description: Hey! First of all, I simply love your blog and second of all, I was wondering if I could request an imagine with Caius where the reader and him spend some quality time with each other, cuddling near the fireplace (bonus points if they’re one of the oldest married couples in Volterra) and they reminisce all of their years together? Ups and downs? Basically, good old tooth rotting, old married power couple fluff. I understand if you are not able to do this, but I just had the idea. Merry Christmas
The heat from the fire was warm against your skin, its orange embers casting a subtle glow on your face. The coolness of your husband’s body nearly canceled out the heat, leaving you feeling perfectly content.
The two of you were stretched out across the sofa in your rooms, the only sound being the crackling of wood as it burned. Caius was perfectly still beside you, his arm wrapped tightly around your waist.
Snow was falling outside of your window, its light color brightening the darkness outside. It was peaceful and one of the first quiet nights you and Caius had had in a long time.
Your mind wandered as you stared into the flames and you smiled softly, thinking back to a time when your mate wasn’t so busy. “You remember when we actually got to vacation at Christmas time? I wish we could do that again.”
Caius hummed beside you, his hand reached up to smooth back your hair. He pressed a kiss on your neck. “We can always start doing that again.”
“Yeah right.” You murmured. “You are too busy with Aro and Marcus and the trials.”
“We could find the time.” He answered back. You merely raised a brow, remembering a similar conversation from years ago. Back when the Volturi were gaining their power, Caius always seemed to make promises that he fell short on.
“I mean it.” He spoke, almost like he had read your mind, “I’m due for a break and the other two are as well. I’ll speak to Aro and we can start planning a trip for next Christmas. Anywhere you want.”
“Anywhere?” You turned to him, grinning widely. “I’ll have to start planning.”
He leaned forward, pressing his nose to yours. “Our time in Switzerland during Christmas was enjoyable.”
“It was.” You agreed. “However, that was our last trip and we only went a few years ago.”
Caius scoffed. “Try 15 years ago.”
“Still, we need to pick somewhere else.” You rolled your eyes and leaned away from him. “You worry about getting time off and I’ll worry about our destination.”
“Deal.” Caius smiled softly at you, his normally harsh personality completely gone. “I’ll speak with Aro and Marcus tomorrow.”
“Fantastic.” You pressed a quick kiss to the corner of his mouth. “If you don’t, I’m ripping one of your arms off.”
The castle was silent, dead in the middle of the night as you walked through the corridors towards the kitchen. There wasn’t a vampire in sight and you hadn’t seen any of the kings since you’d fallen asleep earlier that night. Christmas was only a few days away and, since it was the first time the castle had celebrated in years, some vampires were still making finishing touches.
You’d woken up not long ago, craving some of the cookies you had made earlier. Your socked feet were quiet against the floor, not emitting a single sound as you made your journey.
The kitchen was empty, as you expected, and you headed towards the fridge, ready to pour yourself a glass of milk. Your eyes were heavy as you took your first few sips and you leaned against the countertop, waiting to wake up a little more.
The microwave went off a few moments later, after you had placed a few cookies inside. You grabbed them, setting the warm plate beside you as you hopped onto the counter and unlocked your phone.
Quiet noises came out of your phone as you scrolled through it, leaving you distracted as the kings made their way towards you. A brief silence between videos left you glancing towards your mates before you picked up another cookie.
“Are you eating cookies right now?” Aro sounded amused when he spoke. “It’s 3 AM!"
"If Santa can do it, so can I.” You shrugged nonchalantly and Caius sputtered, outstretching his arms in your direction as he stared down the other two kings. Marcus and Aro leveled the blonde with blank stares, waiting to see what he would do. Out of the three, he was the one most concerned with your human habits.
“You should be asleep!”
Your tired eyes flickered to him for a brief second before returning towards your phone. “I was asleep. Now I’m hungry.”
He was beside you now, gently trying to pry the phone out of your hand. “We’re only worried about you getting proper rest, Y/n. Go back to sleep and you can eat more in the morning.”
You groaned back at your mate, throwing your head back on his shoulder. “Why is he always so difficult?”
“The same reason you’re always so dramatic.” Marcus teased back and you rolled your eyes.
“Whatever.” You sat yourself back up and shoved the final cookie in your mouth before downing it with the rest of your milk. “I’ll go back to sleep as long as you three stay with me.”
“We’ll stay as long as you need us to.” Aro assured as Caius gripped your hand. He helped you down onto the floor and you reached up to kiss the blonde’s cheek before wrapping your arms around his neck. Caius scooped you up easily and the four of you made the trip back to your room.
Each of you scrambled around into comfortable spots on your bed and you cuddled into the nearest king. Marcus gently swept his thumb across the side of your mouth before placing his lips there and wishing you a goodnight.
You fell asleep quickly after, secure in the company of your mates.
You grinned at yourself in the mirror, fingers reaching up to poke at your fake teeth.
It was halloween night and the castle was buzzing, every vampire getting ready for their annual party.
Usually, it was just the guards and lower coven members that attended but it was your first halloween at the castle and, as the mate of all three kings, you insisted that they tagged along.
Now, you were locked in your room, trying to perfect your costume. You had locked Aro, Caius, and Marcus out, not allowing them to see your costume until you were ready.
It had been a challenge to hide this costume from Aro, the king trying his best to understand your reasons for not touching him over the past few weeks.
But you didn’t want to ruin the surprise.
A knock sounded on your door, this one loud and impatient and you rolled your eyes. “I’m coming! Give me two minutes!”
“You said that ten minutes ago!” Caius yelled back. “We’re going to be late!”
You rolled your eyes at the king again. He was always the dramatic one, even more so than Aro. “You can’t be late to your own party, Caius.”
You grabbed your black cape from your bed and clasped it around your neck before popping the collar of your white shirt. Your fingers were splattered from the bloody makeup you bought earlier that week, the blood dried on your chin and the top of your shirt.
You fixed the fake fangs one more time and ruffled your hair again, trying to make yourself look as ridiculous as people claimed vampires were.
