A Bed


Blossom had returned to the archives after her… encounter with Brick. Or should she label it an unintentional experiment? An experiment in which she discovered that he was actually good at kissing, and he could be soft and gentle and not possessing a head full of rocks if his smidgen of wit was anything to go by. And… he wasn't completely unpleasant to look at without clothes on. But it wasn't fair that Brick knew more about her body than she did his. He could touch her in ways that overstimulated her nervous system and left her even more vulnerable than she already was, so Blossom figured she had two choices.

One: discover potential weak points by reading up on Demon biology and hope they applied to Brick. One-quarter of his blood was Angelic, so he might not be susceptible to the same physical stimuli.

Two: learn a desensitization spell or acquire a numbing tonic, but both carried the risk of inhibiting her mental faculties with repeated use.

Facing a wall of texts helped her choose the former option without much pondering. Knowledge was power, after all, and if Blossom possessed the same knowledge as Brick, he wouldn't have power over her.

She found a hefty tome on the subject of Demon anatomy written by an Angel named Luxiphoros the Elder. It appeared to be a handwritten copy since different inks were used and many of the sections contained scribbled notes, smudges, and miniature diagrams in addition to detailed full-page drawings. Blossom wondered if there was any connection between the author and King Lucifer due to the phonetic similarity of their names. After spending the rest of the day poring over the tome, she left to make an inquiry of Morrigan and noticed night had just about fallen. Pink and orange dregs of sunlight shone through the windows, giving the wooden interior of the castle a mystical quality. It reminded her of a visit to Fawna when she was young, where the setting sun turned the misty forests into another realm entirely.

She found Morrigan in the dining room. Just as she inhaled to address the Demon, Brick exited the kitchen. Blossom observed the three bowls balanced on his forearms while Brick studied the book clutched to her chest. When he caught the title, it took a great amount of willpower not to crow. He'd figured her out in just a couple days. "Brick, why are you…" Blossom owlishly tilted her head. "Did you cook those dishes?"

"Ah… yes, I did. One of my brother's trows delivered some seafood while you were reading. Said Buttercup gathered everything herself." He set the bowls down. Morrigan didn't wait for her master and mistress to join her before digging in. Blossom stared at him a moment more before her attention fell to the dish. "Please, eat," Brick gestured. "I can't promise it'll suit your palate, but I tried my best."

"It certainly looks edible." Blossom dipped her spoon into the seafood stew. The rich, meaty flavors were contrasted by tangy lemon, white wine, and fresh herbs that all combined to elicit a sound of pleasure. Both Demons raise their eyebrows at her. "Oh…" She blushed and tried shielding her face with one hand. "Please forgive that uncouth reaction. This is delectable."

Brick smirked. "You're forgiven." Forget cool stuff, apparently the way to his bride's heart was through her stomach.

She regarded him in wonderment. "You made this dish, truly? Why did you not have the goblins prepare it?"

"Too complex. It would've taken too much time to tell them which ingredients to gather and how to prep everything, so I just did it myself."

"I must admit I am impressed." Blossom stirred her stew in search of more lobster meat. "I did not think you knew how to cook, or that you would ever deign to."

Brick savored the feeling of subverting her expectations. "I learned while Morrigan and I were at the mage academy. The cuisine they fed us was truly heinous."

"To put it mildly," she added, making a face of distaste.

Blossom didn't miss a beat. "Is the academy where you gained your fire immunity?" Morrigan faltered as Brick's brow furrowed. He should've known she wasn't going to drop a subject that so piqued her interest. "Is that not where your 'trade' was conducted?" she pressed.

"It was…" Morrigan began, but her master silenced her with a glare. "Forgive me. It is not my place to say."

But she could say. Blossom would question her when the king of the castle wasn't around. "If you will not enlighten me on that subject, perhaps you can expound upon another." Brick eyed her from behind his wine glass. "This textbook was written by one Luxiphoros the Elder. Is there an etymological connection with 'Lucifer'?"

"The relation is that Luxiphoros is my grandparent," Brick answered, relaxing. Blossom was pleasantly surprised by that information. "Their name and my father's name mean something like 'bearer of light'. Pretentious, if you ask me."

"Then, Demons employ patronymic naming conventions?"

"Some do, some don't." He shrugged. "My brothers and I didn't receive names until we were four years old– our parents called us 'Little Ones' until then."

"My family uses matronymics and patronymics," Morrigan put in. "There has been Morgana, Morgaine, Morgen, Morcant, Muirgen, Myrddin, and Merlinus."

Blossom beamed. "Fascinating! Do you have more works by Luxiphoros, Brick? I would like to read them all."

"They've written anatomical texts on all the species. It's a scientific series. I do have them all, but Demonic Entities is the only pre-published edition."

"Pity." Silence followed her dejected sigh until goblins came to fetch their empty bowls, making a racket.

Brick stood and offered his arm for Blossom to hold. "Ready for bed?"

