Bea

You love your town, and you love your role as one of the most influential girls in town, being the daughter of one of the most loved men in town. Your father is on his second mayoral term, winning the election by a landslide. Of course, you take it upon yourself to do as much as you can to help out and make your town a better place, one of which is being in charge of hosting public festivals in the town square.

It’s your fifth time hosting the annual midsummer festival. The young children can celebrate being out of school for summer break and the adults can share their first harvest of the year and mingle and dance. It’s been a hit every time, and you feel as if you out-do yourself again and again, though you hate to brag too much. 

You hired the band that usually plays at the saloon with extra high stipends as a little way to encourage them to play better than they ever have before. You planted and collected the flowers yourself from your backyard for the decor, along with having help from some of the older ladies in town when it comes to gardening. Everyone’s chipped in to provide food and drinks, and there are fluffy white clouds in the sky to block some of the sun from causing everyone to overheat.

The primary school children are running around maypoles with ribbons or dancing with each other, flower crowns decorating their heads and ribbon wands trailing behind them as they move. Adults are sat nearby, eating and keeping an eye on their children. Many of your friends are dancing with each other or their partners, and you watch wistfully as they do so. After college, you had returned home to be with your father. You don’t mind it; he gives you an allowance and you spend your time helping around the town and volunteering at the schools or libraries. The only downside is that your town doesn’t offer much in the way of men.

Many of your friends found their boyfriends and fiancés at college or when they moved away, only coming back for a few days to visit and enjoy the summer festivities. You, meanwhile, are at home, in a town you love without a person to love. This also, quite unfortunately, means that you are constantly being hounded by men old enough to be your father. Most of which have played poker with your father and owe him a lot of money. 

Nursing a cup of apple cider under the dining pavillion, you’re making futile attempts to politely decline the men asking you to dance. You know that if you say yes to any of them, one dance will become two, which will turn into them trying to call on you within the privacy of your own home. It would be infuriating, not only for you but for your father, who would have to fight them all off. 

You don’t expect someone to come to your rescue, but come to your rescue someone does. A new face, one you haven’t seen before. He seems young; older than you by a few years, perhaps, but younger than all the men vying for your hand by a great deal. He’s handsome, incredibly so, with a smile that could charm a troll. His eyes are momentarily covered by the large brim of his hat, but he’s quick to take it off as he pushes through the crowd of men around you. His eyes are soft, a hazel-brown with little flecks of gold in them, looking at you as if you’re the only person that matters.

“Excuse me, gentlemen,” he says, holding out a hand towards you. “May I have this dance?” His request is much too formal for the lively casual music that’s playing, but you decide to humor him, if only to get yourself free from this situation.

“You may,” you say, taking his hand and yelping a bit when he tugs you away to the makeshift dancefloor, that being an open square of stone brick ground that was reserved for anyone who wanted to dance. 

The stranger is a surprisingly good dancer as his free hand goes to your waist, spinning and swaying you around to the music. He introduces himself as one “Steve Harrington,” giving you that charming smile again, though his hazel eyes stay soft as they’re fixed on your face.

You introduce yourself in return and ask “Why have I never seen you around before?”

“I’m new,” Steve explains. “I come from many many towns over. This is my first time coming here.”

“Well you couldn’t have come at a better time,” you huff, laughing a bit as he twirls you around.

“Who were those guys anyway?” he asks.

“Men who just want me to pay off their debts to my father,” you explain. “Apparently I’m the most eligible girl in town.”

“Well I’m honored that I get to have a dance with the most eligible girl in town,” he says. “How can I ever thank you?”

“You could always get me a stuffed bear from the ring toss,” you suggest, gesturing to the various carnival games set up around the space.

Steve grins, dragging you off the dance floor before the song is even over, slapping a dollar down at the ring toss booth, determined to get you the bear. He fails spectacularly, which upsets him greatly. “Ring toss just isn’t my game,” he argues. “Is there some sort of shooting game or something, I’m great at that.”

“We have the milk bottle toss,” you suggest, taking his arm. “But you don’t actually have to get me a bear, I was only kidding.”

Steve either doesn’t hear you or resolves to ignore you, making a beeline to the milk bottle toss, slapping down another dollar to get three small balls. He knocks down the milk bottles every time and blushes when you kiss his cheek for each tower he knocks over. He points to a massive stuffed bear hanging in the back, the bear being maybe half your size, handing it over to you like it’s worth a million dollars.

“So if a dance costs a bear, what does a dinner cost?” he asks.

“Reasons,” you say. “Give me three good reasons I should go to dinner with you and I will.”

“Well,” he says, the two of you going over to a stand selling food, getting a baked potato to share and some sarsaparilla for each of you, “I rescued you from those creepy men, I’m very good looking, I’m getting you food and a sarsaparilla, I was a great dancer, and I’ll let you meet my horse.”

“You have a horse?” you ask, eyes lighting up.

“He’s in the stables right now but his name is Bullet. He’s friendly, if you bring him a sugarcube he’ll like you immediately. Can you ride?”

“I have a pony,” you say. “I can ride a little bit but it’s not much one for derby tricks or racing. More of a showhorse, if anything, but she can go a good distance.”

“Well then, would your father shoot me dead if I tried taking you out of town for dinner tonight? Give us a chance to take a ride?”

“I still haven’t said yes,” you point out.

“I gave you five reasons!” he argues.

“I prefer iced tea,” you say, taking a sip of the sarsaparilla. “But yes, I’ll go to dinner with you.”

Dinner is amazing. Steve takes out just outside of town to a lovely restaurant, pays for your meal, and gets you home before nine. You expect the night to end there, so you’re surprise when just before bed, around eleven, there’s a tapping at your bedroom window. You pull back the lacy curtains to see Steve there, balancing on the branch of a tree just outside, close enough to climb inside. You laugh quietly at the sight of him, lifting the window and reaching out a hand to help him in. 

“What are you doing here?” you ask. “My father will kill you if he finds out.”

