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➢ [◉°] LIVE | ꧁ᬊᬁ ᴀɴɢᴇʟᬊ᭄꧂ ANGELSOFTPORN.COM [ ▸ 27.8k LIVE VIEWERS ]

▶ Chat Loading…

▶Press [Start]

The stream starts and the chat floods in, your pink webcam blinking as you expose yourself to your fans. Your body was decorated with pink rope and ribbons, your hair was tied up perfectly in a hairstyle they voted on.

You lay down on your pretty pink bed, kicking your legs as you read the chat, looking like an innocent angel but you were far from innocent. You talk to them sweetly, acting like a saint as you expose your perfect tits for your fans.

The tight pink rope traveled along your chest, making your breasts the center of attention. The center of your chest had a pretty pink heart that showed your infamous tattoo that marked you, ‘soft angel'.

A light pink mask covered your face, masking your secret identity. You didn't want anyone to find out who you were, especially anyone who personally knew you.

“Happy early Valentine's day.” You say sweetly, giving the camera a little sweet kiss. Since they've been so generous recently, you wanted to give them a special live stream today.

LIVE CHAT ▶SLOWED

↬ LOADING CHAT…2.7k incoming messages

╰ Anonymous 51 » happy early valentine's day!

╰ David » cute ribbons. makes me want to pull them.

╰ User251 » pretty lips.

╰ JJ21 » be my valentine please!

You smile at the sweet words of your viewers, making their heart flutter with your angelic smile. You then pull out a realistic dildo, kissing the tip and leaving a lipstick stain. You pose for the camera innocently, kicking your feet as you position the camera, angling it so it could look like you were sucking the viewer's cock.

The chat praises you as you suck on the big dildo, your eyes sultry yet still had a glint of Innocence in them. Your warm tongue traveled along the big dildo, teasing the viewers as you gave them doe eyes.

LIVE CHAT ▶SLOWED

↬LOADING CHAT...

╰ Ethan99 » fuck, the kiss on the tip made me almost cum.

╰ Deranged Ghost » good slut.

╰ Camslut » the best early valentine's gift ever.

You kept sucking for the chat, moaning sweet names of the people who sent donations. Your cunt dripping with arousal, a puddle beneath you forming.

▶Perverted Daddy Has Sent A $20 Donation!

“Thank you, perverted daddy.” You thank one of your loyal donors, moaning his name sweetly as you lick the tip of the dildo, which motivates your chat to give more donations to hear you moan their name.

As the stream is filled with sweet kisses and donations, you received a huge donation from him. your love sick stalker.

▶Lovesick Anonymous Has Sent A $200 Donation!

╰ Lovesick anonymous: sweet angel.

You read his donation, accidentally moaning louder than you should as your heart fluttered. His sweet words always made your cunt throbbed, he always spent so much money on you. A puddle forms on the floor as you suck on the dildo, you close your eyes and pretend like it was his cock—the first time you pictured yourself sucking off one of your fans.

Your eyes flutter open as you hear the donation ping, he sent another generous donation.

▶ Lovesick Anonymous Has Sent Another $200 Donation!

╰ lovesick anonymous: cum for me, angel.

Your heart fluttered and you immediately obeyed, feeling a wave of ecstasy you've never felt before. Your hole pulsed, the urge to have a cock buried inside you has never felt so strong before.

You continue to flutter your eyes at the camera as cum drips down your inner thighs, the pink rope stained with your filth. You can only imagine who the lovesick anonymous was, what he was doing as he watched you ruin yourself for him.

More donations followed yet you didn't open your eyes for them, you only wanted to open your eyes for him.

An inbox ping suddenly came from your laptop behind the webcam, you can see the private messages filling your inbox, unaware that they were from your stalker.

Then you start to get private donations, the ping making your eyes flutter as you read the bone chilling words.

▶ Love sick Anonymous: you're mine, angel. I know where you live, maybe I'll come over and visit, Break your pretty angel wings and keep you forever. doesn't that sound lovely for a dumb pathetic angel like you?

His threat sends you shivers down your spine, your soft body trembling at the thought of him breaking in. You were overwhelmed, your mouth stopping as your eyes were wide and shaking.

You wanted to turn off the stream but he sends another large private donation.

▶Lovesick Anonymous Has Sent Another $200

╰ Lovesick anonymous: don't be scared, angel. keep sucking like a good angel, I'm almost finished.

Your cunt throbbed at his words, ignoring all the other fans as you keep sucking the dildo out of fear. Your body couldn't stop trembling at his threat, your soft moans muffled around the dildo. You were too scared to stop.

You tried your best for him, licking and sucking the dildo as if your life depended on it. And who knows? Maybe it did. Your heart couldn't stop beating yet you couldn't deny the puddle that was still forming beneath your drenched cunt.

Suddenly, you heard another ping, another big donation, the biggest donation anyone has ever sent to you.

▶Lovesick Anonymous Has Sent A $666 Donation!!

╰ Lovesick anonymous: good girl.

His generous donation made your heart flutter. You've never felt your heart actually skip a beat until now. And fuck, that much money?

You couldn't help but feel flustered by the praise from your anonymous fan. The amount of money he sent you made your eyes sparkle.

“Thank you, Lovesick for your generous donation.” You can feel your heart beating in your chest, your trembling eyes staring at the webcam as you wondered who this lovesick anonymous was and if he really did know where you lived.

➢ [◉°] OFFLINE | ꧁ᬊᬁ ᴀɴɢᴇʟᬊ᭄꧂ ANGELSOFTPORN.COM

You had turned off the livestream, still trembling from your stalker’s threat. You opened your laptop and immediately noticed that you had received a Love Mail from Lovesick anonymous.

Open Inbox? 「 YES 」 or 「 YES 」

It was almost eleven p.m, and Jungkook was waiting for her in the most secluded booth available at the diner, his mind wandering. While it was indeed a good idea to be in a public place in case she tried something against him, the familiar setting of the very restaurant he often sat at to satisfy his greasy food cravings didn't help much to ease his nerves. The poor guy’s leg kept bouncing like crazy under the table at the idea of sitting in front of the girl he helplessly wanted to get to know before he found out she was a thief. 

How could someone as sweet and kind as Y/N, his cute neighbor and long-time crush ever since she moved in the building, could simultaneously live the life of an outlaw? The irony was not lost on him, considering he was also the complete opposite of his Mr Average persona working for a tabloid newspaper since that radioactive spider bit him years ago.

Overall, Jungkook and Y/N's interactions mostly happened when they ran into each other in their elevator on the way to or coming back from work, but also in the laundromat around the corner. Her clean loads always had the most addictive smell, to which she'd always say it's only "some cheap fabric softener samples some clerk gave me" after getting her groceries. And yet, he swore that aroma had that little something else laced when she was the one using it.

While he was busy basking in the memory of her smile after he told her she smelled heavenly, the distant sound of the bell above the doorframe had him turn his head towards the entrance, where he saw her walk in.

Y/N appeared like nothing but her usual self, his favorite neighbor, when she closed the door behind her and thoroughly scanned the room to find where he was seated. Her upper body was engulfed in the extra large navy blue hoodie he often saw her wearing when they met in their hallway, and he caught himself wishing they sat in this booth for more romantic reasons (maybe even with her wearing his hoodies instead). He abruptly shook his head to get his mind out of it, but if he played his cards right tonight, his daydream could happen soon anyway.

« Hey. » She greeted him in the same honeyed voice he was so used to hearing, a whiff of that damn citrus fruit permeating the air the second she sat in front of him.

« Hey. » Jungkook shot back with a tight-lipped smile, trying to calm his heart rate that slowly picked up when she walked towards him. He quickly noticed a drastic difference of energy at the table. While he had been rehearsing every single thing he could say to her ever since they found each other's secret identity, she appeared very collected. Hell, she even asked him if he ate before coming before ordering two strawberry shakes with some fries from the waitress... who ended up complimenting her manicure and asked where she got it from. 

Jungkook watched them squeal over whatever girls find great about nail techs, in utter confusion. She was so whimsy, so bubbly… Was it really the same person that knocked down a whole crew of police officers at the Natural History Museum?

After getting their (her?) order, Y/N slid one of the shakes towards him and took several sips of hers, savoring the taste she probably have craved all day. They pretty much stayed there in silence after she ran out of small talk options, drinking the cold beverage before he psyched himself up to get this awkwardness over with. 

Y/N lifted her head when she heard him loudly clear his throat. « So? » she pursed her lips and waited for him to start the discussion he was hellbent on having.

« You have to stop robbing these museums. »

Y/N didn't even try to suppress her snort. « Are you always this nice to all these criminals you fight with? » she asked, genuinely amused.

