April 23, 2022 | Lazy feel-better fic - Serena x club [SOLO]

This was actually written March 9th, but takes place in April, so it's marked for April. I figure the last woman to realize she was pregnant would have caught on round the end of March, so a week from the end of April seemed appropriate.

Serena was taking care of Sigefrid's club, who had fallen ill around the same time. Despite some of the men's dislike of her clingy, needy personality, the fact that she couldn't get sick was her saving grace. She cooked, kept the safehouse clean, and did the men's laundry in ordinary circumstances. Now she was feeding them soup with fresh meat and vegetables, practically by the gallon. She had added sponge-bathing them to her list of duties and was doing their laundry far more frequently, with the help of her husband's consort, Faustus, who stepped in with magic when tasks got overwhelming. Faustus had warmed significantly toward Serena since she'd cleared him to sleep with Lucifer, not that Serena had been the one holding him back in the first place.

Serena had taken it upon herself to take care of all the men across three charters. But she paid special attention to the president, Sigefrid, who was her lover. And she may have also shown preferential treatment towards her friends Dagfinn (technically Sebastian's friend) and Dany (whom Serena had been attracted to before she'd met Sigefrid). She would have been preferential towards Bloodhair as well, but she was still sore with him for being unkind to her on his ex's behalf. But that was not to say she treated any of the boys poorly. She showed her deep adoration for Sigefrid by taking her caregiving role seriously. She'd come to see Sigefrid's men as an extension of him: All must be kept safe, fed, and clean, in as close to fighting shape as possible. Serena would get her own men-- extensions of herself-- to help, but they had their hands full taking care of the 30 mothers of Sebastian's burgeoning young. Adding a group of flu-stricken bikers to the list of people they needed to help would have been asking too much.

The women had begun to see each other as a community. Living in the same complex helped. Those who had shared Sebastian with the same lover were closest as they lived side-by-side and had that lover as a caretaker. Luci, of course, had declined caretaking duties and sent Xander-- who had not participated in any of those threesomes-- in his place. As the women grew closer, the strong better able to take care of those with more complications, it took weight off the shoulders of those assigned to see to them. Replacing that weight with yet more of Serena's... whatever they were was, again, too much even for Serena to ask.

Yet most of her partners loved Serena enough to help her take care of the bikers anyway. Nathaniel made vitamin-rich smoothies. Trent had the scarves Sebastian had made for him over the years sewn into blankets. Helena persuaded Freya to provide herbal remedies to ease the bikers' symptoms. Freya was with child herself; Faustus was responsible for taking care of her along with his own share of Sebastian's flings. He called upon his friend Dorian to help with his share, though, and Dorian did feel some measure of responsibility towards Freya.

Luci had been asked to cure the bikers' flu. He'd flatly refused, since Serena already over-used the healing ability he'd given her via the feather implanted along her spine. Serena disliked asking him for favors, and he disliked turning them down, yet his siblings had begun to grumble about Serena's use of divinity that did not rightfully belong to her. He was, he explained, protecting her. She didn't like the situation, but she accepted it. So Luci helped by keeping liquor and medicine stocked.

Trent had used to take care of Sebastian back when they were boys together, back when Sebastian could still get sick. Trent was patient, nurturing, and sweet-natured. He had once volunteered to take care of all 30 of the women who'd fallen pregnant. He had amazing fortitude for a regular human, and these qualities made him lovable. Yet Trent had once threatened Erik because he didn't like how some of the bikers were treating Serena, and was subsequently banned from their safehouse. He was in no great hurry to help the club, but he'd do just about anything for Serena.

Serena convinced Dany and Sigefrid to share a bed and let her snuggle up between them. She knew they both suffered from night terrors. When she felt alone, so did she. This way, the three of them kept each other comforted.

The boys were a little on-edge when Xander came around. They refused to invite him in, so Serena met him outside for feedings. Sometimes he held her a little longer than strictly necessary-- making up for lost time-- and she never complained. She loved him just as much as she loved Sigefrid. She remembered back when she and Xander had met. They hadn't gotten along at first. They'd each called the other out on the loneliness that drove their unpleasant habits. But they'd come to feel affection for each other over time, and the moment Serena's blood had touched Xander's lips, it was clear she'd been born to feed him, to love him, to be his human forever. He was possessive of her, and he and Sigefrid were mutually jealous of each other, but there was a tense sort of understanding between them.

