silk, he trailed the back of his hand along her cheeks, gently squeezing it between his fingers even, and gave her a kiss on her forehead, wiping the thin sheen of sweat that had formed. "Do not feel sad, Ari," he whispered against her skin as he continued the roll of his hips, sliding into her, picking up the pace with every forward thrust. "I am still here... we will not be losing each other any time soon, hm?" The thoughts of her impending Harrowing invaded his mind just as he said these words, but he forced them away with a fury, thinking along the same lines as his lover. This was no time to dwell on depressing matters.

No, they would spend their precious time together looking forward to the sun, not the shadows that awaited just a few steps away.

Besides, were they not doing what normal couples did? Kissing and talking and laughing while they made love on a (burnt) table. Moments of the ordinary within their extraordinary romance. "Will you be able to sneak away again after your examination? I already know you will obliterate the competition... that deserves a celebration, yes? And... we also have some things we should discuss soon."

 

[cyrodilicbrandy]

As she had expected, Cayd had noticed her faint dip emotion - she wished it hadn't been so noticeable, and yet wasn't surprised. They were of course physically close enough that simple changes of posture or expression were very likely to be noticed, but it went deeper than that. There had been times, she fancied, where they had been on opposite sides of a room, or with several metres of hallway between them, and she had been able to pick up his emotions just by perceiving he was nearby. Maybe that was a little fanciful, maybe it was just the general aura of the Circle that made emotions and thoughts a little more pervasive, but the two of them certainly did have a closeness that was unlikely to be rivalled. From a young age, they had become very quickly aligned with each other; Aria being the quick wit that could make Cayd be less serious and laugh at himself when he needed it, and Cayden tempering Ari's propensity for mischief and helping her act maturely when she needed it.

The back of Cayd's hand trailed along her cheek, the gesture soft, loving, reassuring; chaste too, unlike the way his hips continued to roll forwards into her. Her body felt warm, skin erupting in prickly goosebumps as each sound of pleasure left the couple's mouths. The pace of their hips increased, as the pure physical need between them started to rise and urge their bodies forwards into gaining and experiencing shared pleasure of each other. Ari titled her head just a little, pressing her face against the back of his hand and nuzzling, like a small animal would do when seeking affection. Her thoughts mirrored his somewhat as he spoke, his voice but a whisper. They were together, now and always, that was plainly true - until her Harrowing, in which only one of the potential outcomes meant they would be able to continue like this. But this was not something to dwell on now. She would try not to, at least.

Ari possessed his lips for a short, charged kiss, before Cayd spoke to her again. She answered him with a smile and spoke, her voice tremulous with need and exertion. "You have a very high opinion of my skill," she said, laughingly. She felt confident about the examination herself, though not overmuch so; still, she had no reason to believe she might fail at it, and any sort of celebration that Cayd had in mind would be worth the price of success in itself. Though at his mention of things they had to discuss, the humour left her eyes a little, replaced with a very faint confusion. She wondered if it was the Harrowing; she would have asked him, if it were anything else, but she would not, could not, say that word into the space between them. For her part, it would drain all of her desire from her, and it was bad enough that she was even giving it space in her head in this intimate moment. It made sense, though, that at some point they would have to talk about it. The event itself was terrifying enough - worse knowing she could be ripped away from Cayd should it end badly. Andraste's tits! Why had she been born a mage? Why couldn't the two of them have been born to, and as, normal, decent, hard-working folk! No pressure to be stoic and faceless, no pressure to ward off the constant threat of demons!

Ari's arms reflexively tightened around Cayden, as if keeping him fully in place, as she fought for her mind to be done with thinking about the Harrowing, and when she turned her gaze back up at him, neither her voice nor her expression were as jokingly arranged as she was trying for them to be. "If the things we need to discuss that you are alluding to do not include plans to grow wings and fly up out of the Tower, I shall be displeased."

 

[Agnes]

Just as Ari drew a sense of power and strength from the sounds of physical pleasure she could coax out from him, Cayden also felt powerful and loved and needed whenever she pressed into him like he was the only thing she would ever need. The subtle way in which he nuzzled into his hand, cute as a kitty, and the way she laughed eagerly and leaned up to kiss and wrap around him, made him feel as large as a giant, filled with the sole desire to love and cherish and protect this precious woman. To serve and protect the poor and needy— that was the mandate all Templars lived by, but Cayden could not imagine anyone else he would more willingly serve and protect than the woman he was making love to, looking up at him with eyes of adoration and a smile that just screamed contention to be with him.

"Of course I do. You are the only one who had managed to set a table on fire three times in one night," he said jokingly with some difficulty, soft groans of pleasure escaping him every now and then as he began to feel a forceful presssure building inside of his stomach, a gathering storm soon to come. His raven locks were dishevelled and fell across his face, his clothes were misshapen from where Ari tugged at him, but he could not have looked more alive and energized as when he made those urgent thrusts into her. "Besides," he began, grabbing the legs that wrapped around his waist, getting closer than he already was to her, wanting no amount of heat or whispered pleas to escape between them. "I would be a terrible lover if I did not believe in you."

The young Templar sealed off the conversation with another loving kiss, taken as they both moaned in pleasure while their tongues tangled and danced. Perhaps he was a bit tactless in mentioning external affairs in such an intimate special moment like this, but he still had to mention it at some point. He did not mention what exactly they needed to discuss, and he did not provide any further details, but it was obvious Ari was thinking what he was thinking; or at least, something as dreadful and terrifying as her Harrowing. Almost instinctively, he squeezed her thighs, and leaned in closer as she wrapped her arms around his neck, as if letting her know he was there with him. He loathed to think of the terrible things that could come off of her Harrowing— what if she fails in the Fade? What if she returns to her body, only to be replaced by something that wasn't Aria? What if the Templars deem her dangerous and... No. With a force of will reminiscent of the warriors in chantry scripture, he forced the thoughts out of his mind, knowing he would only be burdening her more with every uttered complaint of his worries.

And Ari must have realized the same, because her quip was a humorous as one could be during their usual friendly banter, but even she could not inject as much enthusiasm into her words. "You are the mage with the fancy magic staff and fancy magic hands. I am just a regular templar who has to take Lyrium just to achieve a fraction of your power. If anyone is sprouting wings and flying out of the Tower, it should be you." Cayden, too, had a hint of melancholy to his tone, a forced sort of humour, but he was better at hiding his opinions from his face and demeanor. He had to be, when the Templars were essentially soldiers. "If you do manage to sprout wings, perhaps you can take me to Denerim to see the capital. Or perhaps Redcliffe to see how ordinary people live their lives." Ordinary people with their three goats and five chickens, making love while talking and kissing, never having to worry about demons or abominations, no obligation to be stoic and faceless.

Leaning in to bump his nose against hers, Cayd closed his eyes shut as he felt the pleasure beginning to overtake him, his mind shifting back as his body began to move of its own accord, his movements now rapid and unrelenting as he well and thoroughly fucked Aria. The lewd, wet sounds of flesh meeting flesh rang out across the library, and he whispered in a desperate plea, "I-I think I'm close, love."