Category: Writing

  • Biding Time

    Biding Time

    tbo Charlie backstory, self-harm

    Ruth cries. Her son’s arms, his beautiful skin, punctured and bruised. He stares up at her, eyes wide. He doesn’t understand.

    “What’s wrong, Mother? I was practicing phlebotomy.”

    She shakes her head, holding one of his arms as she rubs witch hazel into him. “Charlie. Have you been practicing anything else without my permission?”

    He beams at her and it hurts. It’s her fault she let him get this bad. She should have known that he would use her teachings in the worst way possible. “Yes! I’m getting good at stitching!”

    “Stitching, Charlie?”

    “Yes!” He pats his thigh. “It took a few tries but I did it, and then I made a poultice for it and it hurt but it looks okay. How’d I do?”

    Tears drip onto him. Her son can’t even understand her tears. His arms are done, so she takes him into hers. “Charlie. You shouldn’t practice on yourself. That’s… that’s no good, dear.”

    “But then how will I know how to do it when it really matters?”

    “Please, Charlie.”

    “Hmmm.” She knows that noise. Noncommittal confirmation. “Okay…” And a lie. Her eyes meet with Josiah’s and she can see the fury thinly veiled behind the mask of calm he always wore whenever they weren’t alone. Seeing Charlie struggle with these concepts, barely a teenager…!

    Sometimes she wishes she could give Josiah a weapon and be done with Byron. Everything good that she put into her son, Byron took and twisted. The amount of pain in her heart with watching him get shyer and angrier every day was enough that she was tempted to kill Byron.

    For now, though, she needs to bide her time. She’s got to weave the safety net under her family before she can topple her husband. She has to work discreetly, with hundreds of people. She needs support from both the nobles and populace. She needs to put a stake into all of Byron’s businesses and kick him down to a lower rung. She needs to quietly write reforms that would uplift not just her, but everyone suffering under Byron’s rule.

    She needs to make sure that once he’s pushed out, taking him back is too much of a risk to the interests of those in power.

    “Mother?”

    Ruth loosens her grip on her son and smiles at him. “Yes, dear?”

    “I think I’m getting a little old for hugs…”

    “You can never!”

    “Hmmm.”

  • Touch… Starved?

    Touch… Starved?

    fluff, pining

    How does he come to terms with this?

    Charlie watches Thandi as she sits, book open, reading by the fire. He absolutely adores her, yes, and this much he realizes. But there’s something else about her that he can’t quite understand in himself.

    Or at least, he’s very good at denying it.

    He studies her legs, stretched before her, bare ankles peeking out from the white fabric of her dress. The dress that clung in a flattering manner, letting him see the curve of her hips and the line of her navel. And. Not to mention. The extremely deep neckline that taunted him day in and out. The sharpness of her collarbones, the cute rounds of her breasts, the graceful line of her neck.

    He realizes that his hands are flexing, an odd open-and-close movement that he’s found himself adopting recently. It sort of overtly signals the longing he has for her body, the need for him to actually touch someone. He hasn’t wanted to in years.

    Certainly he has, but outside of being throttled and inspecting patients, he’s mostly only touched Thandi. And he really only wants to touch her. And… be touched by her.

    This isn’t a feeling he normally has while sober. So, why is it so strong with her? Why does she instill in him such a desperate want?

    Thump. His ceaseless staring finally draws Thandi’s attention. She closes her book and moves to sit next to him, reaching out to push hair out of his eyes. The gentle touch alone is enough to send him above the clouds, and he smiles at her gently.

    She glances down at his hands and gives him a knowing look before gently pulling him close, giving him a hug. The heat of her chest, the beating of her heart, her hand stroking his hair… it’s like everything else melts away. Charlie could sleep like this.

    He wraps his arms around her and squeezes her. They stay in a silent hug for a while before they slowly part. His hands stay on her. Hers stay on him. He looks upset, knowing they would have to part already.

    Thandi giggles. Right away, the sound makes Charlie’s mood jump and he pulls her in again. “You smell nice,” he mumbles.

    “Oh! Thank you…”

    “Please. Let me… just… hold on a little while longer…”

    “…all right. But this is the last time tonight, got it?”

    “Yes.”

