Work Text:
heartbreak is one thing, my ego's another
i beg you, don't embarrass me, motherfucker
“Is this a bad idea?” Flora breathes, hands pressed up against Riven’s chest.
Riven’s hands are warm against the small of her back, as he crowds her further into the corner of the dingy Lynphean bar they’ve found themselves at. When he captures her lips in a kiss, she can hardly help herself from emitting a gasp.
“I don’t think it is,” Riven tells her, pulling back. His violet eyes are awfully convincing. “But you tell me.” His fingers drift south, dipping underneath her waistband.
“Fuck you,” Flora heaves. Another kiss. “Fuck this. We’re getting out of here.”
Riven’s expression is playful, “Lead the way, Lady Flora.”
Flora levies him with a pleading gaze, but takes his hand nonetheless. “Please don’t embarrass me, Riven.”
“So, what do you say?”
Flora fixes Riven with a contemplative, near incredulous stare. From across the table, Riven stares down at his drink, resolutely avoiding eye contact with her.
“I’m sorry, did you just ask me out?” Flora says, unable to mask the disbelief in her voice. Absently, she begins stirring the ice around in her drink with her straw.
“Is that really so crazy?” Riven says uncomfortably. “You’re a beautiful woman. We’ve been spending a lot of time together lately. I feel like we get along well.” Hastily, he adds, “And it helps that I’ve seen you at work and now I know you could totally kick my ass.”
Flora takes a sip of her drink, eyebrow raised. “That really does it for you?”
Embarrassed, Riven nods.
“Fuck, you’re cute,” Flora admits, causing Riven to bark out a laugh.
“See, the Flora I knew in university never would’ve said that,” Riven says fondly. “I want to get to know her better.”
“The Riven I knew in university actively avoided me,” Flora responds drily. “Don’t act like I didn’t try to get to know you better back then.”
“I was clearly an idiot,” Riven says. He reaches across the table to gently intertwine Flora’s fingers in his. “Let’s change that.”
Flora chews at her bottom lip and considers him for a moment. Riven had grown up a lot since their Alfea-Red Fountain days. His shoulders had filled out, the harsh set of his jaw had softened, and he’d been instilled with a level of patience that would’ve been unheard of all those years ago in school. When Riven had been assigned Lynphea’s designated general specialist at the Lynphean Guardian Fairy administrative office, Flora only really expected to see him around for work purposes. Instead, on his first day, his face had lit up at the sight of her — and he’d asked her if she wanted to grab dinner together and catch up. Flora said yes, obviously, and what started as a surprising inciting incident became somewhat of a friendly ritual.
Riven’s hands are calloused, rough from years of specialist work. Flora’s hands, though they are smaller, are in comparable shape — toughened by years of gardening and battles. Her thumb passes along his index finger, and she’s hit with a surprising truth she’s long tried to tamp down.
Riven is attractive.
Flora’s always been drawn to people who are rife with intensity. It’s what drew her to Helia when she was an Alfea student, and even led to a couple brief stints with some Cloud Tower alumnae. And Riven — who is often bound to his instincts, who is both hotheaded and methodical, who seethes and spits and softens all in equal measure — is the definition of intense.
Flora sighs through her nose, but feels heat in her cheeks. “Yeah, sure, I’ll go out with you, Riven.”
Riven quirks a brow, “That doesn’t sound so enthusiastic.”
“Take it or leave it, Miller,” Flora deadpans, but feels a laugh bubbling out of her throat.
“I’ll take it,” Riven says, and smiles.
“You’re telling me you—?”
“Mm-hm.”
“—and Riven?”
“I know. It’s bad.”
“You’re telling me. Are you—okay? Like, are you doing drugs or something?”
“Goddess, Aisha, no, I’m not doing drugs. It’s just…”
“What?”
“He’s sweet, okay? He’s been sweet to me. He’s grown up a lot.”