Finally satisfied, you marched to the door and wrenched it open, smiling viciously as you greeted your mates.
Marcus was the first to react, laughing loudly at the sight of you. Aro chuckled beside him, his fingers reaching out to poke at your makeup. “This is what you’ve been hiding?”
“I look fantastic, don’t I?” You grinned, eyes catching on Caius’ face. His face was scrunched in a complicated expression, causing you to laugh happily.
“Wha-? Are you supposed to be a vampire?” He sputtered, his eyes taking in the fake blood and dracula-like costume.
“Was it not obvious?” You frowned playfully, glancing down at your outfit. “I thought I looked just like you three.”
Caius scoffed. “You look ridiculous.”
“Good, that means I nailed it.” You patted his cheek, smiling again when he flinched back.
“Now come on.” You said, gripping Marcus and Aro’s hands as you began to walk towards your destination. “Let’s go party.”
Summary: You’re being bullied by other guards in the castle without Demetri knowing. Only, this time the twins intervene. Demetri comes home to the trial of the vampire that bugged you when the twins stepped in.
Living with perfect creatures as an imperfect human is a real challenge. One you accepted without a doubt because it meant being with Demetri, your mate.
The fact that Demetri is part of the elite guard within the Volturi often results in you having to listen to rude comments from the lower guard. The insults varied from comments about your weight to comments about the way you dressed. But more often than not, there were threats about how easy it would be for them to hurt you. They’re right of course, there isn’t a lot you can do to protect yourself from vampires.
It was easier to ignore the comments about how you looked than the threats on your life. If there’s one thing you realised after you started seeing a vampire is how fragile your life is. There’ve been a few times when one of the guards took a hold of you. Luckily for you, before things would get too bad someone would always appear in the hallway.
—–
You pass a guard on the way to the kitchen. A scowl is already plastered on his face and he mutters something under his breath. You walk a little faster wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. Out of the corner of your eye you can see his hand shoot out. His hand roughly wraps itself around your upper arm. He’s about to say something to your face, but before he can he’s screaming out of agony. You’re positive that wasn’t your fault so you frantically look around and your eyes land on the twins.
Jane is focused on the guard crippling on the floor while Alec gives you a once over, looking for evident injuries as they make their way towards you. Alec’s eyes linger on your upper arm, making you look down. The bruises from the guard’s hand are forming rapidly. You lay your own hand over the bruises, hiding them from view.
When they reach you, Jane wraps her arm around your shoulders and escorts you to the throne room. Alec following behind with the guard.
When you enter the throne room only Caius is sitting on his throne with Felix next to him. A puzzled expression takes over his features as he takes in the scene in front of him. You walking in between Jane and Alec while Alec holds onto the dishevelled vampire.
Despite the rumours that Caius is as ruthless as they come, you actually get along with the king. You often converse about certain books or play a game of chess together.
“What’s the meaning of this,” Caius coldly asks, clearly not happy we interrupted his conversation with Felix.
You cower a little at the sound of his voice.
Alec pushes the guard forward. “We found him harassing, y/n.”
To accentuate Alec’s words, Jane removes your hand from the bruises. The handprint is clearly visible right now.
Felix rushes to the guard holding his neck in his hands, ready for an order from Caius. Ready to defend you, his best friend’s mate.
Meanwhile Caius’ face betrays nothing. But then his brows furrow while he looks at your bruises. He stands from his throne and walks until he’s standing in front of you. He takes your bruised arm in his hand while the fingers of his other hand caress bruises that already faded from earlier encounters.
“It seems like this wasn’t the first time,” he says, voice hard, making your breathing halt and Felix’s grip tighten.
“Was this the first time something like this has happened,” he softly asks you.
You cast your eyes down while slowly shaking your head ‘no’.
Before Caius can react, the doors open once more, revealing Demetri. He must’ve just gotten back from his mission and come here to report. You see his eyes take in the scene in front of him. Caius standing in front of you, still holding onto your arm. The twins flanking both of your sides. And Felix holding one of the lower guards in a death grip.
He falters in his steps, but recovers fast and saddles up next to you when Jane moves to make room for him. As soon as he stands next to you, he gives you a once over, his eyes immediately landing on the fresh bruises. Fury flares up in his eyes.
“Who did this,” he asks, his voice shaking as he tries to stay calm.
The guard practically answers his question by cowering.
“We walked in on him harassing, y/n. So we took him here. Master Caius was just evaluating the situation before deciding what to do. But then you waltzed in here, halting the process,” Jane answers him.
He simply nods before taking your hand in his, waiting for Caius’ verdict.
Caius walks towards his throne and sits down before he starts talking: “Y/n is part of the Volturi. Yes, she is human, but she is Demetri’s mate. And she will become one of us. Therefore every despicable action against her will be severely punished. Let this be a warning for all the other guards. Felix, you know what to do.”
And just like that, the guard’s fate is sealed. Demetri excuses the both of you and starts walking toward the doors, seconds before Felix rips the guard’s head off.
You silently walk next to Demetri as you make your way to your room. He’s clearly fuming and you can’t blame him. You can understand why. You never told him the other guards were bugging you. And when he comes home from a mission that took several weeks, he finds you bruised standing in front of Caius. He always swore to protect you and he must think he failed you somehow.
Once he closes the door to your bedroom, he starts: “Why didn’t you tell me? How long has this been going on? How could you keep this from me? You’re supposed to tell me when people are hurting you.”
Worry, anger, frustration, hurt. All those emotions are clear in his expression. You sit down on the bed and fumble with the hem of your shirt.
“I just didn’t want to make a big deal out of it. They were just stupid comments, okay? There was just no reason to make a big fuss about it. I knew it would worry you and I didn’t want to add more stuff on your plate. You have so many important things to do and my thing seemed silly. I also didn’t want to seem weak by letting a couple of comments get to me. I’m already viewed as weak within these walls.”
Demetri stands in front of you, he takes one of your hands in his while he uses his other to pull your chin up. Your eyes meet his.
