Work Text:
Scar Tissue
"Thank you for letting us stay here."
Mari sat down at Iorveth's small table in his tent. It hadn't been an hour ago since she left camp with her people. But they had to. They weren't safe there anymore. Not after Roche disagreed to side with them.
"You're welcome," Iorveth answered and poured her a drink.
"I don't know what I was thinking," Mari said. "I really thought he'd help us."
"I told you that he won't." Iorveth walked over to her and handed her the filled cup which she gladly accepted. She took a sip and sighed.
"Sometimes I wonder what I'm doing here at all. Why am I fighting? I could just pack my nonexistent stuff, let Emhyr have the North and leave. I could go to Malleore. Or Kovir. Poviss. Anywhere."
"You could," Iorveth said and sat down at the table as well, "but it wouldn't feel like being at home."
Mari sighed and looked into her cup. "It wouldn't, no. Redania is my home. Always was and always will be."
"That's why the elves never gave up Dol Blathanna." He eyed her still staring into her cup. "Our fights are not easy. But they're worth all the trouble we have to go through. All the sacrifices. All the good people we'll lose."
"I'm done losing people."
Iorveth watched her carefully and put his hand on her arm. " Sor'ca . You know that you can tell me everything that bothers you."
She looked up to him and hesitated. Should she tell him? She wanted to. Wanted to get it off her chest. But she was afraid of his reaction. He'd probably laugh at her. Or worse, hate her. So she shook her head. "You wouldn't understand."
"What? How being used and tossed away feels like? Being the scapegoat? Just some chess figure you sacrifice in order to win? Being betrayed by your own Queen? By someone you sincerely loved and cared about?"
She looked over to him. And she saw the honesty in his face. "I'm sorry, I- … I didn't mean to be competitive about misery. Everyone's got a package to carry. Especially these days. And mine is just … it's stupid. Compared to what you've been through. And you're still here, fighting. Leading your people. You don't dwell on sentimentality."
"Oh, I do. But I won't let anyone else see it."
"That's what you Commanders do, hm? Not letting emotions get in your way. Letting yourself get distracted by them?"
"Well, usually, I'd say yes. But I recognise a certain tone in your voice that tells me I shouldn't."
Mari looked away again and raised her cup to take another sip. But Iorveth didn't let up.
"You're taking it quite personal that Roche rejected your offer."
"Maybe because it is personal," Mari replied quietly.
"So you're having a history, you and him. The good or the bad kind?"
"A good one turning into a bad one."
"Whatever happened, he's an idiot for doing so." Iorveth squeezed her arm and she looked at him again. "If he hurt such a gorgeous woman like you then he's just stupid. Or let's say even more stupid than I thought. No man in his right mind would do that to you. I certainly wouldn't."
She eyed his face in the light of the flickering candles of his tent. His elven face with the distinct proportions. He had cheekbones one could die for. Facial structures worth being carved into marble. And even if he'd hid his scar with that red scarf of his, he was still one of the most handsome men she'd ever met.
"You really are beautiful, you know that?" she said.
And in the next second, she felt Iorveth's lips on hers. They were soft. Soft and warm. But it didn't last long, Iorveth pulled back after a short moment. Just slightly enough to look at her. He opened his mouth but before he could say anything, Mari had put her hand on his neck and closed the distance again. They engaged in a tender kiss, shy almost, but when Iorveth put his arm around her to pull her closer to him, she broke the kiss and pushed herself away again.
"Wait, no."
"What's wrong?"
"We shouldn't."
"Why not?"
"Why not?" Mari repeated and looked at him. "Because we're allies."
"... And?"
"That would be highly unprofessional."
Iorveth gave a quiet laugh. "Professionalism won't get you anywhere in times of war."
"Iorveth, I … I can't. It wouldn't be fair. Not now."
"Why? Because you don't love me? You don't need to love me. You just need to trust me." He raised his hand and trailed down her cheek and jaw. "Elves are very unorthodox when it comes to love. We don't know if we'll be alive or dead by tomorrow. So why waste opportunities?"
"Because opportunities may become a mistake."
"We learn from mistakes. Don't we? But this right here is no mistake."
