#cinders writes

They'd been coming back from a festival in the park when it started raining, both of them running to his dorm unable to stop themselves from getting soaked to the bone. Caleb urged Cinders to take a shower first so she wouldn't get sick, and while she was doing so, he negotiated with his roommates to leave. He was out fifty bucks, but that was nothing compared to the silence and solitude of a night in with her.

He wouldn't have to worry about any of them making suggestive comments towards her, or flirting with her. Nope, she was all his for the night.

“Yeah, they have a thing they're going to tonight,” he said, grabbing her by the hips and scooting her closer. He reached for the towel around her head and started drying her hair as she settled in and turned her attention to the small TV in his room. He had one of her favorite shows playing.

When he was done drying her hair, he picked up the brush and began pulling it through the unbelievably soft burgundy strands. He could smell the shampoo wafting up to his nose and he felt that familiar ache in his lower abdomen. The tips of his ears burned as he shifted slightly.

“A thing?” she echoed. “I didn't ruin your hangout plans with your friends, did I?”

Cinders tilted her head back enough to just barely see Caleb above her. He smiled at how adorable she was and shook his head quickly. “No, no. I'm not into what they do anyway,” he reassured her, nudging her head back into place.

“Really?” she hummed, her tone skeptical. “Gideon says differently.”

He felt his eye twitch. “Since when did you speak with Gideon?” Enough to refer to him so casually, too.

“Oh, it was a bit earlier when I was waiting for you,” she explained. “Do… do you know if he has a girlfriend?”

His hand gripped the brush handle tightly and he had to make an effort to keep his motions gentle and soft and not fueled by his irritation. “Uh, I don't know. Why? Do you like him?” he winced, noticing his tone sounding a bit demanding.

Cinders shrugged, shifting in her seat between his thighs, still watching the show on the TV. “Mm, I don't know. He asked for my number earlier. Guess I just want to make sure I'm not giving it to some player,” she laughed a little.

Caleb's breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding in his chest. No, this wasn't right. She wasn't supposed to get interested in anyone. Before he could stop himself, he put the brush down and pulled her flush against his chest, his arms wrapping around her waist.

“Oof!” Cinders let out a surprised huff of air, wiggling in his arms but it was clear Caleb wasn't going to let go. “Caleb…?”

“You can't-” he choked out, clearing his throat. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, breathing her in and trying to compose himself. “You're not allowed to date my friends.”

“Caleb-” she squirmed again but he only tightened his hold.

“I'm serious, pipsqueak. No. You've gone this long without seeing anyone, why now?” his voice was strained and off-sounding.

“I-I don't know, I was just wondering,” she mumbled, feeling her face heat up. The way he was holding her like he was afraid to let go felt different. “I won't date any of your friends, Cal, okay?”

“No one,” he mumbled, nuzzling into her neck. His hands slipped under his shirt that she wore, feeling her soft stomach. He felt her shiver but she stilled under his touch. His lips curled into a smirk against her neck. “No one should be able to hold you like this. Touch you like this.”

One of his hands caressed upward, his calloused fingertips brushing against the soft underside of her breasts. He could feel the goosebumps rising to the surface of her skin. His other hand slid underneath the loose shorts she wore, his fingers brushing against the coarse yet soft trimmed hair on her mound.

“C-Caleb, what-?” Cinders sucked in a breath as his long fingers stroked the outside of her lips, sending tingles straight to her core and igniting that delicious burning sensation.

“It should be me, Kit,” he murmured, his nose nuzzling aside her hair to get at her neck. “The one touching you like this. Showing you how to feel good. The only one you think of like this…”

His mouth pressed hot kisses against her neck. He felt Cinders lean back against him, tilting her head to the side and letting him continue. He took it as her consent, his left hand squeezing and teasing her breasts and nipples, eliciting sweet little whimpers and gasps from her plush lips.