“I want to know when something is bothering you. It doesn’t matter if it’s trivial or not. I need to know if I want to protect you, my love,” he sweetly responds.
“I know, I’m sorry,” you whisper.
He sends you a dazzling smile before your lips meet his in the sweetest kiss.
AN: idec anymore. Have this rambling nonsense because else im gonna lose my mind and i need this to end asap for i cannot focus on anything else
This is an angst piecce, surprise surprise, between Aro and Caius. Trigger warnings: None Word count: 6447 (yikes)
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It has been just over a century since Didyme’s disappearance, just a little less since Damiano was in their palace halls, wrecking havoc and tearing them apart. A century since they had considered letting Aro in his luck, moving forward without him, a century since Aro took to keeping his skin hidden, protected, unloved, a century since he started keeping his arms folded over his chest at all times in an attempt to hide their terrible tremors.
Caius could not remember the last time he and Aro had a real conversation, that didn’t revolve around a trial, a criminal, a punishment and now, he was making his way to his room. He had taken a warm bath, needing to calm his nerves, finally able to do so on his own without needing another pair of hands to aid him. Felix had been asking about Aro lately, if he was alright, if there was something he should keep in mind, why he never accompanied them anymore when they fed. Caius had no real answer to give him. When he was unable to leave his room, when Marcus and Athenadora were away at wild fruitless hunts, when Sulpicia was with her brother, it was Aro that took the entire responsibility for the palace, for their guard. It was to him that Felix turned for orders and guidance, he the guards would seek out for help, for justice, for leadership, he was the one to do the sorting and choosing of recruits, to oversee training, to try and pick out who the right fit would be and who would not. He spent most hours of each day next to their guards, which is of course how Damiano had such a perfect chance to approach him. And now, after they all returned to their proper positions, Aro disappeared.
He stayed in his room unless there was a trial in place. He didn’t eat as often as he had to, he didn’t come out, he didn’t even go to their growing library anymore, and of course, he hadn’t picked up a paintbrush since she pasdisappeared. The guards, especially the newer ones that only got to know him, were unnerved by his absence. Some missed him, Caius could tell, and in any case, a leading figure disappearing like so is bound to raise questions and doubt.
So Caius walked the halls now with the help of his cane, in his clean clothes and loosely combed hair, approaching Aro’s room. If he was being honest, and he had to be, since he was about to enter a chamber where no secret can survive longer than a touch, he had missed Aro immensely. Despite…everything.
He passed a couple of new guards who greeted him politely if not a little scared, others that didn’t even acknowledge him, something he noted down to change as soon as possible, and then of course, the small, but ever growing group of young men that hang around Aro’s closed door at all times. He smiled at them, almost pitied them for their orders and refused to acknowledge the sprouts of jealousy and competition that had flourished in his chest, just between his lungs, and made their presence known every time he breathed. They nodded at him respectfully, and he had half a care to admit they were most likely simply following orders, maybe didn’t even want to be there at all. He knocked at the door twice, and waited.
For a long moment there was no sound from the room, almost as if there was no one inside and Caius had a split second of a thought that he would be rejected. But no, there, someone shifted from behind the door, got up with some effort, if the sigh was anything to go by and then footsteps could be heard, slow and hesitant and the door opened to reveal a scared black gaze. Caius met him with a smile and after a moment’s consideration, Aro pulled the door open for him to enter, gaze passing over the young men outside his door in resignation. Caius entered, looked around to take in any changes in Aro’s familiar room, spotted Renata sitting near the window bowing her head at him and finally his eyes returned to Aro, looking uncertain and shifting his weight from foot to foot in unnerved patience. His clothes looked different, Caius noticed. Tight sleeves all across his arms, long enough to go past his wrists, high collar to hide his neck, his beard grown and slightly uncared for, hiding as much of his neck and face as possible, socks that were tightly held above his knees, trousers that went quite low, keeping his skin perfectly covered and protected. Caius assumed he sewed the pieces himself. He looked defeated, if Caius could only choose one word.
He took a step forward, noticing how Aro took one back, keeping the distance between them the same, more than an arm’s length. Aro had not spoken a word, waiting for him to state the reason for his visit, but Caius walked to the window, to Renata instead. “Are you well, my lady?” he asked and she nodded. “Yes, master. Thank you.” Caius gave her a small smile. “You may go, enjoy some free time. I will call for you.” Renata nodded politely and swiftly got up from her seat, moving to the door and exiting as Caius turned to look at Aro again.
Aro had put more distance between himself and Caius, silently, carefully and had crossed his arms over his chest, hiding his shaking hands quite well. A prisoner, you’re a prisoner, not even addressed as master of your own bedroom, unimportant, unwanted- Caius leaned against the window, the sunlight coming through halted by his imposing figure and he let out a soft sigh, relieving his back from carrying his weight, if only for a moment. He wanted to say something, ease Aro’s evident fear, but everything seemed not enough to quite express what he was thinking. Perhaps if Aro touched him and saw for himself, like he used to. Touch him and see and chuckle and then kiss him to seal the secrets between them. But he couldn’t do that now, not yet at least, so he remained silent a moment longer, knowing silence caused Aro’s fear only to rise. Aro moved even further away, reaching his furs tucked in the corner of the room and he slowly sat down, never looking away from Caius, with this unbearable terror in his gaze. Caius remained still, looking at Aro then around the room again, wanting Aro to understand he wasn’t a threat. “May I stay here for a while?” he asked at last, after enough silence had gathered in the room that it was getting hard to see through it.