With so many people to love and care for, Serena sometimes felt she had the world on a string. She loved having men to pamper and snuggle with. So what if she was a needy mess? She was unendingly giving, and she'd do anything for those she loved. The lucky ones would see that and appreciate her loyalty, clinginess or no. Those lucky ones would have her love and the benefits that came with it for the rest of their lives.

April 3, 2022 - Post-divorce [SOLO]

Note: This was written in March, but takes place in April.

 

A couple of months after the Blackwoods' divorce, Blaine Menchineel awoke to a knock at the office door. He had been sifting through the paperwork Fr. Blackwood had so considerately left him when moving across the damned country. Wearily, Blaine sat up and stretched. The knock sounded again, more insistently. Blaine stood and strode to the door. He threw it open with a look of annoyance, which softened as he saw who was standing on the other side of it.

"Lady— er, Freya!" he exclaimed, not bothering to hide his surprise. "What brings you here?"

"I have news," she said. "News my ex-husband will want to hear. What are you doing in his office, Blaine?"

"Eh, about that." Blaine scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you when we met, but I was transferred here to train as Blackwood's replacement. Antipope D'August recommended me."

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Then you're…?"

"Father Menchineel, yes. Ehm, what is this news you bring?"

She opened and closed her mouth, then opened it again and said, "Nothing of concern to this branch of the church. It's a personal matter between Faustus and I." She blushed, hoping that didn't sound too rude.

"He and Dorian have moved already," Blaine said reluctantly. She balked at the pity in his gaze. "He's put the plans for the new church on hold for the time being, as you were disinclined to accompany him. He… ehm… he's been declared a consort of his friend, the club owner."

Freya could feel the emotions swirling around inside her, bringing her to a state of teeth-chattering dizziness. "You mean Luci," she said. "And his husband— wife— whatever, approved this?"

"If there've been any protestations, I've heard nothing of it."

"You would have," Freya said darkly. "Bash isn't the type to handle replacement gracefully." The air around her crackled dangerously. "Even if he isn't being replaced. You would have heard something," she insisted. A flame burst forth from her, dissipating just before it reached the paperwork on Blaine's fine mahogany desk.

"Shall we take this conversation outside?" he offered. "Conjure you up some tea, perhaps?"

She agreed to follow him outside, but declined the tea. "I can't risk it. Certain herbs— the baby—" She clapped both hands over her mouth, blushing furiously.

Blaine said nothing, but silently conjured a quill and piece of parchment. He wrote a short note and sent it off with a wave of his hand. Within moments, Faustus materialized, frilled shirt pulled out of smart grey slacks, hair uncoiffed. When he saw his ex-wife, he straightened up a bit.

"Freya." His voice carried the barest hint of astonishment. "Yes, Father Menchineel said you need to see me. What for?"

At the sight of him, Freya had to work hard not to break down crying or throw a curse or a fireball at him, or launch herself at him and start beating his chest with her fists like a mortal woman.

"You— you left me in my state to go chasing after a man!" she spluttered, laying aside the fact that it had been she who had left him. "All your pretty promises to love me forever and cherish me! They were all lies, Faustus!"

The expression on Faustus's face made it clear he thought he could say the same for her. "You've had no trouble moving on," he said bluntly, inclining his head to Blaine. "Did you think I wouldn't know about you flirting with him?" he asked patiently, calmly.

"Do not patronize me so!" she snapped. "As if you didn't flirt with Luci all the time, and now you're LIVING with him! I can't believe you!"

"Is this why you had Father Menchineel summon me here?" Faustus asked. "To rehash the same old arguments yet again?"

"No, you ASS!" she snarled. "I'm with child!"

Faustus blinked once, twice, three times in rapid succession. "… Mine?" he asked. He neither ducked nor flinched when she slapped his face.

"Yes, YOURS!" she bellowed. "Whose else would it be? And don't you DARE cut your eyes to Blaine again! He and I were never more than friends!"

"Neither were Luci and I, till you chose to divorce me," Faustus pointed out.