« I'm dead serious Y/N— look, » he straightened his back and unconsciously puffed his chest in the process, putting on the big guy persona in action… Not so easy to show off his usual bravado when his face is not behind that mask.

« I wanna go on about this the "civilized" way because this is the first time I'm in this type of situation. » She cocked her head to the side, waiting to see where this little speech was going. Jungkook stared dead in her eyes before beginning, « I like you a lot. »

… That had way more meaning than initially intended. 

The second of silence that stretched right after felt like eternity, and he blurted whatever came up in his mind to tone down the seriousness of this involuntary confession. « I- I mean as a person, a-and a neighbor! ». His cheeks felt hot when he noticed her eyes beaming. Ugh, that Freudian slip or whatever that was will cost him a lot during their next encounters.

Y/N put her chin in her hands and tried to fight a playful smile at his rambling, making it even more troublesome for him to act like his superhero-self. « I have no issues with you as my neighbor, but whenever I have my suit on I have to be on the side of the law. »

« I’m not as ill-intentioned as you think I am. » she plainly stated, picking on a lukewarm fry.

It was Jungkook's turn to openly scoff at her. « Honestly? It's very hard to tell when you keep knocking out these guards and police officers. »

Y/N slouched back on her seat at the recollection of the officers who had fallen for her very predictable jabs before she ran away, eyes rolling to the back of her head. « Please, these idiots barely do their job anyway, no wonder why I get away with all this shit so easily. » Y/N swallowed before arguing further. 

« Also, remember that guy who tried to rob Fresh Bitez the night I took a painting at the Bronx Museum? You're so lucky cops only noticed the robbery the day after, like-- it left me all the time needed to knock that guy down myself. » she smirked after her little anecdote, « I kinda did you a favor here 'cause you would've arrived there too late. »

Jungkook had a hard time understanding her twisted logic (she also had a point about the lack of effort the NYPD has been delivering for the city, but he wasn't going to admit it out loud). 

« Are you even taking our discussion seriously? » 

« I am, I'm just very goofy and I like messing with you in the process. » she confessed with a cat-like grin.

Jungkook groaned in frustration, his energy depleting when he realized his poor attempts at reasoning with her were failing miserably. « I should've thrown you and that guy helping you to the police when I had the chance, 'cause this is getting nowhere. »

« What guy? I got out of that alley by myself. » she went back to that nonchalant stance, lying through her teeth. Had he not been there to witness everything himself, he probably would have believed her without any further question. As infatuated as he was, he wasn't going to let her get away with any lies tonight and if he failed to convince her to stop her illegal activities, he was at least going to get all the information he could use to prevent her next heists.

« I'm not talking about that night. Cops always think you're doing everything yourself, but there's someone else helping you out. I saw you talking to each other after you went for a sculpture in the Museum of Modern Art. » he recalled, her eyes briefly widening at the amount of detail he shared.

Jungkook was referring to a lean masked man he saw her have a rather tense conversation with, after they went for an artifact lent by the Louvre for an exhibition. Jungkook managed to crawl onto the wall of a nearby building to spy on their conversation after the police failed to arrest them, hoping to make a move at the perfect time. The woman’s body language wasn't particularly exuding warmth towards the guy, a mental note he kept in mind as years of being the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man taught him criminals are easier to apprehend when they only seem to be coworkers rather than friends outside their criminal hours. A sound coming from around him killed the momentum he was building to neutralize them, and by the time he got his focus back, they were both gone, probably surprised by the random noise as well. He cursed himself for not acting sooner, but since their crimes so far were not essentially targeting civilians, he figured they were not a threat for now.

« Ohhhh, that guy. » she feigned remembrance after swallowing another damn fry. « I actually met him recently, he said he also had… things to steal in these museums too or something, » she talked about her point of view of the encounter with her partner in crime like she was updating one of her girl friends about a date she had the other week. « He was like « we could definitely help each other out. My powers can come in handy. » blah blah. »

She frowned and pouted before going on, « He was right about being helpful, but he's a bit intense y'know? Like, he always ends up taking unnecessary risks and I hate that. »

By the looks of it, she did not care much about him and merely considered him as a coworker. Was it fucked up for him to feel some kind of relief? Probably, but he was too far gone to care.

« When I do these heists myself I get in, do my lil' burglar thing, and get out. No fuss, no muss. » she explained, mimicking a stickman walking to the left on the table, running away to the right with her fingers.

Jungkook couldn't wrap his head around any reason why she robbed these museums in the first place. Unlike the other villains he fought, she didn't seem to have that life-altering trauma that made her vow to herself she'd pursue a life of crime, or get revenge on someone, or even a need to get rich. All the stuff she kept robbing couldn't be sold on the black market anyway, and no one would risk depositing them for money. And even if she found a way to do it, she still had a regular office job she was fine with and lived in that barely above-average building like he did.

« Why are you going through all this trouble if it's not even for fame or money? »

« You don't know how hard I wish I could sell these bad boys on the market so I could buy a house on a private island and never come back. And fame? » she gasped, almost offended at the idea he could see her being like that, « Believe it or not, I don't like the attention. » 

« You sure do love a theatrical exit with these artifacts when all these spotlights are on you. Y/N really, why are you doing this? »

« Okay, look. » The atmosphere took a weird shift when Y/N cleared her throat and straightened her back, before leaning her chest forward as if to let her favorite neighbor in on a secret. Her eyes and tone softened, but her assertiveness remained. « I know what I'm doing is wrong, but my goal has never been to hurt people and it'll never be. All the casualties that happened lately were not in my plan, and I'm glad you and emergency are always around to help when needed. I would gladly stay and help them myself cause I do feel bad about it most of the time, but y'know…» she lightly shrugs, « can't risk staying around if you don't want to get arrested. » 

Jungkook let her words sink in, and her change of attitude matched the Y/N he was used to seeing in their hallway. No jokes, no mischief, just honesty. Sure, she definitely was an iceberg of secrets which he could only see the tip of, but he chose to trust his gut (or spider sense) about her for now.

« What I’m trY/Na say is, I won’t stop my heists anytime soon, but try not to worry your little brain too much on this, okay? » He barely had time to let his soft spot for her bloom even more in his chest when she patted her soft hand on his as a reassuring gesture. « From now on I’ll be even more careful not to make a mess. »

Before breaking contact, she gently rubbed her palm on his to slide something in it, and Jungkook's face dropped when he realized the rather small and crumbled texture in his hand was of a twenty dollar bill. 

« Shakes and fries are on me. See you around! »

Her citrusy smell vanished after she grabbed her purse and casually exited the diner, leaving him unsure of what to think in front of his barely touched shake and the rest of her fries. All in all, this whole conversation did a poor job at deterring her from stealing precious stuff and he managed to lose all the aura he thought he had, but it could've been worse… right?

part 2

Another unspoken rule of his was to never walk upon the main roads. Stay away from those maniacs dressed in military clothes and those who drove military trucks. So he stuck to the shadows, camouflage into the trees with stealthy movements. Quick and quiet, never stay in one place longer than two days. He's been in here for at least a day spending that time securing the area and everything around it before he could properly set up his base in the abandoned thrift store he found. Hopefully he could get as much rest as a person could during the end of the world. As he tracked back to his base swiftly moving through the tree-line with the new finds he managed to scavenge. He stopped when he heard a squeal that didn't sound like the parasites that took over the world. Peeking through the green he saw a woman. A frown taking over his handsome features as his eyes rake her clothing.

A tiny pink cropped tank top, tight denim shorts that had jeweled pockets, ripped black fishnets and wedged heels that threw him off more than the unethical outfit. On her back was a clear backpack and inside was a tiny sleeping dog who was unaware of the life or death circumstances their owner happened to be in. Surrounding her were geeks groaning and growling, taking swipes at her. Their only objective is to eat,eat, eat.

Jungkook didn’t deal with other people, for obvious reasons but he was still the selfless Jeon Jungkook who couldn’t turn his back on anyone, especially a woman clearly in need of his help. So he quickly jumped from the trees, holding onto his crow bar tightly and as he approached the woman and the group of zombies.

Until she screeched, "You broke my nail" pulling out a knife from her thigh garter taking down all four of the dead. Breathing heavily she blew a curl from her face as she turned, jumping at the sight of Jungkook's large frame looming over her with his crowbar up as if he was ready to attack her. She squeaks gathering herself into a tiny fighting position as she points her knife at him and he notices the handle was decorated with a dark skinned hello kitty print.