“Your father is at the saloon with his friends,” Steve argues. “And I know this because I saw him there earlier. We’re fine,” he assures you.

“That doesn’t answer my question,” you say. “And shoes off.”

He obliges, removing his shoes and placing them neatly against a wall. “I’m here because I want to see you,” he says. 

“You couldn’t wait until tomorrow?” you ask.

“I’m leaving tomorrow,” he says, guiding you to sit on your bed. “In the afternoon, I have to keep moving. I never really stay in one place for very long, I told you I’m a bounty hunter. I wanted to see you before I go.”

“I didn’t think that meant you’d get a bounty immediately,” you say, frowning. “I thought you’d stay for a bit before finding work.”

“I know,” he says. “And I’m sorry.”

“Do you do this in every town you visit?” you ask bitterly, trying to blink back the tears that start pricking at your eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“Find a pretty girl. Take her out to dinner and then leave her the next day.”

“No,” he’s quick to say. “I’ve never done this, you’re the only one. Look, I know we’ve barely had time to get to know each other, but I swear that this is honest. I’ll write as much as I can. You won’t be able to write back because I’ll constantly be on the move, but I’ll write you. And I’ll come back every summer, more than that if there are any other festivals you have here. Can’t you believe me?”

You reach for the bear he won you earlier that day, hugging it close to you. “I don’t know,” you say. 

“Will you let me prove to you how much I care?” he asks, gently placing a hand on your thigh. 

“I—” You have married friends. You know what he’s asking. “What if I get pregnant?” you test.

“Then I’ll come back and stay for good. We’ll find a house together. And we’ll get married, of course. But I promise to take the precautions to make sure you don’t get pregnant.”

You hesitate, knowing the risks, knowing that he could be lying. If you were to get pregnant out of wedlock and have a child on your own, you’d be the town’s laughingstock. Your father might even disown you. Yet you can’t seem to resist him. You trust him, that he’ll come back if anything happens. “Okay,” you say, setting the bear aside. 

Steve smiles, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead, then your lips. His tongue slips past your lips as his hand moves further up under your nightgown, laying you back against your pillows. He’s gentle, movements hesitant, always making sure you’re okay. He never once hurts you or bites you, murmuring soft reassurance into your ear. He cleans you up with a damp cloth afterwards, redressing you with gentle hands before pulling his own clothes on. 

“Stay,” you say quietly before he can pull on his jeans.

“What?”

“Stay,” you repeat. “If you’re leaving tomorrow, I want to have you next to me while I sleep.”

He returns to your side, getting under your flowery covers beside you, letting you rest your head on his chest. “I’ll come back,” he says. “I promise.”

“I believe you,” you say, your words catching a bit in your throat as you try not to cry. “Goodnight, Steve.”

“Goodnight, sweetheart.”

Steve prepares to leave the next day, just after lunch, filling Bullet’s saddlebags with food and supplies. You’re outside the stables with him, wanting to see him off. 

“Write as often as possible,” you say, feeding Bullet a sugarcube. “And always update me on where you’re staying so I can write you if it turns out that I’m pregnant. And stay safe, you have to stay safe—”

“I will,” he assures you. “I’ll come back, sweetheart. I told you I would.”

“I know,” you say. “I just can’t help but worry.”

“I’ll come back in a month. We can go on another date, I swear. And I’ll keep you updated,” he says.

“Stay safe,” you say again, taking his hands in yours.

He presses a kiss to your knuckles before mounting Bullet. “I promise.”

a/n: i could’ve made this longer but she’s a busy woman (all the time! busy woman for the rest of my life! my openings are! super tight! busy woman unless you call tonightttt)

Your two male friends continue to battle with their wooden swords and shields, pretending to be fully investing in a fight within their minds. 

“I will end you, your highness!”, Steven cackles, swiveling his body to hit the other boy with his blade before being blocked and pushed away with a sandaled heel. 

“Not today or any other, peasant!”, Edward playfully growls. “You better be paying attention, witch, for when I win you will be mine!”

You roll your eyes as you rise to your feet, reaching for some warm sand to fill your hand. 

“No, she won’t! I’M the conqueror and Y/N with reign with me!”

When both swords touch between them, you open your palm and blow the grains towards him before stomping his foot and elbowing the other kid in his abdomen, smiling as they both fall to their sides. 

“I am my own woman, thank you.”, you smile, placing yourself between them while they continue to laugh. “And I love you both…always and forever…”

“Always…”, Steven smiles, circling his arm around your shoulders. 

“And Forever…”, Edward beams, leaning his head against you. “Oh, speaking of. I brought you something, Y/N.” Standing, the black-haired boy scurries to his bag, moving around the other things he brought before producing a book to hand your way. “I finished another story for you to read.”

Your hands reach for the hardcover, smiling when you notice his drawings and recognize his ‘royal’ handwriting.

“What’s this one about?”

“It’s, um, about three friends who’ve known each other for a couple of years. One of them is a boy who’s meant to take his father’s place as King when he grows up which he hates because he’ll be told what to do, say, and marry. All he wants to do is tell stories and create music people love to listen to.”, Edward relays, soft irises meeting yours before flicking towards the boy beside you. 

“The other boy isn’t royalty but his family believes they are. They attend fancy galas and insist they are there for the people but do nothing to help—”

“Which angers the boy I’m sure.”, Steven adds. “He tries to help people where he can but then is shamed because the people of the city are ‘beneath them’. At least that’s what his father says. He doesn’t feel this way though. The boy probably wants to spend his days with his friends especially the king’s son and the girl?” At his last couple of words, his voice raises as he asks the question, pretending to not know and making you both laugh. 

“Yes, the third friend in the group is a girl; a lady, of course, who is the smartest person these boys have ever met. She’s kind and strong, refusing to let her poverty define her. Both of her friends admire that.” Your gaze shifts between them both as they nod, heat rising in your cheeks as you blush. “She’s also kind of pretty but—”

Edward laughs when you punch his arm.

