Faeries hide what you want & reveal what you need

pamplemice: Vampire bats!Macelle Inspired by this prompt-fill...

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:31:05 -0400

Vampire bats!Macelle

Inspired by this prompt-fill by Bad-faery. I know Bad-faery wrote that vampire!Belle and vampire!Joseph cannot turn into bats, but cartoon bats are one of my favorite things to draw, so I just could not resist.

Awwwwww! Look at bat!Belle’s pretty blue eyes! And she has her wing around him, and he’s just all flushed and happy, and this is the cutest thing ever!

I think our friendly neighborhood mad scientist Whale should be able to conjure up a potion to turn them into bats for awhile…

Nor Iron Bars a Cage- Epilogue

Sun, 19 May 2013 18:13:00 -0400

Lost prompted: She won’t let him leave the bed.

The Dark One crept through the corridors of his castle, placing his feet so as to move soundlessly as he cut through the air, his presence undetectable to any mere mortal senses.

“Rumpelstiltskin!”

Belle appeared at the other end of the hallway, her arms folded and a most unamused expression on her face. Huffing, she stalked closer, taking his arm so he could lean on her since he’d forgone his cane in the interest of sneaking around. “What is our rule about getting out of bed?” she asked, her movements careful so she didn’t jar his still aching head as she escorted him back to the bedroom, giving him no choice but to get back into bed.

“That I’m not to do it,” he answered, leaning back against the pillows she’d piled up at the head. It had only been in the last two days that Belle had permitted him to sit up at all. Admittedly he’d been mostly unconscious for the first week of his convalescence, but he was feeling better now, headache be damned. He was bored.

“And why is that?” she asked as she carefully arranged the blankets over his legs. Gold fought the urge to sigh in contentment at the comfort. She’d never let him get up if he did that.

“Because my head almost exploded,” he admitted. It wouldn’t have been as dramatic as she seemed to think, but he’d come very, very close to rupturing something unfixable- or, more honestly, rupturing quite a few things that were unfixable- in his quest to free her from her cage.

It had been more than worth it.

After two weeks of forced rest and relaxation, his migraine had faded to a mere headache, and his nose had finally stopped bleeding. His limbs were still weak, but he felt better, and there was no reason that Belle couldn’t let him out of bed now. It was completely unfair that he was stuck in here while he could hear her humming to herself as she moved around the house.

“I’m bored,” he whined, sounding far too much like a petulant child for comfort, but Belle’s expression softened, and she moved to sit next to him on the bed so he could feel her warmth against his side.

“Oh sweetheart, I’m sorry,” she sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder, and he turned his face to kiss her hair. “I’ve been neglecting you. It’s just… there are so many new things here!”

Belle had sat vigil next to him for two weeks, and it wasn’t fair to blame her for wanting to explore now that he was no longer in danger of a seizure or massive stroke. She was in and out of the room constantly, curling up next to him while she read or bringing him trinkets from around the house so he could tell her stories. He loved her curiosity, but he also had three hundred years of selfishness ingrained on him. Gold wanted her with him always. If he couldn’t leave the bed, she shouldn’t either.

He’d be perfectly content if she’d just stay in bed with him. She didn’t need to explore when he had a few new things in mind that he very much wanted to show her right here. Tilting her chin up with his hand, he claimed her lips, loving that he was free to kiss her now. Their first kiss after he’d freed her had wiped out all memory of their disastrous kiss at the Dark Castle, and each one since had only gotten better.

Her lips were soft and warm, parting for him as he teased her with just the tip of his tongue, and her soft moan had him clutching her closer, hands splayed to feel as much of her as he could as he coaxed her closer yet, his tongue stroking against hers until Belle pulled back.

“Oh no, none of that,” she chided gently, but her breathing was unsteady. “You’re still recovering.”

“That means you’re supposed to indulge me,” he pointed out, keeping her close. “You’re supposed to do anything you can to make me feel better.”

She raised an eyebrow. “And kissing me makes you feel better?”

In this he could be completely honest. “Nothing makes me feel better than kissing you.”

Belle made a soft sound, and then her mouth covered his again, her sharp little teeth catching hold of his bottom lip so she could suck on it. Gold groaned, all thoughts of headaches and magic and major medical crises fleeing in the face of Belle’s kiss. She laved her tongue over his lip before releasing him, her eyes dark with desire and a teasing smile on her lips. “All better?”

“No,” he grumbled, trying to pull her back down. “I need another dose.”

She snickered through her nose, but she let him pull her close again, their tongues dueling playfully as he ran his hand over her back and lower, taking a handful of her bum and squeezing.

Yelping, she broke the kiss, but the look on her face wasn’t one of affront. “You, sir, are injured.”

“If you want me to stay in bed, you’re going to have to give me some incentive,” he pointed out, not releasing his hold on her, and Belle wiggled a little, giggling.

A moment later, her eyes grew serious, and she brushed her lips over his. “I don’t want you exerting yourself,” she told him. “We should wait.”

“I feel fine,” he assured her, and it was almost true. With Belle in his arms and her body pressed against his, any physical discomfort was the furthest thing from his mind.

“Rumpel, you almost died,” she reminded him, her expression bleak.

“But I didn’t. I’m alive, and we’re together.” He cradled her face in his hand, rubbing his thumb against the corner of her mouth. “For thirty-two years, I thought you were dead. I don’t want to wait any longer.”

Covering his hand with her own, Belle leaned into his touch. “I never stopped fighting for you,” she whispered. “I just wanted to get back to you.”

“You did,” he rasped. “You were so brave, love.” She’d survived three decades of imprisonment and come out the other side just as strong and pure as she’d ever been. His Belle was a wonder, and he longed for her with every breath.

“I don’t want to wait either, but we have to be careful,” she cautioned him, and his cock twitched at her words.

