Poor Unfortunate Souls (2/6)
Poor Unfortunate Souls
Note: I do not own “Once Upon A Time” and I do not make a profit from writing this story. I’m just amusing myself. I also do not own the spell used and a quote that Red Riding Hood states, which comes from "The Adventures Pinocchio".
Authors Note: Please read the warnings carefully and the timeline I’m following goes as follows. Jiminy was nearly 30 when he became “The Cricket”. His parents had been working for Rumpelstiltskin all his life. This takes place about 5 years after Pinocchio became a real boy, given Geppetto’s age which is about 55; this makes Jiminy about 85 at this point.
Setting: Enchanted Forest
Rating: R
Warnings: language, sensuality, adult concepts and interaction
Genre: Angst/Drama/Bittersweet Romance
Word Count: 2,583
Cast: (in order of appearance/mention) Jiminy Cricket, Rumpelstiltskin, Pinocchio, Red Riding Hood, Geppetto, the Sea Witch
Summary: Jiminy Cricket felt the term "poor unfortunate soul" was a term created for him, all he wanted to do was love, but fate had other plans.
PART TWO
Jiminy found himself smiling, taking in the splendor of a new day. He would have laughed but he knew it was pointless since no sound would leave his lips. He knew he didn’t have long, about five days as human, he just prayed it would be enough. As he crunched through the forest, he knew that would be the way to find Red Riding Hood. She would seek out a stranger in the forest, her forest.
He felt nervous as he continued to walk, pointing out the things that could happen. What if she didn’t want to even be near him? What if he couldn’t communicate with her? What if this all went wrong? But all thoughts ceased when he saw her appear in a blur of red. She hadn’t made a sound as she descended upon him, knocking him to the ground. When she had him pinned with one arm, she held a dagger ready in the other. He held up his hands, showing he was unarmed.
She did not relent; however, the dagger was still ready to sink into his flesh. Her eyes were studying him closely, much like a wolf hunting prey. He swallowed hard, his glasses were askew, and it was not helping his already delicate stomach.
“Who are you?” her tone was void of emotion, “This forest is dangerous, fool! You are not to leave the path.”
He licked his lips, trying to figure out if and how to answer, the dagger quivered in her hand, she was getting ready to strike. He knew no sound would leave his mouth but he figured he would try, Don’t! No voice! He was careful to articulate his words as she watched his lips carefully.
“No voice? Are you mute?” She asked, he nodded vigorously, “I am sorry, I would not have been so forceful had I known about your handicap.”
He reached to his face cautiously, fixing his glasses, Mute, not deaf. Not handicapped if you can read lips.
She smiled suddenly, lifting herself off of him and sitting on the ground next to him. He slowly pushed himself into a sitting position and looked at her.
“You’re in luck, Stranger, it’s one of my many talents,” he blushed at her words before he could stop himself. “And I do not know what kind of girl you take me for but I was not suggesting to lude activities.” He didn’t even have to say a word to already mess up. He flailed his hands wildly.
No, Lady Red! I did not-
“Lady Red? No one calls me that but…oh…” she paused, she leaned close to him, peering into his face, studying him close, making him flush again. “Dear Jiminy…is that…you?”
Hello, he waved his hand, a small smile gracing his lips.
He did not expect for the Red Riding Hood to throw herself against him, hugging him tight. Her grip was brutal but he could take it. The warmth and weight of a person against him brought a happy sigh from him, one of longing and contentment.
She looked pleased, which was a surprised, but also perplexed, which was not. “How did you change? I thought you were a cricket!” she said, he silently laughed.
No, I was human once. Become a Cricket to repent. This is a limited spell by- he tried to form the Imps name on his lips or even the Sea Witch but each time, his mind would blank and he would stop.
“Repent for what?” she asked, he should have known that would interest her more.
It is a long story I do not wish to tell. Just know that I did not change because I was tired of being a Cricket. I am at peace; I changed for a very selfish reason.
She seemed amused, “What selfish reason is that?”
He looked at her, then the ground they were sitting in, I’m in love. I don’t have long so I have to be direct. If I do not get my love to return my affection I will no longer be human and will lose any chance to be one again.
“Who do you love, dear Jiminy?” she asked, he swallowed hard, locking her gaze.