“The friends meet one day near an abandoned farm; the girl was reading something she stole from a vendor and the boys were trying to get away from their parents who yelled at them about their futures. They met up every day to talk, eat, and play until they grow up and…”

“And then what?”, you encourage. 

“And then they—”

“EDWARD MUNSON!”, a man yells startling all three of you as you get to your feet, hastily hiding the book in your bag. “Your father has been looking for you all afternoon! Go away! Shoo!”, he shouts, swatting his hand towards you and Steven. 

“NO! These are my friends!”

“Oh my goodness. Have you lost your mind?!” The person grabs his arm but your faster pushing Edward behind you.

“He doesn’t want to go with you! He’s the future King and you have to listen!”

“Insolent child.”, the man scolds, hand flying across your face so hard you fall to the side. 

“Y/N, are you alright?”, Steven asks, his palm caressing your skin. 

“Edward?”, you whimper, trying to push up on your elbow to find him. 

“Let me go! I need to see if she’s ok!”, the boy shouts as he’s lifted off his feet and dragged towards the door. 

The other boy runs to help his friend, producing the wooden sword they had been playing with and blocking the exit. 

“Really, boy?”, the man cackles menacingly. “What is a fake blade going to do except get you killed?” Someone outside abruptly grips Steven’s arm and lifts him in the air, your heart breaking as you hear both of them shout in protest. “Take him to his father and let the Harrington’s know what their son has been up to. You, your highness, will never see either of these beings again.”

***

10 years later

“EDWARD! Pay attention!”, his council shouts, waking the man from his daydream as he sighs and glares towards the idiot in front of him. 

“I am your King and you will show me respect.”, he growls, rising to his feet and shuffling to his closet to finish getting ready for the LONG day ahead. 

“I’m sorry, your highness, I don’t mean to be rude, however, today is a big day and with your father sick people will be looking to you to see how you can handle their kingdom.”

“Their kingdom? Last I checked it was mine.”, Edward replied sarcastically, pulling on the last of his ensemble before hesitating in front of his crown. “At least it will be after my stubborn father finally leaves his mortal coil.”

“Why do you hate him so, sire? That man has loved you since you were born and your mother—”

The young royal spun around so fast his council wasn’t prepared as the man’s ringed hand circled around his throat. 

“Say what you will about my violent king and his ‘insolent’ son but if you ever mention my mother again, I will throw you in the colosseum with the other prisoners. Am I being clear?”, he growled, chocolate eyes glaring daggers. 

“Y-Yes, sire. I apologize, sir.”

“Get out of my sight.”

At his hissed words, he released the man from his grasp, watching as he scurried away before heading back towards his gold grown to place it on his head. 

It was then something caught his eye. 

Glancing around to double check he was alone, Edward reached towards one of his many bookshelves to find a binding he thought he’d never see again. His breathing stuttered a bit when he opened it to see his handwriting and drawings still prominent on the pages. 

Again, he checked his surroundings, wondering if he missed someone entering his room but once again found no one. 

Flipping through the pages, the young royal promptly recognized handwriting that differed from his own even now. It appeared more feminine and softer…like a girl he vaguely remembered…

“And then the friends were ripped apart by a vicious king and a dictator of a city he did not claim responsibility for. 

The future king was confined to his castle, forced into lessons and cruel philosophies to mold him into the man his father wanted him to be while his ailing mother watched helplessly in horror.”

Edward’s lip trembled at the memories. 

When he was ten and found sneaking out of the palace to meet kids that weren’t “noble”, he was beaten by his dad and forced to stay indoors. His mother did everything she could; a queen pleading on her knees to a king who didn’t care. 

He cried in her arms those first few nights before hardening his heart, knowing even then it was the only way to survive in this world; to pretend nothing bothered or affected you. By 13, people in his home he had once often smiled with, now cowered before him and if they didn’t, a stern glare and a non-verbal threat was enough. 

“The boy born to high status was reprimanded harshly and his parents did everything they could to mold him into the man they expected him to be. At 15, he ran away in the night to join a little village just outside of his city where he was taught to fight and speak in a way the people of the kingdom understood and could empathize with.

One night a few years later, a creature raided the village and murdered the people within except for him. He fought valiantly but was captured by nearby soldiers, spared due to his name. 

Not one to be taken willingly (again), he spit in the eye of the captain who threw him in a cell where he’s been sheltered for months encouraging the broken spirts around him even now.

It angers the guards of the palace who came up with a plan to slit his throat during the full moon of summer.”

Edward’s eyes shift outside, calculating.

“That’s tonight. Fuck, fuck, fuck.”, he murmurs, pausing to see if there was any more writing especially about the girl, his heart breaking when he found nothing.

***

Steven sighed as the chains on his wrists pulled roughly against his skin. 

How long had he been trapped in his cell? Months? Years?

It all flowed together when you weren’t able to roam. The guards did everything they could to keep him separated from the other prisoners and the common people outside, hating the way he spoke and giving them hope. 

A kingdom was more pliable when hope was replaced with fear.

Maybe that’s why they were moving him. This morning, he awoke to men roughly lifting him off the floor and shoving him into a carriage with no window which saddened him a bit as he had hoped to see the sky and feel the winds of summer. 

The cart rocked abruptly causing him to grunt in annoyance before the doors were hurled open and arms aggressively gripped his biceps. 

“You can just ask me to walk, you know?”

Steven’s smart comment was met with a firm fist to his gut and he doubled over into the guard’s grasp as they dragged him somewhere new. 

Restrained once more, he waited…to die or live he wasn’t sure, nor did he care. 

Or so he thought. 

Just under the slit at the bottom of his hood, he noticed feet appear just beside him. Not regular golden sandaled feet guards normally wore but something created and made to protect the feet of a girl. 

A shadow clouded what little sight he had and he automatically flinched away. 

“I’m not here to hurt you, Steven Harrington.”, a female voice whispered softly. “But you will need your strength and wits for what’s about to happen.”