“You’re literally so sexy. I’d let you kill me as long as I’m in a chokehold.” Her big brown eyes trailed to his beefy tattooed and tanned arms causing his eyebrows to shoot up in surprise. Clearing his throat he put his weapon down turning on his thick soled heels back into the ditch disappearing into the greenery. She wasn’t in any danger anymore so he wasn’t needed.

“You know it’s not very nice to leave a lady unattended in the middle of a road especially during an apco-" he was quick to grab her, shoving her down against the tree trunk. He smacked against her mouth, as a group of military men began to drive along the side of the road closest to them. His eyes met her wide ones as she blinked her wispy lashes at him. His gaze trails over the freckles that danced over her button nose, and cheeks, slight blood splatter caked there along with her forehead. She giggles quickly as he removes his hand from her mouth revealing a bright and pearly smile.

"Kinky." his lip curls in annoyance as he turns his back on her again.

“You can’t just leave us! Me and Minnie are great company.” He stopped walking when he heard the name of her dog minnie. Who's been surprisingly quiet through the whole ordeal. Looking over his shoulder at her, he then shaking his head, he continued on taking longer steps.

“Okay I get it silent and boarding, dark and mysterious, tall, tanned, and handsome.She rambled on scurrying behind him.

“Whew you know what hulk- ACK!” a thud echoed through the trees making him turn seeing her fallen to her knees in mud. She sniffles as she tries to stand on her feet, failing miserably only getting her hands dirty in the process.

"They leave me all alone, take my stuff, then I break a freaking nail because of those nasty freaks, now I'm covered in mud following around an avenger who doesn't even. . ."

She's fully sobbing now, fat tears falling down her chubby cheeks as she gives up moving. "Just strike me downnnn"

Again his selfless heart was aching as he winced. He grumbles as he stomps towards her reaching his own hand out for her to take, after all this he couldn't find it in himself to just leave her not now. She sniffles as she looks up at him, then stares at his hand. With another pretty smile she takes it, letting him pull her upright, allowing her to rub her muddy hands on his black tank top with a defeated sigh.

“Thanks Thor.”

Huffing he began walking again this time slower so she wouldn't lose him. As he gets to the brick wall that seperates the forest from the store. She stares up at it and swallows hard. “How are we gonna get up there?”

Rolling his eyes Jungkook pulls his backpack off of his back, throwing it over the wall. He reaches towards her and she gasp, “You are not throwing my precious Minnie over that wall!” Stepping back from him a pout set on her lips. He shrugs and begins to climb up, leaving her there to watch as he disappears over the wall. Pouting and huffing, she removes her backpack from her back, strapping it in the front just in case she falls on her ass. “I'm way too pretty for this”

Scaling the wall she walked along it ignoring Hulks loud huffs and tapping of his boots. That's when she found a hole there big enough for her to fit through happily making her way through.

Jungkook might just leave her there on the other side of the wall. Hopefully she'll use whatever's there in her brain to find her way over the wall with her crusty white dog who he wished he could sleep like. He jumps at the tap on his shoulder turning to her standing behind him hands behind her back as she gave him a closed lip smile puffing the apples of her cheeks rocking back and forth on her wedges. “Guess what hulky.”

He raises a pierced eyebrow as she points in the direction she came from. “Found a hole in the wall!! You didn't even have to climb over silly.”

The happiness in her face fell as Jungkooks face hardened. Storming over to the said hold, cursing. He could have sworn he sweep the whole perimeter. How could this have gotten under his nose? He turns back to you standing pouty and confused. Since the first time meeting him Jungkook opens his mouth to speak.

“Good job princess” his voice deep and hoarse from not using it for months.

"OMG how'd you know my name" She smiles practically bouncing on her feet from the praise and his attention, twirling on a piece of her hair like a school girl with a crush. Shaking his head he turned back to fix the wall.

Inside of the thrift store, Jungkook listened quietly to her ramble about her love for thrifting and how she would rather thrift than online shop. Then he watched her get teary eyed again over not being able to online shop anymore. “It's just not fair!!! Like I was living the most barbie dream girl life, ya know?”

Accepting the tissue he handed to her staring at the sleeping dog in her lap. “Then bam the Internet shuts off, then boom my freaking neighbor tries to eat me.”

“Like I'm just a girl! I'm not fit for this at all.” Blowing her nose into the tissues finishing her tantrum while Jungkook debated on what to say. “I watched you knife four geeks by yourself, I think you're doing pretty good.”

“ Really?”

“Really?”

She giggles sniffing, as she held out her hand. “I’m Princess Marie sorry for the late introduction ‘s very rude.

Clasping his hand into hers, “Jeon Jungkook. Don't worry about it too much.”

His gaze drifted to her bloody broken nail.

“Let's clean this up, kay?”

Eagerly she nodded dark curls bouncing.

“Mmkay kookie”

Jungkook wouldn't admit it out loud but being in the presence of another human being that wasn't trying to kill him was nice. He knew that princess and her crusty dog would be a handful but he was willing to deal with it. Plus he missed being called by his favorite nickname.

It was clearly a mummified arm sticking out of the ground. No person could mistake that for a tree branch or some litter thrown by your kind in the deep woods. What normal person even comes this far out just to “practice” wedding vows?

Your screams and the snow crunching under your feet from your running snaps him out of his thoughts. 

Oh, that's right. He was letting you get away. That wouldn't do. 

Green flames erupt in front of you that make you screech even louder as you almost fall backwards. His animated corpse steps out of its embers while he’s flashing you what he considers his warmest smile. But to you it just looks like he's getting ready to eat you with his fangs bared and his grin being far too unnaturally wide. 

“My love, don't run.”

His cold, gloved hands encapsulate yours before he's kneeling in front of you and leaving a kiss on your knuckles. Adoration fills what’s left of his eyes as he speaks.

“Let me propose to you as well.”

💛Leona Kingscholar💛

You're an idiot. 

What kind of person goes into the woods at night making speeches to trees and then slipping a ring onto a corpse’s finger? Idiots. That's who. 

You're screaming and yanking at his grip while he's yawning and holding your wrist at an arm's length. He's perched on a snow-covered boulder and looking anywhere but at you. His tail lazily swings behind him as it threatens to fall off from years of decay while his half-bitten ears twitch slightly. 

“You done?”

You eventually calm down but still stare at him in horror and confusion. Your breathing becomes less rapid and you stop trying to free yourself as you watch him for any sudden movements. But he doesn’t bother moving an inch.

“Sit before you pass out.”

You let out a trembling gasp and his voice comes out more stern.

“Sit.”

You quickly plant your rear on the snow as the cold begins to seep into your skirts. You whimper when he lets go of your wrist and gets up. He slowly circles you like a lion eyeing his latest meal, while you keep your hands folded in your lap and your gaze downward. He laughs arrogantly at your demure behavior.

“You were so bold when ya were proposing to me and now you're cowering!” 

You jolt as he's grabbing your wrist again and pulling you to your feet. 

“You're coming with me.”

🩵Azul Ashengrotto 🩵

Azul was there to pick up the pieces when your fiancee had suddenly disappeared. You were to be wed in two days time to save you and your family from destitution, but your fiancee was nowhere to be found. It was like he had vanished into thin air and left you to face the consequences alone. To be fair, you didn't really know him since it was an arranged marriage. It didn't mean it still didn't sting, especially with the chaos that ensued afterwards.

“What are we going to do now?!”

“We’re ruined!”

Your parents had begun to fight among themselves from the stress and shame of calling off a wedding and falling into certain poverty. You sighed as you laid your head on your hand and closed your eyes. Your fingers were uselessly massaging the pressure points on your temple in an attempt to ebb away their elevating voices and the imminent pounding in your skull.

“Oh dear, is this a bad time?”

Your parents immediately cease arguing with each other and you look up to see that strange newcomer that had arrived a few days prior to your wedding even being announced. He had introduced himself as a distant relative, and although you hailed from noble barons and proud servants of monarchs, he felt sleazy. You refused to believe he was in any way related to you, especially with how eagerly he was interjecting himself into your lives. It’s like he was plotting and scheming something nefarious behind your backs.

“My, my. You’ve already announced the wedding. Are you sure you’ll be able to find a suitable bachelor in time?”

Your parents look between each other nervously. They wanted to disagree or cling onto some threads of their pride, but there was nothing they could do. Who would want to marry a woman that couldn’t even procure a meager dowry? 

“Then, am I right to assume no one else has spoken of taking her hand?” 

His tone of voice changes and your body shivers as you start to catch onto what he might be implying. You can feel him smirking in your direction, but you refuse to look up as you begin to sweat and turn pale.

“How fortunate for you that I always come prepared.”