“I’ll be gentle as a lamb,” he promised her, and Belle raised her eyebrow.

“That’s not quite what I meant,” she said dryly, taking his hands in hers. She pressed a kiss to the back of each then placed them firmly on the mattress. “If you want to do this, you have to stay still.”

In his endless fantasies of making love to Belle, he’d seen himself touching her and pleasing her, bringing her to the height of ecstasy again and again. Staying still did not factor highly into his plans. “Belle…”

“Hush,” she commanded, drawing the blankets down as she moved to gently straddle his lap. “Just be still.”

Gold dug his fingers into the bed as she leaned closer, teasing him as she nibbled first at his lower lip then his upper one. “This is what I hated most about being in the cage,” she murmured, resting her hands on his shoulders and caressing his neck with her thumbs. “I hated not being able to touch you.”

He exhaled harshly at her words, shifting beneath her in an effort to bring her closer without really moving. “I’m free now though,” she continued, her smile growing wicked. “I can touch as much as I want.”

“Oh yes,” he groaned, cooperating as she sat back and drew his tee shirt off over his head. The feel of her fingers on his chest left him gasping, arching into her to beg for more. It had been so long since anyone had touched him, and never had a touch felt better than having Belle’s fingertips roaming over him.

“I thought about this at the Dark Castle,” she admitted. “I always wondered what it would feel like to touch you.”

His eyes rolled back in his head as she caressed his nipples, but it was her words that brought him to full, aching hardness. Belle had thought about him like this when he was a scaly beast. She’d wanted him even then, and they’d wasted so much time. “Belle,” he groaned, his hands tugging at the hem of her dress.

Firm hands caught his, pulling them away. “You’re being still,” she reminded him. “Use your words, Rumpel.”

“Take your dress off,” he begged, and Belle rewarded him for his obedience and did as he requested, leaving her straddling his lap in only her white bra and knickers. “Oh gods, love.”

She was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen- all pale skin and soft curls- and she was smiling just for him. This astonishing creature loved him, and even if he lived for another three centuries, he’d never understand why.

“Thank you.” She dimpled prettily, correctly interpreting his stunned silence and harsh breathing as a compliment, and went back to exploring his chest, finding every spot that made him shiver and lavishing him with tender caresses. “Is this what you looked like before?”

“More or less,” he managed, daring to rest his hands on her hips, and this time Belle didn’t scold him.

She smiled, “So, you’ve always been handsome- curse or no.”

Gold opened his mouth to protest, but the honesty in her eyes stopped him. Belle found him handsome in both his forms- the clawed monster and the weatherbeaten man. It seemed impossible, but everything about her was impossible. He felt his face heating, and she kissed his cheek.

“I’ve never seen you blush,” she marveled.

After three hundred years little embarrassed him, but Belle’s compliment had him blushing like a schoolboy. For what might have been the first time in his unnaturally long life, Gold couldn’t think of a single thing to say. Instead he leaned forward, capturing her mouth. Even if she wouldn’t let him touch her- really touch her- he could still do this.

Belle melted against him as he explored her mouth, and he wrapped his arms around her to bring her closer yet. She was the sweetest thing he’d ever tasted, and not for the first time he wondered how he’d ever found the strength to push her away. Never again would he make that mistake. He’d won her twice now, and he’d never let her go.

“My darling Belle,” he murmured when he finally had to let her breathe. “How I love you.”

It was her turn to blush, and although she hid her face against his throat, he could feel her pleased smile. “You certainly proved that,” she whispered. “I love you too, Rumpel.”

He had to touch her at that, his hands eager for every bit of her, and Belle moaned as she clung to him for long moments before remembering that he wasn’t supposed to be moving. “Rumpel…”

Despite the warning in her tone, he kept caressing her, daring to lift a hand to her breast, the soft flesh filling his palm so perfectly that he wasn’t sure he’d be able to let her go even if she ordered him to do so. “I have to touch you, love. I’ll be careful, but you have to let me touch you.”

Belle, of course, had to do no such thing, and he almost sagged with relief when she gave him a little nod, allowing him to proceed. Her bra was in the way, and he fumbled with it, wishing for his magic when the clasp defied him. He’d never been an expert with women’s undergarments, and this world’s underpinnings seemed particularly complicated.

Reaching behind herself, Belle unclasped it, and together they tugged it away, baring her to his eyes for the first time. She was absolutely exquisite, her small, pink nipples begging for his attentions, and the effort it would take to keep from kissing them might well kill him.

He leaned forward to do just that, grunting softly as his head throbbed. Gritting his teeth, he swallowed the noise, hoping she hadn’t noticed, but Belle’s hands went to his shoulders, easing him away. He could clearly see worry in her eyes, and Gold was ready to cut his own damned head off and be done with it. If she made him stop now, he was certain that he’d implode. “Belle…” he pleaded, but she shook her head.

“Sit back,” she instructed, her tone strict, and he knew well that there was no use in arguing with her.

With a grumble he leaned back against the pillows, the pain in his head fading, but the relief was no comfort when he knew she was going to put an end to this glorious encounter.

Bracing himself for her rejection, he was surprised when Belle instead sat up more on her knees, cupping her breast in her hand and leaning closer, offering it to him. “Let’s try this instead.”

Growling with pleasure, he covered her soft flesh with eager kisses, feeling her nipple pebble against his lips, proof that she was enjoying his attentions. He laved the little bud with his tongue, tugging at it gently with his teeth, and Belle cried out, pressing even closer.

He grumbled when she pulled back, but a moment later she returned, offering the other breast for his mouth, and his eyes rolled back in his head as he kissed and licked. Far from simply allowing his attentions, Belle was encouraging them, her voice breaking in a litany of pleasure as she urged him on, begging him for more, and he was more than happy to provide.