  • Thandi Eats a Mango

    Thandi Eats a Mango

    modern, domestic

    They’re chatting in the kitchen as they slice fruit. Charlie brought home a box of mangoes— a favorite, especially towards the end of summer— and they’re just a smidgen past ripe.

    “Well, obviously this means we have to make a night of it. Freeze half the batch and eat some now?” Thandi hefts one of the fruits in her palm, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “We can try a mango salsa…”

    “Doesn’t that just make it a fruit salad?” Charlie tosses another slice of skin aside, trying desperately to cut a nice dice without crushing the soft flesh. His hands are horrifically sticky and gods as much as he loves to eat it, preparing it is another thing entirely.

    “Well, yes and no. We can put other things in there, like beans! Onion… cilantro?”

    “To be honest, I’m not entirely certain what would go in a mango salsa. Aside from… mango. Of course.” He pushes aside a seed, grabs another mango. “I notice you aren’t cutting, dearest. Is this a scheme to make me do all the hard work while you luxuriate in the, ah, golden fruits of my labor?”

    Thandi snorts and cracks up laughing, putting down the mango she’d been contemplating. “Really, darling?” She reaches over his work space and picks up the seed he set aside. “I’m here to make sure that you don’t waste any. Look at all the fruit left here! I can eat it like an apple.”

    She bites into it, taking off a sizable chunk of edible fruit. Charlie groans, but Thandi hums with delight. Juice dribbles down her chin and she holds her other hand under her to catch it, licking it off her fingers. “Thandi, it’s not corn on the cob, you don’t just—”

    She sticks her tongue out at him and takes another bite. It’s juicy and he watches it drip onto her chest. “Mmf! This is a new shirt, ah, Charlie! Would you mind— oh!”

    He licks it off her chest and winks at her. Thandi can only laugh, but he shrugs. “I want some, too, so it’s only fair.”

    “I don’t know, maybe I should feed you all the mango that way?” They stare at each other for a beat before they both crack up laughing. “So, mango salsa?”

  • Cuddling

    Cuddling

    fluff, pining

    “Mmmn…” Charlie tilts his head into Thandi’s palm as she strokes his hair. He’s gotten used to it, as a panther and a cat, and occasionally she catches him off guard when he’s human and he can’t help but enjoy it.

    Of course, once he catches on, he bristles, but Thandi knows him well and starts to scratch. She smiles as the tension drops from his shoulders, enjoying having him lean into her hand. Slowly, she moves to sit next to him, coaxing him to lean on her shoulder so she could pet him more easily.

    That sigh of contentment from him makes her glow. Just this alone, and she knew that she was special. Treasured. He would never accept anyone else in her place and oh. As sad as it was to know, it still made her happy.

    His arms come around her quietly, permission asked in the form of hesitation. She pats his arm with her free hand and he clings to her. It’s soothing. To be loved. Needed. Wanted.

    And so, so upsetting.

  • Giving

    Giving

    nsfw, vanilla

    Charlie smiles at Thandi. She gives him a flirtatious smile back. Her hips rock and he gasps, dripping sweat down onto her.

    “Thandi, you can’t surprise me like that—”

    “Move, please, Charlie…” Her fingers come up to stroke his cheek, and he could smell her sex from them. It’s beyond alluring, the scent of her, and he turns his head to suck on her fingers. It brings a delighted smile to her face as he does this, hips shifting as he slowly thrusts into her.

    He adores teasing her like this. Making her ask for him as he oh-so-slowly fucks her. Kissing her, biting her neck, sucking on her collarbone, all favorites for him. He’d try to overwhelm her with his touch until her body pressed to his, and gods. She squeaks and squeals, trying to keep quiet, and when she whispers his name, he knows he is loved.

    Tonight she’s pinned, legs refusing to let him go far, and he’s taking the chance to lick her neck as he fucks her. She tastes amazing. Everything about her is amazing.

    The heave of her chest, breasts pressing to him, soft and hot. Her nails clutching at his shoulders, scraping long gashes in him when he offers the speed and strength she’s begging him for. Her stomach, so soft. Her eyes, deep and dark. Her arms, unexpectedly strong. Her hold, safe. Reassuring.