He leaned over again, pressing his lips on hers. But bolder this time. He teased her until she gave in and returned his kiss. She couldn't resist, his lips caressed hers in the most comforting and soothing way. Iorveth's arm sneaked around her waist again and pulled her closer to him. Mari tried to move to straddle his lap but it turned out to be not that easy sitting on a bench at the table. So Iorveth grabbed her and in a quick movement, he stood up and put her down onto the table, standing between her legs, his lips never leaving hers. His hands stroked over her thighs and sides, applying just the right pressure.
Mari did not move. She just embraced Iorveth's caressing lips and hands, his touch so soft but yet so determined. She let him lead, and she followed. But she got ripped out of her dazed mind when she felt Iorveth's hand inside of her trousers and between her legs. Her surprised gasp broke their kiss and she instinctively grabbed his arm.
"What if someone walks in on us?" she whispered.
"Lucky bastard I'd say," Iorveth replied and started to kiss her neck.
"My men are out there …"
"Who cares," he said quietly between two kisses, his hand not stopping its caressing movement between her legs. "That's not what's holding you back is it?"
No.
"Whatever, or whoever, it is, let it go."
I can't.
"Just let me help you."
Mari wanted to protest but nothing but a sigh left her as she felt Iorveth's fingers inside her. "Oh by the Gods," she whispered and closed her eyes. Iorveth's lips moved from her neck to her jaw, leaving a trail of kisses. He suffocated her quiet gasps with his lips once again. And soon his lips were suffocating her quiet moans. Mari held onto Iorveth like it was for her dear life, one arm tightly around his neck and the other one grabbing his arm which was supporting her body. Her body which surrendered to Iorveth's touch, not able to take much more. With his name on her lips, the waves of pleasure shook her body and Iorveth held it close. Eyeing the blissful face of relief in front of him. He felt the rapid and hot breath on his lips and how it slowly calmed down again.
"That was quick," he said and smirked.
"It's been a while," Mari responded, still out of breath. And slightly embarrassed.
"What a shame." Iorveth tucked back a strand of her hair and kissed her cheek. "Glad I ended your lean period."
"Iorveth?"
"Hm?"
"Let me repay you."
Only moments later, stripped of their clothes, Iorveth was sitting on his bed, Mari in his lap and his hands firmly on her moving hips. Her hands were resting on his shoulders, and her forehead leaned against his. They tickled each other's skin with their hot breath. Iorveth whispered sweet nothings in elvish which Mari did not understand. But she didn't have to, it sounded beautiful even without knowing the meaning of the words. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her head on his tattooed shoulder. One of his hands wandered up her back which had her shivering in response.
“Still sensitive?”, he asked, referring to the scars of her back. Mari just nodded in response and Iorveth’s hand came to rest on her neck. “It will get better, trust me.”
He kissed her shoulder, over and over again, let his lips travel over her skin as his hand in her neck caressed her skin as well. His other hand still rested on her hip, supporting her body's doing. But at some point, she stopped her steamy movements and became almost cautious.
"Don't slow down," Iorveth breathed into her ear, his voice heavy.
"I have to. Otherwise I'll …"
"Isn't that the intention of this?"
"Not before you did. This one was about you, remember?"
"Well if that's the case …" Iorveth put his arms around her, keeping her close to him as he quickly turned them around so Mari was lying under the weight of his body. "... Then I want you to come first."
She opened her mouth to protest but nothing but a moan left her throat as Iorveth started to roll his hips into hers.
"At the latest now the others know what we're doing," he teased her.
"That's not funny," she breathed, clinging onto his back, her legs tight on his hips.
“You dh'oine really don’t have a sense of humour.”
Mari did not answer him. She was too caught in what he was doing to her, what he made her feel. To a certain extent she did feel guilty that it was Iorveth, of all people. But she was free to do whatever she wanted. And right now, she wanted this. She wanted to feel his body close to hers, move on top of her. His thrusting hips that clouded her mind with every single move they made.
"Oh by the Gods, Iorveth …"
His arms slid beneath her and he held her body close to his own when she was digging her fingers into his back as she came with quiet sounds of pleasure leaving her lips. It didn’t last long but it was intense. Iorveth waited until her breath was calm again, covering her face with little kisses. Her hands no longer digging into his back now caressed it, stroking up and down his skin. She turned her face to his and she captured his lips with her own. Encouraging him to go on. So Iorveth did. His hips started moving again, slow at first, but he couldn’t hold back his need for long. His movements intensified and it just took him a few more thrusts to come with quiet moans. As his body slowly recovered, he savoured the feeling of being inside her a little bit longer. He gave her one last kiss, then he finally let go of her and rolled off of her. They were lying next to each other, both still letting their bodies come to rest. After it had been quiet for a while, Iorveth turned his head and looked at her face, eyes closed. "Are you sleeping?"