Aro’s pose stiffened visibly at the spoken words and he shrugged vaguely, still not letting Caius out of his sight. He wanted to ask why, but Caius knew he wouldn’t. He stayed silent and Caius thought he could hear his frantic thoughts, of what Caius would tell him, of how he would choose to hurt him, of what he would want as a reaction, of how he would fight to remain silent and stoic through the hits he was about to receive, of how many things Caius could use against him. Caius wondered for a moment how he knew that this was what Arowas thinking about since Aro had stopped talking unless specifically addressed a few years ago. It was slowly occurring to Caius that something was seriously wrong. He felt useless himself, that it had taken him so long to notice the silence, but his head was finally clearing, finally allowing him to connect the nausea brewing in his heart with Aro’s absence. Ji Hao had advised him to wait, to give himself time to heal and Caius had done so, unwillingly. And perhaps Sulpicia’s brother knew something that he himself didn’t, because after a century spent in a haze of incoherent mumbled thoughts and only instinctive reactions, he was finally able to think again, to feel again and all the evidence was here in front of him, accumulated over the past century for him to reach the obvious conclusion now. They all had abandoned Aro, leaving him completely alone and vulnerable and they were now a threat to him, another source of fear and worry, no longer trusted, no longer family but enemies wishing him harm that he could not get away from. Caius could feel the cracks in his heart spread at the thought of being the cause for Aro’s unease and he smiled. This was right. It was right to feel like his own heart was breaking, like he was falling apart himself, and he was very glad that he could finally feel. He felt torn apart, and that was good, because since he knew, he could work to repair and fix and build anew.
“I’ve missed you,” he said at last and watched Aro swallow. So this is how Caius would throw his arrows, he would be thinking, Caius guessed. He carefully lowered himself down to sit on the floor cross legged, to be on the same level as Aro, and not someone imposing above him. Aro followed his movements with his eyes, taking in every miniscule twitch Caius gave and Caius saw when it occurred to Aro: he was still in pain. Something changed in his gaze then, it was small, but Caius counted it as a victory. Aro saw that Caius was distressing himself for him.
Finally seated and comfortable, Caius let out another sigh of relief and smiled again, genuinely and watched as Aro copied him, almost compelled. Every way to approach this was a wrong one, Caius knew that the road would be long and painful “I wanted to thank you,” he began, looking around in pretend ease, wanting to make Aro feel a bit less threatened. “For taking up my responsibilities while I was unable to fulfill them.” Aro took a moment to inspect Caius’ pose, reading him like an open book from experience and practice and his own cursed intuition. Caius was being honest and true and he hoped nothing in his body claimed otherwise. “I did what was necessary,” Aro said and Caius smiled timidly, because he too had practice and experience in reading Aro, and right now Aro was begging not to be hurt. “You didn’t have to, especially after the way we treated you. But you did, and I thank you for not abandoning us.” Aro finally let his gaze fall to the floor, a slight show of a lowering defense. “I would never abandon you,” he said. Caius let the gravity of the statement shake him to the core. “I also wanted to apologize,” Caius said and watched as Aro stiffened again, but kept his eyes to the floor right in front of his feet. “For leaving you to battle everything on your own.” “You were injured, there was nothing you could do and didn’t,” Aro argued in Caius’ favor quickly. “Do not defend me, Aro. I do not have an excuse, and I wish not to create any.” Aro shut his mouth just as quickly, shifting to sit in an even tighter way. There was another moment of silence, where Caius was considering his words. He knew that if he took too long, Aro would dismiss them as not quite true, as very diplomatic. He much rathered when people spoke from the heart. “I’ve missed you, Aro,” he said again. Aro frowned, moving his crossed arms a little higher, covering his heart just a little better. “Why are you here?” he asked, his tone turning just a little colder, just a little harsher. Caius braced himself for a possible breakdown, for anger and accusations. “Because I’ve missed your voice, and I wish to hear how you are. Because I’ve missed your face, and I wanted to see you. Because I’ve missed your touch, and I wish I could feel your hands again,” he said, letting honesty pour out of his heart and prepared for battle.
Aro remained still for a moment, looking at the floor. All the times Caius has told him to shut up passed through his mind, the times he pushed Aro’s hands away, the times he hit him with only intent to physically hurt him, render him actually useless, the times he felt repulsed by his touch, the times he screamed at him not to touch him, not to steal his thoughts from him, the times he called him a traitor and the times he thought of killing him for daring to touch Caius with the same hands that killed his own sister. “Leave,” Aro said. Suddenly there was no fear in his eyes, only anger and betrayal and endless desire for violence. “I mean it, Aro.” Aro’s lips pulled back, exposing his sharp teeth, a hiss left his throat. Caius did not stir from his position. “I’m sorry for hurting you, for leaving you alone. I am here now, I’m on your side. I want to work to be forgiven.” Aro jumped up, his shaking hands suddenly steady and clenched in tight fists. “Leave!” Caius raised his hands in surrender and slowly pushed himself to his knees, then lifted his body up to stand on his feet. “I am truly sorry, and I have truly missed you. I want you back.”
Aro charged at him, pushing him against the wall, growling in his face, clenching his shirt tight in his fists, and Caius allowed it, bearing the pain of his back hitting the wall. He wanted Aro’s skin to touch his own, to let him see the truth. He even contemplated forcing it, but held back. This was about building trust, not breaking it further. “I’m sorry for Damiano,” he said and he saw the absolute wave of fury cloud Aro’s vision entirely and decided to add offense to injury. “I hoped he would have been something real, something good.”
Aro pulled him to himself only to throw him at the wall again and watch him twist and groan in pain. Don’t fall in love, Aro, Caius had told him. I love you, more than the sun loves the moon, more than the earth loves death and more than anyone I had loved before, Damiano had told him. Aro hissed again, baring his fangs right next to Caius’ neck, very much wanting to tear out his throat. But he would have to actually touch him to do that. He would have to enter his mind, hear his thoughts, see his memories, feel his emotions and it had been too long since he last touched him. There would be a lot of catching up to do and Aro wasn’t sure he could bear it. Not when the last time Caius had reached for his hand Aro saw himself broken and dead in Caius’ own arms, not when the last thing he saw Caius wanted was to kill him himself, and spare everyone of his presence.
So he pulled back, letting go of Caius entirely.