    So he wants to show her how thankful he is for her. Getting her to cum and release all that stress is the least he can do. She doesn’t need to talk or explain herself or anything she doesn’t want. She gets to feel good. She can forget all the bad just for a little while.

    It’s like her worries fade away with every long thrust into her body. All there is, is him, giving her everything as many nights as she wants. Needs. Grinding against her, he feels a small spasm. A want. A need.

    He fucks in earnest.

    Her hands come up to cover her mouth as she squeaks with the depth. Her body bounces with the force of him, just the way she likes it, filling her up as if they were fit to one another. She closes her eyes, hips rising, and he manages to go deeper with the angle.

    Tears roll from her eyes as she hugs him, calling him, tenses around him, body shaking with the exertion of orgasm. He sees her satisfaction and finally, rides it out, releasing deep inside of her. Her body shivers from it, and she keeps murmuring his name as he murmurs hers.

    “I love you, Thandi.”

    She reaches up to stroke his cheek once more. Her smile is sadder than usual. He thrusts a few more times just so she stops wearing that expression of pure pity.

    It works and she finally releases him, letting him pull out as his cum dribbles from her. He dips a finger inside of her and enjoys watching her back arch slightly, before putting that finger in her mouth.

    “We taste good together.”

    She licks his finger. “Let’s keep tasting it, darling.”

    Charlie lays next to her, kissing her again, hands rubbing her body in a light massage. “That’s a promise.”

  • Letter to Mother

    Letter to Mother

    tbo canon

    A creamy envelope with looping calligraphy, addressed to one Josiah of Roseview, arrives with the post. Josiah often receives missives from other estates, reviewing the gossip that floats around the noble houses. This one, though, was addressed to him in order to avoid a certain man’s eyes.

    Mother:

    I am sorry for the sudden disappearance. As I’m sure Ping has informed you, elements outside of my control have taken me away from my responsibilities. I am alive.

    I promise. I’m alive.

    I can’t apologize enough for what father is likely doing to everyone as a result. I don’t know what he would do, but I’m certain it’s wretched. I have news of all stripes. I hope that it at least makes you feel better about my own situation. And you know what I can do when I get back. I trust you will not have to guess.

    Firstly, I’ve become involved with the sube. I don’t believe I am allowed to say more than this, but I should have trusted your word more than father’s on it. I’ve been an idiot. And I worry for your safety, should anything happen. Please ask Josiah for help. I know he must have an emergency measure. He is reliable.

    Secondly, magic is real. This is as equally baffling as my involvement with sube, I imagine. I can make plants grow, speak to animals, and most importantly: heal. It’s what I always wanted, to be a doctor, but I don’t think I am cut out for this life of being the doctor to…this group I am with. I’m reminded of my worth, which is to say, very…small.

    Thirdly: The amount of people who care for me has grown to three. I have met a woman, Thandi Kahsu. She’s a handful at first. I admittedly didn’t like her… she was the one who took me away and forced me into this group. I don’t think that this is necessarily her decision, either. Mother, she is so kind. I asked her to marry me and gave her a betrothal gift. I think you would like her. I feel like she could keep a smile on her face and mine even if we were lost at sea. I hope that if she accepts my proposal in the end, you get to meet her. I’m very fond of her.

    Between her and yourself, I think I could manage to stay alive. We’ve spoken at length about my habits and I am sorry to say that they persist. Thandi is an excellent help, of course—she found out rather quickly. She has found a way to calm me without relying on medicinal teas.

    Regarding the rest of the group, I am fairly certain I am disliked and even hated. This is to be expected. My personality and proclivities put quite a distance between us all initially. I don’t blame them. I don’t know how to deal with these types. One is the same age I was when I got my medical certificate. They have killed.

    Mother, I am sorry, but… it seems that there will be a lot of death in the future. If you could manage to organize the common populace for disaster, I recommend it. There are creatures that have been arriving from Thandi’s homeland. They are feral, in many cases, and seem to exist in opposition to morals. I may end up having to take a life. Or many lives. I hope you will forgive me, but I recommend highly that you organize a contingent of the militia to protect yourself, at the very least.

    Prevent fighting if you can. These creatures are monsters, literally. There was a particularly frightening one who took a person and I ended up treating a man who was gutted. The peritoneum was completely shredded. He would have been lost if not for magic.

