His hand was larger than hers, his warm palm slightly rough against hers, his long fingers settled in the spaces between her own. A pinprick of fire marked the place where each of his fingertips brushed the back of her hand as his thumb stroked the skin of her inner wrist. She had never known her flesh to be so sensitive and each point of contact made her crave another.
The fingers of his free hand traced the shape of her nose, the curve of her cheekbone and the point of her chin. They danced along the slope of her neck and the curve of her shoulder. She did not know that the shoulder could feel or appreciate a touch so delicate. The craving increased, a crushing desire, devouring all thought, all the world beyond the sensation of skin against skin. They breathed simultaneously bringing their chests together. Her eyes dropped shut and he brought his hand to her face once more, his thumb brushing her closed eyelid. The blue tracery over white bearing more beauty than a butterfly's wing.
Her mouth formed a soft pink pout and finally he bent to press his own lips against hers, that most pure and lovely of touches.
But when she woke, his presence previously so warm and sure and solid, faded to smoke and memory. Gone all the quicker for her desperate attempts to grasp it. Her chest heaved in a sob and she ached for absence of his touch.
"He's just a kid and he never knew that he would be sleeper in the valley so soon"
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Touch: or, The Absence of It
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Life Is Not A Song, Sweetling
The song of Sansa Stark and The Hound was not one of love and romance. It was not a song to be sung by epicene boys with harps in royal courts. It was a song sung in shadowy places. There were no shining knights and fair maidens. Only a boy king’s dog and a traitor’s daughter. And it was a song of something altogether darker, stranger and, ultimately, something nameless. Something hidden deep in the shadows of the soul.
It was a song that spoke of a beautiful young woman and a burned man, of looks shared across opulent halls. Of whispers and whimpers and secrets and feather light touches. Of hymns sung softly in the night while fires burn just outside. Of a stained and bloody white cloak left behind. Of running.
Life is not a song, sweetling.
A girl with auburn hair, and a head full of romantic ideas. Ideas that he didn’t fit. A man with no desire to be a knight, no desire for honor, who enjoyed only killing, the fire in his eyes a terrible irony. A man who became the closest thing she’d get to a knight from the songs.
Life is not a song, little bird.
A bird trapped in a cage, large and beautiful but with heavy iron bars. And the only one who could set the little bird free.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
A Nick and Jess one shot
Saturday, June 15, 2013
A Poem
Monday, June 10, 2013
On the Riverbank
The plague came quickly and unexpectedly. And it was almost certain to be fatal. A fever on the first day led to a painful sickness so severe one was bedridden. At that point it was only a matter of time before death took them.
You can read the rest here.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Pylades Dreams
But it smells like alcohol.
I have no idea what this is. I was thinking about the fact that, in the brick, Grantaire is sleeping through most of the activity of the barricade and only awakes just before Enjolras is shot. This is, apparently, a dream sequence. Don't even ask.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Because Pretty Boys Are My Favorite
Here's a little thing I wrote because I'm lonely and in love with boys in different countries that'll never know I exist.
My bed is small and we are pressed close. We lie on our sides and face each other. His blue-grey eyes smile at me which is a thing I didn't know eyes could do before I met him. But his always seem to be grinning. I smile at him but a yawn interrupts.
"Tired?" he says and, once again, I think that I'll never stop loving that accent. I shake my head. "No?" He laughs.
"Maybe a little bit. But I want to look at you some more." He laughs heartily then. I put my palm against his cheek and run my thumb down the bridge of his nose. "Have I ever told you I love your nose?"
"It's nice to hear," he says.
"Will you sing to me?" I ask and kiss him on the nose.
He grins. "What shall I sing?"
"Something lovely," I say, yawning again. We shift so he's laying on this back and I'm resting on his chest, his arms pulling me into him. He begins to sing a song in French that he knows I love and I can hear it vibrating in his chest which does something strange to my stomach. I close my eyes and listen to his heart, feel his chest rise and fall as he sings softly. Slowly I drift off as his voice twines around me and weaves itself into my dreams.