“Are you telling the truth?” he asked, unsure if he would believe Caius, no matter what the answer would be. “Yes. I am here now, I am on your side. You can rest,” Caius said, pushing away from the wall so as not to crush his sensitive muscles anymore. “And I wish you would touch me and see it.” Aro looked at the offered hand and clenched his fingers, tucking them away in safety. This could be a lie, it could be a way for Caius to hurt him again, hurt him more. He looked Caius in the eyes again, deciding.
To trust, not to trust. Caius had only ever hurt him in the past. But he had also been the one to defend him, to support him, to believe him. Maybe… If anyone among them would ever believe Aro, it would be Caius. But he wasn’t sure he wanted to take the risk, to put his heart on the line like so again. Especially to Caius who was known to be careless with one’s heart…well, with Aro’s heart specifically.
Aro pulled away again, not scared anymore, not even angry, simply resigned.
“You look hungry,” Caius said. Aro fixed his shirt, pulling his sleeves down and over his wrists. That wasn’t an offer, he thought. It was more like bait for him to ask for help and have it denied. Of course he was hungry. He didn’t leave the palace, he didn’t leave his room and Renata was under Caius’ strict orders not to leave him alone for any reason. His sources of blood were very limited. He depended on humans brought in for him specifically and since he didn’t talk to anyone to specify how often he needed blood, he went many days staying hungry and silent. “I can bring you someone, if you want,” Caius now offered. Aro pressed his lips together, his jaw aching from the tension. “I didn’t kill Didyme,” he said and waited for a reaction.
Caius stared at him. Of course, that was a main source of distrust, of pain and broken love. Didyme… The reason they all started doubting him. An action, that if true, meant that none of them actually knew Aro at all and that they were all in fact in danger. Constantly. Caius tilted his head to the side, taking in the hurt man in front of him. Desperate and broken, enough to fall for false claims of love and devotion, to believe despite his gift and to trust a stranger over his own family. Of course, they were all guilty of driving Aro to a point where he had to turn to a stranger for affection and comfort. Caius really looked at Aro, the carelessly drawn back hair, the untamed beard, the plain clothes, lack of ornaments, the defensive pose, the silence. This was a man in mourning, and they had all been ignoring it.
He nodded slowly. “I believe you,” he said and watched in awe Aro’s tightly sprung together stance begin to crumble. His shoulders dropped, revealing his vulnerable neck, even though covered by fabrics, his fists unclenched, revealing exhausted fingers and palms carved with claw marks. His legs gave out, forcing him to drop to his knees, his jaw relaxed, let go of held back groans and cries, his eyes found the floor again, and spilled uncontrollably through an unbearable emotion. “Don’t lie to me, please,” Aro’s voice came out trembling and quivering and Caius wanted to kneel next to him, offer comfort somehow, but knowing he has never been good at this. “I am not lying. Your sister is dead, and you say you didn’t do it. I have no reason to doubt you,” he said instead, knowing his choice of words was crude. Aro looked at him, through a haze of tears before crawling back to his pile of furs and fighting to get control of himself again. Caius approached him slowly, making sure to keep enough distance between them and lowered himself down again. “Was it the two vampires we got? The two Marcus executed?”
Aro stopped moving all together for a moment, the shock of the memory rendering him completely immobile as the last of his tears trickled down his face, gathering in the thick, black hairs covering hisjaw and disappearing there forever.
Marcus dragged him down to the palace dungeons, his grip unyielding and forcing Aro to witness the entirety of his pain, of losing his soulmate and the anger and hate he felt towards him, the accusation and despise and desire for revenge. And then, forcing Aro to touch both her murderers, witness their own memories of the tragedy, access their thoughts and joy when their hands were around his sister, when they grabbed and twisted and stole her life and they had known that Aro was after her, after them. They had known he would reach them soon and that he would be unable to do anything, they knew he was useless and it added to their excitement further. The dungeons… Where Damiano had taken him multiple times, knowing it was the only part of the palace where there could be true secrecy, absolute privacy. Where he had declared his love multiple times, where he had ignored Aro’s pleas that they leave multiple times, where he had physically attacked and injured Aro towards the end, and Aro had failed to see it… Yes, those dungeons, and those two vampires indeed.
Aro nodded, Caius’ question almost having left his mind already, for something greater was occupying it. “He was…perfect,” he said in tired resignation. Caius brought to the forefront of his mind the image of the young man, beautiful and wild. Lean and inviting, soft and pretty and seemingly full of wits. He had not had enough time to properly get to know him, but if Aro said so, it must have been so. “He smiled at me, and it seemed like everything would be alright. He was easy… Easy to be around, to talk to, easy to trust. He told me he loved me”- Aro bit his lip in a moment’s heartache “-and the first time he acted embarrassed. Because it was too soon, because he said he thought he had it under control.” I can’t believe I fell for it, Aro wanted to add. But there would be no point. Because he did fall, very hard, very fast and he had no one to advice him this seemed quite forced. Caius listened carefully, calculating his breaths, his moves, his blinks. “I am sure he was perfect, Aro.”
The witch wanted to cry some more, but no tears wanted to come. He feared he had dried himself off emotion and he was unsure how he would find release anymore. But of course, he did not deserve release, did he? Just like he did not deserve love that was real, trust or sympathy. Caius saw this as a losing conversation. He had more to say, but Aro wasn’t very receptive and he was about to fall deeper into a haze of unawareness. He could take a risk.
“I love you, Aro.”
Silence. And rising tension.
A bow is a very curious weapon. Very effective and silent. If, of course, the archer is skilled enough. To pull the string in one motion requires far more strength and elegance than it appears, far more precision and practiced skill. And once the stringwas attached and ready, to place the arrow against it, to pull just enough, to aim and release was almost ritualistic in nature. And Caius knew that pulling the string too hard or too fast could snap it and cut his fingers in punishment. Because the bow punishes the archer when mistreated.
Aro looked at him, in shock and hesitant fear and reached his shaking hands towards his face. There was danger lurking underneath those fingers, even when they looked fragile and afraid. Danger in what Aro could do with them, what symbols they could carve on Caius’ flesh, what secrets they could peel off his skin and Caius breathed in once, praying that his mind was clear enough for Aro to see. The aching fingertips touched his cheeks, the thumbs laid just underneath his eyes and Caius did not look away from the man who was about to take a look inside his soul.