She hissed when he bit harder, and he released her at once, his heart sinking when she pulled back. Before he could apologize, her mouth covered his, her tongue plundering him. Helplessly he arched beneath her, feeling heat and wetness even through his pajama pants and her knickers. His Belle was drenched with desire for him, and primal satisfaction swept through him.

“Love, you’re killing me,” he rasped, and she went still in his arms.

“Don’t say that,” she pleaded, looking stricken, and he cursed himself for bringing up the memory of his near-death experience.

Determined to drive the bad thoughts from her mind, he wrapped his arm around her waist, coaxing her to press herself against him, his cock throbbing against her core. At the first movement of his hips, she cried out, her head falling back and baring the elegant line of her throat to him. He leaned in to lavish her neck with kisses and gentle bites, any pain in his head totally unnoticeable through the fierce glow of pleasure.

Belle wrenched herself away from him, her face flushed and her eyes a little wild. Without a hint of embarrassment, she dragged her knickers down and off, leaving him gaping at her in disbelief, all of her bared to him for the first time, and Gold suddenly forgot how to breathe.

It was all he could do to lift his hips and cooperate with her as she rid him of his pajama pants, and he was too enraptured by her body to even spare a moment to be embarrassed about his own. One long finger traced the length of his straining cock, and he nearly bit through his tongue, an inhuman growl tearing itself out of his throat.

Control snapping, he lunged for her, finding himself brought up short by her hands on his chest, pushing him back against the pillows. “You have to stay still,” she chided, her breathless voice belying her calm.

Gold didn’t want to stay still. He wanted his Belle under him while he pleasured her with his mouth and cock until she screamed, to hear her crying out for him as he licked her into a frenzy and pounded into her, pushing himself so deep that nothing could ever separate them again. “Belle, please.”

“Yes,” she muttered, straddling him again, and he let out a harsh groan when he realized what she was intending.

She wrapped her hand around the base of his cock, and worry suddenly swamped him. “Love, be careful. Go slow,” he urged as she positioned herself, and she actually rolled her eyes at him.

“Look who’s talking,” she pointed out, and then words were lost to both of them as she sank down, taking him inside of her for the first time.

Her body was almost painfully tight, and he ground his teeth to keep from thrusting up, forcing himself to let her set the pace. Belle’s brow furrowed as she paused, and he could see the moment she made her decision. A heartbeat later she moved again, taking him the entire way in with one swift movement.

She gasped, clinging to him as she pressed her face against his throat, and Gold wrapped his arms around her, trying to soothe her. He was buried inside of his Belle, but she was hurting and he could focus on nothing but her discomfort. “Breathe, love. Just breathe and try to relax,” he said frantically, pressing kiss after kiss to her hair.

Her nails bit into his shoulders as he rubbed her back, whispering nonsensical words of comfort until she lifted her head what could have been moments or days later. Instead of seeing pain like he expected, her expression was alight with wonder. “You’re inside me,” she murmured, squeezing him with her inner muscles, and he hissed.

Gold searched for the words to tell her how much he loved her, how incredible she felt around him, but Belle shifted and sat up a little on her knees before sinking down again, and he couldn’t think of anything but the almost unbearable joy of being one with her. His hands went to her hips, helping her find a rhythm, and she beamed at him, her hair curtaining their faces as she leaned down to kiss every inch of his face, her breath caressing him in warm gusts.

Nothing in his long life had ever prepared him for this experience, and all he could do was hold on and hope he didn’t disappoint her as Belle moved above him. Unable to resist, he rocked his hips up to meet her, and she gasped.

Over three decades of dreams and fantasies came down to this, and it was better than even his wildest imaginings. He’d never been able to picture the exact shade of her eyes as they darkened with pleasure for him, the exact pitch of her moans as they worked in tandem to find delight. In his dreams she’d been beautiful, but this Belle was real and alive and in love with him, and she was transcendent.

“Love you,” he choked out, and her blue eyes sparkled with tears.

“Love you,” she echoed, moving a little faster, and he slid one hand around to caress her where their bodies were joined, stroking her in tempo to her movements.

“Oh, Rumpel…” she breathed, her eyes fluttering closed, and his name had never sounded so good. He thrust up harder when she faltered, and Belle ground herself down, her body operating on instinct alone as she rode him, her lips wet and softly parted as she cried out, begging for something only he could give her.

“Let it happen, love,” he coaxed, keeping his strokes firm but gentle as he felt her tense, her eyes flying open to look at him. “That’s it. That’s right. Just let go.”

For a heartbeat, she looked perplexed, then her entire body quivered, her cry filling the room as he felt her come apart around him. Clinging to his self-control, he kept stroking her, rocking up into her frantic movements in an effort to draw it out as much as he could. In his arms, Belle shuddered and moaned, her noises the sweetest music he’d ever heard, and when she looked at him with dazed joy, Gold lost all control.

His climax tore through him with near-violent intensity, and he snarled and growled like a beast as he spilled himself inside of her, claiming her for his own. Belle shivered and clenched around him, wringing every last drop of pleasure from the long orgasm before he fell back against the pillows, Belle collapsing on top of him.

“Are you all right?” she asked finally, her voice rusty.

“Never felt better,” he answered when he remembered how to talk, pressing a kiss to her hair. All the residual soreness and pain had burned out of him with his climax, leaving him feeling reborn and healthier than he’d been in months. “What about you?”

Her giggle dispelled any worry that he’d been too rough, and Belle rubbed her cheek against his chest. “It was better than the books said it would be.”

“Better than a book? That’s high praise indeed,” he teased, giving her bum a squeeze, and she playfully slapped at him.

Resting her chin on his chest, she looked up at him. “You’re still not allowed out of bed, you know.”

He smiled down at her, brushing her curls out of her face. “I believe I have plenty of incentive to stay right where I am.”

vamp!Macelle: They watch a vampire movie?

