Sky

"Sky?"

Blooms standing in the entrance of Stella's dorm. She smiles softly at me in greeting, looking sheepish and hesitant.

She looks around the room. "Is everything okay?"

She glances at the bathroom door before stepping further into the room. I sit up straighter, smoothing out my face of any emotions. No need for her to be dragged into this, whatever this is.

"The twins have had a long day." I answer, truth and lie. "I'm waiting for Tavi so we can head to training."

"Oh." She frowns slightly. "I thought training was over for the day."

Shit. Stella's suitemates last year never normally questioned what I was doing there. Then again, it's not like it wasn't obvious what I was doing there. Bloom can't know, she's too curious and unstable.

Remember, the best lies have truth in them, Irene's voice floats into my mind.

"Silva likes to check on progress now and then. With Tavi being a fairy he wants to check on her too. Two birds, one stone and all."

She nods in agreement. "Of course." She hovers slightly, clearly knowing she should leave but- she stays.

"Is everything okay Bloom?" Worry flashes through me at the vulnerable look in her eyes, curse me and my stupid caring heart.

"I- I was hoping to talk to Tavi."

Why would she need to talk to Tavi? My confusion must show because Bloom continues on.

"Just wanted some advice with my magic. My mentor, Isabella, has just found her mate so...."

She trails off, we all know how mates get when the bond first forms- except Riven, I need to check he knows what's going to happen, I doubt he did the reading I suggested. 

"And well-" Bloom pauses, "Tavi's Tavi."

And of course, we've all heard the gossip about Octavia's progress in class. She's one of the strongest fairies in Alfea, skilled and controlled. They also gossip about Bloom's lack of control in the face of her own power.

"I'm sure if you ask-"

"Bloom?" Stella comments as she strides back into the room, barely sparing the redhead a glance before looking at me in question. "What can we do for you?"

Bloom straightens up, that look of vulnerability sliding away as Stella walks closer when I shake my head, I'm not entirely sure what she wants from Tavi. Help, yes. But to what extent.

"Just wanted to ask Tavi a question." She rushes out, clearly uncomfortable in the older girl's presence.

"Octavia's busy." Stella stares her down. "Tomorrow."

"Stel." I cut in. Why did she have to be so rude all the time? Bloom is only trying to control her power. Stella looks at me, at the disappointment I know must show on my face. Her should sag a fraction, more than she would ever normally allow.

Stella sighs. "Tomorrow. Over breakfast. 8am. Don't be late."

Bloom nods eagerly, a grin taking over her face as she looks at me gratefully. I grin back, pleased I could help. Bloom mutters a thank you before hurriedly leaving the room.

"Why do you always insist on helping the downtrodden?" Stella asks in irritation.

"Why do you always insist on being a raging bitch?" I mock.

I freeze. Why did- Why would I-. Stella looks equally shocked at my outburst. I wait for her tears and anger. Guilt already consuming me.

"Stel-"
"I guess I deserve that one." She forces a slight smile. Before glancing at the bathroom door. "I should check on Tavi and where's Riven?"

I sag as she ignores me. Why couldn't I just be nice to her. I know she struggles with trusting people and making friends.

"Riv's gone back to our dorm. Said he'll talk to us there. Something about making us all dinner."

Stella looks at me in shock- horror and disgust covering her face at the thought.

"I know." I agree. "I'll beg Silva to order us some pizza."

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Riven

I lied. Shocker, I know.

I'm not going back to the dorms, well, I will go back to the dorms. Just not right now. I stub out my cigarette and slide my cig packet, weed and lighter into the box by the door and breathe in the smell of the stables. Still as gross and welcoming as every other time. I can't help the soft smile at the sight of the horses poking their heads out of their stalls in greeting. Curious creatures. I walk through the wing of the stables to reach my black mare. Wisp whinnies at me in greeting as I reach her stall.

"Hey girl." I whisper, stroking at her nose as I reach down to unlatch her stall. "I've had a long day sweetheart, so much to tell you."