It wasn't until the index finger of his right hand slipped between her moistened folds, gently stroking along her slit until he circled his finger around that precious little nerve bundle, that she let out anything resembling a moan.

And Jesus Christ it went straight to his cock, throbbing and aching against the fabric of his pajama pants. He groaned and sank his teeth into the crook of her neck, sucking a mark into her pale skin. “My sweet little pipsqueak,” he nibbled on her earlobe. “Keep making those noises for me, okay? I'm going to help you feel good, honey.”

Cinders bit her lip and nodded, relaxing back into him some more. His hand splayed across her chest, holding her to his own, while his other hand continued to swirl around her clit and tease her entrance. When he started inserting his finger inside of her, her knees bent and she tried to close her legs at the intrusion.

Caleb used his Evol to force them apart again, spreading her wide. He even pulled her shorts off the rest of the way. “Caleb,” Cinders whined, turning her head to glare at him.

“Tell me no,” he said, his eyes half-lidded as he continued to slowly finger her. “Say the word and I'll stop, Kitty.”

Her eyes studied him for a moment, her face flushing as her body responded to his touch. “I want it,” she practically whined instead, panting a little.

His cock twitched almost violently against her ass when he heard her say that. “Everything or just this?” he nibbled along her jaw, working his finger in and out of her slowly, getting her used to the feeling.

She let out another moan when he inserted a second finger, unable to move her legs due to his Evol, so her hands moved up behind her, grabbing his shoulders. “E-everything,” her voice was breathy and shaking. “I want everything.”

Caleb could feel her nails digging into his skin, groaning softly. He bit her again, sucking another harsh mark into her skin. She was his, and he'd leave a reminder for her and everyone else. “Good girl,” he murmured.

The pace of his fingers pumping in and out of her steadily increased, and she squirmed against him, the melody of her pleasure lifting into the air around them. The TV show was forgotten. Only they existed in this room, this moment.

“Ahh, fuck,” Caleb groaned again, unable to take the throbbing ache any longer. “Kit, do you think you're ready for me?”

“Mhm,” she panted.

He didn't need any more confirmation before he lifted her up, freed himself from his pants, and guided himself to her entrance. His thick head was already seeping with precum, eager to delve deep inside of her.

“Tell me to stop if it hurts,” he grunted through clenched teeth, holding himself back from just ramming up into her.

“Okay.”

A guttural moan bubbled up from his chest as he began lowering her slowly onto his cock, her folds stretching and squeezing around him. When he hit resistance, he took his time, working himself in and out of her. He was gentle, he was sweet, kissing her and whispering sweet praises.

Caleb knew it was her first time. It was his, too. And he wanted her to feel good, and loved, and everything that he felt about her. “Good girl, doing so well for me, aren't you, Kit?” he crooned softly, nuzzling his face against hers.

“You coulda told me you were fuckin’ huge,” she huffed, pouting. Her hands were on his thighs, helping to hold herself up.

He chuckled and kissed her cheek. “Where's the fun in that?” he teased. “You're taking me well, anyway.”

“You're so crude,” she mumbled.

“And who's the one that said she wanted everything?” he retorted playfully.

He worked past the barrier, earning a slight whimper of pain from her. “Shh, babygirl, I've got you,” he kissed her cheek, jaw, down her neck, whispering praises in between.

“I'm okay,” she whimpered softly, her hips shifting, wanting to keep going. This staying still business was only driving her insane.

“Ready? Just relax and let me do it,” he rested his chin on her shoulder. “Let me know if you want to change anything.”

Cinders nodded. With his hands on her hips, he began to set a steady rhythm between them, guiding her and rocking his own hips up into her. His own sounds of pleasure mixed with hers. Soon, he wrapped an arm around her waist, holding her to him while his other hand slipped down.

He almost came just from feeling his own cock inside of her with his fingers. He slowed down a bit, wanting to savor the moment, and found her little nub of pleasure again. He rubbed at her clit and continued rutting up into her.

“Caleb- haaa- please, I need more,” Cinders begged. “Faster.”