    I wish I could tell you everything that has been going on. I hope that I can get to Cross eventually. For now, I don’t have a way to receive mail from you. I miss you.

    Much love.

    Charlie1

    1. Legible version of the script:
       Mother:
      I am sorry for the sudden disappearance. As I’m sure Ping has informed you, elements outside of my control have taken me away from my responsibilities. I am alive.
      I promise. I’m alive.
      I can’t apologize enough for what father is likely doing to everyone as a result. I don’t know what he would do, but I’m certain it’s wretched. I have news of all stripes. I hope that it at least makes you feel better about my own situation. And you know what I can do when I get back. I trust you will not have to guess.
      Firstly, I’ve become involved with the sube. I don’t believe I am allowed to say more than this, but I should have trusted your word more than father’s on it. I’ve been an idiot. And I worry for your safety, should anything happen. Please ask Josiah for help. I know he must have an emergency measure. He is reliable.
      Secondly, magic is real. This is as equally baffling as my involvement with sube, I imagine. I can make plants grow, speak to animals, and most importantly: heal. It’s what I always wanted, to be a doctor, but I don’t think I am cut out for this life of being the doctor to…this group I am with. I’m reminded of my worth, which is to say, very…small.
      Thirdly: The amount of people who care for me has grown to three. I have met a woman, Thandi Kahsu. She’s a handful at first. I admittedly didn’t like her… she was the one who took me away and forced me into this group. I don’t think that this is necessarily her decision, either. Mother, she is so kind. I asked her to marry me and gave her a betrothal gift. I think you would like her. I feel like she could keep a smile on her face and mine even if we were lost at sea. I hope that if she accepts my proposal in the end, you get to meet her. I’m very fond of her.
      Between her and yourself, I think I could manage to stay alive. We’ve spoken at length about my habits and I am sorry to say that they persist. Thandi is an excellent help, of course—she found out rather quickly. She has found a way to calm me without relying on medicinal teas.
      Regarding the rest of the group, I am fairly certain I am disliked and even hated. This is to be expected. My personality and proclivities put quite a distance between us all initially. I don’t blame them. I don’t know how to deal with these types. One is the same age I was when I got my medical certificate. They have killed.
      Mother, I am sorry, but… it seems that there will be a lot of death in the future. If you could manage to organize the common populace for disaster, I recommend it. There are creatures that have been arriving from Thandi’s homeland. They are feral, in many cases, and seem to exist in opposition to morals. I may end up having to take a life. Or many lives. I hope you will forgive me, but I recommend highly that you organize a contingent of the militia to protect yourself, at the very least.
      Prevent fighting if you can. These creatures are monsters, literally. There was a particularly frightening one who took a person and I ended up treating a man who was gutted. The peritoneum was completely shredded. He would have been lost if not for magic.
      I wish I could tell you everything that has been going on. I hope that I can get to Cross eventually. For now, I don’t have a way to receive mail from you. I miss you.
      Much love.
      Charlie ↩︎
  • Praiseworthy

    Praiseworthy

    tbo canon

    What did Charlie expect to get out of this?

    It hassled him when he actually tried to think. Why did he cling so strongly to Thandi?

    She’s an oasis.

    I want to please her.

    If she smiles, she will praise me.

    He’s hungry for it. He’ll do anything to hear her approve of him. An errant “Good job!” and he was walking on clouds for days. A pat. A touch of his hair, hmmn! Oh, no, it’s heavenly. Let him spoil her with love. He daydreams about kissing her fingers and hugging her. She’s so. So… everything.

  • Nightmares

    Nightmares

    tbo offshoot

    Her hand hesitates when she reaches out for him. To feel that touch… he leans forward, but she shies further. Charlie’s heart aches.

    “Please. Dearest… it’s me.”

    The words come out twisted, a snarl that can’t seem to wrap around the common tongue. Thandi flinches and Charlie’s wings droop. He’s not familiar with the creature he’s become, but it’s so big that Thandi is dwarfed by him. There’s these enormous wings, feathered between long stretches of skin. He sees both fur and scales on his body, talons that would be more at home on the feet of a raptor than his… could he call them hands?

    All five digits. Hands it is.

    Again, he touches his nose to Thandi. I miss you. I love you. It’s me.