She shifts and stomps her feet in agreement. I reach over to the carrier on the wall for a brush and begin to tackle her matted mane. I begin slowly, telling her about the run with Sky and Pixie. How it was good, they seemed to accept me being there, it's a step in the right direction at least. I hesitate to mention running after Octavia- and asking Sky to stay behind. I don't want to focus on why I needed that, why I needed to save someone- anyone. Why I needed to save Tavi.

My phone pings with a text from my pocket. Sky - they're heading over now. I curse, quickly throwing away the brush and hugging Wisp one last time.

"See you later girl."

I race down the corridor, stopping by the storage box to grab my things before running through the specialist hall. Helios, I have horrible time management. I made it back to the dorms in record time. Ditching my stuff before taking a quick shower and getting dressed. As much as I would love to see little Pixie's reaction to seeing me in just a towel, I am not eager to see Stella's.

I pull out the ingredients for Spaghetti Bolognese, putting the mince into the pot so it can cook through and begin chopping up the peppers and onions. The radio hums gently in the background and I feel oddly domestic for once. I used to cook food for Olivia, spag bol was her favourite. I smile sadly at the thought, she would have loved this little dinner setup. Probably would have spent the whole time bugging Stella about princesses and fairies. I slide the chopped veg into the pan next to the mince, leaving it to cook through as I get out herbs, tomatoes and a few canned chopped tomatoes.

The door opens and closes, the sound of footsteps reverberating in the air.

"Riv?"

"In the kitchen Sky."

Dear Helios... I sound like a househusband.

I look up to see Sky and the Siatra twins walking towards the stools on the opposite side of the counter to me. Sky walks over to the pot as I pour in the chopped tomatoes and herbs.

"This- this smells good." He sounds so genuinely surprised that I look up at him in shock.

"What? Weird stoner guy can cook, is that a hard Archetype for you to handle." I mock, my voice sounds insulted though.

Sky rolls his eyes at me but I can see the twinge of guilt flicker across his face.

"You know that's not what I meant."
I huff and turn back to chopping the mushrooms. Olivia hated when I put mushrooms in.

Why are you putting in the mushrooms when they make you so sad?

I jerk away from the counter, knife dropping in the process as I whip my head to the side. There, on my left shoulder, floats a little shadow.

"What the fuck? Pixie!" I shout through to the living room where the twins took up residence through Sky and I's chat. "Pixie get your shadow off me!"

I hear the distant clatter of jerk movement.

"Shit! Fenriz, get back here!"

Octavia comes to a sliding halt in front of me, her eyes wide at the sight of me cooking with my little shadow companion.

"Don't give me that bullshit Fenriz, leave Riven alone." She commands, sparing a side glance to Sky and Stella who have sat on the stools at the counter to watch the exchange. Pixie braces her hands on the counter. "No you are not! That's not even a reason!" She exclaims, glaring at the shadow.

I really want to know what the shadow- Fenriz- is telling her.

I'm merely telling her how excellent your cooking is. Fenriz says tauntingly to Octavia.

"Wha-" Octavia looks stunned

"Thank you." I nod awkwardly at the shadow.

It lets out a hum before gliding over to Tavi, its small form dropping down to hover over the counter surface as if gravity has an effect on it. I sort of just assumed they could fly- float?- anywhere.

"Well," Stella interrupts, looking between Pixie and I. "Would one of you like to start the more indepth version of an explanation?"

I glance at Octavia to see her reaction but she merely gives me a reassuring smile before turning and retekking the event to Stella. I put the pasta on as Tavi reaches the point of Belial's intervention.

"Wait, wait- pause." Sky interrupts. Shock coating his features as he stares at the shadows who now openly surround Tavi. "You're saying these guys ripped apart a Maahes?" He asks incredulously.

"What the fuck is a Maa- hes?" I demand.

"What is a- THE THING THAT ATTACKED YOU!!!!!" Sky yells, rising to his feet to indicate dramatically at Tavi and I. He's panting with barley concealed worry. "What were you two thinking!"

"Well the next time I'm being hunted by a Mehas"

"Maahes." Sky snaps.

Tavi glares. "I'll ask it to stop because Saint Sky said so."

