[Dragon Quest VIII - Angelo/Jessica] #85, #36, #25, #52, #31
Title: Indifference
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #85 - Teaching
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
Angelo leans back against the tree with studied disinterest, carefully not-watching Eight and Jessica through half closed eyes. Eight is teaching Jessica to use a sword; in theory, Angelo heartily approves. Anything to put more distance between Jessica and their foes than her knives do.
She hadn't asked him to teach her, of course, though his own sword is far better suited to her than the weapon Eight is teaching her to use. So he doesn't watch the lesson, doesn't scowl when he doesn't see how well it goes.
He certainly isn't jealous when Jessica kisses Eight's cheek in thanks.
Title: Practice Makes Perfect
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #36 - Just Like This
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
"Relax."
Jessica wonders how she's supposed to do that, when Angelo is standing so close she can feel his warmth through her clothes, when his hands keep touching, adjusting the angle of her shoulders, her grip on the bow.
"Don't fight with it." The tips of his fingers brush along her forearm, raising the bow a fraction. "Make it part of you."
His breath kisses the back of her neck, distracting her from the weapon in her hands. "Good. Just like that. Now, draw back..."
She misses the target rather spectacularly.
"We'll keep practicing," Angelo promises.
Jessica has no objections.
Title: A Better Man
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #25 - Midsummer Moon
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
Were he a better man, Angelo thinks, he would take comfort in the myriad images of the Goddess adorning the Holy Isle of Neos, instead of spending much of the day searching for a place where "May the Goddess watch over you" seemed a benediction rather than a curse.
Being himself, and having found no shelter from the weight of Her gaze, he now challenges it. The massive statue is beautiful, serene beneath the light of the full moon, but something within him twists at the sight.
His unease makes him wonder if his brother is right about him. Perhaps, he thinks, it's my conscience.
A light touch, barely felt, startles him and draws his gaze down to Jessica's. "We missed you at dinner."
"I'm fine."
The answer is too abrupt, he realizes as hurt joins the worry in her eyes. It's an effort not to take her in his arms and apologize; only the certain knowledge that she wouldn't tolerate such impropriety stops him.
"Eight told us about Marcello."
He shrugs, because for once Marcello is not the problem-of course not, that would be too easy to explain, and why should his life become easy now?-and he doubts she would understand.
Jessica's fingers twine with his. A better man would correct the misunderstanding, instead of regretting the leather between his flesh and hers, or taking advantage of her concern to capture her soft lips.
Marcello may, indeed, be right about him. But he finds he doesn't care.
Title: The Magic Bikini
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #52 - Lingerie, Undergarments
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
"Oy!" Yangus exclaimed, his eyes fairly bugging out of his head. "'Ow's that supposed to protect you in battle?"
Jessica flushed at his reaction, though she didn't think she was quite as red as Eight, who couldn't bring himself to look at her. She dropped her gaze, fussing needlessly with the skimpy outfit. "Magic."
"Indeed," Angelo said from behind her. "I suppose that's why they call it the magic bikini."
"You'd better not be leering at me," she warned.
One gloved hand skimmed over her bare shoulder, and he leaned in to steal a kiss. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Title: Apologies
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #31 - Bubbles
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they
were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
Angelo stretched, letting the hot water ease aching muscles and lull him nearly to sleep. The private bathing
chamber, with its massive, claw-footed tub, was one of the many benefits of being a guest here, and he was hardly
one to refuse such generosity.
Eyes closed, he smiled a little and leaned his head back. Weeks of coaxing had paid off that afternoon, when
Jessica had come out to watch him instruct a dozen of the town's children in sword work. Of course, "watching" had
apparently required her whip and two daggers; he'd convinced her to help him demonstrate how to disarm an
opponent within five minutes, and in another ten they'd been displaying their skills in earnest, knives against sword.
They'd finally stopped when Jessica accidentally drew blood, proving they were both too tired to continue
safely. A few words and a significant glance toward the children had quieted her apologies, leaving him to heal the
gash on his arm while she gathered up the layers of clothing they'd managed to shed during their workout. By that
time, the afternoon shadows had been stretching long, emphasizing just how long he and Jessica had been trying not
to kill one another, and he'd shooed the children back to their homes and evening chores.