He tried to mouth her name, her true name but like the other names, his mind would stop and he could not form the words. He cursed the Imp, knowing it seemed too easy.
The huntress looked on curiously, nudging him with her body, “You keep your secret, but I’ll find out. Come home with me, you can stay for the day while I continue my Patrol.” She stood quickly, offering her hands to him, helping him to his feet. As they walked in silence, he wondered what other side effects he would experience that the Imp did not mention.
It was dark by the time the huntress had returned, when she did, her mouth dropped. Jiminy had prepared a feast in her absence, which was good timing because she was sure she could eat her all herself. Having eaten so little over the last few days, this was a welcome sight. As was Jiminy in his human form, she had never expected to see him like this, as a man.
“Why Jiminy, this is wonderful!” he beamed at the praise, his face coloring. She loved to see how shy he was a human, it was so endearing to her. Instead of the asinine muscle bound soldiers she dealt with on a daily basis, this was a man that truly captured her attention. He was vastly intelligent, thoughtful, well mannered, kind, though the one thing she missed was his voice.
Welcome home, I hope you enjoy it. He mouthed, she smiled at him. He gestured for her to take a seat, quickly serving her a full plate of food.
She looked from the plate as her stomach grumbled, “Jiminy, I want to take the time to thank you and apologize for what you are about to witness.” With that, she began to devour the plate quickly. She glanced up to assure herself he was not judging her for doing so. Thankfully, he just seemed amused, idly picking at his own plate of food.
She reached over and took a piece of meat he didn’t seem interested in, “I’m sorry, I’m hungry.” She apologized, he nodded.
It’s alright, Lady Red, I put that there for you. I do not eat meat. He said, she nodded, as she quickly became full. She looked to his still full plate, his eyes began to seem distant, his jaw clenching.
She felt a wave of concern wash through her, “What’s wrong?”
He shook his head, keeping his face locked down at the table, mentally cursing Rumpelstiltskin. Unexpected side effects.
“Oh.” She shouldn’t have been as surprised as she was, “That does happen…are you ill, you may take my bed and I will sleep on the floor.” He shook his head.
Not ill…I do not hunger for food… it took him a while to form the words, face coloring again as he refused to look up.
She swallowed, “Some side effects are sexual, is that what’s wrong?” she asked, she felt her insides flutter and her lower region begin to throb at the thought.
I…I…yes, as much as I do not wish to completely destroy your opinion of me, it seems this body is remembering what it was like to be a man in the presence of a beautiful woman. I am aroused and I apologize.
She shrugged her shoulders, which seemed to surprise him, “You forget, when I am with other people, I am usually surrounded by men who like to discuss their conquests and desires to try to make me uncomfortable. By now, dear Jiminy, nothing you could say or do would be something I haven’t heard about in graphic detail.”
His body heaved with a sigh as he lifted his head, as his eyes met hers; she felt a shiver race down her spine. The look in his eyes revealing hunger and lust, she did not know if she should be frightened or aroused. But arousal soon took over as with the sweep of his arm, he cleaned the table and lay her upon it.
“Jiminy!” she cried in surprise, so taken back she didn’t fight, she had to admit she was now curious of what he was going to do. It was that same curious streak that had gotten her in trouble in the woods so long ago. She never imagined that those thoughts and feeling would be caused by him. Not her dear, sweet Jiminy.
His surprisingly strong hands wrenched her legs apart, she watched as he made no effort to remove himself from his pants. Instead he was pushing up her skirt, gathering it enough to expose the cloth that covered her most intimate area. She could feel him struggling to keep control, his shaky hands moved to her thighs, and for the first time in her life, she felt desire. It washed over her suddenly, and as he licked his lips she knew what he wanted.
I hunger for you… as he trailed off; he pulled the fabric down and off, then settled back down.
For the first time, she felt her body react to a male presence between her thighs. She felt his breath on her inner thigh, and then he tasted her. She gasped softly, one small part of her told her this needed to stop but the rest of her was screaming that she wanted this. She had never known pleasure; the bliss was too great for her to want it to end. The feeling of his mouth upon her was so erotic, her mind was reeling. Even after he drove her to climax, he continued on until he brought her to the edge again. After that she was far too sensitive to be touched further, he pressed his lips to her inner thigh, which tickled.