I know it's not really...anything, but I wrote it so there you go.
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Writing a Thing
I am currently working on a Les Mis fanfic that's sort of Enjolras/Grantaire. It's kind of strange, though and probably rather dark. But we'll see how it goes. I dunno how long it'll be but if it's short I'll post it here. If it gets broken up into chapters I'll post it on fanfiction.net or something. But maybe I'll still post it here as well.
I'll post more about it soon. I might actually finish it today.
Friday, May 3, 2013
A Wraith
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
A Poem I Wrote Today
But I loved you
As the winter loves
Chokingly
Coldly
Fatally
My bones freezing over
Until spring came
With new flowers
And warmth
And light
That lit the shadows
Between each rib
And vertebrae
Causing all dark reminders of you
To flee
There's a few different sort of word variations for this one but this is how I first wrote it so there you go. I like it, if I'm honest. And also, I've been watching Bones a lot lately so the mention of bones and ribs and vertebrae may have something to do with that...
Saturday, February 23, 2013
OTP Challenge Day 6 - Wearing Each Other's Clothes
Friday, February 8, 2013
OTP Challenge Day 5 - Kissing
I don't think this one is all that great and I'd like to keep working on it but I'm tired so I shall post it. I picture this taking place before all the previous things happen. Or in an alternate universe where they haven't happened. Whatever. I'm also probably playing up Arthur's sadness quite a bit. Oh well! It's my story!
Drunk Arthur was Merlin's least favorite Arthur. As stubborn and obnoxious as he was naturally, alcohol only tended to make him more so. And with the fact that Merlin would have to practically carry him back to his chambers, well, it was just a good thing that Arthur didn't drink often.
But one night, not long after Uther had died and things were uncharacteristically quiet in the kingdom, he insisted they all go to the tavern. Merlin had noticed he'd been painfully quiet for a few days and he was worried about him. So he was hoping that a night out with friends might help.
And it did. At first. He'd seemed to forget. A genuine smile adorned his face and his laughs were boisterous with life. Gwaine told his drunken stories while everyone listened. And when he broke out in song, Arthur even sang along, something he'd no doubt be mortified about and vehemently deny in the morning. But Merlin was just glad to see him so happy.
With more ale, though, he soon grew morose and retreated into himself. No longer smiling and laughing. It was clear to Merlin that getting him up to his chambers and to bed was probably best.
"Come on, Arthur. I think you should probably get some rest." He pulled Arthur up and started to half-drag him along, struggling with the stairs especially.
"Goodnight Arthur," Merlin said, several minutes later, and turned away from the large bed. As he reached for the latch on the door he heard Arthur whisper or whimper and turned back.
"Merlin?" he whispered.
"Arthur?"
"I want a goodnight kiss."
"You're drunk," Merlin said, gently, not daring to hope.
"No I'm not."
And for a little while he wasn't. His voice was clear and his eyes were sober. Merlin looked down at him, his blue eyes intense in that way that was currently turning his knees to noodles. And those lips that he couldn't stop thinking about. They would ruin him. Perfect pink destruction.
He sat down on the bed and leaned towards Arthur, slowly, wondering what exactly would happen at the end.
But before he could think more about it, Arthur moved to bring them together and suddenly, finally, Arthur was kissing him. And he was kissing Arthur. It was soft and lazy and warm and lovely. And when Arthur pulled away and looked at Merlin he felt his heart clench. The King lay back in his bed, eyes closed and smiling dreamily, a peacefulness in his expression that Merlin hadn't seen in a long time.
He smiled and said, "Goodnight Arthur."
"Goodnight Merlin."
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
OTP Challenge Day 4 - On a Date
Sunday, February 3, 2013
OTP Challenge Day 3 - Watching a Movie
"I'm bored," Merlin whined. He was sitting on a small, ratty couch with his long legs thrown in his boyfriend's lap in the cozy apartment they shared.
Arthur chuckled. "Well, what do you want to do?" he asked with a suggestive smile, causing Merlin to blush, the color so brilliant, splashed across his pale cheekbones.