"I… gave you EVERYTHING!" she raged. "My brother DIED so that I could be with you! You took my innocence, you took me away from my family! I loved you more than anything, but it still wasn't enough for you, was it? You lusted, you PINED after Luci, and Trent, and Luci's spouse and who KNOWS who else? You stopped protecting me from Nathaniel's insults long ago, and— and— you never deserved me, Faustus Blackwood!" she finished, with an impressive stomp of her little foot.

Faustus couldn't help a small chuckle from escaping him. As angry as she was, she still had a strangely endearing way about her.

"IT'S NOT FUNNY!" she roared, aiming a fireball at him. He mostly dodged it, but stumbled, and it singed his shoulder.

"I'll take my leave," Blaine said, bowing out quickly.

"I stopped defending you against Nathaniel because he stopped insulting you in malice," Faustus tried to explain. "I got the impression he was ribbing you, in a sort of— how do the mortals do it?— pulls her hair and runs away, manner. As for Serena, I've explained to you that I'd no intention of actually shagging her—"

"Have you?" Freya asked abruptly, cutting him off. "With either 'Serena' or Luci?" The discomfort on Faustus's face as he hesitated told her all she needed to know. She scoffed. "Of course you have."

"Not the way you're thinking," Faustus said placatingly. Freya narrowed her eyes at him.

"What other way is there?"

Faustus took a breath. "Serena— Sebastian— brings home girls who've flirted, yet doesn't sleep with those girls solo. Each young lady chooses someone she'd like Sebastian to share her with."

"Thank you. I don't require more details." Freya's lip trembled. "How often have you been that man?"

"Eh, three times," Faustus muttered, toeing the pavement uncomfortably. "As have the rest of us."

Freya was curious despite herself. "Who?"

Faustus sighed. "Luci, Maze, Trent, Nathaniel, Catherine, Helena, Dorian, Louis, and someone called Dan or Danny. Xander and Sigefrid have a talent for making themselves scarce when the girls show up."

Freya did some quick calculations in her head. "Thirty!?" she exploded. "Bash— Mr. 'I can't date Cat because I'm actually gay'— has brought home THIRTY WOMEN!? And you all SHARE them with him? That's disgusting, Faustus!"

"Yes, well, it turns out you've something in common with them," Faustus said dryly.

"What could I possibly—" Then it hit her. "Ohhhhhh…. No! Faustus! What the FUCK!?" She slapped him again, hard! "And how many of THOSE are yours!?"

"Easy, girl! I've pupped no-one," he said, raising his hands. "None other than you, and Constance when she lived, of course. They're all Sebastian's."

Her disbelieving scoff mirrored exactly the one he had uttered when he had learned the same.

"All thirty girls have gotten paternity tests, and each of the tests indicate Sebastian is the father."

"Wow. WOW. It's a good thing you never fucked him or you'd have probably, somehow, magically come up pregnant too."

"Don't be silly," Faustus said lightly. "He doesn't penetrate men."

"Except Trent."

"Yes, except Trent."

They shared an awkward sort of smile.

"Well, Freya, I'm happy to give you the support you need, but I would either require you to move to the ladies' flats with me—"

"Wait… What?" Freya tilted her head quizzically.

"Ah, yes, I've not explained. Sebastian bought an apartment complex for the mothers. Each of us has been assigned as caretaker for the women we shared with him, so therefore each of us is in charge of three units and three ladies. Actually, Luci declined to take care of his ladies and reassigned them to Xander."

"He compelled Xander?" Freya asked with interest.

"I was not present for that conversation, nor have I asked. Though I do seem to recall eavesdropping on Xander and Sebastian discussing raising a baby together, so it's likely he volunteered."

"Oh." Freya blew out a breath as she and Faustus sat down at the edge of a fountain. They sat in silence for a few minutes, then Faustus said,

"I know you've made connections here. This is an awkward situation with no clear resolution—"

"I could stay with Blaine and raise the baby here," she said quietly.

Faustus's mouth puckered. "If that is what you wish, why would you tell me about the baby in the first place?"

"I do not know." It was her turn to shift about awkwardly. "I thought it was the right thing to do. I don't know if that's what I want."

Another long pause. Then, "You've lands given to you in the settlement. The caretakers of the honeymoon castle in Prague, for example, would be more than happy to assist you. I'm not worried, Freya. You make friends wherever you go."

"I also make enemies," she pointed out. "People who hate me for no reason. Ursula. Nathaniel. In fact, if Nathaniel is living in the mothers' complex, I DON'T want to go there." She fisted a hand in her skirt angrily.