“What IS about to happen?”

The sack over his head was raised enough to expose his mouth and the smell of fruit filled his nostrils before the delicacy touched his lips. He ate eagerly, panting after cold water was presented to him and drank every drop.

“Thank you, miss, but you should leave before they catch you helping me.”

“I’m not afraid of the people here. They’re more afraid of me.”

“Do I know you?”

“Once…a long time ago…”, the woman answered softly, almost as if it pained her. 

“Not many people know my last name anymore unless they are associated with my father.”, he grumbles, jaw tightening as if the idea disgusted him. 

“In order to survive, Steven, you need to put away childhood hatred so you can help protect the people of this kingdom.”

“I don’t want that. I never have. I just wanted to…”

“To what? Escape? Run away? Where would you go that would be safe?”

“I know a place.”, he growls confidently. “A farm far enough away where I can get lost.”

“By yourself?”

“Show me your face so I know I can trust you.”

Silence fills the area and he hates the way his heart aches for the sound of the woman’s voice. She felt familiar…like a girl he used to know… 

Before he can do anything about it, aggressive guards fill the room, unchain him and drag him somewhere new. Sand turns to tile before his hood is removed and he’s violently pushed forward onto his hands and knees. 

Lifting his head, he carefully takes a look around to see people staring at him; people he grew up with including a few men and women he knew as children, now full-grown adults with expensive cups in their grasp. Old men in robes weaved throughout the room but bunched towards a certain area where a man with a crown a top long black hair sat, wide eyes taking him in before a sinister grin painted his lips. 

“Is this him?”

“Yes, your highness, this is the Harrington boy.”, someone beside him answers. 

“Doesn’t seem like the type to take out half my army.”, Edward mocks. “I mean look at him.”

Steven suddenly charged his way before a guard intervened and punch him backwards making the king rise from his chair. Their eyes met and for a brief moment he thought he saw worry flash across his irises. 

“You’re very brave, Harrington, but let’s see how good of a fighter you are.”

With a wave of his fingers, another prisoner was brought in and both promptly began to fight. 

Over the years, Steven had become an excellent fighter, skills centering in sword fighting and taking a punch. When he left his home and moved in with the village, they taught him how to survive and be strong, things his parents never taught him. 

When they were slaughtered, he lost a big part of himself, feeling empty once again…like when he was lifted and yanked away from his friends…

Amber hues briefly flicked to Edward who was on the edge of his seat watching the events unfold but what really caught his attention was the figure behind his thrown. 

Had that person always been there and he was just now noticing?

He could tell from the curvy form under the cloak that the person was most likely a woman and when her head lifted slightly, he saw the slight outline of a smile. The man he was battling pulled him into a headlock and the crowd around him gasped as they both fell to their knees. 

Suddenly something sharp slid to him and he didn’t hesitate to grab it before stabbing the man behind him who promptly let him go, falling to his side in a bloody lump. 

The people around them clapped wildly as if they had achieved something as well except for the future king who delivered him one firm nod and turned to his council whispering something Steven couldn’t hear.

Much softer than before, the man was lifted to his feet and brought to a room where he was shoved into a chair and left alone. 

After a couple of minutes, Edward slowly entered through a side door, their eyes meeting once more except this time the king’s had far less malice behind them. 

“I’m so sorry for putting you through that. It was the only way I could get you alone and save you.”

Steve growled deep from his chest, running towards the man with the intent on severely hurting him for taking away his freedom and putting him through torture but dust from his side abruptly blinded him, knocking both men backwards. 

“What the fuck?! Are you insane?!”, the royal yelled, rubbing his eyes before finding the cloaked figure the other man had seen standing before them. 

“No, I am my own woman.”, you say confidently, removing your hood with a smile. “And I love you…Always and forever.”

“Always…”, Steven recites as if it were muscle memory. 

“And forever…”, Edward follows, taking long strides towards you to encase you in his arms. 

##############

Steven slowly emerged from the bathing chambers now clean with his hair freshly cut to resemble the boy you both had known. 

“It’s been a while since I wore clothing like this.”, he blushes, opening his arms to show off the silky garments draped around his broad frame. 

“You will have to wear it and things like it around the palace but in the arena…”, the future king relayed, his head hanging as if ashamed. 

“Arena?”

“It was the only way he could save you.”, you answered gently. “His father’s guards were planning on murdering you tonight but they would never kill one of Edward’s champions.”

Both sets of eyes take you in as you spoke, absorbing the new woman before them while trying to fully remember the one that was taken. 

“Not that this particular royal has ever had one but maybe now certain council will leave you both be.”, you tease with a smile. 

“How could you know that? Where have you been hiding?”, the royal practically pleaded. 

“I searched for you in every face I passed especially when I left home.”, the other boy added, taking the chair beside yours. 

“I am the shadows in the corners or your palace, sire and the night that blankets you when you sleep, sir.”, you grin with a knowing smirk, digging into your bag attached to your hip and spreading sand along the rug. The grains swirl slightly, lifting in the air to form a circle as images fill the center of you three as children. 

“Holy shit.”, Steven murmurs softly. 

“You better be paying attention, witch, for when I win you will be mine!”, Edwards little voice echoes with tiny laughter that followed. 

“A-Are you…?”

“After Orion came and took you both, I ran home and hid. I came back to our meeting spot every day for six months… when you didn’t come back I decided to move forward.”

“What does that mean? Move forward?”, the royal asks, incredulous.

“I went home and was taught how to use magic to protect myself.”

Your own magic betrays you, the images in the circle changing to reflect a child version of you sobbing before you brush it away with your palm. 

“What happened, Y/N?”

Your beautiful eyes glaze over slightly as you look into a memory they weren’t present for, Steven’s fingers brushing your cheek bringing you back into the present. 

“It doesn’t matter.”, you answer, trying to hide the shake in your tone. “There’s something worse out there and it’s coming for the kingdom. May I?”, you ask, reaching for their palms with your own. 