There's a pause as the two face off. I share a concerned glance with Stella before immediately shaking my head. Ew. What the hell?

Sky lets out a dramatic sigh before slumping back on the stool as I dish up food. I silently look at him as his shoulders sag and he rests his head in his hands. I share a concerned glance with Tavi, guilt shining in both of our eyes at cousin him such stress.

"Sky?" Stella asks hesitantly, reaching over to put a hand on his shoulder.

Sky tenses. "Why do the two of you always find trouble?" He moans.

I huff out a guilty laugh.

"It's part of our charm." Pixie jokes. I grin at her, Stella giggling in the background.

"Well," I grin at Sky. "less moping- the pasta's ready."

"Finally" Stella mutters as I place the bowls down in front of everyone, leaving myself and Pixie standing. Sky looks up at Tavi, frowning when he sees her shifting uncomfortably. What the hell's up with her?

"Here," Sky stands up, indicating to his seat. "Take my seat, you look exhausted."

"Thanks for the confidence boost." She grumbles but accepts the seat.

There's comfortable silence as we begin to eat.

"Holy Helios this is good!" My gaze snaps up to Stella who's gaping at me.

"What. me being decent at cooking is so hard for you to believe."
"Yes!" Sky exclaims, eyes bright with humour. "I once saw you burn rice until it lit on fire. Rice, Riven. Rice."
Pixie and Stella burst into laughter, quickly trying to smother it as they turn away. I gape in betrayal at Sky. What happened to the Brocode man? Loyalty, confidential information and all that.

"Oh don't give me that look." Sky complains as he grins at me.

"You're all assholes." I exclaim.

Octavia

We spend the rest of the evening laughing and trading stories, it's relaxing and normal. It's been a long time since we've all been at ease like this. Stella cracks a joke about the smutty books I read and i can't help the shocked laugh that escapes me at Riven's shocked expression. Sky and Stella even crack a few jokes at their old relationship. Which was surprising to say the least. I glance over at where the two are currently talking quietly in the living room. They seem to be making up again. Not as lovers I don't think. They seem more relaxed and there's a comfortable distance between them.

Jealous Octavia? Darkling questions in an amused tone.

I pause and look back at the couple. No- no I'm not. I smile slightly as Sky laughs at something Stel said. It's good to see them so happy. I shift slightly in the stool as my legs begin to cramp up. Helios, I'm exhausted but I can't bring myself to let this moment end.

"You alright there Pixie?" Riven askes with a raised eyebrow as he hands out bowls of ice cream, placing Stella's on the table as she excuses herself to go deal with suite-mate melt down drama.

"I'm fine." I bite out, hiding a wince, watching hesitantly as Sky joins me at the counter stools. "I'm going to head back to my dorm."

I shift again, struggling to move but Riven quickly butts in.

"I don't know how you've survived training with Sky in the mornings if a run in the forest has you being so sore in an hour or two's time that you can't get out of your chair" He grins at me in challenge, eyes bright with barely concealed mirth and glee.

I braced my feet on the floor. He'd read every tinge of pain on my face if I stand, but letting him see he was right-

I can see Sky study the two of us as I plant my hands on the counter, biting down on my yelp, and stand in a great rush.

Riven shoveled another spoon full of ice cream into his mouth and said around it.

"Doesn't count when you use your hands to do most of the work"
I schooled my face into one of bored amusement, even as a bolt of pain flashes through me.

"I bet that isn't what you've been telling yourself at night."

Sky's shoulders shook with silent laughter as Riven set down his glass, his eyes gleaming with challenge.

Riven's voice drops an octave. "Is that what those smutty books teach you? That it's only at night?"

It took a heartbeat for the words to settle. And I can't stop the heat that springs to my face, glancing at his powerful hands. Even with Sky now biting his lip to keep from laughing, I can't stop myself.

Riven said with a wicked smile, "It could be anytime– dawn's first light, or when I'm bathing, or even after a long, hard day of practice."

I didn't miss the slight emphasis he put on long, hard.