No, she wanted to keep reading, but she didn't feel like bickering with him more than once a day. She still exhaled a huffy breath. "Must I be escorted around our own home?"

"I'm only escorting you to bed, which I will be sleeping in from now on." Brick ignored the way her nose wrinkled. "Come now, darling wife. I wish to retire with you."

"Darling wife," she repeated in a mocking tone, looping her arm through his as they headed down the hall. "Shall I refer to you as 'dear husband'?"

"Only if I'm dear to you." Blossom rolled her eyes and let him go as soon as they entered the bedroom, taking a seat at her vanity desk. Brick undressed while she brushed her hair, and they watched each other in their respective mirrors. He turned around once naked and she averted her gaze to the reflection of the carpet. Then he approached, murmuring in her ear. "You're allowed to look, Blossom. Look at me, touch me, do with me what you will."

She set her brush down in annoyance. "You still seem to be under the impression that I want something to do with you in the first place."

"So you said earlier." Brick knelt to untie the laces at the back of her dress while Blossom sat stiffly. "Are you afraid of it?"

"Pardon?"

"My cock. Does it intimidate you?" She tutted. "I won't mock you for being intimidated. You read Anatomy of Demonic Entities so I'm sure you can tell that my length and girth are above average."

Blossom's lip curled. Girth. She hated that word. "And I suppose you want me to be impressed by the measure of your tool? Or feel honored that I will be deflowered by a man with above-average equipment?"

"I want you to be comfortable with it, with me. Why else were you reading that book if not to learn how my body works?" Blossom remained stoically silent. "Studying scientific diagrams isn't the same as experiencing something with your five senses. And I would like us to experience some of each other before the time comes to consummate our union."

"If that is what you desire, get it over with." She slumped, resigned. "I will not fight you." There'd be no need to fight with laudanum in her veins. She wouldn't feel anything.

Brick left her to get into bed. "I'm not going to fuck you tonight, tomorrow, or even the day after." Blossom was almost affronted by his matter-of-factness. "Not because I don't want to," he clarified, "I don't want you to be sought out by an incubus or succubus. That's what we call the Demons who prey upon virgins."

She had forgotten about that stipulation. "Oh," she said softly. "Then… when?"

He hummed, contemplating the canopy. "We need to put magical wards in place to protect you from incubi and succubi. Boomer has the skill, but he's establishing them for himself and Bubbles first. He works longer hours than me so he doesn't have as much free time, and the spells are rather draining. It'll probably be another week until he can ward this room."

So five days from now, Blossom would surrender her virginity to someone she felt no love for and only the slightest, most miniscule hint of attraction. But having a set date alleviated her anxiety somewhat. "I see. And what would you like us to experience until then?"

Brick gave her a long look. "You could start by sleeping in the nude." Blossom paled at the thought. Fabric was her last line of defense against his questing hands. "It's more comfortable, honestly, and you won't want to be wrapped in extra layers once summer arrives. Besides, your wings would feel better unrestricted."

She nearly snorted. "Do not pretend to care about the condition of my wings." Nonetheless, she stowed her overdress in the armoire, hesitating before pulling the sheer chemise over her head.

Brick narrowed his eyes. "You're right– how dare I take your comfort into consideration. This is clearly a ploy for me to ogle you unabashedly."

"As if you are not doing just that!"

"As if you aren't so stunning that my gaze can't help but be drawn to you. Now lie down with me… please," he added.

The room wasn't completely dark since clear skies permitted moonlight to beam through the windows, but even if Blossom couldn't see Brick, she still felt his attention on her and tugged the comforter up to her chin. The linens were, admittedly, felt luxurious against her bare skin. "I have done as you asked."

"You're not asleep yet," he returned. "You can relax. I'm not going to do anything… unless you want me to."

"In your dreams, perhaps." He chuckled at that.

The only sound disrupting the quiet of their surroundings was steady breathing. Blossom didn't expect to fall asleep so quickly, but loosening her wings greatly helped. When not unfurled they stuck to her back almost like a second layer of skin; she could move around and even lay on them without being hurt. She never noticed the tension she held in those muscles and tendons until consciously relaxing them, and at that point she was willing to concede that her husband made a valid argument for sleeping in the nude.

Brick awoke in the middle of the night, typical for him, groaning and flexing his hands to pop the joints. His fingers touched a material he couldn't identify at first, something smooth and pliant yet firm, but then it moved and he realized it was one of Blossom's forewings. He held it between two fingers, humming. Pixie wings were marvelous in their complexity. The veins and membranes formed a translucent mosaic akin to stained glass. A single layer of ultra-thin lamina provided a scintillating palette. Their corrugated structure could support weight many times that of the creature they provided lift for. The cartilaginous frames on the upper edge of each wing contained nerve endings that transmitted sensations to the brain, which when coupled with Pixies' elongated ears helped them register changes in the environment such as wind, moisture, and air pressure.