I love you,werewolf jaws snapping around his limbs, I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you, guards falling down one after the other, the image of Damiano smiling sweetly, countless wishes of death and relief, screaming and screaming and never being heard, crushing guilt that blinded, dead soldiers and a living general, Didyme singing and Marcus crying in lament, I love you spoken to a dark night with no moon, meant for one in particular who was not supposed to hear but would. Guilt and shame for death was always the easy way out. Guilt for not keeping his people safe. Guilt for falling. Guilt for the shameful desire to die. Guilt for not telling Aro what he was seeing even in a state of darkness. Guilt for not retrieving him sooner. Guilt for needing to heal, for being weak. Guilt for thinking Aro may in fact deserve this.
Aro pulled back, as if hit directly on the chest by a cruel fist.
“Keep going,” Caius urged softly and the fingers twitched in agony, but were back on his face, gently touching, fearful of more pain to come.
Guilt for not being fair in his treatment. A haze of apologies and pleas to be let go, the figure of a giant god and fear of death. Fear that he would not see his soulmate again, that he would never tell her he loved her again, that he would never feel her caress. Guilt that it was not the only caress he missed. Relief to be saved from the numbing pain and guilt for not being able to say thank you. Fear that he was being left alone in his room, crying out for Aro but not being heard, knowing Damiano was dangerous and not being able to tell on him.
Aro pulled back again. “You think I was leaving you alone while you were in shocked silence?” Caius only looked at him, not knowing what Aro had and hadn’t yet seen. He had no answer for him, no different answer than his mind had just given him. “I was with you every day, Caius. You weren’t always aware, and I could not get inside your head every time, I am sorry it was too much. But I was there every single day.” Caius felt a thin wall get knocked over inside his heart. Of course Aro had not left him alone. That was not something Aro did. “You were?” “Who else would I trust to care for you?” Aro did not wait for an answer and placed his palms against Caius’ smooth face again.
Guilt for not having expressed gratitude yet, for not treating Aro with respect, for making him feel trapped in his own home. A personal guard for a king, a personal guard for a high danger prisoner. And of course, jealousy. And guilt over said jealousy. The memories of how easily Aro yielded to him, how easily he spread his legs for Caius, how softly he held him, kissed him, how much he trusted him, how much he loved him, and guilt because Caius was taking all of that, never to give anything in return. Selfish and truly evil and now daring to be jealous of the harem of boys outside Aro’s door. As if Aro asked for them, or has made plans to use these gifts. Guilt for thinking with his own sense of pleasure above all else, for wanting to accuse Aro of something, as if Aro had even looked at the boys sent for him. Guilt for feeling jealous instead ofgrateful, that Aro kept their family afloat while they were all gone. Of course the other kings had assumed Aro was the most important one of them, he was the only one being seen for decades. Jealousy that maybe Aro would in fact find love in one of the young men waiting outside and would not remain waiting and hoping for Caius. Because Caius was a truly evil man, who did not want to admit his love for Aro, unless it was for his own gain somehow. Who would rather have Aro wait for him forever than watch him find peace with another. And guilt for not quite believing these were all his own thoughts, but not being able to hide them from Aro. Guilt for knowing he will hurt Aro again, for knowing this will hardly be the last time.
Aro pulled back, Maybe this type of love is all I deserve. To be loved in secret and in shame, and folded is arms over his chest, trying to put together all that he had seen. Who would want to stand beside him now, proudly next to Aro, king of Volterra… A man who killed his own sister for the crown. Who would dare take his side and risk being called an accomplicein sororicide? Few things are as cursed as to betray your own blood, few things as unforgivable, and in reality, it hardly mattered that Aro did not commit this sin. If everyone believed he had done so, that was how it was. For since they declared war on the King, and fought others, since they named themselves royalty, they depended on rumors and spreading information. That is how royalties survive and die. Rumors and stories and witnesses. Spies and informants, friends and enemies and those who spread lies are just as important as those who share truths. That is why they didn’t kill Stefan and Vladimir after all. Witnesses to keep their victory alive and known. Two survivors of an entire empire. Survivors not through wits, but through mercy.Or mockery of. Rumors and stories and witnesses.
Damiano was dead, killed by Caius’ hand and many guards were there to bear witness. To see Aro carried back, unconscious and drained and still mourning for Damiano. He hadn’t dared look at what story this had kindled among the guards. Or the fact that other leaders, from all over the world, had decided the most appropriate gift to send was young men for him to fuck. He didn’t know and he did not wish to know. But he knew all about the rumors of how he killed his sister, what drove him to such a decision, why he was right to do so, and why he was condemned by the gods now. How Caius was in the know, and how Marcus had been lied to. How Sulpicia wasn’t told the truth and how Athenadora was being threatened. He knew with great detail, how some guards were terrified of him now, others disgusted, in awe, and rage. Heknew some of those that left the palace in the years inbetween did so out of hate for the crown, or distaste for the king, for him. He knew of the stories of how Caius supposedly lost his mind in battle, and is now less of a man than he used to be. How supposedly he used to be dark skinned, just a shade lighter than Aro himself and the gods took from him all color when he declared war on the wolves. He knew about those who now viewed Caius as weak for acquiring such an injury, as incompetent, as a motherfucking traitor for letting his guards die like so. How Marcus was driven to uncontrollable thirst for evil blood after his soulmate’s passing, and how the kind and considerate king would have never condoned such violence against another species, had he been in his right mind.