Your stomach starts to churn as he bows with that perfectly-practiced smile that seems to pull the wool over everyone’s eyes.

“I can wed your daughter in his place.”

🧡Kalim Al Asim🧡

“Wow! The land of the living! I haven’t been here in so long and someone’s proposing to me?!”

He flashes you a smile but you only scream in response. He flinches back in shock at your uncalled for reaction. You don’t spare him another second as you begin to run.

“Hey! Hey!! Wait-!”

He calls after you, but no way are you going back to face an animated corpse. All you can think about are the horror stories they tell children to make them behave, and it only amplifies your fear. The forest being so dark and the tree branches smacking you only add onto the chaos.

“Hey! You’ll get hurt!”

You scream again as you start to realize how close his voice sounds. 

He’s fast!

You start to pick up speed. You don’t pay attention to where you’re going or how, your single thought is of going forward. 

Thud!

The world begins to spin as you start to feel weightless. Your feet fail you and you’re feeling yourself hit the floor as you land on your back.

My head kind of hurts…

“Hey! You okay?!”

You see three mirror versions of the jolly corpse hovering in your view and you realize you’re losing consciousness.

“Oh no, that tree branch hit you really hard… Don’t worry! I’m sure my friends know what to do!”

Friends? Oh no…

You try to swat him, but it’s a weak tap at best. He smiles like the sun itself as he takes your pathetic attack as a gesture for help. He lifts you into his arms and you try to fight the sleep that tries to pull you into its clutches. You fear you need to stay awake since an unknown man is carrying you, especially a dead one.

“Hiya~” 

Your vision focuses onto a large green worm that had popped out of a gash in his face. 

I’m losing it…

It gives you a friendly grin as it hovers in front of your face and it gets closer and closer- 

You pass out.

💜Vil Schoenheit💜

Ah, I’m unseemly.

He frowns as he rises from beneath the dirt and snow. You look on in horror as he makes quick work in brushing off all the rotted debris that clings to his corpse. 

“How putrid.”

And how mortifying it is that his bride had to see him in this state. He tries to keep a straight face and not let his disappointment show as he mistakes your expression for being perturbed by how disgusting he looks.

Little does he know, the only thing you can focus on is how beautiful he must have been when he was alive if he was still effortlessly glowing after death. 

Why is a decaying man's skin better than mine…

The moonlight frames his facial features and perfect silhouette as you sit there with your mouth agape. You’re snapping out of your thoughts as he puts a gentle finger under your chin to press your lips together. His eyes shimmer like the snow surrounding you two while he tucks in a stray lock of hair behind your ear.

“A wonderful proposal. I suppose I should propose as well, my fair bride.”

💙Idia Shroud💙

Of course, you didn't mean it. What person could ever truly be in love with him? The only love he’s ever known was familial love followed by tortuous heartache from the pain of betrayal.

You're trembling and inching backwards on the ground, too afraid to take your eyes off of him and too afraid to make a break for it. He sighs as he watches you and wonders if he should just leave you alone and crawl back into his unmarked grave. But the ring you had slid onto his rotting finger glistened under the moonlight and fit perfectly, nor had you screamed or ran away.

It’s like we were made to be… You feel it too. Don’t you?

He died a disappointing death and now he could finally fulfill not only his wish, but his family's: to marry a bride that would give joy to his somber life. He can’t believe he’s going through with this.

“You…”

He moves unnaturally. His limbs crack and shift into place from decades of disuse as he walks towards you. You cover your face in fear and accept your impending death, but nothing happens. Curious if he’s left you alone or not, you lower your arms only to see that he's on his knees in front of you. A tender finger trails down your cheek like you’re made of the finest porcelain while your orbs fill with trepidation. His eyes finally snap to yours after what feels like forever and you're freezing up again.

“I do.”

❤️Riddle Rosehearts❤️

You've recited your vows, kneeled before him, and placed the ring onto his finger. The law declares you two are wed, are you not? You’ve accepted him by proposing to him and he’s accepted you by keeping the ring on his personage.

He glares at you, not in anger, but just to analyze you. However, you’re terrified as he stands in front of you. The shock from seeing someone rise from the dead has rendered you speechless and immobile.

He stands silently as he thinks over the rules and dictations of a wedding engagement before turning to look at you. The wedding isn't complete unless he gives you a ring as well, right? 

You regain your senses and realize the danger you might be in when your eyes connect. You quickly stumble to get to your feet in the thick snow, but he's gently grabbing your hand and helping you up. He notices your confused expression and tries to fight through how nervous he is at having such a beautiful and well-mannered bride so close to him.

She’s so quiet. I shouldn’t keep her waiting.

“I accept your proposal. Now allow me to propose to you as well.”

More here -> Masterlist

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♡ Vil,  much  like  your  other  peers,  does  not  request  your  name  or  endeavour  to  get  to  know  you  better. Of  course,  you  don’t  expect  any  less  out  of  him.  Your  entire  purpose  is  to  remain  forgettable  in  his  pale  purple-rimmed,  gorgeous  viewpoint,  even  if  he’s  passing  you  long-winded  criticism  on  the  way  you  sag  beneath  the  table  like  the  dumbest  of  all  potatoes.  Far  too  common  in  appearance,  sprouting  from  the  lowest  of  ground,  dirty. Fitting,  you  think. Most  of  time  you’re  drowning  in  notes  a  foot  taller  than  you,  the  other  you’re  subject  to  protracted  speeches  about  adjusting  your  posture  lest  you  become  an  ‘even  worse  of   a  hunchback’.  A  cultivating  ground  for  your  self-esteem,  of  course.

♡  You  get  some  spare  time  to  pay  Mountain  Lovers  a visit  here  and  there,  and  Jade’s  sly,  scheming  woebegone  pout  makes  you  believe  he  deems  himself  a  widow  in  your  absence.  Flattering,  but  usually  it  ends  in  you  having  to  wrestle  a  polaroid  out  of  his  surprisingly  rigid  grip,  hearing  him  encourage  your  attempt  all  the  while  with a   small  trill.  Annoying  as  hell,  sure,  but  you’ve  hit  the  jackpot  by  keeping  only  a  small  circle  close  to  you.. Well, yeah,  all  of  them  are  love  interests,  but  they’re  still  heed-deep  in  their  own  little  love  story,  aren’t  they?

“Must  you  always  sag?  It’s   unbecoming.”  The  smooth  tone  hurls  you  upward  from  your  notes,  a  few  pages  feathering  in  the  space  like  small,  terror-stricken  birds.  Warmth  shrouds  your  nape  when  you  look  at  his  disapproval-laden  features.   “Ah. So  you  weren’t  sagging  after  all.  Do  you  not  get  ample  sleep  at  Savanaclaw?”

“I’m  from  Scarabia..”

“... I  see.”  He  revises  a note  in  his  head  and  drums  his  fingers  against  the  table.  You  can  tell  he  wants  to  be  anywhere  but  here.  “I’d  assumed  this  was  the  result  of physical  exertion,  but  if  you  reside  in  Scarabia, then  it must  be   lifestyle.”

“I  didn’t  understand  a  single  thing you said,   but  that  feels  like  an  insult.”

“Hm.  It  simply  is.”

With  an  expulsion  of  fatigued  air,  flanked  by  the  scars  of  restless  nights  on  your  eyes  (that  your  executioner  oh-so  vehemently  traces  with  the  curve  of  his  own lids), you surrender  to  the  papers  once  more.  Until,  of  course,  a  chair  lists  to  the  side  and  a  shadow  falls  on  your  paper. 

You  squint  up  at  him. “...  Can  I  help  you?”

“Don’t  flatter  yourself, spud.  I  never  put  myself  in  a  position  where  I  require  anyone’s  help,  least  of  all  yours.”  Brows  slope  to  the  almost  smug,  content  tilt  of  gloss-full  lips.  He  folds  his  arms,  then  gently  slants  his  head  to  your  handiwork....  if  you  can  even  call  it  that. “What  are  you  doing.”

“Reading.”  Not  liking  where  this  is  going,  you’re  quick  to  defend  yourself.  “I  can  read  it  just  fine,  by  the  way.”

“Then  do  enlighten  me,  what  does  that  say?”

“...  It  starts  with  a   word.”

“Give  it  here.”  

♡ That’s  how  it  usually  goes.  You  listen  to  the  song  of  fabric  and  paper  intertwining  and  rustling,  a  pen’s  nib  gliding  with  ink,  and  prop  your  face  on  your  hand.  Not  even  a  second  later,  fingers  tap  the  underside of  your   chin  and  direct  your  attention-

“Up.”