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:59:57 -0400

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen wasn’t a good movie by any stretch of the imagination, but Belle liked the literary references, so he stopped switching channels when he stumbled across it, tossing the remote onto the coffee table.

“I still don’t know why Tom Sawyer is in this,” she complained, leaning against his shoulder. “Every other character comes from British literature. He wasn’t in the graphic novel.”

Joseph had more pressing concerns than the rogue American. “Can we do that?” he asked as Mina Harker transformed into a flock of bats.

“Not as far as I know,” she said lazily, and he nodded, frowning. “What’s wrong, baby?”

“I just thought it might be fun. Flying.” He didn’t care for heights, but he’d had flying dreams before, and it might be wonderful to do it for real. He was certain he wouldn’t be frightened if Belle was with him. Flying seemed impossible, but a year ago, Joseph would have said that vampires didn’t exist, and now he was one. His definition of ‘impossible’ had changed quite a bit.

“Is that something you want?” she pressed, and he nodded, feeling a little silly. There was no point in wishing for things that were impossible, but Belle hummed thoughtfully.

“I have a friend who’s a bit of a mad scientist,” she told him. “Maybe he can invent something that would let us fly. Would you like that, baby?”

“Very much,” he nodded, and she snuggled closer, leaning up to kiss his cheek. Even if her friend couldn’t think of anything for them, it wouldn’t matter. His feet hadn’t touched the ground since the night he met Belle.

Oh! Speaking of Bullets, whatever happened to Belle's feather? Does he still keep it even after she found it?

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:34:08 -0400

The feather looked even more battered once he retrieved it from where it had gotten lost in the quilts, and Gold ran it through his fingers to straighten it, a faint smile on his face as he shivered with the memory of how his little Belle had teased him with it. If the feather hadn’t already been his most prized possession, it certainly would be after that.

If he kept carrying it with him, it was sure to be lost or destroyed, so he looked around the cabin for a safe place to keep it. His gaze lit on Belle’s bookshelves, and he placed it reverently on the highest one where it would be safe. It had brought him more than luck; it had brought him Belle, and it deserved a place of honor

Anyone have any vamp!Macelle prompts? I’m feeling a little blocked right now.

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:28:37 -0400

Anyone have any vamp!Macelle prompts? I’m feeling a little blocked right now.

The smallest fandom on the internet. Snoopla? Party of one?

Sun, 19 May 2013 00:26:45 -0400

The smallest fandom on the internet.

Snoopla? Party of one?

Hi! I was just rereading Tune of Bullets(for the 50th time I love it so much) and I was wondering, whatever did Gold do with Clary's horse after he won it from the poker game?

Sat, 18 May 2013 22:38:16 -0400

He sold it and put the money toward buying presents for Belle. He took a perverse satisfaction in doing it too.

Here is your Bobby word association game. Please write the first word you think of when you see the following words. 1. Plunkett 2. Gold 3. Rush 4. Joseph 5. Danny

Sat, 18 May 2013 22:37:14 -0400

1. Plunkett- Honor

2. Gold-Smirk

3. Rush- Stress

4. Joseph- Snuggle

5. Danny- Squirt

wayamy27narf replied to your post: Is he flirting or trying to make a sale? An...

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:27:21 -0400

wayamy27narf replied to your post: Is he flirting or trying to make a sale? An epic…

California Solo?

Nah- Faery’s Real Life.

Occasionally I’m surprised to discover that I have one.

thestraggletag replied to your post: Is he flirting or trying to make a sale? An epic… Pushing...

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:25:57 -0400

thestraggletag replied to your post: Is he flirting or trying to make a sale? An epic…

Pushing aside the Lachlan feels… let’s go with flirting. I doubt someone at farmer’s market comes on to all female clients to sell some tomatoes. He cute?

Very pretty grey eyes.

He’s a glassblower and gave me his card, telling me that he could make me anything I wanted. So… even at worst I can still get some new jewelry out of this.

thestraggletag: Now I kinda want a GOT-like house banner for Loststragglefaery consisting on the...

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:21:00 -0400

thestraggletag:

Now I kinda want a GOT-like house banner for Loststragglefaery consisting on the profile outline of Bobby’s head looking downwards, like kinda sad and the words “Smutify the woobie” below as house motto.

Straggle is sick and will milk it for all that is worth. Whoever makes this happens gets my complete devotion.

This is the best idea ever!

Is he flirting or trying to make a sale? An epic tale of possible romance at the farmer’s...

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:18:59 -0400

Is he flirting or trying to make a sale?

An epic tale of possible romance at the farmer’s market

If you're referring to "Give the Devil his Due" then you should definitely update it free of embarrassment. It is awesome, and the first story of your's I ever read.

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:02:45 -0400

Thank you! I have a soft spot for it in my heart. And a completed outline somewhere in my desk.

Delicate and Rare- Part 4

Sat, 18 May 2013 11:50:10 -0400

Gold was determined that his second date with Belle would be everything that the first one wasn’t. He’d take her out for dinner and romance her properly, give her the kind of courtship that she deserved.

Not seeing her for three days after they’d made love was agonizing. Simply getting out of bed to go their separate ways had been difficult. Left to his own devices, Gold would have been very happy to spend the rest of eternity in bed with Belle, but they both had jobs that demanded their attention, and it wouldn’t do to become a complete hedonist. In less than two weeks, Belle’s show would end its run, and although he was certain she’d field plenty of offers once that happened, he hoped they’d have a little more time to spend together.

His reviews of the plays he saw in the intervening days were harsh even for him, but he’d lost patience with having his time wasted. He resented having to sit through bland comedies and overwrought dramas featuring actors whose broad performances would be more at home in a panto when he could be watching Belle instead.

It was a relief to settle into his usual seat and wait for the curtain to rise on another performance of Virginia Woolf. Belle’s performance was electrifying as always, and seeing her onstage felt like coming home. This was what theater was meant to be- challenging and consuming and raw- and he could have loved her for her talent alone.