He obeyed her demand, thrusting into her quicker, sinking his cock deep within her and moaning at the way she squeezed around him so fucking deliciously. “God, you feel so good, Kitty,” he panted. “Just like I imagined. Better even.”

The squelching noises from their mixed juices, along with their cries of passion, could only be described as perverted. “Cal- please- I need-” Cinders whimpered and panted, unable to complete a coherent sentence.

But he knew what she meant. Caleb's fingers on her clit applied more pressure, rubbing circles and driving her closer to that sweet peak. He shifted their position, lifting her with him as he bent her over the coffee table, fucking into her with more purpose.

“I know- what you need, babygirl,” he grunted with his efforts. He shifted his angle and suddenly she cried out the moment he hit that sweet spot inside of her.

She clenched around him so tightly, there was no hope for him. He let out another moan, deep from within his chest, his hips jerking and stuttering as his hands moved to clench her hips, pulling her back against him. “Ah, fuck, Cinders-!” he gasped her name.

She was boneless and feeling like jelly on the table as he pumped his hips forward, fucking his warm cum deeper inside of her, hitting her sweet spot and overstimulating them both. With a soft groan, he finally pulled himself free and collapsed over her, resting his weight on her back.

“Kitty,” he murmured after a few seconds of catching his breath. He lifted his hand and brushed her hair to the side to look at her face. “Are you okay?”

“Mmm,” she hummed, her eyes opening part way to look at him. She smiled a little. “I'm good, bunny.”

He was sitting on a bench across the street, his eyes trained on you through the window. There was no way you wouldn’t be his. He just had to play his cards right, get you to trust him, get you to rely on him. To not need anyone else other than him.

He glanced around the empty street again before subtly lifting his camera, zooming in on you in a way that was practiced. Clearly, he’d done this before. He’d done it almost every day since the day he first walked into the café, when he saw your bright welcoming smile and heard your voice. A melody to his ears.

He was just taking pictures for your scrapbook, that was all. Pictures that you’ll put in an album together, showing off his devotion and love to you. Your future children together will appreciate it, won’t they? Or, even if you didn’t want children, it would be something to look back on. Something to remember.

Because his love was always going to be one hell of a memory.

He felt the phone in his pocket buzz, pulling it out eagerly only to be met with a message that made him clench his jaw tightly.

Alex: Where are you? I thought you were coming today.

Of course, they would reach out to him, now of all times. Interrupting his time with you—even if you didn’t know it, this was your time together. Where he was watching over you, protecting you, mentally filing away every little touch and look that snake gave you.

He was only trying to protect you! You can’t see the evil that you work with. How could you? That snake’s manipulation rivaled his own. He was scared that your co-worker would have you wrapped around his stupid little finger in no time if you weren’t careful enough.

Christ, already he had to save you from him. Walking behind you and accidentally bumping into you. Those chance meetings? They weren’t chance, little owl.

He ignored the text and shoved the phone back into his pocket, looking up at the café again. He was wearing a hooded sweater, not his usual style, but then again… You only saw what he wanted you to see. You weren’t ready to see him yet, no.

You’d be scared if he wasn’t so charming and friendly with you. You couldn’t handle the dark miasma swirling inside of him, not yet, no. Not until you were truly his.

He’d planned so much for you together. Everything from the way you met, to the way you’ll get married in the near-future. Because he’ll have you loving him so much, you wouldn’t know what to do without him. You wouldn’t be able to stand not having him near you. Not having him by your side, protecting you, reminding you how precious and delicate you really were. What a sweet little bird you were, his Pidge.

His eyes zeroed in on the way that snake orchestrated bumping into you, accidentally burning you with black coffee. How dare he harm you, even if for a chance to take care of you. He didn’t love you, Pidge.

Of course he didn’t.

Not like he did. He would never harm you, little owl, not ever. He wouldn’t plan these stupid little moments that cause you physical harm in order just to have your attention for two fucking seconds.