You  blink,  and  the  paper  meets  your  eyes.  His  handwriting  flows  and  curves  and  impinges  upon  your  mind’s  ability  to  comprehend  text. It’s  worse. 

“Thank—”

“Don’t  thank  me  yet,”  Lightly,  he  closes  his  eyes.  In  his  hand  he  carries  his  phone, and  you  immediately  get  the  hint  to  back  out  of  his  selfie.  Gloved  fingers  sifiting  through  his  blonde  strands,  he  speaks  to  you  straight-backed.   

 “Now you’re  expected  to  maintain  the  standard  I’ve  left  for  you.”  Twin  gems  peer  at  you  from  the  corners,  a  glance  ever  so  fleeting.  “It’s  all  I  ask  of  you.”

Well, you can atleast manage that much.

“The  elusive  silhouette  behind  Schoenheit..”  Jade’s  eyes  crimp  at  the  horror  dawning  upon  your  face.  “Fufufu..  Might  I  request  your  autograoh?”

“No!”

“Hmm.” There’s  a  soft  tap  against  the  screen. “That’s unfortunate.”

“I’m  think  I’m  gonna  die..”

“After  all,” he  skims  over  your  remark  and  continues  lightly, “it  would  be  such  a shame  if  I  were  forced  to  keep  this  to  myself.”

♡  Ack!  Looks  like  your  ‘backing  away  from  a  selfie’  technique’s  gotten  old  and  rusty,  because  right  in  front  of  you  Jade  holds   up  his  phone  screen  to  let  a   familiar  picture  unspool  in  your  mind:  the  stunning  mien  of  your  tutor,  and  the...  very  dead-looking  you  hunching  in  the  corner.  You  almost  smack  Jade, but  the weightlessness  in  your  knees  shows  no  sign  of  ebbing  away, ultimately  coercing  him  into  assisting  you  onto a chair  as  you  fan  away  your  dread....  

♡  Very  tentaively  and  graciously  does  he  show  you  the  onslaught  of  comments  and  likes  on  the  single  post.  Some  of  them  are  big,  red  circles  outlining  your  slouched  self,  others  are  complete  jargon  along  the  lines  is  this  a  hard  launch  or  they  definitely  make  him  laugh .  Nevertheless,  it  daubs  your  face  in  a  layer  of  impermeable  heat.  You’d  think  Vil  would  have  the  gentility  to  remove  the  post,  or  at  the  very  least,  crop  you  out  —  but  no.  Somehow,  you  think  it’s  all   a  big  part  of  his  elaborate  plan. That  jerk!  Was  he  always  this  petty  in  the  game?  

“Careful,” he  hums, far  too  pleased  for  someone witnessing  your  social  demise. “You  wouldn’t  want  to faint  before  signing, would  you?”

“I’m  not  signing  anything,” you  mutter  weakly. “Delete  it.”

“Delete it?” he  echoes, as  if  you’ve  suggested  something  quaint.  “But  this  is  already  quite  public.”

Your  palm  clenches  into  a  fist,  and  before  you  know  it  you’ve  wringed  the  suave  eel  with  the  livid  round  of  your  fist  and  streeled  him  towards  you. 

His  eyes  widen,  a  reaction  you  seldom  elicit,  but  as  you’re  standing  so  close  to  one  another  —  a  breath  away  —  you  take  your  chance  and  jab  your  finger  right  through  his  chest.  Much  like a  knife. 

“Jade.  Delete.  It.  Now.”

♡  Ugh!  You  know  Jade’s  already  made  a  million  screenshots  and  saves  of  this  garbage  of  a  photo,  but—

Huh? 

“Jade?”  You  inquire,  blinking  up  at  him. 

The  male  does  not  respond,  and  funnily,  his  eyes  stay  enlarged,  air  forsaken  in  the  galleries  of  his  throat,  hitched. 

The  long  streak  of  black  descending  from  his  teal  tresses  feather  against  your  cheek, a  soft, absent-minded  brush  that  shouldn’t  feel  like  anything,  but  does.  He’s  looking  at  you,  a  stare  unlike  Vil’s  —  everlasting  and  deep  —  your  finger  still  pressed  to his chest,  feeling  the  faint  rise  and  fall  beneath  your  touch.

When  his  breath  steadies,  the  world  returns  to  normal,  and  so  does  his  close-eyed  visage.  You  rip  your  hand  away,  and  a  soft  chuckle’s  effused  into  the  space. 

“…My,” Jade  exhales,  his  tone  a  bit  too  soft. “How forward.”

“.. Sorry?”  You  avoid  meeting  his  stare,  a  twinge  of  anxiety  rippling  through  your  nerves  at  the  crescendo  of  his  stare.  “I  shouldn’t   have  gotten  so  close.”

“Oh,  don’t  look  so  dejected. You  rarely  come  this  close of  your  own  accord,” Clad  in  that  ususal  manner,  with  his  finger  tapping  against  his  chin,  he  croons  that  last   part  with  something  much,  much  lower  threaded  beneath.  “I  should  thank  Schoenheit.  Don’t  you  think  so?”

You  blink,  in  a  daze,  before  dipping  your  head  in  refusal.  “You—”

“Though,” Oh?  In  your  stupor,  you  realize  he‘s  taken  hold  of  your  hands once more, made  to  entwine  and  be  ensared  in  one  place.  Very  subtly  does  his  thumb  run  along  the  edges  of  your  pulse.  You sputter. “if  this  is  what  it  takes  to  draw your  attention…”

A  muscle  ticks  in  your  jaw.

“I  might  be   inclined  to  keep  it.”

An  empty  space  greets  Jade  when  he  opens  his  lids, the  outline  of  your  shadow  speed-walking  to  the  nearest  exit. 

♡ Yikes! That gave you second-hand embarrassment, but no worries.. you’ll manage, just like you’ve always done. Except.. Jade doesn’t seem too big on letting you scurry away from his reaches, or perhaps he has a knack for freaking you out. One day, after a sun-bleached and stifling lecture on Magic history, paired with the unmistakeable traces of Lucius’ fur on you, you tumble out of the doors and catch your fitful little breath. The hallway becomes lined with students, and soon you’re just one small ant in a horde of them. Nothing can tell you apart from others, nothing but the all-encompassing mismatched eyes of your tormentor, of course.

“Fufufu,” An arm extends towards you. “You look quite fatigued. Dare I assume you dislike Professor Trein?”

You nearly jump out your skin and scream at the waxy mien, a hand flying to your chest as you try to swat him away — much to your dismay, he seems entirely disaffected at your light barrage. Only smiling in shame’s stead. “Dude, warn me next time before you— just appear!”

“On the contrary,” Jade tilts his head. “I’ve been here for quite some time.”

“I highly doubt that.”

“Then, in the light of your doubt, allow me to escort you,” As if this had always been the natural conclusion, he closes his eyes merrily.. “You’re in no condition to be wandering alone. After all, I’ve word Vil’s searching for you, something about your rescheduled sessions...” With the shrewd smile you detest, he coaxes you forward. “We wouldn’t want that, would we?”

“I am alone.” you argue weakly- but at the thought of said blonde male’s imposing stare, are ultimately forced to loop your arm through his and weave through the hubbub. The ends justify the means or whatever it is they say, you chant to yourself.

♡ What you get, however, isn’t salvation, rather half-phrases referring to your untimely appearance in the post. At this point, you’re trying to shield yourself by hiding behind the eel- but even that proves futile. Jade would sell you for a box of mushrooms, you close your eyes and affirm, but when you push your sight open again, you catch him musing over your antics even as the prefect’s voice floods Main Street. In the area he used to lurk and prowl in their presence, he now stands by you. This is bad. This is very, very bad. This is so bad you can’t even think of the repercussions. You just want to knock some sense into the man.

‘Schoenheit seemed a bit off-kitler today.’ The prefect, voice swept with the breeze yet as captivating as ever, sags in worry. You can’t see them, you refuse to, but you hear the light tempo of their footfalls. ‘He wanted to do my makeup again, but something kept coming up.’

“That guy again?” Ace, you assume, slumps over their shoulder, frown tearing his words apart. “..He’s got the hots for you. Of course he’d act weird, man.”

♡ Something feels wrong.

♡ You can feel it too. As the crowd shrinks and twists and fluctuates around you, you absent-mindedly huddle closer to the eel, heedless to the frazzled downturn of his eyes. The prefect laughs, the prettiest thing you’ve ever heard, someone bumps your shoulder, and suddenly your ears become hypersensitive to everything. Bodies move slowly, slowly, slowly and slowly- until—

“Le voilà.”