The moment they do, your eyes change to a milky white as your posture stiffens. 

“Y/N?”

Edward barely finishes saying your name before he and the other man feel their own bodies become rigid as their heads tilt back towards the ceiling. 

***

“What is this place?”, Steven inquires as both men take in their new surroundings. 

It looked like the same palace but different, darker and decaying. 

“This is his home.”

“Whose?”

“He goes by many names but in legends he is known as Vecna; a tall, merciless creature who refuses to let go. Witches in the past used their skills to bind him to this realm.”

While you spoke, scattered images appeared in front of you three of women in cloaks like yours muttering what sounded like spells to the man restrained in their circle. His screams shook Edward to his core making him jump at sound of squeaking overhead. 

“What is that?!”

“They succeeded and kept him in place until…”

Kids Steven recognized ran past him while they played and his heart strained when he saw his former village no longer burned but intact. His fingers reached out but fell through the image of people passing by until a scream caught his attention and the images of the worst day of his life began to reply in front of him. 

“Stop it.”

“Is this…how…”

“Stop it.”, the man repeated, his head hanging as the growls of creatures mixed with the screams of his family. 

“No one mentioned this to me. I’m the…next in line as king…I should have been told…”, Edward murmured to himself, slack jawed as he watched the atrocity unfold. 

“STOP IT!” At his shout, all of your eyes opened, bringing you back to the present as the man beside you rose to his feet and began to pace. “Did you know?”

“This…no…I felt it…felt your pain…”

“LIAR!”, Steve exclaims, gripping your throat and pushing you against the nearby wall. “You seem to know every fucking thing about us but you didn’t know a demon was about to murder my family!? Women, children, good men, EVERYONE! GONE!”

“I’m sorry. If I had known I would have warned you—”

The man’s fingers squeezing cut you off but a sudden blade to his throat has him loosening his hold. 

“I can’t let you do that, Steven. We need her.”

A few moments pass before he does release you, glaring at you both as he steps away. 

“I don’t need either of you.”, he spits, heading for the bedroom door. 

“You do or else they will kill you.”, Edward replies calmly. “You’re my champion, Steven. The only way you get free and out of my palace is by winning in the arena. Three tests, three battles… If they catch you outside of this room without me or a guard, they will kill you on sight.”

The man’s head hangs, his feet shuffling to the soft mattress he hadn’t felt since he ran away from home. 

“Leave me.”, he murmurs. 

The royal nods, turning to take your hand and guide you towards the hidden exit but to his surprise you were already gone. 

################

Edward’s jaw clenches as he takes in the crowd around him. 

He was never one for arena matches, that was his father’s business. His mother hated the senseless killing, begging her husband to allow them to stay inside and away. 

“The boy needs to see this, Elizabeth! He needs to know violence and grow up to be a strong man like me! If you had it your way you would have him be weak!”

The man’s eyes flutter at the memory just as the prisoners are escorted out into the arena. 

With a sword, Steven had definitely improved, swiftly taking out his adversaries with easy blows. The last man was twice his size but he barely blinked, taking out his anger on the person with a rough a stab of his sword. 

Something changed then.

The area became quiet, the people in the stands disappearing except for himself, the man below, and a figure that was once obscured by the chaos now visible out in the open; you. 

Steven’s panting echoes around the expansive area, glancing around to find you staring at him with wide worried irises. 

“Steven…”, a deep voice called. “How could I have missed you amongst those peasants? A diamond mixed in with gravel.”

Edward searched for you, ignoring the voice to find you sprinting to the stairs of the stands to get where your friend was and he turned to do that same. 

The fighter himself, held up his sword prepared to swing but as he circled around, found no one. 

“Show yourself, demon!”

Your feet skidded against the sand just as the giant creature from the vision the night before appeared in front of him, knocking the weapon out his hand and extending out his long-clawed fingers to point towards Steven’s chest. 

With a pained whine, the man felt his body being lifted off the ground, doing everything he could to get free to no avail. 

When the royal found his way to the arena entrance, he paused to take in the sight of the creature made of branches and vines using his mind to lift his former friend into the air. What startled him even more was when he noticed you were hovering behind him as if you were being manipulated to. 

You struggled to reach into your bag, digging for something before throwing it towards Edward who promptly picked it up and ran towards Vecna, stabbing it into his back with success. 

The creature howled in pain, causing him to release Steven and you two to fall to the ground below. Reaching his way, you began muttering spells that had him growling and taking a step back. 

“Never forgot, Y/N, without them you are nothing.”, he hisses, disappearing just as the sound and people return around you three.

“Sire?! Oh thank God.”, the council beside him gasped, lifting Edward to a sitting position. 

“What…what happened?”, he asked, glancing towards the middle of the arena that was now empty except for the bodies of the men Steven had taken out. 

“Your eyes rolled back and you fainted, sire. You began muttering things under your breath. Looked like…witchcraft…if I’m being honest.”

The future king glared the man’s way, silencing him immediately. 

“Bring my champion to my room. NOW!”

***

“Are you alright, son?”

Steven groans as he grabs his head, hissing at the sharp pain of a cut on his arm. Taking in his surroundings, he was currently still near the arena but off to the side where warriors like him were treated. 

“Um, yes, thank you. How did I get here?”

“You passed out in the arena so they brought you to me. There isn’t much I can do about these bruises on your face but I can clean this slice here. A sword must of scraped you there at the end.”

“Huh…I don’t remember that…”

“You should start remembering because a sudden wound, passing out, and white irises is usually a sign of witchcraft and possession which in this palace is punishable by death, young man.”

Steven’s eyes widened, swallowing down his fear as what happened replayed in his head. 

“Thank you for helping me, sir.”

“No problem. You can call me Hop.”, the man winks, patting the boys back with a smile. “Whenever you’re ready the guards are here to take you to the young king’s quarters.”

***

The boy grunts in annoyance when he’s shoved a bit aggressively into Edward’s room. 