    “Darling… you’ve become…”

    An answer is what he needs.

    “…a dragon. One I’ve never seen before. And…”

    Please. Love me anyway. I need to hear it.

    “…I can’t bear to love a monster.”

    The world crashes and falls through his fingers.

    Fingers, not talons. He stares at his hands, his skin, the familiar calluses, his hardy palms. A relief.

    A bad dream… he’s been having  only bad dreams lately. Not nightmares, but depressing. Like his spirit is being crushed. Every night, something different. A bear. An eel. a goblin. Dozens of creatures he could not name, and less that he would even recognize.

    Charlie pushes himself up, stepping over Merre as he goes to sit by the fire. The ghost white of her dress brings out a worried sigh. Charlie sits beside Thandi and puts a hand on her back. She startles for a moment and he sees the tears in her eyes. Quietly, he opens his arms. “Come home,” he mumbles and she laughs.

    Then she’s warm in his arms and he squeezes her gently. “Thandi. I’ll help you. No matter what. No matter what.”.

    “Even if I’m… sp…”

    “I will hold you together myself.”

  • Sleepless

    Sleepless

    sick charlie, tbo offshoot

    It’s been well over two days and Charlie *still* can’t sleep. He doesn’t get it. Chamomile. Lavender. Cannabis seeds. Valerian root. Catnip. Nothing he makes brings sleep. It just makes him exhausted on top of the insomnia.

    He’s already useless as a doctor, but a doctor without sleep is worse. Things poke him, prod him, and he’s so weak-willed right now. Eventually, his constant weeping gets a gruff sigh and a shove into Thandi.

    “You’ve got potion for that, right, Thandi?”

    “I should… Charlie? Come along now, darling.”

    He stumbles after her, his wrist grasped tight. She sits him down in her bedroll, opening her bag and pulling out her signature silver flask. “This always helps me, Charlie. Vitani brews it herself!”

    “I… that’s your medicine, Thandi…” She looks at him, dark rims under his eyes giving him a ghoulish appearance. He’s looking horrible. In fact… worse than he should be.

    “Manifestus veneficium.”

    “What are you looking at, Thandi?”

    She shushes him, looking him over, and she sees it. A glittering thread, highlighted with her altered vision, mended into his vest. A curse given form. “There it is! You’ll be just fine, Charlie. Just like so…”

    He watches her hand come toward him and he flinches. There’s a moment where it’s like she’s unraveling him, and then it’s gone. Thandi winds the thread between her fingers and holds it out to him. Charlie furrows his brows.

    “Come now, you have to break the curse. Just sweep your hand through, darling.”

    The thread is invisible to him, but he slices his hand through the air all the same. As soon as it’s broken, it’s like everything hits him all at once. Thandi catches him and eases him back to sleep on her bedroll. She straightens his hair with a small smile and lets him catch up.

  • Can’t Deny that She’s Attractive

    Can’t Deny that She’s Attractive

    arranged extra, nsfw, charlie masturbating

    He can barely sleep, but he wakes up earlier than anticipated. His wife’s masturbatory session seems insistent on being at the forefront of his mind, and though he didn’t see it, he knows.

    She would be beside herself with embarrassment if she… actually, would she? He remembers the morning before. The loose white shirt hanging off of her, the peek of her collarbone, her in his underwear. As sleepwear.

    She can’t possibly.

    Those beautiful legs. He can barely imagine what they feel like. What… do other people feel like? He’s worn gloves when he touches patients. When he does get touched, it’s always clouded over by pain.

    He strokes his palm with one hand.

    Rough?

    She has touched him before. Her arm in his, both for the marriage and for the party recently. And walking down the hall… and for treating his back. Amazing that he’s avoided it so far.

    Charlie purses his lips. The… heir making process… would not be the worst, if it’s with someone like her. Quickly and to the point. Hell, if they’re determined, he could just… artificially inseminate her… after all, bodily fluids—filthy.

    So, when he imagines her spread open like that, why is his body reacting? Physiology. Nothing more than that. He can wait it out.

    His body puts up a fight. He remembers that heavy breathing. The dip in her dress. The way the key to his room is swallowed between her breasts, hiding it while at the same time seeking to invite eyes to slide into her cleavage. Her smiling face, and her excitement at eating something nice. Her stern expression when reading.