Even so, he was pleased when the curtain closed, and he was free to join Belle in her dressing room. For once he didn’t have a bouquet of orchids in hand, but he hoped she’d like this present just as well.

He rapped on her dressing room door, smiling as her lilting voice called, “Come in, Mr. Gold!” just as she had a thousand times before. He opened the door to find her clad in her usual casual ensemble, and her eyes sparkled at him. “Are you here to give me orchids and discuss my character choices?” she teased.

Wordlessly he shook his head, catching her around the waist and pulling her closer as he ducked his head for a kiss. Belle wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her fingers playing with his hair, and it was all he could do to remember what she’d taught him, pleased when she sighed against his mouth.

“Much better than talking about character beats,” she smiled up at him as he released her, and Gold remembered the little box he’d brought with him.

“I do want to give you orchids though,” he told her, fumbling in his pocket to retrieve the necklace. The pendant was small but perfectly formed, a cluster of porcelain orchids set on a silver base. He’d wanted to buy her something more memorable than just another bouquet, and this had seemed the perfect nod to their tradition.

“Oh, it’s beautiful,” she murmured, turning at his gesture so he could fasten it around her neck. Her skin felt so warm and soft beneath his fingers than he couldn’t resist the urge to bend down and nuzzle that wonderful spot on the side of her throat, moaning when she slipped her fingers into his hair.

“Thank you, Anthony,” she breathed, turning to face him with shining eyes as he brushed his fingers over the necklace, loving how it felt to see something he’d chosen adorning her. “You didn’t have to buy me anything.”

“I wanted to,” he assured her. He looked forward to lavishing her with gifts in the future, a poor reflection of the amazing gift she’d given him. Belle wasn’t after good reviews or his money. If she was, she would have simply accepted his limitations in the bedroom and pretended to enjoy them. Instead she’d taken the time to teach him to be better. She wanted a companion and lover, and those were roles he was eager to fill. “Dinner?” he suggested, and she nodded emphatically, scooping up her purse after taking a moment to admire her new necklace in the mirror.

He’d gotten them a table at Rao’s, having to call in a fairly hefty favor to do so, but Belle was more than worth the effort, and the way her eyes widened when she saw where they were dining was incredibly pleasing. She’d opened up a whole new world for him; the least he could do was return the favor.

Dinner was exquisite, and the conversation flowed as easily as it did in her dressing room or his bedroom. Just talking to Belle- hearing her thoughts and watching her lips move- was heady. He’d known intelligent women before and witty women, but he’d never met anyone who combined the two so effortlessly with a genuine kindness that was rare in the city. He could look the world over, and he’d never find another Belle.

At one point he found himself pontificating about wine, Belle staring at him as he rambled, and he cut himself off quickly, hoping he hadn’t bored her too much. “It seems like meteorology would be a useful degree if you wanted to go into wine-making,” she ventured. “I always heard about such and such being a ‘good year’, but I never knew what it meant before.”

Far from looking bored, Belle seemed fascinated, and she plied him with questions that proved she’d actually been listening. “I’m not boring you?” he asked, still needing the reassurance.

She looked almost comically surprised by the question. “Of course not!” Shaking her head, she glanced down at her plate. “Actually, I was afraid I was boring you. You know everything, and I… don’t.”

“Belle, love…” he murmured, covering her hand with his. The thought that she could possibly see herself as inferior both perplexed him and made his heart melt. He was so used to being the vulnerable one in their relationship that the idea that he could comfort and reassure her in turn was heartening. “You’re absolutely perfect.”

“I don’t know about that,” she said wryly, but she smiled and turned her hand over so they could hold onto each other.

He took her hand again as they left the restaurant, and the simple pleasure nearly overwhelmed him. How long had it been since he had this? Affectionate contact was something he’d denied himself for well over a decade, and now that he had it again, Gold had no idea how he’d ever manage to let her go. Hopefully Belle would never want to leave, because losing her might actually kill him. He hadn’t realized just how lonely he’d been until Belle came along to fill all his empty places.

They made their way back to his apartment, heading straight for the bedroom by silent agreement. This was their place, and even if they didn’t make love tonight, just having her with him was all he could ask for.

Belle glanced around the room, smiling at the improvements he’d made. He’d tided up his clutter, dotting the room with candles. “Looks good,” she approved, and he felt himself blush.

“I want to do this right,” he told her earnestly. Age difference be damned, he was determined to court her properly, show her how grateful he was for her patient guidance. He’d woo his Belle and win her and never have to part from her again.

For all his professional confidence, Gold had never been anything but shy and awkward in his personal life, but Belle had changed everything. He was still shy and awkward and terribly imperfect, but for the first time in his life, he dared to believe that someone could love him anyway- that Belle could love him.

He’d be worthy of her, he vowed as she stepped into his arms. This time he didn’t have to think so hard about the kiss, and he took a moment to mentally pat himself on the back. He was improving if the way Belle sighed and melted against him was any indicator, and perhaps with enough practice this would all come naturally.

The thought of practicing with Belle frequently enough to develop expertise was almost more than he could wrap his head around, but when Belle looked up at him with eyes gone dark with desire, his fantasy seemed within his grasp.

“I know what I want to do,” Belle purred, taking hold of his tie and walking backwards until she’d led him to the bed.

“Anything,” he vowed as her clever fingers unknotted his tie, pulling it loose in one smooth motion. Belle draped her prize around her own neck, and the sight of something of his on her drove him wild. Dropping his cane, he grabbed her hips and yanked her closer, all but growling as he seized her mouth again to kiss away her teasing smile.

He was careful not to bite, not to be too rough with her, but he was aware that the kiss was too wet, and he broke away hastily, feeling his face heat. Belle grinned up at him, taking half a step closer so his hard cock was pushing against her belly. “I like your enthusiasm,” she praised.