“Hey!”, the black-haired boy shouts, opening his door once more and pointing at the unlucky being on the other side. “This man is MY champion and just fought valiantly! You will treat him with the same respect you show me during his stay here. Am I being clear?!”

“Y-Yes, sire. I apologize.”, the boy squeaks out before the door is slammed in his face. 

“Are you alright?”

“Yes…thank you for…what you did.”

“No problem.”, Edward beamed. “I don’t know what I did exactly but—”

“You used my charm.”, you interrupted, appearing out of the corner and startling them both. “It doesn’t defeat him but it keeps him at bay for the time being.”

“You have some explaining to do.”, Steven growled your way. “You need to be more careful with your spell or whatever the fuck that was that brought us to that place. You’re going to get Edward or I killed.”

“I didn’t bring you there. He did.”, you growl in equal measure. “I don’t know how but he’s getting stronger.”

“Don’t you witches have like a coven or something? It was a bunch of witches who trapped him last time right?”

You don’t answer, your gaze shifting to the window. This time Edward stalks towards you, his ring covered fingers taking a hold of your chin, forcing you to look his way. His hold softens however when a tear lands on his skin. 

“I tried to stay away…to protect you but…fate somehow…”, you stutter out as you shrug. “When you two were taken, I went home and my family was gone. Raiders broke in and stole everything…killing anyone inside. I was with you two that day so…”

Steven’s own facial features soften as he slowly steps towards you both. 

“I went back to the farm hoping you’d come back but…I know it’s not your fault…your fathers.”

“Where did you go after that? Who took care of you?”, the royal asked, chocolate eyes filled with concern. 

“I took care of myself and moved forward.”, you grumbled, repeating your earlier sentiment. “After a couple years, an elder found me scavenging. She took me in and taught me things.

“Magic, Y/N, is a beautiful thing. It binds us to the ones we love and the world around us.”

You smile as her words echo in your head. 

“She explained that when it comes to covens, they are connected in a way that no one can understand. They make you feel whole and safe…loved. Like a family bonded through the universe. At the time, I thought she was just trying to make me feel better… then I felt it…”, you pause as your eyes meet Steven’s. “I felt your pain when he killed the village.”

As you took off your cloak, they absorbed your gorgeous white gown that hovered just above your ankles. The bag around your girthy hips accentuated your breasts but not as much as the moon light that had steadily begun to fill the room as you spoke illuminating your neck and soft glowing skin. 

Lifting your arm, you displayed the fresh welt that you had hastily tried to clean before showing up in the room. 

“Whatever he does to you…to both of you…I feel it to…”

Abruptly letting you go, you watch as Edward powerwalks to the bathroom, returning with a bowl of water and bandages. 

“Sit.”, he commands, gesturing towards the floor and plopping down himself. 

“Your guards won’t walk in here?”

“Pfft, no. It’s my chambers and no one wants to stumble in on me fucking my champion.”, he relays with a smile, your irises finding the other boys before a smirk flickers across his features and he guides you down to the ground with him. 

“Like you could handle me, your majesty.”

You continue to observe the long-haired boy as his intense eyes zero in on the task in front of him. 

“Did you have do this a lot over the years?”, you ask, gesturing towards the cloth in his grasp. 

“No…my mother did…”, he sighs. “When they brought me back that afternoon, I was punished severely. She stayed with me that night while I cried but I told her I didn’t care about the bruises, I wanted to make sure you both were ok. After that my father kept a close eye on all the exits with a guard at every door.”

“My parents confined me to my room when punishments and scolding no longer worked.”, Steven relayed, his own irises observing as the other boy began bandaging your wound. “No one needed to know their son was ‘unfit’. When I saw my opportunity, I took it and ran. The people that took me in showed me kindness I had only really known once…with you two.”

“He was looking for me.”, you whisper. “Trying to punish me… Vecna killed the woman who took me in when she tried to bind him once more. H-He lifted her off her feet with his mind and…broke her…”

“How did you escape?”

Reaching for your bag, you produced more of your charms and small glass jars of ingredients. 

“I’m not great with my spells and everything but I’ve managed to take down some of his creatures. Small monsters that come out at night.”, you explain when they look at you with confusion. “He wanted to punish me so…he came for my heart…Steven was the closest.”

You suddenly begin to sob, your palm reaching for theirs. 

“I thought if I stayed away that energy would fade a bit and protect you both but then I heard what the guards were going to do and I had to help. At least now Edward can take care of you while I’m gone.”

“Gone? No, you can’t leave.”, the royal pleaded, standing when you did the same. “We beat Vecna today together, we helped protect Steven together—”

“I would have found my way out, I’m sure.”

“You’re welcome,”, Edward replied to his remark with a smile. “You have to stay so we can slay this beast.”

“People get close to me and they die. It’s best if I go.”, you whisper, your head believing your sentiment but your heart ignoring it. 

“I agree with our king.” Steven follows. “I…hate that I forgot about certain things from our time as children but…I never forgot the feeling.”

“Me either and if fate thinks we never should have been separated…”

“Then who are we to question it?” The young warrior cupped your face in his palms and brought your lips to his, humming when a warmth flowed through his broad physique. “Was that all in my head or are your kisses magic to, mella?”

You giggle lightly as your forehead rests against his.

“You know latin, sir?”

“Harringtons are high society, pulchra. I know enough just like our king in waiting I’m sure.”

You both turn to face Edward just in time for his own hands to grip your face to bring your mouth to his. Again, that wave flowed through you both but the other boy was surprised when he felt it to. 

His eyes searched yours for an answer as his thumbs continued to caress your plump cheeks. 

“It’s because you’re both mine. It’s another reason I’ve been alone all this time. Anytime anyone tries to kiss or touch me, I fell nothing.”

“You’ve never…?” You shake your head, your palm gripping his wrist to ground you. “Fuck, carissima, and you were going to leave us to be by yourself? What a waste of gorgeous creature like you.”

“It’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make to keep you both safe.”