His hands curled into tight fists, his fingers digging into the skin of his palms painfully. That pain was a reminder for him to keep calm, keep his cool and definitely do not storm into the café right now. That wouldn’t do.

That would give him away. You weren’t ready for him, pigeon. You weren’t ready to see just how much he loved and c h e r i s h e d you.

The snake, however, was already on thin ice. He’d know soon enough. He’d know that you belong to him. That he already claimed you long before this asshole showed up.

His phone buzzed once more and he let out a noise of frustration, pulling it out of his pocket again. As much as he wanted to ignore it, there was only one other person worthy of his attention other than you. Sorry, Pidge. He had family obligations.

Alex: Seriously?? I really needed you today, man. I’m already having a tough time.

He bit his lip, drawing blood. Now he was conflicted. On one hand, he needed to stay here and make sure the snake didn’t bite you when he wasn’t supposed to. On the other hand, he did make previous plans.

He glanced up again and located you coming from the back room, a bandage around your hand and your co-worker walking behind you with a self-satisfied smile. What a fucking prick.

He sighed when he looked at his messages again.

He’d see you again soon.

“Mm, hello?” Cinders’ voice sounded adorably sleepy and he could hear shifting on her side of the call. The rustling of fabric as she moved around in bed made him smile.

“Hey, pipsqueak,” he said softly, his usual boisterous tone mellowed out since he obviously woke her up. “Sorry for the late call. Did I wake you?”

“Yeah but it's okay!” Cinders said quickly, as if wanting to reassure him. “I tried to stay up and wait… but I guess I fell asleep.”

He chuckled as he removed one boot and worked on the lacing of the other. “Wouldn't be the first time. I got in a little late from training. Anyway, how was your night? It was senior prom, right? Did what's-his-face treat you well?”

He heard her snort and shift around some more. He could just imagine her rubbing her eyes and trying to wake up to talk to him. “You mean Trevor? I guess Granny didn't tell you. He bailed on me.”

Caleb stopped in the middle of pulling off his other boot, his heart sinking to his stomach. She had been stood up? And he wasn't there to comfort her, or to even take her to the dance himself. “Well, shit,” he scoffed. “I'm sorry, Kitty. Are you okay? Do I need to kick his ass when I come home next weekend?”

Hearing her laugh made him feel a tiny bit better. “No, no. It's not his fault, he was super sick. And I'm fine,” she explained, her voice sounding pretty normal.

Usually he could tell when ‘fine’ meant ‘definitely not okay’ but this time was harder than usual. “Did you just stay home with Gran, then?” he asked, standing up and beginning to pull off his flight jumpsuit.

“No, I still went. Remember Zayne? He was in town and stopped by for a visit and Granny told him about it,” she told him, and he could hear her moving around again. “He offered to take me since he's in town for a few days before going back to his school.”

“You had Zayne take you?” Caleb felt that familiar twist in his stomach, the feeling of jealousy flaring up inside like a rusted knife.

“Yeah,” she laughed a little. “It was kind of awkward but we had fun. Everyone was jealous that a college boy was dancing with me.”

The rest of his training clothes was practically torn off his body as his irritation built up. “I see,” he struggled to keep his tone neutral. “You had fun, though?”

“Yeah! He took me out for ice cream after the dance. Did you know he had such a sweet tooth?” she giggled and he clenched his fist at his side.

“Do you like him?” he demanded. Caleb winced, cursing himself. Why did he have to be like this? She was allowed to date whoever she wanted.

He didn't feel this way when she mentioned going with Trevor. Was it Zayne? Or the fact that he was older than her? He ran a hand through his hair.

Cinders shifted again on the other side. “Yeah, of course. You like him, too. We were all friends, remember? You two just had to go and grow up and leave me.”

She was joking but her words sliced through him. “Yeah, I guess,” he sighed. He decided not to push it. “Next time, will you call me?”

“What do you mean?”