"He's fond of you," Faustus pointed out. "He was against the divorce."

"So I've heard." The set of Freya's jaw made it clear she didn't believe that. "He may be cute, but he was always a jerk to me. I'd never even consider someone like that." She gave a little harrumph and stuck her nose in the air, crossing her arms to emphasize her point.

Faustus smiled wistfully again. "You should get your rest," he said. "I'll stay with you." He took out his phone.

"What are you doing?"

"Texting George to have him take over my girls."

"There's no need. Father Menchineel can look after me." Was it a test or did she speak true?

Faustus gave her a long look. "I shall stay," he repeated. "Father Menchineel has paperwork to see to. He has Ambrose's help, but I imagine they're overwhelmed even so."

Freya scoffed. "That must be the lamest excuse I've ever heard."

"So be it."

March 23, 2022 | Xander x Serena [SOLO]

 Xander wrapped Serena in a bone-crushing hug, burying his face in her long blonde hair. She wasn't cruel enough to starve him for a week on purpose, but she had been distracted playing house with her pet biker's club.

"I missed you so much, my Bonded," he whispered. Without waiting for a response, he brushed her hair off the side of her neck and bit her, not bothering to kiss around her veins like he normally did. He was too hungry.

For her part, Serena clung to him, relaxing as always in his hold. She hadn't realized how much she'd missed him, too. Being at the beck and call of a group of sick bikers took a lot of time and energy, especially when her two favorites had night terrors.

Xander could, of course, come to the clubhouse at any time to find her and feed on her, but he hadn't been. He had stubbornly waited for her to come back to him, tired of waiting outside while a grumpy, leather-clad man went to fetch her. He had initially assumed this was her way of getting back at him for leaving her alone for a month and then threatening to break up with her. But she wasn't like that. She was warm and loving and wore her heart on her sleeve. Maybe she just thought her bikers needed her more.

When he had had his fill, he ceremoniously licked her neck to heal her, even knowing her body would heal itself. She cooed at him like always, reaching up a hand and stroking her fingers through his soft black hair. She pulled back slightly to look in his eyes, and he knew what she was going to ask before she even had to try to form words. Yes, he would make love to her tonight.

Seeing the confirmation in his eyes, which had gone black with lust, Serena wasted no time walking him to their bed. She pulled him down on top of her and kissed him feverishly. His hands roamed her body. He was surprised to find she still insisted on wearing her dance belt to bed. He pulled back, frowning.

"You don't need to dress like this to get my attention," he said bluntly. "I first tasted you as Sebastian. I fell in love with you as Sebastian. I've already taken back...." He trailed off; he had already taken back what he had said during their awful fight, and she claimed she had forgiven him. Why did she act as though his words still scarred her?

She frowned at him. "You need to work on your pillow talk," she retorted. "Do you want me tonight or don't you?" Her voice was steely, and the threat was clear: If he rejected her tonight, she had other options. Who knew when she would return?

He glowered at her. He had seen Sigefrid literally throw her down the stairs once, yet she had genuinely and easily forgiven him. Why could Sigefrid throw her around like a rag doll, yet Xander couldn't say something in the heat of anger?

She frowned back. "Okay. I'll take that as a no," she said quietly. But before she could move, Xander pinned her to the bed and kissed her ferociously, a low growl sounding from his throat, claiming her. She immediately melted, going to wrap herself around him, but he stopped her and somewhat more forcefully than necessary removed her underwear.

"When I fell in love with you," he growled, "I fell in love with ALL of you. You don't need to hide anything from me. Is that understood?"

She blinked at him, clearly surprised. Apparently, it had not been.

"You should spend more time here, with me," he continued, his grip on her body hard, possessive. "Luci, Trent, and I accept you and your body exactly the way you are. Sleeping with a couple of straight bikers can't be healthy for you, mentally."

She blinked again. "Have you been spying on me?" she asked. He couldn't tell if she was incredulous or flattered.

"Does it turn you on?" he growled. "I know you have a fetish for stalkers."

Serena's brow crinkled slightly and she brought a hand up to cup his cheek. "Xander... you turn me on. You don't have to compare yourself with others. I love you. I don't understand why you don't come to me and ask me to feed you. You did for a few weeks and it was nice, but then you just... stopped."