I can't stop my toes from curling in my boots. But I mastered myself enough to say with a slight smile, striding for the doorway, refusing to let one bit of the discomfort in my legs show, "Sounds like you have a lot of time on your hands, Riven."

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Riven

"You're in deep shit." Sky says mildly to me as we lace up our boots for our morning run as Pixie puts on her coat just inside the specialist doorway. Last night was- good? a shit storm? frustrating?

"I know," I mutter. I don't know how I went from mocking Tavi to taunting her with my own bedroom habits. Then imagining her hand wrapped around me, pumping, until I'm a heartbeat away from exploding out of my seat on the counter.

I know Sky is well aware of the change in my mindset from the way he glances at me. How my skin had become too tight at the way she said my name, my cock an insistent ache ache against the buttons of my jeans.

I can count on one hand the number of times we have interacted properly.

Yet the thought of that one hand leads me back to her hand, squeezing him rough and hard, just the way I like it-

I grit my teeth and breathe in the crisp morning air. Willing it to settle my thoughts. I made myself focus on the morning wind's sweet song.

Sky chuckles, the wind shifting the strands of his blonde hair. "You two need a chaperone from now on?"

Yes. No. Yes. "I thought you were the chaperone."

Sky throws me a wicked smile. "I'm not sure I'm enough."

I flip him off as Tavi walks down the steps to join us.

She looks at us curiously. "You boys reading to go?"

We set off in the same formation as last time, Octavia protected within the two of us, she joggs two paces in front of us. I'm unable to stop my gaze from drifting down to her arse. Damn. My gaze snaps away as we reach the forest and I look around us, searching for any sign of the Me-a-Meah-has, thing. I only look away when I see the bubble effect of Pixie's shield close around us as she begins to practice.

We reach the fairy's stone circle and I feel myself tense up, my gaze flickering back to Octavia as a shadow untangles itself from her shoulder and floats towards me. It settles against my shoulder, it's touch is like a cool breeze against my skin and I can't help the shiver in response.

Why do you always wear long shirts, Riven? You should really show off these biceps.

I startle slightly, stumbling for a second at their odd voices. I watch fascinated as it merely swirls around my shoulders and neck, only pausing to watch as another shadow does the same to Sky.

"Tavi?" Sky calls out hesitantly as he slows down to raise his hands towards his shadow as it begins to curl around his wrists. "Your're-eh, shadows are-"

Pixie turned around to look at us in shock.

"Belial! Fenriz!"

The shadows shudder and move erratically. I take a step back as the shadow on my shoulder snuggles against my neck as if hiding.

They're kinda cute.

WE ARE NOT CUTE YOU INSOLENT CHILD

I yelp, bringing a hand up to clutch my head as the sound reverberates around me.

I begin to sway. "Okay- okay. Helios, don't get your shadow panties in a twist."

HOW DARE YOU

DO YOU THINK OCTAVIA WOULD LIKE THAT TALK

YOU HAVE NO RESPECT

AND TO THINK WE WERE GRATEFUL YOU PROTECTED OUR MISTRESS

I reel back in shock, overwhelmed by the voices. Is this what it's like for Tavi?

"ENOUGH!!!" Tavi roars, startling the shadows into submission.

"Get back here, now." She snarls slowly, causing my stomach to clench and tighten. Helios, that fire in her eyes.

I watch as the shadows sullenly move back to Pixie, clearly muttering apologies to her from the way she dismisses them. I share a bemused glance with a confused Sky. Right. I don't think he fully understands what's going on.

He looks like a lost puppy.

No wonder Silva and Irene took him in if he gave them those puppy eyes.

"I am so sorry," Tavi rushes out. "They're just so curious."

"It's okay," Sky reasures gently, tilting his head down towards her. "We get it, fairy magic can be unpredictable at times. And- well, they're a bit more complicated than that but we get it."

I snort at his random answer. Smooth Sky has finally started to become a stuttering mess. I thought I wouldn't live to see the day.

"C'mon," I say. "We should get a move on if we want to make it in time for breakfast."

A/N: Who should Beatrix's love interest be? Short term and long term.

Stella

Octavia

Riven and Dane

Riven and Octavia