♡ Rook, ever the all-knowing, stands a few ways away and as witness to the confusion mottling your face. Oh.. no. Eyes crimping at your realization into half-moons of intrigue, he strides closer.

♡ Right. You’d forgotten. You’re no stranger to ditching Vil’s study sessions, but when it comes to a staggering amount of absences, he has this very strange way of acquiring you back. It’s never worked, partly beacuse you’re privy to his tactics and his esteemed hunter, but he’s caught you at a bad time, and is surely here just to drag you back. Ugh...

“Now, now,” Rook tilts his head, green eyes flicking briefly to where you cling. “Must you borrow another’s shadow to escape mine?”

“I’m not—”

“Non?” he smiles like he’s coaxing something something mulish into the open. “Then come.”

Unfortunately, you step back and bump right into Jade.

“My, my,” Hums the eel. “You’ve become quite popular.”

Rook’s smile widens, if that’s even possible. Good grief... He narrows his gaze down to another half-moon, constricting the space only around the forms of you two — you can see the gears coiling and turning in his head as he analyzes you, and the feeling is downright pervasive... Luckily, it seems he’s rather content with his deduction.

“Why, of course! A natural occurrence,” he trills. “Beauty, once glimpsed, cannot be ignored.”

“Is that so?” Jade hums. “Well then, you’ll have to forgive me for intruding. You see, my club member and I are already quite occupied, and..”

Gloved fingers perch themselves upon your face and pull. Your lips are dragged into the most lachrymose, tragic downturned frown known to man. You freeze, but all the while, Jade angles your face ever so slightly towards Rook, as though adjusting a display.

“..I’m sure you can guess.” He finishes — smoothly — with the everlasting, even more all-knowing glint in his eyes.

You swat his hand away. “Stop doing that!”

Much to your chagrin, Rook leans in, and you have an inkling of what he’s thinking. “On the contrary,” he breathes, delighted, “you are most captivating when you protest. There is a most certain candor to it.”

“I want to LEAVE.”

“Non. If the moutain does not change, then the hunter shall simply hone his approach.”

(Somewhere far away, Vil sighs. He’s become rather tired of your antics, hasn’t he? A spud should never be this elusive).

“That look on your face tells me you’re thinking of running away, pup.”

♡ The potion bursts in your face when he says that, and you book a first class flight to another one of his ceaseless reprimands. Truth be told, you’ve completely gone off to the deep end, or as you would put it, the deep end of complete isolation. For the past few weeks, you’ve attracted unsolicited attention, and you like to think you’ve gone radio silent on all your ‘acquaintances’ and their accidental run-ins henceforth. But, as your misfortune would have it, this solitude also implies you’ve made a habit of never turning up to your study sessions with Vil... and well, we all can see where that’s going, since you’re standing in the brutish aftermath of that decision right now.

“This,” Crewel tuts, circling you with his protracted gaze and lined, dark eyes. “ is precisely the reason why I entrusted Schoenheit with the... gruelling task of tutoring you.”

“I—”

“Save it.” His voice slices clean through the air, his heel clicks once against the floor as he stops in front of you. “If you’re about to offer excuses, I suggest you swallow them. I’ve no patience for poorly brewed lies.”

♡ Everyone has a knack for interrupting you, it seems. Explaining that you’d been avoiding people like the plague, and that every interaction lately feels like walking into a spotlight you never asked for, that even thinking about sitting through another one of Vil’s faultless study sessions drives you mad — feels like too much effort. So, you make do with what you have and try to make the most of it. Crewel does not pry for more, he presents in front of you a nimiety of vials and examines you wordlessly getting to work. There is something different in your eyes now, something unusual, but he need not prod for fruitless things.

♡ Along the way, Crewel talks a few times about Yuu. You try to cancel their names out from memory, but such praises are born to seep into your ears and stay etched in your bones.

♡ Lately, everything’s about Yuu now, isn’t it? Every single one of the student body is so intent on gushing over them, it almost makes you feel resentful.. Granted, you’ve stayed in the shadows for far too long to even have the right of such an intense emotion, but it gets to a point when such a constant in your life is a person you’ve never met before. Vil, Jade, Kalim, Jamil... you’re just so, so tired.

♡ So, you just.. focus on the task at hand. The orange substance goes into the green.. whatever that is. Shoot! You can vaguely recall Vil telling you something about this particular formula... maybe if you’d just listened..

“—Perhaps, you wouldn’t have stooped to such an unsightly level.” The voice arrives as quickly as it ebbs away, prompting a deep, frigid chill to rove over your spine. “I recall instructing you to follow the example I set for you.”

♡ Ack! Speak of the devil, and he shall come with a visage as gorgeous as his tone. Only.. you’ve been trying to evade the clutches of said devil from the start, and instead instantly spiral into a plethora of hows and whys.. after all, you’d avoided him to the utmost of your abilities, did you not? You find yourself thinking that, yes, Crewel must’ve had a part in this, judging from the now vacant classroom. Only.. you also find yourself thinking of Rook’s words: If the mountain does not change, then the hunter shall simply hone his approach.

“You’ve no clue of the trouble you caused me. ” Vil pivots on his heels, and looks down at you through his nose. You are almost inclined to believe he takes joy in the way your head lolls dejectedly across your shoulders (at your inevitable defeat, of course), before your posture straights as per usual and you pertain to his demands. For with an expulsion of air that could be deemed a self-satisfied chuckle, he leans forward, and makes you regret every single decision you’ve ever made in your life.

“Don’t give me that look, spud. After all, you’re the one causing me such inconvenience. Had my hunter not set his eyes on you, I’d still be quite lost..”

You clench your eyes shut, a headache blooming.

“I can never satify you, can I?” Your teeth press. “Go ahead. Do what you want or whatever.”

..

Silence ensues, prompting your head upward.

From the way he looks at you, you’re almost mortified he’s mulling the suggestion over his tongue, lashes feathering against it. His lips recede before bursting forth with the words you’ve grown to dread, finger propped against the sides of his face, and this time — he looks at you with pleasure.

“Oh, spud. You needn’t concern yourself with such things. Rest assured,” He eliminates any space between you with a flick, eyes crimped. “I will be doing exactly what I want.”

“Huh-?”

♡ For the first time in his life he willingly grabs you, or rather the sides of your arm. Bringing you forward, you feel a thump-thump-thump against your palm.. until realizing it’s only the feeling of your hand pressed against your erratic, feverish heartbeat — anchoring you to your seat, the other latching onto the sides of the table.

“You’ve made a habit of running, haven’t you?” He closes his eyes in peaceful contemplation. “Let’s correct that. You’ll leave when your work is presentable.”

“Vil-”

“Fairest one of all.”

The next moments that transpire are a blur.

You can’t remember exactly what happens, only your hands gliding across the table and growing lax and sore with each movement; of you grabbing a vial, mixing something, lost within the drunken, heavy daze of your mind. Your lips feel vacant, your body feels numb, but you hear him speak up behind you, the words barely registering on your ears as he orders another potion.

What’s going on? Your vision’s a mixture itself, of amorphous shapes, of your own limbs, your own fingers wrapped around the small jar and its contents squirming, fighting for dominance. Everything is moving sluggishly. Your head hurts so much. What happened to your voice? Were you speaking before?

It doesn’t matter, all you can see is him. As stunning as ever, like a queen perched upon her throne, face awash in perpetual contentment. Blonde tresses descend upon his shoulders, silken locks brushing against the back of his neck. His posture is straight, tall, and elegant; arms crossed and face serene. So unlike you.

Huh..

You think this is the first time you’ve ever seen him so clearly.

“Now,” An upturn dances at his lips. “That wasn’t so difficult, was it?”

“Yo,  Deuce,  who’s  that  weirdo hiding  behind  the  couch?”

“Be  quiet  for   a  second,  dude.  We  just  lost  Yuu.  Where  did  they  even  go?”

♡   To  hell  with  your  life!  How  desperate  do  you  have  to  be  that  you  need  to  use  Kalim’s  parties  as  a last  resort  and  for  your  own  selfish  perusal?  You’ve  gone  insane  these  past  few  days,  having  Jade  Leech  flank  you  whenever  he  desires,  having  Vil  hot  on  your  tail.. (huh, strangely enough, you can’t recall ever interacting with him in potionology as he claims)  and  receiving  a  bundle  of  invites  from  the  red-eyed  devil himself. Scarabia’s  warm  and  arid  air’s  just  shy  of  crushing  your  deserted esophagus,  so  you  take  to  your  heels  and  conceal  yourself  in  a  gold-accentuated  cranny  of  the  room.  Granted,  Scarabia  is  your  dorm.  You’re  free  to  wander,  but  with  this  many  people...  attention  is  unavoidable,  isn’t  it? 