Xander's face flickered. He had no explanation for that, not one that wouldn't lead to another fight. So he kissed her and proceeded with making love to her. She sighed softly and melted into his grasp.

March 20, 2022 | Serena x Sigefrid and Dany [SOLO]

 Serena loved waking up sandwiched between Dany and Sigefrid. She felt peaceful, wanted, loved. She knew they both needed to be comforted and cuddled at night just as much as she did, and if the oxytocin rush from cuddling happened to make her glow a healing white, then more-so the better. The men must have noticed their night terrors faded away to nothing on nights she slept in their bed (and they had moved to a bedroom, not to be disturbed by the others). They had gotten more comfortable sharing a bed with each other now, too. So comfortable, in fact, that one night when she was late coming to bed, she'd walked in on them "comforting" each other. It had turned her on immensely, and they'd been more than happy to let her join them.

Up till that point, she'd usually just clung to one of them and stroked or sucked him while the other plowed into her. She'd tried to keep her attentions to them about equal. Now that they were comfortable humping each other, it was less of a concern how fair she was. The men were unlikely to fall in love with each other, but they were both fond of her, and that was good enough for their arrangement.

She was more comfortable being openly loving towards Sigefrid. He'd let those three little words slip once when they were in bed together, and she'd been delighted. After a month of trying to hold herself back from pushing him away, the words now came as easily and naturally as breathing. She kissed him, nuzzled up to him, smiled at him-- her love for him was in every look and gesture.

He knew, and it didn't scare him. At forty-eight years old, he'd found a woman who was like oxygen to him. Tender and sweet, who wore her heart on her sleeve and insisted on helping him with anything he needed. He didn't mind her clinginess, because he was equally so. If she wasn't ready to meet him for a drink at the clubhouse right after work, he tended to get antsy and text her. Of course, she'd drop everything to come to him unless she was in court. He liked that about her. She acted like an emotionally unstable wild card sometimes, but when it came to being there for her men, she was as steady as they come.

She was always happy to see him and Dany, no matter what. He could throw her down the stairs in front of all his friends, or pass her around like a joint, and she would still hold out her arms to him and beam the next time she saw him. Yeah, she definitely had a few screws loose. It made him feel bad, the one or two times he'd actually hurt her since they'd gotten together. Sometimes he almost hated her for being so forgiving.

If Sigefrid was addicted to her, Dany was obsessed with her. The reason he was okay with Sigefrid humping him was because they shared Serena. He occasionally stole her perfumed extensions and sniffed her dance belts, not that she minded. She was equally comfortable cuddling up to and making out with and wrapping herself around Dany as with any of her other men. He liked how laid-back she was about being quasi-stalked. Then again, considering who she'd dated before, it made sense.

March 16, 2022 | Serena and Maze, and Xander makes three [SOLO]

 Serena and Maze had a good laugh over wine about the various bad dates they'd had.

"Dollar store Doms are the worst!" Serena giggled, in response to Maze's story about a prince of wherever who had assumed Maze would sub for him just because she was a woman.

"It's fun to put them in their place," Maze shrugged.

"Oh, yeah. Mm," Serena agreed. "One guy I hooked up with in stealth, he was weirdly threatened when he found out about me. Then he said he wanted you to sub for him. I said you wouldn't, and he said, 'She will for me.' Oh, and he also expected me to be, like, cowed by the size of him. Please. Size doesn't make the man."

"You would know," Maze said. They clinked glasses.

Xander slinked in and made himself comfortable between them. "How fare my favorite girls this evening?" he asked.

"Fine," Maze said. Serena cooed and snuggled up to their boyfriend.

"How are you, Xandy?" she asked, clinging to his arm. Xander pulled her into his lap and kissed her neck. She squealed in delight and relaxed in his arms as he bit her and drank deeply. Maze watched them, amused. Serena's idea of femininity was vastly different to Maze's idea of femininity, but somehow that moe crap worked for her.

When Xander had had his fill, he gave Serena's neck the usual healing lick and kissed her cheek. She smiled tenderly at him. Maze rolled her eyes and poured herself a glass of Xander's favorite Scotch, then knocked it back.

Xander edged closer to her. "The next measure is mine," he growled.