    This isn’t going to go away on its own.

    He reaches down, pauses. Should he…

    His body wins this fight. Charlie’s hand massages himself through the front of his trousers, and… he forgot how good it feels, even just for that. It feels like forever before he unbuttons, reaches in, and continues the slow pace. He can’t seem to stray his thoughts away from her.

    Surely, when he’s done, he won’t have to think about her quite so much. He’s certain that he wouldn’t buy cake and books just to thank her and get her something nice if he could just. Do this.

    His breathing picks up with the pace of his stroking. He stops each time he gets too close. It’s rare that he does this and he may as well enjoy it. Slow stroking. Her legs. Her body… she looked kind of sad when he agreed that there would be no children from a union between them.

    Did she want… no. Disgusting. Filthy. Even now, what he’s doing—natural, yes. Gross? Absolutely.

    There’s a knock on the door and he panics, putting himself away and rushing to the doo.r did she hear him somehow? Does she know?

    He cracks the door open. He could smell earl grey, see her peering in at him. Oooh, no. He’s glad he didn’t open up all the way. His cock jumps at the sight of her, tousled from sleep, a little messy, a sweet scent that rolls off of her… wow.

    “Mr. Vanderbee, I’m going out.”

    What a stark reminder of her disinterest in him. Of course he was imagining an attraction. She’s simply being kind.

    “Going already? Er, have fun.” Look at her. Her hips are wonderful. Her fingers, elegant. Those eyes of hers remind him of looking into himself through Rev. Something deep. He shudders and closes the door, leaning against it. “Enjoy.”

    Rev follows her to her rooms. He’s been hanging around her a lot lately. Is it a sign that he himself is getting overprotective? Of, what. Her? His property? That feels… sick. She was acquired for what Byron thought she should do, not for what she could do.

    So this is a private matter to be kept under wraps. Only a one time event. He should finish up. Again, he drops to the couch, unbuttons, and this time, he spits in his hand—he’s going to hate himself afterwards regardless—and takes a firm grip on himself. He sets a good pace, going slowly. Agonizing over it.

    Rev starts sending reports.

    At her window. She’s in the bath.

    Yes, that’s fine.

    You should come over and get her to lay your eggs.

    Rev! You’re not helping. You’re making this take longer.

    Isn’t that what you want?

    No!!

    He can’t close the link. If something happens, she would be in danger if she can’t get anyone. And she’s naked in a room that anyone could get access to at the moment. Including him.

    What would he do? Even if she was receptive? Would she treat him like any of the pets around here? Pet and scratch and stroke and for some reason the idea makes the pleasure he’s feeling better.

    He leans back, ignoring the ache of his spine and bruises. His hand moves faster as his thoughts go in circles.

    Imagine actually taking her as his wife. Consummating it. Would she say his name? How would it feel inside of her? Hot? He’s heard it’s immensely pleasurable, but what little experience he has with partnered sex acts isn’t exactly a good measure.

    His pace increases. Just. To have sex with his wife. Hold her, kiss her, enjoy her while she enjoys him. Watching her react to him. Needing him. Loving him…

    He breathes out her name so softly that even he barely notices.

    It’s impossible that they would ever be together. She said as much. But just for a little longer, he wonders what their bodies would feel like when they’re pressed together. The smell of their sex. The heat of her body. Her wrapped around him, squeezing down, saying his name.

    A vivid image of Thandi, naked as a lark as she greets Rev. “Fuck!!”

    That did it. He’s cumming, and it’s more than anticipated. Each rope of it is accompanied by her name, and a curse.

    “Fuck, Thandi…”

    “Shit… Thandi…”

    “Thandi… Thandi… gods.”

    He rocks his hips a little more into his hand, deaf to himself. Just… more. Need… damnit!

    Stop sending me this! It isn’t helping the situation!

    No.

    I don’t need to know!

    But he won’t be able to forget. Her chest, so cute and pert. Her waist, perfect for his hands. The curves of her body, that teasing patch of hair at her groin, the shine of freshly bathed skin! And the smile. Completely free of worry.

    It would be nice to see more of that.

    He curses himself again and goes to wash up and change for the day.