Together, We Burn - FBAA Joining Fanfic (Poppy x Casteel x Kieran)

One - Poppy

That golden fuck. 

He had harmed Kieran.

My wolven.

I was half-tempted to turn around and head back to Carsodonia and rip Callum's head off his fucking body.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and it seemed that the Primal essence in me had responded to my anger. My will. 

"Poppy," Cas said softly, "I know you want to go back there and kick that fucker's ass, I do too. But we cannot risk Kieran like that, not when giving Isbitch what she wants is the only guaranteed way to keep him safe."

I took a deep breath, "I know that, I just," I took another breath "I just wish we didn't have to put our trust in their hands. Not when they will most likely break it."

"As much as I hate it, the best we can do for now is find where Malec is entombed, and bring him back to Carsodonia."

I leant back into Cas, his warmth comforting. Sometimes I wished I could just stay in his arms forever, but there was so much to do.

"My Queen," he whispered in my ear "As much as I love having you in my arms, if you remain so for much longer, our roles will be switched, and I will be in you instead."

I blushed and sat up straight, "Cas. We have company."

"I have no need nor want to see you two fucking." Reaver drawled from behind us.

I expected Kieren to have something to say in the notam but, he was uncharacteristically silent.

Cas sighed, "Well, scratch that plan then. Guess we can wait until nightfall then."

I glared at him, Reaver and Kieran didn't need to know everything we did.

Probably.

"Anyways," Reaver added, "Do you really need to be worried about the curse?"

"Yes." I said flatly, "We're really that worried."

Why shouldn't we be?

"The curse probably won't work on your wolven..." He tilted his head "I mean, it might work. The essence the Revenant used carried Kolis's stench. That was a Primal curse, so maybe you do have to worry."

 Reaver really needed to explain his thought process sometimes.

Cas probably knew where my thoughts were going and voiced that question.

The draken groaned, "I can't believe I have to explain this to you out loud. You are Joined, right? Both of your lives are tied to her very long, like nearly unending lifespan. Unless she falls, you two shouldn't either."

I inhaled sharply.

"But, well that was a Primal curse so..."

He kept on talking, but I was no longer paying attention, my mind whirred and I stared at Kieran, my nails digging into Casteel's leg.

We could save him.

Well, without having to rely solely on my mother. 

But that was better than nothing.

⊱ ────── {⋅. ❁ .⋅} ────── ⊰

Today was exhausting.

To be honest, the past month was.

What Callum had done to Kieran...

Gods, even thinking his name made me want to disembowel him.

"Do I want to know what's made you so angry?"

I must have been so caught up in my anger that I didn't notice Kieran walk in.

"Since when did you gain the ability to read emotion?"

Kieran snorts, "Since you gained the ability to summon either when you feel strong emotions. It shows in your eyes."

"Oh."

"So, do I want to know?"

I sigh, "There's a lot to go through."

He raised a brow, "For one moment?"

"Yes. No. I don't know, it's been a tough few weeks." 

He came closer and rested his hand on my shoulder.

"You know you can talk to us if you need to, right?"

I nodded

He shot me a look, "Both of us. Not just Cas."

"Yeah, I know, it's just – I feel like saying it makes it real," I looked up at him, "I don't like the idea of you being in pain Kieran."

"I'm not."

I shot him a glare, "Or at risk of dying. I know Cas feels the same."

"There isn't much we can do aside from giving the Blood Crown what they want."

I frowned, he heard what Reaver said. "And the Joining."

"I don't want you to feel like you have to do the Joining for me, meyaah Liessa." 

Cas chose that moment to walk into the room.

"You two having a party without me?" He teased.

"Kieran and I were talking about the Joining."

He came over to us and nuzzled my neck, "And how's that going?"

I looked back up at him, "Kieran's being his usual protective self and doesn't want to participate if it's only because we want to save him."

I could feel Kieran's glare bore into me.

"That's not what I said."

I shrugged, "Close enough."

Cas sighed, "You do know we care about you as much as you care about us, right Kieran?"

He ran his fingers through his hair, "I do, and gods, I want to, but I need to make sure that you want this Poppy."

Cas took my hand, "We care deeply for you Kieran. There isn't anything in the realms that would stop me, or Poppy, from keeping you safe. And it's more than just the bond, we were – and forever will be – there for each other. The Joining just allows us to make sure are all safe, and I guarantee you, we all want this, and we all will be very willing participants."

I inwardly groaned at the last part, but I agreed with him whole-heartedly.

"I am sure Kieran. As sure as I ever will be. That's not going to change."

He nodded, emotion clogging his throat,
"I agree, and not just because you are my King and Queen, but because of the love I have for you two."

I smiled and added his hand to mine and Casteel's.

"So it is decided. We will Join. Preferably when I'm running on more than four hours of sleep."

Cas chuckled, "Of course meyaah Liessa. We will wait two nights from now."
He looked up at Kieran.
"Then we will Join."