"Tuh," Maze retorted, but she had a half-smile on her face as she poured him a glass. Xander took it from her with a kiss and sipped it slowly, savoring the taste.

Maze didn't have much of a problem with the fact that the world's clingiest drag queen had essentially stolen her boyfriend. She liked Serena, and it hadn't escaped her notice that she was one of the rare few women Serena actually enjoyed sleeping with. Everyone enjoyed sleeping with Maze, but Serena's enjoyment was notable because Serena was hugely indifferent to sex with women, and as outright bitchy to the other woman she liked fucking. Beneath her tough exterior, Maze got along with people who got along with her, and Serena at least made the effort. When it came to Xander, they balanced each other out. Serena was warm and openly loving, but had a husband and a handful of other boyfriends. Maze was standoffish and cloying affection made her gag, but she wasn't seeing anyone other than Xander and Serena. The latter was more chill towards Maze, for which Maze was grateful. She couldn't handle Serena's golden retriever energy directed at her.

Her own relationship with Xander was complicated. When they'd met, Maze had been the only woman in the room who hadn't been pursuing another man. Xander had latched onto her and she'd gone with it. She'd taken him off to hunt humans and have some afternoon delights of their own when their group got too violent or randy.

[add more?]

Sebastian/John writings [SOLO]

 Once Sebastian had been fully inducted as an initiate-- which he had insisted on doing under his birth-assigned gender and name-- he showed a quiet, discreet side to himself. Among his strange abilities was the power to heal, or in this case, refuse to heal, at will. He had learned enough about John that he knew drawing Joseph's fascination by revealing he had a literal angelic blessing embedded in his body was a bad idea. He didn't want to lose John's friendship (with or without benefits) or contribute to the herald's obvious insecurity.

Then, in front of others, Sebastian blended in. He observed how they reacted to John and mirrored it appropriately. This led to John trusting him more, which meant they could continue to be friends with benefits. And in return for John's trust, Sebastian gave him something he had only ever given Trent: Sebastian consented to penetrate him.

John enjoyed it a lot more than Sebastian had expected. The way John looked into his eyes afterwards... Sebastian half expected him to try confessing his love, or something. It was a pleasant surprise, and well worth Sebastian's initial discomfort at using the equipment he'd been blessed with. He would do it again, and again, and again, just to see John looking at him like that.

It had been a while since anyone had looked at him like that.

--

Once Sebastian had been declared one of the pure and faithful, he spent more time in John's bed than in PEG housing. One of the many things they had in common was being accustomed to a certain amount of luxury. As long as they were discreet, no harm could come of it, and as they had both practiced defense law, they understood the value of discretion. John was surprised that the flirtatious, flashy Serena could so easily become the much more sedate, modest Sebastian, who appeared to everyone else-- perhaps including the Father-- as innocent and devoted as anyone could dream.

Not that his devotion, at least to John, was ever in question. Sebastian was quite adept at kneeling for his herald.

Some nights, John did ask Sebastian to dress as Serena for him, a request that was granted with the understanding that parts of Serena were off-limits that remained available from Sebastian. Either way, the person in John's bed was warm, loving, passionate, and a little bit obsessive. John could easily turn Sebastian's fear of loneliness and desire for affection to the cult's advantage, but he didn't need to manipulate Sebastian. The cuddly twink liked him well enough that he would do anything John asked of him without question, and John rewarded his devotion nightly.

--

Although the initiate had been inducted as Sebastian, it was clear they were more comfortable as Serena. Serena was openly affectionate, warm, and emotional. John was comforted by her presence. He invited her to be on his arm at formal functions. If Joseph wondered why he was accompanied by a woman no one had seen inducted, or if Joseph suspected who Serena really was, he said nothing on the matter. Then again, John suspected Joseph had his hands full with Trent, who had been shamelessly flirting with him since the second they had met.

March 5, 2022 - Serena x Xander [SOLO]

 Serena and Xander walk hand-in-hand to the mall. In her other hand is a reusable shopping bag; in his other hand is a stylish black parasol. She is dressed casually in a black sundress with white polka dots, black ankle boots, and an unzipped burgundy hoodie. He is wearing black jeans and one of his black pirate shirts, which, for him, is casual. He squeezes her hand reassuringly as they enter the mall, as if to let her know he doesn't plan to go anywhere.