Conveniently, that had allowed Jessica a bit more freedom to apologize.
His musings were interrupted by the door opening, and he lazily glanced over in time to see Jessica slip into the
room. She had a look in her eyes he didn't quite trust, and a small cut-glass bottle in one hand.
He studied the bottle suspiciously. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing." She knelt beside the tub, kissing his bare shoulder. "How's your arm?"
"Fine, and you know it." Slight turn of his head, and she obligingly shifted her attentions to his lips.
"I still feel bad about what happened," she whispered when they parted.
"You have your ways of making it up to me."
She flushed and ducked back with a giggle that reminded him she was up to something. The next thing he knew,
there was a strong scent of roses, coming from the bottle she'd just emptied into his bathwater.
"Oh, you'll pay for that," he warned, splashing her.
"Shh. If anyone hears us they'll tell my mother." The glass bottle was set carefully out of the way, then her
slender fingers were stirring through the water, bubbles rising in their wake.
Not surprisingly, the bubbles weren't the only thing rising.
"Jessica, torturing me is not a good apology."
Her lips touched the side of his throat, while her hands spread rose-scented foam across his chest, down his
arms, back up to his shoulders. Any further objections he might have had to the fragrance vanished when he hands
glided down again, through the thick layer of bubbles, and under the water.
She'd obviously been paying attention during the weeks they'd been together.
"Am I forgiven?" she asked when she was through with him.
Angelo let his eyes roam over her; she had somehow gotten bubbles in her hair, and her damp blouse clung to
her invitingly. "If I say no, will you apologize again?"
"If you say yes, I'll make you prove it later."
"In that case, you're absolutely forgiven." He wrapped an arm around her; she let out a squeal of surprise as he
deftly pulled her into the water with him. "For cutting me, that is. There's still the small matter of dousing me in
rose bubble bath, however…"
As he'd expected, her apology was heartfelt and thoroughly acceptable.
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #85 - Teaching
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
Angelo leans back against the tree with studied disinterest, carefully not-watching Eight and Jessica through half closed eyes. Eight is teaching Jessica to use a sword; in theory, Angelo heartily approves. Anything to put more distance between Jessica and their foes than her knives do.
She hadn't asked him to teach her, of course, though his own sword is far better suited to her than the weapon Eight is teaching her to use. So he doesn't watch the lesson, doesn't scowl when he doesn't see how well it goes.
He certainly isn't jealous when Jessica kisses Eight's cheek in thanks.
Title: Practice Makes Perfect
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #36 - Just Like This
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
"Relax."
Jessica wonders how she's supposed to do that, when Angelo is standing so close she can feel his warmth through her clothes, when his hands keep touching, adjusting the angle of her shoulders, her grip on the bow.
"Don't fight with it." The tips of his fingers brush along her forearm, raising the bow a fraction. "Make it part of you."
His breath kisses the back of her neck, distracting her from the weapon in her hands. "Good. Just like that. Now, draw back..."
She misses the target rather spectacularly.
"We'll keep practicing," Angelo promises.
Jessica has no objections.
Title: A Better Man
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #25 - Midsummer Moon
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
Were he a better man, Angelo thinks, he would take comfort in the myriad images of the Goddess adorning the Holy Isle of Neos, instead of spending much of the day searching for a place where "May the Goddess watch over you" seemed a benediction rather than a curse.
Being himself, and having found no shelter from the weight of Her gaze, he now challenges it. The massive statue is beautiful, serene beneath the light of the full moon, but something within him twists at the sight.
His unease makes him wonder if his brother is right about him. Perhaps, he thinks, it's my conscience.
A light touch, barely felt, startles him and draws his gaze down to Jessica's. "We missed you at dinner."
"I'm fine."
The answer is too abrupt, he realizes as hurt joins the worry in her eyes. It's an effort not to take her in his arms and apologize; only the certain knowledge that she wouldn't tolerate such impropriety stops him.
"Eight told us about Marcello."
He shrugs, because for once Marcello is not the problem-of course not, that would be too easy to explain, and why should his life become easy now?-and he doubts she would understand.