“S-s-stop, I can’t take anymore,” her voice was a strangled breath and he immediately obeyed. He pulled away, covering her. The emotions on his face were conflicted, he opened his mouth but he couldn’t form words. She blinked up at him, confused. Instead he went over to the floor, beginning to clean the mess he had made when he thrown everything off the table.
“Jiminy,” she called, watching as he refused to look up. He was focused on his task, starting to scrub the floor. “Jiminy!” The pained look on his face hit her like a blow, his eyes were glazed with tears.
She struggled to get up, standing up on wobbly legs. She crossed to him, kneeling in front of him. She captured his face, locking her eyes with his.
I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I lost control, I should not have done that. I should go-
In a firm and direct voice, she said his name once more. “Jiminy.” She gently stroked his face with her hands, “I could have stopped you, but I chose not to. I wanted that to happen. I wanted to feel what it was like, to have a man become so intimate with me. I trust you, I have trusted you for all my life, and I knew you wouldn’t harm me. You have no reason to feel such shame or guilt. That was wonderful, if anything I should be thanking you,” She told him, his stricken expression was starting to soften with surprise.
Lady Red…you are the most fascinating and lovely creature I have ever known…he mouthed, she smiled, leaning forward to nuzzle his neck. She inhaled the scent of his skin, taking in the warmth of his flesh. Slowly she pulled away, letting her eyes wander down his form.
Something caught her eye and she flashed him a wicked smile, “Seems you are not sated, come along, dear Jiminy.” They climbed to their feet; she took his hand, taking him to her small bedroom with a surprisingly large bed. When he arched his brows at her, she grinned. “I like my comfort.”
With a sudden shove, she pushed him onto the bed, and reached for her cloak which had remained on. She hardly took it off, even when she was home, she felt safe within the color and it had become a crutch for her since the wolf attack. He was on his elbows, watching in fascination as the cloak pooled around her feet. Her corset came next which made her inhale as deeply as she could and heave a happy sigh. Leaving her pure white gown on, she removed her boots and climbed onto the bed.
What are you thinking? He asked, seemingly perplexed, she ran her tongue along her suddenly dry lips, and then grinned.
“Show me how you touch yourself,” She laughed at the shocked look on his face. “I’m curious,” she insisted, “I’ve heard talk but I’ve never witnessed such a thing.”
He gave her a look. Your curiosity is going to get you in trouble, Lady Red.
She chuckled, “Well given last time I was curious and wandered from my path, I was eaten by a wolf. I’ve already been eaten tonight so I can’t see how I can get into much trouble than that,” she chuckled as he turned as red as her cloak.
Instead of fighting her, he removed his own shoes and began to remove his shirt. She tossed it with her own garments, watching his every move. When he reached for his pants, she felt herself becoming aroused again. She didn’t realize how exciting this would be to her, and he hadn’t even removed himself from his pants. She had never gotten like this around any other male, and she couldn’t help but realize it was because of her affection towards him. Though worried about what deal he made to be human, she certainly wasn’t regretting his choice.
By the time the sun was threatening to rise over the horizon, she had witnessed Jiminy release more than once, awakening a part of her she had never known. She enjoyed watching him, she loved the bliss that would cross his face as he climaxed. She just wished she wasn’t robbed of his voice. To hear the noises he would make, him whisper her name as he shuddered in the aftermath. After that he had devoured her once again, making her scream his name. They lay entwined, bodies against one another. His fingers were running down her cheek as she began to drift off to sleep. As her eyes fluttered close, she watched his lips as they formed the words, I love you.
When she awoke, he was sleeping peacefully against her. She nuzzled her face into his neck, breathing in deep; instinctively he wrapped his arms around her. He held her so tight she could hardly breathe, she didn’t mind, to feel so wanted, held so close, was nearly as blissful as any climax. She had never wanted for a man, a relationship or even to be held, but now she only thought about what it would feel like to have him inside her. To have someone to call her own, she was starting to understand why her dear Snow White was so torn over her love of a Prince. She felt sleep begin to take her again and she found herself unwilling to fight it. To stay here in his arms was all she wanted; since she did not know how much longer it would last.
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TO BE CONTINUED
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