♡  The  notion  of  seeing  Vil  again  has  messed  with  your  head.  It’s  safe  to  say  you  detest  him  to  no  end.  Ugh,  you  loathe  his  polished  heels  and  his  exceptionally  well-applied  eyeliner,  oh, and  you  also  resent  his  luscious,  blonde,  blinding-  whatever.  The  point  is,  you’ve  bitten  off  more  than  you  can  chew.  So  you’ve  been  left  to  your  own  devices  for  now,  as  you  try  to  vehemently  recall  every  single  detail  left  vague  in  the  game.   Twisted  hearts,  twisted  hearts,  twisted  hearts.  It  seemed  ordinary  at  first  glance,  ordinary  love  interests  with  a  tad  bit  too  much  verve  in  their  devotion —  but  mentally  well,  nonetheless!

“Huh— hey!  Isn’t  that  the  magicam  hunchback?!”

“Ace, they’re our senior! Have some respect..”

“Dude, chillax! They’re only a second year!”

Which episode  do  you  die  in  again?

♡  Ace  and  Deuce,  ever  the  cautious  duo,  eye  you  from  far  off,  probably  noticing  you  rocking  back  and  forth  in  a  kneel.  Oh,  and  you’re  probably  chewing  on  your  nails  as  well,  so  that’s  double  the  humiliation  points. But can you bring it in yourself to care? No, never. You’re just so, so tired. Even as, inexplicably, Deuce opens his palm to you, and inquires of your state in such a belittingly sincere manner, you offer him no response but the deliberate, messy shake of your head. Oh, no.

Taking to your heels, you pace around in circles. You let the music swell. Just barely, just enough to drown out the buzz and-

“Hey! Watch out!”

And fall right into someone’s lap.

Hm. What were they even doing? Sitting alone in a corner? They..

Oh.

Yuu stares down at your wide-eyed face, tracing the way your hair’s splayed upon their clothes like tiny veins snaking around their legs. Your lips are parted just slightly, expelling a momentary breath of shock, feeling their weight buttress your nape, and it’s not soon before you find yourself scrambling for purchase..

Except..

Yuu doesn’t move. They don’t utter a single thing; in fact, their breath hitches, and the tips of warmth as pretty as the zenith of the sunset floods their face. For a moment, you almost find the likeness of your face casted back within the overwhelming pool of their irises; bleak and bleary-eyed and scrambling time and time again. When you maneuver and get up, your legs wobble, you blink, and yet all you can see is Yuu.

Yuu.

Yuu, the person you’ve swore never to associate yourself with.

How’s your life come to this?

“Huh..” They blink, fog dissipating. “Um... are you real?”

You scratch your head as a response. No, no you’re not.

If you’d told Eddie a month ago that he was about to become a contestant on Love Island, he would’ve laughed in your face.

He wasn’t the type. Love Island was for models, wannabe actors and Tik Tokers who did those stupid little dances to ten-second song clips. Eddie was twenty-eight, fresh off a tour with Corroded Coffin, and was proud to say that he’d never watched a Tik Tok in his life. 

He had only been aware of the show’s existence because of Robin. When she’d told him that she would be living in Fiji for two months to work as a field producer on the show, he’d been ecstatic for her. Years of working small jobs and flying under the radar on TV set after TV set had finally paid off for Robin, and Eddie couldn’t be prouder of his friend. So proud, in fact, that he binge watched the most recent season just to make sure he could watch the season she would be producing and keep up with it. Not what he generally preferred to watch, but it was certainly entertaining. 

To say he’d been surprised when Robin called him a few weeks before the premiere of the first episode would be an understatement. She didn’t greet him with a ‘hello’, no ‘how’ve you been’, but instead opened their phone call with “Please don’t be mad” and “I’m really really sorry.”

“Robin,” Eddie had said, his voice already on edge in anticipation for whatever she was apologizing for. “What did you do?”

“The execs were going crazy, I just blurted your name out and before I knew it I was pulling up your Instagram on my phone, and-”

“Robin! Start from the beginning, why were the execs going crazy?”

“Well, one of the cast members had a family emergency, so they had to fly back home. The next up on the list was ready to go, but then a video of them saying a racial slur resurfaced, so they were out. Then it came out that the next backup had said a different racial slur, and-”

“Robin!!”

“I suggested you as a bombshell.” she’d finally blurted out. “I had recommended Steve and they love him, so when the casting director came to me asking if I knew anyone else-”

“You suggested the antithesis of Steve Harrington? Robin, what were you thinking?”

“No, that’s the thing! You’re exactly what they’re looking for, you’re edgy, smart, funny-”

Eddie couldn’t help but smirk smugly at that. “If you’re trying to butter me up, Buckley, I gotta say it’s working.”

“Good, because if you say yes you’ll be saving my ass.” Robin did sound desperate. Eddie crossed his arms, ready to at least hear her out.

“Okay,” he sighed, taking a seat on his worn leather couch. “If I were to say yes, what would it entail?”

Robin went on to explain what would be necessary— a self-tape to show his personality and his comfortability in a swimsuit, a psychological screening, some paperwork about his dating history— but according to Robin, all of that would be a formality. They already wanted him on the show. 

“Not to mention you’d get an all-expenses-paid trip to Fiji! And you just finished your tour, right? So you’re free!”

“Bold of you to assume I don’t have any plans lined up.” Eddie grumbled.

“Well, do you?”

“…No.”

“Perfect! Send me the self- tape by tomorrow, and start packing your bags! We can probably have you flown out by-”

“Robin, I haven’t even said yes yet.” Eddie raked a hand through his hair. This was so much to digest at once. 

Robin waited patiently on the other line, evidently giving him time to think about it. Eddie searched his brain for a solid reason to say no— America could decide they hate him, but he was used to being an outcast. He’d had lifelong experience in that department. He might have a horrible time, but then again he was pretty good at finding a way to enjoy himself even in a room full of people he hated. He knew how to make his own fun. 

After a solid ten seconds of silence, Eddie gave his answer. 

“Which swim trunks should I wear for the self-tape?”

It had been a whirlwind from there. Before Eddie had known it, he was Fiji-bound on the longest flight of his life and then carted off to a resort where he would spend two weeks without any contact with the outside world other than the episodes of the show that Eddie was shown as soon as they premiered. 

You were his favorite from the start.

Your connection with Argyle was flimsy, he could tell. Anyone with eyes could see it— how when you smiled at him, it never reached your eyes. How Argyle seemed complacent in your connection and never asked you anything deeper than “Did I make your coffee the way you like it?”

You poured all of your energy into being just likeable to stay but not dramatic enough to go. The persona that you portrayed on the show seemed so carefully crafted to him, like something built for display instead of practical use. He was dying to see who you really were under all the fine-tuned bullshit.

Eddie could pinpoint the first moment that he decided he would be the one to crack that facade you put on for the cameras. It was in one of the early episodes— you’d been playing nice with all the other islanders thus far, minding your business and keeping the peace, never causing drama. In this particular scene, Angela was sitting between you and Heather on a shaded couch by the pool, telling you about her connection with Jonathan.

“Like, he said that he could see us dating outside of here, and I’m like, what?? Like, you actually think I’d go for someone like you if it wasn’t my only fucking option? He’s delusional!”

Heather was laughing. Angela was laughing. But you? You were deadpanning into the distance, like you couldn’t stand to look at her. You changed the subject as soon as their laughing had died down, but Eddie had seen it- the loathing you were fighting like hell to keep quiet. He knew that loathing because he’d felt it— every time he’d watched a cheerleader ask him out as a joke, every time he’d watched some macho meathead toy with a nerdy girl’s emotions for a laugh, he’d felt that. 

So at that moment, he knew he had to meet you, the real you. The woman who simmers when holding her tongue back from tearing into a stuck-up harpy like Angela when she belittled Jonathan for having something as foolish as hope that someone like her might actually be into someone like him. 

He wanted to see what you said when you didn’t hold yourself back. To see who you were when the cameras weren’t watching.

Now, as Eddie strutted across the villa towards the fire pit where everyone was waiting for him, his eyes were zeroed in on you. Much to his amusement, you were pointedly looking just to his side, as if to look directly at him would be for you to admit something that you didn’t want him to know. 

That’s interesting. 

Eddie joined Ariana about two feet from where she stood before you all, grinning at the girls who were tittering with their shared inside joke. “Eddie,” Ariana addressed him now, “it’s lovely to have you here. Recognize any familiar faces?”