Jessica's fingers twine with his. A better man would correct the misunderstanding, instead of regretting the leather between his flesh and hers, or taking advantage of her concern to capture her soft lips.
Marcello may, indeed, be right about him. But he finds he doesn't care.
Title: The Magic Bikini
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #52 - Lingerie, Undergarments
Rating: G
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
"Oy!" Yangus exclaimed, his eyes fairly bugging out of his head. "'Ow's that supposed to protect you in battle?"
Jessica flushed at his reaction, though she didn't think she was quite as red as Eight, who couldn't bring himself to look at her. She dropped her gaze, fussing needlessly with the skimpy outfit. "Magic."
"Indeed," Angelo said from behind her. "I suppose that's why they call it the magic bikini."
"You'd better not be leering at me," she warned.
One gloved hand skimmed over her bare shoulder, and he leaned in to steal a kiss. "I wouldn't dream of it."
Title: Apologies
Author: Devin Harris (dragovianknight)
Pairing: Angelo/Jessica
Fandom: Dragon Quest VIII
Theme: #31 - Bubbles
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Alas, the world and characters of Dragon Quest VIII belong to Square Enix and Akira Toriyama. If they
were mine, there would have been more sex and more blood.
Angelo stretched, letting the hot water ease aching muscles and lull him nearly to sleep. The private bathing
chamber, with its massive, claw-footed tub, was one of the many benefits of being a guest here, and he was hardly
one to refuse such generosity.
Eyes closed, he smiled a little and leaned his head back. Weeks of coaxing had paid off that afternoon, when
Jessica had come out to watch him instruct a dozen of the town's children in sword work. Of course, "watching" had
apparently required her whip and two daggers; he'd convinced her to help him demonstrate how to disarm an
opponent within five minutes, and in another ten they'd been displaying their skills in earnest, knives against sword.
They'd finally stopped when Jessica accidentally drew blood, proving they were both too tired to continue
safely. A few words and a significant glance toward the children had quieted her apologies, leaving him to heal the
gash on his arm while she gathered up the layers of clothing they'd managed to shed during their workout. By that
time, the afternoon shadows had been stretching long, emphasizing just how long he and Jessica had been trying not
to kill one another, and he'd shooed the children back to their homes and evening chores.
Conveniently, that had allowed Jessica a bit more freedom to apologize.
His musings were interrupted by the door opening, and he lazily glanced over in time to see Jessica slip into the
room. She had a look in her eyes he didn't quite trust, and a small cut-glass bottle in one hand.
He studied the bottle suspiciously. "What are you up to?"
"Nothing." She knelt beside the tub, kissing his bare shoulder. "How's your arm?"
"Fine, and you know it." Slight turn of his head, and she obligingly shifted her attentions to his lips.
"I still feel bad about what happened," she whispered when they parted.
"You have your ways of making it up to me."
She flushed and ducked back with a giggle that reminded him she was up to something. The next thing he knew,
there was a strong scent of roses, coming from the bottle she'd just emptied into his bathwater.
"Oh, you'll pay for that," he warned, splashing her.
"Shh. If anyone hears us they'll tell my mother." The glass bottle was set carefully out of the way, then her
slender fingers were stirring through the water, bubbles rising in their wake.
Not surprisingly, the bubbles weren't the only thing rising.
"Jessica, torturing me is not a good apology."
Her lips touched the side of his throat, while her hands spread rose-scented foam across his chest, down his
arms, back up to his shoulders. Any further objections he might have had to the fragrance vanished when he hands
glided down again, through the thick layer of bubbles, and under the water.
She'd obviously been paying attention during the weeks they'd been together.
"Am I forgiven?" she asked when she was through with him.
Angelo let his eyes roam over her; she had somehow gotten bubbles in her hair, and her damp blouse clung to
her invitingly. "If I say no, will you apologize again?"
"If you say yes, I'll make you prove it later."
"In that case, you're absolutely forgiven." He wrapped an arm around her; she let out a squeal of surprise as he
deftly pulled her into the water with him. "For cutting me, that is. There's still the small matter of dousing me in
rose bubble bath, however…"
As he'd expected, her apology was heartfelt and thoroughly acceptable.