It was quite illogical for Brick to take a member of the most sensitive, dainty, fragile species as his bride when he could hurt her so easily, intentionally or not, but his dick only cared about how gorgeous Blossom was. His brain had to be the responsible organ and come up with a method to satisfy his desires without harming her. Pleasuring Pixies had tons of suggestions on how to arouse her, but she wouldn't enjoy it as long as her mental barriers remained. She had to accept him and learn to trust him. That was the missing word in their relationship; if Blossom trusted him, she'd be receptive to his advances. Maybe she'd even reciprocate them.

Brick stopped fondling her wing. He said he wasn't going to do anything and that included touching her while she was unconscious… but he didn't say he wouldn't look. He lifted the comforter just enough to reveal her bare back. The curve of her spine was so enticing that he made a fist to prevent himself from reaching out to trace it. He pulled the blanket down a little more to admire her ass. It was on the small and svelte side, but there was enough to earn his attention when she bent over. His eyes returned to her slender, graceful neck and the wispy red hairs that had escaped her updo. Gods, he wanted to seal his lips to that part of her and never let go. Brick wasn't aware that he'd shifted closer until Blossom stirred, making a cute sound and reaching for her nape. "Is there… a breeze?" she mumbled, half-coherent.

"That was me," he admitted.

She felt around for the covers, making another cute sound of frustration. Instead of tucking her in, he pressed himself against her back. Her head lolled toward him. "Brick?"

"Yes?"

"You are… warm." He exhaled in relief. She didn't tell him to go away and soon slipped into slumber once more. Brick considered this a victory. Blossom would probably deny it when she awoke, but he knew the truth. She had snuggled with him.

A loud clatter startled the married couple in the wee hours of the morning. "Fucking goblins," Brick growled in Blossom's ear. Her instinct to flee was so strong that she flung herself out of his arms and nearly fell on the floor. He cracked an eye open. "Do you always wake up like that?"

She took deep breaths to calm herself. "What happened? What was that noise?"

"Goblins broke something," he replied, raspy. "Come back to bed."

Blossom obeyed, but only because she was still tired and the sun wasn't even up yet. She recoiled when Brick tried embracing her. "What do you think you are doing?"

He frowned. "It's called cuddling."

"What in Erd makes you believe I would cuddle with you?"

He did not want to deal with her disparaging attitude first thing in the morning. "I don't know, the fact that we did so all night?"

She scoffed. "Lies."

"Whatever." He turned onto his right side, facing away from her. "You're so frigid you'd probably frost me over."

"I am not frigid." Blossom wiggled back and forth to cocoon herself in the blankets.

"Will you stop fidgeting?" Brick snapped. She ignored him and kept at it. "That's seriously annoying." Still she continued. "Blossom…" Now she did it just to spite him. "You'd better stop," he said in a warning tone.

"Or what?"

Brick rolled over, his glower burning a hole in her back. "I'll make you stop." She paused. That almost sounded like a real threat in his voice. Her next wiggle was her last.

"Aiee!" Blossom shrieked as he yanked on the sheet, pulling her close enough to trap beneath his body. "Let me go!"

"No way."

She squirmed and writhed under him. "Get off me!"

"Not happening."

Blossom shoved at his chest but he only lowered more weight onto her, earning a gasp. "Brick…" She turned desperate. "Release me, I cannot breathe…"

"Yes you can," he chided. "Don't be so dramatic."

"You are suffocating me!"

"You're not suffocating if you can still talk." Blossom pouted. An honest-to-the-gods, princessy pout because he hadn't caved to her bullshit. Brick waited for their respective tempers to subside. "Are you done pressing my buttons?" She pointedly looked off to one side. "It's important that I get a decent night's sleep since I descend into volcanoes for a living. I need to be well-rested and focused on ensuring the safety of my team."

"Your team?" Guilt crossed her countenance. "I assumed it was only you."

He shook his head. "I'm responsible for lives other than my own. So I'll say this nicely– please let me sleep." He lifted his bulk off her. Blossom could've wriggled out from under him then, but she stayed.

"I apologize… I was being inconsiderate."

He started to smirk. "Well, if you feel like making it up to me… let me cuddle with you."

She mirrored his expression. "I thought I was too frigid."

"I can thaw you." Brick got comfortable behind her, and for reasons she couldn't comprehend, she was unbothered by his proximity.

"You are warm," she remarked.

"That's what you said before." His voice had taken on that thick, gravelly quality again; it was almost seductive. Blossom shivered at the possibility that there might be aspects she liked about her husband. Obviously she was too tired to think straight. She thought Brick had dozed off when he inhaled sharply, scaring her. "I forgot… goodnight kiss." She groaned since they had just situated themselves. He found her hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed the underside of her wrist. "Try not to sleep in too late," he advised.

Blossom was more than baffled by his behavior tonight. All he wanted was to kiss her wrist and not her lips? He wished to be naked with her and do nothing but cuddle? He wanted to get a proper amount of sleep like a healthy adult and be able to function at his job like a responsible member of society? The only thing she understood now was that she didn't understand Brick at all.