"No. I'm just listening to the rain pattering on the tent's roof."
He listened to the sound as well and hummed quietly. Mari opened her eyes and looked at him.
"Do you want me to go?"
"What? No. No, I don't. What a gentleman would I be if I sent you out into that pouring rain? And besides, I like sharing the warm bed with someone else again. Even if it's just for tonight."
"Can't imagine you having problems getting someone into bed."
"Oh you'd be surprised. I'm still the infamous and vicious Scoia'tael leader. An Outlaw. No one to share a bed with."
"Francesca did you quite dirty, didn't she? Selling you out so she could have her kingdom. Marking the Scoia'tael outlaws and war criminals."
Iorveth did not respond. Too heavy did the memory of his Queen's betrayal lie on his heart. Mari eyed him and continued.
"Do you think Emhyr still reckons on you and the Scoia'tael?"
"No," he said. "I think he assumes that most of us had fled after the second war. And the ones who didn't surely must have done it during the third. So he won't see us coming. And then we shall have our vengeance. And we shall get what is rightfully ours."
"It's stupid, isn't it."
"What?"
"I was made a sorceress. I had a choice. But you were born elven. Why shouldn't you have the same rights as everyone else? Just because you were born this way? That's not comprehensible. Your race doesn't matter, it's got nothing to do with your rights."
"That's what we are fighting for, aren't we? A North where everyone can live freely, without being scared because of race or anything else."
"I hope we can make it work. The emperor is not an easy enemy."
"Neither are we."
"You maybe."
Iorveth turned his head and looked at her concerned face. "So are you, aenye-éan."
"I'm the most replaceable person when it comes to all this. I can't even fight."
"You are the figurehead of this. You are the sign of hope people needed. Those men out there follow you. And they believe in you."
"What if I'm just sending them into their certain deaths? Vizima is a death trap with the nilfgaardian army stationed there. And without … the temerian army, we don't stand a chance."
"You know what I think? Roche will realise that he made a mistake. Might take this whoreson a while but he will realise it. And no matter how long it will take, once he realises his mistake, he'll come crawling back to you. You just have to be patient. You've waited so long, what are a couple more days to you? Or weeks?"
"Well, if you say so. After all, you do know him quite well."
"Not that well but still surely better than you do."
Oh if Iorveth only knew. "I was wrong about him when I thought he'd join us, so … maybe you're right."
"I am. But to be honest, I don't want to talk about that whoreson while lying in bed with a beautiful woman. It ruins the mood for me."
"Alright, fair enough," she sighed and nuzzled into the warm blanket that she pulled over herself.
"You don't want to know which mood?"
"I'm sure you'll let me know."
"I will," he said, turned around and sneaked under the blanket with her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close to him. Mari just looked at him as his hand was tracing down her body again.
"I just have to touch you," Iorveth said quietly. "You feel so beautiful."
"You mean good."
"No. I mean beautiful," he said and his hand found its way between her legs again. He watched her as she closed her eyes but opened her mouth to let out a silent gasp. "You feel beautiful and you sound beautiful," Iorveth whispered.
Mari put his leg around his hip, an opportunity for Iorveth to gain even better access to her core. And just like before he let his fingers slide into her, welcomed by a warm wetness. He explored it, finding just the right spots to elicit soft moans from her. He remembered the clenching feeling of her tightening around him. How good it had felt. Iorveth pulled back his fingers but he replaced it quickly with his aching erection. But this time he devoured every single thrust into her. He took his time, slowly, listening to the sweet noises Mari made whenever he pushed into her.
"Gods, that feels good …", Iorveth whispered.. “Doesn’t it?”
Mari just nodded silently, moving her hips slightly to match Iorveth’s movements. She hated to admit it but her love- and touch-starved body craved for this. And receiving it from Iorveth was unexpected, damnable and definitely crossing a line. But also oh so good. Of course she had heard all the rumours roaming the lands about the elves and their unmatched skills in love affairs but none came actually close to reality. Iorveth was gentle yet passionate, caring, selfless even. If things had turned out differently, maybe she could have ended up with him. But what good would dwelling on the past and what-ifs do? She was here with him now. She opened her eyes again and looked at him.
“Where were you?” he asked quietly.