Reaching out, he wiped his thumb over the corner of her mouth, relieved that she wasn’t disgusted by his mistake. “What-?’” He cleared his throat and tried again, “What did you want to do, love?”

Gold was eager to put his lessons to good use, and no cause could be more noble than pleasing Belle. Letting her hand slip lower, she gave his arse a squeeze, and he thrust against her with a startled moan before he could control himself. She released him, stepping back to go to work on the buttons of his shirt. “I want to feel you inside me again.”

Automatically he covered her hands with his own to stop her. “I… I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” He’d give Belle anything she wanted, but he hoped he could talk her out of wanting this. His initial performance had been pathetic, and although she hadn’t minded the first time, she’d surely be disappointed when she realized it was likely to be a problem every time. Being quick on the draw once was excusable, maybe even flattering, but no woman wanted a man who couldn’t last two minutes.

“I do,” she said firmly, pulling out of his hold and tugging her blouse off over her head. “I love how you felt inside me.”

“Belle,” he grabbed her shoulders to hold her still so he could look into her eyes. “What happened last time… It won’t be any different. I won’t last.”

She’d proved that she wouldn’t laugh at him, but the words were still all but impossible to say as he drew her attention to his shortcomings. Belle nodded, and his heart sank as she moved away from him. To his surprise, instead of leaving the room she sat down on the edge of his bed and started taking off her shoes. “I think I blew half my lines at our first rehearsal. I was reading it, and I still couldn’t say them,” she said in a conversational tone.

Having no idea what she was talking about but pleased that she seemed to have dismissed the idea of putting him through his paces, Gold sat down beside her and did away with his own shoes and socks. Whatever was going through her mind, Belle didn’t seem to want to leave, and they’d might as well get comfortable.

“Dustin pulled me aside and told me I was trying too hard,” she continued, lying back so she was draped across the bed clad in just her jeans and bra. “He told me to just go with it, to try things and see what worked. So I experimented. And I got better.”

Gold finally saw the connection and stared down at his hands. Belle was a patient teacher, and he wanted to do as she asked. More than anything he wanted to please her, but she didn’t realize how deeply engrained these behaviors were. This was a problem he’d had for as long as he could remember. “I don’t-“

“Baby.” The endearment put a stop to whatever he’d been going to say. “You felt wonderful inside me. I want to feel you in me again even if it’s only for a minute. We’ll experiment. We’ll try things. We’ll find something that works.”

His erection had flagged a bit, but hearing that she’d enjoyed having him in her brought him immediately back to aching hardness. He had to trust Belle. She’d been right about everything so far; maybe she was right about this too.

Holding her gaze, he started unbuttoning his shirt, finishing the job she’d started, and Belle watched with open admiration as he pulled it off. He’d always thought of himself as scrawny, but Belle looked at him like he was a Greek god.

“Much better,” she praised, squirming out of her jeans, and his trousers followed immediately, his erection straining at the front of his boxers. To his relief, she didn’t touch him, just licked her lips, but that alone was almost enough to make him disgrace himself.

In an effort to distract himself and to try to arouse her even half as much as she had him, he turned his attention to Belle’s body, licking and kissing every spot that he remembered her liking as he got the rest of her clothes off of her. Gentle hands and soft words guided him, Belle moving beneath him restlessly.

“Please, baby,” she begged, and he nearly ripped his boxers off, unable to resist her pleading. His Belle wanted him, and he would give her anything she wanted. He moved to lie between her thighs, his cock pressing eagerly against her wet core, and his eyes rolled back in his head. There was no way he was going to last, but her hand was wrapping around him to guide him in, and there was no going back now.

With one shaky thrust, he was in, and he buried his face against her neck, breathing harshly as he struggled to control himself. Belle felt like heaven- hot, tight, wet heaven- and he ground his teeth, determined to do better this time.

She rubbed his back, shifting a little in a way that let him slip deeper, and the noise he made was an inhuman growl, the muscles in his back contracting, making his hips move instinctively. “Oh, that’s good,” she moaned, arching into him, and he bit his tongue hard enough to draw blood, feeling his gut clench and his balls tighten, his body already aching for release.

Helplessly, he thrust a little harder, and Belle groaned, her hands sweeping down his back to grab his arse, and he was lost. With a cry that was as much despair as pleasure, he slammed into her, Belle’s body tightening around him, coaxing out every last drop as he spilled himself in a rush of agonized pleasure.

“I’m sorry,” he gasped as soon as he could talk again, his head pillowed on her chest. “Belle, I’m sorry.”

He was hopeless, utterly hopeless, and he closed his eyes, waiting for her condemnation.

Gentle fingers combed through his hair. “Don’t be sorry, baby. That was exactly what I wanted.”

Gold found it somewhat hard to believe that Belle had wanted him to come in less than two minutes like a callow boy, but when he lifted his head, he saw no deception in her eyes. “I was thinking,” she explained, lifting her leg to wrap it around his hip. “I think we should do it twice. The first time should take the edge off so the second time you last longer.”

Her matter-of-fact tone should have embarrassed him, but instead he found it reassuring. They had a problem, and they were going to solve it. Belle presented it in the same terms she might have used had they discovered a crack in the ceiling or a flat tire, and that allowed him to be a little more objective. This didn’t have to be a demonstration of all his failings as a man. It was just a problem. Couples worked together to solve problems. Together, he and Belle could solve this one.

“It’s worth a try,” he agreed, and she beamed up at him, clearly delighted that he was willing to try. “That does leave us with a problem though,” he continued regretfully.

“What?” she asked, shifting a little as he slipped out of her.

“Well, I’m not as young as I used to be,” he explained, reaching to cup her bare breast. “Whatever will we do while I’m recovering my strength?”