“Whenever you need someone for something. I don't care what it is. Someone to watch movies with, someone to dance with, someone to take you to an appointment,” Caleb sat on his bed again, clutching the apple pendant around his neck. “I want to be the first person you think of when you need someone.”

He knew he was laying it on pretty thick, but he didn't care. He was lonely, and he missed her. She was graduating in a few weeks and he couldn't even be there to fill in for the dance like he should have been.

“Oh,” she said, sounding surprised. He could picture her cute face blushing at the blunt way he said that. “Yeah, I'll call.” Her tone had softened and he closed his eyes.

“... I'm glad you had fun, even if it didn't go how you wanted,” he said. “I'm sorry I wasn't there.”

“Cal, you don't need to apologize for something like that,” her voice was amused with a hint of fondness. “But thank you. How was your night? You got back late, so I bet it was busy?”

Caleb took a deep breath, feeling that green-eyed monster inside of him go back into hiding. He laid back on his bed, keeping his eyes closed and imagining she was lying next to him, looking at him with those pretty mismatched eyes of hers. “Yeah, it was a little hectic,” he said.

She thought of the last time they were sitting like this. And also the very first time. They’d been kids in Ever’s research lab and had formed a tentative friendship.

The night that he had told her for the umpteenth time who he was and how they were friends, she got scared and started crying. Her little hands wiping the tears away from her eyes while his hand ruffled her short burgundy hair. “It’s not fair,” she hiccuped. “Every time I go with them, I forget you.”

Caleb frowned and moved to sit behind her on the floor. She thought she was going to get a hug, but instead felt his weight on her back.

“We’ll sit like this, okay? Back to back. You got mine and I got yours,” he said with determination. “With us like this we can fight them off together!”

The next time it happened, they were a little older and living with Granny. Cinders had woken up crying and Caleb sat on the side of her bed, touching her slightly longer hair. “Was it a nightmare?” he asked.

She nodded, “Those people in white coats were back.”

She’d forgotten again what happened to them, and what they were, but at least she hadn’t forgotten him that time. “Come on,” he pulled her out of bed. They sat in the middle of her room, back to back again. He held her hand off to the side of them. “Just like before.”

“Mm,” she nodded, eyes peeled for anything dangerous. “I got your back-“

“And I got yours.”

The last time they’d been back to back was in high school when Caleb was a senior. He’d pissed off some random group of delinquents for some reason and Cinders found him getting ganged up on. As usual, she rushed in to protect him.

“Kitty!” he snapped, calling her nickname he and Granny gave her when she was young. “Get the hell out of here!”

“Noooo way, Caleb! Once we’re done with this, I’m throttling your idiot butt after,” Cinders said, putting up her fists and staring at the other students fiercely.

Caleb chuckled and grinned. Of course she would. He pressed his much larger back against hers, raising his fists as well. “You got my back?” he asked.

“As if you even have to ask,” she smirked.

“What are you thinking about?” The present Caleb’s voice snapped her out of her memories.

“Oh,” she let out a soft amused huff, shaking her head and looking down at her lap. “Just… never thought we’d be in this position again.”

“Yeah?”

“I missed it,” she admitted. “Fighting together, I mean. Having your back.”

Caleb had a conflicted look cross his face, which she couldn’t see. He sighed and leaned against her more, tipping the brim of his Colonel hat down to shadow his face. “I’ll always have your back, Kitty. No matter what,” his voice was low but he spoke with a sturdy conviction.

“… When it comes down to it, who will you choose?” she asked. The hidden meaning of her words were clear as day between them. They never directly stated it but they skirted the topic a few times, keeping it amicable between them.

“…” he didn’t say anything, looking down and holding the apple pendant in his hand. “You. It will… always be you,” he whispered.

“… If you ever sacrifice yourself for me, I’m bringing you back just to kill you myself,” she said, clearing her throat and ignoring the emotional response she felt.

“Likewise, pipsqueak.”