“Nevermind.”
She leaned in on him and kissed him again. One of his hands grabbed her neck as he dived into her kiss. His other arm moved around her waist. He let himself fall back into the sheets onto his back, pulling her with him. Now she was straddling him, her body pressed close to his. She broke their kiss and gasped for air, resting her head on his shoulder. Mari wanted to sit up but Iorveth held her still in place. He was the only one allowed to move. And he did. He thrusted into her and reached spots she did not know even existed. She moaned quietly every time he buried himself inside of her. She merely managed to tilt her head and look at him. She eyed the scarf covering the one side of his face and carefully placed her hand on it.
“May I?” she asked. “I want to see you. All of you.”
Iorveth hesitated. “I’ve never taken it off while being intimate with someone.”
“You are the first one who saw my scars like this as well.”
Iorveth did not answer. Instead, he slowly pulled the scarf off his face and tossed it aside. Revealing what was underneath. Iorveth expected her to flinch or look away, but she did none of that kind as she was examining the big scar covering the right side of his face. Or rather disfiguring it. Mari was so close to his face, tracing every line of what took his beauty away from him, what hurt his pride. He has never felt so naked and vulnerable before. Mari started to pamper his face with little kisses. First his cheek, then up his deep, red scar until she reached his empty eye socket, softly kissing the scarred tissue.
"You're beautiful," she whispered. "No matter what."
Her lips followed the trail of his scar until she had reached its end cutting into Iorveth’s lip, placing a gentle kiss on it. She was so tender and loving, something Iorveth had already forgotten what it felt like. He weaved his fingers into her hair and captured her lips in a deep kiss again. She made him feel loved, beautiful and seen, and he wanted to return the feeling. He rolled his hips into hers, slow but with purpose, and his lips never left hers. He took his time with her until his body movements and all the kissing left her with nothing but panting for air. With one of his hands still buried in her hair, the other left her back and moved between their bodies, trailing down until it stopped between her legs. Just the touch was enough and she buried her head in the crook of his neck, a suppressed moan reached his ear.
“Don’t,” he breathed into her ear. “Sing little bird. For me.”
But she refused. Out of pride, embarrassment, fear, Iorveth did not know. But little did he care. His hand moved faster, his fingers eager to draw those sweet sounds out of her. And they did. Soft moans reached his ear, so quiet that they could only be heard by him and no one else. Creating such an intimacy that was almost unbearable. He almost lost control over the pace in which his body moved into hers, little sounds of lust leaving his mouth now as well, but before he could find his release he needed her to reach hers first. And by the way her hands were clawing into the sheets, by the way his name left her lips over and over again, he almost had her where he wanted her to be. In the sheer bliss of pleasure. All it took was a few more strokes by his fingers and all the build up tension found its release. Mari's body melted into Iorveth's, her voice nothing but a quiet moan, a praise of his name against his ear. He could have come just by the sound of it. Maybe he did. Maybe it was the clenching tightness he thrusted into. He couldn't tell. But what he could tell was how overwhelmingly good it felt. He couldn't hold back his own moans as he rode out his climax. It was only slowly that his body came to a rest.
And then, both of them laid still. Chests heavy, trying to catch breath again. No one said a word, no one moved. It was Iorveth who did so first, pulling back his hand from between their exhausted bodies, and letting it rest on her back. Her skin was hot and sweaty. It felt amazing. Mari slowly supported herself on her forearms and looked down at him. She lowered her head and gave him a gentle kiss.
"Thank you," she said and Iorveth looked up at her.
"For what?"
"You know for what," she replied and crawled down from him, sitting at the edge of his bed. She started to collect her clothes and Iorveth raised his hand to stroke over her back.
"You're leaving?"
"If I don't do it now, I'll never leave this bed tonight."
"Would that be such an awful thing?"
"Depends."
"On what."
"You know what."
Iorveth slowly sat up and moved closer to her so he could kiss her shoulder. "I hope you'll have to stay here at my camp for a while."
"Do you?" she asked and couldn't hide a faint smile on her face.
"Yes," he whispered against her shoulder before he placed a kiss on it again.
Mari turned her head and her face was close to his again. "Well, I do think that there will be a lot the two of us will have to … discuss. In private."
"And I can't wait to convince you of my eloquence ."
"The bar is set quite high in that case."
Iorveth let out a quiet chuckle. "Then I gladly accept the challenge."