He smirked, looking around at the giggling women and the moping men. “I see a lot of familiar faces, Ariana; I’ve been keeping up with the goings on here since they started. Though more recently I got the chance to get to know some of you a bit more… personally.” He nodded a knowing hello. “Evening, ladies.”

The girls were practically beside themselves now, laughing outwardly at the boys’ confusion. “Wait…” Jonathan said, finally putting two and two together. “When they went backstage—”

“—Eddie was back there waiting for them.” Ariana finished, eyebrows raised and a mischievous smile on her lips. “Eddie, how well would you say you got to know the girls here tonight?” 

Eddie shrugged. “You could say I got a taste.”

That certainly got a reaction from the guys, all of them groaning at A) how bad that pun was, and B) the fact that all of the girls were looking at each other and Eddie, giggling at the memory of making out with him behind the curtain. You participated too, sure, but still you avoided his eyes like the plague. What is she scared of? Eddie thought. 

Argyle seemed oblivious to your specific reaction to Eddie; he looked just as nervous as the other guys. “Bro, we’re cooked.” he groaned to Jonathan, who sat beside him looking dejected and a little confused— he was already single and vulnerable, since Angela had left him for Andy during the recoupling last week. If anyone was cooked, it was him.

“But boys,” Ariana interrupted their groans, her eyes glinting excitedly. “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about you. It’s only fair that you get a taste of something new as well.” She turned to face the same entrance that Eddie had just emerged from. “Come on out, Eden!”

When Ariana departed the villa and the group of you dispersed to have your respective chats to get to know the bombshells, you made a beeline towards Eden. The newest bombshell was pretty, wearing black leather to match Eddie’s pants and matched him even further with her collection of tattoos. They weren’t as numerous as Eddies— a stick-and-poke here, a floral piece there— but it was enough to make her look more alternative.

“Hi!” you crooned, putting on your most welcoming smile and enveloping her in a hug. “Let’s go over to the couch, we want to get to know you better.”

You knew Eddie had been staring at you the whole time Ariana was talking; he hadn’t exactly tried to hide it. By swooping in and claiming her first chat for the girls, you could put off talking to Eddie for a little while. You knew you’d need to talk to him eventually, but the longer you could put it off, the better. You still needed time to figure out how to handle the way your body chemistry seemed to go haywire the moment he was within reach.

You and the girls got to know Eden a little better while the guys pulled Eddie to do the same. After that, you were able to make it about ten minutes before Eddie cornered you in the kitchen. 

“Hi!” he’d said, a lilting taunt hiding in his voice. You knew he could tell that you were avoiding him, and he was laughing about it.

“Hi.” you replied, glancing up at him with what you hoped was a polite smile. You were standing over the stove making a grilled cheese while he stood against the bartop across from you, leaning in and grinning knowingly.

“Can I pull you for a chat?” Eddie asked.

You glanced down at the snack which, in truth, was almost done cooking. However, you weren’t lying when you said, “I’m making a grilled cheese right now.”

Eddie was all smiles. “I can wait.” 

Well fuck. 

“Okay, cool!” you replied brightly. “So where are you from?” Might as well start the conversation here and now, if this guy was going to stare at you until you talked to him.

“Oh, here and there.” he said. “I move around a lot for work, but right before this I was living in Chicago.” 

“And what do you do for work?” you asked, flipping your grilled cheese to the other side. 

“I’m a musician.” Eddie replied.

You heard Steve’s voice from behind you add, “That’s an understatement, this guy’s an actual rockstar!” He and Nancy were joining the two of you in the kitchen. Familiar friendliness flashed across Eddie’s face as Steve approached, which piqued your curiosity.

“Well I’m trying to appear humble over here, Steve.” Eddie grinned. “Can’t be coming off full of myself on the first day.”

“Do you two know each other?” you asked. 

The boys looked at each other, as if they were silently trying to gauge how much they should be divulging. “We have some mutual friends.” Steve decided on. 

You nodded, satisfied with the answer. If there was more to the story, it was the producers’ problem and not yours. 

Your grilled cheese was finally done, so you shut off the burner and shovelled your sandwich onto a plate. “Alright, Eddie.” you sighed. “Let’s go chat.”

He hopped off his stool like an excited child, to which you rolled your eyes. He was adorable, but you didn’t want to let him see that you felt that way. You led Eddie up the stairs to the lounge chairs overlooking the villa. The spot was private, but not so intimate or romantic as some of the other locations you could have chosen. The perfect place to make it clear to Eddie that you had no intentions of coupling up with him.

“Did I do something?”

You blinked. “What?”

Eddie was stretching himself across one of the lounge chairs, looking at home here even though he’d only just arrived. “Our kiss during the challenge was fucking phenomenal, you seemed to enjoy it— hell, you were all giggly and weak in the knees— but ever since I came out here, you can hardly look at me. Did I do or say something to make you uncomfortable? Because if I did I want to apologize, that was the opposite of what I was trying to—”

“Whoa. Slow down.” you had a feeling that he would ramble forever if you didn’t stop him. “No, you didn’t make me uncomfortable. Yes, the kiss was…good. And it’s not hard to look at you, I’m looking at you just fine right now, aren’t I?”

Eddie raised an eyebrow. “No, I’m talking about earlier. Don’t try to lie and say that you weren’t avoiding eye contact earlier, because you were.”

You could double down. You could gaslight the fuck out of this guy, and you knew you could probably spin the narrative in a way that would make him look like the bad guy. Some of the viewers would probably start hating you for it, but you doubted it would impact your optics too much. Your conscience, however, was just a little too loud this time to let you do that. 

You sighed, coming clean. “Okay, you got me.” You took a moment to string your words in the correct order, to gather your thoughts so that what you said came out how you wanted it to sound. You didn’t want to lie, per se. However, being completely honest was way more vulnerable than you wanted to be right now. 

“I think you’re a very attractive guy—”

“Thank you.” Eddie said with a grin that looked ready to start picking out wedding colors.

“—But,”  you continued, trying not to return the smile but failing miserably. The corners of your mouth turned up against your will in the face of this guy’s brazen attraction to you. “I’m really happy in my connection with Argyle.”

“No you’re not.” Eddie’s retort was so blunt that it took you a moment to register what he’d said. 

“Yes,” you bit back, “I am.”

“You don’t like him like that. I can tell, it’s written all over your face whenever you talk to him.”

You were stunned. There’s no way he could’ve seen what you’d said in the confessional, was there? There was no way, you’d only just said that this morning.

Were you that easy to read?

Eddie just sat there, slightly smug but more curious as to what you would say— or hold yourself back from saying. When you said nothing, he glanced over his shoulder at the villa below and raised an eyebrow. “Hate to break it to you, babe, but I don’t think Argyle feels the same way you say you do.” 

You craned your neck to see whatever he was looking at and sure enough, there he was: Argyle, lounging on a couch downstairs with his arms wrapped around Eden, eyes closed and lips locked.

Did it hurt your feelings? No. Was it frustrating as all hell? Fuck yeah.

“Good for him.” Eddie said, as if he were a proud older brother and not Argyle’s competition for your affections.

You were getting a little pissed at this guy’s candor. You sighed sharply, dropping your polite smile and gritting your teeth. “Are you trying to piss me off?” 

His grin grew wider, and his brown eyes darkened in a way that lit your soul on fire. “Wasn’t the intent, sweetheart, but I’d sure love to know what that looks like.”

You stood from your seat, hands curling into fists. “What’s your problem?”

“My problem is the fake little smile you like to wear, and you just put it away.” He stayed seated, but tilted his chin so he could more easily meet your eyes. “I like you a lot better like this.” 

You were fuming. First this guy makes you feel all kinds of feelings that you did not sign up to feel today, and then Argyle throws you a very inconvenient curveball. Now Eddie sits there laughing at the fact that your couple— your ticket to staying on this island— is falling apart before your eyes? 

Fuck this guy.

You brought your face the slightest bit closer to his, and with the most seriousness you could muster, you hissed, “Stay away from me.” 

And with that, you were stomping down the stairs, wishing for privacy more than anything so you could scream into a pillow or something. You made it about five steps down when you realized you’d left your grilled cheese. 

You stopped, heart racing, head hanging, and took a moment to sigh defeatedly before you turned around to climb the steps again— only to find Eddie waiting at the top of the stairway, waiting with your plate in hand and a smirk on his lips. 

Your cheeks heated as you grabbed the plate from him, mumbling a “Thank you.” before pivoting to descend the steps once again. 

“My pleasure, sweetheart!” he called over your shoulder. You resisted the urge to flip him the bird.