“Goddess, Flora, I think I’m gonna need to book a trip to Lynphea soon.”
“Well, when you do, you’re not seeing him.”
“But, Flora—!”
“Nope! And I’m hanging up now!”
Flora wakes up to Riven absently rubbing circles on her thighs, where he left bruises the night before. Flora doesn’t wake up quietly; she jolts awake with a gasp, like someone is pressing the air out of her lungs — every time.
“Morning, beautiful,” Riven glances up at her, smirking. “Had a good night?”
Flora groans, lightly shoving his head down against the comforter while he chuckles. She rolls off the bed, stretching. Riven scrambles upward on the mattress, resting on his elbows and looking up at her. Flora considers him, then crawls back on the bed to bracket his thighs with her knees.
“Good morning, Riven,” Flora says sweetly. She pecks his lips. “My night was decent. How was yours?”
“Oh, positively mediocre,” Riven shoots back sarcastically, drumming his fingers on her sides.
“That’s too bad,” Flora frowns performatively. “Let me make your morning better, then.” And she kisses him like she wants to suck the air out of his lungs.
There’s a knock on her cottage door. Flora, who’s been lounging on the couch in her heels and evening dress up until this point, scurries over to the door. Smiling, she glances through the peephole and is pleased to see that Riven is standing awkwardly outside in a pale blue button-up, hands in his pockets and shuffling his feet.
She opens the door.
“Hey, Flora!” Riven says, expression somewhat startled. “Hi…wow, you look stunning.”
Flora looks down at her dress. It’s a sleek black two-piece that she doesn’t often pull out. “Thank you, Riven. You look very handsome as well.”
A blush rises high on his cheeks. It’s cute. “Thank you.”
He extends a hand out to her, which she takes gladly, stepping out of the doorway and into the cool night air.
“No flowers?” Flora teases.
Riven’s eyes widen momentarily, before they narrow. “Very funny. I know better than to give the Fairy of Nature a bouquet of flowers.”
“I love flowers,” Flora pouts, just to be contrarian.
“None that I would be able to source for you, your Ladyship,” Riven acknowledges. “I hope you don’t mind my simple company.”
Flora pretends to ponder on that for a moment, but can’t quite hide her smile, “Charmed.”
He offers her a hand, which she takes gladly, pleased to burrow into the warmth of his side.
“So how are we doing this?” Riven asks, breath hot against Flora’s cheek and hands warm gripping her wrists. She’s backed against the wall next to the entrance to his apartment door, feeling like she could positively melt.
“Maybe you could start with taking your shirt off,” Flora says cheekily.
“Ladies first,” Riven offers.
“Now how am I supposed to do that?” Flora breathes, eyes flicking down to where Riven is holding her arms hostage.
“Oh, right,” Riven says, eyes alight with recognition. His mouth brushes the column of her throat. “Maybe if you ask nicely.”
Flora’s eyelids flutter shut, feeling him mouthing along her neck.
“Please,” Flora gasps out. He kisses her again, open-mouthed. “Please.” He licks into her mouth, hisses at the sharp clack of their teeth. “Please.” She pulls his head back in, grabbing at his maroon locks, crushing their lips together like she needs it to breathe.
Riven drops her wrists and, without missing a beat, she pulls his shirt over his head, tossing it aside. Flora smooths her hands down his chest, his stomach, as he goes to unzip the back of her top, wrestling it off her shoulders. She’s so hot, so molten, she’s practically pooling against the walls.
“You’re beautiful,” Riven tells her when they find a moment to catch their breaths.
Flora only gives him a sly look. “C’mere,” she says, dragging a finger underneath his chin as she traipses over to his bedroom.
Riven follows, dutifully.
“Flora, oh, la, la~!”
“Stella, please.”
“Don’t worry, darling, Aisha has given me the full rundown already. I just wanna know all the steamy details.”
“Stella!”
“Did he take you into a supply closet? Did he bend you over a desk? Could he just not help it anymore — he just had to have you?”