Aro had wanted to say something, to correct a few assumptions that bloomed and spread among the newest guards, but had learned to hold his tongue. The guards didn’t share these things with the kings and queens, and even though they reasonably knew Aro could see their thoughts, they had not bothered with the details a lot. To find out Aro truly knew their every thought would make them scared and distrustful. And everyone has a right to their own thoughts, Aro knew. Yet it was getting harder and harder to stay silent as the pity for king Marcus and the pity for king Caius grew as fast as the distaste and mockery towards him grew. Because he knew Marcus, better than anyone. And his thirst for blood did not bloom from Didyme’s death. He had always been bloodthirsty and violent. Precise in his killing skills and never satisfied with the caused pain. Itwas Didyme that eased that down, until someone more palatable became known. It was Didyme that pushed him towards civility and peace and diplomacy. And now that she was gone, Marcus was simply reverting back to himself. Yet the new guards didn’t know. And most old guards were dead…
Except for Felix. Gods, what would they have down without him.
Aro knew Felix was one of the guards that had decided it didn’t matter, whether Aro had killed his sister or not. He had long ago abandoned notions of sacred bonds and unforgivable betrayals. He was one of those who thought if Aro had done it, it was with good reason. Felix had been the one to stick with them the longest, he had lost friends during those wars, and his devotion had not flickered once. Aro had looked in his head for a while at one point, trying to find what it was Felix was missing and he could find it with them, despite the terrible actions and reasons. And he had found it, of course, there was nothing he couldn’t find, nothing he couldn’t see, except for Daminano of course… He was now sure the boy had a gift of sorts. Something along the lines of causing blindness, or making others ignore things. Aro remembered now, that when they were alone, he and Felix, trying to put the guards in order, when the rest of the kings and queens were away and indisposed, Felix had said he didn’t care about who happened to Didyme. Aro had frozen for a moment, before requesting entrance to his mind to see what he meant. And among other thoughts, Felix had considered the fact that perhaps Didyme’s death was a planned thing byboth Aro and Caius, and it turned sourerthan planned. Aro had pulled back violently at that suggestion, that not only was he responsible for his sister’s death but that Caius had been complicit too. How dare Felix accuse Caius of such dishonesty. Yet, as he was pulling away, a much smaller, much more fleeting thought had crossed Felix’s head and Aro had caught it too, because he was cursed to do so. Aro was only interested in Damiano because he could not have Caius anymore. And the connections were all very logical. Aro and Caius planned Didyme’s death, they did not share the fall equally, perhaps Caius backtracked, left Aro to drown in the consequences and now Aro was getting back at him with the young boy. Aro had curiously touched his hand again, to see more about this perplexing story, and true enough, in Felix’s head, Damiano was nothing but a skill-less toy. There was no doubt in his head that Aro knew exactly what he was doing, and that once Caius was recovered, the toy would be dismissed accordingly. There was no doubt in him that Aro was in fact seeing the strange behavior, and empty promises and rushed confessions and Aro had gotten very angry. That their best man had reached the conclusion Aro only ever did things with Caius in mind. That he could not possibly have feelings for the young man, but that was too, somehow connected to Caius, as if Aro could not exist without Caius.
Aro had stopped looking into Felix’s head after that, incredibly angry. He had even confessed this to Daminano himself, and missed the flicker of worry the man had failed to conceal. But now he was curious to know what Felix, with his misdirected, but very on point observation, thought about the harem of boys sent for Aro.
How had he gotten here, Aro wondered. Ah yes of course. Rumors. Hehad to know what new rumors had spread.
Caius had been silently observing him, worried that he had lost him to the unconscious world from which Aro was alwaysunwilling to return from. But no, Aro blinked, indicating he was merely lost in his thoughts. Or most likely another’s thoughts. And as Caius was inspecting him, he took notice of his short hair and feeling like the worst and vilest man on earth, he had to ask. “Who helped you with the hair?” his voice is quiet, guilty. That was what he mostly was. Guilty. Aro did not respond immediately, not having heard himyet and Caius felt a pit in his stomach grow and stretch and he remembered…
Felix had asked him how king Aro was, since they hadn’t seen him in a while and Caius felt some form of judgment come from his soldier. He felt threatened by everyone lately. And he just now noticed Aro had cut his hair. It must have been old enough an action too, because the black waves were long enough already to be tied back with hair pins. And he remembered, that day Aro had come back home shaking, and lost and told them what had happened to Didyme, he asked for someone to help him. But none of them actually listened, much less understood what he meant. Marcus, taken by rage and shock, Caius already planning ahead, Athena and Sulpicia stunned and plotting revenge. The days passed and Aro asked again, to be given some help yet he was ignored again. Because they all had other issues in mind, they all had war and revenge planned and they could not listen to Aro who was trying to mourn. Aro had even asked Caius personally, the day before they attacked the wolves, the day before Caius was mortally wounded, if he could spare him a few minutes and help him cut his hair, but Caius had refused. Saying it was no time for mourning yet, and so he had forced Aro to postpone what he had to do.
“Damiano,” Aro answered at last, catching up with Caius’ question. Of course, Damiano helped him. Caius bit his lip and looked away. They were all complicit in this. Damiano listened and understood and helped. That is what Aro needed, that is why he fell so easily. Because Daminao saw the opening and forced himself there, and none of them was there to defend the weaknesses in their walls. They all took it to heart that Didyme’s death was an attack against their palace and rule and they could not accept that Aro was simply a brother who needed to mourn. Damiano offered him what they all could have, had they been just a bit kinder. And here they were now, scrambled and ruined and without hope.
Caius was lying on his stomach on his brand new bed.
It was the softest mattress they could find, meant to accommodate Caius’ injury except he could still not lie on his back, and so, the feathers that bended under his weight caused his spine to curve awkwardly and his waist to ache. He had been trying to sit up for hours now but he hadn’t yet found the strength. Just imagining the way he would have to stretch, readjust his weight, turn and swing his legs to the side had him paralyzed, at the edge of a panic attack. The sun moved lazily, the god in his carriage seemed to linger just when the warm rays could slip through Caius’ window, and the vampire swore he could feel the warmth seep into his bare bones and he desperately wanted to move away, to hide. But he remained where he was, a statue in perfect despair. Nothing existed outside the walls of his room, outside his immediate line of vision and that barely was registered as anything.
