(OH MY GOD I AM SO SORRY CLOVERFIELD READERS. I AM SO FREAKING SORRY. SCREAMS. I'M SUCH AN IDIOT I'M SORRY.)
Hello everyone! I recently read a lovely bandslash fic called "Love is spelled like your fist" And goddamn am I a huge pathetic mess. I bring it up because there will most likely be some form of abuse in the next chapter!
So I just wanted to warn you precious babies before hand.
With a small, contented sigh Tavros hung up the bag of feed he'd been grabbing handfuls of crumbs from. He watched the feather-beasts as they pecked their little hearts out fighting to eat more food than their counterparts. Today would be his first -official- courting with Gamzee Makara, the Highblood of his dreams.
Gamzee was everything any troll could wish for. Sedate for a highblood, kind, caring, attractive, fit, and with a head of hair to beat the bard.
Tavros was completely and utterly on airs; That was until he came across a certain seadweller.
Orphaner Dualscar in all his horrific glory was perched against a wooden beam that kept one of the many barns in the castle from falling apart. He was picking at his nails with a dagger and, Tavros noted, none of the other servants were around. He must have ordered them away. The thought made Tavros shiver, and he almost -almost- considered not going back to the barn, but if he didn't return his chore tools he'd be punished severely and accused of thievery.
So instead he walked silently passed the man, praying to any God that would listen that he wouldn't be noticed- That he'd remain as small as possible. But the universe had always had a funny way of hating Tavros Nitram and everything about him. A thick forearm stopped him in his tracks and he simply stood there, frozen.
"Aren't we in a hurry?" Dualscar asked with a little tsk.
"A big one," Tavros replied quietly, trying to draw up any confidence he could possibly muster.
"And where are we off to?"
"I-" Tavros said, attempting to accentuate the singularity of it. "-Am going to meet Lord Makara."
"Ohh, aren't we excited then?" Dualscar replied, ignoring Tavros' obvious hint at 'just leave me alone already you creepy old man'.
Tavros remained in place, silent, intimidated. Dualscar insisted on wearing ridiculously elaborate armor that was uncannily similar to the Drones. A foul sort of creature that was known for killing everything in its path. The only way they kept the monsters at bay was through an agonizing and extensive sacrificial ceremony involving virgins. Lowblood virgins. It made Tavros shiver.
"I hear there's been a Drone sighting," Dualscar coos, practically reading Tavros' mind as he leans in. When Tavros doesn't provide a reaction, Dualscar continues. "Aren't you frightened...princess?"
For every ounce of Confidence Tavros DIDN'T have, that comment still made him enraged and embarrassed at how pathetic he was.
"There'll be a ritual tonight. I have it on good faith my brother will be choosing virgins of the rustblood variety," Dualscar proceeds, sending shivers down Tavros' spine. He places the dagger under Tavros' chin, forcing the boy to look at him. "You know I took down three of those vermin. Single-handedly."
Tavros wanted to throw up. Dualscar had never been very pleasing to talk to. It didn't matter what the subject, his vibe spoke of creep all around. "I believe I'll be just...uh, fine." Dammit! He cursed his inability to remain composed.
"Oh?" Dualscar asks, eyebrows raised. "You don't sound so sure...Don't worry. I'll protect you sweetheart." He pauses a moment before his face breaks into a disgusting grin. "Maybe we can work out a deal." The dagger moves down his chest, splitting the thread of his tunic until the top front has a huge tear through it, then slowly lifts up the back to reveal his legging-clad rear.
Tavros could feel the intense, heated gaze on his backside and he couldn't say he was particularly thrilled by it. He closed his eyes tightly and counted to three before aggressively (in his eyes, not so much anyone else's) pulled away and attempted to glare- Of course it came out as more of a playful pout thanks to his inexperience. He put his tools away and checked himself out. "I better not keep His Highness waiting. I apologize, Sirrah," he said coldly, barely catching the amused expression on Dualscar's face before he hurried off.
Sirrah! He had actually called him -Sirrah-. If that didn't earn him thirty lashings he didn't know what would.
But all the anxieties and fears washed away when he laid eyes on his beloved. If this was his last night of life, he couldn't say it wasn't worth it.
They'd decided to meet in the seclusion of the forest. It would be a romantic candlelight picnic where they watched the stars and stared longingly at the beautiful lake with the pale moon reflecting from it's surface.
"They're sacrificing tonight," Gamzee said conversationally about half way into their night.
Tavros nodded solemnly. "I uh...you're sure I won't...?"