"I was thinking we might actually get out of the house for once. We could go see a movie or something."
Arthur grinned, that had given him a wonderful idea. "Alright," he said, "but I get to pick."
"You picked last time! And it was a horrible, terrifying thing." Arthur jumped up, pulling Merlin up by the hands after him and planting a kiss on his forehead.
"I've never met someone who is so scared so often."
"I'm not scared," Merlin said, affronted. "I just don't like scary films."
As the commercials and previews started in the theatre Arthur had his arm around Merlin, whose heart was pounding. You'd think a warlock who had faced all manner of medieval evils would be a bit braver but horror films never ceased to startle and frighten him.
And when the lights went down he snuggled into Arthur's chest who smiled down at him. He had wanted to see the movie just for this reason. He wanted to protect Merlin from all the monsters. But he was starting to feel kinda bad about it.
"Do you wanna go? We don't have to watch this."
"No it's okay," Merlin said, trying to be brave.
"Alright idiot," Arthur said, the term one of endearment. "I shall protect you from all manner of horrors," he said.
"I know," Merlin said and leaned up to kiss him.
Neither of them ended up watching much of the movie. Rather than watch the movie, Merlin spent his time watching Arthur instead. His fingers on this thigh, his lips on his neck, well Arthur was very easily distracted.
Yes, there are Americanisms in this one (which I usually make at least some sort of attempt to keep out) but I didn't feel like thinking about which words are different and changing apartment to flat and z's to s's and such. So I know that Britishisms are different but there you go. And it's very short. I'm tired. Sorry.
OTP Challenge Day 2 - Cuddling Somewhere
It wasn't often that Arthur Pendragon got sick. But when he did, it certainly wasn't pretty. Merlin hated to see him feeling so horrible but it was difficult to feel too bad for too long. Arthur tended to get whiny when he was uncomfortable or bored. And being sick meant both. It also meant he had plenty of time to send Merlin to all parts of the castle for ridiculous and outlandish things. He'd spent a good portion of the day making the journey between the kitchens and Arthur's chambers, trying to keep him in a warm blanket. Bring the blanket from the bed down to the kitchen. Bring the one hanging in the kitchen back up. Wait about an hour. Repeat. Merlin would do anything for Arthur but that didn't mean he had to like it.
"Merlin," Arthur said, his teeth chattering horribly. "I'm so c-cold."
"I know, sire. I'm sorry. I wish there was more that I could do."
He looked forlornly at Arthur. This man he loved, usually so regal and strong, huddled in a ball shivering slightly, teeth chattering. His eyes were squeezed shut that the bruising of his eyelids looked like lilies floating on a pond of moonlight. A violent, rattling cough took hold of him and shook him.
Merlin had contemplated using magic to help him but Gaius had promptly warned him against it. While it was a miserable illness, he'd said, Arthur was sure to recover in a few days. So, as much as he wished he could, he knew magic simply didn't make sense. It was too dangerous. But, perhaps, there was something else he could do.
He dropped the armor he'd been polishing, more to have something to do than because it actually needed it, and strode purposefully to Arthur's bedside. Acting for all he was worth as if his heart weren't pounding and his knees gone soft.
"Alright, dollop-head. Move over." Arthur looked up at his manservant, confusion crinkling his brow and coloring his eyes. Darkening them.
"What are you doing?" he rasped.
"You said you're cold, right?" Merlin crawled under the covers and wrapped his skinny arms around Arthur, feeling even more awkward than he'd thought he would. Arthur was tense but he must have begun to warm up because, after a little while, he loosened up. And even snuggled closer into Merlin's chest, making a noise like a small animal. A noise which did strange things to Merlin.
All the awkwardness was gone and the two realized that they were cuddling. The prince and his servant. Arthur and his best friend. And neither had any intention of going anywhere for quite a while.
Friday, February 1, 2013
An OTP challenge
So I want to write more. And I want to post what I write for once. So I thought I'd do a 30 day otp challenge for Merlin and Arthur.