His mind circled again and again through the same thoughts. Seeing his soldiers fall, getting surrounded by wolves, falling himself and then just never ending pain. His wife crying over his wrecked body and him wanting to reassure her that he was alright, but only managing to speak in agonized screams. And then the day he returned to the palace, carried by Athenadora and Ji Hao seeing so many unfamiliar faces among the new recruits, seeing Marcus and Aro again and feeling relief for the first time in years, before being rushed to his room and not coming out since.
He had stayed with Ji Hao and Sulpicia for too long, in his opinion. Marcus was always away from the palace, he only came to see him for minutes at a time, informing him of what he found and what he didn’t find before leaving for someplace new. He was after Didyme’s murderers but he refused to take Aro with him. Sulpicia had stayed back, building up the necessary allyship with her brother, so that the two covens could face the werewolves together. Athenadora was with him the entire time she was in the palace, but sometimes Marcus wanted her with him. It didn’t matter very much, whether his wife was in his room or not, because Caius barely saw anything other than his own thoughts. Except there was something wrong and he couldn’t quite gather his wits to figure it out.
It was about Aro he was sure. Aro didn’t come to his room as often as Caius expected. He wanted Aro’s company. He wanted the other man to come to him, reassure him, talk to him about some insignificant nonsense. Tinted glass art and symbolism for example, but Aro wasn’t there, and Caius didn’t have the voice to call him. But something wasn’t right and his mind circled back to the battlefield and his dead soldiers.
Aro was in his room, a young man straddling his hips and lazily pushing his tongue down Aro’s throat, in and out and in and out. The sun was setting and he was getting impatient. “Can I drink from you, sir?” Aro chuckled and tilted his head to the side. “When will you stop calling me that?” The man grinned, let his fangs down and hungrily pushed them in the softest spot on Aro’s neck. He sucked and Aro held his breath, forcing his tension away. He let the new recruit drink from him until he was satisfied.
Caius was alone, just him and the moon and his thoughts. There was a knock at his door and it startled him. He couldn’t answer, but the person behind it didn’t wait. Aro entered and Caius felt more worried than relieved. Something was wrong, he just couldn’t tell what it was. Aro sat on the chair next to his bed, kept his hands to himself and Caius almost screamed for him to touch him and see. Can you help me sit up? he wanted to ask. His soldiers falling one after the other, not one of them granted a fast death. Caius stared at Aro in disbelief and concern, but he couldn’t quite place it. His soldiers, they trusted him and he led them straight to death. Aro was sitting calmly, but Caius thought he saw something unspoken. Touch me, please! he wanted to cry out. The wolves descended on his body, slicing and biting and feasting on his flesh. Aro looked tired and hurt. Caius was ready to speak, to say something, but all he could think about was the way Ji Hao was carving at his muscles trying to help him. “Do you want me to bring you some blood?” Aro asked and Caius blinked. This was wrong, it had always been the other way around. Aro couldn’t kill his prey, the dying brain was so overwhelming Caius had been doing it for him for centuries now. This was important, he had to focus and figure it out. His soldiers calling his name, crying out for his help, he betrayed them, he killed them. “Caius?” Aro called softly and Caius locked his gaze on him. “I’ll send you someone with Felix, alright?” Caius watched him get up and move to the door, he wanted to call after him, to ask that he bring the human himself, he wanted to tell him something, if only Aro took a look in his head and understood. Giant jaws locking around his ribs and ripping away. He didn’t manage to speak and Aro closed the door behind him softly.
Caius stared at the door, hoping Aro would understand, wishing he would come back. A huge figure wearing a helmet and carrying a spear, slicing through the wolves and then his wife picking him up. Felix entered the room, carrying an unconscious mortal. His tall frame not nearly huge enough to fit Caius’ memories. “I knocked, sir,” he said and laid the mortal on the chair. He helped Caius sit up, sliding one arm under his chest and lifting. Finally the pressure against Caius’ waist was relieved and he sighed. Felix stood for a moment, holding the unconscious victim in his arms, waiting for Caius to act, bare his fangs and bite. But Caius only stared into nothing. A war cry he had never heard before, only supposed to exist in legends “ALALA ALALA ALALA!” Felix sat next to him, bit the human’s wrist and brought it close to Caius’ lips. Finally, the scent knocked him into action and he lunged at the human, starved. He drank and drank until the body was drained and he kept sucking still. Felix gently unlocked his jaw from the pale wrist. Caius pulled away, wanting to tell Felix something, something important. There were too many new faces around, he should watch out. Aro wasn’t well. Why? He didn’t know. Ji Hao ripping away his rotten flesh and him begging to be killed. He pulled away, Felix was gigantic and Caius felt scared. He wanted him out of his room immediately. He wanted to tell him to call Aro. “You look better, sir,” Felix said as he took the drained body with him. He closed the door behind him, leaving Caius alone again. Caius wanted to tell him to watch out, that something was wrong and there were too many new faces. The wolves ripping away at his soldiers, chewing and swallowing and them screaming for Caius.
Requested by Anonymous:“I squealed in cursive after receiving the notification that headcanon requests are open. Then promptly flip, trip, and dippity-dipped into the Mecca known as your ask box, but I digress. May I please have NSFW headcanons for the kings with a highly-dominant female S/O? I’ve heard that they would cave into that kind of stuff circumstances permitting, but I would like to see it expanded into bullet points before I die. Even if it means that the two are clawing for dear life. tysvm!”
Oh dear Anonymous, you gave me a good chuckle when I first woke up to this message in my inbox. For that is quite the description of the huge ordeal you went through in order to request something from me. But you are quite correct, I believe the kings will gladly cave for a significant other they trust completely. I hope you enjoy these sinful bullet points before you pass to the great beyond.
!Warnings! This one has NSFWcontet, minors avert your eyes.
When Aro announced to Caius and Marcus he was going to live with Carlisle for a few years, Caius gave him a blade that had his own blood soaked into it (To be safe. To protect yourselves from danger and enemies) and Marcus gave him a thick, woolen, hand-hoven blanket (To be safe. To protect yourselves from the cold and loveless doubt)