"I'd never let any motherfucker hurt you," Gamzee said with a smile, leaning over to nuzzle Tavros. "I mean...I know...I got a little insane a couple times, but I'm really getting a handle on controlling myself! It's just...I'm so motherfuckin stressed with my stupid father trying to all up and get me to do stuff I don't wanna do."
"Do you want to uhm...talk about it?" Tavros asked gently, offering a sheepish smile.
Gamzee shook his head. "It's stuff involvin you. Stuff I don't feel in-particularly comfortable with doin."
"L-Like, uh, like...what?" Tavros asked nervously.
Gamzee gave a shrug, but the subject stopped soon after that. "I wonder who it's gonna be?"
Tavros shook his head. "I don't know."
The night had passed without any increasing awkwardness and proved to actually be pleasant by the time it was over. Gamzee and Tavros had decided to go for a dip in the lake, and while it wasn't the first time Tavros had seen Gamzee naked it was definitely the most significant.
In fact it was more different than any time he had helped Gamzee dress. He actually got to take in Gamzee's alluring form and silently worship it. He saw Gamzee in a whole new light and he knew that those eyes were staring at him with love rather than pity. He often caught such a look in Gamzee's eyes, and knew if they had been in the same blood class their love would actually be probable.
Of course two hormonal boys in their prime couldn't resist some tender, heated touching and experimental and intense kissing, but it didn't go much further than that. They had silently, mutually agreed to take things slow. That when their first time came it would be special.
When Tavros returned back to his room he was baffled to see the Grand Highblood himself blocking the entrance with a certain Orphaner Dualscar not inches behind him. Almost as if he was trying to make himself scarce- so when Tavros did arrive he'd be a little unpleasant bow on top of a huge, terrifying present. "Your Highness?" Tavros asked, bowing deeply.
"Tavros," The Grandhighblood said gruffly. The name burned Tavros' ears. Although he heard it hundreds of times every day it was so terribly different from hearing it on the King's lips.
"I believe you're aware of why I am here."
"I, uhm...I don't-"
"DON'T FUCKING LIE, YOU KNOW WHY I'M HERE," He snaps, causing even the great and fearless Dualscar to flinch with surprise. "You weren't at the ceremony."
Tavros goes pale in the face, trembling. "I...uh..." he replies meekly.
"Your name was called."
Tavros can already feel himself blacking out from sheer fear and panic. He can't even move. All he can do is gape and try to keep the tears that are in his eyes from falling.
"Dualscar vouched for you."
Tavros is a horrible, shaking mess. He's pretty sure he's done for at any freaking moment now. His poor little rapidly beating heart will give out and he'll kick the metaphorical bucket.
"You owe him your life."
Tavros was expecting more, but it never came. The next thing he remembered was waking up in his bed with little to know memory of the proceedings after that point, but it must not have been that bad because he was still alive and unscathed and sleeping in his own bed.
He sighs a breath of relief, debating on if the whole thing was a dream or something his hazy mind had made up to mess with him after such a wonderful night with Gamzee.
Speaking of Gamzee he can hear his secret beau being scolded just down the hall. He can't hear what The Grandhighblood is yelling about, but he figures it's something to do with Tavros.
"I EXPLICITLY ORDERED YOU SOMETHING SO HORRENDOUSLY SIMPLE AND YOU CAN'T EVEN ACCOMPLISH THAT YOU PATHETIC WASTE?"
Gamzee doesn't look perturbed. He's heard it all before. "I've been busy with all the other tasks you've been piling on me, father," he says, a bit of calculation to his voice that's not common.
"Then why have you not bed the slave? That is one of the tasks I 'piled on you'," He seethes, his hot breath right in Gamzee's defiant face.
"I will do it once I'm ready to father," Gamzee replies in a seethe.
"Then I suppose three days locked in your room won't make much of a difference to you?" The Grandhighblood asks, narrowing his eyes into slits. "You don't accomplish half the tasks I give you anyway it won't be any skin off your nose."
Gamzee looks peeved, but has obviously already pushed his luck as far as it could ever hope to go and he relents with an airy 'Fine' before his father slams the door right in his face, locking it up.
Gamzee isn't too hurt. He could always have the first servant to deliver his food switch their duties so it would be Tavros who was granted access. Then they'd have some more alone time to themselves. His father certainly wouldn't come visit him while he was in lock down.
He laid out on his bed, sighing a long, drawn out sigh. "This should be pretty motherfucking smooth."