“No, amor.”, Steve interrupts a bit forcefully. “You are not alone anymore. Let us help you.”

“Let us make you feel like a queen.”

When both their lips attached to your neck, you knew they won this particular scrummage, your eyes closing as you felt their fingers pull at the sleeves along your shoulders and drag the material down your arm to allow the garment to pool at your feet. 

As they began to remove their own clothing, your lips pecked along any little bit of skin you could find pausing when your fingers traced a couple of scars hidden under the fighter’s hairy chest. 

“They are old…from training…”

When Edward’s muscular physique was bared, you did the same with him, tracing along an indent along his shoulder and down part of his back where more scars gathered.

“Punishments…from my father…Do you have any?”, the royal asks, his brown eyes descending your form hungerly. 

“No scars for me.”, you smirk. “Not physical ones at least.”

His lips find yours again, mouth opening slightly to allow your tongue entry as his palms pulled you to his chest. The other boys frame pressed to your back, his own kisses and heavy pants heating your shoulder as that warm feeling began to consume them. 

When your lips traveled along Edward’s frame, you felt Steven’s arm reach over you and your eyes briefly glanced up to see them both passionately kiss each other. 

Your pussy clenched at the sight, your head falling against them as you groaned at the feeling. 

The warrior lifted you off your feet, carrying you easily to the soft bed and tossing you onto it with a smile of his own before both men placed themselves on the end to open your legs as wide as they could go. 

“Fuck, look at her, your excellency. I’ve conquered every opponent they’ve thrown at me… but I’d much rather spend the night surrendering to you, mella.”

“Are you sure you’re a fighter and not a poet?”, Edward teases.

“I am many things.”

Their lips connect once more before finding their way to each of your girthy thighs, placing gentle kisses along the skin till they find your cunt. 

They work together perfectly like a fine-tuned instrument, their tongues flicking and pressing against your clit and along your entrance while occasionally pausing to taste you on the others mouth. 

“I can feel her.”, the future king whispers. “That warmth—mmph—consumes me.”

Nodding, Steven shuffled a bit onto his knees and you pushed up onto your elbows just in time to see him take the other man’s cock into his grasp and guide him into his awaiting mouth. 

“Fuck…m-my champion…”, he mewled, smothering his moans between your legs as he fully devoured you. “That’s it, mea vita…give it to me…”

“Edward, oh…something’s happening…”

Ringed fingers tangled in the other boy’s hair, keeping him in place as he thrust his hips in pace with his tongue to help push you over that ledge. Grasping at the sheets, a euphoric feeling took you over as that growing feeling in your lower belly burst and you came undone. 

Both men moaned at the sensation, the royal pulling away to desperately kiss the warrior’s lips. 

“T-Take her. You fought well today and deserve the pleasure of taking her first.”

“That’s my choice.”, you hiss firmly, fully pushing yourself into a sitting position. 

“Mella.”, Steven coos lightly, his finger lifting your chin to meet his gaze. “You’re right, the choice is yours and either of us would be honored to take something so precious from any woman but especially you.”

“I apologize.”, Edward murmurs, your eyes meeting his worried ones, afraid he ruined the moment. “I didn’t mean to make you feel like an object or one of the whores that come and go. Fuck, my father taught me everything about being a merciless king but I lost my gift with words.”, he chuckles to himself, taking a seat beside you. 

You smile as you tilt to the side and kiss his shoulder. 

“No, you never lost it. Your mother guided you in that regard.”

“She did.”, he grinned, face softening when he turns his body to fully face you. “In a world that asks me to command everything, you are the one person I only wish to understand and care for. I missed you…both of you…so much. You’re safe, carissima.”

A tear left your eye before leaning towards him to kiss his lips, shifting towards the other boy to do the same, taking a hold of his biceps to guide him on top of you.

“You’ll go slow?” When he nods, you blink as he reaches between you both and grips his shaft, your body trembling as he glides his leaking tip through your folds. “I love you…always and forever…”

Steven tenderly smiles down at your nervous features, kissing your lips as he rests his forehead on yours. 

“I love you…always…” At his last word, he gradually began to guide his length into your core and your jaw went slack the moment you felt resistance. “Fuck, Y/N.”, he exhaled, his arm coming back around so his forearms could balance by your head. 

Edward laid at your side, his hand brushing some loose hair away from your face.

“You’re doing good, amata…so beautiful…”, he praised, placing soft kisses along both your frames. 

The man above you slowly thrust his hips allowing every inch to fill you till you felt his hips find yours. 

“Fuck, your cock is so…”

“I know, mella, I can feel it to…not just the way you stretch for me but that warmth…it’s overwhelming…”, he mewls. “Are you alright?”

“Yes, Steven…I think…you can move…please.”

Testing the waters, he pulled himself back halfway before pumping back into you and the groan all three of you emitted was the filthiest thing you were sure anyone had ever heard. 

Pressing up onto his palms to allow for more control, the warrior above you set a slow but steady pace, eyes lustfully observing every way your face and body moved with each purposeful motion of his hips. 

The future king’s hands found purchase where they could, squeezing your breasts and along the other man’s back while his lips sucked and nipped at your skin. 

“U-Use me.”, the warrior murmured irises fleeting to the man at your side. “The way it feels for me—mmph—has to be torture for you. Use me.”

“Are you sure?”

Steven aggressively nods, mouth finding yours as the other boy maneuvers around and places himself behind him, dragging his tongue along his palm before massaging it into the boy’s entrance eliciting another obscene moan. 

When he froze in place, it your turn to watch them as the royal licked his lips, gripping the man’s shoulder for leverage and carefully pushed into his friend’s opening. 

“O-oh…fuck…”

Your eyes to rolled back at the feeling, swearing the pleasure was consuming you like a fire from the underworld burning you alive.

“Ah, he’s more than just a fighter and—fuck—a pretty face.”, Edward mewled with a smirk, gaze shifting your way.  “His body is just as perfect as yours.”