“What — kinds of romance novels have you been reading lately? No to all of that, oh my Goddess.”
“I’m just teasing, sweetheart, but this is exciting! Mostly. I think?”
“I-I am excited about this. It’s — really good, Stella. I don’t know that I’ve felt this way about someone in a long time.”
“That’s major, Flora. I’m really happy for you. Just — take care of yourself, please?”
“Meaning?”
“Oh, you know… You know how Riven was with Musa. Which isn’t to say I don’t love the guy, I really do, but he can be a pretty — hmm, how do you say — shit boyfriend and sometimes person?”
“…I understand that. I’m on the lookout, I promise. But that was also so long ago. I want to — have faith in him. How could I do this with him if I can’t have faith in him?”
“You’re a doll, Flora. And you’re also a boss ass bitch. I mean it when I say I’m happy for you, I just don’t want you going in blind.”
“I’m not. I promise. Thank you.”
“Love to hear it, babes. And knowing you two, you’re probably the one taking the reins. I see you, cowgirl.”
“Stella, I love you, but I am going to hang up now.”
“I love you, too, darling!”
“So, what do you want to be?” Flora asks as she twists her hair and clips it to the top of her head. She leans forward, staring at her reflection in the vanity and pulling at the bags underneath her eyes.
Riven is — not exactly looming — behind her, watching with an attentive eye. After she massages lotion into her face, he grabs her by the chin and kisses her cheek soundly.
She giggles, pulls him in by the collar for a proper kiss on the lips. Enthused, he wraps his arms around the small of her back, lifting her up. She hooks her legs around his back and loops her arms around his neck, thoroughly ensnared by him. He readjusts his hands to grip her ass, copping a tasteful feel, and sits her back down on the desk of the vanity, and pulls away to see her — and his reflection — kiss-bitten.
“Yours,” Riven admits honestly.
Flora’s eyebrows jump delicately to her hairline. “Mine?”
“Why so surprised?” Riven questions.
“I just wasn’t expecting you to be so all-in, I suppose,” Flora says. “Why… why me?”
“Well, for one, I’m trying to sleep my way to the top of the food chain,” Riven jokes. She slaps his arm playfully and he chuckles. “But also, just… you’re indescribable, Flora. You’re so fucking smart, so powerful, so compassionate. I just want to be yours. I want to be someone you’re proud of.”
“Proud of?”
“Are you embarrassed of me, Flora?”
Flora hesitates. Riven’s hands, which had been roaming her back and her shoulders, fall to his sides.
“What are you ashamed of?” Riven asks, hackles rising.
“It’s not that I’m ashamed, Riven,” Flora says. She brings a hand to his face, smooths out the wrinkles in his brow. Reluctantly, he rests his cheek against her cupped hand. “I like you. You’re a hard worker and a strategic thinker. I like that I’ve seen you grow… you know when to work with others, but you also know when to push things forward, and trust your gut.”
“This is starting to sound like a job review.”
“I am technically your boss.”
“Hot,” Riven smirks, pulling her tightly against him.
“Riven,” Flora half-gasps, half-admonishes. “I’m being serious.”
“So am I,” Riven shoots back. His playful gaze turns pensive. “Is it your friends? What have they been saying about me?”
“They haven’t been saying much at all,” Flora says fiercely. “Because it’s not really their business. This is between you and me.”
“It sounds like you are embarrassed,” Riven remarks, trying to tamp down the tinge of hurt in his voice.
“I’m not,” Flora says. “Or maybe I am. I don’t know. I don’t want to be.”
“How can I…?” Riven absently rubs his thumb into the soft skin of her hand. “How can I change that?”
“Just start by being mine, I guess,” Flora says, then presses her mouth against his. “And then we can go from there.”
“Has anyone ever told you you’re the most beautiful woman in all of the realms?”