He squeezed gently, and Belle moaned, her smile turning dreamy. “I’m sure you’ll think of something.”

His refractory period wasn’t what it had once been, although after the long dry spell, Gold thought his body behaved admirably. He had more important things to think about anyway. Belle was spread out before him like a banquet, so much pale skin to touch and kiss that he could have happily spent the rest of the evening doing nothing else.

He concentrated on her breath to tell him when he needed to change tactics or location, and her sweet moans were the highest praise he ever could have received. When he lowered his mouth to nuzzle at her nether lips, he tasted a salty tang in addition to her delicious flavor, and when Gold realized he was tasting himself on her, his eyes rolled back in his head. He felt primal, like a beast who’d claimed his mate, and he lapped eagerly, relying on Belle’s fingers in his hair to guide him because he was beyond rational thought.

Only her cry of pleasure cut through the roaring in his ears, and he whimpered as she tugged him away, moving to lie beside her. It wasn’t until her fingers brushed against his straining cock that he realized he was fully hard again, and Belle kissed the taste of herself off his tongue, pulling him down on top of her.

‘Don’t disappoint her,’ he told himself harshly as he pushed in, groaning at the feel of her wrapped around him.

He would stay in control this time. He would last, would please her, would prove himself worthy. He just had to stay strong.

He pulled out and thrust back in, Belle sighing beneath him, her eyes happy. Lowering his head, he stole a quick kiss, loving the way she wrapped her legs around his hips, holding onto him like she wanted to keep him close for an eternity. Kathleen had never made him feel so warm and welcome even in the earliest days of their marriage.

Trembling, he thrust again, feeling the pleasure building, and he gritted his teeth. He was going to do this right. Belle deserved a lover who could please her in all ways, and he could not disappoint her. He had to please Belle, had to last for Belle. He would last for her.

He thrust smoothly into her, relieved that he was able to keep it together. Belle’s fingers raked through his hair, pulling him down for a kiss, and his rhythm stuttered. No. He wouldn’t let that happen. He wouldn’t lost control. He’d act like a real man for once. Just once he’d do this right.

Kissing Belle was more than he could handle, and he reluctantly broke it, burying his face in her hair as he kept thrusting, concentrating on the way his muscles bunched and relaxed to distract himself from the joy of being inside of her. If he let himself feel it, he’d never be able to keep control. Instead, he thrust again and again, noticing for the first time that Belle was quiet.

She wasn’t moaning or sighing in pleasure, and he panicked, thrusting harder. He was lasting, but he still wasn’t giving her pleasure. No matter what he did, he was a failure, and he should have known this experiment was doomed from the start. Belle would be disgusted by him; even her patience must have its limits. She’d give up on him if he couldn’t get this right, and he grabbed her knee, lifting it higher as he ground clumsily against her on each thrust, trying to find an angle that she liked, but nothing was working, and-

“Baby!” Warm hands cradled his face, Belle forcing him to look at her. “Baby, stop.”

With a whimper of despair, he made to pull out of her. He’d failed so utterly that she was going to end it right in the middle of things, and maybe it was a blessing for her to put him out of his misery before he humiliated himself further.

“Stop,” she said again, tightening her legs around his hips to keep him from pulling out. Startled and uncertain, Gold remained where he was, buried in her body and looking warily into her eyes.

“Breathe,” she murmured, kissing the tip of his nose, and he obeyed.

“No. Breathe,” she said again, taking a deep slow breath. He mimicked her, breathing in deeply and letting it out slowly, some of the tension leaving him.

“Again,” she commanded, and again they breathed together.

“You were a million miles away,” she said softly, and he winced.

“I’m sorry, Belle.” No matter how hard he tried, he seemed doomed to disappoint her.

She stroked his back, coaxing him to relax, and he tried to obey her wordless instructions. “What were you thinking about?”

“That I wanted to be good for you,” he admitted, not quite daring to tell her of his fear that she’d leave him if he failed. “I want to be good for you, Belle.”

“You are,” she promised, and he saw nothing but honesty in her eyes. “But it’s no use if you’re not with me.”

His brow furrowed. “I’m right here.”

Her inner muscles squeezed gently around him, making him gasp. “You are now, but you weren’t before. You went somewhere in your head, and I’m selfish. I want you to be here with me.”

In his desperate attempts to please her, he’d forgotten the most basic lesson she’d taught him- to pay attention to her reactions. Hearing Belle’s noises of pleasure was so erotic that he hadn’t dared listen. He’d been ignoring her even as he moved within her; no wonder everything had gone wrong. “I’m so sorry.”

“Hush,” she gave him a crooked smile and kissed his nose again. “You’re back now. I’m glad.”

She gave him another gentle squeeze, adjusting her legs so that he had room to move. “Stay with me,” she directed, holding his gaze as she rocked her hips, and he instinctively moved in counterpoint.

“That’s good,” she praised, and he did it again, watching in fascination as her pupils dilated. He couldn’t look away from her eyes, reading the pleasure there clearly as he moved within her.

Belle rubbed his back, soothing him, and her touch helped him stay focused. Gold concentrated on her breathing, listening for any sign that he was doing well, and at a particularly deep thrust she groaned, her eyelashes fluttering.

“No, stay with me,” he murmured, and her eyes locked with his again, their breath falling into sync. He needed that connection. Never had he felt so close to another person, and what their bodies were doing was only a small fraction of it.

Slow, deep thrusts were her favorites, and he obliged, echoing her soft moans with his own deeper noises. The air in the room seemed heavy, caressing them as they moved together, and he brushed his lips tenderly against hers without breaking eye contact.

“Oh yes,” she sighed. “Anthony…”

“My Belle,” he whispered in return. She smiled at the sound of it, her caresses becoming firmer as her breathing grew more rapid.