“Take me…make me cum again…”, you commanded, frame trembling when he honored your demand with an almost animalistic rhythm.

With each thrust forward, his large cock prodded your cervix and your pussy desperately clung to him like a vice before he pushed back against his future ruler allowing his length to push deeper inside of him. 

You had read about how intimate covens like this could tie you together but you three were tied long before this. Your heart always searched for them in everyone you met and broke when you learned about their upbringings. 

Maybe they were right. 

Things had fallen apart for all of you the moment you were separated.

Maybe now that you were together, you could defeat this creature and run away some place outside of the kingdom where you three could be safe. 

That feeling in your belly began encasing you once more and when your gaze shifted to look their way, you knew they could feel it to. Steven’s head fell to the side of yours and your fingers tangled in his hair as his thrusts became a bit more erratic while chasing that feeling himself. 

Your thighs quivered around his waist as your orgasm crashed into you like a wave within the sea while the man’s own appendages grasp the pillow behind your head roughly to help ground himself as his pants filled your ears. 

“Fuck, mella!”, his voice strained, his rhythm faltering as his release painted your walls. 

Seemingly unable to wait any longer, Edward pulled out of the man beneath him and firmly pushed him aside, collecting you in his arms and spinning you around until you were on top straddling his hips. His ring covered palm pressed to middle of your spine guiding you till your breasts and upper half were flat against his chest. 

Taking a hold of your meaty curves, the royal lifted you up slightly before guiding you down onto his equally large cock, your cheek falling against his open mouth as you both moan at the feeling. 

“I don’t think I can be gentle, carissima.”, he whispered, lips closing slightly to kiss your skin. 

“Then don’t be, sire.”, you murmur back, tilting your head so your mouth could kiss his. “I love you, Edward, always and forever.”

“Fuck, I love you to, Y/N…forever…”

Hooking his arms behind your back, the man under you began pumping into you at an almost aggressive pace, the constant sound of his hips smacking into yours filling his chambers. 

“Mine.”

Edward’s eyes open to take in your scrunched up features, Steve doing the same as he rolls to his side to listen to you mumble. 

“Mine, until the end of time…across—f-fuck—across dimensions…mine.”

“Always.”

“Mmph—and forever...”

Your body fully collapses against the long-haired boy under you as his length pounds inside of you, his feet firmly planted into the bed to allow his cock to fill you deeply, your previous orgasm mixed with the warrior’s making that an easy task to accomplish. 

“Cum again, mea vita, let me be blessed with it to.”

Your eyebrows furrowed, your hips bouncing back as much as they could to meet his before that now familiar feeling washes over you and they both mewl at the continuous warmth that overtakes them.

Cupping your cheeks, Edward held you in place, kissing you with vigor till his own form shuddered and you felt his seed release within your core. 

He continued to cling to you as he carefully pulled his softening cock out of your now sore pussy, maneuvering you both till you were between him and the other man who promptly began kissing your shoulder while his arm slung over you and the future king’s waists. 

“How are you feeling? Do you need water or maybe—”

Your giggle cuts him off as your nails trail down his spine softly. 

“No, my king, I am alright.”

“I’m not a king yet.”, he teases. “Nor do I want to be. I still want to run away…that feeling never left…”

“I know of a place.”, Steven murmurs, eyes shifting between the other man and you. “I don’t know how we’d get there. They’ll never stop searching for you, Edward and I can’t exactly move freely here in the palace or arena. Add in this creature that invades our minds—”

“I find it amusing that was your last concern and not the first.”, you giggle. 

“I’m not afraid of him…Vecna.”, the warrior clarifies. “The only thing I fear now is losing you again, mella…both of you.” With his last couple of words, the man reaches out to caress the royal’s chin eliciting a gentle hum of pleasure.

“Promise us, Y/N, that you won’t leave again. That we’ll defeat this evil together and find a way out of city.”

Craning your neck, you kiss the long-haired boy’s lips before turning to do the same with the other. 

“I promise. I am bound to you both and you are mine. I love you, always and forever…”

“Always.”, Steven repeats, hugging you to his chest.

“And forever.”, Edward follows, tenderly kissing your forehead.

#################

Birds chirping outside his window rouse the royal from his peaceful sleep, his arms stretching above his head as he takes in his chambers around him now seeming slightly different. 

It was the same bland color he grew up with and the typical royal garb but it seemed brighter now and when his gaze found his crown in the corner, it seemed less daunting. 

Careful not to disturb your sleeping frames, Edward tiptoed to his bathroom to splash some water onto his face so he could prepare to begin the day. The idea seemed so exhausting but as long as you three were working together against the threats that plagued you, soon it would no longer be a concern. 

“Your highness! It is time to start the day!”

Growling, the man stalked towards the door, opening it with a fury his council had never seen before. 

“My champion is resting! Show some decorum.”

“I’m sorry, sire, but the guards are here to take him back for training to prepare for the next trail.”

“Give us time. If you have a problem with that go get Orion. I’m sure he’d love a reason to start this beautiful day with an argument.”

The young man on the other side seemed completely unsure of how to proceed, his eyes doing everything they could to not glance down his future king’s naked form. 

Edward raised his eyebrows as if to challenge him before taking the non-answer as such and slamming the door. 

“It appears that’s my cue to exit the king’s chambers.”, the warrior yawned, turning to face the other man who sat on the edge beside him with a smirk. 

“There’s no rush. They can wait for a little bit.”, he relays with a smile of his own, leaning down to capture Steven’s lips with his own. “Nothing stirs our beautiful Goddess, hm? Mea vita, it’s time to get up.”

His large hand pushes at your hip under the cover to no avail. 

“Y/N?” When again you didn’t stir, the man pulled back in horror to notice your eyes were that milky white color yet again. “Edward…”

The man hastily bounded to the other side, his hand’s cupping your cheek as he lightly slapped against them. 

“Y/N, wake up, carissima, come back to us.”

“You promised you wouldn’t leave again, mella! Come back!”

#################

Steddie Asks here