Flora turns to see Riven in a nicely-fitted burgundy suit with a blue button-up underneath. Flora herself is wearing a floor-length ball gown, a deep pink number with emerald green accents. The jewel tones they’re both dressed up in compliment each other nicely, under the scintillating lights of the glowing flower stamens that populate the Lynphean ballroom.
“I might’ve been made aware once or twice,” Flora responds playfully. “You look good, Riven.”
“So do you,” Riven smirks. “Clearly.”
“Have you seen everyone?” Flora asks brightly. “I know that Bloom and Sky couldn’t make it out tonight, but everyone else is here, right?”
“I was just with Timmy, Aisha, and Tecna,” Riven nods. “They’re rocking out by the bar.”
“Ah, my sweet introverts,” Flora smiles. She places a hand on his jaw, leaning onto her toes and planting a kiss on his cheek. “You included. Maybe especially.”
Riven takes her hand in his, places it against his chest, “Would you like to dance with me, Flora?” The unbidden thought — in front of everyone?
“I would love to,” Flora responds, and allows herself to be swept away.
Riven’s not the best dancer, but he’s confident, and he leads Flora across the dance floor with all the grace of the fighter that he is. It’s coordinated and measured out, graceful in its intensity. Everywhere he hesitates, Flora pulls him, flexible and loving. They twirl by a sea of their colleagues and friends, obliviously enthralled in the world they’ve created with each other.
Riven pulls Flora in close, one hand cupping the small of her back and the other interlaced in hers. He whispers, “Thank you for dancing with me.”
“Of course,” Flora smiles back. And even though Riven’s only pledged himself to be hers, she feels herself give way a little, caving into the warmth of his promise.
I’m yours, too, she thinks. Just don’t let this be a bad idea.
if you wanna go and be stupid, don't do it in front of me
“Wondrous evening,” a voice says.
Riven looks up at the sky. He’d gone out for a smoke by the balcony to catch some fresh air, while Flora intermingled with the rest of her friends — the Winx sans Bloom, who unfortunately had to tend to some royal duties the night of this ball. Riven had caught sight of Musa and, although they were on good terms, felt awkwardly out of place and bowed out. Lynphea at night is always a treat, though, so he’s not sad to be missing out on any catching-up going on inside. Flora would tell him anything interesting anyway.
“Yeah, sure is,” Riven agrees, bringing the cigarette to his lips and exhaling once more.
“You and Flora look good together,” Helia says, twirling a dandelion between his fingers, weight resting against the balcony.
Riven’s neck snaps toward him, blinking in shock, “Helia. I didn’t realize you would be here.”
“I texted you,” Helia says.
Riven fumbles for his phone, which is nested into the inner pocket of his blazer. He taps it on, sees the notification. “Oh.”
“It’s good to see you, Riven,” Helia says. “I’ve missed you.”
“You, too,” Riven says numbly. “Been years.”
“Since I last saw you, yes,” Helia regards him impassively. “I saw Flora a few months ago. We caught up.”
Helia extends a hand, which Riven clasps near-robotically, pulling each other into a hug. As Helia claps his back, he says into Riven’s ear, “Treat her well, or you’re dealing with me.”
Riven very nearly shoves him off. When Riven smiles, it’s all teeth, “Glad you swung by, man.”
“I might love you,” Flora whispers, combing her fingers through Riven’s hair. His head is in her lap on the couch, a re-run of an old show that they both like playing quietly on the TV.
Riven grunts, turning his head in her lap to press his nose against her stomach. “I do.”
“Hm?”
“Love you, I mean,” Riven says, sitting up. He faces her, cups her jaw, and runs a thumb across her bottom lip, which is pink with gloss. It smears against her chin, beautifully.
“That’s good to know,” Flora says. She braces her hand against his chest. “Mine.”
“Yours,” Riven agrees. Flora beams, and pulls him in for a sweet kiss.
and please, please, please
don't bring me to tears when i just did my makeup so nice