She moaned and moved beneath him, her legs tightening their hold on him. “Tilt your pelvis down,” she panted, arching up as he did, and her quavering moan filled the room. “Just like that. Grind down just- Yes!”

He did as she bade, gasping when her entire body jolted, her eyes going wide, and he suddenly had a technique that worked. Breathlessly he repeated the motion- a deep thrust followed by a grind of his hips- and Belle cried out, her nails biting into his shoulders.

Unable to stop himself, Gold picked up his pace, feeling like he was entering the last leg of a race, but Belle moaned and writhed beneath him, urging him on. Pleasure was simmering in his veins, but he was somehow managing to keep control, the need to take Belle to the height of ecstasy greater than any physical need ever could be.

“Anthony!” Her voice breaking on his name was the sweetest sound he’d ever heard, and she tightened around him so hard it was almost painful, welcoming him deep as he buried himself against her with a cry of his own, his hips jerking as he let go, following her over the edge. Their cries mingled in the room, the noises somehow harmonious. Through it all he held her gaze, the two of them as close together as it was possible to be.

It was Belle who broke the eye contact, her eyes fluttering closed as she let out a blissful sigh. “That was amazing.”

Gold blinked rapidly, feeling like he was coming out of hypnosis or some kind of magic spell. He’d done it. He’d made love to Belle and given her pleasure. They’d done it. “Oh, Belle…”

She beamed up at him, pulling him down for a kiss before she coaxed him to snuggle into her. He rested his head on her shoulder, feeling lightheaded and drained and triumphant. “I think you can quit worrying,” she said with a little giggle, wrapping her arms around him. “That was… It’s never been that good before.”

Too relieved to even feel proud of himself, Gold kissed her throat in abject gratitude. Belle had promised to teach him to please her, and she had. He no longer had to worry about disappointing her, because they’d found something that worked. “Thank you,” he said fervently, and she chuckled into his hair.

“I think that should be my line,” she retorted. She smoothed her hand over his back, and he nuzzled closer, feeling like he was trying to crawl into her skin. He’d never be close enough to Belle until he was buried inside of her again. For the first time in decades, the thought gave him nothing but joy.

“Despite a few technical difficulties, the performance of the night belonged to Anthony Gold,” she said mock-seriously, and he snorted. “His unconventional choices proved exhilarating, and left this reviewer weak at the knees and wholly satisfied.”

Gold wasn’t sure whether to blush or laugh, so he did both. “Perhaps you should stick to acting,” he suggested, and she gave his arse a stinging slap.

“You’re terrible at taking compliments,” she complained, but the laughter in her voice told him that she wasn’t really upset.

“Only when misdirected. Tonight’s triumph clearly belongs to you.” She giggled, and he traced his finger over the chain of her necklace to straighten it. “I stand by my original assessment- you should direct.”

“Do directors get orchids?” she yawned, her fingers delving back into his hair and making him want to purr.

“As many as you want,” he promised, exhaustion starting to catch up with him as well. “For as long as you’ll have me.” He’d buy her orchids every day for the rest of their lives, but that decision belonged to her. As long as she wanted him, he was hers.

Belle kissed his hair. “I’m not letting you go anywhere,” she said drowsily, and he’d have to ask again tomorrow if she’d meant those words, but for tonight, Gold was content to hug them close and let himself believe that this was forever.

eBay, once upon a time you notified me when I’d been outbid. Is there a reason you...

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:16:18 -0400

eBay, once upon a time you notified me when I’d been outbid. Is there a reason you discontinued this useful feature?

No love,

pamplemice replied to your post: Managed to track down my old Blackadder fic. It is… If any of...

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:11:46 -0400

pamplemice replied to your post: Managed to track down my old Blackadder fic. It is…

If any of that Blackadder slash fic involves Lord Flashheart then I am interested in taking a look at it, no matter how bad is is!

LOL- No Flashheart, just George/ Melchett. I did have a go at Blackadder/ Percy at one point though…`

thestraggletag replied to your post: Managed to track down my old Blackadder fic. It is…

A part of me demands to see it, the other part is all “You know, if someone ressurrected some of your early fics you would die from embarrassment”.

I have a Red Eye fic that I’d actually really like to finish, but I can’t bring myself to do so because it would mean rereading the thing and realizing, “Yes, Faery, you posted that. You let other people read that.”

Managed to track down my old Blackadder fic. It is really, really bad. Phoenix, trust me. You...

Fri, 17 May 2013 21:01:39 -0400

Managed to track down my old Blackadder fic. It is really, really bad.

Phoenix, trust me. You don’t want to see this.

And the Jooster as well. I went through a phase where my goal in life was to slash every pair of characters Fry and Laurie ever played. I might actually still be in that phase…

If you write a Jaime x Brienne fic, I will find you and shower you with cupcakes, fluffy bear cubs, and the finest wine money can buy. Please and thank you.

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:54:37 -0400

Oh anon, you know my weaknesses… I’ll put it on the list.

So I am going to warn you .... this is going to sound weird. But I swear Macapony is my horse. If you squint :) he is actually close to that blue colour, has brown eyes (with the whites always showing) and is afraid of anything that breathes, moves or that he percieves is looking at him. He always runs to my mare (whose registered name is So What If I'm Cute) and who is absolutely fearless. (And thanks, now I really want to start calling my mare Belle :) )

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:53:56 -0400

This is the cutest thing ever! Your horses are totally Macapony and Belle. And if you want weird, I’m not gonna lie… I now ship your horses. :)

There once was a girl named Bad Faery. Who gave us the epic tale of a priest in love who could marry. She gives us a gunslinger, a scientist, a ringmaster, and a creeper. And of course a darling Belle who yells faster and deeper. We can't get enough of the smut and the plot. We live you Bad Faery and that sexy bastard Scot.

Fri, 17 May 2013 17:52:51 -0400

Eeep! *flailing* Thank you so much!