(I started watching Merlin a few weeks ago and I'm a little obsessed.)
Here's the prompts:
1. Holding hands
2. Cuddling somewhere
3. Gaming/watching a movie
4. On a date
5. Kissing
6. Wearing each others’ clothes
7. Cosplaying
8. Shopping
9. Hanging out with friends
10. With animal ears
11. Wearing kigurumis
12. Making out
13. Eating ice cream
14. Genderswapped
15. In a different clothing style (I might need some help with this one because I'm not exactly sure what their clothing style would be exactly. Comments and suggestions are appreciated.)
16. During their morning ritual(s)
17. Spooning
18. Doing something together
19. In formal wear
20. Dancing
21. Cooking/baking
22. In battle, side-by-side
23. Arguing
24. Making up afterwards
25. Gazing into each others’ eyes
26. Getting married
27. On one of their birthdays
28. Doing something ridiculous
29. Doing something sweet
30. Doing something hot
And since today is February 1 I'll be starting (later) today. So, you know, look out for that. Fair warning, though: I'm not a very good writer. I get lucky sometimes but I'm definitely not all that great. But practice makes perfect.
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
Writing a New Story
So here's my idea. I've finally watched Pride and Prejudice and I really love the book so far and the Lizzie Bennet Diaries on YouTube and sure, I love Elizabeth and Darcy. But I also quite love Jane and Bingley. I think their relationship on the LBD is so adorable and I love his proposal to Jane in the movie. So I thought, why not write about them from Jane's perspective. I'm not sure how good of an idea this actually is - I like Jane but can I actually write a whole story from her point of view? I don't know but I'm going to try it. And if I fail, well then I tried didn't I?
I was also thinking of doing it in an updated fashion but I'm not fully sure how much that'll apply so we'll see how the details work out. I'm excited though about the idea like I am about all new ideas and hopefully this one'll take me somewhere.
Until next time,
Alyssa
Saturday, November 24, 2012
I Wanted To Post
Hi there. I wanted to post something so here I am. I'm thinking this blog will mostly focus on words. The things I write or the things that I read and admire or detest.
I've been thinking a lot about fanfiction. I'd like to write an Office fanfiction story but I'm not sure what to write about. I think that's my big problem with writing. I want to do it and so I try to come up with an idea rather than wait for inspiration to strike. And that is just such a frustrating thing for me. Wanting to write and not being able to. So if you happen to be holding to any little plot bunnies that you're not gonna use...perhaps you could donate them to me?
But as far as the writing of others goes. I've just finished the second book of The Apprentice of Victor Frankenstein by Kenneth Oppel. The second book is called Such Wicked Intent and it's probably one of my favorite books of the year. It was just so great. I really like the books anyway because of their gothic Victorian setting and prequel-to-a-classic plot. But I really love the characters as well and Kenneth Oppel is a master of last pages. With the last 30 or so pages of Such Wicked Intent my heart was racing and I was pounding with adrenaline. And when I finally finished I felt worn out. It reminds me of a quote that, I'm sorry, I do not know by heart but the main gist is that one should feel tired after finishing a book because you live several lives over the course of it. And I always liked that. When I get that feeling when finishing a book, I really remember what keeps me reading. Searching for that satisfied and totally happy worn out but excited feeling. I was just so happy to fins that again. It's also prompted me to start looking for Kenneth Oppel's other books from the library. So that's exciting.
Anyway there's some other books I've started and I'll try to talk about those in a later post.
You can also find my book reviews at readingbymoonlight.tumblr.com but I warn you I'm not great at reviewing. I'm practicing.
Yours,
Alyssa
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Wordcounting Sucks
Sunday, October 30, 2011
I'm sorry!
I know I've been absent for the past couple days. And I haven't been doing my letters to Hogwarts.
I just wanted to let you know that I'll be starting NaNoWriMo and I may not be very present here for the month of November. If you've ever done NaNo then I hope you'll understand.
I just didn't want anyone to think I had died or anything. I'll still try to be here as often as I can but it won't be my first priority.
Always,
Alyssa